Sorry for the delay. Life got in the way. Anyway here's the next chapter, hope you all enjoy. Once again thank you for the reviews,alerts and favourites I really appriciate them.

I do not own any of the characters or places created by J.K Rowling

Chapter 5

Friday, the best and the worst day of the week. The best as then there was a whole two days of relaxation too follow - well supposedly, and the worst because the day dragged on forever. So far Tracey had had an entertaining day. In Herbology they were learning what plants were involved in making the potion that reversed petrifaction. She was paired up with Neville Longbottom. He was a kind boy who seemed to have a passion for the subject and excelled in it. Tracy could see him becoming the next Professor Sprout when she retired. He was kind and funny in an awkward way. Neville was fun to talk to and they spent the whole lesson chatting mainly about plants but Tracey didn't mind as one, it was fascinating and two, this could come in handy for when she became a Healer. That was her plan for after Hogwarts, granting she got high enough N.E.W.T's to gain a place on the course.

She was tired, over the last few days she had been researching the four elements of the Transfiguration project, and as Potter either wasn't doing it or hadn't bothered to tell her what parts he was researching, she was looking at all four. This was no easy thing, although she did study with Hermione and together they found out the books that were the most helpful. Unlike herself, Hermione actually knew what her partner was doing. He had cornered her as she was leaving the Great Hall after dinner on the same day the project was set. Draco curtly told Hermione that he would be researching Vanishment, and Conjuration then curtly spun on his heel and stalked off in the direction of the dungeons. From the looks the frightened first years were giving him, he must've glared at them on his way there. Deciding to sit with Hermione at the Gryffindor table tonight for dinner Tracey entered the Hall. Quickly spotting the her blond friend sitting at the Slytherin table, she headed over to inform Daphne of her plan.

"Hey Daph, I thought we could sit with Hermione today for dinner? We've hardly seen her all week and it'll be nice to spend time together again" Daphne looked up when Tracey spoke to her, with her hand frozen in mid air as she had been reaching for the bowl of potatoes. From the looks of it, Tracey had arrived just in time. Daphne smiled in response, and nodded as she collected her bag from under the table. She slung it over her shoulder and they both proceeded to walk over to the Gryffindor table. Hermione had her back to them so Daphne lent over and said

"Room for two more?" Hermione jumped, sending peas flying in all directions and whipped her head around

"Must you always do that? Why can't you both just sit down like normal people! Honestly, you Slytherin's really do like to creep around and scare people half to death" Hermione said exasperatedly as she glared at them.

Tracey smirked and said in a playful voice, " We'll pretend to be offended by that comment" turning to Daphne she said " We better sit down before the food gets cold". They all knew it wouldn't, not with all the warming spells placed on them by the house elves, but no one chose to comment on it. The two girls sat on either side of their bushy haired friend and proceeded to fill their plates. The trio sat quietly for a few minutes eating. Once Daphne had finished - she seemed to inhale her food, all though she seemed to do it in the most ladylike manner Tracey had ever seen, a fact that never failed to amuse her.

"So Hermione how's life been treating you this week, we've hardly seen each other" Daphne asked
Hermione looked thoughtful before she replied "Well I was given a 24 inch translation that had to be completed using the Elder Futhark runic alphabet, so that took up most of my Monday and Tuesday. I didn't mind doing that though because it's a good lesson and now its out they way I can concentrate on other subjects. Oh, while I remember I was wondering if we all wanted to go to the library to look up some more research for our Transfiguration project? That way we will be productive and also give us a chance to catch up in relative peace and quiet". Tracey smiled and nodded her head while Daphne replied "Sounds like a plan" while wearing a massive grin. The whole scene made Tracey smile, it was nice for all three of them to spend sometime together again.

The only noise in the library was the quite rustle of turning pages and the scratching of quills on parchment. They had arrived at the library over two hours ago. Since then the only noise between the trio had been when they had first arrived and Hermione and pointed out the relevant books. Sine then - silence. Tracey sighed quietly, the silence was a comfortable one but yet she really just wanted a catch up. Sometimes she resented the fact that they were in different houses. Hermione was a paradox of herself sometimes. Quiet and reserved , and then sometimes she was loud and in your face. Hermione was everything a Gryffindor should be even including wearing the heart on your sleeve, something that even to this day Tracey still didn't quite understand.

Looking back down her notes Tracey sighed again, this time in frustration. How was she meant to do this by Wednesday? She had only completed notes on one section and half way through the second. Yet she still had two more to go and she doubted it would get any easier, she was too proud to ask Hermione for help. Harry had be conspicuously absent for the past few days. Not absent as in not at school, just absent enough that she never saw him. Movement from the corner of her eye grabbed her attention. A flash of an emerald and silver badge and a head of unruly hair moving round a nearby shelf in the direction of the exit. Potter, speak of the devil and he shall appear. Rising from the desk and shooting Daphne and Hermione an absentminded smile she hurried after him determined to catch him up. Exiting the library she saw him turning the corner presumably heading towards the staircase that led to the dungeons.

"Potter! Potter, wait a minute", she called hoping to stop him in order for her to catch up with him. Rounding the corner she saw - nothing. Harry Potter had disappeared. "How the hell?" Tracey asked out load. She spun round to see if she had walked past him but the corridor was empty. Spinning back she wondered were he had gone. On this particular corridor there weren't any classrooms, so he couldn't have entered on and as far as she was aware there weren't any passage ways either. Growling in frustration and annoyance at that boy and being unable to pin him down. Turing on her heel she stalked back to the library. Reseating herself in the place she had just vacated, Tracey took a calming breath of air. She didn't need or want this stress, and she would be damned if she let it get to her.

"Everything all right Trace?" Hermione asked kindly looking up from her book.

"Yeah, just thought I saw someone I needed to talk to, turns out it wasn't them. I feel really tied all of a sudden I'm going to head back. Anyone fancy coming?" Hermione answered with a negative were as Daphne raised her eyebrow in question and looked searchingly at Tracey. She shook her head to ward her off, and with her eyes she promised to tell her later. Daphne excepted this before turning back to her Divination homework. She had given up on Transfiguration long ago. Meanwhile Hermione was none the wiser of the silent conversation that had taken place before her. On one hand this was because she wasn't as versed in the Slytherin ways, and the other reason because she was much to engrossed in her book.

As Tracey got ready for bed that night she vowed that she would track him down tomorrow, and she would tell him what he would be researching. He had lost the chance to choose when he neglected to tell her what he was to research.

As it happened tomorrow was a Hogsmeade visit. A fact that had slipped her mind until Daphne had linked her arm round Tracey's on the way down to the Great Hall and listed all the shops she wanted to visit and the items she needed to buy

"Today's a Hogsmeade trip" Tracey asked her in a surprised tone.
"Yeah, we've you been for the past couple of weeks. Didn't you see the notice in the common room?" Daphne replied whilst giving her a funny look
"No I actually hadn't - never mind it's a good thing really I need more parchment, quills and ink. Thinking about it, I need a couple of books that will last until Christmas. I finished my last one the other night." Tracey's plan that she had formulated last night was pushed to the back of her mind.

After grabbing a quick breakfast the pair met up with Hermione in the Entrance Hall. The weather was quite warm for October. A perfect Autumnal day. Because of this the trio decided to walk down to the village. The first stop was Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop as Tracey wasn't the only one in need of new quills. Seventh year wasn't kind on a person's hand or quill. The shop smelt similar to that of a bookshop however it had a certain edge to it, a tangy smell, like something metallic. Tracey thought it was down to the ink but she never really knew. Browsing the selection of quills they had, she picked up a few of the standard owl feather quills - she was going for the practical over the expensive. Some of the quills were absolutely gorgeous with their soft feathers and precise point, but others were just plain gaudy like the peacock feathers with fake gems all over them. Next on her list Tracey picked up a dozen rolls of parchment that should last her until Easter half term and carried it all over to the cashier to be rung up. The items were shrunk along with the bag. Tracey thanked him and placed it in the inside pocket of her lightweight cloak. She then wandered over to the door to await her friends. Out the window she watched other students walking down the street, all talking with their friends.

Hermione and Daphne soon joined her. By this time it was nearing lunch time, and as Tracey and Hermione wanted to look at the books in Tomes and Scrolls, Daphne agreed to meet up with them later in the Three Broomsticks. They all parted ways and headed towards their chosen destinations.

Hundred's of books lined the shelves. All waiting to be opened and explored whether they were fact or fiction, with their different spines of all colours imaginable and the different styles of font. Tracey headed over to the shelves that contained books on Healers. As this was her desired profession after Hogwarts, going in with background knowledge wouldn't do any harm. Healing 101 by Timothy Jacobson seemed simple enough to understand so she kept hold of it as she browsed the other shelves. Picking up a few fiction books on varying subjects such as muggles finding out about the existence of magic to a future shaped after a major wizarding war, Tracey found Hermione at the back of the shop where all the old dusty books lay.

"Find anything?" she asked softly startling the other witch who had already started to read the book that she held an inch from her nose
"Oh, er yes I did. You all finished?" Hermione replied in a flustered tone of voice.

Both witches paid for their books and proceeded to the Three Broomsticks. The pub was loud and already busy with Hogwarts students. Spotting Daphne in a corner booth they pushed and shoved their way towards her. Two Butter beers sat on the table while Daphne calmly took sips of her own drink as she watched the rest of the pub. Sliding themselves into the seats Daphne looked at them and said,

"I already ordered because it'd be murder trying to order now. Hope you don't mind" Both girls shook their heads. This was a regular occurrence between the three girls and after 7 years of friendship they knew what they all did and didn't like. Their food arrived not long after they had arrived. Hermione had a ham sandwich with a side salad, Daphne had fish, chips and mushy peas while Tracey had tomato and chicken pasta. The afternoon passed quickly and before they knew it, it was time they were heading back up to the castle. I suppose time really does fly when you're having fun Tracey mussed in her head. As they left the pub, Tracey spotted Draco and Theo exiting Zonko's. Seeing no Harry, again, her plan from last night resurfaced. Marching over to them, she demanded

"Where is Potter?"

"Not here obviously" Draco replied obnoxiously

"Thank you for stating what everyone can see, I need to tell him something. I've been trying to all week but he's decided to disappear of the face of the earth" she could feel herself getting more and more wound up - his stupid friends weren't helping his case either.

Taking pity on her Theo replied "He's up at the castle. Didn't fancy coming down today. Do you want me to pass on a message?"

"Thank you! " she burst out in relief. "Tell him that he has to look up Transformation and Vanishment ready for Wednesday. And tell him if he doesn't do it I will kill him,as slowly and as painfully as possible"

Draco raised his eyebrow at this statement as if he knew something she didn't and nodded his head in consent. He started the walk back up to the castle, as Theo nodded his head at all three girls, gave Tracey a smile and followed his blond haired friend.

He had been waiting all day for the Potter brat to arrive at Hogsmeade. 13 years he had waited and as everyday passed he grew more and more impatient. It was lazy to leave a job unfinished. His back ached from standing under the shady tree in the same position for too long. No one would recognise him, not with all the spells he had placed upon himself. Anyone who looked would find that their eyes would just slide over him as they found another view to look at. He had a good vantage point. It overlooked all the village and also showed him the hill that lead to the castle were the bastard was protected. Wards meant nothing to him, but Hogwarts was ancient magic, magic even Dumbledore didn't fully understand and to meddle with that amount of power was a suicide mission - even he wouldn't attempt that.

He had used his sources in the Ministry to discretely find where Black lived. Where Black lived Potter lived, that much was obvious. 6 years he lay low after finding out this information, acted as normally as an ex- convict could, as not to attract any unwanted attention. Over this time he plotted, and planned and stewed. He mapped the area in Staffordshire were the house was. Learnt the kinds of wards and enchantments that protected it. This took time - time was the one thing he could count on

Potter's seventeenth birthday rolled around and he was ready. A fitting end if he said so himself. After hours of work he felt the wards collapse round the house and he could finally see it. Apparating into the foyer he proceeded up the stairs when the alarms howled to life. Blaring at the fall of the wards, this was not the time, it wasn't safe, he would be discovered so, he fled, like a coward. Since then his self disgust with himself had grown until he was bursting to kill Potter. He was consumed with the need and compulsion. This is what led him to be here at Hogsmeade waiting for his chance to attack when Potter had little protection.

Hours he waited, he realised he wasn't coming. When it came to luck Potter seemed to have bucket full's. As he was turning to leave he spotted Malfoy and Nott leaving a shop. He paused, maybe he could learn some knowledge that would help him get inside Potter's head and learn his weaknesses. What he didn't expect was a blond haired witch, Tracey Davis he recognised her as, verbally attacking them while she enquired as to where Potter was. Once the exchange was finished this gave him much to ponder. If Davis became involved it would present more complications, and complications had ruined plans in the past. This time he vowed, nothing or no one was going to get in the way of his ultimate victory. This fact was certain in his mind as he spun on his heel and disappeared under a setting sun.