A/N: Fair warning. This chapter is mostly a side step to the main story, but fear not… It does get back to where the last chapter left off at the end. I just really wanted to try something different.
I got this idea in my head on how I want to portray Crabbe and Goyle in this story. I also felt I've neglected some of the side characters in this story lately as well. I'll try to better balance them all in the future.
Chapter 35: The Lives of Crabbe and Goyle
Crabbe and Goyle weren't the brightest of the lot. Everyone knew this, even Crabbe and Goyle did to an extent. Their intelligence, or lack thereof according to some, didn't matter to them. What mattered was they were loyal to Malfoy.
Their fathers were loyal to Lucius Malfoy and followed him whenever they could. Their fathers' fathers were loyal to Abraxas Malfoy. Their fathers' fathers'… fathers… were loyal to Abraxas' father. The truth was all the Crabbe and Goyle fathers were loyal to Malfoys for as long as the families were allied.
Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle weren't smart. No, they weren't smart at all really, but they had their Malfoy and that was what mattered. Their fathers understood this too. That's why, while their Malfoy occasionally had concerns how his father would react if he didn't follow in his footsteps, they didn't have such worries for their own lives. Their fathers would understand and even be proud of them.
If their Malfoy didn't join the Dark Lord and they followed him, their fathers would be proud of them. It took strong Crabbe and Goyle loyalty to follow their Malfoy, even against his own father and the Dark Lord. Whatever happened they would do the family proud.
In fact, Crabbe and Goyle loyalty was so strong it was even ambitious. Hufflepuff wouldn't even dare separate them from their Malfoy. Draco did have his time apart from them, but that was fine. They were there for their Malfoy when needed. The three of them still laughed together plenty and hung out on numerous occasions, especially in class or the common room.
They were curious what it would be like if Draco did side completely with Harry Potter. The two were on friendly terms and Draco was still a powerful and respected Slytherin so far. Nott's attempts to try and diminish Draco's standing ended in spectacular failure. Nott's attempts only missed ending in Crabbe and Goyle fists because Draco assured them Theodor Nott wasn't worth their time.
Crabbe and Goyle did notice Nott had some on his side after Halloween, but those few weren't surprises and weren't the power in Slytherin. He lost most of support soon enough anyways. He was a big shot briefly when throwing around the word Mudblood everywhere, but even the ones who used the same term often grew tired of him. Nott, despite how he still acted like he was The Top Shit in Slytherin, wasn't really a power in Slytherin anymore. He didn't even get a boost after the double attack before the holiday break.
Ultimately, Crabbe and Goyle wouldn't use that term if Draco didn't. They would befriend Harry Potter and the others if Draco did and told them too as well. That would mean he no longer felt a need to toe the line and be extra cautious. As their time in school continued, it seemed that might eventually be the case. Draco seemed to be sensing something few others did about Harry.
It would take something major for Draco to cut ties with Harry Potter by this point. Crabbe and Goyle felt as if it would take the Dark Lord returning to full power while they were in school for that to happen. It would still possibly be debatable even then. Harry did defeat the Dark Lord once after all. If the rumors regarding first year were anything to go by, it meant Harry defeated the Dark Lord twice already.
"I wonder what the muggle world is like?" Crabbe asked Goyle.
"I don't know. Some of the things we've overheard are strange," Goyle replied.
"You ever wonder if maybe they were rather impressive to survive without magic?" Crabbe asked.
Goyle was in thought. "Possibly… I can't imagine what it would be like without magic. I used to think they were all just savages, but Draco's been saying that might not exactly be the case," he replied.
"I'm not about to go loony about them like Weasley… But I'm curious. Plus… a world where fists and strength rule? Sounds fun!" Crabbe replied with a grin.
"They have that saying though. Brains over brawn… Maybe there's something to that," Goyle said in reply.
"True… You could say brains were a strength of their own though," Crabbe mused in thought.
"Or you could just pommel the brains until they were under your brawn," Goyle said after a moment.
Crabbe laughed to that and banged his knuckles together. Goyle laughed as well as he clasped his friend's shoulder. The joke was a good example of Crabbe and Goyle humor.
"So, are we going to ask Draco about what he knows of the heir tonight? Again?" Crabbe asked.
"I think we should. It's funny having him tell us over and over again. He doesn't seem to understand we're intellectual enough we know word for word what he'll say, by this point," Goyle said with a laugh.
"That's true!" Crabbe said matching his friend's laugh.
It was another example of Crabbe and Goyle humor. They weren't the brightest, but they also weren't usually as dumb and clueless as everyone figured they were. It was funny outwitting people like that though. It also meant they could focus on more important things instead of their classwork. Teachers had low expectations for them and that suited Crabbe and Goyle just fine.
Their fathers taught them this was key for any true Crabbe and Goyle. They needed to watch their Malfoy's back. They needed to practice fighting and looking imposing and being strong. Wizards underestimated the importance of strength and knowing how to fight. An enemy wizard can't really cast a spell if they aren't able to concentrate while a Crabbe or Goyle fist pommels them.
That was one thing they appreciated about Potter. He understood this importance. He would make for a good Crabbe or Goyle if he was one and had a Malfoy to follow of his own. They could sense it about Harry when they first met him on the train. They hadn't gotten off on the right foot then, but Harry didn't hold it against them or Draco.
They had actually been very impressed with him in that moment. It was so different meeting a wizard who knew it was still important to have a strong body. They'd bet Harry Potter could really surprise the hell out of some of the most competent Death Eaters with that thinking. Harry was fast and he was really smart.
Truth be told, Crabbe and Goyle hoped Draco sided with Potter in the end. However, they would always follow their Malfoy, no matter his path. That's what a Crabbe and Goyle did.
[-] [-] [-]
Crabbe and Goyle were laughing as Ron Weasley got all worked up again. It was too easy for their Malfoy to do that. Draco could just smirk at Weasley and the fool's face would match his hair in color. This was something Crabbe and Goyle found hilarious. Draco however didn't settle for something that simple alone.
"I find it interesting your family got your little sister a new wand, but not you. Perhaps even your muggle loving father is smart enough to realize you're nothing but a waste of magic," Draco said.
Ron almost growled at Draco.
Crabbe and Goyle smirked and cracked their knuckles. Ron's face seemed to lose its color at the sound. Really… The youngest Weasley son shouldn't try to sound like a beast if he didn't have the backbone follow through. Beasts were to be respected. They didn't back down so easily. They could tell real strength and knew how important it was.
"You'll get yours… Malfoy," Ron said as he left with a frown.
"You would think he'd grow a thicker skin by this point," Draco said with a scoff.
"Ha! Weasley's so skittish… he doesn't even seem to realize he has a wand. Ha! Strength is important, but magic and skill are strengths too," Goyle said with a deep chuckle.
Draco actually blinked for a moment. That was actually rather insightful for Goyle. He would wonder more about that, but then again, they did ask him once more about the heir. If he knew who this bloody heir was, he would have shared it with them by this point. Perhaps it was just a fluke that briefly came off as something more.
Draco then gave a smirk as he said, "Like I said. He's just a waste of magic. Can't even figure out something like that. It's a miracle he's somehow in the middle of our year."
Crabbe and Goyle chuckled to that. They weren't really in the top or middle, but that was because they had their own priorities. Ron acted like he wanted to be all smart and such, but then he spent more time trying to copy others' work and not get caught instead. The lengths Ron went to for that goal, even baffled Crabbe and Goyle. Weasley really should put that effort into anything else, even if it wasn't school work.
"Come Crabbe and Goyle. It's time for our next class," Draco said leading the way.
[-] [-] [-]
Valentine's Day had been rather hilarious by Crabbe and Goyle standards. They didn't get any cards or anything, but that didn't matter to them. What was hilarious was how everyone else acted throughout the day.
Draco did get a number of cards. Not surprising considering he was the Malfoy Family Heir. Crabbe and Goyle found it too great how Pansy decided to "escort" Draco throughout the day.
She used her wand to blast every card that came his way. She got points for her accuracy. She didn't hit a single dwarf, just the cards they carried. This seemed to even impress the "volunteer cupids" a little.
There was one time a couple of the surly cupids came for Draco when she wasn't around. Crabbe and Goyle loved that moment. Dwarves were strong! Great way to test themselves and see where they needed to improve. Goyle took one and Crabbe took the other.
The showdown happened towards the end of the day. Draco left to go for a walk around the castle and they went with him. Draco was showing the other Slytherins he wasn't afraid of 'Lockhart's friends.' He was above hiding away in Slytherin.
They weren't the house of the reckless like Gryffindor, but you weren't supposed to show weakness to others in the house of the snake. Hiding from Dwarf cupids was showing weakness, even if many others did the same.
The two dwarves stood in front of Crabbe and Goyle. Crabbe and Goyle cracked their knuckles. The dwarves grinned in a way only those with strength fully understood. Crabbe and Goyle looked to each other and grinned as well. Draco took a seat on a nearby bench. He could tell this would be entertaining.
"Oi, Lug. Seems we got a couple wizards who ain't 'fraid," one dwarf said gruffly to the other.
"I can appreciate that. Always nice to come across wizards that ain't 'fraid to get down to the brass tacks. Right, Vergil?" the other said. The dwarf named Vergil nodded in agreement.
"Guess that means you two understand," Crabbe said with a confident smirk.
Goyle smirked as well and flexed as he added, "You two got to go through us first."
The dwarves seemed excited about this. They threw off their accessories and loosened their joints. It seemed this showdown already started in how Crabbe and Goyle reacted to their warm-up.
"First to draw blood?" Vergil asked as he limbered up his body.
"You got that right," Crabbe replied as he loosened out his arms.
"However, this plays out. You two got yourselves friends in the Dwarf Kingdoms," Lug said with a grin. He stretched out his arms and continued to loosen his limbs. He sort of hopped a little in place too.
Goyle smirked. "Quite the honor. We'll make sure you don't regret it," he replied. He cracked his neck and loosened up his shoulders.
Draco was watching with keen interest. He never learned much about the Dwarf Kingdoms. That was something else his father had never taught him. Maybe he didn't even know much about them himself. Draco was curious just what being called Dwarf friend meant, since Crabbe and Goyle considered it an honor.
The two opposing forces charged each other. They slammed into one another. Goyle threw a hard punch. Vergil connected his fists with Goyle's. The two gritted their teeth as they tried to push pass the other's guard. They eventually both backed up a step or two.
Goyle went in again leading with his other side. Vergil met him again, but this time he pushed past Goyle' guard. The Slytherin boy was ready though and dodged before throwing a kick.
Vergil smirked as he easily blocked the kick and stood again opposite of Goyle. "Seems you know a thing or two on how to throw hands. Pretty good for a wizard," he said.
"Heh. Couldn't consider myself a Goyle if I didn't know how to throw down," the strong boy replied.
"Let's see just how good you can dance," Vergil said as he charged forward again. Goyle smirked and got ready.
Crabbe was throwing punch after punch. The dwarf he was facing would dodge or deflect his attacks with ease. Some would think he'd be frustrated by this. Crabbe was grinning wildly though. He was learning so much in this fight already.
It was hard to find good practice in the wizarding world. He could already see ways to really take a fight against another wizard to the next level. A model Crabbe and Goyle knew how to change it up and combine fists with magic. That was the main goal they had when it came to magic.
"Not bad," Crabbe said grinning in excitement.
"You've some good power. I can feel it. You need to up your speed though," Lug replied with a matching grin.
"Ha!" Crabbe chuckled as he continued his fight. He started to include more complexity in his attacks.
Lug kept dodging and then threw a punch at an opening Crabbe had. Crabbe smirked as he threw up an open hand and caught the punch. He winced at the impact, dwarves were strong, but he got in a quick and strong jab to Lug's side.
Lug broke free and made some space. He was grinning wildly himself by this point. "That's the ticket. Your opponent moves too fast… Catch them," Lug said in approval.
Crabbe nodded in understanding.
The two continued their showdown.
[-] [-] [-]
The fight continued. Draco was surprised how interesting it was. He always figured "Muggle Brawling", as it was sometimes called, had no form or grace to it. There wasn't much in the way grace here, but there was definitely form. That dodging Lug did, could be counted as a measure of grace.
As Crabbe and Goyle faced their opponents, it was becoming obvious the two sides were really enjoying this. They weren't going straight for spilling blood. They were using attacks that couldn't draw blood. It did show their skill and abilities though.
After a little while, it seemed they were getting a little more focused on winning the match up. Crabbe threw a fist the dwarf dodged yet again. Lug made sure his following attack couldn't get caught this time though, even if his strength was too much for his opponent to try again.
Crabbe smirked and threw a right hook the dwarf hadn't expected at that moment. It landed right on the dwarf's face and split his lip. There was a little bit blood dripping from it as he stood back.
At the same time, Goyle threw a punch that wasn't powerful enough and Vergil broke through his guard again. The dwarf hit Goyle right on the lip before it could be countered. Goyle had some blood dripping from his lip as they separated.
The two sides were tired and catching their breath as they faced each other. They were trying to figure out what to do here. As if to answer their question, a bell sound came from the set of wings Vergil tossed off earlier.
Crabbe and Goyle grinned.
The dwarves grinned.
"That what I think it is?" Crabbe asked.
"Aye. We'll call it a draw this time," Vergil replied.
"What's going on?" Draco asked curiously.
Crabbe gave a chuckle. "That's their alarm," he replied.
The dwarves stretched and shook out their bodies. "We're off the clock now. We ain't working past what Lockhart paid for," Lug replied.
The two sides looked to each again and chuckled. They then clasped each other's arms. "You two should come by Dwarf Kingdom Lorenzeden. We could teach wizards like yourselves a thing or two," Lug said.
"We will if Malfoy goes," Goyle replied.
The dwarves looked them in the eyes. They grinned to each other. "If he's got your respect, he's a dwarf friend too. So long as he respects our rules," Vergil said.
They looked to Draco. He was in thought for moment and gave a chuckle. "If I didn't do that, I would be an insult to the Malfoy name," he replied and stood up straight. Despite the things his family got into, they made sure to never truly disrespect certain magical beings, at least not to their faces.
The dwarves looked him over with discerning eyes. It was like they were seeing something more than just him. They gave Draco a nod after a minute. They turned again to Crabbe and Goyle and said, "He's a good one."
"Heh," the two strong wizards replied. They smirked anew and said, "He's our Malfoy."
Draco once again wondered about that phrase. They liked using it. He wondered what it meant exactly. He was again wondering if there was more to the two of them and their families then what the Malfoy family knew.
"Heir Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle. See you dwarf friends later," the two dwarves said together with nods before they picked up their costumes and left.
Draco gave an approving grin as he looked to his two friends. He waved his wand and Goyle's lip healed. He then turned around and continued his stroll through the castle. They would end at the dining hall. It was about time for dinner.
[-] [-] [-]
Tracey gave a stretch. Pansy did the same. The two friends were hanging out together. "So… How many cards did you blast?" Tracey said with a laugh.
Pansy rolled her eyes. "I get it, but really. It should be obvious by this point a simple Valentine's Day Card isn't going to change anything between Draco and I. I'm not going to sit back either though," she said.
"Any ideas on which witches sent them?" Tracey asked.
"A couple worthy of getting a reply from me," Pansy said.
Tracey shook her head. "Sometimes I think you are a little too eager for things to work out between you and Draco," she said.
Pansy almost blushed. Almost. "I would think it was obvious. He is quite the catch. I would be foolish to just ignore threats from certain girls. Some of them would be willing try something dangerous," she said.
She knew where to draw the line. She did not cross it either. A true Pure Blood Lady should have elegance, beauty, and respect. They also won't just lay down and let other witches encroach.
Some would think it was common for Pure Blood Lords to… peruse others. It was not. While an heir was important, there were rules and proper etiquette that should be followed. If a Pure Blood Lord were to have an heir with someone other than his Lady, he would have an heir, but the family's status would take a significant hit.
There were ways to go about such things that should be followed. A Lord could do such a thing, but he would have to have his Lady's approval. There would also be a stipulation the heir born outside marriage was just an emergency backup plan. Any children the Lady were to produce would have priority over the bastard heir, even if they were female.
There was also the fact it was rather easy to have one child. It was only a second child that could be a little difficult. Magic was strange like that. There were also plenty of families who purposefully left it off at one child. It made succession much easier and cleaner, even if there was some risk in having only one child.
"What do you make of this heir business? Has magic given you any clues?" Tracey asked.
Pansy shook her head. "Just to be careful and that it will be solved, but no hints as to when that will happen," she said.
"I want to say we will be fine…" Tracey started with a frown.
"But Nearly Headless Nick was a pure blood, even if he is a ghost now," Pansy added.
"Meaning either the label 'enemies of the heir' is a lot broader than we think, or this heir doesn't care about collateral," Tracey said.
"Do you think anyone else will realize that?" Tracey asked after a moment.
"Probably not. Most see him as just a ghost. Not even Draco has pieced that together yet. It could be Nearly Headless Nick is just an anomaly. But that lends more towards Slytherin's Heir not caring about collateral," Pansy said.
Tracey then decided to change the subject. It wasn't fun talking about the heir and all of that. "So… Who do you think will come in second this year in the Quidditch House cup?" she asked.
Pansy was in thought for a moment. They both knew, as did everyone else, Slytherin was going to win it. It was already more or less a race to second with the other houses. She came to a decision.
"I think it will be Hufflepuff. Cedric is good, even if he won't be a match for Draco on his broom. I also think they will be playing Gryffindor in the game before the final match this year," she said.
"They still don't have a decent seeker," Tracey said with a shake of her head. You would think Wood could find someone with at least a small measure of potential.
"I get the feeling the only way Gryffindor could have a good Seeker is if they used a time turner and forced the sorting hat to place Harry in Gryffindor," Pansy said with a chuckle.
"Huh…" Tracey started. She then giggled and said, "I can see them being desperate enough to try something that ridiculous, even if it is pretty much impossible to work."
Pansy froze for a moment and shook her head. "If that did work out… I'm pretty sure only Harry's misadventures at the end of the school year would keep Gryffindor from winning the cup every year he was at Hogwarts," she said.
"I'm glad it isn't going to happen," Tracey said.
"Why? Do you really care that much about Quidditch?" Pansy asked.
Tracey shook her head. "I enjoy the game and like it when Slytherin wins, but that isn't what I meant. Think about it," she said.
Pansy did for a moment but didn't get what she was meaning.
Tracey sighed. "Harry wouldn't be our friend in that case," she said.
"Ohhhh… Yeah… that would be bad. I prefer how we are to that alternative," Pansy said.
The two girls then collected themselves and left the room they were talking together inside of. If they were gone for too long, people might ask questions and make stupid assumptions. It wouldn't be anything they couldn't handle, but it would be annoying.
[-] [-] [-]
Draco snapped shut a book and placed it back on the shelf in the library. He was wondering why it was he hadn't been taught more about dwarves yet. He also found it interesting Lorenzeden was a rather important Dwarf Kingdom. They weren't to be ignored even though the Dwarf Kingdoms were actually just dwarf city areas instead of actual sovereign nations.
"It seems the whole thing with the dwarves is more interesting than I first thought it would be," he said before getting back to the table he shared with Crabbe and Goyle. He looked to the two and raised an eye brow. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Draco then smirked as he added, "Apart from the fact it is odd to see either of you two seriously reading a book in the library."
Crabbe grunted. "These books are useless," he said.
"Yeah. Completely bloody useless," Goyle replied.
"They look so ancient they are barely holding together," Draco commented as he quickly looked at the cover of one. He was surprised the books hadn't just crumbled to dust in their hands. "What were you two looking into anyways?" he asked.
"A way to get stronger," Crabbe said.
"Oh? Is that not what the dwarves said they would do if we visited Lorenzeden?" Draco asked.
"Yeah. But we need to get stronger first, and who knows when or if you will decide we should visit," Goyle said.
"You two did seem to do pretty well facing them," Draco said neutrally.
"They were just testing us," Crabbe said.
"I did notice they were… Not necessarily playing with you two... but they were more thrilled about the fight in general. They weren't eager to try and end it," Draco said.
Goyle nodded. "It wasn't a serious fight for them, but it was a fight they took seriously," he said.
"Yeah. We need to prove ourselves again should we ever meet them, especially in Lorenzeden. Have to show them we ain't weaklings," Crabbe said. He then forced a fist into his other hand and grinned. "Have to show them we're strong wizards."
"Ha! Yeah. Don't want them underestimating a Crabbe or Goyle, who have their Malfoy," Goyle said with a matching grin.
"I will admit dwarves are something I have yet to reach in my studies as the future Lord Malfoy. What exactly is it they meant by teaching wizards like you two?" Draco asked.
He actually wasn't sure if they would even be included in his studies outside of Hogwarts. Something rather disappointing if it was true. A Malfoy should always look for opportunities. From what he read, it's very possible the Dwarf Kingdoms could offer many such chances.
"They know body magic. Fighting magic. Not the wand stuff," Goyle said.
"They know how to make magic work with strength. It is why they are so bloody strong. Much stronger than they usually show wizards too," Crabbe said.
"That is intriguing," Draco said in thought. It made sense in a way. Dwarves were magical beings. They had to use magic in some way, even if it was just as a form of energy. Draco was starting to think there was even more to magic than the wizarding world knew. "You two seem to know a good bit about dwarves," he said.
Crabbe and Goyle gave each other nods.
"Our families have always been interested in such things. It is kind of like our goal to one day learn enough from them to make our own techniques," Crabbe said.
"Really?" Draco asked in actual surprise.
"Yeah," the two said together.
"How come you've never mentioned this? I don't think I've even heard your fathers mention it," Draco said.
"Doesn't really matter too much," Goyle said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"We've got our Malfoy. That's what really matters," Crabbe said as he nodded.
Draco shook his head to this. It was surprising how strange Crabbe and Goyle were at times. He wasn't really going to complain though. He looked over the titles of the books they were looking through. He was interested in checking Lorenzeden. If Crabbe and Goyle felt they needed to be better prepared, he had a couple of ideas maybe.
"Physical fitness and strength aren't really things magicals are interested in usually. Most of the time they just use a potion or spell. I'm intrigued by the idea of visiting the Dwarf Kingdoms. If you two are wanting something to get stronger…" Draco said.
Crabbe and Goyle looked to him curiously. Draco was honestly caught off guard by them showing so much interest in this matter. It really did seem to mean something much more to them than they first let on.
Draco looked around to make sure they wouldn't be overheard. He even cast a basic Malfoy Family spell to encourage eavesdroppers to find something more interesting. It was a subtle way to get a little more privacy without out being forceful.
"It is something muggles would know a lot more about. I could ask Harry Potter if he might have some ideas or books to send your way. Write down what you two already do in that regard," Draco said lowly.
Crabbe and Goyle seemed amazed and then grew more determined. "Ha! They were right," Crabbe said regarding the dwarves parting words as Goyle chuckled in agreement.
Draco wanted them to keep it down, but presently he just made sure no one would be around to ask questions.
Goyle then added, "Once we do this. It will show others never to underestimate a Crabbe or Goyle!"
"Or their Malfoy," Crabbe said as the two clasped each other's hand.
Draco really didn't get it. He felt they were carrying on a little too much. Then there was the whole 'their Malfoy' thing again. He just let out a breath and shook his head. "If it really meant that much, you two could have just said something," me muttered to himself.
Once they were alone again, Crabbe and Goyle both looked to each other and chuckled. They would admit it was amusing how Draco acted right before they left the library. Being able to eventually prove themselves to the dwarves again meant a lot to them. It would mean a lot to their families as well. But not as much as being with their Malfoy.
"Really… Malfoys are smart. But they can't understand the basics of Crabbe and Goyle Loyalty," Crabbe said.
"Too right!" Goyle chuckled. It was so obvious if their Malfoy didn't want anything to do with the Dwarves, they wouldn't either. Every Crabbe and Goyle understood this as soon as they met their Malfoy. It was just natural and how magic was to them.
"At least its bloody hilarious seeing them attempt to figure it out every once in a while," Goyle added. Crabbe nodded in agreement as he chuckled again. Malfoys couldn't usually appreciate Crabbe and Goyle humor like that either.
[-] [-] [-]
"I don't believe it!" Hannah said sternly.
"But if the attacks stopped…" Susan mused in thought.
"It's Hagrid though! There's no way he could be Slytherin's Heir. He was in Gryffindor. I don't really believe in the supposed stereotypes of people in each house, but there is no way Slytherin's Heir would end up in Gryffindor. The two houses hate each other and I've heard the hate goes back to the founders themselves," Hannah said.
"I can see him not doing so intentionally… But that monster… Seemed it could think for itself," Susan wondered still in thought.
"I personally think Riddle caught the wrong person. In the best-case scenario," Harry said.
"And the real culprit stopped the attacks because it was too close of a call," Hermione added as Harry nodded.
"Do you think it is the same person though?" Hannah asked.
"I'm not sure… Dumbledore's words in the Hospital Wing seemed to suggest he thought that, but who knows. He was vague about it, even with his own staff," Harry said.
"It could be a copycat or a successor. Maybe whoever it was last time passed down the secret to their son or daughter," Susan said.
"That is possible. And that would still fit with Dumbledore's words," Harry said.
"So, we're all agreeing it wasn't Hagrid, but he became the unwitting scapegoat," Hermione said. The others nodded. They felt there was no way it could be Hagrid.
Perhaps the beast, whatever it was, could be a lead though. Harry sighed, "I guess we have to look up monstrous magical spiders." He wasn't the only one to grimace at those words. The group wasn't so sure they were that eager to find the answers anymore.
There was one thing though. It was on Harry's mind. It wouldn't go away either. "What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked.
Harry blinked at her.
"I know you well enough to tell when there is something really bothering you," she said. The others looked to him as well.
"It might be nothing…" Harry started. He sighed. "I just feel like Riddle knew exactly what to say to me. If that makes any sense," he said.
Hannah and Susan narrowed their eyes in thought.
Hermione gave a nod in understanding. "He did seem to be playing up to your distrust of those in power. Also, how you've noticed they have a tendency to err on the side of covering up, instead of solving a problem," she said.
"Memories can be modified. There are always signs, but some of the best at modifying their own memories are really good at hiding the signs," Susan said.
"What was the inside of the memory like?" Hannah asked.
Harry was in thought. "It was something small, but I noticed there seemed to be a lot of similarities between Hogwarts of fifty years ago and the present. Too many of them. I'm talking about small details. Like the decorative cobwebs," he said.
"There was also the fact it was greyscale," Hermione said.
Hannah was in thought. "The greyscale thing is rather common from what I know. My parents let me watch their memories of their wedding before when I was younger. I've seen inside a memory," she said.
"They really did?" Susan asked.
Hannah blushed. "I was dreaming and carrying on about marriage to the perfect wizard at the time…" she said. Hermione and Susan seemed to understand her there and nodded in support. Harry didn't really get it, but he left it alone.
"The cobweb thing… That is interesting. I know it is a very small thing, but I have noticed they sort of change. The obviously decorative ones, I still don't get why that is a décor choice, were different last year. It is unlikely they would look perfectly the same fifty years ago," Hannah said.
"Memory leak?" Susan suggested.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Well depending on how it is done… Small details like that can change based on the viewers. It is usually something only seen in an active memory though," Susan said wracking her brain.
Seriously, why was it her aunt's unintentional lessons for Aurors kept popping up in her life. She didn't want to be bloody Auror… mostly.
"That shouldn't be possible with a memory supposedly from fifty years ago. Especially if it isn't shown to you directly by the witch or wizard," Hannah said.
"What is an active memory?" Hermione asked.
"It's kind of like a memory with some independence and flexibility," Hannah said.
"What purpose does that serve?" Harry asked.
"It would allow you to change things up. To play out different possibilities. Usually active memories are used as a means of high-level training or planning," Susan said.
"It's mostly an Auror practice," Hannah said. "They would use certain memories from senior Aurors to help train new ones."
"Which means, there would be no reason for what you two went through to be an active memory. It wasn't being used to train you two for something. They also don't last fifty years or more. They don't come out of a diary either," Susan said.
"Maybe there is something more to this diary," Hannah said in worry.
"Well... I stashed it in the bottom of my trunk. There's no reason to use it again. Whatever it is. I think what we saw was true to a point at least. There is the trophy Luna mentioned backing it up a bit. That beast is still a potential lead," Harry said.
The girls each gave shivers. They really didn't like the idea of looking up large and monstrous spiders. They didn't have any other leads though. They were, however, all determined. If Hogwarts was almost closed last time, it is very likely it could be again. They doubted this heir was finished.
A/N: We are getting close to the end of second year. Hopefully it hasn't dragged too much. I will admit it stretched out more than I first intended.
I really liked what I did with Crabbe and Goyle here. My plans for Draco require they also go through changes. I thought it would be interesting to have more to them, for there to be a reason they were originally so loyal to Draco.
Ron Explanation:
I don't see Ron as stupid per se. I see him as very lazy. I think of him as the type who would copy someone else's work and make changes so they couldn't be called out. It wouldn't matter if that approach required more work than the original assignment.
I know in canon he became Prefect, which means his grades were good enough. I feel that was all thanks to Hermione looking over his work and pushing him to make corrections. She also pushed him to study for exams and even made study schedules for him as she did with Harry.
Hermione isn't a friend of Ron's here. He doesn't have anyone to give him a push to be less lazy with his school work or to really improve. It would only be his mom and Percy who pushed for him to put in effort and Ron really doesn't listen them.
I see him as being perfectly fine with mostly "Acceptable" as a grade, with maybe an "Exceeds Expectations" or two. That way he wouldn't have to put up with his mom getting on his case too much about bad grades.