A/N: Wow this is chaotic. Quick recap: the majority of the school thinks Harry's a psychopath, Harry started sleeping in the Ravenclaw dormitory, Neville and Harry are partners in potions, rumors saying that Harry loves Parvati are flying around, and Harry has to choose between power or his friends and that covers it. There will be some less known words in this chapter, the words are; machiavellian (someone who controls/manipulates other people (not through imperious curse obviously) & Ceased (fancy word for stopped) & Quizzical (an expression looking puzzled or confused). Lastly, apologies for doubling the record of how long you guys waited for this chapter. Enough of that stuff. Enjoy and please leave constructive criticism and ideas.
TW: pressure
The next morning, during potions class, Harry took his seat next to Neville.
Snape wrote the instructions on the board, just like always.
First step was to fill the cauldron with water, simple enough.
Harry carried the cauldron over to the sink to fill it with water while Neville went to go get some of the ingredients.
The second step was to light a fire under their cauldron with a spell.
Harry had no clue what spell to use, neither did Neville.
"Pssst, Harry," Pansy said from the table behind him.
Harry turned to look at her.
"The spell is incendio," She said.
Harry tried it and it worked. Harry assumed this sudden act of kindness was to try to bribe his decision. After all, they had nothing to lose but everything to win.
Behind him, he heard Vincent argue with Pansy.
"What the hell, Parkinson?" Vincent said.
"I'll explain later," she said.
Harry was chopping gurdy root as he listened in.
"No, Now," Vincent grunted, he and Greg weren't exactly the brightest but they were strong. That's probably why Malfoy chose them as his next minions. Brains over brawn didn't go well so he chose brawn over brains.
'Bumbling idiots,' Harry thought to himself.
"I said later," Pansy slammed her knife down so hard that part of her horse hoof went flying across the classroom and landed on Snape's desk.
"Detention, Parkinson," Snape said, teleporting the chunk of horse hoof back onto her desk.
"That Potter's up to no good," Vincent said.
"For once I agree with him," Weasley said, "He's nothing but trouble."
"I am right here," Harry turned around to look at them.
"Ignore them," Longbottom said, casually grinding birch wood.
This statement gave Weasley a quizzical look on his face.
"Switching sides now Neville? What the fuck kind of delusions did you put in Neville's head you machiavellian?" Weasley asked.
"Shut it, Weasel," Pansy said.
It was weird to have Parkinson and Longbottom defending him but it was better than a fistfight resulting in detention.
"Make me," Weasley said.
"Fine, Silencio," Pansy pointed her wand at his chest.
Weasley inevitably failed to speak.
Harry could barely contain his laughter as he continued to chop his gurdy root.
"Oh, calm down!" Pansy said, sounding irritated, "I'll fix you after we finish the potion! Meanwhile, peel this."
xXxXxXx
"Potter, one moment," Pansy tapped his shoulder after potions class.
"Yeah?"
"Not here, follow me," she led him into a cramped broom closet.
She shut the door and looked him up and down. Pansy loosened her tie slightly.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Harry asked, feeling himself sweat.
"It's about what happened at the library," She crossed her arms, "They're not going to immediately show you how to torture or other dark magic, that would be stupid. They'll test you."
"What?"
"If you come to the library, you'll be put through a series of tests, it'll start simple, like a prank on McGonagall or something."
Pansy pulled the knot on her tie down again, making her tie even looser.
"It'll end… it'll end with getting a dark, dark curse," Pansy took her tie off and unbuttoned the top few buttons on her shirt, "Being put on you."
Pansy parted the unbuttoned portion of her top. There were white streaks along her chest. It used to be a cut.
Harry traced his fingers along the wounds.
"Who did this?" Harry asked.
"Rigel Yaxley," Pansy spat on the floor, "Every bit of glory comes with a price to pay, you of all people should understand that."
She was right. In the back of his mind, Harry heard his mother's screams of terror and her pleads. He lost his parents and became the boy who lived. He sacrificed life as a good person for Malfoy. He gave up a good chunk of sanity when he was getting revenge. He lost enough already, could he handle any more?
"Th-thank you, for the warning," Harry said.
"Of course," Pansy was buttoning her top.
"I have to go!" Harry stumbled out of the door.
He immediately wished he didn't. People stared at them. Harry remembered some of Dudley's teen movies. Pansy was still tying her tie. It definitely looked like they just banged.
Well shit.
xXxXxXx
"Mr Potter, one moment," Madam Hooch said.
Harry stopped. All the other first years were going inside to put their robes for normal classes on, then again, no classes at Hogwarts were normal.
"Yes, Professor?" Harry turned around, to face the teacher.
"Have you considered joining the Slytherin Quidditch team next year?" Madam Hooch asked.
"Err…" Harry was shocked. He knew that he was a natural when it came to flying but to join the Quidditch team?
Also, he wasn't about to do any sport with the nasty Slytherins. They were not only ruthless and rude during the school day, but they were absolute monsters on the field.
"Nervous? Ah well, go. You'll be late for your next class," Madam Hooch said, disappointment leaking through.
xXxXxXx
As the last few classes flew by, Harry became more nervous. His hands were shaking.
He walked back to the Ravenclaw common room with dread, he wasn't going to the library.
His breathing was heavy. He had half an hour until the decision must be made. Get consumed by the darkness or rise into the light.
Harry answered the riddle and stepped inside.
"Harry!" Padma yelled.
Many people looked up, some older students looked up at them with annoyance.
Some students walked over to him, he recognized most of them.
"You're doing the right thing," Terry Boot patted him on the back.
"Don't worry, they won't kill you, it's empty threats," Anthony Goldstein said.
"You alright, Harry?" Procyon Lestrange asked.
"Padma told us everything," Roger Davis said.
Harry looked at Padma.
"Well, I didn't tell very many people, I just told Veronica, Parvati, and Lavender! They must've heard it from someone else," Padma said defensively.
Harry didn't respond. Did Malfoy know?
"Anyways," Padma said, "We're going to stay with you, all night if we have to."
There were nods and murmurs of agreement from them.
"Why?" Harry asked the group.
"Because," Terry Boot said, "We're friends now, and friends stick together."
"Let's get this boy some Ravenclaw robes!" Anthony yelled.
"No!" Harry yelled.
Everyone stared at him.
"Sorry, it's just…" Harry looked down, embarrassed, "The Slytherin students will already want to kill me, I don't need Dumbledore yelling at me for defying the sorting hat."
"Alright," Veronica said, "Anyone wanna play exploding snap?"
xXxXxXx
The mood lightened as they played on, they branched out into other activities as well; wizards chess, drinking races (WATER NOT ALCOHOL THEY ARE UNDERAGE), and one of the most popular activities, reading. Cho vomited on the carpet after winning four drinking races in a row (I know drinking a fuckload of water at a time will make you vomit).
While Marenatta helped Cho to the bathroom, a laughing Roger Davis cleaned the carpet with a spell.
xXxXxXx
Harry woke up in an armchair with a book on his face. Last night was amazing. He forgot all about his decision.
Most of them were on the ground. He looked around. The common room was a mess. Someone put a scarf on the Rowena Ravenclaw statue. Exploding snap cards were everywhere, including in Harry's clothes.
Not only were games and accessories everywhere but so were people. Veronica managed to get on top of the bookshelf. Roger was sleep floating in midair, supported by his broom.
"Shit, guys," Cho was looking at her watch, "We're about to be late for first period. It's 8:56."
There was a newfound hurrying and tidying in the common room. Harry was trying to pick up the books and put them back on the bookshelf when Roger cast a spell and all the books flew neatly into place.
"Thanks," Harry started picking up exploding snap cards.
xXxXxXx
Harry took a deep breath. He would be walking straight into chaos. Behind the wooden door were nine Slytherins who hated him and a teacher that was sure to give him detention for being late.
What about skipping class? Oh, that sounded amazing. A whole day without Snape or any other classes. What if he pretended to be sick? That would be nice.
He found a fault in his glorious plan. Madam Pomfrey would realize he was faking. Why was it so hard to find a way out? He had a good reason to not go, he just couldn't tell teachers.
How exactly was he supposed to say, "Professor Snape, I made a deal with an older Slytherin student. Either I come back and be a racist prick or they'll try to kill me. Can I leave class?"
No, he'd have to go in and deal with it. He could ignore the other Slytherins, especially Pansy and Draco. He could keep his head down and just work on his potion with Neville. He could act perfectly normal while internally panicking. He could listen to all the death threats but not react. He could deal with all this shit at only age eleven.
Stop thinking like that! He slapped himself across the face.
Harry heard muffled chatter through the door. He pressed his hand against the door. Another deep breath.
He pushed the door open. It creaked. All eyes immediately flew to the door, to Harry. All movement ceased. Harry knew that everyone knew that Snape was about to give him detention, he even knew his fate.
"Some of us may think we are above rules, even above laws. Some of us may think they are far too important compared to everyone else. Some of us may think that because they are famous, they can get away with anything. Some of use are named Ja-" Snape cut self off. He said the wrong name, did someone else get this speech as well? Maybe a later period? Whatever.
"Some of us are named Harry Potter," he finished, "Some of us will see me after class for detention."
xXxXxXx
Harry and Neville had to brew a large amount of antidote for grepling bites that day. By the time they had to bring their potion to Professor Snape, it was too heavy for only one of them to carry the cauldron.
They both carefully carried their potion over to the greasy potions master.
He stared at the thick orange concoction.
"What is this?" Snape asked.
"Finotě mepula, the antidote for grepling bites," Hermione Granger said from behind them, carrying her and Draco's potion herself.
"I was asking Potter and Longbottom. Twenty points from Gryffindor. Next time it'll be thirty."
Audible groans were heard from the Gryffindors but nobody protested.
"This potion is terrible, even a muggle could do better, you both get a P on this assignment. Next potion, Granger, I see you're trying to take credit for Malfoy's hard work."
Harry went back to his desk with Neville. He noticed that there was a note lying on his desk. He sat down and opened the note.
Don't come to the great hall for the rest of the week.
What? Why? It was an anonymous note. Harry looked around the room, everyone seemed to be acting normal, or at least how they normally act in potions.
He flipped the note over. Still no name. He should trust the anonymous savior, right?