A New Friend or Foe
Chapter Fourteen
"Harry." Harry glanced at Erica coolly, a deep, searing pain piercing his heart.
"What is it, Erica?" he asked as he crossed the common room, wanting to get through the portrait hole and out onto the Quidditch field so he could burn off some of his negative energy by flying.
Erica's voice was laced with sobs as she fought to control her emotions. "Harry…I-I'm sorry," she stuttered, aghast at what she was about to do.
Harry turned, his green eyes filled with pain, regret, curiosity, and—most surprising to Erica—hope. He still likes me, Erica realized, feeling warm liquid sting the corners of her eyes and slowly drip down her cheek. And I'm about to turn him in to my father to save my own skin. What a horrible person I am!
Harry looked concerned as he questioned, "Erica, what is it? What's wrong?"
Erica shook her head, wiping the tears away with a quick swipe of the back of her hand. "Nothing. It's just—I feel so bad for treating you the way I did. I had no right to desert you; I was just—I was just scared." That part was true, at least.
Harry looked at her uneasily, unsure of what to say. "Scared? Of what?" he finally got out.
"Of…of being your friend." Erica struggled in a senseless battle to restore dominion over her emotions. It was going to be so difficult to lie to Harry again, and this time, it wasn't to save him, but to save herself.
Harry gaped at her, not comprehending the message she was trying so desperately to relay. "What?"
"Oh, Harry, I have—have heard so much about you're a-adventures. You've done some pr-pretty amazing stuff, and yo-you have a lot of enemies, the w-worst being the most dangerous wizard in the world. I was afraid that m-my life would be in danger if I—if I was your fr-friend. But now I know I was wrong. C-can you ever forgive me?"
Harry smiled, relieved. Erica hadn't been jealous or mad at him. She had merely been frightened. She still liked him!
"I really like you, Harry," Erica mumbled truthfully. "And I'm sorry—sorry for everything."
"It's okay," Harry said eagerly. "There's nothing to forgive."
Erica grimaced at his words. Nothing to forgive—yet.
"Um, Harry, you wouldn't like to go for a walk, would you?" Erica asked, guilt dragging her heart down to her feet. Part of her wished desperately that he would readily agree and she could get this over with as soon as possible. But the other part—the more dominant part—hoped that he would turn her down. But of course, he consented.
"Of course, Erica. Just let me grab my cloak."
"It's nice out here this evening."
"Mmmm…"
"The forest barely looks threatening at all."
"Mmmm…"
"Erica?"
"Mmmm?"
"Why did you ask me to come out here with me if all you are going to say is 'mmmm'?"
Erica smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Harry. My mind wasn't focusing. What were you saying?"
"Oh, nothing really. I just think it was a good idea to take a walk out by the Forbidden Forest."
"Right."
"Erica…"
"What?"
Harry stepped closer. Erica couldn't breathe. He was close enough that he could see every pore on his face, every individual eyelash, and every bit of longing in his eyes…
His lips met hers, and they shared a cosmic moment. But Erica broke away, tears streaming down her face.
"Erica, what's wrong?" Harry asked. Mentally, he wondered why he could never seem to kiss a girl without her winding up crying. Maybe Ron was right, he thought, horrified, maybe I am a bad kisser. That's what he said when Cho wound up blubbering all over me. Of course, Hermione said she was confused, but honestly, what's so confusing about a kiss?
Erica backed away. "Harry, you have to leave. Now."
"What? Why?"
Before Erica could answer, a there was a flash of light, and thick vines shot out of the forest, winding themselves around Harry and covering his mouth. Taken by complete surprise, Harry struggled and tried to yell for help, but it was no use. He was dragged into the forest. Erica ran in after him.
After the vines had yanked Harry through the dirt of the forest floor for over a mile, with Erica panting and running along behind, it stopped. Harry, who was nearing unconsciousness, having hit his head many times on oncoming rocks and stumps, lay there, dazed, while a thin, pale man stepped out from the shadows. Harry tensed, and, as if from a distance, heard Voldemort say, "Well done, my daughter. You have successfully delivered Harry Potter to me, Lord Voldemort."
Erica took a step back, horrified. "You? You're Voldemort?"
"Surprised, dear?"
"You despicable liar!" Erica spat, enraged.
"Thank you for your generous compliments," Voldemort hissed smoothly.
He waved his wand, and the vine covering Harry's mouth fell away, as did the ones holding him prisoner. Harry stood up on wobbly feet, terrified, but had eyes only for Erica.
"I can't believe you did this to me, Erica!"
Erica lowered her head. Voldemort raised his wand and pointed it at Harry's heart. "Time to die, Potter. You can't escape me now."
"I loved you, Erica."
Erica's eyes opened wide, and she gaped at Harry. He loved her? Oh, how she loved him too! But now, as she looked from her father to her true love, she knew she had made the biggest mistake of her life. "I'm sorry, Harry. I loved you, too."
Voldemort looked revolted. "I cannot stand so much love," he spat, saying the word as if it was poison. "Time to die, Harry, after all these years." Harry reached for his wand, but he wasn't fast enough. Voldemort hissed, "Avada Kedavra!" and a flash of green light surged through the air, hurtling towards Harry's heart.
Harry couldn't dodge it in time; this time it really was the end…
But then, Erica raced forward, her eyes screwed up in determination, and planted herself between Harry and the killing curse.
Harry watched with growing horror as Erica was struck squarely in the chest, and collapsed to the ground, dead.
~Emachinescat ^..^