Huge Thank you to Viu, way2kazy, and potterfan8807 my anonymous reviewers, I appreciate you taking the time to comment. So thank you everyone.
On with the chapter...
Chapter FifteenHarry had spent the day searching for Neville, finally cornering him in the common room that night. He pleaded with him, attempting to coax the boy into reporting Professor Snape to the Headmaster, but again he flat out refused.
"I told you, I won't do that to him."
Neither could he be persuaded to visit the hospital wing to let Madam Pomfrey treat any lingering pain triggered by the curse.
"There's nothing wrong with me. For Merlin's sake give it up Harry." Neville insisted, closing the book on Rare & Dangerous Plants he had been trying to read for the past hour, if anyone would leave him in peace.
"But why? Can you tell me that?"
Neville avoided giving Harry an answer, even when he wasn't sure of his motives.
"I won't do it. You just have to believe me when I say I have my reasons and leave it at that."
Of course Harry wasn't satisfied with that response and went to open his mouth, to protest, except Neville beat him to it.
"Enough! I'm going to bed, this doesn't concern you." He was furious as he stormed up the stairs to the dorms.
All the Gryffindor's, who had been present when he had jumped in front of that curse, had tried to wheedle him into changing his mind except he would not be swayed. They thought they knew the answer. He was deathly afraid of what an ex-Death Eater might just do if he squealed to Dumbledore. They couldn't have been more wrong and although he never truly gave them a reason, he made each of them swear they would not breathe a word.
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A single day had passed and they had all kept their promise, if not reluctantly. Potions, luckily had been cancelled the following day. Apparently, Professor Snape had been laid up with a nasty case of some exotic muggle flu that everyone knew was a lie to avoid their accusing stares. He would have no choice but to face them all eventually. Still, they were all relieved nonetheless that he hadn't shown his face so soon after the incident.
Breakfast had been a silent affair on the start of the second day; concerned looks were flitted back and forth down the length of the table. All of them eventually returning to the oblivious boy, who's only concern at that juncture, were if today he preferred a light breakfast or if his strict diet regime could survive a little deviation. With a smile, Neville decided it could and promptly ordered the works. Sniffing appreciatory at the mound of sausages, eggs and tomatoes, he quickly dug in. He deserved a treat after saving Snape's worthless arse from the Dementer's kiss. Neville snorted at the very naughty images that his brain had conjured at his words. He really had a wicked imagination when inspired. A fact he kept strictly to himself.
Neville eventually looked up, ignoring the anxious faces of his friends to gaze across the hall to that of the Slytherin table. There amongst them, appearing to be desperate in making sure he was counted, sat Draco. Neville knew that something had not been right with the blonde Slytherin for sometime. Anger had descended upon that meticulously wrought composure and the tiniest cracks in Draco's veneer, those of which only a true outsider would notice, had begun to appear.
He watched as Draco lifted his eyes towards the Gryffindor table, landing on the unsuspecting Ron and then back to some one-sided conversation with the blissfully unobservant Blaise Zabini. He examined the blonde Slytherin's strange yet enchanting behaviour. Those eyes searched that of Ron's and then just as suddenly returning to his friends as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. For a while Neville was quietly amused with the game, wondering if the blonde would ever be caught staring, but it never came to be. Ron was utterly obtuse, as so it seemed was every member of the Slytherin house, and Neville grew tired of waiting for the redhead to wake the hell up. With a heavy sigh, he left the Great Hall to seek another's company. He had an urge to check up on a certain Professor, to at least speak with him. He knew all too well the Potions Master was a mess and he wanted to assure the man that he would not be reporting anything to anyone.
Harry also noticed Draco's attentions but he said nothing to Ron, who at least appeared ignorant of the Slytherin's eyes drifting across a sea of faces to search out that of his best friend. He hated that carefully fashioned blank expression, a look that gave off no emotion, yet spoke volumes just the same. Okay, he realized that Ron was not going to be his, probably never would be even if he knew his friend was at least a little curious. Still, Draco was not an option. That elitist bugger, that nasty scum-swilling bastard was never going to date his best friend, not if he had anything to do with it.
"Harry, this is loony letting Snape get away with cursing Neville with an Unforgivable."
"I know, believe me I know, but he won't listen." Harry answered, distracted by Draco's sudden exit from the Great Hall. "I would tell Dumbledore myself, but Neville's so ruddy adamant that we don't. Snape's always been an unqualified arsehole towards him; I just don't understand why Neville's not jumping at the chance to get rid of him."
Ron shrugged. They'd gone over this same conversation a hundred times, each time they came no closer to understanding why Neville would be so merciful. Although they loathed the idea of their Potions teacher getting away with hurting Neville, they respected their friend's wishes and continued to be silent on the matter.
"That curse was aimed at me." Ron whispered.
Harry squeezed Ron's shoulder.
Ron winced at the pain of knowing he had been Snape's real target and Neville had just intervened. He gazed into Harry's eyes. "Why did he do it? What the hell did I do that was so awful? Okay so I'm not exactly adept at potion making but do I deserve that?"
"It must have been something else. Mistaken identity perhaps."
Ron's eyes narrowed. "It was Malfoy that's what it was! It's all his doing."
Harry nodded; he had to agree there.
"Let's go visit Hagrid before the class begins. I'd like to be forewarned on what particular creature we are handling today."
Ron laughed humourlessly. "Absolutely. Why not? I dread the thought of what he's got in store for us. We can only hope that it devours Malfoy first and then finds itself quite sickened after that meal so as to spare the rest of us."
Harry gave him a brittle smile before quickly getting up and leaving the hall.
Ron frowned at his friends retreating back, turning to watch as his empty plate winked out of existence. His eyes lifted of their own freewill towards that of the Slytherin table, but found Malfoy was no longer there. Sighing, he rushed out of the hall to catch up with Harry.
Ron narrowly avoided an encounter with Marcus as he ducked behind a tapestry to take shelter in a hidden cove. It was pitch black behind the heavy wall hanging and he instantly feared the phantom of eight hairy legs exploring his exposed neck. He shivered at the disgusting thought and moved away from the wall and as close to the opening as he dared. Attempting to squash the irrational panic that was slowly building in the pit of his stomach, he deliberately tuned into Marcus as he confronted Harry in the hallway.
"Why Potter, fancy bumping into the likes of you?"
"Yes, well Marcus, I do happen to go to school here. It's bound to happen sometime." He smirked.
Marcus smirked back nastily. "Yes you do. Of course that could always change." He added ominously, walking away before Harry could think of a suitable comeback to that blatant threat.
"Slimy git!" Harry cursed under his breath. "I'm not sure who I loathe more, you or that blonde brat."
"I don't know Harry; I think the votes would be fairly even on both sides, don't you?" Ron grinned, pulling back the tapestry to reveal his hiding place to his amused friend.
Harry laughed at the sheepish look on his friend's face. "You are such a chicken."
Ron blushed, shrugging. It was true; being the object of Marcus's obsession scared the bejesus out of him. The boy was handsome in a vampire like way. All dark slicked back hair, pale flawless skin and piercing enigmatic eyes. Ron often compared him favourably to the fatal beauty of a certain blonde Slytherin. Except, where Draco was quick witted and cunning, Marcus chose to rely on his talent for looming over his prey, a dangerous glint in his eye. Draco rather preferred bestowing others of what he considered lower ilk, with a wickedly sharp tongue and a disdainful smirk.
All said and done Ron would have chosen Malfoy's company any day, rather than be trapped in a room with that honeyed voice in his ear. He'd have been fighting off those large hands as they roamed over his skin possessively. At least Malfoy would not have been seen dead touching a Weasley.
As both of them neared Hagrid's hut, they could make out the half giants stooped form as he huddled his large frame into a rickety chair. He sat with his back to the two Gryffindor's, obviously in deep conversation with someone. As they got closer both of them made out the familiar blonde hair and they sped up to intervene. Hagrid always grew somewhat flustered by Draco's nasty quips and they both wished to rescue their gigantic friend from such humiliation. Harry and Ron closed in on the two. Only then did they realize their mistake.
Draco was laughing at something Hagrid had said and even from where they had stopped in their tracks they could hear the gentle rumbling bellow of Hagrid's answering laugh.
Harry looked as gob-smacked as Ron felt when they turned to each other with more than a few questions burning in their eyes.
Draco glanced up at that moment and caught the two coming towards him. The Slytherin's eyes flew wide with panic, as he stumbled back away from Hagrid.
Ron noticed that Malfoy's usual poise had deserted him, as he made a feeble stab at insulting his teacher.
"You're an oaf; a joke to this school's established standing in the wizarding world." He hissed.
Hagrid visibly flinched at the words, but soon realized the lack of sting behind their delivery and turned to see what had spooked the young Slytherin so.
He grinned affectionately on seeing Harry and Ron marching towards them.
"Why yeh a wee bit early for m'class don'tcha think?" He grinned affably as they came close, sweeping a palm as large as Harry's head to usher the two Gryffindor's into his hut.
Hagrid was very much aware of the nervous blonde who was feeling a mite trapped, pacing behind him. He didn't invite Draco in, knowing the boy would really let loose if he showed any compassion, especially in front of those two. He'd decided the best course of action was no action. Hagrid had sworn an oath not to tell a soul and he wouldn't betray Draco's trust, not to the headmaster nor to Harry.
Ron stood stubbornly in the doorway for a moment, glaring at the Slytherin who was desperately trying to appear invisible without actually disappearing. "Oh I don't know. Malfoy got here before we did and he seemed perfectly welcome."
Hagrid growled at Ron's need to squabble immaturely with Draco with no provocation. "Ron yeh know yeh always wil'come in m'humble home. Why every student at 'ogwarts is most wil'come to talk to me win'ever."
Ron flushed pink, feeling appropriately ashamed for acting like such an arse. He ducked into Hagrid's cottage, leaving Draco to brood outside. He sat beside the fire and avoided eye contact by leaning down to scratch along Fang's spine. The dog practically purred under his touch as he grinned, temporarily forgetting about the blonde outside who was taking pleasure in tormenting him.
Harry watched Hagrid keep himself occupied, pouring them tea in a pitiful attempt to steer clear of any uninvited conversation that might just happen to spring forth. Hagrid wasn't about to volunteer any information on why he was so suddenly chummy with the likes of Draco. Usually the unassuming man wasn't good at keeping secrets. With the right words, Harry was sure Hagrid's resolve would crumble and he could finally get to the bottom of what was going on with the Slytherin.
Fortunately, luck was on Hagrid's side, and he was called away to Dumbledore's office on urgent business and had only seen fit to return after the entire class had arrived for their lesson. Harry realised anything further said on the matter would just have to wait.
Draco spent the lesson avoiding any contact with either Ron or Harry, preferring to keep to the perimeters of the class. He had even avoided insulting them, obviously not wanting an excuse for either Gryffindor to hint at his previous activities in front of his other housemates thus having them be suspicious of his every move.
Ron was restless, his thoughts slipping from the task at hand to that of the blonde in the corner. It was only when a set of nasty teeth pierced the fleshy part of his hand did he come back to earth with a snap.
"Owww," he howled, frantically tearing at the ball of lethal fluff attached to his fist. The little fiend was shredding his skin, burrowing deeper as it gorged itself on his blood. The last thing Ron remembered was the concern that flickered so bizarrely over Malfoy's face as he rushed forward; it was at that moment Ron passed out from the pain.
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Harry had spent the remainder of the day at Ron's side in the hospital wing. He left his friend in Madam Pomfrey's more than capable hands, resting with the aid of a sleeping draft. Ron had lost a lot of blood and the monstrous creature had even attacked Hagrid before he snapped the hideous thing in two, prizing it off Ron's mutilated hand.
Pomfrey as usual was a marvel, healing Ron's savage wounds in a jiffy. She fussed and shooed everyone but him out the door. Like a limpet, Harry had remained faithfully at his best friend's bed-side until hunger drew him away. He could do nothing to assist further and as Madame Pomfrey elaborated, he would be no good to Ron if he fainted from lack of sustenance when the redhead might be most in need of him.
Harry left not long after the dinner bell had sounded.
He literally bumped into Seamus as he came around the corner; the Irishman had been hoping to meet Harry in just this particular way.
"Hey." Seamus grinned, his fingers lingering on Harry's chest as he rocked back slightly from the impact, peering up into green weary eyes.
"Hi." Harry breathed, leaning a little into Seamus's body heat without actually touching him.
Seamus couldn't help the hand that reached up to brush tentatively along his cheek. "You're exhausted, come back to the common room." He tugged at Harry's sleeve. "Is Ron in one piece? He's okay right?"
Harry nodded absently, letting his eyes close as Seamus' gentle caress feathered over his brow, issuing a sigh at the comforting gesture. Part of him, a large part, wanted to just let Seamus take control and lead him towards his bed, but in the end it was his growling stomach that got its way as the rumble echoed absurdly off the stone walls.
Seamus laughed, while Harry blushed embarrassingly. They made a detour to the kitchens, Harry's arm snugly around Seamus' waist, while the Irishman's arm slung protectively around his shoulder, a pair of firm lips branding the side of his throat.
A shadow behind their retreating backs writhed into life and out stepped Marcus Kelgarr like a coiled serpent preparing to attack. The corners of his eyes crinkled with extreme delight, his lips transforming into an oil slick grin that completed an altogether unpleasant expression. He watched in silence as the two, oblivious to his presence, disappeared down a flight of stairs.
'So, Harry has a thing for the Irishman. How very sweet a couple those two made' Just as well, it would have been difficult to get rid of the wizarding world's saviour at Hogwarts. This way Ron was his for the taking as no other worthy rival now stood in his way. Oh, the things he had planned for the two of them. Marcus licked his lips disturbingly at the thought. He could hardly wait.
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Harry gasped as he fell through the portrait hole that served as the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. Both he and Seamus had visited Ron after having a quick bite to eat only to be told by an irritated Madam Pomfrey to go back to their dorm.
"Mr. Weasley is to have no more visitors tonight. He is sleeping and I wish for him to remain so. Off with you." She ranted.
Harry had immediately started to argue but was promptly cut off by a sharp glare aimed his way. Seamus dragged him back while the door shut firmly in their faces.
"The cheek of the woman..." Harry muttered.
"Let it go Harry. She knows what she's doing. You'll see him first thing in the morning"
Harry relented, allowing Seamus to pull him toward the Gryffindor tower. At the entrance they were stalled by the absence of the Fat Lady who was nowhere in sight.
"Where is she?" Harry scowled at the empty frame.
"No clue." Seamus murmured against Harry's throat, he'd aligned his body directly behind that of 'the boy who lived.' Slipping an arm around his waist, he tugged Harry tight against his chest. With his free hand, he swept those eternally messy locks to the side and frantically mouthed the nape of Harry's neck.
Harry's eyelids closed, leaning his head minutely back into Seamus' hungry kiss.
There was a loud clearing of a throat.
Harry's eyes snapped open. "Uh, um... Oh Merlin." He breathed. His mind was a blank as a somewhat amused Fat Lady sat in her usual position as if she'd never left, head tilted in mild interest, waiting patiently for him to give her the password.
Seamus' attention had been drawn by the sudden tenseness of the body in his arms. He lifted his head, grinning cheekily at her just behind Harry's right ear. She was watching him intently as he purred the word "Lascivious!" He bit on that tempting earlobe for emphasis.
Seamus winked at her. She, in turn, huffing out her disapproval of such a word but allowed them entrance just the same. It was Hermione's fault. She had approved of his choice of password. He had the sneaking suspicion that she was a teeny bit distracted by the notes she had been furiously scribbling in McGonagall's class at the time, but hey...she had said yes to his innocent suggestion.
He gave Harry a tiny shove when the boy still hadn't moved. Seamus laughed when Harry stepped inside and promptly fell over one of the Persian rugs that decorated the common room. Fortunately, no one was about to witness his clumsiness.
Reaching a hand down to Harry, he pulled his friend to his feet. Harry growled at the amusement dancing in Seamus' eyes but did not let go of his hand. Again, Seamus tugged the boy to him and again Harry let himself be swayed.
They were about to kiss when Professor McGonagall swept in through the portrait door and they jumped apart.
"Harry, you must go to the Headmaster's office at once. Dumbledore needs to speak to you about something rather urgent." Her brow wrinkled into a frown, certain that she had interrupted some dalliance between the two, although they appeared innocent enough.
"Thank you Professor McGonagall. I'll leave immediately."
She nodded, still watching them both intently. "Very well. I'll walk with you to the entrance."
Harry's eyes darted to Seamus' before he followed his teacher out of the Gryffindor tower.
Seamus sighed, annoyed that they had to be interrupted yet again. Turning tail, he stalked up the stairs to the sixth year dorm room. He would wait for Harry's return in his bed.
The walk from the common room to Dumbledore's office was a silent one, even if Harry did get the feeling that the Professor wanted to ask him something. She never said a thing.
Upon arrival, she quickly recited the password in a clear and succinct voice. Minerva gave him a warm smile, her bony fingers squeezing his shoulder affectionately as Harry watched the giant stone phoenix rotate to reveal the hidden stairway to the Headmaster's office above.
"I'll leave you here."
"Thank you."
She smiled and with a swish of her robes returned the way she came. Harry gulped, turning towards the stairs. He had no idea why, because he adored Dumbledore, but marching up those cold grey slabs of stone to whatever lay in wake above, always gave him the willies. Regardless of how softly you tread, the echo always had the same ominous ring, as if you could never escape no matter how hard you might try.
"Harry, my dear boy, sit will you, have a sherbet lemon?"
Harry declined the sweet but sat in the chair offered. He noticed Fawkes perched in his usual place and smiled a greeting to the beautiful bird. His glorious feathers shone in the soft candlelight as if the flame and the bird were one. Fawkes was preening each golden feather with a wickedly sharp beak. One eye ceaselessly fixed on the two wizards facing off across the desk.
Dumbledore delayed telling Harry just why he was here and that made Harry very nervous.
"Please, sir..."
Dumbledore scratched his beard absently before smiling minus his usual twinkle. Harry knew whatever he had to say was not good, not good at all.
"Harry, I have been given a reliable piece of information from a member of the order that involves you. It seems that Dudley has been arrested by muggles. He attempted to murder his parents last night."
Harry leapt out his chair.
"Never fear Harry, they are quite alright. As a precaution you will stay at Hogwarts over the Christmas break, not at the Weasley's as I know you had planned."
"What? No, he'd never do that, I don't believe it." He shouted his objection, palms clawing at the edge of Dumbledore's desk as he leaned over directing his anger at the old wizard. "It's a lie. You suspect someone? Who is it?"
Albus stared disapprovingly at Harry through his half-moon glasses.
He needn't have said a word. Harry knew what Dumbledore was thinking.
"Voldemort!"
"Yes Harry. Unfortunately, I suspect his involvement here. I believe he has used the impressionable boy to destroy your protection with the Dursley's so that you have no choice but to remain at Hogwarts."
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