The next day I awoke feeling numb. I'd cried all that I could before finally drifting off around three in the morning. I made my way down into the common room, housemates giving me pats on the back, and pitiful looks. Clearly I did not look good, nor did I care if I did.
At seven Professor Flitwick came and escorted the entire house down to the Great Hall for breakfast, on the way down we saw the other heads of houses doing the same. Once every student was inside the hall the doors were closed, two Professors standing guard.
It was also announced that Dumbledore had been suspended, much to the horror of most of the school outside the Slytherin table. That Professor McGonagall was taking over as the interim Headmistress. And finally that Hagrid had been relieved of his duties, though the reasons weren't given and most were to busy talking about Dumbledore
I saw the way the school was now glancing at both me and Harry. Most had guilty looks on there faces, and I assumed this was because they all realized me and Harry couldn't be the ones attacking students. After all Lisa and Hermione were two of our closest friends, and it didn't make sense.
And all these looks did was make me angry, something that was noticed at the table right away.
"Sarah what's wrong? You've gone from sad to looking like to want to strangle someone." Mandy asked me with a concerned look on her face, as the eyes of Michael, Terry, Padma, and Morag were all on me.
But before I could respond a unexpected voice rang out.
"I suspect Sarah is going through a range of emotions. Sadness at one of her best friends being petrified. Also probably sad that Hagrid, whom she is close with, has seemingly been fired. Like the rest of us, she's probably worried with Dumbledore being gone. And the anger probably comes from the fact that it took her and Harry's friends being petrified for most of the school to realize that they haven't been the ones attacking people." Luna said in her usual dreamy, but certain voice as all eyes turned to her.
And all I could do was chuckle darkly and nod.
"Yes Luna, thank you for explaining for me." I say with a sigh, rubbing my forehead.
"No problem." Luna replied dreamily and turned back to her father's magazine. While Michael, Terry, etc. all just seemed to accept Luna's explanation and my confirmation and let me be.
After a moment of trying to simply collect myself I turned to Anthony, whom was sitting right beside me, looking down at his plate, a depressed look on his face.
"Will get her back." I tried to assure him softly.
"I...I know." Anthony replied. "It's just...she's part of the trio...breakfast doesn't feel the same without her sarcastic mockery of Michael and Terry's being late for Essay's, or her ranting about how much she despises having to get up so early."
Every word Anthony spoke just made my heart ache more. He was right, Lisa's absence left a hole, a unfillable one. And it wasn't until she was gone that I realized just how much her snarky comments meant...
And that wasn't even taking into account she was one of my best friends who had always stood by me.
"Merlin." Anthony muttered. "This sucks."
All I could do was simply nod. "I know."
The rest of breakfast passed agonizingly slow until finally Professor's began to escort the different houses and years to where they needed to go. Our first class of the day would be Potions, so us and the Hufflepuffs made our ways over the a annoyed looking Professor Snape.
"All of you stay close." Snape said very sternly, giving Smith his usual death glare before turning and with a whisk of his cloak, marching out of the Great Hall, clearly expecting us to follow.
We all silently do. I noticed all the Hufflepuffs outside of Smith, including Ernie, were glancing at me with guilt ridden faces. Even Smith, who would usually would be glaring daggers at me, was simply totally avoiding looking at me. And though the desire to yell at the group and call them out for the hell they had put me through was strong...I just sighed again and followed Professor Snape to the potions classroom.
We arrived and sat in our usual seats. As Snape closed the door behind us, strode to the front of the class and began to lecture. I tried to pay attention. to listen and not be a dunderhead as Snape would put it. But it was just so hard, and clearly Anthony was feeling the same as the two of us could barely put together whatever potion Snape wanted us to prepare.
As the potion exploded due to the pair of us just not really caring, I was prepared for Snape to, for the first time, yell at me like he had every other student in the school so many times.
"What happened?" Snape asked me and Anthony, looking down at our cauldron with a unreadable expression.
I didn't know what to say but the truth. "I...I am sorry sir. The two of us are just...not with it today." I replied, hoping he knew where we were coming from, that his yelling wouldn't be to bad.
Instead, Snape took a deep breath. Then spoke.
"The rest of you keep working. Miss Potter, Mr. Goldstein to my desk." Snape said in a softer tone than I'd ever heard him use before.
The class was shocked, even when he spoke to me it was more neutral. This time Snape sounded, at least a little bit, like he cared.
So me and Anthony exchanged glances, then stood and silently walked up to Professor Snape's desk while the rest of the class got back to work.
"Miss Potter last year when after your detention in the forest I remember having to order you to the Hospital wing myself. You looked pale, and tired." Snape began, recanting how I was after my experience in the forbidden forest last year. "You look worse now." Snape said.
"I..." I began then sighed, knowing Snape wouldn't take any lies. "I know sir. The events of yesterday have not been kind to me. Or Anthony." I admitted.
"I can see." Snape said looking at Anthony then back at me before pulling out a calming drought. "Last year I sent you to the Hospital wing If I recall correctly, however Madam Pomfrey has told the rest of the staff not to send any students unless we can't deal with them ourselves given the...circumstances. So, here." Snape said firmly handing us both a bottle of the calming drought. "Take it." He ordered.
Both me and Anthony shared a look, then did as Snape asked. Instantly all the anger and sadness I was feeling dimmed. And though it wasn't totally gone, I did at least feel like I would be able to function.
"Thank you sir." Anthony said in a bit more of his usual tone.
Snape didn't reply for a good second, simply staring at both of us, then he finally spoke.
"Now the two of you will follow the instructions on the board and complete the potion I have assigned before class is up, you still have plenty of time." He said in a neutral tone.
"Of course sir." I nodded.
"Good. Go." Snape ordered.
And with that we turned and headed back to our seats. Snape began to pace the room, barking at anyone who messed up, other than me or Anthony as we got to work, and got back on track of making the potion.
"Sarah." I heard a new voice turned to see Ernie, whom was sitting right across the aisle from us. Instead of his usual accusatory tone, it was one ridden with guilt and concern.
"Yes Ernie?" I replied with a soft sigh. If it wasn't for the calming drought I probably would have yelled at him if he tried to talk to me, but now that I was thinking more clearly I would at least hear him out.
Ernie took a deep breath, then spoke. "I just wanted to apologize to you, and I'll be doing the same with Harry when I have a chance. I know you two wouldn't ever attack Lisa Turpin or Hermione Granger. So, I'm sorry."
There was a long silence, part of me wanted to roll my eyes and just ignore him, but the sensible part knew I had so many more important things to worry about that Ernie.
"Okay Ernie. I forgive you." I replied after a long moment.
Ernie looked relieved, smiled softly and held out his hand to shake. After a brief moment of hesitation I took it. "All I ask is you lot." I motioned with my eyes to the Hufflepuffs as a whole. "Do your best to keep Smith from...well being Smith. As is obvious, I'm not doing that well and I'd like not to have to deal with that git."
Ernie looked ready to speak up in defense of Zacharias, after all he was his fellow Hufflepuff and the house valued loyalty, but after thinking over it Ernie simply nodded.
"We'll do our best to keep him away from you for the rest of the year." Ernie said.
"Good." I replied simply, gave Ernie one last nod then turned back to my and Anthony's cauldron.
"You're just going to forgive them? Just like that?" Anthony asked tilting his head.
"Yeah, we have so much going on right now, I don't have time to hold a grudge. Besides, hopefully they can keep Smith on a leash for a while, I really don't want to have to deal with him right now." I replied.
Anthony simply nodded. "I guess you're right." And with that both of us turned our full focus to our cauldron and finishing our potion.
Eventually class wrapped up, me and Anthony putting the last ingredient in the potion just as time was called by Snape. He looked over all the potions, ours passed thankfully, then Snape frowned.
"Now I am to escort you all to your next classes." Snape said as we all finished packing our bags, like earlier when he led us here he looked most unpleased to have to do this in the first place. "All of you, stay close." He finished in a stern tone, then opened the door and motioned with us to follow.
We all followed Snape as he first dropped off the Hufflepuffs in there next class, Charms, then Snape led us to our next class Herbology. Of course we would be sharing this class with the Slytherins, which made most of my housemates tense. Michael and Terry still personally thought all Slytherin's should be expelled, Mandy was just terrified of all of them.
Personally I thought a lot of the worry was a little overblown. I mean, while most of the Slytherins were not nice people, that doesn't mean they should all be thrown out. And even then not all Slytherins were gits. Daphne Greengrass, while clearly having a high opinion of herself, had never been cruel or bullied anyone. Same with Tracey Davis who was quiet, and didn't say much.
Snape dropped as off with Professor Sprout, the Slytherins were dropped off by Professor McGonagall. And we all entered the Greenhouse.
"Were pruning the Abyssinian Shrivelfigs like last time, everyone get to it." Professor Sprout said simply. "I'll be around if anyone needs help."
And with that we got to work. The mood around the room was tense. I heard Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode were whispering and snickering to each other across the room, Theodore Nott was working with Blaise Zabini and the boys where whispering. Crabbe and Goyle were openly laughing while glancing at me and Anthony...
Clearly they were amused by all this.
"Potter." A new voice cut in and I looked up to see Draco Malfoy looking at me with a unreadable expression.
For a moment all I could see was the cold face of his father Lucius. For a moment I wanted to snap at him, ask him how his father could get Dumbledore suspended like that?! But I took a deep breath, after all me, Anthony, and Ron weren't known to have seen that last night. Besides Draco wasn't looking at me mockingly or cruelling and I couldn't just assume he was here to torment me, nor could I hold his fathers actions against him.
"What Draco?" I asked, trying not to sound angry or annoyed.
"Are...are you okay? You're very quiet." Draco asked.
I looked at him in total bewilderment. Draco concerned for how I was doing was not something I expected when I walked into the greenhouse, and seemingly Anthony was just as shocked, and suspected a trap.
"Why do you care Malfoy?" Anthony replied for me. "After all you're probably glad Lisa's been petrified."
Draco instantly frowned as he turned to Anthony.
"I wasn't talking to you Goldstein." Draco spat back. "I'm only asking because me and Potter are...partners on the planting part of exams coming up and I want to get good marks." Draco replied, though he didn't sound that certain of the reasoning.
Anthony was about to retort when I held up my hand. "Anthony, calm down." I told him softly, knowing that getting into a argument with Draco wouldn't do good for anyone, then turned back to Draco. "As to your question, I'm better than I was this morning. But given that two of my friends, plus a prefect from my house who I know, are all now lying still as statues in the hospital wing. Not to mention Hagrid, whom you know is my friend, is now gone...I think you get the picture."
Draco doesn't pry, or mock, he simply nods. "Hmm, well I hope you get feeling better Potter. Our marks depend on it."
"Don't worry. I'll be fine by then, or at least fine enough as to negatively effect our grades." I replied with a wave off my hand, turning back to Abyssinian Shrivelfigs.
"If you say so Potter." And with that Draco turned back to Crabbe and Goyle.
After Herbology finished Professor Sprout escorted us to lunch. I glanced over at Harry and Ron, both of whom looked worried just like I was. After Lunch ended me and the rest of the second year Ravenclaw's were escorted to the last of our classes for the day. Defense Against the Dark Art's by Professor Lockhart.
Despite everything, Lockhart still wore a confident grin as he led us into his classroom. When he saw the somber mood on all our faces he sighed and shook his head.
"My dear second years. There is no reason to frown. Though the heir has gotten this far he won't be going much farther for I, Gilderoy Lockhart savior of souls, am hot on his trail. It is only a matter of time until the heir is caught, your friends are cured, and the school is saved!" Lockhart says with a wide grin.
We all glanced at each other. Michael and Terry both just rolled there eyes, not even hiding there disdain for Lockhart any longer. Anthony just looked down at his desk, while finally Padma spoke.
"We sure hope you find the Heir of Slytherin soon sir." Padma said politely.
"Yeah...if there's anyone who can do it, it's you." Mandy added dreamily as she stared at Lockhart.
"Thank you so much Miss Patil, and Miss Brocklehurst. Now onto our lesson!" Lockhart said beaming as another lesson took place.
It was another standard lesson from Professor Lockhart, and though I wasn't as into it as I had been before Lisa and Hermione had been attacked, I still paid close attention and took in every word as Lockhart lectured, and showcased the defensive spells and charms that he was teaching us today.
As class ended and we all began to pack up, Professor Lockhart came up to me and leaned down.
"Miss Potter. I know the last day or so as been hard on you. But I assure you, Miss Turpin, Miss Granger, Miss Clearwater, and all those others petrified will soon be cured, and your dear friend Hagrid will be back." Lockhart smiled confidently. "As I said at the beginning of class, I am on the case, and I am getting very close to finding the heir."
I looked up at him. I was still sad but the confidence emanating from Lockhart, the fact he'd done so many heroics in the past, and how skilled he'd been all year as our Professor gave me a small bit of hope.
I smiled softly. "Thank you sir, I hope you find the heir soon and bring them to justice."
Lockhart smiled then stood back up tall and addressed the whole class.
"Come now! Lets get you all to dinner." Lockhart said beaming, and led us to dinner.
Dinner was another subdued affair and soon we were escorted back to the Ravenclaw common room. Me and Anthony sat down at our usual spot and tried to do our homework the best we were able to. Both of us were better than this morning, but the loss of Lisa, not to mention Hermione and Penelope, was still really hard to accept. Eventually we did finish and went off to bed. As I stared again at the empty bed of Lisa and wondered who in the world could have done this.
The next few weeks passed as summer approached it was warmer, it was nicer, and despite all that the school was still in a mood of terror, doom, and despair.
"Seems everyone's learned there lesson about assuming another attack won't happen." Anthony told me.
"Yeah. You can say that again." I sighed.
One of the worst things was that we couldn't visit Lisa, Hermione, or any of the other petrified students. When me, Harry, Anthony, and Ron had tried Madam Pomfrey had cracked the door, not let us in and said.
'We're taking no more chances, No, I'm sorry, there's every chance the attacker might come back to finish these people off …' She'd said before shutting the hospital wing door again.
With that there was nothing any of us could do. The only way me and Harry could even talk was by either shouting across the hall during meals, or me and Harry using Hedwig and Uric to send each other letters. Which we had started doing every day.
Harry had reminded me and Anthony of Hagrid's last words before he could be taken away by Fudge. How we needed to follow the spiders. Of course me and Anthony had agreed to look, but it seemed that all the spiders in the castle had just up and disappeared and this made me only more frustrated and annoyed. It seemed like whenever there was a clue we'd take one step forward then two back.
It was infuriating.
Until there was finally a breakthrough, a little over two weeks to the day that Hagrid had been taken away. At dinner that night Harry sent me another letter. I quickly opened it.
Me and Ron saw some spiders during our Herbology class today. They were heading in the direction of the forbidden forest. Me and Harry plan to head there tonight under the invisibility cloak. Would you like to come? If you do just nod to me now, and we'll pick you and Anthony up at the same stairwell we dropped you two off last time.
At the mention of the forbidden forest I felt my stomach dropped. I remember what happened last time I'd gone in that accursed place. The dead unicorn, what I didn't know was Quirrell and V...Voldemort. Not to mention the place is naturally dark, and terrifying to begin with. And Harry and Ron were going to go in there, this time with no Hagrid around.
As much as I wanted to say no, to tell them this was stupid...I couldn't...because following the spiders was the only clue we had to finding the culprit, finding who hurt Lisa, Hermione, and everyone else.
I quickly turned to Anthony and showed him Harry's letter under the table. His eyes widened in terror at the thought. He leaned over and whispered in my ear...
"There actually thinking of going into the forbidden forest alone? Are they insane?" Anthony asked.
I nodded, then sighed.
"I...I think I'm going to go with them." I replied very softly, and Anthony's eyes widened in shock.
"S...Sarah that's... it's not safe, not at all. And...what if something happens to you like last time you went into the forest? Hagrid won't be there this time." Anthony replied whispering, clearly trying to talk me out of going with Harry and Ron.
"Yeah, but if the is even a one percent change that following the spiders helps find the culprit, exonerates Hagrid, and gets justice for Lisa...isn't it worth it?" I ask in a soft, nervous, yet firm voice.
Anthony takes a moment, then takes a deep breath.
"I...I guess but. This isn't just sneaking down to Hagrid's like two weeks ago. This is going into a dangerous place that's literally called the Forbidden Forest."
"I know, but Hagrid, Lisa, and Hermione, and everyone else is worth it. It's really stupid, I know that, but I'm going." I reply and Anthony takes another deep breath.
"Then I'm going too. As much as my brain is saying not to go, my heart says I have to." Anthony replies, giving me a small smile.
I couldn't help but smile back. "Thank you."
"Well, what are friends for if not this?" Anthony asked with a small chuckle.
I chuckled too, then looked over to Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table. Harry was looking at me waiting to see what my response would be.
I nodded. For a moment Harry looked surprised, I again nodded and mouthed "I'm sure." To him. He simply nodded in reply.
Tonight, we'd go back into the Forbidden Forest.
Later that night me and Anthony stood quietly at the base of the stairwell that led up to the Ravenclaw common room entrance. There was a blind spot, so as long as you were quiet and didn't move much none the the patrolling Professors, or Prefects would be able to see you. We were waiting for Harry and Ron to pick us up under the invisibility cloak.
"Where are they?" Anthony asked me in a whisper, clearly the stress of getting caught on top of everything else was getting to him.
Before I could reply we heard footsteps and almost jumped, only to see Harry and Ron appear, only there faces visible.
"Come on, get under." Ron said quickly.
Both me and Anthony nodded and got under. Without another word the four of us quietly made our way through the dark corridors. Like last time, we had a few close calls with the amount of Professor's and Prefects who were seemingly everywhere. Eventually we made it back to the large oak doors that led out onto the grounds. We very slowly opened, snuck through them, closed the doors behind us, as the four of us made our way out onto the dark grounds.
As soon as we were far enough away from the castle that we were sure no one would be able to hear us, Harry spoke.
"Where going to get Fang, feed him, then take him into the forest with us." Harry said softly.
"Good idea. Fang will surely be a lot of help." Anthony said, still obviously nervous. Me and Harry shared a look and decided not to mention to him that Fang was a coward and wouldn't be that useful, as we learned last year when we went into the forest.
Ron then suddenly spoke up.
''Course," He said as we approached Hagrid's hut. "we might get to the Forest and find there's nothing to follow. Those spiders might not've been going there at all. I know it looked to me and Harry like they were moving in that sort of general direction, but …"
Ron's voice trailed off, and I was reminded how much he hated spiders.
"It'll be okay Ron." I try to assure him, but to be honest I wasn't certain myself.
The four of us finally arrived at Hagrid's hut, which was dark, empty, and had a sad feeling given where Hagrid currently was. As we entered Fang went crazy with joy. Barking and trying to jump up on us.
"He's going to wake up the whole school." Ron said worriedly.
We all quickly looked around, found some old treacle fudge from the other day in a tin on the mantle, then fed it to Fang, the substance temporarily gluing Fang's teeth together and stopping his barks.
"Was that good Fang?" I asked softly, giving him a few soft pets.
Fang happily waved his tail, as Harry put the invisibility cloak on the table. Anthony looked confused as Harry noticed this.
"We won't need it in the forest. It's so dark in there no one will see us." Harry explained. Anthony swallowed nervously then nodded.
"If you say so." Anthony replied
Harry then turned to Fang, and patted his leg. 'C'mon, Fang, we're going for a walk,' He said, Fang happily smiled and pranced out the door and towards the forest as the four of us followed behind to the Forest's edge.
As we arrived at the path into the forest Harry took out his wand and muttered. "Lumos." As the tip of his wand lit up.
"Good idea Harry." I said as I got out my own wand. "Lumos." I said as the tip of my wand lit up. Anthony did the same, as Ron simply nodded.
"Good thinking," Ron added 'I'd light mine too, but you know – it'd probably blow up or something …"
"Oh yeah, your wand is broken." Anthony remembered.
Ron nodded sheepishly as Harry put a hand on his shoulder and pointed his wand ahead. Two spiders were going along, racing away from the light of our wands and into the darkness of the forest.
"OK," Ron sighed in a resigned tone. Clearly thinking we were all about to die a horrid death. "I'm ready. Let's go."
"Yes. Let's." I added as the four of us plus Fang began down the path and into the pitch black forest.
The four of us walked in absolute silence, the only sound being that of crushed twigs, Fang snuffing, and those of the forest itself. Me, Harry, and Anthony's wands were the only source of light as the sky slowly disappeared from sight as the trees got thicker and thicker.
We followed the path, and the spiders who were still on it, for a good twenty minutes. Finally the spiders stopped following the path, and started going off into the dense foliage.
We all tried to look, to see where the spiders were going, but it was pitch black outside the light that my, Harry, and Anthony's wands provided. All was saw was the spiders going into complete darkness.
"Hagrid told us last time we came in here not to leave the path." I said softly to Harry.
"Yeah. But Hagrid is currently sitting in a cell in Azkaban. And after all, he told us to follow the spiders." Harry replied, and all I could do was nod.
There was another long moment of silence until Harry suddenly jumped and stepped on Ron's foot.
"What is it?!" Anthony asked in terror.
"Sorry. Fang just licked my hand." Harry replied. We all took deep breaths, as Harry finally spoke.
"What d'you reckon?" Harry asked the three of us.
"We've come this far," Ron said with a sigh.
"Yeah." Anthony agreed. "It's to late to turn back now."
Harry nodded, as I spoke.
"Then lets go."
The four of us plus Fang followed the spiders off of the path and into the darkness and trees. We all stayed close together, trying to avoid getting scratched by branches or trip on roots and stumps, the whole time keeping a close eye on the spiders. Sometimes one of me, Harry, or Anthony would have to crouch down to see the spiders and make sure that we were still going in the right direction.
We walked once again in silence for what seemed like another half hour. The trees kept getting more dense, until eventually it seemed like the ground was leading us in a slanted, downwards direction, and you couldn't see anything other than trees all around.
Suddenly Fang let out a loud bark. Causing all of us to jump. Me and Anthony hugged each other in terror, while Ron grabbed Harry's elbow, while Harry was looking straight ahead as if he saw something.
"What?" Ron asked Harry in a loud, nervous voice.
"There's something moving over there," Harry told the rest of us softly "Listen … Sounds like something big."
We all listened. Sure enough to our right was moving. It had to be big because we all heard it snapping branches as it moved.
"Oh no," said Ron, beginning to panic. "Oh no, oh no, oh –"
"Oh Merlin, where all dead, where all about to die." Anthony began to mutter in terror, clinging to me like I was his mother.
"Shut up," Harry said quickly. "It'll hear you two."
"Hear us?" Ron replied in a terrified, high pitch tone. "It's already heard Fang!"
Anthony could do nothing but close his eyes in terror as he shook in terror.
We all just stood there, waiting for something to happen. We heard a strange rumbling noise, then suddenly everything went quiet.
"What d'you think it's doing?" Harry asked softly.
"Probably getting ready to pounce," Ron replied in terror.
"Or call for backup." Anthony said, equally as terrified.
For my part I was to scared to even say anything. Anthony was clinging to me like his life depended on it. I was silently praying for us not die horrible deaths.
Finally, Harry broke the silence. "D'you think it's gone?" Harry asked the group in a whisper.
"Dunno –" Ron began but before he could even finish his sentence there was a bright light. I clung to Anthony just as tightly as he was clinging to me, both of us assuming we were about to die. I heard Fang try and run in terror only to be stuck in some thorns
"Harry!" shouted Ron. And to my surprise it wasn't in horror or terror, but relief "Harry, it's our car!"
"What?" Harry replied in shock as me and Anthony actually glanced at what they were talking about.
Indeed, it was the same Ford Anglia that Mr. Weasley owned...well until Harry and Ron had used it to get to school at the beginning of term. I remember last hearing how it had sped off without Harry and Ron.
Well here it seemingly was.
"What's a car?" Anthony asked totally confused.
"A muggle transpiration device." I answered for him. "This is what Harry and Ron took to school when they crashed and broke a bunch of rules. Remember?" I asked.
Anthony thought, then his eyes lit up. "Oh yeah."
As we were speaking Ron was already racing over towards the car.
"Come on!" Ron called for us to follow. So finally me and Anthony let go of each other and chased after Ron, as did Harry, as we reached the car which was sitting in a clearing. The car was surrounded to the sides by thick trees, and above my thick branches.
Ron approached it, and it approached Ron like a dog would it's owner. Anthony was staring at it in amazement. His fear gone for at least a moment as he looked for the first time at the muggle device.
"Well I'll be, muggles sure do know how to make amazing things." Anthony said.
"It's been here all the time!" Ron said excitedly as he walked around the car. "Look at it. The Forest's turned it wild …"
Indeed the car looked like it had seen better days. Mud was everywhere, paint was slowly peeling off, the widows were badly fogged. Fang did not like it one bit and stayed close to Harry, shaking in fear.
The rest of us began to calm down. Harry put his wand away as the headlights were lighting the area. And Anthony began to examine the car in aw.
"Your father owns this Ron? Truly remarkable." Anthony said.
"Thanks." Ron said with a laugh. "And we thought it was going to attack us!' Ron said as he leaned against the car, petting it like one would a pet. "I wondered where it had gone!"
While Anthony was busy examining the car, I noticed Harry crouch down and begin to look for more spiders. I went over and tried to calm Fang down, giving him a few pets.
"It's okay Fang. It's just a car." I said softly.
"We've lost the trail," Harry said as he stood, seemingly no spiders in sight "C'mon, let's go and find them."
But as he turned back to Ron and Anthony, both boys were frozen in terror. Both were shaking, and both were staring straight past me and Harry, around ten feet above the forest floor. But before me or Harry could turn to see what was going on, I felt something soft and fuzzy grab me around my waste...and a clicking sound in my ear.
"What the..."I said in shock. But before I could say anything I was lifted roughly up into the air and hung upside down. I tried to call Harry, Anthony, or Ron to help me, but I quickly that whatever had a hold of me had friends and that all the boys, along with Fang, had all been picked up and were taking us somewhere.
"Let me go!" I screamed in terror, fighting, clawing, struggling to get out of whatever this thing that had me was. After I realized it was pointless I finally tried to see what it was.
It had six very large, hairy legs. The front two of which were holding me with sharp, black pincers. Everything was so chaotic but around me I could see Anthony, Ron, Harry, and Fang had all also been caught by the same type of creatures and that we were being carried deep into the forests. All of us seemed to have lost our voices, the only sound being the creatures and poor Fang's barking cries as he tried to get free.
I didn't know how long the creatures carried us for, all I knew was that the whole time I was waiting for it to bite down on me and end it. Until finally the creatures carried us into a large hollow where I could see spiders, thousands of them crawling all over the leafy ground. But that wasn't scared me the most. No the scariest part was the large monster like spiders. The type you'd hear about in books and fairy tales, but these were real. Massive, hairy, eyes eyes fixed on us.
"Oh god...were going to die." I told myself freezing in horror.
The spiders carrying us led us to the center of the hollow, to what looked to be a giant web. They dropped us right before it. Anthony was shaking, Ron looked like he wanted to scream but couldn't, his eyes wide in horror. Harry was sweaty and pale, Fang just cowered silently in the middle of us, and I...well I assumed I looked like the others, at least if the amount of uncontrollable shaking was any indication.
And my fear only increased when the spider that had been carrying Harry began to speak.
"Aragog!" The spider called. It's pincers moving with every word it spoke "Aragog!"
And from the web entered the biggest spider of all. It was massive, clearly the oldest given it's body had a large amount of grey and that it was moving slowly.
"What is it?" This Aragog asked as it looked around revealing his clear white eyes, a tell tell sign the spider was blind.
"Men," The spider whom was carrying Harry replied.
"Is it Hagrid?"Aragog asked looking around aimlessly.
"Strangers," This time the spider who'd carried Ron replies.
"Kill them," Aragon replied in a annoyed tone. "I was sleeping …"
We all froze in terror, except for Harry who was the first of us to find his voice.
"We're friends of Hagrid's!" Harry shouted in desperation as I finally found my voice.
"Yes. Great friends!" I add, hoping that being Hagrid's friends will have the spiders show us mercy.
All around us the spiders clicked the pincers togethers as if silently communicating
"Hagrid has never sent men into our hollow before," Aragog finally replied, again in a very slow voice.
"He told us to follow the spiders." I say, my voice shaky.
"Hagrid's in trouble," Harry added, his breathing quick. "That's why we've come."
Behind us Ron and Anthony were both still to nervous to add anything. As Aragog and the other spiders again exchanged pincer noises and looks.
"In trouble?" Aragog replied in what I assumed must have been the spiders concerned tone. "But why has he sent you?"
"They think, up at the school, that Hagrid's been setting a – a – something on students. They've taken him to Azkaban." Harry replied, clearly trying to remain calm.
"Yes, a...a monster from the Chamber of Secrets." I say.
At this all the spiders flinch in worry and fear. Me, Harry, Ron, and Anthony all share a look. Finally, after all the spiders finally stop clicking there pincers, Aragog replies once more.
"But that was years ago," Aragog replied in a fretful tone. "Years and years ago. I remember it well. That's why they made him leave the school. They believed that I was the monster that dwells in what they call the Chamber of Secrets. They thought that Hagrid had opened the Chamber and set me free."
"And you … you didn't come from the Chamber of Secrets?" Harry asks nervously.
"I!" Aragog, his pincers clicking in fury. "I was not born in the castle. I come from a distant land. A traveler gave me to Hagrid when I was an egg. Hagrid was only a boy, but he cared for me, hidden in a cupboard in the castle, feeding me on scraps from the table. Hagrid is my good friend, and a good man. When I was discovered, and blamed for the death of a girl, he protected me. I have lived here in the Forest ever since, where Hagrid still visits me. He even found me a wife, Mosag, and you see how our family has grown, all through Hagrid's goodness …"
"So you never – never attacked anyone?" Harry asked nervously, clearly scared about offending the old spider.
"Never," Aragog replied firmly. "It would have been my instinct, but from respect of Hagrid, I never harmed a human. The body of the girl who was killed was discovered in a bathroom. I never saw any part of the castle but the cupboard in which I grew up. Our kind like the dark and the quiet …"
With that response I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. It wasn't Hagrid, he was innocent, the vision that Tom Riddle had showed Harry was wrong. Still, this didn't mean we know what the monster was.
Clearly Harry was thinking the same thing.
"But then … Do you know what did kill that girl?" Harry asked. "Because whatever it is, it's back and attacking people again –"
But before he could finish Harry was cut off, the spiders all around us began to squirm and click away angerly. Ron looked ready to Puke, Anthony to faint, and my hands looked as white as the moon.
"The thing that lives in the castle," Aragog explained "Is an ancient creature we spiders fear above all others. Well do I remember how I pleaded with Hagrid to let me go, when I sensed the beast moving about the school."
"What is it?" Harry asked desperately.
Around us there was another loud round of clicks. Anthony leaned over to me.
"T...there getting closer." Anthony said in horror. I looked around, indeed they were.
"I don't think they plan on letting us go." I reply softly. Anthony nods.
"No, they don't." Anthony replies, and I felt my stomach drop as I subtly began looking for any gaps in there lines to no avail, while Aragog spoke again.
"We do not speak of it!" Aragog replies in a fierce tone. "We do not name it! I never even told Hagrid the name of that dread creature, though he asked me, many times."
At this response Harry, having noticed all the spiders having gotten closer to us, and Aragog seemingly done with the conversation, as the old spider was backing into his web.
Harry simply nodded. "We'll just go, then," He tried to say.
"Go?" Aragog replied slowly. "I think not …"
"Oh no." I muttered, a sense of doom now overwhelming inside me.
"But – but –" Harry tried to say, but was cut off by Aragog.
"My sons and daughters do not harm Hagrid, on my command. But I cannot deny them fresh meat, when it wanders so willingly into our midst. Goodbye, friend of Hagrid."
We all spun around in terror. Anthony screamed, I shrieked, Ron almost puked, and Harry's eyes widen in terror as before us stands a wall of spiders blocking any chance of escape. The pincers clicking, there black eyes fixed on the four of us with murderous intent.
Still, we weren't just going to sit down and die, even if it was helpless. But as we were all reaching for our wands for a desperate last stand, there was a flash of light as down the slope of the hollow came the Ford Anglia. It pushed through the wall of spiders, knocking many onto the backs and others fleeing out of the way. Eventually stopping right in front of me, Harry, Ron, and Anthony, it's doors flying open as if to invite the four of us inside.
"Get Fang!" Harry yelled as he dove into the passenger seat. Ron grabbed Fang and threw him into the back seat, where me and Anthony also dove in. Ron then dove into the drivers seat. As soon as the four of us and Fang were in the car's doors magically slammed shut, and took off driving, hitting more of the spiders in the process. The Ford Anglia drove as fast as it could up the slope of the hollow,
Soon enough we were out of the hollow and speeding through the forest proper, the Anglia expertly avoiding the trees on a path it somehow knew.
Finally, Harry was the first to speak.
"Are you guys OK?' Harry asked the group as a whole. He first turned to Ron. Who still had his mouth open but his eyes went as wide any more, though all he did was stare straight ahead. Anthony kept swallowing and shaking his head, and muttering to himself about how we were still alive. While I was taking deep breaths, and fidgeting with my hands.
"Were alive." I finally replied simply. Harry simply nodded and for the rest of the car ride the four of us rode in silence. The only sound being Fang, whom had started to howl as the car made its way through the thick forest, or when the wing mirror snapped off when squeezing between a tight patch of oak trees.
After around ten minutes the forest began to get a little less thick and we could all see the sky again, as suddenly the car screeched to a halt and we all were jerked forward.
"I...I think that's the edge of the forest." Anthony muttered quietly.
Sure enough in front of us was the end of the Forbidden Forest. Fang quickly jumped out the window, not even waiting for the doors to open, his tail between his legs. It took us all a minute to collect ourselves as first Harry, then I, Ron, and finally Anthony climbed out of the car. Harry gave the Ford Angela a pat for saving our lives, as the magical car then turned and headed back into the forest.
The four of us silently walked back over to Hagrid's hut. Harry went inside to get the invisibility cloak. I went inside to check on Fang, whom was shaking on his blanket. I silently refilled his food and water, gave him one last pet, then walked back outside with Harry as we closed the door behind us.
Out by Hagrid pumpkin patch Ron had puked several times, while Anthony was leaning up against the side of the hut trying not to do the same.
"Follow the spiders," Ron said trembling, wiping his mouth with his robes. "I'll never forgive Hagrid. We're lucky to be alive."
"Very lucky. If that car wasn't there." Anthony added, shuddering at the thought.
"I bet he thought Aragog wouldn't hurt friends of his," Harry replied softly
"That's exactly Hagrid's problem!" Ron replied, slamming his fist into the Hut's wall. "He always thinks monsters aren't as bad as they're made out, and look where it's got him! A cell in Azkaban!" Ron was shaking furiously now. "What was the point of sending us in there? What have we found out, I'd like to know?"
"That Hagrid never opened the Chamber of Secrets," said Harry, throwing the cloak over all of us, then taking Ron by the arm and making him start walking back towards the castle, I did the same with the shaking Anthony. "He was innocent."
Ron gave a loud snort, and Anthony rolled his eyes.
"Raising a giant, killer, spider isn't my idea of innocent." Anthony said bitterly.
"Come on guys, Hagrid was desperate, he was being taken away to Askaban for a crime he never committed, heck he was expelled fifty years ago for a crime he never committed, let cut him some slack." I finally spoke, my voice shaky.
Anthony sighed. "Fine." He muttered, still clearly shaken and annoyed with Hagrid.
Ron simply nodded, as Harry made sure the four of us were all totally covered with the cloak as we approached the castle. We softly went back through the large oak doors into the castle. We snuck by the patrolling Professor's, holding our breaths, as Harry and Ron led us back to the blind spot at the base of the Ravenclaw tower and then headed off.
Me and Anthony quickly and silently made our way back up the stairs, answered the bronze eagle knockers riddle, and were once again back in the safety of the Ravenclaw common room.
"Well Sarah. That..." Anthony swallowed.
"I did tell you it was incredibly stupid." I said.
"Yes, and it was." Anthony said, sighing then giving me a soft, tired, chuckle.
"But like you said, it was worth it, for Lisa." Anthony said. "And the others."
I nodded. "Hopefully we never have to do anything like that again." I sighed, then smiled softly. "I don't enjoy having to play the roll of reckless Gryffindor." I admitted.
Anthony simply sighed again. "Me neither." He admitted. There was a moment of silence then the time of night began to catch up to him "Anyways, I'm going to try and get some sleep. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." I replied, and with that we split up. Anthony to the boys dorm, me to the girls. As I laid in bed I thought of what we did know. That Hagrid was innocent, that the monster wasn't Aragog. But I also thought about what we didn't know, what we really needed to know. And that was.
Who was the heir? And what was the monster from the Chamber?
I asked myself these two questions over and over all night until I finally drifted off.