Touched by Death – Chapter 2
Harry had to gently touch his scalp where he knew a dark bruise would form. It didn't really ache that much now, despite the fact that he had collided with a wall. And true to form, Hermione had almost panicked when she saw the bruise.
"What happened?" she finally asked in the sanctuary of the library.
Ron hadn't spoken though he looked as equally worried.
"I got chased again…" Harry left off.
"Ohh…" Hermione whispered.
Harry sighed, "Gryffindor and Ravenclaw." He knew what Hermione's question would be.
"My brothers won't be happy," Ron whispered.
"It's not like they will freely admit to Fred and George that they tried to attack me," Harry said.
"True, but it's not like we know many of the upper years," Hermione commented.
"Unless you count the Quidditch team," Harry countered.
Hermione nodded, "So how did you know about that tunnel on the fourth floor? I've never heard of a pretend wall."
"Something that Fred and George gave me. They already knew they couldn't really protect me despite being on the Quidditch team. They had this map that shows everything in Hogwarts. That tunnel is a shortcut to the second floor."
Ron looked a little grumpy, "no wonder they knew where all the secret passages around the castle."
Ignoring Ron did Hermione ask, "you said something about a spell that created a burn on the wall?"
Harry nodded, "I've never seen a spell like it and I doubted I wanted to get hit by it."
"Did you notice what color the spell was after you dodged?" Hermione interrogated.
"Like a bluish tint to it…" Harry guessed.
"Well… it could have been the Expulso Curse," Hermione guessed.
"What does it do exactly?"
"It's supposed to blow a target to bit or burn the wall as it tends to create small explosions…"
Harry looked a little green and scared.
"It has a different effect on humans, most of the time it will blow you into a wall, with enough force, will knock you unconscious."
Harry gulped, even if that spell had a different effect on people, he knew if he had been knocked unconscious. He would have been left there for someone to find or target practice.
"Guess I know what to expect next time," Harry almost stuttered out.
Hermione gently bit her lip in nerves as Ron looked a little stricken. They had been lucky that as Harry's friends, to not be targeted. But they didn't know what to do, none of the teachers would believe them. And there wasn't much they could do as second years.
It was only a few days before the Polyjuice potion would be ready. Luckily it would be ready a day or two before the Christmas holidays.
Which brought to Harry's current predicament, he had barely just left the Potions classroom before he heard a snarl that said, "Potter!"
The snarl was from a little way down the corridor from what looked to be an older Gryffindor, though Harry couldn't place his name or face. Not even questioning himself, he darted towards the other end of the hall. Hopefully he could manage to escape the dungeons or give the older boy the slip.
It was near the end of the hall that the second year could have cursed his luck, it was a dead end. Then before he could stop himself he collided with an upper year Slytherin and was knocked to the ground.
The Slytherin never budged from he was standing but the older Slytherin looked down at the Gryffindor.
"Potter!" he snarled.
Harry ducked his head before glancing behind him. He didn't see anyone, but he could hear that someone was running towards them.
"Help me, please. They'll kill me…" Harry practically begged as he gently rose back to his feet.
The Slytherin raised an eyebrow in disbelief before noticing a figure at the other end of the hall.
"Stand behind me."
Harry just stared at the older boy in disbelief, was a Slytherin actually going to help him?
"Can you not fucking hear?" the Slytherin hissed.
Harry nodded his head instantly and practically dove behind the bigger Slytherin and pressed himself against the stone wall in an effect to stay further hidden.
"Stupid ass Gryffindor," Harry heard the Slytherin mutter under his breath. Harry didn't pay much mind to the words, seeing as that Slytherin was hiding him.
Moments later Harry could hear cursing from two females. He was confused for a second, he swore there had been a male chasing him.
"Drat… I don't see him… do you?"
"How hard could it be to catch a franky second year?"
Harry couldn't see very well behind the bulky Slytherin, but he heard the boy's words.
"What do we have here… two lonesome Gryffindors and a weak Hufflepuff?"
"Why the hell are you here, Flint?" a girl hissed.
"One would think a Gryffindork couldn't get any dumber," the Slytherin smirked as the girls fumed.
"You still haven't answered my question."
"Maybe I wanted to try out some new curses…" the Slytherin left off.
The two older Gryffindors and Hufflepuff paled.
The snarky Slytherin snorted, "I'd hurry along before a certain Quidditch captain learns he just got short two players for Gryffindor and one for Hufflepuff."
One of the girls still down quite bow down to what the Slytherin was saying, "just tell me where that Potter brat is?"
Her two companions were alarmed and slowly backed away from Flint.
"Even if I did see that Gryffindor, why would I tell you? Or maybe he's lying around somewhere unconscious by a stray curse. So why would it be any concern to you Bell or Johnson?" Flint purposely let the two girls' surnames slip, knowing full and well who was listening behind him. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was betrayal from their own house.
"Come on, Katie. This is a waste of time, why would a slimy Slytherin care where a Gryffindor is," the girl named Johnson bit out.
Flint just smirked at them as they slowly walked away, hesitantly. With good reason as Flint had just casted a few curses at the trio. All a mix of the calvorio curse and a pus-squirting hex.
The Slytherin got glares but it wasn't very effective as they were holding their noses.
"Just be lucky it wasn't the blood boiling curse," Flint snarked.
It was as soon as the older Gryffindors and Hufflepuff were out of sight did Flint move and show the hidden second year.
Harry didn't say a word and just stared at the Slytherin that towered over him. The Slytherin was very tall and bulky. Like he was purely all muscle. His hair seemed to be pitch black, though he couldn't tell the color of his eyes.
The staring began to get on Flint nerves before snarling, "why the hell are you still standing there for?"
Harry started to stutter before he could get his words out, "why did you help me? I thought all Slytherins hated Gryffindors. Especially me…"
"Anyone with a fucking brain would know you aren't the Heir. Plus, anyone willing to betray their own house deserves to be cursed, those dickheads got what they deserved," Flint practically snarled.
Harry just looked at Flint stunned, he believed him... "I thought all Slytherins didn't care about that…"
The 5th year snorted, "McGonagall might be Gryffindor, but she doesn't lie when she says your house is your family. You don't betray that… that makes you the lowest scum past filthy ass muggles."
Harry's ears went hot as he heard the cursing, maybe Flint didn't care how he said it…
"Why are you telling me all this?" Harry hesitant voice asked.
Flint studied the second year for a minute. "You don't act like a lion… Maybe for one you asked a Slytherin for help? And the fact that you actually approached me. And I would never allow a younger year that can't defend themselves to be cursed."
Harry looked confused, yet stunned, but why was it such a big deal that he asked someone in Slytherin to help him.
"You're different, Potter," Marcus observed.
Trying for a different question, "how did you know those Gryffindors?"
That got a snort, "I'm surprised you didn't recognize their voices. They are on the Gryffindor Quidditch team."
Harry looked crestfallen.
"By your look, you finally recognized them… Shame that you lions are supposed to be known for your loyalty and not one has any of it. No wonder Gryffindor isn't a fucking challenge."
"How do you know that they were on the…" Harry cut off his own question. It made sense. Flint had to be on the Slytherin's team, especially if he could recognize two of the players.
"You're the one that announced that Malfoy was on the team with the Nimbus 2001s'. I remember they had called you Flint. You seemed alright, not as hostile as Wood was," Harry said as he remembered.
The older Slytherin looked surprised, though it was a little amusing that this tiny Gryffindor claimed he wasn't as hostile as the Gryffindor's own captain. "Malfoy can't fly worth shit, though many would disagree with you on that, Potter."
Harry had to blink a few times before laughing about Flint's comment about Malfoy. "So why is he on the Quidditch team, then?"
Flint rolled his eyes, "I rather not hear his whiny ass mouth about his father. He's lucky he's not got cursed like any dumb ass Gryffindork."
Harry snorted, least his house wasn't the only one annoyed by Malfoy's higher and mighty attitude. "How is it that only Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff is wanting to curse me? None of the Slytherin house."
"You just answered your own question, Potter. Slytherin knows very well that you're not the Heir," Flint responded. "Not like anyone does," he muttered.
Harry's eyebrows raised as he caught Flint's muttering. So that meant that nobody in Slytherin was the Heir. Who could it be then? Harry didn't have the answer and supposedly neither did any of the Slytherins. That meant that Hermione was making a complicated potion for nothing.
"Spit it out, Potter. I know you have another question," Flint almost droned.
"If I need help again… how I can I find you?" Harry's question was hesitant, knowing full and well that Flint was probably going to refuse. That he didn't want nothing to do with 'brainless Gryffindors.'
Flint almost froze at the question in surprise. A Gryffindor was wanting to associate with a Slytherin… willingly? Maybe he could use this to his advantage.
"What will I get in return for helping you, Potter?" Flint asked.
Harry went a little wide eyed, Flint actually was agreeing to this? Then he got a little panicked, what could he offer an older Slytherin? "I'm only a second year, doubt there is anything I could help with…"
"Use your fucking brain, Potter. You're a seeker, are you not?" Flint hissed out.
The Gryffindor looked confused, what was Flint getting at? "What does that have to do with…" Harry left off. "You want me to make sure Gryffindor loses…" Harry's heart sank, that's what Flint wanted in return for his help… Wood was going to be so furious if he found out.
"You catch on faster than most Gryffindorks," Flint noted. "I don't expect you to throw every game, just against Slytherin. But you never know with brash Gryffindors."
Harry gulped, he was thankful enough that Flint didn't want Gryffindor to lose every game. That would be a lot harder to explain why their star seeker couldn't find and catch the snitch like he had for every game so far. He knew it would already be difficult enough to not catch the snitch right off like he usually would. But maybe he could play off that he hadn't seen it till he actually caught it if he did at all.
Flint looked gleeful, "You are willing to sabotage the Gryffindor team…"
Harry looked torn but nodded.
Flint grunted but looked pleased.
"How will you know if I need help and its urgent?" Harry asked. He needed to know if he was going along with Flint.
"There's an ancient spell that can work as a tracking charm and sends out a pulse if you were in immediate danger. As it reacts to your thoughts," Flint explained.
Harry made a small ohh sound. He didn't know such a thing existed.
"I will not cast it on you, but I can cast it on an object. I have a snake pendant that you can will invisible, as not to alert any brainless Gryffindor that can't keep their mouths shut," Flint continued.
The Gryffindor nodded his head in understanding, "won't it get damaged in Quidditch? I can't have it lying around…"
Flint actually laughed at that "Something so Slytherin found in the Lions den. They would be outraged. That pendant will be magically resist."
The 12-year-old's fears calmed down significantly. Last thing he wanted was for someone on the team or Ron to come across the pendant by accident. He already knew his house was extremely prejudiced against the House of Snakes.
It was then that a tanned, bulky hand gave a silver intertwined snake pendant, it was like the snake was coiling around the chain to the Gryffindor. It looked beautifully crafted and the eyes took the color of emeralds. Harry was stunned, he hadn't expected that the pendant would look like this, but considering it was coming from someone in a Pureblood line. But the pendant looked like it had cost a fortune and Harry didn't dare protest that this was too much. "Thanks." Without any further thoughts, Harry automatically put the pendant around his neck and felt the wave of magic wash over him.
As if Flint could read his mind, he nodded in approval.
As if a parting gesture, Flint ruffled the Gryffindor's hair, making it more messed up than usual. The second year reminded the 5th year strongly of the younger Slytherins in 1st or 2nd year. That were hated because of their house and yet this Gryffindor was hated because of a conception that was usually associated with Slytherins. "See you, Potter. I will enjoy beating you at the next match."
Despite the somewhat nasty words, Harry grinned at the older Slytherin. "Doesn't mean I won't catch the snitch first, Flint."
"I look forward to it, Potter," Flint smirked before walking to the assumed Slytherin's Common Room as he seemed to vanish behind a stone wall.
Harry was now in Moaning Myrtle's haunted bathroom with Ron and Hermione. They still planned on using the Polyjuice potion to interrogate Malfoy. Harry had tried to protest that Malfoy was not the heir. His friends refused to believe him as that Slytherin could be the only logical person. Hence why he was still dragged along to drink an illegal potion. Not even the words that he had eavesdropped Malfoy talking about him wishing he knew who the heir was would convince them. Seeing as the Potter heir couldn't tell them that he basically had an inside ear inside the house of Slytherin.
Harry could picture Hermione and Ron laughing or they believe him and abandon him altogether. For associating with a Slytherin… He knew that not all Slytherins were bad. It was like saying all muggles acted like the Dursleys and yet Hermione's parents were fine with magic. He doubted anyone would believe him for saying that Marcus Flint wasn't 'all that bad.' But it all had to count for something and it felt like Flint had dropped some of his Slytherin masks when he had begged for help. Where he knew Malfoy would have gladly watched in amusement as he got cursed. But it wasn't like Flint was doing it out of the 'goodness of his heart', like any Slytherin he expected something in retribution for his 'help.'
'Wood is going to be so mad…' Harry thought with dread. He knew how much of a fanatic the older Gryffindor could be. But maybe it was worth it, seeing as two of the girls on that team had wanted to curse him. He already knew what this meant; they were not only going to be losing the Quidditch Cup, but the House Cup as well. The House of Gryffindor was going to be devastated.
It would be through the whole process of the drinking the Polyjuice potion that started to kick in Harry's nerves. He had no idea how this was going to work out well, but Hermione had believed nothing could go wrong. The first sign that Ron had started to believe what Harry said was when he led them to where the Slytherin Common Room was hidden.
Ron was going to protest on why they were standing in front of a wall before hearing Malfoy shouting towards them. Apparently, the blonde took their word that the two boys had still been pigging out in the Great Hall. He took no notice that his 'disguised friends' didn't know the password.
The entire encounter had Harry's nerves hitting skyward as both boys listened to Malfoy. It was the close call that had Harry want to dart through the doors no matter how suspicious. And that was because the potion was starting to fade. It was by luck that their distraction came in the form of Marcus Flint.
Later Harry would admit that Flint's expression was hilarious as Harry let the invisibility charm fade on the pedant for only Flint to see. The older boy had looked dead shocked before regaining his composure and asking why Malfoy wasn't in his dorms being after curfew. It was so satisfying to see the Malfoy being knocked down a peg, that just because he was the Heir to the Malfoy fortune did not mean he was excluded from following Hogwarts rules. And he was to expect a word from their Head of House.
It was the hard look from Flint that made sure Harry and Ron had scrambled out of the common room and head back to Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom. It would be then that Ron would apologize to Harry about not believing him about Malfoy, it could have saved both boys the trouble.
Harry just wondered what Flint may say to him when he next saw the Slytherin on why he was in the Slytherin Common Room.