Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; J.K. Rowling does. I do, however, own this story's plot.
Chapter 5
Sudden Event
Lucius groaned as he surfaced towards consciousness. He blinked several times through his bleary vision, glaring at the sunlight streaming through his windows. He could've sworn he had those curtains closed last night.
Perhaps someone opened it. He thought, shutting his eyes. Then his eyes shot open once again. Someone was in my room? This thought brought him from his drowsiness and he quickly sat up, bending over to clutch his head at the sudden movement.
Blast this hangover.
He cautiously opened turned his head to look at his bedside table and saw a pepper up potion. Thanking the potions master graciously, he uncorked the vial and downed it within seconds. Placing the vial back down on the bedside table with a satisfied sigh, Lucius felt his headache fade away seconds later.
Getting from his bed, he made his way towards the window and looked outside. Seeing nothing but an empty field, he headed towards his closet and picked out his outfit – a dark robe with silver lining, fitted to his body. Putting it on, he headed towards the dining room and found a surprise.
Gryffindors – with the exception of Draco and Severus, overran his dining room table. Although Lovegood was a Ravenclaw, she might as well be considered a Gryffindor with the amount of time she spent with them. Lucius walked in and walked by the teenagers – eliciting instant silence as the teens watched the blond walked towards the head of the table.
Taking his seat, he looked down the dining room table. On his right sat Severus, on his left sat Draco. Going down the line, Harry sat next to Draco and by Harry's left was Neville. On Snape's right was Hermione and on her right was Luna.
The silence was tense and everyone knew it except for Harry. The Gryffindor only looked back and forth between everyone's faces – seeming to be gauging everyone's expression as to why everyone was stiff.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of having extra guests in my home?" Lucius finally asked, raising a petite eyebrow as he looked at the extra teenagers.
Draco cleared his throat and Lucius brought his attention towards his son. Draco let out a breath before he faced his father and said, "The Dark Lord ordered – well, he didn't actually insist that they stay. But –"
"Tom allowed them to stay here!" Harry burst out happily, interrupting the Slytherin's bumbling.
I thought I would have to correct Draco's stuttering. Lucius sniffed, before giving Draco a look that said, "Malfoys don't stutter nor do they stumble on their words." His son could only bow his head in apology, before the two blonds turned their attention to the Gryffindor glowing beside Draco.
"Did he now?" Lucius said.
"I hope you don't mind Lucius. After all, they're Harry's friends." Drawled a voice entering the room.
Snape, Draco and Lucius got up from their seats and bent a knee, bowing to their Dark Lord. If the atmosphere couldn't get any tenser, it just did as the source of all evil entered the dining room. With a wave of his hand, the three got up and stood by their seats, waiting for the Dark Lord to take his place first.
"Why are the seats so far apart? We should get closer." Tom said, as he whipped out his wand. With a flick of his wrist, the dining table shortened until it easily fit all eight people. Of course, that meant the Dark Lord was sitting right next to Neville and Luna.
"Now, how about some breakfast?" he asked, as the three took their seats once more.
Lucius nodded his head before calling Tippy to send in breakfast. The house-elf popped in at his summons and popped back out after receiving its order. Seconds later, the table was filled with food.
Everyone chuckled when they saw Harry's eyes widened at the copious amount of food lining the table. Everyone was certainly most surprised when they heard the Dark Lord himself chuckle at Harry's excitement at the use of magic.
As they watched the green-eyed Gryffindor lift a hand towards the food, they saw a pale hand stretch out before giving Harry's hand a light slap. Harry pouted at Draco as he retracted his hand and the blond could only chastise the Gryffindor stating, "Etiquette in the Malfoy Manor is most important."
Lucius beamed inwardly, though he knew Harry wouldn't understand why proper manners were enforced at home. The Dark Lord laughed at the remark, before telling Harry that it was alright to eat.
Harry looked at Tom carefully before returning a look at Draco. With a heavy sigh and a roll of his eyes, Draco allowed the Gryffindor to eat. Smiling, Harry piled his plate high with food before eating. And that's when everyone started his or her own meal.
"Harry, with the amount of food you have, you make it seem like you been starving your whole life." Neville said, trying to crack a joke.
Harry froze at the comment before slowly placing his spoon down onto his plate – appetite suddenly gone. The blond beside Harry noticed his change before setting down his own fork and turned to him.
"Are you alright Harry?" he asked worriedly.
Everyone turned to look when they heard Draco speak before seeing Harry with a closed off look in his face. His complexion seemed paler than usual and his body seemed to be filled with slight tremors here and there.
The brunet shook his head, tears welling up at the corner of his eyes. Draco frowned before removing himself from his seat, pulling Harry from his own and sitting back down in his seat with Harry in his lap. He soothingly rubbed Harry's back while the Gryffindor hid his face at the crook of Draco's neck.
He's crying. Draco thought, as he felt his neck becoming wetter with Harry's tears. He shot a glare at the Gryffindor that was sitting beside Harry before kissing the crown of Harry's head.
What's wrong? Please tell me.
The Dursleys... Harry sniffled. They would use food as punishment. If I ever did anything bad, they would send me to my cupboard and I sometimes wouldn't even get food to eat.
Draco felt his anger soar and soon everyone at the dining table felt a crackle of electricity erupting from the Slytherin. The audience's eyes widened in shock as they watched Draco fighting to control his anger. They saw Harry cuddle closer to the blond before Draco wrapped his arms securely around him.
All of them? Draco could barely contain the growl threatening to erupt.
No. Sniffled Harry. Just my uncle. Aunt Petunia would give me some food whenever he wasn't looking. Dudley tried to help a couple of times, but he would always get punished. Although it was just a couple of smacks. But during those times, I would get hit too. He thought I was changing his son.
Draco took several deep breaths to calm down, all the while realizing that he was emitting electricity from his body. Looking down to make sure he wasn't hurting Harry, he saw that the Gryffindor didn't even realize he was practically electrical.
The blue strands of electricity soon faded away as his anger did. Draco gently patted Harry's head before he looked up to see everyone watching him.
"Electricity Draco?" His father asked.
"First I've ever seen it." Draco answered.
The Dark Lord quietly watched the scene unfold before him, thinking it was interesting that the young blond Slytherin was practically shooting electricity when angry.
I must look into this. He thought, though a giggle pulled him from his thoughts. He watched the blond Ravenclaw beside him look at him with a gaze that seemed to know all the answers, before she looked away to stare at the Slytherin – Gryffindor pair.
Interesting, very interesting. He mused, removing his gaze from the blond beside him to watch Draco encourage Harry to continue eating to his heart's content. But he let out a chuckle when he heard Harry tell the blond he couldn't possibly eat the food the Slytherin was currently piling on to the top of the food he had already gotten. That stopped the blond quick as a whistle, before Draco removed some food off of Harry's plate and onto his own.
"There, now we can share and you can eat the food on your plate." Draco smirked.
Giving the Slytherin a shy smile, Harry slowly ate while sitting on Draco's lap. Draco's comfortable lap. He wiggled a bit. Draco's very very comfortable lap. Though the Gryffindor didn't know what he was doing to the blond until he felt something poking at him from underneath and felt a pair of hands still his movement.
Better stop before something happens that I won't regret. The blond thought, as he mentally caressed the brunet sitting on his lap. He let out a warm breath by Harry's neck, feeling the brunet stiffening as his senses took control.
Letting out a mental chuckle, Draco felt Harry melt into his embrace before continuing to eat his food. As thus, breakfast resumed.
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"Harry, we shall continue on with your studies."
The Gryffindor groaned in exasperation. "Isn't there anything fun to do around here besides studying?" He laid his head down onto his arms.
"I refuse to do any more school work. I want to have fun. Didn't you tell me this is summer break?"
"Ah, there's the Harry we know and love." Neville said, clapping Harry on his back.
"What?" Harry peered from his little hideout between his arms.
"You didn't think the Harry we knew loved studying did you? No, he loved flying. Quidditch mostly, but flying came close." Neville explained.
"Quidditch? What's that?"
"Blimey. I can't believe we've forgotten that you've forgotten." Neville said, slapping his forehead.
"Is anyone else going to explain to me or is Neville going to have to continue speaking through breakfast?" Harry joked.
"Right, well Quidditch is a Wizard's game – on broomsticks. Quite fun and exhilarating actually." Hermione said.
"You would know." Draco said, lifting an eyebrow. "You don't even play."
"And I suppose you do." Harry said, turning to the smirking blond.
"Of course. I'm Slytherin's seeker. The best there is in fact."
Luna giggled while the other Gryffindors snorted, covering up their laughter.
"I don't suppose you're very good at it." Harry said.
"I'm the best." The Slytherin replied in a haughty tone of voice.
"Very well. I order you to teach me this Quidditch."
"You order me?" Draco asked, giving Harry a 'are you seriously talking to me in that tone' kind of look.
"Please, oh wise and sly Slytherin of whom I couldn't think of living without." Harry said dramatically, raising his arms up and down as if to hail the blond Slytherin.
Lucius and Severus only raised an eyebrow at Harry's dramatics before clearing their plates. Tom watched on in silence, seeing how Draco would react to Harry's response. After the plates had vanished the plates away towards the kitchen sink, the gang stood up out of their chair.
"What better way to work off breakfast than a good game of Quidditch?" Draco asked.
"But you haven't got enough players for each team." Luna said dreamily.
"I don't suppose you're willing to host several more guests, would you Lucius?" Harry asked, giving the older blond a full-blown, green wide-eyed look with pouty lips to boot.
Before the blond could reply, Tom spoke. "No, Lucius wouldn't mind." He turned to look at Lucius as if daring him to disagree with his decision. When the blond tilted his head in agreement, Harry thanked the blond with another hug.
"This is great! I can call uh… hmm… what was his name again Hermione?"
"Ron. Ronald Weasley."
"Yes! That's him." Draco withheld a tsk when he heard that his house would be overrun by the redheaded blood traitors of the pure blooded family. "Merlin, I can't believe I've forgotten my best friend's name. So I've heard he has several siblings?"
"Yes, six actually. First Bill Weasley – but his real name's William. Then it's Charlie, Percy, Fred and George, Ron and finally Ginevra Weasley, but she goes by Ginny." Hermione listed.
"Wow, must've been trying very hard for that girl." Harry joked, only to receive deadpanned looks his way. Clearing his throat he changed his words, "Do they all play Quidditch?"
"Yeah, Fred and George were Gryffindor Beaters, you were Gryffindor Seeker and Team Captain, Ginny was Chaser and Ron was Keeper. Not sure what Bill and Charlie were, but I heard they were great players as well when they were on the team."
"Cool! So, we can call them all over, that should be enough right?"
"No, there's actually several players on each team. There are seven players on each team, to be precise - three Chasers, two Beaters, one keeper and one seeker. But, the team is allowed to have substitutes. Besides, Charlie's in Romania and Bill's in Egypt."
"Draco," the brunet turned, rounding up on the surprised blond, "Do your friends play? We can make it a Gryffindor versus Slytherin match. I'm sure that it would please you to no end if you were to win. After all, haven't your house been trying to beat the Gryffindor house ever since first year?"
The Gryffindor was smiling cheekily at the Slytherin, knowing that he had somehow hurt Draco's ego. "Alright then. I accept the challenge, but let's make it a little bit more interesting." Draco said, feeling up to the challenge.
"Winners make the losers do whatever they want. For an entire week and they must not complain about it." Draco proposed.
"Winners?"
"Yes, not just one person. The entire winning team of the Quidditch game will choose one person on the losing side to do their bidding for an entire week."
Draco smirked when he saw Harry mull over the option presented to him. Finally after a couple of minutes of inner battle, Harry brought gleaming green eyes to amused silver ones. "I accept. Better hope you don't lose Malfoy."
"Be back in an hour. On the Quidditch field."
Draco barked out a laugh, leaving everyone in the dining room as he headed towards the nearest fireplace.
All eyes turned on Harry once the blond left the room. Neville was the first to speak. "Are you sure about this Harry? You may have five years experience under your belt, but your mind is that of a first year, even before then." "
"Besides, Draco's been playing Quidditch his entire life." Everyone turned to look at Hermione. "That's what I'm assuming the Quidditch pitch out back is for." She said, annoyed by everyone's blatant surprise at her defense for Draco.
"Do you want him to win?" Harry said, smiling.
"Heavens no. I'm sure we'll end up a part of this bet, so of course I'll be rooting for you." She said, waving away Harry's amused expression.
"Good, because since we'll only have five players, you and Neville will make a total of seven."
"What?! You cannot possibly believe that Neville and I will be able to play a game of Quidditch."
"Why not? I'm sure you can play."
"Harry, sure Neville and I are able to ride on our broomsticks. But, we've never even had any experience in Quidditch before."
"Well, time's a wasting. We must gather up the others and bring them here. Off we go!" Harry said, bouncing out the room. After a couple of minutes, his head poked back into the dining room. "Well? What are you all waiting for? We're wasting time! We only have an hour!" And then he bounded out.
A couple of seconds later, he bounded back in. "Oh by the way, how do we communicate with them?"
"We can head over to Ron's place by using the floo network. Could we use yours Mister Malfoy?"
Nodding his head, Lucius sent the children off; however, Luna was the only one that stayed behind.
"Are you waiting for an invitation, Miss Lovegood?"
"On the contrary, I would like to have a word with Tom." The blonde said, smiling at the Dark Lord dreamily. Looking at the Dark Lord, Snape and Lucius waited for his command. The Dark Lord sent them off with a wave of his hand and his attention never leaving the blond Ravenclaw's gaze.
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Silence loomed over the two individuals in the room, although neither one of them seemed to feel the least bit awkward about it. Nevertheless, Tom decided to break the silence first.
"Well Miss Lovegood? What would be so important that you'd have to have an audience with me, alone? Are you not afraid of death?"
The blonde Ravenclaw's eyes roamed his face before smiling towards him. "I'd like for you to remove your glamour Tom. After all, it's just the two of us here."
"What makes you think that you are worthy to see my real form?" Tom asked, quirking an eyebrow at the blonde.
Luna just smiled, tilted her head and gave a small giggle before the entire room started shaking. Tom looked around the room to see the chandelier hanging from the ceiling shaking with the Earth's enormous tremors. The china within the Malfoy's cabinet shook hard, though they shattered once colliding with the glass frames surrounding them.
Removing his eyes from the room's shaking interior, he turned his gaze towards the Ravenclaw, who seemed to have moved from her position from beside his side. She had appeared right next to him with her face a mere five inches from his own.
Luna's eyes were pearl white, hair gently floating around her small frame as if she were in water. And when she spoke the next few words, Tom could feel the power ebbing from her body, washing over him – threatening to drown him.
"I don't suppose you think I'm worthy now?" She asked, lifting the edges of her mouth in a slight smile, her eyes glowing even brighter than before.
"No, I still don't think you are." Tom said haughtily, putting on a front.
A loud creak echoed in the room before the dining table crumbled into pieces before Tom. Luna got up from her seat and slowly walked around Tom, observing him quietly. "Tom, Tom, Tom," she said, "Wouldn't you like to know why I am worthy?"
Tom looked at her amused. "Not really. I just know you're not worthy."
Quick as a flash, Luna had her hand wrapped around Tom's throat, lifting his bigger frame up into the air a couple of inches from the ground. Giving him a wide pearly teethed smile, she asked again, her voice growing darker, laced with evil.
"You think me worthy now?" Her fingers curled even tighter around Tom's throat with each word that passed through her mouth, suffocating his passageway – no doubt leaving fingerprints on his throat.
Tom tried to remain calm – or as calm as he ever could with someone, who was smaller than him, that was currently cutting off his oxygen intake. He lifted his hands up in an attempt to remove the Ravenclaw's hand from his person, but found he couldn't. He could only watch that dark smile grow in size and with each passing second, the blonde's hair whipped around her in a frenzy, no doubt with the increasing amount of power she was exhibiting.
"Now, I want to know why you would even think about harming my child." She asked, loosening her grasp only a fraction in order to allow the Dark Lord to speak.
"Y-Your child?" he rasped. "Harry Potter was born from James and Lily Potter."
"That is correct. However, he is my child in a different sense. And I would like to know what you plan on doing with him."
"Release me." He wheezed, as he felt her anger simmering just below the surface.
Instantly the Ravenclaw's fingers were removed from his throat and he dropped the last couple of inches onto the ground and stumbled back to his seat – which thankfully wasn't destroyed – lest he be sprawled onto the floor right about now.
"Answer my question." Luna pulled her skirt beneath her thighs and kneeled down towards the floor. However, instead of the tiled flooring beneath her person, grass grew from underneath, allowing her to sit comfortably. Now she was sitting and waiting patiently for his answer. "I don't like to be kept waiting."
Tom rubbed his throat gingerly and watched wide-eyed at the power she was exhibiting. "I plan on gaining his trust. After that, we can take care of that old fool. And seeing as you seem to have a large amount of power, will you not retrieve his memories for him?"
The Dark Lord waited for an answer from the individual before him. Then, he saw the grass retreating back underneath the ground and saw the blonde's hair gently falling back into place on top of her shoulders. Her eyes returned to their normal shade of silvery grey.
"That's good. It's all going according to plan." She then got up from her seat and skipped out of the room without a glance back.
Tom watched her take her leave in bewilderment. Going according to plan? I have been incorporated into her plan? I'm the Dark Lord. No one makes me their pawn.
The ticked Dark Lord got out of his chair with a growl. How dare that lowly Ravenclaw threaten him just moments ago only to skip out of the room like nothing had happened?
He strode out of the room in anger, too lost in his own thoughts and anger - not knowing that the room had been reverted to its previous state from before the tremors occurred when the blonde Ravenclaw had left the room.
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"Zabini Manor." Draco shouted, as he threw the floo powder into the fireplace. Watching the flames rise into the air, he took a deep breath and stuck his face into the green flames.
"Draco? What are you doing?" Blaise asked when he spotted the dismembered head in his family's fireplace.
"I've come to ask if you'd join me for a game of Quidditch. And if so, would you kindly round up the others and bring them over in an hour."
"But, Draco. That's only the seven of us. Who are we up against?"
"The Gryffindors, of course. Who did you think we'd go against?"
"The Gryffindors!" Blaise exclaimed, closing his book and giving the blond his full attention. "How'd you get a match with them? I thought you hated them."
"Well, we have an incentive for them. Grab the others and be here soon. I'll explain everything." Draco said, and his head disappeared from the flames, leaving Blaise alone with red flickering flames.
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"So, how does one use the floo network?" Harry asked, as he carefully inspected the Malfoy Manor's fireplace. With a thinker-like pose above the waist, Harry's feet took him back and forth in front of the empty fireplace. Neville stopped the Gryffindor before he could think too hard – laughing inwardly at his own joke.
"Here, why don't we show you how to use it." Neville said, motioning for Hermione to step into the fireplace. Harry watched as Hermione grabbed a handful of green powder.
"What's that?"
"Floo powder."
"The Burrow." Hermione shouted, throwing down the floo powder. Harry jumped when green flames erupted from the fireplace, covering Hermione. Within a couple of seconds, the flames died down and Hermione was gone.
"What the bloody hell?!" He cried, running to inspect the empty fireplace.
"That's how you use the floo network. You have to say your destination loudly and clearly or else you'll be taken somewhere else." Neville said.
"Alright." Harry gulped before stepping into the fireplace. Neville handed him the small pot of floo powder and stepped back.
"Remember, say The Burrow loudly and clearly." Neville said enunciating the words.
"Right." Harry nodded before looking forward. "The Burrow." He shouted and away he went.
Neville let out a relieved sigh. After hearing that Harry had wounded up in Knockturn Alley the first time he used Floo Powder, Neville was almost quite certain Harry would mess up this time. But he was glad the Gryffindor got it right this time, though it would be his 'first time' using the floo with amnesia.
The Gryffindor turned when he heard humming coming from the hallway and saw Luna skip into the room with a dazed smile on her face. "You coming Luna?"
"Yes. I'd like to see the Weasleys as well." She said, grabbing some floo powder and stepping into the fireplace. "The Burrow!" she cried, and she was whisked away. Neville was the last to follow and soon he too was gone.
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When Harry stumbled from the fireplace, he nearly sprawled across the rug, but a hand caught him by his arm and pulled him up with ease – as if it had be waiting for his tumble all along.
Harry looked up to see twins grinning from ear to ear – one of them was holding him up. Dusting himself off, he thanked them before asking where Hermione was.
"She went…"
"With Ginny…"
"To her room." They finished together.
And so, Harry was left standing there in awkwardness, not knowing how to tell them he had no clue who they were. I hope Neville comes soon! He thought, fidgeting.
A roar from the fireplace behind him had him spinning around in relief when he saw Luna step out followed by Neville after another roar of green flames. Luna gave the twins an airy smile before skipping out of the room. Neville dusted himself off before talking to the twins.
"Alright there Fred? George?"
"Alright Neville. Not that we're not happy to see you all here…"
"But what are you lot here for?"
Harry stepped behind Neville, tugging on his sleeve silently in hopes that Neville would get the hint that he was feeling uncomfortable dealing with people who knew him but he didn't remember.
"We're here to talk about a Quidditch match. But before that, Harry's got something to tell you guys." He turned to look at the Gryffindor who looked like a deer in the headlights.
Scowling at the grinning teen, Harry turned to look at the twins. "I'm sure we've met before, but I don't quite remember you all. You see, I've got amnesia."
"Did you get hit with a memory charm Harry?"
He looked at Neville questioningly. There are memory charms here?
Well of course there is Harry. You didn't think magic would have those too did you? Draco answered for him while Neville nodded at his silent question.
Bugger off twat. As of now until the end of the competition, we're opponents! I can't have you sneaking around in my head while we're setting up plays.
Alas, I'm hurt my dear. I thought you'd love to have me hanging around you. Harry soon felt a mental caress and his cheeks darkened. – all the while, Neville and the twins were watching his expressions with amusement.
"What's he doing?" Fred asked quietly.
"He seems to have telepathy, with Draco Malfoy himself." Neville answered back.
"That ferret? I'd wager he's been making Harry blush this entire time."
"I'd put a galleon on that. They've been at it for years. Finally, they're together."
"I wouldn't say they're together "together". They're just really … close." Neville finished awkwardly, not knowing how to describe the relationship between Harry and Draco.
Fred and George turned to each other before grinning wickedly and walked up besides Harry before throwing an arm around his shoulders, startling the Gryffindor out of his chat with the Slytherin.
"So Harry, we hear …"
"You like this bloke Draco."
The three Gryffindors watched with muffled laughter as Harry sputtered and grew red with embarrassment, trying to deny his feelings for the blond. Pulling Harry from the twins, Neville shook his head at them.
"Don't worry about them Harry, but it's true. We've seen how he acts towards you. You'd have to be blind not to see it. He really does have feelings for you."
Harry blushed. "You think so?"
"I know so."
"Well then, about this Quidditch match." Fred interrupted.
"Who's it with?"
"You'd never guess."
"Malfoy and his Slytherin gang?"
"Wow, how'd you know?"
"Please Harry…"
"If it's anything we know…"
"We'd know about that…"
"After all, you didn't expect us…"
"To believe you've found a place…"
"To play Quidditch from nowhere."
"That seems a bit harsh don't you think?" Neville said, frowning.
"No, no. I don't think so. After all, I'm quite poor. I don't see where I'd get a large Quidditch pitch anywhere besides the one at Draco's home." Harry said, disagreeing with Neville.
"But Harry, don't you see?"
"You're practically of age once your birthday arrives."
"What? Of age?"
"Yes. A wizard – "
"- or witch comes of age when it's their birthday."
"For some powerful ones …"
"They get a magical inheritance. It's sort of like a power boost." Neville spoke up.
"Hey!" The twins cried out, when Neville interrupted their explanation. Neville just grinned.
"Well, Malfoy's passed already. So, I'm assuming he's gotten his magical inheritance." Neville said. "Though, we haven't really seen what he is."
"Probably has a glamour on, that ferret does." A voice came from the doorway.
All heads turned to see another redhead standing there with an annoyed look on his face. Harry leaned in close to the twins when they whispered that was their younger brother Ronald.
"Ronald Weasley, we don't call Draco a ferret anymore." Hermione scolded, leading Ron and another redhead into the room, followed by Luna.
"I'll try for Harry's sake. That is – if what you've told us is true 'Mione." Ron said, sitting down on the armchair.
Everyone followed his lead when the redhead sat down and soon everyone was sitting comfortably in his or her own seats.
"Now, what's this about Harry forgetting everything?"
"We're not really sure about the details, but if you'd like, we could have Draco come to speak to us about it." Hermione said.
"Would he even step foot into this house knowing that we live here?"
Hermione gave Ron a narrowed look before Ron sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright woman. He can enter, but I'd rather know about it sometime later after the Quidditch match. I can't wait to wipe the smirk off his face when he realizes Harry is still able to beat him even without his memories."
The room was then filled with smirks and grins when everyone was reminded that Harry is possibly the greatest young seeker in a century.
"Since there's already five of us, we just have to find two more players."
"Actually…" Neville started. "You've already got a set team." Both he and Hermione gingerly raised their hands into the air with a weak smile on their faces.
There was a long silence before the Weasleys exploded with surprise.
"What?!"
"The two of you can play?!"
"What? What's wrong?" Harry asked confused, looking into bewildered faces. "Is there something wrong with me asking them to join us?"
"Harry, mate. We don't know exactly how to tell you this, but…" Ron looked off to the side.
"These two haven't even played Quidditch once during the school years they've been there."
"What?" Harry exclaimed, covering his mouth in shock. "I assumed everyone played Quidditch since everyone seemed to know what Quidditch was. I'm so sorry! We've lost the game because I've forcibly put you guys into it." He cried, apologizing to them profusely.
"Oh there's no problem Harry." Hermione said, waving away his exclamations.
"We've just got to avoid the bludgers, the beaters and possibly anything else that would make us fall off our broomsticks." Neville said, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.
Everyone stared at him with surprise at how he could be so relaxed about the whole situation. Neville turned to look at them. "What? Isn't that what Quidditch is all about? Staying on your broomstick in order to score points and win the game?"
"Brilliant Neville. Just brilliant." Ron said, looking at him in awe.
"You've finally got the Gryffindor courage." The anonymous redhead sitting beside the twins said.
Harry turned to look at her, wondering why she was here in the first place. Then he remembered Hermione mentioning a Ginny Weasley amongst Ron's total of six other siblings.
"You must be Ginny Weasley." He stated, looking at the younger redhead.
Nodding her head, Ginny continued on with the conversation. "Well then. Since we've got to be there at Malfoy's place – sorry Draco's," she corrected, after she saw Harry frowning. "Sorry Harry, but it'll take awhile for us to get used to it. After all, it's not usual for enemies to become allies overnight."
Sighing to himself, he mentally told himself he'd be scolding Draco once the match was over. Things must change around here. He told himself, before he allowed Ginny to continue on with the conversation.
"Well, we better think up of some plan to defeat them. I don't know how much Harry's body will remember, but I don't think we should rely on him too much. Also, Neville and Hermione have never had proper Quidditch practice. So the advantage is – I'm sad to say – in Draco's favor."
"We'll just wing it!" Harry said, pumping his fist into the air. The others laughed at his enthusiasm.
"I'm afraid Quidditch isn't like that at all." Fred said, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"If that were to happen, there would be more accidents." Ginny said.
"Not that there aren't any accidents now." George snickered.
"Anyway, here's what we'll do. Harry will be the seeker. Ron will be the keeper. Since Fred and George will be the beaters, that leaves me, Neville and Hermione as chasers." Ginny said, starting on the strategies.
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"The Chosen One has lost his memories?"
"Yes Blaise. Can I continue now?" Draco asked, giving the olive-skinned teen a look.
"Severus was supposed to check up on Harry a couple of days at a time this summer. Though, because we ended our potions training early, he took me along with him."
"So you were basically going along for the ride." Blaise interrupted once more.
"Yes, I was. Severus didn't believe I could handle myself amongst potions ingredients." He sniffed, before continuing his story.
"Well, as we headed towards Harry's house, we heard loud screaming. Once we rushed in, we saw that fat lump raise a hand on Harry. The next thing we knew, his head hit the wall with a loud sound and then Harry ended up toppling off the top of the staircase. You should've seen all that blood that followed after him on the wall and on the staircase. It was like the blood was marking his trail to his death."
All the Slytherins shuddered once they were able to imagine what Draco had seen. "Go on then."
"Then, even after he was at the bottom of the steps, that stupid excuse of a muggle kept right on kicking him. I heard bones cracking and blood seemed to seep out of his body even more. It was like a bloodbath."
"I stunned that fat arse with everything I've got. It just happened! I didn't quite understand why I'd done it, but now I do." He said, voice soft now flared in anger.
The Slytherins watch trickles of electrical strands appear and disappear around Draco. Not knowing what to make of it, they kept their mouths shut and allowed Draco to continue on with his story.
"And then Snape had to use several potions to make sure he'd stay alive. I've never seen so many potions administered to a patient before. Though, it's safe to say, I've never been in Saint Mungo's before."
"Are you sure Draco? Perhaps it was all planned out. After all, he is the old coot's Golden Boy." A voice sneered from beside him.
Draco turned his angry glare from his hands to Pansy's face. The Slytherin withstood his glare like she usually did. "Don't look at me that way Draco Malfoy. You should understand where I'm coming from. Five years we've been enemies with him and the Gryffindors and now you're telling us we're to have a match with the same Gryffindors we're despised and the scene you walked in upon at Potter's house? Isn't that a coincidence?"
"Coincidence or not, I know when someone's being abused or not Pansy. Though, I don't fancy you to think such things happen. We've all been tricked. Dumbledore is a joke. He wouldn't even come himself to Snape's house to check up on Harry. He sent Hermione instead."
"You say the mudblood's name like she's your friend." Pansy said, appalled.
"It's Hermione, and yes she is my friend. I'd like to think of her that way now anyway. And I don't want to hear you say that word ever again in my presence or her's. In fact, I don't want you saying that word at all."
The Slytherins looked at their Ice Prince with shock. To think he had changed the couple of weeks they've been away from school. He's even changed his whole demeanor – friends with Gryffindors, taking a stand for the muggleborn, and even glaring at them where the slightest bit of disagreement was shown. This wasn't like Draco at all.
"Draco, are you sure you've not been charmed? Perhaps a potion has been slipped to you." Pansy said, trying to reason with the blond.
"No Pansy. Do you really think I'd be foolish enough to let someone drug me with a potion? No, what I'm saying to you right now is all facts and the truth. I'm telling you, even the Dark Lord himself is starting to take an interest in helping Harry. And I'm certain he'll be telling your parents the same thing – the same thing I will now be telling you all. If you are to harm even a single hair on Harry's head, it'll be me you'll be answering to. I won't even be helping when the Gryffindors get a hold of you once I'm done with you. In fact, I think you should be lucky it'll only be me, because I don't think the Gryffindors will be lenient in their punishments." He warned, looking into each and every one of his classmates' eyes and seeing his message get through to them clearly.
Once he saw that they understood, he changed the topic. "Now, how are we going to defeat the Gryffindors?"
"Assuming you'll let us touch one hair on his head." Blaise said, raising an eyebrow, to which Draco pointedly ignored.
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Murmurs filled the room as all the hooded figures converged into a single area. Their Dark Lord had summoned them all, and not a single person to be left out. Whatever it was had to have been very important – even the lowly slaves were summoned.
"My Lord."
All the death eaters within the room got to one knee and bowed towards their leader. Voldemort glided into the room, past all bowed heads and made his way onto the dais. He swept his cloak to the side and sat down, "You may rise." He declared, sweeping his hand to the side.
"My Lord, what have you summoned us for?"
Lucius and Snape continued staring at their Lord, knowing that the idiot who spoke out of turn would be punished harshly. Every death eater waited with bated breaths, wondering how long their Dark Lord would hold the Cruciatus Curse on the speaker. However, they were surprised when the Dark Lord chuckled – no punishment handed out.
"It has come to my attention that Lucius and Snape comes baring good news."
All eyes were fixated on the two death eaters standing beside the Dark Lord. No one dared to make a sound.
"Lucius and Snape have brought me the most wonderful gift of all … The Boy Who Lived."
At that declaration, murmurs broke out through the room. Gossip spread – some lies, some disbelievers and some even people who knew that to get in their Lord's favor, they must get their hands on the two men.
"My Lord, how did those two possibly get the boy to enter this abode? It's impossible. He wouldn't come willingly." Parkinson hissed, glaring at the two who seem to be enjoying his agitation.
"Crucio."
Every death eater watched as the body dropped to the floor and convulsed in mild tremors. The speaker bit his lip to prevent from crying out – unwilling to show weakness in front of such a large audience. After a couple of seconds, the body stopped its spasming and Parkinson was allowed to breath appropriately.
"Now, now Parkinson. Didn't anyone ever tell you it was rude to ruin a good mood?" Voldemort chided, as his fingers glided across his wand. Nagini chose to enter the room right at that moment, slithering past the gawking spectators, over the heaving body of Parkinson, between Lucius and Snape and finally up towards the dais where she curled up at Voldemort's feet, hissing.
The group subtly shifted on their feet, although not subtle enough seeing as how their Dark Lord grinned evilly. Petting Nagini, Voldemort continued with his announcement.
"In order to get the boy to trust me, you must not harm anyone close to him, anyone who knows him, or the boy himself. Is that clear?"
"Yes my Lord." The room echoed.
Smiling, the Dark Lord got to his feet and walked out of the room, leaving Nagini behind on the dais.
"Oh, because the news has put me in such a good mood, Nagini will not kill you today Parkinson. Nagini, time to eat."
A different body slowly floated from behind the dais and abruptly fell at the bottom of the steps. Hissing in glee, Nagini quickly struck before the victim could make a sound.
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"Alright, I'd say we're good" Ginny said, clapping her hands together.
"Now let's head back to Draco's." Hermione said, getting up out of her seat. The Weasleys followed in suit and they stood before the floo.
"I think Harry should go first." Ginny said. "Therefore, there won't be any surprises if we were the ones to enter first."
"You afraid of getting cursed or hexed little sis?"
Scowling at the twins, Ginny rolled her eyes and looked at Harry, who nodded his head and stepped into the fireplace.
"Oh wait! We haven't told Draco to allow the rest of us through. They won't get by the wards placed around the manor." Neville said, remembering.
"Don't worry, I'll remind Draco."
Upon grabbing the floo powder, Harry began to converse with the blond Slytherin. Draco? Could you open up your wards for the Weasleys? They're about to come through.
It's done. Came Draco's voice. Harry nodded his head at everyone before shouting, "Malfoy Manor."
He stumbled from the fireplace only to land upon a firm chest. Peeking up through his eyelashes, he saw Draco smirking at him. His cheeks now rosy red, Harry failed to remember the others were coming through and was soon in his own little world with the blond Slytherin.
As all the Weasleys piled through the fireplace, they were met with Slytherins who looked at them curiously, rather than with a vicious glare. Soon, the atmosphere in the room became awkward when both sides didn't know how to begin a conversation – their 'translators' caught up in their own little bubble.
Hermione cleared her throat, and the group turned back to look at the lovey-dovey couple in the center of the room – they still hadn't noticed everyone had gathered around them.
"Five galleons says they'll snap out of it once a hex is thrown their way." George whispered; Fred nodded his head whole-heartedly before shaking the head given his way, "You're on."
"What do you think you're doing here blocking the floo?" A voice asked from the hallway.
The group saw the couple's little bubble pop before their heads turned to see Lucius and Snape by the doorway. Realizing that he was still holding onto Draco, Harry hastily pushed himself away and tried to make himself presentable. If there was something Lucius didn't like, it was that Harry looked too untidy for his liking.
"Father, we were just about to head towards the Quidditch field." Draco said, clearing his throat.
"Yes, that's what it looked like with you and Harry in a lover's embrace." His father said, a twitch at the edge of his mouth.
Realizing his father was actually teasing him, he turned to look at the Gryffindor who was fumbling for an explanation. He heard Harry's thoughts as clear as day, with it spiraling down a staircase once Harry had heard his father catching them in their so called "lover's embrace".
"We'll be off then." Draco announced, pulling Harry by the hand out of the room. He led the group out towards the informal guest room and told them to be at the field in twenty minutes. Agreeing with the allotted time, the group dispersed – though Harry wasn't too fond of leaving Draco, and the blond was only too happy to see the disappointment on the brunet's face when he announced they'd be separating.
It'll only be for twenty minutes Harry, besides we share the same room. Then, when we whoop your team's arse, you all will be under our control for the week.
Harry's disappointed gaze turned determined and then scared. I knew I forgot to tell them something. Draco heard. Snorting, Draco patted Harry's head before taking his hand and heading towards their room to change into their Quidditch uniforms. Of course, he allowed Harry to go first in their bathroom because he was a properly raised gentleman. Then again, he knew he'd jump the poor boy if Harry were to change directly in front of him.
Shaking his head to relieve himself of those dirty thoughts, Draco quickly changed into his Quidditch uniform and when he heard the bathroom door slowly open, his head snapped towards it so quick, he swore he'd gotten a crick in his neck.
"Am I wearing this correctly? It feels really tight."
Harry was turning around several times, checking his outfit. Draco nodded dumbly at the Gryffindor before realizing he wasn't paying attention to him. Clearing his throat because he could feel a lump in his throat, he spoke up, "It looks fine. It's supposed to look that way. Skin tight. Also, you forgot your cloak." Draco accioed the Gryffindor's cloak and helped him into it, nodding in approval. "Looks really nice on you." He murmured, stroking the fabric.
"R-Really?"
Soon, the couple was back in their own little world, gazing into each other's eyes – until a knock came from their door. "Oi, are we going to play Quidditch or not?"
"We'll be right there!" Harry shouted, coming out of his 'Draco trance'. Soon the two left the room hand in hand and arrived at the Quidditch field, where their teams were waiting for them. Well, not exactly waiting for them – but flying around the Quidditch field on their broomsticks.
"About time you two showed up!" Ron called out.
"Twenty five minutes Draco. I'm surprised you're late." Blaise shouted.
"Not my fault. It's Harry's – he looked too good in his uniform!" Draco replied, earning a blush from the Gryffindor.
"Compliments will get you nowhere in this game Draco." Harry laughed before mounting his broomstick.
Draco watched the brunet rise into the air before soaring off into the distance. Yes, but at least I get to see you smile. He thought to himself before he mounted his own broomstick and took off.
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"Alright, I want a safe match. I don't want to be the ones that end up cleaning up after your bloody messes." Snape hissed as he stood in the middle of fourteen hovering Quidditch players. He could hear the Slytherins and everyone the Gryffindor team besides Neville, Hermione and Harry snickering at his annoyed statement. Neville and Hermione just grimaced, whereas Harry just look confused beyond his wits.
Sighing to himself, he set the bludgers free, then the snitch and finally he threw the quaffle up into the air. And the game soon began.
Of course, being the ones with the most experienced players on the team, Slytherin had gotten first hold of the quaffle and were immediately flying towards the Gryffindor keeper.
"I don't care even if Harry fancies you, Gryffindor's not going to lose to a bunch of snakes." Ron shouted, his attention on the never ending passes of the quaffle between the three Slytherin chasers. At the last moment, Ron dived towards his right, but the quaffle flew past him on his left and Slytherin scored ten points.
"Weasley is our King!" The Slytherins chanted, as they flew back to chase after the Quaffle. Ginny currently had it and was racing through the air, dodging bludgers headed her way left and right. Of course, Hermione and Neville were beside her for protection.
Seeing Blaise heading towards her at break neck speed, Ginny quickly spun on her broom – barely getting hit by the Slytherin and was able to continue on towards the Slytherin hoops, which were blocked by Theodore.
"Come on then Weasley. Let's see if you have better game than your brother." He smirked, quirking his eyebrow. Rolling her eyes, Ginny feinted left, then right and shot the Quaffle right above Theo's head. Missing the Quaffle by a mere centimeter, Theo watched helplessly as the Quaffle soar through the hoops, earning Gryffindor ten points – tied with Slytherin.
Giving him her own smirk, Ginny quickly pulled her broomstick back and headed back, chasing after the Slytherin chaser who had taken possession of the Quaffle.
Tens of feet above the game, Harry hovered around with his eyes peering to and fro. He was so focused on finding the snitch before Draco that he didn't notice the Slytherin himself slowly drifting close to him, until he spoke up.
"Think you'll win today's game?"
"You bet I will. I'm not going to lose to you." Harry said, his eyes never leaving the field.
"Well, no matter what happens, no hard feelings?" Draco asked, stretching his hand out towards the Gryffindor.
Just as Harry turned to finally give Draco his attention, he saw a flash of gold zipping back and forth behind the Slytherin. Automatically, his body pushed forward on his broomstick and he zoomed towards the shimmering light. Noticing that the Gryffindor had found the snitch, Draco pulled up on his broomstick and followed closely behind, finally catching notice of the snitch.
Peering behind him, Harry noted that Draco was picking up speed. Quickly he urged his broom forward quicker and he flew past several obstacles, people, dodged bludgers – just to keep up with the speedy snitch. Draco soon caught up and then were head to head, shoulder to shoulder, arm to arm – though Draco's were slightly longer than Harry's.
The snitch suddenly jerked upward and both seekers zoomed skyward – forgetting all about the game below them. Once the snitch reached it's highest peak – or as high as it would've liked, it jerked right and continued flying straight forward. The seekers then had to quickly make a sharp U- turn in order to catch up to the snitch - which had decided to change directions and flew in the opposite direction.
Just as the snitch had decided to sail down, Harry reached a little further and caught it, but he fell off his broom. It's happening again. He thought, eyes pinched shut, body automatically shifted to curl up tight in order to prevent damage from falling from hundreds of feet up in the air. He could've sworn he heard Draco shouting out loud and telepathically his name as he fell.
With the wind howling in his ears, Harry faintly heard several screams from far away. Watching as the ground drew closer and closer, Harry saw water droplets forming all around him before he collided onto the Quidditch field. Though, he didn't exactly collide onto the Quidditch field.
It's… cold? He slowly opened his eyes to find himself encased within a water bubble. Gasping, he watched as air bubbles left his mouth. He held his breath as long as he could, but when he couldn't the rush of air bubbles escaped and he was suddenly hit with fear. Oh no, I'm going to drown.
He looked all around him to see everyone beside him, trying to help drag him out of his liquid prison – though all attempts were futile. He took a sharp intake of breath within the water only to realize that he could breathe in water. He looked around surprised, looking all over his body to see if he had changed in some way, but nothing seemed to be different.
Harry relaxed a great deal and as his body stopped being tense, the water around him dispersed onto the Quidditch field. He slumped onto the ground, realizing that his hand was still clasped tightly. The Gryffindor opened his hand to find that he had caught the snitch. Harry had won the game for his team!
"Draco, look! I've caught the snitch!" he cried, turning to the blond who had rushed to his side as soon as he was released from the watertight bubble. The blond knocked the snitch away from his hand and embraced Harry. Draco's arms wound around Harry's body tightly, gripping the Gryffindor close to him.
I was so worried. You fell. I-It was happening all over again like last time.
I'm alright now. The water saved me! Harry gripped Draco's clothing tightly, soothing the blond.
"Harry, what was that?" Hermione asked. Not only was she curious, but she was also bewildered, along with the rest of their classmates.
"I-I'm not sure." Harry tried his best to answer from Draco's tight embrace. He wiggled his head up even further and perched his chin up upon Draco's shoulder. Now he could see everybody.
"One minute I was falling, the next I open my eyes to see I'm in water." He said. Hermione looked at him curiously, though worried before he remembered. "Oh! I almost forgot. Water droplets started forming around me as I fell." He noted, remembering the phenomenon that occurred just minutes ago.
"Well Harry, I don't think you're an elementalist." Hermione said, brows furrowed.
"An elemental what?"
"An elementalist. Someone who controls the four elements – water, earth, fire and air."
"You think I control water? What about Draco then? Don't think I don't feel or see the electricity running through you when you get angry." Harry said, as the blond turned to him surprised.
"Well, it's lightning actually." Draco corrected, slightly pulling away from the Gryffindor.
"You are getting close to your birthday. I wouldn't be surprised if you had a magical inheritance on it." Ginny said as she crouched down.
"It's in a week or so, your birthday." Draco said. Harry nodded his head.
"We'll take precautions then." Lucius said from behind the teens. "Draco had the same sort of, how you say, predicament as well when it was only a week away from his birthday."
"Oh, I can't wait to see what you become!" Hermione gushed. "I can't wait to learn all about it."
Everyone had a single similar thought running through his or her head. Of course she'd be the one that would be interested in learning about this.
"Well, we'll see if there are any other signs that lead us to knowing what you'll become. It would be easier for us to get you ready then."
Nodding her head at her own plan, Hermione took off towards the manor, no doubt in search for books. The Gryffindor however stopped halfway and returned to their small group.
"Mister Malfoy, I was wondering if you'd allow me to gain access to your library."
"You may." And the group watched her scurry off into the distance.
"Well, time to head back in then." Draco said, picking up Harry bridal style.
"What about the game?"
"Gryffindor won!" Harry cried out, smiling. All Slytherins turned their heads to give their Ice Prince a flat look.
"He was quicker." Came the blond's explanation, and they all headed indoors.
"Quite peculiar don't you think Severus?"
"Indeed. We must keep this from that Headmaster of yours."
"We should report this to the Dark Lord. He would want to know about this strange and interesting development."
Nodding their heads, they headed back into the manor in search of their leader. Not one person seemed to notice that Luna was still sitting on the grass besides the Quidditch field with a smile on her face as she watched the scene unfold. Only until everyone had gone into the manor did the Ravenclaw get up from her spot and skip towards the spot Harry had landed just moments ago.
The spot was still moist. With a deep breath, Luna closed her eyes and reopened them to review its pearly whiteness. Her hair softly drifted around her, as if she was underwater. Pointing a finger at the wet spot, she rotated her finger until all the water had gathered together. Bring her finger up several inches in front of her face, she waved her hand over it, the water rippling in effect.
Giving the water a soft blow, the water rippled once more revealing a room with eleven individuals sitting on throne atop a dais of their own.
"It has been awhile, young ones." She said, giving a soft smile.
"How have you been? You seem well."
"No need to be formal. We're very close, but where has –"
"He'll return shortly. He said he would be watching over the young one until something has happened to him. Ah, there he is. He returns." A moment later, the empty dais was now occupied.
"It will be soon." Came the voice.
"Yes. I think I might start dropping hints."
"You can't –" The voice stopped when Luna lifted an eyebrow. "What I mean to say is, he needs to do this on his own."
"Very well. I shall not help him. I must go, before they worry."
The water rippled once more before it splashed to the ground. Luna's eyes returned to normal, he hair gently landed on her shoulders and she smiled dazedly.
"It's rude to eavesdrop Tom."
"It's not considered eavesdropping if one were around before you had any sort of communication."
"Is that so?" Luna said, turning around to face the Dark Lord.
"What was that just now? Why were you talking with the water?
"Whatever do you mean? I was just staring at the beauty of the Quidditch field."
"You and I both know that isn't true. So why don't you tell me the truth."
"The truth will come in time." Luna answered, as she walked away from the Dark Lord and headed towards the manor.
"Crucio." Tom spat, angered that the blond had defied him.
The curse merely bounced off of Luna and the Ravenclaw turned around with a dark look. "Was that meant as an assault on my person dear Tom? If it was, I'm afraid I'd have to retaliate in self defense."
Whipping out her own wand, Luna sent a wordless hex at the Dark Lord, watching as it cut up him robe from head to toe, leaving an inch long cut upon the Dark Lord's face.
"Come to me when you've finished being insolent." She said, tucking her wand away. And the blond returned to humming and skipping her way back inside the manor.
Surprised at the sudden turn of events, all his anger deflated as the Dark Lord was left with curiosity and interest of the situation. He too, made his way into the manor when he felt himself being summoned to Lucius's manor.
Hey guys! It's been awhile! I know! Sorry about the long wait! It took some time to shape this chapter, but I've finally managed. I hope you guys enjoyed it!
So, first things first. I know I probably left out a lot of things in the first five chapters, but I will fix those loose ends and patch up the holes as the story moves on. Don't worry about it! Your questions will be answered shortly!
Anyway, have a great day everyone! (: