AN: Well, here's the next chapter! I'm really happy that I was able to get it posted. I'm sorry about the wait, but class and work have been stressful this semester. I'm hoping I can get at least one more chapter done by the end of this month and if not, I can hopefully get one done in December. I really enjoy writing, I just don't have much time to do it these days.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
"There you are, you traitor." It was none other than Ronald Weasley who said those words when coming face to face with Harry, the angry red in his face matching his hair. "You ran away after your birthday and didn't bother stepping up to fight you-know-who!" Harry rolled his eyes, hating the attention they were gaining. With a quick flick of his wrist, he cast a spell that had only certain people hear the conversation.
"Yeah! You abandoned us, Harry! We all trusted you." Ginny sniffled; her brown eyes filled with huge crocodile tears. Instead of rolling his eyes, he merely sighed at the pathetic attempt to guilt-trip him and soon shook his head. As much as he wanted to lay into them viciously, it would better serve his purpose if he let them be and ended the so-called friendship.
"Until you can learn to think for yourselves, stay out of my affairs. What I do is my own business and you can shove right off, okay?" He gave them a cheerful smile, earning a chuckle from Hermione who moved to stand beside Harry.
"Come on, Harry. We'll be late if we keep letting them distract us." Hermione touched his arm, not sparing a glance at the two redheads until she heard a gasp.
"But…but, Mione!" Ron suddenly cried out; eyes wide in alarm. "You can't seriously hang around that traitor! He's just as bad as all the slimy Slytherins," Ginny stayed quiet as she watched the exchange, surprised that her crying hadn't done the trick. She was told that the moment Harry would see her cry, he would flock over to her and apologize for all the emotional turmoil he had caused.
"First of all, Ronald," Hermione began in a strict tone, her eyes hard as steel. "The Slytherins aren't slimy. The more you say immature things like that, the more divide there is between houses. Second, Harry is not a traitor. I've had to deal with you calling him such for two weeks, and I have to disagree with you." Neville and Luna joined Hermione as she finished speaking, clearly choosing Harry over Ron and Ginny.
"It's time you two matured and learned that just because we're in Gryffindor doesn't mean we have the right to say who is good or bad. It makes you sound like an ignorant child." Neville stood up to Ron, tired of being timid. If Harry and Hermione could stand up to Ron, then so could he.
Unknown to all but two of the students, there was a dark pair of eyes observing the standoff.
"Seriously?" Ron was flushing with humiliation, shaking with rage. "How can you stand by his side when he won't fight you-know-who? He's supposed to win the war for our side." That earned a look of disgust from everyone, except Harry, who was used to hearing those sorts of comments.
"It's unfair to push an entire war on one person's shoulders. Harry never agreed to be a weapon in this war, and to force him to fight in one he doesn't want to be apart of is inhumane." Luna paused, a dreamily look overcoming her pale features. "The only war here is the one who controls the pawns, his lies hidden in the shadows," Luna said softly, as if she were in a trance. She was suddenly blinking after she stopped talking, giving the illusion she was waking up.
Harry knew who she was talking about, but he needed to find out the meaning of the last bit she had said. Ron scoffed at her, making a face.
"No wonder you decided to side with him. You're bloody bonkers." Before Neville knew what he was doing, he had his wand in his hand, aiming it at Ron.
"Neville, stop. He's not worth detention." Hermione touched his hand, helping the other Gryffindor lower his slightly shaking hand. Neville was taking in a few breaths, calming down after a few moments. "They're just being pathetic, brainwashed bullies." Her comment earned a small smile from Neville, who was completely calm now.
"Yeah, you're right. He isn't worth it." Ron was taken aback by the coldness in Neville's eyes, even more surprised by the sudden courage. "If you haven't noticed, Ron. We're Seventh years now. Start acting like one instead of a biased child."
"Why are you standing up for her? We're you're housemates." Ginny finally spoke up, her true colors coming out again. "You don't seem to have any issues about Harry turning his back on us! She's just a Ravenclaw."
"Merlin, Ginny." Harry pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew the sixth year could be dense, but this was something else. "We're standing up for her because she's our friend. Maybe if you two self-obsessed Gryffindors stopped fawning over our house, you could actually make some real friends." Harry sneered at them, reminding everyone of a certain Potions professor.
Ron and Ginny were left gaping at the sudden change in Harry, refusing to believe it.
"Harry's right." Hermione looked even more disgusted. "If you two would stop thinking you're the best just because you're in Gryffindor, then at least you would be slightly bearable to talk to." Harry shot Hermione a grin, his green eyes shining bright with pride.
Ron, however, didn't seem to listen.
"He's manipulating all of you. He's forced you to side with him!" The redhead was looking desperate now, grasping at straws. At the blank stares he got, the ginger began to shake with rage, knuckles white as he gripped his wand.
From the way Ron's eyes darkened when they landed on Harry, the other Gryffindor knew what was coming. Instead of doing anything about it, he let it happen, deciding there was one more point that needed to be made. "Flipendo!" Ron screamed, making Harry roll his eyes.
When the spell hit him, it easily ricochets off and hits Ron instead, sending him flying backward. The group, including Hermione, watched with wide eyes.
"Bloody Hell, Harry. You didn't even have your wand raised!" Neville was in awe as he saw Ron slowly get up, his own eyes wide at what happened.
"Wha-" Harry cut him off, sneering at him again.
"Let that be a lesson, Ron. Don't mess with me or my friends, otherwise…" He spoke calmly, holding back a smirk as Severus finally made his appearance. It was about time too.
"Fighting on school grounds already? Pathetic." He sneered, which had been aimed at Ron in particular. "Fifty points from Gryffindor, Mr. Weasley, for attacking members from your own house." His hard and chilling gaze was still on Ron, who was shrinking away from the look.
"The semester hasn't even started yet!" Ron cried out, shrinking away more when Snape rose an eyebrow.
"And a month's detention with Filch. Care to argue even more?" At the silence, Severus turned to Harry, his eyes holding a slight twinge of amusement. "A months' worth of detention for you as well, Mr. Potter. With me." He added, catching onto the barely-there smirk on the younger's lips. "Starting at Eight tonight."
"Yes, sir." Harry made sure to keep his voice neutral, even if he was rejoicing on the inside. Severus nodded, turning his attention back to the unruly red-heads. "Get to the feast. Now." Both Weasleys tensed and did as Snape said, hurrying into the castle. Severus followed behind, stopping as he passed by Neville.
"Fifty points to Gryffindor and Twenty five to Ravenclaw, for standing up for Mr. Potter." With that said, Snape continued walking, his robes billowing behind him.
"Merlin…." Neville breathed; his eyes wide as saucers. "Did Professor Snape really just give us points? He never does that."
"No one would ever believe us," Hermione added, a little shocked as well. "We should get to the feast, though. The last thing we need is for Dumbledore to have a reason to single Harry out afterward."
That thought made a chill go down his spine, despite knowing that Severus already found a way to stop that from happening.
The feast went on without much event, besides the evil looks Ron sent him from across the table. It got to the point that Dean and Seamus finally nudged him.
"Harry, what's up with Ron? He's been glaring at you the whole time. Is he having another jealously spout again?" Dean asked, and Harry couldn't help but notice that the other wizard had somehow managed to grow even taller over the summer.
"He's mad because he has detention with filch for a month. Professor Snape caught him trying to attack me." Harry mumbled, earning a snort from Seamus. "I've got a month's worth of detention as well, but with Snape."
"Damn, mate. I'm sorry about that." Seamus patted his shoulder. "At least it's with Snape instead. Why was he trying to attack you anyway?" Not wanting to tell the entire thing right now, Harry sighed.
"It's kind of a long and chaotic story, actually." He admitted. "Do you mind if I told you in the common room after I get out of detention?" Harry asked, deciding it would be better if he waited to tell them what was going on between him and the younger Weasley's.
"Sure thing, mate," Dean said as he drank some of his pumpkin juice. "I'm guessing it's pretty serious this time." He added and Harry chuckled.
"You have no idea," Harry smirked. "I'm no longer friends with him or Ginny." He added, hoping that would appease the two until he could tell them the full story.
"About time." Dean hummed. "He's been a real prat to you since your fourth year. Neither of us knows how you handled him for so long." Seamus nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. You and Hermione should have stuck with us." Seamus teased. "We aren't obsessed with your fame like he is," Hermione smirked at that, nudging Harry.
"They've already got Ron beat." She added, making the three of them laugh at her jab at Ron. Hermione could be ruthless when she needed to, and it always served to make someone laugh.
"Merlin, Mione, you're the best." Harry chuckled, pausing when he felt two pairs of eyes on him. He glanced to where he knew Severus would be sitting, barely suppressing a smirk as Snape rose an eyebrow.
Those weren't the only eyes on him, though. He could feel them burning into the side of his face, his skin tingling unpleasantly. Keeping control over his magic and willing it down, Harry shifted and found himself looking at Dumbledore.
There was no annoying twinkle in those peering eyes now. They observed him, a calculating look playing across the Headmaster's wrinkled face. He could feel a pressure against his head, trying to find a quick way in without drawing too much attention.
Holding back a scoff, Harry sent the Headmaster an unimpressed look as he easily kept his shields up. Like Snape had done to him moments ago, Harry found himself raising an eyebrow at Dumbledore, causing those eyes to widen. Pleased with himself, Harry turned back to his friends.
"I'll see you later. I have detention with Professor Snape coming up soon and I'd like to get some work done." He had his book of spells with him, as well as Severus's potion book that he had promised to return to him. Stealing a glance at the table again, he found that the Severus was nowhere to be seen, the seat unoccupied. Sighing in slight relief, Harry got up and made his way out of the great hall, once more feeling Dumbledore's eyes boring into him.
Something was telling him that the headmaster was going to follow him and try to corner him. Harry made his way to the dungeons' only stopping when he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.
"Shouldn't you be heading back to the Gryffindor common room, my boy?" Albus questioned, having followed Harry after the younger left dinner. "Surely you wish to be with your friends. Ronald and Ginevra have been worried about you all summer. As have I." Dumbledore said solemnly, trying to put on his grandfatherly façade.
"I'm doing just fine on my own. I'm capable of taking care of myself." Harry stiffly said, tensing up as Dumbledore came closer.
"I know you can, my boy. However, with another war rising, you need to stick close to the order. Dark times are upon us and you know what must be done." Dumbledore quietly added, causing Harry to snort. "You are the key to everything, Harry. You are the one who will defeat the dark lord."
"I don't think I agree with you, Headmaster," Harry spoke up, shaking his head. "This is my life and I'm tired of people trying to control it for me." Like you. "I'm not a pawn anymore, Professor."
"Harry, my boy," Dumbledore began, forcing a twinkle into his eyes. "Can't we discuss this over tea and lemon drops? We can head there right now and fix all this miscommunication."
Harry wanted nothing more than to bring up the fact that he was a Horcrux, but if he were to act oblivious about it, then at least Dumbledore wouldn't be as suspicious.
It would make the reveal all the more worth it.
"Potter has detention with me, Headmaster." Severus cut in, coming forth to stand beside Harry. "For the next month."
"Ah, I see." Dumbledore sighed, stroking his beard. "A month? Surely that's a little excessive, Severus? After all, it is the beginning of the term. He deserves to enjoy his last year."
"I don't play favorites, Headmaster. This is a suitable punishment for unauthorized dueling on school grounds. Potter shall be with from Eight until ten every day."
"Yes…I see…" The Headmaster faltered, eyeing the Gryffindor. "Well then, it can't be helped." Dumbledore looked resigned, standing straighter. "Enjoy your first week of classes, Harry. You know my office is always open if you ever need it." Albus added as he turned around, heading out from the dungeon's right as Severus pulled Harry into his quarters.
"Uh, thanks," Harry mumbled once they were in the safety of Snape's rooms. "For helping me get away from him."
"It's not a problem, Potter. Now sit down and do your work. I'm not about to let you slack off." Harry chuckled, pulling out a potions book.
"Of course not, Professor."