"It was so wierd Harry," Ron said as they sat on Harry's bed. "It was like looking in a mirror, only there was no mirror. And when it saw me, it's eyes turned all red, and then poof! IT was gone"
"Well there's no doubt that whatever attacked Hermione attacked Pansy too. Whatever it is must be able to take on the appearance of someone whom its victim would trust"
"Sort of a boggart in reverse," Ron said. "Whatever this thing is, it knows it's victims. It knew that Pansy always stands up for Malfoy when Dashall gives him detention. It obviously knew about you and Hermione, which is more than I can say for myself." Ron hung his head.
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you Harry. Hermione wanted to but I was afraid that if you knew, things would be wierd between us"
"I think it's great that you two are together Ron. I'm happy for you." "Thanks," Ron said smiling. "Oh and uh, if you could not tell Fred and George I'd appreciate it. You know how those two are"
"I won't say a word," Harry promised. He truly was happy for his friends.
"Ron," he said turning serious. "I noticed something in the hall just now. When Professor Dashall was describing what happened, the other professors were looking at each other very strangely"
"How do you mean?" Ron asked.
"Well," Harry said. "It was like they knew something. It was like when we found that message on the wall about the chamber of secrets"
"You think something like this has happened at Hogwarts before"
"Maybe," Harry said. "There's a lot about Hogwarts that we don't know. And then I saw Snape threatening Dashall. It was odd. He said he didn't know who she was or how she got it"
"Got what"
"Her pendant," Harry said in realization. "Snape was looking at her pendant very oddly. Like he recognized it"
"Harry," Ron said warning in his voice. "Just because Professor Dashall doesn't seem to like you very much, it doesn't mean she's got anything to do with what's been going on around here." Harry groaned. Why wouldn't anyone believe him?
"I'm going to bed," Ron said. "Good night then," Harry said. He sat thinking for a long time. Finally, he grabbed a sheet of parchment and his quill.
'Dear Sirius,
I hope this letter finds you and Buckbeak safe. I'm sorry I haven't written you before now but my studies and Quidditch have been keeping me quite busy. Ginny is the new Keeper for Gryffindor, she's really good. There have been some strange and rather awful things happening lately. Pansy Parkinson was raped last month, by someone she thought was Malfoy. Malfoy took a truth serum, and said he didn't do it. Then today, Hermione was attacked. She wasn't raped fortunately. The strange thing is that whatever attacked her looked just like Ron. Ron and Ginny saw it as well. They said it disappeared in a puff of smoke. All of the teachers acted oddly when they were told what had happened. I was wondering if you know if this has happened before. Also, I'm concerned about this new professor we have for potions. She's a better teacher than Snape. She's fair and doesn't humiliate her students just because she can. She's also brilliant. But there's something fishy about her. I don't know why but she doesn't seem to like me. None of my friends will listen when I tell them this. I don't know what to do. Do you have any advice? Please respond as soon as you can. Say hi to Beaky for me Your Godson Harry P.S. Ron and Hermione are dating'
Harry finished the letter and sealed it. He slipped out of bed and made his way to the owlry. He felt bad that he hadn't written to Sirius before this. His godfather had told him to write if anything was happening. In the dark he didn't see the dark figure come out of the library until he was knocked to the floor. Before he could get to his wand, the hall was illuminated. In front of him, Professor Dashall stood with a vial in one hand which apparently was the source of the light, and in the other a battered brown book.
"Oh, Harry I'm so sorry," she said bending down to help him up. Harry stared at her in surprise. Not only that Professor Dashall was apologizing to him, but that she'd called him Harry. Looking closely at her face he saw that she had been crying.
"Are you all right?" she asked him.
"Yeah I'm fine. Are you all right?" "Oh," she said brushing a hand across her eyes. "That library is so dusty. What are you doing out of bed at this hour"
"I had a letter to send," he said holding up the parchment.
"Of course," she said. "Well, as soon as you take care of it you get right back to bed. I don't want to have to write you up"
"Yes, Professor," he said. What was going on? Professor Dashall was not acting at all like normal.
"Professor," he said. "Yes Harry"
"Do you know how Hermione is doing"
"She's all right Harry, a little shaken is all. She'll be back to class tomorrow"
"Thank you," he said. He hurried on to the owlry where Hedwig greeted him with a hearty hoot.
"Hey girl," he said. "Can you take this letter to Sirius?" Hedwig nibbled his finger affectionately.
"Stay with him until he gives you a response all right? Good luck." He tied the letter to Hedwig's leg and sent her off.