It Felt Right

Chapter 5

Harry and Draco were shocked to see that Professor Snape was standing about three feet away from them and splashing them his utmost curious look. It was clear that his lips kept on winching to each sides even though his hair covered them. He had absolutely no idea too that he was actually sucking his oily hair into his mouth. Not a sight that Harry would want to swallow in his mind, but the choice was limited.

"What would a Gryffindor and a Slytherin most famous nemesis in Hogwarts, be doing here, alone..." drawled Professor Snape, his eyes traveled back and forth from Harry to Draco.

"Professor, we were-"

"Hold you tongue, Potter!" snapped Professor Snape, his eyes bigger than usual. He kept his eyes fixed on Harry and continued, "Clearly humans have been disposable." Professor Snape loosened up his arms and looked at Draco for the first time with shame and hatred. Then, he glanced back at Harry, eyebrows narrowed and eyes that showed the history of uncontrolled temper that was never truly revealed, except maybe poured down towards Harry's father.

Slowly Professor Snape took his steps towards Draco, halted behind him, and brought his cold lips near to Draco's right ear.

"I believe, as the world evolved, people are unable to sort out the right person to be...companions...for themselves anymore."

Draco was short of breath, but remained calm. He simply changed his pose and placed his soft and long fingered hands inside his robes. Something had triggered in Harry's mind that one of the things he admired about the boy was because of this. He never let his barriers went down and his weaknesses opened to the public- a remarkable chip of the old block. Not long before that, Professor Snape, obviously have had enough of the childish offence occurred, turned his back and headed for his class. Harry looked at Draco who was smirking out of an odd situation and released his breath.

*********

The bell rang after an hour, which felt like a year. The moving was slow as Professor McGonagall gave them their homework minutes after the class finished. Ron and Hermione were talking to each other when Harry joined in and declared the day off.

"You're not having dinner then, Harry?" asked Hermione, her eyes curiously checking Harry's cured face.

Harry quickly hid his hands behind his back. "Err...naturally. Yes, I guess so," replied Harry, not sure of what to say. He did crave for a pie a moment ago.

Just then, Harry heard a cry coming from outside the class. It was getting near and when the three of them turned their heads toward the door, Fred came running to them as cheerful as can be and holding a wrapped candy bar in his hand. The other hand was waving in the air.

"We did-!" yelled Fred, lost his balance and bumped onto Harry. Harry fell to the floor, his back on the ground and Fred landed to his right, seated against the table's wooden leg with a force. Fred helped himself up and swept the dirt off his robe.

"We did it! Well, I did it, so to speak," said Fred, showing the wrapped candy to Hermione.

"It's a candy bar, Fred. Don't tell me you haven't tasted any of that before?" asked Hermione. "Harry, are you okay?" continued Hermione, giving Ron a hand to help Harry.

"Oh, sorry Harry. I didn't mean to do that. Didn't see you there," explained Fred, dusting the dirt off Harry, brushing randomly.

"I'm fine," replied Harry, wanting so dearly for Fred to stop cleaning him. "So, what's with that?" asked Harry, changing the subject and looking at the small wrapped candy bar.

Beaming slightly as though it was the first decent praise he had ever received, Fred cleared his throat and began to explain. "George and I had come up with a solution on how to skip classes with reasonable causes." There was silent and their eyes were blinking even faster.

"No, I don't think you understand that," said Fred, clearing his throat once more. "I will gladly demonstrate it to you, but we haven't commit ourselves to a sensible cure." Harry was dumbfounded and Ron showed nothing but hunger for sweets now. "It means-"

"I know what it means- stop snorting Ron!" said Hermione, looking directly at Ron. She stared at Fred and flipped her fringe to the back. "It means that you are planning something funny, which is not because funny stuff do not need antidotes and I don't think we need it anyway. We are better off without it," replied Hermione, raising her bag to her shoulder.

"You don't know that, Herm," said Ron, thinking that it might be a good idea once the thing was done.

Hermione did not bother to listen to Ron. She stomped her way out and left the boys. She completely disagreed to any monkey business belonging to Fred and George. The experience of seeing other students hurt and stayed in the hospital wing for days was enough to see that they were not joking. And she didn't want that to happen to Ron and Harry.

"What's with her?" asked Fred, confused at Hermione's sudden outburst.

"Nothing. She's just being the protective mother," replied Harry, smiling.

Ron looked at Harry and raised his eyebrow. "Well, one over protected mother is enough for me," supplied Ron, nodding his head followed by Fred. Harry was feeling uncomfortable with the mother-loving issue though and tried to escape from it.

"We need to go, Ron," said Harry, taking his bag. "See you later Fred and good luck with the cure," Harry said as he patted Fred's shoulder. Harry took his steps and waited for Ron outside.

"I'll tell you all about it in the common room, little brother," said Fred, shaking the candy bar. Ron simply agreed to it and as he was about to walk away, Fred called after him. "I think this belongs to Harry. Found it on the floor, but forgotten to give it back," explained Fred, handing out a piece of paper to him. Ron took it and turned it backwards.

Harry Potter

"Yeah, it's Harry's alright," said Ron, looking at Harry's name written on the paper. It was not sealed so Ron flipped it opened. Ron's eyes were halted at the spot where someone else's name was also there, someone that in a million years would never be considered as a human being. He hated him so much and that gave a shocked to him. He was given a taste of about a hundred volt of electricity when he began to read the message.

Inspired by love

Sold in desperation

Brought in passion

And stolen in a fit of greed

Ron closed the paper back and stared blankly at the floor. He then fled his way out of the room before Fred could even say his own name.

*******

Ron was climbing the steps toward Gryffindor Tower with a fuss. His hands were gripping the banister and when they finally reached the Fat Lady portrait, Ron was having trouble with his breathing. His freckled face was reddening and almost the same color as his hair. Harry was looking at him suspiciously, but kept quiet as he was told to when Ron sternly told him to shut his mouth.

"Ron, is something wrong?" asked Harry again when Ron ignored his question of what Fred might have said about the candy bar.

"I'm not in the mood, Harry," replied Ron, walking a bit faster that usual.

Harry was confused and dissatisfied at the way Ron treated him. He grabbed Ron's right arm and forced him to stop walking. Still holding his arm, Harry looked at Ron who was facing the wall instead.

"What is the matter with you? One minute you're fine and the next you're being an asshole!" said Harry, his eyes searching for Ron's.

Ron slowly turned his face and gave Harry a disgusted face. "Maybe I am an asshole, Harry. So what? At least I've been an asshole from the beginning!" replied Ron, trying not to make a scene. He then pulled his arm so hard that nearly pushed Harry to the wall.

"Just shut up, Harry, and leave me be!" continued Ron, started walking and left Harry with his emotion of being hurt.

Harry shook his head from the sad memory and began to follow Ron's footstep into the common room. The place was not crowded, maybe because the others were having their dinner or still on shower. Hermione was not in sight and that left Harry more emptied.

"Where is Hermione when I needed her?"

Ron slumped his body on the chair, near the fire and bit his nails. Harry looked at Ron from behind and let out a long sigh. There was no hope. Harry headed for his room and thought of nothing but a cold shower to clear his mind.

*******

"Where the hell is it!" yelled Harry, searching inside and outside his robes in the cupboard. He was scrambling all the things on the table and in the drawer looking for Draco's paper.

"I'll be damn if someone finds it before me!"

"Harry, what are you doing?" asked Hermione, standing at the door. Just then, Seamus came out from the bathroom, wrapping only a plain white towel beneath his waist. Water was dripping and tickling gently and slowly from his face to his chest and lower still. He was holding his squeaky yellow duckling on his armpit and singing alleluia loudly. He was not aware that Hermione was inside the room so when he was about to take his towel off, Harry called out his name.

"Seamus! I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Harry, his eyes moving from him to Hermione.

Seamus was not sure what Harry was saying, but when he looked at the door and saw Hermione closing her face with both her palm, he shrieked.

"Hermione? In this room?" screamed Seamus, his arms were making an X mark on his lower part.

"I'm not looking, Seamus! I'm here to see Harry and- Oh! For Merlin's sake! I'll wait for you downstairs, Harry," said Hermione, peeking from her fingers. She then looked at Seamus who was putting down his plastic duck on the bed and said, "Nice pet Seamus. I'm so jealous of her." Hermione went down the stairs giggling.

"Her?" asked Seamus blankly at Harry who shrugged.

*******

Harry met Hermione at the common room and when he looked around, Ron was not there. He didn't see Ron in the dormitory and until now he was still unseen. Harry sat at his usual place and saw that the chessboard was untouched. He was worried.

"Harry, what were you looking for in your room?" asked Hermione, breaking the silent between them. She took her seat facing him and crossed her leg.

"Nothing," replied Harry after a short while.

"Fine, if it's really nothing, I'm off for my dinner, then," said Hermione, unnerve in wanting to help Harry. She stood up and brushed the hair at her shoulder. Harry looked up at her and took hold of her hand. Hermione jolted from Harry's touched and stared at him.

"I lost Draco's note to me," said Harry, looking embarrassed.

Hermione's eyebrows raised and her eyes were even round than normal. Harry took his hand back as Hermione sat down once more.

"What do you mean, Harry? When did he give it to you?" asked Hermione, resting her back on the chair, acting unmoved.

Harry told her everything from the moment Blaise entered the room, to the shocking encounter with Draco and Snape's presence and finally to Ron's sudden change of behavior. He let it all out and Hermione kept on saying "Uh-huh..." and calmly nodding her head.

"I want it to happen, Hermione, but I'm scared," said Harry, breathlessly. He rubbed his chin vigorously.

Hermione stared at Harry and let out a breath. "It's okay to be scared, Harry. You know, you could always do it in the dark," explained Hermione, trying to sound confident. "No one should know and who knows, maybe it will work."

"Do you really think so?" asked Harry, feeling a bit happy.

"Someday you'll be thankful that it happened," said Hermione, smiling for they had reached a good ending at the end.

******

Saturday. No class. Hermione helped Harry in the afternoon to look for the missing paper. The other boys went for the trip to Hogsmeade so it was the perfect day for Hermione to be in the boys' room. Harry searched everywhere and insisted that he checked it himself in the bathroom even though Hermione was not sure if Harry was really doing his job well. Hermione even cast a spell on the broom to sweep the floor and checking the rubbish for any sign of the paper. After several hours of agony and hard work, they rested themselves at the corner of Harry's bed. They were bathed with dusts and dirt.

"We checked the whole room, Harry. There's not even a single bloody shred of paper," said Hermione, remorseful.

Harry looked at Hermione with amazement.

"There's no need for bad words Hermione. Besides, I'm the victim here. I should be the one using them," said Harry, wriggling his head.

Hermione gazed at Harry with guilt. "Sorry, Harry. I get up tied, I suppose," replied Hermione, who was beginning to wipe the dirt off her sleeves.

"No, don't be," said Harry, bringing his head up. "Thanks Hermione, for helping me out," continued Harry, resting his hand on her arm. Hermione responded by placing her hand above his hand. They sat there trying to catch their breaths when Ron startled them.

"What are you two doing?" asked Ron, his eyes scavenging the room.

Harry and Hermione stood up simultaneously and faced Ron unprepared with any explanation.

"You didn't lock the door?" asked Harry quietly with a disastrous look at Hermione.

"Even if I did, he could still open it, Harry. 'Alohomora' remember?" replied Hermione, whispering from the corner of her mouth.

"You must be doing this for a reason, or else you two are mad," said Ron, sitting and staring at them from his bed. "And Hermione, this is the boys' dormitory. Are you lost?" continued Ron, apparently smiling for being true.

Hermione was taken aback at Ron's behavior and took a step forward from where she stood. "I am not lost, Ron. I'm here to help Harry to-" halted Hermione. She bit her lower lip and then continued, "I'm helping Harry to find his missing paper."

Harry's eyes widened and wanted Hermione to keep quiet, but it was too late.

"Paper?" asked Ron, his hands brought together. "Oh, so did you find it then?" continued Ron, not moving his eyes from Hermione.

"No, we didn't," replied Hermione, her shoulders went down. "We have the room cleaned, but there's no use though," said Hermione, turning her back on Ron. The silent between the three of them made Hermione thought of something.

Turning her back to face Ron who was incapable of lying, she saw it- the truth. "Do you know what we are talking about here, Ron?" asked Hermione, taking a step closer.

"No," replied Ron, too fast for an answer. The tip of his ears began to turn red and his hands rubbing against each other. Harry was surprised and shocked to witness what he was seeing right now.

"Oh Ron! You have it, don't you?" asked Hermione, her hands in the air.

Ron stood up and went to the corner of his bed stand. "Yes, I have it. I have your paper, Harry!" confessed Ron, looking at Harry. "How could you befriend your own enemy, Harry? Gosh! I feel like vomiting," said Ron, gripping his throat while his tongue was out.

"I-It's not what it looks like, Ron," said Harry, coming closer to Ron. "Please, just give it to me and I'll explain everything," begged Harry.

Hermione watched the two of them intently. She felt sorry for Harry and now they have to try desperately to explain what Draco really meant to Harry. There was no movement for ten seconds and then Ron spoke.

"I have it, but I didn't say that I keep it," said Ron, his gesture was troubling.

Harry was alarmed at what he just heard from his best friend. He didn't think he had the courage to ask Ron where the paper had gone. Maybe it was burned, buried, tore or even swallowed by Ron's huge appetite. All he knew was that it was within his reach now. The only thing that Draco had ever given him was no longer there- the only proof of pure affection. And suddenly, out of nowhere, Harry drove himself towards Ron and grabbed him by the shirt he was wearing. Harry's eyes were watering and he didn't care to wipe them out. Harry's strength were suddenly boost up that he was able to lift Ron inches from the ground.

"Harry! Harry, what are you doing! Let Ron down, Harry!" yelled Hermione, gripping Harry's arm effortlessly since Harry was too strong for her. Her advice was what counted.

"Harry! What-What are you doing!" asked Ron, suffocated when Harry pinned him to the bed stand. His legs were swinging to the front and back.

"Harry, please! Let him go! Please, it's Ron, for Merlin's sake!" cried Hermione, her tears rolling down her cheeks.

Harry was not listening and started to search for his wand in his pocket robe. Hermione was quick to see what Harry was doing and took out her wand instead. Crying and yelling at Harry to stop, Hermione had no choice, but to do what she could do before someone was dead.

"Impedimenta!" yelled Hermione, pointing her wand at Harry. It knocked Harry to the side and slammed his body to the wall. Then, he fell with a thud and banged himself into Ron's table.

Ron was free and he scrambled himself up away from Harry to where Hermione stood, sobbing. He stood up and put his hand on his chest, catching his breath. He looked at Hermione, then at Harry who was unconscious.

Ron touched Hermione's shoulder and said quietly, "Thanks Gran- err...Hermione..."