Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter
Author's note: I am deeply sorry for the long wait, i have very good reasons, but i believe they would bore you. Just please understand that it will be difficult for me to update for a while, but I WILL UPDATE.
On another note- I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed this story, it means a lot to me. So please review, I'd love to here your opinions, so without adu, i give you the long awaited (or not so long awaited, whichever) chapter 5!
Chapter Five: Defense Against The Dark Arts
Candace woke with her master's face buried in her fur. The young mischievous fox turned towards her master, and before he knew it she had pounced on him, and proceeded to wake him up with constant licking assaulting his face. Her young master was finally up, light laughter coming from the teen curtsey of her antics. Her master's hand came up and gently scratched her behind her ears. The young fox tilted her head into her master's warm hand. "Morning to you too, Candace," came her master's voice laced with sleep. Her master clumsily made his way to the bathroom, bumping into a few things on the way. Silly master.
Draco stumbled out of bed, having little more sleep than the night before. Turning the water on full blast, he cringed when remembering he not only started his new lessons today, but he also had class with the creepy woman. He could already hear his two mentors arguing down the hallway. Strapping on his hidden blade, Draco went to meet his mentors as they headed for breakfast. Stacking his plate full of sweets, his mind drifted to his mother and father. His mind being so far away as it was, he didn't notice a beautiful black raven make its way to him.
The young heir, still far off, sent a glare Blaise's way when the Italian nudged him in the ribs. Blaise tilted his head to the black raven waiting patiently in front of Draco. Finally noticing the creature, he took the letter the raven was sent to deliver. Giving the Raven some of his breakfast and a few shillings, he opened the letter to see his mother's beautiful aristocrat handwriting.
Dear Angel,
I hope your first day back was agreeable with you. I already miss you, and you haven't been gone a week. Please try and eat a decent meal while your away, lord knows it's hard enough to get your father to eat anything healthy. I swear you two will be the death of me.
How are Damion and Ameretta doing? Still bickering I presume? Don't let it get to you angel, they really do only have your best interests at heart. Do write soon, your father is sick with worry for you, knowing Voldemort has returned and if he continues pacing, I fear he will create a trench in our sitting room.
Please give Severus my dearest regards, and tell the twins to behave. Say hello to Blaise and Pansy for us, and angel, please be safe. Remember I and your father are always here, and we love you more than anything.
I will write again soon.
Your mother,
Narcissa Cairn Alshu Malfoy-Shadwell
Draco felt a smile tug at his lips, re-reading his mother's letter. This small pleasure was soon gone as Theodore Nott's voice reached him, "What's that Malfoy? A love letter maybe? Like anyone would like you. Or is it possibly orders from the Dark Lord? Not that he'd think you anything special, the only interest he would ever have in you is your mother."
The Slytherin table had gone quite, when Nott had approached. Now the entire Great Hall sat waiting for the heir's reply. Nott's two goons Crabbe and Goyle stood behind him and let out a small snicker. Draco's smile turned pleasantly cold underlying all the danger Nott now placed himself in, "Jealousy is not a good color on you Nott. Or are you perhaps suggesting something pertaining to my mother? I'm sorry to disappoint, but she's already married and prefers men with more common sense than a mere monkey or is monkey an over-estimating adjective to describe you?" finished the Slytherin Ice Prince, his smile still as cold and dangerous as before. Everyone knew, even the Golden trio knew, that no one could ever win a battle with words against the Slytherin Ice Prince, Draco Malfoy.
The two simpletons behind Nott, had stopped their snickering and where now looking at the Slytherin Ice Prince with a mixture of horror, confusion, and anger. Nott himself kept his face blank, but the young heir knew he had won this verbal fight from the look in Nott's eyes. "You better watch it this year Malfoy; things are going to begin changing starting with you." Draco's smile turned into a malicious grin, "Is that a threat or a promise dear monkey? Or are you planning on having your two apes' handle it for you? Or is it that you want the honor of dueling me at this very moment?" Nott and his two drudges had their wands pointing at the heir's heart the minute he finished speaking. Draco, still seated, plucked a strawberry from his plate and popped it in his mouth, he made no move towards his wand. "Three against one? Are you that doubtful of your own dueling ability that you need others to help you threaten someone into a duel, much less actual fight in one?"
"Igneous P…" Nott was lifted off his feet in a matter of seconds as he flew backwards, his back slamming against the opposite side the Great Hall. As one the entire hall turned their eyes back to the Slytherin table, horrified expression's were on half the Hogwarts population as, Draco took another strawberry from his plate, reclining in his chair to drop the sweet morsel into his mouth. Beside him Blaise and Pansy returned their wands into the folds of their robes. After 2 minutes of nothing but the sound of Draco munching on his sweets, the Great Hall erupted in what muggles could only call chaos.
The angel behind Draco felt a smile tug at her lips. Beside her she heard Damion chuckle. She was ready to playfully backhand him, when the demon suddenly tensed. She watched as his entire body went from relaxed to battle ready and his obsidian eyes searched the hall with what only could be called suspicion, perplexed and slightly surprised by the action, she immediately put herself in battle mode and began searching the hall for anything that could possibly put her lazy, laid-back partner in such a state. About to give up on the search and declare the demon paranoid, she felt a calculating stare directed at their small group. Her body tensed, as she started a new, slightly more frantic search of what she know knew to be responsible for her partner's behavior.
No longer sensing any danger towards their charge Ameretta turned to her companion, the demon only closed his eyes and shook his head. "Later, right now we need to get Draco to class." Ameretta just watched as he bent down to whisper something into the heir's ear, she was surprised when traces of silver slipped into the young heirs eyes.
Draco watched nonchalantly as Nott stormed out of the Great Hall, Blaise and Pansy returned to their seats beside him. That idiot Nott. Now I have to worry about this too…. The heir's eyes lazily wandered the Great Hall, with no particular destination in mind, when he unintentionally locked eyes with Potter. It took only about a second for Draco to avert his eyes elsewhere, remembering yesterday's slip up with the Golden Boy. The 'oh so perfect Potter' had caught his eyes changing when his god father had praised him. The dummy probably thinks I'm hiding some dangerous secret that will one day destroy the world or something, and he'll probably try to figure it out… just what I freaking needed! The Great Potter tailing me everywhere! He turned his attention back to his pile of sweets, his eyes no longer wandering. Lost in his thoughts, he almost jumped when he heard his mentor's voice in his ear, "Well done your majesty, your father would be proud, but it's almost tome for your classes to begin and we can't have his highness missing too much class." The heir didn't have to see demon to visualize the smirk he most likely had on his lips. The mention of his father gave him a warm feeling, his eyes were probably shades of silver, but at the moment he didn't care.
Harry barely paid any attention to Hermione or Ron, seeing as how they were still fighting about House unity of all things. No Harry's mind was filled with one stupid Slytherin that seemed to have a secret he wasn't willing to tell, and it made him irritated. How was it, that after all the weird things he's been through Malfoy can still annoy him enough to get him in this state without even doing anything?! This is all bloody Malfoy's fault! He's the one whose eyes changed, he's the one who came back with that weird attitude, he's the one with the secret, and he's the one who looked good enough to eat at breakfast, no stop! I am not thinking that! No, no, no! Harry's silent ranting was cut off short when Professor Sprout entered the room.
Harry looked down at his schedule as lunch came and went uneventfully. He had Defense against the Dark Arts with Slytherins next. He groaned, great not only do I have that toad for a teacher, but I have to deal with Malfoy as well! Another groan escaped him, but this time it was followed by a drawling voice that could only belong to one person, "What's wrong Potter? Just because you're the Savior of all of us doesn't mean you can not go to class. Sadly you must suffer with the rest of us." The trio spun to face Malfoy, Pansy, and a tall Italian boy, Ron jumped up to defend him only to be stopped by Hermione, "What do you want Malfoy?" she asked as calmly as she could, determined to show Ron, what house unity could do. "I would like to get to class before our new professor decides to deduct house points for being late, but seeing as how you three are in front of us, we can only go so fast, unless you wish to be pushed aside. And I think pushing you aside would be rather childish, and would hinder your pretty dream of house unity, cupcake."
Now the trio stood outside the classroom with pure shock etched on their faces as the Slytherin Trio moved past them. They officially believed the Draco Malfoy had either lost his mind or he was up to something. He had just called Hermione, "cupcake."
After the initial shock was over, Harry looked toward his female companion, and was mildly surprised to see a small smile on her lips. Before she turned on Ron, "See, if Malfoy can do it, then so can you! What's so hard about putting aside some differences?" Harry feared another argument about to come, so he pushed both his friends inside the classroom with him following right behind.
Draco took his seat next to Blaise with a smirk plastered on his face. The expressions on the Golden Trio's faces were priceless!!!! Blaise also had a similar smirk in place, "Couldn't help it could you?" The silver-haired teen turned to his companion, the mischievous glint in his eyes more prominent as hints of silver colored his eyes. Whatever witty comment the Slytherin was about to say, was cut short when the creepy women from the welcoming feast entered the classroom. Both smirks disappeared in an instant, replaced by cold, indifferent masks. "Well good afternoon!" she said, as only a few people mumbled back a response she continued, "Now that won't do, I would like you to reply more enthusiastically. We'll try again shall we, Good afternoon class." She said in a sickeningly sweet voice that caused the heir to shutter.
After the insufferable women's unbearable voice said, "Wands away" Draco tried tuned her out, thinking of anything but where he was, he was pondering on whether to just take a quick nap. His mind was becoming cloudy, and his vision more blurry, until Potter's voice broke through his hazy mind, "It was murder." His head, which had been resting on Blaise's shoulder, whipped up to look at Potter. The memory of fire and screams flashed through his mind.
Noticing his startled friend Blaise placed a hand on his shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze. The heir's eyes searched Blaise's, hints of fearful gold decorating his stormy grey eyes. "It's okay Drake, we're in a classroom. You were just dozing off. You're safe here." Blaise waited till he saw all traces of gold leave Draco's eyes, before trying to reassure himself that his Best friend was back in the present. The Italian felt the confused and worried stares of Draco's mentors, but ignored them, Draco would tell them when and only when he felt like it.
As soon as Draco came back to the present, he heard the classroom door slam which succeeded in making him jump slightly. He quickly put up his Unquestionable Ice Prince façade, but unfortunately his new teacher noticed his reaction, "Mr. Malfoy is there a problem?" her sugar coated voice gone, replaced with something to akin to disgust in her voice. What's her problem? "Nothing Professor, Potter just startled me." Draco hoped that would be the end of the conversation, sadly luck decided to take a vacation on him, "One would not be so startled, if you were not dozing off Mr. Malfoy. I suggest you start paying attention before you end up in detention with Mr. Potter, that is if you're capable of doing such extraordinary things." Draco could feel his irritation spike, keeping calm, as not to let his eyes change he answered his Professor in a mimic of her own bitter sweet voice, "Well Professor, if the material the ministry wishes the Hogwarts students to read, had not been so inaccurate, useless, and boring, one might not find themselves dozing off." After finishing his sentence Draco returned to his seat beside Blaise, who only closed his eyes, and shook his head with a small smile playing at his lips.
"Mr. Malfoy, are you perhaps suggesting that the ministry does not know how to properly educate children?" asked Umbridge. Apparently the conversation had indeed not ended. What is wrong with her? "No, I am simply stating that this particular piece of literature that the ministry so kindly handpicked for us is inaccurate. Though more to the point, if there is no use for our wands as you have so graciously informed us, then why exactly are we here?" Draco knew he was probably going to land himself in detention with bloody Potter, but he didn't like the way Umbridge looked at him with such disgust written all over her toad like face. "As I have told Mrs. Patil, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough…."
"..But Professor, surely the Department of Education at the ministry knows that, some students learn better in hand on experiences, and others learn by example. No matter if they 'have studied the theory hard enough' they won't get it. Or am I mistaken about the Department of Education's knowledge of the basics of teaching?" to be honest the young Slytherin was becoming rather irritated, he was sure his eyes now had specks of violet in them. I don't care if get detention at this point, but I've already had to fight with that buffoon Nott, dealt with Ameretta and Damion's arguing first thing this morning, and I do not need a teacher that I don't even know, degrading me like that. Bring It on Queen of the toads, Screw the consequences!
"Mr. Malfoy if you continue you absurd talking I will be forced to give you detention, and I promise you I will not be lenient, least of all with someone such as yourself." The smile she had on after finishing could only be described as deranged. Someone such as myself?! What exactly is she trying to imply? I'm sorry Uncle Sev. I know you told me to try and get along with her, but….. What Draco said then was the detention breaker, "I'm sorry to inform you Professor, but someone such as I know this piece of literature is completely useless, and won't help us at all. Apparently the ministry made the mistake of making someone like you an employee. Or this useless and time consuming conversation would never have happened, but apparently they did. Perhaps they should find whoever employed you and recommend them to the nearest mental facility, because I'm afraid St. Mungo's isn't equipped to handle the insane."
The entire classroom stood in silence, all but a snickering demon and angel behind him and Blaise trying to muffle his laughter. Umbridge sat behind her desk silently fuming, "Mr. Malfoy, you will be sharing detention with Mr. Potter plus two extra weeks afterwards. Now remove yourself from my classroom." Each word was grinded out through her teeth. Draco stood, but he wasn't quite finished, "It would be my pleasure to leave this god forsaken room, Professor. Thank you for infinite wisdom that you have bestowed upon me, I now know that our esteemed ministry has begun to hire only professional crazies, who cannot distinguish reality from their own desires."
Now I'm finished. Draco gave his new Professor a grin, and before sweeping out the door with inhuman grace that only a Malfoy could ever possess he said, "It was a pleasure meeting you Professor." With that the door to the classroom once again closed, with a soft click that resounded throughout the entire classroom. Draco sensed his mentors behind him, but before he could speak Damion cut him off, "Now that's what I wanted to see, a hag put in her place! That was brilliant your highness!" If the young heir was surprised, he was even more so when his angel mentor broke into a smile, "For once I agree with you, that accursed bat got what she deserved. Well done your highness."
Seeing as his mentors were not there to scold him, his eyes slowly returned to his original stormy-gray before he asked, "Well seeing as how I have an entire class period to waste, how about my first lesson?" The heir's two mentors looked at one another, shrugged, then said, "Okay, ask us one question, and we'll answer it for you before we begin." Draco didn't have to think long for a question to drift into his mind, "Most people have their inheritance at age sixteen or seventeen, why did mine come a year early?" he watched as Ameretta gave Damion a look he couldn't quite place before answering, "You would pick the toughest question first your highness. The truth is, you are Zaine's reincarnation and are promised the throne of both our worlds. We have been alive, centuries after Zaine's death, training the descendents of the Legend, but this time…." The angel had stopped for a brief moment, casting a glance at the demon. "But what?" asked Draco, slightly wary of her answer. The angel looked back to Draco, a sadness he could not place in her eyes, "this is the last time your highness, after this war we are no longer promised immortality. This war will be the last we live in, so your inheritance came a bit earlier than is usual. And now that you have your Inheritance, the others of the Legend will be coming into theirs in the near future."
Understanding dawned on the Slytherin, "You mean, after this war, you have every chance of dying like any other mortal?" Damion nodded giving the young heir a small smile, "Yes, after this war, we will be able to die like any other human." Just as Draco had another question on his lips, Damion continued, "I'm sorry to cut your first lesson so short, but we did not expect you to ask such a question so soon. We will continue your lessons later this week, but I believe you need to get to your next class." The young Slytherin was about to protest, when the demon ruffled his hair. "Go on your highness, we will be fine." Draco pouted, trying to 'fix' his hair, before knowing that in this fight he, would have no choice but to yield.
Harry was still furious with Umbridge at dinner, until he heard what had happened after he had left. Apparently Umbridge had some sort of grudge against Malfoy, and according to his ears, Malfoy didn't particularly like her either. He had never dreamed that Malfoy, the junior death eater in training would say something like that to a person with power in the ministry. Especially considering his father's own position. Though he had to admit the comment about the mental facility was good. Harry looked over to the Slytherin table, his gaze landing on the silver-haired teen that had been filling his thoughts lately. He still had his suspicions that the teen was up to something, but his respect for the git had gone up, however slight it may have been. He felt his cheeks heat up as Malfoy looked up from his plate, to lock eyes with him. He turned his eyes away from the Slytherin, and announced he was heading to bed.
When he finally laid down into the soft sheets, his mind was still focused on Malfoy. Geez, how the bloody hell am I suppose to have detention with him, when I can't seem to get him out of my head, when he's nowhere in sight?!!!