Draco and Severus returned to Slytherin house, just as they had been told to do. But they did not retire, though it was growing late. Thankfully, there were not too many kids left in the common room, and even better, none of them were from fifth year. Roderick was there, however.
"Don't stay up too late; we've got a practice tomorrow," he reminded Draco. Draco had remembered that much. Severus though seemed to be making a big deal about something, but he couldn't remember what it was.
Severus' black eyes were resting on the metal flask that Draco was holding. "Didn't Professor Foxworth give you that?"
"Yeah," Draco answered with that uncertainty in his voice.
"What is it?"
"I...I'm not sure..." Draco admitted. Severus took it from him and unscrewed the top. He then sniffed the contents. His black brows furrowed, and his mouth thinned until it nearly disappeared from his face.
He shook the flask to test how much was left inside. "Unless I am very much mistaken, this is a forgetfulness potion," he concluded.
Draco's insides went cold. "What?"
"And from the looks of it, " Severus continued, "there's enough in here to make you forget your god damned name! What the hell was Foxworth about, giving you this? It's a damned good thing you didn't drink all of this. You wouldn't remember where you are, or your age, or anything!"
Draco held his stomach, like he wanted to vomit. "It's no good; I can't do it. Help me find out what I do remember," Draco begged Severus. As a result, they spent half the night going over Draco's memories, to see how much was impaired. Severus had to remind him of the mysterious door, and that he was transferred there from a future time. But once he was reminded, Draco's own mind began to fill in blanks.
"Are you even remembering tonight? Do you remember what you were doing tonight?" Severus asked him.
"I remember a toothbrush...and books," Draco told him. "I guess I was going to study for that Transfiguration test, and then brush my teeth and go to bed."
"Draco," Severus said harshly, "you had detention tonight with Remus Lupin. Don't you remember anything about that?"
"Oh, detention? Was it with that boring Lupin kid? I guess it wasn't very eventful, because I don't recall anything exciting going on."
"Really? Don't you think it's strange that all the prefects had been called out to round up everyone and get them into thier dormitories before ten? Is it coincidence that you can't remember your detention for Colton on the very same night? Why are your robes covered in slobber? It looks like you had a fight with a drooling dog!"
"I...don't remember," Draco concluded feebly.
"Well, I know one thing for absolute certain. You were going to ask me about Colton. Even though I can't be sure that you were going to ask this particular question, I can only guess that you wanted to know what I know about him. Well, I can't answer you in a direct way, but I can say this. Look at his aura. There is someone else you know of that has an aura like his. Look at everyone around you, even the teachers and staff here. Especially the staff. It will answer the question of why he tried to control the class the way he does."
"Colton hates me, and I don't know why," Draco admitted.
"So, you remember that much, do you? Well, he's jealous of me, with my skill at the Art of potionmaking, as well as another talent that I believe you share with me. It's that Talent that he's so frightened of; it's what told me what I know about him," Severus warned Draco.
"I wish you'd be little more direct with me. I don't understand what you mean."
"Then I'll help you understand, Draco. When you first came here two nights ago, I can tell you Saw something when you looked at Lestrange. What was it? Do you remember?" Severus demanded.
Draco thought back, and he could remember that encounter. He recalled the vision that he had seen in front of his eyes of Lestrange in Azkaban, even before he knew who he was. "I can't tell you that; it might change the future..." Draco answered.
"That," Severus said, "is exactly why I cannot tell you directly what I know about Colton. Just know what I told you so your answers can come on their own."
Draco had almost forgotten about his talent as a Seer. Professor Trelawney had given him very high marks for his use of the crystal ball; because he was able to tell her of very accurate visions he's had while pretending to use the crystal ball to See into the future. "I understand now, Severus. I'm so tired..." he admitted.
"Yeah, you'd better get to bed before Simmons jumps down my throat for keeping you up all night..." Severus muttered. His own mind was not still as he watched Draco crawl into his bed and pull the curtains around him. Something defintely happened tonight, and it had to do with Lupin in some way. He was going to get to the bottom of it, though. no matter what it took...
"Look sharp, Malfoy!" He heard Ashton crack the Bludger in his direction. Draco swirled to avoid the black ball from breaking his head open like an egg. He saw a glint of gold darting around , but wasn't inclined to get it just yet. He'd wait until the time felt right. He had a great deal on his mind anyway. His sleep had been full of dreams that he was being chased by werewolves and that he was throwing books at them to hold them off.
Another Bludger whizzed by him. He ignored it and aimed down with his Nimbus 2002, anxious to end this game suddenly. He disregarded the Quaffle being tossed at the goal, and passed it right by. He swooped down and eyed the Snitch with wary determination. As if sneaking up on it, Draco glided silently to the Snitch and clasped it in both hands like one would catch a firefly.
"Good work Malfoy. Keep practicing men," Simmons called out.
"And woman!" yelled the lone female Chaser of the team.
"Don't you know you're one of the guys?" Simmons complained. Luckily, the battle of the sexes ended there, and not because either she nor Simmons was ready to give up the fight, but because Professor Foxworth came striding out with an expression of rage on his face. "I ought to be taking five points off Slytherin for each of you for disobeying me! I told you that you were under no circumstances allowed to go out on the grounds!" he bellowed.
"But we have to train up our new Seeker!" Simmons protested, amidst other wails from other tem members about being cooped up another night in Slytherin House for no good reason.
"Your Seeker looks like he's ready to drop dead off his broom, even in this bad light. Now get down here and get inside, all of you!" he ordered them. Draco sank down, along with the others, and sighed as he gave up the Golden Snitch. It didn't matter. Even Quidditch wasn't taking his mind off things anyway.
"Are we still in this 'danger' that you keep telling us about?" Draco asked him. Foxworth gave Draco a very stony look in response, and said nothing.
Later, in their dorm, the fifth year Slytherin boys got ready for bed. Draco slowly closed the book on Reversal of Memory Charms that he'd gotten from the Library, and watched as Severus walked over to a piece of parchment that was taked to the post of Avery's bed. It was a simple list of all the boy's last names, with tick marks next to each name.
Severus took his quill and made four marks on the list next to his name. "Oh, shut up! Four? Get the fuck out of here..." Lestrange protested. Evan smirked, and Avery peered at the list.
"Remember, this was supposed to be a list taken only on your word of honor," Avery reminded him. "Which reminds me, we haven't put Malfoy's name on the list. Will you do the honors, Sev?"
As Severus added "Malfoy" to the list, he said, "It's true Avery. I'm not making it up."
"Four in one week?" Lestrange repeated in disbelief.
"Yes, and actually, it's all thanks to Malfoy here," Severus smirked. "You see, they all think he's so cute..."
"Cute?" Draco gagged.
"Yeah, and since they all think that I'm your best friend, they all want to get at you, and think that by getting to me, it would be the next best thing to getting to you. You could say I gave them a test ride for you..."
Draco gaped, while the others looked rather murderous. It was times like these that reminded him that everyone around him was just as much a Slytherin as he was. If not more so. When he finally found his voice, he declared, "Wow, Severus, none of my friends have ever done anything like that for me before. How can I ever return the favor?"
"Well, I am sorry to report that I cannot in good conscience turn Drucilla Webster over to you. She's got the nicest pair of tits..." Severus told them, then turned into his bed.
Draco mulled over this while the others whooped with excitement. He waited until it died down, and they all went to their own beds and quieted down. Draco then tiptoed to Severus' bed, opened the drapes, and looked him squarely in his black eyes.
"I wonder if any of my er, fans happened to be that cute little red-head Gryffindor with the green eyes. I'd love giving her some of the Malfoy Family Jewels..." he winked.
Like a viper, Severus struck in less than an instant. Draco was a bit surprised when he felt the cold steel of a dagger against his throat. "If you so much as touch her, I'll cut your balls off and then your throat, friend or no friend." Draco considered pointing out to Severus that what he'd done, or rather, who he'd done, hardly allowed him to have any sort of attitude like that, but he decided that it wouldn't be the most prudent time to debate the matter.
"I was only kidding, Sev. You know, joking, as in ha, ha?"
Severus returned the comment with an even stonier look than Foxworth had given him earlier, but at least he pulled the dagger away. "How did you know I love her?"
Draco drew a deep breath and replied, "These Gryffindor girls will drive you nuts, no pun intended..."
"Oh? So you like a Gryffindor girl in your time? I bet no one knows..." Severus surmised.
"I won't tell if you won't tell," Draco offered.
Severus smiled. "Deal."
Draco shook his head sadly. "Granger...she isn't even born yet!"
"Go to sleep," Severus advised him. "Maybe you'll dream about her tonight."
"Right," Draco sighed as he left Severus behind and got into his own bed. He couldn't help but think about the fact that Severus actually kept a dagger under his pillow. He listened in the darkness to Lestrange's snore, and thought that maybe Severus had the right idea...