"Wait...Uh...Harry? I think I did this wrong..."
Harry paused his writing and peered over at Ron's work." Lets see....Ummm.....Yeah, see here? You forgot to add in this 'A'. Now try it."
Ron hunched back over his paper and scribbled the new estimates. Harry went back to his Potions essay, writing the last few lines and sighed as he finished. Quickly measuring it, he mumbled," Ah., two inches over."
"Better to be an overachiever than under," Hermione commented as she thumbed through one of her textbooks.
It was a perfectly lovely April afternoon, and somehow Hermione had talked them into staying inside during lunch to get some extra study time in.
"But no human being is a natural overachiever. They only do it because A)Want extra credit, B) Didn't know they did it and C) Are bored and have nothing better to do." Ron said as he gave up on his Arithmancy. "And Harry isn't ANY of those things."
"Well, I should think not. Harry obviously has more potential than any of you thought," Hermione replied, still keeping her eyes flicking over each page.
"We know he has potential...but come ON, Hermione. There's more to life than studying!" Ron said exasperated.
"If you got out of that state of mind, you'd think differently,"
"Well, if it wasn't for you whispering sweet nothings into Harry's ear while you were snogging, we'd still have our normal, sane friend," Ron said with a huff.
Hermione narrowed her eyes. Harry sighed and tuned them out while they continued on, much more loudly.
"WELL, maybe its been a good move for Harry to spend more time with me, than with you lot. He OBVIOUSLY has been improving since he's started going out with me. His grades are proof alone. I did that. What did you ever do for him?"
"DO? I did LOADS. We had FUN. LOTS of fun. THATS what I did. You just gave him books and a brain," Ron retorted, his ears starting to slowly turn red.
"Yes I did and he has more use for brains than any bummish FUN. Fun will never get him anywhere. He's better off staying clear of you all together," Hermione shouted, her cheeks flushing.
"Bloody 'ell! I could hear you two all the way from our table. HONESTLY! What are you shouting about anyway?" Draco hissed as he slide in on Harry's other side.
Hermione and Ron shot him sharp glances, both replying in angry, loud voices.
Draco raised his eyebrows and mumbled," Sorry I asked..."
Not a moment too soon, a flutter of wings interrupted the argument momentarily as owls came swooping down over the Great Hall. A small gray owl plopped a rolled up paper in Hermione's empty bowl. As she paid it and continued the row with Ron, Harry reached over and plucked the newspaper from her outraged but loose hand. He spread it out and began to read.
"So, you really think Harry's better of without me, do you? And what? You think his life is going to be all sunshine and daises?" Ron grumbled hotly.
"Maybe, maybe not. But he will be for the better after me," Hermione replied haughtily.
"You're going to turn him into a female YOU!" Ron retorted angrily.
"SO?"
"SO?! He's a GUY, Hermione. That much perfectionist blood and he's going to turn out a miserable git like Percy."
"Maybe Percy has it right."
"Maybe he DOESN'T. Putting his career before his family...Disgusting. Harry would NEVER do that."
"So, what? You're saying I would?"
"Maybe..."
"Maybe!? Why I-"
"OI,SHUT UP!"
Hermione and Ron blinked in shock at Harry's interruption, almost angered he would have the nerve to interrupt such an important discussion. But Harry left them little time to reply their objections when he started to read from the front page of the Daily Prophet.
" MASS DISAPPEARANCE HAS WIZARDING WORLD IN UPROAR:....Late last night, five witches and wizards were abducted from their work place or home. Suspicions are high that it was You-Know-Who, though the Ministry of Magic refuses to explain on why. The fourth kidnapping over the past five months has left all of the community baffled as to why the victims were taken. Speculation shows it has something to do with the Boy-Who-Lived, young Harry Potter. Though concrete facts are still elusive, this reporter says its just You-Know-Who's way of grabbing Mr. Potter's attention. Despite this obvious observation, the Minister of Magic still denies any comments on the subject other than that the Ministry is working overtime to stop the random kidnappings. In the meantime, Witches and Wizards all over the world are panicking at this outbreak of disappearances, since no one yet has been returned safe and sound..."
Harry glanced up at the others, seeing their stunned expressions. He settled his eyes on Ron, knowing the next part he was about to read aloud was going to make him mad," Among the missing victims, was the young Percy Weasley, assistant to the late Mr. Crouch ..."
Ron's face reacted just as Harry had imagined it would. His skin went ghostly pale as his mouth hung open in a silent "what?". His coffee brown eyes bulged out and his hand started to shake badly. Neville and Lee Jordan, who had overhead, were patting his back continuously, mumbling things like," Breathe, Ron. Just breathe." and "Its alright Ron. He'll be ok."
None of this, however, seemed to be comforting Ron in the least, because he turned on Draco and roared," Its YOUR fault! YOU'RE probably the one who suggested they take my brother! Probably your bloody father who did it too! The rat! The scum! THE BASTARD!"
Draco started to fume, but just as he was getting up, Harry's hand grabbed his arm and guided him back to his seat. It was Harry himself who stood up, towering over Ron's furious scarlet face," How DARE you!"
Ron winced at Harry's loud, booming shout. The Great Hall fell silent to the yell, peering over curiously at the only boy standing up. Even the teachers paused their conversations to see who made the noise.
"You....You...Ungrateful little FECK! You irrational, STUPID GIT! How DARE you blame this on Malfoy! I'm SICK of this! Ever since I became friends with him, you've done NOTHING but bad mouth him! Well, I'VE HAD IT! " Harry bellowed, feeling his skin throbbing with the kept in rage." I have full faith in him, but OBVIOUSLY that doesn't seem to suffice you! You CLEARLY don't trust ME to trust him. So, its obvious we have no business being friends if you can't even trust me."
And with that, Harry climbed from the bench and strode purposely to the doors, students leaping out of the way. He had half cleared the yard when Draco caught up with him. It took quite a bit of jogging and a constant fast pace, but Draco had managed to keep himself inline with Harry's stride.
"You know...You didn't have to do that," He said, watching Harry's burning face.
"Yes I did...He can't get away with not trusting me...Friends just trust eachother. Its what they do," Harry replied, keeping his eyes straight ahead, knowing if he looked anywhere else he'd see Ron's angry face and feel the need to slug it.
"Well. If its worth anything...I trust you."
Harry stopped abruptly, making Draco skid a few paces ahead of him. He stared at Draco's pale but sincere face for awhile before finding the perfect words to respond with," Thank you."
Draco sighed to himself and offered a smile," Thought you were going to have a row with me as well. Honestly, Potter. I've never seen you so angry. It was almost...scary."
Harry exhaled and folded his arms,"Well..I seem to have a temper when it comes to injustices."
"No kidding..."
They stood there in silence, each taking in what the other said. Knowing this was the weirdest alliance ever created, but that it seemed to work eerily well.
"I still think you're a bloody moron."
Harry glanced at Draco and managed a weak smile. A sudden flicker darted Harry's attention from Draco to a little light past him. Harry stepped backward a few steps, finally realizing where his angry walk lead them. On the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Squinting his eyes, Harry looked back to the speck of light he saw deep within the thick trees. No sooner had he started looking that he saw it again, winking at him from the distance." See that?"
Draco frowned and turned, scanning the trees skeptically,"Uhh...what? What are you-...Wait. What was that?"
Harry licked his lips and started forward," Lets find out."
"Harry! Are you mad?" Draco exclaimed." That's the Forbidden Forest. Its too dangerous. That's why they call it the Forbidden Forest, because its FORBIDDEN. If we were allowed in there, they would've called it the Come-Right-In Forest, or the Welcome-Students Forest. But NO! Its the FORBIDDEN Forest."
Harry glanced back at his nervous comrade," Honestly, Draco. You sound just like Hermione."
"Granger!?! Oh,forget that then! Lets go! Infact, lets go deeper than that odd light! Lets go deeper than any Hogwarts student ever has before!" Draco declared, walking past Harry and into the forest.
Harry smiled and shook his head, following. Soon enough, they were weaving their way through thick bushes, large trees and darkness. Harry pulled out his wand and murmured Lumos. Instantly, a light glowed from the end of it.. He stepped infront of Draco to light their path, hearing more than enough grumbles of annoyance from behind.
"HONESTLY! You would think they'd trim this bloody mess. My robes are being ripped to shreds," Draco complained, Harry hearing the distinct sound of cloth being torn in two not a second later." OH BLOODY HELL!"
Harry couldn't help but snicker lightly, Draco's anti-nature demeanor was horribly amusing. It took all in him not to laugh right out when he saw Draco get his cloak tangled in the branches of a particularly short, gangly tree. But his eye caught sight of something that all together threw his mind from Draco's misfortunes. The flicker was growing brighter, reflecting the dim light eminating from Harry's wand. Harry ducked down to avoid blocking any of the light from reaching whatever it was that had beckoned them there.
Finally arriving at the source of the glinting, Harry half expected some spectacular thing. Some wondrous mystery he stumbled upon. But to his great disappointment, the thing he reached out and took was nothing spectacular or mysterious. Infact, it was downright depressing. In his palm lay an ordinary pair of thin-rimmed spectacles. The light that had lured them this deep into the forest was nothing but some common reading glasses. Harry sunk down to the mossy ground as Draco took the glasses to inspect.
"All this way for a pair of specs'? Isn't that special," He mumbled, turning them over in his hand, then trying them on for size.
Harry sighed and leaned back on his palms when something cold and slick came in contact with his skin. Harry gave a start and quickly withdrew his hand. Pointing the light down at the spot that had just moments ago contained his hand, he saw something small and green. Harry leaned over and saw that it looked like an animal.
"A frog!" Harry said incredulously.
Draco walked over and crouched down besides him. Harry frowned and looked closer, noticing that the frog wasn't moving. He reached down to pick it up when he realized it wasn't a real frog at all.
"Good lord, its a piece of jewelry!" Draco exclaimed.
Harry turned it over in his palm, noticing how plain the silver underside was, but how brilliantly green the frog was. It seemed to be made of shards of emerald, glinting and sparkling in the cast of dulled silver. The one eye that could be seen was made of a small piece of ruby, while the frog's belly seemed to be created out of pearl. "How odd...Such a beautiful thing out here like this."
Draco reached over and took it for inspection," No kidding. But it seems to be harmless. Probably just some student's keepsake that got lost during one of Hagrid's old classes. Wouldn't be surprised if it fell right out of the poor bloke's pocket as he ran screaming from one of Hagrid's creatures."
Harry took the frog from Draco's probing hands and stared at it. He could very well see a student losing it, their parents being furious that they lost such a honorable treasure." I should turn it into McGonagal."
"What for?" Draco shouted, looking at Harry as if he had three heads.
"Well, the person who lost it might be looking for it."
"Oh, for Christ Sake, Harry. Stop being such a bloody saint and keep it. They lost it and OBVIOUSLY didn't go trying to look for it because its still here. Besides, no one will know," Draco said, taking the frog from Harry's hand and slipping it into Harry's cloak pocket." Its yours now."
Harry frowned, feeling the lump in his pocket that now contained the brilliant frog. He sighed and got up, leading the way back out of the forest. As sunlight blinded their eyes, they awkwardly made their way back across the yard and into the school.
"Are you sure no ones going to be looking for it?" Harry asked nervously as they headed towards their dormitories..
"No. Besides, its yours now. If they come after you, just give 'em a good hex." Draco replied as he headed down the hall towards the Slytherin dungeons.
"But, what if-" Harry started.
"ITS YOURS! " Draco shouted from the end of the corridor.
Harry pulled the frog from his pocket and rubbed its ruby red eye with his thumb gently.
" I guess your mine then..." he stated before he stuffed the green amphibian back into his pocket and made his way to the Gryffindor tower to pick up his things.
Harry paused his writing and peered over at Ron's work." Lets see....Ummm.....Yeah, see here? You forgot to add in this 'A'. Now try it."
Ron hunched back over his paper and scribbled the new estimates. Harry went back to his Potions essay, writing the last few lines and sighed as he finished. Quickly measuring it, he mumbled," Ah., two inches over."
"Better to be an overachiever than under," Hermione commented as she thumbed through one of her textbooks.
It was a perfectly lovely April afternoon, and somehow Hermione had talked them into staying inside during lunch to get some extra study time in.
"But no human being is a natural overachiever. They only do it because A)Want extra credit, B) Didn't know they did it and C) Are bored and have nothing better to do." Ron said as he gave up on his Arithmancy. "And Harry isn't ANY of those things."
"Well, I should think not. Harry obviously has more potential than any of you thought," Hermione replied, still keeping her eyes flicking over each page.
"We know he has potential...but come ON, Hermione. There's more to life than studying!" Ron said exasperated.
"If you got out of that state of mind, you'd think differently,"
"Well, if it wasn't for you whispering sweet nothings into Harry's ear while you were snogging, we'd still have our normal, sane friend," Ron said with a huff.
Hermione narrowed her eyes. Harry sighed and tuned them out while they continued on, much more loudly.
"WELL, maybe its been a good move for Harry to spend more time with me, than with you lot. He OBVIOUSLY has been improving since he's started going out with me. His grades are proof alone. I did that. What did you ever do for him?"
"DO? I did LOADS. We had FUN. LOTS of fun. THATS what I did. You just gave him books and a brain," Ron retorted, his ears starting to slowly turn red.
"Yes I did and he has more use for brains than any bummish FUN. Fun will never get him anywhere. He's better off staying clear of you all together," Hermione shouted, her cheeks flushing.
"Bloody 'ell! I could hear you two all the way from our table. HONESTLY! What are you shouting about anyway?" Draco hissed as he slide in on Harry's other side.
Hermione and Ron shot him sharp glances, both replying in angry, loud voices.
Draco raised his eyebrows and mumbled," Sorry I asked..."
Not a moment too soon, a flutter of wings interrupted the argument momentarily as owls came swooping down over the Great Hall. A small gray owl plopped a rolled up paper in Hermione's empty bowl. As she paid it and continued the row with Ron, Harry reached over and plucked the newspaper from her outraged but loose hand. He spread it out and began to read.
"So, you really think Harry's better of without me, do you? And what? You think his life is going to be all sunshine and daises?" Ron grumbled hotly.
"Maybe, maybe not. But he will be for the better after me," Hermione replied haughtily.
"You're going to turn him into a female YOU!" Ron retorted angrily.
"SO?"
"SO?! He's a GUY, Hermione. That much perfectionist blood and he's going to turn out a miserable git like Percy."
"Maybe Percy has it right."
"Maybe he DOESN'T. Putting his career before his family...Disgusting. Harry would NEVER do that."
"So, what? You're saying I would?"
"Maybe..."
"Maybe!? Why I-"
"OI,SHUT UP!"
Hermione and Ron blinked in shock at Harry's interruption, almost angered he would have the nerve to interrupt such an important discussion. But Harry left them little time to reply their objections when he started to read from the front page of the Daily Prophet.
" MASS DISAPPEARANCE HAS WIZARDING WORLD IN UPROAR:....Late last night, five witches and wizards were abducted from their work place or home. Suspicions are high that it was You-Know-Who, though the Ministry of Magic refuses to explain on why. The fourth kidnapping over the past five months has left all of the community baffled as to why the victims were taken. Speculation shows it has something to do with the Boy-Who-Lived, young Harry Potter. Though concrete facts are still elusive, this reporter says its just You-Know-Who's way of grabbing Mr. Potter's attention. Despite this obvious observation, the Minister of Magic still denies any comments on the subject other than that the Ministry is working overtime to stop the random kidnappings. In the meantime, Witches and Wizards all over the world are panicking at this outbreak of disappearances, since no one yet has been returned safe and sound..."
Harry glanced up at the others, seeing their stunned expressions. He settled his eyes on Ron, knowing the next part he was about to read aloud was going to make him mad," Among the missing victims, was the young Percy Weasley, assistant to the late Mr. Crouch ..."
Ron's face reacted just as Harry had imagined it would. His skin went ghostly pale as his mouth hung open in a silent "what?". His coffee brown eyes bulged out and his hand started to shake badly. Neville and Lee Jordan, who had overhead, were patting his back continuously, mumbling things like," Breathe, Ron. Just breathe." and "Its alright Ron. He'll be ok."
None of this, however, seemed to be comforting Ron in the least, because he turned on Draco and roared," Its YOUR fault! YOU'RE probably the one who suggested they take my brother! Probably your bloody father who did it too! The rat! The scum! THE BASTARD!"
Draco started to fume, but just as he was getting up, Harry's hand grabbed his arm and guided him back to his seat. It was Harry himself who stood up, towering over Ron's furious scarlet face," How DARE you!"
Ron winced at Harry's loud, booming shout. The Great Hall fell silent to the yell, peering over curiously at the only boy standing up. Even the teachers paused their conversations to see who made the noise.
"You....You...Ungrateful little FECK! You irrational, STUPID GIT! How DARE you blame this on Malfoy! I'm SICK of this! Ever since I became friends with him, you've done NOTHING but bad mouth him! Well, I'VE HAD IT! " Harry bellowed, feeling his skin throbbing with the kept in rage." I have full faith in him, but OBVIOUSLY that doesn't seem to suffice you! You CLEARLY don't trust ME to trust him. So, its obvious we have no business being friends if you can't even trust me."
And with that, Harry climbed from the bench and strode purposely to the doors, students leaping out of the way. He had half cleared the yard when Draco caught up with him. It took quite a bit of jogging and a constant fast pace, but Draco had managed to keep himself inline with Harry's stride.
"You know...You didn't have to do that," He said, watching Harry's burning face.
"Yes I did...He can't get away with not trusting me...Friends just trust eachother. Its what they do," Harry replied, keeping his eyes straight ahead, knowing if he looked anywhere else he'd see Ron's angry face and feel the need to slug it.
"Well. If its worth anything...I trust you."
Harry stopped abruptly, making Draco skid a few paces ahead of him. He stared at Draco's pale but sincere face for awhile before finding the perfect words to respond with," Thank you."
Draco sighed to himself and offered a smile," Thought you were going to have a row with me as well. Honestly, Potter. I've never seen you so angry. It was almost...scary."
Harry exhaled and folded his arms,"Well..I seem to have a temper when it comes to injustices."
"No kidding..."
They stood there in silence, each taking in what the other said. Knowing this was the weirdest alliance ever created, but that it seemed to work eerily well.
"I still think you're a bloody moron."
Harry glanced at Draco and managed a weak smile. A sudden flicker darted Harry's attention from Draco to a little light past him. Harry stepped backward a few steps, finally realizing where his angry walk lead them. On the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Squinting his eyes, Harry looked back to the speck of light he saw deep within the thick trees. No sooner had he started looking that he saw it again, winking at him from the distance." See that?"
Draco frowned and turned, scanning the trees skeptically,"Uhh...what? What are you-...Wait. What was that?"
Harry licked his lips and started forward," Lets find out."
"Harry! Are you mad?" Draco exclaimed." That's the Forbidden Forest. Its too dangerous. That's why they call it the Forbidden Forest, because its FORBIDDEN. If we were allowed in there, they would've called it the Come-Right-In Forest, or the Welcome-Students Forest. But NO! Its the FORBIDDEN Forest."
Harry glanced back at his nervous comrade," Honestly, Draco. You sound just like Hermione."
"Granger!?! Oh,forget that then! Lets go! Infact, lets go deeper than that odd light! Lets go deeper than any Hogwarts student ever has before!" Draco declared, walking past Harry and into the forest.
Harry smiled and shook his head, following. Soon enough, they were weaving their way through thick bushes, large trees and darkness. Harry pulled out his wand and murmured Lumos. Instantly, a light glowed from the end of it.. He stepped infront of Draco to light their path, hearing more than enough grumbles of annoyance from behind.
"HONESTLY! You would think they'd trim this bloody mess. My robes are being ripped to shreds," Draco complained, Harry hearing the distinct sound of cloth being torn in two not a second later." OH BLOODY HELL!"
Harry couldn't help but snicker lightly, Draco's anti-nature demeanor was horribly amusing. It took all in him not to laugh right out when he saw Draco get his cloak tangled in the branches of a particularly short, gangly tree. But his eye caught sight of something that all together threw his mind from Draco's misfortunes. The flicker was growing brighter, reflecting the dim light eminating from Harry's wand. Harry ducked down to avoid blocking any of the light from reaching whatever it was that had beckoned them there.
Finally arriving at the source of the glinting, Harry half expected some spectacular thing. Some wondrous mystery he stumbled upon. But to his great disappointment, the thing he reached out and took was nothing spectacular or mysterious. Infact, it was downright depressing. In his palm lay an ordinary pair of thin-rimmed spectacles. The light that had lured them this deep into the forest was nothing but some common reading glasses. Harry sunk down to the mossy ground as Draco took the glasses to inspect.
"All this way for a pair of specs'? Isn't that special," He mumbled, turning them over in his hand, then trying them on for size.
Harry sighed and leaned back on his palms when something cold and slick came in contact with his skin. Harry gave a start and quickly withdrew his hand. Pointing the light down at the spot that had just moments ago contained his hand, he saw something small and green. Harry leaned over and saw that it looked like an animal.
"A frog!" Harry said incredulously.
Draco walked over and crouched down besides him. Harry frowned and looked closer, noticing that the frog wasn't moving. He reached down to pick it up when he realized it wasn't a real frog at all.
"Good lord, its a piece of jewelry!" Draco exclaimed.
Harry turned it over in his palm, noticing how plain the silver underside was, but how brilliantly green the frog was. It seemed to be made of shards of emerald, glinting and sparkling in the cast of dulled silver. The one eye that could be seen was made of a small piece of ruby, while the frog's belly seemed to be created out of pearl. "How odd...Such a beautiful thing out here like this."
Draco reached over and took it for inspection," No kidding. But it seems to be harmless. Probably just some student's keepsake that got lost during one of Hagrid's old classes. Wouldn't be surprised if it fell right out of the poor bloke's pocket as he ran screaming from one of Hagrid's creatures."
Harry took the frog from Draco's probing hands and stared at it. He could very well see a student losing it, their parents being furious that they lost such a honorable treasure." I should turn it into McGonagal."
"What for?" Draco shouted, looking at Harry as if he had three heads.
"Well, the person who lost it might be looking for it."
"Oh, for Christ Sake, Harry. Stop being such a bloody saint and keep it. They lost it and OBVIOUSLY didn't go trying to look for it because its still here. Besides, no one will know," Draco said, taking the frog from Harry's hand and slipping it into Harry's cloak pocket." Its yours now."
Harry frowned, feeling the lump in his pocket that now contained the brilliant frog. He sighed and got up, leading the way back out of the forest. As sunlight blinded their eyes, they awkwardly made their way back across the yard and into the school.
"Are you sure no ones going to be looking for it?" Harry asked nervously as they headed towards their dormitories..
"No. Besides, its yours now. If they come after you, just give 'em a good hex." Draco replied as he headed down the hall towards the Slytherin dungeons.
"But, what if-" Harry started.
"ITS YOURS! " Draco shouted from the end of the corridor.
Harry pulled the frog from his pocket and rubbed its ruby red eye with his thumb gently.
" I guess your mine then..." he stated before he stuffed the green amphibian back into his pocket and made his way to the Gryffindor tower to pick up his things.