Chapter 6
For once there was no big reunion at the Hogwarts Express. The entire group had been together for at least a week , and even the twins had arrived a few days ago to take a break from their store.
"Oi. This brings back memories."
"Damn. I thought we had repressed them."
"Why would we repress Hogwarts?"
"Howlers. Prank War. Pierson. Snape. Our dear brother and our dear captain."
"Oh, I get it. Oops.' Bill and Charlie rolled their eyes at the twins. They were the only ones who had heard the exchange. Everybody else was talking too loud.
"Alright, you first dear," Molly Weasley said to Ginny. Ginny nodded and ran through the barrier. The twins turned to Bill and Charlie as Ron and Hermione got set to travel through.
"Well, it's nice meeting you chaps-"
"Don't be strangers-"
"You're strange enough already-"
"Ta Ta!" The twins called as the stepped through the barrier to apparate back to Hogsmead. Bill started to laugh softly and Charlie shook his head. Taking their cues from their mother, Bill and Charlie walked through the barrier, following the twins. Mrs. Weasley followed, to yell at the Twins for the loud crash they had all heard. Draco smirked and pounced, kissing Harry for all he was worth before pulling the now unsteady boy through the barrier.
The gang was going back to Hogwarts.
***
The five settled down into their compartment, paired off as they usually are, with Ginny sitting next to Ron and Hermione, by the window. Completely absorbed in her reading.
"Ginny.Ginny.Ginny!" Hermione sighed. "It's no use. What is she reading?" Ron looked at the cover.
"The Neverending Story. It's an interactive Magic Book. Only she can pull herself out of the story, otherwise we'll have to wait until she finishes." He looked closer. "I think that's Percy's copy. It was his favorite book until he read The Lord Of The Rings."
"Oh." Hermione looked vaguely concerned, but trusted Ron's assessment of Magical Artifacts. They all, save Ginny, looked up when the compartment door opened. There was Pansy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Well. So it is true. Malfoy's sided with the Gryffindor's golden boy. Surely your father-"
"My father no longer has any influence on my life, and it would do you well to not mention him in my presence again." Draco's voice was as cold and condescending as always and Pansy looked scared for a moment. She recovered with a smirk.
"Without your father you're nothing, Draco." She turned to leave, signaling for the two goons to follow. They looked at each other, then back at Draco, who stared at them without emotion. They hesitated. "Crabbe! Goyle!" With one last look at Draco they turned and followed Pansy back to her compartment.
Harry took Draco's hand. It was trembling. HE pulled Draco into an embrace.
"Shh, Drake, it'll be ok." Draco clung to him.
"With Pansy in power now, how am I going to survive the dorms? It was bad enough last year, when everybody still thought I was backed by my father. Now.they'll eat me alive. Harry smoothed Draco's hair.
"Don't worry. We'll talk to Severus and Adam when we get to school. They'll know what to do." Draco nodded and they looked over at Ron and Hermione.
"Oi, Herm. You have a Ron on your face. You might want to get that checked." Without breaking the kiss Ron lifted his hand and flipped of Draco, casing both Draco and Harry to laugh. Ron and Herm broke off just a moment before Ginny looked up from her book.
"Did I miss something?"
That set them all off and as you well know, once you start to laugh, everything is funny. They were laughing the whole way to Hogwarts.
***
The sorting was the longest in Harry's schooling there. Unfortunately it would also be the largest for at least a decade to come. Dumbledore stood at teacher's table. The hall was silent.
"The announcement I am about to make is very important. Over the summer the Ministry announced Voldemot's return to power." There were murmers, but they were quickly squashed. "I know some of you may have not heard this. I also realize that to some this is old news. It pains me to admit, but I'm afraid this will be your war to fight. We will try and prevent this as much as possible, but in order to prepare you for the inevitable DADA classes will be doubled, and a new class, Physical Defense, has been added to the curriculum. It will be taught by Professor MacLeod," he gestured and Mac waved from his seat. "This class is mandatory for all years." Dumbledore looked over the hall, pausing in his speech. "We are once again entering dark times. There will be restrictions and dangers and lost loves. Be strong for each other and we will survive." Dumbledore took a deep breath and the dark shadow that had appeared on his face lifted, revealing his twinkling eyes.
"In other news, stay away from the forbidden forest. It's forbidden for a reason. Quidditch season will go on as usual and due to last year's success of the Halloween Ball, we are having a Yule Ball this year for 4th years and above.
"Now, for a few parting words. "Fiddle-sticks, flibbertigibbet, and armoire. Thank you." He sat and the tabled filled with food.
"Eat, drink, and be merry," Muttered Methos under his breath. Severus finished the thought.
"For tomorrow we die." They smirked at each other and raised their glasses in a silent toast.
***
Methos and Severus had retired to their rooms and were having a nightcap when there was nock at the door. Methos raised an eyebrow at Severus, who went to answer the door.
"Draco? Harry? Come in. What's wrong?"
"What?' Draco asked as he entered. "We're not allowed to visit our favorite professors for no reason?"
"Nope." Harry snickered, but placed a comforting hand at the small of Draco's back. Draco leaned into the comforting touch.
"We were confronted by Pansy on the Train. She had Crabbe and Goyle with her. She now has the power of Slytherin House behind her. I'm afraid to sleep in the dorms. They might throttle me in my sleep." Methos raised an eyebrow.
"I hardly think they'll kiss you in your sleep." They all turned to look at him. "Slytherins tend to stab you in the back if they're going to. As long as you sleep on your back you'll be fine." Severus rolled his eyes, and Draco looked sorrowfully at Methos.
"If they're good for one thing, Crabbe and Goyle are good at following orders. They'd kill each other if they were told to. There's no way I can fight them off if they attack me physically." Severus pursed his lips.
"Get your things for tomorrow. You can stay here for tonight. Do not tell anybody where you'll be staying and do not be followed. We'll figure out proper arrangements in the morning." Draco nodded. "Harry, stay here. You won't be allowed in with Draco anyway and it will arouse suspicion that will not help anything." Harry nodded and Draco left to get his things."
Methos turned to Harry.
"Do you honestly think there's a threat to Draco's life if he stays there?" Harry nodded.
"Yes. Those who would be picked to do it have already had their first kill. The sanctity of life wont stop them. The others are too scared of being next to speak up." Methos shook his head.
"This is ridiculous. Babies killing babies. Children murdering children. I've lived through some atrocities in my life-time. Participated in some. But this will always horrify me. This is insane." Severus smiled sadly.
"Such is the world we live in now, love. Voldemort likes to get them young, makes them more trainable and therefore more valuable." Methos scowled.
"Even for a monster like him this is beyond low. Mankind has evolved beyond this by at least 5000 years." He shook his head. "I don't know whether that's me or the father in me speaking."
"You were a father?" asked Harry, "but I though immortals couldn't have children."
"They can't," said Methos, "In earlier times I married women who were pregnant out of wedlock or who were eventually unfaithful. In later years I use artificial insemination or adopt."
"That's what my father did," said Severus. "He found me and raised me as his own. Many immortals do. It makes living forever a bit more bearable for a few decades." Harry nodded, understanding.
"How many kids have you had, Professor Pierson?"
"Oh, hundreds. I may not remember every name, but I remember every face as clear as day."
Draco reentered Snape's rooms then, a green satchel on his back, and a fuzzy something in his arms. He shivered.
"It was like walking into a snake pit, no pun intended. Pansy glared at me the whole time I wasn't in my room, and Crabbe and Goyle just stared. I had just finished packing and turned, seeing Crabbe and Goyle standing behind me, blocking the exit. They had the oddest looks on their face. Goyle asked me where I was going, and I said I wasn't sleeping in the Slytherin dorms anymore. He nodded and said that it was probably for the best. I was safer that way. I must have looked at them oddly, cause Crabbe laughed. He said that though they follow Pansy around, that if I needed them, they were loyal to me first. It was just safer to follow Pansy publicly for now. They also said that not many Slytherns shared their feelings, but as Pansy grew in power, they felt more would turn from her. Considering Goyle's grades in Divination I wouldn't be surprised. Then Pansy called them and they smiled at me once more before looking dumb and leaving. When I left the entire common room glared at me." Severus and Methos looked thoughtful as Harry simply held into Draco.
"I'm not surprised Crabbe and Goyle still feel loyal to you. They must sense you're stronger than Pansy. They won't support you publicly for a while yet, not until Pansy looses some of her support. That may not happen for a while yet, so it's best not to rely on it happening soon." Severus assessed. Methos nodded his agreement.
"If they can be turned from Pansy it's also possible they can be turned from Voldemort. Let's not loose hope on the children yet." Severus nodded at Methos, then turned back to the children.
"Go and say you're goodnight's then. We'll walk Harry back to Gryffindor tower." Severus turned to give the teens some privacy, waited a moment before reaching out and physically turning Methos around. "Don't stare," he growled at Methos who mock glared at him and stuck out his tongue. A few minutes passed and they turned back around. Methos laughed and Severus rolled his eyes. "Alright already. We're leaving and Harry is coming with us. He walked past the teans and grabbed Harry's arm pulling the two away. He continued out the door and down the hall trailing a mussed Harry after him. Methos turned to Draco.
"Oh, forgive him. He gets cranky when he's horny."
"Adam!"
"Coming love!" Methos winked at Draco and left Severus' chambers to the sound of Draco's laughter.
Tbc.
Sorry about the long wait. I'm a lazy sod *sweatdrops*. I promise it won't be so long in between updates. Really it won't. I just need my notebook back and I'll finish typing up chapter 7.
LORD OF THE RINGS : THE TWO TOWERS KICKS ROYAL BUM!!!!!!!!!!!
I like that move.
I LOVE Legolas.
Le sigh
Lady Cinnibar - I have to make my opinion known. Orlando Bloom is the hottest guy in the movie industry currently no ifs ands or buts in my mind. I LIKE the dark haired scruffy look on him. Ees vewy sessy. I'm sorry if you don't agree, but that is how I feel. Gimli was the gretest. I love the way you use that rollercoaster metaphor hun, that's great. I like unexpected twists.they're fun to work with, like a puzzle, keeping five or six subplots going at once. Computers are evil little machines sometimes, aren't they. I wish you luck in your disciplining of yours. AS to what u missed, you never reviewed the end of Weather Magic. I don't know if you have seen it or not, but I do wait on your reviews and I don't have one from you for the end. *tear*. I do want to pose a question, however. Where are you from? We've been talking like this for over a year and o don't even know what continent you're on. I, myself, am a joisey goil who wishes she lived in either Norway, Canada, or England. Your Pooka awaits word from thou. Until the morrow!
Aurumlupi - I like confusing people. I didn't think you were serious about killing people, but I got scared. I do most of my updates really late at night and I get scared.
Annakas - I've planned on slashing Mac from the beginning. I have two possibilities for a romance with him and I'm currently deciding on which to use. You'll have to wait to see which, though. Don't take anything this early in the story as definite yet when it comes to foreshadowing, as Lady Cinnibar likes to tell me, I'm full of twists and turns and Hitchcockian endings. You'll just have to wait and see.
Cheddar - hip hip, horray! hip hip horray! hip hip horray! *pause* hip hip horray! Hip hip horray! Hip hip horray! Hip hip horray! *pants* Eowyn rocks. I dressed up like Leggy (the only cross dressed one there.tee hee...) the second time I wore my "one ring" that I got for Christmas! Yay!
For once there was no big reunion at the Hogwarts Express. The entire group had been together for at least a week , and even the twins had arrived a few days ago to take a break from their store.
"Oi. This brings back memories."
"Damn. I thought we had repressed them."
"Why would we repress Hogwarts?"
"Howlers. Prank War. Pierson. Snape. Our dear brother and our dear captain."
"Oh, I get it. Oops.' Bill and Charlie rolled their eyes at the twins. They were the only ones who had heard the exchange. Everybody else was talking too loud.
"Alright, you first dear," Molly Weasley said to Ginny. Ginny nodded and ran through the barrier. The twins turned to Bill and Charlie as Ron and Hermione got set to travel through.
"Well, it's nice meeting you chaps-"
"Don't be strangers-"
"You're strange enough already-"
"Ta Ta!" The twins called as the stepped through the barrier to apparate back to Hogsmead. Bill started to laugh softly and Charlie shook his head. Taking their cues from their mother, Bill and Charlie walked through the barrier, following the twins. Mrs. Weasley followed, to yell at the Twins for the loud crash they had all heard. Draco smirked and pounced, kissing Harry for all he was worth before pulling the now unsteady boy through the barrier.
The gang was going back to Hogwarts.
***
The five settled down into their compartment, paired off as they usually are, with Ginny sitting next to Ron and Hermione, by the window. Completely absorbed in her reading.
"Ginny.Ginny.Ginny!" Hermione sighed. "It's no use. What is she reading?" Ron looked at the cover.
"The Neverending Story. It's an interactive Magic Book. Only she can pull herself out of the story, otherwise we'll have to wait until she finishes." He looked closer. "I think that's Percy's copy. It was his favorite book until he read The Lord Of The Rings."
"Oh." Hermione looked vaguely concerned, but trusted Ron's assessment of Magical Artifacts. They all, save Ginny, looked up when the compartment door opened. There was Pansy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Well. So it is true. Malfoy's sided with the Gryffindor's golden boy. Surely your father-"
"My father no longer has any influence on my life, and it would do you well to not mention him in my presence again." Draco's voice was as cold and condescending as always and Pansy looked scared for a moment. She recovered with a smirk.
"Without your father you're nothing, Draco." She turned to leave, signaling for the two goons to follow. They looked at each other, then back at Draco, who stared at them without emotion. They hesitated. "Crabbe! Goyle!" With one last look at Draco they turned and followed Pansy back to her compartment.
Harry took Draco's hand. It was trembling. HE pulled Draco into an embrace.
"Shh, Drake, it'll be ok." Draco clung to him.
"With Pansy in power now, how am I going to survive the dorms? It was bad enough last year, when everybody still thought I was backed by my father. Now.they'll eat me alive. Harry smoothed Draco's hair.
"Don't worry. We'll talk to Severus and Adam when we get to school. They'll know what to do." Draco nodded and they looked over at Ron and Hermione.
"Oi, Herm. You have a Ron on your face. You might want to get that checked." Without breaking the kiss Ron lifted his hand and flipped of Draco, casing both Draco and Harry to laugh. Ron and Herm broke off just a moment before Ginny looked up from her book.
"Did I miss something?"
That set them all off and as you well know, once you start to laugh, everything is funny. They were laughing the whole way to Hogwarts.
***
The sorting was the longest in Harry's schooling there. Unfortunately it would also be the largest for at least a decade to come. Dumbledore stood at teacher's table. The hall was silent.
"The announcement I am about to make is very important. Over the summer the Ministry announced Voldemot's return to power." There were murmers, but they were quickly squashed. "I know some of you may have not heard this. I also realize that to some this is old news. It pains me to admit, but I'm afraid this will be your war to fight. We will try and prevent this as much as possible, but in order to prepare you for the inevitable DADA classes will be doubled, and a new class, Physical Defense, has been added to the curriculum. It will be taught by Professor MacLeod," he gestured and Mac waved from his seat. "This class is mandatory for all years." Dumbledore looked over the hall, pausing in his speech. "We are once again entering dark times. There will be restrictions and dangers and lost loves. Be strong for each other and we will survive." Dumbledore took a deep breath and the dark shadow that had appeared on his face lifted, revealing his twinkling eyes.
"In other news, stay away from the forbidden forest. It's forbidden for a reason. Quidditch season will go on as usual and due to last year's success of the Halloween Ball, we are having a Yule Ball this year for 4th years and above.
"Now, for a few parting words. "Fiddle-sticks, flibbertigibbet, and armoire. Thank you." He sat and the tabled filled with food.
"Eat, drink, and be merry," Muttered Methos under his breath. Severus finished the thought.
"For tomorrow we die." They smirked at each other and raised their glasses in a silent toast.
***
Methos and Severus had retired to their rooms and were having a nightcap when there was nock at the door. Methos raised an eyebrow at Severus, who went to answer the door.
"Draco? Harry? Come in. What's wrong?"
"What?' Draco asked as he entered. "We're not allowed to visit our favorite professors for no reason?"
"Nope." Harry snickered, but placed a comforting hand at the small of Draco's back. Draco leaned into the comforting touch.
"We were confronted by Pansy on the Train. She had Crabbe and Goyle with her. She now has the power of Slytherin House behind her. I'm afraid to sleep in the dorms. They might throttle me in my sleep." Methos raised an eyebrow.
"I hardly think they'll kiss you in your sleep." They all turned to look at him. "Slytherins tend to stab you in the back if they're going to. As long as you sleep on your back you'll be fine." Severus rolled his eyes, and Draco looked sorrowfully at Methos.
"If they're good for one thing, Crabbe and Goyle are good at following orders. They'd kill each other if they were told to. There's no way I can fight them off if they attack me physically." Severus pursed his lips.
"Get your things for tomorrow. You can stay here for tonight. Do not tell anybody where you'll be staying and do not be followed. We'll figure out proper arrangements in the morning." Draco nodded. "Harry, stay here. You won't be allowed in with Draco anyway and it will arouse suspicion that will not help anything." Harry nodded and Draco left to get his things."
Methos turned to Harry.
"Do you honestly think there's a threat to Draco's life if he stays there?" Harry nodded.
"Yes. Those who would be picked to do it have already had their first kill. The sanctity of life wont stop them. The others are too scared of being next to speak up." Methos shook his head.
"This is ridiculous. Babies killing babies. Children murdering children. I've lived through some atrocities in my life-time. Participated in some. But this will always horrify me. This is insane." Severus smiled sadly.
"Such is the world we live in now, love. Voldemort likes to get them young, makes them more trainable and therefore more valuable." Methos scowled.
"Even for a monster like him this is beyond low. Mankind has evolved beyond this by at least 5000 years." He shook his head. "I don't know whether that's me or the father in me speaking."
"You were a father?" asked Harry, "but I though immortals couldn't have children."
"They can't," said Methos, "In earlier times I married women who were pregnant out of wedlock or who were eventually unfaithful. In later years I use artificial insemination or adopt."
"That's what my father did," said Severus. "He found me and raised me as his own. Many immortals do. It makes living forever a bit more bearable for a few decades." Harry nodded, understanding.
"How many kids have you had, Professor Pierson?"
"Oh, hundreds. I may not remember every name, but I remember every face as clear as day."
Draco reentered Snape's rooms then, a green satchel on his back, and a fuzzy something in his arms. He shivered.
"It was like walking into a snake pit, no pun intended. Pansy glared at me the whole time I wasn't in my room, and Crabbe and Goyle just stared. I had just finished packing and turned, seeing Crabbe and Goyle standing behind me, blocking the exit. They had the oddest looks on their face. Goyle asked me where I was going, and I said I wasn't sleeping in the Slytherin dorms anymore. He nodded and said that it was probably for the best. I was safer that way. I must have looked at them oddly, cause Crabbe laughed. He said that though they follow Pansy around, that if I needed them, they were loyal to me first. It was just safer to follow Pansy publicly for now. They also said that not many Slytherns shared their feelings, but as Pansy grew in power, they felt more would turn from her. Considering Goyle's grades in Divination I wouldn't be surprised. Then Pansy called them and they smiled at me once more before looking dumb and leaving. When I left the entire common room glared at me." Severus and Methos looked thoughtful as Harry simply held into Draco.
"I'm not surprised Crabbe and Goyle still feel loyal to you. They must sense you're stronger than Pansy. They won't support you publicly for a while yet, not until Pansy looses some of her support. That may not happen for a while yet, so it's best not to rely on it happening soon." Severus assessed. Methos nodded his agreement.
"If they can be turned from Pansy it's also possible they can be turned from Voldemort. Let's not loose hope on the children yet." Severus nodded at Methos, then turned back to the children.
"Go and say you're goodnight's then. We'll walk Harry back to Gryffindor tower." Severus turned to give the teens some privacy, waited a moment before reaching out and physically turning Methos around. "Don't stare," he growled at Methos who mock glared at him and stuck out his tongue. A few minutes passed and they turned back around. Methos laughed and Severus rolled his eyes. "Alright already. We're leaving and Harry is coming with us. He walked past the teans and grabbed Harry's arm pulling the two away. He continued out the door and down the hall trailing a mussed Harry after him. Methos turned to Draco.
"Oh, forgive him. He gets cranky when he's horny."
"Adam!"
"Coming love!" Methos winked at Draco and left Severus' chambers to the sound of Draco's laughter.
Tbc.
Sorry about the long wait. I'm a lazy sod *sweatdrops*. I promise it won't be so long in between updates. Really it won't. I just need my notebook back and I'll finish typing up chapter 7.
LORD OF THE RINGS : THE TWO TOWERS KICKS ROYAL BUM!!!!!!!!!!!
I like that move.
I LOVE Legolas.
Le sigh
Lady Cinnibar - I have to make my opinion known. Orlando Bloom is the hottest guy in the movie industry currently no ifs ands or buts in my mind. I LIKE the dark haired scruffy look on him. Ees vewy sessy. I'm sorry if you don't agree, but that is how I feel. Gimli was the gretest. I love the way you use that rollercoaster metaphor hun, that's great. I like unexpected twists.they're fun to work with, like a puzzle, keeping five or six subplots going at once. Computers are evil little machines sometimes, aren't they. I wish you luck in your disciplining of yours. AS to what u missed, you never reviewed the end of Weather Magic. I don't know if you have seen it or not, but I do wait on your reviews and I don't have one from you for the end. *tear*. I do want to pose a question, however. Where are you from? We've been talking like this for over a year and o don't even know what continent you're on. I, myself, am a joisey goil who wishes she lived in either Norway, Canada, or England. Your Pooka awaits word from thou. Until the morrow!
Aurumlupi - I like confusing people. I didn't think you were serious about killing people, but I got scared. I do most of my updates really late at night and I get scared.
Annakas - I've planned on slashing Mac from the beginning. I have two possibilities for a romance with him and I'm currently deciding on which to use. You'll have to wait to see which, though. Don't take anything this early in the story as definite yet when it comes to foreshadowing, as Lady Cinnibar likes to tell me, I'm full of twists and turns and Hitchcockian endings. You'll just have to wait and see.
Cheddar - hip hip, horray! hip hip horray! hip hip horray! *pause* hip hip horray! Hip hip horray! Hip hip horray! Hip hip horray! *pants* Eowyn rocks. I dressed up like Leggy (the only cross dressed one there.tee hee...) the second time I wore my "one ring" that I got for Christmas! Yay!
