Author Note: All right hi everyone. I've finally got another chapter here! Please don't blame me for taking so long!! I have a good excuse! You see I moved country and I'm staying at my friends' house and her computer got infected with that worm virus and died and we haven't got our furniture here yet. So you can see my dilemma when I finally got to check my email and found so many reviews (thanks for them all!) telling me to update. And I've just had exams too and I got moved up a class so now I'm doing the next year up history class with a few other classmates. (Which means even less time to write) AND I wrote a chapter for this a while ago by hand (which took forever!) and it somehow got thrown out. So I'm SO sorry that took ages to get out and it's so short but please be patient for the next chapter! Right now I'm supposed to be preparing a French oral, studying for a science test, a maths test, an English test and have a creative writing folio and newspaper which is all due tomorrow….
Au revoir NiaSphinx
Harry smiled nervously as their mid-term exam marks were handed back. Draco gave him a small smile as they waited for Snape to arrive for potions.
'5…4…3…2…1…'
CRASH. The doors swung open exactly as the class bell rang. Snape walked to the front of the classroom, his cloak swishing behind him. His oily hair was even more so today and his piercing stare swept across the only two students in his class and he placed a black manila folder on his desk.
"Well," he said loftily," it seems we're quite eager to today aren't we?"
Harry and Draco didn't say anything; they just stared at the folder lying on his desk and waited. Snapes eyes drifted down to the folder.
"Ah yes. Of course. How could I forget that today it is my duty to give you your mid-term exam marks."
Snape lazily picked up the folder and pulled out two rather large wads of paper and glanced at the two marks on the front, "I have to say I expected much worse."
Relief swept over Harry like a wave of warmth.
"However..."
'However? However isn't good!' Harry thought terrified.
"It could have been better." Snape finished with a small smirk on his face, as if terrorising students was his favourite part of the day, which it was.
Snape handed Draco back his mark first and Harry watched as Draco sighed with relief and started flicking through the pages for comments.
Snape turned to Harry, "And this…" he said tapping the second stack of papers, "is yours." Snape dropped the stack of papers with a loud thud on the desk. Startling some of the creatures situated on the bench at the front of the room.
Harry's heart was pounding in his chest as he turned over the papers. A large, red, O stared him in the face.
'Oh thank god.' He thought to himself.
Harry bit back a smile as Snape pursed his lips and turned away.
"Now that you've finished with your marks it's time to start today's lesson. Can anyone tell me, what is a Nightingale Potion?"
"An O?!?! Harry that's fantastic!" Hermione squealed, giving Harry a tight hug.
"Thanks Hermione. I don't think I could have done it if it weren't for your help." Harry said, a small blush crossing his face.
'I've got to get control of these feelings. What would Hermione say if she knew what I was thinking? She'd wack me around the head and never talk to me again. Under control. Got to get it under control.'
Hermione drew back smiling, "All I did was help you research, you did the rest yourself. I'm very proud of you."
Harry felt warmth wash over him, like a warm summer wave crashing on the beach.
'Ehehehehehehehe. Stay in control…'
"Aw thanks Hermione." Harry said calmly, banishing the pink from his cheeks.
Hermione linked her arm through his, "Come on. You've got to tell Ron about this! He'll be thrilled for you!"
"Well what did you expect to get? You worked on that blasted thing for ages!" Ron said squinting at Harry, trying to keep the sun out of his eyes.
"Ron! You're supposed to say well done!" Hermione scolded.
"Well I knew he was going to get an A so why praise him?" Ron asked, "He's got a big enough head already!"
"Oi!" Harry said tackling him and the two rolled along the ground in a short tussle.
"Really now!" Hermione said crossing her arms and shaking her head fondly at them, "You two are the biggest kids I've ever met."
"I'll say! How much have you grown NOW Ron?" Harry asked teasingly.
Ron stuck out his tongue in retort.
Hermione shook her head as Harry stuck out his tongue back.
"Three year olds." She murmured.
"You're the baby of the group Harry." Ron said with a wink.
Harry pursed his lips in a sulky manner, "Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not."
Are too."
"Am not."
"Are TOO."
"Hermione. He's picking on me." Harry whined.
Hermione laughed and whacked them both around the back of the head, "Stop messing around. You've both got lots of homework to do."
Harry and Ron groaned at the same time, "Do we have to?"
"What sort of question is that? Of course you do!"
"So x = 4. Which means," Harry said, yawning, "that you have to do it again."
Hermione frowned, "I still don't get it. How is it that YOU can get it but I, who does arithmacy, can't?"
Harry shrugged, "Dunno. Look let's try again. I know you'll get it soon."
Harry and Hermione leaned over the big textbook and assignment paper and Harry pointed out bits for the fifth time that night.
Harry glanced over at Hermione who was frowning and reading the assignment again with Harry's writing all over it. Her hair was tied back in a small messy bun but a small piece was hanging down in front of her face. Harry watched, his heart racing, as her she licked her delicate lips and blew the piece of hair out of her face. She looked up to the side and caught Harry staring at her. He quickly blushed and looked away.
"Alright I think I understand it now." Hermione said looking brighter, "it's to do with the relationship of the y-intercept isn't it?"
"Um…yeah. Look…I've got to do some…uh…transfiguration homework…so…uh…" Harry trailed off.
Hermione smiled and nodded, "Of course! Thanks Harry. I'll let you get back to your homework."
Harry's heart pounded in his chest as he watched her eyes crinkle up as she smiled, "R-r-r-ight." He stammered.
Harry rolled off her bed in one swift move, his legs trembled beneath him and his head spun. He staggered to the side a few times.
"Harry? Are you okay?" Hermione asked looking concerned and amused at the same time.
"Wha? Oh yeah I'm fine thanks." Harry said, his cheeks burning.
He quickly sat down at his rather small, desk, which was covered in homework, 'Alright I suppose I'd better start...'
Harry picked up his potions homework, made a face and pulled out his parchment and quill. The sounds of his quill continued long into the night. Hermione feel asleep halfway through her homework, which wasn't due for at least week, but Harry continued. His eyes were feeling heavy but he knew he had to finish his work or he'd have a detention the next day. Harry threw the piece of parchment to the side and picked up his transfiguration homework. He let out a small groan, "12 feet?" Hermione stirred in her sleep and rolled over. Harry ducked his head sheepishly, 'I'd better be more quiet.' He thought, ' It's nearly midnight after all. And I know how much Hermione likes her beauty sleep.'
Harry stood up and stretched, his chair squeaking a little. He turned a looked at Hermione quickly who was frowning.
"But I'm sure I wrote that." She murmured.
Harry grinned, 'Typical Hermione thinking about school.'
"What do you mean I didn't pass?" she asked rather loudly.
Harry stifled his laughter, she rolled over and sighed peacefully. Harry quietly grabbed his transfiguration homework and his quill and snuck out of the room letting the door close quietly behind him.
The small common room was completely empty, as it always was. Harry sat down at the small table off the side of the fire and began writing. The fire warmed his chilled bones and his shoulders slumped, relaxed and sleepy he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
He was walking down a long dark corridor. There was a small light at the end but it was so faint Harry had to squint to see it. Behind him there was total blackness, he couldn't see anything but the small light in the distance.
"Hello?" he called out, "Is anyone there?"
"Harry!" A familiar voice called, "Come here!"
Harry frowned; he knew that voice from somewhere but where…
"Harry come on!! We haven't got long!" the voice said sounding a little impatient.
Harry started jogging in the direction of the voice, which coincidently was the direction of the light, "I'm coming." He called out, his voice echoing.
The small light bobbed from side to side and started moving further away.
"No wait! Hold on!" Harry yelled running as fast as he could trying to reach the distant light in vain.
He tripped over something invisible and flew through the air and lay sprawled on the ground for a few moments before jumping up and looking around.
"What the… what did I trip over?" he wondered aloud as he rubbed his grazed hands.
When he turned back to the light it was gone, darkness consumed him. It swallowed him up and he could feel himself falling further and further away from where the light had been.
"Harry." A sinister voice said, "Come with me. I guarantee I won't run away."
Harry looked around for the source of the voice, "Who are you?" he asked confidently but feeling nervous.
"Who? Or should you be asking what?" the voice chuckled.
"Alright then what are you?" Harry asked defiantly.
"I am something that you know. Something you dream of. But you just don't know it."
"How can I not know something I know?" Harry asked confused, "Make sense!"
"I am making sense you're just not listening enough." The voice said.
Harry looked around for the source of the voice, "Where are you?" he asked.
"I'm everywhere. You cannot escape me. I guarantee you that. We will meet again as we have done before."
"Before? When?" Harry asked, his mind and heart racing.
"Harry. Harry. HARRY!"
Harry jolted awake falling backwards on his chair and landing on the ground.
"Ugh." He moaned, his back aching.
Hermione was leaning over him, "Did you sleep down here then?" she asked, her eyebrow raised.
Harry awkwardly stood up, "I guess so. I came down here to finish my homework so I wouldn't disturb you. I must have dozed off."
Hermione shook her head, "Honestly Harry. And did you finish your homework?" she asked.
Harry looked at his barely 5 feet of transfiguration, "Not even close." He admitted.
Hermione shook her head, "Do you want me to bring you something for breakfast?" she asked good-naturedly.
Harry sighed, "Nah it's alright. I'll manage. I'll grab a bite later."
Hermione left the common room to let Harry finish off his remaining homework in peace.
Harry's brow scrunched in concentration, he glanced at his watch, yelped and quickly ran into his room to freshen up.
Harry ran down the corridors and past a sprinting Colin Creevey, "No running in the halls!" Harry yelled after him.
"But you are!" Colin yelled back, the two getting further and further away.
"That's not the point!" Harry said running around the corner and running straight into Professor McGonagall, "Sorry Professor!" Harry apologised, "I'm a little late."
"I can see that Mr. Potter. Detention tonight in my office for tardiness." She said and ushered him through the door.
Harry moaned quietly as he sat down, "Fabulous, even less time to do my homework."
"Alright Mr. Potter lets get started shall we?" McGonagall said sitting down at her table, "I want another 12 foot long essay on the impropriety of being late for class, running in the corridor and running into ones teacher." A small smile twitched on her lips before a stern look settled on her face.
Harry gave a look of panic, "12 feet?" he asked, his voice rising an octave, "Please professor I've got so much homework…" he pleaded.
McGonagall sat up straighter in her chair, "No arguments Mr. Potter get writing and then you can leave sooner."
Harry groaned quietly, "Yes professor."
Harry began scrawling quickly on the paper, his writing a little larger and messier than usual.
(An hour and a half later)
Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he finished, "Finished professor." He said handing her the parchment.
She briefly skimmed over it, "Fine good. But don't be late again." She said as he quickly picked up his book bag and walked quickly, being careful not to run, out of the classroom.
As soon as he was out of the classroom Harry began to jog a little, glancing at his wizard watch that he'd received from Hermione for his last birthday he swore and began to run a little faster. He heard a small sound coming from a classroom on his right. Harry slowed down and peered around the corner where he saw a small figure weeping in the darkest corner of the room.
"Hello? I can't see you too well." Harry said squinting, "Are you alright? Do you need to see Madame Pomphrey?"
The crying became louder almost wailing sounds.
"Shhh." Harry said soothingly, "It's alright what's wrong?" he asked stepping closer to the figure.
The wailing became even louder. Harry put his hands over his ears as the wailing became too intense and the high-pitched wails became louder.
"Stop!" Harry yelled, "Please! Stop!"
The wails continued. Harry's head started throbbing then suddenly a flash of pain shot through his scar.
He cried out in pain and collapsed on his knees. Everything went blurry as the wailing continued and the pain in his head burst, then Harry fell into darkness.
"Harry?" a distant voice said sounding concerned.
Harry blinked a few times at the blurry object leaning over him.
"Harry what on earth-? Are you alright?" The figure said hoisting him to his feet.