Chapter 11: Murderous Meeting
"See what?" said Harry in a puzzled tone.
"I thought I saw..." She headed towards the trees in the forest.
"Naomi, no! You're not allowed in there." Harry ran forward and grabbed her arm. He didn't want her to go in there and get hurt. She looked up at him (she was just a few inches shorter than Harry was), then back into the forest.
"I know I'm not allowed, but...All right. I won't go. But I thought I saw something..." she sighed. "Never mind. We should head back to the Hall."
As they all headed off to the Great Hall, Harry and Naomi fell behind Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
"Are you going to tell me what you saw in there?" Harry asked her.
She smiled. "Not yet. I'm sorry, but I'm just not ready to tell everything yet."
Harry nodded. "I understand."
Naomi beamed at him. "Thanks, Harry."
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Finally, just before they entered the Hall, Harry said, "I wonder what this is about? Why they told us to come back, I mean."
"No idea."
They entered the Hall and seated themselves with Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. According to Ron's watch, it was now 6:28. They talked among themselves until, at exactly 6:30, Dumbledore stood up.
"Thank you all for coming. I hope you enjoyed your free time-" there was a cheer from the students "-and I would like to make just a few announcements. First, as you all well know, there is a Hogsmeade weekend coming up. I have one request, and that is that no one wander around the village alone. Always have someone else with you. This is for reasons that I'm sure you all are aware of.
"Next, I would like to say that we will be having the last ball that I mentioned at the start-of-term feast on May the twelfth. I'm not sure if I mentioned this at the feast, but I will say it now anyway. The balls will only be open to fourth years and above. Unless," an angry outburst had come from everyone under fourth year, and Dumbledore raised his voice to be heard over them. "Unless, of course, you are invited to the ball by someone fourth year or above.
"Finally, I would like to state that Quidditch try-outs will be held on Saturday. Exact times will be posted on the notice boards. I believe that is all. If any more announcements should arise, they shall be posted in the house common rooms. Now, off to bed!"
As Harry stood up to leave, a voice said behind him, "Potter, Smith-If you'd stay behind for a moment?"
Harry turned and saw that it was Professor McGonagall. She was looking as though she was trying to make sure no one overheard and became suspicious. "Yes, yes, Weasley and Granger, you should come, too," she said as Ron and Hermione looked curiously at her.
They stayed behind and-after all of the students had filtered out-Dumbledore told them to follow him. He led them into a chamber off to the side of the hall, which Harry had been in on a few occasions before this. Dumbledore conjured up some chairs by the fire and motioned for them to sit. They all took a seat, Ron and Hermione on one side of the fireplace, and Naomi and Harry on the other. Dumbledore took the seat directly opposite the fire. He looked around at them all.
"I know you are all wondering why you are here."
They all nodded slowly, Ron making a noise in his throat that sounded like "Mmm-hmm."
"Well, I suppose it would be best to just get down to business. Harry and Ron, I understand that you, Ginny, Fred, and George wandered into the Black Corridor last August." He looked directly at Harry.
"I-I didn't know it was called that."
"Yes, well, the name is not that important. What I must say is that you-don't look so horrified, Mr. Weasley, you are not in trouble!"
Ron sighed and looked extremely relieved.
"Your curiosity is sometimes good, but sometimes bad, as you may have discovered. When you went into that corridor, I don't believe you realized that the very last room on the hall was where Naomi was staying."
Harry and Ron gaped at Naomi. She smiled and winked, then turned her attention back to Dumbledore.
"You came very close to discovering her. And I must say that Alastor probably would have laid the blame on her. I know it sounds very unjust, but Alastor simply has trouble trusting people. You know how he is.
"Harry, you kept a very level head, even after you and Fred were the only ones left. This shows even more your bravery and skills. If you are wondering why some of the things that happened did happen, please feel free to ask." Dumbledore looked around at them all, seeming to know that Ron and Harry were bursting with questions to ask. Ron went first.
"Why did that door close after George disappeared?" he asked.
"Miss Granger-?" said Dumbledore, obviously offering the question to her.
"Well..." she blushed. "I closed it. I didn't know you were in there!" she added quickly.
"Why weren't you with us when we found it?" said Ron angrily.
"Because I was getting food to bring to Naomi! I'm sorry, it was an accident!"
"It's quite all right, Mr. Weasley. As Miss Granger has said, it was an accident. Any other questions?"
"I've got one," said Harry. "Why did everyone disappear and end up in that cage?"
"Ah," said Dumbledore, for the rest of them also looked like they wanted to know as well. "You see, that corridor has many secrets in it. There have been extra safety precautions to make sure that no one can get to them. You see, if you are not an official member of the Order, there are certain things that will take you to that light cell. It is rather like the high-security vaults at Gringott's."
"But the key was right there!" said Harry.
"Well, we learned that you were down there, and we knew you would need to get out once your fellows began to disappear. So even before George vanished, we had a key in there for you. We made sure that it would be a test of your wits in order to get your friends out. If, for whatever reason, everyone was captured, we would, of course, have taken you out." He smiled at them, then said, "If there is anything else you would like to know, please never hesitate to ask me. And, Naomi," he added, in a slightly quieter tone. "Have you told them yet-?"
"No, sir," said Naomi, hanging her head.
"It is quite all right. You mustn't tell before you are ready. To bed with you all!" he clapped his hands and ushered them out of the chamber.
As they made their way out of the Great Hall, no one spoke. Harry felt a bit stupid for taking that corridor so seriously while he had been down there, and Ron seemed to feel the same way. By the time they got to the deserted common room, however, they were talking about Quidditch try-outs.
"Are you going to go out for the team, Naomi?" asked Harry. He really hoped she said yes.
"Are you kidding? Of course I am! What spots are open?"
"I think it's two Beaters and two Chasers, what with Ginny on the team and all," said Harry. He was quite taken aback. She seemed to know all about Quidditch, too.
"Nope, it's one Beater, two Chasers, and one Keeper," said Ron. When Hermione and Harry looked questioningly at him, he said, "I'm thinking of moving to Beater instead of Keeper."
"But you did really well that one game-"
"Yeah, that one game. I did really crummy the rest of the time."
"So Seeker's not open?" said Naomi, looking disappointed.
"No way, that's my job!" said Harry.
"Fine, then, I'll go out for Chaser. I'm better at Seeker, though."
"You play?" Harry finally forced himself to ask.
"Of course! I was on the school team. We were the best in the kingdom. Well, good night!"
She and Hermione swept off to the girl's dorms. Ron looked at Harry.
"Did she just say 'kingdom?'"
×××××
Harry had the two dreams again that night, and he was feeling more and more uneasy about them. Naomi was quickly becoming one of his best friends, and he didn't want the dreams to come true.
That day they had Defense against the Dark Arts. They all crowded outside the door, waiting for Fleur to let them in. The Slytherins had Defense against the Dark Arts with them, and Harry thought that at least they'd get some practical lessons in if they had class with Death Eaters' children.
They finally entered the classroom, and Harry sat in the front row with Ron, Hermione, and Naomi. The Slytherins all sat on the other side of the room.
"Hello, class!" cried Fleur happily. "I'm Professor Delacour, but you may call me Fleur if you want, because I don't think I'll ever get used to the 'Professor' title." She smiled around at them all, and Harry grinned back.
"Now, since we all-well, most of us, anyway-" here she shot a nasty look at the Slytherins "now need to defend ourselves more than ever, I'll be teaching you mostly about dueling skills. Now, most of you had a dueling club with Professor Lockhart-not like he could teach you much, though-in second year. I don't know if you really learned anything from him, as he didn't know what he was doing himself, but I'm here to brush up on those skills."
Quite a few of them laughed at her references to Lockhart. This seemed to encourage her more, and she looked much happier as she continued.
"Now, everyone put your books and things like that away, and take out your wands. Now stand up, and I'll clear the floor."
Everyone did as they were told, and with a sweep of her wand, Fleur had cleared the desks away against the walls.
"Now, I need two volunteers. Who wants to come up first?"
A few people raised their hands, including Harry, Naomi, Neville, and Malfoy.
"Okay, Naomi, you come up here with...let's see...Harry."
Harry grinned at Naomi, and she muttered, "Wish I could have gone against Malfoy. I would have beaten him to a pulp!"
Harry barely suppressed a laugh as he and Naomi walked to the center of the room.
"Now," said Fleur. "I want you both do start the duel properly, then demonstrate a Disarming Charm. On the count of three. One-" Harry and Naomi bowed to each other. "Two-" they raised their wands in front of them like swords. "Three!"
"Expelliarmus!" They both shouted the spell at the same time, but Naomi, it seemed, had expected this. She had aimed a little higher than usual. Then, "Protego!"
Naomi's spell hit Harry in the chest and he felt his wand fly from his hand. His spell was simply absorbed in the shield from Naomi's Shield Charm.
"Wonderful!" cried Fleur happily, dancing around. "That was brilliant, everyone, did you see what she did? Fifteen points to Gryffindor!"
The Slytherins booed and hissed, but the Gryffindors were shouting and cheering.
"You all right, Harry?" said Fleur, picking him up from the floor where he had fallen.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He and Naomi went back to the outer circle. Most of the students had seated themselves on desks, and the two of them did the same.
"I need two more volunteers for the Disarming Charm! Who's next?"
The class was great fun, and everyone came back early after lunch so that they wouldn't miss a minute of the afternoon classes. The afternoon proceeded in the same way, except that Fleur told them to use various hexes and jinxes other than the Disarming spell.
They headed to dinner, all talking excitedly about how great Defense against the Dark Arts was going to be. While they were eating dinner, one of the school owls landed in front of Naomi, holding out it's leg so she could remove the letter tied to it. "But...doesn't mail come in the mornings?"
"Sometimes it doesn't," Harry said hurriedly, "What's it say?"
Naomi read the note, her eyes getting wider in about two seconds. She finished reading the note and looked up, looking very unnerved about something. She tucked the note away and didn't say anything else the whole meal, not even when one of them tried to ask her a question.
××××××
Harry, once again, was walking down the corridor when he heard someone scream. He ran to see who it was and saw Naomi crumpled on the ground. He started toward her attacker, wand raised. "Stupef-"
"Harry! Wake up!"
Harry opened his eyes and saw Hermione standing over him, looking very pale.
"Harry, get up! She's gone! Naomi isn't in her bed or in the common room!" she hissed.
Harry leaped out of bed and flew down the stairs (he had fallen asleep in his clothes, too tired from lessons to change.), Hermione close on his heels. "Where are you going?" she whispered.
He didn't answer, but hurtled through the portrait hole, thinking desperately about his dream. Which corridor had it been? Yes...yes, this was it...it was one of the corridors that led to the marble staircase in the entrance hall. Harry heard someone scream. He sprinted around the corner and saw Naomi on the floor. She screamed again, and Malfoy raised his wand to attack...
"NO!" Harry shouted as he ran towards Malfoy. Malfoy turned, saw Harry running at him, and quickly shouted an order that Harry didn't understand, as he wasn't really concentrating on what was being said. He raised his wand and shouted, "Stupef-" but he never got the whole spell out. A very strong pair of arms grabbed Harry and pinned his arms behind his back. He felt his wand wrenched from his hand and struggled hopelessly against Crabbe's strong grip. Malfoy smirked at him, then turned back to Naomi, his wand raised once more.
"Now," he said softly. "I'll ask you one more time-"
"Never," spat Naomi, and she struck him hard across the face. Malfoy staggered back and looked outraged. Goyle began to move forward to help him, but Harry was almost out of Crabbe's grip. Goyle realized this and helped to hold back Harry. Naomi had taken advantage of this moment and slipped away, towards the marble staircase. Malfoy shouted a spell that knocked her to the floor again, then snapped his fingers. Crabbe left Goyle to hold Harry and moved forward to Malfoy and Naomi.
Harry broke free of Goyle's grip and began sprinting to Naomi. Goyle caught up with him, however, and held him back again. Harry struggled as he watched helplessly. Malfoy was standing over Naomi, looking down at her with a very menacing stare. Crabbe approached her, but she was too quick. She kicked out and struck Malfoy's ankles. He cried out in pain and fell backwards, tumbling all the way down the stairs. He picked himself up and yelled angrily at Crabbe. Crabbe picked Naomi up off the ground and threw her down the stairs as well. She didn't even hit a step until the very bottom. She landed hard on the floor of the entrance hall, and lay there, perfectly still. Harry screamed, once again, "NO!" and kicked Goyle hard in the shin. Goyle howled in pain, grabbing his leg, as Harry sprinted down the stairs, two at a time, and dropped to his knees beside Naomi.
He felt a sharp pain in his side and grunted as Malfoy kicked him away. Malfoy looked down at Naomi and snarled, "Get up."
She didn't move. He kicked her over, and her eyelids fluttered open. She slowly sat up, and Malfoy grabbed her and threw her against the wall. She smashed into it and slumped to the floor, blood now flowing from her nose. Malfoy turned on his heel and stomped off to the dungeons, Crabbe and Goyle close behind him.
"See what?" said Harry in a puzzled tone.
"I thought I saw..." She headed towards the trees in the forest.
"Naomi, no! You're not allowed in there." Harry ran forward and grabbed her arm. He didn't want her to go in there and get hurt. She looked up at him (she was just a few inches shorter than Harry was), then back into the forest.
"I know I'm not allowed, but...All right. I won't go. But I thought I saw something..." she sighed. "Never mind. We should head back to the Hall."
As they all headed off to the Great Hall, Harry and Naomi fell behind Ron, Hermione, and Ginny.
"Are you going to tell me what you saw in there?" Harry asked her.
She smiled. "Not yet. I'm sorry, but I'm just not ready to tell everything yet."
Harry nodded. "I understand."
Naomi beamed at him. "Thanks, Harry."
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Finally, just before they entered the Hall, Harry said, "I wonder what this is about? Why they told us to come back, I mean."
"No idea."
They entered the Hall and seated themselves with Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. According to Ron's watch, it was now 6:28. They talked among themselves until, at exactly 6:30, Dumbledore stood up.
"Thank you all for coming. I hope you enjoyed your free time-" there was a cheer from the students "-and I would like to make just a few announcements. First, as you all well know, there is a Hogsmeade weekend coming up. I have one request, and that is that no one wander around the village alone. Always have someone else with you. This is for reasons that I'm sure you all are aware of.
"Next, I would like to say that we will be having the last ball that I mentioned at the start-of-term feast on May the twelfth. I'm not sure if I mentioned this at the feast, but I will say it now anyway. The balls will only be open to fourth years and above. Unless," an angry outburst had come from everyone under fourth year, and Dumbledore raised his voice to be heard over them. "Unless, of course, you are invited to the ball by someone fourth year or above.
"Finally, I would like to state that Quidditch try-outs will be held on Saturday. Exact times will be posted on the notice boards. I believe that is all. If any more announcements should arise, they shall be posted in the house common rooms. Now, off to bed!"
As Harry stood up to leave, a voice said behind him, "Potter, Smith-If you'd stay behind for a moment?"
Harry turned and saw that it was Professor McGonagall. She was looking as though she was trying to make sure no one overheard and became suspicious. "Yes, yes, Weasley and Granger, you should come, too," she said as Ron and Hermione looked curiously at her.
They stayed behind and-after all of the students had filtered out-Dumbledore told them to follow him. He led them into a chamber off to the side of the hall, which Harry had been in on a few occasions before this. Dumbledore conjured up some chairs by the fire and motioned for them to sit. They all took a seat, Ron and Hermione on one side of the fireplace, and Naomi and Harry on the other. Dumbledore took the seat directly opposite the fire. He looked around at them all.
"I know you are all wondering why you are here."
They all nodded slowly, Ron making a noise in his throat that sounded like "Mmm-hmm."
"Well, I suppose it would be best to just get down to business. Harry and Ron, I understand that you, Ginny, Fred, and George wandered into the Black Corridor last August." He looked directly at Harry.
"I-I didn't know it was called that."
"Yes, well, the name is not that important. What I must say is that you-don't look so horrified, Mr. Weasley, you are not in trouble!"
Ron sighed and looked extremely relieved.
"Your curiosity is sometimes good, but sometimes bad, as you may have discovered. When you went into that corridor, I don't believe you realized that the very last room on the hall was where Naomi was staying."
Harry and Ron gaped at Naomi. She smiled and winked, then turned her attention back to Dumbledore.
"You came very close to discovering her. And I must say that Alastor probably would have laid the blame on her. I know it sounds very unjust, but Alastor simply has trouble trusting people. You know how he is.
"Harry, you kept a very level head, even after you and Fred were the only ones left. This shows even more your bravery and skills. If you are wondering why some of the things that happened did happen, please feel free to ask." Dumbledore looked around at them all, seeming to know that Ron and Harry were bursting with questions to ask. Ron went first.
"Why did that door close after George disappeared?" he asked.
"Miss Granger-?" said Dumbledore, obviously offering the question to her.
"Well..." she blushed. "I closed it. I didn't know you were in there!" she added quickly.
"Why weren't you with us when we found it?" said Ron angrily.
"Because I was getting food to bring to Naomi! I'm sorry, it was an accident!"
"It's quite all right, Mr. Weasley. As Miss Granger has said, it was an accident. Any other questions?"
"I've got one," said Harry. "Why did everyone disappear and end up in that cage?"
"Ah," said Dumbledore, for the rest of them also looked like they wanted to know as well. "You see, that corridor has many secrets in it. There have been extra safety precautions to make sure that no one can get to them. You see, if you are not an official member of the Order, there are certain things that will take you to that light cell. It is rather like the high-security vaults at Gringott's."
"But the key was right there!" said Harry.
"Well, we learned that you were down there, and we knew you would need to get out once your fellows began to disappear. So even before George vanished, we had a key in there for you. We made sure that it would be a test of your wits in order to get your friends out. If, for whatever reason, everyone was captured, we would, of course, have taken you out." He smiled at them, then said, "If there is anything else you would like to know, please never hesitate to ask me. And, Naomi," he added, in a slightly quieter tone. "Have you told them yet-?"
"No, sir," said Naomi, hanging her head.
"It is quite all right. You mustn't tell before you are ready. To bed with you all!" he clapped his hands and ushered them out of the chamber.
As they made their way out of the Great Hall, no one spoke. Harry felt a bit stupid for taking that corridor so seriously while he had been down there, and Ron seemed to feel the same way. By the time they got to the deserted common room, however, they were talking about Quidditch try-outs.
"Are you going to go out for the team, Naomi?" asked Harry. He really hoped she said yes.
"Are you kidding? Of course I am! What spots are open?"
"I think it's two Beaters and two Chasers, what with Ginny on the team and all," said Harry. He was quite taken aback. She seemed to know all about Quidditch, too.
"Nope, it's one Beater, two Chasers, and one Keeper," said Ron. When Hermione and Harry looked questioningly at him, he said, "I'm thinking of moving to Beater instead of Keeper."
"But you did really well that one game-"
"Yeah, that one game. I did really crummy the rest of the time."
"So Seeker's not open?" said Naomi, looking disappointed.
"No way, that's my job!" said Harry.
"Fine, then, I'll go out for Chaser. I'm better at Seeker, though."
"You play?" Harry finally forced himself to ask.
"Of course! I was on the school team. We were the best in the kingdom. Well, good night!"
She and Hermione swept off to the girl's dorms. Ron looked at Harry.
"Did she just say 'kingdom?'"
×××××
Harry had the two dreams again that night, and he was feeling more and more uneasy about them. Naomi was quickly becoming one of his best friends, and he didn't want the dreams to come true.
That day they had Defense against the Dark Arts. They all crowded outside the door, waiting for Fleur to let them in. The Slytherins had Defense against the Dark Arts with them, and Harry thought that at least they'd get some practical lessons in if they had class with Death Eaters' children.
They finally entered the classroom, and Harry sat in the front row with Ron, Hermione, and Naomi. The Slytherins all sat on the other side of the room.
"Hello, class!" cried Fleur happily. "I'm Professor Delacour, but you may call me Fleur if you want, because I don't think I'll ever get used to the 'Professor' title." She smiled around at them all, and Harry grinned back.
"Now, since we all-well, most of us, anyway-" here she shot a nasty look at the Slytherins "now need to defend ourselves more than ever, I'll be teaching you mostly about dueling skills. Now, most of you had a dueling club with Professor Lockhart-not like he could teach you much, though-in second year. I don't know if you really learned anything from him, as he didn't know what he was doing himself, but I'm here to brush up on those skills."
Quite a few of them laughed at her references to Lockhart. This seemed to encourage her more, and she looked much happier as she continued.
"Now, everyone put your books and things like that away, and take out your wands. Now stand up, and I'll clear the floor."
Everyone did as they were told, and with a sweep of her wand, Fleur had cleared the desks away against the walls.
"Now, I need two volunteers. Who wants to come up first?"
A few people raised their hands, including Harry, Naomi, Neville, and Malfoy.
"Okay, Naomi, you come up here with...let's see...Harry."
Harry grinned at Naomi, and she muttered, "Wish I could have gone against Malfoy. I would have beaten him to a pulp!"
Harry barely suppressed a laugh as he and Naomi walked to the center of the room.
"Now," said Fleur. "I want you both do start the duel properly, then demonstrate a Disarming Charm. On the count of three. One-" Harry and Naomi bowed to each other. "Two-" they raised their wands in front of them like swords. "Three!"
"Expelliarmus!" They both shouted the spell at the same time, but Naomi, it seemed, had expected this. She had aimed a little higher than usual. Then, "Protego!"
Naomi's spell hit Harry in the chest and he felt his wand fly from his hand. His spell was simply absorbed in the shield from Naomi's Shield Charm.
"Wonderful!" cried Fleur happily, dancing around. "That was brilliant, everyone, did you see what she did? Fifteen points to Gryffindor!"
The Slytherins booed and hissed, but the Gryffindors were shouting and cheering.
"You all right, Harry?" said Fleur, picking him up from the floor where he had fallen.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He and Naomi went back to the outer circle. Most of the students had seated themselves on desks, and the two of them did the same.
"I need two more volunteers for the Disarming Charm! Who's next?"
The class was great fun, and everyone came back early after lunch so that they wouldn't miss a minute of the afternoon classes. The afternoon proceeded in the same way, except that Fleur told them to use various hexes and jinxes other than the Disarming spell.
They headed to dinner, all talking excitedly about how great Defense against the Dark Arts was going to be. While they were eating dinner, one of the school owls landed in front of Naomi, holding out it's leg so she could remove the letter tied to it. "But...doesn't mail come in the mornings?"
"Sometimes it doesn't," Harry said hurriedly, "What's it say?"
Naomi read the note, her eyes getting wider in about two seconds. She finished reading the note and looked up, looking very unnerved about something. She tucked the note away and didn't say anything else the whole meal, not even when one of them tried to ask her a question.
××××××
Harry, once again, was walking down the corridor when he heard someone scream. He ran to see who it was and saw Naomi crumpled on the ground. He started toward her attacker, wand raised. "Stupef-"
"Harry! Wake up!"
Harry opened his eyes and saw Hermione standing over him, looking very pale.
"Harry, get up! She's gone! Naomi isn't in her bed or in the common room!" she hissed.
Harry leaped out of bed and flew down the stairs (he had fallen asleep in his clothes, too tired from lessons to change.), Hermione close on his heels. "Where are you going?" she whispered.
He didn't answer, but hurtled through the portrait hole, thinking desperately about his dream. Which corridor had it been? Yes...yes, this was it...it was one of the corridors that led to the marble staircase in the entrance hall. Harry heard someone scream. He sprinted around the corner and saw Naomi on the floor. She screamed again, and Malfoy raised his wand to attack...
"NO!" Harry shouted as he ran towards Malfoy. Malfoy turned, saw Harry running at him, and quickly shouted an order that Harry didn't understand, as he wasn't really concentrating on what was being said. He raised his wand and shouted, "Stupef-" but he never got the whole spell out. A very strong pair of arms grabbed Harry and pinned his arms behind his back. He felt his wand wrenched from his hand and struggled hopelessly against Crabbe's strong grip. Malfoy smirked at him, then turned back to Naomi, his wand raised once more.
"Now," he said softly. "I'll ask you one more time-"
"Never," spat Naomi, and she struck him hard across the face. Malfoy staggered back and looked outraged. Goyle began to move forward to help him, but Harry was almost out of Crabbe's grip. Goyle realized this and helped to hold back Harry. Naomi had taken advantage of this moment and slipped away, towards the marble staircase. Malfoy shouted a spell that knocked her to the floor again, then snapped his fingers. Crabbe left Goyle to hold Harry and moved forward to Malfoy and Naomi.
Harry broke free of Goyle's grip and began sprinting to Naomi. Goyle caught up with him, however, and held him back again. Harry struggled as he watched helplessly. Malfoy was standing over Naomi, looking down at her with a very menacing stare. Crabbe approached her, but she was too quick. She kicked out and struck Malfoy's ankles. He cried out in pain and fell backwards, tumbling all the way down the stairs. He picked himself up and yelled angrily at Crabbe. Crabbe picked Naomi up off the ground and threw her down the stairs as well. She didn't even hit a step until the very bottom. She landed hard on the floor of the entrance hall, and lay there, perfectly still. Harry screamed, once again, "NO!" and kicked Goyle hard in the shin. Goyle howled in pain, grabbing his leg, as Harry sprinted down the stairs, two at a time, and dropped to his knees beside Naomi.
He felt a sharp pain in his side and grunted as Malfoy kicked him away. Malfoy looked down at Naomi and snarled, "Get up."
She didn't move. He kicked her over, and her eyelids fluttered open. She slowly sat up, and Malfoy grabbed her and threw her against the wall. She smashed into it and slumped to the floor, blood now flowing from her nose. Malfoy turned on his heel and stomped off to the dungeons, Crabbe and Goyle close behind him.
