Chapter two: Cool kids and geeks Part II

Hello guys! I'm back with another chapter Hope you'll like it :P

depointedulac: Hey! Glad you loved the cookie. Me loves cookies also! Me eating cookies right now…here you can have one for being the first reviewr to the first chapter: D And as for Zane…he'll explain. Zane: Hello from me too. I'm not playing hard to get and I most definitely am not shy! I just got one of those inspiration moments when I just had to write down the notes for my new song…and Himechi (that's how I call luneannie) was all about "I can't wait for you! I must post…blah, blah", so I told her to go ahead and just tell you that I send a hug. But today I'm here so I can give it to you myself (hugs). Well that's it…tata for now!

Windseeker2305: Wow! Thanks! I haven't read a fiction like that either so let's hope I'm the first and there is no one mad at me for stealing his idea 

The-Animediva: That was one really long and wonderful review, so…thank you, thank you, thank you! You receive a cookie and a hug  I personally like Luna's strage character and her interaction with Draco…it just came to me  As for the eyes and who they belong to…we'll just have to see if you guessed right. But it won't happen in this chapter. I just felt I had to stop it where I did. But next chapter we'll see who's the blue-eyed stalker. Promis ;)

jenlov3: Here's more 

Enjoy!

Chapter two: Cool kids and geeks Part II

Draco and his new friends barely made it in time for their science class. When they entered all the other students were already there. This included Harry Potter and his friends. They had taken their usual places next to the windows. When the four entered Harry tried to make eye contact with Draco, expecting another confrontation. But there was none- the blond just ignored him, sitting on a desk in the front row. Hermione had just taken the place next to him when Professor Snape entered. He looked briefly around, then turned his back to the class and started to write on the board.

Throughout the whole class the students were writing down what the Professor either wrote or dictated. 5 minutes before the end of the period he stopped and took out a piece of paper from his desk.

"Your first mark will be on a project you'll do with a lab partner. Starting from next Monday for fifteen minutes at the beginning of each class a pair will present what they have done. The others will have to pay attention because the information from these projects will be present on your first test. Here is the list with all the points your presentation will have to cover." The Professor paused for a while to hand out sheets of paper with his instructions on them. He then returned to the front of the classroom and continued. The pairs and their respective assignments will be as follows: next week, Hermione Granger and Parvati Patil: alkali; Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy: amino acids; Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan: oxides…."

--

Draco waved his godfather goodbye and exited the classroom. It was lunch break now so the four friends headed towards the cafeteria.

"You have my condolences guys." Seamus looked with a pitting smile at Draco and Hermione.

"For what?" The boy asked.

"You have to work with Potter, and Mione is stuck with Patil- one of his friends. You are doomed."

Hermione shook her head.

"I don't plan on doing anything with Patil. I'm not going to put up with her childish behavior. I'll work on my own and she can do whatever she likes."

"Sorry, Hermione, but you are the one who's acting childish. Your schoolwork has nothing to do with your opinion for your project partner. You are the one who's going to get a bad grade, because if you keep up with this attitude you're going to fail with the assignment. If you have a partner you have to work with him." Draco told the girl.

"That was one hell of a lecture." Dean laughed.

"I have to admit that maybe you are right." Hermione acknowledged. "I…overreacted a little bit. Are you always so downright, Draco?"

"Only when I'm absolutely certain that I'm right." The blond smiled.

"And he thinks he is right all the time."

They have arrived to the cafeteria where Zane and two identical looking, red haired boys were just entering. The older brother had overheard the conversation and decided that he wanted to tease Draco. There was an obvious result. The boy pouted and huffed indignantly.

"Thank you very much, Zane."

However his irritation didn't last for too long and he introduced his brother to his new friends.

"Hermione, Dean, Seamus…" Draco said pointing at each of them. "This is my big brother, Zane. Zane, these three are my new friends. There are three others, but you'll meet them in the cafeteria."

Zane shook hands with the younger students and turned to the two twins beside him.

"These are Fred and George Weasley." He introduced them to Draco. "Don't ask…I have no idea who's who."

"So this is…"

"…the little brother?

The twins threw an arm each around Draco's shoulder.

"We too have one of you, pests." The one to the left declared.

"Our little brother had started a year earlier…"

"…just like you. And he is in your class."

"Ron Weasley." Dean muttered behind them.

The twins and Draco turned around.

"The one with whom I talked earlier?"

Seamus laughed.

"If you call that talking, then yes."

"You'll have to explain to us, but let's enter first. I really want to be seated while I eat and if we take a little longer standing in the hall like that, it won't be possible."

The others nodded and followed Zane.

--

Once inside Hermione indicated the table in the farthest corner and explained to the three older boys.

"Our friends have saved us a table."

Zane grinned with satisfaction and motioned her to lead the lay.

Neville was sitting between Lavender and Luna and the girls were whispering something to him. Draco was just going to introduce his brother and the twins when he noticed the hands of the girls patting Neville's back and Lavender's encouraging smile and he heard Neville sniffing quietly. The blond frowned, worried for the round-faced boy and went to stand beside him.

"What's going on? Are you all right, Neville?"

After his questions the others, still standing around the table, discussing loudly what to get for lunch, seemed to notice that something wasn't right and quieted down. Neville looked up at the sound of Draco's voice. He wasn't crying, but his tear-stained face indicated that he had been, just a while ago. Concern crossed Draco's beautiful face. He hated to see people cry.

Lavender saw that Neville wouldn't answer, so she sighed and started to explain what had happened.

"You know Harry Potter?" Draco nodded. "Well, he and his cronies just love to pick up on Neville. And they didn't have the chance for a while, seeing that it was the summer holiday, so they decided to triple the dose of insults and bullying for today. They came before Sports and we decided that that was it."

Draco suddenly remembered what were Potter's friends talking about when they entered Literature, what this Weasley kid was saying then.

"Did you see him sniveling? He was so pathetic! I thought he was going to cry for his mummy!"

Draco was beginning to get angry. This popular kids again! And how pathetic! A group of at least 5 picking on only one boy! And then making fun of him behind his back! Cowards!

But Lavender hadn't finished just yet.

"We were mistaken. They came back before our History class. Luna and I weren't there. Neville didn't come to class so we went to search for him. When we found him they were already gone. Neville told us what happened and, oh…the things that they have said…" The girl suddenly stopped and looked at Neville, as if asking for permission to continue.

The miserable boy looked up questioningly at the three older boys he didn't know.

"It's ok, Nev. These are my brother Zane and his two friends Fred and George." Draco reassured him.

Neville nodded and started to talk himself.

"It's ok. It's not a secret anyway. My parents are deceased. They died in a car crash year's ago. I live with my grandmother now."

"Oh, Neville, I'm so sorry!" The other boy exclaimed.

Nevile shook his head.

"It's ok…I…I don't remember them much. When…they came before History Ron Weasley was furious about something, so he decided to take it out on me. He started to insult my parents and my grandmother. Told me that…told me that…" The boy's voice trembled and tears filled his eyes again. "…that my p-p-parents must hate me…if they don't won't to live with me. And that i-i-it was only n-n-natural. If he were them he wouldn't want to live with me either. And I-I-I know it isn't true, but still…" Neville couldn't continue any more.

Hermione who was listening with her hands covering her mouth ran to Neville's chair, fell on her knees and hugged the crying boy tightly. Draco saw tears streaming from her eyes as well. The blond was furious. He clenched and unclenched his fists trying to calm himself down a little bit, but without success. He knew why Ron Weasley was angry. He had just left Literature and he decided to heal his wounded pride by humiliating someone else. What a cowardice prick! He locked eyes with his brother sending him a look that clearly stated "Stay here." and strode away from the table. He quickly spotted the people he was searching for sitting on a table not far away, laughing. From where Draco was standing he could clearly see Weasley twisting his face, miming someone crying dramatically. If Malfoy had had any intention to sort this out in a peaceful, civilized manner, they all vanished instantly. He stormed to the table, caught the Weasel by the collar of his shirt and pulled him upright. The red-head was taller then Draco, but he visibly flinched and became smaller under the blond's hard gaze. The other boys, who have toughed that Draco wanted to fight, jumped from their seats, ready to help their friend. The girls (thinking the same) started to scream. This caught the attention of everyone in the cafeteria and all the conversations were put at hold for a while, so that the students could give their undivided attention to what was going to happen. So when Draco's started to talk his quiet voice was heard all around the room.

"You are a coward, Weasley." Ron who had expected a hit or a shout at least, was surprised at the quietness of Draco's voice. "You hide behind your little group and your little friends, because you are afraid that you won't be noticed without them, that you'll suddenly become nothing- like the once you bully. You put your tail between your legs when you have to deal with someone who isn't afraid enough of you, but you act all strong and mighty before those who are weaker. You go and attack in the safety of your pack, not having enough courage to strike alone. And when your pride is wounded you can't deal with it like a man, but you go and make yourself feel great again by humiliating someone else. You don't even know with what you are playing."

The red haired boy, who had stayed silent until now regained part of his composure after Draco's last words.

"You are the one who doesn't know what he is playing with. And can't Longbottom come here and defend himself? What are you his bodyguard?" Ron smirked. "Or maybe you are his adoptive mom. His own mother hates him so much that you felt sorry for him and decided to take her place." At these words Weasley looked at his friends for approval and laughed.

"Shut up." Draco didn't shout. His voice was actually barely audible, but those who heard it shivered slightly. It was cold, warning and promised danger. It was freezing your blood like poison. The red-head gulped. "Just shut up. Neville's parents are dead."

Ron had expected anything, but that. He wasn't the jerk he was playing out to be. He didn't know about Longbottom's parents. If he knew he would have never said what he did. He suddenly realized the extent of the damage his cruel jokes have caused.

Draco's stormy grey eyes were staring intently at Ron's face, where guilt have spread to cover the initial shock. Draco didn't know how the red-head would react and was glad to find out that maybe the boy wasn't the jerk he thought him to be. Ron looked really distressed and worried. This didn't excuse his previous behavior, but at least he looked like he realized what he have done and was sorry. The blonde's assumption was soon enough proven right.

"I'm sorry." Ron Weasley whispered. He sounded sincere.

When all the other occupants of the cafeteria, who had been listening till now, saw that there wasn't going to be any fight lost interest and returned to their own business. Draco didn't notice. He just nodded to the red-head.

"I'm glad. You should be." There wasn't any encouragement in his words, but his voice wasn't cold anymore either.

"I'll come to apologize to Longbottom too. I mean if that's all right?"

Draco nodded again.

"Come."

He was just going to walk away from the table when he changed his mind and turned to Harry.

"You are not only their friend…" he indicated the other's around Potter to show who he meant under 'their'. "…but also the one they look up to, their leader. But you stay silent at the side when things like that happen. It's unworthy of you."

After finishing his little speech the blond turned his back to the shocked group and made his way to his friends.

--

Draco arrived at the table where his friends were waiting for him with Ron at tow. Weasley hung down his head in shame and stepped in front of Neville. The dark haired boy was gapping at him. Ron took a deep breath and started to talk.

"I had no idea about your parents. I'm truly sorry. I'll never…I'll never make fun of you again. I promise. And maybe you won't believe me, but I'll say it again nevertheless- I'm sorry."

Neville continued to stare in shock. Ron nodded and started to leave when Longbottom started to talk.

"Wait!"

The red-head stopped and looked back.

"You sounded sincere." It sounded more like a statement than a question, but nevertheless Ron nodded again. "Then…apology accepted."

Weasley smiled.

"Thank you. You didn't have to."

"I know. But I wanted to. If you are truly sorry it's ok."

Silence…than a loud creak of a chair being pushed. Fred and George had stood up simultaneously.

"Well, before this turns more into a drama…"

"…than it already is..."

"…we'll deprive you of our little brother's attention."

"We have to give him a piece of advice."

The twins dragged Ron outside. When they were out of sight Draco took the place before Neville, which Ron had vacated.

"I'm sorry too, Nev."

Neville looked with surprise at his friend.

"What for?"

"I told him about your parents. I shouldn't have and I'm sorry. Now everyone knows."

To the blonde's surprise the other boy laughed.

"God, Draco, it's most definitely ok! I told you- that wasn't a secret" Draco looked doubtful so Neville decided to repeat himself. "Really! It's ok."

The blond nodded, but instead of sitting down he asked to be excused and left the table and the cafeteria. Fred and George had decided to give Ron their "piece of advice" some other place so the hallway was empty. Draco was grateful for the lucky circumstance. He was just going to slump down the nearest wall when his brother exited the cafeteria, concern on his face.

--

Harry could have sworn that when Draco was turning to leave the table he saw a shimmer in the blond boy's eyes. What the fuck? His friends were still assimilating what had just transpired. They were still standing, after jumping to protect Ron. He hadn't stood up then- just sat and watched what was going to happen. Was he pathetic? That thought was quickly banished from his mind. He watched when Ron apologized, when his twin brothers took him away and when a couple of minutes later Draco stormed away too. Another blond, but with hair to his shoulders, taller and older looking followed him close by. What was going on? His friends had just sat down and started to throw random comments about the scene that had played out a while ago. This was boring and he had nothing to do for 15 more minutes until the next class started (not to mention that he was curious), so he followed the two blonds. He was just going to run into the hallway with all intentions to find out where the two had disappeared, when he saw the objects of his stalking just outside the door, leaning on the opposite wall, talking quietly. Harry stopped and stood behind the opened door from where he could see and hear everything. The taller had placed a hand on Draco's shoulder and was just asking what was going on.

"Why are you so upset, little brother? You should be proud. You did great there- standing up for your friend and all…"

Ah…so they are brothers. Thought that much. They're so alike..

"That's just it, Zane. I didn't do great. Not at all." The younger boy sounded quiet upset about something. Harry couldn't understand about what, although. It seems the big brother couldn't either.

"What do you mean?"

"It wasn't my place to meddle. Not to mention that I was pathetic doing it."

What the fuck?

"Pathetic? What do you mean little brother? Are we talking about the same thing here, 'cause what I saw was you giving a piece of your mind to those little fuckers there. And there was nothing pathetic about it!"

"But there was!" Draco raised his voice a little but then stopped and started anew, this time quieter. "I gave Neville's secret away. I was just getting so frustrated with what Ron was saying that…it just slipped out. I couldn't control my emotions, and I couldn't even win such a measly battle on my own- I had to use someone else's secret to pull it through!"

"You are being stupid! That boy…Neville was bullied. He was picked on pretty badly and you stood up for him all by yourself. You went there alone, to a table full of people you don't know, who won't appreciate you being there criticizing one of their own and you spoke your mind- honestly, without holding back, like you always do. And you did control your emotions! If that was me, I would have hit the bloody brat. And as the boy told you, this about his parents wasn't a secret! You won the battle little brother- on your own. Do you think that Weasley would have come to apologize if it wasn't for your harsh words accompanying the "secret"? If you are wondering- he wouldn't have. And you are a hell of a lot pathetic now, staying in a hallway, feeling sorry for yourself" At the last words Zane smirked and ruffled Draco's hair lovingly.

Throughout the whole lecture the shorter blond have stayed silent, but at the last words of his brother he laughed weakly. Zane wiped away the tears threatening to fall from Draco's eyes and hugged him tightly.

"Thanks, bro" The younger one murmured.

"It's quiet fine. Now…care to join me for a walk. I'm not all that hungry anyways."

Harry looked intently at the backs of the retreating blonds. He went in the hallway and pushed his hands deep into his jeans' pockets. Draco was not only brave and able to speak up his mind freely, but he was also pretty emotional and with high morals. That was a rather odd and intriguing combination. This new student was getting more and more interesting by the minute. This school year was going to be anything, but boring.

Harry didn't have any idea how right he was and how much he was going to miss "boring" in a couple of weeks.

TBC

I'm not quiet sure that the last bit is ok…so tell me what you think about it 

Thanks to all those kind people who reviewed. And…Hey You! Don't hide there, I can see you. You haven't reviewed me yet. Come ooon…pwease? I'll give you a cookie 