Thanks for the reviews and whatnot…suggestions were lovely, as usual. Enjoy the latest chapter!
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When Harry and Ron first found the diary, their mind-set completely changed. They became concentrated and didn't show any recognition toward everyone...
Even Draco.
Malfoy had done thousands of things to distract Harry and Ron that week but nothing seemed to capture their interest. He'd sent dung bombs in their mail, called them the usual obscene names in the hall yet; nothing could derive their thoughts from – whatever it was. It angered Malfoy to know that even for a moment he'd lost control of a situation and so, he knew he'd have to dig something up on Potter and Weasley or else everyone would begin to ignore him…
And so, of course, Malfoy, being the absolute little horror that he was, found it his duty to do a bit of snooping and find out whatever Ron and Harry were up to. He was so certain it could get them expelled immediately…so certain that he didn't even think twice as he lightly went through Potter's bag during Breakfast the following morning of the dungeon escapade.
"Hmm…Transfiguration book, Potions homework – we all know that's a 'T'…Divination…and –what's this?" Malfoy said as he picked up a black leather-bound journal that had "The Diary of Severus Snape" written across the cover of it.
"Well, well, well," Said Malfoy with a widening grin spread across his face "…I knew I was up to something, but I'd never have thought…"
Malfoy carefully closed Harry's bag and left Breakfast with a look of contentment and Snape's diary in hand. He couldn't have been any less hungry at the moment…he had to find Snape and personally deliver the diary himself. On the way to the dungeons and after receiving a few odd glares by Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor students, he realized that his "backbone" wasn't with him.
"Where are those two lugs? I can't depend upon them for anything! Well…other than ruining the lives of my adversaries I can't depend on them for anything. At least Potter has Weasley to depend on…Wait, was I remotely jealous of Potter just then? Am I talking to myself aloud? Malfoy's do not talk to themselves aloud! Oh…this must stop."
He rounded the corner and stood in front of Professor Snape's door. He stood there for a few moments, trying to burst through the door and announce at the top of his voice what he'd found in Potter's bag, but he couldn't so much as move a leg.
His eyes were transfixed to the diary.
"I wonder what he's written in here. Granted the man is only a teacher and can't have much of a life to begin with…but I do wonder if he's written anything in here valuable to me, perhaps."
Malfoy ran his fingers across the diary one last time and dashed down the corridor. He'd return the diary to Snape…just as soon as he'd read a few pages of it himself. He couldn't have Potter and Weasley knowing more than he did!
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Harry and Ron returned to the table after searching high-and-low for Hermione, yet, she was no place to be found. Ron was in an outrage and Harry couldn't help but feel disgusted as well whenever Hermione's name came about in their conversations as it so usually did about every five seconds or so.
"I still can't believe that she's really – "
"Shh, Ron…we don't know that."
"Right…you're expecting me to believe that she's just –oh, I dunno – taking extra potions lessons?"
"It is what she said…and as much as I can't believe it either, we have to act normal. We now know that if we bring this to anyone, Snape won't be the only one affected. The best thing to do, I reckon, is return the diary like Snape said."
"Yeah, as much as it makes me want to gag, I guess you're right…so, is it in your bag?"
"Yeah, right beside my Transfiguration book," said Harry as he felt his way through his bag. "– Wait a minute…it's not here!"
"What?" Panicked Ron as the color faded from his face. "What d'ya mean, mate? Diaries just don't grow legs and walk away, not even in the wizarding world!"
"Well, I swear to you I put it in my bag as I was dressing this morning!" Harry exclaimed as he dumped the contents from his bag onto the table.
His hands rummaged through broken quills and wrinkled pieces of parchment, but there was no diary to be found.
"What are we going to tell Snape? 'Oh sorry we lost your diary, Professor Perv, but maybe it'll probably turn up in Dumbledore's hands by the end of the day?' Harry, we're done for!"
"Now calm down, Ron. I say we go down to Snape and –"
" – And what, Harry? Don't you see, we're going to be butchered! Skinned! The skin will flay from our bodies by the time he's even begun his torture!"
"Then I guess we resume the day as usual until the time comes."
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Okies…I did it! w00t! w00t! Revise as needed and I'll post. TTYL.