Disclaimer: I think it's a little bit obvious that I don't own any of the characters here nor much of the original story for that matter.
HALLOWEEN MADNESS (Courtesy of Draco Malfoy)
CHAPTER 8: INITIATION TO THE D.A.
Draco stood in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, crossed his arms across his chest and thoughtfully eyed the subject of the portrait.
The Fat Lady fluttered her eyes at him.
"What are you doing out here?" she asked.
"I'm waiting for someone to help me get in."
"Don't you know the password?" she asked, confused. "Didn't Professor McGonagall tell you?"
"Oh, she did," he was quick to assure her. "It's just that I'm waiting for Granger. She'll stop those beasts in there from killing me."
The Fat Lady let out a laugh (as graciously as possible, of course). "I see. You're a Slytherin, aren't you?"
"At your service," he said and performed a sweeping bow.
"Malfoy," came Hermione's impatient voice from behind him. "Why are you always in my way when I'm in a hurry?" she asked when he straightened up to greet her. "Malfoy is following us."
"Yes, dear," said the Fat Lady and swung away from the portal.
"Wait up," Malfoy called as he tried to keep up with Hermione's quick steps. "Why're you always in a hurry?"
"Why are you always annoying?" she retorted and stopped short as she noticed the group of Gryffindors that were staring at them. "All had a pleasant day?"
"Yes, Hermione," said Dean, eyes fixed on Malfoy. "We would like to talk to Malfoy for awhile, if you please."
"Well, I fairly think that she doesn't," Malfoy retorted. "So, if you'd excuse us--"
"Not so fast," panted Weasley, coming in through the portrait. "I told you, Harry, that he would try to maneuver his way out of this!" he exclaimed accusatorily to Potter. "Ferret boy, we would like to talk to you."
"Who exactly is 'we'?" he asked, a brow arched superciliously at them.
"Us Gryffindors, you're sharing your room with," replied Seamus.
"Oh, so is this a man to man thing, then?" he asked, still goading them.
"Well, I'm off. Harry, Ron, call me when you're ready to go to the Great Hall."
Harry gave her a distracted nod and they all watched her go up the girls' dormitories.
"I like the new colors on your face," said Weasley with a snigger. "It adds more complexity to your naturally boring demeanor."
He controlled the urge to roll his eyes. "Too bad I can't return the compliment. The freckles are just horrible."
How's that for having your insult boomeranged back to you? he thought triumphantly.
Weasley reddened to the best ever red Draco has ever seen him make.
"Just stop goading each other," said St. Potter. "Malfoy, regarding your sleeping arrangements--"
"Oh, don't fight over who gets to sleep with me. I'm versatile. I could take on all of you in one night."
The Irish turned green and Longbottom fell from his seat. Thomas gave him a repulsive look to which he replied with a wink.
Potter and Weasley looked at each other.
"Might as well give up on him," said Potter sagely. "He won't be bending to us even if we do outnumber him."
"I certainly hope that that wasn't some sort of sexual innuendo," said Seamus weakly to Harry.
Harry paled when Malfoy grinned at him. "L-l-let's call Hermione," he stuttered.
"That Malfoy--" said Ron, seething at the sight of the former at the Slytherin table during dinner. "How dare he just happen to like to stay at Gryffindor Tower and still want to associate himself with the Slytherins?"
"Honestly, Ron, you should be glad," Hermione asserted, taking a sip from her cup. "Just imagine if he started to befriend the Gryffindors..."
"She's right," Harry agreed. "At least, something of Malfoy is still in character." He looked at Malfoy from across the tables that separated their Houses. "Even though he's started to act all strange, we're quite well assured that he still is a Slytherin."
Malfoy caught Harry's eyes, then. He smirked at him, and proceeded to say something to the Slytherins around him. They, in turn, all looked at Harry with malice in their eyes; some of them, sniggering.
Harry had a distinct feeling that he wouldn't like to know what Malfoy told them.
"Well, Harry," Seamus Finnigan said, "what are you planning about Malfoy's initiation?"
"I haven't thought about it yet," he admitted. "Do you have anything you want him to do?"
"Let's make him whip a batch of Polyjuice Potion and if he fails, he can't be accepted to the D.A.," said Ron.
Hermione was quick to disagree with the suggestion when the others looked like they actually liked the idea. "That's impossible to do within a week, Ron. The ingredients are really hard to find and the procedures are complicated."
"But Malfoy is good in Potions," Parvati pointed out. "And his family has connections."
"No," said Hermione firmly. "That will not do."
"How about it if we asked him to be good for one whole week to everyone? You know, without the usual Malfoy malice?" Colin suggested excitedly.
"No," said Harry firmly. "We can't have Malfoy doing that. It will cause a severe attack of paranoia on everyone here in Hogwarts who knows how evil he could be. But it's a good idea," Harry added brightly when Colin's face fell.
Justin leaned over the Gryffindor table, overhearing the conversation. He said, "I think Malfoy should do something he isn't used to doing."
"Like?" Hermione prompted.
Justin looked blank for a few seconds. "Well... we could have him talk to a tree in front of everyone part of the D.A...."
Harry, in the middle of gulping his food, choked. Everyone on the table turned to him.
"You alright?" Ron asked him.
He forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah."
"That will make him look stupid," commented Parvati. "The D.A. is beyond making people look stupid."
"Alright," said Harry, coming to a decision. "Justin, inform all the other members of an advanced meeting tonight. We'll talk of Malfoy's initiation."
Harry looked at the expectant eyes of the D.A. members present. Not all of them were able to attend on such short notice but there was a good number of them in the room.
Luna Lovegood looked at him directly in the eyes. "I thought to come tonight because someone whispered that Malfoy will be bringing a unicorn as his initiation rite for the members to see."
Harry stared. "What?"
"Someone told me," she begun but Harry cut her off.
"That's fine, Luna," he said. "I haven't decided about that yet. That's why I called this meeting. I want you all to give me suggestions."
There was a rather distinct pause as the members thought about what they would like Malfoy to do. Harry gave them ample time to ponder on the task before he said, "Well, anyone?"
Hannah Abbot tentatively said, "Well, we could ask him to dye his hair black since he takes so much pride in it."
"That's just too easy on Malfoy!" Ernie Mcmillan protested. "We should let him go to Professor Snape and ask him the brand of shampoo he uses to make his hair look that way."
"Or," Justin Finch-Fletchley said, "we could make him go to Professor Sprout and ask if she is in need of a bone-growing draft..."
Zacharias Smith said with a malicious glint in his eyes, "Maybe we could ask him to give Professor McGonagall flowers and court her."
"What is with you Hufflepuffs and professors?" asked Terry Boot exasperatedly. "We can't drag in any of the professors in this or they'll stop us."
"He's right," Hermione agreed, sending the Ravenclaw an approving look. "Anyway, those suggestions were bordering around rude already and you all know it."
"Well, what are we going to make him do then?" Zacharias challenged, annoyed that his suggestion got shot down by Hermione. "Make him recite 'she sells sea shells by the sea shore' twenty times without faltering?" he asked sarcastically.
"We could make him operate my brother's camera," Dennis Creevey's small voice resonated at the quiet room after Zacharias' comment.
Harry mulled it over. "Malfoy does seem to have an aversion with things related to muggles."
"We could keep that idea if we don't think of anything else then," Ron agreed. "I've an idea, though."
They all looked at Ron.
"We could use the initiation to ask him to stop being such a bloody, annoying prick. What more opportune time could come?"
Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother. "We're just looking for a difficult task for Malfoy to do; not ask for a miracle."
Anthony Goldstein said, "Hey, I know. Why don't we just ask him not to use magic on a particular day?"
"We're studying at a school of magic," said Zacharias pointedly as if Anthony had gone bonkers.
"But that's just it, isn't it?" said Hermione, her face brightening. "Since we do study magic, asking him not to use his is just near impossible: he might decline the initiation."
"Brilliant," Harry said. "Malfoy is too conscious of his grades to agree to this one."
There was a murmur of agreement from the other members at this.
"So, it's settled, then," Harry said. "Tomorrow, we tell Malfoy."
If there was one thing that they still haven't learned, it was the fact that Malfoy could put a lot of crick in well planned strategies.
They all waited in anticipation as Malfoy thought over his task.
"I agree. Is that starting today?"
So much for Anthony's brilliance.
There was something distinctly peculiar with the stares Hermione was receiving from the Slytherins come Potions that day. She pointed this out to both Harry and Ron; Harry told her to ignore them while Ron shrugged, seeming not to care, looking still bemused that Malfoy's taken the challenge.
"How is he to cope without magic for a whole day?" he wailed after Malfoy has gone to class, leaving them all stupefied.
They've told Ron one too many times to give over trying to figure Malfoy out, but to no avail.
Hermione's eyes caught Malfoy and his cronies along with Blaise Zabini enter the room as they took their seats. Malfoy smirked at her, and had the audacity to wink when he went pass them to their respective seats.
There was no time to fume over Malfoy for Snape entered the room in the usual swish of robes, and laid the notes he had in hand on his table. He eyed the class contemptuously as if, despite the fact that they all passed their O.W.L.s for Potions, they were a bunch of fools.
"I've come to realize that although you already had worked in pairs for the Aging Potion, most of you do not have enough sense to make it properly," he said in a cutting voice. "I am going to have you all work in threes for a more tasking potion."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other.
"Since, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger got full marks last time, they will still be together this time, and will be joined by Mr. Zabini. Please stand up, you three."
With a dejected sigh, Hermione did as they were bid. Her eyes caught Malfoy's once more and his grin was none too disappointed if she were to say so.
"I expect nothing but the best from your group," Snape then sent Hermione an underlying glance. "Do not disappoint me."
"I can't believe that Snape!" Ron muttered angrily as Hermione sat down, Snape continued to announce the groups. "How is he expecting that you three work together?"
"Weasley, do you have a problem?" Snape inquired probably noticing Ron's angry countenance.
"Er, no, Professor Snape, sir," Ron replied, flustered.
"Good; you'll be working with Crabbe and Goyle."
Ron made a face when Snape turned to leave. Crabbe and Goyle, he mouthed.
Harry shook his head and patted Ron's back in what would have been a remorseful manner if not for the shadow of a grin lurking 'round the corners of his mouth. Ron caught it, and in return, stepped on Harry's foot, hard.
"Ouch!" Harry exclaimed, which brought Snape's attention back to them.
"Mr. Potter." Harry stood up involuntarily. "I have just had about enough of your attention-hogging attitude. You will work alone this time."
Harry's mouth dropped but he didn't utter one word. He sat down, then heard a snicker coming the Slytherins' way.
"Ignore them," Hermione mumbled. "I'll try to help you when I can."
He sent her a grateful smile, and looked miserably on at Snape, who continued to give out names.
"This potion that we will make is very crucial. I am sure that you are all aware of Veritaserum."
There was a collective gasp from the students in the classroom.
"But sir," Pansy Parkinson raised her hand, "isn't that illegal?" She asked with a small smile.
"I've taken care of that matter. We are going to make a very weak draft of the said potion. Professor Dumbledore agreed that you all are sensible students who are very well responsible. This will be the first time that students are tasked to make the truth serum. I trust that you will not fail me."
"What about the ingredients, sir?" Hermione asked.
"I have them all in stock," was his curt reply. "I have the ingredients written out on the board. Begin."
Everyone, then, moved to their designated places. Hermione met up with Blaise and Draco halfway the room. "Well, what are we waiting for?" she asked impatiently, when the two boys, towering over her, just kept looking.
"I can't use magic," said Malfoy.
"So?"
"Why?" Zabini asked, mildly curious.
"It's a secret between us," said Malfoy.
"Alright."
"I'm going to supervise you two, instead."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Bossy prat, isn't he?" said Blaise half jokingly. "Hello, Ms. Granger. My name's Blaise Zabini. I believe we've never been properly introduced."
"Are you really in Slytherin?" she asked, suspicious of his attitude.
"I've wondered so myself."
"You're flirting with Hermione, Zabini," Malfoy's voice cut through. "Go and get the ingredients, please."
As Blaise left to go and look over the list of ingredients, Malfoy told Hermione, "Have you thought about my offer to go to the Halloween Ball with me?"
"I think we've gone through this conversation a tad bit too many times to even bother answering you again."
"Why the hell won't you, then?"
"Because Inter-House unity is the least of my priorities for the moment."
"Well, you could just go because I'm devastatingly handsome and you'd love to have the honor of coming as my date. Forget house unity."
"Or not," said Hermione as firmly as she could. "Malfoy, you're self-centered and evil. You're just not my type."
"What's wrong with being self-centered and evil?" he asked, as if she were on the wrong side of things.
"Practically nothing," Zabini said, coming from behind Hermione. "It's alright to be self-centered and evil. There's nothing wrong with it if you're pleasing yourself."
"I don't like your condescending tone," Malfoy told him.
Zabini grinned at him. "What's not to like?"
They got through the Potions class with Malfoy and Zabini bantering like siblings, Malfoy inquiring as to Hermione's decision over the date at the ball (over and over again), and Hermione telling Malfoy to cut his ingredients right.
The only good thing that happened to them that day was the fact that Snape didn't find them disappointing.
Even Harry managed to get a passing grade from Snape (and that with no incentive that he was working alone whereas the others were in threes); and, much to their relief, Ron was still alive although with a failing mark.
"So, Hermione, would you care joining me in the library later this evening?" Blaise asked her as she was turning to leave.
"Why?"
"Oh, I don't know. I was thinking we could have a nice chat about life, love and our struggles--"
"Shut it, Zabini," Malfoy said. "Hermione's not meeting you at the library."
"Why not?"
"Because you're a Slytherin. I'm a Gryffindor now." And with that, he dragged Hermione away from Blaise. Harry and Ron called after them, following them in a hurry.
"Oy, Malfoy! Where are you bringing Hermione?" Ron called.
"Next class is Transfiguration."
"That's for the Gryffindors!" Harry told him pointedly.
"Then, I'll just escort her to Transfiguration and go back to the Tower."
"Let go of her, Malfoy, you git," Ron snarled after him.
"Maybe I will if you dye your hair!" Malfoy called back.
Shock would have been the understatement of the year to describe what the Gryffindors felt upon entering their common room.
Everything had turned green.
"What happened?" Seamus Finnigan asked, eyes roaming around.
"I'm glad you're all back," came Malfoy's rather friendly voice as he emerged from the staircase leading to the boys' dormitory. "Do you like the new interior?"
"I knew it had to be you," said Dean in a tired voice. "Whoever will it be?"
Malfoy let out a devastating smile that made Parvati and Lavander sigh despite everything. "I was hoping for a kind word, or two, you know."
"Who's going to give that to you?" Ron very nearly snarled.
"Longbottom will, won't you?" Draco stared at Neville.
Neville paled, then turned red. "Er--"
"Won't you?" he repeated.
"Y-y-yeah."
He stared expectantly. "Well? What do you say?"
"Er--it's very, uh... green..."
"Yes, I know. It took me quite some time to get this done without me using magic."
"How exactly did you do it?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"That's for me to know, and for you to find out."
Ron stepped forward with a menacing look in his eyes. Harry stopped him. "Hasn't your fist had enough of Malfoy yet?"
"Oh, Potter, I didn't know you cared."
"Malfoy's face is rather thick, isn't it?" Harry continued.
"What?!" came Malfoy's enraged exclamation.
"Harry!" Colin Creevey came tumbling down the stairs and looked near having a cardiac arrest when he saw Malfoy.
"Oh, hello, little helper."
"Helper?" the Gryffindors echoed.
"Harry," Colin said and slowly approached Harry. "He made me do it."
"Do what?" Hermione asked, taking note of Colin's scared expression.
"Make everything green."
Hermione gave Malfoy an incredulous look.
Malfoy smiled and shrugged.
"What about it? The day's nearly over," Malfoy said tauntingly as the Gryffindors settled in their beds.
"Don't look so smug about it," said Ron.
"Why not?"
Ron decided he'd rather not reply.
"Oh, yeah," said Draco, remembering as he sat on his own bed. "Professor Dumbledore said that he wanted to talk to you, Potter."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He dropped by while Creevey and I were decorating."
"When did he say he wanted to see me?" Harry asked for the sake of conversation.
"When you came back from Transfiguration."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
Harry got out of bed and nearly flew out the room, thinking that what the Headmaster wanted to say was important, when Malfoy called, "Change your clothes, Potter. You don't want to torment some poor soul, do you? Anyway, he wanted me to come with you."
He stopped in his tracks.
"Chocolate Frog?" Dumbledore offered.
Malfoy threw him a disgusted look, forgetting for the moment that the was the headmaster of the school. "You're too old to have a sweet tooth."
"Ah, but one is never too old to have a sweet tooth or for anything else for that matter," he replied, eyes twinkling.
"Said like the true ancient that you are," said Malfoy.
"Er, Professor, what is that you wanted to talk with me for?" Harry asked in hopes of Malfoy shutting up.
"I want the members of the D.A. to have a special class."
"A special class, sir?"
"Yes. It will handle teaching my army higher Defense Against the Dark Arts magic."
"Higher defense magic?"
"Yes, that's what he said, you brilliant parrot you," Malfoy told Harry.
Harry threw Malfoy a glare. "Sir, who will teach us?"
"I've assigned Professors Snape and Lupin to take over your lessons. As the leader of the D.A., I assign you to go to those two professors so you could arrange the schedules."
"But Professor Snape--?"
"Potter," said Malfoy in an airy voice, "I rather think that Professor Snape will do well as our teacher in this course. Just think, being a once-supporter of the Dark Lord, he will know a lot. Plus the all-black outfit--tacky as it is-- and the foreboding demeanor isn't all that bad for a symbol of authority."
"Nobody asked for you opinion," he couldn't help but snap at him. "You aren't a member of the D.A. ."
"I will be," answered Malfoy gloatingly, and raised a brow to Harry in a challenge. "Seven hours from now, I will be."
Harry looked at Malfoy, convincing himself that although it would be quite to his satisfaction to jump Malfoy and though it would be much beneficiary to the world if he did, Dumbledore might think otherwise.
"Which reminds me--" Dumbledore faked a cough once, twice and thrice in an attempt to break the eye contact between the two students. "Which reminds me--" he repeated, louder.
That brought Harry's eyes on him.
"I trust that you have been accommodating Mr. Malfoy well."
Harry didn't bother with a reply.
But Malfoy did.
"Professor Dumbledore, I must say that I could do with better company and treatment, but since they're Gryffindos--as opposed to being civilized, smart, and classy--I understand."
Harry fought the urge to ask permission from the Headmaster to allow him to use the Body-Bind Charm on himself, if only to stop himself from hurting Malfoy again.
"Well, I'm sorry for your predicament," said Dumbledore, then he turned to Harry. "Mr. Malfoy is yet a Death-Eater. I hope that you could persuade him to go to our side."
Harry's brows furrowed. He didn't know what Dumbledore meant by his statement. When his eyes fell on Malfoy, he saw that he was considerably more pale than usual.
A/N: I've finally finished this chapter. I honestly thought that I'll be able to post sooner but to make up for that, I decided to make this chapter longer than usual. I know that Dumbledore's a bit OOC here. (I didn't know how he would react with Harry and Draco squabbling in front of him). And the sequel for Twenty Questions is being made. :)