Part Five: Cornering Dumbledore
"Now that that's all over and done with, I can introduce your teachers and we may finally begin dinner," Snape said, an appraising look still on several of the newly sorted students. Something about the Lowe boy really caught him. He looked familiar.
"Right then. As most of you know, I am your Potions Professor, Severus Snape. Also, I am a Master of Potions, and am well known in the wizarding world. Meaning I know more about potions than you do, so never be so crass as to question me, or you will learn why I am in Slytherin," he said coldly. "Right, Miss Granger?" Hermione jumped and squeaked, then settled down and looked embarassed.
"Thank you, Severus," said Professor McGonagall, coming from a door behind the Head table, a Dumbledore in baby blue robes behind her. She slipped into her seat and turned to smile at the students. "I am Minerva McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts. I am also the Deputy Headmistress, so if there is ever a time when you cannot find Headmaster Dumbledore, come to my office on the first floor. "Professor McGonagall smiled then gestured towards a man with shoulder length black hair pulled back in a pony tail and black eyes. "All the Professors will continue introducing themselves, then we may have dinner."
The man she gestured at stood up. "My name is Mucha Yukan, your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for this summer programme and hopefully next school year," he said. "My name means, roughly, "Fears nothing", though I could debate that with my mother. I hope you enjoy my class, and that nothing happens while I hold that post." Professor Yukan bowed and sat down.
"Call me Professor Sprout, yes? I teach Herbology outside in the green houses. Hope to see you all there bright and early tomorrow!" said a plump, grey-haired woman.
Next came Lidia Stiffwind, a stand in for Madam Hooch who was in Austria on vacation. After her was, surprising, Oliver Wood. He'd taken the summer off Puddlemere United so he could assist students who couldn't play Quidditch to save their grandmothers. Sibyll Trelawney was still the resident Divination Professor, and Linus Flitwick was the Charms. The dead Professor Binns was still History of Magic, and Rubeus Hagrid was still Care of Magical Creatures. Astronomy was Professor Sinistra, and Ancient Studies was a Miss Jenna Kraden. The new class, Wandless Arts, was taught by a Professor Mallen Oak. Another new class, Dragons, was unsurprisingly taught by another new addition to the staff, Charlie Weasley.
The Weasley twins had skipped out on school during the Umbridge incident, so to help forgive any missed classes, and to retake the Newts, they were teaching what they called Weasleys Alchemy, or W.A. for short. The class generally consisted of how to use ingenuity to create potions and spells for your every need, with Weasley Wizard Wheezes as an example. Unbeknowest to McGonagall, they planned to use the end of the period to sell some of their products. Muggles Studies was taught by a Gradia Seles. Runes and Arithmancy was taught by Professor Vector, and the names of the school's certified Medi-witch and the detention management, Pomphrey and Argus Filch, were given, along with the Library Mistress, Madam Pince.
"Well, that's that, I say," said a fully recovered Dumbledore. "Now, as per usual, students under 7th year aren't allowed in the Forbidden Forest. It was named that for a reason. On that note, 7th years that do go in must be accompanied by a teacher. Quidditch will not be performed this year, but small interHouse teams may be formed. A team can consist of people from any House, as long as your Head of House approves. That said, let me give you a few words of wisdom: Twinkle, twinkle, comfy, warm, puffy, fluffy, WAFFLES! Thank you, and enjoy the feast!"
The students stared at Dumbledore, most wondering if he was mad. Only Heero had a secretive smirk on his face, knowing that the words were from a shoujo anime called 'Sugar'. He was distracted from his musings by the appearance of food before him. He was mildly surprised, but he was sure Duo would explain it to him later.
Meanwhile, said boy was standing up from the Slytherin table and moving off. A pale hand grabbed his arm, pulling him to a halt.
"Where are you going?" Draco Malfoy asked. Duo tossed his braid over his shoulder and grinned.
"To sit with Heero, of course!" he chirped, turning to continue on his way. Draco tugged on his arm again. "What?"
"You can't sit at the Gryffindor table," he hissed, conscious of all the people watching them.
"Why not?" Duo asked, tilting his head cutely. Draco sighed, then inwardly grinned. He wondered how good the braided boy's powers of persuasion were, and whether he could use them.
"It's just not done," was the blond's answer. "Gryffindor and Slytherin have been enemies since Hogwarts was made."
"Not true," Duo interrupted. "I have it on good authority that the House rivalries started after Salazar Slytherin died, and that Godric Gryffindor was distantly related to him. Also, Salazar Slytherin was in quite the passionate relationship with Helga Hufflepuff. She was quite stunning in her time."
"How do you know all this?" Draco asked, stunned.
"I read," Duo said, not mentioning the fact that all the information he was saying was from the seventh book. "Don't you remember what the Sorting Hat said last year? Unite or crumble. Shouldn't we try to listen?"
Draco stared. He'd never given the Sorting Hat another thought though he had changed over the first part of summer. He guessed now was as good a time as any to change fully. "What should I do, then?"
"Come sit with me at the Gryffindor table, and show the school that interhouse relations is what's needed now. I can assure you, doing this will tip the balance in the fight against Voldemort toward the light side," Duo said.
"You said his name," said Draco. "You're either very brave or very stupid."
"I've been called stupid often enough, and I'm obviously not very brave. If I was I'd be in Gryffindor," Duo muttered.
"Not necessarily. Who would want to be a goody-goody Gryffindor, anyway? It's better if you just date one and leave it at that," Draco said, then promptly looked surprised.
Duo giggled. "You wanna date someone in Gryffindor? Who? Come on, tell me!" he said, leaning closer eagerly. Draco looked uncomfortable, sliding a quick look at the object of his affection. Harry Potter was sitting beside one of the foreign students and talked animatedly. Blushing very, very lightly, Draco headed for the Gryffindor table. Duo dragged his feet in surprise. Draco turned on him.
"Well, come on, then. Quickly, before I change my mind," he muttered. Duo squealed happily and dragged Draco to the Gryffindor table. He moved beside Heero.
"Hey, Hee-chan! Look who I brought! Can we sit here?" Duo asked loudly, causing the Great Hall to look at him. Most of the students stared, and the Gryffindors' lips curled.
"Who's he?" Ron asked, sneering at Duo. "And what's Malfoy doin' with him? You know this Slytherin, Heero?"
Heero Yuy looked up to see Duo standing beside him with the pale blond from the Three Broomsticks. Duo looked a little angry but understanding at the same time.
"Duo is..." The braided boy watched Heero curiously as he spoke. "...my friend," Heero finished. Duo flashed him a wide grin and he decided that pushing his mask aside for a bit was a good idea. "And Draco Malfoy is the boy I met today at the Three Broomsticks."
"The Three Broomsticks? What were you doin' there? I heard that's where the foreign students were comin' in, and that only a select few of Dumbledore's most trusted students would be allowed to meet them ther--wait, Malfoy was there?!" Ron rambled. He looked at Duo and Heero incrediously. "You're the foreign students?"
"Duo Maxwell," Duo said, grinning. Hermione smiled at him, which Ron caught.
"You were there too, 'Mione? Who else was there?" Ron demanded.
"Ron, I don't think--" Harry began.
"Who.Else.Was.There?" Ron asked in clipped tones.
"Malfoy, Pansy, Blaise, Susan Bones, Terry Boot, Lisa Turpin, me, Harry, Ginny and that Pemberton kid that was sorted," Hermione said hurriedly.
"Parkinson! Zabini!" Ron raged.
"Calm down, Ron!" Harry pleaded.
"Calm down!? No! I can see what's going on here! It's always Harry, isn't it? And you, Hermione, always the smart, important one! And what am I, nothing but another redheaded Weasley," Ron ranted.
"Glad you finally understand, Weasel," Draco drawled.
"Ron, that isn't true!" Hermione said.
"No? Then why did Ginny get to go, hm? Tell me that!" he said.
"I don't know!" Hermione yelled, drawing the attention of the entire Great Hall. "I don't know. Why don't you go ask Dumbledore instead of yelling at Harry and I about your insecurities. And if you really cared about them so much, you wouldn't be yelling them out for Malfoy and the new kids to hear!" With that, Hermione stood and gestured to Duo. "Sit!" she barked, gesturing to the place she'd vacated. She pushed Harry out of his seat, then waved to Malfoy. "You too!" Startled, Draco sat.
Harry stood and dusted himself off, indignant. "Hey! Where are we supposed to sit now?" he demanded.
"A moment," Hermione said quietly, watching Ron's incredious face. A second later Harry's question was answered.
"So that's how it is, eh? Why are you so buddy buddy with Malfoy now? You know what, nevermind! I don't want to know what you did over the summer, and I refuse to sit with someone with so little dignity as to consort with a Malfoy!" With that empassioned speech, Ron stood. "Come on, Parvati!" He dragged his girlfriend out of her seat and marched off, Parvati throwing an apologetic look over her shoulder and mouthing, 'Talk to you later?' Hermione nodded and smiled. She turned to Harry and bowed, a hand sweeping out to the newly vacated seats.
"Well?" she said, primly sitting in Ron's previous seat. Shrugging, Harry slipped into Parvati's. Hermione turned to Duo. "Nice move with bringing Draco over here. Reminds me of the Sorting Hat's warning. What better way to get it through everyone's head than to start with Slytherin and Gryffindor?" Duo smiled his thanks.
"I've been meaning to ask you," Harry said. "When did you get all nice with Malfoy? Today at the Three Broomsticks he called you a Mudblood and you cheerily answered with 'Ferret Face.' No offense to your intelligence, 'Mione, but something doesn't quite fit."
"S'okay, Harry. I understand. I guess it's time to tell you what I've been up to this summer, hm?" she said. Harry, Duo, and even Heero nodded. "Well, the day we went home, after I last saw you on the train with Moody, Remus and Tonks, I decided to write a letter about my feelings concerning our House rivalries and how it was affecting the balance between darkness and light. As you know, I tend to go off on a tangent sometimes--" Harry snorted and Hermione threw him a sharp look. "--and it turned into three pieces of 12 inch parchment. And to make matters worse, I lost it on the Platform. So, feeling incredibly peeved, I went home and tore up my room in anger."
Hermione caught the disbelieving looks she was receiving. "What? I can get properly angry, you know. I'm the same as any other girl here at Hogwarts!" she said. "And you know me and homework. I felt as if I'd lost a favorite project. Anyway, low and behold, I received an owl. The owl had my letter and another attached to its leg. The second letter was a response to mine, and had no name or address on it. It was very well written, and countered everything I said. I got angry again, but realized that whoever sent this would be a worthy adversary in a debate. And so, I wrote a quick response -only a few feet or so- and instructed the owl to take it back to the owner.
"A few days later I received a response, and from then on I had a sort of invisible pen pal, free to speak my mind and debate with. After awhile, the subject of House rivalry soured and we moved onto other things, namely the lives of the students at Hogwarts. I had long ago deduced that my pen pal was a Hogwarts student and we shared various insights on the way it was run and propaganda seen at school."
Harry and the others listened avidly, expressions of intense interest on their faces.
"After that it was only natural to move onto our personal lives. I told him about my friends here at Hogwarts, you, Harry, and Ron. And I told him about being muggle-born and also of my intelligence. I knew that my pen pal knew who I was. They'd sent my letter back, didn't they? But what made me uneasy is that I didn't know who I was talking to. For some reason it never occured to me to wonder who the person was. Sure, he'd told me he was afraid of the dark, and that he had a pension for large chocolate consumption. It was a weakness, really. But I could be talking to Voldemort for all I know.
"That was when I started subtly asking who he was. And yes, it was a 'he'. For the longest while I thought I was talking to a girl, with his penchant for ending letters with little worries about his nails and hair, but eventually he told me his gender. Surprisingly, it didn't put me off. I found him to be an intelligent person, and that made gender meaningless. Still, I wanted to know who he was. In the end, though he was very cunning, an ice cream sundae was his downfall.
"You see, the day he wrote the letter that revealed his identity, he was at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley. He'd written that he'd ordered a chocolate parfait, because it was perfect like him. Whatever. Anyway, his writing started out detached, with the sentence 'I just pulled a piece of paper out of my pocket', and he generally went on about his order and how good it was for a good while. Eventually he got to the usual important matters, then his fairwell about his poor delicate skin. But he didn't realize that he finally gave me the clue I needed to figure out who he was. It was a pretty big clue. He'd written to me on some of his personalized stationary, that he just happened to keep in his robe pocket for emergencies." Hermione stopped a moment to take a sip of pumpkin juice and check the clock. Satisfied they had plenty of time, she continued.
"The paper said in rather large and intricate lettering, 'Draco Lucifer Malfoy, fourth heir of Malfoy Manor and son to Lucius Malfoy Esq., current lord of Malfoy Manor.' That was a dead giveaway, if there ever was one. Unless Blaise Zabini walks around with Malfoy personalized stationary," Hermione finished. She took another sip of pumpkin juice, then turned to her riveted audience. Draco sat a bit apart from the rest, a light blush on his pale face, and Duo had a huge grin on his.
"So Draco gave away his identity through stationary? Classic!" the braided boy said, laughing. Harry joined in and Heero smirked.
"So what your saying is that you and Malfoy became friends through correspondence? You didn't stop when you found out who it was?" Harry asked.
"Not at all. If I had, it wouldn't have gone well for me. You have to remember, I told Malfoy quite a bit about me, so he had blackmailing material for the next twenty odd years. I couldn't just drop him," Hermione answered. "Besides, after I raged at him in a twenty foot long letter--"
"Which I didn't bother to read," Draco muttered.
"--I decided this new friendship was okay and that I forgave him. Also, he quite thoroughly explained his actions for the past five years, and the reasons why he so drastically changed. Besides the occasional Mudblood or Ferret comment, we're good."
The group sat in silence for a moment. Finally, Duo and Harry said at the exact same moment,"Whoa." Hermione giggled and Draco smirked.
"I hope you all are enjoying your dinners," came Dumbledore's voice suddenly.
"Damn. We've listened to Hermione so long we forgot about Dumbledore's speech," muttered Harry. Duo stood just a bit and signalled for Trowa, Quatre and Wufei to sit at their table. Said boys quickly stood and headed their way, when Duo remembered there were no extra seats.
"Sorry, Hee-chan. It's in the line of duty this time," Duo muttered quickly, before suddenly standing up and reseating himself in a startled Heero's lap. "Don't say a word." Heero obediently said nothing, his training kicking in. When Trowa and Quatre arrived, Duo gestured to his empty seat. Nodding, Trowa sat down and Quatre sat in his lap. Noticing Wufei still didn't have a seat, Duo looked frantically around.
"Don't worry," Hermione said. She stood quickly and plopped down in Harry's lap, the dark haired boy unfazed. "Harry's my best friend and he won't mind me borrowing his lap for a while." Hermione didn't notice the dark look Draco was sending her. Wufei finally reached the table and slipped into the seat Hermione had vacated in favor of Harry's lap.
"What do you need?" he asked, speaking for all of them. Trowa, Heero and Quatre all leaned slightly forward so that the five boy's were partially insulated. They couldn't entirely avoid Draco, Harry and Hermione hearing them, but they could keep out the Irish blond to the left and Ginny Weasley, who kept shooting them interested looks.
"Tell you after Dumbledore's speech," Duo said quickly. Everyone leaned back again and prepared to listen to the old man, completely dismissing the shocked and curious looks Gryffindor table was getting.
"I apologize for cutting your meal short, but I would like to inform last years Prefects that they will actively continue their roles and will receive their own rooms somewhere inside their dorms. Please lead the new Prefects along the path of perfectness," the Headmaster said, chuckling at his small analogy. "On that note, the fifth year Prefects have the password and will have to inform you before you retire to bed. Thank you, and have a great year. It is a half hour to curfew, so I expect you all in bed." Still smiling widely, Dumbledore swept out of the Great Hall. When the last fold of his baby blue robes disappeared around a corner, all the food on the tables went with it.
"Aw, man! I didn't even get to eat!" Duo whined, mourning the loss of the kidney pie and pumpkin juice.
"Don't worry, Duo. Harry and I will stop by the kitchen on the way to our dorms and drop off some food with you. Better yet, let Draco," said Hermione.
"Naw, I'll do it," said Harry. "This way I can get Dobby to drop it off directly in your rooms and not get any of us in trouble for being up after hours."
"That's right!" Duo said. "Brilliant!" Harry blushed at his praise.
"Whatever. Get on with what you were saying," Heero interrupted, letting his glare sweep the group, quickly subduing them.
"Right then. Well, we still have to corner Dumbledore and figure out what the hell is going on, and I have it on good authority that his office is behind a gargoyle statue on the third floor," Duo said.
"You mean you played the Harry Potter game for Playstation and marked down all the floors," Quatre muttered. Duo sent him a halfhearted glare, then laughed.
"Right as always, Kit Kat. I could probably figure out the password too, so we can be in his office soon. There we can ask him what he plans for us, and why he took us from our comfy homes in the future," he said.
"You mean our cramped safe house where we were bored out of our minds awaiting another mission," Wufei said. Duo sighed.
"Is everyone determined to be morbid today? Must I do all the work? I'll have you know that being cheerful is a 24/7 job and very tiring. I--" Duo was cut off by Heero's fingers on his lips. His cheeks tinged pink.
"Once everyone starts moving I need Trowa and Wufei at front point and Quatre at center point until we get out of the Great Hall. Since Draco, Harry and Hermione are probably deep in this now, I need you, Wufei, to guard them. Duo and I will follow," Heero said. "Once we are in an empty corridor, Harry will branch off and get us dinner sent up to our seperate dorms, and Hermione will show us exactly were Dumbledore's office is. Once we are there, Hermione, go get Harry and bring him there. I have a feeling that Draco, you and Harry have something to do with this. Understood?"
"Affirmative," Quatre, Duo, Trowa and Wufei chorused.
"Understood," said Harry, Hermione and Draco. Heero nodded decisively then pushed Duo off his lap. At that exact moment everyone in the Great Hall decided they had lingered long enough. The teens quickly got into the formation they'd agreed upon. They hurried out of the Hall, then turned left, darting through the flood of students. Eventually they reached the grand staircase, then climbed that along with hundreds of other students. Before they reached the top someone called out.
"Hey, Draco! Where are you going? It's almost after curfew!" came the call. Draco turned to see Blaise Zabini calling out, Pansy Parkinson directly behind him.
"I feel like exploring, Zabini. Not that it's any of your business," Draco said. "Besides, I think it's pretty Slytherin of me to be out after curfew."
Blaise opened his mouth to agree so he could be on his way, but Pansy beat him to it.
"Not when it involves filthy Gryffindors! That new kid should be horsewhipped for dragging you over to that hell hole! AND he should be flogged for daring to throw your girlfriend out of her seat! I understand you couldn't help me because of your image, Draco, but he still needs to be punished!" she cried. Draco sighed loudly, drawing the attention of several students that slowed to a stop to watch the drama.
"First off, Parkinson, you aren't my girlfriend. Sure, Father forced me to date you for a few years, but now he's in Azkaban and I can do whatever the hell I please. Mother can't do much, being interviewed by the Ministry all the time," he drawled. "Secondly, if you didn't notice, I allowed Duo to throw you out of your chair. Your constant simpering was beginning to annoy me, and quite frankly, your breath could kill a whale from fifty paces." Pansy's mouth opened and closed like a fish as the people surrounding him, including Duo, Harry and even Blaise, began clapping enthusiastically. Draco just smirked. "Now if you will excuse me, I must be going," he said, turning and striding purposefully off, leaving Pansy to fume silently on the stairs.
"Well done, Draco," Hermione said, grinning along with Duo.
"Yes, quite well done Mr. Malfoy," said an oh-too-familiar voice. All eight teens turned oh-so-slowly to meet the twinkling eyes of their Headmaster.
"H-Headmaster Dumbledore, sir," Harry stuttered, turning a bright shade of red. Dumbledore just smiled softly.
"Haven't you children got a Headmaster to corner?" he asked. The teens just stared at him in disbelief. He smiled again. "By the way, I believe Miss Granger should be the one to inform Dobby that his extraordinary talents are needed while the rest of you follow me. After you are through, Miss Granger, please return to your dorm." Hermione nodded quickly and darted off. Dumbledore turned to the remaining boys. "I suspect you have questions. Follow me."
The Headmaster led them through a secret passageway in one of the girl's loos and straight to the third floor. "Hershey's," he told the gargoyle, which lept aside and allowed him to lead them into his office. He took out his wand and waved it twice, conjuring five chairs out of thin air. When the boys sent him questioning looks, Dumbledore just shrugged. "What? You didn't seemed to have a problem sitting on each other before," he said. With that said, Heero sat in one chair with Duo in his lap, Trowa in another with Quatre, and Harry, Draco and Wufei alone.
Dumbledore moved behind his desk and picked up a small pouch. Shaking out a few of it's contents, he offered them to the boys. "Lemon drop?" They shook their heads. "Right then. Well, I guess it is about time I told you about why you were brought here. The explanation involves both Mr.Malfoy and Mr.Potter. You see, it all began with a prophecy..."
***Tsuzuku or TBC***
"Now that that's all over and done with, I can introduce your teachers and we may finally begin dinner," Snape said, an appraising look still on several of the newly sorted students. Something about the Lowe boy really caught him. He looked familiar.
"Right then. As most of you know, I am your Potions Professor, Severus Snape. Also, I am a Master of Potions, and am well known in the wizarding world. Meaning I know more about potions than you do, so never be so crass as to question me, or you will learn why I am in Slytherin," he said coldly. "Right, Miss Granger?" Hermione jumped and squeaked, then settled down and looked embarassed.
"Thank you, Severus," said Professor McGonagall, coming from a door behind the Head table, a Dumbledore in baby blue robes behind her. She slipped into her seat and turned to smile at the students. "I am Minerva McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts. I am also the Deputy Headmistress, so if there is ever a time when you cannot find Headmaster Dumbledore, come to my office on the first floor. "Professor McGonagall smiled then gestured towards a man with shoulder length black hair pulled back in a pony tail and black eyes. "All the Professors will continue introducing themselves, then we may have dinner."
The man she gestured at stood up. "My name is Mucha Yukan, your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for this summer programme and hopefully next school year," he said. "My name means, roughly, "Fears nothing", though I could debate that with my mother. I hope you enjoy my class, and that nothing happens while I hold that post." Professor Yukan bowed and sat down.
"Call me Professor Sprout, yes? I teach Herbology outside in the green houses. Hope to see you all there bright and early tomorrow!" said a plump, grey-haired woman.
Next came Lidia Stiffwind, a stand in for Madam Hooch who was in Austria on vacation. After her was, surprising, Oliver Wood. He'd taken the summer off Puddlemere United so he could assist students who couldn't play Quidditch to save their grandmothers. Sibyll Trelawney was still the resident Divination Professor, and Linus Flitwick was the Charms. The dead Professor Binns was still History of Magic, and Rubeus Hagrid was still Care of Magical Creatures. Astronomy was Professor Sinistra, and Ancient Studies was a Miss Jenna Kraden. The new class, Wandless Arts, was taught by a Professor Mallen Oak. Another new class, Dragons, was unsurprisingly taught by another new addition to the staff, Charlie Weasley.
The Weasley twins had skipped out on school during the Umbridge incident, so to help forgive any missed classes, and to retake the Newts, they were teaching what they called Weasleys Alchemy, or W.A. for short. The class generally consisted of how to use ingenuity to create potions and spells for your every need, with Weasley Wizard Wheezes as an example. Unbeknowest to McGonagall, they planned to use the end of the period to sell some of their products. Muggles Studies was taught by a Gradia Seles. Runes and Arithmancy was taught by Professor Vector, and the names of the school's certified Medi-witch and the detention management, Pomphrey and Argus Filch, were given, along with the Library Mistress, Madam Pince.
"Well, that's that, I say," said a fully recovered Dumbledore. "Now, as per usual, students under 7th year aren't allowed in the Forbidden Forest. It was named that for a reason. On that note, 7th years that do go in must be accompanied by a teacher. Quidditch will not be performed this year, but small interHouse teams may be formed. A team can consist of people from any House, as long as your Head of House approves. That said, let me give you a few words of wisdom: Twinkle, twinkle, comfy, warm, puffy, fluffy, WAFFLES! Thank you, and enjoy the feast!"
The students stared at Dumbledore, most wondering if he was mad. Only Heero had a secretive smirk on his face, knowing that the words were from a shoujo anime called 'Sugar'. He was distracted from his musings by the appearance of food before him. He was mildly surprised, but he was sure Duo would explain it to him later.
Meanwhile, said boy was standing up from the Slytherin table and moving off. A pale hand grabbed his arm, pulling him to a halt.
"Where are you going?" Draco Malfoy asked. Duo tossed his braid over his shoulder and grinned.
"To sit with Heero, of course!" he chirped, turning to continue on his way. Draco tugged on his arm again. "What?"
"You can't sit at the Gryffindor table," he hissed, conscious of all the people watching them.
"Why not?" Duo asked, tilting his head cutely. Draco sighed, then inwardly grinned. He wondered how good the braided boy's powers of persuasion were, and whether he could use them.
"It's just not done," was the blond's answer. "Gryffindor and Slytherin have been enemies since Hogwarts was made."
"Not true," Duo interrupted. "I have it on good authority that the House rivalries started after Salazar Slytherin died, and that Godric Gryffindor was distantly related to him. Also, Salazar Slytherin was in quite the passionate relationship with Helga Hufflepuff. She was quite stunning in her time."
"How do you know all this?" Draco asked, stunned.
"I read," Duo said, not mentioning the fact that all the information he was saying was from the seventh book. "Don't you remember what the Sorting Hat said last year? Unite or crumble. Shouldn't we try to listen?"
Draco stared. He'd never given the Sorting Hat another thought though he had changed over the first part of summer. He guessed now was as good a time as any to change fully. "What should I do, then?"
"Come sit with me at the Gryffindor table, and show the school that interhouse relations is what's needed now. I can assure you, doing this will tip the balance in the fight against Voldemort toward the light side," Duo said.
"You said his name," said Draco. "You're either very brave or very stupid."
"I've been called stupid often enough, and I'm obviously not very brave. If I was I'd be in Gryffindor," Duo muttered.
"Not necessarily. Who would want to be a goody-goody Gryffindor, anyway? It's better if you just date one and leave it at that," Draco said, then promptly looked surprised.
Duo giggled. "You wanna date someone in Gryffindor? Who? Come on, tell me!" he said, leaning closer eagerly. Draco looked uncomfortable, sliding a quick look at the object of his affection. Harry Potter was sitting beside one of the foreign students and talked animatedly. Blushing very, very lightly, Draco headed for the Gryffindor table. Duo dragged his feet in surprise. Draco turned on him.
"Well, come on, then. Quickly, before I change my mind," he muttered. Duo squealed happily and dragged Draco to the Gryffindor table. He moved beside Heero.
"Hey, Hee-chan! Look who I brought! Can we sit here?" Duo asked loudly, causing the Great Hall to look at him. Most of the students stared, and the Gryffindors' lips curled.
"Who's he?" Ron asked, sneering at Duo. "And what's Malfoy doin' with him? You know this Slytherin, Heero?"
Heero Yuy looked up to see Duo standing beside him with the pale blond from the Three Broomsticks. Duo looked a little angry but understanding at the same time.
"Duo is..." The braided boy watched Heero curiously as he spoke. "...my friend," Heero finished. Duo flashed him a wide grin and he decided that pushing his mask aside for a bit was a good idea. "And Draco Malfoy is the boy I met today at the Three Broomsticks."
"The Three Broomsticks? What were you doin' there? I heard that's where the foreign students were comin' in, and that only a select few of Dumbledore's most trusted students would be allowed to meet them ther--wait, Malfoy was there?!" Ron rambled. He looked at Duo and Heero incrediously. "You're the foreign students?"
"Duo Maxwell," Duo said, grinning. Hermione smiled at him, which Ron caught.
"You were there too, 'Mione? Who else was there?" Ron demanded.
"Ron, I don't think--" Harry began.
"Who.Else.Was.There?" Ron asked in clipped tones.
"Malfoy, Pansy, Blaise, Susan Bones, Terry Boot, Lisa Turpin, me, Harry, Ginny and that Pemberton kid that was sorted," Hermione said hurriedly.
"Parkinson! Zabini!" Ron raged.
"Calm down, Ron!" Harry pleaded.
"Calm down!? No! I can see what's going on here! It's always Harry, isn't it? And you, Hermione, always the smart, important one! And what am I, nothing but another redheaded Weasley," Ron ranted.
"Glad you finally understand, Weasel," Draco drawled.
"Ron, that isn't true!" Hermione said.
"No? Then why did Ginny get to go, hm? Tell me that!" he said.
"I don't know!" Hermione yelled, drawing the attention of the entire Great Hall. "I don't know. Why don't you go ask Dumbledore instead of yelling at Harry and I about your insecurities. And if you really cared about them so much, you wouldn't be yelling them out for Malfoy and the new kids to hear!" With that, Hermione stood and gestured to Duo. "Sit!" she barked, gesturing to the place she'd vacated. She pushed Harry out of his seat, then waved to Malfoy. "You too!" Startled, Draco sat.
Harry stood and dusted himself off, indignant. "Hey! Where are we supposed to sit now?" he demanded.
"A moment," Hermione said quietly, watching Ron's incredious face. A second later Harry's question was answered.
"So that's how it is, eh? Why are you so buddy buddy with Malfoy now? You know what, nevermind! I don't want to know what you did over the summer, and I refuse to sit with someone with so little dignity as to consort with a Malfoy!" With that empassioned speech, Ron stood. "Come on, Parvati!" He dragged his girlfriend out of her seat and marched off, Parvati throwing an apologetic look over her shoulder and mouthing, 'Talk to you later?' Hermione nodded and smiled. She turned to Harry and bowed, a hand sweeping out to the newly vacated seats.
"Well?" she said, primly sitting in Ron's previous seat. Shrugging, Harry slipped into Parvati's. Hermione turned to Duo. "Nice move with bringing Draco over here. Reminds me of the Sorting Hat's warning. What better way to get it through everyone's head than to start with Slytherin and Gryffindor?" Duo smiled his thanks.
"I've been meaning to ask you," Harry said. "When did you get all nice with Malfoy? Today at the Three Broomsticks he called you a Mudblood and you cheerily answered with 'Ferret Face.' No offense to your intelligence, 'Mione, but something doesn't quite fit."
"S'okay, Harry. I understand. I guess it's time to tell you what I've been up to this summer, hm?" she said. Harry, Duo, and even Heero nodded. "Well, the day we went home, after I last saw you on the train with Moody, Remus and Tonks, I decided to write a letter about my feelings concerning our House rivalries and how it was affecting the balance between darkness and light. As you know, I tend to go off on a tangent sometimes--" Harry snorted and Hermione threw him a sharp look. "--and it turned into three pieces of 12 inch parchment. And to make matters worse, I lost it on the Platform. So, feeling incredibly peeved, I went home and tore up my room in anger."
Hermione caught the disbelieving looks she was receiving. "What? I can get properly angry, you know. I'm the same as any other girl here at Hogwarts!" she said. "And you know me and homework. I felt as if I'd lost a favorite project. Anyway, low and behold, I received an owl. The owl had my letter and another attached to its leg. The second letter was a response to mine, and had no name or address on it. It was very well written, and countered everything I said. I got angry again, but realized that whoever sent this would be a worthy adversary in a debate. And so, I wrote a quick response -only a few feet or so- and instructed the owl to take it back to the owner.
"A few days later I received a response, and from then on I had a sort of invisible pen pal, free to speak my mind and debate with. After awhile, the subject of House rivalry soured and we moved onto other things, namely the lives of the students at Hogwarts. I had long ago deduced that my pen pal was a Hogwarts student and we shared various insights on the way it was run and propaganda seen at school."
Harry and the others listened avidly, expressions of intense interest on their faces.
"After that it was only natural to move onto our personal lives. I told him about my friends here at Hogwarts, you, Harry, and Ron. And I told him about being muggle-born and also of my intelligence. I knew that my pen pal knew who I was. They'd sent my letter back, didn't they? But what made me uneasy is that I didn't know who I was talking to. For some reason it never occured to me to wonder who the person was. Sure, he'd told me he was afraid of the dark, and that he had a pension for large chocolate consumption. It was a weakness, really. But I could be talking to Voldemort for all I know.
"That was when I started subtly asking who he was. And yes, it was a 'he'. For the longest while I thought I was talking to a girl, with his penchant for ending letters with little worries about his nails and hair, but eventually he told me his gender. Surprisingly, it didn't put me off. I found him to be an intelligent person, and that made gender meaningless. Still, I wanted to know who he was. In the end, though he was very cunning, an ice cream sundae was his downfall.
"You see, the day he wrote the letter that revealed his identity, he was at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley. He'd written that he'd ordered a chocolate parfait, because it was perfect like him. Whatever. Anyway, his writing started out detached, with the sentence 'I just pulled a piece of paper out of my pocket', and he generally went on about his order and how good it was for a good while. Eventually he got to the usual important matters, then his fairwell about his poor delicate skin. But he didn't realize that he finally gave me the clue I needed to figure out who he was. It was a pretty big clue. He'd written to me on some of his personalized stationary, that he just happened to keep in his robe pocket for emergencies." Hermione stopped a moment to take a sip of pumpkin juice and check the clock. Satisfied they had plenty of time, she continued.
"The paper said in rather large and intricate lettering, 'Draco Lucifer Malfoy, fourth heir of Malfoy Manor and son to Lucius Malfoy Esq., current lord of Malfoy Manor.' That was a dead giveaway, if there ever was one. Unless Blaise Zabini walks around with Malfoy personalized stationary," Hermione finished. She took another sip of pumpkin juice, then turned to her riveted audience. Draco sat a bit apart from the rest, a light blush on his pale face, and Duo had a huge grin on his.
"So Draco gave away his identity through stationary? Classic!" the braided boy said, laughing. Harry joined in and Heero smirked.
"So what your saying is that you and Malfoy became friends through correspondence? You didn't stop when you found out who it was?" Harry asked.
"Not at all. If I had, it wouldn't have gone well for me. You have to remember, I told Malfoy quite a bit about me, so he had blackmailing material for the next twenty odd years. I couldn't just drop him," Hermione answered. "Besides, after I raged at him in a twenty foot long letter--"
"Which I didn't bother to read," Draco muttered.
"--I decided this new friendship was okay and that I forgave him. Also, he quite thoroughly explained his actions for the past five years, and the reasons why he so drastically changed. Besides the occasional Mudblood or Ferret comment, we're good."
The group sat in silence for a moment. Finally, Duo and Harry said at the exact same moment,"Whoa." Hermione giggled and Draco smirked.
"I hope you all are enjoying your dinners," came Dumbledore's voice suddenly.
"Damn. We've listened to Hermione so long we forgot about Dumbledore's speech," muttered Harry. Duo stood just a bit and signalled for Trowa, Quatre and Wufei to sit at their table. Said boys quickly stood and headed their way, when Duo remembered there were no extra seats.
"Sorry, Hee-chan. It's in the line of duty this time," Duo muttered quickly, before suddenly standing up and reseating himself in a startled Heero's lap. "Don't say a word." Heero obediently said nothing, his training kicking in. When Trowa and Quatre arrived, Duo gestured to his empty seat. Nodding, Trowa sat down and Quatre sat in his lap. Noticing Wufei still didn't have a seat, Duo looked frantically around.
"Don't worry," Hermione said. She stood quickly and plopped down in Harry's lap, the dark haired boy unfazed. "Harry's my best friend and he won't mind me borrowing his lap for a while." Hermione didn't notice the dark look Draco was sending her. Wufei finally reached the table and slipped into the seat Hermione had vacated in favor of Harry's lap.
"What do you need?" he asked, speaking for all of them. Trowa, Heero and Quatre all leaned slightly forward so that the five boy's were partially insulated. They couldn't entirely avoid Draco, Harry and Hermione hearing them, but they could keep out the Irish blond to the left and Ginny Weasley, who kept shooting them interested looks.
"Tell you after Dumbledore's speech," Duo said quickly. Everyone leaned back again and prepared to listen to the old man, completely dismissing the shocked and curious looks Gryffindor table was getting.
"I apologize for cutting your meal short, but I would like to inform last years Prefects that they will actively continue their roles and will receive their own rooms somewhere inside their dorms. Please lead the new Prefects along the path of perfectness," the Headmaster said, chuckling at his small analogy. "On that note, the fifth year Prefects have the password and will have to inform you before you retire to bed. Thank you, and have a great year. It is a half hour to curfew, so I expect you all in bed." Still smiling widely, Dumbledore swept out of the Great Hall. When the last fold of his baby blue robes disappeared around a corner, all the food on the tables went with it.
"Aw, man! I didn't even get to eat!" Duo whined, mourning the loss of the kidney pie and pumpkin juice.
"Don't worry, Duo. Harry and I will stop by the kitchen on the way to our dorms and drop off some food with you. Better yet, let Draco," said Hermione.
"Naw, I'll do it," said Harry. "This way I can get Dobby to drop it off directly in your rooms and not get any of us in trouble for being up after hours."
"That's right!" Duo said. "Brilliant!" Harry blushed at his praise.
"Whatever. Get on with what you were saying," Heero interrupted, letting his glare sweep the group, quickly subduing them.
"Right then. Well, we still have to corner Dumbledore and figure out what the hell is going on, and I have it on good authority that his office is behind a gargoyle statue on the third floor," Duo said.
"You mean you played the Harry Potter game for Playstation and marked down all the floors," Quatre muttered. Duo sent him a halfhearted glare, then laughed.
"Right as always, Kit Kat. I could probably figure out the password too, so we can be in his office soon. There we can ask him what he plans for us, and why he took us from our comfy homes in the future," he said.
"You mean our cramped safe house where we were bored out of our minds awaiting another mission," Wufei said. Duo sighed.
"Is everyone determined to be morbid today? Must I do all the work? I'll have you know that being cheerful is a 24/7 job and very tiring. I--" Duo was cut off by Heero's fingers on his lips. His cheeks tinged pink.
"Once everyone starts moving I need Trowa and Wufei at front point and Quatre at center point until we get out of the Great Hall. Since Draco, Harry and Hermione are probably deep in this now, I need you, Wufei, to guard them. Duo and I will follow," Heero said. "Once we are in an empty corridor, Harry will branch off and get us dinner sent up to our seperate dorms, and Hermione will show us exactly were Dumbledore's office is. Once we are there, Hermione, go get Harry and bring him there. I have a feeling that Draco, you and Harry have something to do with this. Understood?"
"Affirmative," Quatre, Duo, Trowa and Wufei chorused.
"Understood," said Harry, Hermione and Draco. Heero nodded decisively then pushed Duo off his lap. At that exact moment everyone in the Great Hall decided they had lingered long enough. The teens quickly got into the formation they'd agreed upon. They hurried out of the Hall, then turned left, darting through the flood of students. Eventually they reached the grand staircase, then climbed that along with hundreds of other students. Before they reached the top someone called out.
"Hey, Draco! Where are you going? It's almost after curfew!" came the call. Draco turned to see Blaise Zabini calling out, Pansy Parkinson directly behind him.
"I feel like exploring, Zabini. Not that it's any of your business," Draco said. "Besides, I think it's pretty Slytherin of me to be out after curfew."
Blaise opened his mouth to agree so he could be on his way, but Pansy beat him to it.
"Not when it involves filthy Gryffindors! That new kid should be horsewhipped for dragging you over to that hell hole! AND he should be flogged for daring to throw your girlfriend out of her seat! I understand you couldn't help me because of your image, Draco, but he still needs to be punished!" she cried. Draco sighed loudly, drawing the attention of several students that slowed to a stop to watch the drama.
"First off, Parkinson, you aren't my girlfriend. Sure, Father forced me to date you for a few years, but now he's in Azkaban and I can do whatever the hell I please. Mother can't do much, being interviewed by the Ministry all the time," he drawled. "Secondly, if you didn't notice, I allowed Duo to throw you out of your chair. Your constant simpering was beginning to annoy me, and quite frankly, your breath could kill a whale from fifty paces." Pansy's mouth opened and closed like a fish as the people surrounding him, including Duo, Harry and even Blaise, began clapping enthusiastically. Draco just smirked. "Now if you will excuse me, I must be going," he said, turning and striding purposefully off, leaving Pansy to fume silently on the stairs.
"Well done, Draco," Hermione said, grinning along with Duo.
"Yes, quite well done Mr. Malfoy," said an oh-too-familiar voice. All eight teens turned oh-so-slowly to meet the twinkling eyes of their Headmaster.
"H-Headmaster Dumbledore, sir," Harry stuttered, turning a bright shade of red. Dumbledore just smiled softly.
"Haven't you children got a Headmaster to corner?" he asked. The teens just stared at him in disbelief. He smiled again. "By the way, I believe Miss Granger should be the one to inform Dobby that his extraordinary talents are needed while the rest of you follow me. After you are through, Miss Granger, please return to your dorm." Hermione nodded quickly and darted off. Dumbledore turned to the remaining boys. "I suspect you have questions. Follow me."
The Headmaster led them through a secret passageway in one of the girl's loos and straight to the third floor. "Hershey's," he told the gargoyle, which lept aside and allowed him to lead them into his office. He took out his wand and waved it twice, conjuring five chairs out of thin air. When the boys sent him questioning looks, Dumbledore just shrugged. "What? You didn't seemed to have a problem sitting on each other before," he said. With that said, Heero sat in one chair with Duo in his lap, Trowa in another with Quatre, and Harry, Draco and Wufei alone.
Dumbledore moved behind his desk and picked up a small pouch. Shaking out a few of it's contents, he offered them to the boys. "Lemon drop?" They shook their heads. "Right then. Well, I guess it is about time I told you about why you were brought here. The explanation involves both Mr.Malfoy and Mr.Potter. You see, it all began with a prophecy..."
***Tsuzuku or TBC***