Author: ICountCrows
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, setting, or much of the basis for the plot of this story. That is all property of J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Press, and Arthur A. Levine Books.
Summary: A POV story in which Harry and the gang return to Hogwarts for their fifth year. Harry is extremely vigilant this year because he feels responsible for Cedric Diggory's death, and Draco has gone through a transformation as well...
Chapter: Tre - The Same Things Are Different
Chapter Warnings: None
Harry
There were only six first-years sorted into Gryffindor before the feast, most of whom took it upon themselves to stare at me exceptionally longer than the first-years of the past. I decided that while I was in the Muggle world over the summer, my fame must have grown (if that was even possible) due to the previous year's catastrophe. Nevertheless, I clapped politely with the rest of my table as each of our new recruits came to sit down.
The first was a terrified-looking little blond with glasses and chubby cheeks by the name of Jennifer Christiansen.
"She's a Muggle, that one," Ron commented lightly as she approached the Sorting Hat. "Can tell by her name."
"Ron!" Hermione scolded, punching him in the shoulder. "Don't be so judgmental!"
Ron looked quite taken aback by Hermione's attempt at violence. "I didn't mean it as a bad thing!"
The hat yelled, "Gryffindor!" and Hermione immediately turned her back to Ron and made a place for Jennifer on her other side.
We all smiled warmly at our newest house member before Ron continued with his pleading. "Come on, Hermione! I was just making conversation!"
The next two first-years went to Ravenclaw, then one to Slytherin, then a thin, but cocky-looking boy with dark hair named Cassius Drone came to sit at our table. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw seemed to split a large group after that, then two more Slytherins, and Seamus Finnigan's little sister Erin came to sit at our table. I lost count between then and our next two first years, who came back to back. The first was a boy with glasses and robes much too big for him. His name was Arnold McGovern and he reminded me a lot of myself during the days when I was still wearing Dudley's hand-me-downs. The next was a tiny little dark-haired girl with eyes as blue as mine are green. Her name was Lenora Stupra and boys all the way up through the third year were scrambling to make room for her within their circles of friends.
"Veela blood," Hermione whispered.
Ron's mouth dropped open. "You mean to tell me that you can say a person's got Veela blood but if I even mention Mug-"
"Ron, I don't even want to argue about it." Hermione had spoken.
The next and last proclaimed Gryffindor was the Weasleys' only cousin, a plump little redhead with squinty eyes named Sterling.
After the sorting came Dumbledore's announcements. All of them were the same as usual - don't go here, new DADA teacher, painful death, blah blah blah. However, I did pay attention when Hermione and Seamus were announced as the new Gryffindor Prefects.
"Congratulations, Hermione!" Ron beamed.
"Yeah, why didn't you tell us?" I added.
"Thanks," she answered Ron. Then teasingly, "Well, you unobservant boys, I've been wearing the badge since we got to the station." She smiled to show us she was only playing and that she forgave us (she always did), then tacked on, "I don't know how I'm going to fit Prefect Meetings in with my homework schedule, though."
Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm sure you'll manage, Hermione. You always do." At this, he interrupted himself by selecting a particularly large drumstick from the plate that magically appeared before us and taking a bite. Still chewing, he mused, "I really would've thought they'd have elected you, too, Harry."
I shrugged and loaded my plate with food, avoiding his eyes and trying not to answer him. Truthfully, I had been elected, but as soon as Dumbledore sent word of it (with a badge), I had replied that I wouldn't feel safe in such a prominent position and thought that it might endanger the house. He sent me another owl a week later stating that he admired and regretted but would respect my decision.
"Well," Ron continued, apparently unconcerned with my lack of response, "at least you won't have to go to meetings with Malfoy."
Draco
I shook my head warily as Dumbledore announced the new Prefects. Gryffindor had elected two Mudbloods for me to deal with? How like them. I didn't bother listening to the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw announcements. Hufflepuff House was always laughable and Ravenclaw extremely boring. I didn't want to waste my time.
Crabbe and Goyle each slapped me on the back in congratulations when my name was announced, and I sighed in frustration. No doubt my perfectly creamy white skin would be marred with bruises in the morning, and not from anything good.
My life got even better when I looked up to find Pansy smirking at me from across the table. "Congratulations, Draco." She tried to smile, but the attempt only resulted in a very unbecoming twist in her mouth. At first I thought maybe she just needed some practice, but then realized I never really wanted to see her smiling anyway. It just didn't fit her. "I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other this year."
I raised my eyebrows. Pansy? Pansy was the female Slytherin Prefect? Who in Merlin's back acre would elect her?
"Oh, joy rapture," I drawled, oozing as much sarcasm I could bring myself to waste on her.
She giggled and went back to her frightfully small group of friends. I sighed. I couldn't figure out why she couldn't understand - why she wouldn't leave me alone. 'Maybe she just enjoys the pain of rejection,' I thought, but dismissed the idea almost immediately. Pansy inflicts too much pain upon me to be a masochist. I finally settled on the fact that she was a sadist instead. That would explain the pleasure she got from torturing me with her presence.
I made a mental note to avoid the house common room at all costs this year. During our fourth year at Hogwarts, she had taken to camping out there and waiting for me. She was there in the mornings when I woke up; she followed me between classes and waited for me while I stayed in the dormitory; she stayed there sometimes until the crack of dawn, waiting for me to return from a sneak around the castle. Her stalking habits were really getting quite scary.
The food at the feast was wonderful, as always, and everything looked the same, but there was some sinister feeling at the table I had never noticed before. Perhaps it was because it was a new presence, but more than likely, it was just that I was only now opening my eyes to the truth of my house.
The summer had changed me.
********** * **********
So, Harry's settling in and Draco's feeling quite unsettled. I know the plot hasn't thickened yet, but I promise, it will soon. I've written through Chapter 7 now and I have the entire story planned out in my head except for a few details and the ending. Now for more teasers...
- What will go down at the quidditch pitch?
- And how, exactly, does Draco feel that the summer changed him?