Disclaimer: See prologue.
Guide: "Speech", Thoughts, ~letters and other written things, "Parseltongue"
Beta: cuter-than-a-guinea-pig. All remaining errors are my own.
AN: I know, it took me ages to update this chapter. I hope you are still with me and this story and wish you all a Happy New Year!
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-~-~-by StillWatersAreDeep-~-~-
-~-~- Chapter 20 – Part I-~-~-
"You might belong in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart, their daring, nerve, and chivalry set Gryffindors apart.
You might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal, those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil.
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you've a ready mind, where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin you'll make your real friends, those cunning folks use any means to achieve their ends."
(Sorting Hat song of 1991, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone)
Does being sorted into Gryffindor mean that one cannot be brave at heart and at the same time just and loyal? If Hufflepuffs are unafraid of toil, doesn't this allude that they are willing to spend hours in the library, learning? A ready mind and wit are the signs of a true Ravenclaw but they are also the foundation of cunning. And doesn't using any means to achieve your ends require you to be daring while keeping your nerves?
The Sorting Hat may divide the eleven years old who start Hogwarts each year into the four houses, but if you look closely enough, you'll see that a personality that is connected to one Hogwarts house could as easily be applied to one of the remaining three. And maybe that's why the Sorting Hat always gives the first years the option to choose their own house if they believe that its initial choice does not suit them.
And in the end, when you leave Hogwarts it is not the house you were sorted into that counts, it is the friendships you developed and deepened, the foes you made, and the memories, good and bad, you take with you as you begin your life as an adult. In my case, I left Hogwarts with the same friends I entered it with, only adding Luna and the Weasley twins into the mix. I certainly made foes, but not because of who I am and for what I did to them, but because of the power my fiancé held. So in reality, I didn't need the school for friends. The old castle only stood to house those who despised me in close proximity so that I would be fully aware of their dislike, a dislike that stemmed from the article in the Prophet that announced mine and Tom's engagement in the beginning of August.
And as for memories. I certainly connect good and bad memories with Hogwarts.
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Early August 1991
To say that my engagement announcement had crashed in like a tsunami would be an understatement. To Tom and Severus it felt like a repeat of Halloween ten years ago. Skeeter was writing up a storm all week, each day mine or Tom's name would make it onto the front-page headline. She began predictably with 'Official: Potter Heir engaged to Lord Slytherin!' followed by an article about our dance at my introduction to society party. From there the percentage of facts in her articles went rapidly downhill.
'A Fairy Tale Come True: From Orphan to Lord Consort' she wrote the next day, summarizing for everyone what had happened to my parents and godfather. I stopped keeping track of how often she used 'poor orphan' when I reached twelve and by then I'd only been half-way through the article.
On Tuesday, Skeeter aspired to answer the question 'When Will Lord Slytherin Finally Get His Heir?" Normally such a question would only be asked days before the wedding and not mere days after an engagement announcement. Severus, Tom, and I laughed together about her insane theory that the marriage between Tom and I was purely for the sake of Tom finally getting a legal heir that his long-time lover Severus could not provide him. And who would be a better suited surrogate mother than his lover's godson that they could easily manipulate? Least to say that Skeeter expected me to be with child as soon as I became fertile.
Tom took the article as an opportunity to speak with me about the possibility of having children with him. He told me that it was expected of him to have a child one day, which I could understand. The Wizarding World had demanded an heir from him for as long as I could remember. "However," he'd stressed, "I do not want you to have a child if you do not want one and even less while you're still a child yourself," he told me.
"I want a child. Someday," I answered, sure of my wishes for the future. "But first I want to go to Hogwarts," I added excitedly.
"I'll give you all the time you want, Harry." he promised, kissing my forehead. And with this, the topic of children was laid to rest for the next years.
Skeeter's article on Wednesday continued where she stopped on Tuesday. 'Lord Slytherin just a father replacement?' was the title under which she discussed mine and Tom's great age difference and to Severus' amusement now spoke negatively of Tom knocking me up right when I became fertile, saying that Pederasty was totally outdated. It was obvious to us that she'd received some complains from her readers who were strictly against teenage pregnancies.
I did not bother to read her next three articles. Instead I spent as much time as possible with Severus, Tom, and Nagini, knowing that once I was at Hogwarts, I would not see them again before I came back home for the Yule holidays. But at least I would have my two best friends as well as Nagijan with me.
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Sunday, 1st September 1991
September first finally came. Severus joked that I was more hyper than Draco on Christmas morning, but since I woke up Tom instead of him, he did not mind. He and Tom had debated long about whether I should board the Hogwarts Express with everyone else or if it would be safer for me to Floo directly to Hogwarts as the stir the engagement caused had not completely died down yet. Both wanted me to get the full experience: Going through the wall at King's Cross between platforms 9 and 10, the old red steam engine the first thing I would see. Seeing the apparently horse-less carriages the older students would board, while I would reach the castle by boat. Fortunately, an easy solution to their problem was offered by Lucius. He suggested that I could join his family on their trip to King's Cross. With Lucius, Narcissa and the three Lestranges as extra protection, I would be well protected from any delusional witch or wizard who tried to do anything to me in order to again have a chance at becoming Lord Slytherin's consort.
So, with both Nagini and Nagijan clinging to me, I walked through the barrier where the Lestranges were already waiting for me. Draco followed right after me, proudly carrying his new Nimbus Two Thousand on his shoulder.
"So, when did Draco wake you up?" Severus asked casually when he and Lucius joined us on the other side of the barrier.
"At four," Lucius replied. "Hit me with his broom no less."
I laughed. "And you said I got up earlier than Draco. I only got up at quarter before five."
"I said you're more hyper than him on Christmas morning," Severus replied.
"And Draco only wakes us up at five on Christmas," Lucius helpfully pointed out.
I just showed them my tongue before I turned around, teasing Draco about his broom.
Remus soon joined our little group. "Harry," he greeted me.
"Remus," I greeted him excitedly, but refrained from giving him a hug with the Snakes still around me. "You look sad," I pointed out.
"I'm happy," he denied but when I gave him a look that clearly said that I did not believe him, he added, "just a bit sad that neither James, Lily, or Sirius could be here today."
I nodded. "I'm happy that you're here. And Draco. And Severus. And Tom," I said, smiling happily.
Remus ruffled my hair. He was happy that the people I cared about most were here with me today, even if he wished that this group of people would also include his best friends, but he knew that only having been around them when I was still a baby, I did not share a deep relationship with them. I knew who they were and I respected them for what they were supposed to be to me: my parents and second godfather. But only knowing stories about them or visiting an unresponsive Sirius in the hospital prevented me from forming any strong attachments with them.
"You know that your parents and Sirius will be proud of you, regardless which house you're sorted into?" he more stated than asked.
"I know," I replied. "Though Severus said that Sirius would be proud of me as long as I played a lot of pranks on everyone."
Remus laughed. "That's certainly something he would say. But I believe everyone else would prefer if you were not up to no good. Or at least careful enough to avoid getting caught," he said with a wink, reminding me of the map he'd gifted me with.
"Harry," Hermione happily greeted me with a hug. Opposed to nearly everyone else, she was not afraid to get close to me even when Nagini was coiled around me. "Hello Nagini," she greeted Tom's snake softly, gingerly stroking her head. Feeling left out, Nagijan stretched his body. Hermione laughed softly as she also caressed him.
Soon it was time to say my goodbyes to Severus and Tom. "Take care," Severus said. "And don't forget to write!"
"I will," I promised him.
"Say goodbye to Harry," Tom ordered Nagini as he held out his arm for her to slide on to.
Once I was free of Nagini, Severus used the opportunity to give me a quick but strong hug. "I love you," we both said at the same time, making us smile gently at the other.
"I'll miss you, Harry," Nagini told me.
"I'll miss you too," I replied softly, careful to not be overheard as I petted her.
"Enjoy your time at Hogwarts," Tom wished. "And remember if you need me or Severus, we're just a Floo call away and you can use my rooms whenever you want."
"Thank you," I said. "I'll miss you," I told him when I hugged him goodbye.
Tom just smiled and affectionately ruffled my hair. While we saw the flash of a camera going off in the corner of our eyes, we doubted that they were able get a good photo with all the people standing around us.
"Come on my dear," Narcissa's voice reached me, "it's time to board the train." And with this she guided Draco, Hermione and I towards the nearest door.
We quickly found a still empty compartment which we claimed for ourselves. Together we opened the slightly jammed window and stuck out our heads. Soon the train left the station and the silhouette of our loved ones got smaller and smaller.
During the train ride we discussed which house we would be sorted into. "Ravenclaw," Draco and I said without doubt when Hermione brought up the topic.
"Ravenclaw?" she asked.
"Yes, with your love for books you cannot go anywhere but Ravenclaw," I said, as Draco nodded his agreement.
"I don't know," Hermione replied. "All the houses sound good to me. And I could easily imagine myself being sorted into Hufflepuff as much as Ravenclaw," she answered.
"Let the Hat speak," Draco said. "Oh, and bet on a History of Magic assignment," he added, when he remembered that everyone told him how hard is was to write an essay for the subject. Not because Professor Binns' standard was so high, but because it was hard to listen to him, resulting in extra hours spent in the library looking up the topic Professor Binns had already talked about during the lesson.
"Only if you offer to check my Potions essay," Hermione demanded.
I smiled. Typical Hermione, always doing her own homework.
"Deal," Draco said and they both shook hands on it.
"No need to bet on your house," I told Draco.
"Yepp. Slytherin through and through," he said proudly.
"And you?" Hermione asked me softly.
I leaned further back in my seat. "I don't know. Slytherin is certainly an option, though I don't think I am ambitious enough. So maybe Ravenclaw? Gryffindor if I follow the Potter tradition," I added more softly because Gryffindor didn't really feel like a serious option for myself.
"I wouldn't rule out Slytherin," Hermione said. "Remember the stunt you pulled off during your Introduction to society?" she asked and we all laughed.
"Oh, Hermione," I began theatrically. "Didn't you know that I was seriously considering ditching Tom in favour of Draco? His Malfoy green robes clash far less with my red Potter robes than Tom's Slytherin green ones."
"And why did you not choose me then?" Draco asked accusingly, playing along. "I am the better looking one, I'll have you know." Hermione had a hard time holding back her laughter.
"Simple," I stated in a very amused voice, close to laughing myself. "His wand."
"His wand?" Hermione asked disbelievingly. She did not know if I literally meant his wand or if I was using the term slangly.
"Yes, his wand." I replied, trying to stay calm. "You cannot compete with thirteen-and-a-half inches? Can you?" I asked Draco, pointedly looking down at his groin area and then laughed heartily when I saw the look on my best friends face. When I calmed down again, I finally said, "Your wand is only what? Ten inches of finest Hawthorn?"
"Harry," Draco scolded, his face red, shoving me on the side. Hermione laughed.
"Come on, Draco," I said. "Don't you remember that I told you that mine and Tom's wands are brothers? That's what I was referring to."
"I'd rather sit with someone who appreciates my greatness," he said and stood up only to let himself fall down in the seat beside Hermione.
We all laughed together.
"Sounds like you're having fun," Neville said as he and Susan Bones stood at the door to our compartment.
"We are," Hermione replied.
"In my expense," Draco mumbled under his breath but motioned for the two newcomers to step in and take a seat.
"How are you?" Susan asked Hermione. The two girls had gotten to know each other during Hermione's introduction to society party. While only a few guests had attended: the Greengrass sisters, Hanna Abbot, the Patil Twins, Mandy Brocklehurst, Theordore Nott, Neville, and of course Draco and I, Hermione said that she still had a good time. Ronald Weasley had also been invited, however due to the animosity with Draco's family they'd declined the invitation.
"I'm fine. Excited to finally see Hogwarts," Hermione told her and soon the compartment was filled with friendly chatter once more.
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All too soon, the time flew by and all of us where standing in line in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, waiting to be sorted.
From our group, Hermione was the first to go up. I noticed how Hermione first looked towards the Ravenclaw table, then over to the Slytherin table before her eyes rested on me and Draco. Soon after the Sorting Hat announced, "Ravenclaw!"
"Told you," Draco said smugly to Hermione who walked passed us to take her seat at the Ravenclaw table, but he still clapped as loudly as I for her.
"Slytherin," the hat, as expected, announced when it was Draco's turn.
And then, after Sally-Anne Perks was sorted into Hufflepuff, it was finally my turn to put on the Sorting Hat. I ignored the whispers that went around the room. With the freshness of the engagement announcement, it was to be expected. With Draco and Hermione having been sorted into Slytherin and Ravenclaw, I did not mind getting either house, having the comfort of knowing that I would still be together with one of my friends.
Ah, Mr Potter, the hat greeted me. Quite interesting that growing up surrounded by so many Slytherins, Lord Slytherin amongst them, makes you value books and knowledge so much.
Ravenclaw then, I thought.
It's an option, but is it the best place for you? the Sorting Hat asked me. You certainly possess qualities that all founders value. However I believe that "Slytherin" would be the best place for you to grow into the best man you could be.
Relieved, I took my place at the Slytherin table right beside Draco who reserved me a seat. At least I won't have to worry about my new house mates not tolerating Nagijan, I though as Draco clapped my back in congratulation.
I looked across the room at Hermione who gently smiled at us. As expected, we were still friends, regardless of our new Hogwarts houses. "Poor Skeeter," I said sarcastically to Draco. "Now she can't write the star-crossed lover article about Gryffindor and Slytherin finally being united."
"Oh, how shall we all live without reading how the poor orphan Harry so bravely followed after his parents and entered Gryffindor house. How scared must the young boy be to find himself suddenly amongst Gryffindors instead of Slytherins? Oh, the danger!" Draco said theatrically, acting as if he was about to swoon.
"Pay attention, you two," one of the older students chided us. While Regulus Black, the newly appointed Head of Slytherin house was on very good terms with Severus and Lucius, and of course Tom, neither of us wanted to risk a detention or point loss on our first day. Therefore, we stopped our banter for the moment and quietly listened as the last students were sorted.
"Seems like you'll share your room," Draco told me when Blaise Zabini was also sorted into Slytherin.
I just shrugged. I expected the other boy to join Slytherin thus, it was always a possibility that I would be forced to share a room with the only other Foreas in our year. "If worse comes to worse, I always have Nagijan to rely on," I told him.
In the end, both Zabini and I received a room of our own. Apparently Zabini was so afraid of Nagijan that he vehemently protested about staying in the same room as the snake and thus Draco offered to share the Foreas room with me, while Zabini would, for the moment, stay in the normal boys' dorm, arguing that since neither of us was fertile right now, it would not really matter if with whom we shared a room. Professor Black rejected the idea. His Lord had ordered him to apply for the newly opened position in DADA so that he could keep an eye on me and ensure that nothing bad happened to me.
"I'm sorry, Mr Malfoy," he began. "As the fiancé of Lord Slytherin, I cannot allow anyone but another Foreas to share a room with Mr Potter."
"Then make him get rid of the snake," Zabini had demanded.
"I'm afraid, I cannot allow that either," he answered.
"But snakes are against school rules," Zabini argued.
"I have special permission to bring Nagijan," I said and not wanting the discussion in the Slytherin common room to drag on until the wee hours of the morning—we were already drawing enough attention as it was—I added, "I can always stay in another room."
"I'm sorry, Mr Potter. But there are no other rooms available," Professor Black told me.
"Don't worry. To—Lord Slytherin said I could stay in his personal rooms if needed."
Professor Black looked at Zabini, Draco, and I before he said, "Very well, you can stay in Lord Slytherin's rooms while Mr Zabini will stay in the Foreas dorm. The curfew still applies to you though," he told me, giving me a stern look. "Do you need me to guide you to Lord Slytherin's quarters?"
"I'll find it on my own, thank you," I replied and said goodbye to Draco. "See you at breakfast."
Once I was out of sight, I pulled out the Marauders Map that Remus gave me and walked up the stairs to the second floor where Lord Slytherin's private rooms were located.
"Dumbledore is insane," I hissed at the portrait of a silver-blue Ouroboros who guarded the entrance to my new rooms. I made sure that no one was nearby before speaking Parseltongue. Once inside, I hissed "Close," to make the wall manifest again. Curious, I looked around. I'd entered a comfy but sparsely furnished living room, complete with two armchairs, a coffee table, and a comfy rug in front of a lit fireplace. I gently deposited Nagijan on the rug.
Walking further into the room, I opened the only door which led me to the bedroom. Like the living room, it was sparsely furnished, dark red-brown wood with some black, silver, and green accents. I laughed when I saw that my trunk had already been placed at the foot of the king-size bed. From the bedroom, I was able to enter the bathroom and was surprised at how large it was. It was about the same size as the bedroom and had both a big tub and shower.
Since I was already in Tom's rooms, I decided to spare myself the long trip up to the Owlery and instead contacted Tom via the living room Floo. Finding some Floopowder on the mantel, I threw a handful in the flames and called out "Slytherin Manor." The Parseltongue a security measure Tom had installed to ensure that none but him, and now also I, would be able to use the Floo to leave and enter this room.
"What?" an annoyed Tom asked from behind his desk, but once he saw that it was me who was contacting him, his whole demeanour changed. "Harry, is something wrong?" he asked me, obviously worried.
"No, everything is fine," I replied. "I just wanted to tell you that I was sorted into Slytherin." Here Tom smirked. Once the Hogwarts Express had left the station, he, Remus, and Lucius had placed bets on my Hogwarts house. While Remus had been in favour of Ravenclaw, Lucius had placed his money on Gryffindor 'Like father, like son' had been his reasoning.
"I'm happy to hear this," he replied.
"There also was a little problem," I told him. "But don't worry it all worked out." At Tom's encouraging hand gesture, I elaborated. "Zabini, the other Foreas, was also sorted into Slytherin. However, he is so afraid of Nagijan that he stubbornly refused to share a room with me. So, I hope you don't mind that I'm staying in yours?"
"Not at all," Tom replied. "While I'd not offered it with such a situation in mind, I'm happy that you'll make use of it. I'll come by tomorrow after classes to see if there is anything you may need."
I smiled. I would always be happy to see Tom. "Will you tell Severus that I said hi?" I asked him.
"Of course," he replied. "Sweet dreams, Harry."
"You too," I answered before I ended the Floo call.
As I lay in bed, I thought about the day. Staying here certainly had its perks. I had a whole set of rooms to myself where no one would be able to pester me and even the teachers would be unable to check up on me if I was out of bed after curfew. And the Floo was a bonus too.
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On the following morning, Hermione joined Draco and I at the Slytherin table, where she excitedly told us how much she loved that one had to answer a question to gain entrance to the Ravenclaw common room instead of just saying a password.
When I informed her that I was staying in Tom's private rooms because Zabini was afraid of Nagijan, Hermione shook her head in disbelieve. It was then when the three of us looked over at Zabini. He was reading a letter he'd just received with a pained look on his face. We watched as he stood on shaking legs and made his way up to the head table where he approached our head of house. After a quick discussion, both Zabini and Professor Black walked backed towards the Slytherin table, stopping right behind us.
"Mr Potter," Professor Black greeted me. "After some consideration, Mr Zabini believes that he will no longer mind sharing a room with you."
"I very much doubt it," Draco commented. While Zabini was not shaking anymore, it was clear that he was still uncomfortable.
"I'm sure that Lord Slytherin ordered it to behave itself," Zabini said. It was clear that he was only wishing this to be true instead of actually believing his own words.
"Nagijan," I said, careful to not slip into Parseltongue. Already knowing what his name sounded like in human tongue, a trick he must have learned from Nagini, he raised his head from beneath my robes. "With all due respect, Professor," I began as Zabini took a step back from us. "It is more than obvious that Zabini is still very much uncomfortable with the idea of staying close to Nagijan. I can only assume that the letter he received this morning included an order, probably from his mother, to share a room with me, regardless of his own feelings on the matter. Thus, I propose for both mine and his ease of mind that we stay with the room arrangement we agreed on yesterday."
Taking a look at Zabini, Professor Black agreed with me.
"Lord Slytherin's fiancé," the three of us said in unison once we were alone again. There was nothing else which needed to be said in regards to Mrs Zabini's motivation. Being my dorm mate would have been an easy way to try and get close to me and in turn get close to Lord Slytherin.
"At least I know who my true friends are," I told them and lay an arm around each of their shoulders.
"To friendship," Hermione saluted with her cup of pumpkin juice. Draco and I soon joined in.
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As Draco and I soon found out, being Lord Slytherin's fiancé was not the only reason why people liked or disliked me. It was our first potion class with Professor Emerald Peepers, called the ghoul by the rest of the student body due to her pale skin, bulging eyes, and overly sharp filed fingernails when it started.
"Mr Potter, tell me what will I get if I add Powdered Root of Asphodel to an infusion of Wormwood?" she asked me.
I knew that the answer was "The Draught of Living Death" but I still looked confused at Draco. Surely this was not a question that she should be asking a first year student?
"And what is the Draught of Living Death?" she continued. "Maybe Mr Malfoy knows it?"
"It is a very potent sleeping potion," he replied.
"Where would you look if I tell you to find me a Bezoar?" she asked, looking at no one in particular. "No idea, Mr Malfoy?" she taunted.
"The stomach of a goat," Draco replied, when it became clear that she was asking him.
"And what is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?" she asked next, looking right at me.
"There is no difference. Monkshood and Wolfsbane are only different names for the same plant which is also known as Aconite," I replied, starting to wish that she would consume some Draught of Living Death to make her shut up. Fortunately, she just cleared her throat in annoyance and finally began her lesson that was more suited to first year students.
It was only in the afternoon, when Tom visited me in his rooms that I found out why she'd been grilling me and Draco with questions. Apparently, Severus had been accepted as an apprentice by the Potion master she'd wanted to study under. Considering that Severus was five years her junior, she'd been very much angered by it and held a grudge against him ever since. With how skilled Severus was, she'd no way to directly get back at him thus she sought out his two godsons to try and embarrass him. When she noticed that we'd obviously had some experience with Potions, she stopped. For now, at least.
"Great," I moaned.
Tom chuckled. "Don't worry, Harry. I'm confident that you and Draco can show her who of you is the better person and Potions master." After a pause, he asked, "Is there anything else you'll need besides a writing desk and chair?"
"No," I answered. "Oh, wait. Maybe a shelf for my books?"
"Sure," Tom said and left to get the mentioned furniture.
When I came back from dinner, not only was the desk, chair, and shelf added to the living room, but Tom had also added a loveseat. "For your friends," Tom explained. "While I'd prefer you not to invite people into these rooms, I can understand that there are times when you'll need a secluded place to discuss private matters with Hermione and Draco."
"Thank you," I said and hugged Tom.
"You're welcome."
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It was not long before I had my first encounters with the different members of the Weasley family. Since we were in the same year, Ronaled Weasley was the first one I met. Draco and I were discussing which positions we would apply for during Sytherin's Qudditch try-outs on our way into DADA when the redhead purposefully bumped into me.
"Oi, you're first years, you cannot try out for the Quidditch team," he said.
"But we can, Weasley," Draco said haughtily.
"In your dreams, Malfoy!" was Ronald's reply.
"No, in yours. You see, Lord Slytherin was kind enough to grant both of us a special permission to bring our brooms with us. And with brooms we can play Quidditch."
While I admit that Draco could have explained the situation a lot more considerately to the other's feelings, the curse Weasley in turn decided to throw at me was not justified.
"Eat slugs you little whore," he said and then pointed his wand at me, calling out, "Slugulus Eructo,"
Only thanks to my good reflexes was I able to barely duck below the green curse that sailed over my head.
"Mr Weasley. Ten points from Gryffindor and detention," Professor Black, who just then entered the classroom, said.
Weasley put away his wand, complaining, "Saved by the whore's lapdog," under his breath.
"Fifty points and a week of detention."
Draco snickered beside me as we took out seats in the first row. However, after class, it was Draco and I who were asked to stay behind.
"Mr Malfoy," he began, "our Lord has not called me back from my travels just to arbitrate the century long Malfoy-Weasley feud. I'm here to ensure that the students do not try to harm Mr Potter simply because he is Lord Slytherin's fiancé. I would rather have this year end without any incidents so that I can resign and continue my research in Egypt. Understood?" he asked sternly.
"Understood," Draco said.
"Good," he said and dismissed us.
Once we were out of earshot Draco said, "With him being Sirius' brother one would expect him to be a lot friendlier to us. Or at least to you."
"Regulus and Sirius were never close. Besides, I only met him once or twice before now as he's always travelling around, exploring the different kinds of magic that excited all over the world." I explained.
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The next Weasley I had a personal encounter with was Percy. I'd stayed down in the Slytherin common rooms, celebrating with the rest of the house my appointment as this year's Seeker. Draco had only been named reserve Chaser as Marcus, this year's captain and Chaser, had said that the trio with him, Adrian, and Sekhmet worked too good to be divided. But as Sekhmet would be graduating this year, Draco was sure to get her position next year. If he did not try anything stupid to send Sekhmet to the hospital wing so that he could play in her stead.
With all the celebration, we'd forgotten the time. While Draco offered to share his bed for the night, I'd declined, opting to sneak my way back to my rooms. It was only on the second floor, so it should be safe enough. To my vexation, I'd not taken the Marauders Map with me and after only two weeks I was still not familiar with all the secret passages and short cuts. So, as my luck would have it, prefect Percy Weasley had spotted me before I was able to make it to my rooms. And I had just been a turn away, I thought in annoyance but dutifully nodded my head when he lectured me on the importance of the curfew, especially for someone as young as I, and deducted five points from my house.
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The next day, I met Fred and George Weasley or as they like to call themselves Forge and Gred on my way to have breakfast in the Great Hall.
"Congratulation, Potter" one of them began.
"First year and already on the Quidditch team," the other twin finished.
"Youngest Seeker in a century," Fred added.
"Well done," George added and both held out a hand for me to shake, which I took. "I'm George Wesley by the way."
"And I'm Fred. Looks like the snake has grown overnight," Fred commented. "Nagijan was his name, right?"
"Yes, my snake is called Nagijan," I said. "But this is Nagini," I corrected.
"Lord Slytherin's Nagini?" Fred asked.
"The one and only," I replied. "Nagijan is still as large as yesterday," I said and as if called, my own snaked poked out his head from beneath Nagini's larger body.
"So how come she's with you?" George asked this time.
"Tom said that she missed me. And since it's the weekend, he brought her over for the day."
"Translates: She bugged him until he gave in," Fred said to his twin. "But don't tell him that I said that," he added to me.
"He'll skin you alive for sure," George commented and the three of us laughed together.
"Don't worry," I replied. "He won't skin you. He'll leave it to Severus. Fresh Potion ingredients being the best and all that."
"Speaking about fresh. Our little Ronniekins was really mad when he heard that you made the team," George said.
"I would say be careful, but with how thinks are looking," Fred said, eyeing Nagini, "I doubt he'll do anything."
"And if he does, just send a spider his way," George suggested.
"A little, tiny one will suffice," Fred added.
"Thank you," I replied.
You're welcome," they said in unison. I had the feeling that we could become really good friends, which we did. I even got the feeling that they'd sent less Bludgers in my direction during Quidditch matches than to the other Slytherin players.
And in the end, it was not me who sent a tiny, little spider Ronald's way but Hermione. The two of them shared Charms and when he so rudely made fun of her when she only wanted to help him with the right pronunciation of "Wingardium Leviosa" Hermione decided to demonstrate the spell for him with a spider she spotted in the corner of the room which she 'helpfully' levitated on his left hand.
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Emerald Peepers: A little word play. Emerald is associated with the colour green, whereas peepers is the slang word for eyes. Together they make Green-eyed, add the nickname ghoul and you have: green-eyed monster aka: jealousy.
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AN: I hope to update the other half in 1-2 weeks.