Hello lovely Readers,
Here is the next installment of A Shadowed Life everyone and this was a long chapter X3.
This was the term from hell….but it is finally over. –flops over- No summer term for me, no suri-bob XD. Anyways, I will hopefully be writing more often now O3o but don't count on it. Also I have arranged for a friend of mine, who I care about a lot, to be looking over the previous chapters and helping me fix errors in the story, aka grammar. Now, when you see alerts popping up for previous chapters, just to let you all know it is re-edited versions.
x.x I realized shortly after posting the last chapter that Harry's fur is black not white XD. I felt stupid for not remembering what I had him look like as a dragon lol.
Okay for those who know about glamours and Dumbledore's spectacles… He can see through normal Glamours yes, but Parseltongue are entirely more powerful. They are a spell unto their own. Dumbledore cannot dispel a Parseltongue, glamour and even his spectacles are useless. All of Harry's Glamours are attached to the collar around his neck, which are all Parseltongue Glamours under a Parseltongue word to activate them.
Also was going through some old fanfictions I had started and two other Harry Potter fanfictions in the cluster of stories I had XD. I am debating on rewriting them since they are really old and I hadn't gotten far in them at all. One is a complete AU (kind of…er not entirely sure since it feels AU-ish but it takes place long before he was acknowledges as a wizard.) and the other a slight AR (You know starts off like the books but then deviates.)They are really old though, so not sure yet X3 If I do I'll let you all know okay? Right now the titles for the two I found are Ward and Hidden Truths….but they are subject to change when I edit them :3
ShsIHiyoko: I understand, I'm a bit iffy with the whole Mpreg to, but I decided to give it a go anyways XD.
Lauren Saint: Hmm don't throw away the notions just yet –winks-
MoonPrincess623: Yes, he sure did :3
Enjoy!
Things in the story you might want to know.
"Talking/ spells"
'Thinking/ sound affects/ Memories'
-Parseltongue-
.:Spells:.
~Dragon Telepathy~
*Dragon Language*
Chapter Fifteen- Blackened Soul
Harry slowly recovered, and because of his ability in needing to be Orion Black Harry had to return to the Malfoy Manor. Mostly because the Minister kept trying to turn up to see how he was doing after circulation of his illness had bothered the man enough to come and check up on him. It annoyed Harry a bit, mostly because he just wanted to be left alone. Still it was the best thing they could do, to keep Orion in the public's eye.
Voldemort had filled in sometimes when visitors had come over before he'd been rescued, but even then it wasn't enough. People wanted to know if the young man named Orion was okay. Lucius even told him he often had to chase people off because officials were suspicious about his health and such. Now however it dwindled since Orion was considered 'visitor ready.' Harry was tired now and once he was finally cleared to go back to work, let alone Evan going back to Hogwarts after being 'found', he would start up something new for himself.
Harry was going to explore his dragon side, as well as put his body through serious training. Harry was done having to have others fight for him or protect him. He was through with being nice to people he knew didn't deserve it. Yet in a way he could not help, but still be so with people closest to him. Those already in his heart ever got to see his smile, his real smile… everyone else got a faked one that never reached his eyes, but he made it look convincing.
Osiris seemed to change in personality as well, his attitude and demeanor shifting to match Harry's. As time grew on Narcissa and Lucius started to notice the boy snapped a few times mostly at certain people. Avery being at the end of one said spat that left the man curled in pain on the floor. They never found out what the fight was about because Harry wouldn't speak of it and Avery refused to admit anything.
"He's changed Lucius," Narcissa spoke softly.
"Yes, he has," Lucius said wrapping his arms around her.
"I wish we could have helped him, but something tells me he's beyond my reach now. Like there is nothing more I can do to help him."
Lucius sighed, he knew his wife was attached to the boy and in all intents and purposes Harry had been integrated into their family. Even to himself he saw the boy as a son, just as much as Draco was in fact. All they could do though was watch as Harry's once light heart solidified into the thick blackness that now consumed him.
When Harry was once again strong enough to leave the house, he returned to his work under the name Orion Black. The minister by then had completed his movement of creating a wards department where Orion was placed in charge of running the whole thing. During this he got to meet other fellow ward makers, and found out what their wards were made up and what the nature of their wards, were.
A few days later he returned to Hogwarts as Evan, but since Evan went through a traumatic event it was, expected of him to seem off from his usual demeanor. The first three to greet him back were none other than Blaise, Pansy, and Ms. Daphne Greengrass. It was strange because usually Daphne didn't usually associate with him, but she seemed genuinely worried about his disappearance.
What Harry reacted negatively to the most was as soon as he saw Dumbledore the man tried to invade his mind. Instead of doing what he usually did he let his anger show on his features, and those that had been around him gave him weary looks leaving them to wonder what was up with him. The other students soon fell in and greeted him back as they asked what had happened, in which Draco stepped in to play up a worried brother role.
He was glad the other male had done so, because there was only so many times he could tell the made up story, before he blew up at someone. Oh he wanted everyone to know exactly what had happened, but it was important that he didn't and so he played nice… for now. Though, as usual that didn't last long because before he knew it he was on the other end of a glaring Ronald Weasly.
"How'd you do it?"
"Do what?" He said flatly.
"Dumbledore told everyone you'd been kidnapped, so how did you escape?"
"What makes you think I escaped? I could have been rescued."
"No one would rescue a freak like you!"
That stung a bit, but it didn't last long as Harry raised his chin, "Oh really?"
"Yes really Spring!"
"Well you are wrong once again your idiocy shines brightly."
Ron took a swing at him, but what surprised him was that Evan caught his swing, "Bastard."
Harry quirked a brow and smiled viciously and it was the kind of smile that made people want to run and hide, "A bastard am I? Well then what does it make you, a saint? You are as far from one as anyone can get and you're so damn pathetic with you ramblings of suspicions and justices. Where was your so called damn justice when I needed it most?"
Ron stared wide eyed at him and shrunk back from the dark look in Evan's eyes, "I don't…"
"Of course you don't know, you never know. You let your stupidity blind you so damn much you can't even see when someone near you is suffering," Harry paused at that and pulled his hand away from Ron's fist. In a way it felt like he was practically telling him that he was Harry, but he knew better then to ever voice it. "I hate people like you… and I don't want anything to do with your pathetic excuse for justice. Just remember this Ronald Weasley… There is, no more chances for you. If you come at me you will suffer… I promise you that."
Ron was pale as he stared at sky blue eyes clouded in pure loathing and hatred. Harry was pretty sure the boy was scared shitless, and the last time he'd saw a look like that was when they had faced the horrors Voldemort had sent against them in previous years. Now he himself had instilled that fear, and he didn't at all regret it.
Harry turned and left the other male leaning heavily against the wall. His eyes never leaving Evan as he walked away, Fred and George, who had been just down the hall way, stared at their brother then to Evan who walked right past them. The watched him vanish around a corner before they spoke amongst themselves.
"Evan is different," Fred said softly.
"Scary Evan made Ronny kins piss his pants," George said with a snicker.
They both look at Ron who still stood stock still and Fred nodded, "Evan's heart is black now, stained in the shadow that consumes him."
"Should we-"
"-Join with Evan-"
"-And the pack?"
"Oh yes, fun times will be ahead of us. Evan getting a good laugh will be a plus for sure," They chorused.
"Can I join you then?"
Both males jumped slightly and turned to see Luna, as well as Neville and Hermione standing there. The three younger Gryffindor's had obviously witnessed the same little dispute that had occurred only moments ago, between Evan and Ron. The waited a moment looking at the group before looking back to the trio.
"Does Looney seek the black serpent of the lion's den too?"
Hermione gave a puzzled look not quite understanding as well as Neville who was usually lost anyways when it came to the twins and Luna. Luna only nodded and she ignored the question Hermione had asked. Both twins smiled and looked to Neville and Hermione before looking back at Luna. The two middle, Weasly boys thinking their words over a bit, before speaking to Luna once more.
"Are the wise owl and timid mouse seeking the black serpent of the lion's den?"
"No, but they will be shortly. The Nargles will make sure that they will."
"Excellent! We will meet up when that happens?" Luna nodded and the twins smiled and left.
"What the heck was that all about," Hermione asked Luna.
"Black serpent is someone who was lost, but was found. Wounded was he in heart, but the Serpent King saved him and plucked him from swallowing shadows," Hermione seemed to think it all over, but it made no sense to her.
"I don't understand," She admitted.
"Wise owl will follow her heart and in time Wise owl will know, and when the right moment is enough to drive Wise Owls mind in right direction."
"Wait, am I wise owl?"
Luna only gave a dreamy look before she walked off with a rather thought Hermione and a very confused Neville behind her. Hermione hoped that the day ahead of them would reveal the new questions she had in her head. Who was the Black Serpent? Or for that matter who was the Serpent King? She figured Looney was Luna and the timid mouse must be Neville while the wise owl was herself.
Figuring out one of Luna's own private riddles was like trying to understand who Luna was. Most of the time, it was nearly impossible to figure things out, when it involved Luna of all people. Shaking her head she forced all else from her mind, and she was determined to figure out this little riddle that had been presented to her. Unbeknownst of her Luna was smiling even more as he distant and dreamy look seemed to brighten.
Harry sighed once he reached the Slytherin common room, and he sprawled out on the couch lazily. One foot was propped up and the other layed lazily over the edge, his right arm layed over his face and the other draped up over the top of his head. Draco stood there watching him for a moment before sitting at a chair nearest Blaise who was also watching Harry silently. Neither of them dared to make jibes at him when he looked like this.
"Hey Dray… since we have some free time, do you want to walk around for a bit?"
"Huh? Sure."
Harry got up his eyes looking over to the other blond and waited for him, "If you two want to join us your free to do so."
Harry turned and left the room, Draco following behind as well as Blaise. Pansy on the other hand decided she wanted to hang back in the common room because she was tired. Silently he made his way down the hall, his mind idly wandering when he remembered something. He stopped and looked at Draco with a puzzled look on his face.
"Dray you said the Tri Wizard Tournament had been postponed right?"
"Uh, yeah it was why?"
"Did they say when it would take place next time?"
"I believe they said next year. The minister was talked out of holding it this year for some strange reason. I'm not sure why…"
"The reason why doesn't matter anymore…"
"Huh?"
He looked at Draco like he was missing something, and quite frankly he was, "I was his reason Dray… and now that I'm no longer in the way… let's just say it's not an issue anymore."
Draco blinked wide eyed at Evan and Blaise was also dawning the same look, "You mean…"
"If I hadn't cooperated then I would have been forced," He sighed.
"Well… at least you didn't force his hand."
Harry smirked, "Yeah… But I do plan on joining it next year. I want to see who is stronger and if they will stand a chance against me."
"Damn… I guess that means I'm not going to be in it then… I know damn well you'll be chosen in the tournament. It's always going to be three contestants…er unless the cup chooses one more, but that usually is, considered highly unlikely."
Harry chuckled, "If it does happen, then the more chance of going against someone challenging."
"I doubt many people who could stand against you and not be severely injured. I mean you got training from him and Bella… and not many people can stand up against Aunt Bella…but it's rare for someone to be able to stand up against him."
Harry didn't take it as a compliment, if it wasn't for the dark lord training him each time he relived the day again for a third time he would have never improved this much. On top of his training with the Dark Lord he was teaching himself other skills for fighting. He constantly pushed his body to its limits and beyond since the day he'd been cleared for his health. As far as Harry was concerned he felt he still had a long way to go and the Tournament would be perfect to get some experience in.
Harry started to walk again, his mind wandering as Blaise and Draco started to talk amongst themselves softly. Harry felt relaxed when he was around friends and ever since the incident last time within the walls of Hogwarts Harry had started going around the grounds with groups of people and not just with Draco. Harry paused though when he felt eyes on him, and slowly his eyes slid over the hall. When his eyes stopped they narrowed and his relaxed demeanor instantly turned sour.
Dumbledore stood there staring at Harry as he stood with Madeye Moody, or as Harry knew him as Barty Crouch Jr. and the other man was also watching him. Though, his smirk told him his reason for doing so was a whole different reason from Dumbledore's. Harry felt that nudge and slammed down his walls tight. Harry's Dragon side, made the feat ten times easier to do so without much of an issue. When Voldemort had done it to his dragon, his dragon had let him do so.
Harry knew for a fact that if a dragon wanted to keep someone out of their mind they could do so and it wouldn't falter easily. Dumbledore only smiled at him as though he was greeting someone dear to him and Harry's face only seemed too deepen in anger. He was about to turn and walk away when the old fool called out to him.
"Mr. Spring might I have a word with you alone for a moment," Harry turned to look at him.
"I'd rather not Headmaster… being alone with any one person makes me on edge anymore," Dumbledore gave him a sympathetic look.
"I understand, if you want Professor Moody could join us," Harry looked to Barty and he nodded slightly with a frown on his lips.
"That will be fine," Harry said softly.
"Evan…" Draco said softly.
"I'll be okay Draco… Professor Moody will be with me," He said to him, giving him a gentle smile.
"Okay, but please be safe," He whispered to him.
Harry nodded and followed Dumbledore down the corridor as Moody walked next to him. Harry stayed silent for a long time waiting patiently, with the most stoic look he could pull off being so close to Dumbledore. His dragon side was internally snarling at the man, wanting to rip him limb from bloody limb and hear his pain screams of torture and despair. Harry couldn't help the slight smirk he let on his lip, but since he was behind Dumbledore the man wouldn't see it.
He liked the entertaining thought of the man's blood slowly draining from him as he used long forgotten spells on the man. Not to mention the use of a few he'd created over the year as well. Moody glance at his and quirked a brow at the malice like dark smile on his face. If they hadn't been alone other people would have probably wondered if he'd lost his mind. In all honesty they wouldn't be too far off on that thought either.
His smile quickly vanishes as though it had never been there. They entered a room and Moody hung close by as Dumbledore turned to look Evan up and down. His eyes assessing Evan and his noticeably different demeanor and not just towards him, but others as well, since he has heard of other incidents. Harry could tell the man was thinking before he voiced his words and his body language told him this was probably going to be a verbal probing and Harry hated those.
"Mr. Spring I am a bit worried by the rumors going around about your sudden behavior change," Dumbledore said to him softly.
"A kidnapping does that to a person Headmaster… they change… and usually not always the same way as another does," He said in a matter of fact kind of way, though he just wanted this all over quickly.
"Are there any issues going on at home? Are people pressuring you about anything? You can tell us if something is bothering you Mr. Spring," He said encouragingly.
"What? You don't think the kidnapping is what has caused my change in demeanor do you?" Harry felt the anger rising a bit and Dumbledore just watched him patiently.
"To be truthful Mr. Spring your demeanor bespeaks of one who is enduring stress over a prolonged period of time," Dumbledore simply stated.
"Gee I wonder why… Weasley practically hounds me every day… But no that's not the reason I'm like this Headmaster. I wasn't lying when I said the kidnapping made me this way, not my adoptive family… they aren't forcing me into anything… If that is all I would like to go back to the common room I'm tired."
Dumbledore sighed and allowed him to leave, and Harry was glad he had any longer and he was sure he was doing to snap. Once outside the room he pinched the bridge of his nose before he once again felt eyes on him. He looked over to find Snape standing at the other end of the corridor. Harry waited for him to walk over, though at the same time Dumbledore and Moody walked out talking to one another only to pause upon seeing Evan standing there still.
The soon took note of Snape's presence before Dumbledore had the nerve to touch Evan's shoulder. He jerked away harshly, and played his part up to keep the man off his back. His eyes going wide and he ducked his head before sighing. Snape quirked a brow, but otherwise said nothing. Harry was grateful for that and kept looking away when he spoke.
"I apologize, Headmaster, but I do not like being touched…" He said forcing his body to shiver, which wasn't hard since he hated the touch even if it was a friendly one, but Dumbledore himself repulsed Harry.
"It is okay my boy, perhaps Professor Snape here can escort you back to the common room," Harry nodded figuring that the older male had probably thought that he'd hung around outside the room because he didn't want to be alone in the halls.
"Would you mind Professor?" Harry asked Severus.
"Obviously, I mind Mister Spring but, it seems like I must," Snape said keeping up his appearance as his usual self around children.
Snape started to walk and Harry walked off close behind him, his own body stiff from being on edge around the old fool. He thought silently to himself about what the man could be doing. He had to of known that Harry knew he was the one who'd kidnapped him and given him away. Was he trying to ignore that fact? Or was he playing dumb on purpose just so he can keep an annoyingly close watch on him?
He had to of known it was the dark lord and his followers that had attacked that dragon camp. He was so deep in thought he hadn't realized Snape had stopped moving until he'd run into him causing Harry to jump back quickly with reflexes he'd been perfecting. Snape simply looked over his shoulder at him with a quirked brow, obviously having expected said boy to fall over after running into him. Harry looked up at him and noticed they weren't at the common room yet, but at Snape's quarters.
This had Harry giving him a puzzled look and Snape motioned him to enter the room. Harry did so reluctantly before turning to face the potion's master. It was quite for a while after the door was shut, but he could see Snape was working up some words to say. Harry hadn't spoken with the man since the day in his room, when he'd firs awoken. Even before then he hadn't spoken to him since the day Snape found out he was Harry.
"Would you care to explain why the Headmaster had you in a room alone with nothing, but Alastor Moody in there with him? Do you not realize the danger to that situation?"
Harry sighed, "As long as another strong wizard was nearby Dumbledore can't do anything stupid. I was even reluctant to leave the group I had set myself up with. If anyone is able to possibly stand up to the man it is Professor Moody himself, not some students who barely know a thing about advanced magic."
"It was risky none the less," He sighed.
"Yes, I know but I cannot deny his counsel… As Evan I have to keep up this persona. As Evan I have be nice to everyone…er… well except Ronald Weasley… He gets on Evan's nerves rather badly."
Snape snorted, "So it's not Ron anymore? Since when did you start referring to yourself as another person and not as the person we both know you to be."
Harry's eyes narrowed and Snape felt the room plummet before heating around him, "Evan and Orion are me, I pour myself and my emotions into them and so they are me. The attachments people place on those names however do not describe who I am. I tried doing what everyone expected of me and it broke me Professor Snape, and when I tried to keep doing what I though everyone wanted me to do people always passed blame on me. I was accused for things I had not control over, given titles that I never wanted or had a hand in getting. I was used in many ways and beaten to every inch of my damn life. I'm not that person anymore and I'll be damned if I ever do again. What you see now is what I've become because of what people forced upon me from the day I was fucking born. Ron had his chance and he blew it… he isn't a friend anymore, but my enemy and he knows it as well as I do. He might not know it's me, but to hell with it I tried being nice. I don't even think he was a true friend before this…"
Harry looked down and away as he struggled to calm himself. Pinching the bridge of his nose he fell silent as his eyes scrunched closed. The room fell eerily silent, and Harry knew it was him that had caused it. He hadn't hid the dark look he'd taken on after Snape's words and he knew it had shocked the man to see it. In the past he'd never looked that way and had always smiled cockily or was silent most times.
"So it is safe to assume that the assessments I made of you are true then?"
Harry looked up at him with a puzzled look, "Huh?"
"I've been watching you under orders from Dumbledore. The dark lord had agreed to it so I watched not only you as Orion before I found out who you were, but also as Evan," He confessed as Harry's eyes went wide, "What I saw in the way you moved let me know full well you we abused. Your aversion to contact however is related to a deeper psychological trauma… rape."
Harry looked down and away as memories of times he'd seen Snape watching him over the course of the year flashed through his mind. Was, his reactions to people that obvious? He wasn't sure for he could never really see himself, but he did assess his own treatment of people. He was surprised that even he had to admit he strayed from male contact. Only people he knew well or trusted were only allowed to touch him.
Snape continued, "I am ashamed to say I hadn't noticed that about you when you were yourself before all of this happened. I suppose my hate for your father is what had blinded me to your suffering."
Harry snorted, "I knew you hated my father Professor. I always knew, but I did not know why you had to shove that anger on me. I may have looked like him, but I wasn't him in the least."
"I know that now…" Snape sighed.
"So… can I go back to the common room now?"
"Not just yet, I have to inform you a reporter will be showing up here tomorrow morning."
"Why?"
"They want to ask you questions about your kidnapping experience. When you went missing Mr. Malfoy followed through on a threat he'd given to Dumbledore. After a week had gone by and Dumbledore had no word of where you were to him he let the wizarding world know of your disappearance from Hogwarts and how the Headmaster refused to give him and his wife information on your whereabouts. Before then however he knew about where you were through the dark lord, but to keep up the fact that he knew nothing he had to follow through with the threat he gave the day you vanished. He'd given the man a week before he went to the Ministry and told them of your disappearance as Evan Spring."
Harry blinked and then groaned and flopped down in the closest chair, "What am I going to do?"
"The dark lord wants you to tell them everything, but just leave out the dragons and such. Tell them you were beaten basically and that the people didn't tell you why they'd kidnapped you," Snape said to him.
Harry bit his lip, it wasn't an outright lie and he had scars to prove he'd been tortured in the care of another's hands. Though, he would be leaving out quite a lot of truth in order to keep who and what he was a secret. He feared anyone knowing what he was, already quite a lot of people knew and even then he struggled with them knowing. Sighing Harry ran his fingers through his bangs as he thought over what he was to say to the reporter when she… or he got there.
"So everything… but leaving out that I was a dragon and locked away with other dragons…and that I killed someone," He sighed and leaned back in his seat.
"Yes," Snape said to him as Harry fabricated the lie clearly and unpleasantly as he could in his head and that wasn't hard at all.
"Great….that shouldn't be too hard. I have a few memories that can help me weave together that story," He said to him.
"Good, now that you have that all in mind let me escort you back to the Slytherin common room," Snape said to him.
Harry nodded and got up with a sigh, he followed Snape out of the room and to the Slytherin Common room. The whole way they were both silent, Harry being mentally tired to the point he felt physically tired. Upon reaching the common room Snape spoke the password and Harry walked up to the entrance before looking back at Snape. His glamoured sky blue eyes looked up him with dark tiredness.
"Thank you Professor," Harry said softly.
Snape stared at him for a moment before giving a slight nod. Harry hadn't expected a word from him, but the gesture was enough. Snape walked away and Harry went into the common room silently and looked over to Draco who got up form where he'd been sitting and paused. Noting the completely exhausted look he had on his very person.
"You okay?" He asked Harry, who plopped down on the couch in front of the fire place.
"No…I hate that man," Every Slytherin within ear shot turned wide eyes to him.
They knew full well that Evan never spoke how he felt about someone. Usually keeping things in was something he did naturally, unless it was Weasley. Though, now since he'd returned he was easy to anger and he was more verbal about things he did not like. It was becoming apparent to everyone that he had a deep seeded hate for Dumbledore that was being outwardly shown the more the old fool seemed to approach him.
"Wow… never thought I'd hear you say that Evan. Usually you just tolerate him," Blaise said to him.
Harry snorted, "Yeah… things change. Oh… I have to be interviewed tomorrow," He groaned.
"Why?" Pansy asked.
"Because father came through with a promise to Dumbledore the day I vanished. He gave him a week, and when I wasn't returned… he contacted the ministry who put out a search for me…" He sighed, "No doubt the old fool knows just how everything happened too."
They were all quiet, since they all knew the truth. Orion was Evan and when Evan vanished within the walls of Hogwarts, they knew chaos would break out. But they also knew that the old fool had something to do with it. After Evan had been change physically and the old man had expressed how he wanted to keep him there…well it spoke loudly that he had to be the one to be at the root of the kidnapping.
They were all angry at Dumbledore for doing what he did to Evan, but it solidified the boy's anger for the man even more. Dumbledore had blackened something that would never be pure again, and little did he know that he'd just lost any hope he might have had in the upcoming war ahead of them all. When everything comes to an end Harry hoped that he would give the old codger a taste of that blackness he'd inflicted upon him.
"So do you know who the reporter will be?"
"No I don't," He grimaced a bit, "But I think I might know who anyways… if they want a reporter to interview me then it has to be someone with a high reporter demand… the only one who comes to mind is the blond tramp."
Draco laughed, "Haven't heard that nickname for her in a while. Rita Skeeter does come across that way doesn't she… That just means you have to be super careful Evan. She's a crafty reporter."
"Yeah, I know… I read some of her tripe already," Harry sighed.
They all laughed and eventually went off to bed, because some of them had to get up early for class, and that included Harry. Harry layed in his bed staring at the ceiling his mind wandering as he thought about what he was going to tell the reporter. Maybe he should play it up? Nah, it wasn't him to do so. He was sure Draco would be interviewed because he was there when it all took place. Even if he wasn't conscious for most of it, so Harry decided to think up something that Draco could tell her.
He didn't like this one bit and something deep down told him it wouldn't be the last time he heard from Mrs. Skeeter either. Harry shivered and curled up on his side after spelling his drapes closed so he could sleep. It took him a while to settle his mind down so he could do so, but eventually he slipped off into the land of dreams. Little did Harry know that the following days ahead would be hell for him and many other things would come into play on the road before him.
{A Shadowed Life}
The day Mrs. Skeeter showed up Harry could tell right away that he did not like the women. What little he had found out was she was a malicious woman who was against anything she considered dark and spoke out right venomously about whoever was dark… in a weird petulant sort of degrading way. Her methods with her quick quotes quill irked him to no end and he wished he could take that metal tipped quill and carve words into her skin, about any word he could associate with her and that was quite a lot of names he could use in his vocabulary since it had increased over the years.
Harry was interviewed by the women, and her sickly sweet smile made his stomach churn with unease. The women was also very touchy feely and he often tried to keep himself from her grasp. They spoke about the kidnapping, and his experience. He knew he had to play it up, shaking slightly as he recalled the experience, which in all wasn't so hard to do, considering it still made him shiver to think about it amongst other things. The cooed sympathetically at him as he acted the part as a victim, but the entire thing made him want to gut something.
Preferably the women, before him considering, that was catching snippets here and there from her pad when it occasionally flicked in his direction. Harry didn't at all like how this article would be going. It would paint the Malfoy's with an even worse name for them then had already been caused. Harry had to admit the bad name was somewhat his fault. Though, he couldn't take all of the blame he still did so, considering the Malfoys' were more family to him than anyone had ever been.
He internally fumed, but otherwise kept up his act through the whole thing… He wasn't prepared for what the Daily Prophet had the following morning.
Hogwarts Rising Prodigy Scarred For Life: Coincidence or Irony for the Malfoy family?
Young Evan went missing for several days, after being abducted from Hogwarts one afternoon after a confrontation between him and another student. Young Evan agreed to meet with me to talk about what happened to him during his abduction. His baby blue eyes glistened with the heart broken sorrow he had inside him over the incident. As he spoke of the wrongs done to him in captivity his little form quivered with the suppressed mental stresses he was still going through.
Young Evan said he was constantly beaten, usually to the point where his skin was cracked and bleeding. He spoke of even bones having been broke, in which were taken care of through potions to ensure he stay conscious for more beatings. Young Mr. Evan spoke of a pet the kidnapper had, had often bitten him. Having seen the bite wounds across his throat, myself was proof enough to show the boy had been through a lot of pain.
"It's alright dear," I implored him to continue when he seemed as though he could not.
"They took a whip to me most days, and sometimes hit me in the face," He cringed and whimpered softly like a wounded animal.
"They took a whip to you?"
"Yes, it had something on the ends….like barbs or something. They were always sharp… It felt like my skin had been set aflame when they came down on me," The boy had to pause and calm himself on the verge of hyperventilating, his form quaking so bad I thought he would fall from his chair.
"Did you see the people's faces?" He sullenly shook his head.
"No… they were always shadowed or they had me blind folded and gaged."
"It must have been horrible to go through," I sympathized with him.
"It was…. most nights I didn't sleep well," Said Evan, though it was difficult since it was hard for the poor boy to breath at this point, "I often woke from nightmares only to relive them the next morning."
Young Evan's whole frame shook as he spoke and I feared the boy would shake to pieces before me. I often tried to comfort him, but he flinched from the contact as though speaking about the subject was making him relive it again. He looked pleadingly to me as though to implore me to help save him. I could do nothing, but watch him and listen to his horrific story.
"When their pet came at me each time, I was sure I would not wake if I fell asleep and it scared me to close my eyes," Tears glistened in his eyes and fear was evident in every tremble of his body.
I believe this was a malicious attempt against the boy, by a enemy of the Malfoy family. The sweet young child should not be subjected to cruelty that is the cause of one Lucius Malfoy. Mr. Malfoy has plenty of enemies I am sure and his adopted son is becoming a target of threatening attacks. Evan Spring should be removed from the home for his own protection.
I pose this question to all my fellow readers, should this boy have to suffer for another's mistake? Evan is an innocent child locked in a battle of adults and is suffering because of them…
Harry's eyes rode over the lines of rubbish. She seemed to only pick and choose his words for her liking. Twisting the whole story he had worked hard on trying to get out there. What was written was only half of what he'd said, and then for the women to blame Lucius made him fume angrily within the Slytherin common room. Draco was shooting worried glances at him, after having read the article himself.
"I'm going to kill that bitch," Harry growled.
He stared into the flames before him and his eyes were hard in anger. Dark flames licking that the back of those light blue eyes. Like hardened sapphires both cold and unfeeling they stared unseeingly into the flames of the fireplace before him. His hands were clenched tightly into balled fists. His finger nails dug harshly into the flesh of his palms causing them to bleed, only to heal later when he unclenched his had so his dragon healing could fix it.
Harry licked the blood off his palm to clean the mess he had caused when he'd broken the skin. Pansy scrunching her nose a bit in disgust, but said nothing as she watched him like everyone else was. Evan rose from his seat still staring into the flames, before slowly looking to Draco. Draco's eyes widened at the hard look on the boy's face. He'd never seen a look on the boy's face like that before. Not when he was Harry or as Orion, but he could tell the years of abuse from his muggle family, and what happened in that place as a dragon had snapped something fragile in the other boy.
"No one messes with our family and gets away with it Draco… Mrs. Skeeter is no exception," He looked down at the photo of him and Mrs. Rita Skeeter.
"What do you plan to do?" He watched as a terrifying smirk split his features.
If there was one thing Draco knew was that Harry didn't smirk, not unless he was being cocky about something and smiling was something he did even less of. This was dark, every part of it dripped with dark waves of demonic pleasure. They could all feel the shift in the air as Harry's dragon side took a relishing factor in his thoughts as well. It felt like static was charging the air, making everyone's hairs stand on end.
"I plan to make her world a living nightmare," He chuckled, "…she'll wish she was never born once I'm through with her."
The chuckle made everyone shudder that was in the room. The chuckled was dripping with venom and was hard as steal not amusement or mirth was in it, just dark unadulterated glee for the pain he was plotting for the women who only caused more harm than good. They watched him silently as he closed his eyes and forced himself, to calm down which, was a common theme for him anymore. Everyone wondered how long it would take before what little control he had left snapped.
It was getting harder and harder for the boy to fake his personalities as Orion and Evan. Orion being outgoing and friendly to the populace of the wizarding world, and Evan who was withdrawn yet friendly upon approach, though not as social as his counter persona. Even Draco wasn't sure if the outcome would be pretty for the boy in the least. Once Harry composed himself he sighed like he had no more energy in him.
"Come on we better get to the great hall for breakfast," He said.
After Harry, Draco, Blaise, and Pansy left the common room, those who'd been left slowly trickled out of the room one at a time. Harry put on the air of tired defeat. It wasn't hard for the boy to pretend he was tired. Some nights the boy stayed up late unable to get a good night's rest because of his restless thoughts. Harry's nightmares had slowly faded away as his thoughts started to turn to a darker nature. So he couldn't blame the nightmares for his lack of sleep anymore.
Harry sat down and felt many eyes on him, he lazily lifted his eyes and looked around, many were whispering. Almost all of them looked as though they pitied him and a dark voice rang in his head, 'I don't need their pity… they're all fools. Dumb useless fools who believe anything their ministry wants them to believe.' He shoved the thought away and something pulled his attention to the table and he glanced over seeing Dumbledore with a disapproving stare that Harry found himself looking away from angrily before rolling his eyes discreetly.
Eating slowly he felt another oppressive stare and looked over to see Ron staring at him, the same old hate in his eyes, but an underlying concern was there. That puzzled him a bit, considering the idiot had practically flat out called him dark and his enemy, never once giving him the light of day. He let his gaze linger on Ron's, before the red head looked away glaring down at his plate. His gaze moved on over to the twins who smiled and waved at him, making Harry smirk lightly before looking to Luna, Neville, and Hermione.
Luna held her usual dream like state, and Neville was looking at her with confusion while Hermione seemed to be brooding over something and held an air of confusion, but was occasionally glancing up and over at him. He wasn't all too sure he liked that stare, something about it just grated on something in the back of his mind and he found himself looking down and away. He felt… nervous… as though something was nagging at him and causing him great distress. As to what it was he knew not of it, considering he didn't react his usual way to things anymore.
It hit him hard after a while and his eyes widened as he stared down at his plate. He didn't notice that his face was showing how horrified he was at the thought that ran through his mind. To most it was as though the boy might be remembering something that made him look the way he was currently. Though, what was going on in his head was far from his experience at being 'kidnapped.' He closed his eyes, peeking slightly through his lashes to stare at Hermione discreetly.
Something in his gut told him that things were about to change again, and that a certain girl was putting dots together slowly. She was a smart person and he wouldn't put it past her to realize what she'd failed to notice faster. He looked to Luna, and wondered if she had a hand in everything involving Hermione's change in thoughts. He wouldn't doubt it the girl was odd and seemed to know way more than she let on. Harry shivered at his thoughts, and if Hermione found out then Neville wouldn't be long after that, considering the three were close since the beginning of the year.
Harry distracted himself throughout breakfast and kept silent and to himself. He also continued to feel Hermione's questioning gaze upon him through breakfast as well. When he was finished eating he stood up and quickly left the room. He didn't notice the fuzzy haired girl get up and Luna sending her a smirk before he left with her following slightly behind him. He was silently in thought as he wondered down the hall to his first class of the day.
It was when he was alone in a hallway that he realized he was alone with one other person, and that other person happened to call out a name he didn't hear often. A name that Tom had only ever called him by, a name that seemed like a taboo word amongst anyone who knew who he was, and that name was Harry. It was soft, barely even raised above a whisper, but with his enhanced hearing he picked it up clearly and his steps faltered to a halt. The voice picked up courage and with strength then it had before.
"Harry? It is you, isn't it?" He didn't turn to look at her as she approached him.
Harry clenched his jaw and kept silent, his head turning to the side to hide his face from her. He felt that old forgotten feeling from when he first started being Evan Spring… shame. I felt guilt and shame come upon him for having lied to Hermione about who he really was. When he heard her say his name again, but with a note of pleading and concern he glanced up at her. He didn't need to say anything his eyes spoke louder than any words that could be spoken.
"Oh, Harry," She sobbed, and threw her arms around him which he tensed up before relaxing.
"Hey M'ione…" He said softly.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I couldn't…"
"Why, not?"
"Can we talk about it later? And please don't tell anyone. Especially not Dumbledore…"
Hermione bit her lip at first, worrying the soft bit of flesh between her teeth before she reluctantly nodded. He keyed her into his collar around his neck when he was sure no one else was there. His senses telling him the only living beings in the halls near and around them were himself and her. Doing this mean he was safe from her saying anything, because she would be unable too, and to protect her thoughts from people like Dumbledore. He was ashamed he had to do this to her, but it was to protect his secret and he knew under pressure the girl would crack and spill his secrets.
"How'd you find out anyway?"
"Luna… well not entirely her. She speaks in riddles and at first I wasn't sure what she'd meant. Though, I must admit it took me all night to think it all over as I tried to fit her words with people I knew. Then I started to look for the little things that only I would remember or notice about a certain person. I wasn't all too sure at first when I thought of Evan… er… you. It didn't fit at first, but then I remember noticing the times you would reach up towards your face, as though you wanted to do something to whatever wasn't there only to run your hand through your bangs when you realized that they weren't there," She paused.
It didn't take Harry long to realize she was talking about him no longer wearing his glasses. He sighed a bit at that, his need to reach up had dwindled over the year, but it was enough for Hermione to take note of. He looked over to her, which she seemed to be in deep thought as she thought about her next few words. He wasn't sure why, but he felt a little better to know that someone he once cared about knew who he was and wasn't at all shunning him for it.
"It was small things like that… like how you get quiet when people speak of your muggle family. Even as Evan you get quiet when your, once muggle family is brought up. The pained looks you gave Ron in the beginning I hadn't understood at first… now I know better… You felt guilty and sad that Ron was attacking you the way he was… You stood up for me when Draco called me a mudblood too. I'm surprised I never noticed when that happened," She said softly.
She paused when she realized she didn't recognize the area. She looked at him questioningly, only for him to raise a hand up with one finger sticking up in front of him, telling her to give him a moment. She waited patiently, before Harry started to pace a bit and then suddenly a door materialized in a nearby wall. Her eyes went wide as she looked to the face that didn't belong on her beloved friend. He chuckled and motioned for her to go in and she went in without a thought or word about it.
When she entered the room a look of awe overcame her, "What is this place?"
"The room of requirements... I came upon it one day when I needed it to practice some spells or to blow off steam. I found out later Tom knew of this place as well."
"Tom?" Harry flinched forgetting Hermione didn't know who Tom was.
He ducked his head hiding his face from view and mumbled his answer, but she didn't catch what he'd said and persisted in pestering him to speak louder. Harry was nervous about telling her and he bit down on his lip hard enough to draw blood, but when he let go the wound healed quickly and he licked the blood away to get rid of the evidence. Something about his own blood seemed to calm him a bit as he sucked in a calming breath of air. He looked up and over at her hesitant as he saw the worry in her eyes.
"Tom… is none other than Lord Voldemort," He said softly barely above a whisper.
Hermione paled and swallowed thickly, "Harry is he forcing you to…"
She never got to finish when Harry snapped his answer, immediately getting defensive, "No, he's not forcing anything on me. I chose to join him, and he's been more of someone I could trust than even those I used to trust."
"What? But he killed your parents."
"No… Dumbledore killed them."
"What? Harry, that's ridiculous!"
Harry glared at her, "No Hermione it's the truth. Snape went to him to have him protect my mother because he loved her. Dumbledore had basically signed their death warrant when he allowed a dumb prophecy related to me and Voldemort out loud in public. It was a force and staged prophecy that wasn't even real. It was placed to have Voldemort come after me and my family. It was Dumbledore who forced me into a muggle home… and every year I pleaded with him to let me stay somewhere else, but he refused saying I was over exaggerating. My muggle family hated me enough to starve and beat me… amongst other things… "
He had practically backed Hermione against a wall as he stared down at her, "He's the reason my life is a living hell. He's the reason why I vanished… why everyone thinks I was 'Kidnapped' which, isn't far from the truth, though my physical appearance at the time wasn't what you see now. I'm an emotional and mental mess because that bastard wanted to create a weapon he could control. Since Harry was no longer around he tried to bend Evan to his will." Harry hissed in distain.
In a fit of anger he let all, of his glamours drop, even the ones that hid his condition. She gasped as her eyes went wide she hesitantly reached up to the face twisted in pain and anger. Her eyes filled with tears threatening to spill over and a sob got caught in her throat threatening to choke her. Before Harry knew what was happening he was enveloped in a tight embrace. He sighed and held her silently, his anger and pain fading swiftly as he did so.
"I should have known… I should have recognized you that day in the alley," She sobbed.
Harry sighed, "I don't blame you Hermione for not noticing it was me… I changed a lot from the boy you used to know. I didn't look my age anymore and I definitely don't look like my dad either."
"But… your eyes…" She said looking up at him.
He snorted at that, "I may still have my mother's eyes, but I doubt even that small identifying detail would have snapped a piece into place in your thoughts."
Hermione leaned into him once again, this time taking in everything that was said, "I'm sorry I didn't notice you'd been suffering for so long… even before you vanished into thin air. I was so worried when you disappeared I hadn't thought there had been a reason-" He eyes went wide, "Harry what happened that night?"
Harry flinched and let his arms drop as he backed up a bit, "Just what was discovered…and you know a bit of it."
Her eyes went wide, "When you said you'd killed before…"
Harry looked up at her, "Yes, I was meaning my muggle family. It may have been an accident, but I was the cause of it none the less."
Hermione's hand had come up to her mouth, but she didn't run and there was no look of disgust in her features. Her memories of that fateful day in the ally had told her enough that Harry had been extremely remorseful about what had happened and it had been eating away at him at the time. It might not be that way now, but it was enough for her to overlook the death of a few muggles that had caused the male such hell under their roof. She gave him another hug taking note of his tensing and relaxing at the sudden contact and realization hit her hard.
She backed up, "Those rumors about Evan and Orion…"
"They're true, but not under the name Evan or Orion…but as me… I just meshed pieces here and there into the back stories," He said softly.
Tears welled up in her eyes. Everything was starting to make sense to her and she couldn't help, but feel like she was a terrible friend, "Harry… is it too late to ask if we are friends still?"
He shook his head, "No… I always thought of you as my friend… Ron on the other hand…" He trailed off and left that in the air.
"But he didn't know it was you…"
"Don't Hermione… just don't… We both know he was malicious towards me from day one no matter how polite I was. I can't ever think of him as a friend anymore. Not after the pain he was part of the cause of…" He looked down and away.
"What happened by the way? I never really understood what happened and that tripe in the Daily Prophet this morning didn't cover everything that was said."
Harry sighed and motioned to a chair in the room, in which they both sat down in. He decided to start from the beginning… or at least as far back as he could remember. He spared no details as he told her, and why shouldn't he? She was a great friend and even though she hadn't known Evan was him she'd still been nice to him. Plus, she had a right to know what had be fallen him to understand his view on things.
He told her about his hell in the muggle house he had been forced to call home. He told her about the long days going without food and water. He told her about the abuse of varying kids that often left him broken, bleeding, and or close to death. He told her about him being also Orion Black and how he came to be with the Malfoy family. He told her how much he felt like he was a part of a family and how he cared about them and they cared about him, even when they had found out about, who he was.
The difficult part was him telling her about Voldemort, who he revealed was Tom. She stayed quiet though through his explanation of his situation, daring not to interrupt him as he spoke. She watched him carefully as he explained how the dark lord had returned and how he became a part of his ranks. He watched her eyes dart down to the collar every now and then, which also had the now revealed dragon pendent he got on Christmas, still attached to it.
He told her about his training, and job. He told her about the tests he had to take before he could be considered out of school as Orion Black. He had showed his displeasure at finding out later he also had to take the Newts as well which, had occurred during his rehabilitation before he'd showed up as Evan at Hogwarts. He had been glad the old fool hadn't been able to show up for the Newts test even though he'd been there during his Owls one. He spoke about his familiar Osiris and how he came to have him, let alone that the deadly snake had been around his neck that day in the Alley way.
She had paled at that, not having known that such a deadly snake had been around her friend's neck. It may have been the thought that she was also in the same biting distance as Harry himself had been in as well as Ron. Either way she was obviously glad he could control the snake. She inquired on his whereabouts shortly and he told her he was at Riddle Manor with Voldemort's familiar Nagini. He moved on after that explaining what had happened at Azkaban and she looked puzzled.
"How did you do that anyways?"
He pulled the gold chain out from around his neck, "Easy, with this."
"A time turner!" Her eyes went big, "Harry that is a dangerous thing to do…"
"I know, but I have managed it on my own. Having to appear two or three times a day as either, Evan and or Orion in those situations."
"Harry! Two or Three times? Your lucky nothing bad happened!"
He shrugged, "It was that or be found out… it made it easier on me. Mostly after I found out I can go four days without sleep, but Tom didn't want me to push myself to much… Three was a max limit he placed on me just to keep the trouble to a minimum. Though, it became hard on him when I vanished."
It was there that the story turned to after the holidays, when Ron had caused him pain through a forced transformation he had a hard time getting out of later. He told her about the new form he'd taken on, how he'd really had been beaten and bitten. That the 'pet' he'd spoken of in the news article was actually a young dragon. He told her about how he had mauled the other dragon in a blinding rage. He spoke of how the treatments he got gradually got worse, and by the time Voldemort and his Death eaters had shown up that he'd been mostly the mind of his dragon side.
A fond smile braced his lips when he spoke of how gentle Voldemort had been with him, when he'd coaxed him back into his more human mind set. How the dark lord had helped him turn back to his more human form, and how the man had helped to take care of him along with Lucius, Narcissa, and Snape. She had balked at that, not having expected the potions master to be on the dark lord's side of the way.
He had to explain to her he actually played on both sides, possibly to be safe from harm. Though, after Harry's own change in sides he seemed more willing to jump on the dark arts band wagon with the rest of them. He told Hermione that Voldemort had often pretended to be Orion Black for Harry in his absence and as Harry got better he took that role back. He told her how he felt about the dark lord and he wasn't as bad as they all thought. That Dumbledore was the reason Voldemort was the way he was.
She had a hard time swallowing that, but he didn't give her the details that were behind Voldemort. Mostly because the collar would prevent him from doing so, but also because he didn't know himself, the man was extremely private about his past. He bit down on his lip worrying over it a moment as he thought.
"I know I at one point hated him because of my parent's death… but it wasn't his fault. It never would have happened over the fake prophecy."
"How do you know it's fake?"
"I don't know if it's fake or not, but I have a feeling it is. Why would a prophecy say a child will destroy one of the most powerful wizards in the world? It doesn't make sense. I had no great power and still don't. The man is infinitely more powerful than any one wizard and knows more spells than anyone I know including you Hermione," Harry sighed, "My best bet to know if it is or not is to find out through Trelawney."
"Why her?"
"Because Tom said that she was the one his spy had heard utter the prophecy out loud, though he only heard the first half of it."
"But you don't have Trelawney during school hours as Evan."
"True, but I have seen her at the Hogshead plenty of times."
"Oh! So you are going to do it there? Makes sense if you want to get her alone without being disturbed by anyone. So who do you plan on being then?"
"I was thinking just staying as Evan… mostly because being a student is the best bet to cover my tracks."
"I guess your right…"
"It will be hard to do… I will have to corner her and ask her questions at the same time I use Legilimens. I'll probably need to use a powerful compulsion spell as well. Tom doesn't want me to do it, mostly because he's afraid I'd get caught or something. The only thing is Tom doesn't know I'm going to do it anyways… but I do plan on telling him my findings none the less."
"What if you do get caught?"
"It is likely, but not really. All I have to do is scan her memories, even hidden ones. I won't tamper with evidence and I will not make her think one thing and cause her to do anything she wouldn't normally do. You see I can leave her mind as I find it, no one would be able to trace that I was even in it. The only thing they will find is her talking with me about being a seer… which surprisingly if I tried I might be able to accomplish it because of my heightened magic sensitivity."
"You're a magic sensitive?" He asked curiously not ever remembering him being one.
"Yeah… that came with the physical change, along with heightened sense of hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Plus dragon strength and some slight emotion changes as well."
"Huh… It explains your ability to accomplish spells faster than you had in the past."
"Maybe, but I also think my education was stinted, because of my slacking off," He sighed, "I used to just do what people expected of me… what they assumed I should do. Now however… I like studying and being just me for once."
Hermione stared at him silently and she could tell Harry was happier then she'd ever seen him, even if he was considered a dark wizard now. She wasn't afraid of him and she felt safe around him as though Harry was still the same person she knew in the past. Though, this time he was much darker and freer than he'd ever been before. She nodded to herself and Harry quirked a brow wondering just what she was thinking.
"I may be hesitant about believing Dumbledore is as bad as you say… and I usually believe in authority figures a lot then is probably healthy to do… But I will take a leap of faith and abandon what I know to be true, and stand by your decision. I want to be with you through it all, even if it means joining the dark lord and becoming dark myself."
Harry's eyes went wide as he listened, "You don't have to Hermione… you can just stay neutral… I'm sure I can try and convince him to keep you safe somehow…"
Hermione smiled a bit relieved by his words, "Okay, but if I am forced to choose a side Harry… I will more than likely be with you all the way okay?"
Harry nodded and sighed softly, "Yeah… Thanks M'ione."
She smiled widely before she frowned a bit, "You know… I think Luna might already know, but it is weird since she usually talks to the twins a lot, and they seem to understand her riddles before even I do."
Harry blinked he had figured Luna knew somehow. If the twins knew then he wasn't sure how they had found out since the rest of their family seemed to not notice a damn thing. Now that she mentioned it though, they seemed to always know what to do to cheer him up and seemed to always be on his side whenever Ron was being… well Ron. On top of that it was like he felt that he was keeping a secret with them instead of keeping a secret away from them. He hummed softly to himself before speaking again.
"You know what… I'm not surprised… Luna was an obvious one to me she seems to know things no one else does, as for the twins… I don't know I guess in a way I always felt like they were helping me keep a secret rather than me keeping one from them."
"Hmm… it is curious, will you ask them when you get the chance too?"
"More than likely I will… I'm curious about it all…"
"Wait I just realized something… If you know who is a dragon now too then how did that happen?"
"I've been thinking about that actually. All I can conclude is from what he told me was true. My blood used in the ritual to bring him back is what caused it to happen. Since he was already powerful and all, my blood must have just… well I guess it reacted with that power," he suddenly had a thought and he groaned, "Then again those added ingredients must have contributed too… I never did ask him what they were."
"Well… if you asked would he answer?"
"I'm not sure, but I think so. He hasn't kept much from me the only think he keeps under lock and key is his past… and I have never even asked him anything about that either. He seems to be a personal person…"
"Wait you assumed he wouldn't tell you?"
"I guess, I mean if he never told me in the first place then he must have his reasons for keeping quiet about it right?"
"Did it ever occur to you that he might not talk about it because you never ask about it?"
Harry blinked, "Maybe."
Hermione sighed, "You know for someone who'd become a prodigy amongst the wizarding world sometimes you can be quite dense you know that?"
Harry only smirked, "Yeah… Anyways we need ot get moving before people start worrying about us. We have been in here for quite a long time."
Hermione's eyes went wide, " .god I completely forgot we still had classes to go too."
Harry laughed and she whined his name out as she slapped his shoulder a couple of times, only fueling his laughter, even more. She eventually stopped a smile of her own on her lips as she rose from her seat to leave. Harry said his parseltongue word to fix his glamour to Evan once more, hiding all he'd showed to Hermione once more, from other people's eyes. Harry glanced about the hall only to spot Luna, and the twins leaning against a nearby wall waiting for them.
"The little black snake-"
"-Of the Lion's den, has-"
"-Once again made peace with-"
"The wise owl," The twins chorused in the end.
Hermione gave a confused look towards them, "How did you…"
"Looney told us to come here and you'd turn up eventually," They explained.
"You see the Nargles were in a fret about the Wrackspurts that had gone missing," Luna explained, "But they are found and all is well. While important meeting brought many things to light for wise owl. Timid mouse is not that far behind and soon will join the ever growing puddle that ripples with change."
Hermione looked lost to all Luna said, but to Harry he seemed to catch it as though it was spoken like anyone else would speak. He felt happy about that to say the least. To have friends who knew who he was and still accepted him, and he felt he could lean upon them and trust them now. He hoped that in time when he had to tell his new friends who he was that they would be just as open and accepting of him. Hermione snapped him out of his thoughts with her comment of what Luna had said making no sense.
Harry laughed knowing the girl always complicated things by thinking about things to literally rather than in a sense that did not always relate to book smarts. Mentally sighing he wondered just how much longer this little peace would last before it all burned up in a blazing fire of chaos. His soul was dark and dirtied with the many things in his life that changed him. His darker personality coming to light was only the beginning to the end of what Harry used to be.
Next Chapter- The Shift
Well everyone that is it for this chapter. Looking forward to your R&R's. See you all soon!