HARRY POTTER AND THE MARK OF GRYFFINDOR

By Geena

Chapter 8: Games.

"I haven't got the slightest idea of what you're talking about." Hermione said, her eyes averted.

'Oh, come on, don't give me that. I know Malfoy is up to something. He's been bugging you ever since we came back in September." Harry wouldn't let go that easy.

"It's no big deal. Just Malfoy trying to be the tough guy, but he isn't, trust me. Anyway, I want to go and lie down for a while so I won't be too tired to do the rounds tonight. You haven't forgotten it's our turn, have you ?" She started to walk towards Gryffindor Tower and Harry tagged along.

"No of course I haven't forgotten. And don't change the subject! Honestly Hermione, that sneaky Slytherin is up to no good and you better tell me about it or I'll write to Viktor and tell him Malfoy is harassing you. It wouldn't be a lie either."

"Noooo Harry, you can't! Viktor already dislikes Malfoy and God knows what he would do if you wrote that."

"Then you will tell me ?"

"Fine." She took a deep breath and after the first uneasy words, the sentences came rolling fluently from her lips, as if it had been bottled up for a long time and needed to come out all at once.

"You already know the beginning of it, I told you that time when we were on our way to the first Prefects Meeting. He left me alone for a while after that, but not for long. He went very subtle about it, whispering stuff when I walked by, giving me meaningful looks … it was all rather innocent and yet it made me feel very uncomfortable. Last week he started to try to get me alone. One time he nearly succeeded and he already had his hand on my arm when Professor Snape came down the passage and sneered at me. Of course Malfoy jumped away from me instantly, but I knew he'd be back. Tonight he did. I guess this wasn't the last of our encounters, but believe me Harry, though upsetting as it might be, I'm not really afraid of him. There's not much he can do without Dumbledore or the teachers finding out, it's just a matter of intimidation."

"Yes, but what does he want ? I mean, he's always made it quite clear he doesn't want anything to do with you and now he goes to extremes to be alone with you. It doesn't make any sense." Harry looked puzzled, his face still showing concern. "There's still something you're not telling me. You know why he wants to be alone with you, why he plays this game."

"Yes I do know." Again her eyes wandered anywhere but Harry's face.

"Won't you tell me ?"

"It's kind of personal, and a bit embarrassing too."

When she still wouldn't look at him, Harry picked up her hand and gave it a little shake, trying to get her attention.

"Hermione, it's me you're talking to, you can tell me anything, you know that."

Hesitation.

"Ok then. It's … well, he … he wants to use me as his love slave." As she said it, her cheeks burnt deep red and she closed her eyes, unable to look at her friend.

"Love slave ?" Harry was astonished. This was a joke, right ? In fact, if Hermione hadn't looked so utterly ashamed and if he hadn't seen the threat in Malfoy's eyes he probably would have burst out in laughter. As it was, he tried to contain his giggles and thought about it for a few moments.

"I don't know what to say. I  …"

"It seems he wants to conduct his experiments with someone from a House that is not so noble as his own precious Slytherin. I gather these experiments won't be all fun and games for the lady in question, so there you have the reason for me being singled out."

"But it's preposterous ! You should go to McGonagall with this and report it as harassment." Harry was outraged.

"That's no use, he'll only deny it."

"I bet McGonagall would make him take Veritaserum, this is a serious thing Hermione."

"It's really no big deal Harry. I think he just wants to scare me, make fun of me, I really do."

"Yeah, sure. Listen, I think you should tell one of the teachers and if you feel uncomfortable telling McGonagall, then go to Professor Palmer. I'm sure she'll know what to do."

"Maybe. I'll think about it. Maybe we've scared him off. Tell you what, if he bothers me again, I'll go to Professor Palmer. Ok ?"

"Ok." Finally Harry seemed satisfied. The idea of Malfoy getting his hands on Hermione created a red mist in front of his eyes. He knew the Quidditch match against Slytherin was going to be a tough one.

*

The hours until that Quidditch game seemed to fly by. Especially since they had to get Neville ready in time to play. It was a busy week for Harry and he wished it would all be over and they would be back in the Great Hall, enjoying their Halloween dinner.

When they were on the verge of coming out of the locker rooms, Harry assembled his team as any good Quidditch captain should.

"Listen, we're going to show them Slytherins something they've never seen ! With Neville as our secret weapon, they won't know what hit them !"

"Yeh! Yeah!" Fred and George cheered. Angelina, Katie and Alicia kissed Neville on the cheek and the poor boy was so flabbergasted he forgot to be afraid.

The crowd roared as they went onto the field. Harry swooshed up into the air on his Firebolt, the other team members getting in place for the start of the game.

Upon Madam Hooch's whistle, the crowd cheered and the game began.

Harry tried to shout some pointers here and there, thinking it was his job to keep an eye on everything. He also made sure he passed by Neville a few times to give him some encouragements.

Neville did very well. In the first minutes of the game, he saved two attempts by the Slytherin Chasers. Much to his amusement, Harry saw Malfoy nearly dropping off his broomstick when Neville turned out to be a natural on the field.

"Well Malfoy, cat got your tongue ? Be careful Neville doesn't kick it the way he handles those quaffles." Harry grinned when he passed by the pale Slytherin Seeker.

Malfoy hissed at him furiously, but it was all he could do. That and watch out for the Golden Snitch. Malfoy looked as intent as ever on catching it first, that way he could finally get his revenge over his nemesis.

But unfortunately for the much plagued Slytherin, Harry saw something flickering down at the Slytherins' first goalpost and he expertly dived for it, scooping it with one free hand. Malfoy had tried to follow him, but due to the superiority of both broomstick and flying skills, the crowd was already clapping and shouting at Harry's victory by the time Malfoy got there.

The Gryffindors were ecstatic with joy. After Neville's selection they had been laughed at by most students, even some Huffelpufs and now their team had won in such a memorable way, they had all the reason to celebrate.

The Halloween Feast had never been so loud and filled with joy and Dumbledore was positively beaming.

Harry noticed Ron hadn't been to the game. He came into the Great Hall when they were already there. He sat down next to Harry, ignoring Hermione.

"Congratulations on the game, I heard we won." He said monotonously.

"Thanks." Harry knew Ron still felt humiliated and depressed, but he thought he could have at least come and see the game. From experience he knew Ron could be very stubborn and he wasn't going to let sports come between them, so he tried to be friendly and divide his attention between his two friends, trying not to notice the sadness in Hermione's eyes.

Near the end of the feast, Dumbledore silenced them and made an announcement.

"As we all enjoyed ourselves so much last year, I'm very pleased to announce you that this year we will host another Yule Ball, for all our students from fourth year on."

A round of applause showed the students' appreciation.

Harry and Ron looked at each other, clearly thinking the same thing: they had to find a date!

Over the next days, things between Ron and Hermione got back to normal, though there were still more than a few awkward moments. At least they were talking again and Harry felt himself relax. He really didn't need extra stress. With Quidditch practice, Prefects duty and the OWL's coming up, his stress-levels were high enough already.

One morning at breakfast, a large grey owl swooped in and delivered a letter in Harry's plate.

He opened it quickly to see who it was from. Hermione and Ron leaned over either one of his shoulders, their mouths shaping into an 'o' form as their reading progressed.

"Dear Harry,

I heard from Snuffles you were asking about your DADA professor.

It is true she went to Hogwarts with us and we knew her very well.

Snuffles doesn't remember her, but that's just because she is not using her maiden name.

I assure you there is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to Jessica Palmer.

But I want to ask you one thing: please stop inquiring after her. I cannot tell you anything more but I must insist you do not attract attention to her persona.

I hope you forgive me for not telling you more, but don't worry, all will be revealed in time.

Greetings,

Remus J. Lupin

PS: Maybe Dumbledore hasn't said anything yet, but as from next term on, I will be teaching the Care of Magical Creatures class since Hagrid will be in France. Snuffles will of course accompany me."

"Harry, that's fantastic. About Snuffles I mean." Hermione smiled.

"Eh, yeah."

"I guess the mystery continues." Ron sighed.

"It does add up to your theory Hermione. That Professor Snape would be afraid Voldemort might hurt Professor Palmer. I think that's why Remus wants us to stop asking about her."

"Probably. But that would mean their relationship is no secret and they are being very secretive about it, don't you think ?"

"Well, it's not very like Professor Snape to go declaring his love for her to the world, is it ?"

Ginny joined in the conversation.

"True. We'll just have to be patient." Harry said a little unwillingly.

Over the following weeks, there were new Death Eater attacks on muggle houses from families that had a witch or wizard in the family. The Underground Express reported them, as well as the victory over a flock of Death Eaters right before an attack.

"Rita Skeeter sure has been busy." Harry said to Hermione when they read the article. "Too bad she couldn't find anything on Professor Palmer."

"Harry, you said you were going to give it a rest. Besides, I've been thinking. When Professor Lupin said she wasn't using her maiden name, did he mean she is married ?"

"Oh boy, Snape is doing it with a married woman, no wonder they're so secretive about it!" Ron exclaimed.

"Shut up. She might be a widow for all we know." Ginny defended her favourite Professor.

The four of them were sitting in the common room, recuperating after a very demanding DADA class. Ron still a bit beaten when his protective wards had been probed with Dark Magic by their professor, creating the same blue electric light as when Harry had been the guinea pig.

"They're really prepping us, aren't they ?" Ron sighed exhausted.

"Be grateful for it." Hermione replied softly, still not very comfortable around him.

"I think we've already learned a lot this year." Harry said. "We'll have to when you read all that bad stuff that's been going on lately."

"Yes and our brothers are right in the middle of it." Ginny began to sob.

"Don't worry, Charlie and Bill can take care of themselves." Harry soothed. "And soon Remus and Snuffles will be here at Hogwarts and they'll be safe too."

Which just left Snape and Professor Palmer, but they were safe at Hogwarts too, weren't they ?

TBC