Disclaimer: As always I own nothing and my beta is my better half. Sorry for the delay in chapters, I haven't been well which is affecting my motivation to write however...the sequel will be in the works.
It had been a couple of weeks since the fight with Hermione and after her discussion with Professor McGonagall. Harry hadn't been able to bring herself to speak to Hermione. Although her former best friend hadn't seemed bothered as Hermione hadn't bothered to look in her direction. Harry couldn't pretend that it didn't hurt but her friends had stuck by her. She hadn't wanted to admit how much it helped that Ron had joined her at the Slytherin table.
Ron however had been rather introspective something which he'd privately told Harry had been brought on by the mind healing they were all getting. Although he'd smiled and told her that he was glad that Ginny was getting help after the events of last year. The pair had both agreed that the youngest Weasley needed help to recover from her possession, although they both privately admitted that the Weasley's would never have been able to afford it.
Harry twisted a strand of hair, she was nervous and judging from Ron tapping his foot. She wasn't the only one. Harry wondered if he was waiting for the same thing as her, it was too quiet. Remus hadn't tried to kill or curse her. Voldemort hadn't turned up yet. She was away from the Dursley's and had a proper family who cared about her. Leaving Harry unable to relax, her life had never been peaceful. So what was going to happen? Was Sirius' trial going to go wrong? What if Peter escaped? She shook her head, trying to distract herself from her fatalism.
"What the heck is wrong with you two?" Pansy sounded slightly irritated, the pair had been fidgeting for a couple of days now. She was finally getting to the end of her tether with them.
"We're waiting." Harry didn't have to speak to Ron to know that he was in agreement. Apparently that wasn't enough of an explanation for Pansy as the older girl merely scowled at her waiting for a better explanation. Harry twisted her hair again, biting her lip. "Something bad is going to happen. Nothing has happened yet this year."
"…there was the accident." Draco spoke softly, she'd kept out of it so far.
"Wasn't really a bad thing though. I got new friends and now I have a family." Harry admitted softly, not daring to meet the others eyes. "Even the fight with Hermione, it's only one."
The two Slytherins gave her a blank look, "First year, we had a troll. A cursed broom. A dragon then we had Quirrell." Ron shrugged, "Second year, the message. Rogue Bludger. School turning on Harry. Then the Basilisk….so this year…" He trailed off, fidgeting again.
"Maybe you're just going to have a peaceful year?" Draco shrugged, unable to hide her amusement at the disbelieving looks. A non-comital reply marked the end of the conversation.
Gretchen Davies had never held Minister Fudge in particularly high regard, especially not when she had heard about the Dementors being placed around the school. Her opinion of him had changed when he'd requested that she work with the students to resolve any issues which the horrific creatures had caused. Many of the younger students hadn't been as badly off, the worst by far were the older years. The poor dears who remembered the war. Gretchen rubbed her forehead flicking through her notes. Miss Weasley desperately needed help, she was glad that the Minister was paying her until the issues were all resolved as she dreaded to think what would have happened if Miss Weasley had never gotten the help she needed. It had taken her a little while to convince the Professors to allow her to treat them, she had needed to employ a few tricks from Muggle Psychology to convince them.
Gretchen was thankful that at least some of the Professors hadn't put up much of a fight, especially as it added more pieces to the previous year's puzzle. Working with Hagrid had brought up something that she personally felt needed to be addressed. Namely, Hagrid being expelled. It would have gone against her oath, had she not gotten permission to show the memories to the Minister.
However now that she did, she couldn't in all good consciousness allow an innocent man to suffer any longer. It was that train of thought that had led her to be standing in front of the Minster himself.
"What can I do for you?"
"I have information." She spoke simply, "I'm aware of what happened last year, from viewing the children's memories. I discovered that Hagrid is innocent." Minister Fudge nodded, "Does the name Tom Riddle mean anything to you?"
"No. Should it?"
"Indeed. Most would agree with you, however…" She paused a moment, placing several papers down on the desk, "He was awarded a special services, for supposedly saving the school. Yet after speaking with the students and with Hagrid himself, I discovered that the creature which supposedly caused Miss Myrtle's death was an Acromantula. Something which can't petrify nor kill with a look. Not to mention that the creature which Miss Potter slayed last year was a basilisk." She set down a vial taking a deep breath as she did, "Miss Potter allowed me to show you her memories of the event. A basilisk requires Parseltounge to be controlled. Tom Riddle was a Parselmouth."
"How do you know that?"
A wry smile crept across her lips, "I went to school with him. I remember the scandal it caused when a no name muggleborn discovered that he could speak the language. I'm sure that you can imagine the shock that it caused some of the more traditional Purebloods."
"How could this Tom Riddle enter into the school without anyone knowing?"
"Well, when viewing Miss Potter's memories, it appears that he claims to be Lord Voldemort. It seems as though he was responsible for the possession of Miss Weasley, he had come out of a diary, the wraith vanishing when Miss Potter stabbed the book with a basilisk fang." For a moment Minister Fudge was silent as she finished, only for a few moments later his cup to hit the table with a crash.
The month was going relatively smoothly until the mail came. Hedwig landed gracefully, stealing Ron's mackerel (much to the disgust of the ginger teen who had decided to have it for a change) before either girl could take the letters. "Why do you always steal my food?" He scowled at the insultingly smug owl, who simply ruffled her feathers as if to say because it was amusing. The sniggers from the two girls died as they opened the thick letter.
"Sirius is free!" Harry almost yelled, beaming over at Ron who smiled widely at his friend.
Draco had been midway through congratulating Harry when her eyes landed on the other letter. It wasn't common for Narcissa to write to them separately, especially not when the letters were addressed to both of them. The colour drained from her face, her hands shaking as her mouth opened and closed a couple of times before she managed to finally speak, "The bad thing has happened."
Wordlessly she held the letter out Harry, the raven haired girl, scanned the letter before "Fucking tosspot. Cunt nuggets on a balaclava." She was cut off as Ron raised his eyebrows at her, "Language Potter." His mock outrage was cut off when he read it for himself, "Merlin's saggy bollocks."
"…Harry went muggle…" Pansy spoke softly before she read it for herself, "Well Morgana damn him…that is unexpected."
It was the last Hogsmead trip of the year when everything went to hell. The girls and Ron had just finished stocking up on sweets and quills when they'd encountered Hermione. The bushy haired girl had merely sneered at them, "Where's your junior Death Eater guards, Potter?"
All three of the girls had flinched, for the first time in possibly her life Pansy was lost for words. Ron however had no such qualms, "Wow Hermione. Bigoted much." He slung an arm around Harry and Pansy's shoulders gently steering them passed the angry teenager. Draco had given her the most scathing glare that she had used since she had changed.
It was a surprisingly subdued group who walked further down the street, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. Pansy had dragged Ron into a jewellery shop, claiming that she wanted his opinion on what to buy. Harry and Draco had begged off, saying that they needed a little time to themselves.
"Avada Ke-"
Harry was already moving the instant that she heard the first syllable, dragging Draco with her. Although the blonde was stunned into silence staring slack jawed at their attacker. The blonde was almost statuesque barely responsive, and Harry cursed under her breath. Silently begging for help. If only an Elf like Dobby was here.
A loud crash had the younger girl turning slowly towards their attacker, Lucius Malfoy was sprawled in mud with a rather scrawny but furious old elf standing between him and the girls. "You shall not hurt Mistress Black."
Aware that he was out of time the furious man rose as elegantly as he could while covered in mud, "You haven't seen the last of me," The only words he spoke before he apparated.
The old elf turned to the two girls, "Kreacher is glad to serve Mistress Black." He bowed low enough that his long crooked nose almost brushed the ground, "Little Mistress shall call if she needs Kreacher." He said as he vanished with a loud crack, leaving a pair of shaken teens.
Hedwig dropped a rather soggy letter into Harry's breakfast one morning, looking disgruntled at the state of the mail she was delivering. Much to the Slytherin's amusement, Ron had closed his arms around his plate desperately guarding it. Even as Hedwig perched on her Human's shoulder, gently combing her hair looking for all the world as if she didn't care. The youngest male Weasley was just beginning to relax when she struck, stealing his pancake before flying off with a smug hoot.
"What did you do to that owl?" Blaise found himself asking between chuckles.
"…it's ever since the car issue…" Ron scowled after the vanishing white bird, shaking his fork after her. Silently Blaise vowed never to upset the apparently vindictive owl, he rather liked to be able to eat in peace.
A loud chuckle came from one of the older Slytherins, "We should have added a little bit of red to our table earlier."
"It certainly adds some amusement to the day."
Ignoring the chaos Hedwig had caused, Harry gingerly unfolded the letter, blinking a few times as she tried to read Hagrid's almost illegible writing.
'Girls and Ron.
Had a visit from Minister Fudge today. Great man he is. Came to apologise for that fiasco last year. Got my record cleared and I'm gunna get a wand. Olivander came with him to say as much. The Minister told me, he's got me people to work with me so I can get my qual- newts and apparently I can get my mastery.
Just wanted to say thank you for letting the Healer use your memories.
Hagrid'
The usual scrawl was made worse by the copious tears which had fallen onto the parchment. Harry however managed and read it out to the others, Ron perking up at the news despite his sulking over his stolen breakfast.
The final Quidditch match had led to a huge multi-house celebration, as the party somehow spilled through Draco and Harry's common room and into the opposing common room. Slytherin was in high spirits despite losing, something Harry pointed out was because Draco had finally beaten her to the snitch. None of the third years were quite sure what to make of some of the teams invading the opposing common room, although apparently it was simply that Gryffindor was famous for their parties and the seventh years decided that they wanted a chance to experience it before they graduated. Silence had briefly descended when Flint had advanced on Oliver, both teams holding their breath only breathing again when the Pureblood dragged the older captain into a corner to talk. It had broken any lingering tension as for the first time in living history Slytherins were dancing with Gryffindors, Harry wasn't quite sure what to make of Pucey convincing Katie to dance. Draco had softly pointed out it wasn't as weird as the Twins dancing with the Carrow sisters, Pansy only adding that they clearly hadn't seen Greengrass yet. Ron had sniggered at their confused expressions, pointing out Dean across the room…Dean who had his arms around Greengrass.
It was a furious Minevera who stormed in and told all of the students to get back into their own common room and go to bed. Andromeda had apparently done the same in Slytherin as the Twins ran through hoping to avoid McGonagall's wrath. Neither girl could get over the sulky expression on Flint's face as he slouched back to his own common room.
Before they knew it, exams were over. Harry and Draco frantically tried to pack everything which had managed to spread itself through all three common rooms before the leaving feast. Ron had burst in after discovering at some point that he'd ended up with Draco's potion book. Pansy had somehow left a whole collection of hair products in their bathroom which she had charged in to grab, neither of the other two girls were sure why or how she'd ended up filling their bathroom. Neville had just told them to pack anything of his as they could sort it out at home on the basis he'd do the same. "Think we could ask an elf for help?" Draco had finally asked, flopping back on her bed.
"Gran will kill us if we call Dobby." Harry said thoughtfully, wondering if the other friendly elf would be willing to help.
"Could ask the one who saved us?" Draco apparently had the same thought. Harry wondered how long it would be before the blonde learned packing spells.
"Kreacher?" Harry called softly, jumping softly when there was a loud crack. "Sorry for bothering you. Would you mind helping us? We can't find everything."
The old elf bowed low, "It would be Kreacher's pleasure to help Mistress Black."
The feast was as exuberant as always, although Harry felt rather melancholy as she sat between Ron and Neville at the Gryffindor table. McGonagall had quietly explained that for the leaving feast they would have to sit at their house table. Ron muttered that it wasn't fair, the Slytherin table was better, none of the three had sat with their house for months. Although Neville had retreated to the Hufflepuff table rather than braving the Slytherin's, Harry was sulking she missed Pansy's running commentary on people not that she was willing to risk Aunt Andi or McGonagall's wrath by disobeying.
"Another year over." Dumbledore started, "A huge congratulations are in order for all of our Quidditch players, especially given the difficult start to the year." A wave of his hand brought everyone's focus to trophy, "I'm proud to say that against all odds, the cup goes to Gryffindor."
Oliver's smugness was almost palatable, although even he looked uneasy when the twins hoisted him onto their shoulders. "Oliver! Oliver! He's a psycho! Oliver! Oliver! He's a Keeper! Oli's training paid off! Oli! Oli!" To everyone's amusement, Dumbledore allowed the Twins their victory lap despite their loud chant before he continued.
"Now that Gryffindor has had their moment," He said amidst laughter, "The House cup must be awarded. In fourth place with 325 points is Gryffindor, Third with 386 points is Hufflepuff…" A fair few Gryffindor's scowled at Hermione, it was not secret that whatever the third year had done to upset McGonagall had put them out of the running for the house cup. "Second….with 434 points is….Ravenclaw. Which means our winners with 456 points is Slytherin!" A clap of his hands saw the banners change to a brilliant green even as applause and cheers broke out from the normally reserved table. To the professor's amusement, the Gryffindor's actually sounded enthusiastic although it was helped by Harry, Ron and the Twins yelling congratulations at their friends on the other table.
Before long they were on the train heading home, the four had claimed a compartment, Neville had begged off joining them mockingly pointing out that he'd have to put up with them most of the summer. Pansy was busy trying to get the trio interested in an in-depth conversation about hair when Blaise threw open the door. The Italian teen vaulted over Harry's legs, diving under Ron's to hide in the corner of the floor. Aware of eyes on him, "Hide me. They're insane."
Barely moments later, Greengrass and Davies burst in, "Where is he?" Both girls had their wands drawn. None of the still confused foursome answered, Blaise had no intention of responding, Greengrass had some nasty curses up her sleeve and the teen wasn't even sure what he'd done to upset her this time.
"What did he do?" Draco was well aware of Greengrass' temper, she'd been on the receiving end a couple of times in the previous years and had no intention of drawing her ire.
"….he made a comment about me and Dean…" She replied in the snidest way possible, Pansy rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath drawing Greengrass' attention, "You have an issue with me Parkinson?"
"I have an issue with you bothering us trying to find Zabini. Why don't you check with Nott?" Harry hadn't heard Pansy sound so haughty since the accident and bit her lip as she resisted the urge to laugh not knowing how Greengrass would react. The blonde turned her nose up at them and stalked out without another word, Davies did at least look apologetic as she trailed after her.
The rest of the ride was relatively peaceful, even if it took a little while for the Slytherin male to risk coming out of his spot. Blaise did manage to win a single game of chess against Ron, much to the ginger's delight even if Ron did win the rest of the games. Harry spent some of the journey speculating what they would be during for the holiday's, she made no secret of her excitement about seeing Sirius again, fidgeting enough to make Pansy snap at her more than once.
Yet when the train pulled into the station, Harry's heart fell. Sirius was stood with the Dursleys, eyes widening she grabbed Draco's arm. The blonde's eyes narrowing as she muttered curses and insults under her breath, Ron had an expression like thunder as did Pansy. Harry found that she had to laugh at Blaise's confused look, although she felt surprisingly cheered as despite him not knowing what was happening, he tried to be supportive.