Chapter 7: Fourth Hour second half

A/N: If you find any spelling and grammatical errors please bear with me and inform me.

Thank you all those who have added my story to their Favorites and Alerts and obviously those who reviewed.

Answers:

riegret8: Harry didn't end up in a cell, he was still in that room (which resembles a cell).

ShadowMagus316: This is a free world no one forced you read my story. There is no need to go pissing around about not wanting to read a story. Honestly judging a book by its cover or maybe a portion as in this case. Again I would just say it's your choice read if you want to.

Well I already planned on changing that part but later when I get time.

ceo55: Chapter! Chapter! Chapter! There's the next one. Good review! Hope more comes at your soonest!

Wonderbee31: I know you have guessed something on the plot. Read on to see how far your guess goes right.

SimFlyer: Thanks for your review.

You people got any ideas that I could use for changing that occlumency training scene in chapter 5. I have been badgered enough on this but really can't think on a way to do it and it's irritating.

Chapter: Fourth Hour second half

Time was 11:35 A.M

He remembered how Neville had turned up in their gang apparently one of the better aftermaths of the storm (called Daphne).

FLASHBACK

Kitchen of the Burrow where your teen age's most thrilling task was to peel sprouts the muggle way. Harry and Ron found themselves stuck in a mountain of these sprouts.

"Quit it already mate. You are stretching it too far." Harry sighed for what was like hundredth time.

"What has put our Brother's…"

"…knickers in a twist" Gred and Feorge announced their entrance.

Ron scowled at them, but continued on his sprout a bit more fiercely. Twins shared a look and turned to Harry, "Anyways, congrats Harry…"

"…yeah heard you bagged the awesomest..."

"hottest…"

"sexiest…"

"girl at the school…

"The Ice Princess… drum rolls …"

"Daphne Greengrass" they concluded in perfect tuned unison.

A snort came from Ron's side, "That's all we need more snake lovers. I bet it was you who sold her that love potion she has been using on Harry. But of course how would you know. That snake must have disguised herself to bewitch you in selling her a stock hold."

Harry sighed and gave the twins a look clearly saying, 'I'm fed up.' The twins shared another look and left Ron to his grumblings, sometimes it was difficult to get him out of his sulk mode. But nothing time can't manage.

"You know my handsome twin I remember the time we saw Malfoy trying to ask her to Yule Ball…"

"…correction, my clever twin, he was more like forcing her…" they both shuddered, "anyway do you remember how subtly…"

"…our favourite Ice Princess refused him, yup I remember. Never be on her wrong side." They grinned evilly.

"So this proves that our benefactor…"

"…must have some special qualities to…"

"…melt her ice and get…"

"…her to come with him on a date." They both looked at Harry with most sincere look and bowed deep, "Oh grand master, please take us under you and teach us some tips."

Harry laughed at their antics, "To a pair of womanizers like you, me a master. I would at most pass for an average student."

"Too modest. Another quality of an achiever." Fred intoned saintly.

"Really guys it was nothing. Rather it was because of you in a way."

The twins looked curious, "And pray tell how we did, what we did?"

"You should really look into whom you sell your products….

An "I told you" suspiciously came from Ron's side. But Harry ignored…

"… loads of girls spiked my food and drinks just so that they could come with me to the party. And to rid of that I asked Daphne Greengrass if she could come with me 'as a friend' – mind you, nothing more. I just wanted to get rid of the crowd and she was bored for the day."

"I agree with you dear brother, too modest." George nodded supportively.

"I can't stay here if all you buffoons are gonna talk is Snake this Snake that." Ron stomped out of the kitchen towards his room.

Fred and George didn't react having endured it numerous times, but Harry honestly felt hurt. If he had to chose between Daphne and Ron, one was six months of somewhat deep friendship while other was five and a half years of on and off friendship. He truly didn't know what to do. True he hadn't talked much to Ron after Daphne came, but it did have some very fruitful results which he doubted he could gain even from Hermione's friendship. The day passed pretty quickly for twins decided they had to celebrate a separate Christmas party only with business partners, which meant George Fred and Harry. So they 'helped' Harry in peeling rest of the pile and taking him on a trip down the village saying they had seen a pretty blonde who loved magic (muggle of course).

Rest of the holidays passed with continual rather more infuriating nagging from Ron about Harry seeing the matter in light of obnoxious preconception and superstition. It didn't always end without any furious spat, and everybody was worried for the two boys and their friendship. Ginny surprisingly took Ron's side, which dealt another blow to Harry for another friendship was on the brink to be lost. Harry wasn't too happy but he couldn't force them to change their view. They chose for themselves what they wanted to do or belive.

In no time were back on the Hogwarts express on their way to next term of the sixth year. Harry was sharing the compartment with regular of Luna, Neville with new additions being Daphne, Tracey and Astoria with Ron and Hermione on their prefect rounds. Daphne had joined because of the reason now that it was public that she and Harry were friends. Tracey was Daphne's and in turn Harry's friend. Astoria was there only because not moments after the train left the station she had found herself cornered by Theodor Nott of Daphne's year –

Astoria was walking along the corridor to find her friends. This was the second last compartment of the train where she had agreed with her friends to meet. Door after door crossed with her glancing through the doors for her friend. Then suddenly without any warning the door next to the one she was looking through opened only to reveal the face of someone whom she had no intention of even accepting the existence of. She came to a stock still with a glare projected on the obnoxious male called Theodor Nott. Apparently someone had filled his trash of a brain with an abominable idea that she was promised to him under the law of Dark Lord. He had taken upon himself since last year to 'court' her for the benefit of their 'future'. Numerous numbers of times she had made sure that it gets through his bone brain that she did rather marry a troll than even think for his friendship. But it seems no one had taught him where was the limit of anything. But today was different, since it was more … sinister,

"Hey beautiful missed me?" he went to touch her soft cheeks but Astoria batted it off without any thought.

"Move away. I'm really not in the mood to let you destroy my day anymore." Astoria tried to push him off but he caught her hand effortlessly and made to kiss it in mockery of politeness. Astoria glared perniciously at him but he didn't appear to notice it, "Leave my hand now." She commanded threateningly.

"Nah I haven't caught it just leave it. Beside s can't I touch my girlfriend wherever I please" Today was the day he would test his 'future wife' performance in a bed. He had even custom made a bracelet from Borgin and Burke's that he would 'gift' her as her prize for 'accepting so gratefully' of his proposal of becoming a couple. The bracelet would make sure she would remain loyal to him always and follow his command no matter what.

Astoria appalled listening to horrific plans the psychotic criminal stalker was scheming. She had thought that she had seen worst but no how daft could she be not to expect anything less than this from the member of a Loyal Death Eater family. But this was not time to go blank she had to do something to save herself from this beast before he moves. She successfully jerked her hand free from his. Subtly she rubbed her family bracelet to alert Daphne of her situation and with other hand went for wand.

Theodor caught her move for her wand and instantly took hold of her roughly pinning her to the door of the empty section, "No tricks will work. I'm the one who commands our relationship so you better accept your fate. You are mine and only mine. And today I will damn enjoy marking you. Come love at least give me sensuous kiss." He roughly forced himself on her while she tried to her best to fight him off.

In the last compartment's middle section, Harry and his gang were discussing their vacations in general. Daphne suddenly grew tensed. Her face contorted into rage so intense that she would murder first person to annoy her. She got a distant look for a few moments and then reeled back to reality. She took hold of Harry and dragged him while significantly glancing at Tracey who got the meaning. Tracey kept everyone calm and stopped them from following the pair.

Daphne quickly crossed the corridor with Harry in tow. Harry knew that Astoria was in danger for she had explained him earlier about the charmed family bracelet they wore. He was about as furious about this matter as Daphne but someone had to keep calm from making the matter going out of hands. But definitely didn't mean he forgive the culprit nope that type of ideas had no space in mind.

He would exact his metal but with pain true pain. They came to an abrupt halt in front of a curtained section of the second last compartment. It was particularly silent. Daphne whipped out her wand and forced the door open. There in front of them was the most dreadful scenario that they had seen. Astoria with bruises on her cheeks and puffy red eyes was sobbing and lying on the floor. Her clothes were torn in places with her upper undergarment peeking out. Her hands were shackled to the seats with binds cutting through her wrists while she struggled against it. Nott was straddling her with his hands on her abdomen as he slowly unzipped her top. His back was to them so they couldn't see the malicious predatory grin splitting his face. Apparently he hadn't yet realised their presence but Astoria looked considerately blessed with Daphne and him coming to her rescue.

Harry caught Daphne's arm before she would make a rash decision. He quickly stupefied the maniac and rushed forward to help Astoria out of her bonds. Daphne glared at the sinner wanting to blast his bits out of existence, she inflicted a small cursed slit just behind both his ears that would make him bleed unstoppably whenever would try to harm her or her sister. Not wanting to stay any longer for 'accidently mutilate' him further she helped her sister out with a last glare at the offender and a nod to Harry. She knew he loved Astoria as a sister he never had, so he would take care of the matter but with a more a level head.

Harry calmly checked Nott for any mark on his wrist and he was met with a sight of the disgusting Dark Mark. He let of the hand carelessly banished the 'thing' on one of the seats while settling on the other. He made sure charm his appearance to appear shady and undistinguished and also changed his voice also to appear indistinguishable from male or female. The room was once again secured more effectively.

He casually and wandlessly tossed a few bludgeoning hex towards Nott to wake him up while cracking a few ribs and both his legs. Nott groaned back to consciousness, "Fuck, what happened?" he tried to stand up but his legs won't support him and he felt unaccounted pain in chest as if someone had practiced targets with him. He groused a few curses and groped around for his wand for his eyes were too fuzzy for him to make out anything of what he saw.

"Theodor Nott" Harry said coolly gaining his attention.

"Who are you? And why did you attack me?" Nott immediately snapped at him.

"I'm… nobody. Why did I attack you? Hah I haven't attacked you… yet, so feel lucky" Harry said smoothly with venom seeping through each word, "First congrats on making it to Shit Eaters group. You made my choices easier."

Nott couldn't string the meaning, "What choices?"

"Of your fate. I'm your almighty remember that. So next time when you consider to even look like that at a girl with those fucking balls in your head I will execute your justice with my own hands. Here's my parting gift for you, have fun." Harry pointed his wand right on his groins and intoned the rare dark spell known as Aphrodite's curse, in which the person would have go through a version of cruciatis curse while in the process of ejaculating their love juices. This spell was the nightmare of those twisted minds, a few centuries back when it would be inflicted upon anyone proved to have inflicted any sort of nefarious harm to a either man or woman though most of the time it was women who were hunted by men. It was later banned for its effects.

Harry with a final kick in Nott's abdomen exited the room and quickly casted spell echo erasing charm on his wand. He adjusted his expressions and rejoined his group.

Astoria had long since dozed in her sister's lap and rest of the people simply avoided any sort of discussion regarding the matter.

The door slid open allowing the sixth year Gryffindor prefects entry, bickering their usual way. Their bickering instantly stalled noticing the eerie silence. Their gaze swept through the compartment with Ron stopping at three Slytherins huddled together. His eye narrowed, "Why are these snakes here?"

Harry was not feeling good with already confronting Nott and Ron was helping it any further. He tried to ignore.

"Ron, please not now." Hermione hadn't known the full story of their Christmas altercations. But Harry had mentioned the situation a number of times in his letters.

But Ron didn't heed, "Oh I see, snakes are better company some old helpful friends. Fine go on then even I don't care. I know those slags have dozed you love potions and maybe to even spread their legs to keep you on the leash."

"Ron, for the sake of our friendship please leave." Harry said in a deathly calm.

Ron glared for the final time at the Slytherin girls two of which glared back with more intensity. He sneered at them and exited with long strides. Harry was quivering with anger, it was already bad with Astoria getting assaulted but Ron had to come and just worsen it.

Hermione could look at the turmoil in his eyes and reached for his hand to calm him. "Harry forget what Ron said. He will come around just don't burden yourself with his opinions."

"Harry she's right whatever he said, don't bother about it." Daphne held his other hand.

Harry looked sadly at the door. He took some heavy breathes to calm himself, "I need some fresh air." He got up and left the compartment. Neville didn't feel right for Harry to leave alone, so followed him out.

Harry couldn't see such a deep friendship fall out so easily just because one of his only two best friends was being prejudiced and biased to a new friend of his. He couldn't understand how son of Molly and Arthur could be so biased. He hadn't looked where he was heading to. Some murmurs came from a nearby door when he heard his name his name. He stopped to listen, apparently it was Ron who was inside, "I know Ginny you don't want it. But it's for Harry. I will somehow slip this love potion in one of those snakes' potions and Harry will see and believe that those bitches actually worship the floor ferret walks on. And when he is heartbroken only you will be there to comfort him, he will see his mistake and fall for you. Listen I know him and he is definitely being controlled by those slags. I know they are preparing to serve Harry to you-know-who on a silver platter."

"I don't know Ron, it can dangerous. Besides if something goes wrong and Harry finds about our involvement he would never forgive us. I can't live that." Ginny said worriedly, doubting every bit of the plan.

"Nothing can wrong. I will convince Hermione to help us. She will see that Harry is in danger and will help us." Ron said with determination while Ginny could only nod reluctantly.

Harry couldn't believe whatever he heard. His best friend the first ever friend of his age he made in his life, he was plotting against his other friends one of whom meant more than a friend for him. How could Ron be so blind to the world around him? Why couldn't once listen to him and trust his judgment? Harry's heart completely broke. He felt a hand on his shoulder; he turned around to see the uncharacteristically calm and composed face of Neville. Neville steered Harry away from there. Towards their compartment.

"Harry, don't worry about Ron. He won't be able to do anything to Daphne or her sister or Tracey for that matter. I will help you protect her.

I have seen them act around you, and until now they haven't given any indications that they mean you harm. Besides I know Daphne's parents though not exactly Dumbledore supporter but they sure weren't the type let some Dark plotting old coot with stupid name control them. They never had joined the Death Eaters, for they never believed in this blood supremacy. I don't know much about these girls but at least they are the ones who never take part in any of Malfoy's stupidity. Though act indifferently to me but I guess at least that's better than getting bullied." Neville said with shrug.

Harry looked deeply into the honest words Neville had said. He unlike Ron wasn't being biased though he was the one who got tormented by the Slytherins on regular basis. Neville had more reasons to behave like Ron but instead he was being reasonable and logical. Harry truly regretted never giving Neville giving a hand of friendship. He was the most loyal Gryffindor in true sense.

Bravery doesn't mean to face any kind of danger. It meant to think right and act on it. Not always brain is right but similarly not always heart is wrong. Neville had his heart in right place, and for the fact of other little problems of his well he now had Harry's complete support with three smartest witches to teach him. Neville was not a weak man but thoroughly unconfident of his abilities, though that wouldn't be the matter anymore. "Thanks Neville. I guess I have had too much for one day shall we go back?"

They went back having momentarily forgotten about Ron and his schemes.

FLASHBACK ENDS

The door to the cell opened to enter Neville and Daphne back. Daphne had her purse with her. He looked at his watch and they were already fifteen minutes as time was 11:50 A.M. Daphne all the items of concern on the table before Harry. The mirror, the envelops and her sister's bracelet. With a look of cold indifference she continued staring at Harry.

Harry ignored the rest and concentrated only on the mirror. It was a plane square and he already knew it to be two way. He waved his hand above it and felt for anything dark and uncomfortable. But he hadn't needed to search too much apparently the entire mirror reeked of blood magic been used.

"Definitely blood magic, nothing I can do about it." Harry concluded.

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked sharply.

"I mean since you have to always carry this with you wherever we go so that you can talk to Malfoy, obviously me being with you will alert him of me. And that is not a chance I'm going to take. So we need a better hand in this matter. So we will have to involve some more people or if you have better suggestions." Harry tossed the ball back in her court.

"If anything happens to my sister…" Daphne started to threaten but was harshly cut off.

"Do you think that I will allow anything to happen to Astoria on my watch?" Harry demanded darkly glaring at her.

Daphne backed down, he wasn't this angry usually. She felt guilty for doubting him, he truly won't let anything happen her. Daphne spoke slowly, "Who are you calling in?"

Harry settled down, "For now it's just Hermione. For she will have a way around this mirror problem." Daphne approved Hermione for she had learned quite early that Hermione could be depended with both her sister's and her life. So she agreed with Harry. He looked at Neville.

Neville conceded, "I will go for her but you both better behave. I don't want to return with you already at your necks trying to murder each other." With a skeptical glance he again went out.

They both sat in perfect silence ignoring the feeling of awkwardness of being in the same room as other without having a go at other's neck. Daphne glanced at Harry while sat silently with closed eyes. She didn't know why but she longed to see in those emerald green eyes like before. She looked at how more mature he looked after all these years. He had gained a small scar on his left jaw line which knew nothing of. She continued stare, for now he was no more the cute teenager she had seen earlier but a hardened man through his experience.

"How are you Daphne?" Harry asked in a small voice, completely startling her after a silence of five minutes.

"Saying fine would be completely a lie. What about you?" she asked in the same tone.

"So so, I guess." He fell silent again. Daphne didn't know what to make of his answer, but in the back of her mind there was another question 'Did he miss me?' Daphne shook her head to suppress that stupid feeling she got lately whenever this raven haired bloke crossed her head.

Harry was battling his own version of fight against the urge to go and hug Daphne and feel her warmth in his arms. Here her soothing heartbeat synchronise with his. He had kept his eyes close so that he won't do something his brain strictly forbid against. He had to break the awkward silence when felt her uneasiness as she shuffled her foot under the table.

"If you want I can wait outside." He suggested calmly.

"NO" she answered quickly and then stammered, "I mean no, you are not troubling me."

Harry shrugged but still ignored the nagging in the back of his mind to look at her.

They waited for Neville and Hermione to come as fast as they could.

Time was exact 12 P.M

CHAPTER ENDS…..

More when I get more ideas.

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Until next time….