A/N: I'm tired. I'm also lazy. One is the explanation and the other is the excuse for taking so long for this chapter. The problem is that I'm not sure which is which.
Chapter Eleven: Classes
Waking up was hard to do. After everyone retired to the dorms, the questions started. Ron Weasley did ask Draco how Pansy felt about him and Hermione but he didn't even bother waiting for an answer once Dean Thomas said the broom looked great. That was when the questions began flying thick and fast.
Is it real? How fast? Is it true about turning? How did you manage the accident and why didn't you tell your best friend so he could get in on it? You were late. Did you fly it up to the school?
Neville happily answered all of them. Yes. 0 to 70 in ten seconds, top speed 120. It really was an accident and it wouldn't have worked if both of them did it. Didn't have to. Draco had his elf pick him up.
"Why?" Harry Potter asked. Ron admitted he was curious how Draco knew where to find Neville.
Draco was honest. He didn't know where Neville was. He did know that Sirius Black was at the Three Broomsticks. Rumours were already starting. He knew it wasn't anything serious. He only wanted to make sure it was nothing bad. He was looking at Potter.
"Colin told me the places Sirius checked. I wanted to make sure Saint Mungo's was on the list."
Neville said it was good thinking. "And if it wasn't a lucky accident, that would have been the place to check. And since Mum and Dad forbade me to use the broom until after I returned, I jumped at the chance to not walk here."
Potter was smiling. "Wills told me when he saw me in the Great Hall. Thanks anyway."
"Who told you?"
"My brother?"
"Oh. Yeah. Wills. William." Draco should have known he was talking about Billy. In all the time he had known Potter, and it was true that they never talked together much, that was the first time he had ever heard him mention his brother by name. Wills. He should have known. That was a fancy name for some posh.
Talk turned back to the broom and then briefly to anything exciting happen to you during the holiday after Neville asked the question. Dean used the line that Draco planned on using. The most exciting thing was coming back to school. Potter smiled. He said the same was almost true for him except he spent so much time on a broom that anything else would be boring. Ron agreed with that. He commented that they even snuck a muggle into the Burrow just to see how well he could fly.
"And?"
Four boys of fifteen asked the question at the same time, forcing Ron to try to make the answer sound exciting. Except it wasn't. They managed to get him on the broom but all it would do was hover. They could pull him around but he had no control. On the other hand, Fred and George said they'd think about it.
Eyes were on Draco. A brief thought that none were hostile. All held mild interest. He could say anything. He blurted out the one thing he could think of. "Mum clutched. Charlie Weasley said at least two good eggs."
Dean was laughing. "Draco Malfoy. Older brother and role model."
It was late before any of them ever went to bed.
Walking down to the Great Hall was hard to do. Getting dressed was easy. He was already used to doing that on his own. The hard part was gathering his books for the morning classes. It was only history and potions. He finally hit on the idea of using his right arm to hold his backpack open while it was lying on the bed after first gathering everything he needed and setting it on the bed as well. Parchment. Quills. Ink. Books. Two Yorkies in the side pouch. He would worry later about how to get anything out.
As he was now running late, he managed to meet two of the first years. The boy who sat next to him, Euan, and the boy across, Jack. Both were running late as well. They were happy that someone could show them the way on their first day. Draco nodded and said they'd best be going. He also admonished them to be careful on the fifth floor stairwell. Trick step. He'd let them know.
They had questions as well. Where all the stories about him true? Draco was honest. He didn't know all the stories. He knew what the Daily Prophet wrote. The facts were mostly true. The opinions were only that. He added with a smile that they should ignore one story which called him a poor frightened lad.
The usual question. Even the ones new to magic were asking. Was he on HIS side? He skipped a step and stopped on the staircase and turned around, glared on them at the same eye level. He told them the truth. He was on Draco Malfoy's side. Anything he did, he would make sure it was for the benefit of Draco Malfoy. He then pointed to Euan's feet. The step that was between them. That was the trick stair. He told them he would warn them.
Once in the Great Hall, he found Hermione, sitting back to back with Justin. At least they would have been back to back had they been sitting the right way. In the instant, it was as though he had never left. He had barely sat down when Hermione asked if he practiced any spells. He was allowed, thanks to the new Minister for Magic. Draco admitted that he had practiced most of the first year spells. He even managed the floating feather spell although it was hard to learn how to flick and swish in the opposite direction. He started on some second year spells.
"We were talking about how to help you," Justin explained. "It could help."
Draco nodded as he grabbed some toast and butter. He told them of one problem. In view of what happened last year, he was expected to make new friends. Hermione suggested they get Pansy to help. Both his friends smiled when he scowled.
"It's a good idea, mate," Justin noted. "We know what you're up against. And with her there, it will show someone that you're just using us."
Draco had to ask. Why should they want to help him, then? He would appreciate their help, that was true. He started thinking out loud. If they did ask Pansy to help, she could just turn it around and help him herself. If he needed more than her help, there were plenty of Slytherins who would volunteer. Also, it would be expected of him. He was still in Gryffindor. However, he was now friends with almost all the Slytherins in his year and above.
Justin noted that Slytherins were ambitious, and Draco was the favorite. Of course they would seek his friendship. For a certain group, he was the leader of the new generation. He then suggested that Draco ask Pansy for help with his spells.
Draco nodded his head. It was good advice. It would help him improve his skills. It would make him look good in someone's eyes. And it would give him the chance to do the one thing he did not want to do, the one thing he would have to do. He needed to separate himself from his friends. His true friends. And he had to do this because one day he would be asked to prove they no longer meant anything to him. If he continued sharing their company, it was only a matter of time before they were forced apart. And it would harm the new reputation Draco was supposed to have. His friends would probably be hurt or even killed. And Draco would not be held in high favour. That would put his own life at risk.
Of a sudden, he was no longer hungry. And the looks on their faces made it clear that Hermione and Justin knew the reason. And Hermione was smiling. She informed him that they were prepared to hate him. All they needed to know was when they should start. Justin nodded his head and said, "after all, mate, we're only a couple of mudbloods."
"I'm not much better," Draco reminded him. "I just get better press coverage."
Draco shouldered his backpack. He would make his way to Binns' class by himself. He needed to get used to being alone.
History was as boring as ever which meant that Draco was not paying attention. He was trying to think of a way he could keep his friends. Not that it helped. All of his plans ended with Voldemort demanding to know what game he was playing.
He was still mulling over the problem when he walked into potions. As usual, it was with the Slytherins. The smile came to his lips when he saw Pansy and he walked over and sat next to her. She returned his smile. She asked how he felt being back at school. He admitted that he felt as though he had never left.
Professor Snape came in and gave his standard greeting. That meant he told everyone to get out their books. Their first lesson would be a befuddlement drought. It was supposed to be easy in that there were few ingredients but they had to be prepared properly and added in the correct order. After ten minutes of explaining how they should be prepared, mixed in with a liberal number of comments about how few students could be expected to get it right, he let them gather what they needed.
Once back at their table, Pansy began grinding the sneezewort into powder with her mortar and pestle. Draco did the easiest part. He watched. He couldn't chop up the scurvy-grass or slice the lovage with only one hand. Even though the lovage was related to the carrot, it was too small to try and hold one end with his right arm.
After everything was ready and they started adding the sneezewort into the cauldron, Draco was finally able to help by stirring the potion. After the last ingredient was added, and the cauldron left to simmer, Draco asked his question. Pansy assured him it was never a problem. She even suggested getting some of the other Slytherins involved. She wasn't an expert at everything. And then she proved she wasn't stupid.
"You didn't ask your 'muggle born' friends?"
"They offered, but it didn't seem right. Might make me look bad."
Pansy snickered, then reminded Draco to continue stirring because the potion wasn't ready yet. Smiling, she commented that the Malfoy's were always concerned about appearances.
They had finished with plenty of time before Professor Snape said it was time to show him what they had done. He was very kind to Ron Weasley and Dean Thomas as he looked down on their smouldering cauldron. He didn't even comment on the purple smoke that was coming out of it. All he said was that he hoped they were the worst in the class because he had never seen anything to surpass what they had done. Hermione and Neville, the first ones to finish, were told, in a reluctant tone, that their potion was passable. That was a high compliment as far as the Gryffindors were concerned. When Snape walked up to Crabbe and Goyle, he looked at their cauldron, ignoring the smell, then walked past them. Several of the Slytherins were complimented on their attempts, then the professor was standing before Draco and Pansy. He looked down at the cauldron and smiled. In a practiced manner, he spoke in a low tone which still carried through the classroom. It seemed he saved the best for last. Then he turned back to look directly at Hermione. "Some students did very good, but this one is definitely the best."
"Did he mean that?" Pansy asked, knowing how the Potions Professor felt about Gryffindors (with one exception).
"Yeah," draco said with a feeling of pride, "everyone knows how good Hermione is."
"We were the best?"
"It must have been my excellent stirring."
It made Draco feel good to see her honest smile.
It was Pansy's suggestion that he have lunch at the Slytherin table. To be on the safe side, he approached Mister Filch, the caretaker, and explained what he was doing. Argus Filch smiled. He said he was sure that Draco was telling the truth and that it had nothing to do with having a girlfriend. Draco returned the grin and went on his way.
Adrian Pucey was amused to see Draco join them. His amusement grew as Pansy explained why they were there, and why she wanted to talk to him first off. Adrian surprised Draco by saying he should have Hermione Granger help him with Transfiguration. She may not have a good background but she was the best in their year in that subject. He laughed at Pansy's surprise, then admonished Draco not to shirk his past too quickly, especially when it could be useful.
"The first rule of Slytherin," Pansy admitted. "Don't throw anything away while it could still be useful."
Adrian told them that a large number of students thought he was secretly working hand in hand with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. There were also students who believed the Daily Prophet and were suggesting that Draco might be the Chosen One. By having Slytherins and Gryffindors helping him, Draco could keep both sides happy. And keep himself safe from attacks, Adrian added. No one is going to risk hurting a perceived friend.
Draco nodded at the advice. Inside, he was elated. He now had an excuse to keep his friends and to remain involved in them. Outwardly, he admitted he was worried how people would react. He wasn't used to being popular.
That done, he offered to personally tutor Draco in Charms. And he would best ask his uncle about the defensive spells. He may teach potions but he has always been strong in the Dark Arts.
Draco smiled at how easily Adrian handled the situation. His thanks were honestly meant. And he did not forget himself. He turned to Pansy and told her she was absolutely bril for thinking of whom to ask.
Talk then turned to other things, including Quidditch. Draco admitted that he would not be playing this year although he had been talked into training his replacement. He mentioned Dennis Creevey. Adrian said that Draco must like challenges. It was no great secret when he said that Ginny Weasley would probably be the team's seeker even though she would be helping him train Dennis.
"We seem to have bad luck keeping Seekers for the entire year."
"Is Weasley any good?" Pansy asked.
"She's a Weasley. She's probably better than anyone thinks. No one's seen her fly, yet."
"Good thing the other brothers graduated," Adrian commented, "or the entire team would be Weasley. I saw Charlie Weasley play my first year. He could have played professionally if he wanted."
Draco made it a point to be early for his first class in Muggle studies. He was also curious how well Professor Brown was doing. She was an actual muggle.
Three others were already in the class when he arrived. One was Theodore Nott. He was already seated in the third row near the windows. That was definitely a surprise. The other two were Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood. Both were talking with the Professor.
Curiosity took hold of him and he walked over to Theodore. He never had the chance to ask. As soon as he was close, Nott began his explanation.
"I am curious. In view of last year's events, we have an interesting situation here. Do you think Dumbledore is trying to make a point? I refused to believe that Sirius Black has that much influence, despite his personal relationship with the new professor."
Draco was expected to answer. A shrug of the shoulders would not do. "Most wizarding families are not pure bloods. Even the Malfoys." He tried to remember where he had heard his next line as he said it. "The people have a rallying point. They have a focus. They will be harder to divide and conquer." It was not word for word but he remembered the source. From history class when he was eight. World War II. The Blitz. The teacher was reading an old article about Winston Churchill.
Nott was giving Draco a quizzical look. Clearly, he was surprised at such an insightful answer. Draco's lip curled. He was remembering his history lesson. "This is a shadow war. No blow has been struck as yet. Nor is one yet expected. But all know it will come and seek to place themselves." Being able to remember everything was useful. Sometimes it was impressive.
"If you'll excuse me."
Draco sat his backpack on the desk next to Nott's and walked to the front of the room. Four more students had already entered the classroom. As he neared the front, Luna smiled at him. She stated that Draco wanted to take the extra classes.
"If you'll have me," Draco drawled to the Professor.
Evelyn Brown pursed her lips. "You are the one student I can't accept. Your hand, Draco." She frowned at his stunned look and murmured an apology. He said he understood and went back to his chosen desk.
It wasn't what he wanted. Not that he cared to take an extra class. He had too much on his plate already. It was a chance to show off. He knew that was all it was. Yet, the idea of not being able to do something was painful to him. Not wanting to was not a problem. Not being the best wasn't a problem, either. Hermione had proven that to him by besting him at spell casting on too many occasions then turning around and telling him how much he had helped her in other things.
"You taught me that I can't be the best in everything," she told him once, "no matter how hard I try." If she could accept that, as good as she was, how could he do less.
Ginny sat down on the other side of him. Draco idly noted that Luna took the desk next to her. There were still a few students talking to the Professor. A couple of them put their names on a parchment. Ten minutes of the class had passed before Professor Brown introduced herself. She then gave a brief outline of what the class would cover. Social habits. Muggle technology. Government. The purpose was to let the students know how a typical muggle lived without magic. She then asked how many students had experience with muggles.
Draco raised his hand. So did Ginny. Two others did. That was when Draco noticed a pair of third year Hufflepuffs. Professor Brown smiled at Draco but called first on Ginny Weasley. She told everyone how they snuck a muggle into their yard and tried to get him to ride a broom.
The next student called was a Ravenclaw whose name Draco couldn't remember. He explained that his uncle married a muggle born. He spent one Christmas at their house while his aunt's relatives were there. He especially liked the way the crackers exploded.
The third was Billy Potter. He was all smiles as he told everyone he had run away one summer. The muggle authorities found him and put him in an orphanage. He had half a dozen friends to play with everyday. He left out the part about funning away from the home once Sirius Black learned he was there.
Last of all, Draco was asked to give his experience. He grew up as a muggle. In that same orphanage that they sent Billy to. Someone asked why they didn't put him with a family. Draco admitted he wasn't very popular. Even then, he had a reputation.
That decided the first lesson. Professor Brown gave everyone a general explanation about how social services handled adoptions and fosterage. She did admit that some children were hard to place, not only because of their attitudes.
As she talked, Draco's mind began to wander. He thought back to his time at the home. It was only a matter of minutes before he was remembering that one day, chasing after the fire engines, watching the home burning to the ground, learning about Miss Carmichael. He felt for the pocket where the letter was.
He was still lost in his thoughts when the class ended. Theodore Nott brought him back to the real world by the simple expedient of calling his name. When Draco looked up and saw the questioning look he said he was lost in his memories. He took his time getting up and grabbing his backpack. He wanted to give the others enough of a lead so he wouldn't have to walk with anyone. Not that it helped. Nott quickly left but Ginny and Luna waited for him. Luna was saying something about nargles. Billy and Casper also joined them, mostly curious about Draco's sullen mood. Professor Brown was also walking up. She was asking him if there was anything wrong.
For some reason, he looked at Billy when he said he was fine. Billy's hopeful smiled faded as he asked if it was because Draco was reminded of Miss Carmichael.
"Yeah."
At some point in the future, he would talk about it with Professor Brown. That would be when he understood why he felt relief that Billy Potter asked that question. He was the only other person in the room, in the school, who had ever had a chance to know the woman who raised him. It was a needed reminder that he was not alone in his grief.
Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out the envelope that Justin had given him the evening before. He asked if Professor Brown would open it for him. It was time for him to read it.
It was Billy who told the others about Miss Carmichael. About the fire. That it was deliberately set. And it was Professor Brown who offered to read it when she saw Draco's shaking hand. She admitted that she knew what in the letter.
The first paragraphs were about how sorry everyone was for what happened and relief that the matter had finally been resolved. This was followed by the details.
The arsonist, because of his cooperation, was given a conditional amnesty and a new identity. This last part was necessary because of the number of enemies he had made. Of the people he implicated, two were businessmen who spent a great amount of money in a doomed effort to defend themselves. They were the ones who had paid out the money. A half dozen others were found guilty of various other crimes as the arsonist did not limit himself to grassing on his last employers. Also, three MP's were forced to resign, one because of his direct involvement (for which he would be spending a long time in the government's care), the others because they stood too close to their colleague in the past to be able to distance themselves.
The next to last paragraph was about Saint Brutus. The academy itself would no longer exist. Following the proposal by a Minister that Draco had once met, the building and grounds would be converted to a children's hospital, something more dearly needed than another prison.
The last paragraph was almost funny. Justin's father, in concluding the letter, admitted that the current government had handled the matter so effectively that there was little hope for a new election.
"A hospital?" It was Casper who asked.
"For children," Professor Brown noted with a smile.
The letter in his backpack, Draco headed off to his last class of the day. Defense Against the Dark Arts. For some reason, Billy was walking with him.
"It's good, isn't it, Draco? The hospital."
Draco admitted it was. In the back of his mind, he could hear Miss Carmichael saying, "It's very good."
The last class of the day was Defense. For the first time, Draco would have a chance to know exactly how Professor Scrimgeour would treat him. He learned very quickly. As he entered the classroom. The Professor called his name and pointed to the desk front row center. As it was double Defense, the Slytherins were there as well. It led to an amusing situation as Hermione went to sit on one side of him and Pansy on the other. Even the professor thought it was amusing.
Then the class became interesting before it had even begun. Pansy leaned forward to look past Draco. She squeezed Draco's arm and said it was Adrian's idea and she should get used to it. Draco frowned at that. Why and what should she get used to? She showed him by standing up, walking past him, and sitting on the other side of Hermione. They then struck up a conversation. About Draco.
Draco couldn't hear what they were saying but he knew the subject. And he knew Adrian Pucey's plan. By having Pansy bring up the subject of tutoring, it gave the situation a certain appearance. The Slytherins were usually considered to be on the dark side unless proven otherwise. Here was a Slytherin pureblood deliberately talking to a, in Slytherinese, mudblood. That gave doubt to Pansy being on the side of evil. And doubt could be a powerful tool.
"Proud Of My Heritage." Pansy sneered as she nearly shouted the words. "Not Stuck Up." She paused as everyone was suddenly quiet. She looked up at Scrimgeour who politely said there were two more minutes before the class began. Pansy turned back to Hermione. "Would you like me to use the term my grandparents taught me, or would you prefer to be called muggleborn?"
"You made your point," Hermione said. "I didn't expect your change in attitude. My guess is you've been snogging Draco for too long."
Pansy was smirking. She was also aware of her audience. "I'd say 'not long enough'."
Scrimgeour was grinning, and not only because of the closing remark. He said, loudly, that ir was a good time to start this class. As the professor introduced himself and began his opening remarks, Draco looked to see Theodore Nott. Nott noticed him, smiled, and went back to listening to the introductory speech.
The speech was the standard type. Name. Background. (An Auror of distinction). Goals. (Teach all of them to be Aurors, except for the Death Eater spawn who would be found out and sent to Azkaban.) As he concluded his speech, he asked (stated the order as a question) Draco Malfoy to stand up and step forward. He had Draco stand near the windows while he stood near the opposite wall. He was smiling. In an instant, his wand was out and pointing at Draco.
Draco instantly reached for his wand. And stopped. The tip of the professor's wand was glowing. The man had merely cast the lumos spell. Without saying a word. But that was not why Draco stopped. He had been reaching for his wand with his right hand.
"It was a test, Mister Malfoy. I know the subject of the conversation between Miss Parkinson and Miss Granger. You need help learning to use spells with your left hand." He wasn't smiling and his voice said he was very serious. "The thing you most need to learn is to use your left hand. Use it without thinking. If you don't learn that, you will be dead. Your skills will mean nothing.
"I had an interesting conversation with one of your other teachers, Professor Vector. She tells me that most every time you do a chart for her, it shows you capable of anything. I'm willing to give you the chance to prove what you're capable of. See me after class."
He had Draco sit down, then explained in detail why he made that demonstration. Draco was the obvious choice, because of his recent injury, to make his point. Defense had to be instinctive. Defense had to be a habit. When and if any of them were attacked, their opponent would not give them time to decide what spell to cast. If they had the chance, their opponent would see to it that they never had a chance to draw their wand.
The rest of the class was given over to a demonstration of shielding spells, followed by the students displaying what shielding spells they already knew as well as how good they were. There was time for only a half dozen, none of them Draco. Hermione was the only one who was successful for each spell she claimed to know. Pansy, not to be outdone, volunteered to be next. She proved competent in the three spells she claimed to know. Her ego took the better of her when she tried to match Hermione's five spells. On her fourth demonstration, she was bound with ropes as though she had never shielded against them. Still, of the six, she was the second best.
The end of class came. Draco stayed. So did most of the class. All out of curiosity. Scrimgeour chased all of them out except for Hermione and Pansy. Because they were going to help tutor him. He stated that he would be Draco's tutor for the Defense spells and he wished to be informed of which night Draco would prefer.
Draco demurred. Something told him not to trust the man. Something more than his normal paranoia. He explained that he had planned to discuss the matter with Uncle Severus and would ask his opinion.
"That would be inappropriate, Mister Malfoy."
"Then that's what Draco will do," Hermione said, almost casually. "He never likes being told what to do." The slightest pause. "If you offered, I'd wager he would have said yes."
Draco's lip curled. Only Hermione would dare to rebuke a teacher. And he knew she was right. Such an offer, after the demonstration at the beginning of the class, would have seemed a godsend.
As they left the classroom, Pansy thanked Hermione. She did not trust the man. Hermione agreed. The man had his own plans and they were obvious. By teaching Draco, he would know how good Draco was, how Draco would react and how to defeat him. She let her anger show.
"I didn't know you could be so cold-blooded," Pansy commented.
"Draco taught me," Hermione explained. She only smiled when Draco looked at her.
