Authors Note- Hiya again, all! I hope y'all liked the last chapter. I'm
sad, since my reviewing frequency has DROPPED dramatically, but, oh, well,
I'll still write this. I actually like this plot that I keep forming in my
head. It's fun. I'm sure you guys will love the ending to this story. I'm
excited about HP5, as is everyone. But let's get this chap over with! Yeah!
Okay, this chapter has a lot of suspicion in it. Forgive spelling errors.
Read and Review!
Disclaimer- I own nothing! It all belongs to the Wonderful Harry Potter people. I am NOT getting paid, at ALL!!!!
Erika - The Legacy of Lily and James
It had been a little over a week since I had made the Quidditch team. I was still pretty happy, and looking forward to the start of practice. Of course, I was also keeping up with my studies.
It was a Tuesday morning. It was a good morning, since Meg hadn't had any nightmares the night before, which said something. If she wasn't Seeing in her sleep, she sometimes had nightmares about Ruth.
We left Avery, Jewel, and Lucy in our room. They were still mad at us for yelling at Avery at the feast, and the fact that, so far, the Board of Governors was ignoring Avery's complaint about Meg and Adrienne.
It was still early when we got to the Great Hall. A few students were all ready there, including Adrienne. She was pretty much a loner. No one talked to her, and she sat alone at meals and classes. And, so far, she looked like it didn't bother her. That particular morning, she had her face buried in a book. When we walked in, she waved. We slowly smiled at her, still not trusting her completely, and sat down at our seats.
The enchanted ceiling showed a partly cloudy day, which showed promise for a sunny afternoon.
The food was all ready there, and Meg and I started to fill our plates with toast, eggs, and pancakes.
"I can't believe we got a test this early in! And most of the material was from last year! How was I supposed to remember the exact year Marvin the Mysterious killed that one guy? What was his name anyway?" I asked.
Meg shrugged, "I think it was something like . . . oh, I can't remember. Binns was probably making sure we were paying attention."
"No one was," I pointed out.
Meg nodded, "True."
I grinned, and took a sip of my Pumpkin juice. After it was swallowed, I grimaced.
"What?" Meg asked.
"This juice is warm," I said, and set down my goblet, "It must've sat here for a little while."
Meg shrugged, "What did you get for that question about the Goblin Rebellion, you know, 65 or something like that?"
I thought for a moment, and asked, "You mean sixty-seven? I guessed."
"Me too," Meg admitted.
We both laughed. But I stopped in mid-laugh.
It felt like a fire was suddenly blazing through my viens. I opened my mouth to cry out, but all that came out was a weak whimper.
"Erika?" Meg asked.
Everything was on fire. Burning, burning. It hurt so much. Everything felt so weak, and I couldn't fight it.
My vision was going dizzy, and my head burned. Then everything went black.
* * * A moment before
As told by Megan Alhide Riddle
Erika suddenly became ghostly pale, and stopped laughing. She froze, but her eyes started rolling in her head. She let out a whimper.
"Erika?" I asked, confused.
Her head started to roll on her neck, and then, a moment later, she collapsed, falling off the bench onto the floor. Her plate, where her hand had been resting, clattered to the floor. I quickly knelt beside her.
"Erika? Are you okay?" I asked.
Again, she didn't answer. I went to touch her arm, but the moment I touched her skin I drew my hand back in pain. She was very, very, warm.
Anya walked into the Great Hall, and saw what was going on. Everyone had turned to look as Erika laid on the floor, unconcious.
"Meg? My goodness, Erika!" she shouted, and ran over.
She, too, knelt beside her. Anya went to touch her forehead, but drew her hand back in the same effect that her skin had on me.
"Quickly! Someone get the Headmaster!" Anya shouted.
Someone scurried from the room to do so.
"Meg, what happened?" Anya asked.
"I don't know. We were just sitting here, talking, and she got all pale and fell down," I cried, "Is she okay?"
Anya shook her head, "I don't know. What did you do? What did she do when she came in?"
I tried to remember, "We took our food, were talking, Erika took a sip of her drink, and said something about it being warm, we talked for a bit, and then this happened!"
Anya's eyes widened, and she reached up to Erika's forgotten goblet. She smelt it, and then grimaced.
"Poison," she whispered.
It was my turn to widen my eyes, and I choked, "Poison?"
At that word, everyone who'd gathered around to see what was happening gasped. There were footsteps, and Dumbledore ran in, closely followed by McGonagall.
"What is going on?" Dumbledore asked.
Anya looked up, and answered, "I think Erika has been poisoned, Headmaster. Through her drink."
"Can you tell with poison?" Dumbledore asked.
Anya shook her head.
Quickly, Dumbledore conjured a stretcher, and we pulled her onto it. She groaned, and rolled over. Anya, McGonagall, Dumbledore, and I walked with her up to the Hospital Wing, leaving the rest of the professors to order the rest of the students to touch nothing, while they examined the remainder of the meal.
It took Madam Pomfrey, who could usually look at a person's ailments and know right away what was wrong, a full hour to figure out what sort of poison had been used. When she came back to tell us (we were all sitting outside the Hospital Wing, waiting), her face was grim.
"I'm afraid, Headmaster, that she was poisoned with Slauter Potion," Madam Pomfrey said.
Everyone gasped, except me.
"The what?" I asked.
"Are you quite sure?" Dumbledore asked.
Madam Pomfrey nodded, "Yes, yes, I'm sure."
"Oh, no," Anya whispered.
"What's the Slauter Potion?" I asked.
Anya turned to face me. She was sitting beside me. Her face was white, and she looked quite sad.
"The Slauter Potion is what happens when a certain Truth Potion is mixed wrongly. It was given it's name as a ploy on what it does, slaughter. It's effect takes a few seconds to spread throughout the viens before delivering it's fierce blow. Three sips is enough to kill a person," Anya explained.
I gasped, and whispered, "No."
Then I remembered something, and brightened up, "Erika only took one sip! She won't die!"
Madam Pomfrey nodded, and said, "Yes, she won't die. But, unfortunately, the antidote will take about a week to make."
"A week?" I repeated.
"Yes. It's a very hard potion," Madam Pomfrey said.
Flitwick and Snape ran in. They had been set to examine the remaining food.
"Yes?" Dumbledore asked, "Was anymore poison found?"
Snape nodded, and said, "There was poison in the goblets of Erika Potter, as well as Megan and Adrienne Riddle."
I let out a squeak. Someone had tried to kill me just like they'd tried to kill Erika, and Adrienne as well.
"Some of the other professors are bringing it to your office, Headmaster," Snape added.
Dumbledore nodded, "Severus, would you please go there? I wish to examine the potion myself. I shall be there momentarily. Minerva, would you please send an owl to Harry, he should know about his sister's condition. Anya, find Adrienne Riddle, and bring both her and Megan to my office."
Everyone scurried to do as told. Anya took my hand.
"Come, Megan, let's find Adrienne," Anya said.
Once we were away from the Hospital Wing, Anya started talking again.
"I can hardly believe this is happening. Someone tried to kill you three! And the only ones who could have had access to your drinks were in Hogwarts! Oh, this is horrible! We have a traitor in Hogwarts," Anya started, "Thank goodness none of you were hurt. I couldn't image if you had!"
"We're fine," I assured her, "Adrienne and I didn't drink any, and Erika didn't drink enough to do any serious damage. She'll just be sick for a week."
Anya shook her head, but was silent.
We found Adrienne in the Library, reading over in a corner. I expected she wasn't liked in her common room.
"Miss Riddle," Anya said, "The Headmaster wants to see you."
Adrienne nodded, she'd been expecting it, and put her book inside her bed. She followed us to Dumbledore's office.
When we entered Dumbledore was talking to Snape about the poison.
"Yes, heavy doses of Slauter Potion," Dumbledore murmmured, and then noticed we had walked into the room.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Adrienne go white at the mention of the poisonous potion that had been used.
"Thank you for your help, Severus," Dumbleodore said.
Snape nodded, and left. Adrienne and I sat down in the chairs facing Dumbledore.
"You two and Miss Potter were intentionally poisoned with very heavy doses of Slauter poison, in hopes to kill you, this morning. By some miracle, Miss Potter was the only one who drank the poison, and only in a small quantity. She will recover with the antidote. However, this means that someone in Hogwarts is untrustworthy, and wants the three of you dead. We must take measures to protect you the best we can. There is a certain spell, that when cast on food and drink, tells you wether or not it is poisoned. I want you, Miss Potter, and Professor Jones to use this charm before you eat or drink anything. Professor Jones will teach you the charm. Be careful, and never forget," Dumbledore said.
We nodded, though Adrienne was still very white. With that, Dumbledore dismissed us.
"Come, we'll go to my classroom, I don't have a class this hour," Anya said.
We followed her to the DADA classroom. She started to teach us the charm. It was quite simple, when done right. In a half an hour, we both had the charm right.
"Now, if there is poison in it, your food or drink will glow green. Find an adult right away, and tell them. Do not touch it," Anya warned us.
We nodded in agreement, and then left. I headed towards the Hospital Wing, but Adrienne grabbed my arm to stop me.
"Will Erika be okay?" Adrienne asked.
I nodded, "Yes, the antidote will be ready in a week."
Adrienne looked down, and asked, quietly, "Do you think it's Ruth? Do you think Ruth's behind this?"
"Yes," I replied, simply, and left.
Could Adrienne be the one who had poisoned us? Of course, she had poison in her cup, too, but she might have known, and only put it in her goblet as a cover up, never intending to drink it.
I wasn't the only one at the Hospital Wing. Ginny Weasley was there as well.
"Is she going to be okay?" Ginny asked when I got there.
"Yeah, they're making the antidote as we speak. It'll be ready in a week," I answered, and looked through the doors.
You couldn't see Erika, Madam Pomfrey had put up a screen.
"Nobody's allowed to see her except the professors, I already asked," Ginny told me.
I sighed, and whispered, "I expected that."
McGonagall rushed over, and saw us there. She sighed, and came over to us.
"Miss Weasley, Miss Riddle, I know you are both quite worried about Miss Potter, but standing here will do her no good. Now, why don't you go to your classes? After classes, I'll ask Madam Pomfrey if you may be permitted to see Miss Potter," McGonagall said.
We sighed, but left, returning to our classes.
I went to History. The classes had started late due to the fact that all the professors had been trying to set everything right after the poison. But I was still late.
When I walked in, the entire class turned to look at me. Professor Binns just motioned for me to sit, which I did.
I barely made it through the day. I didn't hear what any of my teachers were saying, and got a lot of attention at lunch, when Adrienne, Anya, and I all cast our charms on our food.
After classes, I went straight to the Hospital Wing. I met Ginny halfway there, and we walked together. McGonagall was true to her word. Madam Pomfrey let us visit her, for five minutes.
It was something, so we went in.
Erika was laying on a cot. She was white, and was moaning and twisting on the cot.
"Is it true?" Ginny whispered to me, "Did they use the Slauter potion?"
I nodded.
"Erika, it's me, Meg, and Ginny's here, too," I said, "Good news, they're making your antidote. You won't be sick much longer."
Erika didn't show any sign of hearing us. She just tossed her head to the opposite side, and moaned.
"Everyone's fine, but really worried," I added.
Again, there was no sign that she heard us.
I heard pounding footsteps, and turned to see Harry walking in with Dumbledore.
"How is she?" Harry asked me.
I shrugged, and looked back down.
"Erika, it's Harry, I'm here," Harry whispered to her.
She didn't respond.
"Does anyone have any idea who did this?" Harry asked, looking up at Ginny and I.
We shook our heads, answering in the negative.
Madam Pomfrey rushed in.
"You're time is up. Out! My patient is ill, and needs medical attention! Out!" Madam Pomfrey ordered.
"Just a few more minutes?" I asked.
Madam Pomfrey shook her head, "No, now leave!"
We gave in, and did as told. Harry left us to go to Dumbledore's office and talk to him about what was happening. Ginny and I walked back to the tower together. The Common Room was mostly empty. I went up to my dorm, keen on taking a rest, to find Avery, Jewel, and Lucy already there, looking enraged.
Avery, who always spoke for the three of them, started on me when I walked in.
"HOW COULD YOU?" Avery asked, "She thought of you as her best friend!"
I turned to look at her, "What are you talking about?"
"As if you don't KNOW! You tried to kill Erika and that other spy! Didn't want any competition, a bit keen on getting You-Know-Who's favor, were you? You BETRAYER! YOU STUPID GIT!"
I stared at her, and then hissed, "Why would I try to kill my best friend, the best friend I've EVER had?"
"You're a Death Eater, I don't try to understand the workings of your TWISTED and EVIL mind!" Avery countered, "You just wait! After this they won't have any CHOICE but to expell you!"
"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! ASK DUMBLEDORE!" I shouted.
Avery kept her nose raised in the air, "Dumbledore trusts too easily. He'll trust anyone that says they've turned from the dark side, even if it's You-Know-Who's GRAND-DAUGHTER!" With that, she turned and left the room, shortly followed by Jewel and Lucy. I was sad that night. Yet again, they slept in the Common Room. I was alone in our room. The few people that trusted me, no one believed.
The third day into Erika's illness she hadn't changed. I spent most of my time in the Hospital Wing, or sitting outside it. Harry was staying at Hogwarts, too, to keep an eye on Erika, and to make sure she recovered. Avery, Jewel, and Lucy remained sleeping in the Common Room. Adrienne, too, was having problems. No one trusted her either. I didn't fully, either, but I still nearly felt sorry for her. I could still remember her as a child, eager to learn anything she could, anything Grandfather would let her.
It was that eagerness that made my distrust grow deeper. If she was so eager, she would gladly agree to act as Grandfather's and Ruth's spy at Hogwarts.
* * * That night
Dumbledore's Office
As told by Harry James Potter
Dumbledore sat opposite of me, at his desk. My sister was still ill, lying in the Hospital Wing while the antidote that would revive her was made.
"Have you told her yet?" Dumbledore asked.
I shook my head, "No, not yet. I don't want to tell her, either."
"Eventually, however, you will have to tell her. I think she would appreciate hearing it from you, not from one of us," Dumbledore reminded me.
"Yes, I know. It's simply that it's still so new to me to have a sister, and I don't really want to ruin it all by telling her the truth," I answered.
Dumbledore sighed, "I know you think we should have told you sooner, but you know why we didn't. The secret was hidden so elaborately that even the slightest comment could have hinted certain people off, and it would have been for nothing."
"I know, I know," I said, "I suppose I have to tell her, then."
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, and the sooner the better. Things are getting worse, the Order is being overworked. Voldemort's power is growing with every day. He has overpassed his power from earlier times, before he rose again."
I nodded. I knew.
"You must tell her. When she is better," Dumbledore said.
"I will," I decided.
* * * The end of the week
As told by Megan Alhide Riddle
The seventh day had come. The antidote was ready. Harry, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Anya, Ginny, and I all gathered around her bed while the antidote was given to her. Anya and Professor McGonagall were holding her arms to keep her from moving while Madam Pomfrey tipped her head back and poured the potion into her mouth. She spit the first sip out.
"That's to be expected, and it's a good sign. Shows she concious. The potion doesn't taste very good," she told us, causing a bit of relaxation in the tenseness.
Erika swallowed the second sip, and stopped struggling.
"Only a bit more," Madam Pomfrey said, and put some more potion into Erika's mouth.
After the sixth sip, Erika's eyes opened.
"Not quite yet, Miss Potter. Two more sips," Madam Pomfrey whispered.
After the seventh Erika made a face when the potion was put in her mouth. After the eight sip was swallowed, everyone relaxed.
"Well, very good," Madam Pomfrey said, and set the goblet on the table, "Miss Potter, can you hear me?"
Erika nodded, and opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a slight groaning noise.
"Good. You won't be able to speak for a few minutes, not fully at least. And your limbs will be a bit sore for a few days, but, you'll make a fully recovery," Madam Pomfrey said, not only to her but to all of us.
"Erika, you had us so worried!" I told her, sitting on the foot of the bed.
Erika smiled, and made another effort to speak, but it didn't work.
"We are very glad to have you awake again, Miss Potter," Dumbledore agreed, smiling at Erika.
Erika leaned back against the metal headrest, and coughed.
"Tastes bad," she whispered, her voice dry and cracked.
We laughed, and Anya said, "Yes, we heard."
"Is everyone else okay?" she asked.
"You were the only one who drank the poison," Dumbledore informed her, "And you were very lucky that Professor Snape discovered what poison it was. Had he not, you may have died."
Erika grinned, "Remind me to thank him."
Two days later, Erika was released from the Hospital Wing, despite Madam Pomfrey's constant protest. Harry hadn't left the school yet, which I was curious about, but said nothing about.
Erika was taught the charm, and used it right alongside me. We started making a game out of it, seeing who could check their food and drink the fastest. Anya said we were being silly, and should stop.
"You have to be thorough. Racing each other is not going to help," she scolded us.
The day after Erika got out of the Hospital Wing, Harry met us at dinner.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning," he told us, "Erika, I want to talk to you after dinner. In Dumbledore's office. Okay?"
Erika nodded, "Sure. Why did you stick around so long, anyway? I'm fine."
Harry ran his hand through his hair and shook his head, "You'll see. I have to go."
And he left the Great Hall. Erika made a face.
"He's hiding something from me. I know it. I can tell, you see, not only did he cut his conversation short, but he messed up his hair. He's worried about something, and he's going to tell me tonight," Erika explained.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Brother-sister thing," Erika said, shortly.
I nodded, and rolled my eyes, returning to my food.
* * * That night
As told by Erika Rose Potter
Harry was waiting for me in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was feeding his pet phoenix, Fawkes, and Harry was looking out the window, looking quite worried.
"Ah, Miss Potter," Dumbledore said when I entered, "Good to see you are back to normal. How are you feeling?"
I shrugged, "My arms hurt occasionally, but I'm fine otherwise."
"Good, good," Dumbledore said.
Harry had turned to face me. He didn't look so good himself, and I decided that Dumbledore should be asking HIM how he was feeling, not me.
"Erika, we have to talk," Harry told me.
A/N- well, that's that chapter. In chapter 20, we get a full explination of something, and I've already decided how Erika's going to take it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it took me a little while to get out, but I've been really busy. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me and REVIEW. Also, I know this doesn't exactly run with the OoTP, but oh well. I will have the general plot out line, but *SPOILERS* I'm not going to have Sirius die. So, that's it. REVIEW!!!!
Any additional comments can be given to me at StarlightEve111@aol.com
Disclaimer- I own nothing! It all belongs to the Wonderful Harry Potter people. I am NOT getting paid, at ALL!!!!
Erika - The Legacy of Lily and James
It had been a little over a week since I had made the Quidditch team. I was still pretty happy, and looking forward to the start of practice. Of course, I was also keeping up with my studies.
It was a Tuesday morning. It was a good morning, since Meg hadn't had any nightmares the night before, which said something. If she wasn't Seeing in her sleep, she sometimes had nightmares about Ruth.
We left Avery, Jewel, and Lucy in our room. They were still mad at us for yelling at Avery at the feast, and the fact that, so far, the Board of Governors was ignoring Avery's complaint about Meg and Adrienne.
It was still early when we got to the Great Hall. A few students were all ready there, including Adrienne. She was pretty much a loner. No one talked to her, and she sat alone at meals and classes. And, so far, she looked like it didn't bother her. That particular morning, she had her face buried in a book. When we walked in, she waved. We slowly smiled at her, still not trusting her completely, and sat down at our seats.
The enchanted ceiling showed a partly cloudy day, which showed promise for a sunny afternoon.
The food was all ready there, and Meg and I started to fill our plates with toast, eggs, and pancakes.
"I can't believe we got a test this early in! And most of the material was from last year! How was I supposed to remember the exact year Marvin the Mysterious killed that one guy? What was his name anyway?" I asked.
Meg shrugged, "I think it was something like . . . oh, I can't remember. Binns was probably making sure we were paying attention."
"No one was," I pointed out.
Meg nodded, "True."
I grinned, and took a sip of my Pumpkin juice. After it was swallowed, I grimaced.
"What?" Meg asked.
"This juice is warm," I said, and set down my goblet, "It must've sat here for a little while."
Meg shrugged, "What did you get for that question about the Goblin Rebellion, you know, 65 or something like that?"
I thought for a moment, and asked, "You mean sixty-seven? I guessed."
"Me too," Meg admitted.
We both laughed. But I stopped in mid-laugh.
It felt like a fire was suddenly blazing through my viens. I opened my mouth to cry out, but all that came out was a weak whimper.
"Erika?" Meg asked.
Everything was on fire. Burning, burning. It hurt so much. Everything felt so weak, and I couldn't fight it.
My vision was going dizzy, and my head burned. Then everything went black.
* * * A moment before
As told by Megan Alhide Riddle
Erika suddenly became ghostly pale, and stopped laughing. She froze, but her eyes started rolling in her head. She let out a whimper.
"Erika?" I asked, confused.
Her head started to roll on her neck, and then, a moment later, she collapsed, falling off the bench onto the floor. Her plate, where her hand had been resting, clattered to the floor. I quickly knelt beside her.
"Erika? Are you okay?" I asked.
Again, she didn't answer. I went to touch her arm, but the moment I touched her skin I drew my hand back in pain. She was very, very, warm.
Anya walked into the Great Hall, and saw what was going on. Everyone had turned to look as Erika laid on the floor, unconcious.
"Meg? My goodness, Erika!" she shouted, and ran over.
She, too, knelt beside her. Anya went to touch her forehead, but drew her hand back in the same effect that her skin had on me.
"Quickly! Someone get the Headmaster!" Anya shouted.
Someone scurried from the room to do so.
"Meg, what happened?" Anya asked.
"I don't know. We were just sitting here, talking, and she got all pale and fell down," I cried, "Is she okay?"
Anya shook her head, "I don't know. What did you do? What did she do when she came in?"
I tried to remember, "We took our food, were talking, Erika took a sip of her drink, and said something about it being warm, we talked for a bit, and then this happened!"
Anya's eyes widened, and she reached up to Erika's forgotten goblet. She smelt it, and then grimaced.
"Poison," she whispered.
It was my turn to widen my eyes, and I choked, "Poison?"
At that word, everyone who'd gathered around to see what was happening gasped. There were footsteps, and Dumbledore ran in, closely followed by McGonagall.
"What is going on?" Dumbledore asked.
Anya looked up, and answered, "I think Erika has been poisoned, Headmaster. Through her drink."
"Can you tell with poison?" Dumbledore asked.
Anya shook her head.
Quickly, Dumbledore conjured a stretcher, and we pulled her onto it. She groaned, and rolled over. Anya, McGonagall, Dumbledore, and I walked with her up to the Hospital Wing, leaving the rest of the professors to order the rest of the students to touch nothing, while they examined the remainder of the meal.
It took Madam Pomfrey, who could usually look at a person's ailments and know right away what was wrong, a full hour to figure out what sort of poison had been used. When she came back to tell us (we were all sitting outside the Hospital Wing, waiting), her face was grim.
"I'm afraid, Headmaster, that she was poisoned with Slauter Potion," Madam Pomfrey said.
Everyone gasped, except me.
"The what?" I asked.
"Are you quite sure?" Dumbledore asked.
Madam Pomfrey nodded, "Yes, yes, I'm sure."
"Oh, no," Anya whispered.
"What's the Slauter Potion?" I asked.
Anya turned to face me. She was sitting beside me. Her face was white, and she looked quite sad.
"The Slauter Potion is what happens when a certain Truth Potion is mixed wrongly. It was given it's name as a ploy on what it does, slaughter. It's effect takes a few seconds to spread throughout the viens before delivering it's fierce blow. Three sips is enough to kill a person," Anya explained.
I gasped, and whispered, "No."
Then I remembered something, and brightened up, "Erika only took one sip! She won't die!"
Madam Pomfrey nodded, and said, "Yes, she won't die. But, unfortunately, the antidote will take about a week to make."
"A week?" I repeated.
"Yes. It's a very hard potion," Madam Pomfrey said.
Flitwick and Snape ran in. They had been set to examine the remaining food.
"Yes?" Dumbledore asked, "Was anymore poison found?"
Snape nodded, and said, "There was poison in the goblets of Erika Potter, as well as Megan and Adrienne Riddle."
I let out a squeak. Someone had tried to kill me just like they'd tried to kill Erika, and Adrienne as well.
"Some of the other professors are bringing it to your office, Headmaster," Snape added.
Dumbledore nodded, "Severus, would you please go there? I wish to examine the potion myself. I shall be there momentarily. Minerva, would you please send an owl to Harry, he should know about his sister's condition. Anya, find Adrienne Riddle, and bring both her and Megan to my office."
Everyone scurried to do as told. Anya took my hand.
"Come, Megan, let's find Adrienne," Anya said.
Once we were away from the Hospital Wing, Anya started talking again.
"I can hardly believe this is happening. Someone tried to kill you three! And the only ones who could have had access to your drinks were in Hogwarts! Oh, this is horrible! We have a traitor in Hogwarts," Anya started, "Thank goodness none of you were hurt. I couldn't image if you had!"
"We're fine," I assured her, "Adrienne and I didn't drink any, and Erika didn't drink enough to do any serious damage. She'll just be sick for a week."
Anya shook her head, but was silent.
We found Adrienne in the Library, reading over in a corner. I expected she wasn't liked in her common room.
"Miss Riddle," Anya said, "The Headmaster wants to see you."
Adrienne nodded, she'd been expecting it, and put her book inside her bed. She followed us to Dumbledore's office.
When we entered Dumbledore was talking to Snape about the poison.
"Yes, heavy doses of Slauter Potion," Dumbledore murmmured, and then noticed we had walked into the room.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Adrienne go white at the mention of the poisonous potion that had been used.
"Thank you for your help, Severus," Dumbleodore said.
Snape nodded, and left. Adrienne and I sat down in the chairs facing Dumbledore.
"You two and Miss Potter were intentionally poisoned with very heavy doses of Slauter poison, in hopes to kill you, this morning. By some miracle, Miss Potter was the only one who drank the poison, and only in a small quantity. She will recover with the antidote. However, this means that someone in Hogwarts is untrustworthy, and wants the three of you dead. We must take measures to protect you the best we can. There is a certain spell, that when cast on food and drink, tells you wether or not it is poisoned. I want you, Miss Potter, and Professor Jones to use this charm before you eat or drink anything. Professor Jones will teach you the charm. Be careful, and never forget," Dumbledore said.
We nodded, though Adrienne was still very white. With that, Dumbledore dismissed us.
"Come, we'll go to my classroom, I don't have a class this hour," Anya said.
We followed her to the DADA classroom. She started to teach us the charm. It was quite simple, when done right. In a half an hour, we both had the charm right.
"Now, if there is poison in it, your food or drink will glow green. Find an adult right away, and tell them. Do not touch it," Anya warned us.
We nodded in agreement, and then left. I headed towards the Hospital Wing, but Adrienne grabbed my arm to stop me.
"Will Erika be okay?" Adrienne asked.
I nodded, "Yes, the antidote will be ready in a week."
Adrienne looked down, and asked, quietly, "Do you think it's Ruth? Do you think Ruth's behind this?"
"Yes," I replied, simply, and left.
Could Adrienne be the one who had poisoned us? Of course, she had poison in her cup, too, but she might have known, and only put it in her goblet as a cover up, never intending to drink it.
I wasn't the only one at the Hospital Wing. Ginny Weasley was there as well.
"Is she going to be okay?" Ginny asked when I got there.
"Yeah, they're making the antidote as we speak. It'll be ready in a week," I answered, and looked through the doors.
You couldn't see Erika, Madam Pomfrey had put up a screen.
"Nobody's allowed to see her except the professors, I already asked," Ginny told me.
I sighed, and whispered, "I expected that."
McGonagall rushed over, and saw us there. She sighed, and came over to us.
"Miss Weasley, Miss Riddle, I know you are both quite worried about Miss Potter, but standing here will do her no good. Now, why don't you go to your classes? After classes, I'll ask Madam Pomfrey if you may be permitted to see Miss Potter," McGonagall said.
We sighed, but left, returning to our classes.
I went to History. The classes had started late due to the fact that all the professors had been trying to set everything right after the poison. But I was still late.
When I walked in, the entire class turned to look at me. Professor Binns just motioned for me to sit, which I did.
I barely made it through the day. I didn't hear what any of my teachers were saying, and got a lot of attention at lunch, when Adrienne, Anya, and I all cast our charms on our food.
After classes, I went straight to the Hospital Wing. I met Ginny halfway there, and we walked together. McGonagall was true to her word. Madam Pomfrey let us visit her, for five minutes.
It was something, so we went in.
Erika was laying on a cot. She was white, and was moaning and twisting on the cot.
"Is it true?" Ginny whispered to me, "Did they use the Slauter potion?"
I nodded.
"Erika, it's me, Meg, and Ginny's here, too," I said, "Good news, they're making your antidote. You won't be sick much longer."
Erika didn't show any sign of hearing us. She just tossed her head to the opposite side, and moaned.
"Everyone's fine, but really worried," I added.
Again, there was no sign that she heard us.
I heard pounding footsteps, and turned to see Harry walking in with Dumbledore.
"How is she?" Harry asked me.
I shrugged, and looked back down.
"Erika, it's Harry, I'm here," Harry whispered to her.
She didn't respond.
"Does anyone have any idea who did this?" Harry asked, looking up at Ginny and I.
We shook our heads, answering in the negative.
Madam Pomfrey rushed in.
"You're time is up. Out! My patient is ill, and needs medical attention! Out!" Madam Pomfrey ordered.
"Just a few more minutes?" I asked.
Madam Pomfrey shook her head, "No, now leave!"
We gave in, and did as told. Harry left us to go to Dumbledore's office and talk to him about what was happening. Ginny and I walked back to the tower together. The Common Room was mostly empty. I went up to my dorm, keen on taking a rest, to find Avery, Jewel, and Lucy already there, looking enraged.
Avery, who always spoke for the three of them, started on me when I walked in.
"HOW COULD YOU?" Avery asked, "She thought of you as her best friend!"
I turned to look at her, "What are you talking about?"
"As if you don't KNOW! You tried to kill Erika and that other spy! Didn't want any competition, a bit keen on getting You-Know-Who's favor, were you? You BETRAYER! YOU STUPID GIT!"
I stared at her, and then hissed, "Why would I try to kill my best friend, the best friend I've EVER had?"
"You're a Death Eater, I don't try to understand the workings of your TWISTED and EVIL mind!" Avery countered, "You just wait! After this they won't have any CHOICE but to expell you!"
"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! ASK DUMBLEDORE!" I shouted.
Avery kept her nose raised in the air, "Dumbledore trusts too easily. He'll trust anyone that says they've turned from the dark side, even if it's You-Know-Who's GRAND-DAUGHTER!" With that, she turned and left the room, shortly followed by Jewel and Lucy. I was sad that night. Yet again, they slept in the Common Room. I was alone in our room. The few people that trusted me, no one believed.
The third day into Erika's illness she hadn't changed. I spent most of my time in the Hospital Wing, or sitting outside it. Harry was staying at Hogwarts, too, to keep an eye on Erika, and to make sure she recovered. Avery, Jewel, and Lucy remained sleeping in the Common Room. Adrienne, too, was having problems. No one trusted her either. I didn't fully, either, but I still nearly felt sorry for her. I could still remember her as a child, eager to learn anything she could, anything Grandfather would let her.
It was that eagerness that made my distrust grow deeper. If she was so eager, she would gladly agree to act as Grandfather's and Ruth's spy at Hogwarts.
* * * That night
Dumbledore's Office
As told by Harry James Potter
Dumbledore sat opposite of me, at his desk. My sister was still ill, lying in the Hospital Wing while the antidote that would revive her was made.
"Have you told her yet?" Dumbledore asked.
I shook my head, "No, not yet. I don't want to tell her, either."
"Eventually, however, you will have to tell her. I think she would appreciate hearing it from you, not from one of us," Dumbledore reminded me.
"Yes, I know. It's simply that it's still so new to me to have a sister, and I don't really want to ruin it all by telling her the truth," I answered.
Dumbledore sighed, "I know you think we should have told you sooner, but you know why we didn't. The secret was hidden so elaborately that even the slightest comment could have hinted certain people off, and it would have been for nothing."
"I know, I know," I said, "I suppose I have to tell her, then."
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, and the sooner the better. Things are getting worse, the Order is being overworked. Voldemort's power is growing with every day. He has overpassed his power from earlier times, before he rose again."
I nodded. I knew.
"You must tell her. When she is better," Dumbledore said.
"I will," I decided.
* * * The end of the week
As told by Megan Alhide Riddle
The seventh day had come. The antidote was ready. Harry, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Anya, Ginny, and I all gathered around her bed while the antidote was given to her. Anya and Professor McGonagall were holding her arms to keep her from moving while Madam Pomfrey tipped her head back and poured the potion into her mouth. She spit the first sip out.
"That's to be expected, and it's a good sign. Shows she concious. The potion doesn't taste very good," she told us, causing a bit of relaxation in the tenseness.
Erika swallowed the second sip, and stopped struggling.
"Only a bit more," Madam Pomfrey said, and put some more potion into Erika's mouth.
After the sixth sip, Erika's eyes opened.
"Not quite yet, Miss Potter. Two more sips," Madam Pomfrey whispered.
After the seventh Erika made a face when the potion was put in her mouth. After the eight sip was swallowed, everyone relaxed.
"Well, very good," Madam Pomfrey said, and set the goblet on the table, "Miss Potter, can you hear me?"
Erika nodded, and opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a slight groaning noise.
"Good. You won't be able to speak for a few minutes, not fully at least. And your limbs will be a bit sore for a few days, but, you'll make a fully recovery," Madam Pomfrey said, not only to her but to all of us.
"Erika, you had us so worried!" I told her, sitting on the foot of the bed.
Erika smiled, and made another effort to speak, but it didn't work.
"We are very glad to have you awake again, Miss Potter," Dumbledore agreed, smiling at Erika.
Erika leaned back against the metal headrest, and coughed.
"Tastes bad," she whispered, her voice dry and cracked.
We laughed, and Anya said, "Yes, we heard."
"Is everyone else okay?" she asked.
"You were the only one who drank the poison," Dumbledore informed her, "And you were very lucky that Professor Snape discovered what poison it was. Had he not, you may have died."
Erika grinned, "Remind me to thank him."
Two days later, Erika was released from the Hospital Wing, despite Madam Pomfrey's constant protest. Harry hadn't left the school yet, which I was curious about, but said nothing about.
Erika was taught the charm, and used it right alongside me. We started making a game out of it, seeing who could check their food and drink the fastest. Anya said we were being silly, and should stop.
"You have to be thorough. Racing each other is not going to help," she scolded us.
The day after Erika got out of the Hospital Wing, Harry met us at dinner.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning," he told us, "Erika, I want to talk to you after dinner. In Dumbledore's office. Okay?"
Erika nodded, "Sure. Why did you stick around so long, anyway? I'm fine."
Harry ran his hand through his hair and shook his head, "You'll see. I have to go."
And he left the Great Hall. Erika made a face.
"He's hiding something from me. I know it. I can tell, you see, not only did he cut his conversation short, but he messed up his hair. He's worried about something, and he's going to tell me tonight," Erika explained.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Brother-sister thing," Erika said, shortly.
I nodded, and rolled my eyes, returning to my food.
* * * That night
As told by Erika Rose Potter
Harry was waiting for me in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was feeding his pet phoenix, Fawkes, and Harry was looking out the window, looking quite worried.
"Ah, Miss Potter," Dumbledore said when I entered, "Good to see you are back to normal. How are you feeling?"
I shrugged, "My arms hurt occasionally, but I'm fine otherwise."
"Good, good," Dumbledore said.
Harry had turned to face me. He didn't look so good himself, and I decided that Dumbledore should be asking HIM how he was feeling, not me.
"Erika, we have to talk," Harry told me.
A/N- well, that's that chapter. In chapter 20, we get a full explination of something, and I've already decided how Erika's going to take it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know it took me a little while to get out, but I've been really busy. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me and REVIEW. Also, I know this doesn't exactly run with the OoTP, but oh well. I will have the general plot out line, but *SPOILERS* I'm not going to have Sirius die. So, that's it. REVIEW!!!!
Any additional comments can be given to me at StarlightEve111@aol.com