Chapter 6
Harry was frustrated. Slightly depressed even. Everyone in his house was chatting excitedly about what they would buy after going to Hogsmeade. It frustrated him enough to leave his dorm. He was walking through the school corridors but the sentiment around the school was the same so he searched for some peace.
So he ended up on the bridge that connected the main school to its outskirts. He was looking at the clouds wondering what he could do to go on the trip. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he missed Percy approaching him.
"How's the brooding going?" Percy asked surprising Harry a bit. He managed to get it under control very fast and just rolled his eyes at the white-haired teen.
"I'm not brooding," Harry said before looking back at the clouds "I'm just thinking," Harry said as Percy leaned his back on the rail next to Harry.
"About?" Percy asked curiously. Maybe Harry's sour face worried Percy a bit and he was glad for it, but he really didn't need it right now. But Percy wasn't going to let it go so best if he told him.
"Wondering how I can go to Hogsmeade," Harry said with a sigh "Think McGonagall would sign it?" Harry asked referencing the permission slip everyone needed signed to go there.
"No," Percy said simply as Harry cringed at his lack of tack. Trust Percy to always tell you things like they are "She's not your guardian and signing it would be against the rules. Besides, with all the Sirius Black business I doubt she would sign it," Percy said as Harry sighed in defeat.
"Yeah you're probably right," Harry said while rubbing his face "Guess I'll have to spend the day in boredom," Harry said and then he felt a hand land on his shoulder.
"You forget I'm not going either," Percy said as Harry blinked before looking at him. He had forgotten that indeed "We can think of something to do," Percy said as Harry gave him a thankful smile.
"Now come. Wallowing in self-pity would do you no good," Percy said lifting and walking forward as Harry grew confused and walked behind him.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked wondering where Percy was leading him.
"I'm meeting some friends to go over some assignments. You can come if you want," Percy said as Harry grew a bit curious.
"Your friends from Slytherin?" Harry asked and Percy nodded his head "Only them?" Harry asked and Percy hummed.
"Well Sue wanted to come as well and Daphne had some things to go over with Susan and Hermione so they'll probably come," Percy said with a hum, "I told Luna if she wanted to come on the way here and she told me she would bring a friend," He said with a shrug and Harry hummed.
"Sounds like a big group," Harry said, and then his mind went to a specific person "And Neville?" Harry asked wondering about the person he vowed to get to know better.
"First person I asked," Percy said with a small smile. It appeared the bond between the three because of their exploration was as strong for Percy as his. So, even if there were a lot of people going there he found himself wanting to go.
So he followed Percy around the school but what weirded him out a bit was that Percy wasn't heading to the library. Instead, he led him toward an empty classroom on the top floor of the school.
Percy let him enter first and the first sight to greet him where two people throwing marshmallows at each other's mouths. The first one was Tracey and the other was a brown-haired boy from Slytherin. He saw Tracey catching the marshmallows and celebrating right as he entered.
"This doesn't look like a study session," Harry whispered at Percy who snorted and crossed his arms.
"We're on a break, come on let me introduce you to everyone," Percy said as Harry looked around. Besides Tracey, there were three other Slytherins. Sue Li was there as well as Padma, Susan, and Hannah.
"Everyone I brought company," Percy said as everyone looked over at them. Harry grew self-conscious and looked at them a bit nervous.
"Hi, I'm Harry," He found himself introducing himself nervously as the brown-haired boy snorted.
"We know, you're pretty famous Potter," He said as Harry almost grew annoyed but the blond girl from Slytherin deescalated things very quickly.
"Don't mind him, Potter, Theo's a bit crud but he does mean well," She said as Harry glanced at her. He grew curious as she had Aurora around her neck, he wondered if Percy and she weren't talking then why did she have his pet there "I'm Daphne and the quiet one over there is Blaise," She said as Harry looked at the tanned Slytherin boy who offered him a nod.
"Yeah I remember," He said glancing back at Daphne before looking at Percy "I thought you weren't speaking to one another," He said and Percy shrugged his shoulders.
"We made amends," He offered simply and Harry just nodded not asking further questions.
"Hey Potter," Theo said as Tracey dropped from the desk she was on. She offered him a smile before walking towards Daphne.
"You can call me Harry," Harry said not feeling insulted knowing the customs purebloods have thanks to Percy. Theo gave him a cheeky smile full of amusement.
"Very well Harry. Want to try?" Theo asked as Harry looked at him confused "Simple thing. Just climb the desk over there and try to catch it with your mouth," Theo said as Harry raised an eyebrow at Percy who gave him an encouraging look.
"I thought we were studying," Harry wondered out loud as he started climbing the desk across Theo's.
"We're waiting for the others to get here," Sue said as Harry looked at her in confusion wondering who the others were "Hermione and Neville went for some books and Ginny went for some snacks with Luna," She explained as Harry blinked a few times.
"Ginny's here as well?" He asked a bit surprised that Ginny would come here since it wasn't her type of crowd. And Blaise looked over at him offering a response.
"Luna dragged her here, you can blame Nyx," Blaise said pointing at Percy who was eating some cheeps next to where Theo was.
"You have a problem with Ginny or something?" Percy asked in curiosity hiding his tone of amusement hiding the fact that he was making fun of Harry.
"No, no. I'm just surprised that's all," Harry said before looking at Theo who had a marshmallow in his hand.
"Ready golden boy? Or do you want the join the dorky squad over there?" Theo asked pointing at Padma, Susan, and Hannah who were in the middle of finishing a potions assignment.
"You come and do Snape's assignment wanker," Susan said flipping him off and getting chuckles from the boys there.
Harry controlled his laughter and just looked at Theo with fierce conviction "Just throw it," Harry said as Theo smiled and threw the marshmallow at him.
Harry wobbled for a bit but ultimately failed to catch the marshmallow. But before it could hit the ground it disappeared and landed on a tray next to Theo's "Damn close though. Now you throw," Theo said pointing at the tray next to Harry.
Harry wondered what kind of magic was that but didn't ask as he started having fun with the marshmallows and continued with the game.
Both of them took turns around while the others either continued with their assignments or watched them play around. Theo had caught three marshmallows while Harry had caught none. But as the missing people from the group arrived he managed to catch one with the edge of his teeth. He celebrated by throwing his hands up in the air and he wobbled on the desk almost tripping off.
"You guys are still on that? One of you will get hurt," Hermione said as Theo, Harry, and Percy were laughing hard at the almost fall of Harry.
"Best if we listen to her," Percy said as Theo and Harry dropped down from the desks before anyone fell "Otherwise she would trip you herself," He said with a laugh as Hermione slapped his arm while passing by.
"Prat," She said as she joined Tracey and Daphne. Neville approached Harry glad to finally have someone else he got along.
"We brought muffins and biscuits," Luna exclaimed as she and Ginny put the food upwards as some of them celebrated her sentence.
"I still think is abuse you sent us for them," Ginny said grumbling as the whole group got close together in a circle.
"You're the youngest, it's like a law," Theo said with a laugh as Ginny flipped him off with a sweet smile on her face. She took a seat next to Harry unconsciously and when she realized she got a blush noticed by some of the people there and they didn't hide their chuckles. But only she knew what it meant so she glared at them all.
Then the trio who was working on Snape's assignment approached them Susan yawned before dropping next to Percy "Fucking sadist cunt," She said as Percy gave her a look of amusement which she promptly pushed away as the group chuckled at her choice of words.
"Who got you so mad?" Hermione asked in curiosity wondering what subject had stressed her that much.
"Snape. He gets a kick out of torturing us," Susan said cracking her back while Harry and Neville as well nodded their heads agreeing with her statement "All that shit for a vial that small, fuck him," Susan said getting chuckles from the group.
"He's a manchild. Stuck forever in the past," Daphne said as Harry looked at her in confusion.
"How so?" He asked as the group minus Hermione looked at Percy letting him answer for them all.
"We don't know the details but apparently he didn't have a good time in Hogwarts, he was a bully victim from what I understand," Percy said and looked at Daphne at the end who nodded telling him his information was good.
"How do you know this?" Hermione wondered. Seems all this group was pretty knowledgeable about these things.
"Perks of being pureblood you could say. Cunts like to gossip," Theo said getting chuckles all around "Gossip is like drugs to those idiots," He said as Daphne found herself agreeing the most.
But Hermione was still pretty confused and Percy noticed it so he nodded at Daphne out of everyone's view "Most of our families are in the ministry. Families with ancient and noble descendants get to vote on matters of our world. And gossip is key information in the ministry," Daphne explained as Hermione nodded taking the information in.
"It's all rubbish. Mainly who is friends with who? Who is cheating on who with who, that sort of thing," Susan offered as Hannah nodded beside her but didn't comment further.
"That is the playground our minister has created," Blaise said with a bit of disgust behind his eyes.
"So like your father Ginny?" Harry asked as Ginny looked down embarrassed momentarily before shaking her head.
"Not really. My father is just an office worker, he doesn't have a vote on the ministry," Ginny said playing with her hair feeling embarrassed at the obvious comparison.
"He's not missing anything," Theo said surprisingly reassuring "It is a pain in the ass at the end of things," Theo said as Ginny gave him a small smile in thanks.
"Honest work is more fun than anything," Luna chimed in and everyone looked at her with curiosity in their eyes "I've met your father a few times and he seems happier than most purebloods I know," She said looking at Ginny who had her eyes wide open.
"Luna," She said grabbing Luna's hand as a show of gratitude. They had their own private little moment as Padma took over.
"So Harry, since you just arrived. Do you have any questions on how this works?" Padma asked him as Harry looked around at all of them.
"Um, isn't it like a simple study session? Like the ones we have before?" Harry asked as Padma shook her head and Hermione answered for everyone there.
"It's a bit different since we're a big group," She said as Harry looked at Hermione "If you're working on something specific just call out loud what you need help on. Someone will then help you with it," She said as Harry blinked a bit confused.
"Everyone here is pretty knowledgeable in at least one subject. So help is sure to come," Daphne explained as Harry looked at her before nodding understanding to the best he could.
"That's why Percy brought you here," Blaise commented as Harry blinked before looking at him and Percy. And the white-haired teen looked away sheepishly "Since you're the best DADA student we could use your help," He said as Harry blushed a bit.
"I'm the best?" Harry said as Theo laughed a bit.
"Well, we didn't bring you here for your potions skills," Theo said getting chuckles from some people around as Harry scratched the back of his head sheepishly "Now can we start? Because I need severe help on McGonagall's assignment," Theo said as the group focused back on why they were there.
Harry looked around at all the people there. This was the first time he was with a huge group of people like this and it felt different. It felt good, for the first time he truly felt like he was living instead of just surviving.
"Wood you sadist prick, it's one pm. Why are we training so early!?" Fred whined as the whole Gryffindor quidditch team walked the school corridors together.
Wood had secured the quidditch pitch for them. Early practice he had called it but they all knew it was Wood's ambition and some of them had to admit that they hated being dragged because of it. But they still went with it either way.
Harry and Katie were trailing behind, having their own private conversation instead of joining the group's one: "Heard you made new friends?" Katie said referring to the group Harry had joined for the past few weeks now
"Rumors fly fast don't they?" Harry said a bit amused as Katie chuckled a bit "They're good people," He said as Katie hummed.
"Not according to your friend Ron," Katie reminded him as Harry's face turned sour. He was reminded of the endless spats Ron had with him and Hermione when he learned about the study group.
At least Quidditch season was starting and Ron had calmed down but while Harry pretended to ignore all the verbal discussions Hermione didn't. Something had changed in her demeanor. Usually when she and Ron fought it lasted a week before they continued speaking to one another.
But this time after Ron had called Percy a slimy cunt one too many times Hermione lost it. She called him an arsehole and a cunt and refused to talk to him for three weeks straight. It was only recently that they started talking again but only when Harry was there as well.
She was pissed he could tell but he was glad she still talked to him but he was worried that the trio of friendship was falling apart. And apparently, Katie had noticed his worry as well "Something wrong Harry?" She asked as Harry looked at her for a moment.
He wondered if he should grief out his concerns to her but he realized he needed an outsider's point of view "I'm scared I'm losing my friends," Harry said as Katie looked at him with worried eyes "I'm glad I'm making new friends but I'm afraid about losing my previous one," Harry explained as Katie nodded and looked forward.
"You know, I had a good friend back home. We were tight like this," Katie said crossing her fingers together "We did everything together. Shopping, going to parks, skipping school, all of it," Katie said as Harry paid close attention.
"Then on the year before I discovered I was a wizard we just stopped talking," Katie said and Harry raised an eyebrow at her showing his curiosity.
"What happened?" He asked as Katie shrugged her shoulders.
"I started playing soccer and she went to summer camp of advanced classes. And we just grew apart, it happens," Katie said before looking at Harry "Sometimes people just grow apart. Now I'm not saying that that's what's happening to you and Ron," She said before placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay to hold out a bridge to your friendship but it's up to him to cross it," Katie said as Harry looked down "And while losing a friendship hurts, don't forget you have friends to fall on," Katie said as Harry looked up and pulled back the tears that threaten to leave his eyes.
"Yeah you're right," Harry said as Katie smiled at him before letting go of his shoulder. He felt a bit better. He was sure there were more spats with Ron in his future but if the friendship were to remain it would have to be up to the redhead.
The Gryffindor team arrived at the pitch but stopped when they saw Wood stop abruptly "The fuck is this?" Wood said a bit in shock but everyone could hear the annoyance in his voice. They entered the pitch and saw why he was annoyed.
The Slytherin team was there practicing and training. It seems they arrived earlier than the Gryffindor team. Wood went up to the captain of the Slytherin team who was in the middle of the pitch looking around at his players.
"Marcus you twat! The pitch is ours to practice the hell are you doing here!?" Wood said as Marcus looked at him with a sly smile on his face.
"Wood, what a coincidence," Flint said with slight mirth in his eyes "Lovely morning innit?" He said as Wood felt his annoyance grow to new levels.
Harry watched from the sidelines how Wood and Flint insulted each other. It was usual for them to go on this tirade of insults but then Flint said something that caught everyone's attention "Stop this Wood you look pathetic," Flint said as Wood narrowed his eyes at him "We had a special permit to train our two newest members and we're almost done," Flint said letting out a whistle at the end.
Then most of the team looked up and Harry's eyes widened when he saw a familiar girl run around the beaters and score at record speeds. Then most of the Slytherin team got down to the pitch next to Marcus "So, what do you think? She hasn't missed a score in all practice," Flint said with a glee look on his face as Tracey dropped out of her broom with sweat on her forehead and a huge smile on her face.
"You replaced Warrington?" Wood asked shocked. The Slytherin team had a close policy and Warrington had never left the team under Flint's captainship.
"Warrington faced an awful incident that left him injured," Flint said glancing at Tracey for a moment as she just narrowed her eyes at him "So I was forced to call supplements for all my injured players," Flint explained as Harry grew confused. He said all his injured players and the other one that was injured was the one that got hit by a Hippogriff.
"You replaced your seeker?" Harry found himself asking as Flint just looked at him with a wide smirk on his face.
Then he heard it, the buzz of the golden snitch right next to him. He looked to his right and saw the snitch flying there. It stood there for a minute and tried to fly away but in an instant, someone rushed there and caught it before it could fly away.
Harry saw the hand that caught the snitch then he looked up as his eyes winded further and his mouth opened in shock as he saw his white-haired Slytherin friend hovering right in front of him. Percy was looking down at him with a small sly smirk on his face. Then a slight excitement grew within Harry, for the first time in the three years since he had joined the quidditch team he was excited to play against Slytherin.
Harry was rushing through the corridors at huge speeds. Percy was right asking McGonagall to sign his permission slip didn't work so he was stuck at the school as everyone had gone to Hogsmeade.
But not everyone. Percy had stayed back as well and had told Harry to meet him at the DADA classroom. And while walking there he had almost got caught by Filch the school's Gate Keeper. But he had managed to evade him.
He arrived at the classroom and quickly entered it avoiding everyone's sight "Who are you running from?" Neville asked and Harry turned around surprised at finding Neville there.
"Filch. What are you doing here Nev?" Harry asked in confusion as he thought that Nev had gone on the trip like everyone else.
"Oh shit Nev seems someone doesn't like you," Percy said from the side as Neville pretended to be hurt and wallowed at Harry's words "How rude of you Harry," Percy said as Harry's eyebrow twitched and the duo of boys laughed when Harry called them twats.
"Going to Hogsmeade is great with friends. But since you two weren't going I just didn't want to," Neville explained as Harry beamed at the consideration he was given "And I just can go to the next one," He said as Harry nodded in understanding.
"Right so, Harry, did you bring what I asked?" Percy asked as Harry looked up at him.
"Oh yeah," Harry said taking out a few pieces of paper out of his pockets "I didn't know what to write so please don't judge me," Harry said as Percy smiled at him.
Percy had asked him to write a few dare challenges as well as some truth questions. He said that they would play a modified version of Truth or Dare and just write whatever Harry liked. Percy then walked up to him with a bowl filled with papers similar to Harry's.
"Please put them in sir," Percy said cheekily as Harry dropped the pieces of paper into the bowl then Percy started mixing the papers around "Game's simple. Each of us will go one at a time and draw one paper out. It can be a challenge or a question," Percy said placing the bowl next to another one filled with candy that Harry recognized.
"If you fail the challenge or choose not to answer a question then you'll have to eat one Betty Boot's Every Flavor Bean," Percy said as Harry and Neville nodded in understanding "Now, who of you pretty boys would like to start?" Percy asked as Neville looked at Harry.
"I'd say that the last to get here should go first," Neville said as Harry snorted and gave him a playful glare as he stepped up.
He put his hand on the bowl and grabbed a paper. He started reading it and grew confused "Balance your wand with the tip of your tongue for a minute," He said looking at the boys there "How am I supposed to do that?" Harry asked and Percy tilted his head.
"Whichever way you like mate. But it has to be a minute," Percy said taking a miniature hourglass that measured the passing of a minute "Whenever you like to start," Percy said as Harry took his wand out.
He wondered how he was going to do this for a moment till he decided to just go for it. He placed his wand on his tongue horizontally and gave Percy a thumbs-up to start the countdown.
He wobbled back and forth trying to maintain his balance but, in the end, he couldn't do the challenge in time as he dropped the wand at the forty-second mark. "Ooh unlucky," Neville said as Harry flipped him off trying to catch his wand.
Harry then eat a bean and immediately did a face of disgust "Sour lime for fucks sake," Harry said much to the amusement of Neville and Percy.
Then Neville grabbed a paper and read it out loud "With the levioso charm try and stack at least twenty books without them dropping," Neville said as he looked at the books around the tables "I can do that," Neville said as Harry laughed a bit and took a seat on top a desk.
"Bit cocky aren't we?" He said as Neville snorted and took out his wand. Then he started. He was doing great so Harry and Percy started making noises to try and break Neville's focus. But it didn't matter as Neville managed to stack the twenty books almost perfectly. The tower wobbled a bit but it maintained the position for a minute so Neville managed to complete his challenge.
Then it was Percy's turn and he did a bit of a show about grabbing a paper but once he read what was in the paper his eyes were filled with disgust "Go and flirt with moaning Myrtle, nah fuck that give me the candy," Percy said as Harry and Neville chuckled at his demeanor.
He ate a bean and nothing happened no reaction "What was it?" Harry asked eager to know what Percy had eaten. Then out of the blue Percy started turning red and he had to spit out the bean into the trash.
"Fucking hell that was spicy," Percy said over the trash as Harry and Neville laughed at his misfortune.
"Mine was an easy one let me go next," Neville said finding the courage to take another challenge. Courage that soon disappeared when he read what was in the paper "Is there someone you fancy in school?" Neville said as the boys looked at him in curiosity.
Then Neville's cheeks soon turn red from embarrassment "Oh my god there is! Come on spill!" Harry said as Percy managed to get rid of the spiciness and was looking at Neville with a knowing smirk.
But Neville just put his hand on the candy bowl as Harry booed him. Then he ate the bean and immediately stopped coughing "Cinnamon dust dammit," Neville said as Harry laughed at his misfortune while Percy looked at him.
"You're having too much fun, Harry. Go on your next," Percy said putting the bowl forward as Neville managed to get his cough under control.
"Fine, see how I nail this challenge," Harry said as he took a piece of paper out "Run out the outside corridor on your knickers, fuck!" Harry said as Neville and Percy smirked at him.
"Go on, nail this challenge," Percy said as Harry narrowed his eyes and then looked down for a moment. Frankly, this could be done very easily but he had a problem.
The scars. The multiple scars he had around his torso and back thanks to his upbringing back home. He hesitated but he was having fun and he was not ready to stop "I'll do it, but promise one thing," Harry said seriously surprising Neville and Percy a bit "You'll have to ignore what you see," Harry said as the other two grew confused.
"Ignore what we see? What do you mean by that?" Neville asked in confusion and Percy felt the same as him.
"Look I trust you guys," Harry said before realizing something and saying it out loud "Even more than Hermione and Ron, thanks to what we have been through," Harry said referring to their adventures "But I'm not dumb to realize that each of us carry something heavy around their shoulders, scars you could say," Harry said as Percy narrowed his eyes at him.
"You'd be right," Percy said as Neville nodded. It was no secret that each teen there had their own share of burdens "Are you saying we might see yours if you take your shirt off?" Percy asked as Harry nodded.
"Yes, and I've learned to live with it. So I ask you to not make a big fuss about it and to not ask me any questions," Harry said as Percy and Neville gave each other a look "Just promise me we'll carry on with the game," He said as Neville looked at Harry and spoke for Percy.
"We promise," Neville said as Percy nodded his head. And Harry believed them, and for once he felt comfortable enough to do what he was about to do.
So with a deep breath, he took his shirt off and fair to the other two they did wince but managed to keep their comments to themselves. It was a grim sight Harry knew. He had some bruise marks from injuries that didn't heal right on his ribs and torso, some cuts on his upper arms and shoulders and the worst part of all was his back that had these red lines thanks to all the lashes Vernon had given him with his belt.
He had grown used to them and when they found out he was a wizard the physical abuse had stopped but he was a little self-conscious about them so he was glad that Neville and Percy didn't say anything.
"Right, so let me show you the route," Percy said leading Harry to the door once he was done undressing. Neville didn't say anything and just followed them close behind trying to hold his anger back "So, at the end of the corridor there are the bathrooms. You have to run there tap the men's door and come back," Percy explained and Harry nodded in understanding.
"Got it. Okay then, here I go," Harry said as he started sprinting down the corridor. Then as they watch him leave Neville puts himself next to Percy.
"You saw them right. That's," Neville said trying to find the words to describe how awful his scars looked "We got to do something," He said and Percy just looked up ahead before speaking up.
"He told us not to make a big deal out of it," Percy said as Neville scoffed and narrowed his eyes ahead "He's still processing it. It's a waiting game now Nev," Percy said as Neville glared at him for a moment.
"So, we're just gonna wait till he wants to do something?" Neville asked in frustration and Percy nodded his head "And what if doesn't want to?" Neville asked and Percy glanced at him.
"Oh he will, even if I need to drag him to do so," Percy said and Neville could've sworn he saw Percy's eyes glow red for a moment but he must've been seeing things "And when he does those fuckers will pay," Percy said as Neville looked ahead and crossed his arms.
"Fucking aye they will," Neville said with serious conviction as they saw Harry come up the corner "Seems like Ron and Hermione don't know," Neville said and Percy glanced at him.
"Let's keep it that way. It's Harry's secret to share," Percy said as he saw Harry coming towards them "Now calm yourself 'less he notices your anger," Percy said as Neville took a deep breath in, trying to get his emotions under control.
"That has to be it right?" Harry said as Percy smirked at him while Neville gave his best attempt at a smile.
"Yeah, go on before anyone sees your streaking ass," Percy said slapping Harry on the back as the black-haired Gryffindor entered the classroom as quickly as he could.
"Okay someone else goes then, let's keep this going," Harry said much to the amusement and chuckles of the other two. It seems Neville's spirits had gotten up in that small moment.
"Okay, I'm next," Percy said as he grabbed a piece of paper from the bowl "Would you date Hermione?" Percy read out loud and his eyes met Neville's.
"I was hoping Harry would pull that one," Neville said with a shrug and Percy chuckled for a bit before looking at the paper once more as Harry looked at Neville a bit confused.
"Yeah, I would," He said simply as Neville and Harry looked up at him.
"Really?" Harry asked and Percy nodded his head.
"I have a thing for nerdy girls," Percy said as the boys chuckled at that comment "I'd let her boss me around. Though don't tell her I said that," Percy said as the boys found themselves laughing at that comment.
Then Neville in between laughs grabbed a new piece of paper "Let the others give you a temporary tattoo of their choice," Neville read out loud before looking at the glee in the other's eyes "Nothing too mad," Neville said as Harry and Percy came close to discuss what to do.
"We got it," Harry said as they presented the idea to Neville who winced but went ahead with it anyway. Then Percy got to work and in a couple of minutes Percy had drawn a heart with the initials N P inside of it "Now everyone will know your love for us," Harry said as Neville gave him a playful glare.
"Go and take a paper you twat," Neville said as Harry chuckled and took a piece of paper. Then his eyes winded in shock.
"Change your hair color to green," Harry said as he looked up at the others "How am I supposed to do that?" Harry asked as Percy took a vial from the bag he had brought.
"You just have to drink this. It lasts three days give or take," Percy said putting the vial of potion on the table.
Harry looked at it and sure, he could just take a candy but he was feeling a bit bold so in a moment of courage he grabbed it and chugged it in one go "Holy shit," Neville said as Percy and Neville looked amazed at Harry's courage. Then suddenly his hair turned from dark black to bright green.
"It better last only three days Percy or I swear to god," Harry said much to the amusement of the white-haired teen "You're next," He said as Percy chuckled while taking a paper out of the bowl.
"If you had to date someone from your house who would it be?" Percy read out loud and deadpanned at the irony of picking a similar question as before.
"Nah man you have to take out another one after this, you're having it too easy," Harry said as Percy blinked at him.
"To be fair he is right. I have a tattoo and Harry has run naked as well as changing his hair," Neville said as Percy sighed and crumbled the paper on his hand.
"Fine, and I might as well answer his one," He said signaling the paper in his hand "It would probably be either Daphne or Tracey," Percy said reaching for another paper.
"Really?" Neville asked this time as Percy nodded.
"They're the most beautiful ones there and the only ones I know. It's a no-brainer," Percy said taking a paper out from the bowl "Show us your best Snape impression," Percy said as Harry exhaled a bit.
"Finally a good one," He said as Percy cleared his throat and closed his eyes. Then he opened them and did a sneer as he looked down at them before opening his mouth.
"Harry Potter," Percy drawled out while looking down at them and sending shivers down at them "Our newest celebrity, what would I get if I shag a minotaur?" Percy drawled in his best Snape impression getting chuckles from the boys then he turned his eyes at Neville.
"Longbottom. Your uselessness has been noticed so you will help Malfoy take the stick out of my ass," Percy said getting laughs from Neville and Harry "Ten points from Gryffindor because I couldn't grease my hair the correct wait," Percy said and Harry lost it.
"Stop please," Harry wheezed out grabbing the side of his stomach in pain from the laughter. Neville's laughter was calmer than Harry's but he still was laughing like crazy.
"So, what's it good?" Percy asked losing his drawling demeanor as the Gryffindor boys tried hard to get his laughter under control but then a voice answered for them.
"I'd give it eight points. It could use a bit more of a boredom tone," a voice said from the entrance of the classroom. They saw Professor Lupin standing there, watching them with amused eyes.
"Professor Lupin! Sorry, we're just messing around," Harry said quickly. He feared they'd just been caught and didn't want to get into trouble. But then he realized that Percy and Neville were calm in the presence of the Professor.
"Don't worry Harry. Percy asked me to use the classroom to pass the time beforehand," Lupin said as he walked forward through the classroom with a cauldron in his hands. A cauldron that had a strange and smelly green liquid on it "But I have to ask you to stop since is getting late and I fear what sort of challenges await you by the looks of the current ones," Lupin said as the boys sighed in defeat but understood the Professors train of thought.
But then Harry looked up and saw the glee in Percy's eyes "Perhaps you should take one Professor. Just to wrap the game in its entirety," Percy said moving the bowl forward.
Lupin looked down at the bowl as Harry and Neville stared at both Professor and student in expectation. Percy was bold to ask a professor to do a challenge and they were waiting to see what happens.
"I suppose I should," Lupin said placing the cauldron on a desk before taking a piece of paper out of the bowl "Who would you shag out of all the faculty staff?" Lupin read out loud as the boys looked at the professor with amusement behind their eyes.
"So, will you answer or eat a bean Professor?" Harry asked feeling a bit bold as Lupin chuckled lightly while grabbing the cauldron back.
"Well the answer is simple isn't it?" Lupin said as he started walking to his office "Since I'm a faculty member I would shag myself," He said as the boys blinked for a moment not realizing that Lupin had won over them "Pack up your things and go to your dorms before Filch gets a wind of you," Lupin said walking up to his office.
Then as he walked up the stairs he glanced down at the laughing trio of friends and his eyes watered for a moment. Staring at those three was like looking through a mirror of the past. Of the past that was taken from him.
It happened again. Harry should've guessed it by now. Nothing good ever happens on October 31st. First-year was the whole troll incident and last year was the opening of the Chamber of Secrets. So he should've known that something would happen this year as well.
And something did. Somehow Sirius Black had managed to infiltrate the castle and scare off the fat lady so he could enter the Gryffindor house dorm to kill him probably.
He was glad everyone was at the feast when that happened but he was getting tired of these types of incidents. With all the fun he had with Percy and Neville earlier, he had forgotten the normal ways his school year went through.
So now he was walking with the rest of his dorm mates to the great hall as Dumbledore had ordered everyone to sleep in the hall just this once. It was still early to call it a night so he wondered how a sleepover with all the houses would go.
In front of him, Ron and Hermione were arguing in hushed tones about what just happened and the whole Sirius business. And frankly, he would rather just ignore it for the moment. He wanted to just have a normal day instead of worrying if someone was going to kill him.
That's why he was thankful for the man next to him. Neville had asked him if he was okay with all of this earlier. He told him he was alright and just wanted to ignore the whole thing.
So now Neville was walking next to him without saying a word but Harry knew he was staying close in case he needed him and Harry appreciated it. Then they got to the hall and Harry was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer of people there.
Dumbledore had gotten rid of the tables and it was just a sea of people and sleeping bags all around. Harry looked at where the Gryffindor students were going as all of them decided to stay close together. He was about to join them but then a hand stopped him.
"How 'bout we go somewhere else? Figure you might need it," Neville said as Harry looked at him in confusion for a moment. Then Neville pointed at the left corner of the hall where the majority of his study group was just laying around and having a laugh.
Harry blinked before looking at Neville with a bit of hesitation "Go, let me worry about Ron, and then I'll catch up with you," Neville said passing Harry a sleeping bag.
He grabbed and gave Neville a small smile of appreciation before walking away. He made his way to the study group avoiding everyone's stare and once he got close the others noticed him and greeted him with a smile and open arms. Some of them laughed and pointed at his green hair but he took it all in good fun. That was better than them mentioning all of the Sirius Black business.
Then he placed his sleeping bag next to Percy's unconsciously as he took a seat and faced the others "You're late," Percy said amused as Harry snorted a bit. He was thankful that no one was making a fuss even though they wanted to "Do you want some snacks? Hannah and Susan managed to snag them on their way here," Percy said pointing at the multitude of food in the middle of the circle.
"And we decided to share because we're good like that," Susan said pridefully as some there chuckled at her comment.
Harry nodded as he took an apple and looked around. The majority of the group was here only those in Gryffindor were missing but he didn't have to wait long as Hermione, Ginny, and Neville joined them while Harry was staking an apple.
"Everything alright Hermione?" Daphne asked noticing Hermione's frustration and again Harry noticed that the blond girl had Aurora around her neck. She and Percy must be really close for him to lend Aurora to her. Perhaps it was something he should ask Percy later on.
Then he looked at Hermione who had anger in her eyes and wondered what got her so pissed off but the answer came from Neville instead "Ron," He said as and the group nodded in understanding knowing how frustrating Ron could be. Ginny then wrapped her hand with Hermione's to try and comfort her as she too was pissed as well.
"So, you guys want to join our game?" Percy asked trying to move out of that topic to calm everyone there. Or at least that was what Harry thought.
"What kind of game?" Hermione asked in curiosity trying to get rid of her frustration.
"Fuck, marry, kill," Theo said from the side as the group of Gryffindors looked at him in confusion "Pretty simple, you give a person three people to choose from and they have to choose who they'd marry, kill or fuck," Theo explained and then Blaise took over.
"But you cannot choose the person who asked you. You have to choose someone else," He said as the members who had just arrived nodded in understanding.
"You'll get the idea once you start playing," Sue Li said "So, are you in?" She asked as the Gryffindors looked at each other and then all of them nodded. Though Ginny and Neville were the most nervous out of the four they still were eager to participate.
"Great, so we were with Tracey right," Susan said as she smiled at her with glee in her eyes. Tracey just smiled at her challenge and told her to bring it on "Okay then. Professors Lupin, Snape, and Hagrid," She said as the group made an ooh sound.
"Damn Sue you don't hold back," Tracey said getting laughter from the group as the Gryffindors started understanding how this was played "Okay I'd kill Snape obviously," She said as the group nodded agreeing with her "I'd marry Lupin, he seems snuggly and I'd fuck Hagrid," Tracey said as some of the group giggled.
"Really, Hagrid?" Hermione asked with a bit of amusement in her tone and a bit of a blush on her cheeks at the crudeness of the question.
"I'd climb that mountain," Tracey said getting laughs from most of the boys there and some of the girls "Okay Percy," She said as Percy looked up.
"Hit me," He said eagerly but then gulped when he saw the smirk Tracey had sent him.
"Since you like exploring and creatures so much. Let's make it easy for you," Tracey said as Percy almost sighed in relief he was sure it was going to be targeted but he was glad it wasn't "A merperson, a werewolf, or a veela," She said as Percy hummed for a bit while everyone looked at him.
"Well, I'd kill a merperson, doing in the water is just not for me," Percy said as some of them agreed with him "I'd marry a werewolf. I would only have to worry about the full moon nights," He said and Susan found herself chipping in.
"Or not, if you're kinky enough," She said getting laughs all around as Percy chuckled at her comment.
"And I'd fuck a veela, obviously," Percy said as most of the girls rolled their eyes while Theo and Blaise nodded at him.
"Good man," Theo said as Blaise gave him a thumbs up appreciating his answer. Harry grew confused as to why that reaction but he didn't have time to answer as Percy looked at him.
"Harry," He said as Harry gulped a bit "The girls in the quidditch team," He said as there was a chorus of excitement all around as Harry blinked and blushed a bit.
He had grown close to Katie a bit so he felt a little self-conscious but he answered all the same "I'd kill Angelina since she's a bit older than me," Harry said as most nodded seeing his reasoning "I um, I'd marry Katie and fuck Alicia," He said a bit nervous and most nodded agreeing with his answer but Percy found himself wanting to egg him on.
"Alicia eh, you horny dog," Percy said elbowing his arm playfully as Harry grumbled and looked away. Then Harry looked around and his eyes landed on Daphne and his curiosity got the better of him.
"Daphne," Harry said and the girl looked up feeling a bit surprised that he chose her "Theo, Blaise, and Percy," He said as Daphne blinked and Theo chuckled.
"Ah come on Harry, you're making it too easy on her," Theo said as Daphne narrowed her eyes at him while Theo just smiled at her cheekily "It's obvious who she would," He started saying but Tracey, who was next to him, elbowed him in the stomach cutting him off.
"Well as you can see I'd kill Theo because he's annoying," She said as Theo wheeze out an air of pain on the ground "I'd fuck Blaise, it would be quick and simple," She said as Blaise shrugged his shoulders "And I'd marry Percy," She said with a shrug ignoring the obvious look that Tracey was giving her.
So to move the spotlight from her she quickly found her next target "Hermione," She said as Hermione looked up surprised at being picked "Ron, Percival, and the Weasley Twins," She said with a smile on her face as Hermione blinked.
"Wait, that's four," She said as Daphne shrugged her shoulders and the reason behind it came from Sue Li and not Daphne.
"They do everything together. They come as a package," Sue Li said before smirking a bit "Just ask Angelina," She said getting snorts and laughs from the group as they were surprised at the crude but oddly accurate comment.
"Fine," Hermione said in a grumble before thinking of her response "I'd kill Ron," Hermione said pretty sure of herself and perhaps past experiences had swayed that decision "I'd probably fuck Percival, a marriage with him would be pretty boring. And I'd marry the twins," She said after a moment as the group smiled at her and Tracey just had to do it.
"Double the fun eh?" Tracey said as Hermione blushed and looked around to try and get the game going. And she wanted to bring those who hadn't answered yet into the game so her eyes set on the set of red hair next to her.
"Ginny," Hermione said as Ginny looked up with a bit of a blush on her cheeks. But the problem was that Hermione didn't know many people outside her housemates and Ginny's siblings. So without her knowing she put forward the only names she could think of. Not knowing that she was practically placing Ginny on the spot "Percy, Harry, and Neville," She said as Ginny blinked and her cheeks turned red a bit.
She looked around and saw everyone staring at her. She wanted the ground to swallow her but she was a Gryffindor. So she gulped down her nervousness and faced everyone there "I'd kill Neville, sorry," She said as Neville gave her a reassuring smile. Then she looked at Harry for a moment as her blush grew a bit "I'd marry Harry and I suppose I'd fuck Percy," She said avoiding Percy's eyes at the end.
"Lucky you Harry," Theo said as he managed to recover from Tracey's strike Harry blushed a bit but gave Ginny a reassuring smile. But what Theo didn't know was that Ginny had a mean streak that grew a lot, especially after living with Fred and George.
"Theo," Ginny said as Theo, who was chuckling, looked at Ginny and gulped in fear at her narrowed eyes "Pansy, Milicent, or Moon," She said as Theo blinked and grew quiet.
"Shit," He said as some of the group laughed at him "I'd marry Lily," Theo said before crossing his arms thinking through the answer "Ahg I'd fuck Pansy and kill Milicent. I wouldn't like it but I'd do it," Theo said as the group chuckled at his answer.
Then Theo looked around and his eyes met Susan's and Theo had a bit of a prankster side to him. And he had noticed how well Susan and Percy got along in class so he felt a bit bold "Susan," He said as the Hufflepuff redhead looked up "Percy, Harry, and Smith," He said as Susan hummed and crossed her arms.
"I'd kill Smith, I can't stand him," She said as the group looked at her while she think it through "I'd fuck Harry just so I can rub it in some people's faces and I'd marry Percy because he's loaded," Susan said giving Percy a sultry look as he rolled his eyes. And some people, mainly those who had just started to get to know Percy, wondered where the loaded comment came from.
"Great, thanks a lot," He said with a snort as Susan gave him a wink.
"You're welcome hubby," She said as some of the group chuckled. Then she looked around at the people who hadn't answered and her eyes landed on Hannah for a moment who was trying hard to avoid Susan's eyes. And she wouldn't have it, Hannah needed to get out of her shelf "Hannah," She said as Hanna's eyes widened, and looked at Susan feeling betrayed.
Susan thought about it for a second and decided to go easy on her friends "Harry, Percy, and Neville," She said as Hannah blushed a bit and avoided those three boys' eyes.
"I'd kill Harry, I'm sorry I couldn't handle that spotlight," She said and Harry nodded understanding that reason and finding it fair "I-I'd marry Neville," She said as the Gryffindor blond boy blushed for a moment "And I'd chose Percy," She said not willing to say the actual word.
Then she wanted to leave the spotlight so she found a target quickly "Blaise," She said as the quiet boy of Slytherin looked up and waited for choices but he wasn't prepared for what she said "Lavender, Parvati, or Pansy," She said and Blaise blinked at her choice of people.
He wasn't ready for that, he thought she would pick people from his house so he wasn't ready for that "I'd kill Pansy," Blaise said as he looked down for a moment "Marrying Lavender would drive me mad so I'd marry Parvati and fuck Lavender," He said as the group nodded at his reasoning.
"Neville," Blaise said deciding to ask the only male there who hadn't answered. And Blaise thought about playing mean for a moment but noticed the slight glare that Percy was giving him so he turned it down a bit "Hermione, Ginny, and Hannah," He said knowing those were the girls he spent more time with.
Neville looked down as a small tint of red appeared on his cheeks. He swallowed his nervousness and looked up "I um, I'd kill Ginny," He said giving her an apologetic look as Ginny gave him a reassuring smile "I'd marry Hannah and well," He said not willing to say the other thing in front of Hermione just as Hannah. Who unbeknownst to all of them had a huge smile after listening to that comment.
Neville then looked around not wanting to further explain himself and found a target "Padma," He said as the Ravenclaw girl looked up "Um, Harry, Percy, and Ron," He said mentioning the people he spent the most time with.
Padma blinked a bit wondering what choices she should make "I'd kill Ron, I wouldn't stand him," She said as most of them agreed with her sentiment and Harry started to notice that Ron wasn't well-liked in this group "I'd fuck Percy he's pretty enough," Padma said as Percy looked up not knowing whether to feel proud or insulted "And I'd marry Harry," She said with a shrug and Harry blushed a bit. A bunch of them had chosen him so he felt a bit self-conscious.
"Luna," Padma said looking at the platinum blond. Luna looked at her and tilted her head as her grey dreamy eyes met Padma's "Harry, Neville, and Percy," She said going with the easy choices.
Luna hummed for a bit before answering "I'd have to kill Harry, he has too many Nargles for my liking," She said as Harry wondered if he should feel insulted by that "I'd fuck Neville, he seems to be caring enough to take care of me," She said as Neville blushed and looked away at that comment. Then Luna met her eyes with Percy who gulped at the sudden look "And I'd marry Percy, obviously," She said as some people's eyes grew big at that.
"Obviously?" Ginny asked and a lot of people were wondering the same question so they were glad she asked it for them.
"Yeah, he's the only one who will love the real me," Luna said not breaking the stare with Percy as the white-haired tee looked at her with a melancholy look. A look that didn't go unnoticed by anyone there and all of them wondered what the deal between them was. Some more than others.
Then Luna broke the stare and carried on with the game "Sue," She said as Sue Li looked up. And she was ready, sure she had the whole fancying Percy thing that no one knew but she was ready in case Luna mentioned him. But she severely underestimated Luna's brain and train of thought.
"Daphne, Hermione, or Susan," Luna said, and the usual stoic Sue Li found herself blushing at the sudden choices. She looked around trying to see if anyone would say anything but she was just met with smirks and smiles.
"Come on then. It's all part of the game," Susan said egging her on as Sue narrowed her eyes at her.
"Just for that I'd kill Susan," She said as Susan pretended to be hurt much to the amusement of the rest "I'd fuck Hermione, I think that would be fun at least," She said as Hermione blushed at that getting chuckled from the people around "And I'd marry Daphne, she seems like great company," Sue Li said with a shrug as Daphne looked up and smiled at the Ravenclaw girl. It was clear that the sentiment was the same the other way around and that Daphne appreciated the comment.
"Now let's see, who's next," She said as Harry looked around with a huge smile on his face. Even if the night had started awful he was glad about how it had turned around. The incident had been long forgotten and his grievances had lessened. It was the moments like this that he was so grateful to be a part of.
The mood of the day was ominous. It was pouring rain nonstop and clouds were so low that you couldn't see that well. It was really an awful climate to play quidditch but the faculty didn't care. The match would go o either way.
There were rumors that the Slytherin team was going to invent an excuse to miss the game but that didn't happen. Maybe pride was too much for both teams as both the Gryffindor team and the Slytherin team were in the middle of the pitch, under the pouring rain, in this hellhole of climate, glaring daggers at each other.
Even friendships didn't avoid this demeanor as Harry and Percy were glaring at each other. But their glares were not born from hatred. They were born from competitiveness. Harry was a bit angry that Percy didn't tell him that he was the new seeker so he was ready to show him the error of his ways.
And Percy just wanted to beat the seeker prodigy. Percy cracked his neck as Harry crossed his arms and lighting could be heard around both of them.
Then Madame Hooch put herself between both teams as she looked at the aura of hatred that both teams were pouring out "Oaky people, I want a clean-cut game. Any form of cheating or unnecessary roughness will not be tolerated," She said but it fell on deaf ears as the team kept glaring daggers at each other.
"Take your positions," She said as each team member climbed up their brooms and flew into the air. Tracey looked ahead and then tightened the purple ribbon on her upper arm a good luck charm that Daphne had gifted her and Percy for their match.
This was it for her. If she failed here Filch would turn against her so she had to win them for them. She had to put her trust in Percy to catch the snitch and make sure to make enough points so if Harry caught it wouldn't matter.
She grabbed the edges of her broom and prepared herself. Then the balls went up in the air and the match started. And as soon as she saw them she exploded forward.
She managed to beat Angelina to the quaffle and grabbed it tightly. The problem would be the twins. They were the best beaters this school had to offer. So her job was to avoid them as best she could. She threw the ball back and quickly cut through the twins as they were surprised at the bold maneuver.
She cut in between them and caught the quaffle once more once it was thrown back to her. And she exploded to the goal and narrowed her eyes at wood. He was good and any type of serious throw would be blocked. So she had to get creative.
So she baited him and pretended to throw it to the far left ring. She knew he wouldn't fall for that but she just wanted him to hesitate, then she threw the quaffle up in the air and spun around. Then she hit the quaffle with the back of her broom sending it to the far-left ring at a speed Wood couldn't catch.
Wood just stared at the goal in shock before looking at Tracey who had a huge smile on her face. The Slytherin crowd was roaring at the skill displayed and Tracey had accomplished her goal. She had made a mark and now no one would dare to question her abilities.
Now it was time to win the whole match.
It didn't take too long for the game to turn competitive and aggressive. It was tight Slytherin was winning 80 to 60 all thanks to Tracey's scoring but then it started. The seekers spotted the golden snitch.
It was clear as you could see Harry and Percy hovering above all the rest of the players and in the blink of an eye both of them exploded to the edges of the sands. They flew at incredible speeds just above the crowd and everyone had to dodge down to avoid them.
It was an agility battle as both of them matched each other's speed and were neck to neck when it came to flying. But while Harry had more power behind his flying Percy had a more dexterity approach.
Percy was cutting and turning the broom around easier than Harry but when it came to chasing the snitch in a straight line Harry had the advantage.
Both of them did several laps around the pitch before the snitch exploded forward. Harry immediately flew upwards and looked down wondering why Percy had fallen behind. But then he saw him spinning around in the same place.
Then his eyes widened when he saw Percy using a bit of sorcery outside everyone's view and exploding upwards with a power greater than Harry's.
The white-haired teen immediately caught up with Harry and then it became a race to the sky. They broke through clouds and rain to get to the snitch and Harry was closest as the snitch was on his side.
But then he saw Percy jumping from his broom and flipping over Harry just before he could reach the snitch. His eyes widened as he saw Percy catching the snitch mid-air before landing back on his broom gracefully.
He was lost for words as that was the first time he had seen someone do something like that. Something so bold and so risky. Both teens just stayed there floating while looking at each other.
Then Harry snorted before that snort turned into laughter and Percy started laughing as well. Even if this match had ended with Slytherin's win they had fun. Their bond had grown so much in so little time that even a loss wasn't bothering Harry. He was even glad that Percy had managed to make a show for himself.
Every single moment he spent with Percy had turned into fun. It was normal and free of burdens. But what Harry didn't realize was that that was about to change for the worse.
Because in that moment of celebration, the air started getting colder and Harry could see the clouds of hot air coming out of their mouths. The clouds became heavier and it became difficult to see around. And that's when it happened.
That's when he saw the black shadow figures around them and Percy was the first to suffer for it. Percy being a bit above Harry made him the first target of the dementors and Harry was powerless against them because, in the blink of an eye, he saw them starting to suck Percy's soul.
He took out his wand to try and save his friend but then he became the target of another dementor. And his mind became fuzzy and his vision got blurry.
And the last thing he remembered before his vision went black was the voice of a woman begging Voldemort to spare his life and take her instead. A voice that for some unknown reason brought tears to his eyes.
End of Chapter 6