Harry Potter and the Ties that Bind

Chapter 38

The days passed by in general obscurity. Classes came and went, and the status quo had returned. Harry had become the "popular and helpful student" once again, though perhaps not to the same degree as before. People still asked him for help. They still came to him when troubled. However, there seemed to be a wall between him and most of his peers. It didn't feel like they were afraid of him. It was more like they'd placed him on another pedestal.

Well, it could have been his imagination, but that's how it felt.

He was doing well in all of his classes, naturally. His friends were also on top of their classes, but that wasn't surprising. He and his friends studied together every day during lunch and after class. It wasn't just because they wanted to do well. Getting their homework and studies done early meant they could have fun the rest of the time.

They'd gone into Hogsmeade a number of times; they had shopped at Honeydukes, drank butterbear at The Three Broomsticks, and wandered around the village grounds. However, while all of his friends seemed to be having fun, a cloud hung over Harry's head.

Professor Androgus Antsu. Despite making numerous inquiries and following Professor Antus's movements via the Marauder's Map, which he had borrowed from the Weasley twins, he had yet to find anything incriminating. It wasn't that Harry didn't believe Madam Bones when she personally vouched for the new DADA professor. The problem wasn't so black and white.

Someone had tried to kill him, and that someone had to have infiltrated Hogwarts. It would have been impossible to confund Professor McGonagall otherwise. The only person who was new to Hogwarts was Professor Antus. Also, he didn't think any of the students had the power to confund such a powerful teacher. So, unless someone had infiltrated Hogwarts without anyone's knowledge, Professor Antus was the only one who could have done it.

"Harry? Harry, are you there? Hello. Earth to Harry."

Blinking several times, Harry came back to reality. He looked at his friends. They were all sitting together at the lunch table, with Daphne on his left and Susan on his right, their usual places. Astoria was sitting next to Daphne, and Luna sat on Astoria's other side. At the opposite end of the table, Blaize, Tracey, Neville, Lisa, Hanna, and Terry stared at Harry with concerned eyes.

"Are you feeling all right, Harry?" Hannah asked.

"Oh, yes. I'm fine." Harry gave the blonde girl a smile that he didn't feel. "I've just been thinking about something."

"Professor Antus," Daphne said, nodding.

Harry almost fell backwards off the chair. "Wha--how did you know?"

"Oh, please." Daphne flicked her hair back as if imitating a snobby rich girl. "It's all over your face."

Susan nodded. "You're kind of like an open book these days."

Harry felt like he'd received a punch to the gut, or like some world renowned wrestler had just body slammed him. He still kept up with his occlumency practice every night. He still worked hard at keeping his emotions in check. He shouldn't have been this easy to read.

I wonder if it's because they just know me better now... I hope that's the case.

He sighed. "It's true. I'm still not sure I trust Professor Antus, but I haven't been able to find anything incriminating either."

"Do you really think he might be the one who tried to kill you?" asked Neville.

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. That's the problem."

Adopting a thoughtful look, Blaize cupped his chin. "What do we know about Professor Antus?"

"I know that he's a former hit wizard who worked under Madam Bones," Harry said. "Madam Bones told me during out meeting. I also know that the reason he quit was because he couldn't take the pressure of being a hit wizard. That's all I could find out, though. Madam Bones wouldn't tell me anything else, and I haven't been able to find out more on my own."