Chapter 11

As a little girl I wanted to be normal. I wished nothing more than having normal parents, a normal little house and normal friends. I didn't want to be the puny girl that everybody could boss around, tease, and avoid only because I was just a teeny weeny bit different. And normal is exactly what I became.

About a year before I attended to Hogwarts I took a look in the mirror. I saw a total normal face and body. Suddenly I became envious of the other little girls with "midnight blue eyes" and three feet long hair that "fell along the back like a wild waterfall". I had none of those qualities. And I wanted to become special, different.

The moment I stepped inside the Hogwarts train I was confused about what I truly wanted. To be special or to be normal? But luckily I met him.

Just being with him taught me things I never even knew I didn't know. One of them solved my problem. Normal does not exist. We are all special, but at the same time connected by our similarities.

Blaise Zabini

The floor of the Astronomy tower felt cold under Harry's folded legs. He sat still and quietly observed the view below. The light of the moon made everything seem so calm, but at the same time darkened the shadows around the trees and towers. Everything was in balance: the threatening darkness and the calming moonlight.

Harry took a deep breath of the chilly air and pressed his head down. It surely wasn't the first night he had spent on the tower thinking. Everything was so messed up. He had always been careful not to anger the wrong people. Keeping a low profile and staying quiet were the best ways to avoid unneeded arguments.

Hogwarts had been too secure for him. There was nothing or nobody to be afraid of. He had been living in his dream world for the past few months. A world without people paying attention to him, a world where he could act like a normal 11 year old and plan his little games without counting in the obstacles or surprises. He should have known better.

On the surface of his mind was everything Blaise had told him during that nigh after his little "accident" with Puckley. He hadn't been convinced despite all the evidence Blaise had showed him (the information about the Philosophers Stone, the news of it's rubbery, all things happening in the pure blood family and the quite obvious letter her parents had sent her), until Malfoy's shadows had confirmed it all with their suspicions. Now the only question was would it affect him at all.

Blaise had told him quite a lot about Death Eaters. It seemed her parents had told her a lot of times they had followed the Dark Lord. They didn't seem to see eye to eye with their Lord about everything, but had followed him faithfully nevertheless, either from the habit, or from the lack of better option.

The world Voldemort had been trying to great wasn't something Harry would ever want to see to come to existence. However, he wasn't either too keen on the opposite. It was either kill all the "mudbloods" or live in a world of suspicion, where the tension between the pure- and non-pureblooded was touchable by hand and ready to explode at any minute. Not to mention prisons filled with people who had followed the wrong leader…

If he was to opposite these two groups it would take time. And nobody would listen to a 11-year old. He was back to step one, gain allies now among his age group and wait. And wait. And wait…

Why did he even have to do anything? He could just enjoy life and forget everything, just be happy.

A sudden flash of Vernon ruling the world flashed through his eyes and he shuddered. Maybe not after all… It was so much easier to change things prepared.

At the moment he could only lay down. Or talk to Voldemort and Dumbledore. Or… The Bloody Baron.

Harry stretched his numbed joints and stood up. Ghosts didn't sleep so nothing kept him from finding the Bloody Baron immediately and getting some peace in his mind. A smile crept its way to Harry's face; he loved nothing more than the quiet castle during the nights. It was the only time of the day when he could truly be himself and not beware of his every step and expression.

Slowly he made his way through the castle. The ghosts seemed to know when somebody was looking for them, so all he could do was wander around and wish for the best. Not long had gone before the silvery form of the Slytherin Ghost appeared in front of him.

"Ah, the little Slytherin, it seems you followed my advice." The ghost was looking Harry with mild interest. "Now you seek for more, knowing that I can't help you. Let me tell you this: I gave you a push, you took the first step. But it's up to you which direction you continue your path. I only ask you to think before acting. Do not rush anything, you still have time. Learn and grow first, but keep your goal in mind." With that he vanished.

'I'm getting the feeling that nothing is up to me.' Harry muttered to the empty wall. Maybe he should forget everything and enjoy his youth. As if he knew how…

"Where do you disappear every night? I've been keeping and eye on you, and you just sneak out every night without me. Oh well, doesn't really matter that much, I was just curious. But if it has anything to do with stuff that concerns me you better tell me now or…"

"Hn…" was the only answer Blaise got out of Harry. His face had fallen back to a blank stare, but his eyes kept trailing through the Great Hall, stopping now and then to take a closer look at something.

"Not this again! Does this have something to do with Puckley? You've been acting like all cold since that…" Blaise pouted and turned back to her food. The pout stayed on her face for 10 seconds before her usual cheery smile returned. "Guess what, I know what we'll do today! We haven't been with the Ravenclaws for ages! We could visit their common room of something!"

"Things have changed a bit. You'll go and meet them, be my contact to the others. I don't have time for them anymore." Harry verified and left the table. He noted the quick look of hurt on Blaise's face, but didn't stop. She'd understand…

Blaise followed his egress, face serious for once. 'Sometimes, my dear Harry, I truly wonder why I stick with you…' She turned back to her food, but it didn't look as tempting anymore. With a sigh she pushed it away and with only a bit forced-looking smile on her face walked to the Ravenclaw table. She was in a need of a little mindless chatter.

Unknown to her, glinting, dark grey eyes followed her every move from the shadows. Ghost weren't the only things that could slide through Hogwarts unnoticed. They grey eyes had evaluated every word and expression (or lack of expression) between Blaise and Harry. A slight lift of the lips was the only sign of mirth the figure showed. After all, as long as there was life, there was also hope.

TBC (?)

Aah, Blaise wanted to tell you something as well, so I let her. Sorry for that and for the length, but I thought you'd like to get at least some kind of sign that I'm still alive… Since many reviewers pointed out same kind of stuff, I'll clear them out her now:

About pollution and greenhouse effect:

I do know greenhouse effect is a positive phenomenon, but burning of fossil fuels have result in build up of heat trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Meaning, the ice on north and south poles are melting etc. find out about it if you want. (so it was my slight linguistic mistake… sorry)

About Harry not being Slytherin enough and me changing him:

I admit. However, I ask you to remember that he's only 11, no matter what his mental age makes him look like. He's still growing. My view of the houses might be different from yours. I think that children who arrive to Hogwarts have different traits could suit to nearly any house. The houses they end up then cultivate then those traits they prefer. Since Harry and Blaise have been spending too much time together, they are not perfect Slytherins. Stories are normally about growing up and developing. They are definitely not perfect!

Thanks to everybody else, love ya!

Ps. This chapter was for Crrot, your email really cheered me up, sorry it took so long…