Puzzle to a Frozen Heart

Chapter 18

(Discoveries)

"Hi? Don't you 'hi' me! What on earth are you doing here?" Hermione barked at her Jedi Wizard, continuing before he got a chance to open his mouth, "And don't you dare give me that crap about Jedi Wizardry because I can very well take care of myself!"

"Well, it didn't look that way to me. For all you know, he could be working for Voldemort, his concentration is on the Dark Arts, he said so himself," Harry snapped. He just couldn't stand Forte; and much less when hanging around HIS Hermione, (although he'd never tell her.)

"You were spying on me? Oh, that's it! I'm going to Dumbledore." Hermione tried to get up, but Harry held her by the waist, keeping them in their current, compromising position.

"It's all part of the job so you can't do anything about it," he stated triumphantly, not knowing that Hermione had her own little words to say about his job.

"And I suppose shagging me is also part of the job." This statement caught Harry completely off guard, making Hermione grin victoriously. That had been a low blow.

"That's not fair and you know it!"

"May I suggest that the next time you try to spy on me, you think twice about it because, let me remind you, I do have a 5.0 GPA and that includes a lot of hexes without counter spells. Oh, and don't forget to dress for the occasion; I don't think that's proper attire for the library," she said, pointing to his lack of clothes. "Now, let me go or you're going to have to answer to my wand."

But Harry didn't have time to comply with her request, for suddenly the door opened and Oliver came in running.

"Hermione, where are you?" he asked desperately, looking for her everywhere.

Hermione just froze at hearing her name. It Oliver saw her in that position with Harry, well... she didn't even want to imagine it. Just then, Oliver appeared, standing in front of them.

"Herm.... I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were busy. I'll come back later," Oliver assured, looking at everywhere but them. Seeing his shocked look, Hermione stood up faster than a speeding bullet.

"Oliver, don't be silly. Can I help you with something?" she asked very quickly as Harry closed his robe and picked his invisibility cloak.

"Well, I...uh... never mind then. Are you going to breakfast?" Oliver asked, a little too nervous to be natural.

"Sure. Say did you do the..." Hermione couldn't finish because Oliver went bright red and started to stammer.

"Me? I didn't do a thing! Why would you suspect that I did something? I didn't do anything last night, I was ALL ALONE in my room, minding my business."

"Uh, fine then," Hermione replied, eyeing him awkwardly. Oliver was acting really strange today, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

"Why won't anyone believe me?!" Oliver shouted, before storming out of the library.

"But...weren't we getting breakfast?" she said, more to herself now that she was all alone. Not entirely true, much to her misfortune.

"I'll accompany you," Harry offered, handing her the book bag.

"No, thank you. I'd rather not eat." With this said, Hermione left the library.

Harry grunted in frustration and had no choice but to follow her. Lucky for him, she went to their room instead of the Great Hall, because let's face it; he wasn't entirely dressed up for the occasion. According to his calculations and experience, she had forgotten something, all guesses leading to... a book.

****

Hermione entered the room and went directly to her trunk. She couldn't believe it! She had forgotten the most important book of all; well, at least the one she needed right now: "Head Duties: A Guide for the Responsibility Lovers". Just as she was closing her trunk, Harry appeared beside her, a grim expression on his face.

"What do you want now?" Hermione asked sounding annoyed.

"For one, I want you to make my job a little easier."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was such a burden," she replied, clearly displaying sarcasm.

"Well, you should be. I've never known a charge that causes so many problems. It's exhausting."

"Is that so? How would you know, if I'm your first charge? Besides, your tiredness could be due to the lack of sleep you had two days ago."

"Would you just cool it with the subject! If I remember correctly, I didn't make love to your bed!" Harry snapped, clearly without pondering of what he had just said.

Hermione however, looked like she was about to explode. While his statement was true on a technicality, she wasn't about to let him have the satisfaction.

"You call that 'making love''? Hermione shrieked. She was hurt by his earlier tone; as if that night hadn't meant anything to him, but by his reaction, she might as well say that it hadn't.

Harry's expression contorted. He wasn't sure what to make up of her response, so he did the next best thing; change the topic before the subject could be discussed any further.

" Look, I'm just asking you to let me do my job, damn it! Is that so hard!" he spat, anger displaying on his face.

"All right mister Jedi Wizard, my mistake," Hermione replied sarcastically, "Proceed with your job."

"Thank you. Now you stay here and don't move a muscle while I finish getting dressed."

"Whatever his 'Highness' orders."

"Fine." Harry made his way towards the bathroom before he realized he had forgotten a key part of his garments. "Uh, could you pass me that shirt?" he asked Hermione, pointing to a royal blue shirt. She proceeded to the task but not before throwing him a dirty look. "Thanks." With this said, Harry locked himself in the bathroom.

Hermione sat on Harry's bed while her Jedi Wizard took his sweet time getting dressed. She let her eyes wander to Harry's invisibility cloak, which lay forgotten on his bed. She went to fold it but when she picked it up, his wand fell to the floor, which sparkled an idea that she let flow through her mind. She picked it up and instantly, it emitted red sparks. Startled, she threw the wand to the bed.

"Weird," she thought. So she grabbed hers and put a locking charm on the bathroom door before grabbing her book bag and exiting the room, trying to hold back a laugh. That had felt good.

****

She made her way to the Great Hall to grab some breakfast. Upon entering, she spotted Brad having breakfast all by himself, so she made her way to his table.

"Anyone sitting here?" she asked him, pointing to the spot next to him.

"Now there is," he replied, flashing her a big smile.

"Thanks." She seated and started filling her plate while Brad couldn't take his eyes off her. "Is something the matter?" she asked him once again, noticing his stare.

"Oh, not at all. Just admiring the view from here," Brad flirted, making Hermione blush. "Anyway, where's Potter? I wanted to have a word with him."

"Let's just say that Harry is... indisposed," she replied, giving him a smirk.

****

As Harry began to get dressed, he noticed a red spot in the left side of his abdomen and it was starting to itch. He didn't pay much attention to it, since he figured it was probably an allergic reaction to something. He glanced at his watch as he finished putting his shirt on. He had only taken five minutes of his charge's time. "Speaking of which, she's awfully silent. Oh well, must be reading," he murmured to himself. He proceeded to open the door, finding out seconds later that he couldn't. He was locked in. "Uh, Hermione! The door's locked, could you open it?" he yelled but, to his utmost surprise and displeasure, no response came. He searched his pockets for his wand, but it wasn't there. Damn, he had left it in his invisibility cloak. "Crap!"

Suddenly he heard a knock on the bedroom door. "Oh, please be Oliver, please!" he begged mentally.

" 'Ermione? Are you in 'zere?" came Fleur's voice. Harry sighed in relief. It wasn't Oliver but at least it was the next best thing.

"Fleur! I'm locked in the bathroom. Get me out!" Harry screamed.

" 'Arry? Is 'zat you?"

"Yeah, the door's open. Come in and get me out!"

"Okay, keep your pants on, I'm coming." The part veela opened the door and headed for the bathroom. She tried to open the door but it was locked, as Harry had said. She got her wand out and muttered: "Alohomora." The door opened, revealing a distressed Harry.

"Oh, Fleur, I love you so much!" Harry exclaimed, hugging her.

"Okay, okay. Save it for 'Ermione," she said, patting him on the back.

"Oh, that girl. Just wait until I get my hands on her. I won't wait for Voldemort, I'll kill her myself!" He picked up his wand and exited the room.

"But what about moi?" Fleur murmured, sitting on Hermione's bed. Just then, Oliver opened the door, making her smile broadly and forget all about Harry.

****

Harry got out the Marauder's Map to find out where Hermione was. The map showed that she was in the Great Hall, with none other than Brad Forte.

"Oh, that is it!" He entered the Great Hall and went directly to her table.

'Harry, just the man I wanted to see!" Brad greeted him.

"Go fuck yourself," he replied, earning a gasp from Hermione.

"Harry, where did you get your manners!" she screeched.

"You're coming with me."

"Yes, now say please," she replied sarcastically, getting back to her breakfast. Harry picked her book bag and then proceeded to pick her up. He grabbed her by the legs and put her against his back.

"Harry James Potter, put me down this instant!" she screamed.

"If you think locking me in the bathroom is funny, just wait 'till you see what I'm going to do with you." He began to walk out when Brad got purposely on his way.

"Let her go Harry," he warned.

" Get...out...of...my...way," he threatened, wand at the ready. Reluctantly, Brad moved. He wasn't about to make a public scene out here.

"This isn't over Potter," he said through clenched teeth.

****

Harry made his way to their room and opened the door. Oliver and Fleur were there, talking to one another.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Oliver asked when he saw Hermione.

"Out!" he demanded. They both got to their feet when they discovered his temper. Harry dumped Hermione on her bed and threw her book bag on the floor. He opened her robe and took her wand.

"Give it back Potter!" she demanded as she got up but he was already out by the door, Oliver and Fleur waiting for him at the hallway.

"Fleur, you don't take class, do you?" Harry asked.

"Uh, no. Why?"

"Stay with Hermione and make sure she doesn't go anywhere. Got that?"

"Sure. Say, is your wand supposed to be doing 'zat?" she said, pointing to Hermione's wand, which was throwing green sparks.

"How am I supposed to know? This is Hermione's wand. Here, take it," he threw it to her, which she caught cautiously, proceeding to Hermione's part of the room. Then, Harry turned to Oliver, who was looking at him apprehensively. "Do you need something?"

"Are you certain that was Hermione's wand?"

"Yeah, I just took it from her robes. Why? Is something wrong?"

"No, just forget I mentioned it."

"Okay then. Could you keep an eye on the girls? Especially on Fleur, because...."

"Why on Fleur!! I told you, I didn't do anything with her! And, if I did, it was all her fault. I'm the victim here!" Oliver quickly accused the part-Veela, turning red in the process.

"What the hell's the matter with you? You've been hostile the entire morning! I don't even know what the hell you're talking about!" Harry exclaimed, seeing this sudden change in attitude.

"You don't?" Harry shrugged. "Oh, well, forget I mentioned it then," he laughed nervously

"You are acting very odd today. You sure you okay, mate? Anyway, I have to talk to Professor Snape. Catch you later," Harry took his leave. He had more important things to do at the moment; he would worry about Oliver later.

****

"Come in," came Snape's voice. He was seated at his desk, his back to Harry.

"Professor, you need to do something about Hermione Granger. She doesn't respect my authority, she's running off whenever she likes and, what's worse, she is flirting with Brad Forte!" Harry accused, making Snape's temple vein throb. It appeared that Snape was already mad and he looked like he was going to explode. Maybe it was better if he got out of there, FAST. "You know what? Just forget about it. I'm sure I can handle it. I don't want to bother you, so I'll just..." But it was too late. Snape was already up. He slammed some sort of book into the desk before opening his mouth. Oh boy...

"What is the matter with you? Can't someone else be interested in your charge! One can't even talk to her? Since when did this become a rule? No one can't talk to Potter's charge? She was only helping me for Christ's sake!!" Snape exclaimed, making Harry frown. What exactly was he talking about?

"Uh, Professor..."

"So I like her. And maybe she likes me. You are not the only man in the world Potter! And, let me tell you a little something. If you keep bedding her, I'll tell Master Yoda and you can kiss your Jedi Wizardry career goodbye! You, on top of everyone else, should know that you don't bed your charge. You can't bed the Heir of Slytherin! She deserves a lot better than you!"

"The Heir of Slytherin?" Something didn't just quite fit...He wasn't talking about Hermione; that was for sure.

"This isn't just another fling, Potter! She's the daughter of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named! Why can't you let me be with the one I love! You can choose any girl; they all come crawling to your bed. But no, you have to choose the only one who has ever looked at me, the one I fell in love with!" In the midst of his screaming, Snape picked up the book and threw it to Harry.

"I'm sorry, what are you talking about?" Harry was still puzzled.

"Do you think I'm stupid James? I know you are bedding Lily; it isn't that hard to figure out. And you know what? I won't allow it anymore! I challenge you to a duel! Whoever wins, keeps Lily!" Simultaneously, Snape got out his dark violet lightsaber and launched at Harry, who's faced paled drastically.

"Professor! What are you doing! I don't know any Lily!" Harry screeched, grabbing the book for cover and colliding with Snape's desk as a result of backing away. Suddenly, Snape blinked and gasped.

"Oh, crap. Forgive me Mr. Potter. I, uh, just get the hell out!" he yelled and Harry didn't need to be told twice; he practically ran out of his former professor's office, his mind running in circles.

Had Snape been talking about his father? What had he meant by the Heir of Slytherin?"