Harry stormed into his common room in unpleasant mood

Disclaimer: see chapter one.

A/n: Unbetaed version, sorry for the long update and thanks for the reviews.

Harry stormed into his common room in unpleasant mood. In it he met a view where Neville and Dean, who sat cozily together before, sprang to their feet with guilty look on their faces and pink patches on their cheeks. Harry raised an eyebrow, for a moment he forgot his own disappointment.

"Uhh...do I want to know what you two were doing?" Harry hide his grin.

"Um...no?" Neville squeaked.

"Really?" Harry teased.

Neville blushed furiously while Dean smiled weakly.

"Enough 'bout us, Harry. What happened tou you, anyway? You don't look...happy," inquired Dean, hoping to divert Harry's interest.

And Harry's scowl was back into place. He threw his bag carelessly and proceeded to throw himself on a couch. He sighed heavily, signaling his two friends that he was really not in the mood to explain. Not too long after that, Hermione stepped into the common room with sympathy on her face.

Dean and Neville looked at both of them in turn, puzzled look on their face. Hermione stepped near and sat beside Harry. She stared at him but saying nothing.

"Guys... we're a bit lost here," said Dean. "Does one of you care to explain?"

Harry and Hermione looked at each other before Hermione decided to break the news. "Harry is... a bit upset," she said hesitantly.

"Why, Hermione... I guess that's rather obvious isn't it?" Dean said sarcastically.

Hermione shrug his shoulder, "I don't know how to explain it."

"Well," Neville sat beside Dean and said calmly, "Explain from the start would be good. For example you start with where were you before..."

Flashback

Both Hermione and Harry walked side by side to the library after separated with Dean and Neville at The Great Hall's entrance. They hoped they could catch some time to finish their homework, or in Harry's case he hoped to catch a glimpse of Claire because it was rumoured that she went there a lot recently. To say the truth, Harry missed her. It's not like they never met each other, there were classes and stuffs, and never forgot that they shared the same common room. It's just that something went different lately, there was distance between them that's not there before. Harry was frustrated to say the least, he just wanted for everything to get back to normal.

"Let's sit here, Hermione," gestured Harry to a pair of chair in the deserted Library.

She sat without hesitation and opened her Potions parchment. She read it first, frowned in a couple points, and then slowly stood. She looked at Harry who was trying to write something.

"I'll just go to the shelves over there, Harry," Hermione informed him.

Harry looked up from his Charm essay and stared at her. Then he averted his gaze to the section of shelves. "Why? Isn't your Potions essay already done?"

"Minor mishaps, and I'll help you find books that may help you about those Attraction Charm."

Harry nodded, "'Kay. Thanks 'Mione." And he concentrated back on his essay.

It didn't take a long time for the girl to go back to their table with books in her clutch. What Harry didn't notice was her forced calm feature though the slight paleness and the weariness were still etched in her face.

"Did you get the books?" asked Harry without looking up.

"Uh...er...yeah, here," Hermione answered distractedly.

Just then Harry saw his best friend and worry shown in his eyes. "'Mione, you alright?"

"Umm...I... I'm fine...here's your book." She nudged the book towards Harry.

"Are you...sure..." Harry stopped and caught a glimpse of someone. "Oh, it's Claire! I want to talk to her..." he continued excitedly.

Harry stood and proceeded to walk but he was caught by the arm.

"I... don't think that's wise, Harry," Hermione whispered while nibbling her lower lip.

"I just want to talk to her, 'Mione," Harry repeated.

Raising one eyebrow in question, Harry let go of Hermione's hand. He walked into Claire direction with a blinding smile, leaving a sighing Hermione. He bounced to where Claire sat full concentration on one book she read.

"Hi, Claire!" he greeted her.

Startled, she looked up to him and gave a hesitant smile that made Harry's heart drop. "Er...hi, Harry. What are you doing here?" she asked a bit confusedly.

"Um...working on my homework?" Harry whispered. "May I sit here?"

She looked startled, "Oh, um...sure."

With the approval, Harry sat though uncertainly. Somehow, he thought this occurence was not really good anymore, and something inside him lurched making some weird feeling, not comfortable at all. They sat there, side by side, with nothing to talk on and the atmosphere went heavier by seconds.

"So..." both started and startled, they looked at each other making different reactions. While Harry blushed, Claire made a failed attempt at smiling.

"You first," Claire politely inclined.

"So...how's life?" Harry asked slowly, feeling he might as well question his assumption. "It's not that we never met at all, it's just that I hardly seeing you lately. Am I right in assuming that you're avoiding me and my friends?"

Green eyes stared right into another matching sets that startled upon the question. Claire felt a bit guilty, Claire was indeed avoiding him, and for the best reason. But she couldn't let Harry know about that, at least not yet.

Claire sighed and she calmly put up her façade before looking at Harry seriously. "I'm not avoiding you, Harry," she lied through her teeth. "I just have something that occupy my mind lately, and I think I need to be alone. For a while."

Harry hung his head lowly, his bangs covered what his face became. A disappointment was clearly shown in his eyes, he knew and he didn't want Claire to see it. Is that it? He thought. Will I lose another friend? He knew that the reason was completely bullshit, and it tore his heart the most that somehow, in his eyes, Claire even faking it. He perefered to be told straight away and bluntly.

"Harry," Claire called softly, after a few minutes gone in silence. "You okay?"

Harry looked up and chuckled softly, "Yeah, it's just…forgive me for being a bit…nosy. It's, well… you're an addition to my list of friends and considering I've just lost few…a lot, actually, of friends…. I was kinda missing you, you know." He rambled.

Little did he know the swell of emotions took place in Claire's heart, the feeling of guilt, adorement, and sympathy also happiness. Those mixed emotions surged through her eyes though, and Harry interpreted it as pity. He smiled sheepishly.

"We're still friends, right?" Harry asked in small voices, looked away from Claire. "Or are we not? I noticed, you know. I'm not stupid."

"Harry…you're not listening to me," Claire groaned softly.

Then Harry looked at her blankly, waiting for any explanation. No accusation, no plead, just blankly staring.

"Because she'll die Potter!" a harsh, quiet tone came from behind him. "She'll die because of your affection."

Harry stood from his seat and turned with an abrupt shock. There stood Draco Malfoy in his regal pose and Hermione with terrified look. Draco's stance was kinda lazy and bored, but Harry knew better. He meant to threaten. Just then the ebony haired boy digested the Malfoy heir's words and he paled.

"Die?" flashbacks of Cedric surged into his front mind. Pushing aside the dark thought, he hissed, "I'll not make someone die!" he looked to Hermione for approval but unsure once he saw her paled face.

"Oh, yes you will, Potter, trust me," growled Draco. He moved gracefully to Claire's side and yanked the girl up from her seat before positioning her behind him. "Not only you who are not stupid, Potter. I do too, and I see clearly what your intention to her. Your feeling's not anything different from the rest of school boys looking at her. And that is why, I repeat, that's why she needs to stay away from you. You like her romantically, Potter, she'll die. So help me, Merlin…if you so much looking at her with those lovey-dovey, twinkly eyes…" Draco hung his threat not without malice. "Come, Claire… you just can mingle with him once he straightened his feelings."

Harry stood silently watching the two Slytherins went away with uncovered hurt and fury. He was mad and completely hurt by the sight of the close standing from two Slytherins. A soft squeeze from his fore arm told him that Hermione was standing right beside him and looking at him with sympathy.

"He just want to have her by all himself," he gritted his teeth. "He's just that possessive, he only want her to be his."

Harry looked down and met Hermione's brown eyes.

"You see him, right? He's just that sneaky and overly possessive on her. He just wants her to be his, how's that make him different from any of us? That slimy Slytherin bastard," Harry ranted furiously, not noticing that he was indeed cofessing his actual intention on the Slytherin Beauty which made Hermione gasped at the revelation so softly that went unheard by Harry. Somehow along the line, Harry felt the cold slicing hurt in his deep heart. Fooled by the knowledge of his feeling for Claire, he easily thought that he was simply hurt by the rejection from her, not realizing he too put Draco along the same line.

End Flashback

"…And you accused him of possessivenes, Harry?" Dean asked with incredulity. "I thought we've got over that fact when we first met her already. Any way, did you say that to his face?" Harry shook his head negative. "Too bad, that's ought to tell him something 'bout his haughty personality though," Dean shrugged.

Neville looked at him as if he'd grown another head, Harry scowled once again, and Hermione only shook her head.

"So, back to the topic," said Dean with an evil smirk on his face. "You finally admitted that you have the hots for her, Harry? That's my boy…" he and Neville snickered while Harry blushed even to his neck. "You sure know how to pick a beauty…"

Hermione rolled her eyes and said impatiently, "Let her go, Harry. Forget her."

And all stares directed to her. Neville frowned deeply, "But why, Hermione? Isn't it a good thing that Harry finally find someone he likes?"

"Yeah, the lack enthusiasm he had for years almost made me think that he's impotent," Dean piped in, receiving a jab on his stomach and glare from a certain bespectacled boy.

Hermione bit her lips with guilty, "He just… can't! You heard what I say… it'll kill her. And we don't want that, right?"

The three boys went into shock.

"I can't believe that you actually believe him, 'Mione," Harry whispered in betrayed tone. "I can't believe that you actually think that I may kill her."

Dean turned to Hermione, his eyes full of question and disappointment that clearly said 'you hurt him, I can't believe you've just said that.'

Hermione shook her head in desperation and guilty. She didn't like at all to said those hurtful words, but she had to. "There are lots of girls out there, Harry. Just not her… you heard what Malfoy said, it may kill her…it may kill you."

Dean tilted his head and looked at her closely, "You're not saying that because you have the hots for Harry, are you, 'Mione?"

Hermione sent her annoyed glare at Dean, "I feel for Harry as a sister should be, Dean. Please…" she snapped.

"No need to get snappish, 'Mione. Girls…" Dean muttered the last word along with a rolled eyes.

"You don't really mean it, though, right Hermione?" Neville asked. "You don't actually believe what Malfoy said. I mean, it doesn't make any sense. What harm could be done by liking someone? As hurtful as a broken heart, it won't kill anyone. It won't make anyone die. Literally."

"You don't get it… he said it seriously. I know. I'm not about to brag that I'm the smartest witch in our year…it's…." she tried to find some convincing words. "You weren't there, you didn't see him said it. If you did, you'd have known that he's not playing with his words. He's that serious…."

Harry stared at her and he knew that Hermione knew more that she let on. And she did, but she was forbidden to say anything. She knew the reason, though not the very detail about it. And she realized the grave thing that would occure was exactly like the Malfoy heir said, even though her logic screamed nonsense.

Flashback

It was in between stacks of book that the conversation between the muggleborn and a certain pureblood took place. It was when Hermione tried to find books that necessary for her essay that Draco Malfoy cornered her with two words.

"You knew," he said.

Hermione turned around and frowned at him. "I beg your pardon?"

"You knew the truth about him," Draco said in light tone, though his eyes spoke differently. "You knew his relation with her."

Hermione sighed and she stared beck at him, "I have suggestion but not confirmed yet. Is it safe in assuming that your words had justify my suspicion?"

The question left unanswered, instead the fair haired boy asked another question. "You haven't told him. Why?"

"It's not my secret to be spread of, I have no right," she answered straight to the point, she knew that there's no point talking in riddles. "Besides, the owner of this secret make no indication at all to give away this information, so why should I? Though, I see the situation now a bit… grave."

"It is, isn't it? And it'll lead to a downfall if it stay like this, or worse if his feeling goes deeper."

"The tendency so far only shown affections that may lead to crushes..."

"…and it may lead to something deeper," Draco continued Hermione's words. "And that's what I fear."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "I sense this is a more serious matter, am I right?"

"You have no idea," silent for a moment. "You know what she is, it's not something that's hidden from public. And along with her secret, you know what that makes your friend, Harry Potter."

"A half-elf," she whispered, sinking in the knowledge.

Silence for a moment before Draco continued in low voices. "You know, Granger, in our society we accept any form of romantical love. Heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, you name it. That's one thing I don't like about muggles, their narrow-mindedness. Yes I know, Granger, muggles rarely accept gays and lesbians, but we do. Wizarding world accept love just as what it is." Draco explained solemnly. "With one exception. The only kind of love that we looked down upon, one kind that'll never settle well with our tradition. Incestuous. And for that kind only we agree with muggle."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "You're afraid that their love…their status and presence will be looked down by Magical society if they continue to involve at each other."

Draco gave a sarcastic laugh, "Wish it was that easy, Granger. While any other wizards and witches will be punished by law and society by being exiled or the harshest punisment is being obliviated and wiped their magic core thus sent them to live with muggles, for Claire and Potter the punishment will be more than that. Due to their condition, their love will only lead to deaths…or worse."

Hermione's jaw dropped in shock, "You've got to be kidding, Malfoy, it won't be that serious. I mean, how…" Her rant stopped at the pointed look the Malfoy heir gave her. "It will…you really mean it. It can kill them. Oh, Merlin. How?"

"I believe Longbottom is a pureblood. Has he or has he not tell you about Aiden's Tale?" asked Draco.

"He has."

"And…?"

Hermione took a deep breath, "He said something along the twins, unforgivable sin, and King of Elf got angry, and…." She trailed off. Then suddenly her eyes bulged as apprehension dawned upon her. "That's it, right? The unforgivable sin is the incestuous love, and the King sent deaths as the punishment."

Another look sent to her and made her sigh. "I believe that's the line of privileges being given to me about this matter, yes?" Draco nodded. "And I trust that you actually know the whole detail, yes?"

"Not all, but more than you can know," Draco said. "I learnt enough of its history as a Malfoy, as the keeper of this ancient family. And I can't let on more than this information to you, Granger, for that I'm sorry."

Hermione went into a deep thought and a determination shown on her visage. "We have to stop them…" she decided. "Am I right if I said that it was you who persuade Claire to put distance with Harry?"

And to Hermione's surprise, Draco Malfoy actually smiled softly at her. "I know that you're a bright witch, Granger, brightest in our year, and that I can count on you."

Sweet Merlin, did he just compliment ME? Hermione blinked owlishly. "Why not telling the truth? That ought to put a stop to his feeling."

"It can't, not yet." Draco's expression back to his blank mask. "We can't tell him yet, Father forbade me. Just a little more time until he fully absorbed Claire's presence to trigger his own inheritance." For once, Hermione saw the Malfoy heir stressed upon something and actually gave a hearty sigh.

"But why?" she stressed. "What's more grave about telling him now, if it was to evade him from death?"

"You think I don't want to throw that fact on his face, Granger?" he sneered. "It's here on the tip of my tongue, do you think I'm not tempted enough? But I can't, it'll disturb his inheritance process. That's the dilemma I face now, Granger, and both risk lead to deaths or worse. Just like a double-edged sword," he added silently and Hermione paled. "So help me, Granger. I ask your assistance to straight him right on his line, but don't tell him this truth yet. It gave us no good if anything goes wrong. Please."

A slight nod from Hermione and Draco went on his way.

End of Flashback

"…what he said is anything but bluff…" Hermione said after remembering her confrontation with one Draco Malfoy.

"That bad?" Dean asked. "Is it because of her elf blood? Like…'her partner or her will die if the bond is not up to her elvin standard'?"

Neville smacked Dean's head and glared at him, "There's no such ridiculous thing, you silly."

"It's logically nonsense, Hermione. How can I be killed by my feelings?" Harry croaked. "It's just like Neville said, a broken-heart won't kill anyone. So, how can it kill me?"

And for once, the smartest witch at Hogwarts had no idea how to answer a question.

xXx

Days after the Library's event passed on with strained relation between Harry and Claire. They merely said hello when they bumped into one another. There are no more friendly chats, ecstatic giggles, or playful gestures between two groups. They were like two groups of strangers.

This, however, didn't go unnoticed from the school bodies' eyes. Staffs and students all aware about the recent developments. A certain red-headed family, specifically Ron Weasley, didn't cover their malicious joy on this. Ron gleefully gloated to anybody that care to listen that Potter finally shown his true color and Ms. Aiden finally saw for what his worth and dump him. Many students actually believed this occurrence happened just like Ron said and Ron's position once again back on the pedestal.

No one really realized it, but Harry was getting a lot of stress because of it. And the climax resulted at something which happened in the night of October 30th. His vision.

It started with darkness, then slowly everything went clearer by seconds. He didn't recognize the place where he was in due to the lack of lights. Though somehow he knew that he stood on a long dark hallway. Without hesitation, he walked along it until he reached a double oak door. He opened it and straightly walked to sit on a single space couch. He felt two…no, three people came to his side but he didn't look around. He fixed his gaze on a spot and with a wave of wand he lit the fire from fireplace and he could see clearly the objects of his interest.

A couple of husband and wife tied on the floor. Body full of bruises and wounds. The man glared back at him while the woman sat half hidden behind her husband. They were like around their late forties.

"You poor, poor people," he spoke with amusement. "Now, tell me… why did she come to British, hmm?"

"To defy you," the husband spat.

"Ah, that's not a good answer, I tell you," he tutted. "Crabbe…punish them."

A man with dark cloak positioned himself in front of his sight. Soon the room filled with cries of pain and anguish, but no begs of mercy could be heard in between. He sighed heavily as if having a burden in his heart.

"Ah…old age came onto me. I no longer can stand such a long party. Well, what can I say?" he stood and walked slowly to his soon-to-be victims. Once near, he stopped and glanced over his shoulder, "How's the plan for our Halloween surprise?"

A deep voice answered, "Everything went as planned." Several nods and Voldemort smiled satisfiedly.

"Good. Now, shall we end this trip?" he raised his wand hand carefully and said in light tone. "Avada Kedavra."

Harry awoke with a start. His heart pounded quickly, making his ear a bit hurt. He knew that he just had a nightmare, even more he might just had seen a vision. But he couldn't remember all of it. He only caught glimpses of dark robed man, two people of man and woman, and the cursed spell of Avada Kedavra. He shivered and laid helplessly on his bed. Tears slowly brimming in his eyes, but he made no sound of it. He decided to try to sleep once again after stayed awake for about three hours. The last thing he thought before he succumbed into unconsciousness was the decision to make a long letter to Sirius.

xXx

The morning came and once again the somber look of a bunch Gryffindors sat at the end of their respective table, silently eating their breakfast. Many times Hermione sent worried looks on Harry while the said boy keep casting his look down to his plate, though it was clear to them that the boy was only playing with his food. Seeing enough, Hermione grabbed Harry's hand which holding a fork.

"Stop, Harry," she gently chided, worry clearly laced in her voice. "What's wrong?"

Harry looked up and he really looked bad. "Can't sleep."

"Nightmare?" asked Neville. "I heard you shuffling last night, Harry. And you woke up very early to write something. A letter?"

Harry nodded weakly, "Yeah, for Sirius, 'bout my nightmare. Can't remember what it's all about, though. Blurry. Just glimpses."

"You have it bad, mate," commented Dean. "I suggest you rest early, right after lessons. Don't wanna miss tonight's gathering, do we?"

Today was a halloween day and tonight at The Great Hall will have a feast. Dean thought that the feast would surely brighten up their mood. He didn't like the condition among his peers the last two days at all. He sighed, the only constant thing around him recently it seemed was only Neville.

Out of the blue, the dark skinned wizard felt the urge to hold Neville's hand after stealing glances at him, and he did it. Neville looked startled and stared at him. Dean grinned and waited for the mock glare from the pudgy boy. But it never came, instead Neville smiled shyly toward him. He didn't let go Dean's hand while resuming his meal. It escalated Dean's mood that morning. A feminine cough from Hermione took the two boys out from their reverie. And they saw a teasing smirk from Harry and knowing also beaming look from Hermione.

"Does it what I think it is between the two of you?" teased Harry.

"What do you mean, Harry?" Dean asked innocently, hand still holding Neville's though now their intertwine hands could be seen on the table, slightly hidden under and between plates and bowls.

"Well, I never really hear any story between you two," Harry snickered. "Tell us, about those meaningful glances and pink tinges on Neville's cheek. Don't hide it."

"We never hide anything," Dean grinned happily. "You just never ask specifically."

"Oh, that's so sweet," Hermione cooed and Neville blushed, again.

"Oh, stop it," Neville said, hoping to end the teasings directed to him and Dean. "Come, Potions will start in ten minutes. We'll get detention if we don't go now."

He unclasped Dean's hand and all four walked out of the great hall. On the way to the dungeon, Dean took his time in staring at Neville fondly while the said boy talking softly at the other two. Just when they almost took the left turn, Dean grabbed Neville's hand to stall him behind, and the other two sharing the same evil smirk and walked away leaving the two. And quickly without any warning Dean stole a chaste kiss from the other boy. Neville stunned at first before blushing and smiling softly at Dean, he leaned a little to the slightly taller boy and whispered gently, "Whatever that for?"

"I…dunno. Just feel I wanna kiss you,"said Dean in secretive tone. "Is it weird if I tell you that…never mind, forget it."

"What, Dean?" Neville frowned. "You're different today."

Dean's finger raised and caressed Neville's cheek. "Don't frown, Neville. Smile. Call me a sap, but…today I only want to see your smile." He kissed Neville's forehead and lips and Neville smiled serenely.

Couldn't hold his feeling, Dean drew Neville for a hug. Deep inside, somehow, he felt like crying, though he didn't know why. Why do I feel that he'll go away? He thought. Neville hugged him back and for a moment they stayed still, basked in the presence of each other.

"We'll definitely going to have detentions awarded by Snape now," Neville's sweet voice carried on, pulling Dean away from him. They looked at each other's tender eyes and both knew, the wouldn't mind every detention for this moment.

"Let it be, I want to hug you," decided Dean and they shared another kisses and hugs.

True enough, Snape gave them detentions that day and they spent the day being teased mercilessly by Harry and Hermione. It was worth it though, those kisses and hugs, considering the event that will occur that night, even though the worthiness would be gratefully felt later on.

xXx

Clarissa sat silently on one of the couch in Slytherin's common room. She ignored all the stares which sent at her direction. It's not a common occurance of her stay at the dungeon, more over at the presence of another Slytherins, she usually stayed in Draco's room when she spent her time at Slytherin territory. But she couldn't right now, considering that at the time Draco was using his time to exploit the mirror in his room and Clarissa had had enough. So she sat sulkingly at the common room, waiting for the vain boy to come down and head to the Great Hall to join the Halloween's Gathering.

"Where the hell is he?!" she hissed impatiently.

Blaise, who sat beside her, raised an eyebrow, "My, my, dear one, did you notice that you're just swearing?"

"Shut up!" Clarissa grumbled.

"What a nasty little mouth," Blaise teased. "Oh, be patient Claire. You know how he is. He can be more vain than you if he needed be."

"And here I suppose that girls should be vainer than boys."

"He's not an ordinary boy, is he?" Blaise smirked. "He's a Malfoy."

All the while, Blaise also noticed the heated glares sending his way. An evil thought enter his mind, he deliberately sat closer to the girl of every boy's sweetheart and gently pat her shoulder. His intention was simple. To heaten the common room with raging fire of jealousy, and he did it succesfully. The dark young wizard snickered inwardly.

Unknown to this fact, Clarissa slumped ungraciously to Blaise's side. She sighed and rest her head on Blaise's shoulder. It made the smirk on Blaise's face went wider and wider, with a cheshire smile and victorious glance swept around the room, he managed to circle one of his arm around Clarissa's neck and smoothen her hair affectionally.

"Oh, honey…." He cooed in a little covered up sickly sweet voice that nearly made all other occupants of the room gagging, not that Clarissa noticed it though. "Why so gloomy?"

"No letter…" Clarissa mumbled defeatedly.

It clicked in his mind about the sad tone that lingered in her voice. She's talking about her parents. She was upset, but not because of Draco's behavior at the moment, mostly because of the letter from her parents never came recently. Still noticing the glares, Blaise then intended to tease more. Besides, now more than ever, she needed some comfort. So it would be like killing two birds with one stone. He proceeded to hug her and rub her back soothingly.

"There, there dear… perhaps they're just a little bit busy," he said while sending another triumphant smirking glance at the lot.

But something was off, instead of glaring they sent him malicious smirks and few of them saw right through him, more accurately behind him. Blaise gulped, he prepared to have a smack on his head deliberatly sending from the Malfoy heir, but instead…

"I want to vomit," drawled a deep baritone voice, so unlikely Draco's, from behind them.

Both Blaise and Clarissa spun their head slowly and faced the impassive look on their House Head, Severus Snape. Blaise smirked at him and slowly pointing a direction.

"Toilet is that way," he said and received a good smack on his head.

Snape turned toward Clarissa and talked sarcastically, "It's a good timing to find you here, Miss Aiden."

Clarissa shrugged, "I'm a Slytherin. I have a right to come down to my House's common room and socialize with ones of my own."

"Obviously…" then he added in a low note, "Since you choose to be somewhere else with sunlight."

Blaise fought the urge to roll his eyes at the Professor. "Anything you want to let us know, Professor?"

"Actually, yes Mr. Zabini," Snape looked at Clarissa. " Miss Aiden, I believe Headmaster wants to see you right now, you were summoned to his office for an urgent matter."

A light frown was shown on her face and dreadful feeling crashed upon her. She stood up from where she sat and tried her best to stay calm. "I'll see him right away. May I know the password to his office or…"

"I'll lead you there myself, Miss Aiden, seeing I'm in charge of your well being in Hogwarts," mumbled Snape firmly.

Clarissa nodded and both Slytherins went out of Common Room followed with calculating looks from the other occupants, including Blaise. He felt something was really off, though he couldn't put his finger on the matter. But, he thought, he had some feeling that the matter that'd be discussed between Headmaster and the Aiden Heiress was something really grave.

"Did you see Claire, Blaise?" a question snapped him out of his reverie.

Blaise looked at Draco oddly and Draco sent an annoyed look in reply. "What?!" Draco snapped annoyedly.

"Oh, you're done?" Blaise asked dazedly.

Draco raised an eyebrow as if challenging Blaise to offer further comment. When he got none, he asked instead, "Where's Claire?"

"Professor Snape picked her up, she was summoned to Headmaster office. Do you know anything about it?"

Draco had a pensieve look before he shook his head in negative. "I've no idea, but remind me to send father an owl about it."

Blaise nodded, "Guess it's better if we proceed to Great Hall now, your father would want us to still keep an eye on him."

Draco agreed and he glared at the other Slytherins who looked at them curiously, mostly Nott. "What are you looking at? Mind your own business, you lot!" Draco sneered snappishly.

Both boys proceed to walked out to Great Hall's direction in a complete silence, until one of them broke the silence with a simple question.

"Do you think it will be a bad news that's delivered to her right now?" Blaise asked.

Draco didn't answer.

"I feel as hell sure that it will, somehow. And I can't get rid of this dread feeling." Blaise said after a moment.

Again, Draco didn't make any comment, though inside all the instinct screamed the same feeling as his best friend's.

xXx

Meanwhile, a certain Potion Master and a dark haired Slytherin girl stopped in front of the gargoyle who was waiting for the password to be announced from one of them. Snape sighed inwardly, knowing that the young girl couldn't happen to know the password. But as he readied himself to speak something, the gargoyle stepped out to the side on its own. Clarissa looked up at her Professor questioningly but received a blank face as an answer.

Both of them climbed upstairs and, again, before Snape managed to knock, the door was opened. Inside Headmaster's office, much to Clarissa's surprise, was Headmaster himself, Lucius Malfoy, and Pierre Dequelle, France's Minister of Magic and far cousin of Julie Blanc, Clarissa's foster mother.

The Slytherin girl stared right into Headmaster eyes, somehow she found that the usual twinkle in his eyes did not exist that time, and then she knew that whatever it was that would be discussed with her was something really bad.

"I heard that you wish to see me, Headmaster?" she asked politely.

Headmaster Dumbledore approached her silently, while the other two guests still seated calmly on the seat right in front of the old man's desk. The old hand reached out and slowly led the young witch to a comfortable seat. Stayed still his hand on hers, he squeezed hers gently. A warm and kind smile on his face.

"Tell me, my dear," a soft low voice spoke. "How have you been recently?"

"Why do you want to know?" she narrowed her eyes.

"Just a mere curiosity. Indulge me?"

"Well, I'm fine," she rolled her eyes. "How can I not be?"

Headmaster shook his head, "Ah, I think you're not telling the truth, dear. Say, I happen to know that you're avoiding your own kin lately. Surely you cannot be that fine?"

Across the room, Lucius Malfoy's corner mouth twitched, fighting the temptation to sneer at the old man. He watched as the girl's figure eased, or more like slumped in defeat.

"So, you knew," she said, directed to Headmaster.

"I knew," he confirmed.

"You know, you're right. I'm not that fine," Clarissa's gaze flied to Lucius' then back at the mature and comforting glow in blue eyes of her Headmaster's. "I'm stressed. It's not easy, all I want is him to acknowldge me, his sister. Where did it go wrong? I…I don't get it. One time, it was all fine, and now… oh, Merlin I can't even talk to him properly. It's agonizing, I want to tell him the truth but I can't. Do you think he'll still want me when he knows the truth?"

A light pat on her hand made her sigh," That's what I also think. He won't forgive me. What is it with us? With my…our family blood? This is some nasty curse, just to let you know," she ranted. "Was it my doing? Was I lead him too much of affection?"

Dumbledore raised his hand. "That is not your fault, my dear. You see, Harry is not one that's common with foreign affection. He lived most of his life out of it. So, I guess it will be a normal reaction for him to grow affectionate at you, my sweet, after all you're such a fine lady."

"That mostly because of that blasted muggles, was it not?" she scowled.

Dumbledore nodded heavily, "I'm afraid you're right, Miss Aiden."

The revelation shocked a certain Potion Master. He always thought that the Potter brat was spoiled all of his life, it seemed that it wasn't true. Now that he remembered, that Potter boy was somehow a bit subdue, unlike his goddamn Father, and lack of self-esteem didn't escape his observation. That and the fact that the boy always seemed to get thinner by the year after Summer Holiday not to mention that his figure was one of the shortest in his year made it seem like the boy had been under nourished, but Snape always brushed it all away. Then he frowned, something was a miss.

"You know about it, yet you still send him back to them?" Snape asked incredulously, before clamped shut when he realize what exactly had he said making the bright blue orbs found its twinkle back.

"He's right, why do you keep sending Harry to that muggles?" Clarissa inquired.

"Funny that you're the one that mentioned it first, Severus, I thought you don't care?" Dumbledore swore he could hear the muttered 'I do not' from the dark haired wizard, and he chuckled in glee, hoping that somehow the strict teacher managed to find in his heart to soften his feeling toward a Gryffindor that's not his father. "I'm afraid I cannot stop sending him back there, unfortunately, until the threat had completely disappear. That or until he was of age. Do you know anything about Blood Protection, Miss Aiden?"

"Blood Pro…oh," she acknowledged calmly.

"Blood Protection is known to be the safest protection ward. I believe it is your mother, Lily Potter, that triggered the protection itself when she sacrificed herself to protect young Harry. The magic will be gone when Harry was of age and that is why I have to send him there, to the Dursleys seeing that Petunia Dursley is the only living relative he had, due to her blood connection with your mother." Clarissa seemed about to protest but Dumbledore cut her, "You, even though you have the direct connection with him, cannot shelter him seeing you have to be sheltered under someone's wing. And I can't exactly go to your guardian to shelter him too, can I? I believe that the history in your family will be overlooked first to ensure your being. So, I believe sending him there was the best option. Painful, yes, even for me. In all I hope that my mistake with my sister will never be repeated in him. But I will hate myself more if I waste your mother's sacrifice that led him to death in the hands of the real Death Eaters," at this Dumbledore glanced at both Lucius Mafoy and Severus Snape, "Or more Voldemort himself."

Clarissa pondered what Headmaster said before she smiled in warm, forgiving gesture, "I think I understand your meaning, Headmaster."

Dumbledore beamed, "Good. Now, I believe it is time to tell you the truth why you were being summoned. And, Lucius, I suppose you will be the one to hand her the news?" Lucius nodded. "Very well, I'll leave you three in private. Come Severus, the gathering must have been started in Great Hall. Oh, and Miss Aiden, all is and will be well, just be brave and believe, my sweet," Dumbledore smiled in grandfatherly way, though sadness reflected on his eyes, at her before disappearing behind the door.

Clarissa turned to his Godfather, "What actually is the matter, Uncle Luce?"

"It's about your parents," came the curt answer from her Godfather.

Clarissa paled and whispered, "What's happened to them?"

Lucius braced himself, "Last night, Blanc Manor was broken into. The alarm never went off, just this morning when Mr. Dequelle sent his underling to their residence your parents had been found dead."

"But, how…? Who…?" Clarissa swallowed the blow that shook her knees.

"We believe it was Voldemort," it was the Minister who answered. "The Dark Mark was left imprinted on a front wall of the manor. We have suspicion as to how he managed to get information about you and The Blanc seeing your files were locked inside Department of Mysteries and only a few Unspeakables know about it. We are currently questioning the whole ministries with Veritaserum to find the suspect."

"Do you mean to say that the ministries had been raided?" asked Clarissa with a hint of tremble in her voice. "Do you mean to say that they die because of me?"

Both Lucius Malfoy and Pierre Dequelle exchanged worried glances. Just about when Lucius attempted to speak, the pendant inside Minister's pocket gave a shimmer glow and soft chimed sound. The Minister stood and headed to the fireplace. He threw the Floo and soon a head appear in the fire, the one Clarissa identify as the Minister Assistant. The Minister soon had a short, low voice conversation with him and after the moment he headed back to where Clarissa sat and gave her a little smile.

"The suspect had been found, an Unspeakable, seemed he was under Imperius. I have to go back and set things right." He turned to Clarissa after receiveing a nod from Lucius. "We will get to the bottom of this, Claire. Never you worry and feel guilty. It's not your fault. They knew the consequences, and still they took it because they love you. They will never want you to wallow in misery. They understood that you have your own destiny, and besides it's war. And I'm sure that Julie will love to know that you survive this war. So promise me, promise in the name of Julie that you will be strong and put an end to this war, along with your brother. And never forget that you have us behind you, do you understand me, Clarissa Luciana Blanc?"

Tears cascaded down her cheeks, but she nodded firmly. A cold determination flashed for a brief moment in her eyes, a look for revenge. And seeing this, some pride and approval warmed into Lucius cold eyes. Pierre stood straight and shook Lucius' hand before he activated the portkey and vanished from the sight.

Now it was just the two of Godfather and Goddaughter. And they stared at each other silently. Lucius slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a pure white silk handkechief and handed it to his Goddaughter who received it without hesitation. Lucius moved to embrace Clarissa who actually clung to him as if he was her lifeline and broke down. Gently he rubbed her back and repeatedly kissed her top of head. He didn't speak nonsense of comfort, no Malfoy ever speak nonsense, but he made sure that he gave enough comforting presence to the distraught young witch.

Once she released him, he smoothen her hair and wiped away her tears. "Smile up, Claire. Tear is not becoming of you."

Clarissa swallowed her misery and composed herself. And she smiled lightly at him. Lucius nodded and stood, Clarissa followed his action.

"Are you alright now, Claire?" he asked gently, receiving a nod from the young witch. "Now, I have to go back home, walk me out?"

"Yes, Godfather."

And both walked out in silence. When they reached the Hogwart's grounds, Lucius broke the silence.

"How is he?" he asked.

Clarissa knew the person he asked about and with grim tones she answered, "Upset, confused, many negative feelings he emitted, Uncle Luce. I can't even describe it one by one. I guess he also felt betrayed."

"It's for your both own good."

"I know. But he doesn't, Godfather," Clarissa said softly. "He doesn't know. I'm afraid, Uncle Lucius, that those negative feelings of his will slowly consume him. It will affect his inheritance, he may go dark. And when a supposed to be Elf goes dark, you know what will happen, Uncle Lucius, he will become an Efrath. With Harry's power, if he becomes an Efrath, he will be worse than Voldemort."

"Because of your Royal Elf's blood."

"Yeah, again, because of our bloods," she confirmed bitterly. "When we, Royal bloods become Efraths, only Elves with equal Royal bloods can defeat us."

Lucius raised his eyebrow, "That is so unlike you, Claire, to be so pessimistic. Do you actually believe that Harry will become an Efrath? I, for one, know, and I'm sure you know, that he's stronger than what everyone thinks."

"No one can know what darkness can seduce you to, though," she mumbled so low, then added loudly, "I just hope that everything will go right."

"All of us do, Claire, all of us do."

The rest journey to the Gate followed by silence, until they stopped right at it and lingered for a moment before apart.

"Go back now, Claire," said Lucius. "I believe I hear abouth a gathering been mentioned once by Headmaster, you don't want to miss it, do you?"

Clarissa gave out a weak smile,"It's not a big deal for me. Good bye."

Lucius nodded and turned around, but just before he stepped out of the gate, his Goddaughter called him.

"Uncle Luce…."

"Yes?"

"Um…" she hesitated, "Who do you love more? Me or Harry?"

His corner mouth twitched and a faint soft smile bloomed on his face. "You, of course," he said without hesitation. "Anything else?" he asked, raising his eyebrow in hope to ease her insecure.

A beautiful smile matched his shown in her face before she blanketed her feature with unreadable expression. "When we both are in grave danger that'll cost us our lives, and you can save only one of us, who will you choose? Me or Harry?"

A silent moment before Lucius gave her a hard pointed look that gave away his answer, between love and loyalty. She smiled softly,"That's also what I thought.

He opened his arm and she jumped into it. Lucius squeezed her gently, kissed her on top of her head and whispered softly, "I love you, Clarissa, never you forget that."

"Never," she confirmed on his chest, "Not even in my death." She pulled herself from his embrace and without look back she ran to Great Hall's direction, where the Gathering be held, where she saw one of her Professor stepped into, alone and late, from a far.

xXx

Harry observed the Great Hall that was decorated nicely, not as grand as a ball but nice enough to be more than called a feast. There were no Houses and Head Tables, instead small round tables scattered around the room. Students and teachers intermingled despite their houses, despite their ages. Loud cheerful music could be heard, nearly swallowing the sounds of chattering, though Harry could not see where it was come from.

"What was the reason that Professor Dumbledore held this gathering again?" he asked.

"To promote the House Unity," answered Hermione."And seeing that Halloween is the nearest event day, the Gathering is held instead of usual Halloween Feast."

"My bet, it's the follow up plan to the night when Claire froze Weasley near to his death," Dean added, grinning. "What he said that night was a bad thing. It seperated the purebloods, half-bloods, and muggleborns almost completely. I guess Headmaster hoped that along with this gathering, the strained situations between students will be gone."

Neville raised an eyebrow, "Such a speech coming from your mouth, Dean," he teased the blushing dark skinned wizard.

"Shut up," muttered Dean. "Let's find something to eat and to sit…"

Suddenly, Hermione gave out a bitter laugh, "Do you think that they will let us sit with them? Do you still remember that time in Hogsmeade?" she asked dryly.

"Hermione's right," Neville pondered. "Even though they don't prank us anymore, that doesn't mean that they accept us."

Dean sighed, noticing the tense gesture Harry emitted, "C'mon guys, don't ruin the night. We can still eat while standing, can't we? Now, come…come…"

With a small chuckle, Hermione led the group to the food section. The Gathering by any means was a banquet, of course the foods would better than usual. They ate and talked in leisure phase until Harry caught someone's glances. For a moment, in dazed mind, grey eyes locked into green.

"Ah, Malfoy," Neville acknowledged, seeing the direction of Harry's gaze and mistaking it as a glare.

"Malfoy? Where?" Dean looked around and frowned. "He's with Zabini and…wait, where's Claire?"

Harry scowled unconsciously when he heard the name. Hermione caught it and raised an eyebrow, Harry sighed in resign at the disapproval look. Dean noticed the situation, he gave Harry a one-armed hug and joked, "Aww… come on, buddy, wipe that pathetic look off of you face, the goal is to enjoy the night, isn't it?"

"Yeah," came the strained answer, clearly holding back the pain and sad tone from his voice. "With or without her…" he whispered.

Unknown to them, Hermione shook her head sadly for hearing the low statement. Once again they tried to enjoy the night, but it was stopped as a taunting voice herd to their direction.

"Why so tense Potter?" the voice came from none other than Ron Weasley's mouth.

xXx

Draco stepped inside and soon his eyes searching the intended figure. The same black untamed hair, small stature, and round glasses eyes.it took a moment, but he caught a sight of him talking, smiling (though reluctantly), and joking. True to say it was making him breath easily. And so did his best friend. So, after assuring that in fact the Aiden Heir was enjoying his night, he went off to get himself and Blaise a drink at the opposite side of table. It was only a short trip and once he was back to his spot, he took his time once again to observe his charge.

He saw him looking around, taking in the sight before those green emerald eyes laid upon his grey. Both gazes locked for about a second before their minds suddenly remembered to tick again. Draco saw that the look on the green eyed boy changed slowly into a scowl, of what he had a very good idea. Never once Draco took his eyes off of him and somewhere along the line, he found himself making excuses to look at Harry.

Blaise, of course, realized this and he was making a teasing gesture with his look while smirking triumphantly. "I see you cannot look away from him, Dray."

"Duty…," Draco muttered, feigning his observantn look. "And don't call me that."

This time Blaise didn't hold the urge to roll his eyes 'cause he did so. "Please, if I don't know you, I would say that you are enthralled. Because that is the look that common boys have when Clarissa smiles at them. What's the word? Oh, swoon…" he smirked.

Draco snapped at him and glared intending to do some hurtful actions, but Blaise was saved by the taunting voice. Draco's attention was brought back to its direction. There were the Weasleys, meaning Weasel, Weaselette, and those lunatic twins.

"Why so tense Potter?" Weasel sneered, somehow brought familiarity to Draco's ear.

Where was I ever heard that line? Draco thought. Draco looked around and noticed that indeed the taunting brought several attention, but not much so the teachers which situated quite up front, where they were now stood really close to the open doors of Great Hall which means very far from the front, couldn't hear them. Slowly, he noted by the hard look Har…-Potter made, he could tell that the situation went downhill. As of now, few students around them started to make stands.

That camera boy, Draco believed his name was Creevey or something like that, was the first to make his stand. And Draco pleased to count that the younger boy made a right decision to stand up by Har-no, Potter. Then the younger brother joined, followed by Gryffindor's Chaser Bell.

Flushed red in the face and clearly with angry hiss, Draco saw the Gryffindor captain, Johnson, chosed to stay beside one of the twins. They must be screwing each other, Draco snorted disgustedly. Yuck, disturbing thoughts!

More and more students make a stand. Most Hufflepuff went to Weasleys side with exception of the muggleborn Fletchley and that niece of Head of Law Department in Ministry, Bones. Ravenclaws didn't take sides, but one person, the one known as Loony Lovegood, dared to speak back at the weasel though in her soft dreamy voice.

"Your blood purity doesn't make you any better than Voldemort if you let such a petty feeling like jealosy clouded your mind," she said softly while most in Weasley's side flinched at the name. "Because what you do now is exactly what he wants."

"How dare you," Weasley growled, red faced. "Accuse me to be the same as him…"

Ron advanced in slow step towards the still calm girl, but stopped when Harry stood forward practically hiding the slightly smaller girl behind him.

"Step back, Weasel…" commanded Harry in low tone which made Draco smirk.

Draco and Blaise swapped looks and both agreed to stay silent. Their stance still relaxed, but with watchful eyes, each person's hand circled their wands, ready to act should they needed.

It was then Professor Rudhee stepped in from the open door. Draco could hear Blaise's tense muscle relaxed slightly and he did too feel a bit relief. But one look to the professor's eyes he knew that something was not right and more than before he became fully alert. Fingering tightly to his still hidden wand, he strode forward silently. And he knew, though a bit confused, that Blaise got the message and followed his action, wands at the ready.

xXx

The look on Weasleys was beyond pleasant. There's a pit full of fear in his stomach. Instinctively, Harry moved in front of the younger girl from Ravenclaw, trying to shield her from the possibilities of any threat from the red haired boy. Harry's hand was already fingering his wand when the interruption came. None of them heard the soft footsteps coming from the door, so neither knew that stood near them was one of their Professor, not until a soft cough emitted from the said Professor.

Harry and the rest of people around him snapped their attention to the smiling Professor. Harry looked at him closely and somehow, seeing the Professor's eyes gave him an eerie feeling.

"Well, is there something happening here, boys?" Professor Rudhee asked. "Not fighting are we?"

"No, Professor," Ron growled and he stepped back while still glaring heatedly to Luna. He and his group walked away from them but didn't too far for he still could hear their conversation.

Just then Harry notice a small package in Professor's hand. And he was not the only one, for Dean asked politely at him with humour in his voice.

"What's your holding, Professor? A present?" Dean grinned, he tried to lighten up the situation.

Once again the Professor smiled his usual carefree smile. Gone was the eerie feeling Harry once felt about him and it made him lower his guard.

"Why, yes," he looked at Harry and there was a strange glint in his eyes, not that the raven haired boy noticed it though. "This is actually for you, Harry. Oh, wait. I believe there was also a message for you. Now, where's my wand?"

Professor searched in his robe for his wand and gave a soft triumph cry when he found it. He coughed a little and looked at Harry once again. He pointed his wand at his throat, and for a moment Harry thought he would cast Sonorus at himself, and suddenly his eye changed. There was a slight swirl in his light blue eyes, a glint of madness though there was no light of recognition in it. It was as if he was under trance.

Most people surround him inched back, they didn't know for sure whether the Professor was okay or not, whether it was joke or not. Their uncertainty added by fear made them panic and looking around. Though they couldn't escape for now their Professor had pulled another's students attention to him. The teachers also had difficulties in getting themselves to the front.

Harry frowned, he didn't move though he wanted to. A part in him, called it instinct, screamed to run away, that something was not right and it was dangerous. But his concern to Professor Rudhee and a slight curious made him stay. He looked at Hermione who stood by his side and supporting a frown. He looked at Dean and saw only confuse in his face. And he looked at Neville whose face was ashen because of worry.

"Um… Professor, are you okay?" Hermione asked timidly.

A creepy smile entered Rudhee's face and his blue orb eyes changed into red, followed by a hoarse rough voice that Harry so familiarly knew. Voldemort's

"Ah… So glad to be back at Hogwarts," the voice said.

Recovered from his shock, Harry drew his wand quickly and pointed it at Rudhee. His trembled grip brought attention to Rudhee, who smirked sadistically. "Harry Potter."

Unknown to them there was a shield, transparent shield covered around both of them, swallowing their voice so that couldn't be heard by anybody else.this was of course Voldemort's doing.

Rudhee advanced on Harry who was stuck at his spot, still with mad and dull glint in his red eyes. Neither aware of the commotion outside the inpenetrable barrier around them. Harry didn't notice the banging of the solid glass shield by his fellow Gryffindor, he also didn't notice the reflected spells that thrown to it by his teachers. His sole focus was the snake man that took form of his Professor in front of him.

"Harry Potter." Rudhee/Voldemort repeated. "It's been months since last we met. Not that it was a bad meeting, however I must thank you. After all, it was your blood that gives me another chance to become a 'man' once again." He smiled sinisterly while Harry could only gulp. "Now, what day is today? Oh, yes. Halloween. The day your parents died fourteen years ago, right Potter? It will be appropriate if I also send you to your death at this very day. But, no. Instead I will give you a nice little present as a form of courtesy."

Rudhee/Voldemort raised his wand and suddenly the glass barrier disappear without warning.

"Happy Halloween Potter."

It happened so quickly. Rudhee's body gave out some light before it blew up. The impact of the blow hit Harry and the people around him, which means the students. It resulted chaos in the building. Pulling out of the shock, the teachers who didn't have time to erect the shield to protect them from the impact quickly scattered around to check the damages that had been caused. They looked out for the injured students. Out of all teachers, Dumbledore approached Harry and the remainder pieces of once Professor Rudhee.

Harry was one of the students who was lightly injured. For many watchers, it was something strange that Harry only supported scratches that hardly bleeds. But it was actually Harry's elven power that produced winds to shield himself during the blow.

Seconds passed and soon after, he felt hurt. It was like he was sliced many times, repeatedly, within his body. He squeezed his eyes shut, unbearable to the pain, until he felt a hand holding him and a slight tingle on his skin, a sign that magic was being performed on him. Then the feeling gone, leaving only sore on his body. Harry opened his eyes and he met a pair of silver blue eyes.

xXx

When Clarissa decided to join in the feast, it was never her intention to step in such a tragedy. What she saw was chaos. Teachers running around in every directions trying to save the students, student bodies lay scattered all over the room, followed with screams and various incantations of spells. Blood was everywhere, stench of dark magic was so thick in the air. She stepped in, but halted suddenly due to the dark aura that surround The Great Hall. She closed her eyes and strengthen her shield. After made sure that she was safely shielded, she once again stepped in.

With shaky legs, Clarissa took in his surrounding. Once she realized the extent of the damage, her wild eyes looking for the figures she held dearly in her heart. She forced her feet to run to her brother when she first found him. She was about to grab him when a steady hand beat her to it. She snapped and faced the determined look on Draco. Realisation hit her that Draco already knew what befallen upon her brother and he could save him. She was snapped from her thought when the same hand shoved her away from them, not because he wanted her to be safe but because her presence simply getting on the way.

She thinned her lips and walked away in hasty retreat. She grabbed the first victims she could reach and hold each victim's hand in hers. She forced the pure magic from her elvin core to eradicate the dark magic and purify the bodies from the effects. She grabbed another victims without care who they were after the first two were done and healed. The she had another, and another, and another…until she felt dizzy and fatigue fell on her. She knew what it meant, she already reached her limit.

Purifying dark magic with elvin power was more exhausting than healing the said person using the anti-curse. Elvin power couldn't stand something dark, which meant everytime it was alerted that dark magic was occurred the elvin power would force itself to purify it. It was one time she ever regretted for not paying attention in dark magic lessons with her godfather.

She was nearly fainted, but a hand snatched her attention to stare at the worried green eyes.

xXx

Harry blinked once. He blinked again, and again until he could see not only a pair of silver blue eyes but the whole face of one Draco Malfoy. For a split second Harry swore he saw the relief flooded Malfoy's eyes, that the said boy nearly smiled at him.

But…

He could be wrong. Malfoys never smiled, they did only smirks. Blame the explosion!

Explosion!!

Harry sat up straight with wide eyes only to be propped up by Malfoy's hand. Harry looked around while whispering 'Hermione' all the time. He could hear Malfoy sighed before helping him stand.

Harry watched him closely, he noticed that their faces were only inch apart. He suddenly felt the urges to touch him.

"You see her?" that halted Harry's curling finger and brought him down to reality.

"Huh?" then it shot him. Right, Hermione!

It was a blur how he got to her side, but soon he sat beside her. One thing he noticed, blood was pooling around her. He looked up and saw that Blaise bit his lower lip in depression. And Harry feared for the worst.

"No…no way," Harry whispered. A smooth palm covered his own and he looked down to a pair of warm brown eyes.

"Harry," she managed a whisper. "Don't…don't fall in love with her…plea…se."

"Shh…don't..don't talk. Save it until later, 'Mione."

He looked around and noticed that Clarissa managed to save a handful of students. Hastily he went to her and grabbed her hand. He dragged her to Hermione, one already stilled Hermione.

"Save her, Claire. Save her."

Clarissa fell on her knees and hastily reached out her hand to search for a pulse, and found none. She held back a sob and looked straight into Blaise who nodded grimly and left, helping Draco to save another victims.

"Claire…Claire!!" Harry stuttered, confused as to why Clarissa hadn't take any action. "What's the matter? C'mon…heal her, there's no time left."

Clarissa looked up to him with glistened eyes, "I'd love to Harry, I'd love to! But I can't…"

Horrified expression emerged from Harry's face, "You can't but…no… you can!! I saw you…I saw you heal many others, why not 'Mione? You can, Claire. You can!"

"I can't, Harry. I can't heal the dead…" Clarissa whispered. "It's too late."

Harry was strucked, "Lie..it's a lie…" he looked back at Hermione's fragile figure. "'Mione can't die…no…"

Harry shook his head in denial. His eyes watered and he looked around blindly, like a hurt animal looking for an escape. Suddenly a view dawned upon him and Clarissa followed his gaze. It was of bloodied Dean holding the equal bloodied Neville close to his heart while the man rocked back and forth with tears cascading his face.

Harry started to hyperventilate, all the noises around him were blocked by his panic sense and dread. The activities in the Great Hall never once died down, though, more and more student bodies were evacuated from the said room. Harry knew, oh he very knew deep down, that not only Hermione and Neville who had lost their life, but more…more than a dozen of the students. Fear clawed his heart.

A cry of his name suddenly heard.

"Potter!!"

xXx

Clarissa was the first who turned around. Harry didn't realize anything until someone yanked him roughly. That someone grabbed his collar and yelled on his face.

"You…you killed my sister!!" Ronald Weasley accused. Harry saw the tears, the sadness and the fury from his ex-bestfriend's eyes. A fist collided with his jaw. "I know it was you. You killed my sister, Potter! You killed the ones who died here! You murderer. I always know that you're dark!! It's all your fault."

Another punch into his gut made him crawl to the floor. "I did nothing…no…"

"It was you!! It was you!! Who else but you, Potter?! We all saw you there, converse with that…that…monster! It must be you who explode him!" Weasley yelled.

Their confrontation gained attentions, which made Weasley shouted more. "You're nothing but murderer, Potter!! You deserve Azkaban! You killed them, you killed my sister!!"

In Harry's eyes, all his peers suddenly stood very tall. He looked around and he only met eyes full with hatred and accusations. It brought hyteria into his system. Even the concerned look from Clarissa, the hard look full of worried from the solemn Malfoy, the grave and old, tired gaze from Headmaster turned into scorns and disgust from Harry's sight. The blank stare from a pair of teary eyes from Dean was what set him off though. He couldn't stand the guilt and self loathing flooded his heart. Trembling, he crawled away and broke into a run, out of everyone sight. Clarissa snapped from her trance moments later and broke off to caught his step.

Just after they left, aurors, curse breakers, and ministry officers and even the minister himself made their entrance. The examinations run fast. Draco and Blaise were caught red handed doing dark magic for the anti curse. The aurors were having none of their excuse though. They dragged the two teens with confines to the face of Cornelius Fudge.

Having heard about the matter, Fudge's face purpled. He was almost sentecing the teens straight into Azkaban if not for the interruption from Headmaster.

"What, Dumbledore?!" Fudge snarled, he feared for the unknown.

"This is grave, Cornelius. I advice you to let the boys free. They're saving their peers, it was an act of urgencies. I'd rather have you look further into this. I fear that our Professor Rudhee was actually turned into Inferi. Perhaps, if you would come with me…" Headmaster Dumbledore said calmy yet persistently.

Fudge's eyes widened, "What?! Shacklebolt, come!"

That actually released the teens off the hook. Draco and Blaise shared a glance before they went to Dean. Blaise gently pried the latter boy from the body of his beloved and helped him stood. Dean finally faced the reality, he submitted the fate of Neville's death. With the support from the two Slytherins, he willed himself to let go of his love. The three of them then silently and unnoticely retreated to elf's quarter, feeling something off from Harry.

xXx

Harry ran and ran. He ran blindly with no acknowledge from his brain where he went. But his body, his feet unconsciously brought him to a safe haven. Their quarters. He whimpered along the way, making raw screeching sound. The common room of his lately residence was far too big for him at that time, too cold and unwelcoming. What he needed was a place so small that he can curled up and hid from the world, hid from the hurt and the pain.

He took off upstairs, barging in to his room. Once his gaze fell to Neville's bed, fear blanketed his mind again. He reached for the nearest door and stepped inside. It's a bathroom.

Seeing the shower gave him an idea that whatever happened right now was only nightmare. And he neede to wake up, now before he broke. He stepped into the shower stall and turned on the faucet. Ice cold water spraying to his body. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, hoping that it would snap him to the reality.

But of course, it doesn't work. When he opened his eyes, he still had the same situation on him. He still wore the blood reeked clothes, he didn't woke up on his bed. He shook his head. His denial soon replaced with anguish reality. He couldn't handle it. Too much emotion, too much sadness, too much guilt. His mind clouded and he was hyperventilate. He needed something to ease it, to feel something, because all of it made him numb.

His eyes raked in every detail in the room. He soon caught a sight of a glass from the sink. He broke it into pieces by slipping it from where it stand. One of the pieces had the sharp edge, and that was what excatly Harry need.

Hastily he picked it up and with no hesitation he slashed his wrist. Soon his foggy mind cleared, he felt blood rush in him, his trouble breathing ceased and mostly, he lost his numbness. This was what needed. He needed the pain. He needed to feel.

His moment was broken by a gasping sound from the door. Weakly he looked up and there he saw the most ethereal sight. His salvation.

Or so he thought.

The figure ran to him and ripped her clothes fabric. Never hesitating, she tied Harry's wrist the upper side of his wound so he would not loss anymore blood. All the way, Harry never tore his gaze from her.

"The magic left in me will not be enough to heal you, Harry," she said grimly. "This will do for now."

Her voice however, seemed so far away, replaced by those of Hermione's.

'Don't…don't fall in love with her…plea…se'

The words repeated in his brain, times and times again. He looked at her figure, feeling so much self-pity and despair.

"Why…?" he croaked, his voice hoarse.

That sure brought up her attention and she locked eyes with Harry's. her heart wrench at his sight, at his eyes that screamed for his broken soul.

"Why can I not love you?" he asked anguishly. "Why they hate me so much? Why all of you deny me of the only thing I want? Why?"

The shock stunned her. Then the inevitable happened.

Harry dived in, desperately he kissed the full lips of the figure in front of him. He searched for the love he longed but never granted. Inwardly he cried and bleed.

He was yanked for the second time and met the angry glares from a pair of flashing silver eyes. Through his blurry eyes, Harry could still acknowledge the Malfoy heir.

"What. Do. You. Think. You. Are. Doing. Potter?!" Draco hissed. "What part of not falling in love with her could you not understand?!"

Harry's blood boiled, there was a raging force from inside him. He felt hot and dizzy. Then he snapped. He didn't notice it but his raw power surged through.

"What's it to you, Malfoy?!" Harry spat bitterly, having had enough of the things he deemed unfair. "Who are you to forbid me of my feelings! You're not my mother!! It is not fair!! You even took Hermione on your side!! Hermione… no..it isn't fair….why me?! Give me one reason why I can't love her! That's what you owe me, Malfoy. At least give me that!"

Harry was rambling, what he had said make no sense at all. His raw magic swirled and shook, simply destroying anything bit by bit. It was acted on the chaos of Harry's heart. He didn't bat an eye of the fear look coming from Dean or the worried from Blaise. There's only Malfoy in his sight.

The uproar in his inside getting haywire, and it made him felt more and more fatigue. Untill it reached its limit, Harry felt something in his brain, like the strained string finally snapped. It was madness. And it drained him of his energy.

"She's your twin sister, Harry!" Draco yelled, he noticed the dimmed light in Harry's eyes and he was frightened. "You can't fall in love with your own sibling, Harry! It's cursed!!"

That was the last thing Harry heard before he blacked out.

xXx