Elmund's class schedule was dismal. After his 5th year O.W.L.S. scores came out, his Father had chosen his course list for him. They were not classes he would have chosen for himself. Ancient Runes and Mathematics were chosen for up keeping the Family books. Advanced Charms, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts were chosen so that he could protect himself from plotting family members. Nothing more was he allowed. If Elmund had had his way, he would have taken Charms, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures and possibly History of Magic. Nothing he said would have changed his Father's mind though so it was a lost cause.
Elmund put his unappealing schedule down with a sigh and looked up to the head table at all of the Professors who had made it to the first breakfast back. Only one Professor caught his eye. Professor Potter had arrived in Elmund's fourth year as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Potter was a good teacher but not only did Elmund not like fighting, he'd learned and cost most of the spells Potter taught to protect against. He was ashamed of his family and what he'd been forced to do and learn and seeing Potter day in and day out was a strain on his mind. Potter was the Boy who Lived. He'd defeated Voldemort and had decided to keep teaching Defense after the success he had with his peers in the club he'd formed; Dumbledore's Army. The Order of the Phoenix and the DA were only myths now as they were no longer needed. Without Voldemort, the Pureblood families who hated muggles were left to be secretive and enraptured in their own success and stabilization. They didn't form allegiances even with other Purebloods if they were outside the family. In turn, this had also kept any future Voldemorts from rising in his place due to pre-occupation.
Professor Potter didn't know anything about the Grindalwood family. They'd kept on the down low during the war, using money and influence to pay off both sides so they could be left in peace. It had worked better than expected and the Grindalwood's had come out on top of the old families unlike the Malfoy's or the Zabini's.
Professor Potter knew nothing of how in reality, the Grindalwood's were as corrupt and evil as they came. It was the only explanation as to why Potter treated Elmund so well. Other teachers were not so kind. Professor Longbottom had been one such teacher when Elmund had first begun school. Longbottom wouldn't look at him or call on him in beginner Herbology. But Elmund liked Herbology and through continued effort, proved himself and Longbottom slowly opened up to acknowledging him. Longbottom had been his favorite teacher and a secret thought he'd had sometimes was that Longbottom considered him a favorite student. Ever since 6th year, that had changed. Longbottom now ignored Elmund since he wasn't allowed to sign up for Herbology even with his near perfect scores in the subject.
Elmund was jostled by movement on either side as Summer and Colter sat down beside him and Joren placed himself across the table. "Last year Elmund. I hope you won't disappoint. I've got Defense with you so prepare yourself. I won't go easy on you when it comes time to duel mid-year." Summer guffawed, attracting the attentions of the Ravenclaws at the table with them.
"Please go back to your own House table Joren. You are attracting unwanted attention." His teeth were grinding as he spoke, enflamed cheeks showing brilliantly.
"But I like attention cousin. Also, why shouldn't I occasionally sit with family and bond? There are no rules against it." Joren was smirking at Elmund as he tried to hide his face behind too small hands.
"Well, I am done eating. You will have to go back anyways Joren." Elmund made a move to stand up but Summer's large hand clasped down on his shoulder holding him in place. Clearly distressed, Elmund stayed put as those around them began to inch away and Joren's face loomed in close.
"Not so fast, eh? I wanted to discuss a venture with you." His face loomed closer, practically in his ear, breath hot. "Meet me tonight at 11:00 p.m. in the third floor men's lavatories. Don't even think of not showing up." With that, Joren stood up only to bump straight into Potter. Elmund looked away so the pleasing cry for help that was evident on his face would not show.
"Any problem here boys?" He questioned looking at the four. His eyes especially lingered first on Elmund and secondly on Joren where they remained.
"Nothing, sir. Just had a bit of a family problem that needed to be taken care of. Elmund just needed a bit of cheering up. He seemed a bit under the weather this morning." Joren put on an innocent face as easily as he put on his trousers in the morning.
"That is fairly admirable. Understandably, people always seem to get a bit homesick at the beginning of the year. Make sure to write home to your parents. I'm sure they would enjoy a letter and it will make you feel a bit better as well." Elmund's head jerked with bitter internal laughter as Potter left them to it. How could he possibly be homesick for a place he hated? Soon, Elmund was back to being alone as Joren left him to his thoughts.
Walking through the hall to his first class, Advanced Charms, a pitter-patter of feet caught his attention. A 7th year Gryffindor by the name of Giles Blackback was catching up to him. The issue of Giles was a struggle for Elmund. He'd first begun to have a sneaking suspicion that he was a bit different from his classmates when it came to sexuality and Giles was the cause. Giles was a blond, muscular boy who had returned in fifth year with a tan that caused Elmund to begin to take notice of him. He'd become acquaintances with Giles through the shared Charms classes and both had taken Advanced Charms, which kept up the friendly banter. Even now, Giles made Elmund question whether he was straight or not. Jolts of an unfamiliar feeling struck through him as Giles put his arm around Elmund's shoulder, taller now by two inches.
"Elmund! I hadn't seen you yet until Ruthsfeld caused that scene at breakfast. I hope nothing is too wrong? How was your summer?" He questioned. Elmund couldn't help but notice the tan that graced Giles skin was back.
"Not as nice as yours apparently. Did you visit your uncle in Greece again?" The sun-kissed skin was distracting as Elmund compared it to his own pale, sickly white skin.
"Definitely not as nice! You have huge bags under your eyes. I did visit my Uncle actually. It was superb. You look like you didn't go outside at all." Giles face seemed a little concerned as he peered at Elmund more closely. Underneath his slightly concerned face, Giles was actually terribly concerned and quite shocked at Elmund's appearance. The boy had always been shyly good-looking as boys come but the past three summers, Elmund returned to Hogwarts looking more and more ragged. Elmund was almost a ghost these days.
Thinking hard, Elmund couldn't actually remember if he'd gone outside at all. "Some stuff happened at my house this summer is all. I keep thinking about it too much and I can't sleep because of it. I'm fine though. Tell me all about Greece! Let me live vicariously through you. I need all of the details." He put on a smile as they talked. Giles told him everything as they walked to class and waited for it to start and after, he was sad to see Giles go. Giles was taking all of the classes Elmund had wanted and none of the ones he hated. Sometimes he wasn't sure if he was in love with Giles or insanely jealous because he was everything and had everything that Elmund didn't.
Defense Against the Dark Arts turned out as miserably as Elmund expected. Joren sat next to him all class intentionally, watching him interact with Professor Potter. He thought it was because Joren believed he would tattle about this morning. They were too old for that so Elmund just ignored him and continued taking notes and paying careful attention everything Potter said, waiting for the day to be over so he could get whatever Joren needed at 11 p.m. over with.