Revelation II-Lycantor

REVELATION II-LYCANTOR

CHAPTER SEVEN-TURNING

I passed Ginny with a weight on my shoulders and heart and entered the girls' dorms. I really had no choice now.

There would be no guarantee that the potion would work plus, during the five days it took to get to the Cheviot Hills, Harry could kill more people in that time.

He had to be stopped abruptly. But the thing was...when could I do it and how? I knew Lycantor werewolves had a weakness to titanium. Where would I get that?

Deciding that I would have to think about that in the morning, I entered the girls' dorm and climbed into bed. I fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning, I awoke and for a moment, I seemed to forget what I had to do.

But the minute I saw Harry at breakfast, it all came flooding back. Remembering what Professor Dumbledore said about clearing my mind, I forced myself to think about absolutely nothing.

"Morning," I said brightly trying to keep everything light.

"Morning," he barked.

I pretended to ignore that.

He was engulfed in his breakfast then looked up at me when I sat down and began helping myself to some pancakes.

"Something's bothering you. I can sense it," he said narrowing his eyes.

"No, I'm fine," I lied grinning.

"No you're not," Harry said tilting his head. "I know something is bothering you but I can't tell."

"Alright. You got me. I'm just concerned that Professor Dumbledore will have a hard time finding that rogue animal that killed Seamus," I lied straight faced.

Harry had a smile on his face that sent chills down my spine.

"No. You're lying...but I can't seem to get what is bothering you. Bits and pieces...something about titanium and me,"

His smile broadened so that he resembled a wolf now. "You weren't thinking of killing me...were you?"

"No! Absolutely not! You're my best friend! Why would I?" I asked pretending to be scandalized.

"I don't know but I will find out," he smirked.

"You assume too much," I said digging into my pancakes.

"Do I now?" he smiled wolfishly again.

I didn't reply.

He leaned forward so that our faces were inches apart.

"Remember...I can read your thoughts. I will find out. If you cross me, you will pay," he grinned and then got up and left the Great Hall.

Ginny scooted closer to me.

"What was that about?" she asked.

"He's turning," I replied as tears formed in my eyes. "Annabelle was right. He is turning against me."

"Don't worry Hermione. He might just have male PMS," Ginny said half jokingly.

"I wish that were all it was," I said quietly looking after Harry in the direction he went.

After breakfast, we headed to History of Magic.

Harry was sitting next to me, but each time he touched me, I felt a tingle of nausea and fear but quickly was aware of my thoughts.

Every once and a while, Harry would look sideways at me with a smirk.

After Charms, we headed to Potions.

I added the ingredients correctly to my potion, but Harry seemed to be having trouble with them. Something that hasn't happened in a long time. It was like he had forgotten how to add them.

Due to that, his potion was a light purple instead of a deep violet. Professor Snape came over and immediately deducted ten points.

"What for?" Harry demanded.

"Because, Mr. Potter...your potion is all wrong," Professor Snape answered coolly.

"No it isn't. I added them correctly," Harry replied angrily.

"No, you didn't Harry. You forgot to add the 2 Wotrox nails," I said.

Harry turned to me.

"Who asked you? You good-for-nothing, snot nosed know-it-all?"

Several of the Gryffindors gasped and were looking at Harry as if he were a three headed Hippogriff.

Those words stung...deeply. Even Professor Snape looked startled.

"Mr. Potter...may I suggest being careful with your words and tone?" Professor Snape growled.

"Go ahead, you grease ball," Harry said.

Now, even the Slytherins were looking shocked. Even Malfoy.

"Harry," I said shocked and raised a hand to my mouth.

"Shut up. I wasn't talking to you. I can't believe I actually slept with you," Harry said looking disgusted and appalled.

Malfoy began snickering behind Professor Snape's back but Neville glared at him with such hate, that Malfoy had no choice but to stop.

"I would rather sleep with a Hippogriff than a pig," Harry continued.

I was emotionally hurt badly. Harry got up and so did I.

"I'm leaving," he announced.

"Harry please," I pleaded but to my horror, Harry grabbed me by the back of my head, grabbing a handful of hair and shoved me backward.

I landed against one of the desks and slid down.

Harry left.

Professor Snape came over to me and crouched down in front of me.

"Are you alright Miss Granger?" he asked.

"Yeah I think so," I said, trying not to burst into tears in front of Professor Snape.

"Still the same. I think you should go to Madam Pomfrey's for a checkup. Avoid Potter," he replied. "Longbottom, will you take her?"

Neville nodded and he got out of his seat and came over to me, helping me get to my feet.

We began walking down the corridor.

"What's going on with Harry? I've never seen him so violent before," Neville asked curiously as we reached the hospital wing.

"He's going through some...changes," I said carefully.

"I'll say," Neville said.

Madam Pomfrey examined me from head to toe. I just had a slight concussion and a black and blue bruise on my arm. Neville stayed with me for a bit while Madam Pomfrey gave me a potion for the concussion.

I sighed. I needed to talk to someone else about Harry too. It can't just be up to Ginny and I.

I looked at Neville.

"Nev, what I'm about to say is absolutely true," I said slowly.

He nodded and waited for me to go on.

"Harry was scratched by the Lycantor last semester. Professor Solaris was the werewolf. When she swiped at his hand to knock the wand out of it, she caught his wrist and now Harry is changing," I said.

Neville didn't answer for a moment. Then, he spoke:

"I believe you. I actually suspected it myself but I didn't know how it would've come about," he replied. "What are you going to do?"

I breathed a sigh of relief and felt a rush of gratitude toward him.

"Dumbledore said that there is no guarantee that this potion would work, plus it takes five days to get where this special plant grows. Harry could easily kill in that time. My only choice is to kill him myself with titanium," I said quietly.

"The Oliut plant right?" Neville asked.

He was good at Herbology and maybe I felt a rush of hope if he knew of a plant that will help us without going all the way to the Cheviot Hills.

"Right," I said nodding.

"There's one more plant that might be able to help Harry," Neville said thoughtfully. "It's called the Frocrun Plant and it grows in cold climates. I think Hagrid knows about it."

"Do you think we can get it?" I asked eagerly.

Neville's face fell. "Oh crap. I forgot. The plant was banned back in the 1200's because of the potency of it. It killed a lot of people because they didn't know how much to give to people who showed 'werewolf' tendencies,"

All my hope came crashing down.

"Great. So me killing him with titanium is the only way," I muttered feeling that heaviness in my chest again.

"I'm so sorry Hermione," Neville apologized softly.

I looked at him curiously.

"Just curious...why did you believe me?"

"Well, you've always been the rational one of the trio," Neville grinned. "Why would you lie or make up stories now when you've never done that before?"

The trio. Something that will never again be applied to Harry and I because we are not a trio anymore. I didn't think we were even a two-some because of the way Harry was acting right now...even if he does get through this.

"Thanks," I said gratefully.

An hour later, I was fit to leave. Neville escorted me back the common room. The curfew would be in effect in less than a half an hour.

As we hit the common room, Harry was stepping out of the portrait entrance. Immediately I saw the streak of jaundice flash across his emerald green eyes.

"So, after you slept with me you're going to him?" Harry demanded jerking his thumb toward Neville.

"No! I got sick during Potions because of what you did to me and he just helped me!" I shot back.

"Sure. Use that as an excuse," Harry snorted.

"READ MY MIND YOU ASSHOLE," I growled back.

Harry studied me for a moment then realization dawned on his face.

"Oh. You're right," he said. "Well, it better stay that way."

"What if it doesn't? Huh? What if I started going out with Neville?" I demanded putting my hands on my hips.

"He'll pay," Harry said giving Neville that wolfish smirk.

"Harry the way you're acting right now is a big turn-off. Okay? You're more angry for no reason and jumping to all kinds of wacked out conclusions. I know it's not your fault because you've changed...but try and fight it okay?" I said.

Harry studied me.

"So you still believe I've changed into a werewolf?"

"YES! Dammit! You changed already and killed Seamus!" I hissed.

Harry's shocked expression quickly turned to smugness.

"Well, he deserved it. The prick was telling Dean how he'd like to take you and bang you but looks like I already beat him to it,"

I felt sick now. At what he said and the sight of him. I never thought I'd actually and literally be sick at the sight of him because I loved him so much. But now, he turned my stomach.

"Ugh. I'm going into the common room," I said clearly disgusted.

I brushed past Harry and Neville followed. I turned around and saw Harry grab Neville by his arm.

"If you so much as touch one hair on her head I'm coming after you," Harry growled.

I snapped. I couldn't take it anymore.

"WE'RE THROUGH!" I screamed at him. "I CANNOT TAKE YOUR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR ANYMORE!"

Harry turned to me. His eyes looked dangerous as well as his expression.

"What are you saying?"

"I'M SAYING THAT WE ARE NO MORE!" I shouted. "WE'VE SEPARATED!"

"You're making a big mistake!" Harry snarled and pushed Neville into me before stalking off down the corridor.

Neville and I entered the common room.

"Are you sure that was such a good idea?" Neville asked me in a small voice. "You know what he's capable of."

"I know. But I just can't take it anymore," I said quietly. "It's tearing me apart. Maybe if we were separated killing him might not be so hard."

"Of course it will be hard! You've known each other for almost six years now. Plus I can tell you love him," Neville said softly.

"Loved him is more like it. Now I don't know anymore. I don't even know him," I said sadly.

Neville just shyly put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze.

The next morning at breakfast, Harry wasn't sitting at the Gryffindor table. To my shock and horror, he was sitting at the Slytherin table with Malfoy and Goyle.

Neville sat down across from me in Harry's usual spot.

"Great. Now he's with the Slytherins," Neville said shaking his head. "Maybe he's asking Malfoy for some more good names to call you."

He added the last sentence darkly.

I studied Harry.

"I don't think so. Something else is going on in that head of his," I said quietly.

Harry must've sensed my thoughts because he turned and looked at me and Neville with a smirk before turning back to Malfoy.

Professor Dumbledore stood up and addressed us. Naturally, the silence fell immediately. He just had that air about him that was powerful. I sighed.

"I have some good news. I have found someone to take on the task of finding that rogue animal that killed Seamus Finnigan. Her name is Annabelle Walters," Professor Dumbledore said. "Please enter, Miss Annabelle."

All heads turned toward the double doors leading into the Great Hall. A girl entered that was terribly familiar.

"That's Annabelle Solaris!" I whispered to Neville. "She's the one that gave me a medallion to help Harry with the transformation."

Neville nodded. Ginny caught my eye and sat on the other side of Neville.

"That's Annabelle right?" she whispered quietly.

I nodded.

"I thought her last name was Solaris?" Ginny continued.

"It is. But if Professor Dumbledore said 'Annabelle Solaris' I think there'd be uproar. Remember last semester with Solaris?"

Ginny nodded. "Thank God Dumbledore used his head,"

"He's not dumb," Neville said affectionately.

Annabelle spied us and headed over to the Gryffindor table.

"Please sit anywhere," Professor Dumbledore said.

She sat down beside me.

"How's it going?" she whispered as the rest of the students went back to their usual chatter and there wasn't much laughter anymore.

"Horrible. Harry is out of control now. He's sitting with the Slytherins now and I don't think it's meant for friendly reasons. He can read minds now," I replied grimly.

"Right. So each of you must be mindful of your thoughts," Annabelle said looking from Ginny to Neville. "Do they know everything?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Okay. So we can work in a group now," Annabelle said. "I'm pretending to look for that 'rogue' creature supposedly so you might see me snooping around the corridors pretending to look for clues and stuff."

"Gotcha," I said.

"I just wish none of this ever happened," I said quietly.

"I know...believe me. But we have to stop him," Annabelle said.

The bell rang ending breakfast. Harry spied us and came over to us.

"So you've brought your werewolf expert in for the hunt?" he grinned.

Annabelle reached into her pocket and pulled out a Muggle knife.

She lightly pressed it against Harry's chest.

"Careful, Lycantor," Annabelle sneered. "The blade is made of titanium. One cut from it and you'd be history."

Harry sneered back.

"Careful yourself. You don't know who you're messing with,"

With that, he began heading out of the Great Hall.

"Come on Neville, we've got Transfiguration now," I said glumly.

"Stick together. I will not leave until he is stopped. Try not to set him off in anyway," Annabelle said. "He's definitely already turned."