Smells Like Teen Spirit
A/N: Sorry! Sorry! Been so busy lately, I've not had time to update! But don't worry, I'm back again! Big thanks to LittleThingsToMakeYouSmile for the patronus/animagi suggestions! Love to you! :D
As usual, three reviews minimum before new update! :)
Wednesday came and so did Defence Against the Dark Arts. However, when the eighth years walked in, Professor Elliott was nowhere in sight.
"Maybe she's ill?" Padma mused. Her twin, Pavarti, shook her head.
"She can't be. She was at the staff table for lunch remember?"
All of a sudden, the door to the Professor's private quarters opened and a majestic Arctic wolf stepped forward. It had white fur but bright blue eyes, unlike other wolves of its kind. Also unlike normal wolves of its kind, this one was at least twice the size, easily eye level with some of the fourth and fifth years in the school. The girls in the room, all except Hermione and Pansy (who had become somewhat friends since Monday), started cooing over it, but none of them stepped forward, clearly still very weary of the beast in front of them. Hermione stepped forward slightly as the wolf came to a stop in front of the students. It stared around at them all, before padding over to Hermione, nuzzling her face gently. The bushy-haired girl's eyes widened slightly.
"Professor Elliott?"
The wolf in question cocked its head slightly, before stepping back and transforming into the Professor. "I knew you'd work out it was me Miss. Granger, but the speed of that was impressive. Ten points to Gryffindor. Now," she addressed the congregation, "good afternoon class. As you know today we will be starting the course, but you will also be finding out who your partners are. If you would all be please stand at the back? If I read out your name, please take a seat. You will be partners for the year. First of all, as I'm sure you're probably all aware, is Harry and Draco. Second, Hermione and Blaise. Third, Ronald and Pansy. Fourth, Neville and Astoria. Fifth, Seamus and Lavender…" The list continued, with Greg getting Hannah, Dean with Pavarti, Padma with Anthony, and Justin with Susan. When they were all seated, Professor Elliott started to teach.
"Right then, as you know, the first topic this year is Patronuses. Anybody know what the purpose of a patronus is?" Every hand shot up, but none quicker than Hermione's of course. "My word, I was not expecting this many hands. Dean?"
"To protect the caster from Dementors and Lethifolds ma'am."
"Excellent, and does anyone know what form a Patronus can take? Padma?"
"Whatever form is suited to the personality of the caster Professor."
"Exactly. Alright then, how many forms does your Patronus take over the years? Go on then Hermione, I know you're dying to answer this time."
"Patronuses take the minimum of two forms. The first is what you originally cast as a child, the second is what you cast after you have been emotionally affected, whether that be through falling in love or losing someone close to you. Anything to do with a strong change in emotions really."
"Not quite right, Hermione, but close enough. Tell me this then, how many forms can a person's Patronus have at the same time?"
"One ma'am." Hermione answered, but there was a waiver of uncertainty in her voice.
"Not always. Anybody else? Blaise?"
"I don't know Professor, I apologise."
"No need to be sorry Blaise and no need to be embarrassed Hermione. It's a common mistake people make. A Patronus can take many different forms for the simple reason that there are many different aspects to a personality. You only usually see the one that is most dominant. Another common misconception is that the Patronus form changes. It does not. It simply swaps to the other form. Other forms may appear, but the originals do not change, they just become dormant, only appearing when needed. Any witch or wizard can choose which form they want to use, but this only comes after years of experience. Also, a witch or wizard may choose to have all forms at once. This is also common in children who cast it before they have ultimate control over their magic; say if they learnt the charm at the age of, oh I don't know, thirteen." With that, she looked over at Harry, who started smirking. "Yes you, Harry. When Remus Lupin taught you how to defend yourself with the charm, there should have been more than just one form, more than just the stag, but there wasn't. Even just as you reach your teens, you're performing advanced magic and showing you have control over it. There's proof of what I told you and Draco on Monday. You'll both make powerful wizards one day. But that's a different story. An example of a wizard who could use more than one form at once was Albus Dumbledore. Not only could he have his Patronus take the form of a phoenix, but, if he wanted, he could have it take the form of a goat, the same as that of his brother Aberforth. Speaking of Dumbledore, does anybody know what it was he discovered regarding Patronuses? Draco."
"He discovered that Patronuses can be used to pass on messages in the voice of the caster. He found that it was one of the quickest ways to pass on messages, certainly quicker than an owl."
"That's exactly right. Do you know who it is that has exclusive rights to this advanced magic? Or who it is that had exclusive rights?"
"The Order of the Phoenix ma'am."
"The Order of the Phoenix, correct. However, after the return of Lord Voldemort three years ago, Dumbledore passed on the information of how to do it to the Ministry. They in turn passed it on to the entirety of the Wizarding Community. Once you all have learned how to successfully cast a corporeal Patronus, I will teach you how to communicate through them. But first, you need be able to cast them. I'll start teaching you properly on Monday, but I first want to see what you can do already. Put your hand up if you can already cast a corporeal Patronus… Four of you. I presume the rest only conjured non-corporeal forms then Harry?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Alright then. Seamus, if you could please come to the front and show us what you can do." The brave Irishman stepped forward, casting his Patronus. The fox quickly scanned the room before disappearing off into the shadows. Next was Hermione's turn. Her otter bounded over to Pavarti, where it nudged her gently before disappearing with a swish of its tail. When it was his turn to cast, Ron went a bright shade of pink at the sight of his terrier, claiming that it was too wimpy and girlish, starting the girls laughing, and prompting Professor Elliott to inform him that it just meant he was just in touch with his feminine side, which made everyone laugh harder, and him go redder. Then it was Harry's turn.
"I'm interested to see what form, or forms, your Patronus will take Harry. When you're ready…"
Harry took a deep breath. It had been a while since he had last cast a Patronus successfully. His last attempt at the Ministry took him three tries before he got a form. In May, during the battle, he couldn't even cast one at all. He looked at the faces before him, Ron and Hermione beaming, before his eyes settled on Draco's. The boy was staring back at him, no emotion showing on his face, 'mask' firmly in place, but in his eyes was encouragement and hope, and that was all Harry needed. "Expecto Patronum," he cast, and his Patronus erupted form the end of his wand. Or should that be Patronuses. There was the usual stag, with the green eyes to represent his mother and father, but there were two new additions. First was a phoenix, majestically flying around the heads of the stag and its companion. 'That must represent Dumbledore'. The companion in question was a big dog, darker than the other two forms. It lolloped about clumsily, and in its eyes was a look of mischief. 'And that must represent Sirius' Harry thought, both proud and sad. But what confused him the most was the colour of the dog's eyes. The stag's were green, he could understand that, and the phoenix's blue, again, he could understand that. But the eyes of the dog were not black like his godfather's. No, these eyes were grey. Stormy grey, just like, 'Draco's', he realised with a start. He was right too, the dog had Draco's exact grey eyes, and what was more embarrassing was that said dog had currently padded over to Draco and was staring at him dolefully, so that Draco could see them. Thankfully however, the phoenix gave out a cry and flew out of the window; the stag and the dog close behind. There was a pause before the Professor spoke up again.
"Exactly as I thought. Harry, do you know why you have a phoenix and a dog in addition to your stag?"
"They represent Dumbledore, the phoenix being his own Patronus, and my godfather, his Patronus and animagus form being the Grim."
"Exactly. I can only imagine how you affected you were by their deaths. Professor Dumbledore you knew from the age of eleven, and you thought of him as a grandfather almost. Sirius Black you only knew for a short amount of time, but that was still enough for you to establish a connection with him that would have been similar to the one you could have shared with your parents. Their deaths must have been a real shock to you, and your Patronus forms show it. Interesting choice of eye colour for the dog though, I might add. You may sit down, thank you. Now then, does everybody have their notes? Don't lose them, because you will need to use them for your essay. I'll let you go a couple of minutes early because you've worked so hard. Remember, on Monday we start the practical work, so I strongly advise you wear something more comfortable. Have a good evening, off you go." Without waiting for the students to leave, she transformed back into a wolf and went into her office, closing the door behind her. Harry was just about to leave when he felt someone grab his arm. Turning round, he came face to face with a very confused looking Draco.
"Hurry up eating and come straight up to the dorm. I want to talk to you in private. I'll be waiting." Then he swept past Harry and left the room, leaving the Gryffindor to be reminded of his late Potions master.
xxxDHDHxxx
Draco was indeed waiting for Harry when the latter entered the dorm room half an hour later. As usual, Draco had put some music on, but this was more calm than usual: 'Bed of Roses' by Bon Jovi. He watched as Harry walked over to his own bed before collapsing on it, staring at the ceiling.
"Have you had anything to eat Draco?"
The question surprised him, but he answered calmly, "no".
"Kreacher!" The next thing Draco knew, a house-elf was standing in the dorm, bowing to Harry. Draco recognised the creature immediately. He used to serve the Malfoys from time to time. But why had he come when Harry called him? He decided to wait until they were alone again before he asked that.
"Master Harry is calling Kreacher sir?" Master?
"Yes Kreacher. Could you please get Draco here some food?" The house-elf turned.
"Master Draco sir! A pleasure it is to be seeing you and serving the Noble and Most Ancient House of Malfoy again sir. Kreacher is willing to serve." He bowed again.
Perplexed, Draco addressed the elf. "Thank you Kreacher, but I am no longer a Malfoy. I've taken on my mother's maiden name. I am now a Black."
"My apologies sir. Kreacher is not knowing sir. Kreacher must punish himself sir for getting it wrong sir."
However, before the house-elf had moved, Harry spoke again, not moving except to close his eyes. "No you will not Kreacher, what have I told you about that? You punish yourself and I'll take the locket away from you, understood?"
"Yes Master Harry sir, Kreacher is understanding. What is it Master Draco is wanting to eat?"
"A couple of Blueberry muffins Kreacher please." The house-elf nodded, before disappearing with a crack, only to return seconds later with a tray full of muffins, not just for Draco, but for Harry too. "Is there anything else Master Harry of Master Draco be wanting from Kreacher sirs?"
"No thank you Kreacher, you may go." Harry dismissed. The house-elf disappeared, leaving the two boys alone once again. An uncomfortable silence consumed them, punctured only by the sound of them eating.
It was Draco who broke the silence. "So, since when have you had a house-elf? More specifically, since when have you been Kreacher's Master?"
"I inherited him when I inherited Grimmauld Place, or should that be, The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, from Sirius. I didn't like him to start with, thought he was a grumpy bastard, but he helped us out a lot this past year, and we're now on common ground. He's learnt to respect me as I have him, and he's willing to serve now. It helped I gave him back that locket he wears. It used to belong to Regulus, Sirius' brother and Kreacher's favourite Master. So yeah, he serves me as well as you now. What was so important that I had to leave my friends?"
Draco swallowed quickly. He sat back against the headboard before speaking, embarrassed. "Your Patronus, the one representing my cousin, it had my eyes." It wasn't a statement, it was an unasked question. A challenge. Draco turned his head away as he heard Harry move.
Harry sat up and looked at Draco, his face becoming more heated. He'd been expecting the question of course, but it was embarrassing to answer. He was glad Draco was facing away from him; otherwise, he would never have the guts to answer. "Yeah it did. Guess you've affected me emotionally."
Draco turned to face him, apology and heart-break written across his face. "No Harry, no. I've already told you no, not yet. You can't be feeling that for me already. What if I turn out to be different to what you thought? What if you go back to hating me again? What then?"
Harry was across the room in an instance, gathering Draco into his arms, soothing him. "Shush Draco, shush. I won't hate you again. Never again. And I know you said to wait, and I'm willing to, but I can't help how I feel. I love you." Now he never meant to say that. It's too early for that! Harry felt Draco stiffen before he pulled away slightly, looking Harry straight in the eye.
Draco starred at him. 'He loves me. He really loves me' Draco thought. 'I love him so much. But what do I do? Do I tell him I fell the same, or do I tell him to stop being so stupid?' Draco had this internal battle for what felt like hours, all the while staring into Harry's eyes, seeing nothing but love, love for him in them. Finally, he came to decision. No, he couldn't say it back, but he could show him. Slowly, hesitantly, Draco lent forward, never taking his eyes off Harry's. Their foreheads touched, their breathing quickened, before Draco closed the gap. Their lips met gently, only just touching, but they moved in harmony, tenderly, silently conveying how they felt for the other. Their eyes flickered shut, and they got lost in the moment. All too soon, Draco pulled away, once again pressing his forehead to Harry's. Slowly, they opened their eyes. Once again, Draco broke the silence that descended on them.
"We ought to go downstairs. Our friends will think we're neglecting them otherwise." Without waiting for an answer, Draco strode out the room leaving Harry alone, and leaving one thought going through his head:
'What just happened?'
xxxxx