Short A/N: This will be AU; with HBP out and all this might have some strains of similarity but not too much of a spoiler. I won't go and reveal the major plot theme: ex: OMG! This is just like did to on pg. Etc. oh and the obvious READ but PLEASE Review.
Another A/N:
>>OMG! 386 Hits? I'm flattered. Anyways; I am DESPERATELY trying to update this chapter: FFN is screwing around with the technicalities. --; but hopefully it will show up as ch. 9 not 8.
Disclaimer: none of the songs are mine: they belong to Linkin Park (3) Green day (1) and Sarah Mclachlan(2)
Chapter Nine
I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone
(1)
It was several days later from the previous incident. The usual affairs returned without tense moments and such that to those involved it seemed to be the makings of a dream.
For Harry, any strange nuances were conveniently forgotten. The arrogant Draco he had come to know and…for lack of better word, become accustomed to was once more in his princely reign. In fact he acted as if that night had just been a dream or an illusion of Harry's on long weary night.
Nonetheless the entertainment of the middle year had not come and Christmas was in its tide. The dry snow that lingered in the outskirts and glossed over all signs of nature except for the solitary dark trees that stood in a stark outline.
Harry remained aloof of others and society in Hogwarts itself. Admittedly he was not of the Christmas cheer, so in seeing the professors come at different times to decorate their classrooms, he did not feel the common tingle of excitement.
Unlike him, the rest of the school was in a fervor to leave the school, it seemed that the hours were extended by some cruel hand of Time to torture them with thoughts and memories of a happier time.
Even the professors were affected by the excitement (barring Professors Snape and McGonagall of course), still the wait was only a mere few days. The halls filled with caroling knights and happy pasts, how could it not affect the object of this story?
Perhaps it is in the childhood of darkness that remains locked away in his mind that instinctively reaches out to erase the pain and the shame. The want for a present and familial joy of presents, songs and trees. Still he brushed these thoughts into his work and mindlessly traipsed alongst the castle attempting an oblivious attitude to the holly and the carolers.
That is until his owl gracefully dropped into his lap on the last day of school before the hols. It was bearing an envelope with a strange insignia.
Harry examined the letter without touching it, trying compensate for the lack of reality in being sent a letter from a stranger, despite his reputation for the illogical fame. Deciding in his mind that it seemed quite concrete and real, he hesitantly grabbed it and slowly opened it as to not rip the envelope That of a cautious person handling the most precious of treasures in his hands, did Harry open this mysterious note.
Dear Harry,
In writing you this letter, I thought it the best way to actually explain myself before you wander off in your mind- and completely ignore me.
My parents have thought upon it and as I agree and would like to cordially invite you to spend the Christmas Holidays at the Manor.
Short notice as it may be, I hope you shall consider it and accept.
Please Reply by word of mouth.
Draco.
Harry was puzzled as to why such formality for such a trivial thing, besides he has intentions of fully exploring the library not being under the scrutiny of all the Malfoys- one was more than sufficient.
"Well. Will you come or not?" asked the same sender of the letter. Harry glanced at the boy for a moment, realizing this had been planned in this particular way on such notice in order for him to have little time to consider it and truly accept before being able to back down.
" You are asking me to be under the constant examination of your family whereas I could be here in Hogwarts, safe and happily situated with a large amount of books and be free of your stalking tendencies." Replied Harry.
Draco rolled his eyes. "well then, I suppose you accept." He said rather cynically, "We'll be leaving on the train tomorrow and will meet my parents at the station. Do try to wear something acceptable. Oh and I've alreadly cleared it with the headmaster and Professor Snape, they agree and encourage you to come with me." He replied with superior-like air and walked away before Harry could utter an argument.
how stupid could I be
a simpleton could see
that you're no good for me
but you're the only one I see
(2)
Harry stared at the retreating figure dumbfounded. Staring once more at the letter, he grimaced and sighed. It would be a long holiday, if at all relaxing.
He thankfully missed Dumbledore's slight twitch of the lips or Snape's strange grimace that if seen in the right light could have been mistaken for a small smirk.
Nonetheless, Harry would not have been able to change the arrangements. He placed the letter in his bag and read, for his breakfast was none too appealing forthwith.
Let us now return to the precursor of evil and the root of all misfortunes to our jaded hero…
Voldemort would not have noticed Christmas tidings were it not for the soft and most unwanted whispers that flitted around his Death Eaters.
A sinister notion to crash a beloved Holiday was most enticing. Or rather had he a body and actual faithful followers, these would have been his thoughts.
He was trapped in the back of a spineless coward. The worst of the matter was that the fool was not even one of his own.
He was lacking so much, yet he had been the only susceptible mortal lying about-foolishly, yet there. This was the image that has been created of this evil mage. Yet the flickering image was rather unreliable.
Still, His thoughts were bent on killing a certain emerald-eyed boy. The stupid pawn of Dumbledore being used as a "Light" missionary for nought but Dumbledore's own purposes.
The hatred in these thoughts were most potent that Quirrel had a stringent difficulty in maintaining a nervous smile on his face as a first year stared at his tremoring hands.
The "thing" had not returned- he was not expected to, yet "thing" as he was being called, was the only source of true distraction. Seeing constantly happy people made him sick and nauseating. If could but let another chaotic disaster occur, it would please his hatred-ridden system.
Smiling he had but another idea for the boy-wonder, and it would prove quite easy if he were to stay here in the holidays. Yet, a start of term gift was not a horrible idea either.
And so together the fool and fiend plotted on the "present" whilst the "thing" silently watched all from afar, its own mind condensing facts and created nefarious plans.
Mayhaps it was some divine light that shed on Harry's predicament, for which he left the next day as said by the blonde-haired boy, with a scowl and glare and of course sullen silence on the ride.
Yet he could not but help wonder if he was yet leaving the safety of the castle to the lair of evil itself, that it might be probable he would not return alive.
So little he knew of the "thing" and quirrell, had he had but a suspicion, he perhaps might have just hugged Draco there and then. This would presume too much and could quite not happen as none knew of the evil lurking the corner save perhaps one.
And he would never tell-he was uncertain in the possibilities.
The chessboard was moving once more and the knight was just moved away from certain disclosure.
'It's still too soon.' This person thought to themselves.
The snow was falling and the night extending its hand toward the sun. They were arriving at the station. Harry could see the crowd of people in their coats with bright red faces peering anxiously to see any relative.
Nostalgia was evident in his turmoil but his fear of the two he did not want to meet at the moment overcame all else.
And there- almost immediately he saw them in superior glory. They did not smile- at least not the man. The lady was searching in the windows discreetly to see her beloved son's face, upon which she smiled graciously. The shadows, thankfully hid most of Harry so he was not so apparent as the bright face of his companion.
Harry could not at all forestall the inevitable and mechanically walked behind Draco toward the unwanted meeting. They stepped off the train slowly as if in no hurry which was partly true. Within the throng they were able to once more find the couple in waiting as if they had never yet moved. Like sculptures carefully proportioned into a sembalance of life.
Suddenly, they moved to life and Mrs. Malfoy smiled and hugged her son and Mr. Malfoy slightly embraced the boy, for despite the public image of cold detachment one found it quite hard to deny the silver pools of the small boy who still did not see the true horrors of life.
And there, they looked from their son to Harry, silent as the darkened sky. He had not moved since they arrived before the Malfoys.
He met the stern gaze of Mr. Malfoy and the strange grin of Mrs. Malfoy. She reached out her hand and shook his cordially and Mr. Malfoy reluctantly followed suit.
"Hello Mr.Potter." he said.
Thus began the holidays with the illustrious family of the Malfoys.
All Harry could ponder was 'What have I gotten myself into'.
What indeed.
End of Chapter Nine
Sometimes I feel like I trusted you too well
Sometimes I just feel like screaming at myself
Sometimes I'm in disbelief I didn't know
Somehow I need to be alone
(3)
End of Chp. 9
Thank You for all the reviews (Stormgreen Obsession) I love you all and Ihope you liked this chapter!
Response (8.22.05)
> Stormgreen Obsession: This is definitely H+D, yesI have a lot in store for them, and about mixedbloods...well let's just say veelas willlook tame to you afterthem, (I'm notplanning for a Super! Harry, just one w/just enough power to kill Voldie)anyways thanks for your wonderful review, I am trying to write clearly so it's a work in progress, thanks for reviewing!
FurtherNotice: 8-30-05: Katrina kicked my power and the internet; (aka School libraries rock).I'm at a school computer udpating thisSo chapters will be slower to come, and I do have chapter 10 written, i'll try to update it this week.