Chapter 2
Classes continue to be boring.
We are taught incantations, the history of magic, and wand movements, but they fail to relate how the magic is transferred into one's wand so it can be directed into doing certain tasks.
They are so hell-bent on believing magic only comes from wands. If that was true than any idiot could pick up a wand, say the incantation, move correctly, and be able to perform any spell. They don't teach us that you need to visualize the spells. They don't help us find the magical feeling you need to have before you cast. Confidence alone can help perform new spells, but no one has mentioned that. Nor has anyone explained how important it is to train your mind. Just like how it controls your body movements, the mind controls your magic as well.
I was taught this at an early age.
Tom and Albus probably figured this out for themselves and decided not to share. And people wonder how the two masters of mind magic are so powerful and able to perform wandless magic… Needless to say, the only thing classes do for me is allow me to look over more potential allies.
“Who should I try and align with today?” I whisper to myself when I walk into the Great Hall for breakfast, behind my roommates.
My fame is starting to die down, making it easier to interact with my classmates.
I have already caught two cute Badgers, Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones, looking at me multiple times. When I catch their looks, their surprised expressions before looking away is all the evidence I need to confirm that I am of some interest to them. I have also caught looks from Sue Li, and Padma Patil, who are both quiet and reserved, but I still manage to strike up conversations with them. I ask them questions about homework and academics and when I leave them, they always give me smiles. So I can only assume I am doing well with them.
Hermione Granger is also an Eagle I have talked with through quite conversation in the library, which seems to be her sanctuary. She has some minor problems with her social skills…like thinking by correcting someone, they will be grateful to her and offer their friendship to her. She has become my pet project and I hope to get her out of her shell and into my group of allies. She is a rather brilliant muggle-born who I like to tease just enough to have her wonder if I am being friendly with her, or if I am being flirty with her, like when I give her compliments on her intelligence.
“Merlin, where was your beautiful brain when I needed it a year ago?” was the last compliment I gave her before her cheeks tinged pink.
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil are by far the most fun to fraternize with because all I have to do is give them compliments on their looks and flirt with them to have a very fun time.
“Is there any information that ever gets past the dazzling duo? I wish your ears and alluring eyes wore green trimmed robes,” I had offered them after they filled me in on some of the latest social news going on in the school, which got them to giggle at my words.
“Oh, Harry,” Parvati had replied in an imitated coy voice to my compliment.
“We wear green sometimes, you just never see it,” Lavender ended with a tease, winning our back and forth.
I enjoy talking with the two Lionesses, seeing that I invade their dining table to do so, at the protests of most of my fellow fourth-year Snakes. The male Lions, besides Neville, always get irritated when they see me sit down across from the two females. However, even with their weariness, I have a good feeling that I can convert Dean, Seamus, and Neville to my side. Ron might be a lost cause...He is one jealous, low self-esteemed, sad little man. It might be due to having five older siblings, but Ginny appears to be fine.
I like Ginny. This is probably due to the fact that the female with gorgeous fiery red hair is in my own house. She is as brave as any other Lion, but her craftiness outweighs everything else. She also might have a small crush on me from what I can gather. Normally I would use some mind infiltration to figure out my effect on them, but after dealing with the mind assault from Dumbles, I prefer to have some fun and go into things blindly as I chatted with her and another Snake.
“As you may know, our Head of House doesn’t exactly appreciate all that I can bring to Slytherin. However, you made such an impression that he allowed you to join the Quidditch team in your first year…now that’s impressive,” I had told Ginny after our first chat in the common room.
“He thought I had a remarkable throwing arm after he caught me chucking a mud pie right in the back of Michael Corner’s head…after he was making fun of one of my friends from Ravenclaw,” Ginny replied with a hint of pink in her cheeks initially before going into a gloomier state.
“Hermione?” I asked her.
“Luna Lovegood, whom we are both friends with,” Astoria Greengrass, Ginny’s best friend, corrected me lightly.
Since then, I have caught both of the best friends keeping an eye on me, when they think I am not looking. But I don't mind. As far as I am concerned, we are on good terms and they can look all they want. Now that I think about it, I am on good terms with everyone in the House of Snakes. Well, that is besides one person.
This girl wants nothing to do with me and she has really sparked my interest…Astoria's sister.
"Greengrassssss," I stretch out her name as I plop down on the same couch as her, so I sit directly across from her, with Tracey in between us.
Pansy, Claire, and Millie sit across the way and throw me smiles.
"What do you want, Potter?" she asks me curtly.
"Ughhhh, did I interrupt girl talk?" I ask with my signature grin.
"You did indeed, you big jerk," Tracey laughs and sticks her tongue out at me.
Tracey and I have gotten along pretty well, seeing as we are both pretty carefree by nature. She is in my circle of alliances. Her father married a half-blood and does some sort of business with muggles. Being allies with me offers them protection from the pureblood supremacists.
"What do you want?" Daphne asks again, this time with a little more frustration.
"Greengrassssss. Your family sells plants right?" I ask with a smile.
"One of many ingredients we sell at our potion supplies shop. Why do you ask?" she asks questioningly with a look of curiosity.
"Can you sell me some twizzle fizzle?" I ask and try to hold back my smile.
"What?" she asks, totally clueless.
"Ganja, Mota?" I ask again.
"What is he saying?" she asks her friends with a confused look.
"Greeeeengrass come on I'll take anything. Sour Diesel, White Rhino, Fruity Pebbles, Animal Cookies, Grape Ape, Pineapple Express, I'll even take Blue Cheese," I continue to smile.
"Potter have you gone nuts?" she asks me incredulously.
"A Sour muggle automobile fluid, a White animal, A Muggle cereal, A muggle snack, Grape Ape? Pineapple Express... " Tracey stops as her eyes bulge out in realization.
"Wacky tobaccy, weed, dope," I can't help but smile as I continue trying not to laugh.
However, my efforts are useless and I break. In my defense, Tracey starts the laughter first and I can't hold it in anymore. I join her as everyone else looks at us like we are weirdos, but I don't care.
"He means marijuana. A plant some muggles smoke that gets them high. It's usually 'green' and is also known as 'grass' among other names..." Tracey explains as we calm down from our fit.
"From their name, it only made sense they'd sell it right?" I jest to Tracey.
"I can't believe I never thought of that! Especially after my experience..."
"I don't find the humor," Daphne deadpans and gives the two of us a glare while the other females smirk and giggle.
"Wait, what!? Your experience?...you've done it, Trace?" I ask, and now I am intrigued.
"Well sort of...it was kind of an accident?" she replies shyly.
"Don't let that stop you from explaining," I tell her, before sitting up to get ready to hear her story.
She hesitates when she sees the other girls are also interested in hearing.
"Well... my parents had left out a plate of brownies they were taking to some party. They told me not to touch them...I thought they didn't want me to spoil my appetite…In my defense Floppy, our house elf, was taking way too long with dinner... so I snuck one when my parents were getting ready to go out..." she stops and she looks bashful again.
"And?" I practically beg her to continue.
"...My parents finally came back down after a while and found me staring at the ceiling, giggling like a little kid... I ate all of my dinner and dessert that night," she finishes with a smile.
I can't help myself as a new wave of laughs courses through me as my head hits the back cushion and my eyes start to water from my mirth. It becomes contagious as the girls mimic me and even Daphne manages to break her ice mask and chuckle at her best friend's story.
Even our other housemates chuckle from seeing us, even though they have no clue as to why we are laughing in the first place. I look over at Daphne as our eyes meet and lock briefly.
That's when I give her a playful grin. She can't stop the sweet smile that forms on her face before she realizes what she has done and proceeds to throw on her icy mask. A great big smile has formed on my face. My mission for the night has been completed.
I got my first breakthrough on the Ice Princess of Slytherin and by the look, she is giving me… she knows it too.
***
"So you seemed pretty friendly with the girls tonight," Draco tells me as we all talk before bed time.
"Don't you worry your pretty little face, I have no interest in Pansy," I tell him and he shoots me a look like I am nuts if I think Draco and her could be a pair.
"How about the Ice Princess?" Theo asks sarcastically.
"You can choose so many of the females in this school, and you are picking Daphne Greengrass?" Blaise asks with a laugh.
"It's never going to happen. I'd give up now," Draco tells me.
"You can trust Draco. He is speaking from experience," Blaise offers with a smile while Theo laughs.
Draco gives the two a warning look but...now my attention has perked up.
"Theo, do spread some insight on what you seem to find so funny," I tell him.
"Okay just to clarify, I was a bit naïve and not...mature like I am now," Draco puts in before the others can start.
"Yeah, telling Daphne, and I quote, 'Greengrass I am giving you the honor of being my girlfriend' may not have been the best way to ask a girl out," Theo grins.
"Drake, you didn't?" I grin disbelievingly.
"Oh, and that's not all. Then he mistook her shock at him being such a prat. He thought her shock was of disbelief that the almighty, Draco Malfoy, could possibly be speaking to her," Blaise adds.
"And that's when she pulled her wand so fast that I thought I was seeing things. Draco went down like a sack of potatoes," Theo tells me in mirth.
"Stunned him just like that huh?" I ask them. I am impressed with her even more now.
"Oh no, first she kneed him where it hurts, then she stunned him...you know, to stop him from whimpering," Theo chuckles and I can't help but laugh out loud.
"Okay, okay! That's enough. What is this, let's make fun of Draco Day?" Malfoy asks grumpily.
"Don't be ridiculous, Drake. If anything, it’s let's make fun of Draco Night," I correct him teasingly.
"Haha. Anyway, it doesn't matter who you are. No one has a shot with that girl. And a lot of guys have tried," he tells us.
"The Greengrass family also has gotten higher-up families requesting meetings for arranged marriages," Crabbe puts in.
"You will have some serious competition if you go after her," Goyle adds.
"No girl is worth that amount of hassle," Crabbe advises.
"Especially if you have to contend against some major pureblood families," Goyle backs him.
I smile at the irony of the two.
"Thanks for the input you two, but I may not want advice that is coming from two people who are both competing for the attention of the same female," I tell them jokingly. Surely they must see the irony in the fact that they both like Millie.
From Theo's expression, I can tell that this might not have been the best thing to say.
"Ah, Jeeze, Harry," Blaise tells me like I have just spilled the beans.
And then it hits me right before Draco says it.
"They did not know that," Draco whispers to me.
"Wait?" Crabbe asks, looking over at Goyle.
"What?" Goyle asks hesitantly, looking back at Crabbe.
Well here goes nothing.
"Vincent, Gregory, look over here please," I tell them and they look over at me for a second.
It's all I need. My eyes tinge in emerald and I raise my wand at them.
"Sorry boys...Obliviate!" I cast the spell twice as the two become dazed with blank looks.
"Merlin!" Draco exclaims at the abruptness as he jolts backward in surprise.
"You...You just!" Theo exclaims looking alarmed and disbelievingly.
"What the hell was that!? Harry, your eyes…was that..." Blaise asks before pausing, looking from the two dazed stooges to me, and then back and forth.
"Yes, Blaise. It was the Potter's family magical trait. And now that I have shared my secret, it is time to share all of yours as well," I tell them.
When I tell them this they all look apprehensive and look to their wands. So I start before they can interrupt.
"Draco, your father fumbled up big time two years ago. That scare with the Chamber of Secrets... that was all real, and his fault. I had to come in and stop it. No thanks needed. I was rewarded handsomely. Luckily your family has a well-known history of being well connected to powerful figures. Because of this family trait, your family's name is wanted in current powerful networks and is safe, for now," I tell the scion of the House of Silver Tongues who looks perplexed.
"Theo. The Nott family has always been wanted for their skills in observation. Your dad is a righteous bastard on all accounts, but he did instill in you a miraculous gift with your magical skills of enhanced memory and analysis. Your ability to blend in and keep a record of most everything makes you a highly sought-after ally," I compliment him, and he gives me a small smile in turn.
"Lastly, Blaise. Your family has been with the Department of Mysteries for centuries. I won't name the division, but your father is a special Unspeakable. The rumors about your mom are just that, rumors. A good cover for your father, am I right?" I ask the youngest scion of a very magically powerful family, who just gives me a brief nod.
"Gentlemen. I am offering you a proposal. I am not just making allies to make friends. I am starting a revolution of sorts. I am not alone, nor am I currently leading it. I am however a leader and I am in need of lieutenants," I continue.
I have gotten their attention, but they remain skeptical.
"Oh, boys… you still asleep?" I ask and see that Crabbe and Goyle still look dazed and out of it.
"Lovely, they're still gone. I may recruit them later, but for now, they're too much of a liability...Blaise, to answer your unasked question, no. We will not be in conflict with the Department of Mysteries if things go as planned," I reassure him before he becomes less tense.
"I am sharing this with you all to cement an alliance with you three. Pledge your loyalty to me, and I will help you fulfill your dreams. You will be the forerunners of the revolution with me… what do you say?" I ask, raising my wand and wait for their confirmation before setting up my unbreakable vow.
"I am in," Theo replies quickly.
"I can't count on my father anymore...I am in," Draco replies solemnly.
"As long as I don't have to fight my own family, I will take on anything. An alliance with your three families... I'd be crazy to refuse... Count me in," Blaise smiles dangerously.
"Alright then gentlemen. Wands out," I end.
With a bright light, and a small bang, the next step in my plan to fulfill my destiny has become complete.
***
Breakfast is halfway through when Dumbledore decides to let everyone in on the secret that only a select few know.
He announced that this year they would be playing host to the Triwizard tournament.
Students were as giddy as could be till it was announced that only those with adult status could participate.
“Given the dangers associated with the Triwizard Tournament, we will be imposing an age requirement of twenty-one years old to compete,” Dumbledore had told them.
Then came the shouts of protest, especially from the Weasley twins.
I could not care any less.
The only good news for me about this situation is the opportunity to make foreign alliances.
Dumbledore mentions that we are to expect our guests by late October.
I wonder if there will be anyone in the group that I will deem peer-worthy.
When we are finally dismissed for classes I am overly annoyed with the amount of attention this is receiving.
I am surprised more chatter is not going around about the fact that at least 28 Quidditch players are now going to get replaced by one Hogwarts competitor. I sigh to myself before determining what is the best course of action to take. I need to figure out the best way to manipulate this situation to my advantage. I have many thoughts and there are so many possibilities to come out of this matter.
“I may indeed be having fun after all this year,” I think to myself before we go to have class with Moody, the only class I actually enjoy, but only because of his entertaining teaching methods.
***
After dinner, we all head back to the common room and part one of my plan starts.
"Council! Right now!" declares Terence Higgs.
One of the things I love about the Slytherin common room is that it has special wards that keep all Slytherin matters in-house.
If there is an argument between two or more of us that is about to get physical we call ‘the pit’.
The room becomes an arena and the feuding parties duel in said pit. The winner wins the argument and the two parties agree to a truce.
If a Slytherin is harmed physically or verbally by another house we have ‘Jury’. Jury is where all information is heard and we proceed to determine what will be done in retaliation to the attacking house.
We also have ‘Mediation’ that conjures an area of privacy for when two friends are conflicted with each other and need a third party to de-escalate arguments. There are other settings the room can go into as well. We use them to maintain a unified house.
‘Council’ happens when we share our opinions on how to proceed with a matter that is brought on to us by the school itself.
At the call of ‘Council’ the furniture vanishes and in its place comes an oval shape of chairs, many rows deep. The influential get priority seating. Influence comes from a mix of both family status and what we provide to our house. Even if you came from the most influential family, you will still sit all the way in the back if you do not contribute to the betterment of the House of Slytherin.
I get a seat up front with Draco. Tere stands in the center and starts the meeting.
"With today's announcement, the first discussion should be obvious. Who will we nominate to go into the goblet?" he asks.
A friend of his nominates him and other names are brought up as we go to vote… But I have a different plan in mind.
Did I mention that in these meetings all discussion is forbidden to anyone else? You are unable to speak to anyone about it. This is why I don't feel worried about this next bit of information getting out.
"No voting will take place," I announce to the gasps, shocked expressions, and outrage of some.
Higgs is the first to act, "On what grounds?" he asks with a questioning look.
"On the grounds that I have certain individuals who are advising me on what is to take place this year. I already knew about this tournament. It’s one of the reasons why I came back. I already gave my warning once to you all…I will not do so again, " I reply lightly.
"Who are you referring to?" asks one Snake.
I pause before answering.
"The same people who kept me away from the highest powers of Magical Britain after Tom Riddle, the half-blood Dark Lord, fell to the power of a muggle-born," I answer calmly to even more shocked expressions and some have a new interest in hearing more from me. Others are skeptical and few are disbelieving.
"Again, no more warnings will come from me…but, if you still do not want to ally yourself with me and my connections, I suggest being patient to see what will come in the near future," I tell them with a shrug of my shoulders.
"To give you a clue about our reach…Does anyone else find it weird that they never caught the responsible parties for the massacre at Azkaban Island? Two prisoners, Bellatrix Black and Sirius Black, my godfather, vanish… The rest of the half-blood’s followers are ended by rogue Dementors…it’s also funny how they never mentioned the pair of Lestrange brothers that were decapitated, isn’t it?” I ask to even more shocked faces.
"So...I open the floor to anyone who wishes to veto my request to pick our candidates," I wait for a response and am met with silence as many give looks to one another, but no one speaks.
“Splendid,” I end before sitting back down while my lieutenants all wear grins after my announcement.
Even Higgs has a smile on his face, even though he looks beyond shocked before he ends Council.