DON'T PRETEND YOU LOVE ME
CHAPTER 14
RUMBLE, YOUNG MAN, RUMBLE
They arrived at Hogwarts just a couple of minutes after leaving the Burrow. Getting off the bus one by one, Harry saw the other Knight Buses parked by the gate of the grounds of the school. He saw the other students got out of them and chatted merrily. They weren't the only one's who planned coming back a little early after all.
"Good luck with the match, ey Harry." said Stan.
"Thanks Stan," said Harry
"Yeah Potter. Because in the end, luck is all you have." said Draco before making his things float and going to the castle with them.
"Oh, I forgot that Mr. Malfoy is the captain of the Slytherin team." said Stan.
"Yeah, don't mind because he sure doesn't mind anybody." said Harry.
"Got to go Harry, see you soon." said Stan.
"See you." said Harry, and with a loud bang, the Knight Bus had vanished in front of them.
"C'mon Harry!" Ginny called "We still have loads to do!"
Harry and the others entered the gate and walked on Hogwarts grounds to the castle. Luna parted from them as she went off to the Ravenclaw Tower. Harry noticed that Draco disappeared right after that. Hermione, Ginny and Parvati left for their dormitories once they arrived at the common room.
Harry, Ron and Neville meanwhile went to their own dorm. After opening the door, they were surprised by man sleeping on of the beds.
"Sirius!" said Harry
"I'm not touching myself!" yelled Sirius in surprise as he was suddenly woken by his godson.
"Why are you sleeping on my bed!" said Harry.
Sirius shushed him "Not so loud, I didn't get to sleep much last night." said Sirius lazily.
"How did you get in?" asked Neville.
"Yeah, especially after what you did with the Fat Lady when everyone still thought you were a murderer." said Ron.
Sirius let out a loud yawn then scratched the back of his head "It's not easy winning her trust back. She made me wear a cowboy costume and strip to the sounds of BABY GOT BACK." said Sirius.
"There's a picture for you." Ron whispered to Harry.
"Okay, now to answer my question. What are you doing here?" asked Harry.
"Well where did you expect me to sleep? Every room in the damn castle with a bed on them were hexed by Flitwick," said Sirius
"Why are you looking for a bed? Don't you have your own room to sleep in?" asked Ron
"Yeah, I thought of that, but McGonagall hexed her room too. Surprise, surprise, god knows what that woman keeps inside there. Hmm, maybe I should try and take look for myself when she gets back." said Sirius.
"Sirius! Back to me now." said Harry getting impatient.
"Oh, yeah. So there's no room for me, right? And then Dumbledore tells me- No! Orders me to sleep with Snape," said Sirius.
"WHAT!" yelled the three boys.
"No, no! That came out wrong. He wanted me to share Snape's room. Which became hardly unbearable after you all left." said Sirius
"What? Why? What happened when we left?" asked Harry.
"We were having dinner with the staff. It was awkward since the silence in the Great Hall was deafening, I went on to start a conversation." said Sirius.
Harry crossed his arms "And what conversation was that?" said Harry.
"I said that it was a beautiful night for a walk in the moonlight, and how the food taste great." said Sirius.
"That's it?" asked Ron.
"Well, the top ten reasons why Severus Snape is gay might have been mentioned." said Sirius scratching the back of his neck.
"Good god man, what's wrong with you?" said Neville.
"I… might have pointed out Snape's impotency to the women at the table. Seriously, I didn't think he was going to take it personally." said Sirius.
Harry shook his head in disgust.
"So what happened after that?" asked Neville.
"After that I knew I can't sleep with my eyes closed. Just picture it, you on this side of the room staring at each other." said Sirius
"This isn't going to be intimate, won't it?" said Neville
Sirius threw one of Harry's pillow at him "I'm just saying that I'm not safe if I closed my eyes anymore that's all." said Harry.
"Oh Sirius." said Harry sounding sorry for him. "Too bad it isn't our problem."
Harry stood up and began unpacking.
"Hey! Have you been hanging out with Draco Malfoy lately? Because I think he's starting to rub off on you." said Sirius who stood up and did some stretching.
"He hasn't been hanging out with Malfoy." said Ron with a sarcastic laugh "They just went on being buddy, buddy with each other,"
"What?" said Sirius
"Yeah, they're the best of friends now." said Ron with a touch of jealousy in his voice.
"Ron, I think you're over reacting." said Harry
"Oh, am I?" said Ron
"You have been hanging with Draco a lot lately." said Neville.
"Oh really," said Sirius, crossing his arms while looking at Harry with a look of amusement
"Ron, think about it. He's lost everything. His father, his wealth, his cronies, what do you think Hermione would do?" said Harry.
"Oh, alright." said Ron sounding a little envious.
Harry chuckled nervously.
"Come on, Ron. Turn that frown upside down." said Harry.
"I bet you say that to Malfoy when he feels bad." Ron said like a child on a tantrum.
"Draco's not my best friend, Ron. You are." said Harry.
Ron looked like he was on the verge of crying. He dashed towards Harry and gave him a huge hug causing Harry to redden.
"I forgot how emotionally needy you are." said Harry patting Ron on the back.
"If you ask me, I think you're a little jealous, Ron." said Neville
"Whose side are you really on?" snapped Ron.
"Nobody's side." said Neville.
"The worst side of them all." said Ron.
"Wait a minute." said Sirius. "Did you say, what would Hermione do?" said Sirius.
"Yeah, I guess I did." said Harry who looked like he regretted saying it.
"Is it me, or does my childish immaturity sense something?" said Sirius with a playful grin.
"Sirius you're crazy." said Harry.
"Aha! Bingo! There is something going on!" yelled Sirius in joy.
"What are you talking about?" said Harry who's now turning red.
"That's the same question I asked James when he wouldn't admit he had feelings for Lily! And presto, voila, next thing I knew, he was down on his knees begging Lily for a date." said Sirius.
"You and your stupid perceptions." said Harry.
"Harry and Hermione sitting on a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Harry with a baby carriage!" sang Ron and Neville.
"What are you, eight?" Harry told them.
"Hang on, Remus told me that you two are already a couple. And now you say that you just have feelings for her, I think I'm a little confused here." said Sirius.
"Not as confused as Hannah Abbott and her sexuality." said Ron teasingly.
"Really? I thought those were just rumors." said Neville.
"It's true! A third year girl saw her making out with another chick behind Herbology" Ron replied.
"And on my turf!" said Neville.
"It's a real scandal in the Puff's house." said Ron.
"I heard that she has a list of girls she'd like to do the nasty with."
"Yeah, top five I think."
"Top ten!"
"No."
"Yes."
"Know any names?"
"Yeah, I'll tell you later."
"ANYWAY… to make the long story short. She asked me to act as her boyfriend until her uncle goes back to Brighton. Too bad for us he decided to stay, Bastard." said Harry.
"Come here, Harry." said Sirius as he put his hand around his godson's shoulders. "Let me give you tips on how to get it going with a girl."
"Get it going?" said Harry as he pulled away from Sirius, "She's my best friend!"
"Hey, I thought I was your best friend." Ron protested.
"Shut up, Ron." Harry told him.
"So what if you're her best friend? It doesn't mean that you can't have anything more than friendship with her." said Sirius.
"This is crazy! This is just too crazy! There's no chance in hell that she has feelings for me." said Harry "Besides it's not that big of a thing."
"Who are you kidding? I've seen you whenever someone mentions her name." said Ron.
"That's not true." said Harry.
"Hermione!" said the Ron, Neville and Sirius at the same time. Harry's face immediately turned bright with a grin.
"Not true huh?" said Neville.
"Even if I do have feelings for her, how would I know that she has feelings for me as well?" said Harry.
"Well there are things that James did for similar occasions. How do you think he knew all about you're mother's likes and dislikes?" said Sirius "Let's just say I still remember operation Diary Dead Run."
"My dad stole my mum's diary!" said Harry.
"Borrowed it without telling her!" asked Sirius.
"No! Listen, I don't want any of you doing anything about it. I just want to get over it that's all." said Harry "I want all of you to promise me that you won't do anything about it. Do you guys promise?"
"Yeah, okay." said Ron.
"Sure thing, you can trust me Harry." said Neville.
"Thanks Neville, how about you Sirius?" asked Harry.
"Fine! Fine!" said Sirius sounding disappointed "I just want to tell you that it's going to be a waste of a great plan that's all."
"Thanks." said Harry.
"Just remember, if you need someone to talk to, I'll always be here." said Sirius.
"So where are you going to sleep now? I mean, professor Dumbledore is bound to find out that you've been sleeping here." said Ron
"Well I guess I have to suck it up and walk straight back to Snape's room. God knows what booby traps he put in there since I went out." said Sirius "Do you guys have any dirt on him?"
Harry and Ron exchanged looks. They smiled and turned to Sirius.
"We know one." said Ron.
"You do? Well c'mon, tell me, what is it?" said Sirius rubbing his palms.
"Sinistra!" said Harry.
"Sinistra? What does she have to do with Snape?" said Sirius.
"That's for us to know and for you to find out." said Harry.
"Oh come on, I'm your beloved Godfather." whined Sirius.
"Don't flatter yourself." said Harry.
"Sirius, I almost forgot to ask you if we can practice later for our match with Slytherin next week." said Neville.
"Sure, I'll write you guys a letter. Wait a minute, you and Slytherin? But their match with Hufflepuff won't take place until tomorrow." said Sirius.
"Of course they'll win. Slytherin will crush Hufflepuff. I'm willing to bet my Galleons on it." said Ron.
"You're willing to bet your Galleons?" said Sirius.
"If I had ten Galleons, sure." said Ron.
"C'mon Ron, Neville, I'm starving. Let's go and eat at the Great Hall." said Harry.
Sirius gave Neville the letter that permits them to practice on the Quidditch Pitch. After that, the three went off to eat. Sirius paced around on what Harry and Ron had said.
"Now what would Snape want with Sinistra? Hmm, where does she fit in?" said Sirius, and then he suddenly stopped and gave a smile of triumph to himself "Of course!" he said darkly.
At the Great Hall, Harry, Ron and Neville were half done with their plates when Ron nudged Harry.
"What is it?" asked Harry.
"It's Hermione," said Ron teasingly.
Harry looked where Ron was looking at and saw Hermione with a pink sweater that made her look so cute in someway. Harry realized that he was again turning red and didn't want to be caught dead by Hermione. He slapped his cheeks trying to stop his self blush.
"Doesn't she look cute in that sweater, Harry?" whispered Ron still teasing Harry.
"Give it a rest Ron, it's nothing, will you please forget that you knew about it?" pleaded Harry.
"C'mon mate, I for one would love it if you two would become a couple. I mean you saw my reaction the last time I found out that you were together." said Ron.
"Ron, you shouted 'what do I bloody mean I'm her Boyfriend'.'" said Harry.
"That's because you kept it a secret from me." said Ron.
"You're hopeless." said Harry.
"You should talk, Mr. Potter." said Ron.
"Mind your own problems. Oh, and by the way, how's that twin situation you're in?" teased Harry.
"Shush, here she comes." said Ron.
Hermione sat down next to Harry which made his plate quite interesting for him.
"What are you two talking about?" asked Hermione.
"Quidditch." said Harry quickly.
"Snape." said Ron the same time.
Hermione looked confused "Which of the two?" said Hermione smiling.
Harry and Ron were stuttering at each other trying hard to conjure some explanation.
"Give me a verb." said Hermione still smiling.
"Me and Ron were just umm... talking about Snape."
"Yeah."
"Playing Quidditch."
"Exactly."
"And then err... he would umm... fall off and hit his head on solid ground."
"Right."
"Snape doesn't play Quidditch." said Hermione.
"Yeah, we know, it was Ron's dream."
"Yep, such a shame I had to wake up."
"Now that you're done practicing for a comical act, what are you really talking about?" asked Hermione.
"We've told you." said Ron.
"Fine, if you two don't want to tell me, I'm not here to force you." said Hermione, she stood up and walked away.
"I think she bought it." said Ron
"Oh crap," said Harry bashing his head on the table, which Ron ignored.
Later that day, Harry and Ron went walking to the Gryffindor Locker room. They went outside with their brooms and headed for the Qudditch field.
"Wahhhh!" Ron yawned, "It's a good thing we don't have school today. I wonder where Hermione went off to." said Ron
"She's probably at the library, you know her." said Harry.
"Hey, are we the only one's at the team who's practicing today?' asked Ron.
"Let me see, there's me and you, your sister, Neville, Agatha and Euan." said Harry.
"Where's Seamus?" asked Ron.
"Seamus wrote me at the Burrow, he said he'll be here tomorrow." said Harry.
Moments later, they reached the field and saw the rest of the team, Neville who saw Ron quickly let go of Ginny's hand, which made Ron suspicious.
We've been waiting for you two, what took you guys so long to eat?" said Ginny.
"Easy Gin, we don't get to practice for twenty more minutes." said Ron.
"So what? We should have been practicing ten minutes ago." said Ginny.
"A little punctual aren't we." came someone's voice.
They all turned to see who spoke and saw Derek Dolohov standing in front of the of the Slytherin team (Except Malfoy).
"What disgusting odor brought you here, Dolohov?" said Agatha.
"Quidditch practice you little insect." said Dolohov.
"Call her an insect again, I dare you." said Euan.
"Oh what a brave little mascot you have Potter, do you feed him every once in a while because he sure looks thin, aren't you, you little Mudblood." said Dolohov with his usual malicious grin.
Agatha attempted to hit him but Neville who were standing right behind her held her back.
"You know Dolohov, I don't know what you're trying to prove but as you can see in this permit, Gryffindor is suppose to practice today." said Harry showing Dolohov Sirius's permit.
"Oh, is that right? Your temporary Head of House is Sirius Black if I'm not mistaking, and wasn't he the person who killed all those Muggles back then?" said Dolohov looking at Euan.
"He was cleared of all charges." said Harry with his temperature rising.
Dolohov walked slowly to Harry "Well if you ask me Potter, I think he did kill Muggles for-"
PAK!
Before Dolohov knew it, he was on the ground holding his jaw in pain. Harry had punched him, then all of a sudden, the Slytherin team had attacked Harry, but they quickly found theirselves facing the rest of Gryffindor, Ginny saw one of them reach for his wand so she took her own and disarmed him. Ron lunged at Crabbe and pummeled him on the ground, Neville was being beaten up by two of them, one held his arms back and the other one was free to batter Neville in which way he would want, Agatha didn't need to use a wand because she was busy boxing with one of the Slytherins who was twice her size, Euan knew that he wouldn't stand a chance facing Goyle, he quickly flew his broom, grabbed Goyle by the collar and dragged him across the field. Harry saw Neville and came to his aid; he kicked the one who was holding Neville back, as Harry was suppose to punch him, he suddenly heard someone yelled.
"EXPELLIARMUS!"
Harry turned around and saw Dolohov's wand flew from him.
"What on earth is going on here!" yelled someone's voice.
Harry saw three men running towards them. Two men in black robes and one man with his wand out. It was Sirius, Lupin and Snape.
The rampage finally stopped, Lupin separated the two teams.
"Is someone going to tell us why all of you are pounding each other senseless? Or do I have to get a Veritaserum to get some answers!" yelled Lupin.
"Veritaserum? Hah! A simple Cruciatus curse will do." said Snape.
"Alright Dolohov, what happened here?" asked Sirius.
"Black! By the tone of your voice tells me that you are indicating to us that my own House had started the brawl!" snarled Snape.
"It's obvious, isn't it? Or do you have an ear problem?" said Sirius.
"You're a comedian Black. You keep me laughing at you. It is obvious that Potter had started this; his record in this school isn't exactly as clean as yours! I can get his medical history to prove that!" said Snape.
"As teacher in this school, I here by take fifty points from Slytherin!" bellowed Sirius.
"Preposterous! Sixty points from Gryffindor!"
"Seventy points from Slytherin!"
"Eighty points from Gryffindor!"
"Ninety points from Slytherin!"
"A hundred points from Gryffindor!"
"Sold!" yelled Lupin, then he looked at the two staring at him. "Sorry, I always wanted to say that in these types of situation. Settle down you two, I think we should ask someone who saw the fight." said Remus.
"And who might that be?" asked Snape crossing his arms
"Him." said Lupin pointing behind Harry and the others.
"Draco Malfoy." said Sirius.
Draco walked towards the teachers.
"Mr. Malfoy, tell me, Potter here started the brawl didn't he?' asked Snape.
Draco looked at Dolohov and then he looked at Harry, he stared at him for a few seconds then smiled maliciously.
"It was-"started Draco.
"Potter and Weasley?" said Snape at once.
"Severus let him talk." said Lupin.
"Who was it Draco?" asked Sirius.
"It was Dolohov and the others Professor, they started the fight." said Draco grinning.
"Dolohov?" asked a surprised Snape.
"You heard it from your own student Snape. The Slytherins started it." said Lupin.
Snape glared at Dolohov and the others "Don't worry, I'll be sure to show the errors of their actions." said Snape.
"Wait a minute, you're not going to punish them? For all I know you'd just let them sit behind the corner and put hats on them that says DUNCE!" said Sirius.
"Oh, and where would you get that idea?" asked Snape.
"From Remus over here." said Sirius.
Snape glared at Lupin "Been a bit of a tattle tale aren't we." said Snape darkly.
"Sirius is right Severus." said Lupin.
"Of course, and if he says Trolls pee gold then I guess he's right too." said Snape.
"No, no, it's not that, since you have been... well... A little bit soft with your punishment lately, Sirius should therefore take role as disciplinarian to the offenders." said Lupin.
"Fine then, I shall give Potter and the others detention at my office then." said Snape.
"What!" shouted Sirius, Harry and Ron at the same time.
"He can't do that!" said Sirius.
"Well, I'm sorry Sirius, Severus has the right to punish Harry and the rest of the team for minor offenses." said Lupin.
"This is unfair! I'm going to march towards Dumbledore's office and tell him all this." said Sirius.
"Not if I get there first." said Snape.
"I don't think that you should tell the Headmaster about this." said Lupin.
"Why not?" said Sirius.
"You don't think? I don't need your opinions Lupin!" snarled Snape.
"Oh sure, do go on ahead. If you really want your teams to default in Quidditch." said Lupin.
Sirius and Snape looked at each other in disgust, but they got what Lupin was saying to them.
"If you would tell Dumbledore the seriousness of this event, then I'm afraid he would disqualify both of the teams." said Lupin.
"Fine!" shouted Snape.
"Damn!" yelled Sirius.
Sirius faced the Slytherin team "Dolohov! You better get yourself and the rest of your team to my office at nine tomorrow night!" he yelled
Snape turned around and started to walk back to the castle "Potter! Detention! Tomorrow night! Ten!" he shouted
"Professor Lupin." whined Agatha.
"Sorry, I'm afraid I can't help you guys this time." said Lupin "And will someone please bring down Goyle from that goal post." said Lupin.
"What about the points taken from us?" asked Ginny.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of that, I'll just tell the Professor that two unlikely Professors of this school got excited." said Lupin before heading off.
"This isn't over yet Potter, mark my words." said Dolohov darkly.
"Don't you villain types ever use different one liners?" said Harry.
Dolohov turned to Draco "You'll pay for what you did Malfoy. You'll get what you deserve." said Dolohov.
"You mean I'm going to get medals and a bubble bath? Because that's sure what I deserve after pointing the blame on you guys." said Draco with his usual grin.
Dolohov's face grew red with anger "Crabbe! Avery! Get Goyle down that post and meet us in the common room!" said Dolohov.
The two went off towards the goal post while the rest of the Slytherin team went to the castle.
"So we're going to spend detention with Snape. Well this is going to be a great way saying goodbye to the year." said Ron.
"Neville, are you alright?" asked Ginny.
"Yeah, don't sweat it." said Neville.
"You're hurt. Ron, help me get him to the hospital wing." said Harry.
Ron quickly helped Harry assist Neville to the hospital wing accompanied with the rest of the team. They reached their destination when they heard Madam Pomfrey's voice.
"What now!" she cried "What are you in for this time Potter? Broken neck? Broken arm? Broken leg? Bruises and cuts? Broken elbow? Or are you just missing one?" she said lazily as they helped Neville sit on the bed.
Harry whose lip was bleeding, was being smothered by Madam Pomfrey. She was busy taking care of Harry's lip. She didn't notice the rest of the team who looked worst than him, especially Neville who was beaten by two thugs earlier. Harry forced himself to talk to the nurse.
"Err... Madam Pomfrey. I think you should look at Neville's situation first." said Harry who was being suffocated by Madam Pomfrey.
She turned and looked at the appearance of the team who were all grinning at her "What on earth happened to you lot? You all look like you were in a riot!" said Madam Pomfrey.
"We were." said Ron.
"Actually, what happened was-"started Ginny but she was immediately stopped by Madam Pomfrey.
"No! Don't tell me, I don't want to hear about it. I swear Potter, this school has been so quiet and peaceful before you came here. Well, that is if you leave your father's affairs aside. But even James Potter didn't spend as much time at the hospital wing when he was still going to school here as you did." said Madam Pomfrey.
"She's got a point mate, you do have a knack for injury." said Ron.
"It's not my fault if an evil Wizard wanted me dead." said Harry laughing slightly.
"The rest of you sit down on the chairs over there." said Madam Pomfrey as she treated on Neville's injuries.
After Madam Pomfrey was through treating and lecturing them, they all went to the common room to get some rest.
"We didn't get to practice today, but I sure am beat." said Ron.
"Yeah, literally." said Agatha, they all laughed.
"I'm pretty beat up myself. I think I'm going to get some rest." said Ginny.
"Yeah, me too." said Agatha, both of them went off to the girls dorm.
Euan yawned "I think I'm going to relive how I hanged Goyle on the goal post in my dream." said Euan.
"Me too." said Neville.
"How about you Harry?" asked Ron.
"No, you guys go on ahead; I don't feel like sleeping yet. I'm just going to stay here and polish my Firebolt." said Harry who sat down the couch.
"Suit your self." said Ron, He, Euan and Neville went off to the boy's dorm.
Instead of cleaning his Broom, Harry laid the back of his head on the couch. He closed his eyes, as he was about to doze off, he heard the portrait hall opened and someone walk inside. Harry realized that he was too tired to open his eyes and see the person so he just ignored whoever it was.
"Harry! Harry!" called the person.
Harry opened his eyes and saw Hermione holding some books leaning in front of him "Hermione?" he said.
"I heard what happened at practice today, what happened?" she asked.
"I don't want to talk about it Hermione." said Harry closing his eyes once more. He suddenly felt the books she was carrying thrown close to him
"I don't know what is it with you these days, Harry!" she shouted.
Suddenly, Harry felt his tiredness go away, he stood up and faced Hermione "What is wrong with you!" he shouted back.
"Harry, I never did anything but let you and Ron talk about things, but I wish sometimes you'd remember that I'm your friend too!"
"Yeah we talk about things, but they're things that don't concern you!"
"Oh, isn't that right? Here you are talking about stuff, and what do you call that little riot you had earlier. I don't know Harry, but I call it a serious matter, a serious matter that doesn't concern me!"
"What the hell do you want from me!"
"To treat me like before, for you to tell me what's happening!"
"You keep secrets from me too!"
"Oh, okay, so you want to know how we picture our dream man would be okay, where do you want me to start?"
Harry thrust his Broom on the couch "So you want me to get everything back to normal? It's okay; I'll just go to your uncle and tell him to ship his crap back to Brighton then!"
Hermione didn't answer Harry; Harry suddenly found her eyes filled with tears. She ran quickly towards the girl's dorm before Harry could even stop her.
"Hermione wait!" called Harry, but the door already shut closed.
Harry now realized that he shouldn't have said that to her, he was only just too tired and he was not himself was the thing that Harry thought to himself. He paced around the common room and smashed the vase that was on the table.
"Damn," he whispered.
Hedwig466: Thanks, I honestly didn't think it that logic lie was that funny when I was writing it. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Proudtobeatheaterkid: Yeah, I kinda imagined Bill like that. The Eldest most matured one in the family. The twins' shop at diagon alley was only closed temporarily because of the holidays. And there are more than one shop that they run.
Wolfgil666: well thank you for a wonderful review.
'thickheadkid': thanks for the follow up reviews. I appreciate it.