Twist of Fate

Chapter 13

Harry walked slowly towards Umbridge's office. He felt ill at the thought of having to write more lines. His hand was still sore from the previous night's detention. The corridor was empty, everyone else had already headed down to the Great Hall for supper. He heard the sound of footsteps running behind him and looked in surprise to see Draco hurrying down the hall. Harry stopped and looked around to make sure no one was coming from the other direction. He quickly went over to meet Draco, pulling him into an alcove.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just wanted to see you. How the hell did you end up with four days of detention on the first day of school?"

Harry shrugged. He was tired and dreading going into Umbridge's office again. "I couldn't believe the lies she was saying about Voldemort and Cedric. And she is going to try and teach the Defense without even having us practice with our wands!"

Draco shook his head, "Don't mess with her, Harry. I've heard things, she can't be trusted. Don't get on her bad side."

Harry gave a laugh, "I am pretty sure that it is too late for that. She was at my trial, too. Was one of the ones that voted me guilty."

Draco looked worriedly over at Harry. "How late do you think you'll be?"

"She kept me until midnight last night, and I still have to do all of yesterday's and today's homework. I won't be able to meet you." Harry looked around, "I have to go, I can't be late."

"We'll have to find a way to get together, I miss you. And stop getting detentions." Draco slid his hand along Harry's cheek and then hurried down the hall in the opposite direction. Harry watched him disappear around the corner. It was funny how even the quick little stolen conversations they had could make him feel better. Too bad they were so rare. Harry slowly made his way to Umbridge's office. It was even worse than the first night. His hand already sore burned in pain and he had to grit his teeth to not make any sound. He was determined not to give her the satisfaction of knowing that it hurt.

It was after midnight when Umbridge finally let him go. The corridors were empty as he made his way wearily back to the Gryffindor tower. As he walked into the common room he was glad to see that everyone had gone to bed already. He couldn't face the thought of talking to anyone. It took him until two in the morning to finish his Potion's essay on Moonstones. His hand hurt so badly by the end it was almost impossible to write.

In Potions the next morning he could hardly keep his eyes open. If it wasn't for Ron's constant nudging he would have fallen asleep right at the table. Snape glared at him throughout the class and took ten points from Gryffindor when he failed to answer Snape's question about hellebore.

Finally, class was over and as he stood up and saw Draco slowly gathering his things. Harry turned to Ron and said, a little louder than necessary, "I need to do something to wake up. Think I'll skip lunch and walk around the lake."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Ron asked, a little reluctantly. Harry laughed, Ron hated missing a meal for any reasons.

"No, you go on. Grab me a sandwich and I'll eat it on the way to Magical Creatures."

Harry gave a quick look back at Draco to make sure he had heard and got a nod in response. He hurried up the stairs and in to the bright sunshine of the September day. There were other students out enjoying the sunshine but Harry quickly passed them by, making his way around the lake. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Draco taking the path going around the lake in the opposite direction. Harry practically hummed with excitement and had to force himself to keep a steady pace and not break out into a run.

When he got to the patch of trees he left the path and made his way under cover until he got to the large chestnut tree. He leaned against the tree and watched Draco as he moved down the path towards him. Not for the first time he envied how Draco made every move he made seem so elegant and smooth. Harry always felt awkward in his own body, twitchy and stumbling.