Title: The Temporal Heart Part I Chapter II

Author: GreenEyedSerpent

Rating: R

Disclaimer: All settings and characters belong to JK. Rowling!!!!!!!!!!!
BLERG.

Chapter Two Monumental Monday

Oh the dread.

Harry was almost positive that when the heavens had created his seventh years schedule, they'd done it to torture him. Why else (and who else, in their right mind) would see to it that the Gryffindors had Potions first thing in the morning on the Monday after their match with Slytherin?

The tension was unbearably stifling; so strong in fact, that he could feel it pricking at his skin like needles. He tried to look completely undaunted, even managed to throw a few 'ha-we-won-you-lost-so-face-it' smiles at his rivals before sitting down with the rest of the Gryffindors.

What a bright way to provoke a group of already bloodthirsty snakes who literally had fangs bared and at-the-ready to strike the moment the professor turned his back.

Luckily, or unluckily (depending on how one chose to look at it), Snape seemed extremely keen on directing his undivided attention toward Harry. He had a look to match that of his house, but surprisingly, he said not a word of spite like he usually would have done under different circumstances. The hook-nosed teacher simply pursed his lips into a very very thin line while gripping his wand with whitened knuckles.

His voice was frigid and snappish as he whacked his wand against the chalkboard behind him to get the class' attention. Even the Slytherins flinched at their Head-of-House's menacing air.

"Turn to page seven hundred and twelve, before I start taking points away. NOW!"

Everyone scrambled to retrieve their thick Potions book from their bookbags and loud thumps echoed through the room as they heaved them onto their desks.

After a moment of pages flipping and flying in every which direction, silence reined over once more.

"Now tell me, what thoughts, if any , come into all your incapably thick skulls as you read the first two words on this page?" Snape snarled, scanning his coal black beetle eyes over each of the students faces. He folded his arms over his chest and began striding up the aisles between the desks.

Harry, after sending a glare at Snape, reluctantly lowered his gaze to the miniscule type on the stained page. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open involuntarily. Quickly snapping back to his senses, he clamped his mouth shut and looked up to meet both Ron and Hermione's equally startled expressions.

Parvati straightened up in her seat and raised her hand boldly.

"Sir?" she questioned rather haughtily. "Isn't this potion banned from Hogwarts?"

Lavender nodded from beside her. There were murmurs of agreement throughout the class.

Snape's lip curled nastily and he paused before flicking his wand once. A smoky ball of light drifted out from it's tip and it was a second before anyone could tell what it was.

All the girls promptly let out a frightened gasp at the image fading slowly into view within the ball of mist.

"Mad-Eye Moody!" Dean whispered hoarsely.

The smirk on Snape's sallow face turned into a twisted sneer.

"Yes, our dear old idiosyncratic friend here who betrayed us all a few years ago. I'm sure you remember him well?" Snape's eyes flickered amusedly and locked on Harry's.

Harry stared disbelievingly back.

How could the greasy bastard bring up something like that? Something so personal? Snape knew that this innocent sounding comment would gnaw at Harry's insides painfully like knives. He could tell from the way that he was being looked at.

Anger began boiling in his chest madly, but he fought to quench it by gritting his teeth together and digging his fingers into the hard covers of the Potions book. Perhaps if he imagined the book to be Snape's neck...

"The monumental madman, Moody . Devastated the entire school-"

Something inside of Harry snapped. He shot out of his seat so fast that his chair crashed backwards into the empty desk behind him.

"Shut the hell up!" he shouted, his voice nearly quivering with rage. "That wasn't Moody and you know it!"

He knew that he would probably loose Gryffindor more points then he'd ever lost in his life by exploding like this, but he honestly didn't care a rat's arse. He expected Snape to turn green with fury too- but surprisingly, Snape looked positively gleeful, if anything.

"Thank you for stating that fact Mr. Potter." he quipped much too cooly. "I suspected that you would be ecstatic about participating in this particular topic."

What? Harry blinked. The Slytherins were all snickering behind their hands and he felt his cheeks heating up.

After pausing for the effect, in an exaggerated manner, Snape went on. "So as Mr. Potter has kindly contributed, it brings us to this-" another flick of his wand and words began blossoming on the board behind him.

"Appearances can be deceiving... " he read in a low hiss. "So if the buffoon teaching at Hogwarts three years ago wasn't the real flesh and blood of Alastor Moody... then who was? Or rather, how is this possible? Anyone care to enlighten us?"

"The Polyjuice Potion of course."

All heads turned toward the Gryffindor section. Even the Gryffindors themselves were taken aback by the unwavering voice.

"Mione!" breathed Ron warningly.

"Excellent Ms. Granger." said Snape, as if satisfied. "If anyone was insightful about this potion, wouldn't it be you?"

Harry saw Hermione pale considerably, and with a horrified gulp, she laughed softly.

"I-I don't know anything about this potion, sir."

It was obvious, almost too obvious, that Snape knew of their Polyjuice exploit that had taken place when the trio had been in their second year- although how he could possibly know, was a mystery. And now it seemed, he was trying to stuff it in their faces while he watched in malicious mirth.

"Oh, no need to be so insufferably modest-" he sneered. Then turning back to the rest of the bewildered looking class, his expression returned to a disinterested sourness. "Polyjuice Potion. The too-good-to-be-true concoction that could enable you to do so many things." he pointed one bony finger at Harry. "Tell me Potter, what would you do if you found a flask of this liquid?"

Harry looked once more toward his best friends for help but Hermione was busy examining her hands and Ron was gazing at the ceiling as if it was the most fascinating slab of stone in the world. Feeling a bit neglected, he deliberately pasted a thoughtful frown on his face and then slowly shook his head.

"Not a clue Professor." he replied. "It doesn't sound too appealing anyways."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"What a shame." Snape simpered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "That wasn't quite the answer I was looking for."

Harry tried to look genuinely disappointed.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Mr. Malfoy-" Snape turned and raised his voice. Malfoy quirked his fair eyebrows.

"Yes, sir?"

"What would your answer be?"

Malfoy lowered his feet from atop the desk and righted all four chair legs to the floor. He leaned forward, smirking.

"Well sir, I'd probably use the Potion to play some harmless pranks on my friends- nothing too serious."

Harry narrowed his eyes as all the Slytherins burst out in hoots of approval. A smug grin that Harry wanted to hex off very badly, spread across the blonde's lips.

He never expected what came next. In fact, he doubted anyone in the room expected it either.

Instead of smiling fondly and giving thirty points to his favorite student, Snape's expression darkened, his eyes glinting unpleasantly.

"Incorrect Mr. Malfoy. I shall take ten points away from Slytherin."

Harry stared in disbelief at Snape, then at Malfoy, and then back at Snape.

Was this really happening?

Malfoy's silver eyes blinked rapidly and he looked utterly shocked for a moment before drawing himself together and frowning. Shrugging unconcernedly, he slouched further into his seat.

"Sir? Professor?" Parvati fussed, looking confused. "If it's banned , then we won't be brewing it will we?"

"What we will and will not be doing in this class, I believe, is up to me." Parvati blushed indignantly at this. "I doubt any of you could even manage to brew a flawless cauldron of this potion anyway."

Harry distinctly heard an irritated huff from beside him. He smiled at the thought of his best friend being the youngest witch in all of Hogwarts to have done the impossible Polyjuice task.

With a last look of icy disapproval towards Malfoy, Snape strode back to his desk and flicked his wand for a third time.

The image of Mad-Eye Moody disappeared at the same time that another set of chalky words began to materialize from the black surface of the board.

They seemed to be directions numbered from one to five.

"You will pair up for this assignment, as the procedures are immensely complex. You and your partner will have to take turns tending to the potion throughout the month, making sure that you remember to add each ingredient on exactly the right day, at precisely the right time.

"Most of the ingredients will be highly rare plants and the the like, therefore, what cannot be supplied from my student cupboard, you will have to find for yourselves. Since this potion will be a void version, instead of the human particles you would normally add, you will substitute it with something called, Cyndium . This plant will only prove to me that you have done everything correctly. Do I make myself clear?"

Everyone nodded automatically, despite their feelings of doubt at the difficult task before them. Harry wasn't too worried about it though, for he had Hermione to rely on, if ever he needed help desperately.

"Now begin!"

Harry let out a huge sigh and rubbed his forehead tiredly. He was about to ask Ron and Hermione about who should pair up with who, but his name being called out loudly, stopped him.

"Potter!"

He jerked his head up and found that it had been Snape. Malfoy was standing next to his Professor with an incredulous look on his face. Harry could not hear what the Ferret was saying but his lips were moving very fast and he seemed to be trying to plead with Snape about something important.

As he neared the pair, he was able to catch the Professor's last few words-

"Consider this as a punishment for yesterday, Draco."

"Potter-" he snapped, seeing Harry. "Your partner will be Mr. Malfoy. Any fighting between you two and I will personally see to it that both you get a months worth of detentions."

"But- we already got detention from Professor McGonagall yesterday!" Harry retorted defiantly.

A grimace crossed Snape's face and he lowered his voice threateningly.

"Then I suggest that you refrain from any disagreements ." And with that, he and Malfoy were left standing alone, not knowing what to say.

"This has got to be a fucking nightmare." Malfoy mumbled in a low growl. "I'll be lucky if I get a T with Pothead for a partner."

"Well I'm not really jumping around in excitement either, am I?" Harry snarled, crossing his arms.

"Well at least you're working with someone who's proficient at potion-brewing. I, on the other hand, am working someone who didn't even know that Monkshood and Wolfsbane are the same plants. Do you see the severe unfairness of the situation?"

"You know what Malfoy?" Harry hissed, lifting his wand high enough so that Malfoy could see it. "I think it'd be rather intelligent of you if you closed that arrogant mouth of yours before I do something you'll regret."

Malfoy leered and stepped forward. "Are you threatening me, Potter?"

Harry took a step forward too.

"What do you think?"

Their sanguine glares bore into each other's eyes, both writhing with pure loathe and the beginnings of a dangerous storm flaring within their irises. After a moment, Malfoy spat out a sharp breath and throwing his nose into the air, strutted back to his desk on the other side of the room.

"Woah, wait a minute-" Harry glued his feet firmly to the ground. "Who says that we're going to be sitting on that side of the room?"

Malfoy flopped lazily into his seat and crossed his legs, looking completely bored.

"Where else would we sit?"

"Pfft- Hello? If you think I'm going over there, you're insane."

"You think that Iwould lower myself and make the effort to join you sorry Gryffindorks?"

"Better than being with you lying arses!"

"Lying? LYING?" In the next second, Malfoy was out of seat and back in Harry's face. He was visibly seething from the core. "I CANNOT believe that I just heard that come out of YOUR mouth Potter!! After that pathetic cheat yesterday? I'm highly insulted!"

"Oh not this again." Harry laughed cooly. "I did NOT cheat. How many times do I have to state the obvious? If anyone's cheated on the pitch, that would be you."

"Whatever Potter. You're just pitiful, really. A disgrace to the whole world. If the Dark Lord had never tried to kill you- you would be a nobody. An ugly, good-for-nothing NOBODY."

Harry smiled grimly.

"I would have liked that actually."

"What?"

He shook his head and sighed. "Can we just- call a truce or something for just one damn minute so that we can actually get to work on the assignment?" All of the sudden, he wasn't in the mood to argue anymore.

Malfoy, who was still considerably worked up, looked as if he didn't know what to say or do and just shrugged indifferently.

"We're still working at my desk though."

Harry groaned. "FINE. But I'm going to stun the first of your lackeys that attempts to make any snide remarks."

"Go right ahead."

Reluctantly, Harry returned to his desk to retrieve his bookbag and tried to ignore the sympathetic looks he was receiving from Ron and Hermione.

"I'll be fine." he muttered even before they'd said anything. "He's only Malfoy. "

"Just act like he's not there." Ron suggested helpfully. "Like he's dirt on the bottom of your shoe."

"Ronald!" scolded Hermione. "I don't think that that would help the situation any-"

Harry began trudging back across the room, seeing as another Ron-Hermione bicker tornado was approaching.

Malfoy was still slouching moodily in his seat, merely acknowledging Harry's silent arrival with pursed lips.

Harry plonked down next to him and scooted his chair away as far as he could but still close enough to hear and speak with him.

"So who's going to be doing what?" he asked, reopening his book to page seven hundred and twelve.

"As much as I want to make you do all the work, my grade's at stake, so I'll do all the brewing. You just get the damn ingredients."

"Right." said Harry, shrugging. "Not like I wanted to do the brewing anyways." He scanned his eyes over the list of needed ingredients on the page, and as he did so, a slightly worried feeling began to rise in the pit of his stomach.

Lacewing flies? That should be in the student cupboard...

Leeches? I've still got some leftover from the last potion...

Powdered Bicorn horn?? Hopefully Malfoy'll know what that is...

Knotgrass? Er....

Fluxweed picked at the full moon? WHAT? I've actually got to go and PICK the damn weed at night? You've got to be kidding me!

And Boomslang skin... what the hell is that? OHHHHH, wasn't that what Hermione stole from Snape's private stash when we made the potion?

And the last substitute plant.... what was it called again?

"This isn't the best time to be drifting off to dreamland Potter."

"Huh?" Harry jumped and scowled upon realizing that it was simply Malfoy, smirking at him priggishly.

"I was reading the ingredients, if you don't mind." he snapped, returning to the book.

"You were looking pretty troubled- are you baffled by what the ingredients are?" Malfoy asked sweetly.

"Stick your wand up your arse and sod off, Malfoy."

"I wouldn't help you out even if you begged me on your knees, Potter." snorted Malfoy. "You'll just have to figure it out for yourself. The fact that you're a brainless git is not my bloody problem. Now go fetch the Lacewing flies like a good boy."

And Harry complied, but only after delivering a very firm kick at his archenemy's shin. Malfoy stifled a cry of pain and clamped his thin hands around his injured leg as Harry fled to the student cupboard, laughing.

After Potions, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had high-tailed out of the hateful classroom in very much of a hurry.

It was now lunch hour and they were very grateful to be able to fill up their rumbling stomachs before each splitting off to their next class.

Starting this week, and for two classes a week, the students would all group off into elective classes, ones that they had the ability to choose for themselves. Monday's afternoon classes and Thursday's morning classes were these.

Harry, since he didn't want to take a class where there would be any written homework, had chosen the Physical Combat/Defense Practice class. He thought it might also come in handy if and when he became an Auror after graduation.

Hermione had chosen to take Teacher's Mentoring class. She'd explained to both Ron and Harry that it was a course where the students got to choose a mentor to study under and help with their classes, thus experiencing what it was like being a teacher at Hogwarts. Her plan was to become an Arithmancy Professor later on.

Ron's choice was no big surprise, as he frequently mentioned to his friends what he planned to do after Hogwarts- he'd chosen the Ministry class, where the students would actually visit the Ministry of Magic and learn about the different jobs and their significance in the wizarding world.

In Harry's group, he knew for a fact that Dean, Seamus and Andrew were taking part. He'd also heard from numerous people that Justin Finch-Fletchly had chosen it too. So he wouldn't be completely friendless.

When the trio entered the Great Hall, there were students already swarming within. It baffled them, for they were sure that it was still only five minutes since classes had ended. But their questions were answered almost immediately by a group of girls who were hovering near them, heaving huge, heart wrenching sighs and fluttering their eyelashes.

"He's so good-looking." One of them swooned.

"So dreamy ." Another cooed.

"And sexy. " a third whispered hungrily.

"Not to mention, rich and famous-" they all said in unison, then bursting out in giggles.

Ron's mouth twitched. "Who're they talking about?"

Hermione's eyes gleamed mischievously.

"Why don't you take a look up at the teacher's table?"

Both boys furrowed their brows.

"The teacher's table.....?"

Sure enough, now that they directed their attention in that general direction, it was quite obvious that most of the girls were gathered in a crowd there. And in the middle of the flirting pigeons, Oliver Wood's head could be seen sticking out, adorning a very bright, confident expression. Currently, he was busy signing autographs on magazines and photos of himself that his fans were waving in his face.

"Sort of like when Lockhart was here- only I wouldn't mind getting an autograph either." Ron grinned, but then coughed at the cold look on Hermione's face. "Aw, Mione- you still don't idolize that fraud of a Professor do you?"

Hermione didn't reply, she just made her way over to the Gryffindor table where Lavender and Parvati were chatting away animatedly.

Ron shrugged and nodded after her.

"I'm hungry, let's eat."

They seated themselves beside Hermione and began loading their plates with potatoes, chicken, salad and a helping of chocolate fudge strawberry mousse.

"Oh I know, he's so delectable, right?" Parvati sighed, just as the other girls had done. "He really has gotten so much hotter since he left Hogwarts, and that's saying something!"

Lavender was smiling with a glazed expression as she stared up at Oliver.

"He's just so boy-next-door and adorable! I mean, look at his deep blue eyes and cute cheek bones! And that body- I could kill to get a boyfriend who's a Quidditch player. I think all Quidditch players are dashing."

Harry and Ron both grinned inwardly at this.

"Do you only judge the opposite sex by looks?" Hermione asked, grimacing. "I would think that personality would come before anything."

Parvati frowned. "Well, the only exception I'd make for an ugly man would be if he was rich and famous. But then again, there are those that have good looks AND money and fame. So I don't see why I'd go without both."

"Well, Idon't care about money and fame." Hermione huffed indignantly, stabbing her potatoes rather viciously.

Harry rolled his eyes when he saw Ron open his mouth, for he knew what would come next. "What about Vicky?" the red head accused bitterly.

Hermione's eyes flared and she rounded on Ron as if he'd just uttered the most insulting thing she'd ever heard. Harry could have sworn that she was even blinking away a few tears.

"I didn't date Viktor for anything but his heart- which is something that you , Ronald Weasley, are lacking incredibly!" and with that, she slammed her fork onto the table, got up, and hurried out of the Hall sobbing.

"She's so bloody sensitive!" Ron fumed, the tips of his ears matching the color of his scarlet tie.

"Well maybe if you weren't so insensitive !" said Lavender, angrily. "If you were a bit more sentient, then you would see how much she really-"

"Lavender!" Parvati shook her head urgently and gave her a warning look.

"Oh- I mean-" Lavender stammered. "Anyways- that's besides the point. It's not wonder that you've never had a girlfriend! I sure wouldn't want to go out with you!"

Ron's face reddened. "Wha- fneh- That's just-"

"Don't worry Ron, I haven't got a girlfriend either." Harry reminded, patting his friend comfortingly on the shoulder. And I'll probably never get one. He added to himself.

"Oh Harry." Lavender said, her voice suddenly turning sweet. "That's only because you won't let any girls ask you out. Not because you aren't good enough."

Harry opened his mouth in protest.

"She's right you know." Seamus spoke up with grin. "There's no way no one would not want you- I mean, the sexy black hair, the tight abs, the firm biceps, those amazing green eyes- you've got the whole package."

Dean, who sitting next to Seamus, gave the sandy-haired boy an odd look and then laughed.

"Gotta agree with Thomas on that one. Even though you're not exactly my type."

Everyone laughed heartily at this, breaking the uncomfortable ice that had started to form between Ron and Lavender.

"If you're not careful Seamus, people are going to start pinning you as a Queer." Ron chuckled.

"Oh, that would be a nightmare." Seamus' eyes widened in horror. "Wouldn't it be, Dean?"

Dean nodded. "Yeah, I mean- Queers are so..... queer. "

This kindled more laughter.

"So, you guys wanna head down already?" Seamus asked, licking his fork clean and pushing away his empty plate.

"Sure." said Harry, finishing off his pumpkin juice and getting up. "Have fun at the Ministry, Ron."

"Yeah, I will." Ron grinned. "I guess I'll see you at dinner."

With a final wave, Harry, Dean, and Seamus left the Great Hall behind
and exited the large double doors of the castle into the crisp autumn air.

They were strolling down the sloping grass lawn and toward the path leading to the Quidditch Pitch when Dean spoke up.

"I'll bet you anything that the Physical ED class is with Oliver."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, remember he said that Dumbledore gave him a job that had to do with physical stuff- just too bad it wasn't Quidditch." Seamus replied, kicking a large pebble with his toe. "I loved watching him fly when he was still at Hogwarts."

Harry's eyebrows inclined even higher and disappeared into his hairline.

"He meant that Wood was really inspirational." Dean said quickly, nudging Seamus in the ribs.

"Yeah, exactly." Seamus coughed. "Er- where's Andrew?"

Dean, looking relieved at the change of subject, shrugged. "Probably snogging Ginny somewhere."

If Harry's eyebrows could go any higher, they would have.

"What?" he spluttered, halting in his tracks. "Ginny? And.. and Andrew?"

"What- you're not into Andrew or anything are you?" Seamus asked, his eyes growing wide.

"Or Ginny?" Dean groaned in exasperation, glaring at Seamus.

"N-No..." Harry shook his head, licking his lips nervously. "A-are you.... are you two.... Gay?"

Both Dean and Seamus looked shocked at Harry's bluntness. For a moment, Harry completely regretted asking that because he thought he'd insulted them, but then Dean startled chuckling and Seamus joined in and soon, the two were guffawing loudly while holding onto each others arms for support.

"What would make you think that?" Dean questioned, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Erm..."

"Do we look like guys that would be gay?"

"Uh..."

"Were we that obvious?"

Harry paused. "So... so you are?"

"Don't go around flaunting it Harry-" Dean said seriously. "We're still hoping that no one else knows."

"Why?"

"Why?" Seamus cried out. "The whole world's just a bunch of homophobes! They don't care a shit about people like us."

"Do you know how much we'd be laughed and mocked at?"

"Well...."

"It's better that know one found out."

Dean let go of Seamus and faced Harry.

"You don't hate us now, do you?"

"Wha- why would I hate you two?" Harry asked, bewildered.

"Because we're gay." Seamus said simply. "Do you?"

There was a silence between the three as they stared intently at each other's faces. Finally, Harry smiled.

"Of course I don't hate you guys. Nothing would change the fact that you guys are awesome friends that are brilliant Quidditch players. And don't worry. I won't tell a soul."

"Gods Harry-" Seamus exhaled in relief. "You are the best. If I wasn't crazy about Dean, then I'd definitely take you."

Harry choked and cleared his throat.

Dean punched Seamus on the shoulder. "Seam- Harry's not even gay, so stop scaring him."

"Oh, sorry Har." Seamus smiled apologetically.

"S'okay." Harry forced a laugh and a careless shrug. "Let's go."

They continued on down the path toward the stadium, Seamus and Dean caught up in talking more openly about how 'hot' Oliver was, now that Harry knew, and Harry, lapsing into a thoughtful silence about what had just happened.

So two of his good friends were gay. Did it bother him? Honestly? No. But only because they were good friends, right? Or was Harry one of the very few people in the world that thought that homosexualness was okay?
Exhaling uneasily, he shook his head.
No. No. Homosexualness was wrong. After all, that's why they also go by Queer. Because it's weird.

And it was in this painfully confused state of mind that Harry approached his next class, not knowing that his day was just about to get even odder. Much odder.

A/N
This is part ONE of chapter two. Next part coming soon....
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