Disclaimer: Wow. Do you know what? I have serious issues with the word disclaimer. So far, I have managed to do Sidclaimer, Dismaimer, and Disnamer. frowns I even messed up on some of those. shrugs Oh well. Here's a chapter, including the characters and Harry Potter objects that I do not own.
Chapter Ten
Confrontations
"Alright, are you ready Chris?" Joe asked as the bell rang for classes later in the morning.
"What? I thought you were gonna do it. I'm not," Chris protested. They had decided that morning that they would confront Professor Granger about the stranger Harry without letting on that they had actually talked to him. Each seemed to have made his own assumption as to who would do it.
"What are you talking about? I distinctly remember you volunteering," Joe lied importantly.
"I did not, you little liar," Chris objected.
"Yes you did," Joe persisted.
"No, I did no–"
"Something wrong boys?" Professor Granger inquired, interrupting Chris and forcing the two bickering teenagers to tackle the subject head-on.
"Guys, let's just do it together," Randy said exasperatedly. He turned to his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. "Miss Granger, we have something we'd like to ask you."
"I'm sorry Randy," she said with a smile. "I'm afraid that I can't give you three another extension on your paper on boggarts."
Randy shook his head, "It's not that," he said as he handed her the overdue paper out of his bag. "We wanted to ask you about–" he paused, fortifying his courage, "about Harry Potter!"
Professor Granger stiffened. "Why do you want to know about him?" she asked quietly but defensively.
"Well, we found the passage into Hogsmeade and we were in it when you were talking to that stranger. You called him Harry. We heard your whole conversation."
After moments of silence while she absorbed what they had said she replied gravely, "This is beyond my jurisdiction. If you'll follow me, we'll resolve this." The three silently fell in line behind her and wound their way through the bustling students trying to make their way to their next class. I wonder where she's taking us, Randy thought. Looks like to Dumbledore's office. They followed her until she came to a wall that had a very intricate stone gargoyle. "Skittles," she said, and the gargoyle revealed a staircase. "Come along," Miss Granger instructed as she lifted her robes to ascend the stairway. The three friends looked at each other. Chris shrugged and they turned to follow their professor. They came to a door at the apex of the stairs. Miss Granger opened it and walked in. "Headmaster," she called.
"Hermione?" Professor Dumbledore called. "Ah please, come in. I see you have brought me three of our pupils. Please, have a seat. Yes, you too, Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. English, and Mr. Griffin. Please, tell me the nature of this visit to my office," he said with a slight smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"Headmaster," Professor Granger murmured, "they've discovered our visitor in the castle."
Professor Dumbledore's face blanched. "I see," he said somberly. He looked sharply at the three offenders. "Have you told anyone?" he asked.
"No sir," they all murmured in unison.
"Very well. Perhaps the damage is not irreparable. Dobby!" he called. A small House Elf was at his side in an instant.
"Yes sir?" he asked humbly.
"Would you please fetch our guest from the Visedain Chambers? Tell him to wear his Invisibility Cloak on his way up here and inform Nymphadora and Kingsley that they are not needed." The House Elf, Dobby, bowed and ran to carry out the task given him. "In the mean time, you can inform me of the events that led to you coming here."
Harry was just finishing up his breakfast of eggs, bacon, a bagel, and some orange juice while reading the Daily Prophet when a familiar face entered the kitchen, shown in by Tonks. The guard had shifted at seven thirty in the morning and Harry had bid farewell to Sirius and Ron and hello to Tonks and Shacklebolt.
"Harry, sir?" a tentative voice inquired as Harry was taking a sip of orange juice and reading another rumor about Harry Potter's return. Harry almost spit out his juice.
"Dobby?" he asked unbelievingly. "You're still working here? After seven years?" He paused, thinking that he might be sending the impression that he wasn't happy to see his old friend. "It's really good to see another familiar face Dobby. I'm glad to see you. What're you doing here anyway?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore requested that you come see him, Harry sir," Dobby said with a smile.
"Oh, I'll go see him when all the students are at lunch then," Harry said happily. Dumbledore had given him a reason to vacate his cave, even if it was temporarily.
"Headmaster Dumbledore wishes to see you now, Harry Potter, sir. And he requests that you wear your Cloak of Invisibility on your way there, Harry sir."
"Now?" Harry said, confused. "What's so important that he wants me to come when all of the students are wandering the halls?" he asked himself. Ah well. Whatever. I'll find out when I get there I guess. "Alright, I'll get ready." Harry hurriedly cleared the table and brushed his teeth. He attempted to tame his mane of jet-black hair but to no avail. By the time he was finished he was sure that he had only stimulated his rebellious hair. It looked even worse than when he had started. He ran his hand through in frustration, but then went into his room and snatched up his Invisibility Cloak off of the floor. He put it in the crook of his arm and entered the kitchen to tell Dobby he was ready only to find that the little House Elf had already left. He shrugged and exited his dwelling. Tonks and Shacklebolt were waiting for him when Harry shut the door behind him.
"Dumbledore wants to see me. Are you two coming?" he asked briskly. They both shook their heads.
"Dobby told us we 'aren't needed'," Shacklebolt said with a small smile. Tonks grinned wolfishly. Harry shrugged nonchalantly and made his way up the stairs, wondering about the nature of that savage smirk. When he reached the wall that led to the outside he settled his Invisibility Cloak over his bony shoulders and threw the hood up over his head covering him in a disguising shroud of invisibility. "Visedain," he commanded, and hoped that there weren't any students there to witness it. His wish was granted, and he found no one on the other side though children were still about on the lower levels. The passage closed ominously behind him as he took the quickest route to Professor Dumbledore's office. He checked the hallway around the Headmaster's quarters to be sure that no one would wonder why the Headmaster's Chamber was opening on its own. After he had established that it was clear, he approached the gargoyle and muttered, "Skittles," and ascended the stairway. He took off his cloak and then knocked on the door. There was a pause and then, "Enter." Harry pushed open the door. He stopped dead when he saw who was there.
Everyone was looking when the door opened. Harry blinked a few times, wondering if he was seeing things. But each time his eyes opened anew there were still five people sitting there: Professor Dumbledore, Hermione, Joseph English, Christopher Griffin, and Randal Zimmerman. "H-h-headmaster," Harry stammered, "a-am I … early o-or … late maybe?" Harry automatically thought that perhaps Dobby had delivered the message wrong and Harry was supposed to come later after all. "Dobby told me you wanted to see–" Dumbledore held up his hand to stay Harry's babbling and Harry finished his sentence in indiscernible mumbles.
"Please, Harry, have a seat," Albus Dumbledore instructed, motioning to an open seat. Harry furrowed his brow in confusion but tentatively obeyed. I bet they snitched, he thought darkly. He slowly lowered himself into a chair while the boys failed to try to cast unobtrusive glances his way. He ran his fingers through his hair in a succumbing manner, but also tried to cover his scar with hair.
"Last night," his former Headmaster began, and Harry thought, Yep here it comes, "when you left my office," I'm dead, "you apparently went and," Just kill me now, "visited with," Stupid, snot-nosed little tattlers, "Miss Granger while she was on her patrol." Huh? What! "These boys had discovered the passage into Honeydukes cellar and were in their little hideaway while you and Professor Granger talked. They listened to your whole conversation and made the assumption that you are Harry Potter when they heard you're first name. What do you have to say to them?"
Harry was confused and he was sure that it showed on his face. "Me?" he said, placing a hand on his chest. "You want me to talk to them?" Dumbledore nodded. "Alright," Harry said doubtfully. He turned to the three boys warily. They were watching him eagerly. "You think I'm Harry Potter, do you?" he asked sarcastically, some of his courage back. He assumed that Dumbledore wanted him to keep the secret that they had so painstakingly established. Then why didn't he just tell them that they were wrong and give them detention for being out after hours? Why did he bring me into it? "Well, hate to break it to you boys, but I'm not him. As far as I know, he's dead. V– You-Know-Who," Harry barely caught himself, and he looked over the boys faces to see if they had caught it, "killed him seven years ago, unless those rumors that are flying around are true." To his dismay, it looked like Randy had caught him. "Frankly, if he's alive at St. Mungo's like people keep saying, I might be tempted to sneak in and visit him, once I've recovered my health." Harry sighed, and then slapped his knees in preparation to heave himself out of the comfortable chair. "Well, there you have it. If that's all, Professor?" Harry asked as he rose to leave.
"It's a nice story for an on-the-spot alibi," Randy said, "but I think I'm going to have to call your bluff. There's almost nothing that you can say that can prove that you're not him."
"Yeah," Joe said. "In fact, I bet you that if you lifted up your hair right now, we'd see your scar."
"You look exactly like him," Chris said. "The hair, the glasses, the eyes, the frame of body. We've seen pictures of you. You can't just throw us off like that. We're usually smarter than that." Harry raised an eyebrow and Chris smiled.
He turned to Hermione. She nodded slightly. He cast his eyes desperately toward Dumbledore. The Headmaster's eyes glittered roguishly, and he winked. Harry sighed resignedly.
"Fine. You win." He pushed up his bangs and revealed his infamous scar. "It's nice to meet you," Harry said offering his hand. "I'm Harry James Potter. And you are?" he asked. Randy held out his hand. "Randy Zimmerman," he said with a smile. Harry cocked an eyebrow, still amused by the situation. He turned to the next boy in line, Joe. Joe simply smiled and stated his name as he vigorously shook the proffered hand. And last but not least, Christopher Griffin. After the boy had spoken his name he smiled and covertly winked at Harry. Harry winked back.
"Well, now that that's settled," Professor Dumbledore said, "I must tell you that you being discovered your first night does not bode well for your stay. I'm afraid that from now on, you must take your guard with you when you leave your chambers, along with your map, unless I specify otherwise. I'm rather curious as to how it is that you didn't see these three on the map."
Uh oh, Harry thought. "Well," he said, "they weren't there when I saw Hermione's name, so they must've come through the passageway after I had reached the one-eyed witch. I confess that I deactivated it when I decided to go see Hermione," he added sheepishly. There I go, lying again.
Dumbledore sighed. "I think that one of your guards should monitor the Map while you're out," he stated pointedly.
"Yes sir," Harry said.
Dumbledore sighed. "You make it very difficult to stay even a touch vexed with you, Mr. Potter," he accused lightly. "If there is nothing that any of you wish to speak to me about, you may go." Hermione, who looked a little anxious, stood up immediately.
"I have a class," she explained, and hurried out the door. Harry stood up and stretched, preparing to leave.
"Wait," Randy said suddenly. Everyone, including his two companions, looked at him with interest. Apparently this was something that he hadn't discussed with his fellows. "Um… Professor Dumbledore, sir… uh… would it be all right, since we know about Har- er… Mister Potter, and all, if… um… if we – you know –… uh… visited him every-now-and-then?" he asked nervously.
Professor Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "And when would you do this?" he asked. "Students have lunch in the Great Hall and you're not allowed out at night. I would be greatly disappointed if you took the liberty of skipping classes to visit him."
"Well some kids take their lunch back to their dormitories," Joe suggested. We could just take it to his rooms instead. And we don't have classes on weekends," he added.
"And if, say, once every week or so, you gave us a note saying that we could go out on a certain night, then we wouldn't be penalized for it and we wouldn't lose much sleep either," Chris supplied enthusiastically. Dumbledore's face took on a thoughtful expression.
"Sir, your answer has to be yes to their suggestions or a flat out no," Harry said. Dumbledore mulled it around in his mind for several moments before coming to a decision, his eyes twinkling like mad.
"Very well," he gave in. "I will send you messages each week informing you of an appropriate time to visit Harry." He directed a resigned gaze a Harry. "I suppose you had better show them where your chambers are." Harry smiled.
"Don't worry, Professor," Harry said reassuringly. "If their grades begin to slip, then I won't allow them any more visitation privileges until they're back up to speed." The three boys looked apprehensively at one another. "Either that or their time with me will be spent studying," Harry threatened cheerily as he led them out of the Headmaster's study. It suddenly occurred to him that he only had his Invisibility Cloak and that wouldn't prove at all useful in leading the three boys to his underground hole. He hadn't even thought to bring the map so that he could check to see if anyone was around.
"All right, you three," he said as the gargoyle closed behind them. "I'm going to have to stay visible so that you can see me. I would just meet you at the top, but then a teacher might deter you. You're going to have to help me though. If you hear anybody coming before I do, tell me so I can duck into a corner or something. I'm too easily recognizable, especially with all of the papers circulating my picture about. Granted, I look a little different, but it's not by much. People tend to have the same general appearance that they had as a five-year-old through about forty." Harry paused, and then pointed a finger at all of them and gave them a meaningful look. "No talking about me, to me, or to each other. I want you to keep your eyes peeled for bystanders. I thought that you had all snitched on me, so I'm not going to go very easy on you at the moment." And with that they set off.
They were actually almost to their destination when Joe hissed, "Someone's coming! Hide!" Harry looked around and chose a corner that was partially hidden in shadows by a pillar. Once there he cast his Invisibility Cloak about his shoulders. He groaned inwardly when he saw who was coming upon the group.
"Zimmerman, English, and Griffin," Professor Snape purred dangerously. "It's second hour. Why aren't you in your classes, I wonder? Could it be that the three of you are skipping?"
"No sir," Christopher said with the exact amount of required humility. That boy's good, Harry couldn't help but think. "We just came from the Headmaster's office."
"Oh really?" Snape asked with mock interest. "And why were you there? Skipping other classes?"
"No," Joe said tightly, trying to keep the heat out of his voice. "We actually aren't supposed to talk to anyone about it."
"Likely story," Snape scoffed. "And even if you had just come from Professor Dumbledore's study, you would be on your way to your second class. Ten points each from Gryffindor and detention for all of y–" Harry let him get no further.
"Actually, it's my fault, Professor Snape," Harry said, emerging from the corner. "You see, I was just taking them to my chambers."
Snape turned and gazed at Harry with a mixture of surprise and contempt. "Potter."
"Ah, yes, I would actually appreciate it if you didn't go around saying my surname, seeing as how the Headmaster went to great lengths to see that I have haven here. It's not that I don't trust you, you understand. It's more along the lines of someone, who will go unnamed, accidentally let slip the condition of Professor Remus Lupin in my third year at Hogwarts," Harry said lightly as he strode over and placed a hand on Randy's shoulder. Snape's eyes grew slightly wider as he took in Harry's appearance. Seeing a walking skeleton when he remembered a skinny, lively and healthy boy stunned the Potion's Master. Harry smiled. "I'll see that they get to their next class. Your services are no longer required." He gave Randy a light push and the boy started walking. The other two followed suit.
"Wait," Snape said sharply. Harry, who had followed them, turned to his former professor with curiosity plastered on his face. The boys also stopped but Harry waved them along saying, "Is there something else, Professor Snape?"
"Don't try me, Potter," the man said warningly. "Just because Dumbledore has invited you to stay here does not mean I have to even try to put up with your insufferable attitude."
"For the record, Snape," Harry said, dropping all pretenses, "you broke decorum first." Snape raised his eyebrows dangerously, as if daring Harry to say something else. "Did you want something, or did you just speak because you enjoy the sound of your nasal voice?"
Snape's nose twitched, but he went on. "You said that you were taking them to your chambers when this is in strict violation of Professor Dumbledore's wishes."
"Oh, but Headmaster Dumbledore wished me to take them there," Harry said innocently.
"Why?" the professor snapped.
"I forget Snape. What did that parchment tell you in my third year? I just can't remember," Harry said, tapping his nose. "Would you be so kind as to help me out?" Harry paused. "Oh yes," he said pointedly. "Keep your abnormally large nose out of other people's business." Harry stopped, and then regained his cheery attitude. "You know, you should take that advice. It might help you in your social relationships," Harry said as he made his way to leave.
"We're not through here, Potter!" Snape hissed. Harry whirled around with previously checked fire burning in his eyes.
"You know, I did always wonder something Snape. Perhaps you can help me on this one. I was under the impression that you were doing undercover work with Voldemort. If this is so, why then did Dumbledore never find out that I was his prisoner? Is it possible that, in seven years, you didn't manage to regain Voldemort's trust enough for him to tell you that he had me captive and was torturing me? Is it possible that he never offered you the pleasure of pulling out my teeth, or electrocuting me, or taking a hammer to me when he knew that you and I have always been rivals? When he knew that you hated my father with a passion that did not die with him?" Harry pretended to wait for Snape's reply. Then he asked contemptuously, "Drawing a blank?" He waited for another few moments and turned away with his flaming cheeks and eyes that threatened to well up. "I didn't think so," he said coldly as he walked away.
He met up with Joe, Randy, and Chris on the next floor. They shied away from him. Harry knew that his face was like a thundercloud so tried to lighten his mood and appearance. "I don't suppose there's any chance that you didn't hear that, is there?" Harry asked uncomfortably. When they didn't answer, and the awkward silence began to stretch Harry cleared his throat. "Right. If you'll follow me," he said, and continued toward their destination. The group followed Harry at a distance so Harry had to wait a moment before opening the passage. "Visedain," he said so they all could hear. The wall ominously opened to permit them entrance. "Actually, you were right." They all gave him a puzzled look. "I am staying in a secret passageway and a secret room." It took a moment for them to remember the night before when they had jokingly suggested it. Harry was rewarded with a small smile from each of them.
"Look," Harry said finally as they began their descent, "there's a history between Professor Snape and I. You have to understand that." The wall sealing behind them punctuated his statement. "For this arrangement to work, you can't be afraid of me. I should have probably saved my outburst for a time when it was just the two of us, and I apologize for that. But if you're going to be skirting around me our relationship is going to get very old very fast. Do you understand?"
They nodded. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Don't nod your heads!" Harry said sternly. "Say something."
"Yes," they replied promptly in unison.
"Good," Harry said as he descended the stairs. It was very dark and he stopped when he felt one of them stumble into him. "You all know the spell to light up your wands, right?" he asked. They nodded, then hurriedly said yes. "Right. Lumos," he said as he drew out his wand. "You're going to need it coming down here. It's a rather bumpy and long way to fall." They each extracted a wand and muttered the command, lighting the stairwell with an eerie light.
"Um, Mister Potter," Randy said uncertainly as they continued, "is it fine if we talk now?" Harry nodded and Randy went on. "We're sorry that we eavesdropped on your conversation with Granger."
"I think it would be best if you referred to her as Professor Granger," Harry informed him, smirking silently at the irony of that statement. "At least when you're talking to her, or where she can hear you. Things might go easier for you if you do. I'll speak of her as Hermione, but you can't do that."
"Oh. Okay," he said, sounding a little flustered. "But, it's just that you didn't answer any of our questions and your entrance yesterday was a little mysterious to all of us. We were just curious. We're sorry if we got you in trouble with Dumble- Professor Dumbledore." The others nodded solemnly.
"Like I said, my first thought as I came in was that you snitched," Harry confessed. "And I think that Professor Dumbledore's confidence and trust in me has probably declined since last night was my first night here. I'm not going to be able to move as freely as I might have had I not revealed myself to you, but that's all right. Now I'll have some company to look forward to. But it would have been better if you had waited at least a week before announcing your knowledge to the staff," Harry said in a pained voice. "It would have put me in a much better light." They smiled at his remark as they reached the foundation of the stairs. "Oh, and you'll want to apologize to Hermione. She's probably feeling responsible for my discovery."
They continued down the hallway and the boys began to peer forward as if expecting something. Harry understood what they were doing. He remembered the elusive feeling that this corridor gave him the previous day. But to Harry's eyes, they were coming up on the lighted strip. He stopped and they looked at him, puzzled. He made sure they were paying attention to where he was and then stepped through. A moment later, the three followed him through. Tonks and Shacklebolt were startled by the three visitors, but recovered almost instantaneously and had wands leveled. Harry quickly stepped into the path of the wands.
"It's alright," Harry assured them. "Dumbledore told me to bring them down."
"Students?" Tonks asked incredulously. Shacklebolt was giving him an intense look that demanded an immediate explanation.
"These students, Randy Zimmerman, Chris Griffin, and Joe English," he said pointing to each individually, "discovered my presence here. It's not really relevant how, but they informed the Headmaster and Hermione. After a bit of debriefing, Dumbledore decided that it was safe if they come down every now and then. So get to know their faces because it would probably be a bad thing if you blew their heads off or something." His two friends smiled at that, accepting his explanation and assurances. Harry returned the smile and continued toward the door.
"Uh, Harry," Shacklebolt said, "you've company in there."
"What?" Harry asked, turning back to them.
"Someone came while you were out," he supplied. "He had a signed parchment with permission to come see you." Harry did not like the way he had emphasized 'someone'.
"Who?" he asked suspiciously.
"Draco Malfoy," Tonks said apprehensively.
"Malfoy?" he asked incredulously with a hint of underlying danger in his tone. They nodded.
"You three stay out here. I'll only be a moment," he ordered the boys as he turned to enter his chambers. He opened the door and stepped in.
"MALFOY!" Harry roared before the door had quite slammed shut. He realized with a slight pang of guilt that Joe, Randy, and Chris had definitely heard that. They weren't going to think very highly of him by the day's end if it continued the way it was. His embarrassment vanished, however, when he saw Draco Malfoy look up, startled, from examining a book.
"Potter," he stammered with a tentative smile that vanished as Harry advanced upon him.
"What are you doing here?" Harry demanded of him. Malfoy stood his ground and visibly composed himself, recovering from the shock of Harry's initial outburst.
"Oh come now," he tried to scoff in an offhand way. "Don't you think that we're just a little old for school-day rivalries? I mean it's in the past isn't it?"
"The last memory I have of you was when I was about to curse you in the middle of a hallway Malfoy," Harry said pointedly. "I haven't really had a reason to get over it. And the fact that your father was the one that captured me doesn't help your situation here."
Malfoy's composure faltered for an instant but he stabilized himself almost instantly. "Yes, well, you can't blame someone for the father he has, can you? I mean we can't exactly choose them after all."
"I seem to recall you blaming Ron, Hermione, and me frequently for what you believed were failings in our parents. Besides, when it comes to you, I hold strong to the maxim of the apple falling not far from the tree. I've had too much contact with your sort to believe otherwise."
"You know Potter, you're not making this very easy," Malfoy complained snobbishly. "I've business here, whether you like it or not. I thought that I would take the opportunity to smooth out some rough edges between the two of us, but seeing as how you'll have none of that, I'll get right to the point."
"Oh no you won't," Harry said before he could get any farther. "You haven't explained to me, in intricate detail I might add, how you managed to get in here."
"Thank you," Malfoy said expansively. "That brings me to why I'm here. There's a history behind it however, so we may want to sit down," he said, moving to do so.
"Don't sit," Harry commanded. Draco Malfoy froze halfway down, shooting Harry an exasperated look. "I wouldn't get comfortable, is all I'm saying. You're about to leave in any case. I have company outside the door and I think it's about time for them to come in."
"This can't really wait, Potter," Malfoy said in a pained voice. "If you want to contradict me further, I have a signed parchment granting me an immediate audience with you," he said, proffering a folded scrap of parchment.
"And who signed it?" Harry demanded as he snatched the parchment out of the man's fingers. "Voldemort?" Malfoy winced.
"Actually, if you'll open you'll see it was- ," Harry opened, saw the signature and voiced it simultaneously with Malfoy, "-Albus Dumbledore." The only difference in their tone was that Harry's was one of incredulity.
"Well that's just rich," Harry muttered malignantly. "He wants us to kill each other. That'll solve the problems he has about keeping me away from Voldemort and eliminating at least one of the spies."
"Would you care to repeat that?" Malfoy said indignantly.
"You heard me," Harry replied disgustedly. After a moment of dark contemplation, Harry relented. "Fine," he said, "but I'm bringing my guests in first." Malfoy spread his hands in acquiescence. "Good," Harry said as he spun towards the door. He tried to make his face appear uncaring before opening the door.
"Guys," he said, thrusting his head out, "you can come in now. There're some things that my unexpected company and I need to discuss, but you can wait in my room, or the library, or wherever while we talk. I promise this won't take long." They all looked at him apprehensively before they filed in. As Harry let them in, Malfoy spoke up.
"Students, Potter?"
Harry turned to him with an icy green glare. "Did I say you could speak?" he asked coldly. Malfoy cocked an eyebrow, but bowed his head in supposed surrender. Harry led them to the room farthest away from where Malfoy waited for him, which was the library.
"I'm sorry that this is taking so long," Harry apologized after they were all inside. "None of this was supposed to happen. I'm usually a rather cheerful person. You've seen nothing but the bad side of me. If you want, I'll make it up to you by helping you with your homework this weekend. What year are you in, anyway?"
"We're all in fifth," Randy supplied.
"Right. I promise this won't take long. You're already going to have loads of homework just from what you've missed so far," Harry warned prudently before he shut the door and headed back to where the former student of the serpent lay in wait.
He came upon Malfoy while he was examining an intricately wrought table, running his fingers over some of the more elaborate detail. "Will you stop touching my stuff?" he demanded irritably as he sank into a cushy chair across from the one Malfoy had made to take earlier. Malfoy had straightened instantly and was watching him nervously. Harry rolled his eyes and gave an exaggerated motion to the chair, saying, "Well sit down. We've got this long, involved story to get through, after all."
Malfoy smiled and took his seat. He leaned forward, elbows resting on knees and hands clasped. "Alright, Potter. What you have to understand before we begin is that things have drastically changed since you er- left. Loyalties do not reside in the same place that they once did. My mother, rest her soul, was never a follower of You-Know-Who, but she held the same beliefs that he inspired. She never knew that my father was once again an active follower until you landed him in jail. Of course, she was properly wroth with you, but that dims in comparison against the rage she had for my father for keeping it from her.
"Until then, I had thought that my parents were unified in goals, thoughts, and beliefs. She didn't oppose He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's – uh – values – but she resented that he had returned and enveloped my father in his mess again. She thought that he would never be able to regain all of his lost power, so she publicly denounced having anything further to do with my father after his arrest. At first, I was mortified at her actions and withdrew from her. I was overjoyed when word was sent that my father and his cohorts had escaped from prison since there were no longer any dementors. I was certain that he would return for me and take me with him to be by his side. But he never showed up. Announcement of your abduction came and went, then the news of your alleged death. By this time, my mother had regained my affection and trust.
"I wasn't actually sorry about everything that had happened between the two of us, and I wasn't exactly sad that you had died, but at this point I wanted nothing to do with You-Know-Who. You probably won't be thrilled by the knowledge that I attended your funeral, either. By the time I graduated from Hogwarts, I was a changed man. I had abruptly ceased all affiliation with Crabb and Goyle and had withdrawn from my House. In fact, I think that Slytherin was considering renouncing me when they found that I was spending much of my time with occupants of other Houses, mostly Gryffindor. I thought you might like to know that I improved my standing with Weasley and Granger to the point where they now grudgingly accept me." Harry, who had been watching Malfoy with dead eyes peering over fingers in a steeple, let him get no further.
"This is all very touching, Malfoy," he said apathetically, "but is there any point to your ramblings?"
Malfoy gave him a reproachful look. "I'm trying, apparently to no avail, to–"
"Evoke sympathy?" Harry supplied. "Empathy, perhaps. Are you trying to touch a feeling on a connection that I always wished I had had with my father and/or mother?"
"No," Malfoy replied testily. "I'm trying to make it easier for you to grasp the concept."
Harry put out his hands and closed them tightly, as if holding on to something. "Oh, I've grasped it," he assured Malfoy. "Now is there any way that we can skip to the end?"
Malfoy sighed in exasperation. "Fine," he sneered contemptuously. "After I graduated, I applied for the position of auror and was accepted. Not long after, there was a sighting of my father. I went and brought him in personally. He was, of course, affronted that I had anything to do with the side of the Light. When we arrived at our department in the Ministry of Magic he stole someone's wand, announced that he was the one who had beaten all of the defenses that Dumbledore could conjure up to protect you, and committed suicide." Harry had begun to formulate an idea of where Malfoy seemed to be going, and he didn't like it.
"I've changed, Potter. I'm no longer that impudent, egotistical boy who acted like he owned everything. After a couple of years at the Ministry, Dumbledore approached me." He drew a deep breath, looked Harry directly in the eye and stated bluntly, "I'm in the Order of the Phoenix, Harry. And I'm to be one of your regular guards."
Harry sat there in his chair with a blank expression on his face. He shook his head after a moment, as if trying to physically clear his thoughts. "I'm sorry," Harry stuttered. "Would you consider repeating that? I'm afraid that I must have zoned out or something because I thought you just said that you're part of the Order and that you're going to guard me."
"You heard me right," Malfoy insisted. "Dumbledore and I both thought that it would be better if you found out first and if I was the one informing you." "My first shift's this evening with Fowler, after Tonks and Shacklebolt.
Harry didn't even bother with grabbing his cloak. As he made his way out of his little tunnel, he darkly reflected upon the events that had just so unceremoniously unfolded. After Malfoy had informed him of his new occupation, Harry had stared at him for a moment, no doubt experiencing minor shock. Then he had abruptly stood and, ignoring Malfoy's protests, walked out of the room. As he mindlessly walked out of his apartments, he vaguely noticed Tonks and Shackelbolt exchange startled glances and then hurriedly follow after him. Harry had emerged from his stupor about halfway up the massive stairwell. He guiltily realized that he had just abandoned the three boys that had so eagerly followed him. And after Harry grasped where it was he was headed, he sadly realized that it would probably be quite a long time before he saw them again; if he saw them again.
"Harry, what's going on?" Tonks insisted as she and her companion hurried to keep up with him. "What happened?"
"We're going to see Dumbledore," Harry replied curtly.
"What?" Shakelbolt objected. "Harry, be reasonable. It's midmorning. Who knows how many students will be out in the corridors? Do you want to be exposed?"
"Dumbledore should have thought about that before he assigned Malfoy to be my guardian," Harry muttered darkly. He didn't think that either had heard him, but they didn't speak to him anymore.
The wall opened before him and Harry stepped out to be greeted with noise. It was the noise of hundreds and hundreds of students making their way to their next classes. Harry made his way to the stairs and peered over the banister as he descended. He watched as groups went leisurely to the classroom down the hall and as some scurried to make their class on the opposite end of the castle, hoping to catch the more direct staircases before they changed. Harry smiled, remembering when he used to do those things. Then his features darkened as he remembered that those days were forever robbed of him. He was startled out of his reverie by an insistent Shacklebolt after they had moved several floors down.
"Get your head down, boy!" he hissed. Harry's gaze darted around. Sure enough, there was a group of five students making their way up the same staircase he was moving down. Harry cleared his throat and tried to be unobtrusive while ruffling his hair. The students cast odd glances his way, testifying that he'd failed and probably would have better off continuing the way he'd been going. He turned his gaze downward and awkwardly passed the group.
It wasn't long before Harry reached the gargoyle sentry. "Skittles," Harry muttered and watched as the way was revealed. His trek up and down the stairs of Hogwarts had done nothing to trim down his mood. It occurred to him belatedly as he pushed the door open that he should have planned out what he wanted to say, instead of just letting the torrential flood break loose.
"Just tell me exactly whose side you're on, Dumbledore!" Harry bellowed as he entered the chambers.
Hi! I am Talicr's friend. I'm helping her come up with some amusing disclaimers. glares I am not crazy, thank you very much! looks off at corner Not now, coconuts! clears throat opens mouth to speak, but turns instead to glare at other corner You either yellow submarine! returns at last to readers So anyway, here I was sitting and reading this story (actually paging through it since I haven't actually had the chance to read, just help write some amusing disclaimers) when I noticed something. I turned to Talicr, and had the following discussion…
Agent Rubber Duck (that's me): Snape is still teaching?
Talicr: Yeah
Rubber Duck: pauses Old!
Anyway, you can all now go on to waiting for the next chapter. laughs evilly while people squirm in anticipation MWAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Talicr: I don't know her. She walked into my house randomly and took over my dinosaur computer (which isn't really mine).
Rubber Duck: You can't deny me! resumes evil laughter MWAHAHAHA! smirks at Talicr Unless of course you'd like me to start quoting Geometry class. If I remember correctly, there are quite a few incidents worthy of public ridicule…
Talicr: Most of that was you anyways. Go ahead, I'll laugh with them.
Rubber Duck: . . . . . . . So you don't deny that you know me?
Talicr:…….BLAST!
AN: Yes, that was the infamous Agent Rubber Duck. I'm glad that you all had a chance to get acquainted with her. She's quite amusing. Maybe I'll fill you in on some of those geometry incidents one of these days.
Ugh… I reread this chapter and cringed. So many errors. Comma splices, passive voice, you name it… it's there!
I have some bad news for you. cowers as readers glare Ummm…… well, funny story. hehe… loosens collar Remember how I told you that I wrote this when I was in eighth grade? Well, now we have caught up with everything that I have previously written. dives behind random object to avoid dangerous projectiles Wait! STOP! Ahem… Just hold on a second! Yes, you have caught up with me, so updates are going to have longer intervals between them. HOLD IT! Gosh, people! You know, if you kill me, then I won't be able to update at all! EVER AGAIN! So, intervals will get bigger – stop! – BUT the story will get better (hopefully) because you will be up-to-date with my current skill level. muses (Hmmm…. There is the fact, however, that all previous chapters have been privy to two years of revision…! Wait! I shoudn't have told you that!) AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! runs away, followed by exceptionally angry fans…. with pitchforks, and tar and feathers, and large heavy stones
Ummm… R&R? YIPES