They stared after her for a moment, no one knowing what to say. Then Ron
broke the silence.
"You did pick me because I was good, right? You wouldn't just let me on cause we're friends..." he trailed off.
"Ron don't ever think that. She has no idea what she's talking about! You were the best out of every person that tried out and no one deserved it more. In fact until your turn not one of the people trying out was fit for the part!" Harry exclaimed.
Ron looked up at him with a look on his face that showed complete respect, and pride. It obviously meant a lot to him that his best friend thought highly of him.
"I knew that," he said finally, "I don't know what I was thinking."
"Don't listen to anything she has to say, just brush it off," said Hermione.
"Anything who has to say?" Ginny said stifling a yawn. She had obviously dozed off. Hermione said she would explain it to her on their way upstairs, they both said goodnight and started up. Harry and Ron thought it would be best that they got to bed too, so they let the others know they were calling it quits and they headed up as well.
In the room, Harry noticed there was a letter on his bed. He went over to it and picked it up, the handwriting was Hagrid's! He called Ron over so they could see, tore it open and read aloud.
Dear Harry,
How have you been? I hope school is going well, I know you've only been there a couple of weeks so far. Is Snape treating you OK? I heard about that from Dumbledore. Well I can't tell you where I am but I'm doing well, Madame Maxim and I that is. Things are moving along and with any luck I might be back at Hogwart's before the last term! Say hi to Ron and Hermione for me!
Hagrid
PS - ask Sirius how Buckbeak is for me!! Thanks!
Harry folded the letter back up and put it in his trunk. He was glad that Hagrid was doing well and hoped he would be back before school was finished. He finished getting ready for bed, said goodnight to Ron and laid down. He thought happily about the coming quidditch season, and how wonderful it would be to win the cup again, as he drifted off to sleep.
As the weeks went by, things seemed to get back to normal. Quidditch practices were held three nights a week and on Saturdays, and the days seemed to go by in a blur. When they were halfway through October, a notice went out that the first trip of the year to Hogsmeade would be on Halloween.
"I'm really am looking forward to going," Harry said to them one day in Care of Magical creatures. He was looking at the Doxies in his cage who had still not laid any eggs but at least they were still alive. "I mean I didn't get to enjoy it much in my third year, and fourth year...well I don't want to talk about that, but I can't wait for this trip!"
"Yeah, I guess I am too," Ron agreed looking a little pale. He still didn't like having to be so close to these creatures that reminded him so much of spiders.
"Well we still have to be careful you know. I don't know if it's a good idea for you to go at all Harry..." Hermione began.
"Hermione, please stop. I need this right now. Hogsmeade is very crowded and tons of students will be there as well as teachers. I'm not going to wander off on my own so please stop!"
"Harry, I really think you should consider..."
"Oh come off it Hermione. If Dumbledore thinks he shouldn't go than he won't be allowed. If he doesn't say anything than obviously they think it's okay," Ron cut her off.
Hermione did not look convinced but she stayed silent.
Later on in the week after a transfiguration lesson in which they were supposed to turn bowler caps into guinea pigs, Professor McGonagall asked Harry if she could speak with him. He went up to the front with a feeling of dread. He knew she wanted to talk to him about Hogsmeade.
"Yes Professor, what did you need to see me for?" he asked her timidly
"Well Mr. Potter, I wanted to ask you something. The other instructors and I have been discussing whether or not we think it's wise that you go to Hogsmeade."
Harry's stomach felt like led. He was about to be told he wouldn't be allowed to do the one thing he was really looking forward to.
"I wanted to ask you, what you think about this." She continued.
Harry was stunned, was he being given a choice?
"I really want to go Professor. I've been looking forward to it for quite a while now."
"I know you want to go, but that isn't what I asked you..."
"I think that it will be okay. I mean since the first week of classes nothing has happened, things seem very much normal."
"Which is precisely why we must be cautious. When you get too comfortable is when you become most vulnerable."
"I don't know what else you want me to say. I'm not scared or worried about going. If you're looking for me to say anything else, I don't know what it is!" Harry said a bit more forcefully than he intended.
Professor McGonagall just looked at him for a moment. Harry was feeling quite uncomfortable and was sure she was now going to forbid him from going.
"Well, if you swear to me that you will stay with your friends at all times, and that you won't go off anywhere, even with them, if you see something suspicious. If anything, ANYTHING, appears wrong, come get one of us and we will look into it. You are not to put yourself in harm's way."
"I promise professor, I do!" Harry exclaimed. He felt like he could have sang he was so happy. He walked out into the hallway feeling very light; Ron and Hermione were waiting for him there.
"So are you still allowed to come?" Ron asked anxiously.
"Yes, as long as I promised to report anything suspicious rather than go off on my own." Harry answered.
Hermione just gaped at them and appeared to be beside herself with shock. She apparently had believed Harry would never be allowed to go given the circumstances and was for once, speechless. Harry and Ron, finding this quite amusing, just laughed and walked down the corridor, leaving her to stare.
As the week went on, Harry and Ron were planning all the things they wanted to do at Hogsmeade. Hermione still didn't approve, but as there was nothing she could do, she joined in on the planning.
Quidditch practices were also going well, by the time their first match in November came up, they would be completely prepared to take Ravenclaw down.
Finally it was Halloween, Harry woke up early, dressed and went down to breakfast. Ron and Hermione joined him shortly and soon they were lined up outside ready to go.
When they arrived, the first place they went was Honeydukes. They wanted to get all of there candy replenished as Ron's stock was running low. From there they were off to the post office, Harry loved the sight of rows and rows of color-coded owls. Then off to Zonko's for some dungbombs, and other items that were surely on Filch's list, finally over to the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer. Once inside, they found an empty table and Ron went to get three butterbeers from Madam Rosmerta. They sat there discussing where to go next and decided to stroll by the Shrieking Shack.
Just then, Malfoy Crabbe and Goyle walked in the door.
"Oh look! Potty, the weasel and the mudblood!" Malfoy said coming over to them.
"Go away Malfoy. Do you have nothing better to do?" Harry asked.
"So," he said ignoring Harry, "I hear you're the Gryffindor team's new keeper Weasley."
"That's right." Ron said glaring at him.
"Well who didn't see that coming? I mean the whole school knows that you only made the team because of who you're friends with." Malfoy said with a sneer.
"I made the team because I'm good! And you should talk, you only made seeker because your father has money. You're the worst seeker in history, I don't see why they don't just get rid of you!" Ron screamed at him. Harry and Hermione kept a close watch in case they had to stop Ron from lunging. He was standing up with his fists clenched.
"At least I have money. I don't have to wear hand-me-downs or use old wands and brooms. My friends don't pity me."
That did it. Ron surged forward and Harry and Hermione barely caught the back of his robe to restrain him.
"What friends?" Hermione spat at him. "You can't mean these two apes you probably pay to follow you around. They're nothing more than bodyguards who are too stupid to do anything for themselves."
"Nobody said you could speak, mudblood!" Malfoy shouted at her. Crabbe and Goyle stood glowering behind him; ready to start swinging.
"Don't talk to Hermione like that!" Harry shouted back. He had let go of Ron's arm and now appeared to be ready to fight too. Just then, Madam Rosmerta came over and said that if they didn't quiet down they would have to leave. Harry glanced around and saw that everyone in the place was staring at them. He lowered his head and muttered that they were sorry. The three of them left, leaving Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle behind.
When they stepped outside they saw Ginny and called to her. She came over to them flashing a big smile at Harry.
"Hey Ginny, where are you going?" Ron asked.
"Nowhere. Just looking around really. Mind if I walk with you guys?" she asked.
"Sure," Hermione answered. "We were about to walk down by the Shrieking Shack, want to come?"
"Ummm... Isn't that place supposed to be haunted?" Ginny asked, clearly afraid.
"Don't worry it isn't." Harry said to her. "That's just a story that got started a long time ago."
"Okay..." she said, sounding very unconvinced.
As they walked they started talking about the feast that evening. The Halloween feast was one of the best because of all the sweets they were given. Harry and Ron talked about quidditch a bit more, and Ginny and Hermione talked about Arithmancy, which Ginny had decided to take.
"Who's that?" Ginny asked pointing. "What is she doing?"
"What...?" Harry started. Then he saw her, they all did. Su Chang was walking up to the Shrieking Shack, heading for the door.
"What is she doing here? She's just a first year! She'd never be allowed!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well that doesn't seem to have stopped her, does it?" Ron answered.
"I wonder how...maybe she knows about the passage under the Whomping Willow?" Harry suggested.
"How on earth could she have found out about that?" Ron asked.
"I don't know but..." Harry stopped. Su had turn around and seen all of them looking at her. She was staring straight at Harry, and something happened that made him take a step back. Her eyes had gone completely black, she grinned, wickedly. Out of nowhere, Harry felt a searing pain course through his scar. He brought his hands up to his head put the pain was too much, he fell to his knees in agony.
As the others began crowding around him to find out what was wrong, he glanced up once more. Su turned and walked into the shack.
"Harry! Are you okay? Ron we have to get someone, we have to get Harry back to Hogwarts!" Hermione said, rather quickly.
"Ginny, run and tell Professor Flitwick, he came here today. We'll try to help Harry back." Ron said. Ginny was off and running looking extremely pale.
"It's okay Harry, we're going to get you back. Do you think you can try to stand?" Hermione asked.
Harry was barely hearing anything that was being said. His head still hurt very badly but the pain was fading now. He looked around at his friends and saw their pale, worried faces.
"I'm...okay. I just need...I..." he couldn't finish. He was feeling very disoriented and very confused. Why had his scar hurt so badly? It only burned like this when Voldemort was near and the only person he saw was Su. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Ron say:
"We need to get you away from here Harry, can you please try to stand?"
"Yes," he answered. Slowly he began to stand up and immediately felt a little dizzy. Ron and Hermione both took hold of his arms to steady him, then together, they started walking back.
"Oh my word! Harry, are you okay? Come this way we have to get you back to Hogwarts!" Professor Flitwick sounded more scared then they felt. Harry allowed himself to be helped along by his friends. Soon they were on their way back to Hogwarts.
When they arrived, Harry felt considerably better, though still very confused. He asked right away if he could go see Dumbledore.
"I need to talk to him and it's very important!" he said urgently to Professor Flitwick.
"I'm sure you do but I really think you need to go see Madam Pomfrey first."
"Professor Flitwick?"
Flitwick turned around; Dumbledore was standing behind him.
"I thank you very much for what you have done for Harry. I promise he will see Madam Pomfrey before the end of the day. Right now it is, however, most important that I speak to him first."
Flitwick nodded, but didn't look convinced. This whole episode had scared him very much. He wasn't often around when these things happened to Harry.
"Come Harry, we will go to my office."
Harry looked at Hermione and Ron, who both nodded at him, then, he turned and followed Dumbledore.
When they walked through the doorway, Harry saw that Sirius, Lupin, McGonagall and Snape were all there.
"Dumbledore, I think it's time we take action." Sirius began as soon as he saw them. "We can't just keep waiting around while Voldemort gets closer."
"Please be patient Sirius," Dumbledore started, "We need to be sure what we are getting into when we finally move. For now let's hear what happened today and then we will proceed from there. Harry? Will you please tell us?"
Harry sighed. He was getting tired of telling people about every painful experience he had gone through. Wasn't it enough he had to live through it once? But he sat down in a chair and told them what had happened at the end of the Hogsmeade trip.
"What would a first year be doing there?" asked Lupin.
"Well she could have gotten there through the passage..." Sirius trailed off.
"Yes but how would she know to find it?"
"I don't know how she got there," Harry started, "but I want to know why she made my scar burn. And why were her eyes black?"
"Very good questions Harry. I want you to keep your distance from her for the time being. I know this will be difficult as she is in your house, but please try," Dumbledore said. This made Harry think of another question.
"How could she have gotten into Gryffindor? I mean, she has all the qualities of a." he trailed off, looking at Snape. "Of a Slytherin," he finished.
"You're right," Snape replied giving Harry a very hard look. "She doesn't seem to fit where she has been placed."
"Well the Sorting Hat must've put her there for a reason," said Professor McGonagall. "Even if we can't quite see what it is."
"Harry, I think you should go to see Madam Pomfrey now. When you are done there you may head down to the feast. I will see what I can find out about all of this."
"Yes Professor," Harry said. He stood up and headed for the door.
After going to the hospital wing, Harry headed for the great hall. He found Ron and Hermione and told them how the meeting went. He also told them about Su's eyes as neither of them had seen it happen, and how Dumbledore wanted him to stay away from her.
"I completely agree with him!" said Hermione. "And how did she get into Gryffindor? There is something very wrong happening here."
"Maybe we should talk to Cho?" Ron suggested.
"And ask her what?" Harry started. "Why Su is able to use dark magic and how can she cause my scar to burn? She would laugh in our faces."
"Maybe it wasn't Su who made your scar burn," Hermione began. "In the past your scar burned because You-Know-Who was right near you. But Su has been around for months and today is the first time anything happened."
"So you understand why I'm confused then," Harry said.
"Well she hasn't exactly been a friend to us either," Ron put in, "I can't remember her saying anything nice since we first heard her speak."
"But this is entirely different. Maybe she was under a spell?" Hermione asked.
"Could've been. But we have no way of knowing." Harry stated. "And there's also the fact that she's aware of the tunnel from the Whomping Willow, not only where it is, but how to get to it. I mean, we needed Crookshanks to hit the notch for us, and before that, it was done by Pettigrew. She would have to be an animagus to be able to get through."
"That can't be the case, that's far to advanced for a first year," Hermione said matter of factly.
"Just because you couldn't do it when you where a first year doesn't mean somebody else can't," Ron said
"I wasn't meaning that it was..." then she stopped, looking very worried. "I have to go to the library!" she said suddenly.
"But you'll miss the feast!" Ron called. It didn't matter though; she was already out of her seat and headed for the door.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, feeling quite bewildered.
As the weeks went on, things once again got quiet. Hermione spent almost every free minute at the library searching for something. Harry and Ron had yet to figure out what it was. Whenever they would try to find out from her, she would brush them off.
"I can't say anything yet," she told them one day. "I remember reading something that could be very helpful to us, but until I am sure I don't want to say. If I am wrong then there is no reason to worry everyone."
"But if you think there is cause for worry maybe you should just let us know what you think you remember," Ron prodded her.
"Well I don't think there is cause, not just yet anyway," she answered. "Now if you don't mind I'm kind of busy."
So they let it go, they had other things to think about anyway. The first quidditch match of the year was just a week away now, Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. They had to practice all their strategies and techniques. On Saturday, as they were leaving the pitch, they passed the Ravenclaw team coming for their practice. No one said much of anything, a few murmured hellos, and they kept walking. Harry however was all of a sudden filled with a desire to speak to Cho.
"Cho," he called her. She turned to look at him. "Can I talk to you, it'll just be a moment..." he trailed off.
"Sure," she said, giving him a tiny smile. "I'll be right with you guys!" she called to the rest of her team.
"What's up Harry?" she said when they were alone.
"I, well, I just," he stammered, "just wanted to see how you were doing."
"I'm doing fine, thanks. I heard about what happened at Hogsmeade? Are you okay?" she asked with genuine concern.
"What, oh yes, I'm fine, thanks..."he trailed off. He didn't expect her to bring up Hogsmeade and wondered if she had also heard about Su.
"So why didn't you tell me you had a sister?" he asked.
"Pardon?"
"Your sister, Su. You never mentioned her," he replied. He felt a little silly about asking though. He didn't exactly have regular conversations with Cho, why would she have mentioned a sister to him?
"Harry... I don't have a sister."
Harry just looked at her for a moment, dumbfounded. Wasn't Su Cho's sister? He tried to remember back to the first time he saw Su. Then he realized how silly he had been. When Su got sorted he had noticed how she looked like Cho and that their name was the same, but neither of them said the other was their sister. Harry had just assumed. He looked at her again and saw her giving him a funny look. She was obviously a bit confused.
"Sorry," he said. "I'm not sure why I thought that." Suddenly he felt very stupid. First he told her he'd seen her in Diagon Alley when she said she wasn't there. Next he told her she had a sister when she said she didn't. He didn't feel very bright at the moment and wasn't sure what else to say to her.
"Well, I guess we look a bit alike," she said to him. "And we do have the same last name, I could see why you would think that."
"I, um...I better let you get to your practice. See you next week," He said.
"Yes that would be best. Goodbye!" She turned and walked away. Harry stood and watched her go. Then he turned and headed for the castle.
He ran through the portrait whole and into the common room, he wanted to find Ron or Hermione to tell them about this right away. The only person he saw upon entering however, was Su. They made eye contact for a brief moment, then he turned and headed for the stairs.
"Looking for your friends?" she asked with a smirk.
"That's none of your business," he said curtly.
"You won't find them up there."
"How do you know? Keeping a good watch on us, are you?"
"Why would I want to watch you?"
"You tell me. You're always doing it"
They stood facing each other for a moment, glaring. Harry didn't blink; he kept his eyes even with hers. Then he saw it again, her eyes seemed to glass over for a minute, and went black.
Just then the portrait hole swung open, Seamus, Dean and Neville walked in. Harry felt a bit relieved upon seeing them, then turned back to Su. She was sitting in a chair reading a book; her eyes were back to normal.
"Harry! All set for the match on Saturday?" Dean asked.
"What, oh yeah," Harry answered tearing her eyes away from Su. "Yes, we're as ready as ever, though we're still going to practice throughout the week."
"We're getting the Quidditch Cup again, I just know it." Seamus said.
"That's the plan," Harry answered. "I have to go, see you guys later!" He looked once more at Su, who was completely ignoring them, and walked through the portrait hole.
He found both Ron and Hermione in the library; he quickly walked over to them and sat down.
"You'll never believe what just happened!" he whispered.
He explained everything from stopping Cho on the pitch up until Seamus, Dean and Neville walked in on him and Su. When he was finished they both had gone pale.
"She should be expelled!" Ron exclaimed. "They can't let her stay here, she's a threat to our safety, to your safety!" he said looking at Harry.
"She hasn't done anything yet, except make her eyes change color and act rude...that isn't grounds for expulsion," Hermione stated. "Did your scar hurt this time?
"No," Harry said realizing this for the first time. "No, she just smiled and her eyes went black and that was it."
Hermione seemed to consider this for a moment then went back to her book.
"Still searching for this mysterious piece of information?" Harry asked her.
"Yes," she answered, but that was all she would say.
"Are you going to tell anyone?" Ron asked Harry.
"I feel silly telling on her because her eyes changed color, and since nothing happened to my scar it means that she wasn't the one who made it happen last time right? Just a coincidence?"
"I guess..." Ron said sounding very unsure.
"Well I think you should at least mention it," Hermione said from behind her book.
"You're right, you're right." Harry sighed. "I will go see if I can find Dumbledore.
"Do you want me to come?" Ron asked.
"If you want." They said goodbye to Hermione, who barely acknowledged them, and left the library.
They started making their way to Dumbledore's office, but were stopped when they ran into Snape.
"Where are you to going?" Snape asked glaring at them.
"We need to speak with Professor Dumbledore," Harry answered. "It's important."
"Well he won't be returning until Monday," Snape said quickly, smirking at them. "If it's so important you should tell me about it. I will pass it along to him."
Harry a bit upset that Dumbledore was gone, didn't hear the last part.
"Why did he leave? Is everything OK?" he asked. He was a bit rattled that Dumbledore's absence was making him so nervous.
"Mr. Potter, the headmaster's business is none of your concern. Now tell me what's wrong and then go back to your tower!"
"No. I want to wait until Dumbledore returns. We'll just go back to the tower." Harry answered him. He started to turn away and Ron followed.
"You will tell me now or you will be in detention for a month!" screamed Snape.
"You can't do that!" shouted Ron. "This has nothing to do with a test or a grade. If Harry doesn't want to tell you his business he doesn't have to!"
All of Ron's courage that he had worked up to yell at Snape faded away when he saw the look on his face.
"I can and I will," he said in a low voice. "Now you have one more chance to tell me or you will regret it for the rest of the year."
"Snape! Leave them alone!"
Sirius had walked up behind Snape and heard the end of what was said. Snape turned around, appearing ready to kill. Harry and Ron hadn't seen him this angry since Sirius 'escaped' from Hogwart's in their third year. The two of them stood glaring at each other tensely. Then, without a word, Snape shoved past Sirius and stormed down the corridor.
"So," he said turning to them, "It's good you were able to get so close to Dumbledore's office or I never would have heard you out here. Do you want to tell me what's going on?
"Sirius, thank you." Harry said. "We do need to speak to Dumbledore, but as he's not here, I feel better telling you than Snape."
"Alright, come this way." Sirius led them to an empty classroom. When they were all inside, Harry explained of his conversation with Cho, and his brief encounter with Su.
"Well I'm glad you told me. I will send word to Dumbledore and let the others know." They went out into the hallway and Sirius headed for Dumbledore's office. He spent most of his time there, as he wasn't supposed to be seen. Harry and Ron headed back to their tower.
"D'you reckon Hermione's still in the library?" Ron asked as they passed by. They poked their heads in but they didn't see her. So they continued on to the tower. When they got inside they saw Ginny with a group of 4th years and Fred, George, Lee Jordan and some other 7th years playing exploding snap. Hermione was nowhere to be seen.
"She must be upstairs," Harry said.
"But it isn't very late yet, she didn't seem tired enough to go to bed," said Ron. "Hey Ginny, c'mere for a moment."
"What is it?" she asked.
"Could you go upstairs to the 5th year girls dorm and see if Hermione's in there? If she is, ask her to come down, unless she's asleep. Then just let us know."
She gave them a funny look but went anyway. Ginny was gone for quite some time. When she finally came back down they looked to her anxiously.
"She wasn't there. I even checked all the other girl's dorms. She wasn't in any of them," Ginny said.
"Where could she have gone?" Ron asked.
"Ron, we have to find her!" Harry said.
"But what..."
"Su Chang!" he said glancing around the room. "She's not here either! We have to find Hermione now, she may be in trouble!"
They both ran for the portrait hole, and flew through it into the hallway.
"You did pick me because I was good, right? You wouldn't just let me on cause we're friends..." he trailed off.
"Ron don't ever think that. She has no idea what she's talking about! You were the best out of every person that tried out and no one deserved it more. In fact until your turn not one of the people trying out was fit for the part!" Harry exclaimed.
Ron looked up at him with a look on his face that showed complete respect, and pride. It obviously meant a lot to him that his best friend thought highly of him.
"I knew that," he said finally, "I don't know what I was thinking."
"Don't listen to anything she has to say, just brush it off," said Hermione.
"Anything who has to say?" Ginny said stifling a yawn. She had obviously dozed off. Hermione said she would explain it to her on their way upstairs, they both said goodnight and started up. Harry and Ron thought it would be best that they got to bed too, so they let the others know they were calling it quits and they headed up as well.
In the room, Harry noticed there was a letter on his bed. He went over to it and picked it up, the handwriting was Hagrid's! He called Ron over so they could see, tore it open and read aloud.
Dear Harry,
How have you been? I hope school is going well, I know you've only been there a couple of weeks so far. Is Snape treating you OK? I heard about that from Dumbledore. Well I can't tell you where I am but I'm doing well, Madame Maxim and I that is. Things are moving along and with any luck I might be back at Hogwart's before the last term! Say hi to Ron and Hermione for me!
Hagrid
PS - ask Sirius how Buckbeak is for me!! Thanks!
Harry folded the letter back up and put it in his trunk. He was glad that Hagrid was doing well and hoped he would be back before school was finished. He finished getting ready for bed, said goodnight to Ron and laid down. He thought happily about the coming quidditch season, and how wonderful it would be to win the cup again, as he drifted off to sleep.
As the weeks went by, things seemed to get back to normal. Quidditch practices were held three nights a week and on Saturdays, and the days seemed to go by in a blur. When they were halfway through October, a notice went out that the first trip of the year to Hogsmeade would be on Halloween.
"I'm really am looking forward to going," Harry said to them one day in Care of Magical creatures. He was looking at the Doxies in his cage who had still not laid any eggs but at least they were still alive. "I mean I didn't get to enjoy it much in my third year, and fourth year...well I don't want to talk about that, but I can't wait for this trip!"
"Yeah, I guess I am too," Ron agreed looking a little pale. He still didn't like having to be so close to these creatures that reminded him so much of spiders.
"Well we still have to be careful you know. I don't know if it's a good idea for you to go at all Harry..." Hermione began.
"Hermione, please stop. I need this right now. Hogsmeade is very crowded and tons of students will be there as well as teachers. I'm not going to wander off on my own so please stop!"
"Harry, I really think you should consider..."
"Oh come off it Hermione. If Dumbledore thinks he shouldn't go than he won't be allowed. If he doesn't say anything than obviously they think it's okay," Ron cut her off.
Hermione did not look convinced but she stayed silent.
Later on in the week after a transfiguration lesson in which they were supposed to turn bowler caps into guinea pigs, Professor McGonagall asked Harry if she could speak with him. He went up to the front with a feeling of dread. He knew she wanted to talk to him about Hogsmeade.
"Yes Professor, what did you need to see me for?" he asked her timidly
"Well Mr. Potter, I wanted to ask you something. The other instructors and I have been discussing whether or not we think it's wise that you go to Hogsmeade."
Harry's stomach felt like led. He was about to be told he wouldn't be allowed to do the one thing he was really looking forward to.
"I wanted to ask you, what you think about this." She continued.
Harry was stunned, was he being given a choice?
"I really want to go Professor. I've been looking forward to it for quite a while now."
"I know you want to go, but that isn't what I asked you..."
"I think that it will be okay. I mean since the first week of classes nothing has happened, things seem very much normal."
"Which is precisely why we must be cautious. When you get too comfortable is when you become most vulnerable."
"I don't know what else you want me to say. I'm not scared or worried about going. If you're looking for me to say anything else, I don't know what it is!" Harry said a bit more forcefully than he intended.
Professor McGonagall just looked at him for a moment. Harry was feeling quite uncomfortable and was sure she was now going to forbid him from going.
"Well, if you swear to me that you will stay with your friends at all times, and that you won't go off anywhere, even with them, if you see something suspicious. If anything, ANYTHING, appears wrong, come get one of us and we will look into it. You are not to put yourself in harm's way."
"I promise professor, I do!" Harry exclaimed. He felt like he could have sang he was so happy. He walked out into the hallway feeling very light; Ron and Hermione were waiting for him there.
"So are you still allowed to come?" Ron asked anxiously.
"Yes, as long as I promised to report anything suspicious rather than go off on my own." Harry answered.
Hermione just gaped at them and appeared to be beside herself with shock. She apparently had believed Harry would never be allowed to go given the circumstances and was for once, speechless. Harry and Ron, finding this quite amusing, just laughed and walked down the corridor, leaving her to stare.
As the week went on, Harry and Ron were planning all the things they wanted to do at Hogsmeade. Hermione still didn't approve, but as there was nothing she could do, she joined in on the planning.
Quidditch practices were also going well, by the time their first match in November came up, they would be completely prepared to take Ravenclaw down.
Finally it was Halloween, Harry woke up early, dressed and went down to breakfast. Ron and Hermione joined him shortly and soon they were lined up outside ready to go.
When they arrived, the first place they went was Honeydukes. They wanted to get all of there candy replenished as Ron's stock was running low. From there they were off to the post office, Harry loved the sight of rows and rows of color-coded owls. Then off to Zonko's for some dungbombs, and other items that were surely on Filch's list, finally over to the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer. Once inside, they found an empty table and Ron went to get three butterbeers from Madam Rosmerta. They sat there discussing where to go next and decided to stroll by the Shrieking Shack.
Just then, Malfoy Crabbe and Goyle walked in the door.
"Oh look! Potty, the weasel and the mudblood!" Malfoy said coming over to them.
"Go away Malfoy. Do you have nothing better to do?" Harry asked.
"So," he said ignoring Harry, "I hear you're the Gryffindor team's new keeper Weasley."
"That's right." Ron said glaring at him.
"Well who didn't see that coming? I mean the whole school knows that you only made the team because of who you're friends with." Malfoy said with a sneer.
"I made the team because I'm good! And you should talk, you only made seeker because your father has money. You're the worst seeker in history, I don't see why they don't just get rid of you!" Ron screamed at him. Harry and Hermione kept a close watch in case they had to stop Ron from lunging. He was standing up with his fists clenched.
"At least I have money. I don't have to wear hand-me-downs or use old wands and brooms. My friends don't pity me."
That did it. Ron surged forward and Harry and Hermione barely caught the back of his robe to restrain him.
"What friends?" Hermione spat at him. "You can't mean these two apes you probably pay to follow you around. They're nothing more than bodyguards who are too stupid to do anything for themselves."
"Nobody said you could speak, mudblood!" Malfoy shouted at her. Crabbe and Goyle stood glowering behind him; ready to start swinging.
"Don't talk to Hermione like that!" Harry shouted back. He had let go of Ron's arm and now appeared to be ready to fight too. Just then, Madam Rosmerta came over and said that if they didn't quiet down they would have to leave. Harry glanced around and saw that everyone in the place was staring at them. He lowered his head and muttered that they were sorry. The three of them left, leaving Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle behind.
When they stepped outside they saw Ginny and called to her. She came over to them flashing a big smile at Harry.
"Hey Ginny, where are you going?" Ron asked.
"Nowhere. Just looking around really. Mind if I walk with you guys?" she asked.
"Sure," Hermione answered. "We were about to walk down by the Shrieking Shack, want to come?"
"Ummm... Isn't that place supposed to be haunted?" Ginny asked, clearly afraid.
"Don't worry it isn't." Harry said to her. "That's just a story that got started a long time ago."
"Okay..." she said, sounding very unconvinced.
As they walked they started talking about the feast that evening. The Halloween feast was one of the best because of all the sweets they were given. Harry and Ron talked about quidditch a bit more, and Ginny and Hermione talked about Arithmancy, which Ginny had decided to take.
"Who's that?" Ginny asked pointing. "What is she doing?"
"What...?" Harry started. Then he saw her, they all did. Su Chang was walking up to the Shrieking Shack, heading for the door.
"What is she doing here? She's just a first year! She'd never be allowed!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well that doesn't seem to have stopped her, does it?" Ron answered.
"I wonder how...maybe she knows about the passage under the Whomping Willow?" Harry suggested.
"How on earth could she have found out about that?" Ron asked.
"I don't know but..." Harry stopped. Su had turn around and seen all of them looking at her. She was staring straight at Harry, and something happened that made him take a step back. Her eyes had gone completely black, she grinned, wickedly. Out of nowhere, Harry felt a searing pain course through his scar. He brought his hands up to his head put the pain was too much, he fell to his knees in agony.
As the others began crowding around him to find out what was wrong, he glanced up once more. Su turned and walked into the shack.
"Harry! Are you okay? Ron we have to get someone, we have to get Harry back to Hogwarts!" Hermione said, rather quickly.
"Ginny, run and tell Professor Flitwick, he came here today. We'll try to help Harry back." Ron said. Ginny was off and running looking extremely pale.
"It's okay Harry, we're going to get you back. Do you think you can try to stand?" Hermione asked.
Harry was barely hearing anything that was being said. His head still hurt very badly but the pain was fading now. He looked around at his friends and saw their pale, worried faces.
"I'm...okay. I just need...I..." he couldn't finish. He was feeling very disoriented and very confused. Why had his scar hurt so badly? It only burned like this when Voldemort was near and the only person he saw was Su. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Ron say:
"We need to get you away from here Harry, can you please try to stand?"
"Yes," he answered. Slowly he began to stand up and immediately felt a little dizzy. Ron and Hermione both took hold of his arms to steady him, then together, they started walking back.
"Oh my word! Harry, are you okay? Come this way we have to get you back to Hogwarts!" Professor Flitwick sounded more scared then they felt. Harry allowed himself to be helped along by his friends. Soon they were on their way back to Hogwarts.
When they arrived, Harry felt considerably better, though still very confused. He asked right away if he could go see Dumbledore.
"I need to talk to him and it's very important!" he said urgently to Professor Flitwick.
"I'm sure you do but I really think you need to go see Madam Pomfrey first."
"Professor Flitwick?"
Flitwick turned around; Dumbledore was standing behind him.
"I thank you very much for what you have done for Harry. I promise he will see Madam Pomfrey before the end of the day. Right now it is, however, most important that I speak to him first."
Flitwick nodded, but didn't look convinced. This whole episode had scared him very much. He wasn't often around when these things happened to Harry.
"Come Harry, we will go to my office."
Harry looked at Hermione and Ron, who both nodded at him, then, he turned and followed Dumbledore.
When they walked through the doorway, Harry saw that Sirius, Lupin, McGonagall and Snape were all there.
"Dumbledore, I think it's time we take action." Sirius began as soon as he saw them. "We can't just keep waiting around while Voldemort gets closer."
"Please be patient Sirius," Dumbledore started, "We need to be sure what we are getting into when we finally move. For now let's hear what happened today and then we will proceed from there. Harry? Will you please tell us?"
Harry sighed. He was getting tired of telling people about every painful experience he had gone through. Wasn't it enough he had to live through it once? But he sat down in a chair and told them what had happened at the end of the Hogsmeade trip.
"What would a first year be doing there?" asked Lupin.
"Well she could have gotten there through the passage..." Sirius trailed off.
"Yes but how would she know to find it?"
"I don't know how she got there," Harry started, "but I want to know why she made my scar burn. And why were her eyes black?"
"Very good questions Harry. I want you to keep your distance from her for the time being. I know this will be difficult as she is in your house, but please try," Dumbledore said. This made Harry think of another question.
"How could she have gotten into Gryffindor? I mean, she has all the qualities of a." he trailed off, looking at Snape. "Of a Slytherin," he finished.
"You're right," Snape replied giving Harry a very hard look. "She doesn't seem to fit where she has been placed."
"Well the Sorting Hat must've put her there for a reason," said Professor McGonagall. "Even if we can't quite see what it is."
"Harry, I think you should go to see Madam Pomfrey now. When you are done there you may head down to the feast. I will see what I can find out about all of this."
"Yes Professor," Harry said. He stood up and headed for the door.
After going to the hospital wing, Harry headed for the great hall. He found Ron and Hermione and told them how the meeting went. He also told them about Su's eyes as neither of them had seen it happen, and how Dumbledore wanted him to stay away from her.
"I completely agree with him!" said Hermione. "And how did she get into Gryffindor? There is something very wrong happening here."
"Maybe we should talk to Cho?" Ron suggested.
"And ask her what?" Harry started. "Why Su is able to use dark magic and how can she cause my scar to burn? She would laugh in our faces."
"Maybe it wasn't Su who made your scar burn," Hermione began. "In the past your scar burned because You-Know-Who was right near you. But Su has been around for months and today is the first time anything happened."
"So you understand why I'm confused then," Harry said.
"Well she hasn't exactly been a friend to us either," Ron put in, "I can't remember her saying anything nice since we first heard her speak."
"But this is entirely different. Maybe she was under a spell?" Hermione asked.
"Could've been. But we have no way of knowing." Harry stated. "And there's also the fact that she's aware of the tunnel from the Whomping Willow, not only where it is, but how to get to it. I mean, we needed Crookshanks to hit the notch for us, and before that, it was done by Pettigrew. She would have to be an animagus to be able to get through."
"That can't be the case, that's far to advanced for a first year," Hermione said matter of factly.
"Just because you couldn't do it when you where a first year doesn't mean somebody else can't," Ron said
"I wasn't meaning that it was..." then she stopped, looking very worried. "I have to go to the library!" she said suddenly.
"But you'll miss the feast!" Ron called. It didn't matter though; she was already out of her seat and headed for the door.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, feeling quite bewildered.
As the weeks went on, things once again got quiet. Hermione spent almost every free minute at the library searching for something. Harry and Ron had yet to figure out what it was. Whenever they would try to find out from her, she would brush them off.
"I can't say anything yet," she told them one day. "I remember reading something that could be very helpful to us, but until I am sure I don't want to say. If I am wrong then there is no reason to worry everyone."
"But if you think there is cause for worry maybe you should just let us know what you think you remember," Ron prodded her.
"Well I don't think there is cause, not just yet anyway," she answered. "Now if you don't mind I'm kind of busy."
So they let it go, they had other things to think about anyway. The first quidditch match of the year was just a week away now, Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw. They had to practice all their strategies and techniques. On Saturday, as they were leaving the pitch, they passed the Ravenclaw team coming for their practice. No one said much of anything, a few murmured hellos, and they kept walking. Harry however was all of a sudden filled with a desire to speak to Cho.
"Cho," he called her. She turned to look at him. "Can I talk to you, it'll just be a moment..." he trailed off.
"Sure," she said, giving him a tiny smile. "I'll be right with you guys!" she called to the rest of her team.
"What's up Harry?" she said when they were alone.
"I, well, I just," he stammered, "just wanted to see how you were doing."
"I'm doing fine, thanks. I heard about what happened at Hogsmeade? Are you okay?" she asked with genuine concern.
"What, oh yes, I'm fine, thanks..."he trailed off. He didn't expect her to bring up Hogsmeade and wondered if she had also heard about Su.
"So why didn't you tell me you had a sister?" he asked.
"Pardon?"
"Your sister, Su. You never mentioned her," he replied. He felt a little silly about asking though. He didn't exactly have regular conversations with Cho, why would she have mentioned a sister to him?
"Harry... I don't have a sister."
Harry just looked at her for a moment, dumbfounded. Wasn't Su Cho's sister? He tried to remember back to the first time he saw Su. Then he realized how silly he had been. When Su got sorted he had noticed how she looked like Cho and that their name was the same, but neither of them said the other was their sister. Harry had just assumed. He looked at her again and saw her giving him a funny look. She was obviously a bit confused.
"Sorry," he said. "I'm not sure why I thought that." Suddenly he felt very stupid. First he told her he'd seen her in Diagon Alley when she said she wasn't there. Next he told her she had a sister when she said she didn't. He didn't feel very bright at the moment and wasn't sure what else to say to her.
"Well, I guess we look a bit alike," she said to him. "And we do have the same last name, I could see why you would think that."
"I, um...I better let you get to your practice. See you next week," He said.
"Yes that would be best. Goodbye!" She turned and walked away. Harry stood and watched her go. Then he turned and headed for the castle.
He ran through the portrait whole and into the common room, he wanted to find Ron or Hermione to tell them about this right away. The only person he saw upon entering however, was Su. They made eye contact for a brief moment, then he turned and headed for the stairs.
"Looking for your friends?" she asked with a smirk.
"That's none of your business," he said curtly.
"You won't find them up there."
"How do you know? Keeping a good watch on us, are you?"
"Why would I want to watch you?"
"You tell me. You're always doing it"
They stood facing each other for a moment, glaring. Harry didn't blink; he kept his eyes even with hers. Then he saw it again, her eyes seemed to glass over for a minute, and went black.
Just then the portrait hole swung open, Seamus, Dean and Neville walked in. Harry felt a bit relieved upon seeing them, then turned back to Su. She was sitting in a chair reading a book; her eyes were back to normal.
"Harry! All set for the match on Saturday?" Dean asked.
"What, oh yeah," Harry answered tearing her eyes away from Su. "Yes, we're as ready as ever, though we're still going to practice throughout the week."
"We're getting the Quidditch Cup again, I just know it." Seamus said.
"That's the plan," Harry answered. "I have to go, see you guys later!" He looked once more at Su, who was completely ignoring them, and walked through the portrait hole.
He found both Ron and Hermione in the library; he quickly walked over to them and sat down.
"You'll never believe what just happened!" he whispered.
He explained everything from stopping Cho on the pitch up until Seamus, Dean and Neville walked in on him and Su. When he was finished they both had gone pale.
"She should be expelled!" Ron exclaimed. "They can't let her stay here, she's a threat to our safety, to your safety!" he said looking at Harry.
"She hasn't done anything yet, except make her eyes change color and act rude...that isn't grounds for expulsion," Hermione stated. "Did your scar hurt this time?
"No," Harry said realizing this for the first time. "No, she just smiled and her eyes went black and that was it."
Hermione seemed to consider this for a moment then went back to her book.
"Still searching for this mysterious piece of information?" Harry asked her.
"Yes," she answered, but that was all she would say.
"Are you going to tell anyone?" Ron asked Harry.
"I feel silly telling on her because her eyes changed color, and since nothing happened to my scar it means that she wasn't the one who made it happen last time right? Just a coincidence?"
"I guess..." Ron said sounding very unsure.
"Well I think you should at least mention it," Hermione said from behind her book.
"You're right, you're right." Harry sighed. "I will go see if I can find Dumbledore.
"Do you want me to come?" Ron asked.
"If you want." They said goodbye to Hermione, who barely acknowledged them, and left the library.
They started making their way to Dumbledore's office, but were stopped when they ran into Snape.
"Where are you to going?" Snape asked glaring at them.
"We need to speak with Professor Dumbledore," Harry answered. "It's important."
"Well he won't be returning until Monday," Snape said quickly, smirking at them. "If it's so important you should tell me about it. I will pass it along to him."
Harry a bit upset that Dumbledore was gone, didn't hear the last part.
"Why did he leave? Is everything OK?" he asked. He was a bit rattled that Dumbledore's absence was making him so nervous.
"Mr. Potter, the headmaster's business is none of your concern. Now tell me what's wrong and then go back to your tower!"
"No. I want to wait until Dumbledore returns. We'll just go back to the tower." Harry answered him. He started to turn away and Ron followed.
"You will tell me now or you will be in detention for a month!" screamed Snape.
"You can't do that!" shouted Ron. "This has nothing to do with a test or a grade. If Harry doesn't want to tell you his business he doesn't have to!"
All of Ron's courage that he had worked up to yell at Snape faded away when he saw the look on his face.
"I can and I will," he said in a low voice. "Now you have one more chance to tell me or you will regret it for the rest of the year."
"Snape! Leave them alone!"
Sirius had walked up behind Snape and heard the end of what was said. Snape turned around, appearing ready to kill. Harry and Ron hadn't seen him this angry since Sirius 'escaped' from Hogwart's in their third year. The two of them stood glaring at each other tensely. Then, without a word, Snape shoved past Sirius and stormed down the corridor.
"So," he said turning to them, "It's good you were able to get so close to Dumbledore's office or I never would have heard you out here. Do you want to tell me what's going on?
"Sirius, thank you." Harry said. "We do need to speak to Dumbledore, but as he's not here, I feel better telling you than Snape."
"Alright, come this way." Sirius led them to an empty classroom. When they were all inside, Harry explained of his conversation with Cho, and his brief encounter with Su.
"Well I'm glad you told me. I will send word to Dumbledore and let the others know." They went out into the hallway and Sirius headed for Dumbledore's office. He spent most of his time there, as he wasn't supposed to be seen. Harry and Ron headed back to their tower.
"D'you reckon Hermione's still in the library?" Ron asked as they passed by. They poked their heads in but they didn't see her. So they continued on to the tower. When they got inside they saw Ginny with a group of 4th years and Fred, George, Lee Jordan and some other 7th years playing exploding snap. Hermione was nowhere to be seen.
"She must be upstairs," Harry said.
"But it isn't very late yet, she didn't seem tired enough to go to bed," said Ron. "Hey Ginny, c'mere for a moment."
"What is it?" she asked.
"Could you go upstairs to the 5th year girls dorm and see if Hermione's in there? If she is, ask her to come down, unless she's asleep. Then just let us know."
She gave them a funny look but went anyway. Ginny was gone for quite some time. When she finally came back down they looked to her anxiously.
"She wasn't there. I even checked all the other girl's dorms. She wasn't in any of them," Ginny said.
"Where could she have gone?" Ron asked.
"Ron, we have to find her!" Harry said.
"But what..."
"Su Chang!" he said glancing around the room. "She's not here either! We have to find Hermione now, she may be in trouble!"
They both ran for the portrait hole, and flew through it into the hallway.
