McGONAGALL'S POV

I have never trusted Severus Snape. Not since the first day that I laid eyes on him. I believe him to be as snake in hiding. I worry that one day we shall see his true colors, most likely at the worst opportune time. None the less, he did reach out to me to help with this vampire hunt. I know that took a lot. In fact I'm sure it physically pained him to ask for my assistance. The look on his face gave it all away.

I had to send an owl to Molly this morning. I tried to assure her that even though Ron's situation is dire that we are doing everything that can be done to help him. In the letter I told her that everything would be alright. I know I shouldn't have said it. I just hope that it turns out to be true. That everything really will be alright.

As I searched the castle, checking in every nook and cranny, making sure not to miss any possible hiding place or leave any stone unturned, it takes me back. How many times now have I walked these floors? How many laps have I made around this dusty old castle? This place has become more than just a home to me. Hogwarts is my life. It is my everything. These students come and go every year and I watch them grow, maybe even help them along the way. These students are now my family. I know, with 100% certainty, that I would lay down my life to protect the students, my children and to protect this school. So as I walk here and pier into Hogwarts's dark crevice's, I do not fear the monster that lurch's here, preying on our children.

My own confidence and conviction betrayed me. Blinded by arrogance, the creature snuck up behind me quieter than a tip-toeing mouse, pouncing on me from behind, plunging me face first into the rock floor. My wand knocked from my hand in the melee and skidded across the floor. I clawed at the ground reaching for it but it was just out of my grasp. I tried to scream out but the thing covered my mouth with its hands stifling my screams. With all my might I bit down hard on it's fingers nearly breaking my teeth. This things skin was like concrete. The monster's fangs plunged into my neck, a mortal fear swept over me. With all my might I pressed my palms against the floor beneath me and pushed up in one last shot to escape this monsters grip but my aging body failed me.

A searing burning sensation exploded in my neck. As the venom spread, it felt like someone had injected me with molten lava. The agony was excruciating. I was burning from the inside out. My body began shutting down on me. I'm sure this too was because of the venom. I was fully aware of what was going on around me but I lost control of my own body. My arms and legs no longer flailed and my body no longer bucked. Instead, I lay there helpless to defend myself knowing that I'd soon die while this creature on my back fed on my life-force.

From down the hall, I heard the squeakiest voice call out in an American accent, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Why Alex Smith, hadn't ran when he saw me being attacked I can't imagine but will be forever grateful. Alex's patronus must've hit the vampire with a solid shot because the vampire was sent soaring and I could hear it smash into the bookcases at the far end of the corridor. The monster let out a deathly menacing hiss and little Alex at the opposite end of the hallway screamed in terror.

Lying on the floor, I could hear footsteps and voices. People were running into the hallway at the end where Alex was. I could hear Severus, Harry, Hermione and Dumbledore. "It's invisible!" Alex told the incredulously.

"What?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"Yea, I could see it's feet and just for a second." Alex explained.

"Harry with me." Snape snapped as he quickly shuffled past me.

As Harry ran past, I could hear him say, "Sorry Professor."

When Dumbledore and Hermione reached me, they turned me over onto my back. I could see now not only was Dumbledore, Hermione and Alex there but Luna was too, as quiet and awkward as ever.

"Oh Minerva." Dumbledore said as he gently brushed my cheek. I want to tell him that I was still alive, in extreme pain, but alive but my body wouldn't allow it. I just stared up at him, frozen, a prisoner in my own mind.

ALICE'S POV

The Forbidden Forest did not disappoint. Dumbledore had warned us of the many dangerous and magical creatures that inhabited it. The deeper we delved the more amazed I became. First we passed a solitary Unicorn who pranced away when I tried to approach. The next thing was saw were the giant spiders. Some of those things were as big as a coffee table. Yuck! Not a fan of spiders, giant or not. Luckily they avoided us to, seeming to be intimidated by three vampires strolling through the woods. The Centaurs however were not scared of us in the least. After a brief detainment, they released us when we explained that we were working with Dumbledore and Harry Potter.

A loud cry rang out in the forest, disturbing the otherwise serene setting. I could only describe this cry as a banshee's scream (but in all truth, I've never heard a banshee's scream). Edward and Bella charged in the direction of the scream and I followed. The closer we got to the sound the more I could tell this was no banshee's scream, this was a man crying out in agony. In my lengthy existence, I have heard men call out in pain but I'd never heard anything like this. It sounded horrid, frightening even.

Bella was the first to break through into clearing. I heard her gasp as she stopped short and screamed "JACOB!"

Edward stopped beside her, looking in a mixture of shock, horror and awe. I pushed passed him and saw Jacob's body floating and slowly turning and twisting in the air. I didn't have to see the anguish on his face to know that he was the source of the screams. Beyond him stood two men, one, a wizard, stood flicking a wand that was pointed in Jacob's direction. The other man was a very large, very hairy man with a sinister smile spread across his face.

"Don't take another step." The wizard warned.

BLOATMAN'S CORNER: Wait? What? Did he say Jacob? Oh yes I did. So what do you think Jacob is doing in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts? I can't wait to post the next chapter. I hope you liked this one.

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