3
"We have to talk."
Draco raised his eyes from his plate. He was having a good, peaceful breakfast at the Slytherin table, surrounded by his friends that by now knew well enough not to talk to him before classes began or, in case it was a weekend, at least before noon.
He wasn't a morning person, but he had to wake up early in order to be able to take a shower and be presentable by what Hogwarts professors believed to be an acceptable time for students to be up and have breakfast.
Which, to Draco, wasn't acceptable at all, but his father hadn't been willing to sue the school for children's mistreatment. A pity really.
"Malfoy. I am talking to you."
Draco closed his eyes and counted to ten before focusing on the boy who was standing in front of him with a stern expression on his face.
What did Potter want from him at this time of the day? Couldn't he wait for a couple of hours before looking for trouble?
"I heard you perfectly fine the first time, Potter.”
He sneered at the Gryffindor, but as his mind took in the boy's appearance he couldn't help but wonder if something had happened.
Potter had dark circles under his eyes and his skin was sickly pale. He looked like he hadn't slept in days and, if Draco concentrated on his form long enough, he could see him swaying slightly.
By that time, there wasn't a single student in Hogwarts that didn't know what had happened at the Ministry: Saint Potter had fought against Death Eaters -again- and had managed to come out unscathed -again, but his godfather Sirius Black hadn't.
Poor Potter must have spent the night crying his eyes out.
Well, his actions had caused Draco's father to be sent to Azkaban, but he wasn't making a big deal of it, was he? He had taken the news in stride, concealed his emotions and went on with his life.
His friends in Slytherin had done the same, too.
But with Potter everything had to be exaggerated, hadn't it?
He clenched his hands into fists. Oh, how he would enjoy breaking Potter's nose with a fist! He took a deep breath, instead, locking his anger in a compartment of his mind reserved to Potter and his friends.
"Well?" he prompted when the dark haired boy didn't react to his words. Really, Draco only wanted Potter to say what he had to say so that he could resume eating without anyone interrupting him.
Potter fidgeted on his feet for a while, then cast his eyes to the floor and muttered something Draco couldn’t catch.
"Oh, isn't he cute, Draco?" Pansy cooted from where she was sitting on his left. "Confessing his crush on you like a good little Gryffindor, in front of the whole Great Hall!"
The Slytherins who heard her all burst out in laughter.
Potter raised his face strikingly fast, eyes glaring daggers at Pansy but blushing so hard it didn't have the desired threatening effect.
"Is that so, Potter?" Draco asked, face stoic but for a slightly raised brow. He knew Pansy was probably toying with them, but Potter's lack of biting remarks was suspicious at best.
Not that Draco would ever even consider dating a Potter. They belonged to two completely different realities, plus, Draco didn't even fancy boys.
It took some time for Potter to recollect himself -so much time, in fact, that by the time he spoke again Draco had returned his attention to the plate in front of him.
"I would never date a Slytherin, Parkinson.” Potter barked out, but his words lacked the usual bite reserved for their house. Draco filed away the information to think about later.
Potter's eyes were now digging holes in his head by the intensity he was glaring at Draco.
“Oh, for Merlin's sake, Potter! Say what you have to say and leave us alone!"
Draco nodded, thankful to Blaise for voicing out what they were all thinking. Despite being in Slytherin, the Italian boy had never been very good at controlling his emotions and keep his mouth shut.
Potter glanced at the Professors' table for a brief moment, biting his lower lip as if mulling over something. Whatever it was, Draco was beginning to think Potter wouldn't say a word before the audience they were gathering.
He sighed, raising from his seat and gesturing the other fifth years to follow him. They all dropped their forks and got up at once, following Draco to the entrance of the Great Hall.
Oh, the perks of being a Malfoy. One day he would rule over them all.
Noticing that Potter wasn't following them, he stopped halfway down the Hall to glare at the idiot Gryffindor.
"Are you coming or not, Potter?" he asked before resuming his walk. The sound of rushed footsteps assured Draco that the boy was following them.
***
Harry followed the Slytherins along narrow corridors for what felt like hours. The more he walked, the more the walls surrounding them became damper and the air colder.
He had an unpleasant feeling about the whole situation, but he knew he wasn't in the position to complain. After all, he had been the one to approach Malfoy and his friends.
“I am pretty sure your common room isn't this way” he muttered when it became apparent they were walking along far too dark hallways.
His fingers were starting to go numb from the cold, another thing he was quite certain wouldn't happen if they were just a few levels beneath the ground floor.
"Never said we were leading there, Potter.” Parkinson replied, eyeing him in mock disgust. At least, Harry hoped she was faking it, but with Slytherins you never know.
"Damn right she is!” Blaise interjected. "We would never bring a Gryffindor in the only place they can't enter!"
Harry rolled his eyes. He had been in Slytherin's common room just a couple of years before, but he decided it would be better to simply keep his mouth shut, this time.
The fact that they were deep under Hogwarts where only Snape would be able to find them if needed upset him a little.
Had he fallen into a trap?
He had been the one to start the conversation, but what if Malfoy and his friends were just waiting for him to do something foolish like trust them?
He thrust his hand in the pocket of his robe, gripping his wand tightly. If worse came to worst he would have to act fast.
The Slytherins all stopped in front of a black, wooden nondescript door. They glanced at each other for a second before Malfoy put his hand on the handle sighing softly.
"We brought you here because you interrupted our pleasant breakfast, Potter… and because you looked desperate enough." Malfoy spat, glaring at him. "Do not make us regret it.”
Harry wanted to retort, to say something sarcastic and put Malfoy back to his place. However, he really had no idea what the blond boy was talking about and it was simply freezing down there. At this point he would do practically anything to go somewhere warm -even get along with some snakes.
Plus, he had a favor to ask of them, being nice wouldn't hurt.
"I won't tell." he answered, knowing full well he probably wasn't going to keep his word.
If they were hiding something dark or illegal behind that door Dumbledore would be informed of it in no time. The Slytherins all eyed him in distrust, but after what felt like ages Malfoy leaned on the door, finally opening it.
“Enter and take a seat. Do not touch anything. Do not say anything."
Harry opened his mouth to protest -he didn't like to be ordered around like that- but a strong hand beneath his shoulder blades pushed him forward and he stumbled into the room.
The first thing his brain registered was the warmth.
He immediately relaxed his shoulders, letting the pleasant temperature of the room warm his body. He barely registered being pushed again, this time towards a green armchair.
He sat stiffly, letting his eyes roam around the room while the Slytherins took their places around him.
The room was dimly lit by a few torches hanging off the walls. It wasn't big like a common room would be, but it was large enough to accommodate four armchairs and a couple of sofas, all disposed in a circle around a wooden table. In a corner a fireplace was lit, the flames dancing happily and giving the room a somewhat warm, intimate atmosphere.
Harry was just beginning to study the intricate decor of the table in front of him when he noticed four pairs of eyes staring intently at him.
"If you tell someone about this I will personally debowel you.” Malfoy threatened.
Harry simply nodded in acceptance. He was sure Malfoy would never be able to lay a hand on him, but in this room he was alone with four Slytherins: the odds weren't on his part. Besides, it was nothing more than a comfy room in the dungeons: his friends would never dare to go there -the Room of Requirements was by far closer to Gryffindor Tower and it provided them with anything they may wish for.
There was no need to walk around snitching on the slytherins, really.
Malfoy studied him for a few more seconds before snapping his fingers. Food immediately appeared on the table before them.
Now, that was an interesting development: Harry always had to go down to the kitchen and beg the elves for extra food, how come they could get it with a little gesture? Not to mention the no begging needed part.
The Slytherins all served themselves, but Harry didn't know if it was a good idea to partake in the impromptu breakfast. He was about to open his mouth to start questioning Malfoy when a cup of what smelled like coffee was thrust in front of him by Zabini.
"Take it. Drink it. Do not drink it. Do as you want, but I suggest you let us have our share of caffeine before opening your mouth again. We need the energy to deal with you this early in the morning."
Three other heads nodded in agreement. Harry shut his mouth and grudgingly grabbed the cup he was offered.
"Manners, Potter." Parkinson reprimanded him.
Harry wanted to throw the cup and just leave the room, but he had to remind himself he had been the one to ask to talk to the Slytherins.
Well, he had only wanted to exchange a few words with Malfoy, but things rarely evolved the way he envisioned them to.
So he took a deep breath and curled his lips up in what he thought was a pleasant smile.
"My apologies, Ms. Parkinson. Mr. Zabini, please accept my deepest gratitude." he said, slightly bowing his head to the two.
Parkinson's eyes widened comically, but before he could appreciate the rare vision of a stunned Slytherin someone hit him on the arm. It took all of his concentration to avoid spilling the steaming, hot beverage on his legs.
He glared at Zabini, who didn't seem to be bothered at all by Harry's almost accident.
"You called for it" he simply said, shrugging. "I did tell you to keep your mouth shut.”
The snakes around him nodded along. Right. They were four against one. Harry took a deep breath and moved his eyes so that he would be glaring at the cup of coffee, instead.
After what felt like hours Harry heard the sound of cups being placed on the table so he dared raise his eyes to see how much longer he would have to wait.
Malfoy and his friends appeared to be finished with their breakfast, the plates and cups disappearing as soon as they placed them on the table.
Harry put his now cold coffee next to Parkinson’s almost empty plate and in a second they were both gone.
“I love magic.” he whispered aloud, unaware of the disbelieved stares he got in response.
“Yes, well, wizards, you know." Nott replied, somewhat uncomfortable. Harry's eyes snapped up from the table and in a second he was reminded of where he was… and why.
"So, Potter. You may talk. Make it short."
Had Malfoy always been so insufferable?
"I…er… have a few questions to ask you." he managed to say after biting his tongue to avoid spitting out a bitter remark.
"Wasn't your know-it-all available?" asked Pansy, studying her nails.
On his other side, Zabini snorted. "She must be hiding in the library, the only place Potter won't go looking for her.”
Harry fisted his hands. He had expected to be mocked by Malfoy, but taking on the four of them at once was turning out to be more challenging than what he had thought.
"Yes, well, the nature of my question is… delicate." he hissed through clenched teeth. "But if you can't answer it's okay, I'll go ask some other snake.”
That got the Slytherins’ attention.
Malfoy moved forwards, elbows resting on his thighs. "What are we talking about, exactly, Potter?"
Harry thought for a moment how much of what happened he could trust the slytherins with. He grimaced at the thought that they would out him in a second without any doubt.
"I was wondering… how many spells does a prior incantatio on a wand show?" he asked at least. Better start with soft questions and test the ground.
The Slytherins all blinked for a few seconds.
"Potter, is this a joke?" Malfoy said, irritation seeping into his voice. "Surely Granger would be able to answer this simple question?"
"Draco is right." cut in Parkinson, lips pursed and a stern expression on her face. "You're wasting our time"
"Let's go."
Harry moved fast, grabbing Zabini's sleeve and pulling down, effectively forcing the boy to sit again.
"Wait a second!" he blurted out. "I really need to ask you something. Please."
He swallowed his pride down as he spoke the words, breakfast threatening to leave his stomach if he didn't pay enough attention.
So, a soft approach hadn't worked. He would have to take the bull by the horns or, well, the snake by the head.
Zabini seemed to notice the desperation in his voice, for he settled better into his armchair. The other Slytherins did the same, but leveled him with a glare that promised pain if he didn't speak soon.
“Okay, so, erm…” he struggled to find the words.
How do you say to classmates that hate you that you killed a person? That person being, incidentally, the aunt of one of them?
"I might have made a mistake and I need your help to come out of it alive." he forced himself to say. Merlin, being nice to the Slytherins hurt.
"What mistake, Potter? Did you run out of fans? Did you swear in front of a first year?”
"As if Saint Potter would swear" Draco interrupted, eyeing Harry from the top of his nose. "I bet he made a mess with a potion, as he always does, and needs us to distract Professor Shape as he sneaks into his office and-"
"Enough!" Harry roared, clenching and unclenching his fists to avoid closing them around Malfoy's neck. "I am trying to have a serious conversation, here, just shut the fuck up and listen, Malfoy!"
The outburst effectively shut up the blond.
“Alright, Potter, out with it. What terrible mistake did you make that would require our slimy snakes’ help to fix?"
Out of the four of them, Zabini was the one Harry liked the most. He could see a Gryffindor side in the boy, if he looked long enough and squeezed his eyes a little.
He leveled the boy with a considering gaze before deciding to test the waters a little bit more.
"The ‘you get a one way ticket to Azkaban’ kind of mistake." he blurted out.
Not enough to condemn him if -or when- the slytherins snitched on him, but enough to get their attention. At least, he hoped so.
He soon became aware of being very much the center of their attention: they were all staring at him, unblinking.
"Hello?" he tried to joke, flailing his arms around to see which of them would snap out of their shock first.
Apparently, it was Malfoy.
"Explain.”