Chapter 2
The Scarlet Eye'd Menace
The first day of Hogwarts began, Harry still pondering over what happened with Draco and the first year, Yuno. Harry decided to keep his witness to last night's spat a secret until he was ready to tell Hermoine and Ron. His morning was usual as kids looked and whispered about him with the usual gossip. Harry chuckled to himself that he had grown so accustomed to it.
They followed the Ravenclaws into the Great Hall, looking instinctively at the staff table as they entered. Professor Grubbly-Plank was chatting to Professor Sinistra, the Astronomy teacher, and Hagrid was once again conspicuous only by his absence. The enchanted ceiling above them echoed Harry's mood; it was a miserable rain-cloud gray.
"Dumbledore didn't even mention how long that Grubbly-Plank woman's staying," he said, as they made their way across to the Gryffindor table.
"Maybe . . ." said Hermione thoughtfully.
"What?" said both Harry and Ron together.
"Well . . . maybe he didn't want to draw attention to Hagrid not being here."
"What d'you mean, draw attention to it?" said Ron, half laughing. "How could we not notice?" Before Hermione could answer, Professor McGonagall handed out schedules to the trio.
Look at today!" groaned Ron. "History of Magic, double Potions, Divination, and double Defense Against the Dark Arts . . . Binns, Snape, Trelawney, and that Umbridge woman all in one day! I wish Fred and George'd hurry up and get those Skiving Snackboxes sorted. . . ."
"Do mine ears deceive me?" said Fred, arriving with George and squeezing onto the bench beside Harry.
"Hogwarts prefects surely don't wish to skive off lessons?"
"Look what we've got today," said Ron grumpily, shoving his schedule under Fred's nose. "That's the worst Monday I've ever seen."
"Fair point, little bro," said Fred, scanning the column.
"You can have a bit of Nosebleed Nougat cheap if you like."
"Why's it cheap?" said Ron suspiciously.
"Because you'll keep bleeding till you shrivel up, we haven't got an antidote yet," said George, helping himself to a kipper.
"Cheers," said Ron moodily, pocketing his schedule, "but I think I'll take the lessons."
"And speaking of your Skiving Snackboxes," said Hermione, eyeing Fred and George beadily, "you can't advertise for testers on the Gryffindor notice board."
"Says who?" said George, looking astonished.
"Says me," said Hermione. "And Ron."
"Leave me out of it," said Ron hastily.
Hermione glared at him.
Fred and George sniggered. "You'll be singing a different tune soon enough, Hermione," said Fred, thickly buttering a crumpet. "You're starting your fifth year, you'll be begging us for a Snackbox before long."
"And why would starting fifth year mean I want a Skiving Snackbox?" asked Hermione.
"Fifth year's O.W.L. year," said George.
"So?"
"So you've got your exams coming up, haven't you? They'll be keeping your noses so hard to that grindstone they'll be rubbed raw," said Fred with satisfaction.
"Half our year had minor breakdowns coming up to O.W.L.s," said George happily. "Tears and tantrums . . . Patricia Stimpson kept coming over faint. . . ."
"That's probably because they were just amateurs," an unknown voice said beside them. Fred and George turned to see Yuno Lovecraft standing behind them. He gave a friendly smile and wave.
"Aye, ain't you that Slytherin firstie that made the Sorting Hat freak out" Fred asked
"Yeah, Yuno..something," George said.
"The very one" Yuno laughed as he sat down next to the two of them.
"Ummmm…what are you doing?" Hermoine asked as Yuno sat down next to Fred and George.
"Eating breakfast, what's it to you?" Yuno asked as he stole Ron's waffles ("Oi!" Ron exclaimed).
"I see that, but you're with Slytherin. You should be sitting with your house," Hermoine scolded him.
"Eh, don't want to be seen with that crowd, people might get the wrong idea about my magical abilities," Yuno said as he took a bite of his waffle.
George and Fred chuckled.
"I like this midget, he should sit with us." Fred laughed.
Hermoine was about to protest when Professor McGonagall.
"Mr. Lovecraft, while I do like to see you adjusting swiftly to life at Hogwarts, I regret to inform you that you should sit with your own house," she said with a calm and gentle demeanor.
"I don't mean to disrespect your authority, Professor, but I don't see the problem with sitting with people who are a little more accepting towards me, and all I'm doing is promoting in-school relations between the houses," Yuno said as he looked up at McGonagall with a cheerful smile.
"While those noble intentions the rules are in place for a reason" McGonagall replied a little more sternly.
"Oh? And what exactly is wrong with students from different houses getting along? I'd understand if this were class, but it is only breakfast." Yuno replied. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine eyes widened a bit at Yuno's questioning of the Professor.
McGonagall took her time to respond to the rebuttal. "I see where you're coming from, I will let this one incident slide one time, but this will be the last time, understood,"
"Absolutely Professor, thank you, I'll see you in class later today!" Yuno said cheerfully
The blatant and defiant attitude of Yuno dumbfounded Harry. Most first-years wouldn't even consider challenging a Professor, let alone on the first day. "What was it with this kid?"
"Mate," Fred said wide-eyed after Professor McGonagall left "You're a ballsy for a first year"
"Gotta say, respect the guts you got for that little talk," George said.
"It's all in the way you talk to people, catch more flies with honey as they say," he replied with a stretch.
"I still don't like it. You're from a completely different house, you shouldn't be sitting with us" Hermoine said.
Yuno eyed her, for once he didn't have a smirk on his face, he had an unamused frown on his face as his brow furrowed at Hermoine. "If you always follow the rules, you're never gonna make it to the top kid," he jabbed back at her.
"Kid!? she exclaimed with wide eyes. "I'm fifteen! I definitely got more experience than you have!"
"Must not be a lot from what I heard about your skills" he jabbed back
"Excuse me!?" Hermoine's face turned red at the comment, her fist balling into fist with her knuckles turning white."You got any proof to back that up? Because I don't recall ever seeing your name mentioned!" she spat back.
Yuno gave an amused scoff, just as the bell rang. "Love to," he stood up and stared down Hermoine with a condescending smirk. You ever want a duel, just let me know. I'll show you what a real prodigy can do."
"Oh, I will. I'll prove that you're all talk!" she said, her anger only growing.
Hermoine glared at the Slytherin first-year as he walked off to his first class. Harry had never seen Hermoine look so angry, especially at a younger student.
"That is one cocky kid" George chuckled, standing up. "Looks like you got competition, Hermoine"
"I'm not competing with some smug child!" Hermoine huffed, grabbing her bag before marching out,
Harry was somewhat glad it wasn't just him who had a bad feeling about Yuno. There was something off with him. It was only his first day and he was already throwing his weight around. Like he was on par with Dumbledore himself.
The day was long, and the History of Magic was boring as usual. Potions? miserable than usual since it was double with Snape. Divinations, bizarre as it could get, and more talks about Harry dying a premature death, which was always fantastic. It became a game for Fred and George to guess Professor Trelawney's predictions on what way Harry was going to die. One way included Harry dying on the toilet, which Harry hoped wasn't the way he'd actually go out.
Finally, Harry, Ron, and Hermoine found themselves at Defense Against The Dark Arts. When they entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom they found Professor Umbridge already seated at the teacher's desk, wearing the fluffy pink cardigan of the night before and the black velvet bow on top of her head. Harry was again reminded forcibly of a large fly perched unwisely on top of an even larger toad. The class was quiet as it entered the room; Professor Umbridge was, as yet, an unknown quantity and nobody knew yet how strict a disciplinarian she was likely to be.
Harry looked around and was stunned to see Yuno sitting at one of the desks.
"What the hell?" Harry thought to himself. Why was the first year with the fifth years? It didn't make any sense.
"Well, good afternoon!" she said when finally the whole class had sat down.
A few people mumbled "Good afternoon," in reply.
"Tut, tut," said Professor Umbridge. "That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!"
"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," they chanted back at her.
"There, now," said Professor Umbridge sweetly.
"That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please."
Many of the class exchanged gloomy looks; the order "wands away" had never yet been followed by a lesson they had found interesting. Harry shoved his wand back inside his bag and pulled out quill, ink, and parchment. Professor Umbridge opened her handbag, extracted her wand, which was an unusually short one, and tapped the blackboard sharply with it; words appeared on the board at once:
Defense Against the Dark Arts A Return to Basic Principles.
"Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it?" stated Professor Umbridge, turning to face the class with her hands clasped neatly in front of her. "The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your O.W.L. year.
"You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following a carefully structured, theory-centered, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year."
Harry heard a snort from the back as Yuno covered his mouth trying not to laugh. Umbridge didn't seem to notice
"Please copy down the following" She rapped the blackboard again; the first message vanished and was replaced by:
Course aims:
the principles underlying defensive magic.
to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.
the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.
For a couple of minutes, the room was full of the sound of scratching quills on parchment. When everyone had copied down Professor Umbridge's three-course aims she said,
"Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"
There was a dull murmur of assent throughout the class.
"I think we'll try that again," said Professor Umbridge.
"When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No, Professor Umbridge.' So, has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"
"Yes, Professor Umbridge," rang through the room.
"Good," said Professor Umbridge.
"I should like you to turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk." Professor Umbridge left the blackboard and settled herself in the chair behind the teacher's desk, observing them all with those pouchy toad's eyes. Harry decided to look back at Yuno who wasn't reading at all, but instead looking like he was writing notes of some sort, occasionally looking back and pretending to read.
"Mr. Potter?" Umbridge said, breaking his concentration. Harry apologized and continued reading the boring book. He felt his concentration sliding away from him; he had soon read the same line half a dozen times without taking in more than the first few words. Several silent minutes passed.
Next to him, Ron was absentmindedly turning his quill over and over in his fingers, staring at the same spot on the page. Harry looked right and received a surprise to shake him out of his torpor.
Hermione had not even opened her copy of Defensive Magical Theory. She was staring fixedly at Professor Umbridge with her hand in the air. Harry could not remember Hermione ever neglecting to read when instructed to, or indeed resisting the temptation to open any book that came under her nose. He looked at her questioningly, but she merely shook her head slightly to indicate that she was not about to answer questions, and continued to stare at Professor Umbridge, who was looking just as resolutely in another direction. After several more minutes had passed, however, Harry was not the only one watching Hermione. The chapter they had been instructed to read was so tedious that more and more people were choosing to watch Hermione's mute attempt to catch Professor Umbridge's eye than to struggle on with "Basics for Beginners." When more than half the class was staring at Hermione rather than at their books, Professor Umbridge seemed to decide that she could ignore the situation no longer.
"Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?" she asked Hermione, as though she had only just noticed her.
"Not about the chapter, no," said Hermione.
"Well, we're reading just now," said Professor Umbridge, showing her small, pointed teeth. "If you have other queries we can deal with them at the end of class."
"I've got a query about your course aims," said Hermione.
Professor Umbridge raised her eyebrows. "And your name is — ?"
"Hermione Granger," said Hermione.
"Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are clear if you read them through carefully," said Professor Umbridge in a voice of determined sweetness.
"Well, I don't," said Hermione bluntly. "There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells."
There was a short silence in which many members of the class turned their heads to frown at the three-course aims still written on the blackboard.
"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge repeated with a little laugh.
"Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"
"We're not going to use magic?" Ron ejaculated loudly.
"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr. — ?"
"Weasley," said Ron, thrusting his hand into the air. Professor Umbridge, smiling still more widely, turned her back on him. Harry and Hermione immediately raised their hands too. Professor Umbridge's pouchy eyes lingered on Harry for a moment before she addressed Hermione.
"Yes, Miss Granger? You wanted to ask something else?"
"Yes," said Hermione. "Surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?"
"Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?" asked Professor Umbridge in her falsely sweet voice.
"No, but —"
"Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way —"
Yuno's hand shot up, as Umbridge took noticed
"Yes, Mr—-" Professor Umbridge began, cocking an eyebrow at the young student.
"Lovecraft"
"Mr. Lovecraft, what is your query?" she asked with false sweetness
"More of a comment, really," Yuno said with a smug smirk. "If this is how the Ministry trains their Aurors, it's no wonder why they're having trouble catching the remnants of the Death Eaters."
The class gasped at the comment that the young student made. Everyone stared at him like he had gone insane, not just because he was a first-year talking back to a Professor, but because he would insult the Ministry right in Professor Umbridge's face.
She looked back at the young boy, with a smile that was almost comedically forced "Well Mr. Lovecraft, you are just a student. You are not here to tell us, teachers, what we know and what we don't know." she let out a breath and composed herself again.
"I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school," she continued, an unconvincing smile stretching her wide mouth, "but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed — not to mention," she gave a nasty little laugh, "extremely dangerous half-breeds."
"Well, at least Lupin looks like a human most of the time." Yuno quipped.
Everyone gasped at once again, as Umbridge's face got redder and angrier, twisting into a snarl.
"Mr. Lovecraft, if there is one thing I will not tolerate, it is willful rudeness from a student! I would give you detention myself if you didn't have it already with Professor Snape! GET OUT OF MY CLASS, IMMEDIATELY!"Professor Umbridge yelled.
Yuno smiled as he bowed out and left the room. "Guess I struck a nerve," he chuckled as he closed the door behind him
Professor Umbridge looked around as students' jaws were a-gape in shock. "The audacity of that mudblood" Harry heard her say under her breath as she turned back to her desk.
"Class dismissed! All of you! Out!" she yelled.
The class left as instructed. Partially relieved that the boring class had ended abruptly, but people began to whisper about the outburst Yuno caused.
"I didn't wanna say it before, but are you guys getting a bad feeling from that kid?" Harry asked once they were halfway down the hallway
"He may be a first-year, but he's still a Slytherin," Hermoine said with a huff. "Of course, he's bad news."
"No, I mean more than his cocky attitude." Harry then lowered his voice to whisper. " He said, "At least Lupin looks human most of the time." How could a first-year know about Professor Lupin being a werewolf? Especially if he's a muggle-born"
"Now that you mention it," Ron said stroking his chin. "You're right. That was two years ago, and Yuno just got to Hogwarts. There's no way he would know about it, it's old news. And I doubt he knows anyone at this point that would tell him about Professor Lupin."
"Unless someone did tell him before he even got to Hogwarts." Harry hummed. "We should trail him when he's done with his detention."
"Are you suggesting we stalk a student's whereabouts?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Or," Harry said pulling out the Mauraders Map. "We see if he goes anywhere suspicious tonight"
"That's perfect, we should've thought about using the map sooner," she said in excitement.
"See, I have my moments too Hermoine," Harry said with a subtle hint of pride. "Let's meet in the common room after supper"
Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement as they walked towards the Great Hall
(Later that Evening)
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Harry said aloud as he, Ron, and Hermoine tracked Yuno's movements with the Marauders Map in the Gryffindor common rooms. He was currently walking the halls near the library.
I don't see what's interesting about the library anyway, it's only filled with books. Plus, homework is the last thing on my mind, since it's the first week of school" Ron said.
"He is spending a lot of time there, considering he just had his detention with Snape," Harry said as he tapped the table contemplating what the first year was up to.
The trio waited for a good half an hour before they started seeing Yuno walking the restricted section of the library.
"What in Merlin's beard is he doing!? Did he just break into the restricted section?! No first-year is allowed in there!" Hermoine said in shock. She couldn't take her eyes off the parchment as she followed the young Slytherin's footsteps.
Ron let out a whistle "Kid is ballsy. That is a dangerous rule to break!"
Harry grabbed his cloak of invisibility. "We're finding out what he's doing in there," he said.
The trio made their way to the library managing to sneak past Madam Pince and into the restricted section without much difficulty. Yuno looked around to see if anyone was around. They hid behind a bookshelf to get a better look at the young Slytherin. No sign of any books being taken, as he walked around with a smile on his face.
"So why is he here? Does he just walk around for fun?" Ron whispered in confusion.
"Maybe" Harry whispered back which resulted in Hermoine quickly shushing both of them as they hid under the cloak.
After some time Yuno seemed satisfied and raised his hand.
"Mgah'ehye ya llll ai fahff Y' ah llll ahnnn" he chanted as lime green magic surrounded him. He made a circular motion with his finger and inky black energy began to form in front of him
Harry, Ron, and Hermione eyes widened as they watched the first-year cast a spell. The aura he let off, caused chills to go down their spine. It was as if they were watching a Dark Lord in the making. The magic radiating off Yuno was enough to make the trio puke from distress.
Finally, an inky void opened up in front of him, about two feet tall and a foot wide.
"Sup pipsqueak, how's Hogwart treating you?" a young male voice asked from the portal.
"Oh, just dandy, gym-rat." Yuno answered with an annoyed tone. "Pretty sure Salazar lied about his house being for "the cunning and ambitious." All I've had dealt with rich spoiled kids that are set for life after school."
Harry Ron and Hermoine furrowed their brows as Yuno talked to the voice in the inky void. They were talking like old friends, siblings maybe?
"You're complaining about getting the house you wanted?" the voice asked confused
"Well yeah, I thought there'd be an intellectual in Slytherin, but almost everyone in that house is related to each other. And don't even get me started on the older students dating preferences." Yuno shuttered "Especially the stuff I hear from this one creep named Blaise. Reminds me of a hillbilly from countryside Kentucky if y'know what I mean."
The voice began to laugh hysterically as Yuno rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah, laugh it up, moron"
Suddenly there was the sound of muffled footsteps coming from the portal "God meat-head" a young woman's voice exclaimed from the portal "What's with all the laughing? The boss is trying to watch her show"
"Pipsqueaks on the line.. we were just…talking…about his…first..day at…Hogwarts" the male voice said as he calmed himself between laughs.
"He taking delight in my suffering. As usual" Yuno said blankly as he pinched his brow
"HA-HA-HA how hilarious," the female voice said her voice filled with sarcasm. "Seriously though, it's good to hear from you Yuno. Things aren't the same without you here."
Yuno chuckled at the statement. "Thought you said and I quote, "it's going to be nice not hear your smart-ass comments all the time"
"They have a certain charm to them." the female voice chuckled back. "On a more serious note, anything to report?"
"I can confirm Umbridge is a double agent," Yuno answered. "Or at the very least, she's being manipulated by a Death Eater. Either way, she's a valued asset of Tom's by trying to hold the students back from learning any "defensive magic" he made air quotes when he said it. "Make's it easier for him to get to Potter if the Death Eaters catch him and his friends alone somewhere outside Hogwarts, or away from the Order."
Harry, Ron, and Hermoine let out a small gasp upon hearing that name.
"You Know Who?" Ron mouthed to them.
"So good news on both fronts then. She stagnates the students' growth, and Umbridge is a possible lead for us if we want to make a move against Tommy. Not bad for your first day" the female voice congratulated.
Harry, Ron, and Hermoine were taken back their mouths hanging open like she had just shot someone. They had never heard people talk about Voldemort so casually, yet alone so disrespectfully.
"As much as I want that to be the case," Yuno said back "her attitude towards control will likely cause the students to start practicing magic on their own. If that happens, I doubt I'll be able to keep an eye on them on the account I'm just a first-year and a Slytherin"
"So what are you going to do?" the male voice asked.
"I'll lay low for now until you two get here. Since you two are older they may be willing to trust you," he answered. "Afterwards, he can start causing trouble for Albus and his little fan club"
"Alright sounds good, little bro" the female voice with a playful mocking tone when saying "little bro" "We'll see you in a few weeks, and stay out of trouble"
"No promises your highness," he said mockingly with a chuckle. "See ya guys," and with a snap of his fingers, the portal closed.
Harry, Ron, and Hermonie's minds raced as they heard the conversation transpired. Umbridge a possible double agent for Voldemort? Yuno using some ancient magic never seen before? Just what the hell was going on?
"What on earth did we just witness?" Ron asked his voice still a whisper.
"I don't even know anymore, I was expecting a lot of things, but that definitely wasn't one of them!" Hermione answered.
"We need to tell Dumbledore, maybe he.." Harry stopped mid-sentence when he looked back towards Yuno. He was staring at their location despite being under the cloak of invisibility. The boy's eyes were wide and manic, with a blank expression.
Harry, Ron, and Hermoine felt the hairs on the back of their necks stand up. The trio couldn't move, frozen in place as Yuno stared directly at them with an unblinking look. His gaze was unnerving, he wasn't moving from his spot in the restricted area, but his eyes followed every small twitch or movement they made. Even if they were under the cloak of invisibility, they felt like a mouse in front of a snake.
Yuno didn't break his gaze at them as he raised his arm again in a motion like he was plucking a flower from the ground.
"Nw ya uln Cath Pulag'nyth ng ah Iiahe Y' ulnah" Yuno chanted as a dark purple inky void opened up out of the floor. A humanoid abomination began to pull itself out of the void. It had multiple eyes, slashing tentacles, and slimy magenta-purple skin, with multiple tendril-like arms and trio watched in horror as the abomination stepped fully out of the void, and seemed to bow at Yuno, like a creature serving its master. Harry and Hermione kept staring in horror at the abomination using every ounce of willpower not to make a move as they covered Ron's mouth to prevent him from screaming.
"Mgah'n'ghft fahff ahf' ah r'luh llll n'ghftnahh. Ah'n'gha riuh'eor ymg' mgr'luh ahhainah" Yuno ordered the creature in the strange alien language. As he turned around and walked out into a portal he summoned with another chant in an alien language.
The abominations' eyes scanned the room looking for the trio. Its eyes were yellow with black slits like a cat, but gazing into them was like looking death in the face. The tentacles rustled around the bookshelves, gnashing around trying to see if any living thing was there, thirsting for something to kill. Harry was frozen in terror, his heart feeling like it was going to explode out of his chest. He wasn't even sure he was breathing, all he could do was stay absolutely still as best he could.
The abomination went further down the isle of books far enough away that Harry and his friends could move without the fear of being caught. They silently moved as the thing searched the other section, its back turned to them. Creeping ever so slightly knowing that if they made one mistake they were dead. As they moved towards the exit, Hermonie accidentally bumped into the table and a lamp fell to the floor.
Harry didn't even think as he grabbed Ron and Hermoine and pulled them under the desk, pulling the cloak of invisibility over them. He heard the abomination barreling towards them. Its eyes filled with malicious joy knowing its prey was close and squealing with excitement. Its tendrils looked under the desk to see if its prey was hiding. Harry felt his blood run cold as the tentacles slid across the floor inches from where they were hiding. He could smell the rotting fish-like odor from the creature as the tentacles were only inches trio held their breaths as the creature's tendrils were inches away from them. Harry and Ron were both sweating out of fear and paranoia, while tears started to form in Hermoine's eyes.
Harry thought he was going to die, that this is where we would meet his end in the maw of this thing. His mind raced with gruesome and horrifying images of his friend's death at the hands of this creature. He wanted to scream, but his mouth wouldn't let him in a defiant act of self-preservation.
Then, as if it were an act of god, the creature slinked away elsewhere to look for them. Harry, Ron, and Hermoine moved ever so quietly toward the exit as they silently opened the door, creeped out, and closed the door behind them. The three of them stood there in a daze for what seemed like an eternity. They stood there until Hermoine finally broke the silence with a whisper
"Run"
The trio bolted out of the library and passed Madam Pince who yelled at them for running, taking away five points from Gryffindor, but they simply didn't care as they ran like that thing was chasing right behind them. The portrait of the Fat Lady was about to say something, but Harry yelled " Mimbulus mimbletonia" before she could say anything which resulted in the portrait swinging wide open.
They slammed the door shut behind them and put a few heavy objects against it for extra security. Ron was the first to collapse on the ground as he started to catch his breath, with Harry and Hermione doing the same. The two were both shaking from the adrenaline and fear of what they just experienced. Ron looked over at the two and let out a nervous chuckle. All three of them didn't say anything, the image of that creature burned into their minds forever. It was Ron who finally spoke after what seemed like ten minutes of dead silence
"W-what just h-happened?" Ron tried to question as he tried to contain his breathing.
"That magic he did" Hermoine finally said in a quivering voice. She slouched down and cradled up into a ball. "It's...felt...Ancient, forbidden..."
Harry panted in agreement. He knew the feeling Hermione was talking about when Yuno summoned the portal, it felt so wrong and ancient, it made Harry shiver just from thinking about it. After about a minute he was able to calm down enough to bit to produce a clear thought.
"Look, we'll talk about this tomorrow, let just get some sleep and think this through tomorrow..hopefully, he said. Ron and Hermoine nodded in agreement. As the three got ready for bed, Ron couldn't help, but find the bathroom and puke from the stress he went through. That night, all three of them couldn't fall asleep as they pictured those yellow eyes staring back at them from the shadows.