"I can't believe I'm going. This is the last thing I want to do." Harry had to shave again to look remotely presentable, sporting his old dress robes, and showing a little more ankle than the 'Savior of the Wizarding World' should be showing. Besides the trials, he hadn't interacted with the general public for over a year, and here he was, about to enter this onslaught of… people.
"You're unbelievable. You won't meet up with Ron but we're going to this party."
"I told you, I had no choice, I promised."
"I'm not even going to tell Ron you're doing this for Malfoy of all people. He'd be so confused and furious."
"Yeah, but you're not that thick, are you?"
They turned a corner and the light from the party illuminated the corridor, music drifting their way. Harry swallowed, fighting the urge to throw on his Invisibility Cloak. Slipping into the packed room, they scanned for familiar faces, B-lining to the first person they saw.
"Luna!" Hermione beamed. "You look lovely!"
"Ohhh, helloooo," she beamed back. She wore pale blue witches' robes and earrings made of crystals. Though the crystals were rather large, it was her style- a more grown-up version of it.
"I heard you were offered an apprenticeship with Ollivander! That's incredibly lucky. But you turned it down?"
"Oh, yeees. I don't think I'd be very good at it. Mr. Ollivander can sense magic through objects… Me, I can sense them through animals better. Ollivander says this is just as good for collecting cores, but… I was hoping to travel with Daddy next year. I can still assist him by collecting cores though, if I find any."
Harry stole a glance over at Snape who was talking fervently to Slughorn. Looked important. Were they discussing his trial? Maybe… the sick students?
"Oh look, it's Draco. He looks smart," Luna said, noticing Draco in brand new robes standing alone. "He must be very sad about his dad."
Harry and Hermione studied Draco too, alone near the drink table. He looked the very part of a socialite for this exact type of party, but people weren't stopping to talk to him.
"You might be collecting cores next year? That's very exciting! I heard you're writing Ollivander every week."
"Yes, we're very close. I am learning so much about wand law. Surprised they don't teach it here."
But Harry wasn't listening. Draco tried and failed to start two different conversations, people leaving quickly after getting their drinks. After a third important looking person snubbed him, Harry's legs moved on their own. "Grabbing a drink Hermione, be right back."
Making his way to the drink table, he gave Draco a curt nod in greeting before trying to pour something elaborate that he had no business making. Draco's eyes watched him while he made a show of getting just the right amount of ice to linger a little longer at the table.
"Are you failing Potions?"
"I don't think that's any of your business. Besides, I'm getting a tutor," Harry lied.
"Tutor? Just ask Slughorn. He'd adopt you if you asked." Draco did not hide his resentment towards Harry's special treatment, but he managed to control himself and look away. "Didn't think I was going to get invited. Slughorn hasn't spoken to me all year."
"Well, he's a bit finicky, isn't he? Riddle used to be his favorite student, so, he can't exactly pick them, can he?"
"Snape probably told him to invite me."
"You deserve to be here."
"DON'T… be nice to me." Draco screwed up his face like he tasted something terrible. "I don't need your Gryffindor sap. You don't realize how patronizing you are. This is why people can't stand you."
"I'm sorry," but Harry wasn't sorry at all, he was quite offended actually.
Draco rolled his eyes. "I don't need that either."
"What do you want?" Harry spat.
"Granger. Good to see you."
Hermione, who was on her way over, looked round for someone right behind her, believing his mock-kindness and perfectly fake smile must be for someone else despite saying her name. "Good... good to see you too," she echoed, surprised.
"Weasley's not coming today? He destroyed a Horcrux and can't get an invite?"
"He's busy at the Ministry. An Auror is a very stressful job."
"Oh, Potter's not avoiding him anymore?"
She looked at Harry, questioning why he knew this information. "Oh, he is, but why do you know that?"
"I'm not wondering why people avoid him, I'm wondering why you don't. Ah, but you're here, perhaps you are."
Her hair became electric as she stood up tall. "Don't talk about Ron like that. He is a great wizard!"
Two things were going through Draco's mind and Harry could guess both of them. First, no one would call Ron a great wizard, and second, he didn't want to ruin his chances in Transfiguration by saying this.
"Of course," Draco smiled thinly. "And my mother thanks you, Transfiguration was her best subject..." and although it was spoken like an insult, Hermione and Harry were quite taken back by the compliment as he walked off, giving them a curt nod as he left.
"Well, he's confusing this year. SO." She watched him leave before turning to Harry. "Am I allowed to invite Ron to the next party?"
"Yes," Harry said. "Because I'm not attending."
"You-!" But he didn't hear what she was going to say. At that moment-
"HARRY MY BOY! MAN of the year, an honor, and honor, and how are we doing?" Slughorn clapped his hands together and rubbed them, zeroing in on them like they were the most delicious things at the drink table.
"About as good as my potions, I think."
"Cheeky, so cheeky…" he laughed, several witches turning to watch them. "Harry Potter! Could be anywhere in the world right now, but he is at Hogwarts at my little soiree. All the best are at Hogwarts aren't we…" and he gave a little nudge and a wink.
Harry put on a painful smile. It was time to pay and knew what was about to happen. For the next hour he was paraded around the room as the hottest celebrity, introduced to many important people. He got introduced to Deborah Di Noto, the witch to invent the first family sized-double broom, extra wide and extra long. Next was Sarah Jane Jennings, who tried to hire Harry as the spokesperson for her line of '10 year- no fail supreme Invisibility Cloaks,' forcing a free one on him, which he refused. Politicians, businessmen, foreign dignitaries- he shook hands with them all while hearing their endless praise he did not want or feel like he deserved. It didn't take long for him to be completely overwhelmed. His hand was being shook every minute, receiving quick soundbites from important people he was going to forget as soon as he hit his pillow. Finally, he was introduced to a group containing Oliver Wood and his entire semi-pro Quidditch team buddies and Harry gave his first genuine smile all night.
Now he was at a party. Surrounded by the smiling faces of professional Quidditch players, all taller than him, they treated him like an equal. And they were off, talking about Quidditch spiritedly, swept up in the energy of the retelling of saves and great plays. Slipping between his happiness came the sharp edge of disappointment, reminding him that he opted not to join this year. Wood dove in, discussing how bad all the students flew this year, blaming it on the stress of last year. And then he dove into a five-minute glowing speech about the incredible Ginny Weasley, the last remaining gem of her family, a prodigy, an excellent flyer and Captain, trying to whip the students into shape. And then Slughorn joined in, complimenting her wandwork and 'what an incredible student she is,' and Harry wanted to squirm away.
Sipping on his drink awkwardly, he listened to the praise of his sorta-not-really-probably-ex-girlfriend, looking around, searching for an out. Snape was in an intense conversation with McGonagall and did not look happy. Draco looked as dignified as his heritage, trying to network, people only giving him a short handshake before folding in with someone else. He watched as Hermione came up and stood rather close to him. Now anyone looking to introduce themselves to her needed to interact with Draco by proxy.
Well, that was nice of her.
"Professor Slughorn," he leaned in, asking quietly. And there was no way he heard him over the booming Quidditch conversation, but Slughorn turned instantly like he had an ear reserved for him.
"Yes, my boy?"
"I need a favor."
Slughorn raised an eyebrow. "Oh, ho? You have my attention. What do you need?" They took a few steps away to have a more private conversation.
"Draco… can you mentor him? Socially? You're really good at that kind of stuff. Take him under your wing?"
Slughorn studied him carefully. And behind the eyes he could tell he didn't want to.
Harry plowed on. "You see, the thing is, I went to great lengths to protect Draco and Narcissa this year, Dumbledore did too before he died, and it would be a shame if someone with such high status got chucked aside when they're just getting their certifications. It would be a huge favor to me and Dumbledore's memory to usher him back into the community."
"Harry… of all things… It's more complicated than that. His father is an Azkaban, a convicted Death Eater. Right now is not the time. And the Malfoy's aren't friendless!"
"Sir. I'm asking a favor. If it's a no, it's a no. I can take it." Harry sounded casual but the coldness could not be denied. "But McGonagall told me it's my job this year to show student unity, and I'm asking a teacher for help."
"Professor Snape is more than capable of…"
"Professor Snape was also a Death Eater and you two seem to have a good relationship despite that. And he may not be here next month. Professor Slughorn, I know you can show him into society, Slytherin to Slytherin. He's been given a bad hand. Two bad mentors, his father and Lord Voldemort. People will trust him if he's with you."
"Harry… yes, fine. I can find someone to mentor him. I can place him with-"
"No sir, it wouldn't take up much of your time. Not for someone like you. You're the most socially gifted person I've ever met besides Dumbledore. Everyone looks up to you," he laid on thick before the finale- the sugar coating before the poison. "I don't see why I would attend any more of these parties if my fellow students aren't here. Hermione and I are very busy you see, and I don't know if we're going to make it anymore. BUT… if you helped me with this house unity thing, I'm sure I could move things around."
"Harry, you are bribing me…" he laughed, still smiling.
"AND I'll tell Hagrid not to give you the good potion ingredients if you don't!"
"You go too far!" and he gave a mock shock of disapproval.
"Yes, I 'go too far,' but we can make a deal. I go to four parties a year, IF they don't interfere with work or exams. Four parties, five years. And you mentor Draco for three. I think that's a good deal to have Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. You know she's teaching Transfiguration. She's going to be one of the most memorable witches this century."
"I get Hermione too?" and he was breathless, eyes glazing over, thinking about this fabulous deal.
"Of course!" Hermione didn't know she was being volunteered, but Harry was sure he could bully her into it. "Four events. Five years. For three." What do you say?
He stroked his mustache.
"A Malfoy's worth it," Harry reminded him. "Don't know why I'm even bothering, it's your loss if you don't. It's not every day a gem gets tossed in the dirt; thought you'd pick it up knowing its value."
"Harry, you're always surprising me. Of COURSE I WILL!" He said this so loudly many people turned to look at them. He bent over and lowered his voice. "FOUR parties, five years- you have yourself a deal. And Granger too… my my, you can't do better than that. I will hold you to it then."
And Slughorn crossed the room straight to Draco, greeting him so enthusiastically he was visibly shaken. Even more so when Slughorn threw a tight arm around him and dragged him like a broomstick in the opposite direction, introducing him to people.
"Hello Harry."
Harry jumped and turned around, now face to face with Ginny, finally cornered. She looked incredibly, absolutely beautiful.
"Oh… hello…" His heart jumped and started banging out of control. "Uh, you look… great." She ignored the compliment, eyes stabbing him, searching… "I… I heard... you are… this year… uh, fantastic. Quidditch. This year. Very good. Everyone's talking about it." Harry wanted to run. This was an immature impulse, he hated himself for it, but the instinct was too overpowering.
"Oh, you think so?" she said flatly. "You haven't gone to a single practice or game." She didn't blink, staring expectantly... cold… waiting...
"Miss Weasley… Potter…" and his night got even worse. Snape was now directly behind him, hatred in his eyes. "A word…"
"Right. Uhhh… later then, Gin…" and she watched them leave, cold and placid… Oliver put his hand on her shoulder and asked about a spectacular save in the first match of the season. She turned and got swallowed by the team.
He followed Snape into a corner of the room, wondering if he was about to get kicked out of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"…Is this about my homework? I know I didn't give you all of it, but I gave you half."
"Dreadful. You think turning it in would be an improvement."
"Yeah, not great, I know. So … do you choose the textbook? Because I think you could write a better one."
"…Did I overhear correctly? You threatened Slughorn to mentor Draco or you wouldn't attend any more of his parties?"
"Oh… yes. Yes I did, Professor."
"Draco does not need your pity or your kindness. He is adaptable, more intelligent than you are, and completely capable of finding his own way. You are insulting him. If he finds out that Slughorn is doing this for you and not for him-"
"I know that!" Harry cut in. "But it seemed like the right thing to do. Slughorn was shunting him. And Malfoy is better at… these things. He should be at this party, not me."
"You're right." Snape smiled nastily, happy Harry understood this point. "Draco should be at this party, not you. So: not a word to him, ever. Do not let him know it was you, and not his own merits, that bring him connections this year. You don't realize the damage you cause."
"Yes sir…"
And Snape left, giving him a threatening look as he walked away.
Now Harry was ready to leave. Searching for Hermione, he found her talking with Professor McGonagall. Perfect- he'd say hi to the headmaster, whisper to Hermione he was leaving, then go.
"Professor!" Harry tried to sound jovial. "Hermione," he nodded. "Listen, Professor, I'm sorry about the start of term, I've been turning in my homework now."
"HOMEwork?" she cried loudly. Harry looked at her like she was Trelawney under Polyjuice potion. "We're at a party Potter, we don't need to talk about homework." She took a healthy sip from her goblet, looking more relaxed than he'd seen her in years. Or ever, now that he thought about it.
"…Right! So…"
"I… can't believe... my class, Potter. Transfiguration… the students…" she shook her head.
"Was it Dumbledore's idea, or… Dumbledore's portrait's idea… to keep her?"
She laughed and gave him a look. "I think he meant her to retire here. I don't know exactly what to do with her. Maybe I can send her to St. Mungo's over the summer, say she's been cursed with mead."
Harry laughed. "But Professor, she can't stay here forever… what if she dies here and comes back as a ghost? Except she's telling first years she knows the future and they're going to die?"
"Oh, Potter, don't say that. Where are all these jokes coming from?" She looked disturbed by the thought of a bug-eyed Trelawney school ghost. "I will find something to do with her… and you!" McGonagall addressed Hermione, "There's not enough house points to give at this point. Blatant favoritism for the Cup if I continue." She looked fondly at Hermione, like she was the crown jewel of Hogwarts.
"Yeah, she's been great," Harry said. "But she's always been great."
"Yes, she has," McGonagall agreed. Hermione beamed at the praise from both of them.
But his face faltered. Seeing McGonagall and Hermione side by side reminded Harry how little he was doing in the present compared to the both of them. McGonagall was literally trying to rebuild the school and Hermione was giving up her Saturdays for the grief group, teaching class, tutoring students, and what was he doing? Nothing. "Uhh, Professor? About our discussion… do you have any… specific ideas of how you want me to… improve unity between the houses?"
She looked at him, one eye a little larger than the other. "No. But you will manage, I think. You always find an opportunity."
"… Right then." He was secretly relieved… he didn't want to actually do anything, but felt like he should have offered.
"Well…" and her voice when up. "Students… went through a lot last year. A lot of distractions… I don't think there will be many students obtaining O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s this year. I am not asking you to, but I need students to lead study groups. Practical ones, with wandwork. IF, and only IF you're bored and can stand to do it…" she added, "BUT if you ever want to lead some demonstrations... You're a good teacher, Harry. Students helping students, that is what I need."
Harry grimaced a smile. Why… why did he offer? He didn't want to interact with other people at all, yet alone students he didn't even know.
"Severus…" McGonagall added, looking hesitant… "knows his Defense Against the Dark Arts, but students are intimidated by him. And last year…" she sighed. "They will not seek him out if they don't understand a lesson or have trouble performing the spells. So… again, only if you feel like… recreating your fifth year… I can arrange a classroom, if you're willing to show students, perhaps fourth years and above, some defensive spells."
"Wouldn't Snape be angry I'm teaching his class?"
"Professor Snape has enough responsibilities to be getting on with. More than you know."
"I will think about it… Professor," he said, already knowing he wouldn't. Hermione beamed at this conversation, thinking he might actually be interested.
"MINERVA!" Trelawney yelled looking deranged, coming straight towards them. As she stumbled forward, Harry and Hermione stumbled back to avoid her. They left the headmaster to deal with her teacher, yelling something about students disrespecting her.
"Harry, it's a REALLY good idea, Dumbledore's Army, all over again!"
"No, I don't want to do it."
"YOU said you'd think about it."
"And I was being nice."
"YOU'RE the one who asked!" She shook her head in disbelief. "Think about it! It would be excellent, me, teaching Transfiguration, and you, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Which I'm failing."
"Not with the practical stuff, you're not! This is good Harry, both of us coming back to Hogwarts, actually teaching! It's a good position for you- a leader, not a student. We make a great team, this can work!"
"Oh yeah? And what's Ron going to teach? Apparition?"
For the first time she looked like she was going to slap him.
"OKAY!" Harry threw up his hands to avoid a fight, knowing how badly he messed up. "Teaching. First of all, no. Absolutely not. Regular study groups, no. What about… spell practice? Once a month. A single class, maybe even on a Hogsmeade weekend so less people show up. Defensive and offensive spells. Dueling? Yeah, maybe dueling."
"Dueling has rules!" She was angry but let it sizzle, choosing to throw her frustration into their discussion. "It's very old fashioned, you don't know anything about the sport of dueling. Maybe Ro-"
"NO, not maybe Ron.' This is my class."
"Pureblood status is worthless in almost every aspect, but they do know about fussy traditions, including traditional wizard duels and all their old-fashioned laws. I would lend you a book, but it's rather thick."
"No, not dueling then. I'll figure it out. It will be fighting with wands, but not a duel."
"Harry! People will be expecting the sport of dueling if it's a duel. It's in the name. Please, don't make a fool of yourself, choose something else or get someone to help you."
"You're not going to help me?" he laughed.
"NO! I want to be in your class, not teach it. It would be nice for a change to be a passenger and not a professor."
Right then, Trelawney and McGonagall started a full-scale screaming match. "THE STUDENTS would not be OUT OF HAND if the PROFESSOR WAS NOT ALSO… OUT OF HAND!"
Snape swooped in, shielding McGonagall like some protective bat. She didn't stop her tirade, however, switching from angry to sobbing on the floor, McGonagall looking like she wanted to fire her right then and there. If not that, transfigure her into something dreadful.
Harry swallowed. McGonagall had everything on her plate… and he offered his help… and he couldn't do this one thing? He looked over at Draco who was watching Trelawney on the floor and an furious McGonagall being calmed down by Snape like he alone was the voice for once.
With a shuddering breath, Harry resolutely walked over to Draco.
"Malfoy," he said while straightening, spitting the words out regardless how dumb they sounded: "Students need help with wandwork this year. What do you say about restarting the Dueling Club? McGonagall will sign off on it. Fourth years and above."
Draco looked at him in disbelief and disgust, not even bothering to give an answer to something so egregiously offensive.
"It would give you, Parkinson, Goyle, and Zabini an excellent opportunity to hex me. Frankly, it feels weird not fighting. Think we should change that. Everyone's wand needs a little exercise. Not a big commitment, meet monthly. What do you say?"
Too stunned by this terrible idea, Draco continued to just look at him. Hermione came up from behind, overhearing the ask and looking at Harry like he lost his mind.
"DUELING CLUB!? Fourth years and above, what a GLORIOUS IDEA!" Slughorn simply materialized, positively beaming. "Draco, if you were President of the Dueling club at Hogwarts, Harry, vice-president…" he laughed. " Well, that would look VERY good to our new friend, James B. Jones, head of the Wand Regulation and Dispute Department." He clapped his hands together again, greedy at this news. "Who is the supervising Professor? Flitwick?"
"We haven't…" Harry stammered, "Last time it was… Lockhart… but…"
"LOCKHART? The one in St. Mungo's? That… author? Blonde?" His face screwed up, remembering some blemish in his memory.
"And… Snape…" Harry croaked, unsure.
"Severus! Of course, yes! SEVERUS!" And Snape, hearing his name called, very reluctantly left Trelawney dry heaving on the floor, eyeing the three of them like a bad job. "I have just been told the Dueling Club RISES again, fourth years and above. WHAT AN IDEA, SEVERUS!" He gave Snape several painful pats on the back. "LOTS of students will want to join with the two fine young men running it. YOU are the PERFECT person to supervise. NO NONSENSE. Clean duels!"
"What's this…?" Snape sneered down at the two of them performatively but was getting angrier by the second.
"DUELING CLUB, isn't this exciting? Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter! Open to all students fourth year and above. YOU have been nominated to supervise. NOW- when is the first meeting?"
"I… the castle…"
"The castle isn't going anywhere, Severus! LEARNING is what we're here for!" and Slughorn drew him into one of his tight inescapable arms. While he was being squished, he narrowed his eyes at Draco and Harry like he was going to murder them. "DRACO heading, it will be an EXCELLENT honor for Slytherin, YES! What a great post-war activity to get our minds off things and our wands in action."
"Yes, of course," Snape said coolly. Harry gaped. "…Draco?" he gritted his teeth.
"I… yes," Draco said on command, looking paler than he did all term. Harry kept gaping at this acceptance by both parties.
"EXCELLENT! Excellent! And a DRINK to that!" With a wand wave they all had drinks from the drink table.
After Slughorn let him go Snape straightened and brushed his robes smooth, gave them one last tumultuous look, and stalked back to help McGonagall- who was stomping at Trelawney's fingers that were grabbing at the hems of her robes, pleading something.
"What was THAT!" Hermione gasped. Ginny, overhearing too, came over with her mouth open.
"Potter wants to give the Slytherins a chance to blast him to smithereens. Four on one, is that what you're volunteering for?" Draco asked, shocked and angry he found himself in this mess.
"Be careful Malfoy, Harry can take all of you, especially with me as his second!" Ginny bit and pointed, Harry shocked she stood up for him, even now.
"I… uh, you know, we could always change our minds," Harry's mouth said despite his brain.
"This was YOUR bloody idea!" Draco looked at him, outraged.
"I didn't want to be around Snape any more than I had to!"
"In speaking of Snape, you're going aren't you? You're GOING?" Draco rounded on him. "I heard you're skipping trials now."
"What trial?" Hermione asked, alarmed.
"I'm going!" Harry said, downright offended.
"You're not going to skip it?" Draco took a step closer, scrutinizing him… threatening him.
"Why would I skip it!?"
"I don't know!" Draco raised his voice again. "I don't know what you're thinking nowadays. You're being as fair as Dumbledore would be, but you stopped going to all the other ones. And besides, you and Snape have a history."
"You and I have a history, and I was at your pre-trial."
"Yes, and I haven't hexed you once this year. Despite you deserve it."
"When did I deserve it?"Harry shot.
"You're not doing the work! Practically sleep in class. We're all here, and you're not even trying! AND your work in Charms is shoddy."
Ginny gave an unexpected nod of approval.
"I am trying!" Harry cried. "I've been trying for at least two weeks!"
Draco scoffed, caught between a laugh and the audacity. "Well… if you're going to the trial then…." he walked away, deciding this was safer than deepening the argument.
"It's like I didn't save his life last year."
"Well…. you are barely doing the work," Hermione agreed.
"Not you too. I've turned in all my homework this week."
"Yes, and it's wrong. Looks like Ron's work, not yours."
"Cheer me on a bit, won't you? I need the encouragement."
"I am encouraging you: Do better. Ron."
"Unless you're going to snog me, keep his name out of your mouth!" Harry cracked at her. Ginny gave him a sudden angry look. "No, I didn't… NO!" and she walked away. "No, I didn't mean it like that!" Harry called after her. Neville, who was walking towards them, overheard, turned abruptly, and headed back towards Luna to stay out of it. Hermione groaned.
"Brilliant!" Harry threw up his arms. "Now can we leave!?"