He moved toward the castle. Up the steps silently. Through the door, long black cloak swishing. Treading carefully, noiselessly, down the hall, down the stairs, through the drafty corridors. He thought no one could see him, no one would care. It was two in the morning, no one would be roaming the castle.
He was wrong.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He was being followed by someone . . . an invisible someone. Harry tiptoed after the figure, wondering who it was. He held on tightly to the Invisibility Cloak that was draped over him, hoping that the fabric wouldn't slip off, as it had before. He froze in his tracks, mimicking the movements of the person ahead of him, holding his breath. Why was the person even down here in the first place? Harry had just been sneaking down for some hot chocolate from the kitchens when he'd seen the figure. Of course he'd decided to follow it. That had just seemed natural. But now he was freezing in bare feet, and he had almost decided to just go back upstairs, when the figure muttered something. The wall slid open, revealing the Slytherin common room. And then, the figure glanced around, checking to make sure no one was watching.
It was Draco Malfoy.
He stepped into the room, and the wall closed behind him. Harry retreated back to the main hallway, wondering why Malfoy was sneaking around the castle at two in the morning. Oh well, he thought, his cold feet reminding him of his original purpose down here. Maybe that hot chocolate will help me to get back to sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione woke abruptly, drenched in a cold sweat, fighting an urge to scream. She clutched her blankets to her chest, forcing herself to breathe deeply. She had just had the most horrible dream. she moaned, pulling her pillows over her head. She couldn't fall asleep again. She gave up, grabbed her robe, shoved her feet into her slippers, and felt her way across the room. She stumbled down the staircase. Good. The fire was still lit, and she made her way across the room and sank down into an armchair. The only problem was, she sank right into someone's lap. She opened her mouth to scream, but a hand clapped over her mouth.
It was Harry. It's just me, okay? You're not going to scream if I let you go, are you? She shook her head, and he released her. She moved to the chair next to him, and stared into the flames.
Harry asked. Are you okay?
It was awful! she burst out. You . . . and Malfoy was there, and . . . oh, Harry! It was terrible!
Harry said, glancing around nervously. You're going to wake someone up. Now, what are you talking about? What was so horrible?
The dream, Hermione said shakily. I had an awful dream. I'm all jittery. She held out her hand, and Harry could see that it was trembling.
he said soothingly, trying to calm her down. Tell me about it.
she began, her eyes still on the fire, I was walking by the lake, and you were there . . . I don't remember what you were doing. I waved, but you didn't see me. Then someone was running towards you, someone in a long, dark cloak . . . and you didn't see him. I started yelling, but you didn't hear me. You turned to see him just in time to pull out your wand and block the spell he cast. And then you were dueling, and something happened . . . I can't remember what . . . and then you were on the ground, and he was laughing . . . and then you saw something over his shoulder. And you stood up, and you looked him in the eye, and you said something . . . and he looked furious, and then you put the Body-Bind on him, and then . . . She paused.
And then . . . Harry prompted.
Ginny was there, Hermione said, a strange look on her face. I don't remember what else happened, but I know that she was there. Do you think it means anything?
I hope so! Harry said, trying to lighten the situation, but failing. Did you see his face? The person that I was fighting?
she said slowly. Well, maybe, but if I did I can't remember what it looked like.
Well, it was just a dream, Harry said uncertainly. It's not like it's going to come true. If it happened to Lavender or Parvati, they'd go running to Professor Trelawney, but you know them.
Hermione nodded slowly, but she was still troubled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ginny walked down the castle steps, shivering in the cold wind. She clutched her cloak tightly around herself, muttering a Warming Charm. She couldn't figure out why Draco had asked her to meet him in the Quidditch stands after lunch, but he had sounded urgent, so she was losing her free hour (and it seemed like most of her body heat) to talk to him. She didn't exactly trust him anymore. She wasn't sure why, but he had started sounding impatient when he talked to her, almost as if he didn't even want to be there. But he was the only person that she felt she could confide in, after what Harry had done to her. She was dying to ask Draco about Romeo and Juliet, but he had seemed distracted lately, and she didn't want him to become angry with her. She began walking up the steps, after seeing him sitting at the very top of the stands.
Why do you like it all the way up here? she panted after finally reaching him. He ignored her question, and motioned for her to sit down. His eyes were on the members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, who were swooping around in practice. Ginny followed his gaze, and briefly caught sight of Harry. She quickly looked away, and turned back to Draco. So, what did you want to talk to me about? she asked curiously.
Oh, right, he said absently, his eyes still following Harry as he soared around the field. I wanted to ask you how your classes have been going. What you've been learning.
Ginny stared at him. You made me come all the way out here to ask me how my classes are? Are you crazy? she added silently, but didn't dare to actually say it out loud.
His eyes finally shifted to her. he said finally, after scrutinizing her for awhile. How are your classes?
she said shortly. If you don't mind, Draco, I have a paper to write for Defense Against the Dark Arts, and I really should be going back. She stood up and began walking down the steps hurriedly, wanting to get away from him and his cold, staring eyes.
While she was hurrying back to the castle, rubbing her hands together and muttering about stupid charms that wear off too soon, she heard footsteps behind her. Ginny turned briefly to see Harry jogging towards her, then put her head down and began walking even faster, hoping that he'd ignore her.
Harry said, coming up next to her and slowing a bit to match her pace. You look cold.
She grunted.
he said, offering her his scarf.
Thank you, she muttered, not having the energy to protest as he wrapped it around her neck. They continued in an uncomfortable silence.
Harry said eventually. Can I -- can I talk to you?
Aren't you already? she snapped, feeling awful as soon as the words were out of her mouth. She felt him wince, but tried to ignore the feeling of her heart aching. Draco had told her -- wait, why did she care about what Draco told her? He had been acting strangely lately, and she didn't like it at all.
Harry said curtly, cutting into her thoughts. I was going to ask if you're still mad at me, but I don't think I need to anymore. Bye. He began running again, moving away from her quickly.
Ginny stopped and watched him. she whispered suddenly. Wait! Harry! But he had already gone into the castle. Ginny sighed, suddenly realized that it was snowing, and hurried inside. She shook out her cloak and was heading towards the stairs when she realized that she was about to collide with someone.
Ginny gasped as Hermione ran right into her. Strangely, Hermione didn't look surprised at all, but merely grabbed Ginny's arm and pulled her up the stairs and into the first classroom she came across.
Ginny exclaimed, wrenching her arm out of Hermione's grasp. What are you doing?
Hermione looked furious. Do you have any idea what you are doing to Harry? she spat. Draco Malfoy. Come on, Ginny! You're acting like an idiot over him! Malfoy's not worth all this, and you know it.
Ginny stared at her, feeling stunned. A cold feeling of dread washed over her, and she suddenly wobbled, clutching for a nearby desk. she said slowly, suddenly remembering something. Is there any charm that makes a lie seem believable?
Well, of course, Hermione said impatiently. It's called a Persuasive Charm. It's very effective, but it tends to wear off after awhile. Why do you want to know? Don't you care at all about Harry? Remember at the beginning of the year . . .
Ginny was just remembering something. That day when Draco had told her about seeing Harry and Hermione together . . . before he had come into the clearing . . . she had heard him mutter something. What was it? Something almost like . . . she muttered.
Hermione corrected. If you already know it, why are you asking me about it?
Ginny suddenly discovered that she had tears running down her face. He tricked me! she bawled, burying her face in her hands.
Well, obviously, Hermione said, although she seemed to be softening a little.
He used that charm on me! Ginny wailed. I only just remembered.
Hermione said, her voice suddenly more understanding. Oh. Ginny, I'm sorry, I had no idea. That isn't a charm that they teach us in our classes. I wouldn't have thought that he'd know it.
Ginny stood there and sobbed, barely listening to Hermione, who was still going on about the difficulty of the charm and wondering how Malfoy had learned it.
she said suddenly. What am I going to do? Nobody's going to believe this. And Harry . . . Harry thinks I hate him.
Well, I thought so too, until now, Hermione replied stiffly, although she reached out and patted Ginny's back as the tears began again. You just have to tell Malfoy to leave you alone. Tell him that you know what he did, and if he comes near you again, you'll tell everyone.
But nobody will believe me, Ginny wailed again. I don't have any proof.
At this point, I don't think there's anything else you can do, Hermione said, still looking faintly disapproving. Just tell Malfoy that you're through with him.
What if he tries to put a spell on me again?
Don't stay near him long enough to give him a chance.
