Chapter three: Open Hostility

Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

School began in earnest the next day and Harry had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach when he woke up in the morning. He knew he could hide no longer – he would be out there, among the masses of students and even though Dumbledore had said it quite clearly that no one was to blame for those incidents, he knew he would be the center of hostile attention that day. Avoiding the rest of the magical world had been easy in the summer and even when he had got to King's Cross early and boarded the train when the platform was quite clear. But now, he had to return to reality – the reality of the fact that he was still held guilty… the attitude of the people in the Great Hall had been a convincing preview.

He was grateful for Ginny's presence. It was comforting to know some people… Ron, Ginny, Hermione and a few others, believed it hadn't been his fault – he had been innocent. The trip down to the Great Hall was so far uneventful and Ginny was in a constant conversation with him about some of the new 'pets' Hagrid was rumored to have been hiding in his hut. But Harry knew and felt that she wasn't all interested in the conversation. She felt silent suddenly, staring ahead. Harry looked up to see what caused her to stop.

Striding towards them, a smirk plastered on his face, was Draco Malfoy, his arch nemesis. Harry made for the door, nudging Ginny but it seemed Malfoy was keen that morning. Harry couldn't blame him… it was long since Malfoy had the chance to humiliate Harry and he knew he wouldn't let it slip. People were already turning to look and Harry felt his knees go week. It was strange, Malfoy wasn't supposed to, couldn't, make him feel that way – never – but it was more to do with the sudden feeling of foreboding caused by the attention he was receiving.

'Nice to see you, Potter.' Malfoy's tone was smooth but high and he was immediately successful in turning the attention of the surrounding people to he and Harry. Harry was in no mood to talk and nudged Ginny into the Great Hall.

'What? Scared?'

Harry debated whether to keep walking or to stop.

'Tell me who's next Potter… first Hufflepuff… then Ravenclaw… now…' Harry clenched his fists, feeling countless pairs of eyes on him as Draco Malfoy spoke on, '… perhaps Gryffindor?'

Ginny took Harry's hand and squeezed reassuringly and Harry, numb with anger, strode towards his table.

'It's Weaslette, isn't it? That's how you're doing it, luring them or maybe even hypnotizing them? An Enslavement charm? The Imperius? What about Weaslette… are you employing other ways…'

Harry's hand slipped out of Ginny's immediately and she looked up to see, to her astonishment, that he was back at the doors of the Great Hall in a flash. The next moment, Malfoy lay on the ground, unconscious and unable to complete his sentence. There had been no sound, nothing… one minute Malfoy was speaking and the next moment, Harry had knocked him out with his fist, uttering not a single word, nor touching his wand.

Ginny hurried to Harry and Ron and Hermione, coming from Gryffindor Tower, approached the gathering crowd.

Harry stood in the middle, fuming, glaring at Malfoy's motionless body, his fists clenched. And then, he looked up. The people standing around him… their expressions… their eyes… their faces were filled with horror. Memories flooded back to Harry and his anger swept away suddenly.

His gaze flashed from person to person, as if for eternity. Each expression was the same… accusing… angry…

Harry took a step backwards, his heart throbbing wildly all of a sudden. He couldn't control the emotions sweeping through him… panic flooded him and his hands trembled. His eyes went wide… they thought Malfoy was dead… that he had killed him just like he had killed…

Ginny wasn't able to make it to Harry through the crowd of people in time. He had turned, stumbling, broke through the wall of staring people and ran away, down the corridor, shutting everything out and keeping his eyes tightly closed as coldness swept through him.

Ginny knew she would be in trouble later for what she was doing. Severus Snape did not appreciate people skiving off his class but at that moment, Ginny didn't care if he gave her a whole week of detentions for doing so. She was concerned only about Harry and nothing else. Ron and Hermione, extremely worried, had promised to explain, in whatever way they could, Harry's absence to Professor McGonagall.

Ginny burned with anger. Of course nothing had happened to Malfoy, a quick Reviving charm performed by Hermione had brought him back to consciousness, albeit a bit dazed. And Harry had to go through that… those emotions…  and looks all over again. She was angry and frustrated at those people who still believed the murder the previous term had been Harry's fault and were hesitating to accept even Dumbledore's statement of Harry's innocence.

As if automatically, he feet took her to where they often sat together, their own secret place. As she hurriedly climbed the circular steps, around the outer side of the tower, she saw him, sitting in the little flat place at the top.

He looked up when she appeared at the top. His hair was ruffled in the morning breeze and his eyes seemed sadder and somehow hollow. His mouth was set in a firm line as he hugged his knees to himself, his gaze resting on her with uncertainty. She could feel him… she already had even in the Great Hall… he was tired and depressed. There was no anger… only a strange foreboding, fear. To see Harry frightened, frightened Ginny herself.

Wordlessly, she sat down beside him carefully, pulling her feet up. To ask him 'Are you alright?' would have been so stupid, she knew. He spoke first.

'Ginny, you're supposed to be in class.' She was amazed to see a hint of forced courage in his voice and emotions. What was he frightened of?

'I excused myself,' she lied. 'Harry…'

'I know… I should have ignored him.'

'No… well… I really don't care what he said but… what happened, Harry –'

'Is he dead?'

'No! Hermione did a Reviving charm and he's all right but –'

'It seemed he was. I thought…' Harry looked away and Ginny had the feeling that he was talking to himself. 'I thought… I killed him.'

Ginny took Harry's hand, shocked to see the fear and tension in his voice. And she suddenly realized why Harry was so upset. He thought he had killed someone… those looks people gave him. Anger flared up within her.

'Harry, Malfoy is all right… he just fainted. It wasn't anything you did…'

'I hit him,' said Harry. Ginny knew it wasn't about Malfoy anymore. Indirectly, Harry was reflecting into the past… she didn't know everything about that yet but she knew he was referring to past events, that it was due to him that he had killed a fellow student. He hadn't hit him but he did think he had indirectly caused a death… they had aimed at him but killed an innocent.

Ginny squeezed Harry's hand gently. 'Harry,' she said softly, able to feel his pain, 'it wasn't your fault… Malfoy was provoking you.'

Harry opened his mouth to say something but decided against it and sighed. Gently, he squeezed her hand.

'Gin, you have to get back to class…' He leaned over and kissed her cheek. 'Come on.'

She wanted to say something else but knew better to let things lie at that moment. Matters were far from being cleared up, but she knew but he'd tell her someday. And until then, she was determined to stay by him. The hypocrite rumor-spreaders of Hogwarts could try their best.

The day had dragged by for Harry and it wasn't good at all. He had decided to skip Transfiguration, knowing better than appearing at the class just before the bell. He waited for Ron and Hermione to join him for Herbology. They looked at him cautiously and it only made Harry want to leave… skip all the classes. But what good would that do? How could he stay away from the rest of the students in the school, for the entire year?

'You okay?' Ron had asked tentatively.

'Fine,' said Harry shortly, trying to seem normal. He would be getting lots of stares and he had to build up his courage. It was a repeat of his Second Year… and the term before. He had to ignore it. He must.

Needless to say, the rest of the school day, Harry sat in a corner with his friends, working quietly and avoiding looking up much. He knew people were staring at him. Luckily, they had no classes with the Slytherins that day, who would have had a field day taunting Harry.

A mentally exhausted Harry retired to bed that night. He tried not to thinking of the unfairness of the situation. Why had that passage been open? Why had they caught the wrong person at the wrong time? Why? Why had Ernie joined them outside? Why hadn't the Whomping Willow stopped those people…?

All the questions hung in the air surrounding Harry, unanswered. He couldn't help thinking of those people in great numbers who believed he had intentionally handed over Ernie to save his own life…

He did feel responsible for that death… but no, he would never join hands with the evil. He hadn't handed over Ernie.

And, he knew, it wasn't Ernie they had been after. It was Harry Potter.

The next few days passed in a sort of hell for Harry Potter. The worst were the classes with Slytherin and the interactions with Draco Malfoy. Harry did his best to shut out their voices and their accusations during joint classes and in trying to do so, his anger was bottling up within him. Ron and Hermione were always beside him, trying to take his mind off a random taunt from Malfoy or meaningful glances from the Slytherins, who egged on a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs to join them. It was his Second year, the TriWizard Tournament and the previous term all over again. There seemed no end to it. 

Endurance and tolerance were taking their toll on Harry and he knew Ginny understood how he was feeling. Their bond had grown deeper in sixth year and now she could easily feel his emotions over any distance. He felt guilty even about her… she had to feel his pain and unhappiness and it prevented her from leading her own life properly. She gave him supporting glances and warm smiles in the corridor and every time, he felt frustrated with himself for burdening his pain on her too. He couldn't stop it … though he admitted it himself, he loved the way she looked at him, full of understanding of his pain even when he had had not told her everything about those incidents of his previous term yet. A simple warm smile from her helped him go through Potions, less disturbed and more at ease. However, it did not make his troubled thoughts leave him completely. No, they were sure to stay with him for long and he didn't know what could make them vanish.

On the other hand, Ginny was even more determined to be the one to pull Harry out of his shell, knowing that she was probably the only person who could effectively do so.  A week passed and she observed Harry, from near and from far and through the bond between them. He was sinking more and more into depression and being neglected or taunted by a majority of the students was having bad effects on him. She thought, however, and even felt happy a bit about the fact that he seemed slightly happier when she waved at him or stayed by him.

Study load on the Seventh years was suddenly increased and they found themselves cramming homework and tests into tight schedules, much to the annoyance of many, especially Ron ('And it's only the start of term!') and to the satisfaction of Hermione ('Don't be stupid Ron! It's our last year, the most important and if we don't pass the NEWTs…' and on and on).

Harry sat one night, in the third week of term, in a corner of the Common room, doing his Herbology homework. Apart from the four-foot-long essay he was supposed to be writing on Killing Klifts, he was also concerned about Quidditch practices. He had to draw up a schedule so that the team stayed fit. And, thought Harry for the umpteenth time, he had to shape up the younger players. The new, younger players who had replaced Fred, George, Angelina, Katie and Alicia needed a lot more training for better performance. Harry knew his team needed a lot of training, as Gryffindor's performance the previous year had been quite dismal. Harry smiled, glancing at Ginny who was sitting by the fire, writing in a journal. She was the best Chaser he had at the moment. He loved watching her play. It was as if his own passion for Quidditch burned in her eyes. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they shared the same soul… her eyes would lit up in a game and she'd track the Quaffle with her gaze, as it was passed from one player to another with dizzying speed.

She also took credit, Harry knew, for upholding the team's dignity and honor by practicing and playing vigorously and scoring many points the previous term.

Ginny looked up to see Harry looking her way, smiling. She grinned back, then crossed the room to sit by him. Harry sighed. He always felt relaxed in the Commonroom, in Gryffindor Tower, where hostility against him was zero. The Gryffindors had never blamed him but, instead, had been sympathetic and supporting…  he was very grateful for that.

'A Knut for your thoughts,' Ginny quipped, closing her journal on her lap.

'You don't want to waste your Knuts on Killing Klifts… I was thinking about the team,' Harry said wearily.

'Hmm… matches begin in November. I think we'll need all the practice we can get,' said Ginny, glancing at Tim Brookes, a fellow Chaser, who played fairly well but needed a lot of practice.

'Ron definitely seems to think scoring is our weak point…' Harry, smiling slightly. Ginny frowned in a huff.

'He never did approve of my even joining the team! I bet he's been begging you kick me off it!'

'Well,' Harry chuckled, 'not exactly but his efforts would be in vain anyway.'

Ginny raised an eyebrow, glad to see Harry cheerful. 'Favoritism, Mr. Potter?' She stared at him accusingly.

'I don't know…' he said, grinning, 'you do play very well. I couldn't replace you even if I wanted to.'

Ginny blushed at the compliment but swatted his shoulder lightly at his latter comment.

'Buttering won't work with me,' she said, giggling. Suddenly, her smile faded. 'Oops… something's gone wrong.'

Hermione was making her way across to the girls' staircase, seeming in a very, very bad mood, her fists clenched.

'Ron,' Harry said, voicing the obvious. 'But what's he done? Hermione's birthday's tomorrow! It can't be a you-forgot-my-birthday row.'

'I'll go up and check on Hermione,' said Ginny, getting up.

Ron suddenly appeared beside Harry and flopped down on an armchair, his hand covering his cheek. His eyebrows were knitted together, his ears were red and he seemed to be muttering something under his breath.

'Ron, what happened?' Ginny asked. Ron mumbled something.

'Come again?'

'Hermione,' Ron mumbled, staring into space as his hand rubbed his cheek. Ginny, trying not to smile, pulled Ron's hand away from his face.

'Let me see,' she insisted and Ron's hand moved to reveal a bright red, distinct print of a hand on his cheek.

'Ouch,' Harry said, wincing at the bright red spot as Ginny fought back a giggle.

'What did you do this time, Ron?'

'Nothing!' Ron said quickly.

'Fine,' said Ginny abruptly, getting up, 'I'll check on Hermione then…'

She turned and left the Commonroom in search of Hermione. She had long ago lost count of how many times Ron and Hermione fought… in a single day.

'So, what happened?' Harry asked, wondering how long it would take for the restoration of peace this time. Ron rubbed his cheek and let out an exasperated breath.

'I forgot her birthday…'

'But it's tomorrow!' Harry said quickly, amazed that it was indeed a you-forgot-my-birthday row. Ron only sank deeper into his chair.

'I know! But she figured out I had forgot about that… and she, kind of, blamed me in advance.'

'Well, you still have time…' Harry said, surprised by what Ron had said. Ron and Hermione could be trusted to fight on the most unique issues.

'That's the point! She already knew I hadn't planned anything and well… we had an argument of sorts…' Ron seemed thoroughly dejected. Harry had remembered Hermione's birthday and already planned to send her a box of peacock quills. Ron, he knew, had a rather slipping memory in such matters. Harry didn't know what to say about it. The previous year, Ron had remembered Hermione's birthday miraculously and Harry thought he'd be able to remember it this time too. It only went to prove that miracles happen only once.

'So, what are you going to do?'

'What am I going to do?!' Ron burst out suddenly, making several people jump and others to send annoyed glances his way. 'She knows I haven't planned anything!'

'You told her that?' Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ron sighed. 'I said, I was planning… but it's stupid the way she can see through…'

Harry thought it over and began to smile. 'It seems there is a loophole…'

'What?' Ron asked halfheartedly. He had apparently given up on any hope. He was rubbing his stinging cheek again.

'Nothing, I was thinking about this… uh… homework,' said Harry, getting an idea. He needed Ginny's help… he had to talk to her.

'Hermione?' Ginny asked softly, standing beside Hermione's bed, which was currently enclosed by thick maroon velvet curtains.

'Ginny? Come in.'

Ginny pulled aside a curtain and stepped in slowly. 'You okay?'

Hermione was sitting on her bed, her pillow on her lap with her knees resting on it. She looked more angry than upset.

'Fine, I guess,' Hermione mumbled. Ginny smiled.

'What has my idiot of a brother done this time?'

Hermione took a deep breath. 'I don't… well… can you believe it he forgot my birthday again?'

'I guess I will have to believe that,' said Ginny, smiling, 'those finger marks on his cheek are quite livid.'

Hermione ignored that remark but Ginny thought she saw guilt flicker on the older girl's face.

'Well, Ron can be a prat sometimes,' she said. 'I guess most boys –'

'Did Harry forget your birthday?' Hermione asked stiffly.

'No, but… weren't you the one saying how he was a prat not to… see me three years?' Ginny asked, raising an eyebrow. Hermione looked up at Ginny, her eyes narrow and both girls stared at each other before Ginny burst out giggling, collapsing on the bed.

'Where is this conversation heading?'

Hermione laughed. 'I'm sorry, Ginny… I got a bit carried away, I suppose. Only… Ron does make me… angry… he had the nerve to say he was planning something. Of course, I know he isn't!'

Ginny's mind raced, trying to form a suitable thought. 'Actually Hermione,' she said slowly, 'Ron… uh… was planning something. He… uh… told me.'

Hermione raised an eyebrow, looking at Ginny closely. 'Really?'

'Really,' said Ginny, more confident, 'he could have told you but he didn't want to ruin the surprise and anyway, your birthday's tomorrow!'

Hermione blushed. 'He… was… planning something?' she asked slowly.

'Yes.'

'Why didn't you tell me before?!' Hermione exclaimed.

'Tell you what?' came a high voice from the next bed, which could easily be recognized as belonging to Lavender.

'It's a… uh… test I'm going to take on Wednesday and I need Hermione's help,' said Ginny quickly, not wanting Lavender – a major gossip-lover and gossip-spreader of Hogwarts – to know about the latest Ron-Hermione row.

But Lavender was, apparently, quite skilled. She came over to Hermione's bed.

'Isn't it the Ron dilemma?' she asked.

'No,' Ginny emphasized with finality. Lavender grinned.

'Fine, I'll go…' she said, turning away. 'And I expect we all will know about it pretty soon… Ron always howls about it all in the Commonroom.'

Hermione blushed, thinking about the possibilities of what Lavender had said before leaving.

'Oh no… oh no, oh no…' she mumbled into her pillow. 'I hit Ron and I accused him, how am I ever going to face him again?'

Ginny smiled uncomfortably. She had to do something to set things right without letting Hermione know the truth. 'It'll be okay…'

'No, it won't… I have to talk to him… apologize…' Hermione said, looking up.

'Hermione,' said Ginny quickly, 'let it remain a surprise, okay? If you go up to him, there will be no surprise anymore.'

'But, I hit him and he didn't do anything wrong…'

'Trust me, it'll be okay… just wait till tomorrow,' said Ginny, trying her best to convince Hermione. d.

'Okay,' said Hermione slowly, after a while.

Ginny bit her lip. She had to do something… and suddenly she had an idea. But she needed Harry's help. She had to talk to him.

Ginny came down to the Commonroom, wanting to talk to Harry immediately but it was he who first approached her and took her out of Gryffindor Tower to a secluded, empty classroom.

'Ginny, I have to talk to you about something,' he said quickly.

'Is it about Ron because I have to tell you something about Hermione…' Ginny said, raising an eyebrow.

Harry paused, looking at Ginny closely.

'What do you mean?' he asked. Ginny related her talk with Hermione, including her suggestion for a plan to help her brother and Hermione's troubled situation. In the end, Harry was grinning.

'I should say you've handled this situation better than I have,' he said. 'But you've managed to make it complicated… telling Hermione the Ron was planning something.'

'I do have a plan,' said Ginny.

'Which I was coming to…' said Harry, grinning wider. 'Can you honestly read my mind? That's because… it seems we both thought of the same plan.'

Ginny's eyes went wide. 'But Dumbledore said we both had our own choices…'

'Co-incidence?' Harry asked and Ginny nodded, smiling. And Harry related his part of the plan, mentioning also that Ron had no idea about it yet.

It ended up with Harry and Ginny formulating a rather detailed plan, involving the use of a few confidential parties.

'Hermione will blow her top if she ever finds out!' Ginny giggled. Harry laughed.

'She won't, if I can talk Ron into this before going to bed. I'd better hurry because Ron gets a bit cranky towards midnight.'

Ginny giggled and kissed him on his cheek. 'Good luck, then.'

'What?!'

'Shut up, Ron, you'll wake up the others!'

'Okay,' said Ron, calmer, 'you're doing this for me?'

'Ginny and I, yes… for you and Hermione,' Harry said, smiling.

'I…' Ron seemed to be at a loss for words. 'I mean… thanks… but… but Hermione's really mad, and she knows I planned nothing.'

'But you mentioned to her that you were planning something, right?'

'Yes, but –'

'Ginny convinced Hermione that you really were planning something… and Hermione was ready to run over to you to apologize.'

Ron didn't know whether to be happy or guilty about that revelation.

'What? Oh no, Harry, it was my fault, I did forget her birthday… and I've planned nothing.'

'What have I been telling you for the past fifteen minutes? All you have to do is pretend you've set something up and take Hermione over to that room concealed behind the lilac tapestry on the fifth floor.'

'Are you… are you sure it will go okay?'    

'I'm sure,' said Harry confidently. Ron grinned in the semi-darkness.

'T-thanks, Harry… I mean… I really owe you for this.'

Harry clapped his hand on Ron's shoulder, grinning. 'Don't worry, it's what mates are for.'

Author's Note: Apologies abound! I'm soooooo sorry for all that fluff in there… colossal amounts! But I can't help it. This story is going to be full of fluff so I am warning you ahead. The plot is proceeding alongside but I have decided that I will write a proper story. And that means, it should include fluff, happy moments as well as sad. TCE had all Harry-Ginny stuff but this story should broaden in view-point a bit.

Loooooooovely reviews again! You're very, very encouraging and I'm sooo pleased to see everyone back for the sequel. Thankyou! You've been saying you want to know about Harry's sixth year. I mentioned that in the first chapter (epilogue)… happenings of his sixth year will be told as the story proceeds and especially, that significant night Harry and the other refers to constantly. It forms the basis of this story's plot. Also, you have to understand Harry's condition. He seems well often but under the surface are some deep wounds that have not healed yet. In this chapter, you must have understood mostly the hostility the rest of the school shows towards Harry. I hope I haven't been running ahead, leaving people confused. :)

Please do email me, I am always looking out for your mails! Btw, Varity, I've replied to your mail. :)

This chapter was humongous and writing the next chapter may take one or two days at the least. I'm starting right away!

See you,

Love,

Ameera Khan (Aimen at Gryffindortower.net and fanfiction.net)

Drop an email at ameerak86@hotmail.com ~ it motivates me to write the next chapter!