Disclaimer: I don't own any of the H.P. characters but the plot is
mine. Have no money....dirt poor......don't sue.
Summary: Harry is in his sixth year at Hogwarts and he is plagued with nightmares. The odd thing is that Harry doesn't remember or didn't experience the memories. What's going on?
A/N: This chapter focuses a little more on other characters and
Not just Harry. Not sure if there will be slash but a pair of
Friends experience some hidden feelings.
CH. 5 (Ace of Hearts)
Classes went smoothly after the little incident that morning. Malfoy hadn't said a word to Harry since then. Which, knowing him, is a little out of the ordinary. Unbeknownst to Harry, Ron and Hermione were watching their tongues as well. They were unsure if he had snapped or was just fed up with Malfoy and couldn't keep his cool.
Harry didn't show up for dinner that night and nobody knew what had become of him. Right now, some were afraid to look. Harry had gone to the Gryffindor tower early because his scar was throbbing again. Just like this morning.
He cast a simple spell on himself which extinguished the pain for about three hours. He went to find Hermione and Ron so he could explain what had occurred this morning. If need be, he would apologize.
He went to the Great Hall, the infirmary, and even the Quidditch Pitch, but they had just disappeared. He had decided to call it a night until......
"Merlin, is that...." Harry whispered to himself as he walked down the back hallway. He had gone there for peace and in hopes of giving himself time to think about what has been going on.
"Ron?" Harry asked the blurry but familiar figure. "Sorry, getting lucky......Who else is there?"
The girl stood frozen in the dark hallway, unwilling to move.
'Lumos' Harry repeated and white sparks flared from his wand. "No, Ron you aren't..." Harry caught a glimpse of the girl against the wall. Her wavy, blonde hair and her soft features covered in the redness of shame. It was unmistakable.
It was Hermione Granger"Ron, ho-how could you?" His voice shaky with each word spoken from his raspy voice.
"Harry, we can explain." Hermione spoke and stepped forward into the light from his wand. She was a clear vision in the eyes of both men and white sparks showered upon her. It was an entrancing sight that caught Harry by surprise.
"No, I'm done with people's explanations and excuses." Harry narrowed his eyes in a Malfoyish way and smirked. "Don't let me stop you. You didn't care enough to tell me before so why should you care now." He practically insulted them and watched as hurt and anger crept into their eyes.
They weren't alone anymore. An unexpected guest had been looming in the shadows, unnoticed, or so he thought.
"Malfoy, get out here. I heard awhile ago. I figured you would have spoken up by now." Harry said in a calm, almost inviting kind of voice.
"Oh but it was so entertaining watching you do it for me." Draco smirked "RED HEAD and MUDBLOOD. What more to ask for. The perfect opportunity for so many things."
The most shocking thing was Harry didn't defend either of his best friends but, in turn, kept quiet.
"Take that back Malfoy. Or I'll...I'll" Ron spat out and spit at Draco's feet.
"You'll what? You are no match for a simple mouse, let alone, me." Draco flicked on his wand with the illuminating spell and stared dead into Ron's eyes.
"I am. If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get." Surprisingly, this was Hermione. The one who followed all the rules, never disobeyed, and the one with a level head.
"No. 'Mione, don't." Ron looked at her lovingly and she backed down for him.
"Whatever."
"Do you want to waste your time, Draco." Harry piped up. A half smile now leaking onto his face.
'First name bases, What in the world is he doing talking to Malfoy as if he were a friend? What has caused him to do this?' All three of them were thinking.
"It's Malfoy to you Potter. Keep it straight"
"Whatever. I'm outta here." Harry glared at Draco, into those stone, grey eyes of his, and they met at an understanding.
He took one final look at Ron and Hermione before leaving. He was soon followed by Malfoy. Ron began to follow until the collar to his robe was yanked on by none other than Hermione. This pulled him to a dead stop.
"What is.." Hermione put her fingers to his lips, gave him a gentle kiss, and then asked Ron a simple but important question.
"His eyes.....Did you notice them?"
"Yeah, I did. What does that have to do with anything?" Ron looked clueless as to what Hermione was implying.
"The nightmares. I think they are having more effect on him than anyone realizes. He looked almost, well, I don't know but" She finished. For once she didn't have the answer to all the questions.
"Is there anyway we can find out what is happening to him?" Ron asked
"Yes. I have an idea where to start." She replied. "But let's not go tonight. We had other plans if you remember right." She smiled and Ron leaned in for a kiss. They wrapped their arms around each other and the rest is history. (A/N: sorry, I didn't go into more detail. Maybe next time. Winks)
Meanwhile, outside in the cool night air, stood two rivals. They kept their wands at their sides and felt no threat from the other. Whether it was from ego, pride, stupidity, or just something like an understanding, they were there. Together.
"Never expected you to just stand there, Potter. What has gotten into you? It's like you are someone else." Malfoy questioned carefully, knowing full well what could happen.
"You're right; it is like I am someone else. Isn't it?" Harry snickered, looked at Draco for a sec, then continued. "You know too much Draco. Possibly just from a mix of stupidity and curiosity, but you won't remember tomorrow."
"Don't test me, Harry. I am not a coward, as you so shamelessly put it. Forgive me." Draco stared at the ground as he yelled a spell intro the silence of the night. 'Petrificus Totalus'
Instantly Harry froze like ice and dropped to the ground. He hadn't even reached for his wand.
'Forgive me' Draco thought 'why would I say that to Potter of all people? Oh well, I think we need to get him to the infirmary'
'Wingardium Leviosa' Draco chanted and Harry's body floated mid-air.
Though Draco may have done Harry a favor in one way. He became the cause of much worse things to come. Nightmares and Omens have begun their perilous journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.