Third Place - Angst

Saturday dawned bright and clear. The sun was warm, the sky was blue and the Quidditch fans were excited. Harry and Draco made their way out towards the field. A hand grabbed his arm as Harry turned to join his friends in the stands.

"Best not be cheering for the other side, Potter," Draco said with narrow eyes. Harry smiled and pulled his arm away.

"You are the other side, Malfoy," he quipped.

"Don't cheer for me, then. But you also won't root for the Cravenclaws, either."

"Don't you know name calling is infantile, Draco?" Harry shot off as he walked away with a smug smile.

"I'll be watching you!" Draco called after him.

"And that's why you'll probably lose!" Harry called back. He tossed off a wave and headed for the Gryffindor stands. He climbed up and spotted his friends toward the front waving like mad at him.

"Hey, Harry! Got you a great seat!" Ron said excitedly.

"Great! Thanks!" Harry squeezed past his housemates and settled between Ron and Neville. Hermione looked around Ron and gave Harry an appraising look.

"How are you feeling, Harry? You look to be in a great mood?" she asked.

"I'm fine. And why wouldn't I be in a great mood? I'm about to watch Draco eat pitch!" A round of laughter followed his comment.

"Have you found anything missing yet?" she asked, with a narrowed eye.

"Hmm? Oh, uh, no. But I forgot to ask Draco, so you never know." Harry quickly turned to Neville and began discussing the newest Herbology assignment.

Soon the roar of the crowd brought Harry's attention down to the field. Madame Hooch was stepping out onto the pitch toward the chest that housed the quaffle, snitch, and bludgers. Suddenly, the two teams flew out onto the field and the crowd roared again. Harry immediately zeroed in on a head of white blond hair. Draco came flying by and smirked. Harry smiled back and then began pantomiming drinking from a cup with his pinky finger out in reference to a familiar Quidditch taunt:

"Oh your seeker can not see.
(clap, clap)
Might as well stop
For a spot of tea."

Draco narrowed his eyes and nodded his head, taking on the challenge. Then he flew off to take his position in the start of game formation. A shrill whistle and the game began. The Ravenclaws were a crafty bunch and had learned never to play by the book. Which made them a perfect adversary for the Slytherins. Draco had said that playing Ravenclaw made you have to think. They could catch a cheat maneuver before it had even been brought to fruition. Gryffindors, Draco had explained, were too image conscience to play dirty but what they lacked in brain they made up for in courage. Harry hadn't known what to think about that backwards compliment, but he hadn't had much chance to say anything because Draco had increased his thrusts at that moment and Harry's thoughts had turned to mush.

"Ten points to Slytherin!"

Harry's thoughts were brought back to the present and he watched as the Slytherin chasers punched the air in victory. Harry searched the skies until he focused on Draco. The Slytherin seeker was making large figure eight patterns as he sought the little gold flash and kept an experienced eye on the game. Suddenly he plunged down for a heart stopping second and narrowly missed being knocked off his broom by a bludger.

"Harry! Sit down! He's fine," Ron said and grabbed Harry's cloak to pull him back to his seat. "You're making a scene, for crying out loud."

Harry sat and looked around him to see a lot of Gryffindors' eyes conspicuously turned away. He cleared his throat, blushed, and resumed watching the game.

It was fifty to forty in favor of Ravenclaw and Harry could see Draco's impatience. His flying had become erratic as he searched for the snitch and the win. The Ravenclaw seeker was also beginning to get anxious, as he made wider and wider search patterns. Harry began to search about for the snitch. It was odd that it hadn't shown itself in over thirty minutes of game play.

Harry was tracking past the faculty stands when a movement caught his eye. It wasn't gold but it was just as coveted. Mohair. Harry could identify that gorgeous material from this far away. Snape was unwrapping it from about his throat, obviously becoming too warm in the unseasonable sunny weather. Harry watched intently as the scarf was placed on the bench next to the potions master.

"Hey Ron," Harry called over the cheering. "I've got to use the loo. Be right back."

"Right now? But Ravenclaw's ahead!"

"Yeah, but I've got time. That snitch is playing hard to get. Be back in the flick of a cat's tail," Harry said as he started to push his way through the jubilant Gryffindors. He bolted down the steps and made his way around the field, occasionally looking up at the blonde seeker zooming about. Finally he reached the back of the faculty bleachers. Ducking under the colored tarp, Harry entered the gloomy center. Bright slashes of sunlight cut through the darkness allowing Harry to find his way to the place directly under his quarry.

Looking up he could see the scarf's end dangling seductively about six meters above him. Biting his lip he tried to decide the easiest route. He could climb the scaffolding and try to grasp hold of it, but there was a good chance that someone would see or hear him. There was also a very good probability that Snape would catch his scent before he even got close enough. Perhaps there was a stick or something lying about? Harry looked down and then slapped himself in the forehead. Chuckling quietly to himself he pulled out a handy piece of wood. The crowd roared just then as if approving of Harry's improved thinking.

"Accio scarf," Harry whispered. Immediately, the black scarf undulated towards him like a snake and landed safely in his grasp. Hugging it to him, Harry stuffed his wand in his robe and began to make a quick getaway. The mohair felt so wonderful against his cheek that he rubbed his face in it as he slid through the darkness. He looked up to pull back the tarp and was met with the sight of Hermione standing just inside, hands on her hips and an accusing look on her face.

The two friends stared at each other in the gloom. Harry was too shocked to say anything and his mind tried desperately to shift into gear and come up with some plausible explanation.

"I knew it was you!" Hermione said triumphantly. Then she set her jaw. "Harry Potter! What are you doing?"

"What?" Harry stalled. He belatedly realized that he still had his chin buried in the black scarf. He quickly brought it down to his chest.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "What do you mean, what? You're the thief!"

"I am not!"

"Then what are you doing with that bit of clothing?"

Harry looked down at his prize and tried to think quickly. "It's mine. I lost it at Quidditch practice the other day and I, um, spotted it under here."

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow. "You spotted it? Under this covered stand from half a field away. Then made up a lie to retrieve what was yours anyway?"

"Yeah," Harry said with as much conviction he could muster. Hermione pursed her lips and began ticking things off on her fingers.

"First, you do not own anything like that. Nor has Draco bought you anything like that because it is quite expensive and fine and you would have said something about it sooner. Just like everything else he has bought you. You are very free with that information, Harry." She ticked off another finger. "Second, I have personally seen the scarf in your hands wrapped about the throat of a particular teacher numerous times. Three, I watched you steal that just now!" She put her fists back on her hips. "Care to try to lie again?"

Harry looked down and swallowed hard. Well, it was a fair cop. But how was he going to explain?

"Harry?" Hermione's voice had gentled. "Why are you stealing these things? Is it something Malfoy put you up to? Some sort of dare? Is he in on it?"

Harry shook his head.

"Then why, Harry? This isn't at all like you. Did you sell them? Did you need the money?"

"No!" Harry's head shot up. "I wouldn't sell them!"

"Then what are you doing with them?" Harry remained silent. "Have you got them hidden away somewhere?"

Harry nodded.

"Does Draco know about it?"

Harry shook his head.

Hermione sighed. "Harry, you have to tell me what is going on. As Head Girl it is my responsibility to take care of this matter. How will it look if I allow my best friend to get away with thievery?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"Alright," Hermione said in a firmer tone. "You will give me all of the things you took and I will return them to their owners."

"No, not yet!" Harry said desperately.

Hermione's frowned. "Why? What do you need them for?"

"I just, I just can't give them back yet," Harry said earnestly. "But I promise, I will return them. I'll even take a month's detention."

"But Harry, why on earth do you need them? What did you take them for?" Hermione asked in confusion.

Harry looked around as if searching for an answer. And in essence he was, he just failed to find it. "I don't know, Hermione. I just really really wanted them. But I am taking very good care of all of them and they will go back to their owners." Harry beseeched her with his eyes. Hermione stared at him and Harry could see the wheels of her mind turning. Finally, with narrowed eyes, Hermione made a decision.

"Alright, Harry. I'll keep quiet about this as long as you promise not to take one more thing-,"

"Not a single thing more. I promise!"

"And, you come with me right now to see Madame Pomfrey," Hermione said firmly.

Harry's eyes widened in horror. "No, Hermione. She'll think I'm a loony and send me to St. Mungos! I'll be rooming with Lockhart in no time!"

"That's my offer, Harry. Take it or leave it."

"But, what will happen when the Great Harry Potter is locked away for being completely nutters?" he asked in desperation.

"Oh, now I know you have spent too much time in Malfoy's presence," she said derisively. "Well, Harry? Are coming with me or do I report this to Professor Dumbledore and all your booty is reclaimed?"

Harry actually thought about just running away with his stolen item and locking himself in the gazebo with his treasures. But that would not last long. However, if there was a chance that he could keep this all secret...

"You promise not to tell Madame Pomfrey?"

"I promise," Hermione swore. "I just want you to be examined thoroughly, alright?"

Harry sighed deeply and nodded his head in defeat. "Alright. I'll come with you."

Hermione nodded and held the tarp back for Harry to precede her. Bright sunlight had him squinting and he held the scarf closer to him for comfort. He felt a nudge at his shoulder and he began walking up the trail to the castle.

Would he be put in a straight jacket? Would they try to rehabilitate him? How is someone cured when they find themselves uncontrollably attracted to soft fabric? What would Draco say? He'd probably sign him into an asylum in a heartbeat. Probably somewhere they allowed conjugal visits. The whole world would think he was a freak. Why oh why could he not get away from that name! Was it his destiny to always be weird and repugnant? He couldn't just be satisfied with being a bit different, no, he had to be a freak of the freaks! Apparently, he was an overachiever in things he really didn't want to be.

"Harry, we're here," Hermione said softly, touching his shoulder. Harry came out of his dark thoughts, faced the closed doors to the infirmary and panicked.

"Please, Hermione," he begged as he grabbed hold of her. "Please don't make me do this! We're friends, aren't we? We've always looked out for one another, right? Please don't expose me like this. I promise! Not another thing will be taken. I'll even give Ron and Snape their scarves back. But don't make me go in there! I don't want to be crazy!" Harry was almost shaking at the horrid visions he was having.

"Harry." Hermione tightened her hands around his. "Stop. I don't think your crazy. Just let Pomfrey look you over and I will keep mum about the whole thing, alright?" Harry shook his head in despair. "I promise, Harry, I won't expose you. Please, just go in there and let yourself be examined." She spoke softly and soothingly. Harry searched her eyes for any signs of deceit or lies but found none. He bit his lip, took a deep breath and nodded his head. Hermione opened the door and the two friends walked in

Indago - Chapter 42

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