Chapter 3

McGonagall took in the scene quickly than ordered someone to explain what had happened. Neville nodded to her in respect but told her that someone else would have to do it because he had to get Mr. Parkinson to see Pomphrey.

Once Neville left with his charge, the Headmistress turned back to the rest. "Well, start explaining someone!" She snapped. Harry stepped forward than told her how the distraught Slytherin had come to their rooms to inform them of what had transpired. They then rushed to the scene to stop whatever might be happing.

Ron piped up next. "We came upon these louts attempting to violate Pansy Parkinson while holding a struggling Millicent Bulstrode against the wall. We stepped in and detained them till you could arrive and take care of it." Ron spoke with an edge to his voice that most had never heard. Right now, he wanted to do some real harm to these cretins but could not for fear of reprisals.

McGonagall's eyes turned hard as she looked at the four boys on the floor. "Then why is that one bleeding if you only apprehended them?" She pointed to Justin.

"My foot slipped." Luna smiled dreamily at the Headmistress as if it happened every day. McGonagall seemed to more not have anything to say about that. Not being sure how to respond. Meanwhile, Flitwick gave his Ravenclaw a secret thumbs-up sign behind the Headmistresses back but then tried to look serious.

"So, explain why Millicent Bulstrode, too, is unconscious on the floor as well as the rest of the supposed attackers?" Minerva McGonagall asks in an exasperated voice.

Hermione raised her hand, a blush forming on her cheeks as she admitted that had been her doing. "Bulstrode would not release Parkinson, so I had to cast a sleeping spell on her so we could get Pansy to Madam Pomphrey.

Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. "I see. Well, I think we will take care of the rest. Why do you not get Millicent to the infirmary? The others nodded Ron and Neville going and picking up Millicent as gently as they could under each arm.

When the group paused at the door, Professor Flitwick was quick to reassure them. "We will handle the rest of the group; you may be on your way now." He shooed them out the door. The group left as they made it to the bottom of the stairs, the boy from earlier, came running up to them.

"Did you make it on time? Are they hurt? Why is Millicent passed out? Where is Pansy?" They were asked a barrage of questions within seconds to the point that Harry had to hold up a hand.

"Woah, slow down. Yes, they are both fine. Millicent is knocked out because she would not release Pansy so we could help her, so we had to place a sleeping spell on her. If you would like, you may accompany us to the hospital wing?"

The boy shook his head. "I had better go inform Draco about what has happened." The nodded at him. He then turned and ran off.

The group escorted Millicent to the infirmary. Once they arrived, they handed her over to Poppy Pomphrey then went and checked on Pansy. As the group began to leave, Draco came charging in demanding to see and know how Pansy and Millicent were doing.

Madame Pomphrey told him to lower his voice and that both were sleeping now. Draco came up short when he saw them—nodding in their direction as a thank you. He did not think they would accept anything else from him, so he did not try to give it. Even though he knew the golden trio had been looking out for them and his other Slytherin. Why could he not say? Needing to always be hero's that lot is most likely why they are doing it. I will not cow to them, though.

Draco watched out of the corner of his eye as the group left than quietly went and checked up on Pansy and Millicent. Thankfully, he would not be privy to the conversation that went on out in the hallway.

"Core, you would think we would be a little nicer?" Ronald snipped as they walked down the hall. "Did we not just rescue two of his own?" Ronald's friends simply rolled their eyes.

"Try to see it from his perspective, Ron, we have been enemies for so long, and now we are trying to help and keep the Slytherins safe. He has to believe ulterior motives are going on. In his word, no one helps anyone for free." Hermione tried to make Ron see the reason for why Draco might be reluctant to be appreciative.

Neville nodded his agreement before speaking up as well. "Besides, we are not doing it for any other reason that it is the right thing to do. He can wait for all he wants for one of us to come to him with favor or request, but I know it will not be me." Neville than chuckled softly. His friends grinned in complete agreement. They wanted nothing from the Slytherins. All they wanted to do is show that the houses could come together in unity and defense of one another if need be.

Some people would not like it, and many would frown upon it, but all of them did not care for the opinions of others, or they would not be doing it in the first place. Without the backing of support of some kind, many of the Slytherin would not want to come back to school next year, and that would just not be far now, would it?

The group could only hope that the Professors and Headmistress would take things seriously from here on out and that the right thing would be done. Most of them did not hold out much hope of this because there is strong favoritism of houses. The Slytherin did not have that support in that way at the moment because Professor Sinistra had become the new Head of the house for them. None trust her too much compared to Snape.

They went about the rest of their day; no more innocence's happened. At dinner that night, the Headmistress informed everyone that there were a few students who would not be returning; she did not say the names and spoke no more about it. Some of the students, mainly those who felt they had been doing the staff jobs, felt deeply disappointed that more had not been saying about the issue. Unfortunately, there is not much any one of them could do other than what they already were.

"Its tripe, I tell you. "Hermione raged while pacing the room in deep agitation. "We risk ourselves because someone comes to us for help. They do not make them apologize to Millicent and Pansy for what they did. No, the teachers instead ship them off quietly as if nothing were amiss or wrong. As if they decided to leaves school willingly." Huffing in exasperation, she flopped onto the settee in the common room in anger.

No one said anything else because they did not know how to make it better. Their pensive mood was interrupted a few moments later when there came a knock at the door. Ginny strolled over to get it, and everyone watched in disbelief as Pansy and Millicent stepped into the room. They looked around for some moments before both girl's eyes settled on the others.

Pansy was the first to speak though she looked decidedly uncomfortable doing so. "I had been told today what happened and that you lot were the ones to rescue Milly and me from those thugs."

There was a collective nod of heads, but no one spoke because they were still too shocked to see two Slytherins in their space. It felt surreal. No, that the Gryffindor's did not ever go and invade the Slytherins area. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, to be exact. More times then they cared to admit but to have them in theirs, none thought they would ever see that day happen.

Ginny finally seemed to be the first to remember her manners. Jumping up, she offered the two girls a seat on the couch, telling Ron to shove over as well. He did without protest. Ginny then went and sat next to Hermione instead. Pansy and Millicent sat, grateful looks appearing across their faces as they did so. Both were still very tired from today's events.

"Millicent and Bert told me what had transpired today during and after the attack. I came to say thank you to all of you. I know you did not have to save us, and we have never been that kind to most of you." Pansy blushed while over at Neville and Hermione in particular. "I just wanted to show my gratitude, though."

Neville stood up while smiling; he walked over to the two girls than extended a hand to them in friendship. Hermione's keen eyes took in the fact that Pansy looked up at him than a full blush spread from her cheeks all the way down to her neck as he neared her. Hermione than leaned over to Ginny, whispering.

"Do you see what I see, or is Pansy blushing at Neville?" Ginny looked over cocking her head to the side slightly. First, she thought her friend had gone nutters, but then she noticed that Pansy's eyes dropped and a small, shy smile appeared on her lips as she places her hand in his.

"Sweet Godric Gryffindor's shorts, I think she has a crush on Neville. A girl only looks flustered like that when she likes a bloke. Our Nev has turned out quite well this year compared to his goofy faze. Maybe Pansy finally has seen it too?" She whispered back so no one would overhear them. "I say we encourage it! The more we show house unity, the more it will catch on, and then prejudice will hopefully die out with the last generation." Hermione thought this a brilliant plan but did not know how to encourage Neville if he did not feel the same way as Pansy.

They all watched as Pansy accepted Neville Longbottom's hand in friendship. Some of them hoped maybe it would lead to more if given the right nurturing.

Millicent spoke up just then, causing all eyes to drift towards her. "I also wanted to say thank you. I know that I have been a bully much of our school lives, but that had been at the behest of my family. It never truly was who I wished to be. With them in Azkaban, I want you to know that you will never get that Bulstrode back again." She looked shyly down at her hands as she spoke. "I truly am sorry for the way things were before. I hope one day all of you can forgive me."

Most just blinked. A few scratched the back of their necks, not sure how to respond. It was Ginny Weasley who glared around the room than spoke up to reassure the other girl. "Of course, we can forgive you, Millicent. Everyone makes mistakes, and many people feel the need to please their parents because they do not know anything else. Thank you for the apology. It is much appreciated."

The grateful smile Millicent threw at her made Ginny's heart flutter slightly. Strange, when she smiles, she is actually quite pretty. Oh, boy, did I just think Millicent pretty? Today must be more trying then I originally thought. The Slytherin girls did not stay much longer, having to get back before curfew. Neville walked Pansy to the door then told her to be safe and careful on the way back down to the dungeons. She promised she would; after that, they departed, all the rest of the group went to bed. Each one is hoping and feeling that they had made some progress with the Slytherin house after tonight.

Ron lay in his bed, believing and hoping that maybe if they could sway Pansy and Millicent to believe in them. That may be just maybe it would mean a certain dragon might begin to trust in some of them as well.

Oh, come off it, old boy, you know you want him to trust in you more than the others. Ron would not lie. He had noticed how well Draco Malfoy began to fill out this year. He still looked haughty and polished; he still could be called slim and petite looking compared to Ron's hulking frame. Draco, though he had obtained a fine arse on him and he had begun to let his hair grown and curl how he wanted instead of slicking it back as he had done for so many years. Ron very much wanted to run his fingers through that soft gold hair just to feel its texture on his fingers.

He would never admit this to anyone, but since seeing Draco at the beginning of the year on the train, Ron began to develop a slight crush for the other boy. It seemed to grow as the year progressed. He did not feel the need to inform anyone of this, though. Because Ron could just hear his sister, Harry, and Hermione's taunting voices were telling him they knew it all along. And that hate went hand in hand with love.

Ron did not want to hear it. So, he would jerk off to the image of Draco in the silence of his room in the secure knowledge that not a single soul would ever find out, especially the one he wanted.

They might be promoting inhouse relations, but Ron did not feel particularly suicidal any time soon. Besides, he could not be sure of Draco's preference for men or women anyways. He knew girls were always hanging off of him, so he leaned towards girls, but then again, Ron had never heard of him sleeping with any of them or dating them, so Ron thought maybe he might be secretly gay. Until he did have a sure idea, he would not get his hopes up.

After some time, Ron eventually fell asleep. His dreams became plagued with people laughing at him for doing such a foolish thing as wanting and thinking he had a chance with the Slytherin. Draco himself sneered and telling Ron he would rather screw Voldemort himself than ever thing about touching him. Eventually, Ron woke up in a cold sweat than found it tough to fall back asleep for the remainder of the night.

By breakfast time, everyone assembled in the common room then headed down stares for food. Harry commented on Ron's appearance as they walked.

"Rough night, mate? You look like you did not get a wink of sleep." Ron ran a hand through his longish hair pushing back off his face. "Yeah, I had nightmares," he said, hoping Harry would not push and ask him what about. His mate didn't instead only nodding before replying.

"I get them to, I feel you."

Ron could not help the slight snort he let loose at hearing Harry." Somehow I doubt you have nightmares about your crush laughing in your face and telling you, and you have no chance with him ever.

Ron only grunted in response. They had made it to the dining hall door before he suddenly heard a noise behind him. It sounded like a ppsssttt sound. At first, he thought he might be hearing things but then brushed it off, thinking it might be his sleep-deprived brain, and he just needed coffee.

Only when he heard it again as all his friends went through the door first did Ron realize he might not be so delusional after all. Looking around for the source of the noise, he saw a hand wave to him. Out of the shadowy corner behind a pillar. Ron wondered what it might be about, but he also heard his stomach growl considerable. Figuring he could spare a few seconds to see what all the mystery, secretiveness might be about. Ron jogged over to the corner than stepped into it.

Once his eyes adjusted, he had to rub them to make sure he had not fallen back asleep, and this might be another one of his dreams. Because they're standing in all his Slytherin, golden beauty stood no other than Draco Malfoy.

Before Ron could ask what, this was all about Draco beat him to the punch. As Ron took him in, he noticed Malfoy had dark circles under his eyes; he looked slightly frightened and edgy.

"Ron, I need your help. Someone wants to kill me."

Ron could do nothing but blink in shock. One thing and one thing only running through his mind like a mantra.

Shit!