Chapter 24
Eyes of Azkaban
After one and half week's worth of schoolwork, researching on several things, D.A. meetings and training with Malfoy, Harry sat in front of fireplace in common room. This was one of the rare nights where he was willing to remain in common room without any reason. He knew that this weekend is the Hogsmeade trip. Few days earlier, he had talked to his friends about sneaking Mark in.
"No Harry, he shouldn't!" she whispered urgently.
"Why? I just want to show him the town. By the time he's in third year, I will have graduated."
"Then show him then!" said Hermione as if it was obvious.
"Hermione, please," said Harry.
"Well if this is going to cause some problems, maybe I shouldn't go at all," said Mark. "Plus we're prefects!"
"No Mark, it'll be fun, right Ron?" Hermione huffed at Harry seeking for his friend on this opinion. Ron looked taken aback and stared at Hermione.
"Well, he's right Hermione, it'll be fun," agreed Ron.
"Oh be on his side why don't you," grumbled Hermione.
"Erm, Hermione, I — I want to ask something," said Ron with nervousness in his voice. "Can we talk over there?" He pointed to a secluded corner of the common room. Hermione looked surprised but shrugged in answer and the two walked over.
"Why does Ron have to talk to her about in private?" asked Ginny.
"We'll find out," said Harry, grinning slyly. About time too,' thought Harry while watching Ron and Hermione. Few minutes later, their faces seemed to be beet red.
"Is Ron asking, what I'm thinking?" asked Ginny slowly.
"Perhaps," said Harry, as the two came back.
"Well, I — I suppose we can let Mark come," said Hermione.
"Why change of heart?" asked Harry, her face went redder. "You know, your face is red, what did Ron ask you?" asked Harry innocently.
"Well, we er — we are just going to spend some time together," said Hermione.
"You mean to say that you're going on a date?" asked Ginny, grinning happily. Ron and Hermione's face, if possible, went more scarlet red.
Harry grinned at the memory, chuckling quietly. This meant that allowing Mark to come would accompany Harry in Hogsmeade since Ron and Hermione would be together, Ginny with her friends. He would have not gone at all if he didn't have anyone to come. He figured that he would waste an hour or two alone in Hogsmeade because the tunnels were really long to go through because of its twists and turns. Mark and Harry decided that Mark should come out of Shrieking shack since it was more safer than Honeydukes.
Sometime later, after he finished his Transfiguration essays and charms assignment. A sixth year girl came up to Harry and quietly sat next to him on the sofa. He looked over to her and saw that Pavarti was smiling nervously.
"Yes?" asked Harry, arching an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Well," she began, "you know there's Hogsmeade this weekend and" she trailed off. Harry blinked twice, he couldn't believe what she was trying to ask.
"Oh, you want to go out?" asked Harry with a more direct question and Pavarti blushed crimson in the face. "I'll take that as a yes," grinned Harry.
"Well, do you?" asked Pavarti.
"Sure I guess, I don't have anyone to hang out with right now," said Harry.
"What about Ron and Hermione?" Harry was surprised to hear that question.
"You mean you don't know everything?" asked Harry.
"What? Have I missed something?" asked Pavarti, widening eyes in shock.
"Yeah, they're dating," replied Harry.
"Wow, that's a surprise, well not so much because sometimes she would keep talking about Ron before we go to sleep."
"Does she?"
"Yeah, so are we going to go out this weekend?" Harry nodded in answer. Pavarti grinned and nodded and about to stand up.
"But only for about two hours, is that okay?"
"Why?" frowned Pavarti.
"Well, I'm sneaking someone into Hogsmeade, promise not to tell others?"
"Ohh, you're sneaking someone in?" asked Pavarti grinning. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. So, who are you sneaking in?"
"I'll tell you later, not with everyone listening," said Harry and Pavarti sighed in answer.
"Okay, you can tell me later Harry. So, do you want to meet here before go down to Entrance Hall?" asked Pavarti.
"That sounds fine," replied Harry.
"Great, I'll see you then," grinned Pavarti, standing up and left him sitting there. Harry leaned back, thinking about what had just happened.
Well, that just solved my problem. I won't have to waste my time standing around in Hogsmeade. At least she doesn't cry so much as Cho last year,' thought Harry ungraciously. He hoped that Pavarti would be a better one to have as a date than previous one. Harry realized that he didn't have any nervousness in his stomach like he had with Cho last year. He shrugged that off thinking it would come to him later. Personally, he didn't really mind who he was dating right now.
Two days later, Pavarti came up to him again and dragged Harry away from his friends.
"Harry, I would like to talk to you," said Pavarti, smiling.
"Sure, I'll be back Ron, Mark," said Harry. After he had been asked by Pavarti two nights ago, he told his friends that he would be going out with Pavarti for few hours. Hermione and Ginny looked surprised as Ron grinned. Mark pulled a face of disgust but shrugged. Harry followed Pavarti to the same corner that Hermione and Ron had been awhile back to ask Hermione out.
"What?" asked Harry.
"Oh nothing, I just, well, if you don't mind" said Pavarti, holding his hands. Harry blinked, unsure what to say, and swallowed the lump in his throat. He started having butterflies in his stomach as Pavarti tiptoed on her feet and leaned in. Harry grinned at her boldness, true Gryffindor. He leaned in and gave her a small kiss on the lips. "So, who are you sneaking in, mm? I think I should know who will you be spending time after me."
"Sure, it's Mark," replied Harry quietly, putting one hands around her waist.
"Oh, that shouldn't have been a surprise," said Pavarti. "You two seem inseparable as much as you do with Ron and Hermione."
"Yeah," he said, giving her another small kiss. Harry couldn't believe he was enjoying this, she wasn't crying like Cho. Her lips were warm and very plum. Pavarti giggled as her left arm pulled him closer to her. "You know, you're bold," he said into her ears.
"Of course I am," said Pavarti. "What else do you think, wait for you to make your first move?"
"I suppose you are right," replied Harry quietly, running his lips across her right cheek who shivered in glee. "Is there anything else?"
"Mmm, no, can we just enjoy ourselves?" asked Pavarti, eyes pleading. Harry shook his head no, and put a finger to her lips.
"Not right now, perhaps we'll enjoy ourselves after Hogsmeade?" asked Harry. He had thought they were moving a bit too fast and wanted to slow things down a bit.
"Well, if you say so Harry," said Pavarti, slowly pulling away from him. "All right, we'll do that," she said, holding his hands.
"See you around Pavarti," said Harry, walking backwards from Pavarti and their hands let go and went their separate ways. Harry came back to his friends, now included Ginny and Hermione.
"What was that mate!?" asked Ron, apparently shocked. Harry shrugged, grinning.
"Just asked me a few questions that's all," said Harry, running his fingers through his hair and reminded strongly of his father in Snape's Pensieve. He sighed in annoyance and looked back at Ron.
"A few questions? You two were snogging!"
"Oh announce it to everyone Ron!" said Harry angrily, he didn't really need anyone else to hear what Ron is saying. Hermione and Ginny giggled at Harry. "What?"
"Too late, look at the girls," said Ginny, pointing behind Harry. Harry inwardly groaned and spied what was behind him and saw half dozen girls were glaring either at him or at Pavarti.
"Great, just great," said Harry sarcastically. Last thing he needed was more girls trying to ask him out, he suppose that he could go with other ones if he felt bored with Pavarti sometime later. Then he shook his head, berating himself. He wasn't going to become a player and start attending to the opposite gender! He sighed in annoyance, how was he supposed to keep himself apart from the girls?
Well, things are much better with Pavarti than with Cho last year,' thought Harry. He reasoned that he could just finding ways to take breaks from all the things he had to do. He hadn't got much further in investigating Tengu's murders or Black Area counter charm. Hermione had gone through many different sayings, foreign words and wand movements to increase the efficiency of returning things back to normal. Which wasn't improving all that well. To be honest, he was getting a bit sick of same color everywhere but Gryffindor tower. He felt glad for that and had found himself spending more time in confines to dormitories and common room.
Hermione had showed how well the first years did with the counter charm to Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Conan. They had not told other houses that Gryffindor tower is back to normal. They only wished to have a working spell before letting the public know.
"Well mate, at least they're not screaming for you," said Ron.
"They better not," said Harry darkly. If they were, he would be using a lot of spells upon them, Silence charm and hitting hex for example. The five of them sat down and began working on their homework while Hermione wrote a letter in symbols again.
"Where did I see something like that?" wondered Harry aloud.
"Oh you must have seen me writing a letter sometime ago," replied Hermione as she signed her name.
"Yeah, I think I did," said Harry. "Well, who are you writing to?"
"A pen-pal from Japan," she replied, rolling the parchment and sealed it with wax. "I'll be off to the Owlery," she said as she stood up.
"All right," said Harry, and saw that Ron was following her.
"Can I come?" asked Ron.
"Sure," she agreed and the two left the common room. Harry smirked after them, shaking his head and went back to his homework.
Saturday morning came, Harry got out of his bed and got dressed in dark green sweater and black baggy pants with several pockets. He, again, tried to brush his hair in front of the mirror. Damn bloody hair, just won't cooperates with me!' thought Harry, throwing down the comb on the floor which caused to explode into sparks. Swell, my accidental magic just spilled out again,' thought Harry sarcastically as he left the bathroom. Then he calmed himself down, he didn't want to go down in a bad mood just because he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Harry felt glad that Malfoy and him decided to take the day off today and informed the two certain professors of this. Smiling slightly and left the dormitory, he found Mark on the way down the stairs.
"Hey Harry," said Mark excitedly.
"Morning Mark, excited?" asked Harry.
"You bet I am," grinned Mark, he was definitely looking forward to Hogsmeade today.
"Well, you — er can come at your own pace, I mean, you know about Pavarti" said Harry sheepishly. "If you don't find me at the Shrieking shack yet, just wait," said Harry. Mark frowned at this, and Harry sighed. "Okay, I'll try to compromise with her so I can show you around the place. Here's the invisibility cloak so that Professors there won't see you. Or any of the prefects, older students as well."
"Okay Harry," said Mark, accepting the cloak. "I'll be careful with this cloak."
"Well, come down after you see people leaving Entrance Hall from that window," he said, pointing to the window at the far left of common room. Harry stepped of the stairs and mark followed.
"I'll do that," said Mark, walking over there and sat down. Harry found Pavarti talking to other girls, and found that she was wearing a bit excessive. Not that she was showing any skin, just a bit tight at some areas. Pavarti saw Harry coming into the common room and walked to him.
"Ready?" asked Pavarti, looking over to Mark.
"Yeah, let's go, sooner the better," said Harry. Pavarti nodded and the two left the common room, Harry found himself that Pavarti grabbed his hand and held it. He felt the butterflies in his stomach then and tried to calm his nerves by detaching himself a bit. Which helped quite a bit.
"So, where do you want to eat?"
"Not that Puddifoot's place," said Harry quickly. He didn't really like the place at all. Pavarti grinned at him and nodded.
"I was thinking that too, too well, romantic," said Pavarti. Harry blinked at her in surprise. "You thought I would like that sort of thing? Why else am I on Quidditch team?"
True, she did look somewhat tomboyish this year. I wonder why though.'
"So, what made you join Quidditch?" asked Harry as the two entered Entrance Hall, waiting to be let out of castle.
"Well, three reasons actually, one's sort of obvious, but I wanted to get to know you."
Okay, this girl is getting stranger, get to know me, right, she can easily look that up in Daily Prophet. But she did say she has three reasons'
"Two is that I wanted something else exciting in my life besides hanging with my friends. Of course, it's always interesting, but I wanted something new."
"Oh, well I can understand that, well, sort of," said Harry.
"And three, I wanted to do something active for once and not just sit around inside the castle, walking everywhere for lessons," said Pavarti.
"Potter, Patil you may leave," wheezed Mr. Filch and they left.
"Well, you have some good reasons then, motivated even," commented Harry on her reasons.
"Thanks, that's nice to hear you know," she said, smiling, hands still holding. Harry realized that he didn't mind so much of this contact anymore. Their conversation fell into silence for about two minutes when Pavarti spoke again.
"At the end of our match in Quidditch your fall, it was so frightening," said Pavarti. Harry looked at her quickly and sighed.
"Do I look that I'm hurt?" asked Harry softly.
"No, it is just that, we all thought you died when you crashed, it was just like in our third year, the dementors"
"Yeah well, I seem to have the worst luck, but I always come out lucky at the end," said Harry bitterly but smiled at her. He didn't want to make her feel bad although he felt like he wanted to be rude. Plus, they hardly know each other outside of classrooms and Quidditch so it didn't seem right to be rude outright the first chance he got. Harry realized that he had been exercising all self-control not to blow up. He figured that the comb this morning had been the outlet for today. Then he started to grin, realizing what he'd discovered.
"What are you smiling about Harry?" asked Pavarti, Harry realized she couldn't help grinning either.
"Oh I think I just found out something," replied Harry.
"What's that?" asked Pavarti, curious.
"Something you won't understand right now," said Harry. He added, "I'll explain later, it's too long," Harry said hastily when she tried to argue but relented.
"Okay, I'll let you explain later. You do seem to have the knack of explaining later after finding things out or revealing secrets."
"Do I?" wondered Harry, true, it did take him awhile to tell his friends of Prophecy, told Pavarti later about Mark and other things.
"Yeah, kind of frustrating when you do that," teased Pavarti.
"Well, we're here now, where do you want to go?" asked Harry politely, changing the subject.
"How about we get something to drink first and go shopping?"
"Well, I thought of doing some shopping first," said Harry.
"Okay, we'll shop first, where at?"
"Zonko's," replied Harry, grinning. Pavarti giggled, obviously the two haven't forgot Umbridge or the twins from last year, truly a nightmare but a blissful one. For next forty minutes, they had shopped in Zonko's, Honeydukes, and a clothing store. Pavarti only wanted to get two new sweaters.
Harry had heard from various of sources that girls take forever with cloths. But Pavarti seemed to know exactly what she needed and got out of the store as quickly as they came in. Harry realized then, that this was a different Pavarti than all those years ago he'd known her. Harry supposed that the one he knew was just a public image, this must be her 'real' self.
"You're proving a lot of things wrong that was assumed to be for girls," said Harry.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, smiling softly.
"Well, for one, I had thought you were girly-girl all these years, now you're play Quidditch. Then you don't take forever to shop when cloths are in the store. I heard that girls take forever with those, you can say that you've disproved a lot of myths about girls."
Pavarti giggled and shook her head as if in disbelief. She turned to Harry, "Harry, believe it or not, I've been changing since last year."
"Really, how so?" asked Harry.
"For one, when Hogwarts was attacked' by students when Umbridge was the Headmistress. You can imagine some of the things I've done, it was exhilarating and I wanted to do more. That's one of the reasons why I joined Quidditch because on the sidelines, it looked so much fun. I just had to try," she admitted.
"Interesting," said Harry. "I guess that reign last year changed a lot of people huh?" Pavarti laughed as well as Harry chuckled.
"Yeah, for the better, some Hufflepuffs I know are taking risks, can you imagine?"
"No way, name one," said Harry. He didn't think that Hufflepuff would take anything risky. Then again, he remembered Cedric and sighed quietly.
"You know Hannah?"
"Yeah I do, what did she do?" asked Harry.
"Three days ago, she socked one of the Slytherins in our year," Harry laughed.
"No really?"
"Yes really!" laughed Pavarti. Harry couldn't believe what Hannah did and he never knew that. "You do need to keep your ears open for when things happens you know," said Pavarti.
"Oh right, rumors are always right," said Harry sarcastically.
"You mean they aren't?" asked Pavarti, appalled.
"Yes, do you remember our second year, when everyone found out, as well as I did, about being a Parseltongue? Well, since that incident, the rest of the year thought I was the Heir of the Slytherin. Hah, me, the Heir of Slytherin?"
"So that was a lie then?"
"Yes, the Heir of Slytherin is Voldemort," Pavarti winced but carried on the conversation.
"Oh, well that should have been obvious," she said as they entered Three Broomsticks, which both wordlessly agreed to have something to drink.
"I'll have two Butterbeer please," asked Harry, taking his money out. The bottles of butterbeer set on the table for them and Pavarti picked them up as Harry accepted the change. They found a table near the back of the room, away from windows. Pavarti and Harry sat down, bottles clinking each other as she set them down.
"Cheers," said Pavarti, grinning, picking up the bottle of Butterbeer. Harry nodded, grinning back and they clinked together. Harry drank some of the contents and set it down on the table. He looked around to see how far away other people were. Compared to the rest of the place, they were placed fairly far away.
"What?" asked Pavarti.
"Oh, I was just seeing if we have any privacy," said Harry with a broad smile.
"Ah, well we have the best table for that," said Pavarti, leaning in. Harry leaned in halfway, feeling a bit awkward and Pavarti just gave a kiss on his cheek. They pulled away, blushing light pink in their cheeks.
"So, tell me what you wanted to explain earlier?"
"Well, about that," Harry chuckled quietly. "Do you, ah, see me blowing up at my friends more than usual this year?"
"Mmm, yes I did," admitted Pavarti, thinking.
"Yeah, I think I found a way to calm myself for the better part of the day."
"Really? What's that?"
"I — er blew my comb to shards by accident," confessed Harry.
"What, why?" asked Pavarti, surprised by this information.
"You see how unruly my hair is, never cooperates with me," grinned Harry nervously.
"Well, I think it's cute that way," she said, looking at his hair, Harry realized that she wasn't looking at his scar.
"Heh, thanks," said Harry as he drank more butterbeer as well Pavarti drank hers. They continued to talk for the next hour about several things such as Quidditch, D.A., complaining about schoolwork, and the holidays.
"So, you going anywhere this winter break?" asked Pavarti.
"Yeah, er — well, I'm spending time with my new family."
"Really now? You have a family?" asked Pavarti. "Why wasn't that in Daily Prophet?"
"Not everything gets recorded in the bloody Daily Prophet," said Harry coolly.
"Sorry, it's just that it would be a big issue in the paper, I have no doubt that half of wizarding world would want you," said Pavarti. "So, who are they?"
"The reason that it didn't get leaked out is because I do not want well, Voldemort, (she winced) and his followers will be after them. I — I'm sorry, but I don't think I can tell you who they are right now."
"What, you can't trust me?" asked Pavarti sadly.
"I do trust you, but we're in a very public place and I do not want to risk anything. Plus, I'm sure someone overheard our conversation about my new family. What if they decide to torture you?"
"Torture me?" asked Pavarti meekly.
"Yeah, bloody hell, what the hell did I do!?" asked Harry to no one in particular. Harry stood up on his feet, he couldn't believe he had been so careless. If he accepted Pavarti to be one of the people he cared about, then Voldemort would have more weapons.
"What, what did you do?" asked Pavarti in confusion.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think this will work out, I have to leave," said Harry.
"Wait a minute, are we breaking up?" asked Pavarti, tears filling to the brim of her eyes.
"Please Pavarti, don't cry over someone who is risky enough for you to be killed. I don't want you to get hurt, please, you've got to understand from my point of view. Imagine, every year since my first, I've faced danger in one way or the other. I don't want to drag you into the mess. I'm sorry, good bye," with that, he left Three Broomsticks with Pavarti still back at the table.
He covered his eyes with his right hand, groaning in how stupid he had been lately. At this rate, he knew he would mess up everything. He needed something to focus on, he couldn't afford to get distracted. When he finally reached Shrieking Shack and looked back. The coast was clear and went up to the front door. "Mark?"
"Harry!" said Mark from the inside.
"Hey, how long did you wait?"
"About three minutes," replied Mark.
"Well, that's good, here, Alohomora," he unlocked the front door and let Mark out. "Our date was a disaster," said Harry as they walked down the hill.
"Really, why?" asked Mark. Harry shrugged in answer. "What happened?"
"Just realized that I was stupid and that I was dragging her into the mess I'm in. I got out of it before anything serious happened, I'm sure she's crying right now, but she's a good friend though," admitted Harry. "I hope she'll still do Quidditch."
"Yeah, she does play well," said Mark, reaching the main road in Hogsmeade. "Wow!" exclaimed Mark.
"Beauty isn't it? Better put the cloak on," said Harry, eyeing one of the professors. Mark glumly swung on the cloak and walked in silence. He showed several shops and Three Broomsticks. He realized that Pavarti had all ready left the place. He could only assume that she was with her friends or back at Hogwarts. He got two more butterbeers and gave one to Mark under the cloak. He sat down in one of the empty table, and heard Mark sitting down as well.
"Wow, this stuff is good!" blurted out Mark.
"I know," said Harry quietly, grinning. Then he saw Ron and Hermione entering the place as well. They had appeared to be looking for someone but they seem to found who they were looking for. Ron and Hermione made their way over to Harry.
"Hey Harry, how was the date?" asked Ron, while trying to sit in the chair that Mark was sitting in. "YEOW!" Harry snickered at his reaction. "Real helpful mate!" growled Ron, rubbing his backside. They grabbed two chairs from another table and sat down. "Well?"
"It was really good at first, just a complete disaster in the last five minutes of the date," said Harry glumly.
"Oh what happened?" moaned Hermione, frowning for her friend.
"Just realized that I would be dragging her into my mess," replied Harry.
"Harry James Potter, we are your friends, do you think Voldemort won't attack them? Remember last year? They attacked us all!" Harry sighed, nodding slightly.
"That's not the point, she wanted to find out about my new family, what if she gets caught?" asked Harry.
"Oh Harry," whispered Hermione.
"Why can't you?" asked Mark, again, still not understanding the need to hide about his new family.
"Mark, please trust me on this. Voldemort will have you second-highest target when they find out. I don't want to risk that," said Harry.
"Well, that make sense now that you put it that way," said Mark.
"Well, I think we should get back," said Hermione. Harry looked at his watch and read almost to five.
"You're right, we should," said Harry, and the four got up from their table. "Let's use the Shrieking Shack," said Harry.
"Why?" asked Hermione, Harry shrugged.
"Accompany Mark on the way back," said Harry.
"Oh, I suppose we'll come, Ron?"
"Yeah, let's go," replied Ron and they made their way to Shrieking Shack. When Harry climbed up the hill, he felt something raising on the back of his neck.
"Stop," said Harry quietly, cautious. Hermione and Ron frowned at Harry but did what he said. "Something's not right" he whispered, shifting his eyes, examining the surroundings. The area was still charmed by Black Area charm which made everything more difficult but he trained his eyes, watching for anything that went amiss. For next five minutes of silence, Harry relaxed a little and walked five pace but froze again, he frowned at what was missing.
"Harry?" asked Ron.
"Shh!" hushed Harry, and moved another five paces, now on the doorstep into Shrieking Shack. He motioned his hand for his friend to come forward quietly. Soon his friends were behind him, Harry drew his wand out slowly, and his friends followed suit. Harry knocked the door down with his right feet, wand pointing inside the house. But found nothing. He frowned, putting his wand down, looking around, and faced his friends.
"Wh - ?" started Hermione, but came out as a scream. Harry felt something pointing at his back, he froze deathly still.
"Now, now, don't make any drastic move Potter and give me your wand," drawling voice came.
Malfoy!? DRACO Malfoy? No, that can't be, the voice is different somehow. More haunted, somewhat familiar when Sirius escaped Azkaban. Oh shit' thought Harry. This was Lucius Malfoy!
"T-tell me how did you escape Malfoy?" asked Harry.
"That's none of your business! It's your own damn fault that I got landed in that hellhole! Dark Lord did not even attempt to get me out!" snarled Malfoy, jabbing at Harry's back, getting painful with each one. "I will kill you so Dark Lord will be happy to have me back!"
"I'm afraid you can't Malfoy," he said coolly. He ducked down quickly, depending on his Seeker reflexes and spun around, sticking his leg out. Effectively knocking Malfoy down to the floor with a loud thud. Harry stood up again, pointing his wand at Lucius Malfoy.
"Potter! That was cheap!"
"Was it? I thought it was a self-defensive move. Don't try to anger me Malfoy, I do know quite a few painful curses now that I've read several Dark Arts book."
"HARRY! You said you wouldn't -!" cried out Hermione.
"Shut up Hermione, who says that I will?" snapped Harry, looking at Hermione. But that very moment proved to be a mistake as Lucius knocked Harry down with both of his legs and both got up to their feet again, wands pointing at each other, panting heavily.
"Well," drawled Malfoy, "this is about to get more interesting."
"Heh, if you say so," said Harry, smirking. Tension filled in the air as the two glared at each other for a few moments, as the three of his friends watched on in the fight with apprehension and scared. Harry felt calm under the glares of Malfoy while Malfoy looked like he was going to break. However, neither faltered from their position, daring another to get tired and putting their wand down.