Harry Potter and the Shard of Magic.

By Wihstrum

Chapter 6: Pleasant and Unpleasant Surprises.

Harry and his friends waggled out of the Great Hall, sharing a loud discussion. The topic of their conversation was about the not-present-new-DADA- teacher. They'd noticed the empty chair when they passed the head table, wanting to greet Hagrid after dinner.

Hermione was outrageous. "I can't believe it!" she shrieked "We're on the brink of war and they're not even teaching us to defend ourselves!" she emphasized 'not' by stamping her foot on the floor, nearly missing Ron's toes who quickly jumped aside.

"Hush Hermione, they won't leave us hangin'… I bet it'll be Dumbledore…" Ron comforted her, patting her awkwardly on her back.

"You think?"

"Yeah, don't worry 'Mione…" Ron frowned nonetheless, not very convinced himself either.

Harry glanced at Finbar next to him who was absently plucking his goatee. He seemed to be lost in deep thought. His light blue eyes were glazed over and lushes of black hair tickled his cheeks.

"What are you brooding on?" Harry elbowed him.

Finbar's head snapped up. "Oh! It's nothing really…" his pale eyes rested on Harry's face. "Just… thinking. Worrying myself about stupid things."

"Care to tell me?"

Finbar's face suddenly pulled into a pained mask. "I-I can't."

A painful silence hung between the two young men. Finbar ashamed of himself, Harry worried.

Harry "whooped" when someone suddenly prodded him in the back and spun around.

"Fear the new terror of Slytherin! Bow before my…eh… slytheriness…" Alex grinned sheepishly up at him.

"Bloody hell Alex… you nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Ah I bet you just have a bad consciousness…" she looked at him darkly. "As I have been informed, my being sorted into Slytherin makes us archenemies." She struck a pose, holding her wand in a dueling stance.

Harry caught on with her. "Engarde!" he said, striking a pose as well. "Ha! Just typical Slytherin, attacking me from the behind!"

"You as a Gryffindork, should be on your guard! Because I, Alex Ladon, herby declare an official prank-war!" she said with on odd voice, trying to be intimidating and swishing her wand at him. Before they could start poking each other with their wands, a loud voice broke their little display of silly companionship.

"Dueling is forbidden the hallways! You, mister Potter, should know this best of all!"

Harry stopped, started to mutter a 'Sorry professor' and stared up right into the grinning face of nobody less then Remus, his golden eyes twinkling in delight.

"Moony? What are you doing here?"

"That's professor Moony to you, young man!" he said sternly, but a warm smile crept over his face.

"Really?" Hermione whispered in awe.

"Yes."

"Eee!" She squealed jumping up, wrapping her arms around Remus' neck. As soon as she did that though, she pulled away from him swiftly. "Sorry." turning her face away in embarrassment as she blushed bright red.

Ron arched his brow at her uncharacteristic reaction to Lupin's announcement.

Harry smiled genuinely, his heart making a leap in pleasure. "That's great…" and rested a hand on Remus' shoulder. Harry and Remus were about the same height; the young Gryffindor had caught up with him over the summer. "When did you change your mind?"

This caught Remus off guard. "Well…" an odd look crossed his face. "Dumbledore was still missing a DADA teacher and he asked me to take the job. He told me the students would really love that… and so would I." he said hoarsely.

Harry just knew that he was hiding something. This was so not Moony, but right now he decided to leave him be with his little secret, he could pester him about it all year now.

"Anyway," Lupin said, breaking the silence. "I actually came out here to collect this young man here." He smiled at Finbar.

Finbar fidgeted, all kinds of expressions flashing over his face. From relieve to nervousness to obvious worry and finally settling with sadness.

"Dumbledore will announce my return next thing tomorrow breakfast. And speaking of the headmaster; he and McGonagall will be wanting to talk to the rest of you somewhere tomorrow.

Yes, you too Alex." He said at her mild surprise. "Well, Goodnight all of you and Alex, off to your dorm…"

Alex moaned and started to 'cry' on Harry's shoulder, the latter patting her head consolingly.

She bid farewell and dragged herself to the dungeons. Finbar waved at them, following Remus' lead. When they nearly turned the corner of the hallway Harry called out: "I'm glad you're back Moony!"

"I wonder what that was all about…" Ron muttered when he flopped himself onto the couch in the common room, it was completely deserted; all students too stuffed and tired to stay up any longer.

Hermione tucked her feet under her and barely managed to cover a yawn "Uh-uh… Did you see that look on Finbar's face?"

"I wonder if it's about his old school…" Ron muttered and added "You know… he's quite alright. I like him."

Harry left his right leg dangling over the leaning of his favorite couch. He ran a hand trough his hair, letting it point in all wind-directions. "He's hiding something else besides the Sight thing… I had a little talk with him before Moony came up to us. He's terrible worried, but refuses to say what it's about…"

"Probably the same reason why he left Durmstrang." Ron provided and looked at Harry upside-down, his fiery red hair brushing the floor. "Means he's a pureblood then… only pure-bloods are allowed at that school."

"Means they taught him dark magic…" Harry mused.

They fell silent for a while, each one lost in their own thoughts.

"You know… for as far as you told us Harry… Alex doesn't know anything about her past right?"

Harry nodded slowly, wondering where his bushy haired friend was getting at.

"And neither do we… right?"

Again he confirmed her by nodding.

"Well, if she's in Slytherin…. Then she's a pureblood… right?"

Ron's eyes widened "Bloody Merlin, you're right 'Mione!"

"Don't bloody Merlin me, Ronald Weasley." She scowled and added "And of course I'm right."

Finbar returned to the dorm half an hour later, under guidance of Lupin, though, he didn't want to get lost in this huge castle. He could imagine himself falling down one of the moving staircases already. He muttered the password (Animagus!), the portrait of the fat lady swung open and he stepped through. He jumped slightly when he saw the trio still sitting in the common room, smiling at him.

"You okay Finbar?" Hermione asked him sweetly.

"I guess…" He saw Harry's brow rumple non-believing. Finbar rubbed his temples and heaved a large sigh "Look, I know you aren't idiots… but right now I just can't tell you. Maybe later, but I'm not ready yet. It's not your fault; I think you're all great people. It's me. I'm sorry." He tried to explain them clumsily. He never was good at things like this.

Ron stood up and strode over to him, patting him on the back. "That's quite alright mate… We understand, but one day we'll drag it out you, whether you want it or not."

Next Morning. Great Hall. Breakfast.

Alex groaned miserably. She had heavy bags under her eyes and terribly wanted to put her head on her plate, the slice of bread could function as pillow. Last night had been horrible. Millecent snored unbearably loud, nearly shaking Alex out of her bed. Not mentioning the annoying childish remarks about her night shirt… it still was the same oversized t-shirt she'd gotten from Harry that one fateful night and she'd refused to part with it ever since. It was still early, small amounts of students entering every now and then. She'd given up on sleep at about 4 a.m. and had been down in the Great Hall from about 6.

Draco furiously ribbed his sore eyes, sleep hadn't come to him last night. The sudden revelation still fresh in mind… he'd been re-thinking and trying to convince himself that he was - as a pureblood Malfoy - better then everyone else in this damned school. Of course he was. He was handsome. He was smart. He was charming. Everyone respected and feared him. He was Draco Malfoy.

Go me…

Draco shook his head, trying to shoo away the disturbing thoughts, composed himself, put his scowl on his face and entered the Great Hall. He flinched inwardly when there was no one other at his table then the same girl who'd rocked his world by a simple conversation last night.

He slid down and filled a bowl with cereals. He added milk and idly stirred it with a spoon. He couldn't help himself and glanced over at the young woman. He tried to hide a smile when he saw her sleeping, her head on her plate and a slice of bread serving as pillow.

Seems like she had an awful night…

He warily studied who was in the hall and when he didn't see anyone else than some early Hufflepuffs and a few stray Ravenclaws he scooted over next to her. He lowered his mouth right next to her ear.

"Boo!"

Her head shot up and she looked around her bewildered "I didn't do it…!"

Draco gracefully raised a pale eyebrow. "Good morning…"

She shot him a confused look.

"If I'm interrupting…?" he asked amused.

"No…No…" she quickly covered a yawn. "You just startled me… You're up early…"

He smirked. "Right. So are you." he pointed out "You look terrible by the way."

"Aw thank you."

"No problem… breadcrumbs on your face." He brushed them of carefully with his sleeve. Suddenly he pulled back as if he'd burned himself on fire.

What's wrong with me?

Draco tried very hard to rein his emotions, settled with a dirty look on his face and glared at her. Alex looked as if she was going to laugh at him but eventually just smiled. She was giving him an odd look, a look that penetrated his soul and dug into his most inner feelings.

"Don't look at me like that, it's not like I forced you to be nice to me…"

The blonde's eyes widened. Did she just read my mind? Before he could reply something nasty, Snape pushed them their schedules into their hands. When he realized that Alex and Draco were sitting next to one other. Snape swallowed. Hard. He snapped out of his bewilderment when Draco cleared his throat, he strode off, his cloak billowing behind him.

"Impressive… does he practice that?" Alex commented on Snape's dramatic gesture.

"I still haven't found out…" Draco snickered and studied at his schedule, Snape's timing had been perfect, the odd moment covered up perfectly. "Ack! Potty, Granger and Longbottom in double potions…"

Alex looked smugly at him. "Aaaaah, perfect!" she said cheerfully. The young man just shot daggers at her.

"Why do you like the Dream Team anyway? They're just so…" he sneered trying to hide his curiosity.

"…So?"

"Well you know: Here we come to save the daaaay!" for emphasis, he put his hands on his hips, trying to look all heroic.

Alex giggled. "I don't know about that and I don't care either. They're my friends."

"Whatever… you're just friggin' mental."

"I'll take that as a compliment if it's coming from you…" she stretched her arms above her head and shot him a sharp look "You weren't that charming last evening either…"

Draco snorted. "Whatever."

Alex rolled her eyes at him. Speak of the devil… Harry and his friends came in. She rose from the table and muttered just hard enough so Draco could hear "You're just jealous."

Ron yawned, displaying the half chewed and half drooled upon sandwich.

"Ack Ron, you're such a pig…" Hermione scowled at him.

Ron swallowed convulsively and gave her a look that perfectly imitated Hedwig's. "Aren't you in a cheerful mood today?"

"Well if you'd learn some manners I wouldn't have to call you a pig!"

Harry rubbed his temples… the school year hadn't even started properly and they were already at it again. When would they finally get over this childish bickering and get on with it…

"Guys…"

"I am not a snobby…!"

"Guys…?"

"Oh? I'm an insensitive prick? Well, Misses know-it-all"

"GUYS!" Harry yelled slamming his fist on the table, spilling the milk and water out of the cans. "Thank you and good morning to you too. Could we please have a civil breakfast here?"

"He/she started it!" they yelled in unison.

"Ron…" Harry warned him.

"Okay, okay…" he said, hands up in the air.

Finbar snickered quietly. Totally over one another, yet both to stubborn to admit. The hairs in his neck rose pleasantly when Alex slumped down next to him, rubbing her temples and groaning. She was a total mess.

"Seems like you had one hell of a night."

"Oh shut up… those Slytherin's are impossible… especially that one over there." she scowled, pointing at Malfoy. The latter caught her pointing and scowled darkly at her. Alex stuck out her tongue. "Prick…"

Ron patted her on her head… "We know… we know… I bear with you"

McGonagall, handed them their schedules and leaned down to between Harry and Ron. "I'd like to see the four of you this evening at 8 in the Headmaster's office. They thanked her and inspected their schedules.

"Ack… Potions… Harry you're going down…Snape will want you for breakfast after last year…"

"Thanks for pointing that out Ron… And you Alex?"

"Yeah I'm in… I wonder why I'm allowed in these classes anyway…" she shrugged and rested her hand on her fist.

Breakfast ended with a loud applause, save for the Slytherin's when Dumbledore announced that professor Lupin had picked up his job again as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Other then that he'd also informed them about a big feast (something similar to the Yule ball) end November.

Draco deliberately turned his head when Pansy batted her eyelashes at him. Stupid cow… secretly, nobody knew that Draco loathed Parkinson. She was a bimbo in al meanings of the word and didn't have a personality, she just mimicked others. And the worst thing of all was…

Don't think about that… that's into the very-far feature. I even have a slight chance that it doesn't happen at all…

He was brought back out of his self-pity when someone tapped him on his shoulder. He glared up at her. "What? What do you want?"

"Where's Transfiguration?" Alex asked him coolly, ignoring his tone.

A few minutes later Blaise, Draco, Millecent, Pansy and Alex were off to double Transfiguration. Pansy and Millecent were gossiping about something, Draco suspected it was about the ' 2nd Yule Ball'. He shuddered at the thought of Pansy being his partner.

He snorted I'd rather ask Potter… I'm getting dramatic now…

The blonde Slytherin angrily looked at the back of Alex' head, right before him, as though she was the fault of all this. She'd jammed her wand into an untidy knot of hair, it suited her though. Although she'd stood up to him, annoying him greatly at the one side, but also secretly appreciating it. Somehow she was pleasantly different from all the rest of the drawling Slytherin folk.