The Siren's Call (A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

27. Curses

Dioleh's vision opened up and she saw standing over her the form of Sirius Black with a knife. A voice that was not her own screamed.

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Dioleh shot up with a harsh intake of breath. Her breathing was heavy as she pieced together what had happened. That must have been one of the boys in Harry and Ron's dormitory. Dioleh's breath evened out as she looked around to see that all the other girls were asleep. Laying back down, Dioleh let out a sigh, rubbing her eyes. Siren magic was one of the hardest to understand, let alone research. Since she was a young siren, Dioleh had a set of powers at her disposal.

Control over water and storms and the ability to see those with whom she shared a connection through her dreams in times of peril. Dioleh assumed her connection to Hermione had connected her to Ron or Harry and considering who Pettigrew was sleeping in the bed of, it was likely Ron. Knowing she wasn't going to be getting any more sleep any time soon, Dioleh got up and changed into leggings and a sweatshirt, throwing her colourful hair into a messy bun as she left the dormitory.

With a sigh, she threw herself on the couch before the fire to stare up at the ceiling. An hour later, the portrait hole opened. Looking over, Dioleh saw Snape and Dumbledore stepping inside. "Ms. Granger," Dumbledore said in surprise as she sat up. "Have you seen anyone pass through here?"

"Uh, no," Dioleh replied, frowning. "Why would there be?"

"Sirius Black has gotten back in the castle," Snape said in his oily voice. "We are attempting to locate him." Dioleh's throat went dry.

"H-How could he have gotten in?" Dioleh said, inwardly wincing at the uncertainty in her voice. "I thought security had gotten better since last time. Was anyone hurt?"

"Thankfully, no," Dumbledore replied. "Well, it seems no one is in here. Let us move on, Severus." Casting Dioleh a slightly suspicious look, Snape followed behind Dumbledore out of the common room.

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Over the next several weeks, exams hit them like a tidal wave. Dioleh was, thankfully, having an easy time of it other than Charms. After the Defence Against the Dark Arts exam, Dioleh headed up to the caste with Hermione, Ron, and Harry before she quickly stopped in her tracks. Standing at the top of the steps was the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Dioleh hadn't seen him in two years.

"Dioleh, what's wrong?" Hermione asked just as the Minister said, "Hello there, Harry. Just had an exam, I expect? Nearly finished?"

"Yes," Harry said.

Glancing back at Hermione, Ron, and Dioleh, Fudge asked, "Er, might I have a word in private, Harry?" Harry agreed and the two disappeared out of sight. Harry came back a few minutes later with a troubled look on his face and the four of them went off again.

"Well, we need to get to Divination," Harry said. "See you lot later." He gave a small wave before leaving with Ron. After exams were over, Dioleh went out to the lake for a swim. Surfacing, she saw Ron being dragged into the Whomping Willow by Sirius. With an irritated groan, she dragged herself out of the water and quickly changed forms, rushing in after Harry and Hermione.

"Where does this tunnel come out?" Hermione whispered.

"I was hoping you could tell me," Dioleh whispered back.

"Dioleh," Harry said in surprise.

When the pause stretched out too long, Dioleh snapped, "Come on, let's go. What're you staring at? We need to get Ron." She moved past them down the corridor to find the hole at the end. Grabbing the edge with both hands, Dioleh pulled herself out before turning to help the other two. Soon, the three of them were standing in a beaten-down, old building.

"I think we're in the Shrieking Shack," Hermione suggested. Large chunks of the furniture in the room had been ripped out with teeth marks everywhere.

"Ghosts didn't do that," Harry said slowly just before there was a creak overhead. Dioleh looked up quickly. As quietly as possible, they climbed up the stairs. Glancing at Hermione and Dioleh, Harry turned to the door and kicked it down. Inside, Ron was laying on the floor, clutching his leg.

"Ron, are you okay?"

"Where's the dog?"

"Not a dog," Ron moaned. "Harry it's a trap-"

"What-" Harry began.

"He's the dog! He's an animagus!" Ron shouted. Dioleh looked around just as the door swung closed with a loud creak. Sirius was standing facing them looking as pale and on the brink of death as always. Harry grabbed onto Dioleh's hand, as if on instinct. Instantly, she screamed, pain erupting from the spot and crawling up her arm. She shook off his hand, looking down at her own to see that her hand was turning black. She looked up at Harry, shock and anger in her expression.