7. Lucius's Visit
Ron and Hermione rushed to Harry's side. They both took an arm and hoisted him onto the seat. He winced as they plucked him back down again. As soon as he muttered through gritted teeth that he would be fine, Ron and Hermione both jumped him with questions. Harry had told them all about Malfoy's visit, but skipped the details on Cho's.
"He slugged you? Just like that?" Ron asked trying to hide the fact that he sounded really interested by trying to sound disgusted.
"Yep. Square on the nose," Harry had told him. Ron shook his head sorrowfully.
"Are you sure you're alright? That looked like it really hurt," Hermione kept asking.
"Yes Hermione. I'm fine, really. Thanks," Harry kept replying. "So," he started, trying to change the subject, "how's being a prefect?" When Harry asked this, Ron's eyes lit up like Christmas lights.
"I just had a brilliant idea!" Hermione looked intently discouraged at what Ron was about to suggest.
"I'll give Malfoy detention for starting a fight!" Ron exclaimed. Harry's spirits lifted at the thought of Malfoy getting detention by Ron.
"Yeah! And since you two were the only witnesses, he can't argue against it!" Harry joined in. Hermione still looked unsure.
"Oh come on! It's not lying, breaking rules, being dishonest, or anything else that you seem to be the only one that cares about," Ron said.
"I guess you're right. If it punishes Malfoy for all that he has gotten away with, why not?" Hermione smiled menacingly and off the two of them were to go and get Malfoy. Harry was once again by himself. How he wished to tell Sirius about the fight he had just had and the Death Eater he had encountered. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in." Professor McGonagall was standing before him. Harry thought that if her lips were pursed and tighter, her teeth would pop through.
"Well Mr. Potter. I thought the life-time ban for fighting Mr. Malfoy last year would have set you straight. Seems as though even I can be proven wrong. Detention for both you and Mr. Malfoy, we'll discuss this later since we have arrived," Professor McGonagall snarled. She spun on her heel and fled from sight. Hermione and Ron walked in after her, their faces expressing that Malfoy had beat them to telling Professor McGonagall. They saw Malfoy limp down the hall shortly after Ron and Hermione had walked in. The train pulled to a slow stop inside Hogsmeade station and Harry quickly as he could changed into his school robes. Ron had to take both his and Harry's trunk and Hermione carried her trunk and Hedwig's cage because Harry could barely walk.
The thestral-pulled carriages stood waiting for 2nd years and up. The trio snagged a carriage to themselves and began their trip up to Hogwarts Castle. The leathery animals' muscles flexed under their tightly pulled skin. The ride was a quiet one; Harry was mesmerized by the thestrals and Ron looked it too, even though he couldn't see them.
"Harry you never finished your essay!" Hermione suddenly exclaimed. Ron looked like he was going to be sick.
"We had an essay?"
"Yeah for Snape," Harry told him. "And I finished it when you two were doing prefect duty," he lied. Harry's poorly written essay was tucked away in his trunk. Soon enough they had reached the castle and made their way into the Great Hall. Harry did his best to walk normally, but Malfoy had a good kick. He spotted Malfoy making his way over to the Slytherin table. Harry was glad to see that he was walking a bit awkward and didn't seem to be bragging about his fight. Harry and Malfoy made split eye contact, but broke it when Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome back my wonderful pupils. I hope you all had a splendid holiday," as Dumbledore said this, a line of trembling, wide eyed looking first years entered. Professor McGonagall shot past them carrying a three legged stool and the unmistakable Sorting Hat. The Sorting Hat sang its song and starting sorting people. This year, Harry didn't listen to what the Sorting Hat had to sort and instead was scanning the table for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"No sign of Umbridge," Ron whispered to Harry. Just then, his eyes fell upon a tall man wearing a grey, tweed bucket hat. His face was completely hidden from the shadow his hat cast. The man sat next to Snape who was wearing the worst scowl Harry had ever seen. It looked that if someone accidentally bumped into Snape in the hall ways, he'd kill them. Harry wasn't too worried about this. For he knew that Snape had always wanted to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and now had to endure another year of disappointment. Professor McGonagall had finished the last of the students (a short, brunette named Laurali Zims who was placed in Ravenclaw) and mounds of food had appeared on the table.
"Tuck in!" Dumbledore had said. Hermione had given up on S.P.E.W for the moment and was now filling her plate graciously. Harry and Ron dove into their plates, stuffing their faces. Harry looked up to take a swig from his flagon of pumpkin juice and noticed that the man in the bucket hat was gone. Snape was wearing a more relaxed scowl and had begun to tediously cut his food.
"Forgive me," Dumbledore spoke, "for interrupting your feast, but I almost forgot to introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Harry froze in terror. The only new member to the staff table, the man in the tweed bucket hat, wasn't there. That could only mean one thing.Snape. "Well, temporarily new that is. Your real teacher was injured right before school started so you will be having a substitute until she is fully recovered. I shall warn you, your substitute loves to make eccentric entrances and that is why he is not here at the moment." Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't Snape after all, but Dumbledore said that their permanent teacher was a she.
"It can't be Umbridge," Harry said aloud without realizing it. Dumbledore peered over his half-moon spectacles at Harry and gave him a small smile.
"You may now carry on," he said and sat back down.
"For a thecond there I thought it wath going to be Thnape!" Ron managed to say through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
"Me too. I really hope it's not Umbridge. Then I probably won't be able to play Quidditch," Harry said.
"You guys worry too much," Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron swallowed hard.
"We worry too much?" he asked pointing to Harry and himself. "You should talk."
"I have gotten better. Somewhat better," she added looking slightly abashed.
"Yeah she has Ron," Harry agreed. Hermione shot him a small smile. Ron just shrugged and continued eating.
After dinner the three of them (and all the other students) headed back up to their common rooms. Hermione kept an eye on the first years while Ron told everyone the password. The common room was easy on the eyes for Harry. It was illuminated by candles and fireplaces and consisted of a number of comfortable couches that could make an insomniac sleep.
"Home," Harry muttered under his breath. Hermione had settled herself down on a couch and began reading intensely while Ron and Harry started playing a game of wizard's chess.
"I really should tell her," Ron said as he watched his bishop crush Harry's knight. Harry just nodded and watched in despair as he grew closer to a check mate. "I can't stand it much longer, but it's so hard to tell her face to face."
"Why don't you just write it in a letter to her?"
"I'm not a good writer," Ron said. "Mind your king Harry." Harry moved his king over one space to the left, but it was quickly demolished by Ron's rook.
"Good game," he shook Ron's outstretched hand before settling himself back in his chair. "But Ron, you don't have to write her a piece of poetry. Just tell her what you want to tell her."
"But I feel so much she might think it's a joke."
"Trelawny believed our essays."
"Yeah, but it was always because I ended up dead or brutally stabbed in a dark, damp alley way left to die," Ron mumbled as he looked over at Hermione and then looked away. Harry felt the first cold stab of jealousy pierce his heart. I can't like Hermione! I can't like her! She's just a friend, plus Ron.Harry couldn't find it in himself to finish his thought.
"Think of it this way," Harry began. "You've hesitated all this time to tell her and any feeling that she might have had for you could be gone any day. If you want her to have any remote feelings for you, I'd get a move on." Before Ron had a chance to reply, Hermione strode over.
"Finish your book already?" Ron asked. Hermione nodded.
"So who won?"
"Ron did.again," Harry answered.
"You know, it seems so peaceful here without Fred and George," Hermione said.
"What do you have against my brothers?"
"Nothing. I was going to say that I don't like it too peaceful. It gives the common room a tense feeling."
"Since when do you don't like it too peaceful?" Ron and Hermione argued for the next half hour about peacefulness. In the end, Hermione threw up her arms in disgust and said she was going to bed.
"That's why you have to tell her," Harry laughed. The both of them climbed the stairs to the boy's dormitories and got ready for bed. After they had made sure all their belongings where in the room, and had said goodnight to each other, Harry lay on his back staring up at the ceiling. His curtains were pulled all around the bed giving anyone who would want to speak to him the illusion that he was already asleep. This could not be farther from the truth, for Harry could barely sleep that night. He thought about helping Ron out with writing his love letter to Hermione. Harry would do anything for Ron and the Weasleys; they were always so nice and generous towards him. However, the fact of Ron and Hermione dating wasn't agreeing with him all that well, but he wasn't sure why. Ron and Hermione were his best friends in the world and he loved to make them happy, but that feeling of loneliness and not having anyone was too much to handle. He could always ask Cho out, but what if she wanted him to be with her every minute of the day? Plus it was her last year at Hogwarts and he didn't want a distant relationship. Harry's troubled thoughts and feelings finally eased and he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning felt as if he had only gotten two hours of sleep. Harry's eyes were heavy and drowsy; one lesson in Professor Trelawny's over- perfumed room would send him to sleep. The only thing keeping Harry awake was the excitement about the substitute for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and it figured he had it last.
"I hope it's someone young and handsome and full of wits, but nothing like Lockhart," Hermione kept saying. She told both of them over that she was not anxious, but she was not hiding it well.
The day dragged on and finally it was time for their first Dark Arts lesson of the year. When all the students had arrived outside the door, it opened right as the bell rang. Harry took his usual seat next to Ron and waited for the worst. From the balcony of which Lockhart had wandered down in their second year, appeared a man dressed in top hat and tails. He slid down the hand rail and landed on top of the desk. The top hat flew off his head and revealed hair that spilt over on either side of his face and blue- green eyes. Everything but the hair seemed familiar to Harry. The man burst out in song.
"I was meant for teaching you students, you were meant to listen to me!" Hermione jumped up from her seat and burst out in song also.
"The only way of teaching us baby, is if you have a degree!"
"Just one try. Give me just one try."
"There's no way because you're not here to stay!"
"In the name of Hogwarts! One lesson in the name of Hogwarts!"
"You crazy fool. What could we learn from you?"
"Don't," the man said sternly and made Hermione jump, "talk to me that way. I will deduct points if I must. Miss Granger, don't talk to me that way."
"S.sorry professor," Hermione stammered. The man broke out in a warm smile. Harry could feel the warmth of this smile. It was like putting on a heated jumper in the middle of a snow storm. The smile reminded him of Sirius's.
"Awe Miss Granger. That was some good improving on your part. Obviously someone here knows her muggle movies," the man said. Hermione straightened up in her chair blushing. "For those who are afraid to indulge themselves in some of the muggles' entertainment items that little song Miss Granger and I sang was a parody off the Elephant Love Medley in Moulin Rouge. That is why I am dressed in this suit." With a flick of his wand, the spilling over hair along with the suit and top hat disappeared. In its place stood a man in scarlet and black robes with spikey brown hair. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a pair of glasses. Harry's jaw dropped.
"I am your substitute Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. My name is Ewan Renton, but I would appreciate it mightily if you called me Professor Renton." Harry saw Ron's jaw do the same, only he doubted for the same reason his did. Harry's jaw dropped because Ewan was a former Death Eater. He thought that Ron's probably dropped because he was friends with his dad. Harry saw Hermione look over towards Harry. He could see that she was thinking along the same lines as him.
"Professor Renton," Ron raised his hand.
"Yes Mister, uh lets see, Weasley? Weasley! Ronald Weasley?"
"Er.yes sir. I'm Ron Weasley," Ron tried to keep a straight face. "Who's our real Dark Arts teacher?" Ewan shook his head. The light that cut through the stained glass danced on top of his spiked hair, making it many different colors.
"Not sure. Professor Dumbledore asked me to teach for a while via owl. 'Fraid you'll have to ask him," he flashed his warm smile. "How are your mum and dad doing?" Malfoy starting chuckling half-heartedly across the room.
"Did I say something funny Draco?" This shut Malfoy up. "'Fraid your father wouldn't be too pleased if I told him that you were disrupting my class."
"You don't know my father!" Malfoy accused.
"Oh yes I do," Ewan said. He looked directly into Harry's emerald green eyes as he said this. "I know a lot more people than you think." Harry let out a nervous smile. Ewan asked once again how Ron's parents where.
"Fine Professor," Ron answered indignantly.
"Splendid. Now, I feel you have the right to know why Dumbledore allowed me to take this job," Ewan announced. Harry scooted in closer. "I was asked to take up the Dark Arts job because," he turned his focus on Malfoy, "I too was part of the Dark Arts." Malfoy sunk a little lower into his seat.
"What do you mean 'you too'? Who else are you referring to?" Malfoy demanded, straightening himself up a little bit.
"You know who I mean so I suggest you stop playing innocent because you're drawing attention to who you are defending Mr. Malfoy," Ewan spat through clenched teeth. Harry stuffed his knuckles into his mouth to keep from laughing.
"'Merlin's Beard!' you think to yourselves. 'How could Dumbledore hire an ex Death Eater?' Because Dumbledore is a trusting and forgiving man! I quit months before Lord Voldemort did what he did." Most of the class (including Ron) flinched at the sound of his name. "Better get used to his name laddies because you're going to be hearing it a lot," Ewan added. The air in the room became tense; no one dared to move. Harry could see that Hermione's fists were clenched.
"Why did you quit?" Malfoy asked cautiously. "Couldn't handle it?"
"Funny Malfoy. Yes, I could not handle it. Voldemort was killing ones I cared about. I had joined his so-called army because I was very insecure at the time. Those who are still with him are still insecure. They think that if they leave there will be nothing left for them. Death Eaters, after staying with Voldemort for quite some time, have troubling seeing past choices that benefit them. If anything gets in their way or Voldemort's way to power, they'll stop who ever it is even if it is the Death Eater's own son," with that, the warmth of Ewan's smile, was underestimated by his icy penetrating stare. Luckily for Harry, he was only fixed on Malfoy, who had seemed to get the point. "I found that very disturbing so I quit. I decided to use my skills in Dark Arts to try and get revenge on Voldemort, so I started working in the ministry. I worked in the Department of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts and became fascinated by muggles. I wanted to learn more about what makes them who they are, so I took up the profession of psychiatry. I used to do wizard and muggle therapy, but stopped after an arrogant wizard came to see me. It was one of Voldemort's Death Eaters. Apparently he had just had a son and said he wasn't ready to raise a boy because he was busy benefiting from Voldemort. Voldemort was my past, so I just gave therapy to muggles. But it hurt me so much that a Death Eater, a father, was too busy killing to raise a son. How arrogant could you get?" Ewan's eyes were boring into Malfoy. Malfoy was staring up into Ewan's eyes, trembling just the slightest bit. A smile of satisfaction spread over Harry's lips. "And you're smiling Mr. Potter because why?" Ewan rounded on him. Harry sat up in surprise.
"I, um, I'm not sure sir," he mumbled.
"Right, well, think before you act Mr. Potter. Always think or else you'll end up regretting."
"Yessir," Harry slurred nervously. Ewan smiled briefly and then turned to his black board. The rest of the class went on in silence as they copied down notes of how to defend yourself if you are wandless. To all of their relief, the bell rang. Harry had just set his foot out the door when Ewan called him back. Ron and Hermione followed instinctively.
"Alone please Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley," Ewan demanded. Ron and Hermione gave Harry one last glance then disappeared from the classroom dungeon.
"Sir, honestly I don't know why I was smi-," Harry started, but Ewan held up a hand to silence him.
"Don't worry about it Harry. I just wanted to apologize for attacking you like that in class. I don't want to favor anyone, so I had to snap at you, or else it would seem like I was 'ganging up on' Mr. Malfoy," he said sternly. There was a brief silence.
"Professor, do you know if Malfoy's father is a Death Eater?" Harry asked. Ewan opened his mouth as if about to say something, but shut it and shook his head vigorously.
"I'm sorry Harry, but I don't. I have reason to believe, yes. But I don't know for sure. Well you better be heading to the Great Hall," he replied.
"Oh.oh yeah. Bye," Harry mumbled as he set out the door to go find Ron and Hermione. He found them in the Great Hall, filling their plates full of dinner.
"So," Ron started. "What did he want?"
"To apologize," Harry answered starting to fill his plate. Hermione raised a questioning eye brow.
"For what? He didn't do anything wrong," she asked.
"He said for attacking me like that."
"Oh yeah, wonder why he did that," Ron shrugged and took a long sip from his pumpkin juice.
"Told me he didn't want to gang up on anyone, but he was certainly beating up Malfoy," at this, Ron spit his juice out, narrowly missing Hermione. He started cracking up.
"That was wicked to live through! I could barely contain myself!"
"Yes it was quite amusing," Hermione said, her lip curling as she looked at her now juicy mashed potatoes. "It was almost like Snape is to you Harry."
"Almost? He got it dead on!" Just then, an enormous eagle came screeching in. Harry recognized it as Malfoy's eagle. It landed at the Slytherin table and waltzed over to Malfoy. Malfoy ripped the letter from his leg. Harry watched as his eyes sped over the words. When he was finished he glanced at Harry and then at Ewan. To his horror, a malicious grin spread over Malfoy's lips. He smirked at Harry and then let Crabbe and Goyle read it. Then they too started smiling. Ron and Hermione seemed to notice this too and exchanged nervous glances with each other.
"Let's go," Harry beckoned and the three of them got up and left. The common room was completely empty when they arrived.
"What do you think that letter was about?" Harry asked when they took up a table to themselves.
"Whatever it was, Professor Renton is probably going to get sacked," Ron said. "You saw the way he looked up at him when he was done reading. Damn, I liked the guy."
"Well don't look too much on the bright side," Hermione said sarcastically. "Maybe it was just a letter giving permission for Malfoy to talk back to any teacher who mentions Death Eaters."
"Yeah, like that was really it. It probably said 'Draco-don't worry, I'll get that new Dark Arts teacher sacked and I'll get Umbridge back because I'm a filthy Death Eater who doesn't love you, but I want to make myself look superior.' Superior.yeah right! He's just a coward!"
"'Fraid I'll have to take points away from you for saying that Weasley," an unknown voice said. They looked in the direction it came from and out stepped Malfoy from a painting of Godric Gryffindor hanging next to the fireplace.
"What are you doing in here? Get out!" Harry hissed. Malfoy (whose rib brace was gone) strode in front of Harry and pushed him down onto the couch gently.
"Tut, tut Potter," Malfoy smirked. He puffed out his chest and on it was a gold badge. "That's right. Head Boy of Hogwarts! Seems I was a better prefect then you Weasley, but then again, I've always been better."
"Why.are.you.here?" Ron spat through a locked jaw. Malfoy shoved a manila envelope into his face.
"'Tis for the Mudblood," he grinned and left through the portrait. Hermione snatched the envelope from Ron's shaking hands. She tore it open and pulled out a letter. Her eyes filled with tears.
"If that letter is from Malfoy and that's why you're crying," Harry began, but Hermione shook her head and dumped the envelope onto the table. A gilded crest of Hogwarts cluttered on the wood. Written across the crest was Hermione Granger: Head Girl of Hogwarts.
"I'm sorry Hermione," Ron said. Instantly, the tears in her eyes disappeared.
"Sorry?"
"Now you're stuck with Malfoy!"
"Oh Ron! Grow up!" she exclaimed and flounced away into the Girl's Dormitory. Harry mentally rolled his eyes and let out a little snarl.
"Ron! You're even more clueless about girls than I am!" Harry shook his head. Ron looked puzzled.
"Sorry it's just-I thought that was the reason she was crying," he said apologetically.
"No Ron, no. She was crying because she was happy! Ever heard of tears of joy?" Harry asked feeling bad for Hermione. Ron nodded his head yes. "Well, now would be the best time more than ever to write Hermy that letter mate." Ron's eyes widened.
"I.I can't Harry! She'll never believe it coming from me! You write it! You can write more romantically than me!"
"Me? What? Ron I-" but he stopped and considered this. I could tell her how I really feel without her knowing. Wait, I don't even like her! Then why did she kiss me that night? Was it out of confusion or does she like me? Could I possibly like her too-?
"Harry please?" Ron pleaded, breaking his thoughts.
"Er, okay I guess I could write it," Harry answered reluctantly.
"Tonight?" Ron requested, life jumping back into his eyes. "Harry please tonight! She'll be upset with me all tomorrow if I don't give it to her in the morning!"
"Fine. I guess so, but you have to learn to deal with her on your own next time."
"Right! Night Harry!" Ron said darting for the dormitories.
"Wait Ron! I don't know how you feel! I don't know what to write!"
"Just write how you would feel if you've fancied her as much as I do!" And with that, he heard the door click shut. Harry withdrew a piece of parchment, a quill, and an ink bottle from his bag. The parchment looked extra long in the pale moonlight. Half an hour had passed and the common room was filled with all the Gryffindors. Although it wasn't as noisy as it had always been with Fred and George, Harry couldn't concentrate. He played a game of Exploding Snap with Neville and had a light conversation with Ginny. When most of the common room started emptying out, he finished up his essay that Professor Binn had assigned them earlier that day. No ideas sprang to mind how to write a love letter and confessing all Ron really felt.
The clock now read twelve midnight. Harry was the only one not asleep. A blank piece of parchment stared up at him. Might want to start by addressing her dummy! He thought. Harry scribbled out: "Dear, Hermione" and then threw his head down onto the table. The dying fire in the fire place crackled peacefully in his ears.
"What was I thinking? I write just as well as Ron!" Harry mouthed furiously at himself. He decided to go for a walk and popped into his dormitory and grabbed his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map. He threw the cloak off so as not to confuse the Fat Lady and then spun around the corner and threw it on just in time as Filch came striding past.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good," Harry muttered. The map appeared in front of his eyes. Peeves was in the Owlry and it looked like Filch was heading up there too. Harry made his way down the marble staircase and out onto Hogwart's grounds. He made it to the lake and brought his knees up to his chest. Something rustled behind him. He withdrew his wand. A shadowed figure loomed over him; luckily Harry still had the cloak wrapped tight around him. The thing looked right at him and then started moving towards the castle. Harry looked down at the map and saw a miniscule dot labeled Lucius Malfoy move in through the gigantic oak doors. He stood up and started sprinting after Lucius. Before entering the castle, Harry stopped to catch his breath and look down to see where Lucius had gone to. He was in Ewan's room. Unable to stifle his curiosity, Harry cautiously walked inside and made his way to the Dark Arts class room.
"Get out of my classroom!" Harry heard Ewan bark when he reached the Dark Arts room.
"No Renton! You listen to me," Lucius said coolly. There was a crashing sound and the noise of papers and miscellaneous items being scattered all over the floor. "You mind your tongue!"
"I didn't say anything about you and what-" there was a muffled silence. It appeared Lucius had covered Ewan's mouth with his hand.
"You will not say anything more about what you know! And stop meddling with my son." Harry heard Ewan gasping for air.
"I was not meddling with him!"
"Is that so? I heard different," Lucius sniggered. There was a moment's silence, and then Harry heard Lucius speak again. "Put your wand away Renton." He heard another struggle.
"You get out of my classroom!" Ewan demanded.
"Or else what? You'd lose your job if you attacked me Renton," Lucius retorted.
"I used to be one Malfoy! I'm still just as dangerous!"
"Really? Could I quote you on that? I'm sure the Prophet and the parents of children who are in your class would love to hear that."
"And I'm sure they would love to hear how Fudge's new assistant is a Death Eater!" Ewan yelled back. Harry heard someone's fist make contact with someone's skull.
"I'll kill you. We've gotten stronger over the years in case you have not noticed. I'll kill you," Lucius hissed. "I will kill you Renton."
"Then go ahead! The ministry will get you and all your filthy followers!" Ewan shouted. Harry tensed up as he heard Lucius withdraw something.
"I am the ministry. That clueless pratt Fudge could not survive without me."
"Get out of my classroom you arrogant DEATH EATER!" Ewan yelled at the top his lungs. Harry swallowed hard and saw as Snape's dot on the map made his way from his office to where the commotion was going on.
"You have a lot to learn Renton," Lucius said calmly. "Lesson number one: this is the death of the Dark Arts teacher, but the birth of the Dark Arts' darkness. Lesson two: Voldemort will rein and not even Potter can stop him this time. Lesson three: I warned you to mind your tongue. Never take advantage of my warnings."
"DEATH EATER!" Ewan yelled. The sound of Snape's footsteps increased.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Lucius screamed; piercing the night air. Harry saw a glow of green light dash out from under the door. Snape stopped right in front of Harry breathing hard. When the light had disappeared he burst into the room with his wand out. Harry looked down at the map once more. Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Filch all came running towards the Dark Arts classroom. Harry peeked around the open door. He saw a body lying lifeless on the floor. Lucius had broken the window and now stood in front of it.
"Don't say anything Severus or I'll kill you too," Lucius commanded and then jumped out the window. Snape staggered out of the classroom. The dead body reflected in his cold, beady eyes. Professor McGonagall was the first to reach them.
"Severus what," she stopped as she saw Ewan's dead body on the floor. Dumbledore soon followed after with Filch at his heels.
"I almost had Peeves," Harry heard Filch mutter under his breath.
"Professor I didn't.I'd never.please," was all Snape managed to spit out. Harry had a constricted feeling about his chest, yet another person he had seen, rather heard, die. The look in Dumbledore's eyes killed Harry even more. Dumbledore walked over to Ewan's lifeless body and checked his pulse. Professor McGonagall stared intently at Dumbledore. He mournfully shook his head.
"Severus, I cannot believe my eyes. I trusted you," Dumbledore whispered.
"Professor, sir, I did not kill Renton! Listen please!" Snape pleaded.
"We all knew how much you wanted the job as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but never would I think you would kill for it," Professor McGonagall said in a hushed voice. Filch's jaw was dropped open speechlessly.
"If you didn't kill him Severus, who did? No one can apparate in and out of Hogwarts. How could the killer escape?" Dumbledore questioned. Snape's lip kept curling in different positions.
"The window! Look at the window!" Snape shouted pleadingly.
"He does have a point Albus," Professor McGonagall sighed.
"Sim.simply broken from the.the blast of the c.c.curse Professor," Filch managed to mumble. Harry moved over into the doorway so he could get a better view. Snape's fist was clenching and unclenching as Filch revealed this to Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore, you've got to believe me! I would never kill anyone. I mean, you trusted Lupin!"
"Remus Lupin was never a Death Eater Severus," Dumbledore said quietly. For the first time ever, Harry saw the faintest hint of tears starting to mist over in Snape's eyes. He couldn't take it. Just the previous year, Harry had witnessed his father harassing Snape for no good reason. He had also seen a bit into his childhood, where Snape sat cowering in a corner while his parents fought. As awful as he was to Harry, he felt he had to stick up for him. An innocent man, even Snape, didn't deserve to go to Azkaban. Of all people, Harry knew this because Sirius had been innocent. He slowly took off the cloak, and disclosed himself to everyone.
"Potter!" Snape snapped, the fire returning to his eyes. "Go to your common room!" Harry disregarded this.
"Professor Dumbledore sir," he said shakily, "Snape's telling the truth." Dumbledore's cold glare softened up, Filch's jaw drew closer to his mouth, and Professor McGonagall's pursed lips relaxed.
"Oh really? Go on," Dumbledore said quietly.
"I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk and heard Professor Renton and," he paused. Should I say who? He decided to wait until one of them asked. "And someone arguing. I would have continued on walking, but there was a death threat."
"So why didn't you go and get someone Potter?" Professor McGonagall spat.
"Because I didn't know how serious it was. Their voices where down pretty low until-" Snape cut him off.
"Until Renton yelled Death Eater. That's when I came running. I reached the door and the culprit had already said the curse. I walked in and saw," Snape stopped too. Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Do tell."
"Well he told me he'd kill me if I said anything sir."
"Lucius Malfoy," Harry but in. They all turned to face him. Harry could have sworn he saw Snape wince. Harry's insides churned in discomfort for defending Snape. Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry, his stare, like Ewan's, penetrating his soul. He heaved a sigh.
"As much as I'd like to believe you Severus," Dumbledore began. Snape was grinding his jaw so harshly that Harry could hear his yellow teeth scrape one another.
"Professor," Snape started in a barely audible voice.
"Let him finish Severus."
"Thank you Minerva," Dumbledore smiled. "I'd like to believe you Severus, but an Unforgivable was used. We'll have to resort to Veritaserum." Snape took this like a blow to the head, for he stumbled backwards clutching his temples.
"Professor Dumbledore please.there are things I really do not want other ears to witness," he said shakily. "Can't we use a pensive instead?"
"I wish we could Severus, but you can alter your thoughts. How could we be completely sure that what you are thinking is true?" Dumbledore replied mournfully. Snape searched to room for another explanation to back his story. Harry could not defend Snape in this sense. There was nothing he could do to help someone out of punishment for using an Unforgivable Curse.
"Why not give Veritaserum to Potter! See if he's telling the truth?" All the sympathy he had ever once felt for Snape disappeared as he suggested this.
"What?" Harry asked incredulously. "What did you say? I stood up for you! I defended you! Even though I hate everything about you, and as much as you probably deserve it, I just saved you from going to Azkaban!" Harry grew even angrier when none of the other Professors jumped in to convince Snape of how noble Harry had acted. Snape's stern face twisted into a gnarled smile.
"Clearly, if you have nothing to hide, you wouldn't have reacted this way Potter," Snape said. Harry shook his head in disbelief.
"I can't believe you! No I don't have anything to hide, but like you even said, some things are private!"
"The Veritaserum will be used on you Severus, no exception. Harry you may leave now," Dumbledore added in an irritated tone. Harry nodded and placed the invisibility cloak in the crook of his arm. "However," Dumbledore began again, "you will need to be present at this event to give us your story and we'll see if it matches Professor Snape's.just to make sure." Harry nodded.
"That will take the place of your detention Potter," Professor McGonagall added. Harry cast one final glance around the room. One final glance at Ewan's limp body and he was gone. On his way back to the common room, Harry asked himself how writing a letter could have seemed so hard compared to enduring that fiasco.
Ron and Hermione rushed to Harry's side. They both took an arm and hoisted him onto the seat. He winced as they plucked him back down again. As soon as he muttered through gritted teeth that he would be fine, Ron and Hermione both jumped him with questions. Harry had told them all about Malfoy's visit, but skipped the details on Cho's.
"He slugged you? Just like that?" Ron asked trying to hide the fact that he sounded really interested by trying to sound disgusted.
"Yep. Square on the nose," Harry had told him. Ron shook his head sorrowfully.
"Are you sure you're alright? That looked like it really hurt," Hermione kept asking.
"Yes Hermione. I'm fine, really. Thanks," Harry kept replying. "So," he started, trying to change the subject, "how's being a prefect?" When Harry asked this, Ron's eyes lit up like Christmas lights.
"I just had a brilliant idea!" Hermione looked intently discouraged at what Ron was about to suggest.
"I'll give Malfoy detention for starting a fight!" Ron exclaimed. Harry's spirits lifted at the thought of Malfoy getting detention by Ron.
"Yeah! And since you two were the only witnesses, he can't argue against it!" Harry joined in. Hermione still looked unsure.
"Oh come on! It's not lying, breaking rules, being dishonest, or anything else that you seem to be the only one that cares about," Ron said.
"I guess you're right. If it punishes Malfoy for all that he has gotten away with, why not?" Hermione smiled menacingly and off the two of them were to go and get Malfoy. Harry was once again by himself. How he wished to tell Sirius about the fight he had just had and the Death Eater he had encountered. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in." Professor McGonagall was standing before him. Harry thought that if her lips were pursed and tighter, her teeth would pop through.
"Well Mr. Potter. I thought the life-time ban for fighting Mr. Malfoy last year would have set you straight. Seems as though even I can be proven wrong. Detention for both you and Mr. Malfoy, we'll discuss this later since we have arrived," Professor McGonagall snarled. She spun on her heel and fled from sight. Hermione and Ron walked in after her, their faces expressing that Malfoy had beat them to telling Professor McGonagall. They saw Malfoy limp down the hall shortly after Ron and Hermione had walked in. The train pulled to a slow stop inside Hogsmeade station and Harry quickly as he could changed into his school robes. Ron had to take both his and Harry's trunk and Hermione carried her trunk and Hedwig's cage because Harry could barely walk.
The thestral-pulled carriages stood waiting for 2nd years and up. The trio snagged a carriage to themselves and began their trip up to Hogwarts Castle. The leathery animals' muscles flexed under their tightly pulled skin. The ride was a quiet one; Harry was mesmerized by the thestrals and Ron looked it too, even though he couldn't see them.
"Harry you never finished your essay!" Hermione suddenly exclaimed. Ron looked like he was going to be sick.
"We had an essay?"
"Yeah for Snape," Harry told him. "And I finished it when you two were doing prefect duty," he lied. Harry's poorly written essay was tucked away in his trunk. Soon enough they had reached the castle and made their way into the Great Hall. Harry did his best to walk normally, but Malfoy had a good kick. He spotted Malfoy making his way over to the Slytherin table. Harry was glad to see that he was walking a bit awkward and didn't seem to be bragging about his fight. Harry and Malfoy made split eye contact, but broke it when Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome back my wonderful pupils. I hope you all had a splendid holiday," as Dumbledore said this, a line of trembling, wide eyed looking first years entered. Professor McGonagall shot past them carrying a three legged stool and the unmistakable Sorting Hat. The Sorting Hat sang its song and starting sorting people. This year, Harry didn't listen to what the Sorting Hat had to sort and instead was scanning the table for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
"No sign of Umbridge," Ron whispered to Harry. Just then, his eyes fell upon a tall man wearing a grey, tweed bucket hat. His face was completely hidden from the shadow his hat cast. The man sat next to Snape who was wearing the worst scowl Harry had ever seen. It looked that if someone accidentally bumped into Snape in the hall ways, he'd kill them. Harry wasn't too worried about this. For he knew that Snape had always wanted to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and now had to endure another year of disappointment. Professor McGonagall had finished the last of the students (a short, brunette named Laurali Zims who was placed in Ravenclaw) and mounds of food had appeared on the table.
"Tuck in!" Dumbledore had said. Hermione had given up on S.P.E.W for the moment and was now filling her plate graciously. Harry and Ron dove into their plates, stuffing their faces. Harry looked up to take a swig from his flagon of pumpkin juice and noticed that the man in the bucket hat was gone. Snape was wearing a more relaxed scowl and had begun to tediously cut his food.
"Forgive me," Dumbledore spoke, "for interrupting your feast, but I almost forgot to introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Harry froze in terror. The only new member to the staff table, the man in the tweed bucket hat, wasn't there. That could only mean one thing.Snape. "Well, temporarily new that is. Your real teacher was injured right before school started so you will be having a substitute until she is fully recovered. I shall warn you, your substitute loves to make eccentric entrances and that is why he is not here at the moment." Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't Snape after all, but Dumbledore said that their permanent teacher was a she.
"It can't be Umbridge," Harry said aloud without realizing it. Dumbledore peered over his half-moon spectacles at Harry and gave him a small smile.
"You may now carry on," he said and sat back down.
"For a thecond there I thought it wath going to be Thnape!" Ron managed to say through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
"Me too. I really hope it's not Umbridge. Then I probably won't be able to play Quidditch," Harry said.
"You guys worry too much," Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron swallowed hard.
"We worry too much?" he asked pointing to Harry and himself. "You should talk."
"I have gotten better. Somewhat better," she added looking slightly abashed.
"Yeah she has Ron," Harry agreed. Hermione shot him a small smile. Ron just shrugged and continued eating.
After dinner the three of them (and all the other students) headed back up to their common rooms. Hermione kept an eye on the first years while Ron told everyone the password. The common room was easy on the eyes for Harry. It was illuminated by candles and fireplaces and consisted of a number of comfortable couches that could make an insomniac sleep.
"Home," Harry muttered under his breath. Hermione had settled herself down on a couch and began reading intensely while Ron and Harry started playing a game of wizard's chess.
"I really should tell her," Ron said as he watched his bishop crush Harry's knight. Harry just nodded and watched in despair as he grew closer to a check mate. "I can't stand it much longer, but it's so hard to tell her face to face."
"Why don't you just write it in a letter to her?"
"I'm not a good writer," Ron said. "Mind your king Harry." Harry moved his king over one space to the left, but it was quickly demolished by Ron's rook.
"Good game," he shook Ron's outstretched hand before settling himself back in his chair. "But Ron, you don't have to write her a piece of poetry. Just tell her what you want to tell her."
"But I feel so much she might think it's a joke."
"Trelawny believed our essays."
"Yeah, but it was always because I ended up dead or brutally stabbed in a dark, damp alley way left to die," Ron mumbled as he looked over at Hermione and then looked away. Harry felt the first cold stab of jealousy pierce his heart. I can't like Hermione! I can't like her! She's just a friend, plus Ron.Harry couldn't find it in himself to finish his thought.
"Think of it this way," Harry began. "You've hesitated all this time to tell her and any feeling that she might have had for you could be gone any day. If you want her to have any remote feelings for you, I'd get a move on." Before Ron had a chance to reply, Hermione strode over.
"Finish your book already?" Ron asked. Hermione nodded.
"So who won?"
"Ron did.again," Harry answered.
"You know, it seems so peaceful here without Fred and George," Hermione said.
"What do you have against my brothers?"
"Nothing. I was going to say that I don't like it too peaceful. It gives the common room a tense feeling."
"Since when do you don't like it too peaceful?" Ron and Hermione argued for the next half hour about peacefulness. In the end, Hermione threw up her arms in disgust and said she was going to bed.
"That's why you have to tell her," Harry laughed. The both of them climbed the stairs to the boy's dormitories and got ready for bed. After they had made sure all their belongings where in the room, and had said goodnight to each other, Harry lay on his back staring up at the ceiling. His curtains were pulled all around the bed giving anyone who would want to speak to him the illusion that he was already asleep. This could not be farther from the truth, for Harry could barely sleep that night. He thought about helping Ron out with writing his love letter to Hermione. Harry would do anything for Ron and the Weasleys; they were always so nice and generous towards him. However, the fact of Ron and Hermione dating wasn't agreeing with him all that well, but he wasn't sure why. Ron and Hermione were his best friends in the world and he loved to make them happy, but that feeling of loneliness and not having anyone was too much to handle. He could always ask Cho out, but what if she wanted him to be with her every minute of the day? Plus it was her last year at Hogwarts and he didn't want a distant relationship. Harry's troubled thoughts and feelings finally eased and he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning felt as if he had only gotten two hours of sleep. Harry's eyes were heavy and drowsy; one lesson in Professor Trelawny's over- perfumed room would send him to sleep. The only thing keeping Harry awake was the excitement about the substitute for the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and it figured he had it last.
"I hope it's someone young and handsome and full of wits, but nothing like Lockhart," Hermione kept saying. She told both of them over that she was not anxious, but she was not hiding it well.
The day dragged on and finally it was time for their first Dark Arts lesson of the year. When all the students had arrived outside the door, it opened right as the bell rang. Harry took his usual seat next to Ron and waited for the worst. From the balcony of which Lockhart had wandered down in their second year, appeared a man dressed in top hat and tails. He slid down the hand rail and landed on top of the desk. The top hat flew off his head and revealed hair that spilt over on either side of his face and blue- green eyes. Everything but the hair seemed familiar to Harry. The man burst out in song.
"I was meant for teaching you students, you were meant to listen to me!" Hermione jumped up from her seat and burst out in song also.
"The only way of teaching us baby, is if you have a degree!"
"Just one try. Give me just one try."
"There's no way because you're not here to stay!"
"In the name of Hogwarts! One lesson in the name of Hogwarts!"
"You crazy fool. What could we learn from you?"
"Don't," the man said sternly and made Hermione jump, "talk to me that way. I will deduct points if I must. Miss Granger, don't talk to me that way."
"S.sorry professor," Hermione stammered. The man broke out in a warm smile. Harry could feel the warmth of this smile. It was like putting on a heated jumper in the middle of a snow storm. The smile reminded him of Sirius's.
"Awe Miss Granger. That was some good improving on your part. Obviously someone here knows her muggle movies," the man said. Hermione straightened up in her chair blushing. "For those who are afraid to indulge themselves in some of the muggles' entertainment items that little song Miss Granger and I sang was a parody off the Elephant Love Medley in Moulin Rouge. That is why I am dressed in this suit." With a flick of his wand, the spilling over hair along with the suit and top hat disappeared. In its place stood a man in scarlet and black robes with spikey brown hair. He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a pair of glasses. Harry's jaw dropped.
"I am your substitute Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. My name is Ewan Renton, but I would appreciate it mightily if you called me Professor Renton." Harry saw Ron's jaw do the same, only he doubted for the same reason his did. Harry's jaw dropped because Ewan was a former Death Eater. He thought that Ron's probably dropped because he was friends with his dad. Harry saw Hermione look over towards Harry. He could see that she was thinking along the same lines as him.
"Professor Renton," Ron raised his hand.
"Yes Mister, uh lets see, Weasley? Weasley! Ronald Weasley?"
"Er.yes sir. I'm Ron Weasley," Ron tried to keep a straight face. "Who's our real Dark Arts teacher?" Ewan shook his head. The light that cut through the stained glass danced on top of his spiked hair, making it many different colors.
"Not sure. Professor Dumbledore asked me to teach for a while via owl. 'Fraid you'll have to ask him," he flashed his warm smile. "How are your mum and dad doing?" Malfoy starting chuckling half-heartedly across the room.
"Did I say something funny Draco?" This shut Malfoy up. "'Fraid your father wouldn't be too pleased if I told him that you were disrupting my class."
"You don't know my father!" Malfoy accused.
"Oh yes I do," Ewan said. He looked directly into Harry's emerald green eyes as he said this. "I know a lot more people than you think." Harry let out a nervous smile. Ewan asked once again how Ron's parents where.
"Fine Professor," Ron answered indignantly.
"Splendid. Now, I feel you have the right to know why Dumbledore allowed me to take this job," Ewan announced. Harry scooted in closer. "I was asked to take up the Dark Arts job because," he turned his focus on Malfoy, "I too was part of the Dark Arts." Malfoy sunk a little lower into his seat.
"What do you mean 'you too'? Who else are you referring to?" Malfoy demanded, straightening himself up a little bit.
"You know who I mean so I suggest you stop playing innocent because you're drawing attention to who you are defending Mr. Malfoy," Ewan spat through clenched teeth. Harry stuffed his knuckles into his mouth to keep from laughing.
"'Merlin's Beard!' you think to yourselves. 'How could Dumbledore hire an ex Death Eater?' Because Dumbledore is a trusting and forgiving man! I quit months before Lord Voldemort did what he did." Most of the class (including Ron) flinched at the sound of his name. "Better get used to his name laddies because you're going to be hearing it a lot," Ewan added. The air in the room became tense; no one dared to move. Harry could see that Hermione's fists were clenched.
"Why did you quit?" Malfoy asked cautiously. "Couldn't handle it?"
"Funny Malfoy. Yes, I could not handle it. Voldemort was killing ones I cared about. I had joined his so-called army because I was very insecure at the time. Those who are still with him are still insecure. They think that if they leave there will be nothing left for them. Death Eaters, after staying with Voldemort for quite some time, have troubling seeing past choices that benefit them. If anything gets in their way or Voldemort's way to power, they'll stop who ever it is even if it is the Death Eater's own son," with that, the warmth of Ewan's smile, was underestimated by his icy penetrating stare. Luckily for Harry, he was only fixed on Malfoy, who had seemed to get the point. "I found that very disturbing so I quit. I decided to use my skills in Dark Arts to try and get revenge on Voldemort, so I started working in the ministry. I worked in the Department of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts and became fascinated by muggles. I wanted to learn more about what makes them who they are, so I took up the profession of psychiatry. I used to do wizard and muggle therapy, but stopped after an arrogant wizard came to see me. It was one of Voldemort's Death Eaters. Apparently he had just had a son and said he wasn't ready to raise a boy because he was busy benefiting from Voldemort. Voldemort was my past, so I just gave therapy to muggles. But it hurt me so much that a Death Eater, a father, was too busy killing to raise a son. How arrogant could you get?" Ewan's eyes were boring into Malfoy. Malfoy was staring up into Ewan's eyes, trembling just the slightest bit. A smile of satisfaction spread over Harry's lips. "And you're smiling Mr. Potter because why?" Ewan rounded on him. Harry sat up in surprise.
"I, um, I'm not sure sir," he mumbled.
"Right, well, think before you act Mr. Potter. Always think or else you'll end up regretting."
"Yessir," Harry slurred nervously. Ewan smiled briefly and then turned to his black board. The rest of the class went on in silence as they copied down notes of how to defend yourself if you are wandless. To all of their relief, the bell rang. Harry had just set his foot out the door when Ewan called him back. Ron and Hermione followed instinctively.
"Alone please Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley," Ewan demanded. Ron and Hermione gave Harry one last glance then disappeared from the classroom dungeon.
"Sir, honestly I don't know why I was smi-," Harry started, but Ewan held up a hand to silence him.
"Don't worry about it Harry. I just wanted to apologize for attacking you like that in class. I don't want to favor anyone, so I had to snap at you, or else it would seem like I was 'ganging up on' Mr. Malfoy," he said sternly. There was a brief silence.
"Professor, do you know if Malfoy's father is a Death Eater?" Harry asked. Ewan opened his mouth as if about to say something, but shut it and shook his head vigorously.
"I'm sorry Harry, but I don't. I have reason to believe, yes. But I don't know for sure. Well you better be heading to the Great Hall," he replied.
"Oh.oh yeah. Bye," Harry mumbled as he set out the door to go find Ron and Hermione. He found them in the Great Hall, filling their plates full of dinner.
"So," Ron started. "What did he want?"
"To apologize," Harry answered starting to fill his plate. Hermione raised a questioning eye brow.
"For what? He didn't do anything wrong," she asked.
"He said for attacking me like that."
"Oh yeah, wonder why he did that," Ron shrugged and took a long sip from his pumpkin juice.
"Told me he didn't want to gang up on anyone, but he was certainly beating up Malfoy," at this, Ron spit his juice out, narrowly missing Hermione. He started cracking up.
"That was wicked to live through! I could barely contain myself!"
"Yes it was quite amusing," Hermione said, her lip curling as she looked at her now juicy mashed potatoes. "It was almost like Snape is to you Harry."
"Almost? He got it dead on!" Just then, an enormous eagle came screeching in. Harry recognized it as Malfoy's eagle. It landed at the Slytherin table and waltzed over to Malfoy. Malfoy ripped the letter from his leg. Harry watched as his eyes sped over the words. When he was finished he glanced at Harry and then at Ewan. To his horror, a malicious grin spread over Malfoy's lips. He smirked at Harry and then let Crabbe and Goyle read it. Then they too started smiling. Ron and Hermione seemed to notice this too and exchanged nervous glances with each other.
"Let's go," Harry beckoned and the three of them got up and left. The common room was completely empty when they arrived.
"What do you think that letter was about?" Harry asked when they took up a table to themselves.
"Whatever it was, Professor Renton is probably going to get sacked," Ron said. "You saw the way he looked up at him when he was done reading. Damn, I liked the guy."
"Well don't look too much on the bright side," Hermione said sarcastically. "Maybe it was just a letter giving permission for Malfoy to talk back to any teacher who mentions Death Eaters."
"Yeah, like that was really it. It probably said 'Draco-don't worry, I'll get that new Dark Arts teacher sacked and I'll get Umbridge back because I'm a filthy Death Eater who doesn't love you, but I want to make myself look superior.' Superior.yeah right! He's just a coward!"
"'Fraid I'll have to take points away from you for saying that Weasley," an unknown voice said. They looked in the direction it came from and out stepped Malfoy from a painting of Godric Gryffindor hanging next to the fireplace.
"What are you doing in here? Get out!" Harry hissed. Malfoy (whose rib brace was gone) strode in front of Harry and pushed him down onto the couch gently.
"Tut, tut Potter," Malfoy smirked. He puffed out his chest and on it was a gold badge. "That's right. Head Boy of Hogwarts! Seems I was a better prefect then you Weasley, but then again, I've always been better."
"Why.are.you.here?" Ron spat through a locked jaw. Malfoy shoved a manila envelope into his face.
"'Tis for the Mudblood," he grinned and left through the portrait. Hermione snatched the envelope from Ron's shaking hands. She tore it open and pulled out a letter. Her eyes filled with tears.
"If that letter is from Malfoy and that's why you're crying," Harry began, but Hermione shook her head and dumped the envelope onto the table. A gilded crest of Hogwarts cluttered on the wood. Written across the crest was Hermione Granger: Head Girl of Hogwarts.
"I'm sorry Hermione," Ron said. Instantly, the tears in her eyes disappeared.
"Sorry?"
"Now you're stuck with Malfoy!"
"Oh Ron! Grow up!" she exclaimed and flounced away into the Girl's Dormitory. Harry mentally rolled his eyes and let out a little snarl.
"Ron! You're even more clueless about girls than I am!" Harry shook his head. Ron looked puzzled.
"Sorry it's just-I thought that was the reason she was crying," he said apologetically.
"No Ron, no. She was crying because she was happy! Ever heard of tears of joy?" Harry asked feeling bad for Hermione. Ron nodded his head yes. "Well, now would be the best time more than ever to write Hermy that letter mate." Ron's eyes widened.
"I.I can't Harry! She'll never believe it coming from me! You write it! You can write more romantically than me!"
"Me? What? Ron I-" but he stopped and considered this. I could tell her how I really feel without her knowing. Wait, I don't even like her! Then why did she kiss me that night? Was it out of confusion or does she like me? Could I possibly like her too-?
"Harry please?" Ron pleaded, breaking his thoughts.
"Er, okay I guess I could write it," Harry answered reluctantly.
"Tonight?" Ron requested, life jumping back into his eyes. "Harry please tonight! She'll be upset with me all tomorrow if I don't give it to her in the morning!"
"Fine. I guess so, but you have to learn to deal with her on your own next time."
"Right! Night Harry!" Ron said darting for the dormitories.
"Wait Ron! I don't know how you feel! I don't know what to write!"
"Just write how you would feel if you've fancied her as much as I do!" And with that, he heard the door click shut. Harry withdrew a piece of parchment, a quill, and an ink bottle from his bag. The parchment looked extra long in the pale moonlight. Half an hour had passed and the common room was filled with all the Gryffindors. Although it wasn't as noisy as it had always been with Fred and George, Harry couldn't concentrate. He played a game of Exploding Snap with Neville and had a light conversation with Ginny. When most of the common room started emptying out, he finished up his essay that Professor Binn had assigned them earlier that day. No ideas sprang to mind how to write a love letter and confessing all Ron really felt.
The clock now read twelve midnight. Harry was the only one not asleep. A blank piece of parchment stared up at him. Might want to start by addressing her dummy! He thought. Harry scribbled out: "Dear, Hermione" and then threw his head down onto the table. The dying fire in the fire place crackled peacefully in his ears.
"What was I thinking? I write just as well as Ron!" Harry mouthed furiously at himself. He decided to go for a walk and popped into his dormitory and grabbed his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map. He threw the cloak off so as not to confuse the Fat Lady and then spun around the corner and threw it on just in time as Filch came striding past.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good," Harry muttered. The map appeared in front of his eyes. Peeves was in the Owlry and it looked like Filch was heading up there too. Harry made his way down the marble staircase and out onto Hogwart's grounds. He made it to the lake and brought his knees up to his chest. Something rustled behind him. He withdrew his wand. A shadowed figure loomed over him; luckily Harry still had the cloak wrapped tight around him. The thing looked right at him and then started moving towards the castle. Harry looked down at the map and saw a miniscule dot labeled Lucius Malfoy move in through the gigantic oak doors. He stood up and started sprinting after Lucius. Before entering the castle, Harry stopped to catch his breath and look down to see where Lucius had gone to. He was in Ewan's room. Unable to stifle his curiosity, Harry cautiously walked inside and made his way to the Dark Arts class room.
"Get out of my classroom!" Harry heard Ewan bark when he reached the Dark Arts room.
"No Renton! You listen to me," Lucius said coolly. There was a crashing sound and the noise of papers and miscellaneous items being scattered all over the floor. "You mind your tongue!"
"I didn't say anything about you and what-" there was a muffled silence. It appeared Lucius had covered Ewan's mouth with his hand.
"You will not say anything more about what you know! And stop meddling with my son." Harry heard Ewan gasping for air.
"I was not meddling with him!"
"Is that so? I heard different," Lucius sniggered. There was a moment's silence, and then Harry heard Lucius speak again. "Put your wand away Renton." He heard another struggle.
"You get out of my classroom!" Ewan demanded.
"Or else what? You'd lose your job if you attacked me Renton," Lucius retorted.
"I used to be one Malfoy! I'm still just as dangerous!"
"Really? Could I quote you on that? I'm sure the Prophet and the parents of children who are in your class would love to hear that."
"And I'm sure they would love to hear how Fudge's new assistant is a Death Eater!" Ewan yelled back. Harry heard someone's fist make contact with someone's skull.
"I'll kill you. We've gotten stronger over the years in case you have not noticed. I'll kill you," Lucius hissed. "I will kill you Renton."
"Then go ahead! The ministry will get you and all your filthy followers!" Ewan shouted. Harry tensed up as he heard Lucius withdraw something.
"I am the ministry. That clueless pratt Fudge could not survive without me."
"Get out of my classroom you arrogant DEATH EATER!" Ewan yelled at the top his lungs. Harry swallowed hard and saw as Snape's dot on the map made his way from his office to where the commotion was going on.
"You have a lot to learn Renton," Lucius said calmly. "Lesson number one: this is the death of the Dark Arts teacher, but the birth of the Dark Arts' darkness. Lesson two: Voldemort will rein and not even Potter can stop him this time. Lesson three: I warned you to mind your tongue. Never take advantage of my warnings."
"DEATH EATER!" Ewan yelled. The sound of Snape's footsteps increased.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Lucius screamed; piercing the night air. Harry saw a glow of green light dash out from under the door. Snape stopped right in front of Harry breathing hard. When the light had disappeared he burst into the room with his wand out. Harry looked down at the map once more. Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Filch all came running towards the Dark Arts classroom. Harry peeked around the open door. He saw a body lying lifeless on the floor. Lucius had broken the window and now stood in front of it.
"Don't say anything Severus or I'll kill you too," Lucius commanded and then jumped out the window. Snape staggered out of the classroom. The dead body reflected in his cold, beady eyes. Professor McGonagall was the first to reach them.
"Severus what," she stopped as she saw Ewan's dead body on the floor. Dumbledore soon followed after with Filch at his heels.
"I almost had Peeves," Harry heard Filch mutter under his breath.
"Professor I didn't.I'd never.please," was all Snape managed to spit out. Harry had a constricted feeling about his chest, yet another person he had seen, rather heard, die. The look in Dumbledore's eyes killed Harry even more. Dumbledore walked over to Ewan's lifeless body and checked his pulse. Professor McGonagall stared intently at Dumbledore. He mournfully shook his head.
"Severus, I cannot believe my eyes. I trusted you," Dumbledore whispered.
"Professor, sir, I did not kill Renton! Listen please!" Snape pleaded.
"We all knew how much you wanted the job as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, but never would I think you would kill for it," Professor McGonagall said in a hushed voice. Filch's jaw was dropped open speechlessly.
"If you didn't kill him Severus, who did? No one can apparate in and out of Hogwarts. How could the killer escape?" Dumbledore questioned. Snape's lip kept curling in different positions.
"The window! Look at the window!" Snape shouted pleadingly.
"He does have a point Albus," Professor McGonagall sighed.
"Sim.simply broken from the.the blast of the c.c.curse Professor," Filch managed to mumble. Harry moved over into the doorway so he could get a better view. Snape's fist was clenching and unclenching as Filch revealed this to Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore, you've got to believe me! I would never kill anyone. I mean, you trusted Lupin!"
"Remus Lupin was never a Death Eater Severus," Dumbledore said quietly. For the first time ever, Harry saw the faintest hint of tears starting to mist over in Snape's eyes. He couldn't take it. Just the previous year, Harry had witnessed his father harassing Snape for no good reason. He had also seen a bit into his childhood, where Snape sat cowering in a corner while his parents fought. As awful as he was to Harry, he felt he had to stick up for him. An innocent man, even Snape, didn't deserve to go to Azkaban. Of all people, Harry knew this because Sirius had been innocent. He slowly took off the cloak, and disclosed himself to everyone.
"Potter!" Snape snapped, the fire returning to his eyes. "Go to your common room!" Harry disregarded this.
"Professor Dumbledore sir," he said shakily, "Snape's telling the truth." Dumbledore's cold glare softened up, Filch's jaw drew closer to his mouth, and Professor McGonagall's pursed lips relaxed.
"Oh really? Go on," Dumbledore said quietly.
"I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk and heard Professor Renton and," he paused. Should I say who? He decided to wait until one of them asked. "And someone arguing. I would have continued on walking, but there was a death threat."
"So why didn't you go and get someone Potter?" Professor McGonagall spat.
"Because I didn't know how serious it was. Their voices where down pretty low until-" Snape cut him off.
"Until Renton yelled Death Eater. That's when I came running. I reached the door and the culprit had already said the curse. I walked in and saw," Snape stopped too. Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Do tell."
"Well he told me he'd kill me if I said anything sir."
"Lucius Malfoy," Harry but in. They all turned to face him. Harry could have sworn he saw Snape wince. Harry's insides churned in discomfort for defending Snape. Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry, his stare, like Ewan's, penetrating his soul. He heaved a sigh.
"As much as I'd like to believe you Severus," Dumbledore began. Snape was grinding his jaw so harshly that Harry could hear his yellow teeth scrape one another.
"Professor," Snape started in a barely audible voice.
"Let him finish Severus."
"Thank you Minerva," Dumbledore smiled. "I'd like to believe you Severus, but an Unforgivable was used. We'll have to resort to Veritaserum." Snape took this like a blow to the head, for he stumbled backwards clutching his temples.
"Professor Dumbledore please.there are things I really do not want other ears to witness," he said shakily. "Can't we use a pensive instead?"
"I wish we could Severus, but you can alter your thoughts. How could we be completely sure that what you are thinking is true?" Dumbledore replied mournfully. Snape searched to room for another explanation to back his story. Harry could not defend Snape in this sense. There was nothing he could do to help someone out of punishment for using an Unforgivable Curse.
"Why not give Veritaserum to Potter! See if he's telling the truth?" All the sympathy he had ever once felt for Snape disappeared as he suggested this.
"What?" Harry asked incredulously. "What did you say? I stood up for you! I defended you! Even though I hate everything about you, and as much as you probably deserve it, I just saved you from going to Azkaban!" Harry grew even angrier when none of the other Professors jumped in to convince Snape of how noble Harry had acted. Snape's stern face twisted into a gnarled smile.
"Clearly, if you have nothing to hide, you wouldn't have reacted this way Potter," Snape said. Harry shook his head in disbelief.
"I can't believe you! No I don't have anything to hide, but like you even said, some things are private!"
"The Veritaserum will be used on you Severus, no exception. Harry you may leave now," Dumbledore added in an irritated tone. Harry nodded and placed the invisibility cloak in the crook of his arm. "However," Dumbledore began again, "you will need to be present at this event to give us your story and we'll see if it matches Professor Snape's.just to make sure." Harry nodded.
"That will take the place of your detention Potter," Professor McGonagall added. Harry cast one final glance around the room. One final glance at Ewan's limp body and he was gone. On his way back to the common room, Harry asked himself how writing a letter could have seemed so hard compared to enduring that fiasco.