By tati1
Disclaimer: sorry, but no, I do not own Harry Potter. Which really bites.WARNING: This story is R for a REASON! It is NOT NC-17, as I have read much, /much/ worse that was permitted, so I have abused nothing! Rated for violence, serious angst (later on), and rape. If you have a problem with it, go read something else because I didn't write it just to be safe. It's written because it's how and what I write. So buzz off. :{
(and if my mean attitude offends, I do apologize but I'm sorta protective of my work.)
READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE OR NO MORE CHAPTERS! I HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH SOME PEOPLE.
A/N: You know; the last two chapters have gotten me my worst reviews ever. *frowns* That's not very nice. No flamers. Nothing that comes close to flamer. What do you lot know, anyway? People CAN be hurt that badly, and some ARE. Pain runs deep, and stop fussing about it. The hysterical thing? Harry's NOT INSANE. He happens to be going through a really difficult period in his life just now; everyone's saying and doing things that contradict how he grew up, and how he was treated by the Dursleys, and then they go right back to doing what he's learned is meant to be inflicted upon him! He's confused and he's scared, and he's trying to learn how anyone could possibly love *him*. And hysterics are just like I described them in the damn story. Sorry if YOU'VE never gone through it, but I have, and I'll thank you to not tell me that poor Harry's insane or stupid, or that it was overwritten/overrated/overdone! Great, now you've almost made me cry. I want reviews, but I don't want them if all you're going to do is bitch about my bullying Harry or describing the state of mind of someone abused (no, I'm not myself an abused child, but I try to depict it so LIVE with it.). It hurts, and personally, I don't think I really need that in my life just now.
On the other hand, not all the reviews were bad. Thank you Tinanit! And thanks also to ____no Yami. I love your reviews, you guys. Those always cheer me.
RAR (Read and Review). I usually write back thank you letters if your authorname has an email addy (addy = address).
Thank you to those who DID send nice reviews, and thank you to those who did bother to review, even if it was only to harp on how my chapters are abuse abuse abuse. Read the summary – ABUSE happens to be listed! Anyway, I wrote this last year and am typing it up now, so you'll have to live with it. Personally, abuse stories are one of my main topics of reading – for the abuse. So it makes sense that I write it, right? Whatever. The Ebony Orb competition will still be in the damn story, so just keep your pants on! It'll come; I just need Harry's life to settle down and take a pattern of sorts. The bullying will stop soon, so SHUT THE FUCK UP! I'm tired of being criticized! Now you've got me ranting again…
Here's the next chapter.
Chapter 10 – Draco MalfoyLast time:
He had nightmares again that night, but this time he employed his years of Dursley-fear to his advantage. At Privet Drive he had learned to avoid noise during nightmares, and he resolved to not let the shield slip now.
Sirius would never find out.
~*~*~
The next day, Sirius followed Harry to breakfast, where the poor dog was immediately set upon by students; all of whom wanted to pat the doggy as Dumbledore had assured them Sirius was not a Grim.
Harry watched the commotion with a small smile from his lonely corner at the Gryffindor table. This puzzled Sirius; even more so when, as he escaped to Harry, nearly everyone glared at his godson and protested loudly amongst themselves about things like 'famous,' 'unfair,' and 'stupid wonder-boy.' One girl even went so far as to come up to Harry and demand he give her the dog because 'he would just corrupt the wonderful thing' and that if he wanted Sirius to be happy he would 'give him to someone who deserves and cares for him.' Harry just looked at his plate.
"I – if you want to, Sir, you can go," he whispered. Sirius growled in disbelief and nuzzled Harry after deliberately showing teeth to the furious girl. She ignored the warning and began to drag him off by the collar. Sirius yelped and Harry whirled around to take in the situation.
"Sirius!" he cried, and glared at the girl. "Leave him alone! Accio, dog!" He held out his hand and his godfather broke free and sped over to him, drawn by the spell to Harry, who was still wandless. The students were whispering again and Harry stalked with a startled Sirius to the doors to make his exit. A girl and two boys entered as he did so, and Sirius watched as the three stared at Harry nervously as both groups halted. The girl spoke first.
"Harry, I – we – I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd, you'd … do that for us. I did something wrong and I know it was bad, but – but I'm sorry."
"Bugger off, Hermione," snarled Harry defensively, "just leave me alone. I don't need or want your pity. You lost y our chance when you – all of you," he directed at the silent crowd, "began that stupid crusade against me. Go away; I'll be gone before too long; I think you could all learn to keep hating me until then." His parting sarcastic remark rang loudly and with truth as he shoved past the crying trio and slammed the door behind him. Sirius scratched forlornly at the double doors as Fred and George sadly led Hermione to the table.
`````````````````````````````
Harry closed his eyes and rested his head against the cool stone of the staircase.
"Going to cry, Potter?" came a sneering voice. Harry looked wearily up to see Malfoy standing over him. He sighed and sat upright.
"No."
"You look ready to."
"I won't."
"How do you know? So much better than us that tears are below you? Your head is really - "
"What good would tears do anyway? You'll just continue to hate me. If I cry, you'll have more ammunition."
"That's not your reason," said the blond; cocking his head to the side. Harry glared; what was wrong with his excuse?
"Nothing was wrong with it, but there's more to it," said Malfoy, and Harry realized he had spoken aloud.
"It's no business of yours, Malfoy," he growled. Malfoy winced.
"Draco, please. And of course it's my business; what occurs in this school is my business, and more so when it comes to you, but I can't find anything," he sounded frustrated although his face stayed in the famous Malfoy aloofness.
"Why?" Draco sighed.
"Father is a former (and still) Death Eater. He's trying to trainme and is having me 'spy' in Hogwarts." He smirked. "Like I'll tell him anything."
"Why not?"
"The man makes my life a living hell. Help him? Ha! I'd as soon kill him." Draco's voice was bitter. He looked back at Harry. "Now, Potter, will you answer my question?" Harry looked away.
"I won't cry because I can't," he said flatly. Draco looked intrigued.
"How'd that happen?"
"I think I did a case of accidental magic when I was two and made it impossible. My tears just don't fall," he gestured at his face cynically, "so even if it's okay to cry I cannot."
"Oh. Fascinating."
"huh?"
"You say you did that at age two?! How? No, wait, why?" Harry glared indignantly at his interrogator.
"What do you mean, 'how?' I did it; that's how accidental magic works. It's an accident."
"Potter, no one starts accidental magic until they are at least five. But then, look at you. you literally defy the laws of magic just by living, forget any other odd stuff. And I mean it, why? Why did you stop crying?"
"No business of yours," said Harry tiredly. He rose and nodded to Malfoy. "Nice to see you again, Draco. I find that I enjoy conversing with someone my age on a reasonable level. Perhaps we could do it again?" he queried; hating himself for this weakness and the painful hope in his voice. Draco nodded and Harry saw a small, genuine smile playing across the other boy's lips.
"Certainly. Potions classroom at 10 tonight." They both turned off to go to their separate classes; Harry feeling happier than what seemed to be a very long while.
*
A/N: I know it's short, but I'm busy updating several other stories tonight, so…ick. Anyway, pay heed to the first A/N up top. I DON'T want anything even resembling a flamer for this chapter!
