Bonded Over Losses

by Michael in Arizona

At the start of fifth year, Harry sits with Luna and Susan on the Hogwarts Express. When Ron and Hermione never turn up after the prefects meeting like they said they would, Harry cuts ties with them and Luna and Susan become his best friends. Having Susan and Luna as best friends leads to several different outcomes in fifth year.

6. Draco Dismissed

I did promise that I was not lost and gone forever but would be back again someday. Here's chapter 6, which picks up where chapter 5 left off.

The next morning, there was a meeting of the staff before breakfast to discuss the issue of Draco Malfoy's prefect status.

"So," began Flitwick, "Last night Pomona and I observed some disturbing behavior from Draco Malfoy that calls into question his status a s prefect."

"Yesterday," explained Sprout," Miss Lovegood paid tribute to her deceased mother on the five year anniversary of her passing by wearing a puffapod necklace. Puffapods were Mrs. Lovegood's favorite flowers. Miss Lovegood's friends Mr. Potter and Miss Bones also wore puffapod necklaces yesterday in solidarity with Miss Lovegood on a very emotional day for her."

"God, those things were disgusting and repulsive, not to mention u***," interjected Snape.

"Severus, that's enough," said Flitwick sharply, "Last night Pomona and I observed Mr. Malfoy threaten Mr. Potter, Miss Bones, and Miss Lovegood with his prefect status. He told them that the necklaces were hideous and that if they didn't give him the necklaces to destroy that he would put them in detention."

"That is an abuse of prefect power, no ifs, ands, ors, or buts," piped up Hagrid sharply.

"That's not the worst of it," said Sprout firmly, "When they refused, he attempted to use the Reductor Curse to destroy Miss Lovegood's puffapod necklace. Fortunately, Miss Lovegood ducked out of the way in time. Mr. Potter, Miss Bones, and Miss Lovegood were all then able to escape Mr. Malfoy by outrunning him."

"It's also worth adding," remembered Flitwick, "That when Pomona and I confronted Mr. Malfoy about his behavior, he used the offensive eight letter word that begins with m and ends with d when referring to Miss Granger after observing that Mr. Potter has drifted apart from her."

"This is behavior inconsistent with the position of prefect," observed Hooch, "Prefects are supposed to be well behaved students as well as people who can look at things objectively."

"It's worth noting," piped up Burbage, "That prefects can be removed from their positions by a vote of the majority of the staff. Abuse of the position is explicitly stated in the Prefects Code of Conduct as grounds for removal from the position of prefect."

"Draco Malfoy is a great student," said Snape hopefully, "He's the best in his year in Potions and he is a responsible student who always turns in his homework on time. He has never been truant from a class either."

"Being a good student is only part of being a good prefect," pointed out Vector, "The way you conduct yourself as a person and showing proper restraint for not overstepping one's boundaries are also important qualities in a good prefect."

""It is my view that Draco Malfoy should lose his badge," said Flitwick firmly.

"Hard agree," said Sprout, "Filius and I are almost certain that Mr. Malfoy has abused his position at other times that we don't know about."

"The incident last night is consistent with the Draco Malfoy I know," spat Sprout bitterly.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Bones, and Miss Lovegood should forgive Mr. Malfoy," insisted Dumbledore, "Forgiveness is good for the soul. Everyone deserves a second chance."

"It's hardly the first time Mr. Malfoy has behaved that way," said Sinistra matter of factly, "He's had this pattern of bad behavior from the nanosecond he set foot in Hogwarts."

"I will not allow Mr. Malfoy to be removed from the position of prefect," insisted Dumbledore, "Mr. Malfoy may have made a few mistakes over the years, but being a prefect will help him learn and grow. It's a great opportunity for him to learn some responsibility."

"Albus, choosing Mr. Malfoy as prefect is one of the worst decisions you've made since you became headmaster," said Trelawney bluntly, "Prefects need to be chosen based on who they are, not who you think they might have the potential to become."

"it's actually one of his best decisions," smirked Umbridge, "Draco Malfoy is a very sweet boy and a very obedient student."

"He sucks up to people he wants to gain favor with," said Flitwick warningly, "What he did last night is his true colors."

"I say," piped up Pince, "That we put it to a vote. The staff should vote on whether Draco Malfoy should be removed from the position of prefect."

"Hard agree," nodded Binns, "So, let's take that vote. If you agree that Draco Malfoy should lose his prefect badge, then raise your right hand. If you believe that Draco Malfoy should keep his prefect badge, then raise your left hand."

Flitwick, Sprout, Hagrid, Pomfrey, Hooch, Pince, Vector, Sinistra, Burbage, Binns, Trelawney, and Twycross all raised their right hands.

On the other hand, Dumbledore, Snape, Umbridge, and Filch all raised their left hands.

McGonagall, meanwhile, abstained and did not vote.

"So," said Flitwick in a crystal clear voice, "By a vote of 12-4-1, the staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has voted to oust Draco Malfoy from the position of Slytherin prefect due abuse of power within the position and behavior inconsistent with the role."

"We can decide on a replacement later," said Sprout, "It's not the end of the world if that position remains vacant for a while. The more urgent thing is stripping Draco of his badge. I know Albus and Severus won't do it, Filius, you and I should approach Draco together and remove his badge."

The staff meeting dispersed with Snape and Dumbledore silent and defeated.

When the students entered the Great Hall for breakfast, Flitwick and Sprout approached Draco.

"Mr. Malfoy," said Sprout sharply, "After the incident around Mr. Potter, Miss Bones, and Miss Lovegood last night, the staff voted 12-4-1 this morning to revoke your prefect status."

"My father-" began Draco, but Flitwick had already retrieved his wand from his right hand pocket with his right hand, pointed it at Draco, and cried, "Silencio!"

Sprout now fetched her wand out of her right hand pocket with her right hand and pointed it at Draco's prefect badge.

The badge landed in Sprout's left hand, and she tossed it to Flitwick, who caught it with his left hand.

"Do the honors, Filius," grinned Sprout.

Flitwick unceremoniously tossed Draco's prefect badge to the ground and pointed his wand as directly at it as he possibly could.

"Reducto!" cried Flitwick.

Next nanosecond, Draco's prefect badge was reduced to dust.

Draco Malfoy was a prefect no more.

A shout out to the following members who have added Bonded Over Losses to their favorites and/or follows lists since the last update:

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Much love from Arizona for all the support. Love you all-Michael. :)