Chapter 9: Secrets

The day was going great and they finally agreed to go and talk to Prof. Galder when Liana returned from talking to Dumbledore. She didn't come back till 2:30 that afternoon. "What took you so long?" asked Ron when she went met them at Hagrid's cabin.

"I had to talk to Prof. Dumbledore and then when he agreed, I had to go to the nearby Muggle village to call my folks in the states and figure out a plan to get to Aspen," replied Liana. "So, yer all goin' to go to America fer Christmas," said Hagrid when Liana finished. They had just been telling him about the good news they received that morning.

 "Haven' been there meself, but I've heard a lot 'bout it. Might vacation there someday meself ," said Hagrid. "We should be going now," said Harry, "don't wanna be late for tea with Prof. Galder," and said goodbye to Hagrid and were off to see Prof. Galder when they were met by Malfoy backed by Crabbe and Goyle.

 "Where do you think you're off to," said Malfoy smirking. "None of your business Malfoy go away," said Harry walking past Malfoy. "You'd better watch your back Potter!" Malfoy called after him.

When they reached the dungeons, Prof. Galder wasn't there but they were a few minutes early anyway. When he finally did come, he was carrying some food with him on a tray. "I'm glad you decided to accept my apologies. I've been trying to get Slytherin to accept me as head of house, but it isn't easy. I think that rumor of me being homosexual is the biggest problem, I'm not gay," said Prof. Galder as he sat down at his desk.

 "But even Prof. Matthews says your gay and he says he's been friendswith you for years," said Liana, but Prof. Galder smiled at the comment which confused everyone. "I have changed since the last time I met with Prof. Matthews, yes I used to be different, but now I'm not. I'm married to a wonderful woman, her name is Lisa," said Prof. Galder.

 "Then why don't you tell everyone that you're not gay so that the Slytherin's will trust you more?" asked Harry. "Why would you want the Slytherin's to trust you more? I don't like the whole lot of them," said Ron. "I want the to trust me more because I'm their head of house and maybe I can change some of them around. They're headstrong and that's not always a bad thing. They have a mean reputation because a lot of people before them really were, but I don't believe they all are. They're just a misunderstood group."

"I know this sounds like we're prying in but, could tell to us about how Snape was during school and why he doesn't like Harry or Harry's father?" asked Hermione. "Well, I know Snape will hate me for this but ok. Yes Snape really hated your father Harry and for a few reasons, Snape was jealous of James' talents on the Quidditch field and his high grades, but he really hated him because James stole Snape's girlfriend during his 3rd year. Snape's girlfriend was Lily and they were together for 1 year and then James became interested in her and she in him. She dumped Snape on New Years day and Snape has hated James ever since. That's why he really dislikes you now Harry because you are James' offspring."

"I can't believe it," said Harry in shock, "my mother was Snape's girlfriend. No wonder he hates me,"

"Ew," said Ron, "Why would any girl want to be Snape's?"

"I think its time for you to go," said Prof. Galder, "I have to plan for my classes for next week." They all left still a little stunned at what they learned. They talked about it during dinner and then played a few games of wizarding chess in the common room.

When Neville came in, he sat at a table close to them and tried to catch Harry's eye. When he finally did, Harry nodded when Neville pointed toward the dormitory. "Excuse me guys, I have to get something in my dorm," said Harry.

"I really need to talk to you," said Neville as he met him at the foot of the stairs. "Lets go upstairs," said Neville. As they walked up the stairs, Neville got paler and kept looking back down the stairs. "What did you want to talk to me about?" asked Harry.

 "I overheard something I think you should know about. When you were at Hagrid's I saw Malfoy walking with Liana and I followed them and they went into a classroom. Then I heard Liana say, ' the plan is set, they're going to Aspen with me and you can meet up with us there. You'd better not ride on the plane, but stay at the same hotel, I'll call you on the phone when we get there,' and then I left because they were going to see me, I'm sorry," said Neville.

"Thanks Neville," said Harry as he got paler himself. "Could you go and get Ron for me?"

"Sure," said Neville. "How come we didn't see it?" said Ron when Harry told him the news. "She was so nice, I can't believe we didn't see that she's a fake. Does Dumbledore know? Maybe he doesn't," said Ron. "Of course he knows," said Harry, "Dumbledore must know, he'd be extremely careful bringing new people in the castle, we'll tell Hermione the minute we get a chance, but we can't let Liana know we know about her ok?" said Harry. "Ok," agreed Ron.

They couldn't talk to Hermione that night because Liana stayed with her until they went to bed. The next day, they got their chance when Liana had to go use the bathroom during breakfast. Hermione didn't believe Liana was really on Malfoy's side. "Come on, do you really think she's on his side? She's probably trying to trap Malfoy into something, but I don't think she's going to try and get Harry hurt. We should talk to her, we can't keep this a secret," said Hermione. "Fine, you should ask her than yourself and in front of Dumbledore, I don't trust her and she wouldn't lie in front of Dumbledore," said Harry.

When Liana arrived, She and Hermione went to talk to Dumbledore and Liana thought they were going to talk about the trip on Christmas. "Liana, Prof. Dumbledore, could we talk somewhere in private?" asked Hermione. "What's this about?" asked Liana.

"Why don't we step into an empty classroom," said Prof. Dumbledore and they went to the Transfigurations classroom. "What do you want to talk about Hermione?" asked Prof. Dumbledore.

"Well, Neville told Harry that he overheard Liana talking to Malfoy about plans to meet up with us at Aspen and I just want to hear Liana's side of the story and Harry thought you should hear it too," said Hermione. "I'm sorry Hermione, I was sworn to secrecy by Dumbledore and I couldn't tell you," said Liana looking down.

"Professor, what is she talking about?" said Hermione. "Hermione, Liana has told me of a plan she made to protect Harry and to catch the Malfoy's as Dark Wizards. She was to lure the Malfoy's to Aspen there she would pretend to set up a trap for Harry, but really be setting a trap for the Malfoy's. It may not work because the Malfoy's might not go, but it's worth a try," said Prof. Dumbledore.

"Professor, you agreed to this?" said Hermione in shock. "I know that it seems that I'm trying to hurt people but the less Death Eaters out there the better. And the Malfoy's are a huge threat to us," answered Prof. Dumbledore, "Now that you all know, things are going to be a bit different. Hermione, can you go and get Harry, Ron, and Neville? I have to explain a few things to them."

When Harry, Ron, and Neville came upstairs, Prof. Dumbledore asked them all to sit down. Then, to their surprise, he erased Neville's memory from the time he overheard Liana and Malfoy to the present. "Thank you Neville, and I'll send a letter to your grandmother on you excellent grades in Herbology," said Prof. Dumbledore as Neville got up and went out of the room looking a little dazed.

"Boys, I have something to explain to you," said Prof. Dumbledore. After he explained, they all apologized to Liana about their doubts and she accepted them. "Now we have to stick to the plan, but you three are going to have to pretend you don't know anything about it," said Prof. Dumbledore.