Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own non-canon magic and OC.

Wow. Thank you for your support. Without it, I would not continue writing. I really appreciate it. I love this story and am pleased others do as well. I won't stop (it will take time, though) to complete this story. It's personal to me since I despise having incomplete work.

Please continue with your reviews. I sincerely appreciate it. Everyone please stay safe as we're battling COVID. Let me know what you think! –JHS.

XLIV: Angry

Séraphine stilled as she felt the House call for her just as Malthus appeared. She dropped her hand in surprise before grasping the snake's tail as he Apparated them to their home.

Her senses told her there was another being in their midst. She blinked in confusion at the snake-woman before her.

"My Lady," Sirius indicated as she composed herself. "We've found Lady Sparkles." The witch's eyes widened and she curtseyed. Both Lord and Lady sat down as Kreacher got their tea, milk for the Smooth snake, and watched carefully, pale eyes sharpening.

Sparkles inclined her head. "Asss I wasss sssaying, Missstresss Black. Our Youngling Ssspeaker is in grave danger from Madame Jocccelyne."

Séraphine settled for a moment. "Who is this Madame Jocelyne, Lady Sparkles?" She asked softly. She wracked her brain for some familiarity with the situation and shook her head at her husband.

"A Dark Witch that Aunt Petunia sssold our Ssspeaker to." The Smooth snake answered.

"Sold?" Sirius demanded, mercury eyes flaring. The House roared to life at the mistreatment and ire of their Lord and Heir.

"Yesss," Sparkles hissed. "She is a cruelty incarnate. She wantsss to ussse our Ssspeaker as ingredientsss for her eternal youth. Ssshe ssstole two other boys named Ssspider and Ssscorpion." Here, the Smooth snake's image lessened and the woman transposed became clearer. "Ssshe has done unssspeakable harm to them; but our Ssspeaker is the prize she cravesss. We cannot fight her on our own. We've sssensssed her around the Dursley houssse."

The House of Black Family exchanged dark, worried looks.

"What else can you tell us, Lady Sparkles?" Séraphine asked.

"Only to take extra precautionsss." The Smooth snake answered. She looked exhausted. "My hatchlingsss are watching for her as we ssspeak. But, my mate doesssn't think she will return to the Dursleys anytime sssoon. Ssshe knowsss he'sss at Hogwartsss."

Kreacher bared his teeth at that.

Harry forced himself to kneel and relax in front of his little friend.

"Dobby," he began. "could you make certain that Ron doesn't receive any food until he speaks to us? Just ask the other House-Elves to serve him the things he doesn't like."

Hermione stared at her best friend. However, she had to concede Harry made a good point. Food is the only language Ronald understands.

The House-Elf quickly nodded and Apparated to the Kitchens.

"Hey," Hermione whispered taking Harry's hand as she led him toward the cozy loveseat. "What's going on inside your head, Harry?" she asked, concerned.

There was a dangerous light to Harry's shocking green eyes that she wasn't altogether OK with.

"I'm…I'm…" Harry started. "I'm angry, Hermione." He finally said aloud. "I'm bitterly angry at Ron."

Hermione nodded sadly.

"Please don't let me get in the way of your friendship, Harry." She asked quietly.

The boy wizard frowned at her.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked sharper than he intended.

"Well, it's just." Hermione grimaced, and realized she never removed her friend from Harry and he did not seem intent on letting her go either. She looked away from him, guilt and worry on her expressive face.

Harry was having none of that. Gently, he took Hermione's chin so she would face him. He noted how she blushed and was frankly surprised at his boldness.

They stared at one another for a long moment.

"He's a bad friend, Hermione." Harry informed her. The young witch was mesmerized by his snake pupils. "He's proving that more and more as time goes on. All he does is criticize you and treat you horribly." The boy's eyes glowed eerily. "I won't stand for it because that's wrong. It's wrong. It's wrong. It's wrong." He repeated.

Certainly, he was always going to be afraid of rejection from his two closest friends. But, if he had to choose then he would choose Hermione over Ron any day.

For some reason, his core actually relaxed enough to where Harry closed his eyes peacefully. The nearness of the young witch seemed to settle him in a way he could not put into words.

Hermione gulped and launched herself at him in a fierce hug.

"Thank you, Harry." She hiccupped.

The boy immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

"Always, My." He whispered.

Meanwhile, a Dark Witch snarled into her cauldron.

The past two hours proved fruitless as she tried various spells and enchantments to pinpoint exactly where the boy was in Hogwarts. Albus indicated he had their stupid red-haired friend under a spell to use.

She wanted to guarantee her own spies to appear at Hogwarts within a fortnight.