Revelation II-Lycantor

REVELATION II-LYCANTOR

CHAPTER THREE-THE FIRST DISAPPEARANCE

"I would never turn on Hermione," Harry said firmly.

"Maybe not...but the wolf half is very hard to control," Annabelle replied.

Harry and I looked at each other.

I felt very uneasy about this whole thing.

"Please keep him locked up as the crescent moon approaches," Annabelle said. "And he will change."

"Where would you like me to be locked up? I'm at Hogwarts. There isn't exactly a good place for me to go there," Harry replied stiffly. "Do you suggest I use handcuffs?"

Annabelle's lip twitched. "They might be of help,"

"We don't have handcuffs," I said, but then I had an idea. "Harry what about the room of Requirements?"

Harry looked at me.

"This is ridiculous. I'm not a werewolf!" Harry snarled irritably. "Please leave Hermione and I alone."

With that, the turned on his heel and began walking toward Zonko's Joke Shop. I looked at Annabelle helplessly.

"Please keep a close eye on him and wear this," she said as she pulled out a titanium based medal and handed it to me. "It will keep him in line but you must be around him 24/7 until the crescent moon comes. Then, it will be of no use."

"How do I stop it?" I asked putting the medal around my neck.

"Pray," Annabelle replied then pulled the hood back over her head and began walking away.

"HERMIONE," Harry snapped.

I turned and walked toward Harry.

I checked my watch. It was time to head back to Hogwarts.

Harry and I headed over to where the carriages were. We climbed in one and waited while the other students gradually arrived.

Harry turned to me and his eyes moved onto the medal.

"What's that for?" he asked nodding toward it.

"Oh. It's just 'good luck' medal that Annabelle gave me," I replied casually.

Harry nodded and seemed satisfied.

Everyone arrived and we began heading back to Hogwarts.

When we arrived back, I headed up to the common room and grabbed the book. Harry said he needed to use the bathroom. I needed to read more on Lycantor werewolves and what to do to stop someone from changing. I curled up on the chair in front of the fire and turned to the page where I left off:

Lycantor werewolves do not pick up their mind reading ability until the first crescent moon. Then, the ability will be at its strongest. A titanium medal blessed by a priest worn by the relative or friend of the 'bitten' will keep the transformation at a minimum during the day. At night the person must stay within 3 feet of the 'infected' in order to keep the transformation at bay at night.

If the medal is taken off or lost, then the transformation will begin.

When the person has changed into a full blown wolf, his or her mind will be there, but barely. The wolf half is very powerful and strong.

I closed the book as I heard Harry coming into the common room and stuffed it back into my bag.

"Hey. Everything turn out okay?" I asked jokingly hoping that he didn't sense anything.

"Fine," he grinned back. "90 pounds lighter."

"That's good," I replied grinning back.

Harry sat beside me and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs.

"Listen. I would never turn against you...ever," he replied quietly.

"You heard what Annabelle said though. The wolf half is very powerful and probably overwhelming," I said reasonably.

"That's if I'm a werewolf," Harry said.

I sighed.

There was some slim chance that I might've imagined those scratches. But what about those odd sensations Harry had? Those couldn't've been chance guesses...could they?

I shivered. If they were just guesses then Harry could be labeled 'psychic'. They were just too creepy and accurate. I didn't know what do think anymore.

"Try not to worry too much okay?" Harry said softly putting his arm around me.

He gave me a kiss.

There was an odd sensation that trickled down my spine. It was revulsion and fear. Emotions I had never felt around Harry. I loved him. Why were these emotions rising?

I forced a grin on my face.

"Come on. We've got Charms and then Potions," Harry said brightly.

I pulled off my cloak. "Okay. Let me just put this back in my trunk,"

Harry nodded. "Good idea. I'll do the same,"

We went to our dorms and I neatly folded the cloak and put it carefully into the trunk.

Just then, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I screamed and jumped from being startled.

"Geeze, sorry Hermione. Didn't mean to scare you," Lavender said looking amused.

"I'm sorry, Lav. I'm just a little edgy, that's all," I apologized.

"How's Ginny doing?" she asked.

"She seems to be doing a little better. Speaking of Ginny...where is she?" I asked realizing that I haven't seen Ginny at Hogsmeade or since we came back.

"The library I think. She told Parvati that she wasn't going to Hogsmeade that she wanted to do some research or something," Lavender said shrugging.

"Okay. Thanks," I said.

I decided to quickly head to the library and see if Ginny was there.

As I was leaving my dorm, Harry appeared.

"Hey. Listen. I've got to ask Ginny a question and I think she's in the library. Meet you at Charms?" I asked brightly.

Harry nodded. "Sure,"

"Great,"

I left the common room and headed down the corridor.

I entered the library. Sure enough, Ginny was sitting at one of the tables engrossed in a big book. I went over to her.

"Gin? What are you doing?" I asked.

Ginny looked up startled.

"Oh. Hi Hermione. Just doing a bit of some research," she said.

I sat down beside her and gently lifted the hardcover of the book up so I could read the title.

"Werewolves, Vampires and Demons," I read aloud.

"I want to see if there is anything on Lycantor werewolves," Ginny said meaningfully.

"You aren't going to find them in there. I have a book with them in it," I said reaching into my bag and pulling out the book.

"The odd thing was this wasn't in the library until the other day. Madam Pince couldn't even figure it out," I replied.

"That is weird," Ginny admitted scanning through the book.

"The weird thing is what I saw when I was leaving the library," I replied.

"What did you see?"

"I thought I saw Ron in the shadows," I replied.

Ginny's eyes swelled with emotion. "Really? He is probably looking over us now,"

"When is the funeral?" I asked quietly.

"Next week. Professor Dumbledore said I could leave and take some time off. He even said you and Harry could if you want to," Ginny replied in a soft tone.

"That sounds like a good idea," I replied sighing.

"So what did you find out about Lycantor werewolves?" Ginny asked clearing her throat. Ron was a painful subject right now for both of us.

"Well, they don't get their mind reading ability until the first crescent moon and that titanium and a special potion is the only way to kill them," I replied.

"Kill? We don't want to kill Harry...just rid him of the curse," Ginny replied.

"You and I know that...but Harry seems to think he's perfectly fine and I am starting to think I imagined those scratches," I said.

"Hermione. I've known you for how many years now? Six? You've never lied or anything like that. You did see those scratches...I know you," Ginny replied.

"I guess you're right...but how come Harry doesn't think he was a werewolf?"

"Would you?"

"No. I guess not," I replied.

"Listen. I've got Transfiguration now," Ginny said. "We'll talk more tonight."

I nodded as I took the book from her and stuffed it back into my bag.

We left the library.

I met up with Harry in Charms.

"So, what was the question that you needed to ask Ginny?" he asked as we took our usual seats.

"When Ron's funeral was," I replied. "It's next week. Dumbledore said that we could take off for a bit if we needed to."

"I'm fine," Harry replied. "But I miss Ron though."

"I miss him too. I think it might be a good idea," I said.

"You can if you want. I think I'll stay here at school. Keep busy," he replied.

I found that a little odd, considering how close the three of us were, but then again, it might just be how he deals with it. Especially after Sirius was killed last year. I also knew that Harry wasn't really the 'emotional' type. He didn't really show his emotions to well except when he was angry and happy. The sadness seemed to have trouble coming through.

I didn't say anything and we prepared for our lesson.

Later on, after Potions, which Professor Snape so wonderfully took 10 points away from us again for no reason, and Harry was almost restrained again for nearly lunging toward the teacher, we settled into the common room. Ginny and I were deep in conversation about Lycantor werewolves and I told her about Annabelle.

"So she was Professor Solaris' daughter?" Ginny asked wide-eyed.

I nodded. "Yeah. She told us that she tried to stop Professor Solaris, but she was too strong for her. She also gave me this medal to keep Harry's 'transformation' to a minimum," I said fingering the titanium medal around my neck. "The only thing is I'm going to have to sleep in the boys' dorm."

"Why?"

"Because in order for it to work, I have to be 3 feet from him,"

"How are you going to manage that one?" Ginny asked her lip twitching.

"I have a plan," I grinned.

Ginny grinned back. "Okay. I'm heading down to dinner. See you later,"

She got up and left, Harry's eyes following her as she left. Then, he moved his eyes onto me.

"Why do you need to sleep in my dorm?" he asked.

Forgot. His hearing is ten times sharper. I thought.

"I'm just a little upset about Ron. Would that be a problem to sleep in the boys' dorm with you? Or we can sleep here in the common room?" I suggested realizing that I didn't think the other boys would like a girl in their dorm.

"We can sleep here if you'd like," Harry said. "Let's head down to dinner. I'm starving!"

Relieved, I followed him out of the common room.

After dinner, we were stuffed and ready for bed.

The others headed off into their dorms and pretty soon it was just Harry and I alone in the common room with the fire crackling gently.

It was kind of romantic, but that was far from my mind right now...but not Harry's.

"Romantic no?" he said grinning.

"Yeah sure," I said distractedly.

I conjured up a pillow and blanket and curled up on the couch. Harry did the same and curled up on the loveseat across from me.

"Well, good-night," I said, turning over on my side facing away from him.

"Night," he replied.

I fell asleep shortly.

HARRY.

I fell asleep shortly after Hermione. I understood how she felt about Ron. I felt the same way too, but keeping busy was just the way I dealt with it.

I began dreaming:

I'm running down the corridor. The torches are bright and illuminate my way. I sniffed the air. There was a human walking around at this hour.

I feel my mouth watering as I dropped to all fours and galloped along, following the scent.

I come across a darkened corridor and hid in there. The boy walked across it completely oblivious to my presence.

I felt my stomach rumbling and I feel a soft growl forming in my throat.

The boy looks up frightened and looks around to see where that sound had come from.

He was dressed in Slytherin robes. After a while, the boy continued shrugging as if he might have imagined the growl.

I began quietly loping behind him. I growled again. He turns around with a look of fear and shock on his face. I jumped on him clamping my jaws on his neck and I felt the warm rush of blood.

HERMIONE.

I felt warm sunshine on my face. I yawned and stretched. I pulled off the blanket and glanced over at Harry. He was sleeping peacefully. I felt myself smiling.

I got up and went over to him, tapping him on the shoulder.

"Wake up," I said loudly.

"Huh? What?" he said looking around wildly.

"Morning," I said brightly.

When he pulled off the blanket, that's when I noticed it. A red liquid all down the front of his robe and uniform and on his chin.

"What happened?" I cried alarmed. "Is that blood?"

He looked down at his shirt and then up at me. He went pale.

"Yeah. I don't know that got there," he said.

"Are you hurt?" I demanded.

Harry felt himself over. "No. I don't think it's my blood," he said weakly.

"Alright. Go change your robe and uniform and take that uniform with you. We've got to talk to Dumbledore," I said urgently.

"Easy Hermione. I might've accidentally turned over in my sleep and bit my lip," Harry said.

"That much blood?" I cried.

"Let's not panic just yet okay?" Harry said. "I'll go change and we'll head down to breakfast."

Harry got up and left the common room to head into the boys' dorm. He came back dressed in a clean robe and uniform.

Something was wrong. He wasn't seeing it.

We headed down to breakfast. We took a seat at the Gryffindor table and I scanned the Great Hall. Goyle and Malfoy were sitting there, but not Crabbe.

"Where's Crabbe?" I asked Harry.

He followed my gaze. "Maybe he slept late?"

"Maybe," I said uncertainly.

But Crabbe, Malfoy and Goyle were never late to breakfast. Especially Goyle and Crabbe. They loved to eat. Professor Dumbledore arose from his seat and the Great Hall got silent that you could hear a pin drop.

"Good morning everyone! Tuck..." Professor Dumbledore began but there was a scream that cut him off that came from the outside corridor.

Ginny came running in white as a ghost.

"C-Crabbe! He's dead!" she sobbed.

Everyone whispered amongst themselves before heading out into the corridor to see what Ginny was talking about. Harry and I followed them out. I saw Crabbe. He was lying on his back with a look of fear and shock on his face. Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape arrived, shortly following Professor McGonagall.

"Good Lord," Professor McGonagall said raising a hand to her mouth.

Crabbe's throat was torn out and a large pool of blood lay near his shoulder.

I glanced at Harry. He had the strangest smile on his face.