HP-Hogwarts Story So Far

Transcript Seven

Two Collapse and the Ball Ends Early

 

Marvo turns to Nimue

'Yes. I'll....' He pauses. Seeming to be staring into the air.

'My GOD! She's in the...ARRRGggggEEEEEEeeee'

Marvo clutches at his eye patch, giving a blood curdling scream and falling to the floor, Unconscious.

For a weird few seconds the band played on as did the dancing as Marvo's scream echoed around the Hall. Then everything stopped.

As Marvo had slumped unconscious to the floor, Nimue knelt down beside him and cried out:

"Somebody, get Professor Dumbledore.... Now!"

It hardly needed to be said - Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall as well as other seniors and teachers had come rushing to the source of the screaming.

Winifred and Kalidor were just about to embark onto the dance floor when Marvo screamed. Winifred looked at Kali as if inquiring what to do. Not waiting for an answer, she grabbed him and rushed over to the growing crowd of people surrounding Marvo. "I wonder what happened..." she said to no one in particular. Scattered chatter could be heard. "Some third-year disappeared. I heard they were here together." "Do you think he's dead?" "Dumbledore looks upset." "That boy always was a bit off-kilter." Winifred didn't know what to make of the situation and tried to locate some of the other third years. She spotted them and inched her way through the thick crowd. Upon approach, she asked what had happened. The others filled her in on the events. "So how does this all fit into Morticia's dream?"

With Winifred's question, Egreen replied "It was all so sudden Kat's leaving and now this happening to Marvo. The events are without doubt connected though Morticia's dream was definite about everyone disappearing except a few people and one of those people she mentioned was Kat and she is not here!"

Egreen looked to Morticia to see if she might have further insight into the dream. He longed to speak to Dumbledore as he could see something happening between Nimue and the Headmaster but felt it was more appropriate to remain where he was. He didn't want to leave Morticia.

Achel, who has made his way next to Winifred and Kalidor gives a 'snort'

'It's just that Marvo wanting to be centre of attention again! I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't set the whole thing up.'

But as he sees the concern on Nimue's face and Madame Pomfrey removing Marvo to the Hospital wing he realises that Marvo is not faking. He makes his way over to Nimue and tentatively puts a hand on her shoulder

'Are you okay? Sorry I stormed off. It was just a bit of a shock. Do you think 'this is it'? Is this the start of Morticia's vision?'

He looks around and the scurrying Students and teachers

'But two of the people in her dream are down? Maybe this is something different? Maybe worse is to come. I just hope the perpetration works'

He squeezed Nimue's shoulder, letting her know that, no matter what, he was still there for her.

Nimue reaches up and gently touches Achel's hand as it lies on her shoulder. "Thank you, Achel. Believe me it wasn't intended for either you or Kat to find out in this way. It was just that we were both in denial and so angry with our families. One of the things we decided tonight was not only to address the situation together and to tell you both as soon as we could."

Her face clouded some, "As for Morticia's dream vision, I cannot tell. You are right, two of our number have fallen but sometimes on waking events in dreams can become confused. I am sure your preparation will work if it's needed."

Nimue closed her eyes & as she did her hand gripped Achel's tightly. She opened her eyes: "There is something happening outside the Castle - a gathering of force - can you not feel it?"

"I cannot tell" he replied, my mind is too jumbled." he smiled warmly at her. "I'll go to Egreen and speak with him and Morticia." He took her hand and kissed it gently. "Do not go far" he counselled.

Mulder and Scully looked at each other and ran as fast as they could back to Hogwarts. They managed to creep into the hall only to find that Marvo was unconscious, and people were fussing around him. Mulder hid under a table, while Scully dashed over to Marvo. She looked distressed, but she started to wash Marvo's face. Her rough tongue covering his nose cheeks. She was very through and obviously wasn't going to stop. She must be concerned about him.

Nimue stayed at Marvo's side holding his hand as Madame Pomfrey was called. She was struggling to stay calm when Scully dashed over and started licking Marvo's face. Nimue dissolved into tears thinking for a horrible moment that Scully thought Marvo was dead.

Madame Pomfrey arrived as did Professor Snape with a reviving potion. He looked ready to kick Scully away but Nimue intervened and picked the struggling Scully up holding her tightly as they tried to revive him.

"I'm afraid it's off to the infirmary for this young man - too much excitement I dare say" announced Madame Pomfrey. Nimue however caught the concerned look on Dumbledore's face as the still unconscious Marvo was carried away.

Peesey said to Sarah "OH! They're just making a fuss about nothing," he said in a rather horrible way. "He's just doing it for attention!"

"I suspect you are right Peesey" replied Sarah. "Ole Marvo certainly loves the limelight." she paused and had a think. "But you'd think if he were making up that Kat was in danger he'd trying to lead a rescue or something to show how heroic he was and not be carried off on a stretcher."

They watched as Marvo was carried out of the Hall attended by Madame Pomfrey:

"I don't think you can fake being unconscious, I mean Snape was being pretty rough with him when he poured that reviving potion down his throat and he didn't even move or cough or anything."

"Professor", Nimue said catching Dumbledore's attention, "This cat belongs to Kathryn Black and well she ran out of her a little while ago very upset over... over ...us as she and Malcolm are sort of ...." she was not being very coherent, struggling to hold back tears and holding a wriggly Scully.

"Did she indeed?" replied Professor Dumbledore. "This is her familiar?"

"Yes, sir - one of them the other is ..." she shut her eyes briefly "... over there.." she pointed under the table where Mulder was.

"Good girl..." he turned to Professor McGonagall who was taking charge of other students who were milling about somewhat confused by the incident. "Minerva, would you care to interview them?" he indicated Scully and the lurking Mulder.

Nimue relaxed her grip on Scully to allow Professor McGonagall to take her. She was aware that the Professor was a registered animagus, whose animal form was a cat.

"Professor, I would very much like to go to the infirmary and see how Malcolm is. Just before he collapsed he had a vision of where Kathryn was and I think she was in danger." Dumbledore didn't look alarmed - he probably wanted to wait to see what the cats had to tell.

"Has your hawk returned?" he asked. "He should have done by now", she replied though leap ahead following Dumbledore's train of thought. "Though surely the owls could make a more thorough search at this time of night?"

"We will see my child - it may well be that she is nearby."

Mulder and Scully followed Professor McGonagall to her office and sat patiently while she transformed into the tabby cat with square markings around the eyes.

"Ok, you two. Do know anything about what has been happening. Is Kat ok, or is she in danger?"

"I'm here professor." said 'Scully'.

"Ok, and what are you doing in there?"

"My body is trapped in a hut in the centre of the forest. I had been so upset by Marvo and Nimue's deception over being betrothed that I ran out to the lake. Only this strange cloaked figure found me and put me in a trance. It wasn't until Marvo... I mean this red sphere came at the spider sentinels that I realised there was a hole in the spell. So when Scully came into where I was being held I 'borrowed' her. Then I came back to find someone to help me, but I was worried that Marvo had been hurt by that spell. It was the Cruciatus curse professor!"

"Ok, well, I think we better go and get you out, hadn't we."

The interview concluded and professor McGonagall turned back into her normal form. And went to find Dumbledore. The cats obediently followed her.

As Professor McGonagall emerged followed by the two cats, Nimue went quickly over to her : "Have you found out anything, Professor? Is Kat all right?"

She looked down at Nimue and said kindly "Well they have certainly told me something that needs to be discussed immediately with the Headmaster. I must find him."

As the Professor moved off, Nimue knelt down and reached to stroke Mulder and Scully with tears running down her cheeks: "I've been so stupid and selfish. It's all my fault that your mistress ran away and if she was all right I am sure the Professor would have told me. I wish I could make contact with her but I think she would reject me now even if the link between us was still active. "

The spell Marvo had cast on Yvette was beginning to wear off, and her eyelids were drooping. Everything around her was becoming fuzzy, and she was so tired...so tired...sleep would be a blessing...

"Dream? Tish's...dream..." She murmured, trying to widen her eyes. "My...book..." She leaned her head on Andy and propped herself up. "Andy, don't let me sleep...please..." Her eyes fell shut and she sank into a dreamless sleep. Her hands twitched, then tightened around each other, and in Yvette's sleep she shook her head.

"Yvette!" screamed Andy. "Marvo, what's going on? What spell did you use to keep her awake?"

Andy shook Yvette as hard as he could, but nothing seemed to work.

Egreen rushed over "Andy, Andy it's no good asking Marvo. Didn't you hear him scream? He's unconscious and on his way to the infirmary."

Egreen stopped Andy shaking Yvette, "It looks as though it was a simple invigoration spell. She's bound to feel sleepy when it wears off. However, maybe you should take her to see Madame Pomfrey."

The Illusion Book was floating down the hallway, and finally it burst into the room.

Egreen saw the book float into the room and says - "what the ....".

Professor McGonagall who is crossing the room to intercept Professor Dumbledore takes out her wand and freezes it in mid-air. "Whose book is this? She demands.

"Excuse me Professor" pipes up Nimue - "it belongs to Yvette. I'll take care of it until she is feeling better."

Nimue instinctively knows this book 'Embracing the Illusion' is important as it is a companion volume to the one Kat was given by Joss. Why it had chosen to come into the room this way? Until some sense could be obtained from Yvette she would hold it in safekeeping.

"Very well" said the Professor, "but I think after all the excitement dies down I shall be having a serious talk with you and your classmates about dabbling with magical practices and objects far beyond your ability to control."

With this she waves her wand and the book travels into Nimue's hands now acting just as a normal book.

Egreen ears perk up as Nimue claims the book, he'd gotten a glimpse of the title as it had come into the room 'Embracing the Illusion'. He turned to Achel to whom he'd been talking before Andy had started screaming.

"OK cousin, I'm assuming from that quick move by Nimue that you've gone and told her about our books. Did you?"

'Of course I didn't say a word to her about it! Why would I?'

Achel looks as shocked as Egreen to know their books have a companion.

'But I bet that Marvo has something to do with it. He picked a very convenient time to collapse'

"I'm sorry, I was just surprised that's all. Morticia said something to me earlier about the riddle that Joss had given to Kat. That had also led to a book.

With this one that makes four magical books: one in the custody of a member of each the different Houses." He looked puzzled - "there's something in this Achel I feel it. I just don't know with all that's happening whether we'll have time to look into it. Whatever happens keep your book close to hand."

"Yvette must also be told when she comes round. Can you tell Nimue that?"

Professor McGonagall reaches Professor Dumbledore and said, 'I think we have a problem' she then moves closer to him and talks quietly. He listens intently nodding his head every now and then and occasionally glancing over to where the Third Years are grouped.

When she has finished he says something to her and she walks off in a hurry. He calls over Professor Snape and whispers to him. Snape replies and also rushes off casting a somewhat baleful look in the direction of the Third Years.

Possessor Dumbledore voice booms out, silencing everyone.

"Please pay attention! It appears we have a couple of 'situations' that require the immediate attention of the staff and older students. I am sorry to say we will have to call this Ball to a close."

Some grumbling comes from a few students. Dumbledore holds up his hands for quiet.

'However, once things are back to normal I assure you we will have another party to make up for this one being cut short. Perhaps a Twelfth Night celebration as you all should be back from your holidays by then. In the meantime, I ask you all to make your way calmly and quietly back to your common rooms.

Some of you will be leaving on the overnight express to join your families for the holiday but will those sixth and seventh year students who are remaining at school please change into suitable garments and reconvene here with your wands in 30 minutes for further instructions. Thank you."

Dumbledore walks over to the Third Years.

"I wanted a more private word as this concerns two of your classmates. First there has been the alarming incident with Mr Ward and now Miss Black seems to have disappeared."

He looks around at the faces of all.

"Now I am sure you are concerned about your friends. I assure you everything possible will be done.' he pauses, " by the teachers and older students. I have no doubt that some of you are considering offering help or possibly may want to look for Miss Black yourselves. While I appreciate your concern, I consider that this is a task for more experienced witches and wizards than yourselves. "

His voice took on a firm tone. "Therefore, I am advising you NOT to consider ANY action in this matter." Then he smiled, his voice softening. "I'm sure it will not be necessary, but as a precaution I have erected a shield around the Forbidden Forest which cannot be penetrated by anyone except those to whom I have given the password to. Now, please say your goodnights and try to get some sleep. Your assistance may be needed in the morning.

With this he leaves.

Andy looked down at Yvette. Why did this have to happen to her? He searches the room, but can't seem to find Nimue.

"Where's Nimue?" asked Andy. "We need to cast a spell that's in the book to wake her up! Oh God, please, Yvette! Wake up."

Yvette's face got pale.

"What's going on?" asked Andy. "Why does she look like that?"

With that Andy slumped to the floor. All he could do was sit and watch as Yvette lay there hopelessly. Even though he knew he was over reacting, Andy thought that if somebody didn't do something quick, Yvette might not see the light of day ever again. And in some strange way he could possibly be right.

Nimue hadn't left the room but it seemed Andy was in such a panic over Yvette's condition that he wasn't seeing straight. Hearing her name Nimue came up behind him followed close behind by Achel, Egreen and Morticia. She had Yvette's book in her hands.

She could see that the glamour of the Veela illusion was wearing off and that Yvette was returning to her normal self.

"Andy, Andy it's OK I'm here. I have the book but do you know what spell to use from it? Yvette looks as though she has drained herself to the limit using these spells. Another one could make matters worse!"

She looked quite seriously at Andy: "Shouldn't we perhaps call someone to see to her especially in light of what Professor Dumbledore has said?"

Nimue looked about and said to the others. "I don't want to worry anyone more than they are already but with everyone starting to leave the room. This does have an echo of Tish's dream with everyone disappearing even if Kat and Marvo are no longer with us oh and Yvette she was another one mentioned in the dream."

"I feel too wound up to go up to Gryffindor Tower" continued Nimue "I don't think I will be able to sleep worrying about Kat...and Marvo. Professor Dumbledore did say common rooms - but he didn't say 'house common rooms'. How about we get changed out of this finery and meet up in the Third Year common room?"

She took Achel's arm: "Could you walk me to Gryffindor I don't want to be on my own."

Nimue stayed with Yvette (as did Andy). A few minutes later Madame Pomfrey returned after making sure her first patient was safely on his way to the Hospital Wing.

After Madame Pomfrey examined Yvette she pronounced: "This girl is obviously suffering from exhaustion. I dare say she's been doing too much work and had far too much excitement in the last few days."

As Yvette wasn't due to travel home for the holidays it was decided it best she spend the night under the Matron's care. Madame Pomfrey turned to Andy who continued to look anxious:

"Now don't fret - your little friend will be fine. I am sure you will see her tomorrow."

With that the Matron cast a spell that gently carried Yvette out of the room. She then asked Nimue to fetch some nightclothes for Yvette from their shared dormitory. Nimue welcomed this errand as it gave her the opportunity to make sure the book remained at Yvette's side as well as to find out what was happening with Marvo.

Nimue went up to Achel: "I have to do this errand for the Matron" (she had decided not to share any concern she felt for Marvo). "I'll see you later I hope." she boldly planted a kiss on his cheek and left the Hall.

Scully had been listening, and she had a little while before she had to meet professor McGonagall for the search. 'Purt' she sang at Nimue and curled around her legs just as she got to the door.

"Purrrow!" she said forcefully. Nimue would take her too. She gave a quick glance to Mulder to say come and find me if I'm late.

As Nimue left Achel puts his hand to his cheek and flushes slightly.

He was all confused now. Was Nimue 'with' Marvo or not?

He decided against following her in case she got the wrong idea and thought he didn't trust her on her own. He had spent enough time with her lately to know she was one girl who could look after herself.

He looked around and saw many of the students were heading off now. So he decided to make his way to the Third Year Common Room and see if anyone else was waiting there. But perhaps he would go change first. His costume was starting to itch and if anything did happen he would feel better in his robes.

"Huh!" Peesey grunted. "Didn't even get a dance out of this!" Then he went quiet when Dumbledore came over. He listened to him and then said to Riala "Shall I walk you 'home'?"

Winifred was shocked. Marvo and others were in the infirmary and Kat was missing. She was sad about that, but she couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed that the ball came to such an abrupt end. She looked at Kalidor. She had finally gotten the nerve to ask someone to the dance and nothing had come of it. She sighed, perhaps a bit more loudly than she would have liked and a few students looked at her. "Hey Kali, I'm going to go down to my dorm and change, but I'll go back to the third year common room. Maybe I'll see you there, okay?" she said quickly before leaving the hall.

Kali nods disconsolately. After all the effort it had taken to sort out this ball thing, by the time he had got there and started getting into the swing of things. Still there was the event after Christmas that Dumbledore had promised.

He turned to Winifred to thank her for accompanying him, but she had already gone. He decided he wouldn't be surprised if she didn't want to be friends with him, after all he had hardly been much fun to be with this evening.

He turned again, sighed, and walked off in the direction of the Ravenclaw dormitories.

 

Part 5 - The Kat-napping

Part 7 - After the Ball