Chapter 32- A Contentious Punishment
A/N: Sorry for the long break between chapters! Thanks very much to everyone who reviewed the last chapter: all of the support is tremendous and reading those reviews makes my day.
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
"How long have those Ravenclaws been?" said Natalie in annoyance, looking at her watch. She and Hermione were waiting outside Professor Vector's office to ask a few questions about their most recent Arithmancy essay. With a few days till the final Quidditch match of the season between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor that would decide the cup, Ron's nerves had resurfaced, causing him to dash to the bathroom several times to vomit. Harry had opted to remain in the Common room to finish his Potions essay.
"Terry said they had several questions about the last assignment- apparently, the class marks were quite low," replied Hermione.
Natalie nodded, remembering the difficulty of the assignment. "They probably struggled with those questions that required Muggle calculus."
"I think we were the only two to earn full marks on those questions," pointed Hermione with a fond smile.
Natalie chuckled. "No one else would have thought to look towards the Muggle section in the library."
Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "You should always explore all options for those type of problems."
"Fully agree with you."
Hermione's eyes narrowed suddenly. "Is that Ron running toward us?"
Natalie swiveled her head to look in the direction Hermione was staring. She recognized the familiar gangly figure and the crop of red hair who was almost sprinting toward them from the distant end of the corridor.
"Why is he running?" said Hermione with a scowl.
"Is there a bathroom around here?" said Natalie, an amused smile on her face.
"No," replied Hermione. "You don't think something's wrong?"
Ron arrived in front of them, panting and his arms swinging wildly.
"What's wrong, Ron?" said Natalie harshly.
"You didn't see Harry?" breathed Ron, animatedly gesturing around the corridor.
"What?" asked Natalie, her stomach taking a steep lurch. She sincerely hoped Hermione was not right, but the frantic expression on Ron's expression indicated otherwise.
"Ron, stop," said Hermione, grabbing his arms and placing them by his side. "What happened?"
"His robes," said Ron, still breathing heavily. "Harry's I mean, they were covered in blood."
"Blood?" said Natalie faintly. Waves of dread and panic rolled through her, dropping her stomach further and further. "Harry's blood?"
"Where is Harry?" asked Hermione anxiously, her voice faltering. She could see Hermione trembling besides her.
Ron paused with a thoughtful expression on his face, plunging Natalie and Hermione into even greater bouts of nervousness. "I don't think it was his blood- he wasn't bleeding."
"Where is he, Ron?" said Natalie through gritted teach, trying to refrain herself from throttling him.
"I'm not sure- he just came into the common room, covered with blood. He wanted my Potions textbook and then he left just like that," answered Ron. "I thought you two would know."
"You didn't think to follow him?" said Natalie. Ron's cryptic answers were straining her nerves severely.
"No, he left so quickly," said Ron defensively. "Where do you reckon he is?"
"Let's try the Hospital wing," Hermione suggested, giving Ron a withering glare. "We'll talk to Vector later.
Natalie nodded. With Ron ahead of her and Hermione behind her, they began running towards the Hospital wing. They took several shortcuts, almost ripping a few outraged tapestries, pushing roughly through little groups of students, not even bothering with the outraged and curious stares they were receiving. Once they finally reached the hospital wing, Natalie looked for a bed with a closed curtain, finding the curtain at the opposing end of the room. Not even caring if Madam Pomfrey was around, she walked as fast as she could to the curtain, tearing it open.
Natalie gasped, stepping backward.
"Bloody hell," said Ron blankly.
"My goodness," whispered Hermione, her hands covering her mouth in shock.
On the bed in front of her, an unconscious Draco Malfoy lay. His shirt had been removed to reveal a bare chest with a sickly pallid, white colour. A thick, multi layered bandage wrapped itself diagonally around him, seeming to reduce his body to an ashen white stick. Natalie covered her nose at the burning, molten smell of blood wafting around them, overcoming the fresh, soapy scent usually hovering in the air. Discarded, tomato red stained bandages were strewn across the table on the bed. With a sinking feeling of understanding, Natalie knew exactly where the blood on Harry's robes came from.
A shrill, piercing voice disrupted the sudden disquiet among the three. "What are you three doing here?" shrieked Madam Pomfrey irately, stepping in front of them and furiously closing the curtains.
"Erm, we just came to see what erm happened," spluttered Natalie.
"This is none of your business," snapped Madam Pomfrey, waving them off.
"I suppose you three want to see Mr. Potter," said a quieter and sharper voice. Minerva stepped out from behind them, joining Madam Pomfrey. "Poppy, I'll handle this lot. You can attend to Mr. Malfoy."
"We h-had no idea Professor what had happened," stammered Hermione, staring at the curtain Madam Pomfrey had moved through to treat Malfoy.
"I am certain you can hazard a guess," said Minerva in an even quieter, more dangerous tone. She looked absolutely livid.
"Harry did that to Malfoy, then?" asked Hermione weakly.
"I'll leave that for Mr. Potter to tell you," replied Minerva in the same low voice.
Another horribly sharp pang of understanding struck Natalie. "What spell did he use?" croaked Natalie, her eyes widening in trepidation.
Hermione stiffened besides her. Ron's mouth dropped slightly as a look of understanding also spread over his face.
Minerva eyed them suspiciously. "It was one of the darkest spells I have seen. The only other people I know to cast that spell are Death Eaters. Now, I am wondering as to where Mr. Potter could have learned such magic?" She fixed her gaze individually on each one of them, demanding an answer. None of them knew what to say, all looking away from Minerva's angry eyes.
At last, Hermione spoke. "Probably from the Death Eaters we saw last year at the Ministry," mumbled Hermione, looking at Minerva.
"Are you certain about that, Miss Granger?" Minerva pressed, staring at her.
"It's the only logical answer," said Natalie as firmly as she could. "You know Harry would never read books about Dark Magic. How else would he have come across such a spell?"
Minerva's eyes flashed towards her, scrutinizing Natalie's neutral expression. "Very well then, I shall accept your answer but I want all of you to make it clear to Mr. Potter that if he uses a spell such as that on another student again, I will have no qualms about expelling him from this school regardless of his identity."
Another shocked silence stretched between them as Minerva's word reverberated in their heads.
"Of course," said Natalie feebly.
Minerva gave a slight nod of the head. "I believe the three of you have class starting in ten minutes."
"Oh no, I actually have a free period this afternoon," said Ron lamely.
Natalie inwardly groaned at the realization she and Hermione had Ancient Runes. She desperately wanted to find Harry and ask him what happened.
Minerva looked as if she wanted to snap at Ron. "Miss Malkae and Miss Granger, I know the 6th year Ancient Runes class is this afternoon. If I find that either one of you is absent, there will be severe ramifications, do you understand me?"
"Yes, Professor," replied Hermione, finally meeting Minerva's gaze.
"And you?" said Minerva, seeming to burn a hole through Natalie's forehead.
"Of course, we will be in class," said Natalie wearily.
"Then go," said Minerva harshly. "Weasley, you can come with me to the Gryffindor common room. I need to have a talk with Potter about his behavior."
The three of them winced simultaneously at the menacing note in Minerva's voice. Natalie could not help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Harry.
Natalie and Hermione, after nodding at Minerva and a very twitchy Ron, left the hospital wing, walking slowly in the direction of Ancient Runes.
"Do you think Harry used one of the Prince's curses?" asked Hermione as they took a shortcut under one of the staircases.
"Must have," muttered Natalie. "Why would he want Ron's book?" With the sudden fear and worry for Harry's safety quickly dissipating, another strong emotion was rising within Natalie. Instead of cutting and biting at her insides like the dread, it bubbled and churned within her, slowly starting to consume her. She knew the emotion all too well though less so with Harry in the past few weeks: anger.
"What do you think Harry's punishment will be?" said Hermione worriedly as they rounded another corner, quickly walking past a group of fourth years that were staring inquisitively at them.
"I daresay he deserves a pretty harsh punishment," said Natalie, letting the anger show in her voice. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's handed detention till the rest of the term. And at least 50 points should be taken from Gryffindor."
"I agree," concurred Hermione, shaking her head. "How many times did we tell him not to use spells from that book?"
"And to stop stalking Malfoy," added Natalie, clenching her fists.
"He doesn't listen," stated Hermione crossly.
"No, he does not," said Natalie, seething. "I just hope I can get through Runes without losing my temper."
Hermione looked at her apprehensively. "Professor McGonagall will be checking Natalie."
"I know we have to attend," said Natalie quietly. "It doesn't mean I like it."
"If it helps, neither do I."
They reached the Ancient Runes classroom, a minute before the lesson started. Walking to their seats in the front right of the classroom, neither acknowledged any of the curious expressions on a few of the other students' faces. Evidently, many students had seen Harry running through the corridors, his robes caked with blood.
Natalie barely paid attention to the lesson; her mind, for once, did not relish the challenge of understanding the new type of Runes the teacher introduced. The image of the pale, limp form of Draco Malfoy kept popping in her mind, quickly accompanied by her own vision of Harry casting the spell that cut Malfoy's chest open. She remembered every conversation she had with Harry about the Prince; every comment she made about the danger of using curses with unknown affects. And then, there was the issue of Malfoy. Harry had obviously decided to check upon Malfoy once Ron left to the bathroom. She did not know what Malfoy had done to start the duel but Harry should have stopped obsessing about Malfoy a long time ago. She and Hermione repeatedly told him. He just chose not to hear them until it was too late.
After an excruciating long class of her blankly copying the runes on the board while letting her anger build and layer on itself, the clock finally chimed. Hermione and Natalie almost sprinted out of the class, making a beeline for the Gryffindor Common room. They traversed through the crowd heading for the Great Hall, taking as many hidden passageways as possible to reach the Gryffindor tower.
Natalie snapped the password at an indignant Fat Lady, stepping over the threshold. Most of Gryffindor house seemed to have headed for supper though in the corner by the fireplace, Harry sat with Ron and the rest of the Quidditch team. Judging by all the stony expressions, Natalie surmised that his punishment had something to do with the upcoming game; most likely a suspension.
To Natalie's intense displeasure, Ginny was the first to notice Natalie and Hermione enter the portrait hole.
"Harry, what were you thinking?" exclaimed Hermione furiously once they had reached the group.
Harry stared at the two of them with a resigned somberness that in any other circumstance, would have aroused a strong undercurrent of sympathy within Natalie.
"Hermione, don't," cautioned Ginny, moving closer to Harry on her spot on the settee.
Natalie forced herself to breath slowly, earning strange looks from the other members of the team. She first had to make sure nothing happened to Harry. "Malfoy didn't hurt you Harry, did he?"
Harry gave her a relieved smile. "No, he did not."
"But you got him pretty bad," snapped Natalie. The look of relief flickering across Harry's face unshackled the anger within her; she now knew it was only a matter of time before she lost control.
"Can we talk about this in a more private place?" said Harry, looking hesitantly at Natalie.
"Let's go to your dormitory," said Natalie, her voice trembling.
Harry nodded. He glanced apologetically at the rest of the Quidditch team. "I'm sorry for what's happened. So as I said before, Ginny will be moving to Seeker and Dean will be our new Chaser. I'll tell him later tonight."
The others gave him small smiles before he, Ginny and Ron stood up from their positions on the armchair and settee. Natalie raised her eyebrows at Ginny who stared defiantly at her. Together with Hermione and Natalie, the five of them walked upstairs to the boys' 6th year dormitory which was empty; the other three inhabitants were most likely at supper.
Hermione and Natalie cast the appropriate Silencing charms. Natalie refrained from casting "Muffliato", not wanting to give the Prince any sort of credit.
"What happened, Harry?" asked Hermione in a softer, slightly inviting tone as she lowered herself onto Ron's bed alongside Ron. Natalie dropped onto Dean's bed, not wanting to sit with Harry. She almost regretted the decision when Ginny plopped down next to Harry.
"Um, well-
"Harry, just tell us," stated Natalie sharply.
A trace of irritation crept into Harry's eyes. "Fine, then. I was walking along the seventh floor corridor-
"What wee you doing there?" interrupted Hermione.
"Checking if Malfoy would come out of the Room of the Requirement," Natalie answered for Harry, shooting him a withering glare.
"Will you two please let him finish the story?" said Ron loudly, the familiar red tingeing his ears.
"Thanks, Ron," croaked Harry. He cleared his throat, looking gloomily at a point above Dean's bed. "I had the map with me and I saw that Malfoy was with Moaning Myrtle in her bathroom. It seemed very strange-I went to the bathroom… well, I found him crying with Myrtle consoling him. I wanted to get out of there as fast as possible but Malfoy noticed me. He was extremely angry. He tried to cast the Cruciatus curse-
"The Cruciatus curse?" Natalie cried in in outrage. Her growing anger was momentarily abated by the thought of Malfoy attempting to use an Unforgivable curse on another student.
Harry lowered his eyes to look at her furious expression. "Yes, but before he could, I sent the Sectumsempra at him. And then everything happened so fast; he was bleeding all over the place, Myrtle was crying and Snape came in. He was livid, wanted to know where I learned the curse and to bring him the book from which I learned the curse. Of course, then I just bolted out of there, trying to find Ron to-
"Exchange books," finished Hermione, her scowl widening. "Where is your book?"
Harry heaved a burdensome sigh. "In the Room of Requirement-some place where you can apparently leave stuff you don't want found."
Natalie swallowed several times, attempting to calm herself. Harry seemed genuinely apologetic, but nevertheless, she could not just shake off the increasingly infuriating sensation that he had never seriously taken her warnings about the obsession with Malfoy. The way he described his detour onto the seventh floor, it seemed like a daily occurrence. Not to mention his complete disregard towards her and Hermione's frequent cautions about the Prince.
"What was the punishment?" asked Hermione, glancing uneasily at Natalie's rigid expression and crossed arms.
Harry also cast Natalie a weary glance, giving her a small smile which did nothing to quell the blazing anger tearing and pushing at her insides, promising to spill over.
"Detention every Saturday till the end of the term and 50 points from Gryffindor. I won't be able to attend the match on Saturday- Snape seemed to enjoy rubbing that in quite a bit," said Harry, bitterness lacing his voice.
Natalie gritted her teeth at the distinct sourness in Harry's tone. "You don't honestly think the punishment is unfair?" said Natalie, trying to keep her voice as level as possible.
Harry looked at her apprehensively. His mouth opened but before he could speak, Ron cut him off. "Snape didn't need to make sure Harry missed the match. That was more about sabotaging Gryffindor's chances."
"Ron, how can you say that?" snapped Hermione, jerking her body to face the boy next to her.
But before Hermione could reprimand Ron further, Natalie lifted herself from the bed. Ron's comment sent her over the edge. An irrepressible urge overcome her to make her feelings a clear as possible to Harry regardless of what he thought.
"Harry deserves all that punishment and more," said Natalie venomously, pacing around the room. "Frankly, the only reason you're not expelled Harry is because of who you are."
"You don't think McGonagall and Snape told me that?" cried Harry, his face turning red. He also jerked himself up from the bed.
"I'm glad they did," retorted Natalie, clenching her fists. "You seem more worried about a stupid Quidditch match than the fact that you almost killed a student today! If that curse hit him in the neck he'd be dead."
Harry raised his hands at her. "I saw him bleeding, Natalie! You don't think that crossed my mind?"
"In fact," continued Natalie, ignoring Harry and glaring at the shocked and angry expressions on Ron and Ginny's faces. "I'd wager to say that if it had been Malfoy throwing that curse at you, he'd be expelled in an instant."
"Oh so, now Malfoy is so innocent, now isn't he?" hissed Harry, his eyes wide and bright.
"Bloody hell Harry," cried Natalie. "You're still going on about whatever damn assignment he has from Voldemort. He was crying in the bathroom. CRYING for heaven's sake Harry! For the last time, he wasn't up to anything."
"You don't seem to care that he tried to use the Cruciatus curse on Harry?" said Ginny, a blazing glare on her face.
"Of course, I give a damn," spat Natalie. "I'm happy that nothing happened to Harry, but that doesn't change what he did."
"And what did I do?" asked Harry in mock wonder.
"You used that stupid spell which the Prince specifically marked for enemies," exclaimed Natalie vehemently, stamping her foot on the ground. "If that doesn't tell you he's an evil git-
"I don't need a bloody lecture about the book," said Harry ostentatiously.
"Harry, there is something wrong about the book," said Hermione firmly.
"No, there isn't!" exclaimed Harry, waving his wands wildly. "The Prince only copied it out! It's not like he was advising anyone to use it! For all we know, he was making a note of something that had been used against him.
"You're bloody delusional," hissed Natalie, losing all control and now not caring what she said. "Of course, there can't be anything wrong with whatever Harry Potter likes."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" hollered Harry, his face contorted in rage.
"You don't take anyone else seriously!" shouted Natalie. "It's always you and your bloody instincts."
"You haven't known me long enough to say that," said Harry, his voice suddenly low and dangerous. "Those bloody instincts have saved my life countless times."
The comment cut through Natalie like an icy knife. The first phrase echoed in her head, stinging and hurting her immensely.
"Harry, that was completely uncalled for," said Hermione severely. "Both of you need to stop because you're going to say things you cannot take back."
"Oh no, Hermione, we're not going to stop because he needs to learn," said Natalie savagely, stepping towards Harry.
"Learn what?" asked Harry malevolently.
"How many times did we all tell you, including Ron, to stop obsessing about Malfoy? How many times Harry? And you still ignore us. And the Prince… it's always whatever the hell you want to do, you do."
"I didn't know you were some sort of moral authority," spat Harry.
Natalie desperately wanted to slap him hard across the face. "You know what? Maybe someone has to die for you to take the time to listen to other people."
Natalie regretted the statement as soon as she uttered it. The words just slipped out of her mouth, her mind barely realizing the significance of those words. She could almost see the phrase unravel across the room, its implication dropping like a heavy weight. A frightening enmity gripped the air, dislodging the venomous fury between her and Harry.
Ron and Ginny stood up, walking behind Harry. Their gazes seared into Natalie. She could imagine all the anger within the room channeled onto her. Hermione remained on Ron's bed, her mouth wide open and looking at Natalie with an unreadable expression on her face.
Harry's facial expression straightened, the muscles in his neck tautened and his eyes gleamed with an intensity that caused Natalie to step backward.
"Is that how you view me, Natalie?" said Harry quietly, a pained note ringing in his voice.
"I never meant to bring that up," said Natalie, her eyes widening. "Honestly Harry, this has nothing to do with the Department of Mysteries."
"You were never there," stated Harry icily, his words cutting into her. "You wouldn't understand, would you?"
"You have no bloody right to say that to Harry," said Ginny menacingly.
At the sight of the red haired girl defending Harry, Natalie's temper re-ignited. "I don't need you telling me what to do. Why the hell are you here anyway?"
"Don't talk to her like that," growled Ron.
"I'll take a bloody shot at whoever I damn want!" shrieked Natalie, waving her finger madly at Ron.
"I knew you and Hermione would give Harry hell for something he already feels bad for," spat Ginny.
Natalie scratched in feigned thought. "I'm sure there must be another reason why you're here…"
"Stop it!" shouted Harry, stepping in front of Ginny. "Leave her alone, Natalie. I wanted her here and that's it."
Natalie blinked at him. All of her resentment for the girl instantly evacuated her as if Harry's words formed a vacuum.
"Harry," began Hermione weakly, finally standing up. She gazed cautiously at Natalie before continuing. "Natalie didn't mean what she said. Both of you just need to step away from each other and take some time to calm down."
Natalie gave Hermione a grateful smile. "I never meant that you were responsible, Harry," said Natalie, looking pleadingly at him. She tried to catch his gaze which was resolutely turned away from her. "It was all Voldemort and my mo- Bellatrix's fault."
"Why would you say that, then?" asked Harry coolly. "You should be happy to know that I do believe Sirius' death was my fault. I didn't listen and it cost me his life."
Natalie desperately wanted to hold him in his arms. But it was her words, her foolishness, her temper that was the reason for the agonizing grimace on his face, the somber clouding of his eyes and the thickening lines on his face, making him look much older than 16. The familiar sharp sensation of a knife plunging through her rendered her silent. The guilt once again arrived in full force, scorching her chest as she waited for Harry to burn the fire even more.
"It's what you wanted to say, isn't it?" said Harry darkly. "I hope it feels relieving to finally get it off your chest."
Then he turned on his heel, exiting the dormitory.
"Unbelievable," muttered Ginny, staring at Natalie in disgust.
"Stop it Ginny," said Hermione, scowling at Ginny. "You can see she feels bad for what she said."
Ginny turned to look at Hermione in astonishment. "You know, Hermione, I honestly thought better of you. You've known her for 8 months and Harry for 6 years and you're defending her?"
Hermione swallowed, her eyes reddening. Natalie was about to utter another furious retort at Ginny before Ron stepped forward, casting his arm around Hermione's shoulder.
"Leave Hermione alone," growled Ron.
"Whose side are you on?" said Ginny fiercely, glaring at her brother.
"Don't say those things to Hermione. She's always there for Harry," said Ron coldly.
Ginny looked as if she wanted to reply to Ron, but she shook her head at him in disdain, also leaving the dormitory.
Natalie dropped back onto Dean's bed, staring sullenly at the open door. "I'm sorry for what I said. It was terrible."
"Yes it was," stated Hermione, letting her disapproval show. "You hurt him."
Ron glared at Natalie. "You need to watch your mouth. And please don't talk to my sister the way you did now."
"I'm sorry about what I said to Ginny-she just riles me up," said Natalie, knowing that she should not have let Ginny's remarks spark her temper. "I really did not mean what I said about Harry. It never crossed my mind what I was implicating."
"I believe you," said Hermione calmly. "But it doesn't change the fact that you made the comment. And Harry said some hurtful things about you too. Unfortunately, neither of you can take back your comments."
"You know Harry feels guilty for Sirius," said Ron, his eyes still fastened on her. "We never bring that up with him, never."
"I know," said Natalie feebly. "I am such an idiot! It was the absolute worst thing to say. Harry probably hates me for it now."
There was a long pause in which all of them stared blankly around the room. Natalie could not get rid of the terrible, sinking feeling that her ridiculous temper had crossed a boundary she could not climb back over.
"He won't," said Ron slowly, staring at Natalie with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Won't what?" Natalie asked tiredly.
"He won't hate you," replied Ron, visibly struggling for words. "He'll be absolutely pissed but I don't think he can hate you."
Hermione smiled warmly at Ron, placing her hand on his leg. "Ron's right. Harry's feelings for you are too strong."
"And I'm sure Harry feels bad about the comments he made to you," added Hermione knowingly. "You both need to calm down first and then have a long talk with each other."
"Let me know when you're having that chat," remarked Ron, a wry smile breaking across his face. "I don't want to be in the middle of another war. Blimey, you two make Hermione and I look like schoolchildren."
Natalie grimaced. "I hate these fights. They're just so exhausting."
"You should eat something and go to sleep," Hermione suggested kindly.
"Not on Dean's bed," blurted Ron. "We definitely don't want Harry getting that type of idea."
Natalie laughed. "No, I'll go back to my dormitory. I'm really not that hungry after everything. Thanks you two- somehow you cheered me up a bit though I don't know how I'm going to talk to Harry."
"It will work out," said Hermione firmly.
"I hope," muttered Natalie. "Good night." She walked out of the dormitory, heading down the boys' staircase. She quickly stepped through the common room onto the girls' staircase, ignoring the smug smirks on the faces of many of the fourth and fifth year girls. Hoping that she did not run into Ginny, Natalie leapt up the staircase, arriving at the dormitory. She entered in dismay to find Parvati and Lavender talking to each other from their beds. They both abruptly stopped speaking once she stepped into the room.
"I suppose you two heard then," said Natalie acidly.
"We saw Harry coming through the portrait hole with Ginny. They did not look happy," answered Parvati, watching Natalie intently.
"I expect they wouldn't," muttered Natalie, her stomach taking an unpleasant dive at the thought of Harry and Ginny together.
"I'd rather not talk about it either," added Natalie, giving both Parvati and Lavender severe looks.
Lavender rolled her eyes. "Whatever. We didn't think you would." Lavender's stance towards Natalie had not softened since her falling out with Ron.
"What were you saying, Lav?" asked Parvati, resuming their conversation.
Natalie dropped onto her bed, drawing the hangings around her.
"Oh, I was talking about Harry. It's all so terribly unfair," cooed Lavender.
Natalie rolled her eyes. Despite her remark to Harry, she still believed he deserved the punishment Snape had given him.
"I mean," continued Lavender. "How does Malfoy not get detention?"
"Poor Harry," agreed Parvati. "Apparently, he tried to use a very dark-
"What?" exclaimed Natalie, opening her hangings hastily.
"Sorry, I thought you didn't want to talk to us," said Lavender airily.
"What were you saying about Malfoy?" asked Natalie.
Lavender tossed her hair dramatically. "I don't really see why I should tell you."
"Lav, stop it," chided Parvati. She turned to Natalie. "Malfoy didn't receive any punishment for what happened- no points taken away and no detention."
"Nothing at all?" said Natalie, her voice rising. She had assumed that since he had tried to use the Cruciatus curse on Harry, he had also received a harsh punishment. Even if the curse did not hit Harry, the intention was pretty clear.
"Did he really try to use a Dark curse on Harry?" asked Lavender, looking at Natalie curiously. "Oooh, maybe it was an Unforgivable!"
"It was just a simple curse that he tried to cast," lied Natalie. "Who told you about Malfoy not getting detention?"
"Ginny," answered Parvati, frowning. "She seemed pretty angry about it too- are you sure the curse Malfoy tried wasn't Dark?"
"Yes," said Natalie evenly. "Thank you anyway Parvati- I didn't know about Snape not punishing Malfoy."
As she returned to her bed to pick out pajamas from her drawer, she heard Parvati say, "Well, would you expect anything less from Snape?"
Natalie chuckled, taking her pajamas to the bathroom with her. "No I would not."
While she brushed her teeth and took a long, hot shower, Natalie decided Parvati must have been correct as she did not think Ginny would lie about such a thing. It was not entirely unexpected, given Snape's extreme grudge towards Harry and his blatant favoritism of Malfoy.
At the thought of Malfoy remaining free from reprimand, Natalie's insides seethed in anger. A rush of sympathy for Harry ran through her. She could not help but feel very annoyed at herself for so harshly attacking Harry about the fairness of his punishment when he did have legitimate grounds to feel bitter. The unfair treatment evoked a strong, desperate and familiar desire to protect Harry, ensure he was not wronged and punish Malfoy for wanting to harm him. Natalie resolved that tomorrow, she would confront Snape and Minerva to ensure Malfoy also received detention.
Once Natalie finished her shower, changed and returned to her bed, she drew the hangings, grateful that she was the only one in the room. Parvati and Lavender must have gone down to the Common room in an attempt to wheedle out more information about her fight with Harry. Hermione was still with Ron, likely marveling at his newfound sensitivity towards others or perhaps, trying to console an irate Harry.
Harry. Natalie swallowed, her throat constricting and her mind seeming to narrow. There was no way he would not be absolutely livid with her tomorrow. The guilt clawed at her insides with a persistent, stinging edge. Her mind kept conjuring the defeated image of his face when he spoke of accepting the blame for Sirius' death. She needed to learn to reign in her temper. Her comment was not only extremely serious but well placed, touching on all of Harry's sensitive spots and playing on his biggest insecurity; the guilt he endured for placing all of his friends in danger.
Harry's statement to her suddenly rang clear in her head. She could not help but feel that he may have made a valid point. Did she really understand him if she was insensitive enough to make such a comment? She had known him for less than a year so there was not the same foundation of memories and experiences he shared with the others, including Ginny, for her to confidently to say that she knew him thoroughly. The possibility of being completely wrong about Harry throttled her, ripping open her perspective. A terrifying sense of vulnerability gripped her tightly. Panic and dread squeezed her, twisting her thoughts, pressing the slightest sliver of doubt into her memories involving Harry.
No. Natalie shook her head vehemently. She was losing control again, falling into that relentless of spiral of self deprecation. As Hermione said, both she and Harry had unleashed themselves at one another. They uttered words they could not reel back in. One argument could not snap a seven month string of wonderfully intimate moments and interactions. She understood Harry. She could think all day about him, not feeling tired. He knew her better than anyone else besides Kalissa; this she could not deny to herself. They had been in a relationship for almost three months now. She gritted her teeth, physically trying to push off and resist the strangling sensation of vulnerability. Harry would not leave and she would never leave him.
Natalie let her breathing becoming slower and much more even. She began to see the impulsiveness and ridiculous nature of her worries though a noticeable twinge of unease remained, creating knots in her stomach. She simply needed to close her eyes, let all her thoughts and worries dissipate. Her exhaustion began to envelop her, her mind moving much more slowly, all the images of Harry blurring.
A/N: How did you guys like this chapter?