I do not own anything. I'm just translating. The characters belong to the great J.K. Rowling. The story belongs to the amazing Brigi. Her e-mail: tbwtpbe [et]

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THE BOY WITH THE PIERCING BLUE EYES

Chapter 37 – The thief (part 1)

The news that the Potions Master had to leave suddenly surprised the students the following week. While some were content if not overjoyed by this, others curiously looked at the professor's son who went about his days impassively.

Lamerin was not only worried about his father's departure and the danger he faced, but also about the Weasley family and what had happened to his friends. The twins were his first real friends, so he was terribly afraid of never seeing Fred again. Since he was around the same age as them it felt like they were brothers while he was hiding out in their shop. Now that the fate of one of them was uncertain, it felt like part of his heart had been wrenched out of his chest.

He wasn't the only one who suffered; the twin that was saved, George, looked like he was in waking coma. He didn't talk to anyone. He was worried about both his brothers but he was more attached to his twin emotionally, and he was tormented by self-accusation for that. He silently lay on the bed next to Bill and refused to communicate with the world even when Ron and Ginny visited them.

The two youngest Weasleys went to see them in almost every break because their mother couldn't visit, no matter how much she wanted to. Mrs. Weasley along with her husband had to do administrative tasks; the case of their house burning down was still open and under inspection. People from the Ministry tried to make a detailed report about the furniture that was lost in the fire, but they needed the couple's help to do that.

The Daily Prophet had a two page long article about the incident illustrated with many moving pictures. The two Weasley boys were listed as missing and they even mentioned Flreu Delacour's name, however, nothing was said about the Order, thankfully. Harry had a suspicion that Dumbledore stepped in and hid the truth before any meddling journalists showed up and started speculating things.

Harry himself walked around with serious intention and a little bit of disappointment. He was grateful that everyone left him alone and was busy with the Weasleys so he could work on his plans undisturbed.

After Snape sent him back to the common room and left Harry didn't go back to his room. After a long time, he visited the Room of Requirements again where he tried to send some positive energy towards the missing people. Since he had no pictures with him it didn't work and he only managed to tire himself out. The failed blessing ritual scared him at first; he immediately thought it failed because the ones he wanted to help were no longer alive. However, after he returned to the boys' room he thought about what he did wrong.

Bathed in sweat, he stared at the ceiling as he wondered about what to try next. He knew that even if all three of them were still alive, he couldn't send a charm that had physical appearance. If they were held captive, it would be too conspicuous if a protective circle appeared under their feet, and it might result in them being killed. He had to search for another ways to find out what had happened to them… whatever it may be.

This whatever made him feel depressed the most; whenever he saw his friends he tired to lift their mood and make them feel hopeful seeing their stifled suffering. But sometimes… sometimes when he was sitting alone, this gut-wrenching feeling that they were only running away from reality hit him. He felt like they were trying to make themselves believe something that wasn't true and the three unfortunate people were long dead.

This sad proposition made him think about new ways to find them, but they all frightened him. Summoning the dead didn't really fall into the light magic category. Harry felt it was possible that he could get into serious trouble if he tried it. Not only because he was totally untrained in dark magic, but because he thought it might result in him being kick out of school too. Snape was the only teacher with a past that included dark magic who he could ask for advice, because he couldn't walk up to Professor Flitwick for soul summoning lessons. However, he was sure that the Potions Master would chase him till London if he learnt that he wanted to do something like that.

On the other hand…

He didn't know how he could look into the eyes of the deceased. To see their vague shapes and haggard faces would be the same as accepting their death, and his soul wasn't prepared for that yet. For a moment… for a brief moment he entertained the thought of what it would be like to see his parents… It has been years since the last time he heard their voices. During the attack of the Dementors then two years later at the Triwizard Tournament, but those were socking experiences. He remembered Sirius, in his youth with well-groomed hair and elegant robes… the way he should have been. His mischievous smile, teasing manners and bad-boy attitude made the young wizard uncertain; it was getting harder and harder to give up on the charm.

So Harry, filled with doubts, ran to the Potions lab where, to his surprise, the lesson had started early.

"Latecomers get detention," Willoughby Honeybourne said coldly.

Harry looked at his watch and saw that there were still two minutes left until the official beginning of class. He silently looked up and raised an eyebrow. The substitute teacher continued to stare at him blankly.

"Find your seat."

After Harry sat down next to Neville, he continued.

"As you probably all heard, Professor Snape had to leave urgently during the weekend, so in his absence, I will teach all his classes. I know some of you from my classes but I want to know the others' abilities too. So today I'm going to test your abilities."

Dissatisfied murmuring indicated that the students weren't happy about the new development.

"At least I'll finally be able to see if Professor Snape's students really are as good as they say to have special, separate classes…" the man added in a low voice, which immediately reminded Harry of Snape's former tone.

"Here you go," Neville whispered to him. "And I thought we were finally rid of these creepy sounding teachers…"

"Do not talk in class, Longbotton," Honybourne disciplined the boy, not even turning around.

Harry's head snapped up seeing how vigilant their teacher was. His eyes started into the man's back like daggers until the man turned around slowly and looked at them menacingly.

"Five points from Gryffindor. I expect the same work from the elite team and my own students too," he continued in an off tone. "Do not feel privileged here."

The two boys looked at each other meaningfully then noticed Dean pushing a parchment in front of them.

He'll be this bad the whole time… you'd better hold back…

In the seats next to them Crabbe and Goyle sneered while Pansy laughed at them.

"Five points from Slytherin due to Miss. Parkinson's need to laugh."

The Slytherin students became silent when they heard it. Harry looked to the side and caught Draco's eyes. The blond boy sat with an honest expression on his face and appeared to be paying attention but was well aware of Potter watching him. He didn't participate in the mocking; he regarded the teacher with thoughtful eyes. There was something dreamy in his countenance that Harry couldn't explain.

Since the holidays, this was the first time they met; Harry didn't even notice him at breakfast. He was surprised that he didn't feel anything when seeing the boy. In the past, he would have suspected him for what had happened to the Weasleys. Ron looked at all Slytherins with the same disgust as before. However, he couldn't find a connection between the events and the blond boy. There was no triumphant look or supercilious smile that showed his satisfaction. He looked like an average student and for some reason that bugged Harry.

"Potter?"

The boy jumped in fright and managed to knock his spoon against his cauldron.

"Look, Potter," Honeybourne stepped beside him with a somewhat condescending posture. "The Ministry expects the students to behave in the classrooms. You've only shown disobedience so far. This… is understandable; last year's reports show how many times you sabotaged the former headmistress, Dolores Umbridge on her lessons, but…"

Harry's eyes narrowed.

"… but I believe such behavior can't be allowed to continue. It's time you learnt that this is a school. If you feel this is not the place you wish to be, there are other alternatives. Don't waste other people's precious time."

The boy tried to hide his insatiable anger and hoped that none of it showed on his face.

"I'm sorry, sir," he squeezed the words out through clenched teeth. "From now on, I'll pay attention."

"I really hope so," he started towards the teacher's desk. With a wave of his wand, ornate writing appeared on the blackboard. "The instructions are clear. Get to work," he finished and sat down in Snape's chair.

It's been a long time since Harry had to work with such a gut-wrenching feeling in Potions class. He clutched his spoon as he measured the finished potion and poured it into a vial. He had to pay attention, because his hands were shaking badly. Neville had to grip his wrist while Harry plugged the vial. He thanked the boy with a grateful smile.

The students lined up in front of the teacher's desk where Honeybourne dripped some white liquid into their vials. The potion changed color and depending on how accurately the ingredients were put in it would turn to a pale or dark purple color.

Hermione, who was the third in line got an Outstanding and gave her boyfriend a satisfied smile. Ron's potion was a bit different from what was expected so he got an Acceptable. Neville was sure about theirs, because he and Harry followed the instructions and did everything well. The boy held out the potion to Honeybourne and it turned to the expected light purple color. However, Neville only got an EE. First, he didn't understand why and even the other students muttered in surprise.

"Professor," Hermione said. "Why did he only get an EE? His potion looks the same as mine…"

"You're vial is dirty, Longbottom," he pointed at a lime scale. Then he turned to the girl. "The Ministry thinks it is better not to over-praise students."

Hermione looked outraged but the students who already experienced his methods during class silenced her.

Neville walked back to his place a little disappointed, though this was better than the grades he got in the previous five years. Slowly the line became shorter and it was Harry's time. He was downright curious about what grade he'll get when Neville, who didn't do anything wrong was humiliated so much.

"It's a barely Acceptable, Potter," Honeybourne wrote the comment on his parchment. "You're vial seems to be broken. If I had to drink from it, it would cut my lip."

Harry didn't really expect anything else from him. He walked back to his place without a word to clean up the remaining potion. While he was cleaning his cauldron, he kept an eye on the teacher. The Slytherins didn't get better grades either. The fact that the clown they had to call their teacher treated everyone equally was indeed true, but there was something in his behavior that Harry couldn't explain to himself.

When Honeybourne looked at Draco he shuddered.

"Insufficient, Malfoy," he said coldly. "When will you learn how to slice these roots? They're floating around in the vial because they can't dissolve. Next!"

Harry tried not to look too surprised as he arranged the ingredients on his plate. Ron was ready and looked at the floor with his now usually sad face.

"You didn't tell me he can't stand Malfoy," Harry whispered to him.

"Why? Do you think there's anyone who can stand him?"

"That's not what I meant," his friend looked up. "What's with you? I know you're worried and all but half of the Order is looking for your brothers and I'm sure they'll find them!"

"I talked to Bill!" Ron blurted out so quietly that his words felt like needles piercing Harry's skin. "He told me you wanted to run away!"

Harry gulped but the boy continued.

"Without me! You're being selfish again!"

"Selfish? Me?! I just don't want you to get hurt because of me!"

"No private action! It's either with us…" he pointed at Hermione who was packing at her bench. "…or not at all!"

"All right already! Don't get offended by something stupid! You shouldn't run away from Hogwarts! You're a prefect! Plus you're mother would kill me if you didn't finish school like the twins!"

"I don't care about mom! I want my brothers…"

"Do care! Do you have any idea how she's feeling now?!"

"Hermione keeps saying the same thing!" Ron stomped helplessly, still quietly enough so that no one noticed. "Leave me alo…"

"Speaking of Hermione," Harry straightened up with a boyish grin on his face. "So…?" he cocked his head.

Ron blinked twice then began to blush a deep red. He turned away and stormed out of the classroom.

"Hey, Ron, don't do that!" Harry wanted to go after him with a big smile on his face.

"Potter!"

He had to stop because the voice reminded him that the teacher promised him detention.

"I thought you wanted to escape from detention," the man continued mysteriously.

His tone wasn't as cold and piercing as the one Snape used to use, but the hair on Harry's neck still stood up.

"No, sir…"

Honeybourne raised his eyebrows then nodded and walked back to the teacher's desk.

The room slowly became empty; the only students remaining were Harry and a casually pacing Draco. While the teacher scribbled something, Harry rocked back and forth on his feet and watched the Slytherin boy. When Draco finally noticed the other boy he raised his eyebrows. Harry shrugged.

"Here's your special homework, Potter," Honeybourne held out a piece of parchment to him. "Essay. Bring it to my office by Friday," he said in a pompous voice. "… otherwise you'll get an insufficient too." He cast a disdainful glance at Draco as if the boy was some disgusting, slimy mollusk.

"And where exactly is your office?" Harry asked naively, putting on a dumb countenance.

He saw that Draco had difficulty keeping from laughing, so he deliberately knocked his spoon down. The rattling noise successfully hid his snickering.

"Here, of course!" Honeybourne coughed and his face turned pink in embarrassment. "Stop that, Malfoy!"

"I thought this was Professor Snape's office," he continued to play stupid, straining his eyes. He was hoping that the man would lose concentration and he could…

"Well, since Professor Snape's currently not in Hogwarts, I took over for him. Not only here in the classroom, but in his office too. Anyway… at least I can get used to it," he grinned superciliously. "Who knows whether he'll be here next year or not…"

The smile slipped from Harry's face and he unwittingly locked eyes with Malfoy.

"I'll keep my eyes on you, Potter. I don't tolerate breaking the rules. Now… you can go."

The two boys walked side by side, the vials in their bags clang making a bizarre symphony which hurt their ears. After Draco closed the door behind them, Harry spoke.

"I didn't know he hated you so much."

Draco shrugged tiredly.

"Listen," Harry grimaced. "I want to ask you something."

"Why? You don't usually stop to talk to me."

"I'm not doing this because I like it. Would you listen now?"

The blond Slytherin looked at him wearily.

"So… do you have anything to do with what happened to Ron's family?"

"How could I?" Draco furrowed his eyebrows. "We were on the way to the train station by that time. You know," he elegantly waved his finger like he was talking to a demented person. "…there are some who didn't spend the holiday in school… But if I was so suspicious, why didn't you check if there was soot behind my ear or not?"

"This is not funny," Harry said darkly.

"Oh, really?! Dumbledore's men do the same thing with my father and his comrades. Only they don't indicate them as assassins."

He saw the glint in Harry's eyes so he continued.

"Don't take me for a fool. Everyone knows about your little Order. At least those smarter than Fudge."

"Our Order?"

"Stop pretending. I hear d how they talked about you. I guess you, the golden boy, got in immediately."

"I'm still underage, Draco," Harry returned the nasty smile. "I couldn't be a part of an illegal group."

Malfoy closed his eyes, rubbed his forehead with his index finger then looked up with a grin again.

"Don't bother. Or are you practicing for your Deception class in the Auror courses already?"

"And you?" Harry countered. "Do you have that skull on your forearm yet?"

"Of course not," Draco touched his arm. "Are you crazy?" he whispered. "I had to spend the holiday abroad because people from the Ministry kept bugging us. It's difficult to plan anything like this…" he added sarcastically.

"Come to your senses!" Harry insisted. "I was serious about what I said before the winter break!"

"You owe me one already!" Draco poked his chest. "I didn't tell anyone about your woman! I can't do more than that!"

Harry looked into the boy's eyes startled, and the blond bravely held his gaze.

"Great," he said cheerfully.

Draco exhaled angrily and started walking down the corridor without him.

"Wait up!" Harry sprinted after him because they were going the same way. He stopped when he reached the Slytherin boy.

As the blond didn't say anything, Harry coughed from time to time in hopes of starting a conversation.

"Can't you just… stay quiet?" Draco chided. "Anyway we're not on speaking-terms."

"I was just wondering what Honeybourne meant by getting used to Snape's office…"

The Slytherin didn't answer; apparently he was also wondering the same thing.

"I hope he didn't mean that they want to fire Snape… Can you imagine that clown as the Head of Slytherin…?"

Draco visibly shuddered at the thought.

"I wonder if he can get into the office," he grinned menacingly.

"Yeah!" Harry chuckled. "Snape probably closed it off with several spells."

"By the way… where is he?"

"I don't know… Lamerin said he went to visit relatives… something urgent must have happened…"

"Lying is a sin, Potter. I thought you learnt that last year…"