Hey everyone, sorry it's been awhile since I've written. Trying to continue this story, but life got pretty busy for awhile. Please review and let me know what you think! I appreciate the feedback. Thanks to everyone who has left reviews or who have liked/followed the story so far!
Chapter 3:
(Draco)
Draco hurried down the stairs towards his common room. He was sure that Theo and Daphne would be finished talking to the first years by now, and hopefully the common room would be empty. He walked towards the dungeons and stopped at the door to the common room. He looked at the serpent on the door and quietly spoke the password, "Carpe Noctem". The door swung open to the dark common room and he swept into the room. It was empty with the exception of a snoring Theo on the couch. Draco rolled his eyes and silently walked into his dormitory. He grabbed some books and shoved them into his bag and walked back into the common room. Theo was still asleep on the couch so Draco plopped into an armchair and opened one of his books. He sat crooked in the chair, with his legs draped over one side and his back leaning against the other armrest. A fire crackled behind him, illuminating the room just enough form him to read comfortably. An hour or so had slipped by with him pouring over an advanced potions book when Theo's snores sputtered and he sat up in alarm.
"Merlin's bloody beard, Draco, you scared the shit out of me! When did you get back?"
Draco chuckled and responded without looking up from his page, "Over an hour ago, princess, did you have a nice little nap?" Theo frowned and threw a pillow at him. "So I'm tired, hex me. I'll notice that you aren't sleeping yet again. I swear, you never sleep. I'm going to have to start slipping sleeping potions to you soon."
"Sweet Merlin, you sound like my mother."
Theo shrugged and stood up, "Have you at least written to her lately?" Draco sighed and closed his book. Looking up he said, "I wrote her to let her know I made it to Hogwarts safely. She'll probably get that owl later this week." Theo nodded and walked over to a concealed cabinet by the fire to pull out two glasses and a bottle of firewhiskey. He poured them each a glass and handed one to Draco. He sat down across the table and raised his glass, "to another bloody year here. Let's hope it's manageable." Draco raised his own glass and drained it. Wincing, he poured himself another.
"You never told me how you managed to convince McGonagall to make you Head Boy."
Draco looked sharply at Theo then rested his head back on his seat and laughed. "For a couple of bloody noble reasons that only she truly knows, to be honest. Something about healing the divide among the wizard community or some shit like that. And it helps that I stuck around for the Battle of Hogwarts." And deserted my family to stay here to help after the battle, he thought to himself grimly. Theo seemed satisfied with his answer though. He nodded, "where have you been the last few months though, mate? No one has seen you. We thought you were laying low with your mum at the manor, but I went there and she said she hadn't seen you since May."
Draco drained another glass of firewhiskey and stood up. He waved his wand to clean his and Theo's glasses and sent them zooming back to the cabinet. The cabinet shut and concealed itself again. "I've been traveling." He left it at that and hoped that Theo wouldn't press the subject. Theo frowned but recognized that Draco's cue to end the conversation. He stood up and motioned to the common room, "Shall we?" Draco nodded and followed him in to the dormitory for the night.
The following morning Draco changed into some old robes and shouldered his broom. He slipped out of the castle quietly and glanced around before mounting his broom and kicking off. He flew a couple of times around the still dark grounds of the castle before heading towards the pitch. The sky was still dark and the air had a slight chill to it, but Draco started training. He released two bludgers, but he bewitched them to stay within 100 meters of him at all times, and to randomly change directions. He released the snitch and began to train. He swerved and zoomed around the pitch, dodging bludgers and searching for the snitch. He trained until the sky started to lighten, and he finally returned the bludgers and the snitch to the practice crate. He winced as he left the broom shed and lightly pressed his hand to his side. He knew a bruise was blossoming from a bludger he took to his right side when he was practicing. He sighed and figured that at worst he may have broken a rib or two. He determined that his injury wasn't terribly major so he decided against going to the hospital wing. He climbed back onto his broom and set off towards the castle in the grey morning light.
When he finally returned to the common room, he was pleased to see the rest of his house still asleep. He quickly showered and gingerly pulled on his school robes before setting off to the Great Hall for breakfast. It was still early so he wasn't surprised that there was hardly anyone at breakfast yet. He slumped into a seat at the Slytherin table and pulled a copy of the Daily Prophet towards him. He filled a goblet with pumpkin juice and grabbed a couple of pieces of toast and opened the Daily Prophet.
The Hall started to fill as the students came in groups, excited and chatting about the start of term. Draco quietly sipped on his pumpkin juice and continued to read the Prophet. Theo dropped down unceremoniously into the seat across from Draco and started to pile his plate with food. "Where were you this morning?" He asked.
Draco looked up, "I woke up early today. I've been here for an hour now."
Theo nodded, swallowed, and said, "I knew that, but I heard you up and moving at bloody 4 in the morning."
"I went to the pitch to train again."
"Still set on trying out for the team again? You sure you'll have time for that?"
"I think it will be good for me. I much prefer training with other people, that's for sure. Bewitching those bloody bludgers is a pain in the arse."
"Does anyone else know you're trying out?"
"I'll tell Urquhart this week, I know he's having tryouts early this year so the team can start practicing. I heard him talk about it on the train."
Theo shook his head and shoveled more food into his mouth. They both looked up when they saw Professor Slughorn waddling along the table passing out their schedules. They looked at their schedules and saw that they were going to have a busy year. Draco was going to have Herbology first, followed by double potions then Ancient Runes. He had a break before lunch and then had Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Alchemy. He groaned and shook his head. Theo had finished looking at his own schedule and grimaced. "Well, guess we should head to the green houses?" Draco nodded and they set off towards the main doors. This was going to be a long term.
