Title: New Beginnings: The Seventh Year
Summary: Harry begins his seventh year, having to deal with the dangers and joys of life in school. He also notices that a certain someone is quite good-looking… (Slash) Harry/Draco, Ron/Herm, Dean/Seamus
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Chapter 3: The Welcoming Feast
Almost every meal was being held at the Great Hall. It was the only place in the whole school that seemed to be able to take in so many people at one go. Thus the Great Hall was enchanted to be especially grand because it was after all the venue of every important event of the school. The candles were spelled to be able to magically burn eternally and the ceiling was enchanted to show good weather, be it day or night. As Harry seated with his friends at the Gryffindor table, he looked up at the teachers' table and suddenly broke into a big grin. When Ron noticed him grinning, he too turned towards the teachers' table and realized what made Harry grin. As students drifted to their seats and noticed the teacher for the Defense against Dark Arts class, they started whispering to each other. Most of the students who did know the teacher were smiling as their previous experiences with that teacher were good, even though he was a werewolf, and these students knew that they were at least going to learn something useful this year for that particular class. Only the Slytherins seemed to be scowling away.
"Good, Professor Lupin came back. Finally. Some teacher who does know what he is teaching. The only year that I actually had a good full year of education in that class was the year he taught." Hermione beamed at Ron, who nodded in delight.
"Yup, Herm, anyone is better than that idiot who took us last year. He kept assigning us essays because he is afraid of talking in front of people and I think at the end of the year I knew more about DADA than he did." Ron laughed, as it was a recognized fact that he hated writing essays and doing research, totally opposite to his girlfriend.
Professor Remus Lupin, the new DADA professor, was seated beside Professor Severus Snape, the Potions Master of Hogwarts, and was trying to see if he could catch sight of Harry. He finally saw a tall boy with messy black hair and bright emerald eyes smiling at him. He smiled back as he relaxed in his seat. He's grown so tall, and looks so much like his father now. Remus thought to himself. And he looked much healthier with his new tan. He looked to his right, at his colleague next to him, who was rigidly looking at the Slytherin House tables, especially the seventh-year students. Severus Snape was the house master of Slytherin house and Remus understood that after what happened during the summer, he was especially worried about how the graduating students will turn out as they are the next targets for Voldemort to recruit as his newest death eaters. Knowing what Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster had planned for tonight meant that the dinner would be a longer affair than usual.
As the students all settled down, the door opened again, with Deputy Headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall leading the first year students into the Great Hall. The whole group of eleven-year-olds all looked around the place in wonder as they followed her into this enchanting hall. They were followed by Hagrid, who being a half giant, seemed so tall that quite a few of the first years barely came up to his knees. Harry wondered if he was ever that short. Thinking back to when he was eleven and first saw Hagrid, he must have been that short as well. He exchanged a smile with Hagrid as he passed Harry's table. When Hagrid seated at the teacher's table, Professor McGonagall brought out the sorting hat and it started reciting a poem about the founders of the school and the different houses.
As Harry listened to it, he realized that this was the last sorting of the first years he was going to see. Memories flowed in his mind as he recalled what happened the last six years. Before he was eleven, he never knew that there was a world out there that actually wanted him alive. Then he found out the truth about his parents' death and in the process of trying to live till his twelfth birthday, he faced Voldemort for the second time in his life. In the year after that he faced Voldemort's sixteen-year-old self in the Chamber of Secrets. The year after that he found out that his godfather Sirius Black was alive and had been wrongly accused of the crime of betraying Harry's parents. Then came the year in which he took part in the Triwizard Tournament, nearly dying in the end when dueling with Voldemort. They say that a cat had nine lives. He himself wondered how many lives he has. For the past two years, Voldemort did not really try to come after him. But he did send his death eaters to harm different wizards and witches as well as some muggles. He seemed to be trying to gather as much power as possible before the day Harry graduate, in ready to kill Harry. Harry then briefly wondered if Pansy already received the Death Mark.
He suddenly realized that the sorting was almost over. Looking at the other end of the long table, he realized that there seemed to be less new Gryffindors this year. However there were even less new Slytherins this year, with there being only four of them, in compared to about twelve Ravenclaws and fourteen Hufflepuffs. There are at least eight Gryffindors. Then Professor Dumbledore stood up from his seat to make his speech.
"To the first years, welcome to Hogwarts and please take note that the forbidden forest is forbidden to all students and no magic is allowed in the hallways and the Great Hall. I would like to introduce Remus Lupin as our new Defense against Dark Arts professor. Some of you may be able to remember that he taught here before. Yes, he is a werewolf, and he is also a good teacher who is willing to help all of you. Due to our potion master's ability, on the full moons he will drink a potion that makes him harmless during his transformation. All students are to note that Professor Lupin owns a black dog called Snuffles, as you can all see here," as he indicated a big black dog which had sat down in front of the teachers' table, "and if any of you see Snuffles loitering in the hallways in the daytime, don't be afraid to approach it to pet it. Snuffles will be helping the professors in the security of the castle at night. If you are out of your dorms after curfew and being caught by the dog is the same as being caught by a professor, and will mean the loss of house points for you. Now, let us all welcome Professor Lupin and Snuffles." Professor Dumbledore said, as the students clapped for the new professor and the black dog that was furiously wagging its tail.
"Professor Lupin brought Snuffles! I didn't even see him just now." Harry exclaimed to Ron who was grinning at him.
Professor Dumbledore then held up his hands and the whole hall silenced. "I know that you all are hungry but there is a certain matter that needs to be settled before everybody eats. As many of you have come to know, a very strange thing happened during the summer. The whole Malfoy clan have been slaughtered by Voldemort and the only living heir of the family is Draco Malfoy, a current seventh year Slytherin. The reason for the horrible slaughter was due to the fact that Mr Draco Malfoy refused to be recruited by Voldemort. Due to his action, he had been blacklisted by all the Death eaters. Since we have another student here, Mr. Harry Potter from Gryffindor, who is under the same case here, we decided that it is easier to protect both students in the same place. Mr Malfoy is taken out of Slytherin and will spend the last year under no house. However, he will be residing in the Seventh year Gryffindor Dorm together with Mr Potter, and I sincerely hope that all Gryffindor students will allow him the same kind of respect and protection you have offered to Mr Potter all these years." Draco Malfoy stepped out from a side door and sneered at Snuffles in front of him. The dog seemed to narrow his eyes and got up from his spot to sit at Remus' feet, holding his head high as if he could not stand the sight of Malfoy.
"What? That git is going to sleep in our room? Protect him, my foot. I hope he…ow…" Ron stopped suddenly as Hermione nudged him very painfully with her elbow.
"Dean, move a seat will you?" Harry asked Dean who was seated beside him and Dean immediately moved to make a space between Harry and himself. Harry stood up, feeling the stare of everyone in the Great Hall. He hated attention like this, and he did not like Malfoy very much, but he knew that he had to make a move publicly to accept him, otherwise he may not survive the night in the Gryffindor dorms, much less a year. He hated himself for being the boy-who-lived, but he does know what was expected of him. Somehow the wizarding community viewed him as a 'savior' and he had learnt very early in this school that what he said does carry some weight, and if he accepted Malfoy as a friend in front of the whole school, at least the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs would leave him alone for the rest of the year. And strangely enough, he was becoming tired of the rivalry between the two of them, and he knows that having Malfoy on the same side as him would be good for the cause.
All the seventh years of each house sat all the way at the end of the hall, thus Malfoy would have to walk almost the whole stretch of the long table to get to where Harry was standing, waiting. As Malfoy was walking towards him, Harry took the chance to take a really good look at him. Malfoy's hands were both in the side pockets of his school robe, as he arrogantly strolled towards Harry. Even after what happened, he did not cower under the stare of everyone and walked as if he owned the world and it was his right to make Harry wait for him to reach there. His face was devoid of any expression but his grey eyes burned defiantly as he neared Harry, staring straight at Harry's emerald orbs. It was at that sudden moment that Harry realized that Draco Malfoy was really stunning in the looks compartment. Being the Slytherin seeker made him fit like an athlete and his silvery blond hair is so neat that Harry was tempted to run his fingers through the silky strands just to mess them up. His features were such that it was obvious he had aristocratic blood and all his beautiful features along with that body were enough to drive anyone crazy. However, what made Harry suck in a quick breath were Malfoy's eyes. That defiant look was making his blood flow faster and it was obvious that Malfoy himself knew how good he looked.
He grew a lot this summer, in all the right places too. He used to be just cute, but now he is gorgeous. And his eyes… they are just sucking me in. Did he just check me out? I know he goes for guys but… stop thinking about it. Draco thought to himself as he walked towards Harry. His hair… he's wearing boots… argh… stop thinking about it.
Malfoy stopped in front of him and the two of them stared at each other for about five seconds. Then Harry lifted his right hand.
"Well, looks like you decided to join my head on the chopping board. I know that the past six years we were providing frequent entertainment for the school with our fights, Draco. Can we put that aside? Friends?" Harry said, loud enough for his voice to echo within the silent hall, while staring at Draco's eyes.
Draco looked down at the offered hand, understanding what Harry was trying to show the whole school, and remembered Harry's rejection of friendship in his first year. Harry Potter was the first person whom he ever wanted to have as a friend and not acquaintances like Goyle and Crabbe. That night after the rejection Draco had lied awake on his bed swearing to himself that he was never going to let Harry Potter hurt him like that again. However, every time Harry defended that Weasley and insulted Draco, he was hurt again and again. Maybe I am just a sadist, he silently sighed to himself as he lifted his right hand and grasped Harry's hand. Just like I'm opening myself to him all over again.
"Deal, Harry." Draco said, just as loud, as the both of them shook on it. Harry did not let go of his hand and used it to pull Draco to sit down next to him. Then all a sudden the Great Hall was filled with whispers of all the students regarding what had just happened and magically the food appeared in front of everyone. Then did Harry let go of Draco's hand. Harry then glanced at Professor Dumbledore, who gave him a slight nod and he nodded back at the Professor. Then he realized that the people sitting near him were all staring at Draco and not eating.
"I'm Dean Thomas."
"Seamus Finnegan"
"Nev… Neville Longbottom"
"I'm Ginny Weasley."
"Hermione Granger"
Then, silence. Everyone turned to stare at Ron, who was looking at his clutched hands and seemed to be about to blow his top. Ron sent a glare at Draco and asked coldly, "You refused to be a death eater?"
Draco blinked once and locked his jaws, before nodding, never breaking the gaze of Ron's eyes.
Ron sighed, relaxed his body, and stretched out his right hand towards Draco. "I'm doing this for Harry. I'm Ron Weasley."
Draco shook his hand and let go. "And I'm Draco Malfoy. Just call me Draco will do. Thank you everyone." Ron turned back to Hermione to find that she seemed to be about to burst into tears. All she did take a deep breath, smiled at her boyfriend and start to eat. Everyone at the table started to eat too. Draco finally relaxed his rigidly held body as he realized that all of them had just accepted him into their group and from what he observed in the past, it meant that all was going to be well at least in the dorm room.
"Did you know that Pansy asked Goyle and Crabbe to beat you up tonight? I was going to find you to warn you. Thank Merlin that you are joining our dorm tonight." Harry commented lightly, in a soft tone so that people from outside this group would not overhear the conversation.
Draco shot Harry a glance, lifting his right eyebrow. "You think I don't know? She is so predictable." He went on eating as if it did not bother him in the least.
"What? That bitch!" Ron muttered the later part of the comment to himself. Harry smiled softly to himself as Draco turned to look at Ron in astonishment after hearing that. Ron's personality was such that his temper was very fiery, but once you gained his trust, he would defend you with his life. This was the reason why Harry felt that he was so lucky to get a friend he could depend on for protection. Draco then gave Harry a glance and saw that he seemed to expect that reaction from Ron as Harry went on eating without pause.
"Harry, pass the chicken chop bowl, will you?" Draco asked Harry, eyeing the bowl that was in front of Ron. Harry sent Draco a glance, looked down at Draco's fork which Draco still held in his left hand, reached over to take the fork out of Draco's hand, used the fork to poke haphazardly into a piece of chicken chop from the bowl and placed the fork with the chicken chop back on Draco's plate. He then went on eating. Draco looked dumbfounded down at the slice of meat on his plate, sneaked a look up to the occupants of the table and saw Seamus trying to hide his smile by pressing his lips together in a straight line.
"Draco, one thing that you have to learn when you are eating at the Gryffindor table is that, we don't pass the food bowls. The best course of the table will always appear in front of Ron because the house elves know that he is the biggest eater in our whole group. What we want, we just pass the fork or spoon to others to ask them to take for us if we are too far away. We share all the food like a family. The only rule is that we don't talk with our mouth full. Herm says it's disgusting. Oh. And goodies will be shared within the house in the common room as well. Ok?" Dean just lightly patted Draco on his left shoulder. Draco then noticed that Hermione had given her spoon to Harry and without a sound from the girl Harry scooped some mashed potato onto the spoon and dumped everything back onto Hermione's plate. It was obvious to him that after sitting together for all meals for six years had taught Harry the ways of Hermione's mind that she no longer had to instruct him. The whole group surrounding him was also doing the same thing and it seemed that he was the only outsider. Draco then started cutting and eating his chicken chop.
Draco then recalled that in the past, whenever the whole group settled down to eat, Harry would choose a seat first and everyone would settle into seats around and in front of him. Wherever he went, it was the same case. At least Ron and Hermione would be with him at almost all times. Students from Gryffindor seemed to know where the other housemates were and had the habit of keeping an eye out on their fellow housemates and Harry. Was this the protection that Dumbledore was talking about? That the students understood that in the case of an attack they would all have to make sure that they are shielding Harry with at least their bodies? The paintings along the hallways all knew who Harry Potter was and at the first sign of Harry in danger, they would alert the teachers and the headmaster. Even the house elves were familiar with Harry and his group of friends. So all they were going to do was to include him in their actions and protect him along with Harry. Realizing that there was a protection network already in place around him made him relaxed a little more, as he felt slightly more protected. It was true that he would lose the privacy that he had back in the Slytherin house as everyone only noted their own business, but at least he would be able to sleep more in peace.
"Ron." Harry pointed to the mango pudding that was to be the dessert for the night that was in front of Hermione and indicated two with his fingers. Ron took two of the cups with the mango pudding and gave them to Harry. Harry then placed one beside Draco's plate and started eating the other one. Draco looked at Harry and lifted one of his eyebrows. All Harry did was grin back at him and continued eating his mango pudding. Draco then noticed that Seamus also took two mango puddings from the other side and reached across to put one in front of Dean. All Dean did was give a slight nod of acknowledgement. Ginny did the same for Neville. Was everyone doing things in pairs here? Draco wondered to himself. He did notice that Dean's eyes kept wandering to Seamus, who was opposite him, during the dinner. Were those two together? No, it didn't seem like they were a couple. Seamus had often flaunted himself as a gay man while he remembered Dean having a girlfriend before. Unless things happened during the summer. And he didn't know any of the two well enough to ask any of such questions. He would just have to file it up at the back of his mind and observe the two for a while.
When the majority of them had finished the dessert, Harry noticed Professor Lupin heading towards their group with Snuffles in front of him. Snuffles stopped to allow some fourth and Fifth year girls to pet and scratch him, with Remus waiting for him patiently. Finally they reached Harry.
"Harry, I need to talk to you. Let's go up to your dorm." At this, the whole group got up as a whole as Ron snatched another pudding before all the food disappeared. An house elf then appeared with a 'pop' in front of Ron, handed him a small bell and disappeared with a 'pop' again. Ron just stuffed the bell into his pockets. Both Professor Lupin and Draco looked at Ron with confusion. Harry quickly explained the situation.
"At the end of last year, we made a deal with the house elves down in the kitchens. Gryffindors always have weekend parties, and we got so tired of sneaking down to the kitchens to carry the food up. So that bell will summon their head elf and we'll order the things we need from up in the common room. They will help clean up too. In exchange, we give them our old clothing or socks. That way they would be protected against the cold in the winter. It's so much more convenient for us." Harry explained.
Professor Lupin smiled. "That's a brilliant idea. Who thought of that?"
"Seeing that it's Ron who kept the bell, I assumed that it's Ron who was the mastermind? Good one Ron." Draco deduced. Ron just smiled as everyone made their way back to the Gryffindor dorms. Draco's earlier wonderings were correct as they all walked with Harry and Draco right in the middle of the group and Ron and Hermione's watchful eyes making sure that no one was going to create trouble for them. They came to the portrait of the Fat Lady and as Hermione was a prefect, she gave the password and the group stepped into the common room when the portrait swung open.
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A/N: hope you like it. Review!