Under The Midnight Sky

Harry had spent most of his summer holiday with the Weasley’s. Most of the time, he was bored. Ron and Hermione had gotten together and spent a lot of time in each other’s company. This left Harry on his own most of the time. On occasion, the twins would stop by for a visit and lighten the mood up. It had gotten to the point that Harry looked forward to the twins visits just to have someone to hang around with. H e had also been having very strange dreams and could not even talk with anyone about it. Every time he mentioned his dreams, everyone would roll their eyes and walk away. He was beginning to feel ignored and took to writing to people he never would have thought to write. One person on his new contact list was Draco Malfoy. It had been awkward at first but soon it turned into an understanding friendship that still had its problems. He had taken to telling Draco about his strange dreams. In response, Draco had suggested asking Snape. Harry had yet to write him.
In spite of his problems, Harry was having a relaxing summer. He was sitting in the living room reading over the latest letter from Draco as Ron and Hermione were occupying each other in the corner of the room. Harry read the letter twice before he could believe what Draco was telling him. In all, the letter simply stated that Snape was staying with him that summer and had read the letters about Harry’s dream. Instead of putting it off like usual, he was sending Harry a book that might explain things better than a person could. He quickly began to write a reply and added a second letter for Snape thanking him for the help.
“What are you doing over there?” Ron asked Harry as he got up from where he had been sitting with Hermione. He had noticed Harry being occupied and became curious.
“Just writing a letter.” Harry replied as he finished up the letters.
“Who are you writing to?” Hermione asked.
“No one of importance. Besides, you two were more than occupied with each other.” Harry smirked.
“Sorry, Harry if it seems that we forgot about you. It’s just that…” Ron began.
“It was new to the both of you and you are still trying to balance the relationship out with friends. You told me several times this summer.” Harry replied tying the letters to Hedwig.
“Oh, well we are sorry about forgetting about you but we should be getting our school letters soon. “ Hermione said as they headed over to where Harry was sitting. They both stood awkwardly in front of him. It was as if they didn’t know what else to talk about. Just then Molly appeared from the kitchen carrying letters. She looked around the room and smiled at the teens.
“Your letters have just arrived. They were send out late if you ask me. Oh well dears, we will go t Diagon Alley tomorrow. Dinner is ready.” She said as she handed the teens their letters before going back into the kitchen.
The teens looked at their letters as they headed into the kitchen to eat. They were all starving no matter how troubled some may have been. Hermione looked at her list for a second time making sure she knew what she was getting memorized.
“Hermione, how many times are you going to read that letter? It will not change.” Ron asked around mouthfuls of food.
“It just seems like a longer list this year. Unless it is just mine. There looks like two books for Potions.” Hermione said as she took the boys’ lists and looked them over. “Nope not just mine but your too.” She stated.
“Well, not to worry. We will be fine.” Molly added.
“Hermione, it’s not just your three’s. Mine have an extra book as well.” Ginny added.
“That is strange. Never heard of Snape assigning more than one book before.” Arthur added.
“It must be very difficult, whatever he is up to.” Harry frowned. He knew that he would have one extra book that no one else could know about. He had promised that only his eyes would see the book. After everyone had finished their meal, they all headed up to bed. They were going to have a busy day shopping for their supplies the next morning.

Molly had gotten everyone up extra early the next morning. She made a quick breakfast ad rushed everyone off. She wanted to get the shopping done early before many other families crowded the alley. She knew that since everyone had gotten letters late then it would be a mad rush for shopping. As quick as they had left the house, they arrived to the alley. The alley was already getting crowded as everyone had the same idea.
“Alright we can split up. You take care of your supplies and I will get everyone’s books. We will meet up at the Leaky Cauldron.” Molly said to the group. Ginny found some of her friends and went to hang out with them leaving the trio alone. Hermione grabbed the boys and took them to get new wardrobes. She took charge of the group, leading them from one place to another. Harry was getting bored until he saw someone standing just in the shadow of one of the buildings. He thought he had seen the figure before. Checking to make sure Ron and Hermione were not looking, he moved to where the figure was standing. As he approached he was two people exit the building. Harry recognized one of them as Draco. Draco was talking with a teen he had not seen before. She was just shorter than himself with midnight black hair. She wore a cloak around her as if trying to hide something, but he could just make out traces of a pendent. Harry stopped as Draco saw him. He was confused when he watched Draco’s eyes widen and look between him and the girl standing beside of him. The girl noticed his gaze as well at looked right at him. Her eyes looked the color of the moon. It was something about her eyes that Harry felt he had seen before but could not place it. She wasn’t smiling but then again she never was to begin with. Draco came forward carrying a package and headed right to Harry.
“Don’t say a word about seeing me.” Draco said seriously as the girl joined his side. It was then that Harry felt as if he was being watched. It almost felt as if he could see himself through someone else’s eyes. Along with the feeling, he felt himself as a threat.
“I won’t.” Harry replied. Draco nodded and handed Harry the package.
“Remember your promise. It was difficult to get but you must give it back when you are finished with it.” Draco said.
“No one must see it.” The girl added.
“Shhh, he knows.” Draco said to the girl.
The girl just stared at Draco with a cold glare. Harry watched as Draco winced before looking away. He was about to say something else when two more people joined the group.
“Draco, this is not keeping hidden.” Lucius said as Severus joined his side. He took the girl by the shoulders and pulled her close to him. She seemed to struggle against his treatment.
“You’re hurting her.” Harry said as he watched her try to break loose.
“No I’m not. She is just being stubborn.” Severus said.
“It’s only Potter. It’s not like he is going to go around telling that he saw us.” Draco replied.
“Well, maybe he won’t but they will.” Lucius replied as he noticed Ron and Hermione heading their way. Before Harry could say anything, Severus was gone, along with the girl. Harry knew that they were nearby but did not know where. Harry quickly thanked Draco for the book before joining his friends before they could ask questions. Harry did not see Draco for the rest of the day. He wondered as to why he did not want anyone to see him but true to his word, he did not say a word about the strange encounter.
It wasn’t long before it was time to head back to Hogwarts. The letters had arrived just days before the first day back. No one knew why they were so late but no one complained as they all struggled to get to the platform on time. It was a rush but they managed to make it just minutes before the train pulled out. Harry found an empty compartment and settled in. It wasn’t long before Ron and Hermione joined him. However, they headed out for prefect rounds and never came back. Harry took the time to pull out the book Draco had given him and looked at it for the first time. There was no writing on the cover but when he opened the book, his eyes widened. The title on the cover page read: The True Secrets of the Vampire Race. He was not expecting that. He thought he was getting a book to help explain the strange dream he had been having. What really took him by surprise was the chapters within the book. The different chapters included: wannabe vampires, turned vampires, ceremonies and rituals, vampire dreams, and more. It held every vampire secret there was. It was a wonder that Draco wanted the book to be returned. Harry knew that if the book fell into the wrong hands, it could be dangerous. Harry began to read the first chapter, Vampire Legends.
Harry was half way through the chapter when Hermione reappeared. He quickly hid the book before she could see what he was reading. He knew if she ever got a hold of the book, then no one would see the book for a long time. Hermione just looked at him questionably.
“We will be arriving soon. What were you reading?” Hermione said.
“Just a book. It was of no importance.” Harry replied smiling.
“If you say so.” Hermione said. “I’m going to go find Ron. See you soon Harry.” Just as quick, Hermione was gone. Harry quickly put on his robes and began to read again. Just as he started, the door opened yet again. Harry went to hide the book, only to realize that it was just Draco.
“Better be more careful with that book.” Draco said sitting in front of Harry.
“I was. No one has seen it.” Harry said putting the book away.
“I was wondering, why did you start telling me of your dreams?” Draco asked.
“No one else would take me seriously. So I figured, what do I have to lose?” Harry replied with a smirk.
“Nice way of putting it I suppose. However, if Uncle Sev wasn’t there reading the letters about the dreams, you would never have gotten that book.”
“Where did you find it anyway?”
“There is no other of its kind. That is the only copy. I promised I wouldn’t tell you where I got it from. Let’s just say it was from a friend of his.”
“Fair enough. Can you at least tell my why two books for potions?”
“Actually, it was because of Uncle Sev that the letters were sent out so late. No one could get a hold him for so long. There is a reason if you actually read the titles. One book contains potions but the other goes into detail about the potion.”
“So one is like a potion recipe while the other gives details.”
“Yes. You see, just making the potion isn’t enough. The details state the effect of each ingredient and the reactions that could happen if the wrong thing is added. It also goes into detail as to how to prevent such disasters and save the potion. In other words, Uncle Sev is tired of having unknown ingredients in others potions and thus, the book is more to help save a ruined potion than anything else. It also saves the trouble for doing research for a potion. “
“Ah, so that explains it.”
“Look, as much as I would love to shock everyone and leave with you, I don’t think everyone is ready for that just yet.” Draco said as he stood to leave. “However, if you do need to talk with me or have any questions, tell Uncle Sev and I will meet you somewhere.”
“Or I could write like I did over the summer or find a way to send you a message.”
“That could work as well.” Draco smirked as he walked out the door.
Harry smiled as he collected his things together. Just as he finished, the train stopped. They had arrived for another year. Harry took a deep breath before joining the others on the platform. He didn’t know why, but he felt that it was going to be an interesting year.

The welcome feast went on as usual. Harry tried to joke with his friends but he could not feel connected with them. Since the summer, the trio had become distant from one another as Ron and Hermione had gotten closer. Most had seen the changes while others just believed that they were fighting or had some disagreement about something. It was impossible to figure out. Only Draco could see the strains of friendship between the trio was breaking. In ways he felt sorry for Harry but he could not do anything for him. He watched as Harry left the hall behind his so called friends to head to their dorms. Draco just shook his head and headed to his own for the night.

The next morning ran smoothly. Harry dragged himself out of bed to find he was the last to get up. He quickly hurried and got dressed and headed for breakfast. When he walked in, he noticed that Ron and Hermione were just finishing up. He sat down and began to eat as they continued to ignore him.
“Nice for someone to have wakened me up.” Harry said looking at his friends.
“Sorry mate, but I had promised Hermione I would get up early with her before anyone else. Some alone time.” Ron said smiling.
“We thought one of the others would have woken you up.” Hermione added.
“No, you said to let him sleep.” Neville piped in.
“Yea, you said he needed the rest since he had a long night.” Dean joined in.
“Anything else that was said on my behalf?” Harry asked the two.
“We did offer to wake you but they would have none of it.” Seamus said joining the group.
“So now everyone is against us.” Hermione said.
“Yea, we were just trying to be good friends.” Ron added.
“Right.” Said the group of three. Harry watched but could not believe the turning of events around him. He felt as if he was living in a different time. The times chart was passed out to the students and Harry groaned. He did not know how he was going to get through Potions first thing. It seemed as if everyone else felt the same thing as he heard others groan just as well. He looked over to where the Slytherins were seating and found Draco. Draco caught his eye and gave him a nod. Harry knew that they would have the same class together. He quickly finished eating and headed off to class early.
Harry was the first to arrive for class. He stood outside of the room and waited for the others to arrive. Instead, the door opened to reveal Snape. Snape just stared at him for a moment.
“Well, you can come on in.” Snape said as he walked back into the room.
Harry was too surprised to say anything, instead he just followed him on into the classroom and sat down. He began to unpack his supplies and pulled out the book he had been reading. Snape just watched him for a moment before getting things ready for the class.
“You are early today.” Snape said casually.
“Yes Sir. I did not want to be late.” Harry replied.
“So why the sudden change?”
“No reason. Sir, would it be alright if you split the class up. I do not want to sit with Ron or Hermione right now.”
“May I ask why that is?”
“No reason. I just want to try and do better in the class, that’s all.”
“Tell me, who would you rather sit beside?”
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but Draco.”
Snape didn’t say anything as the class began to fill up. Harry quickly put the book away as Ron and Hermione joined him. They were surprised to see that he was already for the class to begin. Just as everyone was getting their things Snape made an announcement that shocked the whole class.
“Before you pull everything out, I want to make a few changes. Hermione and Pancy will be partnered. Weasley with Blaize, Potter and Malfoy…” Snape continued on until the Griffendors or paired with the Slytherins. It was the first of many shocks to come that year.