Chapter 11: Friends and Foes
There was a thick layer of snow covering the castle. Everyone rejoiced at the thought of a white Christmas. Snow flakes were falling through the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. Everyone had taken out their mufflers, sweaters and gloves and huddled next to each other. It was breakfast time; the trio made their way towards the Gryffindor table. The doors opened and Professor Mcgonagall came in followed by two lanky, snow-covered persons. They wiped the snow off their faces, revealing the grinning faces of Fred and George. "Expelled, I say. Expelled!" Filch came huffing behind them carrying what seemed to be a snowball. Out popped Mrs. Norris' head from the snowball. The Hall erupted in laughter. "Silence!" professor Mcgonagall said with a stern face. The Hall immediately became silent like a graveyard. She turned to Fred and George. "Mr. Fred Weasley, you shall have detention with me on the 24th and Mr. George Weasley, you shall have detention with Filch on the same day. And 20 point each from Gryffindor." Fred and George looked at each other in horror. Detention on Christmas Eve's! They sat down, grumbling, at the table.
Draco was sitting in a corner nearest to the doors. It seemed he wanted to be ready in case he had to flee. He was sitting at the Gryffindor table bearing his house colors. The entire school was pointing at him and whispering. Harry glared around, wand ready. Draco kept his face down and ate in silence. The Weasleys were sitting with him. "Not fair, she did that on purpose" Fred loudly complained. "What on earth did you do?" asked Ron curiously. "Oh nothing really" Fred said looking at his brother. "Yeah, it's just that we were having a snow fight and" George looked at Fred grinning. "And", Fred continued "that cat somehow rolled into a snowball you see." "And we were playing catch and catch. Only Fred threw it a bit too hard and it landed on a window." Gorge finished. "And unfortunately for us, it was the window of the Staff Room and Professor Mcgonagall saw us." Fred leaned towards his plate, scooping mashed potatoes in his mouth. "So, it will be your duty, Ron, to prepare for the Christmas Party in the Common Room." said George. Ron wasn't listening. He was eyeing Hermione, whose face was buried in her Transfiguration Textbook. George winked at Fred, who winked back. Identical smirks spread across their faces.
Hermione was sitting next to Harry and across the twins. Ron was sitting next to his brothers and Draco was sitting on the other side of Harry. Hermione frequently glanced towards Draco, only to be blocked by Harry's untidy head. She had a feeling Ron was watching her and quickly buried her face in a textbook. She wished she could talk to him alone. After breakfast, the Weasleys went off to make their Christmas plans. Harry, Hermione and Draco made their way to their Common Rooms. Hermione looked worriedly at Draco's retreating back. "He'll be fine." Harry said, smiling slightly.
Draco had thrown himself on one of the coziest armchair next to the fireplace. He shook his head resulting in snow flakes flying everywhere. He stretched out his legs nearer to the warm fire. His feet had plain bottle green socks on. He looked at the socks, realizing that his life was pretty much like those socks. He had found himself looking at Hermione again today. He had noticed that she too had been glancing at him every now and then. He wondered if Christmas was indeed bringing cheer for him. He shuddered at the thought of spending New Year's at home. He prayed that his father would not be at home. The door of the Common Room swung open. Draco turned his neck so fast, that it creaked, his hand taking out his wand from his robes at the same time. He was seconds too late. "Crucio" he heard someone say. Draco fell off the armchair, withering in pain. His mind clouded over and tears slid down his face. He fought to keep himself from screaming. He felt the curse lift. He opened his eyes and a face swam above him. He struggled to make out who it was. "You bloody traitor." The person screamed. Draco realized who it was. It was Blaise, his so-called best friend. "Stupefy" shouted Draco, his wand pointing right at Blaise's chest. Blaise was thrown backwards. More hexes streaked above him, hitting the wall behind him. Draco crouched down behind the armchair. Harry and Hermione had secretly taught him to use his patronus for communication. He had still not perfected it but it was well worth a try in the present circumstances. Draco took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He summoned in his head, the image of his true friends. He turned slightly towards the window. He decided to send the patronus to Professor Snape. He focused on the image and muttered," Expecto Patronum". A silver-colored eagle erupted from his wand and flew out of the window. Hexes and curses continued to fly about. Draco tried his best to duel but there were too many. Then suddenly he heard a bang and then a very loud thump. "Draco" Professor Snape called. Draco stood up from behind the armchair. There were 6 people who had attacked him; Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, Flint, Pucey and even Pansy. The persons in question were tied with invisible ropes and lay on the floor in a heap. "We need to go to the Headmaster." Snape turned around, holding his wand out like a baton in a parade, floating the attackers in front of him. He marched out, Draco followed.
They were in Professor Dumbledore's office. Severus was standing behind Draco's chair, his eyes never leaving the old man's face. "Kindly untie them Severus, they are students after all." With a flick of his wand, the ropes binding the attackers disappeared. They stood up, dazed and confused. They heard a knock on the door. Before Professor Dumbledore could finish saying come in, three people burst inside the room, waving their wands madly. Draco's eyes widened as he saw Harry, Ron and Hermione ready to duel at a moment's notice. "Ah! Now Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley, you will kindly take Mr. Malfoy to your Common Room. He may need to spend the night in your dorm until we can make some other arrangement." All three simply nodded. Professor Dumbledore now looked at Draco. "I hope you are not hurt Mr. Malfoy?" Draco shook his head. "Very well, you may go then". Draco got up and left with the trio.
"Albus" Severus said coolly. Professor Dumbledore looked at him over his half-moon spectacles; his twinkling eyes keeping up with the challenging gaze of the cold, black ones. Severus' expression steadily got harder. His hand twitched. Professor Dumbledore finally broke the stare and turned towards the attackers. "Your Head of House will see to your suitable punishment. However, I must warn you that such behavior is not tolerated at Hogwarts. If I again see such activities, believe me, I will take very strict actions. You are dismissed." The students hurried out of the room. Severus left seconds after them, slamming the door shut.
"Make yourself at home" said Harry as he ushered Draco into their Common Room. Fred and George were sitting in one corner, Heads bent over some parchment. They looked up. "What happened?" George asked. "Attacked" said Draco simply. "What! Again?" "Blimey", said Fred. "It must be what-the tenth time this month?" "Yeah, whatever" said Draco and slumped in a sofa. "We need to make space in our dorm" Ron said. "Space for what?" Neville said as he appeared at the top of the stairs leading to the dorm. Harry pointed at Draco. "Oh, alright then." Neville disappeared back into the dorm. After 15 minutes, Neville came downstairs. "Your trunk has been delivered by an elf and your bed is ready." Draco stood up. "Thanks mate" he said sticking out his hand. Neville shook his head. "You really don't need to do that. Dinner guys, I'm starving." The chattering group left for dinner.