I hope your enjoying the story so far. It's still pretty mellow, but it builds suspense….soon the action will raise high and ….so will the language…just a warning. Thanks again for everything.

It's in the Air

Ron jerked up. His hands were shaking uncontrollably. He wondered why Hermione kept flashing into his mind. It had been mere minutes since they had said their goodnights. He raised his trembling hand to his throbbing temple. He climbed out of his warm cocoon. When he descended the stairs he noticed that the fire had died out.

But doesn't it burn all night? He thought. It wasn't until he could see his breath in the air did he realize why.

"Dementors…" he whispered.

The commotion he heard up in his dormitory captured his attention. He ran back up stairs.

"It's Harry," Seamus said as Ron busted into the room. "He keeps complaining about his scar. He looks sick, mate." Ron glanced as Harry, he did look sick. Harry was white as a ghost, pain poured out of his eyes, he looked like the madman from Tell-Tale Heart. "You and Dean better get Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall then. Neville could you get me a warm wash-cloth for me?"

All the boys nodded and practically ran out the door.

"Thanks," Harry murmured, clutching his scar.

"Anytime, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, but someone isn't." Ron just looked confused. "He's angry, Ron. He's furious."

Just as those words escaped his lips, Hermione ran in. A look of pure terror was frozen on her face.

"Oh, thank God. You heard it too!" Her face melted when Ron and Harry seemed confused. "The scream," she whimpered, "didn't you hear the scream?" Ron wrapped his arms around her as she quietly sobbed.

"Shh… no we didn't hear a scream, but-"

Just then a knock echoed on the door. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, it's Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey. Are you decent?"

"You're not supposed to be here! Quick under the bed," Ron whispered, helping Hermione under the large structure.

"Yes, Ma'am," Harry said when the last of Hermione wasn't visible.

"Mr. Potter, you look a mess!" Stormed Madam Pomfrey, who didn't wait to allow McGonagall to open the door. She was automatically followed by the Transfiguration teacher, Seamus, Dean, and Neville close behind with the wash cloth.

"Well, I see nothing wrong," she said after ten minutes of her examination.

"I'm sure it was just a night terror Poppy, however tomorrow morning would you mind coming to my office, Mr. Potter? Mr. Weasley is also welcome."

"Yes, Ma'am," they said in unison.

After both adults left, Ron and Harry pulled Hermione out from under the bed. "Oh, a night terror?" Seamus said with a sparkle in his eye.

"Shut up," ushered Ron, throwing a pillow….which Seamus caught.

The trio crept into the dark Common Room. Hermione muttered a spell under her breath, re-lighting the fire.

"Now, what about a scream?" Harry asked. Even though she and Ron were together it didn't make her any less of his best friend. She took a deep breath and told Harry and Ron about the night. She seemed more comfortable knowing they had an odd night as well and she wasn't the only one who seemed insane.