Unofficial Portkey Archive

Confused Paths

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, just the plot (is there a plot here?) and the OCs. I don't know if they'll show up in this chapter, but they did last chapter so you know them already. Don't sue me, JKR; I'm poor and I don't have any money.

A/N: I really hate to write author's notes in the beginning of the chapter (I think it's anti-esthetic), but I felt like it. I would like to answer Tsaui's comment about my OCs. The story was originally planned without any OCs. They were added as an experiment. Since this is my first story, I have the "right" of making mistakes, so I was suggested to change some scenes and try them with original characters instead. So, you will see their roles are minimal and they won't outshine anyone. Hope I'm not sounding too rude or anything, and that you'll stay with me, even after the terrible presentation. If they become Mary-sued, I would love someone to flame me.

Now on with the story…

Chapter 5 - Quidditch and Jealousy

Harry woke up early on that Saturday, September 13th. He had lots of things to do and didn't want to lose time today. He took a quick shower and left to the Great Hall, taking care not to wake his roommates. Both the common room and the Great Hall were nearly deserted at that time; it was barely seven o' clock. Harry was about to do something he shouldn't be doing, so he took his time on the breakfast, not wanting to raise any suspicions. At eight o' clock, he left the hall.

When he arrived at a deserted corridor, he took a silver cloak out of his robes and donned it. 'Now it begins,' he thought. Harry was planning to visit Hogsmeade today, to buy a gift for Hermione. Her birthday was only six days ahead, and today was his last chance to buy her anything. Since he had realized he fancied her, on the first day at school, he had done everything he could to please her, and he would certainly not forget her birthday present, something he knew Ron would forget.

Ron had been acting strangely, lately. In the summer, he struggled to act normally around Harry, but now he had gone under quite a change. He was very jealous of Hermione, and the only chance Harry had to talk to her properly was in the N.E.W.T. Potions' class, which Ron wasn't taking. Harry and Hermione had been partners on the practices and that was very good to him, because he got good grades and also the chance to talk to her. Hermione seemed amused to talk to him, too.

He didn't tell her his feelings, though, because he didn't want to ruin their friendship. Ron hadn't been much of a friend lately, but Harry still cared for it somewhat, and Hermione… Well, he couldn't lose Hermione. So, he just decided to enjoy his time around her and please her in every possible way.

Harry was snapped out of his thoughts when someone crossed his path. He ducked to the side and waited under his Invisibility Cloak until the group of Ravenclaws passed by, then walked to the statue of a one-eyed witch, that could be seen at the end of the corridor. He pointed his wand to the statue and said, "Dissendium!" The hump of the statue opened and a path to Hogsmeade was ahead of him.

When Harry arrived at Hogsmeade, after the long path, he already knew what he wanted to buy, but not where to buy it. He wanted to give Hermione a pendant like the one she had given him on his birthday; but he didn't know where to buy it, since he had never gone anywhere other than Zonko's, Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks. He decided to wander around until he found a jewelry shop. 'There's got to be one here somewhere,' he thought.

After ten minutes walking, he found a small store, near Madam Puddifoot's, with nothing but jewelry on the windows. He walked into an alley and took his Invisibility Cloak off. 'The hardest part begins now,' he thought. 'Buying this and walking back into school incognito.'

He entered the shop, and was greeted by an old witch, who smiled at him. "Good morning son," she said. "Looking for something special?"

Harry wanted the jewel on her pendant to be blue; he had chosen the color because of her dress on the Yule Ball, at fourth year. 'She would not have used a blue dress if she did not like blue,' he thought. He could have asked her for a favorite color, of course, but she could become suspicious of something.

Harry showed the shop-keeper the pendant he had gained from Hermione, and said, "I want one like this, but with a blue jewel instead."

The shop-keeper looked at the pendant for a while, and said, "This is a really beautiful pendant, but I am afraid I do not have an identical one. But I do have other pendants with blue jewels, if you do not mind." Harry's face fell a little, because he wanted his gift to be equal to Hermione's, but he nodded. The old witch walked into the pendant shelves and came back with three different pendants on her hands. "These are the best ones I have, dear," she said, with a smile. "Choose one of them, and I am sure the receiving person will not mind if it is not identical."

Harry noticed the witch had realized his intentions, and asked, a little surprised, "How did you know I am giving this in return?" The old witch pointed at Harry's pendant and said, "There would be no other reason for you to have shown me that pendant". Harry gave her a half-hearted smile and turned back to the three pendants. He was afraid, for a moment, that the woman was reading his mind. 'I think that Occlumency lessons must have paid, then.'

After some minutes, Harry had chosen one of the pendants, paid for it, and asked for it to be delivered at Hogwarts, to Hermione Granger, at September 19th. He also wrote a card to go with the gift, and was very embarrassed when he had to sign the card. He turned around, wishing the old woman didn't see his name, but when he was finished, she saw it.

"Oh, my, you are Harry Potter! I am sorry I have not realized later, Mr. Potter, and…" Harry interrupted her with a gesture of hand and said, "Do not worry about that, I really wanted to pass incognito. I just ask you not to mention his with anyone. Could you do me that favor?" "Of course, Mr. Potter, no one will know you have been here." Harry thanked the witch and left for the small alley again, where he put the Invisibility Cloak and made it back to Hogwarts.

Harry had just entered Gryffindor's Common Room to pack his cloak and the Marauder's Map, when he was stopped by Ginny. "Where have you been all day? Hermione was looking for you," she said. At the mention of Hermione's name, Harry's eyes widened a little. "I was taking care of some things," Harry answered lamely. "Before you tell me what those things were, Hermione asked me to tell you she will not be able to come to the library today," Ginny said, and Harry's face fell. "Ron asked her to spend the day with him, because of the Quidditch tryouts," she finished, in a bitter tone. Harry turned away.

"I know this is not nice to hear, especially in your situation. I really think Ron is a real ass for trying to controlling Hermione this way, but there is nothing we can do about it." Ginny said. Harry had talked to Ginny once or twice about his feelings. He found out that she knew since their conversation in the train. She said that if she had known during the summer, she would have been against Harry, but since Ron's behavior changed, she didn't supported Ron and Hermione's relationship anymore. "So, what were you doing this morning?" The girl asked, trying to change the subject.

"Keep it down," Harry said, "But I went to Hogsmeade to buy her birthday present." With that, he left for his dormitory, leaving an amused Ginny behind. Harry wasn't on the mood to talk with anyone now. He had planned to spend the afternoon in the library with Hermione, to plan the new lessons of DA. Dumbledore had given the club his permission to continue, and since they had a good Defense professor this year (despite Tonks' clumsiness, she was an amazing teacher), the lessons were quite hard to plan. Hermione had agreed to help Harry, but it seems that Ron's jealousy got the better of it.

Harry didn't meet Ron, neither Hermione, during the lunch, so he guessed they were spending their time together. He would have to meet Ron at the Quidditch Pitch later at night, when they would be doing the quidditch tryouts. Hermione would probably be there too, so he would talk to them later. He ate his lunch quickly and went to the library, to make his research alone.

It was quite hard to concentrate on his job without thinking about what Hermione and Ron could be doing at that time. After an hour without any progress, Harry gave up. He took a galleon out of his pocket and started to change its serial numbers to zeros. That was the sign to warn all the DA members that the next meeting was cancelled. The boy ran his hand through his hair, thinking if this was the wise thing to do, and after some quick thought he decided. 'I can not do this without her,' he concluded to himself. He rose from his chair and left the library towards the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry took care to avoid any DA member, as he didn't want to explain why the meeting was cancelled.

He was quite successful on the task, and the only people who asked him about it were Ginny and Neville. He just told them he wasn't feeling well enough to plan the next lesson, which was due to Monday, and left to his dormitory.

At six in the night, Harry had to go down again. The quidditch tryouts were due to start at any moment, and Harry had to be down there at the time McGonagall would announce the new captain. The head of Gryffindor House had come to him one day at breakfast, and asked if he would accept the position. Harry wished she had asked that somewhere in privacy, because everyone was looking at him, waiting for his answer. He had given it little thought, and decided against the charge because he didn't see himself as the captain. Harry knew little about quidditch strategy; all he had done in his quidditch life was "look for the snitch - avoid the bludgers - look for the snitch some more - catch the snitch". He wouldn't be able to rule the team.

The worst part of it is that the most likely candidate for the job was Ron, and Ron had seen his exchange with McGonagall. If Ron was chosen, he would probably think the position was a hand-me-down from Harry, something he just had because he was Harry's sidekick. And that would make his relationship with Ron even worse that it already was. Harry wouldn't quit the team; he had promised Professor McGonagall that he would keep his seeker position.

Harry got his Firebolt and walker down to the pitch. The common room was quite empty; he guessed everyone was down there, waiting for the tryouts to begin. He just hoped people weren't waiting for him to show up. He wasn't so lucky.

He arrived on the pitch, already dressed on the team uniform, and found Ron, Ginny, Professor McGonagall, the two beaters from last year (whose names Harry couldn't remember right now) and some other people carrying broomsticks. Professor McGonagall was the first to talk to him. "You have finally arrived Mr. Potter," she said with a small smile to him. "Now I can finally announce the new captain, and let your proceed with the tryouts. Without delay," she continued, turning to Ron, "I would like to offer you, Mr. Weasley, the job of captain."

No one seemed surprised by the choice, and Harry knew that most of the people there were thinking just like Ron, that "he got it because Potter refused". Ron shot Harry a cold glare, then turned to Professor McGonagall and said "I accept the position, professor." She smiled at him and gave him the captain's armband. "Now on with your tryouts", she said. "I will be watching everything, make sure you choose good people, Mr. Weasley. It was really good seeing the Quidditch Trophy on my room these last few years". With that, she walked away to watch with the other Gryffindors. Harry followed her with his gaze, and saw Hermione sitting there. She was looking right at him, with an expression Harry understood as concern. Harry turned back at Ron, who started his speech.

"Well, let's not lose any more time, people," he said. "Ginny resigned her seeker position, and will be trying out for chaser, despite the fact she is wearing the uniform already," he said, winking at his sister. "So, everyone who is trying out for chaser, stand in a line behind her." Some people positioned themselves behind Ginny. Harry saw there was no one from sixth or seventh years. 'We'll be having quite a young team this year', he thought. "Potter here agreed to be our seeker again, so there will be no seeker trials," Ron said, without looking at Harry. His tone was cold, and Harry felt it when he said "Potter". Ginny's eyes also widened at the way Ron had called Harry. No one else moved. Everyone knew Harry was the seeker.

"Kirke and Sloper, our last beaters, agreed they could resign their positions if the team seems fit," Ron continued, "so, everyone who is trying out for chaser, stand in a line behind them." Everyone who wasn't behind Ginny stood behind the former beaters. "I will be the keeper, as you have already guessed. We will start with the chaser tryouts," Ron finished. He then pointed the beaters to stay at the borders of the pitch, and the chasers to fly with him. Harry took his hint and joined the beaters.

Those were the worst two hours Harry had ever spent on the Quidditch Pitch. Between receiving the cold shoulder from Ron, and the concerning looks from Hermione, he didn't know what was worse. He didn't have lots of things to distract his mind, since he only helped one of the chasers who was having some problems with her broomstick. He was relieved when Ron finally ended the tryouts, and announced the results would be out on Monday. Harry had his opinions on the team; he thought that Ginny and two friends of her were the best chasers, since they worked very well together (not like Angelina, Katie and Alicia, but pretty good anyway). And the beaters would remain the same from last year, since they didn't have anyone better and they had some experience to even the low skill levels.

Harry was almost leaving the pitch, towards the showers, when he heard Ron's voice calling him. "Hey Potter," he heard again. Harry turned to Ron, who kept a cold expression on his face. Ginny was watching the exchange with concern and behind her, Hermione was coming from stands. 'This will not be good,' Harry thought.

"Thank you for the position," Ron started, with a rather loud voice. The few people who were still on the pitch turned to them immediately. "Guess Boy Wonder did not need to be the captain, so he gave his sidekick the role," Ron said bitterly, with a sarcastic smirk. Ginny and Hermione were utterly shocked. Harry sighed.

"So that is why you kept giving me the cold shoulder during the tryouts," Harry said, expressionless. "You think I denied the position on purpose, because I knew you would be the chosen one." Ron's silence was enough of a confirmation. Harry sighed again, and continued. "That is not the truth, Ron, and you know it as well as I do. I did not give my opinion on it. And if I had been asked, I would have chosen you, not because you are my sidekick, as you have put it," Harry said in a bitter tone, "But because you are my friend and I knew you have always wanted the position."

"And what is that, Harry? Is that not a hand-me-down?" Ron asked, his voice trembling in anger. "Are you not the one that has everything? The money and the fame? Why would you need a quidditch captain position, being who you are?" Ron continued. "You do not need that! So you give it to your bloody idiot sidekick!"

"How many times you want me to say, Ron," Harry said in a low tone, "That I do not want any of that shit? That I do not give a damn to my money or my fame? Do you know why I have money? Because my parents and godfather died. Do you know why I have the fame? Because a maniac is out there wanting me dead! How many times I have told you there is nothing I would love more than a life like yours? You have a family. Both your parents alive, five brothers and a sister, a loving girlfriend, everything, damn it!"

Ron's eyes twinkled, and Harry didn't like what he saw on them. "Oh, I see," Ron said in his normal voice again. "Your arguments have changed a little, you know," he continued with a smirk. "Last time you said that, there was not a girlfriend on it." Harry froze in shock at those words, and everyone noticed. "That is it, isn't it? You are jealous that I have got the girl, isn't it Boy Wonder?"

Harry sighed deeply. He could deny everything, since last time they've had this conversation, Ron didn't have a girlfriend. But he couldn't deny Ron was talking the truth. He had to say something. But he couldn't, with Hermione there. If he admitted his jealousy, he would be throwing her friendship away and he couldn't live with that. He looked at Ron in the eyes, then at Hermione, and left the pitch in silence.

A/N: This last scene was terrible to write. I think the final result is terrible, too, but I can't manage to write it again. This chapter (and chapter 4 too) were very hard to write. I didn't expect this kind of thing when I started writing, but I guess it happens with everyone.

This chapter is unbetaed, and the next one will be also. My beta is having a hard time in University, and I don't want to be a burden. Let the girl study properly. ;D

To MissLexiRe: Sorry about the "sheets" thing. I've read the books in English, but quite less than I've read in my own language… So when I wrote that part, I just used the first word that came to mind. I've got to remember later, use "curtains", and not "sheets"… +_+

To everyone who liked the Neville thing: You know, before OotP, I always thought Neville had a thing for Hermione, so I just made the scene out of my idea. I'm glad you liked it.

To everyone else who reviewed: Thank you a lot! Chapter 4 was the one that gave me more reviews since I begin… I'm happy. ^_^

Next chapter is due to Thursday. I'll begin it tomorrow (at Tuesday), but Wednesday it's a national holiday here (that means my house will be full of people, and I won't be able to write properly). Thursday is my dating anniversary, but I will be home at night, so I finish the chappie and post it. R/R please. ^_^