Disclaimer: Simply borrowing these characters and not making a profit.

Chapter Nine

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"You guys have to get up and Draco, you've got to leave!" said a scared voice.

Harry raised his head to look at Neville. Neville had both arms over his eyes and had his back towards the naked pair. After mumbling a spell, Harry and Draco both got up.

"It's all right Neville. We're dressed. What's so urgent anyway?"

"Classes are over and McGonagall has informed everyone to report back to their common rooms. She has something urgent to convey," he rambled.

"Shit!" Draco finally spoke up. "Gotta go!" he added, then ran off through the portrait hole, running into a third year.

"Erm... Harry? I think Draco forgot his..." his voice trailed off as he pointed to a pair of silk, burgundy boxers.

Harry laughed and made them disappear.

"This is between us right?" Harry suddenly changed his mood. He was now completely serious.

Neville furiously nodded his head. "Is this because of the potion?" he asked coyly.

"Let's just say it is," Harry quickly answered.

"So what is it that McGonagall has discovered that has her panties up her arse?" Harry asked, obviously still disappointed his time with Draco had been cut short.

"There's been another attack by You-Know-Who," Neville cautiously answered.

Harry's eyes darted to the floor then back at Neville. "So? It's not the first time," he said.

"Hogsmeade."

"He attacked Hogsmeade?"

Neville nodded. "It's completely destroyed. There's nothing left but fires and a little hideout that Fudge has recently discovered."

The hideout the Neville had mentioned struck a chord in Harry's heart. That's where he had met Sirius before, or rather, where Fluffy had taken him.

"All the store owners, and any other residents, were killed," Neville continued.

Dumbledore must be concerned that Voldemort is getting closer to Hogwarts. He's going to fucking lock us in this dratted castle, Harry thought.

Normally, he wouldn't mind, but there was no way he could continue fucking Draco in the castle without being caught.

Well, there's always the invisibility cloak...

Harry's train of thoughts was interrupted by Hermione's voice. Ron was standing next to her.

"Hey Harry. Where were you? You missed class?" asked Hermione, pretentiously. She knew perfectly well what had happened.

"I was sleeping."

"Oh," said Hermione, eyebrows raised. "Really now? And with whom may I ask?"

Harry forced a laugh.

"With Malfoy, of course. Malfoy snuck in here and we fucked. Then Neville caught us," Harry answered truthfully.

Ron laughed. Harry rolled his eyes. Hermione smiled.

"I heard about the attack," Harry returned to full seriousness. "We're gonna be locked in, huh?"

"Yeah mate. But look at it this way, no Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. Well, at least until Dumbledore can find a way to bring them indoors," Ron said.

"So Hagrid's moving into the castle?"

Ron and Hermione both nodded.

"That's gonna be interesting."

They all laughed a little.

Their conversation, however, was stopped by a stern voice.

"Gryffindors," McGonagall addressed the fully packed common room, "As I'm sure you've already heard, there's been an attack on Hogsmeade. Due to this, we are increasing levels of security. No students, teachers, even pets, are allowed outside castle doors. This includes the grounds. All trips to Hogsmeade are obviously cancelled."

She looked around the room to see if anyone dared to question her direct orders.

A second year raised her hand.

"But Professor, what about winter break? Are we allowed to go home?"

The Professor looked surprised at the normality of the question.

"There is no way, I'm afraid. As you all know, winter vacation is merely a couple weeks away. I will have to check with the Headmaster, of course, but I am quite positive that you will have to stay here. Perhaps we can arrange Floo travel so that they could visit, but you are confined to the castle walls."

There were loud groans heard from all corners of the room. This didn't affect Harry much, he never left anywhere, but he had been hoping the he and Draco could at least leave.

"Bullshit, with my luck?" he quietly mumbled.

"Didja say somethin' 'arry?" Ron replied, just as quietly. Last thing they wanted was for McGonagall to take away house points in their house.

Harry shook his head.

McGonagall left after all questions had been answered.

Murmurs and whispers erupted all over the room.

"You-Know-Who is gaining power!"

"Everything destroyed!"

"Can you believe we're stuck here? My mum was taking me to France!"

Many of their gazes eventually wandered to where Harry was standing. Everyone had long figured that Harry would be the one to fight him. Some of the glances were pity, some fear, some hope, but most were respect. Under normal circumstances, Harry wouldn't mind it to this extent. But nowadays, nothing was normal.

He turned around and stormed out of the room.

"Ron, maybe you should go after him?" Hermione softly suggested.

"Go after him? Why?"

"He's obviously upset." Hermione said impatiently.

"I'm sure it's nothing."

"What happened to you Ron? You and Harry used to always be able to talk! But you've changed. Especially since the potion," she sounded disappointed.

"So what if I have? Why is everything always about Harry?" Ron yelled.

The room turned silent. Slowly, the noise began to grow again. In less than a minute, the room was filled with chattering again.

"Because Harry needs you! Don't you see that? He needs you more than anyone else. He's too young for all this to land on him. And all you can care about is yourself. He's seen more people die than anyone can ever imagine! Around him, there's always pain. Can't you see he blames himself? But it's not his fault. And you don't seem to understand that, do you?" Hermione spoke.

She sent Ron a look that clearly stated just how disappointed she was, then turned around and followed Harry.

Ron watched her disappear then sat down in the armchair Harry had previously occupied.

End of Chapter Nine