Chapter Three-
Potions class three days later was certainly an unpleasant one. Not that it was anything different from usual but, this time it wasn't the Slytherins who were making his life miserable; it was the Gryffindors. They weren't even trying to silently taunt him.
Disgust filtered through the air, but what was really bizarre was that some of the Slytherins were actually throwing the lions dark looks. Even Snape seemed content to ignore Harry for once. Although with Snape he figured that Dumbledore had instructed him to keep away. Like all of the teachers. Yes all of them. Even the kind DADA substitute teacher, Malory Rose, was throwing him looks of disgust. Once more he felt sorrow engulf him and he wished he was with Cedric.
Gazing at his potions knife, he wondered if he could cut and get away with it? He wondered how his Shadow Demon friend would be able to help him. Harry jumped, slicing his palm open, when Neville's cauldron exploded. The young dementor bit his lip as he watched the blood flow freely, but oh! the lonely despair was gone. He felt so free and calm, but he was bleeding too much. And he didn't have Cedric to help heal him this time. What was he to do? He couldn't go to Pomfrey. She'd ask too many questions. Still, even though this was a concern it wasn't enough of one to pull him out of his calm.
A whispered healing spell to his left had him turning his attention to the Slytherin beside him; he'd been forced to sit with the Slytherins because of Gryffindor making sure all of the seats on their side were occupied. He met the dark eyes of a dark skinned male. A gorgeous male specimen. Something passed in the Slytherin's eyes as they stared at each other. Slowly, Harry nodded his head in thanks, which was returned with a look of relief in the stoic male's eyes. Thankfully, no other incidents occurred and he, with the help of his new partner, was able to keep his potion under control along with his emotions.
"Blaise." came the soft deep voice of the boy beside him, making Harry blink in shock.
He turned to the male and shyly smiled, his shock melting at the sincere kindness in the Slytherin's eyes.
"Harry."
"Friends?"
Harry's eyes widened more. Timidly he nodded.
"Sure. Thank you for earlier."
Blaise smiled softly and, their potions finished, stood to take their vials to the front. When he returned they sat in a companionable silence. It was only broken by the sharp sound of the bell ringing, at which point all the students ran for the exit, leaving Harry and Blaise alone to pick up their books.
"You want to walk with me to lunch?" Blaise asked softly, causing Harry to blush and look away as he'd been staring again.
Harry placed his books in his bag and then slung it over his shoulder. He gave the handsome wizard a nervous smile.
"I would love to." he replied and they headed out together.
The halls were bustling with students, all attempting to reach the Great Hall or meet up with friends before heading to lunch. So when Harry was hit from behind and into Blaise, the snake quickly grabbed the small Dementor about the waist. Harry gave a yelp of pain and shock, while Blaise glared at the culprit.
"I knew you were putting out, you freak! Does your Hufflepuff pimp know? Or did /he/ whore you out to this Slytherin scum?" snapped Ronald Weasley's voice, dripping with revulsion and hatred.
Harry shivered and looked up into Blaise's stoic face. He was mildly surprised to note that the Italian Slytherin's eyes were hard glittering stones of anger.
Yet the arms wrapped around him were calmed and protective. Ignoring Ron, Harry stood on tiptoe and kissed Blaise on the chin then pulled away.
"Thank you, Blaise. That is the second time someone has protected me, and I will never forget it." he blushed and looked away when Blaise's eyes widened," We should go to lunch. I'd like to introduce you to my other friend."
Receiving a nod, they made their way past a fuming Ron and continued down the hall until they reached the doors to the Great Hall. Blaise paused and grabbed Harry's hand gently into his own. He tenderly kissed the back of said hand and then chuckled at the bright red blush that crept up Harry's neck.
"If you ever lack a place to sit, you may sit beside me at Slytherin, bambino."
Harry nodded and Blaise chuckled once more before they made their way inside. Spotting Cedric, Harry dragged the amused snake over to where his Shadow Demon friend was seated. Only when they stood before the older male did Harry drop Blaise's hand and hug Cedric close. Over the top of the young Dementor's head, Blaise and Cedric shared looks of irritation. Both were feeling particularly protective of the young Gryffindor and felt the other was competition. Of course, they already knew each other. Blaise was a part of the group Cedric was going to introduce to Harry later.
"Did you have fun in your classes?"
Harry shivered when the Shadow Demon's voice traveled through his ears but nodded into the warm chest. He felt calm again. He felt as if he'd come home.
"I had trouble in potions and after potions." he confessed after a bit of thought.
Cedric stiffened and Blaise glared angrily at the Gryffindor table. Cedric's eyes narrowed and traveled over the lion's table until they rested on Ron who was whispering heatedly with his fellow lions while pointedly looking at Harry.
"What happened?"
"The Gryffindors were talking shite and his despair increased. He accidentally sliced up his hand pretty bad when a potions backfired. I healed him up and helped calm him down. Afterwards, the red head decided to call Harry a whore because I wanted to walk him to lunch. You should know he pushed Harry before doing so." Blaise informed, eyes blazing with rage.
Cedric knew that if he could, the Italian would be over at the lion table, hexing and cursing the brains out of all of them. Cedric bent his head in thanks. Blaiise inclined his in acknowledgement. Harry, however, nuzzled Cedric's chest, causing the Shadow Demon to become distracted.
"It's ok, Cedric. I feel loads better now. By the way, this is Blaise. Blaise, this is Cedric. He's my first true friend." the Dementor-child introduced with a shy smile.
Cedric snorted.
"It seems to me, like you've acquired another loyal friend."
Harry blushed and Blaise chuckled. Cedric turned grey eyes on Blaise in a silent question and the Slytherin nodded imperceptibly.
"However, Muerte, we already know each other. He is one of the newer Slytherins in that group I was telling you of earlier. We'll be meeting the others tonight. Blaise, you are welcome to stay if you wish."
Harry turned wide puppy dog eyes on Blaise and the Italian groaned before giving in and nodding. The young soul-eater grinned widely, eyes brightening exponentially. Cedric was momentarily speechless at the sight of it. It wasn't often he was able to see Harry so happy. Regardless, they all sat and began to eat.
Only Cedric and Blaise were aware of the disgusted looks Harry was getting from the Gryffindors, or the thoughtful looks he was receiving from Slytherin. In a way they both felt sorry for how isolated Harry was. They secretly vowed to themselves to protect Harry religiously if they had to. They needed to watch him more carefully anyways. Cedric had a feeling that Harry would need to feed soon. There were too many Light people and creatures around. If Harry were forced to feed it would be on one of these and Cedric couldn't risk it.
He needed to seclude Harry in a room with himself and maybe another demon. If he could find one. But none resided inside school walls that he could tell. He'd have to do, it seemed. Unless a Dark Wizard with a bad soul came along. That would feed Harry for a month or two. However, Dark wizards were rare among children. Most were still deciding even amongst Dark families.
Most, even in Slytherin, were Nuetral/borderline Dark. Cedric sighed. He knew he could handle Harry for now, but he also knew that it wouldn't last for long. Soon, possibly sooner than he'd like, Harry would require a stronger person to feed from. He just hoped that that person took care of Harry as much as he would. Harry wouldn't always be accepted at Hogwarts. He would need someplace safe to stay.
Cedric's brow furrowed in concentration as he thought the problem over. Maybe he could talk it over with Atropos? The Dementor Lord seemed to have a soft spot for the little prince, so he could trust Atropos' judgement on the matter.
"Cedric, are you alright?" inquired Harry, gently resting a hand on his arm.
Worry laced his gesture, but slight fear as well. The Shadow Demon smelled it and winced. Inwardly, he growled. Thanks to Dumbledore, those muggle relatives of his had bred fear and self disgust into him. This kind child, hardly knew a kind word and always expected to be punished for being concerned. For wanting to help. Smiling kindly, Cedric placed his larger hand over Harry's, marveling how tiny this thirteen years old really was compared to others his age.
"I was merely thinking. Are you finished? If so I happen to be in your next class and can escort you there. Blaise can meet up with us tonight when I introduce you to the others."
Blaise nodded at the thinly veiled order. Not many knew that Cedric was second in command, a position he had been granted after saving the life of the leader, who had almost been gang raped by a bunch of Ravenclaws. What was even more astonishing was the Gryffindor who was leading them. Normally Ravenclaws never allowed themselves to be swayed by a brash, reckless lion.
Cedric, who disliked Gryffindor before, positively loathed them after that night. And no amount of consolation could sway that Slytherin to ever come near either the ravens or the lions after that. He was so paranoid of it happening again he'd recruited bodyguards and appointed Cedric as his right hand man.
Cedric helped the older male recruit cases like themselves ever since.
Harry nodded with a small smile and stood to give Blaise a tight hug, garnering a look of surprise from the normally stoic snake. He'd never received a hug of love before. Of kindness. Of friendship.
Blaise fought not to tremble as emotions he was unfamiliar with coursed through his veins. Harry pulled away as if sensing his discomfort and gave him a quick smile before grabbing Cedric's hand and pulling the older teen down the rows of tables to the entrance of the Great Hall. As Blaise watched them leave he felt a soft smile flit across his features, before settling into his normal indifferent mask. He felt,that just maybe,he could follow Harry anywhere.