Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Not one ounce of it. And I do not intend any offence. I say a huge thank you to J.K. Rowling; the creator of this magical world.
A/N: Wasn't so long at updating this chapter. :). I would like to say thank you to everyone who is reading this. Also I would like to say thank you to the Wizard of Oz which inspired part of this chapter, guess which part! James is back! Well enjoy.....
In the Skin of a Slytherin
Chapter Seven – Negotiations
The chill in the wind made it difficult for Draco and Blaise to find an area where they could speak without the worry of being overheard. Many of the Slytherins had opted to stay within the walls of the common room but there was also a fair few students who still wished to be outdoors before the weather became too cold to do so. They wanted to be on neutral ground and therefore found themselves once again deep in the common room, far from others to eavesdrop and view.
"What is it you wanted to talk to me about, Draco?" Blaise asked as soon as the silencing spells were cast.
What sort of question was that? Surely Blaise knew why Draco had asked to talk. Not everyone in the world liked to state the obvious. That was why Draco answered rather snappily "Us" without really thinking.
Blaise raised an eyebrow, "I don't think there is an 'us'," Draco could hear the amusement clearly.
"You know what I mean. This is just ridiculous"
"I'm very sorry, Draco, but whose fault is it for this ridiculousness?"
"Yours" Draco snapped, his control wavering. Blaise raised both his eye brows then and silently said 'Oh, Really?' "Fine, maybe it was a good idea to have no communication with you." Draco really didn't have the patience to be playing along with Blaise's games. Thankfully that line sobered Blaise. Draco had been about to spin on his heels and walk away, head held firmly in the air, but Blaise's hand caught his elbow holding him in place.
"Surely it's no fun on your own, Draco." When Draco went to refute his loneliness Blaise held up the hand that was not attached to Draco's arm. Wanting to show that he wasn't under Blaise's power Draco wrenched his arm from Blaise's grip. Blaise didn't fight Draco at all and allowed his arm to drop back by his side. "Don't lie to me. I know you've hardly spoken to anyone over the past few days."
"I have spoken to many people." The indignant cry blurted out of his mouth.
"Yes, but you've not had an actual conversation with them. Lecturing the younger years and answering teachers questions do not fully qualify as having conversations. Funny enough conversations are a two way correspondence."
"I spoke to you last night for who knows how many hours." Draco knew he was fighting a losing if not already lost battle but was unable to give up. He knew his last remark was juvenile but couldn't help himself. He was therefore expecting to pay the price.
"That was business. If you can't recall we are supposedly on non speaking terms with one another." Blaise spoke in a matter of fact voice. Draco needed to get control of this and fast. Taking a slightly deeper breathe than usual Draco padlocked his feelings, threw away the key and tackled the conversation, as he should have from the beginning; logically.
"That was what I wished to talk about. I think that, especially when the lion is around, we should stick together. One of the Slytherin codes of conduct is unity. How can we be a unity if we are at odds with one another? Yes, recently we have had a slight disagreement and this has led to a rift but, however weakly, that can be mended. Yes, the pot may not be as perfect as it once was but with a gluing charm it is a lot more useful than in many pieces, is it not?" Metaphors were so much easier to explain and discuss. He awaited Blaise's reply.
"But it's not a pot is it Draco? It's like a pane of glass that has been cracked into two. Even without gluing charms it can give the illusion of one, whole pane but really, in truth, it is two separate pieces. Gluing charms, as you may know, very rarely work on glass. Once it is cracked it is broken forever. It shall never achieve what it was once before." Blaise seemed genuinely quite disappointed by this and, truth be told, Draco was as well.
"But illusions always have the ability to fail. Is it not best to at least try a gluing charm?" Determination was a key factor of being a good Slytherin and Draco had determination by the bucket load. It was all well and good to be ambitious but if there was no determination then no ambitions would be achieved.
"By all means, Draco, by all means. I was just making you aware of the fact that it may not work. It could even backfire. Do you not think the illusions are easier?"
"In front of others illusions maybe easier but there is always a time limit as to how long illusions can last. I do not wish for the illusion to drop and the glass to shatter."
"And I do not wish for the charm to backfire and the glass to shatter. It is a fragile ground we walk upon; putting extra pressure on it will not likely help." And that was why they worked together so well. They usually saw opposing views and were able to piece together all information. And neither one gave in to the other. But which one was to win this time? If one did win on this topic it was unlikely that their unsteady...whatever-it-was would be able to heal or even remain as it was. Both of them had to win. Meaning both of them had to lose. It made more sense to keep as they were for the moment before immediately jumping in and trying to heal the problem. Blaise would have to win first. And by looking at Blaise's face Draco knew that Blaise had also come to this conclusion.
"Fine, we try your option first. But only for a certain length of time. A week?"
"A week? Yeah right," Blaise scoffed. "A month at least."
"I see the lesser company is affecting you. Two weeks."
"No, Draco, but I fear that the voices in your head will start affecting you. I'll agree on three weeks, no less."
"The only voice that affects me is yours. Three weeks is hardly a compromise on your half; two and a half and it's a deal."
"Draco, you're so kind to me." As he said this, Blaise put his hand over his heart. "Two and a half it shall have to be then."
"Do not take it as a complement." To seal the deal they both extended a hand and shook.
"Not a complement. Got it. You'd never be able to give a complement to another living soul even if you were facing the most beautiful person in the world."
"I would never be facing the most gorgeous person in the world. That is, unless I was looking in a mirror."
"Careful there, anymore and your ego might start purring." They both smiled in amusement at each other after the banter. For the moment it was as it used to be and Draco couldn't remember the last time he had felt this relaxed and at ease. Maybe it wouldn't take so much effort to become friends again or whatever-they-had-been after all and maybe they could easily slip back into the roles they used to play. "So, when is it we get to have our fun with the little, lost lion?"
Checking the time Draco was shocked to find that it was nearing dinner. He wanted to check the common room first to make sure there was nothing the feline could get his inquisitive paws on that was not at all related to why he was visiting the dungeons. He was already going to ingest much information, probably already had, no reason to give him extra. And so as the common room began to empty, both he and Blaise surreptitiously checked that there was nothing of importance lying around before heading to the Great Hall.
Dinner that evening consisted for the first time in a while with Draco communicating with others. Even if this was only exchanging small insults with Blaise. The other Seventh years noticed the change in behaviour and Draco observed Greengrass' reaction closely. She sat far too intimately to Blaise for them to be able to comfortably eat their dinner and daggers would often be thrown in Draco's direction by her hazel eyes. Blaise seemed unaware or then acted so. Draco soon tired of the piercing stares and decided to take action.
"Daphne," Her face snapped around to face his from where she had been in discussion with Pansy. She didn't seem to know whether to act surprised or suspicious, unsure whether to support wide eyes or narrowed. "Is your family going to our Christmas event this year?" His voice full of innocence and curiosity.
Her brows knitted together slightly in confusion, answering with a hint of hesitancy, "Yes."
Draco berated himself for bringing thattopic up; it just reminded him of what must be done in a month's time. But he had started it and therefore would proceed as if unaffected. "I did wonder whether Mother would invite you again after the commotion your own Mother made last year." Greengrass blushed at the recollection. Excellent. There were snickers coming from the surrounding group. Draco recognised the fact that this would not assist alleviating the enmity she had acquired for him but it put her back where she belonged.
And now maybe for a little charm? "Of course, I am glad she did invite you." He put emphasis upon the last word and let it linger in the air for a short while before continuing, "You looked exquisite and were one of my finest dance partners of the evening." Maybe that was more than just a 'little charm' but it gave the desired effect as Greengrass now blushed for an entirely different reason. This sentence caused several varied reactions from the surrounding group of Seventh years including raised eyebrows from Blaise and accusatory glances from Pansy whose eyes were zipping between Draco and Greengrass. Once everyone seemed to have broken off into separate conversations once again, when Greengrass looked back up at him, after fighting the red tinge of her cheeks away, he smiled enchantingly but his eyes shone threats causing her to look away once again.
It was finally time for Phase Three. Time to meet the lion again. Both Blaise and he were to meet the Gryffindor in the alcove at the end of the potions corridor and were going to inform him of the plan before taking him back to the common room. They had been walking down the dimly lit, dark, dank passageways of the dungeons in an awkward silence the tension as thick as the stone walls surrounding them, that was until Blaise burst into song.
"We're off to see the lion, the lonely lion..."
"Zabini, I do not need a reminder of your muggle relations."
"Cheer up Draco because... we're off to see the lion"
"What a fantastic representative of Slytherin you are; singing and dancing down the dungeon passageways." The sarcasm oozed viscously from his mouth. "Are you going to show up in the Hufflepuff common room claiming to have badger qualities? You are more a badger than James is snake, I am sure." That ceased Blaise's prancing.
"I, my once, now not so sure, friend, am one hundred and fifty percent Snake, thank you very much."
"Well you do a brilliant job at fooling people. Your arithmancy skills are diabolical."
Blaise spoke his next line pinching his nose with his head up high and his back poker straight and began to walk in a fashion that caused his robes to billow. "Hello, I am Professor Snape, oh wait no I'm not I'm Draco Malfoy." Blaise burst into a fit of laughter.
"Ha ha. That was so amusing I'm laughing so much my face is straight." Draco replied dryly and walked past the brunette who was hunched over due to his amusement.
"Draco you're losing your touch; you've said that one before." Blaise said in between bales of laughter.
"You know, hyena, if you do not move soon we will be so late that it will not even be fashionable." Blaise was still laughing gently as they rounded the corner to the potions corridor.
Stepping up to the alcove Draco straightened his posture and brushed his robes. As he did so Blaise snorted softly, Draco shooting him a disgusted look at such behaviour. They walked into the alcove simultaneously.
Once inside Draco was shocked to find that the light was much brighter than that of the dungeons passageways and yet from the other side it had given the impression of being as dark as the starless night outside, darker even. Hiding his surprise, Draco focused his attention on the figure that stood opposite them. James was casually leaning on the far stone wall with one foot propped up against said wall. He appeared to be trying to stifle laughter, but he was failing, miserably. Draco didn't understand what he could find humorous; in his peripheral vision he could tell that Blaise had dropped into his business mode once again and was acting as he should. Deciding that Gryffindors most probably have a bizarre sense of humour, he let it drop.
"Good evening Gentlemen, so nice of you to join me." James' grin flashed white teeth in the golden glow of the lamp. He pushed himself from the wall and extended an arm. Draco nodded his greeting while shaking the other's hand. Blaise's reply was a murmured, "Evening," as he did the same. James' smile was extravagant compared with the rigid posture and statuesque faces of the Slytherins opposite him, obviously not at all dismayed by their impassive reactions. "You said you needed to speak with me before we proceed to the common room." The raised eyebrows and higher octave at the end turned the statement into a question.
"Yes," Draco inclined his head in agreement. "We have things to sort out before we leave here. Concerning your reason for being in the common room." Understanding flickered through the lion's eyes and he gestured for Draco to carry on, looking quite intrigued. "We have fabricated a reason for your perhaps unpredictable appearances in the House of the Snakes. As you offered no help it is not in your ability to alter this fabrication. The House have already heard much of this story. Therefore you need to know so that no questions are raised because two separate answers have been given."
"I know the reasons why we must have the exact same story. Maybe if you could elaborate on the story?"
Draco wasn't fond of being interrupted. Deciding that he had spoken quite enough at this present moment in time Draco allowed Blaise to tell James their story.
"You are a prodigy in potions and have come to ask Professor Snape to teach you the advanced levels of the subject. When you last visited us it was the day of your interview. Professor Snape has accepted to instruct you. Unfortunately you are unable to be here throughout all of the year due to other commitments in your life and also Professor Snape's busy schedule. This causes your tutoring to occur very haphazardly when your available periods collide. This can sometimes lead to you staying at Hogwarts overnight while brewing the potions; therefore Snape has given you permission to enter the Slytherin common room on these evenings...." Draco vaguely listened to Blaise's informative voice but his main focus was on the face of James. Although the brunette seemed to be soaking in the information like a sponge does water his expression never changed. In just the few times Draco had seen this lion he had established that although this Gryffindor tried, very hard, to mask his emotions, his eyes betrayed him. The deep blue eyes portrayed what flashed through the mind behind them. But this evening as he was told the detailed description of what he was to answer to any questions the eyes hadn't changed at all. Surely the Gryffindor would have thoughts on their story. He couldn't have managed in one short month to be able to detach his eyes from his emotions. They gleamed with his amusement just at the start of this meeting. They didn't change even as he asked his questions.
"What if the Slytherins speak to S... Professor Snape?" Draco caught the slip of the tongue but it narrowed his search down by nothing. All the Gryffindors refer to Professor Snape as Snape. The whole school does, even Draco himself sometimes refers to Severus as Snape. This little lion was quite infuriating.
"Professor Snape has been informed of this account and has agreed to support it, on one condition." Draco replied to the question allowing Blaise a break from his ramblings.
"And what condition is that?" For the first time of the evening James sounded wary and rocked back on his heels slightly, enlarging the space between them.
"That you do go and see him for tutoring potion sessions. It must be believable after all and if someone in Slytherin asks you to brew a potion for them you must be acceptable enough to be able to brew it." James' shoulders relaxed fractionally as he heard this answer. So this Gryffindor was a good brewer, or was very confident in himself with the art of potions. And what's more was the fact that he didn't seem to mind the idea of spending many hours with Severus. Wasn't Longbottom then.
"That's logical enough."
"Do you have any more questions?" Draco asked, about ready to leave the alcove and get this evening finished with. Today had been an exhaustingly long day and he just wished for it to end. On the plus side Phase Three was now complete. The final Phase of their plan had drawn to a close.
"If I'm not actually a student here why am I wearing the Slytherin robes?" As he said his enquiry James looked down and gestured towards his outfit.
"That would be because you never spoke to us about your dress sense now, wouldn't it?" Blaise was the first to reply.
"Well I hadn't already formed the agreement with you the first time you met me, had I?" James was quick to jump to his own defence. Draco noted his phasing.
Blaise held up his hand, silencing the quick to anger lion. "Now, if you had let me finish I would have explained the reason for your clothing, would have even given you a choice." Blaise was calm and collected his voice even sounded gentle yet it seemed as if he were a parent scolding his child for interrupting. "After your untimely addition to the conversation you shall not get to voice your opinion on why you wear the Slytherin uniform. The reason why you wear the Slytherin uniform is so as not to attract attention to yourself.
"First it was purely for the fact that when you came into our common room that first time you did not want to stand out too dramatically. And now you wear it for all the time that you spend within the walls of Hogwarts, Professor Snape informed you that students from the other Houses would likely take less notice or steer clear of you if you wore the emblem of the snake." Draco was secretly impressed. This had not been a part of what they had discussed the night before, Blaise's spontaneity and improvisation skills were exemplary. "Is that to your satisfaction?" Draco was able to easily recognise that that was in fact directed towards him rather than James even though Blaise never moved his body nor gaze from the lion. Draco turned his head to face Blaise and discreetly nodded his head once while at the same time the Gryffindor responded with a; "Yes, thank you."
The walk back to the common room had been even more uncomfortable and unbearable than the walk towards the potions corridor had been. It had taken a long time for Draco's eyes to adjust to the dim lighting in the dungeons passageways. Shadows became distorted especially with only the flickering of the flames burning every few metres on either side of the walls. Draco resisted the urge to encircle himself with his arms due to the stale, icy air that clutched at him and irritated his throat with every inspiration. Draco had been through these tunnels many times over his six years and a few months at Hogwarts yet tonight he felt trapped. He didn't understand the reason behind such thoughts and feelings, maybe he was just exhausted and his imagination had run wild, but he wished to be in the safety of the Slytherin common room, promptly.
Closing the entrance to the common room was a huge relief; it was as if a great weight had been taken off his chest, allowing him to breathe. He hoped their guest didn't stay too long; he wished to go to bed and sleep for eternity. He had to focus; there was work to do. All signs of any weakness must be banished. Taking in a large inhalation Draco took his hand off of the entrance and turned around to face the room. All eyes had snapped to them as the three had entered the lair of the Snakes. Nearly every one of his Slytherins had their gazes fixed upon the outsider. Once Draco had led the other two over to the fire many hushed whispers began in the room's surrounding occupants. The three of them sat as they had before; with Draco in his high-back chair, Blaise in his recently often vacant seat as James slumped into the sofa. Draco relished the comfort. But only for a split second.
Draco was quite astounded as Davies stood from her seat by the other Seventh Years in the corner and headed over to where the three of them sat. Once she had reached them she stood directly in front of James and extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Tracey Davies. I believe I did not introduce myself to you properly the last time you were here."
James took hold of her hand and leaned closer all the while staring into her eyes as he responded. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tracey. I also, rudely, did not introduce myself, I'm James Prince. But please call me James." He had leant closer and closer to her as he spoke and by the time he had finished his face was just inches from her hand, the back of which he then proceeded to kiss before pulling himself away with a charming smile plastered over his features and his eyes sparkling. After smiling back hesitantly with a strawberry face Davies slowly took her hand from his loose grip and went scuttling off back towards Pansy, Greengrass and Bulstrode no doubt. Manipulation was most probably well within this Gryffindor's grasp. Taking his focus away from the vomitable handsomeness and onto what James had just said, Draco revolved the surname, 'Prince' around his head. Now there was a revelation of sorts. Yes, a name within the wizarding community but not prestigious. He couldn't put a face to the name but for some reason Severus kept flashing through his thoughts. Had Severus said something to him once about someone named Prince? He must have, but what? Maybe it was time to pay Severus a visit. Later in the week, that way it would give him the excuse of checking whether the lion was keeping his side of the bargain and visiting Snape for potions tutoring. Yes, a visit with Severus was quite in order.
After Davies had taken the initial action all the other Slytherins eased slightly and there were several who came to talk to the newcomer. As Draco and Blaise had predicted the night before there were many Questions asked. All questions they had covered the previous night. Draco sat back and mostly just watched from his chair the goings on of the common room. His main focus was their little lion. James was quite the puzzle; he was in an unusual way evasive and there was something about him that told Draco he disliked the audience. But then he seemed to be able to communicate with different people in just the right way to lure them in and he answered jovially to all questions asked even if the answers he gave were structured in a way that didn't quite reply to the query asked. His body language screamed an invitation to talk to him and yet at the same time it shouted to leave him alone. His face shone trustworthiness but it seemed as if there was a separate face, a face empowered by a smirk that said 'I dare you.' It was both an invitation and a challenge. There was so much ambiguity about him. Just like the fact that he leads two lives.
But why? He had spoken about the war. That was his apparent reason for entering the lair of the snakes. Why would someone go to such lengths? Was he a Death Eater with a dummy, sent to do the Dark Lord's bidding before he can get that prize he wants? Who would really go to such lengths just to receive a tattoo? A painful one at that. Or was he so against the Dark Lord that he would go to such lengths? Maybe it was an admirer of Potter's, trying to get into the good books of the Golden Boy and attach themselves to the fame and fortune that was Potter. But somehow Draco just could not see Weasley doing something like this, he would most probably, no definitely, prefer to kiss Potter's arse in front of the whole school in the Great Hall than he was to delve into the world that was Slytherin. Although that's hardly a comparison seeing as the red head practically already does the former, on a regular basis.
But, what about Potter himself? He had the motive, that was unquestionable. But Potter wouldn't have agreed so readily to be taught by Snape. This was just one of many pieces that didn't fit this puzzle. The Golden Boy was just that; the most idolised, absolute Gryffindor there was and ever could be. The Boy Who Lived wouldn't be able to spend one day in the dungeons and live to see the light again to tell his tale. Unlike the numerous times he has escaped the clutches of the Dark Lord. But that was most definitely a point to be made about his choice in the upcoming war; if the Dark Lord couldn't beat Potter, how incompetent a Lord of Darkness he was. He couldn't even kill a harmless baby. Or not so harmless as the case may be. Even Draco, himself, had been in uncountable duels with the Gryffindor and had sometimes even been the victor.
Focussing once more on the events around him Draco noticed that the First and Second years had already gone to their dormitories. Half past nine then. That was quite late enough for one evening to be in the presence of James, the lion in snake's skin. And Draco also still needed to collect his essay from the Third and Fourth Years this evening. It was quite startling really; the large group James had surrounding him. His Slytherins never usually got so excited about visitors. They often treated any new additions to the House with wariness and for weeks a new snake could receive only glares. Of course there were always exceptions. This is usually because of the person's family's prestige or wealth. But James didn't necessarily have either. But then if they thought he was exceptional at potions maybe it was for future reference?
Deciding that it was time to bring this evening's meeting to an end, Draco asked, "What time was it, James, that you said you needed to go back to the potion you were brewing?" It was questioned in an even voice, allowing none of the others to understand any hidden meanings. James looked at the time and was shocked enough that his eyes widened. Draco didn't mind this, it only added to the act.
James looked up at him and said over some protests, "Now, otherwise I'll be unable to salvage the potion. I best be going. It was nice to meet you all, I hope we speak again soon." He smiled extravagantly as he stood and languidly stretched like the cat he was supposed to be and headed for the entrance. With a last wave the brunette was gone. At least he could act and be convincing. There were even louder protests about his leave and some excited chatter about the lion. Draco had had quite enough for one day.
"Who do you think you are?" He called. The room silenced immediately. "I do not believe it is in the nature of a Slytherin to whine. Quite disgustingly vulgar behaviour. As Prince said himself, he shall be back; there is no need for such performances." Many of the faces coloured slightly. "Third and Fourth Years, I require your essay. I do hope you hadn't thought I had forgotten." A couple of the Third year girls went hurrying off to their dormitory to fetch the parchment. The room's volume had gradually increased to that of its norm by the time they were back. After taking the parchment Draco thought that they should be grateful he was in no mood to assess it where he stood and read it aloud to the rest of the occupants in the common room. Instead he nodded his head and departed to his room with the idea of sleeping for the rest of the century.
End of Chapter Seven
A/N: Thank you for reading, I will get Chapter Eight up as quick as possible! It would be lovely if you could review :). If you have any questions I will try to answer them as best I can.
So Draco is rather close to who James is, is he not? I wasn't plannig on him knowing quite so soon, but it just fitted nicely there. Not there yet though.
I am sorry If there were any mistakes during this chapter and any others, I am beta-less. If I am doing something incorrect with anything like my punctuation, spelling, grammer etc. please let me know! thank you.
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