The Phantom of Hogwarts
(The True Story)

Chapter Two: The Phantom

The next day Hermione felt wonderfully distracted. She could not help but let her mind drift as she wondered what amazing things he might show her. The day passed, almost unnoticed by her, until one of her friends brought her back from her musings.

"You saw him last night," Luna stated, taking a seat across from her in the Great Hall.

It wasn't uncommon for students from different houses to sit with each other during supper on occasion. However, Luna did so almost every meal. She would visit with Hermione and Neville as much as possible. Luna had done this since the first time she met Hermione nearly four years ago. Hermione did not mind, as she did not have many friends herself. Luna could be rather odd at times, but that just added to her personality.

"Saw who?"

"The Phantom," Luna whispered. "He visited you in the Library."

"He's not a phantom."

"I knew it!" Luna squeaked. "It's written all over your face!"

"Calm down, Luna!" Hermione hissed. "Okay ... yes, I saw him."

Luna beamed with excitement. "Is he proud of you for receiving perfect marks on your OWLs?"

"I believe so. Though that's not what we talked about."

Hermione stirred her stew, thinking about just how much she did know of her Master of Magic.

"Oh, I wish the Phantom would tutor me too," Luna sighed dreamily. "I will take my OWLs this year, and I want to do well."

"I can tutor you, Luna." Hermione knew that he would not be so willing to teach another. She had asked him before. "That is if you'd like me to."

"Oh, yes! When can we start?"

"Well, how about this evening in the Library? The Phantom, as you call him, does not request my presence again until Thursday."

"That would be wonderful!" Luna exclaimed.

Hermione smiled at the look of glee on her friend's face. She knew that Luna was just as anxious to spend time with her as she was to study. Her, Ginny, Neville, and Ron were Luna's only real friends at the school.

"Hey there, you two," Ron greeted, taking a seat next to Hermione. "What's got you so excited, Luna?"

"Hermione is going to tutor me for my OWLs."

Ron smiled. "Excellent. None better than our Hermione."

"I agree," a regal voice interjected, causing them to look up.

Draco Malfoy, of Slytherin house, stood behind them.

"Congratulations, Granger, on your OWL scores," Malfoy continued. "Of those receiving top marks, you were the only to receive extra merits."

"Thank you, Malfoy. I saw in the Weekly that you received top marks as well. Congratulations to you as well."

Malfoy nodded curtly in her direction. "Thank you."

Hermione could see Ron's ears redden as he stared up at Malfoy.

"I was wondering … that is … those that received high scores in their OWLs are forming a study group to start to prepare for next year's NEWTs," Malfoy continued, looking as regal as ever yet unsure of himself. "I speak for the entire group by saying that we would be honored if you would join us."

At once, the ceiling darkened and rolled with thunder as lightning streaked across the enchanted sky. Everyone, including the teachers at the staff table, looked up in puzzlement. As quickly as it had happened, the enchanted ceiling turned a soft shade of blue to reflect the sky outside once more. Everyone in the Great Hall, except Hermione, marveled at the strange occurrence. It left an eerie feeling with her, and she wondered if he had somehow been responsible.

"I will consider your offer, Malfoy."

Hermione's response snapped Ron, Luna, and Malfoy's attention back to her from the enchanted ceiling above. She knew that she would have to ask him before accepting.

"Excellent, er, that is …" Malfoy cleared his throat. "I do hope that you decide to join us. We would benefit from your insight."

Malfoy nodded once more before returning to the Slytherin table.

"Before you say a word, Ron," Hermione held up a hand in his direction, "I know that you and Malfoy have had your differences in the past. We all have had at least one disagreement with him. That stated, he is only attempting to organize a NEWT study group – not overthrow Hogwarts."

"Malfoy is very political, Hermione," Ron retorted. "He's probably using this as a way to subtly interview witches and wizards for positions in his cabinet when he runs for Minister of Magic."

"I wonder if the Phantom made the enchanted ceiling rumble," Luna muttered to herself.

Hermione nearly choked at the look of shock on Ron's face as he stared open-mouthed at Luna.

"W-What?"

"Ron, did you not see the lightning streak across the enchanted ceiling? Surely you heard the rumble of thunder."

"Luna, of course, I… oh, never-mind." Ron rubbed his forehead. "Luna, there is no Phantom of Hogwarts. It's just a legend."

Luna glanced at Hermione, who shook her head no. Ron took this as Hermione siding with him and added, "There. You see, Hermione agrees with me."

"Where's Neville and Ginny?" Hermione asked, looking to change the subject.

Ron ladled some soup into his bowl. "Ginny's going over some new Quidditch strategies with Dean, and Neville has an appointment with Professor McGonagall to discuss his new pursuit."

"New pursuit?"

"He wants to pursue being a Herbologist. There are specific studies that he must start now if he doesn't want to be in school for another five years."

"Good for him," Luna interjected. "Neville does love Herbology. Now Hermione, back to our discussion before Ron, Malfoy, and the Phantom interrupted. When can we start my OWL lessons?"

Hermione chuckled as Ron rolled his eyes at the candidness of Luna. "We can start tonight, Luna. Can you meet me in the Library at eight o'clock?"

"Oh, yes. I cannot wait to get started. Should we set some food aside for Neville and Ginny? I'm sure Neville will be hungry, and Ginny will be famished after a hard workout with Dean."

Ron dropped his spoon in his stew and Hermione fell out laughing. She was sure that Luna had just given him a mental image he was desperate to erase. The one thing that no one could seem to get Luna to understand was that the way you worded your thoughts was just as important as having them.

~~~The Phantom~~~

Later that evening, Hermione met Luna in the Library to study. They began going over various potions and brewing techniques, as that would be her most challenging subject. Professor Snape demanded much from her students, and if it had not been for him, Hermione would have undoubtedly struggled.

Hermione started when only an hour into their review, Luna inexplicably yawned before laying her head on the table and falling fast asleep.

"Luna?"

"She will wake again … when I'm done," the voice that Hermione knew so well and yet remained a mystery hissed.

Hermione spun around to see him leaning against a bookshelf. "I did not expect to see you tonight."

"Forgive me for interrupting your lesson, my Angel, but I thought it prudent that we discussed … things." her Master of Magic cooed.

"I'm only helping her with her OWL studies. I will show her only what she needs to pass."

"Luna Lovegood is not my concern, Angel." Her mysterious teacher smiled beneath his hood. "I find watching her about the castle to be a true joy."

"You watch her?"

"I watch everyone that lives within the walls of Hogwarts. I see everything. I hear everything, including the arrogance of fools that believe that they can profit from the intelligence of my Angel of Magic."

"The enchanted ceiling …" Hermione hesitated. "Was that you?"

"Yes. I allowed my magic to surge. Sometimes people need to be reminded that I am still here."

Hermione drew up her courage. "All these years you have taught me, and yet I still have no idea what to call you. Luna refers to you as the Phantom, but what shall I call you?"

"I once had a name," He replied softly. "Though Luna is correct, my Angel. I am the Phantom of legend. When you speak to her, you may refer to me as the Phantom. When you think of me or speak to me, you may call me whatever your heart desires, but I am the Phantom."

Hermione's heart pounded, and her breathing became shallow at his words. She found them close to intoxicating.

"When you say you see everything, Master …. Do you mean that you can see everywhere in the castle?"

"I do not peer into or enter the sacred places of Hogwarts unless I'm invited."

"If I was to ever invite you into one of those sacred places…" Hermione whispered, her own heart fluttering at her words that did not seem to be her own. "Would you come?"

"I will come to you wherever you beckon me to come." Her Master of Magic closed the gap between them until only inches separated them.

"Should I join Malfoy's study group, my Master?" Hermione whispered, her breathing ragged as she looked up into his piercing green eyes.

"If you wish to join his group, I will not stop you. However, I cannot teach someone who is not fully committed."

Hermione couldn't look away. "Then, I will decline his offer."

"Then you shall remain my Angel of Magic," the Phantom whispered, sending a shiver up her spine. "I will see you again in two nights."

The Phantom snapped his fingers and disappeared, leaving Hermione mesmerized where she stood. The moment he was gone, Luna awoke.

A/N: And there's the next chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! Please review and let me know what you think. The next chapter will be posted tomorrow.

JB