Touched by Death – Chapter 11
Harry couldn't help brushing his fingers across his lips. They were still tingly and bruised. The Gryffindor had been doing this for the past hour, almost unable to believe the events that had just transpired. He had just made out with Marcus Flint and he was practically ecstatic about it. Though Harry doubted that anyone in Gryffindor would be as happy as he was. Harry snorted, they probably would fall dead in shock. Harry still felt very proud of Marcus, he finally managed to cast a Patronus.
The older male had been shocked when his Patronus turned from mist and took upon a corporal form. Harry could have sworn the older boy had smiled, he didn't even smirk.
There had been a moment of confusion on Harry's part. He didn't really know what creature Marcus' Patronus took. He could tell it was some sort of horse with wings, it sort of looked like a Skeleton or something.
It wasn't a surprise that Marcus noticed Harry's confusion and begrudgingly sat on the hard floor. Harry didn't even hesitate to sit on Marcus' lap and rest against his chest.
Marcus just let out a genuine laugh at Harry's choice of seating. That didn't stop the Slytherin from wrapping his arm around Harry's waist to bring the boy even closer.
"You probably didn't recognize the form my Patronus took. It's called a Thestral."
"What type of creature is it?" Harry's voice was curious.
"It's a horse with bat shaped wings. You won't learn about Thestrals for another year or two in Creatures. They're typically gentle creatures unless provoked. They actually pull the school's carriages," Marcus explained.
"Then how have I never seen them?"
Marcus wasn't surprised that Harry had never seen them. The Slytherin didn't doubt that the Gryffindor seen his parents murdered. Marcus was pretty confident in assuming that Harry never really comprehended what death was at that age. "Thestrals can only be seen when you have seen death and accepted it."
Harry's voice was small, "ohh."
"You still have a powerful and breathtaking Patronus, Marcus. I'm assuming people doesn't understand much about Thestrals. The same with you. Nobody has gotten to really know you and I'm glad I have," Harry said.
"Sappy ass," Marcus muttered with affection.
Harry was starting to get nervous about the upcoming Quidditch game. It was a miracle that Gryffindor hasn't really played a match yet. The Gryffindor saw it more as a blessing, though students at Hogwarts were getting suspicious since they never really saw Harry at practices. Despite that the other houses had been playing, Harry felt like he should try to be in the stands at the next Quidditch match. Harry just hoped that Madam Pomfrey would summon him to the Hospital Wing and just skip the game all together.
What then came as a surprise to the 13-year-old was having Hermione and Ron approach him when he passed the portrait of the Fat Lady. Ron hadn't really spoken to him in months, he assumed it was because the red-head was having jealousy issues that Harry avoid everyone. It didn't make much sense to him that Ron would then avoid him and the make the issue bigger.
Harry almost wanted to turn in the other direction when he saw the pissed off look Ron had, though Hermione looked more nervous. The Gryffindor almost wish he did was the red-head exploded with the entire common room to hear.
"When were you going to tell me you're not on the Quidditch team anymore!" Ron shouted.
Hermione winced, she realized that Ron probably could have been quieter about his remark.
The comment got the attention of the entire Gryffindor Common Room and Harry realized that he had a room full of attention.
'Might as well make it interesting,' Harry thought.
"Maybe I didn't think it was any of your concern or unless Wood decided to make you a player and it affects how you play," Harry snapped.
"Not my concern?!" Ron yelled. "You're my bloody best mate. Or I thought you were… when were you going to tell me?"
"When the hell are you going to try to act like my best friend? You already spent months not talking to me. What type of friend does that? Hermione has been more of a friend than you, and that's not saying much. But at least she'll try to find out if there's a problem. And I don't have to bloody tell you everything about my life. My life is already complicated enough with everything going on. Or have you forgotten there is another killer after me?" Harry's voice was full of venom.
Those you didn't even know much about the Boy-Who-Lived had to wince. That didn't stop anyone from continuing to eavesdrop.
"And how the bloody hell would you know about me not playing Quidditch?!" Harry's focused his anger on both Ron and Hermione.
Harry didn't expect an answer, but he received two guilty looks.
"I don't fucking believe it. Did you eavesdrop on a conversation not meant for you?" Harry accused.
"Harry, we were concerned…" Hermione tried to explain.
"What makes that right by eavesdropping on something that wasn't meant for your ears. I would have told you. But no, you had to stick your fucking nose where it didn't belong," Harry snarled.
Hermione looked crestfallen and flinched when she heard Harry curse. Ron looked a little apologetic, but not much.
"This isn't you Harry!" Hermione cried.
"How would you know?" Harry snapped at her.
"You would never curse like this or keep something from us?" Hermione claimed.
"Maybe I've had some things opened up for me and made me prioritize things more. Having another killer after you can do that…" Harry said sarcastically.
"And being friends with a Slytherin has nothing to do with that?!" Hermione finally snapped.
Harry's face darkened, and Hermione wished she could take her words back immediately. Harry had after all trusted her to keep that information to herself. She could understand a little why Harry would want it not public information. Gryffindors and Slytherins rivalry was legendary.
"You're what?!" Ron shouted.
The shout was loud enough that some covered their ears.
"Why the bloody hell would you be friends with a slimy snake for?"
Harry was seething, "well at least someone was there while everyone thought I was the heir or that this apparent killer is after me. I didn't have a damn prefect or teacher that was willing to believe me and yet that so called 'slimy snake' saved my life more than once."
Ron was gaping. "They're still a Slytherin. You're associating with someone who's evil and a Death Eater!"
Harry pointed his wand at his former friend, "let me tell you something Weasley. You may right that some Slytherins do have parents that may have been Death Eaters. But that does not mean all of them are. Maybe my friend's parents were Death Eaters. But they rather be killed than be one. Don't you dare tell me something you would never understand. You are as bad as Malfoy. Prejudice in every way about Slytherin and Voldemort. That does not go for the entire house. Like it would be stupid to say all Gryffindors are stupid and rash. I will tell you one thing. You are not my friend and don't even dare try to approach me again. Or maybe I'll ask my Slytherin friend for some useful curses." Harry wound up spatting the words at Ron and didn't even glance at Hermione as he headed for the 3rd year dorms.
Hermione looked ashamed that she had said what she had. Heartbroken that Harry couldn't even bare to look at her. Wanting to avoid the next outburst from Ron, she headed to her own dorms. The bookworm was silently hoping that Harry may forgive her for what she did.
There were still talk about the scene that happened in the Gryffindor Common Room. Ravenclaws were more indifferent about it. Passing it off as just a rumor. Hufflepuffs were acting about the same way, except for the slight curiosity who the new Gryffindor Seeker would be. Slytherins acted a little indifferent, but if you looked hard enough there was unease. None of them knew what Slytherin would be friends with the Boy-Who-Lived. It was like there was an unspoken rule that Gryffindors and Slytherins don't get along. There was some speculation on who the Slytherin was. But the number was few. The guesses were mainly those in 3rd year and so they never got close to the real person. The only Slytherin that actually knew was Marcus Flint. The Slytherin was betting that the Gryffindors were underestimating how big the outburst from Harry and his so-called friends was. Flint knew that Harry would have been pissed in his honor. It seemed stupid to him, but he knew that's how Harry was. The Gryffindor were the worst, as they were also speculating why Potter wasn't on the Quidditch team anymore. There were some speculation on how one of their Gryffindors become friends with a Slytherin, none of them could come up with a realistic idea. There was one fact that the entire school knew, Harry Potter was not playing as Seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
It was still afternoon when Harry wandered to the library. Harry knew that Marcus must have heard the rumors started by Gryffindor by now. The Gryffindor just wondered if the prefect would be mad at him. Harry didn't really think Marcus would be pissed at him, it wasn't like the school knew what Slytherin he was 'friends' with.
Harry felt like he needed some type of distraction. Between the fight between his friends and the worry about Marcus. The Gryffindor practically slumped in the closest chair and held his face in his hands. The 13-year-old tried to breathe evenly, hoping to get his thoughts more in order.
Marcus knew exactly where Harry would wander, and it was no surprise that he saw the boy slumped in his seat. The Slytherin felt worried when he saw that Harry's hands were trying to hide his face. Marcus was a little apprehensive, but he didn't let that stop him from caressing Harry's hair.
The Gryffindor preened under Marcus' touch and looked up at him.
"So, I've heard that the school now knows you're friends with a certain Slytherin...should I be jealous?" Marcus teased.
Harry almost looked offended by the question, "And you say I'm a Hufflepuff... It's you... idiot..."
Marcus rolled his eyes before muttering, "not a fucking Hufflepuff." Marcus didn't hesitate to bring Harry into a short kiss. It was soft, not as rough as last time.
Harry was grinning like an idiot after they broke apart. "Could have fooled me."
"Meet me in the abandoned classroom?" Marcus asked.
The Gryffindor started to gap at the prefect.
"That usually requires an answer…" Marcus drawled.
"You're not mad at me?"
"Why the hell would I be mad at you?" the Prefect asked bewildered.
"Well it's practically my fault that everyone in the school knows I'm friends with a Slytherin. Once someone sees us together, they'll know which Slytherin it is," Harry pointed out.
"I don't give a fuck what people think," Marcus snarled. "They can go fuck themselves if someone thinks they can tell me what to do."
Harry nodded, he knew that if someone tried to get Marcus what to do, someone probably would get cursed. "Why do you want meet up in the abandoned classroom?"
Marcus looked unimpressed, "you look stressed. Obviously, an argument just happened, and I doubt that's a conversation you want overheard by snooping students…"
Harry sighed, "obviously you heard about the rumors around the school."
"Hard not to…" Marcus drawled.
"Whatever," Harry muttered. "Let's just go. Doubt Madam Pince would like me cursing her precious books."
Like Harry expected, he got stares from every house when a number of students witnessed the Gryffindor willingly walk and talk to a Slytherin. Marcus had kept conversation short as he glared at anyone who passed. Harry snorted when he saw everyone cower from Marcus' glares. The Gryffindor honestly found the sight amusing as did the Prefect.
"You certainly have a reputation for people being afraid of you…" Harry commented as he sat on the couch that Marcus conjured.
"Not my fault people are fucking idiots…" Marcus muttered.
Harry snorted.
Marcus took a seat by Harry before pulling the Gryffindor in his lap. His arms automatically curling around the Gryffindor's waist.
Harry couldn't help it, he squeaked out in surprise before laughing. "Should have known you'd be a possessive Slytherin."
"Damn right…" Marcus growled. "You still owe me an explanation what happened."
The Potter heir groaned, "Well you had wanted to know months ago if I had told my friends about quitting Quidditch."
Marcus nodded, not that Harry could see it. "I remember."
"Apparently they eavesdropped on me and Ron exploded today for the entire Common Room to hear. So apparently, though know I quit the team and have no intention to be an Auror. I imagine that they'll try to ambush me for another discussion about the career. I'll probably wind up avoiding them if I can help it. Then of course Hermione lost it and revealed that I was friends with a Slytherin. Ron got even madder about that, of course. Accused you of being a slimy snake, evil, and a Death Eater."
Marcus winced, he shouldn't have been surprised what some Gryffindors thought of Slytherins. He knew that Harry's response would not have been well received. Marcus never wanted to be under the ire of the Potter heir.
Harry sighed, "so after having letting Ron and the Common Room have it. I ran out. Otherwise I may have cursed someone. And now the entire school knows I was friends with a Slytherin and they probably think I've turned evil. Probably be like a rerun of last year…"
"You do not have an evil bone in your body, Harry Potter," Marcus breathed in Harry's ear.
Harry shivered. "You could distract me…" he teased.
"Do you really want that…" Marcus growled.
Harry turned around in Marcus' lap and placed his lips on his. Harry knew his cheeks had to be red. But he was silently hoping for another make-out session like when he first kissed him.
Marcus' eyes flashed in desire, but he promised himself that he wasn't going to take it any further than Harry was willing to go. "If you want to stop, tell me."
Harry nodded as he found himself flat on the couch with Marcus hovering over him. That didn't stop Harry from flinging his robe across the room. Though he was still wearing his Gryffindor cardigan and slacks.
Marcus placed a firm hand slightly under Harry's cardigan by his waist. Harry's skin felt warm and soft to the touch.
Harry smiled at the touch as Marcus wrapped a hand around his neck to bring him into a kiss. Harry could have sworn that Marcus' lips felt softer this time.
Marcus' hand was almost possessive, though his grip was not tight enough to bruise.
Harry leaned up into the kiss and tried to give back all he could. Harry doubted that was very much since he was so inexperienced.
Marcus didn't seem to mind as he let out a moan in appreciation. Harry's lips felt hot as he snaked his tongue inside his mouth. The older teen let his hand caress Harry's cheek as he explored Harry's mouth.
The small Gryffindor felt content to let Marcus taste him so thoroughly. Though he swore he could taste chocolate. He could slowly feel Marcus back off before he wrapped his tongue around Harry's. The Gryffindor couldn't help but moan, it was more silent as he was still being kissed. That didn't stop Harry from wrapping his hands around Marcus' neck.
Harry let himself fall into the feel of being caressed. Marcus' tongue felt hot against him and definitely wet. It was more of a pleasurable feeling that Harry could get used to. Marcus wasn't even trying to control the deep kiss. The Gryffindor eventually had to pull away in an effort to breathe.
"Ohh, bloody Merlin. That was bloody brilliant," were Harry's only words. He was breathing heavily as he sat up and leaned against the arm of the couch. Once Harry knew that he could breath he leaned back against Marcus.
"Glad you approve," Marcus grinned.
"Definitely approve…" Harry muttered.
"Something else on your mind?" The prefect asked curious.
The small Gryffindor nodded, "been debating on asking you for a bit, actually."
Marcus then adjusted on the couch, so he was more of spooning Harry. It was more comfortable of a position.
"Never pictured you as someone who wants to cuddle," Harry laughed.
"If it were anyone else, you'd be cursed," Marcus commented.
"But I'm not," Harry replied cheeky.
"Dumb ass Gryffindors," Marcus muttered.
"Dumb ass Slytherins," Harry shot back.
"You're avoiding the subject," Marcus pointed out.
Harry pouted.
"I wouldn't do that. May do something you'll regret," Marcus muttered roughly.
Harry looked confused at Marcus words, "okay." The Gryffindor breathed evenly. "I found the Black's Family Tree. But I'm still confused. There were parts of it that were marked out. I don't even know who Sirius is related to. It could have been Walburga and Orion or Cygnus and Druella. They're the only ones that makes sense. I found two other Blacks' that were named Sirius, but they're already dead. It doesn't make much sense."
"Your research is pretty good. Sirius is related to Regulus and his mother and father is Orion and Walburga. To explain the marking, it is to show when a member of the family is disowned. That family tree you found has a self-updating spell. So anytime there is a new Black, the Family Tree expands and updates," Marcus explained.
"How was my godfather disowned?" Harry asked.
"That I actually don't know. I would say when Sirius got sorted into Gryffindor. But I could be wrong. I'd say the only people that would know the answer would be Sirius himself or anyone he was friends with," Marcus looked guilty as he answered.
"How exactly am I considered a Black. I saw a Potter on the tree?" Harry asked.
Marcus looked taken back, "who was the name of the Potter?"
"Charlus. Who is he?" Harry's voice was desperate.
Marcus' grip tightened around Harry. "I don't know much about him. Though he is considered your grandfather. He married Dorea Black. They had one son…"
"My dad…" Harry's voice was soft.
Marcus nodded, "I may not have known him, but it was a common fact that he was very powerful."
Harry was stunned.