CHAPTER 3

Hermione felt her head reeling. The smell was thick in her nostrils, and the sight that lay before her was embedded in her head for what she thought was forever. She heard a pounding in her head, and it took her a minute to realize that the noise was actually coming from the corridor. She placed the noise as running footsteps. She was dimly aware of how loudly she had screamed, but all her attention was focused on what lay ahead of her.

She felt her vision going black, but the despite the blackness, she could see it clearly, as if it were pasted in her gaze. She felt a dizzying wave of nausea.

Then, her vision blackened completely, and before she knew it she was falling to the ground.

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When Hermione opened her eyes, it took her a moment to place where she was exactly. She realized quickly that it was the hospital wing. No where else had such dazzlingly white sheets.

White?

Red?

Blood…

Suddenly, it all came back with a jolt. She sat bolt upright in bed and screamed.

Two seconds later, their Madam Pomfrey had come bustling into her cubicle, her gaze filled with pity.

'There there dear,' she said, consolingly. 'Shh…don't cry.'

'You- you,' Hermione couldn't get the words out. 'You don't under-under stand! The body!'

'Sh, dear. It's okay. You're safe.'

'But- but he isn't! The blood!'

'Yes, dear, they told me what happened. You were unlucky enough to stumble upon the body. But don't worry, Shh.'

'No, no!' Hermione choked. 'You don't understand! He- he was dead!'

Madam Pomfrey leaned down, and enveloped Hermione in a motherly hug. Feeling the affection of the old lady, Hermione's panic began to subside a little. Madam Pomfrey leaned back, and handed her a steaming goblet.

'Drink this,' she said, softly. 'It will give you dreamless sleep.'

Her trembling fingers clutched the goblet, and brought it to her lips. In three gulps she finished the potion. She leaned back against her pillow, and very soon was fast asleep.

Madam Pomfrey took the goblet back. As she drew the curtain aside, she paused to glance down at Hermione.

'Poor girl,' she whispered. 'I do hope she's okay.'

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The second time Hermione woke, she realized instantly where she was. She remembered the sight she had seen and felt shivers of fear prickle up her spine, but the mindless panic she had felt earlier had gone. She found herself wondering what exactly had happened.

She tried to sit up in bed, but her back was aching. Hearing her movements, the curtain was swished aside, and Madam Pomfrey entered.

'Hello dear,' she said, her voice unusually gentle. 'How are you feeling?'

'My- my back is paining,' Hermione replied. Her voice was raspy.

'Of course. You fell on it. Don't try and sit up. Would you like some water?'

'Y- Yes.'

She disappeared for a moment, and returned with a cup of water which she handed to Hermione. Hermione finished it quickly, and then turned back to her matron.

'Madam Pomfrey,' her voice was low with anxiously. 'I need to know what happened.'

Madam Pomfrey's face turned grave. She didn't reply.

'I- I can't remember properly. But- but there was so much blood, and-.'

The matron sat down by the side of her bed. 'Dear,' she began, hesitantly, 'You stumbled on a dead body. It's a terrible shock, I know, but-.'

'Who was it? I need to know!'

The matron didn't look her in the eye. Her voice was low with sadness. 'Neville Longbottom,' she said, quietly.

Hermione's mouth opened with horror. 'N-Neville?'

Her heart was suddenly beating faster. This just had to be a joke. It couldn't be true. It just couldn't!

'No,' she whispered.

Madam Pomfrey nodded soberly. 'I'm afraid it is.'

'But- but why?' Hermione asked her voice still bewildered.

'Honey, stay in bed right now. I'm going to give you a potion to give you more sleep. In the evening, you're too go talk to Dumbledore.'

That afternoon, Harry and Ron came to visit her. Both had pale, drawn faces, and eyes fiilled with wretchedness.

'Hey Hermione,' Harry said, in a mournful voice. 'I'm glad you're awake.'

'Yeah,' Ron said, shaking his head slowly. 'We were really worried about you.'

'Hey guys,' Hermione murmured, her head aching with tiredness.

'Professor McGonagall told us what happened,' Harry said. 'You found him, didn't you?'

Hermione nodded, slowly.

'Was it- was it very terrible?'

This time she nodded fervently.

'I can see it even now,' she whispered. 'I don't think I can ever forget.'

Ron leaned down and hugged her tenderly.

'Hermione,' he said, 'Don't worry. You will forget. D-do you know who it was?'

Hermione nodded somberly. 'Madam Pomfrey told me. I just can't believe it. Why- why Neville? He hasn't harmed a fly his entire life.'

Harry nodded. 'I know. We were shocked too. And Dean and Seamus are pretty upset too. We all miss him.'

Hermione lapsed into silence. She too missed Neville immensely. But another question was nagging and her, pulling at her mind again and again- Who?

'Does anyone know who did it?' she asked Harry.

He shook his head. 'No. Dumbledore's shocked, of course. It seems inconceivable that there's a traitor at Hogwarts.'

'But- but why would they kill him with a knife or a gun?' Hermione asked, bewildered.

Ron looked down. 'I have no idea. The teachers have roped the area right off. No ones allowed there. Even Dumbledore hasn't touched anything. Ministry officials are coming tonight.'

'I think we should go there before the officials arrive,' Harry said, stoutly.

Ron turned incredulously to him. 'Harry, mate, are you feeling all right?"

'Look, Ron it's been bothering me for enough time. There's a traitor in Hogwarts. This is probably a Death eaters work. But you know what the Ministry's like! They'll gump up the whole thing for sure. Don't you want to know who did- that- to Neville?'

Ron nodded slowly. 'I know it sounds terrible, but I reckon maybe you're right,' he said, quietly.

Both of them fastened their gazes on Hermione. She was looking hesitant.

'Guys...' she began. 'Normally I'd be all for it, but-.'

She didn't know how to put it in words. But the one vision swirling around in her mind was the huddled corpse, the blood…she closed her eyes, and tried to push the images away.

'Hermione, we understand,' Harry said, gently. 'A corpse is not a good thing to see. You don't have to come.'

Hermione paused. Harry was offering her a perfect way out. She wouldn't have to go see the corpse again. She could sit in the peaceful hospital wing the whole time. She opened her mouth to thank him.

'Of course not Harry. I'm coming too. We can go right now in fact.'

She mentally smacked herself. That's right, Hermione. Let you're ego come in the way.

Harry looked doubtful. 'Are you sure?'

'I am,' she said, stoutly. 'Is Madam Pomfrey about anywhere?"

Ron peeped out and checked. 'She's inside some other cubicle,' he whispered. 'W can make it if we run.'

Harry cast another dubious glance at Hermione, but she nodded firmly. She swept the sheets off, and got up, praying she wouldn't feel faint or dizzy. Thankfully, she didn't.

'I'm fine,' she whispered, 'Let's go.'

They tiptoed out of the curtained cubicle. Madam Pomfrey was still out of sight. Grabbing Hermione's arm, Harry yanked her out of the hospital wing, Ron hot on their heels. They ran outside, covered another corner, and then paused for a breath.

'We're out,' Harry gasped. He stole a look at Hermione. 'Are you-.'

'I'm fine Harry,' she said, impatiently.

He nodded. 'Right. Now, where exactly was the corridor.'

'Down near the kitchens,' Hermione said. They started off walking towards the kitchen. As they approached the light corridor, Hermione felt a small prickle at the back of her neck. She walked down, and came to the turn off to the corridor with the iron door.

Immediately, a shadow seemed to have cast itself over her. She had been preparing herself for this, but seeing the dim corridor and the door, and smelling that terrible smell again, the prickles on her neck seemed to run up and down to the small of her back. A wave of panic washed over her.

Run! Her head screamed. She faltered, and took a few steps back, breathing suddenly ragged.

Two strong arms gripped her shoulders. They felt warm and comfortable.

'Hermione?' It was Harry. She felt relief.

'Look,' he said, 'This must be really scary for you. Maybe you shouldn't come.'

She was shivering with fright, but she still shook her head. 'No,' she muttered. 'I have to come.'

'Maybe we should use a spell,' Ron said, uneasily. 'To block our noses or whatever.'

Hermione nodded, shakily. 'Where's my wand?' she asked, suddenly.

'It's with Madam Pomfrey,' Harry told her. 'She wouldn't give it back.'

Hermione moaned softly. 'Right,' she muttered. 'The spell's Morbidius.'

Ron and Harry quickly muttered the spell for themselves and Hermione too. They felt a lot better when the stench was out of their noses.

'Okay,' Harry whispered, as they approached the door. 'Remember, we can't leave any signs to let the Ministry workers find us here.' He reached out for the bolt, and slowly slid it apart. Another prickle of fear swept Hermione.

This is wrong! You shouldn't be here!

Ignoring the voices screaming in her head, Hermione watched as Harry pushed the door open.

They stepped inside.

The room was exactly as Hermione remember. It was mostly unfurnished, except for a small metal chair in one corner, with a few chains heaped on it. The floor was a cold stone gray, and so were the walls. A bare bulb hung from the ceiling. There were no other windows or any other doors.

The most frightening image in the room, however, was what lay in the middle. On first glance, it couldn't be recognized. It was like a heap of red and white. Someone who took a closer look, however, could see it was a body, crumpled and twisted, with its legs broken and tied under it. It was wearing a white shirt that was drenched with blood, and a pair of gray pants. The face was hidden, since it was crouched on its stomach, but now Hermione recognized the brownish- sandy hair. Her stomach plummeted.

'Poor Neville,' she whispered.

For a moment, they sat silent; remember all they went through with Neville. Hermione broke the silence.

'I don't get the blood,' she whispered. 'Why not just use the Avada Kedavra curse?'

Harry took slow steps to the corpse. He bent down, and gently turned the head.

'His eyes are open,' he said, with a shudder.

Hermione bent down. Indeed, Neville's eyes were wide open, reflecting sheer terror. His mouth seemed to be frozen mid scream.

'It looks like it was a curse,' Harry said, grimly. 'And then whoever did it broke his legs and trussed him up like this.'

'Oh, Neville,' Hermione said, desperately. 'Who would do something like that to him? But- how the blood?'

They bent down again. Harry took out his wand, and removed the curse they had put on their noses. He removed Hermione's and Ron's too. Immediately, they were hit by a stench so terrible and unholy, it was impossible to breathe.

'This is inhuman!' Ron choked, through tears.

Harry nodded grimly. 'Exactly. It's not human. It's animal blood.'

Both Hermione and Ron opened their mouths with horror.

'Someone murdered Neville with the curse, broke his legs, tied him up, and then poured pig blood all over him.'

'Who would do something like this?' Hermione asked, desperation touching the edges of her voice.

Harry shrugged. 'This is exactly the smell that the butcher from Privet Drive who brought Aunt Petunia's meat smelled like. I think it's pig blood.'

Hermione winced.

'P-pig blood?' she whispered. 'Who- but why?'

'It's a death eater!' Ron muttered, angrily. 'Only a Death eater could be- so damn- so- horrible!'

All three were white and shaking. What's more, now that the spell had been removed, their noses were thick with the foul smell of the pig blood.

'I can't believe it,' Hermione muttered. 'Poor Neville…'

She got down onto to her knees to close the eyes that were gaping lifelessly. Ron immediately warned her.

'Don't Hermione,' he said, 'We can't touch anything.'

Hermione shook her head, tears filling her eyes. 'This is beyond rules Ron,' she said, softly, 'This is about moral and respect. Let Neville sleep in peace.'

She gently closed the eyes, and felt her throat choking up. Poor Neville…

Just as she was tensing to get up, she suddenly noticed something that made her relax again. She cocked her head and frowned at it, trying to make sense.

'What…?' she murmured.

'Hermione?"

She looked back up. Harry was looking worriedly at her.

'What's the matter?'

'Take a look at this,' she said, quietly.

Harry and Ron stooped down. At first, Harry didn't realize what he was talking about, but then he realized, and drew a startled breath.

'What is it?' Ron asked, breathlessly.

Hermione gently pointed to Neville's smooth, round cheek.

Ron gave a startled 'Oh!

Neville's cheek was oozing little trickles of blood. Harry turned the other cheek over, and they found similar markings there too.

'What's this?' Ron whispered.

Hermione bit her lip. 'He's been scratched by something.'

Ron turned back to the cheek. 'I can't see any scratches. Just the blood.'

'He's not been scratched,' Harry said, leaning over, 'It's more like he's been pricked. Someone's pricked holes into his cheek.'

'But- but why?' Hermione whimpered. 'I don't get it. Why did they do that?'

Harry frowned. 'I have no idea.'

They lapsed into a quiet silence. All of a sudden, Ron noticed something.

'Wait a minute,' he muttered. 'Check this out… there are five pricks on each cheek.'

Hermione turned her questioning gaze onto him. 'Meaning?"

'Well, doesn't it look like finger imprints? Like- oh, you know, the person had long nails. Like Rita Skeeter or something.'

Hermione nodded thoughtfully. 'You're right.'

'Must've been hell of a set of nails,' Harry muttered. 'These pricks are deep.' his lip twisted into a sardonic expression. 'Nine inch nails.'

The minute he said that, Hermione let out a gasp. Her hand flew to her cheek.

'Nine Inch Nails!' she gasped. 'Oh my god, Harry!'

'What?' he asked her concernedly.

'Don't you remember? At the ball! Malfoy!'

Her voice echoed in the silence. When it died out, it left behind a deep ringing that pounded in each of their ears.

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'We have to be logical,' Hermione said, firmly.

They were back in the common room. After Hermione's sudden realization, they had quickly scanned the rest of the room, and found it empty. Then, they had gone back to the Hospital Wing, where Madam Pomfrey ranted and raved, but allowed Hermione to leave with her wand after a large dose of something purple and foul-smelling. They had returned to the Common Room, which had been deserted. According to Harry, none of the Gryffindor's had been there in a long time. They had either been in their four posters, where they actually felt safe, or huddles up in some bathroom crying.

Now that they had returned, there was a full-blown argument between Ron and Hermione.

'I am looking at it logically,' he cried.

'No you're not! That's not logic! It's called jumping to a conclusion.'

'Hermione, if there is only one conclusion, I don't think there's much possibility of me jumping to the wrong one!'

'That's just it, Ron! There are many conclusions! It could be anyone.'

'Anyone clearly translates to Malfoy.'

'No it doesn't necessarily.' Harry put in.

'Ron, listen! You can't just assume the worst because you don't like him!'

'Oh, quit it! You're blind if you can't see it! of course it's Malfoy! Who else would cold-bloodedly murder a Gryffindor, tie his arms and legs, drench him with pig blood and then leave him to rot?'

'Voldemort,' Hermione replied, coldly.

'Oh, and you think he trumped into the castle with his little basket of flowers, and-.'

'Enough both of you,' Harry snapped. 'You two drive me crazy. Look, Hermione, it's the most logical solution. Not only is Malfoy a horrible prick with the IQ of a mushroom, but we saw the little pricks on Neville's cheeks. And you saw what demons Malfoy had on his hands that day.'

'Yes, but I don't think we should jump to conclusions,' Hermione said, stolidly.

'All right.' Harry said, doggedly. 'We'll just assume that Draco's the culprit, okay? In which case we need to find out why, what etc. etc.'

Hermione reluctantly subsides. 'I suppose,' she muttered, huffily.

'We need ideas,' Ron said, sinking into a red armchair. 'I wish we could tell what time Malfoy- I mean, whoever did it- murdered him.'

Hermione shook her head. 'Avada Kedavra doesn't leave any signs. The pig blood smelled terrible, but it always does.'

' He could have done it last night,' Harry said, helpfully. 'Everyone was at the ball.'

'So was he,' Hermione pointed out. 'Or at least he was until I left. Where did he go after that?'

'He was there right till the end,' Ron said. 'But he could have done it after everyone went to bed.'

'Where were you guys right at the end of the ball?' Hermione asked.

'I was with Antony Goldstein,' Ron said. 'We were discussing Quidditch moves. The guys a whiz! We talked about the most interesting-.'

'Ron. Please?'

'Oh. Sorry. I was with Antony, and Harry was with Parvati I think.'

'Yeah,' Harry admitted. 'Did you notice where Malfoy was? I didn't really pay any attention to him after that pug-girl's little spat with Hermione.'

'So he easily could have done it,' Hermione said thoughtfully. 'We'll have to find some way to look into him.'

'How exactly?' Harry asked. 'Do you think Polyjuice Potion would do it again?'

'Should do the trick,' Hermione admitted, 'But I think the Slytherin's might suspect after the second year episode. We need something else.'

'Can't think of anything,' Ron said, after a pause.

'I'm going to go to the library after I meet Dumbledore,' Hermione said, stoutly. 'And I better be going now, guys.'

'Bye Hermione,' They replied. She left, her mind a whirlwind of questions, that couldn't find answers

AN- hey ppl! I am so sorry about the long gap, but my net got completely fried, and I couldn't update, though I had this chapter done ages back. I JUST READ HALF BLOOD PRINCE! Obviously, this story contradicts the book quite a bit, as most of you who read it must have guessed. I won't put up anything here right now, but if you want to talk about what a loser that certain someone was, mail me. Lilly, I'm waiting! And thanks for the reviews.