I don't own any characters and as far as I'm concerned I won't own any characters. So, with that said, let the story continue!
The week had passed by and nothing new had really happened. Harry's former outburst resulted in harder Occlumency classes, in addition to the hard Quidditch practices he was giving four days of the week. As he had thought, Hermione was panicking and trying to see what was wrong with him. She kept checking his forehead and the likes. It had begun to annoy Ron - he just wished she would get out of their dorm, but Harry wasn't the least bit disturbed by it. Now, if only Ron could've left and they would have had the room, maybe lit a few candles?...
But no such thing happened of course.
Everybody was displeased about the cancelled Hogsmeade visit. People had read the paper about Hermione, but no further attack had been made, so no one really cared. Some people were blaming her, but she didn't mind. The fourth years and under were actually happy though and kept giving their upper years ha-ha-you-didn't-get-to-go looks.
So now it was Saturday and the first game of the Quidditch season. It was Slytherin versus Hufflepuff. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and a majority of the school actually, was on the Hufflepuff side of the field. Harry didn't know who the Hufflepuff seeker was, he looked like a first or second year though.
"And - we're off!" said the booming voice of Neville Longbottom. It was quite odd, really, not hearing the voice of Lee Jordan on the pitch... and it was also hard to believe that Neville had got the job. He could barely pay attention in class, how much better would he do at Quidditch? Well, it is an easy sport to follow after all. "Klein passes it to Montague - he takes the Quaffle - there it goes! Slytherin scores," you could vaguely hear a grunt, "10 - 0 Slytherin!"
It went on like this for quite some time, Crabbe and Goyle playing a very dirty game and Malfoy was just sitting around, keeping an eye on the Hufflepuff seeker. He didn't really care about their dirty playing - as long as they would win.
"Looks like James has spotted the golden snitch! And there's Malfoy racing after him, oh, and Malfoy catches it! That was dirty!" McGonagall surprisingly didn't comment - Neville wasn't as bad as Lee Jordan. "Slytherin wins 200 - 60."
The Slytherin stands all jumped up and cheered. You could see dots of green jumping up and down like little bugs. Harry wasn't that displeased, he was actually kind of happy. He wanted to beat Malfoy and show him how things were!
After dinner that night, Hermione went to the Room of Requirement to meet Malfoy on practicing the Enervate charm. They had to revive unconcious animals and they decided they would work on little ones first.
Ron spent his time in the library, saying he needed to finish some work. It was odd how he kept saying that and walking about quickly. Harry never got to speak to Ron about it, for other things always came up. He was going to accompany him to the library but once he turned his back Ron was gone. One thing odd he noticed about Ron is that he was doing much better in class, almost getting higher scores than Hermione on tests - almost.
After their evening agenda, the two claimed they had Prefect duty so he wouldn't see them for a while. Harry found himself walking to his Portrait hole with Ginny.
"Er - I'm all alone," he said, pretending to be sad.
Ginny just gave an airy laugh. "Oh, Harry, I'll walk with you."
And so the two walked and talked about Tonks and other events. However, after that Ginny brought up something that was rather a surprise to Harry.
"When we go to our next visit to Hogsmeade, you wanna come with me to..." she was rather taking long. "...um look for early christmas presents?"
It sure was odd for her to be looking for Christmas presents when Halloween hadn't even passed yet. But then a next Hogsmeade visit would be a while from now so it made some sense.
"Oh, yeah," Harry replied, "Should we bring Ron and Hermione, too?"
"No, no," Ginny said quickly. "I just wanted... your help... yea... on choosing a present for them."
"You're not planning to get me one?" Harry said, pouting.
Ginny blushed a bit. He had never really flirted with her. Actually, was this even flirting? She was confused, but happy nonetheless. "Of course I will! Just, I wanna buy their presents first.. with you."
Harry really didn't get the hints. He didn't know that she was sort of interested in him. He was too immersed into thoughts of Hermione and Quidditch. So he just replied, "That'd be perfect!"
And she sort of took in the wrong way.
Not that she had a chance to reply anyway, because suddenly Harry's face turned pale.
"There's a snake in the castle," he said quietly, trying to understand the voice.
"What?" Ginny asked, alarmed. She didn't want another Chamber of Secrets situation again. She decided she would be checking all her school books when she got back to her dorm.
"Wait," he said, shushing her. He was trying to understand - but the voice was so vague. All he heard was: "Hello... yes... bite." And then the voice was gone. It seemed it had been talking to someone. But Harry didn't know who. He just brushed off his thoughts, thinking he shouldn't be alarmed.
"Never mind," he mumbled.
"Are you sure?" Ginny asked, still worried and biting her lip.
"Yeah, positive." He said trying to assure not only Ginny, but himself as well.
That night he didn't even have a chance to finish much homework or study, because he decided to drop off early. He hadn't even waited for Hermione or Ron to come back to talk about their days. He just felt so tired.
And so he slept. He went into a dreamless sleep at first, which was a relieve for one night. But suddenly something drew his attention in the dream. It seemed so real that he was even thinking of waking up to see if it was... but a voice was telling him not to. A voice was saying...please don't wake up... and somehow, as if possessed, he didn't wake up. The voice was faint at first, but then it started to get louder and louder... and it was the voice of...
Sirius Black.
Harry almost wanted to wake up. He was so frightened, but the voice had such a plead to it that he didn't wake up. He didn't know why, he just didn't. Then Harry started to see a face... the face of his godfather's. He felt like crying, but couldn't bring himself to it.
Harry... I'm only allowed one dream visit, so listen... This is truly me, no Voldemort trick or anything... just me. Okay, you're wondering how to believe me... well, I was talking to you through floo powder when Umbridge's hand came up above me...Harry could now see Sirius in a world of greyish-dark greenish. What the place was, he didn't know. He just concentrated hard on Sirius' voice, fearing that a message was being said here and he might miss it. Harry, I want you to know what happened to me, but I can't exactly say it, it's too much to explain. I don't want you coming back here looking for me. It's not safe. But there is a book, it's a very rare book, called Beyond the Veil and it might be useful. I just want you to know what happened to me... but I'm okay. Not alive okay, but fine okay. I'm sorry I had to leave you. But I'll always be with you in spirit, just know that. I also want to warn you about the Snake... Nagin...don't let... bite... you. You... and... only... Sirius voice was getting more faint again. Harry wished he had a way to keep him there. Possessed... under...tand? Keep school ... safe... don't go... shrine... stay away...! And then his voice was gone and so was he. Harry woke with a startle again, expecting to see himself with Sirius in the greyish-dark greenish world. He realized it was just a dream, but a real dream at that. He was there, and he knew it. He knew he had to get that book as well. And what was Sirius saying about a shrine and snakes?
For the first time in a while, Harry felt the way he felt the first month of summer - bitter. He still grieved over Sirius, but too many occassions finally got his mind off it. He thought he could ignore it for a while, but it finally caught up with him. And seeing Sirius again, assuring that Harry that he was alright, was a relief. At least now he had a means of knowing what was going on. But Harry still wished revenge on Bellatrix. He would see to it that he got it, in any form.
"This mouse doesn't like to wake up, does it?" Hermione said after muttering the incantation to an unconcious mouse. Malfoy's tries weren't successful either.
"This is boring," he said rolling his eyes. "Enervate!" The mouse slightly opened it's eyes. But it went back unconcious. "Who would have thought this was such a hard spell to do on living creatures?"
"If you want to end for the night, then so be it." Hermione said, grabbing her things.
She was just doing so, when Malfoy pointed his wand at her and said, "Jellegus!"
Hermione's legs started to feel wobbly and she fell to the floor. It didn't hurt, it just felt.. odd.
"Why -?" she asked him, but got interrupted. He walked over to her and sat down.
"I was just wondering if you could ever get weak in the knees in my presence. Now you have," he smirked, but his eyes were full of hunger.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" she pulled out her wand and muttered, "Finite Incantantem."
His body came close to hers and they were both still sitting. They looked into each other's eyes. Hermione did not know why she didn't just walk out of the room and leave him to himself. Something was keeping her there, not a magical force, but something almost romantic. As their faces almost touched, he said, "May I kiss you?"
She was a bit taken back, but didn't get a chance to answer because his lips pressed against hers. It was a simple kiss, and she was filled with warmth all over. She was blushing madly, and she didn't know why she could ever feel this for Malfoy.
"Can I know about your arm?" Hermione asked, pointing at where she last saw what she thought to be the Dark Mark.
Malfoy looked away. The sudden warmth of Hermione and his kiss was replaced by fury and cold for that mark. He didn't want it, nor did he need it. But he wasn't about to tell Hermione. He could've almost yelled at the mudblood - but ah, the bet. He must remember the bet. But how could he go on with this bet if he did start having feelings for Hermione, not saying that he did... but what if?
He had to go along, play this bet. Of course he could've just pulled away, but in honesty he was trying to find ways to get close to her. He replied with a sweet, "Not yet." And he walked out of the room, both of them not knowing what to think.
When Hermione walked out of the room she bumped into Ron.
"Ron!" she exclaimed. He had dropped a piece of parchment but quickly picked it up and placed it neatly into his robes. She didn't want to ask what it was, he felt too secretive about it. And also she felt guilty because she had secrets of her own - about Malfoy. Was something wrong here? Did both her best friends keep things from her? Or, were they all keeping things from one another? What kind of friendship would that be?
"Hello, Hermione," said Ron, carrying a variety of books. "You know, studyin' for that Potions test on Monday." He whistled. Hermione didn't even know he could whistle.
"Hm... I didn't end up reviving a mouse." Hermione said sadly.
"Oh, I haven't quite perfected it either, but I'm quite sure I will, with the help of these books!"
"Something's wrong with you," Hermione told him a bit playfully.
Ron just shrugged. "No, not really..." And then Ron thought of how his best friend liked his other best friend. When was Harry going to tell her? Should he tell her? Hermione seemed to be blushing, but who was it for? Definitely not Ron. "Um, why are you red?"
Hermione tried to drain the blood out of her face. "Oh... it was a hot night." And technically it was... in one form or another.
A/N: Kinder boring eh? If it's long, wait till you read the next few chapters! If you want more review review review! hehe... Oh yay reviews! Thankie thankie thankie!
angel718: Fanfiction would'nt let me add any new chapters... but thanks for your reviews! I'm giving two chapters this weekend.. how nice! hehe...
fortunecookiesandmagicwands: thank you! here's a new chapter.. hope you like and keep reviewing!
gregsandersgurl: thanks for your support! I can't promise there won't be any D/H moments... but I can't promise there won't be any H/H moments either.. so we'll see. ;) The bet is a bit farfetched... but I duno, it'll help later on in future chapters...you'll see. :) keep reviewing.
dancegurl1152: thanks! we'll just have to find out who Ron is interested in won't we? ;)