Chapter 14: Air of the Heir

Luna was feeling rather upset. Her two closest friends were going through a rough time. Harry was being called "Heir of Slytherin" and being blamed for the prior attacks. People were running away from him left and right, which she wasn't happy with. She rather enjoyed his company.

Pricks.

And then there was Tom. The last few times she tried to talk to him, she was worried she'd said something to scare him away. He stopped talking to her as much, being distant, and then the book vanished. She knew it wasn't Tom, maybe one of her dorm mates had decided to dial up on her bullying.

Either way, she felt alone.

She wandered down the halls, several of the torches blown out. She could see some of the castle windows had opened, and in the cold, snowy breeze from outside… either way the darkened hallway scared her. It reminded her of… well, she wasn't sure what. She sighed and hugged herself slightly for warmth, walking on.

Up ahead, she heard a commotion of some sort. She walked over curiously to see a large group of angry and scared people pointing and shouting at Harry, who had a cold glare at the accusing, Tracey looking oddly relieved as she took his hand and walked him away.

"Yeah, walk away, Dark bastard." one of the students yelled.

Luna saw them pick up what seemed to be a clothed statue until she recognized it as a student.

"Poor Justin. Can't believe that Potter did him in too." said a girl as they hurried to the infirmary with him.

"What did Harry do?" Luna asked the onlookers who were talking among themselves.

"He attacked poor Justin. He let it slip a while back that he was a muggleborn and now the Heir of Slytherin has him all dead." A boy said, frowning.

"Did you see it?" She asked. The boy looked surprised.

"N-no, but we know it was him." he stuttered.

"And here I thought you Hufflepuffs were nicer than the Ravenclaws." Luna sighed, walking out towards where Harry had left.

She smiled for a moment, realizing the boy looked hurt by her words. He had seen what he did wrong. As she walked, she heard him bring it up to his friends.

"Ah, that's just Loony. You're really gonna listen to her?" She heard a girl said with a giggle.

"I… no. I guess not." the boy said.

Luna sighed. Never mind then.

As she walked, she realized that another shape was looming near, like a shade in the light.

That is definitely off. She thought. She looked at the barely translucent shape and gasped. A few of the remaining students noticed.

"It's dark magic residue." one of the students said darkly.

A few people muttered their agreements. Luna shook her head.

"Oh, what do you know, Loony?" he asked angrily.

"Have you touched it?" She asked quietly.

"I don't wanna get curs-no!" the student said, stepping forward as Luna reached for the shape.

Some of the students screamed and prepared to drag her to the infirmary as well until they realized she was okay .

"Touch it yourself." Luna said, looking pale.

Cautiously, and shushing his friend, the boy did. His hand felt cold and clammy, but otherwise he was okay.

"What is it?" he said, eyeing the shape. He looked at Luna, who looked at him in worry.

"It's a ghost." She said, making the entire corridor silent.

OoooO

Draco was feeling pleased with himself. Despite their long rivalries, he was surprisingly getting along with Potter. Not so much Greengrass or Davis, but he would work on it.

After having owled his father, the Malfoy patriarch replied quickly and let him know how he had approached the Dark Lord. He too had originally looked down on him, only to be wowed by what he could do. His idealism, his power. It would do Draco good to befriend and maintain an equal, but not to become a follower.

He had already asked Potter about the attacks, which he had denied. Draco knew better though. He understood. You couldn't give all your secrets away, after all. It did bad for your mystique. Keep them wondering and they'll flock.

Two can do that. Draco thought smugly. Potter might be drawing the crowd now, but Draco would be in the spotlight as well.

He was creative enough. He had a target, and he had a series of spells he would practice. All he needed was time to create. To develop.

All he needed was a chance to kill.

After this latest attack, he was in high spirits. Another Mudblood was hit. Petrified, by the looks of it. Potter had maintained his usual, stoic facade, but Draco saw a look in his eyes.

He understood why his father had submitted to the Dark Lord.

Draco was obsessed. How did Potter control the monster of the Chamber? What was the monster? How did he pick his victims from the riff raff of Mudblood that ran rampant through the castle? Were Halflings in danger as well?

So far, he hadn't seen anything. No big spells, not a lot of snake talks (though he did start practicing). Just usual friend things, class.

Draco sighed and shook his head. Snape's class was not the kind of place to let his mind wander. He went back to his potion, carefully adding in the grated unicorn horn. As his potion turned into a sickly green color, he shot one last glance at Potter, who had also changed his potion's color.

He vowed he would find out..one way or another.

OoooO

Tracey felt relieved at Justin's attack, as cold as it sounded. Daphne and Harry both assured her he wasn't some Dark Lord junior, but she worried nonetheless.

They were friends and a bit more, but he hadn't referred to her as his girlfriend. And as much as she wanted to call him her boyfriend, she wanted him to say it first.

She wasn't sure why she doubted him. Harry was reserved, but not particularly dark. Hell, Blaise gave more of a "Dark Lord" vibe.

"It's the Snake Tongue." Blaise had said. As much as she'd seen Harry practice it, it still freaked her out. The soft hissing sounds just… she shuddered uncomfortably.

She looked at the upset boy with green eyes next to her. He didn't understand how or why he suddenly spoke Parseltongue. She sighed and got his attention.

"What's wrong?" he asked her.

"I'm annoyed with people." she said simply.

Harry looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"You've got all of these pricks blaming you for these attacks, and those who aren't acting strange." she said with a huff. Harry stared at her for a moment.

"Acting strange like you were?"

Tracey frowned.

"More like Malfoy trying to be your new best friend." she said.

"He wishes. Wait until he finds out I'm not some big bad waiting to happen." Harry said. Tracey gave him a look.

"What happens then?" She asked. Harry shrugged and gave a Cheshire grin.

"No idea, but I'm definitely gonna take advantage of this." he said smiling. Tracey grinned back.

"And, how exactly do you plan to do that?" She asked, smiling.

"Dunno exactly. Already have him eating out the palm of my hand." Harry smirked. "Guess I could keep using him as protection."

Tracey's smirk went down a few molars as she remembered.

Earlier that week

Harry and Tracey had just walked Daphne to the Library for her study group with Hermione and Susan. They waved as she walked away and talked among themselves for a moment until Harry noticed footsteps rushing to them.

They turned to see a fifth year Gryffindor they didn't recognize brandishing his wand at them, looking quite furious.

"Potter!" the boy roared, "I'll make you pay for what you did to Collin!"

Harry barely had time to dodge as a cutting curse shot right next to him. The boy growled and let off a few more, Harry maneuvering just out of their range through sheer luck. To the boy, however, it seemed Harry was playing with him.

"Fight me, you damned snake!" he shouted, sending more cutting curses at him.

Harry was on the defensive and quickly losing ground. A few more spells and he'd be effectively cornered. He quickly pulled his wand and sent a few stunners out, the boy side-stepping quickly. Harry angrily sent some more stunners before sending a binding curse aimed low. The boy avoided the stunners and fell to the curse, a resounding wet crack signaling that his nose caught his fall.

Tracey quickly came back with the Weasley Twins and Blaise, who all arrived to see Harry leaning against the wall, smirking over the face-down student.

"Wow, did you actually kill him?" Blaise asked, eyeing the blood on the ground. Harry frowned.

"No, hit him with a body binder and he fell on his face." Harry said with a huff.

"Aww. Harrykins actually got the big bad alone this time." George said, smirking.

"He's growing up; I'm so proud." Fred said, mimicking his brother's posture.

"Thanks, pricks." Harry grumbled.

"Careful, dear brother. The heir might target us next." Fred said with mock fear.

"So, who do we have here?" Blaise asked, rolling the stiff boy over.

"That is Alex Saffron who is not the brightest in his year." George commented, eyeing the panicked looking boy.

"He probably overheard the older Gryffindors talking about what they would do to our big Dark Lord." Fred finished,

"We got this, don't worry." Fred followed, levitating the boy into the air.

. . .

"Tracey?" Harry asked, looking worried.

"Yes?" She asked, looking around the common room.

"You spaced out there." he said, frowning.

"I'm just worried. It's twice now someone tries to attack you over this whole heir thing." she said.

Harry nodded; that was exactly where Malfoy would become useful.

OoooO

Daphne sighed as she walked into the Library. Blaise was off doing whatever the hell he actually did and Harry was with Tracey in the common room. She hated to acknowledge it, but she felt like the outcast in her group of friends, despite knowing it wasn't the case.

Thankfully, she had her friends in the study group, and she was glad for them. Slytherin house and a sparse few others had no fear from Harry. Susan and Hermione were such type of others. That Lovegood girl was another, along with the Weasley Twins.

But short of that, it seemed the rest of the school was keeping a very short-fused eye on Harry. McGonagall seemed to frown whenever she thought Harry wasn't looking. Flitwick seemed jumpier than usual. Snape looked at him curiously, but Lockhart had a very hungry expression, which was worrisome all its own.

She walked in, seeing Susan at their usual table. Hermione was probably off looking for some book here or there.

"Hello, Susan." Daphne said.

"Hey, Daphne." Susan said with a brilliant smile. "How are you today?"

"I'm a bit worried, but otherwise I'm well." Daphne said, returning the smile.

She rather liked Susan. The girl had deep red hair and a pale complexion to go with it, light brown eyes. She was still upset that Susan seemed to develop a lot earlier than most other girls; Daphne felt rather flat next to her.

"I'm sure it'll be okay. I can help, of course, if anyone tries anything again." Susan said with a frown.

It wasn't a secret that Susan was well versed in wizard duels and other types of magical and muggle fighting. She had lost both of her parents to the Death Eaters and began to train herself from an early age. Her aunt, who was a very accomplished Auror and current Head of Magical Law Enforcement, had wanted Susan to stay away from anything of the sort, but gave in and helped her with it.

"I don't think we need to suplex chop anyone." Daphne said with a giggle.

Susan smiled and nodded, not bothering to correct her.

"Regardless, I will help if needed." She said with a grin.

"Why would you be so interested in helping? Interested in Harry too?" Daphne teased.

"I am not." Susan said with an indignant pout. "However, he is someone important to you, and you're one of my best friends, so I'd help."

Daphne smiled and said nothing. She didn't need to. She was touched, and Susan knew that.

The two girls began revising and reviewing each other's homework, making small comments here and there. Soon, Hermione had joined them and immediately set off to help her study group.

"Wow. Wasting no time I see." Susan teased with a smile.

"I take my schoolwork absolutely seriously." Hermione said, smiling proudly.

"So no time for anything fun? Boys, girls, something?" Daphne asked, teasing their bushy haired friend. In response, Hermione blushed .

"Oh, that look. Something you haven't said, Granger?" Susan questioned, a smirk on her face.

"I have plenty of fun." Hermione said indignantly, but her flushed face undermined her tone. "Plus, I have you guys in my study group and as friends which is plenty of fun."

"Ah, I see. I understand." Daphne said with a sagely nod. Hermione smiled gratefully. "So you have a crush on one of us."

Hermione gasped and looked up to argue when she saw the shared grins between Susan and Daphne.

"Prats, the both of you." She said, turning to her meticulously researched homework.

"Well, she didn't say no…" Susan said, still grinning.

"That is it! I'm going to go get a book on magical insects used in potions." Hermione said, blushing.

Daphne and Susan giggled, with the former standing up.

"We're just giving you grief; I'll go get the book." She said, blowing Hermione a kiss.

The girl glared at her friend as she walked into the stacks before smiling.

"So, have you asked her yet?" Hermione asked, eyeing Susan over her book. The girl turned bright red and shook her head. "Why not?"

"I'm nervous, dammit." Susan said quietly, rolling her eyes at Hermione's smirk.

"The big niece of the head of law enforcement, frightened over asking her friend to spend the holidays." her friend teased.

Susan tossed a scrap of parchment at her.

"You know why I'm nervous, Mione." She sighed.

"All the more reason to ask her. You know we leave soon and we don't have another study session scheduled until after the holidays." her friend said.

"I guess…" Susan said with uncertainty.

"I'll tell you who I have a crush on if you do it now." Hermione offered.

"Now I'm interested." Daphne said, standing behind the brown skinned girl with a massive grin and a book in tow.

"Y-you weren't supposed to hear that!" Hermione stuttered, blushing almost as brightly as Susan.

"You both seem rife with embarrassment, so please, dish." She said, taking her spot next to Susan.

Hermione sighed and looked expectantly at Susan.

"You dug this hole yourself." Susan said with a smile.

"Actually, it's not her turn until after you've said whatever needs to be said." Daphne smirked.

Susan squirmed uneasily for a second before giving her blonde friend a decisive and fiery look. She reached over and softly cupped Daphne's face and leaned in, softly kissing her.

Whether from uncertainty or surprise, Daphne didn't react, staring at her friend in utter shock.

"Daphne Greengrass, would you like to spend this holiday season with me?" Susan said, blushing brightly but glad she didn't stutter.

Daphne nodded slowly, not trusting her mouth yet.

"It's Fred Weasley, by the way." Hermione said, smirking and knowing her friends entirely ignored her.