Chapter 27 :
Later that night, entangled together in the young Potter's bed like usual, Ron and Harry were having an important talk.
"I can't believe you don't know about that..." Sighed the Weasley boy, bewildered. "His deadly smile is what made Nott so infamous !"
"Really ?" Asked the brunet, more than a bit sceptical. "Are you sure you're not exaggerating ? Theo is pretty normal from what I've seen. Sure, he is the Shadow King of Slytherin -whatever that's supposed to mean-, but appart from having a spy network made of House Elves, he is a student just like any other, you know ?"
Ron shook his head in disbelief. His best friend was really naive and knew nothing of the dangers of the world. As his elder, it was now his duty to enlighten him about what he unknowingly survived :
"Let me tell you about the Cheering Charm Incident, mate. Then you'll understand just how extraordinary your survival is."
"Story Time ?"
"Story Time."
They both crawled to snuggle under the blanket like in an igloo, only illuminated by the dim Lumos at the end of Harry's wand. Ron then took his most serious voice, getting into a storytelling mood, and started :
"In our first year at Hogwart, there was a girl named Sally-Anne Perks-"
"Oh right ! I remember her !" Exclaimed Harry in a muffled voice. "She was called before me in the Sorting Ceremony ! I had totally forgotten about her... Wait. How come I forgot about her in the first place ? Isn't she in our year ?"
"She was in our year." Ominously corrected his best friend. "But it'll come to that soon enough. For now, Sally-Anne was an average student and, decided to get better grades, she went to a study group organised by an older Slytherin. The study group was open to everyone so many students from the other Houses, up to fourth years, came regularly. Of course, no Gryffindor ever showed up since, you know, Slytherin. Anyway, that day they studied the Cheering Charm and Sally-Anne was partnered with Nott."
Ron shuddered. He still remembered the terror he felt in his very bones when he first heard this story. Still, he couldn't stop here, this was for Harry's sake.
"Nott threw the charm perfectly, making Sally-Anne laugh a bit." He continued. "Everything was normal and it even managed to make her relax despite being on the practice stage in front of everyone. And then it was her turn..." He took a deep breath. "Unaware of her Fate, Sally-Anne threw the Cheering Charm at Nott, doing her best to pour her power into it, and..."
"And ?" Repeated Harry with restlessness, already feeling that they were getting to the good part.
But Ron could not say the words. He could only shake his head, commiserating for the doom of the innocent girl.
"What happened ?" Asked his best friend again, annoyed by the suspense. "Did it have a side effect or something ?"
"Worse" Finally answered the red head with solemnity. "It worked as intented : for the first time in Human History, Nott smiled a full blown smile."
"Erh..."
"It was a carnage." He expounded gravely.
"What."
"All the students in the study group had a collective cardiac arrest. The prompt intervention of the School Nurse saved them as they were hanging between life and death by a thread, but they were never the same. As for poor Sally-Anne who took the full brunt of it... She was never seen again. It's suspected that she's now one of the nameless graves in the school cemetery, buried in secret as a cover up."
Ron patted his dumbfounded best mate's shoulder, a look of pity on his face.
"I hope you understand now, Harry." He said. "You are a miracle."
Draco was tired. Nott had been very active lately, and the young Malfoy had been busy running left and right in the castle to save poor unfortunate souls from his best friend's retribution. He didn't know why so many of his House-mates were so eager to wear those damned « Potter Stinks » badges, it didn't make any sense. As far as he knew, Slytherin was the House of the cunning, of the sly and the crafty. Weren't they therefore supposed to be subtle ?
So yes, he was exhausted, his nerves and composure fraying a little more with each second passed saving the idiots from themselves. And yet, far from being rewarded for his efforts and sacrifices, he was scorned and insulted by those he rescued.
He sighed.
At least this nightmare was over for the day... He could finally get some rest... Alas, as the entrance to his Common Room opened, the young Malfoy was welcomed by all his House-mates waiting for him, judging him gravely from their seats. The Scribe, Anisa, gracefully stood up from the crowd and told him with an unforgiving stare :
"We need to talk."
AN: There it is : the Truth about the Cheering Charm Incident and Nott's ghastly reputation! Or is it...?