Revelation

REVELATION

CHAPTER ONE-THE DROWNING

"I can't wait to see who's getting the new Defense Against the Dark Arts position," I said eagerly.

"We're getting a new teacher?" Ron asked.

"Can you be any more daft?" I asked rolling my eyes. " Professor Umbridge went last year. Do you expect us to teach ourselves?"

My other best friend, Harry Potter snorted.

"I just thought that knowing Snape he'd get the job," muttered Ron.

"I think there's a reason why Dumbledore doesn't give him the job," interjected Harry darkly, looking from me to Ron. "I just can't put my finger on it." Ron just sighed and stared at the table

~~

. We were in our sixth year now it was the first day back. And everyone, seemed anxious and excited to start a new year. Neville had grown over the summer that he was almost unrecognizable, so had Harry. He now looked exactly like his father with sharp features and his hair started to calm down a bit. Ron was taller and I've changed a bit too so my parents and everyone keeps telling me. I found myself becoming a little shy around Harry as I realized I was starting to have feelings for him. But I didn't want to say anything just yet in case I ruined it and I didn't want to lose him as a best friend.

Just then, Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat behind the head table and immediately, silence filtered across the Great Hall like a wave.

"First, I want to welcome all of you back to a new year at Hogwarts! The sorting ceremony will begin shortly as I have some news to share with all of you," said Dumbledore. "I want you all to welcome your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Anna Solaris."

A pretty witch dressed in dark emerald robes stood up from her seat behind the head table. She had shoulder length dark brown hair and blue eyes she smiled at everyone. All the boys were ogling at her. I felt Harry nudge me in the ribs. "I just hope she isn't going to be like Umbridge?"

I nodded and turned my attention back to Dumbledore.

"Secondly, in a few days, we will be getting a new student from Durmstrang School. He will be visiting us for a few weeks and I hope you will all show him some hospitality. Now let the Sorting ceremony begin!" concluded Professor Dumbledore.

All the first years were nervously standing before the Head table as Professor McGonagall held a rolled up parchment in front of her and called off names.

"Max Androse,"

A small boy with blond hair and blue eyes stepped forward nervously and put the Sorting hat on, which was on the stool. He sat and waited after a moment's pause, that Sorting Hat shouted.

"RAVENCLAW!"

He pulled the hat off and hurried over to the Ravenclaw table, where he was greeted with applause and cheering.

"Julie Banner,"

She too took her seat on the little stool as Max had previously. The Hat was placed on her head, and then the hat announced her house.

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Owen Carter,"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Amy Davis,"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The whole Gryffindor table cheered loudly as Amy took a seat next to Neville and looked flushed but happy.

Professor McGonagall continued reading the list until "Diana Zimmerman" was made a Slytherin.

"Now... Tuck in!" Professor Dumbledore said as the food appeared on our plates. Ron hungrily dove into his food.

I watched him disgustedly as he shoveled a large spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

"Honestly... I do think one day you will explode?" I said frowning at him.

"Whadidyousay?" Ron asked between mouthfuls of food.

"Never mind," I muttered and then went back to my own food.

"Did you check your schedule for when we have Defense Against the Dark Arts?" I asked Harry.

Harry put down his fork and reached into his robe and pulled out his tan schedule.

"Yeah. We have it first thing tomorrow," he replied, "but I figured I would be asking you." He added with a grin.

I couldn't help but grin back. "I know I was just so distracted by the human garbage disposal," I said jerking my thumb toward Ron.

Harry burst out laughing.

Ron didn't even look up which made Harry laugh more.

We went back to our dinner then later Ron, and I led the first years up to the dorms and then settled down in the common room afterwards.

"Is Firenze is still teaching Divination?" I asked curiously.

Ron and Harry nodded.

"He's not a bad teacher though," said Ron thoughtfully "I just wish he was a little more certain about things."

"At least he doesn't predict Harry's death every year," I said scornfully "he seems to be a little more realistic about things."

Harry snickered.

"You're right about that," admitted Ron.

I yawned and stretched. "OK I'm going off to bed,"

"Me too," said Harry.

We all said good night to each other and then headed to our dorms.

~~

The next morning, we eagerly and nervously went to Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Professor Solaris smiled at us when we entered.

"Good morning, please take a seat," she said pleasantly.

We found our seats toward the back of the classroom I was sitting in-between Harry and Ron.

"I'm Professor Solaris," she continued softly "I hope this year will be productive and exciting."

Lavender meekly raised her hand. "Um, Professor? We will, be learning about the Dark Arts right?"

Lavender looked nervous and expected Professor Solaris to snap at her.

"Oh yes dear," replied Professor Solaris in the same gentle tone. "I've heard about what Professor Umbridge did last year, I can't understand her logic and if she were confronted with a pack of werewolves what would she do? Dress them up in pink fluffy bows?"

Several of the students laughed good-naturedly.

"They tricked her," a familiar voice sneered.

It was Draco Malfoy, as usual, he was flanked by his goons Crabbe and Goyle. "They lured her into the forest so the Centaurs could take care of her,"

Professor Solaris frowned. "And who might 'they' be?"

"Potter and the Mudblood," Malfoy said smiling.

"Potter and who?"

"Granger,"

Professor Solaris raised her blue eyes to us. Ron gulped and I felt Harry stiffen beside me. No doubt getting ready to defend him and I if the teacher started anything.

"Is this true?" Professor Solaris asked.

"Yes," said Harry, his tone firm.

"What a clever idea... Whose idea was it?" asked Professor Solaris.

Harry was shocked that a teacher agreed with what we had done, even if it had gotten rid of Umbridge.

"Mine, Professor," I said meekly as I raised my hand.

Malfoy looked appalled.

"Professor! They broke the rules!" Malfoy said stunned.

"I am aware of that, Mr. Malfoy," said Professor Solaris coolly, "but what right had you had to even bring that up? Were you trying to get them into trouble with me?"

Malfoy was even more stunned.

"10 points from Slytherin to try and incarcerate your own classmates," snapped Professor Solaris.

Harry, Ron and I looked at each other shocked, but gleeful that there was another teacher on hand to keep him in line.

"Now today we will be learning the Hunel Charm, which is used to momentarily freeze time."

"Wow. I can't believe Malfoy got into trouble!" Ron laughed.

"She seems like a good teacher," I admitted as we headed to Care of Magical Creatures class a while later.

"Yeah. Maybe this year we won't have to worry about anything," muttered Harry.

I knew what he had meant and didn't reply, but nodded my head in agreement.

~~

The sky was a gray color and rain clouds began moving in slowly. We saw Hagrid standing by the lake with the Slytherins and a few of the Gryffindors.

"Uh-oh. What are learning about this time?" moaned Ron.

"I don't know?" I mused, "I hope its nothing dangerous?"

"With Hagrid, dangerous is like sending a kid to the candy store," added Ron dryly.

Harry just sighed.

We made our way over to the lake and took our place with the rest of the Gryffindors.

"I've got a real treat fer yeh!" said Hagrid beaming. "Today, we're goin' to be learnin' abou' Marwizjols."

"Oh no," I moaned softly.

"What's wrong?" whispered Harry beside me.

"Marwizjols are like squids, but they're more dangerous and have been known to pull people in even though they were standing on the shore," I replied quietly.

Harry stepped back from the shore a few inches.

"Don't be afraid. Marwizjols don't harm anyone," said Hagrid.

"That's not what I heard," replied Malfoy, "they have killed people!"

Hagrid looked flushed. "Oh yeh, if they're provoked and hungry. But don't worry I fed 'im this mornin'."

"Dumbledore approved of this?" asked Parvati nervously.

Hagrid nodded.

"I don't think this is a good idea," said Ron nervously, staring at the shimmering surface of the lake "and what happened with the giant squid?"

"He's afraid o' the Marwizjol fer some reason," replied Hagrid frowning. "Don't know why... They're the same size an' all?"

"I can't imagine either," said Malfoy sarcastically.

I saw something breaking the surface of the lake It looked like a white tentacle? I grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him back a little further. Ron didn't need to be told twice... He was a foot from the edge of the lake. Most of the students were apprehensive also, and made sure they were nowhere near the shoreline.

"I can't believe Dumbledore approved of this," said Malfoy crossly, "I don't think my Father will be pleased to know there's a dangerous animal living in the lake? The giant squid is bad enough!"

"I have to agree with Malfoy on this one," I whispered watching the creature's every move as it lazily, disappeared under the surface of the lake.

"This really is dangerous...more than the Blast Ended Skrewts, Threstrals and Dragons put together,"

"But why would Dumbledore approve of something this dangerous if he felt that we couldn't handle it?" asked Harry, turning to me.

"I don't know...but I have an awful feeling?" I said biting my bottom lip nervously.

"Who can tell me 'bout Marwizjols?" asked Hagrid beaming, as if he couldn't understand why everyone was so terrified.

I shakily raised my hand.

"'Hermione?" beamed Hagrid.

"Marwizjols can reach the size of 40 feet with tentacles that can reach half of that. They mainly eat fish, plankton and small bottom dwelling creatures. Occasionally, they have been known to attack sharks and they have a mild poison that is injected into the preys skin through the suckers," I replied.

"Oh Marwizjols sound soo cuddly," said Malfoy, rolling his eyes "I would love to cuddle with one of them."

Suddenly, lightning lit up the sky and thunder clapped above. A light drizzle of rain began falling and the air took on a chilly feeling. I tightened my robes around me and shivered.

"10 points to Gryffindor!" said Hagrid happily.

Just then there was another clap of thunder, I looked out at the lake. The Marwizjol was getting nervous because of the storm and was splashing its tentacles. I could see the whole thing in the middle of the lake and it wasn't happy.

"He's jus' nervous 'bout the storm. Nothin' ter worry 'bout," said Hagrid.

By now, most of the students were far away from the shoreline and they were hugging themselves as it got even more damp to the point that our breaths were coming out in puffs of steam and a small amount of mist hovered across the lake.

"We really should head back to the castle, Hagrid. It's really nasty out here," suggested Harry.

The Marwizjol moved slightly closer to the shoreline.

"Harry's got..." my voice trailed off as one of the tentacles shot out from the water and wrapped around my ankle dragging me down.

I screamed as I was flipped onto my stomach and slowly dragged toward the water. Harry slid down on his stomach on the mud and grabbed my hands.

Mud was staining the front of my robes and smudged on my face.

"GET HER!" bellowed Hagrid.

Everyone looked on, pale and scared.

Harry was pulling with all his might, Ron, was just frozen with fear and couldn't move. The Marwizjol's tentacle tightened around my ankle and pulled harder. It began pouring now. Harry's hands were wet from the rain and started to slip off mine.

"Don't let me go," I sobbed to him.

I could see the determination in his emerald green eyes. Harry's hands continued to slip from mine until the Marwizjol pulled me into the lake.

Before my head had gone under, I had sucked in a large amount of air. I was being pulled further down to the bottom of the lake. Tiny air bubbles floated up from my nostrils. I kept tugging at the tentacle trying to get it to release me, but I soon felt a small prick and knew that it had injected the small amount of poison into me. I continued to tug at the tentacle as it dragged me even deeper down. I began taking in water. The water was murky, and I couldn't see the bottom. After a few minutes, I stopped struggling.

HARRY.

Hermione had completely disappeared into the water as the Marwizjol dragged her down. Lavender and Parvati were sobbing,. Dean, Seamus and Neville were pale and shivering and looked like they'd be sick any moment. I was still lying on my stomach in the mud that smudged on my right cheek and the front of my uniform. My hands were still outstretched... I was in shock.

Suddenly, a body floated up to the surface of the lake. A lock of bushy, wet brown hair could be seen.

"HERMIONE!" I yelled.

Not caring, I dove into the lake.

"Harry no! The Marwizjol!" Lavender squealed.

I swam a few feet away from the shoreline and grabbed Hermione's body. I put one arm around her and swam back with her. Immediately, Dean and Neville grabbed Hermione and dragged her away from the water. I was soaking wet and dripping with water, but I didn't care, I dropped to my knees beside her lifeless body.

Hagrid rushed over and Ron finally, seemed to be able to move now. Everyone was watching anxiously and nervously. Her robes were caked with mud and she was soaked. I felt for a pulse... There was none.

"She doesn't have a pulse," I cried.

Lavender let out a whimper and Hagrid looked like he'd be sick at any moment.

I checked to make sure she was breathing. "She's not breathing either!"

Panic began swelling in my chest as I suddenly remembered Muggle CPR. I then knew what I had to do.

I pinched Hermione's nose and tilted back her head slightly, opening her mouth. I inhaled and then pressed my mouth over hers, exhaling. Then I began doing the CPR, after about 15 minutes, Ron put a hand on my shoulder.

"She's gone, mate," he said softly.