Chapter 24 - As the Crow Flies
The rumours about what had happened to Lara spread around the school fast. The Valentine's Ball had immediately been stopped and everyone was ordered back to their common rooms and dormitories right away. No one was allowed to leave and two teachers remained in each house common room for the whole night to make sure everyone stayed safe.
Barney didn't want to leave Tabitha after the shock of seeing her prediction come true but McGonagall insisted that everyone had to go to their own common rooms. Thomas was also in a state of panic as he had to go back to the Hufflepuff common room without knowing if Ottomaya was OK as he hadn't seen her since she left to use the bathroom.
Back in the Slytherin common room the students discussed amongst themselves what could have happened to Lara and some tried to get answers out of Professor Slughorn who was there but he didn't give away any details and just told everyone that they should go to bed. Though no one even bothered to try and speak to Professor Grim who was also there with him to keep them safe through the night, though Barney felt less safe having Grim there.
Barney headed to his dorm and changed out of his dress robes and soon he was joined by the rest of his dorm mates who were a mix of worried about the attack and upset that the ball had finished early. They were also unhappy that Eustice had to leave at once with the rest of Hogwarts exchange students to go back to Ilvermorny so they hadn't got to spend as much time with him as they had hoped.
By the time everyone had stopped talking and gone to sleep it was well past midnight but Barney was still wide awake. All he could think about was the attack on Lara. Although none of the teachers would say who she was attacked by, Barney knew full well who it had been. It had been the beast and if his prediction was true, he would be it's next victim.
The next morning the Slytherin students had all been escorted together to the Great Hall for breakfast by Professors Slughorn and Grim who had spent the whole night on guard in their common room.
The mood in the Great Hall was very sombre. Every trace of the Valentine's Ball had been removed and it was back to the bland grey stone room it usually was. Nobody barely spoke over breakfast and Barney didn't have much of an appetite but he managed to spot Tabitha across the hall who gave him a reassuring smile to show she was feeling better than she had been last night.
The students were kept in the hall well after their first lessons should have started and everyone was beginning to get restless when Professor McGonagall arrived and headed straight to the front of the hall to address them all.
Her face was mournful as she began to speak. "Good morning students. May I first thank you for your patience this morning and also your cooperation last night in returning to your dormitories in an orderly fashion. I have just come from the hospital wing and I am pleased to tell you that Lara is in a stable condition. Madame Pomfrey is confident she will make a full recovery and should be able to leave the hospital in a few days. I'm sure you all will join me wishing her a speedy recovery. And as I'm sure you've all heard by now that Lara was attacked in the Ravenclaw Tower. I have not had an opportunity yet to talk to her about what happened but I ask you to please not speculate at this time about what exactly happened to her. But for your own safety I will be enforcing a curfew and everyone must be in their common rooms by nine o'clock each night and no one is permitted to leave again until the morning. I also urge you all to be vigilante and to report anything suspicious, no matter how trivial it may seem to a teacher right away. Your safety is paramount to me and all of the Hogwarts staff. Thank you."
Professor McGonagall walked off, leaving all the students with more questions than answers as the rest of the teachers started to usher students to their lessons.
"Everyone knows it was the beast that attacked her, I don't know why they don't just say it," Maximille stated as the Slytherins started to leave the Great Hall with everyone else.
"It probably won't be long before it attacks again. I just hope they don't cancel the Quidditch matches," Silvanna fumed, feeling the beast was more of a nuisance than a threat though Barney was feeling very differently.
Later that morning Barney headed to his Defence Against the Dark Arts class and was pleased to find Professor Night was taking the lesson. And even better they were going to be practising their Patronus charms. Barney didn't know if the charm would be much use against the beast but he felt it couldn't hurt to be able to produce it if needed. And another reason to be glad of the lesson was that it was his first chance that day to speak to Tabitha and check how she was feeling after last night's events.
"How are you both?" Barney asked as he sat down at a desk with Tabitha and Thomas.
"Still feeling a little shaken but glad to hear that Lara is going to be alright," Tabitha said, sounding less that her usual self.
"I barely got any sleep last night," Thomas added. "I had no idea what had happened to Ottomaya last night. Professors Sprout and Meron were in our common room all night but wouldn't tell us anything. I didn't know she was OK until I saw her in the hall this morning but I've still not had chance to talk to her."
"Oh I had Transfiguration with her last lesson and spoke to her briefly. She's fine. Apparently she came out of the bathroom to find everyone being ordered back to the dorms though the Ravenclaws were taken to the library for a bit while the teachers made sure their tower was safe for them to return to," Barney said, trying to reassure Thomas, though in all honesty she had looked a little upset and shaken but that was to be expected with everything that had happened but he had decided to not tell Thomas that as he knew it would only worry him.
"And how are you feeling?" Tabitha asked Barney.
"Me? I'm fine."
"But your vision must be playing on your mind now that all of Tabs' have come true?" Thomas asked and Barney had been thinking of nothing else since he saw Lara being carried on the stretcher but he wasn't about to admit that and worry is friends.
"Oh that, I mean Tabs is great at Potions. She's way better than me. I probably didn't even make mine right. I doubt any of mine will come true."
Barney hoped he was right. So far in the time that all of Tabitha's had come true, nothing he had seen had come to pass. Except for Professor Grim shouting, but that pretty much happened every lesson he had with her though none of the times seemed the same as in his visions. In class she would shout at students in anger but In Barney's vision it was more like she was shouting in fear.
It had been a few months since Professor Night had first shown them the Patronus charm before Christmas and still most students had yet to master it though a couple of people had managed to produce a fairly clear Patronus. However Barney was one of the ones who could still only manage a small wisp and things didn't seem to be improving this lesson.
"Are you thinking of a happy enough memory?" Thomas asked, feeling pleased with himself having just produced a Patronus that vaguely resembled a dog.
"It's pretty hard to think of happy things right now with everything that's going on." Barney replied before making another attempt and this time the wisp seemed smaller than before.
"Well we don't need to ask Thomas what happy memory he's thinking about," Tabitha said teasingly. "I'm sure it's no coincidence that last night you were dancing with Ottomaya and now today you're almost producing a perfect Patronus."
"Oh shut up, we're just friends remember," Thomas protested. "Plus she'll be going back to America in the summer."
"Well you were pining for her last night," Tabitha added with a smirk.
"I was not. I was just worried about her that's all."
After a little more teasing of Thomas, they all got back to practising their Patronus charm but still Barney was having no luck and he was beginning to think he would never be able to produce one but Tabitha was having more success.
"I did it!" she exclaimed as a clearly distinguishable shape formed from the silver wisp that emitted from her wand. "I can't believe I did it!"
A small silver monkey swung through the air before disappearing as Professor Night came over.
"Well done Tabitha, that was a very good attempt indeed," he said as everyone went back to their attempts having been momentarily distracted watching Tabitha's Patronus.
"But why is it a monkey?" Tabitha asked a little confused.
"Well a Patronus typically takes the shape of an animal the caster shares a deep affinity with," Night explained.
"Yeah so why a monkey?"
"Well monkeys are known for many things. They symbolise rebelliousness and resourcefulness, which are both qualities which you clearly demonstrate. And likewise for Thomas' who's takes the form of a dog which symbolises loyalty and friendship."
Barney wondered if he ever did manage to produce one, what form it would take. Knowing his luck it would take the shape of something weak and insignificant.
When the lesson ended they all made their way to lunch and Hamish was waiting outside the Dark Arts classroom to escort Tabitha to the Great Hall. And though Hamish was trying to be chivalrous and protective towards his girlfriend with everything that was going on, Barney found it nauseating and unnecessary. He and Thomas were more than capable of looking after their friend.
As they walked to lunch, Barney let Tabitha and Hamish go ahead on their own, not particularly wanting to walk with them as he and Thomas hung back and he looked on envious.
"I'm sure you'll get it eventually," Thomas said, noticing his friend was looking down.
"Get what?"
"The Patronus. What else would I be talking about?"
"Oh yeah right my Patronus. Sorry just a lot has been going on. My head is all over the place."
As Barney continued to walk he watched Tabitha and Hamish up ahead, holding hands and laughing and the amount of jealousy he felt inside was making him feel sick.
As lunch drew to an end, Barney made a quick stop back to his dorm to collect his textbook for his Ancient Runes class. As he was returning from the dungeon he saw Ottomaya heading outside and she looked upset so he decided to go and check she was OK.
As he got outside he saw her disappearing round the corner of the castle and quickly followed her. But when he got to the edge of the castle wall and peered around he was shocked by what he saw. One second Ottomaya was standing there, the next she had transformed into a crow and had flown off. She was an Animagus.
Barney didn't know what to do. He started to think about everything that had been going on and back to the first time the beast was seen by Thomas in the Forbidden Forest. Thomas had been following footprints, which had suddenly stopped and that's where he had found the beast. What had happened to the person who made the footprints? And also Ottomaya was missing when Lara was attacked. She said she was in the bathroom but she was missing a long time. He knew he had to tell someone.
He raced back to the castle and almost knocked over Thomas as he burst through the door.
"Hey take it easy," Thomas said picking up his book that Barney had knocked out of his hands. "What's the rush?"
"Oh nothing, sorry thought I was going to be late for class," Barney lied, not wanting to tell Thomas the truth about Ottomaya.
"OK well shall we head to Runes then?"
"Actually I need to see Professor McGonagall first," Barney said sounding flustered.
"What for? I thought you were worried about being late for class. Is everything OK?"
"Yes everything is fine. You go ahead to class and I'll be along in a bit."
"Do you want me to come with you to see McGonagall? You don't seem OK."
"Yeah you know what it can wait, I'll speak to her later. Lets get to class," Barney said knowing Thomas wouldn't take no for an answer and didn't want to mention anything to him about Ottomaya. Barney knew he could be jumping to conclusions here so it was probably best to not tell Thomas that she was an Animagus just yet as he didn't actually have any proof that she was in fact the beast.
However all through Runes class he could think of nothing else. Was Ottomaya the beast? The more he thought about it the more it didn't make sense. Animagi were in control of their animal forms so why would Ottomaya be attacking people? But she had never told anyone she was an Animagus so she was deliberately hiding it from people, why? Though if she was the beast it would explain why it had never been seen before this school year started and she had arrived from Ilvermorny.
"So I've been thinking about Ottomaya," Thomas said, snapping Barney out of his deep thoughts.
"What?"
"Ottomaya. Do you think I should ask her out. I know she just said she wanted to be friends but I was thinking about asking her if she wanted to go for a drink on our next Hogsmeade visit."
"What? Absolutely not!" Barney replied a little too forcefully.
"Why not?"
"I mean she said she wanted to just be friends and she'll be leaving soon so what's the point in trying to pursue something? Plus you barely know anything about her."
"What do you mean? I know loads about her," Thomas replied confused by his friends sudden lack of support.
"Look I think you should just leave it OK. Just trust me."
"Has something happened between the two of you? Is that why you wanted to see McGonagall?"
"It's nothing. Just leave it," Barney said, hoping Thomas would drop the subject now.
"No tell me. What has happened?" Thomas demanded out of character and Barney could see he was getting upset and feeling he had no choice but to tell him the truth now.
"I think she might have been involved in the attack on Lara."
"What? That's ridiculous. Why would she want to hurt Lara?"
"Where was she though when it happened? Nobody was with her." Barney noted.
"That doesn't mean she attacked Lara. Anyway everyone knows it was the beast who attacked her."
"But what if Ottomaya is the beast?"
"What? Don't be stupid. What are you talking about?" Thomas said completely lost and having no idea what his friend was talking about.
"Ottomaya is an Animagus. She never told you that did she?"
Thomas was momentarily lost for words as he processed what Barney was saying. It made no sense. Ottomaya was a kind and friendly person. Why would she attack anyone? Barney must have got it all wrong.
The rest of the lesson was awkward between Barney and Thomas. Thomas had asked many questions about why exactly Barney thought Ottomaya was the beast and Barney had to admit he didn't have many answers. The more he thought about it the more stupid it sounded. But he knew he still had to tell Professor McGonagall even though Thomas pleaded with him not to. If someone else was attacked and Ottomaya did turn out to be the beast he would never be able to forgive himself.
As soon as the lesson ended he quickly departed before Thomas could change his mind and headed straight for McGonagall's office.
When he got there he stood in front of the gargoyle which guarded the entrance to the staircase up to her office and had a strange feeling of deja vu. He had been to McGonagall's office many times in his six years at Hogwarts but he had always been summoned. He had no idea how to get up to the office when he hadn't been invited.
"Porskoff Ploy," Barney said, remembering a previous password that had been used last time he had been to her office but the gargoyle didn't budge.
He then began saying other words and phrases linked to Quidditch, knowing McGonagall liked to used passwords linked to the subject but still nothing happened.
He was about to give up when the gargoyle started to turn even though he hadn't said anything and the staircase leading upwards was revealed.
Barney sprinted up the stairs and found Professor McGonagall behind her desks, seemingly waiting for him.
"Good afternoon Mr West."
"Good afternoon professor. Did you know I was down stairs waiting to see you?"
"Well I wouldn't be a very good headmistress if I didn't know when a student was in need would I? So how can I help you?"
"Well..." Barney said before pausing as he thought about how ridiculous what he was about to say sounded. "It's about Ottomaya."
"What about her? Is she OK?"
"Yes she's fine, well I mean no she's not alright. I mean that's nothing wrong with her but... well there's something wrong with her."
"Mr West I am thoroughly confused. Is she or is she not OK? And please don't speak in riddles this time."
"See the thing is... Ottomaya is... well she's an Animagus and I think she might be the beast."
McGonagall sat dumbstruck at Barney's words and wasn't sure at first how to answer. "And how have you come to this conclusion?" she asked.
"I saw her turn into a crow."
"I see. And the beast is what animal exactly?"
"I'm not sure. Some kind of wolf type animal I guess?" Barney replied, not actually sure what the beast was even though he had seen it once with his own eyes.
"But the beast is most definitely not a crow correct?"
"Well no."
"I would think your knowledge would be better than that. Surely you know an Animagi can only transform into one different form?"
Now this time Barney was the one who was dumbstruck. He had totally forgotten about that point. He felt stupid now for having thought Ottomaya had been behind the attacks and for telling Thomas his suspicions.
"But she still never told anyone that she was an Animagus," Barney said, trying to justify his reasons for suspecting her even though now his idea sounded completely ridiculous.
"I am well aware of Ottomaya's Animagus ability as is Professor Night. As in this country the same applies in America that Animagi must be registered so I was fully aware of the fact before she came here."
"But why didn't she tell anyone?" Barney asked.
"Because some witches and wizards can be distrustful of Animagi. There have been instances in the past where people have used the ability to transform for immoral doings thus tarnishing the ability to transform for the rest of us. Exactly how you were distrustful of Ottomaya as soon as you found out she was an Animagi."
Barney felt bad. He knew Ottomaya was a good person so he should have not instantly thought the worst of her. "I'm sorry Professor."
"You have nothing to be sorry for except for some poor judgement. I am pleased you came to see me. I did tell all students to come see me or another teacher if you saw something suspicious. The current situation in the school is worrying so we all need to be vigilant. But I did hope you haven't told anyone else about Ottomaya being an Animagus? It is clearly something she doesn't want others to know until she is ready to tell them herself."
"Er no," Barney said, trying his best to not show he was lying.
As he left McGonagall's office all he could think about was how stupid he had been to suspect Ottomaya. And how he now needed to immediately find Thomas and apologise for accusing the girl he liked of being the beast that was terrorising the school.