I write this with a heavy heart, my fellow students, as yet more disturbing events have unfolded. I myself am considerably close with two of the people involved in such events, having even rescued one of them with the help of a second year Gryffindor by the name of Leona Rex. I suppose it would do more good to explain what all happened, and share the disturbing note recovered at the gruesome scene.
The first I’d heard of the attacks I was walking outside. I’d needed some fresh air, and had decided to wander to Headmaster Dumbledore’s grave amidst the break in the rain. However, as I crossed the bridge I spotted the girl across the hill by the water. I’d only thought I’d say hello when I was greeted with a terrible sight.
Otter Glaus, a person whom I consider a dear friend, had been attacked by a vicious creature. I cannot and will not go into graphic detail about his or anyone’s injuries, but I will say they were grave and a truly terrible sight. If it weren’t for the wonders of magic and the hard work of our matrons, it’s very likely that many attacked would not have survived. Those are words I find incredibly difficult to write, even now. The nature of the injuries were bites, deep cuts, and even bruises. The colour red has become all too familiar.
I later learned that Glaus’ original intention was to take a swim, and he is unsure of if he was stalked or if the creature charged him upon seeing him.
Glaus lost a lot of blood, and Rex was doing all she could to try to get him up the hill. I do not know what would have happened had I not arrived, but I was able to send Rex to fetch a professor. I myself used mobilicorpus to get the Slytherin to the wing in time to be healed – a spell that’s become particularly useful, I’m sorry to say. At least, as of late.
While I was in the wing, originally for Glaus, I found that it had not been quite enough horror for the day. Aisling Jones, a girl who I consider very much like a sister to me, was brought into the wing in nearly the same state Otter had been. She was soaked in blood and unconscious, just as he had been.
The same types of injuries.
The same bitemarks.
I myself had to administer blood replenishing potions to Aisling – a potion that would become very popular that day as many students in similar states filled the wing. Scourgify would also become a popular spell, as well as the incredibly difficult healing incantation that only the healers and the matrons could perform. This incantation, beautiful sung, stitches deep wounds closed. It would have been horribly fascinating to observe had the reasoning for the spell work not been so grim and macabre.
Jones was followed by Archibald Colquhoun who had also been bitten, but only just, and had fainted from the experience of seeing his girlfriend attacked so ferociously. He had not suffered the damage Jones or Glaus had, thankfully.
Next came Dottinous Foul and Quinn Lowry. As I understand it, Lowry had been interviewing my housemate about her feelings in regards to the acromantula attack when the beast fell onto him for its next onslaught. Foul ended up in the water as she tried to get away, and Lowry was able to fend off the creature. The boy was able to jump into the water to get to Foul, who used ascendio to escape from the lake. The two then helped each other to the hospital wing.
Lastly came the attack upon Jinyoung So, when he had ventured to the dungeons to see some friends. He was unfortunate in that he did not know of the dangers which lurked, nor was he aware of the ban that had been placed, restricting anyone from travelling down there.
The boy suffered several blows to the head, as well as several bites. It took three students, Rylan Worthington, Sun-Jin Oni, and Imogen Featherstone, to cast enough spells to make the creature flee, so they could bring So to the hospital wing.
This creature has displayed immense speed, strength, and a thirst for blood. It is very death-like in appearance and smell, and shows no mercy in its attacks. It is speculated that it’s blood-thirst could be due to a state of starvation-driven madness, and it has also been speculated that the nature of this creature is similar to that of a Vampire or a Dhampire. The professors have not confirmed this, but we would all do well to do our research and learn how to protect ourselves against this creature.
As of today, the – of October in 2024, I believe it is reported that everyone attacked has officially been released from the hospital wing.
Once again, the students and faculty of our school have shown immense unity in time of crisis. So many of our prefects have been working tirelessly to keep us safe, and so we must all keep in mind, the early curfew and the Slytherins sleeping in the dueling room are entirely for our safety. We may not like it, but being the victim of another one of these attacks would be immeasurably worse.
The Matrons are incredible beacons of strength and healing during this period of time, our professors and prefects guiding us when we need it most, and fellow students showing emotional support to those around them. Some specific names I’d like to mention and give thanks to, include Karam Ali, Addison Blackwell, Gaston Reuter, Joyce Felts-O’Rourke, Morgan Maldive, Johanna Swahn, and anyone else who had a hand in repairing the damage done by this creature. Your work has not gone unnoticed, and I am personally incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such caring souls.
I now leave you with the note recovered at the scene of Jones’ attack. I do warn you, dear reader, if you are easily disturbed, it is unwise to proceed further. Perhaps the evidence uncovered can shed some light on the nature of the attacker.
–
“Elliott seems happy today. Well, happy to me. Me and my brother have always had a special connection, a way of knowing what each other is thinking. Perhaps it’s because I saved him. I think a part of him knows that and is thankful.
I’ve been thinking about my reasons for writing. – Yes, the main reason is to find peace in my memories. To find comfort in a familiarity no matter how gruesome it really is. But I was also thinking… What does the future hold? Things don’t look too promising for myself and Elliott right now – I think that I’m partially in denial about this. I think I’m in denial about a lot of things. But what about Elliott? People don’t understand. I want them to understand… If only for my own sanity.
I saved my brother, yes. But I don’t want you to think of me as a hero, because I’m not. I’ve done some great things, but I have also done horrible, terrible things. What do each of these things have in common? Elliott. I did everything for Elliott.
I followed my mother that night. I followed her and I watched her bury my brother. He was screaming, froth dripping from his lips in his crazed sickness. I waited until she had left before I ran to the dirt covered mound and I began digging furiously to uncover him. It must have taken me hours to uncover him – my hands were ripped to shreds and bleeding by the time I reached him. I knew him to be dead… I knew my efforts were wasted and my hands were torn to the bone for nothing.
I opened the box. Elliott screamed. – He was alive. I don’t know how, but he was alive. I drew him up in my arms and cuddled him as an October rain poured down upon us. I can still feel the cold of that night in my bones. The cold was not just from the rain, but a chill that had embedded itself deep within the air and seeped itself into my pores.
Needless to say, we did not go home that night. We did not go home ever. Nor did I seek the safety of the town. How could I? You were hanged for rumours of even speaking to a witch. A sick child would be deemed the result of witchcraft – a curse. Maybe my brother was cursed, but he was all that I had. We took shelter among abandoned farms, desolate churches and even caves. We did all that we had to to survive. And I… Well I did what I had to to provide Elliott with his medicine. And over time he grew better, stronger.”
