Guilty Love: Year 6
Chapter 4: Competition, Concealment, and Conception

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or anything to do with it. I am merely a person in front of a computer screen…that doesn't belong to me either. I do, however, own a brick of slightly old cheese.

"Have you made progress?" an icy cold voice asked as the young girl stepped into the dimly lit room. The girl pushed her raven black hair back from her face and sighed,

"He doesn't want to trust me."

"Then make him trust you," the voice hissed. "I've taught you how to use the Imperious Curse, and more…we can't waste any more time, the plan needs to commence immediately."

"It would be easier if we could use someone else, someone who isn't so close to Potter."

"It would be easier to convince anyone else, yes, but Potter trusts his precious Weasel, that's why we must use him. Go, complete your task, or you will be…replaced."

Cold laughter raked through the room as the girl turned swiftly on her heel and left.

Harry Potter woke with a start. His scar burned as if someone had pressed his forehead too close to a lit candle. Something wasn't right. He had had a dream, despite his Occlumency practices; he could feel the presence of the dream…or vision? He pressed the palms of his hands hard against his eyes, trying to remember the quickly melting details of the dream.

There had definitely been a girl, someone he knew, but he couldn't remember who. A cold voice…it had to have been Voldemort…something about a boy who wouldn't trust him…or her?

The dream was gone. Harry angrily punched his pillow a few times before laying back down. Harry tried to clear his head, as he did every night as part of his Occlumency lessons. He pushed away his frustration over the dream, and thought of good things.

I am a shell, a cocoon, my mind is mine to control, and I am free of worry.

Then he slept peacefully once more.

After a long week Harry had, with a massive amount of help from a certain bushy-haired witch, caught up on all his homework. It was Friday afternoon, and the sun was shining.

"Ron, let's go play Quidditch."

"I, uhh, I can't, Harry. Sorry," Ron said, not looking up from his book.

"Oh," said Harry, feeling slightly put-off. Ron had been disappearing all week.

"Hey Harry!" Hermione squeaked as she plopped down on the couch next to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Hey," Harry greeted her with a smile before turning back to Ron, "You sure, mate? We haven't played much, so I thought we could-"

"I just CAN'T!" Ron shouted before storming out of the portrait hole.

Harry stared after his friend, his mouth hanging open. Suddenly, he got up and raced up the stairs to his dormitory. As quickly as he had disappeared, Harry returned, stuffing a silvery cloak into the pocket of his pullover sweatshirt.

"Harry?" Hermione asked as he headed towards the portrait hole. He stopped and looked at her. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to find out what's wrong with our best friend," he replied solemnly.

Hermione stood up and walked quickly over to Harry. "I'm coming with you."

Harry grinned and held the portrait open for her.

Once Harry and Hermione were in the corridor, they pulled the invisibility cloak over both of them. Harry crouched slightly; to make sure their feet were covered. They set out to try and find Ron. After ten minutes of wandering, they heard voices. Quietly, they crept around the corner.

"You're late," Cho stated as she leaned lazily against the wall. "I've been waiting for twenty minutes."

"Sorry," Ron murmured, "Harry was trying to get me to go play Quidditch, I couldn't get away," Ron explained, shifting his weight nervously from one leg to the other.

"Don't worry about it," Cho said with a wicked smile, "You wouldn't want to raise his suspicions." She stepped closer to Ron and slid her palms across his chest, slowly wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. They were so close now; their noses were almost touching. "So what has our little hero been up to?" she asked softly.

"H-he spent most of the week doing homework I think," Ron said, closing his eyes and leaning in for a kiss. Cho pulled back sharply,

"Is that all you can tell me?" she snapped.

Ron looked put off. "No, he's been, er, with Hermione a lot…" Ron replied flatly, as if he'd rather not think about it.

"Oh yes, the little couple," Cho said, the smile back on her face, she took Ron's had and placed them on her hips and kissed him sweetly on the lips. "How is the little couple?" she asked.

"They…they seem very happy," Ron sighed. Cho leaned over and kissed him hotly. After a few minutes she broke the kiss, Ron was panting slightly.

"Are you jealous?" Ron paused, thinking how to answer this. "Be honest," Cho nudged him gently.

"Yes," Ron replied after a moment. Cho rewarded his honesty with another heavy snog.

"How do you feel about her?" she asked when the broke apart again.

"I love her."

Anger boiled inside of Harry. Had he just heard Ron say what he thought? How could Ron betray him like that? Like you betrayed him? A voice in his head reminded him.

Hermione squeezed his hand, snapping Harry back to reality. She was watching him, as if trying to gauge his reaction.

Harry wanted to rip Ron's big stupid head off.

"How do you feel about them being together?" Cho purred, pressing herself against Ron.

"I hate it," Ron replied, anger coating his voice like syrup. "Every time they hug, kiss, or hold hands, I want to die. I tried to be happy for them, I tried after Harry almost killed himself, but it's just too much," Ron explained, his voice revealing not only anger now, but hurt as well.

Cho kissed him softly this time, rubbing Ron's back. "I love you," she whispered.

Harry turned, pulling Hermione with him. Once they had climbed a few flights of stairs, he threw off the cloak. "That traitor," he growled.

"Harry," Hermione said, touching his arm, "Can you blame him? We said we wouldn't do it, but we are. We are throwing it in his face."

Harry softened as Hermione spoke; she was right. She was always right.

"I hope you did better today," the cold voice hissed as Cho entered the room.

"I did, Master. All I had to do was tell the bloke I loved him. He feels so alone, what with Potter and his little Mudblood girlfriend together all the time now. He just wants to think someone loves him. I didn't even need the Imperious Curse."

The cold voice laughed, a high-pitch, cold laugh. "Good. Bellatrix you shall have your greatest reward if you succeed in getting the information I have asked for."

Cho took a draft of the potion sitting on the nearby table. Cho appeared to melt away for a moment. Her skin stretched tight, and her body shape changed. She glanced in the mirror, happy to be herself again, happy to be Bellatrix Lestrange, Lord Voldemort's most loyal follower.

"How do you know my deepest desire, Master?" Bellatrix asked in a now shaking voice.

"The Dark Lord always know, Bellatrix, you know I am highly skilled in Legillimans. You haven't forgotten have you?"

"Of course not, Master!" Bellatrix cried. "So…so you know my desires?"

"You wish to give birth to me heir," the voice replied in a pleased tone.

Bellatrix blushed, "Yes."

"Keep up your appearance at Hogwarts. Do not let anyone think you are someone other than Cho Chang. Get me the information I need. Then, your dream will become a reality."

Harry and Hermione returned to the common room, which was now completely empty. Harry sat down in an armchair, his mind racing with Ron's confession. Hermione sat across from him, allowing Crookshanks to hop into her lap, purring loudly.

"What is going on in that brain of yours, Mr. Potter?" Hermione asked in a gently teasing voice.

Harry sighed, "I'm just trying to figure this out. He wants you, but he's snogging Cho…"

"You're not jealous are you?"

"What? No!" Harry cried before noticing the teasing grin on Hermione's face. Harry signed again, "What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to act around him now? It's going to take all my energy not to rip his big stupid head off."

Hermione laughed quietly, "You will act like his best friend, because that is what you are. As far as I am concerned we will just have to control our behavior when Ron is around. Ok?"

Harry smiled, Merlin, she is always right. She is brilliant, and beautiful, and sexy… "Ok. So, we'll just keep our hands off each other when Ron is around."

They sat for a moment in an awkward silence, before Hermione spoke up.

"Um, Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Ron isn't around."

Harry practically launched himself across the room, on top of Hermione, kissing her hotly. Crookshanks hissed and leapt to the floor. Hermione stretched out full length on the couch, pulling Harry on top of her. This is new, Harry thought, smiling against her lips. Hermione slid her hands into Harry's mess of black hair, and pulled his head closer, deepening their kiss. Harry slid his tongue into her mouth, wanting to taste all of her. Then he wanted to kiss her neck, so he did. Then he wanted to kiss her ear, so he did. Then he wanted to kiss her lips, so he did.

Hermione broke the kiss for a moment and pulled Harry's t-shirt off, running her fingers lightly across his chest and stomach. I knew I liked Quidditch for a reason, she thought as she admired his abs.

Neither of them saw Ron enter the room. Neither of them saw the crushed look on his face. Neither of them saw him turn around and leave.

Harry slid his hands underneath Hermione's top, drawing slow circles on her flat stomach. Hermione moaned softly, kissing him harder, and then broke the kiss, panting.

"I'm going to bed,"

"But…"

"I'm a Prefect! I should take points from myself."

"Prefects can't take points," Harry said with a smile, kissing her again, "but if you like I'd be happy to give you a detention."

Hermione smacked him and sat up, "Now I'm definitely going to bed." She laughed at the look on his face.

"Do I get a good night kiss?" Harry asked, batting his eyelashes.

Hermione sighed, kissing him softly, but it quickly turned into another heated snog.

About five minutes later Hermione broke the kiss and got up. "Bed. That is where I'm going. Me. Bed. Now."

And eventually she did.

The next morning Harry woke to find he and Ron were the only ones still in the dorm. Ron was sitting at the foot of his bed, pulling on his socks. "Morning, Harry," Ron said with a smile on his face when he noticed Harry stirring.

That stupid smile. "Good morning, Ron," Harry greeted him.

Ron's smile disappeared suddenly, a strange look crossing his face. "Harry, do you know what was in the Prophecy? You know, the one from last year."

Harry looked at him. He hadn't explained the Prophecy to Ron. It had been hard enough for him to tell Hermione. Thinking about it meant reliving that day. It meant thinking about Sirius, a thought Harry had managed to tuck away since school started.

"I can't explain it, Ron."

"So you do know?"

"Yeah, but I-"

"Have you told anyone about it?"

"Hermione, but I-"

"Oh, so you told Hermione, but you can't tell me?"

Harry sighed; he had to tell Ron. "Fine, I'll tell you. It's just hard to relive."

Ron's face remained emotionless.

"The prophecy said that Voldemort and I were going to battle, and only one of us will live. Neither of us can live while the other survives. We were created to destroy each other."

Ron smiled and stood up. "I'm pleased you told me," he whispered.

"You have the information?" the cold voice whispered, as if only daring to believe.

"I do." Bellatrix stepped from the shadows and stood in front of her Master. "I have the information."

Lord Voldemort fixed her with a piercing stare. Bellatrix could feel his presence in her mind, rifling through her thoughts. He came to the one he searched for, and a slow smile crept across his snakelike countenance.

"You have done well, Bellatrix," he whispered. She shivered, anticipating his next words. "Tonight, you shall have your reward. Now go, I need to prepare."

Bellatrix stood slowly and walked from the darkening room.

A week had passed since Harry had told Ron about the Prophecy, and since then he been the same old Ron they had always known. Saturday morning dawned with sunshine, and birds chirping, and the prospect of the first Quidditch match of the season.

Harry paced up and down the Gryffindor table, collecting his teammates, telling them to head down the changing room. "Dean, Seamus, get down to the pitch. Seamus, tell Ginny if you see her." Seamus was one of the new Chasers. Dean and Ginny were the beaters.

"Ron, see you down at the pitch," Harry said as he passed Ron. In the corridor, Hermione greeted Harry. She glanced dramatically over her shoulder, checking to see who was around before pressing Harry against the wall and kiss him deeply. Harry groaned and broke the kiss. "What was that for?"

"Good luck," Hermione smiled.

"Now I'm not going to be able to concentrate," Harry said in a would-be whiny voice.

"Fine, I guess I just won't kiss you anymore," Hermione informed him, a smile playing across her face.

"I don't think so," Harry murmured as he leaned down and caught her lips in his. "See you after the game," he squeezed her hand and walked away.

Harry emerged from the Captain's box in his red and gold Quidditch robes. "Ok, team," he said. "I'm no good at pep talks. Wood was, but I'm not Wood. I'm not Angelina either. I'm different, and this team is different. This is the first game for a lot of you." Harry glanced around at the team. "Ravenclaw is a good team, but we are better. Let's do this." Harry grabbed his broom and started walking out onto the pitch, followed closely by his team.

The moment they stepped onto the field, the applause was tumultuous. The stands were decorated with Gryffindor and Ravenclaw colors. Madam Hooch stood in the center of the field. "Captains, shake hands," she barked. Harry reached forward and shook hands with Davies. Harry's eyes swiftly studied each of the Ravenclaw players. He realized they had their relief seeker in. Cho must be sick, Harry thought as the whistle blew and he kicked into the air.

"Gryffindor starts out with an early possession!" Harry heard Justin Finch-Fletchey bellow over the crowd. He was Lee Jordan's replacement, not nearly as amusing, but at least he got the names right. "Seamus Finnigan with the quaffle, he aims and… Oh, nice save by the Ravenclaw keeper! Davies with the quaffle, a nice pass to… oh, never mind he has it back now. Davies heading toward the Gryffindor posts, Weasley better watch it! He aims and…a bludger right to the broom by Ginerva Weasley! That had to hurt!" Harry snorted a laugh and circled higher.

"Davies again with the quaffle, he aims, shoots and…nice save by Ronald Weasley! Creevey now with the quaffle, passes it off to Finnigan, nice block by Dean Thomas there, Finnigan still with the quaffle, good shot, 10 points to GRYFFINDOR!" Screams shook the stadium. Harry spotted the snitch, hovering near the Ravenclaw goalpost. The Ravenclaw seeker was already on they. "Potter dives, he's seen the snitch! They are neck and neck now…"

Justin's words faded away as Harry sped up, the only sound was the wind whistling in his ears. He was ahead now; he stretched out his arms, his fingers brushing the wings…

The snitch took a sudden shot straight up, Harry followed, he heard the other seeker collide with something, but he didn't dare look back. He was close now…with a last burst of speed… "POTTER CATCHES THE SNITCH! 150 POINTS TO GRYFFINFOR! GAME OVER! 160-0!"

Justin's words were drowned out by the happy screams of students, cheering and yelling for Gryffindor. Harry glanced in the stands and saw Hermione jumping and dancing. Harry grinned, taking in the sounds of victory.

The sounds changed in an instant. The noise and screams grew louder, but they had changed. There was fear now. Harry glanced up, searching for the cause.

A great shape of a serpent had appeared over the pitch. It looked a lot like the Dark Mark Harry had seen during the World Cup, but it was different. Instead of a serpent protruding from the mouth of a skull, it was a serpent with its mouth stretched wide, and the outline of a tiny person between its fangs.

Harry saw Dumbledore striding to the middle of the pitch, he pointed his wand to his throat. "Sonorous! ALL STUDENTS SHOULD REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THEIR COMMON ROOM!" he bellowed.

Harry ran over to him, "Professor, what-?"

Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder, "Please report to your common room, Mr. Potter. I will collect you after I have sorted this out." He looked him in the eye, "I promise."

A tall thin man entered the dark room. At first he thought the room was empty, but then he noticed the outline of a thin woman, entangled in the sheets of the bed. Her hair lay wild around her face, but her eyes were closed peacefully.

Sensing the man's presence she woke with a start.

"Are you with child?" the man asked in the softest voice he possessed.

"Yes."

Harry raced up to the common room. It was packed; the entire Gryffindor house was there. The first and second years were sitting in confused huddles, waiting to find out what was going on.

One thing was clear; Voldemort had made the first move.

Harry found Hermione; sitting and comforting one particularly shook up first year. The girl looked a lot like Hermione had when she was a first year. She was muggle-born and didn't understand what was going on.

After a few minutes, Hermione gave the girl a hug and walked over to Harry. "What's going on, Harry?"

Harry brushed a stray hair off of her face with his thumb, gently tracing her jaw line, "I wish I knew."

"Harry? Harry, wake up." Harry opened his eyes and Albus Dumbledore swam into view. "Come with me."

Harry got up, grabbed his robe, and followed his mentor out of the dormitory. He found Hermione sitting on the couch, waiting for him.

"It's time to explain. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, but in truth, I had to find out what was going, because I didn't know anymore than you," Dumbledore explained.

"So, you found out what that…thing was?" Hermione asked.

Dumbledore nodded gravely. "I had never seen that sign before. The meaning of it…the meaning of it, if possible, is worse than the Dark Mark."

Hermione took a sharp intake of breath, and covered her mouth with her hand. "What did it mean?"

"It meant that Lord Voldemort's heir has been conceived."

Do I have to kill the child too? Harry thought to himself.

"I don't know, Harry, ask Professor Dumbledore." Hermione said.

"What?"

"You asked if you had to kill the child. Don't ask me, ask Professor Dumbledore."

"Did I say that out loud?"

Dumbledore smiled widely

"No, you didn't, Harry. And, as far as your question, I don't know the answer, but I will find out."

Harry stared at Hermione, and she stared back. "B-but, I heard you say it."

"I think I'll take my leave now," Dumbledore said, bowing out.

He left through the portrait hole, and once in the corridor, he thought to himself, And even in the darkest moment, a light always appears. The fate of their world depends on it.

Alright my loving fans, Chapter 4 is complete! Does victory dance I hope you like reading it as much as I liked writing it. The plot is getting darker, and the secrets are piling up…just wait until you get your hands on Chapter 5! Bwhahaha

Anyway, please read and review, your encouragement is what keeps me writing! I would like 10 more reviews before Chapter 5 goes up! Anyway, you can, as always, contact me online as WritingHarry182 on AIM. Keep your socks rockin'!