A Snake in a Raven's Claw
DISCLAIMER: This series is a work of fiction based off the Harry Potter franchise using characters that are trademarked by J.K Rowling and Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. I do not claim ownership of the Harry Potter franchise. While most dialogue is of my own creation, some dialogue is taken directly from the Harry Potter franchise as a matter of course, due to the type of work I am creating. Characters found in this series not found within the Harry Potter franchise are of my own creation.
Please take note that my works are fiction, and I, as the author, do not necessarily support or agree with the views, speech, and/or actions of some of the fictional characters in this story.
On the morning of Yule two silver-steel orbs slowly blinked open, staving off the tiredness that placed a great weight upon the eyelids of the young Ravenclaw. Casting a fleeting glance at the arched window carved into the stone wall of the dormitory, the young pureblood could see through the ice covered window that Hogwarts had found itself beneath a dense, layer of snow, the sound of boots trudging through the thick snow could be faintly heard from inside Ravenclaw tower.
The atmosphere in Ravenclaw tower was pleasant, the burning of Yule logs in the common room providing a much needed reprieve from the chill of the winter air that seemed to constantly swirl around the tower. The sounds of wrapping paper being shredded emanated throughout the tower as Ravenclaws sought to open their gifts sent to them by their parents and guardians.
The young Malfoy made his way into the Ravenclaw common room, a crow-haired girl was seated on a midnight blue couch, alongside Edgecombe. The young Ravenclaw's hazel orbs darted upwards catching a glimpse of the young pureblood clad in black silk pajamas that had his name emblazoned in silver on the right breast pocket.
The crow haired girl giggling at the sight of the young Malfoy's nightwear, causing the young pureblood's porcelain cheek bones to become tinged with faint streaks of crimson.
"Good Yule." Cho said, through a fit of giggles.
"Good Yule". Draco replied, returning the greeting.
"May I have your attention everyone ?" A squeaky voice belonging to a short wizard wearing spectacles not too dissimilar to those of the boy who lived's began.
"Firstly I want to wish you all a Good Yule, and secondly I am to inform you that Professor Dumbledore has requested that you all head down to the great hall for an address." The short Professor continued.
"Miss Clearwater", the former dueling champion began, addressing the blonde prefect, "I trust you will escort your housemates to the great hall." The Professor concluded.
Upon seeing the prefect nod in confirmation, the wizard headed down the concrete steps. The sounds of the former dueling champion wincing as his short feet made contact with the concrete steps filled the common room.
"Well, get ready and let's head down". The blonde haired prefect said.
The collective groaning of Ravenclaw students filled the common room, as they shuffled into their respective dormitories, and emerged clad in their uniforms.
The golden haired girl led the Ravenclaws down the concrete rows of stairs and down into the great hall. The young Malfoy walked alongside the crow haired girl down the concrete stairs, and into the great hall, taking a seat next to the Ravenclaw seeker.
At the far end of the great hall opposite the entrance, at the long oak table that stretched from one end to another, the former transfiguration Professor rising from his seat at the centre of the table, his cerulean orbs twinkling from behind his crescent shaped spectacles, began to address the students, "Good Yule my dear students, I hope this Yule finds you well, I am aware many of you would wish to be spending the Yuletide season in the company of your families and for that I am truly sorry, but I'm afraid I must implore you to remain in good spirits, my dear students".
The other Professors seated at the staff table had risen from their respective seats, to break out in applause at the elderly wizard's address to the students.
The tables in the great hall were littered with golden plates containing all manner of Yuletide food, roast boar in a coat of a golden glaze, golden goblets containing a liquid layer of milk, figs and eggs, and golden bowls holding plum pudding.
After the students had finished consuming the food before them, their respective heads of houses directed the respective prefects of each house to direct them back to their common rooms.
Dual groans of annoyance escaped the mouths of the young Malfoy and the crow haired girl at having to drag their feet up the unforgiving concrete staircase of Ravenclaw tower.
Upon arriving in the tower, the Ravenclaws all hastened to rid themselves of their uniforms and change into more homely, warm robes.
The young Malfoy laid awake as nightfall came, glancing at his housemates to ensure that they were in fact sleeping. The young Malfoy silently made his way to the common room, inside the common room her back facing him, the crow haired girl was seated on one of the many midnight blue couches of the common room, illuminated by the glow of the moonlight.
"Where is it Chang ?" Draco asked.
"Draco ?" Cho said, turning to meet the silver-steel orbs of the young Malfoy, surprise coloring her tone.
"The secret passageway to the library where is it ?" Draco said, clarifying his earlier comment.
"What do you need from the library ?" The crow haired girl asked.
"It's–" The young pureblood started.
"It's about Nicolas Flamel, isn't it." The Ravenclaw seeker deduced.
"How'd you know". The young Malfoy inquired.
"Besides the fact it's all you've been talking about even since you found out it had something to do with whatever that three-headed dog is guarding, your also holding a book on the most famous wizards". The crow haired girl explained.
"Look I'll tell you, but I'm coming with you". Cho said.
The Ravenclaw seeker led the young pureblood to a set of oak doors, the two entered through the doors. The room was large but nowhere near as large as the main library of the castle but was lined with more books than its main castle counterpart.
The crow haired girl tapped the tip of her wand against a stone formation in the wall, the young Malfoy instinctively took a step back as the oak flooring began to give way until there stood a circular opening on the floor, casting his steel orbs down below the young pureblood groaned at having to walk down yet another set of concrete steps.
The two Ravenclaws made their way through the spiraling set of concrete stairs arriving at the library, the two scoured the many bookcases, searching every book they could find for any mention of Nicolas Flamel only to find the name did not appear anywhere in any book they could find in the library.
In frustration the young Malfoy accidentally knocked a lantern to the floor, the sound of glass breaking drawing the attention of the Hogwarts caretaker.
"Filch", Draco said, turning to look at the crow haired girl.
"RUN" Cho said.
The two Ravenclaws split off running in opposite directions to avoid the chance of the caretaker catching both of them.
Draco found himself in a strange cordoned off room, out of breath he backed up until he felt his back come into contact with a solid mass. Whipping his neck around, the young pureblood found himself greeted with the sight of a large mirror with claws, an a golden frame, with an inscription in a language he did not know, his silver-steel orbs widening in shock as he saw two figures manifest in the mirror standing on both sides of him, the young Malfoy recognized them at once as his mother and his father.
"Draco are you in here ?" Cho said, the crow haired girl breaking him out of his reverie.
"Yeah", Draco replied keeping his voice low, so as not to alert the caretaker.
"Filch is gone, come on let's head back before he returns." The Ravenclaw seeker said.
"Sure" Draco said, his breath shaky.
"Are you alright ?" Cho asked, concern in her hazel orbs.
"Yeah I'm fine". Draco replied, casting a glance towards the room.
The young Malfoy could see in her hazel orbs that the crow haired girl knew there was something that the young pureblood wasn't telling her.
The two silently made their way back to Ravenclaw tower, that strange mirror never leaving the young pureblood's mind.