Author's Note - Man, how long has it been since I updated? Too Long! Hopefully that will change. I'm pushing through my writer's block and with any luck, I'll have it beat and can finish the story. Anyways, here's chapter 12. Read, Review, & Enjoy!!!
Harry wearily opened his eyes. He sat up in bed, his head pounding. He reached up to ran his hand through his hair only to find that it wasn't there. Panicked, Harry leapt out of bed, waking Cho in the process. Cho wearily opened her eyes and saw the figure in front of her. Terror suddenly struck her and she shrieked.
"Cho, it's me," Harry said.
Cho strained her eyes and could see Harry's signature lightning bolt scar. "Harry, look at yourself," she said.
Harry looked at his hands, casting his eyes upon rocky skin. Harry looked at the mirror on his nightstand and saw his whole face and body had been coated in a rocky exterior. It was as if Harry had turned into a rock.
There was suddenly a pounding on the door. "Harry, Cho," Ron's voice echoed from the other side of the door, "Are you two alright?"
Harry couldn't think of an answer, nor could Cho. Before Harry could open his mouth, the door unlatched and swung open. Ron rushed in, followed by Jason, Alice, and Hermione. Ron's jaw dropped at the sight of Harry.
"Mate?" Ron asked, "Is that you?"
"I'm afraid so," Harry replied.
"What happened to you?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not sure," Harry replied, "I woke up and was like this."
"Can you change back?" Alice asked. Harry balled up his fists and concentrated hard. As he did, the rocky exterior slowly dissolved, returning Harry to normal.
"That was certainly odd," Jason said.
The six of them stood in stunned silence, pondering Harry's transformation when Mrs. Weasley's voice rang out. "Breakfast!" she shouted. They all raced downstairs into the kitchen, where they met up with Ginny and Draco. Breakfast was already prepared and were arranged around the table. Next to each plate was an envelope, marked with each their respective names.
"Our letters from Hogwarts," Hermione said, leading the rush to the table. As everyone began eating breakfast they anxiously opened their letters, examining the contents inside. Suddenly, Hermione leapt up from her seat, shrieking with joy. "I made Head Girl," she shouted, eliciting a cheer from her friends.
"Hermione, that's wonderful," Mrs. Weasley said from the kitchen.
Hermione turned to Jason and planted a long kiss on him. "Congratulations, 'Mione," Jason said.
"Thanks, babe," Hermione said, returning to her seat.
Harry scanned through his letter, his widening in surprise. "Amazing," he muttered.
"What is it, Harry?" Cho asked.
"I'm Head Boy," Harry announced, receiving a round of applause and cheers.
Jason was cheering on his friend when a flash ran through his head. An image of himself holding Harry by the throat. The image flashed and changed to show that it was really Harry holding Jason by the throat.
"BETRAYER!" a voice boomed in his head.
Jason quickly shook his head, trying to rid himself of the image. Ron saw this and looked on, puzzled. "You alright, Jason?" Ron asked.
"I'm fine," Jason said, "Just got a bit dizzy."
Ron shrugged and continued reading his letter. Suddenly, a grin appeared on Ron's face. "Head Boy and Head Girl are great," Ron began, "But I just made Gryffindor Team Captain."
"Ron, that's absolutely wonderful," Mrs. Weasley said, hugging Ron.
"Congratulations, Ron," Draco said, "And I guess I'll be seeing you on the pitch."
"Draco, did you…?" Ron asked.
Draco held up the contents of his letter. "Slytherin Team Captain," Draco said proudly. Draco and Ron eyed each other for a moment, then broke out in laughter.
"First day as team captains," Hermione said, "And they're already forming a love-hate relationship." Everyone chuckled.
"What does yours say, Cho?" Harry asked. "Oh, it's just an itinerary for the classes I have to teach. I guess Neville Longbottom's gonna be my helper."
"That's fantastic," Ron said, "Neville is a whiz when it comes to herbology."
"I got prefect again," Ginny said.
"That's wonderful, darling," Draco said, putting his arm around Ginny.
"What about you, Alice?" Ron asked.
"Hard to believe," Alice began, "But I'm a prefect."
"Really?" Cho asked, "You must have made quite an impression on the Hogwarts staff for them to make you prefect in your second actual year at Hogwarts."
"What about you, Jason?" Hermione asked. Jason said nothing as he scanned the contents of his letter.
"Jason?" Harry asked. Jason remained focused on the contents of his letter.
"Jason?" Hermione asked, touching Jason on the shoulder. In a fright, Jason suddenly snapped out of his trance and looked around the room.
"Everything alright?" Draco asked.
Jason quickly glanced down at his letter and back at everyone else. "Yeah," Jason said, clearing his throat, "Yeah, everything's fine. I, uh, I made prefect."
"That's great, Jason," Cho said, starting a brief round of applause.
Alice was unconvinced. She carefully reached a hand out to Jason, hoping to see what was really in Jason's mind. Just as her hand was inches away from Jason, Jason instinctively stood up, moving out of Alice's reach.
"So, I'm assuming we'll be getting our supplies today?" Jason asked.
"That's correct," Mrs. Weasley, "You all had better get ready."
"I call shower first," Jason said, already making a beeline upstairs.
Jason had just stepped into the shower when he heard the door open and close. "I just got in," Jason said, "Give me ten minutes."
Suddenly, the shower curtain was pulled away and Hermione stepped in, pressing her body against Jason's. "Why, Ms. Granger," Jason began, "This certainly isn't very proper."
"There's a time for proper," Hermione replied, "And there's a time to shut up and touch me."
Jason smiled and put his hands on Hermione's hips, pulling her close to him and kissing her deeply. The two stood there letting the water fall upon their bare skin. The water almost heightened their sense of touch, as each brush of their fingertips on the other's skin was sending sensations down their spines. Hermione's breathing had gotten heavier and heavier the more Jason touched her. Jason's heart was beating faster, his arousal rising. It wouldn't be long and the two of them would be have to have each other right then and there, regardless of protection spells. Suddenly, a knock at the door startled them both.
"Who is it?" Jason asked.
"It's Harry," Harry's voice echoed from the other side of the door.
"What do you want?" Jason asked.
"Other people need to shower, too," Harry replied.
Jason and Hermione both let out defeated sighs and turned off the water. Jason levitated two towels over to them so they could dry off. After drying off, Jason cracked the door open to see Harry and Cho standing there.
"You're a serious buzz kill," Jason said as he and Hermione quickly walked past them and into their room to change.
Draco and Ron were sitting on the back porch, staring out into the garden. "Hey, Draco," Ron began, "Let me ask you something."
"Go ahead," Draco replied.
"Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if the eight of us hadn't been chosen for some ultimate destiny?" Ron asked.
Draco was silent. He had often thought of his life as it could have been. A life where he would be a Death Eater alongside his father, serving Lord Voldemort. He thought of the epic battles he would wage against Dumbledore and all who stood with him, including the red-headed boy sitting next to him and his sister. But most of all, he sometimes wished for that life to be reality. But how could he tell Ron that? How could he tell any of them that, if given the chance, he'd leave it all behind and pursue that life?
"Actually, Ron," Draco said, "I don't. Why would I? My old life was a fast track to a dark destination."
Ron nodded in agreement as he eyed Draco. He was searching for a reason to mistrust Draco. Even though it appeared Draco had reformed, Ron still didn't like him nor did he much approve of Draco marrying his only sister. However, he knew he couldn't formally protest unless he had something on Draco. And right now, Draco had passed Ron's test, much to his dismay.
"I'll catch him eventually," Ron thought, "All I need is time."
Suddenly, a voice boomed in his head. "Time you don't have much of," the voice echoed.
"Alice?" Ron thought.
"So are you gonna tell me why you don't trust Draco?" Alice asked.
"Don't take this the wrong way," Ron replied, "But not right now. When we're by ourselves, I'll tell you."
"Fair enough," Alice said.
Ron stood up and walked inside, seeing Alice sitting at the kitchen table. "Your powers are getting stronger," he said.
Alice smiled. "My telepathic abilities, perhaps," she replied, "I haven't had a chance to test my absorbing powers."
"Once we return to Hogwarts," Ron began, "We'll most likely get a chance to test you."
Jason and Hermione quickly walked downstairs and joined Ron and Alice. Ron noticed Jason had his guitar case with him. "Planning a performance?" Ron asked.
"I'm a street performer at heart," Jason replied, "Always have been." Harry and Cho came downstairs next as Draco walked in from the back porch with Ginny in tow.
"Is everybody here?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
Everyone looked around and nodded as Mrs. Weasley grab a canister of floo powder, pouring some into each of their hands. One by one, they entered the fireplace and flooed to Diagon Alley. As they arrived, they each decided what they were going to do.
"Harry," Hermione began, "As Head Boy and Head Girl, we ought to get our books and start putting together an itinerary."
"Sounds like a good idea," Harry replied, "Want to join us, Cho?"
"Sorry, Harry," Cho said, "But I'm supposed to meet Neville Longbottom and we're gonna plan the lessons. I'll meet you later." Harry nodded and kissed Cho before she walked away and disappeared around the corner.
"Draco and I are going to get our books and Draco's quidditch gear," Ginny said as she and Draco started to walk away.
"I'll go with you," Ron said. As he started after them, he felt Alice grab his hand. "I need you help me get my things for prefect," she said. Ron saw the look on her face and knew it was more than that. "Alright then," he said as they walked a different direction.
Jason soon realized he was the odd man out. "Jason, do you want to join us?" Hermione asked.
Jason was about to answer when a thought came to him. "I don't want to be a distraction, Madame Head Girl," Jason said playfully, "I think I'll have a seat here and practice my guitar."
Hermione frowned a bit, but nodded and kissed Jason before she and Harry walked off. Jason watched them walk away, the hair on his neck began to bristle. He could feel something inside him cry out in anger at seeing Harry walking at Hermione's side instead of him. Jason pulled out his letter from Hogwarts and read the letter naming him prefect. Jason then read the additional letter, sighing heavily.
"Why me?" Jason said quietly to himself, "Why did you charge me with this task, Dumbledore?"
Ron and Alice had been walking for some time and realized they were, for the most part, alone. "Okay, Ron," Alice began, "Fess up. What's your issue with Draco?"
"I don't trust him," Ron replied, "He's a Malfoy."
"I thought we'd all gotten past this" Alice said.
"I'm not sure I ever will," Ron said, "For the first five years of Hogwarts, he was cruel to me, to Harry, to Hermione, and even to Ginny. For Merlin's sake, his father's a Death Eater."
"We all heard him renounce his father and what he is," Alice said.
"I'm sorry," Ron began, "But I don't believe that a leopard can change his spots, especially as quick as Draco so-called 'changed.' That's just what I believe."
"So you're gonna all-of-a-sudden disapprove of Draco marrying Ginny?" Alice asked.
"Obviously I can't," Ron answered, "I'd need proof that Draco hadn't really changed before I do that."
"And what if you're wrong?" Alice asked, "What if Draco really has changed?"
"Then I'll be the first to admit I was wrong and to bless their marriage," Ron replied, "I'm just concerned. Ginny is my only sister and I don't want her marrying someone who might one day put her in harm's way."
Alice grabbed Ron's hand and held it tight. "You are one of the noblest men I know," she said, "But I think you're getting too protective and it's making you paranoid. Draco really has changed and he loves Ginny. Stop looking for a reason to hate him." Ron sighed and nodded.
Cho and Neville had been working out a class schedule and lesson plan. However, it seemed Neville was very distant.
"Everything alright, Neville?" Cho asked.
Neville nodded. "Just thinking," he replied.
"Thinking of what?" Cho asked.
"Not what," Neville replied, "Who."
Cho's eyebrows raised. "Oh?" she asked, "And who are you thinking of?"
"I don't know if I should tell you," Neville said, embarrassed.
"It's not me, is it?" Cho asked.
Neville burst into a chuckle. "Heavens, no," he replied, "I just don't know if I should reveal personal issues in a professional environment."
"Don't worry, Neville," Cho said, "You're not just my assistant, you're my student as well and as such, you're protected by the teacher-student confidentiality agreement."
Neville sighed. "Luna," he said.
"Luna...Lovegood?" Cho asked.
Neville nodded. "I can't stop thinking about her," he said.
"Have you told her how you feel?" Cho asked.
Neville's face turned white as a ghost. "Goodness no," he said, "I'm terrible at such things. I'd muck it all up."
Cho smiled. "Well, hopefully you'll get over your nervousness and talk to her," she said, "In the meantime, though, I need you to focus so we can finish these lessons today."
Neville nodded and they continued working.
Jason was sitting at a table, sipping at a mug of hot cider and tuning his guitar. As he strummed a few chords, he noticed people were starting to watch him. Jason smirked and telekinetically opened his guitar case for tips. He immediately thought of a song and began strumming his guitar, drawing the crowd closer.
Could you whisper in my ear
The things you wanna feel
I'd give ya anything to feel it comin'
Do you wake up on your own
And wonder where you are
You live with all your faults
I wanna wake up where you are
I won't say anything at all
So why don't you slide
Yeah I'm gonna let it slide
Don't you love the life you killed
The priest is on the phone
You're father hit the wall, you're ma disowned you
Don't suppose I'll ever know
What it means to be a man
It's nothing I can change, I'll live around it
I wanna wake up where you are
I won't say anything at all
So why don't you slide
Mmm, slide
And I'll do anything you ever dream to be complete
Little pieces of the nothing that fall
Oh, babe, put you're arms around me
What you feel is what you are and what you are is beautiful
Oh, babe, you wanna get married or run away
Jason entered the solo and felt one of his hands lose feeling, causing him to miss a few notes. The feeling came back and Jason quickly recovered, playing the solo with a smile. He looked at the crowd and saw they were still enjoying the song.
And I'll do anything you ever dream to be complete
Little pieces of the nothing that fall
Oh, babe, put you're arms around me
What you feel is what you are and what you are is beautiful
Oh, babe, you wanna get married or run away
I wanna wake up where you are
I won't say anything
And I'll do anything you ever dream to be complete
Little pieces of the nothing that fall
And I'll do anything you ever dream to be complete
Little pieces of the nothing that fall
Yeah, slide between the sheet of all the beds you never knew
Why don't you slide into my room
Just slide into my room
Oh we'll run away
Run away
Run away
Jason strummed on the guitar, bringing the song to a close. As he did, the crowd that formed around him applauded and began to disperse, continuing about their business. Jason glanced at his guitar case and saw that he had been generously tipped. Jason set his guitar to the side and reached for his mug of cider. As his hand neared it, he noticed it moved beyond his grasp. He reached for it again, but it moved further from his reach. He looked around to see if someone was using their wand to play a joke on him. It was only when he heard giggling coming from across the table that he knew what was going on.
"You've got a lot of brass to be here, Kyla," Jason said dryly.
Kyla Mathers faded into view, sitting in the chair across from him. "Well I never was one to observe safety," she said sarcastically.
"What do you want?" Jason asked.
"Just to talk," Kyla said, "Is that so wrong?"
"As a matter of fact," Jason began, "It is. You're a Death Eater. I'm destined to help bring about Voldemort's downfall and, in turn, yours as well."
"Oh relax," Kyla said, "I'm unarmed and here of my own free will. Voldemort didn't send me. He doesn't even know I'm here."
Jason grabbed his mug of cider and took a drink. "How's Will?" Jason asked.
"He'll survive," Kyla said, "No thanks to you."
"I was defending myself," Jason said, "And I'd do it again. Will chose his path, so did you, so did I."
"If you're deadset on taking us down," Kyla began, "Then why did you inquire about Will's health?" Jason was at a loss for words. "More to the point," Kyla continued, "Why did you play our song just now?"
Jason froze. "You heard that?" he asked.
"Why else would I be sitting here talking to you?" Kyla responded.
"Well, don't read too much into it," Jason said coldly, "It was the first one that came to mind that I could play acoustic."
Kyla shrugged. "So, how's your new girl, the good witch of the north?" she asked.
"Her name is Hermione," Jason said, half-growling, "And though it's none of your business, we're engaged to be married."
Kyla's sly half-smile slowly faded. Jason could see the jealousy plain on her face and it pleased him. "We'll see how long that lasts," she finally said, "But I'd be cautious, or you may lose her to the one she was originally meant for."
"Who, Viktor Krum?" Jason responded, "Get real. His head is filled with rocks. I'm not threatened by him."
Kyla grinned. "Same old Jason," she said, "Can't see the knife of betrayal even as it grows ever closer to your heart."
With those words, Kyla disappeared. Jason finished his mug of cider, trying to shake off what just happened. As he put the mug down, he saw Hermione and Harry walk around the corner, laughing and smiling. For a moment, Kyla's last words stung Jason right to the core, followed by Voldemort's words echoing through his head about Harry's supposed betrayal. Jason finally shook his head.
"Harry is my friend," Jason thought to himself, "No way he'd steal Hermione from me."
It was then that the vile voice returned. "He can," the voice echoed, "And he will unless you do what you must....kill him."
A/N: So that's chapter 12. Now, review away. If I get a nice big batch of reviews, I'll put chapter 13 up sometime around Friday. The song was "Slide" by Goo Goo Dolls.
You and I got something
But it's all and then it's nothing to me
Yeah
And I got my defenses
When it comes to your intentions for me
Yeah
And we wake up in the breakdown
Of the things we never thought we could be
Yeah