Touched by Death – Chapter 3
Harry and Ron had already returned to the Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom where they finally looked like themselves again in oversized Slytherin uniforms. Where they had found out Hermione had gotten cat's hair in her Polyjuice potion. The situation was slightly funny considering Hermione had a tail. And was therefore in the Hospital Wing to untransform. It was a few weeks before the three convened in the private corner in the library, so Harry could recount the entire conversation.
"You said you knew that Malfoy wasn't the Heir, how?" Hermione asked.
Harry looked a little embarrassed, but knew he wasn't going to mention Flint and his involvement. Any Slytherin wouldn't want to associate with a Gryffindor. So, the story was embellished a little.
"You know how I was getting late out of Potions after you guys had left?" Harry asked.
The smaller Gryffindor received two twin nods in response.
"Well two older Gryffindors knew I had Potions and had a Hufflepuff with them," Harry started speaking.
Hermione and Ron's faces went a little pale but with no interruption.
"I had thought I could just hide in a corner and wait till they went past. But there's really not much to hide in the dungeons. Well I had lucked out that the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room was so close. Malfoy and an older Slytherin had come out and I had quickly hide behind him, as close against the wall as possible. They didn't notice a thing. So, when those Gryffindors and Hufflepuff almost collided with them. The Slytherins basically chased them off, something about they didn't know where I was and couldn't care less if I was unconscious on the floor somewhere. Though the older Slytherin did curse the three just cause. It was that conversation between those Slytherins that Malfoy basically said he wasn't the Heir and he'd gladly help out and where the Common room was," Harry explained.
Hermione and Ron just gapped at their friend.
"I'm sorry Harry… we should have just believed you. I know neither of us have really wanted to risk getting caught and thought it was one of those, honestly," Hermione said with guilt all over her face.
Harry brushed the comment away, "it's not a problem, Hermione. I probably would have done the same. Thinking that the words were just heard wrong or something."
Hermione looked relieved but still worried.
"You said there were two Gryffindors. Did you know them?" Ron asked.
Harry had looked at both his friends nervously before nodding his head in affirmation.
Hermione gasped, "who were they?"
"Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson," Harry whispered.
"Both from the team?" Ron asked in shock.
Harry nodded once more as Hermione looked too shocked to say anything.
"As much as I hate Slytherins, I'm glad they got cursed. I imagine Fred and George will have a great time pranking those two," Ron grinned.
Harry laughed as Hermione snorted but her amusement was clear.
"We all know that Slytherins are dirty cheaters with Quidditch. So maybe your next match will be a good thing," Hermione brought up.
Harry almost had to grimace in reminder. It was just his luck that the next match would be part of his deal with Flint. He wanted to think that Flint had probably done that on purpose, but he doubted that the fifth year would try to sabotage him during the game. Though knowing the older Slytherin, he wouldn't mention he was helping a Gryffindor, or more specifically The-Boy-Who-Lived.
The Gryffindor knew that Flint probably would use that to his advantage and twist the truth if it got out that the Boy-Who-Lived was basically aiding Slytherin. Though Harry knew he could probably twist the truth a little if Wood got too suspicious. That was a confrontation that Harry wanted to avoid at all costs. No doubt that Wood may accuse him for spying for Slytherin, despite that he is the Gryffindor Seeker.
That was then all three of them had left the library towards the Gryffindor Common Room, though Harry got a few glares. Nobody made any sudden movements towards him, Harry realized it was because his two friends were with him. The Gryffindor decided to keep that information in mind, though he doubted they wouldn't try to attack even with his friends with him.
Surprisingly the common room was mostly empty, but that could be because of the two twins in the room that shared devious grins. Most likely the two were up to their pranks and inventions again and nobody wanted to be their test subject.
Ron shared a look with Harry and Hermione.
"Come on, lets go ask them if they know about Katie and Angelina," Hermione said as she dragged both boys with her.
The twins immediately noticed they had company and grinned broadly.
"Ms. Granger," Fred got up and did a low bow and acted like he was tipped his invisible hat to her.
That got an eyeroll from the bookworm as she noticed George teasing his younger brother if the red ears were any indication.
"What's up, Harry?" the two older redheads asked.
The raven-haired was nervous for a minute but tried to steel himself. If there was anyone else he trusted besides Ron and Hermione, it was the twins. They had after all tried to prevent him from being hit by a rogue bludger. "Have you heard of any of the team trying to go after me?"
That's when Harry noticed a shift in the twins' posture, their eyes were narrowed with their lips pursed a little bit.
Harry shared a quick look with Ron, who's expression seemed to say, 'I told you.'
The tiny Gryffindor looked back at the twins when he heard Fred ask, "who was it?"
That's when Harry pleaded Hermione with a look for her to answer instead of him. She only shook her head. Harry needed to be the ones to tell Fred and George. Harry sighed as he whispered, "Katie and Angelina."
George's eyebrows almost raised in disbelief, "You know Fred, I thought those two girls seemed alright."
"I have to say George that we may need to choose another test subject."
"I couldn't agree with you more."
Harry's eyes flickered back and forth as the twins finished each other's sentences. Ron was right… not that he didn't think he wouldn't be. The twins after all had given him the Marauder's Map. Harry was just glad that Oliver didn't think he was the heir or least he never seen the older year try to attack him yet. Though he almost felt pity for the two girls, it was never a good thing to be targeted by the Weasley Twins.
It was back in the 2nd years dormitory that Harry had asked. "Do you think they be alright?"
The dorm was empty at the moment, most likely the other 2nd year boys were still in the Great Hall.
"Who cares…" was Ron's blunt answer. "But with the teachers not knowing who to believe right now, otherwise they would have been suspended from the team. They're just as scared as we are."
"You been hanging out with Hermione too much," Harry noted before laughing.
Ron then started to crack up a little. "Just as long as I don't have to live in the library…" The red head shuddered slightly.
To Harry it felt like any other day, but it surprised him that there were no ambushes from any of the houses so far. The Gryffindor internally cringed, he probably just jinxed himself for the day. With those thoughts Harry had tried to remain vigilant throughout the day and through his classes. He noticed the hateful glares, but no wands were drawn.
It was back in Gryffindor Tower that the Potter heir decided to skip the Common room and just head to the dormitories and try to take a shower to get everything off his mind.
That would be Harry's fatal mistake…
There was nobody in the dorm, Harry didn't think of anything of it to disrobe and leave the Slytherin pendant lying on top of his clothes. And without those controlling thoughts to keep the disillusionment charm up, the pendant would be visible to who gazed at it. There was no link to keep it invisible, until Harry was wearing it, then the link would reengage.
It was barely after Harry had finished his shower where things began to go downhill.
"Harry… are you in…" Ron cut himself off. "Bloody hell… what the hell is that thing?"
Harry had heard Ron calling his name, he must have entered the dormitory. He hadn't expected this to happen and his heart felt like it plummeted. He knew that Ron had seen the pendant… the last person he wanted to see it. He knew that the redhead utterly despised anything to do with Slytherin.
The small Gryffindor had brought a clean pair of robes with him and dressed quickly. The first thing he noticed was the disgusted look Ron was giving the pendant on the bed. As if he would be cursed if he dared to touch it. If Harry had honestly pondered it, he wouldn't be surprised if Flint added some dark curses to anyone that's wasn't him if they touched the pendant. Or least some spells that warded against theft.
Harry's thoughts were in turmoil, "Ron, I can explain…"
Ron recoiled, "so it is yours…" like he couldn't believe it. "It's a Slytherin necklace, why the hell would you have it?!"
Harry looked completely lost, he didn't know how to explain to Ron that it was for protection. No matter what he said, it wouldn't appease the redhead.
"Are you helping that Heir, that nobody knows who it is? I doubt you're a Gryffindor at all!" Ron almost yelled.
"I don't even know who the heir is, Ron. Why would I help anyone who wants to kill Muggleborns? I'm friends with Hermione!" Harry finally bit out.
"Who says that you're not pretending then!" Ron shot back.
"I'm not pretending, Ron! I would never fake a friendship with Hermione! You already know I've never had friends before Hogwarts, why the hell would I pretend to have a friend?!" Harry practically screamed out.
The smallest Gryffindor's eyes were starting to tear up. He couldn't understand why Ron would ever think he would pretend to be friends with Hermione. He could still remember the feeling what it felt like when Dudley would chase away any possible friends before Hogwarts.
That was when Harry noticed who was standing in the doorway, though the door was currently shut. Hermione's bushy hair was very distinctive as she had hands covered over mouth.
"Did you really not have any friends before Hogwarts?" the bookworm gently asked when she found her voice.
Harry barely nodded his head before he was enveloped in an intense hug.
"So, you're going to believe him over me?!" Ron shouted.
Hermione released Harry and raised an eyebrow, "what are you going on about, Ron?"
"He's aiding the Heir of Slytherin," Ron accused as he pointed a finger at his friend.
"That makes no sense, Ron. Why would he help the heir considering nobody knows who that is?" Hermione pointed out.
"Why don't you ask him," Ron snapped. "After all he apparently owns a Slytherin necklace."
Hermione looked surprised after she noticed a necklace that was still lying on Harry's bed. The necklace was in fact in the shape of a snake. "Where did you get that, Harry?"
Harry internally winced, but he knew that Hermione wouldn't have as big of a reaction as Ron would.
"It's a gift," Harry whispered.
"A gift?" Hermione asked.
"Probably from some slimy Slytherin, helping to attack muggleborns. A spy for Slytherin!" Ron spat.
Hermione looked at Ron in disbelief, "shut up, Ron. Harry would never want to attack muggleborns. Even if Harry was friends with a Slytherin, that doesn't make him a spy."
"Thanks Hermione," Harry smiled.
Ron looked enraged but didn't say anything. But that could be because Hermione had cast Silenco on him.
"So, a Slytherin gave that to you?" she asked.
Harry nodded.
"It wasn't cursed?" Hermione looked at Harry in disbelief.
Harry shook his head.
Hermione looked a little taken back as Ron silently fumed.
"It has protective spells and charms in it. Remember when I told you about when I was almost cornered in the Dungeons." Harry explained.
Hermione nodded silently.
"An older Slytherin actually helped me. I'm guessing I made him curious about me."
Hermione looked instantly intrigued. "That would make sense. There is the possibility that he saw you as a fellow Slytherin."
Hermione and Harry could tell that Ron was ranting, probably along the lines that evil, slimy Slytherins. They most ignored him at this point.
"What do you mean, Hermione?" Harry was confused.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Think about it, Harry. Slytherin always gets the bad reputation. So that means every Slytherin is the target of the houses, even first and second years. You are being targeted by the same three houses that always target Slytherins."
Harry gapped at Hermione, but her words made so much sense. He always wondered why Flint had agreed to hide him, despite the deal that was made afterwards.
It was then that Hermione and Harry looked back at Ron, seeing the redhead had stormed out of the dormitory. Fully believing that Harry wasn't a Gryffindor but a spy for Slytherin.
Harry then placed his head into his hands and let out a big sigh. He looked back up at Hermione who was kindly smiling at him in reassurance. "He's going to tell all of Gryffindor I'm helping the Heir, isn't he?"
Hermione bit her lip and her smile faded, "I don't know. But he is very prejudice against Slytherins. But I feel like this will make your life a bit more difficult…"
Harry groaned but then looked at Hermione in panic, "He's going to tell Wood…"
Hermione just stared at her friend in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"Ron is convinced that I'm a spy for Slytherin. Wood will believe anything… especially if its concerning Slytherin. Wood may not have tried to ambush me, but some of his players have."
Hermione shared Harry's look of horror.
If anyone had told Harry that it would slowly get worse, he probably comment how could it get any worse than that. To prove the point, the next week Hermione was found petrified. Harry had just lost the only two friends he had. Though only one seemed to be temporary as the mandrakes were supposed to be ready soon.
The attacks upon Harry just steadily got worse, with everyone believing Ron's rantings that Harry only pretended to befriend Hermione in an effort to get rid of the girl. And because of Ron, the Quidditch team fully believed that Harry was a spy for Slytherin, everyone except for the Twins. But even then, they didn't provide much relief.
The last straw had been when Harry had been chased on the 2nd floor and nobody came when the pendant sent out the frantic pulses. Harry had lost his last bit of hope for help. The tiny 12-year-old was cornered and trying to curl into himself as much as possible. Spells were cast that seemed to replicate the feeling of being electrocuted.
It was with that feeling that Harry woke up with a piercing scream. Ron was besides his bedside trying to rouse him from the apparent nightmare. Hermione was also there… not petrified.
"You alright mate, you'd wouldn't wake up," Ron was worried. "You were screaming…"
"Nightmare…bad one…" Harry slowly breathed. It had felt so real.
"Are you going to be alright?" Hermione asked kindly.
Harry nodded, "I think so." The Gryffindor looked around and noticed the room was empty except for his friends.
"They're already in the Great Hall," Hermione answered Harry's unsaid question. But she didn't pester what Harry's nightmare had been about. It clearly shook the boy to the core.
AN: If you hadn't noticed after the line breaker is when Harry's nightmare begins. So none of that has happened yet, if my last few sentences haven't made that clear.
~NicoDiAngeloLover7