The Raven

Disclaimer : I don't own it, it's all JKR's, I only do this for fun, so don't sue me.

The Raven

Chapter 1

By: Bree McGregor

He flew as fast and as far as he could. Letting the wind be his ally. The Black Raven twisted and turned going with and against the air currents dodging flashes of green and red light. He could feel the slightest changing of the air current through his sensitive feathers.

He knew this was not good, if the wind took him away from his target he was doomed. There was not space for change now. He knew there was only one place he would feel safe… the raven closed its eyes and concentrated he could feel his feathers move with the swirling wind but just before he was completely free he was hit with a searing pain that raged though his small body only one coherent thought ‘Home’ then darkness over took him…

~*~*~*~*~*~

Ron and Harry were tng ang about the new broom they had just seen displayed at the Hogsmeade Quidditch shop ‘The New Silver Firebolt.’

Hermione was a few paces in front of them. The trio was walking in the snow as they returned to Hogwarts from a day trip to Hogsmeade. Arms full of bags from their Christmas shopping.

Christmas was only a few short weeks away. In their 7th and final year, the ‘dream team’ as most of the school was fond of calling them, did not feel as happy and free as they once did. Lord Voldemort was still out there somewhere; they knew the war was gaining momentum. Not by the ever growing reports of Death Eater attacks (though it did play a part) but it was the tension and it was growing thicker as the days passed, becoming almost a tangible thing with a life of its own.

Hermione knew the guys used Quidditch as an escape from the stress, just as she dived head first into her studies, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t tired of the talk all the same.

A black spot on the snow caught her attention. It was right by the front gates of Hogwarts and upon closer inspection she noticed black feathers… it was some sort of bird. She kneeled down to see if the poor thing was still alive. Ron and Harry stood behind her to see what caught her attention. She slowly reached to touch the bird.

“Be careful Hermione,” said Harry “If it's alive it may attack you. Wild animals and birds do that when they're hurt.”

“Good point Harry,” she replied as she pulled out her wand. She cast a regenerative spell she learned from Madam Pomfrey over the summer, when she took a mini medi-witch course. Dumbledore believed that all students who were capable, should take a course on emergency healing to prepare for the war. “The more we know, the more we prepare, the less casualties we should have…” Hermione took note of the word “Should” have less casualties.

The spell revealed that the bird was alive, though just barely, along with some internal wounds. She removed an ultra soft, light green baby blanket that she had just bought for her cousin’s new born for Christmas. 'Oh well, the baby probably has more then enough blankets,' she thought.

She put a warming spell on the blanket and slowly, carefully picked up the wounded bird with it. The bird gave a weak squawk and allowed itself to be lifted into the fuzzy warmth and gentle hands.

“Is Hagrid back yet?” she asked the two boys.

“No, Hagrid has been sent on an assignment by Dumbledore for whatever reason and has not returned yet.” They were not full members of the Order yet, so they were not accessible to a lot of information like where Hagrid went or when he was likely to return.

“Well, I guess I’ll take it to madam Pomfrey. I know she doesn’t normally work on animals, but I can try to help it myself if all else fails.” With that she tucked the bird under her warm winter cloak holding it in the crock of her arm and headed quietly toward the castle with Ron and Harry not far behind carrying her bags for her.

When they reached the castle's main hall, Professor McGonagall was there to welcome back the students. Professor Dumbledore was with her smiling at his students as they returned, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Professors,” called Hermione. “Do you know when Hagrid will return?”

“I'm afraid not, Miss Granger,” replied Professor McGonagall.

“Then is Madam Pomfrey in?” she spoke less loudly as she came closer. Dumbledore noticed how she held her arm.

“Are you hurt child?” he asked.

“Not me sir.” She pulled back her cloak, to reveal an extremely injured bird. Dumbledore and McGonagall angeanged worried glances.

“Yes I see, follow me, Miss Granger. Boys, would you be so kind as to take her bags to her Head Girl's room?”

“Um, just take them to Gryffindor tower. I'll pick them up latter.” She smiled to take the sting out of her words. Ron’s eyes narrowed at her as they flashed with anger. Harry pulled Ron away saying they would be in the common room. It was already Christmas and he still hadn't yet been invited or even seen Hermione’s room. He was getting quite angry and wondering what she was hiding. In h Heh Hermione didn’t want to be alone with Ron, let alone having him set foot in her sanctuary.

She liked Ron, but he wanted something more than she did. Yes, for the first few years she had a big crush on Ron, but after a time it turned to just friendship. Not like Harry, he was like her brother and she d ted tell him anything.

Dumbledore led her to Madam Pomfrey who rebelled when she saw that her patient was an animal and not a human.

“Albus I do not treat animals, that’s Hagrid job!”

“Hagrid in not here, you must help this bird,” he insisted

“Albus!” She started again but he held up his hand and whispered something in her ear.

Hermione saw to the bird as Dumbledore tried to talk sense into the medi-witch. Removing the blanket after she placed him on a high table, she noticed his feathers were sticking up in all different angles, and one wing was bent at an unnatural way. She looked deep into its black eyes as they returned her gaze.

She always had a way with animals, after books animals were her favorite thing. She remembered as a child, walking to the bus stop to wait for her school bus, it was the time of year that the sun didn’t come up until she was half way to school. One morning she heard the sound of heavy padded paws hitting the ground in a run. Looking up she saw a huge black dog running straight for her.

She knew if she showed any fear, the dog would most likely attack. So she slightly bent down and clapped her hands and called out, “Here Boy! That’s a Good boy!” in a friendly voice. The dog kept running toward her, but then his tail started wagging and it gave a happy bark. She played with the dog for a few moments and went to her bus stop. The dog followed her and sat with her until the bus came. They did this every morning for the rest of the year. The next year she attended Hogwarts.

Hermione was lost in the little black eyes, it was like he wanted to tell her something and she was missing the message.

“Poppy please,” whispered Dumbledore.

“But… but…”

“He’s an Animagus, at least see if he can transform before treating him.”

“Him?” she asked startled.

“Yes Poppy, it's Severus.” His voice grew lower than a whisper. “He’s an unregistered Animagus. Now with you knowing that, it only makes four people who know, and that’s also counting himself.”

Poppy nodded at him then looked over at Hermione. The girl was looking deep into the birds eyes and stroking his head.

“Albus?” she whispered.

“Yes, I see.”

“Fine!” she said exasperated. “I’ll see what I can do.”