AN: Sorry for the delay between chapters. These past weeks have been very difficult with college exams and everything. Now that I have finished my exams I was able to actually work on this chapter.

Enjoy

~NicoDiAngeloLover7

Touched by Death – Chapter 9

Harry was getting annoyed as he scribbled on the parchment in front of him. Hermione and Ron seemed to act nervous around him nowadays. Like they wanted to ask him something and decided against it at the last minute. Their behavior was starting to grate on his nerves. But Harry couldn't be too mad about it. He finally got his corporal form on his Patronus. His nerves were bouncing everywhere in excitement and it overruled his annoyance. Harry had wanted to tell Marcus about it, since the Slytherin would occasional question him about his progress.

The Gryffindor hadn't seen the Slytherin in the past few days. Harry had assumed it to be because of prefect duties. He was just silently thankful that Malfoy couldn't be a prefect yet, that year no doubt would be hell. Harry did wonder if he would be appointed as a prefect, he knew that Hermione would be.

An hour had to pass when Harry had finished writing one of his essays. He was overlooking it before almost cursing when the ink well almost spilled over his new essay. The Gryffindor had to almost turn around to catch Marcus smirking at him. The Slytherin had ruffled his hair and made Harry jerk in surprised.

"I could kill you," Harry hissed.

Marcus snorted, "you couldn't hurt a fly if you tried."

Harry rolled his eyes, though he knew Marcus was right.

"I did notice a few Gryffindors looking for you. Vaguely familiar ones too," Marcus hinted heavily.

Harry groaned loudly before covering his mouth and looking around frantically. When he didn't see a certain librarian in sight, Harry noticeably relaxed.

Flint started snickering as he took the seat in front of Harry.

"I'd like to see you willingly want to face her wrath," the Gryffindor hissed.

Harry grinned in satisfaction when Marcus instantly sobered up.

"So even the noble Slytherin doesn't want to face the wrath of Madam Pince," Harry laughed.

Marcus huffed before letting out a small smile. "So, no comments from the legendary Harry Potter about your followers…"

Harry glared at Marcus before answering, "they won't leave me along. Swear if it's not about Quidditch maniacs. It's about this Sirius Black being after me fiasco. You would think the ministry would have caught him by now. I already have one supposed madman after me, why not add another…" Harry remarked sarcastically.

The Slytherin was unimpressed before Harry's last comment caught his attention. "You do realize that Sirius Black isn't really after you, right?"

"What!?" Harry almost shouted before falling out of his seat. The Gryffindor didn't even realize that he had fallen and was trying to grasp for the chair. That was when Harry realized he was on the floor. He unsteadily got up on his feet, "say that again."

Marcus didn't even look amused that Harry had fallen off his chair. This wasn't considered a laughing matter to the Slytherin. "Sirius Black isn't even after you. He never was. He's not even a Death Eater." Flint commented like it was common fact.

"How…? That's all I've heard about is that I have another killer after me," Harry felt hopeless as he crashed back into his chair. "What the bloody hell is a Death Eater?!"

"Harry… what you heard is all speculation. I can't personally say if he did kill thirteen muggles or not. One thing you need to know about Sirius Black, his family were very dark. And a Death Eater is a follower of one of your supposedly 'madmen.'" Marcus started to say. Though he had to glare at Harry when the Gryffindor started to open his mouth.

"Don't interrupt until I finish," Marcus bit out.

Harry just nodded, realizing that Marcus didn't have to tell him. And yet here was Marcus telling Harry information that Harry knew nothing about.

"Sirius' family was one of the darkest families, even more than the Malfoys. That's the thing about Sirius Black, he repelled against everything his family stood for. Nobody saw him as a Slytherin doing his school years, a brash and reckless Gryffindor through and through."

"You would think that our precious headmaster would have filled you in…"Marcus grumbled. "Or at least your so-called friends may have."

Harry was stunned, not sure what to think. Though for some reason it didn't even offend him when Marcus insulted his friends and Dumbledore.

"Why do people think he's after me, then," Harry risked asking.

Marcus didn't seem to mind the interruption, "Witches and wizards automatically thought back to his last name. That the rebel Black finally showed his true colors. There is another reason why, the main reason. Sirius Black is your father's best friend. There was this protection around your home and one person is required to keep the secret in order to keep it hidden. Everyone thought it was Sirius Black and that he betrayed your parents and was always loyal to the Dark Lord."

Harry's mouth had started to gap during Marcus' explanation. Though he appreciated that the Slytherin broke it down into something he understood. "How do you know all of this?" Harry's voice broke at the end, almost shaky. He knew the implications of how people's opinion worked. Get enough of it while pulling some strings and presto the accused lands in jail.

Marcus' eyes narrowed a little. "This conversation does not leave this room."

The words were almost dead quiet and yet threatening. The threatening tone didn't phase Harry as the Gryffindor quickly nodded.

"My mother and father were very close to the Dark Lord. It is very well known that Sirius Black was not a Death Eater. Black hated everything about them and the dark. The Dark Lord would love to have Black killed. The person that may be after you is not Black, but Peter Pettigrew. Some say Peter was killed, there's not much truth in that though."

Harry didn't make a sound as he listened to Marcus. The Gryffindor knew that Marcus had kept this solely to himself. Harry understood why. His parents were followers of Voldemort and it was obvious that Marcus wanted nothing to do with them. Even at thirteen, Harry knew what it meant if someone found out. Marcus could get killed. The truth honestly baffled him. It did make Harry wonder how much trust Marcus had in him to tell him this. The only question was if Black wasn't after him, then why did the man break out of prison.

"Did Dumbledore know any of this?" Harry asked.

Flint looked thoughtful, "Probably so. I have no doubt that Dumbledore performed the charm to hide away your family before your parents were killed."

Harry instantly heard the dislike for the headmaster in Marcus' tone and Harry couldn't blame him. It felt like the past three years the Gryffindor heard nothing but praises for the old man, but here was Marcus giving him his view point of the headmaster. Some of Flint's complaints made sense and it created distrust within Harry towards Dumbledore. It made Harry want to question the old man why he had let perhaps an innocent man spend so many years in prison.

"So, if Sirius Black isn't really a Death Eater and after me. Then why is he at Hogwarts?" Harry asked Marcus.

Marcus had already lost his tense look that he had before revealing to Harry about his family. The Slytherin looked more relaxed. "Sirius Black may have some idea that Peter Pettigrew is still alive and at Hogwarts."

Harry physically paled, "So, the real betrayer of my parents could be out there wanting to kill me…"

"Not if I have anything to say about it… I don't care that Sirius may be your godfather. You're under my protection." Marcus threatened with a growl.

Harry smiled a little bit as his cheeks grew warm. It was nice to know if there was anyone to count on, it was Marcus. It was when Harry heard Marcus' last comment did, he start to choke.

"Say, what now?!" Harry's voice screeched a little.

"Sirius Black is your godfather," Marcus said nonchalantly.

"Why did I not know this?" Harry's voice was filled with anger.

"That's probably the stupidest question you've asked. Do you really want the answer?" Marcus remarked.

Harry bit his lip, "probably not…" The Gryffindor knew the answer by Marcus' sarcastic remark. It was another strike to add against the headmaster. It made the raven-haired boy think about what made him instantly trust the old man.

It was after Harry was back in the common room that he wanted to kick himself. The Gryffindor had gotten so distracted that it slipped his mind what he wanted to talk to Marcus about. Harry couldn't find it in himself to be too disappointed about recent events. Especially since the Potter heir found out that Sirius Black wasn't really after him. From what Marcus said, it seems like Sirius only broke out of prison to protect him? The information was still a little baffling considering what he had found out in recent months. And now all that information was backwards or vice versa. It relieved him a little that he knew that another murderer wasn't after him. Though, even Marcus didn't know if Sirius really did murder those thirteen muggles. Marcus didn't seem to believe he did, considering this was a man who despised everything about his family and the dark. Harry found himself believing what Marcus had told him. Even if Harry didn't believe Marcus, he had no reason to doubt the Slytherin. After all, Marcus had never lied to him before, why would the older boy start now. And it didn't help much that the Gryffindor was developing a very hard crush on the Slytherin prefect. Harry was almost positive that the older boy liked him back too.

Harry did wonder on how much truth there was in the story about Sirius Black. If Sirius Black was really to be a hater of anything that was dark. Then it may be a set up and Black may never have killed anyone. That fact blew Harry's mind, an innocent man may have been sent to prison. Another fact that had shocked the Gryffindor was that he had a Godfather. Someone who could take him away from the Dursleys. Harry knew that Marcus had seen part of a memory that showed what his relatives looked like, hopefully Harry could keep it that way without the Slytherin finding anything else out. It made the raven hair boy wonder if he would ever escape his muggle relatives. Harry had a feeling that Marcus would find a way if he could, the Slytherin had already made clear that he was protective of him. And then there was the unknown card, his godfather. The Gryffindor didn't know anything about the man. Harry knew if Black was appointed his godfather, he had to have been close to his parents. The fact that scared the Gryffindor was, what if this apparent godfather only cared about his dead parents and not him? It did make him wonder if Gringotts had it somewhere on file who his godparents were. Harry didn't know much about Goblins, except they hated thieves and seemed very prideful. The Gryffindor didn't doubt they could be easily offended if someone insulted one of their clients and hated when wizards tried to interfere with their affairs.

There was another thing that kept nagging Harry's mind. The amount of trust that Marcus had displayed hours previous. Harry didn't think Marcus would freely offer that information to just anyone. Yet, Marcus told Harry when he had asked. Even though the Gryffindor didn't mention a word about knowing about Marcus' family. So, Harry knew that Marcus must have felt it was important to tell him. Or maybe Marcus felt it was necessary for the young boy to know. And if Harry's assumption was correct about Marcus and his family, then Marcus didn't want anything to do with the Flint's. Harry secretly hoped that was true, the Gryffindor probably wouldn't know what to do if Marcus had gone up to him and told him that he was going to be one of those 'death eaters.' Harry personally didn't want to even dare imagine if that ever happened.

Trying to tear himself from his last thoughts did Harry notice he had an approaching figure.

Harry instantly recognized the figure to be Hermione. It wasn't until the girl approached did the Potter heir notice she was nervous. Hermione had taken a seat beside Harry in the empty Common Room and couldn't quit fidgeting.

It lasted several minutes before Harry got annoyed. "Hermione, will you quit moving so much."

Hermione had instantly stopped fidgeting before she actually looked at her friend.

Harry sighed, "if you want to ask me something, go ahead. You look like you're going to burst."

Hermione looked taken back by Harry's words.

The raven-haired boy almost wanted to smack himself. Maybe he was hanging around and talking to Marcus too much. Because it seemed like he was starting to copy the Slytherin's sharp tongue.

"It's just you seemed to isolate yourself from us lately, Harry. We don't know what going on with you lately," Hermione finally let out.

Harry sighed, he had honestly been wanting to tell Hermione that he been talking to Marcus and been going to him for advice more. And it seemed Hermione's question had just opened that door.

Harry started to twiddle his thumbs at that point. "I've actually been meaning to talk to you about this. I can't tell Ron; his temper and jealousy would burst. He would never listen to reason."

Hermione listened to her friend's words with rapid attention. "I think I can understand that. What's going on Harry."

"I made a new friend…" Harry started to say.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "I kind of guessed that Harry. What has that have anything to do with all of this?"

Harry glared at his friend, "I was getting to that."

Hermione visibly deflated before nodding.

"Last year with everything going on, someone from another house protected me from the other houses. He's been protecting me ever since really."

Hermione's eyes widened. She had a feeling she knew where this conversation was going. "Someone from Slytherin house helped you?"

Harry nodded before revealing the Snake pendant he never took off anymore. "He enchanted this for me to ward off any dark magic. One of the students tried their hand at it, to get revenge at me. Thankful he noticed and gave this to me."

Hermione didn't dare to touch the pendant. "It looks like very complex magic…" she said in wonder.

Harry nodded before hiding his pendant away again.

"Who is the Slytherin that helped you?" Hermione asked.

Harry was hesitant to reveal Marcus' name to Hermione. Something in him was wary to trust his friend with Marcus' name. Harry didn't think it was about that he didn't trust Hermione, maybe it was. She could easily slip up and say Marcus' name, especially to Ron. Harry didn't want to think what the house of Slytherin could do because Marcus was friends with a Gryffindor, or more specially 'The-Boy-Who-Lived."

"I don't think he wants anyone to know that just yet, Hermione," Harry tried to explain gently.

The bookworm's eyes flashed in annoyance. It was obvious the girl was curious, and she wanted to know what Slytherin had helped her friend. "Is he the same one who convinced you to drop Divination and lie to us about it?"

Harry was taken back by the harsh tone. "No, he wasn't. He didn't have to force or convince me to do anything! And he definitely didn't tell me to lie to you guys! I didn't think it was any of your business! So, what if I quit Divination, what makes you think that I needed to inform any of you guys!"

Harry's anger and annoyance were obvious. Even Hermione wasn't obvious to her friend's anger. "That's still no reason to lie to us, though!" Hermione almost shouted.

"Who said I ever lied to you guys. Maybe I wanted to have my privacy for once in my life. It's not like I can actually have privacy. Did you ever think that maybe I want to keep my own secrets and that I may tell you guys later?! But no, you have to pry and Ron's no different. If you want to have and keep my trust, why don't you try to earn it and act like you're my friend!" Harry yelled back and stormed out of the Common Room. Harry was furious and if he stayed any longer, he may have tried to curse his 'apparent friend.' The Gryffindor didn't want to head to the library as he doubted Marcus was there. The Slytherin always seemed to listen and hand out a few harsh comments. But at least he didn't lie and accuse him like Hermione just did. With that in mind did Harry head to the Kitchens.