Okay, here's Part or Chapter 2 of "A Plot to Kill". It doesn't really explain a lot but it's starting to pick up. . .On my part that is. . . So enjoy and please remember to review-- it'd make me happy ^^
Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own Harry Potter. Only the plot. Yep. So, go somewhere else for money. Thank you and good-bye. . .Oh, and like I said, enjoy the fic!
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Hermione yet again was giving Harry a cup of hot tea, as she, Ron and Harry were in the Great Hall, near the great fire place. After realizing what had happened, Percy sent for Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall and had the young teens ushered out of the room to have it inspected.
After, of course, Dumbledore and McGonagall had questioned the three. Then the professors agreed with Percy that the three should probably go down and get some hot tea and some food, for they have been through quite a day.
"Ok, this is some holiday here," Ron muttered darkly, staring into the flames. "I mean we go to Hagrid's not only to have Harry black out on us, but something to do with You-Know-Who and then we have a nice run in with Malfoy and then to find that Harry's room was trashed with a nice message." Sarcasm was starting to appear in his tone. "Yep, a nice, lovely holiday we're having."
Harry and Hermione stared at him.
Ron looked up to see them staring. "What? What??" he asked. "What'd I do?"
Hermione giggled. "Nothing, Ron, nothing." She replied, as she exchanged a look with Harry.
"Sounds like you're having a wonderful day there, Potter," Came a cold voice from behind the there.
Ron yelped in surprise, throwing his cup of hot tea into the air. Horrified, both Harry and Hermione were too slow to act, but the cup of tea fell right on Draco's head. It cracked and shattered, spilling the hot tea all over the young Slytherin.
Draco yelped and jumped back a step, hatred flashing at his eyes. He glared at Ron. He whipped out his wand and pointed it at him.
"You're going to pay for that, Weasley!" Draco snarled.
"Draco, it was an accident!" Ron snapped angrily, ready to lunge at the other boy. But he couldn't for Hermione and Harry had a hold of his sweater and held him back.
"Malfoy, I suggest you leave," Harry said, mildly. He was not scared of Malfoy and his wand, and knew that if anything happened, they'll probably end up at the hospital wing and then word would get around, and Draco would get into trouble.
Unless of course, Professor Snape heard about it first and came up to them, then it would be their fault.
Draco knew all of this as well. And he was aware that Harry and his friends were also aware. Snarling, he put his wand away, never taking his eyes off of Ron and Harry. Hermione had edged around and was behind Draco.
"Yes, Malfoy, I suggest you leave," Hermione chimed in, smiling sweetly. "No one here to back you up, hmmm?"
"No Crabbe and Goyle? Aww, poor Draco Malfoy with out his backup to protect him," taunted Ron.
"Okay, guys, shut up, stop being mean to him," Harry told them, "we all know he can't do anything to us with out them."
Draco's lips twisted into a scowl and he stalked off, wishing he had the last word but he was planning on revenge. He'd take it out on Potter on the day that Slytherin and Gryffindor had their Quidditch match.
Ron relaxed somewhat and sighed angrily. "I really did not mean to do that! As if I was brave enough to do it on purpose. . ." He retorted, collecting the broken pieces of glass.
"It's okay, Ron, we thought it was somewhat humorous." Harry replied, grinning.
"Up until the part he whipped out his wand," Hermione replied, rolling her eyes. "Like attacking someone in anger is going to do any help."
"Humph, anger management. . ." Ron muttered. He sighed. "I'm tired of waiting. Why can't we go to our dorms?" He asked, shifting his weight restlessly.
Hermione stared at him. "Ron," she started, "that is a very good question."
"Um, why?" Ron asked confused.
"Because, because, well, when the last time Harry's room was destroyed, looking for Tom Riddle's diary, nothing like this happened." Hermione explained. She frowned, looking at the two boys. "So, why this time, does it take the Headmaster and a Professor to look through the room?"
"Maybe they know something that we don't," Ron hazarded a guess.
"Maybe," Harry replied, "but whatever it is, I don't think I like it too much, you guys. This doesn't feel right."
"I agree with you on this one, Harry," Hermione said softly. "There is more to the story than what anyone's letting on."
"The only question is," Ron said, "what is it? What do they know that they're not telling Harry?"
The three exchanged puzzled glances, all wanting to know the answer to Ron's question.
* * * *
Draco gritted his teeth and he walked back to his common house. He was seething with anger and annoyance at Potter and his friends. How dare they gang up on him and taunt him.
How dare they? Do they not know who he was? Who his father was? To mess with him like that, they'll regret it in the end. They'd wish they'd never meet Draco Malfoy once he was done with them.
Oh, yes, he had a plan.
Smiling evilly, he said the password and entered the Slytherin tower, a plan forming in his mind on how he was going to make famous Harry Potter and his sidekicks, pay for what they've done to him.
Oh, yes, they were going to pay.
* * * *
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger," came a voice from behind them. They turned to see Professor McGonagall standing there, careful to keep her expression neutral. "You may return to your dormitory now." She told the Gryffindors.
"So, Professor, what exactly did you and Professor Dumbledore do to our dorms?" Ron asked, beating Harry to the question. "Did you find anything?"
Professor McGonagall gave him a stern look, but Ron did his best to look innocent and curious. She then realized that Harry and Hermione were also looking at her. She sighed, realizing that if anyone had a right to know, it would be Harry and Ron for it was their room.
"Alright, follow me, if you would," She told them, also involving Hermione, knowing that the boys would tell her anyways.
She led the trio into her class room and nodded her heads at the desks. "Sit. I think this may take awhile." She told them.
Exchanging glances, the three did not protest, but sat down quietly. Professor McGonagall paced the room as she began to talk.
"As you all know, it is impossible to enter this castle by some sort of spell or just Apparating in here." She paused, looking at Ron. "What you saw and smelled was indeed Floo Powder. I don't know how you managed to pick up on that, Mr. Weasley, but I am glad you did."
"Humph, I was attempting to do my Potions work," Ron grumbled in response. "I was concentrating on anything but that." He paused, noticing the look on Professor McGonagall's face. "Yes, Professor, I've finally learned that maybe I should do my work earlier in vacation that to wait last minute." He sighed. "After all these years. . .I've finally learned!"
Hermione couldn't help but smiling and neither could Harry or the Professor. Ron always managed to cheer the crowd up a little, even if the circumstances were a little grim.
"But Professor, how did they manage to get in here? It isn't possible, is it?" Hermione asked, tilting her head.
"Normally, no. But we checked the room and the common room and the enchantment spells were up." Professor McGonagall replied. "We still haven't found out how the culprit got through."
Ron shrugged. "Unless they're apart of members guarding and keeping the enchantments up and in check." He said, frowning.
"That is an aspect of the angle that we have not thought about, Mr. Weasley," Professor McGonagall replied, a hint of surprise and approval in her tone. "I shall discuss this further at length with Professor Dumbledore."
"Ron, you must be getting smart as the years go by!" Harry teased.
Ron merely rolled his eyes and replied, "And trouble still is attracted to you, so I wouldn't talk, Potter!"
Professor McGonagall smiled. "Try not to worry too much, Mr. Potter," She told him. "If something is a-miss I'm sure either I or Professor Dumbledore will find it and take care of ourselves." She paused. "In the meantime, your dormitory is back to normal and we even put some spells to keep you all safe. Maybe the culprit will try something again and this time we'll catch them if they do."
"That makes me a feel tad bit better, Professor," Ron replied, "but I still have a bad feeling about this, whether or not you don't."
"I agree with Ron on this one, Professor McGonagall," Harry said slowly. "But we'll be careful from now on."
Hermione nodded her head and Professor McGonagall gave a tight smile. "I know you three will be careful, but Mr. Weasley is right. . .You attract trouble, Mr. Potter, as the bees are attracted to honey." She told them. She sighed. "But please keep your word and be careful from now on."
The three Gryffindors nodded their heads and soon after that were released to go about their daily business, and were to promise again to keep out of trouble.
"I don't like this," Hermione said, as they made their way back to their common room, "not at all."
"You're not the only one, Hermione," Ron responded and Harry simply nodded, too focused on his own thoughts.
****
An owl flew into the Great Hall, neatly dropping a rolled up note on Harry's books. The three had decided, after checking their dorms were indeed "safe" and put together, to lounge around and do their schoolwork. Well, only Ron had a lot to do, Harry was finishing his up.
Hermione's eyebrows shot up as the letter rolled to a stop before falling over the edge of the book and onto the floor. Ron, glad to have at least some what of a distraction, looked up and asked, "Who's it from, Harry."
Harry unrolled it and replied, "Hagrid." Then he motioned his friends to come closer as he let them read what their friend wrote:
Harry,
As soon as you, Hermione and Ron get a chance, come to my house. Someone' here wanting to see and speak to you.
Hagrid
"I wonder who?" Hermione replied, a little curious.
Harry shrugged, trying to rack his brains for an answer but it was Ron who beat him to the answer, as he bent over his books again, trying to finish his homework.
"Well, it's obvious," Ron told them, ignoring their looks, "For its Sirius who wants to talk to you, Harry. And maybe Lupin. For they both are in hiding still."
Harry blinked. "Of course!" He replied. "The two probably got the news of the floo powder and my room being raided already! And want to know if I'm okay."
"Yeah, that and your little visionary dream there talking to You-Know-Who," Ron added.
"Stop!" Hermione suddenly shouted, and both boys looked at her confused. She glared at Ron. "I don't know who you are, but you have got to stop! I usually say all the obvious facts and-and statements! Me! Not Harry, not you, me!"
Ron blinked, then a grin flickered across his face. "Oh well, then I'm thinking I'm out of character, hmm?" He said slowly.
"W-what?" Hermione stammered, now confused. She peered at Ron closely and gasped, grabbing Harry's arm. "Harry, that is not Ron!!"
Ron chuckled. "Oh, dear girl, you are so correct. . ." A voice not Ron's answered, and both Harry and Hermione jumped out of their seats, utterly confused and a little scared. "I am not Ron. . .Hardly at all. He's been missing for awhile now. . ."
"But- but that's not possible!" Hermione protested, trying to figure it out. "We would've noticed by now that you weren't Ron. . .And- and he would have figured out the floo powder!"
Ron's face broke into a grin. "Of course. You almost had me fooled there, Miss Granger. . .If you hadn't gotten suspicious of Ron being so smart all of a sudden. . .None of this would have happened."
"Hold on a minute," Harry suddenly said. "I'm curious as to know. . .Are you on my side or the opposing side?"
Ron's grin broke even wider. "Why, Mr. Potter, I'm on your side!" Came the shocking reply.
* * *
Hagrid poured his two guests some hot tea and handed them the cups. He looked over, wondering how Harry was going to take this sudden news.
"You don't think Sirius would become over zealous and come out a little early, do you think, Mr. Lupin?" Ron asked, trying to steady his hands so he could hold the tea cup without shaking too much.
Lupin glanced over at Ron. He raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, he was a bit excited over this plan, indeed. . ."He said, then sighed. "Yes, I think he might come out a little too early."
"Either that or Hermione would have figured it out," Ron said thoughtfully. He sighed and set his cup back down; he had no such luck in keeping his hands steady.
"Ron, please try to drink your tea," Lupin said softly. "You need the strength; you've been out for a while and I didn't think you were going to be out that long."
Ron nodded and picked up his tea again.
"Can he eat somethin', Lupin?" Hagrid asked, from the fire place, boiling some more water, knowing he was about to have more guests.
Lupin shook his head. "No, I suggest not. He might not be able to handle it if he tried." He answered, feeling sorry for the red-head, who looked pale and a little sick. "I didn't think that this would you effect this badly, Ron, other wise I wouldn't have suggested it. I'm sorry."
Ron gulped some of his tea and shook his head slowly. "No, no, Mr. Lupin, it's quite alright, I agreed with the plan even when you said what could happen." He replied back. "I made the choice, so it isn't really any one's fault."
Lupin smiled at the red-headed boy, having grown fond of him over the past couple of days. He thought Ron had grown up since their last couple of meanings. He wasn't sure what it was, but something did seem different about Ron and it was a good change in Lupin's opinion.
Ron set his tea down and stirred a little, thinking. He knew his mother hadn't approved of the plan that Lupin presented to her and wished that Ron did not agree to do it. Yet Ron had a feeling that he had to do it and he took up the opportunity and agreed. Yet Sirius got to be with Harry and deep down inside, Ron was jealous. He was Harry's best friend and the two had been through the thick and the thin.
"You okay, there, Ron?" Lupin asked, noticing his sudden silence.
"I'm feeling a little bit better, if that's what you're wondering," Ron replied, sighing a little.
"That's good but I meant are you okay, as in is anything bothering you as of late?"
"Well. . .sort of. But it's stupid," Ron said, lamely, feeling stupid for saying anything at all.
"Tell me, Ron, please." Lupin requested softly. "It might help you to get it off your chest and off your mind some."
Ron bit his lip. "It's just that, I miss Harry. And Hermione, of course. But still, Sirius got to be with him, as he pretended to be me. And it just feels weird. Maybe I'm jealous, but I know I have nothing to be jealous of-- Sirius is Harry's godfather, he has every right to be with him." He said all in one breath.
Lupin smiled a little, knowing it took Ron a lot of courage to say what he felt in front of someone he only knew a little about yet was trusting of. But Ron also started to learn and know who Lupin was over the past few weeks and he knew that Ron no longer feared him like he did at first. Though the teen boy never said it, he was afraid of the older man. Yet a bond came between them and Lupin wouldn't change it for anything.
"Ron, you are Harry's best friend," Lupin said, slowly, "He wouldn't want to drop you or lose you for anything. He cares very deeply for you and as you for him. That's why your guys' friendship is rare and special."
"Yer like two peas in a pod," Hagrid added, as he glanced out the window. "Usually, nothin' separates the two of you." He paused. "And 'Ermione, she's one of a kind too."
Ron smiled. He felt a little better. "Yeah, you two are right. I guess I worry a little too much." He replied.
Lupin laughed. "Ron, m'dear boy, you worry more than a 'little' at times!" He told the puzzled boy.
Ron shrugged. "Well, Harry's the brave one, Hermione's the logical book-worm one who knows everything," he grinned to show he was joking yet it was true. "And I'm the worry wart of the party."
That sent Lupin and Hagrid into a roar of laughter for Ron had summed up himself and his friends in a nutshell. Of course, he'd know best for he was apart of it, and knew how everyone was.
Suddenly, there was knock on the door and all three heads turned to stare. Ron took a deep breath, knowing it was Harry and the rest. Hagrid set his tea kettle down and made his way towards the door. Lupin sat calmly and waited.
"Who's there?" Hagrid called out his usual calling.
"Hagrid, it's Harry, Hermione and. . .Ron but Ron isn't Ron and well, he's," Harry replied and his voice lowered, "he's Sirius."
Lupin and Ron both looked at one another and rolled their eyes, knowing that Sirius had come out a little early. Ron just smiled and Lupin sighed a little, knowing he was going to have to talk to his friend about this sometime later.
"Well, 'ello Harry, Hermione," Hagrid replied, as he opened his door. He nodded at Ron's image, knowing it was really Sirius but had to keep it up for other eyes could be watching. And listening. "And Ron."
"Hagrid, Lupin, Ron," Sirius replied, shutting the door behind him. "If you all bet that I came out a little too early. . .You all won, you know."
"Of course we all knew," Ron replied back. "Sirius, both Lupin and I have decided you were a little too excited about this in the beginning."
Sirius blinked and everyone watched him turn himself back into him and out of Ron's body. He merely shrugged and grinned. "Well, why not? I haven't spent anytime with my Harry!" He answered, drawing the other boy into a hug.
Hermione was watching the real Ron and noticed that he seemed a little pale. She narrowed her eyes at him, thoughtfully, trying to understand what part he played in. He noticed and he gave her a small, shy smile.
She grinned and leapt at him, giving him a hug. "It is good to see you, Ron," She told him. "The real you! Are you okay? What's going on?"
Ron held a hand up too his head. "Whoa, Hermione, you're making my head worse!" He told her. Then he looked up at Harry, who was gazing at him. "Hi, Harry. . .I know we tell each other everything. . ."He looked down, biting his lip, "But I promised Lupin and Sirius that I'd not tell you anything until now."
Harry stood there stunned. He sensed that Ron had changed but he wasn't sure about this change. He stood there and then replied, "Well. . .I'll forgive you. . .As long as you all tell me what is going on and who plays what part in this whole ordeal!"
Ron grinned. "You know that's a deal." He responded with. He glanced at Lupin and Sirius. "He does have the right to know everything as of late and what is going on." He paused, looking up. "Cuz I know I would if my best friend wasn't my best friend but someone else. . ."
Lupin laughed. "We get the point, Ron." He told him. Then turning to Harry and Hermione, he said, "Have a seat and some tea. This is some what of a long tale to tell but its all worth the wait."
Hermione and Harry sat down next to Ron; they have missed him as much as he missed them. And the bond that they had was stronger than before, Lupin noticed and smiled to himself. For they would need one another before the week gave in to the end.
Their bond and their friendship is the key factor in all this, Lupin thought as he began his part of the story. "Well, it started in early summer, when you all got out of Hogwarts for the holiday. . ."
Otherwise, if they're bond isn't as strong as it portrays, then all is lost, Lupin thought and hoped that he was right about these three teens.
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You like? You think it's stupid? Well, don't review if you think it's stupid...Just um, yeah. So I'm thinking the next chapter WILL explain a lot. Hopefully. ^^
Thanks for reading and please do a review ^^ Please??