Title: The Switch 1/16
Author: Lynn
Date Created:Wed. May 7th, 2008, 10:14 pm
Beta: Nicole
Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. All characters of Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling. Any other names, characters, places, and incidents are products of my imagination or are used fictitiously.
Summary: A marriage law in the wizarding world as been passed. All muggle-born wizard and witches must intermarry with pure-blood wizard and witches in order to live in the wizarding world.
Warning: Albus Dumbledore is very OOC in this story.
A/N: This story takes place in the beginning of the trios 7th year (disregarding OOTP, HBP, and DH). Severus is still a spy for the Order of the Phoenix. Written for LadyGrelka.
Chapter 1
The entrance hall was ablaze with torches and echoing footsteps as the students entered the Great Hall for the start-of-term feast. The enchanted ceiling was dark and scattered with stars, while the four long house tables were filled with students eagerly talking to each other.
Hermione made her way toward the Gryffindor table, looking for Harry and Ron. When she spotted them, she hurried to them, brown, bushy hair bouncing, and sat next to Ron. "Oi, Mione," Ron greeted her.
"Ron," Hermione nodded in greeting. Ron was tall, thin and gangling with freckles on his face and flaming red hair.
"Hello, Hermione," Harry said as he adjusted his glasses. Hermione smiled, eyes softened at her dear best friend. He was tall and thin with black messy hair and a lightening bolt scar on his forehead.
"Hi, Harry. How's it going?"
"Both boys responded at the same time, "Well."
"Great."
"So, what did you do this summer?" Ron asked between mouthfuls of sausages.
Hermione gave him an indignant look. "Really, Ron, you should not talk with your mouth full of food," she scolded him.
Before replying, Ron swallowed his food and then took a sip of pumpkin juice. "Sorry, I can't help it," he grinned. "If the house-elves continue to cook this way, I may have to ask mum and dad to hire one."
Hermione glared at him balefully. "Ron, how could you even think . . . " in a high-pitched voice, which caused the whole table to go silent.
"Calm down, Mione," Ron replied, holding up his hands. "It was only a joke." He looked around to find everyone looking in the trio's direction. Harry's face was red with embarrassment, and he wondered when the bickering between the two friends would cease.
"That's nothing to joke about," she retorted. Hermione and Ron have always had their fair share of debates with each other since first-year and they somehow always placed Harry in the middle of it as if he was a mediator. Instead, he would always opt out, making excuses that he had somewhere to be or work to do.
"Guys," Harry finally said, getting their attention. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you are making a scene and now people are watching."
Hermione and Ron glanced around to find the Slytherins, whispering and peeking at the two Gryffindors. A boy with platinum blond-hair and a pale pointed face, whistled across the table. "Hey Weasel and Granger! When are you getting married?" He yelled across the table, enlisting catcalls and whistles from his fellow comrades.
"Stuff it, Malfoy," Ron replied, glaring at Draco. Hermione's face turned a beet red.
Draco arose from his seat, a glint of malice in his cold grey-eyes. "Why don't you make me, Weasel?" He hissed.
Ron slowly rose, but felt a hand on his arm. "Don't, Ron. He is just antagonizing you as usual," Hermione pleaded. Ron looked into her soft brown eyes that held worry and fear.
Draco's lips twisted with disgust at the display. "To let a mudblood touch you...what a disgrace! Now you have the mudblood disease," he laughed coldly.
Draco was not above using offensive or hurtful language to others, especially to those that he felt was beneath him. Upon first meeting Malfoy, he reminded Harry of his cousin, Dudley; spoiled and manipulative, at this thought, Harry felt an uncontrollable rage surface within him. He always thought highly of his best friend, Hermione and loved her like a sister. How dare this evil hearted bastard talk to her this way?! He stood up abruptly, grabbed his wand and pointed it in Draco's face. "Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry exclaimed, causing gasps and movement from the crowd. "Just shut up! You have always been a diabolical bastard from the moment I met you." Harry's green vivid eyes flashed angrily.
He felt a strong current, stirring of electricity through his body. A cool breeze swept through his dark messy hair. Draco's eyes widened in fear and he stepped back, whimpering.
Harry took a step forward. "Harry, no!" Hermione cried, but was held back by Ron.
"That will be enough," a voice said from behind the trio. Ron turned to find Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore standing before them none too pleased at the outcome. "The four of you follow us," Snape said in a monotone voice, but not before giving Harry a disappointed look.
Meanwhile, they all were gathered in Dumbledore's office. The delicate silver instruments stood upon the spindle-legged tables. The portraits of the headmasters and headmistresses looked on at the four students in interest. A picture behind them gave a loud tsk, and a cool voice said, "I must say that I am surprised to find a Slytherin standing alongside of Gryffindors. For what reason is this?" Phineas Nigellus watched the Slytherin and Gryffindors with shrewd, narrow eyes.
Professor McGonagall looked over the rim of her square glasses with pursed lips, glaring at Phineas. She was tall and wore her dark hair in a bun style. "The reason," she said curtly, "is your great-great-great-grandson decided to cause a scene with a couple of my students as always."
"Yes," Snape drawled with a nasty look on his face. "Your students, Professor McGonagall, know no bounds with making trouble."
Harry felt fury and hatred toward Snape, but remained silent because he did not want to make an even bigger scene in front of Dumbledore and the head of his house, McGonagall, whom he held respect for.
"What is this? You have nothing to say, Potter?" Snape mocked.
"That will be enough," Dumbledore finally said.
Snape looked at the tall, thin, silver-haired wizard with disdain. "I see your outlook has not changed throughout the years," Snape said tightly.
"Why whatever do you mean?" Dumbledore asked feigning innocence.
"You know what I mean, old man. You have always favored the famous James Potter just like his brat," Severus spat with a sneer.
A gasp sounded and then, "you would do well to watch your tongue," McGonagall admonished. She was always fond of Dumbledore and had high esteem for him.
A slow, cruel smile crept upon his face. The trio and Draco looked on with wide eyes, while the two adults sparred with one another. "Please," Dumbledore intervened, rising from his chair with outstretched hands. "We will get nothing resolved by bickering with one another. Now, the problem lies with what took place in the great hall." Dumbledore paused, blue eyes studying the four students. "Care to explain?" He asked them.
When it seemed as if no one would answer, Dumbledore continued, "no one has anything to say?" He frowned, and then sighed, placing his hands behind his back. "Well, I must say that I am a bit disappointed in your poor behavior that each of you has displayed. However, I am not surprised at Mr. Malfoy's actions as I would expect that out of someone who is spoiled and thinks of themselves as better than others." He gazed long at Draco who fidgeted uncomfortably and lowered his eyes.
"The three of you should know better then to allow anyone to get the better of you," Dumbledore continued to lecture. "There are consequences that one must pay for trouble that he or she creates. Any suggestions?" He directed toward the students.
"Headmaster," Snape finally said. "I suggest that points be taken away from Gryffindor House."
Dumbledore lifted a thick brow. "What about Slytherin House? After all, Draco was also caught in the middle of the altercation."
"He can do detention with me," Snape replied.
"Oh no, Professor Snape. I don't believe that will do. If Malfoy does detention with you then so should Potter and Weasley," McGonagall argued. "If points are to be taken from my house then points should also be taken from Slytherin."
While the adults haggled over a suitable punishment, Harry and Ron smirked, Hermione frowned, disliking the argument, and Draco stood with a sore look upon his handsome face.
"Now I suggest," McGonagall continued, "that Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Malfoy do detention with Mr. Filch this evening after dinner."
A throat cleared. "What about Ms. Granger?" A sly voice asked.
McGonagall gazed at the portrait. "What about Ms. Granger, Phineas?" She replied.
"After all, she is the cause of the spectacular that took place in the great hall, surely she should be punished as well," Phineas continued with a smirk as if McGonagall had never spoken.
McGonagall narrowed her eyes. "No one told these three gentlemen to make an outburst. I believe that is what started it?" She said as more of a statement, looking at Hermione for confirmation.
"Yes, professor," she mumbled, lowering her eyes.
"I thought so," McGonagall muttered.
"Ms. Granger, you may be dismissed," Dumbledore said.
Hermione glanced from the headmaster to Harry and Ron, giving them a sympathetic look. She left without another word. "Now, as for you gentlemen . . . "
TBC . . .