"Are you alright?" asked a voice as he worked on his assignment in the Gryffindor common room one evening.
"Yes," Harry snapped at the source of the question but flushed when he saw that it was Ginny.
"Well forgive me for caring," she snapped back.
He mumbled a quick apology followed by excuses on how his school work was getting the better of him. In reality though, he's been having less trouble with school work since Hermione has been helping him out. No, what have been troubling him were those damned dreams of his. It's been almost every night. He's been dreading the end of the day since he would need to go to sleep. He started casting a silencing charm around him since Ron and Neville woke up from his screams but he had a suspicion that Neville knew he still had them. Thankfully the other boy didn't say anything.
The lack of sleep was irritating him. He's even gotten into a nasty fight with Malfoy which led to a weeklong detention with the greasy Professor Snape. Harry swore the man hated him, in spite of others telling him that Snape just hated everyone who wasn't Slytherin. He knew the other man hated him, hated him for something he didn't know, something he would find out.
"What are you working on anyway?" She ran her eyes through the work he's been trying to do for the past hour.
"Fourth year charms," he answered. "McGonagall recons I should be able to drop most of my remedial classes by the end of the winter break."
Ginny frowned slightly. "That's good," she said but it didn't sound like she was too happy about it. Harry's stomach felt funny as he imagined her being disappointed that they wouldn't be sharing classes.
"Urgh, I can't do this," he said when he took another glance at his work. "I need a break, wanna go for a stroll?"
He expected her to say no since it was past curfew but he wasn't surprised when she say yes since neither of them really had any regard for the rules, much to Hermione's displeasure.
"So, do you know that Cedric kid? The one who was picked for the tournament?" he asked.
Her cheeks went red and she nodded. "I haven't talked to him, but he is quite popular."
"I've noticed," he said dryly. "He's such a pretty boy though isn't he? Bet he puts loads of shit on his hair,"
She chuckled. He felt strangely annoyed at the older boy. If he was honest with himself he would say that Cedric was a great fellow who deserved to be chosen for the tournament but as soon as Ginny started to blush at the name he wanted to pound the perfect teeth, suave hair, sparkly skin, stupid git. He was too deep in thoughts that he didn't hear Ginny ask a question. He blinked at her idiotically and she sighed.
"Have you heard from Sirius and Remus recently?" she repeated.
He nodded. "Yeah, they said hi by the way. They're all good. Sirius is working on his flying bike, which I hope to nick one of these days and go for a test run. Remus is – he's kind of having a hard time job hunting and all." He looked at Ginny. "What about your folks?"
She shrugged nonchalantly. "They're doing alright. They said they might visit Charlie in Romania soon, or something." She turned her head and gave him an odd look. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you." He grunted for her to continue. "Is anything bothering you?"
He cocked an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
She shrugged again. "It's just that, lately I've noticed you've been a bit distracted. At first I thought it was just the school work and all but I think it's something else."
He shook his head and started rubbing the back of his neck. "I just haven't been sleeping well that's all." She gave him a look that said she wasn't going to drop it unless he continues. "I've been having nightmares," he said honestly.
"Have you told anyone about them?"
He shook his head. "I don't want to bother anyone about it. Besides, it's stupid, it's just dreams."
"Who knows, you could be a seer for all you know."
"You have seers here?"
"Yeah, Professor Trelawney teaches Divinations. I think she's a fake though."
"How'd you know?"
She grinned. "Well, I was supposed to die two weeks ago but since I'm still here I'm guessing she was wrong." Harry forced a laugh; he didn't know much about seers and future predictions. "Hermione said it's a useless subject anyway, so I'm going to follow her example and drop it next year."
She didn't ask anything else about his dreams, which he was grateful for, but he knew that the subject wasn't forgotten. He just let himself enjoy her company, but it was rudely interrupted.
"Just like your father Potter, absolutely no regard for the rules," Snape drawled.
Harry glared at the crooked nosed git. "Yeah, what of it?"
"10 points from Gryffindor"
Harry snorted. He never got why it was such a big deal to lose points. It's not like there was a huge reward to the house that wins. The only thing that happens is that the winning house would have their banners set up in 80% of the school grounds. Harry honestly didn't hate the colour green, after all it was the same colour as his eyes.
"Fucking arse," he mumbled as he took Ginny's hand and walked off.
"What did you say?" Snape asked challengingly.
Harry turned and gave him another glare. "You heard me,"
He hated the git more and more each day. At first he thought the teacher was just generally a snarky git who needs to get some soon then he realized that the said snarky git kept comparing him to his father. He asked his guardians about it and they told him that Snape and his father didn't get along. He didn't blame his father for disliking Snape though, the git was very difficult to even tolerate.
"I hate him," he said vehemently.
"I don't blame you,"
"He's such a git,"
"That he is,"
He turned to Ginny and saw that she had a playful smirk in her face. "What?"
Her smile got bigger. "Nothing."
He was about to shove his hands in his pockets when he noticed that he was still holding her hand. His eyes widened and he looked straight, unable to look at her but he didn't remove his hands from hers. He was going to pretend he didn't notice (even thought he knew that she probably knew that he noticed) and relish the fact that they were walking together hand in hand in a dark hall with a great view of the grounds.
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"Mr. Potter," called a shrill voice as Harry walked alone on his way to Potions.
He turned to the source and saw a blonde woman who looked unfamiliar. She wore a rather blinding bright green cloak and make up so thick that it looked like a mask. She sauntered towards him and he took a few unintentional steps back. She was grinning at him rather ferociously, like a lion about to attack its prey. A parchment and a quill, poised to write, were floating behind her.
"May I have a word?" she asked but didn't wait for him to answer. "It's an honour to meet you Mr. Potter, may I call you Harry?" No! "How are you?" Fine until I saw you! "Are you disappointed to not be able to participate in the Triwizard Tournament?" What the f- "How does it feel to be back in the wizarding world?" Who is she? "Do you know that your guardian used to be a deranged mass murderer who betrayed your parents?"
"He did not!" he shouted angrily, glad that he was finally able to get a word in.
"No need to be violent Harry," she told him in a condescending tone. She turned halfway to her quill and parchment, which Harry realized was writing something swiftly. "Violent tendencies, perhaps from his life living with unruly street boys or perhaps influenced by the imprisoned guardian of his."
"I do not have violent tendencies!"
"In denial about what he's gone through."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Who are you?"
She giggled annoyingly. "Sorry my dear, how rude of me. I'm Rita Skeeter, a renowned writer from the daily prophet. Perhaps you've read my work?"
"I can't say I have," he retorted vehemently.
"Does not know how to read."
"I CAN READ!"
"Harry, you should really work on your issues. You've got very violent tendencies. Now, tell me about your parents? Do you miss them? Do you think they'll be happy about you?"
"I don't know them, how am I supposed to know how they would bloody feel, now will you please let me get to my class!"
"And your guardian, Sirius Black? Do you think Azkaban has damaged his brain?"
Harry ignored her and started making his way to class. He faintly heard her asking about his 'love-life' before he turned the corner. He was still in a vile mood when he reached the nasty dungeons with the equally nasty Snape.
"Late again Mr. Potter, 20 points from Gryffindor," Snape drawled.
Harry glared at him before taking a seat next to Ginny. He hated the fact that he had to do potions twice a day, he couldn't wait to take his qualifications exam so he would see less of the greasy git.
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"Who you planning on going with?" Ron asked when he cornered Harry after a rather mundane charms lesson.
Harry shrugged. He wasn't all the interested in the Yule ball for two things, he didn't know how to dance, and only fourth year above can go so he didn't really have anyone to go with. Besides, he had to go for the standard exams in the ministry after New Years for the third year qualifications.
Ron started ranting off about the good looking chicks from Beauxbaton, which Harry blocked out. He'd seen many girls like those from Beauxbaton during his life in the streets, sure they were good looking but they way they looked at him whenever he caught one of their eyes was just plain degrading. They all gave him that disgusted look, as if he was filth that didn't feel anything. Those girls were all the same, and they only went for good looking guys who were rich.
The rest of the weeks that came after were pretty much the same. Neither Ron nor Neville was able to get a date, Seamus managed to snag Lavender Brown and Dean was attending with a girl from Ravenclaw, who's name Harry kept forgetting. Hermione, according to Ginny, was going with a rather dashing young man who had many admirers but neither of them would tell Harry who it was. Unfortunately Ron didn't know this.
"You're a girl, Hermione," Ron stated as if he just realized this fact. "Why don't you and I go to the Yule ball together? "
Hermione sent him a livid look. "Believe it or not Ronald, other guys have noticed that I am, in fact, a girl."
Ron snorted. "Yeah, well it's not like those other blokes are going to ask you," he said rather tactlessly. "I mean, it would be sad if I go alone but it would be downright depressing if you went alone."
If looks could kill, Ron would have been in the seventh level of hell. "Well for your information Ronald Weasley, someone has already asked me to the ball." She stood up and gathered her things hastily. "And I said yes!" Her voice echoed rather loudly, making everyone turn to their direction.
"She's lying," Ron told Harry but there was a tone of desperation in his voice.
"She's not," Ginny answered, slipping into Hermione's abandoned seat,
"Who asked her?" Ron demanded.
"I'm not telling. You ask her that yourself," Ginny told him. Ron turned to Harry, who just shrugged.
Ron looked disgruntled the whole week and would be often heard muttering on and on about Hermione being prideful and that he can't be blamed if he already has a date by the time she gets off of her high horse. Ron's foul mood dampened Harry's mood but he didn't have the heart to avoid the other boy since Ron wasn't really a bad fellow, just thick, but it didn't help that Hermione had now started avoiding Harry because she thinks that Harry took Ron's side, which Harry doesn't remember ever doing. Ginny's of no help at all and would only give him a knowing smile, whatever it was that she knew, Harry didn't know. All in all, Harry was in some sort of mess that he doesn't recall being involved in.
"The only reason that Hermione said no to Neville was because she doesn't want to be seen with him. I mean who would want to go with Neville Longbottom to the ball?" Ron said rather spitefully after Ginny told them what happened.
Harry thought that Ron was being unfair to Neville, just because he, doesn't have a date doesn't mean he should take it out on Neville. Neville was a nice guy who Harry enjoyed talking to once in a while. Neville's even helped Harry cope with Herbology since the boy was, surprisingly, better with the magical plants than Hermione.
"You shut up about Neville," Ginny retorted. Harry sent an encouraging look at Ginny for standing up for Neville. "Besides, I'm going with Neville to the ball and I'm proud that he asked me out,"
Neville was now Harry's sworn enemy.
"What do you mean you're going to the ball with Neville?" Harry asked suddenly that both Ron and Ginny looked taken aback.
She frowned slightly. "I mean, I'm going to the ball with Neville. How else can I mean it Harry?" She had an amused smirk on her lips.
"B-but you're not allowed to go to the ball, you're just a third year," Harry argued.
She sighed exasperatedly. "I'm allowed if a fourth year above invites me, honestly Harry, do you not listen to announcements?"
No he didn't.
Harry felt a crushing disappointment at finding out that he could have gone with Ginny. But he didn't have too much time to dwell on it because Hermione sat in front of him with a rather serious look on her face. Harry was too annoyed at finding out that Ginny was going with Neville to the ball to really care that Hermione was sitting with them again.
"Have you seen the paper?" she asked them.
They all shook their head. She rolled her eyes and set the page down. The first thing Harry noticed was his face plastered on the page. The picture was of him walking and it seemed to have been taken from afar.
Harry Potter – Hero found
In rather shocking news Harry Potter has made a rather quiet return back to the wizarding world after being pronounce missing and presumed dead years ago. Under the custody of ex-prisoner, Sirius Black, the boy who lived is currently attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where the Triwizard Tournament is being held.
In a recent interview with the boy who lived this is what he had to say concerning the even in his school.
"I wish I could have participated, I can win easily since I've already defeated you-know-you,"
And when asked about his disappearance, he had this to say. "I wasn't treated the way I should have in my old home so I left, easy as that."
Eventually the topic led to his deceased parents and about that faithful Halloween night. "I don't know my parents, I don't remember them and it's difficult for me because they were never there for me," he said behind teary eyes. "I remember that night clearly. I saw you-know-who kill my father and mother then he turned to me. I didn't cry of course but then he turned to me and said the Killing curse and then it backfired."
"Sirius scares me a bit truth be told, but there's really nothing much I can do since my parents appointed him as my guardian. "
It went on but Harry didn't feel like finishing it. He wanted to hurt someone. He really wanted to hurt someone. He could hear people whispering and he could see them pointing at his direction as he made his way to his potions class.
He's never been a violent person; at least he didn't think so. With that said, that does not mean he's never been in a fight. Living in the streets means you had to know how to take a punch and how to give it, and damn did he learn how to give a good punch. Basically he was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
"His eyes glistened with sorrowful tears as he recalled his parents," Draco mockingly said loudly as he held the paper out for other to see. "Were you too busy crying Potty?"
Harry didn't find it very amusing, on the contrary he thought it was rather pathetic and unimaginative but it was the excuse he needed to satiate his anger. Somehow he found Draco's face hitting his fist over and over again, or maybe it was the other way around. All he knew was that it felt good especially when a girlish scream emitted from the mouth of his target.
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Sirius knew a thing or two about how annoying and inconsiderate the media was. He also knew more about pubescent hormonal angst teenage boys, seeing as he used to be one. So when he received a letter from Hogwarts about Harry he wasn't surprised.
He flooed to the Headmaster's office and saw Harry and Dumbledore. Harry looked rather angry, other than that time when Harry run off after the fiasco at the Quidditch World Cup Sirius has never really dealt with angry Harry. Dumbledore looked rather calm, as he always does, his half-moon spectacles dangling on the crook of his nose.
"So what happened?" Sirius asked as he took a seat to the unmoving Harry, who didn't even acknowledge him.
"Young Harry here was in a rather violent fist fight with Draco Malfoy," Dumbledore said with barely a hint of disappointment aimed at Harry.
Sirius was about to reply when the door opened revealing rather nasty git that Sirius did not expect to see.
Snape surveyed the room and sneered at both Sirius and Harry. "Why am I not surprised to find that you have come to rescue your ungrateful charge from any consequences of his actions?"
"Git," Harry muttered loud enough for the whole room to hear. Sirius would have reprimanded him had it been another person but not for Snivelly.
Snape glared at Harry. "Headmaster, Draco is currently in the infirmary suffering from a broken nose and a crushed jaw. His injuries were not the results of just a small brawl but I see it as in intent to do serious harm. It took five boys, Weasley, Finnegan, Thomas and even Mr Crabbe and Goyle, the first time I've ever seen Slytherin and Gryffindor working together but it is still inexcusable. Lucius Malfoy will not be pleased once he finds out about this."
Sirius gaped. He didn't know what Harry had did and even though he suspected Harry was caught in a fight he did not think it was severe enough to cause Gryffindor and Slytherin to work together. He saw a flash of guilt on Harry's face before it contorted to anger again. "Do you have anything to say Harry?" Sirius asked the boy.
Harry shrugged and crossed his arms. He looked away from the group and stared out the window.
"Well, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said. "If you have nothing to add I'm afraid we should decide what your punishment should be."
"I would suggest expulsion but we all know that even attempted murder would not cause expulsion," Snape drawled.
"I did not attempt to murder anyone, just inflict deserving pain," Harry retorted.
Sirius placed a hand on Harry's shoulder to stop him from continuing as he knew that Snape's jab was not aimed at Harry but rather at him.
"I think that in light of the events, I'm afraid Harry that you're going to be facing suspension until the start of the new term and you would not be allowed to attend the Yule Ball," said Dumbledore. "Is there anything you'd like to add?"
"Should I get my shit or is it going to be delivered?" Harry snapped as he stood up.
Sirius gaped at the disrespect his godson had for the Headmaster. He was about to reprimand him when someone beat him to it.
"Just like your father you are Potter, absolutely no regard for the rules. He was always so arrogant, strutting about like your own the place, and picking on people-,"
"Well forgive me Professor," Harry drawled, cutting off Snape. "For my father's mistakes, did he make your life miserable so you're not taking it out for me? Well, I'm sorry my father could not find it in his heart to become chummy with you and I'm sorry my mother was a mudblood who was beneath you." He walked out the door before anyone could say or do anything.
Sirius was about to say something to Snape when Dumbledore ordered him to go after Harry.
"But-"
"Go Sirius," Dumbledore insisted. Sirius knew better than to disobey. He suspected that the headmaster had something to say to Snape, who was surprisingly quiet and still.
Sirius found Harry sitting on the window ledge, his legs up and his arm on his knees and his head resting on his hand. He looked so much like James did, especially with the Gryffindor uniform. There was so much of his father in him yet so much of his mother. He could see the guilt and regret in Harry's face, something James rarely had. Then again James was a prankster, much like the twins; he didn't really fight people to physically cause them harm he just did them for laughs.
Sirius did wonder what cause the violent reaction from Harry; he wasn't a violent kid, at least Sirius didn't think so. Sirius realized that he didn't know Harry, not really. Living in the streets had its effects on people. It would be naive to say Harry came out unscathed.
"So, what happened?"
Harry shrugged, barely acknowledging Sirius' presence.
"I know what you're going through-"
"No you don't!" Harry said harshly. "You don't know what this feels like."
Sirius wanted to smirk, he knew that line would cause a reaction. It usually did. "You're right, I don't. You've been through so much and I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help you. I have no idea what I'm even doing half the time."
Harry pulled his hand from his face and looked at Sirius. "I'm sorry," he said.
Sirius put his arms up in a surrendering position. "Hey, don't say sorry to me I'm not the one in the infirmary with a broken jaw." Harry let out a loud sigh. Sirius leaned in to him. "But between you an me, I think the git had it coming."
"You don't even know what happened."
"Despite popular beliefs, I do read the prophet."
Harry groaned and buried his head in his hands. "Please don't remind me! The woman just came out of nowhere and practically raped me with her words."
Sirius snorted. "I know, she did the same thing when I got out of Azkaban. She's a force to be reckoned with. The best way to deal with it is to ignore and don't open any mail from people you don't know."
"So, when are we going back? I'm suspended aren't I?" Harry asked; his tone less harsh.
"It's not so bad. You're really only missing a week of school since it's already winter break. And missing the Yule ball isn't so bad-"
"I wasn't planning on going anyway," he snapped, going back to his angry state.
"Why not? I thought you were going to ask –"
"She's going with Neville. I didn't know she could go if an older student asked her out and now she's going with Neville so it's too late anyway."
"Ah," Sirius bit his lip. He knew a thing or two about teenage love, mostly from James. He always had the same heartbroken look in his face whenever Lily denied his advances, but James wasn't one who gave up easily even if it took him seven years.
The statue in front of Dumbledore's office moved and Snape appeared from the door. He looked like he wanted to say something, but Harry flew past the man and went back inside the office. It was a rather awkward moment when Sirius and Snape stared at each other, neither moving. Sirius wondered momentarily what was going on through the man's head since the usual scorn was missing from his eyes. But Sirius didn't wonder too long for he followed Harry back to the office.
" –house-elf will drop your things back to your house. I expect you to write a letter of apology to Mr Malfoy and we'll see you back here at the start of the new term, I hope you learn your lesson by then."
Harry nodded.
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A message from TemperedRose:
I know I know I know! It's been a month! I'm soooo sorry! I'm a horrible writer! I'm incredibly sorry! I had a nasty case of writer's block and with all the assignments and exams I had I couldn't find the time to sit and write. I'm terribly sorry and even though I have a break before the next term starts it's only a week and I have a lot stuff I have to do so I don't know how much I can write but I will try my best to get at least another chapter done soon. I'm so sorry again.
Thank you for all the reviews though, I love all reviews I get no matter how short or long.
Speaking of long reviews, brialynne, I can't remember if I ever did reply back to you very long (and very appreciated) review but you did bring out some interesting topics that I want others to know too. First, I don't know if I'm bringing the Dursleys back, I will try but I can't really find a place to fit them in. Second, there you go, Draco getting his stuffing knocked out by Harry. It was supposed to be Neville but since you requested I settled on to Draco (I will write a rather elaborate play by play by Ron, so doesn't worry). Third, it wasn't a coincident for Harry to end up his safe house, I mean not really. He wanted to go to a safe place and his magic sort of channelled him to the house he owns when he apparated. Fourth, Mad-Eye is the DADA teacher but I'm not putting a big importance to his role (but I did realize I didn't even mention him so forgive me) because remember Peter is rotting in this story so he didn't escape to help Voldemort so the plot's changed in that sense too. Thank you sooo much for your review!
To flower123, as I mentioned above, Peter is not helping Voldemort so Harry wasn't placed in the Triwizard tournament.
To the rest of the readers and reviews, thank you for being patient. Enjoy this chapter!