The Daughter of Voldemort

Chapter 11

The two were on their way to Dumbledore's office, Harry wrapping his arm around her shoulders when no one was around and subtly slid it away when anyone appeared in the hall. As soon as they were out of sight he would wrap his arm around her again. They laughed a little each time as a sign of mutual understanding that whatever was happening between them was meant to stay private. 

When they passed the dining hall, a sinking feeling fell in the pit of Harry's stomach. He stopped his movement, a confused Veronica turning back around, wondering why he stopped. "Wait here for a second."

Harry turned toward the dining hall door and opened it just enough to see. What Harry was afraid of turned out to be true. He turned back to Veronica, his face full of concern, "Dumbledore is still eating dinner."

Veronica peered through the crack Harry had made between the door and it's frame. She sighed, "That's alright. We can wait until later."

Harry looked at her apprehensively, worried that if they had to wait, Veronica may change her mind. "You sure?"

"Yeah!" she said, forcing a smile, "I'm hungry anyway. Let's eat something then we can follow him when he gets up to leave."

Harry nodded and led her into the dining hall. They sat at the very end of the table, where Harry stared at Dumbledore, trying to somehow get his attention silently. 

"Harry!" Veronica said from directly across the table, "You look mad staring at him. Relax. I'll be fine."

He reluctantly tore his eyes from Dumbledore and grabbed the plate of food she had fixed for him. "Does it hurt?"

She raised her eyebrows at him and shook her head in disbelief, "Only a little."

Harry could tell she was lying, but decided not to push his luck. He watched her struggle to eat left handed, smiling a sad smile when food failed to make it to her mouth, falling off her shaky fork. He looked down the table to make sure there was no one near them, but regretted it immediately when he was met with the furious eyes of Ron and the shocked glare from Hermione, who were seated at least 10 feet away from them, but no one was sitting in between the two parties to obstruct their view. Both of their plates were nearly empty, meaning he must have missed them completely when they came in. 

"You should probably go sit with them," Veronica brought him out of his trance. "It looks kind of weird.. Us sitting together."

"They can get over it," Harry said, turning back to his food. 

"It doesn't just look weird to them, Harry," He followed her gaze. Several curious eyes met theirs from around the room. As soon as he would look over at anyone in particular, they would turn around, giggling, obviously gossiping to their friends. 

"So what?" he turned back to his food angrily, "Let them-"

"Harry," She said said forcefully, reminding him of their silent agreement they had going on in the hall. They stared into each other's eyes for what felt like forever, a silent struggle over who was right.

"Maybe we should just go up there and get Dumbledore," Harry suggested, turning back to Dumbledore, who was still enjoying his meal and laughing gleefully with his fellow professors, "Or we could wait around outside the door until he leaves."

Harry continued to stare at Dumbledore. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Veronica exchanging a hopeless glance with someone, somehow knowing it was Hermione. 

Several minutes passed, Harry lost the desire for his food as he stared desperately at Dumbledore. Veronica had given up trying to stop him and just continued to struggle with her fork, sparing a few comments every now and then about the people staring in their direction.