So translating really is a hard job to do and I'm still a little insecure if it really sounds good, but I think/hope I'm getting better :P
The next chapter will probably take me a little longer to translate because I'm visiting friends next weekend which leaves me with much less time to work on this, especially now that classes have started - but I hope I will finish chapter 3 in about 10 days :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, nor do I make money with this :) but Merik is mine! *g*

enjoy!

Chapter 2 Lessons in Life

"Hey mate! Wake up! It's almost time for breakfast", the familiar voice interrupted Harry's sleep, and Ron drew back the curtains around Harry's bed, and soon bright sunlight filled the room and stung in his eyes, still accustomed to darkness.

"Ron! Was that really necessary?" Harry asked, eyes firmly shut to avoid the sunlight. "Is food the only thing you can think of?". Growling Harry reached for his glasses on the night table and put them on. Now wearing them he finally opened his eyes to see the boy in question standing in front of his bed, ginger hair all messy and clad in a pyjama that could not possibly be his, because it was far too small for him and furthermore it was made of what looked like purple silk. It was the most ridiculous thing Harry had seen in months and he lifted both eyebrows while scanning Ron from head to toe.

"Tell me, is that Ginny's pyjama you are wearing, Ron?", Harry asked trying to suppress his laughter by biting his tongue as hard as he dared without risking to draw blood.

"No… mum packed Percy's old one… by mistake…", Ron muttered and a flush as red as his hair crept up his neck to cover the freckled cheeks. Harry could not help it and snorted while getting out of bed.

"I'm in the shower", Harry said, leaving his best friend behind and heading for the boys' bathroom.

Lukewarm water was all he needed today, for he could not really stand hot water and only used it when he really, really wanted to forget something and needed to relax. But today was no such day. It was just the first day of lessons, something Harry had done five times before, so it should not bother him at all, should it? Nonetheless he could not get rid of the thought of his least favorite teacher and his nightmare of a Potions class. Severus Snape, all dark hair, dark eyes and black robes, had made Harry's life a living hell ever since they met because he had had a quarrel with Harry's father back in school and now made the boy pay for it. Reaching for the shampoo Harry tried to shove the thoughts away and focus on the act of washing instead of brooding.

Ten minutes later he left the shower, tying a warm towel around his waist as he stepped in front of the sink unit to brush his teeth and thereafter try to tidy his hair with moderate success.

"You look tired, dear", the mirror said with the most gentle voice.

Harry tried for a smile and muttered a soft 'Thanks', before leaving the bathroom and reentering his dormitory to put on the usual black robes and the tie in his house colours, while a fully dressed Ron was already waiting for him, eager to get down into the Great Hall for breakfast. Everything was always about foot with him.

The Gryffindor common room was already crowded with chatting excited students when they entered. Especially the first years looked anxious and at the same time delighted at starting their first day of magical education.

Harry spotted Hermione between all those babbling people as she tried to gain attention, enforcing what little power she got from being a prefect.

"She really is into this, isn't she?", Ron asked, looking up at her now that Hermione had climbed the nearest chair to make herself seen and heard.

"Silence! Ronald and I will now escort the first years to the Great Hall. Please form a line", she demanded, her voice magically enhanced.

"Well, Ronald it looks like you are doing the babysitting today. Have fun!", Harry said, grinning at his best friend as he left the common room through the portrait hole. It had really been crowded in there but the corridors were still almost deserted and Harry appreciated the silence and absence of noise.

Soft sunlight woke Draco early that first morning of school and when he looked at the watch it was only half past six. He could have gone back to sleep like probably everyone else in his house did, but he liked early mornings and the fact that he would have the shower all to himself. Yawning and wiping strands of silver blond hair from his forehead he got out of bed taking in the warm late summer sun in September as he opened the windows. It absolutely was a luxury to have his own room, which was a reason why he valued Slytherin over all the other houses, in addition to the fact that he did not want to surround himself with scum.

Smiling to himself he entered the bathroom and turned the shower on, relishing the hot water and soap on his skin and the soft scent of citrus in his nose. This was the best thing in the morning besides sex maybe, because a relaxing shower definitely always lifted his mood.

Draco hoped to have Potions that day just for the fun of watching Snape embarrass the so called Chosen-One in front of everyone else.

It might seem childish, even ridiculous to still be fighting like six-year-olds but for Draco, this quarrel was something far more than that. It had become a part of his life and the only way to act around Harry Potter, who had rejected him all those years ago. Back than it had only been his friendship he had wanted but that as well had changed over the years – it had become something dangerous. A dark desire had taken roots in Draco's chest and made him want Potter in a way no one else should ever have him. It was an obsession compounded with a very new sexual tension he could not free himself from.

Turning off the water he left the shower, breathing the cold air in the bathroom as he reached for his bath robe and went back into his bedroom to get dressed.

When he entered the common room a few minutes later, he found it almost vacant but for a few first years who were eagerly reading their school books. Had he been so excited about his first day in Hogwarts? He actually could not remember.

Shrugging and glancing back at them for one last time he left the common room to head for the Great Hall.

Being one of the first students to enter the Great Hall, Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table and scanned the others as well, while reaching for toast and jam. Most seats were still empty but the one person he did not want to see early in the morning was already there – Draco Malfoy.

The stupid git was sitting alone at the Slytherin table pouring strong black coffee into his mug those silver-grey eyes narrowed. Sunlight made his blond hair slightly sparkly and the handsome features seemed to glow a little. Prat or not, the boy was somehow… beautiful. On the outside of course.

'What a pity that the outside doesn't reflect what lies beneath', his mind mused, watching pale lips close around the rim of the black mug.

Malfoy's grey eyes suddenly met his and Harry could feel his mouth get dry but he found himself unable to look away. The other students seemed to sense that something was going on as they started to glace around the room until they fell silent, watching an exchange that needed no words. Somewhere in the back of his mind Harry wondered what was going on but those eyes held him captive despite the disgust he could see in them.

It was Malfoy who finally broke the eye contact and went back to helping himself to scrambled eggs and bacon while Harry looked down at his still untouched toast swallowing hard. It was only then that he realised that the other students were still staring.

"What are you lot looking at? Is this an exhibition?", Malfoy asked in a biting tone and as if caught in the act everyone focused on their breakfast again resuming their former conversations about teachers and classes as if nothing had happened at all.

Finally taking the first bite from his toast savouring the sweet and sticky taste of cherries and currant in his mouth Harry saw that door to the Great Hall open as twelve Gryffindor first years entered, closely followed by Ron and Hermione who both looked a bit stressed.

"Kids really are demanding", she said when she took a seat next to Harry and reached for the butter.

"She's right mate. We almost lost two of them on the staircase. You know, when they change the direction. I swear I thought that little girl would fall all the way down to the Great Hall", Ron explained with a heavy sigh.

"Her name was Elenore, Ron. And if you had read Hogwarts a History you would know that this is not possible. The magic protects us, changing stairs or not", Hermione explained putting neatly folded slices of salami on her toast.

"Yeah, whatever…", Ron said helping himself to the first three sausages.

"Really Hermione, you had fun, didn't you?", Harry said as he gave her a wink.

"Well… a little bit maybe…", she admitted flushing.

Harry did absolutely not envy his friends' jobs as prefects. He knew he would fail miserably at being a good example for anyone. He constantly broke the school rules and headed from one catastrophe into the next often without knowing what was going on.

"Your schedule, Mr Potter", Professor McGonagall said handing over a piece of parchment.

"Oh, thanks Professor", Harry said and smiled at her. She was one of his favourite teachers despite the severe look on her features. Especially during last term she had been highly encouraging and wanting to help him with is goal of someday becoming an Auror. Even now as he could feel her warm palm on his shoulder he felt a rush of sympathy for her run through his body.

Curious what would await him this year Harry started to examine the schedule.

Monday:

Charms (SL)

Defence Against the dark Arts (SL)

Lunch

Divination (class)

Transfiguration (HU)

Tuesday:

Herbology (HU)

History of Magic (SL)

Lunch

Defence Against the dark Arts (SL)

Potions (SL)

Wednesday:

Potions (SL)

Care of Magical Creatures (class)

Lunch

Charms (SL)

Defence Against the dark Arts (SL)

Thursday:

Transfiguration (HU)

Defence Against the dark Arts (SL)

Lunch

Potions (SL)

Astronomy (10pm) (RC)

Friday:

Charms (SL)

Herbology (HU)

Lunch

Defence Against the dark Arts (SL)

Potions (SL)

"Kill me now, Harry… Four times a week with Snape… this is torture", Ron moaned while glowering at his piece of parchment as if it was the source of all evil.

"Yeah, but we have DADA quiet as often", Harry said, taking a sip from his cup of tea.

"This is no coincidences, boys. Something is going on out there", a worried looking Hermione said, parchment still in hand.

"What do you mean?", Ron asked before he took another bit from his sausage.

"I mean that we never had Potions or DADA that often! And the reason for the change I'm sure is Voldemort. I guess we are being prepared", her voice was low to make sure they would not be overheard.

"Well, good luck figuring that out. I'm going to Herbology. See you", Harry said, rising from the table and leaving his barely touched breakfast as well as his two best friends behind.

"Bloody hell. What on earth is wrong with him?", he could hear Ron's voice ask before he left the hall.

A few students were already waiting in front of Professor Sprout's greenhouses, among them Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan. "Hey Harry, how are you?", Hannah asked with a comforting smile on her red lips. "Fine, thanks", he answered and returned her smile even if a bit faltered, before he focused his attention on the greenhouses.

Inside he could see all kinds of plants, some he knew and even more he did not. To be all honest, Harry only knew two people in the world who were exactly good in Herbology. One of them of course being Hermione, but she was brilliant in every subject, and Neville who might be crap in everything else but really had a talent for plants and all things green and living.

Harry's only talent was fighting off evil as it seemed or stumbling into chaos while trying to avoid it. So what would happen to him once Voldemort was out of the way? What would his life look like when there was no more evil left to fight?

Would he end up as a topic in one of Professor Binns' lectures during which most students either took a nap or pretended to listen while doing homework for more important classes?

"Harry? Are you listening?", Ernie asked interrupting his thoughts.

"Oh, yes. Sorry… I was… abstracted… ", Harry muttered.

Ernie did not look too convinced as he shared a glance with his girlfriend but Harry could not bring himself to care. It was not them facing a dark wizard. They could hide somewhere or try to outrun Voldemort while he, Harry, had no such opportunity. Sooner or later he would have to face his fate and confront his mortal enemy knowing that he did not stand a chance against him head-to-head.

Burying his hands in the pockets of his robes he watched Ron and Hermione approach, followed by Professor Sprout who looked like she was in a particularly good mood. "Children", she said smiling and showing her bright teeth, "Today will be a special lesson because Professor Dumbledore gave me permission to collect plants in the Forbidden Forest with you. Hagrid needs a new catalogue of all flora and fauna in there and we are going to do the flora".

A little overexcited she headed for the forest, a slightly startled group of sixth-years following her. Each of them had to take out a piece or parchment to list and name all the plants they found, from the biggest trees to the tiniest herb and before long Harry found himself crawling between thick roots to find every ever so small plant hidden beneath foliage and branches. It was only afterwards that Professor Sprout demanded that they should write an essay about all plants on their list containing all their attributes.

A little disgruntled, because of the amount of homework, Harry headed, this time accompanied by Ron and Hermione, to his next class: History of Magic. He knew they would be talking about Napoleon and how he used magic during the Napoleonic Wars to weaken his enemies. It had been last term's finale topic and even back then Professor Binns had announced that they would have more classes on subject as the new term approached.

"Anyway, I'm looking forward to these lessons. Napoleon was an important man after all and he even-", Hermione began only to be interrupted by a rather annoyed Harry. "-crowned and called himself Emperor. We know! Please spare us the lecture there will be enough of it soon".

"What's the point of that? Why are you so mean today? And yesterday you barely talked to us at all", she said looking hurt.

"Sorry I'm… just stressed out I think… don't take it personally", Harry said. He tried for an apologetic smile but it did not work the way he wished it to.

As they reached the classroom for History of Magic Professor Binns was still missing but other students were already waiting; among them of course Draco Malfoy and his fellow Slytherins. "Ah, the famous Harry Potter bothers to visit classes with his two toadies of friends – what an honour it is", he said bowing low with an evil smirk on his face.

"You really don't get it, do you Malfoy? The Sorting Hat said the houses should unite", Hermione said sounding unimpressed while Malfoy's entourage started to giggle.

"You know what? Before I make friends with a Mudblood like you Granger I will cut out my own tongue so I cannot not speak the reconciliation", Malfoy answered with a look at Hermione as if she was nothing more than the dirt under his shoes.

"You are disgusting, Malfoy! What kind of sick doctrine is it you and your father are following? Do you take pride in being a prick?", Ron looked furious, clenching his hands into fists at the side of his robes.

"Oh well Weasle, I take pride in not being as poor as a church mouse, that's all and you and your family should be ashamed. You call yourselves Purebloods and at the same time you bother with vermin like her", Malfoy smirked not knowing that only two seconds later Ron would jump at him with surprising strength and seize him by the collar.

"You foul little ferret! You will pay for that", Ron growled.

"Stop it, Ron! Now!", Harry yelled. He had been silent so far, just watching the exchange between Malfoy and his two best friends but now he seemed to catch up with them. The hall fell so quite you could hear a pin drop and every eye was fixed on Harry.

His voice sounded so intimidating that Ron could do nothing else but let go of Malfoy's collar and blink at his friend for a few seconds. The corridor was still utterly silent and it seemed as if all the little pieces were falling into place forming an entirely new image of the chosen-one.

"How nice there's silence for a change", Professor Binns said as he approached the classroom with his keys rattling against each other.

Soon the ghost had started his usual lecture and Harry was snoozing with his arms crossed on the table, head rested on them, while he looked out of the window taking in the beauty of the Hogwarts grounds in late summer.

The leaves were turning all shades of red and gold and the sun was still warm but soon she would be peeled away by rain and the storms so typical for October. It would be this time of the year when everyone was glad to sit in front of a warm crackling fire.

Looking away from the window Harry glanced around the room. All students were trying for a nap with their heads resting on their books and only Hermione was as always eagerly writing down every word Professor Binns said.

There had been only one occasion Harry remembered when everyone had been listening to the ghost's lecture – and that had been back in second year after they had asked him about the Chamber of Secrets believing that was nothing more than a legend. A legend that became far too real for Harry's liking.

But that was what always happened to him. Chaos seemed to find him or follow him where ever he went and every time he had to fight his way out of potentially dangerous situations.

It came with a great relief that he realised the end of the lesson and left the classroom with Ron and Hermione, heading for lunch in the Great Hall.

"Well, that was pretty interesting, wasn't it? Napoleon was an extraordinary man. What do you two think?", Hermione asked looking excited.

"Honestly, I didn't listen. And neither did Harry I s'ppose", Ran answered with a grin.

"Really Ronald, you should start listening. We will graduate by the end of next year – do you want to fail all your NEWTs?".

"No, 'Mione. But you're overestimating things. It's still two years until we graduate, that's an eternity! I don't have to study for that yet. And who cares about NEWTs in History of Magic anyway?", Ron shot back.

"Get a hold of yourself and stop fighting like children", Harry said all of a sudden, anger rushing through him as he left his two friends for the second time that day and hurried ahead to the Great Hall.

He was glad it was time for lunch because that would distract Ron and Hermione from their constant quarrel. Was that what love was like? If so maybe he should consider Malfoy a match. For one brief moment he wondered what would be more likely, to kiss either Malfoy or Hermione but the result of that thought was far too disturbing to linger in his mind and Harry tried to focus on his roast chicken helping himself to a glass of pumpkin juice. It tasted a little too sweet and almost sticky but he had missed it over the summer.

Having finished his lunch he leaned back musing about the lesson to follow. He knew what would await him down in the dungeons but Defence against the Dark Arts promised to be interesting to say the least. No teacher so far had stayed for more than one year and after the disastrous lessons last year things could only get better. Harry wondered what Professor Parker would be like. He really looked a bit like Snape but that did not have to mean anything at all, did it? Maybe he was a nice person.

Sighing a little Harry got up from the bench and headed alone for his third lesson that day – Defence against the Dark Arts.

"What the hell is going on with Harry?", Ron asked watching his best friend leave the Great Hall without them.

"I don't know but he behaves strange of late. He doesn't talk much, he is always brooding, he interrupts your sentences and even helped Malfoy today. There is something wrong with him", she said watching the floor as if it was something of greatest interest.

"Do you think he's just going through a difficult phase? Do think he'll be alright soon?"

"Ron I'm worried about him!", suddenly Hermione looked afraid and Ron could see the little crinkles of concern on her forehead.

"So am I, Hermione!", he said feeling a new and unknown sadness.

Harry was excluding them. Once they had been close but the change had begun with Cedric's death more than a year ago and ever since Sirius died Harry had started to hide behind a mask none of them could see through. They had not seen him all summer and now their friend had changed and Ron could barely recognise him anymore. It all seemed to fall apart and he found himself wondering if he still knew his best friend at all.

In front of the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom Harry only met on student - Draco Malfoy who was leaning against the stone wall, arms crossed.

"Ah Potter, looking forward to class?", he asked, all smug and self-confident.

"Why should I?", Harry asked lifting one eyebrow, green eyes narrowed at Malfoy.

"Hmm… maybe because we have a new teacher and DADA is your favourite subject", he said coming a few steps closer with an unreadable smile on his face.

"What are you up to, Malfoy? Since when are you into Smalltalk?", Harry asked and he knew that the Slytherin in question was planning something, he just was not so sure if he really wanted to know what it was.

"Now, now, Potter! We are all supposed to be friends now. Didn't you listen to the Sorting Hat yesterday? ", Malfoy purred taking another step towards Harry.

"Don't tell me you want something like friendship. You don't even know how to spell that", Harry spat.

Suddenly two strong hands pinned him into the cold hard wall behind his back. Harry could feel the rough stone through his robes, digging into his skin.

"Let me tell you something, Potter. I always get, what I want, if you understand what I mean", Malfoy breathed right beside Harry's ear and he could feel hot breath on his skin making him shiver.

"And what is it, you want?", he asked trying to sound unimpressed.

"Do you really have to ask that? I want you of course", Malfoy's voice was low and husky and he smelled of citrus. Harry could feel the warmth of that unyielding body pressed against his, until it suddenly disappeared and not a moment too soon because a handful of other students just walked around the corner, Ron and Hermione being among them.

Harry could tell by the look on Ron's face that his best friend had realised how close he and Malfoy were still standing, even if they did not touch anymore. His eyes were narrowed and he seemed to think about something but Harry could not tell what it was. Nonetheless he had seen that expression on Ron's face before. It had been back in forth year right after the Goblet of Fire had spit out Harry's name.

After one last look at Malfoy, Harry joined his two best friends, not wanting to get on Ron's bad site and they took their seats in the front row as soon as Professor Parker opened the classroom.

"Now that all of you have found a seat I will introduce myself. My Name is Merik Parker and until four years ago I called myself a Hogwarts student, so maybe some of you have already recognised me. But being that young doesn't mean that I'm not demanding your respect. Each and every one of you is here to learn something and that will only be possible if we treat each other with some dignity. I won't be part of your house rivalry, is that understood?", Parker said watching each of his students with black eyes, giving the impression that he could see right into their minds.

Harry shivered a little. He did not want another teacher who was able to read his mind, Snape was bad was enough as it was and another Legilimens would only mean even more trouble. Somehow Harry started to believe that the rumour contained a little truth and maybe Parker really did resemble Snape.

"Oh don't worry Mr. Potter, I'm nowhere near Professor Snape", Parker said watching him with an unreadable expression on his face. Harry could feel his eyes widen. How was that possible? He had read his thoughts!

"Yes, I am a Legilimens. Professor Snape and I share some talents as it seems. As you all can see, this year will be full of surprises and not paying attention in my classes can cost you your life, so I would advise you to do your homework and give your all while you're here in my classroom. Today we will make a catch-up on the Unforgivable Curses. I know you discussed those two years ago but I want to make sure that we all start from the same basis this year. Open your books on page 365 and read the paragraphs about them. Afterwards you will write an essay about what you've read", Parker instructed walking up and down the room. As soon as he had finished talking the room fell silent but for the noise of pages being turned and the scratching of quills on parchment.

Obviously it did not cost him an effort to control the usually hot tempered class of Slytherins and Gryffindors who ignored each other at best and fought each other at worst. Merik Parker was all natural authority and maybe he would be able to finally unite the warring houses.

"Well, he actually is a nice guy, isn't he?", Ron asked on their way down into the dungeons an hour later.

"Yes he is, although I first though he was a little bit like Snape", Harry admitted.

"Yeah you're right somehow… it was pretty scary when he read your thoughts", Ron said shivering and Harry nodded in agreement. Yes, that had been scary to say the least. Parker must be an even stronger Legilimens than Snape if he could pull such a stunt with wandless magic.

"Honestly guys, he gives me the creeps", Seamus Finnigan added looking from Harry to Ron and back.

"I don't know. I think he will show us his true face eventually", Hermione said but she as well looked concerned, as if she would not trust their new teacher.

"What do you mean?", Ron wanted to know.

"I mean, have all of you forgotten about Moody? He was a Death Eater after all and no one noticed. What if Parker works for Voldemort too?", she answered making sure that they would not be overheard by passing students.

"Don't you think that you are over interpreting this? Dumbledore is surely more careful now", Harry said as they arrived in front of the Potions classroom which was still locked.

"Hey Potter! How did that mind-fuck feel?", Malfoy asked from behind, his voice rich with taunt.

"Well, Malfoy you know I have nothing to hide but what about you? What would Parker find, if read your mind? All the dirty little secrets you are hiding", Harry answered and he could see Malfoy open his moth to respond but he was interrupted by Snape.

"Potter, Malfoy you will cease that childish behaviour now, for the two of you will be working as a group today", Snape said rushing past them like a giant black bat.

With a grin on his face Malfoy followed his favourite teacher into the classroom. Harry shared one last sympathetic look with Ron and Hermione before he too entered room and took a seat next to Malfoy in the second row.

"Very well, Potter. For once you seem to have understood what I asked of you. For the rest of you: You will be working in groups today – one Slytherin and one Gryffindor. I won't have you complain about it, am I understood? Good. Finnigan and Zabini, Granger and Goyle, Longbottom and Gordon, Thomas and Parkinson, Brown and Bulstrode, Weasley, Crabbe and Patil you will form a group of three. This arrangement will continue the entire year whenever you have to do something in pairs". No one dared to disagree and even if they did not like working together the students submitted to the situation.

"Today you will work at the first part of brewing Veritaserum. I ensure you this potion will need higher skills than most of you possess, but I hope that by forming groups we will have at least one or two decent results in a few weeks. Before you start read pages 125-127", Snape instructed.

A few seconds later the only things that could be heard were turned pages and boiling cauldrons.

"Listen, Potter. You'll do the whittling while I brew the potion. I won't have you and your stupidity ruin my 'Outstanding'", Malfoy said, handing Harry the ingredients with a scowl. Maybe it was not that bad to work with him, Harry thought. He was after all good in Potions and on top of that Snapes favourite student; facts which he intended to use for his own advantage.

Feeling almost calm for the first time in ages Harry chopped flobberworms, dragonliver and countless other things he did not really pay attention to, while Malfoy added them in the right order and at the right time to the now dark green potion.

"Mr. Malfoy, those are very good results so far. Ten points to Slytherin. Potter, what do you think you are doing there? You should cut those snake-eyes in halves and not squish them. Ten points from Gryffindor", Snape said as he passed their desk.

'Jerk', Harry thought, handing the eyes over to Malfoy.

"That's what you call bad luck, Potter", he said with a smirk on those pale lips.

"Fuck off, Malfoy and do your job", Harry muttered, back to his dark moods.

And his job he did, which caused them to finish the first part of the potion earlier than expected. Having too much time now for each other while the other students were handing in their potions Harry only wished for the lesson to end.

"Well, Potter. What would happen if I poured that potion down your throat?", Malfoy whispered leaning closer to Harry so no one else would hear their conversation, hot breath sweeping over sensitive skin.

"Cut the crap, Malfoy!", he spat trying to bring more distance between himself and those grey eyes narrowed at him.

"Now, now, Harry, I'm not doing anything yet", Malfoy purred. It sounded so strange to hear his given name roll of that vile tongue. "I would just like to learn your darkest secrets. Don't you want to share them with me?". He smiled unfathomable.

"What do you want, Malfoy? Is this the next level of the dirty little games you play?", Harry asked back, trying to sound intimidating and not all as anxious as he felt.

"Potter! I won't have you talking in my classroom; another ten points from Gryffindor. Class is dismissed", Snape said, taking a seat behind his desk.

Flooded with relief Harry reached for his books and left the room in a hurry.

"The old git really sucks, mate", Ron moaned leaning back in his armchair in front of the fire place. "First he gives points to Malfoy and takes some from you in the same breath. That's not fair". He had spent the last twenty minutes or so repeating himself over and over again and Harry really started to get annoyed. Some things never change and Snape belonged to them.

Night had fallen and the students were gathered in their common rooms and dormitories trying to relax from that first day of lessons.

"Why doesn't Dumbledore do something? Things can't go on like that", Ron said sounding grumpy. "Please Ron, stop it. We just have to accept that Snape's a git", Harry said rubbing his temples. The headache had started right after Potions class and started to get worse the more he had to listen to Ron's pointless moaning and groaning.

Harry felt tired and exhausted. He knew something was wrong with him but he did not care what it was, for he was sure that it was no physical disease. What ever happened to him was connected to Sirius' death and the hollow feeling it had left in his chest. He was not exactly good at mourning and tended to shut out others than hurt which left him lonely.

"Harry", Hermione interrupted his thoughts, brown eyes worried. "Are you sure, you're okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine, 'Mione. Just… a bad headache", he said trying for a smile that would convince her.

"You should rest, you know?", he could feel the comforting warmth of her hand on his shoulder through the fabric of his shirt and nodded.

"Maybe you're right. I should go to bed. Have a good night you two".

The dormitory was still empty when Harry entered but he nonetheless draw the curtains after climbing into bed and pulling the soft covers up to his chin. Trying to relax he closed his eyes but his traitorous thoughts took him on journey back to Malfoy and the words spoken that day.

What was the git up to? Why all that… flirting? Or whatever it was…

'I would just like to learn your darkest secrets', the words seemed to circle around Harry's thoughts and he could not get rid of them. What did that mean? Why was Malfoy suddenly so… teasing… in a very flirty kind of way…

'I want you of course', but for what? What did Malfoy want to do with him? Hand him over to Voldemort?

Whatever it was, Harry would not figure it out tonight and his head felt as if it was close to exploding. With a heavy sigh he closed his eyes and shortly afterwards fell into deep and dreamless sleep.

Chapter 2 End