IMPORTANT!!!!! ----- A.N: I usually don't put my notes in the beginning of
the chapter but I had to explain a few things before I began so I wouldn't
confuse you guys. From now on, I will be calling Anthony Harry2 -- it takes
too long to say Harry look-alike and the impostor, and I don't want to say
just Harry cause that could get a bit confusing. Also, the title gives you
a clue on what's going to happen in this chapter 8 )
Chapter 16 * Transparent *
"Hermione! Herm, wait up!" Ron called, running to catch up with his friend.
"Hey, Ron. What's up?" Hermione asked, turning around to see Ron panting.
"Did Harry come by to see you about an hour ago?" he asked.
"No, I thought he was with you at practice," she replied, looking confused.
"I knew it! Herm, Harry isn't -"
"I'm not what, Ron?" Harry2 walked up behind Hermione and wrapped his arms around her waist.
The site made Ron sick to his stomach. He couldn't tell the Harry impostor that he was on to him because he didn't exactly know who the person was that was pretending to be Harry (even though he had an idea of who it could be). He would just have to keep his eyes and ears open for clues. He also had to warn Hermione but with Harry2 around all the time, he wouldn't be able to. He only hoped she would be able to figure it out on her own, and soon.
"Ron? Are you okay?" Hermione's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
He pasted on a fake smile. "Yeah, I'm fine, Herm. I'm going to go look for Lavender," Ron gave her a tight hug, trying to make her catch on, but she only hugged him back; much to the jealousy of Harry2.
"We should go, babe," Harry2 said abruptly, pulling her away from Ron.
"All right. See you later, Ron," Hermione said, giving Ron a weird look.
Harry2 wrapped an arm around her waist and practically pulled her into him. "Good-bye, Weasley."
"If that's not Harry than where is Harry?" Ron muttered to himself, hoping that his one friend was unharmed and that his other friend would not get hurt, again, by the same guy who crushed her heart and her self-confidence.
* = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = *
"Harry, stop! What has gotten into you?" Hermione asked, pushing him away.
"Oh come on, babe! We're engaged now, remember?" Harry2 whined, sitting back to frown at her.
Hermione stared at him, fear making it's way into her heart. No, we are not engaged. Me and Harry are engaged, she thought. This person wasn't Harry. She felt it the moment he came up to her and slid his arms around her waist.
There had been many things that didn't seem right about the way Harry acted. Harry had never called her 'babe'; baby, baby girl, but never babe. He had never sounded so cold towards Ron and he wouldn't have gotten jealous if Ron had hugged her. Harry never pushed her to do things she didn't want to do and was never so rough. But the things that were the most obvious were his eyes -- Harry's eyes always made her feel warm, they were always bright and loving. This Harry's eyes were dull and, well, sneaky. Also, when Harry was around her, she felt safe and protected. She would feel a tingle that went from her head to her toes every time he touched her. This Harry made her feel self-conscious and afraid. Exactly the way Anthony made her feel.
Harry2 proceeded to kiss her neck again as she pushed him away. She couldn't tell him she knew because she was alone with him in her common room; a very dangerous position to be in. She would just have pretend to be clueless and act the way she would with her Harry. Oh God ... Harry, she thought, her heart squeezing painfully.
"Stop, Harry," Hermione pushed him away firmly and got up, ready to go find Ron (who, she was sure, knew that this person wasn't Harry), but before she could reach the door, Harry2 had grabbed her wrist.
"No, I don't think so. Since I'm the man of this ... relationship, I tell you what to do. Got it?" he sneered, an evil smile crossing his lips. His hold became tighter and she struggled to get away.
"Oh yeah, I got it!" Hermione snapped at him, her right knee coming up hard to meet his 'male organ'.
"Ow!" Harry2 yelped, instantly let go of her, and doubled over in pain.
Hermione sprinted for the door and got out as fast as her legs could carry her, running smack into Ron.
"Hermione! What happened?" he asked, holding her arms to keep her from falling.
"That's-that's not H-Harry," she panted, shaking her head from side to side, feeling her old shivers coming on.
Ron put an arm around her shoulders and led her to one of the couches, sitting across from her and taking her hands in his. "He didn't try to ...." he asked, anger boiling inside of him.
Hermione shook her head, trying to stop from shaking. She had thought she had gotten over that fear but Harry2 had brought all the painful memories flooding back. "No, he was going to but I, um, kicked him in the ..." She trailed off, heat rising to her cheeks.
Ron's eyes became wide and he began to laugh. "You hit him in the dick? Sorry, penis? Go, Herm!" he cried, happy that she had defended herself.
Tears welled up in her eyes and her body shook with racking sobs, but she smiled, nonetheless.
Ron scooted closer and wrapped his long arms around her. "Ssh, it's okay, hon. I won't let him hurt you, okay? And we'll find Harry and everything will be okay," Ron reassured her, rocking her back and forth until her sobs and shaking subsided.
"Won't he ever stop? Or will I be afraid of him for the rest of my life?" Hermione asked, wiping away the rest of her tears.
"So you think it's Anthony, too?" Ron asked.
"Who else could it be? What does he want from me? I'm so sick of him following me everywhere and this time he's gone too far! I want my Harry back and if -"
"Woa, Herm! Calm yourself! Anger isn't going to get us anywhere though I'm holding myself back from going in there and killing him with my bare hands," Ron said, cracking his knuckles.
"Right. We should go to Dumbledore," Hermione said, taking a deep breath. She got up and was about to head out the door, Ron at her heels, when Lavender came down the stairs of the girl's dormitories.
"Hey, guys! Whe're you going?"
"Come on, Lav. We'll explain on the way," Ron said, taking her hand.
"On the way to where?"
"Dumbledore's office."
* = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = *
Harry's eyes snapped open, he was immediately alert. "Who's there?" he called, his own echo answering his question.
He had been tied to that tree for he didn't know how long, he only knew it hadn't been a full day. He was starving, cold, and very angry; which took the place of being frightened. He had tried over and over to untie himself but that bastard Anthony had used some sort of charm to keep the rope tight. Harry's wrists were sore and there was dry blood where the rope was cutting into his skin.
But that was the least of his worries. He knew Anthony hadn't hurt Hermione yet; he would have felt it somehow if he had, but he didn't know if his friends had figured out that it wasn't him but Anthony. "When I get my hands on you, Parzatti, I swear, I'm going to tear you limb for limb!" he shouted up at the sky.
Harry didn't know it, but someone was watching him with a delighted smile. A Death Eater backed away from the hiding place he was in and ran to go tell his master the wonderful news.
"What is it, Goyle?" Voldemort barked, red eyes glinting with impatience. He stared at the boy who was cowering at his master's feet.
"M-master, Parzatti has s-s-succeeded in c-c-capturing P-P-P-Potter," Goyle stuttered, his thick eyebrows coming down to hide his eyes.
"Excellent!" The Dark Lord cried, kicking Goyle off of him. "Now all we need is to wait for Parzatti to bring the mudblood so we can torture Potter slowly for all the trouble he's caused me all these years!"
"Y-yes m-master."
"Shut up, you blubbering fool! You speak when I ask you to! Now go find something useful to do."
Goyle scampered away, whimpering to himself.
"I really should just get rid of that fool and his git of a friend, Crabbe," Voldemort mumbled to himself. "Ah, well, that will come in time," he shrugged. "Now I need to find out a way to kill Potter and get into Hogwart's to kill that old fool, Dumbledore, and the world will be mine for the taking!" he let out an awful laugh that sent shivers down poor Harry's spine.
* = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = *
"Did you actually think I would let you go tell that pathetic excuse for a wizard that you're precious Harry isn't the same?" Harry2 asked, coming closer to sneer at the trio.
I can't believe he still thinks that we think he's Harry, Ron thought to himself, a grim smile escaping his lips.
"What are you smiling at, Weasley?"
"Oh nothing, Potter. Go on," he said, waving a hand in front of him.
Harry2 scowled at him but didn't comment. "I am taking you three back to our dormitories and we will act like nothing happened, understand?"
"How can we pretend that nothing happened when nothing really didn't happen?" Hermione asked, looking at him with a smug expression on her face.
Ron and Lavender suppressed a laugh as Harry2 turned to give her his full anger. "Did I speak to you?"
"Um, yes, I believe you did. You said us three and if you weren't speaking to me too, than you would have said you two," Hermione answered.
"Why you .." Harry2 took a step closer to Hermione and raised a hand to smack her across the face but Ron stepped in front of her.
"Touch her, Potter, and you'll wish you were never born," Ron growled. They had agreed on making Anthony think that they still believed it was Harry. It made things a bit easier.
Surprise flashed into his eyes for a minute but he quickly hid it. "Very well. Let's go, I don't have all day to sit and watch you," he barked, pushing past them and heading down the hall, turning around to make sure they were following.
"We'll have to wait until tomorrow," Hermione whispered so Harry2 wouldn't hear them.
"But that could be dangerous," Lavender protested, biting her bottom lip. "And besides, how do you know for sure that it's Anthony?"
"I know it's Anthony because he's the only person who makes me shake in my shoes," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
Ron and Lavender looked at her sadly. "It will be dangerous but we'll have to risk it. Herm, maybe you should sleep in the girl's dormitories tonight?" Ron said, looking worried.
"I can't, Ron. He'll suspect something. I'll be all right," Hermione reassured them, but the mere thought of sleeping with Anthony in an empty room made her break out in a cold sweat.
"If you're sure. You have to be careful, okay?" Ron told her.
Hermione smiled at his big brother protectiveness. "I will."
ALSO IMPORTANT -- PLEASE READ!
A.A.N: Okay, end of chapter 17 ~ Hope you enjoyed it and that it didn't get too confusing. I want to say thanks to all my reviewers - THANX!!!
Astre: Wow, you're making me blush! Thanks so much! And I am enjoying your fic very much. I'm waiting for the next chapter *patiently* -- hurry and update!!!
Ambrosia: You don't like a lot of fluff?? Then this is not the story for you! But I'm glad you like it and thanks for your review! Oh, and don't get used to all this evil -- lol.
And to those who have just read this chapter and haven't reviewed --- REVIEW!!!!
------ Okay, one more thing. I have a few options for you guys on where you want me to end this story.
A) End it at where they destroy Voldemort (no use keeping that a secret -- everyone knows THAT's gonna happen)
B) End it at where they graduate.
C) End it when Harry and Hermione get married and start a life of their own.
It's your guy's choice so please tell me ASAP whether you want A, B, or C -- with a few of suggestions of your own.
Luv Ya All and have a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Sweetie
Chapter 16 * Transparent *
"Hermione! Herm, wait up!" Ron called, running to catch up with his friend.
"Hey, Ron. What's up?" Hermione asked, turning around to see Ron panting.
"Did Harry come by to see you about an hour ago?" he asked.
"No, I thought he was with you at practice," she replied, looking confused.
"I knew it! Herm, Harry isn't -"
"I'm not what, Ron?" Harry2 walked up behind Hermione and wrapped his arms around her waist.
The site made Ron sick to his stomach. He couldn't tell the Harry impostor that he was on to him because he didn't exactly know who the person was that was pretending to be Harry (even though he had an idea of who it could be). He would just have to keep his eyes and ears open for clues. He also had to warn Hermione but with Harry2 around all the time, he wouldn't be able to. He only hoped she would be able to figure it out on her own, and soon.
"Ron? Are you okay?" Hermione's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
He pasted on a fake smile. "Yeah, I'm fine, Herm. I'm going to go look for Lavender," Ron gave her a tight hug, trying to make her catch on, but she only hugged him back; much to the jealousy of Harry2.
"We should go, babe," Harry2 said abruptly, pulling her away from Ron.
"All right. See you later, Ron," Hermione said, giving Ron a weird look.
Harry2 wrapped an arm around her waist and practically pulled her into him. "Good-bye, Weasley."
"If that's not Harry than where is Harry?" Ron muttered to himself, hoping that his one friend was unharmed and that his other friend would not get hurt, again, by the same guy who crushed her heart and her self-confidence.
* = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = *
"Harry, stop! What has gotten into you?" Hermione asked, pushing him away.
"Oh come on, babe! We're engaged now, remember?" Harry2 whined, sitting back to frown at her.
Hermione stared at him, fear making it's way into her heart. No, we are not engaged. Me and Harry are engaged, she thought. This person wasn't Harry. She felt it the moment he came up to her and slid his arms around her waist.
There had been many things that didn't seem right about the way Harry acted. Harry had never called her 'babe'; baby, baby girl, but never babe. He had never sounded so cold towards Ron and he wouldn't have gotten jealous if Ron had hugged her. Harry never pushed her to do things she didn't want to do and was never so rough. But the things that were the most obvious were his eyes -- Harry's eyes always made her feel warm, they were always bright and loving. This Harry's eyes were dull and, well, sneaky. Also, when Harry was around her, she felt safe and protected. She would feel a tingle that went from her head to her toes every time he touched her. This Harry made her feel self-conscious and afraid. Exactly the way Anthony made her feel.
Harry2 proceeded to kiss her neck again as she pushed him away. She couldn't tell him she knew because she was alone with him in her common room; a very dangerous position to be in. She would just have pretend to be clueless and act the way she would with her Harry. Oh God ... Harry, she thought, her heart squeezing painfully.
"Stop, Harry," Hermione pushed him away firmly and got up, ready to go find Ron (who, she was sure, knew that this person wasn't Harry), but before she could reach the door, Harry2 had grabbed her wrist.
"No, I don't think so. Since I'm the man of this ... relationship, I tell you what to do. Got it?" he sneered, an evil smile crossing his lips. His hold became tighter and she struggled to get away.
"Oh yeah, I got it!" Hermione snapped at him, her right knee coming up hard to meet his 'male organ'.
"Ow!" Harry2 yelped, instantly let go of her, and doubled over in pain.
Hermione sprinted for the door and got out as fast as her legs could carry her, running smack into Ron.
"Hermione! What happened?" he asked, holding her arms to keep her from falling.
"That's-that's not H-Harry," she panted, shaking her head from side to side, feeling her old shivers coming on.
Ron put an arm around her shoulders and led her to one of the couches, sitting across from her and taking her hands in his. "He didn't try to ...." he asked, anger boiling inside of him.
Hermione shook her head, trying to stop from shaking. She had thought she had gotten over that fear but Harry2 had brought all the painful memories flooding back. "No, he was going to but I, um, kicked him in the ..." She trailed off, heat rising to her cheeks.
Ron's eyes became wide and he began to laugh. "You hit him in the dick? Sorry, penis? Go, Herm!" he cried, happy that she had defended herself.
Tears welled up in her eyes and her body shook with racking sobs, but she smiled, nonetheless.
Ron scooted closer and wrapped his long arms around her. "Ssh, it's okay, hon. I won't let him hurt you, okay? And we'll find Harry and everything will be okay," Ron reassured her, rocking her back and forth until her sobs and shaking subsided.
"Won't he ever stop? Or will I be afraid of him for the rest of my life?" Hermione asked, wiping away the rest of her tears.
"So you think it's Anthony, too?" Ron asked.
"Who else could it be? What does he want from me? I'm so sick of him following me everywhere and this time he's gone too far! I want my Harry back and if -"
"Woa, Herm! Calm yourself! Anger isn't going to get us anywhere though I'm holding myself back from going in there and killing him with my bare hands," Ron said, cracking his knuckles.
"Right. We should go to Dumbledore," Hermione said, taking a deep breath. She got up and was about to head out the door, Ron at her heels, when Lavender came down the stairs of the girl's dormitories.
"Hey, guys! Whe're you going?"
"Come on, Lav. We'll explain on the way," Ron said, taking her hand.
"On the way to where?"
"Dumbledore's office."
* = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = *
Harry's eyes snapped open, he was immediately alert. "Who's there?" he called, his own echo answering his question.
He had been tied to that tree for he didn't know how long, he only knew it hadn't been a full day. He was starving, cold, and very angry; which took the place of being frightened. He had tried over and over to untie himself but that bastard Anthony had used some sort of charm to keep the rope tight. Harry's wrists were sore and there was dry blood where the rope was cutting into his skin.
But that was the least of his worries. He knew Anthony hadn't hurt Hermione yet; he would have felt it somehow if he had, but he didn't know if his friends had figured out that it wasn't him but Anthony. "When I get my hands on you, Parzatti, I swear, I'm going to tear you limb for limb!" he shouted up at the sky.
Harry didn't know it, but someone was watching him with a delighted smile. A Death Eater backed away from the hiding place he was in and ran to go tell his master the wonderful news.
"What is it, Goyle?" Voldemort barked, red eyes glinting with impatience. He stared at the boy who was cowering at his master's feet.
"M-master, Parzatti has s-s-succeeded in c-c-capturing P-P-P-Potter," Goyle stuttered, his thick eyebrows coming down to hide his eyes.
"Excellent!" The Dark Lord cried, kicking Goyle off of him. "Now all we need is to wait for Parzatti to bring the mudblood so we can torture Potter slowly for all the trouble he's caused me all these years!"
"Y-yes m-master."
"Shut up, you blubbering fool! You speak when I ask you to! Now go find something useful to do."
Goyle scampered away, whimpering to himself.
"I really should just get rid of that fool and his git of a friend, Crabbe," Voldemort mumbled to himself. "Ah, well, that will come in time," he shrugged. "Now I need to find out a way to kill Potter and get into Hogwart's to kill that old fool, Dumbledore, and the world will be mine for the taking!" he let out an awful laugh that sent shivers down poor Harry's spine.
* = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = * = *
"Did you actually think I would let you go tell that pathetic excuse for a wizard that you're precious Harry isn't the same?" Harry2 asked, coming closer to sneer at the trio.
I can't believe he still thinks that we think he's Harry, Ron thought to himself, a grim smile escaping his lips.
"What are you smiling at, Weasley?"
"Oh nothing, Potter. Go on," he said, waving a hand in front of him.
Harry2 scowled at him but didn't comment. "I am taking you three back to our dormitories and we will act like nothing happened, understand?"
"How can we pretend that nothing happened when nothing really didn't happen?" Hermione asked, looking at him with a smug expression on her face.
Ron and Lavender suppressed a laugh as Harry2 turned to give her his full anger. "Did I speak to you?"
"Um, yes, I believe you did. You said us three and if you weren't speaking to me too, than you would have said you two," Hermione answered.
"Why you .." Harry2 took a step closer to Hermione and raised a hand to smack her across the face but Ron stepped in front of her.
"Touch her, Potter, and you'll wish you were never born," Ron growled. They had agreed on making Anthony think that they still believed it was Harry. It made things a bit easier.
Surprise flashed into his eyes for a minute but he quickly hid it. "Very well. Let's go, I don't have all day to sit and watch you," he barked, pushing past them and heading down the hall, turning around to make sure they were following.
"We'll have to wait until tomorrow," Hermione whispered so Harry2 wouldn't hear them.
"But that could be dangerous," Lavender protested, biting her bottom lip. "And besides, how do you know for sure that it's Anthony?"
"I know it's Anthony because he's the only person who makes me shake in my shoes," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
Ron and Lavender looked at her sadly. "It will be dangerous but we'll have to risk it. Herm, maybe you should sleep in the girl's dormitories tonight?" Ron said, looking worried.
"I can't, Ron. He'll suspect something. I'll be all right," Hermione reassured them, but the mere thought of sleeping with Anthony in an empty room made her break out in a cold sweat.
"If you're sure. You have to be careful, okay?" Ron told her.
Hermione smiled at his big brother protectiveness. "I will."
ALSO IMPORTANT -- PLEASE READ!
A.A.N: Okay, end of chapter 17 ~ Hope you enjoyed it and that it didn't get too confusing. I want to say thanks to all my reviewers - THANX!!!
Astre: Wow, you're making me blush! Thanks so much! And I am enjoying your fic very much. I'm waiting for the next chapter *patiently* -- hurry and update!!!
Ambrosia: You don't like a lot of fluff?? Then this is not the story for you! But I'm glad you like it and thanks for your review! Oh, and don't get used to all this evil -- lol.
And to those who have just read this chapter and haven't reviewed --- REVIEW!!!!
------ Okay, one more thing. I have a few options for you guys on where you want me to end this story.
A) End it at where they destroy Voldemort (no use keeping that a secret -- everyone knows THAT's gonna happen)
B) End it at where they graduate.
C) End it when Harry and Hermione get married and start a life of their own.
It's your guy's choice so please tell me ASAP whether you want A, B, or C -- with a few of suggestions of your own.
Luv Ya All and have a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Sweetie