When Harry woke up the next morning the first thing he thought was that it was Quidditch match this week, not the dream, he had forgotten it.
"Are you better off today, Harry?" Asked Ron when he came down in the living room
"Yes indeed" he smiled and walked out to the Great Hall and breakfast, Ron followed him.
They walked together into the great hall and sat down next to Hermione, who was busy reading the Daily Prophet.
"Now, is there anything new?" asked Ron, and took a piece of bread.
"Nah .. the Ministry of Magic says that the war is near, Voldemort comes closer every day" Hermione looked genuinely frightened as she sat with a coffee cup in one hand and the newspaper in the other.
"Well, he's coming, we know that." Harry said with a sigh. "But I would like to know what Malfoy is up to, if he has become a Death Eater .. I mean Voldemort have to have a way of using the bloke! Like a spy here at Hogwarts or something!"
"Harry, you're kidding, You know that Malfoy is an idiot!" said Ron, looking up from his breakfast.
"Yes, and that's why I don't understand what Voldemort want with him!"
"Harry, you're kidding, you know that Malfoy is an idiot!" said Ron, looking up from his breakfast.
"Yes, and that is why I do not understand what Voldemort want with him!"
"But anyway, Harry, you have no proof that he actually has the black mark!"
"Ron! Both you and Hermione saw what he did when Madam Malkin tried to touch his arm! He is marked! He is one of them! And I will find out what he is up to!" Harry said and took a bite of his food. I have to figure out what it is! He's not normal! Harry said to himself. Harry ate the rest of his breakfast and prepared himself for some agonizing hours with Snape in the dungeons.
"Defense against the dark arts.." Snape began. Without anyone actually paying attention. Harry, Hermione and Ron didnt like Snape, no one did. he had the habit of sneaking up on people and take house-points for no reason. And he had a specific hate for Harry.. Harry thought it had something to do with his dad, he wasnt sure anymore. Nothing made sense. Harry survived through the next two hours without any trouble. Mainly because he didnt talk, all he did was to think.
The next days passed on the same way as the previous ones. More thinking.. Ron and Hermione got more and more worried at the end of each day. Harry had changed too. everything had changed. Dumbledore was getting weaker. All the teachers were worried. and with a good reason.
Not 30 miles away Voldemort and his clan of misfits planned to attack Hogwarts to get the Potter-boy He had grown stronger since his return. Gained a lot of followers too. And yet here he was.. planning to infiltrate Hogwarts. He was quite pleased with himself. The filthy scum of the wizarding world would soon know what powers he possessed. Everyone deserved to die. Anyone that contributed to the saving of the Potter-boy. Every man, woman and child that hid the boy from him.
Harry's scar hurt again. It felt like his head was ripped in two pieces.. He clenched his fist and smashed it into the wall behind him.
"Ey mate? You alright?" said Ron with a worried look on his face
"I dont.. know.." said Harry trying not to faint. He gasped for air. It had never hurt like this before. Harry fell backward and didnt know the difference of up and down. He fell into a state between being passed out and sleeping. His thoughts still running through his head like a movie in slow motion.
The next day was Wednesday.. A great day.. except the Transfiguration class with the Slytherins. Harry walked down the stairs and into the common room.
Ron and Hermione discussed the homework they had done for today as Harry walked in on them.
"Are you sure it was what McGonagall meant?" said Hermione to try and convince Ron that the answer he had written down on question five was wrong.
"Yes I am!" he said confidently
"Ok then" said Hermione and smiled when she saw Harry. "Morning, Harry," she said and put the book down.
"You skipped breakfast again," said Ron
"And?" said Harry tired
"Promise me you'll eat at lunch!" said Hermione, trying her best to hide her concerns.
"Yes, Mione" he answered and sat down beside them.
"After all.. It is Quidditch today" said Ron smiling
"I bloody hell hope that Ravenclaw beats Slytherin! I'm sick of seeing the snakes brag about how good they are!"
Harry didn't pay attention. His mind were elsewhere as always. He thought of Sirius.. If he only had Sirius to talk to about this. Everything would have been a bit easier. He kept thinking as they walked toward the Quidditch field. Why cant I leave myself alone.. I guess I'm just good at annoying myself with thought I don't understand why I have.
Halfway thorough the match Harry still hadn't said a word. Hermione and Ron figured to leave him alone with his thoughts. He wouldnt tell them what it was before he felt like it anyways. He didn't even look up when Ravenclaw beat Slytherin 130-105.
"I said Ravenclaw was going to beat them!" Harry finally said as they walked toward The Three Broomsticks.
"Did you see Snapes face!" Ron laughed as they walked. "He looked like he most wanted to strangle Malfoy!
Yes, Harry had noticed it, Malfoy had played incredibly poorly in the past, just as if he was sick or something. That was another thought that corrupted his mind. Harry! Stop! He commanded himself, and forced himself to talk.
"So, three butterbeers?" he asked when they entered The Three Broomsticks.
"Yes" said Ron. "With a bit ginger in mine" said Hermione
They walked over to a table in the back and sat down.
Harry put his head on the table and sighed, why did he think so much? all the time? Why did he care about the nasty Slytherin? Well, something the boy had worried Harry .. he seemed almost terrified. Like someone was gonna kill him in seconds. he had cried alot too, Harry had heard him when he walked past the bathrooms this morning. He was joined by Moaning Myrtle who frantically tried and help him.
Harry didn't have time to think anymore, because the bartender, Tom but three mugs of Butterbeer on the table as he looked up. They drank their drinks in silence and watched the people pass by the pub. Katie and Leanne sat at the table behind them discussing the match. Ginny Weasley was occupied snogging Dean Thomas causing her brother's cheeks to go slightly red. They finished their drinks and headed up towards the castle. Katie walked in front of them carrying a weird-looking package under her right arm, while trying to open the wrapping with the other.
The scream caught Harrys attention. Leanne fell to the ground screaming as Katie rose high up in the sky.
"I told her not to touch it!" she screamed looking up at Katie.
Katie suddenly fell to the ground and lay quite still.. Professor Snape came up to her and carried her up towards the castle.
"You three!" Snape said and went silently
The three friends followed him into McGonagalls office and watched the witch get sadder and sadder as it came clear to her that Katie Bell had been cursed.
"Why is it when something bad happens, it is always you three?" she asked with a sigh
"Honestly professor, I have been asking myself the same question for 5 years now" said Ron and looked at his feet.
"Do you have any idea who it could be?" said McGonagall turning to Snape
"It was Malfoy!" said Harry without thinking
"That is a very serious accusation, Potter" said McGonagall shocked
"Indeed. Your evidence? " continued Snape
"I just know!" said Harry, because he just knew! This was Malfoy's doing
"You just... know? Once again, you astonish me with your gifts Potter. Gifts mortals could only dream of possessing. How grand it must be, to be the chosen one" said Snape with a low voice.
Harry turned around to avoid running up to Snape and hit him. McGonagall told them to leave, they did.
"I told you something was weird about his behavior!" said Harry when they arrived at the portrait. Ron and Hermione just sighed and went to bed. Harry fell asleep fast. Finally he had nothing to worry about, at least not Malfoy..
But Harry would soon discover that nothing is like it seems.. People he had hated, could eventually turn out to be his friends, and his friends could turn out to be his enemies.. Time would show
