Disclaimers: The Harry Potter series belongs to JK Rowling.
Authors Note: Thanks for reviewing. I had attached some more text to Chapter 1 because I just noticed that somehow some of its text was missing. I have no idea how I have been able to drop it out but now it is back.
This chapter is little more about other people than Draco and so will be the next one. Draco is my focus and great love but I need to concentrate also to others because of the plot I'm trying to write.
Tale of the Great Ferret, Part One
Malfoy's Heir
Chapter 6
If the last summer was little easier to Draco Malfoy it was anything but to Gryffindor Trio. They were maybe perfectly safe but it was still the most devastating summer they had ever had. They were not yet allowed to participate in the Order but they had still been most of the summer in its headquarters. They had also once again suffered overwhelming loss then Charlie Weasley was one of summer's casualties. He had died defending one innocent family from Death Eaters' attack. It was death of the hero but that didn't lessen the grief.
Gryffindor Trio understood now clearly how Sirius Black had felt then he was not allowed to join the action few years back. It was almost unbearable to just sit home and wait then friends round them fell one after another. Sometimes they felt themselves so bitter. Why they had to live their youth in this kind of times? Why couldn't they already be competent wizards and witches then it was needed?
To Harry this was almost too much. He carried so much guilty about all this. Some of those people died because of him. He could never forget Molly Weasley's battle with the boggart and now it seemed like her fears were coming true. Order never forgot how crucial it was to keep Harry safe. And they didn't let Harry to forget either. He was the hope of the Wizarding World and still they didn't let him help. They just repeated how important symbol he was and how he just had to wait. That his time was coming but it was important that until that he was kept safe. He was not yet ready to face Voldemort. All this didn't help Harry's guiltiness at all.
Ron tried to keep his worry-free attitude even after Charlie's death. It was his way to maintain hope. He buried his sorrow to school life and pranks. He also tried to cheer up Harry but nothing helped to his despair. His friend's misery worried Ron greatly but he had also his own problems. He had finally understood that he felt something more than plain friendship for Hermione. Problem was that Hermione probably didn't feel same. She was often little withdrawn then Ron was present. Hermione also disapproved Ron's seemingly light attitude and didn't try to hide it.
Harry and Hermione were instead closer than ever. Then Ron couldn't cheer him up Harry looked for and find better worrying company from Hermione. No one could ever say that Hermione took things too lightly and now it suited to Harry. Hermione was also more capable to think situation from different point of views and intellectually discuss about guilty issues than Ron was. Of course they also had many Headboy and -girl businesses to take care of. So nowadays it was common to see Harry and Hermione sitting together and discussing with quiet voices while Ron spent time with other Gryffindors laughing and talking about quidditch.
Ron could understand why Harry and Hermione liked to spend time together but gradually it started to bother him more and more. He felt himself like an outcast and couldn't stop pangs of jealousy. He tried not to show his jealousy but sometimes it was too difficult and he couldn't stop scornful or cutting words escaping from his lips. It seemed like Gryffindor Trio would have finally broke up completely.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry and Hermione had spent relaxing Saturday afternoon in the library. They had studied but also talked. Harry was happy that he could just sit here in peace. Even in school but especially outside of school people always stared at him and whispered about him. He knew others expected him to save their world and it was heavy burden. In library with Hermione he could almost forget Voldemort for few precious moments. Then bunch of Gryffindor boys walked in to collect some books they needed. Ron was with them and when he noticed Harry and Hermione he only give them a cold glare. Boys left and Harry sighed sadly.
"I don't like this. This situation, Voldemort if we are frank, has now even destroyed our friendship. Why can't things be as they were? I still want to be Ron's best friend and I want all us three to be friends again."
"I know. This is difficult to me also. But we can't turn time back. But maybe we could try something to correct our relationship. It's not like we haven't quarreled earlier and always we have managed to fix things. We should try something to make things right again." Hermione agreed.
"What could we do? Ron is so stubborn he doesn't even want to understand us and nothing helps. He doesn't listen apologizes - and I'm not even going to apologize to him- and if we try to talk to him he only makes it a joke." Harry moaned.
"Our best times have been then we have done something together. Then we rescued the philosopher's stone or ran DA. Maybe we should find something that we could do together. Something else than studying." Hermione pondered.
"We can't exactly attack Voldemort now. I think Dumpledore and the Order would not appreciate it and I don't want to explain them that we almost got ourselves killed only because we wanted to do something together." Harry sneered.
"Well, it would certainly be entertaining to listen that conversation but maybe you are right. But still common enemy is best uniting factor." Hermione didn't oppose.
Just then Draco Malfoy entered in all his arrogant glory. He looked around as he owned the place and sneered to Gryffindors he saw. Then he intimidated some Hufflepuff first years out of his favourite table and sat down.
Harry and Hermione looked each other's. "How could I forget? I think we still have one not so dangerous enemy left we can all together fight against." Harry chuckled.
"We are now Headgirl and -boy remember. We can't really start a riot just a hell of it." Hermione protested.
"Why not? Just wait that teachers don't see and start then and afterwards blame Malfoy. Teachers will believe us except Snape and who cares about Snape." Harry disagreed.
"You are mean!" Hermione laughed "But perfectly right. And it's only right to Malfoy. He deserves it anyway."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry and Hermione made their best to be together with Ron as much as possible. Sometimes it was almost like in the good old times but the barrier was still there and good moments never lasted long. Nice chats dried up to uncomfortable silences or laugh chained to arguments. Something was clearly missing. Harry and Hermione didn't forget their plan and one evening they got their chance. Nice deserted hallway, no teachers anywhere in sight, suitable bunch of seventh year Slytherins including Draco Malfoy, Harry, Hermione and Ron together along with some other last year Gryffindors and all in little grumpy mood because of huge piles of homework.
First parties only glared each other's with contempt but soon Ron got angry and he couldn't keep his mouth shut.
"Hey Malfoy! Have you already purchased your Death Eater Mask? You have been awful quiet all year. Are you now so much of a Death Eater you don't have courage to do anything without your mask? Did you kill many children and women during the summer and are you proud of yourself?" Obviously Charlie's death bothered Ron more than he let out.
Draco only gave Ron a long disdainful look. Other Slytherins looked ready to defend themselves but nobody returned insults. Hermione found that extremely odd. Slytherins had always seemed so ready to fight. In fact they had started many if not most of fights Hogwarts had seen in the Hermione's school years. Now their Prince had been offended and no one said anything. And Malfoy himself had always been first to dash to fights but now he just stood there. It was really bizarre. Now when she thought about it Slytherins had been weird all year. Some would maybe say that they had been almost tame whole autumn and that was strange if anything.
Hermione had an odd feeling that this was not a good idea after all. Nice little fight would have been good to them, but it was obvious that this was not going a way they had thought it would. She touched Harry's wrist to get his attention and to express her worries. But Ron had just got started.
"You have nothing to say? Is Voldemort denied his little puppet boy from talking to strangers? My father says that you are shagging the Old Red Eye. Or should I say that he is shagging you? It's nice that you have eventually found something you can excel." Ron mocked.
Hermione had also heard some rumours in Order headquarters but she thought it was little too much to throw that to Malfoy's face like that. Ok, he was Malfoy, but still. She couldn't hold a disapproving glance. Ron was now out of line.
After Ron's comment there was dreadful quiet. Everyone looked Draco Malfoy who had tensed little. Hermione waited for explosion and so did the others. It never came. Malfoy relaxed little, smirked and answered.
"Nice manners, Weasley! It's so nice to see that Gryffindor's prefects and this year's Headboy and -girl really know how to behave and set a good example others to follow."
After that he turned his back to yet tensed Gryffindors and walked away other Slytherins following him.
Hermione blushed from shame and glanced quickly to Harry who also looked little embarrassed. Unfortunately also Ron noticed this and it really stung. It wasn't enough that Malfoy had acted like he was the lowest scum and not even worth of wrath but also his best friends were ashamed of him and probably thought he wasn't worth them. It had really hurt when he understood that Hermione would never love him in a way he hoped but now he understood also that even Harry valued her more than him. He felt that his both best friends had betrayed him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Same time Professor Snape was once again in Headmaster's office. He had come to talk about his dear Slytherins once again. They had exchanged usual pleasantries already and now he was going to business.
"Albus, I don't know how much you have been giving attention to my House's resent activities. But I have to tell you that there are few quite interesting tendencies going on. My seventh years are frantically choosing sides and debating the alternatives." He started.
"Really. Is there any hope that some would choose the light?" Headmaster asked.
"In fact I think many will. Of course some will need little support to come to that conclusion, but if I have understood right about one third or even half will choose the light. But they need little help from you. They know very well that choosing light can be fatal if they are alone with their decision. They need protection and assurance that you will shelter them from Voldemort at least as much as it's possible. They don't trust Ministry."
"Those are good news. I always mourn those students who turn to dark and in Slytherin they are many. What do you suggest I should do?"
"Blaise Zabini is the leader of those who are interested denying Dark Lord. But you should remember that even he does not adore our side so much. My Slytherins haven't many illusions about good or evil and I understand that you don't like it. But they can be very useful to our Cause. If not anything more they are not fighting against us and it's already a good thing."
"Don't worry, Severus. I understand advantages Slytherins give us and I get pleasure from every child who doesn't turn to Dark. I will talk to young Zabini and negotiate terms he and others are ready to join our troops." Headmaster declared.
Authors Note: Thanks for reviewing. I had attached some more text to Chapter 1 because I just noticed that somehow some of its text was missing. I have no idea how I have been able to drop it out but now it is back.
This chapter is little more about other people than Draco and so will be the next one. Draco is my focus and great love but I need to concentrate also to others because of the plot I'm trying to write.
Tale of the Great Ferret, Part One
Malfoy's Heir
Chapter 6
If the last summer was little easier to Draco Malfoy it was anything but to Gryffindor Trio. They were maybe perfectly safe but it was still the most devastating summer they had ever had. They were not yet allowed to participate in the Order but they had still been most of the summer in its headquarters. They had also once again suffered overwhelming loss then Charlie Weasley was one of summer's casualties. He had died defending one innocent family from Death Eaters' attack. It was death of the hero but that didn't lessen the grief.
Gryffindor Trio understood now clearly how Sirius Black had felt then he was not allowed to join the action few years back. It was almost unbearable to just sit home and wait then friends round them fell one after another. Sometimes they felt themselves so bitter. Why they had to live their youth in this kind of times? Why couldn't they already be competent wizards and witches then it was needed?
To Harry this was almost too much. He carried so much guilty about all this. Some of those people died because of him. He could never forget Molly Weasley's battle with the boggart and now it seemed like her fears were coming true. Order never forgot how crucial it was to keep Harry safe. And they didn't let Harry to forget either. He was the hope of the Wizarding World and still they didn't let him help. They just repeated how important symbol he was and how he just had to wait. That his time was coming but it was important that until that he was kept safe. He was not yet ready to face Voldemort. All this didn't help Harry's guiltiness at all.
Ron tried to keep his worry-free attitude even after Charlie's death. It was his way to maintain hope. He buried his sorrow to school life and pranks. He also tried to cheer up Harry but nothing helped to his despair. His friend's misery worried Ron greatly but he had also his own problems. He had finally understood that he felt something more than plain friendship for Hermione. Problem was that Hermione probably didn't feel same. She was often little withdrawn then Ron was present. Hermione also disapproved Ron's seemingly light attitude and didn't try to hide it.
Harry and Hermione were instead closer than ever. Then Ron couldn't cheer him up Harry looked for and find better worrying company from Hermione. No one could ever say that Hermione took things too lightly and now it suited to Harry. Hermione was also more capable to think situation from different point of views and intellectually discuss about guilty issues than Ron was. Of course they also had many Headboy and -girl businesses to take care of. So nowadays it was common to see Harry and Hermione sitting together and discussing with quiet voices while Ron spent time with other Gryffindors laughing and talking about quidditch.
Ron could understand why Harry and Hermione liked to spend time together but gradually it started to bother him more and more. He felt himself like an outcast and couldn't stop pangs of jealousy. He tried not to show his jealousy but sometimes it was too difficult and he couldn't stop scornful or cutting words escaping from his lips. It seemed like Gryffindor Trio would have finally broke up completely.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry and Hermione had spent relaxing Saturday afternoon in the library. They had studied but also talked. Harry was happy that he could just sit here in peace. Even in school but especially outside of school people always stared at him and whispered about him. He knew others expected him to save their world and it was heavy burden. In library with Hermione he could almost forget Voldemort for few precious moments. Then bunch of Gryffindor boys walked in to collect some books they needed. Ron was with them and when he noticed Harry and Hermione he only give them a cold glare. Boys left and Harry sighed sadly.
"I don't like this. This situation, Voldemort if we are frank, has now even destroyed our friendship. Why can't things be as they were? I still want to be Ron's best friend and I want all us three to be friends again."
"I know. This is difficult to me also. But we can't turn time back. But maybe we could try something to correct our relationship. It's not like we haven't quarreled earlier and always we have managed to fix things. We should try something to make things right again." Hermione agreed.
"What could we do? Ron is so stubborn he doesn't even want to understand us and nothing helps. He doesn't listen apologizes - and I'm not even going to apologize to him- and if we try to talk to him he only makes it a joke." Harry moaned.
"Our best times have been then we have done something together. Then we rescued the philosopher's stone or ran DA. Maybe we should find something that we could do together. Something else than studying." Hermione pondered.
"We can't exactly attack Voldemort now. I think Dumpledore and the Order would not appreciate it and I don't want to explain them that we almost got ourselves killed only because we wanted to do something together." Harry sneered.
"Well, it would certainly be entertaining to listen that conversation but maybe you are right. But still common enemy is best uniting factor." Hermione didn't oppose.
Just then Draco Malfoy entered in all his arrogant glory. He looked around as he owned the place and sneered to Gryffindors he saw. Then he intimidated some Hufflepuff first years out of his favourite table and sat down.
Harry and Hermione looked each other's. "How could I forget? I think we still have one not so dangerous enemy left we can all together fight against." Harry chuckled.
"We are now Headgirl and -boy remember. We can't really start a riot just a hell of it." Hermione protested.
"Why not? Just wait that teachers don't see and start then and afterwards blame Malfoy. Teachers will believe us except Snape and who cares about Snape." Harry disagreed.
"You are mean!" Hermione laughed "But perfectly right. And it's only right to Malfoy. He deserves it anyway."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harry and Hermione made their best to be together with Ron as much as possible. Sometimes it was almost like in the good old times but the barrier was still there and good moments never lasted long. Nice chats dried up to uncomfortable silences or laugh chained to arguments. Something was clearly missing. Harry and Hermione didn't forget their plan and one evening they got their chance. Nice deserted hallway, no teachers anywhere in sight, suitable bunch of seventh year Slytherins including Draco Malfoy, Harry, Hermione and Ron together along with some other last year Gryffindors and all in little grumpy mood because of huge piles of homework.
First parties only glared each other's with contempt but soon Ron got angry and he couldn't keep his mouth shut.
"Hey Malfoy! Have you already purchased your Death Eater Mask? You have been awful quiet all year. Are you now so much of a Death Eater you don't have courage to do anything without your mask? Did you kill many children and women during the summer and are you proud of yourself?" Obviously Charlie's death bothered Ron more than he let out.
Draco only gave Ron a long disdainful look. Other Slytherins looked ready to defend themselves but nobody returned insults. Hermione found that extremely odd. Slytherins had always seemed so ready to fight. In fact they had started many if not most of fights Hogwarts had seen in the Hermione's school years. Now their Prince had been offended and no one said anything. And Malfoy himself had always been first to dash to fights but now he just stood there. It was really bizarre. Now when she thought about it Slytherins had been weird all year. Some would maybe say that they had been almost tame whole autumn and that was strange if anything.
Hermione had an odd feeling that this was not a good idea after all. Nice little fight would have been good to them, but it was obvious that this was not going a way they had thought it would. She touched Harry's wrist to get his attention and to express her worries. But Ron had just got started.
"You have nothing to say? Is Voldemort denied his little puppet boy from talking to strangers? My father says that you are shagging the Old Red Eye. Or should I say that he is shagging you? It's nice that you have eventually found something you can excel." Ron mocked.
Hermione had also heard some rumours in Order headquarters but she thought it was little too much to throw that to Malfoy's face like that. Ok, he was Malfoy, but still. She couldn't hold a disapproving glance. Ron was now out of line.
After Ron's comment there was dreadful quiet. Everyone looked Draco Malfoy who had tensed little. Hermione waited for explosion and so did the others. It never came. Malfoy relaxed little, smirked and answered.
"Nice manners, Weasley! It's so nice to see that Gryffindor's prefects and this year's Headboy and -girl really know how to behave and set a good example others to follow."
After that he turned his back to yet tensed Gryffindors and walked away other Slytherins following him.
Hermione blushed from shame and glanced quickly to Harry who also looked little embarrassed. Unfortunately also Ron noticed this and it really stung. It wasn't enough that Malfoy had acted like he was the lowest scum and not even worth of wrath but also his best friends were ashamed of him and probably thought he wasn't worth them. It had really hurt when he understood that Hermione would never love him in a way he hoped but now he understood also that even Harry valued her more than him. He felt that his both best friends had betrayed him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Same time Professor Snape was once again in Headmaster's office. He had come to talk about his dear Slytherins once again. They had exchanged usual pleasantries already and now he was going to business.
"Albus, I don't know how much you have been giving attention to my House's resent activities. But I have to tell you that there are few quite interesting tendencies going on. My seventh years are frantically choosing sides and debating the alternatives." He started.
"Really. Is there any hope that some would choose the light?" Headmaster asked.
"In fact I think many will. Of course some will need little support to come to that conclusion, but if I have understood right about one third or even half will choose the light. But they need little help from you. They know very well that choosing light can be fatal if they are alone with their decision. They need protection and assurance that you will shelter them from Voldemort at least as much as it's possible. They don't trust Ministry."
"Those are good news. I always mourn those students who turn to dark and in Slytherin they are many. What do you suggest I should do?"
"Blaise Zabini is the leader of those who are interested denying Dark Lord. But you should remember that even he does not adore our side so much. My Slytherins haven't many illusions about good or evil and I understand that you don't like it. But they can be very useful to our Cause. If not anything more they are not fighting against us and it's already a good thing."
"Don't worry, Severus. I understand advantages Slytherins give us and I get pleasure from every child who doesn't turn to Dark. I will talk to young Zabini and negotiate terms he and others are ready to join our troops." Headmaster declared.