Harry Potter isn't mine. JK owns every thing HP. But this plot… is mine…. Enjoy reading this as much as the one before it. And if you think my writing sucks well, what can I say?
Chapter 6: Choosing Your Destiny
The morning of the Quidditch match Harry was up early. He was in his room. He had his early shower and was now getting dressed for breakfast and his classes and after that their first Quidditch match this year. Hermione was up early as well. She was already all dressed up for breakfast and classes. She was already down the little common room reading an Ancient Ruins Book.
Harry slid down the banister to the foot of the stairs. "Morning love," he said as he walked up to Hermione and kissed her forehead.
"Morning Champ! I see you're ready for today?" she mused. "I forgot to ask you last night. Were you able to finish that tablet translation assignment we have?"
"Yes between cuddling up with you last night and getting some sleep in my room, I was able to sneak in some time to finish the translation. I just didn't want you to get all worried about me with school work," he answered as he held his hand to help her up from her chair.
"Thanks, gallant sir," she joked, as she stood up and leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips.
"All but the best for the most beautiful princess," he said and he kissed her back.
"Oh dear, we have to get down to the great hall now or will miss breakfast," she said frantically as she looked down to her muggle watch.
"Remember or secret door? And besides it's still early. We won't miss anything but of course you're the boss we'll go there now," he said reassuringly as they went to the secret door and they both said `The Great Hall' and when they crossed the other side they were in the left side of the door of the Great Hall. There were already a number of people on each table. They walked towards Ron and Lavender who was already eating their breakfast.
"Morning, H1 and H2," Ron joked with his mouthful of buttered toast.
"Very funny Ron!" Harry said as he sat across him. Hermione took a seat beside him. "I hope you'll do as good today as our practice yesterday."
"Ron is in good shape. He'll block every single attempt those Hufflepuff will make," Lavender said proudly and gave her boyfriend a peck on the cheek.
Ron started to blush. "Thanks Lav, if you believe in me that much I guess I can do anything," he said and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Aw… that's so sweet," Hermione sighed and leaned her head on Harry's shoulder.
"Honestly, I'm pretty amazed with how girly Hermione has been since you guys hooked up. What did you do Harry?" Ron joked.
"Shut up Ron!" Hermione said and stuck out her tongue. "I've always been a girl if you'd care to notice that. Is it bad that Harry just makes me feel a lot better about myself?"
"I can't believe you guys still fight like kids," Harry remarked. "Good thing we're all in the same house. Just imagine how it would be if you guys were in rival houses, what a riot it would have been."
They all laughed at the idea. They went back to chattering and eating breakfast when they say Draco came pass their table and stopped.
"Good luck on the game Potter," Draco said.
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. His arch nemesis had just wished him luck. He knew that there were a few changes happening to Draco but this was so far the most overwhelming thing that had ever happened to him. He couldn't say anything.
"Thanks Draco," Hermione said cheerfully.
Behind Draco were the two confused faces of Crabbe and Goyle.
"Being friendly are you Draco?" Ron snapped. "Is this some futile attempt to get our trust so you can get your filthy hands on my sister?"
"Calm down Ron!" Lavender demanded.
"Think what you like Weasley. I was just wishing you well on your game that's all," Draco said and he moved on to the Slytherin table. There was still an air of proud ness in his voice but Harry and Hermione knew better.
"Hermione, what were you thinking when you actually thanked that stupid prat?" Ron asked furiously. "Have you gone bonkers, that guy always picked on you and called you names."
"He didn't call me names today, did he?" Hermione said as matter-of-factly. "I think he's a changed man and I think Harry will agree with me on that," she said as she looked at Harry for him to agree.
Harry didn't know whether he would agree or not. He knew Hermione was right but he also thought of what Ron would say. He finally gave up and nodded.
"I can't believe it Harry! You actually think there is any good in that …" Ron tried to say but he was cut off.
"In that what? " Ginny asked as she sat down beside Hermione.
"In that stupid prat!" Ron retorted. "Don't you ever think I've forgotten about that incident in the dungeon?"
"I see. So what has he done to you now?" she asked coolly as she ate some buttered toast.
"Your brother is upset because Draco wished Harry well for the Quidditch match this afternoon," Hermione said.
"Oh, he did that, didn't he? He's really nice you know. Once you get to know him better," Ginny said trying to ignore her brother who was now burning with fury.
"Ginny, I had enough of this. I don't know what got into you but I won't let this get out of hand. You will not see Draco anymore you got that! I mean it Ginny, that guy is trouble, you can hate me all you like but he would only break your heart and I don't want to see you one day running up to me crying," Ron said. He was being the protective big brother.
"You have no right to tell me who I should or shouldn't see. Stop trying to sound so protective of me. You know what your problem is? You just hate Draco so much that you act as if you don't see the changes in him. He lost his mother for crying out loud. And all you can think about is that he's going to hurt my feelings. If there is one person hurting me right now. That would be you Ron," she said then she stormed out of the Great hall crying.
"I'll go after her, see you in class," Hermione said to Harry and she ran after Ginny.
"Ron, don't you think you're being to harsh on her?" Harry said. "You're a lot sensible than this. What if Draco really has changed?"
"A man doesn't change over night Harry," Ron argued.
"Well, a month is a long time and believe me he's not the same person I argued with on the train. And a death of a love one can change a lot of things Ron," Harry tried to reason.
"I guess he did a great job convincing you, Hermione and my sister but he will never fool me," Ron smirked and he got out of his seat. "Lavender lets go. See you in the pitch," he told Harry as he and his girlfriend went off to class.
Harry didn't have a choice the table was busy talking about their early morning drama and he didn't want to take part in it so he told his other team mates to be in the pitch after class then he went off to meet Hermione in Ancient Ruins.
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Draco could see what was happening in the Gryffindor table. He saw Ginny as she left the hall crying. He wanted to come after her but Pansy held a good grip on him.
"What do you think you're doing?" Pansy smirked. "I hope the rumors aren't true. Are you really seeing that redhead?" she snapped.
"I think it's none of your business," Draco retorted. "You're not my girlfriend so I think I can see whom ever I want to see."
"Do you actually think I'll let that puny little redhead have you? As far as I can remember your father and my father have talked about our future together so I really don't think you have any choice," she exclaimed.
"To hell with what my father thinks! He will not decide for me as to whom I will spend the rest of my life with. And if it were Ginny Weasley that I would marry someday that would be my decision and mine alone. You got that? My father has nothing to do with me since the day my mother died," he retorted. He was furious with Pansy and how she tried to boss around him.
"How about you pick between Crabbe or Goyle, maybe one of them would want to marry you someday," he joked before he got up and left. He didn't want his two bodyguards to follow him around. He was used to being alone ever since he became prefect. He had so many things going on in his head. He thought of his dream about his mother's death, his whirlwind romance with Ginny and now he was to face the wrath of his father if ever Pansy goes on owling him about that argument they had at breakfast.
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After all the drama that morning Hermione had convinced Ginny to calm down. She then came to class and met Harry there. They were in a bigger problem than they thought. Ron was firm in his decision of keeping Draco away from his sister. Ginny on the other hand was convinced that Ron was being over protective and was only being paranoid. Harry figured that the only way to know the truth about Draco was to talk to him and Hermione knew that it was the only right thing to do.
After their classes Harry headed to the Quidditch pitch while Hermione went to do some Head Girl duties by helping out some first year Ravenclaws who seem to have forgotten their password. Being head girl gave her access to all the common rooms of all the houses. She and Harry knew all the passwords to each common room. The Ravenclaw common room was cozy and they have tons of bookshelves filled with books, it was almost like being inside a mini library. After helping the first years she went to their little common room and went up to her own room and wore her Gryffindor scarf. When she got out of the portrait hole she met with Parvati and Lavender who just got out of the Gryffindor common room.
"Hey you two, wait up," she called to Parvati and Lavender as she went to them. She really wasn't close to the two but they were all girlfriends of Gryffindor Quidditch players she being with Harry, Lavender with Ron and Parvati with Dean Thomas, so she figured she could come with them.
"Hermione, we should hurry the game would almost be starting. Is it true that Ginny is dating Malfoy? Lavender told me it wasn't true but Dean told me that Ron was really furious with his sister?" Parvati asked as they hurried to the entrance hall.
"Like I said Parvati, it's just some rumor," Lavender tried to convince her.
"I think we should tell her Lav. Ginny is friends with Draco and it pisses Ron off but to say that they have a relationship that I cannot really say is true," Hermione told Parvati. She knew that if she didn't say anything a whole big rumor might come up and Ginny didn't need that kind of pressure at that time. It surprised her that Lavender didn't confirm anything to Parvati since the two were famous for spreading out gossip. She has changed since she got together with Ron.
"Whatever you say Hermione. Let's get going then," Parvati said as they ran off to the Quidditch field.
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Harry saw the crowd building up. He gave his team the usual pep talk. He told them to their best and that if things go well, they will win the cup for the fourth time. He knew that there was still some friction going on between Ginny and Ron. So he asked the rest of the team to get ready while he asked the two to stay in the locker room to talk.
"You two have to make up now. You should focus your energy into this game and not in loathing each other. Ron your older so I hate to say this but you have to drop this whole thing even just for this game. Ginny you and Ron are in the same time so please don't go hitting the Quaffle towards him too hard. Just imagine that the Hufflepuff keeper is actually your brother and that he'll get a beating if they lose," he told the both of them.
"Okay just this once but I still don't…" Ron tried to say but Harry interrupted.
"Leave it at that Ron we have a game to win," Harry said. Ginny nodded and they all went to be with their other teammates. They heard their team being announced and they all set out flying into the field.
"AND HERE COMES THE GRYFFINDOR TEAM!" yelled Dylan McGarth, who was made commentator since Lee Jordan graduated from Hogwarts. "Potter, Weasley, Farrow, Creevey, Thomas, Finnegan, and Weasley. Hasn't been defeated for two years." Everyone from the Gryffindor side was applauding.
"And here are the Hufflepuff team led by Captain Hughbourn. And their very new and young line up, Stanfern, Holden, Smith, Merrize, Willen and Michaels."
Harry looked up the stands and he saw Hermione with Parvati and Lavender. Behind her was Hagrid. He also saw a few familiar faces in the crowd, Oliver Wood, Fred with his girlfriend Angelina Johnson and George surprisingly with Katie Bell. They all waved at Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor.
Madam Hooch ordered the Captains to shake hands and Harry and Aaron did. "Mount your brooms!" and with the whistle they were all airborne. Harry loved the feeling when he was flying. He felt so free. The Quaffle was released and so were the Bludgers and the snitch. He made a last look on the stands and gave Hermione a thumbs-up. He flew higher so he could see a bigger view. He saw Hughbourn also looking for the snitch. They were in the opposite sides of the pitch.
"Gryffindor is in possession, Ginny with the Quaffle heading straight to the Hufflepuff goal. Watch out Michaels! And Gryffindor scores 10 to nothing. Hufflepuff in possession--- intercepted by Creevey--- he was almost hit by a bludger good one Thomas. Creevey sends it to Farrow, Farrow scores 20 to nothing. Hufflepuff with the Quaffle, Stanfern heading for the Gryffindor goal, tries to score but Weasley made a great save," Dylan announced.
Ginny got the Quaffle after Ron made a save she was moving towards the Hufflepuff goal post when she saw from the side stands Draco was watching her intently. Her heart skipped a beat and she made her way to score. A bludger almost got her but she maneuvered perfectly away from it. `He kept his promise,' she told herself.
The game went fairly well, hand it to the Hufflepuff to play a fair and square fight. Harry thought that they maybe 30 points leading now but he still couldn't find the snitch, he saw then a glint of gold roaming around the Gryffindor post behind Ron.
"Potter had spotted the snitch and is making his way across to the Gryffindor goal post, Hughbourn now trailing behind him. Harry's superb broom makes it a lot harder for the Hufflepuff seeker to keep up with him. Potter is going for a dive to get the snitch."
Harry was rushing towards the snitch that seemed to be doing a vertical drop and he knew he had to follow it or lose it again. The tip if his broom was darting down to the grown his right hand reaching out to the snitch as his left held his Firebolt tightly. It was now or never he was only a few feet from the ground, it's either he pulled up or made a quick and dangerous brake. He was a feet from the ground when he caught the snitch and the tip of his broom was inches from hitting the ground.
"Harry Potter got the snitch, a 150 points to Gryffindor. Gryffindor wins 180 to nothing, better luck next time Hufflepuff. See you next week for a game between Slytherin and Ravenclaw," Dylan yelled.
Harry saw his teammates flying to him. He looked up at the stands and there was no sign of Hermione. Then she looked at the grounds where he saw her running towards him.
"Harry that was awesome. A dangerous vertical like that could have killed you," Ron said. "You're one hell of a seeker to pull that one. I haven't seen anyone do that not even in professional Quidditch."
"Ron, you were also great up there none of the Hufflepuffs attempts got in," Harry returned the compliment.
"Harry! You were giving me a heart attack up there," Hermione said as she hugged Harry tightly. Hagrid was behind Harry.
"That was, brilliant `arry!" Hagrid praised him and patted his back.
"Thanks Hagrid," He answered then he turned his attention to Hermione who was still hugging him. "I didn't get hurt, didn't I?" he tried to convince her. "I will always be careful I promise."
"Harry James Potter, when you're playing Quidditch it's as if nothing matters and it just scares me to death when you do those death defying things," she said almost in the brink of tears.
"Oh baby, don't cry on me. We won, please don't cry and just give me a kiss", he teased then he leaned down and kissed her.
Oliver Wood came to them with the other former Gryffindor Quidditch players. "Harry, that was amazing. I'll tell the team to draft you as soon as you get out of Hogwarts," Oliver said as he shook hands with Harry who was still holding Hermione. Oliver was made keeper of England's National Team a year ago and had been a crowd favorite ever since.
"I'll keep that in mind," Harry said. Oliver went to talk to the other Gryffindor Quidditch players.
"Hi Harry, that was one hell of a vertical drop," Fred and George said.
"Thought you guys were busy at the 3W?" Harry said.
"We have someone looking after the shop," Fred answered. Angelina and Hermione were starting to converse about a certain gold band around Angelina's ring finger.
"Congratulations!" Hermione said as she gave Angelina a hug. They weren't that close but she was really nice to her back then. Katie, Parvati, Lavender and the other girls were now circling Angelina and greeting her.
"I see you already popped the question," Harry joked.
"Yes, I have and well, some guys are just to chicken to ask," Fred said.
"Hey, I heard that!" George said pretending to feel hurt. "I'll ask Katie at the proper time."
"Well, that's not what you guys are here for, I mean not because of Quidditch," Harry asked the twins.
"Of course we came here to watch our little brother and sister play but Ron also asked us to come here for some important family business," Fred answered.
"It has something to do with Ginny?" Harry asked.
"You're a true genius Harry. Well, it came to our attention that Ginny and Draco are getting along pretty well and it distresses Ron a lot," George explained. "We know what a total prat Malfoy is and we don't blame Ron for being so concerned but we are also well aware that Ginny is a big girl now and that whether we like it or not she's already a young woman and she would get together with Draco if she wants to and not any of us can stop her," Fred continued.
"Am I talking to the two infamous Weasley twins or you guys are just pretending to be them. Well, you guys sure have matured," Harry said and put a hand on his forehead.
"Don't sound to amazed Harry. We are all grown up now, but we still have our mischievous side kept incase we need it," George said.
"And Harry, we're sending your part of the shop's income in your Gringotts account, like before," Fred mentioned.
"You really don't have to but thanks anyways," Harry answered. "You guys better go and talk to Ron and Ginny before either one of them go walking of somewhere." And with that the twins along with their girlfriends went to see Ginny and Ron.
Harry and Hermione went to take a little walk by the lake.
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Draco watched the match between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. He already knew that Ginny's team would win, after his first hand experience playing against them the fact that the Hufflepuff had younger inexperienced players made the Gryffindors victory a lot easier. He wanted to go to her and tell her how awesome she was at the field but Ron and the twins were there. He knew that he would only cause trouble so he just went back to his dormitory where a letter was on top of his bed. He went to his bed and got the letter, he sat on his bed and read the letter to himself.
Draco,
The time has come for you to finally join me. You've known before hand that we would soon take over the whole Wizarding world. With Lord Voldemort gaining all his powers back we would be able to rule the whole world Wizarding or even non-wizarding. I know that this would sound to you as some sort of formality because there has always been a death-eater in you. Now that your mother is out of the way of formally making you a death eater there wouldn't be any problem. You will meet the Dark Lord yourself on your return to the manor for the Christmas Season, till then my son. You will soon be part of us.
Lucius
"I see you've read the letter," Pansy spoke as she moved closer to Draco's bed.
"Who gave you the right to enter my room?" Draco bellowed.
"I really don't need to ask. Your father sent me that letter along with my own," she said. "I didn't want you to get in trouble so I brought it to your room. And look at what I get. You scowl at me as if I've done something wrong to you."
"So, you want me to thank you?" he retorted.
"No Draco, I want you to realize something. We belong together we are destined to be death-eaters like our parents. How do you expect good little Ginny to react if she finds out that she's seeing a Death-eater to be? You already have me Draco, we're of the same kind. Why won't you just embrace your destiny? You belong to the other side and you know it," she reasoned with him.
"We are not one and the same Pansy. I will not be a death- eater like my father. I will live my life the way I want to and Ginny knows I'm not like my father. I hate my father. And do you want to know why?" Draco said. As he stood from his bed and walked toward Pansy who didn't know whether to look back at him or move out of the room.
"I hate my father because he murdered my mother," Draco said as he held Pansy by her shoulders.
"Draco you're hurting me," Pansy said as she tried to free herself from his grip. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes I do. I dreamt about her death. It haunted me for a month and even until now. At first I didn't know who the man chasing her was but night after night the vision became clear and I saw my father. He chased my mother off to the cliff to die," he said with tears trailing down his face. "I will not be a criminal like my father!"
"Draco, I didn't know I'm sorry…" Pansy tried to say but she was interrupted.
"I don't need your apologies, just leave me alone. Now!" he yelled and with that she fled out of his room.
Draco didn't want to think about the dreams about his mother. He still dreamt about it but he didn't want it to affect him too much. He was faced with a new burden that would make or break the person that he was. He was to either choose the life his father took or would he follow what his mother told him. To live his life the way he really wanted to. It would have been an easier decision if he weren't the son of one of the highest-ranking death-eaters. He crumpled the letter and it burst into flames in his hand. He was angry and a wizard can make some uncontrollable magic even without a wand.
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After the festivities in the Gryffindor tower for their first victory, Harry told Hermione that he would be talking to Draco. He left to look for him at the dungeons and he was right. Draco was walking pass Snape's office when called out to him. He asked him to go behind the pillars so no one would see them.
"Draco, can I talk to you?" Harry said a bit reluctant.
"You want to talk to me Potter? What did I do now?" Draco said a bit sarcastically.
"Stop this bad boy facade. We need to talk," Harry retorted.
"Okay, what is it that we need to talk about?" Draco asked.
"I know you like Ginny and she feels the same way. You don't have to deny anything Hermione told me. Ginny told her everything. We're just looking after our friend. Ron is pretty pissed off with the idea and I honestly don't blame him. You aren't the ideal boyfriend material for his sister," Harry said.
"And you are?" Draco said.
"You know that, that wasn't what I meant. I have no feelings for Ginny other than the fact that we're friends there's nothing more and beside I'm in love with Hermione. Draco, quit being sarcastic I'm trying to help you out here," Harry argued.
"And why would you help me? You said it yourself, you think I'm no good for Ginny and her brother hates me. Why would you risk your friendship with Weasley so you can help me be with Ginny, what's the catch?" Draco asked as he looked at Harry waiting for a convincing answer.
"There's no catch I'm doing all this because believe it or not I think Ginny has changed you. She deserves to be happy and I think you've been the reason for the glow in her. Ron would realize that eventually. What I want to know is if you're intentions are good? I mean this would be a big brother question but I would want to know I'd be helping you after all," Harry asked.
"Well, Potter I love Ginny. I've never felt anything like this for anyone. I know that my father would kill me if he finds out but even that doesn't matter. I just know I love her and that's all that mattered. Like what my mother said. When love comes to you, you wouldn't ask questions you'll just do what you feel is right," Draco said sincerely.
"I'm convinced. Hermione was right all along. You have changed and it's because you're in love with Ginn," Harry said. "Well, figure something out. But for now I would ask you to stay away from Ginn at least when Ron's around and I believe the people in your house wouldn't like the idea of their prefect dating a Gryffindor. Hermione and I will find a way so you guys can meet secretly," Harry exclaimed. "I better get back to the tower. Just remember what I said and good luck on your game next week. And Draco if you need someone to talk to you can always come and see me or Hermione." Harry was on his way to go back up the entrance hall.
"Harry, thanks," said Draco and he smiled to the one person that he was supposed to hate with all his might.
To be continued………
[n/a]: Sorry it took a while…. Been going through a lot of emotional stuff and I'm so sad… Just read and review…. Thanks