The Games of Life
Chapter 7
Harry stayed in the common room for the rest of the day engrossed in his thoughts. It was only when he heard the distant callings of his name did he finally snap from his dazed daydreaming.
It was Hermione. She looked worried like she always did.
"Harry, are you feeling all right now?" she asked in a motherly tone, slumping next to him on the sofa.
Harry gave her a weak smile and nodded meekly.
"All of us were so worried about you, Harry. After that fall and all. I visited you every day you know, I'm sorry that I wasn't there when you woke up, I had homework you know, which by the way you have a lot to complete, they didn't go easy on you especially Snape"
Harry chuckled at the obvious.
"You're not very talkative at the moment, are you?" she said with an understanding tone. "Its okay, Harry, everything will be all right, I'll do some of the homework for you" she said putting her arm about him affectionately.
"Thanks" he said appreciatively, leaning into the welcomed embrace. He was grateful for his friends and he needed as much comfort as he could get.
***
The next morning Harry went down to breakfast accompanied with Ron and Hermione. They were careful not to mention anything about the previous events and resumed to their missed bickering. Harry welcomed that distraction and for once was silent giving in to the cycle.
They entered the great hall; all eyes seemed to be upon him. Their gazes burned him and he felt the bile rising in his stomach. He was foolish to come here, what was he thinking of? He avoided the stares and tried to block away the whispers.
He sat down slowly at his seat, his fellow Gryffindors sent him welcoming smiles. He returned it with an almost forced one. He averted his gaze from the rest of the table and tried to focus on his breakfast. Who knew that such a task could be so hard?
Some minutes later the mail started coming. Harry didn't lift his head. There was no one to send him mail now. He was about to take another bite from his pancakes when suddenly an envelope was dropped at his side.
Harry raised his head in confusion. He stared at the letter with puzzled eyes. He picked it up slowly, there was no name on the envelope but somehow he knew it was addressed to him.
"Well, open it mate," said Ron curiously.
Hermione shot him an angry look. "Let him be, Ron! Its his letter"
"I think I'll read it later" Harry said putting away the letter; he felt this was not the place to read its contents.
Ron gave him a disappointed look and resumed his breakfast slightly agitated.
***
The day passed better than Harry had anticipated. His homework was finished all thanks to Hermione and he turned in all he needed. He seemed to get points in every class; if it was for his true knowledge or for mere sympathy he didn't know or cared. He had no classes with Slytherin that day, which meant he did not have to converse with the dreaded blond or receive remorseless insults from Snape. All in all the day passed quickly.
Harry refused to go to dinner in fear his mood might change by seeing the one he was most anxious of meeting so decided to retire to the common room. Besides, he remembered the unread letter that was still in his pocket and he wanted to be alone when he read it.
He dropped onto one of the soft arm chairs and opened the letter carefully, reading its message:
YOU LOST THE BET.
MEET ME AT THE ASTRONOMY TOWER TONIGHT AT 11:45 PM.
He didn't forget. Oh, how he hoped that Malfoy would forget. How he hoped that maybe by some chance Malfoy's mind was shaken when he fell that day at the Quidditch pitch, how he hoped that maybe it was some kind of a joke, some kind of a mere threat to frighten him, a promise with no basis.
But he didn't.
***
That night when everybody fell asleep, Harry got up silently, careful not to make any noise. He was already dressed so he just got his wand and invisibility cloak. He didn't want to get caught, especially not tonight.
He left Gryffindor tower with an almost regret in his heart. He felt that maybe he should have stayed in his bed, safe and distant, but somehow he felt he must keep to his word. Too much has happened between him and Malfoy for him to turn his back now, too late by any chance.
He hastened his steps as he walked along the dark corridors, the atmosphere chilling his insides. He came to a halt in front of the astronomy door, disposing his cloak. He entered quietly to find a figure standing by the far window, its shadow looming over the floor.
Harry closed the door with a sound to purposely startle his company. Malfoy spun around with fear in his eyes but then his features softened as he realized who it was. His face changed to an almost satisfied expression and he wore a mysterious smile.
Harry remained next to the door. Not daring step any closer. He felt being in the same room with that git was enough. But Malfoy didn't seem to care for he came closer.
"I see you got my letter, Potter" he said, his tone filled with amusement while he took another step toward poor Harry.
"Obviously" replied Harry mockingly, tensing slightly as their distance grew smaller.
"You seem awful, as if you lost something" he said chuckling maliciously.
"I'm glad you care" Harry said, trying not to take that last comment personally.
They eyed each other meaningfully. Draco came to a halt in front of Harry, sensing his discomfort. Only a few steps separated them now.
"You remember our bet, don't you potter?" Draco said with an artificial smile.
"Yes" replied Harry tonelessly.
"You remember the terms?" Draco asked again, dissatisfied with Harry's calmness.
"Yes"
Draco felt slightly agitated, Harry seemed to be void of emotion and that angered Malfoy. He wanted to let him know that he got the cards now and it was his turn to play.
Draco took another step, evil glinting in his eyes. Harry backed into the door. Fear reflected so clearly in his emerald green eyes. Draco smiled. This is how he wanted Harry, scared and helpless.
"You are my slave now" he said cruelly.
"For one day only, Malfoy!" Harry shouted angrily, feeling more embarrassed than ever.
"Starting now" concluded Malfoy, "its 12:00 now, a new day, a new beginning"
"But on a school da-"
"Its Saturday already"
Draco leaned, Harry pushed himself at the door behind him but there was nowhere to go, Draco leaned closer his face coming over Harry's shoulder and his breath brushing Harry's neck. Harry shuddered, his breath hitched.
Draco reached for the doorknob as if that what his sole purpose in leaning.
"You're blocking the door," he said completely satisfied with the stirring of emotions he caused in Harry.
Harry moved weakly from the door. Draco opened it, and was about to exit when he said "oh yeah, you will wait for me outside my common room at 9:00 am" he said darkly.
Harry was about to open his mouth in protest when the door closed. He leaned against the wall defeated and closed his eyes. This could not be happening, he thought.
Written -- 11/28/03
A/N- I'm really sorry it took me ages to write this chapter, it's just that I had a writers block for a while but now I have some idea where I'm going. I love getting all your reviews and know that they are oh so important to me!! Not only do they raise my spirit, they actually motivate me to write faster!!
And again thanks to all those who read my story . . . don't forget to review!! Your reviews is my food and I am damn hungry! :p
Chapter 7
Harry stayed in the common room for the rest of the day engrossed in his thoughts. It was only when he heard the distant callings of his name did he finally snap from his dazed daydreaming.
It was Hermione. She looked worried like she always did.
"Harry, are you feeling all right now?" she asked in a motherly tone, slumping next to him on the sofa.
Harry gave her a weak smile and nodded meekly.
"All of us were so worried about you, Harry. After that fall and all. I visited you every day you know, I'm sorry that I wasn't there when you woke up, I had homework you know, which by the way you have a lot to complete, they didn't go easy on you especially Snape"
Harry chuckled at the obvious.
"You're not very talkative at the moment, are you?" she said with an understanding tone. "Its okay, Harry, everything will be all right, I'll do some of the homework for you" she said putting her arm about him affectionately.
"Thanks" he said appreciatively, leaning into the welcomed embrace. He was grateful for his friends and he needed as much comfort as he could get.
***
The next morning Harry went down to breakfast accompanied with Ron and Hermione. They were careful not to mention anything about the previous events and resumed to their missed bickering. Harry welcomed that distraction and for once was silent giving in to the cycle.
They entered the great hall; all eyes seemed to be upon him. Their gazes burned him and he felt the bile rising in his stomach. He was foolish to come here, what was he thinking of? He avoided the stares and tried to block away the whispers.
He sat down slowly at his seat, his fellow Gryffindors sent him welcoming smiles. He returned it with an almost forced one. He averted his gaze from the rest of the table and tried to focus on his breakfast. Who knew that such a task could be so hard?
Some minutes later the mail started coming. Harry didn't lift his head. There was no one to send him mail now. He was about to take another bite from his pancakes when suddenly an envelope was dropped at his side.
Harry raised his head in confusion. He stared at the letter with puzzled eyes. He picked it up slowly, there was no name on the envelope but somehow he knew it was addressed to him.
"Well, open it mate," said Ron curiously.
Hermione shot him an angry look. "Let him be, Ron! Its his letter"
"I think I'll read it later" Harry said putting away the letter; he felt this was not the place to read its contents.
Ron gave him a disappointed look and resumed his breakfast slightly agitated.
***
The day passed better than Harry had anticipated. His homework was finished all thanks to Hermione and he turned in all he needed. He seemed to get points in every class; if it was for his true knowledge or for mere sympathy he didn't know or cared. He had no classes with Slytherin that day, which meant he did not have to converse with the dreaded blond or receive remorseless insults from Snape. All in all the day passed quickly.
Harry refused to go to dinner in fear his mood might change by seeing the one he was most anxious of meeting so decided to retire to the common room. Besides, he remembered the unread letter that was still in his pocket and he wanted to be alone when he read it.
He dropped onto one of the soft arm chairs and opened the letter carefully, reading its message:
YOU LOST THE BET.
MEET ME AT THE ASTRONOMY TOWER TONIGHT AT 11:45 PM.
He didn't forget. Oh, how he hoped that Malfoy would forget. How he hoped that maybe by some chance Malfoy's mind was shaken when he fell that day at the Quidditch pitch, how he hoped that maybe it was some kind of a joke, some kind of a mere threat to frighten him, a promise with no basis.
But he didn't.
***
That night when everybody fell asleep, Harry got up silently, careful not to make any noise. He was already dressed so he just got his wand and invisibility cloak. He didn't want to get caught, especially not tonight.
He left Gryffindor tower with an almost regret in his heart. He felt that maybe he should have stayed in his bed, safe and distant, but somehow he felt he must keep to his word. Too much has happened between him and Malfoy for him to turn his back now, too late by any chance.
He hastened his steps as he walked along the dark corridors, the atmosphere chilling his insides. He came to a halt in front of the astronomy door, disposing his cloak. He entered quietly to find a figure standing by the far window, its shadow looming over the floor.
Harry closed the door with a sound to purposely startle his company. Malfoy spun around with fear in his eyes but then his features softened as he realized who it was. His face changed to an almost satisfied expression and he wore a mysterious smile.
Harry remained next to the door. Not daring step any closer. He felt being in the same room with that git was enough. But Malfoy didn't seem to care for he came closer.
"I see you got my letter, Potter" he said, his tone filled with amusement while he took another step toward poor Harry.
"Obviously" replied Harry mockingly, tensing slightly as their distance grew smaller.
"You seem awful, as if you lost something" he said chuckling maliciously.
"I'm glad you care" Harry said, trying not to take that last comment personally.
They eyed each other meaningfully. Draco came to a halt in front of Harry, sensing his discomfort. Only a few steps separated them now.
"You remember our bet, don't you potter?" Draco said with an artificial smile.
"Yes" replied Harry tonelessly.
"You remember the terms?" Draco asked again, dissatisfied with Harry's calmness.
"Yes"
Draco felt slightly agitated, Harry seemed to be void of emotion and that angered Malfoy. He wanted to let him know that he got the cards now and it was his turn to play.
Draco took another step, evil glinting in his eyes. Harry backed into the door. Fear reflected so clearly in his emerald green eyes. Draco smiled. This is how he wanted Harry, scared and helpless.
"You are my slave now" he said cruelly.
"For one day only, Malfoy!" Harry shouted angrily, feeling more embarrassed than ever.
"Starting now" concluded Malfoy, "its 12:00 now, a new day, a new beginning"
"But on a school da-"
"Its Saturday already"
Draco leaned, Harry pushed himself at the door behind him but there was nowhere to go, Draco leaned closer his face coming over Harry's shoulder and his breath brushing Harry's neck. Harry shuddered, his breath hitched.
Draco reached for the doorknob as if that what his sole purpose in leaning.
"You're blocking the door," he said completely satisfied with the stirring of emotions he caused in Harry.
Harry moved weakly from the door. Draco opened it, and was about to exit when he said "oh yeah, you will wait for me outside my common room at 9:00 am" he said darkly.
Harry was about to open his mouth in protest when the door closed. He leaned against the wall defeated and closed his eyes. This could not be happening, he thought.
Written -- 11/28/03
A/N- I'm really sorry it took me ages to write this chapter, it's just that I had a writers block for a while but now I have some idea where I'm going. I love getting all your reviews and know that they are oh so important to me!! Not only do they raise my spirit, they actually motivate me to write faster!!
And again thanks to all those who read my story . . . don't forget to review!! Your reviews is my food and I am damn hungry! :p