Note: this is going back to Draco during the time chapter 3 was focused on Harry and then in will move on. Draco's chapter won't be as long as the one focused on Harry.
Chapter 4: The Watching Dragon and Tension in the Trio rises
It was lunch time and Draco was on his way to the Great Hall from History of Magic with Crabbe and Goyle following him as he talked to Blaise. He and Blaise hadn't been the best of friends in the beginning, not until third year did they actually begin to become what they were now. Draco could honestly call the dark haired boy beside him his friend, which was something considering most he considered nothing more than casual acquaintances.
"Seriously though, can History of Magic get anymore boring than it is now?" Blaise was ranting about their last class. Again. Draco found it both amusing and annoying as Blaise complained about this class often, but he couldn't help to agree with the other Slytherin.
"Yes I know Blaise. Maybe if they had a more interesting professor people would stay awake in the class," Draco said, his voice mild with sarcasm.
"Well they probably wouldn't but it would be better than a ghost who doesn't speak in anything but a monotone," Blaise replied with a nod of his head.
Draco shook his head at Blaise's antics as they continued on. He was thinking how tired he felt. It was the type of tired not from lack of sleep but from life itself. He didn't show it outwardly, keeping his emotions masked, but inside he felt drained and weary. He thought back to that morning when he received a package of sweets and candies from home. He had suppressed a snort when the beautiful owl had landed in front of him. Everyone thought it was sweets that his mother sent to him, as she had since first year. But the truth was that his mother and father had ordered the house elves to send the care packages to keep up the façade of a loving family.
He didn't know why his mother persisted in doing so now. Even before Lucius was thrown into Azkaban the wizarding world thought his family cold and uncaring dark wizards, and now with Lucius in Azkaban on Death Eater charges this just further cemented the worlds claim. So, why did his mother insist on keeping up the charade? Fact of the matter was that Narcissa didn't care about him and the continuation of care packages was pointless. But that didn't mean he didn't eat them; no point in wasting perfectly good sweets, after all.
He sighed as they walked into the Great Hall and to the Slytherin table. He sat with Blaise next to him and Crabbe and Goyle to the right of Blaise. He piled a little bit of food onto his plate and conversed with Blaise as he ate.
"So have you started your Defense essay yet Draco?" Blaise asked as he munched on his food. He was talking about the project they had received that previous Tuesday where their DADA professor, Aidan Devington, had assigned for them to research and write about the patronus charm and its creator before they attempt it due next Friday.
"Yes Blaise I have, I just have to write up the final copy sometime this weekend. What about you?" Draco asked raising a brow at the other boy.
"Got the research done as you know but I haven't written it yet. Just a bunch of notes as far," the dark haired boy answered with a casual shrug. Draco shook his head with amusement. Blaise was ever the procrastinator sometimes. Lunch passed with light conversation and soon everyone was leaving. Blaise and Draco left on their way to ancient runes leaving Crabbe and Goyle to their own devices.
They walked to the classroom and took their seats in the back on the left side of the room like always, breezing by Hermione who was already there front row center. Soon the rest of the class filed in and the professor began the lesson. Draco only had half his mind on what the teacher was saying, taking notes absently knowing anything he missed he could grab from Blaise later.
The class seemed to pass in a blur to him soon ending and the students packing up. He was preoccupied but couldn't pinpoint a reason for it. He felt restless as he walked with Blaise to their next class, transfiguration. He could feel the fabric of the shirt he was wearing under his robe rubbing against the cuts on his arm, stinging and prickling as he moved, glancing subtly at his arm. They made it to the classroom and walked in noticing Crabbe and Goyle there sitting beside each other. Blaise and Draco walked over taking the seat in front of them, nodding an indifferent greeting to the two.
As the class started he noticed that Potter wasn't in class, though Weasley and Granger were. They were looking a little worried, passing small glancing at the door every now and then as McGonagall explained what they were doing. He briefly wondered where Potter could be, having never known him to actually skip class but brushed it aside as not his concern. What should he care if the Golden Boy was skipping class?
"So you will be using these and animating them into moving. The incantation is 'agito' now all of you try it!" McGonagall said sternly and passed out teacups to everyone.
"Wonder where Potter might be," Blaise said as he watched Draco try the spell. "I mean I've never known him to skip class before."
Draco, who had finally gotten the spell right and had the teacup dancing atop his desk, turned to Blaise with a raised eyebrow. "Blaise, I don't know nor care where Potter may be or that he's skipping class. Probably won't even get in trouble for it. Bloody Golden Boy," Draco spat and glared at the teacup.
"There's a chance he will get in trouble. If I remember correctly McGonagall doesn't let anyone get away with things even her precious Gryffindors." Blaise muttered after he made his teacup dance and twirl across the desktop also. McGonagall walked over then surveying the teacups.
"Well done gentlemen, five points each to Slytherin." She said with a nod walking to the front of the room. "Alright, for homework everyone is to try animating different things. Depending on the object it could be harder to get the spell to work. So you are to try animating different objects and writing about whether you get it to move or not and why. Class dismissed!" She said. Everyone packed up quickly and began to leave the classroom.
Dinner had passed quickly and the students had headed back to their dorms; Draco to his Prefect room. The blonde had noticed that Potter hadn't shown up for dinner either as he had glanced covertly at the Gryffindor table throughout the meal. From talk through the Hogwarts gossip no had seen Potter since after lunch and no one knew where he was.
Thinking of Potter made him think back to the beginning of the school year. The minute he saw the black haired boy when he made his yearly trip to their compartment he felt something was different. He couldn't put his finger on it then and couldn't now but he could tell something was different about the raven haired teen that either wasn't there before or he hadn't noticed. And he leaned more toward the latter.
Watching Potter since the beginning of term had shown outwardly that nothing seemed to be different about the boy but Draco being a Malfoy and a Slytherin knew all about masks and hiding. He wasn't positive if the Boy Who Lived was putting on an act for everyone or not but he was positive something was different and he wondered what it was. Whatever it was though, no one, not even his best friends seemed to notice it.
Sitting in a chair by his fireplace in the sitting room he turned over what he'd been noticing of Potter so far this year. Something had change that was for sure. He'd become more skilled in potions this year, able to actually brew one showing he'd actually studied the subject along with the other subjects. He put more effort into his school work and it was noticeable. Potter also seemed much calmer this year, not easily rising to taunts that the Slytherins, himself included, made at him. Not to mention the boy was dressing better than what he used to wear.
Well, Potter wasn't his problem and he could really care less what was going on with him though, admittedly, he was curious to know. With a sigh he decided to start on his homework, pushing thoughts of Potter to the back of his mind. 'Because really, Draco thought, 'this was Potter and Potter isn't my concern. And with that thought he began working on his DADA essay.
Harry awoke early the next morning, way before anyone else he knew. Rising from the large king size bed he decided to head back to the dorm now and take a shower there to keep from getting his secret room discovered. Changing back into his clothes he wore coming down there he grabbed up the back he brought and stepped out of the bedroom. Looking briefly at the runespoor painting he was glad to find the snake asleep and pulled out the Marauders map, tapping it with his wand and saying "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Making sure no one was around the entrance he tapped the map again muttered, "mischief managed" and left the room heading back to Gryffindor Tower.
He made it to the portrait without any problems, much to his relief, said the password and walked into the common room. No one was in the common room as he knew they wouldn't be and he made his way up to the dorm. Stepping into the room he noticed the others were asleep still but knew that they would soon be waking. Putting his things away he grabbed his clothes and things and walked toward the bathroom. He would get a shower and head down to breakfast before heading out for Hogsmeade. He wasn't ready to deal with Ron and Hermione yet the anger was still simmering in him.
By the time he finished his shower and came back out dressed in a form-fitting dark red short sleeve turtleneck and black baggy jeans that fit snug to his hips, the other boys were already rising from their sleep. Seamus, Dean and Neville looked uneasy as Ron and Harry completely ignored each other, not knowing what to say. Harry walked over to his bed and pulled on his black combat boots. Grabbing his pouch of money and putting it into his pocket Harry walked out the dorm. There was a few people walking around in the common room but Harry ignored the looks he was tossed and walked out the portrait hole.
Making his way to the Great Hall slowly, Harry noticed the few students who were normally up and ready for the day walking to breakfast also. He walked into the Great Hall and sat down at the Gryffindor table that had a few third and fourth years already eating. Fixing himself a plate of food, he glanced around the Hall at the other tables. There was a few from each house already down there.
As he tucked in to his breakfast other students began coming in until the hall was filled with eating students chatting joyfully about the Hogsmeade trip. Around the Hall other students and the professors began picking up on the tension among the house of Gryffindor. The table wasn't as boisterous as usual and many noticed the uneasy glances the students of that house were throwing the Golden Trio's way especially. It had many wondering what was going on.
Hermione looked at Harry who she had sat across from with Ron, who was still ignoring Harry and looked at the black haired boy. "Harry," Hermione began in a gentle, cautious voice.
But Harry cut her off with a quiet, "Don't Hermione" and continued eating. He didn't want to hear right then what she had to say. He didn't want her to try and understand what was going on. He wanted her to go back to being oblivious about him like everyone else.
Breakfast passed in a flurry of whispering and wondering between students and professors alike. All were curious about the strain that seemed to be among the Gryffindors, the Trio specifically.
Harry was glad when breakfast was over and they could leave for Hogsmeade. He began his trek to the village alone knowing that somehow by the end of the day all of Hogwarts would know of what happened in the common room last night. 'Because, Harry thought with no little amount of scorn, 'everything I do or say must be known by everyone.' With a derisive snort to himself he pushed anything about yesterday and the rumors sure to run wild to the back of his mind. It was Hogsmeade weekend and he was going to enjoy himself at the very least.
When he finally reached Hogsmeade he decided to head to Honeydukes first. He wanted to stock up on a variety of sweets. Walking into the sweetshop he walks around looking into everything. He came across the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans display and picked up two boxes of them. He was debating on whether to get some licorice wands or not as a display of a new candy caught his eyes. Turning to look, he read what was written on the barrel the sweet was in.
Fruit Snaps, it said and according to the description they snapped after five seconds on your tongue exploding your mouth with the particular fruit is taste like. And they had all kinds; cherry, strawberry, grape, sour apple and many more. Interested, Harry grabbed a bag of them and then a hand full of the licorice wands. Picking up some fruit flavored lollipops he went and paid for his candy. He had noticed some of the students who were in the shop giving him strange looks and decided it was best if he left now. Obviously word got around of the common room fiasco.
He browsed around the village lazily stopping in shops every now and then. After checking out Zonko's and Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop (he had needed a new one) he headed over to The Three Broomsticks, wanting a Butterbeer or two. Stepping into the pub he looked around casually as he walked over to a table. He groaned inwardly when he saw Ron and Hermione sitting at a table together. He wasn't ready to deal with them yet. Some of the anger had faded away but he still wasn't ready to talk to them yet, knowing it would end in another argument again because Hermione wouldn't give up trying to figure out what's wrong. But Fate wasn't on his side and Hermione spotted him and got up, approaching him.
"Harry come sit with Ron and I," it sounded more like a demand and Harry sighed knowing he wasn't going to get out of this. Especially with the determined look Hermione had. He nodded once and walked over to the table his two friends were occupying. The silence was thick as Harry sat and the tension you could cut with a knife.
Madam Rosmerta came over then and she looked slightly wary as she could almost feel the anxiety at the table. "What can I get you?" she asked looking at Harry as the other two already had drinks.
"A Butterbeer please," Harry said quietly with a small smile. She nodded and left off.
Hermione looked at Harry who kept his gaze focused of the table. She had been shocked by his outburst last night when she had tried to help and she had been hurt. She didn't understand why her friend would keep something from her if she could help, even a little bit. When she had asked Harry what was wrong last night she had knew it would take a bit of coaxing to get him to talk but she hadn't expected him to blow up about it. As soon as Rosmerta brought his drink and left Hermione took a deep breath and thought how best to approach this.
"Harry, I'm sorry about last night but I was just trying to help you." She said carefully looking at him as he took a sip of his drink, eyes averted from her. "Harry if something is wrong why won't you talk to us?" she was keeping her voice low so as not to attract any attention.
"I told you yesterday Hermione, maybe I just don't want to talk about it. Cant you accept that and leave it?" Harry asked keeping his voice low also. You could here the hint of anger in his tired voice.
"No Harry I can't because you're my friend and if something is bothering you I want to help you. Ron wants to help you too, don't you Ron?" Hermione said and sent a pointed look at the red head.
"Yeah," he mumbled not really looking at Harry. He was still upset with the way he talked to Hermione yesterday.
"Well I'm fine, there's nothing wrong, stop fucking coddling me Hermione. I don't want to talk about anything, not with you, not with Ron, not with anyone!" he hissed trying hard not to shout. He was losing that calm he had worked so hard to maintain and he was afraid of what would happen.
Hermione looked at her friend, not knowing why he was being like this. She wasn't coddling him, she was concerned! She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off.
"Hermione don't, if I don't want to talk accept it. Stop pushing me because YOU want to know what's wrong. Sometimes you can't know everything Hermione." Harry said and with that he finished his Butterbeer and got up to leave. He couldn't stay around here any longer with out another outburst like yesterday happening. He knew Hermione meant well but he didn't want her to continue her annoying, persistent attempts to get him to talk. He left the pub and decided he was going to head back to the castle. It was still early for most students to be going back but he didn't care he had to get away.
He made it back to the castle quickly and headed directly to the Tower. On the way he ran into McGonagall who stopped him and he knew what it was about.
"Mr. Potter where were you for my class yesterday?" She asked sternly. Harry sighed knowing this was coming.
"I had been off thinking and lost track of time Professor." He said sheepishly and gave her a small smile hoping to get off easy.
"Be that as it may Mr. Potter you are to report for detention with Filch on Monday at 8:30. Make sure it doesn't happen again. And the Headmaster wishes to see you after Dinner," McGonagall said briskly and walked off. Harry sighed and made his way to the Tower. Detention with Filch was going to be horrid. No two ways about that. And what did the Headmaster want? Hopefully it wasn't anything bad. Making it to his dorm room he lay on the bed and began reading one of the muggle books he bought that summer, Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, picking up where he had left off.