Chapter Nine: In Which the Question is Would You Rather Read a Good Book or Read an Aura

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The older students warned the First-Years about the Divination class. They were told to "arrive early and sit in the back and keep your head down, and don't try to draw attention to yourselves". This was advice sagely passed down in all Four Houses; this was one of the few things the Houses could unanimously agree on. With the exception of a few students who actually enjoyed the class.

The first time Harry had entered the Divination classroom, he was hit with a smell so strong he went into a coughing fit. It was like bathing in weird, musky potpourri and scented candles. You could always tell who came from Divination by smell alone and wouldn't even have to ask.

The class was…absurd, as Ulquiorra saw fit to call it. Professor Trelawney wore far too many scarves with flowing robes and had a rat's nest for hair. Added to this were thick glasses and a whispery voice that hummed about auras and reading the stars, and knowing how to interpret tea leaves.

Draco obviously hated it; Ron scoffed at it; and Hermione didn't speak of Divination with the usual enthusiasm she held for other classes.

Since it was a mandatory class for all First-Years, Harry and his fellow Divination haters had to endure. There were a few people who actually enjoyed the class, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown in particular were utterly enthralled by the Professor's every word.

Professor Trelawney had a habit of calling on people who sat near the front; so there would be some arguments between people on where they wanted to sit before classes started.

That day, Harry cursed when he and Draco were running late for Divination. They had to take an alternate route thanks to one of the hallways being rigged with Dung Bombs and balls that burst upon contact with any unfortunate passersby. Many students were walking around covered in neon-colored powders and glitter smelling like they spent the night in Hagrid's stables. Unfortunately, many of those students had Divination next and no time to shower. The sickly-sweet smell of the Divination classroom didn't help things.

A mix of admiration and irritation was sent towards the Weasley Twins.

Finally, they made it to their class, and Trelawney didn't really move to acknowledge them – until – the only table left was positioned at the front.

Professor Trelawney slowly turned around in a dramatic fashion. "…I see you have deemed to finally join us, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy…I foresaw that you would be late today."

"Oohhh…" awed Parvati and Lavender, while other students either rolled their eyes or looked at the two late arrivals with pity. Slytherin or not, no-one deserved to have this particular Professor's attention on them.

The two boys mumbled half-hearted apologies, and Hermione quickly leaned over to show them where they were in the textbook – it was about unlocking and understanding auras or something like that.

"…Reading someone's aura can be difficult to the untrained eye…but once you manage to unlock this gift, it is a truly…useful thing…I will demonstrate…"

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry could see Parvati and Lavender leaning forward in anticipation; while others did their best not to draw attention to themselves. Harry focused on the book, and he focused hard. It didn't matter that he was intently staring at this one page. As long he was showing that he wasn't interested, then it would be fine.

"You…" Harry cringed for the poor sod whom the Professor had called upon, "…Mr. Potter."

Harry took a deep breath, coughed, and slowly looked up at Professor Trelawney, who blinked slowly behind her huge glasses.

"…Yes?"

"Tell me…were you born in either…November or December?"

"…July, actually." Harry said quietly, not liking the attention.

"This is…this is quite strange." Professor Trelawney muttered. "Are you absolutely sure you weren't born in…early December? Because there's a particular feeling of cold I'm getting from you."

Harry only shook his head. Professor Trelawney suddenly grabbed his hand and began running a long finger over the creases in his palm.

Trying to act as normal as he could, Harry had to question just what the Professor was sensing… he bit his lip. Then he remembered: Ulquiorra's birthday was December 1rst.

"Hmmm…" Professor Trelawney awkwardly inched her face closer to Harry's palm until her nose was barely two inches away and he could feel her breath on his hand. "I see…miles and miles of …white sand…" Squinting, she twisted Harry's hand a bit and he had to adjust how he was sitting into an only slightly more comfortable position. "There's a girl…and…she's reaching out for fading ashes…"

Ulquiorra unwittingly pulled at the mental link, causing Harry to jerk away, nearly slapping his Professor in the face.

"…Sorry…" Harry mumbled, before he turned inward.

What the hell, Ulqui?!

/ "Apologies… but that woman…she's sensing me." / Ulquiorra could have kicked himself, losing control like that.

"This is certainly the curious aura…" Professor Trelawney said, not even acknowledging how strange Harry was acting. "Mr. Malfoy, you would benefit…from learning to read auras from Mr. Potter. You…shouldn't let an opportunity like this go to waste."

"Yes, Professor," Draco agreed, as he looked at Harry; who honestly didn't look as if he were paying any particular attention to anything.

"Oh, dear…!" gasped Trelawney as she held Neville Longbottom's palm in hers, "I foresee great misfortune in your near future!"

Neville whimpered.

"Literally anyone could say that about Longbottom, though," Ron whispered to the others as he rolled his eyes. "He tripped and fell down the last two steps of our dorm this morning and busted his lip."

Hermione sent Neville a sympathetic look.

Ron easily ignored the glares Parvarti and Lavender sent his way when they overheard him.

0000

It was very strange, Draco thought. He was supposed to write eight inches on some sort of plant for Herbology; ten inches for Potions; maths homework…but he couldn't concentrate.

Divination had been strange; especially since Harry had his palm read. Harry had been distracted since that class, although he had tried to pretend he was paying attention.

Draco was thinking of all the instances of when things around Harry were strange – and that didn't include magic. His beloved owl, while not necessarily friendly; nibbled the fingers of strangers, or simply ignored them.

Archimedes had reacted almost violently upon seeing Harry, and Harry was quick to excuse himself. Why hadn't Draco thought of it before? Harry was always leaving when the owls and ravens flew into the Great Hall to deliver mail. The various cats belonging to students hissed at him; arching their backs and puffing up their tails.

The only animals to not act up around Harry were Eden, Scabbers, and even Crookshanks – who didn't seem to care about anything.

Then, there were the House Elves…while many could be dimwitted, they were intelligent enough. They had wondered who that "fourth person" was with them that night he, Harry and Ron had went down to the kitchens for food.

That whole thing with Firenze in the Forest was strange. It was as if Firenze hadn't been talking to Harry; but rather someone else.

Had someone or something connected itself to Harry?

Draco had read only a few books about possession, and those were the books his father – or anyone for that matter, wasn't exactly supposed to have in their library. His mother had caught him reading one and had promptly scolded him, as she put it, "no child should be learning about these things".

Harry didn't act like he was possessed. So that couldn't be it.

Draco wondered if he should ask. But how was he going to ask? It wasn't like he could simply walk up and ask, 'Hey, Potter, are you possessed?'

For one, he didn't have any proof beyond speculation. It would be easy to deny, laugh it off, and make some sort of excuse. Maybe he should ask Ron if he's noticed anything. Would Ron even notice something like that?

Someone poked Malfoy's arm.

"Oi, Malfoy, are you even listening?" Ron asked, giving the other boy a scowl. "You said you'd help me with my Transfiguration homework."

"I said I'd help you; not write it for you, Weasley." Draco replied tiredly. "What about the notes Granger and I wrote?"

"Those are just…" Ron ran a hand through his hair, mussing it slightly. "I don't get it."

Draco rolled his eyes. "What exactly about this is so hard?"

"Well, this whole bloody transferring energy thing," Ron muttered bitterly, "and reshaping objects…I know it's talking about Transfiguration…but how I'm going to explain it…"

"Honestly, Weasley," Draco muttered right back. "I'll write a bit out for you, just make sure you change it up a bit - in exchange for some of your frog cards."

Ron looked incensed. "Merlin's balls. Really?"

"I would never work for free."

"Fine." Ron reluctantly agreed.

"While I don't condone charging Ronald for helping him write his paper," Hermione said thoughtfully, "Maybe I should start charging him because he certainly comes to me for help more times than he's come to you…often very last minute." Hermione sent Ron a flat look. "Like last night, for example…when our Arithmancy paper was due this morning."

"WHAT?!" Ron yelled, and the others promptly shushed him. Ron went wide-eyed and quickly ducked his head down, trying to look busy.

Madam Pince's head poked around the edge of a bookshelf, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Her voice was a hissing whisper that might as well have been a threat. "No loud noises."

The students nodded.

She glared at them for a few anxiously long seconds, before disappearing back between the bookshelves to haunt some other poor souls and organize books while she was at it.

0000

Harry sat in the Slytherin common room observing. Or rather, he pretended to read a book while Ulquiorra observed. More specifically, they were looking at Harry's fellow First-Years. The older students could come later.

There was Blaise Zabini, and while he had been something of a jerk to the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, there was hope for him yet. From the whispers that were overheard, his mother was a Black Widow, but she would have connections and know the people who mattered.

There was also Theodore Nott, a serious boy who kept to himself and was often engrossed in a book. From what people said, his father was high up in the Ministry and his mother was always attending some political function or charity.

How was he going to get these two on his side? After thinking for a moment, Harry had an idea. He quickly wrote Aunt Petunia a letter, and retrieved several pound notes for her. While she would likely be annoyed, Petunia would grudgingly help.

000

Just a week and a few days later; on a day when the common room was mostly empty, save for the three occupying it, because this would have to be handled carefully. Slytherin was about appearance and reputation, after all. Harry marched up to the table where Blaise and Theo were sitting in the common room, and with a simple hovering spell, Harry placed a large stack of books on the table.

"What is all that?" Blaise asked with a raised brow.

Theo just observed the exchange in silence.

"Books." Harry replied smartly.

"I can see that." Blaise was clearly getting annoyed. "Why do you have them out here?"

"I want your help," Harry said with a smirk. "Draco has already given me plenty of advice on what I should do; how I should act as a Slytherin, but most of all: as a Potter. I want to do my family name proud and bring it back to its rightful glory. I want to be connected to those who have a lot of pull and are high up in the Ministry. In short, I would like to be…proper."

Holding up a book, "I will exchange information for information."

"Those don't look like wizarding books." Theo quietly observed with an undertone of suspicion.

"That's because they're Muggle." Harry replied, and he ignored the indignation radiating off of Blaise, but Theo simply raised a skeptical brow. Looking at the book he had randomly picked up from the top of the pile – it had something to do with the moon landing and the experiences the astronauts went through. Harry opened it to a random section and began to read a passage.

"What is that gibberish?" Blaise asked.

"Why, the 1969 Moon Landing, of course." Harry said, closing the book dramatically. "Muggles landed on the moon not very long ago."

"They did?" Theo asked quietly, and Harry nodded.

"You're really going to talk about how you want to be a proper Pureblood while promoting Muggle filth?"

Harry ignored Blaise and put that book to the side and held up another, "Stephen Hawking, amazing chap. Oh, if you're looking for a bit of adventure, there's always Lord of the Rings, bit tedious to read, but so worth it. All three volumes are here, along with The Hobbit. If you like dogs, I have books about them, too."

Theo made a face. "…What's a Hobbit?"

"They're like small Humans, but have hairy feet and live in houses built into hills." Harry held the book up, "A Hobbit fights a dragon in this book, and then you have to read these."

Blaise rolled his eyes so hard, it was impressive that they didn't roll right out of his head.

"This is ridiculous. I'm leaving." Blaise stood up, and looked at Theo expectantly. "Nott?"

Except Theo was looking at the pile of books, clear interest on his otherwise usually unexpressive face.

"Don't tell me you're actually interested in that Muggle garbage." Blaise scoffed. "What if your parents find out?"

"They'd only find out if you told them." Theo responded, his usual monotonous tone turned somewhat threatening.

Blaise's scowl deepened, and he looked as if he desperately wanted to say something, but couldn't think of what. Or maybe he wasn't willing to say it in front of Harry. He marched off to the dorms.

"I'll agree to help you only if these actually deliver what you claim they do," Theo said very diplomatically, selecting a few of the books.

"Of course," Harry agreed, "you can take the rest if our agreement is fully established."

Theo walked away with his books, and all Harry could do for now was wait.

000

Theo walked with purpose through the halls of the school, scanning the faces of the students passing by. He happened to glance out a window and see the person he was looking for sitting on a bench talking with his allies as they appeared to be working on homework.

Harry Potter was an anomaly in Theo's mind.

Potter had a gift for being underestimated – and that was both an enviable quality and dangerous. He had his Slytherin tendencies; he showed that he was studious, and had earned Slytherin quite a few points since the start of term. Although, there had been that whole debacle with him and Malfoy both losing their House points. But he had earned them back and then some quickly and easily enough.

He gave information for information. He wanted to be a proper wizard, or so he claimed – but was socializing not just with two Gryffindor students, but with a blood-traitor and a Mudblood. And he had managed to get Malfoy to tag along. This was another fact that made him dangerous.

He had gotten the sons of two feuding Pureblood Families to at least cooperate together. Granger must have had something about that he liked – and as for Malfoy and Weasley; having a partnership with Malfoy was beneficial. The Weasley Family could offer nothing in power, influence, or money – so perhaps Weasley had attached himself to Potter and subsequently Malfoy. Which was surprising, since he was socializing with two Slytherin. There must have been something about Weasley that made Potter allow him to tag along.

Weasley showed a certain shrewdness at times. He had overheard Malfoy complain about Weasley – losing to him in wizarding chess more times than he won. Even then, it seemed that those victories came by the skin of his teeth.

Theo had been taught his entire life that Muggle-born were less than Purebloods in terms of magic and breeding. If that were the case, why were so many of the students having to catch up to Granger? Malfoy was right behind her when it came to grades. She had earned more than her fair share of House points. From what Theo could see whenever he had classes with Granger, she had a natural aptitude for magic

It would be more logical to see what she was capable of as the years progressed.

Theo finally approached Potter as he was glancing over something with Weasley. The latter was complaining about something to do with the homework Professor Vector had assigned, along with what maths homework that Madam Hooch expected the following day.

"Afternoon, Potter," Theo greeted.

Already used to his quiet demeanor, both Potter and Malfoy simply glanced up at him. Granger and Weasley both jolted as if he had sprung out from under an Invisibility Cloak with a loud shout.

"Merlin's withered balls!" Weasley exclaimed. "Don't do that!"

How eloquent Weasley was.

"Oh! You made me mess up this paragraph!" Granger cried, as she mournfully gazed down at the spilled ink that had spread over her parchment. "What am I going to do? I can't turn this in! I'll have to start over!"

"…You are aware that there's a spell for cleaning up ink, don't you?" Theo asked flatly.

Granger blinked up at him and her face went red. "Oh…right…I forgot."

Theo easily cast a Tergeo spell on the spilled ink. The fact that she had forgotten such a spell existed and went straight to panicking showed how Muggle she truly was. She still had a lot to learn.

Granger mumbled a quiet "thanks", although she seemed disappointed at having less ink than before. She sounded quite forlorn as she added, "Good thing I have an extra bottle."

"So, uh, Theo," Potter greeted with a nod, "How can I help you?"

"I have a question about the High-Elves, their history, and the Undying Lands." Theo said very matter-of-factly.

Both Draco and Ron looked very confused, but Hermione glanced up. "Are you talking about Lord of the Rings?"

"Yes. Have you read them?"

"Oh, yes, I have!" Hermione bubbled with joy and began rambling about the series.

Within minutes, Theo and Hermione were in some sort of deep discussion about Elves, Orcs, how Elves did and didn't die…

000

By now, both Ron and Draco looked exceptionally confused.

"What are they on about?" Ron asked.

"A book series." Harry replied simply, with a satisfied smirk.

"About what, exactly?" Draco questioned.

"I wouldn't really know, I haven't read the books." Harry said with a whisper, "But I know Hermione has."

Ron's eyebrows rose and Draco's jaw dropped for a moment before he shook his head and slapped a hand over his face in a show of weariness.

"Potter, I don't know what you're trying to do…" Draco warned, knowing what messing with the status quo could mean. "But you need to tread carefully."

Harry shrugged as he responded, "They look like they're enjoying themselves, though."

True enough, Hermione was now telling Theo about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Theo looked genuinely interested.

Becoming friends with Theo would be more than advantageous – and having Hermione, the bookworm that she was, would latch onto someone with similar interests and a love for books that equaled hers.

0000

It wasn't long until Theo approached Harry with a few books about politics and manners – and what made these different from what Ulquiorra had read was that these were meant solely for the Pure-Blooded Slytherin elites.

"The older a family is, the more power of status they hold – especially if they have money." Theo explained in a very bored way. "The Crabbe and Goyle Families basically kiss the asses of the Malfoy Family; they do whatever work the Malfoy head doesn't want to do, and in turn he gives them money and status by association.

"Getting invited to a party by a high-ranking Family Head that isn't obligatory is a big deal, and all about timing, and I hate it."

"How would you know whether or not it's obligatory?"

"They request your attendance by your first and last name – otherwise it's simply the usual Family name. You don't want to arrive too early – you'll appear desperate. Arriving too late makes it look like you don't care or appreciate their offer. Staying past your welcome is of course rude and makes you look desperate. Leaving too early makes it look like you don't care or appreciate their offer."

"That seems easy enough…I think…"

"And then there's gifts," Theo added, looking as if he hated that too. "Whether or not you were named in the invitation, bringing a gift is expected. Not only that, you have to bring something and hope the family doesn't already own something like it – and won't detest it for one reason or another. So knowing their history is a must."

"That sounds…troublesome?"

"Oh, believe me, it is. My mother literally spend months planning for when she and father are invited to parties, and the gifts they plan to bring; along with who they're going to schmooze so they can repeat the process. Something to understand is that politics among Slytherins is equivalent to warfare."

Harry must have made a face, because Theo added, "For example, if Lord Malfoy suddenly decided to pull all support from the Crabbe Family, they'd start to be seen as social pariah – especially by those of equivalent standing."

"…and would leave others to wonder why the Lord Malfoy would pull his support in the first place." Harry realized.

Theo nodded. "There are people who purposefully spread different versions of the same story to all the different chinwaggers in certain circles, ensuring that someone's reputation precedes them."

"Oh, ouch." Harry cringed at the thought. He somewhat understood what that was like; his Muggle school and the neighborhood had thought that he was a hoodlum, before Ulquiorra finally stepped in.

Theo looked as if he wanted to say something else, but he didn't seem to think it mattered since he moved on to how to talk to the people he was trying to earn the favor of.

"Anyway, to get what you want, you'll have to do favors for people who will have no choice but to pay you back; but you never want to be seen as generous."

This was so much information, it made Harry glad that Ulquiorra was there.

/ "It seems my presence is making you lazy, Potter." / Ulquiorra said, with a small smirk. / "Perhaps I should leave you on your own, one day." /

It took all of Harry's self-control to not react – otherwise, he'd look crazy in front of Theo. And it wasn't like he could beg Ulquiorra not to, as he had to pay attention to the other boy.

Huh…that was…different, Ulquiorra thought. Since when did he tease Harry? No matter. It was likely a one-time thing.

0000

Anyway, Ulquiorra and Harry both had a lot to think about. That night as Harry slept, Ulquiorra read the books Theo had given Harry. A lot of this was knowing social cues; paying the right people have; having people work for you…

In fact, one book encouraged the employment of Muggle-born and Half-Bloods – although it was as if the idea were considered both radical and courteous to the less fortunate. This was because even if a businesses didn't discriminate against Muggle-born, they preferred Purebloods and certain Half-Bloods simply because of connections and reputation.

Having a Muggle-born work for a Pureblood allowed them to get their foot in the door with businesses; the connections were endless. Purebloods and Half-Blood working for powerful Families ensured security and protection. The more that were employed, the better a Pureblood looked. Plus, it gave the Muggle-born protection against discrimination in a way – but that in itself was a downside of working for one of the Elite.

They would be like well cared-for property. The person would wear a pin with the Family Crest and they would be shown respect. Disrespecting someone who worked for that Family would be like disrespecting the Family itself.

This book was getting exasperating.

Ulquiorra picked up a different one. But he didn't really focus on the words. He was thinking about some of what Theo had said. Gossipers would be an asset.

At some social function, dropping hints with the right people about a man not receiving a trial, and the incompetence of those who allowed it – making people question their judgment and objectives. Asking, 'can they really be trusted?'

Pretending to know things you didn't and letting the person willingly and foolishly reveal what they knew…making people doubt each other.

Ulquiorra sighed. This wasn't really his thing. This was the sort of game Aizen probably would have liked to play.

But Ulquiorra didn't have anything else to do.

He sighed, yet again. He was annoyed because it seemed 'get invited to a party' was the first thing on the list to ensure Sirius Black's freedom. How bothersome.

[*:*:*]

Look at Harry go, making new friends! And Hermione just found herself another friend. By having Hermione in common, it's not just being in the same House that gives Harry connections to Theo.

Looks like Ron will have to get used to having another Slytherin around.