The Oracles of Prodigy

Chapter Two ~ Through Ways of Intervening

"I do hope Harry is all right," Mrs. Weasley said as she bustled about the kitchen, preparing dinner.

"Oh Molly, I'm sure he's fine. Arabella Figg is near him, isn't she? With that woman around, nothing bad could happen to Harry." Mr. Weasley took a sip of his tea as he reassured his wife.

"Yes, but we all thought he would be safe with Dumbledore right in front of him, now didn't we? But You- Know-Who found a way to get him out from under his nose. I'm not saying that Dumbledore made a mistake, Arthur, but anything can happen!" The stove billowed smoke as Mrs. Weasley poured sauce all over its face.

"Molly," Mr. Weasley said, taking her hand from the pot and restoring the kitchen with his wand. "Arabella is there and You-Know-Who doesn't know where Harry is; and now he'll be here with us, just like Albus planned. And I know we won't let anything harm him." He hugged his wife and left the kitchen. "I'm going to work now, and I'll come home tomorrow Harry will be here and you'll feel right again."

"Thank you."

Mr. Weasley nodded once and left the room. Just as a small pop! sounded in the living room, Ron came down the stairs with a letter clutched in his fist.

"He can go Mum," Ron said to his mother. Mrs. Weasley let a long sigh of relief. She drew her son into a tight hug and returned to her cooking.

Ron left his mother in the kitchen and started running up the stairs to his room. He never noticed the walls around him sinking low into faint blue light. As he rounded the second landing however, the strangeness of what was happening attracted Ron's attention. He stopped on the third landing, looking around him in panic.

"What is this?" he asked himself. He made towards a nearby wall, reaching out a hand to touch the rippling light. Then there was a tremendous flash, and Ron had to throw up his hands to shield his eyes from the brightness. Light was pouring onto him, casting everything in sight a ghostly white tinted with blue.

Just then, Ginny came out of her room and noticed her brother cowering from the sides in the middle of the landing. He was looking all around himself, squinting at the walls. She followed his gaze to the wall, but saw nothing vaguely interesting.

"What are you doing?" she asked him, walking right up to his face.

"How can you see in here? It's too bright," Ron answered. "The heat from this light is growing! Ginny, what's going on?"

"I don't know Ron but you're starting to scare me," she told him. She looked back at the walls, wondering what Ron was seeing. But they were perfectly ordinary.

"The light-" Ron tried to tell her, but his insides were burning, as if the light had entered him and was now eating his interior. He doubled over clutching his stomach, the pain growing with every breath he took.

"Ron, Ron what are you doing?! Ron stop, your scaring me! Ron-!" He could hear his sister yelling at him, shaking him to stop. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't tell her how much pain he was in. The burning sensation had reached an incredible climax, and he felt like passing out. He fell to his knees, gasping for air.

Then, he was thrown violently to the floor by images that had been shoved into his mind. It felt like a blow to his head. He screwed his eyes closed-and in doing so was able to see a vision. A girl was sitting alone in a room. A room crumbling unto itself. She sat cross-legged, her back straight and her head held high. Behind her a pair of manacles glittered eerily. Though the stone room was crashing down around the girl, she sat completely still and never once did she flinch.

As if Ron were there, the vision moved forward, closing on the girl's face. She had deep blue eyes, and long, wild hair. The smile that she wore made the blood in Ron's veins run cold. It wasn't a pleasant smile, but a hungry one, a dead one, an evil one.

And then she was gone. Everything vanished instantly, but the scorching light still remained in and around him.

"Make it stop!" Ron repeated over and over again. But instead of bowing to his wishes, the pain increased.

"Ron, wake up," someone was calling to him, but Ron couldn't make out the voice. Soon, however, his body could not take the fire inside and he fell away into darkness.

****

Hermione Granger sat bundled up in a blanket on her couch in front of a roaring fire. She was reading a spellbook on useful hexes and curses that could help fight the Dark Arts. She was just about to read up on the Severing Curse when her mother called to her from upstairs.

"Hermione dear, did you already pack for tomorrow?" Mrs. Granger questioned.

"Yes Mom," she called back.

"Very nice sweetie," Hermione heard her mother say, as she descended down the stairs. Mrs. Granger looked much like her daughter. She, too, possessed bushy brown hair, but hers was wound up in a bun, and she wore a black pinstriped suit covered in her dentist lab coat. "I'll be going to work in a few minutes, right when your father comes home from the day shift. Now, don't forget to ask your father about your school supplies."

"Don't worry Mum, I won't," Hermione assured her, smiling. Mrs. Granger winked and retreated to the kitchen. Hermione wriggled out of her blanket and smoothed out her skirt. She got up and started up to her room, intending to return her book to her trunk in the hallway.

When she reached her bedroom door she heard the front door open and her father's voice echoing up the stairs. Hermione set her book on top of her trunk and rushed down to her father. He was already kissing his wife goodbye beside the door.

"Well, I'm off," Mrs. Granger said.

"Bye Mom. I won't see you till next summer. I'll be gone before you come home tomorrow." Hermione hugged her mother tightly.

"I'll miss you." And with that, she waved her last farewell and drove away to work. Father and daughter watched as her car disappeared down the street before closing the door and heading to the living room.

"I'm going to re-check my stuff Dad, just to make sure I haven't forgotten anything," Hermione informed him.

"Are you getting your new supplies with the Weasleys?" her father asked.

"Yes Dad. They're taking Harry and I with them."

"Okay then dear. If you need me I'll be in the living room." He winked. Hermione could tell her father was always so proud of her, and she was glad that she was able to do that. She smiled at her father and made her way up the steps again; but something happened.

Hermione had set one foot onto the stairway when she fell to the ground. She hadn't seen it, but a beam of light had suddenly shot out of nowhere and cut right through her chest. She was caught absolutely off guard. It was pain like she had never known before and everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. Hermione could feel herself fall slowly to the ground; and on her way down a series of endless emotions flushed through her. She felt pain, sadness, joy, exhilaration, depression, excitement, fear and anxiety all at once. They were changing so fast in her that she never had time to register one emotion from the other. But they hurt so bad. The feelings were jetting around inside of her, raging a war against one another.

As the battle continued inside of her, the action never ceasing, Hermione lay motionless on the floor; her arms and legs sprawled over the stairway. No matter how much the pain stabbed at her, she couldn't do anything about it. She wanted to scream, but her mouth was sealed close. She wanted to slam the ground with her fist, but her limbs lay nailed to the ground. All she could do was screw up her face and close her eyes as the emotions sizzled inward, toward her heart.

And then her eyes snapped open as her chest erupted with light. It was glowing above her, and a scene played in fast forward before her. A girl, sitting. She was then shackled to the wall, crying out in agony. Then she was on the floor, not moving, not breathing; but eyes open, staring into space. And then her chest closed, and the beam vanished along with the pain. Hermione simply laid there, her heart beating fast, her breath coming in rapidly. And she stayed that way for an hour, until her father came by and dragged her to her room. But Hermione never moved the whole time. She just stayed still, wondering.

****

Harry stood alone on the corner of Privet Drive. It was early morning so the sun had not completely come over the horizon yet, and everything around him was set in a hazy glow. Hugging his cloak closer to himself, Harry looked down the street. He didn't know how the Weasleys were going to get him, but he hoped they were coming soon.

Being out in a deserted street all alone didn't exactly sound safe to him, but that was what Ron had told him. He also wasn't sure that picking him up so early in the morning was wise, but Mrs. Weasley had sent another letter telling him to come to the corner before the sun rose.

Without thinking Harry stole a glance over his shoulder. Nothing but a plain, quiet house stared back at him. He sighed and turned back to the street. Thinking that Ron and the Weasley's would take longer than he suspected, Harry moved Hedwig's empty cage off of his trunk and sat down in its place. His thoughts soon trailed away from the Weasley family to the incident that had happened just yesterday. Who was that girl and why did she come to him?

Harry massaged his head. He already had too many worries, what with Voldemort roaming around, and he didn't need anymore. But what freaked him out the most was the look she gave him. Her smile was horrid, but her eyes told a different story. It was like they knew him, knew what was to happen to him, and Harry was sure they shone with pity and not hunger. Replaying the scene in his head, it almost seemed that her deep blue eyes and stone smile were two different parts, showing two different sides of one person; the dark side and the light side.

"Your here earlier than I expected Harry," a calm voice said behind him. For a split second the blood in Harry's veins ran cold, his body stiffened and fear gripped his heart. Then in a flash, Harry had jumped off his trunk, plunged his hand into his cloak and extracted his wand. He swirled around and pointed it right at the heart of the person behind him. Opening his mouth, Harry shouted out the first spell that came to mind, "Avada Ke-"

But he stopped short. In mid-sentence Harry looked up from his wand point and saw that there person standing there was none other than Mrs. Figg!

"Mrs. Figg! I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...I just," Harry tried to apologize quickly, but his words were jumbling together. He dropped his wand hand to his side guiltily. "I'm sorry I tried to...you know..."

"Kill me?" Mrs. Figg finished with, to Harry's utter amazement, a smile on her face. "Don't worry Harry, it's quite alright. I wouldn't expect any less than that, what with your current situation. Speaking of which, that is why I am here." She sat down on the trunk at looked up at him.

Harry simply stood there in shock, not only of what he had almost done, but because of Mrs. Figg. She looked...different. She seemed more composed, more confident, even younger. She spoke to Harry as an equal, and her smile was genuine. Apart from all this, she wore not a dress nor a jacket, but robes! Deep emerald robes that reminded Harry of his Head of House at Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall.

"Mrs. Figg, er-what are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?" Harry asked as politely as he could.

"I'm here upon Albus Dumbledore's request and my own will," she replied.

"You know Professor Dumbledore? But how? He's a...a..." Harry stammered.

"A wizard? Yes, I am aware. All witches and wizards know who he is." She smiled kindly at him.

"What?" Harry sat down next to her, mouth open. "Are you saying that your a witch?" Mrs. Figg laughed heartily. Not in mockery, but in reply.

"Yes Harry. I am a witch."

"But all this time you never told me?"

"I could never tell famous Harry Potter when he didn't know what he was!"

"So you knew who I was all along? All those times I went to your house and you were right there in front of me? But why? Why didn't you help me from the Dursleys? You could have taken me in instead of me living with them!" Harry was outraged. A witch had taken care of him once every year for ten years and she had never given the slightest hint of who she was.

"Harry," she said, her face stern and her voice serious. "There are reasons for me not being able to tell you who I was, but you cannot know of them now. Soon, I promise I will tell you. But for this moment I am here to watch over you until Mr. and Mrs. Weasley come to get you."

Harry nodded, knowing from many times of talking with Dumbledore that things like this shouldn't be pressed. He looked down at his hands and saw his wand still clenched in his fingers. With a wave of guilt he returned his wand to his pocket.

"I'm sorry," he said again, not looking at Mrs. Figg.

"For what Harry?" she asked.

"For trying to kill you. You just gave me a fright and I didn't have time to think straight." A thought struck him into panic. "Are you going to report me to the Ministry?"

"Of course not. I fully understand your reasons for springing like that. I don't blame you for anything dear." Mrs. Figg then pulled her own wand and gave it a wave. A tray appeared in front of them holding two steaming mugs of hot cocoa.

"Dumbledore always said that this has magic all its own." She handed Harry one mug and kept the other for herself. Harry took it gratefully and gulped it down. It wasn't too hot or too cold, just right.

The two sat there in silence for a few minutes, the quiet not tense but comfortable. Then Harry heard a familiar sound and looked down the street. Coming around the corner was a small, purple car; and driving it was a kind-looking, red-haired man. It was Mr. Weasley.

"They're here!" Harry got to his feet and raised his hand, calling Mr. Weasley towards him. Harry smiled as he nodded in his direction.

"I'll be going now then Harry," Mrs. Figg said. Harry turned to her.

"Thank you for waiting with me. I hope we can see each other next summer."

"I think we'll be seeing one another much sooner than that." Her eyes twinkled, flashing Harry a reminder of Dumbledore. He smiled in return and bent down to pick up Hedwig's cage.

"Mrs. Figg, did Dumbledore tell you that-" but as Harry straightened up he noticed that she was no where in sight.

****

"But I'm really not that tired!" Hermione had tried endlessly to explain as she was hurried up the stairs.

"Don't give me any of that young lady. I need you to be in tip top shape so you can keep the boys in line!" Hermione laughed along with Mrs. Weasley. Knowing it was better not to argue; she sprinted upwards and entered Ron's room on the top floor.

"I guess I'll just sit up here and wait for them," Hermione said to herself, but her body acted otherwise. She truly didn't have much sleep last night, and she couldn't help but lay her head on the pillow.

Falling into the comfort of the bed, Hermione's eyes closed and she drifted off to a merciless dream...

****

She was in a tower. A tower that was dark and damp. Feeling frightened and alone, Hermione moved ahead of herself and found that three other figures were in this tower room with her. Two she knew by heart, one she knew by hurt. Harry and Ron were there but they didn't seem to notice Hermione. Instead, they were watching the third person. A person chained brutally to the wall. As Hermione neared them she could make out bruises and blood where metal met flesh on the battered wrists.

"Harry, Ron. Where are we? Where did you come from and what happened to her? She's hurt!" Hermione asked, running to them. She stood right up to their face, but they paid no heed to her presence. They just continued to stare at the person on the wall...the girl on the wall.

"Hello? Are you listening to me? What's wrong with the two of you?" Hermione followed their frozen gaze to the girl. It was the same gaunt face that appeared to Hermione when the light had burst through her.

But the girl's head was bowed down low, and she wasn't moving at all; no rise and fall of the chest, no subtle sound of breathing.

"Is she...she dea-" But Hermione never got the chance to finish her sentence. In a flash, the girl snapped her head up and glared at them. Her dark eyes glowed sapphire and, then she locked her eyes with Ron's. Ron's own blue eyes widened in fear and he began backing away from the girl along with Harry.

"Ron, Ron wait." But he didn't hear Hermione anymore than he expressed that he saw her.

Then, giving no warning whatsoever, Ron released an earth-shattering cry and fell backward to the ground. He twitched once, and then lay still.

"Are you okay Ron?" Hermione cried. For some reason, she remained rooted to the spot. She was worried, but she just stood, invisible, next to the girl; the girl who's eyes were still locked on the motionless Ron.

Looking at Harry, Hermione wondered why he wasn't moving. Wouldn't he want to know what was wrong with his best friend? But she then noticed that he was struggling with himself, as though he was fighting to move but couldn't.

"RON!" Harry yelled. Finally coming to her senses, Hermione ran to Ron's side. She knelt down beside him, to see what was wrong, but her knees fell onto something seeping out from under Ron. It was blood. Dark, horrible blood, continuing to flow from somewhere under Ron.

"Ron! Ron wake up! Please wake up! Open your eyes; you have to get out of here. Harry...he's not moving! He won't move! I think he's-he's...dead."

Her hands fell to her sides. Her body slumped over, and her brown eyes looked sadly into Ron's dead face. Then her mind couldn't take this sudden shock and Hermione began to cry. Crying high into the air, her tears falling...Ron's lifeless hand catching each one...

"Hermione! Wake up!" Hermione's eyes fluttered open and it took her a few moments to focus on the face staring down at her.

"Who-?" she tried to say, but she couldn't string her words together.

"Hermione, it's me, Ron. Ronald Weasley, one of your best friends. Harry is here too."

At this, Hermione's eyes snapped open and she could see clearly Ron's flaming red hair and freckles. His blue eyes stared back at her, showing life.

"Your alive!" she cried, and jumped up and threw her arms around Ron's neck, hugging him vigorously. Thrown

off by her sudden actions and her tightening hug, Ron tried desperately to pull her off.

"Hermione," he gasped tugging weakly at her arms. "Hermione, your cutting off my air..."

"Oh Ron! I can't believe your alive! I was just dreaming, but you were dead! You were dead and I thought that I would never see you again! It was horrible!"

"Hermione!" Ron's face was turning bright red now. "Get...off!"

"And there was so much blood and I didn't do anything to help you at all! I felt so guilty..."

"Her...mione-get...off me..."

"What? Why?" Hermione moved back so she could look at Ron's face. His eyes were crossing and he was turning a violent shade of maroon. "Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry." She let go quickly and Ron breathed in deeply. Hermione heard laughter behind her and spun around to see Harry doubling over with hysteria.

"Harry! You're here and you're safe! I was worried that You-Know-Who might've...but I never really-oh but I'm so glad your alright!" Without thinking Hermione swept Harry up in a tight hug as well. Before he lost any more breath, Harry spoke into Hermione's hair.

"Hermione wait, don't shock me!"

"Oh, right." Hermione stepped back. "Sorry."

"Yeah that's right," Ron whined from the floor where he fell over. "I'm the one who died in your dream and you half choke me to death but of course you leave Harry alone! I feel so special!"

This is how it's supposed to be, Hermione thought, as all three laughed heartily, their joy ringing all through the house.

****

"They know. Three have seen, two have felt, and one waits..."

Crystal lay sprawled on the tower floor. She was no longer wearing rags, but a beautiful, flowing snow white dress. Her hair was no longer a mass of wild tangles, but now sleek and shiny, spread all around her.

"I think I've found some new friends," she said, her blue eyes shining madly.

"Crystal! Crystal, come in here. Professor Dumbledore is here to meet us."

Crystal jerked her head towards the open doorway where her little brother, Leo, stood waiting. He was wearing a pure white tunic, his own hair also clean and his green eyes full of concern for her, his sister. Wanting to make a good impression for her brother, Crystal sat up quickly and brushed herself off. Abandoning her dark stance she adopted a sisterly smile and strode over to him.

"Shall we go meet him then?" she asked, taking her sibling by the arm. Leo looked shocked. His sister never acted this normal since her powers took over. Just don't question it, he told himself.

"Right. Let's go." And the two walked through the door. I pretend to be fine now, Crystal thought to herself, grinning slightly. But once I gain Dumbledore's trust, I'll be able to transmit more clues to the children.

They entered a fine, glittering room and a man stood with his back to them. He was facing the open window, staring into the darkness of night.

"We are here, Professor," Leo said. The man turned to them, his half-moon spectacles propped before his twinkling blue eyes.

"Then we shall begin," he said. Crystal smiled wider. Dumbledore and Leo walked together and started talking immediately. Crystal trailed behind. A thought formed in her mind.

"When Dumbledore leaves," she said under her breath. "I'll let the boy feel it again. Let's see if he can handle the pain..."

****

"Hermione...Hermione you look different." Ron stared at her as all three friends descended down the stairs. Being caught up in the laughter and death hugs just a few minutes before, Ron never noticed how Hermione had changed over the summer.

"Really? How so?" Hermione asked. She stepped in front of Harry and Ron and swirled around for them. Her hair was longer and shone golden brown and she had certainly grown since last year. She was taller and prettier.

"You look like...like a girl," Ron said with all sincerity, his hand stroking his chin.

"You already realized that last year before the Yule Ball, Ron," Harry told him, laughing.

"I know dung brain!" Ron gave him a playful push. "It's just Hermione is so pretty now. I just saw it when we were walking and wanted to tell her, that's all." He continued down the stairs, as if what he said was absolutely normal. Harry and Hermione stared after him.

"Er-thanks...Ron." Hermione really didn't know what to say.

"Your welcome."

"Wait a minute." Harry hurried to catch up to Ron, Hermione right behind him. "You tell Hermione that she's beautiful, and then walk away without another word?"

"Yeah." Harry, Ron, and Hermione hit the landing and entered the kitchen.

"But why?"

"Because dinner is soon Harry!"

"No, I mean act like it was nothing! She's gorgeous and you just brushed that away in a second!"

Hermione blushed scarlet.

"Well, if she doesn't watch it, one of us could fall for her!" Ron grinned once at Harry, then at Hermione and then left for the living room.

"I know! Wouldn't that be a strange situation." Harry followed Ron, leaving Hermione to stand in the kitchen, mouth hanging open. She couldn't believe how casual they had been about talking about her in front of her!

"Hermione, are you coming or do you like my kitchen too much?" Ron's ginger head appeared just inside the doorway, smiling.

"Oh, right." Hermione walked up to him, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Don't feel embarrassed Hermione," Ron assured her, as if reading her mind. Hermione was looked up at him. He had grown much taller.

"What?"

"About the way me and Harry were talking about you? We're best friends, remember? We can talk about anything!" He swung his arm around her shoulders. "And we'll always be about best friends."

"Your right Ron; and best friends tell each other everything, right?"

"Right," Ron said, as the two walked through the door and into the backyard to follow the voices of Harry and Ginny.

"So...what's this?" Hermione's voice grew panicky and she pointed down to Ron's side.

"What-?" Confused, Ron looked down at his side and saw a dark stain on his shirt. "It actually hurts there." He lifted his shirt to look at it.

"Ron!" Blood stained his hands where the slash in his skin met his hand.

****

"We won't strike, my Lord?" Wormtail asked fearfully.

"No. I want dear little Harry Potter to live in fear of death for awhile, just like I did." Voldemort breathed in deeply. "Plus, I want to feel out this body of mine. You don't know how good if feels to perform my own acts of torture myself."

"What about the dementors? The Death Eaters? What will they do until you are ready to rid of Dumbledore and Harry Potter?"

Voldemort took another deep breath, staring out of the window.

"Let them do what they please, but tell them not to harm anyone from Hogwarts. I need a special someone for that task."

"Who, my Lord?" Wormtail recoiled as Voldemort turned from the window and faced him. An evil glint came over his serpent eyes.

"Dumbledore had decided to take the aid of an ancient magic. A magic I could use to my very own benefit. We will wait for the time being, just until Dumbledore reveals where the magic is hidden." He pulled out his wand from within his robes. "But for now, I'm feeling antsy. Let's go visit some muggles, shall we?"

****

Harry and Ginny were setting up the table in the backyard again because Fred, George, Percy, Charlie and Bill were coming for dinner that night too. Harry could still tell Ginny sort of liked him, but was glad that they could stay friends for now.

"Oh, sorry Harry," Ginny apologized as she bumped into him.

"That's all right." Harry picked up the forks that he dropped.

"Harry," Ginny started. "I need your help with something."

"What is it?"

"It's about Ron. Something happened yesterday to him, and I don't know what it was. Our whole family has been really worried."

"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, setting down his last fork. Ginny took in a deep breath.

"Well, something has been happening to him. Yesterday he was acting so strange. It looked as though he was afraid of the walls. He kept telling me that the light from them was too bright, but I didn't see anything!"

Interested and intent on hearing everything, Harry moved closer to Ginny, so that they were almost shoulder to shoulder. Embarrassed and quite nervous, Ginny shifted away a few inches; being too close to him felt uncomfortable. Fortunately, Harry didn't notice.

"But why? What was he seeing?"

"I don't know," Ginny answered. "Then he fell to the floor, clutching his stomach. And after awhile he fainted." She collapsed into one of the chairs at the table. "I've been really worried about him, Harry. I mean, he is the only one of my brothers who seems to care about me! He even risked his life to save me from the Chamber of Secrets. Well, actually you did...Harry-" Ginny blushed almost as red as her hair and Harry coughed loudly.

"Yeah, well...so, Ron saw light?" Harry confirmed, changing the subject.

"Yes," Ginny replied. And then her face light up, remembering something. "Oh yeah, and he mentioned this girl in his mind. He said she had dark eyes and this wild hair. He also said that she looked sinister...evil." Ginny looked at Harry and saw his green eyes were slightly shocked behind his round glasses.

"He saw her too?" Harry worded out loud. Ginny looked puzzled.

"Too?" Harry stiffened. Harry didn't want to tell anybody about his encounter until he was certain it wasn't fatal or his imagination. He was just about to make an excuse when Hermione came running around the corner of the house. She was out of breath and looked thoroughly frightened.

"Hermione?" Harry walked over to her. Her face was pale and she was panicking on the spot.

"Harry, Ron's hurt!"

"What?"

"He has this cut on his side and it won't stop bleeding. He doesn't know where it came from but it's awfully deep and I wanted to heal it with this spell I read over the summer, but underage wizards aren't supposed to do magic outside of school and if I get the Weasley's into trouble I could really mess things up and-Harry?"

Harry had left Hermione in mid-sentence to aid Ron. He was around the corner of the house, on his knees, gingerly touching the wound in his side. The blood was still flowing freely from it, and Ron winced with pain at every breath he took.

"Ron! Ron, what happened here?" Harry fell down beside him. He, himself, tried to touch the wound, to inspect it, but once his fingers got an inch away the were seared with a burning sensation. He withdrew them quickly.

"Harry," Ron gasped. "Don't let her see me..." Harry ignored him.

"You have to get up and go inside with me. You can't stay out here any longer!" Harry began to pull him up by the arm.

"Harry, no!" Ron stayed rooted to the spot, breathing hard. "I can't move! It hurts to much! You just can't let her see me!" And then Ron's eyes were pulled shut and Harry could tell something was going on in his mind. Harry made to run into the house, but Ron caught his arm once more.

"Ron-"

"Don't let Ginny see me like this." Harry stared at him.

"Ron, let go. I think that is the least of your worries." He flinched as his friend gulped down air in great difficulty. "Ron, I have to get you mum! She needs to help you!"

"No!" Ron coughed harshly. "First don't let Ginny see me."

"Ron!"

"Harry, please!"

"Why?!" But Harry and Ron both ceased their chatter as Hermione and Ginny's worried voices came echoing from around the corner. Ron's grip on Harry tightened.

"Harry, you have to trust me. Just stop her and I'll be fine. I'll heal."

"What are you talking about?" Ginny's ginger hair started to appear from around the house.

"Harry, I beg you, please!"

Bounding forward, Harry strode to the corner and blocked Ginny's way.

"Harry?"

"Ginny, you can't see him." Ginny looked at him, confused. Harry looked at Hermione and nodded to her. She nodded in return and ran past him to Ron.

"Harry, if Hermione can go then so can I," Ginny protested, and she tried to push Harry aside.

"No!" Harry grabbed her by the shoulders and guided her back to the table.

"Harry, this isn't funny! Let me go to my brother!" Even though Harry was fifteen and Ginny was fourteen, it didn't take much effort for her to pry his hands off and dash past him. Harry spun around fast and grabbed her arm.

"Ginny, believe me, he can't let you see him! I don't know why but he says it will help him!"

"Harry, you're mental! I need to help him!" She struggled to release herself. Harry searched his mind for a way to stop her.

"Wait, I'm hurt!" Before he even finished his sentence Harry knew this was a stupid excuse.

"No your not, now let go of me!" Ginny cried. She pulled out of Harry's grip and almost rounded the corner; but Harry sprang forward and grabbed both her arms behind her.

"Ginny, please!"

"Harry, let me go!"

"This is what he wants Ginny," Harry pleaded.

"I don't care, I want to see him! He's hurt and I can't just stand here and do nothing about it!"

"But he can't heal with you there; this is for his own good!"

"His own good? Harry, your acting really strange and I don't need that right now! Let go!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"But Ron wants-"

"Do I look like I care what he wants? Besides, nothing you say or do can stop me!" She was almost free of his grip. Frantic, only one thing came to Harry's mind that could stop Ginny and help Ron. He screwed up his face. I can't believe I'm going to do this, he thought.

Harry tugged forcefully on Ginny's arm. He pulled her close...and kissed her. Surprised and utterly bewildered, Ginny stood frozen in Harry's hands, staring at him. She quickly forgot all about Ron and what was hurting him. Harry kept his eyes shut, not being able to look Ginny in the face. From around the corner Harry could here a sigh of relief and Hermione calling to them that Ron was now fine.

Hurriedly, Harry released Ginny and both stepped away from each other. Harry didn't know what to say, and Ginny looked to shocked to speak. There was a long moment's pause, as Harry and Ginny sorted out what had just happened. Ginny clasped her hands to her chest, embarrassed, and Harry bore his eyes into the ground. Hermione's voice rang out from around the house calling Harry to her. He didn't move for quite some time, but decided that he had to see if Ron was alright.

"Sorry," Harry finally muttered to Ginny as he swept past her still body joined Ron and Hermione.

****

"You did what?!" Ron asked. Harry avoided his eyes, not saying anything. "Harry-"

"I kissed her."

Ron fell off his bed, his roaring laugh echoing in Harry's ears. Harry turned a bright red and looked out of the window. Hermione, who was pacing the room, turned away from Harry quickly. Her shoulders were quivering and she was making noises that sounded like sniffles.

"Hermione," Harry asked, concerned. "Hermione, are you okay?"

Harry turned her around and she burst into laughter in his face. For the first time, Harry saw Hermione lose all composure and fall to the ground as well, giggling and laughing just as hard as Ron. Frustrated, Harry dropped into Ron's desk chair and waited as his best friend's regained themselves again and stood from the floor.

While he was waiting he gazed around Ron's room. The walls and bed were still a blazing orange. His books were still piled high on his desk and his wand was no where in sight. Finally, both friends picked themselves off the floor, trying hard to stay stern, but Hermione still possessed a smile and Ron kept breaking out in small fits of laughter.

"I can't believe you kissed her, Harry!" Ron said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "It must have been a dream come true for her! I would have given anything to see her face right then!"

"Yeah, well, she didn't look at all happy about it," Harry grumbled, folding his arms and leaning back in the chair. Ron raised his eyebrows at him.

"Harry, you sound a bit disappointed." Ron plopped out to his bed. "Don't worry about it, she's probably dancing around her room and giggling her little heart out right now," Ron said, sounding wistful and throwing a pillow at Harry.

"Oh shut up," Harry said, throwing it back.

"Okay, okay. Let's get serious now," Hermione stated, pacing the room again. "Let's focus on the major problem here-what happened to you Ron?" Hermione regained her 'down-to-business' attitude and it got both boys to stop their playing around.

"I don't know. It just happened," Ron said reluctantly. He really didn't want to relive what had happened a few moments ago.

"Wait," Harry started. "Why did you want me to stop Ginny from seeing you in the first place? It was kind of a weird request."

"Um-" Ron looked uneasy about something. The same look Harry did when he wasn't sure if he should tell his friends something.

"Ron, you can tell us. No matter how far-fetched it may sound," Hermione assured.

"Oh, that's not what I'm worried about, because what she told me wasn't far-fetched at all. It was true," Ron said off-handedly, not even thinking that he said anything strange.

"Who?" Harry questioned. Ron looked up at him.

"Okay," he began. "When Hermione pointed out my cut, I really didn't know where it came from or when. But then it hurt so bad and I fell to my knees in pain; but when Hermione left to go get you, Harry, something happened." Ron's voice faltered slightly, but he kept on. "There was this voice that was whispering in my ear. It was really scary. It was a girl's, and she said that if I let my little sister see me in such pain, something could happen to her. At first I thought, 'This must be my imagination!', but then the girl just kept talking to me. She wouldn't stop telling me that if Ginny saw me, something terrible would happen." Ron gulped down hard, telling the tale of the girl's voice in great detail as his own mind fell back to that exact moment...

Ron was kneeling on the ground, his side burning with pain. Hermione had just left him to get Harry, but with her gone, Ron felt incredibly alone. His breath was coming in hard, and he wasn't sure how long he could stay conscious. The slash in his body seemed to reach farther down than it looked...like it touched his soul and was eating away at it.

Ron remembered wanting someone, anyone, to be with him right then...and he had gotten his wish, but not in the way he wanted. The voice of an invisible stranger, cruel and eerily calm, whispered in his ear, sending a chill up his spine.

"Don't let her see you," it said. Its tone was horrible, evil and crazy...insane. Ron's muscles tensed, sending more pain from his side to the rest of his body.

"Who is that? Who are you?!" Ron cried, panic edging his persistent tone, for he could barely turn around and look for himself.

"Don't let her see you..."

"Leave me alone! Hermi-"

"DON'T CALL FOR ANYONE!" the voice bellowed. Ron fell silent in fear, his hands balled into fists. But then the voice lost its anger and adopted a playful air.

"If you let her see you, something terrible will happen to her...and you don't want anything bad to happen to her..." the voice taunted. Ron was completely scared now, and he wanted so much to make the voice go away, but he also wanted to know what it was talking about.

"Her? Who, Hermione? Oh my god, is something bad going to happen to Hermione?"

"No," the voice answered. It gave a laugh, a cold, merciless laugh. A laugh that sounded like a girl's. "No, someone else. Someone who you love very much...horror beyond horror will befall her if she sees you in such pain."

"What?!" Ron racked his brain. What girl did he love so much? He didn't love anyone! Sure he liked someone, but love? Who? Who? And then her name echoed across his brain, as though she had said it herself: Ginny. His only sister. His only younger sibling; one whom he loved dearly. Something terrible would befall her? But what?

"My sister?" Ron asked the bodiless voice. "What will happen to her if she sees me?" And then Ron gasped as a force hit him on his wound, causing pain to ripple throughout his body and numb him to stillness.

"FOOL!" The voice shouted, expressing more than ever that it was female. "How dare you question me! I, I who know more than any other being on earth! I who can predict anything and everything! I, who can create predictions, twisting them so they become what I want them to be." Laughter again, laughter that could freeze the blood even of a dementor.

"What will happen?" Ron asked again through clenched teeth.

"Trust me boy, it will be painful upon her."

"What will happen?!"

"Ron! Ron, what happened here?" Harry cried as he whipped around the corner and to his side. Ron couldn't think straight, but somehow he knew the voice was telling the truth, and he had to warn Harry.

"Harry, don't let her see me..." Ron gulped down the air, trying to stay awake.

But Harry wasn't listening to him. He was busy trying to pry him off the ground. Ron remembered resisting him, pleading him to stop Ginny. Then her voice had come from around the corner. She couldn't see him, she couldn't!

"You don't believe me, boy. How dare you doubt me. I guess the only way to make you believe...IS TO LET YOU SEE THE TERROR FOR YOURSELF!" That was when Ron's blue eyes were yanked shut, and a vision filled the darkness. Ginny...on the ground...eyes open in shock...so still...so cold...so dead....

Her eyes were not like they truly were in real life; they were black. Full clouded over, like a night curtain in a window, shielding the empty house within. Then the scream filled his eyes; how, he did not know. But he could see it. The pain, the agony, the torture in her voice; Ginny's voice. Helpless..terrified...

"Don't let Ginny see me like this!" Ron had begged.

"Ron, let go! I think that is the least of your worries."

"Harry, please!" And in hearing the pain in Ron's voice, Harry had crumbled under the pressure and stopped Ginny in her tracks. Hermione was with him now.

"Oh, Ron..." Hermione had said, tears choking her voice.

"Hermione, please don't cry. I'll be-"

"Don't speak to her." Ron closed his mouth. The girl had returned, but it seemed that she was only heard by Ron, for Hermione made no notice of her. "You did right, boy. Now no harm will come to your precious sister...yet."

"What-"

"Quiet boy! Now wait. Wait for just a moment. When that moment passes, your slash will heal instantly and no pain will linger behind. In that moment, the disaster I created will not come, and you have saved someone you love for another day. In one moment. Wait...wait..."

"Ron? Ron are you okay?" Hermione asked, for he knew that he was unnaturally silent.

"Wait..."

"Ron, Speak to me!"

"NOW!"

And then a sizzle, not painful, shrouded his entire body, and Ron could feel the slice in his skin mend. All the pain, all the hurt that had come with it vanished, and he was able to slowly open his eyes. Somehow, he had ended up on the ground, and looking down upon him was a gentle face.

"Ron! Are you okay?" Hermione asked. Ron looked around him, searching for the voice.

"Yeah," he said, yet not really being so. "Yeah, I'm okay." He pulled himself off the ground as Hermione called to Harry and Ginny that Ron was finally all right...

Silence followed Ron's story. Hermione had rested herself on the camp bed at the foot of Ron's bed and Harry sat frozen at his desk.

"That's it basically," Ron said. He looked at his two best friends. Finally, after a few minutes of quiet, Harry spoke up.

"Before we talk about what happened to you, Ginny mentioned something about you that happened yesterday. You were seeing light?"

"Oh," Ron started. He quickly explained about the light and the pain again. He also told them about the girl with the dark eyes and the wild hair. When he did so, Hermione and Harry both snapped to attention.

"Who?" Hermione asked.

"This girl. She looked really weird. I saw her, like in a vision kind of thing. She's the one who made all that-"

"Pain," Harry and Hermione said together. The three looked at each other, frightened yet excited.

"I've seen her too," Harry said. "And judging by the look on Hermione's face, she has as well. But what does that mean?"

"What happened when she came to you guys?" Ron asked curiously. Harry looked to Hermione, wanting to hear her version first.

"Well,' she stammered. "This may sound completely strange, but a beam of light shot through my chest and made it erupt with light! I saw the girl then. She was...dead. It really scared my father." She shivered and started pacing the room again. "I never really knew pain like that existed. It was terrible. I just couldn't stand it and I fell away. Away from the world it seemed like," she continued.

Harry glanced uneasily at Ron. Hermione sounded awkward. She usually didn't act this...dramatic.

"Hermione?" Ron prodded.

"It hurt so bad. And then she I saw her, so motionless. That wasn't the only time I saw her though! When you two woke me up I she was in my dream. She showed me Ron on the ground and Harry in distress. It was horrid! I-I never knew someone so cruel could do this! I know she's behind all this! Who is she? Who is she?!"

"Hermione! Calm down!' Harry had gotten up and grasped Hermione by the shoulders. She looked at him in a puzzled way, and her eyes looked different to Harry; not their usually dignified and composed brown. Then she shook her head and they regained their normal stance.

"Whoa. I don't know where that came from." Hermione shook her head again. "That was odd."

"You okay?" Harry asked, trying to look her in the eye. Hermione nodded.

"Yeah," she replied. "But your hurting my shoulders Harry."

"Oh. I'm sorry." He let go immediately.

"That's quite alright Harry. No big problem. So, what happened when she came to you?" Hermione stole Harry's seat at the desk, and Harry began to trace Hermione's steps of pacing the room. Ron simply gazed on.

"I was in my room and this slit of light appeared in the air. She came through it, reaching for me. It really scared me, and then my scar burned. It didn't hurt like when Vol-, sorry. You-Know-Who is near, but more of a sizzling. She really didn't do anything, but her face was so...I don't know; sinister."

"So," Ron said. "We've all seen her. What does that mean? What has it got to do with anything and why do we see her in the first place?"

"I don't know." Harry rubbed his forehead. "But somehow I know this has nothing to do with You-Know-Who. I don't think he would be this nice to us."

Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but closed it quickly and stared at a point outside the window. Ron and Harry both followed her gaze and saw a white owl pecking lightly on the glass. She held a letter tight in her beak.

"Hedwig!" Harry cried. He hurried over to the window and pried it open. Hedwig glided into the room and dropped the letter in Ron's lap before resting herself on Hermione's shoulder. She folded her wings behind her back and looked at Harry. Harry never remembered ever seeing Hedwig so stern before. Sure, she always had a straight, dignified look, but it usually radiated relaxation and simple joy; but now she stared at him with opaque eyes that said that the letter she held brought important and serious news.

"Harry, this letter is from Hogwarts," Ron said from the bed. Harry looked at him as Ron broke the wax seal and unfolded the letter.

"Yeah, I wrote to Dumbledore about the girl right after I saw her. I just thought he ought to know about it,"

Harry informed them, as Ron began to skim the letter fast.

"Good thinking Harry! If anyone knows who she is it'll be Prof. Dumbledore," Hermione said. "Ron, what does the letter say?"

"Something weird," he replied. "Here, listen to this:

Dear Harry,

Have Ron and Hermione felt anything or seen anything like you have? If so, contact me immediately! I must know as soon as possible in order to make her stop; but if the girl comes back to any of you ever again, do not be frightened. She means you no harm. Do not fear, she is not connected with...

("Sorry," Ron interrupted. "I just can't say the name. But he meant You-Know-Who." He continued with the letter.)

I know that you have many questions about her, and I promise to answer them...but not now. This may frustrate you, but I ask you to be patient and trust me. This girl has a lot to do with you, Ron and Hermione; and the results may come as a sudden surprise but not life threatening. Everything will reveal itself in due course.

Also, Harry, I want to make sure you are safe. Never leave the house unless Mr. or Mrs. Weasley is with you. I hope Hermione and Ron keep an eye out that you don't otherwise, but I am certain you are not taking the current situations lightly. I look forward to see the three of you on the Hogwarts Express on September 1st. Have a nice summer-

Professor Albus Dumbledore

"He's looking forward to seeing us on the Hogwarts Express?" Ron questioned, folding the letter back up. "But I've never seen a teacher on the train before, except for Lupin. What's he talking about?"

"I don't know. What I'm more interested in is who that girl is. Dumbledore certainly knows her, but he doesn't seem to want to tell us. Tell us now, anyway." Harry looked at the ceiling, confused. Hermione stood up from her chair.

"Well, I mean, it is Dumbledore; and if he says not to worry for now, then I think we should believe him. I know it sounds strange, but what else can we do?" Harry nodded, but didn't look at her. Hermione took no notice.

"Look, it's been a long day. I think we should all go to bed early and get some sleep. Don't worry about it, I have a feeling that everything will be fine." Hermione then left the room to go to Ginny's and rest. Ron shook his head after her.

"Everything's not going to be fine Harry," he said, looking at him. "I don't care what Hermione says or thinks. Something is going on and I don't like it. I don't like it one bit."

And inside, Harry felt the exact same way.

****

Wormtail cowered in fear as Voldemort yanked open the door and strode into the room. Wormtail followed, though by looks of him against his better judgment.

"You were am-amazing my Lord," Wormtail complemented, as Voldemort sat down briskly in an armchair and smiled wickedly. "Your powers are growing. I can feel it."

"Yes," Voldemort answered, flexing his long fingers. "I can feel it too. I have forgotten what it feels like to kill..."

"My Lord, about those Muggles that you-disposed of. Why them my Lord? You did not like the first three families the Death Eaters chose. Why them? Why kill them my Lord? Do you have a plan?" Wormtail quivered, waiting for the Dark Lord to spring at him for questioning his authority...but it never came. Voldemort simply breathed in deeply and look away. When he spoke, his voice was calm and collected.

"You are sharp servant, but I have my own reasons for ridding of that family. There is no plan of mine to speak of, Wormtail. Do not prolong this discussion any longer. Now leave me, I want to be on my own for this moment being." Wormtail bowed low and left the room, convinced that the Dark Lord was simply having a good time, and that there was no plan forming in his mind. But he did not see that Voldemort's glinting eyes said otherwise.

****

Harry, Ron and Hermione all walked to Gryffindor Tower together. Their trip to Hogwarts on the train seemed to go by in a rush of color and sound. To their surprise, Dumbledore was no where in sight as they boarded the train, and the three were greatly disturbed by his lack of person. Why had he said he would see them on the Hogwarts Express if he did not intend to?

But as they reached Hogwarts and entered the great oak doors, all thought of him was driven out of their minds as the feeling of finally returning home settled in. The feast that night and the Sorting when on as always except for one thing...Dumbledore was not there again. When Harry noticed this, he had looked to Ron and Hermione in response. They were just as oblivious to the answer as he was. The Headmaster was always at the Start of Term Feast, so where was he this year? Harry had sat uneasily through the entire Sorting because of this.

But now that the feast was over with, and a long day of school stood before them, Harry forgot, once again, about Dumbledore's absence and trudged his way up to his dormitories with the rest of the fifth year Gryffindors.

He and Ron said goodnight to Hermione in the common room and entered their own room. The familiar five four-poster beds lay as they were the year before and all five boys' trunks sat peacefully at the foot of each bed.

Quickly, Harry dressed in his pajamas and crawled under his covers, falling asleep almost instantly, thinking that he would worry about Dumbledore tomorrow morning.

****

Hermione hurried down stairway and out the portrait. She had been so immersed in her Standard Book of Spells Grade Five that she did not notice the time. It was almost 8:35 and she still hadn't been down for breakfast. She ran all the way down the staircases, through the hidden tapestries and past puzzled onlookers. She had just been bounding down the last stairway when she ran into someone tall, pale and blonde. The impact almost brought Hermione to the floor, but she was able to catch herself. The other person, however, seemed to be unaffected by the collision.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry," Hermione apologized while looking down at her robes and dusting them off. The other did not move at all. "I was just in a real hurry and I didn't see where I was going! Are you okay?"

She looked up at the person, a boy, and noticed that he was about a head tall er than her. His smug expression and slick blonde hair was enough to make Hermione drop her apologetic tone and adopt a blunt one in its place.

"Malfoy." Hermione shot him a look of venom. Ever since his cruelty from fourth year, especially in the aftermath of Cedric's death, Hermione hated him that much more. He in return, stared at her, eyes blue fire, face of growing disgust. Taking in his silence, Hermione took this chance to try and slide past him to the Great Hall, but Malfoy never gave her the chance to even surpass him.

His arm shot out and snatched up the front of her robes. Hermione looked on in surprise. He turned toward her and pulled her to his face, so that they were nose to nose. He towered over her, and his face expressed nothing more or less than murder. When he spoke, Hermione's blood froze and for the first time, Draco Malfoy truly terrified her.

"If you ever touch me again Granger," he said in a slow, drawling whisper. "I will personally make sure that you are lying at my feet...dead. No mudblood touches a Malfoy and lives to see another day. " And with no more than what he gave her, Malfoy let go of her and swished his way up the staircase.

Hermione was trembling, almost close to tears. She had always been able to cope with Malfoy, whether he be insulting Harry, Ron or even herself. But what he said to her right there was the first death threat he ever gave her and it wasn't something Hermione wanted to hear again anytime soon. Shaking madly, she went into the Great Hall and found Harry and Ron, laughing and joking with one another. She walked over to them and fell down next to Harry.

"Hermione, you okay?" Ron asked from across the table. "You look terrible."

"Yeah, Hermione? What's wrong?" Harry laid a hand on her shoulder and felt her quiver uncontrollably under his fingers. "Hermione?"

"I have something to tell you," she said to each of them. "Its something Malfoy said, and he wasn't joking either..."

****

Malfoy stalked through the corridors on his way to the Slytherin common room, pushing everyone out of his way. He had changed somehow, much more in the mental appearance than in physical.

His features had not modified; he still had slicked back blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a pale, pointed face. To some girls of his year he had become tall, dark and handsome in their eyes, a strong, powerful wizard who any decent girl would want. Though to many others, he stayed the same as the horribly cruel Malfoy boy.

But now his face was not just hateful but blank, expressing that he did not care about or, in fact, see the world around him. He held himself differently, radiating harsh power to anyone who crossed his path; and his blue eyes looked like endless, empty voids. Shadowed windows to an abandoned house. He appeared to be Draco Malfoy, yet not being him in so many ways.

His mind had altered also. He thought more of gaining power and striking pure fear into his enemy's hearts than just trying to out do Saint Potter and his tag along friends. His mind had become somewhat like his father's; cold and unfeeling. He took no more joy or, at least, comfort in his own friends, Crabbe and Goyle; and even the members of his own house had come to cower in his wake.

Just a few minutes ago he had run into Hermione Granger, literally, and his actions towards her were murderous. Usually he would simply insult her and then be on his way, but calling her Mudblood didn't seem at all satisfying enough to his new self. Draco had snatched her up in his cold hands and challenged her life, knowing that fear would be her only reaction; but why had he done that?

Instantly a fire burned in Draco's eyes. His own independent mind was faltering, and another, more evil and sinister took over him.

"You did it because you had to," someone whispered in his head. "A disgrace to magical kind like that deserves to be tortured and broken like you did. She got what was coming to her, but next time, kill her..."

Slowly, Draco's old mind of simple pleasures to rule over his students came to dominate him, and as he walked, his robes swishing behind him, he wondered what he had done. The voice died away before he could here its last words.

"I know I'm better than them," he said to himself, "and I have always been rivals with the Gryffindors, but...did I really just threaten Granger's life?"

Draco's steps quavered, and his blank blue eyes flickered slightly, briefly gaining back their regular glint. He came to a complete stop, and, for the first time in his life, he felt sorry about what he had done to Hermione.

"I-I...I think I should apologize to her..."

A group of Ravenclaw fifth years passed by him in a huddle, and they all giggled and pointed at him, swooning and fawning from a distance; but Draco did not take notice. A feeling of remorse had washed over him, and it felt weird. Suddenly his old self came flooding back, and Draco felt whole for the first time in months. He hadn't felt like this for quite some time; not since that night when...

A stab of pain shot through Draco's left forearm, and he yelped silently in pain, his voice bouncing slightly against the stone walls of the corridor. He clutched his arm, feeling something spread throughout his body. He had bent over himself, clenching his eyes shut. Then, as suddenly as it had come he straightened, and once again, he did not look like Draco Malfoy.

His eyes had gone blank again and he furrowed his brow in anger.

"Granger got what she wanted," he said in a low hiss. "If she ever comes near me again I'll kill her. I'll kill that filthy Mudblood."

He continued his journey to his common room, not wanting to attend lessons that day. So caught up in his walking, Draco did not notice the sudden blow of the wind or the small glitter of light that came up from behind him. He never heard the whisper of the soft voice that rang out through the castle; and his empty eyes never saw the girl standing in the shadows of a suit of armor, her long silky hair swishing in the wind. She had on a flowing, white dress that rippled out behind her, and her deep, dark blue eyes glared coldly at Draco as he passed her.

She opened her mouth as if to speak. She did not move her lips, yet words cascaded out from her. They weaved together in the air, creating a haunting sort of song that even Draco could not ignore.

"I'll be watching you...watching you...always..."

Malfoy stopped momentarily, looking all around him for the source of the song, but he found no one. Glaring around him, he continued on his way. The girl shot him one last glance, than turned her head and vanished into the wind.

****

"Where is he?! Where is he?! Where is that little-"

"Ron! Please, calm down!" Hermione tried her best to hush him up, but it was in vain. In spite of the puzzled looks that people all around were shooting the three friends, Hermione smiled. Whenever she was distressed, especially by Malfoy, Ron's first instinct was to knock his brains out. It wasn't exactly the right thing to do, going after Malfoy like that, but it was Ron and Hermione knew he never meant it; it was just his way of being a good friend.

"Hey, Ron, what's wrong with you?" Seamus' voice called to him from down the Gryffindor table.

"Nothing Seamus. Come on, let's get out of here," Harry said to Ron and Hermione. The three of them got up and left the Great Hall early. Before the walked through the great doors, Harry remembered something and stole a glance from the teacher's table. Everyone one was there except for two people. One was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, who hadn't been there the night before either, and the other was Dumbledore, again!

"Hey Ron, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore isn't here today either. Where do you think he could be? This isn't like him," Harry questioned them, still staring at the Head table.

"I don't know. Do you think something bad has happened to him?" Ron suggested.

"Not at all," Hermione replied casually. Harry looked at her, confused.

"How do you know?"

"Because look at Professor McGonagall," Hermione said, pointing at the Deputy Headmistress. McGonagall, a strict, dignified and powerful witch, sat comfortably in her seat next to Dumbledore's. She was in deep conversation with Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, and didn't seem at all concerned that the headmaster was no where in sight. She was smiling and laughing, which was extremely rare for her, with Madam Pomfrey. "She doesn't look very worried to me."

"Your right," Harry answered. "Come, let's get out of here."

Harry, Ron and Hermione all headed out of the Great Hall. Harry, who was still thinking about Dumbledore, did not see where he was going and accidentally blocked someone's way.

"Sorry," Harry muttered. He looked up from the floor to see who it was. It was Ginny. She was staring at him, blushing furiously. Harry's face turned red as well.

"Oh, Harry," Ginny stuttered. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't see where...where I was going. I'm...uh-"

"No, it's all my fault. I wasn't...I mean, I didn't see where I was going..." Harry moved to the side to unblock her way, but Ginny had done the same as well.

"Sorry," Ginny muttered again, and hurried into the Great Hall before Harry could say anything more. Harry watched her go, not wanting to look at Ron or Hermione at the moment.

"Let's go take a walk for a little bit, come on," Harry said, beckoning his friends to follow him. Ron and Hermione did so, with Ron laughing silently behind him.

Harry trudged down the steps and made his way to the edge of the lake. Hermione hit Ron in the arm hard, making him stop mid-giggle. The two hurried so they could walk on either side of Harry. Ron clapped his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Don't feel bad Harry, Ginny will come back to normal. Mind you I really wouldn't want her back to normal, she hasn't talked to me for so long and I'm grateful for that."

Harry snorted. He knew Ron wasn't serious. It would break his heart of his sister never spoke to him ever again.

"So Harry, why did you want to take a walk?" Hermione asked.

"I was thinking about Dumbledore. I was just realizing that his absence is very strange. Where could he be? It doesn't feel safe at Hogwarts if Dumbledore isn't around."

"I know what you mean." Hermione trembled slightly. "It never occurred to me that the reason everyone feels safe here is because they know that Dumbledore is always around. But with him gone-"

"And why is he gone?" Harry exclaimed. "What could he be doing that has got him so busy?" Harry shook his head. "I just really need to talk to him."

Silence followed this statement, broken only by the gentle breeze and the calming sound of the lake water. The three walked on for a few more moments, the quiet unusual but not uncomfortable. Then Harry was blinded by a bright flashing light that had appeared in front of him. Shocked and caught off guard, Harry fell backward, caught by Ron.

"What the-" Harry said, blinking hard. It was Colin Creevey.

"Alright there Harry?" Colin asked excitedly. "Sorry about that, but my dad wanted some pictures form this year, so I can keep him updated on everything at school."

Ron shoved Harry to his feet and rounded on Colin. Colin didn't move at all, just watched Ron intently.

"You nearly scared the life out of him!" Ron shouted. Colin looked up at him, not apparently sorry or scared...and raised his camera and flashed it in his face. Ron drew back, shielding his eyes. "Argh!"

"Thank you for the picture Ron! Now my dad can finally see what you look like!" Colin said happily. Ron grunted under his breath.

"Colin," Harry said, "this really isn't the time for this. We have bigger problems on our hands."

"Oh." Colin looked down at the ground, yet not looking sad at all. "Okay then Harry, I'll come to you another time." He turned to go, but caught sight of Hermione, she had moved a little away when Harry fell back. Hermione looked at him strangely. Colin clicked her picture as well, but not blinding her. Hermione had been ready.

"Sorry Hermione, but I had to get a picture of you. You look really pretty today. Hey Harry, Ron, did you know Hermione is pretty? If you did, why isn't she either or your girlfriends? Everyone else in your year have girlfriends. Dean does and I think Seamus too. I don't know about Neville but girls seem to fall all over Malfoy and-"

"Colin, go."

"Right Harry. Bye!" And he dashed away to the castle. Harry and Ron watched him go, then looked at Hermione. She was standing quite still, looking away from them. Her hair covered most of her face, so neither of them saw an embarrassed grin tug at her mouth.

****

Crystal gazed silently as Dumbledore and her little brother Leo talked on and on. They spoke of the rise of the Dark Lord, the fix Dumbledore was in with the Minister of Magic, and what Crystal's powers as one of the Oracles of Prodigy could do to help. Bored of the never-ceasing speech, Crystal got up from her seat and left the room. She returned once again to her dark, lonely dungeon, where the best of her powers worked under complete isolation. She walked to the middle of the room, making sure not to mess her clean dress. Standing in the center of the floor, Crystal closed her eyes and lifted her head to the ceiling.

"Woh sem," she whispered into the shadows. She was speaking in the Tongue of Ytineres, her native language. She began to recite an incantation in her speech, her voice growing with every word...

Ekat sou lmorf fels ym,

Evael ehty dob dinheb.

Tel em edilg hguo rhteht sdlrow,

Ot rehtona ecal pdna emit,

Seye ess tonem,

Tey enim yam ess meht,

Ekat ym rewop onthg ilf,

Dna eht gnidnib dnemnu...

Take soul from myself,

Leave the body behind.

Let me glide through the worlds,

To another place and time.

Eyes see not me,

Yet mine may see them.

Take my power on flight,

And the binding unmend...

Crystal slowly closed her eyes as the spell took form. If looked upon , it seemed like she was fading away, but it was only her astral self being lifted away from her body.

"Let's see what a certain Mr. Malfoy is doing at Hogwarts," she said to herself. But soon she ceased her words, as her mind and soul were separated from one another and she was on her way to Hogwarts Castle.

****

Hermione trotted silently behind Harry and Ron who were in deep conversation about Quidditch and the new captain. Just three days ago Colin had mentioned that everyone was getting together all around them, and now Hermione could see it for herself. All down the corridor she was taking, she could see about half the school in pairs.

Seamus and Lavender were sitting down on a bench, both laughing heartily with one another. Hermione looked to her right and saw Dean with about four girls around him. Parvati was just a little ways from him with four boys of her own around her. She had graciously abandoned her usually plait and now loved to flip her hair at the boys all around her. Even Neville had someone with him! A girl from Hufflepuff. She was tiny and very pretty, and they seem to really like each other.

And it wasn't like Ron or Harry were suffering from lack of attention. Harry was living up to his hero profile nowadays and girls had been taken with him since the beginning. Hermione understood them though, Harry did look like your typical 'knight in shining armor' and it was hard even for her to ignore that. Even Ron was stealing glances his way. Not only did girls eye Harry but him as well. He had grown extremely tall and lean and his humor was gaining more than just laughs from the girls. Neither noticed any of this, however.

All around her Hermione saw the beginnings of 'love' sprout up in everyone; and try as she might, she could not ignore the feeling of being cheated out of it. Guilty though it felt to her, Hermione had to admit that she wasn't the ugliest girl around. In fact, she never knew that guys all around had noticed this as well, and many wanted to approach her. She also didn't know that the reason no boy expressed no more than homework interest towards her was because everyone had dubbed her either Harry's girl or Ron's.

Hermione shook her head as two Ravenclaw girls giggled madly over some Slytherin boy. It wasn't like she wanted Harry or Ron as hers, and she didn't like the idea of being struck down by puppy love; it was just that lonely feeling of knowing your the only one without someone else. And then the thing that could only make her feel worse came strutting down the hall.

Draco Malfoy rounded the corner, his robes flowing out behind him. His face was not screwed up in anger, yet his eyes shone powerfully at everyone around. He had Pansy Parkinson bouncing around at his side and about a dozen other girls in tow. Hermione watched intently as he walked closer to where Harry, Ron and her were. Hermione knew the girls couldn't resist him, and she could see it for herself but never acknowledged it. He drew the attention of everyone in the corridor. Parvati forgot her admirers and stared after him. Lavender stole a quick glance from outside before Seamus could notice. The Ravenclaw girls stood absolutely still as he brushed past them, and when he had gone they broke out in excited fits. Even Neville's girlfriend couldn't help but look at Malfoy dreamily, to the slight disappointment of Neville.

Hermione's eyes widened as Malfoy's gaze caught sight of Harry and Ron, who returned it coldly. She could see his eyes dart around, looking for her. Scared, Hermione grabbed the back of Ron's robes and pulled him in front of her.

"What the-...Hermione? What are you doing?" Ron demanded.

"I don't want Malfoy to see me."

Malfoy stopped beside them. Hermione cowered silently behind Ron.

"Potter," Draco said, every word dripping with venom, "Weasley...Granger."

"Get lost Malfoy," Harry shot back as he saw Hermione quiver as Draco said her name. Malfoy narrowed his eyes. Parvati scowled at them from behind his back, and the admirers simply watched from a good distance. And for once, Malfoy listened and stalked off once again.

"Thank you Harry, Ron," Hermione said, emerging from behind Ron. Parvati glared at her and followed Draco, but his tow of girls lingered for a moment, eyeing Harry and Ron.

Hermione knew they would tag along with them just as well with Malfoy, but as they glowered jealously at her, Hermione knew why they didn't. It was simply because she was with them all the time. Soon however, they stomped away.

"Hermione, you okay?" Ron asked. "You look run down."

"Let's just go back to the common room," she replied, starting on her way. "I can't stand being down here anymore." Hermione let out a frustrated sigh as two Gryffindors walked hand in hand past her.

****

Dumbledore drifted through the chaos of color and sound. His old and fragile body hovered gently as he made his way back to Hogwarts Castle. Traveling from the Oracles to present day Britain had taken much longer than he thought, and the agreement of their assistance even longer. He was now much too late to accompany Harry, Ron and Hermione on their journey to Hogwarts and he had missed the Start of Term Feast. But all was right now and good news was all Dumbledore was bearing.

He closed his eyes as his travel kept on. The help of the Oracles of Prodigy, especially the girl's, would prove to be great in the fight against Voldemort.

'Unless', Dumbledore thought calmly to himself, 'Harry does not agree to go through it.' Dumbledore sighed and pushed that thought away. Harry had to agree with the plan for the future of all things living. He would take the offer and rise to the occasion.

'And Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger will help him too,'

The wise wizard smiled. Everything was going smoothly, and he would soon return home to his students.

****

Harry rested his head on his hand as Professor Binns, the ghostly History of Magic teacher, droned on and on about something that happened in the Middle Ages. As Harry gazed around the room, he saw the usual air of boredom. Dean was doodling absentmindedly in his notebook, Seamus was staring blankly at his quill on the desk and Neville was entertaining himself with his Remembrall and wand, pretending that the wand was attacking the Remembrall. Harry looked to his side and saw Ron had fallen completely asleep. He was face down on his book. Harry changed his focus to his other side to see what Hermione was doing. She was in the same position as Harry, twirling her wand through her fingers and emitting little sparks here and there just for fun.

Harry silently ripped off a piece of his parchment and scribbled something on it. He passed it over to Hermione and plopped his head down on the desk, waiting for her reply. Hermione took the parchment and read it:

You look bored.

Hermione shook her head, amused, and posted her response before slipping it back to Harry. Harry picked it up and held it to his face.

Nothing gets past you Harry.

Harry grinned and wrote back.

Have you noticed Dumbledore hasn't been here all week? Isn't that just a bit strange for him? Why aren't any of the teachers worried?

They probably know all about it. This is Dumbledore we're talking about Harry, he's fine. Trust me.

Hermione touched the parchment with her wand, making the words dance around. Harry smiled at this. He dipped his quill into his ink and drew something on the parchment. He slipped it into Hermione's hand.

Hermione saw a moving picture of Ron sleeping on the desk and falling over, knocking his wand out of his hand and making a puff of smoke engulf him. Hermione fought to stifle a laugh and Harry plopped his head back on his desk grinning. Someone reached an arm over his head and plucked the parchment out of Hermione's hands. Harry looked up quickly and saw Ron had awakened and was watching, transfixed, as the cartoon of himself played out for him. Hermione and Harry sniggered quietly.

Ron shot them a look of sarcastic amusement and touch the parchment with his own wand. Harry watched as the cartoon changed. When Ron's wand fell out of his hand, it flew into the air and hit Malfoy on the forehead. A lightening bolt-shaped scar appeared where it hit. Cartoon Malfoy began jumping around in excitement, showing everyone around his new scar.

Harry could not contain himself. He burst out in laughter along with Ron and Hermione, gaining the attention of the whole class.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, what is so amusing to you?" Professor Binns asked from the head of the room. It took Harry quite a while to answer him. Every time he tried to apologize he burst out in laughter once again.

"Prof-I'm so..." laughter. "I really didn't mean to-" Fits of giggles. "I'm not laughing at you Professor." Laughter. "I was just..."

"Potter, please spit it out!"

"I'm so sorry. It was just something I was thinking-" And then Harry stopped abruptly. His laughter disappeared almost instantly and a puzzled look claimed his face. Ron's roaring laugh slowly died away along with Hermione's as they watched him.

"Potter?" Binns asked again.

"Harry? Harry what's wrong with you?" Ron poked him in the arm, but it had no affect on Harry. He just started looking frantically around the room, his eyes growing wide.

"Mr. Potter, what is wrong with you!" Professor Binns had glided to his desk and was staring at him in a stern way. "Potter, Potter!"

Harry could hear it, it was growing louder with every note. Someone, somewhere, was singing; singing in a haunting, high-pitched voice. It chilled Harry to the bones.

"Harry, Harry answer him!" Hermione said from his side. But Harry wasn't to be distracted at the moment. He had to find the owner of that voice, he knew that somehow he knew that person.

"Harry?"

And then words began to creep their way into the song, and Harry could tell the voice was female:

"If they hear you, they will die..."

"What!?!" Harry pushed his seat back and stood up.

"If they hear you, they will die..."

"What are you talking about?!"

"Mr. Potter!"

"If they hear you, they will die..."

"Harry! Harry, who are you talking?"

Harry wasn't listening to anyone but the voice. It was growing fainter, leaving the air around him.

"It's moving!" Harry yelled, and he darted around the desk, through Prof. Binns and out the door.

"Not another voice again," Ron moaned, following Hermione as they left after Harry. "It better not be a snake again."

Harry darted around the castle, too fast for Ron or Hermione to keep up with him.

"If they here you, they will die..."

"Who? What are you talking about?" Harry called into the air, following the voice. He bolted around a corner and stopped dead in his path. The girl with the wild hair and blue eyes was standing there. But now her hair was sleek and shiny, and the rags she once wore had transformed into a beautiful flowing dress. She was standing very still in the middle of the corridor, looking at him with eyes like slits.

"If they hear you, they will die..."

"Who?" Harry cried. "Who are you talking about?" And without saying a word she answered his question.

"Harry! Harry, where are you?" Ron and Hermione's calls echoed to him through the castle. Harry looked on at the girl.

"If they hear you, they will die..." she repeated, her lips barely moving.

"Then they won't hear me," Harry said, watching her. "I will not call them."

The girl smiled, a slow smile; a smile that said she knew so much more than he could. Then she muttered a word, and Harry could hear it all the way from the other end of the hallway. It was the one word that Voldemort himself had used on him, and Harry's eyes widened in fear as the spell began to take form. The one word that set it free bounced around the walls, repeating itself over and over in his head: Crucio.

Pain beyond pain erupted throughout Harry's body. The spell was just as Voldemort had done, but a hundred, no, a thousand times worse. Harry fell to the ground in pure agony, while knives pressed into his skin. His body was aching all over, and he wasn't sure which would be better right then, having the pain stop or simply dying on the spot.

He opened his mouth to scream; to call Hermione and Ron, but he had hardly parted his lips before the girl whispered in his ear.

"If they hear you, they will die..."

Harry shut his mouth, but he needed to know why.

Why! he said in his mind. Why will they die?

"Harry this isn't funny! Come back! Who were you talking to?" Hermione called.

"Probably the basilisk."

"Ron be quiet and help me call for Harry!"

"How can I if I'm quiet Hermione?"

Trust me.

Why must I? Harry thought, as the pain increased with a blast and he had to clench his jaw so as not to scream. How can I trust someone like you?

Because you must. Trust me please, the time is coming soon. Just hold on and don't say a word. Trust me...

And to Harry's astonishment, he could see her in his mind. She was crying, pleading with him to trust her. It was as though she were sorry for causing him pain.

Why must I?

"Harry, tell us where you are! Come on, tell us before Hermione starts crying and I have to drag her around the castle!"

"Ron!"

"Ow! Harry, she hit me!"

The time is coming soon! Hold on!

Harry was drifting away. He couldn't hold on, and the pain was horrible. He had to call to them, they had to hear him...

NO! DON'T LET THEM HEAR YOU!

"Oh no, she's crying! Hermione, get off me!"

"Why won't he answer! Harry, this isn't funny! Where are you?"

"Ow! Hermione, stand up, your crushing me!"

Almost...hold on, it's almost here...

"Hermione!"

"Ron!"

"Hermione!"

"Harry!"

NOW!

And then Harry flipped onto his back, panting hard. The spell had lifted, and his body felt as though he had fallen from the tallest tower. He looked up and saw the girl standing there. She was looking sadly at him, the air around shimmering with light.

"I'm sorry." She was still crying, and a single tear fell from her blue eyes and towards Harry. He watched it as it caught the sun and glistened above him. It fell onto Harry's chest and he looked at it for quiet some time before saying anything.

"Why, why are you sorry?" Harry looked back at the girl, but she was gone. She left no trace behind, making it as though she were never there. Harry's green eyes were wide in amazement, but soon he forgot her as the aftershock of the spell hit him gently. He was groaning slightly when a disgruntled Ron come around the corner half carrying-half dragging a woebegone Hermione.

"Harry," Ron shouted to him. Harry looked to the side and saw them. "Hermione broke down when you didn't answer. She thought something terrible happened to you like it did with me."

"Ron!" Harry watched as Hermione beat Ron's chest with her fists. "Ron, he's not answering us! What if he's hurt like you were and we can't help him! Ron, he was hearing a voice! Another voice! So many voices everywhere and we can never hear any of them! Ron..." Hermione's eyes were closed, so she hadn't noticed Harry lying sprawled on the floor.

"Hermione!" Ron shouted, lifting up her head with his hand, which was quite hard because he was sagging from her weight. "Harry is right there and I don't think he's alright, but I can't help him because your crushing me!"

"Harry?" Hermione's head snapped up and she saw Harry right away. She dropped her depressed self very fast and fell to his side, holding her head high in her usual dignified stance.

"Harry, what happened? Why are you breathing so hard?" she asked him, helping him sit up and resting her hand over his forehead, checking his temperature.

"Er-" Harry stammered.

"Oh, your dreadfully warm but your shivering! We need to take you to the hospital wing now." She stood up and looked at Ron.

"Well aren't you going to help me? Your not doing Harry any good just standing there," she said in a scolding tone. Ron dropped his jaw. He threw up his hands at Hermione and walked toward her.

"Fine Hermione, I'm not helping Harry at all. I was just the one crying my heart out over nothing and delaying us from finding him in the first place which could have maybe helped us save him...but no! I had to break down and have you drag me here as a wreck!" He stared at her, waiting for a reply. Hermione went right up to his face and stared back.

"Exactly."

Despite the event that had just happened, Harry couldn't help but smile at the astonished look on Ron and the satisfied grin on Hermione.

****

Leo heard something come from the tower dungeon, so he crept in to check if Crystal was okay. He found her, close to tears, crumpled in a heap near the far wall. She was talking to herself and slamming the ground with her hand. Every now and then she lost her sense and she would throw out her hand and hit the wall with a spell that would make the entire tower shake. Leo walked over to her.

"What are you doing?" he asked her. He wasn't into the pity factor since she had snuck away from him and Dumbledore and went to visit Hogwarts again.

"Isaidisory." Her face was buried into the stone floor, so he couldn't understand her.

"What?" Leo flipped her over and moved to the side as another spell blast erupted from her hand.

"I said I was sorry."

"Sorry to who?"

"I said sorry to the boy," Crystal answered, watching him. Leo didn't quite get what she was saying, but then it hit him and he became furious.

"You apologized during an intervention?" he yelled. She turned away from him, answering his question with her guilty shroud. "Why?" he asked. "I mean, I know it was an improper one and Dumbledore himself was not at all pleased with your carelessness, but telling the boy sorry during his intervention? Crystal, you know the consequences!"

"Yes, Leo, I know them," Crystal replied annoyed. "I have to deal with them if they ever come up, and I am your older sister; but I couldn't help it. What made me do it?!" She slammed the ground again and sat up. "I had come close to apologizing only twice before with his friends, the girl and the red-haired boy."

"But why this boy?" Leo persisted. "You've done more powerful and painful things before but never did you come near expressing emotion! What was different with this boy?"

Crystal couldn't answer him. She knew that if she let her own emotions get in the way of her magic, terrible consequences lay in her future.

Crystal's interventions, powerful as they were, depended fully on the life of her victim; and there had been something different about his life. Something there that she had never seen before, yet she didn't know what. Crystal never expressed emotion during her magic, but this boy, this Harry Potter, had brought her to do it.

At this, she set off a chain reaction of spell blasts at the fact that a mere boy had more power over her then she did over him.