Hello all! :) Here's the next chapter - I'm sorry that three chapters took over the entire weekend, it'll go back to normal now, but I didn't want to rush through it. Hope you all enjoy, there's a bit of humour in this one, I had fun introducing other character :) I also referenced to another amazing show, see if you can find it. It's pretty obvious, if you know what it is :)
I would also like to add a massive thanks to all of my reviewers! There's too many of you to name at once, but I love you all! You motivate me to keep writing, so thank you, to all my loyal and new readers! :)
I do not own Harry Potter, I am not making a profit, this is purely to cure boredom.
ENJOY!
Chapter Thirty Two – Invincible
Harry almost sighed as Draco shifted behind him; he was waking, meaning Harry would soon have to move from his little bit of heaven. Surrounded by the scent that was purely Draco, a heavy arm across his shoulders, the small thumps that belittled the lie that Draco was heartless beneath his ear. He didn't want to move.
That bloody potion sat on the table, tauntingly.
He didn't want to take it.
Seriously, what was the point?
A large dose, of rubbish tasting potion, to…what?
Half stabilize his useless, uncontrollable magic?
Once he was evicted, he wouldn't take the horrid potion again.
Draco shifted again, groaning as he stretched. His side was probably sore, considering Harry had been attached to it the entire night. Even so, he made no effort to move.
"My back feels as if it's been poked, all night." Draco grumbled, sighing. "Merlin, my neck's no better."
"I can't feel my right arm. It went numb around midnight." Harry replied, feeling Draco pause. Harry's voice had been alert, awake. Of course, that was due to him not sleeping rather than waking hours ago. "And my feet are tingling."
"I suppose we should get up." Still, neither made a move.
The embers in the fire had burnt down to cinders, and yet no house elf had approached to clear it up. They must have known Harry was awake, sadly. Harry wouldn't have minded a chat.
"It's nearly breakfast." Harry added. Nearly twenty four hours since he had seen a Slytherin, since the breakfast previous. Maybe they would miraculously return, today?
They stayed on the couch.
After all, Draco's heartbeat was nice to listen to.
.
.
.
Eventually, they had to face the world. Though neither felt so inclined.
Draco made sure to keep an eye on Harry as they got ready for the day; he kept sighing, and pausing, staring off into space a few times; it didn't bode well. The last time Harry was this exhausted, he point blank refused to travel down to his diagnostic. He wasn't allowed to reach that point again.
"I was wrong, you know." That captured Harry's attention; the prat even raised an eyebrow, shocked. As he should be; Malfoy's didn't admit the few times they were incorrect, after all. "There was no conversation, yesterday, you could have maintained with that whale of a muggle. He was uncouth, illiterate, and I hope to Merlin, that your children inherit only your father's genes."
Harry snorted, life twinkling into those eyes. "I tried to warn you."
"What you did wasn't adequate warning. Next time, sit me down, look me in the eye, and slap my face a few times if I believe you're exaggerating. Because, trust me, I'm going to take every sentence you utter, now, and change the level of importance tenfold. That's how unexaggerated you made your cousin."
"Uh-huh." Bemusement. Good.
"It was like trying to communicate with a house-elf."
"I like talking to house-elves."
"That's clearly because you've had so much practise."
Harry laughed, shaking his head easily. He thought he was joking.
"He was nicer than he's been in a long time. Ever, in fact. You have to give him one for that."
"He won't be getting anything from me." Draco tried to seem offended, despite the grin stretching across his face. "Except a subtle little warning."
"Yes, he told me about your threat."
"Well, I guess he deserves the tail he'll be receiving Monday afternoon."
Whispers flared up as they entered the hall, as well they should. Slytherin table remained empty.
He had to admit he was a little impressed. Which other house would vacate the premises on his simple demand? One would think the seventh years, rebellious as they were, would put up a little fight. Even the sixth years tried to toe the line one too often. But the table was empty.
They were risking their enrolments at Hogwarts.
Worse, they were risking their parents' wrath; especially when McGonagall informed them of their vanishing act.
He briefly wondered who had constructed the layout of their hiding room; surely one of the brighter students; he couldn't imagine them crowded in a single room for a night. Well, he could, but he didn't want to imagine their tempers when they were let out, if that happened. They would be searching for vengeance, and most eyes would be directed at the initiator of the plan.
There was only so much blame he could pass off towards Blaise.
"That tail was an accident."
"So you admit it?"
"It wasn't me; it was Hagrid, if you must know. The spell didn't work quite as it was supposed to." Ah, of course it was that oaf. He couldn't point that bloody umbrella without setting his hut alight.
If only he could say that aloud, before Harry.
But he rather liked his company, odd as it was.
Harry's eyes flashed a warning, as if he knew Draco's thoughts. Impossible, with his level of training. Still, Draco strengthened his mind; no one was getting into his head.
Especially Harry; he would run when he discovered just how much space he occupied.
Harry hummed lightly as he pulled some toast over to himself, glancing around the table with a slight frown. He was obviously curious, if not purely worried, about the absence of the paramount house. Though he, in all probability, didn't consider himself a Slytherin, he was sure acting like one. Ignoring the stares, cracking horrible jokes as they ate, shrugging of the strangeness of it all, as if he was included in the odd scheme; why hadn't Draco seen the Slytherin in him before?
They could have had more time.
"You see," Draco smirked, "With your distinct lack of proper exaggeration in place, I have to take that as Hagrid completely and utterly cocked up the spell; he was supposed to turn on the lights, and instead half-transformed your cousin into a monstrosity fit only for a freak show."
Harry laughed. "That's not quite how it happened."
"This translates, with my new system, as that is exactly how it happened. Draco, you hit the nail on the head."
"Uh-huh."
"I whole-heartedly agree with you, omnipotent lord."
"You can stop anytime now."
"Never stop."
"You're such a prat." Harry grinned, shaking his head. The exhaustion was being covered by amusement. It was only there if you searched through his eyes, a weariness that couldn't quite be concealed. It was better.
"Harry," Draco smirked, raising his eyebrows, "What that translates to…you can't say those words in public. People will assume you're some sort of sexual deviant. You know the ones, with the huge porn stashes in their bedrooms? Sex craved teenagers, with their blow up dolls, and worse; the ones wherein their poor families can hear the bed squeaking off its hinges, and they just sip their tea and pretend they don't know their deprived nephew is humping the-"
"Oh, dear god."
He couldn't keep it in; despite being in the Great Hall, and being in plain sight of the sickening majority of the student population, Draco laughed. The mask slipped.
Harry was mortified.
His face was bright red, down to the tips of his ears. He couldn't even look at Draco. It was fantastic.
"I'm going to kill Dudley." He mumbled, covering his face with his hands as a pathetic barrier. Because Draco couldn't see him if he couldn't see Draco, obviously. "Painfully."
"I'm curious," Draco snickered, watching as Harry squirmed in his seat. Merlin, this really was embarrassing for him. "The magazines. Did you have a collection of 'Bazooka's', or 'Buns'? Because, depending on your answer, our relationship may be at a standstill."
"Neither."
"No wonder it was listed as number one."
Harry moaned, horrified. "It's not true."
"Wizarding, or muggle magazines? I've heard they're distinctly different experiences. There are certain charms on the wizarding magazine to enhance the experience."
"Draco-"
"And an entire cupboard. Merlin, you had me believing you were shy."
It had been decided. Draco was going to order him the most ridiculous porn he could find.
"Draco." As fun as this torture was, he allowed Harry to get a word in. "It's not true. Dudley made it up." And he sounded as if that was all it took to pacify a Malfoy. Naïve little Harry.
"If he was indeed lying," He replied slowly, sipping his juice just to prolong the tension. "Then what was truly within this notorious cupboard?"
And there was genuine horror.
Harry froze for a moment, before forcing that ridiculous sham of a smile onto his face, shrugging away any questions. That moment of hesitation, however, revealed so much more than any feeble excuse that was surely coming. The flickering of his eyes, avoiding Draco's. The twitch of his hands, as if they wanted to clench. The embarrassment, and worse, shame that managed to surface before it was squashed back down with enforced obedience.
Oh, yes, this cupboard had to be dealt with.
"Everyone has their secrets." He managed to seem perfectly sound with that as an explanation.
"Not fiancés." Harry turned to him, eyebrows raised. Git. "I don't want skeletons I wasn't aware of the come out in inopportune times. Secrets in a marriage are just barriers."
"Have you been reading Witch Weekly again? I told you, Draco, it can't be good for your health."
"I won't judge."
He actually snorted at that. "You are the most judgemental person I know! You made Parkinson change what she was wearing the other day, because you didn't like her jumper!"
"It made her lumpy; I'm only looking out for my friends. As she well knows."
"What did you think of Dudley, again? No better than a house-elf?"
"Were you listening to the drivel he sprouted? He's lucky I made that comparison; it was a compliment, in his regard." Draco watched as Harry laughed, shaking his head. He went back to his breakfast without another thought. Surely he knew Draco had a better memory than a goldfish? "I won't judge you." Green eyes turned wary. "If I can stand your moodiness, and your utterly revolting glasses, and the fact you have this foolish innate sense of right and wrong, I think I can stand to hear about a simple cupboard without judging."
"Let it go, Draco." He even tried to smile. "It's nothing important."
"You know, you shouldn't speak with your mouth full of lies. It's rather unattractive."
It was satisfying to watch Harry splutter with some undeserved indignation. Which was particularly short lived, however, as Loony Lovegood plonked herself down at the table, just opposite.
If it wasn't unbecoming of a Malfoy, he would have gaped. Luna Lovegood; ditzy, not all there upstairs, and wearing that bloody cork necklace, was sitting before him.
She smiled brightly at Harry, turning that equally happy stare at him in turn. As if it was nothing to smile at someone who owned the dungeon that had brought about her torture.
"I thought you two could use a friend," She offered in her dreamy, somewhat dazed voice. She sounded as if she didn't quite know why she was there, either. Draco didn't blame her. "Since yours seem to be missing." And with that, she piled her plate with breakfast. It was settled, apparently.
A quick glance at Harry showed he was no better off; if anything, he looked slightly pained.
Merlin, someone should get a photograph of this; Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, flummoxed about talking to a girl.
She didn't speak, either. Just piled hash browns and sausages onto her plate, mashing them up into goop, as if it looked anything but appetizing. They both watched, horrified, as she spread the mess onto a piece of toast, taking a bite and smiling appreciatively at the taste.
"Why aren't you eating, Harry?" She asked, hesitating between the next bite. She didn't seem perturbed that some of her hair was inches from the mess. "You need to eat to keep up your strength. The wrackspurts won't go away on their own, now will they? You're head's full of them; worse than last year, when you were about to head down to the forest. Happy thoughts will only do so much to clear the infestation."
…
A wrackspurt? Was that some magical creature he didn't care to pay attention to in class?
It was enough to cure Harry. His lips twitched, as if he was holding back a grin. "I have an issue with them, don't I?" He replied fondly. "Been alright, Luna?"
"It's been a bit lonely." She replied, brutally honest."Ginny has a lot of new friends this year; I don't think she meant to forget me, but I defended you when that funny article came out, and she didn't like that. I have it framed above my head; always makes me laugh."
He could only assume it was the engagement article.
"You clearly have a coin in your hand; some of the things these papers print is pure rubbish." She laughed a little, taking another bite of her mashed breakfast. Draco glanced at Harry as he snorted; he didn't understand the humour. Most papers were utter rubbish.
"I've been spending time with Hermione; she focuses on studying a lot, and conspiracy theories about you. Some of them are a little ridiculous, but she needs some creative inspiration, so I encourage her. We should start a duelling club again."
She didn't seem hopeful for this. If anything, she had just spoken whatever thought flickered through her head. Odd girl.
And as if she heard that, she turned those owl eyes on him.
"I think I broke your friend, Harry. Are you alright, Draco?"
She…
Draco didn't understand.
This girl had been locked in his family's dungeon.
She had seen people enter that horrible place, and not leave.
Shehad to have heard the torture.
And she asked Draco if he was alright?
"He has Wrackspurts too. Not as bad as yours, Harry, but they need to be chased away. I think a good kiss will do."
"I'll take that into consideration."
"I think Neville's looking a bit lonely. He's watching us very seriously, isn't he? Oh, look, he's turned red. Maybe he has a crush? You should hold onto Draco, Harry, before Neville tries to steal him."
A panicked snicker managed to escape, pure incredulity. This made the owlish eyes snap back to him, oddly attentive despite her dreamy manner.
Demanding he say something.
An apology? No, no it was too late to apologize. And it would make him seem weak. Also, he didn't apologise.
He didn't know her well enough to insult her and it be shrugged off.
He didn't know her well enough to say anything, really.
He didn't want to know her.
So what the hell was he supposed to say?
"…What's a wrackspurt?"
And why did that make Harry laugh?
.
.
.
Draco seemed to be amused, oddly enough. He didn't want to show it, of course, but his eyes glinted without malice, and he allowed a scoff or two to escape, when Harry knew he had absolute control of anything to do with Draco Malfoy; scoffs, snorts, the amount of breathes per minute. He scoffed with amusement.
And Luna, if anything, seemed curious about him.
She delved into various stories of her summer, eyes continually turning to Draco as if to gauge his reaction. From what Harry knew of her, Luna didn't care what anyone thought about her mysterious, fictitious creatures, or their opinions of her. And yet, her eyes snapped back to Draco throughout each different telling, drilling holes into him.
He didn't speak to her, beyond the initial question. But he didn't ridicule her either.
She seemed to be quite enjoying herself with an audience that allowed her to speak.
At the empty Slytherin table. Because that wasn't going to cause a stir.
"So now, the unicorn is my companion. I've called him Smith. We're in the middle of transforming the ground floor into a bedroom for him."
Harry smirked to himself as Draco's eyebrow twitched, but he didn't say a word. Not about how it was a ridiculous story about saving a unicorn from some poaches, or how the said unicorn didn't have a horn, and therefore was most likely a horse, or ask why, dear god, why would someone modify their house so the horse could live inside with them…
He just twitched an eyebrow, and took a calming sip of his drink.
Merlin, Harry wanted to laugh.
"Why Smith?" Harry asked, when he could speak without chuckling. "You don't think it's a boring name?"
"Not at all." She looked scandalized. "John Smith. The name came to me. See, if you look at it from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint-"
She cut off as Draco coughed, a dreadful attempt at keeping his face clear. Harry blinked as she shrugged, an almost sneaky grin working onto her face. "Never mind. It's wibbly wobbly stuff." The left off 'you wouldn't understand' was heard by all.
"Do you think McGonagall is going to make a decision, yet?" She asked Draco directly, not blinking as she waited for an answer. Merlin, but she was brave. Braver than Harry would ever be.
He remembered seeing a filthy Luna in the Malfoy dungeon, and there was no doubt Draco remembered. But here she was, chatting with them, putting it all behind her. She didn't even seem the slightest bit angry at Draco, trying to entice him into the conversation.
Draco blinked at that, mask slipping back into place. "I'm not sure." He answered warily, glancing at Harry. "Maybe."
"What decision?" Harry asked, frowning. Was there some sort of news he had missed whilst moping around? Something important, and he was clueless?
"You didn't see it?" Luna asked, smiling. "The Slytherins burst in here the other day, wands a-blazing, fighting with the headmistress. They all looked quite handsome, staring her down. Gosh, I must fancy rebels."
Harry blinked, turning back to Draco. "You duelled McGonagall?" Of all the crazy, stupid things they could have done-! Is that why Slytherin had disappeared? They'd all been expelled?
"Of course I didn't." Draco even threw in a sneer at that, haughty as ever. "No one even drew their wands."
"You did."
"To cast a silencing charm." Draco ground out, "That was it. No fighting, not duelling, no blazing."
"And then the Slytherins stormed out the door, and vanished." Luna smiled though, very nearly a grin. She leant closer, as if telling a secret, whispering. "Never to be heard from again."
"You're not helping." Draco snapped, swallowing when owlish eyes swivelled back to him. He actually swallowed. Was he afraid of Luna? Impossible…but he was eyeing her warily. Christ, Draco Malfoy feeling guilt?
"I'm trying to give the story a bit of 'oomph'." She said, still smiling. "It's a little boring if I just tell Harry you faced off in silence, and left the hall in silence. Harry wants to hear of your heroic, romantic duel."
"You can stop there." Harry intervened when Draco glanced around, perplexed, for help. It was too funny; he didn't know how to take Luna. "I don't ever want to picture McGonagall and Draco in a romantic sense."
Luna snorted, laughing. "Professor McGonagall! And Draco!" She slumped over, shoulders shaking. Draco managed to throw him another perplexed, almost frightened glance before she straightened up again, wiping a pretend tear from her eye. "I've missed this. You guys. Well, only Harry, really, Draco, because we haven't spoken until now. But I think I like you, too." He merely blinked at her. "Which reminds me." She hauled her bag onto the seat besides her, pulling out various items that had Draco's eyebrows rising into his hairline.
Her radish earrings, a second cork-necklace, various copies of the Quibbler, a newspaper clipping that showed Rita Skeeter was writing Harry's biography. Christ.
"Why did you cut this out?"
"For memories; you're going to have a book written about you, Harry. It's exciting. Ah, here it is!" And she triumphantly pulled out…a corn ear? "Open it, Harry!"
It was an effort not to look downright worried for his friends' sanity. A corn cob. Alright.
Harry reached over and peeled it, exchanging yet another bewildered glance with Draco. Even he didn't quite know how to deal with this one. Luna was waiting with bated breath, eyes scanning the cob eagerly until…
"There it is! There it is! I knew that was a good cob!" Luna pointed at a tiny red kernel, smiling for all she was worth. She sighed, relieved, gesturing again when both boys didn't share her reprieve. "Finding a red ear of corn indicates you'll have good health for the rest of the year." Harry's blood ran cold. "Oh, and a good love life, too. Double luck, for you boys."
How did Luna know?
Harry stared at the little red piece of corn, and then at his friend.
Her smile softened. She knew.
"Good health." She repeated, "Which is exactly what you need right now, Harry James, to be rid of those nasty wrackspurts. They're fuzzing up your head, horrible little things. And a little mint tied around your wrist shouldn't be overlooked, either. Wards off illness. And you can have my spare necklace," She added, as an afterthought. "To fend off the nargles. I've warned them about returning this year, but they persist!"
"Thanks, Luna." For someone who was supposed to have her heads in the clouds, she was particularly observant.
"That's alright. Wow, Draco, your mother doesn't look too happy, does she? Maybe she needs a hug?"
…
What?
Harry swung around, heart rising up in his throat. He didn't think he could have spoken, if he had wanted to. Professor McGonagall, evictor, was storming down the aisle towards them, face clouded with a frown. Behind her shoulder, Narcissa Malfoy stood by the Great Hall doors, arms folded uncomfortably across her chest. Neither looked pleased.
"Oh, shit." Neither did Draco, now that Harry swung a glance back at him. He sighed, eyes shut as if trying to summon energy for this next battle of wills. Harry didn't know how either of them were going to get out unscathed, against these two women.
"I thought you were leaving Monday; why's your mum here early?" Harry didn't want Draco to leave him, just yet. Slytherin dormitory would be painfully empty, without him and the Slytherins.
"And I didn't think I was leaving, at all." Draco huffed, straightening himself and folding hid mask into place. He was readying for battle. If only Harry felt just as inclined.
Luna was watching him curiously, cocking her head to the side as he mentally prepared himself.
"Mister Malfoy, Mister Potter, Miss…Lovegood." McGonagall hesitated over Luna's name, blinking at the oddity. Looney Lovegood, eating with Draco Malfoy? It would have astounded anyone.
"Good morning, Professor McGonagall," Luna dreamily replied, oblivious to the mounting tension. "Lovely weather we're having today, isn't it?" The clouds were darkening above, if anything.
"Yes, it is." She replied curtly, eyes swivelling to Harry and Draco, honing in for the kill. "You two. Please join me in my office. We have matters to discuss."
"About Harry's eviction?" Draco drawled, seeming disinterested. Luna's head snapped to him, eyes wide. "Or about the missing Slytherins?"
"We're going to start with the fact your mother was unaware of your suspension." She snipped back, gesturing for them to lead down the hall.
With a sigh, Harry stood up, having to heave Draco to his feet as he glared up at the Headmistress. "My apologies." He returned, eyes glinting with annoyance. "I didn't know it was the duty of the suspended student to arrange that knowledge to be known."
McGonagall's lip thinned to a line. They were pushing it.
"I'll see you later, Luna." Harry nodded farewell, surprised that Draco glanced back hesitantly before dismissing her. He snatched up his corn, an odd mixture between anxiousness and amusement. A red corn kernel. Merlin, he was going to miss Luna.
He tried to keep his eyes on the floor as he walked, but eyes drilling holes into his head forced him to glance up. Draco's mother was staring at him, eyes narrowed with confusion. So that was where her son got that particular gift; it was genetic, apparently.
The thought made him chuckle.
"What's so amusing?" Draco drawled, glancing at his mother as they lingered awkwardly in the hall. McGonagall caught up, and began leading them to her office. They made an odd procession.
"Nothing. So, did you like Luna? No immediate hexing, I noticed."
"If anything, I found her pleasant." Draco admitted, warily. "She will not be a common breakfast companion, however."
Harry just shrugged; he didn't know Luna. If she wanted to be there, she was going to be there.
Eyes continued to drill into his head.
They walked in silence, shoes shuffling through the halls the only noise. Harry persisted in the shuffling; if it annoyed Draco, it was worth doing. And considering his infamous eyebrow twitch was in full action, it was definitely something he should do more often.
Harry was painfully aware, however, that if Draco's mother was here, she was here to collect him. He wasn't going to be at school for the rest of the week. An entire week without Draco; it was going to be hell.
And if he was going to be taken home, this was the last chance to actually speak to him.
Between his Headmistress, who was beyond furious at the both of them, and his mother, who was probably disappointed in Draco, and wary, if not in full dislike, of Harry. A wonderful situation all around.
Harry glanced at Draco, catching his eye. "John Smith."
The blonde's lips twitched, an almost smirk. "The most generic name in history."
"The story was full of spying, and breaking into a poacher's den, and…"
"Riding unicorns, without horns, bareback. Don't forget that; she trained a unicorn to allow a rider, despite the fact it was caged at the time."
"John Smith." Harry repeated, chuckling. "Gotta love Luna."
"Endure, I would think."
"Come off it." Harry whacked his arm, despite the eyebrow rise he received in return. "I get along with your friends; is it so hard to believe you would get along with one of mine?"
"You tolerate my friends."
"Not true. Zabini is pretty funny."
"Tch," Draco rolled his eyes, "Blaise is barely Slytherin."
Harry allowed himself a smirk as McGonagall's shoulders tightened, showing her irritation. They were about to be reprimanded, and didn't seem guilty, or afraid in the slightest. They were chatting. It had to grate on her nerves. Harry was actually thankful for Draco's mum walking steadily behind them; her very presence stopped McGonagall from rounding on them.
"Parkinson is sweet, in her own way. And Nott isn't too bad, once you get to know him."
"Not everyone is a Gryffindor, Harry. We don't all immediately make acquaintances with the strangers in the vans offering candy."
"Funny." Harry rolled his eyes. He was surprised Draco knew what a 'van' was; didn't Purebloods travel on broomstick, or floo?
"I'm serious here, Harry. It's one of your biggest problems, after the brainless self-sacrificing heroism you can't seem to shut off." Draco smirked at Harry's bemused expression, "For all I know, you offered a hand of friendship to You-Know-Who."
Well, that was a mightily brave comment. McGonagall actually turned her head to fix them with a warning glare, nostrils flaring dangerously. It was as if she didn't know he was dead. Comments like that shouldn't matter, not anymore. Besides, it was almost accurate.
"I was young." Harry shrugged it off, ignoring the level stare Draco threw him. He remembered chatting in the diary, all too clearly. "It was before I knew he was a psychopathic, nose-less maniac."
Draco's smirk flittered back into place, where it belonged. His eyes shined with amusement. "I was talking about He Who Shall Not Be Named…Weaselbee. But I supposed you have a point. Trying to befriend the Dark Lord does make you utterly naive. You befriend everyone."
"I do not!" Harry thought about it, trying to summon up a name. "I don't like Goyle."
"Nobody likes Goyle. He doesn't count."
"Rita Skeeter."
"Again, doesn't count. Her own family disowned her."
Harry frowned, trying to think of someone he didn't befriend. All the Death Eaters, obviously, but he couldn't very well name them, now could he? He was too aware of Draco's Mum walking behind him, listening to every word. "Dean. Dean's a douche."
"Mister Potter," Professor McGonagall turned around at that, furious. "You are in a precarious situation at the moment. Do not make it worse." Over a little swearing? Merlin, the entire Slytherin table had vanished because of Draco, and he was berated over a cuss?
Draco snickered at that, face calm when the headmistress turned her steely gaze on him. With a huff, they continued on, this time in silence.
Harry wanted to talk, though. The last time he was going to see his blonde, for a week, and it was in silence? It wasn't good enough.
But they had arrived at the office, McGonagall pointing to a chair she summoned just outside her office door. "Wait your turn there, Mister Potter."
Harry barely got to exchange one last glance at Draco, before they were ushered into the room, snapping shut with a loud click. Damn it.
He slumped into the chair, and pulled out his Rubik's cube, to wait.
.
.
.
Harry had been sitting in that chair for a good part of an hour, listlessly fiddling with his cube, bored out of his wits. He actually jumped in shock when the door opened.
"Inside, Mister Potter." Last name basis; not looking good so far.
Harry shoved the cube back into his pocket, almost anxious to get through the door. Draco would throw him a smirk, or just a glance, and they would be smirking again, royally pissing off their headmistress.
But the room was empty.
Harry blinked at the two chairs before McGonagall's desk, then at the fire behind it. They must have flooed directly from here. Damn it. Let the loneliness commence.
With a sigh, he plonked himself down in one of the chairs; it was cold. They had left a while ago.
She didn't offer him a biscuit before she began; she was furious.
"As Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it is my duty to protect my students as best as I can. I cannot simply direct my attention to a single student, and leave the others to fend for themselves. If I make a decision, it is for the good of the whole, not the individual. Are we understanding one another?"
Harry nodded glumly, knowing exactly where this was headed. Her decision hadn't altered; he would be leaving in the morning. Really, he didn't know why she had to stress her point; he understood. He hadn't imagined her to be this vindictive.
"The decision I made was to benefitthose students. I understand your predicament, but I have a care of duty towards all of my students, not just you." She glared down at him, almost bristling with anger. "If you and your new friends ever decide to threaten me again, over this nonsense, I will expel you all." Wait, what? "That is not the way we run Hogwarts. My decision has been altered, slightly, through the persuasions of the other staff, not your foolish debacle Saturday morning. And if such an event was to repeat itself, I would have no qualms about expulsion. I am the Headmistress of this school; your opinions may be known, but if you ever decide on that…that mutiny again…!"
"Expulsion." Harry nodded, almost wincing as her gaze hardened. He had never seen her this furious before; and she had taught here with the Carrows. God, what had Draco done? Mutiny?
"You will inform me where the Slytherin cohort has disappeared to."
"I don't know." Harry answered honestly. "They didn't tell me anything about that."
"Mister Potter," Her eyes were murderous. "You will inform me, now."
"I honestly don't know."
They stared at each other for a moment, one with rage, the other bewilderment. He didn't know what the Slytherins did, but it surely wasn't helping!
"You will travel to St Mungo's Hospital Tuesday night, wherein they will make up a schedule for you. You will give me a copy, and you shall not trapeze across the countryside instead of your diagnostics. Am I making myself clear?"
"Wait, what?" Harry frowned, trying to quell the excitement flaring up inside him. She ignored him.
"You will return Wednesday morning. You will only use my floo to travel to and from the hospital. You will get the required potions from the Hospital. And so help me, if I hear of you using magic again in my halls, this decision will be altered immediately. Hand over your wand."
"Uh, Draco has it." Harry couldn't believe his ears. It sounded like he was staying. But he couldn't change her mind…what the hell had Draco done?
She retracted her hand coolly.
And the awful staring competition began again, insistent, dangerous.
She looked disgusted in him. "You will go and tell your Slytherin friends that they are to return to the school, before I inform their parents at noon, or they will all be suspended. They are to meet me at noon, in the great hall." Her steel gaze flicked briefly to his tie, a scowl stretching across her face. "And since you clearly consider yourself one of them, you shall join them with their punishment. Never, in all my years…" She shook her head, furious. "That tie suits you, Mister Potter." She remarked as if it were an insult. "You will be here promptly after dinner, Tuesday. Now get out."
Harry was nonplussed.
He couldn't believe it, any of it. He was allowed to stay in Hogwarts? He didn't have to leave?
He hastened to his feet, hurrying to the door. Never would he have imagined the disgust McGonagall felt, directed towards him. It was terrifying.
He opened the door, glancing back at his furious Headmistress quickly. She was glaring at her desk, mouth a thin, angry line. "Thank you." He said quietly, hurrying away before she could call him back. Merlin, she may be furious at him, but she had just given him his life again. He couldn't be angry at her for that.
Now, where the hell were those Slytherins?
.
.
.
They had to be in here.
Harry had searched the entire bloody castle; from all the hidden passages, to every corner of the library, to the labyrinth of the dungeons. Frustrated, and nearing noon, he had consulted his map, to his own bewilderment. He had searched every corridor, trying to find a name he recognised, trying to find a hint of where they were lurking. Nothing. They had vanished. According to the map, they weren't at Hogwarts.
He had bolted to the owlery, scrawling hasty notes to those he thought would reply, but the stupid owls only gave him a level stare. They didn't even try to deliver the notes. What the hell was going on? For a sickening moment, Harry thought the birds didn't consider him a wizard anymore. He had left the room without debating that particular hypothesis.
So, after staring at the map bewildered for several moments, he had stormed up to the seventh floor. The Room of Requirement.
They had to be in there.
Harry paced past the room three times, fervently needing the Slytherins.
No door appeared.
He tried again, thinking he needed a place to hide, somewhere no one could find him.
No door.
He growled, pacing again. He needed a dungeon alike room. A dormitory. Zabini!
Nothing.
Why wasn't the room letting him in? How specific did it want him to be?
Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. It was around noon. They needed to get to the Great Hall, or risk suspension. And knowing the Slytherins, none would want their parents involved with this! A detention at Hogwarts was minimal to a Slytherin's parents punishment. Think, think. How to get into the room?
Harry blinked, frowning. It could work.
"Uh…Dob…I mean, Snuffy?"
He almost jumped at the loud crack, spinning around to see the House-elf smiling hesitantly back at him. "What can Snuffy be doing for you, Harry Potter, Sir?"
"Brilliant." Snuffy blinked owlishly at him, ears twitching happily. "Uh, Snuffy, I need another favour."
"I am not to be giving you any more alcohol, sir. It is bad, sir, and you is young, and good."
"I know. Don't worry, I don't need alcohol." At the moment. "I need to get into the Room of Requirement. The room right here. But it won't open for me. And I know House-elves are able to apparate when others can't, like in Hogwarts."
She cocked her head to the side, frowning. "But there is no room there, sir. It is…a wall."
Oh.
"Uh, trust me. There's a room, beyond the wall. All I need is for you to get in there, and tell the students there that I'm right outside. Can you do that for me, Snuffy?"
The house-elf hesitated, clearly doubting Harry's sanity. "But sir…there is…no room, there."
"Please, Snuffy. Trust me, it exists. You just can't see it."
Harry couldn't believe it; one of the only house-elves not to know of the Room of Requirement. She still hesitated, then with another loud crack, disappeared.
Harry turned to stare at the door, waiting for it to appear. Surely they would open it, if they knew he was waiting out here. Surely…
He sighed with relief as the outline of a door appeared. They would all go down to the hall together, and avoid suspension. It was going to be alright.
A hatch swung open, revealing a rather grumpy looking Slytherin. He stared glumly at Harry, raising his eyebrows. "What's the password?"
"Are you kidding me?" Harry exclaimed, "I don't know a password! All I know, is that if you don't leave that room soon-!"
The hatch swung shut again, the sound of a lock clicking in place. That bastard!
Before Harry could kick the door, however, and blast them from the room, which was very tempting at the moment, it swung open. A particularly amused looking Zabini grinned at him, arms opened wide. Harry took a step backwards; it looked as though he was going to hug him.
"Potter!" He all but shouted, "My hero, Potter! You've come to save us!" He hurried over, ignoring Harry's quick scramble to evade him, plopping both hands securely on his shoulders. It wasn't the slightest bit uncomfortable, having Zabini inches away from his face, bags under his eyes, looking most frazzled. "We can come out now, right? Oh dear god, don't make me go back in there!"
"Uh, yeah, you can come out." Harry glanced around for help, sighing as the others only shrugged at him. Parkinson looked almost as bad, rubbing her forehead as if she had a headache. Nott looked as if he had attempted, and was probably still tempted, to commit murder. A few hesitant first years poked their heads around the corner, looking just as bad. "What the hell happened to you lot?"
"What happened?" Zabini repeated, eyes widening in horror. "What happened? We've just spent a lifetime in the company of the younger grades. All the giggling, and the fighting, and the flirting. There's only so much one person can take!" He exclaimed, laughing. "There was nothing to do. There was only the room."
Harry just nodded, ignoring his exaggeration. Slytherins tended to dramatises.
"What were you all doing in there?"
"Blackmailing McGonagall." Zabini shrugged, watching as other students rushed from the room. There was two main reactions to being released; half the group muttered, whilst the other half fell to the floor, praising Merlin. It was funny to watch. "The real question is, did it work? Are you allowed to stay at Hogwarts?"
The corridor hushed a little, everyone eavesdropping to hear the answer; no one wanted to go back into the room.
Harry could only blink in shock; this mutiny, from the entire Slytherin cohort, was for his benefit? They were going to be punished, they had risked their parents wrath, for him? Draco, he could understand. The others?
"I…uh, yeah. She changed her mind-"
Cheers broke out amongst the students; they all stared at one another in shock, grinning, smirking, and laughing at the outcome. They had managed, successfully, to threaten the Headmistress of Hogwarts. They could accomplish bloody anything, and they knew it. Hell, it might even go down in Hogwarts: A History.
Zabini smirked along with the others, sharing a glance with the other two. Slytherin basked in smugness.
"Uh…which reminds me, she sent me to get you lot." Harry didn't want to bring it up, not with the celebratory smirks being passed around. "If we're not in the hall at noon, we're all suspended."
No one complained. They would take a little punishment; after all, they had won.
They all headed down to the Great Hall, radiating superiority. They didn't walk normally, oh no, they strutted down to the hall, noses high, smirking at anyone from a different house they passed. They had fought against wills of the Headmistress, and won. They were invincible.
They arrived at the hall at quarter past.
They were yelled at, and docked the majority of their points.
The other houses looked on in interest, and worry. If they were being berated, why did they look so pleased with themselves? What on earth had Slytherin done?
Harry sat amongst them, holding his ear of corn, exchanging grins with his house.