Chapter 17 Questions

"Harry come one, you've got to focus." Hermoine demanded, looking up from her Charms essay admonishingly at the dark-haired boy. Harry had to admit, he'd been increasingly distracted this past week. What, with his positively disturbing... er... totally accidental peeping on Malfoy and his rising suspicions of his professor he'd barely been able to get any sleep, let alone do his homework properly.

"You've been out of it all week, what's one your mind?" She asked, now staring at him with her eyes full of concern. Crap. Harry thought as he fidgeted under her scrutiny. What am I supposed to tell her? That I accidentally masturbated to Malfoy? That I suspect our precious potions master of... of... GAHHH I don't KNOW what! But I know it's something! I feel it in my GUT! And should we... Harry looked up from his inner turmoil realizing he'd spaced out again.

"I dunno what cha' mean 'Mione, he's been out there all semester." Ron added, causing Harry's cheeks to flush anxiously.

"Well yes, but this week especially. What's up. We're your friends. Talk to us." Hermoine looked at him pleadingly. Harry met her earnest brown eyes.

"I'm just not sure where I fit in anymore." Harry answered, surprising himself. He looked at his friends, who were sitting across from him but next to each other on one of the common room couches. Hermoine was looking at him with renewed concern, and Ron looked confused. He shifted uncomfortably and started babbling. "I mean, I dunno, I feel like I keep getting sucked into these old routines that I can't ignore. Honestly, I don't even know what I'm talking about. It's just harder than I realized to move on, I guess." He finished, avoiding his friends eyes. He hoped that his confused little tirade just now wouldn't spur more questions from his friends because right now he wasn't sure he could answer them. Hell, he couldn't even understand why he was so preoccupied with it all. But he did know one thing, he needed to stop thinking about Draco. Draco. When did it become Draco? Harry though miserably. He needed a stronger distraction than Charms right now, and there was only one thing he was more obsessed with than Malfoy. And that was proving Albatross was up to something.

"Hey, I just remembered, there was a book I needed from the library. I'll catch up with you guys in a bit." Harry said with forced nonchalance, gathering his bags and things. He hoped that his friends didn't didn't catch the strain in his voice. He hoped they didn't notice the faint blush that tinged him. He hoped they couldn't hear his heart inexplicably hammering as he rushed out of there.

Hermoine and Ron looked to each other with confused indifference as the raven-haired boy hurriedly made his exit.

"Wonder what's gotten into him?" Ron said, amusement glinting in his eyes.

"Not 'what', Ron, rather who?" Hermoine added smirking at her adorably clueless boyfriend.

xXx

Harry made his way down the corridors towards the library, deeply lost in thought. He wasn't sure why he was even heading there, considering he really had nothing to go on. He racked his brain desperately for any piece of information he could remember from his spying on the professor. Something he overlooked, something he heard but had forgotten, anything, really. But soon he found himself at the library, no closer to accomplishing anything. He sighed heavily and started poking about helplessly through the library.

What am I doing here? What section am I even in? Harry thought as he floated through the muggle studies section. He picked up a random book; 101 Ways Muggles Communicate: Extended Edition Now Including the the world wide web and AIM. Harry felt a slight grin creep onto his face as he put the book back. The wizarding worlds attempts to understand muggles always amused him. It was one of the reason he found he actually enjoyed muggle studies this year. He wasn't sure how he'd feel about the class initially, having witnessed the murder of the former Muggle Studies professor Charity Burbage through his unfortunate connection to Voldemort, but he found the sheer amusement emanated from the current professor to be infectious.

"E-Excuse me, uh-uhm, Madam Pince?" The sound of a nervous first year tore Harry from his reminiscence. "Could you possibly help… me... find a book?" The timid girl asked shyly, voice fading out at the end. Harry's soft chuckle nearby caught the small girls attention, as well as Madam Pince's.

"Well, it would seem Mr. Potter has more than enough time to spare, if he can come here to lollygag and eavesdrop." The librarian replied curtly, her eyes narrowing on Harry. He winced; he'd hoped she hadn't noticed him wandering aimlessly through her isles.

He gave a small awkward smile at the trembling child. He'd forgotten just how small the first years seemed now that he'd grown so tall. "Sure, I'd be happy to." His voice carried the nothing but warmth and sincerity. He was almost grateful to have a purpose, if however brief. "What book is it, then?" He asked gently of the younger student.

"O-Oh," she began, staring at her feet. "It's a book about muggle cooking herbs. Ones mostly in the Lamiaceae family? I think its called 'Muggle Seasonings, Herbs, and Marinades'" She recited from her memory. She looked up at the stiff boy hesitantly. A strange look passed through his eyes before he flickered back to life seconds later.

"Oh yeah, it's uhm... I think...Ah! Yes, here it is." He gave a wide smile to his junior classmate as her handed the book to her. She beamed up at him suddenly, gratitude evident in her clear face.

"Thank you! My friend won't even believe that Harry Potter himself just helped me out! Ohmygosh I'm soo lucky!" She squealed as she scampered out of sight. He laughed to himself again watching the amusing display. But as she faded out of sight he remembered something else. Something she'd said triggered a rustling in subconscious. Lamia. The word popped out of nowhere into his head. Lamia. Had he heard the men say that when they were talking? He couldn't quite remember. Well, at least now I know what I am looking up tonight. He thought as he tried to figure out which section to check first.

Xxx

Three hours, eight sections, and seventy-two false leads later Harry was ready to give up. He'd combed through the books on the dark arts, magical history, magical creatures and more, looking for anything associated with the word, finding nothing but one recording of a mental patient in St. Mungo's wherein the insane utters once the word. He was standing in the muggle studies section again, getting ready to call it a night. It was getting late and Madam Pince did not tolerate dawdlers after hours. But as he turned to leave a book caught his eye. Muggle Fairytales, Folklore, Myths and More! He delicately picked up the aged book, dragging his fingers slowly across the golden embossed lettering on the pale, worn, teal cover. Without considering why, he opened the books and began thumbing through the yellowing pages.

"Library's closed, Mr. Potter. I'll not repeat myself again. Either check that out or leave." The hawk-like woman scolded him. He she been talking to him before? He hadn't noticed.

"Ah, yes, I'll take this one." He said, checking the book out and leaving promptly.

Xxx

Back in the dorms Harry headed directly up to his room to look at the book he'd hastily taken with him. He wasn't sure what had drawn him to it in the first place, but somehow he was sure it had the answers he needed. Much to his chagrin, Draco was there when he entered.

"Oh, hello, Draco." Harry said experimentally to Draco. True, he'd been avoiding the boy like the plague, some part of him couldn't help but want to patch things up with him. But Draco only snorted as his exquisite features twisted into the cold sneer that never left his face these days.

"What do you want, Potter?" the blonde spit out with obvious distaste.

"Nothing, just saying hi. Geez," Harry said, feeling an anger welling up in him. Normally it didn't bother him when someone hated him. With all the hatred he'd experienced in his life, he was used to it. But somehow when Draco would glare harshly at him, or ignore him with a dismissive snort it made his blood boil. "You know you really should try being nice for once. It's not like you even have any friends. Maybe you would if you weren't sure a git!" Harry raged at his classmate, his temper exploding. He stilled, expecting an even bigger explosion from his rival. But none came. Cautiously, he peered down at him.

Draco sat there, a placid, dull look in his eyes. "I know." He mumbled, almost inaudibly. "I'm going-" He piped up, pausing for a moment. "to the bath." He finished, jerking his eyes downward. Harry watched a swirl of emotions cross through the blonde's face as he swiftly left for the baths. Something like fear, desperation, anger, desire. No, surely not the last one. Harry sat on his bed, alone finally, and flipped to the index of his acquisition. Lamia, lamia, what is a damn Lamia. But then, there it was. 'Queen Lamia Page 205' He grinned and eagerly flipped to the page, hoping it held the answers he so urgently sought.

A/N: Sorry about the long delay between chapters! I promise I will still be updating regularly, I just have a little less time with the holidays over and getting back to work. R&R :) 3