Okay, so I've been doing some forward planning for this story, and I've been deciding the pairings. A lot of it is still uncertain, but this is not going to be a Dramione fic. I did consider it, as I am a fan of those stories, but then I had a better idea… but I'm NOT going to tell you what it is yet!
There will be a little time jump in this chapter, mostly because I am trying to move on from first year.
Thank you for all the amazing reviews. 100+ is a truly amazing number for so few chapters, and I feel extremely honoured!
Enjoy!
~HOGWARTS~
Hermione's eyes fluttered open slowly.
"Madame Pomfrey!" called Flitwick. The nurse hurried out of her office to get to the girl's bedside.
"Hello Hermione," she said, as the girl looked around, dazed. "How are you feeling?"
"Alright," she said. "What happened?"
Madame Pomfrey clucked her tongue.
"You were attacked, dearie. But it's alright, they caught Nott. They just need your testimony, and then he'll be expelled…"
"WHAT?" she cried, sitting up quickly. "Nott didn't do this! I was… attacked from behind," she said, thinking. "Nott was in front of me. I could see him. I remember…"
She frowned.
"You'll remember soon enough," said Pomfrey. "So for now…"
"Theo did nothing," Hermione insisted. "I refuse to testify for something he didn't do. He was obviously set up."
"Who would want to set him up?" asked Flitwick, confused.
"Most of Slytherin hates him for being a Gryffindor," pointed out Hermione. "Come to think of it, half of Gryffindor hates him for being in Gryffindor. It could have been anyone."
Flitwick and Pomfrey exchanged a glance.
"I will take your findings to the headmaster," said the teacher. "But for now, the Malfoy boy is waiting anxiously outside, and I think he should be allowed in."
~HOGWARTS~
It took days, but eventually Dumbledore had to admit that he had no grounds on which to expel the Nott boy. He regretted the missed opportunity, but he had to admit it had been a long-shot. He was lucky to have had the opportunity at all. He wondered vaguely who had attacked the Granger girl while he was walking past, but it didn't seem important. He had to thank them after all, surely this would drive an even deeper wedge between the houses.
To his dismay, the first years were soon tighter knit than ever.
~HOGWARTS~
Exam season was fast approaching, and the castle fell under an oppressive silence. For the first years, this was their first taste of hard revision, and a few people were feeling the strain. On the whole though, they were bearing up quite well.
Harry however, was distracted. His scar had been prickling for weeks. It didn't hurt, exactly, but it was annoying. He had talked to Professor Snape about it, and he had given him a salve to put on it. To his surprise it helped a lot, and he was able to focus fully on the tests.
"That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be," said Hermione in relief as they walked outside after their last exam. "I heard that the first-year exams were frightful, but I found them rather enjoyable."
Draco nodded in agreement, but Harry and Mark rolled their eyes at their Ravenclaw friend. The four of them flopped down onto the ground beside the lake.
"Now all we have to do is wait for the results," said Draco wistfully.
"Then it will be summer," said Mark happily. "You guys have all got to come round mine at some point, so we can hang out."
Draco and Harry looked noticeably gloomy at the mention of the holidays.
"I got another letter from my mum," said Draco quietly. They all looked up to listen. "Father's been kicked off the board of governors. He was overheard threatening to storm up to school and sort out my little 'mudblood' problem. I'm not sure what he'll do to me when I get home."
"You could file for emancipation," suggested Hermione. "Theo will be spending the summer with Susan and her family… I've heard that his father isn't allowed access to him now. You could apply…"
"On what grounds?" snapped Draco. "They can only remove a child if they believe they're in physical danger. Theo's father sent him an envelope of bubotuber pus, but my father's never raised a hand to me, and I don't think he ever will. Our stupid system doesn't consider psychological effects. As long as he doesn't physically harm me, he can attempt to brainwash me all he likes. Besides," he sighed. "Theo doesn't have a mother to go back for. I can't just abandon mine, she'd be distraught."
"Will you be alright?" asked Mark softly.
"Yeah," said Draco. "I'm tough. I survived him indoctrination before, I can do it again. I'm actually quite looking forward to redecorating my room, I looked up a permanent sticking charm the other day, and I'm quite looking forward to putting it to good use…"
"But you're not allowed to do magic outside school," said Hermione.
"Which is why I shall be borrowing my mother's wand," said Draco. "The ministry can't tell the difference."
"What about you, Harry?" said Mark. "Will you be okay at the Dursleys?"
"I'll be fine," said Harry. "I doubt I'll have much fun, but the Weasley twins have been teaching me to pick locks, so even if they confiscate my trunk…" he grinned. "Anyway, they don't know I can't do magic."
They laughed, and then looked up as a shadow fell over them. It was Flint, and he was looking disgruntled.
"There you are, Potter," he said grumpily. "Higgs took a bludger to the head last night, and he won't be able to play tomorrow. There's an emergency practice tonight. Be there. You can use his broom."
Harry nodded, his eyes wide. Flint swung around, and strode away quickly.
"Wow," said Draco. "You're actually going to get to play."
"Yeah," said Harry vaguely.
"You know," said Mark, "Higgs is leaving this year. You'd better get yourself a decent broom over the summer."
~HOGWARTS~
Harry stood nervously in the changing rooms, clutching his borrowed Comet 360. His new Quidditch robes matched his eyes.
"Okay team!" said Flint. "This is it, the most important match of the season. We are currently leading for the Quidditch cup, and as long as Gryffindor don't beat Ravenclaw, we have it in the bag. But do NOT be complacent, we still need to win this match. Harry…" he rounded on the smaller boy. "I know it's your first match, but we need to win this. You're a fantastic flyer, get out there and show them what you're made of!"
And with that he led them out onto the pitch. They could hear the Gryffindor Lee Jordan commentating, but Harry didn't listen to what he was saying. The Hufflepuff team were already waiting for them. Harry got into position whilst the captains shook hands.
"Now, I want a nice clean game," said Madame Hooch. She seemed to be looking at Flint as she said this. She blew her whistle, and they all kicked off the ground.
It was almost an easy game. The Slytherin chasers ran rings around the Hufflepuff ones, and the score quickly increased in Slytherins favour. About twenty minutes into the game, Harry caught a glimpse of the snitch.
He dived, so steeply that many in the crowd gasped, but he tuned them out, focusing on the tiny golden ball fluttering not two feet from the ground. Diggory was closing in, his bigger size working to his advantage. The two got closer to the ground…
Harry swiped the golden ball, and pulled out of the dive. The Slytherin portion of the stadium roared, and rose to their feet. Harry slowed his broom to a stop, and toppled onto the grass, where he lay, completely drained. And then Flint was there, lifting him off the ground and onto his shoulders, and all the first years were cheering, no matter what house they were. Cheering for the boy who had pulled off such an incredible crowd, and made them proud.
Flint carried him on his shoulders all the way up to the castle, and the Slytherin team closed around them, giving him a guard of honour.
~HOGWARTS~
Just one more chapter, and that will conclude first year!