Thanks again go to Missybewitched! She has made my writing sound so much better!
If something is confusing you and you need it explained, leave a comment or send an e-mail. If enough people are becoming confused, I promise to fill you all in. I am leaving some gaps for reasons that will be obvious eventually, and some I am leaving because you all know how Hogwarts works.
Thanks to all my reviewers!
You've all worked some of it out! I can't reply to some, as it would ruin the story.
Chapter 4: Suspicions
Harry rose high over the stands on his Firebolt, the breeze ruffling his hair as he flew a slow circle around the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch. On his Cleensweep, following Harry closely and mimicking his moves was Ron. They had been flying around for a few hours now and had played a game of one on one Quidditch. They had also thought up and practiced some new moves they would like to introduce to their teammates at the next Gryffindor Quidditch team practice.
Angling his broom left and down, Harry began a slow spiral towards the soft grassy field below. He landed with ease and climbed off his broom, waiting for Ron to join him. Scanning the field with his emerald green eyes, Harry drank in one of his most favourite scenes. Green grass lit by soft sunshine, with small white puffy, billowy clouds above. With the house flags and tiny blades of grass rippling majestically, calmingly, in the breeze.
Stretching his arms up towards the sky Harry suppressed a laugh as he watched Ron land and dismount. Ron had descended a bit too fast and had stumbled off of his broom.
"Phew!" Ron exhaled. "That was a good flight you just took us on, I haven't practiced some of those moves for awhile. I haven't really needed to as Keeper."
Smiling at him, Harry placed his Firebolt over his shoulder. "We should head back now," Harry said as he began walking towards the exit, "it's probably halfway though lunch."
"Have we been out here that long?" Ron exclaimed as he walked a bit faster to catch up to Harry.
Harry nodded in agreement. They walked in silence towards the castle. Ron had matched Harry's pace now.
"I can't take it anymore," Ron muttered. "Stop. There's something I want to ask you."
Harry stopped in his tracks, dreading the words that would be out of Ron's mouth next. The contents of his stomach had turned an icy cold and he felt a sudden urge to run away. If Ron asked him about what had happened with Hermione last night, he didn't know what he was going to say. He didn't yet know how to phrase his answer so that Ron wouldn't punch him, or even worse, stop speaking to him again like he did in fourth year.
"What do you want to ask me Ron?" Harry said softly as he stared off into the distance towards the forbidden forest. He couldn't look Ron in the eye. He felt that if he lied to Ron, his eyes would give him away.
"You know last night when you were with Hermione," Ron started in a stilted tone, "when you were talking to her in the common room."
"Yes, Ron," Harry said slowly.
"It kind of looked like from where I was standing that…"Ron started saying in a cold tone when he was interrupted.
"If it isn't Potty and the Weasel King," said a familiar snooty voice from behind the pair.
Harry and Ron whipped around to look behind them. Harry already had his wand out and was aiming it at Malfoy's usually handsome face that was currently wearing an ugly sneer of dislike. Crabbe and Goyle stood behind Malfoy with their arms crossed over their chests, cracking their knuckles aggressively. Nott was theretoo, and he hadhis arms crossed as well. Althoughhe was standing alittle away to the side of the group, and he was looking towards the direction of Hagrid's Hut.A bored lookbeginning to cloudhis stringy features.
"Sneaks," Ron muttered.
"Where'd you come from, Malfoy?" Harry said, barely suppressing his anger at his rival.
"None of your business, boy wonder," Malfoy replied, a slippery smile forming on his thin lips. "It sounds like you've got enough trouble to be dealing with without knowing what I'm up to."
"What do you mean?" Harry questioned. "If it's got something to do with Voldemort, I already know."
Harry saw all the young men shiver at the mention of Voldemort's name. Malfoy had cringed and rubbed his forearm absently until he recomposed himself.
"Well, if you must know," Malfoy said each word slipping from his mouth like a snake's venom, "I heard that you've been kissing mudbloods. Tsk, tsk."
Harry felt his face beginning to burn. He glanced quickly at Ron and noticed that he was staring at him, gaping like a gold fish.
Malfoy laughed evilly.
"How's your dear old dad?" Harry began, trying to change the subject. He was worried that if he didn't start Malfoy on something else, the blond boy would be the least of his problems; Ron's wand hand had begun to tremble uncontrollably.
"You're dead, Potter," Malfoy snarled as he stood right in front of Harry so that they were glaring at each other eye to eye.
"I've already heard that one before, Malfoy," Harry spat out. "Why don't you pay for some new material?"
Malfoy stepped away from Harry and pointed his wand straight at Harry's heart. "Cru…"
"Harry."
The boys all turned towards the large shape that was emerging from the tree line of the forbidden forest.
"Watch out, Potter," Malfoy muttered as he and his gang slinked away past Harry and Ron towards the far side of the castle.
"Was that ferret annoying you?" Hagrid said roughly. "Want me to go speak to Dumbledore?"
"Nah, we're right, Hagrid," Harry said calming down. "Thanks for getting him off our back."
"No problem," Hagrid gave them a quick wink. "Yeh all righ' Ron? You look like you've been throwin' up those slugs again."
Ron shook his head at Hagrid and turned around and began walking back towards the castle.
"Is he all righ'?" Hagrid asked Harry in a whisper.
"Yeah," Harry whispered back quickly, "he just thinks that I've been kissing Hermione."
"Well 'ave yeh?" Hagrid implored, a look of surprise on his face. "I always thought it was Ron tha' liked her, yeh seemed more interested in those sporty types, like that Ravenclaw Seeker."
Harry blushed again. "No, I haven't been kissing Hermione," Harry lied convincingly, which he found quite easy to do. " He just thinks that I have because Malfoy said so."
"Ah, righ' then," Hagrid said.
"I'd better go catch up with Ron," Harry said, turning from Hagrid and running to catch up with his friend. " Bye, Hagrid."
"Bye, Harry," Hagrid called after Harry's retreating figure.