Disclaimer: I bow to the greatness that is JK Rowling and in no way claim any of her characters or ideas.
Authorette Note: This is my first fanfic, so please review. Special thanks to my creative assistant Bridget!
Please Read and Review! I really would like the feedback!
A Slight Altercation
The train arrived at Hogsmeade, and as Harry got of the train he heard that familiar call, "Firs' years! All firs' years! This way! Firs' years!" Harry smiled. It was good to see Hagrid again. " 'ello, 'arry! Good summer?" Hagrid winked. Of course, they had seen each other numerous times over the summer on Order business.
"Pretty uneventful, Hagrid," replied Harry, which was mostly true. Harry looked forward coming back to Hogwarts, back to the wizarding world where he felt the most at home. But, as he got into one of the carriages pulled by the Thestrals, he knew this year would be different. He was going to have to help Malfoy. Harry grimaced at the thought.
"What is it Harry?" asked Hermione, as she and Ginny stepped into the carriage.
"Nothing, Hermione," said Harry, "Just thinking about the request Dumbledore made two weeks ago. I wonder what we will have to do first."
"I really haven't the faintest idea what Dumbledore meant by helping… him," Hermione hesitated in saying Malfoy's name, in case they were overheard.
"Hey, wait up!" yelled Ron. He climbed into the carriage with Hermione, Ginny and Harry. "I nearly got run over by a crowd of first years. If that little black-haired girl who stepped on my toes is in Gryffindor, she's getting Ginny's bat-bogey hex."
Hermione stifled a giggle. "Really, Ronald. You're going to let a first year girl get to you?"
Ron scoffed, "No, of course not. I'm just saying…"
Ron and Hermione bickered the whole way to the castle.
Harry laughed, and Ginny rolled her eyes.
The Great Hall was abuzz with excitement. Everyone was still trying to catch up on summer news when the Headmaster cleared his throat. The hall quieted down. The large wooden doors groaned open, and a small crowd of first year students walked uncertainly through the doorway. They looked terrified. Harry still could not believe he was ever that young, or that short. Professor McGonagall stood at the head of the table and placed the Sorting Hat on a three-legged stool. She held up a scroll of parchment and began calling out names. The last girl to get sorted was a little black-haired girl. McGonagall called her name. "Hazel Nigellus." She tentatively stepped forward, and perched on the edge of the stool. The sorting hat was placed on her head, and after a moment, cried, "Gryffindor!" The table erupted into cheers, welcoming the newest member to the house.
Nigellus. That sounds familiar, why is that? Harry smiled at the little black-haired girl walking to the Gryffindor table. She lifted one side of her mouth in a lopsided smile. Then she noticed Ron. Her eyes opened wide, then quickly looked away, and sat down.
"Don't smile at her!" whispered Ron. "She's the one who trampled me!"
Next to Ron, Hermione and Ginny doubled over in silent laughter. "And you two aren't helping the matter!" muttered Ron, angrily. Hermione elbowed Ron in the ribs and wiped tears from her eyes. "Aw! Poor ickle Ronnie-kins! Scared of a little first year?"
"No!" huffed Ron. "I –"
"Good evening everyone!" Dumbledore spoke and all the whisperings around the Great Hall stopped. The room was completely silent. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. For the first years, the Forest is strictly forbidden. I believe this year is going to be a great year. This year, we will band together as one school, rather than four houses. The friendships that you make here will last a lifetime." Dumbledore looked contemplative for a brief moment. He seemed to change his mind about continuing the speech. "Again, welcome. And tuck in, before the food gets cold."
A grand feast suddenly appeared out of nowhere on all four tables. During the meal, Draco was sneaking looks at the Gryffindor table, searching out Hermione, Ron, and Harry. He wanted to know if they'd been told about the newest member of the Order. I should be able to tell from their faces, Draco thought. His eyes scanned the table and rested on Harry. He looked happy. He was joking around with Hermione, Ginny, and Ron. I guess they haven't been told yet. They aren't going to like it at all, thought Draco. And I can't let anyone know I've joined their side.
"Malfoy! Who are you looking for? Your new girlfriend?" Pansy Parkinson teased. Pansy had been crushing on Draco since their second year. Draco could not stand her, and she was way too forward.
"Actually," replied Draco, turning and talking to Crabbe and Goyle and completely ignoring Pansy, "I was looking at Potter. I'm trying to decide if I can get away with hexing him right here in front of everyone."
"I wouldn't dare it, Malfoy," said Goyle. "Dumbledore has his eye on you. He has had since the speech."
"Yeah, I know." Draco sighed. "We'll get him later."
Why is Dumbledore looking at me? If Goyle noticed, Dumbledore's not trying very hard to conceal it. Draco glanced at the head table. Dumbledore was looking concernedly down at Draco. Draco sighed and turned back to his friends.
As everyone was leaving the Great Hall after the feast, Harry could hear the prefects calling for the first years. As he walked through the large wooden doors, he heard his name over the din, "Potter!"
Harry turned, and immediately there was a flash of light. Harry flew backward and hit the floor. Several things happened in a blur. Students ran for cover, two more flashes lit the hall, and Harry sprouted a tail, pointy ears, and fur. Harry looked up at his attacker – Malfoy. Instead of looking satisfied and triumphant, as Harry had expected, Draco looked confused, and Harry soon understood why. Multiple pairs of bat wings were sprouting from Draco's head, flapping wildly, scratching his face. Draco tried to push them off, but that only made them beat faster. Harry glanced at Ginny, and silently commended her for a hex very well done.
Draco looked at Ginny as if he wanted to scream obscenities at her, but all he could seem to say was, "BAAAAAAAAH!" Draco blinked in surprise. "BAAAAH? BAAAAH? BAAAAH!" The entire audience to the ambush was in hysterics. Harry didn't know which of his friends had altered Draco's voice until his gaze landed on a very smug-looking Hermione. Hermione winked at him, turned, and walked away with Ginny, laughing.
Professor McGonagall pushed her way through the crowd, and looked at Harry, who was laughing so hard at the sheep-like Draco that tears came to his eyes. Draco was trying to yell at everyone who was laughing at him, "BAAAAH!" Draco was growing more and more frustrated, what with the bat wings thrashing about and his being unable to communicate with anyone. He turned to McGonagall, "BAAAH," he said pitifully.
"I know, Mr. Malfoy. Let's get you to the hospital wing. You too Mr. Potter."
Ron helped Harry to his feet, which was somewhat difficult, as his feet had been turned into paws. In fact, Harry was so much the cat at this point; he had to walk on all fours to get to the hospital wing, his long brown tail swishing the whole way.
Both boys were treated and released the same day, however Draco's voice-hex had lasting effects. For the next few days, anytime he tried to say anything malicious to a Gryffindor, he would only be able to BAAH like a sheep.
Harry thought it was most ingenious, though he wasn't about to flatter Hermione. She kept teasing him. She thought he had made a very charming cat.