Chapter 5

The next morning Nyx waited for Hermione by the painting of a young man in a pair of shorts and a crazy hat, he was an attractive man with golden eyes, his body covered in snake skin. They often spoke about random things. Where she spoke about the school with the five men around the table, she spoke about friendships and love with the snake man.

"So I hear you made a friend." He smiled, sitting on a cushiony bed, playing with his hat. She nodded, smiling. "Is it a boy?" He looked up, seeming as if he were a bit jealous. She knew he didn't have any feelings for her, but sometimes he came off like he did. Shaking her head she sat against the wall, her legs on either side of the railing as if she were riding it like a horse, lifting her left leg when the staircase changed.

"Nope, it's a girl." She smiled then looked at him, winking. "You know you're the only man for me." She teased. He mock laughed, rolling his eyes.

"There you are. I didn't make you wait long did I?" Hermione asked, stepping down off of the last step.

"No, about 30 minutes, but I had company." She smiled. Hermione stopped and looked at the man in the painting smiling.

"Hello."

"Hey," The man replied, tipping his hat to her.

"You ready?" Nyx carefully climbed off the railing and fixed her skirt so it wasn't stuck anywhere. Nodding Hermione followed her down the stairs. "So, what's on the agenda for today?" Nyx looked after her brainy friend. She was still getting used to having someone to talk to, and could tell that Hermione was still getting used to her too.

"Well, I do have to study for Ghoul Studies and Charm class." She replied, looking thoughtful for a second. "So maybe we can hit the library later on?" Nyx nodded. Stepping off the stairs it hit Nyx as odd.

"Ghoul studies and Charm class?" She looked at Hermione as they headed down the hall. Looking back Hermione nodded. "They're the same period. The only way you'd be able to go to both is if you could be in two places at once." Nyx looked at her confused. Rolling her eyes Hermione smiled back at her.

"Come on, that's ridiculous. No one can be in two places at once." She continued then slowed down, frowning.

"Hermione?" Nyx stopped, pulling her to a stop. "Are you alright? You seem…well…jumpy." She looked at her friend concerned. Sighing Hermione shook her head and looked back up at her.

"Just thinking."

"Thinking about what?" Nyx pushed.

"About Harry." Hermione replied, looking at her.

"Harry…who?" Nyx cocked an eyebrow. Hermione looked at her as if she were nuts then continued on.

"Harry…Potter. The boy with the glasses I spend my time with." She replied.

"Ah," Nyx nodded, knowing now. "What about him?"

"Well…apparently the murderer that broke free from Azkaban, Sirius Black, wants to kill him." Hermione explained, this known fact giving her fear that was obvious in the tone of her voice.

"Why?" Nyx rubbed her arms, crossing them. She knew so little about the people at Hogwarts. She felt nosey for asking but Hermione didn't seem to care.

"I don't know. No one does, but Professor Dumbledore said that he'd make sure Harry wasn't harmed." This little promise from their headmaster gave her hope. Confidence. Nyx didn't see it. What would one man do to stop a murderer?

"Hermione!" Both of the girls turned around as a slightly nasally voice hollered out her name.

"Oh Ron, Harry!" She smiled, waving at them. They stopped next to them, smiling.

"We're heading to the courtyard for lunch." Ron informed her, looking at Nyx.

"Who's this?" Harry questioned, looking at the greasy looking red haired girl.

"You don't know me by now? I'm Miss Fairbourne." Nyx teased, mocking Professor Snape in a deep, stern voice. They laughed.

"This is Nyx." Hermione smiled, looking at the red haired girl. Smiling Harry held his hand out.

"I'm Harry Potter, and this is-"

"Ron Weasley." She nodded, smiling at the other boy. "We met on my first day." She added, not wanting to sound rude. Ron smiled back.

"So you're a part of Slytherin?" He questioned, looking from Nyx to Ron, his eyes skimming Hermione as he moved in a full arc of his friends. She nodded, grimacing a bit.

"Unfortunately."

"She doesn't act like a Slytherin. Both of us think the sorting hat got it wrong." Hermione spoke up for Nyx.

"But you heard the hat when people question it. I never get it wrong. I'm always right" Harry replied, walking alongside the girls and his friend.

"But the hat had said that it was a difficult task to house me," Nyx looked at him. "My head is incoherent, and misty. Filled with rambling thoughts." She looked down at her feet as she walked, thinking it over. "The woman had told me the same thing before I came here." She whispered.

"What woman?" Ron cocked an eyebrow.

"The homeless woman that lived in the alley by my house. I used to get my palm read by her in exchange for meals." She replied. "Really, I just wanted someone to talk to." She nibbled her lip.

"You had a homeless woman read your palm for meals?" Harry looked at her.

"And blankets and clothes…yes." Nyx muttered.

"That's kind of gross." Ron added.

"I think its kind." Hermione chimed in. "She gave the woman clothes and warmth and someone to talk to in exchange for her services."

"Yeah, but homeless people are filthy and have diseases." Ron protested.

"So do people who don't wash their hands or wear condoms." Nyx added. Ron fell silent, knowing she was right. "Besides, that's not the point I was trying to make. The woman read my palms every damn day and was right every time.

"'My dear, your head is so incoherent, the millions of thoughts that run through my head are confusing, but everything is so clear through the lines in my hands. You're life isn't a great one, is it darling? No, and I feel it isn't going to get much better' she'd say to me. She'd always stare into the palm of my hand with that hungry intent. 'I see a magical dark prince in your future. A savior amidst your suffering and pain. Oh he's not very polite is he? His attitude is so sharp he could cut cement like butter with a hot knife. And his followers are just as cruel as him. Becareful darling. When you fall, you're going to fall hard. Keep pushing though and you'll win the heart of the cold prince.' And that was all she'd say before she dug into her meal. Well, it was my meal that I gave to her. I never did eat very well at home." Nyx mused.

"A dark prince?" Ron looked off down towards the court yard as they turned out into the open, shielding their eyes.

"It must be Professor Snape." Hermione grabbed Nyx's arm, hissing with delight.

"Hermione would you drop it? It's not Snape. She said dark PRINCE not asshole." Nyx laughed loudly.

"Snape?" Harry looked at them, not knowing the joke behind it.

"Yes Professor Snape. I mean after all he is such a heart throb." Hermione teased more.

"Yes and Ron looks absolutely amazing in a pink dress." Nyx playfully glared at her. Hermione laughed, imagining it, Harry laughing as well.

"He does have the figure for it." Harry added.

"Shut up Harry." Ron frowned, not enjoying being made the butt of the joke. Sitting down Hermione pulled Nyx down, sitting next to her and made it so Harry sat on the other side of her. Ron was left to choose a spot to sit and chose the other side of Nyx. He wasn't too happy with how Harry just joined right on in on the teasing.

"So you're a first year?" Harry questioned looking at Nyx. She nodded, brushing her long red hair out of the way. "You're a little old for being a first year." He commented. "But hearing how old you are from Professor McGonagall you're too old for being a third year too." Nyx stopped and stared at him, the comment hurting. She wasn't sure what he was hinting at. Whether he was calling her a failure or not, but it sure felt like he was.

"Unfortunately, I have no control over that." She whispered her jaw tense. Sensing the tension over the comment, Hermione jumped in. After all, she didn't want Harry chasing away one of her only female friends.

"Harry don't be rude." Hermione looked at him, her eyebrows furrowed. "How about we ask why she showed up so late?" She turned and looked at Nyx, looking interested. "So, why did you start out so late?" Nibbling on her lip Nyx looked at her feet, trying to figure out what she should tell them, and where should she start.

"Well," She started out, looking up at the building, her eyes squinting against the sun. "My parents were murdered. My…foster parents. And I received a letter saying that I would be protected by Albus Dumbledore." She didn't go into detail. She didn't like getting into it.

"So you're not here to learn." Harry whispered.

"No, she's here to be protected from whatever it was that killed her foster parents." Hermione looked at her seriously, a bit nervous.

"Might as well, kill two birds with one stone." Nyx smiled, trying to lighten up the mood a bit. They were sharing a look amongst each other, one that questioned the safety of their new friend.

"Well," Hermione cleared her throat, roaming through her bag. Nyx looked at her confused, wondering if this was going to the last of their conversation. "Oh bugger," She hissed, practically sticking her head in the bag.

"What are you looking for?" Ron questioned, looking at her.

"My Potions book. I must have forgot it at Hagrids' a couple days ago when we were visiting." She looked at him. "Can you go down and get it back for me?" He frowned, his upper lip curling a bit.

"Why don't you go down and get it?"

"Because I have to run up and get help from Mr. Flitwick. Chances are I'll be up there all day." She replied. Sighing Ron pushed himself to his feet and adjusted his pants.

"Fine, come on Harry, let's go." He turned, taking a couple steps away.

"I can't Ron, I have to meet up with Wood to talk about our next Quidditch match." Harry replied quickly.

"What?" Ron turned around, looking almost betrayed. "So you're going to send me down there by myself? What kind of friends are you?"

"It's just Hagrid, Ron he's not going to kill you."

"No, but friends accompany friends to places like this. What if I run into Malfoy and he decides to sic Crabbe on me to eat me or something?"

"You think Malfoy would be that smart?" Hermione looked at him, snickering.

"I'm just saying, hypothetically."

"I'll go with you." Nyx stood up. Ron looked at her then at Harry and Hermione.

"That's sad, our new friend is more willing to come with me than you are."

"Because we're such horrible people." Harry replied, snickering.

"You are, you're horrible horrible people." He continued on.

"Just, terrible, Ron. Have fun at Hagrids." Hermione smiled, standing. Harry stood and followed her as she headed for the building.

"You two suck." He called after them, watching them walk away. "What if I get raped?" He shouted.

"I told you, Malfoy isn't that smart!" Hermione called back, laughing.

"And even if he was, you'd never feel it!" Harry added, causing Hermione to cackle, then they were gone. Sighing Ron kicked a rock and looked at Nyx.

"Come on. Bloody jerks, what amazing friends." He turned and headed in the opposite direction. Nyx followed him, smiling. He led her through some halls she'd never been in, despite all of her roaming around.

"So you don't like Malfoy?" Nyx questioned, wanting to start up a conversation as they left the building, heading out into the open.

"Don't like is an understatement. We hate Malfoy." He replied, looking back at her. "You hate him too I take it if you didn't get mad at us for insulting him." She sighed, thinking on how to say it.

"Hate is such a strong word. I don't really hate him." She explained, walking next to him down a long hill. "I'd probably have to say…I don't fancy him in the least. He's rude, and crude and always turns to his daddy for money and loves to insult me and humiliate me in front of millions of people. And he blew my face up." She added quickly. Ron looked at her shocked, stopping.

"Bloody hell. He blew your face up?" She smiled and nodded, then laughed.

"Well…not flat out blew my face up, but he made my potion explode which burned almost 90 percent of the flesh off my face." He swallowed hard and looked down the hill at a tiny shack.

"So that was who did it." She nodded.

"So who's Hagrid?" She questioned, stopping to fix her shoe as a rock flipped up into it.

"Oh, Hagrid is the Grounds and Gamekeeper here at Hogwarts. He's a giant but he's really friendly." Ron informed her, waiting. She stopped and looked up at him with a worried expression. She probably failed to mention that she had a phobia of Giant's but it was too late.

"G-Giant?" Suddenly she heard footsteps. They were about 30 feet from the shack, and about 10 feet from them was this monsterous man with a mane of curly, messy hair. Her breath seized in her throat as she stood up straight.

"'Ello Ron. What brought ya down 'ere at this time o'day?" He smiled.

"Came to get something back for Hermione." Ron replied sounding bummed.

"Ah I see. Now, who's this?" He smiled at Nyx. Her heart raced. She could almost literally feel her blood freezing in her veins as she stared at him horrified.

"This is Nyx, she's one of our new friends." Ron explained.

"Well, issa pleasure ta meet ya Nyx. Any friend of Ron, Harry or Hermione is a friend o' me." He laughed lightly patting his huge, bear sized paw on her shoulder. Her eyes rolled back in her head, the Giant dropping from her view as a rush of blue sky and soon bright sunlight flooded her vision. A hard flooring hit her back, but the pain didn't last long as her vision turned black, all sounds gone.

Groaning, Nyx rolled over, her hand moving up to the back of her head. She'd had a horrible dream. A dream she came nose to nose with a giant man with a wooly beard and huge hands. Her eyes fluttered a few times before staying open. She was in a different room, different from her bedroom in the castle. Panicking she sat up, the blood rushing to her head, making her sway uneasily as the room spun.

"Whoa, there. Easy now." The giant man reached his arm out, touching her arm. She gasped and stared at him. Her horrible dream was real. It was really real. Smiling at her Hagrid handed her a little glass cup. "There you go, have some tea. Fix ya right up." Taking the cup shakily she sips at it, feeling not as flustered. The Giant was sitting down, so that was probably why she wasn't fainting again. "So now then. Me names Hagrid, an' Ron told me yer name. Tis a pleasure to meet ya." He smiled, trying again. Nodding slowly, she forced her heart to calm down the best she could before speaking.

"I'm…terribly sorry for fainting on you." She replied, looking down at the cup. "Just…some weird phobia of giants, other really tall people." She explained. He laughed, his stomach bouncing as his loud laughter filled the little cabin.

"Ain't no need to apologize to me lil lady. We all got'r fears eh?" He smiled patting her leg before standing up, heading to the back room. A small creature bounded up to them. It had a beak and large eyes. It was a featherless, furless animal with scaley skin and little T-rex arms with long legs. It cocked it's head at her and let off a little chirp. It was pretty ugly.

"What is this?" She questioned, looking back at the ugly bird like creature.

"Ah, that's Beady, in't he cute?" Hagrid smiled, popping his head into the room for a split second before vanishing again.

"Uh huh." She looked back down at it again. Ron sat in a chair next to the little cot thing she laid on, looking at the small animal questioningly. Turning to face Ron, Beady cocked his head again. On his lap was a book, and on the book –or rather on the book cover on the book- said Hermione. So that was what she'd forgotten. At least Ron had found it and now they didn't have to waist any more time with that giant.

Snatching its neck out the creature grabbed the book firmly in its beak and turned, making a dash for the open window.

"Hey!" Ron called after it, but it was already gone. "Bloody hell!" He shouted, standing. Pushing herself to her feet Nyx pushed by Ron and looked out the window at the bird like creature, making a dash for the woods.

"Come on," She said. She'd told Hermione that she'd accompany Ron to get her item, and she wasn't going back empty handed. Opening the door she ran out, Ron following after her. She chased the creature into the woods where she stopped, staring up at the menacing trees. Ron swallowed nervously and looked at her as he pulled to a stop. "Let's go." She looked at him then turned to take a step into the forest. Gasping he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"We can't go in there! That's the Dark Forest!" He hissed.

"So?" Nyx looked at him questioningly.

"It's forbidden!" He whimpered. Sighing she shook her head and turned, heading into the woods.

"I'm not going to go back to Hermione empty handed Ron." She pushed on. Ron didn't want to go back into the forest, but at the same time he didn't want her to go in alone. He watched as she started to disappear within the trees, soon vanishing. He chewed on his lip and bounced a bit, looking around. Finally he stopped his foot and whimpered.

"I can't believe I'm doing this." And then headed on in after her. He caught up with her a little ways in, fidgeting nervously. Nyx didn't seem like she was nervous at all about the dangers that awaited them deep within the forest. Stopping she looked around, having lost track of the little bugger. It was silent, save for Ron's panicked breathing –which she ignored- behind her.

"Ah, there!" She smiled and pointed. Before Ron could spot where she'd pointed she broke out into a dead run after the ugly little creature. Not wanting to lose her, he followed, doing his best to keep up. Ducking under fallen trees and stepping over roots, they passed through a tunnel that Ron knew all too well. He closed his eyes, praying that they wouldn't come across the same spiders that him and Harry had those few years ago, but his luck was off. She stopped suddenly, causing him to run into her. He looked at her confused and walked around her to see what she had stopped for, and before them on the ground in a bloodied twisted mess was the creature, and in its mouth, the book.

"What do we have here?" A deep, raspy voice rang out over the woods. Ron squeaked, looking forward.

"We shouldn't be here, I told you, we shouldn't be here." He whimpered, his voice high pitched, but Nyx ignored him, looking at Beady. Behind him a large object moved slowly. One furry leg moved forward, followed by another, and another, until this gigantic spider was revealed to them. Nyx's breath caught in her throat as she saw it, her eyes wide. "Humans. I see you so willingly entered my midst again. While you escaped last time, I will not let you escape this time." The spider spoke, looking at them.

"So, it was you speaking?" Nyx questioned, stepping forward.

"Yes, it was I. And, who are you?" He looked at her curiously.

"My name is Ellenyx Fairbourne." She replied, looking him over. "And you are gorgeous." Ron stared at her like she was insane, his eyes and mouth open wide as if he were about to start screaming any moment.

"Gorgeous?" The spider questioned. She nodded, smiling.

"What's your name? You have a name, don't you?" She sounded breathless, like a lover of art oogling the Mona Lisa for the first time.

"Aragog," He replied. "But, I fear that you will not need to remember that name. Though it's not every day a human comes into my midst and acts so calmly. I will regret killing you." He replied. All around them the spiders crowded around. She was just able to catch a glimpse before Aragog cranked a leg back. He slashed at her, knocking her back. She flew back, hitting a fallen tree with enough force to snap the first 4 buttons on her button up blouse and leave brown bark stains up the back of her shirt.

Gasping she fell to the ground, her head swimming from pain. A sudden gasp could be heard as not a single sound was made from the large spider or it's children. She groaned and rubbed her head and shoulders. Looking up she noticed that they were no longer mobilizing.

"Nyx," Ron rushed over, helping her sit up. Hidden from her breasts and blouse tumbled out a necklace with a golden chain and beautiful blue spider cut stone. "Are you ok?" he questioned, checking to see if she was extremely hurt or not.

"What is that?" Aragog questioned, staring at her. She looked up confused.

"What?"

"There, on your breast." He stared intently at the necklace. Looking down she shook her head and stared up at him.

"It's a necklace. I've had it since I was a baby." She replied.

"The Spiders Charm." Aragog whispered. The rest of the spiders made a chattering noise as if they were whispering amongst themselves.

"The…Spiders…Charm?" She looked at the necklace.

"You do not know what power it holds, do you?" Aragog looked at her. She shook her head, holding the necklace tight in her hand. "That necklace, is a contract between the wearer and every member of the arachnid family. That contract states that the wearer must protect the spiders with everything in her power, in exchange for our complete obedience, and our undying loyalty." He explained. "Only one person has had that necklace before you." He whispered. Carefully crawling out of his hole he crawled over to them, his eyes burning with intent. "Miss Fairbourne." He started. "That necklace belonged to a great wizard. A powerful being, but a woman with a wonderful heart. Emilie Lestrange. You must be of great importance as well for the necklace to cling to your bosom with such loyalty." He trailed off. "How may I repay you for my unforgiveable actions?" Stopping she thought about it. Staring up at the huge spider ahead of her.

"Well," She mused, playing with the necklace in her fingertips. "You see, I recently read up on your venom. How rare of an item it is, and how it can be sold for loads of money." She started. Aragog looked at her stiffly, not liking where this was going. "I recently got into an argument with someone," She continued, changing direction of the conversation. "I'm sure he'll appreciate it. Can I, by any chance, have a little to give to him?" She looked at him confused.

"I will not supply your greed. I refuse to give for you to turn around and sell it." He replied sourly.

"No, this won't be sold." She shook her head, looking at him. "This is just an apology."

"An apology, so here I am supplying one human to apologize to another?" He questioned, snorting a bit. Nyx nodded slowly.

"I'm not asking for much, I promise you." They fell silent. Aragog stared at her for a long time, his eyes skimming her, trying to find any truth buried beneath lies, but all he found was concern, and honesty. Sighing he nodded.

"Fine then, you are allowed to take some of our venom." He replied. Nodding she looked around. She needed something to put the venom in. Some kind of container so that it wouldn't go bad by the time she gave it to him. Off to the side she spotted a skeleton tucked under a log and near a rock. In its hand was a glass jar with a screw down cap. Smiling she walked over and bent down. Not really paying too much attention to the dead individual she headed back to Aragog and held up the jar. Lifting up his fang he sank it into the jar, a clearish, murky liquid filling up the container about half way.

"Yuck," Ron muttered behind her. Once taking as much as she felt she needed she pulled the jar away, stroking the fang with a light hand, smiling.

"Thank you sir." She smiled, capping it off. "This means so much to me." She stepped back, holding the jar tightly to her chest.

"You are the owner of the necklace. I couldn't say no to you even if I wanted to." He replied. Opening her mouth she attempted to say another word of praise but Ron interrupted her with a whimper.

"Can we go now?" Turning she nodded.

"I'm sorry Aragog, I have to get back." She leaned forward, grabbing the book from the dead creature. "We should bring Hagrid's pet back." She commented, picking up the mangled bird like creature. Turning she headed back towards Ron, signaling him to follow.

"You'll come back and visit, yes?" Aragog questioned, looking after her. Stopping she looked back. "It gets kind of lonely here after a while." Smiling she nodded.

"I'll come back, soon." Turning she headed back through the woods, Ron following close behind her. They headed for the castle, stopping first to apologize to Hagrid about his pet before heading up. It was about dinner time when they got back and they headed straight for the Great Hall. Walking in she headed straight for the Gryffindor table and handed Hermione her book back.

"Aren't you going to stay and have dinner?" Hermione questioned, looking at her confused, thanking her for the book as she tucked it into her bag.

"No, I'm not hungry, but thanks." She smiled. "I'll see you in the morning though. Goodnight." Bidding her goodnight, she turned and headed for the doors again. She knew that he'd be happy with what she got. And if not happy, then at least impressed. Practically skipping to her room she set the jar down in her trunk and locked it, not wanting someone to mess around with it while she slept and crawled in bed. Tomorrow after class, she'd decided, she'd apologize. Now all she had to do was wait till then and pray no one got the wrong idea.