They met Hermione back in the common room. She had a big smile on her face. "Well done you two!" She congratulated them. "I knew you were going to be Captain Harry and Ron, well good luck against Neville."
Ron scowled. "I can't believe I'm up against Neville for the position. He's about the worst player in the whole year."
"Keep your voice down Ron." Hermione told him as Neville rushed past them.
"Did he hear you?" Harry asked.
Ron shrugged. "Who cares?"
"Maybe Neville does." Hermione retorted, shooting him a dark look and darting after Neville.
Ron sighed and noticed that Harry was grinning. "What are you grinning at?"
Harry lowered his voice. "I know you like her."
Ron scoffed. "HA! HERMIONE! I don't think so!" He said, just as Hermione rejoined them.
Hermione glared at him. "Oh are you making fun of me again? Well carry on then, we could all do with a good joke. As long as it's not about you its okay, isn't it Ron? It's time you thought about other people aswell as yourself." She stormed back off and Harry grinned again.
"Will you stop grinning?!" Ron shouted. "I don't like Hermione!"
Harry shrugged. "It's okay. It doesn't bother me if you aren't ready to admit it just yet." He said and walked up to the dormitory while Ron was trying to figure out what he had just said.
Harry opened the window and leaned out, breathing in the fresh air. He searched the sky for Hedwig, wondering when Sirius's letter would be back, but then he figured it had only been one night so maybe he shouldn't get his hopes up just yet. He sighed and looked down at the Forbidden Forest. He was sure someone had been calling his name earlier but it might've just been his imagination – besides, Ron hadn't heard it. It was getting cold outside and Harry shivered, thinking of Voldemort. Why was he so intent on killing Harry and what disaster would he cause this time? Voldemort had always been scared of Dumbledore but now he was at full power and Dumbledore was quite old so maybe he wasn't scared of him anymore. He wondered what Voldemort was doing right this instant and when he finally came to kill Harry, would he bring all of the Death-Eaters? No doubt Lucius Malfoy would be there – he'd be too scared not to be. Harry thought about all the protection that the teachers and the Ministry were giving him and then he thought about Hermione and Ron. They were with him most of the time and as much as he wanted to be with them aswell, he didn't want to bring them into danger. Maybe Dumbledore should just lock Harry up in a safe room for all his life and keep him out of danger.
"Harry? What're you doing up here?" An Irish voice asked, breaking Harry out of his thoughts.
Harry turned around to face Seamus. "Oh, hey Seamus."
"You should be celebrating. Your captain of the Quidditch team. Well done!" Seamus said.
Harry smiled at him and then Seamus's face seemed to change. His eyes rolled back and his face paled. When he looked up again his expression was angry and his eyes were cold. "Harry!" it said, in a voice unlike Seamus's. And then in a matter of seconds Seamus dived at Harry and wrestled him to the floor.
"Seamus! Get off me!" Harry shouted. "Ow! Get off me! What are you doing?!"
Harry tried to push Seamus off but he seemed to have a strong hold on Harry. They rolled over, knocking a table and a vase to the floor with a smash. Bits of pottery went flying everywhere. Harry's scar burned as Seamus pushed his hand onto his forehead. He heard footsteps and then someone burst into the room.
"Seamus!" The person shouted and Harry caught a glimpse of red hair. It was Ron with Dean Thomas. Together they pulled him off Harry and Seamus immediately drooped to the floor.
"I think he's fainted." Dean said, referring to Seamus as Harry sat up – gasping for breath.
"Harry? Are you okay?" Ron asked. "The nasty git! Why did he turn on you like that? You should've socked him one Harry!"
"Shhh . . . he's waking up." Dean said as Seamus stirred.
The three of them backed away, not wanting Seamus to lash out at them.
"Seamus?" Dean asked, uncertainly.
"Arggh . . . my head . . . Jesus, what happened in here?" He asked, pointing to the table that had fallen over and the smashed vase on the floor.
"You should know." Ron said angrily.
Seamus looked confused. "Will someone please tell me what just happened? And why am I bleeding?" He reached to his forehead where there was a small cut that had started to bleed.
"You just attacked Harry and now all of a sudden you have amnesia?" Ron asked.
"Shut up Ron." Harry said groggily. "That wasn't Seamus at all . . . it was something else."
The four of them were silent for a moment.
"Your eyes rolled back and you seemed angry. One minute you were fine and then you went all weird, it was like something had taken over you. You said my name in a voice that didn't sound like you at all and then you attacked me. You seemed to be really strong." Harry explained.
"Oh my god . . . I'm sorry Harry . . ." Seamus apologised but Harry waved a hand.
"Forget about it. That obviously wasn't you." He smiled in spite of what had just happened.
"Do you think we should go to Dumbledore?" Ron asked worriedly.
"I think you should go to the hospital wing Seamus." Harry said.
"Dean take Seamus to the hospital wing and get Madam Pomfrey to clean him up. Me and Harry will go to Dumbledore." Ron told Dean.
Dean nodded and led Seamus down to the common room and out of the portrait hole.
"I think we should leave it for tonight, Ron. It's late and we don't want to bother Dumbledore." Harry said.
Ron shook his head. "We have to tell him Harry. What did Sirius say? If anything happens, go straight to Dumbledore."
Just as Ron said that Hedwig flew in through the open window and dropped a letter on Harry's lap. Harry ripped it open and read it.
Dear Harry,
You should be glad that everyone is looking out for you. I know it is probably annoying having teachers follow you and check up on you every minute of the day, but it's just something that you have to get used to. Me, Dumbledore and the rest of them are all in close contact and we are trying to seek out Voldemort, even now. Keep safe,
Sirius
Ron read the letter over Harry's shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah, everyone's looking out for me." Harry sighed.
"He's right; you should be glad." Ron told him.
"Hmm . . ." He said. "Everyone else is in as much danger as me though. If anyone gets in the way between me and Voldemort then they'll die."
Ron gave him a half smile. "There a lot of people willing to stand between you and Voldemort. I'll always be in your corner Harry, no matter how scary Voldemort is or how powerful. Power comes in numbers y'know."
"Yeah, but think how many death-eaters Voldemort will bring with him." Harry said, silently thanking Ron for his support.
"I know but no matter how many death eaters You-Know-Who brings with him, you'll always have Hogwarts support."
"I'm going to bed, I'm tired out." Harry said, yawning.
He said goodnight to Ron and got in bed and by that time both of them had forgotten about going to see Dumbledore.