This chapter has blood mentioned (and "seen") in it. If that bothers you I suggest you just kinda skim it instead of actually reading it. This will probably be the T-est chapter in the story. . .um, I really like this chapter which could mean that it'll totally flop, but this is also a plot point. . .yep! I use that word way too much. XD
This chapter is dedicated to bograt who waited ever so calmly for this to be posted, pheonixtear19 who left me a review that made my day, and Truby for the beta offer. Thanks you all!
--Chapter 7-Argentum--
A month passed quickly. Ricky and I were still not talking to each other. I'm pretty sure that James Sirius, Maddie, and Veronica had noticed (I would have questioned their intelligence if they hadn't actually), but wisely said nothing.
Shortly after we had gotten back from Christmas break at the Burrow, I passed Ricky in the hallway, kissing Nina for all the world to see. Annoyed, I sent a Leg Locker curse in their direction. What would you have done if they were standing in your way? Plus, he was just doing that to annoy me which, well, annoyed me. That's the trouble with fighting with ex-best friends. They know everything that bugs you, your worst fears, dreams, hopes, and what hurts you the most.
On a different note, Leonora Malfoy now has a "real" reason to hate me. Not that I even did anything. She just had really bad timing:
One evening during dinner, I realized that I had turned in the wrong essay to Professor Ackerman. I waited for him to finish his dinner and asked to be let into his office.
"Of course, Enna," Ackerman consented and we went off down the hall.
"Thank you!"
"Might I ask what it is you left?"
"An essay. It's the one you asked for on detailed wand movements for complex charms. I'm nearly finished."
"How is it going?"
"Fine. I just need to edit the ending a bit."
"I look forward to reading it."
"I'm--do you typically leave you office open?" The door to Ackerman's office was ajar. A soft light radiated from within. Ackerman put his finger to his lips and drew his wand. We quietly slipped in and crept up to the huddled figure near Ackerman's desk. Ackerman poked the figure with the tip of his wand. It screamed and turned around.
"Malfoy?" I gawked.
"P-Professor Ackerman?" she ignored me.
"What do you have there, Miss Malfoy?" he asked, pulling a piece of parchment out of her hands.
"It's--"
"The answers to tomorrow's quiz I see. Well, for this you will not only receive a zero on the quiz, but cost your house thirty points. We will need to talk to your head of house as well.
"Feel free to grab you essay off my desk, Miss Lupin."
Leonora sent me a nasty look. My guess is that she assumed that I knew she had been there nicking the test answers and had gone to tattle. She was probably plotting revenge in her mind already. . .Not that I'm afraid of Leonora Malfoy. I've met spiders more intimidating then her.
A week later Professor Byrd set us to the task of making a magical form of liquid silver. It wasn't a potion she explained, but a very hard substance to create that is used in magical jewelry, complex potions, and werewolf hunting supplies. I tensed at this. Regular silver was bad enough, but with the added ingredients in this, well, let's just say it wouldn't be good for me to touch it.
Before starting, I thoroughly read the ingredients and instructions, making sure that I didn't have to actually touch the silver in any way. Thankfully the closest thing was I had to use a silver knife to cut the bit of pearl required. I'd gotten my silver knife's handled covered in ebony before first year so I was able to use it.
When I was finished, the liquid shone prettily, the surface rippled slightly like there was a soft breeze lowing, and a steam lazily rose off the surface. I held my hand over the cauldron and let the steam wrap itself around my hand. The steam gave my skin the sensation being burnt (like when you stand in direct sunlight during the middle of summer without sunblock). I pulled my hand away to inspect it.
"Pink," I murmured.
"This is for ratting me out," a voice hissed in my ear. Before I was able to move, an entire cauldron full of the liquid silver threw itself at me. It covered my neck, splattered onto my face, and dripped down my robes.
I inhaled sharply. It didn't hurt at first, but as soon as my skin got over the shock it started to burn. I felt it eating away at my skin. Out of the corner of my eye, Ricky's eyes had grown wide and he dashed out of the classroom.
"Mr. Weasley!" Byrd went to the door after him.
I raised a shaking hand to my face and touch it. It was warm and wet. I pulled back to inspect my hand. It was covered in silver and crimson blood. Warm blood. Fresh blood. My blood. I screamed.
I screamed because it hurt like hell. I screamed because it had gotten through enough skin so that I was now bleeding. I screamed because it was getting harder and harder to breath.
"Oh my--someone get the nurse!" Byrd cried out, her usual happy demeanor shattered.
William's voice joined Byrd's, "She's severely allergic to silver, Ma'am. If we don't do anything soon she could die. . ."
"Get the nurse!"
I tried to breathe in, but I couldn't. There was blackness edging into the side of my vision, but despite the fact that it was inviting, I fought against the dark.
I looked around the room wildly, hoping that help would come. But most people seemed to be goggling at the bleeding creature before them. William was trying to get me to sit and Byrd was yelling instructions, looking faint herself. The Hufflepuff boy gave me one last look before dashing out of the classroom. Either he couldn't stand the sight of blood, or he was getting the nurse. I truly hoped it was the second.
I gave up any chance of staying awake and gave in to the darkness.
Snow fell softly around me. I took a deep breath of the sharp, cold air and let it out in a cloud of white mist. I was standing in front of the old Shrieking Shack by myself. . .just thinking. I was suppose to meet Sirius, James, Ricky, and William at Honeydukes soon. Or was it Weasley's Wizard Wheezes? I wasn't sure. I would have preferred something different, but none of the guys wanted to go "girly" shopping. I couldn't wait until Maddie, Veronica, and Angelique were in third year. That way we could go shopping together. . .Only one year to go.
I sighed and turned around, nearly running into someone wearing a long dark cloak.
"Excuse me," I apologized softly and walked on up the hill. The path was deserted and quiet. Silent in fact. One could practically hear the snowflakes hit the ground.
A twig snapped behind me. I turned and saw the blacked cloaked figure standing near a tree I had just passed. I blinked and continued to walk on. Each time I glanced behind me the cloaked figure was closer. When I sped up, so did he.
"Go and get Ricky!" I sent my butterfly shaped Patronus off towards town with a plea of help. I wasn't sure what the person wanted, but better safe than sorry. Thankfully, Harry had made Patronuses third year standard upon his appointment of Headmaster. I'd been able to perfect mine in less then a month.
The figure was getting even closer. I broke out into a run. There was a 'pop' and the cloaked figure was in front of me. I ran into him, and fell back onto the ground. He grabbed me by the wrists and pulled me up into the standing position, but wouldn't let go of me. His touch burned. I noticed something on his hand glint. Silver rings. . .they cut into my skin causing me to bleed. The man pulled back his hood with his free hand, revealing a pale, gaunt face, and wild eyes.
I struggled against his hold, but only succeed in covering my captor's hand in sticky blood.
"Let me go!" I shouted at him.
"No," he said in a low, raspy voice. When I screamed, his other hand grabbed me around the throat and held on tight. He had rings on his other hand as well. My airway was rapidly closing, and I was finding it hard to breathe. Blood slowly ran down his hands.
"Please," I gasped.
The man laughed cruelly, "I know what you are, Monster. You're one of those creatures who killed my wife and baby boy." His grip around my neck tightened. "But you'll pay for what your kind did. Every single one of you!"
My knees buckled from the lack of air. The man let go of my throat, tearing some of the congealed blood in the process, and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a silver knife that glinted hauntingly in the gray light as he raised it over his head. I shut my eyes as he brought it down and--"
I woke up screaming.
---
Short and a cliffhanger? I'm so mean, but hey, it's my birthday and I can do what I want to. . .okay, the lyrics are actually "It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to. . ." but I'm not crying! . . .um. . .yep!
If you didn't get all of them, Enna's reactions to the silver were: burning (in a stick your hand in the fire sort of way I think. . .or is it rash like? I dunno actually), bleeding, and restricted breathing (believe me, severe asthma attacks are not fun. I had to go to the ER once because of my asthma).
I've added the characters Patronuses to their bios in my profile. And I'll be going back through the chapters as I have time to correct some typos of mine. . .I think that's it.
btw, can anyone tell me (except bograt and Truby--I told you two already) what "Argentum" means? It's actually pretty obvious considering what the chapter's about. Probably gave you too much there. . .-shrugs and smiles-
Reviews:
Ginevra lily: Me too. He's a sweet guy. It was a bit mean of Enna, but, well, she felt he deserved it.
The Female Nerd: mebe. . .thank you for the review!
chocoholicbookworm: Ah, thanks a bunch!
frizzyhead: Exactly! Thanks for the review.
TrubySCS3: Well, the whole snogging Nina thing was sorta a response to the end of last chapter. At least I think so. . .you never know now do you? I'm very glad you liked the X-mas chapter. As I said before I had the whole thing in my head ever since I started the story.
bograt: So. . .everything you'd hoped it would be my friend? I truly hope so! I'm glad you liked Tonks and Remus in the last chapter. I always worry that the canon characters will be ooc. But trying to beat up an old bf for kissing her, seemed very Tonks-ish no? Thanks for the review!
phoenixtear19: I was having such bad day when I got your review and it cheered me right up. Thanks! I think Enna has too much integrity to just leave William for someone else. Plus she likes William. . .hope you liked this chapter and thank you again for your review!