Sorry for the wait. I'm sorry if this chapter is not that good. It's just that I've had a lot on my mind lately. Homework-piles of it, have forced me to take a break from this. I was almost losing my grip on this story. Anyway, please review if you have any comments or anything.
Disclaimer – Harry Potter and its other characters are not mine. I don't own them. It is J.K. Rowling's copyright. This is written completely in my view.
Warning – very, very, very slight swearing which I don't appear to have been using in all my life.
Chapter 6
Occlumency and Malfoy
October blew a gushing wind all the way through the castle grounds. The quidditch season had begun. House teams could be seen practicing their quidditch moves down at the quidditch pitch. A boy, who had a jet black messy hair, could be seen flying, clearly practicing his team's moves. Harry Potter was riding his Firebolt and had been appointed as the Gryffindor quidditch captain since Angelina Johnson had left Hogwarts. The new chasers are Ginny Weasley, Colin Creevey (surprise, surprise) and Parvati (didn't realise she's that good) while the new beaters are Hermione (what! Since when does she seem to be interested in quidditch? Maybe it had something to do with Ron) and Seamus Finnigan (Odd. A football fan playing quidditch? But then again, maybe it's a good change).
The sun had set and sent an orange glow to the sky. Finally, the team made their way into the castle. Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors went to the Gryffindor tower to get changed. They went for their dinner and when he had finished, he walked out of the Hall and made his way into Professor Winter's office.
After what seemed like forever, he finally arrived at Professor Winter's office. Harry thought it better to knock first as he wouldn't want the events that had occurred the night before to happen again. Last night was a rather unfortunate one for him because the moment he pushed the door open, he was greeted with the door, banging his head which left him dazed for quite a few minutes. Luckily, Professor Winter was aware of it and immediately caught him before he fell on to the floor. All he could hear from her was her apologies after being led to the hospital wing. The moment he told Ron and Hermione about it, Ron had laughed quite loudly which caused Harry to mutter 'dimwit' under his breath and received a glare from Hermione in return.
"Come in," said Professor Winter after Harry had waited for about a quarter of an hour. Harry went in immediately because he didn't think he could stand for an hour longer.
"As much as I hate Occlumency, damn I have to learn it. Why don't they just crack my head open and get on with it? Lucky Snape isn't the one teaching me now or I'm toast," muttered Harry as he entered the office.
The office was covered in fake snowflakes that falls down which, I bet is where she got her name from. She must have loved the winter so much. Harry's reverie was interrupted by the voice of Professor Winter.
"Right, Mr. Potter. Make yourself comfortable and I'll be there in a second," said Professor Winter (which from now on I will refer to as Angela) as Harry sat on a squashy chair near the fireplace. A few minutes after, she spoke again.
"Alright, Mr. Potter. Could you please stand over there," said Angela as she gestured towards the empty space near her desk. The moment he was there, Angela said, "Wands at the ready. On the count to three, one, two...." She had barely finished counting when Harry heard her cry 'Legimens'.
This time, Harry was ready for he had experienced his share with the annoying git, Snape over uncountable times and kept a mental note to be prepared for it. Even though he wasn't getting anywhere near blocking it, he finally managed to block it with a burst of strength. The moment the spell was released, he felt thoroughly exhausted. Angela went over to him and gave him a smile while handling over a piece of chocolate saying, "that was quite good, considering that you tend to fail in doing so." Harry couldn't help but smile at this and gave the chocolate a bite.
After a while, Angela spoke to Harry again. "You had better go back to the Gryffindor tower and have some rest. Otherwise, Madam Pomfrey would be sure as hell be having my neck for it when she finds out about this," said Angela. Harry chuckled and said," well, guess I'll be off. I don't want to think about Madam Pomfrey fussing around about me." With that, he left her office.
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Harry was walking down the corridor when heard voices. The voices sounded familiar and Harry, curious as always, walked over to the source of it. The moment he reached it, he hid himself near one of the suit of armours and peered. He couldn't help but gape at what he saw. Draco Malfoy, his almost worst enemy, confronting his very cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.
"Oh, so you think you could turn away from the Dark Lord?" said Crabbe.
"I'd doubt it. But at least I know what's good for me. Even if I join the Dark Lord, I don't think he could grant all those wishes you all have been meaning to have it granted. Unlike you, cowards who relies on his big fat ass and asking the Dark Lord for this and that and couldn't even think for themselves," said Malfoy coolly.
"I'd watch that if I were you. I wouldn't want to end up on the wrong side of the Dark Lord. You think you're all that? Well, I don't want to pretend by saying you're true. What's the matter, think Potty's gonna help you when you join their side? I'll be greatly surprised if they did," said Goyle.
"I don't expect that trust coming from him that quick. But I'm still not joining the Dark side even if it means that it would take years for me to have his trust. I believe I proved that I'm not a coward as you think and believe I am. Now, leave you stupid fat ugly brutes from my sight before I hex and curse you two into next week. Leave now damn it!!" snapped Malfoy.
"So, that's the reason he wasn't on the train on the first day back. He must have some problems with his father now that he didn't want to join the Dark side. That explains Snape's ignorance about his attendance. He must know that something's going on," thought Harry.
Suddenly, Harry remembered about the dream he had. Dumbledore had reminded him to see him if he remembered anything about it. "Ohmigosh, I've just remembered. I have to tell Dumbledore about my dream. Maybe I might as well tell Dumbledore about Malfoy. Oh, no he's heading this way!" whispered Harry to himself and shrank back the moment he saw Malfoy heading his way. "I must have gone crazy. Why in heaven's sake do I talk to myself?" asked Harry to himself.
Harry found himself walking in a fast pace without him knowing it. He simply ignored the fact that he was talking to himself again. All he cared about is to be at Dumbledore's office as soon as possible. Suddenly, Harry found himself standing in front of the Gargoyle and that is when realisation hit him. He didn't know the password.
"Ahh come on, rack your brain. The passwords are always something about sweets. Uhh, Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate Frog, Liquorice Wands, Lemon Drop, Jelly Beans...." Suddenly, the Gargoyle sprang aside and let him get through. "Jelly Beans?" asked Harry incredulously as he climbed the staircase. He knocked on the door three times and heard Dumbledore's voice from the office 'come in.' Harry entered the office and closed the door behind him. Dumbledore looked up and said,"Ah, Harry. I've been expecting you." He beckoned for Harry to sit down. Just he was about to sit, Harry could hear someone coming into the office. Harry spun around and stared wide eyed and shocked.
- I do talk to myself. So, I don't know whether I should consider myself crazy or not.
- I'm not a master of English here nor am I J.K. Rowling. So, please tell me if I have made any mistakes regarding my vocabulary, or anything including facts from Harry Potter. I read the books more than five times, but try as I might, I still don't remember the whole book although I do memorise the storyline.
- I really need a BETA reader....
- HGandRHrforever – thanks for the advice.
- Dhania – thanks for reading and sticking with it.