CHAPTER SEVEN

A few days later, after Damian's birthday, the Hogwarts letters were sent out. According to Sanaro, his letter was unwillingly sent out. Not that it surprised Damian, but he was thrilled to know that he would be able to return to Hogwarts again for his final year. He was not thrilled; however, when his parents said that when Lucius takes Draco to receive his Hogwarts supplies, they were going to pick Damian's up too. This resulted in a three day argument and only ended when Sanaro came to his aid saying that he also had to go to Diagon Alley and that he would look after Damian. As a result, a week before they were due to return to Hogwarts, Sanaro and Damian Apparated to Leaky Cauldron where they were to meet up with the Malfoys, Hermione and Daphne. Voldemort had insisted that Hermione didn't go by herself, seeing as he didn't trust Dumbledore. Daphne was there for she was spending the week with Hermione. The two girls had become close friends.

'Hi, Damian, Draco.' Daphne greeted, when the two girls finally arrived. 'Sorry we're late. The traffic was horrible.'

'That's alright,' Damian smiled. 'Shall we get going? Mum and Dad gave strict instructions and want us home by one; otherwise Dad's coming down to look for us, and I don't think that would be a good idea.'

'To think that he doesn't trust us,' Severus said sadly to Narcissa and Lucius, but they were staring at Damian. They had never heard the youngest Heir of Slytherin address his parents as mum and dad. 'Let's go to Madam Malkin's first,' he added. 'None of Harry's robes fit anymore seeing as he's no longer a weed.'

'I still can't get over your new look,' said Daphne as they headed towards Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. 'I didn't recognise you at first.'

'Neither did I,' admitted Hermione. 'I feel short,' she added as she looked up at Damian. They use to be the same height.

'That's because you are,' Draco teased, looking down at her.

'Hey! Does that mean you're calling me short too seeing as I'm the same size as her?' demanded Daphne, fighting to keep the smile off her face.

'Of course,' Draco shrugged, before he was pushed playfully by a laughing Daphne.

The group spent a while in Madam Malkin's due to Damian practically getting a new wardrobe for school and special occasions where Voldemort refused to allow him to wear his Muggle clothes. Not that Narcissa, Daphne and Hermione minded. They enjoyed being allowed to browse the different racks of robes and trying them on. They even bought a few. In the meantime, Draco and Lucius sat patiently, while an impatient Damian tried to stand still as Madam Malkin hemmed up his robes, and Sanaro choose different robes for different occasions. If Harry had it his way he would have just grabbed a handful of robes and would have left the room.

Over an hour later, they left a shaken Madam Malkin's - she had been shaking the entire time from the moment she saw Lucius and Sanaro - and headed towards Flourish and Blotts, before going to the apothecary to pick up their potion supplies and the ingredients that Sanaro needed. After they had bought everything they needed, they stopped at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Draco and Damian had made many plans on what they were going to do to Damian's old "friends" during the holidays, they just needed the equipment. After a five minute argument with his brother about being able to look after himself, Damian was finally allowed to join Draco and his friends inside.

Draco had already picked out a number of handy items when Damian came over to him, and Damian soon added a few more items to Draco's pile. Neither of the boys would answer the girl's questions as to why they were buying so much.

'Damian, hurry up. We've got to leave soon,' Sanaro told his brother, ten minutes later.

'Okay, I'll go and pay for all this and then we can go,' replied Damian.

'You can't pay for all of them,' Draco argued. 'Let me pay for half.'

'If you insist, but at least allow me to pay for them all first. I think they might be a little suspicious if you buy them,' Damian said pointedly.

'Won't they be suspicious if you buy them too?' asked Daphne.

'Maybe, but they have no idea who I am, do they?' Damian replied, smiling mischievously before going to the counter.

He was hoping that one of Fred and George's staff members would be serving, but he wasn't in luck. Fred was at the counter with George standing behind him sorting out the shelves.

'Just these items, thanks,' muttered Damian. He was glad that his voice had changed along with his looks.

'I think we've got a serious prankster here, George,' Fred said as he put everything into two bags.

'I think you're right, Fred,' George said, glancing over at Damian.

Damian moved uncomfortably and opened his money bag.

'How much do I owe you?' he asked.

Out the corner of his eye he could see Sanaro watching the whole exchange very closely. Damian was starting to wonder why no one had reacted to Sanaro or Lucius' presence yet.

They're probably too interested in everything else to pay much attention, thought Damian.

'Nothing, it's free,' Fred answered simply, handing Damian the bags.

'Why?' Damian asked suspiciously, excepting the bags.

'He has changed the way he looks, talks and acts, yet he's still as thick as ever,' George laughed, shaking his head. 'How many times do we have to tell you, Damian? You can have anything you want from here for free. After all, you did give us the money.'

'How did you know it was me?' asked a shocked Damian. Sanaro was walking over to him. 'And why aren't you yelling for the Aurors or anything? Ron and Ginny would be -'

'Ah, but they take after our mother, along with Percy. They judge people based on their family and family reputations. Whereas, we take after Bill and Charlie; we all base people on what their personality is like, not whether they're famous nor have an evil father. Besides, you're still the same Damian we got to know over the years. You've just had a change in looks and surname,' answered Fred.

'Thanks, but you didn't answer how you knew it was me.'

'I think I'd like to know that too,' said Sanaro, stopping next to Damian. He was staring suspiciously at the twins.

'Don't mind him. My brother is very protective of me,' said Damian. 'Besides, he's a big softie if you know him.'

'Damian, I would ask you not to say that stuff about me in public, especially the softie part. I have a reputation to keep,' Sanaro said firmly, but he had a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

'We figured it was you when we saw you with Hermione, Greengrass, the Malfoys and your brother, especially since you look like him,' said George.

'Plus your scar is showing,' added Fred.

Damian hurriedly patted down his fringe, while Sanaro looked thoughtful.

'Anyway, I should go. I'll see you two around,' said Damian as he followed Sanaro out of the shop to meet the others.

'So, how much do I owe you?' asked Draco, taking one of the bags off Damian as they walked back to Leaky Cauldron.

'Nothing,' answered Damian.

'Damian, I'm not going to allow you to pay for all of them,' Draco said firmly.

'Well if you ever find out what half of zero sickles are, they you can pay me that negative amount if you find out how to do that,' replied Damian, trying not to laugh at his best friends confused face.

'The Weasley twins gave him everything for free,' Sanaro said, taking pity on his godson.

'What? Why would they do that?' asked a still bewildered Draco.

'They knew who Harry was, due to his company and scar,' explained Sanaro. 'We are lucky that no one else realised.'

'I guess. Well, I guess I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express next week then,' Damian said when they arrived at Leaky Cauldron.

'Yes, you will. See you later, Damian,' said Hermione.

'Bye,' said Daphne.

'I'll see you tomorrow,' said Draco.

Damian nodded and Apparated back home with Sanaro.

-THE TRUTH REVEALED-

The week seemed to fly by and before Damian knew it, he was standing in the living home listening to his parents telling him the rules and lecturing him about being safe and what not. Meanwhile, Sanaro was standing in the corner looking highly amused until Nagini start on him, then it was Damian's turn to be amused.

Eventually, Damian Apparated to King's Cross station where he was to meet up with Draco. He soon found Draco in one of the compartments with Pansy, lips locked. Damian stood there for a moment debating whether or not he should interrupt them, and in the end he decided "what the hell?" and knocked once the door before opening it. Draco and Pansy broke apart real quickly.

'Just a word of advice; if you don't want to be disturbed, try finding a place where you won't be or put a "do not disturb" sign on the door,' Damian smirked.

'Oh shut up, Damian!' Pansy laughed. 'It is good to see you too! Have you seen the others yet?'

'No, I only just got here,' replied Damian.

'So, Damian … any idea on whom you're going to ask to the ball?' Pansy asked once Damian had settled down on a seat opposite Draco.

'Ball? What ball?' Damian asked, confused.

'The ball that all seventh years have at Christmas to celebrate their final year at Hogwarts,' Pansy answered. 'Honestly, Damian, where have you been for the past six years? Didn't your family tell you about it? They said that they went to Hogwarts.'

'No, they didn't. But Sanaro did say something about having fun dancing. And here I was thinking that I wouldn't have to do it ever again,' Damian sighed.

'What's wrong with dancing?' asked Pansy.

'Nothing, when you can dance. Didn't you see how bad I was at the Yule Ball?'

'You weren't that bad,' said Pansy. 'All you need is a little instruction. I'm sure Daphne would love to help you.'

'If you say so,' muttered Damian.

'So, who are you going to ask?' asked Draco.

'No idea,' admitted Damian.

'Well, you better ask someone soon.'

'The ball's not till Christmas so why do I have to ask someone now? Besides, I have to check with my parents if I'm allowed to go. They might want me at home during Christmas.'

'Hi all,' said Hermione as Daphne and her entered the compartment.

'Hi!'

'Daphne, someone wants to say hi,' Damian said once everyone had arrived, and after all the greeting and stories were told. 'She's been pestering me since you arrived.'

Everyone frowned at Damian until he pulled something black from his neck revealing his snake Alinga. For some reason, Alinga like Daphne more than she did Damian's other friends. Sometimes he thought that she liked her more than she like him. When he told her that they were going to Hogwarts where Daphne was, Alinga was so excited that one would have thought that she was going to see a long lost friend that she hadn't seen for many years.

'Hi, Alinga!' Daphne said happily, excepting the Taipan off Damian.

Damian sat there and watched Daphne for a while as she handled Alinga. She was very good with snakes, he realised, but strangely enough he also realised how beautiful she was too. Everyone said the Ginny Weasley was the prettiest girl at Hogwarts, but Damian had to disagree. Daphne would have to be one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen at Hogwarts, he just add never really noticed her before.

'So what do you think, Harry?' asked Neville, snapping Damian back into reality.

'Huh? What do I think about what?'

'You haven't been listening to a word we've said, have you?' demanded Blaise.

'No sorry, my thoughts were... somewhere else,' mumbled Damian.

'What were you thinking about?' asked a curious Theodore.

'Nothing too important,' Damian said quickly as he felt his face begin to burn.

'If it's nothing important, than why are you turning red?' Draco laughed.

'Leave him alone. He can't help it if a certain beauty has captured his eyes and heart,' said a knowing Hermione.

'Huh?'

Hermione just smiled and winked at Damian. Had he been that obvious?

The trip to Hogwarts was pleasant enough, for nobody interrupted them which surprised them greatly. Why hadn't Weasley and the other Gryffindors come to taunt and annoy them? Damian's theory was that they were staying with Ginny Weasley because of what happened on his birthday or his second theory was that they were planning something. Once he told his friends of the second theory they all exchanged looks and Damian groaned. They were all starting to develop plans to make sure Damian wasn't left alone.

When they arrived at Hogsmeade Station, Damian became aware of the other seventh year students and some six, fifth and fourth year students continuously glancing over at him. Most of them were trying to figure out who he was, but others were just wondering who the new hottie was.

When they ended up arriving in the Great Hall, many heads turned their way from seventh years, sixth years and the teachers, except for Severus. All of them were wondering who the new boy was and what he was doing with Draco and the other Slytherins, Hermione, Neville and Luna. They also began to wonder where Harrison Riddle was. Some of the smarter students and teachers had suspicions as to who the boy was, and their suspicions were nearly confirmed when he sat down at the Slytherin table, trying not to laugh. In the end it was too much for Dumbledore, and he rose to his feet and walked over to where Damian was sitting. The Hall went quiet.

'I'm sorry, but I thought I knew ever student that studied at Hogwarts. Sadly, I don't recall ever seeing you before. What is your name, my dear boy?' Dumbledore asked kindly, his eyes twinkling madly.

'Firstly, I am not your "dear boy",' said Damian, turning and looking up at the man he hated with every bone in his body. 'Secondly, how can you not recognise me? Surely you can tell who I am related to. I am like a mirror image of my brother, Sanaro, and Father, or did you think that I would remain looking like James Potter for the rest of my life?'

'Oh, I didn't recognise you. I take it that Sanaro was able to make you a potion...'

'Obviously. How else do you think I got my natural looks back?' Damian interrupted coldly, before turning his attention back to his friends, ignoring the fact that Dumbledore was standing behind him.

Since the beginning of year feast, many people had become very weary of Damian, for they now believed that he had changed completely and that he was to become the next Dark Lord. Damian ignored all the gossip and concentrated on his studies and Quidditch tactics. Damian remained the best student in Defence Against the Dark Arts, which surprised many people, and he soon became the best student in Potions too due to Sanaro's private tutoring. His Transfiguration mark also went a great deal due to his father's tutoring the same with his mother's tutoring on Charms.

Surprisingly, the beginning of the year went quietly with the only exciting events being the inter-house Quidditch matches. However, as the seventh year Christmas ball approached, every student became excited and all that could be heard from their conversations was about the masquerade ball. Who was going with who, who was likely to win king, queen, princess and prince, and many other conversations about outfits and make-up.

'So, have you thought about who you are going to ask yet, Damian?' Pansy asked Damian, two weeks before the ball.

'Kind of,' admitted Damian, with a sideways glance at Daphne, who was sneaking food to Alinga.

'Really? Who were you think of?' Daphne asked, looking up and over at him.

'I - er - have you got a date yet?'

'No, and don't try to change the subject, Damian Riddle! Who do you have a crush on?' demanded Daphne.

Damian tried to ignore her. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks.

'What about you, Hermione?' Damian asked quickly, and, to his surprise, she blushed.

'Blaise asked me and I accepted,' Hermione muttered, smiling over at Blaise who was sitting next to. He grinned back and took her hand.

'Come on, Hermione, let's get to class,' he said, leading her out of the hall, followed shortly but a laughing Draco and Pansy. This left Daphne and Damian sitting at the table since Neville and Luna were sitting together talking quietly and the others were who knows where. Damian and Daphne had a spare.

'Damian, are you alright?' Daphne asked, frowning with concern. 'You've been acting weirdly lately, whenever someone mentions you taking someone to the ball. Why have you been acting like that?'

'It's because he's in love with you. Haven't you noticed Daphne? Haven't you noticed the way he looks at you? And here I was thinking that males were the blind ones,' said Alinga.

Damian was grateful that Daphne couldn't speak Parseltongue, but that didn't stop Damian hissing back at Alinga.

'Alinga, shut up,' hissed Damian. She laughed a snake laugh.

Daphne just looked confused at their exchange.

'I wish I could speak Parseltongue,' Daphne sighed. 'So, who is it?'

'Come with me to the lake and I'll tell you,' muttered Damian as he felt some of the teacher's eyes on him.

'Sure,' Daphne shrugged, following him from the Hall.

Once they were at the Lake, Damian turned to face her. What if she had no feelings for him? What if she said that she only wanted to remain friends? And what if she had no feelings for him and he ruined their friendship by admitting having feelings for her?

'Tell her already, will you!' Alinga urged. 'What's the worst that can happen?'

A lot, thought Damian, but he decided to ask her anyway.

'Daphne, will you come to the ball with me?'

Daphne blinked and just stared at him, before flinging her arms around his neck and kissing him, which Damian returned after his initial shock was over.

'I've actually been contemplating asking you to the ball, but when you started acting weirdly, I thought that your heart belonged to another, that or you were under some love spell again,' admitted Daphne, once they had broken apart and she noticed Damian's questioning look.

Damian only smiled and embraced her again. It felt so right to hold her in his arms. He had never felt anything like it. He never had the same feeling with Cho or Ginny, and at that moment he knew that he wished to spend the rest of his life with her.

His family and friends were thrilled to learn of Damian and Daphne's new found relationship, but it also meant that Daphne now had rules from Voldemort in order to protect herself. Voldemort was convinced that Dumbledore would use Daphne against Damian. However, it seemed as though Dumbledore had given up, but that didn't mean that Damian let himself relax. He knew that Dumbledore could still be planning something big...

The seventh years' masquerade ball was soon upon them and everyone was looking forward to it. At six-thirty, the Damian, Draco, and Blaise were all sitting in the Slytherin common room waiting for their dates to appear. They were the only ones left.

'Honestly, how long does it take to get ready?' Draco wondered aloud. It had only taken him and the other two boys twenty minutes to get ready.

'They're girls, Draco,' Blaise answered as though it explained everything. It was at that moment that the girls emerged and the boys felt their jaws drop.

All three of them looked beautiful, but Damian only had eyes for Daphne. She was wearing a teal, long, floaty, boob-tube dress with her dark hair all curled and cascading down her back. She blushed slightly as she walked over to Damian.

'You look absolutely beautiful,' Damian told her quietly, as someone entered the common room.

'You don't look too bad yourself,' replied Daphne, turning to face Sanaro, who had just entered the room with a camera. 'What's with the camera, Professor Snape?'

'Every Head of House must take photos of their students,' Sanaro lied. 'So far I've managed to get everyone except you six. So come on, get into groups and let's get some photos. I also need to get single ones.'

Damian's friends all shrugged, except Draco. They bought his lie and got themselves ready while Damian walked over to his brother.

Sanaro winked down at him and said quietly, 'Mother and Father want a lot of photos.'

'Nice cover up,' Damian grinned, before going back and joining Daphne.

Once the photos were all down and dusted, Damian and his friends made their way to the ball to meet up with Neville and the other Slytherins.

Surprisingly enough, the night went by with no dramas. It was the one time that the different houses actually mingled together without cursing one enough. The only thing that would make Damian's night more perfect would have been if Sanaro hadn't been continuously watching him and Daphne every now and then. He knew that Nagini had put his brother up to it.

Azaelia Silmarwen facebook page: link on profile
Written: 25 November 2011
Updated:
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