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 5: Getting to Know Each Other
"Argh… where the hell is it? I hope I didn't leave that at home. Knowing my luck, the first lesson will be double potions with the Slytherins. Now that stupid work assignment is… here! Yes!"
Harry opened his eyes. Trust Ron to scramble for his summer assignments now. He himself checked that he had all his summer assignments ready in his bag the previous night, before he went to sleep. He lazily sat up in bed, trying to be totally coherent with his thoughts before he opened his curtains to face Ron and the world. Somehow, the thought of Potions class no longer seemed that bad because he knew that there was at least one less person against him this year.
He pulled open his curtains. "Morning." He greeted everyone.
"Morning, Harry. For a moment I thought that you were never going to wake up. Looks like I'm never going to sleep in for the rest of the year. You should have seen how Herm looked this morning when she stormed into our room, went to my bed and pulled me up by my ear. She and my mum can compete." Ron sighed, stuffing his books into his bag.
"But I thought that last year, even though you could sleep in every Sunday, but you woke up early on your own because you knew she wanted to have early breakfast so that she can rush to the library to do research?" Harry commented.
"All this shows that Hermione has you whipped at seventeen. Imagine how your life is going to be if you married her." A voice drawled from the bed beside Harry's.
Harry looked over at that bed. "Morning, Draco."
"But I don't mind waking up early for HER." Ron frowned at himself as he got up. "Harry. Ten minutes."
Harry nodded, and grabbed his stuff to wash up.
"Ten minutes what?" Draco asked.
"Ten minutes for me to get up, wash up and dressed to face Snape for double Potions. Our schedule had always been sadistic over the years. Or have you forgotten?" Harry grinned at Draco. Draco was already dressed in his school robe, his hair neatly combed and his bag ready to go. He picked up his bag and looked at his mirror one last time.
"I'll see you outside. Need to ask Hermione something regarding the Charms homework."
Within ten minutes, Harry was dressed and ready to go. They exited through the panel, greeted Marcus by introducing themselves to Marcus so that he knew exactly who reside in the room. They then went down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room, which had some Gryffindors sitting around waiting for their friends to go for breakfast. Then they saw a short-haired Chinese girl rushing up from the girls' dorm and heading towards them.
"Harry! Didn't get to talk to you last night. You should have heard the speech that Prof. gave to the whole house. And great show last night. All the lower years were awed by the performance that you and Malfoy gave in the Great Hall. Hey Malfoy!" she cheerfully exclaimed, while pulling Harry out of the common room by his hand.
"Day… How many times have I told you that the hand you are pulling is attached to my body? Anyway, Draco, this is Day Lee, fifth year. Day… let go! I can walk on my own." Harry was quickening his steps to match the pace that Day had set.
"Well, Day sort of adopted Harry as an older brother two years ago. Day was an only child and had always been lonely before she came to Hogwarts. She was really hyperactive in the first two years she came but Harry got her to convert all her excess energy into playing Quidditch as a chaser. That's why she's so remarkable down at the pitch." Ron explained to Draco. Draco knew who Day Lee was. He had to admit that on the pitch, that girl's skills were impressive. The reason why after so many years Slytherin still lost the Quidditch Cup to Gryffindor was due to the Gryffindor team's ability to come up with the best people to replace the seniors who graduated. Their chasers were disciplined yet aggressive enough; their beaters had the ability to synchronize with each other to protect their players, their keeper was competent enough and their seeker was very skillful in the air. Slytherins tended to have students who were clumsier in comparison.
"I have to admit that she's good. As Keeper and Captain, I bet that your people are going to have a good year huh? Your team was the only team not affected by the graduating batch last year." Draco clapped Ron on his back. Ron had managed to obtain the Keeper's position since Oliver Wood graduated, and Draco had to say that Ron was really good. After the Weasley twins co-captained the team to one more year of victory, Ron got the position as Captain of the team. The beaters were replaced by Colin and Dennis Creevy, who as brothers have the brotherly bond between them. Of course their seeker, Harry Potter, was one of the best seekers Hogwarts had seen in this century. "Now, Ron, there IS something I need to ask you about. How is it that… you can just ignore all that happened in the past six years and just… you know… for goodness' sake, we are talking about Quidditch as if we had been buddies! I know that Harry was forced to allow me into his little group here but…" Draco looked at Ron as he tried to phrase his question. He himself just couldn't get over the fact that he had been friendly with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley when he was so used to sneering and smirking at them.
Ron seemed to think for a while, trying to phrase his answer honestly. "Truthfully, I haven't really completely accepted it yet. There's still a lot of forgiving to do for all the insults you gave to the whole group of us. All I'm doing is putting the want of beating you up on hold because of the way Dumbledore phrased his words last night. I know that out of Harry, Herm and myself, I am what you consider as the extreme one. For me, it is normally just black and white. So in this You-Know-Who against Harry thing, if you had refused to join that evil bastard, then you must be on our side. After all, you did lose all your relatives due to that 'no' that you gave. For that I'm willing to give you a chance. And from last night till now, I haven't heard you really insult me yet. And also the fact that when Herm already okayed you, and if I don't, then… you know what I mean right?" Ron flushed and looked helplessly at Draco. Draco just grinned impishly and nodded. He then reminded himself to be extra nice to Hermione, since she seemed to be holding the leash in this relationship. "And I've heard Dean says that sports talk is universal. It doesn't matter if you are strangers or buddies, even enemies." Saying this, he noticed that they are nearing the Great Hall and his stomach grumbled.
Harry was waiting for the whole group outside the Great Hall, leaning against the wall and doing some catching up with Day. Day was rambling on about her summer and complaining against the sheer amount of homework the professors assigned them. He was just listening to her rambling as it had been the way for the past two years. He remembered back on the first day of his fifth year he found Day sitting desolately in the common room during lunch time when he rushed back to the dorm to retrieve a book that he forgot. She was facing the fire with her tears flowing down silently from her eyes. When the portrait opened, she didn't even look up. Harry, out of concern for her, started to ask her why she was so sad. She replied that she lost points that morning for being too restless to sit still in class and everyone in her year ignored her because of that. Harry had just finished a potions class where Professor Snape had deducted points for he breathing too loudly. He told her about his potions class and persuaded her to go to lunch with him. From then on, she often came to him for advice and he persuaded her to become a chaser in her fourth year when all the chasers in the team graduated. One thing that Harry liked about Day was that she always seemed so cheerful and hyperactive all the time. On a down day, she could perk the whole group's spirit up.
"Harry, you are stoning. You haven't even got into Snape's class yet. So tell me, isn't Draco Malfoy hot? Do you think he will prefer me, or you?" Day pulled him out of his thoughts. Since Day found out that he was gay, the two of them had been checking out guys together.
"I don't know. He didn't tell me. Why don't you ask him?" Harry jokingly suggested.
"Okay." Day let go of Harry's hand and went bounding up to Draco before Harry could say anything to her.
Draco nearly couldn't stop himself from crashing into Day when she started towards him. Day caught hold of both his hands and pulled him into the Great Hall. She could see Harry frowning. Hmm… you told me to ask him. Day thought to herself. She steered the surprised Draco to one of the seats and dropped herself to the seat beside him.
"So tell me, you prefer girls or guys?" Day asked Draco boldly.
By then the group had reached the two of them and Harry sat down on the other side of Draco. The whole group was treated to the sight of Draco Malfoy opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish and a pair of doe-like eyes staring unblinking up at him. The whole group, in fact the whole table, heard the question and were all waiting with anticipation for his answer. After another five seconds of silence from Draco, Day decided to shift to Plan B. She started to blink a few times and the sides of her mouth turned downwards. She whimpered softly like an injured puppy and looked at Draco with eyes that looked like that of a kicked puppy. She then looked down at her lap and said softly in a hurt tone, "You don't want to tell me huh?" and sighed. She then shifted to face the table and looked at her plate, like she was going to cry. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a panicked look appear on Draco's face. Good. They all hate it when girls cry. And that stupid Harry is trying not to laugh. I hope I don't laugh.
"It's not that… I mean… I didn't expect the question. I… um…" Draco licked his lips. "guys."
"Really?" Day looked up, smiling at Draco. He seemed stunned with her sudden change in mood and all a sudden the noise level of the hall went all the way up. Everyone was buzzing with the news that Draco Malfoy was also gay. Everyone around Harry and Draco settled down to have their breakfast, attempting to hide their smiles. Even Hermione had to hide behind the book that she was trying to read. Draco looked around and finally realized what happened.
He turned to Harry. "You knew, didn't you? You told her to…"
Day knew that Draco was a little embarrassed about what happened and it was her fault for playing with his emotions like that. She put her hands on his shoulders and turned him to face her. "Draco, it's not Harry. If you are going to be angry, target it at me. I just want to be sure of your preference, so that there is no confusion between us. Okay? I'm sorry." Day then looked at Draco with her puppy look, making Draco wince. Finally Draco sighed, ruffled her short hair and started to eat breakfast.
"You could have been a slytherin you know, with that neat little trick." Draco commented, taking a sip of the pumpkin juice.
Her answer almost made him choke on the juice. "Almost did." He turned to stare at her. Day looked up to find everyone staring at her. "I read up about the houses before I came. Hated snakes and green. So when that hat suggested Slytherin, I threatened to take a scissors to it and for that action, it deemed me brave enough to be a Gryffindor. So here I am." She went on eating like it was nothing.
"Don't worry, I nearly ended up over at that table as well." Harry grinned at Day, who grinned back. At that moment, their class schedules appeared in front of each student.
"See, you didn't believe me when I said that I could predict our first lesson. Double potions with the Slytherins." Ron muttered to Hermione.
Day grinned. "DADA."
Seamus pouted. "How come we don't get such good deals? You get Professor Lupin for the first lesson? When do you see Snape?"
"Tomorrow." Day tucked her schedule into her bag. Everyone sighed with envy, with the exception of Draco, of course, seeing that Draco had been Snape's favorite student for years.
At that particular moment, Pansy strolled into the Great Hall with Crabbe and Goyle. She purposely chose to walk past the Gryffindor group.
"Well, well, well. Look where Draco Malfoy is hiding. Behind the Gryffindors. How utterly disgusting." She attempted drawling her comment, however, the whininess of her voice only made her sound wimpy. Seamus, who was seated beside Day, was going to spring up to defend Draco, when Day placed her hand on Seamus's hand. Day then quickly glanced around the hall and realized that many of the students were staring at the whole scene. Even Professor Dumbledore seemed to be actively watching.
"Parkinson. Did you hear the news this morning? Draco just told the whole hall that he prefers guys because of you. It seems that you have the ability to turn guys who are in close contact with you into gays. I suggest you two to stay away from her." Day addressed the last comment to Crabbe and Goyle. The two of them, being rather stupid, shot a look at Pansy and shrunk back a step from her. Day just turned back to her breakfast, catching the wink Draco gave her. Pansy was stunned with the news, as well as the reaction from her henchmen, than her face flushed and she stormed to the Slytherin table. Her henchmen obviously thought that Day was serious and hurriedly chose seats as far away from Pansy as ever.
"Oh my, can those two get anymore dumber? My dear, thank you. We're even now." Draco smiled at Day.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm keeping you." Day replied. At that moment the owl post came in. Hedwig flew down and landed beside Harry's plate. Harry fed him some bacon and realized that Hedwig just wanted to check on him as she had no letter tied to her claws.
"Hi Hedwig. Don't worry. I'm fine. Got here safe and sound. We're not going back again. Okay?" Hedwig hooted in agreement, spread her wings and flew off.
"Um… Day, what do you mean you are keeping me? I'm not a puppy you know." Draco frowned.
"Ask Harry. I said the same words to him two years ago. I got to go. Need to check out a book at the library before my lesson with the lovely werewolf. I hope I don't drool in class." Day winked at Harry as she got up to leave.
Draco looked at her leaving figure and turned to see Harry grinning at him. "Well, she just officially 'adopted' you in front of the whole Gryffindor. It means if any one in Gryffindor bad-mouths you, they'll get it from her. And they won't want to go against her."
"Yup. If not for her restlessness she'll be likely to be teacher's pet for every class. And the number of O.W.L.S. she got was amazing. Without studying, she came a close second with the record set by my dear Hermione. And the pranks she played. Even Peeves leaves her alone." Ron added. Peeves was a resident poltergeist of Hogwarts and was famous for destroying classrooms and loitering the hallways playing pranks on professors and students.
Draco never knew that Day Lee was so smart. After all, she was two years below his that he didn't even pay much attention to her. And she just 'adopted' him? "You Gryffindors really trust a person very easily huh?"
"It depends. Day always have the ability to see beyond a person's mask. When she said that she was 'keeping' me two years ago, all I thought was that by being near her, I was endangering her. So I pulled away. I shut her out for a week, avoided her and just plain ignored her when I saw her. Then after that week, in the common room, she came up to me and gave me a tight slap across the face. She wanted me to stop doing whatever I was doing. Her exact words were that 'she just wanted someone to listen to her ramble'. I caved in. And subconsciously she became something like a little sister to me." Harry said, getting up from his seat upon noticing that all of them had finished their breakfast. They then made their way to the dungeons for the dreaded Potions lessons.
Both the Slytherins and Gryffindors arrived at the same time outside the classroom. Ron was leading the Gryffindors and Pansy was leading Slytherins. Both stopped at the door and glared at each other.
"So are you going to spend my lesson out here glaring at each other? Or do you all actually want to learn something that is beyond all your intelligence?" Both groups heard a sarcastic voice from the doorway of the classroom. Professor Snape was standing there glowering at the two groups of students. He then turned and strode back to the blackboard, with Pansy leading her band of Slytherins into the classroom in a hurry. Without Draco on her side, she did not want to anger Professor Snape unnecessarily. The whole group of Gryffindors also settled into their seats as they knew that Professor Snape had never favored them and they did not want to invite unwanted detentions.
"You are all going to work in pairs this year. I'll assign you partners. And no switching of partners during the whole year. Parkinson and Bulstrode. Goyle and Crabbe. Zabini and Longbottom. Brown and Patil. Potter and Malfoy. Granger and Weasley. Thomas and Finnegan. Fifteen seconds to seat yourself beside your partner. Starting now." Most of the students are already seated with their partners so there was not much movement. At exactly fifteen seconds later, Professor Snape started talking. "You will place your summer assignments on my desk on your way out of the room later. This year, we will be focusing on some medi-potions. The reason we are focusing on this is due to the fact that some of you may want to continue your magical studies as mediwizards. What we learnt this year will help you as these are the basic potions mediwizards need to know how to brew. You also may need them if you are hurt and no mediwizards are at hand. You have learnt Pepper-Up potions in your fifth year. Some of the potions that we will be looking at are the Dreamless Sleep potion, Sleeping potion, Bruise Healing Potion, Wound-cleaning Potion and so on. Since you have a professor here who is a werewolf, I decided that you need to familiarize yourself with the Wolfsbane Potion. What is the function of Wolfsbane Potion?" The whole class expected Hermione's hand to shoot up to answer the question, and even Professor Snape seemed to blink in surprise when her hand remained on the desk. The class turned to stare at her as she seemed to be waiting patiently for someone to give the answer. "Longbottom."
Neville gulped, looked at Hermione and answered in a hesitating tone. "It… allows the werewolf to… um… maintain its… humanity during its transformation?"
"Yes. The werewolf is supposed to be like a wolf during its transformation every full moon. With the Wolfsbane Potion, the werewolf would be able to recognize his surroundings and people around him and will not attempt to bite his relatives and friends. In other words, unless provoked, the werewolf will behave like a tame dog around you. What are the ingredients needed to make Wolfsbane Potion?" This time when he asked the question, he pointedly stared at Hermione. Hermione went on scribbling something on the parchment in front of her and did not lift her hand to volunteer her answer. Draco raised his hand. "Mr Malfoy?" Snape glanced at Draco.
"Armadillo bile, frog's eyes, powdered Billywig stingers, dewinged Lacewing flies and sliced leeches." Professor Snape nodded and started droning on and on about how the combination of the ingredients and the process of boiling the potion at which particular temperature and the duration made the portion the way it was. Harry could tell that Professor Snape really loved potions. He managed to spend the next one and a half hour telling them about the potion, and everyone was scribbling like mad on their parchments to catch as many things as they could of what the professor had recited. The class was strangely quiet, as every time a question was asked, Hermione never looked up from her parchment. All the Gryffindor students were frowning away at Hermione, wondering if she was feeling ill. Finally Professor Snape dismissed the class and all the students rushed to hand in their summer homework and to exit the class. No one in their right presence of mind would want to stay back after Snape's class.
Draco packed up his things slowly, as he handed his parchment to Harry to help him place it on Snape's desk. Looking around when he picked up his bag, he noticed that all the Slytherins had exited the class in a very fast manner as well. Harry was making his way back to him as Draco was holding on to his bag.
"Draco, how was last night? Did the Gryffindors give you any trouble?" Snape asked him softly, making sure that most of the students had left. Harry was standing behind Snape in a stunned manner as he had never heard Snape sound so… concerned for a student before. Draco grinned at him.
"They're okay. I actually had a good night of sleep. Some of them defended me against Parkinson at breakfast. I think they actually think that I'm … nice. Right Potter?"
"You nice? They must be mad for all I know. Come on. We still have History of Magic. Don't want to be late." Harry playfully answered and hurried Draco out of the Dungeons.
Ron and Hermione were waiting at the door, with Hermione wearing an impatient look. She hurried the three boys towards the History of Magic classroom grumbling that they were going to be late. Draco commented that he didn't understand why anyone would worry about being late for the lesson in which everyone would take a nap in. Ron then commented that Hermione actually took notes in that class for the past six years. All Draco gave as a reply was an astonished look and Hermione responded by glaring at her boyfriend.
"Herm, why didn't you put up your hand just now?" Ron hesitantly asked.
Hermione grinned at them. "Since he didn't call me for the past six years, I don't see why I should waste my energy putting my hands up and waving it in front of him. Draco gave me the idea. Did you see Snape's expression just now? I could barely keep from laughing." Draco grinned back at Hermione.
The four of them entered the classroom just as the professor of the class, a ghost called Professor Binns appeared. Harry motioned Draco to the corner furthest from the professor as he had some questions to ask him and now was as good a time as any. Once Professor Binns started lecturing, Ron laid his head down and closed his eyes, ready to take his nap before lunch. Hermione started taking notes for the class. Dean took out his sketchbook and pencil and started sketching, and Seamus started following Ron into the dream world. Harry took out a piece of parchment and wrote something on it before passing it to Draco, who wrote a reply before passing it back, starting a 'written' conversation.
Why was Snape so nice to you? Even though you were his favorite student.
Why? Jealous?
No. Just curious.
He's my godfather. He was afraid that I'll be black and blue under my robes from last night's stay in the lion's den.
Yuck. Really?
Why would I want to lie about that?
Oh. Okay.
No one but my parents, and now you, knew about that. Snape and my parents were friends in school.
Same case with me. Sirius and Dad were best friends. How DID you find out who Snuffles really was anyway?
Parents were killed. I happened to be out visiting Snape when that bastard slaughtered my whole damn family. Snape took me back here to be protected. Lupin arrived early with Snuffles. They had to tell me as they got that dog to tag me everywhere to protect me. Was irritated by that dog at first. But got used to him. He's quite a great guy actually.
I know he's a great guy. He IS my godfather after all. Who do you think got me my Firebolt? *Smirk*
He got you that? How does an escaped convict get that much money? I can't even afford it on MY pocket money.
How am I to know? He's the only family I got left. I hope he doesn't get caught again.
By the way, do you know why Voldemort wanted to do away with you? From what I heard my father say, it seemed that you were the target all these while. There must be a specific reason why he'll kill so many people to get to you.
There is a reason. I just wish someone would tell me. You'll think that after so many years, Dumbledore would tell me. But no. He kept saying I'm not old enough. Wonder what is 'old enough' to him. When I'm dead? *Sigh*
Well, I'm not much better than you. I refused to join him in his face. Then he said since I am not willing, then I should go. Father was quivering in his shoes. Took me home and packed me off to Snape Manor immediately. Said for me to stay there till he gave me permission to go home. Aurors knocked on Snape's door the next morning to announce my parents' death and all my relatives were dead too. Became so damn rich overnight. But that means that I am being cast out of Slytherin.
Well, I do know that knowing that YOU are not evil make me sleep better at night. I need more friends than enemies.
Friends. Never thought that after so many years, we came back to square one huh? Weasley is not so bad if I say so myself. Sorry I insulted him all these years.
You should be saying that to him, not me. Why did you love to pick on him?
He already told me that he'll try not to beat me up this year. *grin* Maybe I should buy him and his girlfriend some presents huh? Anyway, I only insulted him because that seemed to get a reaction out of YOU. You seemed to be able to ignore any insult about yourself but get angry when I insult them. So it was fun. And I was expected to do that. After all, my father was under Voldemort.
But from your descriptions of your dad, at least he cares about you. I don't even remember my father.
Cares? He doesn't know the meaning of the word. He packed me off not to protect me. He was going to disown me the next day. I could tell from the rage and disapproval on his face. He was just killed before he had the chance to change the will.
That's a little extreme isn't it?
You should thank the lords that you were not born in my family. Remind me to show you some of the scars one of these days.
SCARS? He beat you?
Beating is nothing. Let's just say that I've learned since very young that there is no limit to the amount of pain a human being can endure.
Harry read what Draco wrote and turned to stare at him. He then noticed that Draco's face had gone emotionless. He had always thought that he himself had a childhood that was not very good compared to many people, but at least his uncle never really beat him up. All he did was to ignore and insult him. That was why when Draco insulted him, he didn't really mind, as he was used to it. But to be beaten till there were scars or even worse, and to be given that kind of treatment by your own father… Harry licked his suddenly dry lips. Draco saw his reaction and snatched the parchment back to write something.
Don't pity me. I don't want your pity.
I'm not pitying you. Just that this is a bit of a shock.
Why? You thought that I grew up in a perfect home?
Yes.
All the Slytherins face the same thing at home. That's why I don't even blame them much for their behaviour now.
If you ever want to talk, you can talk to me. Okay?
Want to be a psychiatrist when you graduated?
No. Just want to be a friend.
*lift eyebrow*
What?
Is that all?
What do you mean?
What was that thing with Day this morning?
What DO you mean?
You wanted to know, right?
No. Day wanted to know.
You mean you are not at all interested to find out my sexual preference?
Hmm… now that we DO know, we can check out guys together.
Really? That's your only motive?
I told you SHE wanted to know.
So. Do you think Ron's cute?
*puke* if you like redheads. And I mean… really red. And he's so… PINK. Don't tell him I said that.
*trying to control laughter* Then who's cute? Seamus?
If you like the flirty and hyper type. Anyway, he's taken.
By WHO?
Dean.
You are kidding me! I thought he's straight.
He told me he's interested. Don't tell others, but there seemed to be a wager on who Seamus is going to be with. Most people bet on me, but Nev added on his bet on Dean.
I know. Heard something about it before the summer. Different houses bet on different people. Hufflepuffs bet on Justin. Ravenclaws and Gryffindor bet on you. Slytherins bet on Blaise.
Zabini is gay too?
Yup.
Hmm… maybe I should persuade Nev to bet for us. *grin*
Yah. Then we'll be rich.
We ARE rich.
Okay richer than rich.
One minute left. Nice talking to you. Best History lesson I ever had.
Same here. Burn this?
Harry read that last line and nodded at Draco. Draco then took the very long piece of parchment that they had used and crushed it into a ball. When Professor Binns dismissed the class, Draco took his wand, pointed it at the ball and muttered under his breath. The ball of parchment burst into fire and within three seconds, even the ashes disappeared.
"Useful little spell." Harry muttered admirably.
"Novelty of being born in that family. Need to know your spells. I'll lend you that book." Draco answered, following the group to the Great Hall for their lunch.
The whole group settled down to have their lunch. Hermione was reading a book as usual as she chewed away at her food. Draco was sitting right opposite her and was quite irritated by the fact that the book was right in front of him.
"Hermione. It's the first day. No homework yet. How can you be reading a book now?" Hermione lowered her book slightly and glanced at Draco for a second, before continuing her reading.
"It's no use. If six years of nagging from us had no effect on her, what makes you think she will stop now?" Ron answered, while busy piling food on his plate.
"Did anyone notice that they didn't choose a head girl or boy this year? No one seemed to know anything." Seamus asked.
"Most likely because Draco had to be taken out of his house, and they had to do a re-voting. You can't have a Head Boy who is not of any house, can you?" Hermione answered.
"It means no more prefect meetings. No Quidditch too. That means I got more time. Maybe I should ask Professor Snape about the extra credit assignments." Draco frowned.
"Believe me, you don't need extra credit assignments. You are already at the top of the class!" Dean exclaimed.
"But what am I to do with my time? I can only study for so many hours."
"You, can help me train. Ron, how about it? Someone who can help you think Quidditch strategies? He won't leak it to the Slytherins now. And he was a good player." Harry looked at Ron. Draco looked at Ron too.
Ron looked at the two hopeful pairs of eyes pleading with him and gave in, nodding. He never could take Harry's puppy-eyed look. And Draco's grey eyes with a pleading look were just as powerful. Draco gave Ron a quick grin and happily went on eating his lunch. Ron actually felt good, making Draco happy. It was a weird feeling that he was not used to.
After they finished lunch, Hermione dragged Ron off to the library to check out a book that Snape mentioned as a reference book and the rest of the group slowly made their way to the Transfiguration classroom, discussing Quidditch along the way.
*****
A/N: Longest chapter to date. I'm still deciding when I should insert the romance thing for HP and DM. And I need a good atmosphere for Dean and Seamus to confess their attraction. And I added my own character. Dunno what to do with her later in the chapters. But I decided that we need some one who is always bouncing off walls. I may use her character very angstly at the end… Tell me how you feel about her. Thanks for pointing out to me the things I missed out. However, you did notice that this is just chapter 4. There is a limit to how many things can be told in one chapter. I had planned some of the explanations for the later chapters but since you pestered me, I added it into the parchment passing part. And I'm not trying to imitate Rowlings' style. So don't expect me to. Her style is more for the children type. The way she plans things, by the time Voldemort is estimated to be dead again, poor Harry would have faced him about a total of 7 times, including the one when he was one. Sigh. Here, I'm giving Harry time to rest and grow up. That's why I jumped straight to 7th year. So there… Remember to review!!!