CHAPTER 22: GUARDIANS OF THE GREEN
As they disembarked from the train, Rose still clung tightly to Harry's arm, her anxiety palpable in the bustling crowd of students. Sensing her apprehension, Harry quickly intervened, pulling Astoria closer to him.
"Astoria," Harry whispered softly, his voice barely audible above the din of the crowd, "can you do me a favor?"
"What do you need?" Astoria replied, turning to face him with a concerned expression.
"Can you make sure no one touches Rose?" Harry requested earnestly. "Please."
"Uh... sure," Astoria nodded, somewhat taken aback by the unexpected request.
"Thank you," Harry said gratefully, before gently guiding Rose's hands from his arm and placing them on Astoria's sleeve. "Stay with Astoria, okay, Rose?"
"Harry," Rose murmured, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Just until the Sorting," Harry reassured her, his tone gentle yet firm. "Then I'll come and sit with you."
"But what if I end up in a different house?" Rose whispered, her eyes wide with worry.
"Then I'll still come and sit with you," Harry replied without hesitation. "I don't care which house you're in; I'm here for you. Just trust me and stay with Astoria until you're sorted, okay?"
"Okay, Harry," Rose acquiesced weakly, her anxiety tempered by Harry's unwavering reassurance.
"I love you, Rose," Harry whispered, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.
"I love you too," Rose murmured in return, her voice barely audible.
"Okay, goodbye for now," Harry said with a final smile, before turning to join Daphne as they made their way towards the carriages.
"So, how long have you known Rose?" Daphne inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Since I was five," Harry replied, his tone tinged with nostalgia. "She wasn't always like this."
"What do you mean?" Daphne pressed, sensing there was more to the story.
"She used to be a pretty happy and friendly girl," Harry explained, a hint of sadness creeping into his voice. "She loved playing in the park and feeding pigeons."
"What happened to her?" Daphne asked, her concern evident.
"Nothing she or I want to talk about," Harry replied with a heavy sigh, his gaze distant as he recalled memories best left buried.
Shifting the conversation, Daphne redirected their discussion to lighter topics. "How was your summer, anyway?"
"It was okay," Daphne replied with a shrug. "I spent most of it fielding questions about you."
"There are worse fates," Harry joked, offering her a playful grin. "Glad to know you're still the same. Hey, if you were in Japan, how did you get your books?"
"I didn't," Daphne admitted. "I told McGonagall before I left that I was traveling and asked if she or someone else could pick up the books for me. By the way, apparently we have a celebrity as a teacher this year."
"Yeah," Harry sighed. "Gilderoy Lockhart. He's that guy who claims to have done all these amazing things."
"Claims?" Daphne raised an eyebrow.
"Well, Mum and Dad don't believe it," explained Daphne. "Apparently, he's too much of an idiot to have actually done those things."
"He and my brother will get along then," Harry remarked with a chuckle, the anticipation of the school year ahead tempered by the knowledge of the eccentric personalities awaiting them at Hogwarts.
As the carriage trundled along the winding path towards Hogwarts castle, Harry and Daphne settled into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the upcoming school year.
"I wonder what Lockhart's classes will be like," Daphne mused, breaking the quiet contemplation.
"Probably filled with tales of his supposed heroic exploits," Harry replied with a hint of skepticism. "I wouldn't be surprised if he spends more time talking about himself than actually teaching us anything useful."
"Well, at least it should be entertaining," Daphne remarked wryly, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the horseless carriages at the entrance to Hogwarts. Stepping out onto the cobblestone courtyard, they were greeted by the imposing sight of the ancient castle, its towering spires reaching up towards the darkening sky.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Harry said with a sense of reverence, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings with a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation.
"Yeah, it feels good to be back," Daphne agreed, a sense of excitement building within her as she took in the majestic beauty of the castle.
Their attention was soon diverted by the arrival of the first-years, who were being led towards the Great Hall by Professor McGonagall. Among them, Rose stood out, her apprehension evident as she clung tightly to Astoria's side.
"Looks like it's time for the Sorting," Harry observed, nodding towards the procession of students.
"Yeah, let's head inside," Daphne suggested, falling into step beside him as they made their way towards the Great Hall.
As they entered the hall, the buzz of excitement reached a crescendo, the air filled with anticipation as the Sorting Hat awaited its next task. Taking their seats at the Slytherin table, Harry and Daphne watched with bated breath as the Sorting Ceremony began, eager to see where their new classmates would be sorted.
And as the Sorting Hat was placed upon Rose's head, Harry silently offered a prayer, hoping that wherever she ended up, she would find acceptance and belonging in her new house. For in the halls of Hogwarts, amidst the magic and mystery, he knew that friendship and camaraderie could be found in the unlikeliest of places.
As Rose took her place at the Slytherin table, Daphne observed the tension radiating from Harry, his muscles coiled with restrained emotion. She held her breath, half-expecting him to leap up and intervene, but to her relief, he remained seated, albeit visibly on edge.
With bated breath, Daphne watched as the Sorting Hat descended upon Rose's head, its brim enveloping her in its shadow. Harry's grip tightened around her as he emitted a low growl, his gaze fixated on the hat as if willing it to make the right decision.
"Slytherin!" the hat declared, its voice echoing through the Great Hall.
As Rose made her way to the Slytherin table, Harry wrapped a protective arm around her, offering her silent reassurance in her newfound house.
"I didn't think you'd end up in Slytherin," Harry admitted, his voice tinged with surprise.
"I wanted to stay with you," Rose confessed, seeking solace in the comfort of his embrace.
Their tender moment was interrupted by the taunting voice of Malfoy, his smirk cutting through the air like a knife.
"What's the matter, Potter? Is Greengrass not good enough for you?" Malfoy jeered, his words dripping with disdain.
Harry's expression darkened, his demeanor shifting from guarded restraint to palpable menace. In a low, dangerous voice, he delivered a warning that sent a shiver down Daphne's spine.
"Malfoy, if you plan on living long enough to finish this year, you'll keep your mouth shut and stay quiet," Harry warned, his eyes blazing with intensity.
Unfazed by Harry's ominous tone, Malfoy continued to provoke him, unaware of the dangerous territory he was treading.
"Oh yeah?" Malfoy sneered, his arrogance overshadowing any sense of caution.
"Malfoy," Harry spoke with chilling deliberation, "soon, you'll be alone with me in this large common room where I have plenty of space to throw you around and break your bones. If you shut up now, I can just forget about doing that."
Before Malfoy could respond, Theodore Nott intervened, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Be quiet, Malfoy," Nott admonished, his tone firm. "As entertaining as this is for the rest of us, I doubt Potter wants to send you back to the hospital wing on the first night. Now stop making a fool of yourself and the other Slytherins."
Malfoy, silenced by Nott's authoritative reprimand, begrudgingly complied, his gaze shifting away from Harry.
With Malfoy momentarily subdued, Harry turned his attention back to Rose, his concern evident in his gaze.
"Are you okay?" he asked her, his voice soft with genuine concern.
"I don't like him," Rose confessed quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Not many do," Harry replied, offering her a reassuring squeeze.
Harry cast a supportive glance at Rose, his protective instincts kicking in as he sensed her unease. With a comforting smile, he gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, silently reassuring her of his unwavering support.
"Remember, Rose, you're not alone here," Harry whispered, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. "We're all in this together, and I'll make sure you're taken care of."
Rose nodded weakly, a small flicker of gratitude lighting up her eyes as she leaned into Harry's reassuring embrace.
As the Sorting Ceremony came to an end and the feast commenced, the Great Hall buzzed with chatter and laughter as students reunited with old friends and made new ones. Harry, Daphne, and Rose joined in the festivities, their earlier tensions momentarily forgotten in the warm camaraderie of their fellow Slytherins.
Throughout the evening, Harry kept a watchful eye on Rose, subtly ensuring her comfort and well-being amidst the bustling crowd. And as the night wore on and the excitement of the new school year began to wane, he remained steadfast in his commitment to being there for his friend, ready to offer support and guidance whenever she needed it.
As they retired to their respective dormitories, Harry couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. He knew that the challenges and trials of the coming year would test their resolve like never before, but he also knew that as long as they stood together, they would emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.
With that thought in mind, Harry drifted off to sleep, his dreams filled with visions of camaraderie, friendship, and the unwavering bond that united them all as proud Slytherins of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
As the Sorting Ceremony continued, Astoria was sorted into Slytherin alongside Rose, solidifying their bond as housemates. Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that Astoria would be there to watch over Rose in his absence.
However, his attention was momentarily diverted when he spotted Ginny Weasley among the new Gryffindor students. Recognizing her as the youngest Weasley sibling, Harry couldn't help but wonder which traits she inherited from her family. As thoughts of Ron crossed his mind, he realized with a pang of concern that he couldn't spot Ron or any of his brothers at the Gryffindor table.
As the feast came to an end, Harry hurried out of the Great Hall and made his way to the Slytherin common room, his heart racing with worry for Rose. Upon his arrival, he was relieved to find Astoria standing guard, ensuring that Rose was safe from any unwanted attention.
"Thanks for looking after her," Harry said gratefully as he entered the common room.
"No problem," Astoria replied with a warm smile.
Turning his attention to Rose, Harry noticed the tears glistening in her eyes as she pulled him into a tight hug, seeking solace in his comforting embrace.
"I'm sorry, Harry," Rose whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"You don't have anything to be sorry about," Harry reassured her, his tone gentle yet firm. "You didn't do anything wrong."
Just then, Draco Malfoy entered the common room, his presence immediately igniting a spark of tension in the air.
"What's wrong with you, Potter?" Malfoy sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Malfoy, my tolerance for idiots is wearing thin," Harry retorted, his patience wearing thin as he fixed Malfoy with a steely gaze. "As is my temper."
As Malfoy directed a taunting remark towards Rose, Astoria stepped forward, ready to defend her friend.
"Leave her alone, Malfoy," Astoria interjected, her voice laced with steel.
"And I'd recommend listening to her," Daphne added, appearing at Harry's side in a show of solidarity.
Malfoy, however, remained undeterred, his arrogance unchecked as he continued to goad Harry.
"Or what?" Malfoy challenged, his smirk widening.
"Or you'll find yourself paying another visit to the hospital wing," Harry warned, his voice laced with a quiet menace. "If you're really eager for another trip, just say the word."
Malfoy scoffed dismissively, but Tracy stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension with a hint of defiance.
"Did you forget that he bested you in both a magical duel and a Muggle fight?" Tracy reminded Malfoy, her words laced with a subtle warning. "And he's already sent you to the hospital wing once."
Before Malfoy could respond, Harry intervened, defending Tracy against Malfoy's derision.
"Unlike you, Malfoy, she's accepted here," Harry declared, his tone unwavering.
"I am accepted here," Tracy affirmed, her gaze meeting Malfoy's with a defiant glare, her resolve unshaken by his attempts to belittle her.
As the standoff between Harry and Malfoy reached its peak, the atmosphere in the common room crackled with tension, each side unwilling to back down in the face of adversity. But amidst the brewing conflict, Harry remained steadfast in his defense of his friends, his unwavering loyalty serving as a beacon of strength in the face of adversity.
Harry's response was met with a mixture of disbelief and indignation from Malfoy, who bristled at the dismissive tone.
"You can't talk to me like that, Potter," Malfoy protested, his voice tinged with annoyance.
"Comment dois-je vous parler? Vous, stupide, incompétent gaspillage d'oxygène," Harry retorted in fluent French, his words dripping with sarcasm.
"What was that?" Malfoy demanded, clearly taken aback by Harry's unexpected linguistic prowess.
"It was French," Harry replied casually. "I think if you don't like the way I talk to you, I should probably try another approach."
"Did you just insult me in French?!" Malfoy sputtered, his face turning red with fury.
"Yes, I can insult you in German too if you want," Harry quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Don't you dare!" Malfoy snapped, his fists clenched in frustration.
"You look like a ridiculous ferret," Harry continued, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"What does that even mean?!" Malfoy spluttered, his anger palpable.
"Don't ask me, I'm not a translator," Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "As much as I enjoy embarrassing you, I have more important things to do. Now disappear, Malfoy."
"You can't..." Malfoy began, only to be interrupted by Harry's persistent insistence.
"Shoo," Harry waved his hand dismissively. "Go on, shoo."
"I'm not your..." Malfoy attempted to protest, but Harry cut him off once again.
"Shoo," Harry repeated, his voice firm and commanding.
"I'm not your..." Malfoy tried to argue, but Harry interrupted him with another dismissive wave of his hand.
"Shoo, shoo, get lost. Shoo," Harry repeated, his tone leaving no room for further argument as he effectively dismissed Malfoy with a combination of wit and authority.
The Slytherins exchanged knowing glances as Tracy divulged the latest gossip about the Gryffindor Potter and Weasley duo, their expressions a mixture of amusement and incredulity.
"Rumor has it he flew to school in a flying car and crashed into the Whomping Willow," Tracy recounted, her tone tinged with disbelief.
"You mean that huge tree outside that likes to hit things?" Daphne inquired, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"The very same," Tracy confirmed with a nod.
"How am I related to him?!" Harry exclaimed, his frustration evident in his tone.
The Slytherins chuckled amongst themselves, amused by the absurdity of the situation and Harry's exasperated reaction.
"Potter, you're a legend," Theodore Nott remarked with a smirk. "Whether you like it or not."
"Indeed," Astoria added with a playful grin. "You and your Gryffindor antics never fail to entertain us, Harry."
Harry rolled his eyes in mock exasperation, but there was a hint of amusement in his expression as he shook his head at the absurdity of his family's escapades.
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, the Slytherins settled in for the night, their camaraderie and shared amusement serving as a reminder of the bonds that united them as members of the cunning and resourceful house of Slytherin.
As the conversation shifted away from the Gryffindor antics, the Slytherins settled into their own discussions, the atmosphere in the common room becoming more relaxed.
"So, Potter, any plans for the upcoming Quidditch season?" Theodore Nott inquired, changing the topic.
Harry grinned at the mention of Quidditch, a topic he was always eager to discuss. "Well, I've been practicing over the summer, so I'm hoping to lead Slytherin to victory once again."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from our star Seeker," Astoria chimed in, offering Harry a supportive smile.
"Speaking of Quidditch, have you heard about the new Flying Instructor?" Daphne interjected, her curiosity piqued.
Harry shook his head. "No, I haven't. Who is it?"
"Rumor has it that it's Madame Hooch's replacement," Tracy supplied. "Word is she's a former professional Quidditch player from the German league."
"That sounds exciting," Harry remarked, intrigued by the prospect of learning from a seasoned professional.
"I wonder if she'll be as strict as Madame Hooch," Astoria mused, a hint of apprehension in her voice.
"Well, I suppose we'll find out soon enough," Harry said with a shrug. "In the meantime, we should focus on training and getting ready for the season ahead."
The Slytherins nodded in agreement, their anticipation for the upcoming Quidditch season evident in their expressions.
As the evening wore on, the conversation flowed freely, the Slytherins enjoying each other's company as they prepared for another year of challenges and triumphs at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And amidst the laughter and camaraderie, Harry couldn't help but feel grateful for the friendships he had forged in his house, knowing that together, they were ready to face whatever the future held.
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