Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

57

They walked through the door as Hermione was amazed by sight of Dumbledore's office. From the portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses covered walls to a table of curious silver instruments to the enormous, claw-footed desk with a self right behind it that held the one and only Sorting Hat. McGonagall told them to wait for a minute as she hurried to find Dumbledore. Hermione and Harry walked around towards the desk. 

"Bee in your bonnet, you two?" Hermione jolted when the Hat suddenly spoke to them. 

"Um... sorry to bother you... I wanted to ask---" Harry started when the Hat cut in. 

"You've been wondering whether I put you in the right House?" The Hat ask, "Yes you were particularly difficult to place-- including you, Hermione Granger. But I stand by what I said before, you would have done will in Slytherin... same with you, Miss Granger." 

"You're wrong!" Harry shouted at the Hat. Hermione shot a look at Harry. She didn't know Harry was also considered for Slytherin as well as her. Before Hermione could ask Harry about it, a loud squeaking sound. Hermione turned around as her eyes widened. She couldn't believe it. She was actually looking at a real Phoenix. Hermione walked over with Harry to look at it closer. Hermione reached her hand out, gently petting it. Just as she was pulling her hand, the bird suddenly burst out in flames. Just then, Dumbledore came in. 

"Professor," Harry gasped, "Your bird-- I couldn't do anything-- he just caught fire--" 

"About time, too," Dumbledore said, "He's been looking dreadful for days; I've been telling him to get a move on." 

Harry looked over at Hermione confused. 

"The bird is a phoenix, Harry." Hermione explained. 

"Very good, Miss Granger. Fawkes like so many other Phoenixes burst into flame when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes. Watch him..." Dumbledore said, pointing at the ashes on the bottom of the perch. Climbing from the ashes, the head of a newborn chick popped out and was peeped a bit here and there. 

"It's a shame you two had to see him on a Burning Day," Dumbledore said, "He's really very handsome most of the time, wonderful red and gold plumage. Marvelous Creatures you know. They can carry immensely heavy loads and their tears have healing powers and are highly faithful pets." 

Their shock of seeing the burst in flames came to a halt when the door opened with a loud bang as Hagrid was rushing in screaming at the top of his lungs, "It wasn't Harry or Hermione, Professor! And I'll swear it in front of the Ministry---"

"Hagrid," Dumbledore spoke up, "I do not think it was Harry or Hermione who attacked those people." 

"Oh," Hagrid said, stunned while he headed towards the door, "I'll just make my way outside." 

Once Hagrid was gone, Dumbeldore turned his attention towards Hermione and Harry, "I must ask though-- would you like to tell me anything? Anything at all." 

Hermione didn't know what to say. From their theory of Malfoy being behind the attacks to their brewing an illegal potion in the out-of-order bathroom to the part they were hearing voices to the dreadful thought that she may somehow be connected to Salazar Slytherin or Betty White...

"No, Sir." Hermione replied. 

"Nothing at all." Harry answered. 

Hermione was glad when she saw most of everyone was leaving Hogwarts for the holidays. She couldn't bare another sight of students scurrying away to avoid her or being nervous around her. Fred and George however were making a joke about all of this. They even pretended to march in front of both Hermione and Harry and shouting 'Make way for the Heir of Slytherin and White' and even bowed their heads to Hermione a few times. Percy and Ginny didn't care for their joking. But Hermione didn't mind it. At least there were some people that thought them being the heirs of Betty White and Salazar Slytherin was stupid. 

Soon during the evening of the Christmas Feast, Hermione, who was already in her Slytherin uniform, was setting everything up as well as pouring the potion into three separate cups. Just as she was filling the last cup, Ron and Harry just rushed in clinging to their hairs. 

"Okay, get into your robes and then put your hairs into the cup." Hermione advised them as she tossed her hair into the cup and headed towards her stall. She listened to the sounds of them changing into their robes before entering their own stalls. 

"Ready?" She called out. 

"Yeah!" Ron and Harry replied. 

"Bottoms up." Hermione said before forcing herself to drink the potion. She her insides turning before she felt her body started to shift. She felt a burning sensation followed by a pain in her head and near her rear. She watched in horror as her entire body started to cover in fur from her hands to her face. Soon the pain vanished, but left her looking like a furry beast. 

"Hermione! We need to go," she heard Ron shout. 

"I-- I don't think i'm going to come after all. You go on without me." Hermione called out as her hands reached up and felt a pair of what felt like cat ears. 

"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked. 

"Fine-- just go!" Hermione ordered them. Soon she heard Harry and Ron shuffling out of the bathroom. Hermione opened her stall and peered through the crack to make sure they did completely leave. She walked outside her stall as she turned to look herself in the mirror. She had been right. She was a cat! She had the body of herself but she had fur all over her with a cat face all whiskers and stuff with a pair of cat ears... even a tail! 

"Oh how could I be so stupid?" Hermione shouted at herself, poking at her tail and ears. She didn't have long to focus on her appearance when suddenly a sound similar to footsteps caught her ears. Hermione quickly rushed into the stall where she locked it and stood on the toilet seat. Her heart was pounding within her chest as she listened to the sound of footsteps nearing her stall. She could see the person's feet at the bottom. They stood there like for a minute or so before suddenly they bent down and rolled something underneath her stall. 

"You're going to be needing that, 'Mione, for fixing up your cat face." The man spoke before hurrying outside. Hermione gulped as she stood frozen to her seat, trying to grasp the fact that Barty Crouch Jr. had just been inches away from her.