Chapter Four:
Pulling On A Line
A/N: Kind of a disjointed chapter, but I hope you enjoy it anyway! ^_^ Please read, review and enjoy, the reviews mean so much to me and really keep me going! Thanks so much to all my wonderful reviewers already, I Love you guys and I'm glad you are enjoying my story!
Awesome thanks to my Beta PeruvianDarkness for doing a great job as always!
This chapter song is by Great Lake Swimmers.
The line runs through like a train in a book
Or metres underwater, ending with a hook
It sways in the air when there's wind enough to lift,
The fine ones are boundaries when
There is a rift I'm just pulling on a line,
on a line I'm just pulling on a line
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
Sometimes it pulls on me
The line, it inks across the freshly fallen snow,
Where only those embracing coldness would go
It whistles and it whispers, and sometimes it howls,
It sings to me sweetly from the trees and in vowels
The Entrance Hall was much less grand than at Hogwarts; it held only one statue of the Durmstrang Institute founder with a small plaque beneath it. The ceiling was tall and gothic and the marble floors were of a dark, dull grey that almost resembled charcoal. Upon entering the Mass Hall, Harry was not as nearly impressed. There were three long House tables and the Staff one as well. Large, dangling chandeliers of candles lit the hall along with tall, iron barred windows.
Hogwarts had such a natural homey feeling to it, even just its decor. Whereas Durmstrang held inside its boundaries such gloominess and the school was so obviously built around a heavily academic environment. Not many students were smiling and joking about, but they all sat with perfect posture in their fur-lined uniforms.
Malfoy tugged harshly at Harry's robes.
"This way Potter," he muttered, and, head held high, he led the way to the front of the Hall. Many students eyes followed the two with an icy glare and Harry was surprised that not all of them were at him.
He thought of this as jealousy, the other wannabe Death Eaters envious of Malfoy's clear cut rank above them all, and of course being from one of the wealthiest most aristocratic pureblooded Wizarding families of all time, he must have been like an icon to the others. Or so Harry thought. Because in some of those glares it was much more than envy, it was pure malice and a thirst for revenge. Harry thought to himself just how many students in that room had parents that worked for or supported Voldemort. Not only that, but students whose families were immediately effected by the actions of his own parents during the height of the last Rise of Voldemort. It unnerved him.
He found himself in a mess of mostly First Years alongside Draco who stood rather properly, looking out at the statue placed before the Staff Table. Harry took a good look at it for the first time, eyeing it with slight curiousity. It was a double-headed Eagle with its wings spread out, holding a large bowl of water-like liquid in its talons.
Igor Karkaroff stood at the Staff Table and any of those who had been previously speaking automatically stopped and all attention was turned to him.
"Welcome back to another year at Durmstrang Institute for Magic, m'boys," he grinned. His heavy accent made it so that Harry had to strain to understand him, but Malfoy seemed not to be having a problem, nor did any of the other students.
"The rules are the same as our previous years together, but I must once again solidate the most important regulations we follow here at Durmstrang. Our curfew is nine in the evening every night and failure to comply will result in severe punishment to any wrongdoer. I wish you all luck in your studies- if you concentrate and try your hardest," Igor tightened his lips, his hands held at the middle clenched around themselves. "This year, we have two very special students joining us from Hogwarts School of Wtichcraft and Wizardry. We will do to sort them first...Professor Banesworth, if you would do the honours," Igor slowly lowered himself back to his seat.
A very large, rounded man with a long, greying beard dressed in expensive, black velvet robes jostled forward from the Staff Table. He was smirking madly and had a mirthful look in his eyes that Harry didn't quite approve of, especially since it was directed specifically at him. In the man's large hands was a small chalice that looked about to break between his sausage fingers. "Mister Harry Potter," the man croaked out in a deep, thunderous voice.
Harry stiffened and cleared his face of all emotion. Of course he was nervous, shaking to the bone and scared as hell. This was the second time he had to be sorted into a House, and he was not thrilled especially with so many people glaring at him with such hatred. He had to keep up a strong front though at all times. He had to make it seem like he was strong, unphasable, and undefeatable. Even small moments like this, when he was on display in front of the student body, were what Sirius' lessons were for. To prepare him to perform a gracious, grand act that would hopefully save his life.
He stood in front of Professor Banesworth, who was grinning largely now, "Well, take the cup," he sniggered, shoving the chalice into Harry's hands. Harry tried his best not to glare at the Professor as he took the cup and dipped it into the water the Eagle held. All eyes were looking expectantly upon him as he slowly brought the liquid to his lips.
Harry swallowed it and immediately warmth shot through his system and his skin began to crawl and tingle. Sparkles shot up from the top of his head and overtop, written in the air, was the word in dark navy blue, Aequor. Harry immediately searched the three tables before him and found the one whose crests were embroided in navy blue. He then looked down at his own Durmstrang crest on his uniform and found that it had transformed itself to resemble it.
Harry was officially apart of Durmstrang now. No longer was he a brave Gryffindor, but he was a cunning Aequor. The House of the Sea. He had read about it when doing his research on the Dark Arts school, and he also knew that this was the House he most definitely would be the least safe in. The students in this House were to be the worst of the worst. Much like the Slytherins back at Hogwarts.
Grudgingly, but without appearing as such, Harry strode without a word over to his new House Table and choose to sit down as faraway from everybody as humanly possible, purposefully segregating himself. He glanced across at the other House tables; the House of Land, Solum, and the House of Sky, Caelum. The House of Land was known to be people very logical in nature, very grounded and thoughtful, whereas the House of Sky were known to be astrologers, people with an expanded Third Eye ability and most were dreamers, Seers, and heavily versed in Divination. Harry would have given anything to be in one of those Houses.
Instead he was stuck in Aequor. The ones beneath the land, the snakes and the fish. The sneaky ones, extremely talented in Dark Arts of all kinds. Nyle Rosenburg and his group were all apart of the House of Sea. Harry was thankful they were a Year ahead of him, so at least he wouldn't have to share a dormitory with the slimy bastards.
"Mister Draconis Malfoy," Professor Banesworth called out now. A few chuckles were heard at the use of Draco's full name, but the platinum-haired youth seemed unaffected as he strode up to the Professor and bowed his head slightly in greeting.
Malfoy and Banesworth spoke lowly to one another, nobody else could hear. Harry raised his eyebrow at that as he watched Draco finally take the chalice and drink the liquid. As the words sparkled over Draco's head, Harry couldn't help but to groan aloud and slam his head down onto the wooden table which recieved him many questioning looks from the other boys.
Draco slid into the seat opposite of Harry with a victorious smirk, "Thought you could get rid of me that easily Potter?" he drawled amusedly.
"This fucking sucks," Harry muttered darkly, resting his face in his hands with his elbows propped up on the tabletop. It took quite the effort for Malfoy to surpress his chuckle, but he did remembering that he had to at least attempt in the slightest of ways to stay on Harry's good side. It was his duty to get the brunette to trust him, to be able to allow him to keep him safe and to keep him from harm's way. Not only did Harry's life depend on this, but so did Draco's. This thought nagged in the blonde's head every second of the day since his Father made him take that cursed Unbreakable Vow.
Dinner passed uneventfully and as it came to an end, Draco stood and eyed Harry. "I was brought here many times during my childhood. Would you like me to show you around so you don't get your thick self lost?" he teased.
Harry glared upwards, "Shove off,"
Draco shrugged, "It is not half the size of Hogwarts- no moving staircases to befuddle you either, Potty. Come on, or else you will never find the dormitory," he shoved his hands in his pockets and began walking out the Hall without looking back to see if Harry was indeed following.
He smirked to himself when he entered the Entrance Hall and he heard Harry breathing heavily beside him from catching up. He knew Potter all too well, it seemed. "Have you got your timetable, then?" Draco asked, wanting just to show Potter the key points of the Castle as it was already quarter past eight. They could not be late for curfew, especially on their first night at Durmstrang.
Harry grumbled something unintelligible beneath his breath that made Draco smirk as he reached into his cloak pocket and retrieved a crumpled piece of paper. He shoved it into Draco's hands, not wanting to be in contact with him more than he had to. "Right then, this way," Draco said, leading the way immediately to the dungeons.
The entirety of the school was so dour in Harry's opinion, though Draco seemed appreciative of it all. There was a severe lack of portraits and statues, and everything had a mid-1600's gothic feel to it. Almost like a cathedral more than a school. At a quarter to nine, Draco had completed his tour which Harry had been silent for the entire time of, dragging his feet with his hands in his pockets and his head hung.
"Why the frown, Potter?" Draco finally asked as they came to what was apparantly their new Common Room. Instead of portrait holes, Durmstrang had archways that only permitted students of that household and all staff personnel into the area. Like an extremely specific ward. Inside the Common Room there was little comfortable sitting area and more work tables than anything else, which Harry was thoroughly surprised to see students already with their study books out - before classes even began! It made him think that Hermione might like this school more than he ever could.
"I'm with you, aren't I?" Harry said between his gritted teeth.
Malfoy chuckled and Harry was surprised to see a small smile on his lips. 'Malfoy smiling. It takes a little getting used to, not that it's a bad thing,' he found himself absently thinking, and then shaking the thought quickly from his obviously delusional head.
"Well, get used to it. Because you're stuck with me all day and night, Potter. That is, of course, until we spring you," he winked and chuckled more as utter confusion was written across Harry's face.
"We spring me?" he hissed.
"Yes, what else do you think I am doing here? Gods, you're so thick you have not even figured it out yet then? I have no idea why my Father has such faith in an imbocile like you," Draco said more playfully than hurtfully as he shook his head.
Before Harry could respond or retort, or even collect his thoughts which were suddenly scattered everywhere, a boy in Fifth Year as well appeared with two others at his side. He had long, shaggy, dirty-blonde hair and blue eyes and was eyeing Draco heavily. Behind him was two brunette's that looked identical with light hazel eyes.
"Chester Dorschter, if I am not mistaken?" Draco said, putting on a small smile and extending his hand in greeting.
The blonde boy shook it tentatively and pursed his lips, "Yes, that is I. This is Migel and Quinton Longley," he introduced the two who smiled blindingly at the newest House members.
"Pleasure," Draco said with a raised eyebrow.
"Nice to meet you," Harry smiled, from what he knew both those last names were not associated with Voldemort, though he needed to be constantly suspicious he still needed to make friends whilst he was there unless he wanted to go completely nutters.
"Likewise, Harry," chimed both the twins at the same time, reminding Harry of Fred and George which made him grin lopsidedly.
"We'll be your bunkmates. There's Shaun Davidson and Mackey Rostch in our Year too, but they've got their own dormitory now to make room for you. M'afraid they won't be as welcoming," Chester winked.
"Malfoy, a word," a dark voice suddenly appeared from behind Harry and Draco. They turned to face a tall, lean boy who seemed to be in Seventh Year.
"Weston. Yes, of course," Draco's entire posture stiffened and he slowly cocked his head to the other boys in their Year without taking his eyes off the older one. "Boys, could you all be dears and show Potty here to the dorm? I'm afraid he's not the quickest and he might get lost on the way,"
"Ah, piss off Malfoy," Harry growled defensively, but upon hearing the other three chuckle he relaxed.
"Right this way, Harry, mate!"
"We'll make you feel right at home," the twins said. Draco waited until he was sure that the four had departed and then turned his full attention to Weston.
"What can I do for you?" he asked, crossing his arms.
Weston glared down at Draco, "I know He returns and I know where you stand. What are your plans with Potter? Why stick so close to him?" he questioned.
Draco sighed, "Weston, do not stick your nose where it does not belong or He will not be pleased. I have my duties to fufill, and you clearly have yours," he hissed and with that turned on his heel and walked towards the only staircase at the other end of the room where the four had disappeared to just a moment before.
Up the staircase passed five dormitory doors, Draco finally found himself at the right one and was surprised when he stepped inside to see Harry on his new four-poster bed, laughing mercilessly. Draco smirked bemusedly and raised his eyebrow as he stepped inside. He never did get to see Potter appear so enjoyable so close- it was something new for him.
"We didn't do it," The twins said in unison, smirking largely at the laughing Harry who had tears rolling down his face as he clutched his sides.
"P-please, make it s-s-s-top!" Harry laughed loudly, barking, twisting and turning on his bed sheets which were all dark navy, matching the hangings.
"Oh, fine! Finite," Quinton grinned as the tickling hex lifted from Harry who finally relaxed on the bed, his limbs spread out. Draco shook his head.
"Told yah we'd make you loosen up, Harry!" Migel chimed grinning.
"The Great Wonder Boy, succumbed by the Tickling Hex," Draco announced dramatically, making the other three chortle as Harry glared icily at him but said nothing.
"Best be off to sleep, the first days always the worst. I promise," Chester said darkly, the twins nodded in agreement. The boys set about getting ready for bed, all dressing into their pyjama's and preparing their things for the first official day of term.
As Harry lay beneath his covers he turned on his left side and was faced by Draco, who was lying on his left side. They locked eyes momentarily and said nothing, they didn't glare, but just awknowledged one another. "Goodnight Harry," Draco whispered, before letting his eyes flutter shut.
It was hard to goto sleep for Harry once again, in this strange new place with all these untrustable people around. He still had his Dark Detectors Sirius had given him before he left nearby in his dresser drawrer just in case, but none of them were going off. The most unnerving thing that was keeping him awake that night was the image of Draco sleeping with the small moonlight spilling in from the window falling down on the blonde's pale face.
As Harry watched Draco sleep soundly, it was hard not to be reminded of an angel.
The line, it writes itself across the dark sky,
In the electric flushes ending with a sigh
It weaves itself into a fabric so true
and flows just like the river, graceful adn blue.
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
I'm just pulling on a line
I'm just pulling on a line, on a line
But sometimes it pulls on me.