Welcome Back Snakes
Daphne heard a bloodcurdling scream that belonged to only one person - Ivory. She called out Ivory's name and rushed to the source of the sound. When she got there, she found Ivory in a chaotic state and dropped to her knees to comfort her. Daphne cradled Ivory as if she were a newborn and comforted her, saying, "Shhh honey, you're alright now. You're okay." As Ivory's breathing began to calm down, she suddenly jumped up, but Daphne pulled her back down and said, "Hey, hey, hey."
Daphne was walking through the corridor on the 2nd floor, shoes clicking in time as she walked down the stairs, body on autopilot, the final intended destination; the Slytherin Common room. The consistent click and clack, of her shoes was broken by a piercing scream that made her blood run cold. It was a sound that she recognized immediately - it was Ivory's voice. Without a second thought, she called out Ivory's name and ran towards the direction of the scream.
As she turned the corner, Daphne was confronted with a scene of chaos in the bathroom. Ivory was lying on the ground, her body trembling and convulsing as if she were in the throes of a seizure. Daphne's heart raced as she rushed to Ivory's side, dropping down to her knees and pulling her friend into her arms. Fiddling for her wand to complete a diagnostic spell, she assessed the chart for any life-threatening injuries. Finding none she took a deep sigh of relief.
"Shhh honey, you're alright now. You're okay," Daphne whispered, her voice soothing and calm. She cradled Ivory as if she were a newborn, rocking her gently back and forth as she tried to calm her down. For a few moments, Ivory's breathing was heavy and ragged, but as Daphne's breathing slowed down, so did Ivory's. It was as if the sound of Daphne's voice had the power to heal her friend's wounded soul.
But just as Daphne thought Ivory was starting to recover, her friend suddenly jumped up, her eyes wide and her body tense. Daphne quickly pulled her back down, holding her tightly and saying, "Hey, hey, hey. It's okay. You're safe now."
The ride to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express was always Theo's favourite part of the year, however this year it felt different. 6th year was not going to be the same as every other year.
With the knowledge that Draco had been marked by the dark lord, even though he tried to hide it, Theo was aware that things would be different. However, he wasn't entirely sure if Draco had been given a task or not.
Daphne Greengrass had gone to Italy for the summer taking Blaise with her. Rumours were circulating that Mrs Zabini’s Latest Husband was in St.Mungos trying to recover from a poison attack, but it was always best not to get involved in Mrs Zabini’s business.
Pansy… well he hadn’t heard much from her, they had exchanged a couple of letters over summer and he could feel her heartbeat drumming through the ring that they all wore, yet even the letters were short, prickly, and blunt, the outside pansy, the one that the bloody gryffindorks saw and the fucking cuddly Hufflepuff whose eyes seemed to go through his soul knew.
The rings were a thin silver band, with a snake engraved on the sides, and a green gemstone resting on a flat surface. The intricate detailing gave it an elegant and luxurious appearance enough to not look out of place on some of the wizarding world’s wealthiest families, the Weasleys could only wish.
Each ring holds a gemstone in the centre, between the eight of them each has a different colour and gem. Draco has a Sapphire; Merlin knows why but he was adamant. Pansy has a ruby, rather fitting. Blaise has an opal, and Daph has a rose quartz. Freya His younger sister who was starting her 5th year had a diamond and Corey Bennet, a pureblood from New Zealand, who had come over to start at Hogwarts in their second year, as well as his twin sister Ivory, had a citrine gemstone, while Ivory had an amethyst gem.
Ivory and Pans had hit it off when she first arrived, it softened Pansy's prickly exterior a little bit. Corey on the other hand had just flowed with the three boys that had grown up together joining in to make another member of their found family. Theo considered them all his family, even though Freya was his only actual other family member.
The rings Had been Draco’s Idea in 3rd year even though Corey and Theo had been the ones to do the spellwork, intricate NEWT level if he was being honest. To work the rings, they were tied to the bonds of the Wixen. To feel the heartbeat of a certain member of the matching rings, all you had to do was place your thumb on top of the gemstone and think of the specific member you wanted to feel. It was really helpful throughout the years as an act of constant reassurance, it prevented many rash moments from each of them.
Theo stared out the window of the train while Freya sat on the left-hand side of Theo, against the side wall, taking up as much space as possible, something she avoided back at Nott Manor. Prepared to scare off all the new first years that were looking to share a compartment.
The final whistle was blown, announcing the final boarding call, the squeak of the wheels gearing up for the journey ahead, bellows of “goodbye”s, “write to me please!” and “be good” surrounded the platform.
The compartment door was opened with great difficulty and noise as Draco, Pansy, Ivory and Corey all trailed in one after the other prompting the Nott siblings to snap out of their repertoire. “HI!” Freya Welcomes the group, Theo tips a nod in their direction with a great beaming smile. Draco Mumbles a “hey” or something along those lines and slumps down onto the cushioned seats, but not before wandless performing a cushioning charm.
Theo scoffed and rolled his eyes quietly at the scene before him. Standing up to give Corey a handshake which turned into a hug with a decent thump on the back. The pair silently mocked the platinum-blonde boy as they took a seat to talk about the upcoming quidditch season.
The girls on the other hand ran into a group hug, Ivory began talking rapidly about everything that had happened at the manor. While the Nott Siblings had left to return to their cold manor per their father’s request.
Before the Malfoy manor had been swallowed up by dark magic it was a lovely warm home, it truly never felt like a manor unless Lucius was around there, even so Narcissa or Cissa as the Children called her, had taken them all under her wing one by one as draco brought them home. To the onlookers at the lavish events they would see a stern, Cold, Closed pureblood lady, but what they didn’t see or perhaps notice was Cissa transfiguring a bottle of Ogden’s Finest into a pocket square, timed to untransfigure when they arrived in Draco's wing. Or the time when Ivory had a panic attack, after being away from home for 16 months; that was a particularly bad one, not even Corey could get her to stop. But Cissa was the one who had managed to get Iv standing up and walking into the manor’s morning room, but neither shared what happened afterwards.
As the train leaves its platform for the first time this school year, the wheels continue to make a steadily increasing chugging sound.
Halfway through the train ride Daphne and Blaise arrived from completing prefect duties and easily fell into conversation with the others.
Theo, Ivory and Corey were having an in-depth conversation about who would win in a dance battle between Professor Snape and Filch the Caretaker. Blaise and Pansy were playing an exploding snap and Draco and Daph fell into a game of wizards chess. When a Young second year arrived knocking on the train compartment door
“H-h-i-i I’m Supposed to deliver these to the Bennett Twins, and Blaise Z-Zabini” she spluttered before practically pushing the letters into Freya’s hands who had been closest to the door. Turning around to face the rest of the group she released a jolly laugh.
“Merlin the poor child was about to wet her pants she was so afraid of you all!” Shaking her head in disbelief she tossed the Bennett twins their letter and pressed Blaise’s into his chest, holding it there just a touch too long before snatching her hand back, awakening the true personality of Blaise Zabini; a slut.
“Amore mio It is all yours come to have a feel of my exquisite frame” Blaise Purred batting his eyelashes like the shameless flirt he is.
“Oi blaise pack it in and leave my sister alone would you” Theo halfheartedly attempted to rein him in, much to Freya's embarrassment if her highly pigmented blush was anything to go by.
“bel ragazzo you are welcome to join as well” Blaise offered
“Slazar you truly hold no boundaries do you?” Theo quipped turning back to his conversation with Ivory, whom he suddenly realised was talking to Corey through the twin bond that the pair shared; a bond when nurtured carefully and maintained, could open on a whim for communication with just a thought. There were many different bonds, some very rarely spoken or documented about if not at all.
Pansy however never approves of the pair using the twin bond. “Alright, you two we get that you have some sort of secret bond that the rest of us don't but we still want to know!”
Corey was the first to speak up “It’s a letter from a professor named Slughorn.- “ He used to be a professor back when our parents went to school” Draco supplied “We both got one and we assumed that is what Blaise also has in his hands.” Corey finished. Everyone leaned in closer, staring at the three bits of parchment curiously.
“Well, what do they say? Would you like a- Draco began to sarcastically drawl before being cut off by Theo “- Drumroll with that or shall that be all” - Who Finished his sentence in a mocking and poor imitation of Draco.
The group laughed at the display before Ivory read her note aloud.
Ms Ivory Bennett,
I would be enamoured if you could and would join me for a late lunch in compartment F
Sincerely Prof. Slughorn
“Late Lunch?” Theo queried. With a meaningful eyebrow raise directed at Ivory who challenged him right back with an eyebrow raise of her own
“Well you probably shouldn’t keep him waiting much longer” Freya suggested wringing her hands together. “Good plan frey” Corey nodded in agreement ruffling her hair as he walked out of the cabin, Ivory behind him lecturing him about ruining Freya's braid which took her an hour to complete
‘Let’s go umani adorabili” Blaise announced as he pranced after the twins. Moments later walking in the same direction as the trio that had left moments before was The Weasel and Granger.
As they passed Theo held up his middle finger, which also happened to hold the Nott heir signet ring, Weasel returned the gesture right back before being ushered away by Hermione but not before she made what could be only described as a longing glance between herself and Draco.
“Okay, are you secretly hooking up with Granger or some shit cause what was that look she just gave you and you gave her?” Pansy ques
“ W-What look she’s a fucking M-M-Mudblood I could never hook up with someone like that and besides she’s a prude everyone knows that” Draco
“Mate come on you could or you would never? “ Theo asked
“ I-I what why are you questioning me, you know what forget about it” Draco returned before forcefully sliding the train compartment door open and storming away.
"Corey! Blaise! Ivory! Welcome, welcome. Have a seat," gestured the man towards the seats.
They only just took their seats when Slughorn jumped up from his seat.
"Harry, m'boy!" said Slughorn, giving him a much warmer welcome than he had them. "Good to see you, good to see you!
Ivory fought hard not to scowl when she noticed Harry Potter. He appeared to be struggling as well, giving her a deadly gaze. Nevertheless, Ivory refused to allow her rage to ruin her reputation with her new professor. Although she did well, she could have done better on her O.W.L.s for Defence Against the Dark Arts last year, for which she received an E.
She desired Slughorn's approval. She would not jeopardise her chances of undoing any favours the Slytherins had received from their new professor because most of the professors detested Slytherins. The only Slytherins were Blaise, Corey, and Her; the other two were seventh-year boys, Harry and Ginny Weasley, the former of whom Blaise was unaware was in Ravenclaw.
"Now, do you know everyone?" Slughorn asked Harry. "Blaise Zabini is in your year, of course—"
Blaise did not make any sign of recognition or greeting, nor did Harry Blaise's eyes narrowed slightly at the boy, barely perceptible to anyone but The Twins.
"This is Cormac McLaggen, perhaps you've come across each other? No?"
Cormac, a large, wiry-haired boy, raised a dirty hand. Corey was bored, and his facial expression displayed it. Blaise nudged him slightly, a silent reprimand for his manners.
"— and this is Marcus Belby, I don't know whether—?"
Belby, who was thin and nervous-looking, gave a strained smile.
"—and this charming young lady tells me she knows you!" Slughorn finished.
Ginny grimaced at Harry from behind Slughorn's back. Ivory had to hold back a laugh. Ginny was anything but charming.
"Well now, this is most pleasant," said Slughorn cosily. "A chance to get to know you all a little better. Here, take a napkin. I've packed my lunch; the trolley, as I remember it, is heavy on sugar quills, and a poor old man's digestive system isn't quite up to such things... Pheasant, Belby?"
Belby started and accepted what looked like half a cold pheasant.
"I was just telling young Marcus here that I had the pleasure of teaching his Uncle Damocles," Slughorn explained, now passing around a basket of rolls. "Outstanding wizard, outstanding, and his Order of Merlin most well-deserved. Do you see much of your uncle, Marcus?"
Unfortunately, Belby had just taken a large mouthful of pheasant; in his haste to answer Slughorn he swallowed too fast, turned purple, and began to choke. Corey's amusement sparked, and once again, received a silent reprimand from Blaise.
"Anapneo," said Slughorn calmly, pointing his wand at Belby, clearing the boy’s airway.
"Not... not much of him, no," gasped Belby, his eyes streaming.
"Well, of course, I daresay he's busy," said Slughorn, looking questioningly at Belby. "I doubt he invented the Wolfsbane Potion without considerable hard work!"
"I suppose," said Belby, who seemed afraid to take another bite of pheasant until he was sure that Slughorn had finished with him. "Er... he and my dad don't get on very well, you see, so I don't know much about..."
His voice tailed away as Slughorn gave him a cold smile and turned to Cormac instead.
"Now, you, Cormac," said Slughorn, "I happen to know you see a lot of your Uncle Tiberius because he has a rather splendid picture of the two of you hunting nogtails in, I think, Norfolk?"
"Oh, yeah, that was fun, that was," said McLaggen. "We went with Bertie Higgs and Rufus Scrimgeour — this was before he became Minister, obviously—"
"Ah, you know Bertie and Rufus too?" beamed Slughorn, now offering around a small tray of pies; somehow, Belby was missed out. "Now tell me..."
The conversation turned boring now that no one was nearly dying. Most of them were here because they were connected to someone with power, fame, or wealth. The Twins wondered why they were there. Whilst their parents were pureblood and rather wealthy they had never gotten involved with Europe's first wizarding war.
Blaise talked about his mother, and her many marriages and wealth. Ivory Admired Mrs. Zabini and decided if all else failed she would become the same.
Neither twin had yet to go, and the pair were not particularly looking forward to going, not knowing why they were here. Thankfully, Slughorn seemed all too eager to finally speak to Harry Potter.
"And now," said Slughorn, shifting massively in his seat with the air of a compere introducing his star act. "Harry Potter! Where to begin? I feel I barely scratched the surface when we met over the summer!" He contemplated Harry for a moment as though he was a particularly large and succulent piece of pheasant, then said, "'The Chosen One,' they're calling you now!"
Harry said nothing. Belby, Cormac, Corey, Ivory and Blaise were all staring at him.
"Of course," said Slughorn, watching Harry closely, "there have been rumours for years... I remember when, well, after that terrible night, Lily, James — and you survived — and the word was that you must have powers beyond the ordinary—"
Zabini gave a tiny little snort that was intended to indicate amused suspicion. An angry voice burst out from behind Slughorn.
"Yeah, Zabini, because you're so talented... at being a whore," glowered Ginny.
Corey snickered. "What kind of insult is that?" “Especially from someone like you, Weaslette.”
Ginny, who was glaring at Blaise from around Slughorn's belly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
"Oh dear!" chuckled Slughorn comfortably, looking around at Ginny. "You want to be careful, you three! I saw this young lady perform the most fabulous Bat-Bogey Hex as I was passing her carriage! I wouldn't cross her!"
Blaise merely looked disrespectful. Ivory carved her face into a blank, almost bored look. Corey, on the other hand, looked on the verge of bursting out laughing.
"Anyway," said Slughorn, turning back to Harry. "Such rumours this summer. Of course, one doesn't know what to believe, the Prophet has been known to print inaccuracies, and make mistakes — but there seems little doubt, given the number of witnesses, that there was quite a disturbance at the Ministry and that you were there in the thick of it all!"
Harry, who could not see any way out of this without flatly lying, nodded but still said nothing. Slughorn beamed at him.
"So modest, so modest, no wonder Dumbledore is so fond — you were there, then? But the rest of the stories — so sensational, of course, one doesn't know quite what to believe. This fabled prophecy, for instance—"
Slughorn began a ramble about how a random famous person he knew had said something similar.
The afternoon wore on with more anecdotes about illustrious wizards Slughorn had taught, all of whom had been delighted to join what he called the Slug Club at Hogwarts.
Ivory was desperate to get out, but she was unsure of how to do it in a way that would still win his favour. As the train finally broke free from another lengthy stretch of rain and revealed an orange sunset, Slughorn peered around, blinking in the twilight.
"My goodness, it's already becoming dark outside! It escaped me that they had turned on the lamps! All of you had better go change into your robes. You have to come over and check out that book, McLaggen. Corey, Harry, and Blaise, whenever you're passing by. The same is true for you, ladies," he said, winking at Ivory and Ginny. "All right, you're free to depart!
When they had reached the carriage, Blaise let Ivory into the room first. She proceeded to flop next to Theo, who had taken it upon himself to steal the entire seat to himself. But Blaise shoved Corey out of the way to ensure he was second into the carriage.
"What's wrong with this thing?" demanded Corey, who seemed to be struggling to shut the door.
The sliding door yanked to the side, opening completely. Corey, still clinging to the handle, toppled over sideways onto Daphne’s lap.
Pansy yelped as Daph fell slightly onto her, but Daph just grinned at the boy who was on her lap.
"If you wanted to sit on my lap, all you had to do was ask, Corey," teased the eldest Greengrass sister.
"Prat," said Corey, pushing himself up into his seat, next to Draco who had returned from his temper tantrum earlier.
"I don't think it's correct etiquette to insult someone whose lap you just sat on," said Daphne with mock anger, "did you not listen to Cissa last week?!”
Freya leaned against the window, which vibrated against her back, kicking her feet up on Corey’s lap. He glared down at them as if they were aliens.
"Hogwarts," Draco spat, "What a pathetic excuse of a school. I think I'd pitch myself off the Astronomy Tower at the thought I'd have to continue for another two years."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Pansy.
"Let's just say I don't think you'll see me wasting my time in Charms class next year," decided Draco.
Daphne, Blaise, Freya, Pansy, and the Twins were unaware of the complete circumstances that Draco and soon-to-be Theo were currently facing. Theo had no idea what Drake's responsibilities were or how much trouble he was in. Theo and Draco had reached a tacit understanding that they wouldn't disclose to the others how awful things got. Putting out every effort to keep the others safe.
.Ivory was about to open her mouth to continue the conversation when something caught her eye. At first, she thought her fatigue was playing tricks on her mind, but her entire body went on high alert. She had seen one of their bags move above them, it had been moved barely an inch, if she had blinked, she would have missed it.
Invisibility Cloak thought Ivory instantly. She immediately told Corey through the bond who picked up the light waves coming off the transparent cloak just as sharply.
The Slytherins were not as stupid as the Gryffindor trio thought they were. It had occurred to them years ago that somehow the three Gryffindors were sneaking around Hogwarts without getting caught by teachers. It took lots of research, but they decided that Harry had probably bought an Invisibility Cloak sometime during his first year; though most cloaks are unreliable, yet somehow his has lasted for years.
"We ought to put on our robes, I can see Hogwarts," declared Freya, sensing a change of aura around the compartment.
Getting out of the Hogwarts Express was always stressful, Blaise and Daphne having left to complete prefect duties. Walking towards the thestrals which had always drawn the carriage for the eight of them. Slowly filling up the carriage until only 2 spots were left. travelling up the windy hill from Hogsmeade train station up to the mesmerising castle. Quiet chatter spreads between the group easily flowing through the journey into the great hall. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the professors were sitting.