Not Again//Harry Potter [2]

18

Autumn walked out of the bathroom, and walked up towards the Gryffindor Common Room. She was heartset on reading the book now. If what her great-grandfather said was true, then she needed to know these spells by heart. Now that Autumn was thinking deeply, she realized something: he said each journey every year. Was something like last year going to happen every year? 

Autumn sighed then walked towards the portrait on the wall. "Wezle Pops." The portrait swung open and Autumn walked inside.

Once Autumn sat on her bed, she grabbed the journal. It was an odd thing, the journal. It was comforting yet it brought pain to her mind.Autumn took a deep breath as she opened the book.

Unexpectedly, a bright purple light shot out of the book as it dragged Autumn into it. Autumn gasped as she looked around. She wasn't in her dormitory anymore-she was in the cottage. The same one she was in when she talked to Norace. But this was different. The house was less run down. It was less comfy and more modern. 

"Hagnes. How is project ABA going?" Norace said. He didn't have long grey hair; he had short blond hair. And he had no beard. He walked right into Autumn, and continued through her.

"I'm not actually here," Autumn thought. "They can't see me."

Autumn looked around to see . 

"It is going great, Norace.  The spell is nearly completed, and once it is, I'm going to put it in this journal." Hagnes held up a brown journal, the same journal Autumn was just holding a few moments ago.

"Good, good. Now, when do you plan to. . . you know."

"Not now, Norace. That must come when I am at my lowest point."

"When is that?"

"You will know. You will be there, invited on my behalf."

Norman looked confused but nodded anyway.

With a painful pressure to her chest, Autumn was shoved into a different time and place.

"How is the spell going?" Norman walked into the house again.

"It is done."

"Go on then, I'll get the spider." Norace ran off.

"No, I need a person. Fetch me someone from the mental ward."

Norace disappeared, then reappeared. This time, he was with a lady.

"Sit here, Ma'am." 

She did as instructed, but wide eyed.

"I got one that can't talk, so the spell won't get noticed."

Autumn was wide eyed, just like the lady. What were they going to do to her?

"Sollicitus exsto!" Hagnes yelled out.

The mute woman was now screaming in pain, tears falling from her eyes.

"Marvelous, what does the spell do?" Norace asked.

"It makes your worst nightmare appear in front of your eyes until you use the counterspell."

"What is the counterspell?" 

"I haven't a clue. I haven't made it yet."

Autumn felt all the air from her lungs be forced out as she exited the book. Panting, the stared at the book with interest and disgustment. How dare they, force a woman to see her worst nightmare over and over again.

Autumn was shot out of the book. With great difficulty, she breathed again.

Autumn opened the book again, but no light was shone. Now there was writing.

Dear Autumn Diane Grey,

   I am glad you have finally received my book by Rubeus. All the spells and notes listed will help you through your years at Hogwarts with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. With the ring, I have implanted these spells into your memory, therefore helping you defend yourself. For your friend Hermione, I know she studies by books, so I have written them down for her. 

As you read this book, use the spells wisely and have them forever in your memory.

    Norrace Harold Grey

Autumn stared at the paper before turning it over.

Reiclo- (flick wand in a circle, then point at target.) it will cause a small explosion, pushing target backwards.

Celornatus- (point wand at self, then move it around self's head.) it will get the caster dressed in an outfit they can imagine in their head. 

There was a few more on the page, but Autumn didn't fully read them, she just skimmed it.

She decided to stop reading it, as it was too painful. Each word like a forgotten memory. She walked back down to Myrtle's bathroom, and on her way, she ran into Harry and Ron. Literally. Autumn fell to the ground. "At this rate, I've hung out with the ground more than you lot."

Harry and Ron helped Autumn stand, then the three walked back in the bathroom.

"Where's Hermione?" Autumn asked.

"In here. She decided not to go once she'd taken the potion." Harry said, studying Autumn. She had just run out of the bathroom after talking to seemingly no one.

"Hermione, come out, we've got loads to tell you—"

"Go away!" Hermione squeaked.

The three looked at each other.

"What's the matter?" said Ron. "You must be back to normal by now, we are—"

But Moaning Myrtle glided suddenly through the stall door. Myrtle had never looked so happy before.

"Ooooooh, wait till you see," she said. "It's awful—"

They heard the lock slide back and Hermione emerged, sobbing, her robes pulled up over her head.

"What's up?" said Ron uncertainly. "Have you still got Millicent's nose or something?"

Hermione let her robes fall from her head and Ron backed into the sink. Her face was covered in black fur. Her eyes had turned yellow and there were long, pointed ears poking through her hair.

"It was a c-cat hair!" she howled. "M-Millicent Bulstrode m-must have a cat! And the p-potion isn't supposed to be used for animal transformations!"

"Uh-oh," said Ron.

"You'll be teased something dreadful," said Myrtle happily.

"It's okay, Hermione," said Harry quickly. "We'll take you up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey never asks too many questions. . ."

"Yeah, Madam Pomfrey is great. She never invades personal injuries," Ron added.

It took a long time to persuade Hermione to leave the bathroom. Moaning Myrtle sped them on their way with a hearty guffaw. "Wait till everyone finds out you've got a tail!" 

"Can it, Myrtle." Autumn said as she walked Hermione out of the bathroom.