He was getting somewhere at last. The small canary had made it through to Borgin alive and in one piece; it had not however made it back again. Still, it was the closest he had been to success yet.
If only there were someone to appreciate that. But of course there isn't, you push everyone away. Not that Potter would approve of this to begin with.
He had found the past week infuriating in ways he hadn't expected. He had expected everything to return to normal, with Potter being his obnoxious self and Draco loathing him as had been the way for the past six years. It hadn't however. Harry had fulfilled his expectations reasonably well, it was Draco who couldn't seem to let go.
In a vain attempt to distract his mind away from Harry, Draco had thrown himself into his work with renewed vigour. It wasn't just the cabinet either, he worked in class to hone those skills while he could and on the pitch to keep up appearances. It didn't work however. It was like Potter had permeated his very being in those last few weeks and now refused to leave.
Draco slumped to the floor and released a heavy sigh. He had three weeks left. He didn't have time for this. With a flick of his wand, Draco opened one of the books before him and began searching yet again.
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"Have you ever had those days Hermione, where you wake up and just feel sad? Like, there is no reason for it, but you are?" Hermione's eyes flicked up as Harry broke their silence.
"I.. Yes. I think everyone does. So long as it is only once in a while I don't think it really matters. Maybe it is just winter blues? Or because you and Ron are still refusing to speak? I mean that is something worth feeling sad about Harry. It is probably that getting you down." She returned to her essay.
"I guess you're right. It's not like I can reconcile with someone who won't tell me what I've done wrong though." Hermione looked up again, eyebrow raised. She was about to speak when another voice interrupted.
"Hermione." It was a deep and rich voice, heavily accented. Hermione's face seemed to light up as she bound from her chair.
"Viktor! I wasn't expecting you until Thursday, don't you have a match tomorrow?"
"I do, Dumbledore permitted me an early visit however, and to take you to the match, should you desire it." Harry was still sat open mouthed looking at the tall man before him.
"Oh really? I'd love to see you play, it had been so long. Could Harry come too?" Krum turned his dark eyes to Harry, as if noticing him for the first time.
"If Dumbledore has no objections, I don't see vhy not. Harry, forgive me, but I would like to take 'Mione on a walk around the grounds." He held out and arm to a beaming Hermione. The both left, leaving Hermione's half-finished essay on the desk. Harry's mouth still dangled open.
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It was after dinner when Hermione eventually turned up in the common room. She flopped into the chair by Harry with flushed cheeks and a small smile on her lips.
"What have I just missed? Since when were you and Krum so friendly?" The smile faltered somewhat.
"I told you. He was coming to Slughorn's party and to see you play."
"That doesn't- wait what? No you never."
"Yes I did. Ronald was acting all childish over it. You thought it was a good thing, remember?"
"No, I think I would remember my bestfriend telling me something like that." All responces seemed to fail Hermione, she just sat and looked confusedly back at him.
"You'd don't remember me telling you about Krum? Or why Ron isn't talking to either of us?"
"No! Nobody has been making sense all week. Even the team has been acting odd with me. Don't tell me this is just winter blues, 'Mione. Something is wrong but I have no idea what!" Harry burst exasperatedly. He had had an unusually rough week already and suddenly felt as though he were at breaking point. "I haven't had any lessons with Dumbledore in weeks, I seem to be failing my classes all of a sudden, my friends are not talking to me. I feel angry for no reason then sad then nothing at all."
"Have you been sleeping?"
"No really, I've been getting odd dreams."
"Odd dreams?" Hermione said sharply "Why did you say anything? You know what happened la-"
"Yes I remember thanks. This is different, just vague and indistinct dreams that always leave me feeling sad when I wake." An idea, a preposterous idea, was forming in the back of Hermione's brain. Since Harry telling them about Draco last week there had not been a mention of him. Hermione had been cautious not to bring it up herself, and Ron obviously hadn't.
"I have some dreamless sleep potion upstairs, you get a good night sleep tonight and we'll sort this out in the morning, yeh?" For a moment it looked as though he might object, but then his shoulders slumped. He nodded. She stood and squeezed his shoulder before going to fetch it.
.
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With Harry off to bed, Hermione sat in the common room and considered her options. She felt certain now that Draco had done something to Harry's memory. She just wasn't sure what to do about it.
Clearly Draco's spell had not been perfect as Harry could tell something was missing which meant the memories may be easily returned or even come back on their own accord. Hermione was reluctant however to try and undo the spell herself. It was dangerous work, meddling with memories. It didn't help that she had no real idea of what those memories might contain either.
Another idea was to confront Malfoy about it. This in itself was dangerous. They had never gotten on at the best of times and if he was willing to do this to a 'friend' merlin only knows what he'd do to a mudblood like her.
She could just let it pass, for Harry to subconsciously move on. This didn't sit well either. Harry was prone to the occasional mood swing but never to this extent. He had been miserable all week, yet he had seemed quite cheery before. It also seemed unlikely that Harry would let the issue drop regarding himself and Ron. If Ron were to burst out something about Malfoy it couldn't end well.
Maybe she should talk to Ron first? Harry was more important than the bickering and she could do with someone to elaborate her theory to. Ron however would be adamant that it was good riddance, a fact she was less than sure off.
What if Harry was right that Draco could be saved? What if Harry had the potential to save him?
But why would Draco have turned him away so forcefully if that were true? Something must have changed. Something I ought to get to the bottom to first I think.
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Harry woke early feeling more refreshed than he could remember being in months. He had arranged an early practice session as the match was a mere week away. It was far from being a decisive match, but being against Slytherin the need to win was strong. He had also ensured it was early so that he would be able to join Hermione later. He may have no loyalty to the Bulgarian team, but a match was a match and it was a day out of school.
He had been surprised in truth that he had been allowed to go. Dumbledore had assigned him and Hermione a bodyguard in the form of Tonks. He had also reminded Harry of their last lesson and Slughorns memory. He assured the wizened man than he would get it at the party on the coming Friday.
It was cold and windy, typical of late January. Despite the early start, his team seemed to be in good spirits. Ron was, surprisingly, talking to Harry again albeit with an air of uncertain awkwardness. Harry bit his tongue instead of asking what had brought about this second change in friendship status. Instead he told his team to take to the air.
They flew well, better than they had all week. This was encouraging to Harry, a defeat was looking less and less likely. Just as their two hour training slot was drawing to a close he pulled them down to the ground.
"We are doing really well guys. I think we will have this match against Slytherin nailed. If we all fly like we did today-"
"Then Gryffindor will be searching for a new team. You really think you can beat us like that, Potter?" Marcus Flint's gruff voice drifted to them from across the pitch. He and his team were stood at the edge of the pitch, brooms in hand.
"Slytherin doesn't need to be looking for a new team at least, given that its Captain was held back a year. Looking at the rest of your team they may well be following your lead. Come on guys, let's hit the showers." Harry led the Gryffindors past the brawny team and to the showers.
Draco let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. Potter hadn't even glanced at him, though admittedly he had positioned himself behind Flint's bulk. He had barely seen Harry over the past week given that he had returned to his routine of living in the room of requirement. It seemed his memory charm had held just fine. A small part of him was rather sad that the only thing he could succeed with was a memory charm against Harry.
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Long after the rest of the team had departed for breakfast, Harry stood in the shower. He had been leading his team away when he had caught a whiff of apple on the breeze. It had been like a punch to the gut for some indescribable reason. He had shrugged off his team's concern and told them to go eat.
The indistinct visions that had been plaguing his dreams seemed to be plaguing his waking hours too. He was so lost in his mind that when Hermione's voice echoed round the changing rooms he dropped the bar of soap he still clutched.
"Harry? Are you in here? We need to get ready to go!" Harry turned off the water and called back.
"Yeh, um sure. Just give me a minute." His voice shook. Why was his voice shaking! Pull yourself together Harry.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I'm just getting dressed." This time at least his voice didn't shake. Hermione still looked concerned when he popped his head round the corner moments later. "Where do we meet Tonks?"
"Dumbledore's office. We should stop and get you breakfast first though."
"Oh I'm fine, we are late already. Let's just get going?"
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The match was every bit as good as the world cup had been. It was Bulgaria against Wales. Bulgaria won, but only just. The Welsh seeker had collided with Krum in a scuffle for the snitch and ended up with it. Krum had dislocated his shoulder but the medics had fixed that up just fine.
They were escorted into the private quarters afterwards. Krum sat topless on a bed, the mediwitch clearing up behind him. In the fleeting glimpse Harry got he had to admit that Krum wasn't bad looking. A bit too broad shouldered perhaps but well-toned. That was all Harry could see before Tonks pulled him back out, giving Hermione and Krum privacy.
"So um… Did you enjoy the match?" Harry asked into the awkward silence that followed.
"Oh yes, it has been a long time since I have been to a match." Harry could hear the soft murmurs of Hermione and Krum so tried again to start a conversation.
"How is Lupin?"
"He's alright, I guess. I haven't seen him for the last month, Dumbledore asked him to go back undercover."
"Oh." He could hear laughter too now. Somehow the sounds were making him feel uncomfortable, not because he was jealous of Krum, just jealous in general. Tonks seemed to pick up on his train of thought.
"How's Ginny?"
"Alright, I guess. We aren't a couple Tonks."
"Really? I thought you were getting along quite well last summer."
"We were, but just as friends."
"Oh." They lapsed into uncomfortable silence again. Harry had never thought that Tonks was difficult to talk to before. Then again he didn't really talk to her often.
"Have you got a girlfriend then?"
"No I…" Harry trailed off, unsure really of what to say. He didn't have a girlfriend, nor did he particularly want one. This conversation was defiantly bordering on the top ten awkward conversations.
"What about a boyfriend?"
Harry spluttered. "No! I'm just not…interested right now." Tonks nodded slightly. She didn't look like she believed him. "I'm not gay. I may not be interested in Ginny or girls but that doesn't mean I like guys Tonks. Can we just drop this?" She nodded again. Neither tried to resume conversation.
.
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Miles away, in the room of requirement, Draco smiled sadly. A bird had made it back alive. The plan would be able to go ahead in a matter of weeks. He would just have time for one last match, one final horary, before his life, everyone's lives, would be turned upside-down.
AN Hello! Sorry for the long update. This was ready to be posted a few days ago but then I went on DofE, got hypothermia and really ill, had the internet down all of today... I've had a wild Easter break! On the plus side, I got to visit the Harry Potter studios near London. It was amazing, genuinely took my breath away! I hope you all like the chapter, reviews are always welcome, Fe x