(Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long since I've posted a chapter of this. I'm getting back into it and will be posting chapters more regularly now that I'm nearing the end of my bachelors degree. Please review and let me know what you think, if you like it, or if you have suggestions or criticism. Also feel free to PM me if you just wanna say hey. :) Things will start to pick up a bit and move faster for the next few chapters before slowing down again. Hope you enjoy.
Anyway, on with the show!)
Chapter 6 - Levi-O -Sa
Draco Malfoy was a fickle boy. Now this wasn't to say that he wasn't very caring of his decisions, just that he was indecisive in making one and continuing through thinking it was the right one. Therefore, when Harry Potter was sorted into Slytherin house he was faced with a monumental decision. Should he befriend the boy or not?
When he had first met the boy-who-lived in Diagon Alley, they didn't quite get along - of course this was Draco's opinion, and he thought that this particular issue was easily salvaged simply by gracing the other boy with his positive attention - but there was another, bigger problem. Harry Potter was certain to be the poster boy child of the light as he grew older. Even at such a tender age Draco held no illusions that his parents, and by extension himself, were going to be on the same side as Potter if - and if his father were here he would correct him, "Not if, when," - a war came to fruition. The only sensible thing Draco could think of to do was to ask his father about the matter, and perhaps his godfather, since the man was rather sensible when it came to sensitive matters.
So after waking up on the first day of classes to Potter exiting the room with a cheerful good morning, Draco quickly inked out a letter to his father, describing his situation. He proudly announced his own house, though it would be of little surprise, and asked for help in untangling the curious web that was his situation with Potter. He also asked if he would be going home for the holidays, since it was his first year, and while he was already enjoying his time at the magical school, he missed his father and mother dearly.
Having an older student show him the way to the owlery, he dropped off his letter before heading to breakfast, getting there just in time to see Blaise Zabini spot him from across the room and walk over, abandoning his position next to the boy-who-lived. The darker skinned boy greeted him, and slid down next to him on the bench of the table.
"Morning, Blaise. Talking to Potter, eh?" Malfoy tried his best to keep his face blank like his father did, but a frown slipped through. Hopefully his owl wouldn't be slow as a slug in getting his letter delivered. Blasted thing seemed to fly leisurely on purpose, just to infuriate him.
Zabini nodded, "Yeah, he's all right I suppose. Not quite sure what to make of him yet. I'm looking forward to classes though. I hope we don't have to take any joint classes with the Gryffindors." The boy's nose turned up and his eyes narrowed over toward the offending table across the hall.
Draco agreed, nodding, "I'm sure we won't. They wouldn't be stupid enough to place us with our rival house for classes as dangerous as potions." That was the class Draco was looking forward to the most. His godfather had taught him a few of the basics when he was a child, and while he didn't particularly enjoy the art, he was sure to be better at it than most of his classmates. The practical experience alone would set him miles ahead, not to mention the fact that his godfather was going to be teaching them. He gave a small inward smirk, before returning to his conversation with Blaise.
"So what were you and Potter talking about?"
The other boy grinned, "Some spells actually. Turns out living with muggles didn't taint him the way everyone thought it would. He's quite knowledgeable actually."
Draco felt his mouth open wide, agape, "You can't be serious" he looked at the other boy doubtfully. "Well I'll just have to see for myself today I suppose in class." He noticed Severus start to make his way down the table, handing out time schedules.
"Draco. Here is your schedule. Let me know if you start to struggle with any of your classes. Your father has asked me to tutor you if you ever feel the need." The potions master nodded when his godson smiled up at him, then moved on.
Blaise elbowed the other boy, "Lucky! I bet Professor Snape will favor you quite a bit this year, especially with the riff raff this school has taken on," he turned toward the Gryffindor table, glancing at the grouping of red hair bobbing up and down over full plates.
Draco grinned, "Yeah, but don't get the wrong idea. I would have his respect even if he weren't my godfather. I plan on doing quite well in my classes. Speaking of, let's go. Looks like we've got Transfigurtaion first."
The boys collected their bags and headed out. Transfiguration passed uneventfully. Draco had managed to transfigure the needle appearance quite easily, while Blaise had struggled. The rest of the day was almost unnecessary in Draco's opinion, teachers just going over their syllabi, save for Charms class.
Charms was the only other class than Transfiguration where they had gotten to do a practical assignment on the first day. Levitating a feather sounded quite simple, but as they began Draco realized not many people were having much luck. He had been seated next to a Ravenclaw girl by the name of Granger. She had succeeded on her very first try and Draco had been impressed. While some others scowled at her, Draco whispered, "How are you doing that? I keep saying Levio-sa and it's just not working."
Granger had looked over at him with a small smile, "You've got to say Levi-O-sa, not Levio-SA. The latin pronunciation can be tricky, but if you come at it from a multilingual approach it's a lot easier. I took French lessons at my old school so it's a bit easier for me."
Draco nodded. So the girl had taken French lessons. She must be of refined blood and breeding then. With a small smirk Draco oustretched a hand to her, "Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. It's a pleasure Miss Granger." His chest puffed up a bit when he saw her blush. She wasn't the most attractive girl, but the red tinge suited her. Then again, who wouldn't blush when introduced to a Malfoy, he thought proudly.
The Granger girl shook his hand lightly, then went back to trying to maneuver her feather around. Draco quickly returned to his task as well. "LeviOsa," he muttered, swishing and flicking his wand toward his white nemesis. The feather shook for a moment, then started to slowly float upwards. He may have been a bit late to the party, Miss Granger and Harry Potter both having accomplished it before him, but he was proud he had succeeded before anyone else.
After classes ended, Draco pulled Blaise aside and murmured, "I've got to go talk to Professor Snape about something. I'll see you later in the dorms."
Blaise nodded before heading over to join Potter in returning to their rooms.
Making his way down toward the dungeons, Draco stopped in front of a portrait of Salazar Slytherin. Looking around to make sure no one was around he whispered, "Aconite." The portrait opened and Draco scurried inside. "Uncle Severus, are you here?"
A low voice beckoned, "Come in, Draco. Take a seat on the couch."
Draco did as instructed and entered the professor's den, sitting down primly on the sofa. The professor was sitting at a desk in the corner, scratching away intensely at some papers. "Hello Uncle Severus. I was hoping to speak with you about something."
Obsidian eyes raised to meet his, and the quill was set down, "Of course, Draco. What seems to be the problem?"
Draco gulped. There was really no way to ask this without just getting into the thick of it. "Well you see, I owled father this morning. While we were shopping in Diagon Alley before school started, I met Harry Potter you see, but I'm afraid I wasn't very nice to him, and he seemed to hate me. Now he's in Slytherin, which is completely barmy, and he seems like he doesn't hate me anymore and I have no idea what to do! Should I be his friend? Should I act like he's an incompetent waste of space? I have no idea what to do, especially now that Blaise has told me he's actually quite smart. I didn't believe him at first but then I saw how easily Potter seemed to succeed in his classes, coming second only to Miss Granger from Ravenclaw, and I just want to know if he'd be useful at all... " Draco trailed off, suddenly sensing the look of malice on his godfather's face.
Severus was very quiet as he spoke, an intensity to his words, "Potter you say? I couldn't believe Potter was a Slytherin, let alone a competent one. However, his other instructors do seem to think the boy has talent." He chose his words carefully here, "As to whether or not you should befriend him, I would advise you to do whatever pleases you. There may be a day when your friendship could become, ah, strained. However if you think the risk is worth taking, then you should do so. As for the Granger girl," Snape began, changing the topic slightly. However Draco cut him off.
"Yes I met Miss Granger in our Charms class today. It seems we will be partners this year. She seems quite intelligent, and from the right breeding." Draco held his head up high, as if waiting for praise upon recognizing someone from good stock.
Severus barked out a laugh, "Oh that's good, coming from you Draco. A Malfoy! What a fascinating turn." He calmed down and began speaking very seriously, "Would it shock you to know that the Granger girl has two muggle parents?"
"You mean she's a mudblo -"
"Do not say that word!" Severus cut the boy off angrily, then more softly, "You must realize that I despise that word. And that due to her origin Granger is likely to be despised by many of your fellow Slytherins. However, in the opinion of some," Snape grew very still as he spoke, "that would not matter at all."
Draco frowned. His thoughts were swimming, not sure what to make of this new found information. He would have to sleep on it. Perhaps for more than a single night. "All right. Well, thank you Uncle Severus. I should get going now I suppose, as it's almost curfew." His uncle gave him a tight nod and he fled the chambers, hurrying back to his dormitory. He still wasn't certain what he should do, but he definitely had lots to think about.