Zara: Well, I'm not sure where this fic is going really. It just seems to be going somewhere though. ::shrugs:: but enjoy nonetheless
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. . .I wish then I'd be the rich one. . .Muhahaha. . .I'm calm now.
* * * *
The snow fell lazily around the trio as they made their way to Hagrid's house. It was like someone shook a snow globe and made the world seem whiter. Harry laughed as he watched Ron trip and fall face first into a snow bank.
"How on earth did you trip?" Harry asked, bending down to help his friend up.
"Uh. . ." Ron muttered, an evil glint twinkling in his eyes.
Hermione saw and warned, "Uh-oh, Harry, he's up to something!"
But it was too late for Harry to do anything for Ron had already grabbed his arm, and yanked him into the snow bank, and the snow fight had begun. Ron threw a snowball at Hermione, trying to get her in on the fun, but she stepped nimbly out of the way and slowly began to walk again, grinning.
It was their sixth year at Hogwart's and despite the Dark Lord aka Voldemort rising again, and everyone seemed to have forgotten that little factor as the Christmas spirit was taken by everyone. Sure, after Christmas the fear would return, but alias it was a merry time and all wanted to be with their families.
Hermione reached Hagrid's door and knocked gently on it, waiting for it to open and reveal a cheerful Hagrid. But she was wrong and did not expect to see Hagrid upset as he opened the door and mumbled, "Hiya Hermione."
Instantly alert, she stepped in and asked, softly, "Hagrid, what is the matter?"
Hagrid glanced out the door to see that Ron and Harry were still going at it with the snow balls and replied, "Best to wait fer 'Arry and Ron."
"Alright. . . Mind if I make us some tea, then, while we wait for the boys to calm down a bit?" Hermione asked, taking off her cloak, and going to the kitchen area to get the stuff.
Hagrid smiled a real smile. "Hermione, yeh go right 'head." He told her shutting the door, knowing that Ron and Harry would probably be out there for awhile.
* * * *
Harry threw a snowball at Ron, which hit him square in the face. "Ha ha! Gotcha Ron!" Harry yelled and ducked as Ron threw one back at him.
"Hey, Harry, where's Hermione?" Ron suddenly asked, looking around. "Did she just leave us?"
Harry shrugged as he glance around. "She probably went ahead to talk to Hagrid. Say, how long have we been out here?" He asked, standing up and brushing himself off.
"I dunno. For awhile, I think." Ron replied. He shivered. "I'm getting cold and I think I'm wet." He stood up as well and grinned. "And I bet Hagrid's got a nice warm fire going on as well."
Harry grinned. "I'll race you!" He said and before Ron could reply he was already off, running.
"Hey, no fair!" Ron yelled, taking off after his friend.
The two teens ran the short distance to Hagrid's house, with Harry winning. He waited at the door to catch his breath, when Ron caught up to him. Ron threw him a dirty look and grumbled, "That wasn't fair, Potter! You could have waited!"
Harry laughed and reached for the door knob, ready to open it when Ron slipped, fell against Harry and the two fell through the door in which Hagrid had opened for them. Hermione laughed at the sight at of them, sprawled on the floor, all tangled and snow everywhere.
"Did you two have a fun time?" She teased, reaching down and helping her friends up. Realizing that the two were shivering she ushered them to the fireplace and handed each a hot cup of tea.
Harry and Ron nodded, each muttering a "thank-you" to Hermione as they took their tea and gingerly sat down on the wooden floor near the warm, blazing fire.
"Harry is a bit unfair, though," Ron told them. "He wants a race and yet, he gets a head start."
Harry laughed. "It's your fault your so slow, Ron!" He teased, taking a sip. He rolled his eyes as Ron just stuck out his tongue.
Hermione glanced at Hagrid to see if his mood had improved and to her surprise it did. He was smiling down at the two boys, and he caught her looking, he gave her a wink.
"Hagrid," She whispered, "did you still want to tell us what's bothering you?"
Hagrid glanced at the boys again to see that their spirits were high, and that they were still teasing one another. "No, 'Ermione, they seem to be in a good mood. It's good for 'Arry to be in a good mood despite the recent events in the past year or two." He told her quietly.
Hermione tilted her head. "Are you sure, Hagrid?"
"Yes, Hermione. . .Why don't yeh go sit next to them?" Hagrid suggested.
"Hmmm. . . I suppose but ---" Hermione started to say but never got a chance to finish her sentence for Ron had yelled, "Harry!" and she spun around in time to see Harry collapse, dropping his tea cup, shattering .
Ignoring the shattered pieces, Ron lunged forward, trying to soften Harry's fall. He caught his friends head in time and gasped as his knee leaned on some of the broken glass.
"Hermione, get a pillow. . .!" Ron gasped, moving the shards away so she could place the pillow there.
She shoved a pillow in the spot and helped Ron settle Harry onto it. Both of them noticed that his scar was burning through Harry's hand. They looked up at one another, both locking eyes, both knowing that Lord Voldemort was somewhere near if Harry's scar was starting to act up.
"Either You-Know-Who is near or danger is very near," Ron whispered quietly.
"Harry, Harry!" Hermione cried desperately, wanting her friend to wake up. She gently shook him.
But Harry was not waking up. . .For Harry's eyes may be closed but he was seeing something that the other's could not see. He was seeing Lord Voldemort. . .
* * * *
Harry flinched and winced as his scar kept burning him. He flung a hand up to his forehead, his eyes squeezed shut at the intense pain. Hearing voices he cautiously opened his eyes to see that he was no longer in Hagrid's house, that there was no Ron or Hermione or Hagrid.
He was somewhere entirely different. Somewhere far, somewhere that was miles away from Hogwarts. He knew he was dreaming, that he was seeing something. That his real body was at Hagrid's house. . .Yet this itself felt entirely real.
Where am I? Harry thought, cautiously sitting up and looking around. He noticed that he was in an old house, that there were only oil lamps around and about. Standing up, he fought a wave of dizziness that almost sent him reeling back into blackness. . .
The voices he heard earlier came back, and it seemed like they were getting closer to him. Looking around the room, he found a spot to hide, in case the visitors weren't something he didn't want to deal with.
He quietly hide behind a cornered lazy-a-boy chair in the corner and just in time for all too familiar voices came into the room.
"But, My Lord, every attempt we have made for the Potter boy has been unsuccessful." Came a quivering voice.
"Quiet, Wormtail!" Snarled Voldemort. "I am quite of aware of this. It seems like all of Dumbledore's plans of protecting the boy seems to have worked. And it is getting quite annoying that none, NONE, of my plans have worked."
Harry blinked. Lately, in the summer holidays, instead of going to the Dursley's , Harry has been going to the Weasley's. The Dursley's never really cared; they hadn't missed him and needed the space back anyhow. Whereas the Weasley's were more than please to have him over as if they knew something that he did not.
"What shall we do, Lord?" Wormtail quivered a question.
"I don't know yet. . .Get out!" Snapped Voldemort. "Give me time to think, I shall come up with yet another plan. But this plan will not fail. Oh no, Harry Potter will join his parent's and die."
Harry shivered, and then his scar started to burn again. "Ow!" He gasped, a little too loudly and then realizing too late what he did, flung a hand over his mouth.
"What was that?" Voldemort hissed, his face swiveling toward Harry's direction. "Wormtail, check this room. NOW." He ordered.
Wormtail started in the direction of Harry, shivering not of the cold but of the fear of his master. He was about to check behind the chair, revealing Harry's hiding spot when the pain in his scar intensified and before Wormtail could check, Harry vanished.
"There's no one here, my Lord," Wormtail said, looking behind the chair.
"Hmmm, maybe not now. . ." Voldemort replied quietly, "but maybe a few seconds ago. Check the whole house to make sure. NOW."
Wormtail ran out of the room quickly, not wanting to anger the Dark Lord. Voldemort smiled coldly and whispered, "I know you were here Harry Potter. How you manage, I want to know."
With that he stared into the flames as they grew brighter, his mind on a plan to destroy the Potter boy.
* * * *
Harry gasped, as he woke up. He felt someone shaking him gently and calling his name. As his eyes became focused, he realized that he was no longer in Hagrid's house but in the hospital wing of the school and that it was Dumbledore that was shaking him awake and saying his name.
"Harry, Harry," Dumbledore said gently. "Are you alright, my boy?"
"I-I'm fine," Stammered Harry, sitting up. "Where's- where's Hermione and Ron and Hagrid?"
"Right here," Came a worried voice on Harry's left. He turned to see that all three of his friends were all staring at him with concern.
"Oh, Harry, you were out for so long, that . . .that Hagrid had to carry you to the hospital wing and to send for Dumbledore. . .Are you okay?" Hermione said all in one breath.
Ron looked a little pale and he added, "You really scared me there, Harry. Hermione was right, you were out for so long. . ."
"I- I- thanks. . ." Harry whispered, looking at Hagrid. "I- I'm okay, really." He then looked at Hermione who had tears shining in her eyes and to Ron who was getting some color back.
"I'm glad yer alright Harry," Hagrid told him. "And I'd like to stay but I 'ave got to go do some things. I'll check up on ye in a bit."
"Thanks, Hagrid," Harry said again, and watched as his friend walk out of the hospital room. He turned to Dumbledore, who seemed to be waiting patiently for him to start speaking.
"Professor," Harry started, as he touched his scar, "I-I saw him. And Wormtail."
Hermione and Ron both gasped, trading uneasy looks with one another. Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly and nodded as if he expected this. He stared into Harry's green eyes and waited for him to carry on.
"They. . .were talking about how every time-every time," he faltered, "that they got near me to kill me their plan always got spoiled. And that it was getting rather annoying. . .And-and-"
"And what, Harry?" Dumbledore asked gently.
"I gasped out loud I think, they heard me though. Voldemort ordered Wormtail to search the room and he came in my direction and then I woke up here. . .But-but they're working on a plan to-to actually get to me this time."
"No!" Cried Hermione. She spun to the Headmaster. "Professor Dumbledore, you can't let anything happen to Harry!" She pleaded.
"Nothing's going to happen to Harry," Dumbledore told her calmly. "We'll just protect him the best we can."
"Besides," Ron said, and everyone else looked at him, "Harry is Harry Potter. He has seen and been with You-Know-Who and has come out alive each time. You're strong and unique like that, Harry. You know, whatever happens, happens and Harry is always going to be alive."
"Mr. Weasley is right, Miss Granger." Dumbledore told her.
"I wish I had that confidence," muttered Hermione, although no one seemed to have heard her for Harry agreed with both Ron and Dumbledore.
"Hermione, don't worry. Professor Dumbledore and Ron are both right. I can survive. I have for the last six or so years, and when I was a baby." Harry told her quietly. "I think one more time won't. . .won't kill me."
"B-but you don't know that, Harry!" Hermione cried angrily. "Maybe the next time you get near You-know-who, it may be the very last time!"
"Hermione!" Ron said, his voice breaking, "stop saying that! Nothing's going to happen to Harry!"
Harry grabbed her hands and told her quietly, looking straight into her eyes, "Nothing is going to happen to me, Hermione. I won't let it. Professor Dumbledore won't let it. I have a lot of people protecting me, Hermione." He paused. "And I have a feeling as soon as you leave here, you're going to go up to the library to find some of protecting spell. . ."
Hermione smiled a little. "How you know me, Harry Potter!" She replied. She leaned forward and gave him a hug. "I just don't want anything to happen to you, Harry, you're my friend!" She whispered into his ear.
"As you are mine," he simply replied.
"And I suppose I'm chopped liver, huh?" Teased Ron, grinning as Harry and Hermione both laughed and dragged him into their hug.
Professor Dumbledore smiled as the group of friends laughed and giggled, momentarily forgetting what had happened. Dumbledore stood up and walked away quietly, knowing that Harry was in good hands. His friends would always be there, by his side, to help him through whatever he had to endure.
And one of the reasons why Harry Potter would never die. He had qualities that Voldemort did not have and did not understand. He was well protected just by that.
* * * *
Draco Malfoy's cold eyes searched the school halls for something or rather, someone. Usually over the holidays, he'd go home and spend the time there. But he had a feeling that he was not wanted at home and signed up to stay at the school over the weeks.
Leaning against the stone walls in a relaxed pose, he smirked at people avoided him. It was a wonderful feeling, having people simply fearing you because you were a Malfoy. And that you're father was powerful as well.
Suddenly, the person he was waiting for, was walking down the halls. Only of course, he had his friends flanked by his side, as if he was someone truly special. Scorn flickered across Draco's face and a hint of jealously shined in his eyes.
What in blazes is so special about Harry Potter? He thought to himself, pushing himself off of the wall, and went about to block Harry's way.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Snapped Harry, his green eyes flashing.
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger both crossed their arms across their chest and glared at him. As if they were daring him to touch Harry.
"Oh, nothing, just wanting how you're fairing after the Quidditch game with Ravenclaw." Draco answered lazily, aware of the other students stopping to listen.
"Hmm, how nice of you to care, Malfoy," Hermione replied coldly. "As I remember, the match was weeks ago."
"Did I ask you to interfere with my conversation with Potter, Granger?" Draco replied icily.
"Anything you have to say to Harry, you can say to us as well, Malfoy," Ron stated.
Harry smiled, glad that his friends were by his side. Sure, he could do fine without them, but he was glad that they were willing to fight for him and with him. He took a step and shrugged as he walked past Draco.
"I'm quite fine, Malfoy. You needn't worry, I'll be fine and ready to catch the snitch before you in our next match." Harry said, ignoring the pink that started to appear on Draco's face.
Ron and Hermione both raised their eyebrows at Draco, smirked and followed Harry, both resisting the urge to burst into laughter at the expression on Draco's face.
"You'll regret that, Potter!" Draco shouted after the trio, but they ignored it with a burst of laughter.
"I reckon you got the best of him on that round, Harry," Ron told him, grinning. "You should've seen his face! It was bloody brilliant!"
"Why is here anyways? I mean," Hermione wondered, "he's usually gone for the holidays."
Harry stopped walking and Ron nearly bumped into him. Hermione walked around the two agilely and faced them. She wore a puzzled look and she could tell by the looks on Ron and Harry's faces, that they never once thought about the fact that Draco was staying at Hogwarts for the holidays.
"It is a bit odd, you know," She pointed out.
"You're right Hermione," Harry said slowly. "Why is Malfoy here?"
"Shouldn't he be at his nice house with his nice family. . ." Ron said and then sniggered. "Sorry. . ."
Hermione gave him a look and snapped, "Will you be serious, Ron?"
"Whoa, Hermione, calm down, alright?" Harry told her. "Let's go to the common room and think about this. . .It does seem a little fishy and I'd rather we talk about it where no one can hear us."
"Good idea, Harry," Hermione replied and the two of them started in the direction of the common room, leaving Ron in the middle of the hall, staring after the two.
"When will I be able to come up with brilliant ideas?" He groaned and then rolled his eyes as he shouted for them to wait up for him.
* * * *
Ron was attempting to do his Potions homework and listen to Harry and Hermione talk. Fuming quietly to himself about not doing his homework earlier and not later, he slammed his homework closed and groaned.
"I'm so not getting anywhere!" He explained at the startled looks from his friend's faces. He sighed. "I'll have to attempt the rest later. Tonight isn't working."
"Well now you know to do it earlier, hmmm?" Hermione replied but Ron didn't raise to the bait and blinked at something seemed a little out of place in the common room.
"Ron," Harry said, noticing his friends' behavior, "Ron, what's the matter?"
"Shush," Ron whispered quietly as he walked silently to the fireplace, placing his hand on the stones, his eyes searching for something. "Something's not right. . ."
Harry and Hermione glanced at one another and both quickly went to where Ron was standing, wondering what was up. Harry gently touched Ron's shoulder but to his surprise, Ron yelped and jumped back, falling against the wall.
"Ron!" Hermione cried, ready to go to him but Ron's voice cried, "No, don't, Hermione!" and she stopped.
"What is going on?" Harry asked, confused.
Ron shook his head. "Someone's been here, Harry. Someone that isn't in Gryffindor." He replied quietly.
"They can't get in unless they know our password!" Hermione pointed out. "There is no way for anyone to get into this room otherwise."
"I'm aware of that, Hermione. But look at the fire place closely." Ron told her, standing up, and rubbing his head, wincing. "I didn't want you to come at me and help me cuz it might ruin the evidence that someone was here."
Something clicked in Harry's mind. "Floo powder?" He guessed.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, see here and here. . .that's floo powder. That isn't ordinary coal dust or whatever." He explained.
"Oh. And you saw this from where we were sitting?" Hermione asked, a skeptical tone in her voice. "I wouldn't have noticed."
Ron grimaced. "My family travels by floo powder often enough for me to know what it looks like. It even has a certain smell to it and I think that was what got my attention." He explained.
"But. . .but you can't. . .its just not possible for anyone to do it!" Hermione stammered.
Ron sighed. "I know, Hermione, I know. . . Enchantments and spells stops anyone from getting in. . .but let's face it. . ."He stopped, staring at Harry. "Your room!" He said suddenly.
The three of them did not say another word but all ran up the stairs to the boys dormitory and into the room that Harry was staying in, only to find it completely and utterly trashed.
"Someone is after you, Harry," Ron said quietly as he stopped and stared into the mirror in which a message was written on it. Hermione and Harry stood next to him Ron read the message, which seemed to be in dried mud, "Harry Potter, you're to die just like your meddlesome parents."
Hermione paled a bit. "Who would. . .who would do a thing like that?" She asked. "It's a threat, but not a very good one, but. . .they're getting the message out."
"I can only think of one person who wants me dead, right now." Harry said grimly.
"Um, You-know-who?" Ron asked, raising both eyebrows.
"Of course. And all his supporters as well." Harry answered.
"Oh, dear." Hermione said in a quiet voice. "Things aren't looking too good at the moment. . ."
* * * *
Zara: Please review! If you don't it hurts my feelings and yeah, I don't know. Just. . .um, review? pretty please? Thankies.
And if you want me to continue, let me know in the review. . .I kinda have an idea where this is going but I'll need motivation. Even if its just one person! Thankies.