Chapter 1: Prologue
Chapter Text
July 1981
“Andromeda… that is…” Ted Tonks gaped as his wife entered their home in the darkness of the night.
“Narcissa’s son.” Andromeda replied solemnly, holding the baby close to her chest.
“The one everyone’s been talking about…?” The man moved to the side to let his wife pass through the entrance.
“Yes… It’s either me or Severus Snape. I… I know you hate my family… but… please… This boy has done no wrong, Ted.”
The man smiled reassuringly, embracing the woman tenderly and stroking the little baby’s cheek.
“Andromeda, I never hated Narcissa. Of course we will raise him.”
Andromeda smiled and pecked his cheek.
“But what about Nymphadora…?”
“It was about time she had a sibling, wouldn’t you say?” Ted chuckled and Andromeda followed suit. She was so glad she had married the man she did.
After they moved to the living room, Andromeda keeping the boy close at all times, she started again, solemnly.
“Draco Regulus Black.”
“Hm?”
“His name.” She stated. No questions asked. And then she sat down on the sofa, ever graciously.
Ted fell silent. He understood why his wife didn’t want to call the child after Lucius Malfoy. The git had gladly handed over his son to Voldemort after they learnt of the accursed prophecy. It was all over the daily prophet.
Ted of course didn’t know the full story but the whole world knew how the Malfoy Lord had sold his own son and wife. The man was now chained up in Azkaban for good. It had been a couple of days since the incident. It was Severus Snape that was hiding Draco at that time. And it was also him that his wife had visited today so she could see her nephew and her sister’s noble death.
Andromeda had used Legilimency on little Draco to see the death of her dear sister and the rest, she had questioned Snape-quite demandingly at that. Snape had obliged. The resemblance to Bellatrix Lestrange was too much for Severus to even try to deny the woman information.
~~~
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have twice shielded him, born as the sixth month awakes... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the sixth month awakens..."
It was Severus Snape who had brought the prophecy to the dark lord and the first to realise who the prophecy was for, having been named the boy’s godfather a few weeks after his birth. It was also he who had confided that truth to Narcissa, asking her to run away.
Narcissa Malfoy, nee Black, realised the importance of the warning and began preparations for her escape immediately. She had not spoken a word to her husband nor her sister of course.
And yet by the time little Draco’s first birthday rolled around, Lucius had been informed of the prophecy by the dark lord and made the connection. Lucius told his wife of his revelation with glee in his eyes.
Narcissa tried to stop him, but on the first chance he got, he revealed this new information to the dark lord in an attempt to win favour with the soon-to-be ruler of the world. The dark lord lost no time going after the boy, expressing his utmost gratitude to Lucius for his loyalty to him.
But it wasn’t to be.
Narcissa stood in front of the dark lord, her form unwavering as she shielded her child. Bellatrix shrieked for her to move. When Narcissa didn’t comply, the eldest sister started.
“Avada-...” She started, but stopped.
She looked at her little sister and couldn’t stop the nostalgic memories flooding her. The three of them making paper cranes and sending their father, braiding each other’s hair. Her and Andromeda showing little Cissy how to dance. She lowered her wand and turned to her lord.
“My lord, forgive me. I cannot kill her. Not her.” She bowed ashamed, tears in her eyes and left the room.
Voldemort though, had his mind elsewhere. He turned his gaze to Narcissa once again.
“Your husband has given me permission to take ‘that’.” He spoke commandingly.
Narcissa was trembling but she didn’t budge.
“My husband isn't the boss of me. I gave birth to him. He is my son. He is ‘mine’.”
“Narcissa, you are a brilliant witch. It would be a shame to kill you. Just hand me over the child, and you will be spared.”
“My lord, you must be mistaken. You don’t understand mothers at all. I would take dying a hundred times over, if only my son can survive.”
Something must have gripped Voldemort’s heart at the time, for there was a pause before the spell was casted.
“It has been a pleasure meeting you, Narcissa Malfoy. You are really beyond my expectations. Just like your sister. But this is the end. But I rather like you so I will ask. Any last words?”
Narcissa smiled smugly.
“Voldemort.”
Narcissa fell like a hero. And then the dark lord casted the curse on the little baby. The baby cried but that was it. Voldemort diminished into ashes.
~~~
“What did Snape say?” Ted asked patiently. His wife was rather difficult and snappy at times, comes with being a Slytherin he used to tell himself.
Andromeda snorted.
“That man is a disaster! Have you even seen him!? He can’t even take care of himself, let alone a baby!”
“Right… And was he okay with you taking Draco…? Because you know, practically he is a closer relative and...”
“He worked for you-know-who. He will probably have his hands full with himself for a while. I’m older. And more capable of raising functioning human beings, thank you very much.”
Oh, she was definitely snappy today, Ted thought amusingly and snuggled up to his wife on the sofa. He loved when she got like this. Defensive and protective and… motherly. Nobody could tear Andromeda apart from her nephew now, and Ted knew it.
Andromeda snorted at the physical affection. She was in her Slytherin mood now after all, that’s how Ted called it. Privately, mind you. His wife could easily have his head for that.
“So, Draco, huh…?” Ted asked playfully, not easing his embrace.
“Yes. Cissy chose it. She always loved dragons.”
“Well, it is a cool name.”
“Of course it is! Are you questioning my dear little sister’s sense!?”
“Helga forbid! Never would I dare!” Ted said laughing.
Andromeda smacked him affectionately and eased into the embrace without ever taking her hands off the bundle in her arms.
"And Regulus?"
"Cissy would have liked it. I'm sure. Better than Lucius certainly." Another snort. Ted chuckled again.
“We will take care of him. I promise.” He whispered in the darkness of the room.
Andromeda nodded and snuggled up more into her husband's chest.
Chapter 2: Dora & Dray
Notes:
Still at the prologue stage but I wanted to show how Draco's relationship with his family is before I send him off to Hogwarts.
I have to admit that the next chapter is also childhood material but then we are on to Hogwarts! I promise!
Deal with me ;;Also, thank you for all your comments and kudos! They motivate me so much to keep writing ;;
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
August 1984
“Nymphadora Mary Tonks! Get down here this instant!!” Their mother’s voice resounded from downstairs.
“Dora, you are in trouble again!” Draco chimed excitingly as he kept his sister’s sock open.
“Shh! It’s gonna be okay!” She said frantically as she pushed a hefty amount of chocolate frogs in the aforementioned sock.
As soon as all the chocolates were in, Draco closed the sock carefully and handed it over to his sister so she could tie it up properly.
They managed to hide the sock inside the bottom of her trunk moments before their mum burst gracefully into the room, ready to spill her lungs out again.
Nymphadora Tonks was no easy child to raise even alone. Let alone with a willing accomplice.
“What are you two doing here now?” She asked, casting a suspicious glance around the room.
“Draco is just helping me pack, mum. Nothing to write home about.”
“You cheeky little…. Don’t corrupt my dear boy with your schemes!” She exclaimed with a sigh. But it was full of fondness.
Andromeda loved seeing her children getting along. Maybe way too much sometimes.
The purple walls in Draco’s room were a testament to that.
Same with the explicitly realistic dragon wallpaper in Nymphadora’s room.
She refused to have them in the same room. That would only happen over her dead body she kept saying to Ted. The woman was at her wits’ end, dealing with these two little mischief makers. And Draco was still only four! Somewhere in her heart, she was glad her eldest was off to Hogwarts tomorrow. Another part didn’t want to let her go. But she refused to admit that to anyone but herself. And maybe Draco. Because Draco was miserable when he learnt his dear sister would be living elsewhere for a long time.
“Both of you, come down to eat. You should go to bed early after all. Tomorrow will be a long day.” She smiled at them and retreated from the room without actually emptying her lungs at them. The children shared a confused glance as she closed the door behind her.
“Ready to let the bird leave the nest?” Ted asked teasingly when the woman entered the kitchen.
“Oh please, I’m getting rid of a big troublemaker here. I can’t be any more ready! If anything, I pity the Hogwarts staff.”
“That, I can agree with. They are in for a big surprise.”
“I’m more worried about Draco… He’s so fond of Nymphadora…”
“Yes… But it will be alright.” Ted said and stroked his wife’s hand reassuringly.
Andromeda smiled and then the children descended into the room with the energy of coffee-induced pixies.
Dinner was a loud affair as always. Tonks had presented to her family her farewell prank and Draco-who was in on the mischief-clapped in awe.
...
It was night. Dora was lying half-awake on her bed. Imagining all the pranks she would be pulling in Hogwarts. Her new wand lied at the desk next to her bed. She couldn’t wait.
That was when the door of her room opened ever so slightly, a small form invading the room.
She smiled amused and sat up.
“Wotcher, Dray. Having trouble falling asleep?” She asked and moved over to the side of her bed, making space for her little brother to climb in.
Draco did just that and snuggled up to the pink-haired girl with a firm grip.
“Dray?” Dora asked and stroked the blond hair adoringly. Oh, but she loved Draco’s hair.
“...will you really go away…?” It was a whisper.
“Yeah… But it won’t be forever? I will be back for Christmas.”
“A-and you won’t forget me…? Even if you make lots of new friends…?”
Dora stroked Draco’s head again, poking at the lightning scar on his forehead fondly. Embracing him more tightly.
“Draco, no matter how many friends I make, you are my only brother.” Draco’s eyes lit up and Dora chuckled.
“Plus, you are the best accomplice I could ever ask for!”
Draco chuckled and looked up at his sister, her blond hair shining in the darkness. His sister making her hair like that was enough proof for Draco. Proof that he was loved.
“Will you promise to write to me lots and lots? I’ve learnt how to read!” Draco chimed, a mixture of pride and worry.
“Of course I will write to my genius of a brother! In fact, I might even show your letters to all my dormmates! To tell them how my little brother is such a genius, his handwriting is even better than mine!”
“That’s not true... yet.”
“Then you better make it happen soon. Because I’m gonna brag to everyone about you!”
“I...I don’t need you to brag about me… Just… don’t forget about me.”
Draco wasn’t allowed to go outside much. Nymphadora could understand why he was anxious about being forgotten, trapped in the house for the last 3 years. That’s why she hugged the boy even more tightly. Making her presence and warmth known.
~~~
“Nymphadora, this is your little brother from today onwards.”
Dora looked dubious. “Where did he come from?”
Her parents exchanged a glance and then her father smiled.
“Magic. And maybe some Black Madness along the way. But he is here now. And I want you to take care of him.” Her father explained patiently.
Dora was already 8 then. She wasn’t stupid. She knew that magic wasn’t that convenient. But she obliged the explanation and took a peek at the new addition to the family. The dark scar on the boy's forehead stood out on his pale skin.
“Can I hold him?”
Her parents glanced at each other again. This time her mother smiled. “Be careful.”
She was surprised by the weight of her new sibling. Were babies so heavy?
Was taking care of another human such a heavy weight to carry. Suddenly she was convinced she couldn’t do it. She didn’t want a little brother.
But then the baby in her arms opened his eyes and upon seeing her, burst into laughter. Swinging his arms and legs all over the place to catch a chank of her colourful hair, or maybe just touch her face, she couldn't be sure.
Dora almost dropped him. Almost being the key word. Her dad had put a hand under him now and the weight was easier to carry. Now, with more time to spare, she let the little boy catch a bit of her hair, his big grey blue eyes sparkling. She felt tears sliding down her face.
“Nymphadora?” Her mother asked concerned but her father shushed her.
The boy’s other hand reached and touched her face frantically, trying to wipe the tears away, probably. Before she realised it, she saw her hair still held in the baby’s hand change color, from a light blue, to a platinum gold. She tightened the embrace around the baby. All of the weight back in her hands again.
She could do this.
If it’s for those little hands touching her gently and those beautiful eyes looking straight into her soul, she could fight anyone. She could fight the world.
She wouldn’t let go again. She turned to her parents but didn’t hand the boy back.
“His name… What’s his name?”
They both smiled and her mother answered.
“Draco. Draco Regulus.”
“Draco Regulus Tonks. Well, it’s certainly a better name than mine.” She chuckled.
Some unease was evident in her parents’ faces but they didn’t say anything so Dora returned her attention to the baby in her arms again. Extending her hand. Draco tightened his fist against her finger.
“Hello there, Draco. I’m Nym-. I’m Dora. And I will be your big sister from now on. Nice to meet you.”
And Draco chuckled in reply.
~~~~
“I will never, never, ever, forget about you, Draco. It will always be me and you! Dora and Dray ready for mischief! It’s a promise.”
Draco let his head rest on the crook of her neck and nodded ever so gently.
“Goodnight, Dray.”
“Goodnight, Dora.”
Notes:
Someone give Andy a reward for raising this oddball called Nymphadora Tonks.
Oh, and if anyone has any ideas of pranks, please tell me! I will try to include them if they fit with the story! ^^
Thank you for reading so far! ^^I think I will keep this weekly updating schedule for now btw!! :D
Expect a new chapter every Saturday!
Chapter 3: Mum & Dad
Notes:
More family time and then on to Hogwarts!
Draco is 6 y.o. in this.
Slight angst but also fluff! Enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
November 1986
Wotcher, Dray!
Hope you are all doing well back at home. Mum’s still angry with me for my last detention so send her my regards.
On another note, dad told me you managed to put vinegar in the milk carton without anybody noticing and then you had some funny tasting cheese! I bet you read about that on those muggle books you always love to read, huh? Helga, my lil bro is such a genius! Just come and write my essays for me! You are so much better than me anyways! And your handwriting is angelic! Anyways, glad to know you are still my loyal accomplice even if I am not around!
Okay, now that we are done with our mischief report, on to the main topic.
It’s a Hogsmeade weekend soon and I am a 3rd year now so I finally get to go. Ask mum if you can come! I would love to see you there, however briefly.
Also, there’s this friend of mine that adores dragons! I’m sure you would get along!
Your loyal accomplice,
Dora
PS. Try asking dad if mum starts her hysterics about you going out again.
“Mum… Ehm… Dora sent me a letter.” Draco started shyly.
Andromeda was knitting a blue blanket, sitting comfortably in the armchair.
“Oh? That troublemaker remembered she had a family? We should give her a medal!”
Draco sighed. His sister wasn’t making this easy. He sat down on the sofa next to her, sitting ‘properly’. His mother was still reluctant to let him go out. He was six already…
“She said there would be a Hogsmeade visit soon…” Andromeda stilled and looked at Draco.
“So?” She narrowed her eyes and Draco gulped.
“S-she said I should ask you… if I could, you know… go there to see her…”
“Absolutely not!!” She roared and Draco stilled.
Catching herself Andromeda schooled her tone.
“I’m sorry. Draco, we’ve been through this.”
“I know… I just… I don’t understand why… A-and it will only be for a couple of hours…?”
Andromeda put the blanket aside and motioned for Draco to come sit on her lap. He did so with a little hesitation.
His mum looked extremely sad as her eyes gleamed, tears threatening to come out. Draco felt guilt overtake him and he hugged her frantically.
“I’m sorry. I won’t ask you to go out again. Just, please, don’t cry…”
Andromeda stilled. A sob escaping her lips.
“Mum…?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. This isn’t fair to you… I know. I’m so sorry.” She sobbed and held Draco close.
Her husband, thankfully, chose that time to arrive.
“Did I miss something?” He asked and soon joined the two on the armchair, sitting on its arm and extending a hand around them.
“Nymphadora is going to Hogsmeade… and she asked Draco to visit her there.” Andromeda choked out.
“B-But it’s alright, Dad! I won’t go! I don’t want mum to be sad…”
Ted looked between the two. He took a moment to comment on how annoying Slytherins really were at times. You could never tell what they were thinking if you didn’t already know.
His wife and his son had a certain bond. One would know exactly how the other was feeling with only a glance. He had a similar bond with his daughter. That was why their family was so balanced. But with Dora away, the balance was ever so slightly disrupted.
But that wasn’t really the problem. And both he and Andromeda realised that. He stroked his wife’s hair tenderly, his eyes pleading.
They had to let Draco out eventually. Famous or not, you can’t ask a 6-year-old to stay cooped up home forever.
Andromeda nodded reluctantly and Ted took over. Picking Draco up in his arms.
“Dad?”
“Do you want to go and see your sister, Draco?”
“N-no…”
“Draco.”
“Y-yes. B-but I…”
“Then we will go. I missed my little girl too, you see?” He smiled and watched as Draco’s eyes sparkled, taking on a deep blue color. A color Ted had associated Narcissa with.
Maybe this boy, like his daughter, had some kind of metamorphosis ability after all. His eyes being, sometimes gray, sometimes blue. Ted mused.
The next weekend, they apparated to Hogsmeade. It wasn’t Draco’s first time apparating. But it still brought him nausea. But any undesirable feeling was gone the moment he spotted his sister’s vibrant pink hair. He literally squealed in pleasure and jumped in her arms before the older girl could get a word in.
Of course, Dora, knowing her brother, caught him and immediately returned the hug, her hair turning a bright blond right away. She loved turning her hair the color of her brother’s. It made them feel more connected, if that was even possible.
“Wotcher, Dray.”
“I missed you, Dora!!” Draco squealed again.
Their parents were smiling at them. Ted knew he had done the right thing.
“Hm? Is this your little brother? Why, he is so adorable!” It was a girl of blond hair.
“Isn’t he? He’s also my mischief accomplice! He really is my pride and joy!” The girl smiled wryly at her and then turned to Draco extending her hand.
“Hello Draco. I’m Penny Haywood. I am in the same house as your sister and I have heard a lot about you.”
“Hello, Miss Haywood.” He said shyly and shook her hand.
“Oh, dear! Just call me Penny.” Draco nodded.
Then Penny excused herself to meet some friends of hers. Some Rowan and Mira*.
The family walked around for a bit, visiting both Honeydukes and Zonkos. The two siblings had a field day while their parents tried to avoid the explosives coming their way. Especially at Zonkos.
Sometimes they wondered how Nymphadora came out to be like this.
But then, Ted loved to tease others and have fun and Andromeda was cunning and loved humiliating others-despite what the woman herself might say. They made a really bad combination of genes come out of them.
At Honeydukes, they came across the friend Dora had mentioned, the one who loved dragons. A Gryffindor named Charlie Weasley.
This time Draco shook his hand frantically and they shared some trivia about dragons between them. Most of which, Ted was proud to say, he knew all about.
Give a book to Draco and he will be talking about it until he has recited every single word, or until he reads another book. The kid just loved to talk.
Ted had a strong desire to make the boy attend an acting school instead of Hogwarts. No matter how strong his magic will be, it won’t surpass the way he had with words. But unfortunately, he couldn’t do that. Apart from the obvious dark lord problem, if he ever went along with his plan, he would be asking for divine retribution from the greater total of the Black family and most of all, his wife.
“How old are you, little Dragon?” Charlie asked, excited to have someone to talk about dragons with.
“Six!”
“Oh same age as my brother. You will probably be going to Hogwarts together.”
“Does he also like dragons?”
“I am afraid not. But I will try to get him hooked in the next 4 years.”
By the time they left the shop, a small crowd had gathered outside. Draco held his sister’s hand tightly. He wasn’t used to crowds.
Dora cast him a reassuring smile and started walking away from the crowd but the crowd was apparently after them.
A middle aged lady came forward and stood right in front of Dora, her gaze stuck on Draco.
“Mr. Malfoy, what a great honour it is to meet you here! We are delightful to see you healthy and well.”
Draco hid behind his sister. ‘Malfoy?’
Dora tightened her grip on Draco’s hand.
“You must have the wrong person, Mrs. This is my brother.” She said and motioned to move away but the woman followed after them.
“Why, of course. It is only normal for you to take such good care of him. Removed or not, you are still related after all. Why, wait just a minute! I just want to thank him for what he has--”
The woman shut up abruptly. Dora turned around to see the reason, her grip on Draco’s shoulder still firm. She was surprised to see her mother. Her mother, who was always graceful and kind and valued manners above all else, she saw her pointing her wand to the witch’s throat, a deadly gleam in her eyes.
“You will be wise to shut that ugly mouth of yours before I decide to close it permanently.”
She spat the words out like poison. Dora gulped. Was her mother always that scary?
“Wh-What!? Who do you think you are!?” The witch dared ask and sparkles came out of Andromeda’s wand.
“I happen to be that child’s mother. And it will be in your best interest if you disappeared from my sight before I make those eyeballs fly off your head, you filth-”
Dora saw her father sporting a solemn expression as he held tight on her mother’s hand, forcefully lowering her wand.
“That is enough, Andy.”
“But, Ted-”
“Andromeda. Please.”
Andromeda let out a sigh and retreated her wand to her pocket. She cast a last glance at the poor witch. Dora couldn’t see it from where she stood but it must have been quite intimidating. The witch fell to the ground, her knees giving up.
“We are going home. NOW.” She stated and turned to leave, the crowd making way for her.
Dora heard sobbing and turned down to see her brother crying softly, hiding his head in her blouse. She crouched down and hugged him.
“Shh. It’s alright. I will see you on Christmas, alright, little dragon?” She smiled but it didn’t quite reach her ears.
Draco nodded and wiped the tears away from his eyes. He hugged his sister a last time and then ran towards their dad who quickly picked him up, Draco hiding his face in Ted's coat now. He ran after his wife and Dora soon saw them disapparate. Needless to say, she was in a sour mood the rest of the day.
That made her interested enough in the witch’s statement though. Because her mother wouldn’t react like that if some of it wasn’t true. She needn’t go far to learn the truth.
She got the story out of Merula by the end of their Hogsmeade visit.
“Not that I am showing pity or anything but, you better keep him locked up for as long as possible.” Her gaze was truthful so Dora didn’t say anything but after she was in the solitude of her bed, she repeatedly stabbed her pillow with a quill, tears flowing down her cheeks.
~~~
Back home, everyone was keeping an ill-maintained silence.
Draco was patient. He believed they would talk about it. He wanted to give his mother enough time to calm down. But they didn’t the day after they returned home and his mother wrecked the living room. Nor the next day, that found their small library in disarray.
His mother seemed set on setting the house on fire. His father thought it best to let her live it down probably, because he didn’t say anything.
Draco was too afraid to owl his sister so he decided to drown his thoughts on his pillow instead.
“Malfoy…”
He whispered again and again. The sound familiar and yet foreign.
“Who am I…?” Draco whispered into the darkness.
“You are my son.” Ted said with resolution as he entered the dimly lit room. Draco’s books littering the floor here and there. Andromeda hadn’t entered the room to pick them up in the last couple of days.
“Dad… I…”
“I’m sorry, Draco. We should have told you.”
“I am adopted, right…?” Ted smiled. His boy was so smart.
“Yes. But we are still related. Your mother, your actual mother, and your mum, Andy, were sisters.”
“So me and Dora are…”
“Cousins. Yes, you might not be exactly siblings but that doesn’t make any difference.”
“Doesn’t mum hate me…?”
Ted’s eyes widened, increduled.
“God forbid! Andy loves you! She loves you a lot! And I love you a lot too!” He stroked the blond hair tenderly.
“But, we are not related… A-am I not a bother to you…? Getting in the way of your family…”
“Draco! You ARE my family. I see no difference between you and Dora. You are both my dear children.”
Draco threw his arms around Ted and snuggled on his chest. Sobs escaping him. Ted stroked his head gently.
“D-dad… I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have gone to see Dora! I’m sorry I made mum sad!”
“Draco, we can’t keep you locked up in here forever. Andy wanted to protect you. Forgive her. She didn’t want you to know. But I think it is finally time for you to learn the truth.”
“The truth…?” He looked up uncertainly.
“The truth. Come downstairs. It is high time we talk.”
Ted was leading the conversation most of the time. Andromeda adding details from time to time. All three were sitting on the sofa. Draco between them.
There were tears and awkward pauses but by the time the clock striked midnight, Draco was blissfully sleeping in Andromeda’s embrace, who in turn was resting her head on Ted’s shoulder.
Morning found them in such a position. Needless to say the adults were a bit sore by the next morning but the smile Draco gave them as he came out of the kitchen holding two cups of coffee was worth it all. Their child was way too talented with his hands, whether it was clay or food, he made it work.
“Mum, dad, hurry up. Breakfast will get cold.”
Notes:
*Mira is just the name I use in the game. Pay it no mind.
Okay, so I LOVED writing this.
I wanted to show that they weren't a perfect family and had their ups and downs and I hoped I managed to do that.
Andromeda grew up in quite a toxic environment and I believe that has made an impact on her.
And I also wanted to write badass Andromeda, humour me lol
(Needless to say, Dora was also quite murderous the next day!! Black family ftw!)
Anyways, hope you enjoyed it!
See you next Saturday! (And finally Hogwarts!)
Chapter 4: Goodbyes & Hellos
Notes:
Kinda late warning but still, in this fic Draco and many other characters grew up differently than the canon universe thus they have different personalities. I just hope I do keep the characters that weren't affected by this in character.
Yes, you are going to see a lot of characters popping up in this with their personalities tweeked a bit.
I hope you will still enjoy it nonetheless! ^^PS. I will also be adding some characters in the tags because they ended up more main than I expected haha
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
September 1991
“Do you have everything with you, Draco?” Andromeda asked in concern. Draco rolled his eyes. He had been asked the same question at least 5 times already, on that day alone.
“Mum, I’m going to be fine. You weren’t this worried back when Dora went to Hogwarts.” He whined.
His dad chuckled from behind them, carrying his son’s trunk. Dora was walking next to him, her hair a wonderful blond just like her brother's. Though she didn’t change the length. Hers hardly reached her chin, Draco’s hang way past his shoulders, held together in a neat ponytail.
She had taken a well-deserved day off of her Auror training just so she could see her little brother off. It was really a shame they were so far apart in age.
She could only fantasise about the kind of pranks they would be pulling had their years at Hogwarts interlapped. But she knew Draco was able enough to pull pranks and plot mischief without her. She only hoped he would find some good partners in crime for this. The way Tulip and Jae were for her. The Weasley twins were at Hogwarts so she didn’t worry too much though.
They passed through the barrier, unfazed by the wall. They had gone through it a lot of times already, accompanying the metamorphmagus to the train.
The platform was full and crowded but Draco wasn’t scared of crowds anymore. He was also ready to shut up anyone who recognised him and dared call him Malfoy. His mum hated that name and he had come to hate it too when he learnt what his biological father had done.
He walked with his head held high. The boy who lived, yeah sure. They could call him whatever they want, he didn’t care. Or that was what he was still trying to persuade himself to believe. He cared a bit, that’s why he had let his bangs grow. The scar wasn’t visible at first glance and Draco hoped people wouldn’t recognise him. He wished his sister was still going to Hogwarts.
He knew he couldn’t keep relying on his sister for everything. His sister was going to be the coolest Auror that had ever existed. She had no time to waste babysitting him. He was old enough to take care of himself. And it wasn’t like he didn’t have any friends. Okay, maybe not friends, but he had one very good friend and that was fine.
“Oh, we still have a while until the train departs. But we should get your trunk on either way. Leave that to me. Will be right back.” Ted walked away, waving excitedly.
Draco smiled at his dad. The man was quite close to crying so he went off to hide. He glanced at his mum, who had the exact same thought and they smiled in understanding.
“Hufflepuffs.” They both exclaimed at the same time.
“Hey!” Dora whined and they chuckled.
Just then, a shrill voice resounded.
“Dray!!” The boy squeaked as he engulfed Draco in a hearty embrace.
Draco chuckled and returned the embrace. “Wotcher, Nev.”
“My nerves are taking the best of me and daddy won’t stop teasing me about it! Help!” Draco chuckled fondly.
“Calm down, Nev. It’s just Hogwarts.”
“Just? JUST!? You don’t understand the dangers of that god-forsaken castle!! Dad told me about all about them! It’s really dangerous!”
“Neville, don’t freak out. Just imagine how much mischief we can get up to there?” Draco said excitedly. That elicited a pointed cough from Andromeda so he flashed her a charming smile.
Just like his mother, Andromeda mused. Memories of Narcissa’s first time at Hogwarts came to her mind. Such a good and proper girl, and yet the whole dormitory was terrified of her, maybe even more than they were of Bella. Andromeda smiled to herself at the pleasant memories. She had come to accept Cissy’s death after all these years and thinking of her now wasn’t so hard anymore.
“That’s just you! You are brilliant so you have time to play around! I probably will be failing all my lessons by the first week of term! Mark my words!”
“Neville, that’s impossible.”
“I agree with Dray there. I’m no genius and I am probably more clumsy than you and it still worked out somehow.” Dora joined the conversation.
“You can’t lie to me, Dora! Daddy said I will fail if I am not studying all the time.”
Andromeda snorted and they turned to look at her. She waved them off until she schooled her laugh and then explained.
“Oh Neville, your daddy was an absolute disaster when he was at Hogwarts, you know. He probably doesn’t want you taking after him.”
“Talking about me behind my back, Andy? I am flattered!” Sirius Lupin-Black said with a pretentious voice.
“Don’t be. It’s only bad things.” Andromeda shot back.
“How sad! I just might die from that cruelness of yours, cousin!”
Andromeda only arched an eyebrow, amused. Oh, but she loved humouring her cousin. And she would jump back into the exchange if only his husband wasn’t ready to scold him already.
“Can you two not run off like that all the time? I just went to get the trunk to the train and I get back and neither of you is where I left you.” Remus Lupin-Black scolded, glaring at his joke of a husband.
“Sorry, Dad.” Neville said seriously.
“Reeeemusss, Andy is bullying me~” He jumped at Remus, aiming for a hug, but Remus stepped aside just in time to evade.
“I really doubt that. But if she did, I would thank her.”
“You’re welcome, Remus.” Andromeda chimed.
Ted was back then, he greeted the Lupin-Black family and wished Neville a good school year. He was quite thankful that his wife had reconnected with her cousin a few years after the war. Both he and Remus were brilliant company and as they had taken Neville in a while after the war, Draco now had a very good friend as he set off to Hogwarts. Ted felt like crying again but held it in.
“You two should get going now.” Remus said eventually.
The boys nodded and bid their last goodbyes with their families. Draco taking an awful lot of a time saying goodbye to his sister.
“I wish you would be there too.”
“Too bad I passed my NEWTS, huh?”
“I didn’t say that…”
“You will be fine, Dray. You are a genius and you are strong.”
“You will still write to me…?”
“I’m afraid, it’s my turn to ask you that. So, Dray, will you write to me?”
Draco hugged her tightly and then just before he pulled back, “I will write lots and lots!”.
Draco and Neville had found an empty compartment and slipped in. They both snuck their heads out of the window and waved at their families. They were not surprised to see both Ted and Sirius sobbing in their partners’ shoulders. It was a nice scene. A nice goodbye.
Draco was going to miss them.
Not long after, a boy with flaring red hair walked in their compartment shyly.
“Anyone sitting there?” He asked, pointing at the seat next to Draco. “Everywhere else is full.”
“Nope. Feel free to sit with us.” Draco chimed. He was in a good mood because nobody had recognised him yet. And the boy looked strangely familiar.
“Thanks.” He said timidly and sat down next to Draco. “I’m Ron, by the way. Ron Weasley.”
Draco’s face lit up and he smiled widely. “So you are the one Charlie was talking about! I’m Draco!”
“No way! THE Tonks’ brother? Your sister is nuts! I’ve heard stories about her!”
“I know right! She’s the best sister I could ask for! Your brother’s not half bad either though!”
“Right, you were the reason I was bombarded with dragon trivia, are you not!?”
“Yep, that’s me.” He snickered and Ron rolled his eyes.
“Oh, right. This is Neville. He’s kind of my best friend.” Draco said next, gesturing at Neville who was sitting across him.
“Kind of?” Neville cocked his head jokingly. He knew his friend loved sarcasm so he always played along now.
“Oh, of course I am joking, Nev!” Draco replied with a smile and then turned to Ron.
But before he managed to say anything the door swung open, a black haired boy entering like he owned the place. Draco felt annoyment swell up in him at just the sight of his hair. Had he never heard of combs?
“Yo, Neville. I see you weren’t joking about getting your Hogwarts letter, huh? Sirius kept telling me it’s true but once he was trying to convince me that erumpents were under my bed so his words aren’t really trustworthy.” He spat out in a single breath and then sat down next to Neville without a word.
Jealousy twinged up in Draco. Neville was his best friend. Who was this boy and why was he acting like Draco and Ron weren’t even around. He turned his gaze at Neville in question but his friend only smiled apologetically.
“This is Harry Potter. He’s my daddy’s godson.” Then he leaned towards Draco and whispered in his ear. “I don’t really get along with him. His sisters are alright but he is really insufferable.”
“Whispering behind my back, Neville? I thought you were better than that.” He laughed loudly.
Draco wanted to strangle him.
“And who are you guys?” He turned to Draco and Ron now.
Ron looked all around timidly so Draco spoke up. He felt a strange protectiveness towards the ginger-haired boy already. He was Charlie’s little brother and Charlie was his friend, after all.
“I’m Draco. And this is Ron. Speaking of which, does that bird’s nest on your head have a name or should I call it Flyaway Potter?”
The boy immediately flashed red. Draco smirked.
After a while, he asked again. “What are you two by the way? Halfbloods?”
At the same time that Ron said “A pureblood, actually.” Draco said “It depends.”.
Ron and Harry turned to Draco, confused. Neville sighed fondly, used to his best friend's antics for drama.
“What does it depend on? I’m just asking if your parents are wizards or not!” Harry yelled.
“Now, now, don’t yell, Potter. My delicate ears might just fall off at this excess noise.” He might be taking it too far but Draco didn’t react well to jealousy and the boy’s tone was insulting to begin with. That certainly didn't help.
“Wh- You are impossible! Who do you even think you are!?”
“Hm, let’s see, maybe I am a fairy, considering how pretty I am.”
Ron snorted and Neville rolled his eyes again.
“You!”
And just then the Weasley twins- who Draco had heard a couple of stories about by his sister-poked their heads in and started.
“So we heard Draco Black is in here and came to peek at him!” One of them spat out and Draco wanted to jump out the window.
“I’m Fred and this is my brother, George. And I see you met Ron already. Well, no need to be alarmed buddy. We’ve been hired by Lady Tonks to look after you!”
Draco let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and smiled at the redheads.
“Thanks, I suppose…”
“No need! We can’t wait to see your mischief!” George started. “Though, I get that expectations are high with Lady Tonks as your sister. But good luck to you either way!” Fred finished.
And they were off in a second.
“Your brothers are the best, Ron.”
“Tell me that after you’ve almost been tricked into making an unbreakable vow by them, please.”
Draco let out a laugh. “If me and my sis ever attempted such a thing, my mum would probably set both of us on fire!”
“Please, Dray. Your mum is always almost setting you on fire anyways. The Blacks are all arsonists.” Neville joined in, laughing.
Harry was blinking rapidly. And then he was up on his feet and launching himself on Draco.
“What the-!?”
“I knew it.” Harry stated as he moved Draco’s bangs away from his forehead. “You are Draco Malfoy. The boy who lived.”
Draco suddenly felt the world slowing down around him. Ron stared at him at a loss. Neville was ready to interfere. No need, Draco thought, he was no child. He needed no protection.
He shoved Harry away, the boy falling on the ground. Draco looked down at him and gripped a chunk of his hair.
“Listen to me, Potter. You can call me Black or Tonks or whatever else you want, but never, ever, call me Malfoy again. Or I will have your head on a silver platter, understood?”
All three boys gulped in response. Even Neville. Blacks are scary, he thought for what must have been the thousandth time in his life.
But Harry was frozen, so Draco repeated. “Understood, Potter?”
Harry forced himself to nod tentatively. Draco returned to his seat, his eyes still blazing.
“You are going to sit there all day, Potter?” This time Harry jerked his head and quickly sat back down on his seat.
Draco casted an apologetic look Neville’s way, who just waved him off and then turned to Ron. “Sorry about that, Ron. I just hate being called that.”
Ron nodded but anyone could tell he was scared. Draco felt bad but the display was needed.
“You shouldn’t worry that much. Charlie’s my friend which makes you my friend’s brother. If anything, I would like for us to be friends.” Draco said gently and extended his hand, hoping that the redhead wouldn’t start thinking of him as the boy-who-lived.
Ron hesitated just for a bit but then shook Draco’s hand strongly. “Sorry for freaking out.”
“No problem.” Draco smiled, taking extra care to make the smile friendly.
Harry mumbled something but nobody understood what he said and he didn’t bother to repeat himself.
For the rest of the trip the boys were engaged in an animated discussion about Quidditch. One which even Harry had joined in after a while, despite still flinching everytime Draco countered his arguments. Draco felt a bit bad. Just a bit, mind you. He seemed to remember only then that the boy was his uncle’s godson. Maybe he should have been a bit gentler…?
He was pulled out of his little world as a girl with lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth entered their compartment abruptly. She glanced at all four of them one by one until her eyes settled on Draco. Then her eyes sparkled and she closed the compartment door behind her and then…
“Oh god! It is really you! You even have the mark! Why, I didn’t expect you to be so charming. Count me surprised. I have read so much about you though! You see, I’ve been reading on just about anything I’ve found on magic since I got my letter and there’s a whole book about you! Oh, I am Hermione Granger by the way. I was hoping I would meet you!”
The girl seemed to be saying all these without taking a breath in between. Draco knew he should feel weirded out but his attention was caught by some of her words ‘since I got my letter’ she had said. Draco stood up rather abruptly. He noticed Potter ready to jump in to save the girl but there was no need really. Draco was enamoured.
“You are a muggleborn!” He said with an enthusiasm children had on Christmas.
“Y-yes...?” She replied, caught off guard as Draco had gotten hold of both her hands.
“Oh god! I have never met a muggleborn my age before! Say, have you gone to muggle school? How is that nowadays? Have you had lessons on Chemistry there? I am a big fan of Chemistry! All the pranks I can pull off! You will be surprised how little wizards know about muggle science!” Draco too, had spoken almost like he hadn’t taken a breath in between.
“What!? No way!”
“Yes, way! My mum freaked out the other day when my dad brought a walkman back home! They don’t get technology at all! Oh, my dad’s a muggleborn and my mum is a pureblood by the way.”
“Oh! By all means, do tell me how your mother grew up then!” Hermione replied excited at the prospect, forgeting altogether that Draco was supposed to be famous.
Draco pulled her to sit next to him and Ron jumped to the opposite seat, next to Harry in reflex.
Draco and Hermione glanced at the redhead in confusion but soon were lost in their own world. Talking just about everything. From floo networks to CDplayers. They were literally vibrating with excitement.
The remaining three boys almost huddled together as they watched the duo’s eyes glinting ominously.
Gradually, they calmed down and started chatting in a low voice, determined not to bother the two newly ‘friends’.
Notes:
The walkman and the CD player were both inventions that were made in the 80s.
Also this was really fun to write! When the idea of having Sirius and Remus adopting Neville, so Augusta could catch a break came to me, I couldn't wait to write it!
I also enjoyed writing Andy and Sirius' relationship. I just love the Black family too much.
Anyways, I just imagine Harry growing up a bit pompous because James and Sirius were around but he doesn't mean any harm but then Draco is already pissed at him!! Poor Harry... ;;Anyways, thanks for reading! :D
See you next Saturday~
Chapter 5: Black & Tonks
Notes:
This was a very tiring chapter to write but I do intend to use more students than the bare minimum so this was needed. Enjoy the Sorting! (I used italics when the Hat was talking, hope it's not too confusing.)
Sorry if the results weren't what you expected ;;
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
When it was finally announced that the train would be reaching Hogwarts in 5 minutes, Hermione excused herself to let the boys put on their robes, with a promise of meeting Draco outside.
The boys were ready in a jiffy, Draco enthusiastic to resume his discussion with Hermione. Neville could see the excitement in his friend’s face and chuckled discreetly.
As soon as they got off the train, a big person called all first years to his side. His name was Hagrid, the groundskeeper, Ron explained to them but of course, Draco and Neville already knew of him from Dora and Harry seemed unimpressed too. Hermione, on the other hand, couldn’t understand how a person could be that big. Draco briefly explained to her that Hagrid was probably a half-giant in a low voice, earning a sparkly look from the girl. She was amused that giants were a thing.
Soon, they caught a glimpse of the castle for the first time. A loud “Ohhh” resounded amidst the crowd. Even Draco had to admit the sight was greater from up close than from the pensieve, but he was evidently not as captivated as the rest of their little group of five.
“No more’n four to a boat!” Hagrid said as he pointed in the direction of the lake. There seemed to be some frenzy between the group for just a moment before Draco resolutely grabbed Hermione and Neville’s hands in his own. Harry looked sour but Ron waved nonchalantly, promising to reunite on the other side.
Harry and Ron were joined by two bulky boys, called Gregory and Vincent. Ron managed to strike a rather half-hearted conversation about sweets which was soon forgotten as the boat began moving.
On the other boat, Hermione and Draco were already deep in conversation, Neville watching over them fondly, when a boy with sandy blond joined them with a vigor that could only bring bad news. Draco stopped mid-sentence as he took note of the newcomer. The boy smiled.
“Theodore Nott. It is quite pleasant to finally meet you in person, Draco.”
Draco eyed him suspiciously. The boy acted as if Hermione and Neville were hardly there.
Andromeda made sure to educate Draco the bare minimum about the pureblood families. Nott was one of the names he remembered among the list so he regarded him carefully.
Theo had extended his hand in Draco’s direction now with a gracious smile.
“You must know that some wizarding families are much better than others, Draco. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort, right? I can help you there.”
Suddenly, Draco wished the boy would have just called him Malfoy, so he could snap and scare him off just like he had done to Potter. Was the boy informed of his distaste of the name or was it Slytherin cunning that wanted to sound intimate with him.
He felt a steadying hand on his wrist. He turned to see Neville’s determined face. Draco smiled.
“And you must be so smart, huh Theodore? Think you know everything? Unfortunately for you, I rather hate when people act like know-it-alls.” Draco smiled smugly and grabbed Theo’s extended hand almost like he was making a pact. “But if you are up for some mischief, then by all means do entertain me.”
Theodore blinked uncertaintly as Draco let go of his hand. Was that a positive response or a negative one, Theodore was confused.
Draco, of course, noticed that confusion with glee and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Oh, and as we are friends now, let me give you some friendly advice, speak badly of my other friends or my family, and you will have to deal with my wrath. Never underestimate the wrath of a mischief maker.” Draco chimed and winked at him.
Theodore’s face lit up a deep red, feeling humiliated for some reason and stayed silent for the rest of the trip.
Soon their destination was in sight and they all got off their boats. Theodore still staying close to Draco, dazed. Until they regrouped with Harry and Ron, that was.
“Nott! Trying to smooth up to the boy-who-lived, huh? Slytherins love licking others’ shoes after all, huh?” Harry taunted. Ron snorted next to him but at Draco’s stare, he pressed his lips closed together. Harry wasn’t lucky enough to notice the look.
“At least Slytherins don’t run around putting their friends in danger just to have a bit of fun.”
Theodore looked stunned. Yes, it was an answer similar to the one he would have given, but the point was that it wasn’t him who answered.
It was Draco. Harry gaped.
“You know, Potter. I took some pity in you, so I will let you in on some information. Theo and I are friends now." There he hang an arm around Theo's shoulder. "And I don’t take well to people talking bad of my friends. Got that, birdnest?”
You could cut the tension with a knife. Harry was blushing madly, feeling stupid all of a sudden. Theodore was pointedly staring at the floor.
Eventually Ron motioned for all of them to move on and as they approached the front door, the tension had eased just a bit.
The door opened and there stood Professor McGonagall. Draco, had of course heard of her and stood almost immediately in attention. She reminded him a bit of his mother and he gulped loudly, causing Hermione to look at him in confusion and Neville with a knowing look.
Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber of the entrance hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously. Or well, most of them.
Draco was already looking around curiously, mapping the layout in his head. His sister had managed her first prank on her fourth day. He was aiming to surpass her, obviously.
The older witch welcomed them all to Hogwarts and explained to them of the sorting ceremony along with the house system. Hermione was listening excitingly next to him and he smiled at her fondly.
“You are really going to associate yourself with… a muggleborn?” A voice behind him asked timidly. It was Theodore. Draco took a step back, standing next to him.
“I do intend so, yes.” He whispered.
“But you are a pureblood.”
“That depends on perspective. My dad is a muggleborn, you see.”
Theodore stilled for a bit.
“Your father and mine were close. So I know what happened. I heard you took your mother’s name instead? I didn’t know how to call you.”
Draco distinguished some understanding in his voice and he smiled amused.
“You chose right. I hate that man’s name. I’m never calling myself that. I usually go by Black but sometimes people and relatives call me Tonks. But I think I will let you call me Draco after all. It has a rather nice ring when you say it.”
Theo smiled ever so slightly.
“I can’t be friends with muggleborns, you know. My father would have a stroke.”
“Such a shame. I think I really like you, Theo. Any chance you could just say you tolerate her for my sake?” Draco winked again and Theodore blushed.
“You are impossible.” Theodore let out a fond sigh.
Just then, a great armada of ghosts passed by. Draco listed all of them in his mind, trying to recognise who was who when Professor McGonagall came back, announcing that it was high time they got sorted.
As they moved into the Great Hall, Draco heard Hermione whisper, “It’s bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History.” and he smiled fondly.
What did you know? He had already made three new friends. He started feeling confident all of a sudden and then his gaze fell on the Sorting Hat and he gulped.
He might not keep those friends of his if they went to different houses though.
Hermione looked like a Ravenclaw. Theodore was obviously a Slytherin. Ron would most likely be in Gryffindor, like his brothers. Neville would either go to Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.
Potter sounded like he came from a Gryffindor family but you could never be sure. Not that he cared much for Potter, the boy was a great nuisance.
But Potter aside, there seemed to be no possible way to get in the same house with all of them. He didn’t even know where he wanted to go. His parents said it didn’t matter. His sister had said he would send him all her Hufflepuff items if he got in there but she didn’t pressure him at all.
Breaking him out of his thoughts, the ominous hat began singing.
“Oh, you may not think I’m pretty,
But don’t judge on what you see,
I’ll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I’m the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There’s nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can’t see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.”
‘Nowhere.’
“You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;”
‘Yeah, no way.’
“You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;”
‘Maybe…”
“Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you’ve a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;”
‘Maybe if they were dealing with Chemistry…?’
“Or perhaps in Slytherin
You’ll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.”
‘Does that count for Mischief Makers?’
“So put me on! Don’t be afraid!
And don’t get in a flap!
You’re in safe hands (though I have none)
For I’m a Thinking Cap!”
The singing ceased and Draco felt terrified. Oh, surely it wasn’t Gryffindor. He casted Ron a glance, almost like saying goodbye to their short friendship.
“When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted.” McGonagall said, holding a scroll.
“Abbott, Hannah!”
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
The Hufflepuff table applauded readily and Draco imagined it clapping for him as well.
“Black, Draco!”
Sometimes, he really wished he could have gone with Tonks. At least he wouldn’t have been called up so early. Suddenly, he felt all eyes on him and he self-consciously shuffled his bangs to hide the Avada Kedavra mark before walking up to the stool. He could feel Neville and Hermione cheering him on from behind though. And that made him feel better.
The hat was put on his head and he heard a voice talking to him.
“Hmm, hmm, how interesting.” The hat started. Draco gulped. “Now, now, why are you so afraid? Is there a house you do not want?”
“I don’t know.” Draco choked out. He really didn’t.
“No preference at all then?”
“No…”
“Then let us list your qualities.”
“Okay.”
“Bravery… is certainly not the right one. Oh but you show admirable bravery when your family is threatened."
“Loyalty… You are certainly loyal. To your sister, to your parents, to your best friend, to your late mother. One would have to be blind not see it. But is that really Hufflepuff loyalty? But alas let us keep Hufflepuff in mind and move on.”
“Wisdom… Oh you certainly are curious. Thirsty for knowledge. You would thrive in Ravenclaw. But I have to admit you crave knowledge not for the sake of knowledge but for the sake of using it eventually. Let us keep this in mind as well.”
“Ambition… Now, this just sounds wrong to you, no? But alas, you are quite ambitious. Surpassing your sister, pulling the ultimate prank, becoming an expert in muggle technology. So many ambitions. And nobody could say you aren’t cunning. And your loyalty, your knowledge seeking. Oh but they are all such Slytherin things. You would stop at nothing to make sure your dear ones are safe. Why would anyone ever put you anywhere but in Slytherin! But, I am feeling generous today. So I will let you make the choice. So tell me, are you a Black or a Tonks?”
“You are supposed to choose for me?”
“Oh, I will do just that. But do choose first.”
Draco hesitantly whispered, “Hufflepuff...”.
“Very well.”
“SLYTHERIN!”
The hat yelled and Draco’s heart fell. He stood up shyly and then met Theo’s eyes in the crowd of first years. His expression was blank but his eyes were smiling encouragingly and Draco remembered and chimed in his head. 'My mum is a Slytherin. My mother was also a Slytherin.'
The Slytherin table clapped and he cast a farewell glance to his new friends-who certainly were not Slytherins-hoping Theo would at least join him soon.
He sat down as timidly as he could, trying to keep his eyes to the sorting instead of focusing on the stares and murmurs aimed at him. Only casting a glance to the staff table to nod weakly to his godfather, who nodded back. At least, he would be the head of Slytherin, Draco sighed.
“Bones, Susan!”
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
“Boot, Terry!”
“RAVENCLAW!”
“Brocklehurst, Mandy!”
“RAVENCLAW!”
“Brown, Lavender!”
“GRYFFINDOR!”
“Bulstrode, Millicent!”
“SLYTHERIN!”
Draco clapped along with the rest of the table. He had to get along with these people, he reminded himself. The girl sat opposite of him and he couldn’t help being surprised at her size. She was tall and bulky. And also rather crude. She nodded her head to him, Draco nodded back and that was that. Her attention was back to the Sorting.
“Crabbe, Vincent!”
“SLYTHERIN!”
Again, Draco clapped obligingly as he watched the boy sit down next to Millicent.
“Finch-Fletchley, Justin!”
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
‘So many Hufflepuffs and the hat couldn’t send me there…?’ Draco thought bitterly. He really had no preference when he came here but after his talk with the stupid hat, he felt betrayed and he kept eyeing the yellow table with envy.
“Finnigan, Seamus”
“GRYFFINDOR!”
“Goyle, Gregory!”
“SLYTHERIN!”
Draco found himself wondering if all the Slytherins apart from him were going to be bulky and generally BIG.
“Granger, Hermione!”
Draco watched intrigued. ‘Don’t get your hopes up, she is going to be a Ravenclaw.’ The hat took its sweet time. Probably not as long as it had done in Draco’s case, but Draco didn’t have a clock so there goes the time counting. He was pulled out of his thoughts as the hat strongly shouted. It wasn’t Ravenclaw.
“SLYTHERIN!”
Draco found himself too surprised to clap, he was most likely gaping as well. But as he noticed the timid clapping from around him he began clapping loudly, whooping even. Hermione smiled and was down next to him in a second.
“Hey, seems like we are housemates! Had to persuade the hat though. Like being a muggleborn is going to stop me from being with my first friend!”
Draco blinked. “I am your first friend?”
Hermione blushed. “Kind of…? Sorry that must be creepy.”
Draco jerked his head animatedly and in the next moment he was hugging her. “Not at all! It is an honour! I also don’t have many friends so don’t worry too much about it!”
“Greengrass, Daphne!”
A beat.
“SLYTHERIN!”
Draco and Hermione clapped obligingly as the rather beautiful girl made her way next to Millicent.
“Longbottom, Neville!”
Draco turned abruptly to smile encouragingly at his friend, who was indeed looking right at him then. Something that proved fatal as Neville tripped on his own legs. Draco chuckled fondly and willed him to calm down.
‘If Neville gets in Hufflepuff…’ He shook his head quickly. It didn’t matter. Neville wasn’t coming to Slytherin. Where he went didn’t matter to him. He had no intention of giving up THAT friendship.
Draco had plenty of time to imagine Neville in all the three other houses as the hat took its sweet time with him. Probably even more than Draco this time.
“GRYFFINDOR!”
Draco clapped despite himself and the looks it earned him. He would give the boy all the support he could. That was how their friendship always worked. Neville waved at him and almost went over to the Gryffindor table with the hat still on. The Weasley twins seemed to be taking him under their wind. Draco could swear he heard one of the twins, probably Fred, saying, “You are Draco’s best friend so I am sure you are gonna be a great prankster too!”. Poor Neville, Draco thought fondly.
“MacDougal, Morag!”
“RAVENCLAW!”
...
“Moon, Lily!”
“GRYFFINDOR!”
“Nott, Theodore!”
Draco looked at the boy with interest. Most likely Slytherin. Though, if Draco hadn’t known his last name, he would be betting on Ravenclaw instead. He looked like the smart type. But the hat surprised him and everyone altogether as it wasn’t Slytherin that it said. Neither was it Ravenclaw.
“GRYFFINDOR!”
The hat yelled and Draco saw Theo turning pale as a tense silence fell. Nobody was clapping. Nobody except Hermione Granger, that is. Draco awoke out of his trance and clapped too. Two Slytherins clapping for a Gryffindor might not be the best start but it was something. Draco found himself pleasantly surprised as he saw Neville standing up and clapping, calling Theo over. The rest of the Gryffindor table soon clapped too but with much less enthusiasm. Draco just hoped the boy wouldn’t get disowned. He had heard the story of his uncle, Sirius, after all.
“Parkinson, Pansy!”
“SLYTHERIN!”
The hat didn’t even touch her head before it screamed so and the girl strode to their table gracefully. She sat down next to Hermione with confidence but didn’t seem to acknowledge her at all. Instead her gaze fell on him. It had that, later look and Draco suddenly was scared for his life. The girl’s demeanor reminded him dangerously enough of his mum.
“Patil, Padma!”
“RAVENCLAW!”
“Patil, Parvati!”
“GRYFFINDOR!”
“Perks, Sally-Anne!”
“GRYFFINDOR!”
“Overpopulation of Gryffindors, huh?” Hermione asked. Parkinson snorted from next to her but Draco ignored her. Let’s ignore our problems, we might be saved. That was Draco and Dora’s motto when it came to their mum.
“Potter, Harry!”
“And here comes another one, surely.” Draco replied as Potter made his way to the stool.
The hat seemed to take its time yet again but Draco couldn’t care less. Except if Potter somehow saved him from the black haired girl two seats away from him, he couldn’t care less.
That doesn’t mean it didn’t downright shock him when the hat was shouting yet again an unexpected, “SLYTHERIN!”.
Another silence.
Someone needs to get that hat to retire, it was obviously malfunctioning, Draco thought with exasperation as Harry turned to McGonagall with pleading eyes. At the jerk of her head, he walked to the Slytherin table, sulking.
Hermione clapped rather weakly and shoved Draco lightly. Draco grudgingly clapped too. Harry sat on their side of the table but a fair distance away from the black-haired queen. A wise choice, Draco admitted. He really had to find a way to avoid her.
“Thomas, Dean!”
“GRYFFINDOR!”
“Turpin, Lisa!”
“RAVENCLAW!”
“Weasley, Ronald!”
Draco and Hermione watched closely as the redhead walked up to the hat. Well, if the hat didn’t malfunction, then a Gryffindor, Draco whispered to Hermione. She chuckled and nodded her agreement. And then…
“SLYTHERIN!”
They both looked back at once. It hadn’t even taken quite that long. Ron didn’t seem to mind the-if possible-biggest silence that had fallen in the hall as of yet, and walked nonchalantly over to Draco. “Scout over.” He said, pointing between Draco and Hermione. And that was that.
Draco threw an arm over his shoulder affectionately. “Tonks and Weasleys gotta be friends after all.” Ron said, and Draco swore, he could kiss him.
“Just help me get away from my brothers when they start plotting my murder.” He said jokingly and Draco promised him he would be doing just that.
“Zabini, Blaise!”
A pause, then.
“SLYTHERIN!”
And that was the end of the Sorting. The new addition walked past Potter and sat down right next to Parkinson. Draco secretly wished they would get along well enough so he would have enough time to run away after dinner was over. He was terrified of her and he didn't even know why.
Potter seemed to be looking dubiously at them from the far side of the table but before Draco had time to do anything to save the poor lion in the snakes’ dean, Dumbledore stood up.
He made an effort to welcome them but then gave up-just like his sister had told him-and instead started talking nonsense.
“Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!” He said. Like that made any sense. Draco sighed but clapped obligingly.
And then the table was full of food. And Draco was ravenous after the long trip and all the excitement the Sorting had caused him.
Notes:
Did Theo just sneak up on me? Yes, he did.
Am I going to use him? Watch me.
I'm sorry for stopping here and not writing the dinner discussion as well but I would like to write that in another chapter so I don't rush over the details I want to add ;;
Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed! See you next Saturday! ^^(Btw, I've started doodling some scenes of this story and I will be posting them on my instagram so if you wanna take a look, here it is: @mira.allenson )
Chapter 6: Slytherin & Gryffindor
Notes:
Draco's kind, Harry's afraid, Neville's protective and Theodore is brooding.
Oh, and Dumbledore is Dumbledore!
That's it. That's the chapter!
Enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
As soon as the food appeared in front of them, Hermione gasped in awe. Draco explained to her how it all worked as Ron was already engrossed in eating.
The food, of course, was delicious. Certainly better than his mom’s but only slightly better than his dad’s. Oh but he would miss his dad’s chicken nuggets. Ron just seemed satisfied devouring the abundant food and Hermione was already ecstatic about tomorrow’s lecture.
All three were chatting lightly, ignoring the tension around them. Draco chanced a glance at Potter. He thanked his luck as he noted Parkinson being caught in a vivid conversation with Zabini and observed Potter in peace.
The boy was probably infuriating to no end if Neville didn’t like him. Neville liked everyone! But that still didn’t stop Draco from feeling some pity for him. Had he been sorted in Gryffindor for example, he would probably have been miserable too, if not for Neville.
Potter was begrudgingly moving his food around his plate, a pout on his face as he looked over to the Gryffindor table. Draco sighed and stood up stealthily, taking his plate with him.
Hermione only noticed when he was already standing next to Potter. He wasn’t a prankster for nothing. If he wanted to hide, he could hide. Sometimes he felt bad for his parents, having to deal with him but then, Dora was worse.
Naturally, Potter hadn’t noticed him, so he cleared his throat.
Potter turned around abruptly, ready to fight, until he saw Draco. Then he grew timid. Draco sighed. “Need company?”
“What?” Potter asked confused.
“Nothing.” He answered and smiled as non-threatening as he could. And then he sat down next to him, still keeping a certain distance.
Potter stared at him like he was a ghost and Draco sighed again.
“Just eat your food, Potter. My mum’s a Slytherin and I am still alive. That’s proof enough that the food isn’t poisoned.”
Potter blinked, then looked at his still full plate. “Ah… No… This isn’t…”
“Just eat, Potter. It’s not the end of the world.”
Potter looked at his food and took a bite, then he let the fork fall right back down to the plate.
“My dad is going to kill me.”
Draco looked at Potter with sympathy. He knew how the Black family had acted when his uncle was sorted in Gryffindor. But Potter wasn't a pureblood as far as he knew.
“I think you will be fine.”
“My godfather is going to kill me!” He said and held his head in his hands in despair.
“That, I can assure you, won’t happen. Uncle Remus will have him murdered before that.”
“Wait, you know my godfather and Remus?”
“Duh! I am Neville’s best friend? And also my mum and uncle Sirius are cousins.”
“Th-that makes sense, I suppose.”
“Don’t worry that much about your parents. They will understand.”
“I’m sure you are super satisfied with being a Slytherin, huh? A dream come true?”
Draco arched an eyebrow, a flat look. He felt the need to attack but he kept his calm.
“My dad and my sister are Hufflepuffs, you know.”
“What?” Potter looked seriously confused.
“Potter, my dad’s name is Ted Tonks.” He pointed out. And Potter seemed to accept that. He was still afraid of him it seemed.
“Now, get to eating, Potter.”
It must have been around 20 minutes and then he was looking up to find his own godfather. Severus Snape, another person-like his biological mother-that he owed his life to. He looked as gloomy as ever but Draco had to admit his sense of humour was incredibly akin to his own. And he might owe him his life, but that wouldn’t stop him from plotting mischief in the man’s house.
Severus seemed to be conversing with another professor, who very evidently had a bad sense of fashion and an absurd turban.
And then it happened very suddenly. The professor with the turban turned his back towards him and a sharp, hot pain shot across the scar on Draco’s forehead.
“Ouch!” Draco exclaimed and clutched at his forehead.
“What’s wrong?” Potter asked him.
“N-nothing.” He bit out and then the pain was gone.
“Are you okay?” Potter asked, genuinely worried.
“I’m fine. Do you know who that professor is?” He asked and nodded his head towards the pair of wizards.
“Snape? He’s teaching Potions. He’s also a friend of my mum’s. Too gloomy if I am honest. Sirius doesn’t li-”
“I know who Sev- Snape is, I was talking about the one with the turban and----Snape is friends with your mother?”
“Kind of?”
“Hmm…” Draco let the thought of Lily Potter sway in his mind for a while. Severus had mentioned her a couple of times.
The pain on his forehead was long forgotten.
At last, the desserts too disappeared, and Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.
“Ahem — just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their House teams should contact Madam Hooch.”
Dumbledore explained calmly and Draco was surprised by the fact that the man could talk like a responsible adult sometimes. Yes, he had spent the last 7 years hearing his mum complain about how dangerous Hogwarts is and how irresponsible Dumbledore was, letting students deal with the cursed vaults. His opinion on the headmaster might have been greatly influenced by that.
“And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death.”
He finished his speech on that note and Draco reconsidered his assessment. No sane man would put something that causes a ‘painful death’ in a school full of children. He sighed and was contemplating whether he should tell his mum or not.
Needless to say, he was going there no matter what. As soon as he learnt enough magic to defend himself, he would go. Maybe he would ask the Weasley twins for help.
Next to him, Potter seemed rather unfazed by it all.
“And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!”
‘Great.’ Draco thought and sighed again. Definitely not sane.
~~~
After a very embarrassing experience of the performance of the school song, Draco stood up, dragging Potter along.
“Better stay close, Potter. We don’t want you pissing your pants because the snakes bullied you, right?”
“I-I wouldn’t!”
Potter followed after him and Draco motioned for Ron and Hermione to tag along. Thankfully, Parkinson-who Draco was still terrified of-didn’t engage him in a conversation.
They all followed the prefect to the Slytherin dormitory. Draco, of course, knew how the interior was and was only pleasantly surprised to realise that it was still not too cold this early in the year.
Hermione was awed by the interior. Potter and Ron looked mildly disappointed. They must have expected another Gryffindor common room. Well, not happening.
The prefect guided them to their rooms.
Draco was hesitant to let Hermione go. She would be alone. But Hermione reassured him, she liked a bit of challenge anyways.
Draco dragged Potter and Ron to their dorm as the boys were almost sleep-walking. How could they be sleepy this early? Okay, Draco was sleepy too but he was still awake.
Five beds.
The two were occupied by Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe. Both purebloods. Both from families of former Death Eaters.
Draco thought of watching his back but then the sleepy Ron started talking about how delicious the food was and they joined in. Potter explained to Draco how they had chatted quite a bit back in their boat and then he collapsed on Draco’s bed.
Draco sighed and asked the bulky boys to help carry Potter to his own bed.
Maybe they could even be friends…?
Soon, all four boys were soundly asleep and Draco took out some parchment.
Commander Dora,
Captain Draco reporting. Reached Hogwarts safely.
No mischief to report yet. But I threatened a boy.
Also, the hat was malfunctioning so now I am in Slytherin. Sorry, sis.
Neville got in Gryffindor by the way. No Hufflepuff for you to give your things too.
Oh and don’t slack off on training.
Love ya~
Your loyal accomplice,
Dray
PS. Dumbledore is insane after all.
He pulled another parchment.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I have safely arrived in Hogwarts. I still haven’t engaged in any unbecoming activities, mum, don’t worry.
I haven’t yet greeted my godfather properly but I fully intend to do that tomorrow.
I hope you are both well.
Also, I am sorry but I will be needing my own house goods after all. I got put into Slytherin. I hope you don’t mind too much. Love you both.
Yours,
Draco
PS. Dad, don’t let mum burn the house now that I am away.
He folded both parchments carefully and tied them to his owl’s foot. For some reason, the owl hadn't been taken to the owlery just yet and Draco felt thankful.
Andromeda had insisted on getting both him and Neville an owl each.
Draco had gotten the female one, Neville the male. They were apparently siblings.
And Neville was the lucky one because Reg didn’t bite, unlike Cissy.
Yes, Andromeda had named both of them. His uncle had cried upon hearing the names. Sappy Gryffindors.
Draco watched Cissy fly off. He would probably get a response during tomorrow’s breakfast.
It felt strange, sleeping with other people but in different beds.
But Neville wasn’t there so he couldn’t sneak into his bed. He lied down on his own bed and closed his eyes.
Soon he was asleep. He had a feeling he had seen Potter in his sleep but he couldn’t be sure.
~~~
Neville wouldn’t call himself brave. He had hoped for Hufflepuff. Considering there was also the possibility of Draco going there too. But Draco didn’t and so Neville found himself not caring in the least where he ended up. That didn’t make him less nervous, but it was something.
The hat seemed to contemplate for a while before yelling ‘GRYFFINDOR!’. Neville didn’t know why. But his parents, both biological and adoptive, were Gryffindors so it probably shouldn’t have been such a shock. He was glad Draco was clapping for him even then. If he could stay friends with Draco, then that was enough for him. Even if he didn’t make any new friends.
And then came Theodore Nott.
Neville was observing his sorting with a light interest, considering Draco had announced him a friend. Even if it was on a whim. So when a loud ‘GRYFFINDOR!' resounded in the hall, Neville stilled. He was doubting his ears. But he was probably not as shocked as the boy himself was. Theodore was looking around at a loss, like he wanted to hide from the world.
Neville glanced at the Slytherin table and saw Draco had stilled too until Hermione shoved him. Neville gulped loudly and stood up with a new-found determination he didn’t know he had in him. He clapped loudly, even motioning for the boy to come sit next to him.
Theodore eventually complied and sat down timidly. Neville had to admit, he reminded him of Draco. Draco would also take on such a stance at times. Especially when they were younger and people called him Malfoy. That was before he found out he could just scare them off.
So Neville decided to act the same way he acted with Draco. If he was Draco’s friend and a Gryffindor, there was no reason they couldn’t be friends, right…?
He tried to strike up a conversation a lot of times. But the boy would not talk much. Only answering with grunts, nods and shrugs.
This wasn’t going at all how he planned it.
Theodore, unlike Draco, didn’t seem to like speaking too much. Neville sighed in defeat.
That was until Lavender Brown, the first to be sorted into Gryffindor this year said a certain thing.
“Well, at least we won’t have to sleep with the snake, huh? Poor boys, though.”
Neville felt his blood boil. She was only talking to Parvati Patil and a couple other girls. But what she said was certainly audible enough for Theodore to hear. Neville wanted to retort, to do something, but he was never good with words. That was Draco’s job. His job was silent support.
Surprisingly, it was another girl who spoke up. Lily Moon, also a first year like them.
“Stop with the drama. He is also just a boy.”
“Oh, you just don’t know how it is with those families, Lily. They believe in blood supremacy! Pretty sure he already thinks he is better than us just because we are half bloods.” Parvati said haughtily.
“You don’t know that!” Lily retorted and Theodore-who was obviously listening-seemed to be visibly trying to make himself smaller.
Neville gulped again and leaned over his ear.
“Don’t mind them too much.” He whispered.
“I don’t.” Theodore replied curtly, but he was looking away.
Soon dinner was over and after an awkward performance of the school song, which Neville knew Draco must be hating, they were led by Percy Weasley to their dormitory.
Theodore was surprisingly sticking close to Neville, which didn’t make much sense. But Neville tried to ignore his panicking.
They ended up in the same dorm room and Theodore declared the bed next to Neville’s was his. The rest of the boys just shrugged.
Neville was already feeling sleepy by then. But he knew his dad would be worried if he didn’t send a letter, he pulled out a parchment and scrawled down.
Dear Dad and Daddy,
I’m still alive. I got sorted into Gryffindor.
Draco got into Slytherin so I am afraid it will be kinda awkward to hang out now. But Draco is Draco so he will probably find a way.
I also need some advice. There’s this kid that comes from a Slytherin family and he got into Gryffindor. Draco said he is his friend now so I want to help him but he won’t talk to me.
How was it for you, Daddy? You had a similar experience, right?
Love you both,
Neville
PS. Dad, you were right. The chocolate éclairs were delicious.
After he finished writing the letter, he tied it to Reg’s leg and let him out the window. When he turned to lie down on his bed, Theodore was still awake and was looking at him with something that looked like envy.
Neville stared back.
Eventually, Theodore sighed and whispered.
“I also was asked to send my father a letter. I don’t think he will like it, though.”
Neville understood, so he walked over to Theodore’s bed and pointed next to him in question. Theodore nodded.
“My daddy is Sirius Black. He was also… in a similar situation with you. So I know how you feel.”
“Do you, now?” Theodore asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I do. Don’t take me for an idiot.”
“Right. You’ve been hanging around Draco so I suppose some of his brain cells have migrated over to you, huh?” Theodore said smugly and then, realising what he said, he stilled and looked around the room anxiously.
Unaware of the boy’s inner turmoil, Neville stilled for an entirely other reason. He blinked in surprise and then burst into laughter. Doing his best to do so silently so he wouldn't wake up the other boys.
“Why are you laughing…?”
“I-it’s just… That sounded so much like Draco!”
Theodore now blinked in response but allowed a small smile to take over his face.
And then it was gone.
“Just go to bed, Longbottom. You will need your extremely low reserves of brain cells to be in working order tomorrow.”
Neville stood up. “You can call me Neville, you know?”
“I will consider it.”
And then they were both down on their respective beds, ready to drift off.
“Goodnight, Theo.” Neville whispered.
He only got an affirmative groan in response, but that was enough for now.
It seemed like he could make at least one new friend after all.
Notes:
Okay so, I wasn't going to include the Gryffindor part but the chapter was too short otherwise and I felt like writing it so yeah!
This fic is still going to be mainly from Draco's POV but there might be some exceptions (like here).
And I'm not sure how Theo's such a major character in this! I don't know how it happened!Thanks for reading! Let me know your thoughts on it! ^^
See you next Saturday~!
Chapter 7: Mischief & Lessons
Notes:
Enjoy Draco's first school week~~
This chapter corresponds to Ch. 8--The Potions Master--of the original book.
(With grave changes, that is.)
Oh, and Severus finally makes an actual appearence! Yay~
Enjoy! ^^
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Captain Draco,
Commander Dora reporting. I am not slacking off so don’t fret.
Yesterday, I accidentally set off a bomb and got scolded but you know how clumsy I am! Sometimes destruction will happen around me whether I want it to or not.
Now, let me say this. GREETINGS TO THE NEW SLYTHERIN OF THE FAMILY!
I’m pretty sure mum will be thrilled. And Dad won’t mind at all. I don’t either. So don’t worry too much about it. We all knew you were more of a snake. Plus, frankly, yellow wouldn’t suit you much.
Hope I hear of your successful mischief soon.
Love,
The walking disaster, Dora
PS. The question is who’s more insane? Dumbledore or mum?
Dear Draco,
Congratulations on getting sorted into Slytherin! (Your mum is being very dramatic and throwing a private party at the moment so I am writing this instead.)
Speaking of which, Andy has already started packing her old Slytherin things to send. I am pretty sure she will also be sending her old skirts but don’t let it bother you too much. You know how she is. And make sure you greet your godfather. And do NOT cause him too much trouble.
Love you a lot, Dray. Enjoy school!
Yours,
Dad
PS. Don’t have such high expectations of me. But I will try to keep the house standing until you get back.
Draco was content with the letters he had received during breakfast. He knew they wouldn’t be angry with him. He had just never gotten over his self-doubt.
Breakfast was an interesting thing. He wasn’t used to having breakfast with more than 3 people at a time. And it was a rather nice experience. Especially since he had Hermione next to him to chat with first thing in the morning. Ron and Harry had sat down next to them too, with sullen expressions, which were explained as a couple of letters fell on the table.
Ron knew it was coming and he showed him easily. Apparently his parents weren’t expecting him getting into Slytherin but made sure to reassure him that they still loved him. Draco side-hugged him encouragingly. “See? Everything’s going to be fine.”
Potter on the other hand, was reluctant to show them his letter but if the long sigh of relief he let out was any indicator, Potter was just fine.
The same couldn’t be said for Theodore Nott.
“YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO THE NOTT FAMILY! HOW DARE YOU GET SORTED IN GRYFFINDOR!! RAVENCLAW, I WOULD UNDERSTAND! HUFFLEPUFF, NOT SO MUCH. BUT GRYFFINDOR! GRYFFINDOR, THEODORE? I DIDN’T RAISE YOU LIKE THIS!”
The howler went on and on for a while. Theo was staring blankly at the table. Finally, the Howler burst into pieces and the boy exhaled shakingly. He stood up abruptly and walked away. Draco thought of chasing after him, offering him some sympathy. But Neville was already on his way so Draco decided to leave it to him. Neville always managed to cheer him up after all. Surely, he could do the same with Theo.
“I can’t believe that guy ended in Gryffindor and I didn’t… Look at him, he just run away!” Harry mumbled angrily to Ron. He was unlucky though, for Draco had heard that loud and clear and immediately casted a dark glare on him. Harry gulped audibly and turned to his food. Draco would deal with him later, he decided.
Unfortunately, he had more pressing matters to deal with. Like Pansy Parkinson.
“We need to talk.” She stated at some point and walked off, motioning for Draco to follow her.
Draco could deal with Harry Potter, he could deal with the malfunctioning hat, he could deal with Severus Snape even, but Pansy Parkinson was terrifying him in ways he didn’t want to admit.
Hermione looked at him worriedly but Draco smiled wryly at her and went after Parkinson.
They were now standing just outside the Great Hall. Everyone was eating so the corridor was mostly empty. Parkinson leaned on the wall and looked Draco up and down before speaking.
“So, I heard you’ve been raised by a muggleborn and a blood traitor.” Draco twitched. “But at least, you got in Slytherin nonetheless. That is good.”
“What do you want from me?” Draco asked, trying to keep his composure.
Parkinson smirked. “I guess it is only normal that you don’t know so I will tell you instead. We are betrothed.”
Draco stilled, his eyes widening. He opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out.
Parkinson smirked and extended her hand. “That’s a funny expression. Anyways, just making sure you are aware of the fact. Hope we get along, Draco. Mrs Malfoy has such a nice ring to it, after all. I wouldn’t want to let that one go.”
Draco woke up at that. He fixed Parkinson with his most challenging glare. His hands unmoving on his sides.
“A shame, Parkinson. You’ve just gotten on my bad side.”
“Huh?”
“I hate that name. Not to mention, you aren’t even my type!”
“Your type? So what’s your type exactly, bushy haired mudbloods?”
She lowered her hand and instead crossed her hands over her chest.
Draco’s hand twitched. This would be the part he would normally be attacking aggressively by now. But that didn’t work with Slytherins. Slytherins could only be beaten with humiliation, his mum always told him.
“Oh, she is certainly more charming than you will ever be! But unfortunately, I am not really interested in girls.”
The girl’s eyes widened in realisation. She gaped. Draco smirked.
“Speechless, Parkinson?”
“You are gay?”
“Oh, do I not come off as one?”
Parkinson shut up frankly. Draco eventually smiled and walked away, back to his seat.
Breakfast was still ongoing. He aggressively stabbed his piece of bread with a fork. He was furious. The nerve of that girl!! Oh, if only his mum hadn’t told him Slytherins consider anger a win! He took a deep breath and stopped his attempt to murder the bread.
Ron was watching him with something between terror and worry. Hermione’s gaze only held concern. But he was glad he stopped when he did, because Potter was sitting next to him and seemed ready to cry.
“I’m not angry with you, Potter.”
“R-Right.”
~~~
Draco managed to pull his very first prank during his first Astrology lesson, on Wednesday. Only three days in the semester and proudly beating his sister. He had sneaked a kaleidoscope in class and stuck it very subtly at the end of his sextant. And then he put on his theatrics.
“Professor, I think my sextant is broken.”
“Hm? Let me see.” Professor Sinistra, unacquainted with the kaleidoscope, frankly freaked out and the lesson ended early as the witch thought the world must be ending.
Hermione gave him a disapproving look after they were back in the common room but Ron was laughing loudly. And even Potter joined in the laughter. The rest of the class looked quite thankful for the early dismissal too.
Even Parkinson, who had been avoiding him like the plague for the last two days, looked satisfied at the turn of events.
Draco wrote to his sister as soon as he was in his dorm.
By the next morning, word of the incident had spread around the whole school. Most didn’t know about the kaleidoscope and only thought the astrology professor had gone crazy.
The Weasley twins officially welcomed him to the ‘Hogwarts Mischief Makers Team’. Which was really just the two of them but Draco didn’t comment on that.
Dora’s letter came later and congratulated him as well. Draco couldn’t wait for more mischief. He did have to convince Hermione not to stop him though. He was glad that at least Ron looked more than willing to help.
~~~
Draco only managed to talk a bit with Neville during their joint History of Magic lesson. It wasn’t like anyone paid much attention anyways. His sister had apparently taken over this class countless times in her years here, impersonating Professor Binns.
Neville told him about Theo. About his lessons. Draco told him about his adventure with Parkinson and his prank.
“So wait, you told her you are gay?”
“Hm? Oh, yeah. It’s not like I am hiding it.”
“I know but… Maybe you shouldn’t just come out to people you don’t trust. What if she tells the Prophet?”
“It’s not like the Prophet doesn’t write about me anyways.”
Neville was only worried about him, Draco knew. And he really appreciated it. He hugged Neville tightly.
“I will be alright, Nev. You take care of Theo instead, will you?”
“Ugh! Fine! But do be careful, Draco!”
“I will.”
~~~
Charms and Transfiguration went fantastically. Draco loved the professors. Hermione wholeheartedly agreed with him. And they were set on finishing their homework quickly. Ron and Potter though seemed to be struggling and although Draco couldn’t care less about Potter, he still felt protective of Ron, and he kindly pointed things out to him.
The fact that he was with Potter meant that Potter listened in too but Draco couldn’t do much about that.
When it was finally time for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Draco was quivering with excitement. Oh, but how he wanted to learn some hexes and jinxes. They certainly opened up pranks’ possibilities.
But the professor was an utter disappointment.
By the end of the lesson, having heard only some tails of zombies and inhaled an unacceptable amount of garlic, Draco commenced his very dramatic disappointment to Ron who humoured him excellently. Ron would surely be a good comrade in the future. Draco was sure.
~~~
Friday rolled around before anyone noticed and Draco realised in dismay, that he had Double Potions on that day. With his godfather, which he still hasn’t actually greeted.
Fantastic.
The lesson was a joint one with Gryffindors so he made sure to sit down with Neville.
That kind of left Hermione and Theo without their usual partners. They were looking at each other with a mix of hope and dismay. Theodore didn’t want to upset his already furious father by allowing stories of his association with a muggleborn to reach him. Hermione on the other hand, was convinced that Theodore hated her.
Draco sighed. “Fine, I guess I will sit with Neville another time.” He stood up and with a bit of manoeuvring, made Hermione sit down in his place and then pulled Theo to the table behind them and made him sit down before sitting next to him.
“Ehm… Draco, what are you…?” Theo began hesitantly.
“Inter-house Unity!” Draco declared, loud enough so the whole class could hear him.
But there was no other Slytherin-Gryffindor pair in the classroom when Severus walked in with the usual commanding air.
He took the roll call and you could understand he was angry by the way he spoke Draco’s name. Draco timidly replied “Here.” and Severus glanced meaningfully at him.
“I will be expecting you after class, Mr. Black.”
Draco nodded and turned his gaze back to his book.
And then something very amusing happened.
Potter was getting bombarded with questions. Draco could only watch in amusement as his godfather seemed to take out some pent-up emotions and throw them directly at Potter-who had no way of defending himself, obviously. Draco could almost see the points being deducted, but they didn’t. Severus never deducted points from his own house.
Severus seemed to hate Potter. But not in the usual way. It looked more like he liked playing with him. Like he was taking revenge on him. What could Potter have done to him?
The lesson went wonderfully though. Draco loved Potions and he also loved his godfather’s sense of humour. He only found out after the lesson, that nobody else quite understood his humour. He froze in shock for a few moments before the man himself called him over in his own unique way.
“Mr. Black, if you have the time to catch flies with your mouth, bring your over-energetic self here instead.” Which was humour. Obviously. Right?
After the rest of the class retreated, Draco was standing in front of Severus’ desk. The man was silently examining the bottles on his table. Draco patiently waited for him to speak, for a good five minutes.
“I am rather troubled, Mr. Black. You see, my over-the-top godson still hasn’t graced me with his presence. Does he want to anger me, I wonder?”
“Ehm…”
“Yes, Mr. Black?”
“I’m sorry, Severus. I should have come greet you right away.”
“Right.”
“I’m really sorry! Come on now, don’t sulk! I am here now, am I not?”
“Indeed you are. It is one Tonks after the other. And you’ve already started pulling pranks.” Severus sighed and motioned for Draco to sit down somewhere. Draco chose a relatively clean table and sat atop of it.
“I haven’t been caught, though.” Draco replied smugly.
“Right.”
Draco wanted to change the subject as soon as he could. He didn’t want to be forced to make promises he wouldn’t keep. He ran through all kinds of things he had come across lately and his mind fell on a certain issue of the Prophet that he had found lying around the common room. He smiled inwardly and commenced his exaggerated theatrics.
“Oh, right, Severus! Did you know about Gringotts? Apparently it’s been robbed!” Draco made a face of utter terror, like a frightened lady. He waited for an eye roll. But it never came.
Instead, Severus’ eyes widened comically. Did he not know? But even so, why would he be so surprised? And suddenly, it was gone. Severus' face had turned blank.
“Severus?” Draco asked in concern. It really wasn’t like him.
“Where did you hear of that?”
“Ehm… The Daily Prophet? They are still investigating apparently.”
“Right. That will be enough for today. Go play somewhere.”
His voice lacked the usual sarcasm and Draco frowned but complied nonetheless.
He set out in search of Hermione, or any of his friends, really. As he walked by the castle he tried to memorise even more routes. Plans of countless pranks running through his mind. And then he stopped abruptly.
A Gringotts break in. Severus wasn’t surprised by the break in. He was surprised that Draco had mentioned it.
Draco had only randomly chosen to say that. As a way to change the topic. But Severus was shaken by that. Like there was a reason that Draco shouldn’t know about that break in.
That could only mean that that break in had something to do with Draco. But what? There must be a connection. The vault that was robbed was emptied beforehand. Someone had emptied it before the break in. Because that person knew there was likely to be a break in. And that person took whatever was inside. If it was something of value it must have been put somewhere with even more protection than Gringotts. But where could that b-
Draco was tapping his lips lightly with his index and middle fingers when Hermione called out to him. He jerked in surprise and looked at her like he had seen a ghost.
Hermione crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“No, ehm, nothing. I was just… thinking. It’s nothing important anyways. Let’s go to the library.”
Severus must have been involved with the break in somehow. Was he the one who emptied the vault, or did he send someone else, or was he instead the one who broke in? If that is so, then why would he do it.
Draco felt his head hurting and he turned to Hermione.
“Say, do you think the library will have any books of Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot?”
Notes:
Or Draco wants to play the detective~
And I didn't know how to make the connection with Hagrid so I chose this instead.
From here on out, I am going to be following the book format as far as chapters go. (The content will be different though.)Oh, and did you all think Theo or Blaise would be taking Draco's place? Buzz!! It's Pansy! (I don't know why, don't ask me haha)
And no, I don't hate Pansy! ;; It just kind of turned out like this! ;;Hope you enjoyed and see ya next Saturday~!
Chapter 8: Quidditch & Duelling
Notes:
This chapter ended up so long but I had so many things to write ;;
Some scenes are directly quoted from the book, though with a great many changes.
Hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! ^^
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Draco was disappointed at the lack of muggle literature at the library. Nor was there any Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle or Edogawa Ranpo works but there was hardly anything other than Dostoyevski and Poe there. Both of whom were Squibs. And then some things like the bible and other religious books. He tried asking an older Ravenclaw that was passing by but the answer he got disappointed him even more.
“They only have some muggle novels for the sake of muggle studies.”
Draco inwardly kicked himself for not asking his mum to shrink his library and bring it with him.
Later, he privately announced to Hermione that that was no library at all. Hermione let him rant but didn’t seem to agree with him.
So, not only did he not find what he was searching for, but he was also disappointed in wizardkind now.
He was so angry and devastated with the state of the library that any thought of Severus’ involvement in the break-in left his head.
As the days passed, he found himself otherwise occupied. Or more precisely his attention was always summoned by one Pansy Parkinson.
Draco had no fear for the girl anymore.
Slytherin girls were scary, sure. But she was no Andromeda Tonks. If anything the glint in Hermione’s eyes when he dared interrupt her studying was scarier.
So, no, he wasn’t scared of her anymore but he still couldn’t ignore her and the reason was sitting on the Gryffindor table.
Neville had just unpacked a package sent to him by his grandma. His grandma didn’t usually send him things on her own. She usually just send them to his dads and they would forward them to him if they judged it was okay. Yes, once, she had sent a skin nourishing potion and Neville was still four and with no idea what it was, tried to eat it. Since then, Remus had kindly asked her to send the presents to them first and she has mostly obliged. Until now, apparently. Neville didn’t mind. He liked that she sent him presents.
The package contained a Remembrall. Neville exclaimed excitedly at the thoughtful present and literally waved it in front of Theo’s face.
“You see, Gran knows I forget things — this tells you if there’s something you’ve forgotten to do. Look, you hold it tight like this and if it turns red — oh . . .” His face fell, because the Remembrall had suddenly glowed scarlet. “. . . you’ve forgotten something . . .”
Neville was glaring at the item trying to remember what he had forgotten, Theo looking at him with what could be described as a fond look, when Pansy Parkinson passed by the Gryffindor table and with a graceful movement snatched the thing from Neville’s hand.
“What do you have here, Longbottom?” She said as she examined it.
“Give it back, Pansy.” Theo was now glaring at her but she didn’t seem fazed in the least, instead, she smirked.
“Theo, Theo, dear Theo, are you really getting along with the lions now? Lost your Slytherin pride, huh?” Theo fell silent. That topic was still taboo for him. Neville wanted to defend him in turn but he was still scared of Parkinson.
“Now, now, Parkinson, don’t bully the lions~ They might bite you~” Draco said in an almost sing-song voice as he hung an arm around Parkinson’s shoulder and snatched the Remembrall with his other hand.
“It’s none of your business, is it, Malfoy?” Parkinson had taken on the habit of calling him 'Malfoy' as of late. Draco wanted to choke her every time he heard her say it but that wouldn’t solve a thing. The only thing he could do was act like it didn’t bother him. He swallowed down his anger.
“Oh, so it’s yours? Your new job?”
Parkinson seemed to be searching for an answer but she didn’t have a chance to reply. Professor McGonagall was onto them in seconds. “What might be going on here?”
“Oh, nothing at all, Professor! Just some friendly banter! Parkinson here was just leaving, weren’t you dear?”
Parkinson’s face turned a bright red and she stomped away.
Draco was looking at her retreating back in triumph.
“And you, Mr Black?” Draco turned abruptly at the stern voice.
“I was just taking a look at this. Right, Nev?”
Neville seemed to have found his voice again.
“Yes! Draco and Theo were trying to help me remember what I had forgotten.”
“Right.” Theo spoke in a low voice.
“Very well.” She spared them another stern glance before retreating back to the high table.
“Thanks, Draco.” Neville said as he went to retrieve the item but stopped. “It’s red.”
“Huh?” Draco looked down at his hand. “It really is. I wonder what I am forgetting.”
“It’s rare for you to forget anything.”
“Hmm. I will try to remember later. Wanna try, Theo?” Draco said as he offered it to the boy.
“I’m good, more importantly, Neville.”
“Yes?”
“The password.”
“The password?”
“What you are forgetting.”
Neville gaped like a fish. “Ohhh!”
Draco laughed loudly, attracting some unnecessary attention from the rest of the Gryffindor table. Slytherins weren’t welcome here, he reminded himself.
“Well, I will be going back to my table now~ See you guys on our flying lessons!”
“Don’t remind me, Draco! I’ve got enough nerves to deal with!”
“Nev, you will be alright. And I will be next to you. I promise.”
Neville wasn’t the only one hesitant about the flying lessons. Hermione was also nervous. Too nervous, in Draco’s opinion, but the girl had never flown before so he couldn’t blame her.
Unlike Potter.
Oh but he would kill Potter one day. Just last night he was so close to doing it.
“What do you mean you are afraid to fly? It’s easier than swimming, really!”
“Swimming is fairly easy and there you start step by step with kickboards and whatnot! Unlike flying!” Hermione countered.
Potter didn’t seem to understand what kickboards were. But that didn’t make it okay for him to belittle Hermione’s nerves.
Draco was onto Potter in seconds and if not for Ron and Greg skillfully pulling them apart in time, it might have ended very badly.
Draco was annoyed by Ron always being on Potter’s side. Ron explained that he was not on anyone's side. He just wanted them to get along. Nonsense!
At 3.30 in the afternoon both Slytherin and Gryffindor first years were standing on the lawn, with broomsticks next to their feet.
Draco had put himself between Hermione and Neville, so he could cheer them both on. Ron was opposite of Hermione and Potter was opposite of him-flashing him a smug look at that-and on Neville’s other side was Theo.
Theo seemed as calm as Draco. Nor overly excited like Ron and Harry nor nervous like Hermione and Neville. Draco was sure that the instructor, Madam Hooch, wasn’t helping their nerves.
“Well, what are you all waiting for?” She barked. “Everyone, stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up.”
“Stick out your right hand over your broom, and say ‘Up!’” She said next, commandingly. He knew Neville didn’t do well with these kinds of teachers, even if he himself was fascinated, so before he even tried to say ‘Up’, he turned to Neville.
Putting a hand on his arm, he spoke calmly. “Nev, calm down. Close your eyes, concentrate on my voice.” Neville obliged but he was still shaking. “Now imagine that it’s just the two of us back at Grimmauld place. The only one watching is your dad. And that’s because he is worried. There’s nobody there to judge you, Nev.” Neville’s heartbeat was slowly calming down. “Now, call your broom.”
“Up!” Neville yelled and the broomstick came to his hand at once. Neville knew how to fly, he was only too nervous, Draco knew. As long as he wasn’t nervous, Neville could do wonders.
“Impressive guidance, Mr Black. But I will need you to get your broom too.”
Draco looked up at Madam Hooch and smiled. He was going to get along with this witch, he just knew it. He extended his hand to the side and with a casual ‘Up.’ the broom was in his hand in seconds.
Madam Hooch casted him what must have been a smile but he would never know. He turned next to him to see Hermione still struggling.
He looked around him to see what the other students were up to. Most of the Slytherins had their brooms in their hands already. Being purebloods usually meant you knew how to fly already. Theo was also holding his broom and seemed to be congratulating Neville in his own way. Draco smiled.
And then looked opposite of him.
Ron seemed to be getting there and Potter already had the broomstick in his hand, smiling smugly.
Madam Hooch then showed them how to mount their brooms without sliding off the end, and walked up and down the rows correcting their grips. Not that Draco’s grip needed any correction, thank you very much. His dad was a perfect flying natural and his mum was all about form this, grip that.
He was quite delighted though when she told Potter he’d been doing it wrong for years.
He heard Theo chuckle from his side as well.
“Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle— three —two —”
But Neville, nervous and jumpy as always pushed off hard before the whistle had even touched Madam Hooch’s lips. Draco sighed. He shouldn’t have left his guard down.
“Come back, boy!” she shouted, but Neville was rising straight up without any sign of stopping. Draco was ready to tell him something encouraging but he didn’t have the time, Neville looked down at the ground falling away, he gasped, slipped sideways off the broom and —
Draco and Theo both came closer in an attempt to stop his fall but Neville had fallen from very high up and two scrawny boys weren’t going to stop his fall. In the end all three were lying down on the grass. Draco and Theo had some scratches but Neville had broken his wrist. Draco sighed.
“I know I said that you should imagine we are at Grimmauld with your dad but your dad isn’t actually here to heal you, Neville…”
“Sorry… I just freaked out.”
Madam Hooch took Neville away to the infirmary but not before Draco had given him an encouraging hug.
He heard Parkinson gagging in the background. For some reason, the girl still hadn’t outed him but she seemed convinced he was dating Neville. No doubt that was the reason he kept targeting him.
“None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you’ll be out of Hogwarts before you can say ‘Quidditch.’ Come on, dear.” She barked before walking off with Neville.
“Did you see his face, the great lump?” Parkinson exclaimed, laughing.
Most of the other Slytherins joined in the laughter and Draco found himself glaring at all of them.
“Shut up, Pansy!” Theo yelled.
“Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?” said Parkinson. “Never thought you’d take to fat little crybabies, Theo.”
“Look!” said Zabini, darting forward and snatching something out of the grass. “It’s that stupid thing Longbottom’s gran sent him, right Pansy?”
The Remembrall glittered in the sun as he held it up and tossed it to Parkinson.
“Give that here, Pansy.” said Theo quietly. Everyone stopped talking to watch.
Parkinson smiled nastily.
“I think I’ll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find — how about — up a tree?”
“Give it here!” Theo yelled, but Parkinson had leapt onto her broomstick and
taken off.
She was at a good height when she yelled. “Come and get it, Theo!”
But before Theo could even grab his broom, Draco was already in the air.
“No! Madam Hooch told us not to move! You’ll get us all into trouble.” Hermione yelled. Draco felt bad. He did. But Neville was his best friend and Parkinson was really getting on his nerves lately.
After he had gained enough height, he turned his broomstick sharply to face Parkinson in midair. Parkinson must have been expecting Theo because she looked confused for a moment.
“Give it here,” Draco called, “or I’ll knock you off that broom!”
“Oh, yeah?” said Parkinson, trying to sneer, but looked worried. She probably had counted on Theo, who was friends with her in the past, not bringing her any harm. Well, she had certainly miscalculated because Draco didn’t discriminate. It didn’t matter whether Parkinson was a girl or not. Dora had taught him to give it his all whoever the opponent was.
Draco leaned forward and grasped the broom tightly in both hands, and it shot toward Parkinson with immense speed. Parkinson only just got out of the way in time.
“No professor to save you here, Parkinson!”
She seemed to realise she was in trouble, because Draco was obviously more skilled in flying, something that must have not been true for Theo.
“Catch it if you can, then!” she shouted, and she threw the glass ball high into the air and streaked back toward the ground.
Draco saw the ball rise up in the air and then start to fall. It wasn’t the first time Draco was trying to catch a ball like this, one coming with more speed at that. His dad had a very intriguing hobby of trying to combine flying with muggle sports.
He had been forced in similar situations both in flying tennis and baseball. He had confidence that he could catch the ball and he dived with immense speed. Speed that his mum would scold him for but she wasn’t there. A foot or so from the ground he managed to catch it, just in time to pull his broom straight again, and then he toppled gently onto the grass with the Remembrall clutched safely in his fist. He grinned in triumph.
“DRACO BLACK!”
His heart sank faster than he’d just dived. Yes, his mum wasn’t there but an equally dangerous individual was. Professor McGonagall. She was running toward them.
Draco got to his feet, trembling slightly.
“Never — in all my time at Hogwarts —” Professor McGonagall was almost speechless with shock, and her glasses flashed furiously, “— how dare you — might have broken your neck —”
“It wasn’t his fault, Professor —”
“Be quiet, Miss Moon—”
“But Pansy —”
“That’s enough, Mr Nott. Black, follow me, now.”
Draco unwillingly followed McGonagall in the castle. A quick glance behind him showed him a smirking Parkinson and Zabini, a furious Hermione, a worried Theo and Ron and a dumbfounded Potter. Why was he dumbfounded anyway? Draco turned his gaze to the professor again.
He didn’t regret what he had done. He would do anything for his friends. Even if it got him expelled. He didn’t want to be expelled. Not really. But he wouldn’t regret what he had done even then.
McGonagall stopped abruptly in front of a giant Gargoyle. This was the headmaster’s office. Draco had heard as much from Dora. He gulped loudly. Suddenly he wished Severus was the one to see him instead.
The headmaster’s office… wasn’t what he had expected of a headmaster’s office, but the office of an insane person, it could be.
Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk and next to him, stood no other than Severus himself. Draco found himself not knowing whether that was good or not.
Neither he nor Professor McGonagall were given any chance to speak before Severus pierced him with his black eyes.
“What did you do now, little rascal?” His tone was a mix of disapproval and amusement.
He might be saved.
Draco thought.
“Severus, I don’t think that’s any way to address your student.” McGonagall scolded.
Draco only looked at her in confusion and then turned to Severus.
“I might have… kind of executed a fantastic save in midair?”
“Save?” Dumbledore inquired with amusement.
Draco was ready to explain all the ways one can save the ball in tennis in great detail but Severus cut him off.
“We all know that if that mouth of yours gets going it will never stop, Draco. Another time. Now, care to explain why my meeting with the headmaster has been interrupted?”
Draco noticed that Severus looked happy with this turn of events but he didn’t say that, of course. Slytherins covered Slytherins. His mum had told him that so many times he would never forget it now.
Professor McGonagall explained the situation to the two men.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. He caught that thing in his hand after a fifty-foot dive! Didn’t even scratch himself. Charlie Weasley couldn’t have done it.” The witch exclaimed.
Draco was confused. Was she angry or impressed? And they say Slytherins are difficult to decipher.
“Was he in Gryffindor, I would have done everything possible for him to be the team’s Seeker! School rules be damned!”
Both the older men and Draco looked at her in shock.
And then Draco could see it all over again. His mum. His mum when he and Dora had managed to do something scandalous and yet impressive.
Suddenly, he felt safe again.
“Unfortunately, he is not in Gryffindor, so I can’t do that. Normally I would be handing him detention but I will let that up to you, Severus.”
“Very well.” Severus nodded sternly and walked towards Draco, putting a hand on his shoulder. Draco was mildly intimidated. But Severus gave him a private half-smile and Draco knew he would be alright. Slytherins cover Slytherins.
“Well, Mr Black, if Professor McGonagall had gone to such lengths for you, I find it understandable to do the same.”
Draco blinked. “Wait- You mean- I, in the team?”
“Oh? Is my godson afraid now?”
“N-No? Why would I be!”
“Your godson?” McGonagall asked, surprised.
Draco and Severus turned to look at her, like she had spoken in a different language.
McGonagall looked between the two of them, blinking. Spotting an ominous similarity between the two, she brought her hand to her face. “This was a mistake.”
~~~
“You’re joking.”
It was dinnertime. Draco had just finished telling Ron, Hermione and Potter what had happened when he’d left the grounds with Professor McGonagall leaving out the information about Severus being his godfather. He hadn’t told them and he didn’t want them thinking he was getting special treatment because of that.
“Seeker?” Ron said. “But first years never — you must be the youngest House player in about —”
“— a century,” said Hermione begrudgingly, information she no doubt had acquired from some kind of book.
Ron was so amazed, so impressed, he just sat and gaped at Draco. Hermione was being sulky. And Potter… Potter was actually unnervingly silent. Draco sent him a look but he only averted his gaze completely.
“I start training next week. Don’t tell anyone, Sev- Professor Snape wants to keep it a secret.”
Then Draco stood up and took the Remembrall out of his pocket. Neville was still in the infirmary but Theo was sitting alone at the Gryffindor table.
“I’m gonna go hand this over to Theo and be right back.”
Theo watched him sit down next to him guiltily.
“Sorry, I should have been the one up there…”
“Oh, don’t mind it, Theo. It was fun. And it bore some interesting results.” Draco said as he handed the Remembrall over to Theo. It was still red when Draco held it. He really must be forgetting something.
“Interesting results?”
Draco was ready to tell him. He trusted Theo enough to tell him but he was interrupted.
“Oh? Still around, Malfoy? Thought you would have been expelled already. But, nevermind. Theodore, you have grown really gutless, huh? Having Malfoy there stand up for you and all.”
It was Parkinson. And she wasn’t alone. Millicent Bulstrode was right behind her.
Theo lowered his head. Draco felt his blood level rising.
“You’re a lot braver now that you’re back on the ground and there’s teachers around, huh?” Draco said with a cold tone.
“I’ve got no business with you, Malfoy.” She pronounced the name in a way that made it sound even more disgusting than it already was to Draco. “But you, Theo, I’d take you on anytime on my own.” She said innocently. “Tonight, if you want. Wizard’s duel. Wands only — no contact. What’s the matter? Scared?”
“Of course he’s not!” Draco stated ruthlessly. “I’m his second, who’s yours?”
“Milli.” She pointed at the girl behind her. “Midnight all right? We’ll meet you in the trophy room; that’s always unlocked.”
After Parkinson was gone, Theo looked at him increduled.
“Are you nuts!? Why would you do that!?”
“Relax, Theo. We are children. How much harm can be done? She is not even that good at charms. I’m sure you are better. And I can teach you the Protego charm!”
Of course Draco knew the Protego charm. The same day that they had bought his wand from Ollivanders, his mum had sat him down and forbade him from playing around until he had the spell down. And then he made him repeat the spell again and again every night at least ten times. Draco could easily cast the spell in his sleep now.
And it was an easy spell. Teaching Theo wouldn’t be that difficult. He pulled him to an empty classroom just before dinner was over and showed him.
“How come I am in Gryffindor when you are way braver than me?” Theo asked before they parted to go back to their dorms.
Draco looked at the ground. “For me, it’s only when my family or friends are in danger. It’s Slytherin loyalty. That’s what the hat called it.”
Theo didn’t reply. He waved a hand as he walked away.
They would meet a corridor away from the Trophy room at midnight and would go there together.
Hermione, as expected, made him spill it all to her back in the common room.
“You mustn’t go wandering around the school at night, think of the points you’ll lose Slytherin if you’re caught, and you’re bound to be. I’m surprised you even avoided expulsion today! Don’t go causing more trouble!” She said and she stormed off to her room.
Draco wasn’t going to tell anyone else but apparently Potter and Ron had overheard.
“You sure you guys will be alright, Draco?” Ron asked, concerned.
“Well, it would be nice if that Nott gets expelled though.” Potter said haughtily before he could hold it back.
“You’ve been a rather good boy all day, Potter. Do you want to anger me so late at night?” Draco spat out coldly.
Potter averted his gaze. “Fine! Go and help that dear friend of yours out then! I’m not taking part in this!” He said angrily and stomped away.
Draco and Ron glanced at each other. “What’s gotten into him?”
“No idea…”
~~~
At half past eleven Draco got up and exited his dorm room. Ron waved him good luck and Draco smiled at him, flashing him a peace sign. Something which Ron didn’t recognise. Draco made a gesture that he would tell him later.
The common room was dark and empty. Just before he walked out the door a voice called him.
“I can’t believe you’re going to do this, Draco.”
“Hermione…” She had come out of the darkness. “I…”
“I get it already! You have to go. And Parkinson isn’t in her bed. I’m going to come with you.”
“You will… what?”
“I have to at least try to keep you out of trouble, if I can’t stop you. You are theoretically my friend after all.”
Draco run to her and engulfed her in a hug.
“You are the best, ‘Mione!”
“Don’t get used to it.” She tried to say seriously but the chuckle she let out betrayed her fondness.
~~~
“Theo! Thank Godric! I forgot the password again and I couldn’t get in! But, wait, what are you doing out this late?” Neville had spent the afternoon in the infirmary.
He was happy to see Theo but the expression on the boy’s face worried him.
Theo told him the password, but the fat lady was now nowhere in sight.
“What will we do, Theo?”
“Ehm…” Theo hesitated for a while but then told Neville to follow him. Neville of course complied.
Theo told him why he was out this late. About the duel.
“Theo! You shouldn’t be doing this! It’s dangerous!”
“I agree. But your best friend apparently has a different conception of danger. He is going so I should go to.”
Neville knew how reckless Draco was so he could only sigh in exasperation. The castle at night scared him. But letting Draco alone without supervision was a bad idea…
Dad's teaching; "Never leave Blacks unsupervised.".
~~~
“Neville? Wh- Why are you here?” Draco asked when the two groups met.
“Long story. What about Granger?” Theo replied and asked in turn.
“I came to keep you out of trouble, obviously.” Hermione said haughtily.
There were some groans but they had no time for arguments. They could wait until breakfast. It was already almost midnight.
They sped up a staircase to the third floor and tiptoed toward the trophy room.
Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode weren’t there yet. The group edged along the walls, keeping their eyes on the doors at either end of the room. Theo took out his wand in case Parkinson leapt in and started at once. The minutes crept by.
“She’s late, maybe she’s chickened out?” Neville whispered.
Then a noise in the next room made them jump. And they all heard it. A man’s voice.
“Sniff around, my sweet, they might be lurking in a corner.” It was Filch and Mrs Norris.
Draco finally came to his senses. Slytherins didn’t take unnecessary gambles. How idiotic he had been. Parkinson wasn’t coming. Instead, she had told Filch.
He motioned to all of them to follow him out one door of the room. The one away from Filch’s voice.
“They’re in here somewhere, probably hiding.” Filch murmured to Mrs Norris.
They began to creep down a long gallery full of suits of armor. They could hear Filch getting nearer. Neville tripped and toppled right into a suit of armor. That was enough noise for Filch to spot them.
“RUN!” Theo yelled, and the four of them sprinted down the gallery, not looking back to see whether Filch was following. They kept going from one corridor to another, Theo leading them all, holding Neville by the hand.
They ripped through a tapestry and found themselves in a hidden passageway, hurtled along it and came out near their Charms classroom, which they knew was miles from the trophy room.
“I think we’ve lost him.” Theo panted, leaning against the cold wall and wiping his forehead. Neville was bent double, wheezing and spluttering. Theo stroked his back soothingly.
“I told you…. it was a bad idea...” Hermione gasped, clutching at the stitch in her chest.
“We’ve got to get back to our dormitories! And fast!” Theo said urgently.
“Parkinson must have tipped Filch off. Sorry guys, I should have expected that.” Draco said, guilt overtaking him. How stupid he had been.
“It’s alright, Draco.” Neville said encouragingly.
Draco flashed him a smile.
They begun their way back but it wasn’t going to be that simple. They hadn’t gone too far when a doorknob rattled and something came shooting out of a classroom in front of them.
It was Peeves. He caught sight of them and gave a squeal of delight.
“Shut up, Peeves — please — you’ll get us thrown out.” Theo spat out.
Peeves cackled. “Wandering around at midnight, Ickle Firsties? Tut, tut, tut. Naughty, naughty, you’ll get caughty.”
“Not if you don’t give us away, Peeves, please.” Hermione plead.
“Should tell Filch, I should,” said Peeves in a saintly voice, but his eyes glittered wickedly. “It’s for your own good, you know.”
Draco made a gesture for them to be silent.
“Now, now, Peeves, no need to make a big deal out of this. There is a very good reason why we are out of bed!” Draco said mischievously.
Peeves tilted his head. “And what might that be?”
“You want me to tell you? But then it won’t be a surprise!”
“A surprise?”
“Indeed! You see, I had to make some preparations for a prank. I thought I would let you be surprised with the rest of the school but if you want me to tell you now, then…”
“Wait, wait! Don’t tell! Don’t tell! Will you cause trouble?”
“A loooot of trouble! I swear upon my pride as a mischief maker! But you have to let us pass.”
Peeves seemed to consider for a second but then “STUDENTS OUT OF BED!” he bellowed, “STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!”.
Draco cursed that poltergeist inwardly and ducking under him, they all ran for their lives, right to the end of the corridor where they slammed into a door. A locked door.
“This is it!” Neville moaned, as they pushed helplessly at the door, “We’re done for! This is the end!”
They could hear footsteps, Filch running as fast as he could toward Peeves’s shouts.
“Oh, move over.” Hermione snarled. She pulled out her wand, tapped the lock, and whispered. “Alohomora!”
The lock clicked and the door swung open. They went through it, shut it quickly, and pressed their ears against it, listening.
Peeves and Filch had an argument and then they heard the sound of Peeves whooshing away and Filch cursing in rage.
“He thinks this door is locked, I think we’ll be okay now. Are you okay, Neville?” Theo asked, trying to calm down his breathing.
Neville had been tugging on the sleeve of Theo’s uniform for the last minute.
When Theo turned around, he understood the reason very well.
They weren’t in a room, as he had supposed. They were in a corridor. The forbidden corridor on the third floor. And now they knew why it was forbidden.
They were looking straight into the eyes of a monstrous dog, a dog that filled the whole space between ceiling and floor. It had three heads.
It was standing quite still, all six eyes staring at them, and Draco instantly knew that the only reason they weren’t already dead was that their sudden appearance had taken it by surprise, but it was quickly getting over that, there was no mistaking what those thunderous growls meant.
The dog jumped towards them. Draco pulled out his wand instantly.
“Protego!”
The dog rebounded.
That gave Draco the necessary time to grip for the doorknob. He could deal with Filch. With the guard of hell, he couldn’t. Certainly not yet.
They fell backward, outside the corridor. Theo slammed the door shut, and they ran, they almost flew, back down the corridor.
Filch was nowhere to be seen.
They didn’t stop running though until they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady on the seventh floor.
Theo took a deep breath before glaring at Draco. “I’m never doing that again. Just for your information.”
“Seconded.” Hermione gasped out.
What did you know? In the darkness of the night, they got along just fine.
Draco turned to Neville, he still looked terrified. Draco stroked his back soothingly.
“I’m sorry.” Draco said sincerely. He really was.
Hermione and Theo sighed in exasperation.
“What do they think they’re doing, keeping a thing like that locked up in a school?” Theo asked finally.
Hermione sighed, almost disappointed. “Didn’t you see what it was standing on?”
“The floor?” Neville offered, finally regaining some colour on his face. “I wasn’t looking at its feet, I was too busy with its heads.” He admitted.
“No, not the floor. It was standing on a trapdoor. It’s obviously guarding something.”
Draco’s head stilled. Guarding something. It felt like Draco was forgetting something. He didn’t have time to find out.
“From now on, whatever Draco proposes we do will only be executed AFTER careful consideration. I don’t want a repeat of today. We could all have been killed — or worse, expelled.”
“Agreed.” Theo agreed soundly.
“Hey! I am still here, you know? Neville?”
“Sorry, Draco… I have to agree with them on this.”
“You are all traitors! I am going to bed!” He stated, dramatically and walked along the corridor towards the Slytherin dormitory. Hermione followed after him, waving goodbye to the Gryffindors.
Draco kept sulking until they reached the common room. Hermione gave him a tight hug before they went off to their respective rooms and Draco had already forgiven her.
“Sorry for getting you involved.”
“It’s alright. Let’s just be a bit more careful next time, alright?”
“Alright.”
Finally in his bed and under the covers, he had time to think. Hermione had given him an important hint. The dog was guarding something.
He remembered Neville’s Remembrall that had shone red when he held it.
If it was something of value it must have been put somewhere with even more protection than Gringotts.
And then it all clicked in place.
Severus.
He was forgetting about Severus’ reaction to the Gringotts break in.
Even more protection than Gringotts. Was it that Cerberus? Was it guarding whatever was almost stolen from that vault?
If that was the case, Draco must go there again. If he wanted to sate his curiosity, that is.
Or he could try to pry the information out of Severus. Which probably wouldn’t work.
He sighed and sat up.
Well, one thing was made clear today.
He grabbed a parchment and a pen-because Draco found quills rather uncomfortable and uncanny, he rarely used quills outside of classwork.
“Dora,
Dumbledore is more insane than mum.
Draco”
He wrote hurriedly and dropped the parchment on his desk. He would send it with Cissy in the morning.
Feeling his eyes closing shut on their own, he climbed into bed again and let sleep take him.
Notes:
Hey hey~ Theo's the wild card in this fic! I don't know where he emerged from and I have no idea where he is gonna go! Let's watch over him!
And someone please keep Draco in check! He is getting out of control! Haha!
(Hope you find the events weren't overly forced. I tried to make the changes as natural as possible... The McGonagall part was hard, I will admit... ;;)
Anyways thanks for reading and see ya all next Saturday~!
Chapter 9: Hermione & Ron
Notes:
I had a lot of trouble writing this because I am bad at battle scenes and I left much of the description as it is in the original book... But I hope you will enjoy it nonetheless!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The next morning, Draco woke up to Ron’s excited prompting.
“Draco! Come on! Wake up! You gotta tell me about yesterday!”
“Ugh, fine, fine….” Draco begrudgingly opened his eyes. He was still a bit tired from the events of the night.
“So? Did you win? Oh, wait it was Nott who dueled, right? Did he win?”
Ron was still not on good terms with Theo but he wasn’t on bad terms with him either. He was keeping a neutral stance. Draco, knowing that the reason for that was probably himself, felt immense gratitude towards the redhead.
It wasn’t his fault that everyone else was fighting amongst themselves. Ron was just set on being friends with everyone. Except Hermione.
That, Draco didn’t understand. Ron managed to be friends with Potter, had made his peace with Vincent and Greg and he even tolerated Theo and Neville without trouble. And yet, he couldn’t seem to get along with Hermione.
Draco was pulled out of his thoughts when Potter spoke up.
“What do you mean Dumbledore is more insane than your mum? What did you even do yesterday?” He was holding the parchment Draco had written late that night. The tone was accusatory.
“Since when was it your business, Potter? I don’t remember asking you to be my babysitter.”
Potter flared up. Draco might still be sleepy but he would take Potter on any time.
“Oh, stop fighting, you two. It’s getting tiring!” Ron whined and pulled Potter away.
Potter fell silent. Draco sighed and apologised to Ron. It wasn’t Ron’s fault that Potter was insufferable.
Draco described last night in great detail. Ron found it amazing. He was looking at Draco with sparkly eyes. Draco felt a wave of pride wash over him. And then berated himself. Hermione would be scolding him about what happened.
He expressed that thought out loud and Ron snorted.
“Of course, she would! I don’t even know what got into her yesterday and she followed you! The girl is an accumulation of rules!”
“Now, now, Ron. She is just serious about her schoolwork. It’s not a bad thing.”
“Well, I say she should learn to have a bit of fun too!”
“Well…” Draco couldn’t deny that.
“For the record, I agree with Ron.”
“Nobody asked you, Potter.”
“Oh? So I can’t talk in front of the great boy-who-lived, huh? You think you are so great!”
“You….!”
“You wanna go, Black?”
“Guys! Stop it! Let’s just go have breakfast, okay?” Ron had to physically get between them.
But neither of them wanted to get Ron involved in their squabble. That didn't mean that either of them stopped glaring at the other all the way to breakfast where Draco found talking with Hermione was more interesting.
Parkinson seemed to choke on her food when she realised both Draco and Theo were still very much present and not expelled. Draco smiled smugly at her.
Draco told Hermione that he had told Ron (and Potter) about their late-night adventure.
“You what!? Draco, are you crazy!? Why did you tell them!? What if they tell on us!?”
Draco blinked. Potter aside, Ron would never do such a thing.
But when he said that, Hermione only humped and turned the other way.
When Draco tried to talk to her again, after waiting for a couple of minutes, she stood up with her plate and walked all the way to the Gryffindor table, humping.
She inserted herself between Theo and Neville who were looking at her with the same incredulous look Draco was watching her from the Slytherin table.
Were things between Hermione and Ron that bad…? Since when…? And why…?
Draco’s attention was interrupted by the morning mail. As the owls flooded into the Great Hall as usual, everyone’s attention was caught at once by a long, thin package carried by six large screech owls. Draco’s curiousity was aroused until the package was dropped in front of him, a letter stuck with tape around it.
It had to be a broomstick, no doubt. He wouldn’t open that in front of everyone though. He was no idiot. Instead he tore at the tape and detached the letter.
The familiar handwriting of his dad came in sight.
DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE.
It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand! Thought you would need it!
Severus let us know about your performance yesterday!
You had an incredulous day, that’s for sure! Let your sister know the details.
Better not send any here. Your mum was ready to enter Severus’ office through the floo when she heard Neville was being bullied.
Take care of him, kay?
Oh and Severus said you will be meeting with the Slytherin Quidditch captain tonight at seven o’clock for your first training session. He will probably just fill you in on the team details and stuff.
Now, I know Slytherins love to play dirty and I don’t want you to be alienated from your team but try to keep a level of sportsmanship up, buddy.
We will most certainly come see you at matches so train hard!
We haven’t told Dora so be sure to send her a letter about this!
Love,
Dad
Draco smiled at the letter. He almost felt tears trickling down his eyes but he kept them in. He wasn’t sappy. He refused to be! He was cool like his mum!
Ron glanced at the letter. “Mate, your dad’s pretty nonchalant, huh? And a Nimbus Two Thousand! That’s like, top quality! They must be expecting lots from you.”
The last sentence sounded strained to Draco. He turned and side-hugged Ron.
“Now, now, Ron. I’m sure you will make the team too one day! Just you wait!”
“Thanks.” Ron smiled shyly. Embarrassed that his thoughts had been read.
“Hah! Look at you! Everyone’s really doting on you, huh? Just you wait until next year when I will get in the team. I will leave you in the dust.”
“Jealous, Potter? Don’t worry. You will probably get your chance too. Let’s see… how does 4th year sound to you?”
“I will be in next year! Just you wait!”
“Sure, sure, I will be waiting for you~”
Ron, who was between them, groaned.
They left the great hall soon after. Draco made an effort to reach out to Hermione but Theo made a gesture for him to give her time. Draco complied.
As soon as they were out of the great hall, Parkinson came up to them all haughty.
“That’s definitely a broomstick! You’ll be in for it this time, Malfoy, first years aren’t allowed them.”
“Oh? Try to tell on me, won’t you Parkinson?”
“Is there trouble, children?” Flitwick cut in.
“Malfoy’s been sent a broomstick, Professor.” Parkinson whined.
“Oh indeed, indeed. Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Mr Black. And Mrs Parkinson, it would be advisable to refer to Mr Black with his actual name. And what model might it be?”
“A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir.” Ron replied before Draco could.
“And it’s really thanks to Parkinson over there that I’ve got it.” Draco added chirpily.
Needless to say, Parkinson seemed ready to commit murder.
~~~
That night, even Draco was overflowing with excitement. He had received an official notice from Severus about meeting Marcus Flint on the Quidditch field that day. Ron seemed as excited as him. Potter was sulking.
As seven o’clock drew nearer, Draco left the castle and set off toward the Quidditch field. Dora wasn’t on the Quidditch team so Draco had never been inside the stadium before.
It was bigger than he imagined and the gentle wind made his ponytail dance in the night sky.
Draco hadn’t flown in quite a while now. Unable to contain his excitement he mounted his broom and set off. He had fun twirling around the hoops and diving dangerously close to the audience seats.
“Come down, Black!”
Draco landed promptly. He hadn’t met the older boy before and he certainly didn’t want to make a bad first impression on him.
Flint seemed to be looking him over, assessing him.
“I usually don't allow such scrawny players in my team. But Professor Snape insisted and I see you do have enough skills.” He jerked his head towards the sky where Draco was flying until a moment ago.
“Thank you, sir.” Draco replied cordially. He couldn’t say Flint was likeable but he knew he had to show respect to him. Otherwise it was goodbye to flying again.
“Let’s have you do some exercises, Black. You will have to memorise their names so you can execute them during our next practice.”
Flint really pushed him through the drill. A whole hour later, when the sky was already pitch black, he finally told him to get back to the dormitory after he told him their practice hours. Three evenings per week were no small affair but Draco could make it work.
At least, Flint looked pleased with his performance.
He barely managed to write letters to both his parents and Dora before falling blissfully asleep.
~~~
When Draco was finally getting used to Quidditch practice and his new schedule, he realised it was already Halloween.
The whole castle seemed to be in a celebrating mood and Draco couldn’t say he wasn’t pleased too. It was a shame he couldn’t go Trick or Treat this year though. He always went and made some mayhem with his dad.
Ron and Potter looked dubiously at him when he told them. Hermione was still not speaking to them. And not for lack of trying on Draco’s part.
She had made her peace with eating at the Gryffindor table and whenever she wasn’t in classes, she was with Theo and Neville.
When Draco went to hang out with them, Hermione promptly disappeared.
Draco sighed as they walked over to Charms classroom. At least Hermione would have known about Trick or Treat…
In Charms, they were learning the levitation charm.
The first thing Draco thought of was to completely master the spell and then proceed to levitate toilet paper all around the castle without being caught.
Professor Flitwick put the class into pairs to practice. Draco’s partner was Daphne Greengrass. Draco had come to think that all the girls of Slytherin except Hermione were against him but Daphne proved to be cordial and even friendly towards him.
Was the only one out to get him Parkinson?
Said Parkinson was stuck with none other than Potter! Neither seemed content with the arrangement. Draco chuckled inwardly.
Ron, on the other hand, was to be working with Hermione. It was hard to tell whether Ron or Hermione was angrier about this. Draco just willed them to get along.
‘That must be how Ron feels when me and Potter are fighting, huh…’
Professor Flitwick indicated the wand movement and the incantation and urged the first years to try it out on the feather they each had in front of them.
Draco was quite satisfied to see both Potter and Parkinson were failing completely. Parkinson had started stabbing the feather with her wand and Potter was waving his wand over it like he was trying to chase flies away.
Ron, at the next table, wasn’t having much more luck. “Wingardium Leviosa!” He shouted, waving his long arms like a windmill. Draco wanted to help but he couldn’t exactly talk to him from where he was sitting. Not to mention, Daphne chose that moment to ask him for help.
“Hey, Black, care to help?”
“Hm? Oh, sure. What’s troubling you?”
Draco was fairly sure he could execute the spell just fine because he had already practiced it in the privacy of his bed so he found no urgence to get their feather levitated. He just had to do it by the end of the lesson just to prove he could. So he happily helped Daphne out, giving her pointers.
The feather was slowly leaving the desk behind but not completely. Draco urged her on.
He only turned his gaze back to the class when he heard Flitwick crying out and clapping.
“Oh, well done! Everyone see here, Miss Granger’s done it!”
Their feather had risen off the desk and hovered about four feet above their heads.
‘As expected of Hermione!’ Draco thought proudly. And then remembered she was still not talking to him and he couldn’t even congratulate her.
A while later, Daphne had managed to raise the feather at least three feet above the desk. Draco clapped excitedly. Daphne couldn’t quite believe she had done it and looked at Draco suspiciously. Draco reassured her it was her own magic that did it.
“Speaking of which, you’ve been giving me pointers this entire time and it’s not like I am not grateful but can you even do this?” She asked suspiciously.
Draco smiled smugly. “Hm?” He swished and flicked his wand gracefully, spoke the incantation and the feather was off the desk immediately.
“Wow…” Daphne let out.
“Just a bit of practice, dear. Nothing more.” Draco preened.
He wasn’t exactly expecting Daphne to blush like she did and run off as soon as class was over though. He spared a couple of seconds pondering what he had done before coming up empty and walked over to Ron.
Ron was in a very bad mood. Potter was too, but Potter was paired with Parkinson. That was enough reason to be in a bad mood. Ron on the other hand…
“It’s no wonder no one can stand her!” Ron exclaimed as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor. “She’s a nightmare, honestly.”
Draco found Potter resting his weight on him. Someone had knocked into him as they hurried past him. Draco saw the familiar bushy hair and his heart fell.
It was Hermione.
Draco caught a glimpse of her face and was startled to see that she was in tears. Draco immediately felt the need to chase after her. To tell her that it was not true. But then he remembered Hermione was still angry at him and he stopped himself.
“I think she heard you.” Potter observed. Draco didn’t know he could see things other than himself.
“So?” Ron replied, but he looked a bit uncomfortable. “She must’ve noticed she’s got no friends.”
Draco immediately got defensive.
“Ehm hello? Am I invisible to you?”
“Ehm… you are still friends?” Ron asked as a wave of guilt washed over him.
“Of course we are still friends!”
“But you haven’t been talking since you got into the team?” Potter pointed out.
“Nice observation, Potter. That’s because she is angry with me. Not because we aren’t friends!”
“Well if she is angry with you, then maybe you aren’t friends anymore?” Potter insisted. Draco was feeling his patience running dry.
“My mum is also angry at me half the year and yet she is still my mum!” Draco snapped.
“That’s completely different!”
“Guys, can you please not start?”
Draco and Potter exchanged a glance, feeling Ron’s bad mood, and made a temporary truce.
Hermione didn’t turn up for the next class and wasn’t seen all afternoon.
On their way down to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast, Theo pulled Draco to the side and told him that Hermione was crying in the girls’ bathroom and wanted to be left alone.
Draco asked whether he should go but Theo only shushed him.
“Just, go talk to her after dinner.”
Draco didn’t want to wait but Theo’s stern gaze convinced him.
Ron and Potter seemed to be eavesdropping on them because Ron looked still more awkward after this. Draco sighed but didn’t comment on it.
A moment later they had entered the Great Hall. Potter and Ron seemed to have put Hermione out of their mind but Draco had this feeling that he should go at her immediately. He made to stand up and go once or twice but before he could even put his legs around the bench, Theo glared at him from the other side of the Hall so he sat back down.
But he had a hunch he should go. His hunch was usually right too…
In truth, his hunch was very much right. In the middle of dinner Professor Quirell entered the Great Hall in a frenzy, his turban askew and terror on his face.
Everyone stared as he reached Professor Dumbledore’s chair, slumped against the table, and gasped, “Troll — in the dungeons — thought you ought to know.”
He then sank to the floor in a dead faint.
There was an uproar immediately and it took a great deal of flashy magic from the most irresponsible headmaster Draco had met to this day for the students to stop screaming.
Yes, a troll was dangerous but they had enough Professors capable of dealing with one. Why was everyone freaking out?
Dumbledore ordered the students to return to their dormitories and follow their prefects. Draco wanted to point out his stupidity. Draco thought he had a lot of self-control but apparently he had exercised enough with the man already.
“What about the Slytherins and Hufflepuff, Professor? Our dormitories are in the dungeons. Maybe we should stay here?” He asked loudly enough for the whole Hall to hear him.
Dumbledore looked at him with wide eyes.
He had heard Dumbledore was a bit anti-Slytherin from his godfather but he didn’t even consider this?
McGonagall cut in. “A fair observation, Mr Black. Slytherins and Hufflepuffs are to remain here until further notice. Gryffindors and Ravenclaws hurry to their dormitories.”
After half of the students were outside the hall, Draco had a revelation.
“Hermione!”
“What about her?” Potter asked. What an idiot.
“She doesn’t know about the troll, Potter!”
Draco turned to Ron hopefully. He bit his lip and turned his gaze elsewhere.
“Fine! Stay here! I will go get her!” He whispered frantically and manoeuvred between the remaining students before he exited the hall, without letting the professors spot him. He wasn’t a mischief maker for nothing and if he let his friend get hurt or worse, die, because he was afraid then he would be bringing shame to the Black family.
Running through the corridors towards the girl’s bathroom, he heard two pairs of footsteps behind him. He turned around cautiously.
He could only smile when he saw it was Ron and Potter.
“Can’t exactly let you go alone.” Ron told him when he caught up with him.
Draco wanted to hug him, but he could do that later.
“Don’t think I’m coming for you or Hermione, Black. I just don’t want to be left behind.”
“Whatever you say, Potter.”
They had just turned the corner when they heard quick footsteps behind them.
Ron pulled both Draco and Potter behind a large stone griffin.
Peering around it, they saw Severus. He crossed the corridor and disappeared from view.
“What’s he doing?” Potter whispered. “Why isn’t he down in the dungeons with the rest of the teachers?”
“No idea. But I don’t want to get found out so shush.” Draco hissed at him.
After Severus had turned around at another corridor, Potter pointed out the foul smell that had invaded the air. Draco didn’t have much chance to speculate when they heard a low grunting, and the shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet.
Ron pointed towards the gigantic form that was creeping towards them. It was the troll. They hid in the shadow of a corner and watched wearily. Draco could feel his legs trembling but he willed them to stop.
The troll was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long. It stopped next to a doorway and peered inside and then slouched slowly into the room.
“The key is in the lock! We could lock it in.” Potter whispered.
Ron and Draco nodded silently and they edged toward the open door. With one great leap, Harry managed to grab the key, slam the door, and lock it.
The three boys were ready to turn back, preferably warn a professor about this and then go to sleep but before they could entirely leave the corridor, a high pitched scream resounded from the room they had just locked.
“Oh, no.” Ron paled.
“It’s the girls’ bathroom!” Potter gasped.
“Hermione!” Draco cried out and he was running back to the door without a second thought.
Draco tried to unlock the door but his hands were trembling so much he couldn’t turn the key. Potter shoved him gently to the side and turned the key, pulled the door open and all three ran inside.
Hermione was shrinking against the wall opposite, looking as if she was about to faint. The troll was advancing on her, knocking the sinks off the walls as it went.
“Confuse it!” Potter said desperately, and, seizing a tap, he threw it as hard as he could against the wall.
The troll stopped a few feet from Hermione. It lumbered around, blinking stupidly, to see what had made the noise. Its mean little eyes saw Potter. It hesitated, then made for him instead, lifting its club as it went.
Draco took that opening to run over to Hermione, wand in hand. His hand was still trembling, yes, but he trusted himself to cast a Protego even then.
He had to pass the troll now that it had its eyes trained on Potter. He was nimble and was used to moving around silently. But usually with more steady legs.
He tripped on some of the debris that the troll had made and let out a groan. The troll turned its head towards him. Draco gulped.
He was done for now.
“Oy, pea-brain!” yelled Ron from the other side of the chamber, and he threw a metal pipe at the troll. It didn’t even seem to notice the pipe hitting its shoulder, but it heard the yell and paused again, turning its head toward Ron instead, giving Draco time to run around it.
“Come on, run, run!” Draco yelled at Hermione, trying to pull her toward the door, but she couldn’t move, she was still flat against the wall, her mouth open with terror.
Draco could understand her. His legs were still trembling and he was breathing frantically.
He used to get like this a lot more often in the past, when he was around many people.
He whacked his head, trying to concentrate enough to remember what his mum used to do to calm him down. Threaten the bystanders. Not helpful. His dad then. Draco’s face lit up and he threw his arms around Hermione.
“Hermione, listen to me. We are here. We are going to get you out. But you need to move.” He said with as steady a voice as he could manage.
The shouting and the echoes seemed to be driving the troll berserk. It roared again and started toward Ron, who was nearest and had no way to escape.
Draco raised his wand and pointed towards Ron and casted the Protegus Charm.
The troll swung its club at him but it came in contact with the shield and rebounded.
And then Potter did something that was both very brave and very stupid: He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind.
Draco was looking at him in shock. What is that idiot doing? Does he want to get killed?
The troll couldn’t feel Harry hanging there, but it noticed Potter’s wand up one of its nostrils.
Howling with pain, the troll twisted and flailed its club, with Harry clinging on for dear life. Any second, the troll was going to rip him off or catch him a terrible blow with the club.
Draco tightened his grip around Hermione and could only wish for some kind of miracle to happen as he kept his wand in hand. He couldn't put a shield between Potter and the troll like this.
Ron pulled out his own wand, he didn’t seem to know what he was going to do and probably cried out the first spell that came into his head: “Wingardium Leviosa!”
The club flew suddenly out of the troll’s hand, rose high up into the air, turned slowly over and fell onto its owner’s head. The troll swayed on the spot and then fell flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble.
The three boys were mostly petrified, not knowing what they should do now.
“Is it dead?” Hermione breathed out.
“Trolls aren’t that easy to kill. It probably just got knocked out.” Draco pointed out as it observed the troll.
Potter bent down and pulled his wand out of the troll’s nose. It was covered in what looked like lumpy gray glue. “Urgh! Disgusting.” He wiped it on the troll’s trousers.
“That was crazy, Potter.” Draco breathed out in awe.
Potter blushed but wasn’t given time to reply.
Professor McGonagall had come bursting into the room, closely followed by Severus, with Professor Quirrell bringing up the rear. Quirrell took one look at the troll, let out a faint whimper, and sat quickly down on a toilet, clutching his heart.
Seriously, who made him the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts? And upon realising it was Dumbledore, Draco sighed inwardly. That man was insane and Draco was finding that out more and more every day.
Severus bent over the troll momentarily and upon spotting Draco, he let out an exasperated sigh.
“Mr. Black, may I know why you are here when you so rightfully pointed out for the Slytherins to stay in the Great Hall?” He spat out and raised an eyebrow.
“Ehm…” Draco had completely calmed down when he saw Severus come in but he probably had to act traumatised here if he wanted to get out of detention.
In the meantime Professor McGonagall was looking at Ron and Potter, she was angry.
“What on earth were you thinking of?” She breathed out with cold fury in her voice. “You’re lucky you weren’t killed. Why aren’t you in the Great Hall?”
“Please, Professor McGonagall... They were looking for me.” Hermione said loudly. She was still in Draco’s arms but she had finally managed to support her weight on her own.
Professor McGonagall turned her gaze on her but Severus was still eyeing Draco in a way that screamed: ‘I don’t care if you manage to avoid detention, I am going to personally ground you.’
“I went looking for the troll because I — I thought I could deal with it on my own — you know, because I’ve read all about them.”
Ron dropped his wand. He was probably surprised that Hermione was outright lying to a professor, Draco deduced.
“If they hadn’t found me, I’d be dead now. Harry stuck his wand up its nose and Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn’t have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived.”
The older witch fell silent promptly, looking pointedly at Severus. She probably remembered that they were all Slytherins. Severus caught her gaze and turned towards Hermione and Draco.
“Miss Granger, five points will be taken from Slytherin for this. You must realise, I quite detest taking points from my own house so I expect you to reclaim them soon. But a question, did Mr. Black over there even do something apart from trembling?”
“Black saved Ron using a shield charm!” Potter replied with urgency.
“A shield charm?” Professor McGonagall looked over at Draco, shocked.
Draco supposed that most first years didn’t get shielding charms drilled into them when they got their wands.
Severus sighed. “Just because you know how to use shield charms doesn’t make you invincible. I advise you to stay away from perilous situations until your fifth year, young man.”
Draco nodded timidly. When he looked around him, everyone apart from him was blinking. Draco didn’t know why. He could ask them later.
Professor McGonagall turned to Hermione and prompted her to go back to the Great Hall with the other Slytherins and then off to bed. She pecked Draco’s cheek and winked at him. Draco smiled widely. Apparently facing a troll helps friends make up.
She left after she apologised once again to the older witch.
Potter was glaring at her retreating form and Draco couldn’t understand why.
“Well, I still say you were lucky, but not many first years could have taken on a full-grown mountain troll. You each win Slytherin five points. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this. Is that alright with you, Severus?”
“As long as they understand that they almost met their untimely death.”
“We do! We most certainly do! We won’t ever do anything like this! Right, guys?” Draco answered hurriedly.
Severus pierced him with his gaze. “I am in no mood for your theatrics, young man. I will be expecting you in my office tomorrow afternoon. You all may go now.”
They hurried out of the chamber. Draco dreaded his visit tomorrow.
“We should have gotten more than fifteen points.” Ron grumbled.
“Ten, you mean, once we take off Hermione’s.” Potter replied.
Draco frankly didn’t care so much for the points. He just wanted to find a way out of meeting his godfather.
“Good of her to get us out of trouble like that, though.” Ron admitted. “Mind you, we did save her.”
“She might not have needed saving if we hadn’t locked the thing in with her.” Potter reminded Ron, but he still looked bothered by something.
The Great Hall was packed and noisy. Everyone was eating the food that had been sent up.
Hermione, however, stood alone by the door, waiting for them. Draco immediately engulfed her in a hug.
“I’m so glad you are alright, ‘Mione!”
“Thanks for coming for me, Dray!”
“I hardly did anything. You should thank them.” He said and turned his head towards Ron and Potter.
The three looked at each other, an embarrassingly long pause, and then they all simultaneously said “Thanks”.
Draco laughed at them and dragged them to the table. Now that Ron and Hermione were friends, sort-of, he could get back to fighting with Potter.
But Potter didn’t seem up to it. He was glaring at him and then at Hermione and then at his food. Draco really didn’t get what was up with him.
He decided he could deal with Potter’s mood another day.
Notes:
I had almost decided to replace Hermione with Harry here for Drarry feels but I gave that up because this chapter was for Ron! (I think you can see some hints of drarry if you squint tho ;) )
By the way, because it's getting kinda too much, I love Pansy and I can't say I hate Dumbledore but this fanfic is written with Draco's thoughts in mind.
So I am not aiming for character bashing! ;; Sorry if it looked like that...Anyways thanks for reading! Hope you liked it!
See ya next Saturday~
Chapter 10: Cerberus & Hero
Notes:
Draco's trying to defend his godfather but the man himself isn't helping.
Neville is just worried for his friend.
Hagrid's hut gets invaded by 8 kids. Surely they are more than enough to get him to talk, right?
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
November rolled around before Draco had the chance to realise and he was already due to play in his first house match on that Saturday.
He wasn’t exactly freaking out but he was in no way calm. And unfortunately the match was against Gryffindor which obviously meant he couldn’t ask for Neville’s support.
Neville’s silent encouragement was what usually pulled him through but he couldn’t ask for that. He wouldn’t even dare ask for it. Instead he excruciatingly told Neville to properly support his team. He also exchanged a glance with Theo which could only translate to:
“Make sure you both cheer for Gryffindor.”
“You don’t even need to ask.”
Neville was unaware of the silent exchange, thankfully.
Draco had of course told both of them about playing for the team and they had both congratulated him. The rumour that he was playing was already circulating around but Draco was sure neither of the two had spread it. They could be trusted, and he knew it.
The rumour was received with some disgust from the Slytherin house. Especially the older students. Not to mention, considering Draco was in no way your standard Slytherin, he wasn’t that well liked to begin with.
As far as the other houses were concerned, he got quite a positive response from Hufflepuff, which could only be explained by whatever influence his sister had left behind. Whenever he came across a badger now, he was congratulated and sent off with a “Good luck on your match”.
Ravenclaws, as expected, were not overly concerned about it at all.
Gryffindors, that was a tricky one. It must have been because of the Weasley twins mainly, but he wasn’t hated by Gryffindor, which was good. But he wasn’t liked either. Slytherins and Gryffindors are enemies. It was simple as that.
That didn’t stop the Weasley twins congratulating him on getting the position. It didn’t stop Neville and Theo from wishing him good luck. And apparently it didn’t stop Lily Moon, a certain Gryffindor, from shaking his hand encouragingly, wishing him a good first match.
Draco couldn’t quite remember who she was. It was Theo who told him her name later. And Neville later informed him, when Theo wasn’t around, that she was one of the few who didn’t regard Theo as a ‘snake’. Draco reckoned he needed to thank the girl at some point.
Draco was at least thankful that Hermione and Ron got along now because he really needed some support and encouragement and Hermione’s thoughtfulness and Ron’s carelessness was a very good combination.
Hermione had offered to lend him Quidditch Through the Ages but Draco declined kindly, telling her he had already read that one. At least ten times when he was younger and at least twice since he got on the team.
But apparently Potter hadn’t and he snatched the book out of her hands. “Black doesn’t want it so can I have it instead?”
“Ehm… sure?” Hermione was looking from Potter to Draco and back again.
Draco had to admit that since the troll incident, Ron had started getting along with Hermione. It might have helped that Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since then. But Potter started harbouring some kind of annoyment towards her instead. Ron and Draco had talked about that and came up with no results.
Draco decided he couldn’t be bothered with Potter’s mood swings anymore.
The day before Draco’s first Quidditch match the four of them were out in the freezing courtyard during break, and Hermione had conjured them up a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar. Draco couldn’t stop being impressed by Hermione’s knowledge. Something that for some unknown reason made Potter groan, but Draco couldn’t care less.
They were standing with their backs to the fire, getting warm, when Severus crossed the yard. Draco noticed at once that Severus was limping.
He noticed the other three huddling together to block the fire from view as it was most likely not allowed.
Draco glanced at them and felt scandalised by the guilt that was evident in their eyes. He should teach them how to tell lies with a straight face before it got them in trouble.
Severus limped over. Draco felt mildly concerned but he wasn’t going to ask Severus about such a thing in front of his friends and Potter.
Severus hadn’t noticed the fire, but he seemed to be looking for a reason to tell them off anyway. He must have been in a bad mood.
“What’s that you’ve got there, Potter?”
It was Quidditch Through the Ages. Which Potter was begrudgingly carrying around since he borrowed it.
“Library books are not to be taken outside the school. Give it to me. And be glad you are in my house.” Severus spat out and snatched the book from Potter, not sparing Draco even a glance. Now that was weird.
“He’s just made that rule up...” Potter muttered angrily as Severus limped away.
“I wonder what’s wrong with his leg?” Hermione, bright as always, had, of course, noticed.
“Dunno, but I hope it’s really hurting him.” said Ron bitterly.
Draco didn’t like hearing people talk bad of his godfather but he was still hiding the fact that he was his godfather so he didn’t say anything.
Later, in the common room, Potter was fidgeting. Draco eventually snapped and asked him what it was that he wanted.
Apparently, he wanted Quidditch Through the Ages back, to take his mind off his nerves about tomorrow.
Draco really wanted to know why Potter was nervous about tomorrow. He wasn’t the one flying.
“Why should I be afraid of Snape anyways?” He demanded more than asked and stood up haughtily. “I’m gonna get that book back. Now.”
“Better you than me.” Ron and Hermione had said together.
“Well, good luck, Potter.” Draco replied nonchalantly and instead focused on the book in front of him. He was trying to occupy his mind with something except tomorrow's match.
Potter seemed to be having some kind enlightenment and snatched Draco’s arm.
“What is it now, Potter?”
“I think Snape likes you, Black. Come help me persuade him.”
“What am I? Your maid? And where did you even get that idea from!?”
“Oh shut up and follow me.”
Draco realised that if he was lucky he could also ask Severus what was wrong with his leg and he let Potter pull him along, his book forgotten.
They made their way down to the staffroom and Potter knocked. There was no answer. He knocked again. Nothing.
“Maybe Snape has left the book in there? It’s worth a try.”
Draco made to stop him but Potter was already pushing the door ajar and was peering inside. Draco followed suit when Potter stilled and he gulped loudly at the horrible scene that met his eyes.
Severus and Filch were inside. Severus was holding his robes above his knees. One of his legs was bloody and mangled. Filch was handing Severus bandages.
Draco closed his eyes at the sight of his godfather’s leg. Why wasn’t he in the infirmary? And what kind of creature had caused such a wound.
“Blasted thing! How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once?”
Three heads… Draco almost gasped but then Potter was pushing him while he was trying to quietly shut the door.
“POTTER!”
Snape’s face was twisted with fury as he dropped his robes quickly to hide his leg. Potter deflated.
“I just wondered if I could have my book back.” Potter muttered weakly.
Draco put himself in front of Potter. Concern evident on his face. Not for Potter, mind you.
“Sev- Professor, are you alright? Shouldn’t you go see a healer? Uncle Remus for exam----”
Severus stilled for just a moment at the sight of his godson but then he was yelling “GET OUT! OUT!” at the both of them.
The boys closed the door behind them and left. They literally sprinted back upstairs.
“Did you get it?” Ron asked them nonchalantly and then saw the looks on their faces. “What’s the matter?”
In a low whisper, Potter told them what he’d seen. Draco was listening absent-mindly. His mind straying to the three headed creature that was obviously guarding something. Something that Severus was involved with. But what.
Potter hadn’t made the connection with the creature. Quite understandable. He hadn’t come face to face with that Cerberus after all. But Hermione made the connection immediately.
“You know what this means? He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That’s where he was going when you guys saw him! He’s after whatever it’s guarding! Maybe he even let that troll in, to make a diversion!”
“That’s… not impossible.” Ron agreed.
“No. I don't know about stealing that thing but he wouldn’t let a troll in here. I know he’s not very nice, but he wouldn’t endanger students like that.” Draco said evenly, his gaze defensive.
“Honestly, Black, I don’t know why you like Snape so much but I’m with Hermione on this. I wouldn’t put anything past Snape.”
Draco wanted to retort but he fell silent. Silence was a win sometimes. That was something Severus himself had taught him.
“But what is he after? What’s that dog guarding?” Hermione wondered loudly.
Draco went to bed with his head buzzing with the same question.
He couldn’t sleep. He tried to empty his mind completely, he needed to sleep, he had to, he had his first Quidditch match in a few hours but the expression on Severus’ face when they had seen his leg wasn’t easy to forget.
What could have happened…?
The next morning, Draco could hardly stomach anything. Hermione wouldn’t let him off without eating at least something so Draco complied. Begrudgingly.
Why did they put him on the team on his first year anyways? They should have waited until next year!
Draco felt restless. He wanted to run away, hide away somewhere until the match was over.
He was almost ready to do just that when an owl dropped a letter in front of him.
To the youngest Slytherin seeker,
Wotcher, Dray! Surprised by my letter? Well, stay seated, dear brother.
I’ve got a bigger surprise waiting for you. But you will have to actually get up in the air to see it!
Don’t get cold feet for no reason, lil bro!
You’ve played flying bowling with dad! What could be worse?
Now, go wash your face and get ready for the match!
And look forward to your surprise!
Love,
Your besotted fan
Draco laughed out loud. Suddenly all the tension was gone and he couldn’t stop laughing.
His sister knew him too well. But that went both ways. Meaning, Draco knew exactly what the surprise was. He turned to Ron and Hermione, who were giving him looks.
“If you see a woman who looks like me OR has bright pink hair, go introduce yourselves!”
“Hah?”
Draco didn’t answer them. Instead, he stood up and left to get ready.
~~~
By eleven o’clock the whole school was out in the stands around the Quidditch pitch. Many students had binoculars with them.
Neville cursed himself for not bringing his own pair. Theo must have noticed his pout because he got a pair out of his back and handed them to him.
“Theo, you are the best!”
Theo sighed fondly. “I just came prepared.”
The two were sitting in the Gryffindor stands, as they had been asked to by Draco after all. Neville really wanted to cheer for his best friend from the Slytherin stands, house rivalry be damned, but Theo wouldn’t hear any of it.
Looking through the binoculars, Neville could see the Slytherin stands. He saw Hermione, Ron Weasley and Harry standing there in their green scarves.
Apparently Harry and Draco were not friends but Neville couldn’t shake the feeling that that would change soon.
And then he saw something that surprised him. A head with platinum hair, the exact same hue as Draco’s in the crowd. He blinked a couple of times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things. But no, he wasn’t.
There stood Nymphadora Tonks, in her trainee Auror uniform at that. Her hair was still short but the color was so precise. It was evident that she put a lot of effort into getting the right hue. Draco’s hair color was rather unique after all.
Neville must have been grinning because Theo shook him and gave him a confused look.
Neville handed the binoculars over and pointed at where Dora was.
“What am I supposed to be seeing?” Theo asked, still confused.
“Hmm, a Draco-look-alike, I suppose.”
“Why would there be a Draco-look-alike in the cr--- Merlin, there is!”
Neville chuckled before explaining to Theo that it was THE Nymphadora Tonks and she was a metamorphmagus.
“What’s a metamorphmagus?” Lily asked. Lily seemed to always be around them lately. Today was no exception. She was sitting next to Theo, evidently listening in on their conversation.
While Theo was explaining to her what a metamorphmagus was, Neville was looking through the binoculars again.
Hermione and Ron seemed to be introducing themselves to Dora. Dora hugged them all in greeting and then pulled out a large banner. She gave one end to Ron and pulled the other. The banner read “The snitch is me!!”. Neville broke into a near hysterical laughter as he remembered the snitch incident from a year ago.
Dora and Draco had come over during summer and Dora turned herself into a snitch and then Sirius and Draco had a Seeker’s game. Dora, always the prankster, flew all over the place causing them to break things.
Needless to say, when Remus came home, he promptly prohibited Dora from turning into a snitch ever again.
Soon the players came out of their locker rooms and cheers resounded through the whole stadium.
“Now, I want a nice fair game, all of you.” Madam Hooch said sternly.
Neville could recognise Draco’s hair no matter the distance, he didn’t need the binoculars for that but they did help him in seeing the kind of expression Draco wore.
He looked a bit nervous but certainly not as much as in the morning. He will probably be okay. Neville reassured himself.
He didn’t care about the game at this point. Draco coming out of this unharmed was more important.
Theo must have sensed his unease because he shyly put a hand on his shoulder. Neville was thankful.
One of the things Neville had noticed lately was that Theo was really bad at affection and physical gestures. When Neville had asked Sirius about that, his daddy had explained to him that most purebloods ended up like this. He also warned him about not pressuring Theo to show his feelings. He should let him do so on his own pace.
And apparently the letter that had mentioned all that was revised by Remus so Neville could trust it.
So the fact that Theo was trying to reassure him in this way was indeed really reassuring. He casted him a thankful smile and turned his gaze back to the players.
Draco clambered onto his Nimbus Two Thousand.
Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle.
Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off.
Neville watched the quaffle change hands again and again while listening to a very Gryffindor-friendly commentary and an exasperated Professor McGonagall scolding Lee Jordan.
“Budge up there, move along.”
“Hagrid!” Lily exclaimed excitingly and Neville looked up at the half-giant, startled.
Theo and Lily squeezed together to give Hagrid enough space to join them.
“Bin watchin’ from me hut, but it isn’t the same as bein’ in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?”
“Nope.” Lily answered. Both boys knew that Lily was interested in magical creatures so they weren’t at all surprised that the girl got along well with Hagrid.
Neville was again lazily looking around the stadium. Sometimes he followed the quaffle, others he would just look over at Draco. He found him waving towards the Slytherin stands with a bright smile and Neville didn’t have to follow his gaze to know Dora was waving back just as enthusiastically.
“Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the-- wait a moment--- was that the Snitch?”
Neville turned his attention back to Draco immediately upon hearing the word Snitch.
Draco had seen it. Neville watched him diving downward after the streak of gold. The Gryffindor Seeker had seen it, too. Neville gulped loudly.
Neck and neck the two Seekers hurtled toward the Snitch.
The Gryffindor Seeker was closer to the Snitch when it was first spotted. His hand was dangerously close to catching the Snitch when Marcus Flint bumped into him. The poor kid spun around and almost lost his balance.
A loud "Foul!" was heard from all around him. The Gryffindor stands were enraged. Neville could see Draco looking guiltily at the other Seeker.
Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goal posts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.
“Neville, I know you are engrossed and all but do breath properly, will you?” Theo shooked him gently.
Neville released a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Sorry.”
Around then Dean started demanding a red card. Neville knew what soccer was. He had the misfortune of playing the goal keeper against Draco one summer. He was forced to play for over two hours. He didn’t want to have anything to do with soccer if he could help it.
From that point on, Lee Jordan’s commentary turned extremely partial and Slytherin-derogatory and Professor McGonagall was scolding him every other word. Theo seemed amused with the whole thing. Neville could see him fighting to stop himself from chuckling out loud.
"Dunno what your friend thinks he's doing… If I didn't know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom... but he can't have..."
At those words, Theo and Neville turned to look at Lily. She had borrowed Hagrid’s binoculars and was watching through them.
Suddenly, people were pointing up at Draco all over the stands. His broom had started to roll over and over, with him only just managing to hold on. Then the whole crowd gasped.
Neville put the binoculars back to his eyes and could clearly see Draco's broom had given a wild jerk and Draco swung off it. He was now dangling from it, holding on with only one hand.
Neville stood up abruptly. He didn’t know what he should do, but he had to do something. Theo caught his hand and pulled him back down.
"Did something happen to it?" Seamus whispered.
"Can't have. Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic -- no kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand." Hagrid said a bit worriedly.
Then, suddenly, Theo was snatching his binoculars back but instead of looking up at Draco, he started looking frantically at the crowd.
"What are you doing?" Neville bit out weakly.
"I knew it!” Theo gasped and he stood up.
“Theo?” Neville made to stand up too but Theo pushed him down and gave him the binoculars.
“You stay here. I will take care of this.”
Before Neville could say another word, Theo had disappeared.
Neville turned the binoculars back on Draco. His broom was vibrating so hard, it was almost impossible for him to hang on much longer. Neville wearily turned his gaze towards the Slytherin stands. Dora looked almost ready to jump down and catch Draco if she deemed it necessary, Ron and Harry were holding her back from jumping in right then and there. Hermione wasn’t there.
It was evident where she had gone though. She must have noticed what Theo had.
"Come on,Theo, Hermione." Neville muttered desperately.
After a while Draco was suddenly able to clamber back on to his broom.
Neville let out a sigh of relief. Lily encouragingly stroked his back.
Draco was speeding toward the ground when Neville saw him clap his hand to his mouth as though he was about to be sick.
It seemed like he would be hitting the ground violently and Neville unwillingly closed his eyes, unwilling to see his best friend getting hurt.
But when he opened them again, Draco was anything but hurt. He was engulfed in Dora’s sturdy arms. Neville blinked away the tears.
Whatever anyone said, Dora was a hero. She was always their hero and soon she would be one of the world’s heroes. Neville was sure.
When Draco started coughing, Neville felt worry overtake him again. Dora hit him strongly on the back and something gold fell into his hand.
Draco was looking at his hand, confused.
Dora smiled and raised Draco’s hand in the air. "He’s got the Snitch!" She shouted, waving it above their heads, and the game ended in complete confusion.
Slytherin had won by one hundred and eighty points to thirty.
~~~
When Draco found himself in Dora’s arms, he couldn’t describe his relief. He had been saved by his very own hero. Not for the first time obviously.
He wasn’t sure how he had come to swallow the Snitch but if that helped them win, then so be it.
He was being congratulated by the rest of the team when Theo and Hermione run up to him. Without any explanation they dragged him along. Dora followed after them, her interest was piqued.
Draco found himself with a cup of strong tea in Hagrid’s hut. Ron, Neville, Lily Moon and Potter were there too, together with Hermione, Theo and Dora.
Theo must have noticed his confusion because he leaned on his ear and told him that Lily was getting along with Hagrid, that’s why they were there. Draco hummed in reply but he was still confused.
Until Hermione and Theodore decided to explain what happened. Draco was furious.
“You are telling me you set Sev-Professor Snape’s robes on fire!? Are you both nuts!?”
“Oh come off it, Dray~ It is a rather interesting prank! If anything you should have done that!”
Draco could only look at Dora with exasperation. Okay, maybe Dora had made it a habit to prank Severus every time he came to visit, and yes maybe Draco wouldn’t have minded if it had been done as a prank. But it wasn't done as a prank. So he was furious. And his sister, although she was his hero, wasn’t helping.
“Draco, it was really Snape! Hermione and I saw him. He was cursing your broomstick, muttering, he wouldn’t take his eyes off you.” Ron explained.
“I saw him too!” Potter agreed eagerly.
So many smart people in here and everyone had the wrong idea!
“Rubbish. Why would Snape do somethin’ like that?”
Except Hagrid apparently! Draco was silently sending his thanks to the half giant.
“Well, I don’t think it’s Snape either, for the record.” Dora said calmly and Neville nodded confidently.
Lily had apparently given up on the conversation and was playing with Hagrid’s dog instead.
Potter, Ron, Theo and Hermione looked at one another, wondering what to tell them.
Potter decided on the truth, apparently. How he got into Slytherin, Draco still didn’t know.
“I found out something about him. He tried to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween. It bit him. We think he was trying to steal whatever it’s guarding.”
Why did they tell Potter about Cerberus again? Draco was regretting his past decisions.
“Three-headed dog?” Dora asked and Draco was sure he saw excitement in her eyes.
Hagrid dropped the teapot.
“How do you know about Fluffy?” he said.
“Fluffy?” Draco and Theo choked out, scandalised by the name.
“Yeah, he’s mine. Bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las’ year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the---”
“Yes?” Hermione prompted eagerly.
“Now, don’t ask me anymore. That’s top secret, that is.”
‘Oh really? Why we all thought it was up for show!’ Draco wanted to say but instead settled on just rolling his eyes in exasperation.
“But Snape’s trying to steal it!” Ron and Potter insisted.
“Rubbish! Snape’s a Hogwarts teacher, he’d do nothin’ of the sort.” Hagrid countered.
Good. At least the staff trusts Severus. That’s good.
“So why did he just try and kill Draco?” Hermione all but cried out. Theodore nodded in agreement.
“I know a jinx when I see one, Hagrid, I’ve read all about them! You’ve got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn’t blinking at all, I saw him!” Hermione insisted.
Theodore glanced at Draco meaningfully. Which meant that Severus was really maintaining eye contact. But there was still no way Severus would have tried to kill his own godson. That could only mean he was trying to do something else. But what?
“I’m tellin’ yeh, yer wrong!” Hagrid yelled in defense. “I don’ know why Black’s broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn’ try an’ kill a student! Now, listen to me, all of yeh! Yer meddlin’ in things that don’ concern yeh. It’s dangerous. You forget that dog, an’ you forget what it’s guardin’, that’s between Professor Dumbledore an’ Nicolas Flamel---”
“Aha! So there’s someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?” Potter exclaimed in triumph.
Hagrid looked furious with himself.
Well to be fair, Draco would be too, if he had spilled such information out like that.
But that helped a lot so Draco silently thanked them for obtaining such information even if it was in the expense of his godfather.
Neville and Dora were looking at him in that curious way.
Was he going to commit arson because they keep speaking ill of his godfather or was he going to cause a thorough search about Nicolas Flamel.
Draco waved them off. That meant he wasn’t setting anything on fire. They both let out a sigh of relief.
A while later, Dora bid them all goodbye, and after she pulled Neville and Draco in extremely tight hugs, she changed her hair back to neon pink.
“Thanks for coming to see me.” Draco said brightly.
“Thanks for writing to me lots and lots!” Dora replied cheerfully. “Should I tell mum to send you those alchemy books of yours?” She whispered in his ear. Draco nodded eagerly and watched Dora walk away. She had to get out of the school grounds to apparate after all.
Then, they bid Hagrid goodbye and they made their way to their respective dorms. On the way there, Draco found the chance to properly greet the Gryffindor girl.
“Thanks for taking care of my friends. Can I call you Lily?”
“Sure. Can I call you Draco then?”
“Absolutely!”
Draco went to shake her hand but was pulled away by Potter who was yet again pouting.
Draco waved to the three Gryffindors as he was pulled down a staircase. He didn’t know what the hurry was. Nor why Potter kept huffing all the way to the dungeons.
Hermione and Ron walked behind them, not helping, just giggling.
Something must have happened in the stands, Draco concluded and let himself be pulled along. He was exhausted by the match anyways.
He could address Potter's mood swings another day.
Notes:
This took me so long to write for no good reason and I am ashamed XD
Theo and Hermione start bonding. Harry's getting pouty.
Neville and Ron are just really worried for Draco.
Lily Moon is finally taking a part in this story! Because I needed to forge a friendship with Hagrid (lol)
Hope you enjoyed it! ^^ Comments are always welcome!
(Constructive critisism would also be nice ;;)
Thanks for reading and see you next Saturday~
Chapter 11: Erised & Christmas
Notes:
Some dialogue is directly copied from the book with some small deviations. I've been doing this a lot and the reason is that most of these characters grew up the same and their personalities haven't changed and thus they would say the same things if they were in the same situation. I am sorry if that is tiring to you all ;;
Anyways, enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
December brought with it the promised cold. Andromeda had warned Draco about the icy winters in the dungeons and she had made sure to pack countless sweaters, scarves, gloves and blankets for him.
Draco was thankful. He could see Ron and Potter practically shivering every morning since it started snowing. Draco immediately offered some of his warm clothes to Ron, who was unwilling to accept them at first but eventually complied.
“Thanks, Draco.”
“No worries! My mum packed enough clothes for ten people more or less. Both the Slytherin and Hufflepuff dormitories are super cold after all.”
“Hey, if you are letting him borrow things then you could do the same for me?” Potter had the gall to ask.
Now, Draco wasn’t heartless. If Potter asked nicely, he would gladly lent him some of his extra blankets and sweaters. But Potter wasn’t asking nicely.
“Sorry, this offer is limited to friends.”
Potter walked away, stomping down loudly as he went.
This wasn’t the first time this happened. Potter had been acting strange for a while. Whenever Draco gave something to someone or someone gave him something, Potter started pouting or walked away angrily.
Draco and Ron still hadn’t figured out what was going on.
In the meantime, since the Quidditch incident, Theo and Hermione had started getting eerily along. At first they tried to keep up appearances, but after a while you could always find them studying together or working on assignments in the library.
Draco and Neville were thankful for that because now they could hang out more and Draco could properly help Neville with his schoolwork.
At some point along the way Lily Moon had also joined the party. Draco was finding the girl charming.
As far as Nicolas Flamel was concerned, Andromeda had sent him all the books they had on Alchemy, along with a note that read “If you are interested in Alchemy, just know that we can always transfer you to Beauxbaton.” to which Draco kindly declined. Despite the insane headmaster Hogwarts was all very fun.
In one of the books, he found a very interesting passage:
The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Sorcerer’s Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal.
There have been many reports of the Sorcerer’s Stone over the centuries, but the only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist and opera lover. Mr. Flamel, who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year,
enjoys a quiet life in Devon with his wife, Perenelle (six hundred and fifty-eight).
The Elixir of Life? This was just getting more and more confusing. Any suspicion of Severus actually trying to steal whatever it was that Fluffy was guarding was soon fading.
Severus wasn’t stupid enough to try to attain immortality.
That meant that Severus is trying to protect whatever is there from getting stolen. And under that trapdoor is most likely the Sorcerer’s Stone itself.
He still couldn’t understand why Severus had gotten so agitated when Draco had mentioned the break in.
Was he afraid that Draco would be interested in eternal life? Questionable.
If anything, if Severus had told him that a Sorcerer’s Stone was in Hogwarts, then Draco would probably have lost all interest in it.
What was Severus hiding?
“He must want eternal life for himself!” Potter exclaimed in disgust when Draco told them about the Sorcerer’s Stone.
“Well, it’s eternal life, anybody would want it, right?” Ron replied casually.
“I keep telling you, Professor Snape is not trying to steal the stone!” Draco whined for what must have been the tenth time already.
“I don’t get why you are so set on defending Snape, Black! He’s obviously the culprit!”
“There’s no way it’s him!”
“And why is that? Got anything you would like to share, Black?”
“Well, no… but…”
He’s my godfather and I know him better, stupid Potter!!
He didn’t say anything.
“Draco, even I have to admit that Professor Snape is the most obvious culprit.” Hermione said cautiously.
“Fine! You wanna doubt Sev-Professor Snape? Suit yourself! I am going to pack for Christmas holidays!”
He could hear some pleas for him to stop as he walked up to his room but he ignored them.
When Ron and Potter climbed up to the room after some minutes, he stormed off.
Before he knew it, he was wandering around the castle. He passed through the library at some point, he was sure. But unfortunately, he was now lost.
Fantastic.
He came to a sudden halt in front of a tall suit of armor. A door stood ajar to his left and he decided to try asking whoever was using the room where he was.
It looked like an unused classroom. The desks and chairs were piled against the walls.
Propped against the wall facing him was something that didn’t look as if it belonged there, something that looked as if someone had just put it there to keep it out of the way.
It was a magnificent mirror, as high as the ceiling, with an ornate gold frame, standing on two clawed feet. There was an inscription carved around the top: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.
Draco felt captivated. He moved nearer to the mirror, he couldn’t stop himself.
He stepped in front of it.
Draco’s eyes widened at the sight in front of him. He turned to look over his shoulder but there was noone there. He looked back to the mirror again.
A magic mirror, he surmised.
He kept his stare on the mirror. He saw himself there, his eyes were blue and his hair was dark brown with neon pink highlights.
Behind him stood Dora and his mum and dad. They were smiling at him.
And a little farther away stood Severus with his usual gloomy expression. Next to him stood a woman with dark brown hair that turned blond behind her ears. She looked a lot like Andromeda but Draco recognised her immediately.
There weren’t many photographs of her back at home but there were some. She was younger in the photographs.
Narcissa Black. His mother.
Draco felt tears slide down his face.
She was smiling at him kindly. And yet she was so far away in the mirror. Why was she so far away?
Draco looked back at his own reflection. He looked different. He breathed out, trying to calm himself.
What was this magic mirror showing him? It couldn’t be the past, nor the present and not the future. His mother was dead. And apart from her, he and the others were in their current age.
Draco gently stroked the mirror with his hand and he saw his hair turning to a neon blue.
He quickly retrieved his hand and took a hold of his ponytail. It was still a platinum blonde.
Back in the mirror, his hair was still blue. He could feel tears streaming down his face, but the mirror didn’t reflect them.
What does this mirror do?
“Why are you crying, Mr Black?”
Draco blinked, finally awake from the trance he was in. He looked behind him.
Sitting on one of the desks by the wall was none other than Albus Dumbledore.
Draco must have been so captivated by the mirror he hadn’t even noticed him.
He suddenly felt guilt wash over him. He hadn’t done anything bad but he felt like he had done something unacceptable.
“I… I didn’t see you, sir.” He said weakly.
“And yet I was right here all along.” Dumbledore said gently and Draco was relieved to see that he was smiling.
“So,” Dumbledore started and stood up, coming next to Draco in front of the mirror. “You, like hundreds before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised.”
“Mirror of Erised? I didn’t know it was called such, sir.” Even the name sounded captivating.
“But I expect you’ve realized by now what it does? You are one of our brightest students after all.”
Draco pondered the question for a while.
“It’s showing me a different present.”
“A different present. I suppose that is not wrong.” Dumbledore replied sceptically.
“So it isn’t correct either?”
“Not exactly. Let me explain. The happiest man on earth would be able to use the Mirror of Erised like a normal mirror, that is, he would look into it and see himself exactly as he is. Does that help?”
Draco thought it over.
“It shows us what makes us happy?”
“Yes and no. It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. What is it that it shows you?”
“My family.”
“Which one?”
Draco stilled at Dumbledore’s words. He didn’t answer. Instead he looked back to the mirror. He and Dora had switched places. No, they had switched appearances.
“I am a metamorphmagus in the mirror.” Draco whispered, more to himself than to Dumbledore.
“What else?” The old wizard prompted.
“My biological mother is standing in the back together with Severus. She is smiling.”
Dumbledore seemed to consider for a bit before saying.
“Let me give you a bit of advice, Mr Black. This mirror will give us neither knowledge nor truth. Men have wasted away before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible.”
Draco turned to look back at Dumbledore.
“The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Mr Black, and I ask you not to go looking for it again. If you ever do run across it, you will now be prepared. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that.”
“I wasn’t going to dwell on this…” Draco said sulkily.
Dumbledore smiled, satisfied.
“Now, it is getting late. How about you go back to your dormitory?”
Draco nodded and walked towards the door.
“Sir... Can I ask you something?”
“Obviously, you’ve just done so.” Dumbledore smiled. “You may ask me one more thing, however.”
“What do you see when you look in the mirror?”
“I? I see myself holding a pair of thick, woolen socks.”
Draco raised an eyebrow, mockingly.
Dumbledore chuckled. “You are quite similar to Severus.”
“I hope that’s a compliment.”
“It is. I suppose I can not fool a Slytherin that easily. But I trust you will also have some tact.”
Draco nodded.
“I overstepped my line, sir. I will be going to my dorm now. Have a good night.”
“Good night, Draco.”
Draco only realised he didn’t know his way back after he walked down two entire corridors. Eventually he asked a nearby portrait of the way.
He didn’t tell anyone about the mirror. Maybe he would talk to Severus about it one day but not today.
That night, he saw his mother in his sleep. She was kissing him goodbye. Draco decided that that was enough.
~~~
“You are staying here for Christmas!?” Draco asked increduled.
Ron nodded.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to Romania to visit Charlie during Christmas thus Ron and his brothers would be staying at Hogwarts during the break.
“You can’t stay here during Christmas! Your brothers are all in Gryffindor! I can’t leave you in these frozen dungeons for Christmas!”
“Draco, you are overreacting.” Ron reassured him.
It was a good thing that he had reconciled with both Ron and Hermione before the holidays. They still suspected Severus but Draco decided to hide his disagreement for the time being. In the end, they will realise their mistake.
What was more pressing now, was Ron staying alone for Christmas. Hermione was going home. Heck, all the Slytherins were going home apart from some NEWTs and OWLs students.
Even Potter was going home!
Draco decided to take the situation in his hands.
“You are coming to my house then!”
“Eh?”
“What? You got a problem!?”
“I-I don’t! But I wouldn’t want to impose…”
“Not at all. If anything, you would be doing me a favour if you came. My sister will be away most days due to her training. I wouldn’t have anyone to plot mischief with!”
Draco wasn’t lying. Reassessing the situation, Ron coming with him was the best of the best.
Ron seemed hesitant. “Will your parents be okay with that?”
Draco smirked. “My dad will love you! No worries!”
“Wh-what about your mum?”
“Hmm… I think that as long as you are not worse than Dora, you will be fine.”
And with that Ron was coming with him. Of course he sent a letter to ask his parents just in case but neither had a problem.
Mrs. Weasley also agreed at once.
The day of their departure, Draco made sure to properly say goodbye to Hermione, Theodore and Lily.
Especially to Theo, he wished him good luck dealing with his parents. “If you find yourself in danger, floo me and I will bring my mum on them!” Theo laughed.
“See you after the holidays, Draco.”
“Yep! Take care, Theo!”
Naturally, he also gave a warm hug to Neville. He would be visiting on Christmas and Draco was ecstatic.
Potter was throwing a tantrum about Ron coming over to Draco’s.
“What’s with you lately, Potter? Are you jealous or what?” Draco asked him, his voice mocking.
“I- I- Of course I am not! What are even talking about, Black!? Forget it! I’m leaving!” He yelled and stormed off.
Could he actually be jealous…? But of what…?
Draco pushed the question to the back of his mind.
~~~
Christmas was, as always, a lively affair in the Tonks family.
Ted was in the kitchen cooking. Dora, who had come home the previous day, was helping him out.
Draco and Ron were helping Andromeda put on some last minute decorations.
It wasn’t long before there was a knock on the door.
Draco practically ran towards the door and opened it instantly only to jump into Neville’s arms.
“Happy Christmas to you too, Dray. It hasn’t even been a week since you saw me.”
“Shush! I miss my best friend whether I’ve seen him yesterday or a year ago! Happy Christmas!”
“Yeah, yeah. Now let me go so I can greet your mum before she snaps.”
Draco unwillingly let go of Neville and instead latched onto Remus who stood behind him.
“Happy Christmas, Draco. It’s been a while.”
“Happy Christmas! How have you been, Uncle Remus?”
“Surprisingly well. Our dog has been rather timid as of late.”
“Uncle Sirius has? Is he sick?”
“He’s just been missing Neville too much. Don’t tell him I said that, though.”
“Speaking of which, where is he?”
“Oh, he will be coming in a little while. We only came earlier because Neville was insisting.”
Draco nodded in understanding and led Remus inside.
There was a knock on the door again around an hour later.
Draco and Ron were in the middle of a chess game, Neville cheering on them both from the side.
Draco made to stand up and welcome Sirius but his mum was already walking towards the door. Draco sighed fondly. Uncle Sirius was obviously in for a teasing today.
“Sirius! Why, I see you will always be late no matter how much you grow up!”
“Oh, Andy, dear Andy, I was only too busy thinking of a way to disappoint the family back in the day! I am most certainly not late this time!”
Andromeda smiled fondly and engulfed Sirius in a hug. Draco, who was watching from the living room, smiled fondly at the exchange.
But then something very strange happened. His mum asked Sirius a question. A very strange question.
“And who is this little boy? Hm, let me guess, your other wife’s son?”
“How long are you gonna keep calling James my other wife? We are both married now!”
“Nonsense.” She snorted and turned to the boy. “Your name is Harry, right? Why, you are the spitting image of your dad! Though I suppose Lily’s genes have helped improve your looks a bit.”
Sirius replied with something snarky, Draco was sure, but he couldn’t concentrate to understand what.
What was Potter doing here????
He turned to look at Ron, who shrugged, and then to Neville, who turned his gaze elsewhere guiltily.
“You knew!?” Draco accused and Neville fiddled with his fingers.
“I heard yesterday… I didn’t have time to tell you…”
Neville was close to tears and Draco felt immense guilt overtake him.
“Sorry, Nev. It’s not your fault. I know.”
Before he could say anything more, Potter was behind him.
“H-Happy Christmas…”
Draco blinked at him befuddled. He heard Ron and Neville return the greeting so he obligingly did too.
Potter’s face turned from shyness to happiness in a matter of seconds and Draco was only getting more and more confused with his behaviour.
~~~
Surprisingly, Potter was behaving admirably well and timidly throughout the whole day.
Draco could almost admit that his addition in the group wasn’t bad either. After finishing with wizards chess, Dora brought out the twister.
That game was a family favourite. Draco and Dora used to play it a lot since they were children. Of course, Neville had joined them a great many times in the last few years.
Ron and Potter didn’t know how the game worked at all so Draco and Neville took turns explaining it to them.
Remus and Andromeda took turns turning the spinner while the rest of them tried to move their legs and arms accordingly.
Eventually Ted and Sirius were kicked out of the game because they were too tall compared to the kids and that was unfair. Dora eventually retired too so she could go help Ted back in the kitchen.
The four boys kept playing again and again. Draco’s score was only getting bigger. He had been playing this game since he was three, of course he was better. Potter was putting on a good fight though and Draco was happy for that.
The only one who could take him on as of late was Dora so getting another challenging competitor was a delight. He still won, mind you.
The dinner was a delight. Ted had gone all out, Andromeda was temporarily banned from the kitchen so nothing had caught fire and Dora had managed to help out without making a mess.
When Draco shared that thought with the rest of the boys, Potter and Ron looked at his mum in confusion.
Neville chuckled before explaining. “She has set fire in the kitchen a great many times. It’s a good thing magic exists, really.”
Needless to say, Ron was a little bit terrified of Andromeda for the rest of his visit.
Potter apparently found it cool. It also reminded him of Sirius which was logical, considering it’s the Black genes at work here.
When it got late, the Lupin-Black family and Potter departed.
It was then that Draco realised there was one big problem with Ron staying over.
Severus.
Severus and Sirius hated each other with animosity so they made sure to never cross paths as much as possible.
Draco believed that they were just clinging to old grudges for the sake of it because he had seen them talk and they could tolerate each other just fine, thank you very much.
The fact that they didn’t want to cross paths meant that on Christmas only one of the two was coming. Draco knew that it was going to be Sirius this year so he hadn’t give it much thought when he invited Ron over.
But Severus had the habit of floo-calling him later at night to exchange some courtesy greetings and chat a bit every time he wasn't visiting.
And he hadn’t told Severus Ron would be staying over.
He had three choices.
Lock Ron in his room until he finished with his call.
Send a letter to Severus telling him the circumstances, and wishing him a happy Christmas.
Tell Ron the truth and swear him to secrecy.
He was saved by his mum.
“Draco, I’ve told your godfather that you have a friend over so he will be sending you a letter instead of calling.”
Draco thanked his mum with his eyes and nodded. Andromeda smiled in understanding.
“They are talking with their eyes again…” Ted sighed.
"Don't they always?" Dora laughed in response.
Ron could only look between them in confusion.
Draco charmingly asked his dad to get them some hot chocolate and pulled Ron along to his room.
“How was your Christmas? I’m sure it’s not as good as with your family but I hope you had a fun time nonetheless…”
Draco was still not over his self-doubt. He was still worried he might have dragged Ron here against his will. But when Ron rewarded him with a bright smile, he was relieved.
“You kidding? I had a lot of fun! And my hair is still the same colour and I also have all my limbs!”
“Ehm…”
“Fred and George.”
“Ah.”
“Sorry for getting in the way of your call with your godfather by the way…”
“Oh! Don’t mention it! I will s--” Draco promptly shut his mouth before he could say he would see him at Hogwarts anyways.
Ron gave him a look but thankfully, at that moment, Dora walked in with three cups of hot chocolate.
She sat down next to them and she told them stories of her Auror training until they were all asleep.
Their parents must have moved them to their beds because he woke up in his bed.
The rest of the holidays progressed smoothly.
But Draco was slowly realising he should eventually tell his friends about Severus. He was already missing the snarky comments he would have exchanged with him during their floo call.
Notes:
Making wizards play twister is a dream of mine, let me live XD
Also, I had a lot of liberty with the latter part of the chapter because there wasno way Draco would have stayed at Hogwarts in Christmas (Andromeda would have his head) so I had to bring the gang (or a part of it) in the Tonks household!
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
See ya next Saturday~
(Note: I've got something up next Saturday so the chapter might come out a bit earlier or later than usual 🙇♀️)
Chapter 12: Severus & Eavesdropping
Notes:
This is shorter than usual ;;
This chapter had a great many changes to the original but as I have already said, some of the dialogue is the same.
I hope you will enjoy it nonetheless ^^
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
When holidays were over, Draco was set on going to Severus’ office first thing. He hadn’t realised how much he had always enjoyed his company and snarky comebacks until then.
He greeted Hermione and Theo warmly upon arrival and made sure to ask them how their holidays were. He made a special point of asking if Theo was alright but the boy only shrugged in response. Neville seemed more than willing to continue Draco's questioning so engulfed him in a deadly tight hug and then he was off.
“I will see you all later! I have a prior arrangement!”
“Hey! You're not even gonna greet me!?” Potter whined but Draco was already jumping on a moving staircase.
Severus’ office was cold but Severus’ remarks were worth it. His newly acquired Weasley sweater was helping too. He didn't dare come meet Severus without his school robes on top.
“It was most fortunate your mother sent me that letter. Otherwise, I fear that your oh-so-great scheme of keeping our relationship confidential would have failed.”
“Yeah, ehm… I should have thought that one out, sorry… Did you miss me on Christmas?”
“Good riddance, I say.”
“You can’t fool me! You should just come over and stop avoiding uncle Sirius!”
“I can also stay here, far away from annoying dogs and their werewolf husbands, and enjoy my tea.”
“You say that but you don’t even hate them anymore!”
“Nonsense.” Severus said with finality and Draco knew then that it was time to drop this particular topic.
Instead he thanked Severus for the present he had sent him on Christmas-a book on defensive spells. For all of Severus’ nagging about him not getting in danger, especially after that lecture he received after the troll incident, he was more than happy to teach Draco all kinds of ways to stay alive.
When Draco told him of this teasingly, he replied in exasperation.
“I am afraid that if I let you die, I will most definitely be cursed by at least three different Blacks. I would like to avoid that.”
“That’s mum and uncle Sirius and… Dora?”
Severus fell silent. His face made a grimace and then he looked away.
“Dead people have their own way of cursing.” He murmured.
Draco realised he was talking about his biological mother and he changed the subject.
He knew Severus hated talking about Draco's mother. He never understood why but he felt that he would break some kind of balance if he asked.
~~~
Quidditch practice was back in full swing. Their next match was against Ravenclaw. Draco had no qualms about crushing Ravenclaw. His sister’s best friend might be a Ravenclaw but that didn’t mean Draco had to hold back. Said friend had already gratuated anyways.
The practice was strenuous but the team now had more or less accepted Draco so it was better than before. One day, Marcus Flint told them some supposingly bad news, McGonagall was refereeing the match.
Apparently, that wasn’t a common occurrence. Draco was wondering why they were worried. Professor McGonagall was the epitome of fair play, after all. But why did she suddenly want to referee?
When he presented his question to Theo, Neville and Lily, they all shrugged.
“Maybe she is there to make sure your broom doesn’t act up again?” Lily proposed.
And the three boys found themselves nodding. It was quite possible.
Draco would have felt safer with Severus close to him but the man couldn’t exactly referee the match of his own house… So McGonagall would have to do.
~~~
Theodore, Hermione, Lily and Draco were studying in the library. It had become a common thing for them by then. Usually Neville would be with them but he had an accident earlier in the day and was in the infirmary. He was due to come soon though.
“Nott, any idea how much knotgrass this potion needs?” Lily asked, pointing to a certain passage in her Potions book.
Theo turned to her and leaned over the book.
“Ah, five grams of this will be enough. You need to add it gradually though.”
“Oh, good thing I asked. I was gonna put ten grams in.”
“Were you absent from the lesson, Moon?” Theo asked, teasingly. He knew the girl was hardly ever absent so it was a rare thing for her to miss a lesson. It was meant as a light teasing.
“Ehm, I had a cold that day…” Lily replied meekly.
That caught Draco’s attention. Obviously the girl was shit at lying but the question was why would she lie.
Before he could question her, Potter was over him, grabbing his arm.
“What is it now, Potter?”
“Just come.”
Draco stared him in the eye. He was surprised at the dead serious look Potter had on and he stood up urgently. Something was wrong.
“Hermione, sorry, can you bring my books to the dorm later?”
“Sure." She replied automatically and regarded Potter with worry. "What’s wrong, Harry?”
Potter didn’t reply, he just kept tagging Draco’s arm.
Draco waved to the others and let Potter tag him along.
Around two corridors later, Potter pulled him in an empty classroom. Inside, Ron and Neville were sitting on the floor. Neville was crying.
Draco all but ran towards Neville, falling to his knees and hugging his best friend.
“Are you okay, Nev? What happened?”
“His legs have been stuck together. It must be the Leg-Locker Curse or something similar.” Ron supplied helpfully.
“W-we don’t know the countercurse…” Potter murmured and if Draco wasn't otherwise preoccupied, he would have noticed a light blush on his face.
Draco pulled his wand out immediately and with a swish, performed the countercurse.
Neville’s legs sprang apart but he stayed where he was, trembling.
“Who did this to you?” Draco asked him, the anger evident in his voice.
“Parkinson.” Neville sobbed out. “I met her outside the Great Hall. She said she’d been looking for someone to practice that on.”
“That bitch!! I will pull her hair out one by one!” Draco hissed.
“You should go to Professor McGonagall! Report her!” Ron proposed.
But Neville only shook his head and grabbed Draco’s robes tightly.
“I don’t want more trouble...” He mumbled weakly.
“You’ve got to stand up to her, Neville!” Potter said demandingly. But Draco knew that Neville didn’t get pumped up in that way. He threw a glance at Potter and then turned to Neville once more.
“There’s no need to tell me I’m not brave enough to be in Gryffindor, Harry… Parkinson’s already done that.” Neville choked out, weakly.
Draco aggressively put his hands on Neville’s cheeks, cupping them strongly.
“Neville Frank Longbottom! I’ve seen you face uncle Remus when he’s angry with uncle Sirius! I’ve seen you stand up to my mum that time she was furious at me and Dora! I’ve seen you stand up to my godfather that one time he was about to curse uncle Sirius! You are so damn brave! Way braver than I am! Don’t you dare let anyone tell you otherwise!”
Draco’s voice was firm and raised no questions. Neville’s sobs soon ceased. He nodded weakly and then pushed his face against Draco’s chest.
Draco shuffled his hair gently and whispered words of encouragement to him.
Ron was glad to see Neville had cheered up after a while.
“Draco, you are so awesome when it comes to comforting! You should be a healer or something!”
“Oh please, Ron, it’s more likely I will be pranking my patients instead of comforting them.”
Draco noticed Potter had been silent for a while and he looked at him suspiciously. Potter only turned his head in response, his eyes locked on the opposite wall.
“Draco…” Neville murmured.
“Hm?”
“Please, don’t do anything that will get you in detention.”
Draco made an annoyed grimace but Neville kept staring at him, determination written in his eyes, so Draco sighed in exasperation.
“Fine! Parkinson gets to live another day! Happy now?”
“Extremely.” Neville chuckled.
~~~
The Quidditch match was steadily approaching and Draco found himself slightly nervous. It wasn’t so much the result of the match that made him nervous but a repeat of last time.
He didn’t want to worry Hermione or any of his friends about this so he decided to confide in the one person he could always confide in even if he was plotting murder. Not that he had ever plotted murder, mind you.
Dora.
But a letter wouldn’t be nearly adequate to calm him down, thus he asked Severus if he could use his floo.
Severus sighed deeply. “I suppose this is the limit of how long you two can stay apart.” He told Draco to come to his office after dinner that day.
Draco all but whooped and Severus’ irritated face didn’t deter him at all.
When he excused himself earlier from dinner, he received some curious looks, especially from Hermione. His mind revolved fast for an excuse.
“Remember that time we fought a troll? And Professor Snape asked to see me in his office? Well, I kept putting it off but today Snape finally called me out on that so he asked me to go to his office.”
“Draco, that happened on Halloween! It’s been months! Also, why would Snape call only you? You are practically his favorite student!” Ron pointed out unhelpfully.
“Hah! Maybe he is going to give him private lessons instead of detention! It’s the famous Draco Malfoy after all!” Potter muttered annoyed.
Draco cringed at the name. He hated it, he was ready to throw himself on Potter but Ron was faster. He smacked Potter on the head. Hermione was also glaring at him nastily.
Potter looked at them, confused and then looked back at Draco. He must not have realised he had used the wrong name until then because he covered his mouth with his hand in a daze and turned to Draco.
“Black, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to--”
But Draco was already leaving. He was at least happy his friends actually realised how much he hated that name. Who cares about Potter anyway!
~~~
Outside of Severus’ office, he met Lily Moon. She was holding a vial protectively. She seemed surprised to see Draco there.
“Lily? What’s wrong?” Draco found himself asking, for the girl’s expression was of utter shock and panic.
“I-It’s nothing! I- I have to go! Good night, Draco!”
Draco watched over her retreating form as he murmured a goodnight in response.
He entered Severus’ office but the man refused to tell him anything about Lily’s irregular visit.
Draco didn’t have time to pursue the matter farther as Dora was already calling from the fireplace.
After their initial greetings and mischief reports-which made Severus roll his eyes over ten times-Draco told Dora of his worries. This time Dora was too busy to come and Draco didn’t dare ask his mum to come humiliate him so if he did fall this time, nobody would be there to catch him.
“Do you think of me as a decoration, infuriating godson?” Severus interrupted and the two siblings could only chuckle. Severus rolled his eyes yet again as he was muttering “Tonks” and it certainly sounded like plural.
Admittedly, after the floo call was over, Draco felt more relaxed. Just admitting his worries helped him tremendously and knowing that Severus was willing to catch him was a welcome reassurance.
~~~
The Quidditch match itself seemed to pale in comparison to the worry it had caused Draco. Apparently he had achieved some kind of record with how fast he had caught the snitch but he was prone to catching things fast in the air. Except maybe paintballs. He hated catching those and getting dirty. His mum hated them too. Difficult to clean, apparently.
The spotlight of this match must have been the brilliant way McGonagall moved on a broom. Though it seemed only Draco looked at her closely enough to notice. Draco genuinely wanted to ask the woman for advice on flying.
And after the whole congratulations ended, Draco wobbled over to Professor McGonagall shyly. The woman cordially congratulated him on their victory and Draco could only stumble out his admiration for the older witch, like a child during Christmas.
“That is most generous of you, Mr Black.”
“C-Could you maybe give me some advice on flying…?”
McGonagall smiled and nodded discreetly before walking away to return to the castle.
And thus Draco left the locker room alone some time later, to take his Nimbus Two Thousand back to the broomshed. He finally had time to rejoice in their victory.
His friends had already congratulated him right after the match and Draco had great news to pass on to his sister and parents. And of course he had made his godfather proud, naturally!
And speaking of Severus…
A hooded figure was coming down swiftly from the front steps of the castle. Clearly not wanting to be seen, it walked as fast as possible toward the Forbidden forest. Draco immediately recognised the figure as his godfather. But why was he sneaking into the forest? And secretly like this, he must have a reason.
“That’s Snape, isn’t it!” Potter literally jumped out of the broomshed.
“What are you doing in there, Potter!?” Draco hissed.
“I-I was waiting for you…” He murmured and looked at the ground like he could see something important there and then he turned back to Draco. “More importantly, we should go after Snape!”
Potter didn't have to tell him. He was planning on doing just that anyways.
Draco jumped back on his Nimbus Two Thousand and reluctantly allowed Potter to get on behind him before taking off.
He felt Potter’s hands tighten around him so he gave him a teasing side glance. “Scared, Potter? I thought you knew how to fly.”
“Shut up and go after Snape, Black! I’m not scared!”
Draco chuckled in response and they flew over the forbidden forest as they saw Snape enter it at a run. It was Draco's second time seeing his godfather run. The first one being when Dora accidentantly freed a swarm of flies. What followed was a nightmare, Severus running wasn't the spotlight of the night, Draco could guarantee that.
But now? Why was Severus in such a hurry?
The trees were so thick they couldn’t clearly see where Snape had gone.
Draco flew lower and lower until he heard voices. He glided toward them and landed noiselessly in a towering beech tree.
Potter climbed carefully along one of the branches and motioned for Draco to follow him. Draco complied and climbed after him, holding tight to his broomstick all the time.
They tried to look through the leaves, mindful not to make any excess noise.
Below, in a shadowy clearing, stood Severus and none other than Quirrell.
His stuttering was worse than ever, if Draco’s opinion had any value.
Draco could hardly catch any of the words they were saying, so he resorted to reading their lips. That helped a bit.
“. . . d-don’t know why you wanted t-t-to meet here of all p-places, Severus . . .”
“Oh, I thought we’d keep this private. Students aren’t supposed to know about the Sorcerer’s Stone, after all.”
Had Severus found them out already…? But what would Quirrell have to do with that of all people.
“Have you found out how to get past that beast of Hagrid’s yet?”
“B-b-but Severus, I —”
“You don’t want me as your enemy, Quirrell.”
“I-I don’t know what you —”
“You know perfectly well what I mean.”
Draco’s attention was temporarily occupied by Potter almost falling down the tree. After he was done rolling his eyes at him he turned back to their professors just in time to hear Severus speak. “— your little bit of hocus-pocus. I’m waiting.”
“B-but I d-d-don’t —”
“Very well. We’ll have another little chat soon, when you’ve had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie.”
Loyalties….?
Severus threw his cloak over his head and strode out of the clearing. It was almost dark now, but the boys could see Quirrell, standing quite still as though he was petrified.
They waited until he was gone before mounting Draco’s broom again and returning to the castle.
“Boys! You are finally back! Did you make up? Where have you been?” Hermione squeaked as soon as they entered the dormitory.
“We won! You won! We won!” Ron shouted enthusiastically.“Everyone’s waiting for you in the common room, Draco! We’re having a party! I didn’t think Slytherins threw parties too! Hopefully Snape won’t crash this one!”
Ah, normal children things. Draco was jealous. He suddenly felt like whatever information they had gotten from Severus and Quirell didn’t matter anymore. They could just talk about it tomorrow.
But Potter had another opinion on the matter.
“Never mind that now! Let’s find an empty room, you wait ’til you hear this…!” He said breathlessly.
Draco sighed. Fine, we are dealing with this now. No time to have fun and mix up the drinks. Well, all he had to do was win another match, he supposed.
They found an empty room and after shutting the door and asking Draco to lock it-Draco still regretted telling them he knew how to cast locking spells-Potter told Hermione and Ron all they had heard.
Draco let Potter do most of the talking, only intersecting a couple of times in a weak attempt to defend Severus.
“So we were right, it is the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Snape’s trying to force Quirrell to help him get it. He asked if he knew how to get past Fluffy and he said something about Quirrell’s ‘hocus-pocus’. I reckon there are other things guarding the stone apart from Fluffy, loads of enchantments, probably, and Quirrell would have done some anti-Dark Arts spell that Snape needs to break through…!”
“So you mean the Stone’s only safe as long as Quirrell stands up to Snape?” Hermione exclaimed in alarm.
“It’ll be gone by next Tuesday!” Ron groaned.
Draco couldn’t agree more on that but that wasn’t the point.
Was Severus really trying to get the Sorcerer’s stone? But why? Eternal life didn’t seem like something Severus would wish for, except maybe if he was that set on avoiding Narcissa Black forever, which was probably not the case.
If he was really trying to steal the Stone, he must have a good reason. And if he did have a good reason, then Draco should stop his friends from plotting against him and help him carry out his plan more smoothly.
A voice that sounded ominously alike with his dad’s was saying 'Stealing is bad' but Draco opted for the voice that was akin to his mum’s that said ‘Slytherins cover Slytherins’.
If Severus wanted the stone, Draco would help him.
But to find out, he had to actually ask him.
Notes:
I don't really have much to say this time around XD
I am just gonna say that we can all imagine what Harry was trying to do hiding inside that broomshed but he got distracted ;; Poor him ;;Also, Draco wants a normal school life, apparently! Hahaha!
Anyways, thanks for reading and see ya next Saturday~!
Chapter 13: Warning & Dragon
Notes:
This was sooo hard to write! It's still the first book so I wanna keep to the original timeline but change the events and the characters and this is the result ^^;
My biggest problem here is that in the original, we've got a trio. Here I've got a quartet AND a trio to work with and I am struggling ;;
Anyways, enjoy!!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Severus seemed set on avoiding having to talk to Draco privately. And it certainly wasn't for lack of trying on Draco's part.
Not to mention that his attempts at talking to Severus privately had been noticed by Hermione. Draco felt at an utter loss when she asked him about it.
"I-I just have some questions regarding Potions! Nothing more!"
"You could just ask him after class ended if that was the case. You keep trying to go to his office. What are you even plotting, Dray?"
"I am not plotting anything! I... I just..." Draco averted his gaze. He knew he had to tell his friends about Severus eventually. Maybe Hermione wouldn't mind it...? But she was also suspecting him for the whole Sorcerer Stone fiasco.
He swallowed the lump on his throat forcefully and looked around cautiously, the corridor they were in was almost empty. He pulled Hermione behind a suit of armour and he whispered to her.
"Hermione, the truth is... there's something I haven't told you guys yet... But please don't tell anyone else yet!"
Hermione blinked. "Of course, I won't say a thing to anybody if that's what you want but what is this about? Is it something about you? Did you get cursed? Are you sick?"
"No! No... It's about Professor Snape."
Her eyes widened in panic. "Did he do something to you? Did he try to kill you again!? Why did you not tell us!?"
Draco got hold of her hands and shushed her. He was all but pinning her to the wall at this point but neither seemed to mind the close proximity.
"He didn't do anything of the sort. I promise. You see, the truth is...."
He paused, took a deep breath and opened his mouth. He trusted Hermione well enough. She wouldn't judge him for this nor would she tell others. He was going to say it.
"What are you two doing here!?"
Hermione and Draco turned at the voice immediately, stunned. Ron and Potter were staring at them with wide open eyes.
Draco turned to look at Hermione. Noticing the position they were in, he supposed it was no wonder they would have misunderstood the situation. He pulled back slowly. Hermione was still looking at him with determination though and Draco gave her a look that meant they would be talking about this again later.
Potter looked scandalised and Ron looked....confused?
"I...I didn't know you two were... you know..." Ron bit out weakly.
Draco's eyes widened in realisation as he looked between Hermione and Ron. He grinned in triumph for noticing and threw an arm around Ron's shoulder.
"Now, now, Ron, you are clearly misunderstanding. Although Hermione is a charming young lady, she is not really my type and I am quite sure I am not her type either. Right, Hermione?"
"Eh? Ah... I suppose..." Hermione smiled, confused.
"Guys, you don't have to hide it if you are dating..." Ron insisted, forcing a smile.
"But we really aren't dating!" Draco and Hermione said almost simultaneously.
Potter had fallen completely silent and had only just opened his mouth to say something when a deep voice was heard from behind them.
"Mr Black, may I request your obnoxious presence in my office after lunch?"
It was Severus. Draco wanted to scream 'Finally!' but he stopped himself and instead reassured Severus that he would be there.
His friends seemed worried about him being along with Severus but Draco reassured them it was all okay.
It was a blessing that Severus had appeared at that exact moment because, thankfully, his three classmates were too busy worrying for him to care about trivial things like dating. Even Potter seemed worried about him.
~~~
Severus might have finally called him to his office but he wasn't being cooperative.
"Severus, come on! I know about the Sorcerer's Stone! You know I won't believe you aren't involved and you know how stubborn I can be. Just tell me already."
"I do not know who gave you this absurd idea that I have anything to do with a Sorcerer's Stone which is here at Hogwarts no less."
"Then what is Fluffy guarding? And why were you trying to get past it!?"
"Fluffy? So it was that oaf, Hagrid, that told you? I am feeling attacked now. You trust that oaf more than your godfather?"
"That's not it and you know it!"
"Enough. You've been trying to talk to me for a while now so I thought you would actually have something important to say, which is why I called you. But such delusions I didn't expect."
"Severus! Stop evading my questions! I know you are involved. Just tell me in what way you are involved! You want to steal it or do you want to guard it? Which side are you on?"
"What good would knowing do to you?"
Draco fell silent for a while and looked around guiltily before deciding that he couldn't lie to Severus after all.
"Look, some of the students apart from me have caught on to this. If you are trying to guard the stone then that means there's someone else trying to steal it and you are innocent. If you are trying to steal it then you have to tell me so I can help you!"
Severus regarded him for a while, silent.
"Did it cross your mind that I might want the stone for some evil machinations? Would you still help me then?"
"It depends on what evil machinations. Are you planning on cursing uncle Sirius to death?"
Severus snorted, amused. "A rather delectable idea. But I admit I am impressed by your faith in me."
"Well, in my defense, I've known you for years and I know you are terrified of my mum."
"Very well then. I shall answer your question."
Draco waited excitingly. Whatever the answer was, Draco would have enough reason to make his friends stop talking shit about his godfather.
"I do not intend to steal the stone. There's someone else who wants to do so, as you have already surmised. But I want you and your friends to stay out of this."
"But-"
"No buts on my watch, young man. I'm neither your dad nor your uncle. When I say no, it means no. Warn your friends that if I find out you are still on the Stone's case, I will have all of you in detention."
There was a finality to Severus' words and Draco unwillingly nodded his head.
He would have to find a way to keep up their investigation without Severus finding out.
Draco relayed Severus' warning to Hermione and Ron and consequently Potter. They still didn't believe Severus was not trying to steal the stone but they knew the warning was very much real so they collectively decided to tone their prying down.
~~~
Exams were closing in. The amount of their group studies had increased. Draco didn't mind the extra cramming they were doing. He spent most of their study sessions helping Neville out.
He had found out he was learning better when he was teaching someone else so he couldn't be more thankful to Neville for giving him this opportunity. Neville had come to understand this too and never hesitated to ask for his help.
Spending more time with the Gryffindors also had an extra advantage. Parkinson kept away from them too.
Draco chuckled inwardly at how their roles had reversed. He had been terrified of her on their first day but now it was she that was terrified of him. He had become a Quidditch player and won both games so far. It was no wonder his popularity in Slytherin had risen drastically to the point Parkinson couldn't easily pick on him.
That was the reason she had made Neville her main target but with Draco spending time with the Gryffindors to study, she didn't have much chance to do anything.
It was one of those days they were spending mostly in the library. Ron was complaining nonstop and Potter and Neville were despairing over the workload.
Hermione and Theo had been mostly swallowed up by the books they were reading. Draco would have been the same, had he not been tasked with helping Neville.
It was at that moment that Lily had burst into the library in a frenzy. She passed by them without even noticing them. They watched her return not even five minutes later with a couple books in her hands.
Curiosity took over them and they all followed after her. They had to nudge Hermione and Theo out of their frenzy but thankfully they didn't lose her.
They watched her walk quickly towards Hagrid's hut.
They exchanged a look with each other before following after her.
Hagrid greeted them cordially but it was so evident he was hiding something, anyone could have noticed from miles away.
Lily was persistently avoiding their eyes. And the whole place was boiling.
Draco wasn’t left waiting for an answer for long.
Why? Because what Hagrid was apparently hiding was in plain sight.
In the very heart of the fire, underneath the kettle, was a huge, black egg.
“A dragon egg!? Is it real!?” Draco exclaimed excitedly. Yes it might be a tiny touch illegal but it was still exciting to see a real dragon egg.
“A what!? Hagrid, that’s illegal!” Hermione yelped from next to him.
“No… This is...er--”
“Where did you get it, Hagrid?” Ron asked. He sounded fascinated with the egg too.
“It must’ve cost you a fortune.” Potter observed critically as he got closer to the egg.
“Won it! Las’ night. I was down in the village havin’ a fewdrinks an’ got into a game o’ cards with a stranger. Think he was quite glad ter get rid of it, ter be honest.”
“But what are you going to do with it when it’s hatched?” Theo asked seriously. Draco noticed that he didn’t seem amused by the situation at all. If anything, he was sporting a look that said ‘I don’t want anything to do with this.’.
“Well, I’ve bin doin’ some readin’. Got some books outta the library with Lily’s help — Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit — it’s a bit outta date, o’ course, but it’s all in here. Keep the egg in the fire, ’cause their mothers breathe on ’em, see, an’ when it hatches, feed it on a bucket o’ brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. An’ see here — how ter recognize diff’rent eggs — what I got there’s a Norwegian Ridgeback. They’re rare, them.”
“But you live in a wooden house!” Neville said rationally and Draco had to agree that that was a valid argument for not having a dragon.
Hagrid didn’t seem deterred in the least though. Instead he was humming merrily as he stoked the fire.
So yes, now they were in on Hagrid’s secret of growing an illegal dragon.
Theo seemed scandalised and Neville worried that the dragon would eat them all up as soon as it was born.
~~~
The days that followed were a mix of studying, arguing and whispering about a certain still unborn dragon.
They had even caught Severus’ attention once while whispering and Draco was afraid they would really end up in detention this time but Severus didn’t approach them at all. He only glared pointedly at Draco.
So far so good. It all changed when Lily trodded silently to the Slytherin table and whispered in Draco’s ear that the egg would be hatching on that day.
Draco caught Parkinson eyeing them suspiciously so he made a gesture to shush Lily and another to Hermione and the boys that they would talk later. No need to alert Parkinson of an illegal activity. The gossip that girl could start was something Draco didn’t even want to think about.
During morning break, Draco and Ron literally dragged Hermione and Potter all the way to Hagrid’s hut. Lily was standing by the door, flushed.
“It’s nearly out.” She told them excitedly and she ushered them inside.
The egg was lying on the table. There were deep cracks in it. Neville and Theo were sitting around the table with Hagrid. It was rather evident that Lily had dragged them here because neither seemed happy to be there. Neville, in particular, looked terrified.
Something was moving inside the egg and a funny clicking noise was coming from it.
All at once there was a scraping noise and the egg split open. The baby dragon flopped onto the table. Draco cooed. Why, the dragon looked adorable! He faintly heard Theo and Potter say ‘yikes’ and Neville letting out a low scream but he paid them no mind, instead he recorded all of the little dragon’s details in his head. He might never have another chance to see a baby dragon after all.
Hagrid shared the same opinion with Draco regarding the dragon’s appearence. If there was one thing Draco had in common with Hagrid, it was probably their fascination with dragons.
Hagrid reached out a hand to stroke the dragon’s head. It snapped at his fingers, showing pointed fangs.
Neville let out a yelp and Theo was fast to stroke his back gently, in an attempt to calm him down.
“Hagrid, how fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow, exactly?” Hermione asked seriously.
Hagrid was about to answer when the color suddenly drained from his face. He leapt to his feet and ran to the window.
“What’s the matter?” Lily asked.
“Someone was lookin’ through the gap in the curtains! It’s a kid! She's runnin’ back up ter the school.”
Draco and Theo stood up and run to the door just in time to see Slytherin robes being turned by the wind. They shared a look.
“Parkinson.”
~~~
The next days were hellish. Parkinson carried a smug smile wherever she went. And they spent a great deal of the day trying to persuade Hagrid to let go of the dragon.
Draco was delighted to see a real dragon but he understood well enough how dangerous it was for Hagrid to keep it. Even Lily agreed with them now even if she was convinced they could keep it at first. It probably had to do with the fact that the dragon had grown three times in length in a mere week.
“Just let him go! Set him free.” Ron prompted.
“I can’t! He’s too little. He’d die.”
The children looked between each other and then at the dragon from whose nostrils smoke kept coming out.
“I’ve decided to call him Norbert. He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where’s Mummy?”
“Great, another whatever name…” Theo murmured only to be smacked on the back by Lily.
“He’s lost his marbles.” Ron muttered in Draco’s ear. Draco had to agree.
“Hagrid, give it two weeks and Norbert’s going to be as long as your house. Parkinson could go to Dumbledore at any moment.” Potter said loudly to make sure Hagrid was actually listening to him.
Hagrid bit his lip. “I... I know I can’t keep him forever, but I can’t jus’ dump him, I can’t.”
Which meant that they had to find someone to take care of him… Draco was thinking of people he knew, capable enough to tame a dragon but the only one meeting all the criteria was his mum and he didn’t want to negotiate such a thing with her and then a thought struck him and he suddenly turned to Ron.
“Charlie!”
“You’re losing it, too… I’m Ron, remember?”
“No, I mean, Charlie — your brother, Charlie. In Romania. Studying dragons. We could send Norbert to him. Charlie can take care of him and then put him back in the wild!”
Ron’s eyes widened in realisation. “Brilliant!” He said to Draco and then turned to Hagrid. “How about it, Hagrid?”
And after a little bit of prompting and convincing, Hagrid agreed that they could send an owl to Charlie to ask him.
~~~
A few days later, Lily showed them her hand. Norbert had bitten her the night before. It had already swollen to twice its usual size. Theo was very much scolding her for being careless in the presence of that monster. Neville was trying to calm him down in vain.
They didn’t know whether it was safe for Lily to go to Madam Pomfrey so they put it off.
The same day, at breakfast, Ron got a letter from his brother and he showed them immediately.
Dear Ron,
How are you? Thanks for the letter — I’d be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won’t be easy getting him here.
I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn’t be seen carrying an illegal dragon.
Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it’s still dark.
Send me an answer as soon as possible.
Love,
Charlie
PS. Send my regards to Draco.
Draco found the letter pale in comparison to the artistic letters he exchanged with his sister but being as tired as he was with the whole dragon affair, he didn’t comment on it.
“How will we get to the tower without being seen though?” Hermione pointed out.
Potter fidgeted for a bit before saying. “I… I have something that will help. If we have that, we can make it there without anyone noticing.”
“Hm? What is it?” Ron asked.
“I… I will tell you later.”
Everyone agreed despite the absurd reassurance. It was a testament to how tired they all were with this dragon business.
During their morning classes that day, Lily was groaning under her breath. At potions, when Draco saw her again after breakfast, she was looking pale and tortured. Ron showed her the letter again, trying to cheer her up, telling her that the worst was over.
By the afternoon though, Lily had no choice but to go to madam Pomfrey. The cut had turned a nasty shade of green. It looked as if Norbert’s fangs were poisonous.
At the end of the day, Draco and Ron rushed up to the hospital wing to find Lily in a terrible state in bed. Theo was already there.
Lily motioned them to get closer before whispering. “It’s not just my hand, although that feels like it’s about to fall off if I am honest. Parkinson told Madam Pomfrey she wanted to borrow one of my books so she could come and have a good laugh at me. She kept threatening to tell her what really bit me. I kept telling her I hadn’t seen what bit me but she looked suspicious anyways.” Lily sighed and turned to Theo, who was staring at her critically. “I should have been more careful.”
Theo humphed but didn’t say anything more. He looked worried though and that said a lot about how Theo was finally fitting in with his housemates.
The boys tried to collectively cheer Lily up.
“It’ll all be over at midnight on Saturday.” Draco said soothingly.
“Yeah! Until then, just rest! So your hand can heal faster.” Ron said encouragingly.
All of a sudden, she sat bolt upright and broke into a sweat.
“Oh no! Oh god, no! I’ve just remembered, Ron… Your brother’s letter! You gave it to me earlier at Potions and I put it in my book! It was in that book Parkinson took, she’s going to know we’re getting rid of Norbert.”
Draco felt lightheaded. Why do all his friends have to be such airheads??
A look in Theo’s direction told Draco he wasn’t the only one with the thought.
As madam Pomfrey shushed them away, Ron was sending silent sympathy and consolation to Lily who waved at them weakly with her good hand.
Draco and Ron explained the situation to Hermione and Potter but they all deemed it impossible to change the plan this late.
Potter still hadn’t told them exactly how they would take the dragon up the tower without anybody noticing. When they asked him, he brushed them off.
They kept visiting Hagrid from time to time but never entered the hut anymore. Hagrid was clearly tired and absolutely exhausted but Lily was the last one brave enough to still be going inside and she was out of commission now.
~~~
On Friday night, Potter dragged Draco to his bed. Their dorm room was empty. Greg and Vincent were still not there and Hermione was tutoring Ron on transfiguration in the common room.
“What?” Draco asked.
“About tomorrow… Look, this is supposed to be a secret. I promised my dad and Sirius to keep it a secret because my mum still thought it was early for me to have it and she doesn’t know I have it and well… the thing is that this is an emergency and if I don’t use it now and we end up expelled or something I will surely regret it and to be honest Ron doesn’t seem really good at keeping secrets and Hermione might actually ask me to hand it in before anything… So well, you are pretty good at keeping secrets and all that? And you are mischievous enough to not be scandalised by this and I want you to know that I haven’t used it! Well, not much anyways and---”
“Potter!! For Merlin’s sake! Please tell me what it is!”
Potter blushed madly, realising how much he had been rambling. “Ehm, yeah, right. You see, my dad has given me his Invisibility Cloak. So we could use that to transport Norbert to the tower tomorrow.”
Draco looked at him in surprise, then in fascination and then in irritation.
“You had an invisibility cloak all this time and you’ve never told me!?”
“I’m not supposed to have it until my fourth year, alright!?”
“But you do have it!”
“Well, yeah… So ehm, can you not tell anything to the others about this? We could transport Norbert under the cloak and nobody would know a thing.”
“Okay, okay. My lips are sealed. I won’t even tell Neville and that’s a big thing.”
Potter sighed in relief.
~~~
Draco helped Potter persuade everyone else to leave the transport to them without asking questions.
When the time had come for them to collect Norbert, Hagrid was a sobbing mess. He had Norbert packed and ready in a large crate.
“Mummy will never forget you!” He said as he waved at them, sobbing even more.
Potter and Draco covered the crate with the Invisibility Cloak and stepped underneath it themselves after they had distanced themselves from Hagrid’s hut so the man himself wouldn’t notice the cloak.
How they managed to get the crate back up to the castle, they never knew. It was a bit chaotic and they were stepping on each other occasionally under the cloak. It was dark after all.
They heaved Norbert up the marble staircase in the entrance hall and along the dark corridors. It suddenly felt like the amount of staircases they had to climb up had increased. It was an endless journey.
“Nearly there!” Potter panted as they reached the corridor beneath the tallest tower.
Then a sudden movement ahead of them made them almost drop the crate.
Sure, they were invisible but they took up a lot of space in the corridor and someone might bump into them. They shrank into the shadows, staring at the dark outlines of two people grappling with each other. A lamp flared.
Professor McGonagall, in all her nighttime glory, had Parkinson by the ear.
“Detention!” Her voice resounded. “And twenty points from Slytherin! Wandering around in the middle of the night, how dare you —”
“You don’t understand, Professor. Draco Malfoy’s coming — he’s got a dragon!”
“What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! And his name is Black! Come on now! I shall see Professor Snape about you, Parkinson!”
Draco was finding a new admiration in the woman and couldn’t wait for her to teach him flying tricks.
The steep spiral staircase up to the top of the tower seemed easy after that.
When at the top, they threw off the Cloak, glad to be able to breathe properly again.
“Parkinson’s got detention! I could sing!” Draco exclaimed breathily.
“Don’t you dare.” Potter advised but he was smiling.
They waited patiently. Norbert was thrashing about in his crate.
About ten minutes later, four broomsticks came swooping down out of the darkness.
Charlie’s friends were a cheery lot. They used a special harness to hang Norbert amidst them and carry him.
They all seemed to coo over Draco. Apparently, Charlie had mentioned him.
Draco and Potter thanked them and then they were taking Norbert away. Finally, the struggle was over.
It had been a worthwhile experience though. If Draco had known what would happen and he had a way to go to the past and change it, he wouldn’t.
He had seen a real dragon. That was something.
Draco found himself grinning sheepishly at Potter and Potter was doing the same. Having gotten rid of Norbert, nothing could dampen their mood. They enjoyed the easy silence that had fallen between them. They didn’t even feel the need to argue and that was saying a lot.
But it wasn’t to last.
At the foot of the stairs, as they stepped into the corridor, Filch’s face loomed suddenly out of the darkness.
“Well, well, well, we are in trouble.”
And they realised the Invisibility Cloak had been forgotten on top of the tower.
Well, damn it.
Notes:
Hey, will you look at that? Potter and Draco managed not to argue for this long! I am so damn proud of them!! A dragon can do wonders!!
Thanks for reading ;;As always, comments are always welcome ^.^
See ya all next Saturday~
Chapter 14: Scolding & Detention
Notes:
This chapter tired me out so much... Both at figuring how to follow the events and at writing.
Although the first part of this chapter is mostly completely different from the original book, the second part is pretty much the same with some small changes to the characters' roles.But anyways, enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Filch all but dragged them to Professor Snape’s office.
Severus didn’t look pleased at all. Draco smiled weakly, sending silent pleas to appease his godfather. Needless to say, it didn’t work.
Parkinson was nowhere to be seen but it did look like she had already been brought here and given an earful. Severus had that look that read ‘Not again.’ when he saw them and that was proof enough.
“I do not remember giving permission to roam at night, Draco. Especially not at this time period.”
His voice was harsh and Draco found himself trying to make himself smaller. Severus wasn’t even looking at Potter so Draco knew he was dumped.
“Do you have nothing to say for yourself, young man? Where did your silvertongue go? Vacation, I surmise? I do not even want to know what you were doing at the astronomy tower!”
Draco made to speak but was stopped short.
“No! Don’t you even dare get out of this! This is serious. Really serious!”
Draco felt like he was five years old again in the face of his godfather’s disappointment and anger. The worst was that he had no Dora to hide behind now.
He didn’t even register the door of the office opening again until he heard Severus sigh deeply.
Draco raised his head. Neville had just entered the room. Behind him stood Professor McGonagall in all her night time glory.
“Neville?”
It was Potter who asked in disbelief. Draco was still too timid to talk, afraid he would make his godfather even more angry.
“Draco! I was trying to find you to warn you, I heard Parkinson saying she was going to catch you and Theo wouldn’t---”
Draco and Potter were shaking their heads eagerly, signaling for him to stop.
Professor McGonagall began speaking, exasperation evident in her voice.
“Severus, I think I’ve got a good idea of what’s been going on. It doesn’t take a genius to work it out. They must have fed Miss Parkinson some cock-and-bull story about a dragon, trying to get her out of bed and into trouble. We have already dealt with her accordingly. I suppose you might find it funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believed it, too?”
Neville all but clung to Draco’s arm, hiding behind him.
Draco surmised that Theo must not have told him about Parkinson knowing of their plan because he didn’t want to worry him. Well, Draco would probably have done the same in his place.
Severus was still looking at Draco suspiciously. Evidently, he hadn’t quite believed McGonagall’s theory and if Draco said even one thing to confirm that theory, it would automatically seem like he was trying to cover up the real story so he stayed silent.
“I’m disgusted! Four students out of bed in one night! I’ve never heard of such a thing before! You, Mr Black, I thought you had more sense. As for you, Mr. Potter, I am greatly disappointed. I had hoped you would have been a bit more like your mother. All three of you will receive detentions and fifty points will be taken from each of you. That also includes Mr Longbottom. I hope you don’t mind, do you Severus?”
“Fifty each!?” Potter groaned.
“Not at all. Though an expulsion might be a better punishment.” Severus replied murderously.
“Expulsion!?” This time it was Neville who asked weakly.
Draco felt defensive all of a sudden. He straightened up.
“Professor, I don’t think you can just---”
“Do not be mistaken, boy. This is not a negotiation. You should be thankful that Professor McGonagall chose your punishment just now and not me. You might not be so lucky next time.”
Draco swallowed loudly.
Professor McGonagall seemed satisfied and she gestured for Neville to follow her.
Potter and Draco were now left alone with Severus again.
“Now, Draco, that the lions are gone, might I learn what actually transpired tonight?” Severus asked and raised a brow in challenge.
“Sir, Professor McGonagall has already found us out. What else do we have to---”
“Did I ask for your opinion, Potter?”
“No, sir…”
“You may go to sleep now. Draco is more than enough to debrief me on today’s events. Right?”
“I am sorry…” Draco replied weakly.
“Which you should be. Now, the truth.”
Potter was tugging at his sleeve and looking at him in confusion. Well, he could deal with Potter later.
Draco took a deep breath and told Severus the entire story. Leaving out the part with the Invisibility Cloak and their friends’ involvement. In the story, it was only Draco and Potter who had anything to do with the dragon. Severus seemed doubtful of Draco’s supposed correspondence with Charlie Weasley but in the end he looked convinced, or he understood he was covering for Ron and let him get away with it.
Potter was literally vibrating next to him, probably afraid they would actually get expelled this time.
“So, ehm, yeah… That’s it more or less.”
“I’m certainly not withholding this information from Andromeda, that’s for sure.”
Draco felt his world collapse.
“I will spare your father from a heart attack though.”
“Thanks, Severus.” Draco replied begrudgingly. Causing his dad to have a heart was not an addition he would like to make to this day.
“Now, off to sleep, both of you. And no more venturing at night.”
They nodded and stormed off. They were in their dorm in minutes and all Draco wanted was to fall asleep.
Potter had climbed up in bed with him though and pulled the curtains shut.
“What is it now, Potter? I really want to sleep.”
“What’s your relationship with Snape exactly?”
Draco felt his world collide around him once again. Severus must have been quite shaken by Draco’s nightly walk and thus had been talking to him like he always did when he was scolding him, teacher and student courtesy long forgotten. Draco had unconsciously replied in sort and Potter, despite his panicking, must have noticed.
Of all the people who had to find out about this, why did it have to be Potter?
Draco must have been silent for a while because Potter asked again.
“It’s not some kind of secret love affair, is it?”
Draco wanted to smack him but instead burst into laughter, which he tried to do quietly because the rest of their dormmates were asleep.
“Of course it’s nothing like that! How did you even think of that!?”
“Well… he does seem to like you…? And you always talk in favour of him even though he is a total asshole?”
“Language. And there’s a good reason for that. But if you want me to tell you, you need to promise me to keep it a secret.”
“Fine by me. Now, tell me, what’s up with you and Snape?”
“He’s my godfather.” Draco said steadily and felt a relief wash over him as soon as he said it.
Lying so long over this was tiring.
“He’s your godfather!?”
Potter looked disbelieving. He asked the same question again and again but Draco nodded every time, shushing him in the meantime.
“Satisfied now, Potter?”
“Yeah… B-but if he is your godfather then he wouldn’t want to harm you… which means…”
“It means that he certainly did not curse my broom. As I’ve been saying from the very beginning.”
“But then…”
“Someone else did that.”
“So we’ve been after the wrong person all this time?”
“More or less. Now, enough of that, go to sleep. I’m tired.”
“Fine.”
~~~
The rest of the Slytherins were pissed the next day. They dared not say anything to Draco directly because they knew that Severus favored him but the news that he cost the house over 100 points had already spread.
Draco tried hard to ignore their glares and side glances but he took extra care of his appearance during those days. If he was going to be gawked anyways, he should look his best.
Not to mention, the rest of the houses suddenly seemed to love him because he was being thanked at every turn. So it wasn’t all that bad, really.
Lily was rather apologetic about the whole thing after the news reached her.
Theo was suddenly busy lecturing both Draco and Neville all of a sudden. Draco could already see potential in Theo to be the mother-friend. To be fair, Hermione lectured them too, but Theo looked way more motherly when he did it. Draco kept this revelation to himself though.
A few days later, Potter swore to himself not to meddle in things that weren’t his business from now on. He’d had it with sneaking around and spying. Draco could not agree more.
It must have been a godsend that exams were approaching because they could throw themselves into that.
Hermione was mainly in charge of the Slytherin part of the group while Theodore was in charge of the Gryffindor part. Though, Draco seemed to be in charge whenever they all studied together in the library.
Then, about a week before the exams were due to start, Draco found himself eavesdropping in something he shouldn’t have. Walking back from the library on his own one afternoon, he heard somebody whimpering from a classroom up ahead. Almost immediately, he recognised it was Quirrell’s voice.
“No — no — not again, please —”
It sounded as though someone was threatening him. Draco turned around, ready to bolt.
“All right — all right —” Quirrell sobbed suddenly and in the next second, he came hurrying out of the classroom straightening his turban. He was pale and looked as though he was about to cry.
Draco drew himself in a shadow of the corridor. Quirrell probably hadn’t noticed him as he strode past. Draco felt a sharp pain run through his forehead as he looked at Quirrell walk away. He clutched his mark and waited until Quirrell’s footsteps had disappeared. The pain had subsided too by then.
He found himself peering into the classroom. It was empty, but a door stood ajar at the other end. Draco was halfway toward it before he remembered what he’d promised himself about not meddling.
He left the room behind and went back to the library, where Hermione was testing Ron and Potter on Astronomy while Theo was testing Lily and Neville in Transfiguration.
Draco gestured for them to stop and lean closer and then he told them what he’d heard.
“Snape’s done it, then!” Ron hissed. “If Quirrell’s told him how to break his Anti-Dark Force spell...!”
“There’s still Fluffy, though.” Hermione whispered back.
“Maybe Snape’s found out how to get past him without asking Hagrid?” Lily said uncertainly.
Draco made to defend his godfather but he didn’t have to.
“It is not Snape.” Potter said with conviction.
Neville looked at Potter in disbelief and then turned back to Draco with questioning eyes. Draco nodded discreetly, silently letting Neville know that Potter was aware of his relationship with Severus.
Theo caught sight of the exchange and had a resolute look that could only mean he was asking about this lately, persistently.
“Harry, do you have a fever? Why are you defending Snape all of a sudden?” Ron asked dubiously.
“I just had a change of heart! Anyways, it was someone else! And we’ve got no idea who it was!”
“Who else is more suspicious than Snape?” Lily asked weakly.
“Quirrell.” Draco found himself murmuring. They all looked at him.
“Draco, you heard Quirrell talk with someone. He was being threatened.”
“But what if…”
“That’s enough.” Theo said resolutely. “No more meddling in adult business from any of you again. We have EXAMS. Concentrate on them if you have free time.”
After that, nobody had the guts to talk back. Well, Potter made an attempt but after a cold glare from Theo, he promptly shut up and turned back to his book.
~~~
The following morning, notes were delivered to Draco and Potter at the breakfast table.
Your detention will take place at eleven o’clock tonight.
Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall.
Severus Snape
A look at the Gryffindor table proved Neville had also gotten a note, most probably, from Professor McGonagall.
Draco hadn’t forgotten about their detention. He had just hoped that he would be getting out of it with Severus’ favour. It seemed that either Severus was that angry with him or he couldn’t do much now that Professor McGonagall was involved.
At eleven o’clock that night, they said goodbye to Ron and Hermione in the common room and went down to the entrance hall to find Neville, who was all but trembling already. Draco grabbed his hand reassuringly.
Filch was already there and so was Parkinson. They had completely forgotten that Parkinson had gotten detention as well. She looked grumpy.
Filch led them to Hagrid’s hut. He was also talking nostalgically of some old punishing practices. This man was not suited for being a caretaker at a school.
Upon seeing Hagrid, the three boys found themselves smiling but upon learning they would be going in the Forbidden forest, the smiles were gone.
Neville let out a little moan, and Draco stopped dead in his tracks. They were still holding each other’s hand and they found their grips tightening on their own.
Parkinson had drawn closer to them now too. It was obvious she was as scared as they were.
“The forest?” Draco choked out weakly. “We can’t go in there at night! There’s all sorts of things in there!”
Were they really sending students into a forest full of deadly threats at night!?
“That’s your problem, isn’t it?” Filch said, his voice cracking with glee. “Should’ve thought of that before you got in trouble, shouldn’t you?”
Hagrid came striding toward them out of the dark, Fang at his heel. He was carrying his large crossbow, and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder.
He greeted them heartily and then chasticised Filch for lecturing them and running late in the process. The man didn’t lose the glee in his eyes but he left them to it.
“I’m not going in that forest.” Parkinson stated.
“Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts.” Hagrid said fiercely. “Yeh’ve done wrong an’ now yeh’ve got ter pay fer it.”
“But this is servant stuff, it’s not for students to do. I thought we’d be copying lines or something! You know, the usual discipline stuff?”
“— tell yer that’s how it is at Hogwarts.” Hagrid growled. “Copyin’ lines! What good’s that ter anyone? Yeh’ll do summat useful or yeh’ll get out. If yeh think yer parents’d rather you were expelled, then get back off ter the castle an’ pack. Go on!”
Parkinson glared at Hagrid furiously, but then dropped her gaze.
Hagrid led them to the very edge of the forest and warned them about the danger of what they would be doing.
Holding his lamp up high, he pointed down a narrow, winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees.
“Look there, see that stuff shinin’ on the ground? Silvery stuff? That’s unicorn blood. There’s a unicorn in there bin hurt badly by summat. This is the second time in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We’re gonna try an’ find the poor thing. We might have ter put it out of its misery.”
A unicorn!? Who would hurt a unicorn!
“And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?” Draco said, unable to keep the fear out of his voice. He should probably be putting a strong front for Neville but he was way too scared himself to do that.
“There’s nothin’ that lives in the forest that’ll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang.” Hagrid said. “An’ keep ter the path. Right, now, we’re gonna split inter two parties an’ follow the trail in diff’rent directions. There’s blood all over the place, it must’ve bin staggerin’ around since last night at least.”
“I want Fang!” Parkinson said quickly, looking at Fang’s long teeth.
“All right, but I warn yeh, he’s a coward.” said Hagrid.
“I’m going with Draco!” Neville said, panicking that they would be seperated.
“So me, Neville, an’Draco’ll go one way an’ Pansy, Harry, an’ Fang’ll go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we’ll send up green sparks, right? Get yer wands out an’ practice now — that’s it — an’ if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, an’ we’ll all come an’ find yeh — so, be careful — let’s go.”
Potter whined but seeing Neville’s terrified expression, he relented.
The forest was black and silent. A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path, and Neville, Draco, and Hagrid took the left path while Potter, Parkinson, and Fang took the right.
As they walked, Draco found his mind working fervently. He was still holding tightly on Neville’s hand.
“What could be killing the unicorns, Hagrid?” He eventually asked.
“I don’ know. It’s not easy ter catch a unicorn, they’re powerful magic creatures. I never knew one ter be hurt before.”
Draco thought it over and over again. Why would anyone want to kill a unicorn…?
They walked carefully on the path and eventually came upon a pair of centaurs. Draco and Neville had never seen centaurs before but they had heard stories of them. Both centaurs went on and on about Mars being unusually bright.
Hagrid asked them about the unicorn but they gave no clear answer. Eventually the half-giant gave up.
“Well, if either of you do see anythin’, let me know, won’t yeh? We’ll be off, then.”
Neville and Draco followed him out of the clearing, staring over their shoulders at the two centaurs until the trees blocked their view.
“Never,” Hagrid said irritably, “try an’ get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anythin’ closer’n the moon.”
“Are there more of them in here?” Draco inquired.
“Oh, a fair few... Keep themselves to themselves mostly, but they’re good enough about turnin’ up if ever I want a word. They’re deep, mind, centaurs...they know things...jus’ don’ let on much.”
They had heard some strange footsteps on the way there and Neville found himself asking whether that was centaurs too. Strangely, he found that centaurs weren’t scary at all and hoped for the answer to be yes so he could relax. It wasn’t.
“Did that sound like hooves to you? Nah, if yeh ask me, that was what’s bin killin’ the unicorns — never heard anythin’ like it before.”
They walked on through the dense, dark trees. Draco was looking around. Constant vigilance, Severus used to say. It was a good thing Hagrid was with them but Draco was more than ready to cast a “Protego” if the situation asked for it.
“Hagrid! Look! Red sparks, the others must be in trouble! What if they died!” Neville hissed and Draco thought his hand would break from the strength Neville was using to hold it.
“You two wait here!” Hagrid shouted. “Stay on the path, I’ll come back for yeh!”
They heard him crashing away through the undergrowth and stood looking at each other, very scared, until they couldn’t hear anything but the rustling of leaves around them.
“Draco! What if they died!? What if they are hurt! What if something happened to Harry!”
Neville was obviously hyperventilating so Draco put his hands on Neville’s shoulders reassuringly.
“It’s going to be alright, Nev. Fang was with them.”
A few minutes went by before Hagrid and the others appeared. Draco had his wand out the whole time and Neville was clinging to him like his life depended on it.
Hagrid was fuming. Parkinson, it seemed, had hidden from Potter, making him think she was gone. Potter had panicked and sent up the sparks.
“We’ll be lucky ter catch anythin’ now, with the racket you two were makin’. Right, we’re changin’ groups — Harry, you stay with me an’ Neville. Draco, you go with Fang an’ this idiot. I’m sorry,” Hagrid added in a whisper to Draco, “but she’ll have a harder time foolin’ you, an’ we’ve gotta get this done.”
So Draco set off into the heart of the forest with Parkinson and Fang. They walked for nearly half an hour, deeper and deeper into the forest, until the path became almost impossible to follow because the trees were so thick. Parkinson was complaining about one thing after another as they walked.
There were splashes of the unicorn’s blood on the roots of a tree, as though the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by. Draco could see a clearing ahead, through the tangled branches of an ancient oak.
“Look —” Parkinson murmured, holding out her arm to stop Draco.
Something bright white was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer.
It was the unicorn all right, and it was dead.
Draco was struck by the unicorn’s beauty. If anything, the deep red blood made the image even more mesmerising.
Draco, unable to contain his awe, had taken one step toward it when a slithering sound made him freeze on the spot.
It came from a bush on the edge of the clearing.
Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast. Draco, Parkinson and Fang stood transfixed.
The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, lowered its head over the wound in the animal’s side, and began to drink its blood.
‘A vampire…?’ Draco found himself thinking before he heard a loud scream from his side.
Parkinson was running away at full speed and Fang was after her.
The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at Draco. Unicorn blood was dribbling down its front. It got to its feet and came swiftly toward him.
Draco stood frozen in place. He was scared out of his mind but more than that, he felt drawn to the figure and that scared him even more.
Then a pain like he’d never felt before pierced his head. It was as though his scar was on fire. Half blinded, he staggered backward.
He heard hooves behind him, galloping, and something jumped clean over him, charging at the figure.
The pain in his head was so bad he fell to his knees. It took a minute or two to pass. When he looked up, the figure was nowhere to be seen.
A centaur was standing over him, it was neither of the ones they had met previously. This one looked younger. His countenance proved a smidge of compassion unlike the indifference the other two centaurs had displayed.
“Are you all right?” He asked and pulled Draco to his feet.
Draco didn’t trust himself to speak so he nodded weakly and then looked at the direction the figure stood in question.
The centaur didn’t say a thing. He looked carefully at Draco, his eyes lingering on the scar that stood out, livid, on Draco’s forehead. His bangs had fell to the side but he didn’t dare fix them, fearing that if anything touched his scar now, the pain would be immense.
“You are the Black boy. You had better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time. Especially for you. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way.”
Draco nodded timidly. Was it not forbidden to ride a centaur…? But this one had offered and Draco doubted he would be able to go anywhere on his own two feet.
“My name is Firenze.” The centaur added, as he lowered himself on to his front legs so that Draco could clamber onto his back.
There was suddenly a sound of more galloping from the other side of the clearing. The centaurs from before came bursting through the trees, their flanks heaving and sweaty.
“Firenze!” One of them thundered. “What are you doing? You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?”
“Do you realize who this is?” Firenze countered. “This is the Black boy. The quicker he leaves this forest, the better.”
The centaurs argued for a few moments but Draco didn’t have the concentration needed to understand what they were saying. He only understood that Firenze was not an enemy and that was good enough for now.
He wished he was back home, engulfed in Dora’s embrace with mum and dad arguing on the background about how they should take him away from this dangerous school. Getting him somewhere with a less lunatic headmaster and more tranquility.
He only noticed they had left the other centaurs behind after they had already been lost from sight.
“What was that thing you saved me from?” He asked eventually, when he felt his mind could finally cooperate with his mouth to form words.
Firenze slowed to a walk but did not answer Draco’s question.
They made their way through the trees in silence. Draco didn’t mind the time to sort his thoughts.
They were passing through a particularly dense patch of trees, however, when Firenze suddenly stopped.
“Draco Black, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?”
Draco was mildly startled by the sudden question. But Draco knew the answer. Dora had been fascinated with unicorns back during her third year and Draco had heards all trivia related to unicorns by now. He took a deep breath to study his voice and replied timidly.
“The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. To have slain something pure and defenseless to save oneself leads to a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips. There are rumours some even turn into vampires.”
“You are well informed, Draco Black.” Firenze said approvingly. “It is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn. Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime.”
“But who’d be that desperate?” Draco wondered aloud.
“Naturally, one would prefer death to being cursed forever. Unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else, something that will bring you back to full strength and power. Something that will mean you can never die. Mr. Black, do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?”
Draco felt like a lost piece was finally put in the puzzle.
“The Sorcerer’s Stone! But of course! The Elixir of Life! But who...”
“Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?”
Draco understood immediately. It was no rare rumour in the wizarding world, that the dark lord was still alive in one form or another.
“Do you mean to say…” Draco started. “That it was…”
“Draco! Draco, are you all right?”
Neville was running toward them down the path, Hagrid puffing along behind him.
“I’m fine.” Draco managed to say after he pushed any other thought from his head. “The unicorn’s dead, Hagrid, it’s in that clearing back there.”
“This is where I leave you.” Firenze murmured as Hagrid hurried off to examine the unicorn. “You are safe now.”
Draco slid off his back and thanked him.
“Good luck, Draco Black. The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times.”
Neville was already by Draco, pulling him in a warm embrace. Before Draco could ask what Firenze had meant, the centaur was gone…
Draco insisted on walking Neville to the Gryffindor common room but he was stopped by Percy Weasley who was out on patrol. Draco didn’t hesitate to let Percy take Neville back but he hugged Neville tightly a final time before wishing him goodnight.
Hermione was reading a book and Ron had fallen asleep in the dark common room, waiting for them to return.
Parkinson walked past them and up to her room without a word. She wore a strange expression when she glanced back at Draco momentarily, but Draco couldn’t understand what it was about and he decided to leave it for later. When he won’t be in as much shock and panic.
Draco told them what had happened in the forest. He was still restless, pacing up and down in front of the low fire. He was still shaking.
“Someone wants the Stone for Voldemort… and Voldemort’s waiting in the forest... and all this time we thought whoever wanted the Stone just wanted to get rich...” Potter droned on and on, almost as restless as Draco himself.
“Stop saying the name!” Ron said in a terrified whisper and then he looked at Draco almost with sympathy.
Potter ignored him.
“So all we’ve got to wait for now is for the Stone to be stolen,” Potter went on feverishly, “then Voldemort will be able to come and finish Black off…! And apparently that will make the stars happy!”
Hermione looked very frightened. When Draco noticed this, he went to stand next to her and stroked her hand reassuringly.
“Potter, calm down. There’s no need to panic. Everyone says Dumbledore’s the only one the Dark Lord was ever afraid of. A lunatic he might be but with Dumbledore around, the Dark Lord won’t dare make an appearance.” Draco was not calm in any way but seeing Potter get all worked up over this, he felt the initial panic leave him.
“How can you say that!? This is your life on the line, you know! And why are you calling him a lord for!? His name is Voldemort! You of all people should be allowed to say it!”
Draco averted his gaze. Ron wasn’t the only one afraid of the name. Draco might have been pretending to be unbothered but he was also afraid of the name. He felt ashamed of himself for it actually, but he couldn’t bring himself to be that brave. At least, not yet.
The tension in the air persisted. They were all seated by now but nobody was talking, gloom was written on all of their faces.
Until Hermione cleared her throat commandingly. They all turned to look at her.
“Who says the centaurs are right? It sounds like fortune-telling to me, and Professor McGonagall says that that’s a very imprecise branch of magic.”
Hermione's words gave them a temporary reassurance. After that, they exchanged good nights and they went to bed exhausted, their throats sore.
But the night’s surprises weren’t over yet.
Before Draco could get into bed, Potter dragged him along to his own bed and pointed at something. Draco’s eyes widened in recognition.
When Potter had pulled back his sheets, his Invisibility Cloak was folded neatly underneath them.
There was a note pinned to it: Just in case.
Draco and Potter shared a glance.
They still hadn’t retrieved the Invisibility Cloak.
Who brought it here…?
Notes:
I loved writing the first part with Severus!! I was struggling a lot about how to reveal his relationship to Draco and I tried with both Ron and Hermione before but it ended up working out with Harry so there you have it!
I hope you enjoyed watching these two idiots! ^^Comments are always welcome!
See ya next Saturday~
Chapter 15: Exams & Trapdoor
Notes:
There's a lot of parts in this chapter directly copied from the original book. I did change a lot of things but there were some dialogue and descriptions that I didn't know how to paraphrase, I am sorry.
I hope you will enjoy anyways! ^^;;
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Draco found himself having nightmares. The events in the forest had shaken him up. He did his best trying to ignore the stabbing pains in his forehead, which had been bothering him ever since.
Thankfully, he had exams to concentrate on. His aching forehead was a nuisance but he would be damned if he didn’t get at least an ‘E’ on all his exams and an ‘O’ in Potions. His mum and Severus respectively would have his head otherwise.
Neville, upon learning of the nature of Draco’s encounter in the forest, became slightly overprotective. Well, all his friends were worried to be fair, but Neville had taken it to another level. Apparently, Draco was not to be left alone in any case and for some reason, every single one of their friends kept to that rule.
Draco was feeling suffocated but at least they studied together even more now.
Exams had gone by in a haze. Draco had no recollection of most of the questions by the end. Thankfully, Hermione had Theo to compare answers with. Draco was having a carefree conversation about dragons with Lily while Ron and Neville were celebrating their freedom. Potter was frowning.
“No more studying.” Ron exclaimed, stretching out on the grass. “You could look more cheerful, Harry, we’ve got a week before we find out how badly we’ve done, there’s no need to worry yet.”
Potter had been in a sour mood during the greater part of the exams and today was no exception.
“I am just worried about the Stone!!” He burst out angrily. “And Black’s scar keeps hurting all the time, lately! If anything, why are you guys so calm!?”
“I’m fine, Potter.” Draco called out nonchalantly. He wasn’t. Not really. But he was fine enough to ignore it. If it became too much, he could go talk to Severus about it.
“I think it’s a warning… It means danger’s coming...” Potter said and to his credit, he looked genuinely worried about Draco.
“Harry, relax, Draco’s right, the Stone’s safe as long as Dumbledore’s around. Anyway, we’ve never had any proof Snape found out how to get past Fluffy. He nearly had his leg ripped off once, he’s not going to try it again in a hurry. And Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down.”
Draco wanted to call Ron out for many things but Theo intervened.
“It is not Snape. And Neville could play just fine if he was not so nervous!”
Draco was satisfied with Theo’s answer but he couldn’t stop himself from throwing a questioning glance towards Neville, who immediately averted his gaze.
Neville could be many things but never a liar. Draco could even imagine the scenario. Theo figured out about Severus being his godfather and questioned Neville who couldn’t lie even if his life depended on it.
“Fine! I don’t know how you know it’s not Snape but whatever!” Ron groaned.
“More importantly, Draco, about Horntails, their reproduction speed is usually---” Lily began, trying to resume their previous conversation, when Theo exclaimed in utter shock and panic.
He suddenly jumped to his feet.
“Where’re you going?” Neville asked, worried and stood up as well. Lily followed suit.
“We’ve got to go and see Hagrid, now.” He replied resolutely.
“Why?” Draco and Potter asked simultaneously as they followed after him.
Ron groaned once more but at Hermione’s urging, he stood up and followed too.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything else is a dragon, and a stranger turns up who just happens to have an egg in his pocket? How many people wander around with dragon eggs? Lucky they found Hagrid, don’t you think? Why didn’t we notice this before?”
“What are you talking about?” Ron questioned but Draco could already see what Theo was implying.
Hagrid was sitting in an armchair outside his house. He greeted them warmly but before he could say anything more than a “Hello”, Theo cut him off.
“Hagrid, I’ve got to ask you something. You know that night you won Norbert? What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like?”
“Dunno, he wouldn’ take his cloak off.” Hagrid replied casually.
Draco and Theo were looking at him with pointed looks so he felt the need to defend himself. “It’s not that unusual, yeh get a lot o’ funny folk in the Hog’s Head - that’s one o’ the pubs down in the village. Mighta bin a dragon dealer, mightn’ he? I never saw his face, he kept his hood up.”
Potter, finally understanding what this was about, asked in panic. “What did you talk to him about, Hagrid? Did you mention Hogwarts at all?”
“Mighta come up…” Hagrid pondered for a bit. “Yeah... he asked what I did, an’ I told him I was gamekeeper here... He asked a bit about the sorta creatures I look after...so I told him… an’ I said what I’d always really wanted was a dragon… an’ then... I can’ remember too well, ’cause he kept buyin’ me drinks... Let’s see… yeah, then he said he had the dragon egg an’ we could play cards fer it if I wanted... but he had ter be sure I could handle it, he didn’ want it ter go ter any old home... So I told him, after Fluffy, a dragon would be easy...”
“And did he... did he seem interested in Fluffy?” Theo asked, impatiently.
“Well, yeah, how many three-headed dogs d’yeh meet, even around Hogwarts? So I told him, Fluffy’s a piece o’ cake if yeh know how to calm him down, jus’ play him a bit o’ music an’ he’ll go straight off ter sleep —”
Hagrid must have come to a realisation then for he suddenly looked horrified.
“I shouldn’ta told yeh that!” He blurted out. “Forget I said it! Hey! Where’re yeh goin’?”
Nobody answered. They were going back to the school, their minds in a daze.
“We’ve got to go to Dumbledore.” Potter said uncertainty.
“Hagrid told that stranger how to get past Fluffy! It must’ve been easy, once he’d got Hagrid drunk. I just hope Dumbledore believes us. Poor Hagrid, he will feel so guilty if the Stone is stolen...” Lily said solemnly.
“Where’s Dumbledore’s office?” Ron asked, finally aware of the gravity of the situation.
Draco believed that going to Severus was a smarter choice. No matter how much Draco annoyed Severus on a daily basis, there was no way the man would believe him capable of lying about something so important. He just had to find a way to convince them to do so.
“What are you three doing inside?” Professor McGonagall’s voice resounded in the corridor. She was carrying a large pile of books.
“We want to see Professor Dumbledore.” Hermione said bravely.
“See Professor Dumbledore?” Professor McGonagall repeated, as though this was a very fishy thing to want to do. “Why?”
“It’s sort of secret...” Lily replied weakly.
“Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago.” She replied coldly. “He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once.”
“He’s gone? Now?” Neville asked frantically.
“Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard. He has many demands on his time-”
“But this is important!” Potter whined.
“Something you have to say is more important than the Ministry of Magic, Potter?”
“Professor! This is about the Sorcerer’s Stone...!”
Whatever Professor McGonagall had expected, it wasn’t that. The books she was carrying tumbled out of her arms, but she didn’t pick them up. “How do you know...?”
“Professor, we think that someone’s going to try and steal the Stone. We’ve got to talk to Professor Dumbledore.”
She eyed them all with a mixture of shock and suspicion.
“Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow. I don’t know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it’s too well protected.”
“But Professor...!” Potter whined again.
“Potter, I know what I’m talking about. I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine.” She said demandingly and after picking up the fallen books, she left.
Once McGonagall was out of earshot, Ron murmured. “It’s tonight. Snape’s going through the trapdoor tonight. He’s found out everything he needs, and now he’s got Dumbledore out of the way. He sent that note, I bet the Ministry of Magic will get a real shock when Dumbledore turns up.”
“But what can we...” Lily started but was shushed by Hermione.
Snape was standing behind them.
“Good afternoon.” He said smoothly. Draco felt an immense need to hug him and plead for help but he restrained the urge. “You shouldn’t be inside on a day like this.” He continued with an odd smile that Draco knew to be his silent warning.
“We were-” Hermione begun.
“You want to be more careful. Hanging around like this, people will think you’re up to something. And some parents might be rather upset when word reaches their ears.”
Draco knew the warning was aimed at him and he gulped loudly. He was screwed.
They made to go back outside but Severus called out.
“Be warned, Black. Any more night time wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you.” He strode off in the direction of the staffroom.
Great. Just great.
~~~
Potter proposed they stalk around the third floor corridor to stop whoever came for the Stone. Theo resolutely stated that they should all stay out of it.
He physically dragged Neville and Lily towards the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
He glared at each of them individually before leaving. “If you know what’s good for you, you four should stay out of it too. Let the adults handle it.”
The four Slytherins returned to their common room, some sulking, some restless.
“We should go and try to get the Stone first.” Potter said after a while.
“You’re mad!” Ron exclaimed in alarm.
“We can’t go!” Hermione agreed. “After what McGonagall and Snape have said? We’ll be expelled!”
“SO WHAT?” Potter shouted. “Don’t you understand? If that person gets hold of the Stone, Voldemort’s coming back! Haven’t you heard what it was like when he was trying to take over? I’ve heard everything from my parents! There won’t be any Hogwarts to get expelled from! He will flatten it, or turn it into a school for the Dark Arts! Losing points doesn’t matter anymore, can’t you see? D’you think he’ll leave you and your families alone if Slytherin wins the House Cup? If we get caught before we can get to the Stone, well, we’ll be expelled and wait for Voldemort to come kill us! We can’t let him kill Black, right!? I will go through that trapdoor tonight, no matter what you all say!”
Draco could understand Potter’s alarm. He also felt a certain pleasure that Potter was that determined to protect him. He smiled.
“You’re right, Potter. But this will be dangerous, even if we don’t get caught. You guys don’t have to do this.”
Potter had stood up and was now standing in front of him. “I might have ended up in Slytherin but I still have the heart of a lion. I won’t let you go alone.”
Hermione groaned. “I hate to agree but he’s right. If you are going, we are going too.”
“Agreed. Merlin knows what Fred and George would do if they learnt I let you die alone.” Ron said with some new found bravery.
“But if we get caught, you guys will be expelled, too...” Draco said weakly.
“Well then, that will be just our luck. We are still coming.” Ron smiled. Hermione nodded eagerly.
“We can use my Invisibility Cloak. It’s just lucky I got it back.” Potter said timidly and Draco was surprised that he revealed that so easily. Ron and Hermione were surprised but maybe because the situation was this grave, they didn’t say much. Hermione looked scandalised, mind you.
“But will it cover all four of us?” Ron asked after the initial surprise wore off.
“It covered the two of us and Norbert, it will be fine.” Draco reassured them.
~~~
They agreed not to tell anything to the others during dinner. Ron was acting too suspicious for his own good but thankfully none of their Gryffindor friends caught wind of their plans.
Draco gave Neville an abnormally tight hug before they parted for the night. Neville cast him a suspicious look. Draco gulped. Neville sighed and shoved a harmonica in the pocket of his robes.
Draco looked at him, confused. Neville smiled.
“I know you, Draco. I can’t stop you. I think you will need this.”
Draco smiled in response and hugged his best friend tightly once more before they parted for the night. Draco hoped he would stay alive so he could see the three of them again.
~~~
After dinner the four Slytherins sat nervously apart in the common room. Slowly, the room emptied as people drifted off to bed.
When finally the common room was empty, Potter pulled out the Cloak. “We’d better put the Cloak on here, and make sure it covers all four of us. If Filch spots one of our feet wandering along on its own...” He let his voice drift as Marcus Flint appeared from the shadows.
“What are you doing?” He asked harshly. “I won’t let you lose us any more points.”
Draco froze. There was no way they would be able to convince the older boy to let them go. His mind was running feverishly. He had to find a way to make him let them go.
He vaguely heard the other three giving one excuse after another, all shut down by the Quidditch captain.
He had to make his move now that Flint was preoccupied.
Draco stepped forward. “Captain, I’m really, really sorry about this.”
He raised his wand quickly and cried out. “Petrificus Totalus!”
Flint’s arms snapped to his sides. His legs sprang together. His whole body rigid, he swayed where he stood and then fell to the floor, stiff as a board.
His three friends looked at him in shock. He waved a hand to shrug them off. “It’s the full Body-Bind. He will be alright.”
Potter seemed convinced. “No time to explain, let’s go.”
Draco walked towards Flint and apologised once more before going after the others and entering under the cloak.
This might get him thrown out of the Quidditch team but honestly, he didn't believe he would survive tonight.
They avoided Mrs Norris once on their way and tricked Peeves into believing they were an invisible Bloody Baron, Draco thanked Potter for that piece of ingenious.
Soon, they were there, outside the third-floor corridor and the door was already ajar.
“Well, there you are.” Harry said quietly. “Whoever is after the stone has already gotten past Fluffy.”
Seeing the open door somehow seemed to impress upon all three of them what was facing them. Underneath the Cloak, Draco turned to the others. “If you want to go back, I won’t blame you. You can take the Cloak, I won’t need it anymore.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Ron replied smugly.
“We’re coming.” Hermione agreed.
Potter smacked him on the head. “There’s a couple of people who will be after my head if I let you die, you know.”
Draco smiled gratefully at them and he pushed the door open.
As the door creaked, low, rumbling growls met their ears. All three of the dog’s noses sniffed madly in their direction, even though it couldn’t see them.
“What’s that at its feet?” Hermione whispered.
“Looks like a harp. Whoever came here must have left it there.”
“It must wake up the moment you stop playing.” Potter whispered, a bit panicked that they would have to sing.
“Leave it to me.” Draco said and he put the harmonica Neville gave him to his lips and blew. It wasn’t really a tune, but from the first note the beast’s eyes began to droop.
Slowly, the dog’s growls ceased, then it slumped to the ground, fast asleep.
“Keep playing.” Ron warned.
They slipped out of the Cloak and crept toward the trapdoor.
“I think we’ll be able to pull the door open.” Potter said and he bent and pulled the ring of the trapdoor, which swung up and open.
“What can you see?” Hermione asked anxiously.
“Nothing... just black. There’s no way of climbing down, we’ll just have to drop.”
Before anyone could say a thing, Potter had already jumped in. After he reassured them he was alive and the landing was rather soft, Ron and Hermione followed suit.
Draco approached the trapdoor as he kept playing and jumped down too. As soon as the music stopped, Fluffy growled, but Draco was already falling down into the darkness.
Draco fell down just in time to hear Hermione shrieking. “Look at you both!”
She leapt up and struggled toward a damp wall. She had to struggle because the moment she had landed, the plant had started to twist snakelike tendrils around her ankles.
Draco, assessing the situation fast enough, stuck to the wall as well, before the plant had gotten hold of him.
As for Potter and Ron, their legs had already been bound tightly in long creepers without their noticing.
Draco and Hermione were watching in horror as the two boys fought to pull the plant off them, but the more they strained against it, the tighter and faster the plant wound around them.
“Stop moving!” Hermione ordered them. “I know what this is! It’s Devil’s Snare!”
“Oh, I’m so glad we know what it’s called, that’s a great help.” Ron snarled, leaning back, trying to stop the plant from curling around his neck. “Can’t you two geniuses do something!?”
Draco felt his heart beating wildly. He had to do something. Something. Anything!
“Shut up, I’m trying to remember how to kill it!” Hermione yelled.
“Well, hurry up, I can’t breathe!” Potter gasped, wrestling with it as it curled around his chest.
“Devil’s Snare, Devil’s Snare... What did Neville say? It likes the dark and the damp...” Draco murmured uncertainly, wracking his brain to remember the rest.
“So light a fire!” Harry choked.
“Yes! Of course! But there’s no wood!” Hermione cried, wringing her hands.
At Hermione’s words, Draco panicked and pointed the wand towards the plant.
“HAVE YOU GONE MAD? ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?” He heard Ron yell but he was already casting.
“Incendio!”
“Oh, right!” Hermione exclaimed in relief.
In a matter of seconds, the plant started loosening its grip on the boys as it cringed away from the light and warmth. Wriggling and flailing, it unraveled itself from their bodies, and they were able to pull free.
“Lucky you pay attention in Herbology, Hermione, Black.”
“Yeah, and lucky Harry doesn’t lose his head in a crisis... ‘There’s no wood’ honestly?”
“This way.” Potter said, pointing down a stone passageway, which was the only way forward.
Hermione and Ron went to follow after him when they noticed Draco was still frozen in shock. His breath was uneven. He could hear them, but their words made no sense to him.
“What’s wrong with him?” Ron asked.
“Hey, Black! This isn’t the time to play around!”
“I… I…” Draco murmured weakly.
Hermione shoved Ron and Potter to the side and she put her hands on Draco’s shoulders. “Draco, listen to me. You are fine. I am fine. Harry and Ron are also fine. We will be okay. Try to breathe.”
Hermione’s voice was gentle and steady. She was talking slowly, letting Draco process the words. A few minutes passed and Draco was slowly finding his breath again.
“Sorry, I… I zoned out…”
“You gave us a scare, Dray!” Ron said in relief.
“Are you alright now?” Hermione asked evenly.
“Y-yeah… I think. Sorry, we should move on.”
Potter opened his mouth to say something but closed it immediately. Draco felt grateful that at least no taunt came.
It wasn’t the first time he had trouble breathing or concentrating on the events around him, especially when he was younger. It hadn’t happened in a while though. When Dora was around, Draco was fearless, and when Neville was around, he had to be brave for his sake. Now, with neither of them by his side, he let his panic get the best of him.
They started walking down the passageway, an eerie silence in the air.
“Can you hear something?” Ron whispered after a while.
A soft rustling and clinking seemed to be coming from up ahead indeed.
“Do you think it’s a ghost?” Hermione whispered.
“Probably not… It sounds like wings to me.” Draco replied timidly. He was still embarrassed by his mishap, but it wasn’t like he could go hole up in his room now so he tried to act like nothing happened. The other three seemed to quietly agree on doing just that too.
“There’s light ahead... I can see something moving.” Potter said and pointed ahead.
They reached the end of the passageway and saw before them a brilliantly lit chamber, its ceiling arching high above them. It was full of small, jewel bright birds, fluttering and tumbling all around the room. On the opposite side of the chamber was a heavy wooden door.
“Do you think they’ll attack us if we cross the room?” Ron asked.
“Probably.” Potter replied. “They don’t look very vicious, but I suppose if they all swooped down at once… well, there’s no other choice… I’ll run.”
He covered his face with his arms, and sprinted across the room. The birds didn’t pay him any attention. He reached the door untouched. He pulled the handle, but it was locked.
They followed after him. But no matter how hard they tugged and heaved at the door, it wouldn’t budge, not even the Alohomora Charm worked.
“Now what?” Potter asked, annoyed.
“These birds… they can’t be here just for decoration.” Hermione pointed out.
They watched the birds soaring overhead, glittering.
“They’re not birds!” Draco said suddenly. “They’re keys! Winged keys! Ugh, I hate this game!”
“Game?” Ron asked, confused.
“My mum used to charm the key to the attic like this so me and Dora wouldn’t be able to enter!”
They looked at him, confused.
Draco blushed, guiltily, before he murmured. “We tend to wreck havoc with the things that are in there…”
“Okay! Black and his sister are a walking disaster!” Potter said, exasperated. “But now is not the time for that! We’ve got to catch the key to the door!”
“But there are hundreds of them!” Hermione whined.
Draco scanned the room and, finding what he was looking for, pointed. “Broomsticks!”
“We’re looking for a big, old-fashioned one. Probably silver, like the handle.” Ron said as he examined the lock on the door.
The three boys each seized a broomstick-Hermione resolutely refused to-and kicked off into the air, soaring into the midst of the cloud of keys. They grabbed and snatched, but the bewitched keys darted and dived so quickly it was almost impossible to catch one.
Potter noticed a large silver key that had a bent wing, as if it had already been caught and stuffed roughly into the keyhole. He pointed towards it, letting the other two notice it too.
Ron made an attempt to catch it but almost crashed into the wall instead.
“We’ve got to close in on it!” Draco said and gave the other two detailed instructions.
“Potter, you up to catch it or should I?”
“Getting confident aren’t we, Black?”
“Ehm, is this really the time to argue?”
“Right. I’m gonna get it, Black. No worries.”
“I will leave it to you then, Potter.”
Ron dived, Draco rocketed upward, the key dodged them both, and Potter streaked after it. It sped toward the wall, Harry leaned forward and with a nasty, crunching noise, pinned it against the stone with one hand.
“Good job there, Potter! I’m gonna give you a medal if we get out of here alive!”
Draco called out as they landed. Potter snorted as he ran to the door, the key struggling in his hand.
Hermione and Ron were experiencing some second thoughts about their choice in friends in the meantime.
The moment the lock had clicked open, the key took flight again, looking very battered now that it had been caught twice.
“Ready?” Potter asked them, his hand on the door handle. They nodded. He pulled the door open.
The next chamber was so dark they couldn’t see anything at all. But as they stepped into it, light suddenly flooded the room to reveal an astonishing sight.
They were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard, behind the black chessmen, which were all taller than they were and carved from what looked like black stone. Facing them, way across the chamber, were the white pieces.
“Now what do we do?” Potter whispered, intimidated by the faceless chess pieces.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Draco said and looked at Ron. “We’ve got to play our way across the room.”
Behind the white pieces they could see another door.
“How?” Hermione asked nervously.
“I think we're going to have to be chessmen.” Ron murmured. He walked up to a black knight and put his hand out to touch the knight’s horse.
The stone sprang to life. The horse pawed the ground and the knight turned his helmeted head to look down at Ron.
“Do we... er... have to join you to get across?”
The black knight nodded. Ron turned his gaze back to them. “This needs thinking about… I suppose we’ve got to take the place of four of the black pieces...”
Ron thought it over and then looked at Draco with a perplexed look. Draco, understanding, smiled at him. “You are the best at this, Ron.” He bowed playfully. “We are in your care.”
Ron chuckled. “Well, Harry, you take the place of that bishop, and Hermione, you go there instead of that castle. Draco...you be the king.”
“The king?”
“I have a feeling that you need to go forward no matter what.”
“Fine.” Draco relented. “What about you?”
“I’m going to be a knight.”
The chessmen seemed to have been listening, and the mentioned pieces left the chess board, leaving four empty squares.
A white pawn had moved forward two squares and then Ron started to direct the black pieces. They moved silently wherever he sent them.
Every time one of their men was lost, the white pieces showed no mercy. Soon there was a huddle of limp black players slumped along the wall. Twice, Ron only just noticed in time that the other three were in danger. Another two, Draco noticed and let him know.
“We’re nearly there.” He muttered suddenly. “Let me think... let me think...”
The white queen turned her blank face toward him.
“Yes...” Ron said softly. “It’s the only way…”
Draco was accustomed to Ron’s playing style in chess and at those words he realised immediately what Ron was going to do. “No! Ron! You can’t do this! There’s got to be another way!”
The other two turned to him in question.
“Draco, you are a good player. You realise this is the only way. I’ve got to be taken.”
Harry and Hermione gasped.
“Ron! You can’t!”
“That’s chess!” Ron snapped. “You’ve got to make some sacrifices! I’ll make my move and she’ll take me. That leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!”
“But-” Potter began.
“Do you want to stop You-know-who or not?”
“Ron-”
“Look, if you don’t hurry up, he’ll get the Stone!”
There was no alternative. Draco understood that. He did.
“Ready?” Ron called, his face pale but determined. “Here I go. Now, don’t hang around once you’ve won.”
He stepped forward, and the white queen pounced. She struck Ron hard across the head with her stone arm, and he crashed to the floor. Hermione screamed but stayed on her square. Draco had to close his eyes. The white queen dragged Ron to one side. He looked as if he’d been knocked out but not necessarily dead, Draco realised. They just had to get him to a healer. It would be alright. If they survived and got out at least.
Shaking, Potter moved three spaces to the left. The white king took off his crown and threw it at Harry’s feet. They had won. The chessmen parted and bowed, leaving the door ahead clear.
“Hermione, you take Ron and go back.” Draco said.
“But… What about you two?”
“Potter seems to retain some godly calmness when in danger and I am smart. Ron is going to be okay. Just get him back. And alert one of the teachers that we are here.” Draco had heard his fair share of healer-related stories from Uncle Remus and Neville. He was almost sure Ron would be alright. Hermione complied.
And with one last look back at them, Draco and Potter charged through the door and up the next passageway.
“What do you reckon’s next?” Potter asked.
“We’ve had Sprout’s, that was the Devil’s Snare; Flitwick must’ve put charms on the keys; McGonagall transfigured the chessmen to make them alive; that leaves Quirrell’s spell, and Severus’...” Draco assessed calmly.
They had reached another door.
“All right?” Harry whispered.
“Go on.”
Potter pushed it open.
There, flat on the floor in front of them, lay a troll even larger than the one they had tackled, out cold with a bloody lump on its head.
“I’m glad we didn’t have to fight that one.” Draco whispered as they stepped carefully over one of its massive legs. “Come on, I can’t breathe.”
He pulled open the next door, both of them hardly daring to look at what came next, but there was nothing very frightening in here, just a table with seven differently shaped bottles standing on it in a line.
“Snape’s.” Potter said. “What do we have to do?”
They stepped over the threshold, and immediately a fire sprang up behind them in the doorway. It wasn’t ordinary fire either. It was purple. At the same instant, black flames shot up in the doorway leading onward. They were trapped.
How dramatic and Severus-like, really.
Draco saw a roll of paper lying next to the bottles. He opened it and read it
“What does it say?” Potter asked impatiently.
“It’s a code. And a pretty easy one at that. I also can’t believe Severus wrote this. Too child-oriented. Not to mention, Severus would just leave whoever came to meet their doom, not give them pointers to move forward.” Draco said and chuckled.
“So… ehm, you can solve this?”
“Of course. Give me a minute.”
Draco read the paper several times. Then he walked up and down the line of bottles, muttering to himself. “Got it!”
“The smallest bottle will get us through the black fire, toward the Stone.”
Potter looked at the tiny bottle.
“There’s only enough there for one of us.” He said. “That’s hardly one swallow.”
They looked at each other.
“Which one will get you back through the purple flames?” Potter asked and Draco pointed at a rounded bottle at the right end of the line.
Potter considered for a bit before grabbing the rounded bottle. “Look, I don’t want you to die. I really don’t. I should be going to the Stone but… Ron said you had to move on. I also think it has to be you.”
“You drink that.” He said and he pointed at the smallest bottle. “I will get back and get help. I will get Snape! You wanted to ask Hermione to get him, right? She doesn’t know, but I do. I am sure he will come and save you.”
Draco looked at him, stunned. It was true that he felt a pull towards the black fire already but he never expected Potter to give up so easily. “Potter…”
“Don’t say a thing! This was already really embarrassing to say! If you survive and anybody asks, tell them I let you go because you are smart or something!”
Draco chuckled. “Well… I was lucky with the Dark Lord once, wasn’t I?” He said, pointing at his scar. “I might get lucky again and survive, no? I just might tell everyone of this heartfelt confession of yours!”
“Black…!!”
“Hahaha… I’m just kidding, Potter. Go on first. I will be alright.”
Potter drew closer and threw his arms against him. “Potter?”
“Don’t die, alright? I will bring help, so hang in there.”
“Yeah, I will do my best.”
Potter turned and walked straight through the purple fire.
Draco took a deep breath and picked up the smallest bottle. He turned to face the black flames.
“Here I come...” He whispered, and he drained the little bottle in one gulp.
He put the bottle down and walked forward. He braced himself, saw the black flames licking his body, but couldn’t feel them.
For a moment he could see nothing but dark fire and then he was on the other side, in the last chamber.
There was already someone there.
Draco gaped as he recognised the person and suddenly, everything made sense.
Notes:
This was so long and tiring...;;
Well, as you must have noticed we are really close to the end of the first book!! One more chapter actually! ;; (Someone congratulate me that I have at least come this far XD)
I hope you will continue enjoying this story! ^^
Comments and kudos are always welcome!
See ya next Saturday~!
Chapter 16: Quirrell & Departure
Notes:
Final Chapter!
Gosh, this is over 6k... ;;
(I sincerely considered cutting it in half but I made it in time so here you are! XD)Anyways, enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It was Quirrell.
“You!” Draco yelled accusingly.
Quirrell smiled. His face wasn’t twitching at all. “Me, indeed. I wondered whether I’d be meeting you here, Malfoy.”
“You were the one who tried to kill me!”
“Indeed. If only your friends, Miss Granger and Mr Nott hadn’t accidentally knocked me over as they rushed to set fire to Snape at that Quidditch match… They broke my eye contact with you. Another few seconds and I’d have got you off that broom. I’d have managed it before then if Snape hadn’t been muttering a countercurse, trying to save you.”
“You…! Because of your timid act, we never even suspected you!”
“Of course, you all suspected Severus, didn’t you?” Quirrell said coolly. “Severus does seem the type, doesn’t he? So useful to have him swooping around like an overgrown bat. Next to him, who would suspect p-p-poor, st-stuttering P-Professor Quirrell?”
“I never suspected him.” Draco said with a new vitality. His friends talking bad of Severus was one thing, but allowing such a person to say bad things about his godfather? Draco would have none of that. He was gripping his wand tightly.
“Whatever. It was a waste of time anyways. After all that, I’m still going to kill you tonight.” Quirrell snapped his fingers. Ropes sprang out of thin air and wrapped themselves tightly around Draco.
Draco swished his wand immediately, making the ropes burn. He felt the fire scratching his skin as well but he didn’t mind.
“You’re too nosy to live, Malfoy. Scurrying around the school on Halloween like that, for all I knew you’d seen me coming to look at what was guarding the Stone.”
“You let the troll in too, huh!”
"Expelliarmus!" Quirrell yelled but Draco was casting “Protego!” even faster.
Quirrell continued, calmly, “Certainly. I have a special gift with trolls. You must have seen what I did to the one in the chamber back there? Unfortunately, while everyone else was running around looking for it, Snape, who already suspected me, went straight to the third floor to head me off. And not only did my troll fail to beat you to death, that three-headed dog didn’t even manage to bite Snape’s leg off properly!”
“You….!! I will kill you! Stop talking about Severus in that way!!”
Quirrell snapped his fingers again, but this time the ropes engulfed Draco’s neck first, tightly.
“Drop your wand, Malfoy and wait quietly. I need to examine this interesting mirror.”
Draco felt the air leave his lungs, but he couldn’t take a breath, his vision blurred.
It was only when his hand had relaxed and he had dropped his wand that Quirrell finally loosened the ropes around his neck. He took a couple of deep breaths, regaining his senses. By then, ropes had been tightened all around his body.
It was then that he finally had the opportunity to look around and he realized what was standing behind Quirrell. It was the Mirror of Erised.
“This mirror is the key to finding the Stone.” Quirrell murmured, tapping his way around the frame. “Trust Dumbledore to come up with something like this... but he’s in London… I’ll be far away by the time he gets back...”
With his wand on the floor, Draco decided that the only thing he could do now was make the best of his talent and try to keep Quirrell talking, not allowing him to concentrate on the mirror. His dad always said he was born to talk, so he might as well keep rambling on until Potter brought Severus.
“We saw you and Snape in the forest.” Draco blurted out.
“Yes.” Quirrell replied idly, walking around the mirror to look at the back. “He was on to me by that time, trying to find out how far I’d got. He suspected me all along. Tried to frighten me! As though he could, when I had Lord Voldemort on my side...”
Quirrell came back out from behind the mirror and stared hungrily into it. “I see the Stone… I’m presenting it to my master… but where is it?”
Draco tested the ropes binding him, but they didn’t give. He had to stop Quirrell from concentrating somehow. He suddenly realised there was still one loop hole to this story.
“A few days ago, I heard you, sobbing. I thought someone was threatening you...”
A spasm of fear flitted across Quirrell’s face. “Sometimes, I find it hard to follow my master’s instructions. He is a great wizard and I am weak...”
“Master? You mean the Dark Lord? He was there in the classroom with you? How did he get into Hogwarts!?” Draco felt scandalised. Had Dumbledore actually allowed such a thing to happen right under his nose!?
“He is with me wherever I go.” Quirrell said quietly. “I met him when I traveled around the world. A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it... Since then, I have served him faithfully, although I have let him down many times. He has had to be very hard on me.” Quirrell shivered suddenly.
Draco had heard stories of the cruelty of the Dark Lord. He could imagine Quirrell’s anguish. Were the circumstances different, he might have pitied him.
“He does not forgive mistakes easily. When I failed to steal the Stone from Gringotts, he was most displeased. He punished me... decided he would have to keep a closer watch on me…” Quirrell’s voice trailed away, then he cursed under his breath. “I don’t understand! Is the Stone inside the mirror? Should I break it?”
Draco’s mind was racing. There had to be a spell to get him out of these ropes! There must be a way for him to cast something without his wand, right!? His mum used to cast spells without her wand sometimes. But could Draco do such a thing…? Probably not without practice.
Then it came to him. The Mirror of Erised was in front of him!
‘What I want more than anything else in the world at the moment is to find the Stone before Quirrell does. So if I look in the mirror, I should see myself finding it…’ He thought feverishly.
That would mean he will see where it was hidden! But how will he look without Quirrell realizing what he was up to?
He tried to edge to the left, to get in front of the glass without Quirrell noticing, but the ropes around his ankles were too tight. He tripped and fell over, cursing under his breath. Quirrell ignored him. He was still talking to himself. “What does this mirror do? How does it work? Help me, Master!”
A voice answered, and the voice seemed to come from Quirrell himself. Draco shivered.
“Use the boy... Use the boy...” Quirrell was onto him immediately.
“Yes, Master! Malfoy! Come here.” He levitated Draco’s wand away and then clapped his hands once, and the ropes binding Draco fell off. He got slowly to his feet, watching his wand fly away in despair.
‘What’s taking Potter so long…!? Hurry up and bring Severus here!’ Draco thought and walked closer to the mirror.
“Look in the mirror and tell me what you see.” Quirrell ordered.
It was no problem. Draco was a good liar. He could lie.
Quirrell moved close behind him. Draco breathed in the funny smell that seemed to come from Quirrell’s turban. He closed his eyes, stepped in front of the mirror, and opened them again.
He saw his reflection, pale and scared-looking. Gosh, his hair was hideous. But a moment later, Severus appeared behind him and frowned at him. Draco had to stop himself from turning around. Severus put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a blood-red stone. He nodded and put the Stone in the pocket of Draco’s reflection. And Draco felt something heavy drop into his real pocket. Somehow, he’d just gotten the Stone.
“Well?” Quirrell asked impatiently. “What do you see?”
“I see Severus coming to save me. Dumbledore is with him.” He hadn’t seen that but if you ask a scared child ready to die what his greatest wish is, well it would be to be saved. Draco congratulated himself on actually getting the Stone even when he was shaking of fear.
Quirrell cursed again. “Get out of the way!”
Draco moved aside and he indeed felt the Sorcerer’s Stone against his leg. He considered running but then a high voice spoke. “He lies… He lies...”
“Malfoy, come back here!” Quirrell shouted. “Tell me the truth! What did you just see?”
The high voice spoke again. “Let me speak to him... face-to-face...”
“Master, you are not strong enough!”
“I have strength enough... for this….”
As he watched Quirrell reach up and begin to unwrap his turban, Draco realised what was happening and he shivered in panic.
The turban fell away. Quirrell turned slowly on the spot. Draco wanted to scream.
Where there should have been a back to Quirrell’s head, there was a face, a terrible face. It was chalk white with glaring red eyes and slits for nostrils, like a snake.
“Draco Malfoy...” The face whispered. “See what I have become? Mere shadow and vapor… I have form only when I can share another’s body... but there have always been those willing to let me into their hearts and minds… Unicorn blood has strengthened me, these past weeks... you saw faithful Quirrell drinking it for me in the forest... and once I have the Elixir of Life, I will be able to create a body of my own... Now… why don’t you give me that Stone in your pocket?”
So he knew. Draco stumbled backward.
“Don’t be a fool. Better save your own life and join me… or you’ll meet the same end as your mother… She died begging me for mercy...”
Draco found his voice. “LIAR! My mother died bravely!!”
Quirrell was walking backward at him, so that Voldemort could still see him. The evil face was now smiling.
“How touching...” The Dark Lord hissed. “I always value bravery... Yes, boy, your mother was brave… But she needn’t have died… she was trying to protect you... Now give me the Stone, unless you want her to have died in vain.”
“NEVER!”
Draco sprang toward the direction his wand had flew off, but the Dark Lord screamed “SEIZE HIM!” and the next second, Draco felt Quirrell’s hand close on his wrist.
Draco’s scar ached like his head had been split open. He groaned and struggled until Quirrell let go of him. The pain in his head lessened.
Looking around he saw where Quirrell had gone, and saw him hunched in pain, looking at his fingers. They were blistering before his eyes.
“Seize him! SEIZE HIM!” The voice yelled again and Quirrell lunged, knocking Draco clean off his feet, landing on top of him, both hands around his neck.
As his scar was causing him immense pain yet again, he heard Quirrell speak. “Master, I cannot hold him! My hands!”
Quirrell let go of him and Draco could see his hands looking burned, raw, red, and shiny.
“Then kill him, fool, and be done!”
Quirrell raised his hand to perform the killing curse, but Draco, in a last attempt to survive, reached up and grabbed Quirrell’s face.
Quirrell let out a scream and rolled off him, his face blistering, too, and then Draco was sure. Quirrell, for some reason, couldn’t touch his bare skin, not without suffering terrible pain.
Draco jumped to his feet, caught Quirrell by the arm, and hung on as tight as he could. Quirrell screamed and tried to throw him off.
Draco felt his scar burn and burn. He heard Quirrell scream and scream and he heard the hissing voice cursing and yelling.
And suddenly everything went blank.
Well, at least now he would meet his mother for real, huh…
He had the feeling that someone was calling him, but it must have been a dream.
~~~~
Something gold was glinting just above him. He blinked. It was a pair of glasses. How strange.
He blinked again. The smiling face of Albus Dumbledore swam into view above him.
“Good afternoon, Draco.”
Draco stared at him, in a daze. “Sir… What… What happened to the Stone?”
“Rest assured, Quirrell does not have the Stone.”
“What about the Dark Lord…? What happened? Did Severus come and save me?”
“Relax, Draco. Madam Pomfrey will have me thrown out if you overwork yourself.”
Draco looked around him. He realized he must be in the hospital wing. He was lying in a bed with white linen sheets, and next to him was a table piled high with what looked like half the candy shop. He turned to Dumbledore questioningly.
“Tokens from your friends and admirers.” The man replied, beaming. “What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally, the whole school knows. I believe your friends Misters Fred and George Weasley were responsible for trying to send you a toilet seat. No doubt they thought it would amuse you. Madam Pomfrey, however, felt it might not be very hygienic, and confiscated it.”
Draco snorted. Leave it to Fred and George to make him laugh even now. He turned to the man again. “How long have I been in here?”
“Three days. Your friends will be most relieved you have come round, they have been extremely worried.”
“I should apologise for worrying them… Sir, the Stone...”
“I see you are not to be distracted. Very well, the Stone. Professor Quirrell did not manage to take it from you. Severus arrived in time to prevent that, although you were doing very well on your own, I must say.”
“Did he make it in time…? Did Potter call him?”
“Yes, thankfully. He arrived just in time to pull Quirrell off you.”
“I see… Ehm… Is he angry…?”
“He looked angry. But I personally think he was afraid that he might have been too late.”
Draco smiled inadvertently. “He nearly was. I doubt I would have survived much longer.”
“Indeed, the effort involved nearly killed you. I was afraid it had, when I finally returned from London. As for the Stone, it has been destroyed.”
“Destroyed?”
“Indeed.”
“What about Nicolas Flamel and his wife then?”
“Oh, you know about Nicolas? Well, no need to worry. Nicolas and I have had a little chat, and agreed it’s all for the best.”
“But that means he and his wife will die, won’t they?”
“They have enough Elixir stored to set their affairs in order and then, yes, they will die.”
“I see. Well, after living for over 600 years, dying must feel like a blessing, I suppose…”
Dumbledore looked at him, surprised. “To people as young as you, it usually sounds strange but you seem to understand how life works.”
“I’ve been reading a lot of Muggle literature. Muggles die young after all. They like writing about these things.”
Dumbledore smiled in admiration. “To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure. You know, the Stone was really not such a wonderful thing. As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all. The trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.”
“Well, humans are stupid so what did you expect?”
Dumbledore burst into laughter. “Indeed they are, Draco! You are absolutely right.”
Draco fell silent for a while. He hesitated but eventually, he decided to ask.
“Sir? I’ve been thinking... Sir, even if the Stone’s gone, the Dark L-, I mean, You-Know-Who...”
“Call him Voldemort, Draco. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.”
Draco lowered his eyes. “What’s wrong with fearing things...? If I am afraid of something, I will be more careful when dealing with it.”
Dumbledore seemed befuddled and at a loss for words. He didn’t reply so Draco resumed his question.
“Well, You-Know-Who is going to try other ways of coming back, isn’t he? I mean, he hasn’t died, right?”
“No, Mr Black, he has not. He is still out there somewhere, perhaps looking for another body to share... not being truly alive, he cannot be killed. He left Quirrell to die. He shows just as little mercy to his followers as his enemies. Nevertheless, Mr Black, while you may only have delayed his return to power, it will merely take someone else who is prepared to fight what seems a losing battle next time. If he is delayed again, and again, why, he may never return to power.”
Draco nodded and he felt pain shoot through his head.
“Sir, there are some other things I’d like to know, if you can tell me… things I want to know the truth about...”
“The truth.” Dumbledore sighed. “It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. However, I shall answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to, in which case I beg you’ll forgive me. I shall not, of course, lie.”
“Well… You-Know-Who said that he only killed my mother because she tried to stop him from killing me. But why would he want to kill me in the first place?”
Dumbledore sighed very deeply this time.
“Alas, the first thing you ask me, I cannot tell you. Not today. Not now. You will know, one day… put it from your mind for now. When you are older, when you are ready, you will know.”
And Draco knew it would be no good to argue. It probably didn’t matter anyways. What mattered was that his mother had loved him that much.
“But why couldn’t Quirrell touch me?”
“Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign... to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin. Quirrell, full of hatred, greed, and ambition, sharing his soul with Voldemort, could not touch you for this reason. It was agony to touch a person marked by something so good.”
Draco caressed his scar with his hand. His mother… He had to learn more about her. Even if it made his mum cry, he had to learn more about Narcissa Malfoy...
“Sir, there’s one more thing.”
“Just the one?”
“My head still hurts, how many questions do you think I have prepared? Anyways, how did I get the Stone out of the mirror?”
“Right you are, now, I’m glad you asked me that. It was one of my more brilliant ideas, and between you and me, that’s saying something. You see, only one who wanted to find the Stone, find it, but not use it, would be able to get it. Otherwise they’d just see themselves making gold or drinking Elixir of Life. My brain surprises even me sometimes….Now, enough questions. I suggest you make a start on these sweets.”
He smiled and popped a golden-brown bean into his mouth. Then he choked. “Ear wax!”
~~~
Madam Pomfrey was a nice woman, but very strict.
“Just five minutes.” Draco pleaded.
“Absolutely not.”
“You let Professor Dumbledore in...”
“Well, of course, that was the headmaster, quite different. You need rest.”
“I am resting, look, lying down and everything. Oh, go on, Madam Pomfrey...”
“Oh, very well! But five minutes only.”
And she let his friends in.
“Draco!” Hermione looked ready to fling her arms around him again, but she restrained herself and Draco was glad she did because his head was still very sore.
Neville didn’t have so much common sense. He had thrown his hands around Draco already, sobbing. “Draco!! You could have died!! I thought you would die!! You can’t just die, alright!?”
Draco laughed wryly and patted Neville’s head. “I got it, I got it. I’m sorry, Nev, I will be more careful in the future.”
“Damn right, you should be!” Theo said and Draco could feel the concern in his voice.
“Ah, Theo, please don’t start again… You’ve been nagging all of us for the last three days. We don’t want to hear any more of that.” Lily groaned.
“Nagging?” Draco asked, amused.
“Oh, nagging it was… I thought he would never stop yelling at us. It was almost like I could hear my mum back home.” Ron said and sighed tiredly.
“Who’s your mum now, Weasley!?”
“Now, now, you two, no fighting in the hospital wing.” Hermione scolded them.
Draco chuckled. “I am glad to see you are all getting along now.”
“The whole school’s talking about it, by the way!” Ron said. “What really happened?”
It was one of those rare occasions when the true story is even more strange and exciting than the wild rumors. Draco told them everything. Though he made sure to close Neville’s ears on a couple of occasions. No need to worry his best friend unnecessarily.
When he told them what was under Quirrell’s turban, Hermione and Neville screamed out loud. Theo, on the other hand, let out a heartfelt “yikes" and suddenly Draco felt better about the whole thing. If there was one thing that was missing to make this a normal day was Potter. Draco would have immensely enjoyed a good argument with Potter but the boy was nowhere in sight and Draco refused to ask.
Just as Ron was asking. “So the Stone’s gone?”
Severus stormed in the infirmary with a look that could kill.
Draco immediately felt his good mood evaporate and he could only look at his godfather guiltily.
Severus didn’t speak. He only stood at the foot of Draco’s bed, glaring at him. His friends were looking at Severus in confusion. Draco wasn’t confused, that was a look that said ‘You are grounded.’ and nothing could change his mind. Draco swallowed the lump in his throat.
“Severus, I…”
“Do not try to talk your way out of this little rascal!”
Draco immediately pulled his lips closed, preparing himself for the inevitable scolding.
“You could have been killed! I should have you transferred to Beauxbatons immediately!”
“Severus…”
“Do you have any self-awareness!? You are still in your first year! Should I be worrying about you sneaking into Azkaban in your seventh year just for the fun of it?”
“That actually sounds fun…”
“Draco!”
“I’m sorry…”
“You should be! What would have happened if I hadn’t made it in time?”
Draco lowered his eyes. He knew this scolding was in order and he knew he deserved it. That didn’t make it any easier to bear.
“Why are you glaring at me like that, Mr Longbottom? Do you disagree?”
Neville, who was still clinging to Draco until then, straightened up. “Y-you don’t have to be that harsh with him, Professor Snape! H-he’s always been like this!”
A fleeting glance around told him all his friends were surprised that Neville was standing up to Snape but it wasn’t the first time Draco had seen his best friend act this way.
He pulled Neville back to his side and turned his gaze at Severus.
“Severus, I get that you are angry. It was wrong of me to go after Quirrell without asking you to come with me. But in my defense, if you had just told me you were suspecting him, I would have probably confided more in you. So you are also at fault here.”
Severus let out a sigh. “Fine. I will let your mother deal with your punishment then.”
“Eh!? No! Wait! Don’t!”
“What? You thought your parents would remain uninformed of your shenanigans? I will be looking forward to seeing what punishment Andromeda will come up with.” Severus said as he was making his way over to the door.
Draco went to plead but at that moment, Madam Pomfrey bustled over.
“You’ve had nearly fifteen minutes, now OUT.” She said firmly.
And that was that.
~~~
After a good night’s sleep, Draco felt nearly back to normal.
“I want to go to the feast. I can, can’t I?” He told Madam Pomfrey.
“Professor Dumbledore says you are to be allowed to go.” She said sniffily, as though in her opinion Professor Dumbledore didn’t realize how risky feasts could be. And Draco agreed with her, mind you. “And you have another visitor.”
“Oh? Who is it?”
As he spoke, Potter slided through the door. He was eerily silent as he sat down next to Draco, took one look at him, and sighed in relief.
"Potter?”
“We were really worried.” Potter murmured.
“Now, now, Potter, were you worried about me? You will make me cry!”
“It’s not funny! You could have died!”
Draco smiled and extended his hand to pat the unruly mess that was Potter’s head.
“Black?”
“I am alive, though, aren’t I? All because you managed to bring Severus in time. Did he give you a hard time?”
“....could have been worse… I probably looked really miserable because he believed me almost immediately…”
Draco chuckled. “Well, that’s good then. All is fine now! I can even make it to the feast so no need to brood over this!”
“Aren’t you too energetic today…?”
“Kinda? I mean, I am probably getting grounded as soon as I get home. I might as well enjoy my last days of freedom before summer!”
“Grounded?”
“Oh, you’ve met my mum. She will come up with an inventive punishment again. Thank Merlin my dad is a Hufflepuff! Otherwise I am afraid I would have been locked in the dungeons or something!”
“D-dungeons…?”
“Oh don’t make that face! Our house doesn’t even have dungeons.”
“So if it had…?”
“Yeah, well… My dad wouldn’t let her lock us up… Probably…”
Potter suddenly burst into laughter so Draco tilted his head in question.
“Say, Black, we went through all that together. Any chance we could be friends?”
Draco blinked. Potter was looking all around the room, avoiding his gaze.
“What brought this on, Potter?”
“Well… I… It’s kinda annoying that I am the only one you don’t call by my given name…”
Draco blinked again and couldn’t suppress the grin that was making itself known on his face.
“Harry!”
Potter, no, Harry, jerked his head to look right at Draco’s eyes.
Draco was looking at him steadily. Harry blushed.
“Is that a yes…?”
“Does it sound like a no?”
“Well… no, but…”
“You also have to call me with my first name though. See it as a handicap. If you happen to call me Malfoy again, I might actually go feral.”
Harry burst into laughter. “I will never do that again, Draco.”
“Good. I don’t want to have to see you cowering in fear before me again!”
“Who was cowering in fear!?”
“Wanna check my memories in a pensieve?” Draco challenged, quirking a brow.
Harry gulped. “I’m good.”
~~~
Harry decided to stay with him until they could both go to the feast together. Madam Pomfrey raised no argument as Draco was already mostly recovered. They spend the time chatting and arguing. It was pleasant.
Harry and Draco made their way down to the end-of-year feast that night.
They ended up arguing somewhere and stalled so the Great Hall was already full when they arrived. It was decked out in the Slytherin colors of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin’s winning the House Cup for the seventh year in a row.
A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table.
Draco admired the decorations. He hadn’t paid that much attention to the house points as of late so he was pleasantly surprised to see that Slytherin had won. Harry seemed rather satisfied with the decorations too. He had fully accepted Slytherin as his house now and Draco supposed that was enough reason to allow this friendship between them to finally take root.
As soon as Draco had walked in, there was a sudden hush, and then everybody started talking loudly at once. The two boys sat down between Ron and Hermione at the Slytherin table and Draco tried to ignore the fact that people were standing up to look at him.
Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived moments later. The babble died away.
“Another year gone!” Dumbledore said cheerfully. “And I must trouble you with an old man’s wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts…!”
Why would they empty their heads… Draco wondered and a look at Hermione indicated that she was also confused by this phrase.
“Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points, in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two, Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two.”
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table and Draco found himself cheering timidly as well. Well, his mum would be proud. If she doesn’t kill him as soon as she sees him, that is.
“Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin.” Dumbledore said. It might have been Draco’s imagination but he looked dissatisfied with the result.
He had heard the man wasn’t exactly impartial but he sincerely hoped he would let them have their win in peace.
Severus looked satisfied as he was shaking Professor McGonagall’s hand.
Draco hoped that this win would quench his anger a bit because Draco didn’t want to be grounded for the whole summer.
Despite dreading what was to come as soon as he set foot outside of Hogwarts, he had to admit that tonight was one of the best evenings in his life. Maybe his newly acquired friendship with Harry was also a factor but he wasn’t going to admit that.
Moreover, nobody had mentioned the Severus episode in the infirmary and Draco was immensely grateful. He didn’t get a chance to ask whether Hermione, Ron and Lily had also learnt of his relationship to Severus but he was in no hurry to do so.
Ignore the problem, it might go away.
~~~~
Draco had almost forgotten that the exam results were still to come, but come they did.
Draco was pleasantly surprised to note that both Harry and Ron passed with good marks. Hermione, of course, had the best grades of the first years, with Draco coming right after her and Theo right behind them. Lily had also gotten quite good marks and a big “O” in Potions which she insisted she owed Theo for.
Neville hadn’t just scraped through, his marks were above average. Especially his mark in Herbology was the best in their year.
Out of some kind housemanship, Draco checked out Vincent and Greg’s results as well and although they were less than average, they weren’t so bad that they couldn’t move on to the next year. He might not have much attachment to the boys but he had been seeing them a lot both in classes and their dorm so he couldn’t deny that he would feel strange if they weren’t around talking about food or something.
~~~
And suddenly, their wardrobes were empty and their trunks were packed.
Notes were handed out to all students, warning them not to use magic over the holidays and Hagrid was there to take them down to the fleet of boats that sailed across the lake.
Hagrid also grabbed that chance to apologise for his blunder with Fluffy but Draco waved him off nonchalantly. “It’s alright, Hagrid. I’m still alive, right? And he would have found another way even if you hadn’t told him. Let bygones be bygones. No need to dwell on bad things.”
And then, they were boarding the Hogwarts Express. They laughed and chatted throughout the ride.
When Draco and Harry announced they were now friends, Theo burst into hysterical laughter, which ended up in a fight between him and Harry but it was all quite fun, really.
Eventually they pulled off their wizard robes and put on jackets and coats.
As they pulled into platform nine and three-quarters at King’s Cross station, Draco felt his legs tremble. That earned him a shoulder pat from Neville and a smack from Theo. Draco couldn’t thank them enough. He also couldn’t help but notice how in sync the two were.
It took quite a while for them all to get off the platform.
A wizened old guard was up by the ticket barrier, letting them go through the gate in twos and threes so they didn’t attract attention by all bursting out of a solid wall at once and alarming the Muggles.
They had already finished saying goodbye to one another and were now just chatting as they waited in line.
“You must come and stay this summer!” Ron chirped. “I’ll send you an owl.”
“Thanks! I will be sure to come! If I don’t get killed...” Draco smiled wryly.
Theo smacked him again. “You will be alright, Draco.”
“Thanks, Theo… How about you? Will you be okay?”
“Well, I might get some discipline but nothing I can’t handle. You take care of Neville during the holidays though. I can’t help but worry about him.”
Draco chuckled. “Will do. You take care of yourself, alright?”
“Yeah, yeah~” Theo waved him off and walked through the gate with Lily.
Then Hermione and Ron followed after them. And then it was Draco, Neville and Harry’s turn.
People jostled them as they moved forward toward the gateway back to the Muggle world. Draco could hear some calling out to him.
“Bye, Draco!”
“See you, Black!”
“Still famous, huh?” Harry said, grinning at him.
“Ugh, don’t remind me...”
The three of them passed through the gateway together. Theo was already gone and Ron and Hermione had already reunited with their families. They were waving at them. Lily wasn’t anywhere in sight so they supposed she must have already left too.
“There he is, Mum, there he is, look! It’s him, right?” A little girl was shouting. She was at least a couple of years younger than them. Draco was immediately stricken from the resemblance the girl had to Harry.
Her hair lacked the messiness and curliness of Harry’s despite being the same black color but her eyes were just like his. Draco turned to look at Harry, questioningly. Harry was blushing madly.
“Draco Black!” The girl squealed. “Look, Mum! I can see--”
“Stop that, Iris, and it’s rude to point.” The girl next to her scolded. She looked slightly older with fiery red hair and hazel eyes but the mess on her head was identical to Harry’s.
The woman that stood behind the girls smiled down at them.
“How was your year, Neville, Harry? And you must be Draco, right? I am Harry’s mum.” She said kindly and Draco was captivated by her green eyes. Lily Potter.
“Indeed I am. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Potter. I have heard a great lot about you.”
“Oh, from Severus, I guess? I doubt Harry talks about me much.”
“Harry! Introduce us!” The black haired girl chirped.
“Ugh, mum… why did you have to bring them?”
“Now, now, Harry, it will be a pleasure to make the acquaintance of such charming girls.”
Harry blushed as Neville chuckled.
The dark haired girl, the younger one, stepped forward. “I am Iris Potter! I will be going to Hogwarts in two years! Oh, and this is my sister, Avril. She will be going to Hogwarts next year!”
The older girl nodded her head in acknowledgement, a faint blush on her cheeks.
“What beautiful names. I am Draco Black. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Draco, stop with your theatrics.” Neville said, unable to contain a chuckle. “Wasn’t my dad coming to pick us up? We have to find him.”
“Right, right. You think he will be giving me a lecture too?”
“Oh, I most certainly will, young man.”
Draco turned around to see Remus scowling.
Great.
“Remus, no need to be so harsh on the kid, right?” Mrs Potter said. Draco momentarily considered asking her to help him deal with Severus but he didn't get the chance.
“Oh, do not get fooled by his theatrics, Lily. This one is almost a worse troublemaker than Sirius, and that says a lot.” He paused and turned his gaze to Neville and Harry. “And how was your year?”
“Dad! I got an “O” in Herbology!” Neville exclaimed excitedly and Remus congratulated him.
“And you, Harry?”
“Ehm… it was good.”
“That’s good then. Now.” He had one hand on each of Neville and Draco’s shoulders. “Let us go back home. Ted is cooking tonight.”
Both boys made an exhilarated sound. Draco hoped that he could at least enjoy his dad’s delicious food after so long before his mum decided to ground him.
They bid farewell to the Potters and started walking towards the exit. Remus would apparate them home.
Harry came running after them and only stopped a few metres behind them. “Draco! I… Let’s meet up during holidays!”
Draco turned and smiled.
“See you, Harry!” He said and waved at him as they walked out of the station, Harry disappearing out of sight.
Remus led them to a dark alley so the muggles wouldn’t see them apparating.
“Now, boys, you know the drill.”
“Merlin, Uncle Remus! It’s not our first time being apparated!”
“That’s right, Dad! We are not kids anymore!”
“Right… Well let us go then.”
“Yes~” They both replied and each grabbed one of Remus’ hands.
And all three disappeared with a *POP*.
Notes:
And first year is over!! Hope you enjoyed the ending! ^^
Oof, I managed to maintain the weekly schedule lolThank you so much for reading so far and thank you for all the encouraging comments! They meant a lot to me and they helped me keep writing!
I decided to make a series and divide the books in the end so make sure to subscribe to the series to get the notification of the next update! Which will be out in TWO weeks. I will be taking a break next week to organise some stuff (and also study for exams) and I will be back with the new book in June 5th! (Which coincidently happens to be Draco's birthday lol)
Sorry for the long note. Please let me know what you thought of this book in general in the comments. Constructive critisism is also very very welcome! ^^
Thank you so much for all your support and I hope to see you all again in two weeks in the new book! (^.^)