Chapter 3
"Hurry up, Mate! We gotta go!" Harry took a final bite before sprinting through the great hall and toward the quidditch pitch as Ron yelled at him. He needed to win because this was the Gryffindors' first game of the year. Due to the Triwizard tournament last year, they had also skipped a full year of quidditch. Harry missed it.
Harry entered the locker room and proceeded to his usual bathroom to change. Today's match was also against the Slytherin. He will not let Malfoy anywhere near the snitch. He needs to grab it as quickly as possible.
He hurried outside after catching a glimpse of the partial cheering outside. Standing opposite each other and glaring at one another were the Gryffindor and Slytherin quidditch teams. Harry took his place in front of Malfoy, who gave him a snicker. Harry wanted to do the same, but he heard the usual horns sound and the commentary began.
The Slytherins were called in first, and the audience reacted with both cheers and boos. Then they were called and Harry and hen rest went outside.
"Here they come! Now all the players! SET OFF FLYING!" They opened their eyes and took off after Lee Jordan gave a shout into the microphone after the snitch had been set off.
Harry swiftly began glancing around the quidditch field while simultaneously maintaining a close watch on Malfoy. It seemed to be the same for him as well. Harry observed the Slytherins intermittently scoring while, well, the Gryffindors were making an effort. They were already on 70 points, meanwhile the Gryffindors were at 30. What are they even doing? They really needed to win this.
Harry flew over near to Ron who seemed to be holding the quaffle. "RON! Hurry! We're behind, mate" Harry yelled and Ron swallowed and went off. This was actually Ron's first official match so Harry understood his nervousness. But Harry cheered when Ron almost scored effortlessly. He smiled back at Harry and seemed to have gained confidence. Good.
"It seems like you are losing today, Potter." Malfoy spoke as he flew over to him, causing Harry to startle. Just as Harry was about to respond, he noticed a flash of gold next to Malfoy.
"You really think so?" Harry began to back off. "Clearly, with that many points, do you think your team will win?" Smirking, Malfoy replied.
"Well maybe not from that, but I know for sure they will win from the this." Malfoy became alarmed when Harry got dangerously close to him and nearly managed to knock him off the broom. Only when he was able to safely regain his position did he realize that he was pursuing the snitch.
"Aha, it appears that the snitch has been spotted by both seekers! However, the Slytherin seeker needs to catch up. Right now Gryffindor is at 90 points and Slytherin at 110!! Come on, HARRY!" Harry grinned. Mcgonagall shook her head at the baised commentary. Jordan never did what he was told. However, Harry's hands were so close to the snitch. He sensed Malfoy closing the distance on him and started flying faster. The snitch dropped down unexpectedly though, and they nearly collided.
Harry quickly dipped down as well. But Malfoy remained in the air.
Cheers and shouts erupted everywhere as Harry came dangerously close to colliding with the ground. He quickly adjusted the broom's angle and launched himself back into the air with a bit of effort, just as the snitch was finally caught in his hand. Malfoy's nasty looks at Harry gave the impression that he was about to vomit. Harry only smiled sweetly at him.
"GRIFFINDOR WINS BY 10 MORE POINTS WITH IT BEING 150." When the commentator shouted loudly, the entire Gryffindor House stood up and cheered. The Slytherins merely glared back at some of the people who were seated close to them as they made faces at them. The shame being too fresh to act on.
The players all went down, the captains of each team shook hands, and then Harry was thrown into the air to cheers from the other players.
When Harry was finally let down and slightly dizzy, the captain approached him and said, "Harry! That was bloody brilliant! Dangerous but brilliant!! How were you not scared?"
Flushed, Harry just shrugged. The majority of the pitch was cleared out when he turned to look around. While the others were chatting, Harry noticed someone sitting still while glancing at the pitch. And staring.
Right at him.
Harry swallowed hard as Riddle got up, looked at him again, got down, and presumably headed back to the castle.
What's his problem? Harry was frustrated. He regretfully recalled that he had extra classes with Riddle today in the midst of his irritation.
Merlin, please save him.
"Harry come on! Change up, let's go celebrate."
"I don't think I can. I have extra classes today." Deflated, Harry muttered.
"But its Sunday?"
"I know."
Harry entered an empty classroom where Riddle wanted him to be. He was already there, that perfect git.
Harry merely glared at him as he said, "You are late, Potter," in a mocking tone.
"It is only been a minute." Even though he was whispering, Riddle clearly heard him. Harry was growing more wary of the quiet but tense atmosphere in the room as he remained silent. He looked up at the prefect's face, and he appeared irritated. Angry even.
Why, though?
"I will have to put you through some quests to see where you stand and how much you still need to learn. So get over here with the textbooks and the books I told you to bring from the library, and I will decide what to do first. Is that understood? Although Harry was aware that Riddle was upset, he was not sure why, so he nearly chose not to respond.
But he finally said, "Okay," when Riddle arched an eyebrow at him. He went over after pulling out the corresponding books.
Harry was fortunate—or unfortunate—that he kept his distance. Harry reasoned that maybe he had simply grown bored with him. But, why was a distant part of his mind... sad about it? as much as Riddles nuisance was sometimes too crazy.. Harry had wanted it. He noticed. He had liked it. Liked the touches. The unwavering stare. The sly smile that was always there when he looked at Harry.
Why did he feel so bad about this? He ought to stop pondering now.
"Okay, Potter. Give this one a shot." He looked over onto the book in Riddles hands to see what they were making. A forgetfulness potion. Okay, he thinks he can manage that.
"What are the three crucial ingredients in a forgetfulness potion?" Riddle inquired, looking over at Harry weirdly.
"Erm, I forgot," Harry responded, and Riddle sighed. "Then find them in the book and bring them to me. And once you have brought it, I will tell you about the individual uses of the ingredients and provide a practical example.
Harry responded with a nod. If he was going to take these classes, he might as well make use of them. If anything, perhaps Snape would deduct fewer points.
At the very least, he might probably pass his exams.
Harry did as instructed and listened to Riddle. He got distracted at times, but he definitely learned more than he had in Snapes' classes. The fact that Snape only breathed down his neck is not his fault.
Harry did, however, notice that Riddle was staring at him strangely the entire time the classes were in session. What is up with that?
Harry did, in fact, learn exactly how to make the potion, even though they obviously did not make it. Additionally, Harry had turned a bright red as the riddle informed him that this was a first-year potion.
At last, the lesson was coming to an end. Harry was starting to feel worn out too. With all the quidditch stunts. With a yawn, he started packing his books, but the whole time, Riddle's expression remained peculiar.
And Harry was getting tired of it.
"I know I might be bad at potions and all, but stop staring at me. If you do not want to take these classes with me anymore, then-" Riddle grabbed Harry's wrist to stop him from continuing on his rambling. He had approached Harry and backed him off to the table, his back against it. Harry tried to escape, but Riddle refused to budge.
"Hey, what are you doing-mhmph?" Harry was taken aback when Riddle leaned all the way in and kissed him, catching him off guard. However, the shock quickly subsided, Harry stopped defending himself, and he slightly cocked his head to better reach Riddle's lips.
Noticing this, Riddle released Harry's wrists and placed one arm around his neck, wrapping the other around his waist. Harry sighed deeply into the kiss. He wrapped both his arms around Riddles neck. While a part of him yearned to flee and put an end to this, another part desired more.
At last, they parted ways, and riddle rested his forehead on Harry's.
"Wha-what was that?" Harry spoke, breathing heavily and panting.
"That was for you nearly killing yourself today," Riddle growled.
what..? Oh, ohh. That explains why riddle acted in an odd manner today for the entire day.
"I did not though," Harry knew that testing Riddle now would not end well, but he had not died. He was not that reckless. He usually knew what he was doing.
And on the occasions when he didn't, he was either in potion class or with To- Riddle.
"You could have. Do you know what would have happened if you had not pulled up?" Harry was squeezed closer and closer as Riddle continued.
"No, because I pulled up and I am fine. Our house won as a result of that--or are you doing this because your house lost or something?" That could be the reason he inquired. However, he hoped not.
"No, you foolish person. I was -" Riddle, however, didn't finish it. He just threw himself into another kiss, which Harry let happen. He forgot about asking what it was as he was kissed with an inch of his life.
If this was how each of their classes went, Harry would not mind it after all.