Albus stood, his arms out swept to the crowd. "Another year has come and gone," he said into the silence. Harry sighed, his features haggard and tired. Across the room, Ellil glowered angrily at his brother who looked to be half-conscious. "And now, for the winner of the House Cup."
Cheers were heard throughout the silence.
"In fourth place with two hundred and twenty-two points, Gryffindor." A light applause. "In third place with two hundred and thirty-two points, Hufflepuff." Another applause. "Second place with two hundred and sixty-five points, Ravenclaw." Applause. "And in first place, with three-hundred points, Slytherin!" All but Harry erupted in cheers and screams at the Slytherin table. Everyone else merely clapped lightly. "However," Albus' voice rang, silencing Slytherin House, "there are certain points to be awarded and taken." Groans echoed in the hall. "First, to Ronald Weasley for the best game of chess in Hogwarts for many a decade, I award twenty points. Then, to Lavender Brown for an amazing usage of spells, I award twenty points. Then to Ellil Potter for sheer bravery and dumb luck," many boos were heard, "I award twenty-eight points. And finally to Neville Longbottom. He stands up for what he believes in well. I award ten points." The Gryffindors cheered loudly.
"And the points to be taken?" inquired Severus Snape.
"Ah, yes. Twenty points from Slytherin for Mr. Harry Potter's roaming the school past curfew," announced Albus. Harry stood up angrily while the rest of the people in the hall remained seated. Harry silently pushed his chair back, walked behind it, pushed it in, and walked out of the Great Hall. After that, the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers and Albus clapped. The Slytherin banners were changed to Gryffindor banners. Many boos were heard from the Slytherins and Ravenclaws.
--
"Harry?" the Elf looked up from his book. Emeralds narrowed and he went back to reading. Ignoring the person was the best option. It was a mistake to even spare him an acknowledging glance in the halls. His name fell from the lips of his sibling. Disgusting little boy, son of those on the side of "Light." Annoying creature who could not take a hint. Shunning him time and time and time again did nothing for the one with ruby locks and deep brown eyes. The boy kept repeating his name. Something in the midst of Harry's mind snapped and his book toppled from his lap to the grass beneath him.
"What?" spat the Elf. He pushed up his ruby coloured frames up so he could see better. Ellil stopped speaking, his mouth hanging open slightly, his own black glasses askew slightly.
"I… Erm… Oh!" a finger reached up to scratch his cheek. "Snape," a wince followed at Harry's growl as the emerald eyed one picked up his book, dusting off his clothes as he went, "said to get you so you and your… Friends," he spat the word as if it was poison, "can catch the train." Harry merely nodded, the only response he could manage without biting the other's head off. With that one nod, he walked off. Ignoring Ellil was easier said than done, of course, what with Ellil chattering off behind him. Yet Harry managed, his features schooled into a blank mask as per he was known for.
Never would Harry be more grateful to see Draco than in that moment, though he should never think of admitting it. Ellil had fallen silent when the blond had stepped in their path. He seethed when Harry gave him a look as if he was some insignificant bug. Yet, most of all, he felt hurt. Were siblings not supposed to love each other? Yet here was Harrison James Potter, waving the other survivor of Voldemort's attack off like he was nothing. It enraged him yet he kept silent. A smile was forced onto Ellil's face as he called, "See you both next year, yeah Harry?"
Harry turned his cold emeralds on Ellil. "I highly doubt that, Potter. You and the rest of the idiots in there," he absently waved his hand in the general direction of the school, "are much to annoying for me to handle being in the same vicinity as, much less look at."