Chapter 15: second year
Harry and Draco had been sad to see Viktor leave, especially Harry even if he would not admit it, about his crush. He had no idea how Harry could not deny it, and Draco wished for his brother, he went to school here and not in Bulgaria. Draco and Harry were excited to head for school though, but not with their new DADA teacher, when they had been told the pompous author Lockhart had been chosen to fill the opening.
Harry was happy this year he was shopping with his Dad, brother and Uncle Severus had come. He needed supplies anyways, and offered to do the apothecary for the boys; they liked his class, but not the shop. Harry was happy he met the twins last year, but he had missed sharing the experience with his brother, and his dads.
Draco knew his brother's mind. "I hope you did not cry too badly last summer. I mean you had to shop without me."
Harry smirked at him. "Oh were you not with me, I barely noticed. I had such a good time listening to Ron's pure blood rants."
The fact Ron was a distant cousin never was something Draco would bra about; he was so much about evil purebloods, even when he was one. Harry had spent the trip listening to the family tell him about magic, and wishing his brother and dads were with him, especially for his wand. Harry could not even acknowledge his brother until sorted, but the world now knew him as a Malfoy, and that he could not pretend any more.
Fred's voice had come from behind. "I might be hurt; we thought we were good company for you on our trip."
Harry smiled when he saw the twins. "I don't know, I assume I could put up with you two again. I mean you are not much more boring than Binn's class."
Putting Harry into a head lock, they told him they could always find Ron for him, if he felt that way about him. Harry assured them he would rather them, and learned they were on their way to the book store like them, to meet their parents. It was their only sister's first year of school, and their parents were doing the rounds with her and Ron, the others were allowed on their own, but Ron was not. From the look on the twins, Ron had not been to blame for the prank, not this time.
Sirius had told the boys to meet him and his Uncle in the shop, when they were done with the other errands, so they went with the twins. Lucius had stayed home with Adrian, he had a mild temperature from teething, and was in no shape to come with them. Sirius and their Uncle were actually with the red heads.
Molly smiled when she saw the boys come into the room. "You boys are just in time, your new professor is here about his new book."
Sirius saw his sons try and hide a disgusted sound, knowing they were not looking forward to this year, having been told all about the man from their dads. Sirius was not impressed at all, Albus must have been so in need of a teacher, he would take any. Sirius loved being an auror, but would have been happy to teach, to make sure sons were both safe and happy. He had wanted to teach last year, but after what happened with the stone, that had increased ten fold.
Sirius had bought their books for them already, and would have led his sons out from the shop, but Harry had been spotted. Harry was of course too well known, and with all the reporters around for the book, he should have known he would be seen.
Lockhart was the one who did, well from all the looks his way. "Harry Potter, I was hoping you would come in today. How about coming up here for a photo?"
Harry shook his head, this was not his teacher yet. "It is Harry Malfoy, and we were on our way out."
The man looked like he would not take no for an answer, and Harry was worried, as he had not wanted to make a show in front of all of them. His dad though was not about to allow the man near him at all, and Harry was happy for his dad. Sirius was not as scary looking as Moody was, but he was well known as an auror, and even the over perfumed man, backed off from him. Harry and Draco shot the twins a look, and were happy to leave, and would see them soon.
Sirius clapped both boys on the back. "We promised to bring back ice cream for the others. I am sure your father is in need of a treat right now."
The first day of classes, Harry found the competition for his favourite class was down to one, potions, and charms soon came close. He had liked DADA, even if it had been taught by a criminal who attacked him and his brother, the year before, but not this year. The man was in purple, and his hair was so curled and he wore so much perfume, Harry thought he was a witch and not a wizard. He had released pixies in class, and left the kids to deal with them, when he fled from the room. From what their friends who had him before they did said, he was as bad for them as well.
The first weekend Harry was relieved for the break, and he and Draco were surprised when they had been invited to see Hagrid. The man had been sorry about the incident with the dragon last year, and had always liked Harry's family. It was after quidditch, so they were happy to come, he seemed cool anyways.
Hagrid surprised them when they went down to the woods. "I didn't think we were allowed to head into the woods."
He smiled at them. "You can when accompanied by a staff member. I thought you boys would like to see this."
Not knowing what the man would show them, but their interest was peaked, and they went with him into the woods. They knew there was a lot in the woods, and Harry knew there were a lot of dangers, but he assumed Hagrid would never risk them, not after the dragon. The trust went away when Harry saw what it was.
Draco looked at the furry spider which was the size of a quaffle. "Hagrid, an acromantula? You know those eat meat."
He shook his head. "It is a newborn, I had to come check on him. He won't eat meat for another year."
Harry could not believe there was a colony of them in the wood, but Hagrid told them it was deep in the woods, and no risk. The centaurs brought this one to him, and sure enough Harry and Draco were soon introduced to Ronan, who seemed friendly enough. They were much happier to meet the centaur, than the spiders.
Draco looked at Harry as they went back to the school. "I am really scared to think what the man considers to actually be a risk. ``