Author's note: Thank you, the three who reviewed. That last chapter was a disaster. This one is slightly better.

Domcooper: Yes, I think so too, but sometimes I could swear these characters have a mind of their own…

Elphie73: Glad you liked it. I was sure you'd point out that I'd used 'scrutinised' too many times! (Nah…just kidding.) Did I mention that you're really encouraging?

SummerOfFreedom: There is absolutely no need to feel stupid. In fact, I forbid you to feel stupid! Read this chapter, you'll find the answer to your query. Keep reading!

Chapter 8: The Argument

Morgan sat down on her bed unseeingly. WhathaveIdonewhathaveIdonewhathaveIdone she thought over and over again. I kissed Harry-I kissed him. Oh no. Oh no. What do I do?

"Morgan?"

Morgan jumped as though someone had hit her with a cruciatus curse.

"Oh, it's you, Sheen." She pretended to arrange the bedclothes as if she were getting ready to go to bed.

"You are so transparent, Morgan."

"I'm no ghost, Connelly," joked Morgan weakly.

"Ha ha. No, I meant, I can see that you are extremely flustered right now," began Sheena. "You kissed him didn't you?" she asked in a business-like tone.

"I…don't know," said Morgan lamely.

"What d'you mean, you don't know?"

"I-I'm not sure if I kissed him or the other way round…"

"I see. No, the point is there was a kiss, and that's what matters."

"Look, Sheen, just leave me alone, please?"

"Fine. But remember, if you really hadn't wanted it to happen, you wouldn't have let it," said Sheena cryptically, closing the door softly as she went.

"I hate it when she does that," mumbled Morgan to herself, but wasn't entirely convinced that she hadn't understood.

…………………………….

"You will be very pleased when you hear this," said the tall, blonde-haired individual smugly.

"What is it?" asked his companion coldly.

"Morgan Finley has succumbed to the charming Harry Potter or maybe it's the other way round. My girlfriend," he spat, "Is positively delighted at this turn of events. And so am I, for a very different reason."

"You are an excellent actor, Draco. You will be rewarded for your efforts," came the reply.

"Thank you. Is it time yet, for some action?"

"Yes. This couldn't have come at a better time. I will, of course, inform the Dark Lord. You see, my boy, luck favours the powerful and not weaklings who yearn for love…"

Malfoy nodded. "I await your further instructions."

The smirk on Malfoy's face deepened as he listened…

………………………………….

Hermione's forehead creased in worry. The wedding was only three weeks away. She hadn't realized, what with everything happening at once-Krum and Harry and Morgan.

Morgan Finley. Hermione contemplated this new woman in Harry's life and tried to ignore the vaguely niggling feeling she had about her. No, she chided herself. She's really nice and is perfect for Harry and I'm not going to be prejudiced against her just because I'm insecure around her.

I have a good reason to be, mused Hermione. She's beautiful, is very intelligent and has a sense of humour. She cooks and plays quidditch. Is there no end to her list of perfections? thought Hermione bitterly.

Hermione was surprised at herself and immediately regretted her inexplicable envy. She liked Morgan, in spite of it all, for the girl clearly was no show-off and was genuinely interested in Harry.

Yet…

……………………………………..

Ron peered at Harry and bit back his laughter when he saw the glazed look in the famed emerald eyes.

"Er…Harry, come back to earth, mate…" Ron could see that it was no good so he decided to resort to drastic measures. "Death Eaters!" he yelled.

That did the trick. In one practiced movement, Harry had his wand out and had taken his fighting stance, but looked very annoyed indeed when he saw Ron shaking with laughter.

"Are you trying to get me to die of a heart attack, Ronald," he asked in a cheesed-off tone.

"Nah, I'm just trying to get you to pay attention to me," said the culprit cheekily.

"Yeah, I should've realized that Death Eaters would never enter our flat for a friendly chat…"

"Clearly, your mind was elsewhere," began Ron slyly.

Harry sighed exasperatedly. "Why don't you annoy Hermione for a change?"

"She's always telling me to annoy you for a change," pouted Ron. "And I know you kissed Morgan, by the way."

"Great. I suppose it's stamped on my forehead for all to see?"

"No, that would be your scar, mate," said Ron kindly.

Harry couldn't help but grin at that. "There's really no doubt about that, now is there?"

Ron smirked. "How was it?"

"How was what?" began Harry innocently. "Oh, you mean the kiss?"

"No, I meant Percy's new underwear," retorted Ron sarcastically. "Of course, the kiss, you dolt!"

Harry wrinkled his nose disgustedly at the first part of Ron's reply, but said "Yeah…it felt right somehow…it was great…"

"Wet?"

"Ron! I'm going to kill you for this!"

"Yeah? I'm scared."

The two bantered back and forth, each happy in their own way, not thinking, not believing that this was the calm before the sudden storm.

………………………………….

The rest of the week flew by and Harry and Morgan found themselves making time to meet up during the evenings. They talked, laughed and found each other's company rather addictive. Morgan discovered that she was constantly making excuses to disobey her conscience- she could not muster enough will to stop seeing Harry. She just couldn't.

As for Harry-he was happier than he'd been in years. He was looking more relaxed and he was beginning to be quite sure that he was falling for one auburn-haired witch who answered to the name of Morgan Finley.

……………………………………

Saturday evening

Morgan hummed happily to herself as she entered the living room, but stopped as if someone had just punched her in the face.

Lounging arrogantly on her favourite chair was Draco Malfoy.

"What the bloody hell are you doing here?" she asked, as if in a trance.

"Language, my dear Morgan. Associating with the Weasleys has corrupted you, I see," replied Malfoy sleekly.

Morgan pulled out her wand and pointed it at him. It is remarkable how an enormous amount of hatred and venom can incorporate itself in just two words.

"Get out."

Malfoy began to reply in an equally poisonous tone, but checked himself as he caught sight of Sheena's outline at the doorway.

"Won't you just hear what I've got to say, Morgan?" he said beseechingly.

Morgan's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why should I? I don't know why you're here, but whatever it is, I'm not interested. You'd better leave, or I'll raise the alarm that a Death Eater is in the vicinity," she warned, "Or perhaps, I could get rid of you myself," she added softly.

"Morgan, don't," came Sheena's voice from the doorway.

Morgan whipped around. "Sheena, stay where you are. This guy is dangerous."

"No, he's not."

Morgan stared numbly as she watched her best friend walk up to Malfoy and kiss him lightly.

"What are you doing?" she asked hoarsely.

"Morgan, Draco's not what you think he is. He's a spy…"

Morgan interrupted with a short laugh. "Of course he's a spy. A spy for Voldemort."

"No, that's not true. You're just not listening, Morgan."

Morgan looked at Sheena, her eyes reflecting the betrayal she felt. "How could you? You knew what he was. You knew what he is to me. He's just playing with your romantic ideals, Sheena. And you know what? You're too stupid to see through him."

"Oh. Wonderful. Perfect Morgan, who always knows what is right, who is so clever and lovely and can cook so well. You know what? I'm sick of you. Waltzing in and winning the adoration of my family- I hate you!" Sheena regretted the words the minute they were out.

Sheena's outburst shocked and hurt Morgan. But she still refused to believe that her friend had deliberately tried to wound her.

"I'm sorry if you feel that way, Sheen, but try to understand…"

Sheena felt annoyed again. "No, you try to understand. I love Draco and nothing's going to come between us. Not even you."

Morgan couldn't believe what she was hearing. She turned to Malfoy. "This is all your doing, you sick, twisted…bastard." She was breathing heavily now, and her temper had long crossed that point where you could control it by counting to ten.

Malfoy adopted a hurt expression. "I told you she wouldn't believe me," he said softly to Sheena, who caressed his cheek lovingly.

Morgan wanted to let fly a string of hexes at them but restrained herself with a huge effort.

"I'm warning you, Sheena, he will betray you."

"I don't think I want to listen to what you're saying, Finley."

"And I don't think I ever want to see you again," burst out Morgan angrily.

"Fine!"

Morgan didn't reply. She strode to her room, packed her things hastily and disapparated without knowing where she was going.

Sheena watched her best friend leave with a sudden pang. After Morgan had gone, she turned to Draco and sobbed into his shoulder.

I hold all the strings, you puppets thought Malfoy, satisfied.

………………………………….

Hermione apparated over to the boys' place to talk about some more wedding plans with Ron. She was hailed cheerfully by both of them and the discussion went quite smoothly in spite of the fact that Ron kept suggesting that they have Chudley Cannons colours for the decorations.

Harry was the silent observer only occasionally making a useful comment here and there.

An easy silence reigned for a while, punctuated by the scratching of Hermione's quill. Which was why all three of them were startled by the ringing of the doorbell.

"I'll get it," said Harry after the three had exchanged looks that said 'Who could it be at this hour?'

Harry opened the door to reveal a slightly disheveled Morgan. A closer look at her told him that she'd been crying-her eyes were slightly red and puffy. But she was smiling apologetically at him at that moment.

"Harry, I'm so sorry, but I just had a huge quarrel with Sheena. Oh great. I feel really stupid now…" she trailed off, looking miserably at the bag she was holding.

"Come on in," said Harry gently.

………………………..

"She made it clear that she hated me for having 'won the adoration of her family'," said Morgan bitterly. "And then we quarreled some more about…various things and said horrible things to each other and I walked out. It's all her fault," she added angrily.

"Calm down. First of all, you need someplace to stay. And…"

"She can stay with me, Harry," offered Hermione.

Morgan looked hopefully at her. "Is it okay? I mean, I don't want to intrude on your privacy or anything. As it is, I'm being a nuisance…"

Hermione smiled at her, "Not at all. In fact, in return for my generosity, I'll except you to help me with some of the shopping…"

"It's a deal," agreed Morgan. "Thank you," she added.

Ron cleared his throat. "And may I remind you that tomorrow we're having lunch at my parents' place. You're invited too," he nodded at Morgan, "If Harry hasn't invited you already," he grinned charmingly.

Morgan felt slightly happier at their thoughtfulness. She went up to Harry and enveloped him in a tight hug. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be silly," whispered Harry into her hair.

They broke apart, smiling and Morgan followed Hermione as they disapparated to the latter's flat.

……………………………..

Sunday afternoon

They were all completely involved in a riotous game of quidditch. The unexpected arrival of Ginny Weasley (without Krum in tow) made it possible to have two teams of four each. Ron, Morgan, Ginny and Charlie versus Bill, the twins and Harry. Needless to say, the anxious eyes of Hermione, Mrs. Weasley and Fleur followed the fast and furious game, while Mr. Weasley applauded every good move.

Hermione was struck by the different styles of their flying. From a distance, it was difficult to differentiate between Morgan and Ginny, each with long, red hair. But the way they flew was completely different. And Hermione, though no expert at quidditch, could see perfectly that Morgan flew with a sort of reckless abandon, while Ginny's moves were all calculated.

The game ended with Harry's team winning narrowly.

The players alighted and trooped towards the spectators, talking animatedly. Hermione watched Morgan, whose grey eyes were alight with excitement as she debated one of Harry's moves with the person in question himself.

Then, suddenly in the bright sunlight it hit Hermione. Reckless…grey eyes…Morgan reminded her of…Hermione's eyes widened with the realization.

How could she have missed it before? How could they all?

…………………………………

A.N: Lot of questions unanswered? Ah…wait for the next chapter: Revelation, and the chapters after that. That means, keep reading!