For Harry’s birthday Ashley threw a huge party at the Leaky Caldron. Never having a birthday party before Harry wasn’t sure how to act or dress, but it was great. Everyone got to drink butterbeer and eat chocolate frogs until they were sick. Even Dobby and Winky were there. Dobby gave Harry a pair of mis-matched socks and Winky gave the mates to the mixed-up footwear. The Weasleys all went in together to get Harry a whole collection of books on Quidditch and broom flying. Some were used but Harry didn’t care. Hermione gave him the new updated History Of Magic. Each gift was something Harry knew he would treasure since this was his first real birthday party. All the teachers were there except for Snape, though Ashley admitted to inviting him so he wouldn’t be offended. Even Lupin was there.
Ashley didn’t stop his gifts with just the party. No, she gave not only him, but Ron, Hermione, and even Ginny gifts and told them to open them together. It was a strange board with a huge crystal ball in the center and letters and numbers in front of it.
“It’s a wizard’s computer.” Ashley said. “Our answer to the internet. You can look up information, talk to each other from far away, even watch Quidditch matches from around the world. You can either touch the letters or numbers like a muggle would their computer or wave your wand over it and say what you want and it’ll connect and find it.”
Harry could already see Hermione’s longing to look up all sorts of information. It would be a big help with homework. He just wished he could contact Sirus with it.... What was his godfather doing now? The last he saw of him Sirus was going to do something for Dumbledore. Something to do with Voldermort....
Suddenly Harry felt like he was being watched. His green eyes looked around but all he saw around him were friends and teachers. This was another kind of watching. Something - evil - about it. But there was no one to be seen. No one at all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This year for Ashley getting thru the barrier was easier. Since she had done it before all she did was start rolling her cart as fast as she could and closed her eyes until she found herself on the other side. The adult sighed in relief. “Well, Erik,” she said to the caged owl, “another year. I wonder what adventures await us this time.”
“I would hope the adventures would not be very dangerous.” A tall man said. He was dressed in impeccable black robes. He was tall, but not thin, his hair was long and brown, and his face entirely covered in a mask. “But seeing how I don’t know you yet you seem to know my name....”
Ashley blushed. “Oh, no - my owl’s name is Erik.” That’s what she got for giving her owl a human name.
The masked man chuckled. “Ah, forgive me,” now one could detect a slight French accent. “I am Erik le Fantôme.” He held out a gloved hand. “And you are?”
Ashley took his hand, meaning to shake it but rather found herself all aflutter as he raised her hand to his masked lips and pressed the fake mouth to her knuckles. “Um - I’m Ashley Katrina Hood.” She saw his eyes, as blue as the sky, move inside his mask to her scar and his gloved hand reached up and touched it lightly, sending shivers down her spine.
“Ah, yes, I’ve heard of you. The Siren.” He removed his hand. “Well, Miss Hood, it’s a pleasure to meet you, but now I have to board the train. I will see you at Hogwarts.”
In a swirl of capes he was gone. Boarding the train so easily that Ashley wasn’t sure she even saw him at all. Shrugging, she joined her friends and boarded the train with them. Happily sharing a car with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Barely fending off the Creevy brothers at one point. Ashley just had a way of charming people so they did what she wanted. And not just by her singing either.
However all her charm couldn’t work on someone as low down as Draco Malfoy and his goons.
The tea cart lady had come and gone and Harry was just biting down into a Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Bean. “Mmm - Hamsteak.” He said.
Ashley shuddered and made a face. “Yuck.”
“Don’t you like ham?” Ron asked. “I thought you Americans ate pork at every meal.”
“Not me,” Ashley said, looking like she was going to throw up. “I’ve got Gitlin blood in me and like my cousins I’m highly allergic to pork.”
“Imagine,” the slimy voice of Draco Malfoy intoned from the door, “being allergic to your own kind.”
“Get out of here, Malfoy.” Harry snapped, glaring at his blond haired nemesis. “You’re not welcome here.”
“I can go where I want, Potter,” Malfoy snarled. “Isn’t that right, Crabbe, Goyle?” The two goons nodded in unison.
“Not in our car.” Ron replied. Even as Hermione tried to keep him calmed down.
“Oh poor Weasley,” Malfoy melodramatically moaned. “Where’d you get the new robes, Weasley? Did your mommy sell her hair for them?”
“Get OUT!” Ashley roared, jumping to her feet. “I’ve had it with your bullying and your nasty high-handedness. Crabbe, Goyle, I don’t know why you put up with this little twerp. He treats you like crap and either of you could smash his little pinched face in.” The adult glared at all three boys. “You should stand up for yourselves rather then being his lap dogs. As for you, Malfoy, you worthless piece of slime, you’re not welcome around anyone. Not any Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw. If you don’t leave everyone alone I’ll make the humiliation you suffered during our duel look like a day in the park!”
Draco fumed, his face turning red. “You mean the duel where you cheated?! You could’ve killed me you know.”
“No I could not have. And I have an official ruling from the Ministry stating that I did not cheat.” Ashley replied. “Now get out.”
“No, piggy.” Malfoy said, pulling out his wand. “I think I’d rather....”
“Rather what?” A French accented voice asked. Behind the gruesome threesome stood the masked Fantôme. “I believe the lady asked you to leave.”
“And who are you to tell me what to do?” Malfoy snorted. “Another adult student freak?”
“No,” Fantôme said, “I am your new Defense Against The Dark Arts professor.” One could hear the grin behind the mask in his voice. “Draco Malfoy, isn’t it? Son of that whiny little Death Eater, Lucius Malfoy. And your friends, also sons of Death Eaters. Tell me, boys, what’s it like living with fathers who are under the thumb of the weakest wizard ever? Not going to tell? Well, then you can leave.” With that Fantôme swept into the car and closed the doors in the face of the three boys. “Sorry to disturb you all but I needed to get out of my car. Two rather annoying boys kept begging me for my picture.”
“The Creevy brothers,” all four students intoned.
“Yes, that’s them.” Fantôme chuckled and sat down next to Ashley. “So why didn’t you tell me that you were nobility, Lady Hood?”
Ashley gagged. “I hate that stupid title. I’m no lady. I didn’t earn that, just inherented it.” The American-born woman really did find the title of “Lady” disgusting. This whole nobility thing wasn’t in her.
Fantôme chuckled. “Well, let us talk about other things. Ah, you must be Harry Potter - and correct me if I’m wrong you two are Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. Mr. Weasley I’ve heard a great many things about your chess skills. Perhaps you would care to honor me with a game for the rest of the trip?” From his robes Fantôme brought out a small box and from it removed a tiny version of a chess board. The little pieces jumping into place. “I just bought this travel sized board.”
Withing seconds Ron, pleased as punch to have been praised so, and Fantôme were deep into a game. Hermione played with her “wizard’s computer” gathering information. Harry, lulled into relaxation, found himself pillowed against Ashley’s shoulder and soon was sound asleep. Dreaming of the mother he had never really known.
Ashley shook Harry awake as the Express slowed to a stop. She smiled and straighten his hair in a very motherly manner. Also giving him a breathmint to get that “just took a nap” taste out of his mouth. The mint was so strong it took his breath away. However it did take that taste away and left his mouth feeling clean once he was able to breath again.
It wasn’t long before everyone was in their respected modes of transport. Ashley was with the other 2nd years. Ron and Hermione got their own carriage and Harry got a private one with Ginny. They spent the time talking, kissing, and holding hands. Soon they’d make their relationship official, but not until they were sure Ron wouldn’t hurt Harry for it. Ginny had been thru so much what with Voldermort taking over her body and all. Sometimes she fell into deep silences and didn’t want to be touched at all. Fear in her beautiful eyes. Harry wish he could take that all away from her. He thought of Dumbledore’s pensive and wondered if something like that would help Ginny.
Everything was pretty uneventful. Even Peeves was behaving himself. This year the whole school song got sung. Ashley had learned that much control. However once the song was over Peeves lost control and started flinging water balloons filled with honey. It finally took Snape calling the Bloody Baron to get Peeves out of the room. Fantôme used a spell that cleaned off all the honey and everyone sat down to eat.
Ashley had just barely taken a swallow of her food when her face began to turn red and hives broke out all over. Her throat began to swell and one could tell she was unable to breath. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Fantôme, and Hagrid were all by her side quickly. Hagrid grabbed Ashley up at Dumbledore’s orders and ran with her to the infirmary.
McGonagall examined the food. “This is pork.” She said with shock. “Transfigured only enough to look and smell like something else, but it’s still pork.”
Snape took the goblet of drink and sniffed. “This has been laced with pig’s blood and a potion to cover up the taste of the blood. A crudely made potion, very inferior quality.”
Harry sat there in shock. Ashley was severely allergic to pork and someone - someone....
“Clearly,” Fantôme said, “someone has tried to murder Miss Hood.” The new professor touched his mask, stroking the chin of it as if in deep thought. “She is related to the Gitlins, no? All the wizards and witches with Gitlin blood are highly allergic to pork.”
Dumbledore for once looked mad. Madder then even Snape or McGonagall looked. “A full investigation will be launched. If this was a student....” He looked around the room. “They will be expelled.”
“It’s got to be Malfoy,” Ron whispered to Hermione and Harry, “he hates Ashley and he knows about her allergy.”
“But Draco’s got no access to the kitchens and couldn’t be sure the food would be delivered to Ashley.” Hermione whispered back. “We need more proof before we can accuse him.”
“You need.” Snape whispered, getting down and impersonating the students, “to let the grown ups handle this and to keep your snotty noses out of it.” With that Snape turned and left. “I’m going to the infirmary.” He stated to Dumbledore. “Incase Madam Pomfrey is in need of help.”
“Help indeed,” Fantôme chuckled. “There goes a man very much in love. Too bad she does not return his feelings. Don’t worry, children,” he said, “Lady Hood will be alright. I’m sure Hagrid got her up in time and by now she’s already breathing easier.”
Harry watched the adults move away with the tainted food and drink. Suddenly he wasn’t hungry. He just wanted it to be daytime so he could go visit Ashley. Somehow he didn’t think Draco Malfoy had anything to do with this. No, he thought it had more something to do with that creepy feeling he had back at his birthday party.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as he had a break, Harry ran up to the infirmary. Ashley was looking better but Madam Pomfery was keeping here there for the rest of the day. However when he got there someone else was already visiting. Fantôme sat next to her, holding her hand.
“I’m glad you feel better, Lady Hood,” Fantôme said, lightly drawing circles on the back of her hand with a single finger. “It is a shame, though, that you will miss our first class. I shall make sure to send you a transcript of the lecture.”
“Don’t call me Lady Hood,” Ashley said, her voice sounding a little rough from her allergic reaction. “I hate that title. Just call me Ashley.”
“Alright, Ashley.” Fantôme said, then he lifted her hand and pressed it to his masked mouth. “I will see you later, cherie.” Then he stood, his robes swirling around him. “Ah, Harry, have a good visit.” He patted Harry’s shoulder and walked out.
“Hello, Harry.” Ashley said, smiling. There were a ton of pillows behind her. Somehow making her look small and wan. Like if she was dying right before his eyes. “How’s the first day back going?”
“Great,” Harry said, sitting down. “I haven’t seen Snape once and the Creevy brothers are actually leaving me alone. And you?”
Ashley stuck out her tongue and made a rude noise at the ceiling. “I’m going crazy in here. If it’s not Madam Pomfery forcing another potion down me to make sure I’m purged it’s Snape up here with yet another potion he’s found and brewed to clean me out. One bite. One lousy bite of pork and I’m getting treated like if I had some horrible disease and will die any minute without constant care.”
“You almost did die, Ashley,” Harry said. “Whomever tampered with your food wanted to kill you.”
“Yeah, well,” Ashley said, “as long as Voldermort or a Death Eater exists and is free that’ll always be how it is. For both of us.”
Harry sighed. Ashley was right, of course, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. Soon Madam Pomfery was chasing him away. He was leaving just as Hagrid entered with a handful of wild flowers in his massive hand. He greeted Harry then went over to visit with Ashley. Harry couldn’t help but chuckle. Ashley had more friends and admirers then she realized. In fact, as Harry walked down the hall Peeves came by carrying roses he no doubt stole from the garden.
The best class of the day was no doubt Defense Against The Dark Arts. Fantôme entered grandly in a puff of smoke that instantly got everyone’s attention. He was wearing a monestrous looking mask that reminded Harry of Professor O’Connell when he had revealed his vampire form. “I understand,” Fantôme said, “that you all had a bit of trouble with a magic drinking vampire last year. Let’s learn how to identify and destroy them, shall we?”
Fantôme defiantly knew how to keep a classes’ attention. Even Neville Longbottom, normally the type to look away in fear, kept his eyes firmly on the lesson. The professor was incredible. He really had a way of making the class come alive. Harry didn’t think he ever had a lesson like this since Lupin and the bogart.
But then someone just had to ask....
“Professor Fantôme, how come you wear a mask?”
“It’s -” the professor hesitated, “personal. Let’s just say that the mask is necessary.” He left it at that and dismissed the class.
That night Ashley was back in the common room, joking and laughing just like she was a kid herself rather then a 27 year old second year. Ron and Hermione were trying to convince Harry to help them prove Malfoy was the one who tried to kill her but Harry refused. Stating he didn’t believe Malfoy was behind it.
“It’s not his style,” Harry said, “he’s more obvious and would’ve been bragging about it. And Hermione, he’s not the only one who knows.” With that Harry pulled out the book she had given him for his birthday. In it was a section dedicated to Ashley, complete with a family tree. “Everyone knows Gitlins are allergic to pork, remember? And this book clearly shows she’s a cousin to the Gitlins.”
So it went for the next few weeks. Fantôme kept them interested, Ron and Hermione tried to prove Malfoy was behind Ashley’s near-death, Harry had a creepy feeling he was being watched but couldn’t find the eyes on him, but nothing else bad happened. Not just yet at least.
Ashley, having successfully passed 5th year Potions in her first year, was in 6th year Potions and 6th year Herbology with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. However her other classes were the typical 2nd year classes. So she separated from them after double potions and headed up the stairs towards Transfiguration while her friends went on to their respected classes. Ashley had just about reached the top of the stairs when she slipped on something. Suddenly she found herself tumbling backwards, unable to stop herself, all she could do was protect her head and neck. Every time she grabbed for something she seemed to slip from it. Her tumbling just got faster. As if she was rolling downhill on a sheet of ice. She screamed, unable to do anything else.
And then suddenly she stopped. Peeves of all “people” was holding her. But even he couldn’t keep his grip and he yelled out for help as Ashley slid from his grip and slide down the stairs on her back like if she was luging. Even when she hit the floor she was still sliding. Students jumped out of the way even as Ashley slid towards the closed doors....
Then she stopped again, this time slowing down and spinning for a second until she was finally able to grip the floor. She looked up and grinned sheepishly as Professor Fantôme’s masked face looked down at her. “I - slipped.”
“You didn’t just slip, Miss Hood,” Fantôme said, “you had a frictionless curse put on you. It takes away the friction that allowed you to grip the very earth with your feet.” He held out a gloved hand and helped her up. “If not for Peeves, you’d be dead.”
“Thank God for Peeves then.” Ashley said as she stood. Then grimaced in pain. She was pretty battered and bruised.
Fantôme looked her over. “You better go see Madam Pomfery.”
“No way, she’ll keep me there a week. I’ll just run back down to the dungeons and ask Snape for a healing potion. Thanks for saving me. And thank you, Peeves.” Ashley said to the poltergeist as he floated around. She even went so far as to grab him and give him a big wet kiss on the cheek. Leaving a blushing Peeves behind, Ashley headed off, pretending to be unconcerned, but deep down inside more scared then she had ever been in her life.
“What do you want?” Snape grumbled, not even bothering to turn around to look as Ashley entered the empty classroom.
“To avoid Madam Pomfery.” Ashley replied.
Now Snape turned to see her and his beetle black eyes flashed as took in her bruises, scrapes, and cuts. “And what, pray tell, happened to you?” He asked even as he retrieved a healing potion.
Ashley sighed. “Another attempt on my life.” Sinking onto a seat she took the potion as it was handed to her. “Thanks.”
“You seem awfully nonchalant for someone who’s almost been killed twice.” Snape sneered. Yet he began to apply some ointment to her bruises and scrapes to assist in the healing.
“Professor,” Ashley said with a deep sigh, “I have to. It’s the only way I’ll stay sane thru all this.” The scar on her cheek twitched. “It’s crazy. It’s like I’m a - Mary Sue in some muggle fan-fiction.” At Snape’s confused look she said, “It’s a muggle term. When someone who’s just a fan, not a paid writer, writes a story with a character who’s just like them and the hero of it with all the bad things happening to them it’s called a Mary Sue, or a Larry Sue if the writer is male.”
“Muggle term.” Snape snorted. “You’re going to have to learn to let go of that sort of thing before long.” The potions master said even as he checked to make sure she was all healed up. His fingers lingered on her scar. “This is not the muggle world and you are not a Mary Sue. You stepped in Voldermort’s way. Like young Mr. Potter you will be a target for as long as Voldermort and his followers live.”
“Well,” Ashley said as she stood, “I’m also in danger from Professor McGonagall, unless you’d be kind enough to give me a note to explain why I was late.”
“No,” Snape intoned. “Begone.”
“Fine.” Ashley said, “Thanks for healing me, even if you are a pompous jerk.”
“Twenty five points from Gryffindor!” Snape shouted after her.
(Home
Page 3)