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. . I wish . . . nope . . . ding ding ding!! Yes its J.K.Rowling . . .
The Games of Life
Chapter 4
He was suddenly pushed against the wall roughly, his head hitting the wall violently, the rough wall cold against his warm cheeks. Someone behind him grabbed his two hands while holding them tightly behind his back. He couldn't see who that person was since the corridor was pretty dark. That person leaned closer pushing Harry's chest against the cold wall and tightening his grip on Harry's wrists. He pulled Harry again and pushed him hard against the wall for the second time now. Harry groaned with pain, he felt like his lungs just shattered, he gasped for air while he felt that the person behind him pushed himself against Harry making the boy feel crushed between the wall and the other human body.
"Please" gasped Harry with pain "please stop" he said pleadingly again.
He felt a heat of breathe brush his cheek. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to know who it was for fear it might panic him even more . . .
Suddenly he felt his hands drop to his side, the pressure behind him disappear. Harry opened his eyes, still not daring to turn around. He waited for a couple of seconds, bringing his breathing back to normal. All was silent. He turned around slowly to find himself standing in front of mid-air. He quickly looked to his right and left only to find it empty on either side. His fear was replaced by his inner turmoil and confusion. He was lost for words. He didn't know who attacked him but he was sure he wasn't going to stay and find out, he knew he would be safe in the Gryffindor Tower. With his wand in his hand he headed back to Gryffindor Tower hurriedly, his eyes looking in all directions. He entered the Gryffindor common room swiftly and climbed the steps to his dormitory collapsing on his bed with a thud. He couldn't stop thinking how vulnerable he felt, how weak he must have seem. The boy who lived was helpless in the arms of an unknown enemy he thought to himself. He inhaled deeply, his face buried in his pillow. His mind kept racing and he felt like his body was left behind soon he was no longer in reality world since sleep took over him.
Someone was nudging him.
"Harry! Wake up Harry! Are you alright mate?"
He rolled onto his back and opened his eyes. Ron was standing right above him his face full of worry.
"Where were you?" asked Ron. "You weren't in any of the classes today and you were missing during lunch, are you okay?"
Harry smiled. A warm feeling filled him knowing someone cared about him.
"Harry what's wrong with you?" asked Ron who couldn't understand the meaning of his smile.
"I'm fine, I was just feeling a bit tired, that's all, I carelessly fell asleep, I didn't mean to worry you" Harry said somewhat apologetically.
"Its not like you to fall asleep in the middle of the day, I mean you didn't seem that tired this morning, well you seemed a bit off but then the first class this morning you were fine, I know you stayed behind because Professor McGonagall summoned you but-" he stopped mid sentence, his mind rushing to some conclusion.
"Harry, did something happen after you left her class?"
Harry's face expression somewhat changed, his mind taking in the scenes he experienced earlier.
"Something happened, I can see that on your face" Ron said.
Harry sat up on his bed. Ron sat across from him.
"Harry you know you can tell me," he looked at Harry waiting for a response.
"Ron," he said, not knowing how to start or if he should at all. He lowered his eyes, not wanting to meet his best friend's gaze. "Nothing happened" he heard himself say.
Ron sat there, his face slightly saddened is if knowing something that was never told, as if there was no need for words.
"Are you coming to dinner?" he asked even though his mind seemed to be somewhere else.
"No, I think I'll do some homework" Harry said.
Ron nodded and left the room.
Harry was left alone with his thoughts, the last thing he wanted so he decided to go downstairs and do some homework. The rest of the night went pretty quietly and when people started coming back through the portrait hall from dinner Harry decided to head back upstairs. That night he couldn't find any sleep since his mind was too troubled. It was only in the early morning hours when he finally drifted to sleep.
Friday went by pretty smoothly. Harry felt very content since he had no classes with the Slytherin house, which meant not seeing Draco. He didn't know how he felt, or how he was supposed to feel toward him, he actually didn't want to think about him at all, he just pushed any thought of him out of his head as if he was some kind of contagious disease.
Hermione, Lavender, Harry and Ron strolled quickly from their last class of the day toward their common room since tonight was the dance that Dumbeldore planned for them all.
Hermione was walking with Lavender ahead of Ron and Harry talking about the dress she prepared for the event.
"Wow, Hermione seems very enthused about the dance all of a sudden" chuckled Harry.
"I know, it kind of surprised me," said Ron. "So are you coming tonight?"
"Why not," said Harry "I need some distraction from-" he stopped his sentence. "Why not" he said, concluding.
Ron looked at him in the same way he did in their dormitory the night before. "Good" was all he said.
**************
At 7:30 they were all ready. Ron was wearing his best outfit although there were traces that it was worn before. Harry put on a pair of jeans, and a white-collar shirt, he didn't bother dressing up since he felt he had no need of impressing anyone of importance. Hermione was wearing a very elegant dress that flattered her form remarkably. They headed toward the great Hall. Hermione the most excited of them all didn't stop talking the whole time.
"So I told her that there is no way she's charming my hair, I mean I used to always do it by myself, but then she said that my way isn't good enough, and I told her that I know what's good for myself and she should stay out of my business, and she started yelling at me that she's never going to help me again, but I didn't even ask for her help so-"
"Hermione relax" Harry said, tapping her on her shoulder.
Hermione blushed. "I'm sorry, I'm nervous for some reason"
"You shouldn't be, you look great" said Ron, then turned crimson red "well I mean than your usual self"
Hermione chuckled. "Thanks I guess"
Harry rolled his eyes. Can they be anymore obvious, he thought to himself.
They entered the Great Hall. It looked completely different. The long tables disappeared. Right in front of them was a stage with charmed magical instruments that played on their own accord a soft melody. The ceiling was bewitched to show a starry night sky with no trace of the moon. Candles were floating above their heads and there were a couple of short tables at their right side filled with different kinds of foods.
They all gasped at the view. It was truly beautiful. People were already dancing in the middle of the floor and more people were coming in from the different entrances.
They marched to the food table.
"Wow, this is amazing!" said Hermione.
Ron and Harry chuckled in agreement. It was kind of surprising to see Hermione excited about something other than books.
Ron poured some punch and offered it to Hermione and Harry. They drank it contently.
"Do you want to dance," Ron asked looking at Hermione.
She nodded with a smile. She then looked at Harry, "do you mind?"
"No, go right a head" he said forcing a smile on his face.
Ron and Hermione joined the dancing crowd and disappeared between them.
Harry was left standing by the food table, sipping his punch. He looked around and he saw none other than Draco enter the great hall with Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle. Draco looked great as always, he was wearing a tight shirt that extenuated his form, and a pair of loose pants, which seemed very expensive. Harry swallowed hard, he had to admit that Draco looked pretty good but he knew he shouldn't be thinking that so he averted his eyes back to the dancing people trying to ignore the blonde who was marching right towards him.
"If it isn't Potter," mocked Draco. "All by himself"
Harry gave him a cold look. "Where are your bodyguards?" he asked.
Draco looked slightly amused. "And where are yours?"
Harry looked at him furiously. "If you came here to tease me I'm in no mood," he said putting his drink down. Suddenly he felt in no mood for the party either, the only thing he wanted to do was to get out of here as quickly as possible.
He turned his back to Draco and started marching toward the exit.
"And where are you going?" called Draco after him, trying to keep his cool composure mixed with his usual sneering self.
"Like you care" Harry replied without stopping and exited the Great Hall.
He didn't feel like going back to his dormitories so he walked to one of the great windows right outside the Great Hall and sat next to a window. He looked outside. The sky was clear, no stars to be seen only the moon shining bright as ever. He opened the window slightly letting the cool night air inside. He closed his eyes his form leaning against the wall his head thrown back. He breathed in the cool air trying to clear his mind.
He heard steps somewhere, then the steps became clearer and it was pretty obvious that someone was walking at his direction. Harry chose to ignore and kept his eyes closed. He heard the steps stop right beside him and felt someone standing right next to him and a weird feeling of someone watching him. He lazily opened his eyes.
"Malfoy" he drawled.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his face slightly troubled.
"Enjoying the view" remarked Harry "and you?"
"The same" Draco said.
Harry eyes widened in surprise and he felt his cheeks burning.
"I meant the view Potter, not you" he sneered.
"Whatever," replied Harry turning his head back to grounds outside. "So why did you follow me here"
"I wanted to apologize"
Harry turned his head so quickly he felt like his spine broke in two. His face full of shock and disbelief.
"What?" he asked as if his ears betrayed him.
"I said I wanted to apologize" he said his face calm as always.
"What for?" he asked even though he had in mind a couple of reasons Draco could apologize for.
"For scaring you off like that yesterday" he said, his gaze turned from Harry to the outside grounds.
Harry jumped to his feet, facing Draco. His mouth slightly open. Was Draco referring to what Harry thought he was? This couldn't be true, this couldn't be happening!
"I don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy" he added coldly.
Draco looked at him. The silence around them added to weight in Harry's chest. Harry knew that there was no turning back.
"I knew it was you," he said, trying to make his voice stable.
Draco kept his eyes fixed on Harry's. His face changed.
"No, you didn't"
Harry looked away.
"Why" he asked his voice shaking slightly.
"It doesn't matter" he said, he took hold of his arm to get his attention, "I'm sorry"
Harry looked into Draco's blue-grey eyes, they seemed different.
"Why did you stop?" he asked, "Why didn't you finish me off like you could have?"
"Damn Potter, I don't know! I've been trying to understand it myself! It's just . . . " he stopped, he felt like Harry's green eyes were digging into him.
"Just what?" Harry inquired his voice shaking with fury and something else.
"Its just the way you begged me to stop" he said.
Harry felt his eyes turn watery all of a sudden. "I wasn't begging," he said angrily.
Draco own eyes were shiny all of a sudden. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that to you"
"You're a bastard, you know that Malfoy?"
Draco lowered his gaze to the floor.
Harry leaned against the wall and closed his eyes; he didn't want to cry especially not in front of Draco. He breathed deeply.
"Draco, Dear! Come back inside!" Pansy's annoying pitched voice was heard.
Draco rolled his eyes.
"Leave me al-" he started but was cut by Harry's short reply "GO".
Draco looked at Harry but Harry just gave him a cold look and said "Go" again this time with contempt in it.
"Fine" was all that Draco replied, giving him a contemptuous look and turned around leaving him there by himself.
Harry breathed in, trying to cool himself down. He knew he shouldn't have come to this stupid dance. Part of him hoped to see that stupid git but the other part of him wanted to rip him apart. Now all he wished was to stay as far as possible from Malfoy. He still couldn't believe he let that stupid blond make him feel so vulnerable. He will make him pay. There was always that Quidditch match this coming Monday. The perfect opportunity for a sweet revenge, yes Malfoy will pay for this.
The Games of Life
Chapter 4
He was suddenly pushed against the wall roughly, his head hitting the wall violently, the rough wall cold against his warm cheeks. Someone behind him grabbed his two hands while holding them tightly behind his back. He couldn't see who that person was since the corridor was pretty dark. That person leaned closer pushing Harry's chest against the cold wall and tightening his grip on Harry's wrists. He pulled Harry again and pushed him hard against the wall for the second time now. Harry groaned with pain, he felt like his lungs just shattered, he gasped for air while he felt that the person behind him pushed himself against Harry making the boy feel crushed between the wall and the other human body.
"Please" gasped Harry with pain "please stop" he said pleadingly again.
He felt a heat of breathe brush his cheek. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to know who it was for fear it might panic him even more . . .
Suddenly he felt his hands drop to his side, the pressure behind him disappear. Harry opened his eyes, still not daring to turn around. He waited for a couple of seconds, bringing his breathing back to normal. All was silent. He turned around slowly to find himself standing in front of mid-air. He quickly looked to his right and left only to find it empty on either side. His fear was replaced by his inner turmoil and confusion. He was lost for words. He didn't know who attacked him but he was sure he wasn't going to stay and find out, he knew he would be safe in the Gryffindor Tower. With his wand in his hand he headed back to Gryffindor Tower hurriedly, his eyes looking in all directions. He entered the Gryffindor common room swiftly and climbed the steps to his dormitory collapsing on his bed with a thud. He couldn't stop thinking how vulnerable he felt, how weak he must have seem. The boy who lived was helpless in the arms of an unknown enemy he thought to himself. He inhaled deeply, his face buried in his pillow. His mind kept racing and he felt like his body was left behind soon he was no longer in reality world since sleep took over him.
Someone was nudging him.
"Harry! Wake up Harry! Are you alright mate?"
He rolled onto his back and opened his eyes. Ron was standing right above him his face full of worry.
"Where were you?" asked Ron. "You weren't in any of the classes today and you were missing during lunch, are you okay?"
Harry smiled. A warm feeling filled him knowing someone cared about him.
"Harry what's wrong with you?" asked Ron who couldn't understand the meaning of his smile.
"I'm fine, I was just feeling a bit tired, that's all, I carelessly fell asleep, I didn't mean to worry you" Harry said somewhat apologetically.
"Its not like you to fall asleep in the middle of the day, I mean you didn't seem that tired this morning, well you seemed a bit off but then the first class this morning you were fine, I know you stayed behind because Professor McGonagall summoned you but-" he stopped mid sentence, his mind rushing to some conclusion.
"Harry, did something happen after you left her class?"
Harry's face expression somewhat changed, his mind taking in the scenes he experienced earlier.
"Something happened, I can see that on your face" Ron said.
Harry sat up on his bed. Ron sat across from him.
"Harry you know you can tell me," he looked at Harry waiting for a response.
"Ron," he said, not knowing how to start or if he should at all. He lowered his eyes, not wanting to meet his best friend's gaze. "Nothing happened" he heard himself say.
Ron sat there, his face slightly saddened is if knowing something that was never told, as if there was no need for words.
"Are you coming to dinner?" he asked even though his mind seemed to be somewhere else.
"No, I think I'll do some homework" Harry said.
Ron nodded and left the room.
Harry was left alone with his thoughts, the last thing he wanted so he decided to go downstairs and do some homework. The rest of the night went pretty quietly and when people started coming back through the portrait hall from dinner Harry decided to head back upstairs. That night he couldn't find any sleep since his mind was too troubled. It was only in the early morning hours when he finally drifted to sleep.
Friday went by pretty smoothly. Harry felt very content since he had no classes with the Slytherin house, which meant not seeing Draco. He didn't know how he felt, or how he was supposed to feel toward him, he actually didn't want to think about him at all, he just pushed any thought of him out of his head as if he was some kind of contagious disease.
Hermione, Lavender, Harry and Ron strolled quickly from their last class of the day toward their common room since tonight was the dance that Dumbeldore planned for them all.
Hermione was walking with Lavender ahead of Ron and Harry talking about the dress she prepared for the event.
"Wow, Hermione seems very enthused about the dance all of a sudden" chuckled Harry.
"I know, it kind of surprised me," said Ron. "So are you coming tonight?"
"Why not," said Harry "I need some distraction from-" he stopped his sentence. "Why not" he said, concluding.
Ron looked at him in the same way he did in their dormitory the night before. "Good" was all he said.
**************
At 7:30 they were all ready. Ron was wearing his best outfit although there were traces that it was worn before. Harry put on a pair of jeans, and a white-collar shirt, he didn't bother dressing up since he felt he had no need of impressing anyone of importance. Hermione was wearing a very elegant dress that flattered her form remarkably. They headed toward the great Hall. Hermione the most excited of them all didn't stop talking the whole time.
"So I told her that there is no way she's charming my hair, I mean I used to always do it by myself, but then she said that my way isn't good enough, and I told her that I know what's good for myself and she should stay out of my business, and she started yelling at me that she's never going to help me again, but I didn't even ask for her help so-"
"Hermione relax" Harry said, tapping her on her shoulder.
Hermione blushed. "I'm sorry, I'm nervous for some reason"
"You shouldn't be, you look great" said Ron, then turned crimson red "well I mean than your usual self"
Hermione chuckled. "Thanks I guess"
Harry rolled his eyes. Can they be anymore obvious, he thought to himself.
They entered the Great Hall. It looked completely different. The long tables disappeared. Right in front of them was a stage with charmed magical instruments that played on their own accord a soft melody. The ceiling was bewitched to show a starry night sky with no trace of the moon. Candles were floating above their heads and there were a couple of short tables at their right side filled with different kinds of foods.
They all gasped at the view. It was truly beautiful. People were already dancing in the middle of the floor and more people were coming in from the different entrances.
They marched to the food table.
"Wow, this is amazing!" said Hermione.
Ron and Harry chuckled in agreement. It was kind of surprising to see Hermione excited about something other than books.
Ron poured some punch and offered it to Hermione and Harry. They drank it contently.
"Do you want to dance," Ron asked looking at Hermione.
She nodded with a smile. She then looked at Harry, "do you mind?"
"No, go right a head" he said forcing a smile on his face.
Ron and Hermione joined the dancing crowd and disappeared between them.
Harry was left standing by the food table, sipping his punch. He looked around and he saw none other than Draco enter the great hall with Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle. Draco looked great as always, he was wearing a tight shirt that extenuated his form, and a pair of loose pants, which seemed very expensive. Harry swallowed hard, he had to admit that Draco looked pretty good but he knew he shouldn't be thinking that so he averted his eyes back to the dancing people trying to ignore the blonde who was marching right towards him.
"If it isn't Potter," mocked Draco. "All by himself"
Harry gave him a cold look. "Where are your bodyguards?" he asked.
Draco looked slightly amused. "And where are yours?"
Harry looked at him furiously. "If you came here to tease me I'm in no mood," he said putting his drink down. Suddenly he felt in no mood for the party either, the only thing he wanted to do was to get out of here as quickly as possible.
He turned his back to Draco and started marching toward the exit.
"And where are you going?" called Draco after him, trying to keep his cool composure mixed with his usual sneering self.
"Like you care" Harry replied without stopping and exited the Great Hall.
He didn't feel like going back to his dormitories so he walked to one of the great windows right outside the Great Hall and sat next to a window. He looked outside. The sky was clear, no stars to be seen only the moon shining bright as ever. He opened the window slightly letting the cool night air inside. He closed his eyes his form leaning against the wall his head thrown back. He breathed in the cool air trying to clear his mind.
He heard steps somewhere, then the steps became clearer and it was pretty obvious that someone was walking at his direction. Harry chose to ignore and kept his eyes closed. He heard the steps stop right beside him and felt someone standing right next to him and a weird feeling of someone watching him. He lazily opened his eyes.
"Malfoy" he drawled.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his face slightly troubled.
"Enjoying the view" remarked Harry "and you?"
"The same" Draco said.
Harry eyes widened in surprise and he felt his cheeks burning.
"I meant the view Potter, not you" he sneered.
"Whatever," replied Harry turning his head back to grounds outside. "So why did you follow me here"
"I wanted to apologize"
Harry turned his head so quickly he felt like his spine broke in two. His face full of shock and disbelief.
"What?" he asked as if his ears betrayed him.
"I said I wanted to apologize" he said his face calm as always.
"What for?" he asked even though he had in mind a couple of reasons Draco could apologize for.
"For scaring you off like that yesterday" he said, his gaze turned from Harry to the outside grounds.
Harry jumped to his feet, facing Draco. His mouth slightly open. Was Draco referring to what Harry thought he was? This couldn't be true, this couldn't be happening!
"I don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy" he added coldly.
Draco looked at him. The silence around them added to weight in Harry's chest. Harry knew that there was no turning back.
"I knew it was you," he said, trying to make his voice stable.
Draco kept his eyes fixed on Harry's. His face changed.
"No, you didn't"
Harry looked away.
"Why" he asked his voice shaking slightly.
"It doesn't matter" he said, he took hold of his arm to get his attention, "I'm sorry"
Harry looked into Draco's blue-grey eyes, they seemed different.
"Why did you stop?" he asked, "Why didn't you finish me off like you could have?"
"Damn Potter, I don't know! I've been trying to understand it myself! It's just . . . " he stopped, he felt like Harry's green eyes were digging into him.
"Just what?" Harry inquired his voice shaking with fury and something else.
"Its just the way you begged me to stop" he said.
Harry felt his eyes turn watery all of a sudden. "I wasn't begging," he said angrily.
Draco own eyes were shiny all of a sudden. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that to you"
"You're a bastard, you know that Malfoy?"
Draco lowered his gaze to the floor.
Harry leaned against the wall and closed his eyes; he didn't want to cry especially not in front of Draco. He breathed deeply.
"Draco, Dear! Come back inside!" Pansy's annoying pitched voice was heard.
Draco rolled his eyes.
"Leave me al-" he started but was cut by Harry's short reply "GO".
Draco looked at Harry but Harry just gave him a cold look and said "Go" again this time with contempt in it.
"Fine" was all that Draco replied, giving him a contemptuous look and turned around leaving him there by himself.
Harry breathed in, trying to cool himself down. He knew he shouldn't have come to this stupid dance. Part of him hoped to see that stupid git but the other part of him wanted to rip him apart. Now all he wished was to stay as far as possible from Malfoy. He still couldn't believe he let that stupid blond make him feel so vulnerable. He will make him pay. There was always that Quidditch match this coming Monday. The perfect opportunity for a sweet revenge, yes Malfoy will pay for this.