Changes and Secrets

Chapter 8 - Suspicions

So, I decided not to wait, so you get two chappies today! But you may hate me for it.....Anyways, read, comment, and vote!

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Chapter 8 - Suspicions

Harry jogged to the dorms after giving his paper to a shocked Professor McGonagall, hoping that he could get there before Hermione. However, there was no such luck, as an irritated witch confronted him as soon as he opened the portrait door. 

"Where have you been?" she asked, sounding a lot like a Transfiguration professor that Harry had just left. "I ran into Lupin and he needed help grading papers. Then I wrote my essay and had him proof read it, then I dropped it off at Professor McGonagall's right before coming here," he explained, panting ever so slightly from his jog. 

Hermione sighed. "Well, I can't stay mad at you if you were actually working on your schoolwork," she said. Harry grinned at her cheekily. "I figured you couldn't," he replied. Hermione shook her head and smacked Harry's arm, resulting in Akilah rising and glaring at the witch. 

"Oh, Akilah! I am so sorry, I didn't see you there. Please forgive me," the witch apologized. Akilah nodded her head regally before curling back up on Harry's shoulder. "What?" Hermione asked, noticing the amused look on Harry's face. He simply shook his head. "Nothing, nothing at all." Hermione huffed and grabbed her book. "Ron's upstairs if you want to go hang with him. I need to get some extra studying in for the debate." 

Harry sighed, exasperated. "The debate isn't going to be for weeks, Hermione!" he exclaimed. Hermione fixed the dark-haired wizard with a steely glare. "I am aware of that, Harry," she said coldly. "However, I need to have all the information and develop an opinion a week or so before the debate so that I can formulate some strong arguments." 

Harry shook his head. "I will never understand you," he muttered. Hermione pretended that she didn't hear him as he turned and walked up the stairs to the boy's dorms. 

Opening the door, Harry found Ron sprawled out on Harry's bed, reading Quidditch Through the Ages. "How many times have you read that book?" Harry asked, startling Ron. "15, 16?" he asked. Ron shook his head. "23." 

Harry rolled his eyes. "You could probably quote that entire book without any help," he said. The red-head just shrugged and turned his eyes back to the worn pages. Harry sat down next to Ron, leaning against the headboard. "Any luck on the Blaise front?" he asked. 

Ron closed his book after meticulously marking his spot and sat up. "I'll tell you if you tell me what's going on in your love life," he bartered. Harry shrugged. "There's this person that I think I may have feelings for, but one, they're way too old for me, and two, they'd never have me in that way." Besides, I'm a werewolf. I have a mate waiting for me out there somewhere, he added silently. 

Ron raised an eyebrow. "What was it you told me when I said that Blaise wouldn't have me?" he challenged. Harry hung his head. "Don't give up on someone without giving them a chance," he quoted. Ron nodded. "Exactly. Now, follow your own advice." 

Harry looked up at his best friend. "Did you not hear the part about them being too old for me?" he asked. Ron sighed. "Your muggle is showing, Harry. That doesn't really matter in the wizarding world. Families are so intent on keeping bloodlines pure that it's fairly common practice to give a daughter to her uncle or a son to his niece. That practice is where the term 'sugar daddy' came from, after all." 

Harry raised an eyebrow. "So, incest is ok too?" Harry asked on a side trip. Ron shrugged. "Wizard's morals are a bit loose, Harry. That's just the way it is."