Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Fear - chapter 2

Hermione's POV

I sit down on the gravel beach on the edge of the lake and take another sip of firewhiskey from already half-empty bottle. How could I be so dumb to open that book? It had a skull carved onto its leather cover… I've seen strange symbols on completely harmless books before though, not that uncommon, but those firm ropes really should have been a clue.

If only I stopped to think and advised with a professor about it. I heard there was a special room in Hogwarts for handling dangerous items. I still don't know how it appeared in my bag. I'll guess I'll never know. Of course McGonagall thinks I stole it and madam Pince, the librarian confirmed that I was always moving about the library.

Strangely nothing happened to me even though I was closest. Some people got really hurt. Maybe it is best I got expelled instead of going to Azkaban or something. I could get a muggle job after all, and I would still keep in touch with Harry and Ron and the wizarding world, I tried to comfort myself, but it didn't work, the firewhiskey was doing a much better job. I drank more as it got darker and the moon and stars slowly appeared on the sky.

Pansy's POV

I wonder what keeps driving me further. I walk down to the lake followed by the howling from the distance. It's almost dark, it will be a cold spring night, and I have short sleeves and skirt. I keep rubbing my arms trying to warm up.

One question was bothering me more than the cold. What will they do to Granger? I wondered fearing that may become my punishment as well. I think nobody saw me take the book from the library. I'm not sure though.

Strangely I feel a bit guilty as well, I want to know the consequences of, sort of my actions. I've never caused anything this big. I mean, making fun of people never got anyone hurt, right?

The school is to blame, for keeping such a book in the reach of students. I'll advise Granger to use that argument. I just hope I don't draw suspicion to myself by doing this.

I thought my sense of guilt had dulled like any other feeling. For I lived in such a world where feelings were kept inside, were they not proper, and slowly you became that pretence you proclaimed to be. I was unaware of all this as life went by, but it greatly feared me that I could become like my parents, I didn't want that. In fact I want to tell the truth sometimes, but lying and sticking with the program is often just a lot easier.

Lost in thought I finally I spot a figure stretched out on the gravel. It's her!

I feet something stop me. I guess I could just walk away and deal with this in other way. Maybe it's best I keep my distance. A warm bath and bed sounds tempting right now… No! I burning to know more!

Hermione's POV

I hear light, careful footsteps on the gravel. I can't even see the person approaching me, things are getting blurry. "Who's there?" I yell out leaning on my elbow.

"It's me." I hear the girl say as she approaches.

I can see the outlines of black bob cut hair and a green streaked Slytherin tie. I frown and instantly feel a headache. "Parkinson… what the hell… *hic* …do you want?!"

"Granger?! You're drunk! Know-it-all mudblood drunk!" She exclaims snickering.

"Not drunk enough!" I say taking another large sip from the bottle and collapse on my back laughing. Everything is starting to feel a bit silly, like a weird dream. Parkinson showing up here, assures me it is more of a nightmare.

"Give me that! I think you had enough!" She says trying to take the bottle from my hands. What can be confused as care is probably a prelude to some joke of hers, I'm certain.

I yank the bottle back and it almost brakes on the gravel. "Come to kick me while… *hic* …kick me when I'm down Parkinson?!"

"Tempting, but I won't do that." She says. "Why are you drinking anyway? What did McGonnagall tell you?"

"Well… your wish came true. I'll be… I am, rather… *hic* …kicked out of Hogwarts! Yea… I got one week… *hic* …and goodbye. One mudblood less, right?"

She doesn't reply but only looks back at me with a mixture of shock and pity.

That makes me angry, I don't want her pity. "At least I won't have to look at your face bitch!" I try to stand up only to find out I can't keep my balance and I fall back down.

Pansy's POV

She can't even stand. I doubt a bookworm like her can handle alcohol. I for one have never seen her drink before.

After a bit of hesitation I rush over to help her up as she mumbles incoherently. She starts clinging to my skirt so I jump back, and as I do she sprawls over the gravel.

I panic and kneel down to check if she's breathing. I can feel her breath on my hand, looks like she just fainted into a deep sleep. It's best I leave now, it's dark and I'm freezing. Also the lake always scares me at night, seeing that black water on the moonlight, I have a feeling something will jump from it any moment, and the events of today are still vivid in my mind. I run off back to the castle.

End of ch2-