Title: Qye

Author: Shades

Rating: PG-13

Pairings: DM/HP/OC, RW/HG, SF/DT

Summary: Fifth Year has come around for Harry Potter, one summer since the tragic events of the Triwizard Tournament. He has become quiet and withdrawn, keeping his gloomy thoughts to himself. But he will not have the time to be concerned about outside worries like Voldemort, not when he has to worry about his own problems at Hogwarts. Because with Fifth Year comes a woman, a vampire woman, DADA teacher and with her she brings out odd feelings and odd people. Indeed, Harry is in for another life-turning year at Hogwarts.

Warning: PS/SS, CoS, PoA, GoF. NO OotP! I will NEVER acknowledge that book as part of HP world! Do you hear me Rowling?!? *shakes fist* Fifth book never came out for me! There might be some similarities between the stories but I will NOT follow that thing called the fifth book!  There is slash however so if that isn't your cup of tea, please leave and don't flame me. Thanks!

Disclaimer: *glowers* No, I don't own Harry Potter  or all it's characters. *hisses*  I do, however, own all the original characters – such as Lest and Marylin – in this story. *eye twitches* And just to let everyone know, I don't own the name Lestat.  Nope, that belongs to the great writer Anne Rice and I have simply borrowed the name.  The character, Lest, however is my character.  I simply say this because I have been accused of plagiarism.  The Hammer, I am truly sorry and offended you would think I would plagiarize.  *sigh* ; - ; There, I think that takes care of all disclaimers.  Continue reading.

------- = Change of Scene

~~~~~ = Flashback

::Bold/Italic:: = Harry to Qye

::Bold:: = Qye to Harry

~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter Nine

~*~*~*~*~*~

Qye.

Qye, the writer of the journal.

Qye, the writer of the journal he had been reading for the past month.

::Right…there seems to be a problem after all…:: the newly named person said after a long moment of silence.  He once again got the odd feeling of the person – Qye – raising his eyebrow.  But…was it actually him?

::Hey, you still there?  What's the matter now?:: Qye said irritably.  ::I tell you my name and now you've gone all quiet and still.  I'm getting the feeling that something's wrong.  What?  Does my name offend you?::

::S'not that…:: Harry thought, staring blankly into the darkened room.  ::S'just…your name…Qye…that's your real name?::

::Last time I checked:: the other replied in a slightly annoyed voice.  ::I'm not aware of being anything else.::  There was a moment of silence, this time from the voice's end, and Harry felt a slight flash of confusion from the other before it quickly vanished.  ::Is there something the matter with my name?:: the other boy continued after the moment.

Harry said nothing, still staring into the room.  The voice was Qye, the mysterious person he had been reading about all November.  How much of a coincidence was it that after a month of learning about him the boy had found his way into his head?  And after taking a potion on the subconscious…he wouldn't be surprised that he had thoughts about Qye in there.

::Hey!:: Qye – supposedly – snapped while Harry stared at the moonlit room.  ::Burn me, what the hell is wrong with you now?  I tell you my name and you're giving off this feeling of something like horror and shock.  Care to explain?::

He was silent for a moment then said quietly, ::Your name is really Qye?::

::Yes:: the other growled.  ::For the last bloody time, my name is Qye.  What has that got to do with anything?::

::Tell me something about yourself:: he asked, ignoring the question.  Maybe if 'Qye' told him something he didn't know it would disprove what he feared.  Maybe…

::Why should I?:: Qye replied warily.  ::What's going on?  Do I know you?::

::I…I don't think so:: Harry said softly.  ::Just…please, just tell me something about yourself.  It's fair, isn't it?  I mean, apparently, you have all my personal thoughts and memories at hand.  It's only fair I should know something about you.::

::Whoever said I was fair?:: the voice said sardonically.  Qye was silent then said quietly, ::You have a bigger motive for asking me this.  It's not just because it's all quid pro quo.  You know something about me.  You recognize my name.::  He was silent again then sighed.  ::Fine, I'll tell you something since you're obviously too damn stubborn to let it go.  But I want to know why afterwards.  You're going to tell me.::  It wasn't a question.

::All right:: Harry said, his eyes closing.  He waited nervously, his chest tight with fear and anticipation.

::Well, I don't know what you want me to say:: Qye said thoughtfully.  ::I guess I'll just give you my basic info.  I'm a boy, obviously, ten years old last time I checked.  I live with my relatives in a suburban area a bit away from London.  I go to public school and don't have any friends my age because all the idiots my age are…well, idiots.  I only have a couple of friends and I sometimes stay with them for the holidays.  My best friend is five years older than me, has an insane sister, creepy dad but great mom.  Oh, and he's a vampire and a complete pain in the arse.::

He let out a small sigh, the tightness in his chest loosening slightly.  He had guessed some things about Qye before but there were pieces of information in that brief biography that he hadn't known from his readings.  For instance…

::You have a vampire for a best friend?:: Harry asked in a disbelieving tone of voice.

::Yeah…so?:: Qye replied defensively.  ::He's a complete jerk, but just because he's a vampire doesn't mean he's evil or anything.  He hasn't tried to bite me or anything and I've known him for five years.::

::I didn't mean it like that:: he said hastily.  ::It's just…you have a vampire for a best friend and you don't believe in magic.  Isn't that a bit …odd?::

::I never said I didn't believe in magic:: Qye muttered.  ::I just don't think it's the answer to every odd thing that happens in the world.  There's always got to be a rational and logical explanation for everything that happens.::

::Right…::

He rubbed his chest, still feeling a small knot in there.  Despite the fact that Qye had given him some information that he hadn't known, it still wasn't solid evidence to disprove his thought.

::What's his name?:: he asked curiously.

::Doesn't matter:: Qye muttered.  ::Listen, you said you just wanted me to tell you something about myself and I did more than that.  Now would you mind telling me why you asked me this and why my name seems to mean something to you?::

Harry shifted in the bed, feeling exhaustion beginning to arise once again in him.  He shoved it away, forcing himself to stay awake.  He had promised to tell the other boy.

::I…I thought I might have created you from my mind:: he muttered to Qye.  ::I thought I was insane or something since my potion was wrong.  I just wanted to see if you knew things that I didn't.::

::You don't think I'm a real person:: replied Qye dryly.  ::You think I'm just a figment of your imagination, made up from your subconscious.  Right?::  There was a small snort of laughter.  ::Sorry to disappoint you but I am a real person.::

::I'm not entirely sure about that:: he mumbled and he felt Qye's attention focus on him even more.

::What's that supposed to mean?:: Qye said a slightly sharp voice.  Harry felt the other's eyes narrow slightly – he shivered slightly at the feeling – and the boy continued.  ::I tell you I'm a real person and you have doubts about this.  Why is that?  And for another thing, you still haven't answered my question as to why you reacted to my name.::

::It's just…well, I have your journal:: he said hesitantly.  Silence met his words, surprise and slight anger emanating from the person in his head.

::You have my journal…:: Qye said flatly after a minute had passed.  The boy was quiet again and then, still using that flat tone of voice, he said, ::How and why the hell do you have my journal?::

::I found it in the cupboard under the stairs in my house:: he said quietly.  ::I was looking around and - ::

::Wait a minute:: the other boy broke in suddenly, shock coming off from him.  ::What do you mean your house?::

::Well, I've been living there since I was a year old:: Harry replied, slightly confused and worried from the other's stunned reaction.  ::I'm fifteen now and I don't remember ever moving away from there and - :: He stopped.  Qye had obviously lived there before him and since he had just said he was ten and was shocked by finding out that he was living there now…was this boy a ghost?

::I'm not dead:: Qye said irritably even though Harry could feel his confusion and slight fear.  He gave a small start as he realized the other boy had read his thoughts and he sighed inwardly.  He guessed there would be nothing he would be able to hide from him.

::I'm sorry:: he said quietly.  ::I didn't mean to…I should have thought more about - ::

::Forget it:: Qye replied, sighing slightly.  He was quiet then he sighed again.  ::So you're apparently living where I used to live.::  He sounded slightly disturbed.  ::And you said you've been living there since you were little.  Which means I haven't been living there in quite some time, which is odd because the last thing I do remember is falling asleep in…in my room.::

::Something must have happened…:: he murmured, slightly drowsy.  ::Something must have happened to you before I moved in there.  But…I don't understand.  Why are you in my head?  And after I took a potion meant for my subconscious?::

::I don't know:: Qye replied in frustration.  ::You have my journal and it's been years apparently that I've been away from it.  I don't know what happened.  I don't remember anything unusual happening until I woke up here.  Damnit!::  Aggravation and fear emitted from him

::What do you remember?:: murmured Harry in a slightly soothing voice, beginning to drift off to sleep slowly.

He didn't say anything for a moment and Harry felt frustration flare in the other boy.  ::I remember my life:: Qye said finally, as the frustration slowly dimmed.  ::I remember each and everything that happened in it, the events, the places.  I remember growing up and what I went through each day.  But…::

::But what?::

The other boy sighed.  ::But I can't remember some names, faces of people.  I just noticed this right now.  Some things…they're fuzzy, like I was half asleep when they happened.  I can't get a grasp on them even though I know I should.::

::Maybe you really are a creation of my subconscious…:: Harry laughed humorlessly.  ::Maybe the reason you can't remember is because I'm too tired to make up names.  S'why I don't think you're real.  I'm afraid I'm just making things up so you can seem more real.  Maybe I have gone insane.::

::Don't be an idiot:: Qye said in annoyed voice.  ::I am a real person, thank you very much.  Some of my memories might be off but I'm sure they'll come back to me eventually.  They're probably all messed up because I'm stuck inside your head.  Maybe whatever brought me in here screwed them up.::

::Maybe…:: he replied softly.  Darkness once again began to surround him and he welcomed the freedom from the confusion gratefully.

::You still don't think I'm a real person, do you?:: Qye sighed.  ::You know, the first thing I'm going to do when I get out of here and back into my own body is smack you.::

::Brat:: Harry muttered, finally slipping off into sleep.

Just before he fell completely asleep, he heard Qye mumble, ::Takes one to know one, prat.::

-------

Another statue exploded, the shattered pieces of marble flying everywhere.

The blond vampire watched the destruction of another useless piece of art with a dispassionate face.  He turned his eyes, the only part of him that held any emotion, towards another statue.  His dark blue eyes were the only thing that truly showed what he was feeling inside.

The marble of another statue cracked slowly, and then exploded with the same intensity like the one before it.

His pale lips curved into a humorless smile.  Well, his eyes weren't the only thing that showed how pissed off he was.

'Tell me where he is!'

'N…no!  Stop, for the love of God, stop!'

'Then tell me where he is!  He's not here!  Where is he?!'

'Fine!  Please, stop, I'll tell, I'll tell!'

A mirror to the left of the broken statue erupted into a million small fragments and he grimaced slightly.  Forcing the snarl from his face, he looked down coldly at the broken pieces of glass.  Sighing in irritation, he dropped into a nearby armchair.

Dark blue eyes turned to the small, flickering fire in the hearth, the eyes half-closed and looking half-asleep.  The few people who had seen him with these eyes no longer graced the world with their presence and a cold smile came upon his face as he recalled this.  The smile faded when another part of the memory came to him.

'You're lying.'

'No!  We swear, that's where he is!'

'I'm not in the mood for jokes, Vermin.'

'We're not lying!'

His white hands lying atop the armrest clenched slightly as he continued to stare into the dying embers.  They had to be lying.  He couldn't possibly be there.  Ever since coming back, he had been telling himself this.  But now…his eyes slowly fluttered shut and he let out a loud breath.  He had to consider the possibility.  If he was there…

In the fireplace, the embers struggled against the growing coldness.  But just before they were swallowed up, they gave one last, large burst of heat and a new flame was born to replace it.

-------

Harry stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open slowly.  Stifling a yawn, he raised a hand to rub at his bleary eyes.  The winter sunlight poured in from the window and he slowly sat up, hearing bustle from Madam Pomfrey's office.

'Was it all a dream?' he wondered, rubbing his eyes and groping for his glasses.  'Did I just imagine it all?'

::Imagine what?::

His hand stilled on top of the drawer next to his bed as he heard the voice in his head.  Sighing quietly, he grabbed his glasses and shoved them on.  'Guess not,' Harry thought glumly as the room came into focus.

::Oh, I see.  You were wishing I wasn't real, were you?  I feel so loved:: Qye smirked and Harry shivered as he recognized the feeling of the other boy looking through his memories.

::Cut that out:: he muttered to Qye, looking around the Infirmary tiredly and noticing that he was the only one in right now.  ::Why do you keep doing that?::

::Because I know it bothers you:: Qye replied idly as he continued to look through Harry's memories.  ::And because, like I said before, I find it interesting.  And I have nothing better to do.  I would rather read about your life than just stare at a bunch of books and "float" around here.  You know abysmally little about your school's history, did you know that?  If I had been you, I would learn everything I could about it.::

::Yeah, well…:: Harry thought, trying to think up an excuse for not reading Hogwarts, A History and trying not to notice how Qye and Hermione seemed to have a lot of similarities.  He was saved from thinking something up when the school nurse came out of her office.

"Ah, so you're finally awake, Mr. Potter," she said crisply, walking over to his bed.  "We were all quite worried about you for a while.  How are you feeling?  Do you feel anything different?"

'Besides having a voice in my head that belongs to the owner of the journal I've been reading for the past month?  No, nothing different at all,' Harry thought and he heard Qye laugh softly as he continued to flip through his memories.

"No, ma'am," he said quietly as she pressed a hand up to his forehead.  He sat silently as she took his temperature and probed him, obviously looking to see if his incorrect potion had done anything to him physically.

::Quite submissive, aren't you?:: Qye noted and Harry repressed a shiver as he felt the odd pressure behind his eyes, telling him Qye was looking through them.

::What do you mean?:: he asked confusedly as Madam Pomfrey took out her wand and muttered a spell, waving it over him.  The tip of it turned white and she carefully moved it around him.

::I mean, you're not saying or asking anything about how long you were asleep or the accident:: Qye said.  ::You're just sitting there and letting her do what she wants.  Aren't you curious to know what's been happening while you've been asleep?::

::Uh…:: Harry thought, looking blankly at the school nurse as she ran her wand over him.  ::You want me to disturb her while she's doing her job?::  Qye made an affirmative sound and he had to suppress a cough.  ::Er…why don't you go find my memories of her?  I'm sure I have enough of them.  They'll probably explain this better than me just saying it.::

Harry felt Qye retreat from behind his eyes and as he watched Pomfrey's wand tip turn dark green, he felt the other boy rummaging around his memories.  As Pomfrey ended the spell, Harry amusedly felt Qye stop "reading" his memory of the strong and strict nurse.

::Oh…:: Qye finally said after a moment.  He heard the other boy cough, as if trying not to laugh.  ::Well then…::

::Yeah:: Harry thought back, smiling inwardly.  He heard Qye chuckle quietly as Madam Pomfrey wrapped up her check-up.

"Well, Mr. Potter, looks like you're all right now," she said, walking over to his drawer and pulling out his clothes.  "Whatever happened to you didn't appear to leave any lasting damage."

'Yeah, right,' Harry thought as he pulled his clothes over to him and pushed away the covers.  Qye was silent but he got the distinct feeling that the other was listening.

"I suppose I just messed up my potion really bad," he said hesitantly, as he looked up at the school nurse looking down at him.  She pursued her lips, her eyes looking thoughtfully at him for a moment.

"Actually, Professor Snape checked your potion after you collapsed," she said finally.  "When we couldn't wake you up, he checked what was left of it to see if perhaps the potion had turned into something poisonous.  But even though he had it tested again and again, the results always said that the potion was correct."

Harry froze, staring at Madam Pomfrey, as the words meaning hit him.  "But…but it was a different color then it was supposed to be," he said, shocked.  "It had to be wrong."

"Severus said it was correct," she said, shrugging slightly.  "You must just be allergic to it.  Perhaps you're incompatible with one of the ingredients in the potion and that was what caused you to have your reaction.  It is not uncommon."

Harry looked down at his clothes, tightening his hands on them slightly.  'If the potion was correct…then what caused Qye?' he thought numbly.

Qye said nothing but he knew the other boy was wondering the same thing.

"I'm letting you go since there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with you," Madam Pomfrey said, not noticing his silence.  "But if you feel any different, I want you to come straight to me.  And I want you to have lots of chocolate.  I think you have enough," she said, motioning to the small pile at the end of his bed that he hadn't noticed before.

::Chocolate?:: Qye said, puzzled but Harry didn't say anything, smiling at the candies and piled up get-well cards.

"A lot of people came and visited you while you were unconscious," she said, smiling slightly.  "I think you should send some letters to Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger when you have time soon.  They were quite worried about you."

"Letters?" he said, turning his eyes away from the gifts and blinking up at her.  Her smile faded.

"Mr. Potter," she began, looking slightly hesitant, "You've been unconscious for almost a week.  Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger have already left for the holidays.  They came and visited you while they were still here but they had to leave."  Her kind blue eyes looked down in sympathetic sadness at him and he drew his eyes away from her, unwilling to see any form of pity.

"Oh…" he said quietly, looking back down at his clothes and trying to push away some of his disappointment.  He had missed sending them off and now he was alone for winter break.  Madam Pomfrey quietly went back to her office, leaving him to get dressed.

::Nice friends you have:: Qye said as Harry stood up from his bed, wincing at the soreness in his body.

::Shut up:: he scowled at the other boy as he changed out of hospital garments and into his own clothes.  ::They had to go back home for the break.  I can't force them to stay with me, they have their own lives.  And I know they were reluctant to leave.  Besides, I would have felt worse if they had stayed and skipped spending the holidays with their families.::

::Right…:: Qye said quietly.  ::You still wished they had stayed though.::

Harry shrugged into his sweater.  ::Doesn't matter:: he muttered to the other boy.  ::Would've been nice, I suppose.  But I still would have felt guilty.::  As he stepped into his sneakers, another thought came to him.

::Do…do you suppose I should tell anyone about this?:: he asked Qye hesitantly.  ::I mean…about you in my head and all.::

::No:: Qye responded promptly and Harry blinked.

::Why not?:: he asked confusedly as he carefully placed the chocolates and cards into his bag lying by the bed.

::Do you honestly believe that anyone will believe you're sane?:: Qye said, raising an eyebrow.  ::Hell, you don't even believe I'm real.  I've been thinking about this since you went to sleep last night and if you tell someone about me stuck in your head without solid proof, you'll end up in the loony bin with me along for the ride.::

::So…what should we do?:: Harry asked, furrowing his brow.

Qye sighed.  ::Let's see if we can find a way out of this mess by ourselves:: the other boy said wearily.  ::Your school has an extensive library from what I've read.  Maybe it has the answer to our problem.  It's bound to have something on that potion you drank, we could start from there.::

Harry leaned against the bed, crossing his arms and looking down at the floor.  Qye had a point.  He doubted anyone, not even Ron or Hermione, would believe him if he told them he had a voice in his head that he had conversations with.  Maybe Dumbledore…but he didn't want to take the chance.

Qye's plan sounded reasonable.  He could learn more about the other boy and if they didn't find a solution, at least he would have some proof to back up having Qye in his head.  Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair.

::Alright:: he sighed.  ::Let's do it your way.::

::If you come up with anything, I'm more than willing to hear about it:: Qye muttered to him.  ::But until then, don't tell a soul.::

::I won't:: he said, slinging his bag over his head.  As he walked away from his bed and towards the exit of the Infirmary, Madam Pomfrey popped out of her office.

"Remember to come back to me if you feel anything different and remember to eat some chocolate," she said, eyeing him with critically.

"I will," Harry said quietly and she nodded in satisfaction.  Just before he left, she called after him and he turned back, looking curiously at her.

"Remember to thank Mr. Malfoy next time you see him, Mr. Potter," she said, her lips twitching slightly.  He stared at her and she coughed, raising a hand to her mouth.  "He was the one who carried you up here after you fainted and he visited you at least twice while you were unconscious.  I think the least you can do is thank him."

"M...Malfoy?!" he repeated incredulously.  She smiled and nodded, turning briskly back into her office.  He stared after her for a moment, then shook his head and left the Infirmary.

'Why would Malfoy do that?' he thought, bewildered.

::Who is he?:: Qye asked curiously.  ::For some reason, the name sounds vaguely familiar…::

::He's…well, I guess he was my rival:: Harry said, still slightly stunned from the new information.  ::We hated each other from the first train ride here and we compete in almost everything.  He's been acting weird lately though…why don't you just read my memories?::

::Because future opinion is different from past opinion:: Qye said.  He must have sensed Harry's confusion because he continued.  ::What you think about something in the past is different from what you think about it in the present, and different from what you think about it in the future.  Your memories are all past and I'm curious about what you're thinking in the present.::

::…okay…::

Qye sighed.  ::Ninny:: the other boy muttered.

Harry shook his head, rubbing his temples.  He really had to get this boy out of his head.  He'd probably go mad if he had to listen to him anymore.  As he walked back to Gryffindor Tower, Harry silently made a promise to get back at whoever or whatever caused this.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Notes: O.O  I…I have over 200 reviews…with just nine chapters…O_O

(Lest) *eyes and pokes still Shades warily* Hey…you're not going to make me –

(Shades) *shrieks* I HAVE OVER 200 REVIEWS!! *screaming and running around in circles and jumping up and down and throwing confetti and hugging each and every one of you AWESOME, GREAT, WONDERFUL REVIEWERS*

(Lest) …*sighs* - do the author's notes. *grumbles* I hate being her muse. *glowers at reviewers* Look what you did! You made her go mad!

(Qye) *mutters* Go? *appears standing indifferently next to ecstatic writer*

(Lest) *nervously edges away from newcomer* Ah…ahem. *coughs and goes on other side of incoherent author* Well, as you can all see, you've made Shades go over the moon with your reviews. If she could manage enough control, she would tell you how much she loves all of you for reading her fic and she hopes she'll live up to your expectations.  She would also like to thank her wonderful beta and friend, Furiku …*pauses and mutters* Though I'm not sure why since she's a complete nut.

(Furiku) …Why do you think I'm a complete nut? *smiles innocently to everyone, then turns around and faces Lest* I'm not THAT bad. *holds up fist* Right?

(Lest) *sneers at beta* Yeah, right. *mutters under breath* Psycho.

 (Qye) *scowls at vampire and makes him shut up* Idiot. *looks over at reviewers* Shades apologizes if chapter sucked, she got another case of writer's block this weekend, despite having the outline.  She hopes y'all liked it either way and hopes you'll review –

(Shades) *squealing* I have over 200 reviews!!

(Qye) *ignoring hyper Shades* - and keep reading.  Thanks.  Oh, and thanks to all who like me better than Harry. *bows*  See you next week.