The Savior Chronicles: Changing Colors

Chapter 15- The Devil's Clothing

"Well that proves it then. Jenna's the Semestinasia," Ron stated very matter-of-factly. Normally Harry would have protested, but ever since he had found out about Cho, he was far from sure of Jenna's innocence. He was actually starting to believe that Ron had been right, no matter how much he hated it. He had to look at the facts. Jenna was nasty and unbearable. She was new and often unaccounted for when an attack happened. She had weird powers that most witches didn't have and had befriended Malfoy. She had tried to hurt Harry on numerous occasions and her gift could be constrewn as a trick to gain his trust. But the most convincing piece of info to him was that Jenna had a fight with Cho the night she had been attacked. It was all just too much proof for Harry to ignore anymore. He had to admit that Jenna really was this monster.

"You're right Ron," Harry said blandly. Ron whipped towards Harry in shock. He hadn't been expecting Harry to agree. Hermione just smiled, happy to see that Harry was finally coming to terms with reality. "You guys were right the whole time. I don't know why I held on to the notion that she was really a saint in the devil's clothing, but now I know that I was wrong. All we need to do now is figure out why she's doing this and how to stop her."

Ron nodded in the friend sort of way that acknowledged an apology and accepted it. Hermione broke the little moment with the clearing of her throat to announce that she had an idea. The two boys turned to her. "Well I say we go to Hagrid. He is the expert on beasts, even if he doesn't know anything off the top of his head he might have a book somewhere with ways to defeat her."

Harry didn't like the way that sounded. Defeat her. It sounded so final, so harsh, so deadly. He didn't want Jenna dead and he wasn't quite sure he'd be able to kill her if it came down to it. Shaking away the haunting thoughts he asked, "But Hermione, she's not really that kind of beast is she? She's part human, is she not?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, not necessarily. The book says that she can take human form, not that she's actually human. And even if she is part human, at least Hagrid will be able to tell us that and then we can go from there." Harry nodded absently and watched as she turned to Ron. "Now Ron what I need you to do is when you're in the dorm with Seamus, I want you to get something personal of his like a hair or something. I want to run some tests and see if there are any traces of the beast that attacked him. That way we can get clues on its specific properties and what might effect it. Plus it might give us hard proof that it is Jenna."

"I'm all over it 'Mione. Need me to do anything else? Cause I can handle more!" Hermione giggled at his eagerness. Harry found it less amusing. Harry knew that Ron was just excited to take Jenna out. And he had a right to be. Jenna made life in the Gryffindor Tower often intolerable. But that didn't mean he had to like Ron's enthusiasm. No matter how sure he was of Jenna's guilt he would never ever like the idea of hurting her. He still couldn't explain why though.

Over the next couple of weeks, the three of them worked furiously to find a solution on how to stop Jenna's war path. Hermione had been working day and night to find some sort of detecting spell or potion. Once she did, she learned that they had to wait three weeks for it to be prepared correctly. But Ron was a good little soldier and got some Seamus hairs and a shirt("Just in case the hairs are clean. He has washed it you know!!") Seamus obviously didn't notice. Ever since his "personality" was sucked out of him he walked around a mummy who had just risen from a crypt after 10,000 years. You could crash into him or jump on his foot and he'd keep on walking without so much as a turn of the head. In class he stared at the teacher blankly and scribbled down notes that were often incomprehensible. Seamus was so monotone and useless now; he couldn't even do magic. Harry didn't get why Dumbledore didn't just send him home or at least keep him in the hospital wing until they found the cure. But Dumbledore always had his reasons so Harry didn't question it any further.

But what was weirder was to see Cho like that. Her usually bubbly spirit and perma-smile had faded into a straight lipped mouth and drone like state of mind. Her olive skin and pink cheeks were now the same black and white as Seamus'. She looked like a 2 dimensional paper doll walking around in 3-D land. Harry was afraid to reach out and touch her for she looked like she might just crumple up or even turn out to be a hologram. He knew that she wasn't, it just looked that way.

Harry had been out of it since Cho's attacks and hadn't been much help in preparing the potion or figuring out the clues and stuff. Thankfully both Ron and Hermione seemed to have eased up on him, knowing this was a hard time for him. No matter how much they disagreed, Harry always knew he could count on them to be understanding. He felt blessed to have such great friends.

But despite their hard work and all their accomplishments in the past two weeks, they hadn't been able to stop the next onslaught of attacks. They came fast and furiously. One after the other, with no way to predict when or who would fall victim. Since Cho's attack, there had been 4 others who were "drained" as everyone now called it. A first year Hufflepuff had been next named Jonathan Hevers, then Delihla Hilton a 6th year Gryff, Devon Thurman a third year Hufflepuff, and a first year Ravenclaw by the name of Cynthia Crawland.

Harry felt so guilty to have let all this happen, but it all just snowballed. It took two months between Seamus and Cho. The students were horrified, peaking around every corner, never going to the bathroom alone. And Harry was sure that half of them weren't sleeping at all cause their eyes were always droopy and sunken in. The staff was at their wits end as well. There had been talk about closing the school so that no more students would be hurt. But Dumbledore nixed that idea. He said that they were no more safe at home with Voldemort running loose. In Harry's opinion, he agreed with everyone else. At least at home there's a smaller chance of getting attacked. At Hogwart's it was like an open field, or a buffet. 200 students to choose from! Step right up and take your pick! But Harry just reiterated that Dumbledore was usually right and let this subject be.

What Harry found weird though was that the students who had been attacked were 2 Gryffs, 2 Hufflepuffs, and 2 Ravenclaws. 3 boys and 3 girls. Harry wasn't surprised that there were no Slytherins in the mix. There wouldn't be. Slytherins were known for their dark magic attractions and their loyalty to Voldemort therefore would most likely remain untouched. Harry sometimes thought it might have been better to be in Slytherin, at least there he'd know that he would never be attacked. But Harry began to wonder if the number of people chosen had to do with any sort of ritual. When he mentioned it to Hermione she already had her head stuffed in some book researching rituals based on number and gender. Harry knew there was nothing more he could do for now. He just had to wait for the potion to be ready and for the three of them to find any info on rituals. Or until Jenna attacked again.

* * * *

"Boy and girl, let it unfurl. Gryffs no Slyths, break the rift. 3 by 3, set them free. 6 to one, make it undone."

Jenna sat up in the dorm room repeating this rhyme to herself. Her wand out, candles lit, different herbs spread on the ground around her, she was huddled in a shadowy corner, rocking back and forth with crazy fervor. She stared only at the contents around her. The words were uttered low and whispery, but spoken rapidly and with urgency.

She had been there for hours already and her spell had done nothing, but she pressed on, unable to stop. She had written the little charm herself in an attempt to reverse all the damage she had done and restore the students. But it just wasn't working. Nothing worked. She couldn't help them with a spell, she couldn't run away from school(she tried it but Snape had captured her), and she couldn't restrain herself from attacking. She still had no recollection of hurting the students or even of transfiguring into the Semestinasia. But she did know that every time someone was 'drained' she couldn't remember where she had been at that moment. So she continued to chant her spell, despite the knowledge that it was useless.

It's hard to explain

Inherently it's just always been strange

Neither here or there

Always somewhat out of place everywhere

Ambiguous

Without a sense of belonging to touch

Somewhere halfway

Feeling there's no one completely the same

Early on, you face

The realization you don't

have a space

Where you fit in

And recognize you

Were born to exist

Standing alone

Eager to just

Believe it's good enough to be what

You really are

But in your heart

Uncertainty forever lies

And you'll always be

Somewhere on the

Outside

Falling in between

And it's hard

To be understood

As you are

Oh, and God knows

That you're standing on your own

Blind and unguided

Into a world divided

You're thrown

Where you're never quite the same

Although you try-try and try

To tell yourself

You really are

But in your heart-uncertainty forever lies

And you'll always be

Somewhere on the outside

Jenna lit more candles and sprinkled more sage around her area. "Boy and girl, let it unfurl. Gryffs no Slyths, break the rift. 3 by 3, set them free. 6 to 1, make it undone."

It wasn't long before the dormitory door swung open and in walked the Tremendous Trio of Hermione, Ron, and Harry. They stopped short as they spotted Jenna and her mess in the corner. She paid no attention to them, still chanting and rocking. Ron's mouth dropped open, Hermione gasped, and Harry stood wide eyed. Panic rose around them and they began to yell things.

"She's doing a spell!" Hermione cried.

"She's gonna hurt someone! Harry, do something!" yelled Ron.

"What? I don't know how to stop her!" screamed Harry.

Jenna heard none of it. All she could hear was the haunting voices of her victims. "Boy and girl, let it unfurl. Gryffs no Slyths, break the rift. 3 by 3, set them free. 6 to 1, make it undone."

Harry, in blind confusion waved his wand and said, "Expelliarmus!" Jenna's wand flew out of her grasp, but she didn't so much as flinch. Her lips moved with just as much determination as ever. "What the bloody hell do I do now?" yelled a frantic Harry.

"Um....I don't know...why don't you just hit her!?!" Ron suggested. Hermione turned to him looking exasperated.

"Good idea Ron! Cause she won't use her powers and slam Harry against the wall or worse. She'll just let him hit her!" Ron glared at her angrily. Harry ignored them and walked up to her. "You're not actually going to hit her are you?" Hermione asked incredulously.

Harry didn't respond, but instead stepped up to Jenna. He stood in place for a moment. Jenna didn't even look at him; her eyes remained fixed on her supplies and her mouth still moving. Harry took it as a sign that it was safe to approach her. He steadied his feet and prepared himself before he reached out and grasped her shoulders. Still no reaction on her part. He shook her gently. Nothing. He began to whip her around more violently. Her body flailed about as if she were a rag doll and still she continued her spell.

"Jenna! Jenna! Stop it, stop it!" Harry urged her, but she only raised her voice to a more fast and unrelenting pace.

"Boy and girl, let it unfurl! Gryffs no Slyths, break the rift! 3 by 3, set them free! 6 to one, make it undone!"

Harry, still gripping her arms, was in shock. The girl was insane. Her eyes were nearly popping out of her sockets. They were both empty and full of fear at the same time. The rest of her face was emotionless and nothing he did woke her from this trance. So he did the only thing he knew how: he pulled back his hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Everything stopped. There was dead silence. Ron and Hermione stared at him in awe. Jenna was no longer chanting. She instead had raised her eyes to his, terror plastered all over her face. They just looked at each other, neither knowing what to say. After a few moments, she lowered her eyes, tore herself from his hold, and jetted out of the room. All three of them watched her go, unsure of what had just happened. Ron was the first to speak.

"I can't believe you actually hit her."

Harry turned to him. He opened his mouth to respond, but quickly shut it. He felt something sick growing inside him and knew at any moment he would puke. He choked it back until he reached the bathroom and then let himself release all the anger, confusion, and pain.

* * * *

"Well the time has come. My time has come. And yours is over. I'm going to bring you down, drag you through a load of shit, and leave you stranded. I won't come to your aid. I won't put myself on the line and I won't offer you the world anymore. Be prepared to step off your throne Jenna. Draco Malfoy is coming and there is hell to pay!"

"That was very good sir. Very intimidating."

Draco stood rough edged and frozen eyed, glaring... into the mirror. The mirror was enchanted, like everything else in the castle. It complimented anyone who used it. Another way to boost the Slytherin ego.

Draco was in the dormitory, practicing his speech. The speech he planned to deliver to Jenna later that day. He had rounded up all the dirt on her that he needed about 2 weeks ago. He was going to expose her then, but that's when all this 'draining' crap went down and Jenna had become an embarrassment. Every time Draco saw her she was a wreak. Her hair would be straggly, her clothes untidy, her face stricken with fear, paranoia, and what could only be called guilt. Needless to say, Draco enjoyed this very much and wanted to wait until she was at the brink and then send her crashing over the edge. And like his speech said, that time had come.

Draco, still peering into the mirror, ran his hands over his silvery hair and checked his complexion. Then he gave his robes a once over, trying to catch any wrinkles. He winked at himself.

"Very snazzy, Mr. Malfoy," chimed in the mirror in a monotone and uninterested voice. "Your father would be proud."

Draco frowned. "My father? Proud my arse. Now shut up you stupid mirror. I have pressing engagements."

"As you wish sir." Draco smirked at the blatant obedience. Draco loved the power of it. It had been awhile since he'd reveled in that kind of power. Ever since Jenna's arrival, he'd been the servant, the one under a spell, the weakened, worthless git. But he was about to gain all his power back. He was going to face Jenna tonight and there was no way she'd be able to withstand his weaponry.

Draco sauntered out of the tower. His overconfident swagger had returned along with his famous Malfoy smirk, the one everyone had come to hate, the one Draco sorely missed. But he was back and worse than ever. All he had to do to regain his status completely was find Jenna and lay all her cards on the table for everyone to see.

Today was perfect for that too. Draco knew her schedule; he had studied it for moments like these. He knew that today at 12 she would be leaving Snape's dungeon after a potions lesson and would be heading up to the Gryffindor tower. She had been skipping lunch lately and spent her free hours up in the dorm. But Draco knew she'd have to pass the entrance to the Great Hall on the way. During the lunch hour rush. The hall would be swarming with students and Jenna would have nowhere to run. It was perfect.

Checking his watch, Draco saw that it was only a quarter to 12. He had plenty of time to get into position before Jenna showed up. He strode into the hall and placed himself against a large statue of a knight. He did it with the Malfoy grace. God, it was good to be back.

In no time kids were hurrying through the corridors and running into the hall with an excitement brought on by a free period. Draco just waited patiently for his target to arrive. Like clockwork, she breezed around the corner, books hugged to her chest, head bowed, hair covering her face. What a pathetic mess.

Draco casually removed himself from his position by the statue and made his way over. She didn't seem to notice in the slightest. Draco paused as she approached. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something that made him want to squeal in delight(of course he never would; he's a Malfoy after all). Potter, Weasley, and Granger were coming down the stairs at that very moment. For them to witness this little display, would make it all the more sweet. Who knows; maybe he'd even find away to embarrass the hell out of them as well.

Draco turned his attention back to Jenna just in time; she was strolling past him at that exact moment. Draco pulled out his wand and waved it nonchalantly, "Wingardium Leviosa!" Jenna's school books sailed out of her hands and raised up to the top of the cathedral ceiling. Her head snapped up in shock, face lined with confusion. Draco wanted to laugh but then she did something even more amusing: she tried to jump into the air and reach them! When she realized that was useless she just stood there, pitifully looking at the ceiling. Everyone had stopped to watch now, including Potter and his friends, just as Draco had hoped they would.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the queen witch...or should I say the queen bitch? I think that's more appropriate," Draco began. Jenna didn't even look at him; she just continued to stare at her floating books. Draco ignored that and pressed on. "Though I don't know if that title fits anymore, You haven't been that vile lately. In fact you've been almost nonexistant. I'd be surprised if you could float a pencil or throw a decent insult at a 2 ton mountain troll."

There was still no reaction on her part. Draco stared at her incredulously. He watched her face and it seemed empty, completely void of emotion. But he was determined to change that. He stepped up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, whipping her around. She shrunk from his touch, but was now looking at him. "What is your problem? Why don't you just use your powers to get your books down?" She just looked down at her feet. This was going to be harder than he thought.

Obviously the books had no effect on her except as a distraction so Draco let them clatter to the ground. She jumped at the noise. She was so very skittish. He rolled his eyes and decided to get to the point. "Anyway, I've been doing some research lately and I came across something very interesting." At this her eyes shot up, terror filled and nervous. That was better. Draco let the smirk return to his face.

"When I first read it, I was a little shocked. I never would have expected something like that. I mean it doesn't really fit. At least not on the surface. But the more I thought about it the more it made sense." Jenna began to dart her gaze around the room, looking for a route of escape. Finding one she shot off towards the right. Draco anticipated this. He grabbed her and flung her backwards. She stumbled over her own feet and smashed onto the floor. Potter took a step forward, but Weasley held him back. The crowd of people gasped.

Jenna pulled herself up quickly, her fear slowly diminishing. It looked like Draco had tapped into her rage, which seemed to still be buried within her. She now stood erect and peered directly into his eyes. "What do you want Malfoy?" She spoke calmly and harshly, a tone Draco knew well.

"Ah, there you are. The Jenna I've come to know and hate profusely," he mocked.

She whispered a response, almost to herself, "Believe me the feeling is mutual." She paused for a second and then resumed her stance. " I repeat, Malfoy, what the hell could you possibly want from me that would make you even dare to put your hands on me?"

Draco gave a devious laugh. "I was hoping you would ask that. I've been dying to tell someone your little secret."

She greeted this comment with eyes as hard as diamonds. "You open your mouth and I swear-"

"You swear what? What are you going to do? Its become obvious that you won't use your powers anymore. Not even to float your damn books!"

"And you've seemed to forgotten that I don't need my powers to do some damage," Jenna threatened. At this Harry, Hermione, and Ron began to inch down the staircase, in anticipation of Jenna; they were afraid she might transform then and there- she looked angry enough. And when she got like that, she was hard to control.

Draco didn't seem as worried. " Oh I remember quite clearly. But I doubt you'll be able to do much of anything in a few minutes."

She narrowed her eyes questioningly, "Is that a threat? Because that's not a very smart move on your part, hon."

"Oh really? Well it was a threat, but not the kind you're thinking of. I don't plan to lay a hand on you or use my wand. In fact if you want I'll put it on the ground out of my reach." Draco lightly placed his wand on the floor as promised and knocked it out of the way with his foot.

She scowled and sighed impatiently. "Stop playing games Malfoy and get on with it. I'm not in the best mood and if you test me I won't restrain myself for very long."

Draco looked smug. "My dear Jenna, you act is if you know what's going on, as if you have the power. Well let me inform you. This time I'm in control and I don't plan on taking it easy on you. I mean, why should I? You never did with me."

Jenna revealed her famous half grin that had been hidden for the past two weeks. "Why not? You pretend like you know me. Plus I probably know you better than anyone else in this freaking school."

"That may be true, but you have a lot to learn. I on the other hand have learned a lot about you since Christmas break. And I think I'd like to share some of this information with the class, if you don't mind."

"I do mind," she spit out bitterly.

"Oh. Well here's a shocker: I don't care." They stared each other down. Potter looked on, body tensed up and hand on his wand, just in case.

"Malfoy, don't utter a word. I'm warning you," Jenna said through clenched teeth.

"Why? You ashamed of what are? Of where you came from?"

"Don't."

"You don't want everyone to know about your father?" he asked in an innocent yet condescending manner.

Jenna's brows furrowed in confusion. "My father? What are you talking about?"

"You didn't think I'd find out? My father has access to records, extensive records on everyone in this school, in England."

"He would, being the worshipper and pathetic righthand man of old Voldie. Besides, I'm not from England."

"You don't need to remind me. It's blatantly obvious. But you do go to this school if you haven't noticed. Or have you completely lost your senses,' Draco shot.

"Maybe I have. Actually it's very probable. But that only means I'm twice as dangerous. So either get to the point or stop pissing me off!"

He chuckled; he was going to love this. "You're so eager. I wouldn't be if I was you." She just stared at him so he continued. "Alright, have it your way. I'll cut to the chase. It's better this way cause if we continued this childish banter we'd probably lose our core audience, and we would want to do that now would we?"

Jenna lunged forward and grabbed him by the front of his robes, anger blazing through her. "Malfoy, what are you talking about?"

"Your father is loser. He tried to kill himself." Jenna froze, her anger slipping off her face. "Ah touchy subject, is it? I thought it might be." She let go of his shirt and pushed him backwards. He only laughed. "Now the real question is, why did he do it? Do you know?"

Jenna's eyes fell to the ground. She opened her mouth the speak, but shut it immediately. "It seems you do. And so do I, but I think I'll go through the list of possibilities first. Was it because he hurt his back and the pain was too intense? No, doesn't seem to be enough. Is it because he lost his job and had no money? Naw, still too weak a reason. Was it because all the illegal drugs he was taking messed with his head? Could be, but it's not." Draco took the offensive this time and moved closer to her. He stood within inches of her, but she refused to look up at him. "What's the real reason? You know Jenna, and it eats away at you doesn't it?"

Jenna answered, but in an uncharacteristically quiet and sorrowful voice, "Draco, stop."

Draco took note of her use of his first name. It made him stumble for a moment, but he refused to let it distract him from his mission. "Come on Jenna admit it. You know the truth. It was because he had nothing worth living for. Not even you."

Jenna shook her head profusely, still looking at the ground. "No that's not true."

"Yes it is. He did it because everything in his life was wrong and not even his own children were enough for him to want to live!"

"That''s a lie!" Jenna screamed. The vases holding flowers nearby shattered. Draco covered his ears. "He was upset because he couldn't be with us! Because he lived all the way in the country and we lived in New York! He couldn't visit cause he had no money. He screwed up a lot and he was just sad that he couldn't see us," she argued.

"No, you're the one lying to yourself. You know the truth. Just admit it," Draco urged coldly.

"No, I- he- it's just that-" Jenna started to back away from him but he only matched her every move.

"What? It's just that what?" he teased.

"Stop it," she cooed in an almost inaudible voice, "Please Draco stop it."

Her personal and softly expressed pleas irked Draco. Again he hesitated. He almost wanted to stop, but he had already gone too far. There was no turning back now. Everyone was watching. Half the school, including Potter. If he backed down now he'd never be taken seriously again. "Just admit it Jenna. It will make things so much easier. You can't say it yourself? Well here, I'll help you. Your father doesn't love you." The crowed all looked on absolutely horrified, either by Draco's cruelty or Jenna's weak state, or both, Harry the most sickened of them all. Draco's work here was done.

Draco was about to turn and walk away to leave Jenna to fend for herself, but she chose that moment to finally look up at him. What he saw almost broke him down completely. There were tears in her eyes. Draco just gazed at her as they spilt over her puffy eyes and ferociously flooded down her reddened cheeks. The expression on her face was so painful and heartbroken, Draco was speechless. He was about to say something - what he didn't know - but she spun on her heel and bounded out of the hallway, not even daring to look back. Harry, without hesitation, ran after her, much to the dismay of Weasley and Granger. The swarms of watchers didn't move though and neither did Draco. He just stood in silence, not even aware of the others around him.

Notes: OK everyone my first order of business is to APOLOGIZE!!!!!!!!!!!! I know it took me FOREVER to get this done. I am very disappointed in myself. School started and then I got caught up in my work, dance class, and play rehearsals. I've had a lot of new things going on. But anyway no cares about that.

So where did we leave off? Oh yes finding out that Cho had been attacked. That is an awful place to stall the next chapter isn't it? Again I'm sorry! SO this chapter is called The Devil's Clothing. This is because Harry uses it as a metaphor for Jenna and her attempts to win his friendship. It can also relate just to her actions or Draco's actions for that matter. This chapter serves many important purposes. Jenna has been a hard, cruel character most of the story. She has had her softer moments, but basically she's a bitch. This chapter humanizes her, makes her more realistic as a person and gives info into her past. It also further shows her descent into accepting her identity and how she deals with it. This chap also brings about the return of Draco as we know him-an asshole. He's been far too soft in previous chapters, it was time for Draco to be a Malfoy again as he states several times. So I did both of these things through Jenna and Draco's rivalry, Two Birds, one stone.

This chapter also goes a little more in depth with the condition of the victims and furthers the attacks and what is done about them. IT also marks Harry's turning point in which he finally admits what Jenna is for the first time. Also shows more emotion and insights for example in this passage The Jenna I've come to know and hate profusely," he mocked.She whispered a response, almost to herself, "Believe me the feeling is mutual." This shows that Jenna dislikes herself very much and not even she is happy with the way she acts. Another passage that does something similar is Jenna shook her head almost laughing. "Don't pretend you didn't love every second of it. You enjoyed being the submissive one for once." Draco dropped the smirk and went tight lipped. "If you only knew ... don't talk as if you know me." If you didn't catch this reference I'll clear it up. Jenna says he enjoyed being submissive for once and he takes that bitterly because he is always submissive when it comes to his father. Make more sense now? I thought it might = )I'm sure there is a bunch of other stuff but I don't feel like going into it. You're bright people, you can figure it out.

Oh and side note, the song in the last chapter was "By Myself" by Linkin Park, forgot to mention that last time. So big ups to them!! lol Wow and the song this chapter is "Outside" by Mariah Carey.