Slytherin VS Gryffindor, A Confrontation
August 30th 1992
The crowd cheered and clapped after the famous man’s very long speech on how he’d be teaching DADA at Hogwarts and how he’d be helping Harry; it was very dramatic and way over the top. It was embarrassing, and Harry found himself being presented with the entire works of Gilderoy Lockhart – the famous man that was currently harassing him. He should’ve done what Hadrian had told him and just hexed the man. Staggering slightly under the books’ weight, he managed to make his way out of the limelight to the edge of the room, where Ginny was standing and holding onto her new cauldron.
“You can have these,” Harry mumbled to her in embarrassment, tipping the books into the cauldron. “I’ll just buy my own —”
“Bet you loved that, didn’t you, Potter?” said a voice Harry had no trouble recognizing, even though it’d been a while since he’d heard it with that particular mocking tone. He straightened up and found himself face-to-face with Draco Malfoy, who was wearing a sneer, one Harry hadn’t seen since Hadrian Black had told the blonde off before Christmas last year.
“Famous Harry Potter,” Malfoy continued mockingly. “Can’t even go into a bookshop without making the front page.”
“Enough Draconis! If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Our reputation doesn’t need to get even worse with your attitude.” Another, much angrier voice said behind Malfoy, and Harry looked up to find a black-haired boy who looked a remarkable amount like Harry’s friend Hadrian. He had silvery-blue eyes, and sharp cheekbones and pointed chin like Malfoy’s. His hair reached just below his neck and he had bangs that framed his face on either side. He was wearing a white shirt tucked into black trousers and a chequered black and white cardigan over it. It was very different from what Malfoy was wearing, which was a very formal set of black robes and a dark green shirt and tie underneath with black slacks. The two were very obviously related, though. “I apologize for my brother’s rudeness. Please ignore whatever he’s just said.”
“Uh… yeah. It’s… um… fine. Sorry, did you say brother?” That made the obviously older boy smile slightly, and Harry really couldn’t see how these two completely different boys could be brothers in any way.
“Ah, yes. My name is Valerian Malfoy, I am Draco’s older brother. I, unfortunately, couldn’t join Hogwarts before now for health-related issues, but I’m excited to join now. And you’re Harry Potter, if what my brother says is true. I’ve heard a lot about you both from him and Hadrian. Hadrian has especially said very… nice things about you, which means a lot coming from him. You must’ve really impressed him.”
“I- umm….” Harry couldn’t help blushing at the clear compliment. “You know Hadrian? How?”
“Childhood friends of a sort.” The boy said cryptically, his smile turning into a smirk full of secrets.
The Weasleys joined them at that moment, and Harry couldn’t help noticing the smile the twins shared with the boy. It was a smile full of… relief? Harry wasn’t sure though. Just when Ron was going to open his mouth and probably insult Malfoy, a velvety voice spoke behind the two brothers.
“Well, well, well — Arthur Weasley.” A very alluring man came into view, putting one of his hands on Valerian Malfoy’s shoulder. He had very long blonde hair that was tied in a low ponytail and had a cane by his side that he leaned against casually. His tone, though, was very mocking, and the black-haired boy shot the man – Harry guessed it was his father– a very disapproving look. Could there actually be a pleasant Malfoy?
“Lucius,” Mr. Weasley replied coldly, nodding to the man.
“Busy time at the Ministry, I hear,” Mr. Malfoy said, tone making it obvious that he was making fun of Mr. Weasley. “All those raids…. I hope they’re paying you overtime….”
He reached into Ginny’s cauldron and extracted, from amid the glossy Lockhart books, a very old, very battered copy of A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration.
“Obviously not,” Mr. Malfoy continued in the same disdainful tone.
“Enough Father. Am I truly the only Malfoy with some self-respect here?” Valerian asked darkly, staring his father right in the eyes as he said those words. Harry found the interaction pretty surprising, considering his previous interactions with the youngest Malfoy. But, if Valerian was friends with Hadrian, then he was probably nice like him, right?
“Valerian….” Mister Malfoy sighed, looking at his son with an exhaustion that made it obvious this was a recurring conversation.
“NO! I did not wake up from a two-year coma just to be hated by every single person I’ll be going to school with.” Then he turned to the Weasleys and Harry and bowed his head slightly with an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry for any offence my family may have caused. I hope you all have a good day.”
Then he went down the rest of the stairs and left the shop, never looking back at his family, his father and brother shared a look before following behind him with slight regret flashing briefly behind their blank masks.
What a fascinating day…. And Harry hadn’t expected any of it (which was a bit surprising, since Harry knew he had very… interesting luck).
It seemed there was a nice Malfoy out there after all. How miraculous.
September 2nd 1992
“Hey Harry. Heard you had quite the adventure last night.” A very familiar voice said behind Harry as he was eating his breakfast, and Harry turned to find Hadrian Black (his only Slytherin friend) standing there with an amused smirk on his face. His hair was a very bright blonde that looked almost yellow in the Great Hall lighting, and he was wearing a dark grey band t-shirt (kind of like the ones Harry would get from the charity bin at his old primary school but much more… stylish) with wide-leg black pants and a very long black cardigan over it.
“Yeah…. It didn’t go exactly as I’d hoped.” That had Hadrian laughing brightly. Suddenly, a hand appeared on the older boy’s shoulder and Harry saw the same boy as before, Valerian Malfoy, coming up behind Hadrian. Shockingly enough, he hadn’t been sorted into Slytherin like Harry had expected and Malfoy had bragged about before, but Ravenclaw. He was dressed in a light blue shirt tucked into beige trousers under his Hogwarts robes. Speaking of Malfoy, the boy seemed to be hiding behind his older brother. What shocked Harry even more was the fact that Hadrian, who was usually pretty reserved and didn’t appreciate sudden physical contact, seemed very comfortable with the older Malfoy.
“Hey Hades.” The older Malfoy said with a soft smile, one that Hadrian returned as he turned towards the boy.
“Val! What are you doing here?”
“Came to offer a repayment.” The boy replied softly as he turned towards Harry, and subsequently Ron and Hermione who’d been sitting opposite him just watching the interaction (they’d long since gotten used to Hadrian Black’s presence in Harry’s life and accepted that he was probably the only decent Slytherin they’d meet).
“Y- I bumped into you at the platform. I’m sorry for that by the way.” Hermione exclaimed, stuttering a bit at her words, which got her confused looks from her friends.
“It’s alright.” The boy replied softly, giving her a grin. “It was the highlight of my day, so I was quite happy to bump into you actually.”
His words and soft smile seemed to cause Hermione’s face to turn bright red. Why was his friend blushing so hard at the boy? Was she embarrassed by the interaction? Probably….
“I- uh…. I’m Hermione Granger by the way.”
“Valerian Malfoy, and I believe… my brother has something to say to you all. Draco.” At that, Malfoy moved slowly to stand in front of the trio of friends. The three looked on with raised eyebrows but didn’t say anything.
“I… apologize…. For all the things I’ve said or done to… antagonize you in the last year. It won’t happen again.”
The trio stared at the blonde boy in shock while Valerian and Hadrian looked on with proud smiles on their faces. Malfoy was blushing in humiliation and looking at the ground.
“I… I forgive you Malfoy, but I don’t think I’ll be forgetting it soon.” Hermione said softly, staring at the boy blankly. Harry nodded in agreement at her words while Ron just looked… slightly constipated.
“I- look Malfoy, we’re never gonna get along, but I’m willing to… ignore the past and move forward I guess. As long as you don’t mess with us, I won’t do anything to you.”
“I think that’s appropriate. I know we’ll never be friends, but I hope with time we’ll at least become civil.” The trio nodded to Malfoy’s words, agreeing with him for once. Malfoy gave them a curt nod before moving back towards the Slytherin table.
“It was nice to meet you three. See you Hades.” Valerian said, making to leave but Hadrian stopped him.
“Wait! I want to introduce you to someone first.” Hadrian said, dragging Valerian to another area of the long Gryffindor table. Harry watched as they approached his fellow Quidditch team member, Justinian Griffin, who Harry knew was friends with Hadrian. The three talked for a moment before they laughed and Justin and Valerian shook hands with grins on their faces.
September 3rd 1992
“I’ve been meaning to ask, but what the hell happened this summer?” Hadrian Black asked as he and Harry were taking a stroll around the Hogwarts grounds late in the evening.
“They treated me well after whatever you told them, but then weird things started happening.”
“Like what?”
“Well, my mail never really reached me the whole summer, and then this… House-elf appeared in my room during an important business dinner my uncle was having. He told me I couldn’t go back to Hogwarts that year; that bad things would happen here and he had to warn me. He also admitted he’d been the one taking my mail in the hopes I’d think my friends hated me, so I wouldn’t go to school. The crazy thing even dropped the pudding on the guest’s head to get me grounded and now I have a strike on my record for doing underage magic. I wasn’t even the one who’d done it! Uncle Vernon decided to put bars on my room, locks on my door and forbade me from going back to Hogwarts, so the Weasley Twins and Ron had to break me out, which was quite insane by the way!”
“Do you know which family he serves? House elves don’t normally do something like this without orders….”
“He didn’t say.”
“What about a name? House-elves commonly talk in third-person.”
“Uh, yeah. His name’s Dobby.” Harry said with a shrug.
“Hmm, I think I’ve heard that name before…. Wait!” Hadrian jumped a bit as he seemed to realise something. He grabbed Harry by his shoulders and stared at him imploringly. “What I’m about to do, you can’t tell anyone…. Do you understand Harry?”
“Yes! I swear I won’t, but… what are you going to do?”
“This.” And then, Hadrian’s eyes transformed; his normally stormy grey irises turning a pitch black colour that was very eerie. Harry couldn’t help shivering as it seemed darkness itself collected, surrounding them in a sort of dome that hid them from the outside world.
“Whoa….” Harry sighed out, shocked by the crazy magic happening. It’s impossible that Hadrian is a muggle-born!
As soon as the dome had fully formed, Hadrian’s eyes snapped open, but Harry hadn’t even noticed that the boy had closed them. He then called out a weird word that Harry didn’t understand at that moment.
“Kreacher!”
A pop sounded, and creature similar to Dobby but more wrinkly appeared before the two boys. He bowed in a ninety degree angle towards Hadrian before standing up straight.
“Master Hadrian called for Kreacher?”
“Yes. Do you know a House-elf named Dobby?”
“Yes, Master Hadrian. Dobby was a Black-trained elf that was sent with Mistress Narcissa as part of her dowry after marrying.”
“So he’s currently a Malfoy elf?”
“Yes.” Kreacher said with finality, and Harry couldn’t help gasping at the news.
“Alright, thank you Kreacher.” The House-elf bowed again before popping away with a small sound, and Hadrian couldn’t help rubbing at his face in frustration.
“Why would a Malfoy elf come to warn you of danger?!”
“I don’t know….” Harry sighed out, feeling exhausted already, and it was just his third day back at Hogwarts.
“Alright! Leave this mystery to me and focus on your classes. I’ll find out and let you know, okay?”
“Okay, I trust you Hads.” Harry said with a small smile which the older boy returned. His eyes flashed and the dome fell slowly.
“So you’re not a muggle born, huh?” Harry asked with a teasing smile, and Hadrian groaned out loudly.
“You’re not going to let this go anytime soon, are you?”
“Nope!” The two shared a laugh as they walked back to the castle, momentarily forgetting their earlier talk for much funnier topics.
Valerian was enjoying his time at Hogwarts so far, except for a few things. The first, and probably most prominent issue, was Gilderoy Lockheart. The new DADA teacher was arrogant, rude and very narcissistic. It was the pure patience that Valerian had gained after his coma that gave him the strength to endure the whole class, and the fact it’d be rude and go against everything he’d been taught as a child.
This is what brought Valerian to the Hogwarts Library so soon after the start of term, the fact he needed to research actually useful spells that might be needed for his OWLs in three years. He had a rough idea of what he’d need after a research binge he’d had during the summer, but still needed a few books to support what he already knew.
As he looked around, he found himself face-to-face with a Hufflepuff who he believed was in his year and a friend of Hadrian’s.
“So you’re the new Malfoy in town. I hope you know your brother was a bit of a brat.” The raven-haired girl, who was incredibly pretty but very blunt, said in a sardonic tone.
“And I apologise if he aggravated you in anyway. I’m prepared to take any consequences for his actions so that I’m not ostracized in my own year.”
“How noble…. You also talk like the stuffy purebloods I’ve met around here, so I guess you’ll fit in with them.”
“But I don’t want to only fit in with… ‘Stuffy Purebloods’ as you call them, I want to befriend anyone who I can get along with.” Valerian said sincerely, and the girl’s bright amber eyes glowed a bit in amusement and perhaps… acceptance…? Maybe?
“I like you, Malfoy.” Okay so it was acceptance. Her tone suddenly changed to a soft lilt and Valerian made an effort not to look surprised by the sudden change. “Seraphina Rayne. I’m in your year.”
“I know, I noticed you in some of my classes but was too… hesitant and intimidated to approach you. I know you already know my name, but I am Valerian Malfoy.”
“Intimidated?”
“Yes…. If you didn’t notice, you can be a bit… tough to approach. You just give off this aura of… high intelligence and elegance that makes it difficult to talk to you without feeling… inadequate. You seem nice, though.”
“Huh…. Hadrian told me that once too. Am I really that unapproachable?”
“It’s not a bad thing, I suppose. I actually envy the aura you give off, as people think I’m… a stupid pureblood who got handed things without putting in any effort, but I did actually work hard to learn everything I know.”
“And you were in a coma, right?” At Valerian’s confused look, she shrugged, “Hadrian babbled.”
“Ah…. He would know about that yes.” Valerian found himself subconsciously walking beside her towards a table where three people were sitting. One was Marcus Ollivander, a year-mate in Valerian’s house that he’d befriended his first day here. The boy was strange and said some… whimsical things at times but he was very good company. The other boy was Sebastian Nott, an old friend of Valerian’s (their fathers and brothers were friends, so they’d been forced to meet at first, but they’d found out that they had a lot in common and became really good friends throughout the years as well). Valerian noticed that he still had that blond streak at the front of his hair, which comforted him slightly (some things just never change). Beside the two was a girl with raven black hair that Valerian knew very well.
“Wilhelmina! My love, how I have missed you!” Valerian exclaimed with an overdramatic tone that had the aforementioned girl immediately turning towards him and she gasped just as dramatically.
“Oh Valerian! How did I survive without you? How could I have endured life before when your presence was so bright?” The two clutched each other tightly and pretended to swoon, but cracked up at the exasperated expression Sebastian gave them and the confused one on Marcus’s face.
“You two know each other?” Seraphina asked, surprised by their interaction but only showing it by the widening of her eyes.
“Yes. Mina is my God-sister.” Valerian explained with a shrug. Wilhelmina grinned as she ushered him to the seat beside her. “Hello Sebbie. Marcus.”
“Hey Valerian!” Marcus greeted with a bright, boxy grin causing Valerian to smile softly at him.
“Valerie. Good to see you.” Sebastian said with a smirk, his words causing Valerian to let out an annoyed groan.
“Don’t call me Valerie, Sebastian Theodorus!”
“Wait! Your middle name’s Theodorus?” Wilhelmina asked with a snicker, getting a light slap to the shoulder.
“Yes. It’s my grandfather’s name, if you must know.”
“I also have my grandfather’s name as my middle name.” Marcus said with a soft smile, unaware of the offense in Sebastian’s voice. “What about you Valerian?”
“Oh! My middle names follow family tradition but they weren’t in the family, no.”
“Names? Plural?” Seraphina asked curiously.
“Yes, my full name is Valerian Auberon Helios Malfoy.”
“That is one of the most grandiose names I have ever heard.” Seraphina said with an exasperated look, which caused everyone to crack up.
“Oh, Hadrian has a worse name, not to mention my brother’s.”
“What’s Hadrian’s full name?” Wilhelmina asked curiously.
“Hadrian Rigel Caelan Black.” A voice said from behind them, and the group of five turned to find the boy in question staring at them with an amused smirk. Beside him, Justinian Griffin and Yolanda Macmillan were looking on with small smiles.
“That is pretentious. Morgana help me, I’m surrounded by purebloods.” Wilhelmina mumbled with a mockingly annoyed look on her face that caused Sebastian to snicker beside her.
“Says you, Miss Wilhelmina Eileen Lillian Holmes-Prince.” Valerian said mockingly, and the sound of her name caused Justinian and Yolanda to gasp a bit in surprise.
“You have a very long name. I just have my father’s name as my middle name.” Justin said simply, getting a punch to the shoulder from the fiery Ravenclaw.
“Shut up Haribo, it’s not that bad.”
“What about you Lana? What’s your middle name?” Marcus asked curiously.
“My paternal grandmother’s name, Bridget.”
“Very elegant.” Seraphina commented, smiling at her fellow Hufflepuff.
“Alright Miss I’m-soft-when-I-want-to-be, what’s yours? We’ve all shared except you.” Hadrian said, snickering at the glare she shot him.
“Well, if you must know, it’s Vesper. It’s Latin and my great-grandmother’s name.”
“And our names are grand!” Hadrian exclaimed, eyes rolling at Seraphina’s dramatics.
“It seems we all have pretty pretentious names.” Marcus said, laughing softly at his realisation. That set everyone off, and they found themselves cackling at the fact. That suddenly stopped when they got shushed sharply by Madame Pince. They shared amused looks before the three newcomers sat down and all eight of them started studying together; those who were good at a subject helping those who had a hard time.
It was a very cooperating and friendly atmosphere, and Valerian found himself getting along with all of them, which was a bit of a shock but something he was very happy about.
He thought that maybe this was the friend group he was meant to belong to.
September 4th 1992
Harry was quite honestly exhausted, and it was only the fourth day of term. It started out with Lockheart deciding to make Harry his personal project, then they had that disastrous first lesson where Pixies were released on the students and the Professor had escaped, leaving them to fend for themselves. Alongside the crazy Professor, a new student, Colin Creevey had also been getting on Harry’s nerves by following him around and basically harassing him and Harry was forced to be polite to not get in trouble. It was to the point where a day didn’t pass without needing to begrudgingly greet the boy in return. All of that topped with normal everyday problems, and Harry was quite done with not just the week, but the whole bloody year.
Harry was just walking around, trying to relax before his afternoon lessons when Creevey decided to ambush him again.
“Hey Harry! Can I get another picture?” The younger Gryffindor said with his eager smile on full display.
“I- well….” Harry hesitated, not knowing how to let the boy know nicely that he just wasn’t interested. As Colin moved closer and started invading Harry’s personal space, two sets of footsteps could be heard coming towards them. Colin froze and Harry couldn’t help sighing in relief as he recognized the two boys approaching. One was his fellow Gryffindor Quidditch team member Justinian Griffin while the other was a Slytherin he’d seen hanging around Hadrian a lot; he also suspected that he was his year-mate Theodore Nott’s brother, but he wasn’t sure.
“Hey Harry! Everything alright?” Justinian asked in his distinctive accent, smiling at the youngest member of his team. The team had taken Harry under their wing as a younger brother when he’d joined, checking up on him and taking the time to talk to him whenever they crossed paths; they’d even sent Harry letters during the summer (something he only realised after Dobby had given him back his mail).
“Hi Justin! Yeah I’m fine, just going to class….” Harry said with an awkward laugh, and the duo’s eyes sharpened as they saw Colin discreetly taking pictures while Harry was distracted.
“Hey kid!” The other boy, who was brunette with a very interesting blond streak at the front of his face and very bright hazel eyes, called out, making Colin jump in surprise.
“M-me…?”
“Yeah, you. What do you think you’re doing? You could get sued for taking pictures of a person without permission, especially an Heir to an Ancient House, which Potter obviously is.”
“Sebastian’s right, and you’ve already been warned about this Colin….” Justin said with a tired sigh. “Haven’t the prefects already warned you about harassing people?”
“But I….” Colin stuttered, blue eyes wide in shock and horror.
“Nope, come on. Time to get that camera of yours confiscated….” Justin interrupted, moving towards the first-year with quick strides and grabbing his camera. He led him away by the elbow, giving Harry an apologetic smile as he left. Harry returned the smile with a small one of his own, but didn’t comment as the two left.
“You really should defend yourself in these situations. You can’t always be a people pleaser.” The other boy, Sebastian, said with a raised eyebrow, eyes staring at Harry with an unimpressed look.
“I know, I just….”
“Word of advice, whatever Hadrian tells you is actually good information. I’d listen to it if I were you.” And with that, the boy continued walking away. He looked elegant doing it too, which Harry was a bit envious of.
“Hey wait!” Harry called out suddenly, causing the boy to halt mid step and turn his head towards him with a raised eyebrow. “Thank you, and…. I’m Harry Potter.”
“Sebastian Nott. Nice to officially meet you, kid.” Sebastian said with a small smirk on his face. “Hadrian was right; you are cute.”
He left then, not giving Harry the chance to do anything except blush at his last comment.
Hermione Jean Granger had always been curious. She was interested in everything magic had to offer, and was determined to learn it all, even if it took her a lifetime to do so. She was also curious about her classmates and their very… unusual relatives (it was a pastime of hers, meeting and analysing the people whom she shared classes with). There was Hadrian Black, the one she’d met first and who treated her friend Harry Potter like a brother and whom she was sure could be related – if distantly – to said friend (you can’t look that similar and not be related somewhat, that was just almost unheard of). There was also Theodore Nott’s older brother, Sebastian Nott, who always wore a cold mask but was also shockingly… kind to her when she’d see him around the library with his friends; he never hesitated to help her with a book or answer a question she asked, and always did so with a small fond smile on his face. Then there was someone like Yolanda Macmillan (another third year), the cousin of Ernie Macmillan, who was a Hufflepuff classmate of Hermione’s. The girl was probably the kindest and brightest person she’d ever met (most compared her to sunshine and Hermione could see why). Now her newest curiosity – as she was calling it – was Valerian Malfoy; the brother of her ex-bully Draco Malfoy. He was interesting, but what shocked her the most was the fact that the older boy was nothing like his younger brother. He was kind, obviously smart and… very handsome as well, though Hermione wasn’t too focused on that, it was just a… bonus. The boy had been nothing but caring towards her during the few interactions they’d had and that had completely peaked Hermione’s interest.
As she roamed the library rows, Hermione couldn’t help getting lost in thought about various random things. She was so lost in thought, in fact, that she completely missed a book on the floor and tripped over it. She closed her eyes and braced herself for impact, but it never came…. She actually felt herself leaning against a very soft but solid wall. Opening her eyes, she found out it wasn’t a wall but a slightly taller boy; the exact boy she’d been thinking about before tripping. How embarrassing!
“V-Valerian! I mean Malfoy! What are you doing here?” Hermione stuttered out, pushing herself off of the boy and hiding her reddening face behind her bushy hair.
“This is the library, so I’d imagine I’d be here because of a book or two.” The boy explained, clearly amused by her reaction. “And you can call me Valerian, Miss Granger.”
“I-umm Hermione’s fine.” Hermione said softly, looking at the boy through her eyelashes to find him looking at her with amusement and…. Was that fondness or was she hallucinating?
“Then, are you alright Hermione?” Valerian asked with a tone full of concern, tilting his head to be able to make eye contact with her.
“I- yes! I am!” Hermione exclaimed, smiling up at the older boy. “By the way, may I ask a question?”
Her politeness seemed to amuse him, because he laughed slightly and then nodded indulgently.
“Why aren’t you wearing your uniform or even normal Wizarding robes?” And he truly wasn’t. Valerian was actually dressed in black slacks with a white shirt tucked in and a long-sleeved t-shirt with a random graphic over the shirt so that only its collar was visible; all of which were tucked stylishly into his pants. It was nothing she’d have ever imagined a pureblood, especially a Malfoy, wearing.
“Ah, my… friend Hadrian got me into muggle fashion and I haven’t really been able to quell the obsession, so whenever I get the chance, I make sure to… dress up if you will.”
“That’s nice. Definitely nothing I’d imagine a Pureblood doing.” The two shared a laugh at that, as they both knew it was completely true.
“Yes, you’ll find I’m quite… different from what purebloods are normally like. Even my brother thinks I’m strange.”
“You look an awful lot like Hadrian, though. It’s a rather… interesting fact.” That got an awkward laugh out of the boy, which Hermione found intriguing.
“Yeah…. We get that a lot, but we do have some… common features among Wizarding folk. A lot of people have black hair too.”
“Mhmm, sure.” Hermione hummed contemplatively, doubting his words but letting it go for now. “So what were you actually looking for in the library?”
The two had started walking side by side without even realising it, distracted by their conversation and the interesting company.
“Some material for DADA. I trust Lockheart as far as I can throw him, which is to say, not at all. I’ve also enrolled in Arithmancy and was hoping to find a book to explain some concepts the Professor had mentioned. What about you?”
“I’m actually looking for a book on potions from the eighteenth century; for casual reasons though not for class. I heard it was an interesting read and thought to check it out. Wait! Do you really think Lockheart is that bad? I personally think he’s brilliant; all those adventures he’s been on…. He must know so much!”
“Darling,” Valerian said, seemingly involuntarily, “he’s most probably lying about most – If not all – of that. I had one lesson with him, and he left us with a boggart and thought we’d be able to handle it on our own. He didn’t even tell us the defensive spell to use, just tried a silly word and ran away when it failed! If it weren’t for Hadrian, Marcus and I, everyone in that room would’ve been forced to see their worst fear without the ability to defend themselves. If I have it my way, he’ll be out of the castle before the Quidditch season begins, but I don’t think that’ll be quite possible.”
“He- but the books…?”
“People can lie in writing, Hermione. In most cases, books aren’t checked for authenticity in the Wizarding World, especially if they come from a pureblood, and Lockheart is the biggest proof of that. Did he not also give you a pop quiz on himself, and decided to leave you in a room full of Cornish Pixies? And I read those books of his, all six of them in fact, and I can firmly say you cannot beat a werewolf with a Homorphus charm and sunlight. Come on Hermione, use that brilliant mind I’ve heard so much about and read between the lines of Lockheart’s works. Don’t just believe everything he says or writes and take it as gospel.”
“I- I think I need a bit to absorb everything.” Hermione whispered hesitantly, blinking a few times to stabilize herself.
“That’s alright, I’m sorry for dumping my frustrations onto you. Would you like to join me at my table? I can help you with the advanced potions you’re researching. I’ve been told I’m pretty good at the subject.”
“I’d like that.” Hermione said with a smile that the boy quickly returned.
They moved towards an empty table after getting the books they’d been looking for and sat down, discussing various topics, not just the tomes they’d been meaning to read and had come to the library for.
It was a fun experience for Hermione, one she never thought she’d have after only befriending Harry and Ron. Maybe she could make other friends who enjoyed reading as much as her? That could be a good idea.
September 5th 1992
Waking up at dawn for Quidditch practice was not on Harry’s To-Do list of the day, but apparently what Oliver Wood wants, he gets…. Even if force is required.
He’d also noticed Collin Creevey following them again, but at least it was at a distance, so Harry wasn’t going to complain. He rubbed his eyes and yawned as the group of seven made their way to the pitch, each one dragging their feet except for their psychotic captain.
“Ugh, Oliver, did you have to wake us up at this god-awful time to practice?” Justinian groaned out as he walked beside Harry, and everyone else couldn’t help grunting in agreement – they didn’t even have the energy to argue verbally – and staring at the captain in annoyance.
“As a matter of fact, yes I did Justin. This is our chance to win the Quidditch cup, and I’m not letting the slimy snakes get in our way.”
“If you say so.” Fred and George, more commonly known as the infamous Weasley Twins, said doubtfully, sharing a dubious look with Justin.
They entered the changing rooms and gathered around, everyone yawning except Oliver, who looked like he was hyped up on five cups of coffee.
“Now, I wanted a quick talk with you all before we actually get onto the field, because I spent the summer devising a whole new training program, which I really think will make all the difference….”
Wood was holding up a large diagram of a Quidditch field, on which were drawn many lines, arrows, and crosses in different coloured inks. He took out his wand, tapped the board, and the arrows began to wiggle over the diagram like caterpillars. As Wood launched into a speech about his new tactics, Fred’s head drooped right onto Alicia Spinnet’s shoulder and he began to snore. The first board took nearly twenty minutes to explain, but there was another board under that, and a third under that one.
Harry couldn’t help sinking into an exhausted stupor as Wood droned on and on.
“So,” Wood said at long last, jerking Harry from a wistful fantasy about what he could be eating for breakfast at this very moment up at the castle. “Is that clear? Any questions?”
“I’ve got a question, Oliver,” George said after he had woken with a start. “Why couldn’t you have told us all this yesterday when we were awake?”
Wood wasn’t pleased with that question at all.
“Now, listen here you lot,” he glowered at them all. “We should have won the Quidditch Cup last year. We’re easily the best team. But unfortunately — owing to circumstances beyond our control —”
Harry shifted guiltily in his seat. He had been unconscious in the hospital wing for the final match of the previous year, meaning that Gryffindor had been a player short and had suffered their worst defeat in three hundred years. Justin patted the younger boy on the shoulder in sympathy
Oliver took a moment to regain control of himself. Their last defeat was clearly still tormenting him.
“So this year, we train harder than ever before! Okay, let’s go and put our new theories into practice!” Wood shouted, seizing his broomstick and leading the way out of the locker rooms. Stiff-legged and still yawning, his team followed.
They had been in the locker room so long that the sun was up completely now, although remnants of mist hung over the grass in the stadium. As Harry walked onto the field, he saw Ron and Hermione sitting in the stands.
“Aren’t you finished yet?” Ron called out incredulously.
“Haven’t even started,” Harry replied with a yawn, looking jealously at the toast and marmalade Ron and Hermione had brought out of the Great Hall. His stomach growled in support. “Wood’s been teaching us new moves.”
He mounted his broomstick and kicked at the ground, soaring up into the sky. The cool morning air whipped his face, waking him far more effectively than Wood’s long talk. It felt wonderful to be back on the Quidditch field after a whole summer of being trapped. He soared right around the stadium at full speed, racing Fred and George.
“What’s that funny clicking noise?” Fred shouted to be heard over the sound of the wind as they hurtled around the corner.
Harry looked into the stands. Colin was sitting in one of the highest seats, his camera raised, and taking picture after picture, the sound strangely magnified in the deserted stadium.
“Oh, not again!” Justin exclaimed, his normally subtle accent accentuated from exhaustion. “I told him to stop, and I thought Percy had confiscated his camera!”
“What’s going on?” Wood asked with a frown, skimming through the air toward them. “Why’s that first year taking pictures? I don’t like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training program.”
“He’s in Gryffindor,” Harry explained quickly, not wanting the older boy to do something drastic to the first year and traumatize him.
“And the Slytherins don’t need a spy, Oliver….” George said with a resigned sigh.
“What makes you say that?” Wood asked testily, glaring slightly at the red-head.
“Because they’re here in person,” Fred continued for his twin, pointing below.
Several people in green robes were walking onto the field, broomsticks in their hands. Harry could vaguely recognize Hadrian standing beside them, leaning against his broom in a relaxed manner. It was like he didn’t care about what was happening but wanted to see anyways.
“I don’t believe it!” Oliver hissed in outrage. “I booked the field for today! We’ll see about this!”
He shot toward the ground, landing harder than he’d meant to in his anger, staggering slightly as he dismounted. Harry, Fred, and George followed to observe and help keep everyone calm. A few minutes later, Justinian landed beside them for the same reason.
“Flint!” Wood bellowed at the Slytherin Captain with an even thicker Scottish accent than he normally had. “This is our practice time! We got up ‘specially! You can clear off now!”
Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Captain, was even larger than Wood; he had a look of smug cunning on his face as he replied, “Plenty of room for all of us, Wood.”
Angelina and Alicia had come over, too. Justin was giving Hadrian a questioning look, but all the boy could do was shrug. Hadrian’s hair was a bright blue, shining in the morning light and attracting the girls’ attention, who gave the boy a curious look but refrained from commenting.
“But I booked the field!” Wood shouted, positively spitting with rage. “I booked it!”
“Ah,” Flint said simply, “but I’ve got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape. ‘I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owing to the need totrain their new Seeker.’ ”
“You’ve got a new Seeker?” Wood asked, instantly getting side-lined by the new information. Typical Oliver. “Where?”
And from behind the six figures before them came a seventh, smaller boy, smirking all over his pale, pointed face. It was Draco Malfoy. Because of course it was.
“Aren’t you Lucius Malfoy’s youngest son?” Fred asked, looking at Malfoy with slight dislike. The twins liked Valerian, but it seemed his brother didn’t share the boy’s humility and kindness like they’d thought, not if his smug smirk was any indication. He seemed to take after his git of a father instead.
“Funny you should mention Draco’s father,” Flint said smugly as the Slytherin team’s two beaters, and two of their chasers smiled still more broadly. “Let me show you the generous donation he’s made towards the Slytherin team.”
Five of them held out their broomsticks. Five highly polished, brand-new handles and five sets of fine gold lettering spelling the words Nimbus Two Thousand and One gleamed under the Gryffindors’ noses in the early morning sun.
“Very latest model. Only came out last month,” Flint explained carelessly, flicking a speck of dust from the end of his own. “I believe it outstrips the old Two Thousand series by a considerable amount. As for the old Cleansweeps” — he smiled nastily at Fred and George, who were both clutching Cleansweep Fives — “sweeps the board with them.”
None of the Gryffindor team could think of anything to say for a moment. Malfoy was smirking so broadly his eyes were reduced to slits.
“Oh, look,” Flint exclaimed simply. “A field invasion.”
Ron and Hermione were crossing the grass to see what was going on.
“What’s happening?” Ron asked Harry. “Why aren’t you playing? And what’s he doing here?”
He was looking at Malfoy, taking in his Slytherin Quidditch robes.
“I’m the new Slytherin Seeker, Weasley,” Malfoy said smugly. “Everyone’s just been admiring the brooms my father’s bought our team.”
Ron gaped, open-mouthed, at the six superb broomsticks in front of him.
“Good, aren’t they?” Malfoy commented smoothly. “But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives; I expect a museum would bid for them.”
The Slytherin team captain and two of his beaters/lackeys howled with laughter. The three chasers just looked on in slight annoyance but didn’t comment.
“At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in,” Hermione said sharply. “They got in on pure talent.”
The smug look on Malfoy’s face flickered, but one of the beaters replied before Malfoy could utter a word.
“No one asked for your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood,” The large boy spat, glaring at her.
Harry knew at once that the boy had said something really bad because there was an instant uproar at his words. Flint had to dive in front of his beater to stop Fred and George jumping on him, Alicia shrieked, “How dare you!”, and Ron plunged his hand into his robes, pulled out his wand, yelling, “You’ll pay for that one, you slimy snake!” and pointed it furiously under Flint’s arm at the Slytherin’s face. A loud bang echoed around the stadium and a jet of green light shot out of the wrong end of Ron’s wand, hitting him in the stomach and sending him reeling backward onto the grass.
“ENOUGH!” Hadrian finally yelled, done with the whole situation. While Harry and Hermione were checking on their friend and helping him to his feet, Hadrian had moved to stand between the two teams. “I’ve let this go on, thinking it was just a bout of friendly rivalry, but insults such as this will not be tolerated. Relinquish your broom, Belby, you’re off the team.”
“What!? You can’t do that, Black!” The boy who’d insulted Hermione, Belby, exclaimed angrily as Flint turned towards his teammate in shock and anger.
“Yes I can. Or do you really want to challenge me?” Hadrian said, and Harry had never heard him speak in such a dark and scary tone. “A lot of comments are ignored because of how you were raised, but such a word will not be tolerated! Leave! Now!”
His hair was standing on end, and it seemed like everyone’s shadows were converging towards Hadrian, like he was subconsciously attracting them, and Harry knew that was probably true, especially after he’d seen the boy’s powers in action a few days ago.
Ron chose that moment to throw up a slug, and everyone’s attention turned to the sick boy.
“Harry, take him to Hagrid, it is closest to here.” Hadrian said in a commanding tone, and Harry nodded and started carrying the boy towards their Gamekeeper’s hut with Hermione’s help. The last thing the two saw before turning around for the trek was Hadrian turning towards the awful Slytherin and the Gryffindors taking a step away from the angry third year.
Harry found himself glad to be friends with the boy – a feeling he’d had a million times since knowing Hadrian – but especially happy to not be on his bad side.