Chapter Eleven
"Gwen saw Sirius last night," Harry announced to Ron and Hermione.
They were sitting in McGonagall's class, doing "quiet study".
"What? How?" Ron said, his face full of shock.
"Well.I met Sirius last night and Gwen followed. She wasn't happy to see him," Harry replied, closing his transfiguration book.
"You never told me, you were meeting Sirius?" Ron said, looking slightly hurt.
Harry was about to say something when Hermione cut in.
"Is she going to tell. anyone?" she said, looking around the classroom, to check no one was listening.
"I don't know. But I'm meeting her tonight, to explain everything," Harry continued, flicking another book open, trying to look like he was doing something.
"What everything?" Ron said suddenly, staring intently at Harry.
"Ok, maybe not everything. But enough," Harry replied, thinking about what he was going to say.
"Good. She can't." Ron began, but McGonagall cast an eye on the threesome and they ducked into their books for the rest of the lesson.
***
Gwen walked quickly to the library, the letter in her pocket. She kept thinking about the past night's events and wondering whether she could have been wrong about Sirius. I mean, it was possible.
Harry trusted him and Dumbledore seemed to have faith in him, so she should too.
But Gwen didn't want to give in so easily, there was still something about that man, that made her feel uneasy.
***
Harry walked out of the porthole and continued to the library.
He kept replaying in his mind, what he was going to say to Gwen; he was going to tell her enough to save Sirius from being exposed but nothing more.
He hardly knew anything about Gwen, he couldn't take that risk with Sirius' life.
Yes, she seemed trustworthy, but he'd learnt the hard way, it's not always easy to find people to trust nowadays.
One example was "Mad Eye Moody" or , the wizard that had indirectly caused Cedric Diggory. No, he couldn't take that risk. Too many things were at stake, things which he couldn't and wouldn't lose.
"Oommph," Harry collided into another person and their books flew all over the place. He looked up and saw Cho Chang, staring back at him.
"I'm sorry," Harry said, his voice wavering.
"It's ok," she replied, smiling at him.
Harry felt his knees going weak.
"So, is dinner over?" Cho asked, picking up another book.
"Umm. just finished," Harry replied. No wonder he hadn't seen her in the hall, he thought to himself.
"Shoot. I was writing up an essay for Professor Flitwick and completely lost track of time," she explained, shaking her head.
Harry nodded stupidly; he didn't know what to say. He seemed entranced by the swaying of her dark hair.
"Oh.I'm starving," she sighed, putting a hand on her stomach.
"You are." Harry said, his voice squeaked slightly. He coughed to clear his throat before continuing. "I can take you to the kitchens if you want, so you can get something to eat."
"Really? Oh, you're so sweet," Cho replied, beaming at him.
Harry's cheeks reddened and he started to lead her down another corridor.
"You weren't going to do something in the library, were you?" Cho asked, as they walked.
Harry looked at Cho and felt his heart race, "no, nothing."
***
Gwen turned the corner and saw Harry; she was about to say something when she saw someone else with him.
It was Cho Chang, a pretty seventh year in Ravenclaw. She had often helped Cho with her divination work in class, she seemed nice.
As she watched them talk, she saw the redness in Harry's cheeks and the way he couldn't look her in the eyes and knew instantly, Harry had a crush on Cho.
She wasn't sure whether or not to break up the pair but then they started to come her way. Gwen on instinct hid behind a wall and watched them walk past.
"You weren't going to do something in the library, were you?" Cho asked, fluttering her eyelashes at Harry.
Gwen rolled her eyes.
But she saw Harry look at her, with those sickly puppy dog eyes and knew that he was gone.
"No, nothing," Harry replied and they walked off round a corner.
Gwen wanted to run up to Harry and remind him that he was doing something but she didn't, something held her back.
"Fine.if you're going to make dates and then break them, fine. Just fine," she said, stomping off to her room.
***
"I never knew that house elves were so friendly and helpful," Cho said, finishing off her jam doughnut.
"Well, it is their job," Harry replied. He had become more comfortable with Cho and could say full sentences without blushing now.
Cho laughed gently.
They stopped at a statue of a raven and a large painting of a castle which was placed beside it.
Harry had never seen Ravenclaw's or Hufflepuff's entrances before.
"Thank you, Harry," Cho said sweetly before reaching up and kissing him lightly on the cheek.
Harry now had no control over his cheeks and they bloomed red.
Cho laughed again.
She then drew out her wand and tapped the raven statue three times.
A figure then poked it's head out of the castle in the painting. It was a small old woman with beady eyes.
"Password?" The old woman shrieked.
"Inter Legere," Cho replied confidently.
The picture swung open and Cho started to walk in, "thanks again. Bye," she said softly before disappearing behind the picture.
"You better be on your way now," the old woman said sharply, before vanishing back into the castle.
Harry grinned and walked back dreamily to the Gryffindor common room.
***
Ron and Hermione were sitting by the fire, waiting for Harry. They wanted to know what had happened with Gwen.
"Gwen wouldn't tell anyone about Sirius, would she?" Ron asked nervously.
"Course not. After Harry has explained to her the circumstances, she'll understand," Hermione said reassuringly.
As they continued to talk, they saw Harry walk in. But he seemed different; his step seemed to have a bounce in it.
"Harry," Ron said. But Harry didn't answer; he kept walking with a distant look in his eyes.
"Harry!" Ron said louder.
Harry heard him this time. He smiled sleepily at the bewildered pair and made his way over to them.
"What's wrong with you?" Hermione said, observing the difference in her friend.
"Cho Chang kissed me," Harry replied, touching his cheek where Cho had placed her lips.
"What!" Ron shouted loudly and he started to rattle off a million questions at his friend.
Harry would mumble something now and then, which would set Ron off onto another batch of questions.
Hermione observed the scene, slightly amused. Then remembered why she'd been waiting for Harry and cried out, "what about Gwen?"
Both Harry and Ron stopped.
The happy expression on Harry's face turned into one of shock and embarrassment.
"I forgot to meet her. I was talking to Cho and." Harry replied, slamming a hand onto his forehead.
"Do you think she'll be upset?" Ron asked cautiously.
"Well, she isn't exactly going to be over the moon, is she?" Hermione retorted.
"What you going to do?" Ron queried.
"Apologise?" Harry offered.
"That's a start," Hermione said, getting up, "anyway, I'm off to bed and so, should you two." She eyed them both but Harry was too distracted to notice.
Hermione then walked up to her dorm room.
Harry looked over at Ron, looking for help.
Ron ruffled his red hair and breathed heavily before shrugging.
Harry sighed and collapsed back into the chair.
He was dreading tomorrow.
***
"So, has the merlin recovered from the quidditch match?" Voldermort snapped.
"Yes," Wormtail said softly.
"Good. I want her at full strength when I met her," Voldermort laughed, "is everything going to plan?"
"Yes," Wormtail repeated. He rubbed his neck, where there was a massive bruise.
"Not very talkative today, are we?" Voldermort said, placing an arm around Wormtail.
He felt Wormtail shake from his touch.
It made him smile, he enjoyed the fear he induced with his power.
"I'm sorry, my lord," Wormtail croaked.
"Doesn't matter really. I like you better this way."
Wormtail smiled and tried to hide his fear.
"Now, go and get the rest of the preparations together. Go on," Voldermort pushed Wormtail forwards.
The servant quickly picked himself up and scurried away.
***
Gwen walked into the hall the next morning, trying to avoid the Gryffindor table.
It wasn't because she was upset, it was just that she didn't want to face Harry, because he would apologise and she'd forgive him and Gwen wasn't quite ready to forgive him yet.
She wanted him to suffer a little first; no one stood Gwen Aldan up. She had her pride.
***
Harry watched Gwen walk up to the top table, without even a glance his way. She was upset; he could tell.
"Gwen doesn't look too happy," Ron whispered to Harry.
Harry sighed and dug his spoon into his cereal.
***
Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in the common room, as usual. Ron was talking about the Chudley Cannons, while Hermione was stressing about upcoming exams.
Harry wasn't listening to either, he was thinking about the upcoming quidditch matches.
At that moment, Gwen walked in. Harry looked up and smiled at her; she politely nodded back and walked over to Hermione.
"Have you seen Seamus?" Gwen asked, turning her back to Harry.
"Umm.he's up in our room," Ron replied.
"Oh. Where's your room?" Gwen asked, trying hard to ignore the looks that Hermione and Ron were giving her.
They were trying to get her to notice Harry.
"I'll show you," Harry offered, standing up.
"Fine," Gwen said, whirling around to face the entrance to the dorms.
They then walked up the stairs to Harry's dorm room.
As they opened the door, they could hear stifled cries and found Neville Longbottom being sat on by Seamus.
Gwen had always felt sorry for Neville, he tried so hard at divination and still wasn't very good at it.
Also, he'd once said she looked nice with her glasses and hat. It was a blatant lie but it had still brightened her day.
"What you doing? Get off him," Gwen cried, pushing Seamus off the boy.
"Why'd yer do that?" Seamus asked, "we were only having a little fun, weren't we Neville?"
"Yeah.," Neville replied quietly, rubbing his back.
"It shows," Harry said, sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Anyway. what you two doing up here?" Seamus asked, leaning against a bed post.
Then slow realisation appeared on his face and he winked at Harry. "I see.sorry, Harry. I'll leave. Come on, Neville," he eyed Gwen up, as he grabbed the boy and started for the door.
Harry blushed at what Seamus was insinuating.
"Actually, I wanted to see you, Seamus," Gwen announced, making it clear that she definitely didn't want to be alone with Harry.
"Oh," Seamus said, a glint in his eye, "what can I do for you?" he smiled, trying to be charming.
Gwen shook her head, boys, she thought.
"You can give me your divination homework for a start. Remember, you said that you'd have it done by today."
Seamus' face fell and he began rummaging through his bag.
After a few minutes, he produced an ink stained piece of parchment and handed it to Gwen.
She glanced over the piece of work and sighed. It was full of rubbish, absolute rubbish, all made up.
Most probably an "A" in Professor Trelawney's books though.
"Was there anything else?" Seamus said, smiling again.
"Yeah, stop sitting on Neville," Gwen replied dryly and smiled at the poor boy before exiting the room.
"Hey Gwen, wait up," Harry shouted, rushing after her, down the stairs.
"What?" Gwen said sharply.
Harry gulped, he didn't like the way her eyes were filling with anger.
"Look, about yesterday.I. well.," just tell her the truth, a voice called out in Harry's head.
"Yeah, I.had this big essay and couldn't get out of it and." Stupid, stupid, the voice yelled.
"Really?" Gwen said, her voice had softened.
Harry smiled, nodding his head quickly.
"Was this before or after you met Cho Chang?"
At that moment, Harry swore he saw Gwen's eyes flash red.
"Oh. you know about that," Harry said sheepishly.
"I saw you two," Gwen said, a little disappointed. She didn't think that Harry would lie about where he'd been last night.
"Harry, you don't have to lie to me. I do understand and I probably would have done the same thing, if I'd been in your shoes," Gwen said, although it was a complete lie.
But she couldn't take that pitiful look on Harry's face.
"Really?"
"Yes and here," Gwen handed the letter from Sirius to him, "he dropped it, the other night."
"But. I thought you didn't trust him," Harry said, looking a little confused.
"I've been thinking about it and I trust Dumbledore and your judgement. So, if you say he's good then he's good," Gwen said, not knowing if she actually believed her own words.
"Thank you. Look, if you've got time. I'll tell you about Sirius," Harry said, pushing the letter into his robes.
"You don't have to," Gwen replied, turning to go.
"But I want to. you deserve the truth," Harry said, grabbing Gwen's wrist.
Gwen nodded and followed him back to the armchairs, where Ron and Hermione were still sitting.
Harry then recounted the events that had occurred in his third year. He didn't tell her anything else, just in case.
After he finished, he leaned back and waited for Gwen to say something. Throughout the story telling, she'd remained completely quiet.
"You've certainly been through a lot," Gwen finally said, "all of you have," she added, looking over at Ron and Hermione.
"I guess we have," Ron said, his cheeks paling thinking about his encounter with Voldermort last year.
"I feel really bad about what happened with Sirius now. He's been through." Gwen said, rubbing her hands together.
"So, you won't tell anyone about him?" Harry asked, a little anxious.
"Sure. I won't say anything," Gwen replied.
"Good," Harry said, letting out a sigh of relief, "can I ask you a question?"
"If you want," Gwen said nervously, she hated questions.
"Why were you so, mad when you saw Sirius?"
"Oh well.I thought he was a death eater and I hate death eaters. I hate all things to do with Voldermort," Gwen spat.
Ron's face cringed at the mention of the name, "join the club."
"You must really hate them. I mean, you said you'd kill Sirius on the spot.," Harry said, he shuddered thinking about anyone hurting his godfather.
"You wanted to kill Sirius?" Hermione said, sounding very concerned.
"Yeah at the time.I thought he was a death eater," Gwen said, rather embarrassed.
"Do you think you could kill someone?" Ron whispered. He swallowed hard and stared at Gwen; she was a merlin, after all.
"I don't know. Probably not. it's just that when I saw him. it just made me want to scream. Knowing what his kind did to my." Gwen stopped.
"Knowing what Gwen?" Harry asked, leaning in closer to her.
Gwen took a deep breath; she'd never told anyone about her mother, since she found out the truth.
But as the words formed in her mouth, they disappeared. She couldn't tell them, not yet anyway.
"Knowing what they did to all those muggles and witches. It makes me sick thinking about it," she finally said.
Well, I'm not lying, but I'm not telling the truth either, Gwen thought.
"I guess," Ron replied.
Gwen was sure, that he didn't believe her feeble excuse.
Then there was a long awkward silence, as everyone tried to find something to say. Gwen was feeling particularly uncomfortable.
She wondered what they were thinking; maybe they were thinking that she would be able to kill someone.
She'd heard the uncertainty in Ron's voice when he'd spoken after she'd given her excuse.
On the other hand, these people didn't have any reason to suspect she wasn't telling the truth.
They wouldn't think that, would they?
But a voice inside Gwen replied, "Yes, they would and you know you could do it." This scared her and she knew, she had to leave.
"Umm. it's really late. I'd better go," she said quickly, getting up and walking out of the Gryffindor house quickly.
"I can't believe that Gwen wanted to kill Sirius," Ron said, his eyes staring into the dying fire.
"Well, I wanted to. when I first knew about him and my parents," Harry answered, replaying what he'd first heard in the Shrieking Shack.
"Yeah, but you thought he'd killed your parents. Gwen wanted to kill him, just because he was a death eater. I mean, ok they're death eaters. but they should be sent to Azkaban. not killed. That is something they would do," Ron snapped back.
"What are you saying Ron?" Hermione said.
"You know about Henry Cadwellon and his disappearance?"
"Who?" Harry said, his ignorance of the magical world coming up again.
"The other merlin," Hermione replied sharply.
Harry blushed at his stupidity.
"What about his disappearance?" she said to Ron.
"Well, my grandfather said that the reason he disappeared was because he couldn't control his urges." Ron answered, fiddling with the end of his robe.
"His urges to do what?" Harry asked.
"To kill," Ron said in a low whisper.
"And you think. Gwen is going to have these." Hermione began, but for once, she didn't have anything else to say.
Ron didn't respond but looked at Harry for an answer. But he was as surprised by the information as Hermione.
"Gwen. wouldn't. she's a friend," Hermione said after a while.
"Yeah, Hermione's right. She's a friend, she's good and you heard her say that she hated death eaters," Harry added.
"Maybe you're right. Gwen is a friend and she's probably stronger than that," Ron said, he seemed to be believing them.
"We should all go to bed," Hermione announced, leaping out of her chair and making for the stairs.
"Yeah," the two boys chorused and followed.
***
In the boys' dorm, as they were getting ready for bed, Harry looked at Ron and saw that something was annoying him.
"Ron, you alright?" Harry asked, pulling back his covers and wiggling into his bed.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ron answered, but his brow was furrowed.
"This isn't about the Gwen thing, is it?"
"No.it's just." Ron stopped and looked at Harry.
"What?" Harry said, he was a little nervous.
What would Gwen think if she found out that Ron thought she was a killer?
"Well. it's just that. I forgot to do that essay for Professor Sprout," Ron said, slumping onto his bed.
Harry laughed, completely relieved. "Don't worry about it."
"But."
"Go to sleep," Harry said, throwing a pillow at him.
Ron picked up the pillow and placed it on his bed, "thanks. My back's killing me," he then leapt into his bed and snuggled down to sleep.
Harry smiled, "Ha ha! Give it back.Ron. Ron.Ron!! GIVE ME, MY PILLOW BACK!"
"Gwen saw Sirius last night," Harry announced to Ron and Hermione.
They were sitting in McGonagall's class, doing "quiet study".
"What? How?" Ron said, his face full of shock.
"Well.I met Sirius last night and Gwen followed. She wasn't happy to see him," Harry replied, closing his transfiguration book.
"You never told me, you were meeting Sirius?" Ron said, looking slightly hurt.
Harry was about to say something when Hermione cut in.
"Is she going to tell. anyone?" she said, looking around the classroom, to check no one was listening.
"I don't know. But I'm meeting her tonight, to explain everything," Harry continued, flicking another book open, trying to look like he was doing something.
"What everything?" Ron said suddenly, staring intently at Harry.
"Ok, maybe not everything. But enough," Harry replied, thinking about what he was going to say.
"Good. She can't." Ron began, but McGonagall cast an eye on the threesome and they ducked into their books for the rest of the lesson.
***
Gwen walked quickly to the library, the letter in her pocket. She kept thinking about the past night's events and wondering whether she could have been wrong about Sirius. I mean, it was possible.
Harry trusted him and Dumbledore seemed to have faith in him, so she should too.
But Gwen didn't want to give in so easily, there was still something about that man, that made her feel uneasy.
***
Harry walked out of the porthole and continued to the library.
He kept replaying in his mind, what he was going to say to Gwen; he was going to tell her enough to save Sirius from being exposed but nothing more.
He hardly knew anything about Gwen, he couldn't take that risk with Sirius' life.
Yes, she seemed trustworthy, but he'd learnt the hard way, it's not always easy to find people to trust nowadays.
One example was "Mad Eye Moody" or , the wizard that had indirectly caused Cedric Diggory. No, he couldn't take that risk. Too many things were at stake, things which he couldn't and wouldn't lose.
"Oommph," Harry collided into another person and their books flew all over the place. He looked up and saw Cho Chang, staring back at him.
"I'm sorry," Harry said, his voice wavering.
"It's ok," she replied, smiling at him.
Harry felt his knees going weak.
"So, is dinner over?" Cho asked, picking up another book.
"Umm. just finished," Harry replied. No wonder he hadn't seen her in the hall, he thought to himself.
"Shoot. I was writing up an essay for Professor Flitwick and completely lost track of time," she explained, shaking her head.
Harry nodded stupidly; he didn't know what to say. He seemed entranced by the swaying of her dark hair.
"Oh.I'm starving," she sighed, putting a hand on her stomach.
"You are." Harry said, his voice squeaked slightly. He coughed to clear his throat before continuing. "I can take you to the kitchens if you want, so you can get something to eat."
"Really? Oh, you're so sweet," Cho replied, beaming at him.
Harry's cheeks reddened and he started to lead her down another corridor.
"You weren't going to do something in the library, were you?" Cho asked, as they walked.
Harry looked at Cho and felt his heart race, "no, nothing."
***
Gwen turned the corner and saw Harry; she was about to say something when she saw someone else with him.
It was Cho Chang, a pretty seventh year in Ravenclaw. She had often helped Cho with her divination work in class, she seemed nice.
As she watched them talk, she saw the redness in Harry's cheeks and the way he couldn't look her in the eyes and knew instantly, Harry had a crush on Cho.
She wasn't sure whether or not to break up the pair but then they started to come her way. Gwen on instinct hid behind a wall and watched them walk past.
"You weren't going to do something in the library, were you?" Cho asked, fluttering her eyelashes at Harry.
Gwen rolled her eyes.
But she saw Harry look at her, with those sickly puppy dog eyes and knew that he was gone.
"No, nothing," Harry replied and they walked off round a corner.
Gwen wanted to run up to Harry and remind him that he was doing something but she didn't, something held her back.
"Fine.if you're going to make dates and then break them, fine. Just fine," she said, stomping off to her room.
***
"I never knew that house elves were so friendly and helpful," Cho said, finishing off her jam doughnut.
"Well, it is their job," Harry replied. He had become more comfortable with Cho and could say full sentences without blushing now.
Cho laughed gently.
They stopped at a statue of a raven and a large painting of a castle which was placed beside it.
Harry had never seen Ravenclaw's or Hufflepuff's entrances before.
"Thank you, Harry," Cho said sweetly before reaching up and kissing him lightly on the cheek.
Harry now had no control over his cheeks and they bloomed red.
Cho laughed again.
She then drew out her wand and tapped the raven statue three times.
A figure then poked it's head out of the castle in the painting. It was a small old woman with beady eyes.
"Password?" The old woman shrieked.
"Inter Legere," Cho replied confidently.
The picture swung open and Cho started to walk in, "thanks again. Bye," she said softly before disappearing behind the picture.
"You better be on your way now," the old woman said sharply, before vanishing back into the castle.
Harry grinned and walked back dreamily to the Gryffindor common room.
***
Ron and Hermione were sitting by the fire, waiting for Harry. They wanted to know what had happened with Gwen.
"Gwen wouldn't tell anyone about Sirius, would she?" Ron asked nervously.
"Course not. After Harry has explained to her the circumstances, she'll understand," Hermione said reassuringly.
As they continued to talk, they saw Harry walk in. But he seemed different; his step seemed to have a bounce in it.
"Harry," Ron said. But Harry didn't answer; he kept walking with a distant look in his eyes.
"Harry!" Ron said louder.
Harry heard him this time. He smiled sleepily at the bewildered pair and made his way over to them.
"What's wrong with you?" Hermione said, observing the difference in her friend.
"Cho Chang kissed me," Harry replied, touching his cheek where Cho had placed her lips.
"What!" Ron shouted loudly and he started to rattle off a million questions at his friend.
Harry would mumble something now and then, which would set Ron off onto another batch of questions.
Hermione observed the scene, slightly amused. Then remembered why she'd been waiting for Harry and cried out, "what about Gwen?"
Both Harry and Ron stopped.
The happy expression on Harry's face turned into one of shock and embarrassment.
"I forgot to meet her. I was talking to Cho and." Harry replied, slamming a hand onto his forehead.
"Do you think she'll be upset?" Ron asked cautiously.
"Well, she isn't exactly going to be over the moon, is she?" Hermione retorted.
"What you going to do?" Ron queried.
"Apologise?" Harry offered.
"That's a start," Hermione said, getting up, "anyway, I'm off to bed and so, should you two." She eyed them both but Harry was too distracted to notice.
Hermione then walked up to her dorm room.
Harry looked over at Ron, looking for help.
Ron ruffled his red hair and breathed heavily before shrugging.
Harry sighed and collapsed back into the chair.
He was dreading tomorrow.
***
"So, has the merlin recovered from the quidditch match?" Voldermort snapped.
"Yes," Wormtail said softly.
"Good. I want her at full strength when I met her," Voldermort laughed, "is everything going to plan?"
"Yes," Wormtail repeated. He rubbed his neck, where there was a massive bruise.
"Not very talkative today, are we?" Voldermort said, placing an arm around Wormtail.
He felt Wormtail shake from his touch.
It made him smile, he enjoyed the fear he induced with his power.
"I'm sorry, my lord," Wormtail croaked.
"Doesn't matter really. I like you better this way."
Wormtail smiled and tried to hide his fear.
"Now, go and get the rest of the preparations together. Go on," Voldermort pushed Wormtail forwards.
The servant quickly picked himself up and scurried away.
***
Gwen walked into the hall the next morning, trying to avoid the Gryffindor table.
It wasn't because she was upset, it was just that she didn't want to face Harry, because he would apologise and she'd forgive him and Gwen wasn't quite ready to forgive him yet.
She wanted him to suffer a little first; no one stood Gwen Aldan up. She had her pride.
***
Harry watched Gwen walk up to the top table, without even a glance his way. She was upset; he could tell.
"Gwen doesn't look too happy," Ron whispered to Harry.
Harry sighed and dug his spoon into his cereal.
***
Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in the common room, as usual. Ron was talking about the Chudley Cannons, while Hermione was stressing about upcoming exams.
Harry wasn't listening to either, he was thinking about the upcoming quidditch matches.
At that moment, Gwen walked in. Harry looked up and smiled at her; she politely nodded back and walked over to Hermione.
"Have you seen Seamus?" Gwen asked, turning her back to Harry.
"Umm.he's up in our room," Ron replied.
"Oh. Where's your room?" Gwen asked, trying hard to ignore the looks that Hermione and Ron were giving her.
They were trying to get her to notice Harry.
"I'll show you," Harry offered, standing up.
"Fine," Gwen said, whirling around to face the entrance to the dorms.
They then walked up the stairs to Harry's dorm room.
As they opened the door, they could hear stifled cries and found Neville Longbottom being sat on by Seamus.
Gwen had always felt sorry for Neville, he tried so hard at divination and still wasn't very good at it.
Also, he'd once said she looked nice with her glasses and hat. It was a blatant lie but it had still brightened her day.
"What you doing? Get off him," Gwen cried, pushing Seamus off the boy.
"Why'd yer do that?" Seamus asked, "we were only having a little fun, weren't we Neville?"
"Yeah.," Neville replied quietly, rubbing his back.
"It shows," Harry said, sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Anyway. what you two doing up here?" Seamus asked, leaning against a bed post.
Then slow realisation appeared on his face and he winked at Harry. "I see.sorry, Harry. I'll leave. Come on, Neville," he eyed Gwen up, as he grabbed the boy and started for the door.
Harry blushed at what Seamus was insinuating.
"Actually, I wanted to see you, Seamus," Gwen announced, making it clear that she definitely didn't want to be alone with Harry.
"Oh," Seamus said, a glint in his eye, "what can I do for you?" he smiled, trying to be charming.
Gwen shook her head, boys, she thought.
"You can give me your divination homework for a start. Remember, you said that you'd have it done by today."
Seamus' face fell and he began rummaging through his bag.
After a few minutes, he produced an ink stained piece of parchment and handed it to Gwen.
She glanced over the piece of work and sighed. It was full of rubbish, absolute rubbish, all made up.
Most probably an "A" in Professor Trelawney's books though.
"Was there anything else?" Seamus said, smiling again.
"Yeah, stop sitting on Neville," Gwen replied dryly and smiled at the poor boy before exiting the room.
"Hey Gwen, wait up," Harry shouted, rushing after her, down the stairs.
"What?" Gwen said sharply.
Harry gulped, he didn't like the way her eyes were filling with anger.
"Look, about yesterday.I. well.," just tell her the truth, a voice called out in Harry's head.
"Yeah, I.had this big essay and couldn't get out of it and." Stupid, stupid, the voice yelled.
"Really?" Gwen said, her voice had softened.
Harry smiled, nodding his head quickly.
"Was this before or after you met Cho Chang?"
At that moment, Harry swore he saw Gwen's eyes flash red.
"Oh. you know about that," Harry said sheepishly.
"I saw you two," Gwen said, a little disappointed. She didn't think that Harry would lie about where he'd been last night.
"Harry, you don't have to lie to me. I do understand and I probably would have done the same thing, if I'd been in your shoes," Gwen said, although it was a complete lie.
But she couldn't take that pitiful look on Harry's face.
"Really?"
"Yes and here," Gwen handed the letter from Sirius to him, "he dropped it, the other night."
"But. I thought you didn't trust him," Harry said, looking a little confused.
"I've been thinking about it and I trust Dumbledore and your judgement. So, if you say he's good then he's good," Gwen said, not knowing if she actually believed her own words.
"Thank you. Look, if you've got time. I'll tell you about Sirius," Harry said, pushing the letter into his robes.
"You don't have to," Gwen replied, turning to go.
"But I want to. you deserve the truth," Harry said, grabbing Gwen's wrist.
Gwen nodded and followed him back to the armchairs, where Ron and Hermione were still sitting.
Harry then recounted the events that had occurred in his third year. He didn't tell her anything else, just in case.
After he finished, he leaned back and waited for Gwen to say something. Throughout the story telling, she'd remained completely quiet.
"You've certainly been through a lot," Gwen finally said, "all of you have," she added, looking over at Ron and Hermione.
"I guess we have," Ron said, his cheeks paling thinking about his encounter with Voldermort last year.
"I feel really bad about what happened with Sirius now. He's been through." Gwen said, rubbing her hands together.
"So, you won't tell anyone about him?" Harry asked, a little anxious.
"Sure. I won't say anything," Gwen replied.
"Good," Harry said, letting out a sigh of relief, "can I ask you a question?"
"If you want," Gwen said nervously, she hated questions.
"Why were you so, mad when you saw Sirius?"
"Oh well.I thought he was a death eater and I hate death eaters. I hate all things to do with Voldermort," Gwen spat.
Ron's face cringed at the mention of the name, "join the club."
"You must really hate them. I mean, you said you'd kill Sirius on the spot.," Harry said, he shuddered thinking about anyone hurting his godfather.
"You wanted to kill Sirius?" Hermione said, sounding very concerned.
"Yeah at the time.I thought he was a death eater," Gwen said, rather embarrassed.
"Do you think you could kill someone?" Ron whispered. He swallowed hard and stared at Gwen; she was a merlin, after all.
"I don't know. Probably not. it's just that when I saw him. it just made me want to scream. Knowing what his kind did to my." Gwen stopped.
"Knowing what Gwen?" Harry asked, leaning in closer to her.
Gwen took a deep breath; she'd never told anyone about her mother, since she found out the truth.
But as the words formed in her mouth, they disappeared. She couldn't tell them, not yet anyway.
"Knowing what they did to all those muggles and witches. It makes me sick thinking about it," she finally said.
Well, I'm not lying, but I'm not telling the truth either, Gwen thought.
"I guess," Ron replied.
Gwen was sure, that he didn't believe her feeble excuse.
Then there was a long awkward silence, as everyone tried to find something to say. Gwen was feeling particularly uncomfortable.
She wondered what they were thinking; maybe they were thinking that she would be able to kill someone.
She'd heard the uncertainty in Ron's voice when he'd spoken after she'd given her excuse.
On the other hand, these people didn't have any reason to suspect she wasn't telling the truth.
They wouldn't think that, would they?
But a voice inside Gwen replied, "Yes, they would and you know you could do it." This scared her and she knew, she had to leave.
"Umm. it's really late. I'd better go," she said quickly, getting up and walking out of the Gryffindor house quickly.
"I can't believe that Gwen wanted to kill Sirius," Ron said, his eyes staring into the dying fire.
"Well, I wanted to. when I first knew about him and my parents," Harry answered, replaying what he'd first heard in the Shrieking Shack.
"Yeah, but you thought he'd killed your parents. Gwen wanted to kill him, just because he was a death eater. I mean, ok they're death eaters. but they should be sent to Azkaban. not killed. That is something they would do," Ron snapped back.
"What are you saying Ron?" Hermione said.
"You know about Henry Cadwellon and his disappearance?"
"Who?" Harry said, his ignorance of the magical world coming up again.
"The other merlin," Hermione replied sharply.
Harry blushed at his stupidity.
"What about his disappearance?" she said to Ron.
"Well, my grandfather said that the reason he disappeared was because he couldn't control his urges." Ron answered, fiddling with the end of his robe.
"His urges to do what?" Harry asked.
"To kill," Ron said in a low whisper.
"And you think. Gwen is going to have these." Hermione began, but for once, she didn't have anything else to say.
Ron didn't respond but looked at Harry for an answer. But he was as surprised by the information as Hermione.
"Gwen. wouldn't. she's a friend," Hermione said after a while.
"Yeah, Hermione's right. She's a friend, she's good and you heard her say that she hated death eaters," Harry added.
"Maybe you're right. Gwen is a friend and she's probably stronger than that," Ron said, he seemed to be believing them.
"We should all go to bed," Hermione announced, leaping out of her chair and making for the stairs.
"Yeah," the two boys chorused and followed.
***
In the boys' dorm, as they were getting ready for bed, Harry looked at Ron and saw that something was annoying him.
"Ron, you alright?" Harry asked, pulling back his covers and wiggling into his bed.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ron answered, but his brow was furrowed.
"This isn't about the Gwen thing, is it?"
"No.it's just." Ron stopped and looked at Harry.
"What?" Harry said, he was a little nervous.
What would Gwen think if she found out that Ron thought she was a killer?
"Well. it's just that. I forgot to do that essay for Professor Sprout," Ron said, slumping onto his bed.
Harry laughed, completely relieved. "Don't worry about it."
"But."
"Go to sleep," Harry said, throwing a pillow at him.
Ron picked up the pillow and placed it on his bed, "thanks. My back's killing me," he then leapt into his bed and snuggled down to sleep.
Harry smiled, "Ha ha! Give it back.Ron. Ron.Ron!! GIVE ME, MY PILLOW BACK!"
