Warning: Jeez, if you've read this far into the damn thing, I think you
know the warning. It's rated R for a reason! Heh.
A/N: Ms. Rowling finally called me back! Heheheheheh. my plan is almost complete. Hey, what's a restraining order? Anyone know? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Summary: Harry's lust for life has finally returned! Well, at least the lust part has. * Evil grin * He's chosen his next victim, cough, er, well, yeah. victim. Poor Draco, will he see what's coming?
Side note: Thank you everyone for reviewing! I about fell over when I saw how many reviews I got. And yes, it's about time Harry got to be the evil one. I'm so glad that you like it. Once again Fran, you crack me up girl! * bowing *
~*~
A light breeze, followed by a melodious twittering of birds, greeted Harry's arrival. The sun shone brightly, warming his face with its rays. Smiling, Harry opened his eyes and took in the beautiful landscape before him. Instantly, his smile contorted into a 'What?'
'No way.' Not believing his own eyes, Harry closed them again, focused, and reopened them.
Bunnies. Thousands and thousands of bunnies - all hip hopping along their merry way. Bunnies of all shapes and sizes. Most were brown, but the occasional gray and black one would pop up and then disappear again.
'Apparently, yes.'
And there, in the center of the meadow, sat Olivia Montgomery happily petting away on her bunny. It was white. He couldn't help but notice how much she resembled Alice from "Alice in Wonderland." She was wearing a short blue dress, a white apron, black shoes with white socks - she even donned a black headband.
Harry grinned as he took in the absurdity of it all. 'Bunnies.' He shrugged. 'Oh well, not my dream.'
Not wanting to waste any more time gawking, Harry tried to make his way through the field of bunnies, pausing and redirecting his path as he tried not to step on any. 'This is insane.' Finally, he made it to Olivia, who was, of course, completely unaware of his presence.
"Olivia!"
Nothing.
"Oi!"
He tried waving his hand in front of her face. Nothing. Not even a blink. Her expression was calm, serene - or as Hermione would so graciously put it - as passive as a Hindu cow.
'How did I get myself to move before?' Harry paced back and forth in front of Olivia for what seemed like an hour, picking his brain. 'Maybe-'
After clearing his throat, Harry spoke. "You can see me."
Instantaneously, Olivia looked up at him and smiled. "Hullo Harry! What are you doing here?"
He grinned back at her, sarcastically congratulating himself for taking so long to figure out the obvious. 'All right - she can see me. Now what?'
"Would you like to pet my bunny?" Olivia offered up the white bunny, which had been happily dozing in her lap.
A note chimed in Harry's brain - and the wicked little grin returned home.
~*~
Harry spent the next three hours discovering ways to mold Olivia into doing whatever he wanted; however he wanted. It really wasn't as difficult as he had imagined it would be. All he had to do was concentrate on what he wanted her to do, then say it out loud and watch it unfold. Quite simple really.
By the time he was done with her, Olivia was terrified. Screaming bloody murder, she tried to escape the hoard of evil bunnies that now surrounded her.
"Keep them away!!" They were getting closer.
Harry chuckled.
"The bunnies!" Closing in. "Oh God - THE BUNNIES!"
'I think I'm ready for Malfoy, now.' Retribution on his mind, an anxious Harry slipped the amulet from around his neck.
~Swirling~
~Swirling~
The last thing he heard before the darkness engulfed him was Olivia screaming.
~Darkness~
~*~
Back at Hogwarts -
Ron Weasley paced about the Gryffindor common room, preoccupied and furious with himself. Barely aware that the crick in his neck was getting more and more painful, Ron continued to watch the floor. Having memorized his path, he followed it around the couch, past the fireplace, up two steps of the staircase, and then back two steps down, back around the chair and towards the couch.
Rinse, lather, and repeat.
He had kept true to this course for about two hours, the same questions running through his mind. 'When do I tell him? How do I tell him? Better yet, WHAT do I tell him?'
'It's not like I don't care about him - he's my best mate - he'll always be my best mate - (unless I screw this up) - but just because I had a couple of (intense) stupid dreams - that doesn't mean I actually full on WANT him.' Ron started hitting his head lightly against the stone wall.
If Ron had been able to hear Harry's monologue in the shower earlier that day, his predicament would've been a bit easier to handle. However, he hadn't, and therefore had no idea how similar their situations were.
'Wish I had something to compare this to.' His head hit the wall with a thud.
As much hell as he had given Harry about being a "prude", in reality, Ron wasn't exactly well versed in the world of physical pleasure himself. Other than the few quick snogging sessions with Pamela Atkins in the fifth grade, he had no other experience - much to his embarrassment. Not that he would ever tell Harry.
Ron scoffed at himself, remembering that morning. 'How bleedin' obvious do I have to make it? Here, Harry - let me just completely make an ass of myself while you change in front of me!'
"Idiot - Idiot - Idiot." Ron continued to hit his head against the wall, emphasizing his stupidity with every thud.
He undoubtedly would've given himself a concussion, had the clock not informed him that it was dinnertime. Not feeling very hungry, but grateful for the distraction, Ron decided to stop punishing himself and promptly left for supper.
'Maybe I can talk to Hermione about this. She always knows what to do.' It was an encouraging though. Unfortunately, not encouraging enough to stop the dull throbbing in the back of his head.
Ron glanced up at the clock, only then to be reminded of the massive crick in his neck.
6:02
"Oww."
~*~
Harry awoke to the familiar sensation of plummeting onto his bed, as if he had just been dropped from twenty feet above. Although this had been the third time he'd used the amulet, he was far from becoming accustomed to the violent landing. Usually he would have to wait a minute or so to familiarize himself with his surroundings, but not today. Harry knew exactly where he was; and even more importantly, he knew exactly what he was going to do.
'Malfoy.'
In protest to his choice of priorities, Harry's stomach let out a hollow growl.
'Okay, eat first, then Malfoy.'
Controlling someone's dream was hungry work. And considering what all Harry had in store for Malfoy, he'd need all the energy he could muster. Harry's stomach let out a second growl as if to concur with him. Taking that as his cue, Harry stuffed the amulet into his pocket, threw on a new shirt and headed down the stairs.
6:10
'Good, dinner's just started.'
Harry couldn't help but giggle as he made his way through the grandiose passageways of Hogwarts. Delicious images of Draco Malfoy cowering beneath him, pleading for mercy played out in his mind. The most appealing aspect of this whole situation, in Harry's mind, was the fact that he could finally get his revenge without the ever-present risk of detention. Or worse, expulsion. Realistically, what could Malfoy do? Run to Professor Snape with the complaint that he couldn't stop dreaming about his archrival, Harry Potter? He could picture him standing there, red in the face, eyes bloodshot and shrunken from lack of sleep, pleading with Snape to make the bad dreams go away.
"Thirty points from Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy, for your complete and utter lack of intelligence."
"A fair likeness, Mr. Potter. However, I would've hoped that by now you're voice would have dropped enough to provide a DECENT impression."
Only when the hairs stood up on the back of his neck did Harry realize that he had said that out loud. And, as luck would have it, Professor Snape was standing within earshot. As he turned to face the brooding professor, Harry tried to think of an excuse, but all that came out was a squeak.
"Apparently not." Snape's eyes were cold, the curve of his lip slightly twitching in delight at Harry's apparent state of embarrassment.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter, for your overly zealous cheek."
Harry opened his mouth in protest, but was cut short.
"AND, an additional twenty points will be taken for your lack of talent, Mr. Potter. I expect a significantly more convincing performance next time."
Stunned, Harry closed his mouth. And only when Professor Snape's footsteps were out of range did he begin to breathe again. The grin thoroughly washed from his face; Harry made his way to the Great Hall.
~*~
Draco Malfoy was already a quarter through his dinner when he spotted Harry entering the Great Hall. He stopped chewing just long enough to smirk. Harry's face was pale - his pace, quick as he found his seat at the Gryffindor table. Draco inwardly snickered; elated at the thought of how much paler it would be by the end of the meal. Similar to another sixth- year, Draco had spent his Saturday afternoon in his room, plotting.
Revenge was one of the only things that Draco felt any joy in, anymore. Years and years ago, the thought of his father's pride in him brought Draco more than enough happiness. However, years of fruitless attempts at recognition thoroughly killed any hope of ever earning his father's affection. Revenge, and the thought of ruining a certain cheeky Gryffindor's life, were the only things that kept him waking up in the morning.
Draco's thoughts drifted to earlier that day. A simple battle of wits over breakfast had somehow turned into a proper clusterfuck. Harry's attempt at confusing him, much to his distaste, had worked - and there was hell to pay.
'Hope you picked a decent seat, Potter - 'cause there's going to be quite a show.'
~*~
Back at the Gryffindor table, Harry tossed down his food in an attempt to forget his encounter with Snape, barely aware of the freckled face peering at him. It took Ron knocking over his glass to get his attention.
"All right there Ron?"
Frantically cleaning up the spilt pumpkin juice, Ron meekly answered "Yeah."
Harry began telling him about what had happened with Snape in the hallway, completely forgetting their escapades that morning. Ron listened eagerly, thankful that things had started to get back to normal.
"You're kidding! He heard you?"
"Yea - the wanker. Actually had the nerve to tell me I was no good at it, either."
Slack jawed, Ron nudged Harry's leg to get him to continue - only to recoil immediately after realizing that he had touched him. "What did you say, anyway?"
Harry lied. "Don't really remember. Something just caught me as funny, and I said it out loud instead of thinking it. Thirty points later, I'm wishing I hadn't."
Ron choked back a laugh. "Thirty points? You must've been REALLY bad, mate."
Harry's good-natured smile returned, and the two of them laughed till their bellies hurt. Ron was an inch from knocking over his pumpkin juice again, when Hermione joined them at the table.
"Good to see the two of you have worked out whatever problem you had."
Ron looked at Harry who returned his gaze. Neither of them had any clue as to what she was talking about. Well, each had his own idea, but THAT conversation was for a later date. In a moment of theatrical brilliance, Ron spoke.
"Don't know what you're talking about, 'Mione."
Happy to oblige Ron's response, Harry concurred. "No idea."
Refusing to let herself get involved in a debate that would surely end with her getting a headache, Hermione simply sighed and rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
Ron spoke again, silently eager to change the subject. "You're usually the first one at dinner, 'Mione. What happened? Madam Pince giving away books at the library?" Ron laughed smugly; he always loved poking fun at Hermione's brilliance. "Bookworm."
"It's a LIBRARY, Ronald - it's not as if the books cost anything." It was Hermione's turn to laugh smugly; she always loved poking fun at Ron's stupidity. "Twit."
Before Ron had a chance to retort, Hermione continued.
"Actually, I was in my room cleaning up for supper, but I couldn't even get near my trunk. Olivia-" Again, Hermione rolled her eyes at the name. "- was having some sort of a fit. Completely nuts, that girl."
"What was she doing?" Harry had suddenly become deeply involved in the conversation.
If rolling one's eyes had been a sport, Hermione Granger would've been a gold medallist - as it was obvious that talking about Olivia Montgomery left a bad taste in her mouth. "It was insane. She was flying around the room, tearing down every picture she had on the walls - talking so fast, I couldn't understand a word." She paused.
"Something about bunnies."
Harry's eyes got wide as he stifled back a fit of laughter.
"Bunnies?" Ron was confused.
"Bunnies." Hermione shook her head. "Mental, that one."
Still laughing, Harry closed his eyes and remembered the look on Olivia's face as her bunnies closed in on her. Sure, it was a cruel thing to have done, but that look on her face. Priceless. And to think, the dream had affected her so much - to the point of redecorating her room. Harry smiled again.
'This could be more fun than I thought.'
The distinct feeling of someone watching him cause Harry to open his eyes; only to find them locked, once again, with Draco Malfoy. Who, much to Harry's surprise, was smiling right back.
Suddenly, and without reason, Harry's scar began to hurt. Intense flashes of pain began to creep down his forehead and into his eyes, blurring his vision. He closed them, hoping it would pass.
Harry was no stranger to pain - life with the Dursleys and Voldemort's vengeance had seen to that - but it had never been like this. The pain was excruciating. He felt as if his scar was tearing his forehead apart. Harry opened his eyes; squinting, he tried to scan the Great Hall for any sign of Voldemort.
Half-expecting screams of terror from the students, Harry's ears were only met with incoherent chattering. And what was worse, he couldn't break eye contact with Malfoy. Their gaze locked together by some unknown force - it was almost as if a spell -
A brief moment of clarity seized Harry, allowing him one lucid thought, before being swept away again by the pain.
'You'
A wave of nausea swept through his stomach. As if responding to his unspoken accusation, Malfoy sneered. It was the last thing Harry saw before he hit the floor.
~Swirling~
~Swirling~
~Darkness~
~*~
P.S. I'm SOOOOO sorry it took me so damn long to get this chapter up. Grrrrrrrr. I had a horrid case of writer's block, plus the fact that I have little to no time to write. I hope you all forgive me. As a way of making it up to you, I'm going to be writing the next chapter tonight and posting it later today. I hope you all don't hate me too much! * pant, pant *
A/N: Ms. Rowling finally called me back! Heheheheheh. my plan is almost complete. Hey, what's a restraining order? Anyone know? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Summary: Harry's lust for life has finally returned! Well, at least the lust part has. * Evil grin * He's chosen his next victim, cough, er, well, yeah. victim. Poor Draco, will he see what's coming?
Side note: Thank you everyone for reviewing! I about fell over when I saw how many reviews I got. And yes, it's about time Harry got to be the evil one. I'm so glad that you like it. Once again Fran, you crack me up girl! * bowing *
~*~
A light breeze, followed by a melodious twittering of birds, greeted Harry's arrival. The sun shone brightly, warming his face with its rays. Smiling, Harry opened his eyes and took in the beautiful landscape before him. Instantly, his smile contorted into a 'What?'
'No way.' Not believing his own eyes, Harry closed them again, focused, and reopened them.
Bunnies. Thousands and thousands of bunnies - all hip hopping along their merry way. Bunnies of all shapes and sizes. Most were brown, but the occasional gray and black one would pop up and then disappear again.
'Apparently, yes.'
And there, in the center of the meadow, sat Olivia Montgomery happily petting away on her bunny. It was white. He couldn't help but notice how much she resembled Alice from "Alice in Wonderland." She was wearing a short blue dress, a white apron, black shoes with white socks - she even donned a black headband.
Harry grinned as he took in the absurdity of it all. 'Bunnies.' He shrugged. 'Oh well, not my dream.'
Not wanting to waste any more time gawking, Harry tried to make his way through the field of bunnies, pausing and redirecting his path as he tried not to step on any. 'This is insane.' Finally, he made it to Olivia, who was, of course, completely unaware of his presence.
"Olivia!"
Nothing.
"Oi!"
He tried waving his hand in front of her face. Nothing. Not even a blink. Her expression was calm, serene - or as Hermione would so graciously put it - as passive as a Hindu cow.
'How did I get myself to move before?' Harry paced back and forth in front of Olivia for what seemed like an hour, picking his brain. 'Maybe-'
After clearing his throat, Harry spoke. "You can see me."
Instantaneously, Olivia looked up at him and smiled. "Hullo Harry! What are you doing here?"
He grinned back at her, sarcastically congratulating himself for taking so long to figure out the obvious. 'All right - she can see me. Now what?'
"Would you like to pet my bunny?" Olivia offered up the white bunny, which had been happily dozing in her lap.
A note chimed in Harry's brain - and the wicked little grin returned home.
~*~
Harry spent the next three hours discovering ways to mold Olivia into doing whatever he wanted; however he wanted. It really wasn't as difficult as he had imagined it would be. All he had to do was concentrate on what he wanted her to do, then say it out loud and watch it unfold. Quite simple really.
By the time he was done with her, Olivia was terrified. Screaming bloody murder, she tried to escape the hoard of evil bunnies that now surrounded her.
"Keep them away!!" They were getting closer.
Harry chuckled.
"The bunnies!" Closing in. "Oh God - THE BUNNIES!"
'I think I'm ready for Malfoy, now.' Retribution on his mind, an anxious Harry slipped the amulet from around his neck.
~Swirling~
~Swirling~
The last thing he heard before the darkness engulfed him was Olivia screaming.
~Darkness~
~*~
Back at Hogwarts -
Ron Weasley paced about the Gryffindor common room, preoccupied and furious with himself. Barely aware that the crick in his neck was getting more and more painful, Ron continued to watch the floor. Having memorized his path, he followed it around the couch, past the fireplace, up two steps of the staircase, and then back two steps down, back around the chair and towards the couch.
Rinse, lather, and repeat.
He had kept true to this course for about two hours, the same questions running through his mind. 'When do I tell him? How do I tell him? Better yet, WHAT do I tell him?'
'It's not like I don't care about him - he's my best mate - he'll always be my best mate - (unless I screw this up) - but just because I had a couple of (intense) stupid dreams - that doesn't mean I actually full on WANT him.' Ron started hitting his head lightly against the stone wall.
If Ron had been able to hear Harry's monologue in the shower earlier that day, his predicament would've been a bit easier to handle. However, he hadn't, and therefore had no idea how similar their situations were.
'Wish I had something to compare this to.' His head hit the wall with a thud.
As much hell as he had given Harry about being a "prude", in reality, Ron wasn't exactly well versed in the world of physical pleasure himself. Other than the few quick snogging sessions with Pamela Atkins in the fifth grade, he had no other experience - much to his embarrassment. Not that he would ever tell Harry.
Ron scoffed at himself, remembering that morning. 'How bleedin' obvious do I have to make it? Here, Harry - let me just completely make an ass of myself while you change in front of me!'
"Idiot - Idiot - Idiot." Ron continued to hit his head against the wall, emphasizing his stupidity with every thud.
He undoubtedly would've given himself a concussion, had the clock not informed him that it was dinnertime. Not feeling very hungry, but grateful for the distraction, Ron decided to stop punishing himself and promptly left for supper.
'Maybe I can talk to Hermione about this. She always knows what to do.' It was an encouraging though. Unfortunately, not encouraging enough to stop the dull throbbing in the back of his head.
Ron glanced up at the clock, only then to be reminded of the massive crick in his neck.
6:02
"Oww."
~*~
Harry awoke to the familiar sensation of plummeting onto his bed, as if he had just been dropped from twenty feet above. Although this had been the third time he'd used the amulet, he was far from becoming accustomed to the violent landing. Usually he would have to wait a minute or so to familiarize himself with his surroundings, but not today. Harry knew exactly where he was; and even more importantly, he knew exactly what he was going to do.
'Malfoy.'
In protest to his choice of priorities, Harry's stomach let out a hollow growl.
'Okay, eat first, then Malfoy.'
Controlling someone's dream was hungry work. And considering what all Harry had in store for Malfoy, he'd need all the energy he could muster. Harry's stomach let out a second growl as if to concur with him. Taking that as his cue, Harry stuffed the amulet into his pocket, threw on a new shirt and headed down the stairs.
6:10
'Good, dinner's just started.'
Harry couldn't help but giggle as he made his way through the grandiose passageways of Hogwarts. Delicious images of Draco Malfoy cowering beneath him, pleading for mercy played out in his mind. The most appealing aspect of this whole situation, in Harry's mind, was the fact that he could finally get his revenge without the ever-present risk of detention. Or worse, expulsion. Realistically, what could Malfoy do? Run to Professor Snape with the complaint that he couldn't stop dreaming about his archrival, Harry Potter? He could picture him standing there, red in the face, eyes bloodshot and shrunken from lack of sleep, pleading with Snape to make the bad dreams go away.
"Thirty points from Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy, for your complete and utter lack of intelligence."
"A fair likeness, Mr. Potter. However, I would've hoped that by now you're voice would have dropped enough to provide a DECENT impression."
Only when the hairs stood up on the back of his neck did Harry realize that he had said that out loud. And, as luck would have it, Professor Snape was standing within earshot. As he turned to face the brooding professor, Harry tried to think of an excuse, but all that came out was a squeak.
"Apparently not." Snape's eyes were cold, the curve of his lip slightly twitching in delight at Harry's apparent state of embarrassment.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter, for your overly zealous cheek."
Harry opened his mouth in protest, but was cut short.
"AND, an additional twenty points will be taken for your lack of talent, Mr. Potter. I expect a significantly more convincing performance next time."
Stunned, Harry closed his mouth. And only when Professor Snape's footsteps were out of range did he begin to breathe again. The grin thoroughly washed from his face; Harry made his way to the Great Hall.
~*~
Draco Malfoy was already a quarter through his dinner when he spotted Harry entering the Great Hall. He stopped chewing just long enough to smirk. Harry's face was pale - his pace, quick as he found his seat at the Gryffindor table. Draco inwardly snickered; elated at the thought of how much paler it would be by the end of the meal. Similar to another sixth- year, Draco had spent his Saturday afternoon in his room, plotting.
Revenge was one of the only things that Draco felt any joy in, anymore. Years and years ago, the thought of his father's pride in him brought Draco more than enough happiness. However, years of fruitless attempts at recognition thoroughly killed any hope of ever earning his father's affection. Revenge, and the thought of ruining a certain cheeky Gryffindor's life, were the only things that kept him waking up in the morning.
Draco's thoughts drifted to earlier that day. A simple battle of wits over breakfast had somehow turned into a proper clusterfuck. Harry's attempt at confusing him, much to his distaste, had worked - and there was hell to pay.
'Hope you picked a decent seat, Potter - 'cause there's going to be quite a show.'
~*~
Back at the Gryffindor table, Harry tossed down his food in an attempt to forget his encounter with Snape, barely aware of the freckled face peering at him. It took Ron knocking over his glass to get his attention.
"All right there Ron?"
Frantically cleaning up the spilt pumpkin juice, Ron meekly answered "Yeah."
Harry began telling him about what had happened with Snape in the hallway, completely forgetting their escapades that morning. Ron listened eagerly, thankful that things had started to get back to normal.
"You're kidding! He heard you?"
"Yea - the wanker. Actually had the nerve to tell me I was no good at it, either."
Slack jawed, Ron nudged Harry's leg to get him to continue - only to recoil immediately after realizing that he had touched him. "What did you say, anyway?"
Harry lied. "Don't really remember. Something just caught me as funny, and I said it out loud instead of thinking it. Thirty points later, I'm wishing I hadn't."
Ron choked back a laugh. "Thirty points? You must've been REALLY bad, mate."
Harry's good-natured smile returned, and the two of them laughed till their bellies hurt. Ron was an inch from knocking over his pumpkin juice again, when Hermione joined them at the table.
"Good to see the two of you have worked out whatever problem you had."
Ron looked at Harry who returned his gaze. Neither of them had any clue as to what she was talking about. Well, each had his own idea, but THAT conversation was for a later date. In a moment of theatrical brilliance, Ron spoke.
"Don't know what you're talking about, 'Mione."
Happy to oblige Ron's response, Harry concurred. "No idea."
Refusing to let herself get involved in a debate that would surely end with her getting a headache, Hermione simply sighed and rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
Ron spoke again, silently eager to change the subject. "You're usually the first one at dinner, 'Mione. What happened? Madam Pince giving away books at the library?" Ron laughed smugly; he always loved poking fun at Hermione's brilliance. "Bookworm."
"It's a LIBRARY, Ronald - it's not as if the books cost anything." It was Hermione's turn to laugh smugly; she always loved poking fun at Ron's stupidity. "Twit."
Before Ron had a chance to retort, Hermione continued.
"Actually, I was in my room cleaning up for supper, but I couldn't even get near my trunk. Olivia-" Again, Hermione rolled her eyes at the name. "- was having some sort of a fit. Completely nuts, that girl."
"What was she doing?" Harry had suddenly become deeply involved in the conversation.
If rolling one's eyes had been a sport, Hermione Granger would've been a gold medallist - as it was obvious that talking about Olivia Montgomery left a bad taste in her mouth. "It was insane. She was flying around the room, tearing down every picture she had on the walls - talking so fast, I couldn't understand a word." She paused.
"Something about bunnies."
Harry's eyes got wide as he stifled back a fit of laughter.
"Bunnies?" Ron was confused.
"Bunnies." Hermione shook her head. "Mental, that one."
Still laughing, Harry closed his eyes and remembered the look on Olivia's face as her bunnies closed in on her. Sure, it was a cruel thing to have done, but that look on her face. Priceless. And to think, the dream had affected her so much - to the point of redecorating her room. Harry smiled again.
'This could be more fun than I thought.'
The distinct feeling of someone watching him cause Harry to open his eyes; only to find them locked, once again, with Draco Malfoy. Who, much to Harry's surprise, was smiling right back.
Suddenly, and without reason, Harry's scar began to hurt. Intense flashes of pain began to creep down his forehead and into his eyes, blurring his vision. He closed them, hoping it would pass.
Harry was no stranger to pain - life with the Dursleys and Voldemort's vengeance had seen to that - but it had never been like this. The pain was excruciating. He felt as if his scar was tearing his forehead apart. Harry opened his eyes; squinting, he tried to scan the Great Hall for any sign of Voldemort.
Half-expecting screams of terror from the students, Harry's ears were only met with incoherent chattering. And what was worse, he couldn't break eye contact with Malfoy. Their gaze locked together by some unknown force - it was almost as if a spell -
A brief moment of clarity seized Harry, allowing him one lucid thought, before being swept away again by the pain.
'You'
A wave of nausea swept through his stomach. As if responding to his unspoken accusation, Malfoy sneered. It was the last thing Harry saw before he hit the floor.
~Swirling~
~Swirling~
~Darkness~
~*~
P.S. I'm SOOOOO sorry it took me so damn long to get this chapter up. Grrrrrrrr. I had a horrid case of writer's block, plus the fact that I have little to no time to write. I hope you all forgive me. As a way of making it up to you, I'm going to be writing the next chapter tonight and posting it later today. I hope you all don't hate me too much! * pant, pant *