Chapter 8: New Friends, New Year, New Resolutions
"Professor Snape is pure evil." Harry said as he let his head fall on the desk.
"Come on Harry, Potions is not that hard if you apply yourself." Cedric said as he sat next to the younger.
"He can't hear you, you don't have to kiss arse." Harry joked and gave Cedric a short kiss. "How do you survive his classes?"
"First is I'm not you." Cedric replied, making Harry hit his arm. "Second, I'm sharing a table with someone who knows what he's doing."
As if on cue, Harry saw Joseph and called him over.
"Can I help you?" He asked when he arrived.
"Can you help me?" Harry pleaded and the Slytherin sat next to him and looked over the assignment.
"Really, you can't figure this out?" He asked.
"Why is everyone channelling their inner Snape today?" Harry muttered.
Joseph just sighed and brought out some stuff; a bezoar, a few snake fangs, a bunch of lavender, and differently coloured flowers.
"What's with all this?" Cedric asked.
"A project." Was Joseph's reply.
"Why do you think we would add a bezoar minutes before a snake fang?" Harry thought for a while before shrugging. "A bezoar is bigger and rougher than a snake fang. It'll take longer for it to incorporate into the mixture. Each ingredient has a different set of properties that react differently to other ingredients." Joseph then held up two flowers, similar in form but different in colour, and a sprig of lavender. "Let's say we're making an antidote for a love potion. Lavender is one of its main ingredients. We later add the blue flower and then the mixture bubbles and turns blue. Do you think we would get the same reaction if we added the red flower instead?" Harry nodded and Joseph sighed. "No because the red flower, although originally blue, was cross pollinated with a rose. Adding it would've ruined the antidote because the traits of the rose interact differently with the mixture, more specifically, lavender."
Joseph had also explained why it was important to add the ingredients in order. In half an hour, Harry was done with his Potions assignment.
"Do you want to have lunch with us?" Harry asked as Joseph began packing his stuff.
"I wouldn't want to impose on your date." He replied
"It wouldn't be an imposition at all." Harry said and looked at Cedric, who smiled.
Seeing as how he couldn't get out of this one, Joseph agreed and the three walked out the library. They were heading to Black Lake and Harry was a few feet away while Cedric and Joseph walked side by side.
"Thank you for the book. It was a great gift." Cedric said. "It makes me feel bad for not getting you one."
"It's no problem." Joseph replied. Harry had explained what had gone on between Joseph and himself before they got together.
"So why do you still help Harry, even if we're together?" Cedric asked.
"Just because two people are in a relationship doesn't mean it's a happy one." Joseph replied coldly. "You've got a long way to go to prove that you're a good partner."
"Just admit it; you've grown fond of Harry." Cedric stated with a smile and the Slytherin grunted in response.
"I won't admit such a thing." He said. "On a different note, if you hurt him, I will cut off your balls and you will never see them again."
The Hufflepuff knew the threat was serious, but he couldn't help but smile.
"Draco, we shouldn't be doing this. Let's go back." Joseph said.
"You were the one who said you wanted to see the river." Draco replied. "And we're really close."
The two boys had entered the forest bordering the Malfoy estate. A few minutes earlier, they were looking through a book about magical creatures. They got to the part about magical creatures that lived in or close to a river and they were some of the most beautiful things the boys had ever seen. Draco then decided to lead his friend to the lake which he and his mother had frequented several times. A few minutes later, the two boys could hear the splashing of water and the nearly silent flowing of the river. It was an amazing sight; water sparkled in the sunlight and the plants surrounding it had such beautiful and vivid colours. Draco and Joseph stayed in a bush and waited for the magical creatures.
"I thought we'd see some." Draco said sadly.
"Maybe it's because we're near your house." Joseph said. "The book said they live far away from places with buildings."
Draco nodded and looked at his friend.
"Well, at least we'll get to swim." He said with a smile.
"What? We only came here to look for magical creatures." Joseph stated. "There are none so let's go back."
"Aw come on, we're already here. The water's really great." Draco pleaded with puppy eyes. "And it would be a shame to say we wasted getting here for nothing."
The taller boy crossed his arms and turned away, but he eventually gave into the blonde. The two had taken off everything they were wearing but their shorts and began wading in the shallow parts of the river. Joseph admitted that the river water was very pleasant but he didn't like being so far away from the adults. It meant that if something happened to Draco, he wouldn't be able to call for help. A few minutes later, Joseph let the water reach up until his stomach and relaxed.
"Aren't you glad I convinced you to swim?" Draco asked with a smirk and Joseph splashed some water in the blonde's face, making Draco retaliate. In a few minutes, it was all out war between the two. The two eventually stopped splashing water since their arms got tired and Joseph opted trying to catch the shorter boy. The two had smiles on their face and Draco squealed with delight the entire time.
"You'll never catch me!" Draco exclaimed.
"Draco, don't get too close to the centre of the river." Joseph warned him. He knew that was where the current was strongest. Unfortunately, Draco had tripped and fell straight into the centre.
"Draco!" Joseph yelled as he tried looking for the blonde. He tried to get close to the centre without getting pulled in. A minute had passed and Draco had not resurfaced. Panic and dread began to fill Joseph as he frantically moved down the river. Just as he was on the brink of yelling, there was a loud splash and a blonde head popped out of the water a few feet away. Joseph rushed to Draco and brought them to the shallow part.
"Draco, are you alright?" He said as he inspected Draco for any cuts or bruises. After completely checking, the raven hugged the other boy, who hugged back, and a wave of relief enveloped him. "I was so scared and worried."
"I was too." Draco said, his head resting on the taller boy's chest and his eyes glistening with tears ready to fall.
"This is why we shouldn't be so far away from home. I couldn't do anything and there was no one else who could help" Joseph didn't mean to scold the Draco, but he was doing it on impulse. "I was so scared. It felt like my heart was going to explode."
Draco felt bad, but not because he nearly drowned, he was safe now. He felt bad because he caused his friend to become so scared and worried. Joseph didn't even need to mention that his heart felt like it was going to explode. Draco could hear how fast it was beating.
After a while, the two dried themselves and returned to the manor. Joseph was sleeping over and they were getting for bed, but neither had spoken a word to each other. The two were now on Draco's bed, but the blonde couldn't sleep. He was still feeling immensely guilty for making Joseph extremely worried that afternoon. He wanted to apologize, but he didn't think it would've been enough. He kept thinking that Joseph would stop being friends with him because he had caused so much trouble.
"Draco, are you awake?" Joseph asked quietly and Draco nodded. "I need to tell you something."
Draco turned to face the raven to see those amber eyes looking tiredly at him.
'This is probably it.' Draco thought, trying hard not to let the tears fall yet.
"I'm sorry." Joseph said and he was shocked.
"Sorry for what?" He asked in disbelief. "I'm the one who brought us to the lake, I'm the one made us swim, I'm the one who made you worry."
"I'm sorry because I couldn't help you, I couldn't keep you safe." Joseph explained, his tears began to fall. "You needed my help, and I couldn't do anything."
The blonde boy moved closer to his friend and hugged him tightly, burying his face in his chest.
"I'm the one who should be sorry. I should've listened to you." He said. "Good friends listen to each other and not make each other worry. I don't deserve to be your friend."
"You're the most amazing friend ever." Joseph said and hugged Draco tighter.
The next few minutes were filled with tears, more apologies, and the eventual agreement that neither of them were to blame. They had fallen asleep in each others' arms. It was early the next morning when Joseph awoke. He looked down at the boy resting on his chest.
"I promise Draco, I'll get stronger so I can always protect you." He whispered before falling back to sleep.
The Slytherin sat up with a start and looked around. He eventually remembered that he had lunch with Harry and Cedric and while the two decided to go for a swim, he stayed under the tree to read a book.
"Hey, you're finally up." Harry said as he approached. "I'm sorry if we didn't wake you."
"It's alright." Joseph replied and checked his pocket watch. "Excuse me, but I have to leave already."
Harry nodded and said goodbye to the Slytherin before returning to Cedric in the lake. After half an hour, the two got out and dried themselves. They walked slowly back towards the castle while holding hands. Cedric looked at Harry to see him frowning.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I'm just going to miss this." Harry replied. "Tomorrow's New Year's Eve and two days later, everyone will be back, and then classes resume again."
Cedric also dreaded the end of the holidays. The time he could spend with Harry would be reduced to a minimum. He didn't even know if he would be able to see Harry during the summer. Despite all this, he put on a smile and made the younger teen look at him.
"It doesn't matter how much time we'll spend together. I love being around you, Harry, even if it's only for a few minutes in a corridor." He said. "And I'm sure we'll find a way to spend more time together."
Harry smiled and they continued on their way.
"How about we celebrate New Year's Eve at the Astronomy Tower? You, me, and Joseph?" Cedric asked.
Harry smiled, he was glad Cedric had taken a liking to the Slytherin. Cedric also appreciated how the other raven had Harry's back and decided that it would only be beneficial to befriend him.
Draco sat at his desk, staring down at dark brown book. It was a book that he and Joseph wanted for a long time. It was an extremely popular tome on potion making. The two had stopped by the book shop the day Joseph made the first year cry and inquired about it. The shopkeeper told them they were currently sold out and that the next shipment arriving the day after Christmas, all but one copy had been reserved. Draco let Joseph have the last book, but here he was, staring at it, in pristine condition. It arrived a day after Christmas, simply wrapped, with a note saying "Merry Christmas."
"Draco, are you alright?" His mother asked as she entered. "Is there anything wrong with Joseph's gift?" The blonde merely shook his head. "I'm getting worried, dragon. What happened between the two of you?"
Draco sighed, thinking that it was best to get his mother's opinion. He explained everything and told her how Joseph practically confessed to him.
"You haven't spoken to each other since?" Narcissa asked and Draco shook his head.
"I don't know what to do, mother." He said.
"Do you view Joseph differently now?" Narcissa asked and Draco shook his head again. "Do you not want him as a friend anymore?"
"Of course not." Draco replied immediately. "I just don't know what to say to him anymore."
"How do you feel about him?" Narcissa asked and there was silence. "You must answer that question, dragon. Once you do, you'll know what to say to him." Narcissa gave his son a quick hug before leaving.
Harry, Cedric and Joseph walked up the Astronomy Tower and found a couch, some lounge chairs, and a table with food, drinks and some noise makers. Cedric and Harry sat beside each other on the couch while Joseph settled on a lounge chair and a few minutes later, the sky was lit up by an array of colours and shapes. Harry always loved to watch fireworks, but being here with Cedric made watching it even better. The show ended and the three remained and talked.
"Hey, how about we make some resolutions?" Cedric asked and Harry got excited while the Slytherin raised an eyebrow.
"I'll start." Harry said. "I'll make an effort to listen to Snape during lessons."
"It should be something possible." Joseph stated with a smirk and earned a chuckle from Cedric. "I don't even know where to start."
"How about not making first years cry?" Cedric replied.
"It has to be something possible, remember?" Joseph returned, making Harry laugh. "Fine, I will do my best not to insult everyone who says something idiotic."
"And I promise to keep my friends and loved ones, old and new, safe." Cedric stated. Harry smiled but wondered why Joseph had pursed his lips.
"Harry, can I speak to you privately?" Joseph asked. Harry nodded and they went to the other side of the Astronomy Tower.
"I know you read my letters." Joseph said as he leaned on the railings
"Are you mad?" Harry asked nervously.
"No, I'm not." Joseph replied. "But now you realize that there's nothing you can do to help, right?"
Harry nodded and he felt bad about not being able to help.
"If there's anything I can do, you can come to me." Harry pointed out. Joseph looked at him for a while before smiling and nodding.
"You know, I just helped you in the beginning to get even with Hermione." The Slytherin began. "But I've come to like you Harry Potter."
"I'm happy we were introduced to each other too." Harry replied with a smile. "But what did Hermione do for you?"
"That's a story for another time. I wouldn't want to ruin tonight's celebrations." Joseph replied. "I promise I'll tell you, but you'll just have to wait."
After that they returned to Cedric and based what had happened tonight, Harry had high hopes for the new year.