Something Wicked This Way Comes
Chapter 2 - Hermione's Warning
The first few days at Hogwarts were the Hardest, since the students knew something was strange about Seria, who never told anyone her last name. The Teachers didn't know what to do with her, but let them into their classes, let her learn. She was bright and knew her stuff, which impressed the teachers, esppicaly the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Since that meeting on the train platform, Seria made it her goal to avoid Draco at all costs, which was pretty hard since she has three classes with him. Harry and Ron slowly got used to the idea of Seria being around and how well she was doing. Many times they would be impressed about how much she knew, espically just transfering to this school. Hermione on the other hand did was not impressed, for she thought there was something fishy going on.
One thing after the next seem to fall into play around Seria, which slowly lead to her withdrawing herself from her classmates. Everything seemed to so easy, just be friends with him, and lead him to his death. But could she really do it? That was her problem, was she that cruel to do something like that. Never the less…
A couple of weeks had passed since they arrived at Hogwarts, Seria showing great acheviement in her studies, while Harry and Ron continue to try to talk with her, but Hermione would always interfer. Her and Ron would always get in fights about Seria, as Hermione would always point out at how she didn't trust the girl.
"I don't understand...how, can someone, just appear that has never been in Hogwarts before now! I've never seen her before in all these years!" Hermione whispered to Harry and Ron in their Potions class a few days later from their last fight. It was a Friday, the boys where looking forward as to the new season of Quidditch. Hermione kept looking over at Draco and Seria who seemed to be sitting next to each other. From the face Seria was making, she didn't enjoy being there.
"Come on Hermione, she's cool...she's right up there with Harry with Defense against the Dark Arts!" Ron whispered back, Snape seemed to be hovering around them, so they had to keep their voices down, afraid that Snape would hear something they didn't really want him to hear. Hermione sighed, as she casts Seria's head another dirty look. She wasn't convinced.
"So? Sure she's good with the Dark Arts...but don't you think that's a little suspicious?" Ron rolled his eyes and looked over at Harry who seemed to glancing at Seria as well then to read the Potions book in front of him. Hermione too looked over at Harry.
"Would you two stop looking at me?!" He hissed over at his best friends, who both seemed to sigh. Harry wasn't really paying attention to their conversation, but it was always the same. Hermione would question Seria, and Ron would try to stick up for the girl, then they would look to Harry for some input, something he rarely did.
"If you really want to know things about her Hermione, why don't you ask her!" Harry whispered re-reading an instruction as the two of them made him lost his consentration. Hermione made a small disproving noise beside him, which resulted him rolling his own eyes now.
"For all I know she could lie to me! I don't trust her!" Hermione sneered at him, before giving him the cold shoulder, going back to her own cauldren, but her eyes would continuously glace at Draco and Seria.
Being beside Draco was killing her, a lot! Seria didn't like being there, but that's where Snape had put her. Moaning under her breath, she heard Draco complain about Harry once more. His favorite topic to complain about then there would be other topics he would love to talk about, his life, his family and well of course himself. Pouring a few more ingredients in the boiling cauldron, which now turned from murky green to a sapphire blue, Draco complain some more.
"I don't see what's so special about him...he's just a freak. I wouldn't want a scar like that on my forehead. I think I would hide in shame" Draco's cold voice hissed to Grabbe, who was in front of them, and Goyle, who was on the other side of Draco, who were listening to every word Draco said. Seria once again rolled her eyes at him, not really listening. Snape appeared over, a twisted smirk on his pale face. His eyes glanced down at Seria, who seemed to turn away from him. How she hated Snape with a passion, how she hated Malfoy beside her with an even bigger passion.
"Alright everyone! It's almost at the end of class, let's see how well your potions are doing...or not doing so well" He said coolly, his eyes glanced down by the shivering boy, Neville Longbottom, a smirk on his face, that smirk made Seria's hair on her neck to stand on end. His voice reminded her so much of her Uncle, another reason why she hated Snape. He walked along the rows of Gryffindors and Sytherins, a smile would come onto his face when he passed a Sytherin, and gave them five points even if their potion wasn't the right colour or did what it was suppose to, if tested. As for the Gryffindors, he would either sneer or take points away. Finally the bell rang, Sytherins were beaming as they walked out of the class, since they got the points, the Gryffindors growling and complaining about Snape. Seria, herself, left in a hurry to get away from Draco, when she heard a familiar voice.
"Hey! Seria! Wait up!" Turning around, to her surprise, Harry came towards her.
"...Harry?" She asked, in complete shock. For the past week or so she had kept to herself, went to meals, went to classes, went to the library to do homework, and then would go to bed. Without speaking to anyone else, she didn't want to speak to them, especially what was in the back of her mind - her Uncle's plan.
"Hey, I know we've only really talked on the train and once and while in classes, but I hardly see you except classes and meals. Why don't you join me, Ron and Hermione for lunch?" He asked, smiling at her. Blinking Seria's heart began to pound, if she befriends him...
"I...uh...I don't know..." She stammered, which she cursed at herself mentally, but Harry's smile didn't faultier.
"Ah, come on. We would love to get to know you more" He said, then grabbed her Potions book. Shocked at this, Seria looked at Harry slightly, confused but forced a smile on her own face.
"Alright, sure. I would love to..."
"Great! Come on! We'll catch up with them in the Great Hall" Harry started to walk, as Seria waited a second, and then walked after him. What was she doing? This wasn't HER plan, the last thing she wanted to do was to bet his friend, than betray his trust. It was going so well with little contact with him, but she knew it wouldn't last long.
They walked up to the Entrance Hall, across the room to the double doors into the lit Great Hall. Seria spotted Ron and Hermione right away, and sitting with them was Ginny, Ron's younger sister, and Neville Longbottom by the looks of his round face. Harry made his way over, but Seria stayed where she was.
"Come on over!" It wasn't Harry would called, but Ron who smiled and waved at her. Hermione as usual sending uneasy looks at her. Seria didn't mind, she was used to them, got them all the time back home. Sitting down next to Hermione, she looked at everyone else; they were all smiling and laughing, talking as well. Then something caught her ear.
"Ya, but we're suppose to hear from Lupin soon, he said he'll keep us updated on what Voldemort is doing" Seria's stomach did an uneasy flip; she stared down at her plate, listening.
"How is he doing? I haven't heard from him for a while" Harry said quietly, leaning in closer to the others. Seria kept her eyes down on her plate, but didn't touch the food that had just appeared in front of them.
"He's doing well from what Mum told us, he's looking slightly ill but a full moon's coming up. He's keeping an eye on Voldemort's movements as well as Moody" Ginny's voice whispered.
"Hello all..." A misty voice seemed to make everyone jump, even Seria. Looking up, a blonde haired Ravenclaw was smiling down at them. This was Luna Lovegood, she looked at Seria smiled lightly then sat down next to Harry. "How's everyone doing?" She asked, and then joined in their conversation; Seria began to shake a bit hearing things that she shouldn't be hearing.
"...The Order of the Phoenix - is getting more members. Some of them are even at this school. Like Seamus and Dean, they joined as well as their parents." Ginny said excitedly.
"Ya, even some members of the Minersty of Magic are joining. Fudge is even considering to join" Ron said next, Seria, closed her eyes, wished they would talk about something else.
"This is great! We can also start up the DA again, and even get more members" Harry's voice came next, since Seria had shut her eyes and kept them shut, this wasn't what she wanted to hear, the DA, Dumbledore's Army, it was like secret group who pretty much protect Hogwarts.
"That's a great Idea Harry." Luna's voice said softly, while everyone else agreed.
"Hey, Seria! Your good with the Dark Arts and such, you should join" Slowly opening her eyes, she looked up at Ron, terror filled her, but she kept a calm face.
"M-Me? Join?" Ron and Harry nodded as Hermione made a disapproving noise beside her. "S-Sure...I'll join..." She whispered, but before they could say anything else, she jumped up, grabbed her things. "I-I have to go..." The colour in her face leaving, not to mention what she just heard she had to write down or grave punishment would apply. But first class, without another word, she hurried away to their Herbology lesson.
Since that day, Seria continued to dread classes with Harry and his friends in them, and tried to make little contact with them as much as possiable. The problem was, in the girl dormitories, was a letter addressed to her Uncle, laying in her trunk. Every day she would pull it out, look at it, making her way to the single window in the room. But before she even makes it half way across the room, she would place it back in her trunk.
Doubts filled her mind weather she should do this or not, but the more she thought about it, the more she became known that if she didn't send a letter soon, something terriable might happen. With this thought in mind, she made sure she stayed away from Draco, made sure that she couldn't talk with him. If his father sent him anything about her, anything that her Uncle wishes than she knew he would forfill them greatfully.
For now, she would have to do her best, stay away from Draco so that she doesn't get hurt, and stay away from Harry so that she can truthfully say she hasn't heard anything worth what she knew her Uncle didn't want to know.
It was late on a Wesnday, Seria had hid herself once again in the library near the back, and stakes of books were lying around her, ones about Dark Magic for her Essay for Defense against the Dark Arts. There were a few on Potions, for her essay in that class, and of course a few extra spell books to learn a few new curses. Reading by the dim light of a few candles near her, she glanced up only to see the library was getting dark. Sighing, she was getting tired of reading 'How to duel - The Basics'.
"Well, well, well...this is where we have been hiding is it?" A cool voice hissed from the shadows making Seria jump. Placing down her books, her stomach did a flip, in front of her was one of the people she was so keen on not meeting. Malfoy smirked, with Crabbe and Goyle on either side of him, both smiling as well.
"Malfoy...what are you doing here?" She asked, placing her books in her bag, and piled the ones that belong to the library in a pile. She avoided his eyes, trying to hurry, not wanting to linger.
"Well, I'm here looking for you of course. You seemed to disappear every time I seem to see you. You would be there, then poof, you'd be gone" He sneered, the smile never leaving his face. Seria looked at him, feeling uneasy being there talking to Malfoy was the very last thing she wanted to do. She would rather talk to Harry or even Hermione at this point.
"Well...I've been busy...have to keep up with what I missed..." She whispered, but by Malfoy's expression, she knew he didn't buy it.
Hermione was placing her books in her pack, when she heard Malfoy's voice not to far from where she stood, then a girl's. It took a minute, but soon she knew it was Seria's. Turning around, peering from behind the book self, she could see the backs of Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy. Staying quiet and where she was, Hermione leaned closer to the shelf to try and hear what was going on.
"-I don't care! I don't want anything to do with you or the stupid plan!" Came Seria's voice sneering, quite nastily at Malfoy.
"You will do what your told Riddle! You understand me! Your Uncle has been slightly worried about you, about why you haven't been keeping in touch. You better get to work, or there will be consequences...you know that more than anyone" Malfoy's voiced hissed, peering around the corner, Hermione saw Malfoy leave with his goonies, and then Seria appeared. By the looks of it, the girl seemed to be a bit distracted, and quite upset. But the worst was to come, turning around Seria's eyes opened wide at the sight of Hermione.
"H-Hermione...how much...how long..." Seria couldn't get her words straight, by the expression on Hermione's face, she was in trouble. Coming into full view, she walked close to Seria; her eyes glanced behind her, the direction Malfoy wnt.
"What's going on Seria? Why are you being so secretive? You seem to been hanging around Malfoy a lot.." Hermione seemed to hiss quite angrily, which made Seria wince.
"N-Nothing...Hermione I swear it! Malfoy's...just…he's just got in for me. I don't know why! Honest!" Seria lied through her teeth, but the way Hermione look, she wouldn't buy it.
"Humph..." Was all Hermione did before turning her heels and walked away, her bag over her shoulder. Seria blinked after the her, and sighed. This wasn't good, this really wasn't good. How much Hermione had over heard…
Back in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron were sitting by the fire, Astronomy books open in their laps, reading over their charts and double checking spelling. They looked up at the sound of the portert opening, Hermione appearing a second later. By the way she looked; both Harry and Ron raised their eyebrows at her as she sat down.
"What's going on Hermione?" Asked Ron, who placed his book on the table on top of his chart. Hermione casts the entrance hole a dark looked before looking at Ron and Harry.
"It's Seria..." She whispered, both of them groaned, leaning back in their chairs.
"What now?" Snapped Ron, who was, by the look of it, getting annoyed with Hermione and not liking Seria.
"How about this! She was talking to Malfoy!" Hermione snapped back, which caught Harry's attention.
"What do you mean Hermione?" He asked, as Hermione took a glance around the common room, then to the entrance before lowering her voice, leaning closer.
"He called her 'Riddle' and said something about her getting to work, or there will consequences...and she mentioned something about a plan" Hermione looked over at Ron, who, as well as Harry, was leaning in to listen to her words.
"A plan?"
"Malfoy was threatening her..." Both boys looked slightly shock, and then looked at Hermione who glared at them.
"I'm warning you now! Stay away from her! She's bad news!" Hermione hissed. Harry and Ron both looked at each other with a confused look then went back staring at Hermione.
"You just don't like her cause she keeps getting good marks!" Ron growled across the table, which got him a nasty look from Hermione.
"You just like her, because she's hot!" Hermione spat, which shocked Ron and Harry once again rolled his eyes. "Ya, I heard you! You think she's a pretty hot, smart girl!" She sneered before grabbing her things and headed to the girl's dormitories. Sighing both Ron and Harry went back to their charts, but Harry thought over Hermione's warning
'Stay away from her! She's bad news!' Why was Malfoy threatening Seria? He didn't know her that well, this was her first year here, and she was ahead of them in a few classes. But she still knew her stuff. Harry stared down at his chart, he didn't want to bring these questions with Ron, since he knew that Ron would just get angry at the fact Harry was thinking on Hermione's words. Not to mention, Harry noticed since the day Seria had lunch with them, she's been avoiding them. He made up his mind, he was going to talk to Seria tomorrow about what Hermione said, and why she was acting so weird.
Author Notes:
Hey guys! I hope your enjoying the story so far. I noticed that my chapters keep getting longer but hey what can one do? Well, as you can tell things between the friends are starting to get slightly on edge as well as Hermione's trust in Seria is nothing now. Well, please review! I would love it if you would. Hehe.
Next Chapter: Draco's Dark Secret.