"What happened to her Poppy?" Professor Dumbledore asked with concern on his face. "Something attacked her," Madame Pomfrey whispered. "I believe we will have to wait until she wakes up to find out," she added. Just then, Cam's eyes fluttered open. She sat up quickly and her head began to pound painfully. "Lie down child," Madame Pomfrey instructed. Cam did as she was told. Professor Dumbledore sat on the edge of her bed and gazed into her eyes. "What happened Cameron?" he asked in his kind gentle voice. "He-he-he attacked me," she stammered. "Who?" Dumbledore inquired. "Asesino," Cam spat, as if the word were something vile on her tongue. "The panther inside of me," she said her eyes glazed over with fear. "Rest my dear," Madame Pomfrey said.
Later that morning Dumbledore headed out of the room and ran into Jack. "Please Professor, can I see my sister now?" he begged. "Poppy, may Jack see his sister?" Dumbledore asked over his shoulder. "Yes for a short period of time," she answered. Professor Dumbledore nodded and Jack walked in. He took a seat next to Cam's bed and took her bandaged hand. "I don't know if you can hear me, but you really scared me last night," Jack whispered. "I'm sorry Jack," Cam murmured quietly as she looked up at her brother. "What happened?" Jack questioned. "There is a panther inside of me and it confronted me in my dreams," Cam said, her eyes drifting off to stare at nothing. "A panther?" Jack asked quite perplexed. "His name is Asesino," she muttered. "Murderer," Jack said, astonished. "Mr. Williams I believe you have classes to attend to," Madame Pomfrey said, ushering him out. "I will keep an eye on her," she told him. Jack headed for Defense Against the Dark Arts with Cam's words running through his mind.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As Jack rushed into the classroom, he realized he had forgotten his homework. "It's so nice of you to join us this morning Mr. Williams," came the voice of Professor McGonagall. "I had a rough night," Jack muttered as he took a seat. He wasn't in the mood to discuss last night's events. "Please hand in your assignment and pair off into yesterday's pairings. We're going to learn a rather simple but helpful freezing charm," she continued. She reached behind her desk and brought out a cage of squirming, beady-eyed squid larvae. "Each pair is to take two," Professor McGonagall began. She took one out to demonstrate. She placed it on the desk in front of her, raised her wand and said "Conglacio". The squid larva froze into a block of ice. "Now each pair take your squid and practice. And for the love of God, don't aim the spell at your partner," she said. Jack approached her tentatively. "Yes, Mr. Williams?" Professor McGonagall asked. "My partner isn't here," Jack said quickly. "Yes I see that. Where is she?" Elizabeth inquired. Just then Dumbledore rushed in. "Elizabeth, come quickly," he said. At that moment there was a loud 'thud' as Hermione hit the floor in a block of ice. "What did I tell you Mr. Malfoy!" McGonagall screamed. She hurried over to the girl and muttered "Exuro." Immediately, Hermione was unfrozen. "Oops," Draco said. Professor McGonagall turned to the class. "I will be back. Talk amongst yourselves and no one is to use the spell until I return," she said. She turned and followed Dumbledore out of the room. "What is it Albus?" she asked as they headed for the hospital wing. "Cameron Williams has been attacked by a panther whom she believes is inside of her," Dumbledore explained quickly. "Inside of her?" Elizabeth repeated with a skeptical look on her face. The pair reached the hospital wing and Madame Pomfrey rushed out. "Hurry, she's begun convulsing," Poppy said, fear in her eyes. Elizabeth rushed over to the bed and looked at Cameron. "There's no way we can know what's going on until she wakes up," she said dismally.
At that moment Cameron was in the dark forest again, this time tight ropes bound her to a tree. The panther stood tall in front of her. "You have displeased me," growled the panther. "Please, don't hurt me," Cam begged. "Cameron, you tell no one of this!" Asesino shouted. "I understand," Cam said, as she lowered her eyes. "Now close your eyes, let me out," Asesino commanded. "I-I-I can't," Cam stuttered. "What!" he shouted. "You might hurt someone," she whispered. The panther raised his paw, claws extended and brought it down upon her. A large gash was left on her cheek. The force of the blow knocked her unconscious. She lay there, blood dripping from the wounds on her face.
"She's bleeding!" Poppy said. "My god. She does have something inside of her that wants to get out," Elizabeth breathed. She turned to her colleagues. "Stay with her. I will be right back," she said as she dashed out of the hospital. She rushed to her mother's office and knocked quickly on the door. "Come in," called her mother. "Mom, I need four of those self attaching chain restraints you had the students make yesterday," Elizabeth said quickly. "Why?" Minerva asked. "I just do," Elizabeth said, growing impatient. Seeing her daughter's patience thinning, she opened a cupboard and handed her four chains. "Since you aren't teaching at the moment could you cover my class? Thanks," Elizabeth said as she rushed out of the room. 'I hope this works,' Elizabeth thought. Professor McGonagall headed for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, not sure of what she would find.
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