A/N: Today is May 22, 2011. According to a certain Christian sect, the world ended yesterday after a violent earthquake destroyed it. For those of you who missed it, don't worry. The world will end again on December 21, 2012, when the Mayan calendar comes to an end. Either that of they'll start again by adding a digit and marking the 22nd as 1,0,0,0,0,0. (It only has five digits right now. And since they used zero as a digit, the actual date would be 0,0,0,0,0,0)
Also, I wrote a crossover between HP and LOTR where I placed Mount Doom as the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland. According to sources in Reykjavik, it erupted again yesterday. Nothing important, just a piece of trivia.
And in case anyone was curious about my back, they found me a desk job and I spent my time answering the phones. Then I caught a cold and answered the phones by introducing myself as Elmer Fudd. (Hewwo?) Such is life. I'm still trying to figure out if I had the best of the worst or the worst of the best. What does any of this have to do with the story? Absolutely nothing.
Chapter Ten: Closure
As Draco walked from the train with Luna, two people converged on him. Justin Finch-Fletchly was the first, saying he had missed Draco on the train, adding that two second years told him why. He was rudely interrupted by Pansy Parkinson who also insisted that she missed Draco. She wanted to know why.
"He's smiling," Luna said to Justin. "We should leave them alone. Do you want to walk to the coaches with me?"
Justin gave Draco a smile of his own and said it wasn't a problem. All he needed was to deliver a letter from his father. Handing the letter to Draco, he made a short remark about seeing him in the Great Hall and walked away asking Luna how her holiday was.
Pansy instinctively asked how he could have someone like that as a friend. She must have noticed Draco stiffen because she added, a little too quickly, that not only was he a Hufflepuff, he also liked a Ravenclaw. When he looked at her, her smile was forced. She was afraid she had gone too far.
"I know a Slytherin who likes a Gryffindor. That could be considered worse."
Pansy laughed. She said that he always knew how to put her in her place and make her like it. She grabbed his right arm and slipped it around her left. She whispered that it would be worse if it were any other Gryffindor. She easily pulled him forward and began walking toward the coaches. Once they were moving, she asked what the letter was about.
Draco found for all of his publicity, few really knew about his life as a muggle. He explained about Miss Carmichael. He told her about the fire. He told her about the investigation and the arrests. The letter told of the results.
By this time, they had reached the coaches and the thestrals. That was when he found out Pansy couldn't see them. He explained why. She made it clear that she would rather thestrals remain invisible to her.
Draco looked around at the coaches, who was where. Fred (or George) waved to them. Hermione and Angelina were with them. He asked Pansy, knowing that she was being offered the chance to sit with Mudbloods and Blood Traitors. As she tried to think of a good excuse, he noticed, just past them, Susan Bones with Terry Higgs. He began walking with purpose, telling Pansy that they would be able to sit side by side if they took the next coach. "What do you think of a Slytherin who likes a Hufflepuff?"
It turned out to be a good idea. Dennis Creevey and Demelza (her last name was Robins) wanted to sit with the Quidditch team. A quick look from Fred let Draco show they were going to another coach anyway. Pansy commented that she knew he wanted to go with them but he should cheer up. Higgs and Bones would probably be willing to talk about Quidditch.
"Do you like me?" Draco asked of a sudden.
"You're interesting." Pansy answered. "You are the most interesting boy in the school." She grabbed his arm more firmly. "I like interesting."
"Because your parents want you to be close to me?" The question was asked in almost a monotone.
Pansy's answer was instant. "My parent's never had the chance to express their desires. Only their approval." As they reached the coach, Pansy gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I was telling the truth. I like interesting."
After asking if they could join them, Draco helped Pansy up and she smiled at Susan and Terence. Draco then started to climb up but he still had the letter in his hand. The easy to reach pockets were too small for the letter or already full enough. He tried to awkwardly reach the large pocket on the right side when he heard Pansy call out the word, "Here," He looked up, her hand was held out for the letter. He handed it to her and then gripped the side of the coach to pull himself up. As he sat next to Pansy, asking the obligatory how was the holiday question, Draco tried to show Pansy which pocket to put the letter in. Susan, after saying they went to a few parties, asked what the letter was, if it wasn't personal.
Pansy said the answer was yes and no. As far as she understood, everyone knew but it was something Draco cared about. She managed to slide the letter into his pocket, adding that it was something best read in private. Smiling, she told Susan that Draco wanted to talk about Quidditch. Susan laughed. She wanted to talk about who was with whom. A lot had happened over the summer. Terry Higgs added that with HIS return, everyone was trying to make sure of the people around them. This led them to being more honest. He ending by noting that Hermione Granger was sitting very close to Fred Weasley. Susan looked at Pansy and said that was why she loved this man.
Draco smiled. Pansy was playing her role perfectly. So were Susan and Terry. Everyone sounded like they were old friends. And he was willing to wager his left hand that not one of them could tell where the others truly stood. Well. Susan's aunt was in charge of the Aurors. It was obvious where she stood. And Higgs? He was Slytherin. He had also been placed under the Imperious Curse, solely to create a disturbance.
An idea entered his head as he remembered that. Higgs, by going out with Susan Bones, was showing where he stood. Then he had to ask what, when Susan asked if he was paying attention.
No one laughed at him but the grins were out in force. Pansy squeezed his arm. "She wanted to know if it's true or not." She squeezed his arm again as the coach started to move. It stopped as a voice yelled to wait. It was Colin Creevey. He muttered a quick thank you and sat next to Susan.
"Sorry, forgot to keep an eye out. You were the closest that had room."
"What were you doing?" Susan asked.
"Listening, mostly. Neville Longbottom never made the train. Harry, uh, Potter was talking with Sirius Black."
It was short, but interesting. Longbottom missed the train. Sirius had apparated all the way to London, then to the Longbottom house then back to Hogsmeade. At least he insisted he did when Potter asked. Sirius then assured everyone that Neville was with his parents and there would be an explanation when he arrived. Sirius then insisted that there was no reason to worry.
"Did Sirius take your place in the coach?" Draco asked.
Colin looked up. "He said he was going to the Three Broomsticks."
"They'll probably floo to there when they come," Susan explained.
Pansy seemed amused when she heard that Potter was upset. She casually asked why Harry would miss him so much. She almost laughed when Susan told her the answer was Death Eaters. The Longbottoms were their last target. "Now that they're back in business, they might want to continue where they left off."
Pansy was a pleasure to watch. She had clearly said the wrong thing the wrong way. And Susan made it obvious she was being rebuked. Pansy's face slowly transformed. She spoke slowly. "You're right. I didn't even think of Rabastan Lestrange." She then said, more to Draco, "Daddy even said that would be his style."
Draco tried to imitate everyone's worried look, but he couldn't. "Probably forgot something for school and had to go to Diagon Alley," he said with authority. "Honestly, if it was an attack or something, they'd be Aurors all over the place."
Susan laughed. "He's right. And as quick as rumours fly around this school, everyone would have heard by now. Colin, can you tell us anything that Mister Black said?"
Colin Creevey began by repeating most of what he had said, but now the tension was gone. And Draco had to answer when the question came up about why he was at the school. Sirius had never been removed from his position and nobody wanted him back. A look at Susan who nodded her confirmation was all it took to know he was telling the truth.
"Did you have fun?" Draco asked as he helped Pansy from the coach.
"It was . . . educational. I think it's the first time I've tried being polite to people I don't like." She gave Draco's hand a squeeze. "And it was interesting."
Draco looked at her and returned the smile. He appreciated that she asked if he minded before she took his arm in hers for the walk into the school and the Great Hall. In earlier years, students said she looked like a dog. At the time, that included Draco. And now, up close, he had to be honest with himself. With the pug nose and the dark hair, she was the kind of girl who could be called handsome as opposed to pretty. In the back of his mind was the thought that she might actually like him.
As they reached the Great Hall, Pansy let go of his arm to go to the Slytherin table. She did glance at the Gryffindor table before she walked away. "He's not here, yet."
"Probably waiting 'til after the sorting."
"Do you honestly think that?" Pansy tried to keep her tone light, but there was a hint of worry. Both sides were talking of a possible war. What if it had already started?
"If it were me, I'd grab a butterbeer and a sandwich at the Three Broomsticks before I came up here. After all, I'd already be late."
His tone said he was serious. He did think that was all it was. And Pansy left him with an honest smile. Not that she wouldn't have minded a war, Draco noted to himself, she just wanted to be one of those in the know. And with that thought, he understood that Pansy did like him and why she liked him. She must know that he is the favorite of the Dark Lord. Therefore, she would assume that he would know if anything was going to happen.
Would he? That was the question that Draco asked himself. He began to feel on edge. As though something wasn't right. But he had the means to find out. His hand brushed against the pocket that held the Galleon portkey that he always carried. If he was wrong, though, he would be the one to miss the feast. Draco stepped out of the Great Hall, and walked to the door that led to the kitchens. A glance back to see a couple of bemused faces but no one following. He closed the door and stood in the empty hallway. He didn't know how the elf did it but he always came at the call.
"Kreacher?"
It was almost a minute. A door opened that used to be a painting. Kreacher stepped outside. He apologized. Everyone was busy preparing for the feast. Now it was Draco's turn to apologize. He felt stupid for bothering the house elf.
"Um, never mind."
As Draco turned to go, a popping noise was heard behind him. He looked back and Kreacher was gone. He looked forward and Kreacher was standing in front of the hallway door.
"Master summoned Kreacher. Master waited and did not scold Kreacher."
Draco knew that look. For a second he remembered Miss Carmichael telling Constable Givers that it was Draco again. Givens was giving him that look. The look that said he wasn't stupid.
Draco told him about Neville. That people were worried. And as he began to explain what he wanted, he thought of the best solution. No need to go anywhere. All he needed was for Kreacher to go to the Three Broomsticks and ask Sirius Black if he had checked Saint Mungo's. Then he began to ramble about it was probably nothing, stopping only when Kreacher asked if he could ask Sirius Black at once so he could get back to work. Kreacher also said that Draco was correct that he should wait as Kreacher should not be seen in the Great Hall.
Draco waited. He waited a little longer. He walked over to the painting of fruit and tickled the pear. A house elf ran up to him and said they were forbidden to give him anything this one day. Draco said he didn't want anything. He was curious. He only wanted to watch them work. The elf said he was honoured but he had his regrets. Draco then apologized for bothering the elf and closed the door on the protests that being bothered was never a bother.
He heard a clutter of noise from beyond the hallway door and guessed it was the first years having arrived from their boat trip across the lake. This was confirmed when he heard Professor McGonagall telling everyone to line up according to names. A more organized clutter was heard and faded away. Draco waited.
A popping noise. And laughter. Draco looked up and saw Neville standing there with Kreacher. Neville had a bottle of butterbeer in his hand and a broom under his arm. He gave Kreacher his thanks, adding that he meant that. The elf had saved him from having to walk all the way to the school.
"Worried?" Neville asked.
"Not me," Draco said, trying to sound sincere. "Well, yeah, but I worry about everything. Potter's climbing the walls."
"Told his Dad. His brother was there, too."
Draco snorted. "I guess Billy boy forgot to say anything."
"Probably an honest mistake," Neville said as he sat the broom against the wall. As he put his hand inside his robe he explained that he knew the brothers well enough to know that something like that wouldn't be kept a secret. He pulled out a bottle of butterbeer and handed it to Draco. He also knew how to say thank you. He did appreciate not having to make that long walk. He pulled out his wand and tapped the top of the bottle so that the cork came out.
Draco smiled. He said it was his third one today and that someone missed the best Quidditch team meeting ever held on the Hogwarts Express. He also added that Neville could have flown. He informed that while the parents were willing to buy a new broom, they already had enough experience of their son trying to show off.
Noise came from beyond the door. McGonagall's voice was heard again. The first years were being led into the Great Hall. There was plenty of time before the feast.
Draco drank from the bottle. "Should have told Sirius."
Neville shook his head. "Dad told me. Don't tell Uncle Sirius anything." He looked pointedly at Draco. "You're the reason. He might have to tell someone." He looked at Draco's stump. "It was all in the Daily Prophet, you know. About the oath he made to you."
"Didn't make it to me," Draco said in an offhand manner. Then he had a thought. He knew it wasn't a binding oath like everyone else thought. Neville started to ask him who but he never had the chance. "Neville, does that make a difference? I mean, who he made the oath to." The nervousness was in his voice. With all his troubles, all he needed was some Zealot trying to free Sirius from the curse. "Like, what if . . . the person he made the oath to . . . what if they died?"
"No." There was laughter in his voice but the smile faded as Neville understood. He apologized. He always knew. He thought everyone knew.
"Babbity Rabbity," Draco said as his lip curled. Neville's laughter was back after it was explained to him. Draco never heard about it until a month ago when a girl of four asked Kreacher for a bedtime story.
Neville nodded at the reminder. He also noted that he liked the fact that Kreacher was Nanny to muggle children. He took a long drink from the bottle. He held the bottle in front of him as though trying to decide something.
"Have you ever heard of the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Yeah, it was a group from the last war." Draco casually noted that he was calling it the last war, implying that it was not the next one. "Most of our DADA teachers used to be members."
"They're together again. And it seems that you were their first order of business. Dad told me this in confidence. You're not considered the Chosen One. It's worse. Dad said that Missus Potter called you a harbinger. He said that they think your task is to herald the upcoming war."
"Whot?" His accent slipped and he didn't care. He added grandiosely as though talking to a large crowd. "A'right, E'eryone. Take Yer Places. Let The Festivities Begin." He paused. His accent was back. "Did I do it properly?"
"Not exactly." Neville explained what he meant. They believed that Draco's death would mark the beginning of the new war.
"Oh, I knew that," Draco said automatically, casually. Then he froze. He remembered the times he had thought the same thing. He looked to see Neville eyeing him carefully. "Just don' like to think about it."
Draco suggested it was time to go. The feast should begin shortly. First, he opened the fruit painting door again and asked an elf to take care of the bottles. As an afterthought, he also asked if they could take Neville's broom to his room, anytime before the end of the feast. That business finished, the two headed for the Great Hall. Draco had to ask about the broom.
"Flew my broom last night, one last chance, you understand. She was old but still in good enough condition. I had an accident. Not serious, but the broom was . . . in more than one piece."
Draco nodded. "That's believable. And Mum and Dad took you to Diagon Alley first thing even though you would miss the train."
"Yes," Neville said exultantly, "And, (It really was an accident, you know.) I am now the proud owner of a brand new Cleansweep Eleven." He added jokingly as he opened the door to the Main Hall, "It's wonderful to be spoiled."
Draco tried to remember his brooms. He did know one thing. "Firebolt's faster."
"Don't need that much speed as a chaser. Cleansweep turns just as well or better and doesn't lose on the uplift." He started to smile. Draco saw the smile fade, the eyes were on his right hand. Draco told him not to worry about it . . . until the first match.
Their timing was perfect. Professor McGonagall called out, "Zeller, Rose." As they looked for places to sit, one lone girl walked to the stool and put on the sorting hat. Potter was up at once, a spot saved for his best friend. As for Draco, everyone else was seated. Hermione gave him a sympathetic look. Justin, from his table, gave a sympathetic smirk. As it turned out, there was one spot remaining. It was all the way down at the end. Draco sat down next to a boy with rather large ears that stuck out.
"Miss anything?"
"Talking hat sang a song about sticking together," the boy answered.
"Then sent us to different houses," a brown haired boy sitting across added laughingly.
"Oh, good," Draco said with relief. "Nothing unusual."
As it turned out, the boy noticed Draco's arm, just as Professor Dumbledore stood up to greet the new students and welcome all the old students back. As he began the announcements, the Gryffindor first years were having a discussion of their own, about who the big kid was. And that was exactly how one of the girls referred to him. The round faced girl next to the brown haired boy was saying it was him. Draco helped by nodding every time someone asked who he was.
"As I Was Saying," Dumbledore said, causing everyone to look at him and then to look at the Gryffindor First Years. Everyone became quiet. "Thank you." He gave Draco an amused look then went back to his prepared speech.
"We have with us, three new teachers. First, and foremost, please welcome Evelyn Brown who is teaching Muggle Studies." A smattering of applause as she stood up, smiled and sat down again. Evelyn looked a bit uncomfortable wearing robes. Dumbledore looked to her and when she nodded he turned back to the students. "As some of you are aware, Professor Brown also is an experienced teacher in muggle martial arts. Depending on student interest, classes may be given in these as well. BUT. This will be an extracurricular activity. Please let her or your head of house know if you are interested.
"Our second teacher is one our older students are familiar with. Sirius Black. He will be filling in as Professor for the Care of Magical Creatures. The current professor, Rubeus Hagrid, is away on personal leave for an indefinite period of time."
Draco wasn't sure but he was certain that the same people applauded for exactly the same length and the same vocality as they had for the previous introduction.
"Last but not least, I would like to introduce the new professor for the Defense Against the Dark Arts. He has assured me that he will be able to handle all classes without difficulty." As Dumbledore said the name, Rufus Scrimgeour, a tall man with almost a lionlike mane of red hair stood up. He stood firm and looked slowly and carefully over the entire student body, starting with the Slytherins. The man deliberately smiled at the end, when he was looking directly at Draco. There was a slight touch on the mental shields, and the man's smile grew the smallest amount. He then sat down as though nothing had happened. Draco did not notice if there were any applause or not.
Dumbledore was now reading out the formal instruction on the do's and don'ts as requested by Argus Filch. (Running in the hallways. Casting spells in the hallways. Being in the hallways.) As he said these, Draco tried to imagine what kind of professor Scrimgeour would be.
"Let The Feast Begin!"
Those words dismissed all other thoughts from Draco's mind. He may have been on the end but there were plenty of eager hands to help out. He was able to ask for whatever he wanted. He was smart about it. Mostly chicken wings and clump vegetables like broccoli, which he liked with lemon. (It was no surprise that the bowl nearest to where he was sitting happened to be broccoli in lemon sauce. It pays to know people in the kitchen.) No steaks. No anything that had to be cut with a knife. At least he promised himself.
The boy next to him said the steak was good. The boy across from him agreed. He pointed to the platter and asked if he wanted some. The girl next to him hit his arm and whispered too loudly about the hand. Draco thought she looked familiar.
"Only got the one," Draco whispered in as loud a tone as he held up his arm.
The brown-haired boy looked at him. He seemed nervous. He sounded nervous. "I'm supposed to know how that happened?"
The girl shushed him. Draco shushed the girl. He now had the attention of all the first years, most of it. They kept eating as they listened.
"You're muggle born?" The boy nodded. "Any others?" Two girls raised their hands. Draco nodded. "That means that you don't know, or you don't know much. Do you know who Draco Malfoy is?"
One of the girls asked if it was him. She also admitted that she heard that he brought an evil wizard back to life. Draco admitted that he did, the other option being to take his place while someone else brought him back. The hand was the price he paid. The boy sitting by the head girl said that his Mum thought it was terrible what they did to him. The boy next to Draco said that his Dad told him the paper was all rubbish, that the Malfoys were never any good.
The girl sitting next to the head boy grinned and said her mum agreed with his dad and her dad agreed with the other one's mum.
"Which is true?" The shushing girl asked.
Draco smiled. He said it didn't matter because it didn't change anything. What was done was still done. And he is here as a student regardless of what actually happened. He forced a smile. "And would you believe me if I answered your question?"
Lee Jordan, the head boy, answered no. Angelina Johnson, the head girl, laughed. She added that they knew not to believe Draco Malfoy. Lee asked the first years if they had ever heard of the Liar Prophecy. He began relating the story as soon at the first no. He even managed to make a spooky voice when he said the line, "And the truth falls forth from his mouth by no intent."
"For a feast, not many of you are eating," Angelina commented.
That had its result and everyone went back to their plates. Not that the talking stopped. The shushing girl. Who said her name was Nell, had to ask if Draco always lied, and giggled when he answered yes. Then the brown-haired boy asked, "Sir?"
"Draco."
"Um, Draco. Um, and I'm John. Jonathan. Er, Jack."
"Multiple Choice?"
"Always been Jack, but it's a nobody name."
"As in nobody knows Jack?"
The boy blushed. Most everyone laughed. One first year spit pumpkin juice out of her nose.
Draco smiled. "I only know one other Jack. He's also muggle born. He's an American, he's younger than you, and he's a powerful seer. They're calling him the next Notradamus. He may not be, the next Notradamus that is, but he is definitely not a nobody."
Draco looked around at the other first years. Angelina caught his eye and smiled to say he did good. Hermione would help explain. One boy would be less self-conscious. The others learned very quickly that blood doesn't guarantee powerful magic. And what he said next was nice but unnecessary. And what he said next was this.
"What you need to know is Babbity Rabbity."
Three muggleborns asked what? Seven magic raised asked if they were kidding. The rest of the meal consisted of educating the three unfortunates in the tales of Beedle the Bard.
By the time the feast ended, Draco finally knew who Babbity was, without having to ask Kreacher for another bedtime story.