Ron looked at Harry. He was playing around with his porridge absentmindedly taking a spoonful and then dropping it back into the bowl. He was getting it all over himself and he didn't realize it either. Ron rolled his eyes and said, "Harry shut your mouth. Your drool will water your porridge down."
Harry looked away from Cho, who was flipping her hair around a lot, looking at Harry with a smile. He glared at Ron. "What?"
"You don't have a chance with her Harry." Ron persisted. "It's pointless."
"Oh and when did you become the expert?" Harry said hotly and left the table. He hadnt eaten anything.
Cho and her friends had left too. Harry, spotting them followed them into the entrance hall.
"Did you see the way he was looking at you, Cho?" A girl asked.
"He wants you bad." Said another. "But if you don't want him, I'll take him."
"He's gorgeous."
"He's mine!" Cho said. "And to think what he looked like LAST year."
"What do you mean?"
"He was skinny and his hair was just awful." Cho said. "And he talked to much. I heard that he's barely spoken this year."
"He wasn't that bad." Said a girl. "If he would have asked me to the dance, I would have gone with him."
"He asked me to go with him." Cho said lightly. "Of course I said no. Poor little thing was probably heart broken for weeks. I told him I was going with Cedric. Cedric was handsome. He hadn't exactly asked me out yet, but he did the same day Harry asked, so it worked out nicely."
The girls giggled. Harry's lips pressed together angrily. What an idiot he had been to believe that Cho had been sincere. He didn't want to hear anymore. He walked away out of the hall and up the stairs.
"Whoa where are you going?" Somebody asked. Harry looked up. It was that annoying new teacher, Krikor.
"Up." Harry said.
"Well can you give me a moment of your time?" He asked. Harry took a deep breath.
"Fine."
"I was wondering where you learned to duel like you did last week."
"I've had practice." Harry said flatly. "Why?"
"Well because you beat me." Krikor said honestly. "You're amazing."
"I was a champion in the Triwizard Tournament." Harry said. "I had to practice a lot. It's one of the only reason's I'm alive."
"Ah. You won the tournament did you not?"
"I tied." Harry said. "With Cedric Diggory."
"That's fantastic." Krikor said.
"But now, I need to go." Harry said and headed up the stairs.
~* ~* ~* ~*
James watched his son walk up the stairs with wide eyes.
"Don't worry Professor, he's not usually like that." Said a voice at his shoulder. He looked down at the busy haired girl next to him. "Hermione Granger. I met you on the train, remember?"
"Of course." He said. "What did you say?"
"I said that Harry's not usually that bitter." Hermione said. "I mean he's usually really nice. But he's- changed since last year."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, the tournament went bad." Hermione said, looking at Harry's retreating back. "At the last task when he and Cedric touched the cup they got transported somewhere. And when he came back a couple of hours later- Cedric was dead and Harry was really shaky I think he was almost to tears. He wont tell anybody what happened- only Dumbledore and his god fat-" Hermione faltered a second and then rushed on. "He won't tell us. We're not allowed to ask him too. All we know is that he saw Voldemort come back. I think he blames himself for Cedric's death. He hasn't smiled since the task though. Well once he smiled at Hagrid but that's it."
"Oh." James said. "I wonder what happened that was so terrible."
"We all do." Hermione sighed. "I'd better go after him. See you Professor Krikor."
"Goodbye Hermione." James said and went to his office to ponder what the girl had said.
~* ~* ~* ~ *
"Draco."
"Yes my lord?"
"Come here."
Draco shuddered and walked forward. It was a cold night and the Greenhouse with its strange plants silhouetted in the moonlight was creepy. And then the fact that the Dark Lord was right in front of him didn't help the feeling in his stomach.
"Yes my lord?" Draco repeated.
"Draco, I'd like you to meet somebody." Voldemort said. "Hold out your hand boy."
Draco held out a shaking hand. He hoped Voldemort wouldn't touch him. His skin was so dry and waxen. But he didn't. Instead Voldemort took out a rat and put it into Draco's hand.
"But sir." Draco said. "This is a rat!"
"Yes, indeed he is a rat." Voldemort said. "This is Peter Pettigrew."
"But-"
"No questions, Draco." Voldemort said. "He will be working as a spy here. If anybody asks, he is your pet rat. Is this clear?"
"Y- yes." Draco said and then remembering added, "My lord."
"He is to be with you at all times." Voldemort continued. "But make sure nobody sees him. The Weasley brat may recognize him."
Draco nodded and left, Voldemort muttering, "We'll have that boy soon enough" behind him with a demonic laugh.
~* ~* ~* ~*
"Now bow."
Harry yawned. Krikor's class was becoming very repetitive. Lavender and Parvati were about to duel. Harry watched in mild interest as Parvati struck Lavender with a hex that made her grow an extra nose. *She isn't nearly as pretty with it there *, Harry though with a yawn. Lavender felt her face and screamed. A moment later Lavender had hurled herself on top of Parvati and was attempting to rip her hair out as she screamed insults at her.
Krikor laughed and pulled the girls apart. "That's not allowed." He said and quickly fixed Lavender's face. She scowled at Parvati and found a new seat.
"I hope this is not how you always conduct your classes, Professor Krikor." Said a cynical voice from the corner.
Krikor looked up. "Professor Snape. How can I help you?"
"Just observing, actually." Snape said.
"Well do keep quiet then." Krikor said shortly. "I'm trying to teach."
"Yes, TRYING is a very good way of phrasing it." Snape said mildly.
"Leave." Krikor said.
"Make me."
"A duel then." Krikor snapped. "I've been wanting to show a real duel all week to the students."
"Sure." Snape said.
"Students, please move your desks to the back of the room. Professor Snape and I will show you how this works."
Slightly afraid for Krikor's life, the students moved the desks away.
Krikor and Snape bowed slightly.
"FURNUCULOUS!" Krikor said. Snape dodged it.
"Expeliarmus!" Snape bellowed. Krikor dodged it.
"Tarentellegra!"
Snape couldn't dodge that one. He began dancing, but he had soon thrown it off of himself.
"Bad move, Krikor! Stupefy!"
Krikor dodged this too. "WIMBLETHUM!"
Snape blocked the curse.
"Stupefy!" Krikor said. Snape blocked this too.
Suddenly Krikor was doubled up wheezing for breath. He mumbled something and shot it. Snape yelled out in fury as his hair disappeared. Krikor grinned and said, "Stupefy!" And Snape froze and fell over.
~* ~* ~* ~*
"Harry." Krikor said. "Will you please stay after class?"
"Um- okay." Harry said. The bell rang and everybody packed up their things and left. Harry gathered up his things and moved to the front of the classroom. "What do you want me here for?"
"I think we need to discuss a few things." Krikor said folded his arms in a business like manner.
"Okay." Harry said. He sat down. "Like what?"
"Like your attitude." Krikor said. "Frankly, it pisses me off."
"Frankly I don't give a damn and are you allowed to say that word?" Harry said before he could stop himself.
"I'm allowed to say whatever I want." Krikor said hotly. He took out a leather water pouch and took a long drink. "You, on the other hand, cannot."
"What are you getting at?" Harry asked, eyeing the water pouch uneasily.
"You attitude in class- in school- in GENERAL is terrible." Krikor said. "I think you need to work on a way to change it."
"Why?" Harry said. "Why do you care? I turn in my homework, I get good grades. Isn't that all you teachers care about?"
"We care about the well being of our students too!" Krikor said.
"Oh." Harry said. "Well I am fine. I'm not sick. I have friends."
"You'd have more if you weren't so mean."
"Who said I was mean?" Harry said loudly. "I'm just - just- EEUGH! Can I leave now?"
"No." Krikor said. "I just want to know what it is that's bugging you."
"Well at the moment, you-" Krikor held up a hand, was cutting Harry off.
"Stop." He said. "Don't say anything you might regret later."
"Oh, good advice." Harry said.
"What is wrong. All your friends keep telling me you aren't really as mean as you come off to be. And you aren't as mean to Snape as you are to me. What did I ever do to you?"
"Nothing." Harry said shortly. "Yet."
"Why do you hate me? I haven't done anything!"
"I didn't say I hated you. I said I didn't trust you." Harry said with a shrug.
"Are you like this to everybody."
"Maybe."
"Stop!" Krikor said loudly. "What is your problem!"
"I thought we went over this already. You are at the moment."
"Will you stop saying that?" Krikor said. "Listen, kid. You may not trust me or whatever but you're gonna fall into a deeper hole if you keep shutting the world out like you have been for the last three weeks."
"What do you know about anything!" Harry said. "You haven't seen what I've seen. You haven't done what I've done. You know nothing about me!"
"I know more about you than you may think!"
"Oh yeah, like what?" Harry said, crossing his arms and leaning back in the chair.
"I know your middle name."
"I don't have a middle name." Harry snapped. "What else do you know about me, * Krikor? *"
"I know what happened at the third task."
"Isn't that lovely." Harry said. "So does everybody else that was in the stands that night."
"And I know that Cedric Diggory died."
"Wow, I can see you read the papers." Harry said, his face tightening.
"I know you won't let yourself get over it."
Harry said nothing, just glared at him.
"Do you blame yourself for his death?"
"What?" Harry said, almost yelling. "Who are * you * to ask me that?"
"Because it wasn't your fault. Cedric agreed to touch that cup with you. He could have said no."
"Yes and I could have gone without him and he'd still be alive." Harry said flatly.
"Would you like to tell me about it?"
"Not really!" Harry said hotly. "I don't need a counselor!"
"Oh, and everybody can see that, too." Krikor said, loosing his temper. "You don't need a counselor! You'll do fine by yourself, shooing away all affection you get from your friends and peers. Are you afraid if you become friends with someone, they'll die and then you'll have to be depressed all over again? Is that your problem, Harry?"
"Mind your own business." Harry said. "I don't need your help. * I'm fine. *"
"You could just let your feelings out and then that statement would ring true." Krikor said delicately.
"Stop trying to be my friend." Harry snapped. "You are a teacher, nothing more." He picked up his things and left the classroom.
~* ~* ~* ~*
"Harry are you okay?" Hermione asked Harry later that night. "You seemed pretty ticked when you got into History class."
"It's Krikor." Harry said with a sigh. "He's being a nosy bastard."
"What did he say?"
"He asked me what my problem was like 14 times, told me that I was sheltering myself from the world, that I was mean and then had the courage to ask me about Cedric." Harry said. "I don't like him."
"Well- maybe he was just trying to help." Hermione suggested.
"Help!" Harry said and threw up his arms. "Help me with what? I don't know why people think I'm different! I feel the same to me!"
Hermione got a pained look in her eyes and patted his shoulder; "Everybody is just a little freaked Harry. When you got back from the third task- no don't scowl at me- you looked scared. And if everybody's hero is scared, why, then so is everybody else."
"That's crap. For one I'm not scared and for two nobody would be affected if I was." Harry said.
"You make an impact on people, Harry!" Hermione said. "Whether you realize it or not, you change people. You changed me, I think. When you met me, I had no friends and all I did was talk about course studies-"
"You still talk about course studies." Ron said, plunking down in a chair.
"Yes but I don't always talk about them now. I think I'm a better person because you came along."
Harry snorted. "Hermione, I'm touched and all, but that's dog shit. You have always had friends. Neville has always been your friend."
Hermione pressed her lips together. "Fine. Deny it."
"I will." Harry said.
"He will." Ron said with a little nod.
~* ~
Harry tossed in his sleep. He was having an odd dream. In it Justin Finch- Fletchley was sneaking out of his dorm room and creeping out of the Hufflepuff common room. Looking cautiously around him, like a nervous cat he made his way down the halls of Hogwarts and then finally to the large oak front doors. Looking around nervously again, he cracked one open and slid out into the night.
He broke into a run across the yards and gardens until he reached the greenhouses. He walked inside and headed to the most recent class project and picked it up. "You will win the contest." He whispered other things to the plant and then put it back on the shelf. He shoved a hand into his pockets and produced a little bag that read 'Ever- Grow Plant Enhancer' and ripped it open. Inside looked like soil with bits of silvery things in it. Justin poured it into the soil in the planter and, looking smug shoved the empty bag back into his pocket.
Suddenly voices filled the room. Justin ducked down out of sight.
"My lord!" A whiny male voice said. "You look well."
"Thank you Wormtail." A cold shrewd voice said. Justin shivered. "What news do you have for me?"
"Not much." The man called Wormtail said. "Nothing has happened. Except the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher…we should keep an eye on that one."
"Why?"
"He seems familiar to me…." Wormtail said. "And he seems very powerful. He would be a formidable enemy indeed."
"What did you say his name was?"
"Gregory Krikor, my Lord." Wormtail said.
Justin suddenly let out a squeak of fear. The voice was Voldemort!
"What was that?" Wormtail said with a jump. "Who's there?"
Justin dared not to breathe. "Probably just a Mandrake shifting in its soil." Voldemort said lazily. "Keep going."
"And Harry Potter needs watching too." Wormtail said. "He is a strong fighter now. He beat Krikor in a duel if the rumors are true."
Justin shifted in his position on the floor upsetting a shelf. A pot fell off of it and smashed to the ground. Justin let out a strangled cry. That was his plant, lying ruined on the floor.
"Stand up boy." A fat balding man commanded. Justin obeyed, shakily.
"W- who are-" He stammered looking from the chubby man to the tall man.
"How much did you hear?"
"A-all." Justin said.
"My Lord?" Asked the fat one. "What shall we do with him?"
"We'll see. What's your name boy?" Voldemort asked.
"J-Justin."
"You go to school here?"
"Y-yes."
"What do you think of your DADA teacher?"
"I think he's an excellent teacher." Justin said.
"And what do you think of Harry Potter?"
"H- he's my friend." Justin said. "Please don't hurt me. I swear I didn't do anything to you!"
"How good of friends are you?" Voldemort asked. "With Harry Potter?"
"Since second year we've been friends." Justin said. "Are you going to kill him?"
"Yes, but you wont be here to see it." Voldemort said with a catlike grin. "Any last words?"
"What? You're going to kill me?"
"Those will do." Voldemort laughed. "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Justin slumped to the floor, dead.
~ * ~
"Harry. Wake up!" Ron said and shook his best friend. "HARRY! WAKE UP!"
Harry continued to shake in some terrible dream he had slipped in to. Ron was afraid. Harry's mouth was open in some silent scream and his body was twitching and writhing madly.
"Go get help!" Ron called to the boys that were gathered around Harry's bed. "Get McGonagall or Pomfrey- or anybody!"
They all scampered out of the room. Ron continued to shake Harry. Why wouldn't he wake? What was he dreaming about?
The boys returned with three people to help; Madame Pomfrey, Dumbledore and Krikor.
"What's doing on?" Madame Pomfrey asked. "Somebody turn a light on I cant see in the dark!"
"I second that." Dumbledore and Krikor chimed.
"He- won't wake up!" Ron said. Madame Pomfrey shoed him away from Harry.
"This boy will never stop running out of medical emergencies." She grumbled and took out her wand as Seamus lit candles. She started murmuring charms. "Greg, hold him still, will you?" Madame Pomfrey said. "He's moving to much. I keep missing him and getting his pillow."
Krikor nodded and held Harry's shoulders down.
"Damn!" Madame Pomfrey said suddenly. The boys jumped. They had never heard her say anything like that before.
"What is it Poppy?" Dumbledore asked, looking a little startled himself.
"He isn't accepting the charms!" She said. "Finnigan! Get me the water pitcher!"
Seamus jumped up and went to the window and produced the pitcher they had sitting on the ledge.
"Here." He said and gave it to her.
"Thank you." She said and threw it on Harry. He made a gurgling noise and did not wake up.
"Try opening his eyes." Krikor suggested. "And shine light in them."
"It's worth a shot." Madam Pomfrey said. "Lumos. Greg, open his eyes will you?"
Krikor shrugged and did as he was told.
"Wake up Harry." He said in a barely audible whisper. Madame Pomfrey shined the light into Harry's eyes. He squirmed and tried to shake off Krikor.
"Harry are you okay?" Ron asked urgently.
Harry looked up at his best friend's scared, pale face. "Y-yeah."
"What were you dreaming about, Harry?" Dumbledore asked. Harry jumped. He hadnt seen him standing there.
"V-Voldemort!" Harry said, shaking still. "I-in the g-green- the greenhouses…and P-Pettigrew…killed- k-killed- dead!"
"Hmm." Dumbledore said. "I'll have somebody search the Greenhouses. Madame Pomfrey, Professor Krikor lets let these boys get some sleep." And they left. Harry shakily lay back down in his bed.
But he did not sleep that night.
Author's Note from Tadariada: Hey guys! I just wanted to thank you for all your kind reviews. (BTW the last two chapters written are by me but never fear No Reply will put her two cents in VERY soon)::cough cough:: No Reply you ARE working on the ahem- ahem ::CoughTOASTERGETTINGKILLEDCough:: chapter AREN'T YOU? Hehehehe. Anyway, please review and tell us what you think of our plot. It means a lot to us!
Harry looked away from Cho, who was flipping her hair around a lot, looking at Harry with a smile. He glared at Ron. "What?"
"You don't have a chance with her Harry." Ron persisted. "It's pointless."
"Oh and when did you become the expert?" Harry said hotly and left the table. He hadnt eaten anything.
Cho and her friends had left too. Harry, spotting them followed them into the entrance hall.
"Did you see the way he was looking at you, Cho?" A girl asked.
"He wants you bad." Said another. "But if you don't want him, I'll take him."
"He's gorgeous."
"He's mine!" Cho said. "And to think what he looked like LAST year."
"What do you mean?"
"He was skinny and his hair was just awful." Cho said. "And he talked to much. I heard that he's barely spoken this year."
"He wasn't that bad." Said a girl. "If he would have asked me to the dance, I would have gone with him."
"He asked me to go with him." Cho said lightly. "Of course I said no. Poor little thing was probably heart broken for weeks. I told him I was going with Cedric. Cedric was handsome. He hadn't exactly asked me out yet, but he did the same day Harry asked, so it worked out nicely."
The girls giggled. Harry's lips pressed together angrily. What an idiot he had been to believe that Cho had been sincere. He didn't want to hear anymore. He walked away out of the hall and up the stairs.
"Whoa where are you going?" Somebody asked. Harry looked up. It was that annoying new teacher, Krikor.
"Up." Harry said.
"Well can you give me a moment of your time?" He asked. Harry took a deep breath.
"Fine."
"I was wondering where you learned to duel like you did last week."
"I've had practice." Harry said flatly. "Why?"
"Well because you beat me." Krikor said honestly. "You're amazing."
"I was a champion in the Triwizard Tournament." Harry said. "I had to practice a lot. It's one of the only reason's I'm alive."
"Ah. You won the tournament did you not?"
"I tied." Harry said. "With Cedric Diggory."
"That's fantastic." Krikor said.
"But now, I need to go." Harry said and headed up the stairs.
~* ~* ~* ~*
James watched his son walk up the stairs with wide eyes.
"Don't worry Professor, he's not usually like that." Said a voice at his shoulder. He looked down at the busy haired girl next to him. "Hermione Granger. I met you on the train, remember?"
"Of course." He said. "What did you say?"
"I said that Harry's not usually that bitter." Hermione said. "I mean he's usually really nice. But he's- changed since last year."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, the tournament went bad." Hermione said, looking at Harry's retreating back. "At the last task when he and Cedric touched the cup they got transported somewhere. And when he came back a couple of hours later- Cedric was dead and Harry was really shaky I think he was almost to tears. He wont tell anybody what happened- only Dumbledore and his god fat-" Hermione faltered a second and then rushed on. "He won't tell us. We're not allowed to ask him too. All we know is that he saw Voldemort come back. I think he blames himself for Cedric's death. He hasn't smiled since the task though. Well once he smiled at Hagrid but that's it."
"Oh." James said. "I wonder what happened that was so terrible."
"We all do." Hermione sighed. "I'd better go after him. See you Professor Krikor."
"Goodbye Hermione." James said and went to his office to ponder what the girl had said.
~* ~* ~* ~ *
"Draco."
"Yes my lord?"
"Come here."
Draco shuddered and walked forward. It was a cold night and the Greenhouse with its strange plants silhouetted in the moonlight was creepy. And then the fact that the Dark Lord was right in front of him didn't help the feeling in his stomach.
"Yes my lord?" Draco repeated.
"Draco, I'd like you to meet somebody." Voldemort said. "Hold out your hand boy."
Draco held out a shaking hand. He hoped Voldemort wouldn't touch him. His skin was so dry and waxen. But he didn't. Instead Voldemort took out a rat and put it into Draco's hand.
"But sir." Draco said. "This is a rat!"
"Yes, indeed he is a rat." Voldemort said. "This is Peter Pettigrew."
"But-"
"No questions, Draco." Voldemort said. "He will be working as a spy here. If anybody asks, he is your pet rat. Is this clear?"
"Y- yes." Draco said and then remembering added, "My lord."
"He is to be with you at all times." Voldemort continued. "But make sure nobody sees him. The Weasley brat may recognize him."
Draco nodded and left, Voldemort muttering, "We'll have that boy soon enough" behind him with a demonic laugh.
~* ~* ~* ~*
"Now bow."
Harry yawned. Krikor's class was becoming very repetitive. Lavender and Parvati were about to duel. Harry watched in mild interest as Parvati struck Lavender with a hex that made her grow an extra nose. *She isn't nearly as pretty with it there *, Harry though with a yawn. Lavender felt her face and screamed. A moment later Lavender had hurled herself on top of Parvati and was attempting to rip her hair out as she screamed insults at her.
Krikor laughed and pulled the girls apart. "That's not allowed." He said and quickly fixed Lavender's face. She scowled at Parvati and found a new seat.
"I hope this is not how you always conduct your classes, Professor Krikor." Said a cynical voice from the corner.
Krikor looked up. "Professor Snape. How can I help you?"
"Just observing, actually." Snape said.
"Well do keep quiet then." Krikor said shortly. "I'm trying to teach."
"Yes, TRYING is a very good way of phrasing it." Snape said mildly.
"Leave." Krikor said.
"Make me."
"A duel then." Krikor snapped. "I've been wanting to show a real duel all week to the students."
"Sure." Snape said.
"Students, please move your desks to the back of the room. Professor Snape and I will show you how this works."
Slightly afraid for Krikor's life, the students moved the desks away.
Krikor and Snape bowed slightly.
"FURNUCULOUS!" Krikor said. Snape dodged it.
"Expeliarmus!" Snape bellowed. Krikor dodged it.
"Tarentellegra!"
Snape couldn't dodge that one. He began dancing, but he had soon thrown it off of himself.
"Bad move, Krikor! Stupefy!"
Krikor dodged this too. "WIMBLETHUM!"
Snape blocked the curse.
"Stupefy!" Krikor said. Snape blocked this too.
Suddenly Krikor was doubled up wheezing for breath. He mumbled something and shot it. Snape yelled out in fury as his hair disappeared. Krikor grinned and said, "Stupefy!" And Snape froze and fell over.
~* ~* ~* ~*
"Harry." Krikor said. "Will you please stay after class?"
"Um- okay." Harry said. The bell rang and everybody packed up their things and left. Harry gathered up his things and moved to the front of the classroom. "What do you want me here for?"
"I think we need to discuss a few things." Krikor said folded his arms in a business like manner.
"Okay." Harry said. He sat down. "Like what?"
"Like your attitude." Krikor said. "Frankly, it pisses me off."
"Frankly I don't give a damn and are you allowed to say that word?" Harry said before he could stop himself.
"I'm allowed to say whatever I want." Krikor said hotly. He took out a leather water pouch and took a long drink. "You, on the other hand, cannot."
"What are you getting at?" Harry asked, eyeing the water pouch uneasily.
"You attitude in class- in school- in GENERAL is terrible." Krikor said. "I think you need to work on a way to change it."
"Why?" Harry said. "Why do you care? I turn in my homework, I get good grades. Isn't that all you teachers care about?"
"We care about the well being of our students too!" Krikor said.
"Oh." Harry said. "Well I am fine. I'm not sick. I have friends."
"You'd have more if you weren't so mean."
"Who said I was mean?" Harry said loudly. "I'm just - just- EEUGH! Can I leave now?"
"No." Krikor said. "I just want to know what it is that's bugging you."
"Well at the moment, you-" Krikor held up a hand, was cutting Harry off.
"Stop." He said. "Don't say anything you might regret later."
"Oh, good advice." Harry said.
"What is wrong. All your friends keep telling me you aren't really as mean as you come off to be. And you aren't as mean to Snape as you are to me. What did I ever do to you?"
"Nothing." Harry said shortly. "Yet."
"Why do you hate me? I haven't done anything!"
"I didn't say I hated you. I said I didn't trust you." Harry said with a shrug.
"Are you like this to everybody."
"Maybe."
"Stop!" Krikor said loudly. "What is your problem!"
"I thought we went over this already. You are at the moment."
"Will you stop saying that?" Krikor said. "Listen, kid. You may not trust me or whatever but you're gonna fall into a deeper hole if you keep shutting the world out like you have been for the last three weeks."
"What do you know about anything!" Harry said. "You haven't seen what I've seen. You haven't done what I've done. You know nothing about me!"
"I know more about you than you may think!"
"Oh yeah, like what?" Harry said, crossing his arms and leaning back in the chair.
"I know your middle name."
"I don't have a middle name." Harry snapped. "What else do you know about me, * Krikor? *"
"I know what happened at the third task."
"Isn't that lovely." Harry said. "So does everybody else that was in the stands that night."
"And I know that Cedric Diggory died."
"Wow, I can see you read the papers." Harry said, his face tightening.
"I know you won't let yourself get over it."
Harry said nothing, just glared at him.
"Do you blame yourself for his death?"
"What?" Harry said, almost yelling. "Who are * you * to ask me that?"
"Because it wasn't your fault. Cedric agreed to touch that cup with you. He could have said no."
"Yes and I could have gone without him and he'd still be alive." Harry said flatly.
"Would you like to tell me about it?"
"Not really!" Harry said hotly. "I don't need a counselor!"
"Oh, and everybody can see that, too." Krikor said, loosing his temper. "You don't need a counselor! You'll do fine by yourself, shooing away all affection you get from your friends and peers. Are you afraid if you become friends with someone, they'll die and then you'll have to be depressed all over again? Is that your problem, Harry?"
"Mind your own business." Harry said. "I don't need your help. * I'm fine. *"
"You could just let your feelings out and then that statement would ring true." Krikor said delicately.
"Stop trying to be my friend." Harry snapped. "You are a teacher, nothing more." He picked up his things and left the classroom.
~* ~* ~* ~*
"Harry are you okay?" Hermione asked Harry later that night. "You seemed pretty ticked when you got into History class."
"It's Krikor." Harry said with a sigh. "He's being a nosy bastard."
"What did he say?"
"He asked me what my problem was like 14 times, told me that I was sheltering myself from the world, that I was mean and then had the courage to ask me about Cedric." Harry said. "I don't like him."
"Well- maybe he was just trying to help." Hermione suggested.
"Help!" Harry said and threw up his arms. "Help me with what? I don't know why people think I'm different! I feel the same to me!"
Hermione got a pained look in her eyes and patted his shoulder; "Everybody is just a little freaked Harry. When you got back from the third task- no don't scowl at me- you looked scared. And if everybody's hero is scared, why, then so is everybody else."
"That's crap. For one I'm not scared and for two nobody would be affected if I was." Harry said.
"You make an impact on people, Harry!" Hermione said. "Whether you realize it or not, you change people. You changed me, I think. When you met me, I had no friends and all I did was talk about course studies-"
"You still talk about course studies." Ron said, plunking down in a chair.
"Yes but I don't always talk about them now. I think I'm a better person because you came along."
Harry snorted. "Hermione, I'm touched and all, but that's dog shit. You have always had friends. Neville has always been your friend."
Hermione pressed her lips together. "Fine. Deny it."
"I will." Harry said.
"He will." Ron said with a little nod.
~* ~
Harry tossed in his sleep. He was having an odd dream. In it Justin Finch- Fletchley was sneaking out of his dorm room and creeping out of the Hufflepuff common room. Looking cautiously around him, like a nervous cat he made his way down the halls of Hogwarts and then finally to the large oak front doors. Looking around nervously again, he cracked one open and slid out into the night.
He broke into a run across the yards and gardens until he reached the greenhouses. He walked inside and headed to the most recent class project and picked it up. "You will win the contest." He whispered other things to the plant and then put it back on the shelf. He shoved a hand into his pockets and produced a little bag that read 'Ever- Grow Plant Enhancer' and ripped it open. Inside looked like soil with bits of silvery things in it. Justin poured it into the soil in the planter and, looking smug shoved the empty bag back into his pocket.
Suddenly voices filled the room. Justin ducked down out of sight.
"My lord!" A whiny male voice said. "You look well."
"Thank you Wormtail." A cold shrewd voice said. Justin shivered. "What news do you have for me?"
"Not much." The man called Wormtail said. "Nothing has happened. Except the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher…we should keep an eye on that one."
"Why?"
"He seems familiar to me…." Wormtail said. "And he seems very powerful. He would be a formidable enemy indeed."
"What did you say his name was?"
"Gregory Krikor, my Lord." Wormtail said.
Justin suddenly let out a squeak of fear. The voice was Voldemort!
"What was that?" Wormtail said with a jump. "Who's there?"
Justin dared not to breathe. "Probably just a Mandrake shifting in its soil." Voldemort said lazily. "Keep going."
"And Harry Potter needs watching too." Wormtail said. "He is a strong fighter now. He beat Krikor in a duel if the rumors are true."
Justin shifted in his position on the floor upsetting a shelf. A pot fell off of it and smashed to the ground. Justin let out a strangled cry. That was his plant, lying ruined on the floor.
"Stand up boy." A fat balding man commanded. Justin obeyed, shakily.
"W- who are-" He stammered looking from the chubby man to the tall man.
"How much did you hear?"
"A-all." Justin said.
"My Lord?" Asked the fat one. "What shall we do with him?"
"We'll see. What's your name boy?" Voldemort asked.
"J-Justin."
"You go to school here?"
"Y-yes."
"What do you think of your DADA teacher?"
"I think he's an excellent teacher." Justin said.
"And what do you think of Harry Potter?"
"H- he's my friend." Justin said. "Please don't hurt me. I swear I didn't do anything to you!"
"How good of friends are you?" Voldemort asked. "With Harry Potter?"
"Since second year we've been friends." Justin said. "Are you going to kill him?"
"Yes, but you wont be here to see it." Voldemort said with a catlike grin. "Any last words?"
"What? You're going to kill me?"
"Those will do." Voldemort laughed. "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Justin slumped to the floor, dead.
~ * ~
"Harry. Wake up!" Ron said and shook his best friend. "HARRY! WAKE UP!"
Harry continued to shake in some terrible dream he had slipped in to. Ron was afraid. Harry's mouth was open in some silent scream and his body was twitching and writhing madly.
"Go get help!" Ron called to the boys that were gathered around Harry's bed. "Get McGonagall or Pomfrey- or anybody!"
They all scampered out of the room. Ron continued to shake Harry. Why wouldn't he wake? What was he dreaming about?
The boys returned with three people to help; Madame Pomfrey, Dumbledore and Krikor.
"What's doing on?" Madame Pomfrey asked. "Somebody turn a light on I cant see in the dark!"
"I second that." Dumbledore and Krikor chimed.
"He- won't wake up!" Ron said. Madame Pomfrey shoed him away from Harry.
"This boy will never stop running out of medical emergencies." She grumbled and took out her wand as Seamus lit candles. She started murmuring charms. "Greg, hold him still, will you?" Madame Pomfrey said. "He's moving to much. I keep missing him and getting his pillow."
Krikor nodded and held Harry's shoulders down.
"Damn!" Madame Pomfrey said suddenly. The boys jumped. They had never heard her say anything like that before.
"What is it Poppy?" Dumbledore asked, looking a little startled himself.
"He isn't accepting the charms!" She said. "Finnigan! Get me the water pitcher!"
Seamus jumped up and went to the window and produced the pitcher they had sitting on the ledge.
"Here." He said and gave it to her.
"Thank you." She said and threw it on Harry. He made a gurgling noise and did not wake up.
"Try opening his eyes." Krikor suggested. "And shine light in them."
"It's worth a shot." Madam Pomfrey said. "Lumos. Greg, open his eyes will you?"
Krikor shrugged and did as he was told.
"Wake up Harry." He said in a barely audible whisper. Madame Pomfrey shined the light into Harry's eyes. He squirmed and tried to shake off Krikor.
"Harry are you okay?" Ron asked urgently.
Harry looked up at his best friend's scared, pale face. "Y-yeah."
"What were you dreaming about, Harry?" Dumbledore asked. Harry jumped. He hadnt seen him standing there.
"V-Voldemort!" Harry said, shaking still. "I-in the g-green- the greenhouses…and P-Pettigrew…killed- k-killed- dead!"
"Hmm." Dumbledore said. "I'll have somebody search the Greenhouses. Madame Pomfrey, Professor Krikor lets let these boys get some sleep." And they left. Harry shakily lay back down in his bed.
But he did not sleep that night.
Author's Note from Tadariada: Hey guys! I just wanted to thank you for all your kind reviews. (BTW the last two chapters written are by me but never fear No Reply will put her two cents in VERY soon)::cough cough:: No Reply you ARE working on the ahem- ahem ::CoughTOASTERGETTINGKILLEDCough:: chapter AREN'T YOU? Hehehehe. Anyway, please review and tell us what you think of our plot. It means a lot to us!
