Chapter 25
Harry opened up the old and used potion's textbook that he had lost to Ron. He had thought he couldn't take potions again with Snape thanks to the man's impossible standards- and good ridance though he still wanted to be an auror- and hadn't bought the required equipment, thus he had to use a borrowed one found in the cupboard. He was still pants with potions, but perhaps Slughorn would prove a better teacher. Harry scowled at the book's pages, which were scribbled on and filled with miniscule notes in the margins. Directions were crossed out and instead replaced with new ones. How on earth was he supposed to make the required potion if he couldn't read the instructions! It was no secret everyone in class wanted Slughorn's offered prize for the best potion- felix felicis, or a good luck elixer. Harry was sure he wouldn't win; but he could give it his best shot. He did want that potion.
Harry flipped to the beginning of the book and squinted to read the tiny, curvy writing.
This book is property of the Half-Blood Prince.
Interesting.
Well, whoever the Half-Blood Prince was, he surely had no qualms about ruining his textbooks. Sighing at how late he was getting started- Hermione was already on the third ingredient- he decided to follow the book's lead and see what happened. After aquiring the ingredients, he set to work, setting the fire on a medium heat, and picked up one of the beans. Hermione had managed to cut hers, though only after twelve or so tries. Ron was still working on his. He cursed loudly when the bean bounced from under his knife and rolled onto the floor. Harry squinted at the print and saw the Prince suggested crushing the bean with the blade. Harry looked doubtfully at the other students who were failing at cutting. Draco was even having problems. Shrugging, Harry did as the Prince instructed. Amazingly, it worked on his first try, and he was able to get the juice quite easily. Ron looked questioningly at Harry, who merely gestured to try it in response.
Now confident, Harry worked by the Prince's suggestions, and found his potion looked exactly as it described in the textbook when he added the last ingredient. A smile stretched on his face, and beamed brighter when Slughorn deemed Harry's potion perfect, rewarding him with the Felix Felicis, much to Hermione's and Draco's annoyance, though only Hermione tried not to show it. Ron clapped him on the back encouragingly.
Harry tucked the potion's book in his backpack, thoughfully wondering if he could find a way to keep it. If it helped him get to know Slughorn, it'd be worth to keep. And why not use it to his advantage while he was at it?
HPSSDMLS
Severus sneered as the Ravenclaw's left, grumbling at the prospect of the essay he had assigned. How Severus had been waiting for this job, and he finally had it! The Dark Arts, though dangerous, could be used in ways to save and help, and that was exactly what Severus wanted to explain subtley. He figured those smart enough to understand the difference would pick up on his real purpose, and if no one else did, they would soon figure it out.
But though he had the position he most wanted, Severus found he was becoming a bit worried. He wasn't sure how safe Lily would be this year. Lily or Draco. Draco's father was in Azkaban, and although the Dark Lord was swayed to think Draco was too scared to do much for him at the moment, Severus was worried the Dark Lord would find a way to reach him. He'd have to teach Draco Occlumency, and Lily as well, in order to keep them safe. Severus reached down to his new desk drawer, and opened up the items he had unpacked first. Pictures of the life he'd once had. Lily knew nothing of her mother, and Snape had to keep it that way. At least for now. Then he'd tell his daughter. Someday.
Severus wondered who Lily had picked as friends for Draco. He'd have to look into this 'support group' later and see how it progressed. For now he'd give them space. Severus allowed himself an amused smirk as he prepared for his next class. Lily would be such a good influence on the blond; he only hoped this friendship of theirs worked. He would do anything in his power to keep them both safe and away from the dark path he'd once taken. And maybe, just maybe, Draco and Lily would have a strong bond that would last quite awhile.
HPSSDMLS
Lily tapped the Room of Requirement door and wished for a nice, unprejudiced place where new friends could chat. Draco was trailing behind her, obviously not pleased with missing a night in the Slytherin common room for the company of her friends and the Gryffindor golden trio. Draco had acted very unfriendly with her the whole day, and Lily was hoping to loosen him up some tonight. Not a miracle, but a sign he was seriously considering changing.
The door opened, revealing a relaxing sitting room into neutral tan colors, complete with chocolate brown couches, a table laid with platters of biscuits, and a roaring fireplace off to the side. Perfect. Lily stepped inside, and Draco followed suit, examining the room with a blank mask. Lily set her bookbag down by the wall and settled onto one of the couches. The cushions sank as she forced her wait upon it, and its soft texture was very inviting. Draco still hadn't seated himself, was just scrutinizing his surroundings.
"You can sit, you know." Lily teased slightly.
Draco sneered, but took a seat on the couch opposite her. "Are you going to tell your friends about your real identity?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, a mannerism he'd definitely picked up from her father over the summer.
Lily held her expression in cool indifference. "Why would you care? What I say or don't say is really none of your concern."
"And yet, you're demanding my cooperation in telling some of my worst enemies all about me." Draco rolled his eyes.
Lily smirked. "I'm not demanding you do anything but give them a chance. You can tell them nothing but your favorite color tonight, if you want."
Draco looked at her with a calculating gaze. Obviously he thought there was some sort of catch about the whole idea; that, or he couldn't believe a Slytherin would be giving him the free reign. Nonetheless, he was smart enough not to question it, and sat back silently as the Room of Requirement door opened, revealing the Golden Trio, all of whom had different expressions on their faces. Hermione's was one of guarded politeness, Ron was fuming, his face as red as his hair, and Harry looked cautious, but determined. Lily supposed they had discussed this quite a bit on the way over, and was none too surprised. Draco kept his expression neutral- apparently he was ready to give it a try- but couldn't help the small sneer that passed his face when Hermione greeted him. Lily gave him a sharp look, and he sighed, offering the greeting back with gritted teeth. Honestly, the boy probably had to greet people he didn't like all the time at home, being in a pureblooded, ministry-influenced home and all. Why was he being so diffcult?
"Hello, Selina." Ron said to Lily, determined to ignore the blond's exsistence. Lily bit her lip, but nodded in salutations. Harry gave her an apologetic look.
Soon, Julia and Hannah stepped through the door, murmuring amongst themselves. At the sight of the trio, they shushed and sat next to Lily, eyeing the Gryffindors but making no other clues as to what they were thinking. Well, self-preservation was everything in Slytherin. Julia nodded stiffly to Draco, and Hannah reluctantly said hello, and Draco nodded in return to each, not bothering to make another glance in their direction.
Awkward silence followed once everyone was seated. Lily sighed inwardly. She really should have thought through this more effectively; classes had just taken up all the time that day, as well as saying hello people she had not seen since last year. She coughed, bringing everyone's strained attention to her. The atmosphere in the room was almost choking. "I hope you guys had a great start of term." Lily started somewhat lamely, and she didn't fail to miss the soft snort from Draco. She shot him a secret glare. "As you know, this is a group of ours to ensure new friendships, hopefully bonding ties between our two houses."
"Not bloody likely." She heard Ron mutter under his breath.
"I understand Gryffindors and Slytherins have been at each other's throats for quite awhile now. It's an old prejudice, and in my opinion, a stupid one. Hogwarts houses were to unite the students, not cause quarrels." Lily continued smoothly. "First off, I'd like to state that any personal information said in this room will stay in this room, and will not be used against each other. This is a beginning friendship, and friends would never use private information against a friend for blackmail. I understand there's some.. anomosity between a few here, but I hope we will eventually remedy this. Secondly, you don't have to say anything you're not comfortable saying. There's no pressure."
Hermione raised her hand. Lily ignored the stifled snorts from the Slytherins. "Yeah?"
"I think it'd be a good idea to establish the importance of both our houses, and make clear what is false lies and rumors." She stated simply.
Lily nodded. "Good idea. Want to tell us about Gryffindor?"
Draco sneered at the Golden Trio, annoyed that they had to talk about his least favorite house. Julia nudged him in the arm, and Draco rolled his eyes, but quieted. Harry was looking around uncomfortably, as were Ron and Hermione, but Ron finally spoke. "It's the house of bravery. We stand for our friends and supporters, and are not afriad to fight for what's right." He sniffed. "Unlike some, we don't use our friends as bodyguards and try and cheat our way through life."
"Well, at least Slytherins have enough brains to know when to leave well enough alone. It's amazing the three of you are still alive, Weasel." Draco scoffed.
"We are not lowering ourselves to the point of useless insults!" Lily cried exassperatedly. "Enough, please!"
Harry coughed. "Perhaps you could tell us about Slytherin, Malfoy?" It was not demanding, sarcastic, or insulting, just stated suggestively. Lily wanted to rush over and give him a hug for the save.
Draco glared in Harry's direction, mouthing something, though Lily didn't catch it, and began. "Slytherin is the house for the cunning and ambitious. We are well-aware of who we are, what are weakness' and strength's are, our surroundings, and use those to our advantage. We dream big."
Harry gave Lily a small smile, encouraging her to continue before Ron spoke up again. Surprisingly, it was Hannah who spoke first. "We are not evil; I know you-know-who and several Death Eaters were from Slytherin, but that does not mean all of us are evil. Many of us are against you-know-who. We are simply judged based on our house."
"Slytherins used to harrass Gryffindors." Ron spoke up.
"And now we all just drive each other crazy!" Julia snapped. "I think I see Selina's point; this war against houses is stupid."
"So what do you guys say?" Lily cut in.
The others gradually nodded in acceptance, even Ron, though he did it with a sharp glare from Hermione, and Lily began by describing some things about her, minus anything concerning her father or that could give important information away. After she was done, Lily gestured to Hannah, who sighed and began talking about her garden at home. On down the line they went, some more reluctantly, till all they had left was Draco. He rolled his eyes, but told them he aspired to go into training at the ministry, like his father.
"I bet there are other things he wants to follow his father in." Ron muttered darkly to Harry, but thankfully Draco didn't hear him.
Once they were done, most seemed much less tense than when they first entered. Lily felt herself begin to smile, happy things were kicking off to a good start. The Golden Trio left to their common room, and soon Draco followed suit. Julia, Hannah, and Lily linked arms with each other, and began the walk to the dungeons, laughing with each other. Lily never noticed the person watching them quietly from the shadows, his eyes trained on the path Draco had just taken.
A/N: I'd appreciate you guys telling me your thoughts or any ideas or ways to make this better! What do you think of this support group of Lily's and what of their different personalities? Sorry if they aren't quite like the books; Ron seems a bit more hot-headed I guess and Harry's a bit quieter, but it kinda just seemed to fit to make them more that way. Comments? Thanks for reading!