A/N: Well, I was wrong; it looks like I managed to crank out another update before leaving after all. It starts to pick up in this chapter, and I promise that there will be LOTS of action in the next one. And yes, I know my Voldemort sucks… I've always had problems writing him. (Those of you who read my other stories may have noticed that I've never written a story with him as the main villain! ^_^) He, and this story (hopefully) will get better in upcoming chapters.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: INTO THIN AIR
Draco's reaction to the Portkey idea was very similar to the one Voldemort and Slytherin had. The plan was perfect. If everything worked out, as it was sure to do, they would be rid of both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Draco almost couldn't believe that twenty-four hours ago, he was ready to renounce his allegience with the Dark Lord. The very thought was enough to make him smile.
He walked to his first class that day, History of Magic with the Gryffindors, feeling better than he had in a long time, and it showed. People stared at him as he walked by smiling, something he hadn't done since agreeing to help Voldemort. Professor Vector commented on his sudden change in personality as she walked by, and Draco made a comment on the wonders of a good night's sleep. He had slept well the previous night, but that wasn't entirely why he was feeling so good.
He had it in his bookbag - the object that would get rid of Minerva McGonagall forever, and hopefully Albus Dumbledore as well. It was a letter addressed to Minerva, charmed to turn into a Portkey at exactly three oh seven that afternoon. His plan was to place it outside the door to her classroom, then knock on the door and leave. She would open the door, see the letter, pick it up, and be transported to wherever it was Voldemort and Slytherin were hiding. Then his part would be done, and he could sit back and watch Hogwarts fall. It was too simple to go wrong.
He had just put his hand on the door to Professor Binns's classroom when a group of Ravenclaw girls walked past him, each carrying an armful of textbooks. Padma Patil was with them, and a sudden urge to do what he had been contemplating for several weeks overtook him. "Padma!" he called, and started walking to catch up to the girls. "Could I talk to you for a minute?"
The girls stopped walking, and Padma stepped forward. "Sure," she said.
"Alone?" Draco added in a lower voice.
Padma looked back at her friends. "I'll catch up," she told them. "Yes, Lisa, I'm aware of the time."
Lisa Turpin had been pointing at her watch.
When the other girls had left, Padma gave Draco her full attention and smiled. "You seem to be feeling better," she commented.
He nodded. "I am."
"What happened?"
"Oh, you know... things just worked out," he said. "But look, we're short on time, so I'm just going to say this before I lose my nerve. Want to go out sometime?"
Padma dropped the books in her arms, blushed, and bent down to pick them up. "I'd love to," she said, standing up.
His good day just got better. "Great," he said, smiling at her. "There's a Hogsmeade visit on Saturday. Want to hang out?"
"Sounds fun," she said. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "I, uh... I'd better get going; don't want to be late..."
"What class do you have?" he asked.
"Transfiguration," she answered. "You know how McGonagall gets, and..."
He nodded. "Yeah, I know. See you in... Charms, right?"
"Yeah, Charms," she confirmed. She smiled at him. "Bye."
"Bye," he returned as she hurried off to catch up with her friends. He smiled to himself. Not exactly smooth and sophisticated, but it got the job done. He hadn't dated any girls outside of Slytherin house during his time at Hogwarts, so it would be interesting to see how he and Padma hit it off. He was optimistic about it, but then again, he was feeling optimistic about just about everything at the moment.
He placed his hand on the door to the History of Magic classroom and went inside, hoping the Hogsmeade visit wouldn't be cancelled because a teacher was missing.
As Neville Longbottom and Parvati Patil entered the History of Magic classroom, they noticed that Draco was back to his normal smiling, arrogant self. At the moment, he was deep in conversation with Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini and seemed to be enjoying himself. Parvati scowled when she saw him. "What's he so happy about?"
"We could ask," Neville suggested halfheartedly.
She looked at him and arched an eyebrow.
Neville shrugged. "Or not."
They took their seats in the second row with no further commentary. More students made their way into the room, and one by one, sat down at their desks. A few took out quills and parchement, but not many. Professor Binns didn't even notice when people slept in his class anymore.
"Good morning," Professor Binns said in his dull, hollow voice as he entered through the blackboard. "I have an announcement."
At that, everyone snapped to attention. Professor Binns never had announcements.
"The lesson I had planned for today was a lecture on the Italian Vampire Convention of 1466," he said, "but instead, it shall be a time for you to ask questions pertaining to the founding of Hogwarts. Answering them will be the only people who can."
The doors opened again, and through them came Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Gryffindor, and Helga Hufflepuff. They walked up to the front of the room and stood in a line facing the astonished class. Professor Binns muttered something nobody caught and floated back to his desk.
"Good morning," the ever-cheerful Helga said. "You all know who we are, so I don't think there's any need to introduce ourselves. If you have any questions pertaining to the founding of Hogwarts or to any of us, now is the time to ask them."
The first hand in the air was, naturally, Hermione's. When she was called upon, Hermione lowered her hand and said, "What year was Hogwarts founded?"
"1260," Gryffindor answered. "Yes, Miss Brown?"
Lavender Brown dropped her hand. "Did you build the castle?" she asked.
"We added to it," said Helga. "The original structure consisted of the Great Hall and some of the surrounding towers and corridors. We felt it was too small to suit our needs, and I see that more has been added since our time. Miss Davis?"
"Whose idea was it to start a school?" Tracey Davis asked.
Gryffindor took the question. "It was more a realization than an idea. Helga had been teaching children magic for a few years, and Rowena was an apprentice of hers. When Salazar and I met them, persecution from Muggles was becoming a greater threat every day. One day, a group of Muggles learned where Helga was teaching and attacked the class. No one was killed, but we all knew it was time wizarding children could learn without fear, so it was agreed that we would start a school."
Seamus Finnigan raised his hand, and when he was called upon, asked, "Did you select a headmaster or headmistress?"
"Yes," said Rowena. "Helga was the headmistress, and Salazar was the deputy head. After three years, Helga was the only one left."
Hermione's hand went back into the air. "Why did Slytherin leave the school?"
Helga was the only one who could answer that question. "As you all know, Salazar Slytherin believed that only purebloods should be allowed to attend Hogwarts," she began. "He thought it would be in the best interest of both wizards and Muggles if the two societies were completely seperated. The rest of us disagreed, but Godric was the most outspoken about the matter. He and Salazar would get in arguments every once in a while, but it was not enough to drive them apart. Then Godric was killed by a Muggle-born wizard named Kedelor, and Rowena died a week later. Salazar came back to Hogwarts, and Daniel and I tried to convince him to stay, but he would not. He swore to avenge his brother's death, and a few months later, he killed Kedelor. That was the last we heard of him."
A silence followed this, and then Dean Thomas raised his hand. "Why did you pick this place to build a school?"
"The castle and grounds were donated by the orignal owners, Helga's family," Rowena said.
"They ruled from here for about a hundred years, and then the castle in Wales was built," said Helga. "That castle was destroyed when the monarchy was overthrown in 1192, but my family was able to keep this land and castle."
"Were you royalty?" Millicent Bulstrode blurted out without raising her hand.
A patient smile crossed Helga's face. "No, but we were very high-ranking nobility. I think one of my great-grandmothers may have married a prince at some point." She shrugged. "I'm not quite sure."
This went on for the rest of the class. The students learned where the name ("It's a type of lily that used to grow here," said Rowena) and the motto ("An interesting little adventure," Helga said with a laugh) came from, and also things like how the students were chosen and what changes had taken place since the earliest days of Hogwarts. It was the first time anybody besides Hermione stayed awake the entire period.
"Wish we had them every day," Neville said to Parvati when the class ended and the students were leaving.
Parvati nodded. "Yeah. You know what's funny, though?"
"What?"
"We still haven't had a History of Magic teacher who wasn't dead."
Draco's good day showed no signs of getting worse as it wore on. Charms went particularly well. He didn't remember what the lesson was, though; he found watching Padma much more interesting. At the end of the class, they made plans to meet later that day. She had Quidditch practice right after classes, so they agreed to meet right after that. That was fine with him. This way, he didn't have to come up with an excuse to make sure the Portkey was in place.
The Portkey was the only thing that he was concerned about. He found himself checking his bag periodically to make sure it was there, which it always was. His concern was transformed into excitement, though, as three oh seven ticked closer and closer. That day's Transfiguration class was the most enjoyable one he'd ever had at Hogwarts; mainly owing to the fact that after today, he would never have to look at Minerva McGonagall's face again. He hoped Voldemort would kill her. Maybe he would even make it slow and painful.
When the bell rang at three o'clock, signalling the end of classes for the day, Draco hurried over to the Transfiguration department in order to be in position on time. It was three oh three when he reached his destination, still too early to put the letter out. He waited, watching the seconds tick by on his watch. The hallway was completely deserted and silent as a grave. He could hear the occasional shuffling of papers inside, which told him Minerva was right where he wanted her.
Three oh five. Still too soon…
The next minute seemed to last longer than the previous two put together. Finally, though, three oh six came, and Draco pulled the letter out of his bookbag. "Good-bye, Professor McGonagall," he mumbled as he set it down on the floor just in front of the door.
Forty-five seconds.
For an instant, Draco thought he heard footsteps, but he dismissed it as nerves, and the sound didn't come back.
Thirty seconds.
Come on, he thought. What he wouldn't give for a Time Turner.
Twenty seconds.
Almost time. He raised his fist in preparation to knock on the door.
Ten seconds.
Nine… eight… seven…
Just then, he heard the footsteps again, and this time, there was no mistaking it. Someone was coming. He ducked around the corner into a side hall, hoping the passing person would continue on their way without seeing either him or the Portkey.
Draco glanced around into the main hallway, and saw Helga Hufflepuff walking along, humming to herself. She stopped humming, and stopped walking as well, just as she passed the entrance to Minerva's classroom.
"Oh, what do we have here?" she said, glancing at what Draco feared was the Portkey.
His fears were confirmed when she said, "Hmm, a letter to Minerva. She must be in here; I'll take it to her…"
"No!" Draco cried, and leapt out from his hiding spot.
But it was too late. By the time the warning left his lips, she was long gone.