Why him?

Enjoy

oOoOoOoOo


When I first heard that the headmaster was back it felt like my prayers had been answered, but that feeling soon vanished when I realized he wasn't in any condition to talk to me. I couldn't believe this school; how can a silly little girl get away with drugging the saviour of the wizarding world while nobody notices it? How can the teachers, who are suppose to protect the students, not notice it? And how are Harry's own best friends unable to see that he is drugged? If this was anyone besides Harry I would have ignored it and moved on, but something inside me didn't want me to leave him.

Not being able to talk with the headmaster would set me back a lot, but I couldn't hold the information to myself any more. There were multiple teachers I could go to, but I didn't know how much help they would be if they believed Weasley's lies. However, I knew I had to try, even if they wouldn't believe me. I had to take a chance, if not for me then for Harry.

I met Snape before lunch and requested a small meeting; luckily Snape never declined when one of his own students asked for something.

"What is so urgent, Zabini?" Snape asked impatiently. I was unsure where to begin; I didn't even know what I should tell him.

"Have you noticed anything strange about Potter?" I questioned finally. He looked at me strangely; he most probably never expected me to ask about Harry.

"There's always something strange with him," he muttered. I know he holds a lot of negative feelings towards Harry but I really hoped that he could lay that behind him and see that the poor boy was drugged.

"He's being drugged or poisoned or... something, and I'm pretty sure he will die if nobody helps him." Snape's expression didn't change - he still looked like he was bored.

"Do you have proof, boy?" he asked quietly. The anger that surged through me when I heard that sentence made me want to shout and leave; why would anyone need proof when it's Harry? Can't they believe me? If it was one of Harry's friends who were worried about Harry people would believe them at once, not ask for proof.

"You don't believe me?!" I challenged. "That slutty girl, Weasley, has been drugging him for months, telling everybody that they are in love so they won't think he's acting strange." I was starting to sound desperate and I didn't like it, but I was desperate; if nobody believed me then Harry would die seeing as there was no way I would let Weasley keep him without a fight.

"Have you told the headmaster about this?" Snape asked, still as calm as ever.

"No, every time I go to speak with him he isn't there." There was a long pause before Snape spoke again, this time he sounded suspicious.

"Why are you so interested in helping Potter?" I wasn't sure what to say, but when he continued his question I thought my head would explode. "Was he the person you wanted to forget?" I mentally slapped myself; I know Snape is intelligent, but I didn't know he would put two and two together that quickly.

"Yes," I answered quietly. Anyway, this was the head of my house so I didn't think I would need to hide my feelings that much from him; surely he wouldn't betray me. "But it didn't work. I mean, it did work, but the memory loss seemed to vanish."

Snape narrowed his eyes.

"The potion never vanishes, unless..." The way he trailed off annoyed me. Unless what? It sounded like it was important so why wouldn't he tell me? "If what you are saying about Potter is true then I believe we will be in great danger if he dies; everyone will be in danger." Here I was, thinking about my relationship with Harry, forgetting that he was an important key to the war. Harry might appear to be just an adolescent teenager, but he seems to have hidden powers.

Am I being selfish for wanting Harry for myself? Probably, but if I wasn’t then who would stop Weasley? Of course she wasn't fully to blame for his condition; if I'd ignored my feelings for him the first time then things wouldn't have reached this, but surely I can't be blamed for her being on the brink of insane. If they were together maybe she would have began to poison him only to get her way.

"Someone needs to stop her before she kills him," I said, almost like he didn't already know it. I had hoped Snape would say yes, then find her and expose her, but he didn’t give any sign that he planned to do anything. "Please sir, you need to do something." Begging him made me feel like a child, it was a horrible feeling, but I needed to bring her down.

"Unfortunately I can’t just take her and accuse her; I need to go and talk with the headmaster first." I wanted to shout at him and tell him that by the time they decide to do anything Harry could be dead. But I kept my mouth shut and walked away; at least I warned them.

-o-

It’s not easy walking around the school fearing for Harry’s life without being able to do anything. But I managed to stay away from both Harry and Weasley. After three days of avoiding them I thought I'd done exceptionally well, especially since the rage was bubbling up inside me every time I saw them together, but I managed to keep myself calm.

I thought things were going seemingly good, so I hadn't expected the next thing that happened. An owl flew over to me with a note; it simply said -It’s your fault.- I had no idea what it meant, until Draco almost rushed over at my side with the hot news.

"Potter was sent to St Mungos," he said breathlessly, almost like he enjoyed it. As much as he wanted it to sound like he didn't care I could still recognize the fear in his voice.

"What happened?" I asked desperately. Something horrible must have happened, but why? I had been good, I'd ignored them as I waited for Dumbledore to come back.

"Don’t really know," Draco said shurgging. "Pansy heard that he was poisoned."

So people have finally realized the truth; better late than never, I suppose.


"Did they say who did it?" I asked cautiously.

Draco shook his head. "Some say it was the Dark Lord, but there are a few who thinks it's a student. I’m pretty sure they will point the finger towards us." Of course people would think it's a Slytherin that is poisoning Harry, if they do believe that version of the story. Why would she poison him if I behaved? What's her plan?

-o-

The next day I received a letter from the headmaster requesting me to meet him in his office at lunch. If I received it four days ago I would have been thrilled, but not now. Mentally I cursed him for not seeing me when I first went to him; there isn’t much he can do now that Harry's state is critical.

As soon as it was time for lunch I made my way up to the old man's office and knocked. Immediately, the doors opened and I was most surprised to see Snape and McGonagall surrounding the headmaster; I suppose I'd almost expected Snape to be there, but not McGonagall.

"Enter, my boy," Dumbledore said. I did as I was told and walked over to the chair that was awaiting my presence. "I hope you don't mind that I asked professor MGonagall to join us." Like I had any choice, I thought bitterly.

However, I nodded politely and said, "Not at all, sir."

The old man smiled warmly before continuing. "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to see you yesterday." I didn't say anything; nothing I could say would change the past. After a few seconds during which the professors looked at me expectantly I knew I had to speak.

"Apology accepted, but I do believe we have more important subjects to discuss," I said firmly. Did he bring me up here only to make me accept his apology? Dumbledore nodded and gave me another smile.

"I agree; we do have more important things to discuss. I took the liberty to inform Professor McGonagall about Harry's condition, based on what you told professor Snape, and she has agreed to watch over Miss Weasley." I felt like shouting some common sense into the old man; why did they need more proof? Is it because I'm a Slytherin? I could see that McGonagall wasn't happy about her assignment. She was probably thinking that the poor, little, innocent Weasley could never have poisoned Harry. "Do you have any information about the potion that was used?" Dumbledore asked.

I shook my head. "I've searched the library for the book but haven't found it. I did, however, manage to find the location of where the book should be, but it was missing when I looked. It was in the restricted section." I hoped I wouldn't be punished because I broke into the restricted section, but the situation seemed to loosen them up a little.

It was time for the potions master to talk now. "I believe that most potion books in the restricted section have fatal endings headmaster." I feared for Harry's life even more so after what I'd just heard; I could honestly and safely say that I didn't want Harry to die. Snape turned towards the headmaster and continued. "After this meeting is over I'll see if we have any record of the missing book." The other two professors nodded in agreement.

"Mr Zabini, are you sure it's Miss Weasley?" McGonagall asked, obviously not concerned about hiding her favouritism. I couldn't say I was surprised she doubted me; after all, she's a Gryffindor who believes her students only do good things. And being a Slytherin didn't help me much, especially not after all the fights I've had with Harry.

"Professor, I might be a Slytherin but that doesn't mean I'm evil." Not the worst kind at least. "If you believe I'm mistaken then I suggest you try and find the real reason for why Potter is dying." A mental award was in place; I thought I did well answering that stupid question and shutting her up. What I really hated about her was that she was still questioning me after she had agreed to watch Weasley.

"Do you care to tell us what kind of relationship you have with Mr Potter?" The question the headmaster asked shocked me; did he know what kind of relationship we have? Was that the reason for the awkward question?

"I don't see what that has to do with Harry's situation, but I can assure you that I do not wish any harm to come to him. If I didn't care about him I wouldn't be here warning you." The old man nodded and smiled; I had a strange feeling that he might know the truth.

"Blaise, before you leave I wish to tell you what happened right before Potter fell into the coma." So he is in a coma; I could feel my rage grow. "He was in the Gryffindor common room with Mr Longbottom when he suddenly began to choke, then he began to throw up." I kept silent, unsure why I needed to know this. "It took approximately five minutes from when it started for him to collapse." Knowing my Harry had suffered made me wish, even more, that Weasley was right in front of me just so I could torture her until her puny head exploded. "I'm telling you this because, before he collapsed, he managed to say one word: -Blaise-."

That made my heart ache; he called for me.

"I'm sorry to say that information has, since then, been spread around the school."

"They'll think I'm the one who did it," I blurted out. I wasn't stupid, I knew that by saying my name I would be a suspect. And since we are in a school where the students don't really think a Slytherin and Gryffindor could have a relationship, other than rivalries, I would be right.

Dumbledore nodded, his expression sympathetic.

"Exactly. If what you are saying is correct," I was shocked they still didn't fully believe me after what I told them, "then Potter wanted you to come to him. But sadly we can't allow you to get closed to him, not before the person behind this is caught and your name is cleared." I didn't care if people thought I was the guilty one, I wanted to see him.

"How long do you think that will take?"

"It's hard to tell, my boy, but we will try and do our best to catch the guilty one."

"I guess that's good enough," I said flatly, standing up to leave; there couldn't be that much more he had to say.

"If anyone tries to hurt you, in any kind of way, then don't be afraid to come to one of the teachers; I'll inform the other staff about your protection." I really didn't need any protection, but I wasn't going to fight the old man since he looked extremely tired. After five seconds of silence I knew we were done. We said our goodbyes and I left them.

-o-

Days passed and I heard nothing new about Harry. Well, nothing good at least. Harry was still in a coma, and Snape hadn’t found the book or potion Weasley used; but the worst news was that Weasley hadn’t been caught yet. At least I was smart enough to ignore everyone who pointed and whispered behind my back. If I was like Draco I would have hexed each and every one of them. I hadn't thought about it before but I realized this must be how Harry was treated when the school was against him, like the time everyone thought he was the heir of Slytherin. Honestly, I was glad to hear that he might be the heir, Merlin knows families like Draco’s get to much attention in these kinds of cases.

"You monster!" came a shrill voice, disrupting me from my thoughts. I had expected the first physical attack to have happened days ago, so it didn’t come as a surprise. But I was shocked to see who it was that attacked me - Granger. She hit me a few times but it wasn’t enough to make me fall over. Annoyed at her pitiful attempts to hurt me I grabbed her wrists and turned her around so her hands were behind her back. She didn't give up fighting me even after I caught her, which strangely turned me on.

"Let her go!" the Weasley boy cried out. I rolled my eyes and pushed Granger away from me; I wasn't in any mood to fight. As quickly as she was released she tried to turn and jump on me again, but was stopped by her boyfriend who knew that she wouldn't win.

"You should keep her on a leash," I said to the red-faced boy, though my gaze was fixed on Granger. Her face turned a deep red as she tried to attack me again, but Weasley held her back until she calmed down. "I should report you for your abuse, Granger," I continued.

Her face turned from red to white. "You wouldn’t."

"You’re the one who should be reported," Weasley snarled, taking one stop forward like he was trying to protect Granger. I don’t think I had ever seen him that daring before and, to be frank, he was turning me on too. I reminded myself that this is hardly the time to think about sex, not when the one I cared about was on his premature death bed.

"I beg your pardon?" I said politely. I knew exactly what they meant, or thought; like everyone else on Harry's side they thought I was the one that hurt him. But even if they had the wrong information I didn’t think this was the time to tell them the truth. Anyway, they wouldn’t believe me if I did. "I’m not the one who poisoned Potter." I tried, hoping I could escape the tense atmosphere.

"Yeah, right." This time it was Granger who decided to open her mouth and insult me.

"I don’t care if you believe me or not, but I’m not the guilty one; I’m actually trying to help him." I could see that they were both in shock by what they just heard, but I could also see that they didn’t believe me. I know I shouldn't have told them the truth; it's not like they could help me. First of all, I'm a Slytherin and they're Gryffindors, but there's another important thing that keeps them from believing me. The guilty one is the little sister of the Weasley boy, and is practically the sister-in-law to Granger. "Unless you wish to destroy the progress we are making to save Potter then I suggest you don’t tell anyone about what I just told you, including family."

"Why should we believe you? You could be a Death Eater for all we know," Weasley spat. I should find my wand and hex that boy for accusing me for being a Death Eater, but if I did that then they definitely would never believe me. I didn't really care if they believed me or not, but since they are Harry's friends I don't want us to be enemies.

"I don’t bow for anyone, so what makes you think I would do it for him?" If they are intelligent then they would never say something like that ever again.

"Why do you want to help him then?" Granger asked softly, breaking the tense silence.

"I don't have to tell you anything."

"He’s our friend," she said more firmly. "We demand to know why." They dare to call themselves his friends when they didn't see he was being drugged for months?

"I don’t have to tell you anything," I repeated. I could see that both of them wanted to protest, so before they got a chance to say anything I continued. "When he wakes up you can ask him since I have no intention to tell anyone." It has always been like that; I never tell anyone who I fuck. If they decide to let people know then it’s their choice, I’m not doing this to gain fame.

"If you truly do want Harry to wake up again you should keep all this information to yourself," I said coldly. Sadly I didn't realize the subtle mistake of calling Harry by his first name until afterwards. I hoped that the two Gryffindor's hadn't realized my mistake so I tried to act normal.

Quickly I turned around and left them before I would make another mistake. Merlin forbid I let it slip that I fucked Harry. I know the mistake wasn't as big as telling them that I was trying to help Harry, but just by saying his name I could put Harry in danger, especially if the Weasley slut finds out. Maybe I shouldn't have told them about Harry and me; it may have been better if I let them believe I was trying to kill him. But what is done is done.

-o-

A few days later as I was walking away from the library I met the Weasley boy in the hallway; he looked like he wanted to tell me something so I decided to act like I didn't see him and walk straight past him, but - annoyingly - he didn't play along and stopped me.

"Zabini." I really didn't have the time for him, it's difficult enough coming up with a plan to capture his sister red-handed without the intervention of her brother. Annoyed I stopped and turned around, then waited for him to say something.

"Are you really trying to help Harry?" he asked sceptically. I wondered what he knew, but decided to go along with his conversation.

"Yes," I said flatly. I kept my answers short, hoping that I could get away as quickly as possible.

"Do you know who's hurting him?" he continued, and I gave him a small nod. "Why won't you tell us?"

"Because this person is disturbed and insane; if she finds out I have told anyone she might kill him," I blurted out before I could stop myself. Luckily I managed to restrain myself from saying it was his sister.

"So it's a girl?" Weasley said, catching on immediately. Damn it, why wasn't he as stupid as Draco always claims he was? "Who is it? One of his stalkers?" So there was more than one? Merlin have mercy on him when he wakes up; if I find out he's done anything sexual with his stalkers then he will be in big trouble. But I realised it wasn't true; Harry hasn’t done anything with anyone. I was his first and last, he told me so himself.

"Instead of trying to find out who it was you should try and find out why you didn’t notice he was being drugged for several weeks," I said with a sneer. "What kind of friend are you?" I had one intention with that sentence, and that was to get his mind off who is drugging Harry.

"We knew something wasn't right, but he always assured us that he was fine. And I'm a good friend, Harry is just so damn good at hiding bad stuff that happens to him! Most times he doesn't want us to worry about him."

I scoffed mentally and held in my retort: Oh, you are so mistaken Weasley. Harry probably wanted you and Granger to find out but did you? No. That was why he came to me for help.

"Go back to Granger, I'm done discussing Pot-" But before I could finish my sentence he interrupted me.

"You called him Harry before," the red-headed boy stated. I knew that small mistake would come back to haunt me. "What kind of relationship do you have with him?"

"It's private," I spat. "If you really want to know then ask Harry the next time you see him." Before he got the chance of delaying me any longer, I left. The next time I see Harry I’ll have to tell him what nosy, annoying friends he has.