Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Hope you enjoy this chapter! Oh, I have the first chapter of my new HP story up called To Love and Protect. If you check it out, please review it and let me know what you think! =)
The creature sat in a chair, staring accusingly at the man who stepped into the room.
"Master, I apologize for my long absence…"
"You sent those fools to care for me! I did not realize what little respect you have for me…"
"Master, you know you have my allegiance. And they are loyal to you."
"They are idiots and always have been. But yes, they are loyal. Clumsy and stupid, but loyal. Tell me, have you attained more ingredients for my potion?"
"Yes my Master. I am waiting for my contacts to help me locate two more."
"It is taking too long!" The creature hissed.
"These ingredients are hard to acquire, Master. But I will get them."
"You had better… What is the Potter boy doing?"
"He has been distracted Master. The ministry sent a professor to Hogwarts who tortured him with a blood quill." The man chuckled.
The creature hissed with laughter. "He will wish for a mere blood quill when I get through with him. You must get those ingredients soon. And then the fun can begin."
HP
After classes on Wednesday, Harry was in the library with his friends' still trying to catch up on his homework. He had managed to turn in his Potion's essay on time and had finished his History of Magic essay the previous night. He knew it wasn't his best work but at least it was done. He was still working on his Astronomy essay, which was so complex that he was really beginning to hate the subject with a passion. It didn't help that he knew Professor Sinistra still didn't like him.
He wasn't the only one still working on his essay on Jupiter's moons; Ron was still scrambling to get his done. Blaise was still working on his as was Tracy and Theo, although they were almost finished. Draco, Daphne and Hermione were finished and were just going over their final drafts.
"How are you doing?" Daphne asked him softly.
"All the names are getting mixed up in my head," Harry admitted. "I wish I had started on this earlier."
Daphne put her hand on his arm and squeezed. "It's not like you don't have a good reason for getting a late start. I'm almost done revising mine and then I can help you." She offered.
"Maybe someone can help me," Ron groaned. "I'm never going to finish this blasted essay."
"Language," Hermione said absently as she read over her own work. She looked up. "You have no excuse to not be further along on this assignment Ronald." She reprimanded him.
"Don't Ronald me," Ron grumbled as he flipped through his Astronomy book. "Uh, lo isn't the one with the volcanoes, right?"
Hermione sighed.
"Wrong," Draco rolled his eyes.
"Oh," Ron began to re-write his paragraph. "But Callisto is Jupiter's largest moon?"
"Sure," Draco smirked.
"Draco Malfoy!" Hermione lightly swatted his arm.
"Fine, fine," Draco gave in. "It's not."
"Which one is?" Ron asked.
"Read your Astronomy book Ron," Hermione muttered.
Harry bit back a laugh at the look on Ron's face.
Ron looked around the library and brightened. "Maybe Lavender can help me," He said as he gathered his books and headed to the table Lavender and her friends were sitting at.
"Honestly," Hermione said with a shake of her head.
"It's his problem if he doesn't want to do the work himself," Draco commented. "No one will be able to help him when he takes his O.W.L.'s."
Daphne finally finished her own essay and then scooted her chair closer to Harry. "Mind if I take a look?"
Harry rubbed his eyes tiredly. He had been doing a lot of studying the last few days, catching up on last week's assignments as well doing the current week's assignments. "I have a feeling I'm rambling on," He said ruefully as he pushed his essay towards Daphne to look over.
"Maybe you should take a little break," Hermione said in concern. "You don't want to overdo it while you're recovering."
"I'm recovered," Harry insisted.
"I don't just mean physically Harry," Hermione said quietly. "You were tortured and emotionally you –"
"I'm fine," Harry said in slight exasperation. "Everything's good now."
Daphne began giggling and Harry looked at her curiously. "What?"
"You may want to change this line here," She said, her dark blue eyes sparkling. "Europa is covered in ice not mice."
"Oops," Harry said sheepishly as he quickly pulled his essay back in front of him.
Draco, Theo, and Tracey were chuckling.
"Maybe I will take a break," Harry said with a sigh. He noticed that Ron was talking a lot at Lavender's table with some of their fellow Quidditch teammates. "Want to go see what they are talking about?" He asked his friends. "We could all use a break."
"Sure," Draco shrugged. "It will be fun to listen to them think they are going to win a match against Slytherin."
"Now, don't go provoking the lions," Theo teased as he and Tracy followed Harry and Draco.
Daphne watched him go, a smile on her face. Harry looked so much better. His eyes were bright, his color was back and his smile reached his eyes again. She noticed Hermione grinning at her and blushed. "What?"
"Oh, nothing," Hermione said. "It's just…I'm glad Harry has you."
"Really?" It meant a lot to Daphne that Harry's friends, his Gryffindor friends especially, approved of her and Harry. She knew how protective they were of Harry, a trait that she appreciated as she was protective of Harry as well.
"Of course," Hermione said. "He deserves happiness and you clearly make him happy. You also really care for him. It's obvious."
Daphne smiled. "I do. And you really have thing for Draco don't you?" She asked out of the blue.
Hermione dropped her quill. "What?" She gasped.
Daphne slowly grinned. "You like Draco. And I mean as more than a friend." She leaned forward eagerly. "Am I right?" It was so obvious, just as it had been obvious to their friends that she and Harry had been crushing on each other.
Hermione coughed, her cheeks reddening. "Um, well…"
"I won't tell anyone," Daphne assured her. "But if you want to talk, I'm happy to listen." She offered.
Hermione glanced over to where their friends were still at the other table. "No, I would like to talk. I can't talk to Ron obviously, and Harry has more than enough on his mind."
"Tracy and I are your friends too," Daphne reminded her. "You know, especially for girl talk."
Hermione nodded, a grateful smile on her face. "At the beginning of third year, I thought I liked Ron. I mean, I do like Ron and care for him but I thought I really liked him you know? Except, we would argue all the time and I ended up always feeling really insecure and upset." She sighed. "It ended up just being really exhausting."
Daphne nodded to show her understanding.
"And then everything changed once Harry was put in Slytherin. I got to know you guys and then Draco…well, feelings for him sort of snuck up on me last year." Hermione admitted.
"You two looked great together at the Yule ball last year," Daphne said softly.
Hermione smiled slowly. "That dance was so much fun. It's funny, I thought I would always detest Draco after how he had acted towards me first and second year. But we've talked and he's opened up to me about his childhood and the expectations that he felt were put on him…he's more vulnerable than he lets on," Hermione eyes widened. "Don't tell him I told you that!" She said quickly.
"I won't," Daphne chuckled. "I've known Draco awhile; I know how he would put on a façade. So, you care for him?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I do. And I think he may care for me but I'm not sure. He hasn't talked to me about it so maybe he…"
"I think he does," Daphne interjected. "I see the way he looks at you or the way his eyes light up when someone mentions your name."
Hermione felt a rush of pleasure run through her at hearing that. "He does?"
"He does," Daphne sat back.
"I want to know how he feels," Hermione admitted. "I was worried about Ron, I think he had feelings for me, in a way, and I don't want to upset our friendship. Although I believe he has moved on." Hermione grinned as she nodded towards where Ron was sitting with Lavender. "They actually make a good couple; she's willing to listen to him prattle on about Quidditch for hours." She rolled her eyes.
"You and Draco need to talk," Daphne told her. "One of you needs to be brave enough to bring up the subject first. This past summer, I had told myself that I would tell Harry how I felt about him the first week of school. Thankfully, he beat me to it." She laughed.
"What am I supposed to tell him? That I enjoy being in his company? That I love how we challenge each other? That I treasure our talks and the way he makes me smile?" Hermione asked in frustration. "That I miss him when we aren't together?" She whispered.
"Yes," Daphne said simply. "Merlin, you do have it bad." She grinned.
Hermione nodded ruefully.
"Believe me, I understand. I feel the same way about Harry," Daphne said. "It's still new but it feels incredible every time he smiles at me or takes my hand. You just have to decide if Draco is worth the risk of opening yourself up."
Hermione looked over at Draco and almost as if he knew she was doing so, he looked up at her and his gaze immediately softened and he offered her a tender smile. "He is," Hermione said softly. "He's worth it."
HP
After classes on Friday, Harry grabbed Daphne's hand and twirled her around. "Yes! I finished both horrible essays'!" He sang out.
Daphne giggled as Harry spun her around. "How do you think you did?" She asked.
"Oh, I probably got a Poor or Troll on both of them," Harry said cheerfully. "But at least I am all caught up in my classes." Harry put his arm around Daphne's waist as they lazily walked outside.
"I read your Astronomy essay and it was better than a Poor or Troll," Daphne assured him. "But I'm happy that you are caught up."
"Worried about my grades?" Harry joked as they made their way to the lake. It was starting to get cool but not too cold yet.
"No, it's for more selfish reasons," Daphne said airily. "See, I've missed you and I want you to spend more time with me."
Harry shook his head. "Ugh, you really are selfish." He said teasingly.
"What!"
Harry chuckled and leaned in to kiss her softly on her lips. "Don't worry. I like you selfish."
Daphne laughed. "Good." Her gaze shifted. "Hmm, interesting."
"What is?" Harry turned around and saw that Draco and Hermione were standing near the lake talking, seriously it looked like. "Go for it Draco," He murmured.
Daphne looked at him. "Go for it? What do you know Mr. Potter?"
Harry looked at her. "Well, I…wait. What do you know?" He asked suspiciously.
Daphne just smiled.
Harry figured that Hermione must have talked to Daphne just as Draco had talked to him. "I hope it works out for them." He said sincerely.
"Um, I think it is," Daphne smirked and nodded towards the lake.
Harry's eyes widened when he saw Hermione and Draco embrace with huge smiles on both of their faces. His mouth dropped open when Draco kissed her. "Snogging already!"
"You're such a prude," Daphne teased as she rolled her eyes. She tugged at Harry's arm. "Stop staring at them."
Harry turned and folded his arms across his chest. "He better not hurt her." His eyes softened as he took in how Daphne's hair was softly blowing in the light wind and her dark blue eyes were lit up with amusement.
"You sound like an overprotective brother," Daphne told him. "And you…wait; now you're staring at me."
"You're beautiful," Harry replied. He leaned in to kiss her again when he was interrupted.
"Daphne and Harry, sitting in a tree, K-i-s-s-i-n-g!"
"Astoria Greengrass!" Daphne pulled away from Harry, her face flushed. "What in Merlin's name are you singing?"
"It's just a song," Astoria said with a giggle. "Tabitha taught it to me. There's more to it, want to hear?" She asked eagerly.
"No," Daphne said quickly.
"You know who does Astoria? Hermione and Draco," Harry pointed to where the new couple was walking hand and hand along the edge of the lake.
"Are they together?" Astoria asked curiously.
"Looks like it," Harry said.
Astoria looked thoughtful. "I used to have a crush on Draco my first year." She confided.
"We know…oof!" Harry grunted as Daphne elbowed him in his side. "Uh, I mean, you did?"
Astoria nodded. "Yes but I've outgrown that now." She shrugged.
"Good, you're much too young to be interested in anyone anyway," Daphne said in relief.
Astoria raised an eyebrow. "You're only two years older than me Daphne." She pointed out. "And I'm pretty sure you were interested in Harry during your third year." She tossed her hair over her shoulder and smiled innocently at her sister. "Besides, who said I wasn't interested in anyone?"
Daphne's mouth dropped open as her sister walked away while Harry began laughing.
HP
"You ssshould have let me loossse on her," Nova hissed angrily. Harry was sitting on his bed in his quarters that evening, updating his familiar on all that had been happening. He felt bad that he had been neglecting both Nova and Hedwig lately.
"It'sss all right, Umbridge is gone now," Harry assured Nova.
"What about the bulliesss?"
"They've backed off sssince the toad has been gone," Harry said with a grin. "Now that there isss no professor who hatesss me like that…well, Sssinistra still doesn't like me but I think ssshe is too ssscared of my dad to try anything."
Nova hissed out a laugh. "If you ever need my ssservicesss…"
"I know," Harry said, softly petting the top of Nova's head. "I appreciate it."
"What are you two talking about?" Snape asked, leaning against Harry's doorway.
"I'm jussst catching Nova up on everything," Harry said. When Snape frowned in confusion, Harry realized he must still be talking in Parseltongue. Biting back a laugh, he repeated what he said in English.
"Ah," Snape nodded with a wry smile. He folded his arms. "So I've heard back from some of your professor's about your recent essays." He said casually.
"Oh," Harry paled. "I did badly, didn't I? I tried, honest I did."
"Yes, I know you did." Snape said. "You received an E on your Astronomy essay."
Harry brightened. "Really? Wow, I'm surprised Sinistra gave me a good grade." He mused.
"She is aware that I read the work you turn in so if she grades unfairly, I will know," Snape said simply.
"You do that?" Harry grinned. "Thanks."
"You also received an E on your History of Magic essay. However, I believe Professor Binns was being kind due to your recent circumstances. It only deserved an A in my opinion." Snape said bluntly.
Harry winced. "Oh."
"Indeed," Snape leveled a look at his son. "I expect your next essay in that class to deserve an O or an E by my standards."
"Yes Sir," Harry sighed, feeling glum.
Snape's face softened. "I know you worked hard this week Harry, I'm very proud of you for that. I also want you to be prepared for your O.W.L.'s so forgive me if I am a little strict about your studies."
"You? A little strict?" Harry feigned astonishment.
"Brat," Snape cast a stinging hex at Harry, who quickly dodged it.
"Hey!" Harry laughed.
"We need to resume your training," Snape informed him. "We'll start with Occlumency."
"Now?"
"The sooner the better," Snape said, motioning for Harry to follow him into the sitting room. "With everything that has been going on, we've neglected your training on this particular form of magical defence and it is important. Begin by clearing your mind."
Harry nodded and closed his eyes to focus. Suddenly he heard a voice in his mind, a horrible, mocking voice.
"Did you enjoy using a blood quill Harry Potter? You should get used to suffering for soon you will suffer greatly. As will everyone you care about."
Harry gasped as he scar began to burn and he dropped to his knees from the pain and shock. The voice laughed cruelly.
"Harry!"
Harry felt strong hands grab, could vaguely hear his dad calling his name in alarm but he but all he could focus on was the maniacal laughter in his mind. Voldemort's laughter. Voldemort's taunts.
"Soon Potter. Soon."
TBC: