SILVER LINING

CHAPTER FIVE-UNTRUSTWORTHY

Hermione and I had gotten some of Ron's blood on our faces. It had splattered.

She and I were still huddled together tightly and shaking.

A low moan came from Harry. Professor Snape rushed over to him while Professor McGonagall came over to Hermione and I.

"Are you two alright?" Professor McGonagall demanded anxiously.

"Yeah," Hermione squeaked out.

Professor Snape managed to get Harry to his feet. Harry had a small gash on his temple which bled slightly.

"What on earth happened here?" Professor Dumbledore asked. "What was that creature?"

Hermione's eyes were locked on Ron. She trembled and clung to Professor McGonagall.

I shifted my eyes away from the horrible sight. I felt tears forming.

"We have no idea," Harry said leaning against Snape and rubbing his back from where it hit the wall.

He glanced at me before returning his eyes onto Professor Dumbledore.

Professor Dumbledore bent down beside Ron.

"I'm so sorry," he said quietly looking up at me, Hermione and Harry.

Hermione burst into tears and buried her face into McGonagall's shoulder.

"I think it be best for the three of you to head out into the hall," Professor Dumbledore said quietly.

So, Harry, Hermione and I headed out into the hall. Hermione was still clinging to Professor McGonagall.

I felt the tears starting to slide down my cheeks. Harry stood beside me and put an arm around my shoulder.

I turned and pressed my face into his shoulder and sobbed.

After a few minutes, Professor Dumbledore came out of the common room.

"Please tell me what happened. I know its hard though, but please try," he said gently.

I took a shaky breath and began.

"Goyle and I went for a walk before curfew and then Goyle said he had to talk to Hagrid and when he disappeared, this animal appeared and chased me into the castle. You saw the rest," I said quietly as tears slid down my cheeks.

"We're going to talk to Mr. Goyle," Professor Dumbledore said. "For now, you three are to stay in the Great Hall if you don't want to return to the tower just yet."

We nodded.

Truthfully, I didn't want to ever return to the common room or tower.

Just then, Goyle came running down the corridor looking terrified, soaked as the rain poured down outside. I didn't even remember it starting to rain.

His robe was soaked and so was his hair matted to his head.

"Stephanie? Harry? Hermione? What's going on?"

"Where were you just now?" Professor McGonagall asked narrowing her eyes.

"I was with Hagrid. I had to ask him something about tomorrow's lesson," Goyle said looking genuinely confused. "What's going on?"

"Ron was murdered," Harry said quietly. "Some kind of animal killed him."

Goyle's eyes widened.

"I'm so sorry,"

"You disappeared," I said suddenly balling my hands up at my sides into fists. "When you disappeared that 'thing' appeared."

Goyle's eyes filled with shock.

"Stephanie, I have no idea what happened. I told you...I was with Hagrid. How could you think I would do something like that?"

"I still don't trust you," Hermione spat out as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Fine you're all nice and everything with Stephanie...but we really don't know your side."

I bit my bottom lip.

I knew Hermione was devastated by what happened with Ron, but I seriously doubt he was responsible for attacking Ron. It was done by some kind of creature. We all saw it.

"Hermione, a creature attacked Ron. Not a human being," I said.

Hermione's dark brown eyes turned onto mine.

"You're just protecting him because you like him," she said vehemently. "I don't trust him and neither does Harry...Right?"

She turned to Harry.

Harry looked uncomfortable.

"Hermione," he began. "I really don't see how Goyle could be responsible for what happened."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.

"Just like you...taking someone else's side," she growled.

"Why don't you all go down to the Great Hall for a moment," Professor Dumbledore suggested calmly.

We all nodded and headed down the corridor.

Once inside, we all took seats. Harry and I sat next to each other, while Hermione sat a few feet down the table from us. Goyle sat at the Hufflepuff table, which was right beside ours.

"Hermione, please explain to us how on earth Goyle could've done that to Ron?" I choked out.

Hermione didn't reply.

"Hermione?"

"I JUST KNOW OKAY?" Hermione exploded.

She's usually moody, but I've never seen her like this before. From the expression on Harry's face, I gather he hasn't either.

Goyle looked upset and hurt.

"I assure you, Hermione, that I would never hurt one of my friends," he said in a small voice.

"There's a key word," Hermione rasped. "You would never hurt one of 'your' friends. How do we know Ron was your friend and if you even liked him?"

"I did like him," Goyle replied.

I understand Hermione was devastated as I said before, but I really think she was going a bit overboard.

I slowly stood up, keeping the palms of my hands flat on the table. I looked over at her.

"Hermione. We understand how you're feeling...we're all feeling that way right now. But accusing someone without proof isn't right and you of all people should know this. There is no possible way Goyle could've done that and you know it. Before we go accusing I think we should talk to Hagrid first," I said firmly.

I wanted to burst into tears and I felt the lump rising in the back of my throat. I felt a hand over mine. Startled, I looked down and saw Harry had placed his hand on top of mine.

Hermione grumbled something, but we couldn't hear her.

"Sorry? Didn't quite catch that," I said cupping a hand behind my ear.

"Fine," Hermione grumbled loud.

I sat back down and just let my forehead hit the edge of the table with a 'thud'. My hair fell around my face.

"Don't worry, Stephanie," Harry whispered softly. "We'll find out who did this to Ron and make him pay. I'm not saying Goyle is innocent, I just think we should talk to Hagrid first."

I felt his arm around me.

HARRY.

I put my arm around Stephanie and glared at Goyle. For some reason, I seemed to side with Hermione. I didn't trust Goyle as far as I could see him, but accusing him without proof wasn't right either.

And it did seem odd that the minute Goyle disappeared, the creature showed up.

I was trusting my gut instincts.

Goyle looked back at me then his eyes moved onto my arm that was around Stephanie. I kept it there without faltering.

I glared at him as if challenging me to move my arm.

He didn't say anything.

Truthfully, I did love Stephanie...a lot. When Professor Flitwick did the Attraction charm, I did feel a warm fuzzy feeling. I am just terrified to tell her because I know she likes Goyle.

I've felt like this for a while. When we first met I fell in love with her. She was pretty, funny, kind, caring, thoughtful and just a great person to be with.

For all the years we've known Goyle, it was odd that all of a sudden he stood up to Malfoy and was being nice to us. Something just wasn't fitting right with me and I knew Hermione felt the same way.

Stephanie just slumped against me and pressed her face into my shoulder. I felt her body shaking slightly as she sobbed.

Hermione got up and came over to us.

She sat beside Stephanie on her left side and just laid against her, also sobbing.

Goyle swallowed.

At that moment, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape entered the Great Hall.

"I'm going to go talk to Hagrid," Professor Dumbledore said gently. "I want the four of you to remain here with Professor Snape."

He and Professor McGonagall left the Hall while Snape came over to us and sat beside Goyle.

Hermione was sobbing into Stephanie's shoulder while Stephanie was sobbing into mine.

"Are you alright, Potter?" Snape asked peering at me with his dark eyes. His greasy hair fell to his shoulders in oily waves.

I raised an eyebrow. I really didn't have the strength to argue with him. Especially since we're not used to him talking to us in a civilized tone.

But I sighed and replied.

"I am usually better," I said quietly. "I miss Ron."

At that, the two girls sobbed harder.

Snape's eyes moved onto Stephanie and Hermione.

He leaned forward.

"Would either of you like a Dreamless Sleep potion?"

Stephanie raised her head off my shoulder. Hermione kept hers buried into Steph's shoulder though.

"No," Stephanie said her voice cracking. "Thank you."

"Miss Granger?" Professor Snape asked turning his eyes onto her.

She didn't reply.

"I think she could use it," I said quietly.

Professor Snape nodded.

"Goyle, come with me," Snape said as he and Goyle got up.

Goyle kept looking at Stephanie. Stephanie gave him a watery smile before he and Snape disappeared.

Shortly, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore entered the Hall again. The looks on their faces told me that their talk with Hagrid didn't go well.

Professor McGonagall took a seat beside Hermione and put her arms around her, peeling her off of Stephanie's shoulder. Hermione just slumped against McGonagall, burying her face into her shoulder now.

"We've talked with Hagrid," Professor Dumbledore said as he sat down across from Stephanie and I at the table. "Mr. Goyle was not with him at any time."

"I TOLD YOU!" Hermione shrieked.

"Easy," Professor McGonagall said in a soothing tone, but her face was colorless.

Hermione fell into sobs again.

Stephanie's eyes widened. Professor Dumbledore put a hand on hers.

"Hagrid was alone for most of the night. He saw you and Mr. Goyle walking, but then Mr. Goyle had vanished and he saw you and then the creature. That was all. I'm afraid that Mr. Goyle is lying,"

At that moment, Professor Snape and Goyle came back into the Hall.

Hermione raised her head, took one look at Goyle, and lunged out of her seat. Luckily, Professor McGonagall managed to restrain her.

"GET HIM OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Hermione yelled struggling against Professor McGonagall.

Professor Snape seemed shocked and confused.

"We talked with Hagrid," Professor Dumbledore said calmly. "He did not see you at all tonight."

Goyle went pale.

"Please take Miss Granger up to bed," Professor Dumbledore said. "And Mr. Potter and Miss Ross. Give her the potion."

Professor McGonagall dragged Hermione back to the Gryffindor tower along with the potion that Professor Snape had brewed.

"I think I'll take a few moments," Stephanie said.

"Me too," I said. "I'll bring her back to the tower."

Professor Dumbledore patted Stephanie's hand before he got up and left, along with Professor Snape, leaving Goyle to stand there in the middle of the Hall.

Stephanie and I stood up and Stephanie kept close to me.

"I..." Goyle began but Stephanie cut him off.

"I'm beginning to think that Hermione's right about you," Stephanie said coldly as hurt and anger filled her honey brown eyes. "You're too untrustworthy."

Goyle looked like he'd been punched in the stomach.

"I don't ever want to see you around me," Stephanie continued. "If you lied once, what makes me think you won't lie again?"

Goyle seemed totally hurt.

With that, Stephanie stalked off. I looked at Goyle before hurrying to catch up with Stephanie.

I caught up with Stephanie and gently grabbed her elbow and spun her around to face me.

She had anger and tears in her eyes.

"How could I be so stupid!" she cried. "To think, I actually liked him!"

I stared into her honey brown eyes and felt my heart sinking. I didn't really hold a grudge against Goyle. I wanted Stephanie to be with whomever she was happy with...even if it wasn't me.

"He's just not what you expected, that's all," I said softly.

Stephanie dug the heels of her palms into her forehead.

"I was so stupid," she said lowering her hands. "I'm never going to find someone at this rate."

"Yes you will," I said quietly. "You will most definitely find someone. You're pretty, smart, funny, kind and caring. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

Stephanie looked at me.

"Do you really think so?"

I nodded.

Stephanie threw her arms around my neck and rested her chin on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against me.

My chin rested on her shoulder. I gently buried my face into her neck and hair.

She smelled like citrus.

"Thanks," she whispered. "I wish Ron was still here."

"I know," I whispered back. "He is in a way."

Stephanie pulled back from the embrace. Our faces were inches apart. My heart pounded more.

"Let's go to bed, even though I doubt I'll be able to sleep again," Stephanie replied.

"Sure," I said.

With that, she and I headed off to Gryffindor tower.

STEPHANIE.

The next morning, the entire Gryffindor house was subdued. Neville sat with us.

Harry sat across from me while Hermione sat next to me on my right and Neville on my left.

Professor Dumbledore made the grim announcement before the food appeared. I really wasn't that hungry anymore and I just sat, picking at my food. I was angry...I wanted to repay Goyle for what he'd done. And I knew the perfect way.

"How are you holding up, Stephanie?" Neville asked softly.

"I've been better," I admitted sadly. "I miss Ron so much."

I felt the lump rising again in the back of my throat.

Hermione was quiet but not hysterical like she was yesterday. The Dreamless Sleep Potion seemed to have done some good.

"I miss him too," Neville admitted.

I looked at Harry.

"What is going to happen with Goyle?" I asked him.

"I don't know," Harry admitted. "I think Goyle will be serving detention for ages though."

"And do you think that's enough?" I asked.

"Steph, all he did was lie about where he was when the creature chased you. I don't think he actually killed Ron," Harry said reasonably.

"I think otherwise," I said angrily. "And he's going to pay...dearly."