Forbidden Corridor - PG - Chapter 5: Never To Be Trusted - »
Author: Sydella Shields

The days after that soon went by, what with Oliver's secret after-school Quidditch practices, and homework piling up, everyone was thankful when Halloween arrived because that meant the amazing decorations and ever better, a feast! But before the feast began they had another Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. By this time rumours were circulating that Quirrell's stuttering and the horrible garlic smell that followed him came from fear of a vampire he met while in Romania on his travels. Once again Angelica was called to have a post-class meeting, but this time was a little different. Quirrell waited until the room was empty.

"Professor Quirrell, what did you need to see me about?" Angelica asked.

He tried to smile. "P-p-please, c-call me I-ian. I-i have h-h-heard there a-are some rumours go-going around ab-bout me. B-but you kn-know n-n-not to believe t-them, r-r-right Angie?"

Angelica wasn't sure how to respond. She didn't want to set him off like she had at the start of the term, but she didn't want to lie and say she knew what was truthful about him anymore.

Later that night it was time for the annual Halloween feast to begin. The great hall was filled with a thousand live bats and floating jack-o'-lanterns. The feast had just appeared on the golden platters when Professor Quirrell, who looked more pale than usual, made a mad dash into the hall. He looked terrified and half-dead.

"Troll -- in the dungeons! -- thought you ought to know."

He then sank into a dead faint. Everyone began screaming hysterically, not knowing what else to do.

"Ian!" Angelica shrieked, looking positively ill. She attempted to run to his side but Adalita grabbed her wrist and tugged her the other way.

"What are you doing?! We have to get out of here!"

"But I don't want Ian to be dead! I have to help him! He trusts me!" Angelica looked on the verge of tears.

Professor Dumbledore demanded the prefects lead their housemates to the dormitories immediately. But Angelica didn't want to leave Quirrell. Dumbledore had also issued orders to the staff to get their wands and meet in the dungeons. Somehow Snape knew what Angelica was thinking and muttered nastily as he walked by the Gryffindor table, "I'm sure the headmaster will -er- take care of Quirrell perfectly well, Morrissey."

But somehow that thought didn't help. Percy was very excited to lead the Gryffindors to safety, saying such things as "No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders!" and "Excuse me, I'm a Prefect!" When they finally reached the common room everyone was still very frantic and amidst the chaos and confusion Angelica sprinted up to the bedroom she shared with Adalita, Alicia, and Katie Bell. It was dark and empty, only lit by the moonlight shining through the window. Angelica collapsed on her fluffy four post bed and pulled the red velvet curtains shut, so no one could see her crying.

Adalita rushed in minutes later. She sighed, "Angie? Are you alright?"

"Mmmm," Angelica mumbled and slowly peeked her head out from behind the curtains. "I want to go back there and see if he's okay," she said softly.

"I know you do, but there's really no chance of you being able to do that now. Come with me downstairs, we're finishing the feast there and besides, you couldn't sneak out past Mr. Prefect if you wanted to!"

Angelica let out a weak laugh and followed Adalita back to the common room and took their places beside their friends.

Chapter 6: Possession, Suspicion »

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