All i can say is WOW! the amount of notice this story has recieved has boggled my mind. I'm moved, honestly I am. This story is so much fun to write and think about and I have many awesome ideas I want to try and impliment. But I need my reader's continued support in the form of Reviews! Give a review, save a writer... or something like that... hehe... anyway, Onward to...
Chapter Three
Journeys and Sorcery
Veneficus spent no time waiting to dive into the many books that he and Millennial had taken from Gringotts or purchased in Diagon Alley, spending almost as much time studying the magical world as training or mediating. Luckily, Millennial indulged his curiosity, also participating in the consumption of the volumes to familiarize himself with the many intricacies of the newfound community of wizards, and his new familiar was content to explore his new nest, as the little snake referred to Blackmoore Manor.
The two Sith Lords ventured several more times into both Diagon and Knockturn Alleys, purchasing smaller things to complete the illusion of a pureblood wizarding Lord and his heir, including several expensive sets of robes for each of them, as well as acquiring the rest of the signet rings they owned from the goblin bank. Darth Millennial had had to use the Dark Side to bend each to his will, but Veneficus, as the rightful owner of his rings, had no problems in slipping the Gryffindor, Potter and Black family rings onto his fingers.
The time until the Hogwarts' school year diminished far too quickly for Veneficus' liking, and Millennial had been intent on a few last minute training exercises before he allowed his apprentice to be on his own for the majority of the year, including how to protect his electronic possessions from the aura of magic that permeated the entirety of the wizarding world. Millennial had become aware of this effect when trying to catalog the many books into his person datapad, and the device had refused to function. He quickly summoned a ward smith from the most expensive wizarding guild he could find.
The wizard had explained that magic and muggle created devices didn't react well with each other, causing either one or the other to fail completely. Then, at the insistence of the Sith Master, the young ward maker went about the risky procedure of warding the entire manor to prevent innate magic from interfering with any electronics within, followed up by every defensive measure that the young man had known, including the complex Fidelius charm, removing the house from sight of any who did not have permission from the secret keeper, which naturally was Darth Millennial.
The man had commented that Millennial must have been paranoid for all the different and varied defenses, and the Sith Lord had simply smiled when he replied, "You have no idea…"
In fact, by the time September the first arrived, Darth Veneficus and Darth Millennial had ingrained themselves so deeply into the wizarding world, that they had barely ventured out into the larger world, aside from training for Veneficus, or to acquire parts or materials for research or other instruction in the young apprentice's career as a Dark Side wielder.
From Snape, the two Sith had learned exactly how to access the secret train in King's Cross station for Veneficus to get to Hogwarts. Departing their taxi outside the station, the Sith Master waited with Veneficus' things as the young apprentice fetched a cart to bustle them into the station. They had plenty of time until the train left, but still they moved quickly and quietly to the pillar between platforms nine and ten, passing through and being greeted by the sight of the scarlet Hogwart's Express steam engine.
"Now, my young apprentice, I want to you make sure you learn everything you can that would be useful to our Order," Millennial said, standing well away from the other early parents and children saying their goodbyes, "And be very careful, as the Headmaster of this school, Albus Dumbledore, is about the closest thing to a Jedi Master on this planet. Do not confront him in any way or draw unwanted attention."
Veneficus nodded, and his master continued, "Nevertheless, do not hesitate to remove any threats to yourself, even if it means drawing your lightsaber. I am putting great trust in you to allow you so much time away from my tutelage my apprentice."
"I know, Master, thank you for allowing this expedition." The younger Sith replied.
"You are strong in the power of the Dark Side, my apprentice, you will be fine. Send letters to the manor and several of our droids will forward any message to me."
"Yes, Master." Veneficus replied, and as the Dark Lord of the Sith turned and left, he retrieved his luggage, and made his way to the nearest empty compartment, where he sat and waited for the train to depart.
"Your Dark one sssmells of hate and death…" Zychre commented lazily, coiling around Veneficus' wrist. The tiny snake was still only barely a hatchling, and therefore had to seclude itself within the bundles of cloth that were the school robes Veneficus was forced to wear for the school. The closer they got to the cold season, the more lethargic and quiet the snake had gotten, not that the young Sith minded much.
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Hermione Granger was excited, to say the very least. Ever since she received her letter inviting her to Hogwarts School, she had immersed herself with every fact and concept about this new world that she could get her hands on. But all the knowledge she had acquired only made her more excited for September the first to arrive. And now that it had, and she was actually here on the Hogwart's Express, her excitement was close to boiling over.
Hermione had practically skipped down the hallway in search of a compartment, when she came across one that only had one occupant. Happily, she slid open the door, and was met by the sounds of muted crying. The lone passenger in the compartment, a slightly chubby blond boy, was sniffling into his sleeve.
"Hello?" Hermione said quietly, trying to announce her presence without startling the boy. It didn't work and the boy jumped in his seat and whipped around to face her, "Who… who are you?" he stammered slightly.
"Hermione Granger," she said calmly, hoping to sooth the boy by sitting and taking his arm, "Would you mind telling me what's wrong? Maybe I could help?"
"No… no its alright, it's nothing…" the boy continued, tears still trickling slightly down his round face.
"Are you sure…?" Hermione paused, and the boy filled in for her, "Neville…Neville Longbottom."
"Neville," she continued, "Are you sure that I can't help, what's wrong first off."
"Well…well it's my toad… I lost him an-and I d-don't know where he's gone…"
Hermione placed a reassuring hand on Neville's arm, slowly calming the boy as she mutter reassurances, asking if the toad had been lost on the train or the station. Neville affirmed that he had last seen his pet on the train, and Hermione stood slowly, pulling the blond boy with her, "Well then, no use sitting around waiting for it to turn up. Let's go hunt it down for you."
"Y-you'd help me?" Neville said disbelievingly.
"Of course I would." Hermione said brightly, and leading Neville by the arm, started to search the train for the toad Trevor.
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Veneficus sat alone in his compartment for a good part of the journey, silently meditating and occasionally speaking with Zychre about the wide world, instructing the little serpent about the way humans behaved, as well as pondering what he was to expect at this school, when he was interrupted someone opening the door and rudely walking right in.
Looking up with a blank expression, he saw a red-haired, freckled boy half grinning at him. "Do you mind?" he said sheepishly, "Everywhere else is full…" the lie was so pathetic that the Sith apprentice didn't even bother using the Force to confirm it.
"I'd prefer to be alone…" he said coldly, but the boy simply smiled and ignored him, plopping down of the seat across from the Sith, and continuing as if he had been invited. "I'm Ron, by the way, Ron Weasley."
"That's nice…" Veneficus replied, greatly agitated that the foolish boy was not going to leave him be. Subtly drawing the Force around him, he started to probe the boy's mind as he obliviously talked, not even reacting when Veneficus refused to respond.
Swirling unnoticed through the boy's thoughts, the Sith Lord found a short trace of memory that was burning behind the conversation in the boy's psyche, 'Befriend Harry Potter.' It was odd, however, that the thought did not have the boy's own mental signature on it, almost as if it was implanted there from an outside source…
Thankfully, the boy's longwinded chatter was interrupted by another knock on the compartment door, followed by it sliding away to reveal a young girl, the same age as both Veneficus and Weasley, followed by another blond haired boy.
"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville here has lost one," she asked politely. Zychre hissed something about it he had found a toad, it would be long dead by now, but Veneficus ignored him. Thanking the Force for the distraction, the young apprentice stood, "No, I have not, but I will gladly help you both look." He offered. Weasley stood, as if to either follow or prevent his prisoner from escaping, but the Sith closed the compartment door in his face before following the girl and boy down the crowded corridor.
"I'm Hermione Granger," the girl said, shaking the hand of the Sith Lord, "and you are?"
"Harry Potter," Veneficus replied, easily sliding into the persona of the wizarding world's fabled hero. The girl's eyes widened slightly, and the boy, Neville, openly gaped at him, "Holy cricket, are you really?" Hermione asked, dumbstruck.
The Sith apprentice laughed slightly, "Yes, I really am," and to prove it, he moved his rather long fringe of hair away to reveal the famous scar on his forehead. Neville looked like he was about to wet himself in silent excitement. Granger was giddy as well, "Well, I know all about you of course, I got a few extra books for background reading, and you're in 'Modern Magical History,' 'The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts,' and 'Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century.'"
"Am I?" Veneficus said, feigning a dazed expression. He was already well aware of the false presumptions the wizards had placed upon him, practically weaving their own story of what had happened the night his biological parents were murdered.
"Goodness, didn't you know, I'd have found out everything I could if it was me," said Hermione. "Do either of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad..."
"Well, I haven't really thought about what house I'd want to be in, especially when it's just a hat that decides for us." The young Sith smoothly replied, "I mean, after Hogwarts, what house you're in doesn't really affect you does it?"
"I suppose that's true," Hermione said, thinking hard, "Anyway, let's get looking for that toad."
It took them about fifteen minutes to find the wretched animal, Veneficus had decided at last to use the Force to bring the animal into the open for Neville and Hermione to capture. Zychre hissed about how happily he would have looked himself for the toad, but complained that it was too cold for a little snake to go wandering alone, which caused the Sith to snort at the laziness of the serpent. Happily, the blond boy left to return his pet to its cage, and Granger said something about needing to change into her robes, and departed as well.
Veneficus had no desire to return to his compartment and the Weasley brat, and was silently thankful that his luggage would be taken up to the castle for him, so he wandered up and down the corridor several times before someone in a nearly full compartment beckoned him inside. Turning to look, Veneficus saw the blond, arrogant face of Lucius Malfoy's son, grinning in a way that reminded him of Weasley. The only difference was that, with himself the only known Force user in the area, he was finally able to sense the small affinity that the blond child had for the unlimited power surrounding them. Weak, naturally when compared to either of the adept Sith Lords, but substantial enough that if properly trained, would make a decent Force user.
Veneficus allowed himself to be led into the compartment, where four other boys, in addition to the Malfoy boy sat, watching expectantly as the Sith apprentice joined their midst.
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Draco was pleased that Harry Potter had accepted his invitation to join him, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle in his compartment. Sitting across from the black haired boy next to the window, Draco pointed around the room at each person, introducing each of them. Ending with himself, he held out a hand for Potter to shake. "…and I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Potter seemed to regard his offered hand for a moment, and Draco held his breath. Finally, Potter took it, grinning slightly as he responded, "Harry Potter." Silently, Draco celebrated. A friend as powerful and well connected as Harry Potter would do nothing but improve Draco's own reputation within the student body of Hogwarts, and even beyond into the world at large. He had a small feeling, that he couldn't place, but he felt that allying with Potter would mean great things happening in Draco's life.
But for now, he started casually, asking Potter about mundane things like Quidditch and Hogwart's houses, explaining how Slytherin was definitely the best place for those who had the ambitious drive to get things done, like Draco himself. Potter was very congenial, if not a bit guarded, which Draco pointed out as a powerful Slytherin technique. The other boy simply smirked at him, and the discussion turned to other things for the rest of the train ride.
Finally when the train came to a rest in the Hogsmead station, the six boys tromped out, leaving their pet cages and trunks on the train to be transferred to the castle ahead of them. Draco sneered slightly as the giant half-breed oaf called for the first years to follow him down to the black lake, and organized them to enter the little rowboats, four students to one boat. Draco smirked as he saw the boy who was clearly a Weasley scowl as he, Crabbe, Goyle and Potter climbed into a boat together, leaving him to be with a gaggle of other random students.
When they finally arrived at the castle, the giant of a man led the trembling first years up to the large front doors, banged heavily on them, and handed them over to a stern looking old woman in green robes.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
Her eyes lingered on several students, all in different degrees of disarray as she said this.
"I shall return when we are ready for you," she said finally, "Please wait quietly." She then turned and left the room.
They waited in near silence for several moments, before Draco was shoved roughly from behind, and staggered into Crabbe, who caught and righted him instantly. Turning to glare, Draco saw the red headed Weasley boy harassing Potter.
"What are you doing with those slimy snakes Harry?" he yelled, trying to snatch the emerald eyed boy's arm and forcefully drag him away. "You need to get away from those Dark Wizards and…" but what Potter needed to do was lost as the same boy seized the irritating boy and swept his leg from under him, sending the red head to the floor with a loud grunt of surprise.
"What gives you the right," Potter almost hissed, standing over Weasley, eyes boring into the other boy, "to try and tell me what I can or cannot do. Touch me again, and you will deeply regret it…"
Draco shivered at the words; each seemed to be dipped in poison and flung with an invisible hand at Weasley, who quailed at the controlled wrath of Potter.
Just as the ginger got to his feet and Harry returned to Draco's side, the old woman, McGonagall, returned to lead them to the rest of the students and teachers.
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Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry watched with interest as the newest first years entered the Great Hall, their little feet scuffling down between the long house tables as they walked in two orderly lines behind Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration Teacher, toward the lone stool in front of the wide head table, upon which the Sorting Hat lay. He smiled in his usual grandfatherly way as he saw the youngest Weasley, and saw that the boy clearly still had the command to befriend Harry Potter still deep in his mind, planted by Albus himself prior to the school year. The youngest Weasley would be a great asset to 'guiding' the young Potter heir, making it simple for Albus to influence what route his life would take, and how he would go about defeating the Dark Lord Voldemort for good.
Unfortunately, the red haired youth seemed to be having difficulty in attaining the favor of the Potter heir, and Albus silently fretted as he saw the children of suspected Death Eaters surrounding him. But, no… they were quite surrounding him, as if to prevent escape, but the children were arranged more like a protective phalanx of guards, ready to fight and die for a commander or a king. This greatly worried Albus, but there was nothing he could do at the moment but wait and hope that the Sorting Hat, which had just now finished its yearly song, would see past any Slytherin traits to the pure Gryffindor the Harry Potter must be.
Professor McGonagall started calling the eleven year old children one by one, in alphabetical order, and placed the Sorting Hat on their heads. Albus smiled as each child was accepted into a house, but inwardly he was slightly eager for the process to move on to the main attraction.
It was slow, but eventually the long list of names thinned, and finally, Minerva called out, "Harry Potter."
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Veneficus cringed inwardly as he was called forward to try on the moldy old hat. Personally, he was more comfortable in the shadows, not being forced out center stage like some spectacle. But, not obeying would cause even more undesired attention and suspicion, so he dutifully marched up and sat on the stool. The entire hall whispered as he mounted the steps, and the young Sith frowned at them, just as the overlarge hat fell over his eyes.
"Hmm," said a small voice in his ear. "Difficult. Very difficult… Plenty of courage, I see, almost nearing ferocity. Quite the sharp mind too. There's raw talent there, and my goodness, yes and deep and powerful thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting, and just slightly frightening...But where shall I put you?"
Veneficus sighed mentally, thinking that the hat should hurry up and make up its decision, and expanding his senses in the Force. He felt all eyes still on him, and especial yearning from young Malfoy and the rest of the now Slytherin students he had ridden on the train with. Even Hermione, over at the Ravenclaw table, was concerned over where he was to be sorted. The different students' new-found interest, border lining obsession was genuine, if not subtle encouraged through Veneficus' own compulsion through the Dark Side, but it was just enough to convince them that he was one of them, and therefore an ally. One needed to be in the possession of loyal allies, especially if what the Sith apprentice knew about this world and its impression of him.
His thoughts were interrupted by the small voice of the hat, "Now now young Sith, focus back to the present…" Veneficus glared at the inside of the hat, wondering how it knew he was Sith.
"It's all here, in your head. And now that you are listening, I have made my choice." The Hat continued.
'Good, hurry up then,' Veneficus thought angrily.
"Fine, insolent brat," the Hat retorted, "you will find your ambitious nature well useful in, SLYTHERIN!"
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Albus almost choked on his held breath when the Hat cried out. Harry Potter had been on the stool for several long moments before the Hat had announced that he was sorted into… Slytherin…
But, Albus thought worriedly, that wasn't the way it was supposed to be. He had had everything in the proper place for Harry to be guided into the house of Gryffindor, as was the boy's heritage. But no, the Hat had clearly sorted him into Salazar's house, totally stunning the hall, to the point where only the other first year Slytherins, and one Ravenclaw Albus noticed, applauded as Harry tugged the Hat off his head and joined his classmates at the green and silver table.
The muted tension continued even through the last four students' sorting, Ronald Weasley and another boy for Gryffindor, a girl for Ravenclaw, and a final Slytherin. Albus kept up his grandfatherly persona as he set the feast in motion, returning to his seat and picking at his food. Where had his plan gone wrong? What had changed to prevent abused little Harry Potter from latching onto the first wizards he found, the Weasleys, and joining them in the correct house…
Albus shot a small glance at the Slytherin table, and saw that the first year Snakes, especially the boys, were all chatting happily with Harry, while the black haired boy seemed to smirk at the eagerness of the others to include him. Shaking his head sadly, Albus turned to meet the eyes of Severus. The Head of Slytherin looked no more confused than Albus, and the aged Headmaster gave him a small nod, their secret gesture for an important meeting between the pair of the later that night. All that was left was to try and continue with his plan to prepare Harry to meet Voldemort.
Albus sighed quietly as the meal finished, standing and giving out the standard announcements, in addition to the careful, yet obvious warning away from the third floor, hoping that Harry's nature would still kick in for him to investigate, eventually. Albus had a few more schemes to nudge the boy in the direction that he desired. Dismissing the students for the night, Albus bade the rest of the professors a goodnight, then retired to his study with Severus, eager to hear all that Severus had learned from his trip through Diagon Alley with the boy. He hoped that the Potions Master had seen something that could shed some light on the disturbing turn of events.
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Lord Millennial hadn't wasted a moment since he left his apprentice at the train station. He had hailed transportation back to Blackmoore Manor, and ordered the droids aboard his ship to prep it for immediate takeoff. Meanwhile, the Dark Lord of the Sith made preparations with the few droids he was able to spare to leave at the manor to transmit any messages Lord Veneficus would send over the time he was planning to be gone. He also ordered them to begin excavating the ground beneath the manor and begin building a subterranean compound there, connecting it to the main building above through a series of secret passageways.
This small project was mainly to make an area that the Sith could move their secret works to, and continue practicing their arts while the main part of the house remained ready for any unexpected guests. The encounter with Lucius Malfoy had inspired Millennial to do this, and he was certain that the blond aristocrat would make good on his promise of opening correspondence, and Millennial wanted to be more than ready if the man ever chose to make a personal visit.
It was this same issue that had pushed Millennial to allow magical wards to be placed over the house, in addition to the need to prevent the many devices that he and his apprentice owned from malfunctioning when the younger Sith began practicing his sorcery in the manor.
But wards and droid weren't going to be enough to fool someone from the wizarding world that Millennial was indeed Lord Blackmoore-Ravenclaw, and there weren't any humans on the planet that he would trust to keep in his manor full time to act the part of a servant, so the Sith Lord was forced to make another venture out into the wider galaxy.
Millennial hoped to be able to find some weak human or near human to bring with him, baited with the promise of freedom or power or some other trivial thing. But more importantly, Millennial wished to return once again to Dromund Kaas and search the ruins that he had been forced to abandon when Darth Cognus had attacked him and his fledgling Dark Order. He had unfortunately had no time to resume his search after assuming the mantle of Sith Master, as not only had Veneficus' training taken priority, but he had needed to secure the artifacts and associations that Cognus had left behind, and that had taken much longer than the mutant had desired.
But now with his apprentice off to a magical school, hopefully learning something that would benefit the Sith Order in ways that Millennial couldn't imagine, the Dark Lord had free time to return and continue searching through the ruins of the ancient Sith Capital. Perhaps there were still relics or other Force sensitive objects that could further the learning of the Order. Millennial knew that the planet had been picked over by the jedi decades ago, and then long since forgotten, but there was always the chance that they in their ignorance of the nature of the Dark Side had overlooked something substantial.
Having finished his preparations and gather a few supplies for surviving the marshy jungle world, Millennial boarded his ship, still hidden in the forest outside the manor. He had included room for a personal hanger bay in his plans for expanding the manor, and he hoped that the handful of droids would be able to at least finished opening out that part, so that he could better secret away his and Veneficus' only sure means of fleeing the planet should the worst occur.
Millennial didn't bother manually flying from the planet, opting to merely set the ships autopilot to the coordinates of Dromund Kaas, activating the cloaking device, and returned to his quarters, sinking into a meditative trance as the ship sped away and plunged into hyperspace.
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Severus swept into the first Gryffindor Slytherin class of the year, smirking slightly as the newest additions to both houses jumped when the door slammed behind him. The only student seemingly unaffected by his entrance was Potter. Severus frowned as he began calling the roll. He was sure there was something about Potter that was far too… off. Severus felt as though he knew something about the boy, but he couldn't remember what is was.
When Albus had talked with him after the Sorting feast, he had expressed great concern at the boy being in Slytherin, and the Potions Master couldn't help but agree, but for different reasons. He did not truly want to be closer to the son of his former rival than he had to, and with the lad in Slytherin, Severus saw him on almost a daily basis. Severus had mentioned his problems with his memory, and Albus had used legilimency to check for damage or obliviations in Severus' mind, but had found nothing, so they were left where they began.
Severus paused when he reached the boy's name. "Ah, yes," he said slowly, just loud enough for the whole class to hear, "Harry Potter. Our new… celebrity."
Several of the Gryffindor boys sniggered as he spoke. The leader of their bunch seemed to be the youngest Weasley boy, if the red hair gave anything away. Severus knew from his experience with the family to watch out for this one. His elder brothers had many talents, but overall lacked both respect and motivation to obey the rules.
"You are here," Severus said after finishing the roll call, addressing the class, "to learn the subtle science and exact art of potionmaking." He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but the entire class hung on every word. Severus, like several of his colleagues, had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort.
"As there is little foolish wand waving here," he continued, "many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death… if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
The class was in complete silence at the end of his opening speech. Severus decided that a quick demonstration of his high level of expectations was in order, and he already had several perfect guinea pigs. "Potter!" he called suddenly, only partially hoping to catch the boy off guard.
He didn't, but continued without a pause as the Gryffindors sniggered again, "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
It was an unfair question, but Severus did not care, technically it was in 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi', even if it was only a subnote in a ending chapter.
Potter still managed to surprise Severus, "That would be the Draught of Living Death…sir."
Grudgingly, Severus nodded. The boy had read the entire book, no, he had done more than that. He had memorized the entire book, but had he applied the knowledge. That was yet to be seen. The Gryffindor boys were muttering to each other, so Severus directed the next volley of questions to their side of the room, "Weasley! Where would you look if I asked you to find be a bezoar?"
The red haired boy looked completely stunned. Severus waited, one eyebrow raised, drawing out the torment of the youngest Weasley to struggle to form some sort on answer. "I… I don't know… sir." He finally said.
"Pity… then I feel that I need to take a point from Gryffindor, didn't think to open a book before coming, did you?"
The boy's ears turned slightly pink, and Severus sneered. Finally turning back to his Slytherins, he fired one final question, for fairness. "Malfoy, what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
Draco smiled as he looked up from writing the answers to the previous two questions, "There is no difference, unless you count the phase of the moon when they are picked sir."
"Correct, one point to Slytherin." Severus replied. He knew that Draco was more than competent for up to fourth year potions, having taught the boy himself during his younger years.
Severus then paired up the students, putting Potter together with Draco, and Weasley with the Longbottom boy, mentally noting to watch both pairs, the first for great success and the second for great failure. He directed them to the proper page for their first practical potion, the Boil Cure Potion. As the students started to weight nettles and crush snake fangs for the beginning steps, he strode around the room, subtly correcting those students that showed potential, and prevent catastrophes from those who didn't.
The well expected and prepared for disaster finally happened about halfway through the lesson as billowing clouds of green smoke erupted with a loud hissing in the dungeon classroom. Longbottom had melted his cauldron, his and Weasley's potion seeping across the floor and burning everything it came into contact with. The pitiful boy had been drenched in the mess, and was sprouting boils all over his exposed skin, moaning weakly in pain.
"Idiot boy!" snarled Severus, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?"
Evidently that was exactly what happened, as Weasley glared back, and Longbottom merely whimpered as the angry red boils started to spread.
"Take him up to the hospital wing," Severus spat at Weasley, "and that's another point from Gryffindor for sheer stupidity…"
As the pair of boys left the room, Severus caught a sight of Potter across the dungeon. He was thoughtfully smirking at Severus, but returned to his potion when they made eye contact. But from what Severus saw, the boy's face had shown something along the lines of… approval? The enigma of the Potter brat seemed to grow with each passing hour.
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Draco tossed restlessly in his emerald four-poster bed down in the Slytherin first year boy's dormitory. He had had difficulty sleeping ever since he had arrived, at first allocating the insomnia to homesickness. But after the first week, and even going to the school nurse for Dreamless Sleep potion, he was starting to think something was terribly wrong that prevented him from resting.
Grumbling slightly, he pulled the curtains open and shuffled out to the common room, thinking that maybe the large fireplace there would relax him enough to drop off to sleep. Clad in his pajamas and a sleeping robe, he stopped at the entrance to the main room, surprised at what he saw. Harry Potter was already there, kneeling in front of the large fireplace, motionless. It was such an odd position that Draco hesitated instead of entering immediately.
During the entire week Harry had quite seamlessly merged himself into Slytherin politics and had earned the respect of his housemates, despite the shaky and uncertain start because of his heritage. Draco still remembered when the boy had out debated a seventh year boy about the importance of blood purity, stating several figures in the muggle world that had achieved greater, and even more terrible atrocities than full-fledged Dark Lords such as Grindlewald… He spoke with such passion in his words that everyone around him would stop and listen, even if they innately disagreed with him, and very often he was able to at least instill doubt into those who opposed him.
Even those in other houses were starting to notice the black haired boy, namely Ravenclaw and some of Hufflepuff. Gryffindors never noticed anything unless it was dancing naked in front of them, and even then only half the time, so they didn't count. Draco realized he had been so deep in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed that Harry was calling out to him softly. "Draco, you know that it's rude to linger in doorways…"
Blushing slightly, Draco hurried into the room, seating himself in one of the more comfortable armchairs near the fire, giving him a perfect vantage point to view whatever it was that Harry was doing. A recent copy of the Evening Prophet lay in front of him, but the boy's eyes were closed as he simply knelt on the floor, seeming lost in thought.
"What are you doing?" Draco finally asked, breaking several moments of silence.
Without even looking, Harry answered, "Meditating."
"Oh," Draco said, mentally smacking himself in the forehead. He should have known that, having had rudimentary Occlumency lessons with his godfather Severus before coming to Hogwarts. "Searching for inner peace or something?" he asked innocently.
"Peace is a lie…"Harry replied snidely, a small scowl forming on his face. The retort was so reflexive and spontaneous that Draco jerked back as if struck. "But… isn't that the point of meditating?" he questioned, now intently curious.
Still focused on his own mental exercises, Harry continued, "Perhaps for the weak and the foolish, but those who truly seek the mysteries of the universe know that passion is the route to power. Emotions are the gateway of unlimited and untold strength for an individual. And face it; if you as an individual are weak, it's not long before someone strong will eliminate you. It's the law of life, the strong endure and the weak die."
Draco's mouth watered. If this was true, perhaps he could use this power to strengthen himself, perhaps even prove his worth to his father, and take his rightful place at the heir of house Malfoy. "Is there some way to learn this power?"
Finally Harry opened his eyes, turning slowly to face Draco, "Not from weak-hearted fools that refuse to grab any advantage there is…"
Draco saw the barb for what it was, a snipe at his own father and all the pureblood advocates. It was a deal, open mindedness in exchange for teachings. "I am not weak-hearted…" he responded slowly.
"We shall see…"Potter replied, and Draco's hair stood up on end at the tone in the boy's voice.