Harry couldn't move, he was frozen to the spot, staring at Wormtail.
He couldn't understand how this was possible, Wormtail was supposed to
be dead. The dead couldn't come back to life, could they?
"Can you see me yet?" Wormtail asked, sounding bored. Harry just looked at him, confused. Then he realized not only could he see him, he could see through him. It was Peter Pettigrew's ghost.
"Why are you here?" he finally managed to ask. He wasn't cold anymore, and he had stopped shaking.
"Who are you talking to?" Ron asked, giving Harry a wary look.
Harry looked at Ron with wide eyes.
"You.you can't see him?" he asked weakly.
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance before looking at Harry.
"Who do you think is there?" Hermione asked, gently.
Harry's jaw dropped.
"What do you mean who do I think is there? Are you telling me neither of you see Wormtail standing by the portrait hole? It's his ghost!" He looked anxiously back and forth between the two of them before turning to Wormtail. "Why can't they see you?" he asked.
Wormtail shrugged.
"I don't know. Maybe for the same reason you haven't been able to see me." he said.
"What? How long have you been here?" Harry asked.
"Since I died. I've been stuck with you since I died." Wormtail's eyes flashed with anger when he said this, before resuming the glassed over look they had previously shown.
Harry's eyes couldn't possibly get any wider.
"Okay, time to get you to the hospital wing," Hermione said firmly. She and Ron both grabbed Harry by the arms and started moving towards the portrait hole.
"Stop, I don't need to go there," Harry said, trying to shrug them away. They stopped but didn't let go.
"You're seeing things Harry. Wormtail isn't there and the map." Ron trailed off.
"The map was right! Peter is here and he's standing right over there!" Harry exclaimed. "I don't know why you can't see him but nothing Madam Pomfrey can give me will change the fact that he's there! I'm not hallucinating!"
"Ghosts can't become selectively invisible," Hermione said calmly. "There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to see him too."
"Maybe there is, though! How can you be so sure?" Harry countered, then continued quickly, "Just let me see if I can figure out what's going on, okay?"
He looked at his friends, pleading with them. Finally they let go of him.
"Thank you," he said.
"You're going to Dumbledore one way or the other when you've finished whatever it is you're doing," Hermione said seriously.
Harry nodded at her, thinking he'd probably want to do that anyway, before turning back to Wormtail.
"Why are you here?" Harry asked.
Wormtail shrugged, again.
"I don't know. If I had a choice I most certainly wouldn't be here."
"Why don't you have a choice?" he asked, completely confused.
"You tell me!" Wormtail replied so loudly that Harry took a step back. "I've not been able to get more than a few miles away from you, believe me I've tried! Many, many times!"
"So you think I'm keeping you around? Not by choice, I'll tell you that!" Harry retorted angrily. Both of them glared, darkly at each other in silence, until Wormtail finally spoke again.
"You should be thanking me, you know," he muttered, indignantly. Harry stared at him in shock.
"For what, exactly?" he asked.
"For taking your place, that's what! I died for you!"
"No you didn't," Harry replied quietly. "You died for Voldemort. You had enough power to do any spell or curse or hex in the world but you chose to do the one Voldemort wanted you to."
"Only because you gave it to me," Wormtail shot back.
"That's right, I did," Harry said coldly. This was getting him nowhere, he thought. He had to figure out why Wormtail was there and how to get rid of him.
"So," he began, forcing himself to sound calm, "are you the reason I keep getting these.feelings?"
Wormtail smirked at him.
"You mean when you get all sick and cold?" he asked sweetly. "I think that is me, yes."
"Why are you doing it?" Harry asked, not liking the fact that someone could do this to him without him being able to stop it.
"You have to even ask?" Wormtail replied. "Don't you see when they're happening?"
"Usually before something bad happens," Harry said. Then he thought about it for a minute. "Hang on, you were warning me?" he asked incredulously.
Wormtail nodded.
"That's right," he said.
Harry's head was hurting, not for any other reason than he was utterly confused. He forced himself to concentrate on the situation.
"Okay, so why were you warning me then?" he asked.
Wormtail avoided Harry's eyes, looking at the floor, the ceiling, anywhere but at him.
"Well?" Harry prompted.
"Does it matter? I just did, okay?"
"Right, out of the goodness of your heart, I'm sure," Harry quipped. He rolled his eyes and Wormtail looked at him indignantly.
"Well why not?"
"Are you serious? You are the reason I have no parents, the reason Sirius spent twelve years in jail. Voldemort wouldn't have been able to come back to power so easily if you hadn't.hadn't." Harry trailed off, not wanting to think about that night. When he looked back up, he saw Wormtail staring at him, fear in his eyes.
"What?" Harry asked, not understanding what he could be scared of.
"Look, neither of us are happy with this situation," Wormtail began. "Isn't there something you can do to just release me? So that I can at least leave the school grounds?"
"If I knew how to do that I'dve done it already," Harry said. He turned to Ron and Hermione, who were looking very worried. Great, he thought, they think I'm completely insane.
"I'm going to talk to Dumbledore," he said to them, then turned and started towards the portrait hole. Wormtail, however, didn't move.
"No!" he said. "Please?"
"Why not?" Harry asked. "If anyone will know what to do it'll be him." Then the reason for the fear in Wormtail's eyes was suddenly clear to Harry. "You think he's going to do something to you?" he asked, trying not to smile.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Wormtail said, doing a bad job of lying. "I just don't see what help he could be. Your friends can't see me, he probably won't be able to either."
"I'm going anyway," Harry said. "And standing in front of the door isn't going to stop me, you're a ghost, remember?" He began to move forward again, hesitating for just a second before reaching a hand through Wormtail, who still refused to move. His arm immediately felt as if he had shoved it into a bucket of ice and he quickly pushed at the portrait to swing it open, but it wouldn't budge. Wormtail was somehow managing to keep it shut.
He pulled his arm back.
"Get out of the way."
Wormtail shook his head.
"No. We're going to figure this out here."
Hermione and Ron walked over and stopped on either side of Harry.
"What's the matter?" Ron asked.
"He won't let me open the door," Harry answered, clenching his teeth.
Ron and Hermione exchanged yet another worried look, before Ron shrugged and then reached for the portrait to push it open. Harry watched as his hand touched Wormtail's transparent form, and he pulled it back as quickly as if it had been burned.
"Bloody hell! It's freezing!" he exclaimed, rubbing his hand.
"It's because you touched him," Harry said. "But that's not what's keeping us in, he's blocked the door somehow."
"I touched him? Eww." Ron said in disgust.
"Here, let me try," Hermione said stepping in front of the portrait. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the icy feeling she knew was coming, and put her hand forward. She inhaled sharply when she made contact with Wormtail, but pushed her hand through all the way. Harry and Ron held their breath, waiting.
After what felt like an eternity, the portrait swung open and Wormtail dove after it, but he wasn't fast enough. Harry, Ron and Hermione were through it before he could shut it on them.
"Fine!" he shouted. "But don't expect me to go with you for your little chat! I may not be able to leave the school grounds, but I don't have to be in the same room as you!" Harry looked at Wormtail throwing his pathetic temper tantrum and watched him disappear in a huff, before he turned back to Hermione.
"How did you do that?" he asked, smiling. But a look of concern quickly replaced it when he saw Hermione. She was trying not to cry while clutching her arm. Ron was at her side in an instant.
"Let me see," he said gently taking her arm. It was very red and felt raw.
"I'll be okay," she said as tears of pain rolled down her cheeks.
"You have to see Madam Pomfrey, now," Ron said, but she didn't budge.
"I want to know what's going on," she said firmly. "I'll go to the hospital wing after we've seen Dumbledore."
"But." Ron started.
"No," Hermione cut him off. Then she pulled her arm back and began walking. Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged, then turned and hurried to catch up with her.
"I'll remember this the next time you tell me to get to the hospital wing," Harry said grinning down at her.
"This hardly makes us even," Hermione replied quickly. "It's no where near as bad as what you usually have to go for."
"So how did you get the door open?" Ron asked finally.
"I just sprung the lock," Hermione said. "I knew he had to be holding the piece that turns whenever we say the password from outside. I just pushed the button that releases it. That's why it opened too fast for him to stop, it was almost ejecting it."
"Clever, clever," Ron said putting his arm around her. Harry smiled at his friends, again thinking of Cho as he saw them holding each other. He missed her very much, and hoped his letter would get to her quickly.
But now was not the time to think about Cho. He had to tell Dumbledore what had happened, and figure out a way to get rid of Wormtail. He certainly didn't want to spend the rest of his life being trailed by that slimy git. Even as a ghost he hated him. Thinking of this made him quicken his pace, the sooner they figured out what to do, the better.
They reached Dumbledore's office without incident, said the password and raced inside. It was very dark when they walked in however. They had completely forgotten how late it was.
"What do we do now?" Hermione asked, whispering.
"I don't know," Harry admitted. He had never run across this problem before. "I guess we come back tomorrow. I don't know where Dumbledore sleeps."
Just then all the candles in the room lit themselves, and a fire rose up in the fireplace. The three of them glanced around, nervously, unsure what to expect, when Dumbledore walked in from a door in the back. He gave a great yawn as he slowly shuffled into the room, and stopped when he was in front of them.
"What are you three doing here so late?" he asked sleepily. Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked at each other, smiling. Dumbledore was wearing a white dressing gown with little blue moons all over it and a matching nightcap. He looked more like a very large child, except for the long silvery beard. But when he gave them an expectant look, Harry cleared his throat and took a step forward.
"Sir, um.something happened earlier," he began. "Wormtail's ghost is here and it seems he can't get more than a few miles from wherever I am."
Dumbledore's eyebrows rose slightly.
"Interesting." he said. "Come in, have a seat. Please, tell me, how did you find this out?"
When they were all seated Harry went on to explain about the feelings he had gotten just before the incident with Gridman, and again in the Erumpent pen. He told him how it happened again earlier that evening in the common room and how this time he felt there was someone in the room with them. When they checked the map, it didn't show anyone other than students, so he explained how he once again asked it for assistance. After a brief recount of what Padfoot had said, he told how the map began writing the words 'Peter's Here' over and over.
"So the map was unable to see him?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded.
"Yes, but it was the same for Ron and Hermione. I was the only one who could see him."
"And when did you?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry continued with his story, telling him of the conversation that took place between them, and how he didn't want them to come here tonight. Then he explained how they were able to get past him, and headed straight for the office.
"So," Harry said after he finished, "is there any way for me to get rid of him?"
Dumbledore sat, stroking his chin with a contemplative look in his eyes. After a few moments, he stood and walked across the room to the window. Harry, Ron and Hermione just looked at each other, not sure if they should try to say something or not. Finally Dumbledore spoke.
"I can't recall anything like this ever happening before."
"Never?" Harry asked, standing, hoping he'd heard wrong.
Dumbledore shook his head, and shuffled back over to them.
"Never. That's not to say it hasn't, but I will need time to research it further."
"How much time?" Harry asked, trying not to sound impatient.
Dumbledore just chuckled at him.
"Mr. Potter, I know you are anxious to be rid of Wormtail. But for the time being he does have some usefulness."
"Not exactly," Harry replied. "Both times he tried to warn me I never really got the message, just a bad feeling."
"I suspect that's because you couldn't see or hear him properly until now."
"Well why now then? What's so special about tonight that made me able to see him?"
"Tonight is the first time you tried to figure out what those feelings were, correct? I think that's why. You wanted to see what was causing the feelings and you somehow forced him to show himself."
"Great. So how can I force him to be invisible until he's gone?"
"Harry," Hermione spoke up, tentatively. "Don't you see? He may be able to help you. It may not be help you want but if he can alert you to danger before it happens." she trailed off.
"You're right," Harry said sharply. "It isn't help I want," he turned away from them for a moment, thinking. "But," he shrugged, "it doesn't look like there's any other choice.for now," he added pointedly.
Ron, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
"Why was Harry able to force Wormtail to reveal himself?"
Dumbledore smiled at him.
"I think Mr. Potter has a certain amount of control over Peter's ghost."
"I do?" Harry asked. "I wish I knew that when I was trying to get the portrait hole open."
"I do too," Hermione spoke up, sardonically. She rubbed her arm lightly, not wanting to irritate the rough skin.
"I trust you are going to see Madam Pomfrey about this tonight?" Dumbledore asked, giving Hermione a serious look. She nodded.
"Yes sir."
"Good," he said, then turned to Harry.
"I'd like you to try something," he began.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"I want you to call Wormtail here."
Harry stared at him blankly for a few moments.
"But.how?"
"However you did it before. You did something to make him show himself, whether he was trying to remain invisible or not, you were able to see him. I want you to try and bring him here, now. Can you do that?"
Harry had no idea if he could do it or not, but he was going to try. He nodded at Dumbledore, shut his eyes, and began concentrating. Clearing his mind of anything else, he thought of Wormtail only, waiting, for some sign showing he could hear him. Suddenly he shivered violently, almost losing his balance, but it was over quickly. When he opened his eyes, Wormtail was standing in front of him, looking shocked and afraid.
"I did it." Harry said in amazement.
"What did you do?" Wormtail asked fearfully. He obviously did not enjoy the idea that Harry had any amount of control over him.
"I brought you here," Harry said, smiling at him. He very much liked to see Wormtail looking scared and uncomfortable, without Voldemort being around.
"Where is he Harry?" Dumbledore spoke up. Harry had forgotten that he was the only one who could see Wormtail.
"Right in front of me," Harry said pointing.
"Curious," Dumbledore mused, stroking his chin and looking at the space in front of Harry. "I have a few questions, Mr. Pettigrew," he said firmly. Harry looked at Wormtail and could visibly see him gulp.
"Y-yes sir," he eeked out.
"He said yes," Harry told Dumbledore, who nodded.
"When did you first realize you couldn't get too far from wherever Harry is?" he asked.
"When he used the portkey, the cork, to get back to the school. I was pulled in with him."
"Since that night," Harry told Dumbledore, "when I used the portkey to get back, the cork that Fudge made into one."
"When was the first time you tried to speak with Harry?" Dumbledore continued.
"The night of the feast, first night of school," Wormtail answered.
"Gridman," Harry said.
"So you've been with him for three months and you never once tried to get his attention? Why is that? I would think if you wanted your freedom, so to speak, you would have tried to get his attention much sooner."
Harry noticed that each time Dumbledore spoke he looked right at the spot where he'd told him Wormtail was standing, and that Wormtail never once moved, or tried to leave the room. He didn't understand why though, if no one could see or touch him, why was he so afraid?
Wormtail stayed silent after Dumbledore's last question and after a few minutes Harry just looked at Dumbledore and shrugged.
"He's not answering."
Dumbledore's eyes flashed menacingly in Wormtail's direction and that was all it took.
"I didn't want him to know!" he yelled, even though Harry was the only one who could hear him. "I thought he wouldn't want anything to do with me so it was better off left alone."
"Well you certainly got that right," Harry retorted, before turning to Dumbledore and telling him what Wormtail said.
Dumbledore stayed silent for a few moments, seeming to be deep in thought. Harry, Ron and Hermione waited in silence, while Wormtail kept shifting on his feet, and fidgeting with his hands.
"I believe that you didn't want to reveal yourself," Dumbledore said finally, looking again in Wormtail's direction. "I also believe however, that you had no choice when you finally did speak to Harry. You were forced, in a way, to try and warn him. Is this correct?"
Wormtail looked miserably at Dumbledore, but finally nodded his head yes.
"He said yes," Harry muttered, somewhat disappointed. It wasn't too much of a shock really. Why would Wormtail try and help him? It wouldn't benefit him in any way. "What would force him to though?" he asked, turning to Dumbledore.
"I can only give you guesses," Dumbledore replied quietly.
"So anytime Harry's in trouble Wormtail is forced to tell him about it?" Ron asked, smiling. He saw nothing but potential in this new development.
Dumbledore returned the smile.
"It would seem so, for the time being at least."
"Wicked."
"Please keep in mind," Dumbledore said firmly, "this is all just suspicion, we have nothing to prove any of this to be true. Just because it has happened twice, doesn't mean there's no way around it."
Harry looked from Dumbledore to Ron, who was quite happy with the situation, then to Hermione, who had been very silent throughout most of their discussion.
"What do you think of all this?" he asked her. She looked up at him slowly, as if coming out of a daze.
"I think that Professor Dumbledore is right, we need more facts, less guessing."
Harry agreed with her, even as a ghost he had no trust for Wormtail, no matter what he may do to help him. If he ever found a chance to turn on Harry, and it seemed like it may benefit him, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
"Can.can I go now?" Wormtail spoke up, timidly. Harry glared at him. He knew that he had to take any help he could get, but he very much didn't like the idea of spending so much time with Wormtail.
"He wants to know if he can leave," Harry said to Dumbledore, jerking a thumb in Wormtail's direction.
"You may," Dumbledore replied, showing no emotion at all. Harry watched as Wormtail slowly faded out of view. He still had a few questions for him, but they would have to wait. Then, as if reading his mind, Dumbledore spoke up.
"I know you have many questions, but it will take time to get all the answers. For now, I think it's time you all get to sleep. Miss Granger, please have Madam Pomfrey look at that arm, I will let her know you're on your way."
Hermione nodded at him as she stood up. The three of them said goodnight to Dumbledore and headed back out of the office.
Ron and Hermione walked with Harry back to the portrait of the fat lady. He went inside while they continued on to the hospital wing.
"Would you mind?" he had asked Hermione on their way to the tower. "I just don't want to go back down there right now. I've seen enough of it to last me the year."
"Don't worry about it, there's no point in all of us going," Hermione replied.
"Well, I'm still going with you," Ron said, then quickly continued as Hermione opened her mouth to protest, "and don't even try. There's nothing you can say that will stop me."
"Wanna bet?" Hermione asked, pulling her wand out of her robes and fingering the tip of it, grinning wickedly at Ron.
He gave her a mock horrified look and she broke down in giggles.
"You wouldn't." he trailed off.
"No, not for something like this anyway," she replied with a sly smile.
"Good. Wait, what? You mean you'd do it for something else?" he asked with wide eyes.
"Oh look, we're here," she said, changing the subject as the portrait of the fat lady came into view. "See you later Harry!" she called pleasantly. Harry waved good-bye as he watched them walk off down the hall. Ron was still trying to get Hermione to explain herself. When they were out of sight, he turned to the portrait, said the password, and walked in.
"How did you do that?" he heard a voice ask as soon as he shut the portrait behind him. He looked up to see Wormtail standing in front of him.
"Go away," he said harshly and headed for the stairs to go to his dorm.
Wormtail didn't leave, but instead moved in front of Harry, blocking the door completely. Harry gave a frustrated sigh.
"Look, I'm really tired, it's been a very long day, just move, will you?" he asked. He was in no rush to step through Wormtail, remembering the unpleasant feeling that had come over him when Nearly- Headless Nick had moved through him so long ago.
"I want you to tell me how you did that first," Wormtail said stubbornly, refusing to move.
"Did what?" Harry almost yelled, exasperatedly. "Called you? I don't know. I just concentrated on you being there and *poof* there you were. I only did it because Dumbledore asked me to, believe me."
"Well just don't make a habit of it, alright?" Wormtail asked, sounding very bossy. Harry suddenly grinned, sweetly at him.
"There's nothing you can do about it, is there? Now if you don't mind, I'd really like to get upstairs now."
"What if I tell you what Draco did?" Wormtail asked. Harry looked at him, confused for a moment.
"What are you talking about?"
"In the class earlier, when he made that thing charge at you, I can tell you what he did."
"What?" Harry asked immediately. But Wormtail just shook his head.
"You have to promise first, you won't do that again."
Harry looked at him carefully. He didn't want to promise anything to him. But on the other hand, he never really intended to call on him anyway. It wasn't like he had any desire to talk to him or anything. So finally, he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded.
"Fine, I promise," he said.
Wormtail waited a moment before replying, looking into Harry's eyes, trying to determine if he was lying or not.
"He burned it," he said finally.
"What? Why?" Harry asked.
"How should I know, I didn't talk to him," Wormtail said, shrugging. But from the looks of things you needed to collect the tail hairs, and he was trying to burn off its entire tail."
"So, he almost killed Mel, and put everyone in that pen in danger, because he was trying to cheat again? I can't believe him!" Harry yelled, feeling anger rising in him. Seeing the smirk on Wormtail's face wasn't helping matters any, but he didn't say anything. If he got much louder all the students would be downstairs wondering why he was making so much noise.
"Well, are we done then?" Harry asked, feeling irate. Wormtail didn't answer, just stepped out of the way, allowing Harry to step through the door and head upstairs.
The next morning at breakfast, Harry was surprised when Mel came over to his table in the great hall.
"Hey," she said, smiling brilliantly at him.
"Hello," he began, "what are you doing over here?"
He saw the smile on her face fall, and continued quickly.
"I didn't mean I don't want you here! You're always welcome! I was just wondering because I didn't think you wanted to." He smiled at her reassuringly, looking into her crystal blue eyes, and she finally returned it. He slid over a little, ignoring the disapproving looks from Ron and Ginny, and she sat down.
"You look like you didn't sleep at all!" Mel cried looking at the dark circles under Harry's eyes.
"I feel that way too," Harry said with a lopsided grin. "But it's not the first time, I'll just fall asleep early tonight."
Mel nodded at him. She looked around at the people sitting nearby. A few Gryffindors that were close by were giving her suspicious glances, but most were just ignoring her. She looked at Harry's friends; grinning politely, then back at Harry expectantly. He was watching the way her hair moved over her shoulders that he didn't realize he was staring until Hermione kicked his leg from under the table.
He inhaled sharply and glared at her, to see she was looking at him, waiting for something. Finally she sighed heavily and spoke.
"Are you going to introduce us?" she asked sounding exasperated.
"Oh! Sorry," Harry said, feeling his face turn red. "Melanie, these are my friends Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Ginny Weasley. Guys this is Melanie." he paused and looked at her. "I don't know your last name yet," he whispered. She smiled at him sweetly.
"It's Tristen, and you can call me Mel," she said to the others.
"Nice to meet you Mel," Hermione said smiling.
Ron however wasn't warming up so quickly, and Ginny was following his lead.
"Tristen, huh?" Ron started, ignoring Harry's warning look. "Don't know that name. I don't remember hearing it called our first year for the sorting."
"That doesn't surprise me. I don't remember yours either. Honestly the only person I do remember besides myself, is Harry's."
Harry blushed slightly. He knew it was only because of how well known his name is, but he had to admit he was happy she remembered him.
"So what do you want then?" Ginny spoke up, not sounding much like she cared. Mel looked at her, somewhat shocked.
"I think I'll talk to you later Harry," she said crisply, standing up. "It's obvious your friends don't want me here."
Before he even thought about it he jumped up from his seat with her.
"Wait, don't go!" he said.
"No, really. I want to grab a book from the library before class this morning, I should get down there before I don't have any time left."
"I'll go with you," he said hastily.
She looked at him with an amused smile and nodded.
"Do what you want," she said pleasantly.
He grabbed his things and waved goodbye to his friends, Hermione being the only one who didn't seem upset about this, before walking with Mel towards the doors.
When they stepped into the hallway, Harry immediately turned to Mel.
"I'm sorry about that," he said sincerely, looking into her eyes.
"You mean your friends?" she asked lightly. He nodded at her.
"They.well, Ron's not usually like that, with people he doesn't know anyway."
"It's okay, you don't have to explain. He doesn't trust me because I'm in Slytherin is really what it comes down to."
Harry didn't respond. He knew she was right but still didn't want to say it out loud. But before he could think of something to say, she spoke again.
"Ginny seems to be quite fond of you though, so she has a completely different reason from Ron. Maybe she thinks I'm a threat?" She glanced at Harry from the corner of her eye, before looking away.
"What? No, Ginny used to have somewhat of a crush on me.but now." Harry trailed off. She didn't still like him like that, did she?
"Okay, if you say so," Mel said.
"Wait, how can you even tell these things? You've only just met them; you were at our table for just a minute or two."
"Well Ron I've heard some things about, mostly from Draco, and I know that's why he doesn't like me. He doesn't like anyone in my house, and we're sort of fine with that," she replied nonchalantly.
"And Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Just something about the way she looked at me, the way she looked at you, no matter how long ago you think this crush thing was, she still feels for you."
"Well, it doesn't matter anyway," Harry said quickly. "She knows I have a girlfriend." he trailed off, realizing what he had just said. Then, just as quickly, wondered why he regretted saying it.
"A girlfriend?" Mel asked, almost off-handedly. Harry nodded.
"What's her name? Does she go here?"
"She used to go here, graduated last year. Her name's Cho Chang."
"Wow, I never would've guessed."
Harry was about to ask what that was supposed to mean, when they reached the Library and Mel began to push the door open. He put his arm out quickly to stop her, and grabbed hold of the door, holding it open for her.
"Thank you," she smiled, walking past him.
He waited until she was in and began to step in behind her, when he heard a voice behind him.
"Potter!" a very familiar voice yelled. Harry spun to see a very angry Draco Malfoy moving towards him, flanked on either side, by Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry waited for Malfoy to reach him before speaking.
"What is it now, Malfoy?" he asked, sounding as if he couldn't care less.
Malfoy's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Do you think I'm stupid? You know exactly what this is about!"
Harry grinned.
"Well, I won't answer that first question," he said calmly, "and I have no idea, truly, what you're on about."
Malfoy took a menacing step forward and opened his mouth to speak, when his eyes flickered to something behind Harry and he stopped. Harry turned to see Mel had come back over to the doorway and was looking back and forth between the two of them.
"Are you coming, Harry?" she asked finally.
Harry nodded and began to step into the library, when Malfoy grabbed his arm.
"Why can't you ever mind your own business?" he asked in a dangerously quiet voice. Harry turned to see Malfoy was right there, staring into his eyes.
"Let go of me," he said evenly.
Malfoy released his grip on Harry's arm, but didn't move away, he again turned his gaze to Mel.
"What are you doing hanging out with him?" he asked jerking his thumb at Harry. Mel rolled her eyes.
"Look, just because you don't like him doesn't mean I have to feel the same."
"He's the reason Slytherin lost fifty points!" Malfoy said loudly. Mel looked at Harry questioningly but he didn't see it. He was giving Malfoy the same look.
"No I'm not," he said finally, "what did you lose fifty points for?"
Malfoy's face turned so red it was almost comical; Harry had to stifle a laugh.
"You think you're funny, don't you?" he asked icily.
"I'm not trying to be funny," Harry said honestly, "and I don't have time for this right now." He gave Malfoy one last glance, before turning back towards the library.
It was the look on Mel's face that gave it away, he began to turn around, but wasn't quick enough. Crabbe and Goyle had taken a hold of his arms and pulled him into the hallway. He felt his back hit the wall and winced slightly at the pain that shot up his spine.
Malfoy stepped in front of him. Harry struggled to free his arms, but couldn't do anything as he watched Malfoy reach into his robes and pull out his wand.
"What are you doing?" Mel whispered fiercely, running up next to Draco. He never took his eyes off Harry, who despite his situation smiled at Mel. She was taking his side!
"Go back into the library Mel, I'll come get you in a minute," Malfoy said.
"No! You're being stupid! Our house is already in enough trouble right now with losing fifty points, you're just going to get us into more trouble!"
And in that moment it was clear to Harry, she didn't care about him, only that her house didn't lose any more points. The fact that she was helping him was coincidental. He looked away from her and back to Malfoy.
"Look," Harry began, still trying to free his arms, "whatever happened that made you lose points, I had nothing to do with it. Is cursing me really going to improve things?" He looked at Malfoy earnestly; it was all in his hands now.
"Maybe it'll just make me feel better," Malfoy shrugged. He brought his wand up and held it directly in front of Harry's face.
Fear was now creeping its way into Harry's stomach. He didn't think Malfoy would do anything bad to him, especially not inside the school. But when they had dueled at the end of last year, he had sent some pretty dangerous curses Harry's way.
Suddenly Mel sprung forward, snatching Malfoy's wand from his grasp.
"Hey!" he yelled turning on her. "Give it back!"
"Shhh!!" she hissed, then pointed behind him. Everyone turned to look.
Marzia was walking up the corridor; she had just caught sight of them and was very close now.
"What are you all doing?" she asked, looking at the five of them. Her eyes fell on Crabbe and Goyle, holding Harry's arms, and she arched an eyebrow at them. They laughed nervously and quickly released him. Harry stepped away from them, towards Marzia.
"Well?" she asked.
"I was just on my way to the library with Harry," Mel spoke up, "and we ran into Draco and his friends. So we stopped to talk for a moment."
"It looked like more than talking to me," Marzia said glaring at Draco, then she turned to Harry. "Is that all you were doing?"
He nodded.
"That's all," he said quietly.
She looked at him skeptically but nodded.
"Well, all of you get going, it's almost time for class and you'll be late if you wait any longer."
They all nodded at her.
"Harry," Marzia said as he began to step past her, "walk with me, won't you?"
He threw her a questioning glance before responding.
"Sure, alright" then he turned to Mel, "See you later."
"Bye!" she called cheerily, then turned and walked away with the others.
Harry walked next to Marzia in silence for a few moments, thinking of Mel. Why couldn't he just think of her like he did anyone else, it wasn't as if she exhibited any real concern towards him, not when it came to her house at least. But he wanted to believe that she had been trying to stop Draco for him, and not because of the possibility that Slytherin could've lost points.
"You like her, don't you?"
"Huh?" Harry asked, looking at Marzia. He had been completely lost in his thoughts.
"That girl back there. You like her?"
"Well.sure. As a friend," Harry said, uncertainly.
"Uh-huh." Marzia replied with an amused grin on her face.
"Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?" Harry asked. "I don't want to sound rude but, it seems a bit strange that this is why you asked me to walk with you."
"No that wasn't the reason I wanted to talk to you, but since I see that you're fond of her, I thought I'd ask. You do know she's part Veela, don't you?" Marzia asked.
Harry's jaw dropped.
"She is?" he asked. "But, she doesn't look like any Veela I've seen."
"Well, the Veela in her is several generations back, though it still has a strong enough effect, I see." She looked at Harry and winked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked smirking at her. "And how do you know that about her anyway?"
"I used to go to school here, remember? I knew her parents. Her mother had the same effect on boys that she seems to."
"Effect?" Harry asked. "What do you mean? You only saw us together for a moment."
"And in that moment she lied, and you went along with it for her. I know you didn't do it for Draco," Marzia replied. "Then when you said good-bye to her, the look in your eyes.you're falling for her, aren't you?"
"What!?" Harry exclaimed then promptly blushed. He hadn't meant to yell. "I am not, she's just a friend, not a very good one either," he said crossly thinking of her attitude towards the truth when it came to house points. "Besides, I have a girlfriend."
"Yes Sirius was telling me, Cho Chang, right?" Marzia asked.
Harry nodded.
"Yep," he said proudly.
"Well, if you want to keep it that way, I suggest you fill your head with thoughts of Cho whenever you're around Mel. Now, are you going to tell me what really happened back there?"
Harry looked into Marzia's eyes and saw she wasn't going to settle for anything less than the truth. He sighed deeply.
"Malfoy was just a bit irritated about his house losing points. I guess they lost fifty points for something, and he thinks it's my fault, but I have no idea what he's talking about."
"Well, it was his own fault that Slytherin lost points," Marzia said matter-of-factly.
"So it was something he did then?" Harry asked, wanting to know what it was. Marzia nodded.
"Oh yes, you were there for it, remember, the Erumpent charging? Hagrid and Professor Gazten both knew it was Malfoy's Erumpent that charged, but we couldn't figure out if it had been provoked by him, or if something else set it off."
"Well I'm guessing that since Slytherin lost fifty points you found out it was Malfoy, but how did you find out?" Harry asked.
"A Gryffindor student saw what he did, and reported it to Professor Dumbledore. Apparently Malfoy was trying to burn its tail off and ended up burning the creature. The burn marks didn't show up on the rough skin of the animal and so Professor Dumbledore had to use a revealing charm to see that was indeed what had happened."
Harry was a bit surprised, not about the tail-burning because Wormtail had told him that the night before. He had actually been planning on reporting Malfoy himself today. But he didn't think any of the students out there had seen what happened. Most of them were busy watching him try to get over to Malfoy.
"Who saw him?" Harry asked.
"The student asked Dumbledore that their name not be revealed, I guess they're afraid that Malfoy will try and do something to them, sort of like what happened to you today.
"Malfoy blames me for all his problems," Harry said rolling his eyes. Then he shrugged. "Oh well, I'm used to it by now."
They had been talking as they walked through the halls, and Harry didn't realize they were already at the door to his next class.
"Don't get into any trouble now, got it?" Marzia asked, smiling at him. "And steer clear of Malfoy, for a little while anyway."
Harry laughed.
"Don't worry, I always try to do that." He waved at her before turning and heading into the class.
The weekend arrived at last, and with it came quidditch practice. Harry had decided on Friday that they should start right away, seeing as how the team hadn't played together since early last year. So he woke early on Saturday morning, grabbed his Moontrimmer, and headed down to breakfast. The only other member of the team in the great hall was Su Chang.
"Hey Su," Harry smiled, sitting down across from her, "How are you?"
"Hello Harry," she smiled back. "I'm great, can't wait to get started practicing though. Hopefully we get to play the full season this year."
Harry felt the blood rushing to his face and he lowered his head. He knew the season was cancelled because of him last year.
"I hope so too," he mumbled.
She waited till he looked back up at her before reaching across and giving him a reassuring pat on his arm.
"Don't worry about that now, nothing you could've done," she said gently. "Besides," she smirked, "we still have this year, and I want to win the quidditch cup before you leave!"
Harry beamed at her, marveling at how it seemed all women, no matter how young or old, were able to read your expressions and know exactly what you were thinking.
"You're right," Harry said jubilantly, "and we're going to!"
As the two of them began to eat they talked about their summers, and anything that didn't involve the past week. Harry was very grateful that Su didn't ask anything about all the strange things that had been happening around him lately, as he knew she must have heard about them. Everyone in the school seemed to stare at him wherever he went now, more so than they ever did before.
"So I can't wait for Hogsmeade," Su was saying, excitedly, "it's the first year I'm allowed to go."
"Oh you'll love it!" Harry replied, animatedly. "There's so much to do, and you have to try the butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, it's the best!"
They talked for a few more minutes about all the shops to visit and soon the rest of the team arrived. Ron was the last person to make it to the table, looking as if he'd been hit by a truck.
"Why do we practice so early?" he asked in a whiney voice. "Isn't Saturday long enough that we can get up after the sun rises?"
Harry just shook his head and laughed to himself.
"Oh stop complaining," he said, giving Ron and affectionate punch in the arm. "And eat your breakfast, we need to get practicing!"
When they had finished eating, the team made their way to the quidditch pitch, brooms in hand. They went to the changing rooms first, so Harry could talk to them before practice.
"Well," he began, "what I want to do, is try out some harder maneuvers than we've used in the past. Now I'm not one for big, long, drawn out explanations, because the best way to learn it is to do it. But if you want me to go through everything here first, I will." he trailed off looking around.
Everyone was shaking their head vigorously.
"Alright then," Harry said with a smile, "let's get out there."
For the first few minutes everyone took a few laps around the pitch. They began by reviewing a lot of the things they had gone over last year. After a half hour, Harry told them they were going to try some new formations.
"Okay, what we're going to do first is a maneuver only the chasers can use," Harry began looking at Ginny, Su and Ray. "It's called a Porskoff Ploy. The way it works is whichever one of you is carrying the Quaffle has to fly upwards; hopefully the chasers on the other team take the bait and follow you. When you've got them far enough away from the others, drop the Quaffle to one of your fellow Chasers who will be waiting to catch it. With the other team's chasers out of the way, the only thing you have to do is get it past the keeper without being hit by a bludger."
They looked at him with wide eyes, silently.
"What, don't think you can do it?" he asked, tauntingly. That was all it took, their faces hardened in expressions of resolve and Harry knew he had them.
"Who wants to go first?" he asked.
The three chasers took turns letting one of them fly it up into the air with the quaffle, while Dean and Natalie acted as the opposing chasers. They found it was much harder than it sounded to drop the Quaffle accurately enough so that their teammate would catch it, while at the same time not dropping it so close that an opposing chaser could seize it.
The problem came when Ginny was the one in possession of the Quaffle and tried to take it up into the air. She was using Fred's old broom, a Cleansweep, and it wasn't cut out for the heights she needed to reach.
"I can't make it," she finally said flying over to Harry, out of breath from her efforts. "Sorry," she added apologetically. Harry thought for a moment. It would do no good to just say that she would always be one of the chasers to catch the quaffle because you never knew how the game was going to play out, and who would be required to do what. Suddenly, an idea struck him
"Hang on a minute," he said, then flew down to the ground. The rest of the team followed him and were giving him questioning looks.
"I'm just going to head up to the school for a moment, I'll be right back. You guys keep practicing while I'm gone."
Harry took off and ran all the way back up to the school. Once inside he headed straight for the Gryffindor tower. He passed a few students here and there, but no one he recognized. When he was in the common room, he went up to his dorm and over to his closet, pulling out his Firebolt. He knew Ginny would love to use this and it would certainly be much better than the outdated broom she was using. He quickly shut his closet, ran downstairs and went back into the hallway. He had only made it a few steps, however, when he heard a voice behind him.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
Harry spun around to see Mel standing a few feet away from him.
She stepped a bit closer to him and he quickly realized his mouth was open. He shut it with a snap and cleared his throat.
"I'm going back out to the pitch, for quidditch practice," he answered. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm on my way back from the north tower," she answered, casually. "I had to ask Professor Trelawny a few questions about one of her assignments." As if to confirm this she held up a few scrolls in her left hand.
"You take divination too?" Harry asked, trying not to sound as disgusted as he felt over the subject. Mel nodded at him. "Are you good at it?" he continued.
At this Mel actually laughed out loud.
"Are you kidding? That lady's a quack! She hasn't got a clue on what she's talking about."
A smile spread across Harry's face.
"Can't argue with you there," he said. "Well, I better get going, the team's waiting for me."
"Is that your broom?" she asked, cutting him off.
"Huh?" Harry asked.
Mel extended her arm and pointed at the Firebolt.
"Is that your broom?"
Harry glanced down and then back at her.
"This?" he asked holding it up, immediately feeling stupid for asking. "Um.yes, it's mine."
"Can I see it?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
"Sure," Harry answered uncertainly. He held out the Firebolt and cautiously handed it to her.
"Wow, never thought I'd get to hold one of these," she said, staring at the broom in awe.
"The first time I saw one, neither did I," Harry replied. He was sounding cheerful enough, but didn't take his eyes off the broom while she held it. He wouldn't put it past her to do something that would gain her house points, even if he was right there watching her.
"I'm sorry," he spoke up again, "but I really have to get back now, everyone's waiting for me."
"Okay, sure," she said smiling. "Sorry to hold you up." She handed the broom back to him carefully.
"Don't worry about it," he said. "See you later!" He waved at her before turning and heading back towards the main entrance. Once she was out of sight he gave a frustrated sigh. He had wanted to confront her on her actions the other day, but couldn't quite bring himself to do it. He had to admit to himself that he did like her, and hoped it wasn't just because she was part Veela.
As he reached the doors he shook these thoughts from his head, it was time to concentrate on quidditch. He ran out into the fresh air, and headed back down to the pitch.
When he reached the others he headed straight for Ginny and thrust the Firebolt into her hands and her jaw dropped.
"Try that," he said with a smile.
"Are you sure? You'll let me use your Firebolt?" Ginny asked in amazement.
"Well I'm not gonna use it," Harry laughed. "And you'll be able to get the height you need, so might as well get some use out of it."
Ginny let out a squeal of excitement. She put the broom down and flung her arms around Harry's neck.
"Thank you!" she cried. When she pulled back she was wearing the biggest smile Harry had ever seen.
"Now, I want to see you up there practicing," he said pointing. "Got it?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright, let's go," he said with a smirk.
The team practiced for two more hours, going over and over the Porskoff Ploy. By the end of the session they were pretty good at it.
"Great job guys!" Harry told them after they all had landed. We'll go over that some more next practice, and if you're up to it, we'll start learning a new one."
They headed back up to the school together, Harry, Ron and Ginny lagging behind the others. When they walked up the steps Ron stepped through the doors first and abruptly stopped moving, causing Harry to slam into his back.
"What are you.?" Harry began.
"Shhh!" Ron cut him off. Harry looked around Ron to see Percy was a few feet away from them, speaking with Professor McGonagall. He turned however when he saw the door open and was glaring past Ron at Harry. Professor McGonagall followed his gaze, and looked at Percy questioningly.
"I'll take you to see the headmaster now, Mr. Weasley," she said firmly. Percy didn't respond, just kept glaring, until McGonagall reached out a hand and touched his arm. He sprung back as if she had bit him, and rubbed his arm. She gave him an irritated look, then turned and began walking. "Follow me please, Mr. Weasley."
Percy gave one more resentful glance to Harry, before finally turning to follow McGonagall.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked when Percy was out of sight. Ron just looked at him miserably.
"I have to go, research.something." he said hastily, then before Harry could answer, he turned and headed back towards the Gryffindor Tower.
"Well, that was the worst lie I've ever heard," Harry said out loud, not sure if he should be offended or not. He turned and looked at Ginny. "I suppose you aren't going to tell me what just happened either?"
Ginny looked into Harry's eyes, clearly not wanting to say anything.
"Look," he began, "I know Percy doesn't seem to like me very much anymore, I've known that since last year."
"You do?" Ginny said, looking up, startled.
"When Fudge was found, insane, some of the ministry members came to ask me a few questions. Since I was the last one who supposedly saw him sane, though I'd argue the fact he was sane at that time. Percy seemed downright horrified that I would even suggest Fudge had tried to kidnap me, he and Thurston thought I made the whole thing up."
"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Ginny exclaimed.
"There didn't seem any need to. I just told you that some of the ministry didn't believe me, which was the truth. I didn't see a reason to say anything bad about Percy to you, and I'd hoped it wasn't something that would last." He looked over his shoulder towards the hallway Percy had went down and sighed, quietly. "I guess it did though."
"Well, Ron probably wouldn't have left if he knew you knew," Ginny said.
"If he knew I knew?" Harry asked. "Ginny, what's going on?"
"Percy.well, he's been acting very strange for quite some time now," she said sadly. She looked down, as if ashamed, trying to hide her face.
"Hey," Harry said, "don't be upset, whatever it is, it's not your fault."
"I know it's not," she said looking back up at him, tears in her eyes. "It's just." she trailed off.
"Let's walk," he said, taking her hand in his. "C'mon, it'll be better than talking about this right here."
"Where to?" Ginny asked, taking a step forward.
"Anywhere, it doesn't matter," Harry said smiling.
"Okay," Ginny said uncertainly.
They started down the closest hallway, and walked for a few moments in silence. Harry didn't pressure her any; he saw by her facial expression that she wanted to tell him something, so he waited. Finally, she sighed heavily, and turned to him.
"Harry, Percy hasn't just been acting strange, he's been acting mean," Ginny began.
"Ron mentioned that over the summer, but he didn't say much else. He hasn't hurt you right?" Harry asked immediately.
Ginny shook her head quickly.
"No! Nothing like that, but my mum's all torn up over it. She doesn't sleep much anymore."
"Ginny, I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. I know what it's like to be mistreated by relatives, but to go from being close with them first, to this," Harry shook his head, sadly. "I can't imagine that."
"He isn't the same person Harry. He looks like Percy but he doesn't act like him. The slightest things set him off; he's more irritable than he ever was before."
"Did you ever ask him why? I mean, try and talk to him about it?" Harry asked.
Ginny nodded.
"Hundreds of times, he would either ignore me or tell me to mind my own business. He would go on and on, ranting to anyone who'd listen about all the problems of the ministry and the horrible changes that were occurring. And it seemed that everything that happened.well." she trailed off.
Harry waited, trying hard not to prompt her on. It was obviously a very stressful situation and he didn't want to pressure her.
"He blames it on you," she said finally, almost whispering.
Harry looked at her, stunned.
"Why?" he finally managed to ask.
"I don't know!" she wailed. "But he would say the nastiest things about you, and mum would scold him for it. Then they would get into a huge argument that would last for hours. Ron and I were constantly trying to find things to do out of the house, so we wouldn't have to be around for them, as they'd happen every day. Percy finally ended up moving out, saying he couldn't bear to live with a family that refused to see the truth about.about someone who was so obviously trying to create chaos and give the ministry a bad reputation." Ginny didn't look at Harry when she said this, she couldn't bear to meet his eyes.
"I never knew he felt so strongly about it," Harry said, he hadn't really known what to expect, but what he'd just heard left him feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
"None of us knew," Ginny said. "And Ron couldn't bear to tell you. He's very embarrassed by Percy's behavior, not that I'm not, but I thought you deserved to know."
Harry gave her a weak smile.
"I'm glad you did. I still wish I knew what happened to first make him feel this way, but at least I have more of an idea now." He stopped talking and looked around.
"Where are we?" Ginny asked, as if reading his thoughts.
"I think we're in the dungeon area," Harry answered, wishing he'd paid a bit more attention to where they had been walking while they talked. "C'mon, let's head back. I don't like to be down here when I don't have to be."
"I couldn't agree with you more," Ginny said. The two of them began taking very quick steps to get out of there, apparently they had walked for quite a ways, as it was taking longer than either of them expected. They were coming to the end of one hallway, when Harry suddenly felt very cold. His first thought was it was Wormtail again and he stopped walking to look around. Ginny stopped too and looked at him questioningly.
"Why did you stop?" she asked, rubbing her hands together. Harry's eyes widened.
"You feel it too?" he asked.
"Feel what?" she replied.
"The cold.are you cold?"
Ginny nodded.
"Very cold, could we please move now, I really, really don't want to be here anymore.
"Can you see me yet?" Wormtail asked, sounding bored. Harry just looked at him, confused. Then he realized not only could he see him, he could see through him. It was Peter Pettigrew's ghost.
"Why are you here?" he finally managed to ask. He wasn't cold anymore, and he had stopped shaking.
"Who are you talking to?" Ron asked, giving Harry a wary look.
Harry looked at Ron with wide eyes.
"You.you can't see him?" he asked weakly.
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance before looking at Harry.
"Who do you think is there?" Hermione asked, gently.
Harry's jaw dropped.
"What do you mean who do I think is there? Are you telling me neither of you see Wormtail standing by the portrait hole? It's his ghost!" He looked anxiously back and forth between the two of them before turning to Wormtail. "Why can't they see you?" he asked.
Wormtail shrugged.
"I don't know. Maybe for the same reason you haven't been able to see me." he said.
"What? How long have you been here?" Harry asked.
"Since I died. I've been stuck with you since I died." Wormtail's eyes flashed with anger when he said this, before resuming the glassed over look they had previously shown.
Harry's eyes couldn't possibly get any wider.
"Okay, time to get you to the hospital wing," Hermione said firmly. She and Ron both grabbed Harry by the arms and started moving towards the portrait hole.
"Stop, I don't need to go there," Harry said, trying to shrug them away. They stopped but didn't let go.
"You're seeing things Harry. Wormtail isn't there and the map." Ron trailed off.
"The map was right! Peter is here and he's standing right over there!" Harry exclaimed. "I don't know why you can't see him but nothing Madam Pomfrey can give me will change the fact that he's there! I'm not hallucinating!"
"Ghosts can't become selectively invisible," Hermione said calmly. "There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to see him too."
"Maybe there is, though! How can you be so sure?" Harry countered, then continued quickly, "Just let me see if I can figure out what's going on, okay?"
He looked at his friends, pleading with them. Finally they let go of him.
"Thank you," he said.
"You're going to Dumbledore one way or the other when you've finished whatever it is you're doing," Hermione said seriously.
Harry nodded at her, thinking he'd probably want to do that anyway, before turning back to Wormtail.
"Why are you here?" Harry asked.
Wormtail shrugged, again.
"I don't know. If I had a choice I most certainly wouldn't be here."
"Why don't you have a choice?" he asked, completely confused.
"You tell me!" Wormtail replied so loudly that Harry took a step back. "I've not been able to get more than a few miles away from you, believe me I've tried! Many, many times!"
"So you think I'm keeping you around? Not by choice, I'll tell you that!" Harry retorted angrily. Both of them glared, darkly at each other in silence, until Wormtail finally spoke again.
"You should be thanking me, you know," he muttered, indignantly. Harry stared at him in shock.
"For what, exactly?" he asked.
"For taking your place, that's what! I died for you!"
"No you didn't," Harry replied quietly. "You died for Voldemort. You had enough power to do any spell or curse or hex in the world but you chose to do the one Voldemort wanted you to."
"Only because you gave it to me," Wormtail shot back.
"That's right, I did," Harry said coldly. This was getting him nowhere, he thought. He had to figure out why Wormtail was there and how to get rid of him.
"So," he began, forcing himself to sound calm, "are you the reason I keep getting these.feelings?"
Wormtail smirked at him.
"You mean when you get all sick and cold?" he asked sweetly. "I think that is me, yes."
"Why are you doing it?" Harry asked, not liking the fact that someone could do this to him without him being able to stop it.
"You have to even ask?" Wormtail replied. "Don't you see when they're happening?"
"Usually before something bad happens," Harry said. Then he thought about it for a minute. "Hang on, you were warning me?" he asked incredulously.
Wormtail nodded.
"That's right," he said.
Harry's head was hurting, not for any other reason than he was utterly confused. He forced himself to concentrate on the situation.
"Okay, so why were you warning me then?" he asked.
Wormtail avoided Harry's eyes, looking at the floor, the ceiling, anywhere but at him.
"Well?" Harry prompted.
"Does it matter? I just did, okay?"
"Right, out of the goodness of your heart, I'm sure," Harry quipped. He rolled his eyes and Wormtail looked at him indignantly.
"Well why not?"
"Are you serious? You are the reason I have no parents, the reason Sirius spent twelve years in jail. Voldemort wouldn't have been able to come back to power so easily if you hadn't.hadn't." Harry trailed off, not wanting to think about that night. When he looked back up, he saw Wormtail staring at him, fear in his eyes.
"What?" Harry asked, not understanding what he could be scared of.
"Look, neither of us are happy with this situation," Wormtail began. "Isn't there something you can do to just release me? So that I can at least leave the school grounds?"
"If I knew how to do that I'dve done it already," Harry said. He turned to Ron and Hermione, who were looking very worried. Great, he thought, they think I'm completely insane.
"I'm going to talk to Dumbledore," he said to them, then turned and started towards the portrait hole. Wormtail, however, didn't move.
"No!" he said. "Please?"
"Why not?" Harry asked. "If anyone will know what to do it'll be him." Then the reason for the fear in Wormtail's eyes was suddenly clear to Harry. "You think he's going to do something to you?" he asked, trying not to smile.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Wormtail said, doing a bad job of lying. "I just don't see what help he could be. Your friends can't see me, he probably won't be able to either."
"I'm going anyway," Harry said. "And standing in front of the door isn't going to stop me, you're a ghost, remember?" He began to move forward again, hesitating for just a second before reaching a hand through Wormtail, who still refused to move. His arm immediately felt as if he had shoved it into a bucket of ice and he quickly pushed at the portrait to swing it open, but it wouldn't budge. Wormtail was somehow managing to keep it shut.
He pulled his arm back.
"Get out of the way."
Wormtail shook his head.
"No. We're going to figure this out here."
Hermione and Ron walked over and stopped on either side of Harry.
"What's the matter?" Ron asked.
"He won't let me open the door," Harry answered, clenching his teeth.
Ron and Hermione exchanged yet another worried look, before Ron shrugged and then reached for the portrait to push it open. Harry watched as his hand touched Wormtail's transparent form, and he pulled it back as quickly as if it had been burned.
"Bloody hell! It's freezing!" he exclaimed, rubbing his hand.
"It's because you touched him," Harry said. "But that's not what's keeping us in, he's blocked the door somehow."
"I touched him? Eww." Ron said in disgust.
"Here, let me try," Hermione said stepping in front of the portrait. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the icy feeling she knew was coming, and put her hand forward. She inhaled sharply when she made contact with Wormtail, but pushed her hand through all the way. Harry and Ron held their breath, waiting.
After what felt like an eternity, the portrait swung open and Wormtail dove after it, but he wasn't fast enough. Harry, Ron and Hermione were through it before he could shut it on them.
"Fine!" he shouted. "But don't expect me to go with you for your little chat! I may not be able to leave the school grounds, but I don't have to be in the same room as you!" Harry looked at Wormtail throwing his pathetic temper tantrum and watched him disappear in a huff, before he turned back to Hermione.
"How did you do that?" he asked, smiling. But a look of concern quickly replaced it when he saw Hermione. She was trying not to cry while clutching her arm. Ron was at her side in an instant.
"Let me see," he said gently taking her arm. It was very red and felt raw.
"I'll be okay," she said as tears of pain rolled down her cheeks.
"You have to see Madam Pomfrey, now," Ron said, but she didn't budge.
"I want to know what's going on," she said firmly. "I'll go to the hospital wing after we've seen Dumbledore."
"But." Ron started.
"No," Hermione cut him off. Then she pulled her arm back and began walking. Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged, then turned and hurried to catch up with her.
"I'll remember this the next time you tell me to get to the hospital wing," Harry said grinning down at her.
"This hardly makes us even," Hermione replied quickly. "It's no where near as bad as what you usually have to go for."
"So how did you get the door open?" Ron asked finally.
"I just sprung the lock," Hermione said. "I knew he had to be holding the piece that turns whenever we say the password from outside. I just pushed the button that releases it. That's why it opened too fast for him to stop, it was almost ejecting it."
"Clever, clever," Ron said putting his arm around her. Harry smiled at his friends, again thinking of Cho as he saw them holding each other. He missed her very much, and hoped his letter would get to her quickly.
But now was not the time to think about Cho. He had to tell Dumbledore what had happened, and figure out a way to get rid of Wormtail. He certainly didn't want to spend the rest of his life being trailed by that slimy git. Even as a ghost he hated him. Thinking of this made him quicken his pace, the sooner they figured out what to do, the better.
They reached Dumbledore's office without incident, said the password and raced inside. It was very dark when they walked in however. They had completely forgotten how late it was.
"What do we do now?" Hermione asked, whispering.
"I don't know," Harry admitted. He had never run across this problem before. "I guess we come back tomorrow. I don't know where Dumbledore sleeps."
Just then all the candles in the room lit themselves, and a fire rose up in the fireplace. The three of them glanced around, nervously, unsure what to expect, when Dumbledore walked in from a door in the back. He gave a great yawn as he slowly shuffled into the room, and stopped when he was in front of them.
"What are you three doing here so late?" he asked sleepily. Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked at each other, smiling. Dumbledore was wearing a white dressing gown with little blue moons all over it and a matching nightcap. He looked more like a very large child, except for the long silvery beard. But when he gave them an expectant look, Harry cleared his throat and took a step forward.
"Sir, um.something happened earlier," he began. "Wormtail's ghost is here and it seems he can't get more than a few miles from wherever I am."
Dumbledore's eyebrows rose slightly.
"Interesting." he said. "Come in, have a seat. Please, tell me, how did you find this out?"
When they were all seated Harry went on to explain about the feelings he had gotten just before the incident with Gridman, and again in the Erumpent pen. He told him how it happened again earlier that evening in the common room and how this time he felt there was someone in the room with them. When they checked the map, it didn't show anyone other than students, so he explained how he once again asked it for assistance. After a brief recount of what Padfoot had said, he told how the map began writing the words 'Peter's Here' over and over.
"So the map was unable to see him?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded.
"Yes, but it was the same for Ron and Hermione. I was the only one who could see him."
"And when did you?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry continued with his story, telling him of the conversation that took place between them, and how he didn't want them to come here tonight. Then he explained how they were able to get past him, and headed straight for the office.
"So," Harry said after he finished, "is there any way for me to get rid of him?"
Dumbledore sat, stroking his chin with a contemplative look in his eyes. After a few moments, he stood and walked across the room to the window. Harry, Ron and Hermione just looked at each other, not sure if they should try to say something or not. Finally Dumbledore spoke.
"I can't recall anything like this ever happening before."
"Never?" Harry asked, standing, hoping he'd heard wrong.
Dumbledore shook his head, and shuffled back over to them.
"Never. That's not to say it hasn't, but I will need time to research it further."
"How much time?" Harry asked, trying not to sound impatient.
Dumbledore just chuckled at him.
"Mr. Potter, I know you are anxious to be rid of Wormtail. But for the time being he does have some usefulness."
"Not exactly," Harry replied. "Both times he tried to warn me I never really got the message, just a bad feeling."
"I suspect that's because you couldn't see or hear him properly until now."
"Well why now then? What's so special about tonight that made me able to see him?"
"Tonight is the first time you tried to figure out what those feelings were, correct? I think that's why. You wanted to see what was causing the feelings and you somehow forced him to show himself."
"Great. So how can I force him to be invisible until he's gone?"
"Harry," Hermione spoke up, tentatively. "Don't you see? He may be able to help you. It may not be help you want but if he can alert you to danger before it happens." she trailed off.
"You're right," Harry said sharply. "It isn't help I want," he turned away from them for a moment, thinking. "But," he shrugged, "it doesn't look like there's any other choice.for now," he added pointedly.
Ron, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
"Why was Harry able to force Wormtail to reveal himself?"
Dumbledore smiled at him.
"I think Mr. Potter has a certain amount of control over Peter's ghost."
"I do?" Harry asked. "I wish I knew that when I was trying to get the portrait hole open."
"I do too," Hermione spoke up, sardonically. She rubbed her arm lightly, not wanting to irritate the rough skin.
"I trust you are going to see Madam Pomfrey about this tonight?" Dumbledore asked, giving Hermione a serious look. She nodded.
"Yes sir."
"Good," he said, then turned to Harry.
"I'd like you to try something," he began.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"I want you to call Wormtail here."
Harry stared at him blankly for a few moments.
"But.how?"
"However you did it before. You did something to make him show himself, whether he was trying to remain invisible or not, you were able to see him. I want you to try and bring him here, now. Can you do that?"
Harry had no idea if he could do it or not, but he was going to try. He nodded at Dumbledore, shut his eyes, and began concentrating. Clearing his mind of anything else, he thought of Wormtail only, waiting, for some sign showing he could hear him. Suddenly he shivered violently, almost losing his balance, but it was over quickly. When he opened his eyes, Wormtail was standing in front of him, looking shocked and afraid.
"I did it." Harry said in amazement.
"What did you do?" Wormtail asked fearfully. He obviously did not enjoy the idea that Harry had any amount of control over him.
"I brought you here," Harry said, smiling at him. He very much liked to see Wormtail looking scared and uncomfortable, without Voldemort being around.
"Where is he Harry?" Dumbledore spoke up. Harry had forgotten that he was the only one who could see Wormtail.
"Right in front of me," Harry said pointing.
"Curious," Dumbledore mused, stroking his chin and looking at the space in front of Harry. "I have a few questions, Mr. Pettigrew," he said firmly. Harry looked at Wormtail and could visibly see him gulp.
"Y-yes sir," he eeked out.
"He said yes," Harry told Dumbledore, who nodded.
"When did you first realize you couldn't get too far from wherever Harry is?" he asked.
"When he used the portkey, the cork, to get back to the school. I was pulled in with him."
"Since that night," Harry told Dumbledore, "when I used the portkey to get back, the cork that Fudge made into one."
"When was the first time you tried to speak with Harry?" Dumbledore continued.
"The night of the feast, first night of school," Wormtail answered.
"Gridman," Harry said.
"So you've been with him for three months and you never once tried to get his attention? Why is that? I would think if you wanted your freedom, so to speak, you would have tried to get his attention much sooner."
Harry noticed that each time Dumbledore spoke he looked right at the spot where he'd told him Wormtail was standing, and that Wormtail never once moved, or tried to leave the room. He didn't understand why though, if no one could see or touch him, why was he so afraid?
Wormtail stayed silent after Dumbledore's last question and after a few minutes Harry just looked at Dumbledore and shrugged.
"He's not answering."
Dumbledore's eyes flashed menacingly in Wormtail's direction and that was all it took.
"I didn't want him to know!" he yelled, even though Harry was the only one who could hear him. "I thought he wouldn't want anything to do with me so it was better off left alone."
"Well you certainly got that right," Harry retorted, before turning to Dumbledore and telling him what Wormtail said.
Dumbledore stayed silent for a few moments, seeming to be deep in thought. Harry, Ron and Hermione waited in silence, while Wormtail kept shifting on his feet, and fidgeting with his hands.
"I believe that you didn't want to reveal yourself," Dumbledore said finally, looking again in Wormtail's direction. "I also believe however, that you had no choice when you finally did speak to Harry. You were forced, in a way, to try and warn him. Is this correct?"
Wormtail looked miserably at Dumbledore, but finally nodded his head yes.
"He said yes," Harry muttered, somewhat disappointed. It wasn't too much of a shock really. Why would Wormtail try and help him? It wouldn't benefit him in any way. "What would force him to though?" he asked, turning to Dumbledore.
"I can only give you guesses," Dumbledore replied quietly.
"So anytime Harry's in trouble Wormtail is forced to tell him about it?" Ron asked, smiling. He saw nothing but potential in this new development.
Dumbledore returned the smile.
"It would seem so, for the time being at least."
"Wicked."
"Please keep in mind," Dumbledore said firmly, "this is all just suspicion, we have nothing to prove any of this to be true. Just because it has happened twice, doesn't mean there's no way around it."
Harry looked from Dumbledore to Ron, who was quite happy with the situation, then to Hermione, who had been very silent throughout most of their discussion.
"What do you think of all this?" he asked her. She looked up at him slowly, as if coming out of a daze.
"I think that Professor Dumbledore is right, we need more facts, less guessing."
Harry agreed with her, even as a ghost he had no trust for Wormtail, no matter what he may do to help him. If he ever found a chance to turn on Harry, and it seemed like it may benefit him, he'd do it in a heartbeat.
"Can.can I go now?" Wormtail spoke up, timidly. Harry glared at him. He knew that he had to take any help he could get, but he very much didn't like the idea of spending so much time with Wormtail.
"He wants to know if he can leave," Harry said to Dumbledore, jerking a thumb in Wormtail's direction.
"You may," Dumbledore replied, showing no emotion at all. Harry watched as Wormtail slowly faded out of view. He still had a few questions for him, but they would have to wait. Then, as if reading his mind, Dumbledore spoke up.
"I know you have many questions, but it will take time to get all the answers. For now, I think it's time you all get to sleep. Miss Granger, please have Madam Pomfrey look at that arm, I will let her know you're on your way."
Hermione nodded at him as she stood up. The three of them said goodnight to Dumbledore and headed back out of the office.
Ron and Hermione walked with Harry back to the portrait of the fat lady. He went inside while they continued on to the hospital wing.
"Would you mind?" he had asked Hermione on their way to the tower. "I just don't want to go back down there right now. I've seen enough of it to last me the year."
"Don't worry about it, there's no point in all of us going," Hermione replied.
"Well, I'm still going with you," Ron said, then quickly continued as Hermione opened her mouth to protest, "and don't even try. There's nothing you can say that will stop me."
"Wanna bet?" Hermione asked, pulling her wand out of her robes and fingering the tip of it, grinning wickedly at Ron.
He gave her a mock horrified look and she broke down in giggles.
"You wouldn't." he trailed off.
"No, not for something like this anyway," she replied with a sly smile.
"Good. Wait, what? You mean you'd do it for something else?" he asked with wide eyes.
"Oh look, we're here," she said, changing the subject as the portrait of the fat lady came into view. "See you later Harry!" she called pleasantly. Harry waved good-bye as he watched them walk off down the hall. Ron was still trying to get Hermione to explain herself. When they were out of sight, he turned to the portrait, said the password, and walked in.
"How did you do that?" he heard a voice ask as soon as he shut the portrait behind him. He looked up to see Wormtail standing in front of him.
"Go away," he said harshly and headed for the stairs to go to his dorm.
Wormtail didn't leave, but instead moved in front of Harry, blocking the door completely. Harry gave a frustrated sigh.
"Look, I'm really tired, it's been a very long day, just move, will you?" he asked. He was in no rush to step through Wormtail, remembering the unpleasant feeling that had come over him when Nearly- Headless Nick had moved through him so long ago.
"I want you to tell me how you did that first," Wormtail said stubbornly, refusing to move.
"Did what?" Harry almost yelled, exasperatedly. "Called you? I don't know. I just concentrated on you being there and *poof* there you were. I only did it because Dumbledore asked me to, believe me."
"Well just don't make a habit of it, alright?" Wormtail asked, sounding very bossy. Harry suddenly grinned, sweetly at him.
"There's nothing you can do about it, is there? Now if you don't mind, I'd really like to get upstairs now."
"What if I tell you what Draco did?" Wormtail asked. Harry looked at him, confused for a moment.
"What are you talking about?"
"In the class earlier, when he made that thing charge at you, I can tell you what he did."
"What?" Harry asked immediately. But Wormtail just shook his head.
"You have to promise first, you won't do that again."
Harry looked at him carefully. He didn't want to promise anything to him. But on the other hand, he never really intended to call on him anyway. It wasn't like he had any desire to talk to him or anything. So finally, he just shrugged his shoulders and nodded.
"Fine, I promise," he said.
Wormtail waited a moment before replying, looking into Harry's eyes, trying to determine if he was lying or not.
"He burned it," he said finally.
"What? Why?" Harry asked.
"How should I know, I didn't talk to him," Wormtail said, shrugging. But from the looks of things you needed to collect the tail hairs, and he was trying to burn off its entire tail."
"So, he almost killed Mel, and put everyone in that pen in danger, because he was trying to cheat again? I can't believe him!" Harry yelled, feeling anger rising in him. Seeing the smirk on Wormtail's face wasn't helping matters any, but he didn't say anything. If he got much louder all the students would be downstairs wondering why he was making so much noise.
"Well, are we done then?" Harry asked, feeling irate. Wormtail didn't answer, just stepped out of the way, allowing Harry to step through the door and head upstairs.
The next morning at breakfast, Harry was surprised when Mel came over to his table in the great hall.
"Hey," she said, smiling brilliantly at him.
"Hello," he began, "what are you doing over here?"
He saw the smile on her face fall, and continued quickly.
"I didn't mean I don't want you here! You're always welcome! I was just wondering because I didn't think you wanted to." He smiled at her reassuringly, looking into her crystal blue eyes, and she finally returned it. He slid over a little, ignoring the disapproving looks from Ron and Ginny, and she sat down.
"You look like you didn't sleep at all!" Mel cried looking at the dark circles under Harry's eyes.
"I feel that way too," Harry said with a lopsided grin. "But it's not the first time, I'll just fall asleep early tonight."
Mel nodded at him. She looked around at the people sitting nearby. A few Gryffindors that were close by were giving her suspicious glances, but most were just ignoring her. She looked at Harry's friends; grinning politely, then back at Harry expectantly. He was watching the way her hair moved over her shoulders that he didn't realize he was staring until Hermione kicked his leg from under the table.
He inhaled sharply and glared at her, to see she was looking at him, waiting for something. Finally she sighed heavily and spoke.
"Are you going to introduce us?" she asked sounding exasperated.
"Oh! Sorry," Harry said, feeling his face turn red. "Melanie, these are my friends Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Ginny Weasley. Guys this is Melanie." he paused and looked at her. "I don't know your last name yet," he whispered. She smiled at him sweetly.
"It's Tristen, and you can call me Mel," she said to the others.
"Nice to meet you Mel," Hermione said smiling.
Ron however wasn't warming up so quickly, and Ginny was following his lead.
"Tristen, huh?" Ron started, ignoring Harry's warning look. "Don't know that name. I don't remember hearing it called our first year for the sorting."
"That doesn't surprise me. I don't remember yours either. Honestly the only person I do remember besides myself, is Harry's."
Harry blushed slightly. He knew it was only because of how well known his name is, but he had to admit he was happy she remembered him.
"So what do you want then?" Ginny spoke up, not sounding much like she cared. Mel looked at her, somewhat shocked.
"I think I'll talk to you later Harry," she said crisply, standing up. "It's obvious your friends don't want me here."
Before he even thought about it he jumped up from his seat with her.
"Wait, don't go!" he said.
"No, really. I want to grab a book from the library before class this morning, I should get down there before I don't have any time left."
"I'll go with you," he said hastily.
She looked at him with an amused smile and nodded.
"Do what you want," she said pleasantly.
He grabbed his things and waved goodbye to his friends, Hermione being the only one who didn't seem upset about this, before walking with Mel towards the doors.
When they stepped into the hallway, Harry immediately turned to Mel.
"I'm sorry about that," he said sincerely, looking into her eyes.
"You mean your friends?" she asked lightly. He nodded at her.
"They.well, Ron's not usually like that, with people he doesn't know anyway."
"It's okay, you don't have to explain. He doesn't trust me because I'm in Slytherin is really what it comes down to."
Harry didn't respond. He knew she was right but still didn't want to say it out loud. But before he could think of something to say, she spoke again.
"Ginny seems to be quite fond of you though, so she has a completely different reason from Ron. Maybe she thinks I'm a threat?" She glanced at Harry from the corner of her eye, before looking away.
"What? No, Ginny used to have somewhat of a crush on me.but now." Harry trailed off. She didn't still like him like that, did she?
"Okay, if you say so," Mel said.
"Wait, how can you even tell these things? You've only just met them; you were at our table for just a minute or two."
"Well Ron I've heard some things about, mostly from Draco, and I know that's why he doesn't like me. He doesn't like anyone in my house, and we're sort of fine with that," she replied nonchalantly.
"And Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Just something about the way she looked at me, the way she looked at you, no matter how long ago you think this crush thing was, she still feels for you."
"Well, it doesn't matter anyway," Harry said quickly. "She knows I have a girlfriend." he trailed off, realizing what he had just said. Then, just as quickly, wondered why he regretted saying it.
"A girlfriend?" Mel asked, almost off-handedly. Harry nodded.
"What's her name? Does she go here?"
"She used to go here, graduated last year. Her name's Cho Chang."
"Wow, I never would've guessed."
Harry was about to ask what that was supposed to mean, when they reached the Library and Mel began to push the door open. He put his arm out quickly to stop her, and grabbed hold of the door, holding it open for her.
"Thank you," she smiled, walking past him.
He waited until she was in and began to step in behind her, when he heard a voice behind him.
"Potter!" a very familiar voice yelled. Harry spun to see a very angry Draco Malfoy moving towards him, flanked on either side, by Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry waited for Malfoy to reach him before speaking.
"What is it now, Malfoy?" he asked, sounding as if he couldn't care less.
Malfoy's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Do you think I'm stupid? You know exactly what this is about!"
Harry grinned.
"Well, I won't answer that first question," he said calmly, "and I have no idea, truly, what you're on about."
Malfoy took a menacing step forward and opened his mouth to speak, when his eyes flickered to something behind Harry and he stopped. Harry turned to see Mel had come back over to the doorway and was looking back and forth between the two of them.
"Are you coming, Harry?" she asked finally.
Harry nodded and began to step into the library, when Malfoy grabbed his arm.
"Why can't you ever mind your own business?" he asked in a dangerously quiet voice. Harry turned to see Malfoy was right there, staring into his eyes.
"Let go of me," he said evenly.
Malfoy released his grip on Harry's arm, but didn't move away, he again turned his gaze to Mel.
"What are you doing hanging out with him?" he asked jerking his thumb at Harry. Mel rolled her eyes.
"Look, just because you don't like him doesn't mean I have to feel the same."
"He's the reason Slytherin lost fifty points!" Malfoy said loudly. Mel looked at Harry questioningly but he didn't see it. He was giving Malfoy the same look.
"No I'm not," he said finally, "what did you lose fifty points for?"
Malfoy's face turned so red it was almost comical; Harry had to stifle a laugh.
"You think you're funny, don't you?" he asked icily.
"I'm not trying to be funny," Harry said honestly, "and I don't have time for this right now." He gave Malfoy one last glance, before turning back towards the library.
It was the look on Mel's face that gave it away, he began to turn around, but wasn't quick enough. Crabbe and Goyle had taken a hold of his arms and pulled him into the hallway. He felt his back hit the wall and winced slightly at the pain that shot up his spine.
Malfoy stepped in front of him. Harry struggled to free his arms, but couldn't do anything as he watched Malfoy reach into his robes and pull out his wand.
"What are you doing?" Mel whispered fiercely, running up next to Draco. He never took his eyes off Harry, who despite his situation smiled at Mel. She was taking his side!
"Go back into the library Mel, I'll come get you in a minute," Malfoy said.
"No! You're being stupid! Our house is already in enough trouble right now with losing fifty points, you're just going to get us into more trouble!"
And in that moment it was clear to Harry, she didn't care about him, only that her house didn't lose any more points. The fact that she was helping him was coincidental. He looked away from her and back to Malfoy.
"Look," Harry began, still trying to free his arms, "whatever happened that made you lose points, I had nothing to do with it. Is cursing me really going to improve things?" He looked at Malfoy earnestly; it was all in his hands now.
"Maybe it'll just make me feel better," Malfoy shrugged. He brought his wand up and held it directly in front of Harry's face.
Fear was now creeping its way into Harry's stomach. He didn't think Malfoy would do anything bad to him, especially not inside the school. But when they had dueled at the end of last year, he had sent some pretty dangerous curses Harry's way.
Suddenly Mel sprung forward, snatching Malfoy's wand from his grasp.
"Hey!" he yelled turning on her. "Give it back!"
"Shhh!!" she hissed, then pointed behind him. Everyone turned to look.
Marzia was walking up the corridor; she had just caught sight of them and was very close now.
"What are you all doing?" she asked, looking at the five of them. Her eyes fell on Crabbe and Goyle, holding Harry's arms, and she arched an eyebrow at them. They laughed nervously and quickly released him. Harry stepped away from them, towards Marzia.
"Well?" she asked.
"I was just on my way to the library with Harry," Mel spoke up, "and we ran into Draco and his friends. So we stopped to talk for a moment."
"It looked like more than talking to me," Marzia said glaring at Draco, then she turned to Harry. "Is that all you were doing?"
He nodded.
"That's all," he said quietly.
She looked at him skeptically but nodded.
"Well, all of you get going, it's almost time for class and you'll be late if you wait any longer."
They all nodded at her.
"Harry," Marzia said as he began to step past her, "walk with me, won't you?"
He threw her a questioning glance before responding.
"Sure, alright" then he turned to Mel, "See you later."
"Bye!" she called cheerily, then turned and walked away with the others.
Harry walked next to Marzia in silence for a few moments, thinking of Mel. Why couldn't he just think of her like he did anyone else, it wasn't as if she exhibited any real concern towards him, not when it came to her house at least. But he wanted to believe that she had been trying to stop Draco for him, and not because of the possibility that Slytherin could've lost points.
"You like her, don't you?"
"Huh?" Harry asked, looking at Marzia. He had been completely lost in his thoughts.
"That girl back there. You like her?"
"Well.sure. As a friend," Harry said, uncertainly.
"Uh-huh." Marzia replied with an amused grin on her face.
"Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?" Harry asked. "I don't want to sound rude but, it seems a bit strange that this is why you asked me to walk with you."
"No that wasn't the reason I wanted to talk to you, but since I see that you're fond of her, I thought I'd ask. You do know she's part Veela, don't you?" Marzia asked.
Harry's jaw dropped.
"She is?" he asked. "But, she doesn't look like any Veela I've seen."
"Well, the Veela in her is several generations back, though it still has a strong enough effect, I see." She looked at Harry and winked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked smirking at her. "And how do you know that about her anyway?"
"I used to go to school here, remember? I knew her parents. Her mother had the same effect on boys that she seems to."
"Effect?" Harry asked. "What do you mean? You only saw us together for a moment."
"And in that moment she lied, and you went along with it for her. I know you didn't do it for Draco," Marzia replied. "Then when you said good-bye to her, the look in your eyes.you're falling for her, aren't you?"
"What!?" Harry exclaimed then promptly blushed. He hadn't meant to yell. "I am not, she's just a friend, not a very good one either," he said crossly thinking of her attitude towards the truth when it came to house points. "Besides, I have a girlfriend."
"Yes Sirius was telling me, Cho Chang, right?" Marzia asked.
Harry nodded.
"Yep," he said proudly.
"Well, if you want to keep it that way, I suggest you fill your head with thoughts of Cho whenever you're around Mel. Now, are you going to tell me what really happened back there?"
Harry looked into Marzia's eyes and saw she wasn't going to settle for anything less than the truth. He sighed deeply.
"Malfoy was just a bit irritated about his house losing points. I guess they lost fifty points for something, and he thinks it's my fault, but I have no idea what he's talking about."
"Well, it was his own fault that Slytherin lost points," Marzia said matter-of-factly.
"So it was something he did then?" Harry asked, wanting to know what it was. Marzia nodded.
"Oh yes, you were there for it, remember, the Erumpent charging? Hagrid and Professor Gazten both knew it was Malfoy's Erumpent that charged, but we couldn't figure out if it had been provoked by him, or if something else set it off."
"Well I'm guessing that since Slytherin lost fifty points you found out it was Malfoy, but how did you find out?" Harry asked.
"A Gryffindor student saw what he did, and reported it to Professor Dumbledore. Apparently Malfoy was trying to burn its tail off and ended up burning the creature. The burn marks didn't show up on the rough skin of the animal and so Professor Dumbledore had to use a revealing charm to see that was indeed what had happened."
Harry was a bit surprised, not about the tail-burning because Wormtail had told him that the night before. He had actually been planning on reporting Malfoy himself today. But he didn't think any of the students out there had seen what happened. Most of them were busy watching him try to get over to Malfoy.
"Who saw him?" Harry asked.
"The student asked Dumbledore that their name not be revealed, I guess they're afraid that Malfoy will try and do something to them, sort of like what happened to you today.
"Malfoy blames me for all his problems," Harry said rolling his eyes. Then he shrugged. "Oh well, I'm used to it by now."
They had been talking as they walked through the halls, and Harry didn't realize they were already at the door to his next class.
"Don't get into any trouble now, got it?" Marzia asked, smiling at him. "And steer clear of Malfoy, for a little while anyway."
Harry laughed.
"Don't worry, I always try to do that." He waved at her before turning and heading into the class.
The weekend arrived at last, and with it came quidditch practice. Harry had decided on Friday that they should start right away, seeing as how the team hadn't played together since early last year. So he woke early on Saturday morning, grabbed his Moontrimmer, and headed down to breakfast. The only other member of the team in the great hall was Su Chang.
"Hey Su," Harry smiled, sitting down across from her, "How are you?"
"Hello Harry," she smiled back. "I'm great, can't wait to get started practicing though. Hopefully we get to play the full season this year."
Harry felt the blood rushing to his face and he lowered his head. He knew the season was cancelled because of him last year.
"I hope so too," he mumbled.
She waited till he looked back up at her before reaching across and giving him a reassuring pat on his arm.
"Don't worry about that now, nothing you could've done," she said gently. "Besides," she smirked, "we still have this year, and I want to win the quidditch cup before you leave!"
Harry beamed at her, marveling at how it seemed all women, no matter how young or old, were able to read your expressions and know exactly what you were thinking.
"You're right," Harry said jubilantly, "and we're going to!"
As the two of them began to eat they talked about their summers, and anything that didn't involve the past week. Harry was very grateful that Su didn't ask anything about all the strange things that had been happening around him lately, as he knew she must have heard about them. Everyone in the school seemed to stare at him wherever he went now, more so than they ever did before.
"So I can't wait for Hogsmeade," Su was saying, excitedly, "it's the first year I'm allowed to go."
"Oh you'll love it!" Harry replied, animatedly. "There's so much to do, and you have to try the butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, it's the best!"
They talked for a few more minutes about all the shops to visit and soon the rest of the team arrived. Ron was the last person to make it to the table, looking as if he'd been hit by a truck.
"Why do we practice so early?" he asked in a whiney voice. "Isn't Saturday long enough that we can get up after the sun rises?"
Harry just shook his head and laughed to himself.
"Oh stop complaining," he said, giving Ron and affectionate punch in the arm. "And eat your breakfast, we need to get practicing!"
When they had finished eating, the team made their way to the quidditch pitch, brooms in hand. They went to the changing rooms first, so Harry could talk to them before practice.
"Well," he began, "what I want to do, is try out some harder maneuvers than we've used in the past. Now I'm not one for big, long, drawn out explanations, because the best way to learn it is to do it. But if you want me to go through everything here first, I will." he trailed off looking around.
Everyone was shaking their head vigorously.
"Alright then," Harry said with a smile, "let's get out there."
For the first few minutes everyone took a few laps around the pitch. They began by reviewing a lot of the things they had gone over last year. After a half hour, Harry told them they were going to try some new formations.
"Okay, what we're going to do first is a maneuver only the chasers can use," Harry began looking at Ginny, Su and Ray. "It's called a Porskoff Ploy. The way it works is whichever one of you is carrying the Quaffle has to fly upwards; hopefully the chasers on the other team take the bait and follow you. When you've got them far enough away from the others, drop the Quaffle to one of your fellow Chasers who will be waiting to catch it. With the other team's chasers out of the way, the only thing you have to do is get it past the keeper without being hit by a bludger."
They looked at him with wide eyes, silently.
"What, don't think you can do it?" he asked, tauntingly. That was all it took, their faces hardened in expressions of resolve and Harry knew he had them.
"Who wants to go first?" he asked.
The three chasers took turns letting one of them fly it up into the air with the quaffle, while Dean and Natalie acted as the opposing chasers. They found it was much harder than it sounded to drop the Quaffle accurately enough so that their teammate would catch it, while at the same time not dropping it so close that an opposing chaser could seize it.
The problem came when Ginny was the one in possession of the Quaffle and tried to take it up into the air. She was using Fred's old broom, a Cleansweep, and it wasn't cut out for the heights she needed to reach.
"I can't make it," she finally said flying over to Harry, out of breath from her efforts. "Sorry," she added apologetically. Harry thought for a moment. It would do no good to just say that she would always be one of the chasers to catch the quaffle because you never knew how the game was going to play out, and who would be required to do what. Suddenly, an idea struck him
"Hang on a minute," he said, then flew down to the ground. The rest of the team followed him and were giving him questioning looks.
"I'm just going to head up to the school for a moment, I'll be right back. You guys keep practicing while I'm gone."
Harry took off and ran all the way back up to the school. Once inside he headed straight for the Gryffindor tower. He passed a few students here and there, but no one he recognized. When he was in the common room, he went up to his dorm and over to his closet, pulling out his Firebolt. He knew Ginny would love to use this and it would certainly be much better than the outdated broom she was using. He quickly shut his closet, ran downstairs and went back into the hallway. He had only made it a few steps, however, when he heard a voice behind him.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
Harry spun around to see Mel standing a few feet away from him.
She stepped a bit closer to him and he quickly realized his mouth was open. He shut it with a snap and cleared his throat.
"I'm going back out to the pitch, for quidditch practice," he answered. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm on my way back from the north tower," she answered, casually. "I had to ask Professor Trelawny a few questions about one of her assignments." As if to confirm this she held up a few scrolls in her left hand.
"You take divination too?" Harry asked, trying not to sound as disgusted as he felt over the subject. Mel nodded at him. "Are you good at it?" he continued.
At this Mel actually laughed out loud.
"Are you kidding? That lady's a quack! She hasn't got a clue on what she's talking about."
A smile spread across Harry's face.
"Can't argue with you there," he said. "Well, I better get going, the team's waiting for me."
"Is that your broom?" she asked, cutting him off.
"Huh?" Harry asked.
Mel extended her arm and pointed at the Firebolt.
"Is that your broom?"
Harry glanced down and then back at her.
"This?" he asked holding it up, immediately feeling stupid for asking. "Um.yes, it's mine."
"Can I see it?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
"Sure," Harry answered uncertainly. He held out the Firebolt and cautiously handed it to her.
"Wow, never thought I'd get to hold one of these," she said, staring at the broom in awe.
"The first time I saw one, neither did I," Harry replied. He was sounding cheerful enough, but didn't take his eyes off the broom while she held it. He wouldn't put it past her to do something that would gain her house points, even if he was right there watching her.
"I'm sorry," he spoke up again, "but I really have to get back now, everyone's waiting for me."
"Okay, sure," she said smiling. "Sorry to hold you up." She handed the broom back to him carefully.
"Don't worry about it," he said. "See you later!" He waved at her before turning and heading back towards the main entrance. Once she was out of sight he gave a frustrated sigh. He had wanted to confront her on her actions the other day, but couldn't quite bring himself to do it. He had to admit to himself that he did like her, and hoped it wasn't just because she was part Veela.
As he reached the doors he shook these thoughts from his head, it was time to concentrate on quidditch. He ran out into the fresh air, and headed back down to the pitch.
When he reached the others he headed straight for Ginny and thrust the Firebolt into her hands and her jaw dropped.
"Try that," he said with a smile.
"Are you sure? You'll let me use your Firebolt?" Ginny asked in amazement.
"Well I'm not gonna use it," Harry laughed. "And you'll be able to get the height you need, so might as well get some use out of it."
Ginny let out a squeal of excitement. She put the broom down and flung her arms around Harry's neck.
"Thank you!" she cried. When she pulled back she was wearing the biggest smile Harry had ever seen.
"Now, I want to see you up there practicing," he said pointing. "Got it?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright, let's go," he said with a smirk.
The team practiced for two more hours, going over and over the Porskoff Ploy. By the end of the session they were pretty good at it.
"Great job guys!" Harry told them after they all had landed. We'll go over that some more next practice, and if you're up to it, we'll start learning a new one."
They headed back up to the school together, Harry, Ron and Ginny lagging behind the others. When they walked up the steps Ron stepped through the doors first and abruptly stopped moving, causing Harry to slam into his back.
"What are you.?" Harry began.
"Shhh!" Ron cut him off. Harry looked around Ron to see Percy was a few feet away from them, speaking with Professor McGonagall. He turned however when he saw the door open and was glaring past Ron at Harry. Professor McGonagall followed his gaze, and looked at Percy questioningly.
"I'll take you to see the headmaster now, Mr. Weasley," she said firmly. Percy didn't respond, just kept glaring, until McGonagall reached out a hand and touched his arm. He sprung back as if she had bit him, and rubbed his arm. She gave him an irritated look, then turned and began walking. "Follow me please, Mr. Weasley."
Percy gave one more resentful glance to Harry, before finally turning to follow McGonagall.
"What was that all about?" Harry asked when Percy was out of sight. Ron just looked at him miserably.
"I have to go, research.something." he said hastily, then before Harry could answer, he turned and headed back towards the Gryffindor Tower.
"Well, that was the worst lie I've ever heard," Harry said out loud, not sure if he should be offended or not. He turned and looked at Ginny. "I suppose you aren't going to tell me what just happened either?"
Ginny looked into Harry's eyes, clearly not wanting to say anything.
"Look," he began, "I know Percy doesn't seem to like me very much anymore, I've known that since last year."
"You do?" Ginny said, looking up, startled.
"When Fudge was found, insane, some of the ministry members came to ask me a few questions. Since I was the last one who supposedly saw him sane, though I'd argue the fact he was sane at that time. Percy seemed downright horrified that I would even suggest Fudge had tried to kidnap me, he and Thurston thought I made the whole thing up."
"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Ginny exclaimed.
"There didn't seem any need to. I just told you that some of the ministry didn't believe me, which was the truth. I didn't see a reason to say anything bad about Percy to you, and I'd hoped it wasn't something that would last." He looked over his shoulder towards the hallway Percy had went down and sighed, quietly. "I guess it did though."
"Well, Ron probably wouldn't have left if he knew you knew," Ginny said.
"If he knew I knew?" Harry asked. "Ginny, what's going on?"
"Percy.well, he's been acting very strange for quite some time now," she said sadly. She looked down, as if ashamed, trying to hide her face.
"Hey," Harry said, "don't be upset, whatever it is, it's not your fault."
"I know it's not," she said looking back up at him, tears in her eyes. "It's just." she trailed off.
"Let's walk," he said, taking her hand in his. "C'mon, it'll be better than talking about this right here."
"Where to?" Ginny asked, taking a step forward.
"Anywhere, it doesn't matter," Harry said smiling.
"Okay," Ginny said uncertainly.
They started down the closest hallway, and walked for a few moments in silence. Harry didn't pressure her any; he saw by her facial expression that she wanted to tell him something, so he waited. Finally, she sighed heavily, and turned to him.
"Harry, Percy hasn't just been acting strange, he's been acting mean," Ginny began.
"Ron mentioned that over the summer, but he didn't say much else. He hasn't hurt you right?" Harry asked immediately.
Ginny shook her head quickly.
"No! Nothing like that, but my mum's all torn up over it. She doesn't sleep much anymore."
"Ginny, I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. I know what it's like to be mistreated by relatives, but to go from being close with them first, to this," Harry shook his head, sadly. "I can't imagine that."
"He isn't the same person Harry. He looks like Percy but he doesn't act like him. The slightest things set him off; he's more irritable than he ever was before."
"Did you ever ask him why? I mean, try and talk to him about it?" Harry asked.
Ginny nodded.
"Hundreds of times, he would either ignore me or tell me to mind my own business. He would go on and on, ranting to anyone who'd listen about all the problems of the ministry and the horrible changes that were occurring. And it seemed that everything that happened.well." she trailed off.
Harry waited, trying hard not to prompt her on. It was obviously a very stressful situation and he didn't want to pressure her.
"He blames it on you," she said finally, almost whispering.
Harry looked at her, stunned.
"Why?" he finally managed to ask.
"I don't know!" she wailed. "But he would say the nastiest things about you, and mum would scold him for it. Then they would get into a huge argument that would last for hours. Ron and I were constantly trying to find things to do out of the house, so we wouldn't have to be around for them, as they'd happen every day. Percy finally ended up moving out, saying he couldn't bear to live with a family that refused to see the truth about.about someone who was so obviously trying to create chaos and give the ministry a bad reputation." Ginny didn't look at Harry when she said this, she couldn't bear to meet his eyes.
"I never knew he felt so strongly about it," Harry said, he hadn't really known what to expect, but what he'd just heard left him feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
"None of us knew," Ginny said. "And Ron couldn't bear to tell you. He's very embarrassed by Percy's behavior, not that I'm not, but I thought you deserved to know."
Harry gave her a weak smile.
"I'm glad you did. I still wish I knew what happened to first make him feel this way, but at least I have more of an idea now." He stopped talking and looked around.
"Where are we?" Ginny asked, as if reading his thoughts.
"I think we're in the dungeon area," Harry answered, wishing he'd paid a bit more attention to where they had been walking while they talked. "C'mon, let's head back. I don't like to be down here when I don't have to be."
"I couldn't agree with you more," Ginny said. The two of them began taking very quick steps to get out of there, apparently they had walked for quite a ways, as it was taking longer than either of them expected. They were coming to the end of one hallway, when Harry suddenly felt very cold. His first thought was it was Wormtail again and he stopped walking to look around. Ginny stopped too and looked at him questioningly.
"Why did you stop?" she asked, rubbing her hands together. Harry's eyes widened.
"You feel it too?" he asked.
"Feel what?" she replied.
"The cold.are you cold?"
Ginny nodded.
"Very cold, could we please move now, I really, really don't want to be here anymore.