Hey everyone- hope you enjoyed this chapter, more than I enjoyed typing it! Disclaimer and such see chapter 2 and 3 intros!
"Don't you just love the winter?" asked Harry, trying to at least spark conversation.
"Oh, the winter is quite wonderful, just not nearly as nice as fall though. I don't really like spring or summer though, because I have terrible allergies. The fall is so unique, no other season has trees that are so many colors, that isn't too warm and not too cold," she replied thoughtfully.
"Really? That surprises me, because most people prefer summer- no school, and warmer weather."
"But I'm not most people am I? No, and the only good things about summer are the beautiful, clear nights, and the beaches when they're empty," she said smiling at the mere thought.
They continued walking in the snow for a little while in silence, the only sound that could be heard was the crunching of their feet in the snow. Suddenly, Harry had an idea.
"Olivia- do you enjoy flying?" he asked her, his eyes suddenly sparkling.
"Like on a broomstick?" she asked. Harry nodded his consent. "Well, I've never rode a broomstick before, why?"
"Don't worry about that now, just meet me in the Great Hall after dinner," he answered mischievously.
"Okay," she answered perplexed, but in spite of this happy.
So, they continued walking. They were by the lake now, which had frozen over and was glistening in the soft light of the setting sun. Then Olivia shivered.
"Are you cold?" Harry asked.
"Just a tad, but mostly it's my hands!" she said raising her red fingers for him to see. Then she lowered then, and clasped then together. Harry looked at her there for a moment- her cheeks a bit rosy, her eyes gleaming, and a little grin on her face for no reason in particular- and reached out his hand.
She looked questioningly first at his hand, and then his eyes. Realization dawned upon her face as her smile widened, her teeth glistening white like the snow. She put her hand in his, and they started to make their way back to the castle.
0o0o0o0o
Harry returned to the common room shortly after Olivia- he had a quick letter to send to Lupin and also to the Weasly twins, Fred and George. He was sending for some goods for Christmas for Ron, and to see how business was doing. Hermione came down the girls' stairs and quickly said hello, but left faster than she came. Harry shook his head, she was probably going to the library to study for some exam. Just as he put his head back down to work on a letter he heard someone call his name.
"Harry!" the familiar voice shouted.
He head lifted slightly, so he could at least see who it was. His eyes got a bit wide, before he lifted his head, and put down his quill.
"Have you seen Hermione?" said Olivia, out of breath.
"She just left," he replied.
"Okay, thanks," she said, and with that, ran out of the room, and out into the corridor.
Now Harry was perplexed and went to go find Ron. As he walked up the stairs quietly, he could hear Ron in the dormitory. He stood outside the doorway, listening. have done now… stupid owl… ask for Harry?… want with him…" was the muttering and grumbling that could be heard from outside.
Harry knocked on the door, before coming in. Ron was inside and lifted his head at the sound of the door opening.He waslaying with his hands behind his head on his four poster.
"Have you been here all day?" Harry asked, walking over to his trunk to put his wet clothes away.
"Yes. I was going to ask Hermione if she wanted to grab something to eat with, but everytime she sees me, she runs off! What do I smell wretched or something?" he asked, by now out of breath.
"All I have to say is try taking a hot bath with lots of soap," Harry said, doubled over with laughter.
"Ooof!" he said mid laugh, somehow a pillow learned to fly...
0o0o0o0o
"Okay, thanks for coming guys," said Hermione, sitting at one of the tables as far away from Madame Prince as possible.
"No, problem, Hermione, but what's up? I mean the way you were talking it sounded like it was the end of the world!" said Olivia.
Ginny walked over, she quickly said something under her breath and for a moment a pale yellow dome appeared around them, but disappeared within seconds. "Alright, I just took care of the silence charm, neither of you thought of it, did you?" she said, getting comfortable in the chair.
"No," said Hermione blushing slightly, and Olivia shook her head.
"Good, now, back to business. I'm guessing this has to do with Krum?"
Hermione's jaw dropped, how on earth could Ginny know? So did Olivia's, Olivia had no idea that Hermione knew Viktor Krum personally! Ginny smirked at their reaction.
This is going to be fun, she thought.
Finally, Hermione snapped back. "Yes, it does. He wrote me a letter, that I just received. It has to do with going out with him, as in being his girlfriend."
"Well, do you like him like that?"
"Wait a second," interrupted Olivia, "You know him personally, and he likes you!"
"Is that so hard to believe?" said Hermione, scowling, obviously in a foul mood.
"No, not at all, I just thinks that's awesome," replied Olivia, taking no offense to Hermione's snippy mood.
"Come on, let's not get off track here. Hermione, do you or do you not like Viktor Krum the same way he likes you?" said Ginny taking order of the situation.
"I'm not sure," said Hermione with a shrug and a thoughtful face.
"Well, then, here's my advice: go out with him if you like him, that means going to visit him over Christmas break. But, in case you don't like him, let him down easy, and stay friends. Being friends could not only be helpful to you but to the Order as well. Imagine getting him and his friends to help go against Voldemort! Now that you've heard what I've got to say, I'm leaving, because I have some… things… to attend to," and with that she left with a little wave, breaking the silence charm to leave, but also replacing it for them.
"That was good advice," said Olivia, staring at the back of the red-haired girl.
"That's what you get living in a house with six brothers," said Hermione, a smile playing at the edges of her mouth.
0o0o0o0o
It's what you've all been waiting for… (okay, maybe only Scott) but it's the…
Preview!
"Look, Harry, there's something that I've been meaning to tell you. I feel horrible about it, and want to talk to you as soon as possible. How about Monday? Let's say around 7 pm in the Great Hall? Send an owl with your reply!"
Harry read the letter aloud to his friends. After he finished, he looked up to process their reactions.
"Maybe it has to do with not coming to her personal sessions of Defense study with you?" Hermione, patting him lightly on the back.
"I wouldn't worry about it, mate," said Ron, getting up to stretch.
"Well, you never worry about anything," Hermione pointed out. The group laughed as Ron scowled, before joining in.
"Yes, Harry, I agree with the others. It can't be serious, besides it's really nothing to fret about," Olivia said giving his hand a squeeze.
Harry sat there, in the squishy armchair by the fire for quite awhile, mulling it all over. After an hour, the others wished him good night and drifted off to bed. Harry couldn't sleep- the entire situation was keeping him up. What on Earth did 333333 need to talk to him about? It kept eating away at him until finally he just dozed off in front of the fire.
The next morning Harry was awoken by someone shaking him, and calling his name.
"C'mon Harry! It's 10 am and practice starts in an hour! You have got to get up!" He opened his eyes to the fiery, red headed girl, standing over him with concerned eyes.
"Mmm hmm. Okay, thanks, Ginny. I didn't sleep well last night," he said shaking the sleep from his eyes.
"Yes, I can tell," she sat down in a chair opposite him. "But there's something you're not telling me. You do know, Harry, that you can tell me anything, right?" she said.
"Yeah, I know, but I'd rather not. I have to mull it all over. Anyways, I better go and get ready," he said, getting up.
She frowned but got up as well. "Yes, I suppose so. Well, see you on the pitch then."
"Alright," he said, turning around and bounding up the boys' dormitory stairs. Ginny shook her head, and headed out of the common room.
Quidditch went as usual; Ron kept every single shot of the quaffle out of the hoops, and Rebecca and Andrew hit the bludgers with precision. Ginny, Alicia, and Katie came up with another play that they practiced; it was coming out beautifully. The day soon became night. As Harry was just falling asleep, he had one single thought, Tomorrow is Monday.
Monday passed quickly because Harry was seemingly in a daze. He forgot his homework, and Snape had yelled at him after he spilled his potion all over the dungeon floor. He quickly wolfed down dinner, and said good bye to his companions.
"I'll see you guys later," he said.
"Don't stay out too long," said Olivia, " I still need help with my defense homework."
The hall was quiet as Harry waited the coming of 333333. Finally a small, slender figure appeared out of the shadows.
"Harry, I have something to say, and I don't want you to interrupt me."
"Alright."
"Okay. Well. I realize that you are probably the closest thing I have to a brother, as well as a fantastic friend. Now, I feel terrible for not telling you before, and now it's too late, which makes me feel worse. There's nothing either of us can do about this. I really should have warned you before. But, Harry? Promise me one thing?" she said, her voice beginning to quaver, and her eyes glistening with tears. She had picked her head up and was looking at him with sorrowful, regret filled eyes.
He nodded his head though confused he was. His eyebrows furrowed together and a slight frown appeared on his face, he didn't like seeing her this upset. She took a step forward, and gave him a hug; he hugged her back, feeling her heart slamming against his stomach at a rate that he thought was rather unhealthy.
She stepped back, and swept the hair out of her eyes. "Just please forgive me. Harry? …I'm Lord Voldemort's daughter." She bowed her head in great shame and stepped back. Before Harry could say a word, her frail shoulders started to shake and she began to cry. Loud, racking sobs coursed through her body.
"It's okay, it's not like you've betrayed me or anything…" All he saw was her head, shaking slowly and tears flowing faster; the tears that had consumed her.
"Hello, Harry! Have you enjoyed your last night here?" came a familiar voice. But before Harry could even turn around, he was bound and gagged on the floor.
He looked to 333333, kneeling in front of him. She saw his green eyes, pleading why, and she was in shock. A scream issued from her mouth, " NO! I'M SO SORRY HARRY! I'M SORRY!" she said before breaking down again.
"Silence, girl," Voldemort said, his cold voice filled with venom. "You did as I asked, and I am pleased. Perhaps, you are worth something after all?" he said facing her. She looked up at him in shock, and anger. Her eyes darted to Harry. His face glowed with anger, his emerald green eyes, flames. He turned to her, and she realized that the flames were replaced with sorrow when he looked at her. She stayed there on her knees watching as the death eaters and father took the boy that she had grown to treat as a brother, away. He turned to her with one last look of despair before they disappeared through the doors. They were taking the boy who had accepted her, helped her, and stuck with her, away. She had betrayed him, and now all she could do was kneel on the floor in fear. There was nothing she could do to fix it, but she knew she could save him yet. The hallway was inky black, and she pushed herself off the piercing cold ground. She swiftly, and silently made her way back to the common room. There, she woke Ginny and Hermione and told them everything.
They were located in the Riddle house, many miles away from Hogwarts.
"So, Harry, how have you been? Long time no see, eh?" Voldemort sat comfortably in a big leather armchair with his faithful snake at his side. They were the only three in the room. Harry lay, still bound upon the cold, hard, floor, in front of Voldemort. He looked around the room- the drapes were musty and drawn shut. The corners and ceiling were not only dark, but spider ridden as well. Though the room was dusty, and dank, it was obviously used often.
"Well, Harry," Voldemort continued, ignoring his silence, not having expected an answer. "I've come to a impending decision, to the question of whether or not you were going to live. You'll live for now; three days no more, and at midnight on the third night, you will finally be done with. How's that sound? Good? I'm glad! Until then, you will be tortured endlessly by my horde of death eaters. Everybody will have their turn," he said, all with a smile, and his eyes glittered evilly in the firelight. "What do you say, Potter?"
And there you have it folks! This is a major part to the story, so don't expect many previews after this! But besides that, I'm hoping that's a good enough cliffhanger for you? 333333 a character that you may, or may not have met yet, but they are pretty important if you could tell.
Right, short chapter, long preview. Read, review, and maybe the next chapter will come faster? Who knows? Only me, and I'm not telling!
