Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my storyline and a bag of chips. Yes, I realize how pathetic that is, but nobody asked you anyways.
Chapter 5
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"Hey, Longbottom!" Neville looked up from the small pot of sage that he had been working with. It was Terry Boot again. He had been bothering Neville for quite some time. Terry Boot was a Ravenclaw and insanely smart, but he was the sort of person who bragged abouthis grades and made fun of those who did poorly in class. "Finally found something that you're good at? I doubt it." Terry pushed Neville face-first into the plant and walked off.
Neville muttered a spell to get rid of the plant juices that now covered his face. He frowned as the bell rang for him to leave Herbology and picked up his bag. A slip of paper fell out.
Bullies got you down? Help will come at 8 pm in the medical section of the library. This is not a joke! Don't tell anyone.
Reading the note, he decided that he might as well. The worst that could happen would be that it would beTerry again, in which case he would deal with the consequences.
Hermione Granger was on her way to return Neville's toad again, when she found a tiny note sticking out of one of the many books in her bag. "What's this?" she muttered to herself. She carefully pulled it out and unfolded it.
Want to help others? Then, come to the medical section of the library at 8 pm. Tell no one.
"Well, then." She pondered the note. Who could have written this note? And why? How was this going to help others? And how did whoever had written the note know that she wanted to help others? "There's only one way to find out."
The days had gone by in a blur for Draco. After his meeting with Mandy, he had decided that working on finding people who could help. So far, he had only found one person who was intelligent enough. Hermione Granger seemed too smart for her own good at first glance. Under close scrutiny however, she was just brainy and surprisingly kind. He had decided quickly that she could, and probably would, help him and whoever needed help. She was just that kind of person.
He had gotten Mandy's note the same day as everyone else, although he had been hoping for an earlier time.
There is a lot of helpful information in the medical section of the library. So far, I've found 8 books. One is by Pyg Malion. It's really interesting. It includes codes that were used during times of war to gather medical supplies. Even Crabbe and Goyle might like that one although I doubt it. They would probably just fall asleep.
The code she had used was simple enough for Draco to understand without knowing at first that it was in code. Crabbe and Goyle, however, would never suspect a thing. He smiled at the idea she had relayed. He already knew how he could get the potion.
Professor Snape had been worrying about his godson ever since the boy had arrived at Hogwarts with his two massive "bodyguards". Not the head of Slytherin for nothing, the teacher had already decided that they were spies for Lucius. He frowned at the thought of Lucius Malfoy as a parent. It was a sad state of affairs for his godson, but hadn't he always known that?
He shrugged off his meditations as someone knocked at the door of his classroom. "Enter," he intoned, wondering who it was.
"Professor," began Draco.
"I was wondering when you would come see me," said Professor Snape, attempting a smile. "I've been worried about you. How are things with you and your father?"
Draco paused at this. "Not very good. That's why I've come to see you. First off, I was wondering if you had any sleeping potion that I could use. I need a way to lose Crabbe and Goyle for a while."
Snape nodded. "As a teacher, I should warn you that giving another student a potion on purpose is probably against the rules. I wouldn't know. I don't think they've been written down. But as your godfather, I feel no guilt whatsoever in giving this to you," he said, handing Draco a bottle the size of his hand. "A few drops should do, but I'm giving you the whole bottle for whatever escapades you go on. The effects last about four hours, but if you need more time, add some salt to it."
"Thank you. Secondly," he continued. "I was wondering if you could teach me Occlumency. I've been reading a lot about it, and I think that it might help me with father."
"Certainly," Snape said. "I assume that you don't want anyone to find out?" The boy shook his head. "Then you're smarter than your father would like to believe."
sheoflittleimportance - Thanks! Nice penname by the way.
IvyLilac - What don't you get?
the dark seraphim - There are going to be several other people joining, but I haven't figured out how yet. I know Luna Lovegood is going to come in 2nd year, and Blaise might join, but I'm not sure about her.
ERMonkey, Burner of Cookies - Doing so. I've noticed a lot of repetition in your reviews. It's really funny.
youknowyouloveme9 - Thanks.
Grey Grim - Thanks for reminding me. Otherwise the story would have been forgotten like so many others.
Chatterpillar - Thanks.
Faerie of Serendipity - I am truly appalled that you haven't read/reviewed this yet. In other words, REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Everybody else - REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And thanks for reading. Hope you liked it, but if not, you are free to read something else.