Disclaimer: FMKitsune says 'I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does.'
AN: (a small rant on how I tried to concentrate on only Harry Potter for this chapter + the next one) Ok, HP here I come… No go away crossovers I'm not reading you… Shoo bunnies shoo! Leave me alone Naruto! And Kyoya- get yourself and Tsuna away from me. Agg, more plot bunnies! No, giant robots… No! Eyeshield 21… Wait Naruto you're back? Go away! No I am not gonna read Bleach and no you can't tempt me Conan… Go Away Naruto! Oo look more crossovers… No! Aggg! Brain! Why do you have to betray me so…
Right in the middle of this chapter I had the urge to read H/G and man I read a ton of it. All of my favorite stories and everything. Then I found an incredibly sad one that just had me bawling. Then I think to myself 'How am I supposed to concentrate on H/D?' I finally figured out the solution. Nothing. Woe is me…
Chapter Three: Frozen Icicles (Friends and Confrontations)
Harry Potter woke up that morning really confused. He just laid there under his covers and thought about what Hermione said yesterday. She said that he should talk to Daphne and Tracey about what happened in the forest and as much as he wanted to keep it all a secret he knew that the four of them, plus Ron, could put together a plan about what to do with the stone and Voldemort. He was slightly apprehensive about meeting the both of them again. He hadn't seen Tracey in a while. He had passed her in the hallways and waved a few times when no one else was looking. She had surprised him on April Fool's Day by nicking one of Malfoy's Slytherin ties and telling him to wear it. He didn't of course. She laughed at him and told him about Malfoy storming around the common room looking for it. He laughed at that memory. Daphne, however, he hadn't seen since what he called 'the mirror incident'. She had nodded to him in the hallway a few times usually after Tracey waved to him. He really didn't know what to think about Daphne to be honest. She was so distant and he really didn't know anything about her. Then again she didn't really know much about him either.
Harry tossed the covers off and looked around the room. Ron was still snoring like a lion. Dean had woken up while Harry was awake and went to the bathroom already. Neville was still sleeping and Seamus was awake and still laying in bed. He probably didn't want to get up. Harry stuffed his hand under his pillow and brought out the green crayon. He shuffled through some parchment and found a nice clean one. He looked up at Hedwig from her perch atop his bed and started to write.
Tracey and Daphne,
Hello, I finally figured out what the green crayon was for- writing you letters! I wanted to talk to you about something that happened. I mentioned it to you Tracey before and Hermione convinced me it was a good idea to have a different view point. I mean you're Slytherins and you guys might think of something she hadn't. Well, can I talk to you today? After breakfast of course. By that spot you told me about? I'll be there. Hope to see you.
Harry stared at the letter not knowing how to sign it. He couldn't just sign his name. What if someone took it and found out he'd been writing to them? He couldn't for the life of him think of how to sign it… Then it hit him. He could just sign 'Emerald'. The name was vague and the color of the crayon and his eyes- perfect! He quickly scribbled it down and tied it on Hedwig's leg. She poked her head up from her breast and glared at him.
"Sorry for disturbing your sleep, girl. Do you think you could take this to Daphne and Tracey in Slytherin? Please- and make sure no one sees you." Hedwig bobbed her head and with a ruffling of feathers, took off out the window. With her gone, Harry fumbled for something to wear and turned towards the bathroom. Ron was still snoring.
Harry got dressed quickly and stood by Ron's bed and shook him awake. Ron groggily sat up. "Come on Ron, let's go get breakfast." At the word breakfast, Ron shot towards the bathroom. Harry shook his head. He walked towards his bed and picked up the green crayon and stuffed it in his pocket. He walked down the stairs where he met Hermione. She was sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace.
"Oh, Harry!" She ran up to him, excitement on her face. "Are you going to talk to them today?"
Harry rolled his eyes and smiled. "Yes, I actually sent them a letter."
"Really?"
"Yeah, let's go." Ron had just come bolting down the stairs and sprinted across the common room. He turned towards Harry and Hermione and said, "Come on! Food!" and went out the portrait hole.
"Harry? Where do you think he got his energy today?"
Harry ran out and down the hallway, Hermione closely following him, "I don't know. Knowing Ron, he's just probably extremely hungry or that thing about Voldemort last night." They found Ron sitting at the table in the great hall stuffing his mouth.
"Ron, slow down. You could choke."
"Awww, Hermoynee!"
"Ron, chew before you answer me."
Harry tuned them out and looked around the hall. There were a few Hufflepuffs; half of Ravenclaw house was there and at Slytherin- Tracey and Daphne were there! Tracey apparently spotted him looking for she nodded her head and elbowed Daphne who looked up at him and nodded also. Harry smiled.
"What are you smiling at the Slytherin table for?" Ron said between bites. Harry stopped smiling and turned to Ron.
"What?"
"Why were you staring-"
"Yes, Ron. He gets it." Hermione interjected.
"I know Hermione I was just-"
Harry tuned them out again. He had to make an excuse Ron would find believable. He couldn't just come out and say it. It's not like he was smiling about Mal-
"Ron you need to learn manners. I think-"
"Thank you Hermione." Harry said in a loud voice which caused both of his friends to look at him. "Ron, I was smiling because Malfoy isn't here yet. We could eat breakfast in peace." Ron nodded to that and went back to his breakfast. Hermione just stared at Harry. "What?" She continued to stare. "Yes ok! They said they would talk to me." Hermione smiled and flipped a page in the book she was reading.
"Who would talk to who?" Ron mumbled through his mouth.
"Ron! Eat first then talk!"
OOoo00ooOO
Harry didn't know what to do until lunch. Hermione solved that for him by dragging him to the library and by the time he was supposed to meet Tracey and Daphne he was already late and extremely tired from studying. Ron was already asleep on his book from boredom. Harry slipped outside when Hermione had her nose in another huge book. She didn't even notice. He found his way towards the tree Tracey pointed out a while ago and plopped down underneath it. He sighed and looked around. The Giant Squid was waving it tentacles at Hagrid, who was feeding it with something. Harry also spotted a few other students closer to the castle and a few way across the lake. He leaned his back against the large tree and closed his eyes. He had no clue how long he had been waiting there but a soft rustling woke him up. He looked up and saw Tracey and Daphne standing above him.
"Hello, Potter." Tracey said as she waved at him. "Nice to know I'm wanted. You only talk to me twice this whole school year? I should be offended." Harry felt his stomach churn. He did feel bad about not talking to them. He didn't have the time and Hermione was constantly nagging him to study for his tests.
"Tracey, I'm so sor-"
"Forget it Potter, I was kidding. Geeze don't take everything you hear seriously…" She trailed off and hugged Daphne around the shoulders. "Now what did you want to say?" She had said that in an overly cheery voice. Daphne just brought her arm up and peeled Tracey's arm off of her shoulders.
"Oh, Well I wanted to ask you guys-"
"Wait!" Harry clamped his mouth shut for Tracey had shouted and held up her hand in his face. "I almost forgot, Potter. You know our little talk in the hallway?" He nodded. "Well, I took you advice and made a friend." Tracey smiled and tilted her head backwards. She turned and in between Tracey and Daphne appeared a girl. Harry had trouble taking this in. Tracey had made a friend outside of Slytherin? She was here? Right now? Was he supposed to tell this girl now too? "Potter, be nice." Tracey smirked at him.
The girl stepped forward and held out her hand- Harry shook it. "Nice to meet you Harry Potter. I've heard much about you from my housemates. I'm Su Li from Ravenclaw."
"Um, hi."
"I've always wanted to talk to you but I never had a chance. Then when Tracey let slip that they were meeting you, I just had to come." She bowed to Harry and sat on the grass next to him. Tracey fell to the ground and laid on her stomach, her arms propping her head up. Daphne sat close to Tracey with her posture really straight.
"Relax." Tracey had elbowed her and she immediately slumped a bit. "Now we're all comfy!"
"Ummm…" Harry mumbled. "I was going to tell you something sensitive and I don't really feel comfortable talking in front of-"
"It ok, Harry." Su interjected with a small smile on her lips. "If you have a problem a Ravenclaw is your best chance of solving it. Also, if you're worried, I could tell you something about me. I'm originally from Japan. My mom is a pureblood from there and met my dad on a business trip to China. He's a Muggle. We moved here about two years ago."
Harry looked surprised. She had just told him a lot about her life. And that she was a half-blood like him. He felt slightly reassured that he knew a bit about her but was still wary. However, she was a Raven. She might have a good idea about what to do.
"Ok, fine." Su nodded at him.
Tracey looked to eager. "Start telling us already!" She pouted and stared at him.
"Fine." Harry looked around, noticing no one else and started to talk. He told them all about the stone and described what Snape was doing and who he had confronted in the forest. By the time he was finished Daphne's face had drained of color and Tracey's eyes were boring holes in his head. Su looked like she was thinking really hard.
"Wow." Tracey blurted out.
"Yeah, Hermione thought that you guys would have some ideas for what we should do." Harry said as he looked at the three of them.
"Was he really there? In the forest?" Daphne whispered. Harry nodded his head. She shivered.
"Well," Tracey started as she looked Harry directly in his eyes. "It looks like someone wants the stone to bring him back to life. That's just really bad. He will stop at nothing to get his hands on it. So it's behind Fluffy. This is getting interesting. Nothing's boring around you Potter, eh?" She smirked at the last bit but Harry could tell that she was frightened. Of course she was. Voldemort was lurking in the forest. Everyone was quiet for a moment until Su spoke up.
"Are you sure it's Snape?" Su glanced up at Harry and looked down at her hands again.
"Yeah Potter that's the same thing I said to you. I don't think its Snape."
"But why?" He complained. He had no clue how they knew it wasn't Snape. He is really nasty and horrible and besides, who else could it be?
"Snape seems like the type of person to be extremely nasty on the outside and ok on the inside- like that." Harry thought Su was crazy for suggesting anything about Snape was ok. "Well, it can't be Professor Dumbledore or McGonagall. Flitwick is out, as is Sprout. Hooch just seems too cool. And Binns can't do it. That just leaves…"
"Quirrell? Really?" Harry said that in a joking tone until he noticed Tracey's stony face.
"I don't think Su's crazy. It could be Quirrell. I once heard him talking to himself about Dumbledore and Snape interfering with something. I really think he's the one- not Snape."
Su nodded her head. "Yes I heard similar things from him. I didn't connect them until now. I think he's the one to look out for." She reassured him in a tone that spoke of no argument. Her mind was made up. It was Quirrell.
Harry thought about it seriously for a minute. So Quirrell was the culprit? And Snape was trying to help Dumbledore? It seemed crazy to him… but he also had heard Quirrell talking to himself. Maybe he had been talking to Voldemort? Harry had no idea how to approach this.
"What should we do? Voldemort-" Daphne flinched and Tracey shut her eyes. "will try and get the stone whenever Dumbledore's gone. What happens then?"
Su had lowered her head again and was thinking. Tracey said, "Tell McGonagall or someone. They're bound to do something." Su's head perked up and nodded.
"It might be difficult Harry, but you have to tell a professor when you think he's going to steal it. From what I heard about you and that troll on Halloween you would be horribly outmatched if you tried to stop him yourself- plus you're only a first year. I mean you are good at DADA and all but you really need to learn how to dodge."
Harry raised one of his eyebrows and stared at Su. Su looked embarrassed. "Sorry, that was my Dad talking. My Mum always says that I'm a daddy's girl. He runs a martial arts dojo. He teaches me some during the summer- dodging and things." She rubbed her fingers together and still had pink tinting her cheeks. "We live in Guildford. If you want to come and visit in the summer you're welcome to. My Dad could teach you how to dodge. It's helped me with my DADA grade…" One look at Su's face and Harry could tell she didn't mean to spout all that off at once. "Umm…" She poked her fingers together and blushed.
Tracey just had to diffuse the tension. "Hey! That sounds neat. My mum always wanted me to learn that type of stuff- can I come?" Her face lit up like a light-bulb. Su nodded her head and smiled.
Harry just kept looking back and forth between the two girls. Had Su really just invited him over to her house just a hour after he met her? He was suddenly wary. Did she really want to have him come over? She had seemed sincere enough. And would her dad even teach him something like that? He would probably take one look at him and- Harry shook his head and closed his eyes. He didn't want to think that. He glanced over at Su and found her gaze upon him. He stared back at her, not knowing what to do.
"So?" She whispered.
"Umm… Really?" He said a bit breathlessly. The idea of it all had caught up to him and he found it really amazing. He could learn how to dodge things- then Dudley couldn't touch him or Uncle Ver- No! He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment to get rid of that thought.
"Yeah, you can." She smiled at him. "You can too." She looked at Tracey then Daphne.
"Thanks!" Tracey said as she rolled over onto her back and looked at the sky.
Daphne sat there and shook her head. "No, sorry." Tracey snorted. Harry didn't know what to make of Daphne's behavior so far. She had been the first person he had met on the train and he had met with her a few times afterwards. Had 'the mirror incident' scared her so much that she wasn't talking to him anymore? What was her problem with that? He didn't really do anything to upset her. Harry stopped looking at Daphne and watched Su. She was rubbing her hands together.
"So," She started softly "You really shouldn't confront him on your own Harry. You could get hurt." What were they talking about again? Oh yeah, Quirrell and the stone. Harry still couldn't fully believe that he was the one after the stone. It just seemed so ridiculous. However, he knew that Tracey, Daphne, and Su- being in Ravenclaw-, weren't stupid so he trusted their opinion. Had Hermione thought the same thing? That Quirrell was after the stone? He'd have to ask her.
"Yeah," Tracey agreed with a wink. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Harry was now freaked out. Tracey was smirking at him. "Potter, if that really was You-Know-Who then be careful with anything you do around him." She leveled her gaze at him, her smirk replaced with a frown. She stood up and brushed the grass off her legs and sighed. "It was fun Potter. Till next time!" She yanked Daphne up from her sitting position causing the girl to stumble. Tracey dragged Daphne away. They headed around the lake. Harry watched them until he realized he wasn't alone. He turned towards Su.
"Umm…" She blushed a bit. "Want to walk back to the castle with me?" Harry nodded his head. He really needed to get back to Hermione and tell her what he found out. He stood up and started walking around the lake- Su right next to him.
"How am I going to get to your house during the summer?" Harry asked as he stared down at his feet. Su's face appeared blank for a moment then she blurted out,
"I'll send you my house elf!" A what?- What was a house elf? Some of Harry's curiosity appeared on his face for Su explained in a much quieter voice, "Oh, I forgot you were raised by Muggles. Well, my family doesn't have an owl really. We just use Minzy to deliver our mail. Minzy is the name of our house elf. My mum brought her with her when she got married to dad." Harry was bit less confused but still didn't understand what they looked like. "Oh, oops." Su giggled as she realized her explanation was confusing. "House elves clean and do house chores. They are short and have huge ears." Here she hunched over and held both her hands up to her ears and imitated large floppy ears with a silly grin on her face. Harry stared at her. She blushed a bit. "Sorry about that, I was always the weird one in school." She ducked her head down as kept it there. Harry knew he should say something about that.
"No." Su looked up a bit. "No- I mean that everyone's a bit weird right?" Harry smiled at her in what he hoped was a reassuring way.
She smiled back. "Yeah you're right. You're weird too, Harry." He took offence to that but he knew it was a compliment so he didn't say anything. She kept smiling. "I'll just send you a letter with her during the summer. Then we can figure things out. Tracey will be there too! I'm so excited. Thanks for saying yes Harry." They stopped walking and she turned towards him. There were no other people in the entrance hall at the moment.
Harry had absolutely no clue why this girl was fun to hang around. Did she just like him because he was famous? He didn't have the need to spout out secrets about himself so like he did with Tracey so this friendship was easier to deal with. To him, it came way too easily. Was this all there was to it? Really?
Su waved at him and said a faint "Goodbye." He replied with a "Bye" and just stood there in the middle of the entrance hall. He was thinking about everything he learned today about the stone, Quirrell, and Su… Something caught on the edge of his vision. Tracey and Daphne entered from outside. Apparently they took the long way around the lake- for some exercise? Tracey grinned at him and took the stairs down to the dungeons- Daphne hot on her heels.
Harry had the sudden urge to get to Hermione fast now that his meeting was over. He wanted to know what she thought. He turned around and headed up the stairs at a quicker pace than usual. He just turned the corner of a staircase when- Wham! Harry's head hurt. He had run into something and fell over. He must have hit his head on the ground.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow…" Harry mumbled as he turned over, his left hand rubbing the back of his head. He had felt a fairly large bump. He must of fell harder than he thought. "Ooww…" He squinted his eyes shut, forgetting Hermione to concentrate on the pain.
"Mr. Potter." Oh no. That was McGonagall's voice. Did he run into Professor McGonagall? He didn't dare open his eyes to find out- wishing away the voice that sounded like his transfiguration professor. "Mr. Potter, can you stand? And what business do you have running about in the hallways?" So much for wishing. Harry did as he was told and tried to stand up. He immediately regretted it.
"Ugh…" His head spun. He felt the professor's arm catch his- holding him up.
"Mr. Potter, you are coming with me to see Madam Pomfrey at once." He felt a tug. McGonagall was leading him to the infirmary. Harry was dizzy and couldn't see very well. He didn't notice when they reached it or when McGonagall pushed him onto a bed and had something shoved into his hands.
"Drink it." Came a voice. He held the vial limply and his hand shook as he touched it to his lips. It poured down his throat- it tasted nasty like worn socks. He made a face and gagged. Harry felt the vial get taken away. He rubbed his forehead- the pain was lessening. He blinked. Something was right in his face. Was that Professor McGonagall?
"All right?" She stared at him. Her gaze was unnerving.
"Uh, Yeah." Harry said. His vision stopped swirling and his head didn't hurt anymore.
"Good." She stood up and towered over him. "You should know better than to run in the hallways. Five points from Gryffindor." Harry was ashamed. He just had to run into her when he was trying to hurry. He lowered his head.
"Sorry, Professor." He mumbled.
"Alright Mr. Potter. Now don't run. You could hit your head again. I know you'll listen because you're like your mother but please no looking for trouble."
Harry's head perked up. His mother? "You knew my mother?" his voice full with curiosity.
He noticed McGonagall's stern face soften a bit. "Yes, you're mother was gifted in transfiguration not as much as your father though. Both were wonderful students." She smiled and turned around towards the doors. "Be careful, Mr. Potter." She disappeared around the corner.
"Mr. Potter, You're free to go." Harry found himself looking at Madam Pomfrey. She had been standing next to him the whole time and he hadn't even realized it. "Don't be so reckless. I however have a feeling I'll be seeing you soon if you're anything like your father instead of your mother." She mumbled something about 'disasters' he couldn't make out. Harry slid off the bed as she stepped away and walked towards her office. "Oh, Mr. Potter, take Mr. Longbottom there with you. Make sure he doesn't get into any more trouble." Sure enough on the bed next to him sat Neville. How in the world did he miss that?
"Hey Harry." Neville mumbled. "I saw you come in. Did you hit your head on something?"
Harry sighed. "No- Well, I guess I ran into Professor McGonagall in the hall. I fell- hit my head…" He fell silent as he brought his hand up to rub the back of his head- where he bumped it.
Neville's eyes widened. "Oh really? That's horrible! You got caught by a teacher!" he gasped.
"Yeah, but I was a bit busy and didn't notice where I was going…" Harry turned away from the hospital wing and walked out the door- Neville following. Harry knew he shouldn't run now. He just banged his head really bad so he decided to take the safe and slow way back to the dorms. "Neville?"
"Yeah?"
"Why were you there in the first place?"
Neville colored a bright red. "Malfoy." Oh. That explains it.
"What'd he do?"
"Uhh, he caught me near the library and put the leg-locker curse on me…" Harry winced and frowned. Malfoy was awful. He attacked Neville with three on one odds? That's just cowardly and stupid. "I didn't know the countercurse… I wanted to find you or Hermione to help but I hadn't seen you for awhile…" Of course Harry hadn't been seen in a while. He had been outside by the lake and Hermione was locked up in her dorm studying. "My last choice was trying to find a teacher. But McGonagall wasn't in. I had to hop all the way up here." Harry felt really bad now. Even though he hadn't been paying that much attention to Neville, Harry knew no one deserved to be cursed by Malfoy. "I feel so stupid for getting cursed…"
"Don't Neville!" Harry practically shouted. He clenched his fists and looked him straight in the eye. Neville was frowning. "Neville, don't feel stupid for something like that. You couldn't of helped it. Malfoy just wanted to get you and he did."
Harry stopped walking a ways from the portrait hole, Neville stood next to him. Harry exhaled a big breath. There was no sense of getting mad at Malfoy being a git and Neville being a wimp. He rubbed his temples and thought for a moment. Malfoy always attacks when the other people are defenseless. Neville didn't have anyone around that's bad. He should have been with someone. Wait- does he even have any good friends? Harry sighed. This was all so confusing especially after he just hit his head. He didn't think Hermione or Ron's reaction to him running into McGonagall will be pleasant. Oh well, maybe he could help Neville out a bit. "Well, I'm sorry for not being around much. I couldn't really help that, but if you want you can hang out with me, Ron, and Hermione. You need some help getting Malfoy off your back. I'll help you." All Neville could do was just stand there. His face was one of pure shock.
"R-really?" Neville stuttered.
"Yeah, really." Harry answered back as they made their way towards the Fat Lady. Harry said the password and they both climbed in. "Stand up for yourself a bit Neville. Malfoy shouldn't always win." He grinned.
Neville smiled a bit, nodded his head, and took off up the boy's staircase. Harry put a hand to his head- just to make sure it wasn't hurting anymore, and looked around. There were a few 7th years and who he thought were 5th years huddled over by the window- wait. There she was. Hermione was over on the couch, hunched over a large book and appeared to be scribbling notes on a fairly big piece of parchment. He walked over to her.
"Hermione." She didn't look up. "Hermione." He said louder. "Hermione!" He shouted as he sat down next to her. She jumped out of her seat at his voice and looked around. When her gaze fell upon him, she glared.
"Harry, was that necessary?"
"Yes." He stated. She sighed and closed her book with a thump. She leaned back into the couch and turned towards him. She apparently was waiting for him to start.
Harry looked at her, "They think it's Quirrell." Her eyes shot wide open, and then a severe frown crossed her face. Her brows furrowed as she stared at him.
"Really, Harry?" her voice laced with curiosity.
"Yeah, Tracey said some things about hearing him talk to himself. Plus, she and Daphne agree that it can't be Snape…" He grimaced. "I don't really think the same. I mean, Snape- he's just horrible. But-"
"They don't think it's Snape? Hmm…" Hermione interrupted. "None of the other teachers could do it except him. But at your quidditch game I noticed that everyone in that box with Snape was watching you. Quirrell was in that box too, I think. He or any of the others could have been cursing your broom. There's evidence against Snape but there's evidence against Quirrell…" She trailed off and stared down at her book then she raised her head and stared straight at his face. "Harry!" She started in a bossy tone. "Don't go looking for trouble. If Quirrell or Snape for that matter is linked to You-Know-Who then don't interfere. Tell Dumbledore- he can fix everything."
"Ok." He had to agree. Hermione would not accept anything less.
Hermione gave him a suspicious look. "So… What happened after?" Harry blushed a bit.
"I- uh, when I came to tell you… I sorta ran into McGonagall."
"Oh? What did she say?"
"I ran into her." He looked down at his hands. "I ran into her."
She appeared shocked. "Harry! You shouldn't be running in the halls! She caught you? How many points did she deduct? Why did you have to run into her!" she babbled. Harry winced.
"Hermione, never mind that. I met Neville in the Hospital Wing and Malfoy hexed him."
"Neville was in the Hospital Wing? Wait, why were you there in the first place?"
"Uh, When I ran into McGonagall… I kind of bumped my head. She took me there."
"Oh, Harry."
"Hermione don't look at me like that."
"Fine." She huffed. "Then is Neville alright?"
"Yeah. I talked to him about Malfoy and I told him I would have his back."
Hermione smiled. "Harry, that's so nice of you."
Harry rolled his eyes. Of course she would think of it as nice. He just thought Neville could use someone to talk to.
Hermione stood up from the couch and grabbed her book. "Well, I'm going down to dinner. Tell Ron about Quirrell. I'll meet you later." She scurried up the girl's staircase. Harry's eyes followed her as he kept sitting on the couch. She appeared moments later with a different book clutched in her arms. She nodded to Harry and went out the portrait. Harry got up from the couch and looked around. Ron wasn't in the common room. He might as well check the dorm. Harry ascended the staircase and opened the 1st year boy's dormitories. He spotted Ron on his bed, griping a Quidditch magazine. Ron's attention wavered from the magazine and he peered over top of it and noticed Harry in the doorway. He had a frown on his face. Harry wondered what was wrong.
"The Cannons lost!" He whined. Harry sighed.
OOoo00ooOO
Harry laid his head down on the table. Hermione sat across from him and Ron was busy stuffing his face. Harry couldn't believe how many exams there were. He half expected Voldemort to burst in the Great Hall any second and he was tired of studying.
"Harry, seriously." Hermione sighed. "If you would of just studied more-"
"He studied enough Hermione." Interrupted Ron. "We both studied enough. We studied so much that our heads'll explode. Give it a rest." Where in the world did that come from? Hermione's face scrunched up.
"Ron you should of studied-"
"No! Hermione, I'm done with it."
"You two stop for a moment." Harry lifted his head from the table. Both of his friends glared at him. He stifled a sigh. "I thought of something just now."
"Harry, I'm in the middle of dinner. Can't it wait?"
Without saying anything, Harry pushed off from the table and started walking through the hall doors. Hermione collected the few books around her and bounded after him. Ron, Harry had noticed, was still sitting at the table, staring at his food. Ron had finally chosen to steal a sausage off his plate and follow them. Harry turned down the hallway and his two friends followed.
"I didn't notice it before," Harry said with conviction. "But Hagrid put Fluffy there to guard the stone. He's been telling us all of these things. Giving us hints accidentally about Fluffy and that dragon egg. Who's to say he didn't tell someone else?"
"You don't mean You-Know-Who?" Hermione gasped. "But Harry, you know Hagrid wouldn't-"
"Yeah, I know Hermione." Harry ground out. "He told us accidentally." Hermione's eyes widened.
Ron's mouth dropped open. "He might of-"
"Yeah, he might of told Voldemort." Ron winced at the name.
"Well then Harry, where are we going." Hermione came up beside him.
"To McGonagall's office. I need to ask her a question." Harry furiously rubbed at his scar. It had been hurting quite a lot lately and he didn't like the feeling of it. It had to mean something. Probably something bad.
The three friends rounded the corner to the deputy's office when Harry saw her close her office door. "Professor!" He called out to her. She had paused and looked at the trio approaching her, then hefted the papers in her arms and turned to face them.
"What's the problem Mr. Potter?"
Harry stopped in front of the professor and blurted out, "Do you know where Professor Dumbledore is? Does he have anything to do out of the castle soon?"
McGonagall gazed down upon Harry with a stern expression. "Why would you need to know that?"
"Because someone's going to try to steal the stone Fluffy's guarding!" Harry noticed McGonagall's face whiten then she sputtered out,
"W-who told you about that?"
"Hagrid." Harry hesitated. He didn't want to give away Hagrid but he really wanted answers.
"Well," McGonagall huffed. "I'm going to speak to Hagrid about disclosing secrets to students."
"Professor, please!" Hermione pleaded. "Do you know if Professor Dumbledore is going to be gone?"
"You do not need to shout at me Ms. Granger. As a matter of fact, the Headmaster received an owl from the ministry and he is there at his very moment. He will not return until tomorrow. Now, go outside. Enjoy the day. I'm going to talk to Hagrid." Harry winced. McGonagall would definitely go at Hagrid for his apparent loose tongue. Harry did not envy him right now. McGonagall turned away from the trio and steadily walked down the hallway.
"Oh no." Hermione whispered. "Dumbledore's gone."
Ron's mouth was set in a grimace. "Does that mean what I think it means?"
"Yeah Ron." Harry stated, his face was stony. "It's Voldemort's chance. He'll go after the stone tonight. And I'm going to stop him. I need to get there first. He killed my parents and I won't let him come back to life." Ron turned green. Hermione was doing a great impression of a scared mouse.
The color seemed to seep back into Ron's face. "I'm going with you Harry."
"M-me too!" Hermione squeaked out. "We can't let him get the stone!"
OOoo00ooOO
They had waited until there was no one left in the common room that night. Harry clutched his invisibility cloak while descending the boy's staircase.
"Alright. Let's go." He said.
"Where are you off to?" A small voice came from the shadows of the room. Ron jumped. Harry whirled around and saw Neville coming towards him. "Neville-"
"No! You guys are going to lose more points aren't you? You said I was your friend and I'm not going to let Gryffindor down!" Harry suppressed a sigh and a grimace.
"Neville, we don't have time for you!" Ron shouted. It was loud enough to be considered a shout but soft so he didn't wake anyone in the dorms up.
"Ron, shut up!" Harry ground out. He was getting really annoyed. All of these things kept happening! He just wanted to stop Voldemort! Was that so hard? "Neville, we are going to do something really important. We have to leave like now."
"No! You're leaving after curfew? I won't let you!"
Hermione stepped forward- her wand raised. "Sorry, Neville. Pe-" A hand grabbed her wand.
Harry was clutching Hemione's wand. He stared directly at Neville. "Neville we're leaving. Stay here."
Neville appeared shocked for a moment before he rushed forward into Harry's face. "No! I-if you're going, t-then I-I'm coming with you!" he finished in a convincing tone.
"Fine." Harry said as he released his grip on Hermione's wand and held out the cloak. She was glancing warily back and forth between Harry and Neville. Ron just stood there- his ears red. Harry turned away from them and stepped towards the portrait hole. "Come on!" Harry snapped. The three rushed after him.
Fitting the four of them underneath the invisibility cloak was an incredibly tight fit but Harry managed. They arrived in the third floor corridor. Harry stood resolutely in front of the door, behind which Fluffy was. Neville clutched at the ends of Harry's shirt. The trio had filled Neville in on everything as they were walking towards their destination and he was shaking like a leaf.
"Let's go." Harry touched the heavy lock and found it open. He slowly creaked it open and peered around it. Fluffy was sleeping? Confused, Harry went through the door- Neville still attached to him. Hermione and Ron followed.
"He's asleep."
"Brilliant observation Hermione."
"Ron! I was just stating-"
"Not now!" Harry's eyes locked upon the trapdoor. It was right next to one of the three heads. He hesitantly stepped forward. Fluffy's hot breath blew his hair back. It felt weird and he shivered. Harry thought he heard a whimper from Neville.
Hermione rushed to the trapdoor and yanked it open. Fluffy moved. Everyone froze. Harry breathed out a sigh of relief when he heard Fluffy snoring. Hermione examined the hole that was the trapdoor.
"Harry?"
"Yeah?" He crept up to the side and looked down.
"I can't see down there. It's too dark."
"Well, let's just jump in. That's the only way to go."
Hermione looked hesitant until Ron shouted,
"FLUFFY!" It was then that Harry noticed Fluffy wasn't snoring. What he had been hearing wasn't snoring but heavy growling. He looked up and stared into Fluffy's big yellow eyes. Ron was the first to react. He pushed past Harry and Hermione and dove head first into the hole. Harry yanked Neville off of him and pushed him roughly down the hole behind Ron.
He shouted, "Hermione move!" as he grabbed her hand and jumped, narrowly missing the large canine teeth that lunged after them. He fell for a second before he landed on something soft and squishy. What is the world was it? There were plants everywhere.
"D-devil's s-snare!" Neville stuttered out. "D-don't move." Harry trusted Neville's opinion on plants. He was really good at Herbology and Hermione had apparently agreed with him for she wasn't moving at all. A large vine shot out and latched onto his arm another on his leg. He instinctively tried to move them. Trying to calm his nerves, he breathed in slowly. He stopped moving and the vines released him- he fell to the floor. Harry looked around. Neville and Hermione were standing a ways from him. Ron was nowhere to be found. Wait- he could hear something.
"Harry?" Ron's muffled voice called from behind the devil's snare. He could make out what Neville and Hermione were yelling at Ron.
"It's fine!"
"Ron, listen to me. Just relax!"
"It won't touch you if you just relax!"
"Stop struggling!"
Harry yelled up at Ron, "Ron do as they say! I'm fine!" Everyone waited a minute, they kept on hearing muffled "Harry" and "Hermione" from Ron. A few seconds later, Ron fell out of the snare into a heap on the floor. Harry stood up and rushed to him. "Ron! Ron! Are you ok?"
"Yeah. I hate plants." Ron grinned cheekily at him.
Harry scoffed and helped him to his feet. "Let's go." He said. They continued down the corridor and encountered a room with lots of keys with wings.
"Are you supposed to catch one?" Ron grumbled as he stared wearily at the dozens of floating keys.
"Try it Harry? Find an old one. I think that would fit the door." Hermione asked- showing him the broom situated on the floor.
Harry stepped up to it and grasped the handle of the broomstick. Immediately the hundreds of keys sprang to life and started to assault him. He was poked, jabbed, and prodded by the keys. He knew he would have tons of tiny bruises on his arms in the morning. Harry swatted away a particularly annoying shiny key and sped off towards where the three of his friends were pointing. There- he saw it! A small and broken rusty gold colored key. He pushed the broom towards it and just when he had it in his sights, he reached out a hand and plucked it out of the horde. "Here!" He shouted as he threw it to Neville, who was standing closest. Neville bounded to the door and quickly unlocked it. Hermione and Ron rushed through the door and Harry plowed the broom after. Neville slammed the heavy door after he crossed the threshold. The sound of the bewitched keys slamming against the door was a welcome one. No one wanted them following. Harry set the broom down and turned around, casually rubbing his scar. It had been bothering him for a few minutes already and it just started to throb.
"Wicked." Ron gaped. There was a giant chess board in front of them.
"No, not 'wicked' Ron." Hermione whispered, staring at the gigantic chess pieces. "It looks dangerous." Neville whimpered again.
Harry stepped closer to the center of the room- Hermione, Neville, and Ron following. "Do we have to play though?" he asked.
"Looks like it." Ron winced. Oh, joy.
Harry didn't know what to do. He couldn't play chess and neither could Neville or Hermione. It had to be Ron…
Ron suddenly acquired a serious look about him. Hermione noticed and turned towards him. "Ron…"
"Hermione, I'll play this and win. No matter what."
Ron directed them all in a battle of wizards chess. When Harry finally got a chance to check-mate the king they couldn't do it without sacrificing Ron. He felt really horrible. Ron said he was fine but when Harry watched him go down from the opponent's queen, it hurt. They still had to go on though. Neville volunteered to stay and take care of Ron. Hermione followed Harry though the opposite door only to come face to face with a knocked out troll.
"Eeepp!" Hermione ducked behind Harry for a moment until she realized it wasn't awake. Harry snickered despite the situation. "It's not funny Harry!"
Hermione had solved the potion puzzle that came after the troll with ease. Unfortunately they were surrounded by a wall of flame and only one dose of potion would get them past the flames and to the stone.
"You go Harry." Hermione insisted as she reached for the bottle that would take her back to the chess room. "I'll go get McGonagall or Flitwick." She nodded. "I'll be back for you Harry. Just wait, ok? Don't do anything stupid!" She yelled at the last minute as she stepped through the fire. He couldn't see or hear her anymore. Oh well, here goes nothing. Harry gulped the potion and walked calmly forwards through the flames. On the outside it looked like he was calm but his insides were all twisted up. Harry gulped down the fear rising in his throat and opened his eyes only to see a man standing before the mirror he found at Christmas- the mirror that showed his parents. The man had a turban on. It was Quirrell! Tracey, Daphne, Su, and Hermione were all right!
"So it was you!" Harry exclaimed. Quirrell turned towards him with a cruel smile.
"I wondered if you were going to come. Nice deduction, Potter. How did you know it was me?"
"My friends." He ground out. His scar had been throbbing for a long time and he could barely concentrate.
"Too bad you'll never get to see them again." Harry tried to avoid the ropes that came out of Quirrell's wand but to no avail. Harry grit his teeth and struggled between the ropes- they were extremely tight.
"Why did you do it?- For Voldemort?"
Quirrell twirled his wand and started down on Harry. "I had failed my master earlier so I couldn't afford to fail again. The Dark Lord is the greatest wizard. He deserves to come back to the living." He turned and grabbed her mirror. "The stone is inside of this mirror? How- how can I retrieve it? Master?"
Master? Voldemort was here? Harry drew in a quick rasping breath. He turned his head back and forth but with his limited range of movement, couldn't see very far- the pain in his scar was getting worse. Then an eerie voice reverberated through the silent room.
"Use him… Use the boy…"
"Yes Master." Quirrell answered. He slowly approached Harry and grasped the ropes binding him and shoved him forwards. Harry couldn't catch his balance for he tumbled and fell in front of the mirror. "Get up!" Quirrell ordered. He grabbed the back of Harry's shirt and thrust him upwards. Harry opened his eyes- he had closed them the moment he heard that eerie voice. He stared at the clear glass of the mirror. How he longed to see this a few months ago- to see his parents again.
"Well? What do you see?" The man in the turban practically shouted at him. Harry winced then concentrated on the mirror and tried to block out the angry shouts of Quirrell and his painful scar. He watched the mirror for what seemed like a long moment until it shimmered. The surface of the mirror appeared to ripple and warp right before his eyes. He knew if Quirrell wanted the stone for Voldemort he couldn't let that happen. He glanced briefly at him out of the corner of his eye and noticed that he still was really angry. So, he didn't see the mirror going crazy? Was it just him? The mirror stopped moving. Wait- there was nothing different. Where were his parents? It was just him and Quirrell reflected in the mirror.
Wait a moment. The Harry in the mirror was smiling at him. The real Harry stared at the mirror Harry, who took out a glowing red stone and placed it in his pocket. The mirror rippled again and Harry only saw his reflection- staring at the mirror dumbfounded. He felt the ropes tying his arms to his sides fall off. He whirled around and found himself face to face with Quirrell.
"What did you see?" He yelled.
Harry's eyes widened for a moment until he steeled himself. He stared defiantly at Quirrell and in a quiet voice said, "Dumbledore." Quirrell started to lunge at him then stopped. He looked as if he was talking to something.
"Let me talk to him…" came a raspy voice.
"Master…"
"I want to…"
Quirrell reached behind his head and started to unwrap his turban. Harry stood transfixed to what was happening. What was Quirrell doing? And who was he talking to? The turban was on the ground and Harry could feel dread creep up upon him as Quirrell turned around. A face. That's what was on the back of Quirrell's head. It opened its deformed mouth.
"Harry Potter…"
Harry took a step back and noticed something in his pocket had shifted. The stone? How did it get in his pocket? If it was there then he knew he had to stay away from Quirrell and the face at all costs.
"Give me the stone… I know you have it…" the thing on the back of Quirrell's head spoke.
"Master…" Quirrell whispered. Wait- was the face Voldemort? Harry fixed his gaze at the head. It spoke again.
"See what you have made me become… I had to drink unicorn blood… Now, Harry Potter… Give me the stone!" The last part came out like a raspy yell.
Harry jolted backwards and he fell to the floor.
"Fool! Give me the stone!... Or meet your parents!"
Harry didn't know what to do. That face was Voldemort. He knew he didn't want to die. If he nothing would stop Voldemort from taking the stone and using it. His right hand came up and clutched his scar. It was throbbing something fierce as Quirrell stepped closer to him. He didn't know what do to. He didn't know what to do! Quirrell was coming closer. His scar pinched. The stone was in his pocket. He couldn't let him have it. He was surrounded by flames. Where was Hermione? He couldn't think- No!
Harry whirled out of reach of Quirrell's long arms. Voldemort grew angry and shouted, "Get him! Get him! Get the stone!"
Harry's legs burst into action. He bounded towards where he came in the flames. Surely there was a way back- "Ack!" Quirrell latched his hand on Harry's small arm and his scar felt a hundred times worse like there were thousands of needles piercing his skull. Then as soon as the horrible pain started, it had stopped. Harry blinked through his pain-induced blurry vision and watched as Quirrell screamed in pain as he stared at his red, burnt hands.
"What is this, Master?" He yelled.
"Kill him! KILL HIM!" Voldemort replied.
Harry wobbled on his feet for a moment until Quirrell came at him again. The same pain happened and he felt Quirrell let go. Harry breathed heavily- the pain in his head was getting steadily worse and it felt like his skull was going to come apart.
"KILL HIM!"
Harry vaguely registered Quirrell standing up and carefully reaching for his wand. At that point Harry knew he only had one option. He had to prevent him from casting a spell. Harry quickly dove towards Quirrell who stepped back and raised his wand.
"Avada Kedavra!" He screamed but Harry had already dropped under the curse and had landed at Quirrel's feet. Quirrell pointed his wand at Harry again and was about to cast another killing curse but Harry sprang up in a feat of will-power and held on to Quirrell's wand hand. The wand spewed sparks that showered the two wizards.
"Aah!" Quirrell howled in agony from the burning pain. Harry stifled a scream. He concentrated on getting Quirrell's wand. The two were struggling back and worth for a second before Harry's firm grip yanked the wand away. It flew across the room and landed with a clatter to the floor. That task accomplished, Harry reached out his left hand- his right still holding on to Quirrell's wand arm- and grabbed Quirrell's face. Harry felt something burning inside of him. It felt like all of his limbs were tingling. He kept his hold on Quirrell- not letting the man get his wand or the stone. The tingling sensation increased. Quirrell was flailing wildly- trying to throw him off.
"Aaaaahhhh!" There was a high pitched scream from Voldemort.
The pain in his scar increased and it felt like someone stabbed a knife clean through the right side of his face. Harry couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't see from the pain. It was all a blur. All he could hear was Quirrell's agonized cries and Voldemort screaming and from a distance away he thought he could make out some sort of warped singing. Harry thought he was going crazy from all the pain in his scar. All of a sudden he was violently thrown back and landed on the ground in a heap. Quirrell's screaming had stopped and he blearily looked up and saw a black mist rise from Quirrell's fallen body. The mist gathered together and flew itself at Harry. He had no time to react. The mist entered him.
"Ugg!" Harry cried as he doubled over and curled into the fetal position. "Ugnn—" He squirmed back and forth. His insides felt like fire and his arms were so numb he knew he couldn't move them properly. "Ah!" He whimpered as clutched at his head. This was now a whole new level of pain. He couldn't move anything he felt so numb and tired however his whole body felt like it was being burnt. The tingling from before became painful pins and needles and his head- he knew- was about to explode from the pressure of the enormous pain.
"Ah! Ah!" He gasped for air as his lungs felt like they weren't working. All Harry could comprehend now was the pain- the horrible unbearable pain. He knew that this was the end if it continued like this. "Ah!" He used his numb limbs to grasp at his chest and head. Harry, at what he thought were his last moments, thought of what he would be able to see- his parents. He'd be able to see them. A sudden euphoric feeling washed over Harry as he lay in pain. Then, before he knew it, Harry's world exploded.
OOoo00ooOO
8,830 Words. Published 2/7/2011, Monday. Edited [2-17-11] [2-24-11]
Author's Note: So how many of you guessed Su Li? Everyone? Well, that's just peachy. Now since I am definitely NOT British, I have no clue about all of the terms they use for things instead of the American way, so bear with me on that. I'll use most of the slang terms I know for Ron's language.
So… Anyway, this chapter got too long. Over 9,000 words and I was still writing so I decided to split it in two- this chapter and the next one. I don't like having an incredibly long chapter with shorter ones so that's why. And it got too long between updates so I just decided to post this one. I'm sorry that I said this chapter would be the end for 1st year but I just couldn't squeeze it in! Don't be mad. I'm sorry! (it WILL end next chapter because I only have one more scene to write for it and that scene ends 1st year.) And if this was too canon for you then the next chapter after this one has NO canon in it! Yay! Unless you count them going through the obstacles to the stone…
About the Su, part. I had to introduce her now because without her my plot goes wonky. You'll see more from her in the summer. And she does a few nice things then…
If you're going to complain about the lack of interaction between Harry and Daphne or Harry and Tracey. Wait until the next chapter comes out and then post your complaints about it. Then after you read it you probably won't have any complaints. :)
Note: Just so you know, I loved all of your reviews. I'm sorry if I came across as mean or anything but that's just me being me. I'm not mad and I'm not insulting you. If it comes across like that… try picturing a five year old girl in pigtails and a cute dress reading it to you. Now it doesn't seem as mean! (yay!)
PLEASE REVIEW! And if you have any serious questions you are welcome to PM me!
Thanks to Umbra8191, Jarius A Black, Penseln, WHCnelson, c im am a dragon, aderrett, Pheonix-Tears-101, and VampHunter001.
Miz636- OMG! Thank you for understanding what I'm doing! (At least I think so…) And you're the author of becoming alpha? Omg, I read that story over on siye. Super awesome. (bows to you)
Madengineer- The point wasn't to try to connect them effectively. I was just showing different scenes from book 1 that were different. I mean if you read the book you know what goes in the middle and I did not want to spend time typing that out. That would seriously take me forever…
Lord Lelouch- You're review has to be just the awesomest thing ever. Thanks. Really. I don't think I could live up to your expectations and have this be one of your favorites but I'll try. You're paragraph about Dumbledore was spot on and that's where I get my very slight Dumbledore bashing from. And thank you for saying the supposed date was funny. I try but most of my friends know I have a different sense of humor. Thanks. As for the H/D/T, yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Oh and I love Code Geass too. :) [hmm…giant robots…Eureka 7, FMP!, every Gumdam… can't think of anymore…{I blame my mother with her Detective Conan fascination.} Oh no! Quick someone give me one to watch! Ahhh…. I think I've been obsessed with Harry Potter too much (is that possible?) and forgot my other love! Don't worry Anime, you're still awesome!]
Arashigan16- It was pretty boring. Done by owl. With the emerald green crayon of course. (I'm actually waiting for someone to say that there was no crayon called 'emerald green' sold in 1991.)
mwinter1- Yes! You get it! Yay! Tracey will be like Harry's first girlfriend.
Naginator- Yes Harry will get rid of that… eventually… And as for Ron? Well… you'll see…
J.A Jasper- Aw! You stopped reading! (sobs) Anyway. Thank you for the review. Just so you know, I'm writing this story inside of the canon (just for a bit). So up until Daphne comes into his compartment, it is canon. So, the parts I did skip in the chapter WERE canon, yes, BUT! (Yes there is a but…) That type of writing only really applies to the first book- which is the one you were reading and not liking. So, if you don't like that type of story, check back in a few chapters. Hopefully it will be changed from canon enough for you to like it. I'm just getting on my feet here so to speak and yes I am in the process of writing an original story. However, these plot lines have been used so much you can't tell what's original or not. I have no clue what you're last paragraph was about. It had me slightly confused. In my story, he met Daphne before Ron. He did not know which house she was going to be in and so wasn't against her. He really only hates Malfoy.
DragonWolf of Chaos- Yeah, this chapter took so long to write… And you like reading about threesomes? I read some weird threesomes… You know that a bored mind is a scary thing… (What was that one again…? Harry as a cat-boy and was it H/F/G? Oh, Yep. Harry and the twins… weird) I will probably put up a poll about the 'if' pairing of H/D/T later when that becomes relevant in the story.
Avoiding The Singularity- Yes I know it's canon! Ahhh…. Darn… I just can't type too fast. Small changes happen. Then they roll together and go Boom! Then it's not canon anymore. Get it? And hey! No shameless plugs on your story! (shakes fist at you and sticks out tongue) Then I'll just do the same to you! MUWAHAHA-cough-ha… Anyway… Thanks for reviewing! :D
Teufel1987- Are you an English teacher? If so I think I deserve better than a 15! I got a C? That's just horrible! (pouts and cries into a pillow) As for the 'thinking' part, I never really thought about doing that for this story. I do it for my others yeah, but for this one, I don't know but it just seemed unnecessary. The whole thing is from Harry's pov so… the only thoughts that would use ' ' are his… Yes the interaction speeds up second year and the tree is used once in this chapter. And another in the next! Thanks for reviewing! :)
DarkseidAlex- He's smarter? Aww… Darn he wasn't supposed to be smarter… Yes he can have both Tracey and Daphne with Potter and Black but only if he's given it from Sirius… So I should kill Sirius? Cool! [Me: (approaches Sirius) Sirius! I'm going to erase you from my plotline! HAHAHA! (takes out pencil and erases him) Sirius: Nooo! I'm too awesome to die!] JKJK, just so you know he's still in Azkaban so he can't die… yet…
Olaf74- I'm full of surprises? Nice! That's what I am. A surprise in a box! Yay! Wait… What were you surprised about? I'm confused!...
All the HP people can stop reading now. Below this point it isn't about the awesomeness that is Harry Potter.
To TsknRaider: Darn! I can't PM you! Arrrggg…. [Ok, I know I went into a rant on that silly review… but I just didn't care all that much… ugg! Yes people said 'oh, plagiarism!' And I did know it was similar. I didn't know how similar! And I still don't care! Buwahahahaha!] (Yes that was another rant and you can ignore that if you like.)
So, thank you for pointing it out to me. And I mean that, thanks. Now I know it looks bad… Seriously, the rant was for the people who weren't going to read that awesome story anymore… Well, all I can really say is this… the 'story' that he supposedly plagiarized from is so old! (that's not an excuse) but what if he (or she… idk) got permission from them to take some of it? And just didn't say in the chapter? I was mad at the people who accused him right off the bat. It's like guilty until proven innocent. I prefer to look at it as the other way around. But if the author fesses up to actually plagiarizing it then, he's guilty. It doesn't really matter to me if they did or not (plagiarize that is). That story is still pretty darn awesome- one of the best I've read. Now to end this… I'll say thanks again. Actually you were the only person (so far) who PMed me about it and thanks to that. I'm not a confrontational person but I do care passionately about that things I enjoy- so I got angry at those people who reviewed it as plagiarism.
P.S.- you PM me but I have no way of contacting you to say this? Ahhhh….. (bangs head on desk)
Note on Plagiarism: Ok, I admit im a fan of taking something and twisting it into your own words. But I don't condone out right copy and paste. If I ever do that to this story… I don't know… I'd kick my own ass… so no one would have to do that for me… and I hate plagiarism.