Better Be…Slytherin
By the way, I know you all chose Slytherin to spite me, -looks at them all evilly- well, u made the choice, so I'll try and write it anyway. Enjoy!
'Better be…Slytherin!'
Three of the Houses at the sound of the words, "Slytherin", remained obtusely silent. Only a few of the Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students cheered. However, the Slytherin table remained shockingly silent. Most of their member's faces were shocked and very much disturbed. Many of them had plans boiling away in their minds, and only a few clapped. The head of Slytherin House, Professor Snape, was even more shocked. When his neighbouring professor waved a hand in front of his face, he showed no emotion at all. He was just…blank.
Emerald sneered as he got up and headed towards the green table. Smirking slightly at the banner of a snake, he slightly dipped his head in respect towards the banner, unnoticed by most, but a few.
Albus Dumbledore was one of those most heavily concerned. This could prove a potential problem with his overall plans. Should Harry defeat the Dark Lord, but was in Slytherin when he did it, he could be set up as the next Dark Lord. Harry was very much critical to his plans to modernise the Wizarding world, but he couldn't do that otherwise. He'd have to talk to the boy later, see if he could arrange a resorting.
As he sat down, most of the Slytherins edged themselves away, apart from a few, including a golden-white haired boy who looked very much like an aristocrat, a bit like Shell in fact, and a raven-black haired girl, who showed no emotion. The girl in particular was someone to notice, as she had startling looks. Her friend, a pretty brunette girl, who was sat to the side of her started to whisper in her ear, looking at Emerald maliciously.
Dumbledore stood up again after having momentarily collapsed onto his chair after the announcement of Emerald's House. He coughed, getting instant silence. 'I only have two words to say to you,' he told them, his deep voice echoing around the Great Hall. 'Tuck in.'
Suddenly, in front of Emerald appeared entire plates, platters and bowls full of food. Roast beef, roast chicken, sausages, pork chops, steak and kidney pudding, steak and kidney pie, black pudding for the meet. Roast potatoes, jacket potatoes, boiled and mashed, chips, Yorkshire pudding all that kind of food. There wasn't much in vegetables, as all that Emerald could see were sprouts, carrots and peas. He grimaced at the clearly unhealthy and high cholesterol food that was present. Had they never heard of vegetarian meals? If he wanted to keep up his healthy body, then it looked like Emerald was going to have to work out a lot more than he had been doing recently.
Rubbing his eyes and ignoring all the stares and glares that he was receiving from the House, he got up and walked towards the Gryffindor table. He was going to need a word with those two girls.
As he walked across the Hall, he gained a lot of attention, mainly from the students, who had never before in their school life had seen a Slytherin voluntarily walk over to the Gryffindor table, unless, of course, it was to start trouble. Hoping to see a fight, they nudged their friends and pointed in the direction of Emerald. As he drew closer to Lavender and Parvati, the two girls who had been whispering in each other's ears saw where the looks of their fellow Gryffindor's on the opposite end of the table to them, and turned around themselves to see Emerald coming towards them.
Their faces changed from uncertainty, to a pleased look, to a curious look. Both of them moved to their sides to create a space in the middle of the pair so that Emerald could sit down next to them both. As Emerald sat between them both, they grinned at him, causing him to grin back.
'So then, you're both witches. I gotta say, that's certainly unusual for me. In fact, I don't think I've ever dated a witch before, let alone two of them at the same time.'
Parvati flashed him a glare. 'Ha, bloody, ha. What the hell are you doing here, Emerald? And how are you Harry Potter?'
'Well, it's actually quite a story. Apparently Dumbles up there couldn't leave me alone for "the Greater Good" and proceeded to kidnap me because he wanted to use me as Propaganda against Lord what's-his-name, Voldimort? Velvetmort? Moldymort? I forget. Anyways, basically I'm being forced to come here, being dragged out of the only world I know kicking and screaming into a whole new world where I'm constantly being stared at and basically, I don't know anyone except you two. So, guess what? You've just won the lucky prize of having me come around with you two.' He grinned at them mischievously.
'Well, how can we ever say no to a pretty face like that then?' Lavender grinned, her mind obviously coming up with something. 'I'm pretty sure we can find some things to do to pass the time.'
'Yeah, maybe beat up racists, threaten bouncers, all that kind of thing, eh Emerald?' Parvati smirked at him.
'You got it in one, Parv.'
The three of them burst out laughing, watched by most of the students in the Great Hall. Once they'd calmed down, Emerald had some questions for the pair.
'So what is there to do around here? Any decent nightclubs? Bands?'
Parvati and Lavender looked uneasy. 'Actually, I've found that the Wizarding world is really dull.' Lavender said. 'While we're in school, there are no places like that around here. There is a town that third year students and above can go to every two weeks, so that's alright.'
'Please tell me that there's a decent nightlife around here.'
The two of them shook their heads sadly. Emerald froze, before he groaned. 'Why the hell did I have to come here? What god did I upset, or what did I do in my past life that was so bad?'
'I don't know, knowing you though, you were probably a gang member and did all kinds of stuff.'
'Yeah, you're probably right.' Emerald sighed, not realising that Parvati was joking. 'So then, how come you two didn't tell me? It's not like I would burn you at the stake or anything.'
'Well, that's kinda the problem. Wizards treat Muggles, people without magical ability, like dirt. They made all these laws restricting Wizard and Muggle access between each other, which includes the Statues of Wizarding Secrecy. Basically, we can't tell you anything about the Wizarding world unless we did something like marry you or something. But, let's face it, your hardly marriage material, are you?'
'I'm hurt, I truly am.' Emerald said dryly, causing the two girls to giggle.
'So then, you're a slimy Slytherin?'
'Looks like, I don't really understand the House systems though, so I don't really see the big deal.'
'Well, it kinda is a big deal to Wizards who go here. Basically, the Sorting Hat takes your abilities and character and sorts you into the House that sorts you best. For example, us, Gryffindors, we're braver than anything else. Hufflepuff,' Lavender pointed to a banner above a table that was yellow. 'They're known for being really loyal to their friends, and are hard working. Ravenclaw,' she pointed to another table that were dressed in blue colours. 'They're known for their book-smarts. Parvati's twin sister is in Ravenclaw, so make sure you don't confuse the two otherwise you'll have an angry Gryffindor after you. And of course, there's Slytherin. Known for their cunning and ambition.'
'Also known for being Dark Lords and Death Eater scum!' An angry voice said. The three of them looked up to see Ron Weasley sitting just a few rows below from them.
'You got a problem, Weasley?' Emerald said coldly, instantly regaining the attention of most of the Great Hall that had allowed their attention to reluctantly drift from Emerald when no signs of any trouble-making were going on.
'Yeah, I got a problem.'
'Is it the size of your manhood? Because, I got to tell you Weasley, it isn't normal for a guy to have so little down there.'
Ron turned instantly red. 'Why you-'
'Gorgeous hunk of a man? Why thank you, although I'm afraid I don't bend your way.'
Ron growled with anger.
'Is there something wrong with your throat? Maybe you'd better go see the school nurse, give you some cough drops.'
'Sod off you filthy Slytherin.'
Emerald looked up and down himself in mock-shock. 'Why Weasley, your right, I am a Slytherin! But filthy, well, not so much as you Weasley. Have you ever considered trying to eat properly? As in, using a plate rather than your robe?' Emerald's eyes looked up and down at the food splattered robe that Ron wore. He instantly flushed.
Emerald smirked at Ron before he turned back to the two girls. 'So as I was saying-'
Emerald suddenly found the back of his shirt being pulled on and he found himself thrown to the floor. Ron stood above him, a triumphant look on his face. As Emerald stood up, his face completely blank, Ron started to boast as he turned towards the Gryffindor table. 'Yeah, not so hard now are you, Potter?'
BAM!
Ron suddenly found his nose broken and bleeding everywhere. Emerald stood above him.
'Lesson one, Weasley. Never turn away from ouse that suits your abiliyour opponent. Lesson two, whenever you're on the ground; make sure you keep your weak points protected. Already, you have failed Lesson two already. For example,' he kicked the boy in the groin. 'And another example, he kicked him in the throat, causing him to retch dryly.
'Mr. Potter!' A shrieking voice cried out from the Teacher's table as McGonagall hurried over to them. 'Yes, problem?'
'Detention for the next month with me!'
'Yeah, I'm going to be busy on those days. Maybe we should reschedule, possibly when I've left school. I'll get my diary, you get your diary, we'll compare days in which we're free, and then we'll-'
'Silence!' She turned towards the Head table. 'Severus, help me out here.'
Severus stood up proudly. 'Your damn right I'll help. Mr. Weasley, twenty points from Gryffindor for attacking a student from behind!'
McGonagall spluttered. 'But what about Mr. Potter's blatant assault on Mr. Weasley?'
Severus's face became confused. 'I didn't see anything of the sort. I only saw Mr. Weasley attack our Mr. Potter as he insulted Slytherin House. Mr. Potter was merely trying to defend himself from further assault from Mr. Weasley.' He turned back to Emerald. 'Mr. Potter, if you could please go sit yourself back down at your designated House.' He turned to go back to the Teacher's table, while McGonagall levitated the helpless Weasley to the hospital wing. Emerald smirked as he saw the looks on the faces of the students in the Houses. Slytherin especially had changed quite a bit. There were quite a lot of faces of approval, and some of outright admiration. However, others remained bitterly hostile. Yes, they were definitely a pack of snakes. And he would become its king. If they were impressed by that little show with Weasley, then how would they react when he unleashed his full power? He doubted that any Slytherin would escape without at least a few bruises and broken bones. And he highly doubted that he would suffer much in return, by either the Slytherins or the Headmaster.
As he sat down in his seat, the blonde-white haired kid came up to Emerald.
'Harry Potter?' He said in a posh voice.
'No, my name is Emerald.'
'Of course, Emerald. My name is Draco Malfoy, and can I just say that you did an excellent job on the Weasel.'
Emerald smirked. 'He'd been asking for it all day.'
'Yes, he does get like that. He's of the weaker families.'
'Yes, if you say so. However, I have no idea what you're on about with families. If you don't know, then I was born in the Muggle world and was raised by Muggles. I know nothing about you and your world, and quite frankly, I don't really care.'
'Hmm, well, I'm afraid that I wouldn't understand your Muggle ways either, but from the looks of things, it appears as though you're outnumbered and have little intelligence on our world. I can help you there.' Draco held out his hand to Emerald.
Emerald stared at it. What should he do? If he wanted to make his time as comfortable as possible, then he'd need to take over Slytherin. And while he could probably do that through brute force, there was always other ways. Perhaps this Draco could help him on that road, and if not, well, there was always the possibility of having a minion below him to help. Yes, he had met people like him before. They believed themselves to be better than anyone else, and on occasions they were. However, the majority of them were basically weak. They were easily corrupted and would follow anyone who they believed would make them great. Of course, most of the time once their leader had completed their goal, they would abandon them. Still, if Draco proved useful, he would have a better reputation in Slytherin.
He shook Draco's hand.
In the Slytherin common room, Emerald shuddered. Why, in God's name, did someone decide to choose a dungeon for a bloody common room? Not only was it damp and cold, but it was in a bloody dungeon! How no one else felt the cold, Emerald had no idea, but come on? How was it healthy for a child whose immune systems weren't fully functional yet to spend all their time in a place like this? It was amazing that the whole of Slytherin didn't have colds all the time!
Draco had immediately led Emerald to his "associates", or in Emerald's eyes, toadies. He introduced them all to Emerald.
'Emerald, this is Crabbe,' Ape number 1 grunted. 'Goyle,' Ape number 2 grunted. 'And Pansy.' Ape number three nodded in his direction.'
'So then, Potter.' Pansy said.
'Emerald,' Emerald said automatically.
'Emerald then. Where have you been over the years?'
Emerald shrugged. 'I've been living in London along with friends of mine.'
'In the Muggle world?' Pansy had a look of disgust on her face.
'Yes, in the Muggle world.'
Pansy sneered, but didn't say anything else.
'Good fight.' Crabbe grunted.
Emerald raised an eyebrow. 'I assume your talking about me and Weasley.' Crabbe grunted again in confirmation.
'So then, Emerald. Why did you get sorted into Slytherin? I mean, I would've thought that you'd be a Gryffindor.'
Emerald shrugged. 'The Sorting Hat obviously decided that Slytherin was the best House for me. I didn't have a choice in the matter. Besides, I see little difference between the Houses. All that it serves to do is foster enmity and hatred between different members. What kind of society actually encourages that?'
Draco bristled. 'It's served the Wizarding world well enough for hundreds of years!'
Emerald raised an eyebrow. 'And nobody has taken in the consideration that the Wizarding world might have become stagnant in its views and policies? I mean, for God sake, us Muggles have become far more advanced than you.'
'But we have wands!'
'And we have guns. Which work well against wizards.'
'And how would you know that?'
'Because I've tried it. And it worked.'
There was a silence in the group as they all looked at Emerald interested.
'What do you mean by it worked?'
'As in our illustraious headmaster decided to kidnap me for the Greater Good. He had his precious Order come up against me and my friends. They had wands, we had guns. They had spells, we had bullets. We fired, they died. They fired, they knocked us out.'
'Hah-hah! That's exactly the problem then, if they had used killing curses, you would've easily been taken out.'
'Is that so? Tell me, what do you have to do exactly to use the killing curse?'
'Well, you just point the wand their way and say the words for the spell, why?'
'How long would that take, would you say? To do all that?'
Draco hesitated. 'Well, I suppose that it would take around two to five seconds, depending on how experienced you are with the spell, but why?'
'Okay, so you're sticking with a spell that can take up to five seconds to cast. I could use a semi-automatic Muggle pistol that can fire bullets rapidly. In the time that you used to cast your spell, I've could've potentially fired at least three bullets into your body. Another example, a sniper rifle. Some of us Muggles have even managed to get the weapon to aim up to a mile away. In order to use the killing curse, how far would you normally have to be away from your target?'
Draco's face was slightly pale now. 'Well…not far.'
'How far, Draco?'
He shrugged. 'Perhaps a few yards at the most? I'm not sure.'
'Exactly Draco. Now, how many wizards and witches would you say there are in England?'
'I think that there are around 18,000 Wizards and Witches.'
'All of them with wands?'
'Yeah.'
'In Muggle England alone, there are over 50 million of us. And I believe that there're around 10 million of them with weapons. Of course, I'm not taking into account the main weapons such as the Muggle armed forces. And of course, let's not forget about nuclear weapons. So in conclusion, Draco, should every wizard and witch in England go into a battle with the Muggles at once, they'd be pulverized.'
'But, but the Dark Lord will defeat them, he's doing it already!'
'You mean Velvetmort?' He ignored the gasps of shock from the group. 'Well, how many has he killed? An estimate.'
'Well, in just this war alone, I'd say that the Dark Lord and his followers have killed around a thousand Muggles.'
'Well, in the entire Muggle world, not just England, there's one person dying every second. That means that every hour, over 3,600 have died. In a full day, 80,000 have died. But we're not dying out, Draco. Our birth rate is more than our death rate. No matter how many your Dark Lord tries to kill, we're just going to keep expanding. And what happens when the Dark Lord is finally revealed to the Muggles? They're going to go after him, and in the process, they're going to go after the Wizarding world as well. Your Dark Lord is going to spell the end of your Wizarding world.' He looked up and saw the hot girl who had been sitting near him earlier. Her brunette friend had gone somewhere and she was currently on her own. 'My advice to you lot is to start living. Because if your "Dark Lord" wins, then everyone loses.'
He got up from his chair and walked towards the girl, ignoring his shocked companions behind him. He hoped that not everyone in Slytherin were like them, otherwise, it was going to make some very boring school years.
--
Emerald groaned as he pulled himself out of his bed-chambers. He wasn't used to beds like that. He missed his old bed. It may not have been in the best condition, but it was suited to his purposes. The constant years of sleeping in it had created the perfect imprint that relaxed his body completely. And he certainly wasn't happy having to share with other people.
As usual, he woke up at six in the morning. From what he knew of his conversation with Daphne Greengrass, the girl which whom he spoke to last night, breakfast started at Eight in the morning. That meant that he had an hour and a half to complete his exercises. Grabbing a T-shirt and some trousers, he left the Slytherin common room and left for the outside.
He sighed as he approached the lake. Around it was a large pathway. That would do for today. Just a simple jog all around the lake. As he set off, his mind set to his conversation with Daphne yesterday.
Flashback
Emerald approached the beautiful girl as she sat on a chair, her legs folded underneath her as she skipped through a book. When Emerald sat on the chair next to her own, she raised an eyebrow with curiosity.
'Yes, Emerald? Can I help you?'
Emerald raised his own eyebrow in return to hers. He was slightly surprised that at least someone had listened to him when he asked that he be called Emerald rather than Harry Potter.
'I just thought I'd talk to you. You caught my interest.'
'Oh? And that's new how? I assure you, Emerald; I get plenty of "interest". And while I'll gladly admit that you have some quality on you,' she looked him up and down at that point, her mask remaining intact though. 'It does not mean that I will gladly jump into bed with you at the first chance. I would advise you use a Hufflepuff for that, they're so very amusing to toy with.' She smirked slightly.
'I wouldn't know, but perhaps I will find that out this term. But enough of Hufflepuffs, I'm more interested in you.'
She smirked as she got off her seat and walked up a staircase. Emerald simply chuckled. He liked this one.
'What's your name?' He called after her.
She paused and looked at Emerald, smiling slightly. 'Daphne. Daphne Greengrass.'
Emerald grinned as he watched Daphne leave. She looked like quite a laugh. He'd have to get to know her a bit better.
End Flashback
Emerald suddenly broke off from his job as two pairs of hands grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him into the bush. Two identical twins glared at him with anger in their eyes. Emerald looked them up and down, and smirked as he remembered them as the pair that he had knocked down when he had been kidnapped.
'And what do you two want?'
One of them suddenly punched him in the stomach. Emerald looked at them, amused. How weak.
'Was that meant to hurt me?'
The other one suddenly punched Emerald in the mouth. Still no pain whatsoever. Emerald smirked.
'My turn now.'
Emerald suddenly leapt into action, one foot connecting with one twin's shin and a fist with the other twin's eye. Both collapsed to the floor, groaning in pain. Emerald sighed. This was quite pathetic. Emerald had quite enough of this and he let his full rage over having been kidnapped and dragged away from his friends boil over into him.
He snapped.
He started kicking them, punching them. He didn't let off them both for over five minutes. Finally, he stopped, his breath heavy as he looked at the damage done to the two twins. Both their faces were just one big blob of blood. At least three ribs had been broken between them, if not more. And as far as he could tell, one of the twin's had a broken leg. Emerald bent over them.
'You ever try and touch me again, then I promise you, what you just felt now will be nothing compared to what I do. You've seen me with my bare fists; just imagine what I'll be like with a weapon.' He turned on them, dismissively.
Not a bad start to the day.
After leaving the twins to their own devices, Emerald had just gotten back in time before the majority of Slytherin woke up from their beds. Just as he came out of the shower, he met a yawning Draco.
He nodded at Draco. 'Good morning, Draco.'
Draco grunted in a Crabbe and Goyle fashion, so Emerald noted in amusement. He looked nothing like he did yesterday. Gone was the slick, easy-looking Slytherin whose hair was usually perfect. Gone were the perfect features of yesterday. Instead, in front of him was a sleepy-looking ordinary teenager, with bags underneath his eyes and his hair all messed up.
As Draco passed him into the showers and Emerald had gotten dressed in his usual Muggle clothes, he continued downstairs to the common room. Suddenly, he saw Daphne.
'Hey Daphne.'
She looked at him without any emotion. 'What do you want now, Emerald? To try fuck me?'
Emerald smirked. 'Well, if you're offering.'
Her eyes, recently blank suddenly burst into fiery orbs. Her anger was clearly aroused. 'Is that all you see me as, Emerald? A fuck toy? Just like every other fucking male in this school? I'm not anyone's toy, Emerald. I'm myself. And I'm telling you now, Emerald, if you dare come up to me again, I swear that I'll fucking castrate you myself!'
Emerald raised his hands in submission. 'Easy there, Daphne. Christ, I'm not like that. Well, I am, but I'm not to you. Seriously, Daphne, you're attractive, yeah, but I'm not actually looking for a relationship. Or even for just a fuck! Look, I just came to Hogwarts unwillingly and basically, the only person who's even bothered to talk to me is Draco. Look, I promise that I'm not after you as a fuck-buddy. Is there any way that you'll believe me?'
Daphne looked at Emerald curiously, her head cocked to one side as though examining him in a new light. She had to admit, she was curious about this Emerald. From what she could tell from him, he clearly had trouble with the headmaster and the rest of the authorities. In addition, he was clearly good in a physical fight, although she knew that he would be weak against magical attacks. However, from what she had seen of him so far, he had already cultivated allies in both Gryffindor and Slytherin, from some of the best connected people around.
Parvati and Lavender were both known as the gossip queens of not just Gryffindor, but the whole school. The pair alone had been responsible for uncovering half the scandals that occurred in schools, and they probably contributed a great deal to the other half as well. One word from them, and they could potentially bring down a student.
And then there was Malfoy. She didn't know his game, but she did know that he was having troubles at home with his Death Eater father. While she had gotten the impression that he was nothing more than a carbon copy of his father, she had realized that last year, during his third year, he was clearly rethinking everything he'd been told. And he didn't like the results. But even so, his family connections expanded into pureblood society, which was critical for anyone who wanted to do well in the Wizarding world, particularly in politics. Hardly anyone could get a good position in the Ministry of Magic unless they had the support of the purebloods. It was why it was always the purebloods that were in power. And that was why society and the Wizarding world as a whole were stagnant.
Oh, she'd realised that a long time ago. But what she also knew was that Dumbledore was trying to combat this by removing all the purebloods. But Daphne, if nothing else, was able to see the long-term plan. What Dumbledore intended on doing was removing all the purebloods, not just Death Eaters, but the Wizarding World as a whole. And that would be disastrous for all. Without them, society would be uprooted and new ethics and morals would come in, and that was a factor of unpredictability. Purebloods represented the days of the Founders, and tradition. Without it, anything could happen. It could even lead to the worst possible scenario possible, the revealing of the Wizarding world to the Muggles.
She decided on a decision. If her studies of Dumbledore were correct, then he was clearly planning on using the boy-who-lived as a political power for the "light" side. Of course, Emerald would never accept that willingly, but while she knew that Emerald could be a power, he was still extremely vulnerable to suggestions and implants put in his mind by Dumbledore. She could help, and if Emerald was actually telling the truth in not wanting her for sex, but as a friend, then she could accept it.
'Alright, Emerald. I will accept on one condition.'
Emerald nodded. 'State your terms and conditions.'
'I want you to swear a magical oath.'
'A what?'
'It basically means that if your lying you start to lose your magic, and slowly, but surely, your life. It's drastic, but it's sure as hell effective.'
Emerald nodded slowly. 'Well, what are the conditions?'
'That at this moment, you are not trying to get to know me to either have sexual intercourse or to try and date me. Only to become friends.'
Emerald nodded again. 'Acceptable, so what do I have to do?'
'Just say, "on my magic, I do swear it."'
'Alright then. On my magic, I swear that I, Emerald, also known as Harry James Potter, swear upon my magic that I am not befriending Daphne Greengrass in order to seduce her into having sexual intercourse with myself, nor to try and date her, but am only doing so to become friends with her. I do swear it upon my magic.'
Emerald waited for something to happen. He looked at Daphne, a little scared. 'Is that it?'
Daphne nodded. 'Had you been lying, we would've known that you were losing your magic.' She smiled at him. 'So then, friend, shall we go to breakfast?'
She stood up and walked away out of the Slytherin common room, followed closely by Emerald. However, she didn't go the way to the Great Hall.
'Uh, Daphne? I don't think that this is the way to the Great Hall…'
Daphne looked at him, smirking a little. 'Emerald, I saw your face yesterday when all that food appeared. Just like me, you thought that it was disgusting. Right?'
Emerald shrugged. 'Well, yeah. I mean, there's no healthy food whatsoever. How the hell are wizards meant to learn to keep their bodies healthy when they eat all that junk? Look at Ron Weasley! His clothes are practically bursting at the seams thanks to all the food that he eats.'
Daphne smirked at that, her eyes showing some amusement.
'So, where are we actually going?'
Daphne stopped in front of a portrait of a bowl of fruit. She grinned at Emerald. 'Well, Emerald, where else would be better to get healthy food than the kitchens itself?' She turned to the portrait and tickled the pear. The portrait suddenly swung inwards, revealing a massive kitchen.
Several creatures turned at the opening of the door, and a huge smile broke out on their faces. 'Mistress Greengrass!' One of them called out, approaching the two of them. 'We has missed you greatly while you were away. Do you wish for your usual breakfast, Mistress Greengrass?'
Daphne smiled at the strange little creatures. 'Biggles, this is my special friend, Emerald. Is it possible that you could make the same breakfast for him as you do for me?'
The strange creature nodded rapidly. 'Yes, yes, of course Mistress Greengrass! We'd be happy to serve!' It clapped its hands, scattering some of the strange creatures to different areas of the kitchen. 'Will you be wanting your usual place, Mistress Greengrass?'
She nodded. 'With an extra place set at the table for my good friend Emerald here.'
'As you command, Mistress Greengrass.'
As the strange creature ran towards a table, followed closely by Daphne, who easily kept up with the small steps of the creature. Emerald followed behind the pair, looking all around the kitchens. There were at least fifty of the creatures! All of them working with food. There was some working the ovens, others creating bread and others just making foods before placing them in the ovens!
Emerald sat down, uneasily, at the end of the table as Daphne sat at the opposite end. Seeing Emerald's face, she smiled slightly.
'Have you never heard of House Elves, Emerald?'
'House what?'
'House Elves. They serve wizards and witches. They're completely loyal, and will complete a task to the best of their ability. Sadly, due to their nature, they're very much looked down upon, and are often mistreated by many.' She smiled sadly. 'However, my family does not do this. We appreciate our House Elves as they have served my family for many years.' Emerald nodded, just as a House Elf ran up to Daphne and Emerald with a platter full of food. Emerald gaped as he saw the massive amount of food available. Apple and blueberry muffins, ham and egg omelettes, yogurt, Belgian Waffles, sweet potatoes and more!
Daphne smirked at the look on his face. 'Amazing what they can do, isn't it? All you have to do is ask them to do anything for you, and they'll do it! They love doing stuff for wizards and witches. They just can't say no!' She grinned as another House Elf served her food. Emerald shook his head at the House Elf who came to serve him, and simply took his own food from the platter.
--
Emerald walked through the crowd of people, all of them wandering into shops, hanging out with friends or just messing around. Emerald, however, was on his own. He just wanted the chance to explore the area without being dragged off someplace by either Daphne or Malfoy.
He'd enjoyed hanging with Daphne. The girl was a laugh. You told her a joke, she'd get it immediately. She knew most of the secret passages in the school, and she knew who was a major political player in the school. Already, her bright wit had shown him that he had already made several allies with Parvati and Lavender, the two gossip queens, and with Malfoy, who had inroads to the Death Eaters, even though his loyalties were suspect.
The teachers weren't too bad either. The only problem had been that he was stuck doing First Year work. It was humiliating to say the least.
Flashback
Professor Flitwick was busy teaching him as many spells on his own as possible. Although he constantly looked at Emerald's tattoo every so often, he was a good teacher, and he seemed to treat him the same as every other student he had in his class.
Professor McGonagall was a bitch, to say the least. Of course, his insulting her in the Great Hall, and severely beating the Weasley might not have helped much. Still, he deserved it! He dared to touch Emerald. That meant that he had to pay. She'd constantly ignored him, and only acknowledged him during the register. Still, she hadn't persisted in giving him detention or took off points from him, so he guessed that either Snape or Dumbledore had changed her mind, somehow.
Of course, Defence Against the Dark Arts was a laugh. A weird old guy called Professor Moody taught the class, and according to his Slytherin classmates, he was very much better than his predecessors. Apparently he had taught the "Unforgiveable" curses to Daphne and Malfoy. That meant that potential magical spells that he could have used had been banned. Still, as far as he knew, there was nothing said against Muggle methods of torture and killing.
His head of House, Snape, was pretty neutral as well. Although at the feast he had given Emerald several looks of loathing, after beating Weasley into submission, he had been in a good mood ever since. During Potions, when Weasley had tried to cause trouble by throwing something into his cauldron, Snape had caught Weasley in the act, and had taken away points and put him in detention.
End Flashback
In all, it had been a very boring week. There had been nothing to do during the night, and fuck-all to do during the day as well. More than ever, he missed the gang. He just wanted to go back home to his friends, where he didn't have to deal with fame and where he didn't have to fight illusions of himself caused by stories told about him.
Suddenly, he was stopped by a figure. Emerald looked up and his mouth gaped in shock. There, standing before him, was Shell!
She smirked at him.
'Hello, Emerald.'
