10 days, tsk tsk tsk, I'm well aware lol, buuuut it's a much longer chapter :D
Hollee rules!
JK owns them!!
Onto the chappie hehehhe
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It was an unusual night compared to the other ones he had been having lately. There had been no nightmares, no visions, no voices, no nothing. He had just slept through the whole thing like a normal person would have and, however it amazed his dorm mates, woke up on time all by himself.
He couldn't deny he was feeling refreshed after that… careless and freeing moment he had had the night before. It seemed to do the trick of turning his mood around, since by breakfast he had already spoken to half the people in his house.
"You're looking awfully… happy today, Harry." Hermione couldn't help but comment, a smile on her curious face.
"Yeah, mate. Were you really in detention last night?" Her red-head of a boyfriend suggested, grinning.
The Boy-Who-Lived chuckled, "It's nothing really, I just had a good night's sleep, no Dark Lords entering my mind."
"Really? Wow, that's very good Harry! I guess the Occlumency lessons are really helping you." The bushy-haired girl said, happily.
He didn't dare say a thing about it, he'd rather pretend those lessons weren't a joke and that he was taking it seriously as to not have Hermione -or anyone else for that matter - breathing down his neck over it.
They kept eating and, once or twice, Harry found himself looking over to the Slytherin table, however unconsciously he was doing it, and now that the adrenaline was gone he wasn't sure what in the name of Merlin he had been doing the past day.
He shook his head, it was better not to go into mindless worrying when he was feeling so much better today.
"Argh, I nearly forgot we had Defense Against the Dark Arts right now…" Ron muttered, grumpily, staring at the teacher's table where Umbridge had just taken her seat.
"Please, Ron, I'm eating." The Boy-Who-Lived said chuckling a bit and biting a large piece of his sandwich.
"This is so frustrating, I can't stand having to go there and pretend for the hundredth time that I'm reading that stupid book." Hermione commented, she wasn't usually nice when people kept her from learning, and so Umbridge was on top of her hate-list.
"Well, be glad that you don't get into fights with her, I don't think I can deal with that woman anymore. I swear…today, I won't say a thing." Harry guaranteed, he'd get himself into no more trouble.
"Yeah, mate, no use making your life more complicated. Besides, we have DA, right? So we're good." Ron agreed, nodding.
--
He had been all set on not making a scene, on not retorting whatever that toad-like woman would throw at him, but all it took was to learn the name of that day's chapter and he knew this lesson wouldn't be very… pleasant.
"Today, class," Umbridge began, having just ordered everyone to put their wands away and textbooks out. "We will be learning about a very important subject."
Funny enough, the class stared at her with the usual expressions of nearly lethal boredom.
"The ministry is very concerned about our safety, and as such it is required of you to know how to identify and who to contact about dangerous dark creatures." She continued with her fake sweet tone, then she pointed at the board and the title of today's chapter appeared just as she closed her mouth.
Werewolves
The black board said, and though nothing had been discussed yet, Harry was already feeling an unhealthy tension growing inside of him. It must have shown enough, because he felt Hermione's hand squeeze his arm softly as though telling him to ignore whatever was coming.
"Now, I myself have been trying to keep these… creatures from mixing with wizards for years. Unfortunately some people believe that, because these beings have near-human intelligence, they deserve a different treatment." She continued, looking as though none of the people present would ever be able to fully comprehend why she was right and others were not.
"Therefore, we are obligated to share some facilities with them, and it's because of it that the ministry finds it awfully important for you to learn how to identify them perfectly. So should they ever cause any trouble, you will know how to report it: to the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
His breathing was out of rhythm, his heart pumped faster and he was grinding his teeth together with so much force it hurt.
"All common signs of the werewolf, when in human form, are on page 131, you may open your books. There will be no need to speak." She instructed with her annoyingly polite voice.
Ok, he had pulled it off so far, he could do this, right? No blowing up like he did every class, just… ignoring. He opened the book, knowing he was being watched, and -with lack of anything else to do - read slowly to the ridiculous description on the page before him.
5. Common aggressive behavior, constant bad temper.
9. Larger than normal men.
24. Tend to avoid walking in broad day light
And the laughable characteristics went on and on. They were so off that Harry didn't even bother getting mad over them, they were as good as describing the opposite of his father!
It was when everyone seemed to have finished the reading, an hour into class, that things got nasty.
"It seems everyone is done with their reading, yes?" She asked, the students just nodding softly. "Class?" She insisted.
"Yes, Professor." They finally answered unwillingly.
"Wonderful! Now, who can tell me, how we should act in case we believe we're around a werewolf in a place where they are not allowed and we want to identify it?" She asked, arching her eyebrows and looking from one person to another.
"Mr. Thomas?" she turned to Dean.
The Gryffindor opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. He wasn't sure what he should do. He was Harry's friend ever since first year, he –as well as his other mates – knew about the Boy-Who-Lived's father, he had told them recently after one DA meeting. And he knew very well the boy didn't like subjects as these, much less the answer that the book suggested he had to give.
"…I… I don't know, professor." He settled for saying, not sure if it was any use fighting and getting detention when nothing would change, but unwilling to repeat the words he had just read.
"Did you not read the chapter Mr. Thomas?" She asked, as though she specially disliked him. When he did not defend himself she just shook her head, "Very well, that's fifteen points off your house, son." She said in her controlling voice.
Everyone, even the Slytherins who they shared a room with stared at the woman, you didn't take so many points off someone just for not answering a question, most teachers didn't take points off at all. Hell, even Snape didn't do it! But she hadn't been very kind towards Harry's friends since the beginning of the term, so it didn't come as much of a surprise.
Of course, the Boy-Who-Lived understood what Dean had done and looked at him in a thankful, yet angry expression. He hated how the woman messed with them like that. And if he had to guess, she probably knew about Remus – what with him getting away with not registering in time like she had ordered many years ago – and would do what she always did… lure Harry into an argument she'd win.
"Ms. Parkinson?" she asked immediately, looking at the pug-faced girl sitting by Malfoy.
Pansy seemed pleased to have been picked and sat upright to answer "It depends professor, if it's a commercial establishment, or –Merlin forbid – a school." She looked around as though suggesting someone in that very room could fit the description. "You should trick them into using a silver quill. But if you're somewhere else, any other silver object will do. That's why all pureblood families carry around lockets and rings." She motioned to her own delicate necklace, "To make sure we're not associating with the wrong sort. Werewolves are allergic to silver, see." She explained matter-of-factly.
Umbridge seemed beside herself, she smiled in that nearly sadistic way and said, "Well done, Ms. Parkinson! Fifteen points!" she awarded at once.
By that moment Harry's knuckles were already turning white from sheer pressure, since he was clenching his hands into fists. And both Hermione and Ron were looking at him as though ready to strain him from doing something stupid.
"Let's see," She started again, doing a great show of pretending she was pondering on whom to call on next. "Mr. Potter"
Harry closed his eyes when he heard his name, he had been waiting for it… he breathed in and out calmly and then looked up at the woman he despised so much. She was smiling in that annoying way that just made him want to jump at her throat.
"Tell me, what do you think of the laws that prohibit werewolves from mixing with our kind?" She asked, her tone left no doubt that she was purposely provoking him.
He breathed in heavily once again, he would not give into these pathetic attempts, he wouldn't blow up, but he also wouldn't pretend to agree with her just for the hell of earning himself some peace.
"I think they're wrong and were obviously made by close-minded people who are full of prejudice and have nothing better to do than make other people's lives complicated." He answered matter-of-factly, she had after all asked his opinion. "And, seeing as werewolves are human 352 days a year, there's no point to separating them from us." She seemed about to interrupt, and he read her expression enough to know that he was already in trouble, so what the hell? "You know, professor, girls also turn into bloodthirsty monsters once a month and I don't see anyone locking them up."
Collective snorts were heard all over the classroom, even some Slytherins were openly grinning with the joke. And Umbridge's face? That was priceless.
"Silence!" She ordered at once, with that voice she hardly ever used. "Quiet now, children." It went immediately back to her childish sweet tone as soon as everyone became silent after the first outburst.
"Now, Mr. Potter, I believe we have discussed your need to… seek attention already." She clucked her tongue. "I'll pay no mind to it, since it would only worsen your urge to repeat this sort of behavior." She went on, with her I-know-what's-best-for-you-since-to-me-you're-four tone that drove everyone mad. It was so annoying to be addressed as though you couldn't understand a thing!
"No matter, no matter." Her eyes were on him glaring like a predator ready to jump on its prey, however her voice sounded sweet or her expression looked composed. "I believe," she was addressing the whole class again now, "That Mr. Potter here has quite a vast knowledge when it comes to these dark creatures. But please, dear, don't be shy, how about you share what you know with your classmates?"
He felt her eyes on him even worst then before. They weren't only choosing him as a victim, they were filled with triumph and vengeance. It was so intense that it sent shivers down his spine.
"How about you tell us about the effects of silver on a werewolf…?" She trailed off, her calculating smile not denying for a second that she was referring to the incident very few people knew about.
Hermione's soft gasp was heard, and before anyone could blink, Harry had stood up and slammed his hands so hard on the table as he did so, that the sound echoed through the entire place.
His clenched teeth, his hard eyes, his tense muscles all shook with the rage he was feeling. It was one of those moments he thought he'd explode. And so, what his body couldn't do, his magic did.
As a blur, a large vase of pink flowers shot through the air and missed the High Inquisitor's head by a dangerous inch, smashing itself against the board behind her, its shards flying everywhere.
Among gasps and whispers of astonishment, Harry pushed the chair he had been sitting at out of the way and walked out of the classroom before anyone could regain the ability to speak.
--
"Here." The blonde boy said as soon as they were out of the potions' classroom, handing him a pink envelope.
Harry already wasn't in the greatest of the moods, and to have someone mocking him wasn't something he'd put up with.
"Do you really have to bother me today?" He asked, annoyed.
"It's from Umbridge, you daft idiot." Draco said matter-of-factly, forcefully handing Harry the note.
He felt like ripping the thing to shreds, but decided to just check the time of the damned detention and get it over with. Surely enough, the short note said specifically that he was expected at her office the next day, at 5. Another bloody detention – quite literally – and his hand was not even healed yet from last time.
He said nothing, just pocketed the letter and continued his way to the library, making sure to match his pace with Malfoy's.
They started their research once again, this time a different ingredient. Harry refrained from asking much questions and just tried to figure everything out by himself, he didn't want to talk to anyone. He wished he could not even be there at the moment. It was as though once again he felt the walls closing in on him, and he couldn't get himself to concentrate at all.
"I've got to go to the bathroom." He said out of the blue, feeling as though the library was just unbearable for a second there.
The blond looked up with a frown, as though asking why the Boy-Who-Lived was telling him that, he still wasn't used to it…
"Can't you wait, Potter? I don't really fancy the idea of going to the bathroom with you." He said, matter-of-factly.
"No, I can't wait, otherwise I wouldn't be asking."
He stood up before the other boy could protest again.
"Let me, at least, put my stuff together." The Slytherin said, unwillingly, he had been forming all sorts of ideas in his head and now his essay would just have to wait, because Saint Potter had to have his way.
They left for the bathroom as soon as Draco had done so and all the while they were walking there Harry asked himself what he was doing.
He didn't need to go, he just wanted to get out of there and it had seemed like the easiest excuse.
When they got there, Malfoy waited as Harry looked around, and the messy haired boy went straight to the sink, pulling the Slytherin along with him. The blond boy leaned on the cold tile wall and studied him avidly.
He rolled his sleeves up and turned the tap on, splashing water on his face over and over again. Trying to recompose himself and feel the air filing his lungs again.
"What's that?" Draco asked, before he could help himself. He had been staring at his rival and noticed, as the boy held onto the sink and looked up at the mirror that his hand was nasty-red with a few marks that from the distance seemed random.
"What's what?" Harry frowned, looking at him, his thoughts dissipating.
"That thing in your hand, obviously." He answered.
The Boy-Who-Lived stared at his hand, as though he had forgotten that the scar was there, and shook his head, standing straight once more. "It's just the mark left by a toad." He said sarcastically, not caring much what he said in front of Malfoy. After all, the Slytherin to him was nothing – and he was sure the feeling was mutual – and so it was as if he could say anything without being worried (…). Funny, there were things that you fought to keep from your friends, but could care less if your enemies knew.
"It's your fault for getting into her way, " Draco said matter-of-factly, understanding the nickname at once – it wasn't really hard to make the association – "She can't really stand the sight of you."
"Well, it's mutual." He muttered.
"You know, that's the problem with you Gryffindors." The blonde said, nearly rolling his eyes.
"We exist?" Harry asked dryly since it seemed that, to Umbridge, it was all it took.
"No, you insist on saying and doing the wrong things at the wrong time and getting fucked because of it just out of a misplaced sense of righteousness."
"It's called fighting for someone and standing up for what you think is right, but of course someone from your lot wouldn't know a thing about that since you're too busy back stabbing each other and butting into other people's lives." He retorted, full of steam.
Draco wasn't sure if the Boy-Who-Lived was an idiot or if he was just playing the part too well since the day he was born. How daft could one get? After all, he knew that Potter was well aware of the Death Eaters – which to the Gryffindor highly qualified as his lot – and if that was not fighting for what they believed him, he didn't know what was. Sure, Slytherins were more worried about themselves most of the time, but they did care for others, they just didn't risk their necks because of it.
"Right, well, I hope that detention will feel at home with all the other ones you've got." He answered, not bothering to defend himself.
He looked at Harry's hand again, he was closer this time and so it was easier to see what was on the back of it. He was pretty sure that there was something written on it. Acting without thinking, like he had been doing for most of the time he spent around the Golden Boy he grabbed his hand, curiosity driving his body the way it wanted to, and looked at it with a frown on his face.
"I must not tell lies?" He asked arching his platinum-blond eyebrow.
Harry was so surprised by the gesture that he didn't even pull his hand away like he had when Hermione had asked him about it. He just tried to say something, but no words came out, it was just that the moment was too weird for his head to register.
"Who did this pathetic attempt to heal it? Not even Pomfrey is that bad with healing spells." He said with disgust, looking at the ugly scars. His wand was out before he had finished his phrase, Harry mimicked his action at once though – that's what paranoia does to a person.
"It was Hermione, now put that thing away." He ordered at once, pointing his wand at the boy.
"The Mudblood, of course," He said, as though expecting it, "I'm just going to do a much better job than she did, Potter. And please, as if I would hex you while we have a magical bond, I could be in the bad end of it too, but of course I didn't expect you to know that." He pointed out logically.
"Thanks, I'll pass." He said, but as he did it he was already feeling something soothing creeping up his hand.
He could see the borders around each curve of the words he had written closing. The skin become less angry and the pain went with it. When the magic stopped all he could see was a faint outline of the phrase that had once been there.
He didn't know what to say, like when Malfoy had helped him write his first essay, since a 'thank you' seemed too foreign. So he just said nothing and asked himself, at the same time, how the Slytherin could know a non verbal spell already when they'd be learning it in sixth year only.
He settled for just giving a weird nod back to the blond and walking towards the exit… they still had their parchments to finish.
"Where are you going?" The blonde seeker asked, arching his eyebrow.
"I'm going back to the library." Harry answered matter-of-factly, it was sort of obvious.
"And we came here because…?"
He shrugged, motioning towards the sink, and Malfoy just rolled his eyes, following him out.
--
Once again free of the bond, and once again – however odd it might look from an outsider – choosing to stand each other for more time than necessary, all it took was Harry's reminder - "So… you won yesterday." - and they were on the field without even having to ask each other about it.
It was the previous night all over again: speed, no worries, no thoughts, no detentions, no Voldemort, no nothing. And he knew it, he knew as soon as he had mounted his broom that he was lost. He had lost to this addiction, and no matter how he looked at it… it was a hard fact. However unbelievable it might seem, the time he'd be looking forward to the most in every single the day for the next week and a half was the detention he'd share with his Draco Malfoy.
--
A.N:
Yey big chapter :D
-Everyone is asking about Remus, yeah, I know you guys miss him…buuuut he won't show up for..some time lol, please hold on
Answer to Reviews:
Fantasyfan4ever: Ohh you'll see soon :DD I will!! don't worry :D Thanks!
Moony73: :D hey! Ahhh they didn't see each other anymore that day hehehe They'll play again in other detentions :P Yep, to each other they're gonna be 'escape rotes' sort of, I loveee this kind of 'accomplices' relationships :P
I think the whole war thing and 'sides' takes everything to a different level on the 'violence' matter, so yeah :P I can't fight that hehe. I have to say, I'm not sure if The Guardian was my favorite to write anymore hahah, though this story is much less known and read (I think) I think it's got a more intense plot, I enjoy writing it more XD.
Yess incentive for me -dances- Here is the next one :D
Kisses! (and thanks for the wonderful comments on DA:))
Nenifer121: Yep, in quidditch they definitely speak the same language hehe. Ohhh people are trying to murder me because of the delay on Remmie/Siri action, but I have to say, honestly, that it's not gonna happen much soon :XX I have to sort out the draco/harry thing first, but hold on!
Miss-Janine: Yess review XDD I loved making this :D Hhahahahah you've got it all sort out haven't you heheeheh :DD yep, that's about it -laughs- here it is!!
GrlWithoutAName: Thanks for reviewing the Guardian too :D And err... no, as I had said in the first chappie...this story really stands on its own hehehe but I'm glad you ended up reading both :P I hope you like this one too! Nhaa I couldn't have placed in slytherin :PP That would have changed the whole plot hehehe. Yeah, I know!! I hate it that molly did that u.u But she was full of prejudice in the canon story, so, yeah, I think she'd act like that :P Oppss Draco's gone death eater XD heheeh yep, they will be stuck together for loads of time now :P
VampireBallerina: Oh thank you! Woooww you've read them both in one day? I try really hard not to make things seem rushed :) I try to make them happen naturally, I'm glad you see it this way :) Err Remus... that's a whole different story hehe He'll show up.. eventually :P