Chapter VII

"Harry, Harry. C'mon Harry, wake up. You're going to be late."

"Just a few more minutes Ron," he mumbled, turning over in bed.

"No mate, now." Ron said. "Your teacher doesn't want any lates remember?"

Harry groaned as he rolled out of his warm bed. He felt like he'd just gotten to sleep. Last night's frantic dash back to the Gryffindor common room, and subsequent discussion were more than enough to tire him out. Monday was his least favourite day of the week, especially since he had Defence Against the Dark Arts first thing in the morning, even if he had it with Slytherin; he was one of the few Gryffindors still taking the subject. That wasn't usually bad, but he knew he had double Potions afterwards. Three classes with Slytherin were more than enough for him.

He managed to change in record time and make it to the Great Hall for a few pieces of toast and a glass of pumpkin juice. But even as he ran through the hallways and up the flight of stairs, he saw virtually no other students. He rounded a corner, sprinting the final few feet to the classroom door. Once he opened the door, every head in the room turned from the front to look at him. Already he could see a few Slytherins snickering to themselves.

"Ah, Potter. I see you have decided to grace my humble classroom with your presence."

Harry swallowed as he looked to see his teacher standing by the empty board, with her arms crossed and a displeased expression on her face. Madame Beecham was a rather pale woman with black hair and blacker eyes; it was odd, and a bit creepy, but Harry felt as if she was the female version of Snape. At least Beecham didn't have Snape's preference for docking house points. Or Snape’s hooked nose. Not that Harry really minded that hooked nose of Snape’s. It was somewhat…endearing. Harry banished away that train of thought immediately, glad that his face was already red from rushing to the classroom.

"I was running a bit late, Madame Beecham," Harry said in between gasps. "It won't happen again."

"Since this is your first time being late, I expect it to be your only time. Take your seat and get caught up." Beecham turned back to the board and tapped it with her wand, making the words appear on the board.

Harry silently made his way to his seat, ignoring the grins on Seamus and Lee's faces. Harry pulled out his quill, parchment and inkpot and started writing. He could feel Seamus and Lee's eyes on him, but he remained silent.

"Fine," he hissed after a few moments. "What is it?"

"Why are you so late?" Seamus whispered.

"I slept in late," Harry said with a shrug.

"No wonder I couldn't find you at breakfast," Lee muttered. "I wanted you to see if my homework was right."

Harry looked at Lee, mildly surprised. "Why didn't you just ask Hermione?"

"She said she shouldn't because she wasn't taking DADA." Lee replied.

"Like that's ever stopped her." Harry muttered.

Seamus chuckled. "Hermione's definitely leaving us to our own devices. She barely looked over my Potions work before she split."

"I think that's her way of telling us that we should start making sure we know everything." Harry replied.

Lee opened his mouth to say something but it withered dry as Beecham gave them a hard look. They stopped and started copying faithfully in silence. Harry looked up every once in awhile; Sora was sitting in a corner a few seats ahead and over from him. Just ahead of her sat Draco. He looked back at his paper, continuing to copy. When he looked up a few moments later, he found Sora looking at him intently. Her eyes were bright and luminous, almost like a cat's.

Then her mouth curved into a slight, crooked, smile. Harry's smile was slow to respond. He glanced over to see the teacher still writing away. He mouthed the word 'Lunch' and raised a questioning eyebrow. Sora nodded her head. Harry gave a more genuine smile. But it disappeared when he saw Draco deposit a crumpled piece of parchment on Sora's desk. She smoothed it out, before her shoulders shook with silent laughter. Her hand moved as she scribbled out a response and prodded Draco to take it. His expression was that of a barely there smile but it morphed into a scowl when he saw Harry looking at him. Harry didn't flinch as he met Draco's gaze. It only broke when Beecham cleared her throat and turned around.

"Attention class," her voice echoed slightly through the classroom. "In two months time, we shall be having a test, culminating on everything we will learn until that point."

"Madame," Lee's hand shot into the air. "Will there be a practicum on this test?"

"Yes, since it will prove if you know the theory." Beecham surveyed the room. "Practicum will begin the first week of October. I shall be bringing in a suitable Dark creature for you to try the spell on."

"What happens if someone fails the practicum?" Seamus asked immediately after she answered.

"Then remedial classes and tutorial shall be set up. Practicum is important and I expect everyone to pass this test, as well as the exam, with decent grades. Now, I shall give you a few moments to make sure you have that all before the next note goes up."

The class was silent as this new information sank in. Harry caught the nervous looks in the faces of a few other students. He spun his quill around in his fingers as his mind drifted back to the night in Professor Trelawney's classroom, with the creature and the dragon. It still seemed surreal, like it was a figment of his imagination.

"This is the next note." Beecham stated, as she tapped the board once more with her wand.

Harry looked up as she started to write once more. He started copying once more. First, this period of copying notes and then he was dealing with Snape during double potions. He was glad that he had something to look forward to.

Harry sighed with relief as he walked out of the Potions classroom, in the surge of students. Snape had been particularly venomous today; not even Draco got off as he usually did. And Harry seemed bear the brunt of his wrath. Nothing he did was good enough for Snape. It seemed that he screwed up every single minute detail and major ones too. Snape's normally pale face was faintly red by the time he finally dismissed them for lunch. Harry simply walked up the staircase and stepped outside into the inner courtyard to get a breath of fresh air. If he had survived Snape for six years here, he could live through this one year.

"I see all the Quidditch practice isn't limited to the fields," Sora said dryly as she stepped outside also, right beside him. "Did you catch the Snitch?"

Harry glanced at her, shaking his head with a smile. "I still can't figure out why he hates me so much. Well, I know some of the reasons, but even from before…"

Sora smiled as she leaned against the wall beside him. "You do walk awfully fast."

"Sorry, I didn't realize you were trying to keep up with me. I was ready to explode at the git." He paused. "So how have you been lately?"

Sora didn't answer for a moment. "I sent a letter to Father last night."

Harry froze. "I haven't sent one yet."

"Don't worry. I included you in it. So remember you're studying very hard and know you will do well on your N.E.W.Ts. Quidditch is going fine and you expect to have a game soon, in which you will undoubtedly crush whoever your opponent is."

"Thanks Sora." Harry said as he pushed off from the walk. "You know, you still haven't answered my question."

"Fine, I guess." She said as she leaned off the wall and started walking slowly. "Slytherin is very…cutthroat. I've had to become something I never wanted to be."

"A git?" Harry fell in step beside her.

Sora shook her head. "My mother, since everyone thought they could pick on me. Now they fear me." Sora said quietly.

Harry nodded his head in understanding; the night in the Slytherin common room made sense now and spoke volumes. "That's all right Sora. The people who know the real you are the ones that matter."

"Thank you. But not everyone in Slytherin is so bad." She lapsed into silence for a moment. "Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Harry…I'm afraid I haven't been completely honest with you."

"What do you mean?" he asked feigning innocence.

"With most of the things concerning Mother; a good bulk of the things are unpleasant and I would rather not speak of them ever again. There are some things I don't know if I can tell you because you, judging from your reaction you might not be ready to hear it, but I have been as honest with you as I could have been since you came to Whytemoor Manor."

Harry didn't say anything for a moment. "I'm glad you're being as honest as you can be."

"I thought you might be mad at me," Sora said in a shaky voice of relief. "I have only you, Ron and Hermione as friends. And there's Father, Ken, Dai, my grandmother and you as the family I trust totally."

"Where does Draco fit into the scheme?" Harry asked.

"He…fits in there." Sora offered, her face flushing a bit. "So when's your first Quidditch game?"

"At the end of October, just before the Halloween Ball; they're giving us a bit more time to get in some practices, since the workload is kinda tough." Harry nudged her as he placed an arm around her shoulders. "You are going to come to watch the game, right?"

Sora glanced at him, chuckling. "If it means that much to you, I'll come. Who are you facing?"

"Hufflepuff," Harry said. "We've been strategizing and coming up with new plays. We can beat them easily."

"I have no doubt." Sora said as the smile disappeared.

"Is something else wrong?" Harry asked as he peered into her face.

Sora didn't say anything as they continued their slow circuit of the courtyard. Harry sighed and looked up into the sky. It was a nice early autumn day. The sun was out with a few wisps of clouds passing by. And the breeze was cool in the shade that they walked underneath.

"When I was thirteen," Sora said suddenly. "We took a trip to Japan. Mother wanted to find me a husband. The entire trip was a nightmare. Only my grandmother made it bearable." Sora's eyes misted with reminiscence. "Only obaasan and him…"

"Obaasan?"

"Japanese…I learned because Mother would curse me in it; it does well to know what someone says when the curse you in another language. Obaasan, grandmother, they're one and the same thing."

"Oh. Who was 'him'?"

Sora didn't reply for a few moments, and started talking again, lost in her memories. "He came by Portkey and arrived right in the middle of me and obaasan working on some calligraphy. So we hid him in the old guesthouse on the other side of the cherry orchard. I remember sneaking out in the middle of the night and we'd just gaze up at the stars."

"Sounds nice; at least they made the trip a little bit better." Harry murmured.

"Harry, I'm a Slytherin.” Sora said, looking at him. “And I just want as much peace and quiet that I can get. So no matter what I say or do to you, Ron or Hermione, just know that I don't truly mean it. Besides," she gave him a grin. "I wouldn't do anything that horrible."

"I know what you mean Sora," Harry paused for a moment. "The Sorting Hat almost put me in Slytherin. But I wanted to be in Gryffindor."

"Heh, the Sorting Hat had a hell of a time with me." Sora did say anything for a moment before she grasped Harry's hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. "You know what Harry, whatever girl gets you will be really lucky."

"Oh, I don't know about that," he said, blushing suddenly. "I haven't really given much thought to girls."

"Well, who ever you end up with, if they break your heart, I'll hex them into oblivion."

"Thanks, I think." He said with a laugh. "But you don't have to hex anybody."

"Ruin my fun," she pouted. "May I, at least, play matchmaker for you?"

"Sora!"

Harry looked back to see who had cut him off. Draco came storming down the walkway after them, a dark look on his face. He and Sora stopped to face Draco; Harry could see the suppressed rage in his eyes. What he certainly wasn't expecting was the rough shove from Draco.

"What are you up to now, Potter?" Draco spat out the last word. "Suddenly, Slytherin is good enough for you?"

"Back off Malfoy, you don't understand." Harry warned in a low voice.

"I understand perfectly," Draco snarled. "You're moment is fading so you latch onto her to catch a bit more glory!"

"And your intentions are perfect?" Harry said, his own anger rising. He took his arm from Sora's shoulder and glared at Draco. "Jumping in to help another student was never your style, much less a fellow housemate. I'm surprised you cared enough to stomp out here in this foul mood. So just what are you getting out of this?"

"How far from the truth you are," Draco sneered. "You're still clueless as usual Potter; sad how some things never change."

Harry gritted his teeth. "Then you'd better fill me in because you seem to want something from this and I'm about fifteen seconds away from punching or hexing you…Malfeu."

"Harry, Draco, please, stop this," Sora said as she grasped their arms. "Stop this inane fighting."

Draco's eyes fluttered to Sora for a split second. "Look at you Potter; the very epitome of Gryffindor; brave, loyal and stupid. You don't have any inkling of how deep this is."

"There's that fake concern again," Harry said in a low tone. "I don't need the likes of you telling me-"

"Stop it!" Sora screamed at the both of them. "Just stop it!" she closed her eyes tight as if to block out the light. "Why must you two fight like dogs over some ratty scrap?" she stopped again, pressing her palms against her temples. "Never…have…I…oh…Merlin."

Sora collapsed to the ground, clutching her head in her hands, hair sticking out between her fingers. Fear clutched at Harry's heart as he crouched down beside her quickly, trying to see if there was anything else wrong. But all she was doing was clutching her head. And her breathing was starting to sound a bit ragged, pained whimpers coming from her throat. Quickly, he scooped her up and rose. Draco rose at the same time; Harry hadn't even noticed him crouching down as well.

"I'm taking her to Madame Pomfrey," Harry said in a steely voice before he turned to leave.

"Don't be an even bigger fool, Potter," Draco said as he grabbed Harry's arm. "She needs to go to Snape."

Harry snorted. "Madame Pomfrey knows what to do. And I don't need to see Snape any more than I have to."

Draco growled before he took a deep breath. "Pomfrey won't be able to handle this." He looked at Harry. "She needs to go to Snape."

Harry didn't say anything for a moment, seeing something there in Draco's eyes, something he had never seen before. As much as he hated to admit it, Draco might have a valid point. He nodded his head curtly and started back they way he'd walked earlier, heading for the dungeons. He was relieved to see empty hallways. They hurried down the stairs, Draco opening the door.

"What the devil do you two think you are doing?" Snape demanded as they simply entered and made their way up to his desk.

Harry ignored the ire in Snape's voice as he walked in. Draco shut the door and locked it, hurrying after Harry.

"She had another one," Draco's voice was quiet. "Worse than the last one."

Snape's eyes snapped to Draco before he looked back at Harry. "Place her down on the table." He said pointing to the front. "You know what to do Draco."

Harry laid Sora down on the large tale in the front of the room, stretching her out. When he looked around, Snape had vanished but the door to his office behind the classroom was open. Draco was at a desk, grinding something in a mortar, while opened jars lay all around him. He looked back at Sora when he heard a loud 'thud'. Sora was twitching on the desk, almost clawing at herself.

"Malfoy, whatever you're making, make it faster!" Harry said as he grabbed Sora's hand, preventing her from injuring her eye.

Draco came over, the mortar filled with a slimy-looking green substance. He placed it down on the table and promptly opened her mouth, then swiftly dumped in the contents and held her mouth shut. Sora thrashed a bit harder, her throat working as she tried to bring the potion back up. Harry started stroking her throat to make it go down and a few minutes later, Sora stopped moving and lay perfectly still. Harry glanced at Draco, not saying anything. Draco met his gaze, daring him to say something.

The sound of a door slamming shut startled both of them. Snape was back from his office, carrying a small vial. The liquid inside the vial was a cloudy black that gleamed red under the torchlight. Snape gave it a good brisk shake before he removed the stopper. A sickeningly sweet stench filled the room immediately, strong and pungent. Snape dribbled it down Sora's throat in small batches, waiting for Harry to finish stroking her throat after each one. Once the vial was empty, Snape rested it on the counter, along with both of his hands. A tense awkward silence descended over the room. Harry looked over at Sora, stifling his surprise; she looked like a corpse. Her skin was an unearthly white, lips tinged slightly with a blue colour while her chest wasn't moving. He stared at her body, unsure if what he was for real. It was so gradual that he almost missed it. The colour was returning to her face and her chest moving slightly as she breathed.

"When did this happen?" Snape's quiet voice broke the silence

"A few minutes ago in the courtyard, Sir." Draco stated.

"I see," Snape rounded on them, fury blazing in his eyes. "And which one of you idiots exposed her to an extreme emotion?!" he snarled.

"Both of us, Sir." Harry offered in a quiet voice.

Snape’s gaze snapped to Harry. So many things flickered through Snape's eyes that Harry wasn't too sure what to do next. So he simply stood there until Snape spoke again.

"Take Sora to your room Draco. And make sure no one sees you. I'll make sure you are exempted from the rest of your classes for the day. And make sure that nosy Parkinson doesn't get a whiff of this, or anyone else. There're extras in the back."

Draco simply walked out of the room, leaving Harry alone with Snape. Snape's eyes regarded him in their cold fury, not saying anything.

"You will come with me." Snape finally said as he started walking.

Harry glanced down at Sora before he looked up, seeing Draco come back out of the room. He gave Sora's hand a squeeze, ignoring the look from Draco before he went after Snape.

Dumbledore's office still looked the same. The books crowded on the shelves, the stand for Fawkes, who sat preening his feathers slightly, the clutter that made the place feel welcoming, the paintings of the many Headmasters of Hogwarts, all conversing and whispering to themselves as they looked at Snape and Harry. Snape was pacing a few feet away from the chair Harry was sitting in, a deep scowl on his face and his arms crossed. It was obvious to see he was worried and his mind was thinking about something. Harry had never seen Snape so readable before. Harry glanced up at Dumbledore who was watching him from his seat not saying anything.

"Severus, please, stop pacing so," Dumbledore said. "Lemon sherbet?" he held out the bag.

"No." Snape said curtly, not stopping his pacing.

"Harry?" Dumbledore looked at him.

"This is hardly the time for candy, Albus." Snape said with a deeper scowl.

“No thank you, Sir.” Harry said with a shake of his head.

Dumbledore shrugged as he retracted the bag. "So Harry, you saw what happened to Sora in the courtyard and classroom?"

"Yes," Harry said slowly. "Not that I understand any of it."

Dumbledore nodded his head slowly, glancing at Snape before he spoke. "Sora de Vyns is quite an accomplished young witch. She holds an Apparating license, published two books, and is highly credited in her field. But she comes from an old family, Harry; and every old family has things that they wish to keep from the public eye." Dumbledore paused. "I'm sure you've had the pleasure of meeting Sora's mother, Leiko de Vyns."

Harry smiled wryly at the dry crisp tone in Dumbledore's voice. "I'm trying to forget." He muttered. That earned a dry laugh from Snape.

"There are many things that Leiko wishes to keep hidden." Dumbledore said. "For one, she is a Death Eater; second, she has strong vampiric blood that she has passed onto her daughter."

"Vampiric blood," Harry stated slowly. "So why is this a problem? Wouldn't traits like that normally be dormant?"

"Normally, they would be." Dumbledore's expression was grave. "But someone's awoken them. Now, they can only be repressed."

"So what does Voldemort want with her?" Harry asked bluntly. "I think that's part of the reason why Sora came here; probably for her own safety."

Again Dumbledore glanced at Snape. "Perhaps Severus should answer this question."

When Harry looked at Snape he saw that his expression was far from pleased. But Snape cleared his throat. "Voldemort's alliance with the vampires has gone sour and they left his ranks. And since the majority of vampires refuse to listen to anyone but their own kind save for, full, half or part blood; Voldemort is having little luck in bringing them back to his cause. His last vampire lieutenant died when some Muggles in the Carpathians found him. Leiko is now useless to Voldemort in that regard, as the vampires look selectively at active blood traits."

"Pleasant," Harry murmured. "So Leiko volunteered her own daughter and prevented her from coming to Hogwarts."

"Observant," Snape replied. "If only you paid this much attention in Potions. Leiko did promise Sora to Voldemort's service. Since Leiko is unable to awaken her own powers, she did something to awaken Sora's. She's managed to keep her away from here until now. I've been supplying her with a suppressant since she turned fourteen."

"You?" Harry looked at Snape mildly surprised. "Why would you do that?"

"He does deserve to know Severus," Dumbledore said softly. "As do you too." Both Harry and Snape looked at Dumbledore puzzled. Dumbledore smiled slightly before he spoke once more. "Harry is Sora's second cousin through Alexandre’s side of the family. I’m sure you remember Severus that Alexandre was James’ cousin. Severus is Sora's godfather."

Harry looked at Dumbledore before he turned to Snape. "Do you care to tell me how Draco fits into all of this?"

"No, I don't," Snape retorted before he shot Dumbledore a look. "And Albus will not tell you. If Sora wants to, she'll tell you herself."

Dumbledore shrugged. "As you wish."

"Why didn't you tell me before, Sir?" Harry asked. "Why was I forced to live with the Dursleys?"

"At the time it was in your best interest. Your Muggle relatives were horrible, yes, but they had one crucial fact on their side; they knew nothing of Voldemort or Death Eaters. They could not exploit you in that manner. And now that you are old enough, it was allowed for you to live with the de Vyns. You clearly know the difference now, having…run in with Voldemort a few times." Dumbledore didn't say anything for a moment. "Plus, here, all of you are safe due to the wards and the vigilance of others."

"I see. And how does Snape know so much about this?"

"Simple. He's my spy." Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Albus," Snape groaned.

"He's your spy," Harry asked again. "Must have been one for awhile."

"My, Potter, your intelligence shines through once more." Snape said sarcastically.

"Now Severus," Dumbledore said, holding his hand up to call for silence. "I'm sure Harry's concerned for Sora as much as you and Draco are. Has Sora told Alexandre yet?"

Snape shook his head. "She doesn't want to cause any more friction between him and Leiko."

"Good. Alexandre could be a bit rash when it came to his loved ones." Dumbledore lapsed into silence for a moment. "Go and have lunch Harry. You can see Sora after your classes. Severus will escort you. Be at his room after classes."

"Thank you." Harry said, rising from his seat; he had completely forgotten about lunch.

"Severus?" Dumbledore said.

"Yes Albus?"

"Do remember that you aren't the only one worried for her." Dumbledore paused before he held the bag forth again. "Lemon sherbet?"

"All right students," Professor Sprout's voice was as cheery as ever. "I expect this assignment to be alive by the end of October. We’ll be looking at them in November."

Harry shouldered his school bag and picked up the small potted seedling. He looked at it sceptically as he walked out the greenhouse. Growing a plant as a project wasn't his idea of a good thing; it was likely to die on him. But it was really a harmless little plant; so it was a Venus Fly Trap. Feed it some flies and it would be happy. No, he had to feed Flobberworms; Sprout had specifically said Flobberworms. Of course, he wasn't too sure why Sprout had them grow such a common plant in seventh year. Maybe he had to feed it something so it did something; his mind wasn't fully on the lecture Sprout had given. He shrugged as he headed for the doors; at least most of their class work would be focusing on this; which meant fewer assignments.

And it had been hard to simply keep his mind in class. The events during lunch kept running through his mind like a movie. The thrashing, the terror that had clutched at his heart; he thought Sora might die. He didn't want to contemplate loosing another person close to him. Not after Sirius.

"Harry! Hey Harry, wait up!"

Harry paused, looking back to see Hermione and Ron come running up to him. "Sorry,"

"That's all right." Hermione was slightly winded. "Where were you at lunch? I found some more things."

Harry didn't reply, unsure if he should even tell them. He glanced around; there was no one else there in the vicinity.

"Something wrong, mate?" Ron asked. "You normally answer us."

"Something happened to Sora during lunch," he said quietly. "She had a…episode."

"Is she all right?" Hermione asked.

"I think so," Harry said. "I'm going to go and see her now."

"Would you mind if we tagged along?" Ron asked. "I don't think she knows about the Cannon's new roster."

"Ron, honestly," Hermione sighed. "She's probably recuperating. I don't think she's going to want to talk about Quidditch."

"You were partially right Ron." Harry said.

Ron blinked for a moment. "Come again?"

"Sora has vampiric blood; she's not a full vampire." Harry explained.

"No, she's one quarter." Hermione said with a proud smile.

"How do you know that?" Ron asked in surprise. Harry nodded his head in agreement.

"I found another reference to the Matsushita. Only this one was more recent, as in thirty nine years ago."

"How do you find this all out?" Ron asked in an incredulous voice.

"I have my methods. But I know this. Sora's mother is half vampire, which makes Sora herself one quarter."

"'Mione, you're going to have to tell me how you manage this."

"And I have to get going if I want to see Sora," Harry said. "Snape's escorting me into the Slytherin dorms."

Ron winced. "Good luck."

"And Snape won't want anyone else tagging along," Hermione said as she linked her arm through Ron's. "We'll save you a spot at the table. Make sure you give Sora our regards."

Harry nodded his head as he ran up ahead, heading for the dungeons. There was no way that he wanted to make Snape mad for being tardy. He rushed up to the door and knocked before opening the door slowly. Snape was seated at his desk, bent over some papers.

"Sit down and be quiet," Snape didn't even look up.

Harry made his way to a seat and sat down quietly. Snape glanced up at him once before going back to this work. The torches on the walk popped and hissed as they burned. Harry looked around as he sat there; the walls were bare and black but it was oddly nice to see the light against the stark wall, as well as soothing. He folded his arms and rested his head on them. Snape was probably going to be awhile with all those papers. Harry closed his eyes as he started to drift off.

"Potter. Potter. Potter!"

Harry sat up, knocking his plant pot over. He scrabbled before it fell; catching it in two hands and resting it back on the desk. He looked up to see Snape giving him a critical look. Harry gave a weak smile before he rose, picked up his plant and schoolbag.

"Come along Potter." Snape said as he headed for the door.

Harry followed after Snape quietly; that had been rather embarrassing. Snape's footsteps were barely heard while Harry's echoed out noisily against the close stonewalls. Harry peered around Snape as they approached the Slytherin doors. When Snape pulled out his wand, Harry barely had a moment to say anything as a Deafening spell was cast over him. Harry didn't say anything - the password probably still was asphodel - but simply watched as the door swung open. Snape waved his wand again and restored Harry's hearing.

Snape didn't wait after that, sweeping down the hallway and into the Slytherin common room. Harry hurried after, not saying anything and holding his plant closer. Thankfully, there was no other Slytherins present at the time; they all were probably at dinner at this very moment. Snape was heading towards the staircase a few feet away from the fireplace, the stairs twisting upwards. Harry glanced back before he started up. They passed by a few levels, with indicators for the first years, second years and so forth. Harry swallowed when they reached the floor for the seventh years. Every single door they passed by had three or four names on them. It was much like the Gryffindor system, but different. The last door in the hallway had only one name on it: Draco Malfoy.

Harry glanced at Snape, who was obviously waiting for him to open the door. Harry turned the knob and walked in. The dorm room was spacious, due to the lone bed, and tastefully decorated in green, black and silver. Draco and Sora were seated at a table, chess pieces scattered across the board in front of them. Sora looked up when she saw him, waving him over. Harry found a spare chair and came over. He glanced over to see Snape standing in front of the door.

"Feeling better, I gather?" Harry asked as he looked over his cousin.

"Much; no thanks to you two idiots. You know," she mused the board before she coaxed a piece to move forward; one of Draco's pawns was knocked down hard and dragged off the board fighting. "When I asked the both of you to stop that was not an invitation for you to egg one another on."

Harry didn't say anything, staring miserably at his plant. When he felt a hand settle on his, he looked up to see Sora smiling at him gently.

"I've been told you were very worried about me," She paused, looking at him curiously. "Dumbledore told you." It was a statement.

"He told me almost everything," Harry flashed Draco a look. "Are you sure you're feeling better?"

"I'm perfectly fine now," Sora turned away from the board and looked at him. "Does Hermione still have my book?"

"Book?" Harry asked in a puzzled voice.

"Don't play dumb Potter," Draco finally spoke. "That's a priceless book and we certainly don't need Weasley ruining it by accident."

Harry bit back the stinging reply he had. "The book you had at the Quidditch pitch?" he gave a small 'Ah' when Sora nodded her head. "Hermione still has it. Knowing her, she's probably been reading it. If you don't mind me asking, why are you an Animagus?"

"Given the situation Draco and I are in, certain people felt the book's information would be particularly useful."

"Certain people?"

"Lucius Malfoy was generous enough to buy it for me." Sora said with a shrug. "It is useful to have alternate means of concealing ourselves."

"I see." Harry said; he was having a hard time seeing Lucius Malfoy doing something out of concern for another and not for himself.

"Voldemort feels Draco and Sora would be promising young additions to his ranks," Snape said quietly. "They need the book back soon."

Nothing was said for a moment until Sora spoke again.

"Harry, this is our burden. With everything you go through, I would understand if you didn't want to get involved. But if you do choose to do so, we will respect you decision, won't we?" Sora gave Snape and Draco a look; they mumbled something along the lines of a 'yes'.

"Have you told Ken and Dai?" Harry asked.

Sora shook her head. "They would try to help me and then Mother would know, and subsequently Voldemort."

"Well, I understand why you'd turn to Snape, but why Draco?"

"Almost every one considers me to be a virtual Death Eater no thanks you and your friends," Draco said. "What one more thing to the list of my mis-"

"Listen, the three of you," Sora interjected in a rather cross voice. "You will have to push aside our little house rivalry. I am sick of arguing and will not tolerate it," She stood up. "We can finish this game later Draco. I want the comfort of my own bed."

Harry followed after her as she walked out, not looking at Snape or Draco.

"Something wrong?" Sora asked once they were in the silence of the hallway.

"I'll bring the book for you tomorrow." Harry lapsed into silence. "Do you think we could study with you?"

"I don't see why not," Sora said. "So long as Hermione and Ron don't get further involved in this; we meet in Professor Trelawney's classroom at eleven on Thursdays every other week. This week is the week in between, so it's Friday night." Sora paused as they walked out into the common room. "And don't rush in on them. Make sure you give them a moment, will you? And tell Ron I'm sorry for frightening him so much that night."

"All right," Harry said slowly. "Are you sure you're feeling all right?"

"I'm perfectly fine," Sora said. "Make sure you get something to eat."

"I will," Harry stopped once they reached the door. "Just be careful, all right."

Sora chuckled. "I will be. Plus Severus and Draco are here; I trust them with my life. Oh, and say 'hi' to Hermione and Ron for me."

"One day, you're going to have to tell me about this whole thing in more detail." Harry said as he walked through the door with a smile.

Harry started walking quickly as the door thudded shut gently behind him. Dinner was probably over now, and knowing Hermione, she'd be in the library. He started up to the second floor, passing by a few other students. Harry started walking quickly as the door thudded shut gently behind him. Dinner was probably over now, and knowing Hermione, she'd be in the library. He started up to the second floor, passing by a few other students. He walked into the library and quietly asked the librarian if she had seen Hermione. She directed him towards the back of the library. He hurried down, looking at the study desks, but not seeing her anywhere. He started up the stairs but slowed down as he remembered what Sora had said; it sounded like she knew something he didn't.

He shrugged it off and hurried up the stairs, hoping she was up here. The sooner they knew that they could start training to become Animagus, the better. He rounded the corner of a small bookshelf, seeing Hermione and Ron at the hidden desk. And they were right in the middle of snogging rather enthusiastically. Harry stood there, completely at a loss of what to do for once. Fortunately, at that moment, Ron and Hermione broke off and noticed him suddenly.

"Harry!" Ron let go of Hermione rather quickly as he picked up his quill. "How long have you been standing there?"

"It wasn't long, I hope." Hermione said in a slightly nervous voice.

"Busy doing research?" Harry asked, resisting the urge to tease them both. They both looked so guilty.

"Yes," Hermione's voice was a bit calmer now. "We were doing research."

"Uh huh," Harry said as she sat down. "Well, sorry for interrupting your…studying, but I just came back from seeing Sora."

"What did she say?" Hermione asked.

"Sora says hi. And we should be in Professor Trelawney's classroom at eleven p.m. on Thursday."

"Why?" Ron asked, in a slightly suspicious tone. "Does she-"

"She knows Ron. That's why she said we could practice with her and Draco."

"Malfoy?" Hermione sounded mildly surprised. "Is that such a good idea? I mean, you and Ron can barely stand him."

"We have a chance to learn something completely new here," Harry murmured quietly; he really didn't want to be overheard. "I think I can suffer Malfoy and his little jabs for a bit more."

Ron made a face. "But…it's Malfoy. Did she say how long it is?"

"No. I guess she's going to tell us this on Friday. And she does want her book back Hermione."

A slightly disappointed look came to Hermione's eyes. "I should have known this might happen sooner or later."

"Don't tell me you got attached to the book?" Ron said in slight disbelief.

"It's just that I'm almost done reading it and it's incredibly fascinating…" Hermione sighed. "Friday evening, eleven p.m.; did Sora say anything else?"

"Oh, Ron, Sora says she's sorry she frightened you so much that night."

Ron's eyes nearly popped out from his head. "That weird…thing was her?!"

Harry shrugged. "I guess so. Are you coming on Friday night?"

"I guess I can suffer a night with that git. Just so long as the word "Slytherin" and "slut" aren't said together in the same sentence, I'll manage somehow."

Harry and Ron exchanged mild looks of wry amusement. Hermione, on the other hand, had a peculiar look of puzzlement and curiosity on her face.

"'Slytherin' and 'slut'; should I even ask?" Hermione said finally. "Or is it something you two don't want to tell me?"

"I'd rather not," Ron said. "But 'Mione, I am never pretending to be a girl again. Some girls are just too vicious."

When Darkness Comes - Chapter Six || When Darkness Comes - Chapter Eight