Chapter 17 - Mystery Friend

After taking a short nap, Ada swiftly made her way to the library in search of Emily. If she wasn't playing Quidditch, it was a safe bet to assume Emily to be in the library. She was just turning the corner closest to the library's entrance when Draco Malfoy stepped in front of her. Ada rolled and narrowed her eyes.

"Now, is that any way to greet a Malfoy?" he asked, arrogantly.

"No, actually, it isn't. I should shoot off every curse, hex, and jinx in the book. Then, Draco, you'll have your proper greeting for a Malfoy. Get out of my way." Ada stepped to the side and took one step forward before Malfoy stuck his hand out. To avoid being touched by him, Ada stopped.

"Really, Ada. I expect you of all people to have manners. I guess the Weasley way of life is rubbing off on you."

Ada's fists tightened, clutching the cloth of her robes angrily. Her face distorted in hatred. She glanced up at Malfoy. Her eyes now like slits.

"I've warned you before, Malfoy. Do not...ever...insult the Weasleys. They're a much better wizarding family than the Malfoys have ever been and will ever be. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have other business to attend to. My day doesn't have room to get mucked up by the likes of you."

"Tsk, tsk. I wouldn't say that if I were you. You may regret it later."

"Well, you're not me, so piss off." Ada grabbed Malfoy's arm and dug what nails she had into his skin as she pushed it away and stormed off into the library. Malfoy was left alone.

"You may regret it later," he said quietly as he watched her go.

***


Oliver awoke feeling cold stone against his face. His eyes focused and he realised he was on the floor of his bathroom. He sat up and put his hand to his head, trying to remember what had happened. Suddenly, his eyes shot wide open as he remembered.

"That little git! He better not have laid one finger on her!" he screamed as he pulled himself up by grabbing hold of the sink. His legs were shaky and his head felt like it was going to explode. He balanced himself against the wall as he regained composure. He tried walking but his knees gave out from under him and he felt the cold stone once more.

"What the bollocks is going on? Why can't I walk?"

Once more, he stood, using the sink as support. Oliver's head throbbed with pain. He tried his hardest to remember what had happened. Only two things came to mind; Ada...and Malfoy. Just the thought of Malfoy being alone in a room with Ada enraged Oliver to no end. He so desperately wanted to hurry out of his chambers and find her but how could he if he couldn't walk and his vision was blurred? What had happened to him?

***


"Checkmate," Ron smiled widely as his queen dethroned Harry's king.

Harry sighed, "Every time. I'll beat you one of these days, Weasley."

Just then, the portrait opened and Ginny entered, carrying quite a heavy load of books. She hid her face behind them as she passed Ron and Harry. Hermione had just exited the girls' dormitory and watched from the landing. Harry stood, feeling his face get slightly warm.

"Need help, Gin?" he asked precariously.

"No. I-er--I'm fine. It's fine. I've got them. Erm...thanks."

"No, really. I insist. You look swamped."

Ron chuckled, "Yeah, Gin. Any minute you'll topple over onto your bum."

Ginny rolled her eyes and hurried up the stairs. Harry stopped her half way up. As he examined her face more closely, he saw a light tinge of blue around her eye.

"Ginny..." Harry earnestly started, "are you alright?"

Ginny peered from the corner of her eye at a sincere Harry. She didn't want to bother him with her silly problems. He was Harry Potter; the Boy Who Lived. He was much too important for her; much too precious. Ginny remained silent, now staring at the spine of a rather large book.

Harry's brow wrinkled in concern. "I'm sorry, Gin. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I'll leave you be."

Harry started to walk back down the stairs. Ginny's heart sank at the tone of his voice. He really did care. He wasn't asking because he thought he had to. Ginny closed her eyes for a moment.

"Harry..." she squeaked quietly. Harry stopped and turned. Ginny gathered more strength for her voice. "I guess I could use a hand with these books."

Harry smiled faintly and walked back to Ginny, relieving her of her three largest volumes. At first, Ginny put a hand to her face. Harry only looked at her. She knew he wouldn't ask about it. She lowered her hand.

"What are these for, anyway?" Harry inquired, breaking the silence.

Ginny bit her lip. "Oh erm...a frie--well...a friend of sorts needs my help with something. Charms and what have you. The three books you've got there are going straight to him. I'm under strict instructions to not read them." Ginny shrugged, anticipating Harry's upcoming question. "He didn't tell me why."

Harry felt a bit envious of this mysterious male friend. Before he could ask who the friend was, they had reached the landing. They found Hermione at the top, obviously trying to hide that she had been eaves-dropping.

"Oh, Harry, Ginny! I didn't even see you! Where have you two been?"

"I guess we weren't walking up the stairs like I thought we were, Gin. I could've sworn you heard us, Hermione. Oh, and do be careful leaning over the banister. There's one around here somewhere that likes to disappear." Harry winked at, the now blushing, Hermione. Ginny hid her face.

As Harry began to follow Ginny into the girls' dormitory, Hermione caught hold of her senses.

"Harry Potter!" she scolded, "You know you are not allowed in there! You're not a girl. Besides, do you really think a girl in her right mind would let a teenage boy wander into the girls' dormitory after a very pretty girl like Ginny? Out, Harry."

Ginny giggled and blushed slightly. Harry smiled, "Now, Hermione. How do you know I'm not a girl?"

Hermione glared at him. "Harry James--"

"Now, now. No need to use my middle name. I'll just help Ginny with these books and I'll be out faster than you can say 'Quidditch'."

Hermione stood with her arms crossed, tapping her foot, while she waited for Harry. Ginny instructed him where to place the books. As he put them down, he noticed the top book's title: Minds and Memories by Sentenia Mentis. He filed the information in his mind as Hermione shooed him away, muttering something about talking to Ginny in private. The door slammed behind Harry as Ron met him on the landing.

Ron put his hands in his pockets and chuckled, "Never changes, does she? She's a fiery one, she is. Even more so--" Ron stopped as he watched Harry. "You alright, mate? You look a bit--"

"I'm fine. Erm...have you seen Ada lately?"

Ron tilted his head slightly as he raised his eyebrows. "Nope. I s'pose she's with Wood or Fred and George. Maybe Emily. Speaking of Emily...have you seen her and Fred in the corridors between nearly every class? It's positively revolting, them snogging."

"Er...thanks, Ron. I'll be back." Harry turned on his heels and started his way down the stairs.

"Oy! Whassamatter with you, eh?" Ron took his hands from his pockets and leaned against the banister.

"Sorry...I'm just a bit...preoccupied at the moment. Oh, and careful for the disapp--"

Before Harry could finish his sentence, the banister on which Ron was leaning, disappeared. Ron flailed his arms madly, trying his hardest not to fall backward. Harry bolted to Ron's aid and grabbed his robes. Ron continued falling but stopped abruptly when his robes caught him.

"Well," Ron gulped, "this -- isn't too -- pleasant." Ron looked up at Harry who was struggling to keep hold of his friend's robes.

At that moment, Hermione opened the door, allowing Harry and Ron hear her reprimanding Ginny. "And if you ever, ever let her--Oh goodness! Ron! Oh, Harry. Out of the way!" With a swish of her wand, Hermione had floated Ron back up to the landing. "Oh, Ron!" Hermione pouted, hugging him, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Hermione. No need to get--" Ron paused and smiled at Harry, obviously realising something. "Well...I was a bit frightened. I could've broken my leg if it wasn't for you!"

Ginny poked her head out from the doorway and rolled her eyes. "Harry!" she whispered, "Come in here, will you?"

Harry looked at Ginny with confusion and then glanced back at Ron, Hermione still glued to him. It was a disgusting sight. Ron was complimenting her in the closest he could come to a babying voice. Hermione was beet red but smiling widely. Ginny rolled her eyes again and pulled Harry into the dormitory.

"I see Ron's taken his advantage to be like Fred and Emily. Why brothers? Why not at least one sister? She wouldn't try to seduce every friend of hers. Anyway...listen. Hermione was a bit upset about my...my black eye...but look...don't let her know anything, alright?"

"Know anything? Gin, I don't even know anything. How could I tell Hermione?"

Ginny sighed heavily. "Right. You didn't ask. I forgot that you, unlike so many others, don't want to pry into my life. And for that, I like--I mean...erm..." Ginny's ears turned pink as she turned her back on Harry. She walked over to the pile of books and opened the top one, Minds and Memories. She removed a sheet of parchment that was pressed between the front cover and the first page and read it aloud, "'Below I've supplied a list of books I need for my research. Read through them thoroughly and give me a detailed outline of each one with tips or hints. You seem to be sufficient in Charms. More so than my fellow Slytherins anyway...Fail my task and you'll regret it, Weasel.'"

Harry stared at Ginny solemnly. "Who...Who wrote that and-- and why?"

"Whitney Clark. I tried to tell her no, Harry. I tried." Ginny felt tears roll down her cheeks. She cursed herself for crying in front of Harry. "I refused and she-- she hit me..." Ginny now turned to face Harry, regardless of what her face might've looked like, stained with tears.

"But why? Why did she ask you to do that?"

"She's jealous of Ada and she wants to learn things. Curses, jinxes, hexes...Like she said...I'm good at Charms. I guess she thought I was the only one she could persuade er...force, I should say, into doing it. I'm the weak Gryffindor after all. Weak and useless..." Ginny turned again.

"But didn't you say this 'friend' was a boy?"

"Did I? Oh, well, I must've been thinking of something else. Erm..."

"Huh?"

"Nevermind. You can go. I don't know why I called you in here. I'm sure you don't want to hear my complaints and whines."

Harry took a step forward but was unsure of what to do. Should he hold her and tell her she wasn't weak and useless? She wasn't either after all...Harry walked forward and spun Ginny to face him. Without knowing his own actions, he pulled her into a fiery kiss. All he meant to do was comfort her...not kiss her. Ginny stood, stunned, as Harry pulled away. The colour of her cheeks were more red than her hair. She quickly began to examine the floor in great interest. Harry was shocked at himself. Why had he done that? He stuttered. "Erm...er...L-Look I-I d-didn't mean anything b-by doing that...I-I don't know w-what came over m-me. I-I'm sorry. I'll just g-go." Harry's face grew warm as he walked towards the door. His hand grabbed the doorknob.

"Harry," Ginny squeaked. Harry turned. Ginny slowly walked to him. They were now face to face. Ginny stared up into his emerald eyes. She was no longer crying. A little voice in the back of her head kept repeating 'Do it. Just do it already. You've waited so long...' Ginny flung her arms around Harry's neck and pressed her lips firmly against his. Harry was flabbergasted but he didn't object. At that moment, the door flung open, Hermione and Ron stood, staring at the spectacle before them.

"Oh!" exclaimed Hermione.

"What the bloody hell?!" Ron bellowed. Harry and Ginny pulled away from each other. Ginny immediately began explaining.

"Ron! RON! Calm down! I did it! Harry didn't do anything! Please, Ron! Don't you look at him like that!"

Hermione and Harry exchanged looks. Harry obviously wanted Hermione to do something.

"Likely story, Ginny! You'd never make a move on Harry! You've always been too scared!" Ron rounded on Harry now, "You can't come in here without me knowing and do that to my little sister!"

"Ron, I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation for--"

"Stay out of this, Hermione! What'd he do to you, Ginny? Huh? Did he promise you a taste of his stupid fame? Did he put some spell on you?!"

"RON! SHUT UP!" Ginny screamed. She had reached her breaking point. Out of shock, Ron quieted himself. Hermione and Harry looked surprised. "Look...I told you...Harry had nothing to do with what you saw. I pulled him in here. I kissed him. Sure, he kissed back right before you spoiled it but--"

"WHAT?"

"Oh, shut up! I'm not a baby anymore, Ron! I thought you wanted me to like Harry? Every time I would mention being romantically involved with anyone but Harry, you'd get all fired up! I'm not a baby! I make my own choices! If I wanted to, I would've shagged Harry right here!"

Ron was glued to the spot at her last words. Harry's jaw dropped. Hermione gasped.

"But--but he--"

"He did nothing, Ron. He had no say in the matter. If I decided to kiss him, I was gonna bloody well kiss him. Now, get out of the girls' dormitory."

Ron was speechless. He slowly backed out of the room. Harry followed suit. Hermione, however, stayed behind to talk to Ginny. Once out of the room, Ron slumped to the floor. "Sorry, mate," he apologised to Harry, "I don't know what came over me. She's right. I wouldn't have cared if she thought that way about you. I guess I cared if you thought that way about her."

Harry sank next to Ron. "It's alright. You're her brother and I'm your best friend. Of course things would be weird at first." Harry barely understood what he was saying.

"At first? You mean...you mean you two are...you're not going out, are you?"

"No...I honestly don't know why I said 'at first'. Look...I'm sorry about that. She was upset about something and I was in there to talk to her about it."

"Yeah. Yeah, I understand. Erm...I think I better rest a bit. I'll er...I'll talk to you later."

Ron stood and entered the boys' dormitory. Harry had wanted to tell him that he had kissed Ginny first but it was obviously not the right time. Harry checked the time. The game started in an hour.

***


"What's your reason for being so hot and bothered, aye, mate?"

Ada had just met up with Emily in the 'Minds' section of the library. Ada's fists were still clenched from her meeting with Malfoy and her face was pink with annoyance.

"Fucking Malfoy..."

"WHAT?!"

"No! Oh dear god, no. I didn't mean it like that. Ugh...No, Draco stopped me in the hallway and he made me upset...again."

Emily sighed in relief. "Well, while you were insulting Malfoy no doubt, I was checking up on some things. Mainly about dreams. Anyway, I found something that kind of explains why I could see your dream. I forgot which book it was in...the name Sentenia sounds familiar though...ah well. I'll find it again sometime. Well, as I was saying... It said something about subjects of a prophecy can have magical bonds er...unspoken prophecies with others. It didn't say much more...I found it in a picture's caption. It didn't explain what 'unspoken prophecies' are."

"Oh yeah? Hmm...Have you seen Oliver?"

Emily stared at Ada. "Well, don't get too excited about us possibly sharing a magical bond. I thought he was with you."

"He was...I left because his eyes were cold."

Emily blinked. "Am I supposed to know what that means?"

"Gah. No. Nevermind. We'll talk about it later. There's only an hour until the game and I still need to find out who's refereeing."

"Charlie."

"Huh? Charlie Weasley?"

"Yep. He's visiting Dumbledore for some reason. The subject of Oliver's accident came up and Charlie jumped at the chance of refereeing. I talked to him just a few minutes ago with Fred."

"That's great! Where is he? I haven't seen him in so long."

"He's probably in Dumbledore's office or on the Pitch." Emily shrugged and then smiled. "Weasleys are sexy."

Ada laughed and rolled her eyes. "Well, then let's nip over to the Pitch and visit with him."