Thank you one and all for making me feel so loved! I appreciate that you took the time to read, review, and put this story (and me) on your favorite and update lists. I'm offering cookies and chocolate milk, this time.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, Harry Potter, or The Shining. I also don't own Quidditch Through the Ages.

Chapter 46

At 8:00 that night, Vlad said, "Very good, little badger. You've done well. We're done with lessons for today."

Both Danny and Vlad turned human, and Vlad conjured a fireplace, a couch, an end table, and a tea set.

Danny understood that Vlad wanted to talk about something emotional. After last night, Danny wasn't surprised. "What's going on, Pápa?"

Pouring himself a cup, Vlad thought for a second. "Since you asked me to adopt you, I've set the wheels in motion to make it official."

Danny nodded, took a cup himself, and said, "Okay."

"And my lawyer is arranging many things for us, so we don't have to worry about technicalities. Still… we have to meet with a representative or two from Wisconsin Child Welfare Services. They need to decide that I'll be a fitting parent and that you will be happy with me."

Danny stared. "That would mean we have to go back to America."

Vlad smiled. "Very good, Daniel. We have an appointment next week. You and I will bring your favorite uncle to my… our home in Wisconsin."

A shiver shot through Danny. Vlad was serious about sharing everything, or so it seemed. It didn't seem real – a lot of Vlad's stuff would also be Danny's stuff. Kind of. "When, next week?"

"Our appointment is next Saturday."

Danny jerked his head. "But… Pápa, next Saturday is the Quidditch match."

"And?"

"But I'm supposed to play in it!"

Vlad snaked an arm around Danny's shoulders. "Daniel, the appointment is for after the game."

Danny shook his head. "But if it's after the game, that won't give me a chance to go to the… well, I hope it'll be the victory party afterwards."

Drumming his fingers of his free hand on the armrest, Vlad said, "That won't be a problem. How long is a game?"

Danny shrugged. "I don't know. It changes per game." Draco told him that a game could go on for hours, if not days.

Vlad took his hand that drummed his fingers and ran it down his face. The boy would use logic if it killed him. "Daniel, when does the game end?"

"Well… when the Seeker catches the Snitch."

Raising an eyebrow wryly, Vlad said, "And you will be the Seeker tomorrow. And unlike other Seekers in this game, you'll see the Snitch the entire game. Catch it quickly, and you'll have plenty of time for a victory party, as I don't envision you'd take your eye off the ball to let Miss Chang get it, hmm? And we'll still have plenty of opportunity to get to our appointment on time."

Danny thought for a second. "But you said it was after the game."

Vlad sighed. "Yes, dear boy, but later in the day. The appointment is for 3pm, Central Time. It will be 10pm here. I'm sure the game will end in enough time such that you can party to your heart's content, and we'll have more than enough time to accomplish whatever needs doing."

Danny felt stupid. "Right."

"Come now, my boy. Even I can tell you're nervous. You're being ridiculous. On your worst day, you can fly better and faster than they can. The item you seek isn't even a matter of finding, as you'll have it in sight the whole time. To be perfectly honest, I don't think I could have stacked the deck more unfairly to benefit Slytherin than you just showing up if I tried."

Danny scowled. "I won't cheat!"

Vlad grinned. "Of course you won't. However, your very existence is a supreme unfair advantage. Not unlike… if Brett Favre played touch football with ten year olds. The man wouldn't cheat, but he'd have quite a few obvious advantages. The only difference is that your advantages are only obvious to those in the know."

Danny frowned. "But…"

"Would it make you feel better if I promised not to place bets on which side will win?"

Danny wanted to object, but he couldn't come up with anything. "I guess."

Vlad laughed, and poured himself another cup. He promised not to place a bet on which side would win. He never said anything about placing bets on how quickly he figured Slytherin would win. Giving the rest of the team a chance to score, he figured under half and hour would be more than sufficient…

One week later was game day, January 25. Draco woke Danny, who groaned. "Danny, how are you this morning?"

"Awake. Well, now anyway."

Draco snickered. "That's good and rather important. You need to get upstairs in time for breakfast. Both Urquhart and Professor Snape get rather cross with team members if they don't eat heartily before a game."

Sitting up, Danny stretched. "I guess… that might explain how come the House team ate like there was no tomorrow last time. I only got breakfast 'cause you served me some."

Draco blushed as he grinned. "Yeah, well… Are you nervous?"

Running a hand through his hair, Danny said, "About what? Our team is enough to make anyone nervous, but knowing they're my team helps to calm a qualm or two. As for the actual game play… no, not really."

Draco blinked. "Really? Before my first game, I was terrified. Not that anyone who wasn't a Slytherin knew about it. Marcus Flint – a prefect and team captain at the time – told me the night before that if I didn't eat properly on game day, he'd force-feed me. So with proper Slytherin aplomb, I ignored my nerves and took breakfast like any other day."

"Whoa! That's… kinda serious."

Draco shrugged. "Well, yeah. Slytherin has a reputation to uphold. We are proud, and united – mostly. And if anyone else is nervous and sees us completely unruffled, that gives us a sweet advantage. It's a strategy with attitudes. Psychological warfare is almost as important as the game itself."

Danny covered his face. "Oy." It was too early in the morning to think of using Vlad-like tactics, and this was only for a game. It wasn't Draco's fault that such things were practically his House's defining features, but Danny didn't have to like it.

Draco threw a pillow at him. "Get in the shower. We'll talk afterwards."

Danny caught it and glared at him. "Fine."

As the dark-haired Slytherin made his way to the wardrobe and then the shower, Draco stared after him – those were excellent reflexes. Most people would have missed the pillow until it hit their heads, but not Danny. Interesting.

On their way up to breakfast, Danny asked, "Draco, where do I get my uniform?"

"It will be there for you in the locker room. You know where my broom is?"

Danny strove not to roll his eyes. "Yes. You told me three times this week. This will be fine."

"I'm just checking."

Danny almost giggled. "You're too funny. I'm not nervous, so you're practically being nervous for me."

"Well, any Quidditch match is a dangerous obstacle course. And while I'm glad for your confidence, you just… you haven't practiced, and between all the things coming at you, I hope you don't mind if I'm a little concerned on behalf of my friend."

Danny smiled. The obstacle course he went through three days ago was by far more complicated than all 13 other players and the four balls would be. The things coming at him moved much faster than the Bludgers and Snitch were spelled to move. But Draco had no need to know this. "Thanks, Draco. I'll be fine."

At breakfast, Danny took pancakes and two sausages, but Draco served him a large scoop of scrambled eggs and poured him orange juice. "Draco, do you mind?"

Draco shrugged blithely. "Not at all. And don't forget a glass of milk."

Danny started to eat but raised an eyebrow. "Not even my mother was that picky about what I ate."

"And I'm betting your mother wasn't the Head of House of a boarding school and making sure the participants in a contact sport didn't pass out from nerves or lack of nutrition. My mother isn't so fussy, either. But Professor Snape makes sure prefects remind the team to eat right. Most of the team doesn't need to be reminded though. Let's just say it's one more reason we've always appreciated Professor Snape."

Danny worked on the hearty breakfast Draco foisted on him, and he thought about that. It sounded like the blond spouted a mantra that had been repeated endlessly. If Uncle Severus was so concerned about the students… that was actually kind of nice.

While teenagers as a rule rebelled against parents, everyone here was away from home with the brief exceptions of Christmas and Easter vacation. And while that almost guaranteed a little more freedom (if your parent or guardian wasn't part of the faculty), it was good to know that someone was looking out for them. As Danny poured himself the recommended glass of milk (it was a square meal – the protein, the milk, the starch, and the juice, and the professor insisted on it? Sweet!), he noticed that the Ravenclaw team didn't seem to care. Cho pecked at a pancake as she talked to her tablemate.

Danny wasn't about to say anything against Professor Flitwick, but it was really nice to know how much Professor Snape cared.

Urquhart clapped his hands. "Men! On your feet. We've got a new Seeker to clothe and to discuss last minute strategy." He waited two beats as the players came away from the table. "Let's move!"

Draco tagged Danny's arm and they exchanged a grin.

In the stands, Draco joined Harper as they waited for the stadium to fill. "Malfoy, I remember Fenton's record-breaking catch of the Snitch at try-outs. But I haven't seen him practice since then. Was it a fluke? Or is he any good?"

Draco pulled his cloak tighter around him. "I sat with him last game. He seemed to see the Snitch at least two minutes before the thing was even visible. I wish I knew more about his flying style, but with an eagle eye like his, I'm sure it won't be a problem."

Draco looked up to see four new arrivals, three wearing Slytherin scarves, and one wearing Ravenclaw colors. What surprised him was all four were Gryffindors. "Really… The Golden Trio is decked out in Slytherin colors? How… deliciously ironic."

Harry rolled his eyes, but Ron was annoyed at the 'Golden Trio' comment. "Malfoy, do you have a problem?" Ron hissed.

Draco laughed. "Not at all. It was just the last thing I expected (but rather hoped) to see – your sister is more or less what I expected. However, since Danny went to your victory party, I was curious to know if you'd really do it." He laughed again. "I think I've earned quite a bit of money. I suppose I should thank you." Harper grinned – he was in on Malfoy's bet.

Harry huffed. "We didn't do it for you, Draco. I figure I owe it to my new cousin." Ron and Hermione smirked.

Draco narrowed his eyes. "I beg your pardon. Did you just call Danny your cousin?"

Harry grinned. "Yeah. It's… a little complicated. But Danny's like a long-lost cousin."

Draco blinked. "How is that possible?"

Shrugging, Harry said, "I'm not sure how it started, but there you go."

Before Draco had a chance to inquire further, Harper drawled, "Well, look at that. Loony Lovegood's not wearing her eagle hat. She's dressed as neutral as Fenton was last game. But she always wears that hat when her House plays. What's she playin' at?"

Luna wore a black and gray scarf, gazing dreamily at the Quidditch pitch. Hermione saw her. "I wonder whether that's Danny's scarf." She mused.

Draco figured this was decidedly unfair. Harry was closer to Danny such that he actually referred to him as family. Granger seemed to have the pulse of Draco's best friend's love life, and the Weasley cretin was lapping it up. Draco comforted himself by knowing that he earned a significant sum in the Slytherin betting pool, because Danny got Harry to wear Slytherin colors. Danny knew nothing of the betting pool, but Draco sat straighter as he thought of a gift to get his American friend for winning him a tidy sum. And the match had yet to begin.

In the locker room, Danny steadied himself, chanting, "These guys are bigger than Dash, but they need me. These guys are bigger than Dash, but they need me." When he finished dressing (How did they get his measurements? He was smaller than Draco, so the clothes weren't Draco's. Did Madam Malkin deliver this uniform?), he closed his eyes, took a breath, and faced what still felt like the bully bullpen.

Urquhart eyed him and nodded approvingly. "Right. Glad to have you with us, Fenton. You are the ace in the hole, as you are unknown to all but us, and your uncle. You remember your instructions?"

Draco told Danny that style largely equaled substance, and the image of calm was more important than being calm. Ignoring his fear, Danny rolled his eyes and said, "Stay out of the way, distract Cho until we're at least six goals up, but if we're having a scoring rally, hold out for at least ten goals up before catching the Snitch."

A cruel smile spread on Urquhart's face. "Letter perfect. Do your job. We'll do ours, and we will crush the Ravenclaws."

Danny sincerely hoped that the expression was figurative and not literal. With this crew, he honestly couldn't tell.

Goyle smacked Danny in the back. "You'll do fine, Fenton. Do like you did at try-outs. You are better than Potter, you know."

Danny gave a half-smile. "That's what they tell me."

Urquhart looked the team over one more time, and then commanded, "Alright, team. Move out!"

Danny could remember only one other time when he entered a school stadium via the locker room entrance: when he replaced Tucker as the Casper High Ravens mascot. Nobody cared about the mascot – he got trampled into the mud and lost a tooth or two. (Thank goodness for the swift ghost healing! Chipped and otherwise broken teeth had a way of growing back. That just didn't happen for humans…) But here, Danny was a valued team member, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. It was… a seriously cool feeling.

Once on the pitch, Danny looked up. Solidly half of the audience wore green and silver. That… was unexpected, based on the way Danny understood House relations. The other half wore blue and bronze. He looked until he found Vlad's red cloak – Vlad's penchant for the flamboyant (perhaps it was just the face Vlad showed the Wizarding World?) was supremely helpful when it came to sighting him in a crowd. Vlad smiled proudly, and Danny felt a warm glow inside.

The Ravenclaw team came from a different direction and were also cheered on. Danny nodded in respect to the other team, and he realized that, with the exception of one of the Beaters, none of the Ravenclaw players were built like linebackers. Dude, he really hoped that 'crushing' comment of Urquhart… never mind. Danny felt vaguely ill.

Cormac McLaggen took the magical megaphone from Professor McGonagall. "Welcome to another thrilling game of Quidditch! Today we have Slytherin versus Ravenclaw! So far, each team has played one game; the Ravenclaws won theirs, and the Slytherins lost theirs. As such, the Slytherins are the challengers."

Danny was amazed at how even-handed Cormac was – as far as he could tell, that particular Gryffindor was anti-Slytherin on principle. Adrian tapped Danny's shoulder, and Danny looked up. "Now, the commentator will introduce us. When your name is called, just take off and do a lap around the pitch."

Danny nodded. "Gotcha."

Cormac continued. "And here's the Slytherin line-up. The Keeper – Miles Bletchley!" Miles took off to both cheers and boos. Well, now Danny knew what to expect, more or less. "The Beaters – Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe! The Chasers – Adrian Pucey, James Vaisey, and Charles Urquhart. Bet it boils your blood to remember that you share your name with the brother of King Weasley, eh, Urquhart?"

Danny winced as Urquhart growled. He gave McLaggen the benefit of the doubt too quickly.

"And… this game, we're introducing the Slytherins' Reserve Seeker, Danny Fenton!" Danny took off and was amazed at the tumultuous applause he received. On his lap around the pitch, he found Harry, Ron, and Hermione sitting with a rather smug Draco. Ginny was with them. Danny waved at the bunch. Luna wore his House-neutral scarf. (She asked him if she could wear it at the game earlier in the week.) Danny smiled broadly at her.

Danny was so caught up in locating friends around the stadium that he realized he'd tuned out most of the Ravenclaw roster. "…Lucas Bradley, and Frank Chambers, and the Ravenclaw Seeker, the ever-charming Cho Chang!" Cormac, apparently, liked alliteration. "We've seen Cho's experience and successes, while the Fenton pipsqueak is still untried."

Danny rolled his eyes, but he caught Professor McGonagall reaching for the megaphone. McLaggen dodged her attempts, but hung his head quasi-contritely.

Cho told Danny, "At least Lee Jordan was entertaining. But I'd gladly get rid of this stupid donkey." The half-ghost couldn't help but smile. He knew McLaggen was even-handed with his commentary last game, so it was clear Cho's ire was on his behalf; he noticed no one tried to soothe Urquhart.

Cho said, "Get ready." Danny nodded curtly.

Cormac announced, "The captains shake hands, as Madam Hooch reminds the teams to keep it clean." Madam Hooch rolled her eyes as she did just that. "Ravenclaw will have no problem. With Slytherin, you never know.

"There's the Snitch – take a good look, 'cause it'll be a while until you see it so clearly again. There it goes. And the Quaffle's been tossed… and caught by Adrian Pucey. Pucey dodged the Bludger headed his way, ducked Bradley, shot, and… ten points to Slytherin!"

Danny smiled. Since the Snitch was released, he kept an eye on it as he hovered more or less over the center of the pitch as he watched Cho Chang circle, searching for the elusive golden ball. He winced when he saw Adrian dodge the Bludger, but Adrian didn't duck away from Lucas as much as Lucas shied away to keep from getting plowed into. The scoring resembled more of an aerial touchdown than a basket or goal, based on Adrian's movements relative to the other players.

Being on top of the game helped to give a different perspective, after all.

"Bradley takes the Quaffle, and is – ow! That had to hurt! Goyle blasted him in the back with a Bludger, and Bradley's down for the count. Urquhart takes up the Quaffle, and though he's a hulk, he's a whiz at dodging those Bludgers. And Slytherin scored again, making it 20 to zero.

"Chambers has the Quaffle, and he's zipping down the pitch. He's leaner than the players he's dodging. Vaisey's cobbed * Chambers, making him drop the ball. Madam Hooch has called a foul, and Chambers gets a free throw. And it's good! The game is now 20-10, Slytherin."

Danny kept track of the Snitch and Cho's determination to find it; he carefully gave no hint that it was painfully obvious to him where it was. It hovered over the middle Ravenclaw hoop, and Danny decided it had to be moving too fast to be seen by the human eye – otherwise, someone might have noticed.

He was startled when Cormac said, "Fenton seems to be lost as the lovely Miss Chang circles overhead, looking for the Snitch. The poor waif doesn't seem to know what to do or where to go, just hanging in the air. Idiot."

Danny rolled his eyes, and did a lazy lap around the pitch. He met Vlad's eyes, whose meaningful look and nod made Danny think for a minute. If he were Vlad, what would that nod mean?

Danny snapped his head as it hit him. Let anyone who wanted think he was an idiot – they would underestimate Danny, and he could make that work for him. On his way back, he nodded firmly back at Vlad – the message was received. As Danny flew a lazy eight around both sets of goal posts (and Cho still didn't see it, as it zipped over the center of the pitch. Amazing!), Danny peaked his eyebrows and worried about whether or not it was a good thing that he could anticipate Vlad's machinations.

"Vaisey's got his hands on the Quaffle, and he's headed back to… he's been hit by a Bludger in his upper arm, but he doesn't seem to mind. Huh. All brawn and no brains makes Vaisey a dull boy. But he's fine, and he – I don't believe it. He threw the Quaffle with his bad arm, and he scores! The game is now 30-10, Slytherin."

Cormac almost made a comment about Slytherins eating mean for breakfast, but carrying on after an injured arm was no dumber than his eating doxy eggs on a dare. He shook his head. "Anyway, Chambers has the Quaffle, and he seems to be doing just fine. He dodged both Bludgers – Crabbe and Goyle are asleep today – and Chambers scores! The game is now 30-20, Slytherin. It's much closer than Slytherin's last game."

Darn it! The score was far too close! Further, Cho came within ten feet of the Snitch. Danny decided a distraction was in order.

"Hey – look at Fenton go! Like a shot, he's rocketed up 50 feet. I don't see anything, but… and Cho's right on his heels. Huh! Whatever it was Fenton saw, or thought he saw, must have gone back into hiding. The finger snap was classic, Fenton. Don't pout. Aww, Cho shrugged – whatever. If she saw it, too… well, the moment is gone."

McLaggen's commentary grated on Danny's nerves, but his little act was successful. The Snitch floated near the Slytherin goal 60 feet below him, and now Cho wasn't even looking at the right height.

Crabbe beaned the Ravenclaw Keeper with a Bludger, and Danny winced – that not only had to hurt, she looked unconscious. He saw Madam Hooch catch the Keeper and lower her gently to the ground, where concerned prefects from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff's Fifth and Seventh Years levitated the stretcher, as they brought the unfortunate Keeper to the infirmary.

With the Ravenclaw Keeper out of action, Slytherin scored the next three goals easily. The score was 60-20 Slytherin, and Urquhart shook his head violently. Danny raised his eyebrows and soared to shouting distance. The captain reminded, "Don't get distracted. You're job's not at 60 points, but 60 points ahead!"

Danny mumbled, "Gotcha," as Urquhart flew off.

The Chaser whose name Danny failed to hear managed to score another goal for Ravenclaw. Miles looked particularly angry after that – that idiot Ravenclaw was no Katie Bell, or Weasley for that matter, and there would be no more Ravenclaw goals, if there were no more foul shots.

Between Adrian, Vaisey, and Urquhart, they each took two more turns to score, and Urquhart nodded at Danny. The score was 120-30, but… Danny shook his head, indicating that they should get one more goal.

Urquhart shrugged, intercepted the Quaffle, dodged both Bludgers – oh, the Ravenclaw Beaters were angry! – and scored.

The words hadn't left Cormac's mouth, and Danny plucked the Snitch out of the air.

"I don't believe it! Fenton caught the Snitch, ending the game at 280-30, Slytherin wins! But I never saw a hint of glitter until he just… Danny didn't dive… It was…" Cormac refused to say it was almost like he knew where it was. "Official Snitches are spelled to resist Accio, so Fenton couldn't have cheated. He's a nasty, good-for-nothing Slytherin, but there is no possible way to tamper with the Snitch. Especially when the puny wretch admitted he was miserable with Charms." Professor McGonagall glared at him stonily.

Oops… did he say those last thoughts out loud?

Professor McGonagall snatched the megaphone away from him. "Mr. McLaggen, you and I will be having words. True, Mr. Jordan managed to get away with a few anti-Slytherin remarks. More than a few, actually. But once the game was over, there was no call for your vitriol. Your poor sportsmanship is proof that you are not to be trusted as a Quidditch commentator."

This was ridiculous! Cormac McLaggen fumed. He couldn't be Keeper. He couldn't be announcer. "And who did you plan on getting to do it for next game? Loony Lovegood?"

"That's five points from Gryffindor for your cheek to me and uncalled for rudeness about Miss Lovegood."

Cormac growled, but would not disrespect his Head of House further. Professor McGonagall looked across to where Miss Lovegood sat, speculatively. She did sign up, after all.

"That's amazing…" Harry murmured. He already experienced Danny's fantastic ghost hearing when Danny caught the Gryffindor outside the Room of Requirement in November. Harry breathed as quietly as possible, but Danny still heard him. Now he knew how good Danny's sight was, and was honestly relieved he didn't have to compete against his new cousin.

Ron hooted, and Draco preened. Harper looked at Draco and said, "I saw Fenton at try-outs, but… while McLaggen has officially earned himself a Stinging Hex or two in the hall for those comments, I did wonder."

Ginny rolled her eyes. Harper was an idiot, but she supposed he might have had a point. She didn't care for the gleam in Draco's eyes, however.

Turning towards all four Gryffindors, Draco smirked. "Indeed. But no – Danny is just that good. While this only leads me to speculate about next year's Quidditch, that can be dealt with later." He watched Urquhart pick Danny up and put him on his shoulders as easily as Danny caught the Snitch. For someone that ecstatic, it had to be a completely new position for Danny.

"You know…" Draco said almost thoughtfully, "Danny was the first Slytherin to attend the Gryffindor victory party in ages. I'd like to return the favor." Harper raised an eyebrow – apparently, Ginny decided, he wasn't part of this decision-making process. "I would cordially like to invite the four of you to the Slytherin victory party."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny shared a glance. Harry gulped. "Draco, the Slytherins hate me. They always have. I'm not sure this is a good idea."

Draco put a hand on the back of his neck, and said, "Yeah, about that…" Harry grinned and stifled a snicker as he noticed Draco adopting Danny's nervous tic. "After Danny was kidnapped, Tracey gave us her reasoning for her participation in the prank."

Harper elbowed him. "Malfoy! What goes on in a House meeting stays at a House meeting! You should know better – you're a prefect."

Hermione opened her eyes wide. This was the first she ever heard of such a thing. "What is a House meeting?"

Draco fought the desire to inflict bodily harm on Harper and answered the question. "From time to time, Professor Snape will call all members of Slytherin together to discuss or process whatever is necessary at the time. Considering that a Head of House acts in loco parentis, such a thing shouldn't be unheard of."

Hermione knitted her brows. This was the first she ever heard of such a thing, but it made a good deal of sense. She made a mental note to ask Professor McGonagall about House meetings and whether it would be wise to institute something like that for Gryffindor. Slytherin seemed to get some benefit from these things.

Ron simply stared, as he wasn't sure what to make of the concept yet.

Clearing his throat, Draco continued, "While you are correct in general, Harper, this relates directly to Harry, and there's no harm in disclosing this bit. Professor Snape won't mind, and if Miss Davis is disturbed by it, she deserves it."

Harper narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, glaring at the Gryffindors for being the cause for Draco to break the Slytherin silence.

"As I was saying, Tracey pointed out that, er, general Slytherin hostility against you in particular, Harry, makes no sense. I mean, really… Is that rudeness on the Hogwarts Express all those years ago worth the agitation and ridiculous enmity? Even Professor Snape agrees that such a thing is… completely unnecessary."

Ginny studied the blond, as this revelation seemed to be too good to be true. Ron narrowed his eyes, and Hermione looked thoughtful. Harry thought for a moment and said, "I don't know, Draco…"

"Oh, come now, Harry," Draco drawled. "It would give Danny great pleasure to see his… new cousin come to his victory party."

Ginny spat, "And what would you get out of this, Malfoy?"

Putting a hand on his chest dramatically, Draco said, "What do I get out of this? Besides being content to see my best friend overjoyed to see his closest friends sharing his moment of triumph, I get the infinite pleasure of watching you squirm while being there."

Harry stared for a second and then laughed heartily. Ron muttered, "This time, we get to see the Slytherin Common Room legitimately." Draco and Ginny looked at Ron curiously, while Harry rolled his eyes and Hermione jabbed Ron in the ribs with her elbow.

Ron yelped, and Harry smiled. "Sure, Draco. We'll come. We'll meet you in the dungeon outside your Common Room. You'll take us in, won't you?"

"Of course." Draco wasn't sure how Harry knew where the Slytherin Common Room was located, but that wasn't important at present.

Danny was thankful that the team gave him privacy as he showered after the game, but once he was dressed and back in his wizard robes, Goyle carried him into the castle and dungeon on his shoulders. (Danny might have felt self-conscious about this, but Goyle was huge, Danny was small, and no one else seemed to mind.)

Professor Snape was there to congratulate the team, and even Tracey came over to give her well wishes. In all honesty, there was no real difference between the Slytherin party and the Gryffindor party besides the individual students, the Head of House present for longer, and the décor. There were students Danny never met but saw briefly in the two House meetings he attended, who patted him on the back. Now he had a clue about how Harry felt at the party in November.

Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron left Gryffindor Tower after dropping off their cloaks and scarves. Hermione murmured, "It feels a little different to enter invited, don't you think?"

Harry said, "I guess."

Ginny frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Harry paused, and furrowed his brows. "Ah, Ginny. It…"

"You don't want to know," Ron interrupted.

Narrowing her eyes, Ginny spat, "Of course I do."

The three Sixth Years shared a glance, as they were unsure of how to proceed. Harry decided that since he saved Ginny, it was his story to tell. He took a deep breath. "Ginny… It happened during your first year." Ginny gasped loudly.

"Told ya you don't want to know," Ron teased. Before Ginny could respond, Hermione smacked him in the back of the head. "Hey!"

Harry ignored the antics and looked back at Ginny, who asked, "Okay. What happened?"

Nodding to himself, Harry continued. "Well, after the message 'Enemies of the Heir, beware,' and I spoke Parseltongue, everyone thought I was the Heir."

"Oh, Harry!" Ginny exclaimed. She remembered Harry was unhappy about that. Then she realized that Harry was probably as uncomfortable telling the story as she was listening to it. While she recognized that Ron was right about her not enjoying the story, she did want to know what happened.

Harry continued. "Yeah, well… Draco looked a little too smug. Mrs. Norris, Colin, and Justin were petrified, and we needed to do something. We realized that this 'heir' had a thing against Muggle-borns, and Draco…" Harry gulped. "Called Hermione a… Mudblood."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "It figures."

"It did," Harry insisted. "Draco crowed that it was the Heir of Slytherin, and he seemed so pleased. So Hermione brewed Polyjuice Potion."

Ginny waved both arms. "Wait a minute. Doesn't that take… what – a month to make?"

Hermione nodded, but Ron goggled at his sister. "How do you know?"

Ginny cocked her head to see if she could find the holes in her brother's head. "You talked about it when you were brewing it for your Potions midterm. And where did you get the ingredients? Boomslang skin and bicorn horn…"

Hermione shook her head. "Ginny, you're missing the point. What happened is, Ron and Harry took the potion and became Crabbe and Goyle, and found Draco, who took them to the Slytherin Common Room. That's how they know where the door is supposed to be."

Ginny stopped walking, needing a moment to absorb all of this. "Ron and Harry were already in the Slytherin Common Room?"

Hermione gave her a sidelong glance. "Yes."

Ginny shook her head. This was too weird for words, so she decided to focus on something that nominally was less complicated. "Where did you… make the potion?"

Harry sighed. "In Myrtle's bathroom."

Since they were stopped on the second floor, Ginny walked away from the stairs and leaned against the wall, gazing in the direction of said bathroom. "I know I was rather distracted that year, but even I know that the less time people spend bothering Moaning Myrtle, the better. She…ah, got upset when I threw away… Tom Riddle's diary. At the time, I was too upset to care, but…"

Ron realized that neither Myrtle nor Danny would appreciate that sentiment. "It's not a matter of bothering Myrtle. We didn't bother her, and she didn't bother us. And I don't know if you noticed, but Myrtle doesn't moan anymore, now that she has a mentor. And she doesn't like to be called Moaning Myrtle." Ginny stared at her brother, and Harry and Hermione were impressed.

Hermione breathed, "Oh, Ron!" and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled giddily.

Harry looked at his watch. "We need to get moving."

Ginny blew out a breath in frustration. "Fine." As they walked, Ginny asked, "How come you didn't go with them, Hermione?"

Hermione sobered. "I'd rather not talk about it."

At the pre-arranged time, Draco looked at his watch and moved towards the Common Room door. Danny looked up as Draco smiled and opened the door. There was Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny! This was totally awesome!

Danny broke out of the champion circle to say hello to the newcomers. The eyes following him found the Gryffindors. Draco's eyes danced mischievously as he smirked. Danny exclaimed, "Harry! I'm glad you guys could make it! It means so much to me that you came." His blue eyes twinkled as Harry made his way over, and they shook hands.

Hermione looked around slowly and with wonder. The flames in the sconces flared green. The whole green and gray theme gave a whole aura of cool decorum. Perhaps the whole effect was built to calm tempers. That made sense. She compared it in her head to the Gryffindor Common Room, which exuded warm comfort. She found the difference interesting.

Then she focused on the people. The Slytherin students gazed at the four Gryffindors with a mixture of curiosity, lack of interest, awe, and disdain. It was known that Draco invited Harry and his friends, but that didn't mean the other Slytherins had to like it. Murmurs of "Mudblood," "blood-traitor," and "Saint Potter" rang about them. Hermione unthinkingly reached for one of Ron's hands, then she squared her shoulders and strode purposefully after Harry.

Ginny walked in and narrowed her eyes at the rude whispers. She quickly searched the room for the leftover members of the Inquisitorial Squad, and most gulped at the presence of the redheaded firebrand. Even Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle nodded politely at her.

Ron made his way to Harry's side and murmured, "I like what they've done with the place. More festive, huh?" Harry ignored him.

Professor Snape welcomed them with genuine surprise. "Mr. Potter! Miss Granger, and Mr. and Miss Weasley. It is a surprise to see you here."

Vaisey crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Especially since no non-Slytherin who wasn't a sibling, especially from Gryffindor, has come here."

Millicent Bulstrode looked to her Head of House to assess his reaction, turned back to the Gryffindors and glared. "Not even Sirius Black came to visit Regulus." Professor Snape didn't frown, so she assumed he appreciated her remark. She had a cousin who was in the same year as Nymphadora Tonks, she heard scuttlebutt about the Black cousins.

Somewhere behind them, someone said loudly, "Bloody blood-traitors and Mudblood!"

Danny froze for a minute as Harry and his friends considered their options, and he cleared his throat. "Well, I'm glad you guys are here."

"I…" Harry wasn't sure what to do next. He smiled at Danny, searched for Severus, who seemed pleasantly surprised by his and his friends' presence. Harry looked at his Gryffindor companions, who were just as lost as he felt. Danny's smile helped to reassure him, but…

"Bloody… Are you sure we belong here?" Ron whispered to Hermione.

Someone cleared her throat. Tracey Davis raised an eyebrow as she made her way towards the discomforted bunch. "Welcome, Harry, Hermione, all of you. It is an honor to have the best DADA tutors in the school join us for our Quidditch team's victory party." She held out her hands warmly to Hermione, completely ignoring the vicious glares she received from those who would rather sate themselves with nastiness.

Hermione whispered back to Ron, "I think we have proof that we do." She smiled at the girl who took her hands. "Thanks, Tracey."

Professor Snape watched this dramatic entrance with curiosity. This was the first time he could remember Gryffindors entering the Slytherin Common Room. Miss Bulstrode was absolutely correct. While it was common for families to have siblings in different Houses, Gryffindor and Slytherin was a practically unheard of distribution. The Black brothers managed it. Severus gritted his teeth as he thought of Sirius, but then raised his eyebrows. What would James Potter have thought of his son bringing his closest friends to the Slytherin Common Room to help celebrate Slytherin's Quidditch victory? The moment was truly delicious!

The chilly reception by the students of the Gryffindors was to be completely expected, and he was curious to see how this would play out. The professor would do damage control, if necessary, but there would be no time this evening to deal with the fall-out.

Ah, Miss Davis. Apparently, her lesson was learned and internalized, as she forced others to absorb her message. Not even Danny's excitement at seeing his cousin produced the effect of Tracey's remark. Though a few students stubbornly leered at their unwanted visitors, many students realized that this was an opportunity to meet Harry Potter socially.

Severus took refreshments and found a seat where he could watch the true entertainment of the party – watching his Slytherins come to grips with Harry and his friends. Draco wasn't far from the scene unfolding, and from Mr. Malfoy's smirk, it appeared that he engineered this very moment, and was enjoying it as thoroughly as the professor did.

Danny led the Gryffindors to the refreshments, and several Slytherins approached them, some shyly, some defiantly. Goyle crossed his arms and watched as Astoria piped up. "Harry?"

Harry started. "Uh, hi, Astoria."

"Can I ask you a question?"

Harry relaxed his shoulders as he held on to his cup. "Sure."

Astoria looked up at her sister Daphne, who was Harry's year, and she nodded to her younger sister. "How come most Slytherins don't like you?"

Ron frowned, but Danny asked, "That is a good question. Why don't most Slytherins like you?" Danny raised an eyebrow at Ron, who turned away in embarrassment. It was an uncalled for assumption that Ron made about Danny when they first met, especially if Danny didn't understand the bias to start with.

Harry nodded at Danny, and then stroked his chin with his free hand as he faced Astoria. "To be honest, I'm not really sure. I would guess… Since Professor Snape didn't really like me, students in your House followed suit. If you want to know why he didn't like me, you'd have to ask him."

Astoria blinked. "But he changed his mind?"

Harry looked back at Danny, and then back at Astoria. "Yup."

"But why?"

"There are lots of reasons, but the main one, I think, is that he realized that he misjudged me."

Daphne and a few others Harry recognized from Charms and Potions gazed at Harry thoughtfully.

Theodore Nott narrowed his eyes. "Is it true you were raised by Muggles?"

Harry tilted his head. "Yes, though they are as prejudiced against all forms of magic as most Slytherins are against Muggles. More typical Muggles would be Hermione's parents. You know, excited and curious about a whole new world they know nothing about." A handful of people looked speculatively at Hermione, who began to squirm, and then stopped, stood firm, and raised a challenging eyebrow.

Noticing the crew that gathered around them, Harry apologized. "Danny, I'm sorry. This is your party. I…"

Danny held up a hand. "Dude – I'm here all the time. You being here is a rare occurrence." Taking in his guests' discomfort, Danny said, "You know, I don't think we've spent enough time greeting Professor Snape. He and Draco are in one of my favorite spots in the Common Room."

Goyle and Crabbe shared a glance, and then made a motion for the crowd to leave Danny alone as he and his group of guests detached themselves from Harry's… well, admirers would be the wrong word. The curious folk who wanted to meet Harry personally left off when Crabbe and Goyle made it clear that Danny was not to be disturbed.

Danny waved the four Gryffindors into seats. "Hi, Professor. Hi Draco."

Draco still grinned. Ron peered over his shoulder to see that Crabbe got plates for himself and Goyle, who glared menacingly at anyone who tried to get closer than what Goyle determined was enough space to give Danny, Draco, and the professor privacy. The Gryffindors were bonus, because Malfoy invited them and Fenton liked them.

Ron looked to Danny and asked, "Crabbe and Goyle like you, don't they? I mean, they're really, um, protective."

Hermione tilted her head, thinking of the day Professor Masters showed them the Boggart. "This isn't the first time, either."

Danny blinked. "Uh, they… are good friends to have." He turned to look at them. "I'm not really sure why they decided to… But anyway, they're cool, and well… I don't know. They're good guys to be on their right side, I guess. Goyle lent me his broom when I went to see the Slytherin try-outs."

Draco felt embarrassed. Danny was sincere in his praise of the large mates, and he was grateful for their friendship. Draco liked them well enough, but he thought of them as side kicks of sorts. "They are good friends to have."

Professor Snape watched the by-play. This was probably the first time this collection of six students sat together in a purely social, non-Quidditch setting.

Ginny sat back. Harry was there for Danny, and Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were there for Harry. There was Professor Snape and Draco. Now what? "I get the feeling I'm missing something. Why are we here again?"

Draco stopped smirking and smiled pleasantly. "Because it's Danny's first time playing, and I thought he'd appreciate your company."

Professor Snape was rather impressed and pleased to be invited to see this moment. Danny said, "I do. Thanks, Draco."

Harry mused, 'We've come a long way since September 1, 1991.'

Ron stared. "That's…" That was nicer than he'd ever seen Malfoy, but he realized that saying so would ruin the moment. Instead, he turned to Danny and said, "Awesome catch, mate. Nobody saw that one coming. But if we play against you next year… Merlin!" Everyone laughed.

Glossary

Cobbing – excessive use of elbows towards opponents (Quidditch Through the Ages, p.29)

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