Disclaimer: I am not JK rOWLING... oKAY? lol

'My name is Professor Bonkdrop. Remember it.'

'Well I doubt we'd be able to forget it...'

TO UNDERSTAND

Chapter 9: Meeting, pleasing and insulting the Family

'food!'

'Is that all you can think of?'

'It's dinnertime, of course it's all I can think of!'

'When I met you last night: do you want dinner? When you woke up this morning: when's breakfast? And now you're thinking of food again when you haven't eaten for gosh, 4 hours?!?'

He gasped at me sarcastically and I ignored him, just piling chips onto to my plate.

'I think I can actually see snow on top of that mountain.' He said cynically pointing to my mound of a dinner.

'Leave my chips alone.' I said bluntly as I reached for the chicken wings.

'Yes Snape.' said a voice from beside me 'I like a boy with a healthy appetite…'

Bellatrix Black slid herself in between me and Snape, turning her back on the protesting boy and picking a chip from my plate, biting down on it so her white teeth clicked.

'So…Potter dumped that thing on you in potions did he?' she drawled, twirling a black strand round her finger. 'How unfortunate…'

Unfortunate is a bit of an understatement…It had taken 3 bottles of Slughorn's concentrated magical mess remover to get the Blarthanger's intestines out of my scalp…

'But never mind…I'm sure you'll get your revenge somehow…' she said smirking and I felt a little unnerved.

A couple of 6th years came and sat opposite us and I recognised the girl immediately. It was Narcissa Malfoy. Draco Malfoy's mother and wife to Lucius Malfoy… Well, she will be. She had obviously inherited the same good looks as her sister except with very light Blonde hair instead of Black and cold blue eyes…

The boy that sat next to her I didn't recognise, although but he was strongly familiar. He had dark brown hair that was almost black and was again very handsome. He was holding himself quite nervously and looked as though he'd been dragged there against his better judgement. He kept shooting apprehensive glances at Lucius Malfoy who was sat very close to Bellatrix. Though why he would be nervous of Lucius I can't say…

'I'm assuming you won't have met my little sister and cousin.' said Bellatrix, pointing to them across the table. 'This is Narcissa and Regulus'

They both nodded at me

'I'm Harry Threston.' I said shaking Regulus' hand as Narcissa smiled politely.

'We've heard all about you.' She said quietly 'Did you really fight James Potter and Sirius Black?'

'Yeah I did.' I said, self-consciously flattening my fringe across my scar as a force of habit.

'Merlin, I wish I could have been there...' said Regulus bitterly 'I would've loved to see a Slytherin finally beat the crap out of my brother…'

Of course…that's why he's so familiar! It's Sirius' brother…The one Sirius showed me on his family tapestry…the one who became a deatheater but tried to back out…the one Voldemort murdered for his troubles…

'I didn't exactly beat the crap out of him…' I said feeling slightly ashamed.

'No, because blasting him halfway across the entrance hall isn't beating him at all…' said Narcissa smirking fondly.

'Your brother must have flown about 30 feet Regulus…'said Bellatrix smirking. 'It was spectacular…'

The whole group smirked at the elder girl's comment as I felt even worse and Lucius Malfoy turned round to the conversation.

'Yes I must admit,' He drawled tonelessly 'It was quite entertaining…It was a shame you got there first Threston. I was going to blast the blood traitor myself…'

I looked at Snape and we both exchanged sceptical expressions.

The only reason I'd managed to beat James and Sirius was because I was practically a year ahead of them in school and can do non-verbal already. Also the fact that Remus, Tonks and Mad-eye had been tutoring me in Auror techniques over most of the summer didn't hurt too much either…

'Though of course I have much better things to do now a days, than such trivial follies as putting big headed school boys in their place…' he continued mysteriously and the whole laid back atmosphere of our conversation seemed to sharpen slightly.

'What do you mean Lucius?' Asked Bellatrix softly and our whole group leant in closer to listen.

'Oh nothing much...' He said smirking, leaning back in his chair. 'My father has just sent word to me…I would be very interested to see what the Daily Prophet says tomorrow morning…'

I looked at Snape whose face had suddenly become impossible to read and furrowed my brow.

What did the blond seventh year know? I've never heard of his father though it's probably wise to assume that the Malfoy's of 1975 are as wound up in the dark arts as the Malfoys of 1997 are... I wonder if the connections between the Malfoys and Voldemort have already been established…

Lucius looked round at us, satisfied that he'd made an impact and stood up, swiftly.

'Come on Babe.' He said and to my surprise Narcissa stood up and Malfoy placed a hand round her waist. I looked at Regulus who was staring at Lucius as they walked away and suddenly realised why he was so nervous of the elder boy…

'I thought he was going out with you?' I asked Bellatrix and she shook her head.

'Oh no, It has been arranged that Lucius and Narcissa would be companions since Narcissa was born!' she laughed 'I'm betrothed to a boy who left school last year. A Lestrange…'

Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy had an arranged marriage?!? I never knew that! Regulus saw my expression and smiled slightly.

'You look shocked Threston.' He said lightly as he took a sip of pumpkin juice. 'Surely you know that arranging couples is quite the tradition in Pureblood families…'

'Of course…'I said swiftly as Regulus raised his eyebrows. 'Though I'm not quite sure I agree with it…'

'Well it's a good tradition I think.' said Bellatrix confidently 'If I ever had a child I'd want to make sure it didn't marry anyone… unworthy of our pureblood heritage…'

It seems that all this pure-blood crap has been well embedded into Miss Black. She's going into an arranged marriage for Merlin's sake! That would be like Ginny being forced to marry Draco Malfoy! The whole concept is …absurd! It's like a family sacrifice! Forced to be unhappy just so their family line remains pure, if you could call it that …

'But…Wouldn't you prefer to marry someone you love?' I said forcefully. 'Instead of someone your parents just picked out for you because they came from the right family! I mean you're going to marry the man! Not his blood or his ancestors! Doesn't it only matter what the person is like and not who their family were before them?'

She looked at me pityingly.

'My parents only want what is right for me and my clan. If I can help keep the pure blood families going then that is all I'm concerned about-'

'But you're going to have to spend the rest of your life with this man-!'

'And I'll be happy to do it-'

'But-!'

'Be quiet!' she shouted, suddenly standing up from the table. 'You do not understand what you are talking about! I do not marry for me; I marry for my family and for the blood running through my veins! What do the opinions of one girl mean to hundreds of years of tradition! I am to marry the Lestrange boy and there is nothing you or I can do about it…'

She sat back down looking shaken and tried to straighten her hair.

'So you do mind…' I said softly and left the table quickly, with Snape following behind me. I glanced back at Bellatrix and Regulus still seated at the Slytherin bench and saw that she was muttering angrily to the younger boy while he stared blankly back at her. At least my words had taken affect on one person…

'You ought to be more careful Threston…' murmured Snape as we made our way onto the main staircase.

'Why?' I said angrily. 'Don't you think its stupid forcing people to marry all the time?'

His face hardened slightly.

'I'd prefer to stay neutral on this issue… I do not want to make any unnecessary enemies.'

'I mean did you see the way Narcissa and Regulus were looking at each other? Lucius must be blind or in total denial-'

Snape swivelled round to me and suddenly looked angry.

'Stop!' he spat. 'Do not trespass on this subject! You have dangerous opinions for a Slytherin as it is Threston and if you are not careful…'

I looked at him curiously and could tell immediately that he was on the verge of breaking his neutral stance.

'Lucius Malfoy is a formidable man, Threston. He may be arrogant, vain and blind to the antics of his fiancé but he is dangerous none the less. You do not want to upset Lucius Malfoy. You had better watch your back and your tongue Threston…'

He fell silent and walked quicker and I had a job to keep up.

Was Lucius Malfoy a threat? Did he already have the Dark Mark burnt into his skin? No…He was wearing shirt sleeves and nothing was there. Though the hints he placed at the table are enough to give cause for suspicion. His father had told him something and I am extremely curious to find out what… Though I dread to think what news Malfoy would revel in. What is happening as we speak that is big enough to make head line news in The Daily Prophet?

'What lesson have we got now?' I asked as we rounded another corridor.

'Defence against the Dark Arts, with the Gryffindors again…'

A jolt of excitement shot to my stomach. This was the lesson I'd looked forward to the most.

'Who's the teacher?'

'He's some young man fresh out of the Ministry. I haven't been taught by him yet, though the rumours do not board well.'

'What's he like?'

'He's apparently arrogant and does not care for his students. He favours Gryffindors and thinks he's Gods gift to the world, which probably means him and the Gryffindor brigade will get along like a house on fire… '

He grimaced and we began to line up outside the classroom. Surely a defence teacher couldn't be that bad? Though mind you I did have Umbridge…

'Everyone inside please!' shouted a voice from the front and we all filed through the door.

I sat next to Snape on the traditional right hand side of the classroom, the Slytherin side and the two houses exchanged the usual grimace. A man with slicked brown hair and purple robes stood at the front of the classroom and he sneered at us, muttering under his breath.

'Doesn't look too bad.' said Snape quietly 'Harmless.'

'I dunno...' I murmured as the new teacher stared at me darkly. 'We'll see soon enough.'

'My name is Professor Bonkdrop.' He said loudly. 'Remember it.'

There was scattered sniggering round the room.

'Well I doubt we'd be able to forget that...' whispered James from across the classroom and I smirked.

'Do you have something to say, boy?' the teacher spat from the front of the room and I looked round. He was staring straight at me.

'Me Sir?' I said confused.

'Yes you.' He said quietly and the whole room was staring at me.

'No Professor.' I replied and everyone looked back to the front, whispering. I exchanged a confused look with Snape who shook his head. I remembered what he'd said about our new Teacher preferring Gryffindors and sighed. It seemed the rumour was true. I furrowed my brow as the Marauders started talking again.

'How loud do you think you could say Bonkdrop?' said Sirius quietly from across the room and James smirked. 'Go on I challenged you!'

'Bonkdrop…'

'Bonkdrop.'

'Bonkdrop.'

'Bonkdrop!'

'Bonkdrop?!?'

'BONKDROP!'

'MR THRESTON?!?' shouted the Professor and he was again looking straight at me.

'Sir?' I said

'So you find my name funny boy?' He spat and I felt a sense of outrage. Why was he giving me a row? I hadn't said anything!

'No Sir I didn't-'

'Don't deny it boy!' He said loudly and everyone started muttering. James and Sirius were exchanging looks of glee. 'You better drop this attitude Threston and listen to me! I know much more about the dark arts than you boy and I know how to counter them! Have you ever fought a deatheater?'

Yes.

'No Sir.' I said.

I've fought the king of the deatheaters. Why do you think there's that scar on my forehead?

'I didn't think so.' He growled 'You can always tell the type… All words and no action.'

Anger was growing in my stomach and I fingered the white lines on the back of my hand. Why was he just having a go at me?

'You look weak Threston and you better listen to those who are better than you because if you were faced with the dark arts little boy you wouldn't last a second-'

'Oh really.' I spat and my fists clenched.

I'd lasted 16 years so far…

'You are nothing boy.' He said quietly and his voice crawled under my skin. 'You are sat here in this little classroom totally oblivious to the real world and later on I guarantee that if you do not take heed of my words you will be the one relying on everyone else to protect you!'

'That's not true.' I murmured.

'Excuse me?'

'I said that's not true!'

'So you think you've got enough under your belt to survive out there already do you? The precious little Slytherin thinks he's ready for the big time?'

'I've made it this far.' I said and I caught Ginny's eye who smiled knowingly.

'Then let's have a little demonstration!' He said, spreading his arms to the rest of the room. 'Let's put that theory to the test! Let's have a duel, you against me. We'll see if you're ready or not!'

The whole class had gone quiet and I was taken aback. Had the teacher just called me out?

'Do you consent Mr Threston? He said leering and I raised my eyebrows.

The teacher…had just challenged me…to a duel?!? What the hell? Was this guy psycho or what? You can't just randomly pick a fight with one of your pupils! Even the impostor Moody never went as far as that!

'Well little Slytherin?' he growled 'Do you accept…or are you just too scared…?'

I stood up quickly and he smiled darkly.

'What are you doing?' spat Snape beside me, pulling on my sleeve. 'Sit down!'

'No way…' I murmured. I'd teach this bastard a lesson. It's a perfect opportunity to practise what I'd learnt with Remus, Tonks and Mad-eye Moody… Boy, did he have it coming.

'Let's add a little roll play to this shall we?' The Professor said as he took off his top robe leaving him in brown trousers, a shirt and jumper. 'Make it interesting. I shall be playing the part of the Ministry and you Mr Threston can be the Death Eater.'

A murmur ran round the room as I took off my top robe too, rolling up my sleeves. This would be interesting…

'Come at me with whatever you want boy.' He said lazily. 'I doubt you'll be able to do much anyway…'

I walked out from my desk and into the centre, standing in the gap between the Slytherin and Gryffindor seats, my back to the open door. I raised my wand and got ready to move.

'Last chance Threston…' he murmured, smiling at me lazily. 'This is your last chance to back out! If you're frightened to do this -which I'm sure you are- you could sit down right now…'

I laughed coldly in a voice that didn't really sound like mine and the rest of the class seemed slightly unnerved.

'I'm not afraid Professor. You challenged me remember? I'm not in a hurry to prove myself against you…' I smiled and stretched my neck round my shoulders 'Though if you insist...'

He took his place about 5 metres from me and we both bowed low. The class were beginning to stand up and loud whispers began to come forth. Was I really going to duel the teacher? This was absurd! Two fights in one day!

'Come on Harry!' shouted a voice from the Slytherin side and I smirked.

'Are you ready Threston?' Professor Bonkdrop said as we straightened up and I stretched my wand out in front of me.

'I'm just waiting for you Sir...'

'Then BEGIN!'

To be continued...

Ellie

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