Chapter IV

"Harry. Harry!" Harry looked up at the insistent whisper, startled to find Hermione shaking her head.

"What is it?"

"You really should be listening to Professor Binns you know." Hermione scribbled something down quickly. "This is all going to be on the finals."

"I know." Harry said as he glanced down at his rather bare parchment and continued to idly scratch out gibberish.

"I know what you're so worried about." Hermione put her quill down. "You really don't have to worry so much."

"It's her first time here." Harry shifted in his seat. "Plus Malfoy is bound to try and get at me through her."

"Does he even know that you two are related?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Then you have a card up your sleeve. Don't waste it." Hermione said with a grin. "Besides, I doubt that even he would try something with her. She brushed him off in the train as if he was some fly she swatted away."

Harry nodded in agreement. "But this is the first time I've had any Wizarding relatives I could live with on a permanent basis. I'm not too sure what I should be doing."

"You should tell Remus." Hermione said with a thoughtful expression. "And Sora has made quite a stir. We have Hagrid's class after this with the Slytherins, so you can talk to her then."

"If Malfoy lets me through," Harry muttered. He glanced up to see Hermione smiling.

"What?"

"I think you're being protective of her."

Harry felt his whole face go red. "No, I'm not. I'm just looking out for her."

"Well, just be careful of how you look out for her." Hermione warned. "She may not appreciate it. She seems very independent."

"She is." Harry agreed. "Hey, what happened to Ron? He's been unusually quiet."

Harry peered past Hermione to find Ron snoozing on his parchment, quill moving as he breathed in and out. He bit back the sudden laugh that came and picked up his own quill, glancing up at the board and started to copy. Hermione nudged Ron until he woke up and started copying what the Professor was saying. At least today was Friday and he had the weekend to talk to Sora. Maybe he would feel a bit better when he saw for himself that she was fine.

The afternoon sun was bright and there wasn't a cloud in the sky as Ron, Hermione and Harry made their way across the school grounds to Hagrid's hut, where Care of Magical Creatures was being held. Already, he could see a small crowd of people clustered around something. Harry's steps quickened, managing to slip through the crowd, which was mainly Slytherin students, and see what it was.

A few feet away, by the fence sat Sora, cross-legged on the ground, feeding a creature from the bits of food in her hand. What made it even more incredible was that it was an Andalustral, a much wilder winged horse. But it standing there, eating from her hand placidly. Harry looked back at the sounds of protest as Ron and Hermione pressed their way through. Ron's eyes went wide as he started at Sora in amazement, while Hermione looked impressed and angry at the same time.

"All ‘ight now, what's so ‘teresting?"

Almost everyone turned around at the sound of Hagrid's voice, a guilty look on their faces. Hagrid made his way through the crowd, finding Sora standing by the fence.

"Oh, so you're Sora de Vyns. Great book you wrote there."

"Thank you." she murmured, staring at her feet. "Is class staring now?"

"Yup. Now everyone, gather round." Hagrid said as he placed a bucket down beside him. "Today we're going ter talk about winged horses. Not as interesting as Blast-Ended Skrewts, but a creature worth knowin’ about. You all ‘member Thestrals from fifth year? Good, then."

Harry listened to Hagrid talk, glancing over at Sora who was standing beside Draco and quietly talking to him. They were doing a good job of making it look inconspicuous. And it didn't seem like it was scathing, frosty remarks either. He focused his attention back on Hagrid and what he was saying. It turned out that the entire class was a lecture on what not to do and such. Next class they would actually be dealing with the horse. When Hagrid finally finished, most of the class walked off for lunch, slightly disappointed. Harry looked around as the crowd dispersed, seeing Sora and Draco walking towards the school.

"Sora!" Harry called, running after her.

"Harry," she stopped, turning around to look at him. "How have you been?"

"Fine. I was going to ask you the same thing." he gave Draco a rather pointed look.

"What? She didn't tell you, Potter?" Draco managed to fill the last word with so much derision. "We've-”

“Got an assignment to take care of for Charms, isn’t that right…Malfoy?” Sora said giving him a sharp look. “I certainly don’t need to suffer you any more than I have to. I think eleven years is more than enough.”

“Wait, eleven years?” Harry asked, cutting Draco off before he could say anything.

"It's true." Sora said with a nod. "Since we were six. Our fathers were friends, or something. I've never been clear on the subject. Not that I like his father much." Sora paused before adding on. “Or him.”

Harry smiled. "You and me both. Want to have lunch with us?" he looked back to see Ron and Hermione coming.

"I suppose. I've been stuck with Draco long enough." she said as she started walking away. "We'll finish later in the common room."

Draco didn't say anything, glancing at her and then at Harry before he turned and stalked back towards the building, a definite anger in his steps.

"What were you and Draco talking about?" Harry asked after a few minutes.

"It's not important." Sora said in a dismissive voice, smiling slightly as Ron and Hermione caught up.

"Shall we all head to lunch?"

"Sure." Ron said eagerly. "You know, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"And that would be?" Sora asked as they all started towards the Great Hall.

"What's with your name? I've never met anyone with such a weird name."

"Ron!" Hermione sounded horrified. "That was incredibly rude."

Sora held up a hand, indicating silence. "I don't mind. My name isn't English. It's Japanese. My mother gave me that name. My middle name is Branwen; Father gave me that one."

"Oh." Ron paused for a moment. "So, can we just call you Bran, then?"

"No. Sora; I feel weird when someone calls me by my middle name." she paused. "Perhaps we should hurry before all the good seats are taken."

That got Ron moving, and made the rest of them pick up their steps to keep up with him. When they entered the hall, most of the people looked at Sora before they went back to their lunches. What made most people stop and stare was when Sora sat down with them, oblivious to what was being whispered.

"What is the big deal?" Sora asked as she took a plate and started to fill it up.

"There's a big rivalry between our house and yours." Hermione explained. "We're usually at each others throats."

Sora gave her a mild look of derision. "Don't tell me you three fall into that too?"

Ron didn't say anything, conveniently filling his mouth with some chicken while Hermione flushed with embarrassment. Sora rolled her eyes as she put some butter on her mashed potatoes.

"Sad. I'm starting to understand half the things Dai and Ken were babbling about when they came back every year."

"Have you seen most of Slytherins? They're greasy gits."

"Have you gotten to know most of the Slytherins?" Sora asked before taking a bite of chicken and then reaching for the pepper shaker. "It seems that most people have a misconception of that house because Voldemort was in it. Shame, really. It's a very…interesting place."

"And Snape doesn't live up to the image?" Harry asked.

"Snape has reasons all his own, I'm sure." Sora said simply. "We have Potions after lunch?"

Harry nodded. "Slytherin isn't that bad?"

"It is something to be experienced for oneself." she said in a reserved voice. "And-"

Sora's words were cut off by the sound of an owl coming in and alighting on the Gryffindor table, in front of Sora. It glared at her before she untied the package from its leg and took the letter. She gave it a chunk of chicken and opened the package, smiling at the contents inside. She closed the string before she picked up the letter - the red letter that had slight wisps of smoke curling off it and was trembling. Her smile vanished away immediately. She looked around before she rose and walked out of the hall rapidly, taking her things with her.

"He was right." Harry said as he looked back at his food.

"Oo as igt?" Ron asked with a full mouth.

"Don't do that Ron. What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"That was a Howler from her mother." Harry stared at his plate. "Dai was right…"

"Harry, there are some of us who don't know what you're talking about." Hermione reminded.

"One of Sora's brothers, Dai, he said she'd be getting a Howler. Her mother," Harry paused, wondering how to say it right. "She hates me even more than the Dursleys combined."

"You've got to be kidding me." Ron said after he swallowed. "She can't hate you that much."

"She didn't even want to meet me when I first arrived at the Whytemoor Manor. She’s a bitch plain and simple and I can’t be that bothered with her."

"She can't be worse than Malfoy." Hermione said.

"She is. She just makes me wary and on edge." Harry said.

"Maybe we should go see how Sora's doing." Ron volunteered. "She looked pretty pale when she left."

"All right; and I have to stop off at the library." Hermione said. "I need a book on advanced potions. Snape’s bound to give some horrid, complicated potions this year."

"All right, we stop off at the library and then, find Sora." Harry said.

"After I finish eating!" Ron said before he attacking his plate once more.

Harry walked through the halls, his steps echoing slightly. Hermione was having some trouble finding her book and had recruited Ron to help her find it. Harry had gone off to find Sora and see if she was all right. He had gone through two floors and an endless amount of staircases, hoping to find her somewhere, but so far no luck. With a sigh, he started towards the dungeons where potions class was held. He didn't always like going through the rush of students to get there on time. He'd served too many detentions in the last year to want any during the first week. He went through a back stairwell, shivering slightly as he descended down past the old stones; he always felt a bit cold whenever he came down here.

"You have to tell her soon. Before she does something you may regret." Draco's voice echoed up softly, making Harry's steps pause.

"I know that." Sora snarled before she spoke again, repentant. "Forgive me. You know how I get when Mother does this."

"This double life is eating away at you." Draco paused. "Alexandre would understand. He would do something."

"He would. But Mother's family would take it as an affront if they divorced. Father says he more than willing to divorce Mother, and I do believe him, but Mother could drag it out for years to come. The marriage is nothing but a sham now. You saw it for yourself that day."

Nothing was said for a few minutes. "What possessed you to do this? You should have known that she would be outraged by this. Though, I must say, I am glad that you’re here with me and out of…her clutches." Draco said with delicate distaste.

"I knew. I knew perfectly well when I went with Harry and we got our books. But Mother has her talons too deep in my life. I need to extricate them and as quickly as I can before she tries to take some measures." Sora's voice was hard. "I refuse to be her puppet."

"She hasn't asked you yet?"

"No." Sora paused for a moment. "Has yours asked you?"

"No. Mother is off, presumably visiting relatives in France.” Draco said dryly. “Father doesn't buy that story at all. He knows she has a lover. I know what I am going to tell her when that day comes."

"My mother considers herself above all that." Sora sighed. "I still don't know. She can still do horrible things…those…things…I don't want to go through that again."

“I won’t let that happen,” Draco said fiercely before he paused for a moment. "Does Alexandre even know?"

"No. I only found out when she…look, I'd rather not recall it again."

"What about…you know." the sound of rustling cloth came.

"That's under control. I had to come up with a story for Harry as to why I am so pale. He believes it. I have all the things I need with me. But I'll probably still have to talk to Severus."

"Hm. Have you told Potter? About-"

"No, I haven't. He has enough to deal with; people shower him attention because he was lucky enough to live. They're nothing more than bleeding idiots. I'm not about to add to his burdens. Merlin Draco, you were there when those people went nearly rabid in the bookstore. Fame is not all that it's cracked up to be. You want it and once you have it, you want nothing more than to be rid of it."

"Good." Draco said a bit vehemently. "I don't think it would do him any good to get involved in this; might tarnish his pristine reputation."

"I really don't get what the big deal is about." Sora sighed. “Besides, those Muggles were horrid to him. He had a bruise on his face the size of a grapefruit, Draco. A wretched grapefruit; Merlin knows how many more of those things he’s hiding. It was only a matter of time before he was seriously hurt, or even killed. I didn’t say anything, but do you really think I want to start spilling my guts to him like that? He’ll be bound to worry.”

“Potter, is living the lie to make others happy?” Draco gave a small snort of incredulity. “I gather he actually enjoyed the two weeks away from that hellhole?”

“Yes. And I don’t regret not telling him then. He has certainly earned a bit of respite.”

“What I don’t get is how that insane old man could have allowed Potter to stay there like that,” Draco muttered. “True, I hate Potter, but not even I would wish something like that on someone and-”

"Shh,” Sora hissed suddenly, silence falling for a few seconds. “Did you hear that?"

Harry stood there, frozen. He didn't want to move and let them know he had listened to a decidedly private conversation. The minutes ticked by slowly, before the sound of people came from the opposite end of the hallway. That must have been what Sora heard. Harry stood there as other students came and walked into the classroom before he joined the tail end and took his seat quickly beside Hermione. She looked at him.

"Where did you disappear to Harry? Ron and I spent the rest of lunch looking for you."

"I was-" Harry stopped talking as he saw the door at the front of the classroom open.

Snape walked in with his usual expression of disdain on his face. He looked at the rows of Gryffindors and Slytherins before his eye settled on Sora. "I see we have a new addition to the class. Hopefully you won't prove to be a complete disaster like the rest." Snape's gaze swept the Gryffindor side of the room.

Sora shrugged. "You'll have to forgive me Sir, but I find potions to be something of a bore."

"And why's that?" Snape's voice took on a condescending tone.

"It's too easy."

The class went deathly silent at that, while a few of the Gryffindors were trying to repress their snickering. Harry looked at Sora in amazement. He had told her not to challenge Snape when it came to his subject. You sat down, did the work and got out of there when class was over. He'd explained it all on the train ride. So he was more than a little puzzled and worried about why she was doing this.

"de Vyns, correct?" Snape asked suddenly in a smooth voice. "Ceryates told me all about your brothers."

"Those two idiots? He never had to live with them."

"Let's see if it runs in the family. Aconite, wormswood, and armadillo bile; what do I get if I mix them?"

"A mild purgative."

"Madragora and ashwinder eggs."

"Once you've defrosted the eggs and ground up the madragora into a fine paste, you shake them in a bottle and leave it in a warm place. After thirty-six hours, you have a generic antidote to a magical snake's bite, which can cause a high fever, nausea and fire to come out from the nose."

Snape didn't say anything for a moment before he nodded his head briefly and ordered everyone to take out their quills and parchment. Whenever Harry looked over at Sora, she was scribbling as Snape talked, her brow furrowed. Harry brushed aside his worry and continued to copy. As much as he hated to admit it, Draco was probably in a better position to help Sora with whatever was bothering her. But it did still bother him; that Sora couldn't tell him. They had spent two weeks together virtually glued at the hip and talked about everything.

"Everything but that." he mumbled to himself.

"Is there something you wish to share with the class, Mr. Potter?"

Harry looked up to see Snape standing in front of his desk with his most displeased scowl, black eyes fixed on him like hawk. Harry shook his head as he looked back at his paper. Snape gave a huff before he continued his slow pacing around the front of the room by his desk. Harry didn't move for the rest of the class, simply copying and trying to not catch Snape's attention again; he really didn't want a detention in his first week of school. After what seemed like an eternity, he was finally packing up and glad for the fact it was Friday, which meant he could go to Hogsmeade with all his friends.

"Merlin," Ron said as soon as they were walking up the stairs. "Snape seems like he's going to be even worse this year."

"Don't remind me," Hermione said with a groan. "I was going to ask him about the exam, but I just wanted to get out of there."

"Already?" Ron looked at Hermione amazed. "It's only September!"

"And I want to get a head start. But I guess we're going to Hogsmeade tonight. Hey, do you think Sora would like to come, Harry?"

"Probably. I'll ask her in the Great Hall." Harry said as they rounded the corner of the staircase and paused there.

"With all the Slytherins watching? Maybe we should find her now and ask." Ron said.

"All right," Harry said with a nod of his head. "Did you happen to see which way she went?"

"Where I went?"

They looked around to find Sora standing behind them with a somewhat impatient look on her face.

"Oh, there you are." Ron said. "We were just going to find you."

"I know. I could hear your voices from the bottom of the staircase. Do you always have such vocal conversations in these places? It's not a very wise idea."

Hermione and Ron looked between each other before they cleared their throats.

"So, do you want to go to Hogsmeade with us tonight?" Harry asked.

"I'll go." Sora said nodding her head. "Meet me in the front foyer at seven. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and rest for a bit. I have a headache."

Harry watched as she walked up the stairs quickly, the same frown on her face once more. A thoughtful look came to his face before he turned to start towards the Gryffindor common rooms.

"Hey Harry! Wait up!" Hermione called as she and Ron hurried after him.

"What's up with you now?" Ron asked as he fell in step.

"Sora’s hiding something." he said. "It's starting to bother me."

"How do you know that?"

"I accidentally heard her talking about it with Draco."

“You mean she actually talked to Malfoy?" Ron looked like he was torn between disgust and betrayal. "Just when I thought there was such a thing as a sensible Slytherin. What would she have to talk to Malfoy about?"

"Something. She lied to me about why her skin is so pale. But why? What does she feel she has to hide from me?"

"Do you want to find out, Harry?"

He looked between Hermione and Ron, thinking that he could have been in Slytherin, that he could have been their enemy. Would they even still be friends, if he was? If they knew the truth? He nodded his head slowly. "I do want to find out. But don't let anyone know, especially Sora."

Harry watched the other students walk by, before he looked at his hands again. The hallway was filled with the students heading out to Hogsmeade for a bit of relaxation. And from the way things were looking, they would be the last ones there.

"Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but she did say seven, right?" Ron asked as he studied the statue in front of him.

"Yes. And it's seven twenty now." Hermione said. "Maybe she got tied up with something else?"

"Like Malfoy, you mean." Ron said a bit darkly."

"I didn't want to think that but it could be Malfoy." Hermione admitted. "Maybe we should go down and try to see if Sora's there."

Ron nodded as he and Hermione started towards the dungeons. Harry simply looked at them and shook his head. "Let's see if it is Malfoy."

Ron and Hermione looked at him slightly puzzled before they came and sat down beside him. Ever since the dungeon earlier on in the day, he couldn't stop thinking about what Sora and Draco had been talking about. What could Leiko use as a hold over Sora that Sora was so desperate to break? What was she hiding? He sighed and rose as he heard footsteps coming from the other side of the staircase. He watched as Sora's dark head appeared through the pillars of the railing, followed by Draco's blond head. He rose with a frown as they stood at the bottom of the stairs, Draco with a scowl on his face, Sora with a wane smile.

"Are you all right?" Harry asked as he walked down and stood in front of her; she looked paler and as if she was sick. "Do you want to see Madame Pomfrey?"

"I'm fine." she said, waving her hand in dismissal. "I want to try this Butterbeer I've heard so much about."

"You've never had Butterbeer?" Ron looked at her amazed. "Where have you been?"

"There are some people who don't spend all their time holed up in a hole in the ground, Weasel." Draco said quickly. "But I suppose that's the best you Weasleys can do."

"Better than being some pretentious snob who has a wand up his butt!" Ron fired back.

"You're just jealous because of who I am Weasel. You'll never amount to anything."

"Malfeu, you no-good, rotten stinker!" Ron said as he took a step forward. "I swear I'll hex you into..."

Draco and Ron looked ready to kill each other but stopped as they heard a sound. Hermione and Harry, who hadn't been able to get a word in, looked too. Sora was leaning against the staircase, tears in her eyes as she held her sides in an arm. Harry, Hermione and Ron looked at each other uncomfortably before they looked at her. Draco didn't look too pleased on the other hand.

"Sora?" Harry asked in a hesitant voice.

"Malfeu…Merlin, that's a good one!" Sora gasped for breath before she burst out laughing again. "Malfeu…that's priceless!"

"What exactly are you talking about?" Ron asked.

"Of course you wouldn't know, Weasel." Draco said in a sour voice.

"Don't fight." Sora managed as she got her breath back and stood. "Malfeu is…" she broke out laughing again before she shook her head. “Let's just go to Hogsmeade."

She started walking, Ron walking beside her as he kept asking her what he had said. Draco, Harry and Hermione were all silent, not wanting to say anything and start another argument. They were checked out by Filch and they walked down the path slowly, the uncomfortable silence highlighted by the animated conversation Sora and Ron were engaged in, debating the finer points of Quidditch. When the lights of Hogsmeade came into view, an audible sound of relief came from the three of them.

"Come on Sora, I'll show you what I was talking about." Draco said as he hurried his steps and took her hand.

"All right, I'll see you guys later!" she called back as Draco dragged her off.

"Well, that was incredibly rude." Ron said in a miffed voice. "He just interrupted our conversation."

"Maybe you and he are more alike than you care to admit." Hermione said with a small smile.

"You have a sick sense of humour 'Mione." Ron said with a scowl before he looked in a shop window. "Hey, Stinkblasters!!"

"Looks like we're going in here first." Hermione sighed. "Have you been all right Harry? You seem more thoughtful since Snape's class."

"I just can't help but wonder, you know." Harry sighed. "I mean, she did so much for me for so long. I'd like to return the favour in some way."

"I understand. But maybe you should think about it later. I mean, we did come here to relax for a bit. When we get back, we'll start on it Saturday morning." Hermione held the door open. "For now, I think we have to stop Ron from spending all his money."

Harry nodded his head as he watched Ron walk past the displays, hoping he didn't make anything go off. That had happened once when they were in a store similar to this one, and paying for the damage was the last thing he waned to do. He walked through the aisles, wondering what thing Ron would end up buying and convince Harry that they should test it out. Last year, it had been the Stinkbombs, and they had suffered from a smelly common room for an entire week. He glanced warily at a strange brown solid in a bottle as he picked it up.

"Momby's Mouldable Muck - Multipurpose." Harry read the label before he put it back down. "I don't even want to know." he watched as Ron bought a few items and they finally left the store. "Got what you wanted?"

"Yup; I could make Malfoy's life hell if I wanted to, except I don't want to go back to the Slytherin common rooms." Ron said as he shoved the things in his pocket. "Can we go to Honeyduke's? I kinda want some Fizzing Wizzbees."

"I could do with some sugar." Harry said. "What are you going to get Hermione?" they started towards the sweets shop at the end of the street.

"I don't know. There're so many things." she paused. "Maybe I'll just get some liquorice wands." Ron nodded his head. "And afterwards, we get Butterbeer."

"Yes Ron, we'll get Butterbeer afterwards. I swear your mind becomes one track as soon as we come here." Hermione said with a sigh.

Harry chuckled as they entered the packed store. "You were like that once too, Hermione."

"I know. I've outgrown it. He hasn't." Hermione shook her head. "Honestly Ron, what are we going to do with you?"

Ron shrugged as he took a place in the back of the line. "How about you guys try to find a spot while I get the candy? You want Fizzwizzers too, Harry?"

"No; just get me some sugar quills. We'll try and get a good seat." Harry said as he and Hermione left the shop and made their way down to the Three Broomsticks. "Ron's probably going to be there awhile."

Hermione nodded her head. "But knowing Ron, he'll get impatient and just start making his way through the line. Hey, Harry, do…you…"

"Yes? What is it Hermione?" Harry asked, surprise on his face as Hermione had stopped and was looking into a shop window.

He walked back beside her and looked into the dimly lit shop. Draco and Sora were looking through the vials and amulets by the front desk of the store. They were standing so close together that their hands were brushing against one another. What was even more surprising was the faint smile that graced Draco's lips rather than his usual scowl. And the responding smile that Sora gave him. Harry turned away from the window in disbelief.

"I think I've just about seen it all. Malfoy smiling and it's not with malice."

"You and me both." Hermione said. "I really do need a Butterbeer now."

"Agreed." Harry said.

They hurried to the Three Broomsticks and found a seat for the three of them. They had just ordered when Ron came in with an armload of bags. He looked around before he spotted them and sat down somewhat heavily, the contents of his arms spilling across the table.

"Merlin, Ron, did you buy out the whole store?" Hermione asked as she dug through and pulled out her liquorice wands. "You aren't going to take that all back, are you?"

"Yes! I'm bloody tired of going hungry in the night when I want a snack." Ron started sorting out the piles and looking at the critically. "I'll just shrink it down and carry it back."

Harry took a sip of his Butterbeer before he spoke. "The perfect crime."

Hermione chuckled as she picked up her mug. "Ron, you think so fiendishly."

"Gee, thanks you guys. Here, I am trying to not have to sneak down to the kitchens and you two make fun of me."

Hermione laughed as she scooted in closer to Ron. "You know we don't mind it. It is better than sneaking down to the kitchen, getting caught and losing house points." she gave them each a pointed look. "This year, we are not going to do anything like that again?"

"I'll admit, I'm tired of running around the school after hours." Ron said raising his mug. "But who knows, we may need to. I'll give it a shot anyways."

"I don't know about that, but I'll give it a try." Harry said raising his mug as well.

"Agreed. I think that's the most I would ever have gotten from the two of you." she said before talking a drink.

"It is." Ron said with a grin. "Hey, look who's finally here."

Harry looked up to see Sora weaving her way through the crowd at the counter, making her way towards them. "Move over you guys."

"Thanks," Sora said as she slid into the space beside Hermione. "I was looking for a seat but I couldn't find one."

"No problem." Hermione said as she looked at Sora's empty hands. "Didn't you get a Butterbeer?"

"It's coming." Sora said as she shifted and made herself more comfortable.

Harry stared down into the bottom of his mug, awaiting the explosion. It came a few minutes later as Ron started arguing with Draco the minute he came. He looked over at Sora and gave an apologetic smile before he turned his attention to Ron.

"Ron, there's nowhere left to sit, and he brought Sora's drink. The least we can do is let him sit."

"Does it have to be beside me?" Ron asked a bit sullenly.

"I don't normally sit with the likes of you, but I suppose I'll have to make an exception this time." Draco said smoothly as he sat down opposite Sora.

"Shut up, Malfeu." Ron said glowering at him.

Draco shot Ron a murderous look. "Call me that one more time, and you'll be throwing up slugs again."

"Please, could you two not argue for once?" Sora pleaded. "I'm sure you would get along if you bothered to get know one another."

"Get to know the likes of him?" Draco asked in a scornful voice. "I'd rather be sent to Azkaban."

"Might happen one day too, Death Eater-to-be." Ron shot back.

"Enough!" Sora barked impatiently before she sagged against the seat wearily. "It's like having to deal with two disgruntled Hippogriffs."

Harry repressed his laughter along with Hermione as Ron and Draco fell into sullen silence. "How do you like Hogwarts so far, Sora?"

"It's nice. It has a certain charm to it that is appealing." she paused to sip the chilled liquid. "Makes me wish I had come here earlier. I have a question, though."

"What is it?" Hermione asked as Harry took another drink.

"Does Hagrid usually talk that long? If he does, how do you get anything else done?"

"Not surprising from the-" Draco started but was stopped abruptly when Sora shot him a look as she shifted.

Harry smiled slightly; there were some benefits to having Sora with them when Draco was around. "I'm still trying to figure out why you did that in potions class."

Sora shrugged. "It's no big deal. Better I be honest than fake my way through the year. He knows where I stand, and I know where he stands." she curled her fingers around the glass with a demure expression on her face. "Besides, I'm only here for this year and then I'm gone again. I might go to the Himalayas and study the Yeti."

"How many places have you been?" Ron asked leaning forward, eager to hear more.

Harry noticed the flash in Draco's eyes before Sora replied. "I've been just about everywhere you can think of. The only place I haven't been is the Himalayas and the Australian and Polynesian coasts. They're-" she broke off with a wince.

"Did your headache come back?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," Sora rubbed her temples hard. "I'm just going to step outside for a moment. Excuse me."

Sora rose and walked through the crowd quickly, leaving an awkward silence at the table. Harry looked around at everyone, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Hermione must have felt it the most because she slipped from her spot, muttering something about seeing how Sora was doing. Draco, Ron and Harry looked at each other before focusing their attention on their Butterbeers. The awkward silence continued on until Hermione ran back in suddenly.

"Sora's fainted!" she said in a breathless rush when she got to the table.

"What!?" Draco demanded before he brushed past Hermione, not waiting for a response.

"What happened, Hermione?" Harry asked as they forced their way through the growing crowd; apparently, someone had decided to spread the word.

"I don't know. She said it was getting worse so I said I'd get her some water and turned around. Then I heard a thump and she was on the ground!"

Harry shoved the door open, earning a protest from the person on the other side and shouldered his way through the tight ring of people. Draco was bending down over Sora, checking pupils and taking her pulse. He pulled her lip back slightly before he muttered a curse to himself and let it fall back into place. Harry bent down beside him.

"What's wrong?"

Draco looked at him for a moment before he looked back at Sora. "She's passed out. I'm taking her to Madame Pomfrey."

"I'll take her." Harry said, scooping Sora in his arms and rising.

Draco didn't say anything before he shoved a path through the crowd roughly. Harry followed after him closely, his rapid steps falling in with Draco's. Neither said a word as they made their way back to Hogwarts quickly and made their way straight to the infirmary. Madame Pomfrey came out from her desk and directed Harry to lay Sora down on one of the cots.

"What happened?" Madame Pomfrey asked.

"She fainted outside the Three Broomsticks. She was complaining about a headache."

Harry and Draco turned around at Hermione's voice, somewhat surprised to see her and Ron standing behind them. They glanced at each other before they looked back at Madame Pomfrey who was examining Sora quickly.

"Did she eat anything that might have disagreed with her?" Madame Pomfrey looked between them all.

"She had a sip of Butterbeer. That was it." Draco said.

"What's her medical history like?"

"She's never had a medical history! She's been the perfect image of health! Now do something, for Merlin’s sake!" Draco demanded in harsh voice.

"I think it would be best to keep her overnight. Mr. Malfoy you can stay, if you calm down. You seem to know her best. The rest of you can run along now."

Harry looked at Sora's unconscious body before he walked out, closing the infirmary door behind him.

"Are you all right Harry?" Hermione's voice was quiet.

"I'll be fine. I'm going to wait out here. I need to talk to Draco."

"We'll wait with you." Ron said.

"I need to talk to him alone," Harry said. "It's not that I don't want you two around, but-"

"We understand. Come on Ron." Hermione said as she tugged on Ron's hand gently. "Just make sure Filch doesn't catch you."

Harry nodded as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he tried to calm the worry inside. The silence in the hallway pressed all around him, lengthening the seconds. When the door suddenly creaked open, Harry looked up to see Draco coming out with a slightly haggard expression.

"Malfoy."

Draco's eyes snapped up to meet his, the look on his face vanishing away to be replaced by distant contempt. "What do you want, Potter?"

"How's Sora doing?"

"She's fine." Draco said in a curt voice as he turned to leave.

"What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing’s wrong, Potter. Get lost."

"Don't lie to me, Malfoy. I heard you in there." Harry said quietly. "Don't we have enough reasons to despise one another?"

"I have all the reasons I need, Potter."

"Just tell me what's wrong with her. Even I can tell that wasn't a normal headache."

Draco turned to give Harry a cold, disdainful look. "Potter, this is one thing I'm even gladder to tell you to bugger off on. You don't know the first thing about what she's going through." he started walking towards the downwards staircase, flinging his last words to Harry. "Keep your "noble" Gryffindor noses out of this."

When Darkness Comes - Chapter Three || When Darkness Comes - Chapter Five