Touched by Death – Chapter 4
Harry looked back and forth between his two friends. He didn't know what to think, it was like his thoughts were frantic and scattered.
Harry tried to gather his thoughts. The smaller Gryffindor least knew that everything that had happened had to be a nightmare. So, Ron didn't know anything about his pendant, neither did Hermione. Hermione wasn't petrified, so that meant that the house of Gryffindor didn't think their friendship was faked. Harry felt a shiver go through him, those spells and curses were horrible to experience.
Harry felt jerked out of his thoughts and noticed that Ron and Hermione were just standing there, awkwardly. He tried for a reassuring smile, but he knew that failed. It was starting to feel like he was surrounded, like he need some air and free space. Claustrophobic was the word for it. It was almost like he was choking to stay in that dorm. But that could be from the nightmare and he hadn't quite grasped that it never happened. Like he was expecting for Ron to go off any second.
He practically jumped off his bed as if it would try to bite him.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry snuck a glance at her, Hermione's lip was quivering.
The girl wanted to ask what was on Harry's mind, it looked like his eyes were glazed over. Her first thoughts were that Harry had cursed, but she couldn't come up with any spells. His face looked deathly pale, she couldn't imagine what kind of nightmare that could cause such an intense reaction. Though Hermione still thought her friend was under some sort of curse, but she didn't know how she could help him.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
Harry just looked at her for a second and nodded, "I just need some air away from all of this. It's getting to much."
"You'll be safe, right?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know…" Harry mumbled. "I can always find somewhere to hide in if needed."
"Okay," the bookworm whispered. "Come on Ron, let's go to the Great Hall." She honestly didn't want to leave Harry alone, but she knew he would run if he had to. And that their presence would only want to suffocate the 12-year-old.
Ron didn't need any more convincing. To the redhead, the Great Hall meant food.
But food wasn't on Harry's mind, it happened to be the furthest thing. But his feet started to move before his mind could tell him where to go. And his feet started leading the small Gryffindor past the 7th floor and taking shortcuts to pass the 6th and 5th floor. It was when Harry was passing through the 5th floor that he got the feeling he was being followed. That or his followers were trying to curse him, and he was moving too quick for them to aim a well-placed curse.
Harry's luck would run out on the second floor and his frantic thoughts were going everywhere. There was a secret entrance that would lead to the first floor and there you had to make your way to the dungeons. Though Harry didn't really know where his final destination was going to be. But it looked like he was be blocked in the 2nd floor corridor. So, Harry tried to get them lost in the maze of the floor. Mainly to give himself more time and get to the hidden wall. That plan wouldn't work out so well but maybe it was good timing. Because Harry almost barreled into Marcus Flint… again…
"Flint!?" Harry almost yelled as he stood still. His head had to strain back a little to look at the older Slytherin.
"Gee, Potter. Could you yell any louder," Marcus snapped.
Harry looked a little bashful, now realizing how loud he had been. He wondered if those chasing him heard him. Maybe he lost them…
"Get behind me," Flint hissed.
Harry blinked a few times, unsure had heard Flint right. 'Behind him?' What did he mean?
That was when the younger Gryffindor practically yelped as he felt himself picked up and crammed into the corner that Marcus had been leaning on. The placing wasn't very gentle, but Harry assumed that Marcus had caught on that Harry was being followed. And was helping him according to their agreement…
Harry was so lost in his thoughts he didn't realize that Marcus had once again threatened off his attackers but knowing the Slytherin he probably hexed them. Though he had briefly noticed a panicked looked on a boy in blue? Maybe yellow robes… Were they holding their mouths? What did Flint do?
Harry had to blink a few times before he noticed that Flint had turned around. There was a certain expression in his eyes before it was gone. That was when he realized that Flint had called him by his last name several times. That was when he felt something hard and painful across his shoulder and bit back the cry of pain.
"What the bloody hell was that for?!" Harry yelled.
"Stupid ass, Gryffindor," Flint muttered before speaking up. "That was to get your attention, Potter."
"What spells did you use against him, he was holding his mouth…" Harry asked before leaving the question open.
That got a smirk from Flint, "let's just say there's an engorgement charm for someone's teeth."
Harry's eyes went wide before he felt himself stumble. Though the Gryffindor let out a small laugh.
Flint's eyes then narrowed.
'Uh ohh,' Harry thought. 'Flint is going to ask me why I was in the Slytherin Common Room.
Turns out that wasn't what Flint was going to ask. "Hold still…"
"Huh?" the 12-year-old stated.
"Just shut up for a minute and let me concentrate," Marcus growled.
Surprisingly Harry didn't say another word as he stared at Marcus, who proceeded to have his wand in front of his face. Where before the Slytherin had it by his side, holding it almost in a death grip. Though the sight strangely reminded the Potter heir of Madam Pomfrey.
The Slytherin was muttering something under his breath and it looked like his wand were moving in complex patterns unknown to the 2nd year. There was a flash of color, a mix between black and purple. Then there was a sudden movement as Flint flicked his wand towards the right harshly.
Harry blinked his eyes a few times, his head seemed to clear up a little. Like something had been fogging his mind and it was now gone. "What was that," he whispered.
"Dark curse," Flint scowled.
"What did it do?" Harry asked nervously.
"Have you had any nightmares that almost feel like a reality?"
Harry was going to automatically answered no, as why would a Slytherin ask if he had nightmares. Then he remembered that nightmare. The details a little more pronounced. Had that curse caused those nightmares? The Gryffindor slowly nodded yes.
"Hmm…" Flint debated on telling the Gryffindor what the curse did or not. Not like it would hurt. "It is a curse that makes a person think their worst nightmares are happening. If exposed too long it will drive a person to insanity. It's a slow way to torture a person's enemy."
Harry's jaw dropped in horror. "Is there a way to find out who cast it?"
Flint squared his jaw and nodded. "I would look at your memories."
Harry looked flabbergasted, like he couldn't believe that magic had the capability to do that. "My memories?"
Flint rolled his eyes, "yes, your memories…" 'Clueless as a Mudblood,' he silently thought.
Harry was nervous but tried to steel himself before nodding the 'go ahead.'
Marcus only raised an eyebrow in surprise, he honestly didn't think the Boy-Who-Lived would let someone go through his mind. Potter was definitely interesting. "I need you to think from the last time we spoke."
Harry let out a loud sigh before muttering an okay. It was when he started to think about that particular day that he felt something wash over him. He wasn't sure what, but it was like a probing itch.
The older Slytherin was using Legilimency on the younger boy. He didn't want to probe too much. Too much exposure at a young age tended to damage the mind. He did catch glimpse of some family that seemed to be twice the size of the Gryffindor. Marcus decided to stow that information for later, it might be useful. It was watching the after events of their first run-in that Marcus got the information he needed. With that he gently pulled himself from Harry's mind.
The Gryffindor was slightly panting as if he was just running. The slight probing had gotten worse and he felt the pounding headache. Harry just hoped that Flint got the answers he needed.
Flint just looked at Harry as if trying to determine if the boy was worse for wear or not. "The effects will wear off. Looks like a Ravenclaw got too curious for their own safety. Knowing them, they didn't know the full implications of such a curse. Even a Slytherin wouldn't use that spell on their enemy, considering the spell is considered dark. Outside of Hogwarts, that's something different. It's surprising that it wasn't picked up on the wards."
Harry didn't dare interrupt Flint while he was explaining as the boy didn't have to tell him anything and yet he did, but that didn't stop from his eyes widening. So, someone probably knew dark magic was cast and didn't care? Which brought the next question that Harry asked the older Slytherin. There had to be spells or enchantments that could block unfriendly spells.
"Are there any spells that can block that?"
Flint look thoughtful, there were spells and enchantment. Those were more to ward against minor spells, hexes, and curses. To deflect that kind of curse, the Gryffindor would need a ward. Then he decided, he wouldn't cast a ward on the Potter boy just yet. He wanted to see if the boy would keep his word. He would find out about that later at the match. Though he could gain another favor from the young Gryffindor, that or charge him a fee.
"There is an enchantment I can cast against that spell…" Marcus started to speak.
Harry's eyes were wide with hope.
"I won't cast it now, find me after the match and then I'll see." Marcus finished.
Harry's eyes went downcast in dread. Then he heard the last part of what Flint said. Did Flint think he wasn't going to hold up his end of the deal. Though he thought about it for a second, Harry really couldn't blame him. When did a Gryffindor ever get along with a Slytherin? Both of them were bad with trying to sabotage the other. Harry decided to just say what he had originally thought.
"You don't believe that I'll keep my word?" Harry asked, almost hurt.
Flint merely just raised an eyebrow.
"Right… Gryffindors and Slytherins typically don't get along."
"Smarter than you look, Potter," Marcus noted.
I'll see you after the match, then," Harry replied, looking determined.
Flint didn't say a word till Harry turned and headed back towards the Gryffindor dorms. The words were more to himself, "this could be interesting. A Gryffindor that willing to keep his word to a Slytherin."
It was after Harry left Flint that he returned back to the dorms, though he did have to make a quick detour to the Great Hall to grab some toast. But knowing Hermione and Ron, those two were probably waiting back in the boys' dorm before the match. With that Harry hurried with a quicker pace towards the 7th floor. He needed to get his Nimbus 2000 after all. One thing that was on Harry's mind, Flint didn't bring up that the Slytherin knew he'd been in the Slytherin Common Room.
Just like Harry expected, Ron and Hermione were in the Boys' Dormitories. Both of them were grinning broadly as Ron handed Harry his Nimbus.
"You guys are oddly in a good mood," Harry noted suspiciously.
Ron just let out a laugh, "I'm just excited when you'll beat Slytherin today."
Harry's heart sank in guilt, "I don't know… I have a bad feeling about this game."
Hermione smiled encouragingly, "even if you don't win, Harry, least you know you did your best."
Harry tried for a smile, "thanks Hermione. Maybe I can least make it hard to Malfoy if we don't win."
Ron looked a little grim about that it was possible that Gryffindor may lose to Slytherin. "Least you'll give Malfoy hell…"
"Right…" Harry mumbled to himself as he grabbed his Nimbus from Ron. "I'll see you guys after the match."
"Try to stay on your broom this time, won't you, Harry," Hermione teased as Harry looked back at the bookworm.
Harry grew embarrassed, he remembered his first match all too well, "I guess we'll see…"
"Don't let Wood take off your head, mate!" Ron shouted at Harry as the Gryffindor practically ran out of the dorms.
Harry was full of nerves as Wood droned on about tactics how to win against Slytherin in the Gryffindor dressing room. He had already gotten a couple hateful glares from a couple of his teammates. The youngest Gryffindor didn't need to focus on them to know who they were. Though when he did look at them, the seeker almost burst into laughter. The Quidditch uniforms were still the typical red of Gryffindor, but their hair was a mix of green, pink, and purple. No doubt a prank from the Weasley Twins. And when they charmed someone's hair it wound up lasting for days or weeks. Though, apparently Marcus' curse had either worn off or the girls somehow regrew their hair. Harry was curious what all the Weasley Twins may have done, he knew they wouldn't have stopped just at cursing their hair.
It was when Harry's eyes met Fred and George's that he noticed identical grins. They knew he saw the cursed hair. It was after then that Wood finally decided to end his lecture and to head out on the Quidditch Pitch. Harry had honestly not paid attention to a single word the Quidditch Captain had said. He did listen when Madam Hooch was warning both teams that she expected a 'clean' game from them. Not very likely, Slytherins and Gryffindors always played dirty, especially Slytherin.
The Potter heir did manage to catch Flint's eyes, who gave a firm nod in his direction. Though the Slytherin Captain did scowl at the other Gryffindors. It was honestly expected.
Harry then mounted his broom and hovered several feet in the fair, waiting for the Quaffle to be released. As the game couldn't start until then. The Gryffindor did notice that Malfoy was glaring at him. He decided to ignore the blonde for the time being. Knowing Malfoy, he probably would take insult to that.
When the game actually began, Harry didn't really search as much for the Golden Snitch and studied some of the chasers. Gryffindor and Slytherin seemed to be evenly matched. Though Gryffindor only managed about three goals where Slytherin already had seven.
Though if someone asked, Harry probably would deny that he had aided Malfoy into almost flying face first into a bludger on his own. Sadly, the blonde gained the few senses he actually had and swerved out of the way. Not that the 'innocent' looks from Fred Weasley would help him any. Though, supposedly George accidently hit one of the bludgers towards Katie, who let out a short scream when it collided with her shoulder.
Madam Hooch couldn't tell if the act was intentional, so no penalties were given. The match continued and seemed like the match was getting dirtier. Harry already had slammed into the Malfoy heir to let the snitch escape. That had gotten a few curses from the blonde and before the Slytherin could retaliate, Harry flew out of his reach. Harry smiled, there was no way he was going to make this easy for Malfoy to gloat about. He'd let Slytherin win, but Malfoy had to work for it. His rival wasn't going to be given the victory on a golden platter.
The next time that Harry would look at the points, Slytherin was in the lead at 110 points and Gryffindor following with 60. That was when Harry figured that Slytherin was enough in the lead to let snitch be caught. Of course, he probably could have lured Malfoy at the beginning of the game to catch the snitch, but there was no way he would make it that easy. Immediately, he saw the snitch at one of the posts on Gryffindor end, he raced towards there. He was fully aware that Malfoy would probably follow him and then he would pretend he lost sight of it. The young Potter slowed down and flew towards the center of the pitch. Malfoy didn't notice anything except that he caught sight of the snitch. Harry would then grin when he saw the bludger Fred had aimed towards the Malfoy heir. The blonde didn't realize the path he was in until after he caught the golden ball. There was a loud crunch as the boy was hit face first. The tiny Gryffindor had to wince, he knew what it felt like to be hit by a bludger, a cursed one at that. Malfoy would probably have to be taken to the Hospital Wing.
Madam Hooch then blew the whistle. There were a lot of groans when the words were shouted, "Slytherin win!"
Taking a chance to look back at the scoreboard. Harry noticed that Slytherin had won with 310 points and Gryffindor with 90. 'Wood is going to be pissed…' Harry thought with a gulp. He chanced a glance at Wood who looked crestfallen and probably near tears. It was then that Harry looked over at Flint, who was still hovering in the air. He had a triumphant look on his features and then caught Harry's eyes. The captain gave a firm nod and shockingly gave a small smile. Harry was so surprised he almost fell from his broom. Though he returned the smile.
The Gryffindor thought it was about time he needed to get out of the air, knowing his friends, they would want to speak to him. Though he would later try to find Flint.
Harry didn't even have to pretend to be disappointed and down about the Slytherin's victory. He loved beating Slytherin and Malfoy at Quidditch. Though he was gleeful that Malfoy got hit full force by one of the Bludgers.
"So Slytherin won…" Ron grumbled.
Harry had to roll his eyes, "least I got to see Malfoy get hit by a Bludger in the face."
Ron's annoyed look had turn to glee, "that's was bloody brilliant!"
Harry snorted, and it turned into a laugh. "Too bad he avoided the first bludger…"
Hermione didn't say anything, but you could tell she loved that Malfoy got his version of karma handed to the arrogant prick.
AN: I'm hoping I didn't too bad for the Quidditch match as it's the first time I wrote one. I did enjoy writing this chapter. Hope you all liked it.
~NicoDiAngeloLover7