Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story.
Author's notes: see bottom of page.
Every Time I Close My Eyes – Chapter 11
Harry had the dream again that night. Sirius was in chains, speaking to
Voldemort. There was the strange glow from the ceiling, and other people
in the room, but he couldn't make out any details. He woke up, scar
burning. He groggily recalled what he'd done that night. He realised he
wasn't even entirely sure what he'd have to do in the competition, as he'd
been distancing himself from it. Not that it was going to be fair anyway,
Mortority would see to that.
Harry was first down to breakfast that morning, he'd realised he hadn't
met Neville to practise and didn't want to explain why. Dumbledore
wasn't down yet, there were only a handful of other student there, mainly
scared first years. It was a Saturday so he expected everyone to sleep in
anyway. Then someone he definitely didn't want to see arrived. Malfoy.
He looked surprised when he saw Harry, but quickly sat at his own table
alone. Harry glared at him. He wouldn't be surprised if he'd been helping
Mortority spy on him. Harry decided to escape to the library and read up
on the Geolite after Malfoy kept glancing at him.
He didn't find anything that helpful. Most of the books had been taken out
as everyone was so interested. Harry had a sneaking suspicion Hermione
probably had some of them, so he could ask her. Wandering back to the
Great Hall in search of friends, Harry spotted Neville looking dejected at
the Griffindor table. Harry glanced over at Malfoy, who was now
engrossed in discussion with Pansy Parkinson.
"Hey Neville, look I'm sorry about last night…."
"It's fine." Was it him, or did Neville actually sound annoyed?
"Um, we can practice tonight if you want." Neville then turned, glared at
Harry, and left the table. Ron passed him on his way out.
"What was that about?" asked Harry. Ron looked at him.
"You really don't know?"
"No!" Ron sighed.
"Well, if it was me I think I'd be mad too. What was the point helping him
with a strategy if you were going to enter the competition? He thought he
was going to do well." Harry was stumped. It hadn't even occurred to him
that Neville might actually think he had been trying to cheat. Ron saw his
face.
"Look mate, I know you probably didn't mean to do that, but seriously,
why have you entered? You were dead set against it." Harry thought
quickly.
"Um, well I looked in the library and people have used the wishes for all
kinds of things. It just sounded too good to miss." Ron looked sceptical.
"What kinds of things?" Harry was saved by Hermione arriving.
"You entered? Why?"
"Does the whole school know?!?" said Harry.
"I just thought you didn't want to is all. I thought you hated competitions."
"I do, er, I mean I did…." Harry looked at their unconvinced faces.
"Um, look, I'll see you later. I should practice on my Firebolt." And he
walked quickly out of the hall.
Not watching where he was going, he walked straight into Professor
Dumbledore.
"Ah, Harry, and where are we going in such a hurry?"
"Sorry, sir, I was just going to the Quidditch pitch."
"Oh." Dumbledore was looking at him in a thoughtful way. Then he said,
"I see you signed up for the Geolite contest." It was a simple statement,
but Harry chose his answer carefully.
"Yeah, I decided I might as well." He tried to sound as off hand as
possible.
"Left it quite late, I see you were the last to enter last night."
"Um, well, I'd only just decided." Harry looked him in the eyes the whole
time. Dumbledore considered him a moment more, then seemed to
change. He said brightly,
"Well then I wish you luck. I'm sure you'll do well."
"Er, thank you, sir." Harry took the opportunity and headed to get his
broomstick.
After flying around for an hour or so, thinking about how he was going to
make it up to Neville, Harry spotted someone walk onto the pitch. It was
Mortority. Harry ignored him for a while, but he didn't move. Thinking he
might as well just get it over with, Harry steered his broom down and
landed next to him.
"Ah, Harry. We need to discuss the first round." Harry had lost some of
his fear of the situation since last night and glared at him, arms folded.
Mortority smiled.
"Still the stubborn pupil. Very good. Anyway, the first round to determine
the winner for your houses year begins tomorrow, in case you didn't
know." Harry was surprised it was so soon. " I have no doubt that you
won't need much of my assistance, but you will win against each of your
opponents, fairly or not. Seeing as though you know his weaknesses, I will
organise it so the Longbottom boy is the last person you will face. Then
you will beat him, and be ready for the next round."
Neville? He was going to get Neville to win all his duels then lose against
Harry?
"No," said Harry, " Not Neville."
"I told you that you would learn to use people's trust. It is the most logical
way to win. I'm afraid it's non-negotiable, but then, what is?"
Mortority had stalked off after telling Harry the contest would be in the
great Hall the next day, when all the entrants would be called. Harry
trudged back to the castle, thoroughly miserable. How could he do this to
Neville? He'd never speak to him again. he had been so excited about his
progress while they were practising, and now he would think that Harry
was just using him the whole time. Then another horrible thought. Ron.
Among his other friends, Ron had entered. What if he was put opposite
him? Harry wasn't sure whether he wanted to go to the common room
now. He kept reminding himself he was doing all this to protect them. He
decided he would go back to the library, better to avoid people.
Of course, he had forgotten about his other best friends fascination with
the place. Before he could sneak out again, Hermione beckoned him over.
"Hi Harry. Where have you been?" Harry told her he'd been practising.
"What books are you looking at?" He asked her. She showed him, they
were the same ones he'd glanced through before about the history of
Geolite's. he told her he hadn't found anything interesting.
"Oh, but they are! I've studied the last four wishes, I've just got to look at
the first three, but it's really amazing what these things can do. I mean,
they've cured diseases, held back floods, made people hideously rich,
everything! What would you wish for Harry?" Harry hadn't even thought
about it. If he wished for anything else, Sirius would die. But maybe….
"Um, I don't suppose it can, er…" He didn't know how to phrase the
question. Hermione, not for the first time, seemed to read his mind.
"Destroy Voldemort?" Harry gaped at her.
"Um, well, yes." Hermione sighed.
"No, it can't be used to kill, not directly anyway. And it can't do the
impossible, like it said in the Daily Prophet. They were made by Merlin,
and he forbade their use for evil."
"But if an evil wizard got it….."
"Then they could wish for something else to help them." Hermione
finished. "That's why it's so strange the Ministry giving it to Hogwarts.
It's a safe place here, but surely Gringnotts or a place especially made to
house it would have been safer." Harry agreed. If it had been sent to
Gringnotts, he wouldn't be in this mess. Hermione then turned serious.
"You really should talk to Neville you know. Ron was a bit surprised, but
he knows you'd never cheat, that you must have had a reason. But Neville
isn't convinced yet."
"Um, yeah, I'll talk to him. I just need the right moment." Harry felt
strangely guilty about the fact that if he made friends with Neville now
he'd only be more angry at the end of the first round. He got up to find
him at Hermione's look. She called after him.
"Harry, you did have a reason, didn't you?" He had to say something. She
had to know he hadn't done any of this on purpose.
"Yeah. I've got a reason, Herm, and you'll know when all this is finished.
I just can't tell you right now." She looked like she was going to ask more,
then smiled at him.
"Ok, Harry."
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Author's notes: right, yes, I know I know, I promised action, but you guys
told me not to rush it! And since your getting two chapters in one night
that should make up for it. I got shouted at for you guys! No detention
though, woohoo! Anyway, next chapter, talks with Neville, and finally,
the first round! Oh and to Michael who reviewed part 10, what is your
problem? I get out at least a chapter a day! Why don't you wait until I'm
finished then read the whole thing. Then everyone's happy.
Author's notes: see bottom of page.
Every Time I Close My Eyes – Chapter 11
Harry had the dream again that night. Sirius was in chains, speaking to
Voldemort. There was the strange glow from the ceiling, and other people
in the room, but he couldn't make out any details. He woke up, scar
burning. He groggily recalled what he'd done that night. He realised he
wasn't even entirely sure what he'd have to do in the competition, as he'd
been distancing himself from it. Not that it was going to be fair anyway,
Mortority would see to that.
Harry was first down to breakfast that morning, he'd realised he hadn't
met Neville to practise and didn't want to explain why. Dumbledore
wasn't down yet, there were only a handful of other student there, mainly
scared first years. It was a Saturday so he expected everyone to sleep in
anyway. Then someone he definitely didn't want to see arrived. Malfoy.
He looked surprised when he saw Harry, but quickly sat at his own table
alone. Harry glared at him. He wouldn't be surprised if he'd been helping
Mortority spy on him. Harry decided to escape to the library and read up
on the Geolite after Malfoy kept glancing at him.
He didn't find anything that helpful. Most of the books had been taken out
as everyone was so interested. Harry had a sneaking suspicion Hermione
probably had some of them, so he could ask her. Wandering back to the
Great Hall in search of friends, Harry spotted Neville looking dejected at
the Griffindor table. Harry glanced over at Malfoy, who was now
engrossed in discussion with Pansy Parkinson.
"Hey Neville, look I'm sorry about last night…."
"It's fine." Was it him, or did Neville actually sound annoyed?
"Um, we can practice tonight if you want." Neville then turned, glared at
Harry, and left the table. Ron passed him on his way out.
"What was that about?" asked Harry. Ron looked at him.
"You really don't know?"
"No!" Ron sighed.
"Well, if it was me I think I'd be mad too. What was the point helping him
with a strategy if you were going to enter the competition? He thought he
was going to do well." Harry was stumped. It hadn't even occurred to him
that Neville might actually think he had been trying to cheat. Ron saw his
face.
"Look mate, I know you probably didn't mean to do that, but seriously,
why have you entered? You were dead set against it." Harry thought
quickly.
"Um, well I looked in the library and people have used the wishes for all
kinds of things. It just sounded too good to miss." Ron looked sceptical.
"What kinds of things?" Harry was saved by Hermione arriving.
"You entered? Why?"
"Does the whole school know?!?" said Harry.
"I just thought you didn't want to is all. I thought you hated competitions."
"I do, er, I mean I did…." Harry looked at their unconvinced faces.
"Um, look, I'll see you later. I should practice on my Firebolt." And he
walked quickly out of the hall.
Not watching where he was going, he walked straight into Professor
Dumbledore.
"Ah, Harry, and where are we going in such a hurry?"
"Sorry, sir, I was just going to the Quidditch pitch."
"Oh." Dumbledore was looking at him in a thoughtful way. Then he said,
"I see you signed up for the Geolite contest." It was a simple statement,
but Harry chose his answer carefully.
"Yeah, I decided I might as well." He tried to sound as off hand as
possible.
"Left it quite late, I see you were the last to enter last night."
"Um, well, I'd only just decided." Harry looked him in the eyes the whole
time. Dumbledore considered him a moment more, then seemed to
change. He said brightly,
"Well then I wish you luck. I'm sure you'll do well."
"Er, thank you, sir." Harry took the opportunity and headed to get his
broomstick.
After flying around for an hour or so, thinking about how he was going to
make it up to Neville, Harry spotted someone walk onto the pitch. It was
Mortority. Harry ignored him for a while, but he didn't move. Thinking he
might as well just get it over with, Harry steered his broom down and
landed next to him.
"Ah, Harry. We need to discuss the first round." Harry had lost some of
his fear of the situation since last night and glared at him, arms folded.
Mortority smiled.
"Still the stubborn pupil. Very good. Anyway, the first round to determine
the winner for your houses year begins tomorrow, in case you didn't
know." Harry was surprised it was so soon. " I have no doubt that you
won't need much of my assistance, but you will win against each of your
opponents, fairly or not. Seeing as though you know his weaknesses, I will
organise it so the Longbottom boy is the last person you will face. Then
you will beat him, and be ready for the next round."
Neville? He was going to get Neville to win all his duels then lose against
Harry?
"No," said Harry, " Not Neville."
"I told you that you would learn to use people's trust. It is the most logical
way to win. I'm afraid it's non-negotiable, but then, what is?"
Mortority had stalked off after telling Harry the contest would be in the
great Hall the next day, when all the entrants would be called. Harry
trudged back to the castle, thoroughly miserable. How could he do this to
Neville? He'd never speak to him again. he had been so excited about his
progress while they were practising, and now he would think that Harry
was just using him the whole time. Then another horrible thought. Ron.
Among his other friends, Ron had entered. What if he was put opposite
him? Harry wasn't sure whether he wanted to go to the common room
now. He kept reminding himself he was doing all this to protect them. He
decided he would go back to the library, better to avoid people.
Of course, he had forgotten about his other best friends fascination with
the place. Before he could sneak out again, Hermione beckoned him over.
"Hi Harry. Where have you been?" Harry told her he'd been practising.
"What books are you looking at?" He asked her. She showed him, they
were the same ones he'd glanced through before about the history of
Geolite's. he told her he hadn't found anything interesting.
"Oh, but they are! I've studied the last four wishes, I've just got to look at
the first three, but it's really amazing what these things can do. I mean,
they've cured diseases, held back floods, made people hideously rich,
everything! What would you wish for Harry?" Harry hadn't even thought
about it. If he wished for anything else, Sirius would die. But maybe….
"Um, I don't suppose it can, er…" He didn't know how to phrase the
question. Hermione, not for the first time, seemed to read his mind.
"Destroy Voldemort?" Harry gaped at her.
"Um, well, yes." Hermione sighed.
"No, it can't be used to kill, not directly anyway. And it can't do the
impossible, like it said in the Daily Prophet. They were made by Merlin,
and he forbade their use for evil."
"But if an evil wizard got it….."
"Then they could wish for something else to help them." Hermione
finished. "That's why it's so strange the Ministry giving it to Hogwarts.
It's a safe place here, but surely Gringnotts or a place especially made to
house it would have been safer." Harry agreed. If it had been sent to
Gringnotts, he wouldn't be in this mess. Hermione then turned serious.
"You really should talk to Neville you know. Ron was a bit surprised, but
he knows you'd never cheat, that you must have had a reason. But Neville
isn't convinced yet."
"Um, yeah, I'll talk to him. I just need the right moment." Harry felt
strangely guilty about the fact that if he made friends with Neville now
he'd only be more angry at the end of the first round. He got up to find
him at Hermione's look. She called after him.
"Harry, you did have a reason, didn't you?" He had to say something. She
had to know he hadn't done any of this on purpose.
"Yeah. I've got a reason, Herm, and you'll know when all this is finished.
I just can't tell you right now." She looked like she was going to ask more,
then smiled at him.
"Ok, Harry."
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Author's notes: right, yes, I know I know, I promised action, but you guys
told me not to rush it! And since your getting two chapters in one night
that should make up for it. I got shouted at for you guys! No detention
though, woohoo! Anyway, next chapter, talks with Neville, and finally,
the first round! Oh and to Michael who reviewed part 10, what is your
problem? I get out at least a chapter a day! Why don't you wait until I'm
finished then read the whole thing. Then everyone's happy.