Title: Of the Nightstars
Narrated: TorringMay
Typed by: Sorringmay
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG13 / Teen
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warning: This story is not to cannon. It will however have some spoilers to HBP. Please do not expect it to follow the story of HBP though.
Summary: After being abandon by the Dursley's as a baby, Harry is raised by another race. After 5 years of odd dreams and magical power surges, his adopted family is allowing him to go to Hogwarts in an attempt to learn to control his powers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 4
Harry bid a farewell to the Sorting Hat uncaring of all the snickers being raised by his action. He then made his way to the Gryffindor table taking a seat next to Ron; across from Hermione and Ron's sister (he thought her name was Ginny).
The aged wizard once again rose to speak to the students, giving them a few start of term rules which included no magic in the halls, no Weasley' Wizard Wheezes were allowed at school, and that the Forbidden Forest was off limits too all student. If Harry was not mistaken those aged blue eyes were looking pointedly at him. That would make some sense being as Harry was use to being in the forest, however he could not imagine why one would not allow children into said forest. The notion of being forbidden from nature was odd to him.
"I have one last announcement to make," the head master said sweeping his arms wide, "I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our staff, Professor Slughorn." There was a smattering of applause as a very round man stood and waved at them all.
With that the tables filled with food. To Harry's relief there were a number of dishes he recognized and gladly helped himself to while listening to the chatter around him. Most of the students were still talking about their holidays, while a few were discussing the upcoming school year. Harry politely answered questions asked of him, asking a few himself, but for the most part he was kept to himself observing.
It wasn't till the main course had cleared and desert had replaced it that Harry allowed his magic to branch out 'observe' the other houses. It had not escaped him that the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables were on opposite side of the room, with the other two houses in between. Taking in to account what the Sorting Hat had told him, Harry thought it best to start with those bearing the crest of the snake.
The immediate thing he saw in almost all of their auras was the feeling of foreboding. Where they had all given an appearance of superiority, now there was nervousness and even fear. He scanned across the table stopping at a dark haired girl who was talking in what appeared to be a whisper anxiously with her companions. Though not as strong as some of the centaurs Harry had meet, this girl had the mark of a seer.
Another student who caught his attention was a mousey looking boy about Harry's own age. Harry found his eyes narrowing in repulsion as he sensed the desire to hurt others and the pleasure the boy took it such acts. It did not escape him how this boy kept throwing venomous looks at a certain blond.
That drew Harry's attention to one Draco Malfoy. The boy put on quit a show. He sat there as arrogant and prideful as could be, but Harry was able to see beyond that. Part of the show was true, the boy was arrogant and pompous, but at the moment he was emitting numerous waves of fear and nervousness. His eyes darted over the younger students, watching those that had just been sorted into their house. How much of that had to do with the badge he wore bearing a "P" Harry was not sure, but he could tell the Slytherin was concerned. There was also the sickly ill magic that came from the blonde's left forearm, and for the first time Harry realized that this magic felt oddly familiar, though he could not place it.
Harry's scrutiny of the boy was interrupted when the blonde's silver eyes snapped up and looked directly at him, a sneer forming twisting perfectly shaped lips. Despite the menacing look, Harry thought the other boy was more suited for smiling the sneers.
"Malfoy," Spat Ron who had followed Harry's look. "Watch out for that one mate. He is a right prat."
"Ronald," chided Hermione, though there was not much convection in her voice.
Ron gave her a rather incredulous look before launching into his defense. Harry smiled before eating something called fruit ice that he had to admit was rather good, even if he would have preferred just fruit.
When the meal was finished Harry started towards the door with the others to head to their dorm room. Hermione was busy giving Harry an extensive overview of what the Gryffindor dorms were like when several third year Gryffindors ran into two fourth year Slytherins. Immediately mayhem ensued as the two groups started yelling at one another, wands being drawn.
Harry watched as two Hufflepuffs were forcefully pushed aside and a sneering Malfoy stomped up to the four Gryffindors. "Just what do you think you are doing?" he snapped at them advancing on them as they retreated.
"Leave off Malfoy," Ron jeered stepping in front of the other boy. "It was them," Ron said tossing his head towards the two Slytherins, "that started it. Maybe you should keep yours in better check."
"If your filthy little mudblood loving," shrieked Malfoy.
Ron's face went as red as his hair, "How dare you call them that you filthy slimy –"
"Ron come on," Hermione said pulling at the red head's arm. "Don't let Malfoy get to you."
"Yes go with your mudblood Weasley," came Draco's malicious response, but Harry notice while Malfoy had everyone's attention, the older students were ushering all the younger Slytherin students out of the hall and down a set of stairs.
"I understand now what you meant about Slytherin Hermione," Harry said a smile playing at his lips knowing that few if any also were aware of what he was seeing. As everyone turned towards him Harry turned back towards the stairs they had been headed to before.
"You know nothing of Slytherin Potter." With that the silver eyes swept over the crowed once before storming down the stairs, with the remainder of the Slytheins.
Ron came up to Harry patting him on the shoulder, "Way to tell him Harry. Will shows those Slytherins who is boss."
Heading up a flight of stairs, Ron never saw Harry's eyes narrow or the frown that played at his lips.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Did we get everyone," Draco said in a quiet drawling voice as they moved out of the hearing range of the other student.
A hand moved nervously through dark hair as Pansy nodded to him. She couldn't understand what had just happened. Potter had acted like a typical Gryffindor, but he wasn't suppose to, her visions were never wrong.
"We need to hold an all house meeting as soon a we get to the common room, things have just gotten a lot worse," Draco said his voice beginning to sound tired. The others just nodded. Draco may not be the best leader, but he was the only one who came forward after Marcus Flint left.
As they entered the darkly lit dungeon common room, they found the rest of the house there waiting, first years sitting on the floor near the great fireplace. The blond took a deep breath before marching over to the hearth, the platform he used during house meeting. He was pleased to see that the others had already positioned the first years.
He looked down at the six new students, noting that two were siblings of older Slythern, and all of them looked scared. That would have to stop; the other houses would feed off that fear. "First off, to our new students, welcome to Slytherin. You will find out rather quickly that we stand together in this house, if we do not…" His pale eyes met each of theirs as he left the sentence unsaid.
"You saw how the other houses treat us up there in the entrance hall; don't fool yourself into thinking it will get better. Be especially wary of Gryffindor as they will draw you into confrontation." He began pacing the short distance from one side of the hearth to the other. "That leads all of us to our next issue." He stopped his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"Potter."
A combination of sadness and anger filled him as he watched the look of despair pass over the older students.
"But I thought Pansy said –"
"Pansy was wrong." Draco snapped at the fifth year who had spoken up. "Potter is just like the rest of those self righteous supposed do good Gryffindor. We will find no help from him." From where he was standing he could see Pansy shaking her head and as much as her wished she was right he could not allow false hope.
"You are to travel in groups to and from class. Never!" he paused for effect looking over the younger years, "Never go out alone."
"Draco?" a small third year boy said raising his hand looking especially nervous.
Draco sighed, forcing his hands to stay at his side instead of running threw his hair. "Yes Backten?"
"Is-is it t-true sir?"
Closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose Draco tried to keep his patience. Pansy thankfully came to the boy's rescue.
"David, you need to be more specific. Is it true that Draco talked to Potter, that he is our leader, that he bleaches his hair?" The last comment drew her an angry glare from the blond who immediately snapped that he did not ever bleach his hair. Several of the older students chuckled quietly at this.
Draco leveled the third year with a look, "What is your question."
"D-did you m-meet the D-dark Lord?" stammered the boy.
Stunned silence filled the room, leaving only the popping of the fire. Drawing another deep Draco nodded his head in the affirmative. "Yes I have met with the Dark Lord, for now that is all you need to know." The older students looked at him knowingly while the younger ones looked on with awe. Not wanting to deal with any more that night Draco sent them off to bed not caring if any of them stayed up.
With his head held high he made his way to the hall leading to the six year boy's dorm pushing the door open. He was well aware of the fact that not only was Grey, Vincent and Blaise following him, but also Pansy and Millicent.
"Daphnia is keeping Nott busy," Blaise said knowing that the other boy could not be trusted.
Draco dropped onto his bed feeling extremely tired. "I'm really not in the mood to talk," he said bluntly.
"Draco did he?" Millicent asked leaning against one of the bedposts.
Rolling his eyes Draco pulled up the sleeve on his left arm exposing the dark mark.
"Why?" Pansy all but cried as the other four members of the room looked at him sadly.
"Why? Because I had no choice. It's not like you can tell him "sorry I don't feel like it today' and get away with it. Besides, it keeps everyone else safe"
A quiet sadness fell upon the group with this admission.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following Hermione and Ron down to the dungeon for their first class, Harry felt the first really strong stirrings of nervousness. While elves were well known for their healing slaves, potions were not something they tended to dabble in. He still was not certain how he had been allowed to take the more advanced potion class when he didn't even have the rudimentary knowledge on the subject.
Leaning back against the cool stone wall he waited with everyone else for the professor to arrive. Most of the students, though they had already stopped by the Great Hall for breakfast, were still rubbing their eyes sleepily. One of the few who were not was Malfoy as he stood within his circle of friends a sneer on his lips. He bore a distinct confidence about him that only came from someone who was well aware of what they were doing. Harry could only conclude that potions most be one of his better classes.
The door to the class opened and the rather round figure of Professor Slughorn gestured them to come in. Harry slid into a seat next to Hermione, Ron sitting At the desk in front of them with Dean. He noticed rather quickly that all the houses split up, segregating themselves. He watched as Malfoy and the other Slytherin head straight for the front of the class, taking the first three rows of desks on the right hand side. Opposite of them were the Ravenclaws, who took the same number of desks. Gryffindor took the two rows behind the Ravenclaws and the two Hufflepuffs sat behind the Slytherin, a desk separating them from the snakes.
"Welcome, welcome," Slughorn said jovially as he scanned the class. "I hope you are all prepared for your first lesson in potions this year." His smile brightened as his gaze fell on several particular students. "But first I believe we need to check attendance."
He began calling out names stopping and smiling at the same students as before. It was obvious that this was a teacher who played favorites. Harry already was not fond of the plump man. When the man reached Malfoy's name he scowled giving the blond Slytherin a dark look, then he reached Harry's name.
"Harry Potter," The surprise and elation were apparent as he looked over the-boy-who-lived. "Wonderful just splendid. I must say I am greatly looking forward to seeing some of that fabled elven magic at work."
The dark haired boy's only response was to scowl deeper his dislike for the professor increasing.
As the class continued Harry found himself ducking out of the way of Hermione's hand as it flew up repeatedly to answer every question the professor asked. While he was very please with her knowledge and enthusiasm, Harry wondered if maybe she should allow some of the other students an opportunity to answer. He had watched several members of Ravenclaw as well as two members of Slytherin try repeatedly to get the opportunity to answer, but Hermione always beat them to it. Even Malfoy had stopped trying to answer questions after his second attempt failed.
At last the professor held up a bottle of golden liquid. He explained the magical properties of the potion, but Harry was to busy studying the other students in the class. He did find it odd that his attention was drawn repeatedly to the blond Slytherin, who at the moment looked ready to salivate over the small bottle the professor held.
"Now whoever brews the potion correctly first, they will receive this," the professor flashed the bottle, "as a reward."
With Hermione's help, Harry was able to set up his work station. Flipping open his book to the appropriate page he followed the other Gryffindors to the stock room. A sudden shout had him leaning back out the door as he watched his book catch flames. The mousy Slytherin had a smirk on his face as he laughed, but the other Slytherins did not join him.
Harry calmly walked over to the flaming book, reaching out with elven magic he smiled at the obvious culprit before forming the flames into a small dragon that launched its self screaming towards the lone Slytherin. The moment before the flames struck the boy, Harry dissipated them leaving the other boy with a terrified look on his face.
The professor, instead of admonishing either of the wayward students, slapped Harry on the back. "Amazing display my boy, amazing." Harry could only stare disbelievingly as the professor tottered off to his office, emerging with a copy of their potions book, handing it to Harry.
Harry sat down; once again opening his book to the correct page after the professor had spelled the remains of the previous one away. Looking over the recipe he noticed the hand written notes made in the margin. Curiously he flipped through the pages noticing that almost every potion had some hand written remark to them.
He was reminded strongly of his elven mother and her habit of writing little notes on her recipes and without much thought grabbed a silver knife. Rather than follow the book he followed the minor changes that were written in, please to see the broth was behaving exactly as the book said it should.
Daring a glance around the room he was surprised to see that his was the only potion that seemed to be the correct color and texture. Looking up at Hermione he was greeted with a rather sour face as she looked at his potion then her own.
"What did you do?" she hissed quietly.
Harry just shrugged as Professor Slughorn passed Malfoy's desk frowning down at the too dark potion. Malfoy for his own part was scanning back over his book trying to figure out what had gone wrong as the professor started to walk away.
"Sir," the Slytherin said drawing the plump professor's attention. "I believe you knew my grandfather sir –"
"Ah yes I did, sad way to go that." and with out another thought of the Slytherin walked away.
"Stupid ferret, trying to kiss up," Ron said, ignoring the tar like substance in his own cauldron. "Probably hoping to get the same treatment Snape gave him."
The dark haired Gryffindor looked over at the red head regarding his statement before glancing back at the blond. Despite his best efforts, he could tell that Malfoy was slumping slightly, looking a bit dejected.
"Maybe not Ron," Harry commented looking back at his friend. "Perhaps he was just hoping to hear about his grandfather from someone who knew him. If one of the professors knew my true parents I would very much wish to speak with them."
Some what taken back by Harry's response Ron sat looking contemplatively over at the blond from several moment before turning his attention back to Harry.
"I still think he was trying to kiss up."
Refraining from rolling his eyes, the dark haired boy turned his attention back to his potion, following the hand written instructions. He ignored Hermione's comments that he was doing it wrong, especially since his looked like the book described it should, and her potion did not.
"Alright class, everyone bottle your potion up and set it on my desk," Professor Slughorn said as he ambled his way back up the center isle to said desk. Following Hermione's example, Harry filled a vile, corked and labeled it, before placing it on the professor's desk.
Waiting for the class to settle back into their seats the professor looked through the potions, smiling as he picked up the only correct potion, Harry's potion. "Ah Mr. Potter, it looks as though the elves have taught you well," he said lifting the potion for all to see. "I think we undoubtedly have our winner." He motioned for Harry to come forward placing the small bottle in Harry's hand as the boy frowned at it.
Retaking his seat he looked at the bottle before holding it out to Ron who was looking at him gob smacked. "Bloody brilliant mate," he whispered as Hermione put her things away, making a lot of noise in the process.
"It's not fair," she finally said in a loud whisper. "You shouldn't be able allowed to use your elven magic to help you in classes." She sniffed as she put her last roll of parchment away.
"I didn't use magic," Harry said confused at her outrage, "and elves don't make potions."
Hermione threw her bag over her shoulder and stomped out of the classroom.
"Don't worry mate," Ron said clapping him on the back, "She just can't stand when someone does better than her at something."
Harry nodded finishing cleaning up his supplies before heading to his next class.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Things had not gotten better as the day wore on. Transfigurations had been ok, but Harry could not seem to figure out how to separate his elven magic from his wizard kin magic. They had been told to turn a tea cup into a small plant. Harry however had ended up with a large oak tree where his desk had once been, inciting laughter from his classmates and outrage from Professor McGonagall.
Lunch had followed with lots of finger pointing and whispers, and while this unnerved Harry he was able to deal with it. He was more upset over the fact that Hermione was still begrudging his accomplishment in Potions that morning.
None of this however prepared him for Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Harry had sat next to Ron, not wanting to feed into Hermione's snit. He watched as once again the students separated themselves by house. While three of the houses had almost an equal number of students in this class, Slytherin only had three.
Harry chatted amicably with the other Gryffindor boys when their professor swooped into the classroom, billowing robes floating behind him as he snapped for silence. The teacher began going over the attendance record but paused when he got to Harry's name. Searching the room till his eyes landed on the dark haired boy, he sneered hatefully.
"Well, well Mr. Potter, how wonderful for you to grace us with your celebrity." The words were hateful and vicious
Harry looked up from his desk to meet glowering black eyes. "Umm what celebrity sir?" he asked with genuine confusion. The question however only made the professor scowl deeper as titters of laughter swept through the room.
"Mocking a teacher Potter, not a very good start to a school year, or do you find yourself above our meager teachings."
"Not at all sir," Harry replied evenly meeting the teacher's eyes. "I just have no idea why anyone would consider me a celebrity in any way. Nor do I consider my presence here 'gracing anyone' as you put it."
That seemed to take the professor by surprise as his eyes widen for a minute before narrowing. "Perhaps you feel that you are far better than us with your elven tutors." The professor's tone made it obvious that he was slandering the elves, but Harry got the distinct impression that no matter what he said the professor would not be happy.
Professor Snape, according to Ron's whisper, finished with attendance before beginning the lesson. The dark haired man seemed very bitter if his treatment of his students was any indication. He was condescending and snide with all of the students, sneering as the failed to answer his review questions adequately.
"Since you have all seemed to let your brains addle over the summer holiday, we will have to start at the beginning. Mr. Potter," he snapped slamming a hand on his desk startling many of the students, "Can you tell me what spell you use to remove a bogart?"
Harry looked as the professor in confusion, "Why would you need a spell to remove a bogart?" he inquired curiously.
There were more snickers as Professor Snape gave what Harry thought might be a grin if it didn't look so menacing. "Well it seems eleven magic isn't all that great after all," was the snide remark before the teacher eyes landed on one of his Slytherin. "Mr. Zabini perhaps you can assist Mr. Potter with his lack of knowledge."
"You use the - "
"Why don't you just ask it to leave," Harry cut in, annoyed with the professor. The rest of the class looked at him slack jawed and Professor Snape rounded on him.
Placing his hands on Harry's desk the professor leaned forward making the Gryffindor lean back. "I do not have time for you idiotic prattle. Fifteen points from Gryffindor and detention Friday night."
Harry scowled darkly at the professor but said nothing.
"Now, as review I have a bogart," he tapped his wand on a wardrobe that was standing next to the teachers desk, "I expect each of you to drive it back. Miss Granger." There was a malicious smile as the girl looked at the professor motioned for her to go first.
"Stupid greasy git," Ron snarled under his breath. At Harry's puzzled look Ron explained. "He knows Hermione has trouble with bogarts."
Harry, not wanting his friend hurt, despite her previous attitude remarked rather loudly, "Still don't see why you just don't ask it to leave."
This interruption was enough to draw the professor's ire. "Mr. Potter, since you are so set on asking the bogart to leave, please come up and show us how the all mighty chosen one does it."
Harry frowned darkly at the title the professor used but stood and strode to the front of the room, winking at Hermione as he passed her. The brunette gave him a worried look making her way back to her seat.
The whole class seemed to sit forward waiting to see how Harry Potter was going to proceed with his claim. He heard what he thought was Malfoy make a comment about him seeking attention but he ignored it.
He noticed the professor swish his wand and the doors to the wardrobe opened. Harry was well aware of the creature's ability to shape shift, usually into something its aggressor feared, in his case a Dementor. As the bogart emerged it began took the shape of the horrid creature, but Harry softly hummed to it. Suddenly the black cloak became a flowing mist that swirled and ebbed before him.
Harry ignored the gasps and whispered comments as he spoke to the creature hovering in front of him. The bogart was very young and very terrified, and it was taking everything for Harry to keep it from panicking.
"Professor, might you have a box it can occupy whilst I carry it back to the forest?" he asked non-pulsed.
Giving Harry a dark, but quizzical look, the professor produced a box and handed it to the dark haired Gryffindor who slowly removed the top. He hummed several more sounds and watched as the young bogart collected its self then dove into the box.
"It's just scared and wants to go home," Harry said to his professor as he carried the box protectively back to his desk.
He was not sure how to interpret the look the professor gave him, something between, horror, shock, anger, embarrassment and amazement. It was actually rather humorous, but Harry decided that it would be best if he did not laugh.
"Bloody show off," Malfoy snapped from the back of the class.
Shut up Malfoy," Ron barked back at him, snapping their professor out of his musing.
"Weasley, 15 points from Gryffindor and detention tonight with Filtch." The red head looked at Professor Snape with loathing before sinking into his seat to sulk. "The rest of you, I want a thirteen inch paper on bogarts and all the information know about them," his eyes rested on Harry momentarily before adding, "and I will only accept those details recognized by the wizarding world."
Harry rolled his eyes as he reached into his bag to pull out the necessary items to work on his paper.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TorringMay: Thank you everyone for your reviews. I will try to keep updates coming once a week but no guarantee, sorry.
To who ever sent me the email regarding Harry's lack of glasses, I decided not to include them. I am intentionally not focusing on his looks, but I must say I always find it very amusing when people right how Harry/Draco are trying to hide from whomever and yet they are done up in goth, overly sexy, or some other description that screams "look at me here I am, give me your attention." I wanted Harry's personality to be what people were attracted to, not his looks. Not saying he doesn't look good, I just am not concentrating on it.
SorringMay: Sorry it took so long to get this up, Torring and I have had a busy few weeks. As she said we will try to update weekly.
As always reviews are most welcome.