Unraveled
Chapter Twenty-Three: A Nighttime Stroll
Harry walked off by himself. He wandered down the hall not thinking to avoid anyone. Once again he had that feeling in his chest. It hurt. He was so distracted that he didn't hear Remus coming.
"I'm not going to bother to ask you any questions," he told him quietly.
"Thank you, Professor Lupin."
"I've planned your detention. In case, you've forgotten. It's on Monday. Come to my office after class," Remus informed him. "You should be happy, Harry. You caught the snitch, even though you and Malfoy were fighting up there."
"Professor Lupin…" started Harry reluctantly. He touched his fingertips on his lip for a moment. It was still sore, but he could ignore it. "Have you ever had a feeling that something was just right?"
"That depends, Harry. There are lots of things that feel right," said Remus.
"I mean have you ever felt something was right, even though it's just wrong to everyone else," he whispered.
"What would be wrong to everyone else, but right to you, Harry?"
Harry sighed. "It will work itself out, Harry. Whatever the problem is, it will resolve one way or the other. But, I think you should consider your actions very carefully. Try not to do anymore things like that," continued Professor Lupin as his eyes flickered at Harry's lip.
"What was my father like when he was my age?" asked Harry with a sigh. Perhaps, he could use some better insight. Remus smiled.
"He was hot-tempered. I spent most of my time trying to control him and Snuffles," said Remus with a smile. "And they helped me with my transformations. Your father was loyal to his friends and heinous to his enemies. The things he loved, he worshipped. Sometimes, your mother couldn't stand all the affection he showered on her. She was a free spirit and passionate about life. Both of them were. I can see it in you, Harry."
"What were they like together?" asked Harry; it almost sounded like a plea.
"They were fighting from time to time, not unlike Ron and Hermione. They were both stubborn people, but they had to learn how to compromise. Your father would lose his temper very easily whenever another boy other than me and Sirius talked to her," Remus paused for a moment. Peter was also safe from James' temper, but he wasn't worth mentioning in front of Harry. "He was extremely possessive early on. That's the problem with him and Sirius. Both of them were attracted to women who were independent. James' first impulse was to control, while Sirius wasn't like that. I think he learned something from your father and mother's relationship."
"Everyone says I look like my father. Snape's even accused me of acting like I own the school, just like my father. Sirius says I look and act a lot like him, too. So do you. Am I really that much like him?"
"Yes, but you have your mother in you, too. You don't lose your temper as easily. Although, the past couple of weeks haven't been any indication of that. You listen to other people more readily just like her."
Harry smiled. "Is Fiona Black like her parents? You knew her mother, didn't you?" he asked cautiously.
Remus laughed. "Snuffles and I were just discussing that few days ago. I told him that Fiona took after her mother in looks, but after her father in personality. She's equal parts, Harry. Just like you. Thalia was a good friend to your mother and father. More so to your mother. I remembered how she cried after they died. It broke her heart more than anything else, even with Snuffles being away. They weren't coming back. She knew Snuffles better than anyone. She believed he was innocent, even when I didn't."
"Do you think she's as compassionate as that?" asked Harry.
Remus nodded. "I believe she is. I know she is," he replied as he recalled how Fiona reacted to him being a werewolf. "Why don't you go back and get some rest, Harry? There's going to be lots to do come Monday."
"Okay," agreed Harry with a sigh as he walked off. Remus stared at the sky. He hoped he was of some help to Harry.
Harry came back to the common room to find Ron and Hermione being barraged with questions. "What happened?" he asked.
"Harry! Did you know that Ron and Hermione have been going out secretly for weeks?" asked Ginny ecstatically.
"Yes," confirmed Harry with a nod. He smiled at them. "Let me guess, you decided to tell everyone else?"
Ron started laughing. "One step at a time. Actually, rumor has it that Dumbledore and the rest of the staff are planning some kind of big party. I just thought I should say something, so no one else will think it's weird when I show up with Hermione."
"Who said it would be weird?" said Hermione as she glared at him.
"Well…would anyone expect it?" asked Ron, irritated at her.
"Yes!" chorused the rest of the room.
"I wasn't asking you, people," shouted Ron. The rest of the room either laughed or shrugged at him.
"Harry, you knew that our Ronniekins was dating without telling us?" asked Fred.
"Speaking of which, didn't you hear, Harry?" asked George. Harry shook his head. "There's a big formal event that Professor Dumbledore is planning. It's kind of strange because it's before Christmas. Guess we'll have to find dates. Thinking of taking anyone, Harry?"
Harry shook his head. "I'm going to bed," he said.
"How did I know he was going to say that?" asked Fred.
Ron stood up and decided to check up on him. "Good night," he told Hermione.
"Good night," she smiled.
Ron found Harry already changed and about ready to climb into bed. "Today was weird wasn't it? You and Malfoy were going to kill each other one way or another, if she hadn't shouted about the snitch. Why don't you just ask her to come with you to the party? I'm sure that Snuffles will let you take her because it's you," said Ron bracingly.
Harry gave him a weak smile. "What makes you think I'll ask her to anything?" he muttered.
"Harry, you don't have to pretend she's not the girl you've been dreaming of. Just take a chance. I know this is serious. You didn't get into any fights for Cho. And if you want, I can help you with Malfoy. Please let me help you with Malfoy." He said the last part very eagerly.
"No. There's no need to worry. I don't think I'll go anyway. I think Malfoy would get to her first away. He's out to get me, Ron. It doesn't matter. Why are we even talking about this? I don't care. Do you hear me? I don't care."
Ron nodded. "Of course," he said it as sincerely as possible. He knew better. The more Harry said he didn't care, the more he cared. "Good night, Harry. Get some rest. You look tired."
"Good night Ron. Sorry. I'm sorry."
"You didn't have to say it, but thanks."
Harry climbed into bed. What must Fiona think of him now? Why did he care so much? He didn't really care before what anyone thought. He was more than just physically tired. He was emotionally and mentally drained. There was no point in wrestling with his feelings any longer. He knew what they were, but would he act upon them?
*
"I still can't believe that they were dueling in midair like that," said Nell as she recounted the game for Sirius. He laughed when he heard about how Harry and Draco attempted to knock each other off their broomsticks. He wished he could have seen that.
"I don't think it was that funny, Dad. They could have killed each other. Why are boys like that?" asked Fiona as she looked up from her homework.
All Sirius could do was laugh at the expression on her face. "Boys act so stupid. Even if they become someone's daddy," she said as she stood and gave him a kiss on his cheek as she left the room.
"Any theories as to why the boys went against each other like? I don't know Harry Potter that well, but you might?" asked Nell.
"I have no idea what you are referring to, Nell," he said as he stood up. "Besides, you have to go out and get a life of your own. Has anyone ever told you that?"
She sat up straight. "Yes. Thalia used to say that all the time. I don't know. Two men asked me to marry them. Not at the same time, of course. My first priorities have always been Thalia and Fiona. I was the second person to hold her after she was born. I felt that if I got married, I would have to leave them. I couldn't do that. I don't know about dating. Every single relationship I've had, I've squashed when I thought things got to clingy," she explained.
"I'm not saying you still can't be involved with Fiona, but I thought it would be best if you got out more. I feel like I'm being supervised. I'm not going to hurt my own baby. Not like some fathers," said Sirius.
"It's not that I don't trust you. You're doing fine," Nell assured him.
"Then go and have some fun. Live a little," said Sirius as he stood up. "I would say the same thing to you," said Nell softly.
"I am living as I choose now. I've got to get into it slowly," he said as he went off to sleep.
Fiona was in her room wondering why boys were so stupid. Harry was just the big show off that Draco said he was. She shook her head quickly. No. That wasn't true. If he were, he would have bragged about it during dinner. No. She shook her head again. She had left the dinner before she could hear anything.
Her door was open a crack. Sirius watched her strange movements. Females. I can't believe I made one of those. Now those are difficult creatures to comprehend. What is she doing? Why is she doing that?, he thought as he folded his arms over his chest.
Finally, Fiona fell back and blew the hair that covered her face up. Sirius started chuckling again. She was just adorable. She threw a pillow at him. "Stop laughing," she said with a pout.
He caught the pillow deftly and walked into the room. "I still don't get it. My best friend is a guy. If you can call Draco that," she added with a smirk.
"Let me tell you one thing about boys: don't. Don't let them have an inch. Also, don't let them touch you. Don't ever leave me," said Sirius with a laugh.
She looked at him like he was crazy. "I don't think you were so innocent in school, Dad. Are you paranoid because of that saying?" she asked him.
"What saying?"
"Girls tend to marry men like their fathers."
"That's not what I'm paranoid about. I haven't had you for very long. So I'd like to keep you a while longer."
"Dad, I'm not moving out and getting married tomorrow. Boys are too stupid. They fight each other for no real reason other than they have to prove who's the strongest because of some primal urge that has no place in today's modern societies."
Sirius smiled. "All I ask is that you stay just like that. Yes, boys are stupid. Very," he told her as he closed her door. "Good night."
"Good night, Dad."
*
Monday rolled around in no time. Harry's bruises were now an odd greenish yellow rather than the purple they were on Friday. Draco's cuts were also healing quickly. He had spent Sunday with Fiona, who treated his cuts and bruises because she couldn't stand the sight of them.
Breakfast at the Great Hall was filled with much talk about Saturday's game. The Slytherins didn't sound too happy about the outcome. Some were wondering who shouted the location of the snitch, allowing Harry to put an end to the game.
Something else happened that made Harry's stomach turn. Severus Snape entered the Great Hall with Arabella Figg. Harry looked at Ron who wore a worried expression.
"Great! Just when things were starting to pick up," muttered Ron.
"He doesn't look too well at all," observed Hermione.
True, Severus Snape was looking even paler than usually. He looked a little shaken. Draco stopped eating when he came in. He could sense that something was horribly amiss. He looked around and found that Harry seemed to sense the same thing. Something's happened at Malfoy Manor, thought Draco.
"Attention everyone. Please may I have everyone's attention. The Headmaster has an announcement to make," said Professor McGonagall.
Every pair of eyes were directed to the front. "I am pleased to welcome back Professor Severus Snape. I would also like to welcome a special teacher, my grandson, Ryu Ran, who has arrived for a special event. The school will be holding a party in a fortnight to welcome these teachers back in our midst," announced Professor Dumbledore with his eyes twinkling.
"His grandson?" asked Ron out loud with his mouth hanging open. "But, he never said anything."
"You know him?" asked George.
Harry looked at Hermione and Ron. "Um…I was talking about Dumbledore," said Ron feebly.
His siblings didn't look the least bit convinced by his weak save. Harry saw how Draco Malfoy let out a breath. It seemed that he was breathing a sigh at relief. Indeed he was, with Professor Snape and Sensei Ran's presence, Draco had never felt safer.
The rest of the hall seemed to be talking all at once. Everyone was excited at the idea of having a party without a real special occasion. Snape and Lupin stood up together and left the hall. Draco knew that they were going to see Fiona. He stood up, but Potter stood up at the same time.
They glared at each other. Hermione and Ron tugged on sleeves of Harry's robes. There was a hush in the hall. The Hufflepuffs watched with opened mouths. The Ravenclaws looked back and forth between the boys. The Slytherins kept their eyes on Harry, and the Gryffindors kept their eyes trained on Draco.
Draco broke the stare first. He wasn't about to do childish staring contests with Potter. He swept off and left the Great Hall. Everyone else turned their attention at Harry, who begrudgingly took a seat.
"Harry…" started Ron as he put his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Get away from me," Harry hissed through his teeth. He knew where Draco was headed. He stood up. "Where are you going, Harry?" asked Hermione timidly.
"To send a note," he replied. He walked out of the hall as fast as he could to the owlery. The teachers looked shocked, except for Dumbledore and Ryu Ran.
Harry got to the owlery looking for Hedwig. He wrote a letter to Sirius.
Dear Sirius,
Did you know that Ryu Ran is the Headmaster's grandson? They've planned some kind of party, but you've probably heard from Remus. Snape's back. Of course, by the time you get this letter, you'll already know about it. I was wondering what you'll be doing during the party, which is two weeks from now. I really don't feel like attending.
Harry
He looked at it to make sure it was fine before summoning Hedwig, who watched him write the letter. "Take this and come back quick, okay?" he asked her. She nipped his fingers to reassure him before taking off.
He walked out on his own. He hoped that Sirius and Fiona weren't doing anything that night. He just wanted to disappear from the school. He just had to see her. His heart was aching for that much. He remembered how soft her hand was when she grabbed him earlier. He replayed all the horrible things he had done in front of her.
He didn't bother to go to class, instead he went off to his room. Ron and Hermione were not happy at all. Ron had to talk Hermione out of balling him out later for not coming to class. For Potions, they were pleasantly surprised to see Fleur Delacour still there.
She immediately noticed the absence of two of her students. She pursed her lips together to keep from smiling. It was fairly obvious that the boys had some kind of duel that wasn't easily resolved by just a single deciding battle.
However, Fleur wasn't completely happy. With Professor Snape back, she was sure that she would have to leave soon, but where was he?
*
"Who would have thought we'd be doing this, Severus?" asked Remus as they got to the Shrieking Shack.
"I would go through fire for my goddaughter, Lupin. Just because she's yours, too, is no concern of mine," said Severus sardonically.
"It took you long enough to get here," said another voice that met them at the hall.
"Mr. Malfoy, what are you doing here?" demanded Severus.
"I knew where you were going. I decided to come along," he replied with a shrug.
"I suppose it's no use to tell you that you should be in class?" asked Remus.
"No need. I'm practically studying underneath Sensei Ran these days. He's not here right now, but he's left me an obstacle course to do," he answered. "I have to go now. I think he's testing me, when he gets back."
The two men followed him until they separated at one point. Sirius was watching Fiona do some charm work, using the summoning charm. She stopped when she saw the purely hostile look on her father's face when the two men appeared.
Severus allowed Sirius one good glare, before turning his attention to Fiona. He was thunderstruck at how much she resembled her mother. His face softened. "Black."
"Snape."
"Hello? You must be the one who gave me the book," said Fiona shyly.
He had forgotten about the book he had purchased before she was born. He nodded curtly. "Your mother was my friend," said Severus simply.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Fiona politely as she looked at her father who was incredibly tense.
He gave her a rare smile. "Come and tell me about yourself," he told her.
"Okay, but there's not much," she said with a sigh. He walked with her with the two Marauders following closely behind. Sirius was worried about what Snape would do to her, and Remus had to stop Sirius from doing anything.
Before they could sit down Hedwig appeared with Harry's note. Sirius pulled it from her talons and gently stroked her feathers. "A snowy owl. It's beautiful," said Fiona. "Who's is it?"
"Harry Potter's," replied Remus.
"It's about the party that's coming up. Harry's wondering if I'll be attending it," said Sirius.
"That's when the meeting takes place. The party's supposed to serve as a distraction because the Order of the Phoenix is arriving for the meeting," said Remus.
Hedwig flew over to Fiona and clicked her beak. "Want some food, pretty owl?" offered Fiona. Hedwig took some food from the palm of her hand. Severus watched her actions. She had her mother's gentleness. "Dad, what's the owl's name?"
"Hedwig," said Sirius. "Fiona, I forgot to tell you about that big party that was coming up. It's a cover up for a very important meeting. You can't attend the meeting. I don't—"
"It's okay. I didn't want to go to a party anyway. I don't know anyone there other than Draco," said Fiona. "And I'm not supposed to be here anyway."
"You could come to the castle that night. I don't want you alone here," said Sirius.
"How responsible of you, Black," commented Severus.
"I'm sure I can find something to do. I don't have to come to the castle. Can't you put up some wards or something?" asked Fiona.
"No. You have to come to castle," insisted Sirus.
"Draco could take her," offered Remus thoughtfully.
"No, I can't," said Draco quietly. "Pansy Parkinson has already offered to be my escort, even though I'd much rather take Fiona. I just don't want to hear her high pitched whining."
"Is anyone listening to me? I don't want to go to the castle. I want to stay home," said Fiona.
"No. You're not staying home," repeated Sirius in a strict tone that Remus never imagined him ever using. He threw him a surprised look.
"There are other places on the grounds," said Snape thoughtfully. "There's the library. She'd be safe and sound on palace grounds that way."
"I can do my homework," said Fiona happily.
Sirius sighed. He wished he could allow her to attend the party, but she wasn't even supposed to be in England. He wanted to give her the chance to make more friends and to be a normal person. Furthermore, he didn't like her sounding happy about doing homework, while everyone else got to go to a party.
"As long as I can have a stash of candy in the library, it's fine," she added.
"You can't eat there. Madame Pince hardly lets anyone breathe in there," said Draco.
"If she's not there, then it makes no difference," she said with a shrug.
"Oh, for the love of Merlin—" started Draco before Snape held up a hand to stop them. He had taken part in a similar argument before. He knew what the outcome was going to be: Fiona was going to have her way; Draco would most likely end up with an injury somewhere on his body for crossing her.
"You can't eat in the library, but I'm sure that you can join the party once it's started without anyone noticing," said Snape.
"I don't want to go to the party. I hardly know anyone there. And I don't want to dress up for it," said Fiona.
"It's informal," said Remus.
"I still don't want to go. You can't make me. I want to stay home," said Fiona as she stood up.
"Don't leave again, you brat. That doesn't win an argument," said Draco as he reached out to stop her. She grabbed his hand and twisted his thumb. "OW!"
She released it and walked off. "Now that she got from me," said Sirius quietly. "She'll come to the castle. I'm not going to force her to go to the party."
"I never thought that you'd come up with a plan like that, Severus," said Remus.
"I could not care less for either of you," said Severus as he took a quick glance back and forth between Remus and Sirius. "I made a promise to Thalia. No harm shall come to my goddaughter as long as I am breathing."
Fiona stopped at the hall as she heard her father and godfathers talk. She slid down the wall and tucked her knees to her chest and hugged herself tightly. She didn't want to go to a party where everyone would just stare at her like she was a freak of nature. She didn't want anyone else to look at her. She felt plain. Very plain. She walked back to her room after a few minutes.
Her eyes fell on her mother's diary, which she flipped through until she spotted something that leaped at her. People tell me I am beautiful, wrote her mother, but I never believed it until I saw the way he looked at me. Only then did I feel beautiful. Only then did I feel perfect. I don't know, if I can go through the rest of my life without Sirius just looking at me when I feel my ugliest. I don't feel like I'm wrong or unworthy when he looks at me.
Fiona touched the words with her fingertips. Her father really was a wonderful man. She could only dream of finding someone who made her feel beautiful and perfect just by looking at her.
*
Harry managed to drag himself out of his room for dinner. The rest of the Gryffindor table looked up at him. Professor McGonagall looked at him with pursed lips. She was never so angry with him before. "Mr. Potter. Fifty points have been deducted from Gryffindor. You also have detention with Professor Lupin tonight, which has been doubled by me," she informed him.
Harry looked at her inexpressively. "What time?" he asked. "At seven, tonight, Mr. Potter," answered Professor McGonagall, thinking whether or not to take more points because of his tone. Everyone seemed to gasp at his tone of outright defiance. He took a seat at the end of the table away from Ron and Hermione. The Gryffindors should have been angry with him for getting so many points knocked off, but they were too afraid of his temper to say anything. Everyone else seemed to move away from him. He didn't care.
Hedwig had returned with a note from Sirius. Apparently, he was going to be at the castle during the party to meet with Professor Dumbledore. Fiona wasn't going to attend the party, but he didn't mention the reason.
At the end of dinner, Harry had to go see Professor Lupin for his detention, but Cho Chang had met him in the hall. "Harry, are you okay?" she asked.
"Fine," he replied. It was starting to become a habit for him to speak in monosyllabic terms.
"About the party. Everyone's going. I was wondering, if you wouldn't mind saving a dance for me?" she asked him brightly.
"Okay," he said as he went off for his detention.
Professor Lupin watched him enter the room. "You'll be here for the next three hours, Harry. I really didn't want it to come down to this. You didn't come to class today. Whatever your problem is, it's starting to effect everything in your life. Harry, you have to stop," said Remus.
Harry wanted to say what was wrong. He remembered that Remus was Fiona's godfather. He didn't want to explain to anyone how he felt. "What do you want me to do?" he asked.
"See, these tanks?" said Remus as he gestured at row of them. "Clean these and then tell me when you're done. I have papers to grade."
Remus was hoping that during the three hours, Harry would breakdown and fully explain himself. He worked hard during those hours, but he had said nothing. He needed to work off his energy as much as possible.
Remus thought about how much Harry really was like his father. James wouldn't have allowed for things to go as far as they did. He looked at the clock. "You can leave fifteen minutes early, Harry," he told him. Would James allow his son to get away with the way he was acting? Normally notes would have been sent home, but Harry's Muggle guardians hated him, so it made no difference. Sirius was informed, but Harry was still tight lipped.
"Thank you, Professor Lupin," he said.
"Wait, here's the homework assignments you missed. Please turn them in on time, Harry," said Professor Lupin.
Harry took them and nodded as he went off. He hated this whole thing. It didn't matter anymore to him. He went back to the tower to find people quietly chatting or studying. Ron and Hermione looked up at him.
"Harry, here's some of the other assignments we have to do," said Ron quietly.
"Have a seat," said Hermione.
Harry took a seat and started to work on the assignments. He was only pretending to work, and Hermione noticed immediately. "Harry, your homework isn't going to do itself," she pointed out.
"I don't care. I don't care about anything," muttered Harry. "What's the point of all this?"
"Hey, Harry, I thought you'd be happy," said Ron, more quietly. "Cho Chang did offer to dance with you during the party. It saved you the trouble of asking."
"Like I said before, what's the point?" he asked again as he stood up. He didn't give a damn anymore. Not about anything.
He decided not to go to sleep. He had to escape. Sleeping led to dreaming, which didn't provide any escape for him.
*
Fiona couldn't stand it. She couldn't go to sleep. She tossed and turned until she finally got out of bed. Why was she so restless? She decided to go and look at the stars again, but she decided not to do it there. She changed clothes and glanced at the wizards clock that said "In Bed." She tapped it to show the Muggle time. It was 11:40.
She tiptoed out of her room to find that the doors were closed and the fire in the fireplace was now reduced into low embers. She was sure that her father was asleep. She had her wand in her hand and went towards the secret passage that led to Hogwarts. She had never gone through it on her own, but she knew her way inside.
Look at me. I'm truly pathetic. I'm probably the only person in the world who's trying to sneak into a school. But those towers. They're perfect for star gazing. I just have to go up there just once. If I don't, I might regret it, thought Fiona as she went through the tunnel. "Lumos," she had whispered just before entering.
Magic wasn't really that hard to learn for her. It was a natural aptitude. She came to the castle, but didn't know of a secret way in. All the other times, she had either not entered the castle or went through the regular entrance because all the students were in class, so they wouldn't see her at those times.
"Great," she muttered. Her father knew the castle inside and out. What she wouldn't give for the Marauders' Map right then. Worst yet, her ancestor was one of the original creators of Hogwarts, why couldn't she find an entrance. She could see a lantern light approaching her. It was Filch doing his nightly rounds. "Nox," she whispered.
She pressed up against the wall. Little did she know, she hit a secret passage that gave under her touch. Indeed, she was an heir of Slytherin. The heir wouldn't have a problem getting in and out of Salazar Slytherin's creation. She ducked inside and the entrance closed behind her. She was tempted just to turn around and go back the way she came.
Instead, she stepped forward and looked around. The paintings were sleeping in their frames. The staircases were settled for the evening. There was a low light in the candle holders and lanterns. She marveled at the beauty of all it. She saw the stars shining down at one staircase, and she suddenly remembered what drew her to the castle.
Taking a deep breath, she started to walk the staircase. She climbed and climbed. It was the highest she had ever had to climb just to see the stars. The closer she climbed the happier she became. The more light she felt.
She gasped when she saw the stars. It was impossibly beautiful. The sky was clear. She was so high up that for a moment she could fool herself into being able to touch the stars. She reached out for a moment and smiled.
Remember, Fiona. The stars in the sky follow you wherever you go. They will be there just when you need them the most. Always remember that. Fiona smiled and remembered her mother's words.
Harry wore his invisibility cloak as he wandered the halls. He stopped for a moment when he saw someone walking as well. It was Fiona Black. He didn't know what mischief she was planning, but followed her up a staircase. She was unaware of him. He was thinking that she was foolish for coming to the school without a cloak like his or the map.
He stopped at the doorway of the tower she had climbed. It wasn't the astronomy tower, but another one. She had climbed it to the top. She smiled as she gazed at the stars. How could someone risk that much to come here just to look at the stars?, marveled Harry. He smiled as she smiled.
He made a decision. He couldn't stand just watch her and being ignored. He stepped back into the shadows for a moment and took of his cloak. He walked back towards the doorway, but she had collided with his chest.
Fiona gasped as she pulled back from him. Thank goodness it was dark enough. Otherwise both would have been able to see the other blush. She knew it was him the moment she looked up at him. She stumbled back again, but he caught her hand.
"I'm sorry," she muttered as he released her hand.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, even though knew the answer.
"The stars. I couldn't sleep, so I came to see the stars," she whispered.
He gazed into her eyes for a moment. She bit her lip. "I just had to come here. This is the highest place I've ever been to see them. It's like being close enough to touch them."
Harry was too nervous to say anything. They were completely alone on the tower. He felt scared, but elated at the same time. His heart was beating so quickly he felt like the Hogwarts Express on the first of September.
"I'll get out of your way now," said Fiona quietly. He wasn't talking to her. She felt like she had stolen into his domain. She walked passed him, leaving him slightly stunned.
Pausing at the doorway, she asked him the question she had been dreading to ask, "Do you hate me?" Her voice was small.
Harry's back was to her, but she noticed how he straightened up. "Why would you ask that?" he asked in amazed voice.
"Because you should. Don't worry about Draco. I told him not to say anything about the fight. You won't get into any trouble for it. Did you get into trouble for it? I'm sorry. I just babble when I get nervous," she said quickly.
"Why would you care, if I got into trouble or not?"
She bit her lip as he turned around and strode up to her. She stepped back from him. Harry realized that she was more afraid of him than he was of her. He couldn't blame her because of the way he had grabbed her earlier.
"I should be the last person to cause you any trouble. Especially because…" she trailed off. She lifted her hand up and pulled back for moment. Finally, she moved the hair that covered his forehead. Her fingers felt cool as she touched the fourteen-year-old scar on his head. "I am sorry. I know that's weak. I don't blame you, if you hated me. I'm not asking for your forgiveness because what happened to you is unforgivable." Her hand dropped to her side.
Her eyes held his steadily. All he could do was look at her. She bit her lip. Her eyes were sad. She didn't want him to hate her. She couldn't bear it if he did. "I know that we can't really be friends. At least, we can be civil to each other for my father's sake. I'll stay out of your way," she whispered. She turned to leave.
"Please stay," said Harry, "I don't want to be alone." She stopped right then and walked up to him. She gave him a smile.
For the first time in weeks, Harry had a real smile on his face.
AN: Aw. So sweet and sad at the same time. The next chapter will be more fluffy. "I like FLUFFY!" – Stitch, Lilo and Stitch. Harry's temper will taper now. The Order of the Phoenix is having a huge meeting during the party. There'll still be fluffy. See ya, then.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Nope. Nope. Nope. ^^