Disclaimer: I only own the story.
Author's notes: See bottom of page.
Every time I Close My Eyes - Chapter 14
Ron was out of the hospital wing the next day. Harry had already decided
not to try making things up between them. If he did, it would mean more
lying, and he was sure Ron would be safer without being around him. As
soon as Ron and Hermione walked into the common room that morning
Harry went back to the dorm and picked up his invisibility cloak. It was
the Ravenclaws first round that day, with the Hufflepuffs the day after.
Harry went to keep an eye on Mortority again.
Draco had been surprised to say the least, when Mortority helped him win.
He had been so sure the Professor was helping Potter, why had he helped
him? Draco was almost certain Mortority was a Death Eater. He had heard
his name years ago from his father when he would come back from
meetings. Even as a young boy, Draco had promised himself he would
never go to those 'meetings'. He thought he might as well go and watch
the Ravenclaws in action. Crabbe and Goyle had been even more
monosyllabic than normal, mooning over Milicent Bulistrode. It made
Draco shudder just to think of her.
Draco was bored through nearly the whole day. The Ravenclaws were
such wimps! All they did was try to disarm each other over and over
again, concentrating on defence rather than attack. It was in the last duel
when as Draco was wondering why he bothered going, something strange
happened. The two Ravenclaws were sending "Expelliarmus!" backwards
and forward, and Draco wished someone would just step in and knock one
of them over. He noticed Mortority looking very bored as well, then the
man smiled a very nasty smile, and got out his wand. He was going to do
something to the nearest competitor, a fifth year Draco vaguely knew as
Padma Patil. Draco tensed, ready to shoot red sparks up if necessary, but
just as he was about to, he saw a movement in the smoke surrounding the
duellers. Something seemed to move very fast through it towards Padma,
then she was knocked down. Her name was removed from the wall as the
hall erupted in cheers. Draco looked at Mortority, who was looking a little
disappointed.
Harry dashed out of the Hall. He didn't know what Mortority had been
going to do to Padma, but his instincts had told him he didn't want to find
out. He felt awful knocking her down like that, but being out of the
competition was better than being dead. Mortority had been going to curse
her just because he was bored! Harry had to take a few deep breaths to
calm himself down. As he stood there, someone else came out of the same
doors. It was Malfoy. He looked around as if expecting to see something.
Seeing nothing, his grey eyes narrowed, and he turned and went off up the
corridor.
Harry kept his cloak on all day. He grabbed something for dinner from the
table and went back to the common room. There was another notice on the
board, telling them the second round would be a week on Saturday. The
first Quidditch match was scheduled for this weekend, with Hogsmeade
on the Sunday. Harry looked around the common room. Fred, George,
Ginny, Hermione and Ron were all chatting by the fire. They all looked
very serious. Hermione was reading to them out of a big dusty book,
Harry recognised it as the one she had been studying about the Geolite. He
started to creep nearer, then stopped himself. No, it would be better all
round if he just left them alone. He would be able to explain everything
when the competition was over.
Meanwhile......
"So how does it go with our young student? I've been sensing his anger
and frustration. Still, it is not yet enough."
"Master, he is stronger than I anticipated. I expected him to be secluded
somewhere alone, but instead he saved another student from my games.
He has not lost his defiance."
"And what would you suggest?" Mortority wasn't stupid. You didn't
make suggestions in a situation like his.
"I wouldn't presume to, Master. I have taken steps to ensure the second
and third rounds will be at least as trying as the first." There was a pause.
"Perhaps, more incentive is needed. I will keep watch on him, then decide.
But, to ease my mind, have Pettigrew take up his former residence."
Mortority smiled in the darkness.
"Yes, my Lord."
Harry had watched the Hufflepuff fifth years, but nothing unusual had
happened. He had a hard time avoiding Hermione and Fred that day, they
seemed to be looking for him everywhere. Harry had steeled himself, he
wouldn't let them get hurt. Plus, he didn't really feel like getting shouted
at again. Draco Malfoy had also watched the Hufflepuffs. Harry had kept
an eye on him, as he had seemed so alert. The Slytherin had kept looking
around the room and at the teachers table, hardly at the duels at all. It was
almost as if he too expected trouble.
When Harry woke up the next day, it was with a sinking feeling. It was
Wednesday, lessons were back on. He could hardly go to them invisible.
Plus, there would be a Quidditch practise the following morning to get
ready for the Griffindor v Slytherin match on Saturday. Harry didn't know
how he was going to work this. should he be nasty to everyone? Should he
just ignore them? In his head a voice suggested he try talking to them, but
Harry banished it with a shake of his head. He was first up again. He
checked his timetable. Divination followed by Potions in the afternoon.
Harry emptied his head into the Pensieve crystal. He saw something he
hadn't noticed before. When he had saved Padma, Draco had been
watching intently, then as Padma had fallen Draco had looked a little
smug. Then Harry remembered seeing Draco outside the Hall afterwards.
Maybe he really wasn't helping Mortority, maybe the other day after the
duels he was being genuine. It didn't seem likely, but Harry supposed it
was possible.
Divination was even worse then usual. Harry had hung around in the
bathroom to make sure he was late. That had lost Griffindor 10 points, but
he wasn't really bothered. He had sat down as close to the exit as possible,
alone at a table. He thought he saw Ron looking at him out of the corner
of his eye, but he was probably imagining things. Trelawny spent the
lesson informing him that the secret he was keeping would soon be out.
Harry had looked up, surprised, in case she was being genuine, but she
had the familiar misty look and went on to tell him how he would die
horribly. It wasn't a practical lesson, which he was thankful for because it
meant he didn't have to pair up with anyone. When the lesson finished
Harry was first out the door, and spent lunch in the Owlery with Hedwig.
Draco was wandering towards Potions with Crabbe. The huge boy was
still depressed because Goyle had been seen with Milicent. Draco thought
his brain would explode if he heard anything more, but up ahead he saw
something curious. Professor Mortority was talking to Harry Potter, but
Potter didn't look too happy about it. He was scowling in fact. Draco had
only seen that look on his face when he spoke to Professor Snape, or,
admittedly, himself. Then Potter said something and turned to walk away,
and Mortority yanked him back by the arm, whispering furiously into his
ear. Harry's face got even angrier, and, spotting Draco, wrenched his arm
from Mortority's grasp and hurried away to the Potions classroom.
Mortority noticed Draco then also.
"Ah, the young Malfoy. You did very well in the duel." Draco had taken
an instant dislike to the man.
"Thank you sir, but I had some help. Maybe, a little too much help."
Mortority's smile froze a little around the edges, but he rallied.
"Well, everyone needs help to get what they want. I hear Potter did a lot of
preparing also."
"So did I. I watched him in action in fact. Not very like him to attack
someone though. Maybe he got the wrong sort of help." Draco held the
man's gaze as his smile faded completely. As he bushed past the teacher,
Mortority said,
" Good luck in the match on Saturday. Don't get too exhausted, wouldn't
want you to have to forfeit the second round, would we?" Draco turned, a
little surprised, but Mortority was gone.
Harry had stormed into Potions, losing another 20 points for Griffindor,
but hardly noticing. Mortority had threatened him again, told him he
hadn't appreciated his interference in the Ravenclaw duel. Harry had told
him he wouldn't let anyone else get hurt, which resulted in more threats.
He had only got away so fast because Draco and one of his goons had
appeared. Getting out his books he realised Draco still hadn't arrived, then
the door slammed open and he stormed in, looking about as angry as
Harry felt.
Harry had managed the whole day barely speaking to anyone. Neville had
said a timid hello but Harry hadn't replied. His friends were all huddled
around the fire again, now with more books. Harry had no idea what they
were doing, but whatever it was was obviously important. Maybe a joke to
play about the Geolite? He wondered.
Sirius was calling out to him. The watch hand saying his name was
spinning behind him, round and round and round, making Harry dizzy. He
fell onto his knees, then his scar ached. He looked up. Sirius was still
there, glaring at someone. The purple light from above shone on the man's
face, and Harry recognised him as Wormtail. He couldn't hear what they
were saying. He heard an insistent ringing from far away, then Voldemort
entered the room. He gazed a Sirius, then turned and looked Harry straight
in the eye. Harry awoke with a yelp of pain. He sat up reaching for his
glasses, and peeked through his curtains.
There was no-one in the room. Harry checked his watch, he was in time
for Quidditch practise, but the others shouldn't be getting up for another
hour at least. Where was everyone? After getting dressed, he looked at
Dean's alarm cloack. It had gone off about ten minutes before he woke
up, that was the ringing he heard. Still being none the wiser, Harry picked
up his firebolt and went off to practice.As he reached the changing room,
deiberating on how to hanlde the situation, someone grabbed his robes and
yanked him into the room. It was Fred.
"No avoiding us this time Harry. We want a word with you." Harry
looked round, and saw with astonishment the whole of the Griffindor fifth
year in the room as well as the Quidditch team. His mouth dropped open
when he saw Ron and Hermione blocking the other exit, arms crossed,
faces locked in determination.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Author's notes: Eeeeek! What do they want? What have they been doing
with all those books? For everyone getting slowly depressed by this story,
yes, Harry will find happiness. Not telling how as that would kinda get rid
of my plot. Be warned though, things will get quite alot worse before they
get better. I'll do some more later, my back's aching from sitting here.
Next chapter, the match, Hogsmeade and maybe a bit of second round
stuff.
Author's notes: See bottom of page.
Every time I Close My Eyes - Chapter 14
Ron was out of the hospital wing the next day. Harry had already decided
not to try making things up between them. If he did, it would mean more
lying, and he was sure Ron would be safer without being around him. As
soon as Ron and Hermione walked into the common room that morning
Harry went back to the dorm and picked up his invisibility cloak. It was
the Ravenclaws first round that day, with the Hufflepuffs the day after.
Harry went to keep an eye on Mortority again.
Draco had been surprised to say the least, when Mortority helped him win.
He had been so sure the Professor was helping Potter, why had he helped
him? Draco was almost certain Mortority was a Death Eater. He had heard
his name years ago from his father when he would come back from
meetings. Even as a young boy, Draco had promised himself he would
never go to those 'meetings'. He thought he might as well go and watch
the Ravenclaws in action. Crabbe and Goyle had been even more
monosyllabic than normal, mooning over Milicent Bulistrode. It made
Draco shudder just to think of her.
Draco was bored through nearly the whole day. The Ravenclaws were
such wimps! All they did was try to disarm each other over and over
again, concentrating on defence rather than attack. It was in the last duel
when as Draco was wondering why he bothered going, something strange
happened. The two Ravenclaws were sending "Expelliarmus!" backwards
and forward, and Draco wished someone would just step in and knock one
of them over. He noticed Mortority looking very bored as well, then the
man smiled a very nasty smile, and got out his wand. He was going to do
something to the nearest competitor, a fifth year Draco vaguely knew as
Padma Patil. Draco tensed, ready to shoot red sparks up if necessary, but
just as he was about to, he saw a movement in the smoke surrounding the
duellers. Something seemed to move very fast through it towards Padma,
then she was knocked down. Her name was removed from the wall as the
hall erupted in cheers. Draco looked at Mortority, who was looking a little
disappointed.
Harry dashed out of the Hall. He didn't know what Mortority had been
going to do to Padma, but his instincts had told him he didn't want to find
out. He felt awful knocking her down like that, but being out of the
competition was better than being dead. Mortority had been going to curse
her just because he was bored! Harry had to take a few deep breaths to
calm himself down. As he stood there, someone else came out of the same
doors. It was Malfoy. He looked around as if expecting to see something.
Seeing nothing, his grey eyes narrowed, and he turned and went off up the
corridor.
Harry kept his cloak on all day. He grabbed something for dinner from the
table and went back to the common room. There was another notice on the
board, telling them the second round would be a week on Saturday. The
first Quidditch match was scheduled for this weekend, with Hogsmeade
on the Sunday. Harry looked around the common room. Fred, George,
Ginny, Hermione and Ron were all chatting by the fire. They all looked
very serious. Hermione was reading to them out of a big dusty book,
Harry recognised it as the one she had been studying about the Geolite. He
started to creep nearer, then stopped himself. No, it would be better all
round if he just left them alone. He would be able to explain everything
when the competition was over.
Meanwhile......
"So how does it go with our young student? I've been sensing his anger
and frustration. Still, it is not yet enough."
"Master, he is stronger than I anticipated. I expected him to be secluded
somewhere alone, but instead he saved another student from my games.
He has not lost his defiance."
"And what would you suggest?" Mortority wasn't stupid. You didn't
make suggestions in a situation like his.
"I wouldn't presume to, Master. I have taken steps to ensure the second
and third rounds will be at least as trying as the first." There was a pause.
"Perhaps, more incentive is needed. I will keep watch on him, then decide.
But, to ease my mind, have Pettigrew take up his former residence."
Mortority smiled in the darkness.
"Yes, my Lord."
Harry had watched the Hufflepuff fifth years, but nothing unusual had
happened. He had a hard time avoiding Hermione and Fred that day, they
seemed to be looking for him everywhere. Harry had steeled himself, he
wouldn't let them get hurt. Plus, he didn't really feel like getting shouted
at again. Draco Malfoy had also watched the Hufflepuffs. Harry had kept
an eye on him, as he had seemed so alert. The Slytherin had kept looking
around the room and at the teachers table, hardly at the duels at all. It was
almost as if he too expected trouble.
When Harry woke up the next day, it was with a sinking feeling. It was
Wednesday, lessons were back on. He could hardly go to them invisible.
Plus, there would be a Quidditch practise the following morning to get
ready for the Griffindor v Slytherin match on Saturday. Harry didn't know
how he was going to work this. should he be nasty to everyone? Should he
just ignore them? In his head a voice suggested he try talking to them, but
Harry banished it with a shake of his head. He was first up again. He
checked his timetable. Divination followed by Potions in the afternoon.
Harry emptied his head into the Pensieve crystal. He saw something he
hadn't noticed before. When he had saved Padma, Draco had been
watching intently, then as Padma had fallen Draco had looked a little
smug. Then Harry remembered seeing Draco outside the Hall afterwards.
Maybe he really wasn't helping Mortority, maybe the other day after the
duels he was being genuine. It didn't seem likely, but Harry supposed it
was possible.
Divination was even worse then usual. Harry had hung around in the
bathroom to make sure he was late. That had lost Griffindor 10 points, but
he wasn't really bothered. He had sat down as close to the exit as possible,
alone at a table. He thought he saw Ron looking at him out of the corner
of his eye, but he was probably imagining things. Trelawny spent the
lesson informing him that the secret he was keeping would soon be out.
Harry had looked up, surprised, in case she was being genuine, but she
had the familiar misty look and went on to tell him how he would die
horribly. It wasn't a practical lesson, which he was thankful for because it
meant he didn't have to pair up with anyone. When the lesson finished
Harry was first out the door, and spent lunch in the Owlery with Hedwig.
Draco was wandering towards Potions with Crabbe. The huge boy was
still depressed because Goyle had been seen with Milicent. Draco thought
his brain would explode if he heard anything more, but up ahead he saw
something curious. Professor Mortority was talking to Harry Potter, but
Potter didn't look too happy about it. He was scowling in fact. Draco had
only seen that look on his face when he spoke to Professor Snape, or,
admittedly, himself. Then Potter said something and turned to walk away,
and Mortority yanked him back by the arm, whispering furiously into his
ear. Harry's face got even angrier, and, spotting Draco, wrenched his arm
from Mortority's grasp and hurried away to the Potions classroom.
Mortority noticed Draco then also.
"Ah, the young Malfoy. You did very well in the duel." Draco had taken
an instant dislike to the man.
"Thank you sir, but I had some help. Maybe, a little too much help."
Mortority's smile froze a little around the edges, but he rallied.
"Well, everyone needs help to get what they want. I hear Potter did a lot of
preparing also."
"So did I. I watched him in action in fact. Not very like him to attack
someone though. Maybe he got the wrong sort of help." Draco held the
man's gaze as his smile faded completely. As he bushed past the teacher,
Mortority said,
" Good luck in the match on Saturday. Don't get too exhausted, wouldn't
want you to have to forfeit the second round, would we?" Draco turned, a
little surprised, but Mortority was gone.
Harry had stormed into Potions, losing another 20 points for Griffindor,
but hardly noticing. Mortority had threatened him again, told him he
hadn't appreciated his interference in the Ravenclaw duel. Harry had told
him he wouldn't let anyone else get hurt, which resulted in more threats.
He had only got away so fast because Draco and one of his goons had
appeared. Getting out his books he realised Draco still hadn't arrived, then
the door slammed open and he stormed in, looking about as angry as
Harry felt.
Harry had managed the whole day barely speaking to anyone. Neville had
said a timid hello but Harry hadn't replied. His friends were all huddled
around the fire again, now with more books. Harry had no idea what they
were doing, but whatever it was was obviously important. Maybe a joke to
play about the Geolite? He wondered.
Sirius was calling out to him. The watch hand saying his name was
spinning behind him, round and round and round, making Harry dizzy. He
fell onto his knees, then his scar ached. He looked up. Sirius was still
there, glaring at someone. The purple light from above shone on the man's
face, and Harry recognised him as Wormtail. He couldn't hear what they
were saying. He heard an insistent ringing from far away, then Voldemort
entered the room. He gazed a Sirius, then turned and looked Harry straight
in the eye. Harry awoke with a yelp of pain. He sat up reaching for his
glasses, and peeked through his curtains.
There was no-one in the room. Harry checked his watch, he was in time
for Quidditch practise, but the others shouldn't be getting up for another
hour at least. Where was everyone? After getting dressed, he looked at
Dean's alarm cloack. It had gone off about ten minutes before he woke
up, that was the ringing he heard. Still being none the wiser, Harry picked
up his firebolt and went off to practice.As he reached the changing room,
deiberating on how to hanlde the situation, someone grabbed his robes and
yanked him into the room. It was Fred.
"No avoiding us this time Harry. We want a word with you." Harry
looked round, and saw with astonishment the whole of the Griffindor fifth
year in the room as well as the Quidditch team. His mouth dropped open
when he saw Ron and Hermione blocking the other exit, arms crossed,
faces locked in determination.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Author's notes: Eeeeek! What do they want? What have they been doing
with all those books? For everyone getting slowly depressed by this story,
yes, Harry will find happiness. Not telling how as that would kinda get rid
of my plot. Be warned though, things will get quite alot worse before they
get better. I'll do some more later, my back's aching from sitting here.
Next chapter, the match, Hogsmeade and maybe a bit of second round
stuff.