Harry sat alone, Hogwarts in the shadow of the setting sun. Hedwig flapped over to her master, and as she landed, Harry gave her a stroke on the head. "Who am I Hedwig?" Harry asked her. "What am I…?" He whispered.
"You're Harry Potter, remember?"
Harry sharply turned around, seeing his pink haired friend push himself up the rocky path. Once he reached the top, he dusted his uniform off and gave him a big toothy smile. "What are you doing all the way up here?" He asked Harry, sitting down next to him. "Everyone's been on edge since I can talk to snakes. And only Salazar could do such a thing. So why can I? I-I mean I'm not related to him, but then-"
Natsu smiled and patted him on the back, cutting Harry off. "Don't think about it. It's just a skill you have. I think it's an awesome gift too." Harry looked at Natsu with a confused face. "Don't be disheartened. You're still you. Come on. We got study to do." Natsu smiled, as he stood up and stretched. He extended his hand to his friend, who gave a stiff smile and took it. Natsu gave him a strong pull up and gave him a pat on the back as they made their way down the path.
Everyone sat in the study room in silence, reading silently and making notes for their next quiz. But Harry couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched. He turned around, noticing four students on the other table bouring their eyes at him, before turning away. Harry did the same, Ron giving him a stiff smile, Hermione darting her eyes from Harry and the group diagonal from them.
Harry looked where she was looking, everyone staring at him, before going back to work. On his way back to his work, he saw Ginny, looking at him. Her face was hard to read. But like the others, she went back to work, a deep sigh escaping her mouth. Next to her was Lucy, who gave Harry a sweet smile, hoping to give him some encouragement to him. Harry gave a soft smile back, and looked down in his books.
"Don't pay attention to them Harry." Natsu whispered with encouragement. "Shh!" Someone hissed, Natsu swiftly turning his head giving the shusher a glare. Harry simply took a breath in and closed his book. "I'll see you in the Common Room." He simply said, Ron nodding in understanding, Hermione giving a puzzled look. "Poor Harry…" Lucy sighed, watching him go.
"So anyway, I told Justin to hide up in our room." Justin whispered to his table. Harry suddenly stopped, hearing Justin. He slowly turned around, peeking his head around the door. Natsu, having sensitive hearing, jolted at his words as well.
"I mean to say, if Potter's marked him down as his next victim, it's best to keep a low profile for a while." Ernie explained. Natsu's eyes went dark, shaded by his hair. "But why would he want to attack Justin?" A girl across him asked, confused. "Well, Justin let it slip to Potter that he was Muggle-born." He said.
"And you definitely think Potter's the Heir of Slytherin?" She asked. "Hannah… He's a Parselmouth. Everyone knows that's the mark of a Dark Wizard." Natsu stood up silently, his eyes still blocked by his hair. "Natsu?" Hermione asked, wondering why he stood up. "Have you ever heard of a decent one who could talk to snakes?" Harry gritted his teeth, Natsu slowly walking to Ernie. "They called Slytherin himself Serpent-tongue." He smirked. "Harry always seemed so nice though…" Hannah argued. "And it was him that made You-Know-Who disappear." She said. "That's probably why You-Know-Who wanted to kill him in the first place. Didn't want another Dark Lord competing with him." Ernie said.
"Do you think he's also responsible for what happened to Gray as well?" Hannah asked. "Wouldn't be surprised. He was Muggle-born. Potter's probably trying to strike everyone out early. I will never forgive him. What he did to Gray and Colin." Ernie said. Harry heard enough. He ran down the hall, not wanting to hear another word.
As Ernie looked down to continue writing, a firm fist slammed his head down on the table, a loud bang echoing the room. Everyone gasped and screamed, jolting back. Lucy and Hermione gasped, not believing what they saw. Ernie stood up, shaking from shock. A warm liquid ran from his nose. He wiped it and his eyes widened. It was blood.
He turned around, to yell at his assailant, only for him to be punched across the cheek. Everyone screamed as Ernie went flying across the room, his back cracking the wall. He slid down, wincing from his injuries.
"Ernie!" Hannah cried, rushing to his aid. "Natsu! What did you do?!" Lucy cried, standing up to get over to Natsu. Ernie looked up, the pink haired student staring at him. With no emotion. Natsu kneeled down and grabbed Ernie by the shirt, pulling him up to his face. Ernie gasped, seeing Natsu's face.
Veins were popping from his forehead, his pupils slit. Like a snakes. His teeth were like a canine's. Ernie could feel burning heat from under his collar. "You don't know Harry Ernie. So don't speak for him if you don't…." He growled. He let go of Ernie, letting him drop to the floor. Natsu walked away calmly, stopping at the door. "He saved your life. If he were the Heir, would he have done that?" Ernie gasped, remembering that moment. "...I thought so." Natsu muttered, and left without another word. Lucy, Ron, and Hermione standing up hastily to follow him. Once they were out, the whole room burst into exclaimes and screams, running over to the injured student.
"Natsu, what were you thinking?!" Lucy exclaimed, speed walking next to him. "I couldn't let anyone talk about Harry that way." He gritted, stomping up the stairs. "Still, that's no way to solve a problem!" Hermione scolded. "In fact, that would cause more problems than it would solutions." Ron sighed, shaking his head. "I don't care. Harry is not the Heir of Slytherin. Just because he knows a language doesn't mean he is the Heir!" Natsu yelled.
"But Natsu, he didn't know he could speak Parseltongue! Only the Heir of Slytherin could know the language!" Ron argued, struggling a bit to keep up with them. "That's what makes this odd." Natsu said. Everyone looked at Natsu, wondering what he meant. Natsu sighed and stopped, everyone stopping with him. "Languages, reading, writing. It all takes time to learn. Yet Harry could do it off the bat? Without knowing?" Natsu pondered.
"Yeah, Natsu has a point there. Why would Harry know a language that he didn't even know he could do…" Lucy pondered. Hermione and Ron looked at each other, never really thinking about it that way. Lucy looked at Natsu, who was pondering. She sighed and took him by the ear and dragged him away.
"Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!" Natsu cried, squirming around. "That still doesn't excuse you for punching Ernie. We're going to talk about this. In private." She gritted, tugging his ear even tighter. "Ow ow ow ow! Lucy! Let me go!" He cried, dragged out of Hermione and Ron's sight.
"You sure she's a princess?" Ron asked, pointing the direction Lucy and Natsu went. Hermione didn't respond. She was just too gobsmacked.
"You didn't have to drag me by the ear Luce…" Natsu whined, rubbing his sore ear. "Consider it punishment for not thinking twice." Lucy stated, walking in front of him. "...I am sorry… It's just that a lot of things have happened in the past few months…" Lucy looked behind her, wondering what Natsu was talking about. He stopped walking, allowing Lucy to turn around fully.
"Gray's been missing for months. We don't know where he is, if he's stable, if he's not…. And now everyone's blaming Harry for everything. Even though it's not him…." Lucy looked at Natsu, his eyes looking on the ground and filled with worry. Lucy looked down, knowing the feeling. Natsu felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He looked up, seeing Lucy's smile. "I'm sure he's alright. I know how you feel, but he's strong. I know he'll pull through and come back to us. And if not, we'll find him and we'll bring him back."
Natsu blinked a bit, before giving Lucy a smile. "Thanks Lucy." He smiled.
"Blooood…"
Natsu gasped and looked up, his eyes sharply pointing down the hall. "Natsu? What's wrong?" Lucy asked. Natsu didn't reply. He stepped forward, his legs not stopping. "Natsu? Where are you going?" Lucy asked, slowly following.
"I want blooood…."
Natsu's steps became faster.
"They all must DIIIE…"
Natsu began to run down the hallway, Lucy's call becoming fainter to his ears.
"Kill…."
"Kill..."
"Kill….!"
"KIIIILL!"
Natsu skidded around the corner, and looked up with a stiff breath in. He couldn't believe his eyes.
There was Sir Nick, his pale transparent body floating in suspension. His neck was open with steam erupting from the opening, his body spinning slowly. And beneath him…. Was Justin. Cold and pale, frozen in time. His eyes darted to the end of the hallway and there, standing there in just as much shock as he was… Was Harry.
Harry didn't notice Natsu at first. He was too busy looking at Sir Nick and Justin. He kneeled beside the Muggle-born and held his hand. It was then, he noticed Natsu, staring at them in surprise.
"Natsu! Wait!" Lucy cried, running up next to him. "Natsu, what is it? What did you-" As Lucy looked where Natsu was looking, her eyes lost her shine. She placed her hand over her mouth, trying to keep herself from screaming. Lucy looked at Harry, his eyes saying that it wasn't him.
Lucy stepped back, and ran down the hall as fast as she could, stumbling a bit. She had to find everyone that another student had been taken down.
"Natsu…. Natsu, I swear it wasn't me…" Harry whispered. "I-I didn't…. I didn't do anything…" He stammered. Natsu didn't say anything. He was too shocked at what happened. "Natsu, I-"
"Caught in the act." A gruff voice snarked behind Harry. Harry sharply turned around, Filch staring at him. "I'll have you out this time Potter. Mark my words…." He sneered, before calmly walking away. "N-No Mister Filch! You don't understand! I-" Harry stuttered, then stopped, knowing there was no point.
Harry looked straight ahead, Natsu now right in front of him. Natsu kneeled down to Harry's level, but did not look at him. He was looking at Justin. Justin's eyes were wide and blank. It looked like he was dead, but at the same time it looked like he wasn't. Natsu said nothing, using his hand to close Justin's eyes.
"I know it wasn't you Harry." Natsu simply stated, looking at Harry. "I don't believe it for a second." He smiled. Harry stared at his friend for a moment, before nodding. Suddenly, Natsu could hear a faint crawling sound next to Justin. He looked down, and hummed in confusion. A crooked line of black dots were swiftly crawling to the window and out into the yard. "The spiders again?" Harry questioned, noticing the same thing.
Natsu stood up in a hurry, gasping at who was behind Harry. Harry soon turned around, his eyes wide open and following Natsu's actions. Behind him was the Caretaker and Professor McGonagall. "Oh!" She gasped, running over to the victims first. She then looked at the two Gryffindors, her face asking for answers. "Professor, it wasn't Harry. I was with him." Natsu defended, stepping forward.
"I'm sorry boys. This is out of my hands." McGonagall said, her voice strict, but worried. Footsteps got louder behind Natsu. Everyone turned that direction, Lucy gasping for air. Running behind her were all the Fairy Tail teachers. Wendy gasped, stepping back from the sight. "No…" Levy softly breathed, hands near her mouth. Mira and Erza stood there staring at the victims.
"Mister Potter, Mister Dragneel." The two Gryffindors looked at McGonagall, hands firmly clasped together, resting them on her thighs. "Please come with me." She said, flicking her dress a bit as she turned around. Natsu and Harry looked at each other, then proceeded to follow the prime Transfiguration teacher. Natsu was the only one who looked behind him. Everyone crowded around Justin, examining his body. Erza closed her eyes and shook her head. Natsu gritted his teeth and kept on walking
"Where is she taking us?" Harry whispered to Natsu, keeping an eye on Professor McGonagall as they followed her. "Beats me." Natsu shrugged. Professor McGonagall stopped in front of a golden Phoenix Statue. Natsu stopped with a shocked and sick face, trembling a bit. Harry looked at Natsu, wondering what the expression was about.
"Please step in. Professor Dumbledore will be waiting for you." She gestured her hand to the statue, Harry slowly stepping forward into the gap. "Do we have to?" Natsu groaned, not moving from his position. "That's right. Natsu has some kind of motion sickness." Harry thought, remembering the first night Natsu came to Hogwarts. "Oh but you do Mister Dragneel. Professor Dumbledore would like a word with you. About what happened in the Study Hall." She said, her eyes serious. Harry looked at Natsu, wondering what Professor McGonagall was talking about.
"Ah…" Natsu gasped, realising what she was talking about. Natsu's cheeks puffed and his arms folded as he stood stubbornly in the other gap of the statue. "Sherbet Lemon." She chanted, flashing her hands. A soft rumble came from underneath the boys. A jolt erupted under their feet, and slowly turned up the wall. Harry looked up in wonder and amazement, while Natsu gagged and slithered down to a gagging blob.
The two reached the top, Natsu taking a deep breath before standing up. "Right…. Let's go." Natsu sighed, his hand reaching for the door handle. But before he could turn it, Harry grabbed Natsu's wrist. "Natsu, you've been here before?" He asked. "Huh? Yeah. The first night I came here." Natsu simply stated. "This is Dumbledore's Office." He said, looking at the door. Harry looked at the door, then at Natsu. He breathed out and let go of Natsu's wrist. "We better get in there then." He sighed.
The door opened with a creek. The two boys entered the room. One filled with curiosity and wonder, the other one a bit nervous and sick. Natsu spotted a crystal bowl and headed over to it. The water glowed a soft white, the water so smooth it could be mistaken for a mirror.
While Natsu was admiring the water, Harry looked around Dumbledore's main area of office. "Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked. He looked up at a lit section of the shelf, and there was the Sorting Hat, looking down at him. "Bee in your bonnet Potter?" He asked with a smirk. Harry left his mouth hanging open, trying to find the words to say. "I-I was just wondering… If you put me in the right House…." Harry asked since he had the chance.
"Yes… you were particularly difficult to place…" The hat admitted. "But I stand by what I said last year. Just like him." The hat gestured to the boy behind him. Harry looked at Natsu, who was playing with a crystal bottle. Shaking it and examining it. "Natsu?" Harry asked, looking back at the hat. "Well, he definitely would not fit in Ravenclaw, but he was definitely hard to fit with the other three houses. He is loyal and brave, the qualities of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. But there's a… certain demeanor in his heart. Arguably, one worse than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Mentioned."
Harry looked at Natsu again, who opened the bottle and gave it a sniff. He then gagged and closed the bottle and put it back. "Natsu? Worse than Voldemort?" Harry asked. "Doesn't seem that way does it. But there's something about that boy. Something…. Demonic." The hat slithered. "Maybe you both would be a fitting addition to Slytherin."
"You're wrong. About both of us." Harry defended, walking away. "Careful with your actions Potter. One wrong move could trigger… well… The end…." The hat warned, emphesising the word "end."
Harry looked at the Hat one last time, before a beautiful red bird, slouched on its perch. "Woah! Nice bird!" Natsu smiled, running up to the bird and stoked the bird with the back of his hand.
The bird cooed and snuggled up to Natsu's hand, before stretching its neck and spreading its wings. As it did, its body erupted in flames, ash falling into the tray beneath it. The boys' mouths dropped, their eyes white with shock. "Natsu, did you just…?" Harry asked, pointing at where the bird once stood. Natsu's mouth gittered, sweat rolling down fast down his face. "I-I-I-I-I-I-I swear I didn't do it! Sure, I set a lot of stuff I touch on fire, but still this wasn't me!" Natsu jabbered, his hands shaking and moving all over the place.
"Boys?" A gentle and calm voice came from above. "Professor Dumbledore!" Harry exclaimed. "Professor! I swear it wasn't me! I didn't set your bird on fire!" Natsu stuttered, waving his hands in front of his body. "Oh it is about that time. He's been looking dreadful for days. I am sorry you had to see him on a burning day…" Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head. "Huh?" The boys asked, confused.
"Fawkes, is a phoenix you see. When it is time for them to die, they burst into flames. And then they are… reborn. From the ashes." Dumbledore explained, walking down the stairs and next to the ashes. He ash moved a bit, until a tiny bare bird rose from the ashes, giving a tiny caw.
"Ah…" Dumbledore cooed, bending down to greet the newly born bird. "Fascinating creatures Phoenixes. My father loved them as well." Harry and Natsu smiled, bending down to examine the baby. "Can carry immensely heavy loads, their tears have healing powers." Dumbledore explained, rambling a bit about his bird.
BOOM!
"Professor Dumbledore, sir!" Everyone looked at the door, Hagrid bursting through the door. "Wait! Listen!" Hagrid hobbled over to the boys and gestured to Harry. "Professor Dumbledore sir, it wasn't Harry!"
"Hagrid."
"I'd be prepared to swear it in front of the Ministry of Magic."
"Hagrid."
Hagrid stopped rambling, quiet for the Headmaster to finish his words. "Relax…" Dumbledore said, calm and smooth. He put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I do not believe…. That Harry attacked anyone." Dumbledore said with pride. "Of course you don't. But-"
Hagrid stopped mid sentence and looked at Dumbledore. "Oh…" Hagrid looked at his feet, a bit embarrassed. "Right. Well, I'll uh…. Ahem. Wait outside." Hagrid coughed, and slowly backed towards the door. "Yes." Dumbledore agreed. When Hagrid left, Harry looked at Dumbledore. "You don't think it was me Professor?" He asked. "No Harry. I do not think it was you." Dumbledore said with a warm smile. Harry nodded, feeling some relief.
"But I must ask you… Is there something you wish to tell me?" The headmaster asked. Harry looked down, thinking a bit, before saying nothing was wrong. Dumbledore nodded slightly. "Very well then. You may go." Harry nodded, heading towards the door, Natsu following behind.
"Except…" Both boys turned around, Dumbledore sitting at his desk. "You Mister Dragneel." Dumbledore said, his hand beckoning for him to come forward. "Uh…" Natsu gulped, slowly stepping forward. Harry gave the door a close, a soft boom echoing through the room.
"I must say, I am speechless about what happened earlier in the Study Hall with Ernie, Mister Dragneel." Dumbledore began. Natsu froze and looked down. "News travels one way or another Mister Dragneel. You may have been trying to help Mister Potter, but beating a student senseless... Is not the way to go." Dumbledore explained. Natsu simply hung his head low, feeling guilty about what happened.
"That is why I am suspending you for three months Mister Dragneel."
Natsu looked up, shocked. "Suspended?! But what about the mission?! They need me! And with Gray missing-" Dumbledore held up his hand. "You will still be part of the mission Mister Dragneel. And with this time off, I will give you a side mission."
"Huh? A side mission?" Natsu asked. "To find Gray Fullbuster. And bring him back." Dumbledore told him. Natsu stood still for a bit, then nodded. He turned around and headed towards the door. "Oh and Mister Dragneel?" Natsu turned around, humming. "Please don't destroy anything in the process." Dumbledore reminded him. "Yes sir…" Natsu grumbled, before exiting the office.
Harry sighed as he grabbed his toiletries and towel. He was so tired from today, and since Justin was petrified, he was a bit scared of what Ernie would say behind his back. Since Justin was one of his best friends. And on top of that, what did Professor Dumbledore want to say to Natsu. As he was about to cross the balcony was above the main Foyer, he heard a yell.
"SUSPENDED?!" Everyone in the dorm yelled. Harry gasped a bit and darted behind the door. He peeped out a bit, seeing Hermione, Ron, Seamus, and Neville facing someone Harry couldn't see. "Yeah, for three months." Someone sighed. Harry could only see the person's legs resting against the fireplace. "Well what do you expect?! That's what you get for attacking another student." Ron exclaimed. The person sighed.
"I know, and I deserved it. Ernie's a good kid. But I just couldn't let him talk about Harry that way. He doesn't know his story, why he can speak Parseltongue. No one knows. I just hate it when people assume things without knowing the facts."
"Yeah, but everyone knows Harry. He's famous after all." Semus argued. "That doesn't make a difference." Everyone went silent, looking at the ground. "When are you leaving…?" Neville asked, slowly looking up. "Tomorrow. On the morning train." Hermione bit her lip, before saying something. "You sure you're alright with this?" She asked. "Yeah, I'll be fine." The voice said, like in a smiling tone.
"Anyway, I better get packing." The figure stood up and moved out of Harry's sight. But Harry could hear the person come up the stairs. Harry stood still, holding his breath. He closed his eyes and took a breath, and stood up, facing the person who was suspended.
Harry gasped, and dropped his bathroom items. "Natsu…?" He whispered. Natsu stared at Harry, not knowing what to say. "Harry, I-" Natsu started. "You're suspended? Why?" Harry asked. Natsu looked at Harry, then sighed. "I overheard Ernie bad mouthing you. I couldn't take it, and I punched him…" Natsu admitted. "You what..?" Harry gasped.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Natsu smiled. "I'm only suspended. Not expelled. And hey! Gryffindor didn't lose any points." Natsu said, trying to cheer Harry up. "But still, it won't feel the same without you here Natsu." Harry admitted. "Hey, we'll keep in touch, alright?" Natsu smiled. Harry nodded, and gave Natsu a firm handshake, before pulling him into a man hug.
That morning, all of Natsu's friends gathered at the station to see him off. Natsu turned around at the door and gave a smile with a wave, before boarding the train. The Gryffindors sighed, Hermione wiping a bit of a tear. Lucy looked on with a stoic face, Gajeel's face with a grumble and arms folded.
The Hufflepuff kids watched from afar, Ernie wrapped in bandages and band aids. "You sure you're alright with this?" Susan asked Hannah. "Well, he did hurt Ernie. He does need to be punished. But still…. Natsu gave a bit of fun here…. It's going to be boring without him here…" She admitted. Ernie stayed silent, touching the bruises on his face.
"He saved your life. If he were the Heir, would he have done that?"
Ernie sighed and placed his hand down. He didn't know what to say or think. Natsu's words echoed in his head, making him feel rotten for what he said about Harry. But still…. He felt like he couldn't trust Harry yet. Zach sighed, seeing Natsu in the window of the train. He agreed with Hannah. It was going to be a bit boring without Natsu around.
Draco watched from a window sill of a tower, both confused and amused at this. He didn't know why Natsu was leaving, but he was glad it was a Gryffindor.
Natsu gave a final wave, everyone giving a slight wave back at Natsu, before the train jolted to a start. Everyone watched the train chug away from their sights, the gust of the wind pulling behind the train. "You alright?" Ron asked Harry, who wiped both his eyes. "Yeah. I just can't believe that Natsu went to such lengths to stand up for me…." Harry sighed, smiling a bit. "Come on, let's get back to class." Semus sighed, the Gryffindor's following behind him.
The Huffles left as well, not wanting to be seen by the Gryffindors. Even Draco got bored and left.
Once the Gryffindors left the station, Lucy and Gajeel looked down the track, shading their eyes from the sun. "Sooo, he doesn't know right?" Gajeel asked. "If he did he would not get on in the first place…" Lucy grumbled. "Don't you think Erza's being a bit harsh?" Gajeel muttered. "You wanna say something?" Lucy asked, eyeing Gajeel. "...No…"
"Then there's nothing we can do."