Chapter 7

[Gregory Goyle]

Gregory sighed as he cracked his neck, closing his eyes to let them rest for a second. His vision swam with letters and words that were stuck to his retinas after hours of non-stop studying. His brain felt like it had overloaded and overheated, beating inside his skull as if it were a second heart.

He leaned against the comfortable padded backrest of the chair, courtesy of the Room of Requirement's rather convenient creation mechanic. It was quite an upgrade from the packed library or the chairs of the unused rooms. It offered some much needed relief to his exhausted self.

He was fairly sure they were getting close to curfew and that Malfoy wouldn't be very happy with them for having been gone for most of the day. It couldn't be helped though. According to Vincent, this was probably one of if not the most important tool in the world where they found themselves at. Gregory could say, after a very thorough reading, that he could see where his fellow Slytherin was coming from.

"You too?" he heard his friend ask from across the furnished long table in the middle of the room. The whole surface was covered in books and random objects thrown around that they had summoned as they played with the room's summoning mechanic. It had been a long studying session and they'd sometimes take a moment to distract themselves for a bit.

"Yeah, I'm spent," Gregory answered with a sigh, looking towards the other boy. Vincent was currently rubbing his eyes with his knuckles and massaging what was probably a migraine. He could relate.

Occlumency sounded amazing on paper, even more so after Vincent shared most of what he knew, which was honestly mostly fan-made stuff. However, even if they could get only a quarter of that, they would gain a huge advantage. That still didn't make it an easier subject to study, however. Even the theory of it felt like he was reading through a jumble of random psychology books.

They didn't even get to try and practice the whole thing at all, which was the most exciting part. The big bold letters at the beginning of the book, asking the readers not to try any of the practices until they have learned the whole book, worked as a very good deterrent. Greg was in full agreement to not mess with his brain using magic until he at least had an idea of what he was getting himself into.

"Guess we can take a break. Not like we can master this today," Vincent said with a sigh. "Don't feel like studying anything else for a bit, honestly," the other boy added, running his fingers through his hair and grimacing as he did. "And we have to go back in a bit, I think," he continued, looking at the clock they'd made appear on the wall. "So, how was detention with Snape?" Vincent asked conversationally, if also wearily.

"It was fine… Well, no. The man is scary as hell. I didn't think someone could be worse than Madam Pince, but he certainly proved me wrong. He looked like he hadn't smiled a day in his life," said Gregory, earning a snort from Vincent. "Had to clean some cauldrons with sticky stuff in them, some kind of potion accident from the first years. Got let out early in the end, so it wasn't that bad…I might have broken from the dumb character while distracted for a bit, sorry."

Gregory had forgotten about that if he was honest with himself. He could have hidden it and not mentioned it, but he didn't truly know if it was a big or small mistake. Thus, he couldn't just curl up and pretend it didn't matter.

"That's… Well, if he noticed or cared then… I'd say that we'd have noticed something," Vincent commented, pursing his lips and frowning. "Not like we can act the part all the time anyway. That'd be unreasonable, probably. We've probably broken character a hundred times by now. Just gotta try our best so it's not too obvious," his friend reasoned, letting his head drop back to stare at the ceiling of the Room.

"I guess that is true," he answered, feeling a little lighter now that he knew he didn't screw them over beyond repair. "We just can't keep track of everything and everyone at all times. Between Slytherin, keeping our facade, and us having to meet both Malfoy bodyguard time and curfew, we barely have any time to catch up on our studies."

Let alone having time for them to enjoy themselves. Gregory couldn't really think of a moment in this world, other than his castle expeditions when he didn't feel like he was walking on eggshells. It was a shame that there wasn't much of a point for those anymore, with the Room found. It was better to focus on catching up before classes started, or at least get as close as they could.

A full new magic world, and they couldn't stop to appreciate it without drowning in work.

"You don't have to tell me that," Vincent replied dryly with a sigh. "Speaking of curfew. Why were you late? Got lost?"

"Ugh, those stairs again, the moving ones. Why are those even a thing?" he asked with a grimace as he remembered the damn things. "They changed when I was trying to make my way back from the third floor. Had to find another way from one of the second-floor sections."

"Yeah, that shit happens," Vincent commented with a sympathetic smile even as he snorted.

"Yeah… was an awful day all around. Got distracted too, I heard some crying and went to investigate. Turned out to be some bratty ghost with bad mood swings inside an abandoned bathroom. Drenched me with water when she got angry. Ugh, I had to make the whole way back while wet." That certainly hadn't been his day.

"... Moaning Myrtle, a girl's ghost in a bathroom?" Vincent asked, and it was then that Gregory noticed his friend was now sitting straight on his chair and looking at him with wide eyes.

"Uuh, yeah. That was her name, I think?" Gregory also sat straight out of reflex,

'Was she important?' he wondered, trying to remember the encounter with the awkwardly flirty ghost.

"Thick glasses, twintails, and also uncomfortably flirty. She was sobbing in one of the bathroom stalls," He explained, trying to give as much information as possible, his mind going back to the incident. "It was on the second floor, and… Well it was big, but that isn't very descriptive, is it?... Well, there was something. There was this big pillar of lavatories that looked rusted and old. Which I thought was weird, because everything is always so clean around here," he rambled. "Also, seemed to be clogged, because there were weird noises from the pipes."

"Ok… So… Stay the fuck away from that bathroom, yeah?" Vincent said, looking pale and gulping. "That's… That's where the monster I told you about comes out of. You know, the one that's petrifying people?"

"You mean, the thing the rumor mill is accusing Harry of?" he said, feeling himself pale. Was he really that close to getting killed then?

"Yeah…" Vincent breathed out, placing his hands on his face. "Ok, we are here now and this place is safe to talk. I can tell you what's actually going on this year. Don't think we have time to go over all the years and shit, right now, but there's some things you really need to know."

Gregory, sat himself straight. His headache caused by over studying was forgotten as he prepared to absorb every word that came out of Vincent. Like his friend said, he had a lot he needed to know, and that wasn't even talking about classes.

It was time to get started on that.

[}-o-{]

"Can you two go any slower?" Malfoy asked and Gregory could almost see the sneer on the blonde's face even though he was facing away from them while walking a few steps ahead of them.

"S-Sorry," Gregory said rather distractedly. His mind was far more occupied with jumping at shadows and any sounds that even remotely sounded like they could come from a snake.

The Malfoy heir had been quite irritable all morning due to them arriving late the previous night. They didn't go past curfew or anything that could have gotten them in trouble. However, apparently, the boy had required their assistance and wasn't able to find them. Something that somehow devolved into, and Gregory quoted, "mockery from other, lower houses because I can't keep my lackeys in line".

That had been the abridged version. In reality, the whole spiel had lasted for what felt like an entire hour as both of them sat quietly at one of the sofas in the Common Room. Being scolded by a child who hadn't reached puberty was an experience. Not a pleasant one, obviously, but that was just their lives at the moment.

For once, though, Gregory wasn't focused on what their classmates' sneers were all about. His mind was otherwise entirely focused with thoughts regarding the revelations of their current situation.

"Goyle! Are you even paying attention?!" shocking him out of his thoughts for a moment, and giving him time to catch up with the new scenery they found themselves at.

The distant sound of a train whistle further brought his thoughts back to the present. Somehow, while he was distracted, they had reached the train station. Gregory truly had missed most of the trip, his mind devoid of any recollections of them walking from where they got off the carriage to their destination.

He could spot some other students milling about as they too waited for the train to arrive, the trail of smoke already visible in the distance. All of them were probably expecting to receive their friends back after the end of the Christmas break. He could already see some of the teachers trying to impose order on the increasing gaggle of students. A giant of a man, who he could only assume was Hagrid, was talking amicably with Harry and Ron at the other end of the station.

"Sorry, I just… didn't sleep very well," Gregory excused himself, remembering that Malfoy was still there. It wasn't like it was even a lie, he hadn't been able to catch a wink throughout the night no matter how hard he tried. Gregory didn't quite hear what the answer from the blond boy was after that. His mind went, instead, back to the rather impromptu lesson Vincent had given him just the night before.

He had known that their situation was bad but not that terrible. He didn't quite remember much — if anything at all — from the movies, most of it long since faded over decades since the first time he went to see them. As far as he had gathered, it was a book made for children though. Granted, he had expected some drama and enemies to keep the story afloat and the plot progressing. That was only natural.

But giant snakes that can kill you with a glance? A mind controlling diary one can just pick up from the ground? A scam of a teacher who wanted to mind wipe his students to save face? A literal immortal wizard that wanted to conquer the world and probably start a mass genocide, who actually almost succeeded if it wasn't for a hail mary of a mother and her baby?

Those didn't really sound like children's book plotlines. It sounded like things no twelve-year-old should ever be involved with.

'And Harry had solved all this practically on his own? Where even were the teachers during all this? Does this school have any security at all?' he couldn't help but ask himself in a panic. Because, seriously, they were living right next to a magical monster fifty feet in length that could go through their school walls for centuries. Yet, somehow the only person aware of it and actively trying to stop it was the one pre-teen being accused of being the cause of it.

It was utter nonsense.

The only solace he had found was that as far as Vincent was aware, Draco – and by association, them – weren't really all that important for the plot of this particular year. Only reduced to minor antagonists along some of the side adventures of the heroes. Well, at least the original Crabbe and Goyle were. They had no idea if they had already changed anything by the butterfly effect. However, he rather doubted anything they had done was that important.

So, Gregory's fraying nerves took a reprieve, knowing that he wasn't fated to be killed or petrified by the Basilisk, at the very least. That didn't make him any less skittish, though. He had walked right into the entrance of the things nest, after all.

"So, why are we here anyway?" Vincent asked then, when Malfoy looked like he was going to make another "comment" about them or the people around. It was difficult to tell which one it would be, but it was definitely one of those.

"I told you this yesterday," Draco muttered while rubbing his eyes in exhaustion. He honestly didn't remember that either, but then again, he barely registered any that had happened last night after they had to leave the Room. "We are here to receive the rest of the team. The Quidditch team that I am part of, yes?" he said, raising an eyebrow and elaborating as if they were stupid enough to forget about that when he would never shut up about it.

"Yes, but… Why here, and not at that castle next to the Common Room's fireplace?" Gregory asked, noticing how cold it was outside. The castle itself wasn't exactly warm, given the amount of windows and passages that were open to the elements and the stone walls and floors, sure. However, at least Slytherin had a way to heat up their quarters a bit. Noble lads and lasses couldn't go around being cold, it seemed.

For once, Draco seemed to agree with something they had said if the way he nodded and closed his coat tighter against his body was any indication.

"Yes, I too would rather have the meeting be there, but this is about sending a message to the other houses. It wouldn't do to show ourselves as weak or undisciplined enough to be put off by some cold. So we wait here as a united and strong team… Speaking of, here come the others," the boy said, looking at two older years approaching them with smiles. He vaguely remembered them as part of the gaggle of students that was around during their chess match.

"Malfoy, how good to see you," one of the two older boys said as he shook hands with the blonde, the action repeated itself with the second one who only nodded in acknowledgment with a quick "Malfoy".

"Bletchley, Bole," Draco greeted back. "So good to see you. I assume all preparations are in place?" he asked them as if he were their superior, something that was not appreciated by the older years. However, given that the Malfoy heir's father paid for most of their state-of-the-art equipment, they had no choice but to comply and play house with Malfoy.

A part of Gregory felt a bit vindicated at the fact it wasn't only the two of them who were forced to play the role of the servant around.

"Yes, indeed. The welcome party is already prepared and the invitations sent. Flint approved of the list too, so there weren't any issues there." Bletchley seemed to recover faster and answered the question, even though his voice was a bit strained.

"Good, I knew he would see sense in the end. It was just a matter of using the right leverage, as my father would say," Malfoy said, puffing like a peacock. He had clearly done something to gain the Quidditch team leader's approval, but what it was, he didn't know.

Still, a party? They had certainly not received any invitation. Did that mean they weren't invited? It would honestly be better if they didn't have to go since that meant more time they could use for themselves. He wasn't sure if they were expected to assist nonetheless as part of Draco's entourage though.

He didn't get to voice his question before the whistle sounded once more, paired with the sound of the train wheels moving through the track. The students at the station cheered and waved at the approaching train as they all became a mob that tried to push forward. It seemed some people wanted to be the first to say hi to their friends. Meanwhile, those in the vehicle, in turn, waved and screamed while taking their bodies out of the slowly stopping carts.

Draco moved along with Bletchley and Bole towards one of the first compartments. He could only assume that was where the rest of the Quidditch team would be. Evidently, that was the case, because they came out glaring towards a second group wearing blue, who returned the greeting with their own sneers.

Dozens of students soon became hundreds as the doors of the carts opened and those who just came back started to mingle around with those left behind with hugs and fast-talks as if they were trying to tell every detail of their two weeks apart in a single breath. The teachers, for their part, struggled to keep them contained and herd them in the direction of the carriages for the welcoming feast.

Their little group stood a little apart, the purebloods probably being too cool to go with the rest of the "peasants" as it were.

Gregory just wished he were back in the castle, quite honestly.

[}-o-{]

"I am telling you, Inglebee is not going to leave himself open for an ambush like with the Hufflepuffs. Davies might be annoying, but he is not an idiot for him to not cover the one weak spot on their strategy," one of the members of the Slytherin Quidditch team – Peregrine Derrick, Gregory believed he was called – said quietly to the rest as they talked in whispers and murmurs.

"You are wrong, Davies is an idiot. He will be too focused on protecting that, instead of blocking my way to getting the snitch and winning. All you have to do is keep the pressure up and let me win," Malfoy answered, rather incensed already with the back and forth of this conversation. Something about a previous mistake during Ravenclaw's previous match they were trying to exploit.

After they had arrived at the Hall, they were urged to sit and eat the hot and delicious food already served by the House Elves. Vincent and Gregory were, indeed, getting the – dubious, in his opinion – honor of eating together with the Quidditch team. It was mostly so Malfoy could have them around in case he needed them for anything other than any other reason, really. Talking was strictly forbidden for them, after all.

The team continued conversing among themselves anyway, so it wasn't as much of a problem as Gregory would have thought. Flint, the captain, turned out to be the only one brave enough to talk back to Malfoy, who in turn didn't seem to take the challenge to his authority very well.

After a while, however, the rest of the team had started talking back to the both of them here and there, throwing their lot with one of the two sides, in what Gregory suspected was an attempt to gain favor. As such, the strategy meeting slowly deformed into an argument of wounded pride and bruised egos. Still, at the very least they managed to keep it technical and mostly related to the game instead of just outright insulting each other as he was sure all of them wanted to do.

Vincent seemed very interested in the talk, surprisingly enough, and Gregory could see his mind working and coming up with ideas too. However, he had to keep his mouth shut given that they were just Crabbe and Goyle after all. Anything they said would, at best, be dismissed before given any consideration. At worst, they would receive a scolding for talking out of turn.

Gregory himself wasn't that interested in it though. It just sounded like a more brutal soccer and baseball combination with flying brooms thrown into the mix. He wasn't a fan of either of those sports in his previous life, and the added factor of flying didn't manage to deter his opinion on the matter.

'At least the food is great,' he thought to himself as he placed a spoonful of the potato and beef stew in his mouth and delighted himself in the mix of flavors and tenderness of the meat. Food at Hogwarts had always been good, but this was just divine, he wasn't sure if it was because it was supposed to be a special occasion or what, but the House Elves had outdone themselves this time.

A loud ring pulled him out of his reverie and called for his attention to the front of the room. There, he saw the Headmaster himself now standing from his seat as he daintily hit cutlery against his glass. The sound, somehow, managed to raise itself over the voices of hundreds of students loudly talking to each other. After a few seconds, silence reigned over the Hall as everyone looked towards the elderly man.

Gregory did notice that many people from Slytherin looked toward the headmaster with apprehension and sometimes thinly veiled hostility. The former applied mostly to lower years, while the older kids seemed to be more open in their dislike of the professor. It made him wonder if said hate was born from any particular action of the man, or just peer ideology shining through. Was it just children copying their parents or did they have any legitimate reason to dislike the man? Doubts grew in him like critters clutching at his stomach while he stared at the Headmaster of the school.

As far as Gregory knew, the man was a good person. Or, at least, that was what his friends back in his old life had told him. He didn't quite remember any of the feats mentioned to him, but he did remember that the man was talked about with fondness. Yet, the talk with Vincent was brought to the forefront of his mind yet again.

"Then why don't we just tell the Headmaster where the snake is? Let the man take charge of the whole thing as he is supposed to," he had pleaded to his friend who looked rather torn up about the issue. He doubted his friend was stupid or that callous, so he must have a reason to not just pick the easier option and tell the teacher.

It would save who knows how many people from getting petrified.

The whole thing could be cured and all – He had just been told that. –, but that didn't change the fact that these kids would find themselves suddenly waking up after a year or so long coma, at best. They'd discover one of their formative years was just gone forever and there was nothing they could do about it. At worst, and Gregory dreaded to think about it, those kids were fully aware of themselves as they were petrified, locked in place without a chance to move, scream for help, or cry. It was a horrifying fate, and he doubted that many of them could come back from something like that mentally unscathed.

Gregory had never considered himself a great person. He was far too skittish and cowardly to believe himself to be able to take the place of a hero. Even then, it didn't mean he was devoid of empathy. He couldn't just sit and watch as children were potentially put in danger just for the sake of keeping something as vague as canon closer to their current reality.

It just wasn't right.

"Is it because we would out ourselves? We could look for a solution for that, we don't need to go right now. Perhaps we could hide a note on some professors' desks. Or make another student stumble upon it and make them deliver it to the professor?"

"The thing is," Vincent had said, face twisted into a very uneasy, borderline fearful smile. "This isn't canon. We've confirmed this several times over. As such, I don't know how trustworthy the adults are, especially Dumbledore. I've read entirely too many stories about him being a terrible person for the "Greater Good" or an outright Dark Lord to trust him. Especially if we have to out ourselves or risk doing that. Either way, I rather doubt he doesn't know what's going on. You don't get that old and well-known by being incompetent. I imagine he just can't or won't do anything for one reason or another."

That conversation had ended on that inconclusive note. Gregory reluctantly agreed to stand back on the matter up to the point that they could at least verify Dumbledore's intentions.

Vincent hadn't had much time to explain much about anything other than the events of The Chamber of Secrets to him and some context lore beyond that. They didn't have all day, and there was plenty to cover. In a way, Gregory was glad the man hadn't continued. He already felt plenty stressed with just what little he'd been told. He didn't feel like he had it in him to know how royally fucked they were in the future when Harry's adventures increased in danger and escalated even further than a freaking monster snake that instantly kills you if you look at it.

A fake cough called for his attention to the central seat at the end of the room, where the aptly named Teacher's Table was located.

"It gladdens me, and the rest of our staff here at Hogwarts, to see our students so joyful and full of life," the old wizard said from his spot at the center of the first table. "Holidays are a beautiful thing, a moment to enjoy among family, friends and those loved by us. It reminds us of the people we cherish the most and, through that, it helps us do our best against the adversities in our lives. I hope you will remember these small happy memories for the years to come. A cheer, for all of you."

The man raised his cup in the air, and the rest of the staff and the students quickly followed. All tables – sans Slytherins – cheered loudly after the man's words. Or not so loudly, in some of the older students and in many Ravenclaw's cases, but still. Dumbledore chuckled for a moment and raised his hand casually, indicating that he wasn't done speaking. Eventually, the crowd calmed down for him to continue.

"Now, as much as I wish I could end this impromptu speech on a happy note. It saddens my heart to announce the next few rules for all students here. By decision of the faculty, concerning the current incidents around our venerable school, we have found ourselves forced to push the curfew hours to be earlier."

This earned a whole lot of boos and groans from the student body, which was probably a predictable response. The man raised his hand again, asking to be allowed to continue. Gregory himself didn't feel too great about that announcement. It was understandable, but that'd be less time for Vincent and him to spend studying and training.

"I understand this is not of your liking, but it is undeniable that your safety is paramount for every one of our professors here," the headmaster waved a hand towards the teachers that sat behind him who nodded in agreement.

Except for Snape who just sneered at all of them, and Gilderoy who rose himself from his chair as if expecting a standing ovation for himself. Awkwardly, the man sat back down in his place with an unflappable smile a second later when it didn't happen.

"As such, this and other rules will be applied from here on out as classes resume. Of course, any students that wish to share any kind of information or grievance about the current incidents are more welcome to talk with any of our staff members, or even myself at my study."

Gregory's heart ran cold and paled, thinking the man was talking to him. Were they being watched the whole time? Fortunately, he noticed that the Headmaster's eyes weren't on him before he could fully panic. The man stared rather intently in the direction of the Gryffindor's table. Harry shuffled in his place uncomfortably at the intense stare but his eyes remained firmly on the professor the whole time.

"With that said," Dumbledore said with an inaudible sigh as he finished the staring contest with the boy before it could be too obvious. "Your prefects have already been informed of all other changes and will deliver them to you at your respective Common Rooms. Please be sure to follow them after the feast and remember to sleep early tonight. Classes start tomorrow after all," the man ended his speech as the kids groaned even more, earning a chuckle from the Headmaster in response who sat back and talked with McGonagall to his right. The students went back to their conversations as the noise in the room went back to its previous chaotic level.

Gregory's mind, however, was still stuck on the mention of the new rules, which would certainly reduce their free time to catch up and use the room. It was also stuck on the revelation he had gained thanks to his fellow transmigrator. Furthermore stuck in indecision over the wizened old man who might or might not be what others always thought him to be.

Gregory's mind wandered as he ate his stew. It didn't taste as good anymore, but he would eat it anyway. He would need as much food and sleep as he could get for tomorrow. The time to catch up was over, it was now time to face the music.

Classes resumed tomorrow, after all.

[} Chapter End {]

Arc: We are finally here! Classes are starting, which means Crabbe and Goyle are about to get the difficulty upped for them. Also, Gregory finally got an exposition on what he is dealing with after practically two weeks of stumbling through things blind. RoR is not only one of the greatest cheats in the series —up there with the time turners, pensive, and occlumency— but probably as safe as you can possibly get from eavesdropping inside of Hogwarts.

Adrian: Him having more knowledge of his situation is a good thing… but I somehow think he'd rather not know. Ignorance is bliss, I guess. He's Goyle though, who cares if he's having a bad time?

Arc: Poor Goyle is always getting the short stick out of any situation. It would be impressive if it weren't so sad.

Adrian: The hilarious thing is… Actually, I think I'll let that be a surprise. We hope you all enjoyed the chapter, guys!

Random Adrian Question: Any guesses about how the start of classes is gonna go for our unfortunate duo?

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