This is a Harry Potter and Gregory Goyle Slash.
DISCLAIMER: All characters found in this story are based off of J.K. Rowling's and they belong to her. I am not receiving money for writing this. I'm just getting into the spirit of Fan-Fiction. J.K. Rowling is an amazing authoress to whom we all owe a great deal of credit.
Basic Premise: Year Six, HBP aside. Slughorn teaching Potions, Snape teaching DADA, It's going to be an interesting year. Now that several Death Eaters are locked away, how has the world reacted?
The Hogwarts' Express was steaming, getting ready to depart Platform 9 ¾ on its way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Neville Longbottem was running around precariously trying to find his pet Trevor. Luna Lovegood was making odd faces as the hat atop her head flailed about wildly. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and Ginny Weasley were saying goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Remus Lupin and Tonks. Having said their goodbyes, the four teenagers accompanied by Luna and Neville boarded the train and found themselves a compartment to sit in for the ride.
"How was your summer Harry?" Luna asked him pleasantly. "It was fine, thanks, how was yours?" Harry responded politely, even though he still hadn't gotten over the death of his Godfather, Sirius Black. Hermione eyed Harry cautiously, not wanting to upset him so soon after Sirius died, or so early on in the school year. "My summer was loads of fun! My dad took me hunting for squigmoks and deagrees! It was for an article for his paper. We didn't find any squigmoks, but I did see two deagrees."
"What the bloody hell is a deagree?" Ron asked impatiently. Hermione and Ginny rolled their eyes and Harry smiled to himself. "It's kind of like a muggle wombat, except it has leathery wings like a bat, but it can't fly or even float. And it has two or three spikes on its head. The females usually have more spikes because they're more dominant than the males." Luna then broke into a long winded tirade about the importance of squigmoks and deagrees in the wizarding world. Happy to be distracted from his pain, Harry listened to Luna for awhile; thinking how vaguely like Hermione Luna sounded talking about these magical creatures. It was a reminder to Harry that Hermione would probably want to restart S.P.E.W. now that they were going to be back in school.
The lady with the lunch cart came by and they stocked up on last minute sweets before getting to Hogwarts. As they began to approach Hogsmeade Station, they changed into their school robes and prepared themselves for the ride on the Thestral drawn carriages. As the group of friends disembarked from the train, they heard Hagrid's familiar voice saying, "Firs' years o'er here! Firs' years o'er here!" Smiling at Hagrid brightly, Harry and friends waved to him and he nodded toward the school, informing them that they could talk once they got settled.
A thought began to dawn on Harry as he approached the thestrals. The train-ride had been immensely pleasant; Ron and Neville even had a chance to play a fun game of Wizard's chess. Luna, Ginny and Hermione sat huddled in the corner, giggling like the school girls they are and sending precarious looks out at Ron and Harry. That seemed odd to Harry, but everything girls did seemed odd to Harry. As the carriage trotted toward Hogwarts, the epiphany began to dawn on Harry.
Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe had all been absent from the train-ride.
"Oh my Gawd." Harry muttered, now very disturbed. Thoughts of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle running around in Death Eater masks ran through his head malevolently. He had never really liked them, especially after the inquisitorial squad during fifth year, but Harry had managed to get by and did rather well on his OWL tests.
"What's wrong Harry?" Hermione asked, and then thought to herself how stupid that question was, a million things were wrong right now and she was sure to hear a mouthful from her friend about them all. "Nothing wrong 'Mione, it's just well, I didn't see Malfoy or his goons on the train, or even at the train station. You don't suppose they're all, y'know, Death Eaters do you?"
"Well, Harry, I don't kno…" Hermione started before she was decisively cut off by Ron.
"Of course they're Death Eaters mate! They've been being raised their entire lives for it. Now that their fathers are in jail it's only natural their kids take their rightful place with You-know-who."
Harry thought on this for awhile. He and Malfoy had been at odds ever since Harry refused to be Malfoy's friend. The relationship had always been about disliking the other young wizard. Trying to be better than the other young wizard, and often succeeding and rarely being worse.
As the carriage lurched to a halt, Harry and his friends got out and entered into the Main Entrance of Hogwarts. As they entered the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony and start of year feast, they were greeted by some precarious and less than friendly faces.
Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle were waiting for Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Gryffindor's Golden Trio." Malfoy drawled, the words dripping with venom. The Harry noticed something. Goyle nudged Malfoy rather noticeably, and the expression on his face was one of worry and awe. Before they could respond Malfoy continued, a forced niceness added to his voice. "Before we go about whipping out wands and hexing each other into last year, I..errr that is we wanted to apologize for the way things have been for the last five years. With our fathers in Azkaban prison, our Mothers seeking refuge from You-know-who brought us here, to Professor Dumbledore. We're in hiding you could say; only you can't because Dumbledore is the secret holder." With that said Draco turned on his heel and marched away, Crabbe hurrying at his feet.
Gregory Goyle had remained behind a moment. After a quick moment of soul searching, he offered his hand to Harry. The large teenager shook considerably as he waited for Harry to accept the gesture. "I know we haven't been good to you Harry, but it can't rain everyday. We're sorry for following our fathers the way we had been." Harry then noticed something that would be unnoticed by Ron or Hermione, who in complete shock of what had just happened were saying nothing. Goyle's eyes were beginning to water. Not wanting to embarrass the young man any further, Harry accepted the hand that was offered to him. It was large and warm and rough; in that moment strange thoughts played into his head. "It's alright Goyle, I'm sure it's been hard on you too." Harry said politely, and with a gentle squeeze, Goyle let go of Harry's hand and rushed over to the Slytherin table for the feast.
The sorting ceremony went as well as possible. One young first year was sorted in Hufflepuff and upon finding out he fainted from the joy. Apparently he had wanted to be in Hufflepuff because his much older sister had been a Hufflepuff years before. Following the hilarious display that was the sorting that year, Dumbledore gave his Headmaster's speech. Talking about how you-know-who was back, but the side of light was winning. How every time you-know-who would try to strike he was narrowly stopped and barely escaped. The Death Eaters were doing some damage, but not much and they were beginning to crumble under the weight of their evil. Dumbledore also announced who the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher would be. Harry eyed the lumpy, walrus looking man expectantly. When Snape was announced as the new DADA, Harry went through the roof. His favorite class was now ruined by his least favorite teacher. The lumpy, walrus looking man was introduced as Professor Slughorn, and he was to be the new Potions Master.
After his speech and customary beginning of school remarks, Dumbledore dismissed the houses to their dormitories. Hermione and Ron began to do their Prefect duties, and Harry, tired from the fun they had been having during the feast, told Ron that he would meet him in their dorm. Ron was trying his best to herd the first years toward Gryffindor tower, but Hermione was doing most of the coercing. Harry laughed as he watched the two of them working together. They seemed almost perfect for each other, but Harry would never interfere in their lives like that. They would get together when they were ready, and not any sooner.
Harry also noticed Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson leading the Slytherin first years off to the dungeon at wand point. This was quite hilarious to Harry. Slytherin's Ice Prince being forced to use his wand to get first years to do as he said. Crabbe was following on Malfoy's heels, carrying a wiggling first year in his arms. Where was Goyle at? Pondering this and recent events Harry turned toward Gryffindor tower and ran into something large.
Fumbling with himself, Harry said, "I'm sorry mate, wasn't watching where I was goi…" Harry's voice caught in his throat as he saw who he ran into. Gregory Goyle, looking a little perplexed responded, "It's, uhm, ok, I guess. Are you alright? I didn't hurt you did I?" Goyle asked softly. It was now Harry's turn to be perplexed. "No, I, uhm, I'm fine. Ok, this is weird. First Draco apologizes, then you shake my hand, almost crying I might add, and now we bump into one another, which in years past would have caused a serious level 4 melt down!" Harry was confused; he still remembered the warm feeling in his hand when Goyle had touched it.
"Walk with me and I'll explain," Goyle said to Harry softly and expectantly.