A/N: So sorry for the late update, thanks once again for all those who
reviewed. This chapter is dedicated to you guys.
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Chapter four:
Draco flew higher; the cool breeze felt good; his pulse was racing. This was what he needed - to be alone for a minute with his thoughts.
Different emotions were running through him: anxiety, excitement, fear, he couldn't figure out what feeling felt stronger.
He was up high now – roughly about sixty feet in the air. He was nearing one of the open widows in the great hall, if he remembered correctly that window was right below the platform between the Slytherin table and high table were all the teachers were supposed to sit in.
"Ah! There it is," he murmured as he saw the window.
He sat down on the ledge and watched the scene before him silently. No one saw him yet which was what he wanted, he hoped that Potter would enter ahead of him so that he'd swallow up the attention, Draco knew Harry hated attention.
Draco checked the door. 'Where the hell is he?' Dumbledore is about to end his start – of – the – term speech.
~*~
Harry dodged another water balloon. Peeves was clapping his hands together – this was thoroughly amusing him, Harry thought.
Finally, Harry saw the doors to the Great Hall. He bolted for the door and with all the strength that he could muster up at the moment; he pushed the door open, ran inside and, shut the door behind him.
Through the thick doors Harry could hear the faint chanting of the poltergeist.
Harry started to smile when he noticed something. It was too quiet. Slowly, he turned on his heel and was greeted by inquiring, curious and/or amused faces.
"Ah! Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has arrived."
Harry could see Professor Dumbledore standing and acknowledged him with a beaming smile.
"Everyone, Professor Harry Potter."
The last two words seemed to echo all throughout the Great Hall, the whispers abruptly died down, the stares became more obvious.
But that wasn't the reason why Harry's heart started to beat louder and faster. High up in the teacher's table, stationed beside Professor Sinatra (the astronomy teacher), was none other than his two best friends. Well –they might as well be his two ex - best friends, on the account that for several years, Harry didn't return any of their owls, causing them to cut off their connection all together.
There were three options: they would either kill him, welcome him or even act like they didn't used to be the 'Dream team', which in Harry's case would be even worse than them killing him.
Harry shook his head and forced himself to clear his mind and walk steadily towards the waiting headmaster.
That's when he heard it, the whispers and murmurs of the students.
"Why that's Harry Potter." One Ravenclaw said, his voice filled with awe.
"He's our teacher? Wait 'till I tell mum! Did you know that she attended school the same time he had?" A first year Hufflepuff boasted.
'Of course,' Harry thought grimly. 'How could I forget, I'm Harry Potter, the boy – who – lived, the man – who – defeated – the – Dark Lord. That's all I'll ever be.' Now that he thought about it, how could he teach? His students would be too busy gaping at his scar. Instinctively, he tried to flatten his hair down to hide the cursed thing.
He reached the High Table now. Professor Dumbledore was standing up. His hand outstretched over the table, Harry shook it.
"Welcome back Harry – how are you?" Dumbledore greeted with a smile, the twinkle in his eye still present in the old wizard.
"Thank you sir. I'm doing well." Harry said returning his smile with a grin of his own.
"How is Mrs. Potter?" Dumbledore asked.
"She's had better days sir, but doing well. She's in good hands." Harry assured, referring to Ginny.
Dumbledore nodded.
Harry went from teacher to teacher, exchanging pleasantries and smiles. Finally, Harry reached the end of the table and when he saw whom it was he was to greet, he started to sweat. Harry walked around the table and muttered a hello to both Ron and Hermione. Hermione, to everyone's surprise did something totally out of character. She stood up and walked briskly up to Harry and hugged him fiercely.
"Where the hell have you been?" Hermione whispered angrily through soft sobs.
Harry had a huge lump in his throat. He returned Hermione's hug. After a second Hermione suddenly pulled back.
"We'll talk later." She whispered.
Harry nodded dumbly, not paying much attention because Ron was standing less than a foot away from them, his arms crossed over his chest and his mouth set in a grim line.
Harry took a tentative step forward and stuck out his hand. Ron looked down on it, and as Harry was about to take his hand back, Ron surprised him by taking it and shaking Harry's hand firmly before pulling him into a brotherly hug.
Harry burst out laughing, all the mixed emotions he felt ten minutes ago quickly disappeared, and all that was left was happiness.
Ron patted Harry's back and stepped back.
"Great to see you mate." Ron said.
"Great to see you too."
Harry took his seat between his two best friends and looked around.
"Where's Malfoy?" Harry asked to no one in particular.
"Didn't you come together?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded in reply. Automatically his eyes drifted towards the high window between the Slytherin table and the high table. He chuckled when he saw Malfoy looking out the window, completely oblivious to the noise below him.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron asked as he followed Harry's gaze.
Harry shrugged. "He's been like that since we dropped Parvati off at your sister's place."
"I'm gonna call him." Harry decided.
Ron dropped his spoon in surprise.
"You changed Harry," Hermione commented. "When I last saw you, I'm pretty sure you would do anything to avoid extra attention." She said with a grin.
Harry rolled his eyes and smiled. "I haven't changed much Herm, I have this," Harry held up his wrist.
"That's a watch Harry." Ron said before gulping down his glass of juice.
"Not just any watch," Harry grinned. "I reinvented it, it's like a walkie-talkie." Harry explained with a shrug.
"So Malfoy has the other one?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Harry confirmed with a nod.
With nothing left to say, Harry pressed a button on the side and whispered to it.
A second later, Draco turned his attention to the table and glared at Harry before jumping and landing gracefully on the platform in a half - kneeling position.
Some Slytherins jumped in surprise at the sudden movement but was replaced quickly with gasps of approval coming from the female portion of the table. (The others haven't seen him yet he was still kneeling.)
He lifted his head and glared at Harry. "Took you long enough." He said to Harry.
Harry smirked.
"Mr. Malfoy!" The headmaster's voice boomed followed by an appreciative chuckle filled with mirth. He turned to the students who were craning their necks to see what all the commotion was about. "Everyone, may I introduce your new Potion Master and head of Slytherin House for the year, Professor Draco Malfoy."
Draco stood up and walked with dignity towards the Headmaster. Completely ignoring the excitement coming from the female population most in Slytherin having heard who their new Head of House was.
"Professor." Draco greeted with a slight bow.
"Mr. Malfoy, have you been there the whole time?"
Draco nodded. "Sorry, I'm late." He apologized.
Dumbledore shook it off with a wave of his hand. "That's quite all right," Dumbledore smiled. "I dare say you've found a way to catch the attention of the students," he whispered in Draco's ear.
Draco shrugged and continued to go around the table, greeting the teachers. He paused when he reached Harry and the others.
"I missed your reunion," Draco said with a smirk.
Harry smirked back. "You wouldn't have liked it anyway Malfoy," Harry swung an arm on each of his friends. "I didn't have to grovel."
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks and smirked at Harry.
"Oh trust me Harry, you'll grovel," Ron said with a knowing smile. "You'll definitely grovel."
"You're not off the hook yet Potter." Hermione said as she wagged her finger.
Harry grimaced. "I knew it."
Ron laughed and punched him lightly on the arm.
Draco sneered and sent Harry an I- told – you – so look before sitting down. He turned back to them. "I'm welcome to watch aren't I?"
Ron looked at him with surprise.
"What happened to Malfoy? What did you do to him?" Ron demanded. "Tell me how you did it?" Ron's expression changed from surprise to a smug look when Draco glared at him obviously annoyed.
The trio burst out laughing causing most of the members of the faculty to stare at them. Only the professors who taught the four students during their Hogwarts days smiled in content, knowing that the year would be filled with unexpected surprises.
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A/N: Do you guys like it? Sorry to those who are disappointed because there wasn't any Draco/Ginny action in this chapter, but this story is also about Harry and his friends. Don't fret. Patience is key here people. Review please and again no flames.
Till we meet again!
~~~Littlewhitehorse
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Chapter four:
Draco flew higher; the cool breeze felt good; his pulse was racing. This was what he needed - to be alone for a minute with his thoughts.
Different emotions were running through him: anxiety, excitement, fear, he couldn't figure out what feeling felt stronger.
He was up high now – roughly about sixty feet in the air. He was nearing one of the open widows in the great hall, if he remembered correctly that window was right below the platform between the Slytherin table and high table were all the teachers were supposed to sit in.
"Ah! There it is," he murmured as he saw the window.
He sat down on the ledge and watched the scene before him silently. No one saw him yet which was what he wanted, he hoped that Potter would enter ahead of him so that he'd swallow up the attention, Draco knew Harry hated attention.
Draco checked the door. 'Where the hell is he?' Dumbledore is about to end his start – of – the – term speech.
~*~
Harry dodged another water balloon. Peeves was clapping his hands together – this was thoroughly amusing him, Harry thought.
Finally, Harry saw the doors to the Great Hall. He bolted for the door and with all the strength that he could muster up at the moment; he pushed the door open, ran inside and, shut the door behind him.
Through the thick doors Harry could hear the faint chanting of the poltergeist.
Harry started to smile when he noticed something. It was too quiet. Slowly, he turned on his heel and was greeted by inquiring, curious and/or amused faces.
"Ah! Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has arrived."
Harry could see Professor Dumbledore standing and acknowledged him with a beaming smile.
"Everyone, Professor Harry Potter."
The last two words seemed to echo all throughout the Great Hall, the whispers abruptly died down, the stares became more obvious.
But that wasn't the reason why Harry's heart started to beat louder and faster. High up in the teacher's table, stationed beside Professor Sinatra (the astronomy teacher), was none other than his two best friends. Well –they might as well be his two ex - best friends, on the account that for several years, Harry didn't return any of their owls, causing them to cut off their connection all together.
There were three options: they would either kill him, welcome him or even act like they didn't used to be the 'Dream team', which in Harry's case would be even worse than them killing him.
Harry shook his head and forced himself to clear his mind and walk steadily towards the waiting headmaster.
That's when he heard it, the whispers and murmurs of the students.
"Why that's Harry Potter." One Ravenclaw said, his voice filled with awe.
"He's our teacher? Wait 'till I tell mum! Did you know that she attended school the same time he had?" A first year Hufflepuff boasted.
'Of course,' Harry thought grimly. 'How could I forget, I'm Harry Potter, the boy – who – lived, the man – who – defeated – the – Dark Lord. That's all I'll ever be.' Now that he thought about it, how could he teach? His students would be too busy gaping at his scar. Instinctively, he tried to flatten his hair down to hide the cursed thing.
He reached the High Table now. Professor Dumbledore was standing up. His hand outstretched over the table, Harry shook it.
"Welcome back Harry – how are you?" Dumbledore greeted with a smile, the twinkle in his eye still present in the old wizard.
"Thank you sir. I'm doing well." Harry said returning his smile with a grin of his own.
"How is Mrs. Potter?" Dumbledore asked.
"She's had better days sir, but doing well. She's in good hands." Harry assured, referring to Ginny.
Dumbledore nodded.
Harry went from teacher to teacher, exchanging pleasantries and smiles. Finally, Harry reached the end of the table and when he saw whom it was he was to greet, he started to sweat. Harry walked around the table and muttered a hello to both Ron and Hermione. Hermione, to everyone's surprise did something totally out of character. She stood up and walked briskly up to Harry and hugged him fiercely.
"Where the hell have you been?" Hermione whispered angrily through soft sobs.
Harry had a huge lump in his throat. He returned Hermione's hug. After a second Hermione suddenly pulled back.
"We'll talk later." She whispered.
Harry nodded dumbly, not paying much attention because Ron was standing less than a foot away from them, his arms crossed over his chest and his mouth set in a grim line.
Harry took a tentative step forward and stuck out his hand. Ron looked down on it, and as Harry was about to take his hand back, Ron surprised him by taking it and shaking Harry's hand firmly before pulling him into a brotherly hug.
Harry burst out laughing, all the mixed emotions he felt ten minutes ago quickly disappeared, and all that was left was happiness.
Ron patted Harry's back and stepped back.
"Great to see you mate." Ron said.
"Great to see you too."
Harry took his seat between his two best friends and looked around.
"Where's Malfoy?" Harry asked to no one in particular.
"Didn't you come together?" Hermione asked.
Harry nodded in reply. Automatically his eyes drifted towards the high window between the Slytherin table and the high table. He chuckled when he saw Malfoy looking out the window, completely oblivious to the noise below him.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron asked as he followed Harry's gaze.
Harry shrugged. "He's been like that since we dropped Parvati off at your sister's place."
"I'm gonna call him." Harry decided.
Ron dropped his spoon in surprise.
"You changed Harry," Hermione commented. "When I last saw you, I'm pretty sure you would do anything to avoid extra attention." She said with a grin.
Harry rolled his eyes and smiled. "I haven't changed much Herm, I have this," Harry held up his wrist.
"That's a watch Harry." Ron said before gulping down his glass of juice.
"Not just any watch," Harry grinned. "I reinvented it, it's like a walkie-talkie." Harry explained with a shrug.
"So Malfoy has the other one?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Harry confirmed with a nod.
With nothing left to say, Harry pressed a button on the side and whispered to it.
A second later, Draco turned his attention to the table and glared at Harry before jumping and landing gracefully on the platform in a half - kneeling position.
Some Slytherins jumped in surprise at the sudden movement but was replaced quickly with gasps of approval coming from the female portion of the table. (The others haven't seen him yet he was still kneeling.)
He lifted his head and glared at Harry. "Took you long enough." He said to Harry.
Harry smirked.
"Mr. Malfoy!" The headmaster's voice boomed followed by an appreciative chuckle filled with mirth. He turned to the students who were craning their necks to see what all the commotion was about. "Everyone, may I introduce your new Potion Master and head of Slytherin House for the year, Professor Draco Malfoy."
Draco stood up and walked with dignity towards the Headmaster. Completely ignoring the excitement coming from the female population most in Slytherin having heard who their new Head of House was.
"Professor." Draco greeted with a slight bow.
"Mr. Malfoy, have you been there the whole time?"
Draco nodded. "Sorry, I'm late." He apologized.
Dumbledore shook it off with a wave of his hand. "That's quite all right," Dumbledore smiled. "I dare say you've found a way to catch the attention of the students," he whispered in Draco's ear.
Draco shrugged and continued to go around the table, greeting the teachers. He paused when he reached Harry and the others.
"I missed your reunion," Draco said with a smirk.
Harry smirked back. "You wouldn't have liked it anyway Malfoy," Harry swung an arm on each of his friends. "I didn't have to grovel."
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks and smirked at Harry.
"Oh trust me Harry, you'll grovel," Ron said with a knowing smile. "You'll definitely grovel."
"You're not off the hook yet Potter." Hermione said as she wagged her finger.
Harry grimaced. "I knew it."
Ron laughed and punched him lightly on the arm.
Draco sneered and sent Harry an I- told – you – so look before sitting down. He turned back to them. "I'm welcome to watch aren't I?"
Ron looked at him with surprise.
"What happened to Malfoy? What did you do to him?" Ron demanded. "Tell me how you did it?" Ron's expression changed from surprise to a smug look when Draco glared at him obviously annoyed.
The trio burst out laughing causing most of the members of the faculty to stare at them. Only the professors who taught the four students during their Hogwarts days smiled in content, knowing that the year would be filled with unexpected surprises.
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A/N: Do you guys like it? Sorry to those who are disappointed because there wasn't any Draco/Ginny action in this chapter, but this story is also about Harry and his friends. Don't fret. Patience is key here people. Review please and again no flames.
Till we meet again!
~~~Littlewhitehorse