An Existing Loophole – Chapter 11 (A Trip Upstairs)
Harry sighed, relaxing back on the large tree, soaking in the sun. Merlin he was thankful that Theo and Blaise had found him at the Owlery. He felt better about Graham after talking to his friends, perhaps it truly was just a misunderstanding. Although he knew he needed to hear it from his betrothed himself before he decided, but at least he knew there was a chance he had been wrong and overreacted.
"I am loving this sun," Blaise moaned happily from where he lay in the grass.
"It won't last long; I am surprised we got a warm day today this close to winter." Theo mused as he flicked through his book while munching on the sandwich he had gotten from the kitchens.
"You didn't have to skip lunch in the Great Hall with me," Harry smiled softly, since he had grabbed lunch there before coming outside.
"We know," Blaise shrugged.
"Even if it was cold out here, Blaise there don't know the meaning of cold weather," Theo frowned.
Blaise shrugged, "not my fault that I can't feel the cold as bad as you two."
Harry snickered; he didn't know this as fact yet. But seeing it came from Theo, it had to be true.
Blaise's eyes widened a fraction before hissing. "Hide your robe, Harry!"
"Huh?" Harry was confused before seeing a flash of bright robes. Not questioning it much, Harry shoved his robe off before hiding it behind him. Practically sitting on it.
"Harry my boy!" Dumbledore greeted him cheerfully, Harry felt himself shudder at the voice of the headmaster. Blaise had a disgusted expression pulled while Theo was frowning at the disrespect. How dare the headmaster address a child by their given name!
Harry peeked his eyes up to the headmaster, not quite meeting his eyes. "Hello, Headmaster," he murmured softly.
He remembered Blaise's warnings strongly about how Albus Dumbledore could read your thoughts. He knew it started with an L something... but couldn't quite remember the name.
But he knew that the older wizard would not be too happy that he was spending his time with Slytherins. Even if he did share classes with them. Even more so now.
"I was most surprised today," Dumbledore gave a fake laugh, "I was looking out my window and noticed you were down here with, Mr. Nott and Mr. Zabini. I am most upset you and Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger are still at odds."
Harry wanted to scowl at that, "Blaise and Theo have been more of a friend to me than them. And I wasn't the one that decided to break our friendship, they were! Even Percy is quite furious with Ron's behavior."
"Now my boy, they have been your friends since you came to Hogwarts. Some silly little argument shouldn't break such a strong bond. Percy has always been a stickler for the rules and entering the tournament is not following the rules, so it is strange he would be angry at his brother." Dumbledore looked over his half-moon glasses, blue eyes staring at Harry as if trying to bend him to his will.
"Now, I digressed," Dumbledore chuckled, as if he was completely oblivious to Blaise's shout about how Harry didn't actually break rules because he didn't put his name in the goblet. Theo's evil glare was impressive to Harry, but Dumbledore just ignored them all.
"I wish for you to join me in the privacy of my office Harry," the old man smiled. "We can continue this there."
"I think I should decline that Headmaster," Harry replied coolly. "You're welcome to say what's on your mind in front of Blaise and Theo. And at least Percy doesn't have jealousy issues and can use his head when the facts are in front of him."
"I am just worried my boy," Dumbledore started.
"I am not your boy!" Harry snapped.
"You are hanging out with Slytherins who are friends with young mister Malfoy and turning against your Gryffindors and now yelling and shouting at the Headmaster. Can you not see how you are changing?"
"I don't see how I am turning against Gryffindors. I am still friends with Percy. It's not my fault that sometimes friendships don't last. And being Slytherin doesn't mean a thing. So, they like learning to make a career out of it. So, what." Harry crossed his arms. "And what… being a Slytherin is a bad thing? They are determined and ambitious, that doesn't make them evil."
"Well," Dumbledore fumbled, "it's not to say Slytherins are bad," he shook his head, "but young Malfoy has tormented you since you arrived here, and Voldemort killed your parents."
"Not this year," Harry pointed out. Though keeping an internal note on how much Dumbledore seemed to pay attention to him. Though it didn't slip his notice how he decided to bring Voldemort into the conversation.
Dumbledore sighed loudly, "Really my bo— Harry, there is no need for hostility and arguments."
"And here I thought this was a civil discussion. Must be if you are denying it as such and calling it an argument," Harry had a sly grin on his face.
Dumbledore's face contorted into a frown, "There is no need for this attitude Harry Potter. Now we are going to my office, we need to have a serious talk about this."
Harry crossed his arms as his eyes narrowed, "no I am not. Give me detention, I don't care. The only way I will is if someone is there with me. And you will not like who I will pick."
Harry's eyes narrowed at him, "just because you are the Headmaster, you have to be very aware of the rule that to speak with a student. You have to have their legal guardian with them. Seeing that my guardians are muggles... that right naturally falls to my Head of House, which is not you. Or I can have the person who has claimed rights over me when not in school. After all, my Head of House does have to report anything I do wrong to them anyways..."
Unfortunately, Harry had turned to look at Dumbledore, facing him as anger filled him when he had spoken. Dumbledore's eyes went wide in horror and then anger.
"What is the meaning of this?!" He thundered, his magic pulsing around the three teenagers. Theo and Blaise gripping each other's hands and quickly jumping up behind Harry despite their fear. Dumbledore's shriveled and boney finger was pointed at Harry's chest, and Harry groaned as he looked down. There on full display was the Slytherin tie. He had hidden the robe colors, but forgot the blasted tie!
Harry had to think quickly to supply a reasonable answer. Half of it was a lie anyways. And it wasn't like he probably knew about the trip to Diagon Alley yet. Since all of that was technically in the trunk in her office. Since he had yet to move it to the Slytherin Common Room.
He definitely was not looking forward to the conversation with Snape.
"Since all my stuff was trashed at Gryffindor Tower, Blaise gave his tie until I could get more of my robes," he shrugged, trying to make it believable. "And seeing that I didn't want Snape to take more points off of Gryffindor for not being in full uniform."
Dumbledore wasn't stupid though; he had gotten to where he was for a reason.
"You wouldn't get in trouble for wearing no tie after that little prank went too far." He frowned, "And Minerva had to get permission to leave the school with you, and also access the Hogwarts' students' funds to replace your clothing."
Harry snorted in disbelief, "Snape will take points off Gryffindor for any reason that he can. And obviously she did, since I was there when she discovered my destroyed belongings and not because it was a prank either! But even you should know it takes a bit to replace that much clothing."
"I expect to see you in the correct uniform tomorrow," Dumbledore demanded, looking furious. He knew he had to leave before anything else happened though. He would gain control over his weapon again. Perhaps a suggestion potion in his breakfast would be needed. He had only used two on the boy so far, once to go after 'Snape' for the stone. And again, when the boy didn't want to write in Tom's dairy the first time. He hadn't trusted the dairy when it first wrote back and tried to turn it into Dumbledore. But it had all worked out. Unfortunately, the more you used the suggestion potion, the less effective it would be. But this was an emergency.
Harry slumped when Dumbledore finally turned and strode back to the castle. But even he could tell that the older wizard was furious. He knew it may bite him back later but right now he couldn't care. Though he hadn't realized on how tensed up he had gotten during that entire conversation.
Well... at least he got the conversation over with and may decrease the chance of him getting ambushed later on.
"I can't believe that just happened," Blaise moaned as he slid back to the ground. "You just stood wand to wand with Dumbledore."
Theo rolled his eyes at Blaise before turning to Harry.
"You do realize that he will figure it out when Hogwarts starts to change everything else that you are resorted? Like your points will go Slytherin, all your homework and quizzes will go with Slytherin. Your name on the rosters will change and everything."
Harry shrugged, "I know. But it will at least give me some time to prepare and maybe even get Professor McGonagall on my side. I can't say the same for Snape though, that part is probably the only downside of having a new house in Slytherin. Though I don't know how much he pays attention to everything. I can see him studying my movements and he will eventually notice that my schedule doesn't line up with the other Gryffindors. Though the points won't matter much since all that will be recorded is what house it goes to. Not the student that earns them."
"Yeah, Snape really has it out for you." Blaise chuckled, "But he also doesn't like how Dumbledore treats Gryffindors versus Slytherin. So, it could go either way."
"You suck at being reassuring," Theo shook his head.
"Well, we should probably find Professor McGonagall, that is if you want to get to her first," Blaise said ignoring Theo pointedly.
"He should talk to Graham," Theo rolled his eyes. "Get this misunderstanding cleared."
Harry snickered, "for all I know, he'll still take points from me and take them from Gryffindor and not Slytherin. Since he would never take points from his own house."
Blaise rolled his eyes, "he can always talk to Graham later. Besides he's got a class right after this. And we need to get his trunk as well."
"Ooh that means infiltrating Gryffindor's tower!" Blaise realized with joy, hopping from one foot to the other.
Theo scowled, "You're an idiot! Why would Harry put the new trunk where the old one was destroyed?!"
Blaise frowned, "Why would you take this from me?" He demanded, "I have been inside Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, Gryffindor is the only one left!"
Harry laughed.
"Besides, I always assumed that maybe her office was in the Tower. The other professors are. Unless you count Professor Snape," Blaise shot back.
Harry shook his head, still grinning.
"Alright fine, no Gryffindor Tower." Blaise moaned, "But I promise you, nay I swear, nay I proclaim! I shall get into the Gryffindor before my 16th birthday."
Harry snorted a laugh as Theo started to drag him away as Blaise started speaking, forcing the dark-skinned Italian to run after his friends, promising revenge for their disrespect.
"Draco made a bet with Blaise, whoever gets into all four houses first, gets one-hundred Galleons," Theo laughed. "They have both done Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw and of course we are Slytherins. So, Gryffindor is the last stretch."
"That's so much money!" Harry gaped, his school books wasn't even that expensive.
"They are both idiotic rich heirs Harry. That's pocket change." Theo laughed. "They bet on everything."
Harry's eyes brightened, "I got an idea!" While trying not to think about how much money Blaise and Malfoy actually had.
"What if... I help Blaise win that bet?" Harry offered.
"Yes!" Blaise called from behind them, panting softly.
"But not here... we need to get to the seventh floor."
"I'm getting inside Gryffindor!" Blaise actually started to rock back and forth on his feet.
"You broke him," Theo groaned. "You actually managed to break him"
Harry snickered, "he'll be fine later."
Harry guided them up the winding stairs quickly, he still had to grab his trunk before class begun. He was just going to shrink it and put it into his pocket, then after classes finished and before dinner he would set up in Theo and Blaise's room. He was looking forward to it actually. He gave a sharp nod to Malfoy who passed them with Vincent, Greg, and Daphne. The Malfoy heir doing a double take at the green tie, Harry shuffling past before any questions could be asked. But Theo was sure Draco would put it all together himself, he was top of their classes and daddy couldn't buy grades.
He had his robes back on, where it obviously showed the Slytherin crest as well. But that didn't make him stop going up the stairs. Though he didn't see any Gryffindors yet, that didn't mean they hadn't seen him. Although he did at least make sure the crest wasn't as visible after Malfoy saw it. He had tucked one end over it with the spare winter cloak that he brought. Just because it was a bit warm outside didn't mean that certain parts of the castle weren't cold. He would have to endure a bit while in the Common Room though. As they would have the fire going to keep the Common Room warm as the temperatures dropped.
Blaise still looked excited as he glanced around. There really wasn't much of a reason for any house except for Gryffindor to be on the seventh floor.
Harry used that moment to dig out his Invisibility Cloak. He knew about the side entrance that connected to Professor McGonagall's office and classroom. So, he figured that maybe she would answer soon as the sensor went off, alerting her.
"You have a fucking Invisibility Cloak!" Theo gasped, hands shooting out to touch the beautiful artifact. But Blaise just cackled, "Merlin, Draco was telling truth! It was you under the cloak last year when he saw the floating head!"
Theo started to laugh as it hit him. No one in Slytherin had believed Draco and they had teased him for weeks.
"Not so loud," Harry hissed as he glanced around. Just because he didn't see anyone didn't mean that there weren't other students lurking around.
"Now, get under the cloak, and I will get us in to see Professor McGonagall and the Tower." Harry grinned, before turning serious. "I trust you two, but this cloak belonged to my father. It's one of the few things I have. Dumbledore had it when they died so it wasn't destroyed with the rest of the house."
Theo's eyes were wide, and Blaise looked teary.
"Thanks for trusting us," Theo muttered, as Blaise nodded. Harry felt a bit uncomfortable, unused to getting gratitude. Let alone for helping someone. Ron had always felt he was owed to use the cloak whenever he wanted. Always just left it on the floor after using it. Petunia would just yell at him for the things he did wrong, ignoring what he did right. Even Ginny's thanks for saving her life didn't seem genuine like this. He coughed roughly, pulling the cloak over their shoulders. He waited until the pair of them were under the cloak before whispering lowly, "Follow me,"
The ex-Gryffindor made quick look around before walking his way towards the portrait of the Fat Lady. He quickly muttered out the password to her. Though she was slow on opening her portrait. At least Violet wasn't there to create more gossip.
He at least hoped that Blaise and Theo were smart enough to make their way inside before the portrait closed back. Though it was a bit weird to be back inside Gryffindor Tower. He hadn't really wanted to make another step in here after what happened in his former dorm. But he at least knew that the side entrance was further in the Common Room, veering off to the left.
Unfortunately, he had barely gotten three feet when he heard a familiar and unpleasant voice.
"Well look at this, the cheater has snuck back in. I thought we all made it pretty clear what we thought about you destroying the name of Gryffindor!" McLaggen sneered. Harry felt his heart sink, fuck. Not only was he in Slytherin robes, but he had two other Slytherins hiding under his cloak somewhere in here! This could go so bad.
"Leave me alone McLaggen." Harry tried to sneer back, letting the anger and frustration leak into his voice.
"What? Too cowardly to face me?" Cormac laughed, but it was a dark and slimy laugh. Harry flinched when he felt a hand graze his. It was either Blaise or Theo, showing their support. But unfortunately, Cormac had thought it was because him and had erupted into laughter again.
"Some champion you are!" He taunted. "Scared to even face your housemates after you betrayed us!"
The words actually made Harry pause to think. Was McLaggen also in on destroying his trunk? He knew that some of the spells that destroyed it had to be advance, so it had been a bit obvious that an upper year Gryffindor may have helped. It was worth mentioning to Professor McGonagall... unless she already knew...
"Last I checked, I didn't even want to be champion! So, I wouldn't call that a betrayal!" Harry snapped back. "And I wouldn't say cowardly, more like I am more intelligent to risk facing the wrath of our Head of House."
Though it didn't stop the thoughts that if they thought this was betrayal... that would be nothing compared to when they found out what house he was in now.
Betrayal to Gryffindor indeed.
He heard Cormac growl at him, and he heard him screaming out a spell, but he also felt either Theo or Blaise's hands pulled him sharply into them. The curse only just missing him.
"That was a banned curse!" Theo hissed into Harry's hair. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Blaise was seething, wanting to curse everyone in the Common Room but he kept watching this happen, and those who were laughing with Cormac.
"CORMAC MCLAGGEN!" A thunderous voice came from behind Harry, Theo, and Blaise. Minerva McGonagall stood there in all her glory. "HOW DARE YOU ATTACK A CLASSMATE. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN!" Her eyes were wide, lips so thin they were almost gone. "Attacking a fellow student! Attacking while said student had his back turned! Using a curse which is banned inside Hogwarts and depending on use can mean a stay in Azkaban outside of Hogwarts!"
Cormac had gone white, his hand holding the wand had dropped to his waist. Theo was holding Harry's hand tightly.
"We are going straight to the Headmaster!" McGonagall ordered, "And I will be calling the Board of Governors on this. Collect your things! You will be serving a month of suspension and the board will decide if you come back at all."
She turned to Harry who was breathing heavily panicked, she saw the tie and crest and her eyes widened before turning sad. "I hope they offer you a better and safer environment." She whispered, looking directly at where Harry's hand "vanished into thin air" with amusement. She had an inkling of who was with him, and also had a good feeling about those two boys. They were loyal but didn't take shit. They were smart but knew how to have fun. They were also destined to do great things.
"Your trunk is in my office still. I will come find you tonight after dinner," she promised. That was said before stalking up the stairs to hurry Cormac up. She was not a patient woman when angered.
Harry had given her a quick nod. He knew there was more that she probably wanted to say to him but given everything… Now was probably not the best of times to do so. And it wasn't like he had another class today. It was probably a good thing he had dropped Divination last year. He didn't want to imagine trying to go up that ladder when he was heavily pregnant.
He quickly moved into her office, shying away from all the stares from the other Gryffindors, and glares from Cormac's friends. As soon as the door shut, he slid the ground and sobbed. Theo and Blaise immediately shuck off the cloak, Theo taking time to make sure it was resting on the nearby Chaise Lounge.
"That fucker!" Blaise hissed, he was vibrating again, but this time in anger instead of excitement.
There was no concern that he had practically won the bet against Draco Malfoy. The fact he had been inside Gryffindor Tower was little concern on that matter.
But Harry had gotten his full intake at what Gryffindor thought of him. He knew that not every Gryffindor probably thought that. Percy's letter had been touching enough. He figured that maybe working at the Ministry may have given him a bigger head. He could still recount the words of how poorly he thought of his youngest brother and how atrocious his behavior was. It was too bad that he had graduated last year. Otherwise, maybe the year would not have gone so badly in so many ways.
Percy never had any prejudice against the other houses unless you happened to break the rules. But he did look the other way depending on the severity. There had been many times he had caught him out past curfew.
"Hey," Theo whispered soothingly, "I know this sucks, and you must be so hurt and pissed. But you have us now, and we stand by you."
"I would've jumped out of the cloak and gone full muggle on their faces with my fist." Blaise swore, grinning when Harry chuckled wetly. "But like Theo said, us revealing ourselves would make things worse on you, and to stay hidden unless absolutely needed. We aren't bloody Gryffindors after all, we're Slytherins."
"And as a Slytherin, you would have lost," Theo pointed out.
"Oh, shut up Theo!" Blaise retorted, "I am an amazing fighter!"
Harry laughed freely; he was so grateful for these two. "Thanks guys. But I think Professor McGonagall has it handled."
"I don't think I've ever seen her get that angry before." Blaise said awed. "She must really care about you."
"She was scarier than Snape," Theo nodded.
Harry blushed, "I can imagine the look on Dumbledore's face when Professor McGonagall storms up there. I guess... I'm not really bothered by what McLaggen said. He's usually worst of them. But it makes me wonder if that curse had hit and I was... you know..." Harry's voice went quiet near the end, as he revealed his fear.
"Yeah, the Blood Boiling Curse is brutal," Blaise nodded, flinching when Theo stamped on his foot.
"But it is also a difficult cast, I doubt McLaggen had actually cast correctly. Anything he had been able to do, would have been fixed by Madam Pomfrey." Blaise tacked on.
"And, we were here." Theo added, "We will always back you up. He is a coward. There is a reason he attacked you while your back was to him. We've got friends in his year; he is bottom of the class. His spells are constantly weak and underpowered. In practice duels, he never wins. You on the other hand. It is well known you are a gifted defender and offender in duels."
Harry felt some of his nerves eased. It was still a concern since no matter how underpowered it was... it could have done something damaging. But at least he knew that Professor McGonagall wouldn't let it rest until she was satisfied by the punishment.
"You know, before McLaggen, all I could think about the Gryffindor Tower, is how garish and bright it is. Like that scarlet red and bright gold is just so much!" Blaise muttered, teasing another grin from Harry, and gaining an eye roll from Theo.
"You know, you roll your eyes so much, one day they might get stuck like that," he teased,
"I only roll my eyes so much because for some reason I keep being your friend." Theo laughed back.
"Blaise may be onto something though," Harry admitted. Even he knew that Gryffindor did tend to go overboard with the red.
"Of course, I have a point." Blaise said, moving his hand as if flicking long hair back over his shoulder. "I always have a point."
Harry shook his head with a grin. He did feel a bit better but everything was still trying to settle of what happened. He could never see this happening with Ron and Hermione.
Maybe as a first year... he would have seen Slytherins as having no friends. But now... he knew that wasn't true.
That didn't stop him from laughing joyfully, the last of his fear and panic subsiding. He had true friends now, and wow if that didn't make him emotional. He hadn't even really noticed how toxic Ron and Hermione had been, but now he had something to compare it to, and it was a huge difference.
"Do you think you are okay to go to class now?" Theo asked softly.
Harry shrugged, "I don't have class unless I start having classes with Slytherins now."
This was said as he glanced down to his robe, the green and silver crest staring back at him.
"You should!" Blaise said excitedly. "You are one of us now!"
"You are dropping Divination?" Theo asked.
Harry gave a sharp nod, not bothering to correct him that he had done that last year.
"Good, that class is only useful for those born with the gift, but even they can't learn from that drunk fraud."
Harry snickered at that. Least he wasn't the only one that thought Trelawney was a fraud.
"Kind of regretting taking the class to begin with," Harry shrugged. He knew that he shouldn't have let Ron talk him into taking the easiest class. But it wasn't like he could turn back time for an entire year.
"Don't blame you for that," Blaise snorted, "No respecting Pureblood takes that class because we know you have to born with the gift."
"Malfoy takes Divination," Harry pipped up.
"I said what I said," Blaise smirked.
"I am so telling him you said that," Theo laughed as he helped Harry up off the floor.
Blaise was currently denying being afraid of the peacock.
"Peacock?" Harry questioned, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Blaise outright cackled at the question as Theo sighed, but the smile he tried to hide gave him away.
"Lucius Malfoy breeds Albino Peacocks. They are his prized possessions and his Patronus. But when Draco was four, he wanted to ride one." Blaise broke off with his laughter, shaking his head.
"The peacock was not impressed and chased Draco around the entire property and into the manor, just shrieking at him." Theo finished with a smirk.
Harry couldn't help the laughter that escaped his lips. Especially when he mentally pictured it in his mind.
And so, he knew without a doubt... Blaise and Theo tortured Malfoy with that information.
"Alright, well you can either take your trunk to Slytherin and get settled in, or you can shrink it and come to Charms with us and the Hufflepuffs." Theo suggested, and just like mind reading, the bell for the next class ran loudly.
That pretty much was enough of an answer to him as he shrunk his trunk before placing it into his robes. But he didn't really fancy going to the Slytherin Common Room without Blaise or Theo there.
He didn't prefer going to Charms either, it would officially be final that he wasn't a Gryffindor anymore. But if he was going to pick between the two. Charms was the better option at the moment.
"I guess I will come with you guys then," Harry smiled nervously. Although he relaxed a little when Blaise whooped in excitement before jumping back under the invisibility cloak.
"Well come on then!" He called, tugging Theo under who yelped in fright, being unable to see where Blaise had come from.
Harry laughed, "are you guys that afraid to be seen coming out of Professor McGonagall's classroom?"
"What if some of McLaggen's friends are out there? Or Weasel, Weaselette and Granger?" Blaise asked, "Things are going to be bad when they find out you were resorted. But if they see that you snuck two other Slytherins in… That would be ugly."
Harry raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
"The funny thing is if you really think any of them moved from where they are at. And I'm not afraid of any of them," he held up his wand for emphasis.
"And for all they know, you met up with me here."
Blaise's head suddenly appeared out of the cloak. "Are you sure?"
Theo's then appearing next to Blaise's, "We have your back if you want to do this."
Harry rolled his eyes, "I'm not some weak Gryffindor...well Slytherin now. I am honestly expecting the insults and curses. But it's not like I haven't endured that all year."
Blaise frowned, "Maybe, just point out some of the ones who have hexed or cursed you this year. No reason. Just point."
He shook his head, "Don't worry about it. I'm more concerned with getting those that destroyed my stuff."