Chapter 13: Painful realizations and hallway meetings

The two snuck up to the Tower and into the common room. They said goodnight at the bottom of the stairs before heading up to their rooms. Harry quietly tip-toed over to his bed, stripped down to his boxers and crawled into bed pulling the curtains closed behind him. He cast a protection spell and a silencing spell before turning to the sleepy eyed Amethyst.

"I had the strangest day," he whispered to the tiny kitty. Then he processed to tell the violet-eyed kitten everything that had happened, including the things that involved Draco, and ended with the bet. "And tomorrow, we're going to have to get up bright and early, so we can get everything set up for the prank on Ron." He laughed softly at the thought. He yawned, "Let's go to sleep, little Amethyst, big day tomorrow."

He lay down and snuggled into the covers. Amethyst wiggled her way down the pillow to curl into a little ball right underneath Harry's chin, her tails draped over his slim neck. She purred deeply and the sound of it put Harry to sleep in a matter of seconds.

"'Ello, Green-eyes," the Guardian whispered.

Harry blinked at the darkness. Something was wrong, Miss Angel never sounded so subdued. "What's wrong?"

The sound of a sad sigh drifted through the darkness. "I'm worried about the 'other'."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"He's hurt, I can feel that he's in pain," answered the guardian.

"If he's in pain, you should go to him," Harry insisted.

Another sigh drifted through the darkness. "I can't."

Harry frowned. "Why not?"

"You want to know about Truth Sayers," Miss Guardian said changing the topic.

Harry sighed, "Yes, but shouldn't you go to him? My question can wait."

"I would love nothing more then to go to him, but I can't. He must do this on his own."

"What if he can't do it on his own?" Harry asked worriedly.

"Then he must call to me, but he won't. He is more stubborn than you," responded angel. "Now, what is it you wish to know?"

"Are you sure..." Harry started.

"There is nothing green-eyes. Not unless he calls me. Now let it go and ask your question," instructed the angel.

There was a long moment of silence before Harry gave in. "Okay, it's not really a question about the Truth Sayers ability...it's more about the skin to skin contact problem. Will I ever be able to touch without pain?" he whispered the question. His whole existence rode on Miss Angel's answer.

"No," she replied softly.

Harry sunk to the floor as he felt his world shatter. He would never be able to touch someone without pain. Never be able to feel Remus ruffling his hair or Hermione caressing his cheek, or hold hands or hug or kiss or anything like that without pain. He would never know about the physical aspects of life.

Hermione knew, he realized. That's why she had cried so hard after hearing about Truth Sayers. Because he had never known physical love, no hugs, no kisses, no gentle caresses, nothing, and now he never would. He gave a bitter laugh; his stupid relatives may have actually done something right in not showing affection. Because at least this way he didn't know what he was missing.

Draco.

He wouldn't ever know if Draco's skin felt as soft as it looked. Or if his moonbeam skin was warm or as cool as it gave the impression of being. Or what his lips tasted like, what they felt like. Or what it would feel like to be held against Draco's taller, stronger frame.

Harry drew his knees up to his chest and rested his head on them. His life sucked. He gave another bitter laugh, but this one was tinged with sadness. "You know, I always wished for just on thing; to be loved. I should have wished, to be loved in all its forms," he whispered. Another soft bitter laugh escaped his lips. "Be careful what you wish for."

"Don't despair, green-eyes," whispered the angel.

Slim arms wrapped themselves around Harry's huddled form and a soft feminine body pressed against his back. Harry opened his eyes but saw nothing but inky blackness. And the darkness was even more compressing and consuming then it had been before. For always there had been a soft glow around him, but now there was nothing, he couldn't even see himself. There was just blackness with more shades of darkness and the feel of a warm body against his back.

"Don't fret; things have a way of working out," murmured the guardian.

"Things have a way of working out," Harry snorted disdainfully, "Yeah, when I'm dead. I don't see how this could work out."

"You have to have dreams, green-eyes. They are the key."

He growled in frustration. "Would you stop with the cryptic replies and just tell me!"

"I am, you're just not listening," scolded Miss Angel. "Think about everything and you'll find the answer. Now, I believe you have preparations to make this morning, so wake-up green-eyes," she said in a softer tone.

Harry awoke with a sigh and sat up slowly. Amethyst awoke at his movements and crawled into his lap and processed to stare up at him. He looked down at the fur ball and gave a sleepy smile. He sighed again and petted the tiny kitten. "I don't think I really got much of that, but she said things have a way of working out so I'm just going to have to believe that it can. I can do that. I've always had hope, even when Fate, Destiny and life in general, fucks me over."

"But, let's not worry about any of that just now. We have a prank to pull," he grinned wickedly at Amethyst and then climbed silently from the bed, dismantling the spells that he had put up. He showered and dressed as quietly as possible and collected the items needed. Swinging his school bag over his shoulder he went to leave the dorm room when a soft meow stopped him. Turning to look at Amethyst he spotted the kitten sitting on his trunk staring up at him with wide violet eyes.

"What? Am I forgetting something?" Harry asked in a whisper. Amethyst meowed softly again and waved one clawed paw at him. Harry frowned unsure what the kitten wanted.

"Oh, you want to come," he said with insight. "Well, then. Come on." With that he opened his hands out in front of him and Amethyst leaped gracefully off the trunk and into Harry's waiting arms. Harry cuddled the soft kitten to him and left the room. "Now, you're going to have to be good. Okay, Amethyst? If you cause any problems then you're going to have to come back here," Harry said firmly as they left the Tower and headed towards the Great Hall. Amethyst purred in agreement and climbed up on to his shoulder, rubbing against his jaw before sliding down into the hood of his robe. She then processed to turn herself around so that she could peek over his shoulder.

Harry laughed softly, "Silly kitty."

He entered the Great Hall and looked around. No one was there, which wasn't surprising since it was six o'clock in the morning. It was also a good thing because if someone was there then he wouldn't be able to finish provisions for the prank. And that would have been a shame. With a grin he began setting everything up, singing softly to himself. Being so intent on what he was doing and the soft sound of his singing, he therefore didn't hear the doors to the Great Hall open and the faint sound of footsteps approaching.

"Potter, what are you doing?" Harry gave a startled strangled cry and nearly fell off the table he had been standing on. Oh of all the rotten luck, he had to get caught by his most hated professor. He was so busted.

"Umm...nothing," Harry said apprehensively. Oh he was so doomed.

"Really?" Snape said raising an eyebrow and leaning over to look at the items on the table. "Doesn't look like nothing."

"Well...it's...umm...for a...ahhh...shit," Harry muttered. Gods, someone kill him now and put him out of his misery. Here comes a week worth of detentions and it was only the second day of school. He definitely had the worst luck in history.

"Your father and that mangy mutt pulled something like this," Snape sneered. "How disappointing, I expected you to be more original. Like making it pink, to match his hair," he said flippantly as he brushed passed a stunned Harry to the teacher's table.

Severus nearly grinned as he walked away from Harry. That had been amusing; he seriously enjoyed throwing Harry for a loop. And the coming attraction was going to be even more entertaining. He almost couldn't wait for breakfast to start and the fireworks to begin. But he seriously needed a cup of coffee so that he could savor every moment of the coming fiasco.

Harry turned with his mouth hanging slightly open and his eyes wide with shock watching the Potions professor walk away. Snape had...but he never...no points...no detentions...advise. Oh Holy Hell, Harry needed to sit down, yup definitely needed to sit. Professor Snape hadn't given him a week of detentions, or deducted any house points. Snape had actually given him a compliment in a twisted unhanded sort of way. And had given some good advise, pink would be better and maybe a few spots of green that way it would really match his hair. Wait a minute...pink hair...Snape knew he was pulling a prank on Ron. Maybe that's why Snape was letting him get away with it. Hmm...that was worth thinking about, later.

"Harry?" Nisha asked.

Harry jumped and whirled around. "Jesus, why must everyone sneak up behind me," he muttered.

"Well, when you're back is facing the door it's inevitable."

"Oh right," Harry muttered sheepishly. "What are you doing up this early?"

Nisha raised an eyebrow and her sapphire blue eyes drifted over the items on the Gryffindor table. "I'm always up this early. So therefore I think the question should be; what are you doing up and in the Great Hall this early?" Harry shifted at the question and Nisha's lips twitched slightly. She tilted her head to the side and murmured, "Yellow would also do nicely," before walking passed him headed towards Professor Snape.

Harry watched her go with the same expression that he had watched Snape with. What was with Slytherins? Just when one thinks that they got a Slytherin's behavior down, they go and change on you. Talk about confusing. But they were also fascinating, like a puzzle that had to be put together so one could see the complete picture.

"Stop gaping Potter. You have 10 minutes before the early raisers start coming in," Snape informed in his usual sneering tone.

Shaking the confusion about Slytherins from his head he quickly went about finishing the last minute fixes of his prank. He set everything up and sat in his usual seat just as the first two Ravenclaws entered the Great Hall. He drank some tea as he waited watching as students drifted in. A few sleepy Hufflepuffs ambled in, followed by two more wide-awake Ravenclaws and a yawning Blaise. Hermione entered not long after Blaise and she came to sit next to him.

"Harry? You're up early," commented Hermione as she sat down and reached for the pot of tea. "Any reason why?"

Harry smiled and shook his head. "I'm not telling you what I'm up to. You're just going to have to wait and see, like everyone else. So stop digging for information."

Hermione pouted at her teacup. "Meanie."

He laughed softly but it slowly died when Draco enter the hall. Harry's eyes followed the blonde Slytherin all the way to the Slytherins' table where he sat down next to Blaise and across from Nisha. The blonde looked just as yummy as he always did. It really, really, should illegal to look that good in the morning. All that white-blonde hair and pale skin and old world elegance should be outlawed. Draco literally glowed with beauty. Wait...glowing...people didn't glow. Not that Harry knew anyway. But the fact remained that Draco seemed to have a soft glow around him and his blonde hair looked even paler than before.

Hermione watched all of this with a secret smile. She could guess Harry's crush right now and win the bet, but she'd wait until she had proof. She had a week to find some evidence besides the longing glances.

"'Mione? Does Draco seem to be glowing?" Harry asked in a whisper.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at Harry's use of Draco's name but let it slide and looked across the hall at Draco. She frowned. Draco didn't look any different to her. "Glowing? How so?" she asked.

"You don't see it; do you 'Mione?"

She shook her head. "No, he looks as he always does. What do you see?"

He sighed and shrugged. "He looks like something deep in side him is shining and its spread out so that there's just a faint bluish-gray glow around his person. And his hair is lighter, like moonlight on water," Harry answered.

Before Hermione could ask anything else Ginny, Neville, Dean and Seamus joined them and the rest of the hall was filling up. Harry grinned momentarily forgetting about Draco's glow; it was only a matter of time before Ron entered the hall.

"So what's..." Ginny started only to be cut off by a shushing Harry.

"Any minute now," Harry said to the questioning looks. And sure enough, not long after Harry's statement, Ron Weasley walked into the hall. Harry hid his evil grin by raising his teacup to his lips.

"Harry what..." Neville started.

"Shhhh...watch," commanded Harry. So everyone around Harry secretly watched as Ron sat down between the fourth and the fifth years. As Ron began to eat, Harry's grin widened. A few seconds passed and then it happened; Ron began to chirp every time he opened his mouth to speak. Then glue fell from the ceiling, coating Ron in the sticky substance and as he sat there in shock and disgust post-it note pink, lime green, and sunshine yellow feathers rained down around him like confetti. Ron jumped up from the bench and tried to free himself from the feathers, but it was too late the glue had already set and the feathers remained where they were. The end result was Ron hopping around flapping his arms covered in pink, green, and yellow owl feathers, squawking like a pigeon.

The hall erupted in laughter and poor Hermione had almost fallen to the floor twice from laughing. Ginny was leaning against Neville, who was trying to hold Ginny up and not fall off the bench himself. Dean was resting his head against the table shaking with silent mirth and Seamus was beating his hands on the tabletop howling with laughter. Harry simply grinned and wished he had a video camera.

Across the hall, Blaise was on the floor having fallen off the bench. Millicent had spit her juice out all over Pansy and she was trying to laugh and cough at the same time. Pansy shrieked trying to wipe the juice from her face. Crabbe and Goyle hardly noticed being too busy stuffing their faces. Nisha and Draco sat smirking at the flapping Ron.

Severus smirked deeply and cupped his coffee cup between his hands. He chuckled quietly. Merlin was this amusing. Oh and he was going to have to 'confiscate' some of the pictures the oldest Creevey boy was taking, just so he'd have a tangible reminder and proof that the Golden Boy of Gryffindor had an evil streak. He almost hated to admit it, but Potter would have made a brilliant Slytherin.

Alyssum raised her eyebrows and gave Severus a side way glance. She had only been at Hogwarts for a couple days, but she had never seen the Potions Professor do anything but sneer and scowl at everything, and now he was almost smiling. It was enlightening to say the least. And his laughter, although soft and almost inaudible, if she hadn't been sitting right next to him she wouldn't have heard him, was throaty and oddly pleasing to her ears. In fact, she found all of him captivating.

He was tall around 5'11 with midnight black hair that fell past his shoulders and deep black eyes. He had a chiseled jaw and lips that even when twisted into an evil smirk were wickedly sensual. And his voice, dear Gods, did the Brits' have fabulous accents, and his had a slight growling quality to it, probably from all the sneering he did. He had a nice athletic build, not too thin but not too bulky either. A build that was unexpected on a person who supposedly spent all his time leaning over a bubbling cauldron. His skin was pale, proving that he didn't get out in the sun much, but it appeared soft. His hands fascinated her the most. They were large and competent hands with long slim shaped fingers that had calluses on the index and middle fingers. She had never seen him fumble or drop anything.

Sighing she looked away from Severus and out across the hall. She could have him; it wouldn't be that hard. All she'd have to do was pull off her hood. Her beauty alone would seduce him, her eyes and voice would add to the allure until he fell, like all men fell. It was her curse for being what she was. No one wanted her for her, just her looks. But the sad thing was, she really thought about it. No one had ever interested her that much to make her actually think about using her looks, but he did.

"You should do that more often," Alyssum murmured to Snape as she stood up.

Snape frowned at Alyssum. "Do what?"

Alyssum leaned closer but made sure her face stayed hidden. "Smile," she whispered before moving away and leaving the hall.

Severus watched her go with a small scowl. No one had ever said anything like that to him before and frankly he didn't know how to take it. So he handled it as he handled everything else; as something to be mistrusted. So therefore the woman was going to have to be kept under surveillance. Close surveillance. She had to be up to something and Snape was going to find out what it was.

Hermione wiped the tears of mirth from her eyes after Ron stormed from the hall, probably headed to the Hospital Wing. "That brings a whole new meaning to 'Tarred and Feathered'," she said breathlessly.

"So that's what you needed the feathers for," mused Dean.

"Brilliant, bloody brilliant," crowed Seamus.

"How'd you get his voice to chirp?" asked Ginny.

Harry grinned and reached for the pitcher of pumpkin juice. "Fred and George. It was a mini canary cream that they invented for me to give to Dudley this summer. That's why I needed the feathers. The mini CC only changes the eater's voice and last about six hours," he answered.

"So that's what you were talking to Dobby about last night," Hermione said with insight. "You were getting him to slip Ron the canary cream."

"How did you know he would sit there?" Ginny asked.

Harry shrugged. "Humans are creatures of habit; he sat there last night, so I figured he'd sit there again. Also, I charmed the glue and the feathers to be attracted to Ron specifically using hair from his hairbrush. So no matter where I placed the glue or the feathers in the room or where Ron sat, they would automatically fall on him."

"I think we've found your calling," giggled Hermione.

"Hey mail here," Neville called as owls flew into the hall.

Harry continued to nibble on his food and feeding little pieces to Amethyst, not expecting anything. So therefore he was surprised when not just one owl but two landed in front of him. He reached out and took the letter and the small package from the closest owl. He gave the tawny barn owl a piece of sausage and it hooted its thanks before flying off. He did the same with the other one. He noticed that the first letter and the package were from Fred and George. He looked at the parcel and then gingerly placed it in his bag. He'd open it later, when he was alone and less likely to blow up anyone. For one never knew what to expect from the twins. He opened the letter from them and began to read;

Hey Harry. We heard about Ron from Ginny. Bloody prat, can't believe he's related to us. We're on your side mate. Anyway sent something to help, open the parcel with care as contents may have shifted in flight. Hope it helps. Have fun this year and don't do anything we wouldn't do. Oh and thanks for all the information you sent us on the hair dye, keep us post on the effects. How's the Mini CC work out? Oh and can you do us a favor and look a Zonko's when you go to Hogsmeade next month?

-Fred and George

Harry grinned and shook his head, those two. Now, he was terrified to open the box. He reached for the other letter and noticed that there were two. One was from Starr and the other was unmarked. Curious he ripped the letter open and unfolded the single piece of parchment and began to read the neat script.

To Phoenix

First off don't worry, no one can read this but you. Now, down to business. I've had quite the positive response to the sketch you left me. They all want to be informed when I receive more of your work, which is one of the reasons I'm writing. If you have any drawings please sent them. Also, I've had a request from one of my regulars who wishes to buy the original sketch. It is up to you if I sell the original or not, so please send your answer as soon as you're able. You will also have noticed another letter along side this one. That letter is from the person who wants to buy your work; I don't know what's in the letter. He just requested that I send it to you.

I hope to hear from you soon.

-Starr

Harry refolded the letter and placed it along with Fred and George's letter in his bag next to the parcel. Then he reached for the third letter.
"Harry, you're going to be late," scolded Hermione from the doors of the hall.
Harry blinked and realized that the hall had emptied out and the few people that were left were rushing about. He quickly stood up, placing the letter in his robe pocket and left the hall. He headed to the greenhouse since he had Herbology first thing and Hermione went up the stairs towards her Arthimancy class.


Hermione ran up the stairs to the 4th floor and sprinted down the hall. She skidded around a corner and collided with another fast moving object headed in the opposite direction. She gave a startled shriek as she felt herself fall. Strong arms wrapped around her and her descend was cushioned by a very masculine body. Dazed she opened her eyes and found herself gazing at the green and silver crest of Slytherin. She was lying on the floor in the middle of a hallway on top of a Slytherin. Hesitantly she moved to see who she was lying on. She found herself looking into the sapphire blue eyes of one Blaise Zabini.

"Are you alright?" Blaise asked calmly, a calm that he really didn't feel. Here he was, lying on the cold stone floor in an empty hallway with the girl that he had been fantasizing about for the past year nestled on top of him. And boy, did she feel even better than he imagined. She fit perfectly against him, like she had been made for him. Her waist was tiny, he was able to wrap both hands around it and have his fingers touch, but her hips flared out and curve rather nicely. Her body cuddled perfectly against his, from chest to thighs, and her slim shapely legs were entwined quite intimately with his.

Hermione felt a blush creep across her cheeks as she realized just how closely they were lying. "I...I'm f-fine," she stuttered. Then wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Stuttering, she was stuttering for crying out loud. She never stuttered. What the hell was wrong with her? It was just Zabini; there was no reason what so ever to get all flustered. None damnit, so what if he had all that dark hair and those mysterious indigo eyes and those full lips and that athletic body and oh...hell, she was lying to herself. There was every reason to get nervous and she only named 1/3 of them.

Blaise gave Hermione a charming smile. "That's good."

She blinked what had they been talking about? What was good? Oh she was so doomed, doomed, doomed, doomed and did she mention, doomed! Ah hell, she'd add another for good measure, DOOMED. Great, just bloody great. She was interested in a Slytherin. How the hell did that happen?! Nothing could come of it. She was a Gryffindor and he was a Slytherin, the two just didn't mix.

"We should get up now, this probably looks really bad," Hermione said and Blaise sighed almost sadly at her words.

"You have no idea," said an amused male voice.

Hermione gasped and tried to push herself up. "Moony! I mean Remus...I mean Professor Moony...Professor Lupin," stammered Hermione. She groaned and hid her face in her hands. "Oh Gods, shoot me now and save me from my embarrassment," she muttered to herself.

Blaise hid a smile as he helped Hermione up. He had never seen her so flustered and nervous, and he actually liked it. Well, he liked it because he knew he was the cause of it. He got the calm logical bookworm to stutter and blush, like a schoolgirl. He leaned closer to her and brushed a stray curl away from her face. "You're cute you blush, Hermione," he whispered to her before walking away.

Hermione watched him go with a dazed expression. He knew her name. She almost jumped with joy until her brain kicked in and reminded her that she was the smartest girl in all of Hogwarts, everyone knew her. Her shoulders slumped slight and she sighed. Her mind couldn't just allow her a few moments of giddy joy before dashing her tiny hopes to pieces.

Remus watched the scene with an amused smile. Ah, young love, it was so cute, especially when it was in the crush stage. Hopefully those two would figure out that they liked each other and do something about it. His smile turned sad, he had never been able to do anything about his crush.

"You're late for class, 'Mione," informed Remus that shook Hermione from her daze. With gasp she grabbed her bag from the floor and raced to class leaving a silently laughing Remus behind.


Harry yawned as Professor Sprout lectured about Mandrakes. They were reviewing everything they had learned over the last 5 years. So, needless to say, Harry was bored out of his mind. Unknown to everyone, Harry retained information rather well. He remembered everything that he had ever read, heard, or was spoken about since arriving at Hogwarts. He just pretended not to know. It was easier that way. He was already fawned over because he was the Boy-Who-Lived, he didn't need to be harassed for his intelligence too.

Harry gave another yawn as he removed Amethyst from his hood. The kitten hissed at him in displeasure until he placed her on his lap and stroked her back. With the cat purring gently, the greenhouse wall against his back and the warmth of the sun it wasn't long before he fell asleep.

He stood underneath a willow watching as fog drifted out of the Forbidden Forest and across the mirror-like surface of the lake. The eerie fog swirled and crept towards him, twirling around his ankles and clinging to his legs. The hems of his jeans were damp from the walk across the field and blades of grass clung wetly to his bare feet. But he hardly noticed so intent was he on watching the misty fog.


A soft breeze blew across the lake sending the fog into a chaotic dance that was both creepy and oddly enchanting. The light breeze was slightly chilling as it bit through the thin cotton of his shirt. He shivered as the breeze died and shoved his hands into his jean pockets. But still he made no move to leave, to head back to his dorm room and his soft warm bed.

He was waiting. For what, even he didn't know. All he knew was that he was waiting. The fog slunk across the ground, the wind whispered of Destiny and Fate and the autumn leaves rustled as though they were murmuring to the wind. The full moon that was hidden by the clouds slowly began to peek through. Pale light shone down on the dark landscape draping the trees in silver and reflecting through the silvery fog to the lake where the light splintered and shattered on the onyx surface. Through the pale light a shadow fell across him. The wind's whispering died and the leaves ceased their murmurings as though they knew that this moment was so rare that it deserved silence. The silence was so thick that he could hear the rapid pounding of his heart and the blood rushing through his veins.
Arms wrapped his waist and hot breath drifted over his neck. A husky drawling voice that he would have recognized anywhere whispered in his ear, "Sing for me, little Lion."

He felt moist lips skim over the shell of his ear and along his jaw. He tensed expecting to feel pain but there was none. All he felt was hot breath and silken lips. He relaxed leaning back into the embrace and savoring the feel of those lips. He moaned lightly as the hands that had been around his waist skimmed over his body.

"Mmm...yes, just like that," whispered the Dragon into the moaning Lion's ear.

"Harry? Harry!"

Harry awoke with a start and looked around. Blaise, who had shown up late for class was leaning over him and the rest of the greenhouse was empty. He had slept through the entire class.

"You okay?" Blaise asked holding out a hand to help Harry up.

Harry blinked up at Blaise. "I'm fine. It's just...I've never had a dream like that. It felt so real," he muttered.

Blaise raised an eyebrow and smiled. "A good dream?"

"Yes," Harry said with soft smile and reached for Blaise's hand without thinking.


Lil' Sphinx: Hey. Glad everyone's enjoying the story, and thanks for all the reviews. I love them. Yes, I know I'm evil and I shouldn't have ended right there, but bite me I'm tired. And none of you better complain that this chapter's short, because I did this on my one day off, you should be grateful. I have this Friday and Saturday off so I'll try to write more then. Which I probably will, because I have no life and I hate my job. I really really hate my job. And whoever the hell created high-heels should be taken out into the street stoned, beaten with a 2x4, stabbed with stilettos, run over, and finally shot to end their misery. Sorry, tangent.

To everyone that guessed Blaise's crush was 'Mione give yourselves a pat on the back. Go you.

Oh, I've had quite a few people ask about the whole Truth Sayers touching problem and how I'm going to get around it. Well, I've thought of that. In fact, I've even told you how. But if you're lost don't worry, Draco and Harry will be able to touch without pain. Okay.

Amarylis Cemetery- I bet you hate me now.

Shinigami- Thanks for the ideas on pranks for Ron.

Incessent Darkness- I thought I told you no more guessing. You just get way too close. :sigh: I guess I'll confirm some of your guesses. Shadow's eyes are extremely important, yes there is a connection between her eye color and Amethyst and Draco and the guy from the shop at the beginning and also the protector. I never mentioned what the protector saved Draco from, it'll come up later. Oh, M.A., yes they will create new spells in that class. And no, Shadow isn't from Durmstrang.

Dark Illusionist- You'll find out what Hermione is going to make Harry do for the bet next chapter. Hopefully. I gave a hint to what it is in this chapter.

Velchan- Thanks. Glad you liked the Death Walker idea. And I'll try to get Sirius awake soon, so him and Remus can have their puppy love.

Hellsing-agent-Alucard - YES! This story will have a happy ending. Because I'm a sucker for happy-ever-after.

Civenus- See above. Also the 'bet'. Hermione is going to make Harry do something embarrassing, but it well help Harry get Draco.

distraught soul- I will try to get Harry and Draco together as fast as possible, but some things shouldn't be rushed.

Musicgirl141- Thanks for pointing out all the errors. Glad you like the story so far. Oh you asked what Volucris means, it's latin for flying creature or winged.

Mari- I'm overjoyed that you liked Nisha. And actually I never thought about her having a crush on anyone. I was kind of playing with the idea of getting her together with one of the twins, but if you're dead set on her being with Ginny I guess I could do that.

Karen- M.A. was originally suppose to be Martial Arts, but then I added other things and forgot to change name. So now I'm going to have to find something for M.A. to stand for. Ron went to the Slytherins first because he thought they would be grateful to learn information regarding Harry, who everyone knows the Slytherins 'hate'.

Rae-chan - You don't know where I'm going? Bloody hell, I was hoping someone did. Oh and I'm working at a clothing store. I hate it. Not to mention the clothes are kinda preppy, not my style. And I haven't decided if I like the people I work with or if they annoy the hell out of me.