Tempting Fate – Chapter 4 (Two Visitors)

Harry was a bit glad that he wasn't in his fifth or even seventh year given how much course load that the professors would give out. There had been enough stories from Blaise on how much the older Slytherins would complain about it.

He had met Terence Higgs a couple of times, so he heard him mention how much his professors seemed to hate them that year. He was in his OWLS year and Harry did not envy him one bit. Which meant that the professors wanted to throw almost everything at them in preparation for the upcoming exams.

It was enough to stress for his regular exams, Harry didn't even want to imagine having to remember everything since his first year. The cramming of studies had to be beyond brutal. And that wasn't even counting what your NEWTS had to be like. He hoped that his fourth year wouldn't be too bad since that was one more year closer to his OWLS.

Though he had tossed aside the map that Fred and George had given him, he was surprised that they had since he had been on his way to meet Blaise. Seeing that he was supposed to meet up with him before heading their way to Hogsmeade. He wasn't sure why they had given it to him, it wasn't like he was on the best of terms with them. Given he was friends with a Slytherin. Not to mention the fact he never approved of any of their pranks. He knew when someone was targeting someone, and they were just bullies. The only similarities he had with them was that they were on the same Quidditch Team. He knew that practically the entire Slytherin house felt the same about that.

Harry probably wouldn't have thought twice about it if he hadn't gotten to know some of the Slytherins. Once you got past the cold demeanor of theirs… Something that wouldn't have been possible without Blaise's assistance. He wondered what it was about him that they trusted. Was it because he was another Slytherin? What else could it be?

All of that aside, when it came down to leaving for Hogsmeade, it should have been an accomplishment that his uncle had signed that form. Though it really wasn't the main thing on his mind. And it wasn't like he really believed what Blaise had told him. Soulbond?! It just wasn't possible. But then why was he getting worried over someone he hardly knew?

Blaise could be so infuriating when he got that knowing look in his eyes. Like he knew something he didn't, given how little knowledge he had of the wizarding world, it wasn't too surprising. Though sometimes he swore that he liked to rub it in his face at times. Not quite in the manner that Malfoy would have. Seemed he did have some form of respect there.

He knew that the professors had expected him to be unable to go to Hogsmeade. They were still scared of the fact where Sirius Black was after him. You would think that they wouldn't be as obvious about it though.

The fact that he should stay in Gryffindor Tower or catch up on homework. It was how he knew then that they were aware of his life back at the Dursleys and he hated them even more for that. How would you explain that they had expected him to be one on the list not going.

"With all due respect, Professor, I am not scared because Sirius Black is after me," Harry said bluntly.

Perhaps he had been hanging around Slytherins for too long because it was amusing to watch them start to sputter. It was a response they weren't expecting to hear.

"Mr. Potter, of course, Sirius Black isn't after you," Professor Sprout tried to tell him.

"Professor, I would appreciate it if you didn't lie to me. Anyone can go to a bookstore to find out and not to mention when you actually look into it. If he wants to kill me, let him. Because I won't go down a coward," Harry replied, marching past her.

Blaise lifted an eyebrow at him, "giving your trouble?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "dare you have to ask?"

Blaise smirked, "precious little Potter… Oh of course we have to protect him at all costs."

"Shove off," Harry grumbled.

Blaise shrugged, "you're a Gryffindor and they think you can't handle yourself. Only a third year after all."

"It's no forbidden curse but you're bound to learn something when older Slytherins demand your help with dueling and curses. And there's such a thing called dodging to save your life," Harry shot back.

"Even though you know plenty of them," Blaise pointed out.

Harry rolled his eyes, "oh, yes, let me just get expelled from Hogwarts because I decided to follow the path of a Slytherin…"

"Suits me just fine."

"And you also have a manor and layers of protection that don't alert you for Dark Magic," Harry reminded him.

Blaise only grinned at him.

"Arse," Harry muttered.

The ride in the carriage was short, though it was nice to get out of the wind and snow. Though it probably wouldn't have been the end of the world to walk in it. Though Honeydukes was probably one of his favorites with Three Broomsticks being up there. It had been the first time he had tried Butterbeer. He now understood why there were so many other students there. Seeing how jam packed the Three Broomsticks was a good indicator.

It felt more of a relief to get out of there than it was coming in. It was lucky enough to find a table in general to even sit down.

Being outside with the cold hitting was more refreshing, all the way to the Shrieking Shack. Though Harry never really believed the rumors of it being haunted. The place did look at the point of collapsing.

Possibly it could be because of his background with no magical knowledge before he was eleven years old. This wasn't something he grew up with, unlike Blaise. Though his friend looked more slightly unnerved being so close to the Shrieking Shack. Neither of them stayed too long.

It was a relief when the pair of them finally reached the warmth back of the castle. It felt like the only thing that had been keeping him warm was his cloak, scarf, and Butterbeer. Heating Charms did help but the cold and wind still cut through his robes and cloak.

Another trip to Hogsmeade would be appreciated but perhaps when the weather was a bit warmer. Though he wondered what excuse Hermione and Ron would give him that time. He had noticed it more and more.

Harry figured that it would come up more for Ron than Hermione. That he wouldn't be able to deal with the fact that he was friends with Slytherins. But he wondered if Hermione was behind some of it and Ron just tagged along. She hadn't really spoken to him much besides when she had been worried when he fell off his broom because of the Dementors.

It certainly made him wonder what part was true and what wasn't. And he didn't like how the lessons had gone with Professor Lupin. He knew that he probably should be grateful for the man for sending that Dementor away. It changed the moment he learned that he knew his father.

The Gryffindor wanted nothing to do with him. He knew he existed and where he probably lived and was a coward. Everything was just an excuse for him. He didn't care anything for him and feelings were the same. It wouldn't change things even after he found out that he was an Werewolf, something he would learn near the end of the year.

His feelings of hatred for Sirius Black never changed either. It was obvious to him that he never had him as a priority. It was all for his dad, who was dead. Every word that slipped from him was nothing but a lie and excuse. He didn't care for the hurt that passed over his face.

"Why would you believe that I would want anything to do with you?! My life has been hell ever since you made that decision that I wasn't important to you!" Harry snapped.

He didn't care about the words of Pettigrew betraying his parents. Yes, he may miss the idea of them. But he never knew them and never would. He knew that his parents would do anything to protect him. Sirius was not like them. Even before him, he knew that he only cared for himself.

"You aren't my Godfather! You never were! So, how about you do something that you are actually good at. Staying out of my life!" Harry snarled.

The look of hurt and anguish that washed over Black's face was satisfying. He wanted him to feel every bit of hurt that he had felt. At being left at the hands of his relatives all because of someone's ego. He was never put first, and he wasn't going to fall for that false hope ever again.

He didn't know what the man thought was going to happen. That he was going to be happy? Overjoyed to know someone that knew his parents or had this relation to him? His life was already all kinds of screwed up and that was without adding someone to the mix. Why would he want anything to do with someone that didn't care about him. He was obviously not a priority and he didn't need Blaise to tell him that he probably only see his dad.

Harry knew how similar he looked to his dad; he had been told for over three years. He was sick of hearing it. He wasn't James, he didn't even know the man. There was a reason why Harry never brought up this though, especially in his house. He wasn't in the mood to hear the anger or defensiveness despite that none of them knew James either. Slytherins were more of a safer resource to speak his mind.


Desmond wouldn't say that he trusted these Assassins but at least they were much better than his father. But he knew he was out soon as they contacted his father. What was it about Assassins they just got all into your personal affairs. It honestly pissed him off.

Though he could at least thank them for living through another ancestor's life, Ezio. He knew that perhaps his skills were a bit lax when it came to training. He hadn't done anything to keep it up for two years while on the run, unless you count his skills in the shadow. Then he had any Assassin beat there.

He had been unaware of how much time he had been forced into that Animus from Dr. Vidic day after day. For all he knew, it could have been months or even over a year since he had been held captive. And then he couldn't believe he agreed to go back into the same contraption that he had been forced into. Though this has been more willing, all to learn how to be an Assassin, just like his ancestor had.

It would prove a mistake to trust those Assassins when he came face to face the last person he wanted to see. He would have gladly see Dr. Vidic once more, not really possible since he killed him, but still.

"Dad…" Desmond growled.

"Son."

Desmond frowned, he didn't like the harsh and threatening way his own father's voice sounded.

"I'm out of here!"

"Desmond! Is that away way to greet your father," William Miles snapped.

The teenage Assassin laughed, "that would be amusing if you actually were one. Tell someone who actually gives a shit!"

Shaun and Rebecca just watched, unsure of what to do or say. This obviously wasn't what they were expecting when he called William Miles, thinking that Desmond would be thrilled to see him again. Where had they gone wrong?