Chapter two
The Lion versus The Snake
Ron watched as Harry and Malfoy stood face to face. Their eyes were winter cold, and he could almost feel the hatred flow between the two. Professor McGonagall looked on with a concerned face. As always, Snape seemed to be the only one who didn't worry. Instead, he smiled.
'I want you to do no harm to each other,' McGonagall said. Ron was sure she was talking more to Malfoy than to Harry. Something about the look in Draco Malfoy's eyes made Ron uneasy. For a brief moment he wondered why that was. You fool, he mentally screamed, Harry and yourself threw his father in prison. Of course he has reasons to be mad! Ron felt his throat constrict as McGonagall stepped back, creating room for Harry and Malfoy to duel. The atmosphere in the Greath Hall suddenly became hot and almost dangerous.
'Begin!' Snape said loudly. Before Ron could do anything, both Harry and Malfoy raised their wands. There curses, green and red, collided in the centre of the Great Hall. A loud bang was heard. Several students screamed, others backed away to the walls. Harry and Malfoy slowly began circling around each other, searching for an opening to strike.
Malfoy moved again. A stunning spell shot at Harry, who was able to conjure a shield just in time. Instead of hitting him, the spell bounced back and hit a table. Malfoy cursed and resumed his slow circling, mimicked by Harry.
'What's the matter Malfoy?' Ron heard Harry ask in a low voice. 'Why are you afraid? It's just me.'
It seemed his words worked Malfoy up again. He took a step closer and shot another curse. Harry blocked it and attacked. Ron watched with slight awe as Harry shot several curses at Malfoy, clearly trying to hit him full force. 'You go Harry,' he whispered.
A spell from Harry broke through Malfoy's shield curse. He stepped back, his robes whirling around his skinny body. Harry gasped for air. His eyes went wide as he looked at something. Ron looked more closely at Draco, but he didn't see anything abnormal.
Malfoy stared at Harry. He seemed tense, and ready to run. His face got red as his eyes darted down towards his stretched arms, and then back to Harry. He cursed loud. 'I'm going to let you pay!' he screamed. His wand twisted in his hands as he shot another curse at Harry. The air in the Great Hall went icy cold. Ron held his breath. It was clear that Malfoy was shooting a lot more dangerous spell at Harry as he had before. Ron looked on as Harry deflected the spell, raising his own wand in response. 'I don't think so Malfoy,' he growled angry.
Suddenly, Ron felt a hand clench his own. He blinked with his eyes and looked down. The soft hand of Hermione was holding his, trembling. Ron placed his own fingers around her hand, wondering for a moment why her hand was so soft and warm. He let out his breath, desperately trying to ignore the strange feeling in his stomach. This is Hermione. She is my best friend, for God's sake! Stop seeking answers to your feelings, Ron Weasley.
Ron looked at Hermione, surprise in his eyes. All of her attention however was on the two dueling boys. She bit her lip, clearly restraining herself from interfering. Ron felt the same urge to step in and stop Malfoy before serious harm could happen to his best friend. He silently looked on as curses flew around the Great Hall, wondering what would happen next. 'Come on Harry,' he mumbled to himself. 'Show that sneaky gitt what your made of. You can have him.'
Forgetting Hermione's hand in his, his eyes suddenly widened. Harry stepped forward, narrowly evading a curse Malfoy shot at his chest. Harry raised his wand and screamed a curse. The red beam threw Malfoy several meters backwards. The ground shook with the power of the curse.
Snape stepped forward. His face was pale as he looked down on Malfoy. 'Are you alright?' he said in a cold voice. Malfoy looked at him and nodded, trying to get up from the floor. His face twisted in pain. Snape supported him, shooting daggers at Harry with his eyes. Harry however wasn't paying any attention. His eyes were fixed on Malfoy. Ron could almost see the anger in his eyes. But he realized there was also something else in the eyes of his best friend. Shock.
McGonagall stepped forward. She cleared her throat and looked from Harry to Malfoy. 'Well … that was … impressive,' she said slowly. 'From the both of you. Get back to your friends, boys. The lesson is over for today.' Ron saw her glance at Harry as she spoke. Harry nodded and stepped back towards Ron and Hermione. Ron felt Hermione's hand distracting itself from his, and felt a sudden pang of regret and loss. He shook his head, confused over his feelings.
'What was that all about?' he asked his best friend in a whisper.
Harry simply shook his head. He walked towards the doors of the Great Hall, not looking back at his two best friends. Ron and Hermione exchanged a nervous glance and followed him onto the stairs to the second floor. None of them spoke as they made their way deeper and deeper into the silent castle. As they entered another corridor on the third floor, Hermione clearly couldn't take it anymore. She tugged Harry at his arm.
Harry looked around, his eyebrows raised questioningly. 'What was that all about Harry?' Hermione said in a small voice. 'You are clearly upset about something. It … it looked like you two were seriously trying to kill each other down there.' She shivered.
'I saw it,' Harry said, clearly fuming with anger. 'I swear I saw it.'
'Saw what Harry?' Hermione asked, trying to calm him down. 'Tell us what you saw. It was clear to everyone that you were upset about something.' Ron nodded, looking with worry at the face of his best friend. He hadn't seen Harry this worked up in weeks.
'The dark mark,' Harry spat. He stopped in the empty hall and turned round, looking Ron and Hermione into the faces. 'I saw the dark mark on Malfoy's arm. I am sure of it. That's why he panicked and tried to seriously harm me. I know he knows I saw it.' He shook his head. 'I should have known, though. Voldemort would want at least two pair of eyes inside Hogwarts to spy for him. I'm amazed Dumbledore hasn't found out yet.'
'Are you sure Harry?' Hermione said, a hint of hesitation in her voice. 'We all know you've been suspecting Malfoy since fourth year. I know his father's a Death Eater, but that doesn't mean Malfoy is to. He's too young.'
Harry looked at Hermione. Ron stepped forward, a frown on his face. He wasn't going to let Harry take out his anger against Hermione.
'I know what I saw Hermione,' Harry said. 'I've seen the dark mark before. It makes perfect sense for Voldemort to use Draco Malfoy. He's young and agile. He will be able to slip past the security measures of the Order around the castle. He's the perfect rat in the hole.'
'I'm not so sure,' Hermione whispered. 'Voldemort is not stupid Harry. If Malfoy would get caught, that would mean the end of his plans. He can't risk that much. If he has informed Malfoy of his plans, Malfoy will be able to tell everything to Dumbledore. It would be a great strategic disadvantage for Voldemort if Dumbledore knows of his secret agenda, don't you think? I think you're … well … you're kind of overreacting. Maybe you haven't seen what you thought you have seen.' Her voice was again uncertain, but she didn't seem to notice.
'Are you saying I'm wrong?' Harry yelled. 'Are you saying I'm blind? That I can't even trust me own eyes anymore?'
'Take it easy mate,' Ron said, stepping in to aid Hermione. 'We didn't say you were wrong. We only said that it was unlikely Malfoy would try something as long as Dumbledore and the other Professors are here. For now, I think you should drop the subject.'
Harry still looked unconvinced. As they reached the Gryffindor common room however, he had ultimately decided to let the subject go for the moment. Harry groaned as he sat himself in a chair close to the fire, rubbing his neck. Ron and Hermione seated themselves opposite of Harry, trying to break the sudden silence between the three of them.
'Tomorrow is the next trip to Hogsmead,' Hermione said. 'I think we should go. Maybe we could ask Ginny along. It's time we have some fun again.'
Ron nodded. He wanted to look at the new broom the local shop was selling. He was also dying to see the new candy lines Fred and George had launched just three weeks earlier. It seemed they were both making good money out of it. 'I agree,' he said and looked at Harry. 'We need to get outside of the castle, mate. It's been to long already. I'm dying in here with nothing but old books to read.' He smirked at Hermione, who pressed her lips together.
Harry seemed to hesitate just a moment. Then he nodded to. 'Will do,' he mumbled, not meeting their eyes. 'You can ask Ginny, Ron. I'm sure she'll be glad to go with us.' Ron looked confused at his best friend. It almost seemed as if Harry wanted Ginny to come along. Why would he want that so badly? Ron shook his head. He pushed the thoughts back inside his mind.
There is nothing going on with those two, he said to himself, I'm just paranoid. Ginny is my little sister. Harry wouldn't ever fall for her, would he?
'I'll ask her,' he mumbled. Harry nodded, still not meeting his eyes. 'Thank you, Ron.'
