Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter. Characters and main plot are property of J.K. Rowling. However, in this story the main plot will be manipulated to fit my imagination.
A True Heart of Darkness: Chapter Twelve
Planting Seeds of Doubt…
Hermione walked into the room, taking a deep breath to calm herself and smiled at the sight before her. Harry was lying on Draco, stomach down fast asleep, his wings moving slowly up and down around them. She finally took the time to notice her friend's new appendages. They were still fairly large in their newly shrunken state, but nonetheless were completely magnificent. The back was covered in dark black blue scales, but as she looked closer she noticed they were laced with streaks of silver. The ends were pointed and at the peak there was a sharp horn. They reminded her of dragon wings from fairy tales she had read as a child. She frowned at the slowly healing cuts made down his back, and the jagged ones from his wings bursting out. Dried blood still matted the place his wings sprouted from, but she could see it was slowly healing. Breaking from her observation she saw that Draco was awake, running his fingers soothingly through the raven's hair. He was flushed but she was relieved to see the empty bottle of blood replenishing potion on the table next to the bed. Draco met her gaze and gave a tired smile and ushered the Gryffindor to a chair conjured next to the bed. As she took her seat quietly, Draco broke the silence.
"Its safe now Hermione, but he should sleep for a while longer. Just be sure not to touch either of us, I don't want him to act on his instincts and harming you. However, I want to know what happened with Uncle Sev when you two left us," He asked in a soft voice, never pausing in his ministrations. Hermione nodded and began explaining what had happened. His eyes narrowed when she said how Severus wanted to find out Harry's clan and her worry that he would not heed her warning. He kept quiet till she was done.
"If anything he has gone to vent to either my father or the Dark Lord about being scolded by a muggleborn witch. I half wish I could have seen his face when you set him straight." He laughed lightly and Hermione let a small smile grace her face, but Draco's quickly faded to worry.
"But he cannot see Harry's clan mark. He will know that instant that he is Harry's father. Severus only has one sister, and she has no children. She is a dominant female and lives primarily in Asia with their clan and she doesn't..." He paused, "Though I should stop. It is not my place to speak of his family." He closed his eyes, leaning his head against the headboard of the bed.
"Don't worry Draco, from what you've said the Dark Lord heeds the words of seers. If Professor Snape went to talk to him I'm sure he won't persist the issue till the two of them are ready. What we need to concern ourselves with is explaining the three of us being gone for three days. Harry is easy. We can just say that he got sick again, but recovered quicker than last time. However, I don't know how we will be able to explain our absence as well." Hermione said with a worried look. She pondered for a moment than gave a smile.
"I know. I can go back and tell everyone the two of you got in a fight in an abandoned corridor after dinner. You caused Harry to relapse into his sickness and he hit you with a horrible jinx. Severus and Blaise can cover for you and I can cover for Harry. The students will believe us, but there is one issue we haven't brought up. Dumbledore." She paused at the blonde's dark look. His eyes narrowed and seemed to glow like moonlight.
"Severus can help us there. I'll talk to him in the morning about speaking to our beloved Headmaster. He can make the man believe we are incapacitated. Making sure to only twist truths and not outright lie to him. For now, we need to concentrate on Harry recovering and preparing for next weekend." He said finishing with a controlled yawn. Hermione gave a small laugh at the action and made her move to stand.
"Don't worry about that. Blaise, Neville, Pansy, Luna and I can make sure that everything is planned accordingly. You two take this time to rest, get things sorted with Harry's wings. Just make sure to keep Harry's clan mark hidden. Get some sleep, and stay here till after dinner tomorrow." She smiled at the glare. The Slytherin was just like his mate, never liked being told what to do.
"Yes mom, I'll be sure to do that," He sneered back. Moving slightly to get comfortable, having Harry fit into the grove of his body. Letting his head rest in the crook of Draco's neck and wrapping his arms around the Slytherin's body, doing the same himself, but making sure not to touch Harry's open wounds on his back. Hermione smiled at the pair before leaving the room, making sure to cast a special silencing charm to let the two sleep. The charm would keep all outside noise out and also keep them from being heard from outside the room. It was a new spell she had been working on. Hermione hoped it worked, those two needed rest.
She left the room with a smile on her face, taking a deep breath to finally let all the tension leave her body. She had been worried for Harry, the boy who she now considered her brother in all but blood. She had read how wrong releasing a young vampire's wings could go. She ran a hand through her hair, twisting the ends in a nervous manner. She then caught sight of the note on the door. She gave a soft laugh at the tense writing of the professor. She left the note back on the door and headed out of the man's private rooms. She paused at the door, looking back once more with a worried look. She shook her head and then left. Unknown to them, blue eyes peaked out from the fireplace once more, disappearing right as the door closed after the young girl.
Dumbledore pulled out of the fireplace and took in what he had just seen. Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, and Harry Potter along with Snape disappeared into a room for a lengthy amount of time. He had thought of leaving, but then Severus and the young muggleborn began talking about clans and suddenly all his questions were answered. It appeared Harrison took after his father after all. The Headmaster has to restrain his outrage at that. He had hoped Lily's powerful magical blood would win the war for dominance, but it appeared they made a creature instead. He was furious, now with his martyr immortal he could not fulfill his role in destroying Tom Riddle. He let out a small angered yell and things on his desk began to vibrate in his anger. He needed the boy to finish his war against Riddle. It was all for the greater good! Then to find out his castle held a pureblood seer, oh that was just a blow to his ego. To think the great Albus Dumbledore had not known this beforehand. She was another asset he would gain through any means. Any 'prophecy' or foresight, controlled by him, would gain various groups to his cause. Then that stupid muggleborn had to go give Severus the idea his memories were tampered with. Now he would have to find a way to discreetly strengthen the charms on Snape's mind to keep the man under his thumb. He sat at his desk and began to write letters to various people who owed him a debt. He would get young Harry to see his way and fix the problems his little group of friends seems to be making of his plans, no matter the cost. The first step was eliminating their source, one mangy old dog. Then he would stop their scheming, they were only a small group of school children after all. Fawkes gave a sad trill at the Headmaster. The honorable man he had served was falling from grace, and the phoenix could not see his bonded under this Dumbledore. He opened his wings and in a ball of flame left his old master, severing the Headmaster from himself at last.
The next morning found Harry still fast asleep in Snape's guest bed, his wings fluttering above him as he dreamed. Draco had woken up early and made his way through the potion masters room like a pro. Upon seeing the note on the bedroom door, he busied himself until the professor woke. Severus Snape slowly walked out of his rooms in his usual attire to find his Godson sitting in a chair reading a book on sleeping potions. As he shut his bedroom door, Draco tore his eyes from the book and smiled at his Godfather. He noticed the man had yet to fix his glamour and took pleasure in knowing he was comfortable around him not to have it, that or still to hung over to remember.
"Good morning Uncle Sev, sleep well?" He asked quietly, knowing the man would have had a lot to drink the previous nights. Snape just looked over at his Godson and wandlessly brought a hangover potion from his personal stores. After taking the potion he nodded to Draco and took the seat opposite him.
"I will be much better now. Have you eaten yet?" He asked in a hoarse voice. Draco shook his head and the professor called an elf to bring them some breakfast.
"After we eat I will need to speak to the Headmaster. During that time the both of you need to stay out of sight, he may want to come here and while he knows my true nature, I do not think it wise to inform him of Mr. Potter quite yet, if he didn't know about it already that is." He drawled out before the house elf returned with their meal. Hot cakes, sausage, eggs, and toast were served piping hot. Draco made a move to go wake Harry, but was stopped by a gentle grip on his wrist.
"He will need to sleep most of the day before he can recover. Your blood will be all he can have, leave him for now." He said and released the blonde to begin eating.
"Okay," Draco answered and the two ate in silence for a moment. About halfway through the meal Severus set his utensils down.
He looked up at his only godson, a boy who he considered his own, and felt a pang of emptiness inside his chest. How could this happen? He had never found his mate, but he heard from other to lose one's other half was devastating, leaving the other to kill themselves to end the pain. Yes, he knew that Draco would too become a vampire eventually, they all did. Unless the vampire mated with another immortal creature they would turn. The fear of losing one's mate, even to old age, was strong and unbeatable. He took in the small flush on the boys cheeks, the strong heartbeat, and the way he was just so…human. For a moment a flash of red hair and smiling green eyes entered his mind, but was quickly thrust away. He looked at his half empty plate, feeling the sting behind his eyes as tears tried to form. No. Those thoughts were too painful to think of now. Where did they even come from? He closed his eyes for a moment, the memories beginning to fade behind his occlumency shields. When he looked back up Draco was finished and giving him a worried look.
"Are you okay?" He asked in a cautious voice.
"No Draco, I am not." He said fairly loud. Draco looked taken by surprise for a moment, but quickly composed himself.
"What is the matter? Could I help somehow?" He asked such innocent questions, as if he didn't know!
"What is the matter? Maybe the fact you are mated to a vampire! That I know you will never grow old, marry a nice woman, and have the loving family you deserve. You being mated to a creature I could live through, but Potter! I can't bear it Draco. He is always getting into trouble and danger appears to materialize around him! You will always be targeted, never be safe!" He ended his rant, almost yelling. Draco looked at his Godfather with surprise, having never seen the man lose his temper before. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and give an answer, one Severus believed was beyond his years.
"I know that. I know I will never grow old, never feel sickness, see some of my closest friends die as I stay young. I know that if we find a way to have a family they will be vampires as well, maybe some will be lucky and be like Harry. Human for the first thirteen years of their lives before they are forever bound to drink human blood. But I also know I will be loved and protected in every way possible. Yes, one day I won't be human anymore, but that still isn't for years. We both know Harry will continue to age till he reaches magical maturity around his seventeenth birthday. Till then I'm human, more fragile and breakable than if I was turned now. We are doing our best to keep each other safe; in a way we are a family. As for me, don't worry; between the Malfoy's and two dominant vampires, I'm the safest." Severus Snape did not know how to reply to his godson's declaration. He felt the rage leave his body, and remorse filled its place. Merlin, he needed a drink. He knew Draco's parents had no problem with his mateship, they saw him being bound to a powerful pureblood vampire to be very beneficial. Hearing that it was Harry Potter had made them feel even better, knowing that the boys would never be under the light's control. Harry's new nature would not allow it. He took a sigh and rose from the table. As he passed Draco he laid a hand on his shoulder before leaving to have his talk with the headmaster.
Draco watched his godfather leave before returning to the guest bedroom. Harry was still fast asleep, but his wings had stopped moving around him. They were hanging just slightly above his skin. Draco took a seat next to the bed, waiting for his raven-haired angel to wake. He smirked at the thought, well maybe not an angel.
The few days after Harry got his wings were quite interesting. Severus had no problem with the headmaster, it appeared he bought the spell gone awry story and did not question the student's involvement. This led the potions professor suspicious, that he had apparently fooled the great Albus Dumbledore, and he had felt timid magic being used on his mind throughout their meeting. Once he returned to his rooms he used the time to check on his mindscape and was shocked to find a door he had not noticed before. At first the potions master was furious, but cooled down a while later to think of a rational way to fix this. He would go to Voldemort in the summer to have the man help him open the door; he found there was quite a powerful spell on it. Harry, after he woke, only took a short six hours to gain full control of his wings. He was able to hide them, disillusion them, and change their size on command. He had great joy in making them become a part of his cloak, much like professor Snape had them. As they returned to classes two days after it appeared as if everything went back to normal, appearance wise for them at least.
To pass the time Harry read a book on animagi he found in Severus's quarters and asked the man to lend it to him. Snape agreed and let him know that there was quite a bit on becoming an animagi in the book, but to be careful when practicing. He warned them that most wizards with dark animagi forms, such as dark magical creatures or just animals that creeped people out were taken into custody or watched. The ministry believed they were dangerous beings because those forms were only given to 'dark wizards'. Harry made sure to keep this in mind for their training, which he wanted to begin right after their meeting with the students and work on in the summer, possibly with some of the recruits.
Time moved fast that week and suddenly it was the Saturday of the meeting, a month before final exams. They wanted to plant their seeds of doubt about the headmaster and let the students use the summer to mull over their final decision. Then use follow up meetings to switch their perception of the world, make them open their minds to the whole scope of magic. Though before that security measures had to be made. In preparation of possible leaks Hermione created a kind of sign in sheet that, once signed, bound the student to secrecy using old pureblood magic. They would not be able to tell anyone about the meeting or their decision unless it was Harry, Draco, Hermione, or Neville. This insured their safety, no could know what the students were up to. It was currently 6:45 in the evening and Harry was pacing outside the room of requirement with Draco, asking for the perfect meeting place.
"Oh do take your time Harry, we don't have a schedule to keep or anything," Draco drawled on with a smirk. Harry, whose eyes were closed, stopped his pacing.
"Perfection takes time love, you would know. I believe it takes half an hour for you to just do your hair," He said in a dry tone and resumed his pacing. Draco pouted and huffed playfully. He was about to make another comment when a door appeared on the wall. Beautiful intricate vines covered the front with flowers blooming sporadically around the spaces. Harry stopped right in front of the door, opened his eyes and smiled. He turned to face a pouting Draco and ushered him forward with an extended hand. Draco let the pout fall and grasped the hand of his mate.
"Come and look, I promise the time was worth it," He pushed the door open and walked in. The room had Draco's eyes widening and his mouth hanging open in a very un-Malyfoyish way.
The entrance room had a beautiful painting of the whomping willow moving in a breeze and a vintage looking welcome sign. The walls were painted a homey crème color, and blended into the brown/red of the next room. As they walked past the entrance they were greeted with a huge space filled with couches and individual chairs. Small tables filled the space, small notepads and quills were on all the chairs around the room. All the furniture was placed in a large semicircle with a 6inch raise podium in the center connecting to the wall. There was a white board, muggle markers, and small magnets on the board. There were 6 chairs on the small podium, leaving one of them to be standing and talking at all times. The ceiling was a dome shape and had a black dragon that flew around the entire space. It was made of different shapes and took up the size of an medium sized dog. Off to the left were two loo's for either a male or female student to use. And to the right was a small kitchen filled with water and pumpkin juice in small goblets. The walls went from an earthy red to a crème color again toward the bathrooms and another earthy green with dark brown mixed in to look like cracks or vines through all the walls. I gave off a peaceful and home feeling. Draco guessed it meant to calm and ease the students coming in. After taking in the room Draco turned to see Harry leaning back in the entrance, a smug look on his face.
"I told you perfection takes time. The dragon was something special that took the most detail. It listens to what is said by anyone while we are talking, even if it is a whisper and then records it on a parchment on the back of the white board. That way we can weed out possible recruits, but also traitors that may be pretending. I made sure it knew who was who, by looks and a name. It should work, but it was a complex 'wish'. We might only get what is said, but that is still valuable." He finished his speech and glanced back at Draco who was smirking. This caused the smug look to fall from his face, turning confused. Draco slauntered over until he was in front of Harry.
"The dragon has nothing to do with me?" He asked Harry smiled, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. Draco placed his arms on the other's now taller shoulders as Harry replied.
"Well I did have to take the inspiration from the sneakiest dragon I know. Who just happened to be you," Draco gave a dark smiled and leaned in to kiss him.
Harry sighed in contentment, never getting used to the way Draco's lips felt against his. He loved the way his throat burned now that he knew what it meant, that his mate was close and safe. He pulled the blonde flush against him and both groaned in delight. Harry could feel his wings wanting to spring out and encase them, but held them twitching in the form of his robes. Just as things got heated they heard a knock on the door behind them and reluctantly broke apart. Harry's eyes had started to bleed red and he took a breath to calm himself before moving. Draco leaned on a wall behind him, his breath taken away.
Harry walked over to the door and pushed it open to reveal the rest of the gang. Hermione had a pad with parchment on it, most likely covering the charmed sign in sheet. Neville and Luna were talking quietly and Harry saw the light blush stain his friends cheeks as he opened the door. Blaise was looking at the intricate door with interest, curiosity shining in his indigo eyes with Pansy smirking behind him. Harry put on a pissed off look and stepped aside to let them enter. Once they all went inside there were many gasps and Hermione and Neville gave Harry approving looks. The raven continued to give them a dry stare.
"Why the look Harry?" Hermione asked in a curious tone. Draco gave a small, almost unnoticeable blush at the comment.
Harry just turned his gaze to her and in a flat tone said, "If you must know I was snogging my mate senseless, and you all interrupted us. Quite rude I might add." He ended with a smirk. Then all of them proceeded to laugh while Draco's blush deepened. Harry led them to the podium and explained what he wanted to happen.
"I want you guys to talk the most. Tell them my childhood, the way Dumbledore went against the law to have me brought up as he sees fit, and anything else. Most of all show them we aren't pureblood maniacs; that we are a cohesive group of people bent on 'protecting' the students. I'll only say something at the end and give the right facial expressions at the right time. Hermione, please wait outside and tell them to enter, sign in, grab a seat, and we will start once most everyone has arrived. There should be about seventeen students coming." She nodded and took to the entrance.
"Neville, I want you to be the 'concerned student'. Because of how everyone sees you, it would be the most believable, also since you did in fact write the note. Blaise, Pansy, and Draco please wait for the other three to go first and then keep to talking about looking out for new friends. We want to get rid of the stupid rivalry in the school, especially between our two houses. So whatever you can do to help would be appreciated." He said.
"Don't worry we have an idea to get them to get over it." Blaise guided Pansy to their seats and started talking quietly. Draco took Harry's hand and went to sit next to their friends. Luna followed them and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"It would help the most to have the two demons here and also to not be afraid to speak of your dragon mate. It will help win the most important ones over to show your feeling for each other aren't affected by houses. But there will be at least one who must be removed at the end of class today." Luna said before taking Neville's hand and dragging him to the refreshment table. Harry just shook his head at the two of them, but kept her words in mind. He sat next to the Slytherin's as the first few students began to come in.
Ginny Weasley thought herself to be a fair yet fierce person. She always saw people as they were, trying not to judge them by their wealthy or blood. This caused her to be well liked in all houses for sticking up for them, even if she was considered a blood traitor. So when she had received the letter she immediately felt a strong sense of guilt for missing something with Harry. Since he had saved her from the Chamber of Secrets she had tried to return the favor by stopping people from talking bad about him, especially the Slytherin students. To find out that the Headmaster had done something bad to him angered her. She had tried talking to some girls, but found she couldn't tell anyone about it. She was mad at first, but realized maybe it wasn't her place to speak about it anyway. So she was glad when the day of the meeting she was relieved to finally see what was going on. Coming up to the seventh floor she saw Hermione talking to some Hufflepuffs's she recognized and they walked into a room she had never realized was there. She made her way up the rest of the way and made it to the door.
"Hey Hermione, I didn't know you'd be here." She said
"Hello Ginny, I'm glad you could make it. If you were surprised by me, this is just the beginning. Go ahead and go in, there is a sign in sheet on the entrance table and take a seat. We'll start soon." She smiled and gestured to the door.
"Well I shouldn't be surprised. You're practically Harry's sister the way the two of you are, inseparable. Well see you inside." She waved goodbye and walked in.
Like other students she was in awe of the design of the room, literally taking her breath away. She signed the paper at the entrance and made her way inside. She saw a large group of Gryffindor's sitting together and the group of Hufflepuff's. There were three Ravenclaw's sitting off to the side along with two Slytherin's next to them. She made her way over to between the Ravenclaw's, Gryffindor's, and Hufflepuff's. She felt bad for the Slytherin's sitting by themselves, but she didn't feel she would be welcomed by those two, especially Greengrass. She looked up at the podium and noticed everyone on it. Pansy Parkinson was sitting on the far left of the room, facing the large group of students. She had a emotionless look on her face as she looked over the people siting below her. Ginny didn't see her usual smug expression; instead she saw more of a calculating look. Next to her was Blaise Zabini, also from Slytherin. His indigo eyes were locked on her and she had to resist a blush rising to her face. She took in his angular face and dark smooth skin. She looked straight into his eyes and saw amusement there along with something she couldn't place, but felt her heart speed up on her. She broke the eye contact and continued down the row of seats. Next to him, to her surprise, were Neville and Luna. Neville had a small smile on his face as Luna talked to him. She smiled; already seeing the boy was wrapped around her finger. She was happy. Luna was a sweet girl that many took advantage of. She hoped with Neville, being the same way in her eyes, didn't let anyone walk on top of them. Next to them were Harry and Draco Malfoy. She had to stop her automatic reaction to scowling at the blonde and let her mouth fall open as the two smiled at each other in a way she had seen her parents do many times. He mouth fell open and she stared in shock as the two sat comfortably together. She shook her head and hoped that relationship would be explained in this little meeting. She smiled as she saw her brothers sitting close, as always, at the end with an empty chair between the love-birds and them. The two were blatantly pointing to different people and making remarks about them. She could hear them laugh and then they stood up to the front of the podium. Their height and popularity amongst students caused all talking to fall and the room gave them their attention. She heard the door close again and spotted Hermione walking in and taking the empty seat next to Draco on the podium as the twins began speaking.
"Now you all were given a letter earlier this week talking about the injustice done to our friend, Harry Potter. We are all up here, as his closest friends, to tell you the truth because we think you deserve to know." George began. A hand shot up from a Huffepuff muggleborn Ginny knew, Justin Flinch-Fletchy.
"What are all these Slytherin's doing here, especially those three up there? We all know they aren't friends and are just pureblood bigots!" he said angrily. Cedric Diggory looked over to his fellow badger with a grimace. He was a pureblood himself, but he believed everyone deserved a second chance.
"Justin, let them talk before you make accusations." He said loud enough for everyone to hear. The younger student didn't look remorseful, but sat back with a frown. Fred was frustrated that there were already signs of problems with their possible recruits. He nodded to George and took his turn to talk.
"Thank you Cedric. We are all close friends up here, and yes I know it is a surprise. Deal with it. When it's their turn they will come up and tell you why they are here, but we need to get back to business. We are all here to talk about our dearest Headmaster Dumbledore. Head of the Light, and the man seen to do no wrong." He paused for effect and locked eyes with different students. When he looked to Ginny he winked and his sister rolled her eyes at him.
"I'm here to say you're wrong. To tell you that he is in fact a selfish, manipulative, and cruel man that shouldn't be allowed to influence our generation." At the end of his declaration there were many shouts from different student in protest. The only ones who stayed silent were Cedric, Daphne, Theo, Ginny, Susan Bones, and Parvati Patil. Fred grimaced at their reaction, but knew he had to get this part out of the way.
"Stop it!" he yelled and they slowly quiety down. He glared at them, but continued on.
"I know you don't want to hear it, but its true. He has been horrible to Harry and it's our fault we let him do it. He put Harry with muggles, and not just any muggles, but ones that detest magic. Can you think of that? Being punished because of accidental magic, having the magic 'beat out of you' at the young age of two or three? They tortured a child because of how he was born! And who let them? Our dear sweet Headmaster. I can't even talk about it without getting angry, because I let a friend down. I let a friend suffer! And I made a promise to him I won't let that old coot do it to him again." He said in anger and roughly took his seat. George sat next to Fred, trying to calm him down with discrete touches and soft words.
"I know you aren't used to seeing the fun loving twins that way, but that's how we all feel." Neville said as he stood up with Hermione to start their speech.
"That's one thing that made me write the letter to you all. I think we can trust you, and that you can help us with this. Harry is my best friend and I want to keep him safe. Haven't you seen that he comes back so skinny at the beginning of the year? It is because they starve him in the summer. He isn't fed, he's overworked, and stuffed in a cupboard for long lengths of time. Headmaster Dumbledore never checked up on him for his first eleven years and continues to send him back. I don't want a man like that teaching me morals and values. I don't want a man like that around the people I care about." His eyes went to Luna and then back to the shocked students on front of him. Most were shocked to see this outspoken side of Neville, and the accusations made to a large figure in their lives. Someone they had thought to be the symbol of goodness and light in the world. Ginny was feeling so guilty, along with others in the group. In particular the Hufflepuff's and Gryffindor's.
"I know this is a shock, but what Neville says is true. Did you know that the Headmaster sends out all the first letters personally, especially to those in muggle homes? Harry's first letter was sent to the cupboard under the stairs. Did he go himself and check on him? Take him to Diagon Alley or send a professor and ask why the letter was addressed there? No. Instead he sent dozens of letters after the first wasn't answered making the muggles try to leave the country with Harry. He sent Hagrid to pick him up. Infuriating the muggles further. I had professor McGonagall come help me integrate into the wizarding world and I'm not as important as Harry. Dumbledore has never done the right thing regarding my friend. I will never trust him again with my care or anyone I love. Please look at the things he does and try to see the reasoning behind it. None of it adds up." With that she took her seat and let them think for a moment. The students murmured amongst themselves as Blaise and Pansy took the stage. The two Slytherin's received glares and grimaces from many, but not all of them; it was a start.
"I know no one likes us and thinks we don't belong up here, but we really are friends of Harry's. We don't act like it in public because we don't want people to think we are making him evil or some rubbish. He is an amazing friend and once we found out all this from him we began to hate the headmaster. Harry never deserved any of that. But at the same time it has made him the greatest person I know. I wouldn't have been able to handle such harsh living conditions growing up, and for that he has my upmost respect and friendship." Blaise said, giving Harry a smile and receiving one in return. He looked at Ginny in the crowd and gave her a heated look and took his seat. Ginny blushed and her heart raced, but she tried to focus on what they were saying. Pansy took a deep breath and began her speech in much the same fashion, but shocking the students below more than anyone else.
"I know I'm known as the bitch of Hogwarts, the Slut of Slytherin, and an evil skank. I don't deny that I am cruel to people I don't like and think that all of us are crazy to be sharing this with any of you. You're all so set in following whatever Dumbledore says I thought this meeting was a lost cause. But I'm here for a friend, and not the one you are all here for. At first, I hated Harry Potter. He was the symbol of everything I detested. Then he went and stole my best friend from me, how could I even think of supporting him. But then I saw him with Draco. How he treated my best friend like he was the most important thing in the world. I saw how happy they were and dropped my judgments about him. No matter how much I didn't like him, no one deserves to not have love growing up. I know cheap from a pureblood Slytherin right? Wrong. We are all very tight knit with family, and express love in private. I care very much for everyone up on this stage, and yes. I have even come to care for Harry as a friend. And if I can care and stand up for him, can't you?" She ended seeing that some had started to tear up at the end of her speech.
They began to feel the guilt of seeing how their friend had been suffering. Others were starting to question what they believed to be true about the Light side in this so-called 'war', while some looked up with respect and longing at the closeness they all seemed to share. They came off as a family looking to help their closest member, the heart of their group. Harry smirked on the inside as he saw how his friend's speeches had touched almost everyone in the room. He had hoped sharing his 'life' from their perspective would make sure that everyone, even the Slytherin's, would think it over and join him. He let them sit and chatter for a few minutes and stood up himself, grabbing Draco's hand to join him on the stage. The blonde stayed silent, knowing he would go last. Harry waited till they stopped talking and spoke softly, trying to use their previous guilt and sympathy.
"I want to thank you for coming, and listening to what we have to say. I just want to stop him from putting me back in that house, back with those people. I can't legally do anything because I'm a minor, but I want my friends to know what is happening. We trust you to really think about this. We didn't tell you to start an uprising or a fight. We told you because we don't want him taking advantage with you like he does with Ron Weasley. Ron was promised my friendship, but he has done nothing to earn it. Instead the Headmaster keeps using him to spy on me and keeps making the boy promises he won't keep. I don't want this mad man taking advantage of you and putting you in danger. Thank you again." Harry turned to Draco for support. The blonde squeezed his hand and began the end.
"I love Harry. I don't care if you believe me or not, that's your problem. I don't show it to the world because I don't want people saying I've cursed him or this is to humiliate him. He is mine. I got over our rivalry and saw the person underneath the name. I saw he could look at the world like me and not judge. I love him, and I hope you can all believe what we've told you. A war is coming, maybe not for a few years, but it's coming. Do you want to be pawns to an old man, or fight for a cause you believe in without him manipulating your every move to HIS end goal? Think for yourselves for once. I did, and now I'm the happiest person alive." He paused to see his work. Hermione smiled at the changes in the student's demeanor. Most appeared determined to set things right, the only problem seemed to be Justin. The boy still looked closed off and was whispering to the people around him. The others seemed to look at him with confusion and shake their heads in disagreement. She stood to take over the end for the two boys.
"We want to make a defense club next year to better prepare ourselves for what is inevitably coming. But we do not want the Headmaster finding out, which is why we told you everything tonight. We told you all this tonight so you can make a choice to join us or not. We want to be the ones to control our lives and keep the ones we love safe. We do not plan to be pawns to either side of this senseless war. You have the summer to think this over. We will send out another owl right before school requesting your formal answer before we set up meetings on a more permanent basis. You can leave whenever you want tonight and we will be here to talk to you individually if you wish it. Goodnight." She ended and walked down from the podium to talk with the other girls from Gryffindor who called her over.
Blaise and Pansy went over to Daphne and Theo; the two had disbelieving looks and wanted an explanation from their friends. Cho Chang, Michael Corner, Oliver Wood, Lee Jordan, and Cedric Diggory met up in the middle with the twins. Neville and Luna were talking to Ernie Macmillian, Colin Creevey, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, and a reluctant Justin were talking together. Neville appeared to be explaining more while Luna looked an Justin with a dark look, then moving around the room with her eyes. Hermione was talking to Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, Susan Bones, and Ginny Weasley. All the girls were talking equally with each other and appeared to be agreeing.
Harry smiled in pleasure at their work; their seeds were being planted. Dumbledore would no longer have control over these students. He couldn't wait till they were trustworthy enough to show his true form and strong enough to make his own army. He gave a dark smile at the thought of taking down the man who manipulated his life. He would have his revenge, and this was the beautiful beginning.
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Thank you for reading! I know some people are a little out of character but just roll with it, it'll all make sense later. Let me know what you think of the developing relationships! I was so happy to hear all your suggestions and have made the final list Sirius will be in the next chapter and a lot of explaining will be done so keep tuned! I can't wait to write the next chapter so it'll be out soon! Have a good week! Remember to review 3
Kakeru