Chapter 4 - To Be Friends With Draco
Dear Mom and Dad,
The trip here was good, and the castle is great. I was sorted into Gryffindor. I don't have much time, I have to get to breakfast and then my first class. I'll write back soon.
Love, Harry
Harry folded the paper up and put it in his back pocket. He left the common room and headed toward the Owlery to send off his letter before breakfast. As he walked through the halls, whispers could be heard from the few people that he passed in the early morning. Quickening his pace, Harry finally reached the Owlery and was pleased to see that no one else was there.
There were hundreds of owls, perched on the many beams of the Owlery. Harry looked for his snowy white owl his parents gave him for his birthday. When he finally saw her, he shouted, "Hedwig!" and she flew down, landing gracefully on Harry's arm.
Harry smiled and pet Hedwig for several minutes before reaching in his back pocket and revealing his letter. He attached it to Hedwig's leg and whispered, "This is for my Mom and Dad, OK Hedwig?" Giving a soft hoot, the white owl spread her wings and took off through a window.
He turned to leave, but as soon as Harry opened the door to the Owlery, there were a dozen kids standing there, looking very anxious. Harry rolled his eyes and walked straight through them. As he was walking away, he could hear, "Did you see his scar? He really is Harry Potter!" and "Wicked, it's just like I thought it would be!"
Harry couldn't stand this. When he arrived at the Gryffindor table, he wolfed down his breakfast, and took off for his first class.
Dear Harry,
Sorry it took so long to reply, but we were working and, well, we didn't receive your letter until Thursday night.
Congratulations on becoming a Gryffindor! Your father and I are so proud of you. How have your lessons been coming? Please write back soon. We miss you.
Love, Mom
Of course, Lily and James were always working. Sometimes Harry would go months without seeing either of his parents. After all, being an Auror was a very time consuming job. Harry always dreamed about being an Auror. Although, his dreams were very vague, seeing as his parents never told him much about any of their cases.
Harry looked at his schedule. He had double Potions with Snape. James had told Harry about the lifelong rival between himself and Severus. Once again, Harry was never told too many details on the subject, but he knew enough to dread going to the class.
Since the Potions lesson was in the dungeons, Harry left early to find his way to the class. To his surprise he was the first one there, even before Snape.
After Harry waited for ten minutes, the room gradually began to fill. People were staring at him and whispering. By the time Snape entered, the class was gathered around Harry, staring at him as if he were an animal at the zoo.
Smiling smugly to himself, Snape stood in front of the class and spoke in a barely audible whisper, "Please take your seats, everyone." All the while staring at Harry, the Potions professor took role, and, of course, stopped when he reached Harry's name.
"Harry Potter. Our new--celebrity," Snape said with an evil smirk smeared across his face. Snape finished role call and left the room smothered with silence and intensity. Still speaking in a low voice, Snape began, "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion- making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses…I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death---if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
Harry rolled his eyes again. This school is full of idiots, he thought. At that same moment, Snape rounded onto Harry, "Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
"I don't know," Harry mumbled.
"What, Potter?" Snape asked, curling his upper lip.
Harry looked up into the deep, black eyes, "I don't know, sir."
"No, you don't. Let's try again, Potter! Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
Staying calm, Harry ran his hands through his hair and coolly responded, "I don't know, sir."
The painful smile on Snape's face grew, "Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?"
By the end of the lesson, Harry was bored to tears. Potions definitely was his least favorite subject, yes, even worse than History of Magic.
The next day, Harry was dissolving himself in a particularly interesting section of the Daily Prophet titled, "Gringott's Break-in Latest." Apparently someone had tried to steal an object from a vault which was cleared earlier that day, which was July 31st, Harry's birthday and the day he went to Diagon Alley.
Just as Harry was thinking about how cool it would have been if he had come across the attempting thief, he heard a cold, drawling voice from behind him. "Alright, Potter. Tonight's your chance. Challenge me to a Wizard's Duel to prove your disloyalty to Gryffindor."
Before Harry could respond, a group of 4th year girls arrived at the Gryffindor table, right near where Harry was. "I'll speak to you after flying lessons today, Potter," Draco said before turning toward the Slytherin table.
At three-thirty that afternoon, Harry headed toward the grounds for the flying lesson. Harry quickly found Draco and before any words could be spoken between them, Madam Hooch made her entrance.
"What are you waiting for?" she cried out. "Everyone, stand next to a broom. Come on, now! We don't have all day!"
As everyone stood next to a broom, Madam Hooch regained the attention of the class, "OK, now, everyone hold your right hand over your broom, and say 'UP'!"
Harry was one of the few to have his broom fly into his hand on the first try. Draco got his on the second or third 'UP!' and Harry was pleased to see that Hermione wasn't doing too great, her broom was just rolling over. Harry's eyes went down the line, and to his even greater pleasure, Ron was having difficulty, as well.
"Alright, class!" Madam Hooch began after everyone had their brooms in their hands. "Please mount your broom, and on the count of three I want you to push off the ground, hover slightly, then carefully come back down. Ready? OK! One, two, thr--Mr. Longbottom?"
The whole class turned to Neville. Out of nerves, he pushed off the ground and began to ascend toward the sky. Madam Hooch tried to grab him, but before she could, the broom shot straight into the air.
It all happened so quickly. In a matter of seconds, Neville was lying on the ground, clutching his wrist and crying in pain. Madam Hooch ran to him and carried him off to the hospital wing. As she was walking away she called out, "If any of you even think about getting on a broom, you will be out of Hogwarts before you can even say 'Quidditch'!"
Once Neville and Madam Hooch were out of earshot, Malfoy said to Harry, but loud enough for everyone else to hear, "Did you see his face, the great lump?"
All the Slytherins, and Harry, burst into laughter. "Look!" Malfoy said, darting toward something in the grass. "It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him."
Many Gryffindors gasped, but Malfoy took no notice. "Want to play a game, Potter? Want to prove yourself?" Confused whispers could be heard. Harry nodded and Malfoy continued, "This is only the beginning, mind you. Alright, then. Get on your broom."
Without any hesitation, Harry mounted his broom. Draco, mounting his broom as well, and said, "Come on, follow me."
Draco shot into the air with Harry only feet behind him. There were several gasps, and a few screams, as Draco stopped in the air.
Harry knew if he got caught he would get expelled, but he didn't care. In fact, he wanted to get expelled. There's no way I can live with that Weasley and Granger, and all the other Gryffindors, for seven years, Harry thought in his head as Draco pulled the Remembrall out of his pocket.
Draco's usual smirk smeared across his face, once again, as he whispered, "Catch," and threw the Remembrall straight to the ground, with all the strength he had.
Instantly, Harry flew toward the ground. Come on! he kept shouting in his head. If only I had my broom back at home!
He was getting close to the ground now, very close. Harry flattened his body against the broom and reached the Remembrall. In a fleeting moment, Harry caught it and pulled out of the dive, just feet above the ground. The Slytherins were giving cries of joy, and Draco joined them, landing gracefully next to his classmates.
"Potter!"
Harry turned around. His stomach gave an odd twist as he watched Professor McGonagall run over to where the class was. "Come with me, Potter. NOW!"
He gave one last look at Draco before he left and, to his surprise, Draco wasn't smirking. Regretfully, Harry followed McGonagall into the castle and through the halls until they reached the Charms classroom.
Sticking her head into the room, McGonagall said, "Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, but can I borrow Wood for a moment, please?"
Harry was now really confused. Why did she bring me here, and who's Wood? he asked himself.
A tall (A/N: and hot!!) boy walked out and greeted them with a puzzling look. "Harry, this is Oliver Wood," McGonagall said, now beaming. "Wood, this is your new Seeker."
"So, Potter, I heard that your now on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. What is it, the youngest in one hundred years?" Draco asked Harry.
When dinner just began in the Great Hall and Draco approached Harry at the Gryffindor table.
Harry smiled, "Funny, isn't it? Madam Hooch said she would expel anyone who got on a broom, but I get to play Quidditch."
Draco's mouth twitched slightly, and Harry could see jealously raging through his eyes. "Remember the Wizard's Duel tonight, Potter. Meet me in the trophy room at midnight."
He gave one last smirk before turning toward the Slytherin table. As Harry went back to his dinner, he noticed that Ron and Hermione were staring at him. "What?" Harry asked coolly.
Ron's ears turned red and he went back to his meal. Hermione, on the other hand, said, "I couldn't help but overhearing, Harry, and you mustn't go wandering around the school at night, think of all the points you'll lose for Gryffindor if you're caught, and you're bound to be."
Harry smiled, "All the more reason for me to go."
At half past eleven, Harry crawled out of bed. The dorm was dark, very dark. Harry began to walk across the room, but he soon stubbed his toe on the corner of his trunk, and swore rather loudly.
Ron sat up. "What? Who's there?" he cried, looking around wildly. Harry continued to walk out of the dorm, but as soon as he closed the door, Ron came right behind him.
"Hey, Harry!" Ron cried out. "Where are you going?"
"I--er--I couldn't sleep. It's alright, Weasley, go back to sleep," Harry said as he began to descend the stairs.
As Harry reached the common room, he was greeted with a frowning Hermione.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, rather rudely.
"I should be the one asking that. Don't you care about Gryffindor? Do you only care about yourself?" Hermione asked, with the same bitter tone that Harry had used.
Before Harry could respond, he heard footsteps coming from the stairs. He turned to see Ron wrapping his bath robe around his waist. Ron looked up at the both of them and said, "Well,
Harry, now since you woke me up, I can't go back to sleep. And what are you doing here, Hermione?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You two are like a broken record!" Harry and Ron looked confused, and before Ron could ask what a record was she continued, "Harry, just don't leave, please."
Ron's eyes grew wide as he remembered what he had heard earlier that day. He whispered, "The wizard's duel…"
Harry walked over to the portrait hole and pushed it open. Ron and Hermione were right behind him.
"Don't come with me!" Harry exclaimed.
Ron pushed the portrait shut and said, "I've always wanted to see a wizard's duel!"
"Fine, you're really going to go! All right, but I warned you, you just remember what I said when you're on the train home tomorrow, you're so--" Hermione gave a gasp, as she turned to go back into the common room, but only saw the empty portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Now what am I going to do?" Hermione asked, clicking her tongue.
"Not my problem, I'm going to be late," Harry said, with Ron still on his heel.
"Don't leave without me!" cried Hermione as she ran to catch up with them.
As the three of them turned a corner, they saw a body curled up on the floor.
"Neville!" Hermione cried.
Harry rolled his eyes and kept walking. Neville woke up and noticed that the people who woke him from his slumber were leaving. "Hey! Whe--where are you going? Don't abandon me!"
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville all made there way safely to the trophy room to find Draco sitting on a desk with Crabbe and Goyle on each side.
"What are you doing, Potter?" Draco's usual smirk turned into disgust as he saw who Harry had brought with him.
"They wouldn't leave me alone and followed me here."
"Fine, we will do it with them here, then," Draco responded, his smirk smearing across his face once again. "I'm sure you know how to duel, Potter?"
"Of course I do," Harry said walking to the center of the room, wearing a smirk of his own. Draco walked to the center of the room, on the opposite side of Harry. "Alright, when Crabbe gives us the go, we can begin."
Harry nodded, but felt his stomach drop and his heart give a funny leap. I don't know any spells for a duel! Harry thought. Well, if I defeated Voldemort, I can defeat Malfoy.
Crabbe chuckled as he walked over to a chair at the side of the room. "Ready?" he said in his deep, stupid voice, "Go!"
Draco was a lot quicker than Harry. In a blink of an eye, Draco shouted "Locomotomortis!" and Harry fell over, with both of his legs bound together.
"You really are a joke, Potter," Draco said, laughing, as he left the trophy room with Crabbe and Goyle. Harry's face flushed red as Hermione ran over and countered the spell on him.
"Thanks," Harry mumbled while getting up and walking out of the room.
"Hopefully this taught you a lesson. You know, you really are a selfish person. Anyway, you had to prove yourself to be friends with someone, that's not a real friendship," Hermione said in her matter-of-fact tone.
Harry had never felt so embarrassed. His stomach gave another twist, but this time it was from guilt.
Hermione continued, " If you ever need to sneak out of bed for--"
"Just shut up, will you?!" Harry snapped. Hermione fell quiet.
"Well, she does have a point--" Ron began.
"I don't need to hear it from you, either, Weasley!" Harry couldn't believe what had just happened. He was made a complete fool in front of two of his least favorite people, not to mention Neville, and now he doesn't have any friends of any sort in the entire castle.
Harry's embarrassment was soon cut short as the four of them heard someone talk just outside the classroom. "Sniff around, my sweet, they might be lurking in a corner. I know I heard a spell be cast!" It was Filch speaking to Mrs. Norris.
In a fleeting moment, Harry turned and snuck out of the room. He could her the faint footsteps of Hermione, Ron, and Neville following him, but as long as they kept quiet--
"OUCH!" Neville had tripped and fallen into a suit of armor. Harry shouted, "You idiot!" before talking off down the corridor.
Harry had no idea where he was going. The castle was so dark, not to mention he never really knew his way around it in the first place. After he knew he was far away from the trophy room, he stopped and mumbled to himself, "I think I lost him."
He turned around, and to his disgust, saw Ron, Hermione, and Neville panting right behind him. The four of them just sat there for a moment, trying to regain their breath, when Peeves snuck up behind them.
"Ohh! Ickle-firsties out of bed. I should tell Filch, yes I should!" he laughed, bobbing up and down.
"No…Peeves!" Harry begged.
"Look! Little Potty on his knees begging!" Harry quickly got up. "Well, I guess I could…STUDENTS OUT OF BED! STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!"
Harry swore loudly before taking off again. He reached the end of the corridor, having his heart sink just to find it was a dead end. The only thing keeping them from Filch now was the locked door…
"Oh, move over!" Hermione said, pushing Harry out of the way. "Alohomora!"
The door popped open. The four of them ran into the room and closed the door. Harry couldn't help but be impressed by Hermione's knowledge. He must have been showing it on his face because Hermione looked at him and bitterly asked, "What?"
Before Harry could round on to her and start up another argument, he felt Neville pulling at his sleeve and whimpering next to him.
"Now what's your problem, Longbottom?" asked Harry.
A low growl permeated throughout the room. Slowly, Harry turned around. He couldn't believe his eyes. A large dog with three heads was waking up and hovering just above them. Harry groped for the doorknob--between Filch and death, he'd take Filch. They flew back down the corridor, not worrying about how much noise they were making. In no time at all, they were standing in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Pig snout, pig snout!" Harry panted.
Safely back in the common room, Ron seemed to have his courage back. "Did you see that thing?
It was huge! What do they think they're doing, anyway, keeping a thing like that locked up in a school?"
Harry stormed off toward the stairs, but stopped as he heard Hermione telling Ron, "You don't use your eyes, do you? Didn't you see what it was standing on?"
"The floor?" Ron spat back. "I was too busy looking at its heads. In case you didn't notice, it had three!"
"No, not the floor. It was standing on a trapdoor. It's obviously guarding something."
Harry ran up the stairs, the events of the night still running through his head. Though, the duel with Draco was quickly pushed aside as he thought about what Hermione had said, It was standing on a trapdoor. It's obviously guarding something. Harry barely heard Neville and Ron creep into the boys dormitory as he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.