One of A Kind

Chapter 7: Entropy

            Hermione sat in front of Dumbledore, trembling from head to toe. Ron had given her his cloak before they had left the common room, but they all knew that the chills were not from the cold. After Avril had released her, she had stayed at her bedside for a few minutes, tears streaming down her cheeks. Fear would not let her move. But she had eventually gathered the strength to get to the boys’ dormitory and wake up Ron..

“‘Mione, what is it?” Ron had asked groggily. Upon seeing her face, he had become fully awake. He shook Harry awake and the two of them had walked her to Dumbledore’s office.

“Miss Granger, can you explain what happened?” the Headmaster asked gently. He peered at her over half moon spectacles.

“Does she really have to?” Ron blurted. Hermione was both grateful and annoyed at the same time.

“No, Ron. It’s okay,” she insisted. She took a deep breath and began. She didn’t see Harry’s eyes widen, his face go pale. She looked at Dumbledore, reassured by the concern in his blue eyes. Ron was gripping the sides of his chair so hard his knuckles were turning white. As she finished, she realized that her face was wet with new tears.

Dumbledore frowned. “This is an odd event indeed. I believe that we shall have to look into this further. As of now, I can only tell you to keep an eye on Miss Nicholson. I shall inform you when we find out more,” he said.

Professor Lupin and Professor McGonagall appeared. Lupin rushed to Harry’s side.

“Minerva, would you please take Miss Granger to the hospital wing?” Dumbledore asked.

“But, sir, I’m fine. Really,” Hermione protested.

“Miss Granger, I can tell you right now that you are not fine,” McGonagall said, her tone firm.

Hermione sighed and stood up. She nearly collapsed again. Her legs felt like jelly. McGonagall must have noticed. She put an arm lightly around Hermione’s shoulder, steadying her. When they were gone, Lupin turned to Dumbledore, his features showing concern.

“What happened? If there has been an attack, Sirius needs to know.”

“Remus, I assure you that, were there an attack, I would personally owl Sirius. May I remind you that I know his whereabouts as well.” Dumbledore spoke calmly.

Lupin looked at Harry, who nodded slowly, and took the seat that Hermione had abandoned. He sat on the edge of the chair, leaning forward towards Dumbledore.

Dumbledore sighed. “Although there has not been an attack, something odd and suspicious has happened.”

Lupin’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

“Ah, Remus. I wish I could tell you, but I myself do not know.”

“One of the girls in my year, she grabbed Hermione,” Harry whispered.

All eyes turned to him. It was the first time he had spoken.

“In her sleep,”he added.

 Lupin’s eyebrows raised. “A night terror,” he stated.

Harry shook his head. “No. This girl, the way Hermione described her, it reminded me of Muggle movies about possession.”

“How do you mean?” Ron asked.

“Well, Avril was pale, her eyes were blank. But that’s only part of the reason.”

“What else?”

“Her laughter. When Avril laughed, she laughed like Voldemort.”

The color left Lupin’s face.

“Is this true, Albus?”he asked.

“That is how Miss Granger described it. And I daresay Voldemort’s laughter is unmistakable.”

“But is that even possible? Possession, I mean,” Ron asked. His voice was unsteady.

“Well, we have never dealt with it before. But, given the circumstances, anything is possible,” Dumbledore answered gravely. The weight of his words set in, sending Harry’s mind reeling. Ron looked terrified, and he couldn’t blame him.

“I think that we should adjourn for the time being. I assure you that you will be notified when we find out more.”

Harry stood up, suddenly exhausted. He started to leave, but Lupin stopped him.

“Harry, I’m going to owl Sirius. He would want to know.”

Harry nodded numbly before walking past him and starting toward the Gryffindor tower.

~*~

            Harry and Ron awoke the next morning to find Hermione asleep in the floor of the common room. Immediately Harry was worried, as she was normally the first one awake. She was tossing about, her eyes clenched shut.

 Ron knelt beside her, his brown eyes full of fear. “‘Mione, wake up. It’s over now,” he whispered. He sounded on the verge of tears. He shook her gently, as if afraid she would break.

Harry looked on, his heart growing heavy. Guilt was settling over him, pulling at him. It was smothering. This was his fault. All of it.

“Come on, ‘Mione. It’s okay. Wake up,” Ron pleaded again.

“No. Let me go. Let me go! Please!” Hermione cried. The terror in her voice cut through them both. Her eyes flew open, wide with panic. She took in her surroundings and began to cry. She collapsed into Ron’s arms. He closed his eyes and stroked her hair as she shook with sobs.

When Ginny arrived, Hermione had calmed a bit. Her eyes were still wild and red, her cheeks till stained with tears. Ron’s arm was around her, and his face looked strained. Ginny took in the scene, and her brown eyes clouded with worry. She sat beside Harry. His face was stone. She felt her stomach turn. She placed a hand on his arm, but he didn’t seem to notice. Something was very wrong. But obviously they were not going to tell her what. They sat in silence as the other Gryffindors left for breakfast. When Avril came down the stairs, Ginny felt anger build up inside of her. She glanced at Harry, confused to see his brilliant green eyes narrow. She saw Hermione tense up, her face losing what little color it had left. The anger quickly turned to rage. What has that little bimbo done?

“Hi Harry,” Avril said brightly. Ginny saw Harry’s eyes widen. Her confusion deepened.

“See you in Divination,” Avril chirped, tossing her glossy brown curls over her shoulder as she walked away.

The silence roared in Ginny’s ears. Her head was spinning.

“Is someone going to tell me what is going on?” she demanded finally. Her voice was much louder than she had intended.

There was no response.

“Fine. I’m going to breakfast,” she said. She gathered her satchel and rushed out of the common room, leaving silence in her wake.

~*~

 

            Harry sat in Divination, staring at Avril. He was watching her, taking mental notes on her behavior. How can she be acting so normal after what happened last night? In the common room, he had been shocked to see her looking happy. The way Hermione had described her, he hadn’t expected her to go to class at all. But here she was, her blue eyes twinkling. She was better than normal, he realized. He had never seen her this alive.

“What do you reckon?” Ron whispered, glancing at Avril.

Harry shrugged, his frown deepening. Nothing seemed to make sense at the moment. Had Hermione imagined the whole thing? No, he insisted to himself. Something is going on. I just wish I knew what it was.