Disclaimer:

J.K. Rowling is the owner of Harry Potter. Stories she has written and characters that she created are not mine. I don't take credit for any of her work. I do thank her for providing such a wonderful universe to dream about and write in.

Harry Potter and the Shadow of Evil

By: Starwin

Chapter 8 – Shadows Rising

Snape staggered away and Professor McGonagall let out a cry of surprise as Harry leapt from the bed. Hands blazing, wrapped in yellow flames.

Dumbledore however did not seem surprised, he seemed almost as if he was expecting this exact reaction. Moving with lighting speed he caught Harry's wrist and held him there.

Pushing with all his might Harry could not force his hands closer to Dumbledore's throat. Dumbledore seemed to be putting up no effort at all to hold Harry in place.

Snape drew his wand and began to say something.

"No!" Dumbledore roared, for the first time fright was in his eyes.

"You are weak," Harry hissed. "You are a fool. I shall kill you, I shall burn you." The air around Harry flickered with light. Snape was flung away landing on his butt and rolling to his back. Professor McGonagall was pushed to the ground. Ron and Hermione who were both sitting were pushed back against the wall, still in their chairs. The hospital privacy curtains toppled over and beds were pushed away.

Dumbledore released Harry's wrist and slid backwards along the floor his feet not lifting from the stone.

The bed Harry had been standing on melted to the ground. The metal bars becoming silver liquid and the sheets vaporizing.

Dumbledore drew his wand as did Harry. The fire enveloped Harry's wand.

"I see, it is as I suspected," Dumbledore said his voice low. Harry snarled at Dumbledore and flicked his wand quickly.

"Draconus Multiplu," Harry shouted. Three white serpents erupted from Harry's wand and moved through the air, striking at Dumbledore. Dumbledore lifted his wand and said something under his breath. The white serpents impacted with an invisible wall and shattered.

"Tranus Feranus!" Dumbledore said pointing his wand at Harry. Long silver strands sprung from the tip of Dumbledore's wand and wrapped around Harry binding him. Harry struggled against the strands.

"Quickly Professor Snape!" Dumbledore said looking at Snape who had just managed to get to his feet. "You must relock the door before it gets free." Snape pushed a lock of greasy black hair from his eyes.

"I can't," said Snape. "The key is missing. The Dark Lord must have taken it." Hermione looked surprised.

'The key?' Hermione thought, 'He couldn't mean the key she had taken from the memory in the Moonwell on Avalon, could he?'

"Professor," Hermione spoke up, Snape shot her a disgusted look but she continued. "I, I think that I have the key." Dumbledore looked at her for a moment and then nodded to Snape.

"You must both go, quickly!" Dumbledore said. Snape nodded.

"On my count, Legilimens, Miss Granger." Snape hissed. "One, Two, Three!"

"Legilimens!" Snape and Hermione both shouted, their wands pointed at Harry.

---

The hospital ward flickered out of existence. Dumbledore, Harry, Ron and professor McGonagall vanished. Snape and Granger stood in the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side. Without words they rushed down it. The sounds of battle grew louder as they moved towards its distant end.

Potter was crouched behind one of the stone supported brazier, his wand out. The door at the end of the hall was open a crack and a black tar seeped out onto the stone wall. A spell shot out from the black mass narrowly missing Granger. Snape and Granger dove for cover behind the brazier across from Harry's. Harry looked battered like he had been beaten up.

"We have to close that door." Snape hissed at Granger. "Where is the key?" Hermione reached into her pocket and found the metal serpent shaped key. She pulled it out and showed it to Snape. Snape reached for it but Granger pulled it away. Snape glared ate her.

"What are you doing foolish girl!" Snape spat. "Give me the key, I have to lock the door!"

"I have a better chance to reach it than you do." Granger said simply. "Cover me and I will lock it." Snape looked outraged, this student, this arrogant know-it-all was presuming that she could do better than him.

Snape was about to protest again when Granger began to transform. Brown fur sprouted all over her body. Her face became longer. Horns grew from the back of her head. A moment latter she was a large tiger like cat standing on all fours, her tail flicking back and forth.

Snape was awestruck. 'A Kasar? But… It isn't possible!' Snape thought as Granger turned away from him becoming invisible. Snape didn't have a choice now, she had the best shot of getting close to the door without being detected. Snape stood looking over the top of the small stone pillar that held a flame on top.

Below the black ooze, slumped dead against the wall, was himself. Snape felt his eyes widen. He had seen this on the night he had invaded Harry's mind. The ooze trickled down the wall towards the guardian image.

Suddenly the guardian image of Snape stood. His head hanging to one side, his eyes red and lidless, his wand outstretched with an unbent arm.

"YOU DIE." It said spitting blood from its mouth as it talked. "I KILL YOU!" And it began to fire spells wildly out into the hall. Snape ducked back behind the pillar as one of he spells zoomed overhead. He had to give Granger cover fire, to draw the attacks away.

"Potter." Snape hissed at Harry. Harry's face was bruised one of his eyes closed as a large purple lump expanded under it. Blood leaked from his split lip. "We have to help Granger! Slicing curses, attack now!" Harry nodded and rolled to his knees.

Snape gripped his wand tightly and stood shouting. "Cisidus!" Harry's voice echoed his. Blades of red light sliced the air.

The monstrous version of Snape howled as his arms were torn from his torso. Blood spouted from the empty arm sockets like rivers spraying the floors and the walls. The blood spread out though the air and Granger's form was outlined in a thin splatter of blood.

The monster stopped yelling is red lidless eyes focused now on the blood outlined form in front of it. Granger turned her head to see the monsters mouth opening far wider than was humanly possible. Its teeth growing and becoming jagged blades. It lunged down at her neck intent on snapping it in one movement.

"Reducto!" Harry shouted. The monster stopped, surprise on its face. A moment latter its head began to shrink its skin pulling inwards towards its nose. The sides of its head collapsed and with a disgusting pop a pink cloud of brain mass hovered for a moment over the neck of the monster before it fell sideways to the floor.

The way cleared Granger became visible again transforming from Kasar to wizard. She reach the door and jammed the key into the lock but she could not get the door closed.

Snape stood and sprinted to the door, his body slammed against it but the door moved only slightly. The black ooze quickened its escape moving further out along the walls, its tendrils spreading out, enveloping the stone.

Loud footsteps echoed off the walls and Harry, running full tilt, launched himself at the door. His body collided heavily with the door. Snape heard a crack as bone was broken.

The door slammed shut. The black ooze stopped moving it was frozen against the wall. There was a click as Granger locked the door.

"Lumos Excendos!" Snape shouted. Blinding white light filled the hall way. Even Snape had to close his eyes.

When the light faded they were standing back in the hospital wing, Harry lay on the floor collapsed and Granger stood next to Snape, her hands over her mouth.

---

Harry sat up, Malfoy had attacked him he had somehow managed to block the spell and… and then what had happened? Harry's hands hurt he looked at them in the pale light of the hospital ward. They were blurry without his glasses but he could see they were wrapped in blood stained bandages. Using his teeth Harry tore the bandages form his left hand.

From the pain Harry felt he was expecting to see cuts or burns all over them, but there wasn't anything. Maybe it was because he didn't have his glasses on. He reached over to the night stand next to the bed to feel around for his glasses and became aware of something pressed against his leg.

Harry looked down to find mound of red hair and a face, sitting on top of folded arms. Harry became felt the coldness of the stone in his robe pocket. The heartbeat from it was slow. Harry pulled the glasses from the stand and put them on his face.

Instantly the world became crystal clear. He looked at his hand again. It still hurt very much but there was no sign of damage to it. Harry's hand moved to his face feeling for, for something, he wasn't sure what but he found nothing unusual here either.

Gently Harry placed his hand against the girls back. It was Ginny, she must have been sitting with him through the night but she had fallen asleep. Harry couldn't imagine what had compelled Madam Pomfrey to let her stay.

Absently Harry ran his hand though Ginny's hair. It was soft to the touch. As his hand reached the top of her head he could see a smile on her face. She was still asleep but Harry felt the heartstone in his pocket warm.

Harry sat watching Ginny as she slept his hand stroking the back of her head in slow gentle movements. She had off balanced him in the hall. He hadn't been prepared for her to show him such affection. But sitting here, with her, like this seemed so right that Harry couldn't imagine how it could have been any other way before.

Harry was so lost in his thoughts about Ginny that when she opened her eyes to watch him back Harry did not notice.

---

"What are you doing in here!" Harry heard. He kept his eyes closed. It sounded like Madam Pomfrey. "It is not visiting hours yet Miss Weasley! Don't tell me you have been here all night! You're a Prefect I would have expected better from you, out, out, out!" The voice became fainter as it moved away from Harry.

Harry opened one eye to see if the coast was clear and saw Madam Pomfrey pulling Ginny out the front door and following after her, obviously intent to have a few more words with her where they wouldn't wake Harry.

Harry sat up and reached for his glasses pulling them off the folded paper they had been set on. Getting out of bed Harry found his clothing dressed and moved towards the door intent to leave.

Just before he reached the exit Madam Pomfrey reappeared. Her eyes locked on Harry furiously.

"Where do you think your going!" she said. "Get back to bed!"

"I'm fine," Harry said holding up his hands. "They didn't hurt anymore." Madam Pomfrey grabbed one of Harry's hands and held it out as if to check for dirt. She turned it over and examined the back side. She looked confused.

"How is this possible?"

"I'm fine," Harry said again trying to pull his hand free. "They don't hurt at all. Can I go?" Madam Pomfrey looked at him with suspicion.

"Very well," she said pulling a pad of paper from her apron and writing something down on it. "But if you hurt at all I want you to come back right away Mr. Potter." She handed him the note. Harry pushed the note into his pocket thinking that coming back for a little bit of discomfort would be the last thing he would do.

"I will," Harry lied desperate to leave. With one last look that seemed to be focused on reading his mind Madam Pomfrey finally stepped aside and let him pass.

---

With a few quick steps Harry was able to catch up with Ginny who hadn't made it very far down the hall. She turned to find Harry walking very fast towards her.

Ginny's eyes lit up and a smile moved across her face.

"Harry!" She cried spiriting at him and wrapping her arms around him. Then she pulled back closing her eyes and leaned forward her mouth forming into a kiss. Harry grabbed her shoulders gently and held her in place. Ginny's face filled with surprise and confusion.

"Ginn… Gin," Harry said in as soft a voice as he could manage. "I think we need to talk about some things first." She looked hurt.

"Like?" Ginny asked her voice had a dangerous edge to it. Harry took a deep breath, 'why do girls have to be so difficult to talk to.'

"Like…" Harry said pausing, his brain not knowing what to say next. It just seemed to be sitting blank, whirling on itself. 'LIKE!' His head shouted at him. Ginny was still searching his face trying to get some direction of where he was going.

"I dunno," Harry said, this was obviously not the right thing, "this is just too fast I mean, I dunno, Gin. Maybe we need more time first and…" Ginny pushed his hands off her shoulders and took a step back.

"Well, Mr. Potter," she said in mock formality. "When you do know maybe you can tell Hermione!" Ginny turned and stormed off. Harry stood there not really know what had gone wrong or what he had said to make her so angry.

Shaking his head Harry walked on. It had to be breakfast time by now and he was starving. He turned the corner and bumped into, to his horror, Cho Chang. There were a group of other girls around her. Their talking stopped as everyone stood in silence.

"I…I'm sorry," Harry stammered. And to Harry's great surprise Cho slapped him across the face her eyes were narrow and hateful.

"You stay away from me!" She said fiercely and with the rest of the girls covering their mouths they stormed off down the hall.

Harry stood dumbstruck his hand feeling the place where Cho had slapped him. What was it with him and girls today?

"Harry!" Shouted a voice from his right, Harry wasn't sure he could deal with another person right now. Turning to see who it was he saw Ron and Hermione, who was waving, moving towards him. For a moment Harry felt the sudden urge to turn and run. But instead he just stood there rubbing his face stupidly.

"Oy, Harry!" Ron said, "What happened to your face?" Harry could still feel the sting.

"It's nothing," Harry said wanting very much not to talk about it.

"Was Malfoy expelled?" Harry asked remembering the attack. Hermione and Ron exchanged glances and then Hermione spoke.

"No Harry," Hermione had a pleading look in her eye. "Malfoy didn't attack you last night."

"But I saw him!" Harry said. "Hermione you saw him!" Harry felt panicked he felt like he'd had this conversation before.

"Some one tripped last night and accidentally hit you with a fire charm. Your hands got burned a little Madam Pomfrey said you would recover in no time." Hermione said her voice was breathy and for some reason Harry couldn't place he knew they weren't truthful. It just didn't sound right. Harry couldn't recall being lead up to the hospital wing or being treated for burned hands. Ron looked uneasy.

"But I saw Malfoy!" Harry pressed.

"Harry," Hermione said forcefully. "It was just an accident, no one attacked you."

"And you certainly didn't attack anyone." Ron added. Hermione shot him a fierce look. Now Harry knew something was wrong. Ron could keep secrets just as well as Hagrid could.

"I don't think your telling me everything." Harry pressed he felt annoyed now, why were his friends lying to him?

"Oy!" Ron said, "We have potions! Come'on or Snape'll have our heads!" And Ron and Hermione hurried off Harry following behind them, watching two people he didn't seem to know at all.

---

Snape had become, if possible, worse. It was only the first day and already they were starting with the Contridicurous Potion, a very difficult mixture to complete. Snape hovered behind people hissing at them when they put a component in a second too soon or removing the entire potion when it turned just the wrong shade of blue. The only good point to this is that he seemed to be coming down on the Slytherin students just as hard as the Gryffindors. The only person, Snape ignored completely was Harry.

When Harry had raised his hand to ask a question Snape totally ignored him and called on Hermione for the first time in what Harry thought might be forever.

At the end of class as they handed in their potions Snape grabbed Harry's wrist.

"Potter," Snape hissed. "You will remain after class." Snape released his crushing grip and Harry pulled his hand back.

Snape dismissed the class, Ron and Hermione did not wait for him but left as quickly as everyone else. Harry was starting to feel angry now.

Snape moved to the door as the last student exited. He shut and locked the door then turned around his eyes focused on Harry.

"We will continue your Occumancy training, starting tonight at 8 o'clock." Snape hissed. "You will not talk about it with anyone." Snape moved uncomfortably close to Harry. Harry felt his hands ball into fist, he wanted to strike Snape.

'Take one more step closer to me,' Harry thought, 'and I will break the slimy nose of yours.'

"You will also not ask about the events of last night." Snape added his eyes intense and threatening. The anger that had been building in Harry vanished.

"What?" Harry asked in surprise. "Why not?"

"Because the Headmaster has asked that you do not." Snape said coldly. "Surly you read the letter he left for you!"

'What letter?' Harry thought. He couldn't remember any letter being left by Dumbledore for him.

"He didn't give me any letter," Harry said in protest. Snape looked disgusted.

"Potter, it often confounds how you are still alive, since you seem to always miss the obvious." Snape sneered. He turned from Harry and moved to his desk, pulling a white envelope off it, returning to Harry and handing it to him. Harry took it and looked defiantly back at Snape.

"Well, Potter?" Snape hissed. "Get out of my class." Snape flicked his wand and the door unlocked and opened. There were students waiting outside. Harry pushed his way past them and moved down the corridor feeling their eyes on his back and their whispers in his ears.

---

Harry wasn't sure what class he had next. He had missed breakfast and thus hadn't received a schedule. He looked at the envelope in his hand. He thought about tearing it in half for a moment and casting it to the floor but finally decided he wanted some answers.

Harry pulled the envelope open and retrieved two folded pieces of different sized parchment from it. Harry opened the smaller one first and found it was his class schedule, transfiguration was next. Harry pushed the schedule into his pocket and opened the next letter.

Dear Harry,

There are events that occurred last night of which it would be to your benefit not to inquire about. I therefore ask that you do not press your classmates to tell you about them, as they have been bound by a magical contract not to answer.

Professor Snape has agreed to continue your Occlumancy lessons. Your first class will begin tonight.

Lastly I have asked that your lifetime ban form Quidditch be removed, the Ministry of Magic is looking into it and I will inform you of their decision when one has been reached.

Albus Dumbledore

Harry looked over the first sentence a few times. He wasn't stupid. He knew what must have happened last night, why he couldn't recall the events after the incident in the hall. Ginny had once described it to him.

Voldemort, he was being possessed by Voldemort. What had he done last night, had he killed someone? Harry didn't know. He felt uncomfortable inside like he knew the answer. Whatever he had done, whatever had happened his actions were bad enough that Dumbledore had swore all of his classmates to secrecy.

---

Harry was the last one to enter the transfiguration class room. Every seat had been filled except for the desk at the very front of the room. Harry sat down. There was no one in the spot next to him.

Even though Harry was late for class Professor McGonagall said nothing, she just watched as he found his seat and sat. After reading Dumbledore's letter Harry felt like everyone in the room was watching him.

'Maybe I deserve their hate and suspicion.' Harry thought. 'I am a tool for Voldemort, at any time I could spring to his bidding and kill people for him.' Harry slumped in his seat.

Professor McGonagall was talking but Harry was vaguely aware of her words.

"This year we will be studying the art of the Animagus." McGonagall said. "Along with many other self transfiguration spells. These spells are very difficult and not everyone here will be able to master them.

"Today we will begin with some very basic self transfiguration. Please turn to page 192 of your Advanced Transfiguration text books." McGonagall said as she turned and began to write on the board.

Harry had zoned out lost in his thoughts as he stared at his desk. The voice that seemed to be talking in some far off distant place was repeating one word over and over. Harry snapped back to find all eyes on him. Professor McGonagall looked at him with concern in her eyes.

"Perhaps, now that your awake, you would like to join us in reading page 192, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall asked.

"Oh," Harry said looking around some of the people in the class were sniggering. Harry reached down to find he hadn't brought his book bag with him. "I'm sorry professor I didn't have time to get my books." McGonagall frowned at Harry.

"Very well Mr. Potter you may use one of the class books." She said indicating one of the small shelves of books at the front of the room. Harry stood and pulled one of the heavy books off the shelf. He could feel everyone watching him, like he was some kind of thing to be paraded out and gawked at.

Harry returned to his desk everyone still watching him. He opened the book and tried to read but the words just didn't make any sense. He didn't want to read them right now. He wanted more than anything in the world to be able to get up and walk out of class.

Despite his inattentiveness Professor McGonagall did not single him out again. She seemed to be content with him focused blankly on the book in front of him, even if he was still on the same page he had opened it to.

---

At last when class ended people hurried out of the class room. Harry didn't move to rush out with them. He would let them get away from him if that was what they wanted. Against all hope Ron and Hermione finally approached him. Hermione looked sternly at him. Professor McGonagall was watching them closely from her desk, monitoring their every move like a hawk.

"Harry," Hermione said at last. Harry shot her a look, he wanted her to go away and leave him alone. "Look, Dumbledore swore us to a magical oath last night and…"

"I know," Harry said dully his mouth hidden behind his folded arms on the desk. Hermione looked uneasy. "Snape gave me a letter from Dumbledore. They have a right to avoid me, I might attack them next for all I know."

"Oh, no," Hermione said uncertainly. "No, they are avoiding you because Dumbledore told them not to talk to you about last night. And, well I don't think any of them trust themselves not to tell you what happened if you pressed them." Harry glanced up at her.

"I don't want to know anymore," Harry said his eyes full of sadness. Harry sat up and grabbed his bag, with one last look at Ron and Hermione he stood and left the room not hearing them follow behind him.

Authors Notes:

If(Chapter 8 done)thenwrite authors notes true;

Notes, notes lets see I know I have some notes some place. Humm well I don't seem to have any notes on this chapter at the moment…

Thanks for the Reviews. Ego boost are always need. Please keep them coming as reviews keep me coming back to write.

I have the next 5 chapters written already and though you might wonder why they aren't going up as well I still have to proof and check for character, story and plot continuity.

They will be up soon, so, in the words of the great Douglass Adams, "Don't Panic"

I guess that's all for now. ttfn