Descend to Darkness
By: Kyuubi04
HARRY POTTER FANFICTION
Chapter 8: School Blues
Summary: Harry defeated Voldemort through some unknown magic and has been in a coma for months. Upon waking up, he had somehow changed, in both attitude and stance, and was confusing everybody. During a visit to the infamous Chamber of Secrets, he discovered the reason behind this change along with the confirmation of one Albus Dumbledore.
Warnings:There will be slash... Harry is Salazar Slytherin and will be calmer and colder than before. It will be a Dark Harry but he's not evil. There will be Ron and Ginny Bashing as I don't like the two of them and they will be the main antagonists along with Seamus Finnegan and Lavender Brown. Pairings would be HPDM, SSRL, LMSB, NLLL, DTPP, BZHG, and TNPP. This will probably be a short series and updates will probably range from twice to once a month. Also, there will be mention of male pregnancies but only in theory. 'Coz I don't know how to write lemon fictions.
Notes:"Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness" – regular speech
-Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness- parseltongue
+Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness+ gobbledegook
=Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness= temporary mind-speak between Harry and Draco
-x-x-x-o-o-o-x-x-x-
The whole school awakened to the start of classes and most of the students were quite reluctant to leave their beds.
Hoping that no one would notice his absence, Harry slipped away from his dormitory earlier than usual and proceeded to do his usual training routine. Unfortunately, there was someone who was almost of the same mind as him and the two ended up meeting near the lake.
Seeing Draco, Harry gave a soft smile of greeting that was returned with an acknowledging nod before the two moved away from each other. Harry, towards the headmaster's office and Draco, towards his godfather's domain.
Since no one was quite awake yet, Harry managed to arrive at his destination without any fuss. The gargoyle guarding the headmaster's tower immediately opened up at the sight of him and he entered the place without hesitation. Upon his entrance, he saw the sorting hat and, for his amusement, placed it on his head. The old artefact awakened when he sensed that he was being tried on. He was about to dissect Harry's mind when Harry said, while holding his laughter, "Hold it, Siegfried. I already have my own house so there's no need to sort me out."
Surprised the hat gave a semblance of having his mouth opened in surprise. It was gaping so much that the teen couldn't help but add, "Surprised? You didn't think that I'd forget your name, eh? After all, I'm the one who gave it to you on a whim."
"How?" Was the hat's only reply.
Harry gave himself a smirk and remarked, "Well, I decided that it's no fun to stay dead so I came back."
"You still haven't changed, eh Salazar. Or should I say, Mr. Potter?" The hat slyly replied.
"You've got me there. Hmmm, anything's fine really since I'm both but it'd be better to call me by my current name."
"I see. So, what are you doing in the headmaster's office? Surely, you didn't do any pranks as of yet? It's only the first day of term, you know."
"Of course not! I merely wanted to speak with Professor Dumbledore about something so he could announce it at breakfast today." Harry scowled, indignant at the insinuation. After all, Godric was the only one that he tried to prank here at Hogwarts and no one else.
The hat merely gave a gruff chuckle and proceeded to ask Harry about his current situation, gaining ample knowledge to learn some of his plans. After a few moments more, the hat twisted itself and asked the sleeping phoenix perched beside the table to summon the headmaster.
Albus Dumbledore arrived in front of his visitor after receiving a peck from his familiar. Fawkes somehow communicated to him that Harry was waiting for him so he immediately donned his purple robe designed with star forming different constellations and headed towards his office.
Upon his arrival, the aged wizard asked the silent teen, "What brings you here, Harry my boy?"
"I came here to ask a favour from you, Professor." Harry politely replied, stifling his laughter over the older man's choice in wardrobe.
"What is it?" Dumbledore answered, his eyes twinkling in full force.
"Do you remember the Hogwarts rule that would force two parties from different houses to have a truce especially after war-time in order to promote goodwill and such things?" The teen tried to ask as nonchalantly as possible hoping that the old man wouldn't know the reason for his question. Unfortunately for him, even without legilimency, Dumbledore still saw through his facade.
"Very well, I'd activate it upon you and Mr. Malfoy but just to be sure, do you understand the consequences of your request?"
Harry sighed a bit and replied, "Yes I am. I believe that it would be beneficial for the both of us to do so. After all, it would be better for the student body to think that we gained a tentative friendship because of this rule and would not be suspicious if we somehow became closer this year. After all, having to room with someone is less troublesome than dealing with a protesting student body."
The headmaster tried to hide his glee. He knew it! Harry didn't know that during the four times that the rule was activated, all the pairs ended up being together. He smiled at the thought of both boys. He could already see little babies with tufts of black and silver. He knew that he shouldn't keep it from Harry but he believed that the boy, even with his adult perception still had no experience when it comes to loving someone. He just hoped that this time, the chances of the fifth pair going together would be hundred percent.
Harry gave the old man a suspicious stare. He didn't like the manic gleam that seemed to have entered the man's eyes. However, since the headmaster agreed to his request, he decided to brush it off as the wizard forming another scheme of his. Only this time, he didn't know that the scheme was directed at him. Later, he'd probably recall this moment and wonder about the old wizard's sanity.
After speaking more with the headmaster, the teen departed the tower and headed towards the Great Hall for breakfast. He was, after all, anticipating a major response from the student body once Dumbledore activated the rule which would bind both his and Draco's magic that would connect them to each other. He began formulating plans on how they could perform their soon-to-be duties and calmly walked towards his destination.
-x-x-x-
Draco Malfoy was walking soundlessly towards the dungeons. He wanted to speak with his godfather since his father wasn't around to clarify things for him. He just wished that Severus Snape would be able to answer him.
Severus Snape was generally not a happy man, but right now, he was exceptionally irked. First, he was being deprived of his sleeping time because his godson thought that it would be great to visit him almost after dawn. Second, said godson was asking him questions that didn't even involve potions. And third, those questions were about his godson's love-life, which he held no interest, whatsoever, to learn about. He was tuning out everything that Draco was saying when he suddenly heard the teen say the name "Potter".
He paddled-back a bit and listened carefully to Draco, who was saying, "So, I'm really confused now, Uncle Sev. Last year, he was the same as before but during vacation, he seemed to be different. It's as if he matured or something. Looking at him now, he's more akin to being an able-bodied politician with the power to back it up instead of being a bull-headed soldier that always rushes towards danger. Do you know the reason why he suddenly changed?"
Severus scowled at this. He didn't like it at all. His godson was once again prattling about the boy like he was back to being eleven. He thought that Draco finally got over his obsession of Potter. But, then again, the Malfoy heir had a point. Harry Potter had indeed changed. And it seemed that the meddling old man knew something about it and was not going to share the information. He looked at the teen squarely and replied, "I do not know Draco. If you are really curious, then, why don't you ask the boy yourself?"
Draco shifted a bit and retorted a bit loudly, "Really, Uncle Sev, Potter probably wouldn't answer me. It's not like we're the best of friends."
"Then, how do you suppose to satisfy this obsession of yours, my dear godson?" The Potions Master replied sarcastically, his patience wearing thin.
Draco frowned at his godfather but refrained from saying something insulting. He, instead, replied, "I am not obsessed, just curious." Really, he already got over his initial fascination with the Boy-Who-Lived when he first met him at Hogwarts. This time, he merely wanted to solve the puzzle that his rival was becoming. He gave a resigned sigh and said, "If you can't give me a proper answer, then, I guess, I'm going to breakfast now. See you later, Uncle Sev."
Before allowing the teen to leave, Severus apologized for being caustic and explained that his temper was not as it usually was during mornings. Draco accepted the apology with a smile and left, leaving the older man to think on his godson's words. Recalling his last encounter with the boy, Severus agreed that Harry Potter had indeed changed. It seemed to him that after Black's brush with death, Potter mellowed a bit and became calmer, if his colleagues' praises were to go by. He cleared his thoughts and summoned a house-elf to bring him his food and prepared for his first class, which was with the sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins. He didn't realize that he was going to miss the event that would soon take place.
-o-o-o-
Both teens entered the Great Hall and seated themselves in their respective house tables. One was anticipating the announcement that would soon come while the other was pondering over his earlier conversation with his godfather.
After ensuring that most of the students were already in the Hall, the headmaster stood from his place at the staff table and made a motion to catch everybody's attention. As soon as all of the students present were looking at him along with most of the Professors, Dumbledore cleared his throat and announced, "Due to the recent defeat of Tom Marvolo Riddle, otherwise known to us as Lord Voldemort, I have decided to activate one of Hogwarts' Ancient Rules, in order to promote goodwill among the students. This rule will be symbolized by the binding of two conflicting individuals amongst all of you. Of course, not just any individual would do. I will be choosing the pair that served as the leaders that divided the school due to their enmity against each other. Although some of you may not agree, I do believe that it would serve us best if Messrs. Potter and Malfoy would end their conflict and have a truce with each other. After all, their conflict was brought about by false ideas that most of us here still harbour. It would be highly appreciated if every one of you would give their support and make the application of this rule a success."
At this pause, the students stared at the two, hoping to see their reactions. True to form, both teens had the expected horrified looks that their schoolmates wanted to see. To them, Harry was looking like he was going to protest being bound to his enemy, while Draco was acting like he was supposed to and was looking outraged by the pronouncement.
Satisfied with their reaction, Dumbledore continued, "As the current headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I, Albus Dumbledore, hereby activate the Pact of Reconciliation and bestow upon Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy the 'Link of Hope' to bind them together as the symbol of balance within this school. This is to promote for the restitution of peace within the students affected by the war brought on by one of Hogwarts' children."
At this, the Great Hall seemed to glow with power and from the ceiling came a golden chain that descended upon both teens and bound them together through magic.
Harry and Draco felt their magical cores make adjustments for the connection that was established between them. It seemed to them that their magical wavelength had synchronized with each other. Harry tested the bond and tried to see into Draco's surface thoughts. He chuckled at the surprise that the blonde was feeling and whispered mentally, =How do you feel, Draco?=
Draco almost jumped in surprise when he heard Harry's voice. He turned to face the boy and saw Harry smirk his way. He tried to answer mentally, =Is this due to the chain?=
=Yes. It also looks like we can try to see each other's surface thoughts if we want to.= Harry replied.
Draco was curious as to how Harry knew of this but dismissed it for later when the headmaster spoke again.
Dumbledore smiled as soon as the ritual had taken effect. He continued, "Now, the Link of Hope has bound the two of them together and would give them temporary connection with each other. The Link would disentangle itself from them as soon as it feels that balance has been restored. Meaning, it is semi-sentient and can feel the emotions within the castle as long as it is worn by someone, Messrs. Potter and Malfoy in this case. The two of them are supposed to act as mediators among any of you who have conflicting sentiments about the outcome of the war and will be responsible in preventing harm from befalling all of you due to the tension. I sincerely hope that you, as students of Hogwarts, would cooperate."
As soon as he was done, he sent a message, via a house-elf, to tell Harry that their room had been prepared and all their things were already transferred.
The students were talking animatedly. Their reactions were varied. Some, mostly the Hufflepuffs, were happy that the headmaster had taken action to try and ease their doubts by having two of the most influential students act as mediator. The others, like the Ravenclaws, were sceptic about it. They didn't think that by just binding two students together would even out the tension that most of them, especially the lower years, were feeling. After all, even though it wasn't a full-blown war, just knowing that their respected ministry tried to keep the public from knowing the truth about the Dark Lord's revival and subsequent demise had planted seeds of doubts for authority inside of them. The Slytherins and Gryffindors were in agreement with their reaction. Both houses were angry that their key figures would have to be bound together. The lions thought that the snakes would eat Harry out alive while the snakes believed that the lions would endanger their Ice Prince due to the Golden Boy's penchant for danger.
Ron Weasley was the most vocal about it, followed by Seamus Finnegan. The two were trying to gain their housemates' sympathies by appealing that they have to ask the headmaster to retract the rule. After all, it would not do to have their hero tainted by the 'slimy' snakes.
Hermione, Neville and Luna were fine about it. After all, they knew that the members of both houses couldn't possibly do anything against one of the two since it might endanger the other. Therefore, they would be in a stalemate and had to tone down their animosity with each other. It's very beneficial to the cause that the headmaster was spearheading since most of the imbalance was caused by the dispute among the lions and the snakes. The three thought that it was a wise move.
Blaise, Pansy and Theo also came to the same conclusion and decided to try and cooperate, for once. Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe were even seen smirking at the scene that was playing out. They liked the fact that their job as bodyguards would be easier since the Gryffs would have to tread carefully around the Malfoy heir.
As for the two people in question, they were mentally speaking with each other, discussing how they would play things out and wondering how they could serve as mediators for the students. They didn't notice that their eyes had blanked out a bit and were surprised when their friends nudged them for attention while giving them worried looks.
Draco thought, =I guess we have to practice being able to speak with each other without spacing out.=
Harry affirmed and replied, =Yeah. I don't like the idea of people thinking that we've gone bonkers because of this rule.=
With that, they conversed with their respective friends about it while pretending to be upset but willing to try it out just to make it easier for them. After the pandemonium that was breakfast, all the students headed to their classes.
-x-x-x-
Although the chain was no longer visible, the pair could feel its pull and decided that maintaining a half-kilometre distance from each other was the limit for being too far apart, unless if they want to feel uncomfortable of course. The sixth years from both of their houses acted as barriers between them in an attempt to defy the new rule.
As they reached the classroom, Harry decided to play around a bit. He purposely went and sat beside Draco, saying that he was feeling a bit prickly and thought that maybe it was because the bond was new and therefore, the two of them should be near each other. Draco agreed saying that he would rather endure 'Potter's' presence than to fail in performing perfectly the potion that 'Professor Snape' would assign to them. Both houses accepted their reasons a bit reluctantly and seated themselves appropriately.
To say that Severus was surprised would be an understatement. He was actually very flabbergasted to see his godson and Potter willingly sitting together. He blinked his eyes a bit to see if he wasn't hallucinating and when he realized that he was not; he gave a disbelieving sigh and began with his usual lecture. He instructed them to brew the Draught of Living Death, thinking that since they were already N.E.W.T. students, they probably wouldn't make careless mistakes that would blow their cauldron up. He was actually thankful that he didn't have Longbottom and Weasley in his class, although he was surprised that Potter was able to make it.
The whole class listened attentively to what the professor was saying and as soon as Severus was done, the class moved to gather the ingredients necessary. Harry, however, decided to review the instructions, forcing Draco to stand up and gather their ingredients himself. After his initial review of the given potion, Harry lit up the fire and placed their cauldron on top of it. When Draco returned with the appropriate items, the pair began their work. Subtly, Harry manoeuvred himself so as to be able to move as precisely as possible.
Draco watched curiously as his partner prepared the ingredients meticulously as any potions master would do. Even though the other boy made no move to brew the potion himself, the Malfoy heir felt the concentration that his partner was showing was bit different from usual. He wondered if this was another change that he would have to puzzle out from the boy.
With a few minutes before end of class, the pair managed to brew the potion perfectly. The two looked around to see which pairs were finished and noted that Hermione managed to brew it well with Blaise Zabini as her current partner, since Harry opted to pair with Draco. Crabbe and Goyle, who surprisingly passed their O.W.L.s made an acceptable brew. Theo and Pansy's was brewed finely. And Dean and Seamus' turned out okay. As for the rest, they were unable to finish their work considering that what they actually did was just the preliminary form of the potion and not the more potent one.
Labelling their vials, the students placed their handiwork on Severus' table to be graded while the professor dismissed them from their classroom.
-o-o-o-
Most of their classes turned out nicely. Transfigurations and Charms were classes that they didn't share with the Slytherins so Ron didn't have anything to complain about. As for Harry, he was becoming a bit uncomfortable during both classes since he was far from Draco who was suffering in his History and Defense classes as well.
And since Harry dropped Divination already, he was obligated to join Draco during Runes and Arithmancy, classes which he was only too happy to attend, since this were the classes that Draco took on alternate days instead of Divinations.
-x-x-x-
As soon as all of their classes ended, Harry and Draco were directed to the chamber that they would occupy for the duration of the year. It was situated on the West Wing of the castle and the reincarnated teen realized that it was actually part of his original chambers before the school was established. It was quite spacious and was painted quite nicely in burgundy and beige. It had three interconnected rooms, two of which were the bedrooms while the third was the common room. It also had its own private bathroom situated in-between the bedrooms. The pair settled in. Draco took the left room while Harry took the right. Deciding to forgo dinner in the Great Hall, Harry summoned Dobby, who was ecstatic to be of service, and asked for a light dinner for the two of them.
After eating their dinner, the two did their assignments and slept the night off.
-o-o-o-
The next day, the pair woke up a bit startled. Then, they remembered that they were already settled to their new quarters. They took turns on who's going to use the bath and prepared for their classes. Harry bid Draco a good morning and went out of their room first. He was surprised to know that he was unable to wake up at his preferred hour of the day, which was after the break of dawn.
Draco soon followed after him and they met at the Great Hall for breakfast. Both of them were questioned as to their location last evening and the two gave the excuse of settling down on their new quarters, satisfying their friends for the moment.
Classes went on as usual. Ron was trying to gain sympathy for Harry still by trying to antagonize the Slytherins but since the snakes had no intention of taking his bait, only a few took him seriously. Draco's peers thought it best to act diplomatically towards Harry and his gang. They imagined that since only Ron was the only one acting like a spoiled brat, then it would only be safe for them to assume that the rest came to the same realization as they did.
-x-x-x-
For one and a half month, Hogwarts school life seemed to turn out normally. Without the daily bickering between the Snakes and Lions, the student body as well as the teachers assumed that the peace would last long up until the end of the school year. It's just too bad that they were mistaken.
For Harry, on the other hand, normal would mean that he was able to go in and out of Hogwarts without anyone noticing his continued absence. Dumbledore allowed him to use his office to occasionally appear to the public as Lord Moonhaven. He was continuously gathering information about the present condition of the Wizarding World and was very much baffled as to why Cornelius Fudge was still in position. He was also irritated by the fact that due to Fudge's incompetence, the wizards were still alienating the beings that they refer to as Dark Creatures. He was quite frustrated with the situation. He was trying to act as a mediator for them and yet the fools were throwing it away due to their prejudice.
Meanwhile, Draco was having a great time. Without his constant verbal assault with Harry, he realized that he was able to enjoy his time at Hogwarts better than he usually did. He smiled at himself and recalled the interactions that he had with the boy-hero. IT was quite enlightening and confusing at the same time. He hardly noticed that Harry was disappearing from time to time but somehow, especially in their quarters, Harry was becoming a calming presence for him. He wondered if the boy accepted his friendship back then, would these things happen now.
The two spent their time peacefully. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. And for Harry, his ending would be something that would hurt him far deeper than he would have expected.
-x-x-x-o-o-o-x-x-x-
This is the next instalment.
I guess, I deviated from my original plan and separated the two major events that I would want to happen.
In the next chapter, a plot would be revealed and a friendship broken...
How Harry will handle it, I wonder...
Until next time, Kyuubi04