The Tabby, the Phoenix and the kitten

Chapter seventeen

Arianna was silent as she walked behind Minerva to the hospital wing. She felt horrible for lying about what happened, even if it was to protect someone else.

When they got to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey repaired her arm, but Arianna was to stay the night so Madam Pomfrey could make sure her arm began to heal properly.

The next morning Arianna woke in the hospital wing, all of her things that she would need for the upcoming day had been brought down for her.

She got ready for the day, being careful of her wrapped arm.

"Now, you'll need to keep that wrapped for a few days. During breakfast I'll bring a potion for you to drink to help the healing process." Madam Pomfrey told her. Arianna nodded and headed down to the great hall.

"Arianna! How's your arm?" Her minor asked her as she sat down next to her and across from Harry and Ron.

"A bit sore but much better." She said as Madam Pomfrey came into the hall and gave her a potion.

"There you are dear, now make sure you get something to eat as well." She told the girl upon seeing her empty plate. Arianna nodded and began to put some food onto her plate as Poppy went over to the staff table.

"How is Ariana?" Minerva immediately asked her friend as she took her seat.

"Fine, Minerva, a broken arm but nothing more. It should be fully healed in a day or two." Poppy replied, Minerva nodded and looked over to the Gryffindor table. She looked at every one of her cubs, but her eyes lingered a little longer on Arianna.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classes that day had gone well, and everyone was asking Arianna about her arm. They had all heard about what happened with the troll, and wanted to know more.

She was heading back to the common room with Harry, Ron and Hermione after dinner that night when the staircase they were on began to move. The four of them gabbed hold of the railing so they wouldn't fall. When the staircase finally stopped the three stood normally again.

"Let's go before it moves again!" Ron said and they walked up the stairs and through the only door ahead of them.

Inside the room it was dark, and as they moved pillars with bowls of liquid lit up with fire.

"I know where we are! This is the third floor corridor! It's forbidden!" Hermione told them, panic rising in her voice. They all turned to leave when Mrs. Norris came through the door.

"It's Filtch's cat! Run!" Harry said pulling them all back deeper into the corridor.

The could hear Filtch coming into the corridor talking to his cat.

"Quick in there!" Harry whispered as he pointed to a door ahead of them.

"It's locked!" Ron panicked as he tried to open the door.

"Oh move over! Alohamora!" Hermione whispered and the door opened. The four of them rushed is and shut the door behind them, quietly listening as Filtch came closer and then left.

"Phew! Why would that door have been locked?" Ron asked once they were in the clear.

"For good reason." Harry said looking straight ahead. They all looked at Harry in confusion before looking in the direction he was looking.

Arianna froze in pure fear, standing in front of them was a giant, three headed dog. She remembered all those times at the Winters' farm when she had to feed the dogs, and all the scratches and bite marks she would have for weeks after. Dogs were definitely her worst fear.