Chapter 6
Reece persevered through the end of year exams. He knew that he and Draco had done well. But much to their dismay they both knew that Hermione Granger had done better. Somehow in class the bloody Gryffindor was always able to get higher than the top mark when Reece only achieved what was supposed to be the highest.
He sat in the common room listening to Pansy and Daphne slagging off another girl in their year. The two were completely opposite personality wise but still managed to be good friends. Reece had heard from Tracy that they had had their fall outs, but it seemed they were on good terms at the moment. Reece wasn't one for being fake. Quite the contrary he took pride in seeing the reactions when he said things to people's faces.
"I can't believe she said that though." Daphne said with disbelieving irritation. She? Said what? Reece just sat in the green armchair beside them pretending to know what they were talking about. "But I always thought Hannah was nice. She's all Hufflepuff and airy."
"That's what I thought until Tracy and Millicent told me what she had said to Lisa Turpin." Pansy sighed as the sour look on her face only got worse. "Everyone always judges us and talks about us even though they don't know us."
"Because you wear green." Reece grimaced at his own statement but the two nodded nonetheless. It was true. No one cared if they hurt a Slytherin's feelings, because it was expected that those who wore green didn't feel emotional pain. They were supposed to be the enemy, but nice people like Daphne and quiet people like Theodore didn't want that. Even if their families minded, Reece didn't think that they would have minded being sorted into Ravenclaw.
"Because we wear green!" Pansy said passionately as her hand gestures exploded – her arms flailing and waving in all directions. "I'm a bitch and I wear green, so automatically I'm the worst in the year. Hannah Abbott can't keep her mouth shut, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil spread rumours left, right and centre, and Lisa Turpin is always creating rumours off the top of her head. But because I'm cunning and ambitious, I'm the horrible one."
"I know that I'm disgusting but no one would have given me a chance anyway. They all think, Lestrange? Oh he must be the son of Bellatrix. But I'm not. Rabastan is my father, not Rodolphus. God this school is so frustrating." Reece made his feelings clear also.
"I'll be nice to anyone unless they give me a reason to do otherwise." Daphne said quietly as she tied her blonde hair into a quick ponytail. "But how can I be kind to people if they don't even give me the time of day?"
"I love Slytherin and everything it stands for, but I hate the prejudices that people have against us." Reece growled. "I know I've made a name for myself as the smart, violent sidekick of Draco but that's only because I fight back. So what if I retaliate?"
"You're not his sidekick Reece." Pansy said sympathetically. He may have been an arsehole on the outside but she and Daphne could see though some of his games. Reece was always one to put up a mask. And he never took it off. For anyone. "You may be his best friend, but the sidekick role is filled by Crabbe and Goyle. I swear they follow him around like they don't know what to do with their lives."
"Potter called me his sidekick." Reece mumbled dejectedly. "The golden boy himself called me his sidekick." He had now resorted to staring at his feet in an empty manner.
"I heard Draco talking about what you did after he said that though." Daphne cut in sharply. "Apparently you threw him against the wall and put your wand against his throat." Reece looked back up at the two girls seated across from him and gave them one of his trademark, menacing smirks. "Wow…" Daphne trailed off as her eyebrows knitted at the thought of his violent actions.
"I really hope you get a spot on the Quidditch team next year." Pansy said suddenly – the conversation reminding her of what Reece did to Harry during their first flying lesson. "You'll be able to let it all out at practice by hitting the bludger instead of Potter."
"Perhaps you're right Pans." Reece gave her a genuine smile. It wasn't one of his smirks or grins. It was a proper smile that made both sides of his mouth peak up and show his straight white teeth. "Thanks girls," He said as he got up from his chair, wanting to start getting ready for the end of year feast. "Both of you are the reason I'm only nasty between nine and five."
Reece sat between Pansy and Daphne at the feast. Draco was seated across from him with Crabbe and Goyle on either side, and Theodore and Blaise were seated a little further down the table. Somehow – without Reece even acknowledging it – he had gotten a lot closer to the two girls over the past few weeks. They made him smile without even realising they were doing it, and their unconditional bitching made Reece laugh from time to time. He and Draco were still also on decent terms. At times they grew distant but after a couple of weeks they would grow close again. Reece was just sick of the two buffoons that were seated either side of the blonde. They were dumb, boring and couldn't even understand the simplest parts of the English language at times. Nott and Zabini were cool guys. They were reserved and kept to themselves most of the time but still managed to be talkative at certain points of interest.
Then there was Potter. And Weasel. And the girl from the train, Granger. The three had done this, that and the other. But Reece didn't care, and it didn't look like Potter had even mentioned what had transpired in the forest. Ronald was just a downright idiot and Granger, well. She wouldn't be all that bad if she wasn't as bossy and annoying and muggle.
McGonagall tapped her glass softly, and Dumbledore rose from his seat. "Another year, gone. And now as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding, and the points stand thus: in fourth place, Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points." Draco looked visibly chuffed as he had pretty much taken one hundred and fifty from them earlier on. A dull applause rang out for the last place house. "In third place, Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty two points." There was a larger, humble applause for those in yellow. "In second place, Ravenclaw with four hundred and twenty six points." There was a soft cheer and applause for the second place winners. "And in first place, with four hundred and seventy two points, Slytherin house." Although the other three houses were not pleased, the Slytherins clapped in delight along with Professor Snape who was clapping quickly with a hidden sense of pride.
"Yes." Draco muttered with joy as he smirked at Ron Weasley.
"Yes, yes well done Slytherin, well done. However," Snape's face quickly turned to one of concealed shock. "Recent events must be taken into account." Snape glanced at Dumbledore who had decided to make a last minute change to the standings. "And I have a few last minute points to award. To Miss Hermione Granger, for cool use of intellect when others were in peril. Fifty points." The Gryffindors gave a warm applause and Malfoy looked visibly pissed off at Dumbledore's sudden point awarding. "Second, to Mister Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen in many years. Fifty points." Reece shook his head at Draco whose face quickly turned to thunder. "And third, to Mister Harry Potter for pure nerve and outstanding courage. I award Gryffindor house sixty points." Reece then turned his attention to the staff table and noticed Minerva McGonagall looking smug. "And finally. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award ten points, to Neville Longbottom." The Gryffindor table screamed and applauded vigorously as they had now passed Slytherin by a mere ten points. "Assuming that my calculations are correct I believe that a change of decoration is in order."
"Old fool." Draco spat as the decorations changed from green to red.
"Gryffindor wins the House Cup!" Dumbledore announced. The other three houses in the hall were jumping with joy and celebrating with glee. The Slytherin table just watched on. Disappointed. They would have won by a mile if it wasn't for the stupid point addition at the end. Draco took of his hat and threw it down on the table in frustration. Bloody, bleeding lions.
Soon they were back at the station and Reece wasted no time boarding the train. Instead of sitting with Draco and the two henchmen, he sat in a compartment with Blaise, Daphne and Pansy. On the way back, Blaise teased Pansy mercilessly. Apparently Tracy had told him that Pansy had told her that she fancied Draco. It seemed Zabini would not let it go. Daphne and Reece were entertained by the spat that the two were having and eventually gave up on trying to stop it. It took around an hour, but Blaise finally got her to admit that she had a crush on Malfoy.
Pansy had then steered the conversation in Reece's direction – and he wanted to hex her for it. Daphne had started nagging and pestering him about how he should be more open with his friends. He finally cut her off and told the group that he wasn't exactly keen on the concept of relationships and much rather preferred something more casual. Blaise knew exactly what his friend meant and began snickering at the blunt opinion whereas Daphne and Pansy began badgering him, asking what he was insinuating.
It turned out that the people in the compartment were healthier for Reece than Draco ever was. But how long would it take for Reece to realise that Malfoy brought out the Lestrange in him?