Hello folks!
I hope you are still with me. Since some of you criticised the "length" of the chapters - or rather the not-action in it - I decided to get the story going a little faster again. Also, I have collected all my Muses and wrote two chapters in a row! As always, I sincerely hope you enjoy the result. Some of you said they wanted more Draco (ok, that was waaaay back, but I kept it in mind) and here he is once more! The Slytherin didn't want to let go of the story and so I had to write some more about him. I didn't even like Draco much when I began this story!!! You see, your review really do have an effect on where the story is heading, although I have it already finished in my head, mind you.
Ok, enough rant! You'd rather begin to read the real chapter.
So, all that remains for me to say is: Enjoy!
THE CHAOS BEGINS
From: Caius Julius
Chapter 18: Many A Meetings
Much as Harry liked Hagrid he had never wanted his lesson to end soon as much as now. He couldn't await to see Sirius. He hadn't had spoken to him for a long time. Granted, his godfather had been to Hogwarts a few times over the last weeks - due to the whole business with Snape - but Harry never had much time with him alone. Thus, he hoped that this time Sirius had more than just a few minutes to spare.
In fact, Snuffles spent a lot of the lesson near Harry, which seemed completely innocent to Harry's classmates. After all, Harry got along rather well with animals. It was only understandable if the huge black dog liked to be around him. This, however, didn't keep the other Gryffindors and Ravenclaws from scratching Snuffles behind his ears whenever he was near. The dog obviously enjoyed this quite much. Harry doubted that Sirius would have liked to participat in any lesson if the Slytherins had been present, but fortunately they had Care of Magical Creatures with the much more likeable Ravenclaws.
Finally, class was over and Hagrid sent them back to the Great Hall where lunch was to be served in a few minutes. All except Harry, that is, whom he asked to stay behind to help him with the two dogs.
"Don't worry, Harry," Ron said while he packed his things into his bag, "we'll save you something from lunch if you don't make it in time."
"Yes," Hermione seconded. "We know how time- consuming it can be to take care of such large dogs - especially the black one." She winked at him.
"Thanks, you two." Harry said. "What would I do without you?"
Ron grunted humorously. "Starve, probably. With all the things you get yourself into it's nice to know you have the two of us to help you out and rescue you when necessary."
At this Hermione cocked an eyebrow at Ron. "Really? And who's there to rescue you, Ron?"
Harry shook his head and smiled at his friends. "Come on you two, you better go now or there'll be no lunch for either of us. Who's taking me something to the common room if you're here arguing?"
"OK, OK, Harry, we're already gone. Just make sure to check back with us when you're finished, will you?"
After Harry nodded in answer, Ron and Hermione finally left, and he was alone with Hagrid and the two dogs.
"Well, Harry," Hagrid said, "why don't ye come with me to my house? Helping me with the doggies in there is easier."
"All right, Hagrid. Come Snuffles, we're going inside. Yeah, that's a good boy." Harry scratched Snuffles behind the ear. Together they went to Hagrid's hut. There it would be safe for Sirius to change back.
***
"Well, Harry, how have you been?" Sirius asked.
Hagrid had left them as soon as they had arrived at his cabin, mumbling something about having to go to the forest with Fang. Much as Harry liked the half-giant, he was glad he finally was alone with Sirius.
"Thanks, I've been well, I guess. Although it's kind of strange. You know, now that Azkaban is unguarded. Professor Dumbledore announced it only this morning and already a dozen different theories about it have been made up. But I think the Headmaster is right. It is probably better. Now we know for sure that the Dementors are indeed against us."
Sirius smiled at Harry, however, this smile seemed somewhat forced as if there were a lot of things bothering him.
"Harry, you know that I didn't agree with Dumledore's idea to send you to. to that place, don't you? I know he asked you if it was alright and if you really wanted to go. Still, had he told me earlier I might have succeeded in talking him out of it."
Harry smiled sadly at his godfather. Sirius must have been worried about him. He alone of them all knew what Azkaban could do to people. He had experienced most of it himself or had seen its effects on others.
"I appreciate it, Sirius, I really do, but what would you've told Professor Dumbledore? Would you have gone instead?"
Sirius seemed taken aback by that. He cocked his head a bit and frowned at Harry. "Of course I would've gone. Rather than let you enter that nightmarish place. Harry, you may have had a lot of. adventures during the last years but you are still a teenager. Granted, you've got some experience with dangerous situations but that is no excuse to expose you to danger needlessly."
"it wasn't needlessly, Sirius. We had to make sure Snape-"
"You didn't have anything to do for that git - surely nothing to help him. There are a lot of people in Azkaban who did less bad things than he. Trust me on that."
Harry sighed and shook his head. "This is precisely the reason Dumbledore didn't want you to go, Sirius. Your feud with Snape would have ruined it." As his godfather started to protest, Harry added, "Either you or Snape would have lost your temper and that would have been the end of it. Face it, Sirius. You two are remarkably the same when it comes to your, ah, sympathy for each other."
Sirius only stared at him for a few seconds then looked away. Harry began to fear he had gone a bit too far when he heard Sirius give a small chuckle.
"You are probably right, Harry. I most certainly wouldn't have interrupted Lucius Malfoy during his interrogation. I-"
"Don't say that!" Harry interrupted him. "Of course you would have - as would every decent human being. You might hate Snape, but I truly believe you hate Malfoy more. If you had seen it. as I have, you certainly." He stopped, remembering what had happened in Azkaban.
"Hey," Sirius moved closer and put his arm around Harry's shoulders. "That's why I didn't want you to go. You shouldn't have to worry about that. You should be afraid of being caught while sneaking out at night or worry about the exams and whether or not you impress the girl you like - but certainly not politics or a poor bastard who might as well rot in Azkaban for the rest of his life."
"But I couldn't say no, Sirius. I couldn't let the Headmaster down. I mean, he is right. If I hadn't gone nobody would have. Snape might've confessed and Voldemort would now be privy to god knows how many of our secrets. What if Snape knows some - if not all - of Hogwarts' protection spells? The school would fall sooner than you could say 'Morsmordre'. It's not that I saw this as a nice little adventure and I surely won't say it was a piece of cake. However, I know what we gained by this scheme and that there was no other possibility. Dumbledore said so and I trust him. Or do you think he would willingly send me into danger if he knew it was not really, really necessary?"
Sirius let his head hang, sighing. "Of course I trust Dumbledore. He seems to be the only competent man around. It's just that I cannot bear the thought of you taking all these risks, Harry. At least try to keep out of this affair now, ok?"
"Ok, if it makes you feel better, Sirius. I'll promise. I won't take any more risks. Satisfied?"
"That's my Harry." Sirius ruffled trough his godson's hair.
Harry sighed. How he wished that Sirius could be with him all the time. He could be considered family - more so than the Dursleys. Because unlike the Muggles, Sirius cared about Harry and was truly interested in his well- being. Maybe someday they finally could live together. Someday.
Harry sighed again.
***
The time with Sirius passed all to quickly - as always. Sooner than he would have liked, Harry found himself on his way back to Gryffindor Tower. Just as they had promised, Ron and Hermione had taken Harry's lunch to his dormitory. Only then did he realise how hungry he was.
The rest of the day went by very quickly. Ron and Hermione joined Harry in the boys' dormitory and all three of them decided to take a walk on the Hogwarts grounds. Talking about this and that, not caring for anything in particular, they spent the afternoon until Dinner.
The day had begun with an announcement and it seemed the Headmaster wanted it to end with one as well. The students had barely finished their meal when Dumbledore got up. As usual, the Great Hall became silent almost instantly. Harry looked at Hermione frowning, wondering what that was all about. Had something else happened? The situation was already bad enough with Azkaban being deprived of its guards and all that.
However, what Dumbledore had to say was nothing dangerous or frightening at all. It turned out the faculty had decided to add an additional Hogsmeade weekend to lighten everyone's spirit. When Dumbledore sat down again, the whole student body cheered, especially because it was already Thursday and weekend was only one day away.
"If you ask me," Ron said, smiling to his friends, "he can make announcements like this every week!"
"I second that, Ron." Harry agreed.
Even Hermione couldn't hide a smile - there were, after all, some very interesting books she would like to purchase. Ron rolled his eyes at this comment. He certainly didn't have anything in mind that involved school or learning.
***
As it turned out, Dumbledore's idea with the Hogsmeade weekend couldn't have been better because the apprehension which had clouded many students' thoughts was dampened if not gone at all. Hogsmeade with all its amazing shops and places did wonders indeed!
What was even better, was that the one day that stood between them and the weekend seemed shorter than they had hoped. Friday's last lesson for Harry and Ron was Divination - not a lesson they took seriously. As usual, Professor Trelawney glided through the classroom and bored the two friends with her endless lecture about the importance of the Inner Eye. At one point Ron remarked to Harry in a whisper that Trelawney had probably lost her sight when she decided to become a professional Seer.
Finally, that lesson was over as well, and when they joined Hermione in the Common Room all three of them immediately began to make plans for tomorrow's visit to Hogsmeade.
***
As soon as they were allowed to go through the village on their own, Harry, Ron and Hermione went to Zonko's. Naturally, Hermione didn't want to buy anything from this shop. However, they had agreed to stay together all the time. Thus, Hermione pretended to be interested and looked through the various items Zonko's had to offer.
Harry and Ron, on the other hand, were much more occupied. It took them almost half an hour to decide what to buy and Ron was still looking longingly at the shop's windows when they finally left.
Their next stop was more to Hermione's linking - a bookstore. Harry, however, found something for himself as well, since there was a new book on Quidditch tactics that he had wanted to purchase for quite some time now.
All in all, the day passed rather quickly - as usual. Sooner than any of them wanted they were back on their way to Hogwarts. However, shortly before they reached the castle, Harry overheard some Slytherins talking to each other.
"Where've you been, Draco?" a fifth- year asked. "We were waiting for you at Rosmerta's but you were, well, gone. Thought you had vanished or something."
"Well, maybe I didn't want to join you today." Draco seemed more than annoyed at his housemate's question. "I've been stuck at the Quidditch shop and it was already too late when I checked my watch. Don't fuss about it!"
"Alright, alright. We were just wondering," the Slytherin replied, trying to calm Malfoy. He said something else but they were too far away now for Harry to hear.
Harry just shook his head. In his opinion Draco could have been on the moon if he wanted - as long as he didn't bother him and his friends.
One thing, however, was strange: the Quidditch shop had been their last stop, and they had stayed there for quite some time. Draco, however, they hadn't seen. He hadn't been there at all. But why would he lie to his housemates?
***
Sunday came and right after Breakfast Hermione began to kindly remind Harry and Ron of the homework they still had to do for next week's classes. Her constant pushing soon became annoying but Harry and Ron had to give in, finally. After all, Hermione was right.
So they studied most of the day, only stopping for Lunch. They had worked for some time and were just about to begin their homework for Defence Against the Dark Arts when Hermione suddenly hit herself on the forehead.
"Everything alright, Herm?" Ron asked with a frown.
"No, it's not!" his friend answered. "I forgot to get a certain book from the library. How are we supposed to do the homework without it?"
Ron frowned again. "We have our DADA book. Shouldn't that be sufficient?"
"Well, for a simple answer it probably is," Hermione answered. "But you want to write something special, don't you? Not to mention the bonus questions! I mean, it's not that you cannot use the extra points, is it?"
Now Ron was the one slapping himself. "Hermione! This isn't the exam. We just need to answer the normal questions. They're quite enough!"
"But-"
"It's ok, Hermione." Harry interrupted, smiling at her. "I'll go get the book. I know which one you mean. The professor mentioned it at the end of the lesson, didn't he? You two can work on that Transfiguration essay in the meantime, ok?"
Hermione beamed at him. "Thanks, Harry. So you were paying attention after all!"
Harry just grinned back at her and left.
It didn't take him long to go to the library and get the book Hermione wanted. He wasn't particularly interested in answering the bonus questions but he knew Hermione would have insisted or at last gone herself. This way, he got a break - if only for a few minutes.
On his way back he began to flip through the book's pages. Contrary to his expectations, it was an easy-read. So interested was he that he didn't notice the figure who was walking towards him until he had bumped right into it, sending both of them to the floor. The book glided some feet away from him.
"Ouch, sorry, I didn't." Harry stopped in mid-sentence when he noticed who he had just bumped into. Draco Malfoy.
"Can it, Potter. As if you were sorry about that." The Slytherin got up awkwardly, almost falling over Harry again, and brushed some dust from his robes. "One wonders why you wear those glasses. Try to look through them next time. Oh, and here," he picked up Harry's book and threw it to him. "I case you cannot find it because of your lack of sight." With one last glance at Harry, who still sat on the floor, he walked past him towards his own common room.
"What a jerk," muttered Harry, getting up himself.
When he returned to the Common Room he didn't find Ron and Hermione working on the Transfiguration essay. Instead, they were engaged in a game of chess and hardly noticed him. It seemed as if Ron had convinced Hermione that a break was necessary and paid her back for all of today's work by beating her at chess.
Not wanting to disturb them, Harry went to his dormitory. The only other person inside was Neville, who left only minutes later, wanting to go to the library, too.
Harry sat down on his bed and continued his reading. However, when he turned the pages, a small piece of parchment fell on the floor. Curious, Harry picked it up. He couldn't remember putting it into the book.
Turning it over he noticed that someone had written something on it. As he read his eyes grew wider. The message - because that's what it was - was from Malfoy.
"Must have put it into the book during that stunt in the hallway," Harry thought. "Well, then he is a cunning jerk."
The message itself was simple. Malfoy wanted to meet Harry this night at midnight in the Trophy Room. Didn't that seem familiar?
"Nice going, Malfoy. Try something new." Harry crumbled the paper and threw it out of the window. Surely Malfoy didn't believe he would fall for that? Continuing to read, Harry soon forgot about the message. Maybe Malfoy should play those games with someone who didn't see through them immediately.
After some time he got to the point where the bonus question Hermione had wanted to answer was explained. Satisfied with himself, he wrote the answer down and soon afterwards joined his friends. Just as he had expected, Hermione had been defeated in all the three games Ron had played with her.
With Harry having already answered one question they finished the DADA homework rather quickly. The Transfiguration essay, they decided, could wait until tomorrow. Even Hermione wanted to spend the few hours until Dinner with something else than homework.
***
Later during Dinner, Harry was just enjoying his meal when he had the odd feeling of being watched. Turning around, he scanned the hall until, finally, he saw the person who had his eyes set on him: Malfoy.
Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to his plate. What was it with the boy? Why this sudden attention? One might think Malfoy had nothing better to do than to annoy Harry. Maybe it was some sort of sport? Whatever it was, Harry didn't find it funny, not even interesting.
For a moment he considered meeting Malfoy at midnight but he dismissed the thought almost as soon as it had come. Let Malfoy play his little games, Harry had something better to do.
***
Late that night, Harry lay awake in his bed. Somehow he couldn't find sleep. It wasn't that there was something special on his mind, he simply couldn't sleep. Turning towards his watch he noticed that it had just turned twelve. He smirked, imagining Malfoy waiting for him in the Trophy Room. This time he hadn't fooled Harry!
TBC...
Was Draco really trying to fool Harry? Or did he have something important to say?
Find out in chapter 19! (Which is, thank God, already finished.)
I hope you are still with me. Since some of you criticised the "length" of the chapters - or rather the not-action in it - I decided to get the story going a little faster again. Also, I have collected all my Muses and wrote two chapters in a row! As always, I sincerely hope you enjoy the result. Some of you said they wanted more Draco (ok, that was waaaay back, but I kept it in mind) and here he is once more! The Slytherin didn't want to let go of the story and so I had to write some more about him. I didn't even like Draco much when I began this story!!! You see, your review really do have an effect on where the story is heading, although I have it already finished in my head, mind you.
Ok, enough rant! You'd rather begin to read the real chapter.
So, all that remains for me to say is: Enjoy!
THE CHAOS BEGINS
From: Caius Julius
Chapter 18: Many A Meetings
Much as Harry liked Hagrid he had never wanted his lesson to end soon as much as now. He couldn't await to see Sirius. He hadn't had spoken to him for a long time. Granted, his godfather had been to Hogwarts a few times over the last weeks - due to the whole business with Snape - but Harry never had much time with him alone. Thus, he hoped that this time Sirius had more than just a few minutes to spare.
In fact, Snuffles spent a lot of the lesson near Harry, which seemed completely innocent to Harry's classmates. After all, Harry got along rather well with animals. It was only understandable if the huge black dog liked to be around him. This, however, didn't keep the other Gryffindors and Ravenclaws from scratching Snuffles behind his ears whenever he was near. The dog obviously enjoyed this quite much. Harry doubted that Sirius would have liked to participat in any lesson if the Slytherins had been present, but fortunately they had Care of Magical Creatures with the much more likeable Ravenclaws.
Finally, class was over and Hagrid sent them back to the Great Hall where lunch was to be served in a few minutes. All except Harry, that is, whom he asked to stay behind to help him with the two dogs.
"Don't worry, Harry," Ron said while he packed his things into his bag, "we'll save you something from lunch if you don't make it in time."
"Yes," Hermione seconded. "We know how time- consuming it can be to take care of such large dogs - especially the black one." She winked at him.
"Thanks, you two." Harry said. "What would I do without you?"
Ron grunted humorously. "Starve, probably. With all the things you get yourself into it's nice to know you have the two of us to help you out and rescue you when necessary."
At this Hermione cocked an eyebrow at Ron. "Really? And who's there to rescue you, Ron?"
Harry shook his head and smiled at his friends. "Come on you two, you better go now or there'll be no lunch for either of us. Who's taking me something to the common room if you're here arguing?"
"OK, OK, Harry, we're already gone. Just make sure to check back with us when you're finished, will you?"
After Harry nodded in answer, Ron and Hermione finally left, and he was alone with Hagrid and the two dogs.
"Well, Harry," Hagrid said, "why don't ye come with me to my house? Helping me with the doggies in there is easier."
"All right, Hagrid. Come Snuffles, we're going inside. Yeah, that's a good boy." Harry scratched Snuffles behind the ear. Together they went to Hagrid's hut. There it would be safe for Sirius to change back.
***
"Well, Harry, how have you been?" Sirius asked.
Hagrid had left them as soon as they had arrived at his cabin, mumbling something about having to go to the forest with Fang. Much as Harry liked the half-giant, he was glad he finally was alone with Sirius.
"Thanks, I've been well, I guess. Although it's kind of strange. You know, now that Azkaban is unguarded. Professor Dumbledore announced it only this morning and already a dozen different theories about it have been made up. But I think the Headmaster is right. It is probably better. Now we know for sure that the Dementors are indeed against us."
Sirius smiled at Harry, however, this smile seemed somewhat forced as if there were a lot of things bothering him.
"Harry, you know that I didn't agree with Dumledore's idea to send you to. to that place, don't you? I know he asked you if it was alright and if you really wanted to go. Still, had he told me earlier I might have succeeded in talking him out of it."
Harry smiled sadly at his godfather. Sirius must have been worried about him. He alone of them all knew what Azkaban could do to people. He had experienced most of it himself or had seen its effects on others.
"I appreciate it, Sirius, I really do, but what would you've told Professor Dumbledore? Would you have gone instead?"
Sirius seemed taken aback by that. He cocked his head a bit and frowned at Harry. "Of course I would've gone. Rather than let you enter that nightmarish place. Harry, you may have had a lot of. adventures during the last years but you are still a teenager. Granted, you've got some experience with dangerous situations but that is no excuse to expose you to danger needlessly."
"it wasn't needlessly, Sirius. We had to make sure Snape-"
"You didn't have anything to do for that git - surely nothing to help him. There are a lot of people in Azkaban who did less bad things than he. Trust me on that."
Harry sighed and shook his head. "This is precisely the reason Dumbledore didn't want you to go, Sirius. Your feud with Snape would have ruined it." As his godfather started to protest, Harry added, "Either you or Snape would have lost your temper and that would have been the end of it. Face it, Sirius. You two are remarkably the same when it comes to your, ah, sympathy for each other."
Sirius only stared at him for a few seconds then looked away. Harry began to fear he had gone a bit too far when he heard Sirius give a small chuckle.
"You are probably right, Harry. I most certainly wouldn't have interrupted Lucius Malfoy during his interrogation. I-"
"Don't say that!" Harry interrupted him. "Of course you would have - as would every decent human being. You might hate Snape, but I truly believe you hate Malfoy more. If you had seen it. as I have, you certainly." He stopped, remembering what had happened in Azkaban.
"Hey," Sirius moved closer and put his arm around Harry's shoulders. "That's why I didn't want you to go. You shouldn't have to worry about that. You should be afraid of being caught while sneaking out at night or worry about the exams and whether or not you impress the girl you like - but certainly not politics or a poor bastard who might as well rot in Azkaban for the rest of his life."
"But I couldn't say no, Sirius. I couldn't let the Headmaster down. I mean, he is right. If I hadn't gone nobody would have. Snape might've confessed and Voldemort would now be privy to god knows how many of our secrets. What if Snape knows some - if not all - of Hogwarts' protection spells? The school would fall sooner than you could say 'Morsmordre'. It's not that I saw this as a nice little adventure and I surely won't say it was a piece of cake. However, I know what we gained by this scheme and that there was no other possibility. Dumbledore said so and I trust him. Or do you think he would willingly send me into danger if he knew it was not really, really necessary?"
Sirius let his head hang, sighing. "Of course I trust Dumbledore. He seems to be the only competent man around. It's just that I cannot bear the thought of you taking all these risks, Harry. At least try to keep out of this affair now, ok?"
"Ok, if it makes you feel better, Sirius. I'll promise. I won't take any more risks. Satisfied?"
"That's my Harry." Sirius ruffled trough his godson's hair.
Harry sighed. How he wished that Sirius could be with him all the time. He could be considered family - more so than the Dursleys. Because unlike the Muggles, Sirius cared about Harry and was truly interested in his well- being. Maybe someday they finally could live together. Someday.
Harry sighed again.
***
The time with Sirius passed all to quickly - as always. Sooner than he would have liked, Harry found himself on his way back to Gryffindor Tower. Just as they had promised, Ron and Hermione had taken Harry's lunch to his dormitory. Only then did he realise how hungry he was.
The rest of the day went by very quickly. Ron and Hermione joined Harry in the boys' dormitory and all three of them decided to take a walk on the Hogwarts grounds. Talking about this and that, not caring for anything in particular, they spent the afternoon until Dinner.
The day had begun with an announcement and it seemed the Headmaster wanted it to end with one as well. The students had barely finished their meal when Dumbledore got up. As usual, the Great Hall became silent almost instantly. Harry looked at Hermione frowning, wondering what that was all about. Had something else happened? The situation was already bad enough with Azkaban being deprived of its guards and all that.
However, what Dumbledore had to say was nothing dangerous or frightening at all. It turned out the faculty had decided to add an additional Hogsmeade weekend to lighten everyone's spirit. When Dumbledore sat down again, the whole student body cheered, especially because it was already Thursday and weekend was only one day away.
"If you ask me," Ron said, smiling to his friends, "he can make announcements like this every week!"
"I second that, Ron." Harry agreed.
Even Hermione couldn't hide a smile - there were, after all, some very interesting books she would like to purchase. Ron rolled his eyes at this comment. He certainly didn't have anything in mind that involved school or learning.
***
As it turned out, Dumbledore's idea with the Hogsmeade weekend couldn't have been better because the apprehension which had clouded many students' thoughts was dampened if not gone at all. Hogsmeade with all its amazing shops and places did wonders indeed!
What was even better, was that the one day that stood between them and the weekend seemed shorter than they had hoped. Friday's last lesson for Harry and Ron was Divination - not a lesson they took seriously. As usual, Professor Trelawney glided through the classroom and bored the two friends with her endless lecture about the importance of the Inner Eye. At one point Ron remarked to Harry in a whisper that Trelawney had probably lost her sight when she decided to become a professional Seer.
Finally, that lesson was over as well, and when they joined Hermione in the Common Room all three of them immediately began to make plans for tomorrow's visit to Hogsmeade.
***
As soon as they were allowed to go through the village on their own, Harry, Ron and Hermione went to Zonko's. Naturally, Hermione didn't want to buy anything from this shop. However, they had agreed to stay together all the time. Thus, Hermione pretended to be interested and looked through the various items Zonko's had to offer.
Harry and Ron, on the other hand, were much more occupied. It took them almost half an hour to decide what to buy and Ron was still looking longingly at the shop's windows when they finally left.
Their next stop was more to Hermione's linking - a bookstore. Harry, however, found something for himself as well, since there was a new book on Quidditch tactics that he had wanted to purchase for quite some time now.
All in all, the day passed rather quickly - as usual. Sooner than any of them wanted they were back on their way to Hogwarts. However, shortly before they reached the castle, Harry overheard some Slytherins talking to each other.
"Where've you been, Draco?" a fifth- year asked. "We were waiting for you at Rosmerta's but you were, well, gone. Thought you had vanished or something."
"Well, maybe I didn't want to join you today." Draco seemed more than annoyed at his housemate's question. "I've been stuck at the Quidditch shop and it was already too late when I checked my watch. Don't fuss about it!"
"Alright, alright. We were just wondering," the Slytherin replied, trying to calm Malfoy. He said something else but they were too far away now for Harry to hear.
Harry just shook his head. In his opinion Draco could have been on the moon if he wanted - as long as he didn't bother him and his friends.
One thing, however, was strange: the Quidditch shop had been their last stop, and they had stayed there for quite some time. Draco, however, they hadn't seen. He hadn't been there at all. But why would he lie to his housemates?
***
Sunday came and right after Breakfast Hermione began to kindly remind Harry and Ron of the homework they still had to do for next week's classes. Her constant pushing soon became annoying but Harry and Ron had to give in, finally. After all, Hermione was right.
So they studied most of the day, only stopping for Lunch. They had worked for some time and were just about to begin their homework for Defence Against the Dark Arts when Hermione suddenly hit herself on the forehead.
"Everything alright, Herm?" Ron asked with a frown.
"No, it's not!" his friend answered. "I forgot to get a certain book from the library. How are we supposed to do the homework without it?"
Ron frowned again. "We have our DADA book. Shouldn't that be sufficient?"
"Well, for a simple answer it probably is," Hermione answered. "But you want to write something special, don't you? Not to mention the bonus questions! I mean, it's not that you cannot use the extra points, is it?"
Now Ron was the one slapping himself. "Hermione! This isn't the exam. We just need to answer the normal questions. They're quite enough!"
"But-"
"It's ok, Hermione." Harry interrupted, smiling at her. "I'll go get the book. I know which one you mean. The professor mentioned it at the end of the lesson, didn't he? You two can work on that Transfiguration essay in the meantime, ok?"
Hermione beamed at him. "Thanks, Harry. So you were paying attention after all!"
Harry just grinned back at her and left.
It didn't take him long to go to the library and get the book Hermione wanted. He wasn't particularly interested in answering the bonus questions but he knew Hermione would have insisted or at last gone herself. This way, he got a break - if only for a few minutes.
On his way back he began to flip through the book's pages. Contrary to his expectations, it was an easy-read. So interested was he that he didn't notice the figure who was walking towards him until he had bumped right into it, sending both of them to the floor. The book glided some feet away from him.
"Ouch, sorry, I didn't." Harry stopped in mid-sentence when he noticed who he had just bumped into. Draco Malfoy.
"Can it, Potter. As if you were sorry about that." The Slytherin got up awkwardly, almost falling over Harry again, and brushed some dust from his robes. "One wonders why you wear those glasses. Try to look through them next time. Oh, and here," he picked up Harry's book and threw it to him. "I case you cannot find it because of your lack of sight." With one last glance at Harry, who still sat on the floor, he walked past him towards his own common room.
"What a jerk," muttered Harry, getting up himself.
When he returned to the Common Room he didn't find Ron and Hermione working on the Transfiguration essay. Instead, they were engaged in a game of chess and hardly noticed him. It seemed as if Ron had convinced Hermione that a break was necessary and paid her back for all of today's work by beating her at chess.
Not wanting to disturb them, Harry went to his dormitory. The only other person inside was Neville, who left only minutes later, wanting to go to the library, too.
Harry sat down on his bed and continued his reading. However, when he turned the pages, a small piece of parchment fell on the floor. Curious, Harry picked it up. He couldn't remember putting it into the book.
Turning it over he noticed that someone had written something on it. As he read his eyes grew wider. The message - because that's what it was - was from Malfoy.
"Must have put it into the book during that stunt in the hallway," Harry thought. "Well, then he is a cunning jerk."
The message itself was simple. Malfoy wanted to meet Harry this night at midnight in the Trophy Room. Didn't that seem familiar?
"Nice going, Malfoy. Try something new." Harry crumbled the paper and threw it out of the window. Surely Malfoy didn't believe he would fall for that? Continuing to read, Harry soon forgot about the message. Maybe Malfoy should play those games with someone who didn't see through them immediately.
After some time he got to the point where the bonus question Hermione had wanted to answer was explained. Satisfied with himself, he wrote the answer down and soon afterwards joined his friends. Just as he had expected, Hermione had been defeated in all the three games Ron had played with her.
With Harry having already answered one question they finished the DADA homework rather quickly. The Transfiguration essay, they decided, could wait until tomorrow. Even Hermione wanted to spend the few hours until Dinner with something else than homework.
***
Later during Dinner, Harry was just enjoying his meal when he had the odd feeling of being watched. Turning around, he scanned the hall until, finally, he saw the person who had his eyes set on him: Malfoy.
Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to his plate. What was it with the boy? Why this sudden attention? One might think Malfoy had nothing better to do than to annoy Harry. Maybe it was some sort of sport? Whatever it was, Harry didn't find it funny, not even interesting.
For a moment he considered meeting Malfoy at midnight but he dismissed the thought almost as soon as it had come. Let Malfoy play his little games, Harry had something better to do.
***
Late that night, Harry lay awake in his bed. Somehow he couldn't find sleep. It wasn't that there was something special on his mind, he simply couldn't sleep. Turning towards his watch he noticed that it had just turned twelve. He smirked, imagining Malfoy waiting for him in the Trophy Room. This time he hadn't fooled Harry!
TBC...
Was Draco really trying to fool Harry? Or did he have something important to say?
Find out in chapter 19! (Which is, thank God, already finished.)