Again, I offer sincere thanks to all who reviewed. And a LOT more people put this fic on their favorite and alert lists. Again, I thank you.
For the record, this is a chapter with elements that I've had in mind for a long time, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. But for those who are keeping track, no, this is not the September surprise. That is still up and coming.
I wish everyone a happy and healthy, sweet New Year for 5769.
Disclaimer: I do not own either Danny Phantom or Harry Potter.
Chapter 13
On the morning of September 1, Professor Snape knocked on the door to Danny's room. Because of his general routine, he was already up and dressed, and ready for breakfast, but this was the first time he was summoned to breakfast by Professor Snape since his first morning here.
"Good morning, Daniel. Being here this early on September 1 is a rare occurrence for students. Professor Dumbledore will have announcements throughout the day. Today is a Sunday, and most announcements won't pertain to the students. Still, you don't want to miss any, so it is worthwhile to come to breakfast early." Danny followed Professor Snape to the Great Hall.
Professor Dumbledore addressed the seven professors and the four students. "Today is September 1. This will be the last intimate meal of this nature we will share until the holidays. The other professors will come back throughout the day, and at lunch, the table will extend to accommodate whoever is here. But tonight is the Welcoming Feast, and the tables will be in their normal arrangement: House tables for the students and the Head table for the professors.
"It is Sunday, and the last day before term starts. As such, I need to have a quick faculty meeting with the professors here after breakfast. As for the students, you have no set schedule besides lunch until six o'clock. Then you will get into your school uniforms and sit at your House tables until the other students arrive." Looking at Danny, he said, "For the rest of the year, it is mandatory for students to wear school uniforms every day except the weekends and holidays." Danny nodded. "Enjoy breakfast."
Ron said, "I hate to say it, but it sounds like Professor Dumbledore announced the obvious."
Danny simply looked at him. "Maybe the announcement was there to explain things to me and Uncle Vlad without singling us out. Also, the faculty meeting is important, and letting us know timing for putting on our robes and when to come to dinner was useful." Ron rolled his eyes. Danny ignored him. "What does the room look like when the House tables are set up?"
Hermione smiled. "Long tables are set up length-wise across the room. It is almost like this table, but there are four of them, and they are much longer. Gryffindor and Slytherin are against opposite walls. Hufflepuff is nearest Gryffindor and Ravenclaw is nearest Slytherin. And near the wall farthest from the entrance is the Head table."
Towards the end of breakfast, Professor Snape came to speak to Vlad and Danny. With an amused grin, he began, "Professor Masters, I appreciate the fact that you enjoy your evenings with your nephew. However, it will have to be cut short this evening, after your specialized class on Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Vlad's eyes flashed (but not turning red, Danny noticed) in anger. "Whatever for?"
Professor Snape's smile broadened. "Considering that it is September 1, there is a House meeting I have with the students. It is mandatory."
"How dare you -!" Vlad spluttered.
"Professor Masters, I have that happy power because I am Head of House for Slytherin. And while you may be Daniel's uncle, I am his Head of House. Any time I require the students in my House for such a meeting takes precedence over all other arrangements for leisure time or even detention. Class time, however, is different.
"From the end of the Welcoming Feast tonight, you have one hour. After that, Daniel will be required to attend this mandatory meeting for all Slytherin students." Vlad fumed. Danny looked from Professor Snape to Vlad and desired to turn invisible. However, he couldn't do that in front of the other students. Instead, he cringed at the fuss being made over him.
"Enjoy your day, Daniel. Professor Masters, I'll see you at the faculty meeting." And with that, he swept away from the table.
Harry, Danny, Ron, and Hermione enjoyed another morning game of Quidditch. This time, Danny played on Hermione's team. The game stayed very close and was tied by the time they broke for lunch. Privately, Harry was glad that Danny wasn't trying out for the Slytherin team; such skill in flying would give Draco far too much satisfaction. But his thoughts against Malfoy were not connected directly to Danny, who Harry concluded was a good guy.
At lunch, Harry, Hermione, and Ron pointed out the different professors to Danny. Some of the professors did double takes, as there seemed to be two of Harry, but Danny was discussed among them, as were the holidays and musings for the upcoming year. The students discussed the high points or interesting stories from each class. Professor Trelawney made an unusual appearance, and the trio enjoyed telling Danny about some of their more interesting moments with her. None of their discussions covered the actual prophecies, however.
In the afternoon, they visited Hagrid, who prepared the Thestrals for their trip to Hogsmeade station later. Danny patted Tenebrus, who remembered him. Hermione said that she almost wished she could see them, but added quickly that she was sorry that Harry and Danny could. Hagrid was glad for the company, but he had everything under control. At 5:30, he shooed them back to the castle.
Unlike Vlad, who had taken to wearing his wizard robes since Harry and his friends got there, Danny looked at his uniform for the first time since they got them from Madam Malkin's. As he remembered, they were mostly black, with the Hogwarts insignia. What surprised him were the green and silver highlights that did not used to be there. He would have to ask about that.
Coming to the Great Hall, Danny sensed a level of formality that simply wasn't there before. The Bloody Baron waved him over to what would be the Slytherin table. Danny saw that Harry, Ron, and Hermione's uniforms had accents of crimson and gold. He waved at them from across the Hall. They smiled and waved back.
Danny found a seat by the wall, about halfway down the table. The room looked like it was set up for hundreds of students. In Casper High, different classes had lunch at different shifts. But here, it looked like all the students had their meals at the same time. He smiled sadly as he thought of Mr. Lancer and his exclamations. He was sure that Mr. Lancer would have an interesting quip about this.
The Bloody Baron drifted over to keep Danny company. "It is my honor to know that I am your official House Ghost," he said with pride.
Danny smiled. Apparently, Sir Nicholas and the Bloody Baron's gentle rivalry for his attention was still ongoing. "Baron, can I ask you a question?"
"Anything you like, Danny."
"When Uncle Vlad and I went to get my uniform, all of my school robes were black. But now they have green and silver trim and other highlights. What gives?"
The Baron smiled at him. "It is an interesting spell on all Hogwarts students' uniforms. It makes it easier for the tailors to make, but they stay appropriate per the students' given Houses. Slytherin's House colors are green and silver." Looking across the room, he pointed to the trio. "Gryffindor's colors are crimson and gold. Ravenclaw's colors are blue and bronze, and Hufflepuff's are yellow and black."
Danny looked down at his uniform and studied the insignia. "What are these animals for?"
"Every House has an official mascot on their House flag. They symbol for Slytherin is a snake." After what Harry told Danny about the descendants of Slytherin being able to talk to snakes, it made sense. "Gryffindor's is a lion. Ravenclaw's is an eagle, and Hufflepuff's is a badger."
Danny smiled and looked for Vlad at the Head table. "Vlad sometimes calls me 'little badger,' but I think that has more to do with his college football team's mascot. He likes American football." His smile broadened. "He's a Packers fan."
Unsure of the Muggle sport, the Baron smiled indulgently. "If you say so. It might be interesting to see how others react if they hear this pet name for you."
Danny blushed. "I didn't think of that."
The Bloody Baron smiled kindly. "Don't worry about it. It is a term of endearment, so I can't imagine that it would be used to embarrass you."
Danny looked back up at Vlad. "I hope you're right." Looking up in front of him, Danny saw that he had an audience. "Uh, hi there."
The blond boy in front of him said, "You must be very bold to speak to the Bloody Baron. You impress me." Extending a hand, he said, "I am Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
Danny took his hand and shook it. "I'm Danny Fenton. It's nice to meet you."
Draco cocked his head. "I don't remember hearing of a Fenton Wizarding family."
Danny shrugged. "I'm from America. I can tell you that until today, I never heard the name Malfoy, either."
"Good point." Pointing the larger students standing behind him almost like bodyguards, Draco said, "These are Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. They are good friends to have."
Danny eyed them cautiously. They looked like they would tower over Dash Baxter, and that was saying something. "It's good to meet you, too." He shook their hands as well. Draco took the seat next to Danny on the side where the Baron was not. Slytherin students found seats all along the table, most of whom studied Danny before finding their own seats.
A pretty girl with a cruel smile sat in front of them. "You know, you look a lot like Potter."
Danny looked across the Hall at Harry. Their eyes met and they smiled. "I know."
"So you met 'the Chosen One,' the blood-traitor, and the Mudblood, have you?" Draco asked in a dark tone.
Danny thought of what Sir Nicholas said about Harry being 'The Boy Who Lived' and what Professor Snape said about the general Slytherin attitude. "I assume you mean Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Yes, we met. But what are these words, 'blood-traitor' and 'mudblood'? We don't use them in America." Smooth, Fenton. Nicely done, he congratulated himself.
"Interesting. A blood-traitor is a well-connected wizard who actually respects Muggles or Muggle-borns. As such, he is a traitor to the purity of his blood. And a Mudblood is a Muggle-born witch or wizard. Unlike witches or wizards with pure bloodlines, they are Muggle-derived upstarts. They have dirty blood. And so… Mudblood. To say it in front of them would be to use fighting words, but who cares?"
Danny gritted his teeth. He now had a better appreciation for Ron's attitude. He closed his eyes to collect his temper. He had lots of secrets to keep, and having his eyes flash green really would not help things at present.
Oblivious to Danny's change in attitude, Draco gestured to the pretty girl across from them. "This charming lady is Pansy Parkinson." She smiled and waggled her fingers at Danny.
"Nice to meet you," Danny said. He wasn't sure he was sincere when he said it, but he hoped that didn't come through.
"So, Danny," Draco drawled, plowing ahead. His smug arrogance reminded Danny of Vlad, and not in a good way. "What does your father do?"
Danny looked down and thought for a moment. "My father doesn't do anything at present. My family is no longer living. I am currently the charge of my Uncle Vlad Masters, who will be the professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."
Draco stopped and gave him a look of sympathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that. How did they die?"
Danny closed his eyes again. "It happened too recently. It's still too painful to talk about."
Draco nodded. He was intrigued. This new student was an orphan, but he was related to a professor. Being related to a professor gave one status. He would want to get to know this student better.
Draco Malfoy entered the Great Hall, his girlfriend Pansy Parkinson on his arm, and his friends Crabbe and Goyle behind him. His summer had been difficult with his father in Azkaban, but the Dark Lord assured him he would have the opportunity to redeem his family.
The blond teen stopped short when he saw the dark-haired teen sitting in the middle of the Slytherin table. At first he thought it was Potter, but a glance across the Hall at the Gryffindor table convinced him it was not, as Potter was at his proper table with his friends. Other students were also confused by the boy's resemblance to Potter, and continued to stare even after they took seats at their House tables. Who was this boy?
Standing not far from the strange boy, Draco noticed him talking cheerfully with the Bloody Baron, unconcerned by the ghost's gaunt face or the silver blood staining the ghost's transparent clothes. Personally, Draco was impressed by the boy's lack of fear in the presence of the Bloody Baron. He still recalled First Year, when he sat near the Bloody Baron; he didn't enjoy it.
Draco motioned for Pansy to sit across from him and nodded to Crabbe and Goyle. He was going to introduce himself to this student.
It fascinated him that Danny hadn't heard the name Malfoy until now; that also meant that he didn't know that his father was in prison. Danny was an orphan. This was interesting. It also meant Draco had to be careful about how he taunted Potter in front of him, if he wanted to gain and maintain a friendship with him.
Soon, the Hall was filled with students all talking and glancing occasionally at the new student. Everyone grew quiet as Professor McGonagall brought first the stool and the Sorting Hat, an then the First Years into the Great Hall. The Sorting Hat sang its song.
The song was different every year, but this year it reiterated its warning that the school must unite against outside dangers. Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance. Like he would ever get chummy with Potter!
But apparently, Danny already had. That just confused the issue! How was he going to play this? Did he want to taunt him for being friendly with 'Saint Potter'? Or did he want the prestige for getting close to a student with close ties to a professor?
Further, all of the Slytherin families were old, and what their families did (legally, anyway) was usually a matter of public record. This student was foreign, and he refused to discuss his family, including how they died. Perhaps if Draco was friendly, he could solve the mysteries surrounding the new student.
Of the schemes in his mind, he decided that becoming friendly with Danny Fenton seemed to be more beneficial to his aims. Draco would still personally torment Potter, especially because of what happened to his father, but he would have to be careful not to do it in front of Danny. He could do this; it would be worth it.
The list of First Years was shorter than last year. As each student was Sorted, the House they went to cheered loudly. When the last student was sorted, Professor McGonagall removed the stool and Sorting Hat. Draco's mind wandered when Dumbledore officially welcomed the students and enjoined them to enjoy the feast.
Danny looked up and down the table and decided that he didn't care much for his Housemates. Considering that he was stuck with them, he was determined to make the best of a bad situation. Draco and his hulking bodyguards Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be fellows who were better to keep track of. He would make an effort to be friendly, if not precisely friends, with them. That didn't mean he had to trust them farther than he could throw them in human form.
At the end of the feast, Professor Dumbledore stood up to address the assembled crowd. "The very best of evenings to you! To our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome back! Another year full of magical education awaits you…"
Draco leaned over and told Danny, "You know, Professor Snape is holding a House meeting after dinner. All Slytherin students have to be there."
Danny answered, "I know, thanks for telling me. I'll be there after my regular evening tutoring session of Defense Against the Dark Arts with my uncle. Now, do you mind? I'd like to hear what Professor Dumbledore has to say." That gave Draco something to think about. This new student took regular study sessions in DADA with his uncle. Very interesting.
"…and Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to say that there is a blanket ban on any joke items bought at the shop called 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes'." This comment drew smiles from students from all four Houses who had no intention of following this rule.
"Those wishing to play for their House Quidditch teams should give their names to their Heads of House as usual. We are also looking for new Quidditch commentators, who should do likewise.
"We are pleased to welcome a new member of staff this year. Professor Masters is visiting from America, and has graciously agreed to fill the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Danny looked up and smiled at Vlad. Their eyes met and he smiled back. While there was a ways to go before he became one of Danny's favorite people, he was more friendly company than the folks Danny would have to spend lots of time with on a regular basis.
Further, Danny was proud of the fact that Vlad took this job. It wasn't anywhere near as prestigious or financially stimulating as what the billionaire usually did (whatever that was), but he took it to give Danny safety and shelter from Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Vlad DID care about him, and he decided he cared in return.
"Now, as everybody in this Hall knows, Lord Voldemort and his followers are once more at large and gaining in strength." Yeah. Danny wasn't going to forget that anytime soon.
"I cannot emphasize strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we will remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I urge you, therefore, to abide by any security restrictions that your teachers might impose upon you, however irksome you might find them, in particular the rule that you are not to be out of bed after hours."
Safety rules, Danny would pay attention to. Bedtime and rules about where he could be when? Not so much.
"I implore you, should you notice anything strange or suspicious within or outside the castle, to report it to a member of staff immediately. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and others' safety." That's what being a hero was about: protecting the safety of others.
"But now, your beds await, as warm and comfortable as you could possibly wish, and I know your top priority is to be well-rested for your lessons tomorrow. Let us therefore say good night. Pip pip!"
Draco stood up and announced, "As a prefect of Slytherin, it is my duty to inform you that the first password to the Common Room this year is 'Pureblood.' I'll see you when you get back from your tutoring session, Danny. First Years, follow me!"
After Snape's announcement that their evening would be cut short, Vlad started rethinking his personal lesson plan for Daniel. He already had a few things in mind for Defense Against the Dark Arts for the upcoming week, but only Daniel's private sessions held any importance for him.
At lunch, he asked Snape for a copy of his notes on his findings on their personal lessons on Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Snape raised an eyebrow, but Vlad assured him that it was time to inform Daniel of their findings. Professor Snape had no problem giving Vlad a hard time, but he would not do anything to stand in the way of Daniel's progress. Vlad smiled; he was counting on that.
Once the Welcoming Feast was over, Vlad knew his time was limited. He gestured to Danny, and Danny nodded. They looked at the mass of humanity exiting the Great Hall, and nodded at each other again. When they felt no eyes were on them, both Vlad and Danny turned invisible and intangible, and flew to their classroom, to see Professor Snape standing there. Once they materialized inside the classroom, Professor Snape stuck his head in and announced "One hour."
Keeping his eye on his watch, Vlad told Danny of Professor Snape's 'experiments.' This word caught Danny's attention, as he remembered the painful experiments planned by the Guys in White. That was the reaction Vlad was looking for.
He shared the notes that served as Professor Snape's report on how various Dark spells affected him, and how likely the same results would occur with Danny.
Mentally cursing the time limit, Vlad used the last fifteen minutes to convince Danny of his next lesson plan. "Daniel, I'm sure you remember the ectoplasmic restraints Skulker used to bind you."
Danny shuddered. "How could I forget?"
Vlad smiled dangerously. "Good. That is what we are going to work on this week: you shall produce your own ectoplasmic restraints, binding limbs and a gag to bind mouths."
Danny's eyes widened. He thought of how his future evil self used such bindings to hold his loved ones captive. In a panic, he cried, "I don't see how that could be used for anything but villainous purposes!" He backed away from Vlad.
Vlad sighed. He didn't have time for this. "Daniel, such bindings can actually be used as a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts. Most of the curses, jinxes, incantations, and other harmful spells are performed verbally, or with a wave of a wand. If, for example, a Death Eater wished to use the Killing Curse, it wouldn't affect you (in ghost form, anyway), but wouldn't it be useful to gag him so he couldn't curse anyone else?"
Vlad knew he struck gold when dismay left Daniel's face, replaced by determination. He knew Daniel's hero complex had to be good for something.
"I guess that would be a useful way to stop evil wizards."
Vlad continued, "And wayward ghosts." Vlad smiled knowingly as Daniel saw the possibilities unfold.
A knock came at the door, and Snape stuck his head in. "The hour is up." Vlad rolled his eyes. It was, indeed. "Daniel, I know your uncle can teleport. Can you?" Danny nodded. "Then please take us outside the Slytherin Common Room. We are late."
Danny took Professor Snape's forearm but looked back at the older half-ghost. "Goodnight, Uncle Vlad." With that, they disappeared in a green mist.
How dare that blasted professor use Daniel's powers to humiliate him!? No matter. Snape would pay for this. In spades. All to help Daniel.
In the Slytherin Common Room, Professor Snape gestured for Danny to take a seat. The professor cleared his throat, and the room became silent. The professor began.
"Welcome, one and all. You have the privilege of belonging to Slytherin House. But this privilege comes at a rather high cost.
"The majority of all witches and wizards that turn Dark usually (but not always) come from this House. As such, you will be mistrusted. Students will avoid you and side against you, and other professors may readily find fault with you. Ever cognizant of this fact, I will do my best to even the playing fields. I will bend over backwards to find merit for you. If you find innovative ways to break the rules, I will most likely be lenient with you, and may actually award points for creativity, especially in situations where I might be harsh with students from other Houses.
"But this leniency, as all things in life, comes with a price. I expect excellence in your academic efforts." Looking at Danny, he said, "Results will be what they may, but you WILL put in the effort."
Still focused on Danny, but scanning the rest of the room, he continued. "Situations will arise that may present moral dilemmas. Following your natural inclinations to fulfill your ambitions, it may be difficult to piece together what is right, when what is easy may fill that niche more readily. Many will not understand you, or the options you have to sift through.
"Some of you may feel pulled to the cause of the Dark Lord, whether from family pressure, peer pressure, or personal desire. For some, it is a tempting call. I would urge you to carefully weigh your options, and be honest in your assessment of whether it would benefit you.
"Regardless of the choices you make, I want you to understand that my door is always open. I repeat: I know that your options and dilemmas will be difficult. And it is most likely that no one else will understand. I will make it my business to understand, and to help you find your way to your personal safety and your benefit. Some solutions require common sense. Some solutions require creative thinking. And some solutions may be completely counterintuitive.
"You may come to me at any time. And I do mean any time. I will post a regularly updated list of the hours I am in class, on patrol, or will otherwise plan to not be in my office. On those days, you may wait for my return in my office. On other days and at other times, if I am not in my office, you may knock on my personal door. This is a privilege that none but you and the Headmaster share. You may use but not abuse this privilege.
"Because of the sensitive nature of the affairs of this House, I may hold meetings like this throughout the year as I see necessary. When they exist, they are mandatory. These meetings supersede all leisure activities, and even detention. (If you have earned or otherwise found yourself a detention, you may need to make it up on another day.) This rule is known by all professors, so you will have little to no problems with this.
"It is my honor, privilege, and sacred duty to serve as your Head of House. I look forward to working with you, and wish you a successful year. Have a good night."
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