SILVER LINING

CHAPTER SIX-RETRIBUTION

HARRY.

Stephanie was enraged now with revenge. As I said, I didn't trust Goyle as far as I could see him...but didn't think he was responsible for Ron's death. Stephanie believed it totally.

I watched her. I was worried now that she might do something rash to Goyle when he may not even deserve it.

Her appetite suddenly came back with a flourish.

After breakfast, we headed to Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall let the Gryffindors relax a bit while the Slytherins were made to work.

Malfoy kept shooting us menacing looks but we simply just ignored it.

After that, we headed to Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid was quiet and didn't seem to have the heart to teach after hearing about Ron.

He let us just talk amongst ourselves.

Stephanie, Hermione and I were standing next to Hagrid talking when Malfoy came up to us.

"What do you want?" Stephanie asked angrily.

"Just to say 'I'm sorry'," Malfoy said looking concerned, then he broke into a grin. "Sorry that the Weasel was eaten!"

Hermione went to lunge for him, but I grabbed her and held her back. Hagrid went to hold back Stephanie, but it was too late. She lunged for him, much like a cat pounces on a prey. She knocked him onto his back on the grass and hovered above him.

"I really, really want to tear your head off," Stephanie snarled. "It would give me so much pleasure..."

She flexed her hands. I already saw long nails starting to grow.

"Easy Steph," I said as I released Hermione and gently grabbed her. She didn't fight me though.

Her nails returned to normal.

Malfoy got to his feet and hurried back over to the Slytherins.

"Calm down," I whispered to her. "You don't want to go giving out what you are just yet remember?"

Stephanie sighed and took several deep breaths.

"I know," she said. "You're right. Sorry."

I smiled and nodded and we went back over to Hagrid.

Once that class was over, we headed back into the castle for a break before Potions and History of Magic.

Hermione was going to take a nap so she headed into the girls' dorm. Stephanie and I sat in the common room, staring at the crackling fire. Ron's body was in the hospital wing and the blood had been cleaned up. There was no trace of what happened left here.

"Malfoy gets off on tormenting people doesn't he?" Stephanie asked sighing.

"Yeah. He always has and he probably always will," I muttered.

"Ugh," Stephanie said disgustedly. "I wish there was a way to knock that horrid smug look off of his face."

"That's permanently frozen on there," I said deadpan. "Good luck.."

Stephanie lightly leaned against me and rested her head on my shoulder.

"I just wish we knew what was going on," she said.

Her hair was brushing against my cheek.

"I think that you aren't the only one hiding a secret around here," I said quietly.

There was a silence before she spoke again.

"I just want to thank you for not telling anyone. I think its time to tell Hermione about me," Stephanie replied as she looked up at me.

I swallowed.

The firelight reflected in her honey brown eyes and it gave her a glow sort of. I suddenly became nervous.

"Um...okay...If you think it would be best," I stammered.

She beamed up at me.

"Great," she said and returned her eyes to the fire.

When the break was over, we met Hermione in the corridor.

"Hermione? I have something to tell you," Stephanie said seriously.

Hermione looked at Stephanie.

"What is it?"

Stephanie glanced at me before she launched into the whole story.

When she was done, Hermione was speechless. Then, she spoke.

"I don't believe it," she said quietly. "Was it you that killed the first year and third year?"

"No," Stephanie said. "I wasn't anywhere near them. I remember where I was when I changed. I remember what I did. It wasn't me."

"So," Hermione said slowly. "That means there's someone else in the school that is changing?"

Stephanie and I nodded.

"But what I don't know is what it is," Stephanie continued. "I'm an Advair, but this creature is much more violent. Not typical of the Lycantor, Verit or Malox species."

Hermione nodded.

"You're right,"

"So, you believe me?" Stephanie asked hopefully.

"Of course," Hermione said. "Look, I understand why you didn't want to tell us just yet and you had to tell Harry because of the picture. It's fine. I really do understand. Forget about it."

She was smiling faintly.

Relief flooded over Stephanie's face and she threw her arms around Hermione and hugged her.

Hermione hugged her back.

"We'd best get to class," I said clearing my throat.

Stephanie released Hermione and we continued down the corridor.

STEPHANIE.

It felt good to finally tell Hermione about me. Now the two of them would be able to help me.

We headed to our classes.

During dinner, Goyle kept looking over at me, but I ignored him.

"How could he have the balls to even look at me after lying to us?" I snarled helping myself to some pork chops and peas.

"I know," Hermione said glaring at Goyle. "That's really distasteful."

Harry was silent.

"Guys," he said quietly. "I know the lying bit didn't really put him back on a 'good' list, but accusing him of killing Ron? We all saw that thing."

"For all we know he could very well be the 'thing'," I said looking at Harry.

"Right...and we need proof," Harry argued.

I just ate my dinner and didn't reply.

Hermione was silent as well.

He needs to be punished and I'm going to pay him back for killing Ron. I know it was him. I thought angrily. Whether Harry believes Goyle's innocent or not.

That night, we all headed to bed. I stayed in the common room, pretending to read a book. Hermione and Harry had gone off to bed already. I looked out the window and waited.

Goyle felt completely devastated. He'd lied to the only girl that only liked...well, loved really. Yep. He was in love with Stephanie...deeply.

He had a feeling that Harry liked her as well, but he couldn't be sure. He'd never really been involved with girls up until now and had no idea how to read their gestures or signs.

Not really caring if he got suspended, Goyle began walking the castle after curfew. He'd been really stupid and lied about talking to Hagrid, when he had really gone to pick Stephanie some flowers. He had wanted it to be a surprise.

When he had come back, she was gone. He thought maybe she had gone back to the castle for a moment and then he had hesitated because he started rehearsing how he wanted to ask her to go out with him. By the time he'd gotten the nerve up, he went into the castle and that's when he'd come across what had happened to Ron.

And what made it worse, Stephanie actually believed that he would hurt Ron, or Hermione or Harry. He wouldn't. He thought of them as his good friends as well.

He was totally depressed now. He'd lost someone he really cared about a lot.

So, he wandered around the castle. He checked his watch. It was 10:39 PM.

Suddenly, from somewhere in the castle, a mournful and angry howl rose up that seemed to echo through the walls and it went right through him.

He began panicking now. The howl seemed to be getting closer and closer. Then, he heard something coming up the corridor.

An odor invaded his nostrils...it smelled like cinnamon and blood mixed. He entered an opened classroom and peered easily around the doorframe and into the hallway.

It was huge...about 8 feet tall...gray and cream fur mixed. The creatures' pelt was reflecting the moonlight outside. The eyes were amber/jaundice colored and a tail swung back and forth as the creature sniffed at the air. It sniffed around, and he quickly whipped around just in time as the creature turned toward his direction.

He was breathing heavily now. This must be what attacked Ron. He was trapped now. The creature seemed to have picked up his scent.

Completely terrified, Goyle scanned the classroom and spied the empty wooden closet/cupboard in the back. He lunged for it and climbed inside.

He heard the creature entering the classroom. He could hear its steady breathing over his own heart pounding loudly in his chest. He had his wand ready, but he had hoped he wouldn't have to use it. If he had to, what spell would work?

Through the small slit opening in the door, he could see the creature. It walked around the room, carefully sniffing at everything. It looked like a huge wolf...in fact, it was a huge wolf walking upright like a human. It was impossible...that would mean...it was a werewolf.

He couldn't believe that something like this would actually be around or even exist for that matter.

He clutched his wand tighter in his hand and trembled.

The creature leaned over the desks. Thick, clear saliva dripped from its bottom jaws.

It smashed through several desks and was now standing right outside the closet/cupboard. Goyle held his breath, daring not to breath.

The next thing he knew, a hairy arm shot through the wood and he felt a spreading warmth in his midsection area.

The door fell off the hinges and Goyle was able to look down at his mid-section.

Blood stained the front of his robe...and he saw with horror, that he had been eviscerated.

He felt blood filling his mouth and he spit it out. It flowed from the corner of his mouth. The creature studied him as he fell to his knees before falling face down on the floor out of the closet/cupboard.

The creature dropped it all fours and sniffed at the boy. The boy's scent was so familiar. It nudged him with its snout. The boy didn't move. It placed two hands on the boys lifeless back, tilted its head up and howled in triumph.

The next morning, I awoke in the girls' dorm feeling refreshed.

Hermione was already awake.

"Morning," Hermione said.

"Morning," I said as I pulled on my robe and uniform.

But then, I realized I had no idea what happened the night before. I was terrified that I couldn't remember...and I always remembered. Hermione and I headed down to the Great Hall.

Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table.

He looked up.

"Hey," he said. "How are you feeling?"

"Okay I guess," I admitted. "Still in a bit of a shock about Ron though."

"No," Harry said leaning close. "I mean 'how are you feeling?'"

I knew what he meant.

"Better," I said grinning. "Much better."

Harry nodded and grinned back.

About 4 minutes later, Professor Dumbledore arose from his seat and silence fell across the Hall like a tidal wave.

"Once again, I must bring grave news," Dumbledore began quietly. "Another student has been attacked. Gregory Goyle of Slytherin."

Harry's head snapped toward me.

I sat, completely stunned and speechless. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Goyle was dead.

I didn't want to believe it...but I was also terrified...could I have been so angry at Goyle that I was the one who attacked him?

HARRY.

I leaned forward. Stephanie was sitting across from me. Hermione was sitting beside me.

"Was it you?" I demanded in a low voice.

"No," Stephanie said looking outraged. "I was on the fifth floor!"

I looked at her skeptically, but then shook my head. I trusted her with my life and I knew she was just upset and not do anything really rash. I believed her.

"So it must've been the second 'thing'," Hermione said leaning forward also and dropping her voice.

"I bet it was," Stephanie said. "When I was up on the fifth floor, I picked up its scent."

"...Tuck in!" Professor Dumbledore was saying.

We had tuned out for a moment and then the food appeared on our plates.

We absentmindedly began helping ourselves to food and talking in low voices.

Malfoy and Crabbe seemed to be upset as well.

"Wow," Hermione said following my gaze to the Slytherin table. "I never thought Malfoy and Crabbe could be so quiet."

"I know," Harry admitted. "It's a bit scary."

"But a nice change," Stephanie said. "I just wish it wouldn't take someone's death to start it."

She sighed and dug into some porridge.

I had really hoped that we would be able to catch this second 'monster' soon. We were also going to have to tell Professor Dumbledore as well. I wasn't sure if he knew about Stephanie or not.

This was something Stephanie was going to have to do. We needed to catch that second creature before it killed again.

I hated Goyle for lying, but I didn't want him to be killed.

By the look on Hermione's and Stephanie's faces, I knew they felt the same way.

After breakfast we began leaving the Hall. A second year named Emily Hanson hurried up to us.

"Hey," she said breathlessly. "I saw what happened the night you and Goyle went for a walk."

Stephanie looked shocked.

"What do you mean?" she asked slowly. "Goyle vanished and then that 'thing' appeared."

"I know," Emily said nodding her green eyes filling with excitement. "I was also talking a walk just before curfew. I entered one of the bridges that led from the main building to the Astronomy tower. I heard a commotion outside so I looked out. I saw you and Goyle walking in front of Hagrid's hut. Then, Goyle vanished and about 3 minutes later, I saw that creature appear and chase you into the castle."

"So where'd he go? You're wasting our time," Stephanie sighed impatiently.

"I saw him heading toward the lakeshore. There's tons of flowers growing there like sunflowers, and roses. I saw him picking a whole bunch up," Emily said. "Looks like he had gone to get you some flowers."

I glanced at Stephanie.

All the color had drained from her face.

She got a bit wobbly and grabbed onto my shoulder.

"So I hope you didn't accuse him of anything," Emily said. "Talk to you later!"

With that, she bounced out of the Hall.

Stephanie's fingers dug into my shoulder.

"Stephanie?" Hermione demanded worriedly. "What's wrong?"

Stephanie raised her eyes to mine.

"I think I made a horrible mistake," she choked out.