Thank you to everyone who reviewed!!! Your comments were really nice and helpful, and thanks to all of the offers for Betas. This chapter is Beta-d!!! Yay :) So anyway, thank you all so much. Here's the next chapter.

Warning: This fanfic is written in English; some translations into American are at the end.

Chapter 7 – Changes

Seamus knew that he had done the wrong thing. It was as if he had just lost control. He really couldn't believe that Dean had actually been with Potter. It was sick. He laughed. When he had bumped into Ron on the way to dinner, he had been slapped on the back and congratulated for 'teaching that traitorous bastard a lesson'. The same had happened when he got to the table. It was confusing really, because why hadn't Potter fought back? From all of Ron's reports, Potter was a very powerful dark wizard who would try to kill them all. It had made sense as he was You-Know-Who's grandson and had survived so far against him. That was why everyone had believed that he had killed Dean...

He wasn't actually quite sure why he had beaten Potter up. He supposed that he needed to have someone to blame for it – someone to hate for it. Maybe he had hated Potter for taking that away from him. He knew that it was definitely not logical, but it was an answer, at least. The only question was what would happen to him as a punishment. Hopefully, he would only get a detention. Ok, so that was not going to happen but... maybe he would just have detentions for the rest of the year... with Mr. Filch. He shuddered at that thought and the thought that that was the least that was going to happen.

"You. Stupid. Bloody. Fucking. Wanker." Each word was punctuated by the sickening crunch of a head against a hard concrete wall. "Why, oh why, oh why? Damn it! I now officially hate myself. And father. And mother. And the bloody powers-that-be for putting me in this fucking situation. And now I'm going crazy and talking to myself. Damn it, damn it, damn it!" each 'damn', again, punctuated with that sickening thump on the wall.

"Well, Drake, you seem happy."

"Piss off, Zabini. I'm not in the mood."

"Oh really? That's funny, as you always used to be in the mood. So... what? Now that you've come into your inheritance, I'm suddenly nothing? I did everything you wanted me to and from what I've just heard, your new mate doesn't seem to be treating you very well, stupid piece of scum. You could always come back to me. Whoever it is doesn't deserve you. What happened, Draco? I thought that we were forever. I thought that you loved me. Whenever you introduced me as your 'friend' I always thought 'no, more than a friend; we're lovers.' Are you just going to throw that all away now? Are you..."

To be fair, he had given Blaise a warning. The other boy had certainly known the consequences of insulting a Veela's mate and was now going to have to face up to them. It was all Draco could do not to have done anything sooner but he eventually lost control. He slowly turned around to face the slightly smaller boy who grinned at him but stopped talking. "You're sick, Zabini. You are really sick. You make it sound as if we were... as if we were lovers or some such nonsense. I told you last year that our little... arrangement would have to stop. Oh, stop pulling such a ridiculous face! Honestly, Zabini, you must be really thick or something. How dare you insult Ha--my mate? I'll have you know that he is the most amazing, beautiful creature to have ever walked this earth. I told you that I could never love you. That's why I didn't give myself to you. I told you that I wanted my mate to be my first so that he would know that I worship him only." He continued in this fashion until he was quite sure that Blaise had actually got the message. His tone was very intense and he had Blaise up by the robes. He refused to shout, opting instead to simply growl out the words, which was actually worse for the person it was aimed at.

Blaise pulled away and looked shocked momentarily but then shook himself and returned his face to its normal blank mask. "Fine, Drake, but I'll definitely miss your screams as you cum in my mouth, honest. Mind you, you didn't taste half as good as Potter... and he returns the favour!" With one last wink, Blaise turned the corner and set off in the direction of the main school leaving one angry and confused veela behind him.

Draco cried out with rage before returning to his previous activity of banging his head against the wall.

He heard footsteps in the corridor outside and immediately pretended to be asleep again. It was the only way that he had managed to stop any unwelcome guests from visiting him, including that bloody Malfoy. He smiled to himself. That was the price one had to pay for having someone who would do anything for you – they followed you around almost constantly, like a little puppy dog. It really was starting to get annoying.

"Harry?"

He sighed with relief – it was Morana.

Harry sat up. "Hey Morana – um... do you think that you could help me out with some stuff? There are a few things that I don't understand. I don't think that you will either, but I think that maybe talking to you will help...I'm sorry, I..."

Morana smiled softly, sadly. Harry's gentle tone was so adorable and she was sure that he could get anyone to do anything just by using those puppy dog eyes of his. It was then that she realised that Harry had never been a child; he had never been allowed to be one. All that time being locked in the cupboard under the stairs and forced to do chores had made him grow up before he should have had to. Then, the wizarding world had immediately forced him into the role of 'hero' and moulded him into what they wanted. Even his own grandfather, one of the only people who actually cared about him, in his own special way, had forced him to learn so quickly and punished him when he had not done as well as expected. It would be unusual if the little boy in him didn't show through sooner or later. She shook herself out of it and spoke soothingly. "Of course, I'll always be here if you want to talk and I'll always try to give you help or advice when you need it."

"Ok, well, I'm just so confused. I mean, I know that I had to kill him and everything but... I don't know how I knew and I don't know why. I just knew that I had to save him and that that was the only way even though there was no logical reason. I don't know why I followed my instincts then but I know I truly believed it and now... well, now I have to believe it because it's the only thing that I can hold onto; the only thing that stops me from toppling over the edge. You know, Grandfather always said that that was my greatest weakness. I allowed people to become a part of me too easily. I allowed myself to have feelings. I mean, I know that he did, too. He was proud of me and wanted me to be the perfect heir but he refused to become too attached. The only person who you can trust is yourself, and even yourself you must not trust fully." He smiled sadly. "Constant Vigilance."

It was only then that Morana realised the true extent of the mental issues that Harry was having. "Well, Harry. I'm not actually sure how you knew that it was the right thing to do but I know that it was. You see, it all starts with Magic. Maybe that's how you knew but... anyway, some Muggles can use magic. It's not a different type of Magic but they have a different way of harnessing its power. Now, most people in the wizarding world might think that Magic is this thing that they can create, but its not. Just as muggle scientists say, you can't just create things. Magic is energy. That's why there's no such thing as 'Black Magic' – it's not the Magic that's bad but the way that it is used. The trouble with it is that it corrupts. That's why people think of Slytherin House as evil. Power corrupts but Magic is even more dangerous because it has a mind of its own. If you ever start to think that you have control over Magic, you're wrong. Magic has a funny way of taking control over you. Maybe it's because Magic holds more Power."

Her previously silky tone vanished and she spoke matter-of-factly. "Anyway, you saved your Grandfather because you brought some of his humanity back but it was only a short fix. If you hadn't done it, he would not have really existed. His body would have just been an empty shell. My only fear is that you are going down that same path."

After that rather long but meaningful speech, Harry and Morana stayed in silence, comforted by each other's company but not really having anything to say. After a while, Harry fell asleep and Morana left shortly afterwards.

"Mr. Potter? Ah, you are awake. Well now, dear, I think that you are fit to go. I believe that Professor McGonnagol wants to see you in her office, however. I think that it is about... well, you know. I, on the other hand, feel that you should go to the Great Hall and have something to eat. Now promise me that you'll eat this afterwards," she said, handing him a bar of chocolate. "And then you can go to bed. I have told her that you will see her tomorrow at lunch time."

"Madam Pomphrey? Do you know how long I was out for? I have no idea what day it is..."

"Oh, of course, it's Sunday which means that you have been in here for just over five days, dear."

Harry quickly thanked the Mediwitch before hurrying out of the Hospital wing and going to the Great Hall for dinner. As expected, there was a gigantic hush as he stepped into the room. He glared at all the people who were staring at him, who then quickly turned back to their tables and began whispering about him. He strode over to the empty end of the Griffindor Table and started to eat his meal.

"It's okay, Blaise, I've already told you that. I know you're sorry and it's okay. Besides, I was in a bad mood then anyway. Yes, we're friends again! It's okay! I forgive you! Can we talk about something else now?" Blaise had followed him from the dorms and hadn't stopped apologising the entire way.

"Um... okay Drake, bu--"

"Blaise... what have I told you? Don't--"

"Yeah, yeah: 'Don't call you Drake'. Fine, whatever, Drake-oh. Ooo! Look at Potter! But I can't say that now because he's your mate. It's a shame because he is looking--"

"Finish that sentence and I'll gouge your eyes out myself," Draco threatened.

"Awww, temper temper! You're no fun, Drake-oh." Blaise winked at him and then went back to scanning the Griffindor table. It appeared that Granger and Longbottom had joined Potter and were talking to him. "Hey! Have you seen Granger recently? She's looking good. I wonder if I have a chance with her... I generally find that the more studious they are, the better they are in bed. Not always mind, I mean Potter was... oh, sorry, can't talk about that any more. But, honestly, I didn't think of him as that good a studier but boy was he good. Of course, you'll find out all that for yourself one of these days won't you, eh, Drakey-boy...oh?"

Draco couldn't help laughing. That was why he was friends with Blaise. No matter how deep he dug that hole, even if he got out the old JCB(i), he always kept on digging and eventually found his way to the surface again!

It appeared that Harry needed to talk to Mr. Finnigan. Seamus' future depended on how he reacted to this conversation and, as such, it was quite an important one. He looked over at the other end of the table and, luckily, Seamus happened to be looking in his general direction. He nodded subtly and then left the hall. Seamus followed a couple of minutes later. Luckily for them, no one saw this exchange except Hermione and one Draco Malfoy.

"What do you want?" Seamus asked nervously. Harry was pleased to see that he kept fidgeting.

"Well, we're here to discuss your future. Basically, what happens to you is completely up to me."

"Huh? That makes no sense. I thought that Professor-"

"Yes, yes. That's who officially chooses your punishment but that's completely different to what really happens. There are a whole lot of people out there who want to stay on my good side, probably including you. Fudge, Dumbledore, McGonnagol... all of them want to be my best friend. That means that if I want you to have a lifetime in Azkaban, you'll get a lifetime in Azkaban. If I want you to get the Dementor's Kiss, you'll get the Dementor's Kiss. If I want you to dress up in your mother's clothes and wear bright red nail varnish, you'll dress up in your mother's clothes and wear bright red nail varnish. Do you get the idea?" Taking Seamus' sullen silence as a 'yes', Harry continued. "But in a way, it's also up to you. Listen, I'm not the bad guy you all assume that I am. Underneath this cool exterior, I'm just the same Harry that I was back in fifth year. The only thing that has changed is what I know, not what I am. I don't blame you for beating me up, I can actually understand what was going through your head."

"Er... thanks..."

"That doesn't mean that you're off the hook, however. I mean, it just wouldn't look good if people found out that nothing happened if they beat me up. Terribly bad for the image you know. The question is how you feel about it now so, if you don't mind..." Without waiting for an answer, Harry started looking through Seamus' mind, gently folding pages over as if it were a book.

"Um... Potter?" Seamus squeaked.

"Interesting. It appears that you are completely terrified of me! Understandable, of course, but a real shame. On the other hand, you are genuinely sorry for what you did. Maybe I could ask that I be responsible for your punishment. That would be fun, don't you think? What could I make you do? Oh, that would be great! What do you think, Seamus?"

"Um... well... I suppose that it might be... um... what else could happen?"

"Well let's see shall we? You have a choice of either being my slave for a bit and possibly completely humiliating yourself, or being expelled, having your wand snapped in half and being sent to the muggle world in disgrace to live on the streets, what a choice!"

"Oh, well, that's wonderful, isn't it? You say that you haven't changed, but you have. You're more sadistic and nasty than Snape!"

"Wow! Thank you! I can't remember the last time someone paid me such a compliment! But I haven't changed at all. I was always like this but no one even thought to look past the 'Boy-Who-Lived' and see the real me. Besides, I promise that I won't get you to do anything too horrendous. I just need to show people that no one touches me and gets away with it."

Despite the fact that he knew he shouldn't like it, Seamus couldn't help looking forward to it slightly. It meant that he had the chance to make a complete and utter fool out of himself and it not be his fault! Of course, after Harry had gone over to You-Know-Who, Ron immediately took over as leader of the Griffindor House. It was completely different though, because Harry hadn't made himself the leader. He had just been appointed it and took the role in his stride (ii), as he had had to with many other things. He had given people freedom and choices. With Ron it was like living under a dictatorship. If you didn't do things the way that he said they should be done, you were a complete outcast and everyone else shunned you. He had thought himself lucky to be in Ron's special group of friends but now it made him feel sick. He felt that he should say something to Neville or someone but realised that they would simply quote what Ron had said 'I bet he didn't really kill You-Know-Who. I bet that they just said it to reassure the public and then suddenly there'll be a massive raid and everything will go to darkness and evil.' He couldn't believe that he had actually listened to that rubbish.

"So, I'll just finalise the details with Professor McGonnagol, no doubt she'll try to persuade me to have something harsher and then it'll be done." He looked up. "Oh damn it!"

"What?"

"There's this person who happens to have a crush on me coming up behind you and I know that he will want to talk to me." Harry cringed.

"Run?"

"Won't work."

'Oh great, now Ron's coming. I can't let him see me actually talking civilly to him!' Seamus thought. "Well, Potter, I hardly think that that is any of your business. No, Ron, it's ok. I think that I'm just about finished here anyway." He sneered at Harry before walking away thinking, 'Oh god! Why did I say that?'

Harry simply rolled his eyes and braced himself for the coming encounter.

Yes! I know that it isn't much longer than the last one but I wanted to get it up ASAP, which meant sending it to my Betas Friday rather than Saturday. Besides, this gives me more of a reason to update quickly – I don't want my lovely reviewers to kill me because of the cliffy.

i A type of mobile excavator used in the building industry, with a hydraulic shovel at the front and a digging arm at the back. Named after Joseph Cyril Bamford – the British manufacturer.

ii To achieve it or cope with it effortlessly, as if part of a regular routine.