Chapter 8: A meeting with the Slytherin Five.
As Jakob entered the great hall for lunch, he observed a buzz of conversation amongst the students. His eyes fell upon the Slytherin table, where Draco and his companions huddled together, their faces alight with excitement as they gestured towards the hourglasses that prominently displayed their house points.
When his fair-haired friend gestured for him to join them, Jakob felt time slow to a crawl. His gaze drifted to the four imposing hourglasses, their contents bearing testament to the current state of the houses:
Ravenclaw: 40 points
Slytherin: 30 points
Hufflepuff: 28 points
Gryffindor: -220 points
An exuberant cheer had erupted from the Slytherins, celebrating their promising prospects of clinching the House Cup this year.
The Gryffindors, on the other hand, slouched in dejection, their hopes dashed, and they accepted their grim fate, knowing victory was too far beyond their reach.
A few of the Gryffindor students even began to cast wary glances around, their eyes narrowing as they embarked on a quest to identify the culprits responsible for this utterly chaotic situation.
As Jakob made his way, his gaze drifted towards the end of the Slytherin table, where he spotted Amy skillfully conjuring a privacy spell with her wand. The other four members of the Slytherin five exchanged knowing glances as he passed—expressions ranging from surprise to amusement.
With cascading ebony locks swaying as she turned to look at him, the final member wore a mischievous smirk and delivered a playful wink before casually turning her attention back to the others.
Jakob glanced at the Gryffindor table and noticed Hermione Granger's absence.
But he also noticed something else: students had begun to engage in a heated debate, their voices raised as they pointed fingers, accusing each other of a misdeed.
Gossip circulated, hinting that the renowned "Boy Who Lived" might be linked to the mysterious event, but no one knew for sure yet. Accusations flew unchecked, creating a web of bewilderment and apprehension.
The three boys were nowhere to be found, but Jakob couldn't miss the intense glare of the Potter girl. She had figured out what he had done, and her eyes burned with resentment and fury as they bore into him. A broad smile still crept onto Jakob's face. This situation was even better than he had dared to imagine, and it felt undeniably glorious.
As Jakob took his seat, his friends discreetly noticed the cut on his face but wisely refrained from commenting, understanding that Lord Quade had paid him a visit earlier.
They assumed it must be some family matter and chose to focus on enjoying their lunch together, sharing laughter and having a good time.
When lunch was over, Jakob was on his way to the Potions class when he spotted Ivy approaching him. He braced himself for an altercation, but to his surprise, she simply walked past him, her shoulder bumping into his as she passed.
Later, when he checked his robe pockets, he felt a slight weight and found a white card with bold words scrawled across it: "You have just started a war, you disgusting Slytherin!"
Potion class began, and to everyone's surprise, Snape appeared to be in an unusually good mood. He refrained from deducting any points from Gryffindor, though with Gryffindor having already lost 200 points, Snape's deductions seemed rather inconsequential at this point.
Instead, the Potions Master settled at his desk and immersed himself in a book. He performed each page flip with a dramatic flourish and a smile, almost as if he remembered Gryffindor's loss of points with every turn of the page.
When dinner time arrived, Jakob signalled for Draco to follow him. "Let's head to the Slytherin common room," he suggested but with a tone that only accepted one answer. "We need to talk."
Entering the empty common room, the Quade heir settled onto one of the sofas, gesturing for Draco to join him. A moment of silence lingered before Draco finally spoke with a wide grin.
"Can you believe we actually pulled it off?"
"You told me the hut would be empty," the dark-haired boy snapped, fixing his best friend with an intense glare.
Draco appeared almost startled by the sudden anger, recognising that his partner in crime wasn't as enthusiastic as he had initially assumed.
Defensively, Draco leaned back on the couch, arms crossed and a frosty glare on his face.
"Are you truly going to be angry about this? After we all heard what you said about that mudblood in the headmaster's office? Who's showing disloyalty here?"
"We can discuss that later," Jakob said, his jaw clenched tightly before continuing. "But you never told me who gave the information about the giant leaving at 10."
Draco let out a chuckle in response. "No one told me. I just made it up to keep our plan moving."
"You did what!?" Jakob hissed through gritted teeth, his voice a dangerous whisper. In one swift motion, he got to his feet and aimed his wand directly at Draco. The colour drained from Draco's face as a vivid red light emanated from the tip of Jakob's wand. Draco, all too aware of his friend's superior magical skills, understood this was a battle he couldn't win.
The Malfoy heir had never witnessed his friend so enraged, and the intensity of it left him momentarily speechless. He realised he needed to tread cautiously or else face something extremely unpleasant.
Determined not to make any more mistakes, Draco cautiously lifted both hands in a gesture of surrender, his eyes fixed on Jakob's wand. He remained seated on the couch, carefully choosing each word to ensure his message was crystal clear.
"We were making great progress, but when you started taking forever to decide who our target should be, I had to make a decision for you," Draco explained, his voice wavering but unapologetic. "We've done it before, like when we played that prank on Emma back when–"
"This is completely different!" Jakob roared. "You made me take someone's life! If that half-giant had been inside, he could've been killed too, you bloody idiot!"
Draco, puzzled by the intensity of his best friend's anger, couldn't quite comprehend what had provoked Jakob's strong reaction. To him, it was merely a dog and a half-blood. Wisely, he refrained from expressing his confusion and instead nervously surveyed the empty room, fully aware that his comment had missed the mark and that he was standing on the precipice of facing a retaliatory hex.
"I don't know what I was thinking, Jake. I'm sorry, alright? Can't we just put this behind us and go back to how things were? I promise I won't ever make you do something like that again."
Hearing the desperation in his childhood friend's voice and seeing the trembling of his hands, Jakob seemed to regain his senses. He didn't want Draco to experience the same defeated helplessness he felt around his father. Taking a deep breath, he calmed down and lowered his wand.
He couldn't afford to let their friendship crumble like this. Draco was the closest thing he had to a brother, and losing him now, especially with the Potter girl declaring war, would leave him vulnerable.
Glancing at Draco, Jakob noticed that he was still shaken but gradually calming down. He offered his friend a tired but reassuring smile and slumped back onto the sofa.
"I'm sorry, mate. It's been a long day, and I'm just really tired." The tension seemed to slowly dissipate, and they both leaned back on the couch, sharing a moment of relief.
"Are we good?" Jakob asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion as he closed his eyes and massaged his temples.
Draco waved his hand nonchalantly, concealing his eagerness to put this momentary strain on their friendship behind them. "Let's just forget this ever happened. But I must ask, why did you talk to the mudblood like that?"
Jakob's hands paused, and he opened his eyes, studying his friend's curious expression for a moment. He knew that revealing the truth right now would only spark another argument, so he remained silent. He didn't want to sow more discord between them.
"I was certain she had spotted us. Why else would Dumbledore request her presence? Besides, they were mistreating her. I figured that I could win her loyalty and keep our secret if I played my cards right. So, that's what I did." He shrugged with nonchalance.
"Father wasn't too pleased, as you can tell from my broken lip," he continued, tracing the contours of his split skin. "But when I told him what had really happened, he said that Mother would have been proud of my quick thinking and that he would talk with Lucius about it later."
Draco nodded, feeling somewhat relieved that this wouldn't harm their house's relationship or impact their own friendship.
"I had a feeling! I would not believe you'd say those things for real." The blonde sighed, showing his relief. Jakob began to chuckle in response.
"I knew you would. But if I'm being honest, I can't decide which is more disgusting to me - some random Mudblood or the blood traitor who lived," Jakob snorted, all the while closely watching his friend's reaction.
He needed to know how much Draco truly despised Mudbloods. Was it stronger than his disdain for blood traitors? Stronger than his hate for Potter himself?
Draco fell momentarily silent as if contemplating the idea, but then he chuckled in agreement and nodded, solidifying Jakob's sentiments.
"If I had to choose, I think Saint Potter is worse,"
"Yeah, me too,"
The blonde Slytherin began to grin but abruptly halted as if he had uttered a forbidden word. "But Mudbloods are still beneath house elves," he declared with unwavering determination, leaving no doubt about his opinion. Jakob nodded, though he felt less sure of his own words now. "Yeah... they are."
As the evening wore on, Jakob and Draco remained seated in the Slytherin common room. The older Slytherin students cast strange and inquisitive glances their way, but the two boys acted as if they hadn't noticed.
Suddenly, the door labelled 'Queen' swung open, revealing a young man with short black hair and an imposing physique. He strode confidently toward the first-year group, his gaze fixed solely on Jakob.
"Quade, Malfoy," his voice rang out, resonating with authority and command. An eerie hush fell over the common room as every student's attention turned to the unfolding scene. Jakob sensed Tracey tensing up beside him, her words to Millicent barely audible amidst the oppressive silence that had descended upon the room. "That's Marcus Flint."
Jakob had heard of the Quidditch player but had no idea he was a member of the Slytherin Five.
"The Queen demands your presence," the older Slytherin declared firmly, his imposing figure towering over the first-year students seated on the couch.
Draco sprang to his feet at once, his face lit up with expectant joy. Jakob rose more slowly, cautious of the way Flint was eyeing them. He suspected not everyone was amused by their little prank.
"Please, after you," Jake said, gesturing for Flint to lead the way. Despite the courtesy of his offer, Flint ignored him and marched ahead. As they moved toward the door that concealed the rest of the Slytherin five, Jakob glanced around to see all eyes in the common room fixed on them.
Some gaped in awe, some glared with envy, and others wore inquisitive expressions. It was evident that all the Slytherins now understood: it had been him and Draco who had done it.
Two first-years had framed Harry Potter, leading to Gryffindor losing 200 house points.
They reached the entrance adorned with golden letters spelling "Queen." Marcus opened it, allowing Draco and Jakob to enter the room's darkness. The blonde gave his best friend a nervous smile, inviting him to take the lead with a silent gesture. Returning the nod reassuringly, Jakob took a deep breath before striding confidently into the mysterious chamber.
The room was shrouded in darkness, its feeble illumination provided by a few flickering torches mounted on the walls. At its centre, a round black table was flanked by four plain chairs, while a throne-like chair adorned with silver serpents coiled like chains about its arms and legs stood apart. Tall bookcases filled with ancient tomes lined the room's walls, a sight that intrigued Jakob, who wouldn't have minded exploring their contents. To the left, a solitary black door with a knob weathered by time and bronze in colour stood, making the Quade heir very intrigued about what lay on the other side.
Draco looked around in sheer astonishment, struggling to believe his eyes. He was grateful to be one of the privileged few to witness the room's hidden interior.
Jakob, however, didn't have the same expression as his blonde companion. Instead, he fixed his gaze directly on the occupant of the snake throne, who regarded him with a curious expression.
"Why aren't you admiring the view like your companion? Not many people are privileged enough to see what's inside this room."
The voice that spoke belonged to the Queen.
Jakob and Draco promptly bowed as Marcus stepped forward and assumed his seat in the vacant chair.
The two first-year Slytherins stood side by side, their gaze taking in the room's assembly. Diana occupied her serpent-like throne, her captivating features adorned with a wry smile as she regarded both boys. To her right, Amy was slumped in her chair, yet an aura of power emanated from her as she fixed Jakob with a teasing glint in her eyes. However, there was something else in that look, something that caused Draco, who had noticed her eyes fixed on his friend, to recoil ever so slightly.
She gazed at him as if he were either prey or merely an object for her amusement, exclusively hers. He couldn't have that girl look at his best friend like that. Maybe it was time to tell his father about this.
On Diana's left side, Damion remained composed and unwavering, his expression revealing nothing of his true intentions. Beside him, Marcus bore an indifferent look, clearly yearning to be back on the Quidditch Pitch.
Beside Amy sat an unknown blonde girl who appeared entirely disinterested in the two new arrivals, not even bothering to glance at them.
The dark-haired boy stepped closer, his voice unwavering. "My queen, while I am eager to explore this room more thoroughly in the near future, for now, my undivided attention is yours, my Queen." He could discern an amused chuckle from Diana's right and instinctively identified it as Amy's.
"You display remarkable audacity by suggesting that you might replace one of my most loyal followers. However, your skillful blend of a veiled threat and a compliment intrigues me. It's no surprise that Amy here has taken a keen interest in you." His gaze briefly flickered to Amy, acknowledging her presence, before returning to the Queen. He needed to stay focused despite Amy's sly smirk.
"Come closer," commanded Diana, and the boys took measured steps, drawing nearer into the dim light. "Today, a little bird whispered secrets in my ear - secrets about how you two orchestrated the Gryffindors' loss of 200 house points." She turned her gaze toward Draco. "Is that the truth?" Draco's smirk expanded confidently as he nodded curtly. "Yes, it is."
Suddenly, a closed fist came crashing down on the table, and Damion's voice boomed out in warning. "You will address her as queen when you speak to her!" Draco slightly recoiled, his cocky expression instantly vanishing.
Jakob, on the other hand, stood his ground, unflinching as he locked eyes with the older member in a hostile glare.
He took offence when anyone treated his friends with disrespect. Damion sensed this and returned the gaze, neither of them willing to break eye contact until Queen cleared her throat, prompting the member to look at her and notice the disapproval in her eyes.
Diana's gaze then shifted to Jakob. "You also killed the groundskeeper's dog?" she asked, her tone carrying an added edge of seriousness.
Before Draco could respond, Jakob stepped forward and bowed slightly. "My queen," he began, his voice unwavering. "The death of the dog was purely unintended and unforeseen. We had no idea it was in the hut. But I would do it again if it meant bringing glory to House Slytherin."
Diana raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Amy before returning her gaze to meet Jakob's eyes. "It's amusing. I was about to say that Slytherin doesn't condone murder, but you have a way with words that makes it so I can hardly contradict your point." She shook her head, chuckling. "For the glory of house Slytherin." She glanced towards Amy, who leaned in closer toward Jakob, a sly smirk on her lips.
Most people might have been unnerved by the gesture, but Jakob felt a swell of pride. He understood that he was performing admirably at this meeting, providing the ideal responses and showing the level-headed and composed demeanour that she desired.
"Interesting," Diana murmured, crossing her arms as she observed the silent exchange between the two and then redirected her full attention back to the boy before her.
She knew he had the potential to cause trouble, yet she could grasp why he had ignited her best friend's excitement.
It was the first time the Queen had seen her best friend looking at a boy with such intensity. Did the Quade heir comprehend Miss Frome's obsessive nature? Was this first-year aware of her unpredictable and sometimes unstable disposition? The seventh-year Queen felt a tinge of concern for Jakob, uncertain if he truly comprehended the implications of having someone like Amy take such a keen interest in him.
However, she also knew she could do nothing about it - as long as it didn't escalate into something dangerous.
"So, what do you think will happen next?" Diana asked, briefly glancing at the two boys before turning her attention to the other four at the table. "Do you want a seat at our table?" She gestured toward the four seats.
Sensing that his blonde friend was on the verge of saying something that might be the wrong answer, Jakob cleared his throat and stepped in to respond.
"Although I will be honored when that day comes," he began, drawing her attention back to him, "I have some important news I'd like to share with all of you." His words gathered the collective attention of the members.
"After the recent... incident, it appears that some Gryffindors have declared war on Slytherin House, specifically targeting myself and Draco." He paused momentarily, allowing the gravity of his words to settle in before continuing. "I don't think it's anything serious, but I wanted to make sure you're aware, just in case I'm mistaken."
Amy stood up and began approaching Jakob, with each step measured and deliberate.
"So, you're telling me that you've pulled us into something you initiated?" Her tone carried a hint of displeasure as she regarded him closely.
Jakob steeled himself, meeting her dangerous gaze and offering a nod in response.
"I'd hex you if it weren't for that cut on your lip, courtesy of your father, I presume?" She said, grabbing his chin and lightly touching his wound with her thumb.
Jakob could feel that her grip was not too harsh, and he nodded in agreement.
"You should have seen me before I was healed," Jakob replied in a low, playful tone that only Amy could hear.
Their eyes locked for a moment, and the presence of others in the room seemed to fade away. The touch of her thumb on his lower lip, her intense gaze, and the mingling scents of mint and her lavender perfume left Jakob slightly lightheaded.
Did she feel something, too? He couldn't be certain, but he thought he felt her thumb ever-so-lightly caress his lip, and her gaze briefly flickered to his lips. Perhaps similar emotions swirled in her mind, or maybe it was all a product of his imagination.
"Very well," Amy said, releasing him and returning to her seat.
Diana watched as Amy returned and began to speak. "In gratitude for what you have done for Slytherin House, I have this to say to you both."
Draco and Jakob turned their attention to her, one with a hint of apprehension and the other with caution.
"There will be no repercussions for initiating a conflict with the Gryffindors, but we cannot offer you any assistance in confronting them either."
Draco wore a look of outrage, but Jakob understood that the Queen was not finished.
"The Slytherin Five will not provide any assistance, but the other students are free to act as they see fit if they can exercise restraint." Jakob nodded in agreement. And then took a bow.
"Thank you, my Queen," Jakob said, giving Draco a subtle nudge to follow suit. Diana glanced back at Amy with a hint of amusement.
"So polite, your little Quade," Diana remarked, while Amy nodded in acknowledgement before gracefully dismissing the two first-years.
As the dark-haired boy closed the door behind him, a sense of accomplishment washed over him. The meeting had unfolded just as he had hoped, and now their true identities were known to the Queen. Glancing around the empty common room, he sensed Draco's scepticism.
"So, what did we gain from this?" Draco questioned, a note of doubt in his voice.
Jakob looked back at him in disbelief. "Are you serious? Did you expect her to reward us with gold?"
Draco shrugged his shoulders. "What we got wasn't exactly what I had in mind. We only managed to get into a meeting," he grumbled, his brow furrowing in displeasure.
Jakob affirmed with a nod. "Exactly, they now know who we are and what we're willing to do for the house. That's something, at least," Jakob replied, offering Draco an encouraging smile.
With a sigh, Draco nodded in agreement, though his lingering disappointment was evident on his face.
"It would be nice to be showered in gold," Draco Malfoy sighed wistfully, eliciting a chuckle from Jakob. Despite his attempt to contain it, Draco couldn't help but smile.
They bid each other goodnight, and just as they were about to part ways, the door to the Queen's chamber creaked open.
"Mind joining me at the fireplace, heir Quade?" Amy's voice beckoned from behind. Draco, clearly wary of Amy, pretended not to hear her and quickly scurried around the corner to avoid her.
Jakob, on the other hand, turned and saw the black curly-haired witch seated on one of the sofas by the fireplace. A cup of steaming tea rested on a dark wooden table nearby. He slowly made his way over and settled on the other side of the sofa.
"Your effort was commendable, Jakob. Not perfect, but impressive nonetheless." The exhausted boy nodded in acknowledgement and fixed his gaze on the warm, flickering flame.
"Amy, can I ask you something?" Jakob inquired, his eyes now settled on the black book next to her cup of tea. She gave him an affirmative nod and said, "You have earned it," while lifting her cup and taking a sip.
"That book you're reading," Jakob nodded towards the old tome, "What is it about?"
Amy glanced at the book and looked at the boy with an intriguing smile.
"You have noticed this," she said, holding up the book for him to observe.
"It's impossible to ignore when it's right in front of me, and I've seen you with it before. It looks quite sinister – old, black, and with those strange symbols snaking around its front," the younger Slytherin chuckled.
Amy's expression shifted noticeably at his last spoken words.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked, her tone curious but tinged with an underlying intensity. Jakob immediately regretted his words.
"If I said anything wrong," he began but was interrupted.
"You can see symbols? Can you read them?" she questioned, her demeanour changing abruptly. With surprising speed, she threw the book at him, and he barely had time to catch it.
He glanced over to Amy, who was gazing at him intently. Jakob was entirely stunned by her behaviour.
He turned his attention to the mysterious symbols adorning the jet-black leathery book, and an entire sensation of darkness overcame him.
The symbols seemed to twist and writhe, morphing into something altogether unsettling. A shiver of fear coursed down the first year's spine as he read the first word, and he involuntarily closed his eyes.
Jakob almost believed he caught a chilling, whispered voice.
Shaking his head to dispel the eerie thought, he opened his eyes again and looked at Amy.
"I don't understand this. Is this another language?" he said with a sigh of defeat. The black-haired girl observed him, and Jakob tried to act like he wasn't hiding anything. After a few seconds, she leaned back on the couch.
Jakob noticed relief wash across her face and something else as well—was it disappointment?
Amy stretched out her hand for the book, and Jakob returned it. She got up with a faint smile on her lips.
"This tome is ancient, and its knowledge is meant only for those of a certain lineage to read."
Jakob cautiously studied her for a moment, his heart racing.
"Are you of that bloodline?" he inquired feebly, doing his best to appear composed.
Amy tenderly cupped his cheek with her hand, her lips curving into a warm smile that was reserved for moments like these.
"No," she reassured him, her voice soft and sweet. "This is more of an after-school hobby of mine." The sensation of her hand on his cheek was almost soothing, making Jakob contemplate closing his eyes for a moment. However, he needed to stay focused, so instead, he inquired further.
"I'm curious, what do you think is so special about that book? What do you hope to learn from it?"
Amy's laughter filled the air, like a summer's day breeze, enveloping Jakob in its warmth.
"Books hold a special kind of power," she began, her words carrying a hint of wonder. "And those who can access their deepest secrets..."
Jakob couldn't help but finish her sentence, his eyes now fixed on the enigmatic book in front of him, filled with even more fascination. "Unlock the greatest powers."
She nodded in approval, slightly surprised that he had expressed exactly what she had been about to say.
"It's time to go to sleep now," Amy said, breaking the spell of the moment. Jakob rose from his seat on the couch, feeling a stiffness in his shoulders after his punishment from his father.
"Goodnight, Amy," Jakob said before turning to head back to his dorm. Her reply reached him in a soft whisper, "Sweet dreams, Jakob."
When he returned to his dorm, he told Pansy about the meeting with the Slytherin five, excluding any mention of Amy or their conversation.
It felt strangely intimate to even think about it. Pansy congratulated him once he finished sharing the tale and noted how tired they both were. With mutual wishes for a good night and sweet dreams, they closed their bedside curtains, preparing for a restful sleep.
As Jakob lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, he couldn't help but think about the curiosity that had filled him earlier in the day. He had wondered what the night would bring, and now, with the day behind him, he let out a small chuckle and closed his eyes.
In the darkness, an image of the black book appeared, as if summoned, beneath his closed eyelids. Its aged leather cover was etched with a word that seemed to bleed and spread like a parasite. The letters read: "Latent."
