The next thing I know, I'm sitting down, leaning heavily on Ethan's shoulder. 

" What's wrong? What happened?" he repeats.

" I'm not sure," I reply. "What did I do?"

" You just kind of ... Froze up. You kept staring at Professer Quirrell, and then I guess you blacked out? You fainted on me. "

" Lovely," I groan. " Just what I need before Herbology. How long was I out for?"

" Sable," Ethan replies looking concerned, " you were unconscious for almost five minutes."

Just then I notice that I am thronged by a group of curious first-years and a couple professors. Including Professor Mcgonagall. I jump to my feet- too quickly -- and nearly faint on Ethan again. I don't want to look like a complete ninny so I grab onto a pillar to steady myself and try to look normal.

" I must just be tired. I'll be fine. C'mon Ethan, we're late for Herbology. "

Ethan is compulsively punctual, but still, he shakes his head at me. However, it is Mcgonagall who speaks first.

" You're doing nothing of the sort. Hurry along Miss Silvereye - Madam Pomfrey has a bed ready for you. You come too Mr. Everan. This one is positively stubborn when it comes to the hospital wing, and if anyone can convince her to come quietly you can. " 

" I promise! I'm fine!" I insist, but suddenly a loud scream comes from the Quidditch corridor and a first year runs up.

" Manticore!" 

Annalise ~

I was impressed with Araxie's body bind, though it wasn't strong enough to keep the beast down.

"Run!" she screamed, sprinting past as the beast lunged back up to its feet. We grabbed hold of each other and raced toward the door. The manticore roared behind us, causing the hairs on my neck to stand up, and making legs feel like jello. But we ran. We were almost home free, when the manticore raced forward, it's tail aimed straight for us. We dove out the door, but it's tail skimmed my arm. We toppled to the floor, scrambling backwards. I grasped the wound as firey pain coursed through my veins. A group of students who had evidently heard our screaming ran up. Several professors, including Professor McGonagall, rushed forward and magically sealed the door to the classroom before the beast could escape.

"What is going on here?" McGonagall gasped, looking down at Araxie and I. We both were still sprawled on the floor, attempting to catch out breath. 

"I, we..." I started, unable to think of what to say. What had just happened.

"I heard about something in the potions classroom, so I went to go investigate," Araxie said, a little sheepishly. 

"I heard her scream for help, and ran to see what was going on," I completed, still holding my arm. The pain was becoming more intense, and I was starting to lose feeling of my arm. 

McGonagall's eyes landed on my arm, where blood was seeping through my fingers slightly.

"Both of you, head to the hospital wing immediately," she said, attempting to keep order. "We will discuss exactly what happened later."

Araxie helped me to my feet and we made our way to the hospital wing, through a crowd of wide eyed students. As we receded down the hall, I heard a loud explosion and another tremendous roar. Well, now I knew what those potions would do once better mixed. 

McGonagall rushed down the hallway to where the screams were coming from. It was not, as I had previously supposed, from the Quidditch corridor, but from a second year potions classroom. Two girls stumbled out... One looked injured and was leaning heavily on the other. The younger one I didn't recognize, but the older one was familiar looking. Annalise I think? The screech of a manticore followed them. Madam Pomfrey fussed over them, but my eyes strayed to the potions classroom. 

" Are you sure it was a manticore?" I asked the younger. 

Sabine hurriedly threw ingredients into her cauldron randomly, she was running out of time. When the teacher finnally came over somehow she got top grade.

"Sure it was a manticore? Of course I'm sure! The thing attacked Annalise!" She went off to help Madam Pomfrey tend to her friends wounds, and Ethan and I were left in the doorway, watching as the professors tried to shoo a flood of first years back to their house common-rooms. The potions classroom was still unguarded. I wonder if they know about manticore blood. The only fuel for a time turner. There's no other way I can get any... After all, I'm not supposed to have a time turner to begin with.

Ethan can tell what I'm thinking though, even before I say it. He doesn't know about the time turner, but he knows me far too well.

"Sable! You're not seriously thinking of-"

Too late. After making sure no one sees me, I sprint down the corridor, wade through a crowd of secound years, and dash down the hallway towards the potions classroom. The inside is dark, lit only by candles placed sparingly throughout the dingy room, the shadows cast by rows of cauldrons black against the wall. I slide between desks, and crouch, observing my surroundings carefully. I don't see it. Suddenly, from above there comes a screech. The creature has been hanging of the ceiling, like a bat, and launches itself at me. It grabs my back, shredding my robes and leaving long gashes in my skin.

"Confringo!" I shout, and the curse sends flames into the beasts eye. With a roar like a tidal wave, the beast lets go of me and I crawl to the corner behind professor Snape's desk, near the door. I would leave now, but I need that blood.

"Sable!" A whisper comes from behind me.

"Ethan?!" I whisper back. What are you doing here?"

"I might ask you the same question! You were supposed to wait for McGonagall to come and- Sable! What happened to your back! You're drenched in blood -"

"Oh nothing, just a light sunburn," I reply sarcastically. "What do you think happened? The manticore have me a hug?"

But Ethan isn't listening. He has his wand out.  "Ferula! "

A large pile of bandages appear at his feet.

"Where did you learn that one?" I ask, a little envious.

"Madam Pomfrey taught it to me ages ago. She thought it might be useful since I hang around with you so much."

"Show off," I mutter, but just then, the manticore gives another horrifying shriek. Apparently it has recovered from its injury. 

Topp!!!!

"I can't believe you only lost ten points," Ethan says to me as I discreetly collect a vial of manticore blood. "You could have lost us 50."

"Well heaven forbid I lose 50 points for Gryffindor. It wouldn't have been as bad if I had only died, but 50 points--" I say sarcastically.

"Alright, alright!" Ethan interjects. "It was your fault though. What did you need with the manticore anyway? Couldn't you have just let the teachers handle it? And what did Araxie mean about the time turner?"

I struggle for a way to slip my way out of this question. None come to mind, so I improvise.

"Oh, you know -- um..., it's an inside joke. She meant that if I could have redone the day, if I had a time turner -- which by the way I definitely don't have one --  but if I did, then I probably wouldn't have chased the manticore. Because of... Quidditch, you know. Yeah."

Ethan looks at me suspiciously. "I'm not sure I do know, but I think I'll eventually find out. Come on, let's go.  We wouldn't want Snape to catch us in here."

I shudder at the thought. Ethan grabs the bandages and we head back up to the common room. However, I can't help but wonder: how did Araxie know that Dumbledore gave me a time turner? 

~Bartelby

I sat in the hufflepuff common room reading a book. Classes were over for the day, and I was glad to relax in my favorite chair once again. Although I wouldn't mind one more class for a change. I was just starting chapter 7 when another student burst into the room.

"Bartelby! Did you hear the news?"

"What news?" I asked

"The manticore news!"