The Phantom of Hogwarts

Ta Da! I have returned everyone, after a long rest. Yes, I did have a bit of writer's block, but that's long gone. I have some important news.

November twenty-eighth is my two year anniversary of writing for fanfiction!

Happy Anniversary to me!

Well now that that's said and done, I'd like to take a moment to thank each and every one of my loyal supporters who left me reviews throughout my long rest. You don't know how much that meant to me.

Without further ado, what you've all been waiting for!

Disclaimer- I don't know a thing, accept for the plot.

Chapter Nine

The very first snowfall at Hogwarts came two days after Hermione's eventful day with the Phantom. The castle seemed brighten with the Christmas spirit and the celebration of the safety of the Ministry. Students passed up and down the corridors, wrapped tightly in their thick robes, toasting Harry, Dumbledore, and the brave witches and wizards of that night.

Rumors had been flying around about who or what had tipped off Harry. The misinformed ones believed a spy had contacted Harry, and some even believed that Sirius Black himself, although dead for two years, had appeared to Harry in a dream and told him everything.

The Gryffindors whom had been present at the time knew better. Since that owl had arrived, they could talk of nothing but what had gone on with Hermione and her Phantom. Ginny Weasley, however, was growing rather bored of guessing.

"Hermione, why can't you just tell me?" she begged Hermione one afternoon as they strolled across Hogwarts grounds, snowing whirling around them. Hermione let out an exasperated sigh.

"I cannot tell you, Ginny. I've been sworn to secrecy."

"Even from your closest girlfriend? You know I wouldn't betray you."

"Not even to Harry?"

"Not even to Harry."

"What if he did that thing you like on your-"

"Hermione!"

"Okay, okay, but still. If I tell you, it could put you in danger in case anyone wanted to find out something." Hermione explained. Ginny was silent for a moment. When she seemed to reach a conclusion, she took a deep breath.

"If you're sure you know what you're doing, then I won't bother you any more. You're a very smart witch, and I know you would never do anything as stupid as get involved with some cat-killing phantom." Hermione let out a fake laugh and tried to smile. Inside, she was laughing nervously. "But please, tell me if something is wrong. I can help."

"Aw Ginny, thanks." Hermione and Ginny shared a hug and walked up into the warmth of the Entrance Hall. The sun had set, and darkness had fallen upon the grounds. The Forbidden Forest towered above, and shadows danced across the snowy white grounds. The girls shivered once more as they stepped into the Entrance Hall.

As they shook off the excess snow, a gang of Ravenclaw fifth years were rushing past them and into the Great Hall. Two second year Slytherins whispered darkly to each other as they came up from the dungeons and followed the Ravenclaws. Hermione and Ginny shared a bewildered glance and walked into the Great Hall.

The hall was buzzing. Every table was involved with deep conversation, and students kept glancing towards the Hufflepuff table. Standing up above the crowd, speaking loudly and using wild hand gestures, was none other than Zacharias Smith.

"I saw him, a monster he is. He wears a midnight black cloak, and his skin is as pale as death. His hair matches his deathly pale complexion. Death's Head, he has. He hides in the shadows where no one will find him, just waiting for his next victim. He has a deep passion for blood and flesh." Zacharias was elaborating to all that would listen, and many people had chosen to listen. Ginny did not see, but Hermione's face had instantly paled.

Hermione and Ginny stopped for a moment to hear his speech then sped off to the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron seemed to be the only ones not involved with the talk and were arguing about where the Death Eaters would strike next.

"They wouldn't go for the Ministry again, so we can rule that out." Said Ron, helping himself to some mashed potatoes.

"No, they'd have to be really thick to try that again. What about a small country, like Luxembourg or Greece?" suggested Harry.

"I dunno. Greece has some very powerful witches and wizards. Dad says they're known for their excellent hexes. The Death Eaters could take over Hogwarts too."

"Not with Dumbledore around."

"You never know."

Hermione looked shocked from one to the other. They looked calm, as if all was right with the world. Ginny shared her concern and sat down next to Harry, feeling his forehead.

"Are you okay, Harry?"

Harry and Ron looked at Ginny as if she were an alien. They then looked to Hermione, who was staring down at them hard. She seemed to be trying to decipher a mystery.

"Splendid, Ginny." Harry replied as her wrapped an arm around her torso and kissed her cheek. "We were just thinking of the possible places that Voldermort could strike next. What do you think?"

Ginny was flattered that Harry truly wanted her opinion, and was about to answer when Hermione cleared her throat. Ginny's mind snapped back to her original train of thought.

"Haven't you heard? Zacharias claims to have seen the Phantom. Aren't you even the least bit interested?" Harry and Ron chuckled.

"No offense, Ginny." Said Ron grinning. "But since when have we ever taken Smith seriously? He's an idiot." Ginny studied her brother's face then turned to Hermione, who had not gained her natural color back. However, her frown immediately changed back to her fake smile.

"He's got a point. We shouldn't listen to him." Hermione mused as she sat down beside Ron and began to butter a role. The girls joined Harry and Ron's earlier conversation, but Hermione said very little.

Had he honestly seen the Phantom? He had described him perfectly: black cloak, alabaster skin, matching hair, and he certainly did have a passion for flesh. Hermione blushed scarlet at the thought of what his wicked tongue had done the last time she had seen him, a whole two days ago. She became lost in her thoughts, and before she knew it, dinner had ended. By then, she had made up her mind; she needed to see the Phantom.

The four headed up to Gryffindor Tower at an unusually slow rate. The corridors were cluttered with small groups of students, several breaking off and leaving to talk with another group. The Hufflepuffs, who were praising Zacharias, were gathered around him as he led them to their common room near the kitchens. Zacharias seemed to love the limelight, and he took great pleasure in the fourth and fifth years who would swoon at his very words.

"What a git…" Ron muttered as they watched Zacharias and the Hufflepuffs walk past them.

They gathered four chairs together and started their homework. Harry, Ron, and Hermione worked vigorously on a tricky Transfiguration assignment, while Ginny scribbled planet arrangements on her star chart for Professor Sinastra. By midnight, Harry, Ron, and Ginny had said their goodbyes, and left Hermione, who claimed to want to revise her writing. Rolling their eyes affectionately and yawning, they made their ways up to their dooms.

When she had heard Ginny's and boys' dorm door slam, Hermione leaped up and hurried out the portrait hole. The Fat Lady snored heavily, but cursed under her breath as she swung open for Hermione. Hermione murmured her thanks and set off. She knew how to find the Phantom, just as she had done before.

Just as she was about to wave her wand to cast her spell, someone turned the corner, gasped, and rushed towards her. It was Anthony Goldstein.

"Hermione! What a surprise! I had no idea you'd be wandering around here patrolling. Won't you join me?" he asked, his eyes shinning with hope. Hermione, however, was not fooled. She had seen Anthony's eyes drift down quickly to her chest. Feeling nervous, she wrapped her cloak around her tightly and summed up another fake smile.

"Thank you, but no. I must be off. Uh, duties, you know." Hermione laughed shakily, "Bye!" She whipped around, but Anthony was quick. He laughed a deep sinister laugh, nothing like my Phantom, Hermione thought.

"Oh, come on now Hermione. Surely we should be patrolling together. Who else will protect you from the shadows where the Phantom lurks?"

"Oh yes, I'm sure the Phantom is just waiting for me in some shadow." Hermione tugged once more, but Anthony's hand just dipped lower over her butt.

"Of course, he is." And he pinched lightly, yet noticeably. Hermione gasped and heaved all her height into Anthony's stomach, elbowing him hard. Anthony let out a groan of pain, but Hermione did not waste time. She took off in the opposite direction, never looking back.

Hermione took three deep breaths and cast the spell, making sure no one could hear her but the Phantom.

Angel of Music

Guide and guardian

Grant to me your

Glory

Angel of Music

Hide no longer

Secret and strange

Angel

No sooner had she finished, a delicious voice came floating down from the floor above.

I am your Angel of Music

Come to me, Angel of Music

I am your Angel of Music

Come to me, Angel of Music

Hermione dashed up the next flight of stairs listening closely to the Phantom's voice as it led her to a tapestry of Helga Hufflepuff. She pushed aside the tapestry and found a short tunnel. Her feet carried her down to a small dark room with only a small sliver of a window for light, but most of it was blocked. Standing tall and proud was the Phantom of Hogwarts.

"You called?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Hermione walked briskly to him and he grabbed her, whirling her around, and finally dipped her for a sweet kiss. She smiled and let out a quiet mew. "Sweet, sweet, Hermione." He whispered kissing down the valley of her breasts through her robe and shirt. He finally came back to her lips and set her horizontal on her feet.

"I needed to see that you're okay." She said breathlessly. The Phantom ran his thumb over her red lips.

"I am now."

"I was talking about the Hufflepuff that claims to have seen you. Aren't you worried? He described you perfectly," she blushed once more, "even your lust for flesh."

The Phantom smirked and pulled Hermione back into his arms. "Oh I do love the flesh, more specifically, your own. So soft, so creamy, you feel like silk." As the Phantom nuzzled her neck, Hermione tried to keep her mind focused.

"You didn't answer my question." She heard the Phantom snort as he licked eight under her ear.

"I do believe I forgot the question. Your," He licked her neck again, "assets, shall we say, distracted me."

"Aren't you worried that someone will catch you, mainly Zacharias Smith?" Instantly, the Phantom stopped paying attention to her neck and came up to look her in the eye.

"No. I'm not the least bit scared that little pretty boy. Let him bask in his glory. It'll probably be the only glory he ever has. Please, don't worry for me." Brushing back one of her stray chocolate curls, the Phantom added, "Maybe you'd like to tell me why you sounded as breathless as you sang to me. Surely you weren't having a wet dream about me?"

Hermione blushed once more, but became serious. "No, it was Anthony. He hit on me again. He even pinched my bum." The Phantom let out an angry hiss.

"He wouldn't dare touch what I have already claimed as my own." He muttered as he returned to her neck.

"You don't own me either, you know." Hermione said flatly. The Phantom smirked again.

"True, but I'm the only one who can do this." He bit down gently on Hermione's neck, and she moaned out loud. "You only moan for me."

The next morning, Hermione decided to wear a turtleneck with a Gryffindor emblem for classes. Her hickey would attract the attention of not only Harry, Ron, and Ginny, but the school would ask her nonstop who had given her that.

When Hermione arrived for breakfast, Zacharias stood once more over his fellow Hufflepuffs. This time, he seemed to look even more conceited than before. However, if the Phantom wasn't worried, than there was no reason that she should be worried. Keeping that thought Hermione sat down next to Harry, who was laughing with Ron and Ginny.

"Did you hear, Hermione? Smith actually thinks he's going to catch the Phantom." Hermione's eyes grew wide, but remembered the Phantom's words and settled down a bit. Still, she was edgy.

"If Dumbledore couldn't catch the Phantom, how does he think he's going to catch him, set out a cupcake and drop a net on him?" asked Ginny. The boys laughed loudly, and even Hermione giggled.

"Does he think he'll get more girls if he pretends to have a duel with him?" thought Ron looking disbelieving over at Zacharias, who was flexing his muscles.

Breakfast was soon over, and Charms was first. Harry, Ron, and Hermione took a seat in the back and continued their conversation. They laughed so much that Professor Flitwick gave them extra homework, although Hermione had done her Bubble Head charm perfectly.

Herbology made them laugh even more. Zacharias was now doing impressions of himself conquering the Phantom. Professor Sprout smiled mechanically, but Hermione was pleased to see her roll her eyes and grin as she awarded Gryffindor twenty points for Neville's perfectly potted Devil's Snare, which was trying to choke Dean Thomas.

"Wish that plant would attack Smith." Said Hermione.

"Yeah, but he'll just talk the plant to death, then claim to conquer it." Said Harry shaking his head.

Unknown to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, Zacharias had not been lying when he claimed that he would try to catch the Phantom that very night. All night he had planned his scheme, working out each and every kink until he believed that nothing would go wrong.

Dinner arrived once more, but Zacharias stood outside the Great Hall and waited for every student and teacher to sit down and eat before he snuck off towards the dungeons. However, he had not counted on one thing.

The Phantom decided to watch this Zacharias Smith for the day, and what he heard made him laugh. He could not believe this scrawny boy, who had not even become a man yet, was going to try and catch him. Almost no one could catch the Phantom, and the only one who could was sitting between her two best friends and laughing.

He watched Zacharias slink off to the dungeons when everyone was at dinner and followed silently behind him.

Somewhere, he had to be here, thought Zacharias as he checked around a corner. Suddenly, he caught something move from behind him. Smirking greedily, he pulled out a knife her had snitched from the kitchen and held it high.

"C'mon out and fight, Phantom!" he shouted into the darkness. The Phantom stepped out of the shadows, brave and ready to fight.

"Do you honestly think you can take me?" he asked as Zacharias began to shake horribly. Seeming to make up his mind, Zacharias lunged at the Phantom, knocking him to the ground. They rolled across the corridor, struggling for dominance. Using all of his strength, Zacharias tried to force the dagger into the Phantom's throat.

Laughing evilly, the Phantom shook his head. "Not a chance, Mr. Smith."

And the Phantom let him go. Before Zacharias could register what had happened, the Phantom took a long rope out from his cloak and wrapped it around Zacharias' throat. He began to gasp and tried weakly to free himself. The Phantom showed no mercy, and within minutes, Zacharias' body laid stone cold on the stone floor.

"Keep your hand at the level of your eyes."

Dinner ended soundly, and the students and staff's stomachs were filled with the delicious food prepared by the house-elves. The students gathered at the door and walked out into the Entrance Hall. Suddenly, there was a multitude of piercing screams. Teachers, prefects, and the heads heard the screams and rushed forward to see what had happened.

A circle formed around something in the Entrance hall, and Hermione and Ron, as a prefect and Head Girl, pushed their way to the front. When they had reached the front, Hermione nearly threw up.

Hanging from the rafters was the body of Zacharias Smith, dead. Students were gasping, crying, and looking around frightened. There was more shoving, and Albus Dumbledore forced his way to get a decent look at Zacharias. Not speaking a word, he picked up a dagger with a letter attached to it that had been lying on the floor.

To My Dear Professor Dumbledore,

I dislike you sending your students out to kill him. I would've thought that you would've done the job yourself. Killing is not one of my favorite activities, but being hunted and nearly stabbed, I had no choice. I would advise you to come for me yourself if you're so inclined to kill me.

You may also want to warn any other who may try to hunt me to keep their hand at the level of their eyes.

My Sincerest Regards,

Phantom

Dumbledore said nothing for a moment then suddenly he bellowed, "Everyone back to their dormitories, NOW!"

No one needed telling twice. They scattered, still frightened and crying back to their dorms.

Hermione, however, was in total shock and needed to see the Phantom. Pretending to get lost in the crowd, Hermione dashed up to the tapestry of Helga Hufflepuff and threw herself behind it. The Phantom stood there once more. When he saw Hermione, his face remained emotionless as she threw herself into his arms and began to pound his chest.

"Why did you kill him? You could've just run away… or… hid… or just knocked him out!" Tears spilled down her cheeks, but the Phantom held her close as the pounding subsided, and Hermione cried into his chest. After a moment, she said, "I didn't like him, but does anyone deserve that?"

Stroking her hair, the Phantom murmured, "No, but when threatened, I could not let him kill me. I had to stay alive just so I could see your face again."

Hermione looked at him timidly. "You killed him for me?"

"If you wish to think that. I killed him to stay alive. It was me or him, and I chose me."

A/N: What do you think? I hope you liked it! Please review!

Love and Smut,

RonFan