Secrets and Truths

Chapter Five
I Think We’re Alone Now



Althia looked around from the steps of the train. She spotted him at the edge of the platform leaning against the station wall. She started to make her way toward him. Harry had seen her coming and started to walk on but she caught up to him.

“Harry… Harry wait.” She said as she grabbed his arm to stop him.

“I said leave me alone and I meant it.” He said hatefully as he pulled his arm from her grip.

“Don’t give me attitude Harry, I’ve done nothing to deserve it. I’ve only helped you. Don’t make the mistake of closing me out as well.”

“You didn’t come running over here to tell me I was wrong and shouldn’t have treated them that way? And that I should apologize or something?”

“Uh, no. If anything I should congratulate you, you dunderhead.”

“Really? Thanks.”

“You thank me too much Harry, you really need to stop. Some things just are and no thanks are needed. Ha…think before you thank.”

Harry laughed with her and thought of what she said. He knew she was right, she had done nothing to him only for him. He realized that he in fact didn’t want to shut her out. He would need someone to talk to since he had isolated his friends. Sure there were his dorm mates but he was sure Seamus and Dean would take Ron’s side. Neville, he was different, he knew he could depend on him to take his side.

“You’re right Althia, I’m sorry I was so rude to you.”

“It’s alright Harry. You’re angry, Hell so am I. I didn’t appreciate the way they were treating you. But don’t worry they’ll come to their senses eventually. Until then you can count on me to have your back.”

“Thank yo…er…yeah. I hope your right. They were my very first friends after Hagrid and it would be a shame to lose them now after five years.”

As he was speaking she saw Ron and Hermione coming toward them. She knew now would be a bad time for a confrontation. She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the awaiting carriages. She chose one halfway up the line and hoped they hadn’t seen them getting in. Luckily, the carriage was empty so she cast a quick Signum locking the doors as she sat down.

Harry didn’t know what the rush was all about. One minute he was apologizing and the next he was being pulled through the crowd and pushed into a carriage. He was surprised when he saw Althia spell the doors locked and gave her a questioning look.

“What? I saw Hermione and Weasley coming and didn’t think now was the time to deal with them.”

Harry was dumbfounded. He had just gotten onto Ron and Hermione for doing things like this. And didn’t she just say she should congratulate him? He was let down to think she was fibbing and was going to step in to be his new ‘protector’ or ‘guardian’ or whatever!

“Look Althia I think I can handle my friends, I don’t need you stepping in and trying to do the same things they are doing!” He said sarcastically.

“Really Harry, I thought we were past this! I’m not like them, not at all. As I said before I’ve done nothing but help you. And I would like to continue to do just that. I know you can handle them, I just watched you do it. But now is not the time you’re angry and so are they…”

She raised her hand to stop him from interrupting.

“…Let me finish…I locked the doors not for your sake but for mine. I have a quick temper and I’m not one to deal with when I’m pissed. I already warned Hermione and Weasley and Draco now knows from experience. It’s defiantly a trait I inherited from my father. The last thing I need is to get into trouble on my first day; father would be disappointed. So do you understand what I’m saying? Why it’s wise for not so much you but me to duck them right now?

“Yeah, I get it. Sorry again for doubting you. And thanks for the warning not to piss you off.” He said with a small laugh.

“We’re good then, no more doubts or thanks, because if you do I might be forced to hex you, insured trouble be damned.” She laughed back.

“Yes we’re good, and I believe you would hex me. But you should know, a simple locking spell won’t stop Hermione. When she decides on something, nothing will stop her.”

“Hmm, figures. Well there’s only one solution I can think of to solve our problem.”

Harry was about to ask her what that was, but before he could she had spelled the opposite door open, pulled him out and started walking toward Hogwarts.

“Simple, we’ll walk. It’s well lit because of the full moon and it’s not that far. If we start now we shouldn’t be late, at least not too late.”

“I hope you’re right, the last thing I need is to start off a new year in detention. And the way my luck runs it’ll be with the greasy git.”

“Greasy git?”

“Yeah, we all call him that, among other things, because his hair looks like it’s never been touched by shampoo. He’s the potions Professor and the head of Slytherin. Needless to say he’s a real ass. I swear he’s been out to get me since first year.”

“Harry, did you ever consider that the reason his hair is that way is because he works with potions all day?”

“HA, that might be so, but actually washing it would help tremendously.”

“Whatever Harry, but I think you’re exaggerating a bit. And out to get you since first year, come on…”

“I’M SERIOUS…”

Harry proceeded to name off the ways Snape had been ‘out to get him’.

“…First year he singled me out in the first class, when I was actually taking notes. He constantly rode my case after that; well he does that every year actually. Second year he swore I was ‘up to something’ and was always trying to prove it. Third year he thought I was using dark artifacts or something and finally last year he accused me of stealing from his supply cupboard! If that’s not someone out to get you I don’t know what is!” he finished as he sucked in a breath.

As he spoke he noticed that she kept looking back over her shoulder as if she were looking for something.

“I don’t know what you did but you must have got on his bad side or something.”

“I don’t think Snape has another side. And I didn’t do anything but be the son of James Potter.”

“What does your dad have to do with it?”

“Simple, they were rivals in school. He’s always comparing me to him. Says I’m arrogant and strut around like he did. I don’t strut.”

“Oh, I see. I’ll agree with you on that one. But are you positive there isn’t another reason he would treat you that way, that you’ve really done nothing to bring it on?”

“Yes…er…well…Ididthinkhewasalwaysthepersonbehindthingshappening”

“Excuse me? Want to say that in English please.”

“I always thought he was behind things happening and tried to prove it. Like in first year I swore he was trying to steal the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

“And was he?” She questioned looking over her shoulder again.

“Well, no. It turned out to be Professor Quarrel. Snape along with the other heads of house were in charge of protecting it.”

“And that doesn’t count as getting on his bad side how?”

Harry just shrugged. He knew it was a no win situation.

“Fine, I give up. I may have provoked him, so what. I still say there’s no Professor worse than him. You can’t count Lockhart and Moody. Lockhart was an idiot and Moody was a death eater in disguise. But you don’t have to take my word for it, you’ll see soon enough.”

“I’m sure I will. I still don’t think he could be that bad. Trust me Harry, it’ll be fine. And if we do get caught I’ll take the blame. Surely they wouldn’t punish a brand new student. I’m sure if the need arises we can come up with something. Besides the carriages are probably still loading so we have a head start. And I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to be alone with you again.”

Harry was startled by her last sentence. He was wandering why she would want to be alone with him. Surely she wasn’t interested in him like that, they had only just met.

“Alone with me, but why would…” he started but stopped when he saw her draw her wand.



***************************TBC*********************************


A/N…Signum=Seal