**Just an FYI I think I'm only going to be able to post things like once a week from now on :( It shouldn't take longer than that but yeah… If you have a day you would prefer let me know otherwise I'll just pick a random one off my calendar… But anyway happy holidays and hope y'all enjoy the chapter \(^-^)/**
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I opened my eyes to the familiar green tint of my room in the Slytherin dungeon. I sat up dazed and confused. When had I fallen asleep? Since the little nap I took on Draco's shoulder on the Hogwarts Express I didn't remember having fallen asleep again. We had all piled out of the train, into the cold pouring rain, and towards the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony. But then… what happened after that? I looked down at the soft dark sheets and to my clothes. How did I get into my pyjamas?
"Are you really awake this time or is this another failed attempt like the last one?" A voice broke through my thoughts making me inadvertently blink several times before answering
"I'm awake" I muttered looking over at Daphne. She stretched her arms above her head, sitting comfortably on the edge of her bed and smiling at me. I rubbed my eyes as a response and she laughed, being far more awake than I was.
"About time, really. If you hadn't woken up soon I would've probably had to throw a bucket of water on your head. But how I could get one before you woke up on your own I don't know. Although if I did that probably wouldn't have ended too well for me"
"How did I get here?" I asked, interrupting her usual morning rambling. It's not like I was missing out on anything anyway or like she wouldn't do it again tomorrow morning
"Draco carried you" she replied, smiling grandly to herself
"No he didn't!" someone shrieked loud enough to make me flinch and want to cover my ears. Pansy's voice was like a shrill siren sometimes. It didn't help that I had just woken up either. Daphne laughed having gotten the reaction she probably wanted and turned back to me.
"Seriously what happened?" I repeated with a yawn. For a second I paused looking around for Lev but found him by the foot of my bed, near where we kept some of his treats. Once I had that questioned answered I looked to Daphne for the remaining one
"During the opening feast you kept falling asleep. Draco said it was because you hadn't been sleeping well because of… something or other. I can't remember to be honest; that boy mumbles a lot. Anyway, when the feast was over he and Theo brought you down to the common room and then I half dragged you up here. With Lev's help of course" she added reaching out to pet my puppy. He let her but didn't turn away from his treats
"Okay. But why did it take the two of them?" I asked rather curious. It wasn't like I was heavy enough to require both their help
"I know, you're as light as a feather. But when Draco said he'd take you someone" she paused, tilting her head in an obvious manner towards our roommates, "started complaining. So they shared the work load."
"Okay" I muttered drowsily stretching myself out. That explained everything I suppose. Well it was good to know that if I ever fell asleep somewhere I could just be brought to my room. Still, it was most likely not the best idea to get into the habit of that
"He didn't carry you" Pansy called out still bothered that he had
"Okay" I replied standing up. It's not like I cared what she had to say but if I didn't agree she would just spend the rest on the day complaining
"I'm serious!" she insisted
"Okay" I yawned again. She made an aggravated noise then went to leave, slamming the door as she left. I guess she was already dressed. Hadn't bothered looking to be honest
"No one can annoy that girl like you" Daphne giggled looking towards where Pansy had exited
"Okay" I repeated and walked over to my clothes. Daphne laughed and reached for her own. Looking around I saw the only people left in the room where the two of us and Lev. "Where's Millicent?"
"Don't know" Daphne muttered laying her uniform out in front of her. "I think she's downstairs; must be since she's not here. But it's kind of hard to tell when she's always in the background of things"
"Why does she never say anything?"
"Crabbe and Goyle never say anything either" She reminded me. They never did say anything interesting at least. Every once in a while they would mumble things but not much besides that. "And it took us three years to get Theo and Blaise talking to us like they do now"
"Still you would think they'd want to say something every once in a while." Daphne shrugged at me and we started undressing. I always hated this part of the morning, everything felt cold. The uniforms weren't bad though, I actually liked them. It was soothing not having to think of what to wear. At home my mother always insisted on dressing me like I was her doll; when I let her at least. I pulled my jumper over my shirt and shook my head to get my hair free from it.
"I hate this" Daphne grumbled pulling her tights up under her skirt
"Hate what?" I mumbled pulling one of my stockings over my leg
"The new uniform!" she cried adjusting herself. I giggled and she shot me dirty look. "It's not funny"
"Then why didn't you complain last year?" " I asked, pulling on my second stocking
"Because it wasn't so bad then but now I'm sick of these!" she complained, tugging on her tights again
"They're not that bad" I replied watching Lev jump onto my bed. He walked a few steps then settled down comfortably on it. My guess was he was thinking of taking a nap after we left
"It's different, you're wearing stockings" she defended, adjusting herself again. I stood up and couldn't help but laughed at her expression
"Then wear them too" I suggested grabbing my book bag and patting Lev's head goodbye. He licked my hand before putting his head down with soft snore. That lazy bum
"No" Daphne replied set on her decision
"Then why are you complaining" I sighed at her. I had a feeling she just loved to complain. Well it wasn't so much a feeling as experience. We walked out of the room and down the stairs toward the common room
"Because they're annoying" she insisted not bothering taking a break from it
"Why don't you want to wear stockings?" I wondered, interested. They weren't bad and actually quite cozy
"Because of the garter things" she mumbled quietly as we passed a group of boys on the way out of the dungeon. I rolled my eyes at her and smiled. The thigh garters I wore were adjustable and fit rather comfortably. Sometimes I forgot they were even there. It just felt like really high socks. "I mean isn't it uncomfortable"
"Aren't you already uncomfortable?" I reminded her. Daphne gave me a look and I smiled again. "They can come in handy"
"You mean like that piece of parchment you keep on yours" she commented and I nodded. I kept the piece of parchment that was linked with Draco's there. After what happened at the World Cup I figured it was a good idea to have it close by.
"You never know when you'll need a piece of parchment" I told her walking up the stairs to the Great Hall. This was the safest place I could think of keeping it; right by my side, literally. No one would get it from there
"Isn't that what your bag is for?" she asked slightly suspicious. I continued to smile at her. Daphne had a rather small attention span for things that she couldn't wear or didn't sparkle; she would forget about it soon enough
"Yeah, well, this way I won't lose it." Daphne gave me a weird look but didn't say anything else. I hadn't told anyone about what the piece of parchment really did so it wasn't a surprise to see her react in this manner. But if I told Daphne I knew she'd want to use it. This piece of parchment was just something special between me and Draco. Who, speaking of which, was coming this way
"Hey" he grinned when he saw Daphne and me and strutted over. I smiled back
"Hi" we greeted in unison
"What were you two talking about" Draco asked noticing Daphne's expression. She started looking away from him and grew quiet, which was a rare trait on her
"Undergarments" I answered honestly. Both looked at me wide eyed making me giggle
"Funny" Draco mumbled and I smiled. "Let's go to breakfast"
"'Kay." I walked alongside him into the Great Hall. Daphne hit me lightly with her bag making me giggle again. Draco noticed but didn't comment on it. My guess was he was putting all his energy not to blush at my last comment. Sometimes I forgot he was a boy. "Oh and thanks for taking me to bed last night"
"Don't mention it" he mumbled though I had a feeling it was more of an order than a 'you're welcome'
The three of us made our way inside where it looked like almost all of the Hogwarts students were already there. In the Slytherin table the rest of our usual group was seated and happily having their breakfast. It appeared as though the boys had been ready and come down for breakfast around the time that Pansy and Millicent had left, if not earlier. Draco must have been standing outside for a little while waiting for us. Well that was sweet of him
Daphne moved to sit next to Blaise as Draco went towards the seat next to Pansy who, we had learned over the years, would complain if he didn't. Making myself comfortable in the seat next to his I reached for a piece of toast while Theodore handed us each our new course schedules.
"They were passed out while you were in the dungeon" he explained taking a sip from his glass of, what looked like, orange juice
"Thanks" I commented taking another bite of my toast. "Oh and thank you for helping last night" I added looking back up. He made a sound but otherwise stayed focused on his meal
"You did that on purpose, didn't you" Pansy started her daily complaint. She always had something to whine about. Or maybe that's just what I heard. "You purposely fell asleep because you are so self-involved you assumed everyone would drop what they were doing just to please you. Admit it. Why else would someone willingly sleep in the middle of the Sorting Ceremony? I bet you don't even know what special event is happening at Hogwarts this year."
"Pansy" I sighed wondering how she didn't get sick of hearing her own voice. Daphne giggled and looked between us amused. "First of all, who willingly falls asleep in the middle of something like that? I was tired and no I don't just assume people will do things for me. Draco and Theo were just nice enough not to wake me up. Secondly, the Triwizard Tournament is happening; that's the only event worth mentioning at least. It should start around the end of November and the other two schools involved are Durmstrang Institute and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic"
"You told her before you told me!" Pansy shrieked turning over to Draco. He ran his hand slowly through his hair. He had picked up that habit to cope with her complaints without having to constantly hit himself in the face. I giggled at the scene making Pansy scowl in my direction
"No I didn't tell her" Draco said in a slow manner, so she would understand and hopefully not ask him to repeat it several times. "Her father informed her months ago just like mine did with me"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Daphne complained frowning between Draco and me. He let out a frustrated sighed otherwise ignoring her. I did too and turned to look at the schedule Theo had given me
"Oh"
"What is it?" Draco asked looking over my shoulder
"Care of Magical Creatures" I pointed to the second class of the day
"Again?" he complained moving to look to his own schedule. "Why are we having class with those insufferable vermin?"
"Oh we have it with Gryffindor again?" Daphne guessed. Blaise nodded and pointed to her schedule for confirmation
"Maybe you should've dropped the class if it bothers you so much" I muttered at Draco. He rolled eyes at me in reply. "But hey, while we're on the subject, could you not whine like a little girl and make the class boring this year?"
"Shut up" Draco told me austerely. I smiled at him. For some reason I could never take him seriously when he did that
"He's right though" Daphne added moving to put her schedule in her bag.
"About me shutting up?"
"No, I mean about the Gryffindors. I know you like them and all but they're obnoxious." Most of the others nodded in agreement which made Daphne smiled. She liked being in the center of attention
"I only like some" I corrected. While I loved spending time with Hermione and the twins there weren't many other Gryffindors I got along with. Though we weren't on the best terms I could tolerate Harry. And thinking hard I suppose Neville was sweet. Otherwise I only had Ron in mind and he wasn't… my favorite person in the world. "The rest are okay I guess"
"Everyone thinks they're such goody-two-shoes when they're clearly not" she continued
"People are biased" I shrugged
Overhead the rustling of wings forewarned the owls' arrival. A cloud of brown and gray covered the usual view of the enchanted ceiling above. All around the hall birds flew to deliver their letters and packages. A few dropped some boxes to awaiting Slytherins before I saw Draco's owl. As usual he was getting his bundle of sweets and cakes his mother sent him. The bird landed casually on his shoulder. Draco patted his head lightly before setting his plate a little to the side allowing the owl for a place to rest on the table.
"How've you been Zary?" I asked as Draco opened the neat little package. I gave him a piece of sausage from my plate and he nipped at my fingers affectionately glad to take it
"How many times do I have to tell you not to call him that?" Draco sighed giving me a look
"But it's cute" I defended with a smile. His look didn't change. "That name you gave him is too serious. He's an owl not a politician"
"Balthazar is a perfectly fine name" he grumbled
"But he likes Zary better. Don't you, Zary" I cooed scratching his head softly. He closed his eyes and leaned towards me seeming to like it. I pulled back giving Draco a smug smile as Zary took off, making his way back to the owlery
"Here, shut up and eat this" he replied handing me a cake from his package. I rolled eyes but took it because the sweets his mother sent were always great
"Can I have one?" Pansy asked smiling sweetly
"No" Draco retorted putting the rest of them back in parcel. I tried not to smile as she glowered in my direction. But it was her fault for thinking he would say yes. She should know by now that I'm special
"We should start heading to History of Magic" Theo muttered looking up from his now empty plate. The rest of us nodded in agreement and stood up. Though slightly disappointing, considering that it had to start with that class, it was time for a new year. And the Triwizard Tournament should keep things… interesting, to say the least.