Eservanix

"Eservanix."

Chapter two-Shears and Swords.

We exited Potions class still thinking about that dark shape. It was weird. It looked almost like a bat or something.

"What do you think that was?" Hermione asked as we went up to Gryffindor Common room to rest before Transfigurations and Charms class.

"I don't know," Ron mused. "Maybe just a bat?"

"Maybe. This is a castle," said Hermione.

We sat down on poufs and chairs.

"That was mean what that boy did to you," Hermione said, quietly.

There was a silence that followed.

"Eh. I'm used to it," I lied, trying to smile.

But deep down, it hurt. I thought it would be different here at Hogwarts when I started. But it only proved to be wrong. I think they could see that.

"I can't believe people would give you a hard time about...your...figure," said Ron slowly, obviously trying to find the right words.

I also sensed that these three weren't the type to go around judging people by their looks...with the exception of Draco. We all knew he was horrible despite his so-called 'good looks' that some of the girls fawn over him. Draco might be good-looking, but he had the personality of a prick.

"Yeah. Back in my first year, they called me Porky and asked me if I slept in a paddock at night," I said quietly.

Hermione looked upset. So did Ron and Harry.

"Then, in my second year, it wasn't too bad. People just ignored me, which I personally found better. The third year, they told me I was allowed to join one of the Charms clubs. They blindfolded me and led me out to the Forbidden Forest. They left me there. I ended up getting into trouble but not the people who led me out there. They told me that if I told anyone, they'd beat me up," I said, sighing as the memory brought tears to my eyes.

Hermione looked over at Ron and Harry. I could see they were bothered by what I was saying deeply.

"Fourth year was the same as second. They just ignored me like I didn't exist. People called me ugly and fat," I said, toying with the hem of my skirt.

"But you're not any of those," said Harry as he sat down next to me.

"He's right. You're a pretty girl. Don't listen to the other twits who go to this school. I'm surprised they even can read," said Hermione grinning.

I smiled and blushed.

"Thanks. But I don't think so,"

Hermione looked taken back.

"What? Do you believe those halfwits?" Ron asked, startled.

I shrugged.

"I just think I'm average,"

"We're going to be late for Transfiguration!" Harry said, checking his watch.

We entered the classroom with minutes to spare. Professor McGonagall, our Transfiguration teacher, as well as the head of Gryffindor house, looked up as we entered.

"Miss Maxwell? May I have a word with you?" asked Professor McGonagall.

Ron, Harry and Hermione took their seats and saved me one next to Harry.

I walked up to the front of the classroom, aware of all the eyes following me.

I stood in front of her desk and clasped my hands behind me.

"Is it true that you and Mr. Potter told the conductor of the Hogwarts Express about the car on the tracks?" asked Professor McGonagall.

I couldn't read her tone.

Was she angry? Relieved? Or what?

"Yes, Professor," I replied.

"How did you know it was there?" she asked.

Great. How am I going to explain that I acted on a dream and a bad feeling?

I took a deep breath.

"Well, I had a dream that the train hit the car and all of the students were killed. I also had a bad feeling that something was wrong. I just acted on it,"

A few snickers went around the room.

Professor McGonagall studied me for a moment.

"You acted on a feeling and a dream?" she said, slowly.

I nodded.

She must think I'm nuts.

Then, Professor McGonagall broke into a smile. Something we rarely see her do.

"Well thank God someone had acted! We could've lost the entire school! Finally, someone who acts on feelings! You saved a lot of lives, Miss Maxwell. I'm awarding Gryffindor 50 points!"

The Gryffindors broke out into cheers. Frankly, they were the only ones who treated me kindly. I'm not saying Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were mean, they weren't. I had trouble with Slytherin in my early years. They were the ones who put me in the Forbidden Forest, who asked me if I slept in a paddock at night, and they were the ones who called me the names. Grinning, I turned around to walk back to my seat. The Gryffindors were all cheering and slapping me high fives as I passed them. I took my seat next to Harry. Harry, Ron and Hermione were cheering the loudest. I felt my face flushing.

"Good job!" Harry said, grinning as he gave my shoulder a gentle shake.

Ron and Hermione were beaming also.

The rest of the lesson went beautifully.

Now, people no longer whispered as they passed me in the hallway. They either grinned or said 'Hello'. Only the Slytherins were keeping their distance and still giving me a hard time.

"You really did save us, Holly. We owe you," Ron said.

"Naw. You don't owe me anything. I was only doing what was right," I said, shrugging, but deep down I was pleased and gratified.

"Don't worry about the Slytherins. They were probably upset that it wasn't one of them who saved the day," Ron muttered to me.

I smiled.

"Thanks,"

Harry winked at me. I blushed.

We went to the rest of our classes.

The next morning, we headed to Herbology, which were held in large greenhouses just outside the castle. Professor Sprout had us replanting Eledranicks, which were like large cabbages, but were a light cream color and shot a foul smelling thorn if provoked. They were a little prickly. Chris Winters was handling a pair of shearing scissors. He was fooling around with them to his friends. They were laughing as he pretended to poke himself in the eye with them.

I nudged Hermione.

She followed my gaze.

"Ugh. What a complete fool," she muttered shaking her head.

Then, I saw the strange dark shape again.

I nudged her again.

"Yeah. I see it," she said as she nudged Ron, who was next to her on her right.

Harry was on my left. I nudge him too. The four of us watched curiously as the dark shape flew through the glass roof and hovered in front of Chris. No one else seemed to notice this. Then, we watched as the shape stayed there. Suddenly, Chris's grip on the shears slipped and it pierced one of his eyes with one of the blades. Blood began flowing down the front of his uniform, staining his collar and Ravenclaw colored tie.

Girls screamed. The dark shape took off and vanished.

I stood, completely stunned. Chris remained standing for a minute, before he collapsed to the floor, dead.

Girls were now sobbing and hugging one another. Professor Sprout cried out. We were all ushered out of the greenhouse and were told to wait outside. Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape were summoned. Harry, Hermione, Ron and I exchanged looks.

"What is that thing?" Ron asked, shakily.

"I don't know. I've never seen anything like it," I said, hugging myself.

An afternoon breeze blew my hair into my face. I tucked it behind my ear, only to have it blown out from behind it.

I just decided to leave it.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked me, standing next to me. He was peering at me worriedly.

"Yeah. Thanks. Just a little nauseous," I admitted.

Actually, I was very sick to my stomach.

I felt a wave rolling over me. I dropped to my hands and knees and ended up vomiting on the grass.

Most of the students were just as pale and sick looking. I remained on my hands and knees, feeling slightly weak. The Professors began coming across the grounds, walking toward the greenhouse. Harry, Ron and Hermione dropped to their knees beside me and put hands on my shoulders.

Professor Dumbledore gently crouched down beside me.

"Why don't you three take Miss Maxwell up to the hospital wing?" he asked, kindly and softly. "The rest of you students will be escorted back into the castle by Professor Snape and you are to go to your common rooms,"

He gently put a hand on my shoulder before he stood up and went into the greenhouse. With the help of Ron, Harry and Hermione, I managed to make it to the castle with Professor Snape leading the rest of the students behind us.

There was silence as we entered the castle. Before we headed up to the hospital wing, Professor Snape called us over.

"Would you like a Nallet Potion? It will settle your stomach," he asked me.

"What about Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

Professor Snape raised an eyebrow at Harry.

"Well, Mr. Potter. She'll give Miss Maxwell the exact same potion. I was merely trying to save her from climbing the stairs when she looks like fainting at any moment," he said stiffly.

Harry and Ron just glared at Professor Snape.

"Why do you care?" Ron asked, narrowing his eyes.

Professor Snape moved his eyes onto Ron.

"Mr. Weasley. A student is sick. She vomited. Shall I just go away and leave you to hauling her up the stairs? It's wonderful exercise for all of you," he said, coldly.

Before Harry could reply, more than likely with an angry reply, and before he could get himself into trouble, I replied.

"Thank you, Professor Snape. I'll be alright. I really just want to lie down,"

He nodded and walked away, his black robes billowing out behind him.

Ron, Harry and Hermione began helping me up to the hospital wing.

Sure enough, Madam Pomfrey gave me the Nallet Potion, which started to settle my stomach as I laid down on one of the cots. Harry, Hermione and Ron sat around me.

"That really was weird. Why was he being so nice to you?" Ron mused.

"Maybe he saw how sick she was," Hermione offered.

"Hermione, honestly. Are you blind, woman?" Ron cried, aghast. "He doesn't have feelings!"

Harry snorted.

"Well there was a reason, wasn't there? You know, Professor Snape isn't exactly non-human. He does have a heart, lungs and feelings," Hermione snapped.

"He might be breathing, walking, talking, thinking and all of that...but I don't think his heart works right. He's always giving us a hard time and taking points from Gryffindor! Sure, Hermione. He has a heart," Ron snorted.

"He still a human being Ron! He might be horrible but that doesn't mean he can't care for someone!" Hermione shot back.

Harry held up his hands.

"Guys! Stop it!"

Ron and Hermione fell silent.

"It doesn't matter about Snape. What matters is that Holly is feeling better,"

"You're right. I'm sorry," said Hermione quietly.

"Me too," Ron added even quieter.

"It's okay," I said, smiling.

Just then, another strong wave of nausea rolled over me. I leaned over the side of the bed and vomited.

"I think I'm about to lose my lunch too," Ron said, swallowing.

After that, I ended up falling asleep.

The next morning, Ron, Harry and Hermione came in to see how I was.

"She's fine. She can leave now," said Madam Pomfrey.

I did feel a little better but I still couldn't believe what just happened.

Suddenly, on the way to breakfast, there was a humming in my ears. I stopped walking and grabbed Ron's arm. A bright flash went off before my eyes and I saw the silver glint of a knife, and a boy stumbling back from something. The flash vanished. I stood, shaking.

"Holly? Are you alright?" Hermione asked, worriedly.

I felt tears glistening in my eyes.

"I saw something...there was the silver glint of a knife and a boy stumbling back from something," I said, raising my eyes to hers.

"What? Like vision or premonition?" Harry asked, leaning close.

"Yeah. Sort of," I said.

"Can you remember what the boy looked like?" Ron asked.

"Blond hair," I said, closing my eyes and trying to remember the details.

That was all that was coming through though.

"Malfoy. Malfoy has blond hair," said Ron.

We all looked at each other and continued to the Great Hall.

We sat down at Gryffindor table. We kept our eyes on Malfoy the whole time. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then, when breakfast was over, all the students headed to their classes. We slowly stood up, standing in our place. We watched Malfoy stand up from the Slytherin table and walk toward the entranceway out with Crabbe and Goyle. Just then, the dark shape appeared again. I nudged Harry. We watched as it flew through the windows and hovered near Draco. Draco walked right through it, not even realizing it. Then, Draco appeared to have tripped. He stumbled toward one of the suits of armor, which had a long, silver sword pointing outwards. A girl screamed as Malfoy went right into the sword.

The sword pierced his chest and the tip of the sword could be seen protruding from his back right through his robes.

The entire Hall froze and watched in horror. Malfoy looked down in shock, then backed up. He stumbled backwards before collapsing to his knees, then he fell to the side and he didn't move.

More girls screamed and Crabbe and Goyle dropped to their knees beside Malfoy. They had looks of horror and were extremely pale.

The Professors rushed forward and went right over to Malfoy's body. I stood, taking in long breaths. I then turned to Ron, Harry and Hermione.

"It was a sword," I said, in a low voice. "Not a knife."

Hermione looked pale and sick. Ron put an arm around her shoulders.

Harry gently put a hand on my arm to try and steady me.

"What's going on here?" Ron asked, quietly.

"I don't know. I think it's time to figure that out," I said, swallowing.

The students were forced to go to their classes, not that anyone wanted to. This was the second death in a matter of a day. Something was definitely going on here. Why did only Harry, Ron, Hermione and I see that dark shape? How come no one else could? Also, why were students dying with freak 'accidents'?

We headed to the library to see if there was anything that could possibly explain what was going on.

I was reading a book called Historic Accidents by Elenore Watchan.

I turned the page to the middle of the book.

"Oh my God," I said disbelievingly.

Ron, Harry and Hermione looked up and crowded around me, peering over my shoulder.

I read the article in a low voice.

"On December 14^th, 1908, a train was heading from Austin Texas, to Wakita Arkansas. A young man claimed to have seen the train collide with another train, on the same tracks going the opposite direction in a dream. He forced the conductor to stop. It stopped just in time. There had been another train on the tracks, which had somehow accidentally been switched onto the main track. Everyone survived.

Then, during the course of a few weeks, the remaining passengers that had survived died in strange and violent 'accidents'. The young man was the only one who survived."

We all looked at each other and were silent.