Chapter 8 The Second Attack

Harry found himself high as a kite as he made his wayback to the common room. Quidditch practise had gone extremely well. Ginny was turning out to be almost as good as Wood at keeping the Quaffle out of the hoop.Even Fred and George had admitted that shehad a lot of talent. He paused as he noticed something shiny on the floor. He bent over and picked it up. It was a pendant. Silver and oval shaped with three diamonds in the middle. He recognized it immediately as belonging to Professor Dashall. He rarely saw her without it. He looked again and saw that the chain was broken. It must have slipped off her neck without her noticing. He turned on his heel and headed toward her office. As he walked he found himself studying the pendant. It looked rather old, maybe it was a family heirloom. He was so busy studying it that he didn't see Professor Dashall coming down the hall until he had run smack into her.

"Do watch where you're going Potter," she said coldly glaring at him. Harry gulped. What was it about this woman that made him tremble. She wasn't really all that intimidating. She was only slightly taller than him, and rather willowy. And considering that she was the only teacher at Hogwarts who he had never seen use a wand, it didn't appear as though she could do him much harm. It was her eyes. Deep brown almost black and they stared at him with such coldness. He didn't understand why though. She didn't look at any other students like that.

"Um, uh, I'm sorry Professor. It's just that I found your pendant on the floor and I was coming to return it to you." The icyness in her eyes seemed to melt slightly.

"Thank you Potter," she said taking her pendant. "Thank you for returning it to me. I've been going out of my mind trying to find it." Harry could have told her that a simply charm 'Accio Pendant' would have brought it right to her but he didn't think that would be wise.

"It looks like the chain broke. I could fix it for you." She looked at him sharply but then she held it out to him.

"Go ahead then." Harry felt a hint of pleasure at being able to do something for her. He took the pendant from her and pulled out his wand.

"Immendium," he said. The broken chain instantly repaired itself. "There you are," he said.

"Well done," she said placing the now repaired chain around her neck.

"Is it a family heirloom?" Professor Dashall's eyes suddenly turned cold again but before she could say anything a scream was heard. In a flash he was running with the Professor close behind him.

"Someone help!" he heard another voice. This time it was Ron yelling. Harry turned the corner and came upon a sight that made him ill. Hermione was sitting with her knees to her chest, her robes torn and a cut above her right eye. Ron had his arms around her. He looked up as Harry approached.

"Harry!" Ron shouted to him. "Hermione's been attacked." Harry felt his stomach drop. First Pansy now Hermione.

"I didn't do it Harry, I swear I didnt'." Ron babbled.

"What are you talking about Ron?"

"I'd like to know that myself," Professor Dashall said coming up to them. "Miss Granger what happened?" Hermione looked up at the professor with tears in her eyes.

"I was on my way to the library when Ron, or rather someone who looked like Ron grabbed me. I truly thought it was Ron, so I didn't scream. Then he pulled me into a dark corner and started kissing me. I let him."
"Why would you let Ron do that?" Harry wanted to know.

"Because it wasn't the first time," Hermione whispered. Harry was shocked. Ron and Hermione?

"Uh, Hermione," Ron said.

"They need to know Ron," Hermione said.

"Go on Miss Granger," Professor Dashall said gently.

"Well, Ron was kissing me but then he started getting too rough. I asked him to stop but he just kept kissing me. Then he was trying to take off my robes. I was scared and I hit him. I ran away screaming and then I saw Ron, the real Ron and Ginny coming toward me."

"He was chasing her," Ron picked up the story. "It was so wierd. He looked exactly like me. But then when he saw me he just disappeared in a puff of smoke. I sent Ginny to get Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey."

"I knew it couldn't be the real you," Hermione said leaning into Ron's shoulder.

"I'd never do anything to hurt you, Mione." Ron said hugging her tightly. Harry was befuddled. Here his two best friends had been together for who knew how long and he hadn't even suspected.

"What is going on here?" the deep voice of Albus Dumbledore broke into the fray. McGonagall, Snape,Madam Pomfrey and Ginny were with him.

"Miss Granger has been attacked Dumbledore," Professor Dashall said. "By someone or something that appeared to her as Mr. Weasly and then dissappeared in a puff of smoke." Harry noticed an exchange of looks between the older professors. It was a familiar look. A look of dread. He had seen it in thier eyes two years ago when the Chamber of Secrets had been opened.

"Fortunately," Dashall continued. "Miss Granger managed to escape her attacker before any serious damage was done."

"Thank goodness," Dumbledore said clearly relieved. "However, I think Madam Pomfrey should have a look at you Miss Granger. Miss Weasly if you would go with them." Ginny nodded and stepped forward to help Hermione up.

"If I may, Headmaster," Snape chimed in. "I am curious to how Mr. Potter arrived here so fast when I am sure I saw him heading to the Gryffindor common room only a short while ago." Harry glared at the DADA teacher. What was Snape trying to pull. If he was accusinghim of hurting Hermione...

"Potter was with me when we heard Miss Granger's screams, Professor Snape,"Dashall said. "He found mypendant and was returning it to me." She heldup her pendantby way of explanation. Snape's eyes widened as he stared at the pendant around Dashall's neck. Harryfelt acold shiver run down his spine.

"Very well, then" Dumbledore said. "If you would all join me in my office. Mr.Potter,Mr. Weaslyif you would return to your commonroom please." Harry turned and followed Ron whose shoulders were sagging as he walked. He turned the corner and stopped suddenly when he heard Snape's voice.

"I don't know who you are, or how you came to possess that, but mark my words I will get to the bottom of this." Harry peered around the corner and saw that Snape had backed Professor Dashall into the wall and was glaring at her menacingly.

That's all for now. I've had only one review so far, please keep them coming.