Revelation II-Lycantor

REVELATION II-LYCANTOR

CHAPTER NINE-DÉJÀ VU

Ginny and I looked at each other then toward the Slytherin table.

Harry had a smug expression on his face.

I felt a lump of tears rising in my throat.

Another person I liked and cared about...gone.

I could tell by Annabelle's expression that she was just as shocked and upset.

"Annabelle has informed me that she is going to set a trap for the rogue creature that is terrorizing the school," Professor Dumbledore went on. "I still do not understand why anyone was out after the curfew. Now I'm going to tighten it. I will have teachers patrolling each floor and corridor. Anyone out of bed will be punished by suspension."

Whispers went around.

As we were leaving the Great Hall, some of the students were commenting on Professor Dumbledore's new rule.

"Thank God! I'm never leaving my common room!"

"You won't catch me out after dark anymore!"

"He's so smart. I'm glad he's the head of the school!"

I turned to Ginny.

"It looks like its just you and me now,"

The week went by fast. Ginny packed her things and got ready to leave the school.

"I feel so bad leaving you alone here to deal with Mr. Monster," Ginny replied looking guilty.

I had to laugh at the 'Mr. Monster' comment. "It's okay. You need to go home and put some closure on Ron's death," I added seriously.

She smiled and threw her arms around me and gave me a hug. I hugged her back.

"Take care and be careful okay? I don't want anything to happen to you. I couldn't take it," Ginny said as she released me.

I felt some tears forming in my eyes as Ginny grabbed her trunk and left the girls' dorm. The train would be taking her back to Kings Cross where the Weasley's would meet her and then they would go from there.

I sighed and plopped down on the couch. Harry had not come into the common room now for a week. My suspicions were that he was staying with the Slytherins.

I had no one left now except Annabelle. But two people were nothing against a werewolf that could literally tear your arms and legs out of their sockets.

Just then, a sharp pain shot across my abdomen. I wrapped my arms against my stomach and cringed.

"Hey, are you okay?" a voice asked.

I looked up. It was a girl. A first year. She was looking at me with concern.

"Yeah. I just got a stomach ache," I said.

But suddenly, it seemed that my hearing and sense of smell sharpened.

I could smell the girls' perfume and hear the ticking of the hands on her watch.

"Here. Try some of this," she said handing me a flask.

"What is it?" I asked cautiously taking it from her.

"Just a good old Muggle remedy to cure stomach aches. It's called Ginger Ale," she replied.

I took a sip.

After a few moments, I began to feel better. Much better.

"Thanks," I said handing her the flask back.

"You welcomed. I'm Jenny Harris," she introduced. "I know who you are."

She added with a grin.

I grinned back.

"I heard about your friend Ron. I'm so sorry," she continued solemnly.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"Where is your other friend?" she asked looking around.

"He's...not feeling well," I answered, not wanting to tell her that he is now a werewolf and he's the one killing the students.

"Too bad," Jenny replied. "I have Care of Magical Creatures now. Can you show me where to go? I'm not to sure."

"Sure," I said.

I led her out of the common room and onto the grounds where Hagrid was standing by the lake. My steps slowed down a bit. Flashes of what happened last semester flashed across my eyes.

I saw the Marwizjol grab me with its tentacle and pull me under. Harry sliding onto his stomach to grab me.

I saw me going under and Harry diving in after me; then the whole ghost episode.

"Are you alright, Hermione? You look pale," Jenny said concerned.

Her voice shook me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh yes," I said smiling. "Hello Hagrid."

"Hullo 'Ermione! How are yeh doing? And where's 'Arry?" he asked brightly.

Jenny stood next to the other first years and talked to them excitedly. They kept shooting me glances every once and a while. I guess it was like meeting a celebrity to them.

"Harry's...changed," I said slowly.

"What do yeh mean?" Hagrid asked.

"He's not really human anymore," I continued and then launched into the whole story.

When I was done, he looked shocked and stunned.

"He killed Neville. I know it," I said miserably. "Because Neville was helping me."

"I don't believe it," Hagrid said sadly, shaking his head. "Maybe Neville left you a note or something? Or maybe he figured something out?"

"Maybe. I'll have to check the boys' dorm room," I muttered. "What are you teaching the first years?"

I was nervous to hear his answer.

"Threnody's," Hagrid replied.

Threnody's were small fish that lived in the lake. They were able to get onto land as well. They were harmless and perfect for a first year student.

They were bright red with white fins.

I smiled at Jenny. She grinned broadly at me and waved.

I headed back to the castle.

Later on that night, Jenny wasn't at dinner. I was getting a bit nervous. I turned to Lavender.

"Have you seen Jenny Harris? She's a first year and she isn't here," I asked.

"She might be in the library," Lavender said. "First years usually like to get book smart so they don't fail in the classes."

I thanked her and fled to the library. She wasn't there, but her friends were. There were about 5 of them in a group. 2 boys and 3 girls.

I rushed over to them.

"Hi!" one of the first year boys said eagerly.

"Hi. Where's Jenny?" I asked out of breath.

"We don't know," the boy replied frowning. "She said she wanted to take a walk but I haven't seen her since we got back from Transfiguration."

"I'm going to look for her," I replied.

"I'll come and help you. She's my sister," the boy said.

I nodded and he got up from his seat and followed me out of the library.

"I'm Scott Harris," he said.

He had short, wavy, thick black hair and blue eyes. He looked nothing like his sister. Jenny had shoulder length dark brown hair and honey-brown eyes.

"She got her looks from my mum," Scott said blushing.

"That's fine. Right now I'm worried about Jenny. Do you know what's going on here in the castle?" I asked distractedly as we searched outside now on the grounds.

"Some sort of animal is attacking students right? Two from Gryffindor were killed," Scott replied.

"Right. It's a wolf," I replied.

"A wolf?" Scott asked tilting his head. "How do you know?"

"I have a hunch," I said quickly.

We looked around by the greenhouses. No Jenny.

Then around by Hagrid's hut. Nothing. It wasn't until I turned toward the lake that I saw something floating face down on the surface in the moonlight.

Without a word, I ran full speed toward the lake.

"JENNY!" Scott cried from behind me.

I dove into the lake. Scott remained on the shore.

I swam out to her and grabbed her. Her body was ice cold and she wasn't breathing.

I pulled her back onto the shore and laid her onto her back.

"Go get help!" I said to Scott.

He didn't need telling twice. He flew back toward the castle.

I began doing CPR on her. I hoped I was doing it right, but I wasn't about to let her die.

Shortly, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape arrived with Scott.

After a few minutes, Jenny turned onto her side and coughed up lake water.

Her eyes focused on me.

"Her-Hermione? What happened?" she asked. "I'm cold."

Professor McGonagall pulled off her robe and wrapped it around Jenny. The ground was covered in snow now. When we exhaled, our breath came out in puffs of steam.

"Get her inside," Professor Dumbledore said. "And give her a Reswex Potion to warm her up."

Professor Snape nodded and followed Professor McGonagall back into the castle. Scott followed also. Professor Dumbledore turned to me.

"I'm sorry about Neville," he said quietly.

"Thanks. Somehow Harry had to know Neville was helping me!" I said.

"Might I suggest going to the boys' dorm? Maybe Neville left a clue or something behind," Professor Dumbledore said.

"That's what Professor McGonagall said," I said.

"Annabelle will be talking with you tonight in the common room. I am aware that Harry is staying with the Slytherins," Professor Dumbledore said.

"He said something strange to me earlier," I said. "He said that 'Let's just say that humans might be on the endangered species list'."

Dumbledore's expression turned grave.

"That sounds like he wants to start something. A war or revolt,"

"And Malfoy and Goyle had their arms bandaged. They weren't the other day," I continued hoping that the last words Dumbledore said I didn't hear.

"It sounds like he's trying to get followers. Be careful. Annabelle said she should have everything under control soon," Professor Dumbledore said putting a hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure you didn't want to go with Miss Weasley back home to the funeral?"

"No. I need to stay here and protect as many students as possible. I'm not going to let Harry destroy anymore," I said firmly.

Professor Dumbledore just gave me a concerned look before heading back to the castle himself. I soon followed.

The next morning at breakfast, Jenny and Scott were sitting at the table. Feeling a bit lonely, I decided to join them.

"Hey Jenny. How are you feeling?" I asked brightly as I sat down beside Scott.

But Jenny's eyes were glued to the entrance to the Great Hall. I followed her gaze. There was nothing there.

"Is she okay?" I whispered to Scott.

"She's been acting weirdly since we got in last night," Scott said. "She told me she sees Neville."

At that my alertness snapped into overdrive.

"I think she's just in shock over nearly drowning," Scott replied digging into his pancakes and sausage.

But Jenny had the awfully familiar look on her face that I knew too well.

The look that says she's seeing spirits.

After breakfast, Scott was the first to leave Gryffindor table. I turned to Jenny.

"Jenny...what do you see?" I asked.

Jenny's eyes moved onto me.

"You're already dead," she said looking scared before fleeing the Great Hall.

"What on earth was that about?" I muttered to myself.

Annabelle pulled me aside after her class.

I told her what happened.

"Weird. This is exactly what happened to you last semester? Only when the ghosts went to attack you, everything popped back to normal?" Annabelle asked when I told her everything...including what happened to me.

I nodded. "I think Jenny is seeing them now. She said something funny. She said that I was already dead,"

Annabelle rubbed the back of her neck.

"That is weird," she replied.

"Listen. I found this note next to Neville's bed," Annabelle said seriously.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded parchment.

"I snuck into the dorm so you wouldn't have to. I know how to keep my mind clearer easier than you," she continued.

I took the note and began reading it:

Hermione,

Harry knows I'm helping you. He knows what I'm thinking. I can't keep my mind clear anymore. It's hard!

He wants to start a war with the humans! Lycantor's against humans! It will happen soon! That's why he's been sitting with the Slytherins! To gain 'soldiers' if you will! He knows I'm writing this! He's coming after me!

He's...

There were two large blood stains after the word 'He's'. I raised my eyes to Annabelle.

"Harry told Neville everything then killed him, figuring he wouldn't tell me. But he didn't know Neville wrote this note," I said solemnly as I folded it again and tucked it into the pocket of my robe.

"Good God," Annabelle said exhaling.

"Professor Dumbledore was right," I said my voice shaking. "Harry wants to start a war."

"A war?" Annabelle asked.

I nodded. "That's why Malfoy and Goyle had their arms bandaged but yet they weren't the other day. He's going after 'soldiers',"

Annabelle looked frightened for the first time since we met her.

"Werewolf soldiers that are Lycantor's? We have no chance if that happens,"

"We have to stop him!" I said.

"Titanium is the only way, remember?" Annabelle said.

"Yeah, but where are we going to get titanium to kill three werewolves? I know you only have that knife right?" I asked.

Annabelle smiled.

"I have my sources,"

"How soon can we do it?" I asked.

"When the next crescent moon comes, all three will change. Are you sure that you have the medallion around your neck to stop your transformation?" Annabelle said.

I reached around my neck to feel for the chain.

It wasn't there.

"Oh my God! I must've lost the medallion in the lake when I saved Jenny!" I cried frantically.

Annabelle looked at me gravely.

"Then Jenny was right...you are already dead,"