Touched by Death – Chapter 6
Harry Potter was once again on the Hogwarts Express and their destination was Hogwarts. He was going to be starting his third year. Yet he couldn't help but think of the last few events of his second year and his summer.
Marcus basically told the Gryffindor that he would be coming with him to the Chamber of Secrets. To prevent him from acting like a brash Gryffindor. Least that was Flint's words. Marcus didn't look thrilled at having to help rescue one of the Weasley's youngest.
Harry had honestly been a little embarrassed on what happened in the Chamber. Like Marcus said, he acted a little bit like a rash Gryffindor. Harry honestly thought Marcus would have cursed him if not for the fact that Harry had gotten basilisk venom in his bloodstream. And then there was the fact about this Tom Riddle. The same Tom Riddle that would eventually turn into Lord Voldemort. Marcus looked about dead shocked. The same Lord Voldemort that his family practically worshiped was a half-blood. Not a Pure-Blood like the mad man proclaimed. It hadn't ended there.
Harry had wound up escaping Marcus' watchful eye and killed the Basilisk when Tom Riddle sent the beast on him. It would be after Tom Riddle was essentially vanished and diary destroyed that Marcus revealed something things. By that point Harry had already been healed by Fawkes and cancelled out the venom. Though Marcus had seen the diary for what it was, a Horcrux. The Slytherin Prefect didn't tell Harry much what a Horcrux was, only that it was a very dark artifact.
The seriousness of Marcus' tone made Harry not want to ask more. He doubted that Marcus would have elaborated, no doubt because of how young he was. Flint may have been talking to Harry more, but that didn't mean he gave information freely. But he felt like maybe if he was a bit older, Marcus may have said what a Horcrux is exactly. The term was unfamiliar, but seeing it was a dark object. There would be no way Harry would know anything about the topic.
Marcus may have not said, but Harry knew that he probably dueled Tom Riddle. It was enough to keep Tom's attention off Harry when he decided to be a Gryffindor and go after the Basilisk.
That was the first time in memory that Marcus crushed Harry in a hug. The Slytherin was so much bigger than the Gryffindor, yet he somehow created that safe feeling. It was after that Flint had demanded to see Harry's arm and the scar left by the Basilisk's fang. The Gryffindor's skin was healed by Phoenix tears, but that didn't stop the growl that Marcus gave.
Then there was the end of term at the Feast. Slytherin had won not only the Quidditch Cup, but the House Cup as well. Wood was basically near tears that Gryffindor didn't keep their winning streak. McGonagall was very tight lipped about losing to Slytherin and by extension, Snape. She was a big fan of Quidditch after all. Harry had known that Slytherin would win if Gryffindor had lost the matches that it did. But he honestly wasn't that saddened over the fact. He had remembered the previous year when the House of Gryffindor turned because of point loss. No doubt there be a similar occurrence if they knew how they lost. And of course, Marcus was ecstatic over the fact that Slytherin won, all courtesy of Harry Potter.
Harry's ears had turned hot when he remembered the lecture Flint basically gave him because he dared to try to lose against Ravenclaw. Apparently as a brainless Gryffindor he didn't think that losing only applied to Slytherin. Flint basically ordered that he was not to purposely lose every match and almost draw Wood's attention to his lack of skills. Marcus didn't really care that Gryffindor was to be in last place, but he did care that those actions would bring the wrath of Gryffindor on the younger boy. Harry had known that Marcus wouldn't not specifically say he cared in so many words, but he knew exactly what he meant. That had created a feeling of warmth that Harry couldn't quite understand.
That brought Harry's thoughts to his past summer, Harry had been allowed to let Hedwig out of her cage. If not to keep her quiet, Uncle Vernon's words, not his own. He occasionally mailed letters to Hermione, Ron, and Marcus. The summer hadn't really been worth noting. Unless you counted where the Gryffindor tried to avoid being in the house as much as possible. It would have been an alright summer if not for the fact that Marge Dursley, Vernon's sister was staying for a week. Then it happened, Marge had pushed one of Harry's buttons and his anger went off. He wound up blowing up his aunt and the Gryffindor proceeded to run off to the Leaky Cauldon.
That brought Harry to where he was now, still on the Hogwarts Express, attempting to find an empty compartment. He didn't find an empty compartment as the emptiest held an older gentleman. No doubt he would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. That was where Harry would meet up with Hermione and Ron. And the speculation that Sirius Black had escaped Azkaban and was after him. And yet another apparent mad man was after the Gryffindor.
And Harry worries didn't remain on Sirius Black, but the Dementors of Azkaban as well. The Gryffindor knew he was lucky that the compartment contained the new DADA professor. The only thing that was puzzling is when he remembered hearing some woman screaming. Apparently, Ron and Hermione had heard nothing. The Potter heir didn't think he was hallucinating. Maybe it was something like the Chamber of Secrets fiasco, where only he could understand Parseltongue. As much as he liked to believe the idea, he doubted it had much merit to it. The same professor that had sent the Dementor away had already left the compartment. He had said something about talking to the driver or maybe he was making sure the Dementor was gone.
Harry had to resist the urge to go find Marcus on the train. He knew the older boy would know what that screaming may be about. As smart as Hermione is, she didn't understand what screaming he may have heard or maybe she thought it was his imagination. The idea of finding Marcus wouldn't do any good as Hermione and Ron didn't know anything him and Marcus being friends. He knew that he had to eventually tell his friends about Flint. That was something that Harry desperately wanted to postpone as much as possible. And yet he knew it is impossible with Hermione around. That girl often caught onto things instantly that normally would take him a while. It wasn't that Harry didn't want to tell Hermione, the problem was Ron. Harry knew that Ron had the tendency to overreact, especially when it involved Slytherins. That boy's prejudice ran very deep and Harry had a feeling that it would break their friendship.
Another reason why Harry had resisted the urge was he knew that Marcus would be surrounded by other Slytherins. Most likely they were Slytherins from Flint's year. Harry believed that Marcus had to be either in his fifth or sixth year while he was entering into his third. Marcus may not have minded being around him and talking to him. But other Slytherins had no such opinions. To other Slytherins, he was a Gryffindor, an instant rival and enemy. Marcus may never mutter a curse at him, least not a lethal curse, but that wouldn't stop another Slytherin.
It would be at the Great Hall that Harry felt a little mortified. That reason was because of Draco Malfoy. The Malfoy heir was currently reenacting the scene of him fainting on the train. The blonde apparently thought it was hilarious that a dementor made Potter faint.
Harry tried to ignore the blonde as did Hermione and Ron. Despite that Harry was trying to ignore Malfoy, he was trying to seek out Marcus. When he found him, he noticed that the older boy looked mad at something. Flint was basically snarling at anyone who dared to speak with him and it looked like the boy's eyes were narrowed. Harry scanned the entire Slytherin table to find where Marcus' glare was aimed at. The Gryffindor wasn't sure if he should be surprised or to take pride on who had gained Marcus' anger. His cheeks flushed when he realized that Marcus had met his gaze despite him being at the point of cursing Malfoy on his behalf.
The Potter heir had to advert his eyes when Hermione noticed that Harry was gazing at a certain Slytherin intently. He would let the bookworm think he was glaring at Malfoy for his attempted reenactment. Seeing the girl didn't really see what Slytherin her friend may have been looking or glaring at. Hopefully she wouldn't notice that his cheeks were noticeably redder and that he never looked at the blonde.
Subconsciously did Harry place a hand where the pendant was hidden under his robes. It was surprising that Marcus never did ask for the pendant back. Only that he told the Gryffindor to keep it, in case he needed to know when he was in danger.
Harry could be found in the library in the hidden corner with several books spread open around him. None of his friends from Gryffindor was with him. He hadn't spoken to Marcus since the summer, but he knew that the Slytherin would know where he was if he wanted to. He imagined that he would get some incredulous looks if they heard him saying he'd prefer Marcus' company.
The Gryffindor was trying to find out what spell that Professor Lupin casted to drive the Dementor away. He still didn't understand what the screaming was about, but he hoped that researching may give him an answer. So far, he hadn't found anything yet, he even went to actually reading through his Standard Book of Spells for year three and four.
Not only was Harry trying to figure out the spell, he was trying to find information about the elective classes. Hermione was still giving him a dirty look for choosing the easiest courses. Choosing the same classes as Ron did, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. Despite that the girl was going to try to take every course imaginable.
It wasn't really Hermione's looks that got Harry to do this research about classes. Just the fact that Harry knew that Marcus would likely curse him if he dared to take a stupid subject by a fraud just for an easy class.
There wasn't really a conversation between them two about classes that he would take the following year. But Flint had ranted before about the fraud of a teacher for Divination and that the school could do better. Of course, it had been a rant on Marcus' part on how much he hated the headmaster.
The Potter heir wasn't blind to the mistakes that Professor Dumbledore made. Though he imagined he would have been without the Slytherin's friendship. Though Harry wouldn't mind the headmaster most times. But he wouldn't willing go to the headmaster to sit down for a chat.
Harry was so focused into the books that were in front of him, that he never realized the shadow that appeared behind him. He didn't notice it until he felt a warm hand ruffle his hair. The Gryffindor couldn't hide the grin that appeared on his face.
"Marcus," Harry guessed as he glanced behind him.
Flint easily towered over Harry despite the small growth spurt Harry had over the summer. It was even more noticeable when Harry was sitting down.
"Well I'm definitely not one of those brainless ass Gryffindors…" Marcus muttered as he pulled himself a seat.
"No doubt," Harry replied dryly.
Flint bit back a laugh, "one would think you're hanging out with Slytherins too much."
Harry grinned, "and yet here you are still tolerating my presence."
"What the bloody hell are all these books for?" Flint finally asked.
Harry had the decency to look embarrassed. "Class electives…"
Flint had the nerve to look disbelieving.
"Yes, I know we chose the classes at the end of last term. But I may have chosen a wrong one…"
"You fucking signed up for that fraud's class, didn't you?" was the accusing question from Flint.
"Ummm… yes…" the response sounded more like a question.
"And what were you expected to do with that class? Be a seer?" Marcus' tone was mocking.
Harry was not offended by Marcus' tone as he was too use to the Slytherin's vulgar and sarcastic language. Though it left him a little annoyed. Ironic since he been wanting to talk to Marcus earlier.
"It's not like I knew what class to take!" the Gryffindor snapped.
Flint was unimpressed. "Look at it this way, Harry. You need a class to make a career out of. Divination is utter shit. You could have asked any upper year."
Harry's anger melted away and instantly felt guilty. He knew that Marcus tended to be blunt a lot. Most the time he appreciated the honestly. It was nice to hear Marcus call him Harry and not Potter. It truly gave Harry the idea that they were friends. Not just two people that tolerated the other. It was Marcus' last phrase that got his attention, was that his way of saying that he could have asked Marcus?
Marcus wound up scooting next to Harry to see his current schedule. "The other classes aren't too bad. You have the main five that's required. Care of Magical Creatures can be a good choice, depending on what you want as a career."
Harry felt a little meek under Marcus' intense stare as his cheeks heated up. "Healer," was his soft whisper.
Flint raised an eyebrow at that. "It suits you…"
Harry had to blink a few times, like almost he couldn't believe that Marcus didn't even question it. Complimented him really.
"You're not surprised?" Harry didn't even have to hide his astonishment.
Flint snorted, "you honestly don't expect me think you wanted to be an Auror?"
"Well… no… but that hasn't stopped anyone else from thinking that before," Harry answered back.
"You hate violence… you really expect me to believe you want a job that's about violence?" Marcus arched an eyebrow.
Harry's cheeks turned even brighter red, he never realized that Marcus had paid that attention to him. Enough to realize what he may or may not like. He honestly liked it, considering that Hermione and Ron thought he wanted to be an Auror.
Marcus just smirked as if he never expected Harry to answer him. "If you want to be a Healer, you will have to ask Madam Pomfrey about apprenticing under her. As she will be responsible for teaching you your healing courses."
"Oh…" The Gryffindor muttered as if it didn't occur to him.
Flint rolled his eyes before muttering, "bloody Gryffindor…"
Harry maturely stuck his tongue out at the Slytherin. That's when he posed his next question, "what am I supposed to replace it with?"
"You could just drop the stupid class…"
"You have to have two electives though!" Harry cut in before looking sheepish. "Sorry," he muttered.
Marcus sent a minor stinging hex at Harry's hand. Who turned and glared at the Slytherin though the hex didn't hurt that much.
"If you listened to your Head of House, you would have realized that you can drop a course if it is too much and not have to replace it with another. But if you are so set on adding another course, I would take Ancient Runes," Marcus continued with annoyance.
Flint's annoyance was then set aside when he noticed the two sets of Standard Book of Spells. "What are those for?"
Harry actually looked nervous now. He knew that he wanted to ask Marcus about the Dementors. But now he had annoyed the Slytherin, though unintentionally. The Gryffindor knew that it wasn't really him that Marcus was mad at, it was the entire school or specifically the dramatics of Malfoy.
"Dementors…" the Potter heir muttered quietly.
Marcus had to lean in to hear Harry before he was taken back. His annoyance faded with the realization what Harry had been looking for. He really hadn't been annoyed with Harry in the first place, but everyone in this damn school was driving him all to hell. Especially Draco Malfoy, but at least he knew why that stupid blonde was reenacting someone fainting.
"Why would you need the Patronus Charm?" Marcus finally asked, though his tone was soft.
Harry's eyes shot up to meet Marcus' and his face heated up on seeing the soft look. As much as people always said that Flint was always glaring or snarling at someone. The Gryffindor didn't believe that to be true. As the only time Harry had ever seen the Slytherin glare at him was when they first met.
"I keep hearing screaming when they come near…" Harry's voice was below a whisper. As if he was afraid of what Marcus may actually mock him. For being weak.
Marcus almost had to grasp at the table as he was in shock. He fully knew that Dementors brought forth a person's worst memories. A person typically suffered more, especially if the memories were worse for wear. And the Slytherin had a pretty good idea on who may have been screaming in Harry's memory. But there was another frightening thought for the Slytherin, if Harry had passed out did that mean that the boy could have been kissed. Though Flint had never met the new professor, but he had already gained some of his respect.
Marcus lightly grasped Harry's arm, "something you need to know about Dementors. They will relieve your worst memories. Memories that you may not remember until now… But the only thing that can protect you from this is the Patronus Charm. It is considered a 7th year spell, though they speak about it in your fifth year."
The light touch felt warm to Harry, though it helped with Flint's words. The grip wasn't tightening, it felt like it was showing concern. Though the words were a little frightening to think about. Memories that Harry didn't know he had… "My mother…I saw my mother murdered…" It made sense, he recalled the flash of green light from the same memory. And it was a woman's scream after all. And despite the sinking feeling Harry felt, he felt an urge to learn the charm Flint mentioned.
Flint had to grimace at the thought of what Harry said. It wasn't easy to witness someone being murdered and to be reminded of that memory was even worse.
"Thanks Marcus," Harry whispered. He felt a little better but not much. Not with the fact that Sirius Black was after him and it seemed that his memories attracted Dementors. But it was nice to know that he wasn't hallucinating like his friends probably thought.
The Prefect gave a small smile and ruffled Harry's hair like he did when he got there.
"Well someone has to stop you from getting into your rash Gryffindor tendencies," Marcus teased.