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Secrets and Truths	By : stargatebabe Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 3563 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Chapter Ten

Comforts, Realizations and Surprises
Banji had made it to their guest quarters a short time later. Staring at the portrait, it was of a nesting Augurey; she knew she was going to have to do some damage control. Just how much she wasn�t sure. She whispered Dream Catcher and stepped inside the room. She saw that the only light was from the small fireplace in the corner and there was a trail of shed clothes leading to the bathroom. �Not a good sign�she thought as she made her way to the bathroom door. She knocked lightly seeking entrance. She heard the muffled �what� and took that as an okay to go inside.

Candles were surrounding the tub and decorated the shelves around the small room. She came up to the side of the tub and sank down onto her haunches beside it. She could tell by just looking at her sister she was in a foul mood. Her hair was no longer the happy pink and blue it was but a rather depressing shade of black. When she looked into her eyes she saw that the color there had changed as well. Where they were once a vibrant violet they were now only a dull chocolate brown. She let out a long sigh before she spoke.

�Siria, how long are you going to let this bother you? I thought you were past this stage, you even said not two weeks ago you were ready to find a new guy.�

�So did I. But seeing him again brought back the hurt. I can�t believe I forgot he went here. And yes I am defiantly ready for someone new�someone older that isn�t into the games boys our age like to play.�

�You do realize that that won�t happen until you can either forgive or forget George. You never even gave him a chance to explain what happened. Every letter he sent, you burned before reading it.�

�Ali told us both what happened, I don�t think she would lie about something like that.�

�Neither do I. I�m just thinking there might be more to it than what you know. And you won�t unless you speak to him about it.�

�Hmm, maybe. I�ll think about it.�

�That�s all I�m asking. Now for the love of Pete do something with your hair�that shade of black is just horrid.� She jokingly replied as she got to her feet.

Feeling quite a bit better Siria let a small giggle escape her. As Banji watched she saw the color lighten to a warm auburn and her eyes go to a honey color.

�Well, that�s better. But I expect a nice crayon color by the time you�re finished with your bath. Sorry sis, but natural� just isn�t� natural on you.�

With a nod of agreement from Siria, Banji left to change into pajamas and wait for her sister.

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Harry was lost in thought as he walked to the hospital wing. So much had happened in one day that it was almost overwhelming. First a new girl who had helped him out immensely, then running into two more girls that he had only met briefly and finding out that one of them had dated his best friends brother. Thinking he knew the odds of something like that happening to anyone else had to be slim. With a disgusted inward laugh, he thought �Well, I am Harry Potter, if anything can happen, it�ll happen to me.� So lost in thought was he that he didn�t hear when someone came up behind him. Only when a firm hand landed on his shoulder did he come back to reality. Startled he stopped and turned to look at the owner of the hand.

�Ron, what do you want? Didn�t you hear a word I said before on the train!�

�Yeah, how could I not, you only just yelled at me and Hermione, for no good reason either.�

�I had plenty of reason Ron. I do appreciate your concern for me but you push it too much. And until you can back off I don�t want you or Hermione around me, sorry.�

�What�s wrong with you Harry. You�ve never acted like this before. I think there�s something you�re hiding. I think there�s more to your summer than you�re letting on. You know you can talk to us mate; you don�t have to push us away.�

�THAT�S exactly what I�m talking about. There�s nothing WRONG with me and I�m not hiding a bloody thing!�

Harry knew this was a straight out lie. He did feel guilty for it but this was something he just didn�t want to burden his friend with. �Just drop it, just drop it�� became his new mantra.
�I think you are. And after what I saw on your leg earlier proves that. Tell me what really happened Harry because I�m not buying your story about your cousin! I�d bet five Knuts it was your Uncle. I can�t help but wonder what else you have hidden under your tee.� He said as he pulled him into a nearby alcove.

That last comment had Harry surprised. Was Ron always that perceptive? Or was he just poking around hoping he, Harry, would slip up and say something he wished he hadn�t. He knew he couldn�t back down now; he had to make him understand that this was a subject he refused to speak about.

�UGH�you can�t stop can you! That was the truth you git, Dudley��

Harry stopped his rant when Ron had stepped up and practically towered over him. He had only just now realized how much he had grown over the summer; he was a full head taller than himself. Looking up he could see the tell tale signs of a pissed off Weasley. When he spoke it almost sent a shiver up Harry�s spine, for it was so cold.

�STOP LYING! There�s only one thing I know to do because you haven�t left me a choice.�

Harry would never in a million years have guessed what was about to happen. Remembering what Ron had said only a minute before he now realized he had meant it literally. Taking advantage of Harry�s open robe front Ron had taken a hold of his dress shirt and tore it open. He had been so surprised that he didn�t think to stop him from yanking up his tee. If it weren�t for the situation Harry would have been amused at the look of shock on Ron�s face.

�Huh, but I was so sure�there�s nothing there, not one single mark.� Ron said shaking his head and releasing the material in his hand.

�I TOLD you it was just a row with Dudley. But who listens to me. Are you fully satisfied now Ron! I hope so, because if you EVER do anything like that again I�ll curse you!�

�Harry, I...I�m sorry. Really, I just thought��

�That�s the problem, you DON�T think and you DON�T listen! You better this time�LEAVE.ME.ALONE!� He spat as he turned and left a still gaping Ron.

He stormed through two more corridors before once again a firm hand on his shoulder stopped him. �Really! Ron will never learn will he�let�s see how he likes this��

Harry balled his fist and with all his might swung it around to hit his attacker. It never met it�s target for it was caught mid swing by a quicker hand, a hand not like his friends. This hand had long elegant pale fingers and stained nails. Fairly certain this would be his last night at Hogwarts Harry looked up to meet the Potion Masters eyes. He remained silent, unable to reply if he wanted to at this moment, for his mouth felt as if it were stuffed with cotton.
�Care to explain exactly why you were about to strike a Hogwarts Professor Potter? Is this yet another low to your defiance of the rules?� He spoke snidely as he released Harry�s fist.

�N�N�No sir�I�I thought you were, um��

�Mr. Weasley no doubt. I witnessed your little tryst in the hall a moment ago.�

�Sir? If you were there, if you saw, why didn�t you stop him?�

�Not everyone bows to the boy-who-lived, you�re Albus� golden boy, not mine. I can see through your act. It is not my job to fend off your fans. Why are you not in your dorm, curfew is only moments away, anxious to loose your house points already? Speak BOY before I remove points that have yet to earned!�

One word, one simple word and Harry�s mind brought back flashes of the summer. BOY�a slap to the face. BOY�a punch to the ribs. Boy�another broken bone. And on and on the memories attacked him.

Snape watched as Potter opened then closed his mouth, much like a fish out of water, trying to reply. His eyes took on a glassy appearance and his breathing quickened. Much more of this and Snape knew he would hyperventilate. He stepped up to the petite teen and took a hold of his shoulder�s to try and shake the sense back into him. He no more than grabbed him when Harry screamed out �NO, Please, don�t hit me, not again�before he slipped out of Snape�s grip and slumped to the floor. He sat on his knees with his arms wrapped around his head as if to protect himself from an expected blow.
For one of the few times in his life Snape found himself dumbfounded. �Does the boy truly think I am about to strike him?� This was not a reaction he had expected from his bantering. He had hoped to rouse the boy a bit and maybe take a few points. He was finding himself wondering if this had any connection to the scene he had witnessed moments ago with the youngest Weasley boy. Gathering his wits once again he kneeled in front of Potter keeping a safe distance as to not alarm him further. He needed to get a calming draught into him and soon.

�Potter�POTTER��

But he wasn�t given a reply. Swallowing his pride, if just for this once he tried again.

�Harry�� That worked.

The raven-haired boy looked up only a mere second before locking his gaze back down to the floor. Snape pulled a vile from his inner robe pocket and held it before him.

�Drink this, NOW, it will help.�

Surprisingly he did not protest and drank the potion right down. As the potion took effect he could see the tension fall from Harry in waves.

�Care to explain what that was all about?� He asked as he stood from the floor.

�Er, sorry sir. Don�t know what happened. Um, thanks for the potion, it did help.� Harry said as he to got up to stand.

�You are lying. If I so wish I can take from your mind what I desire to see.�

�You wouldn�t�please don�t.� Harry said wide-eyed.
�Not this night I will not. You have had enough torment for one evening. Now where were you heading, and tell the truth this time.�

He couldn�t believe it. Snape of all people was not going to pressure him for answers, what a relief. The least he could do was tell him the truth, this once only of course.

�Hospital wing� visit a friend� get a bruise balm�Sir.�

�I see. It is now past curfew so there will no visiting anyone tonight. Here�� He handed Harry yet another vile, this one a bruise balm, from his robes. �I am sure you know how to apply it.�

�Yes Sir� thanks.�

�Indeed. Come along I will escort you to your House. In light of recent events I will not deduct points. But only this once, understood?�

�Yes sir.� He agreed and the pair set off for Gryffindor Tower.

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Unknowing to the pair, in a dark corner nearby, someone watched the entire scene unfold. He saw Harry try to punch the greasy git and then be bantered by said Professor. He also saw Harry loose control of his emotions and delighted at the plea he uttered to Snape to not hit him. Just as he had thought, Harry was lying about his summer; he had to be to cause a reaction like that. As he turned back to walk to his dorm as well he decided he would have to find out how Harry was concealing his injuries. �Oh yes, this is a happy day indeed� Ron thought �Everything is working out just the way I hoped it would.�

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After a satisfying snog later Althia cuddled into Draco. It wasn�t very often that they were able to be alone like this. Both lay still, the sound of soft breaths and comforting heartbeats almost lulling them to sleep. As much as she wished she could stay here the whole night through she knew that if someone were to see them like this it would be rather hard to explain.

�I should really be getting back to my own bed now Draco. Will you be alright?�

�Yes, I�ll be fine. But you really don�t have to go, who cares what Pompfrey thinks?� He said as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.

�It�s not so much her I�m worried about. I�ll give you three guesses who shouldn�t see us like this and the first two don�t count.�

�Oh, hmm�let me guess�Potter.�

�Precisely. What would he think if he were to catch me in bed with you? I�ve only just befriended him and something like this would destroy any trust he has in me.�

�So what? I don�t see why you bother with him, bloody prat he is.�

�I have my reasons Draco, and so do you. Unless of course you�ve changed your mind that is. If you haven�t you know what you need to do.�

�No the plan is still in effect, I know what I must do, you�ve made it clear to me numerous times.� He said with a slight sarcasm to his tone.

�Ugh, don�t be an arse. If we plan to succeed at our task we have to work together, he can�t know about us, not yet at least.�

�I know, I know. I just don�t like the thought of you two getting too close. Well, I shouldn�t really let that bother me, I know how the other two of the golden trio are�they won�t let you get too close.�

�Draco Malfoy, if I didn�t know better I would say you�re jealous! And sorry to inform you but they won�t be a problem. Harry took care of that.�

�What? How do you mean he took care of them?

�All I can say is that they got a little to nosey for his tastes and he gave them a good what for. Told them to keep their distance if they knew what was good for them. Of course I had to put my two cents in, but Harry doesn�t know about that. Shame really, I looked forward to getting to know Hermione more. I�m sure at least she�ll come around, not sure about Weasley though. I have him all to myself, well almost.�

�Potter blew them off? He does have a spine after all; there may be hope for him yet. As for having him all to yourself I�m not sure I like the sound of it.�

�HA�you are jealous of him!�

�I�m NOT jealous! I am merely concerned for your welfare. He tends to get those around him hurt or killed.�

�You can�t truly believe that�he�s not at fault for EVERYTHING that has happened. Fate�s dealt him a really shitty hand. And there�s no need to worry about my safety, if I can knock a Malfoy on his arse I should be fine.�

�Very funny, you were just lucky today. Had I been at a 100% THAT would never have happened. I don�t know why you intervened anyway. It�s almost a ritual really, every year we have a spat and move on.�

�I had my reasons, don�t bother asking, I won�t tell you why.�

�Very well.�

�Good. I can�t understand why you worry about me so much. We�ve known each other since we were toddlers. You of all people should know that I am able to look out for myself. But just to make you feel more at ease I will have �protection� from the �fearsome� Harry, I will not suffer an untimely death.�

�And who�s being the arse now? You can�t hold it against me if I feel the need to keep you safe. And where is this �protection� coming from? Goyle and Crabbe?�

�Uh, no. I wouldn�t trust those two to save me from a flobberworm. They are loyal to you Draco and you alone.�

�Mmm, who then?�

�Banji and Siria. As luck would have it they will be attending here for a spell. I still can�t believe it, I thought I wouldn�t get to see them �til the Christmas hols.�

�Those two! I thought you were trying to reassure me. I don�t feel any better now than I did before!�

�Oh stop being such a drama queen. Their both quite competent in their magic if you would just take the time to notice instead of staring down your nose at them! I�ll be fine, no worries. You�ll be able to offer protection from afar if it�s needed, so let�s just drop it okay?�

�Fine. It�s late anyway and you should get some rest, I�ll walk you back to your bed.�

He released his grip from around her waist, pulled the blanket back and allowed her to rise from the bed. He shifted to his elbow once again preparing to sit up. From experience he knew it was going to be a task. Pausing only seconds he pushed himself into a sitting position while swinging his legs over the side. He squeezed his hands into the bed linens to ride out the wave of pain the movement had caused. He made sure to keep his face statuesque and control his breathing so as to not alarm the girl in front of him. The pain had subsided enough that he felt he could continue his task. Slowly he arose from the bed onto what he found to be shaky legs. Having been still for such a long amount of time had stiffened him more that he wanted to admit to himself. He chose to ignore the warnings his body was giving him and went to step forward. His foot no more than lifted from the floor when a severe pain shot through his thigh and straight up his back. It had been so sudden that he gasped and let himself fall back to the bed. All thought left him as he reached behind himself and tried to rub at the pain in his back with a hushed whimper. Even with massaging, which was futile, the pain refused to subside. He had given up hope for a release from it when a familiar warmth enveloped him. The pain recessed to a dull ache and he gave a relieved sigh before he realized what had happened.

He looked to the girl that had without his knowledge kneeled in front of him. Her arms still wrapped around his waist and hands still rubbing comforting circles to his lower back, without the magic this time. He felt grateful and angry toward her at the same time. He took her face in his hands and stared into the deep emerald eyes shining with tears that had not yet escaped to meet with their predecessors.

�Why love, why did you do it? I told you it could wait until you were stronger.� He whispered as he brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

�I had to pet, I could see the pain in your eyes, I couldn�t wait. I didn�t want you hurting. And it�s only a numbing spell; I can�t �fix� what I can�t see. Why do you still insist on wearing your Malfoy mask when you are around me? You know you don�t have to hide anything from me.� She finished softly sobbing.

�It is habit, one that is hard to break. Malfoy�s do not show weakness, to anyone. But I shall try, for you. Now come, let�s get you to bed as I�m sure you�re even more exhausted than before.�

Althia didn�t protest when Draco still insisted on escorting her back to her bed. If there was one thing she knew about Malfoy�s, it was the fact that once they had their mind set on doing something, there was no changing it. She gave him ample time to rise and get his bearings before allowing him to assist her. He was right; she was much more exhausted than before and was grateful for the support. At a slow pace they reached her bed and he helped her into it. He tucked her in, and as a reward for him, received a sweet chuckle from her. She hadn�t been tucked in since she was eight. This was something she only just now realized she missed receiving from her father, amongst other things. He slowly and cautiously bent down and placed a soft kiss to her forehead before capturing her lips once again in a chaste kiss. He watched, as her eyes got heavy a started to slip closed. Hearing her even breathing of sleep he went back to his own bed and settled himself in for the night.

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Reclining in the overstuffed armchair clad in her favorite nightclothes, a short pink tank top and blue plaid flannel sleep pants rolled down to her hips, Banji sipped on her second mug of hot chocolate, loaded with marshmallow cream. She was just about to check on her sister figuring forty-five minutes was enough time to �drown� ones sorrows when she heard the bathroom door open. She was pleased to see Siria almost back to normal. Like herself, she was clad in her favorite pajamas as well, much the same only a purple top with black pants with purple polka dots. As requested her hair was back to a crayon color, a uniform turquoise this time. As she came closer she saw that her eyes had not changed from the honey color from before. Siria sat beside her in her own chair pulling her legs up and crossing them resting her back against the large arm, mirroring her sister. She nodded in silent thanks for her own hot chocolate and took a satisfying sip.

�So sis, what�s up the honey eyes and turquoise hair? I had hoped you would feel a bit better than you seem to.�

�Oh, I�m good. Felt like a new color is all. And felt like having mom close so kept my natural eye color for a change. Just missing her I suppose.� She shrugged as she sipped more of her drink.

Banji could go along with that. It was strange really how they had inherited their looks. They were an uneven 50-50 split of their parents. Where Banji had received her mother�s hair and her father�s eyes, Siria had received the opposite, her mother�s eyes and her father�s hair. Not many people knew the true color; which was a rich warm brown, because she had always chosen to flaunt a vibrant rainbow of colors.

�I understand. Bet if she were here you would have come out of the tub a lot quicker than you did. Guess I�m not as good at the �talks� as mom was.�

�Oh no, you were great. Better than I would have been I�m sure. Nope, just got so relaxed I feel right to sleep, surprised I didn�t drown actually.� She said with a snort. �Speaking of mom, have any memories come back to you yet?�

�Not much, a flash here and there. I think Shody isn�t allowing the memories to come thru. I wish I could remember though.�

Their mother had been the Potions Mistress at their school. Much like Hogwarts, it had class rivalries as well. It had been a normal day at that point without much argument between students. They were to be making non-lasting love potions in celebration of the upcoming Valentine holiday. As Banji�s memory served everything seemed normal one moment, then events blacked out, she could remember a shrill scream, more blackness and finally waking up in the hospital ward learning of her mother�s premature death. It was still hard to believe that it had only been this past February that they lost the only parent they had known. They had never met their father nor saw a picture of him. They were told tid bits here and there about his appearance and their parent�s younger days, but never very much. They were promised many times by their mother that one day, she would tell them more about him. That day would never come.

�Maybe it�s for the best you don�t remember Banji, it�s a horrible memory to want back�NO� I won�t tell you what happened. You know the healer said it would be healthiest if you remember on your own. Your mind knows what it�s doing. When it feels you�re ready to remember, you will.�

�I guess. It just suck�s, I FEEL something�s missing but can�t put a finger on it. Oh well to hell with it, I�m too tired to boggle my brain anyway.�

�Good, stop dwelling, it�ll happen.�

�Hope so. Hey, I just thought about it. Why did you act as if we didn�t know Draco before?�

�Oh that, glad you knew to play along. Ali asked me to keep it quiet while you and Harry were having your spat about sneaking. She didn�t go into much detail, just said that it would hurt their blossoming friendship if he were to know about them.�

�I�d have to agree�Harry really doesn�t like him. Draco�s not so bad. Bit arrogant and uppity, but if you can get past that I guess he�s an okay guy.�

�Hard to believe you would defend him. It�s plain to be seen he doesn�t care much for us. We�re too lower class and uncouth, but if Ali likes him I�ll be civil. God, why did you have to elbow me so hard in the ribs for at dinner?� She asked as she rubbed at her tender side.

�HA! I hope it hurts! I still can�t feel the top of my ear where you twisted it earlier, your McGonagall self that is.�

�Now you know what I went through with her this afternoon. Serves you right for letting me cuss up a storm with her right behind me. It�s that damn Peeps fault anyways��

�Peeves��

�WHATEVER�I still can�t believe he threw Unicorn shit at me.� She finished with a huff.

�Well at least Unicorn poop doesn�t smell too awful bad and none of it got on you.� She commented barely containing her laughter.

�Oh shut up. I don�t care if it smelled like Cocoa butter�shit is shit and it�s JUST.PLAIN.NASTY!�

As she spoke Banji watched with amusement as Siria eyes, without her knowledge, changed color many times. A poker player she could never be because they would give her away every time. By the end of her tirade they were a glowing maroon. �Hmm, didn�t know she had that color in her�better look out Peeves�� She thought with a laugh.

Reaching across her own chair Banji ran her hand down her sister�s arm chanting �Calm, calm, calm�� With each stroke, that earned her a glare. She couldn�t contain it any more and plopped back into her chair laughing until her side hurt.

�Well good damn it, now we can both be uncomfortable.� Siria said satisfied.

�Yeah, about that� She replied while wiping tears from her eyes. �The jab to the ribs wasn�t payback, I just wanted you to shut up and leave Harry alone.�

�Why? Don�t you think it a bit weird that he knows about Ali�s ability?�

�Normally yeah.�

�Okay so spill, what do you know that I don�t?�

�Keep this between us, don�t let Ali know either��

�Promise.� Siria said crossing her heart with her finger.

�Remember before, by the woods when I said I had to use the restroom and excused myself��

Banji proceeded to tell her what she knew. While being the lookout for Althia and Harry at the tree line curiosity got the better of her. She knew curiosity could kill the cat, but she couldn�t help herself. She gave an excuse and when her sister wasn�t looking, slipped into the wooded area. With the stealth of a feline she crept to her unsuspecting friend. Silently she watched as Harry removed his robe then his shirt. What she saw shocked her when Harry lit his wand. His body was littered with bruises, she had to clamp her hand over her mouth to keep from giving herself away as she gasped. She stayed only a moment longer seeing Althia begin to do what she did so well.

�I�m telling you Siria, he was in bad shape. I have no idea who did that to him and I�m willing to bet he won�t tell. And I can�t even ask him because I�m not supposed to know.�

�Ugh, that�s awful. Well, at least we know he�s fine now, after Ali�s had her hands on him.�

�Yeeaahh��

�Ewww, who, who�somebody has a dreamy look in their eyes. Awe does my wittle sissy have a wittle cwush on a certain dark haired bowie?

�Ugh, shut up. I was trying to stifle a yawn, that�s all. I don�t fancy him. And you�re what, a whole twelve minutes older than me? Besides I think you have a crush, I saw the sparkle in your eye�s when we ran into��

�Oh wow, look at the time�we should get to bed� we do have classes tomorrow�oh, and you have marshmallow cream on your lip, just there, did you know?� She said as she ran to her room.

Banji just shook her head amused� �And that�s, freaking irritating�did you know?� She said as she crossed the area to her own room.

*********************TBC******************
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Secrets and Truths