Author's Note

I quote from a book called The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. It's one of my favorite books.

***

Chapter 9

"DON'T MOVE! We're still playing." I heard someone behind me say. Then that same person said, "Check mate." Suddenly I was in a different room full of flying keys. Someone grabbed my hand when they started attacking us. "It's the one with the broken wing!" A different voice yelled. Sounds like Hermione, but I wasn't sure. Lord Voldemort FLASHES before my eyes. I screamed. I was now in a room with fire blocking both exits and potions all around. "Take that one and go that way. I'll go back. Good luck." I heard myself say as I grabbed a potion bottle and drank it. The potion looked blueish-purple. Lord Voldemort again flashed before my eyes except he was speaking. I couldn't make any of it out. I just closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I saw someone who looked like Harry and an adult standing in front of a mirror. What the hell are they doing?? I started hearing laughter and seeing the younger of the two people on the floor in blood.

I woke up in a cold sweat. I sat up and hugged my knees. I couldn't sleep after that. So I got dress, grabbed my schoolwork and heading down to the common room. Olie was up and waiting for his team.

"Couldn't sleep?' Olie asked.

"Something like that." I answered taking a seat in my chair.

"Forgot to do homework? Or did you just want to hang out with me?" Olie asked with a grin.

I laughed. "You caught me."

"I knew it." Olie replied

I laughed again. "Actually, my homework is done and I didn't even know that you were up. Sorry."

"It's all right. I figured as much." Olie joked.

We laughed. I pulled out one of my favorite books and began reading.

"What are you reading?" Olie asked curious.

"The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley." I answered. "It's one of my favorites."

"Never heard of it." Olie replied.

I was surprised. I've got to remember that he grew up in this world. I thought as I stared at him.

"What?" Olie asked.

"Just surprised is all." I answered. "Want to hear one of my favorite parts?"

"Sure, as long as I'm allowed to read the rest of the book later." Olie responded.

"Works for me, though I never would of thought of you as a bookworm." I replied with a smile.

"Read." Olie said.

I laughed and flipped to a different page. "She was accustomed to Hill dress now, and comfortable in it, unlike her first evening in the king's camp. 'Put this on, so,' said Mathin. He gestured to his own waist; he wore a dark green sash. She looked down at herself. Mathin tossed the maroon strip over his shoulder, and pushed her hands away from her sides. He untied the brown cord she had used as a belt and dropped it as if it were trash, and wound the maroon silk twice around her waist, and tucked the ends of it away in some invisible fashion. She looked up: Mathin was wearing the fierce grin she was accustomed to seeing when they crossed swords. 'One of the Hills must have a sash when she goes to the laprun trials, where it will be proved that she deserves to wear it.' He turned away to mount Windrider. Harry stood where she was a moment longer, feeling where the sash seized her lower ribs as she breathed. Then she put her hands on the pommel and cantle of the saddle and vaulted onto Sungold's back as she could now do easily; she had began to consider if she could learn Corlath's way of mounting, which did not seem to require the use of the hands."

When I looked up from my book, most of the quidditch team was either sitting for standing in front of me. I blushed while flipping back to where I was.

"Wow." George and Fred breathed.

"Thanks." I stated not sure if I should.

"I would like to read more." Olie said. "But for now, I've got quidditch practice to start."

"All right. Bye." I said not looking up from my book.

The school was pretty normally, but I knew that detention with Hagrid tonight was not going to be fun. I can't believe I got in trouble again. Maybe I should stop hanging out with people. It seem socializing is the reason why I get in trouble. Well, I guess there's no way around it. I have to spend detention with Hermione, Harry, Draco, and Ron. Though I was impress that Draco had the gusts to follow us in the first place. I thought as I headed to potions' class. I walked in and took my seat next Hermione. Snape actually didn't give us a long lecture and got us started on making potions. He wondered around while did the tasks he wanted us to do.

"Do you know what your necklace does?" Hermione asked.

"Not yet. I plan on asking Varian at Christmas, since he gave me the box it was in." I answered smiling.

"Will you two quiet down? We've lost points already today." Ron asked.

"Whatever." I replied.

We went back to working. I felt my chest starting to burn. I looked up and Snape was standing next me.

"Where did you get that?" Snape asked a little curious.

"My mother gave it to me." I answered.

"Hmm…" Snape said before continuing around the room.

That was creepy. I thought as I watched him go across the room. Snape didn't mention my necklace again for the rest of class, but proceed to take points from Harry and Ron. Class ended and we headed out.

"Miss Rigoletto." Snape called.

Barely out. I thought as I turned back around. "Yes?"

"I wish to speak to you." Snape answered.

I walked towards his desk. Snape waited until everyone was out before speaking.

"Did your mother really give you that?" Snape asked.

"Yes she did. Why are you so interested in a necklace?" I asked back.

"That's no ordinary necklace and my interest is my own." Snape answered.

"Okay. Is there anything else or can I leave now?" I asked.

"You may leave, as long as you tell me the name of the necklace?" Snape answered.

"It's Everdew. Bye Professor." I said then turned and left the room.

Okay. That was really creepy. I thought heading to the Gryffindor common room. Once inside, I found Hermione and started on my homework. Hermione and I helped each other with our homework until dinner. We headed to the Great Hall and sat down. Dinner was severed at once and we all dug in.

"What was it that you were reading this morning to Oliver?" Fred asked.

I swallowed. "A book called The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley."

"It was very interesting." George replied.

"Thanks. It's one of my favorites." I responded.

"I could tell by the way you read it." Fred said smiling.

I smiled back and nodded.

"Hey, Bell. What did Snape want to talk with you about?" Ron asked.

"He just wanted to know about my necklace." I answered.

"You've been wearing that since you got it. Do you ever take it off?" Harry asked.

"Nope." I answered.

I put food into my mouth, while everyone talked about his or her day. Once dinner was over, I headed out to Hagrid's Hut. Draco, Hermione, Ron, and Harry followed. Draco was of course complaining the entire time.

"Draco and Harry, Ron and Bell, Hermione and I. We're going into the Forbidden Forest because unicorns are dying and I need to know why. Stay together. Let's go."

I stood at the edge.

"Come on Bell." Hagrid called.

"I really don't want to." I called back.

"Get in here." Hagrid ordered.

I sighed and walked in with Ron.

We all stayed as close to a straight path as possible, until Draco screamed.

"Bell don't!" Ron called after me.

I was running towards Draco's scream. I found Harry with the dead unicorn and a dark figure coming towards him.

"Harry run!" I yelled.

Both Harry and the dark figure looked at me. The dark figure then moved fast at me. I tumbled backwards just as the dark figure got his hands around my neck. The Everdew started to glow a deep red. A centaur then knocked the dark figure off of me. I stated coughing, trying to breathe. Harry ran over to me.

"Bell, are you all right?" Harry asked worried.

I nodded still coughing.

"Good." Harry said relieved.

The centaur caused the dark figure to leave and fast.

"Hello." The centaur said turning to us.

"Hi." I breathed out. "Who are you? Besides you look really good."

"I'm Firenze." Firenze answered.

"Bell, Harry." I replied.

"I know who Harry is. Are you Rinoa's child?" Firenze asked curiously.

"Yes." I answered. "You knew my mother?"

Firenze nodded. "We better get out of here."

"Thanks for saving us." I said before Firenze left.

Hagrid, Ron, Draco, and Hermione hurried over to us.

"We're leaving now." Hagrid ordered.

We followed Hagrid out of the Forbidden Forest into the light of his hut.

"Bell, you're going to the Hospital Wing." Hagrid ordered.

"Why? I'm fine." I asked.

"You all are going with her. I need to talk to Professor Dumbledore." Hagrid said heading to Dumbledore's office.

Hermione made sure that we all went to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey was very setup with me.

"How did this happen?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she checked out my neck.

"We all had detention with Hagrid, who took us into the Forbidden Forest. Draco screamed and I ran towards the sound. I found Harry and this dark figure coming towards him. I told Harry to run then the dark figure came after me. It grabbed my neck then a centaur came out of nowhere and saved me and Harry." I answered.

Madam Pomfrey put something that looked and felt like cream on my neck.

"Ow." I said at the sting.

"Yes, it's going to hurt for a few days. And the marks on your neck will go away in time." Madam Pomfrey said finishing up with putting the cream around my neck.

"Marks?" I asked.

"You've got hand marks on your neck." Hermione answered.

"You got to be kidding me." I replied.

I waited for Madam Pomfrey to finish. Once she was done, I went for a mirror.

"Great. Hope you one of you can come up with a really good story." I said staring at my neck.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Because Andy will most like hit guys." I answered. "Hermione is the only save one."

The boys started to feel very uncomfortable.

"Why am I the only save one?" Hermione asked confused.

"Because you're a girl and Andy has this agreement with me about hitting girls." I answered moving away from the mirror.

Grandpa Dumbly walked in with Hagrid. Grandpa Dumbly carefully looked over my neck.

"Remind me to never save your sorry butt again." I said looking at Harry.

Harry nodded.

"You all right?" Grandpa Dumbly asked concerned.

"Yes, just a little freaked out." I answered.

"You all better head back to your Houses and get some rest. Take it easy Bell." Grandpa Dumbly said.

I nodded in agreement. Draco, Ron, Harry, Hermione, and I left the Hospital Wing. We were half way to our Houses, when Ron had to start a fight.

"I blame all of this on Draco." Ron said.

"What?! It wasn't my fault that you guys were out after hours." Draco yelled.

"Draco has a point there." I said.

"Whose side are you on?" Harry asked.

"No one's side." I answered.

"Then stay out of this." Ron replied.

"If it hadn't been for Draco, we wouldn't have got caught in the first place." Harry stated.

Hermione just shook her head. "I'm staying out of this and going to bed."

"You guys just hate each other and are willing to do anything for a fight." I said getting upset. "I don't even know why I'm friends with any of you."

Draco noticed me getting upset and back off, but Ron and Harry kept arguing. I couldn't take it anymore. I smacked both Harry and Ron. They were shocked. I shook my head and went the Gryffindor common room. Why do I even bother? Yes like all three of them, but they are such jerks! I thought as I sat in my chair in front of the fireplace. I guess I should write letters to family about what happen tonight. I then got up and went up the stairs. I grabbed my stationary and went back down stairs. Harry and Ron walked in when I reentered the common room.

"I've got nothing to say to you." I said walking over to the fireplace and seating in my chair.

"Well just so you know, we lost points thanks to Snape." Ron said before heading up.

"Don't let Hermione find out." I called with a laugh.

"Why don't you want to talk to us?" Harry asked.

"Because you and Ron were purposely trying to start a fight with Draco. I understand that you guys hate each other, but I really can't be around that. Especially after what just happened tonight." I answered.

"I understand. I'll tell Ron. Please don't tell Hermione." Harry said as he headed up the stairs.

"I won't." I promised.

I then began writing my letter to parents.

Letter to Mommy Ky and Daddy Rick:

So I went to my detention and nearly died.

Thought you guys should know that I've got red marks around my neck.

If you want more information, talk to grandpa Dumbly.

Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine.

I love both of you!

Bell

The letters to Andy and Aza were pretty much the same thing, except they know how to get more information out of me since they are here. After sealing the letters, I got ready for bed.

"Hermione!" I whispered.

"What?" Hermione whispered half asleep.

"You never guess what Harry and Ron did." I whispered back.

"They got more points taken from Gryffindor." Hermione whispered back.

"Wow, you got that right on the first try. Just don't tell Harry that I told you." I whispered before crawling into my bed.

"You didn't tell me. I sort figure that would help." Hermione whispered. "Goodnight Bell."

"Night Hermione." I whispered before going to sleep.