Harry Potter and the Mudblood's Tale
Chapter Three: The Rolled Parchment
A Harry Potter Fanfic
Written By: Ischza
No copyright infringement intended. Everything you recognize belongs to J.K. Rowling. The plot of the story is mine. Some of the characters you may not recognize are probably one of my original characters. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.
"Seventh years, come on up. Class starts in about ten minutes. We can't be late on our first day," Hermione said and stood up while gathering her things. Harry and Ron rolled their eyes at that but stood up anyway. It's been seven years since they first met and still, they know they'll never understand how Hermione can be so excited on the first day of school.
"What's our first class?" Ron asked as he took a last bite of his pie.
"Ronald, you never checked your class schedule, didn't you?" Hermione asked with a disapproving tone.
"Well, if I did, then I wouldn't be asking you now, will I?" Ron replied grumpily.
Hermione tried to control her temper. She would never let him ruin her first day. "No, Ronald. I guess not. We have Defense Against the Dark Arts. And in case you don't know, your father will be teaching. So it's best not to be late," she answered. Then she turned to Ginny and Luna, "I'll see you guys later," before marching off, leaving Harry and Ron to run after her to catch up.
"Bloody hell," Blaise muttered as the three other Slytherins also stood up and watched the Golden Trio exit the Great Hall in a hurry. "He is quite a bit of a jerk, that Weasley is."
Ginny snorted. "You have no idea."
"And so early in the morning too," added Pansy. "Now we know why Granger always looks like a mess at the end of each day. She's been stuck with that thing for seven years."
Luna smiled at the Slytherins. "See you later," she said as they started to go.
"See ya, Lovegood, Weasley," Draco said before walking away with his fellow Slytherins.
"You know what's weird?" Ginny asked her friend when the rest of the seventh years had left.
"Huh?" Luna looked at her with her usual vacant expression. "What?"
"I actually thought that they weren't that bad," she answered.
With that, the blonde girl smiled. "Let's go, Gin."
####
Hermione walked inside the classroom and strode over to the front and sat in the middle row inside the room as she waited for her friends to follow. She immediately fixed her books on the desk and took out her quill and ink while the two boys just dropped their things, not a care in the world but their boring conversation on Quidditch.
"Who do you reckon will be good teammates from the other houses?" Harry asked Ron.
Ron looked thoughtful for a moment and then answered, "I'm not sure. I mean, it'll be hard to find a good Quidditch player on Slytherin. They all suck."
"Excuse me, Ronald," Hermione glared at him. "You can either stick your biased comments to yourself or I'll have to ban you from the Quidditch pitch. The theme for this year's activities is house unity. Now, if you don't have the maturity to forget about differences and hostility between Gryffindor and Slytherin, then I swear to Merlin, you will never be able to play. AT ALL." Harry and Ron both flinched at her tone. She absolutely meant business.
"Sheesh, I was only joking Hermione," Ron said. "Sorry."
Hermione didn't answer and just wrote her ideas regarding the upcoming dance on a piece of parchment. Harry and Ron continued on their conversation.
"How about we put a notice on the bulletin board for interested players?" Harry suggested.
"Good idea! Then we can schedule the try-outs," Ron agreed.
All conversations stopped as Mr. Weasley entered the room with a pleasant greeting for their class. "Good morning all! I am Professor Arthur Weasley and I'm your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. We will have our first official lesson on Thursday but for today, I'd like to know what you have all learned in your previous years of attending this class so that I'd have an idea on what else I need to teach you that your old professors had not. So," his eyes scanned the room and fell on Seamus Finnigan. "Ah, Mr. Finnigan. What lesson do you remember?"
"The disarming spell, Sir," he answered after thinking a few seconds.
"Very well, the Disarming Spell. Anything else?" he asked the class. Hannah Abbot raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss..."
"Abbot, Sir. Hannah Abbot."
"Alright, Miss Abbot. What have you learned?" Professor Weasley smiled.
"The Knock-Back Jinx, Professor. The incantation is 'Flippendo'."
"Very good. Standard Book of Spells, Chapter One. Next... Yes, Ms. Granger," he smiled warmly at her and Hermione smiled back.
"Sir, the Stinging Hex."
"Yes. Okay, it seems a lot of you can still remember your past lessons clearly. Excellent. Now, I would like you all to pair up and agree on a spell you would like to perform in front of the class," students started pairing up and then Professor Weasley cleared his throat. "Uh, since we're promoting house unity, you must pair up with someone from a different house." Groans erupted inside the classroom and Professor Weasley stifled a chuckle as the students started to look around for partners.
Harry patted Ron on the back before standing up and finding a partner. He grinned at Malfoy and asked, "Mind being partners?"
Malfoy shrugged. "It's alright, I guess. I'd rather it's you than Weasley."
Harry laughed. "He's not really that bad. He's just uncomfortable with this house unity stuff. You know how stubborn he can be. So, what do you have in mind?"
"The Levicorpus Jinx?" Draco suggested.
Harry nodded, "Yeah, that's alright. That won't hurt any of us. You can cast the spell."
"No way, Potter. You do it. Weasley will cut my head off."
"He won't. Just do it Malfoy. I'm not really in the mood for this. Just cast it. It won't hurt anyway," Harry said.
Draco sighed. "Alright."
###
"Hey, Granger," Pansy walked cheerfully towards Hermione, a smile on her face. Hermione looked up and tried to smile back.
"Oh, hey Parkinson. You have a partner yet?"
The Slytherin girl shook her head. "I was hoping you'd be mine. I want to do good on my first day and I figured the way to get a good grade is partnering up with the Head Girl."
Hermione chuckled. "Well then, how 'bout we start?" Pansy took the seat beside her and they discussed the spells they've learned and could perform properly. A few minutes later, they decided on the Leg-Locker Curse.
"Soooo..." Pansy drawled. "How's your love life?"
Hermione looked at her incredulously. "You're seriously asking that question?"
Pansy giggled. "What do you expect girls our age to talk about? Barbie dolls?" she asked.
"You know about Barbie dolls?" she asked back at the girl. "But, you're a Pure-Blood. Aren't you guys supposed to be oblivious to all things muggle?"
"Not all Pure-Bloods. Draco knows a thing or two about muggles as well but not as much as me. I've spent some time in the muggle world. Especially abroad," the girl answered.
"Really? Wow," Hermione said in awe at the word abroad. She never had the time to go anywhere far since she's been busy with saving the world of course. And then after the war, the only place she's been to that's really far is Australia to see how her parents were coping and that really wasn't a pretty memory. Upon that thought, she felt saddened and Pansy immediately noticed.
"You alright?"
"Huh?" Hermione shrugged off the feelings. "Oh, yeah."
"So, now on to the subject about boys. Who've you been seeing lately?"
"Nobody special," Hermione answered.
"Nobody?" Pansy asked with surprise.
Hermione shook her head. "Yeah. I'm... not really interested in anybody right now. You?"
"Me neither!" she squealed girlishly. "I mean, there are lots of handsome guys in school, but I just haven't found a guy who's a total keeper. Anyway," her eyes lit up. "What's your type of guy?"
Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "Well... I guess I'd like a guy who'll be easy to talk to. A guy who's sensitive, smart, honest and fun."
"Someone like Potter?"
"No!" Hermione said violently which made Pansy jump in fright. "Sorry. I mean, no. Harry's like my brother. He's... he's just Harry."
"Okay... How about Weasley?" Pansy urged. She had to know a few more things. The sly witch.
"I... I don't know..." That's all she needed to hear. A few minutes later, Professor Weasley told them that the time was up and they had to perform the spells in the center of the room. He started a roll call, alphabetically arranged.
The first ones up were Hannah Abbot and Seamus Finnigan who performed the Jelly-Legs Jinx. Susan Bones and Lavender Brown were next and the list went on until finally, Hermione and Pansy were called to take their place in the center of the room.
"Ready?" Hermione asked her partner who grinned.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Pansy answered.
Hermione nodded. "On three... One, two, three... Locomotor Mortis!" and Pansy's legs immediately began to feel numb. She couldn't move them at all. She smiled at the Gryffindor Golden Girl.
"Success as usual, Ms. Granger," Pansy grinned and Hermione grinned back. She performed the counter-curse and the numbness immediately lifted.
"Well done, Ms. Granger and Ms. Parkinson. The two girls went back to their seats. They didn't mind the class after that. They just continued on their chatter, Pansy trying to get as much information needed for Draco and Hermione who seemed oblivious of Pansy's hidden agenda.
"So there really is nothing going on between Weasley and you?"
"No, I guess not. But I think he's kinda expecting something from me. Before the war, we were sort of an item but when the war ended, I sort of drifted off..."
"Why is that?" Pansy asked with interest but Hermione seemed deep in thought. Then realizing that she might be lurking on dangerous ground, she immediately said, "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. You must be thinking how nosy I am. You don't have to answer."
Hermione smiled at her. "It's not that. It's just... I kinda don't know how to explain it."
"Have you talked to him about it?"
The Head Girl shook her head. "No. I've had a lot in my mind lately and I'm not even sure on what I want to say to him about it."
"You know, it's better if you tell him straight off if you're still interested or not. That way, he'll stop expecting and you won't hurt him as badly as you would if you continue to prolong this," Pansy stated matter-of-factly.
"I don't want to hurt him," Hermione answered.
"Well, the only way in which you won't be able to hurt him is by continuing where you guys left off." Their attention was snapped back to the class when Professor Weasley called Draco and Harry to show the class their spell.
Draco pointed his wand at Harry with a hesitant expression on his face. Ron was glaring at him but the others watched them with interest. Harry nodded at him to just cast it and to boost his confidence and he nodded back.
"Levicorpus," he murmured quietly and Harry grinned like an idiot as he dangled upside-down in the air. In a second, Draco casted the counter-curse Harry once again, felt the floor underneath his feet with, "Liberacorpus."
Professor Weasley looked a little sheepish. "Well, that was actually very well done but, that spell wasn't exactly on any of your past syllabi," he said.
"Oh," Draco and Harry said in unison. Their professor was right. Draco got that spell from the Gryffindors on their sixth year and that was the only time he ever heard of that jinx. Harry on the other hand, got that on Snape's old Potions book under the name 'The Half-Blood Prince' but their new D.A.D.A professor didn't really need to know about that even if he was practically a father to him.
"So..." Professor Weasley trailed off and then shrugged. "I guess I'll just give you three points for that instead of five. Three points each to Slytherin and Gryffindor. Next, Mr. Mclaggen and your partner?" Zacharias Smith, a Hufflepuff stood up. "Okay, Mr. Smith."
Harry and Draco strode over their seats. "Sorry," Draco said. "I was the one who suggested it. I didn't even realize that that particular spell wasn't written on any of our old textbooks until Professor Weasley said so."
"I should've thought about it too. I got that from Snape's old Potions Book," Harry replied, scratching his head. "It wasn't really your fault."
"Wait, what?" Draco asked in confusion. What did Snape and his old Potions book had to do with anything?
"I'll tell you later. It's actually a very long story," Harry answered.
The last to be called was Ron who partnered up with Blaise to everyone's surprise. Ron raised his eyebrow as if asking permission but with a tinge of hostility. Blaise just smirked at him and beckoned him to just do it.
"Incarcerous!" and instantly, a mass of conjured ropes snaked itself on Blaise's body. He just continued to smirk until Ron casted the counter-curse.
"Well done, well done," Professor Weasley smiled proudly at his son. "Ten points both to Slytherin and Gryffindor."
The two boys swept through the back and resumed on their seats, not talking. Blaise's smirk was never wiped off from his face. He just loved pissing the Weasel off. Professor Weasley again claimed his place in front and told them what a marvellous first day it was and that he was proud to see that everyone seemed to have at least learned something from their past professors. In a few more minutes, he dismissed them and the students started filing out to the halls.
###
"I have Arithmancy next," Hermione said as she took her books and stacked them neatly and quickly inside her book bag. She then took a look on her watch and saw that it was already 10:25 AM which meant that she only had five minutes to get to her next class.
"I don't get you, Hermione. Some people would've liked to just spend some time to relax," Ron said with a bored voice.
"Well, some people want their brains put into good use. And aside from that, I happen to enjoy a challenge," she stood up, gave a parting smile and walked out of the room for her next lesson.
"I've had enough challenges to last me a lifetime. What say you, mate?" he asked Harry who just chuckled.
"I have to agree with you on that one," Harry said.
"Oy, Weasley!" Blaise called after them when they've just exited the classroom. The two boys looked behind them and saw the Head Boy, a grin on his face, with Draco.
"What is it now, Zabini? Frankly, I don't really like spending time with any of your lot," Ron said and he winced when he received a shove on his side from Harry.
"I was gonna ask if you were gonna join the Dance Committee," Blaise said.
Ron just snorted. "Are you kidding me? That's girl stuff and I have better things to do."
"Alright then," he turned to Harry. "I guess you'll be playing Quidditch instead, Potter?"
Harry looked a little guilty. "Well, yeah. Sorry, Zabini. I'm gonna have to pass."
Blaise just grinned at him. "It's okay. Draco, here, will make sure the ball will become a success," he said teasingly to which he was rewarded with a well-practiced scowl from the blonde.
"Shut it, Blaise," he muttered. They started walking again to the direction of the courtyard, teasing and joking about like old friends. They started to discuss Quidditch and the problem of finding decent team members.
"I don't even know where to begin. Our last hope is the notice on the bulletin board," Harry said as he took a seat on one of the stone benches. Ron and Draco followed suit, Ron behind him and Draco on his far left. Blaise chose to lie down on the grass, his eyes closed, a grin plastered on his face.
"I can give you a suggestion from Slytherin," Draco said quietly, his eyes set on the trees surrounding the whole place. "Miles Bletchley's a pretty good keeper. No pun intended, Weasley."
Ron grumbled something unintelligible behind them but Draco didn't take heed of him. "He's a decent chaser too. Blaise can ask him," he continued and Blaise nodded his head in agreement.
"One down," Harry said. "Thanks, Malfoy." Draco just gave a curt nod.
"Man, I wish I could just join Quidditch. Planning a ball sucks and we haven't even started it yet," Blaise complained to which Draco just grinned.
"I do not envy you," Ron muttered.
"And think about the pressure of asking a girl out," Harry said, remembering the days before the Yule Ball and having to ask Cho Chang only to be rejected since she'd already accepted the late Cedric Diggory's offer. "Embarrassing."
"You're taking the Weaselette?" Blaise asked and Harry nodded.
"Don't call my sister that!" Ron yelled.
"Sheesh, Weasley. It's a nickname of her I'm particularly fond of. I didn't mean anything by it," Blaise said in defence and Harry tried to settle Ron.
"Easy mate," he said and Ron sat back down and mumbled profanities under his breath.
"Have you decided on taking anyone?" Draco asked Blaise who shrugged.
"I don't know yet. You?" he asked back.
Draco shook his head. "I'm not sure either."
"Who do you have in mind?"
"None of your fucking business."
"Jesus Christ, you're all so sensitive today. Aren't you all forgetting I'm Head Boy?" Blaise swore and shook his head in disbelief. They were definitely acting like they're on their period or something.
"Then stop talking, you bastard," Ron said.
"Woah, woah," they heard a girl's voice and they all turned to see who it was. Pansy walked towards them with Ginny and Luna, the three of them carrying snacks. "I should've known not to leave you boys alone."
Ginny giggled and sat beside Harry who immediately put an arm around her. "Cookie?" she offered her boyfriend who gladly took some. The other guys also took their share of the food and the discomfiting air instantly faded away.
####
The bell rang an hour and a half later signalling the start of the students and the faculty's lunch break. Hermione arranged her books and stacked them neatly in her bag before slipping it on her back. Once outside the classroom they used for Arithmancy that school year, she saw Justin Finch-Fletchley, a relieved smile on his face.
"There, you are," he said, panting. "I've been asked to look for you by the Headmaster. He wants to see you in his office before you head on to lunch."
"Do you know what for?" Hermione asked.
Justin shook his head. "Sorry, but no. Hey, have you any idea where Zabini is? I've been looking for him everywhere."
She shook her head in answer and Justin's face fell. "But maybe you should try the Slytherin Dungeons. He might be with his fellow housemates," she said and he nodded in thanks.
"See you, Hermione," and with a wave of goodbye, he sprinted to the dungeons while she proceeded to the directions of the Headmaster's office.
Hermione stopped in front of the stone gargoyles guarding the office and muttered, "Ariana." She stepped over the ascending staircase and steadily walked over to the door. She knocked and Professor Aberforth immediately beckoned for her to come in.
Inside the office, she saw Professor Aberforth Dumbledore sitting behind his desk, a slight smile on his face while a man sat on one of the comfortable chairs in the office. He had dirty-blonde hair, serene eyes and a ready smile already plastered on his face. He looked quite young and undeniably handsome.
Hermione was about to ask who he was and what was going on when the Headmaster said, "Ms. Granger, this is our new Muggle Studies professor, Mr. Malcolm Wright."
The said professor stood up, smiled and extended a hand for her to shake. "Pleasure to meet you Ms. Granger. I'm looking forward to working with you," he said with a calm and soothing voice as Hermione politely shook his hand and said, "Pleased to meet you, too, Professor."
To the Headmaster, she asked with confusion, "Professor Aberforth, if I might ask, what is the meaning of this? What work?"
Professor Aberforth chuckled. "We will get to that Ms. Granger. Once your fellow head, Mr. Zabini, arrives." And as if on cue, someone knocked on the Headmaster's door and he immediately granted the Head boy permission to come in, but, it wasn't Blaise Zabini. Justin peered inside, a sheepish look on his face.
"Dear boy, where is Mr. Zabini" Professor Aberforth asked.
"Uh," Justin began. "I couldn't find him anywhere, sir."
The Headmaster sighed. "Very well, then. Thank you, Mr. Finch-Fletchley. You may go," he dismissed and the prefect nodded before leaving the room and the door closed. Professor Aberforth turned his attention to Hermione and asked, "I trust you'll just inform Mr. Zabini about our incoming discussion once you see him?"
"Yes, sir."
"Alright. Let us begin," he said and nodded at the new professor. "Professor Wright will be the new Muggle Studies professor, replacing the late Professor Charity Burbage. He is a Muggleborn like you, Ms. Granger. That's why I know you two will get along well. He'll be able to help in the year's activities in promoting House Unity and once and for all, banishing the Pureblood prejudices surrounding the atmosphere in this school."
"Right," Hermione nodded. "And what are the plans then, sir?"
"I'll leave the three of you, including Mr. Zabini, with the planning," then he took out a piece of rolled parchment and extended it to her. She took it and asked silently the permission to read it. The Headmaster nodded and she opened it up.
To All Hogwarts Students:
You are all required to attend Muggle Studies class this year in accordance to this year's activities regarding House Unity. This class will ensure each and every one of you into accepting co-existence between magical and non-magical beings and the Muggle and Wizarding Worlds. In this subject, you will learn new things, interesting and fun things so that you may understand and gain a new perspective in your lives. This, hopefully, would also diffuse the tension between the four houses and the infamous rivalry as well.
Below is a list of schedules in which you are all required to follow depending on your year:
First years – MWF 10:30 AM - 11:30 NN (Potions class will be moved to 4:30 in the afternoon)
Second years – MWF 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Third years – MWF 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Fourth years – TTh 10:00 AM - 12:00 NN
Fifth years – TTh 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Sixth years – F 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Seventh years – F 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Thank you for your cooperation.
Signed:
Professor Aberforth Dumbledore
"Professor," Hermione lifted her gaze to the old man. "I've finished my Muggle Studies class eight years ago. Am I still supposed to attend?" she asked but then, just remembered that the professor who would be teaching that particular class was also there. She flushed in embarrassment. "I... I didn't mean it that way, Professor Wright." The young professor just chuckled.
"Well," Professor Aberforth nodded in understanding, "I know that of course, Ms. Granger. But you are the Head Girl and we need you to keep up appearances and show a good example to your fellow students. I am sorry to say that you'll need to attend this class as well."
"It's not as if I don't want to attend Professor. Please don't be offended. I really am sorry," she said to Professor Wright.
"No offense taken, Ms. Granger. I'm glad you're being thoroughly honest. Professor Dumbledore," he turned to the Headmaster. "I don't think there's a need for her to attend at all. I'm pretty sure she already knows what I'll be teaching everyone. She is after all," he returned his warm gaze back to Hermione who was still blushing in embarrassment, "The Brightest Witch of Her Age". The men stared at her and she felt really uncomfortable so she breathed a sigh.
"I... I'll attend," she finally said and the two professors smiled at that.
"Well then, this meeting is finished," Professor Aberforth stretched and stood up. "You may go, Ms. Granger. Post that parchment at the bulletin board for everyone to see," then to the both of them, "Good day."
Hermione rolled the parchment again and walked away towards the door, Professor Wright following her. They descended the staircase together, not really speaking. Then to her amazement, the young professor was chuckling. "I'm sorry Ms. Granger. It just... It seems a bit surreal for me," he explained as they climbed out of the staircase, past the two stone gargoyles.
Hermione looked confused. "What is, sir?" she asked as they walked to the direction of the Great Hall.
"Being here. It brings back a lot of memories when I was in school. I was a Gryffindor, myself," he began. "That was seven years ago. I have to say, it feels good to be home," he said, his smile full of warmth and joy.
"The three of us felt that way as well, sir," Hermione nodded in understanding.
"The three of you?" he asked and then somehow he understood and nodded. "You're talking about Harry Potter and your other friend."
"Yeah. It feels nostalgic, being back here. Reminiscing the days before the war. It's refreshing and a bit sad sometimes," she said slowly. "Everything looks the same but somehow, we know and feel that it's somehow different."
"Everyone lost someone they loved in the war," he said quietly, his eyes suddenly lost their warmth, replacing it was a tormented and glazed look. It looked haunted.
Hermione nodded. "Yes. And nothing can really be exactly the same."
Professor Wright also nodded as they stopped behind the doors of the Great Hall. "Never again," he murmured almost indistinctly. Then he changed his facial expressions and smiled at his student. "Well, Ms. Granger, it was a pleasure meeting you. I'll see you in class," he said.
"Nice meeting you too, sir," she said and gave a small smile. She entered first and proceeded to pin the rolled parchment on the bulletin board before proceeding and going over to her friends by the Gryffindor table.
After the job was done, she walked over to her house table and she saw that some Slytherins were also sitting there. It still seemed utterly bizarre but she felt comfortable. Weird but, pleasant. She greeted them and took her seat beside Luna who was again sitting beside Draco who sat beside Pansy. She saw Blaise across the table and gave him a nod. She also noticed that Theodore Nott was also there, eating and chatting with Seamus and Dean about Quidditch probably.
"Where've you been 'Mione?" Ron asked in between shoving food inside his mouth.
"Yeah, we were kinda worried you got sick or something," Harry added.
"Professor Aberforth called for me. And speaking of that," she raised a brow at Blaise. "Where've you been, Zabini? Justin reported that you've disappeared or something."
"We were hanging around in the courtyard and then moved to the Heads' Common Room," he answered. "Why? What happened?" he asked, feigning interest.
She rolled her eyes. Honestly, it's annoying that they didn't give a care in the world about the tasks at hand but funny at the same time because here they were, promoting House Unity and stuff and there they are, Slytherins at heart but eating with Gryffindors and discussing Quidditch with them like long-time friends. She tried her best to stop from smiling. "There's a new professor for Muggle Studies and we're all required to attend/"
"What?" Ron exclaimed. "Another bloody subject!" he groaned.
"Muggle Studies?" Seamus scoffed. "That's the biggest bullshit I've ever heard."
"You swear again, Seamus, I'll deduct points from my own house," Hermione warned and Seamus immediately quieted down and returned to his chatting with Theo.
"It can't be that bad," Blaise said, to Hermione's surprise. "I mean nothing can ever compare to Potions with Snape."
"True," Harry and Draco nodded in agreement. Hermione stopped herself again from grinning from ear to ear. The two ex-enemies were getting along quite well. Whoever thought she'd see this day?
"I'm sure it'll be loads of fun. Some Muggle stuff are pretty neat. Especially those computer thingies," Pansy added and smiled at Hermione and smiled back.
"My god, Dad won't stop mentioning those computer thingies at home. I'm sure him and the new professor are getting along quite well," Ginny said and then chuckled at the thought.
"Maybe I should persuade Father to teach at Hogwarts," Luna said absent-mindedly. "He can teach Care of Magical Creatures. He loved that subject. What do you think, Dra?"
"Uh, yeah sure, Lovegood," Draco nodded. "That might be cool."
The girls except Luna giggled. "Might," they all mouthed to each other and Draco caught that and he grinned.
When they were about finished eating, a crowd had gathered by the bulletin board and Hermione knew what was coming and what they're in for. A loud chattering, grumbling, groaning, whining and scoffing began circling the Great Hall as they read the announcement.
"Bloody hell! Friday at 7:30 AM? Is that for real?" one of the male students exclaimed. He's probably a seventh year and soon, others were complaining and Hermione sighed. Oh well, so much for peace, quiet and House Unity. Maybe they should also take a class to promote maturity. Yeah, that would be a pleasant and rather clever idea.
Harry stood up, "Should we go and see what's written?" and the others followed, Slytherins included. They pushed their way through the immense crowd of students and finally reached the board and stared up at the piece of parchment responsible for everyone's complaints.
When they all reached the part about the schedules, they started complaining too (except Hermione, of course). "What the hell?" Ron swore. "So that's why that bloke was upset. This is freaking torture!"
"Ronald, it's just a class," Ginny said and rolled her eyes at her brother.
"At seven in the morning?" he scoffed. "Perfect. Just the way to end my years of schooling!" he said and walked out of the hall.
Harry sighed. "I'd better follow him. You coming Gin?" he asked his girlfriend who shook her head.
"Are you kidding? You run along now to your best mate," she giggled and he snorted.
"Some sister you are," he teased and kissed her in front of everyone.
"Get a room! Or I'll deduct points," Blaise joked and Harry just laughed.
"Shove it, Zabini. I'll see you guys later," he said and ran after Ron, the pain in the arse.
"Damn, is he immature or what?" Ginny sighed in exasperation. They all headed to the Heads' Dormitories (more of a suite really) to hang out and relax. "'Mione, whatever you saw in my brother beats the shit out of me," she said to her friend.
"I think she doesn't see anything anymore, Ginny," Luna said.
" Right, uhm, speak human?" Pansy grinned at her and Luna nodded and gave her a dreamy smile back.
"She's not interested in Ron anymore," Luna answered.
Hermione sighed. "Can we please not talk about me as if I'm not here?"
"Sorry, 'Mione," Ginny grinned at her and she turned to look at the boys behind them. Theo, Blaise and Draco were still there and they nodded at her.
"Jesus," Blaise said. "All that for a piece of rolled parchment."
"I dunno about you but I think it's a good change," Draco said. "I mean, getting to learn things from Muggles. All that technology and stuff."
"Mate, you sure have changed," Blaise chuckled.
"Shut it," Draco muttered.
"Oooohh.. Theo," he whispered dramatically to their friend. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Theo nodded mischievously. Then together, they chanted, "DRACO'S GOT IT BAD! DRACO'S GOT IT BAD! DRACO'S GOT IT BAD!"
They all laughed at that except Draco who was turning pink. The girls joined in the teasing, "DRACO'S GOT IT BAD! DRACO'S GOT IT BAD!"
Man, has he got it bad. And for Hermione Granger, no less. Whoever thought that someday, he'll be quite interested in the things Hermione stood up for. Her heritage. Her whole being. He hated to admit it, but he HAD IT REAL BAD. All thanks to that piece of parchment, his secret's now unsafe.
####
He stirred awake in a deserted room, his hands tied up behind him. His feet were tied up together as well. "W-where am I?" he murmured taking in his surroundings. He had been sleeping on a bed and he wondered how long he'd been out cold.
"Melody? Are you here?" he called out. "Melody?" And then he remembered. His older sister was dead. Brutally killed in the war. His beautiful, innocent, kind-hearted sister was gone. And then a memory struck him.
"No..." he whispered. "Cole? Cole! You can't do this!" he yelled. "Help me! Please! Someone, help!" A lot of people are in grave danger. He has to do something about it. "Cole you have to stop this! You can't do this! Think of what she would've felt if she could see you now. Cole, you can't be this way! If you loved my sister that much, you must know! You must know avenging her in cold blood won't make her happy. You can't kill innocent people!"
"Innocent?" a cool voice was heard and the boy turned to the man who sprung came in from the door. "You call those Deatheaters innocent?" he approached the boy and set down a tray of food on the bed. "You don't know what you're talking about, Reed."
The man uttered a spell and the conjured ropes disappeared. "Eat," he said. "I won't have you die of starvation."
"Then why have you kept me here? If you're not going to kill me," the boy named Reed asked in suspicion.
"To keep you safe and to keep you quiet. I can't have you running around telling everyone about my plans," he answered the question as if it was quite obvious.
"So you're not here to kill me?"
"No, Reed. I won't kill my fiancee's dear baby brother."
"I hate it when you guys patronize me! Cole, this is wrong! Don't you get it? Yeah, my sister's dead. But a normal person wouldn't do this! A normal person would, let go... Move on! She'd want you to move on with your life! Don't do this Cole," Reed said. "Please..."
The man's grey eyes suddenly softened a bit. "I can't live without her. I can't live without Melody," he said, tears glistening in his eyes. Reed was crying now in front of him, scared and hurt that the man he'd looked up to all those years is in this state.
"Reed, please... Try to understand. I need my revenge."
"Leave this to the authorities. To Harry Potter and -"
"I HAVE NO USE FOR POTTER NOW!" he screeched making the boy recoil in fright. "HE IS TOO BUSY BEFRIENDING HIS ENEMIES. OUR ENEMIES." He started pacing. "Those Deatheaters are nothing but scum. They deserve to die. Melody wouldn't have died if they never existed. They will pay, Reed. I assure you. I will avenge your sister. I will avenge all of us."
"No, Cole! Stop right now!" Reed yelled but it was too late. The man had left the room leaving him alone in God knows where, a tray of food on his bed.
Author's Note:
Hey guys! Soooo... I'm starting to sound like Pansy. LOL! How do you like the story so far? Is it okay? Is it getting boring? Am I living up to everyone's expectations? Feel free to review! And if you want to ask questions or talk to me, you can always add me up on facebook: .com
Or, you can subscribe and add me as a friend on youtube. Just search for ciaron121709
Of course you can also follow me on twitter under the name ravenclaw_ish
By the way, I am so sorry for the super late update! I just had a lot of things in my mind and I was sort of in the depression hole for the past few weeks. My God! I can't believe it's six days before Christmas! Aren't you guys excited? :DDD
Hopefully, I can post the next chapter within a few days. I'd really appreciate your reviews regarding the story. I bet you guys are wondering who the man with the grey eyes is. And of course, who is the boy named Reed? LOL obviously, they're original characters and this is sort of the key to the story. I've finally introduced the new professor, the boy named Reed and the villain of the story. Plus, there's also the mysterious Melody. Who is she? Why did she die? And how? Lots of questions and no answers for the time being coz that will be explained in the few chapters to come. :D
I'm glad to be out of depression for awhile. I'll see you guys soon! For more updates, just visit any of my web accounts
With love from my DraMione heart,
Ish :*