Zinnia Seeds (Part 2)
Chapter Eight- Zinnia Seeds (part 2)
The night was peaceful, and as moonlight streaked across the sky, very little light reached the bottom of the lake. It was a cold and dark night, and yet there was no misery to be had. It was calm, and it was safe.
For now.
Harry awoke from a dreamless sleep, though despite having called it a night much later than he likely should have, he still felt rested. Then again, he'd grown used to a sporadic sleep schedule. Especially the nights when he could never fully relax under the threat of a rude awakening via the Dursleys.
A soft hoot, and his hair was jostled by a claw that barely brushed against his skin. Hedwig was there to greet him, perched just on the edge of the bed, her feathers coming into focus as he pushed his glasses up the ridge of his nose.
“Morning, girl,” he whispered, his curtains still closed tightly, and he was unsure if his roommates had awoken. Hedwig didn't seem to share his same concern and quickly began nipping at the curtains, demanding freedom.
He quickly provided, and as soon as his vision was cleared from the flurry of Hedwig's feathers as she returned to her perch, his gaze landed on one of his friends.
Blaise stood in front of the dresser mirror, straightening his tie. A silver comb floated above his head and carefully brushed through a few curls.
“Morning-” Harry yawned, untangling himself the rest of the way from his covers as he approached his friend. “How early is it”?
Blaise shrugged. “It's past six for sure- Theo is still asleep. I say wake him up in an hour if he doesn't do so himself. I don't want to risk getting hexed or setting off any bed wards.”
“Bed Wards, are they like notice-me-not”?
“Oh, right- I mean, in a way, they are spells to protect you and your stuff” Blaise furrowed his brow, seeming to try to find the words
“What we can do isn't super advanced and aren't hard to disarm if you know they exist, but I'm pretty sure Theo uses runes in his, and I don't want to risk my new robe being set on fire.”
Okay, noted- don't mess with Theo's bed or stuff, or well- anyones.
“Do you think the other houses put wards up”?
Blaises comb rested itself on his dresser, and he turned to face Harry.. “I mean- maybe someone who seems to have their head on straight like that one Weasley, but I doubt it's common outside Slytherin.”
Harry tucked that bit of information away for later. Of course he didn't plan on spending his days rifling through his peers' stuff.
But with Olivanders' warning still ringing in the back of his skull, the buzz in his chest becoming ever more present, and now the sudden pain in his scar, he'd prefer to be prepared.
“I suggest you go ahead and get ready, you still need to send a letter to your banker, yes? Daphne can help you write it before you head to Breakfast”
“I can write a letter” Harry assured, but the leveled look Blaise sent him, he quickly backpedaled “Fine… gives me a chance to return a quill, tell Theo I said goodmorning”?
Blaise agreed, and as quickly as he had awoken Harry got to work getting ready for the day. Moving much faster now that he had a better idea of what exactly was to come.
—-------
About ten minutes passed, and with a little help from Blaise in styling his hair. He quickly grabbed some parchment, Marcus quill, and Hedwig, before leaving his dorm and entering the common space.
Thankfully it seemed Daphne was expecting him as she sat on one of the luxurious couches, a newspaper held in her hands, The Daily prophet.
“You read the paper”? Harry asked as he got a glimpse of the title, must be a wix only paper he wasn't familiar with.
“Well good morning to you too Harry” Daphne huffed but paused when her eyes landed on Hedwig “and it's a pleasure to meet you Hedwig” Hedwig preened, setting herself on the backboard of a couch.
“And of course I read the paper, as an heir it's my duty to stay informed on whatever goes on in this country and around the world, I recommend it”
“I guess, though I don't see how it applies to us yet” Harry rarely turned down reading, but he had a particular relationship with Newspaper. His uncle read it all the time and half of it sounded like utter rubbish.
Daphne rolled her eyes but shifted the paper towards him “Well this should apply to you today, there was an attempted robbery in Gringotts a month or so back, but they just released the full scoop now that it's no longer deemed a security risk”
Harry picked up the paper and glanced over some of the lines as Daphne continued “Apparently they managed to break in unnoticed, and only targeted one vault, but it had been emptied earlier that same day”
It was the day that Hagrid and him had gone to the bank, what were the odds he had run into the attempted thief and didn't even realize it. But no wonder it was headline worthy, Dripfang had even said it was near impossible for non goblins to find their way around.
“Since we're writing to your teller, I imagine it will take him a bit longer to get back to you since they are likely dealing with other press at the moment”
Guess it did apply to him after all, Harry handed the newspaper back to Daphne “Even if I did read the paper, I likely wouldn't understand most of it”
“I suppose not-” She took on a contemplative look “Well you need to learn sooner rather than later Harry, so how about anything interesting comes up I can summarize for you”
Harry blinked but smiled “Aren't you lovely, id appreciate that”
“It's really alright, but you wont think I'm lovely when we start working on your letter, speaking of shall we begin”?
—-----------
Blaise had been right to give Harry a look since while he knew how to navigate the muggle mail systems and letter customs, that didn't even come close to the amount of little details that went into a letter.
Especially a letter from an heir to their teller, according to Daphne anyways. She did come off as extremely proper, but it was admirable, it made him want to take her seriously and you can never have too good of an impression he proposed.
“Now since you don't have your teller, Dripfang was it”? Harry nodded
“Since you don't have his specific summonance address, I suppose it means it's acceptable that you don't know your house seal and color pallet.
You want to keep this letter vague and direct, Salazar forbid you spill classified information-”
Daphne held up a finger just a few inches from Harry's face “Despite what many may say, the Goblins are a respectful race, but they are often driven by greed- there have been far too many scandals among noble houses from some sleazy reporter paying off a goblin, though it's never been confirmed”
Careful what you write, letters can always be intercepted.
Apparently while it was also a crime in most wix countries to open mail, it wasn't as enforced as it probably should be.
With his permission Daphne glanced over his letter, and after she approved showed him how to sign it with his full title and began sealing it up.
“So does she need anything”?
“Who, Hedwig”?
“I tried giving the owls at my house some dead rats- and they seemed to like it, but Hagrid told me they accepted gold”
Daphne's face squished up slightly “I don't even want to question where you got a dead rat” she shivered at the thought.
“But no- since she's your owl there's no payment needed, treats are customary when receiving and sending, but she's likely been well fed enough for the journey”
Hedwig puffed herself up, nipping at the air in Daphne's direction
“Oh hush now- if anyone would spoil you with treats, It would be a Gringotts employee trying to get in good favor with the future Lord Potter”
Daphne held out the letter to Hedwig who paused for just a moment before taking the parchment in her beak. Her wings unfurling and with a strong beat she soared across the common room.
She continued to glide across the rocky ceiling and stone columns before vanishing from sight just around the bend.
“Will she get out alright”?
“Of course she will Harry- if shes anything like you, she's clever and resourceful enough”
Harry couldn't help but blush at the certainty of her words, of course he'd known that of himself and an alley kid or two had called him clever. But to hear it from someone like Daphne who didn't seem much for unwarranted flattery, it meant a lot.
“Speaking of lessons- there's something I had asked Theo and Blaise before, but they said you would have more.. tact”
Harry shifted in place “I tried looking at my books but they mostly brushed over the topic if it was mentioned at all- I assumed it was just another nuance but after the whole incident with Malfoy… I'd rather not be left in the dark”
Daphne's brow furrowed and her gaze sharpened just a tad “Go on-”
“What's everyone's deal with blood anyways”?
The common room fell into silence.
Not that Harry had paid any mind to the idle chatter and footsteps before, but it was glaringly obvious the moment it was now gone.
“I see…” Daphne's placid expression now looked carefully blank “It's no wonder you feel… left in the dark, but such a conversation is best kept in more intimate company”
Harry may be daft, but he hadn't survived so long by being stupid, and ignoring the dozens of gazes trained on them he could read undertones.
Now wasn't the time or place-
“But I suppose basics won't hurt, in short- there are five kinds of people in this world” She began, holding up a hand palm facing in “One is muggles or no maj, the name changes depending on region, its people without even a sliver of magic in their veins, thats active at least”
Veins huh? Did magic literally go through blood- might explain how his first magical “outbursts” he was bleeding profusely.
“Second are Squibs, a tragic sort, born from magical lines but cannot access it, they are only slightly above muggles in the hierarchy”
Oh so its levels then? Maybe Hagrid was a Squib- he did say he wasn't supposed to use his wand.
“Next are Muggleborns, or as Malfoy called them Mudbloods- it’s a term some deem acceptable and others abhorrent, I simply don't recommend using it around any of your Gryffindor friends”
Daphne kept her voice even and to the point, “They are magic of course, but born of muggles- a miracle child due to some intermingling a few generations back most likely”
“Fourth and most commonly are half bloods, people with both family lines being a mix of Muggle and Wix parentage- nowadays they make up a majority of our population” Daphne tilted her hand up “You are considered half blood, your mother was a muggleborn and your father a pureblood”
“Wait so then what's a pureblood”? Harry interrupted
Daphne glared but continued “A pureblood is someone whose lineage is all wix, or direct bloodline at least five generations back” she waved as if it wasn't a big deal.
“To put it simply- magic resides in our bloods, its genetic, and there have been many people on the belief we shouldn't taint our bloodlines with muggles, and others who believe that the tradition doesn't matter”
“So.. its politics”?
Harry had heard many angry rants from his Aunt and Uncle over the years. He still remembers the dinner party with the McCannons where after Mrs.McCannon disagreed over something about immigrants, the dinner ended fairly soon after in a shouting match.
Aunt Petunia didn't shut up about how Uncle Vernon had thrown her third favorite vase for weeks after. Harry had half a mind to try and fix it, but for once he appreciated anger not directed at him.
He never spoke to the McCannons after that, but when he did pass them on his way to the library, he always saw looks akin to pity. Harry paid them no mind.
“Yes- Politics” Daphne's shoulders dropped slightly, and Harry had noticed the bustle of the common room had slowly returned. He still felt a few gazes but he knew better than to look around and try to meet any of them.
Though he did see dual shifts of short black and stark white hair whisk away as Daphne continued.
Blood Bias was a politics thing then-
It explained why Cassius had been so clear about respecting others beliefs while also keeping to oneself, it was a manner of keeping the peace.
He could do that.
Daphne's gaze ventured beyond Harry and he turned, seeing Blaise happily waving them down and dragging along Theo who looked dead on his feet. But as before, hair perfectly in place.
“And they say the Gods don't have favorites,” Daphne muttered.
Harry snickered but brushed her comment aside to go greet his other friends.
—-----------
Breakfast that morning was the same as before, Harry had found the time to give Marcus back his quill and dodged him and Wood both trying to rant about Quidditch. He couldn't avoid them forever, but it was still way too early for that.
He’d also taken a moment to say hi to Neville, ignoring the scathing glares from the rest of the Gryffindors in his year.
Particularly from one red headed boy (a Weasley for sure, though the name escaped him) who tried tripping him, only to get caught in his own robes and almost fall into a pile of oats.
When Harry returned to his table, his friends had offered to hex the boy for his "blatant disrespect" but Harry saw no harm. It wasn't like he actually got hurt.
Besides seeing him turn violent red from embarrassment of his own actions was satisfying karma enough.
—----------
The day came and went, as did the next, and soon enough the entire first week had gone by in the blink of an eye and was surprisingly, uneventful.
There was a growing phenomenon with Malfoy and his goons arguing with the Gryffindors, mostly the same red head who had accosted him earlier.
He relearned his name was Ron and he was, in fact, a Weasley.
Not a single class went by without a comment or two, and at the very least some strong glares. They also seemed hellbent on dragging Harry into their nonsense, which he would continue avoiding as long as possible.
Their constant bickering was getting on his nerves, but surely they would have to tone it down sooner rather than later, for fucks sake they had years together, house rivalry aside.
But if it got too bad he could always nudge Percy or Cassius over, though he didn't want to snitch on Ron to his big brother.
He didn't really care about Malfoy though, and Cassius has not stopped with the long glances almost every time they were in a room together.
He'd rather continue avoiding him.
As for classes- though there wasn't anything notable, it was far from mundane. A ghost teaching History had thrown him for a loop. He was a tad boring, but hopefully that was also just an early semester thing.
McGonagall was still his favorite for being the one professor who treated him fairly normal, and he'd grown to ignore her lingering stares.
Professor Quirrell, a man he had only faintly recognized from the tavern when Hagrid first brought him to Diagon Alley. He had been introduced but Harry had been so overwhelmed it was hard to recall what he had said.
He was a fine professor anyways, maybe a bit skittish and the smell of the classroom gave him a headache. Not to mention his Iguana that Blaise had learned the hard way wasnt Taxidermy.
Snape still had it out for him though, but thankfully there seemed to be other students that grabbed his attention even more. Poor Neville was quickly on his way to becoming another common victim of the professor's angry ranting.
The only reason Harry hadn't snarked back the last time he yelled at the boy was from Theos harsh shoulder and silent order to stay quiet.
“Keep the peace” so to speak, and he could- for now at least.
“Theodore"! Daphne grasped at the edge of her robe to try and stay elegant while rushing down the pathway.
“Don't call me that” Theo snapped back, but it lacked any heat “And keep up-”
Blaise shot Harry a panicked look as Daphne reached for her wand. Harry was only surprised it had taken her this long to reach the end of her patience for Theos behavior.
“Theo we get you're excited to see your cousin but do we really need to run to the Quidditch Pitch”? Harry really hoped he would see reason, or else he was likely going to start seeing stars
“Its half way to the forest at this point”
Something he'd said must have clicked, that or Theo finally clued in to the menacing aura slowly building around Daphne “Okay okay you're right i'll slow- I suppose even now were still on track to be fairly early”
A sigh of relief swept the group as their pace dropped dramatically. Daphne unclenched the pocket where they knew she kept her wand ready.
“Sorry it's just- I'm so used to her being right around the corner but since we've gotten here I barely even see her at mealtime” Theo lamented, and for a moment Harry could empathize, he felt the same about Hedwig.
“Why not talk to her then? The Ravenclaw table is literally right there” Blaise gestured to thin air.
“Don't use ‘literally’ like that, it makes you sound of bad-blood” Daphne scolded.
After her whole lesson on what different bloods meant she had become more and more comfortable with using phrases that seemed related.
He also learned that all of his friends were purebloods, and that while purebloods were “rare” there were actually quite a few throughout all four houses, though most of the adamant ones were in Slytherin.
Unfortunately Malfoy is among them.
“She usually eats meals elsewhere in the castle” Theo answered, but did not provide any elaboration which only further spurred his own curiosity.
“We're almost there, and besides Harry is on the team now- he should get a glimpse at a practice before Warrington stops running Flint off before he can drag you to one” Blaise assured.
“So Cassius is the only reason he’s not outright kidnapped me to practice”?
“It appears so- careful now Potter, being all cozy with the den mother won't get you far now will it”? Blaise shot Harry a teasing grin to which he just rolled his eyes.
"Boys boys- enough squabbling and focus on the task at hand" Daphne chided.
They did not, in fact, stop squabbling. Even managing to drag Theo into their chatting despite his apparent one track mind on getting to the pitch as fast as possible.
The hike to the owlery was a breeze in comparison to how far the pitch was, though with the thankful lack of elevation and stairs. Harry was already dreading being dragged out here more often, but at the very least he did miss soaring.
Madame Hooch really had stepped up her game (though not nearly soon enough) after Nevilles accident and never took her eyes off long enough to justify a joyride.
On the bright side it gave them the opportunity to get a view towards the lake, though not awfully close. Harry did try steering a bit closer but was dragged away by Blaise almost imminently after.
"Oh my gods finally"
Daphne's voice snapped Harry out of his wandering mind. He looked up and was greeted by the towering Quidditch stadium.
It was made of brilliant bright red brick, the same chipping and discoloration giving some clue to its age. The rest was constructed of various white plaster held together by wooden beams interlocking in a beautiful diamond pattern all the way up the walls.
A few of the giant multicolored towers were visible from a far, but it was only up close you could tell just how high they stretched. Each shared motifs of their house and Harry wondered if they could truly cram almost the entire student body inside the towers.
But there wasn't more than a moment to process the glory as Theo ushered them inside the stadium itself.
His feet hit the sandy ground and he looked up at the three towering hoops, far bigger than the ones on the practice pitch he had gone with Marcus and Oliver.
Blaise let out a low whistle "This place looks amazing-"
"Theo where exactly is your cousin- this place looks empty" Daphne remarked, though by her lingering gaze Harry could tell she was also enamored.
Theos eyes ran along the skyline before pausing over by one of the hoops "There we are-"
Harry squinted his eyes, doing his best to see past the sun's glare.
Right by the hoops, there were people on brooms. About seven or eight, but one in particular caught his eye as they zoomed past, a quaffle tucked tightly against their chest.
They wove through the other players that shot past like missles seeking their target, though none of them landed. The figure launched the Quaffle and despite a quick turn from one of the other players, it soared through the hoop.
A whistle sounded out, though Harry couldn't tell from where, the rest of the figures began to dart away until only a few remained. Two hovered close together about half way down from the hoops and the third, the one he had been watching, began a descent.
It was a girl, it was hard to tell if her brown hair was naturally wavy or if it had been jostled by flying around. But even from a far there was a certain way she carried herself that felt extremely familiar.
Her gaze flew to them and she quickly tugged at her broom, redirecting and gliding almost effortlessly until she hovered a good ten feet in the air.
Without further warning the girl hooked her boot over the side of her broom and let herself fall.
Harry surged forward, ready to try his best to help break her fall only to freeze when there was no fall.
She held herself upside down upon her broom, her boot now hooked into the crook of her knee. Wild brown hair now dangling down along with her.
Her arms were crossed flush against her chest and her face showed a smug smile “So, these your friends' '?
Theo let out a weighted sigh “Enough with the dramatics- one of these days your going to misjudge and fall flat on your stupid face”
Harry snorted, Theo using the phrase ‘stupid face’ was priceless. They really did seem to be like siblings despite being cousins, if he'd ever said something like that to Dudley he'd end up with a black eye and locked away for a week.
The girl dismounted her broom, now standing upright she appraised the group with a blinding smile.
Harry noted that she wore what looked like sports padding and underneath a fairly simple black pant and dark blue sweater.
Blaise was the first brave enough to speak, holding his hand out with a charming smile “Blaise Zanbini, heir to the Italian noble house of Zanbibi, it's a pleasure Ms Nott”
She took his hand, but despite being older than them- she didn't have a ring like Pansy had mentioned before “Elisen Nott at your service, though please just call me Ellie- a friend of Theos shouldn't have to bear the confusion of two Notts”
Daphne did her own introduction with a little curtsy, and a compliment to her ‘Ultramarine jumper’. Did that mean it was enchanted in some way? Could you even enchant clothes?
“And I assume this is Harry Potter then”?
Harry paused at the mention of his name and met her gaze, it was curious but lacked a certain awe that many others gave him. “Mmhm-”
Daphne nudged him but Theo waved her off “She isn't worthy of good manners-”
“Theodore- she is a lady, and should be treated as such”!
“Don't call me that, and trust me she is far from a lady”
Ellie let out an amused breath, now shifting to lean half her weight on her broom, reaching out and ruffling Theos hair “Its alright Greengrass, he's just pouting because I haven't had the time to hang out”
Theo looked utterly betrayed and crossed his arms “I am doing nothing of the sort-”
Blaise leaned over to Harry “Definitely pouting” and began skirting to the side to avoid a small spark from Theos wand. When on earth had he pulled that out?
“Anywayys- Theo wrote to me that you had a peculiar magic question right? I might not be an expert but I can maybe set you on the right track for the answer”
The way she spoke about it was kind of reassuring, that there was a clear path even if he didn't get the answers today.
“Well- I talked about my… buzzing. It's a sensation really, but it only seems to happen when i'm in danger or like a warning system”
Ellie paused, straightening herself and moving her broom behind her “So- like a hairs standing on edge kind of thing”?
“Yes exactly, and it seems magical at least. I thought it was normal- but then I was told otherwise” he glanced at his friends who had now bunched up.
She paused, running a hand through her hair and muttering slightly “I mean- magical warning systems aren't unheard off, like a horned snake core, or if you have trespass wards get triggered, or even an wild magic burst”
“But such bursts are different from normal coming of age magic spurts, they happen when you're much younger and only in extreme danger. That and none of the others mention a buzzing sensation, more like a gut feeling of sorts”
She continued to rattle off questions and Harry answered as well as he could, but the more specific they got the more confused he felt.
“...So then you have no idea what it is”?
Ellie scrunched up her nose “Not off the top of my head at least- I can say for sure its not a common magic, and well might have something to do with your whole dramatic origin story”
“My- I'm sorry what”?
“Well you killed The Dark Lord, or at least that's what they tell the public- that his spell backfired and you were left with just a scar while he was destroyed” Ellie began tapping her nails against the wood of her broom.
“Now isn't the time for your theories-” Theo tried interrupting but Ellie seemed fixated, and well, Harry was also a bit curious.
“But a spell backfiring is a whole mess of unstudied magic, which means who knows what kind of powers you were exposed to-” Ellie gestured towards his scar “As far as we know maybe you did pass but were brought back, or that your parents killed him but did not survive after, or maybe even part of his soul is attached to your very being”
Harry blinked, looking at Daphne and Blaise who both looked equally stunned. Theo just looked sheepish and maybe a bit annoyed, but every attempt at getting her to stop only led to more ramblings.
Ellie finally seemed to snap out of it after several minutes, letting out what sounded like a curse and shaking her hand “Sorry sorry- just been on my mind a while, but regardless I can look into it, worst case scenario I don't find anything in the open library”
Was there a non open library? By her expression, he guessed there was.
“It's alright- I just learned the story myself this summer, well when Hagrid broke into the lighthouse after my Uncle tried to shoot one of the owls” Harry shrugged.
"Hagrid broke into your house"? Blaise muttered, sounding nothing short of mildly horrified.
Harry just shrugged again, not really knowing how else to explain it. Besides he didnt think they would take it well when he said he found the whole incident one of the best moments of his life.
Ellies expression suddenly matched his friend's bafflement “Your.. Uncle tried to shoot an owl? With what spell”?
Theo nudged her “Harry was raised by Muggles, didn't learn he was famous until his birthday”
“What in Rowena's name-” Ellie cursed, it seemed each house stuck with using their founders name. How neat.
"I mean I heard rumors from the twins, apparently Percy had threatened them to leave you alone when Ronnie tried to pay them off to prank you"
Blaise suddenly looked far more invested in the conversation "I'm sorry- Ronnie"?
Ellie smirked "Oh yeah- heard about how Ron went on a whole rant about how Ginny couldn't play Quidditch because she was a girl, so I just started calling him Ronnie"
"I'm pretty sure Percy was pissed on Ginny's behalf enough he didn't try to stop me, so I haven't"
"That's bloody brilliant" Blaise laughed, ignoring the small sneer from Daphne at his language though she looked equally amused.
"But anyways back on topic- I can't believe you didn't learn your story until then, though I guess your guardian didn't want you hearing about your parents murder until you were of age, but I can't imagine how they explained keeping you with Muggles”
What part of being raised by muggles wasnt clicking with people?
Well he could give them some credit, since the more people he told the more absurd the whole situation sounded.
Once again alarm bells ringing, but he didn't know from where and towards what- which was just frustrating.
“Hey El, Diggory needs the brooms so he can finish polishing the team set”! A new voice called, a red headed boy who had now soared over and floated just above her head .
“I tried telling him you’d handle it, but you know how he is- Hufflepuffs” An identical red headed boy said as he floated to the same height as his brother.
Ellie rolled her eyes but whistled to someone across the field, Harry spotted a lanky brunette boy in, wouldn't you know it, a hufflepuff yellow uniform.
The boy held out his hand and yelled out a spell and the broom quickly flew from Ellies hand and into his, from all the way across the field. He proceeded to do the same when the twins cast their brooms away after landing side by side.
No one else seemed to bat an eye as the boy waved, holding the three sticks against his chest and then walked away.
“What spell was that”?
One of the boys grinned “Why little serpent a simple Accio of course”
“Not a hard spell not at all, but might be a little hard for a little tyke like yourself” the other boy finished off.
Ellies expression suddenly morphed into one almost identical to Theo’s earlier annoyance “Kids, meet Fred and George Weasley, Boys meet my little cousin Theo and his new friends”
“Well Fred, what do you think of the new snakes”?
Fred smirked “A slimy bunch, but if Ellie says off limits we must comply,”
"I mean the Harry Potter being among them, don't think Ginny would be pleased" George said with a tut
Fred let out a dramatic sigh “Oh but what a shame, we rarely get snakes that venture out of the den”
They both spoke but with a certain glint in their eyes that Harry was all too familiar, bullies then, makes sense why Percy had warned him. He’d done the same to many other kids to save them from Dudley and his gang's wrath.
And yet- Harry didn't feel any buzz.
His friends shifted away nonetheless. Their expressions remained passive, maybe even a bit smug. But he could feel Blaise move just a bit in front of him and Daphne grip at her wand pocket.
Ellie seemed to be having none of it, her previous friendly expression had slipped off and Harry could feel the heat of her glare even if it wasn't directed at him “You better cut that shit out now, I wont hesitate to rat you out to Percy on top of kicking your asses myself”
George just laughed, brushing her off without hesitation “Yeah yeah, I tremble at the idea of Mr.Prefect writing us a detention slip”
Fred put his hands on his hips and just grinned “Sorry to tell you but we're still a week or so backed up, so what's a day or so more”?
This time it was Harry who spoke, already annoyed by the thinly veiled threats. "You're on the Gryffindor team right"?
The twins turned their attention onto him, both gaining matching cheshire smiles "Oh yes, and heard your the newest addition lil snake"
"Oh so you know me how cute," Harry let a bit of snark slip out, ignoring the bewildered look from Theo and Daphne, or Blaise growing smirk. Okay pull back just a bit.
He swore George's hand twitched towards his side, probably towards a wand. But Fred grabbed his brother's shoulder and leaned forward "It's hard not to hear, the boy who lived turned a snake"
Harry bristled but kept on "How about stop harassing me and my friends, if you want to cause problems you can do it on the field instead of talking in circles- at least that way you dont get another detention”
Fred straightened up seeming amused above all else, but pacified "Well Freddie- seems we've been bested"
George? Fred. rolled his eyes "I was tired anyways-"
Fred? Reached into his pocket and this time Harry felt a small buzz, but just slightly. "Here a peace offering- gotta put some meat on those bones if you stand a chance at being good competition"
He held out a handful of jelly beans.
Ellie looked even more furious than before, and made a move to reach out but Harry grabbed them before she could "Thank you"
The twins gave one last glance to each other and then began to walk off
“Lets hope you can live up to your dad”
“Train hard Potter, you got a month” Harry wasn't sure who was who at this point.
Ellie sighed “I'm sorry about them, a bunch of assholes, just tell Flint they might target you and he will keep an eye out alright- I mean he's also an ass but he loves the game too much to risk it”
Before Harry could respond she whipped out a long light wood wand and cast a small spell before cursing “Shoot I gotta go- I promised McGonagall id meet her for office hours before curfew, I suggest you all hurry back to the castle before it gets much later”
“And Theo- i'll try and make more time for us to hang out soon okay”? She reached forward, pulling him into a tight hug. He tensed at first but quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and squeezed.
Ellie smiled, ruffling his hair again “I'll look into your case and let you know later, talk soon”! And without further adieu she set off and disappeared through a doorway of the arena.
__________
“Well that was eventful was it not”? Daphne looked like she was seconds from a migraine.
“You do realize those are probably poisoned or something, at the very least jinxed” Blaise gestured to the jellybeans in Harry's hand.
“Oh I know- but you never know when you could use them, perhaps for some revenge” Harry shrugged, asking Theo for a handkerchief that he wrapped them in before placing them in the opposite pocket of his wand.
“Ah spoken like a true Slytherin, knew you were one of us” Blaise tipped his chin up at Harry.
Theo rubbed at his knuckles “Sorry she wasn't more help- if I knew it would be a mess I would have just come alone”
Daphne reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder “It's fine Theo, if anything it was a good demonstration for more people to look out for- and it was a pleasure to meet her”
“Why hadn't you guys met before”? Harry asked
“Father is technically her magical guardian, but until a year or so ago she basically lived with my Great Aunt further up north-” Theo explained as the group retraced their steps, now leaving the arena and heading back up the trail to Hogwarts.
Guess that made sense, there was definitely some sort of story there but now probably wasn't the time to pry. “The twins mentioned my dad, was he on the team when he was at Hogwarts”?
“No clue- my parents were older so they never mentioned him” Daphne began, fixing the cuffs of her sleeves.
“My dad loathes Quidditch, and my mom never went here” Theo said curtly.
“My mom also didn't go here- Oh here let me” Blaise offered, reaching over to help Daphne as he continued “But I know where we can check, the trophy room”
The sun was already beginning to set, it was most definitely later than they should be wandering a new part of the castle. But the thought of waiting to explore more about his dad was agonizing
“Do we have time”?
“We will just have to make time,” Theo said confidently.
And that they did.
It took a bit of maneuvering and he was convinced Blaise got lost twice but was too stubborn to admit it, insisting they were “shortcuts” even if at one point they reached the Ravenclaw tower.
They headed into the next tower, one of the tallest in the entire castle it seemed and stepped into a curved hallway filled to the brim with stands of armor. One gave them a wave which Harry returned, following Blaise's lead.
Stopping just in front of one suit of armor that was so big it almost touched the ceiling, you'd need an ogre or troll of some kind to fill it, but before Harry could ask questions Daphne guided him into the trophy room.
It was brilliant, then again he said that about a lot of the castle's architecture, but this truly was something else.
Most schools he'd seen maybe had a glass shelf or two- but this was a whole museum.
Every inch of the wall was covered in an array of bronze, silver, and gold, statues and monuments of names that were somehow connected to the school.
Accomplishments of people probably long gone from the world, and yet they have a mark enough to be displayed in such a way.
“Come along-” Blaise ushered, walking past a giant golden statue of a lion, a glowing orb tucked under its paw.
He approached a shelf that held a box of quidditch supplies, a more ornate version to the one Oliver and Marcus had shown him. Above it was a row of brooms but each looked much older than any he had seen before, a few even had some sort of colorful thread woven into the strands.
“Back in the day most people had made their brooms as a right of passage, but the trade was lost a bit, and now it's mostly companies that do it or a few craftsmen left” Theo explained, seeming to light up as he described more history behind broomaking as a custom faded to time.
“Harry look” Daphne gasped, pointing at a stand that held four plaques in a row, each showing a picture of the team in faded colors, the figures moving independently.
They were all marked with a year, 1976.
There it was, on the Gryffindor one,
CHASER- James Fleamont Potter, 5th year
“Seems he wasn't a seeker, but I mean how crazy is that” Blaise muttered
Harry nodded, at a loss for words as his eyes quickly darted up to the picture.
There were about a dozen people, all doing their best to look proper but failing miserably when their seeker, the only one with a slightly different uniform, tipped over and almost fell to the ground.
SEEKER-Frank Locard Longbottom, 6th year
“That's Neville's dad isnt it”?
“Longbottom.. Yeah probably it was, guess blood only gets you so far” Theo said but was quickly elbowed by Blaise.
At first he had no idea who his dad was, he'd scanned over the entire picture twice before finally landing on one figure.
He was tall, a bit broad and had dark bronze skin just a few shades lighter than Blaise. His eyes were a dark brown color and yet held so much joy and life.
“Shit he's crying- tissue”?
“I already gave him mine, it has beans in it”!
“You both are useless come here Harry-” Daphne held out a tissue and Harry took a moment to process that oh, his cheeks were wet.
He had been crying.
“Sorry it's just… I look just like him, but I don't know him at all”
God he sounded fucking pathetic, his throat already felt strained. Here he was crying like a baby in front of his friends, who didn't deserve to deal with his issues.
“Don't apologize-” Theo began but was stopped by Blaise holding his arms out, he just stood there, what did he want?
Blaise continued to look at him, almost expectantly but Harry was frozen stiff, he had no idea what to do. “If you don't want a hug that's okay, you just look like you could use one”
“Oh-” He choked “No no i’d- like a hug”
Warm arms wrapped around him and pulled in close, Harry could feel another pair half wrap around, and a hand gently brush through his curls.
It was as if they wanted him to start sobbing more, but he couldn't bear to try and pry himself away.
They stayed for a bit until Harry had calmed down, his silent sobs sizzling out as he’d used up the last of Daphnes tissue “Thank you- and i'm sorry”
Daphne just smiled “What are friends for”?
Harry never knew, but.. It felt nice.
“You mind if we explore some more or do you wanna head back down”? Theo asked, and Harry couldn't help but smile.
“I won't object, besides I kind of want to look more as well”
Without further prompting Theo had sped off to look at some other artifacts, Daphne close behind.
Blaise took a moment to squeeze Harry's shoulder “I'll give you a minute- come whenever you're ready” and followed after.
Harry let out a breath and turned his attention back to the plaques, the names that adorned them, he looked at all his dads teammates, where were they now? He didn't want to think how many might no longer be in the world.
Instead he turned his attention to the Slytherin team of 1976,
KEEPER- Magnus Mekhi Mulciber, 5th year
BEATER- Evan Omari Rosier, 4th year
BEATER- Bartimeus “Barty” Crouch Jr, 4th year
CHASER- Rabastan Alwaid Lestrange, 6th year
CHASER- Edmund Marlow Avery II, 5th year
CHASER- Amaryllis Holloway Wilkes, 7th year
CHASER- Dorcas Abioye Meadows, 4th year
SEEKER- Regulus Arcturus Black, 4th year
Each name was wholefully unfamiliar, outside of a few he connected back to noble houses, but he didn't know any on an individual level.
Unlike the Gryffindor picture they did manage to keep themselves looking picture perfect, though they switched between stoic expressions and lax or smug smiles filled with idle chatter.
Harry half wished he could read their lips, get a glimpse into their lives, but like before- he didnt want to know their fates.
Harry's gaze lingered just a moment more, something about the faces…but he pulled away. The trio had found a section towards the tri wizard tournament, apparently an ancient game that resulted in so many deaths it was permanently banned.
How fun.
They left the room fairly soon after, quickly dissenting out from the tower and wandering the halls of Hogwarts. It was definitely calling it closer to curfew, but just as before they had mistakenly let Blaise lead again.
Right as they had gotten somewhere familiar, they were halfway up a staircase when it began to move.
“Guess were going this way-” Daphne sighed, half glaring at Blaise back though he strode ahead without a second thought
He pushed open the doorway and Harry was hit with the strongest smell of must he’d experienced in a while. When his eyes finally adjusted to the lighting he found somewhere that was somehow even creepier than the back end of the dungeons.
“I don't think we're meant to be here” Harry shifted away, trying to avoid brushing against a mass of cobwebs.
Theo had taken to stealing Blaise's handkerchief and holding it to his face “Were in the dungeons- why on earth did we go up the stairs in the first place’?
Blaise visibly wilted and Harry would have felt bad had it not been for his insistence on leading for the past half hour.
“I know where we are- its the 3rd floor, it's forbidden” Daphne hissed “We need to leave now,”
They all whipped around, ready to book it back down the staircase but instead came face to face with bright orange eyes. A cat.
“It's Filch Kneazle, we need to go or we'll end up in detention until Sanheim”! Blaise quickly grabbed Theos sleeve and began booking it down the hall, with no other choice, Daphne and Harry followed.
Harry could feel the familiar buzzing crawl across his skin as they ran, torches seemingly lighting on their own and illuminating dark dust covered statues that adorning the withered walls.
“It's a dead end” Blaise whined, tugging at the doorway only for nothing to budge.
“Move you buffon” Daphne half shoved him aside, whipping out her wand as footsteps grew louder, echoing across the corridor “Alohomora”!
The tip of her wand flashed and with a loud click the latch came undone, Theo wrenched the door open and all of them ushered inside, doing their best not to slam shut behind them.
“That was unbearably close-” Daphne let out a breath, looking down at her now dust covered shoes with a sneer “Thankfully that old squib probably assumes the door is locked”
Harry scrunched up his nose, now suddenly aware of several obvious smudges on his glasses. He carefully picked them up, using a part of his undershirt to try and wipe them as he took a step forward.
An arm collided against his chest, roughly, and Harry couldn't help but flinch back “What gives”?
But instead of a clear answer he was hushed, “Don't. Move.” Blaise spoke, but his voice was tense.
Harry could feel the buzzing more present than before, slowly, he lifted his glasses and pushed them back up, watching as the room came into focus.
There, on the ground right in front of them was a giant creature, he could see dark brown fur and sharp coal black claws. It looked almost like a dog, until of course you saw the other heads.
“What in the god's name is a Cerberus doing in the school”!? Daphne whispered, sounding a bit hysteric, and Harry felt much the same way.
To his growing horror, the eyelids of one of the heads blinked, and soon the other lifted, yawning and giving full view to a row of massive teeth. Soon enough all three of its heads had lifted and its gazes were locked onto the kids who now stood almost petrified in front of the door.
As if in sync, they all let out loud screams and scrambled back to the door, not caring about the racket as it swung open and banged against the stone wall.
Harry could have fainted on the spot when he saw one head, jaws snapping, push through the narrow doorway. But they all worked together, using what combined body weight and strength they had just enough to get the latch back in place.
The door continued to shake and he could hear the grunting getting softer as they booked it back down the corridor, down the staircase, and all the way back into the dungeons.
Only once they found themselves approaching the golden serpent doorway did they take a moment to rest against the pillars and catch their breath.
It was Daphne who spoke first
“No seriously- why on earth is there a Cerberus in a school”!?
She sounded absolutely livid and Harry couldn't blame her for it
“Not even starting with the threat of having such a creature unwatched around children, that is no such environment for such a beast”
Blaise nodded “Poor thing could barely even stand all the way, unless a professor is keeping it as a pet I don't see any purpose for it being there”
Harry was about to interject that maybe there was no purpose, some people were just cruel like that, but Theo interrupted.
“It was guarding something” he stated confidently, earning looks from the trio “It was standing on a trap door, so obviously as inhumane as it is- someone is using a Cerberus to guard something”
That was- unsettling to say the least and well, it put a whole new context on Dumbledore's first day speech. He knew it was there, and what it was protecting.
Harry didn't need to voice this thought though, simply looking at his friends expressions he knew they understood. But how do you even begin to deal with that sort of epiphany?
“Want to agree to never let Blaise handle directions again and avoid whatever legal disaster the school is bringing upon itself”? Daphne raised a brow, ignoring Blaise squawk.
Theo and Harry were quick to agree.
(Word count- 8,450)