Murmurs

Harry wasn't feeling so happy to be back after his first potions lesson. Professor Snape seemed to hate him more than anyone else. Snape actually loved Neville Longbottom compared to him.

"Hey, Harry!" exclaimed Neville as Harry was walking down the corridors back to the Gryffindor common room. "Wait up!" Neville caught up to Harry, panting. "Could you help me with the Potion essay? I didn't get a thing out of today's lesson."

"Well, neither did I." Harry said angrily. He didn't know what made him feel so mad at Neville. "When did I become your homework helper, anyway? What happened to Hermione? Doesn't she whisper instructions in your ear during lessons, anyway?"

"Well, I…I just thought…you'd be able to help…" Neville stammered as he walked past Harry. Harry didn't know why he bullied Neville, but he regretted it.

"Nice, Potter," a familiar voice called. "That Longbottom wanted to cheat off you anyways. He probably will go to that know-it-all Mudblood."

"I didn't mean to"

"Well, you did it. Are you sure you don't want pureblood friends instead of that filth you hang around with?"

"They're not filth. They're loyalty compared to you. What happened to Crabbe and Goyle? Did you finally realize they're a bunch of pigs?"

"Talking back, Potter? Are you defending them because you think Ron's your brother?"

"What do you mean, 'I think'"

"You don't still believe that you're actually his sibling? I thought you were smarter than that." Malfoy started walking away down the corridor.

"What was I supposed to think?" Malfoy ignored Harry and went out of sight. Harry began to head toward his common room thinking about what Malfoy had said. He couldn't help thinking that Malfoy was right and that he should find out who was his real mother and father. Harry's conversation with Malfoy confirmed for Harry that he was adopted. He didn't know why he suddenly believed his enemy; perhaps it was because they both agreed. Harry reached the common room, said the password, and rushed inside. He was surprised to see Hermione looking at him with an angry yet scared look on her face. She got up and turned to Harry.

"Why did you do that to Neville?" she said angrily. "He's really upset now; Ron's trying to calm him. I hope you're happy with that." Hermione ran off toward the girl's dorm.

"Hermione!" Harry called out after her, but she did not look back. Harry sat in his favorite chair by the fireplace and started his Potion's essay.

--

He was in a graveyard…someone was following him. He came face to face with an extremely large headstone. He turned around to see a man with his wand held out and a snake by his feet

"Harry," the voice said softly yet coldly. He started running as fast as he could away from this wizard. "Harry!" the voice said, louder this time.

"No!" he shouted, running faster and faster…

Harry woke up and saw a red haired boy in front of him. He realized it was Ron.

"Finally, you're awake," Ron said. "You kept mumbling in your sleep. I couldn't catch what you were saying, though."

"What time is it?" Harry asked, putting his unfinished essay away.

"It's around midnight." Harry looked around. The common room was empty.

"Where's Hermione?"

"I reckon she went to bed. Not anywhere else to go at midnight, is there?"

"Right. Did she tell you to watch after me?"

"No…well, you know…you know how Hermione can be sometimes…"

"Oh, so both of you still think I'm crazy, don't you? I'll just be getting to bed, then. Don't wake me up this time. My nightmares aren't as bad as seeing you stalking me the whole night."

"Harry…you have to admit, Neville didn't deserve what you said to him…" Harry ignored Ron. Maybe Malfoy was right about Ron, too. Harry pulled into his bed and pretended to sleep when Ron entered. Ron went to sleep in his bed across from Harry.

--

After Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Harry walked alone to the grounds of Hogwarts. Hermione and Ron have been avoiding him all day. Harry sort of missed them, but he didn't want to be the one to apologize first. It wasn't his fault they were being mental…

There was Neville Longbottom, walking towards the Herbology classroom. Harry suddenly didn't feel like being outside anymore, and started for the Gryffindor common room. Along the way, he heard two familiar voices whispering in the next corridor.

"What do you think made him do it?"

"I don't know…" Harry recognized who the voices belonged to. His two friends were talking to each other about someone.

"It…it was not something he'd…normally do, was it?" Harry suddenly realized who they were talking about. They were talking about him. Harry came out from behind the wall he was hiding behind.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, surprised.

"Think it's fun talking about me when I'm not around, do you?" Harry said angrily. His friends thought something was wrong with him. Maybe they weren't even his friends, after all. Anger boiled inside of Harry, and he couldn't control it.

"We were just talking…I mean, have you seen Neville last night? He thought you were…better than that and helpful." Ron looked at Hermione to see if she approved.

"He's right Harry," Hermione responded. "You shouldn't have acted that way. He's a bit forgetful and needs supportive friends that won't yell at him when he asks for help." Ron nodded.

"Maybe if you weren't lying all the time I wouldn't have done that to him! Everybody must notice that I'm adopted, and you're always saying I'm just a bit different. I'd like to know who my real family is! I sure hope they're not liars like yours!"

"Calm down, mate. Stop going on about that. Hermione doesn't think you're adopted, do-"

"STUPEFY!" Ron hit against the wall, unmoving.

"Harry! How could-you're getting to be more like…like Malfoy every day."

Well, that must be an improvement. If we're alike, we will probably get along great." Harry stalked off, leaving Hermione with Ron.

Author's Note: I hope to get the next chapter up soon! The next few chapters will be about Harry's discoveries about who his family really is.