DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 15 – Battle of the Houses
The first Defense Against the Dark Arts class was going scarily smooth in Draco's opinion. So far there had been no spells gone amiss and not one brawl between the opposing houses. He assumed this was due to the fact that the Slytherin's had been paired up with the Ravenclaws. The quiet and conservative Ravenclaws were making a studied effort to avoid the cool-calculating gazes of the Slytherins while attempting to write down every word falling from the professor's mouth. Generally the Ravenclaws would mind their own business but sometimes there was one student who just had to pull a chain or stir a pot. Today there wasn't even a muffled whisper, which Draco figured was due to the white wolf sitting patiently behind his master, glaring at anything that moved. Damian on the other hand, was sprawled out beneath the table with his head resting on one of Draco's shoes. The steady rise and fall of his chest and the rhythmic tap of his tail calming to both of them.
Dumbledore finally managed to find a DADA professor who doesn't seem like a complete nut job. Draco whispered, quill skating across the parchment before him as he took notes.
Hey! There was nothing wrong with Professor Lupin. Harry muttered, listening to the steady drone of Professor Dirdsue's voice.
So the fact that he's a werewolf doesn't classify him as a nut in your books? Draco mumbled, laying his quill down as the professor demonstrated a spell that could be used to defend oneself against certain types of curses.
Nope, I mean how many students were actually harmed in his class compared to the other teachers who've taught us for the past few years. Came the grumbled response, followed by a rasping rumble as the panther attempted to warn Thelma away from the silver bell dangling from his collar. Draco extended his foot and pushed the squirrel away from Damian before turning around and glaring at Crabbe who wasn't paying attention to his familiar. As he turned back to face the front his gaze locked with that of one of the Ravenclaws. Their gazes held for a moment before the other wizard frowned and looked down at Damian who was oblivious to the wizard's interaction.
Harry?
What? Groaned Harry, rolling over to face the other direction, ignoring the fact that his sudden movement startled several students around the classroom.
When you said you chased off several students the other night, they didn't happen to be Ravenclaws did they?
Hm, they certainly were; ran like a bunch of Hufflepuffs as soon as I showed up. Why?
Because one of them is watching you in a very interested sort of way. Draco mumbled, sliding his books away, glad that he could finally escape the intent gaze of the other student. Now get up, we have to go our next class.
Draco sat among the Slytherins in Transfiguration class, the Gryffindors occupying the other half of the classroom. It was a constant point of amusement between Draco and Blaise that Dumbledore always managed to make sure the two houses had at least one class a day with the other. It was like the old wizard was constantly trying to get them to see the other house in a whole new way and failing miserably. The feuding between the Slytherins and Gryffindors was practically legendary. No matter what the year, there were numerous battles of words and actions that seemed to raise the bar for the following year.
Today was one of those days where the hostility leapt to life and neither house was able to contain themselves. The two houses had been together only a few moments and already several insults had been thrown and wands waved about in an unconcealed threat of action should anyone go to far. It hadn't helped that a paper ball meant for Draco had whacked Blaise off the side of the head, which in turn set Nox off in a barrage of snarls and snaps in the general direction the crumpled paper had come from. By the time Professor McGonagall arrived almost every student had their wand pointed at another and the room was filled with the sound of voices raised in threat.
"Put those wands away now. You should all be ashamed of yourselves, setting such an example for the younger students." Professor McGonagall stated, folding her hands behind her back and beginning to pace in front of them.
"The Slytherins started it." Ron snarled, narrowing his eyes in the direction of the Slytherins. "Malfoy called Hermione a mudblood." Smirking at the look on the professor's face over manufactured lie, he opened his mouth to continue his destruction of Draco's character but screeched like a girl as a giant black mass dropped from the rafters of the room, landing on the desk in front of him. Emerald eyes blazed as the cat drew back his lips and hissed right into Ron's face. The chair Ron was sitting in slammed against the floor as it tipped backwards aided by a slight push from a paw meant for Ron's head.
"Mister Malfoy! Call your familiar now!" The teacher screamed in shock, watching as the panther readied himself to pounce onto Ron who was attempting to crawl backwards along the floor.
"To me Damian." Draco whispered, wrapping his arms around the panther's head as the cat dropped it into his lap, fingers tracing the edge of an ear as he raised his gaze to meet the teachers.
"If I see your animal attack one more student Mister Malfoy I'll be forced to have him banned from school property. As it is you lost forty points for your house and will serve detention with Professor Snape next week." Turning away she raised her wand but stopped as she saw Hermione had her hand in the air. "Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Malfoy hasn't said anything to me, Professor McGonagall." Hermione murmured, not bothering to look in the direction of the Slytherin students.
"Is that true Mister Malfoy?" McGonagall said, looking at the student in question.
"Yes Professor McGonagall." Draco said, confused that Granger hadn't further attempted to bash his character while she had the chance.
"Mister Weasley, would you care to explain?" The penetrating gaze of the professor had Ron turning red and looking down at his desk, shaking his head. "I must apologize Mister Malfoy, all points are returned and detention rescinded. Mister Weasley, you will serve detention with Professor Snape for two weeks for lying to a teacher as well as trying to blame another for your actions. Now to begin, I would like you to complete this pop quiz. When you finish you may hand it in and begin reading chapter five of your book." Seating herself behind her desk she flicked her wand and papers appeared before them. Slowly quills were pulled from bags and students began to fill in the answers, minds still trying to work over what had happened a few minutes ago.
Harry's ears picked up the muffled mumbles of Blaise who was going on about cheating and it being unfair that Draco was bound to another student who had covered the work they were now being quizzed on.
Tell Blaise I probably read as much of the text as he did. Harry murmured, closing his eyes and dropping his head onto his forepaws, having stretched out in the middle of the aisle to leave Nox the space under the desk. Harry grinned internally as he heard the mumbles between the boys and then the snort that issued from Blaise. His gaze traveled around the room, pausing on his former housemates. He had once believed that these were his friends, people who would be with him every step of the way. As far as he was concerned Ron was a lost cause, jealous of Harry for his fame, money, and favor among the professors. Certain Gryffindors seemed to be confused about the whole thing, believing that Harry Potter had been transferred for safety reasons while others sneered at the words that Ron was constantly spewing in a one-man campaign to degrade the character of Harry Potter. Hermione was the one he wondered about most. Sometimes she went along with Ron and at other times, like today, she fought against him for what she believed in. Closing his eyes; he growled at the squirrel once again tugging valiantly on the silver bell in an effort to rescue the shiny acorn.
Draco handed the quiz in and returned to his seat, pulling the text out of his bag and flipping to the chapter he was supposed to start reading. The words blurred together as he stared blankly at the page, not feeling up to reading the boring chapter when he had other things to think of.
Gazing blankly at the wall, he almost missed the ball of paper that bounced along his desk before slowly extending a hand and caging it. Glancing towards the Gryffindors he took in the fact that all of them were still scribbling away, looking completely innocent as they attempted to finish their papers. Unfolding the ball, his eyes darkened at the words slashed across the paper. For a moment he was going to set it ablaze in the middle of the class but remembered where he was. Picking up his forgotten quill, he twirled it absently in his fingers before smiling happily and scratching a few choice words under those already written there. A quick spell had the paper refolding itself and sent it soaring off in the direction of the Gryffindors. Sitting back he watched as Weasley grabbed the ball and opened it, mouth falling open at the words Draco had thoughtfully written. Draco watched as the Weasels mouth opened and closed, face going bright red before hurriedly folding the paper and jamming it into the pocket of his robes. Snickering to himself he ignored Harry's questions and turned his attention back to the book he was supposed to be reading.
The Slytherins were rowdy for the first time since Harry had arrived within the house. Bottles of a questionable liquid circulated the room while numerous games were going on around the room. Draco was resting in a large wing-backed chair before the fire, Blaise across from him contemplating the chessboard resting between them. In Harry's opinion he looked like a prince; lording it over the rest of his house. Gaze continuously sweeping over the common room, stopping at various points to watch his housemate's play and drink. Harry closed his emerald eyes, allowing the fire behind him to send warm fingers stroking up his spine. Nox was resting grudgingly beside him, also partaking in the warmth the blazing flames offered. Harry's eyes roved over the room, pausing as he watched Grabbe and Goyle attempt to play Twister with several other Slytherins. Yawning, he sprawled backwards and stretched out completely before placing a paw against Draco's shin.
This is nice. Harry told Draco. Gryffindor house is always loud, but not like this. It's a different type of loud, more carefree and happy.
Many of us don't get to laugh and play at home, so we have to make the best of it and enjoy ourselves while we can. Heaven only knows what will happen when we return home for Christmas. The pair of us have gotten into more trouble in one week then I did in the past few years combined. Draco murmured, eyes dancing over the chess pieces before carefully moving a pawn in an effort to thwart Blaise.
I've noticed. I have to say that your house has one of the best relationships I've ever seen. I mean all houses are divided in some ways, through years and gender, but everyone in your house was forced to interact in self-preservation, which only strengthened your house unity. I suppose Gryffindors do have a purpose besides being brave and loyal, we keep all the other houses on their toes.
I never thought about it that way. Draco wondered, chewing his bottom lip thoughtfully, before murmuring. This is also the last time I'll remind you that you're not a Gryffindor; you're a Slytherin.
I'll try and remember. What do you think is going to happen when I'm finally exposed as Harry Potter?
I don't know and truly don't care. Nobody is taking you from me and that's final. Shaking his head Harry allowed himself to drift off into his thoughts. He was so deep in thought that almost missed the soft knocking at the entrance portal of the Slytherin common room. The room went perfectly quiet as all eyes turned to look at the door. Generally people didn't knock on any Slytherin door; usually they were clever enough to avoid the dungeons entirely unless they had to attend potions. Eyes moved from the door to look at Blaise and Draco questioningly, the acknowledged leaders of Slytherin glanced at each other before nodding in silent agreement.
"You," Draco's finger pointed at a third year, "open the door." Wands slid into hands from various sheathes as the Slytherins readied themselves for whatever lay beyond the door.
A/N: I'm really loving some of the reviews I've been getting so thanks to everyone who's taken the time to give me their thoughts. I'll also forewarn you not to expect a new chapter for several days. I've got orientation at work on Saturday and major group work to complete before heading back to school on Monday. Once again, thank you!
nickainai – You'll just have to wait and see but your close, very close and to let you in on a little secret: I'm only a chapter ahead of you. Dezra – Ron shall remain in his natural state of clueless Fourth-face-of-the-goddess – The bond shall be explained eventually as well as possible side affects Maria – I believe you have already informed me that animagi transform with their clothes on and I do pay careful attention to the reviews I receive. However, I felt that perhaps it would be best if in my story they transform without their clothes. It also may have something to do with the fact that whenever Harry goes to change he's wearing someone else's clothes. I mean I certainly wouldn't want to wear Dudley's hand-me-downs while partaking in my one joy in life, would you? ToyoKadiyaMikayla – They are definitely friends, and Harry shall remain where he is most comfortable