Author's Note: And the tale continues. I'm not lucid enough to formulate coherent thought, so I'll leave it that.

Admissions: HP chars belong to J. K. Rowling, Leiko to me, and Ravindra to my soul-sister Rave.

Section 9: Dumbstruck

"Take her to the infirmary, Severus. I'll see to the boy."

Snape didn't have to be told twice. He obeyed Dumbledore and carried the unconscious female out of the Great Hall, his face revealing how much concern he felt for her. The students, who hadn't missed a thing since Hermione first pointed at the head table, turned their attention to Dumbledore. The Headmaster rushed to the side of an unconscious Harry Potter and levitated the boy out of the room, with Madam Pomfrey hot on his heels.

"Do you think they'll be alright?"

Neville Longbottom's worried voice snapped the students out of their shocked silence. Hermione and Ron were still too stunned to speak, but everyone else seemed to be talking at once.

"It was You-Know-Who...I heard her say his name."

"Why did Harry pass out, though? Professor Leiko was the one being attacked."

"I guess. I mean, they aren't dead. Wouldn't Dumbledore make an announcement or something?"

"That glowing purple gryffin thing was incredible! Did you see it tear into that snake cloud?!"

"Does this mean class is canceled tomorrow? I like having a Care of Magical Creatures class where nothing's trying to eat me."

"Why was Snape all upset about the whole thing? That's the first time I've seen him show emotion other than loathing."

"I wish I knew if they were going to be alright."

"What I want to know is why Harry and the new professor both suffered from the attack. I mean, it didn't look like the snake thing was after Harry, so why did he curl up in pain?"

"QUIET!"

The whole student body covered their ears as the magically amplified voice of Professor McGonagall echoed through the Great Hall.

"Thank you. Now I'm sure everyone has questions regarding what just happened, but for now you should all go directly to your house dormitories. The prefects will escort you and I shall be sure to pass on news of Harry Potter and Professor Leiko as soon as anything is known."

The students stood reluctantly and filed out through the huge doorway. They were far too excited to sleep, but everyone knew that look on McGonagall's face. She was serious and would more than likely give any student who disobeyed a month of detentions. At least she'd promised to tell them of Harry's and Leiko's condition.

"Hey Ron...do you realize what just happened?"

"I think it's pretty obvious what just happened, Hermione."

"Seriously, Ron. I think Voldemort was using his link with Harry to reach Leiko. That's why his scar started hurting just before the attack."

"Don't say his name! Everyone's jumpy enough already without you saying his name."

"Oh, grow up Ron. A name can't hurt you."

"No, but the owner sure can."

"Idiot."

"Know-it-all."

The two friends parted company as they entered the Gryffindor Common Room and headed to their respective sleeping chambers.