A/n: So here is the update, later than I intended. Since the chapter is short, I'll probably update again tomorrow. However, after tomorrow's update, it will be at least a week before the next, as I still have to complete writing Chapter 13 and I really don't have as much time as usual to write.

As always, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to review. To your lurkers, come out, come out, wherever you are. ;)

Prompt: Gut Feeling (#473)

Big Sister

or

Quidditch

They were in the Library, Mina and Harley, when Gemma walked over to them and told them about the truth about Harry's arrival to Hogwarts. Of course, Harley had heard the rumors all day, but she hadn't really believed them. But when Gemma confirmed them as truth, pointing out that the Whomping Willow had sustained damage when the flying car crashed into it.

What followed was even worse, as Gemma and Mina informed Harley of the events of the previous year and the strange tale of Quirrellmort (as Gemma so quaintly coined it).

What Harley felt then was a fear, wrapped up and almost smothered by anger, the likes of which she had rarely felt before. She didn't know she was even doing it, when she suddenly got up and took off running from the library, no particular destination in mind, but knowing who she was looking for.

Harley was quite sure that the last time she'd felt like this, it was likely towards one of the only three men who'd meant anything towards her. And Harley would have been surprised at how quickly she'd come to care for Harry, if she had room enough for anything but that swirl of fear and anger that raged inside her like a cyclone.

X

Harry was startled when on his way to dinner after the first day of classes, he was suddenly grabbed by the arm and hauled to the side. Turning around, his eyes shot open wide at the sight of Harley.

With everything with Lockhart, and Collin constantly greeting him and snapping pictures of him, Harry had for a while forgotten that Harley... the mysterious girl he so looked forward to seeing since he'd first seen her, was a Slytherin.

Harry was having a hard time wrapping his head around it, and what to make of Harley.

From the moment Harry told Hermione about Harley, during their trip to Diagon Alley, the girl had not stopped pestering him and asking him questions, and saying that it sounded extremely odd and unbelievable. Harry knew that Hermione was only looking out for him, but it made him feel threatened in a way Hermione couldn't possibly understand because she didn't know what it was like not to have family...

But the sight of the snake emblem on Harley's robes, and the silver and green school-tie... they made his stomach twist in knots with doubts.

What if Harley was really lying about who she was, he wondered. What if she had ulterior motives for speaking to him, as Hermione believed.

But... Harry couldn't believe it. That connection he'd initially felt, his instincts... they were all telling him to trust Harley.

But it was so hard, knowing what he did about Slytherins. And the doubt was like a writhing snake in his stomach, which was encouraged by Hermione and now Ron.

And now, Harley was staring at him, with an expression like thunder, splashed across her face. Her eyes, which were so like his, were flashing with anger. But even so, even as she leaned her face down, her face white with fury, her grasp on his arm was not painful, merely firm.

"You FLEW a CAR? And CRASHED into the WHOMPING WILLOW? What on earth possessed you to do something so bloody stupid and dangerous?!" Harley bellowed angrily. "You could have been hurt! You could have gotten yourself killed!"

Harry felt his heart thumping hard in his chest, flinching slightly at Harley's raised voice. It took her a moment, but she let go of his arm and straightened, her face smoothing out. He could still see the anger, but saw her forcing it down. Instead what emerged on her face was a look of terrible disappointment as she stared at him, and Harry felt his heart twist.

Though he wasn't sure what to make of Harley, he didn't want her to look at him like that. Somehow, it was much worse than when Professor McGonagall gave him that look.

"Well?" Harley asked, her tone cold with control.

"The barrier wouldn't let us through. We didn't think-"

"No, you didn't," Harley said cuttingly. "It was completely foolish and unnecessary! You have to think, Harry! You can't just make impulsive decisions like that. You should have waited for the Wesley's. Or sent a letter to Dumbledore!-"

Harley suddenly cut off, looking away from him and taking a deep breath again as she attempted to rein in her anger once more, which had been mounting.

Harry looked down.

"Please, stop and think, Harry- before you put yourself in anymore unnecessarily dangerous situations," Harley replied before turning her sharp green eyes to Ron Weasley. "That goes for you as well, Ronald Weasley! If I hear you're encouraging Harry to pull stupid, dangerous stunts, I will transfigure that empty head of yours into a pumpkin!"

And with that, the older girl marched away.

Harry turned to look at his friends, Ron who looked sickly pale and Hermione who looked thoughtful.

"You know, she's really scary... reminded me of my mum," Ron stated to which Harry couldn't help agreeing, though he'd never been on the end of one of Mrs. Weasley's lectures. Though he imagined that this squirming, sick feeling in his stomach was what it must feel like.

"You know... she sort of seems to treat you like you're her little brother," Hermione commented. And though Harry was still confused about what to make of his supposed relative- a Slytherin- he couldn't help feeling warmth. Though, that faded as he recalled that Harley was angry with him.

What if she no longer wanted anything to do with him?

TBC...

Quidditch- Write about Oliver Wood. Or write about someone being put in danger unnecessarily.