The rest of the week was quiet, but certainly enjoyable. Every other day I'd play quidditch with Millie and every time Draco would refuse to join. I always played keeper, still uncomfortable flying to and fro, and I liked to think I was getting pretty good. The exercises for transfiguration turned out to be Draco shouting seemingly random phrases at me while I tried to transfigure small objects blindfolded, which he refused to explain to me. During the third session of this I was beginning to feel like it might just be a joke at my expense. I peeked out from under Draco's tie, which was wrapped over my eyes.
"You're not taking photos are you?" I asked suspiciously.
"Cover your eyes!" snapped Draco. "And stop being paranoid. I'm switching the object because you peeked." I wasn't supposed to know what it was.
"Fine, but if you're doing all this to make fun of me, I will get revenge," I huffed.
"There's a fire in a cave," Draco said. I cast the spell. Apparently nothing happened, because Draco said "We're living in a dream." Again, presumably nothing. I pulled the tie off my head (despite Draco's protests) and sighed.
"This is going nowhere," I said. "Maybe you were wrong about this whole thing. Maybe I'm just rubbish."
"You can't be giving up," Draco said.
"I don't understand why you're so intent on helping me," I said. "No offence, but it seems a little out of character."
"Is it so surprising I don't want to be friends with a dud?" asked Draco sharply.
"Ah," I said. I deflated slightly, having hoped against hope that Draco was actually just trying to be nice, but I tried not to let it show. "Now that sounds like you."
"Are you going to keep trying or not?" Draco said impatiently. I looked away, thinking for a moment, before I looked back at him with an impish smile stretching across my face.
"These things you've been saying," I said. "They're trigger phrases, right?" Draco looked a bit grumpy, as if I wasn't supposed to have figured that out, but nodded. "I'll think on them, okay? I'm not giving up, just working stuff out on my own for a bit. I promise you won't be friends with a dud for long."
"Fine, have it your way," Draco grumbled. "But I don't understand why this doesn't matter more to you." I shrugged and gave a small laugh.
"Nothing matters," I said. I hadn't meant anything serious by it, but Draco started as if he'd been struck and blinked at me.
"What do you mean by that?" Draco demanded. I was entirely taken aback.
"Oh, just, you know," I said. I didn't expect having to explain an offhanded edgy tween comment to Draco of all people. "We're all gonna die, so why bother with stuff we don't love? It won't matter what my grades are when worms are eating my eyes." Draco was completely silent and was looking at me like I just killed his dog in front of him. I shifted uncomfortably. "Look, forget it. It's just a bit of dark humour." Draco looked like he didn't find it funny at all, but he dropped it and we turned in for the night without speaking to each other.
It turned out I needn't have bothered stopping our practice sessions, because what happened the next morning made Draco drop the subject entirely. We were eating breakfast when the mail came, as usual. I glanced up from my plate just in time to see that package being carried into the Great Hall. The package I had been anticipating since the night of the duel. Six huge owls were carrying the package that I knew to be Harry Potter's new Nimbus 2000. I nudged Draco as the package dropped in front of him.
"Look what Potter's got," I hissed with a mischievous grin. I can't help it. I see trouble and I have to stir it up. Instantly, there was a look of recognition on Draco's face. I felt my grin widen.
"It can't be!" Draco exclaimed. He went to stand, but I grabbed his sleeve.
"Wait till they leave the hall," I urged. He sat only begrudgingly, but we didn't have to wait long before Harry and Ron jumped up to open the package in private… or so they thought. Draco and I, because we were prepared, were able to leave ahead of Harry and Ron with Crabbe and Goyle. By the time they had reached the stairs in the hall, we were already blocking their path. Standing just behind Draco to his right, I didn't have to see his face to know there was an evil glint in his eyes.
"That's a broomstick," he said. There was a certain breathless energy in his voice. "You'll be in for it now, Potter. First years aren't allowed them." I let out a quiet, breathy laugh. Had Draco learned nothing?
"It's not any old broomstick," boasted Ron. "It's a Nimbus 2000. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy? A Comet Two-Sixty? Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."
"You say that as if Draco couldn't also have a Nimbus," I said. It always felt weird to me, so I just had to bring it up. "I mean, he's got the money for both." Draco laughed a hearty "HA."
"I'll bet Weasley can't imagine being able to afford half a broom, let alone two," he said. I don't love the classism, but I'll work on that later. Draco turned to address Weasley directly. "I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig."
"Not arguing I hope boys?" squeaked a voice from just beside me, making me jump a little. I hadn't seen Professor Flitwick approach. Draco responded faster that I could think to.
"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," he said. Mr,
"Yes, yes, that's right," said the tiny Professor with a cheery smile for Harry. "Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances." Wait a second.
"What special circumstances?" I asked. Whatever you do, don't be an arse about it. "Is Potter the only Gryffindor who can fly a broom?" You see, what you did there was do the exact thing you just said you weren't going to do. Professor Flitwick looked up at me with a forced smile that set a weight in my gut.
"Mr. Ash," he said tightly. "Would you like to think of a more appropriate way to say that?"
"My apologies, professor," I said quickly. I felt my face get hot and I'm sure I was beet red. My eyes were locked on Professor Flitwick, but I could hear Potter and Weasley stifling laughter. I composed myself as best as I could. "I only meant that there must be other qualified seekers in Gryffindor. Isn't it unfair for the rules to be broken for Potter without giving anyone else even a chance to try out?" Professor Flitwick looked thoughtful. I chanced a glance at Weasley and Potter. They were glowering at me. I found I didn't mind.
"Your concern is understandable," said Professor Flitwick with an amount of respect in his voice that caught me slightly off guard. "Rest assured that this decision was made with full consideration of available players."
"I understand, professor," I said. "Thank you."
"And I'm certain that Potter is fully qualified for the position," said Professor Flitwick. He turned to Harry. "What model is it?"
"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir," responded Potter, smiling again. "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it."
Then Potter and Weasley walked past us, Professor Flitwick moved on, and Crabbe and Goyle went back to breakfast, leaving Draco and I standing at the foot of the stairs alone. For the first time since we got there, I saw his face. He looked disturbed.
"Are you-"
"Good save," he interrupted me. "And good point." He swivelled around to glare up the stairs where the two Gryffindors had walked away. "That special circumstances line was bollocks. They were just oh so eager to get famous Potter on their Quidditch team. Fairness be damned."
I stared at him, wondering how to handle this. Wondering whether I should handle this. At that moment, it all seemed so petty. It all seemed so exciting. There were two competing impulses inside me. One was telling me to be responsible. It's my job to put Draco on the right path, it said. The other wanted to watch Draco and Harry tear each other apart in increasingly unhealthy attempts to spend time with one another. It would be funny.
"Well?" Draco demanded. Let's find a healthy middle, shall we? "What are you just staring at me for?"
"What are you gonna do about it?" I asked quietly.
"Well, I will curse you if you stare long enough."
"I mean about Potter," I said, feeling myself smile more than meaning to. "What are you going to do about Potter?" Draco stood a little straighter and smirked.
"Well, I'll show him what for, of course."
x x x
Draco became obsessed with practicing Quidditch. If the Gryffindor Quidditch team practised three times a week, he practised five times. To always be two steps ahead, he would say. For my own part, I did try to remember some of the trigger phrases Draco used whenever I practised magic, feeling rather silly all the while. I thought "paper dolls on strings" may have made one of my charms stronger, but it seemed just as likely to me that it had been my imagination.
As much as his focus on Quidditch was invigorated, Draco's fixation on Potter was even more so. He took to talking my head off about how much of a prat Potter was any time he wasn't practicing Quidditch or doing homework. Sometimes he wouldn't even wait until he was done with those. By the time Halloween rolled around, Draco was fully convinced that he would destroy Harry Potter on the Quidditch pitch in second year.
"Don't underestimate him," I warned him as we walked to class. "If he got onto the team in front of every other Gryffindor older than him, he must be at least a bit good."
"I know he's good," said Draco nonchalantly. "But trust me. I'm better."
"Don't go thinking like a Gryffindor," I said. "That's exactly how you'll end up on your arse."
"How dare you?" scoffed Draco, sounding affronted. "Don't you have any faith in me?"
"I'm just looking out for you, mate," I said. I elbowed him affectionately. "But of course I know you're fantastic." Based on the pleased expression on his face, I knew I would regret feeding his ego.
As expected, we were learning levitation charms that day and as usual I was moderately proficient at the charms. Not as good as Draco though. Never as good as Draco. Not that I was bitter or anything. I had a mission; I didn't care whether I was at the top of my classes or whether I loved doing magic. That's what I told myself. After class, watching Hermione storm off, I found myself lost in thought. Tonight, the troll will get into the castle. Should I intervene? Probably not, since this part of the book goes fine and I don't want to mess with that. Still, I must be able to do something with it. Because of all my plotting, I didn't notice Draco had been talking to me until he gave me a small shove.
"You there Ash?" he said irritably. "You haven't lost your bloody mind, have you?" I shook myself a bit performatively.
"Maybe a bit," I said. "Sorry, I just got this bizarre feeling like… like I was sure something awful would happen tonight. It's nothing, I'm just tired."
"Well, don't expect me to wait up for you again," Draco responded. He was trying to sound casual, but he was definitely looking at me sideways. I'd succeeded in weirding him out at least.
The rest of the day passed as usual and then it was time for our first grande performance. I couldn't help but gawk when we entered the Great Hall. I'd never seen Halloween decorations like this before. The swarms of love bats sent a shiver down my spine and I think I was grinning as wide as the jack-o'-lanterns. Draco laughed.
"You're easily impressed, Ash," he drawled. "We'll need to teach you good taste if you're to be a proper Slytherin."
"Only if you'll be footing the bill for my newfound good taste," I retorted.
"HA," Draco laughed. "Touché."
Draco did allow himself to look impressed when the food appeared. Soups and meats and sauces and roast vegetables of every variety I could think of. There were even a few things I didn't recognise. This was the moment I first truly understood the meaning of the phrase "mouth watering". I reached out to help myself to asparagus when I suddenly remembered what was about to happen and flinched back from it.
"What's the matter?" asked Millie from beside me.
"I… won't be able to eat it," I said, trying to give myself an air of uncertainty.
"What? Why not?" said Draco, furrowing his brows.
Then the doors burst open. God, my timing is so good, I could kiss myself. Professor Quirrell, servant of the Dark Lord himself, came rushing in, all the way to the table before Dumbledore. The crowd was so quiet and focused that he didn't have to shout for his words to travel across the room.
"Troll - in the dungeons - thought you ought to know."
The chaos erupted as soon as his body hit the floor. I didn't move, but all the students around me stood and I momentarily felt as though I'd been caught in a rising wave. I couldn't bring myself to fake a panic. Some emotions I can fake, but I've never been able to pretend to be afraid when I'm not. Once Dumbledore had calmed the student body down, I rose to stand next to Draco.
"How are we meant to get to our dormitory if there's a troll in the dungeons?" I hissed into his ear. I regretted the question when he looked at me with complete panic on his face. "Sorry, stupid question. The professors are coming with us. At least one of them must be competent enough to handle a troll." This did not seem to relax him much. Shit, he's scared. Of course he's scared. Any normal person would be. As we followed our prefects, surrounded by the professors, toward the dungeons, I grabbed his hand.
"You and me are more than a match for a stupid troll," I said, shooting him a wicked grin. "You'll curse the shit out of it and I'll… levitate it's club and knock it out." I squeezed Draco's hand tight and he seemed to come out of a trance. He shook himself, forced the fear off his face, and gave a sharp nod.
We arrived at the dormitories without incident of course because the troll wasn't actually down there. The food was just as delicious in the Slytherin common room as it would have been in the Great Hall, perhaps even more so because the dinner felt more intimate. Millie, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and I were eating next to an elegant fireplace. I sat on a fur rug by Draco's feet because there weren't enough chairs. I wondered vaguely why Millie was sitting with us instead of with the girls as usual. Slytherin was a frustratingly "gender" segregated house.
"How did a troll get in the castle?" Millie asked, her voice shaking slightly.
"It probably just wandered in," said Goyle. "Trolls are real thick."
"I'll bet Peeves let it in as a joke," said Crabbe.
"No," I said, biting my cheek. "If Peeves was going to let a troll, why would it be in the dungeons away from almost the whole school? I agree with Goyle. It probably got it by accident."
"There's no way," Draco said. He was sneering distinctly less than usual. "The staff at this is rubbish, but even they aren't incompetent enough to let a troll stumble in."
"Then, it must have been intentional," said Millie. "But not as a joke."
"There's definitely something deeper going on here," I said. I turned to Draco. "How much would someone have to know about trolls to get one in? To handle it or lead it and sneak it in the castle? Do you think any adult could have done it or would it have to have been some kind of expert?" Draco just shrugged.
After supper, all the Slytherins filed away to the dormitories. All but two. Draco held me behind, but didn't say a word until we were alone.
"I thought about your question," he said. "Hypothetically, any of the teachers or even a really advanced student could have done it, but there are lots of things they could have done to make a disruption."
"So the question is why a troll specifically?"
"Exactly," Draco nodded. "I'm willing to bet it was someone who knows a lot about magical creatures. Kettleburn, Quirrell, Professor Snape. Maybe Dumbledore."
"Or Hagrid," I said, mostly to stay in character. Draco gave me a confused look. "He's obsessed with monsters, isn't he?" A look of realization fell on his face.
"That's right!" he said. There was a moment of silence when we just stood there.
"So," I wet my lips. "We have a list of suspects. Did you want to… do something about that?" He didn't respond, but looked away from me. I found myself unable to discern his expression.
"Are you alright?" I asked, concern creeping into my voice.
"I-" Draco started. He looked furious. "I can't believe I…" He must be embarrassed about how panicked he got.
"You reacted like anyone would," I insisted. "Some horrifying beast right where you sleep? It's normal to be scared when something scary is happening."
"You weren't scared," Draco said.
"I'm a freak," I responded with a shrug. "Everyone else was-"
"I don't want to be like everyone else," Draco snapped.
"Well, good," I said with a nod. "You let me know when you want to do something crazy and stupid and I'll be right by your side."
Draco gave me an incredulous look, then his face broke into a smirk. He held out his hand and we shook on it.
