Chapter Thirteen - Of Meracus, Mockery and Meetings
Harry woke up feeling odd. He knew something was different. As he slowly regained consciousness, he became aware that there was an arm draped across his torso, it's ashen coloured skin contrasting against Harry's. Harry was never a morning person, so it took him a few minutes to register who's arm it was. He slowly sat up and memories began to flood back to him. Last night with Malfoy. The sex. The incredible sex. Harry looked down to see that his trousers were unzipped, and that he was very, very hard. Malfoy was hard too, and Harry took the opportune moment to reach into Malfoy's boxers and gripped his erection tightly. Malfoy's eyes shot open and he gasped, shocked at his wake up call.
"H-Harry!" Malfoy gulped.
"Morning," Harry mumbled, fisting Malfoy's cock slowly.
"What are you doing?" Malfoy squeaked.
"Making a cup of tea," Harry said sarcastically. "What does it look like?"
"We... I... we have to get ready," Malfoy yelped, jumping out of Harry's grasp and running into the bathroom.
What was that? "Malf - Draco?" Harry yelled.
Harry left the quarters before Malfoy came out of the bathroom, desperate for a wash and an attempt at taming his unkempt hair. Harry hoped that he didn't smell. It was seven o' clock or so in the morning, but the light outside suggested it was late afternoon, which was odd. The Great Hall was busy, and Harry noted that nearly all of the sixth year Slytherins were at their table - and... what? - they were all staring at him. Some people pointed, others laughed bluntly, others whispered spitefully.
"Morning, Harry," Hermione chirped, as Harry scampered over to the Gryffindor table. "Where's your school stuff?"
"I...uh... oh, shit," Harry frowned. "I've left it all at Malfoy's. Draco's. I'll leave early to go get them. So... how are you?"
Harry didn't want to face the Slytherin table, so he sat opposite Hermione and grabbed an apple. This seating wasn't particularly comfortable viewing either, as Cho and her gang were on the next table. Harry tried not to notice Cho as her eyes narrowed dangerously when she saw him talk to Hermione.
"I'm good," Hermione replied, flicking through a huge Muggle Studies book.
"Where's Ron?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Had a job to do," Hermione replied dully. "He seems a bit distant just now, I think it's best we leave him alone."
There was a sudden, cruel outburst of laughter as Malfoy stepped into the Hall. He looked utterly horrified at the sight of many of his peers sneering at him. He usually mocks them. Harry watched as Blaise strutted over to Malfoy and whispered something in his ear. Malfoy instantly dropped his satchel, the noise echoing around the room. A few people from other tables turned to look. Blaise was snickering cruelly, the other Slytherins were beside themselves with glee and Malfoy's eyes were shining unnaturally.
Blaise put a powerful arm around Malfoy and steered him over to where Malfoy's lot usually sat, including Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy, who was seething with fury as Malfoy sat down next to her, rubbing his eyes.
Harry couldn't notice anything else because there was too much morning chatter amongst the hundreds of pupils surrounding him, making him lose concentration. Hermione was talking to him, but he didn't listen. What were they saying to Malfoy? Was he in trouble?
"HARRY!" Hermione bellowed. Harry jumped. "Why do you keep on turning to look at the Slytherin table?"
"There's something going on with Draco," Harry said slowly.
Hermione craned her neck to peer at the Slytherin table. Sure enough, Malfoy was undergoing some serious - but sly - harassment. The Slytherins surrounding him were constantly hissing names at him, but no one looked as smug as Blaise, who passed a note to Malfoy. Upon reading it, Harry saw Malfoy bury his face in his hands, his beetroot red face standing out from the gaps between his pale fingers. More laughter followed.
"What did he do?" Hermione whispered quietly. "I mean, aside from being a mean little snob all the time."
"I don't know," Harry said through gritted teeth.
Harry was conscious that most people had been watching this strange fiasco, and because the Slytherins kept darting glances at Harry, other people were too. Some had even started to whisper behind hands, no doubt making up far-fetched stories that were bound to be spread around the school by lunchtime. He now felt a lot of eyes upon him.
"Got a staring problem?" Harry said loudly, glaring at numerous people in the Hall.
The whispers turned into a low buzzing sound and people began to cry out names too. Not precisely names, but statements such as "Always needs to feel wanted, doesn't he?". Harry couldn't believe this. All he wanted was to come in and get some breakfast, not to have everyone in the room talk about him.
"I'm going to go get my stuff," Harry announced, leaping to his feet.
"See you in class," Hermione whispered.
Harry rushed out of the Great Hall, chancing a glance at Malfoy to see how he was, but Malfoy remained hidden behind his hands. Harry's vision was blurred with anger, so he did not see the large, red looking object that came whizzing around the corner. They landed on the floor simultaneously. Harry rubbed his throbbing head tenderly and looked at the person in question.
"Ron," Harry moaned.
Ron stroked his chin carefully. It's collision with Harry's head had sent his body flying backwards, and he had landed hard on his elbows. He glared at Harry.
"I'm not talking to you."
"So what do you call this, then?"
"Shut up."
Harry rolled his eyes and heaved himself to his feet. Ron eyed him suspiciously.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I need to get to the Dungeons, I left my stuff at Malfoy's," Harry said firmly.
"Oh, so you were still all dopey-eyed from last night?" Ron growled.
Harry reeled back in shock. What? He - how? Ron knows? Ron got up, eyes still on Harry, and grabbed his bag.
"You know, 'don't you dare hit Draco!'" Ron mimicked Harry. "Gods Harry, I know you're a bit odd all of a sudden but... defending the enemy? What's gotten into you?"
"Ron," Harry moaned. "I have to be friendly to Draco, you know that. It's actually coming along well."
"Oh, goody," Ron said darkly, and promptly stalked off into the Great Hall.
Fine then. I'll just go get my stuff, and then hopefully everyone's not acting stupid when I get back.
Harry successfully made his way down to Snape's office before getting lost. He was sure it couldn't be that hard to get to where Malfoy's room was. He finally found his way there, recognising landmarks that he had seen when he had been with Malfoy yesterday. When he reached Malfoy's door, he swore violently. It was locked. Harry couldn't try to open it, or he would be in a broom closet until Malfoy found him. Stupid complicated doors.
"Try picking the lock," someone whispered.
Harry swung around. There was no one in the corridor. He looked around helplessly, and his eyes fell upon a rather grimy looking portrait. The person within was remarkable old, with a long grey beard tumbling down and out of sight from the picture. He wore half moon glasses, no - sunglasses. Harry peered at the man, deciding that this day could not get any stranger. With the long beard, numerous wrinkles and a firm face, Harry was strongly reminded of Dumbledore.
"Are you related to Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
The portrait scowled. "No, I'm not. I'm not related to him in anyway, thank Heaven." Harry frowned. "No, I am Meracus Sanguis Propugnator. The third."
Meracus puffed out his chest proudly and looked down his nose at Harry, who was starting to feel quite overwhelmed. He desperately wanted to get to class. It was a rare moment.
"It's a long name, I know. It's Latin. Of course, you'll know all about Latin," Meracus said.
"No," Harry said worriedly.
"What? But all Slytherins, all pure bloods must know Latin!" Meracus said angrily.
"I'm not a Slytherin, look," Harry pointed out the Gryffindor badge on his robes.
"What in the name of Salazar Slytherin is going on? Why is there a Gryffindor down here?" Meracus roared.
"Please keep your voice down!" Harry pleaded. "I'm working with Draco Malfoy for a few weeks."
"Ah yes, a Malfoy. Such a pure family made my job almost effortless. Almost," Meracus gazed into the distance. "I suppose you're not a pure blood?" Meracus sniffed.
"Not that it matters, but I'm a half-blood," Harry said, starting to feel angry.
Meracus looked considerably furious. His eyes narrowed dangerously and he bent down so he was level with Harry.
"Listen here, you half-breed," Meracus hissed, "It was my job to pursue Salazar Slytherin's orders to stop any half-bloods or mudbloods enter this school, and by God I am ashamed of what Hogwarts has become if it lets inbred people like you in!"
"Shut up!" Harry yelled. He exhaled deeply and ran his fingers through his hair, something he liked to do to calm himself down. He didn't realise that he had now revealed his scar to Meracus.
"You... you're Harry Potter," Meracus' voice wavered slightly.
Harry wanted to say 'no kidding', but he forced himself to be polite. Meracus asked him about Lord Voldemort, how he was defeated and what he looked like. Harry didn't really want to discuss Lord Voldemort with this man, so he tried to change the subject.
"Why are you wearing sunglasses?" Harry asked.
"What? What are they?" Meracus glared. "Oh." He pulled off his glasses and gave them a quick wipe. They became clear again.
"Well, Harry Potter, aren't you late for class?" Meracus looked amused.
Harry paled. He glanced at his watch, and his stomach lurched sickeningly. Meracus had kept him there for a long time. He still hadn't retrieved his school stuff. Harry pulled out his timetable from his jean pocket and found, to his horror, he had Potions again. Harry sprinted away from a chortling Meracus and was soon stood in front of Snape's classroom. He opened the door cautiously, and saw everyone seated and in mid-flow of writing up potion ingredients. Snape looked up to his intruder and glowered.
"Why are you late?" Snape spat.
Heads turned and everyone stared at Harry. Some looked amused, some sighed in annoyance, some looked intrigued. Out of all the people in the classroom, Malfoy stood out the most. His face was wiped clean of emotions, he stared at Harry but showed no sign of affection or desire. Harry even wished for a little glimmer of malice to shine in Malfoy's eyes, but he remained soulless. Malfoy sat alone, and Harry noticed most of his stuff looked messy. As if it had been thrown around. Ron and Hermione raised synchronized eyebrows, but Hermione patted the bench beside her, gesticulating for Harry to sit next to them.
Harry remembered what Dumbledore had said in his letter. I will also request that you are partners in all the classes you are in together, this is to promote a good image to other people in other Houses so they may do the same. Harry ignored Snape, who was sniping at him, as usual, and sat next to Malfoy.
Ron and Hermione murmured under their breath. The Gryffindors looked confused. Malfoy groaned and buried his face in his hands once more. Harry didn't understand his behaviour until the Slytherins wolf whistled.
"Do they know?" Harry whispered.
Malfoy nodded, sinking further into the sanctuary of his arms. Harry closed his eyes. No. They couldn't know about last night, it was impossible. The door was... the door was open. Harry remembered how Hermione had left it open when she went after Ron. His eyes snapped open and he glared ferociously at Hermione. It wasn't her fault entirely, he or Malfoy should have closed the door, but right now, Harry didn't care whose fault it was. Someone had played the role of Peeping Tom last night, and now their secret was out. But was it out to everyone?
"Is it just the Slytherins?" Harry muttered.
Malfoy grunted. Harry took that as a yes. He felt slightly relieved, until the reality of the situation sunk in. The Slytherins knew. Harry was willing to bet his Firebolt that they would force Harry and Malfoy's secret out into the open just like that, or, get them to do things so their secret isn't spread any further, meaning blackmail. Harry wasn't sure which one he preferred.
"MR. POTTER!" Snape bellowed. The class got back to work immediately. "You come in late, you disrupt the class and I see you have no equipment! Thirty points from Gryffindor!"
"What the fuck?" Harry sighed angrily, clenching his teeth.
"What did you say?" Snape hissed.
"Shall I work?" Harry said quickly. "I need some parchment and a quill, Professor Snape."
"Mr. Malfoy, will you share with... Mr. Malfoy, what is the matter?" Snape noticed Malfoy buried in his arms.
Malfoy looked up, looking mildly annoyed. "Nothing is wrong, Professor. Harry can share with me if he wants."
Malfoy didn't realise it, but he had just thrown another bomb onto the minefield. The people who didn't know they had begun to use first name terms (which, in perspective, was nearly everyone) looked surprised.
"Harry darling, you must share my equipment. After all, we shared equipment last night, didn't we?" Blaise mocked Malfoy, and the Slytherins laughed. The Gryffindors did not. They were still lost in their confusion.
"Mr. Zabini, shut up and get back to work," Snape said coldly. "If anyone else decides to interrupt my class from now on, it's a month's detention and fifty points from the offending House. Work."
Silence finally descended upon the class. Malfoy passed Harry his extra parchment, ink and quills quietly. Harry felt unusually sick, and he found it hard to concentrate on his work. By the end of the lesson, he had lost a further fifteen points for staring into space. As soon as Harry had bounded out of the classroom, Ron and Hermione were onto him.
"What was Blaise on about last night for? About sharing equipment?" Ron asked.
"Well, you know, sharing quarters and stuff," Harry lied. "Blaise doesn't know about that, does he?"
"I suppose not," Hermione nodded thoughtfully.
"We have Defence Against the Dark Arts next," Ron read from his timetable. "I don't remember seeing a new teacher, do you?"
Nobody had seen the new teacher, and so suspicions arose and people began to talk. Some said that Snape had finally got the job, but then Ron pointed out that Snape would have to be in two places at once, because he still continues with his Potions. Harry whispered to Hermione about the Time Turner, and made a mental wish that Snape hadn't acquired one. He didn't want Snape more than four times a week.
"It could just be someone we've never heard of. It's that simple. Let's just get there and find out," Hermione said finally.
When they arrived, there was no teacher in the classroom. Hermione said that it was best if they all sat down and got out their books, to give a good impression. Ron argued that the teacher would hardly care about first impressions if they hadn't even shown up for a class.
"Shut up, Ron," someone laughed.
Ron wheeled around to face the person who yelled at him, all set to yell back. However, when he saw who it was, he merely gaped. Harry and Hermione were at a loss of words too.
"Aren't you Charlie Weasley?" Neville asked.
"Yes I am, and I'm also your new Professor," Charlie said proudly. "Mum was so excited, Ron. You should have heard her; 'Oh! Now I'll have someone to watch over Ronnie! Make sure he passes his exams, Charlie!' "
"B-but, how?" Ron stuttered.
Charlie walked to the front of the class dodging in and out of equally bewildered students. He still had a slight boyish look to him and Harry noticed his hands and arms were covered in blisters, which didn't surprise him because Charlie worked in a dragon sanctuary in Romania. Harry knew he had been at the Burrow during the summer, but he thought that was only for a short break. So why was he here at Hogwarts?
"I've had to leave my work in Romania temporarily," Charlie explained when Harry asked him. "I needed to come back here to do some research on Common Welsh Green dragons for a statistical update back at the sanctuary. When my partner, Daniel Desidiosus, told me we didn't need the information until next year, I had already arranged to go. Everything had been planned. So I sent an owl to Professor Dumbledore and asked him if he needed any extra hands this year, and he was delighted to let me teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, as I had passed the NEWT with merits. Any other questions?"
"Why didn't you tell us at home?" Ron muttered.
"Because it was a surprise, Ron. I lied when I said I was on holiday. Although, I suppose I was sort of telling the truth," Charlie said thoughtfully. "Right, let's get on with the lesson, shall we?"
Harry had thoroughly enjoyed the lesson. By the looks of it, all the other Gryffindors had as well. Charlie had demonstrated the spells that he often used to help and restrain the dragons, and made a promise that he would teach everyone the spells by the end of the year. He went off on a tangent slightly by describing each type of dragon and how he had got his blisters, much to the amusement of the pupils. Charlie had been halfway through explaining the breeding situation with Romanian Longhorns and how they desperately needed more eggs until the end of the lesson came, and everyone left in high spirits.
"Your brother is a really good teacher, Ron," Lavender said, fluttering her eyelashes at Ron.
"Er... thanks, Lavender," Ron mumbled.
Hermione frowned. "Well... he was okay, I guess."
"What do you mean by that?" Ron asked, shocked.
"Oh Ron, he's a really nice person and everything, but..." Hermione glanced nervously at Ron.
"But you're so uptight with NEWTs you need to learn everything straight away?" Ron hissed furiously.
"Ron!" Hermione squeaked. "I'm not that uptight about the NEWTs! What Charlie was teaching us... it was Care of Magical Creatures stuff, not Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"What, so dragons aren't something to defend yourself against?" Ron yelled. People turned to look. Harry had backed up against the wall, staying well away from the both of them.
"Ron, please stop," Hermione said firmly, although her eyes were sparkling with tears. "It's just my opinion, that's all, I-"
"I don't need your opinion," Ron snapped. "Charlie was just introducing himself, and one precious lesson obviously wasn't worth that to you, was it? You always have to have a book open straight away, don't you?"
Hermione slapped Ron, tears now streaming down her face. "Ronald Weasley, I've had enough of you! You always put me down!"
"Only because you've been putting other people down beforehand!" Ron shouted, rubbing his cheek.
Hermione stomped off with a strangled yell, leaving Harry and Ron and the many people who had stopped to watch. Ron's face was redder than his hair, and he refused to lift his gaze from the floor. Harry glanced awkwardly at the people who were still watching them, and saw Malfoy out of the corner of his eye. He had been watching the argument too, and looked considerably shocked.
"See you later, Ron," Harry whispered, his eyes still on Malfoy.
"Right," Ron squeaked, making his way down the corridor.
Harry darted after Malfoy, who had begun to march off to his next lesson.
"Draco!" Harry called. Malfoy stopped in his tracks but did not turn around. "Draco, we need to talk."
"Not now, Harry," Malfoy snapped.
"What? Please, I know a place where we can talk privately," Harry offered.
"I said not now!" Malfoy spat. "Lunch. Meet me outside the Great Hall at lunch."
"Okay," Harry mumbled feebly. Malfoy still hadn't turned around. "You can at least look at me, Draco."
With an impatient sigh, Malfoy jogged off and out of sight, leaving Harry feeling very confused.
"I thought you didn't like him," a female voice whispered.
"Cho?" Harry looked around, trying to locate her. Cho stepped out from behind a door, looking at Harry quizzically.
"Well? I thought you didn't like him," Cho repeated.
"Er... it's different between us now, Cho," Harry stammered, aware that she was inching towards him with an odd look on her face.
"Why is it different, Harry?" Cho asked coolly.
"I don't know," Harry said irritably. "It just is."
"How's Hermione?" Cho asked sourly.
"She's fine, actually," Harry said, getting rather annoyed.
Cho flipped her silky black hair behind her shoulder and grimaced at Harry. It was a look he had grown accustomed to. Despite the slight awkward barrier that had grown between them, Harry still felt that familiar feeling in the pit of his stomach every time he saw her.
"Are you dating yet?" Cho mumbled.
"What?" Harry stared at her in disbelief. "Cho, what's wrong with you? Why all the questions?"
"Don't you like me anymore?" Cho muttered.
Harry gaped at her in awe. "Cho, we drifted apart. You're going out with someone, remember? You left me. You misunderstood me. You, you, you."
"It was you too! Hanging around with her all the time!" Cho spat.
"I don't need this," Harry snapped. "See you around, Cho."
Harry stalked off furiously. That didn't go well at all, did it? Feeling very perplexed, Harry almost forgot to go to his next lesson as he was lost in his thoughts.
Lunch came around quicker than was expected, and Harry felt nervous meeting Malfoy. But they had to talk about what had happened in Potions... and in the morning. When Harry jumped the last step of the marble staircase, he saw Malfoy leaning casually against the wall next to the doors of the Great Hall. He was staring out of the window, his eyes glazed over. Harry made his way over to Malfoy, a look of concern on his face.
"Draco? Er... do you still want to talk?" Harry asked.
"I suppose we have to," Malfoy mumbled. "So you know a place where we can talk privately, do you? Aside from my own room?"
"Well, yes," Harry said. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable. "Let me show you."
Malfoy followed Harry up the marble staircase, rather reluctantly, and they soon reached the seventh floor. Harry panted slightly, searching for the Room of Requirement.
"Right," Harry began, on arriving at the door. "You have to walk past the door a couple of times, focusing on what you want... so we want a room with a couple of chairs..."
Harry paced back and forth along the corridor, concentrating on what he wanted to appear in the room. Malfoy stayed where he was, staring at Harry, who was muttering to himself.
"Won't your friends want to know where you are?" Malfoy asked.
"They probably won't notice, they have their own problems. You saw what happened this morning," Harry said.
"Yeah, I didn't know they fought like that," Malfoy stared at Harry. "Shouldn't we try the door?"
Harry opened the door, and saw two squashy armchairs next to a huge blazing fireplace. He sat in the one nearest the fire, and Malfoy sat in the other.
"Right. Okay... we're here to talk... so let's talk," Harry started. "What happened this morning?"
"What do you mean?" Malfoy asked.
"Oh come on, Draco," Harry snapped. "When you freaked out and ran into the bathroom."
"I wasn't ready for that," Malfoy spat, blushing slightly. "You didn't even ask me."
"You were hard, weren't you?" Harry said bitterly. "I just thought it would be a nice wake up call."
"Well, you were wrong!" Malfoy gripped the arms of the chair tightly.
"Let's just toss that problem aside. Pardon the pun," Harry added, grinning slightly. "What's more important is that the Slytherins know about last night."
"Yes. Well, not all of last night. Blaise saw you do... that...to me, but that's all," Malfoy said quickly. "He told as many Slytherins as he could. I don't know what to do. They keep on teasing me, throwing my stuff around. I'm just thankful they haven't cursed me yet."
"I thought he would blackmail us," Harry admitted. "Why haven't they told the other Houses?"
"That's where the blackmail comes in," Malfoy sighed. "I have to do Blaise's homework until the Christmas holidays."
"Shit!" Harry cursed. "We've got NEWTs coming up, we'll have loads of homework! I couldn't even cope with the amount I had last year. Er... you're only doing Blaise's homework. There's a chance the other Slytherins will tell."
"No, Blaise told them not to say anything because it would ruin his fun," Malfoy moaned.
"He's so twisted," Harry growled. "If you like, I can do some of his homework too. You know... to help you out."
Malfoy glanced at Harry and smiled for the first time today. Harry's stomach did a double take and he found himself smiling back. Then Malfoy stared into the fire intently. He opened his mouth several times to speak, but then shook his head defiantly and clamped his mouth shut.
"Draco, what's wrong?" Harry asked gently.
"I think it's time," Malfoy said quietly.
"Time? For what?" Harry asked.
Malfoy sighed and leaned in closer to Harry, who raised his eyebrows.
"It's time I told you about my problem."