Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter or any of the original things from this story. I am simply writing down what my mind does… exaggeration.
Author's Note—So, I am now updating again. Tomorrow I am off to Bethesda, MD to see my family. I have to write the next chapter, but I will do that on the plane, type it sometime and hopefully have it up by Tuesday, but I won't make promises. I will have it up around… Wednesday at the latest. I'm excited about this chapter and I like the end. A lot. A whole lot. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 11
Draco sighed and began to walk towards the castle as Hermione continued towards the forbidden forest. Pshaw. Draco thought, if she really thinks I am just going to sit in here while she is outside... I'm the man. Not her. Draco decided to follow Hermione down the path they had just come up.
She turned around suddenly, her smile gone, a frown replacing it. "I said get inside. Something is going to happen and I have to help. Draco, this isn't a joke—" Her body shook fiercely, "tell the professors." Draco nodded and walked back up the path to the castle quickly.
Draco burst into the great hall, a bad feeling taking residence in his stomach, just as the students were beginning to get up and leave. He walked quickly to the staff table. "Headmaster, whoever, Hermione is heading towards the Forbidden Forest, she was shaking. She felt something wrong." Dumbledore looked thoughtful.
"Do you feel anything?"
"There is something in the pit of my stomach. I know that something is going to go wrong. I can feel it throughout my whole body."
Dumbledore got up from his seat followed by the rest of the professors as they walked to the doors of the hall. "Students! I need you to take your seats. I want you to stay in the castle. There seems to be a problem in the Forbidden Forest and I feel it is safer if you stay in here. Use your brains, children, don't do something you'll regret." Draco frowned, the feeling was getting stronger.
Harry and Ron were approaching the professors. "We know something is wrong with Hermione." Harry said evenly, "We want to know what it is."
"We do not know what it is yet." Dumbledore responded, observing the three boys over his half moon spectacles.
"We want to help, headmaster." Ron voiced, "Hermione is our best friend. She is part of our family, a sister, and we will not wait here to see if she is in trouble." Dumbledore nodded.
"Something is happening." Draco stated, his voice slightly quavering, "I know it. We have to go to the Forest now. Why are we wasting time?"
"There are tests in the beginning stages of being a keeper. If she is strong enough she will be great. She will be one of the key factors in the war. First, she has to stand against these tests. From what I have read they aren't anything too challenging so we don't have much to worry about." Draco was beginning to fidget and Harry noticed. He nudged Ron and Ron looked at the teachers expectantly. When no one moved they too began to fidget.
"Sir?" Ron asked.
"We have to wait at least a minute more to give her time to complete her test. Draco, Professor McGonagall mentioned Jasper III, do you remember?" Draco nodded. "He completed his tasks with ease. He merely had to spend a night with Centaurs and after his night was over he had won an ally. Muriel the Magnificent was from at least 200 years ago, she had to save a family of hippogriffs. These tasks are merely thought provoking. If I understand correctly there is nothing that could harm her unless she does not think through to the end of the problem."
"I understand sir, but something isn't right."
"Let's go!" McGonagall demanded as she stood impatiently by the door, "We don't want trouble!"
Draco agreed, possibly for the first time, with the transfiguration teacher. "Come on." He urged, his insides clenching.
Harry and Ron watched as Draco paled even more and they rushed from the great hall to help their best friend.
Hermione had known Draco would follow her; he wouldn't give up, especially if it meant that she was correct. She wondered if sending him away was the smartest choice or if she should have kept him around for extra support. She began to quicken her pace as she came within a closer distance of the forest. She abruptly found herself in close contact with the dirt. Something had knocked into her.
Hermione picked her pounding head up gradually and saw an animal that strangely resembled a tiger. She knew it was no tiger when she realized that it was at least two times the size of a normal tiger and had wings. It bared its gigantic fangs and she felt a bit woozy, but wouldn't let herself faint. She began to slowly crawl away from the winged beast. It growled menacingly.
A passage from a book her mother had bought her ran through her head, "A bear attack is often common in areas where forests are widespread. If one is attacked by a bear the best method to use to rid one's self of it is to play dead. The bear will lose interest and move on to more eye catching prospects." She briefly wondered if this was the case here and, having nothing to lose, froze, her eyes sliding shut. She kept her breathing even. The beast growled again, surveying the unmoving girl.
The winged tiger moved to the student on the ground and began to sniff her. Hermione was in close contact with its razor sharp teeth and stayed as still as she possibly could. She barely even breathed, for her breath was caught in her throat.
Slowly it moved off her body and began to sniff, hoping for other signs of life. This is my chance! Hermione thought and reached quietly for her wand, which she still carried around with her. The creature caught the movement and growled again. Here goes nothing! Hermione shouted in her head as she pushed herself up to a standing position.
The monster took a flying leap at her and Hermione spun away, just barely touching the beast's soft fur. The animal yelped as it crashed into the ground but gracefully swung itself back into place. Hermione was ready and held her wand up to the creature which was again baring its teeth. She opened her mouth to shout a curse at the beast when it charged. Momentarily caught off guard she crashed to the ground under the impact of it. It backed away to survey its handiwork and its eyes twinkled at the disheveled girl in its path. Hermione frowned; she didn't even put up a fight! She wasn't going down this fast!
Hermione bounded up, not acknowledging the pain in her twisted ankle and wrist. Her body was beginning to glow and she smiled, her new powers would help her in a moment.
"Disparagio!" She shouted, throwing a more advanced confusion spell at the being. It growled as it swiftly moved to the side. "Stupefy!" She yelled when the beast wasn't hit.
The animal had enough of the girl and sprung to face her, not noticing the glow that was now very obviously shining from her body. It slammed into her, hearing the crack of the now broken ankle. Hermione lay still hoping to have a second to gather her thoughts and to find her wand which had flown from her hand. The creature backed away, a snarl on its furry lips. It watched Hermione carefully and was shell shocked when she stood herself up, grimacing only briefly, and faced it again.
The beast was irritated and annoyed and prepared to dive again at the girl, who should have been dead. The brute force of one blow was enough to kill a grown man!
Hermione held her hand up and the animal shook its head, surprised that she thought a hand would stop it. The being leaped and was smashed into a protective shield the wounded child had made. It was temporarily marked defenseless and the moment that had passed was plenty of time for Hermione who began to raise the beast in the air. What she hadn't counted on was the weight of the beast and she faltered.
The animal yelped in approval of her falter and crashed onto her. Hermione was breathless under the mass of fur and began to panic. Dumbledore's words suddenly echoed in her ears, "Panic is the key to destruction. When one panics an enemy can witness one's weaknesses. Relaxation is the key to all success." Hermione took a few deep breaths, which was hard with the lack of air reaching her lungs. She began to lift her wrist, only slightly aware of the pain in it. The beast barely rose above the ground, but gave Hermione enough room to take a deep breath of fresh air and free her other hand which had also been trapped. She placed her hands together and, using all the strength in her body, she began to lift the beast off of herself.
It growled at her, but was unable to move. Hermione's teeth gritted against each other as she transported the beast away from her. It blinked and when Hermione placed it down it placed its head in its massive paws. Hermione stared at it and it watched her, locking eyes with her. Hermione nodded her head at it and then, in a moment of weakness, crumpled to the ground. Her breath was coming in pants.
The massive animal stood slowly, walking cautiously over to the fallen student. When it approached Hermione's tired body it bent down and opened its mouth. Hermione gasped as the gigantic teeth moved closer to her bruised and bloodied self. Using the last of her energy Hermione rose onto her feet and spoke slowly and evenly. "Get away from me. Get away from my family and get away from my home." The beast stared at her.
A shout filled the crisp air, "Hermione!!" Hermione stared into the beast's eyes, not showing that she heard the cry. The beast stared back refusing to back down.
"Hermione, get away from that thing!"
"Hermione, are you crazy???? Why didn't you call to us?" Hermione still hadn't turned around and the beast still hadn't broken eye contact with her.
"Go now." She spoke, aware that the beast could do as it wished. She was surprised when it unexpectedly bounded into the air. Hermione turned around, her tattered body putting up a fight. The three boys gasped and the professors, who were racing towards them, were momentarily speechless.
"Good Lord Hermione!" Ron cried approaching her cautiously. Hermione began to reach out towards him, the support needed, when a pulsating energy flowed through her body.
"Get down!" She screamed. Ron stopped and dropped to his knees. Hermione turned to Harry and to Draco. "Drop down! Get down!" Harry dropped to his knees and watched as Draco began to move towards his shaking friend.
Hermione was aching from her fight but she stood stock still, feeling the energy. The professors began to get nearer and the pulsating energy began to throb through her whole being.
McGonagall was practically in tears when she caught sight of Hermione and she had heard the collective intake of breath from the other teachers. She stared at the girl who, only an hour before had been standing strong in the great hall. Hermione's wrist hung limply at her side and her foot looked as if it was not connected to her body, the bone pushing painfully against her skin. Her face was covered in bruises and dirt and she was having a hard time breathing. McGonagall broke into a run when she saw Dumbledore's nerve stricken face. "Hermione!" She shouted.
Hermione looked up at the sound of her name and when she saw the look of worry on McGonagall's face she smiled. "Professors, don't move!" She screamed, as loud as she could. They still moved on. "Do NOT move!" She yelled frantically sensing their attitudes towards her predicament. Dumbledore noticed her shaking body and stopped the teachers.
Draco was almost to her.
A loud cry pierced the air and Hermione spun around in search of it when she noticed Draco approaching her. Turning her attention to the Forbidden Forest, Hermione caught sight of a black ball hurdling towards them. Dumbledore began to move forward but Hermione screamed again, "DO NOT MOVE PROFESSOR!" Dumbledore stopped mid-step, Hermione had not even looked at him.
Another cry shattered the small silence the group had forged as the ball began to move closer. Hermione tottered on her feet as she stood up facing the ball, which was still flying towards them. She found her footing and stood stiffly, crossing her arms over her head. Draco dropped into the same position Hermione held, intertwining their arms. Hermione braced herself on the ground murmuring a passage in Latin that none of the professors, save the headmaster, had heard before. The ball was coming closer at an alarming rate.
Hermione's eyes rolled back and she began to fall backwards. "No," she told herself, "You are too close. You are too close to winning to let this animal take control over you. Push yourself, Hermione, push yourself!" She kept murmuring the passage even through a groan of pain. She focused on the beast which was still hurdling closer and closer at them. It seemed to have picked up speed and she knew that either she or the beast was going to die. She began to murmur the passage louder and faster. She had lived through too much to die now.
Hermione, knees bent slightly, stood her ground. Draco had begun to murmur the passage too. The energy in Hermione's body felt like knives and she had to push with everything in her tired self to stay strong, to still focus on the animal. It was merely 30 feet away. Hermione prepared herself for impact.
A sickening crack filled the air and Hermione, Draco and the beast flew onto the ground. The professors, Harry and Ron held their breaths as they waited for Hermione and Draco to stand up. Harry looked at Dumbledore, who was breathing heavily and McGonagall who looked incapacitated. He chanced a glance at Snape who was staring horrified at the ground where his best students were.
Harry turned back to face Ron and jumped when Ron broke the silence, "You did it Hermione! Get up! You did it!" He looked expectantly at Draco and Hermione who were still on the ground then looked at Harry worriedly. Harry decided to try and rouse the two.
"Hermione! Let's get you inside, you don't look to good. We'll fix you up and then we'll have a party later to celebrate your victory. How does that sound?" He too looked expectantly at the ground.
"I'm impressed Hermione." Dumbledore spoke out loud, startling the professors around him. "You stood there with more courage then I think I may have!" He chuckled nervously watching Hermione and Draco closely for signs of life.
Still, they didn't move.
A/N—Huh!?? That's a good cliffhanger right?? I worked on that one for a while, I could not for the life of me figure out a way to end the chapter, so I did this. I think it turned out pretty well and for the first fight seen I've ever really written I can't say I am too disappointed, hopefully I didn't let you down. Review for me because I decided my goal was to get a total of 50 reviews when I finish the story completely… so that gives a few chapters but… eh.. I like the thought of 50. It seems so… large.
Review for me and tell me what you think!
Xo, Kate