AN: thanks to all of you that reviewed. I'm not going to list them because I hate it when there's more notes than story.
Chapter 7
Separated in darkness they shall grow
Of each other they shall not know
Prospering apart, until their ready
Together they will keep the dark steady
Then they will defeat evil with his own way
But not before in darkness they shall lay
"Hello Rose." Breathed a voice onto her neck, whispering. Rose jumped, startled by his sudden appearance, and of the coldness of the air being exhaled onto her warm skin. Then before she had a chance to react she felt the tip of a wand being poked into her back, a little too harshly. "Boom. You're dead."
"DON'T DO THAT!" Rose screamed at Harry, who had snuck up on her. Harry stared at her a moment before answering.
" Is that what you're going to tell your killer? Oh, what, I forgot. YOU'LL BE DEAD!" Harry bellowed at her sarcastically. Harry was, to say the least, extremely frustrated at his twin. He had hoped to talk her out of her crazy scheme, but then had changed his mind when she hadn't shown up at the classroom immediately after him. So Harry had resorted to scaring her into seeing sense. Unfortunately her fear had been short lived, and had turned quickly into anger. But Harry was not one to be deterred easily. "Now, why in the world would you challenge Albus Dumbledore to a duel?" Harry asked crossing his arms over his chest coolly.
"I wanted to kill him and make it look like an accident." Replied Rose in even tones. Harry's eyebrow curved at that, and he gave her a pointed look. Seeing that he was not to be swayed she went on. "To be honest I didn't think he would accept. I just wanted an excuse to shout his middle name for the entire school to hear. And of course a chance to be in the spotlight should never be passed up." Rose finished with a grin. Harry sighed. What in the world had he done to deserve this?
"Well, if we must duel, we might as well do it right. I do happen to have some experience in this area." Harry said with a smirk. Suddenly looking forward to tonight. It would give them a chance to test the skills they had required over the summer. And work on what they needed to be improved. With this in mind he mentally reviewed some spells that would come in handy. Then he crossed a problem, half of those spells were illegal. Looking on the bright side, that eliminated him having to go through those spells. But wait. Draco was their third. Assuming they had to use him, which both Potters doubted, would he be of any help? Sure Draco would be more than able to hold his own against a death eater, but he wouldn't have to follow rules there.
While pondering his dilemma, Harry allowed himself to be dragged in the direction of the Transfiguration room. He and Rose arrived just in time to take their seats. In the back of the room, next to the window. A stupid spot to place Rose, who's attention span was very very limited.
Professor McGonagall walked in and started calling the roll, glaring at Rose disapprovingly when her name was called. Once that was completed, McGonagall stood from her chair; and indication that she was about to lecture. Soon they were subjected to listening to McGonagall drone on about altering your appearance. Something both twins had already accomplished. Harry took some comfort in that Draco seemed to also to be fighting to look apt. It seemed that he had also mastered that part of transfiguration.
Harry kept looking at Rose, as though expecting her to blow up something at any moment. She had to incredibly bored by now. If Harry wasn't interested who knew what Rose was feeling. But, for the most part, she seemed pensive. And on Rose, this look was extremely rare, and it looked quite weird on her face. Startled Harry reached down to write a note to her. Fortunately the class was suppose to be taking notes, so Harry's message went undetected by McGonagall.
What are you thinking?
After reading that Rose looked up at Harry in mock surprise. Then she took her quill at wrote a response.
Oh nothing to worry your silly little head over. Let big sis take care of everything.
Harry turned to her, in disbelief. Now he was seriously wondering if everything was alright upstairs. But seeing her holding back laughter over his reaction, Harry wrote back.
If you think your middle name is all that Dumbledore told me about you, you're wrong. Who knows what I might let slip at the duel in front of everyone tonight. I might be busy wondering if my sister was sane, instead of focusing on the fight. I can't be blamed for what might come out, now can I?
Rose did not like this answer. She screwed up her face and glared at Harry. Then turning her intense gaze to the piece of parchment, she started to write. After a minute or so the message was shoved back into Harry's fist. Rose's nails clawing him, as he received it. Ignoring his now bleeding hand, Harry read.
I was wondering that since I wasn't allowed to kill your headmaster, may I humiliate him? I mean that's the next best thing if I can't torture him either. Can I torture him? We'll if not you shall have to bring a camera. That way we'll have at least one humorous memory of being at Hogwarts. Yes, I see it now. The great Albus Dumbledore……hmm I can't think of anything he wouldn't do already. Can you? Now I have a problem. Oh dear, this is serious.
Harry crumbled up the note before sticking it into the pocket of his robes. It wouldn't do if any body else saw it. Not a lot of people would understand Rose. Harry himself barely did. With his sister on his mind Harry started to really take notes, as McGonagall was looking toward him and Rose suspiciously.
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"Ladies and gentlemen, you're attention please." Pleased by the sudden hush that fell after this statement, Rose sssscontinued. "As you can see, I'm am about to embark on the impossible. Winning a duel against Albus Pheanius Dumbledore is unheard of. But, in a little while, winning a duel against Rose Potter will be the greatest feat known to wizard." The other houses seemed to be amused at this, McGonagall just glared stonily at Rose. While Snape seeing her displeasure, seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. Dumbledore let Rose finish before speaking up.
"Assuming you're are done Miss Potter, I shall announce the rules."
"The floor is all yours headmaster." Rose announced with a flourish, before backing away from the center of the hall.
"Thank you, now we may switch duelers at anytime, but may not re-enter one if they have been previously defeated. Officially being defeated is when one is unconscious, wand less, out of the designated boundary; the ring. Or when you forfeit. Is this clear?" When all the duelers nodded, he motioned to Flitwick, who had been chosen as some sort of referee. Harry had wondered why he had not been chosen as Dumbledore's second at first. Being as he was the charms teacher. Now it was clear. He probably knew more about dueling than Dumbledore, and made the ideal referee.
"Will the first duelers please enter the ring and shake hands." Rose and the headmaster entered and grasped each other's hands. Rose smiled sweetly up at Dumbledore as they shook. Apparently she meant to disillusion him. Dumbledore just smiled back, then broke their connection before stepping into place. " On my mark. One..Two..Three!" Flitwick shouted as the two began to duel.
Nothing happened. Both shouted spells that either collided with each other or missed the intended target. Fortunately a protective barrier had previously been set up so none of the spectators were in any danger. Finally Dumbledore went down. Rose had apparently whispered a dark curse, that surprised the headmaster enough that he hadn't managed to dodge the spell. Consequently Rose was also disqualified. Rose had protested at first, but had managed to be subdued when she saw Harry enter the ring in her stead. Gleeful once again, Rose watched as George entered after Harry.
Dumbledore continued to stay and watch, apparently none the worse after his encounter with Rose. He stood silently, ignoring all of Madame Pompfrey's attempts to nurse his injured hands.
George and Harry were presently circling each other, glaring fiercely, neither blinking. Harry was the first to make a move. He shot a dizzy spell at George, who had just sent a singing charm at him. George dodged his curse, while Harry just blocked George's easily. Harry had to grin at George's attempt at humor. Harry had to have one of the worst voices known to wizard. He was, as they say, tone-deaf. And was completely hopeless at carrying a tune. So for George to try to get Harry to sing for the entire school, was funny-as long as it didn't work.
Harry's next hex hit George, he doubled over from the pain, and quickly fell down. Lying on the floor his wand helpless at his side, Harry summoned it. He wasn't going to take any chances with George faking it. Though he seriously doubted that due to the look of pain that was still on Weasley's face. Once he had secured George's wand safely in his hand, Harry removed the spell. George was helped to his feet by Lee Jordan, who then delivered him to a very irate nurse.
Harry looked up as the second Weasley entered the ring. Surprisingly friendly for someone who's brother had just been tortured by Harry. Trying to look neutral, Harry shook his opponent's hands. And for the second time, he began to duel. Fred immediately started attacking, not at all like his brother. Harry found himself disarming spell after spell. And sometimes diving out of the way. When one of Fred's hexes finally hit, and Harry's right arm lit up in flame. The Slytherins outside the barrier began attacking some Gryffindors, who quickly returned the punches.
Ignores to the battle outside of the ring Harry only felt pain. His entire right arm was engulfed in flames. He looked at Fred who stared at his arm, stricken. As though he couldn't believe what he had done. Seeing that Fred wasn't about to extinguish his arm, and that no one outside the circle was about to intervene, Harry helped himself. With a mutter, the flames diminished and left only a severely burnt looking arm. Not to be dissuaded, Harry tossed his wand to his left arm. And shot the first curse that came into his mind. Luckily that one missed. For if it had hit its intended target, Harry would be spending the rest of his days in a lonely cell in Azkaban. No matter what connections Dumbledore might have.
Harry's second curse hit a still stunned Fred. And he started to chant all the secrets he knew of the headmaster, along with some Harry had added. Some of the students not involved in the fight between houses, began to laugh. While others, were embarrassed. Those people had too much respect for their headmaster to laugh over the fact that he had once turned himself into a girl. It turns out Albus Dumbledore was not very good at potion brewing as a child.
After Fred seemed out of breath he left the ring and began kissing Millicent all over. Millicent who had been too absorbed in the fight, along with half of the school, didn't notice what Fred was doing until he was almost finished. Shrieking she litterly threw Fred back into the ring. By now the students had turned back to the duel. Since Flitwick hadn't disqualified Fred from leaving the ring, Harry continued.
Not waiting for Fred to get to his feet, Harry attacked. Using his left hand Harry shot the stunning spell at him. Fred immediately fell lifelessly to the floor. Slowly, his steps echoing loudly with each step, Harry approached Fred. Then, bending down, he retrieved the fallen wand. As Flitwick hadn't called him the winner for knocking his opponent unconscious he figured he'd snag the wand too, so no questions could be asked.
"Harry Potter is the winner. Being as he is the second for Rose Potter, she has won over Albus Dumbledore." Flitwick shouted using the sonorous charm to reach the entire hall. A rupture of applause met this statement. Followed by some polite clapping from the other non-Slytherin spectators.
Grinning, Rose made her way into the ring. There she bowed. And waved like a queen would to her people. Not wanting to share the attention, Harry turned to leave.
Before Harry could make his way through the crowd, mostly Slytherins intent on swarming him, he was attacked by Madame Pompfrey. She managed to successfully drag him to the hospital wing, while levitating a still unconscious Weasley behind her. Once there he was ordered to sit on an available bed and remove his robe and shirt. Harry complied, not wanting to anger the woman any further.
Madame Pompfrey began to gather supplies, muttering under her breath about the curse of tending Potters twins and Weasley twins. After she had set Fred on a bed, and shut his curtains, she advanced on Harry.
As she tended him, he tried not to wince. But he couldn't manage to hold back a grimace, followed by a deep groan. Madame Pompfrey, who had been busy tutting and glaring at the same time, suddenly turned sympathetic. "Let it out dearie, this next crème will hurt dreadfully."
Biting back another groan, Harry squeezed the sheets into his fist. As he felt a cold lotion being spread over his charred arm, he wondered what was worse. This, or the initial feeling of being burnt.
"Okay, I'll be bandaging you up now. Sit! I'll be done in a minute." Harry really wanted to get up and hex something, or better yet hex someone. Instead he resigned himself to listening to Madame Pompfrey scold him as he was slowly, and carefully wrapped up. After another five minutes of torture, Harry was told to go change behind a screen.
"I'm not spending the night here."
"Now don't give me any of that, just go change. Or do I have to help you?" She asked Harry when she saw he was about to protest again.
"Fine." Harry finally conceded, he wasn't really in a mood to party. Which was undoubtly what his housemates were probably going to be doing the whole night. And if Rose wanted to see him, which he hoped she didn't, she'd find a way in.
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It was cold, so cold. The wind seemed to be blowing from his right. In his sleep Harry reached out, as to stop the wind with his hand. When his palm came in contact with his right ear, he woke up. Hearing a noise he turned to his right. There sat Rose giggling like a little two year old would. Harry fell back into his pillows, trying to drown out Rose.
Harry felt his mattress sag before she actually spoke. "I'm soooo proud of you. I mean two. You knocked out two people. And they were the Weasley twins. You have made my year." Rose announced as she crawled towards the head of the bed, before stopping at his pillow. "Are you listening to me? Oh well, you'll listen pretty soon. I mean who wouldn't want to hear the biggest news of the century to ever reach Hogwarts." Rose tried to bait him.
Not really interested in whatever gossip Rose had probably made up, he asked her, "What's the 'big news'?" Hoping to get her to go away so he could sleep once more undisturbed.
"Well…..we're having a feast…in honor of ME!" Rose shouted excitedly.
"Why are we having a feast because of you?" Harry asked thoroughly confused.
"Because I'm special." Rose pointed out.
"Ya, special ed." Harry grumbled. Rose swatted at him, and ended up being tossed off the bed.
"I'll ignore what you did because you beat the Weasleys, and because you're injured. But don't expect me to be so forgiving next time." Harry rolled his eyes. "Before I was interrupted I was telling you about the feast." Seeing that she had his attention she chatted on. "It's for me defeating Dumbledore, why else?"
Harry started coughing. "Are you serious? No offense but he wasn't really trying. And I pretty much won it for you." Rose glared at him.
"For your information Dumbledore consented to my idea for a feast because he believed it was a good one. And he's proud of us for our progress. But he did say it would be in my honor." Rose said defensively before adding, "I wonder if it will become an annual feast, ooo wouldn't that be fun. The Rose Potter feast. I like it." With that she said goodnight and stood.
"I expect to see you in the quidditch game tomorrow. Draco said even if you have to play lefty, you're playing. Oh he also said good job on knocking out Fred." Savoring the look of annoyance on her twin's normally impassive face, she flounced away.
Harry woke the morning of the game at around six, an hour later than usual. Sleepily he started to examine his right arm, half afraid of what it he would see. It was still a funny color, and the skin seemed to be a bit shriveled up. But it felt okay, not normal, but certainly not in the need of amputation. Which was something Harry had secretly been fearing.
He let out a breath of relief, reassured that he arm looked to be on the mend. Satisfied, Harry climbed out of the bed, and onto the freezing cold floor of the Hospital Wing. After muttering a warming charm, he made his way toward the dungeons. Deciding to skip his morning run.
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Harry ate breakfast early, so as not to embarrass himself in front of the school. He wasn't exactly sure he'd be able to feed himself correctly with his left arm, and manage not to act like the Gryffindors did at lunch a few days ago. Tediously he made his way through the porridge. Doing surprisingly well, and only dropping a spoonful on his lap, which had fortunately been covered with a napkin.
Hedwig swooped in and dropped a letter before taking a nip at his fingers. Happy with the piece of bacon Harry offered her, she flew out once more. Unfolding the letter slowly, he began to read.
Dear Harry,
Now normally I would take your word over the Daily Prophet's. I know of your history with them in the past, and their unreliability. But Rita Skeeter was not the one who wrote the article, so I read it. Do you perhaps know what article I'm referring to?
Harry did, it had come out about eight days ago. It pretty much told about Rose suddenly showing up, and them being sorted into Slytherin. Harry had hoped Sirius wouldn't read it. He had also hoped that Rose would have been the one to explain it to Sirius.
I mailed Dumbledore, and he only confirmed the truth of it. Now I know there must be more to this than you and Dumbledore are willing to share. Whatever it is, it isn't worth putting you in there. I've tried reasoning with Dumbledore, but he wouldn't budge. Wouldn't even drop a hint to as to why you're there. And I don't for one minute believe it's because of Rose. That's another reason I'm writing you and not her. It's possible for her to be placed there, for I don't really know her. But I didn't believe it would happen. But you! I know you can't belong in Slytherin! You pulled Gryffindor's sword out of the sorting hat. If you don't mail me right away with what's happening, and I found out by myself. You'll be a very sorry Slytherin.
Goodluck at the game, that's perhaps the only good thing in Slytherin. You can still play quidditch . Moony says hi. Stay safe.
Sirius
Harry crumpled the letter before setting it afire. His breakfast ruined, he stalked out of the Hall. Nearly colliding with Draco, who was on his way in. Ignoring Draco's shouts, Harry continued to the locker room.
There he sat on one of the benches, his mind in a jumble. He knew he couldn't tell anyone the truth of the situation he was in. After all, if he couldn't tell Ron and Hermione, he couldn't tell anyone. Harry wasn't worried about spilling his secret, he was worried about what Sirius would do. In all the years he had known Sirius, he had never threatened Harry. Not at least that he remembered.
And Harry truly doubted that Sirius would do anything to him, he was worried about what he would do to himself. What would he do to get Harry's life back to normal? Damning the consequences to his own. Putting his head in his hands, Harry slumped forward.
That's the exact same position he was in an hour and half later when Draco entered. Seeing his friend's obvious distress, Draco approached Harry cautiously.
"Harry." Draco said quietly tapping him on the shoulder.
Surprise that Draco had referred to him as Harry and not Cobra, or Potter, made him look up. The red eyes that met Draco's were filled with so much confusion, pain and even annoyance, that they made Draco step back, and remove his hand from Harry's shoulder. Still staring into the intense gaze, Draco spoke up. "You weren't at breakfast. Rose was worried."
Harry snorted at that. He didn't believe that Rose for a minute was truly concerned with where he was. She knew he sometimes just wanted to be left alone. And she learned early on to let him be. "More like you wanted to make sure I'd be there for the game." Seeing that Draco was about protest, he held up his arm. His right arm, where the bandages had never been replaced from when he had removed them earlier.
"See. I'm fine. I'm going to have to play lefty though."
"That's no-" Draco started to say.
"Don't worry I'll still manage to catch your precious snitch." Harry said maliciously before leaving to get his robes from his locker. Much to Harry's annoyance Draco followed. He was spending too much time around Rose, Harry thought, mentally comparing the two's habit of being where they weren't wanted. Especially when they weren't wanted. Shrugging out of his robes Harry put his green ones with a snake embedded onto the back on.
"You seemed in a hurry this morning. I wanted to make sure you were okay." Draco said casually. Watching Harry's wand this time not his eyes. He had seen what Harry had done to the Weasley's, and didn't want to end up like them. Fortunately Harry tucked it into the pocket of his robes before fastening the clasp.
"I'm fine, I just didn't get a lot of sleep that's all." Harry said with a tone that said the conversation was finished. Draco opened his mouth, most likely to say that it wasn't, when the other team members enter. Harry grinned triumphantly and grabbed his broom. He walked to where the boy's and girl's locker rooms joined in a small area to wait for the rest of the team.
Five minutes later he was listening to Draco's pre-game pep talk.
"This is the first game of the season, we're more than ready." Rose snorted. Ignoring her, Draco continued. "And most importantly, it's against Gryffindor. Our own pride demands that we win. Don't get too confident that they're down one beater. Thanks Harry. They've still got that giant Dean Thomas as a replacement. He's big, but inexperienced. Try not to stay too close to him." Draco concluded as they stood.
Rose jumped up and fairly ran to the door, anxious to be released. Harry followed more calmly. Not paying attention to Draco, who had been giving him pointed looks and was trying to mouth words at him ever since the others had interrupted their conversation.
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Hermione sat in the stands between Parvati and Lavender. The two had been her shadow ever since Harry had left. Though the two she had previously considered idiots, had shown surprising knowledge on Hogwarts social life. Consequently she knew all gossip.
Ron was hard to be with. He was always practicing for quidditch or doing homework. And every time Hermione and Ron studied together they'd either end up talking about Harry, and getting off topic, or they'd start fighting over Harry, and end up getting off topic. Needless to say, doing homework together was not a quality bonding experience for either of them.
Hermione had spent the first days back at Hogwarts moping over the loss of Harry as a friend, before pathetically stalking him in hopes of repairing their friendship. She knew there had to be something beside the reasons Harry gave to his sudden change. The Harry she knew wouldn't leave his life for a new one with his sister. Hermione was broken from her melancholy with Parvati's shouts.
"Oooh look, it's Harry! Harry!" Parvati yelled excitedly, and waved like a maniac. Harry, who hadn't given any indication that he had heard, much less seen her, flew by. Not to be upset Parvati started telling anyone who would listen, about when Harry took her to the Yule Ball. The way she told it made it seem as though they had been in love. By the time she was done, some girls were sighing enviously nearby. While the younger ones giggled, and whispered.
Slightly angered Hermione turned her attention to the game that was about to start. She looked up, and her gaze locked with Ron's. He looked positively sick, Hermione could tell he was pale even from where she was.
Ron fluttered a hand in her direction as she waved back at him encouragingly. He winked at her before flying to his position as keeper. Ginny was looking slightly more confident, as she flew around near the keeper's posts, talking to George. Who was listening while glaring at the Slytherins at the other end of the field.
Madame Hooch's sharp whistle stirred the players into action. After about fifteen minutes of watching, everyone could tell this was going to be a bloody game. Even more than usual, considering who the teams where. The other houses had hoped that with Gryffindor's beater unable to play, it would be a semi-normal game, with only some minor injuries.
Those hopes were quickly squashed when one of the Slytherin's beaters took a bludger to the nose, making a sickening sound. There was blood everywhere, literally falling from the sky. Draco called a time out to examine Repta's nose. Which was broken in more places than one. Rose was able to stop the blood and pain with a spell, but didn't know how long it would hold for. With that in mind, the team resumed their brooms intent in revenge.
"With the score 20-0 in favor of Slytherin, Katie Bell takes possession of the quaffle. God that girl's got speed, along with a very powerful stunning charm. So hand's off lads." Jordan commented as Professor McGonagall issued her 3rd warning of the game to him. He had begun dating Katie at the end of last year. "Sorry professor, just protecting the merchandise. Just joking professor, it was a joke. Okay, back to the game. Bell in position going up the field. And-AHHHHH-"
Jordan left off a stream of curses so foul than McGonagall was forced to put a silencing charm on him. Outraged, Jordan tried to put one on her too. Unfortunately the curse didn't have the desired effect since he was unable to talk. The end result wasn't pretty. McGonagall looked mutated, but angry. With her mouth not where it was suppose to be, she was unable to chastise him. Furious McGonagall stomped off, while Jordan's charm was removed by Colin Creevey.
On the field the Gryffindors where huddled around a prone Katie Bell. Who, after being attacked by Hennis, had fallen to the ground. And had remained there even after Madame Pomfrey had reached her. While on her way to score, Hennis had shot a buldger that had hit her directly in the stomach. Knocking the air out of her and causing her to double over. Which then caused Katie's head to smack into the buldger, and that had caused her to enter her still unconscious state. Hennis, had been planning in hitting the buldger at her, and then following it with a swing of his club, intending on breaking some of her bones with it.
Only once she had doubled over from the buldger to her stomach, he began to swing his club. Unaware that she was about to become unconscious. So when Hennis' club made contact, it sounded as the she had broker her upper back. Seeing it happen was torturous, no one could imagine what it must have felt like. Feeling horrendous, Hennis put on a Slytherin like sneer to hide his shock. But not able to be totally unhuman, he put a floating charm on her. In his haste it wasn't powerful enough to keep her in the air, but only managed to make her fall more slowly.
Everyone had been too intent on watching Katie, to pay attention to Hennis when he put the charm on her. And at least three fourths of the school was sickened by what they had witnessed. This was suppose to be a game.
The Slytherins had gathered at their end, congratulating Hennis and reassuring him that he done a fine job.
After all, it's part of the game. It's not our fault they can't play it without needing to be taken to the nurse. Don't play if you can't take the consequences." Draco said to no one in particular.
Lee, after having his voice recovered had rushed to the team, intent on checking out Katie for himself. After seeing the condition she was in, he charged towards Hennis. But before he reached him, Harry intercepted him. Grabbing the collar of his robes, Harry held Jordan back.
"Stay away Harry, this doesn't concern you." Jordan grated out.
"Oh, but it does if you kill my team member." Harry spoke quietly back.
"It'd be the least he deserved after what he did to her!" Jordan's voice raised with each word. Seeing that he wouldn't be able to get through to Jordan in his present state, Harry dragged him off the field to a waiting Professor McGonagall. Harry could honestly say that he had never seen the woman this mad before. Even when he had lost fifty points when he was giving Norbert away. Back then he knew what he had done to anger her so much. Now he wasn't sure if she was fuming over being hexed by Jordan, what the Slytherins had done to Katie, or over the fact that Harry was still in Slytherin.
Whatever the reasons where, McGonagall practically cursed Jordan into the castle. Where Katie had just entered on a stretcher, followed by a very worried Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey.
Madame Hooch had called a penalty shot to the Gryffindors. While they were forced to use their second reserve player of the game. A fourth year that entered the game amazingly arrogant. Especially considering what had happened to the previous chaser, that she had taken the place for. Gryffindors were foolish, maybe a bit brave, but foolish. What type of idiot would willingly want to be in this game?
Draco caught the snitch about two minutes after they had resumed the game. None of the Slytherin cheers were heard above the other house's boos.
"And Slytherin wins 230-0." Said Colin Creevey, who had taken over as commenter when Jordan had been taken away. Harry felt as though it was a hollow victory, as he headed to the locker rooms. This wasn't the way he liked to win. Hell even losing would have felt better than this. The same couldn't be said for his sister. Rose was on cloud nine, skipping her way after her twin.
"I -think -I'll -cash- in- on- the- job- you- owe- me- now." Rose said a word with each skip she took.
Without glancing over his shoulder to see her antics, he asked, "What are you talking about now?"
"I mean we're going to throw a party, in honor of our victory. I'll need your help with the food." Rose explained merrily.
"Alright, but I can't stay for the party, I'll only help you with the supplies." Harry's tone left no room for argument as they entered the locker rooms.
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It was quiet in the hospital wing when Harry entered. Looking around, it appeared deserted. Which, knowing Madame Pompfrey, it was. Most probably the Gryffindor quidditch team had been evacuated so Katie could rest. Harry idly wondered what had happened to Jordan. He'd be serving detention for a month if Harry knew McGonagall. Harry didn't pity the other boy.
Cautiously Harry approached the only occupied hospital bed. Seeing that the form on the bed was in a deep sleep, most likely from the potions Madame Pomfrey was known to stuff down patient's throats; Harry sat down. He had been prepared to see how his former teammate was doing no matter what anybody else had to say about it. Now he wouldn't have to worry about forcing himself in.
Sighing he let his head rest on the back of the chair. After his restless night, brutal quidditch game, and then finally all his trips to the kitchen and Hogsmeade, Harry felt dead on his feet. Exhausted, he fought to keep his eyes open. Realizing it was a fight he wasn't about to win, he stood. Harry leaned over the bed and began to talk quietly.
"I'm sorry you had to be the one to get hurt Katie. It was never my intention to get anyone else mixed up in this mess. When it's all over you, and everyone else will see that what I'm doing is right."
With that Harry swept out of the hospital wing. Careful, but not enough to slow his pace, he half ran through Hogwarts. As he made his way towards the dungeons he was aware of the growing noise as he came close to his common room. That was enough to stop Harry in his tracks. Right now he wasn't too happy with his house mates, and wasn't in a mood to party. So entering the common room filled with partying Slytherins wasn't about to improve his temper. Harry knew he had been told to befriend them, but he still had two more years left to do that.
His decision made, Harry turned towards the Astronomy tower, in hopes of getting some air. Maybe then he'd be able to think of a response to Sirius' letter. Yet another thing that had gone wrong. This was definitely not his day.
AN: REVIEW!-I might get inspired to update soon.