AN: Alrighty. I'm a bad girl. I am just starting this on 31 January 2013, and I don't really have much of an excuse, other than school is getting to me, and I personally won't allow that as an excuse. So we left off with 'Seamus nodded, trying not to shift as Harry moved slightly so that his face was facing Seamus' stomach.' So let us begin.
Chapter XIII
Harry shuffled his face closer into the warmth in front of him, ignoring the whispers and laughter. He was comfy, dammit, and he didn't have to listen to whomever that was telling him to wake up! Harry wrapped his arms around the firm waist in front of him, and nuzzled even closer, before his thoughts caught up to him. Wait, what happened? I know it's not night time so what. . . Oh, I dropped. Who was it? Seamus? Groaning, Harry tightened his arms briefly, then loosened them, stretching like a cat. Opening his eyes, thankful he no longer needed glasses, Harry looked up. Yep, it was Seamus. Damn. Seamus was looking at Harry with an odd mix of embarrassment and amusement, one hand in Harry's hair. The two stared at each other until Ron stood.
"Come on lovebirds, or we won't get breakfast. OW!" Hermione stood next to him, book – and eyebrow – raised in exasperation. "What was that for?"
"That was for being an insensitive prat and having the emotional range of a teaspoon, Ronald. Now, we do need to hurry up. It took longer than usual to wake you up Harry. Does everyone have their school bags, and everything they need for class?" At the nods, everybody formed up, something they had taken to doing when Harry wasn't there, but they still had a spot for him – in the very middle. He wasn't entirely pleased.
"Really guys? I can take care of myself, you know." The looks he received said to go along with it. On the upside, I'm right next to Seamus. Harry shrugged, deciding it had something to do with the attacks of the other students these past five months. On the way to breakfast, the eight Harry had been forced to leave behind talked about their homework and where their trouble spots were. Harry looked on, amusedly. Apparently, Professor Snape was easier to deal with as the Defense professor than as the Potions Master. According to him, Potions was the most dangerous thing out there, and Harry agreed. After all, spell damage was generally easier to fix than an explosion due to a potion brewed incorrectly. He knew that from personal experience. Once in the Great Hall, the group veered off, and headed to the Slytherin Table. What happened last night was still fresh in the minds of every Gryffindor, and the nine students that hadn't gotten in trouble were being glared at by everyone at their table. Blaise Zabini looked between the group and their table, Draco raised an eyebrow, and Pansy Parkinson asked the million galleon question.
"What happened between you and your house? The glares had been going down, and now they are back full throttle." Pansy's long black hair was in a simple French braid, and her dark chocolate eyes pierced the group, demanding answers. However, Harry, having smelt the coffee, did not hear the question. Blaise, his dark tan contrasting with his rare light blue eyes, shook his head, dark hair falling into his eyes. Parvati stared for a little, before shaking herself out of it. The three Slytherins watched in detached amusement as Harry took a mug and filled it half way with caramel flavored creamer, and the rest of the way with coffee, adding four sugar cubes, and, once mixed together, downed it like water, before making another mug and pulling forward some breakfast.
"What was that Pansy?" Hermione asked, ignoring Harry, who had been doing this every weekday since Christmas first year.
"What happened last night?" Draco slapped Harry's hand, which had been reaching for his bacon, only to groan as Harry's other hand sneaked through and grabbed it. Ron sighed.
"Pansy, McLaggen is what happened. He, and the entire house, basically accused Harry of killing these people that are dying. Professor McGonagall saw, and punished them. How, we don't know. Draco, welcome to the family. You aren't family until Harry steals your bacon, because that means he trusts you." Draco looked at Harry, shocked, as Pansy and Blaise yelped quietly in shock of noticing their bacon missing as well. Harry grinned at them unrepentantly, causing the Gryffindors to shake their heads at him. Harry started to bounce in his seat a little.
"So, is there anything I need to know before Potions? What is he like? Is he strict like Professor Snape, or is he a push over? If he's a push over, then I'm going to drop his class and do Independent Study. I don't like push overs in the Potions lab, because there is a higher risk of explosions, which is why I'm a little upset with losing Professor Snape in there. Yeah he could be a little too intimidating, but at least you knew that explosions weren't caused by a complete lack of regard to lab safety – most of the time." Harry said this fast, glaring lightly in Draco's direction. Hermione sighed and took Harry's coffee mug, which he had been about to pour in his fifth helping of coffee, and replaced it with milk. He pouted for a while; before Seamus moved his mug to the side a bit, letting Harry take some as he answered.
"Slughorn is a tad more relaxed, but I get the feeling – from listening to younger years – that he doesn't like it when sabotage and horse play happen in the lab. So, he doesn't seem intimidating, but he's still not a professor to cross. I've also heard from some Seventh years that Professor Snape was more lax in the NEWT level classes anyway. Maybe because we know better now. And Professor Snape actually looks happier in the Defense position. There have only been two times I have learned more – from Professor Lupin, and from you. It's a shame that the position's cursed. I wouldn't mind Snape teaching us next year too." Harry looked around, seeing everyone nod in agreement. Draco spoke up.
"About that sabotage – I tried to keep it to things that wouldn't be harmful to the potion or anyone else. It was expected of me to do that, and the only reason I'm able to talk to you right now is because my mum is finally safe and I've said that I'm using this as an opportunity to either bring you to the Dark Lord or get you to change sides. Obviously, what really happens is that I'm going to change sides." Harry nodded, taking the statement for what it really was – an apology. He looked at his remaining eggs and bacon, before grabbing a bowl, placing his scrambled eggs and bacon in it, then grabbed two over easy eggs and mixed it all together, grinning as the runny yolk made it mix easier, adding some fried potatoes and ketchup. Ignoring the odd looks from the Slytherins, Harry happily scooped some onto a piece of toast. Lavender shook her head, glancing at Harry in confusion. How can he stand that?! At that point, mail arrived, and with it came an eagle owl even more majestic than the one that brought Draco his sweets. Everyone gasped as the crest on the sash it wore became visible – the Evans clan. Whispers rose and circulated the rooms. Who are they contacting? They haven't contacted anyone since before the First Voldemort War ended. Who has caught their attention? The whispers grew even louder as they saw the majestic owl – completely black with white claws and beak – head towards the Slytherin table, but they completely died as it landed in front of one Harry Potter, who, if the other Gryffindors were to be believed (and most did believe them), went out and killed everyone who was pronounced dead. The Gryffindors paled as one. The Evans clan was protective of their family, and their allies. It was well known that, before they disappeared, they were allies with the Weasley family, the Longbottom family, the Finnegan family, and the Patil family. It was also easy to tell that those allies had expanded to the Grangers, Thomas', and the Browns. They were not going to go easy on those who hurt them. The Evans clan were said to be merciless fighters, professional healers, and trained mercenaries – all while still being on the side that betters the world and being completely nice and sociable. Harry, knowing that this owl would be coming today, calmly removed the letter, and scratched the owl, feeding it some bacon from Draco's plate. Draco was too stunned by the owl to notice. Finally, Harry raised his arm, upon which the owl was perched, and it flew off.
"He's going up to the dorm. Legend is able to find the property and return. Hedwig can find it, but not get on the property. She isn't a full clan owl yet. But she seems to like him. I wonder what they have to say. I'll read it later though. We have to get to class." Harry stood, polishing off his banana. Seamus groaned mentally. This was not going to be easy. His plans to tell Harry his feeling were going down the drain with the announcement that Harry had a predestined mate out there. He would hold out hope that it was him, because Harry said that it was usually someone the Elf was close to, but he wouldn't hold too much. Just a little hope could hurt if it wasn't him. But he would handle it if it made his Harry happy.
Harry turned to Ron, Hermione, and Neville – the only Gryffindors in that class – and raised an eyebrow. "If Hermione told me right, and she is rarely wrong, we all have Transfiguration next, so see you then. Ginny, I'll see you in passing or at lunch, whichever comes first. Be careful, all of you. That owl should have warned people off, but some are just too dense to get it the first time. Has Luna participated?" Ginny shook her head in the negative answer, and Harry gave a feral grin. "Then we have an inside spy to the Ravens. I think Susan Bones and/or Hannah Abbott will help us. You guys know what I'm talking about. We need a private spot for lunch. Draco, Pansy, Blaise, we need to talk to you at lunch as well." With that, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville walked off to Potions, leaving Lavender and Parvati to Divinations, Neville, Dean, and Seamus to Care of Magical Creatures, and Ginny to Defense Against the Dark Arts.
AN: Okay, there is nest to no excuse for this. I tried adding some extra length, but I don't know if it happened. I've had cases of writer's block. I don't know when I'll update. But one thing that happened was February 1st, one of my classmates died. I'm a little depressed – English hasn't been the same. Happy reading – and remember – no matter how long the wait is, I won't abandon either of my stories.