Silver Blood
Chapter 12: A Prediction
The summer weather was beating down on the small town in London. People were bustling about chatting about gossip, shopping or getting ready for a nice long vacation. One figure though, was oblivious to the happy-go-lucky people around her. She was walking past, lost in her own thoughts. Her auburn hair glistened in the intense sunlight, showing off her highlights and bringing out her hazel eyes. She was walking with a grocery bag in hand. Many people were off work that day because of the strange occurrences going on in the town and even a few towns nearby.
She stopped by a person selling newspapers and bought one. Juggling the bag into her other hand, the young woman, Angelina, opened it to the front page. The first headline that popped up at her was: Murder of Three Teenagers Still Under Investigation. She shook her head with grief. She had heard about the killings that happened the day before just outside of their town. Three teenagers apparently went camping together in a large meadow nearby a small forest. Evidence showed that the bodies that were found away from the campsite weren't done by humans. They figured it was some type of wild animal, mostly because of the faint tracks near the meadow.
Angelina closed the newspaper, taking her light jacket off because of the high early afternoon rays.
"It couldn't be an animal. Not if even the best animal experts couldn't figure out what made those tracks."
Sighing, she stuffed the newspaper in the bag next to the cat food. She walked down a few more blocks to get home. It would've saved time had she had a car, but hers was in the shop for some minor repairs. Her house was on the edge of the border of the city and countryside. She only had a few neighbors, most which were too old or too young, but it was a peaceful neighborhood.
The one thing she loved most about her neighborhood was the beautiful terrain of woods near the back of her house. When the sun rose it colored the trees' leaves in orange-red light. It was a sight she never missed. Even her cat, Angel, loved the sight, sitting on her claw refiner bed in the living room her big blue eyes staring intently out the back window. She couldn't wait to get home and see her little Angel. She smiled at the vision of the fluffy white ball of fur walking toward her. Her keys jingled from her pocket as she took them out and fumbled for the right key. It was all ready almost 3 o'clock and Angel would want to be let out for some fresh air. She usually didn't take so long when shopping, but she had stayed around to listen to the chatting going on among the people in the grocery store, while a TV above the counter was reporting events going on.
There were many interviews of people who swore they saw a beam of light come down from the sky over the forest and "creatures" came out to feast. The news was much like that nowadays for the past week. Some thought there was some magical superior out there, and some thought finally the end of the world was coming, just because several groups of people were brutally murdered. The bodies were so...bizarre that most believed animals did it.
One picture that was most vivid in her mind, was the one of the kids out taking photographs of the wilderness. Their bodies were found covered in blue spots, if that were even possible. Sure, she could admit to strange happenings, but she wasn't about to go so far as to say there were people out there with magical powers, it was too far-fetched.
Looking back down the narrow paved driveway, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The house was quiet, too quiet. No sound of the little bell collar Angel got for Christmas. No exited meow followed by the white fluff ball running to her feet. Slowly, she closed the door, looking in the large comfortable living room where Angel usually sat, and in the kitchen off to her right. Everything seemed in order and untouched.
"Angel?" she called, setting her keys down on the smooth, marble kitchen counter.
No sound.
Angelina made her way toward the small "toy room" where Angel's bed was, along with most of her cat toys. The room was just down the small hallway from hers. She saw that the door was partly open and there were long claw marks on the bottom and sides of the door.
How did Angel get in? She couldn't have scratched it open, could she? I filed her nails just last month.
The door squeaked open as she pushed it back, peering inside. All the toys were scattered around, some chewed horribly. The cat bed was tipped over and there was no sign of Angel anywhere.
"Oh no," she gasped. "Angel. I hope she's not hurt. What if a dog chased her inside..."
She trailed off, knowing it was unlikely, unless the dog had supernatural powers. None of the doors were tampered with and Angel didn't have a special cat door. Suddenly, she noticed the closet door was ajar. Squinting she could see a glimpse of something from inside, though she couldn't make out what it was. Slowly, she approached the door. She licked her dry lips.
"Angel?" she asked, her voice weak and full of fear.
No answer.
She bravely grabbed the door knob and pulled it open. At the sight inside the closet she let out a loud scream that echoed throughout the house.
XXXXX
The castle stood, lonely and quiet, looking more vulnerable than ever before without its headmaster. The window on the second floor was open letting the warm summer air through. Madam Pomprey came over, poked her head outside, then shut it tightly. She stared outside as the sun beamed strongly over the landscape. It was all ready almost four. It was strange that she didn't see any clouds in the sky. Madam Pomprey turned and lowered her eyes on Harry's still form, which was finally breathing slowly. Although he wasn't about to get better he would at least be stabilized and it was good news for Sirius, and even Remus. She knew how much they were worrying, along with the other teachers as well.
Harry was their savior. He was the only one who ever survived the killing curse and defeated the Dark Lord, multiple times at that, from what she heard. He was very unique. There was something extra about him. He looked and acted normal, it was only his powers that separated him from the average wizard his age. They grew abnormally fast and strong, which made her believe there was something different about him internally. Probably no one would ever know. He'd probably remain a mystery, but it was likely if he had kids they'd be more powerful than him. Hopefully, the tradition of heroes wouldn't die out. That was the only reason the world was more peaceful than it ever was, for the time being anyway.
Sighing deeply, she went over to Harry's bed and checked his temperature. His body was thankfully warming up, but for how long? How long until they lose him for good? She didn't want to think about it at all, but her duty as a nurse made her realize the poignant truth. If they didn't find some healing potion that was strong enough to heal him from the inside out, he would die. Even as his heartbeat steadied to a slow rhythm, his mind was far away, trapped in some dark plane where he couldn't be reached.
Madam Pomprey tucked the covers more over Harry's body. She had never come across anyone whose mind had been banished to the darkness, but she had heard many stories long ago. She knew Harry's mind had been either cursed or somehow lured into a dark mind-plane. It was one of the most impossible curses out there. No one had ever accomplished it, the only known beings to have this rare, evil gift were demons of a high level. But demons existed long ago and were since reincarnated as dark creatures that loomed only in shadows and feasted only in the darkest hour of the night.
The only creature, or monster rather, existing now with that ability was the Tebanicore, a new species that only came out half a century ago. It's a large beast that has the body of a lion, but claws like a water demon and teeth as sharp and deadly as a scorpion's tail. It had the rarest ability of a monster to become invisible. It evolved from the Manticore and Tebo, both rare and very dangerous to the wizard world. If one looked deeply into its eyes for more than a minute, until the pupils turned black, their souls would be banished to an eternal darkness. So, how Harry ended up the way he did was a mystery in itself. Without knowing how, it was hard to even look for a proper cure.
Fearing the little amount of time Harry had left, she left the Hospital Wing and made her way to the Headmaster's office. She had promised Sirius once she had stabilized Harry the best she could and got him comfortable she would send for him so he could visit with his Godson. It was almost too painful to watch Sirius looking at Harry like the end of the world would come with his last breath. Remus too usually was so bright and cheerful, but because his best friend's son, the last Potter, was dying by some unknown, but surely evil cause, he was quiet and gloomy. She was only grateful that Harry's friends, Ron and Hermione, had not heard of the news. It had stayed only within the castle walls. Even the news of Harry watching Fudge was known with the Hogwarts staff and the Ministry. But Harry's friends wouldn't be on vacation forever, what then? What if they came back only to find the whole world upside down? Madam Pomprey pushed away her worries and doubts and climbed the spiral staircase leading to the office. She knocked on the door twice.
"Come in," she heard Professor McGonagall say.
She walked in, expression neutral. Sirius put his cup of tea down the moment he noticed it was her.
"May we visit?" Sirius asked, the hope barely noticeable in his voice.
Madam Pomprey nodded and watched Sirius and Remus rise out of their chairs and leave the room. She sighed sadly and slumped into a chair across from Professor McGonagall.
"How is he Poppey?" Professor McGonagall asked wearisomely.
Madam Pomprey fiddled with her apron, looking down. "I'm really not sure, Minerva. I've never seen anyone in such a bad condition as he is. Without any healing potion at all, he's not likely to survive," she said quietly.
Professor McGonagall's eyes lowered sadly, her age finally showing through the professional mask she kept up. "What about Severus? Doesn't he have anything?"
Madam Pomprey hesitated thoughtfully, but finally shook her head. "Not likely. He has the basic healing potions used to heal injuries, but we need something stronger...All the potions we have in the school are taught for class, nothing this serious. There aren't any that could help him. At least nothing that I know of," she added, pouring herself a cup of tea.
"Did the Healiter potion do any good?" she asked.
Madam Pomprey stirred her tea slowly and finally looked up at her a bit helplessly, "A little but...he needs something stronger. Something that can permanently sustain him, or heal him. If we had a lot of the Healiter's potion, it might work, but we'll never know. It's so hard to come by nowadays, except in tropical areas. Our only hope would be that the Ministry somehow has a bottle stored away, or maybe if there was some other potion that could work...," she paused. "Has Dumbledore written back yet?"
Professor McGonagall opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted.
"He hasn't, and I fear even his help won't be enough."
Madamp Pomprey turned to glance at Professor Trelawney, this time without skepticism. She truly doubted anyone would be able to Harry now, he was too far gone and the supplies they had wouldn't be enough. Professor McGonagall too seemed all out of hope, but still she tried to be the voice of reason.
"I'm sure he'll get our message soon, if he hasn't all ready. He must know a way to help Harry."
The room became unbearably silent as they all sat in thought about what might happen to Harry, and what would happen to Hogwarts and the wizard world without their key to peace.
XXXXX
The Hospital Wing door opened as Sirius and Remus strode in silently. Each was too consumed in worry to speak. Sirius immediately rushed to Harry's side, clasping his hand. Remus sat down beside Harry's bed, staring at him with uneasy eyes.
"He's got a heartbeat, Remus. It's not too late," Sirius whispered, his eyes rising to meet his.
Remus didn't meet his gaze. Instead, he continued to stare at Harry's form. Harry's chest rose slowly up and down, but he's breathing seemed more forced than if he were just sleeping. Sirius was still staring at him hopefully. Feeling his gaze, Remus turned to him.
"There's always hope, Padfoot. Always until the very end."
Sirius smiled sadly, remembering the first time he had said that back when they had been on the verge of being expelled as kids. Sirius looked back at Harry and frowned.
"When are Ron and Hermione coming back?"
Remus was snapped out his daze by the slap of reality. He remembered Ron and Hermione, the discussion between them and Sirius even before last year's school was out, before summer vacation. The party...yes, that's right. He remembered now. He had forgotten because of the bad feelings he had had while Harry was away at the Ministry, and then when they found him...
"I believe," he said, eyes widening slightly as the memory played back, "they planned to be back by Harry's birthday, which is— "
"Tomorrow," Sirius cut him off, rubbing his eyes with one hand. "They can't see him like this. There has to be a way to heal him. If we don't and Dumbledore's too late...," he trailed off. His throat became too dry to let him continue. He didn't even want to think of the possibility, but it was happening.
"There's no more Healiter's potion, besides it might not have been strong enough anyway."
Sirius only nodded, knowing Harry was too far out of their reach now. The only way to heal him would be a miracle healing potion...and what was the likelihood of that?
In the shadows, blending into the darkness and out of view, but not out of hearing range, stood a looming figure listening to every word they said. Slowly, the figure slipped away so as not to be detected. The black robe slithered back into the shadows, dragging behind the figure.
XXXXX
The room was silent until the door opened and Snape strolled in. The teachers looked up surprised. He looked at all of them wordlessly, finally settling his eyes on Madam Pomprey.
"Poppey, may I have a word?" he asked.
She nodded and set her tea down eager to be relieved of the awkward silence. They stepped outside the office and Snape closed the door.
"What is it, Severus?" she asked, studying his expression.
He folded his arms casually, "I was curious as to what you used to stabilize Potter. It has seemed to work, has it not?"
Madam Pomprey sighed, "Well, I used the Healiter's potion. It has worked, for now, but all it has done is gotten his heartbeat started, along with his breathing, nothing more. His skin is still cold, his temperature is low...," she shook her head.
Snape stared at her intently, "I see...To my knowledge the Healiter's potion is used to cure any physical injuries, possibly even a serious fever."
She nodded plainly, "Yes, I know, but I figured it would at least give his body some immunity so he could get his heartbeat back himself."
Snape looked at her thoughtfully, "Have you figured out the cause of his condition?"
She folded her arms almost protectively. "Yes, it appears his life force has been drained, as well as his powers. I don't know how...or what monster would do such a thing, but unless he has some kind of very powerful healing draught, or something to cure him from the inside, I'm afraid we'll lose him."
"...Something to heal from inside...if added, maybe...," Snape muttered quietly.
"What?" she asked aloud.
He snapped out of his thoughts, "I was just thinking of a perfect final exam potion that would be great. Thank you for your time," he said turning around and walking away.
Madam Pomprey blinked with a look of confusion and walked back inside. Professor McGonagall looked up as Madam Pomprey sat back down.
"Where did Severus go?"
"He just left."
"He's probably going down in the dungeons. He'll be there for a couple hours or so, I believe. He's most likely going to try to concoct a very difficult potion for the seventh years." She smiled softly, "Severus always feels like himself around his potions."
"He's probably trying to take his mind off of everything that has been happening," Madam Pomprey said quietly. "I only wish things could get better. If only we could find something to cure our problems."
"That's strange..."
They both looked up from their conversation to see Professor Trelawney looking out the window, a strange, far away look on her face.
"What's strange?" Madam Pomprey asked.
"She is," Filch muttered, stroking his cat innocently as Professor McGonagall shot a look in his direction.
Professor Trelawney didn't answer. Her eyes were focused outside, but she looked like she was in a daze. Her face was rigid and her eyes unblinking. Madam Pomprey, being a nurse, was worried. It certainly wasn't normal.
"Sibyll...?"
Professor Trelawney's eyes narrowed and unnoticed by anyone her pupils dilated abnormally. Her face was white and her hands clutched the window sill tightly.
"Darkness will fall upon this world. Everything we know will be covered in shadows. They will come...They will feast in the eternal night and there will be no where to hide..."
Madam Pomprey heard her voice deepen and become more raspy as she spoke, but she couldn't hear everything she said. Something about darkness and feasting.
"Excuse me?" she asked puzzled, wondering if she was talking about tonight's dinner.
Professor Trelawney blinked, her eyes scrunching in confusion. Her hand dropped from the window sill and she turned around to see Madam Pomprey looking at her expectantly.
"I'm sorry, what?" she asked, feeling she had been dozing off again.
"You just said something. I couldn't hear you though."
Professor Trelawney stared at her blankly. "I did? I don't remember saying anything."
Madam Pomprey's eyebrows narrowed in confusion, "I could've sworn...I mean, I'm sure you did."
Professor Trelawney brushed off her robe and folded her hands, "I'm quite certain I didn't dear. I suspect the tension is getting to all of us."
"Told you," Filch muttered so only Madam Pomprey could hear. She shot him a puzzle look. Professor McGonagall, who heard him mutter again, shot him a glare.
"Yes...I suppose so," Madam Pomprey replied softly, looking down thoughtfully.
XXXXX
The colorful blinking lights were barely noticeable to her. Angelina was shaking from head to toe, even in the warm summer breeze, hoping her little Angel wouldn't be scared of the strange lights. Slowly, she pulled Angel's favorite cat toy closer. The police officer stopped talking with his partner, who was holding a bunch of fliers wondering where to put them, and walked up the driveway toward her. He nodded politely.
"Well?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
"Ma'am, we'll try to find your cat as best as we can. We don't want to give up hope, but there have been many animal and pet attacks in the last few days."
She paled a bit and looked down uncomfortably. How could he tell her that as if to say Angel was all ready gone, and then ask her not to give up hope? Her hands shook slightly. The officer noticed her unease and stepped closer.
"Please Ma'am, don't worry too much. Leave food and milk by the front and back doors. She'll turn up sooner or later. You say she was inside the house so we're guessing it was a runaway, maybe she saw a bird outside."
Angelina's throat felt dry, but she managed to look up. "But...she never runs away, not unless she's really scared. And what about all the torn cat hair I found...and the claw marks?"
The officer looked away for a moment and looked back. "We haven't been able to determine if those claw marks were made from your cat or not. But it's very doubtful any animal got inside. I'm guessing your cat got herself stuck in the closet and panicked. Or, it could be that a squirrel got in. That's been happening lately too," he said looking at her as if he wanted to be able to answer all her questions. "For some reason squirrels and chipmunks have been getting into people's houses. Don't know why though."
She looked at him desperately, "My cat had her nails filed recently, and those claw marks were much too big for a squirrel or a chipmunk."
The officer looked at her as if contemplating what to tell her. "Look ma'am, I wish we could help more. There was no sign of breakage anywhere, even for a small animal to have gotten in. And please understand ma'am, we've had at least seven murders, or suspected animal attacks, just in the last couple days, not counting before either. We've got to worry about the safety of the people first. If we find her though, dead or alive, we'll let you know."
She nodded silently, unable to reply. She knew about the murders of the teenagers that happened a couple days ago, and of a couple who were out together past dark, but she hadn't heard about seven murders. There must've been several other victims during that day. The officer turned around and walked back to his car. Angelina watched them go and walked back into her house. Immediately, she put tuna fish and milk, two of Angels' favorite treats, by the front and back doors. Then, still holding the gray mouse in her hands, she sat stiffly on the couch. Her mind was in a daze. Where had Angel gone? Why had she run away? And why were there suddenly so many murders? Was there a dangerous gang lurking by that had recently escaped prison from a different country, or was there suddenly an infestation of dangerous animals? If both people and animals were being killed...what did that mean? Something strange was definitely going on.
Wanting to relieve some of her stress, she got up and put the toy down. She grabbed her house keys and walked out. She needed some fresh air and some time to clear her mind. If worse came to worse, after Angel was found, she could just find another small house somewhere else. She had always wanted to see Paris, or Italy. But right now, she needed to go shopping to take her mind of off everything. Angelina walked out across the front lawn, but began slowing her pace. There was something different. It was darker than it had been when the cops came. She looked up at the sky.
"How strange...," she murmured.
The sun was still shining brightly in the sky and there were no rain clouds or anything covering it. The sky was clear and beautiful, perfect for a summer day. She began walking again, but stopped. She could feel it now, the difference in the air. Summer air was usually thick and moist, but this air...it was thin and cool. Was it chilly? It couldn't be. It was 80 degrees outside, or more. She shook her head, it had to be her imagination. It couldn't all just change like that in less than an hour. Still, she couldn't find herself able to move from that spot. What was this feeling? It was like, an instinct almost. She could feel something happening, but what was she feeling?
She looked out into the street and saw that even though the sun was beating down brightly, there were no rays lining the streets or the yards. She couldn't have been imagining it, it was right there in front of her. Suddenly, a familiar sound caught her attention. Was it...bells?
It couldn't be.
Then she heard it. A soft meow coming from somewhere nearby.
"Angel?" she called loudly, looking around.
Suddenly, from across the street, shot this small white ball of fur. It was running faster than ever, almost like it was being chased, but she didn't see anything chasing her. Before Angelina knew it, Angel jumped into her arms. Her fur was a wreck and she was meowing almost fearfully every minute.
"Angel!" she smiled happily, cuddling her cat. She then noticed Angel's strange behavior. "What's the matter, girl? Is something chasing you?"
The cat meowed frantically, burying her head in her arms.
"Angel?" she asked worriedly. What had scared her so bad? Usually she just hissed if a dog came too close.
Just then she felt a cold chill up her spine. She shivered by instinct. It was only 4:30 in the afternoon, it couldn't be cool.
"Why is it so chilly all of sudden? The weather was just great a minute ago," she wondered aloud.
Eyes narrowing with suspicion, she covered her eyes with her hand and looked back up at the sky. That's when she noticed it. Something was very wrong with the sun. Slowly, almost fearfully, she uncovered her eyes and dropped her hand by her side. Her mouth was slightly open in awe, but more from worry and fear than amazement. She could look at the sun without it hurting her eyes. She was barely squinting either. And the light from the sky seemed to dim, like a light in a room, except the earth was the room.
"Oh my God," she whispered.
Suddenly, a low growl came from somewhere only a short distance away. Angelina jumped and her cat hissed fearfully, before whining again.
"Angel, what is that?" she whispered. "What is chasing you?"
Another sound came from her right and she wheeled around quickly to look for the source of the noise. She could hear something but she couldn't see anything. It was times like these she wished she had a boyfriend, or even a close by neighbor, but she lived in the country. Her closest neighbors were at least five blocks away and she didn't want to be out in the open. The sky was getting even darker now, but not as fast as the ground below was. It looked like early evening had fallen below the sky and it was still late afternoon up in the sky. Cautiously, Angelina backed up toward the house, her breathing becoming more rapid. She looked in all directions, still unable to see any signs of movement.
She stepped back on a branch that snapped the sound echoing. She froze instinctively. That's when she heard the soft sound nearby. Like something being dragged, or sliding. Leaves crumpled to her left and she jumped a little, wanting nothing more than to run inside her house as fast as possible and lock all the doors, but she couldn't move. Her adrenaline was pumping, telling her to run now, but fear was paralyzing her to the spot. It was growing darker on the ground quickly and soon it would be too dark to make her way back to the house. And if she was out in the open unprotected, she wouldn't be able to protect herself or Angel from whatever was after her cat. And the animals would most likely be able to see her.
She inwardly shivered, suddenly reminded of the brutal murders. Were they from animal attacks? Had one of those animals come chasing after her cat? Her throat tightened as her blood turned cold. She was most likely very pale and rigid, because she could no longer feel the warmth of her body.
"Angel, it's okay. We'll just go inside and call the police okay?" she whispered backing up even more.
Suddenly Angel began hissing and meowing trying to jump out of her arms. Angelina wanted to comfort her and hold her tightly because she didn't want to lose her again, but she was suddenly immobilized. She could hear heavy breathing nearby. Her breath caught in her throat, it didn't sound like a person or an animal, unless it was a very sick animal. Slowly and shakily, face rigid and locked into a tight wide-eyed expression, Angelina managed to move her feet to turn around. A flash of black eyes and sharp teeth was all she managed to see as her scream echoed in the wind as darkness was slowly falling. The inhuman howl of hunger filled the air, covering her cries as the grass was covered in red. Angel dashed fearfully away, her white tail partially covered in a wet, red substance, not knowing soon there would be no where to hide.
TO BE CONTINUED...