SILVER LINING

CHAPTER FOUR-MOONLIT WALK

Harry looked still pale.

"What on earth is going on here?" he whispered as we entered the Great Hall for breakfast.

"I don't know, but its certainly another one," I said seriously as we took our seats at the Gryffindor table. "The problem is, neither the Verit, Malox or Lycantor's are this aggressive. I mean they are extremely aggressive, but the pattern doesn't seem to fit."

"Pattern?" Harry asked tilting his head.

"Yeah. A first year Gryffindor and then a third year Slytherin," I said. "The first years throat was torn and the girl was torn to pieces. It's not typical of the first three types. They mainly go for the throat yes, but not tearing their victims to shreds. Plus, neither a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff was attacked yet."

"Yet," Harry said grimly. "We don't know what's to come."

I nodded, agreeing with him.

Shortly, Hermione and Ron entered, taking their seats across from Harry and I.

"Hey," Hermione said brightly. "I'm glad you two are talking again. I suppose you put that all behind you now?"

We nodded.

"Dumbledore's going to have some more grave news," I muttered, crossing my arms on top of the table and resting my chin on them.

"How do you know?" Ron asked.

"I just have a feeling," I said.

Hermione studied me but turned her attention to Professor Dumbledore who arose from his seat at the Head table. Immediately, the silence fell across the Hall.

"Alas, I have some more grave news," he began solemnly. "A third year Slytherin named Alison Dawes was attacked last night in the library."

The Slytherins were quiet and subdued at their table.

"What happened?" A Ravenclaw called out.

"She was attacked by some sort of animal...I'm afraid to say that she didn't make it. She had been torn to pieces. Her family is being contacted as we speak. I want to remind everyone that the curfew is still being enforced. I don't know how Miss Dawes managed to sneak out of the common room, but I will warn you all now, if you are found outside your common room wandering the halls after the curfew, you will be suspended. Tuck in!"

The food appeared on our plates and Ron and Hermione began hungrily digging into the food.

Harry and I exchanged looks before we too, helped ourselves to some porridge.

The first class of the day was Potions much to our dismay.

The four of us trooped down to the dungeon and took our regular seats. Malfoy and Crabbe were snickering behind Goyle's back. Goyle had taken a seat further away from Malfoy, toward the front of the room. His desk was diagonal from mine. I was sitting in the aisle seat with Hermione next to me and Ron and Harry behind us.

"Poor Goyle," I whispered copying down the ingredients that Snape had placed on blackboard.

"I know," Hermione whispered back to me. "I feel so bad for him. After all, all he did was stick up for you."

I sighed.

Professor Snape began the lesson.

Halfway into the lesson, Malfoy crumpled up a piece of parchment and threw it at the back of Goyle's head.

It bounced off Goyle's head and landed on the floor. Malfoy and Crabbe began snickering and giggling. Poor Goyle didn't even turn around. He just continued to do his work.

I turned around and glared at Malfoy.

Malfoy gave me the finger.

"Mr. Malfoy," Snape's voice boomed. Malfoy jumped from being startled. "I suggest you lower that finger and hand or else you might lose it."

I turned around in my seat quickly with a satisfied smile.

After Potions, Goyle jogged up to Hermione and I.

"I can't believe Malfoy is such a prat," Hermione said to him.

"I've just learned to ignore him," Goyle said.

"He's awful," I said sighing.

Ron and Harry were watching from the Potions class entrance.

"Can I speak to Stephanie alone for a moment?" Goyle asked Hermione.

"Sure," she said softly as she turned and joined Ron and Harry.

Goyle and I walked a few feet away from them before stopping and facing each other.

"L-Listen, I-I was wondering if you'd like to j-join me for a walk tonight before curfew?" he stammered nervously.

Oh my God...he likes you! I thought.

"Um, sure," I said beaming.

Relief flooded over Goyle's face. "Great. I'll see you around 7:00?"

I nodded and he began heading down the rest of the corridor.

Hermione, Ron and Harry came over to me.

"So, what did he say?" Ron asked.

"He asked me if I wanted to join him on a walk before curfew," I said.

"He certainly has taken a shine to you," Hermione grinned.

Ron was grinning too, but Harry seemed rather subdued and sullen.

"He's nice though," I said. "I don't know why he's never shown this side to him before."

"One word," Ron said. "Malfoy."

I nodded.

Hermione and Ron headed off down the corridor together. I turned to Harry and linked my arm with his as we began walking.

"Are you okay? You seem rather quiet," I asked worriedly.

"I'm fine," Harry grumbled.

"Sure?"

"I said 'I'm fine'," Harry said angrily. "Let's just get to Charms okay?"

With that, he unlinked arms with me and walked off after Hermione and Ron.

I stood for a moment, stunned by his reaction before I followed him.

We entered Charms class. To my dismay and shock, Harry took a seat beside Ron. Hermione sat down beside me.

"Great. He's pissed at me again but this time, I have no idea why," I muttered sadly, letting my head hit the edge of the desk with a 'thunk'.

I felt Hermione's hand on my shoulder.

"I think I have an idea," she said quietly. "He's jealous."

I slowly raised my head.

"Jealous? Of who and what?"

"Goyle...asking you to walk with him," Hermione said knowingly.

"But that's so off! That would mean that he likes me," I said slowly.

"Bingo," Hermione said winking at me.

Professor Flitwick began the lesson.

"Today we'll be learning the Attraction Charm. It's simple really," Professor Flitwick began. "I will pair each of you upand then I want just one person to perform the charm. If you are compatible, you will feel this warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach. If you aren't, then nothing will happen. All right, now for the pairings. When I call your names out, please go to the center of the classroom."

Professor Flitwick pulled out a piece of parchment and adjusted his tiny glasses on the end of his nose.

"Granger, Hermione...Weasley, Ron,"

Hermione and Ron got up and went to the center of the classroom.

"Jackson, Rachel...Longbottom, Neville,"

They got up and also went to the center.

"Ross, Stephanie...Potter, Harry."

My stomach felt like I had swallowed a rock and now it was sitting in there, flopping around. Harry got up in a business like manner and I got up too.

We stood facing each other besides Neville and Rachel.

Once the other students were paired, Professor Flitwick said the charm.

"It's called Attracion Jonus. Please repeat after me,"

We all repeated it.

"Okay, then one of you will say the charm,"

Harry and I stared at each other.

"Want me to do the Charm?" I asked reaching for my wand.

He just shrugged.

I pulled it out and took a deep breath.

"Attracion Jonus!"

A small blast of blue light erupted from the tip of my wand and went right through Harry. The same light was for everyone.

After a few moments, I started to feel that warm fuzzy feeling. But I didn't know if Harry did. He just had this blank stare on his face.

"You feel anything?" I asked softly.

"No," Harry said clearing his throat.

My heart sank.

"Well done everyone!" Professor Flitwick squeaked. "By a show of hands, how many felt the warmth?"

About 4 hands shot in the air...mine was included.

"Oh," he said. "Well, don't fret. Tomorrow we'll be learning the Ornith Charm."

I stuffed my wand into my robe again before spinning around on the heel of my foot and I quickly grabbed my things. I flew out of the castle and onto the grounds.

It was cold for January. The sky was gray and pink, which threatened snow. I hugged my robe around me tighter and felt tears stinging the corners of my eyes.

My breath came out in puffs of steam and rose to the sky.

I just leaned against the large oak tree and bent over, sobbing.

This time I had no idea why Harry was mad at me. Could it be possible that Harry did like me and was jealous? But why didn't he just say what was bothering him?

The next thing I knew, I sensed someone standing in front of me. I looked up. It was Hermione.

"I think what I told you was right," she said quietly. "Harry does like you more than a best friend. He's jealous of Goyle."

"But why didn't he just say so? I wouldn't've gone and accepted the walk with Goyle," I asked as Hermione handed me a tissue.

She was shivering despite her robe, but I was nice and warm.

She sighed.

"Because Harry isn't the type to show emotion right away," she said. "It will take him time. Ron and I know he cares about us, but he doesn't show it like you think."

"I feel so awful," I sobbed. "I feel like I've betrayed him or really hurt him."

Hermione shook her head.

"No. You go and have a good time with Goyle. It's Harry's fault that he didn't open his mouth sooner," Hermione said firmly.

I wiped my eyes with the tissue and she led me back into the castle.

Goyle and I met up in the hallway at seven o'clock that evening. Harry was avoiding me again. But I decided not to let that spoil the evening.

Goyle and I walked out of the castle and onto the grounds. A thick mist began hovering above the ground and snaking around the trees of the Forbidden Forest. In the moonlight, it looked very eerie.

We walked a little past Hagrid's hut and then just stopped to enjoy the peacefulness.

"Are you okay?" Goyle asked concerned. "You seem a bit distracted."

"It's nothing," I said softly. "I'm okay."

Goyle nodded, but he still studied me.

The moon was high and a quarter. Stars twinkled merrily in the midnight blue sky. The moon drifted in and out of clouds.

"I can't believe that poor girl was killed," Goyle said sadly. "That must've been horrible."

"I can safely bet on that," I said grimly. "But the question is, what could it be that's doing this? The castle is protected so it has to be some kind of animal. A human being couldn't do that."

"I agree," Goyle said nodding. "It's more like an in-human. What do you think is doing it?"

I sighed.

"I don't know. Something big and powerful,"

Then, Goyle's next question completely shocked me.

"Do you believe in werewolves?"

I looked at him shocked. I've never heard anyone else voice what I believed was responsible for the killing.

"Well, I..." I began but he cut me off.

"I mean I do," he said. "There's no other logical explanation is there? None of the known Muggle animals are even close to doing what was done to that poor first year and third year."

I cleared my throat.

"I don't really know," I said at last. "We're just going to have to wait and see. Hopefully, Dumbledore will be able to catch whatever this is."

"Excuse me a moment," Goyle said. "I need to ask Hagrid something."

With that, he turned and headed toward Hagrid's hut.

About 3 minutes later, I turned around. Goyle was no where to be seen.

"Goyle?" I called out.

No answer.

"Goyle?" I called again.

Still nothing.

Then, as I looked toward the Forbidden Forest, a pair of gold eyes reflected the moonlight. I froze.

Then, this huge animal stepped out. I screamed.

It was covered in thick, black fur and stood about 10 feet tall. It looked like a monstrous black dog walking on its hind legs. The ears were thin but came to a sharp point. The snout was long and thin but held powerful jaws. In those jaws were razor sharp canines and incisors.

The creature snarled and began advancing on me.

I turned and started running back to the castle.

As I glanced over my shoulder, the creature was also running after me...but on the hind legs. It was surprisingly fast and agile.

I could see the muscles rippling beneath the fur. I knew with one powerful leap, it would easily be on me.

I entered the castle and tore up the stairs. It continued after me.

"HELLLLLP!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I could hear the animals snorts of concentration behind me. Those jaundice eyes had a cool lust to them.

I reached the Gryffindor tower and screamed at the Fat Lady. She swung open immediately and then closed. I heard her startled cries out in the corridor. I leaped behind the couch and crouched, shaking violently.

"Stephanie?" I heard Harry's voice.

The next thing I knew, Ron, Hermione and Harry had appeared. Their hair was tousled and their eyes, though sleepy, had much fear and concern in them.

"IT'S OUT THERE!" I cried and then clamped a hand over my mouth, realizing that it could hear me and possibly try and get into the common room.

Hermione rushed to my side and Ron did next.

Harry pulled out his wand and aimed it at the entranceway like a sword.

There was silence now, except the crackling of the fire in the fireplace.

We all sat, huddled together, while Harry stood in front of us protectively.

Then, the wall where a full length mirror stood rattled. We let out startled cries and moved our eyes onto the mirror.

I was burying my head into Ron's shoulder. Then, something jumped through the entranceway.

Hermione and I screamed.

It was the creature. It snarled as bits of wood fell around it in planks.

It was so tall that it had to hunch over a bit. The tips of its ears hit the ceiling. It snarled and went to take a swipe at Harry, but he leaped backward and ended up landing on top of me.

"Sorry," he apologized looking embarrassed.

But my eyes moved above him to the creature. It was standing over him.

He looked up in time to see one of the hand-like paws grab him by the collar and fling him against the opposite wall. Harry fell and landed on his stomach, face down. He wasn't moving.

Ron pulled out his wand and aimed it at the creature.

The creature swiped at Ron's face.

Once again, Hermione and I screamed and clung to each other. Ron fell to the side dead. Deep, long scratches ran from the right side of his face, the ear, to the left side above his eye. Dark blood puddled around Ron.

The creature went to grab me by my throat, but Hermione pulled out her wand and yelled "ELMUSOT WANNE!"

A jet of green shot out from the tip of her wand and hit the creature right in the eye. It threw back its head and howled, covering its face and snout with its hand/paws.

It shook its head from side to side, howling in pain. A thin smoke began rising from the spot where the light hit the creature.

Then, Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape appeared.

"What on earth..." Professor McGonagall began but the creature turned and jumped through the window.