A fierce wind was blowing around the castle; rattling the windows and sending a frightening chill through the empty corridors. Harry sat in the dusty library surrounded by large volumes; his eyes squinted as he read the small text. Hermione was seated at the study table finishing her Herbology homework, an essay on Mandrakes and their functions. Mr. Davis was setting up the wooden mannequin, which he had enchanted so that it could talk and had facial expressions. Through this they hoped that they could gain an insight as to how effective their spells were.
"Ready Harry?" asked Davis indicating he should get himself prepared. Harry nodded standing up and placing one of the books back on a packed shelf. Descending the small stair onto the marble floor he removed his wand from his robes. He stood opposite the immobile dummy trying to clear his mind of useless thoughts. Hermione stopped to observe the scene, her quill poised over the long scroll of parchment. Harry had found the spell in a morbid spell book earlier when he had entered the library. Paralysis from magic induced into the nervous system of the enemy. The incantation was quite unusual as it was no ordinary spell. It was broken Latin which made it difficult for Davis to translate but they seemed to be morbid words at that. Mortalitas Singultus Dolor Despero
Davis was quite interested in the prospects of the spell. It would be quite useful when in a cornered situation where escape was imperative. Harry had examined the spell and researched it in other books he had found and they had decided to try it. Taking a deep breath he raised his wand. Closing his eyes he repeated the incantation silently letting it fill his mind. Then he opened his eyes and roared the words. A shaft of purple light erupted from the end of his wand and struck the mannequin's torso. A purple aura surrounded the figure before it collapsed with a clatter. Davis bent over the inanimate dummy and whispered something with his wand pointed at its chest. The dummy's eyes flew open and it struggled to move, giving it the look of someone who is restrained. "Good Harry. Not completely there but you would certainly incapacitate your enemy," he acknowledged with a smile. "Er…maybe you should sit down," he finished seeing Harry's pale complexion.
Harry ran a shaky hand through his black hair before falling to his knees and then sitting slumped on the hard floor. Hermione was immediately at his side while Davis ran off to get a glass of water. "Come on, take off your robe," she insisted pulling it from his shoulders. Perspiration was evident on his forehead and his palms were damp with sweat. After gulping down a glass of refreshing water which Davis had handed him he removed his jumper and loosened his tie. "Sorry," he apologized "I'm just a bit tired. That spell is quite draining."
Davis helped him to his feet and hauled him over to a chair. "Most spells of that calibre deplete a wizard's power. The exhaustion you feel is only natural. But you did extremely well for your first try. Maybe we should leave it for today. Let you get your strength back. You should finish your homework. I hear you're studying Mandrakes. Quite fascinating." Davis returned to his office saying he needed to finish a list of the books in the main library. Harry shuffled through some of his papers and notes and found his essay which was only half-done. Hermione continued finishing her novel sized thesis, occasionally glancing Harry's direction to make sure he was okay. "Hermione I'm fine. It's been a long day, that's all."
Hermione frowned. "I know but you haven't slept a full night in awhile now."
Harry was about to make a futile disagreement before she cut him off. "Don't try to lie. It's quite obvious from your appearance."
"It's nothing Hermione. It'll go away in a few days. Just having problems sleeping, I'm not dying."
Another hour passed until they completed their homework. Davis heard them packing up and hurried into them. "I need to speak to you for a moment. It's about your training," he said taking a seat. He removed his glasses suggesting he was feeling a slight discomfort. "I want Hermione to train with you. Only in magic. It's vital that you both are able to defend yourselves and it will be quite helpful for you to have a partner." Harry remained silent, his face impassive. Hermione also didn't speak. "You will only be learning defensive magic. I don't want you meddling with dark magic. The Headmaster is convinced that teaching Dark Magic to anyone in the school is forbidden but Harry's case is obviously unique. You would be acting as a duelling partner for Harry but it is important that you, yourself, learn to defend yourself to your utmost ability."
Harry sighed frustratingly and placed his head in his hands, gripping his jet black hair. "I will train with Harry. I think you're right, Mr. Davis. It can't do wrong learning to defend myself," Hermione declared decidedly. She sounded her bossy self but Harry felt her gaze on him. He looked dejectedly at her and he seemed even more fatigued than before. She noticed the helplessness in his eyes. He knew he couldn't stop her, that he couldn't tell her what to do or where to go. Instead of disagreeing he just heaved another troubled sigh and nodded at her as if giving meaningless permission. Mr. Davis seeing this silent exchange stood up. "Well then, I will see you both tomorrow night. We'll go over some of the basics which I believe you have started."
The door to the library groaned open and all three bodies turned to see who was entering. Professor Sinistra slipped in the door before turning and closing it with a dull thud. "Hey," she whispered quietly making her way over to them.
"Don't worry, this isn't the main library. You don't have to whisper," Davis joked. Professor Sinistra took in the solemn expression on Harry's face and the nervous one on Hermione's. An awkward silence settled on the company and was only broken when Hermione slid her Herbology text book into her red school bag and stood up. "Goodnight Professors," she said before hurrying from the room. Harry remained seated, staring into nothing, deep in thought. "Your hair is very stylish when spiked up," Sinistra complimented. Harry broke from his reverie and gave her a thankful nod which showed slight embarrassment.
"You know…it's not your fault. This is her choice and you should respect that, if not be thankful for her decision to follow you," said Davis sternly. Harry looked at him for a moment before grabbing his bag and running after her. He caught up with her on the seventh floor corridor walking briskly as if she wanted to escape the school. The corridor was empty and he shouted her name hoping she would pause. She continued, ignoring him as if he wasn't there. He hastened after her calling her name again. "Hermione…please!" he gasped reaching her. He grabbed her arm causing her to stop. She rounded on him, her eyes burning with angry tears. "I'm sorry for not thinking about how this helps you," Harry started immediately so she couldn't interrupt. "I was just worried that you'd get hurt, but learning to defend yourself…it will only help."
Hermione huffed before her expression softened. She smiled sweetly and then sighed in mock exasperation. "I'm glad you agree with Mr. Davis and if I'm honest, I am kinda relieved to be learning to protect myself and others."
"So I'm forgiven?" Harry asked hopefully.
"I guess so Potter," she replied light-heartedly.
They reached the Fat-Lady's portrait. She eyed them distrustfully. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" she asked rhetorically. Harry checked his watch. "Nine o'clock," he said apprehensively. They were out after curfew and the Fat Lady, if she wished to do so, could alert a member of the staff.
"I should report you but as it is late I'll refrain from doing so. You may enter but first I want a password?"
"Wattlebird," declared Hermione.
"You may enter," she stated, swinging forward on her hinges.
Students were scattered throughout the common room, studying or playing chess and gobstones. Harry's dormitory mates were sitting around the fire obviously just completed their Herbology homework. Neville seemed quite ecstatic about his and was rechecking it happily. "Hey," said Harry and Hermione simultaneously sitting down.
"Where were you both?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"Library," replied Hermione throwing a log onto the crackling fire.
"Should've known," said Seamus shaking his head disbelievingly. "Back a day and already back to the library."
"Have you seen the new librarian? He's kind of weird. Major loner if you ask me," Parvati Patil said scornfully. Harry looked up from the crimson fire which was spluttering under the new log Hermione had placed in it. Parvati Patil, Lavender's best friend in Hogwarts, was apparently one of the prettiest girls in their year. Harry wouldn't disagree. She had long black hair which she wore in an elegant plait and dark brown eyes which were enticing to nearly all the boys in Gryffindor Tower.
"He is not!" came Hermione's angry voice interrupting his thoughts. "He's a brilliant man and you have no right to say such disrespectful things. You don't know him at all!" The group around the fire gave Hermione a weary glance before looking away. "Sorry," muttered Parvati quite shocked. "Just sayin' is all," she finished in her thick London accent.
When the majority of students had gone to bed, the others decided to call it a day as well. Lavender and Ron were a few minutes at the entrance to the girl's staircase saying goodnight in a more physical way. Harry and Hermione remained sitting on the soft couch, the fire spreading flickering shadows on the opposing wall. "What are you reading?" Harry asked.
"I'm just brushing up on Potions. God only knows what Snape is going to give us. I still can't believe his behaviour earlier," she said.
"Really," Harry said raising his eyebrows. "I can well believe it. It all stems from this enmity with my dad. I don't think he'll ever get over it. He's drowned himself in his memories."
Hermione nodded sympathetically. "I know he can be arrogant, callous and malicious. But I actually feel sorry for the guy."
Harry smiled mysteriously at her. "What?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing, I just love the way you see the good in everyone."
"It's probably just naivety," she laughed.
"No, it's your heart…I think the world is a better place with people like you in it, Hermione. Innocence is becoming a lethal weakness these days."
A pink tinge appeared on Hermione's cheeks and she bowed her head slightly averting her eyes. "Thanks," she murmured. After another few minutes passed, in which Harry listened to the wind thrashing around Gryffindor Tower, Hermione bade him goodnight and advised him to get to bed soon. He lay down, sprawled on the couch enjoying the warmth emanating from the fire. He soon drifted off to sleep but he wasn't met by sweet dreams.
A ghost passed swiftly by his view as he continued around another empty stone corridor. He felt a thrill of fear course through him and would've stopped if he was capable of controlling his body. But he wasn't sure if he was in a body or whether his weightlessness was the very wind itself. Suddenly he spotted a grey figure at the end of the corridor. It was silent, motionless, blending with the eerie night. As he approached the spine-chilling atmosphere was beginning to play on his nerves and he felt himself shake. Suddenly a terrifying scream rent the air, resounding through the void corridor and causing Harry's heart to stop.
Harry felt a shock stream through him and woke abruptly. He gasped for air but not for long as he jumped from the couch and bounded out the portrait hole. His heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway, cacophonous against the silence. He was beginning to run out of breath as he rounded another corridor and felt winded at what met him. The sight was a mirror image of the dream. Harry inhaled sharply and then considering for a moment what to do next. He continued slowly down the wide corridor, each tentative step increasing his trepidation. The figure didn't move and Harry recognised it as a student but from his view he couldn't see who it was. They had a mop of brown hair and were quite tall indicating they were one of the older students, probably a fifth year. He held out a hesitant hand and briefly touched the figures shoulder.
Immediately the student reacted. Turning it grabbed Harry with a painful grip around the neck and shoved him against the wall. Harry felt himself being lifted off his feet. His vision blurred as his glasses fell from his face, the scene swam in front of him. He stopped struggling briefly as he saw the face of the attacker. It was twisted with fury and the veins throbbed horribly at either side of its head. But it was the eyes that made Harry freeze. Both eyes were black as if oil had been poured into them. Harry felt himself being pressed harder against the wall with the super-human strength exerted by his attacker. Forcing himself to remain conscious Harry got a hold of the foe's wrist. Using wand-less magic he tried to stun the assailant but because of his lack of concentration all it did was make him release Harry, who slid down the length of the wall into a heap on the ground.
He would have believed himself to have lost consciousness if he had not watched, from the ground, the figure walking away as if in a trance. He wanted to follow but his head was swimming from not being allowed to breathe for so long. He held a tentative hand to his neck feeling the bruised skin from the aggressive hold. He was trembling slightly either from the encounter or the face which he had beheld. He had never seen so much ferocity on a young persons face. The eyes were still imprinted fresh into his memory. Dragging himself off the hard floor he stumbled slightly against the wall as he regained his balance. Hastening through the dark castle he arrived at Dumbledore's office.
The gargoyle guarding the passage through to the spiral stone staircase viewed him with disdain. "Do you have any inclination to what time it is? I'll tell you boy, it is well past your bedtime and I am sure if you don't go back you will be in serious trouble with the Headmaster."
"Let me through. It's an emergency," gasped Harry. As soon as the words left his dry mouth he knew the gargoyle did not believe him in the slightest. Just as the argument heated up there was a grinding noise and Professor Dumbledore arrived on the scene, looking worried and for the first time ever, agitated. Harry was so relieved to see him he completely ignored the infuriated gargoyle. He told Dumbledore everything that had happened and watched as Dumbledore grew more concerned. Harry had talked himself into silence and waited anxiously for his reaction.
"What was it Professor? It couldn't have been a student," said Harry earnestly.
Dumbledore looked worriedly at Harry and observed the bruises that were evident on his neck. "Whatever it was, it has the strength of more than one student." They walked at a fast pace to where Harry had been attacked and Dumbledore examined the area thoroughly and cautiously. Harry was waiting for him to instantly chase after the creature as if he knew where to begin but he didn't move, just remained in deep thought. "Shouldn't we do something? Alert the staff or search the school!" willed Harry.
"No Harry we cannot alert anyone. It would cause too much panic. You cannot identify the student and I am quite sure that he has disappeared by now."
"But it's too dangerous to leave a secret. We should find them now. They're obviously dangerous! How can you just leave them?!" Harry nearly shouted.
A few minutes later five more professors were scanning the school under Dumbledore's instructions. Harry was incensed to spot the surreptitious looks of suspicion he received from Professor Snape. When nothing turned up Professor Dumbledore told Harry to return to bed. When Harry enquired again about warning the school Dumbledore replied gravely. "Again Harry I must implore that you keep this information secret. Wide-spread panic will not improve the situation."
Harry couldn't disagree with Dumbledore's view of the situation, but he really wished he could have discovered the identity of his attacker. Its twisted face of anger was still fresh in his mind and it was that memory which stopped him from sleeping the rest of the night. He lay in his soft bed, his body relaxing but his mind deeply troubled. There was a white mist surrounding the castle now, the sound of the pounding rain had ceased earlier.
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Even though Dumbledore warned Harry to remain silent, the next morning he told Hermione everything. Mr. Davis was soon searching through every book in his private collection for any similar situations recorded in history. So far he had found nothing. The next few days passed by quite uneventfully especially for Harry who was anticipating another attack. Classes were the same as usual if not a bit harder. His training was getting very difficult but he was strengthening with each session. He was glad to see the weekend approaching, to feel the slight relief even if it was only for a day or two.
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