Chapter Three: Suspicions

To Gohan's relief, Dean never confronted or mentioned the Cell games again. However, Gohan continued to get stares from a couple of people everywhere he went. A first year girl from the Ravenclaw table, for one. She had long dirty blond hair and round blue eyes that made her look permanently surprised. She noticed him looking at her and smiled dreamily at him; he looked away, blushing. Girls sure are strange.

Crash. "Oh no," Ron gasped, terrified. Gohan turned his head toward the commotion.

"It's all right, he's still alive," Hermione said, poking the owl gently.

Ron muttered,pointing to a red envelope. Both Ron and Neville were now staring in horror.

"What's the matter?" Harry asked.

"She's-she's sent me a howler."

Gohan focused on the smoking letter so much that he didn't hear the rest of the conversation. Ron gingerly picked it up and opened the letter.

A loud echoing angry woman's voice filled the Grand Hall."-STEALING THAT CAR! I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED-" but Gohan plugged his ears, failing to distinguish anything but a loud, shrieking buzzing.

When it was over, some students laughed, and the Hall was filled with chattering once more. Gohan grinned and laughed. "Wow! And I thought Mom was bad."

Hermione nodded approvingly; apparently, she thought they were punished adequately.

As the Gryffindor second years made their way toward their Herbology class, they were impeded by a handsome wizard and a ruffled dumpy witch. The man puffed out his chest and began explaining magnanimously about assisting Professor Sprout in caring for the Whomping Willow. Gohan noticed that Harry winced. Upon seeing Harry, the handsome wizard insisted that he have a word with Harry. Then, he unceremoniously grabbed Harry by the arm and began walking a small distance away.

Seamus whispered to Ron. "Wonder what Lockhart wants with Harry?"

Gohan frowned thoughtfully. "I donno, but he acts so funny. Kinda reminds me of Mr. Satan."

Dean burst out into raucous laughter. He continued laughing loudly all the way to Greenhouse Three. He cast Gohan a knowing wink as they separated. Blushing, Gohan chose an empty space near Hermione, Ron, and a curly-haired boy Gohan saw belonged to Hufflepuff. Moments later, a red-faced Harry shuffled in and stood gruffly next to Gohan.

During the lesson on mandrakes, both Gohan and Hermione managed to secure thirty points for Gryffindor for their knowledge. After selecting a pair of earmuffs, Gohan sat at a tray near Ron, Harry, Hermione, and the curly-haired boy who called himself Justin Finch-Fletchley. He lauded Harry and Hermione, acknowledged Ron and the car. Then, he monologued about himself and Eaton's. Finally, he turned his attention toward Gohan. "You're the new boy. What's your name again?"

"I am Gohan Son."

Justin frowned. "I think I've seen you before." Hermione turned her head toward Justin, her forehead wrinkled thoughtfully. Gohan quickly looked away.

"I'm not from around here," he said dismissively. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other. Gohan shifted uncomfortably.

When they packed up, Gohan hurried to Transfiguration. Finding Transfiguration fascinating, Gohan temporarily forgot about earlier in his eagerness to learn. Both he and Hermione had hands full of shiny coat buttons when they left. As they left, a boy named Colin Creevey stepped in front of Harry. After a short exchange and asking for a signed photo, Colin was interrupted by Malfoy and his cronies. After telling Malfoy that he was jealous, Colin became distracted by Gohan. Colin stared at him, frowning. Then his eyes widened in excitement. Desperately, Gohan shook his head at the boy, hoping that he'd understand. Colin was suddenly grabbed by Lockhart, who was wanting a picture taken of himself and Harry. A flash, and the deed was done. Gohan looked around, and noticed Hermione wasn't looking at the scene Lockhart and Harry were making, but directly at him. Gohan's heart stopped. Had she seen?

While the others slowly followed Lockhart to the class, Gohan hailed Colin. Colin turned and smiled brightly. He pointed at Gohan. "You're one of those Golden Fighters!"

"Shh, please Colin! I don't want anyone to know that!"

Colin stepped back. "Why not?"

Gohan stepped toward the boy. "Please! It's to protect my family's privacy…and mine. Please don't tell people!"

Colin stared at Gohan. He licked his lips. "Are you worried because Hercule beat Cell, and others may perceive you as weak?"

Gohan groaned. He had no choice. He lifted his right hand and rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, yeah, that's it. Heh, stupid, huh?"

"Colin, don't be so naïve," a voice said from behind. It was Dean. "There's no way Satan defeated Cell. Come on, Gohan. Lockhart's ready to start class."

Gohan frowned as Dean led him toward the classroom. "I know what you were trying to do, Dean, but I really don't want anyone-"

"Colin already knew, Gohan! He might as well have known the rest. I can't believe he's so stupid to believe all that nonsense, anyways! Besides, some people already suspect you're hiding something. Hermione sent me after you."

Gohan whitened. "She did?" Dean didn't answer because they had entered the classroom.

Lockhart's lesson was a complete waste of time. After taking a stupid quiz, Lockhart had let loose some cornish pixies into the hall. They immediately began ransacking the entire room. Lockhart fled. Gohan, impervious to all of the imps' tactics, laughed until tears were streaming down his face. Hermione began freezing the pixies and stuffing them into their cages. When they were finished, they stared at Gohan in astonishment. But Gohan didn't care; he deserved a good laugh. He hadn't laughed so earnestly since his father had died.

Over the next few days both Harry and Gohan spent every minute outside of their dorm hiding from Colin Creevey. If the boy wasn't sneaking up on Harry just to say "All right, Harry?" he was following Gohan around soliciting answers. Gohan had, out of necessity, learned Colin's unique energy signature and avoided Colin as though he was Vegeta, which, incidentally, didn't go unnoticed by Hermione Granger. Becoming more suspicious of Gohan's strange behavior, she began researching him in the library. Meanwhile, Gohan, while performing another Colin avoidance mission, bowled Harry over.

"Sorry," Gohan said, extending his hand to the sprawled figure on the floor.

Harry took it, grinning. "Where you off to in such a hurry?"

"Avoiding Creevey," Gohan replied absently.

Harry jumped in astonishment. "Same."

Gohan's eyes widened. "He's coming," Grabbing Harry's arm, he raced around the corner and stopped. Harry peaked around the corner. Nothing. Harry was about to tease Gohan with "Paranoid much?" when Colin turned the corner, looked around, sighed, and went back the way he came. Harry stared at Gohan.

"How did you know he was coming?"

Gohan started,then he scratched his head, smiling. "I don't know. Maybe I'm psychic, heh."

Harry raised a brow. Gohan groaned. I don't know how long I can keep this up. Gohan's eyes suddenly widened.

"He's right behind me," Gohan said quietly.

"All right, Harry?" The enthusiastic voice echoed through the hall, Gohan wincing.

"Hello, Colin," Harry said resignedly.

"I heard someone saying your name on the stairs. Look what I got! Just developed. I wanted to show you." It was a moving picture of Lockhart desperately trying to pull Harry into the frame but unsuccessfully. Gohan grinned as Harry blushed.

"Will you sign it?" Colin asked eagerly.

"No!" Harry snapped, winced, and changed his tone. "I can't, Colin. I've got Quidditch practice."

"Oh, great! I've never seen a game of Quidditch! Come on, Gohan! We can watch together! I can ask you a few questions." Gohan groaned.

"Actually, Colin-" But Colin had already grabbed his arm and Gohan, wanting to avoid suspicion, reluctantly allowed himself to be led behind Harry. Colin chartered incessantly all the way down to the foyer, commenting on Gohan's rock hard arm and Harry's broomstick. His enthusiasm reminded Gohan of his father. Gohan started at the comparison and smiled warmly as the memories of goofy grins and flying frying pans permeated his vision . Suddenly, Colin didn't seem so annoying.

Harry suddenly shot a double take at Gohan. "What are you smiling at?"

"Aw, nothing."

Gohan and Colin left Harry as he joined the players. Together, they sat in the stands. Harry quickly emerged from the changing room, broom in hand. As the team began chattering, Colin pulled his camera up and began snapping pictures. At the same time, Colin asked Gohan, "Anyways, before we were interrupted earlier, I was asking you why Dean said that Hercule never defeated Cell." Click. Click. Click.

Gohan shifted uncomfortably. "I really don't want to talk about this, Colin."

"Oh, come on. I won't tell. Did someone else defeat Cell?" Click. Click. Click.

Gohan sighed. "Yes."

Colin stopped taking pictures. "Really? Who defeated him."

Gohan frowned. He hated taking the credit for Cell. And Hercule did help him by kicking Android Sixteen's head to him. Father had died saving Earth,and Vegeta and the other Z Fighters had helped Gohan so that he could beat Cell. He sighed heavily. "We all did. We all defeated Cell…together."

"Wow! That's awesome. Can you tell me about it?" Gohan opened his mouth to tell Colin that he didn't want to talk anymore when he spotted the Slytherins talking to the Gryffindor team.

"What's going on?" Gohan lept from the stands and raced down the stairs, frustrated that he couldn't just fly.

"-they got in on pure talent." Hermione was finishing sharply.

Malfoy scowled. "Nobody asked your opinion, you filthy little mudblood."

Gohan gasped, and growled angrily. Hermione glared at Malfoy with a puzzled scowl. Harry watched in confusion as all the Gryffindors except himself and Hermione reacted angrily. Alicia had shrieked something, and Fred and George were blocked from attacking Malfoy. Ron had shouted something, pulled out his wand, and shouted something again, pointing the wand at Malfoy. The wand flashed, a green light shot through his wand from the wrong end, and with a bang it struck Ron, knocking him into the ground several feet.

Hermione and Gohan reached Ron first. "Ron! Are you okay?" she panted. Ron opened his mouth, hiccuped, and several slimy slugs oozed out of his mouth. The Slytherins cackled loudly.

"We've got to get him to Hagrid's," Harry said, but didn't move. Gohan put his hands beneath Ron's arms and lifted him from the ground. Throwing Malfoy one last glare, Gohan wrapped Ron's shoulder around his neck and followed Harry and Hermione.

At Hagrid's, Harry, Gohan, and Hermione related the event to Hagrid, Ron occasionally interjected between slug regurgitating. Hermione then told Hagrid that Malfoy called her a name, but she didn't know what it meant.

"He called her a mudblood, Hagrid," Ron growled, and belched more slugs.

Hagrid gasped angrily. "He did not!"

Gohan nodded. "I should have hit him after Ron failed. He's not very nice."

Hagrid shook his head. "No, Gohan. That's not a good idea." Hagrid stared at Gohan knowingly, and Gohan nodded. Hermione frowned as she noted the exchange.

Harry missed it. "I don't understand. What's a mudblood?" Ron's head reappeared, and he told them, in between rants.

Gohan growled. Hagrid clapped Gohan's back. Harry and Hermione winced, thinking that Gohan was about to be kissing the floor. But Gohan didn't even flinch. Hagrid looked right into Gohan's face, his hand still on Gohan's shoulder. "You need to be watchin' tha hot head temper of yours, all right?" Gohan nodded. Harry and Hermione looked at one another, frowning thoughtfully.

As Gohan hurried toward the Grand Hall, Hermione nudged Harry. "Harry, did you see that?"

"Yeah. Gohan didn't even stumble when Hagrid slapped him on the back. That's weird. Gohan must be tough. I think I remember Colin saying something about Gohan's muscular arm. I wouldn't know. Gohan's awfully shy when it comes to undressing in front of the other boys. He uses a privacy screen."

"Did you see the look Hagrid gave Gohan earlier? I think Hagrid knows something about Gohan that we don't."

Ron nodded. "So does Dean. I noticed that they give each other knowing looks and share jokes about Hercule Satan."

Hermione gasped. "I remember something! Gohan mentioned Cell on the train. Somehow this is connected. Besides, don't you think it a bit odd that someone joined Hogwarts second year? As far as I know, that's never happened before."

Harry frowned. "Whatever it is, Colin knows it, too. That's why he follows Gohan nearly as much as he does me. You think we can trick him into telling us?" They made their way to the dining hall, but were stopped by Professor McGonagall.

Gohan was on his tenth helping when he saw Harry, Hermione, and Gohan approached. "Hi, guys!" he said enthusiastically. Gohan was always happy around food. He continued eating, oblivious to the fact that he had an audience. Hermione nudged Ron, who was gaping at Gohan like he had suddenly sprouted a tail(Actually, he already had one; it was tucked neatly around his waist like a furry belt. He got the idea from Vegeta.). Ron looked away quickly. The three noticed that Dean was also watching, grinning mischievously.

"Want this turkey leg, Gohan?" he asked innocently.

"Oh, thanks, Dean!" Gohan said as he took the meat and placed it on his plate.

"Anytime," Dean said, clearly trying not to laugh.

Gohan paused. "What's so funny, Dean?"

Dean jumped. He had to think fast. "Oh, mother sent me an owl, today. She said that Mr. Satan paid a visit to Capsule Corp. Guess who he ran into?"

Gohan gasped. "Oh, he didn't! He didn't try to actually confront Vegeta?"

Dean chuckled. "Nah. He was supposedly there to start a scholarship for fighters and geniuses. He said that he'd offer a private lesson to the scholarship winner. You're both strong and smart. Interested in applying?"

Gohan raised a brow. "No way! I'd rather spar with Vegeta. No, wait! What am I saying? Hmmm. Yeah, I guess that's true."

Dean laughed. "Oh, come on, Gohan! You know I'd enjoy the entertainment value of watching that phony get his face plastered to the dojo wall." Gohan laughed and scratched his head while Dean sighed in relief. It was a good thing he had remembered the letter.

Gohan grinned. "So, how did Vegeta react to Hercule's presence?" The boys laughed and chattered, unknowing that they were being watched by three Gryffindors, a Ravenclaw with dreamy eyes, and a blond-haired Slytherin boy sitting between two trollish thugs. Draco Malfoy smirked thoughtfully.

That evening, Gohan and Hermione made their way to the Grand Hall. Suddenly, Gohan froze. Hermione stopped, looking back at Gohan. He was looking across the staircases in shock.

"What…is that thing?" Gohan felt a strange energy signature coming from the walls. It was massive, elongated, and powerful. Its ki sparked menacingly as it whispered strange words. He thought he heard the words rip and tear. Gohan's eyes widened. He snapped his head toward Hemione. "Get up to the common room, now!"

"What…Gohan?"

"GO!" Hermione sensed the fear in his voice and rushed up the steps. Gohan sprinted across the hall and stopped short. A giant snake appeared.

Immediately sensing the beams from its eyes, Gohan powered up an energy shield. The beam sailed through the shield toward Gohan's eyes. Gohan dodged the attack, but the beast moved his head, causing the beam to steadily make its way toward Gohan. The cold beam struck Gohan on the shoulder, once again directing the beam toward his eyes. Although feeling nothing but a cold sensation from the beam, Gohan realized the monster's intention and dodged once more. That thing's attack must only work if that beam hits my eyes. I'll just close my eyes and use my Ki sense to attack it.Gohan shut his eyes and felt for the beast. Suddenly, he felt other power levels approaching. I have to lead it away. He dodged the snake's lunge and led it back into the corridor. Miraculously, it followed.

It approached Gohan. The moment Gohan turned to face the monster, he shut his eyes.

"Let me kill you," it hissed.

Gohan smirked. "Heh. Come try it, beast!"

The snake stopped. "You understood me. How? Are you an heir?" The snake made a sound resembling a laugh. "No. You are not. You understood me, but you didn't speak it. Prepare to die, mudblood."

Gohan smirked and charged the monster.

Ten minutes later, a trembling Gohan stumbled toward the portrait. "Son," a familiar silky voice called sharply. It was Professor Snape, the man who had first led Gohan inside the school. He opened his mouth to ask him why he was out after hours, when he saw blood dripping from the boy's arm. He stumbled into the professor, who caught him.

"Son! What happened?"

Gohan spluttered. "Don't …look…at…its…eyes." He fainted.