~¤~ THE PROPHECY OF DRACO ~¤~
By Crimson Flame
Disclaimer:::
See chapter 1 for more details…..
Timeline:::
See chapter 2
Key words:::
7th year, Harry, Draco, Voldermort, Prophecy, Dragons, New Powers (what else?^__^;;), possible slash, etc.
Summary:::
A class assignment leads to the uncovering of an ancient prophecy, whispered freely among many beasts, yet rarely mentioned by any man. When the time comes, will Harry and Draco play their part in it or will they forge their own destinies…
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"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad"
Psalms 118 : 24
~¤ Chapter 4 ¤~
~¤ Of Dungeons……¤~
I hurried down the corridor as fast as I could. I had told Ron and Hermione to go on without me.
"No need for all of us to be late." I had said.
"But."
"But nothing. Do you want to lose Gryffindor house points too?"
They were uncertain at first but had reluctantly agreed in the end.
So here I was. With a steady pounding in my ears, I rounded another corner and dashed down another flight of stairs. Sweat trickled down the sides of my face and for once I wished I wasn't wearing these robes that were keeping me aback.
Then I crashed into something; probably a suit of armor, fell and hit my head on the floor. Ignoring the pain I got up to my feet and resumed my race.
Hurry up! Hurry up! I shouted to myself mentally willing myself to go faster. Why must I always get into trouble first thing in the year, every year? Maybe it's a sub-conscious need to maintain tradition. Sigh…
The trip by train had turned out to be uneventful. Malfoy and his goons had stayed out of our sights, much to my relief. We arrived at Hogwarts, sat through the Sorting Ceremony and the Great Feast and well.. you know the routine. It's just like we did every year. Same old same old. And pretty soon lessons had started.
Thus back to the present, I was desperately late for class. And not just any class but Potions. Despite wishing every year that Snape would resign, the git is still our beloved Potions professor. The only good news seems to be that this would not be a combined lesson with Slytherins. 7th years apparently have each lesson of every subject to their own respective houses only. Must be the need for smaller classes for the professors to focus on teaching to prepare the students for the N.E.W.Ts this year.
As I reached the dungeons classroom, I panted and breathed in deeply for precious air to fill my deprived lungs. Peeking in from outside the silent classroom, I saw that the rest of the Gryffindors were looking down at their parchments, furiously copying down notes. A blond-haired student was writing on the blackboard the ingredients and instructions for today's potion. Snape was sitting at his desk in front of the board, his dark eyes focused on the scrap of paper before him.
Good. Nobody's looking. Maybe I can slip in and he wouldn't notice. Taking another deep breath to calm down my nerves, I silently tip toed towards the empty seat beside Ron in the back row. Sparing a quick glance behind my back, I saw that Snape hadn't moved an inch. I held in a relieved sigh and hurriedly made my way closer to my destination. Closer. Closer. Nearly there. Almost.
"Well, well. Mr. Potter has finally seen it fit to grace us with his presence."
Almost. Damn. I turned around to face him.
"I'm sorry Professor Snape." I said defeatedly.
"Time and tide waits for no man, Potter. Sorry isn't good enough" He said in a low tone. There seemed to be a twinge of disappointment in his voice. Wait a minute. Snape? Disappointed in me? Perhaps I fell down harder than I thought. My forehead began throbbing painfully. I'm getting a big headache.
The class had our full attention now. The rest of the Gryffindors looked positively dismayed.
Really. Not good enough? Well what did he expect me to say? Congratulations! You've just won another chance to humiliate and torture Potter! Have fun!
I wished I could shout that out at him. But that will only make matters worse than they already are. So I kept quiet and looked down at my most interesting shoes.
"It's not his fault!" I heard Ron shout out in my defense.
"We already told you when we came in. The staircase had changed while he was on it." Hermione said.
Aah…Ron, Hermione. Appreciate the effort. Really. But you should have known by now. It doesn't matter what you explain to him. Snape will just say,
"Twenty points from Gryffindor."
There, you see.
"For being late. And that's not all."
I lift up my head almost lazily. Oh..please. Surprise me.
Then he did. Instead of saying something like 'A month's detention', he said out aloud with his eyes boring into mine.
"I must say Mr. Potter. My idea of detentions don't seem to work on you anymore. Time for a change of opinions. My dear assistant, what do you propose we do with him?"
I nearly died from shock there and then. The student who was writing on the board earlier, stepped out from behind Snape and into my view.
It was none other than Draco Damn Malfoy.
¤
I almost laughed out aloud. I know that Severus is holding himself back as well. Then I saw the expression of initial shock on Potter's face turn into undeniable dread. The 'brave' Gryffindor paled slightly. No doubt images from his worst nightmares were running through his pretty little head right this moment.
"Oh…didn't you know Potter? Mr. Malfoy here is the new Assistant Potions Master. If you weren't late you would have known that."
"As-ssistant Potions Master?"
"God. Potter. Don't you ever pay attention to the announcements our so-called headmaster makes during the feast? Or were you busy stuffing your face full of dessert?" I said to him unbelievingly.
"I was talking to Ron and Hermione!"
His face was flushed red. I find it amusing that he would lie. I leaned nearer to him and whispered into his ear so that only he could hear me.
"Really?…To think that the two lovebirds would find the time to talk to you."
Apparently I had struck a cord. Potter's face fell dramatically and he remained silent almost as if in agreement. He gave me a cold stare. I began to regret my words. It was not in my place to judge. But I did not apologize. I never did and I never will.
"If you must know Mr. Potter, each teacher requires one of the 7th years to help them conduct their lessons. These students are called 'Assistant Masters' and are given the authority of a real teacher. However this is only during an ongoing class. The teacher chooses the student who he thinks is qualified enough for the job and the student decides if he would accept the offer given. Mr. Malfoy has accepted mine, therefore he is the Assistant Potions Master."
He gave a slight nod when Severus finished explaining to him. Then he looked at me straight in the eye.
"Fine. Do your worst Malfoy." He challenged me with bright twin emeralds and a bold, devilish smile.
So the Gryffindor spirit never dies.
Then I shall have to rise up to the challenge.
¤
I was angry. Angry at Malfoy for being right. So what if I was not talking to Hermione and Ron. I couldn't very well tell him that I was too busy reading a letter from Sirius to notice the announcement. But he didn't have to rub it in my face. Damn him. Him and that cursed arrogance of his. He just has to prove that I'm always wrong and he's always right.
I was angry yes, but I was also hurt. To think that even Malfoy noticed it. Malfoy of all people. I suppose everyone believes that I'm a mere thorn in my friends' sides. Maybe I am. Maybe I shouldn't hang around them anymore.
Snape had started to drone on about the 'Assistant' system. Vaguely I thought that it was an interesting arrangement. This way the teachers wouldn't have to work too hard and the student will gain some experience in return. Didn't really surprise me that Snape would choose Malfoy as his assistant though.
I nodded as a sign that I understood what he had told me. Then I turned to stare at Malfoy unblinking. I would never forgive him for what he said nor would I give him the pleasure of seeing me beaten.
I worked up a smile and folded my arms to my chest.
"Fine. Do your worst Malfoy." I had said confidently.
He grinned at me in return. He damned grinned at me! Oooh how I wish I could hit him until his damn smile is at the back of his bloody face!
"Sir. Wouldn't you agree if I said that the Slytherin Common Room needs cleaning?" He said in a taunting tone.
Snape lifted a hand to stroke his chin as if he was considering something.
"Why Mr. Malfoy, I believe I would."
Then Snape added somemore,
"And I would say the Dorm Rooms aren't quite as clean as they used to be too."
I blinked. I couldn't believe it!
Snape's horrible.
Malfoy's horrible.
But together, they are absolutely horrifying.
Malfoy simply smirked at me as my jaw dropped unable to sound out my opinion. They can't expect me to clean a room full of people who positively despise me. Could they?
"Then it is settled. Mr. Potter shall serve his punishment cleaning the Slytherin Common Room and Dorm Rooms. Mr. Malfoy shall be the one to make sure Potter is without his wand all the while. Do you understand Mr. Potter?"
Apparently they could.
I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist. Great. Now I feel like an inmate of some high security prison. What's worse is that Malfoy is the prison guard and Snape is the prison chief.
"Yes sir." I said reluctantly.
"Good. Now sit down Potter. We've wasted enough time as it is. Mr. Malfoy kindly distribute the ingredients."
I headed towards my seat beside Ron. Him and Hermione looked worriedly at me, then furiously at Snape and Malfoy.
This is going to be a long day.
¤
That boy Potter has been nothing but a disappointment since day one. Assuming that I believed his story, of which I don't, did he think that just because the staircase changed, he had an excuse to be late.
What if Voldemort was in this very room threatening to kill his friends?
Would he come minutes later claiming that the 'staircase had changed' only to find that what remained of his pitiful friends was a pile of ash?
And would he be able to demand for Voldermort to bring them back to life because they simply wouldn't have been killed if he were not late?
I think not.
Regret is not a wonderful feeling Mr. Potter. All the ' what if's ' and the ' maybe's 'could drive one mad with guilt. Yes….A wonderful feeling it is not and you'd do well to dwell on that thought. I know I have. Even if it was too late.
Sighing mentally, I shoved my musings away. It was getting old. I'm getting old.
Today's potion will be a breeze to brew. But knowing the Gryffindors it is bound to become a storm. Namely that Longbottom boy. You'd think that after seven years he'd get the hang of it. But no..he still has to melt a few cauldrons once in a while. Sometimes I think he does that just to spite me.
Much to my dismay though, Potter has indeed improved a lot since his first year. I would say that he is as good as Draco now. His physical attributes and magical prowess has gradually shown itself through the years, instead of at once after he has come of age like Draco and the others of our kind. Perhaps Potter's blood gave him such unique qualities. I know not for sure nor do I care about my stupid nephew, prodigal son of my dearest Lily.
However, the time of the Prophecy draws near and he must be prepared to face his fate as does Draco. And as much as I hoped there be a solution other than that in the Prophecy, the chances that there is one are slim. The Draco-nigenae were famous for their accurate seeings.
I walked around the class to observe their work. They had begun mixing in the Dragon's blood, something so precious that only 7th years are allowed to experiment on. I repressed a shudder as I saw the crimson liquid ooze down into their cauldrons. I always did curse Albus for finding out the twelve uses of dragon's blood. Creatures as rare as dragons will become even rarer when man could find more reasons to profit by from them.
As a matter of fact, I never did like potions. Oh..I may be good at it, but I never did like it. Petty wizards would rip out nature's gifts without a second thought just to brew something that would help them grow older or make themselves sleep like the dead. After all how would one feel if he has to use the blood from his own kind just to do something as insignificant as brewing potions? I am sure that another in this class shares my opinion.
Glancing around I realized that Draco had stopped by a student's cauldron and was giving instructions. He had a cold hard face set as he handled the vial of blood. Blood so similar to the one flowing in our very veins.
Nevertheless, it is time to pay my 'favorite' student a visit.
¤
I had to hide my disgust. My lips curled as the familiar metallic smell reached my nose. It could have been my blood I'm holding in my hands right now. I damned the whole human race all over again.
I moved on from the place as soon as I finished pouring the liquid into Finnigan's cauldron, and made my way towards Severus who was looming over Potter.
I mentally smirked at the sight. Severus always had a hard time with him. And Potter doesn't make it easier for him either.
"Mr. Potter. What did you think you were doing? The instructions were to let the frozen Ashwinder eggs in first. Not wait till they melt and then mix them in. Ten points from Gryffindor for not paying attention."
Potter opened his mouth to protest but Severus beat him to it.
"And redo the potion, right from the start."
I frowned at him. There's hardly a need to redo the whole potion. In a lazy drawl, I told Severus so.
"Don't even bother, sir. I'm perfectly sure Potter just made a simple mistake."
Potter looked at me in astonishment. Probably wondering if he was dreaming that I, Draco Malfoy had just stood up for him.
Dream on.
"It'll be such a waste of valuable ingredients. Plus he would most definitely repeat his mistakes all over again."
Through my sensitive ears, I could hear Potter emit a low growl at me. I merely sneered at him.
"Very well. Clean up your cauldron Mr. Potter. Observe Ms. Granger for now."
"Yes sir."
Satisfied, Severus left to torment another Gryffindor. I watched as Potter stuck out his tongue at Severus' back. I rolled my eyes. Honestly, the boy acts like a first year.
Potter got out his wand and muttered a cleaning spell. After that he settled down beside Granger and watched her brew the potion with a smile.
I turned around to leave but the scent of blood caught my attention. It was not quite the same as the smell of the Dragon's blood. Searching around the classroom, my eyes came to rest on the source of my intrigue.
It was Potter's shoulder. The spot on his robes was getting darker. The idiot fool didn't even realize that he was bleeding! Unbelievable. How could someone be so ignorant of his own needs?
Feeling a bit regretful of what I had commented earlier on about his friends, I reached out towards him and grabbed onto his shoulder.
¤
Pain!
My eyes slammed shut and my hand instinctively went over to cover my wound. I nearly shouted out in agony when I felt the hurt spread through my body. Vaguely I realized that it must have been from when I had fallen down earlier.
Then, a sudden warmth replaced it and all the hurt stopped. It felt nice.
When the warmth lifted, I looked up and saw Malfoy looking down at me.
"Now we're even." He said.
"What?" I answered dumbly.
"Never mind that Potter. Now get your pretty little hand off mine. Again."
Shit.
I didn't realize that my hand had clamped onto Malfoy's tightly instead of my shoulder. My face heated up unexpectedly and I wonder if I'm blushing.
I quickly lifted my hand to my chest, feeling betrayed by myself.
"Honestly Potter. Do you like holding my hand that much?"
I sputtered in disgust that Malfoy would even suggest such a thing. He laughed in my face.
"See you in the next class. And I look forward to your detention."
I let out a huge groan as he walked out of the classroom. Class had ended during our 'conversation'.
Well thank you so much for reminding me.
I let out another groan as I realized my wound had earned me another trip to Madam Pomfrey's hospital wing. Carefully brushing the soaked cloth of my robe aside, I struggled to take a glimpse of how bad the injury was. I felt my eyes widen with shock as I stared at my shoulder.
There was only pale, smooth skin without even a scar in sight.
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Note that all the chapters I have written and will be writing are dedicated to all you readers out there, and especially to my wonderful reviewers!! ^___^
Response to reviewers:
Anya Malfoy::: You can never have too many Draco and dragon stories. ^___^ and thanx!! Keep reading…it gets more interesting…I hope hehehe @__@;;
Leon::: Here it is! Thanx for the kiss! Hehehe.
Diana Lucille Snape::: Thank you! You like my Draco? And Iris too? Yay!! Glad you do. About Iris, hmmm…..maybe.. ^___^ This potions chap's for you. Hope I didn't disappoint!
Notes:::
(1) One thing I realized about Harry in the books. He tells Ron and Hermione almost everything he knows. Don't you think so? ^___^ I think this is because he trusts them. Here he still does. It's just that now, he will think twice because he feels that he would get in their way or something like that.(Plus, I needed an excuse that Harry won't go blabbering everything he suspects about Draco to the others.^__^)
(2) I'm sorry if Ron and Hermione sound like ignorant friends. But they really do care about Harry. They're just a little insensitive to his feelings. Or is Harry being too sensitive?? @__@;;;
(3) Sev's a hard character for me to write. ^__^;;
(4) Like Harry, I don't know what potion I'm making most of the time ^___^ Hehehe.
(5) Yes. Sev is Harry's uncle. Lily is his sister. I know I know. You're screaming " No! Sev doesn't even look like Lily!" But I'll explain that later. And no, Harry doesn't know about it.
(6) My fic is kind of strange isn't it. ^___^;; It's read forwards to be a mystery, but backwards to understand the actions and reactions of the characters….Am I making sense? @___@ (If not just ignore this sentence and assume the author was delusional when she wrote this.)
I had temporary writer's block for this chapter *groans* …..so I'm really sorry if this chapter is not that good or in other words, boring.. =(
Ahem…I need your opinions on something ^___^
Should I put a sign that says for example Harry's POV whenever I change the point of view or should I continue the way I am writing now? Is the current format confusing for you?? Hehehe. =P
If this chapter confused you then maybe I should…..
Anyway….it goes like this(the POVs), Harry== Draco== Harry== Sev== Draco== Harry again ^___^;;
REVIEW PLEAZZZZZZZZ!!!
Next chapter up in about the same time.