Deepest desire (a Harry Potter fanfic) book 2

chapter six

The second-years were given something new to think about during their Easter holidays. The time had come to choose their subjects. I had to run by all my choices by my father first so in the end I had Care of Magical Creatures and Divinations.

I was heading to the library to get some books when my snake tugged on my arm.

“What is it?” I asked, I listened then I heard the voice again.

“Kill this time … let me rip … tear …”

I ran to the library to follow the voice but it was too late. I ran into the library and found Hermione petrified like all the others, I went to her but someone grabbed my wrist and pulled my back.

“Stay away from her!” He cried, it was Gryffindor, he let go of me and went to Hermione.

“What happened?” I asked. He didn’t answer, I could see in his eyes he was upset. “I’ll go and get help.”

I ran out of the library so fast I almost crashed into something; it was a fifth year Ravenclaw girl with long curly hair, behind her were two other Ravenclaws; Rhoanna and Cassidy, they had all been petrified. I touched Rhoanna’s hand hoping I was wrong, I wasn’t, I turned to find a teacher but when I turned Professor McGonagall was there looking shocked at the scene.

“Professor, Hermione’s in the library, she petrified too.” I pointed in the direction that she was, and didn’t even try to defend myself or explain what I was doing. She went in to check and then came out again but didn’t say anything to me.                  

Summer was creeping over the grounds all around the castle; sky and lake alike turned periwinkle blue and flowers large as cabbages burst into bloom in the greenhouses. But inside the castle things were so horribly wrong. No visitors were allowed in the hospital wing. With Dumbledore gone fear had spread as never before, so that the sun warming the castle walls outside seemed to stop at the mullioned windows. There was a face to be seen in the school that didn’t look worried or tense, and any laughter that rang through the corridors sounded shrill and the unnatural and was quickly stifled. I wasn’t having the best time either, since it got out that I was one of the people that found Hermione and the Ravenclaw people started to stare at me when I passed them; some of them were scared others looked like they were waiting to get me alone and looking for any excuse to hex me, some of the boys would call after me: “Make way for the heiress of Slytherin.” At times I was glad that we had to travel I groups to each class, one person however seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere of terror and suspicion. Draco was strutting around the school like he had been appointed Head Boy; I didn’t pay much attention to why he was like this until Potions lesion a fortnight after Dumbledore was suspended, when I was sitting next to him still only half paying attention to what I was doing.

“I always thought Father might be the one who got rid of Dumbledore.” He said, not troubling to keep his voice down. “I told you he thinks Dumbledore’s the worst Headmaster the school’s ever had. Maybe we’ll get a decent Headmaster now. Someone who won’t want the Chamber of Secrets closed. McGonagall won’t last long, she’s only filing in ...”     

I stirred the cauldron and felt someone looking at me, I turned around and saw Seamus look down, I turned around again feeling a bit uneasy. I absent-mindedly touched the hair clip in my pocket, I never went any where without it now and my snake gave me a gentle squeeze.

“Sir,” Draco said loudly. “Sir, why don’t you apply for the Headmaster’s job?”

“Now, now, Malfoy,” said Father, though I saw he couldn’t suppress a thin-lipped smile. “Professor Dumbledore has only been suspended by the governors. I dare say he’ll be back with us soon enough.”