Mudbloods and Murmurs
By the end of the day, the whole school had learned about Lockhart's Cornish Pixie mishap with his second-year students.
Celestia had been more than just a bit annoyed, having had to teach the whole class how to remove Ink out of their Robes while healing those who had bruises and scratches, not to mention Neville Longbottom who had a mild concussion thanks to his fall from the chandelier.
,, 'Tia, Love, you look like you're about to turn that book of yours into a block of Ice." Blaise said, sweat dropping at the girl who was sitting on Regulus's bed, dressed in a black Nightgown with a Star pattern on it, Fenris's head on her lap, his eyes closed.
The half-Veela sighed, feeling tired. ,, My Apologies............ I'm just frustrated, because of the catastrophic DADA lesson with Lockhart from this noon.."
,, Understandable." replied Theo, sitting on his own bed with Chrome on his lap, the boy scratching the Nifflers stomach as he read his own book. ,, That man has no talent whatsoever.. I mean did you hear the Spell incarnation he called out ? , Peskipiksi Pesternomi ' that guy is the very definition of a fraud and I can't believe Hannah and Susan still look at him like he hung up the Moon and Stars."
,, Didn't your parents and uncle go to school with him ?" Blaise suddenly asked, looking at Celestia.
She tilted her head, thinking about it.... ,, Hmm........ Now that you mention it..... They actually did, though they must have been in their fourth year when he was enrolled at Hogwarts."
,, Why not write about him in your next letter? He was a Ravenclaw, so Rabastan probably has quite a few stories on him to share, knowing how Barty Crouch Jnr. and he were befriended and in the same year." said Regulus as he and Draco entered the room, both with damp hair from their respective showers, and fluffy towels around their necks.
Celestia gave a hum, nodding. ,, I guess I could........... Uncle Rabastan did always have a great interest in gathering intel on others, even back when he was but a student."
Rabastan had probably more than just a little Backstabbing information on certain Wizengamot Members as well...
,, Don't remind me, Father told me quite a few stories of how he managed to get some of the older Slytherins to smuggle Veritaserum into the Firewhiskey of a Party in the common room..." Draco said, shuddering.
Nobody dared to go against the Lestrange brothers after that evening, not wanting their secrets to getting exposed by Rabastan or being in risk of having their titles stripped.
,, You two are back early.... How did it go ?" Blaise asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.
Draco and Regulus had been called to the Quidditch Pitch with some others by Marcus Flint, the two of them being the youngest out of the bunch.
,, He made us fly after Golfballs, and Draco almost got thrown off of his broom by a Bludger, otherwise, it went fine." Regulus bluntly answered, Draco going red in the face at the mention of him.
,, It came out of nowhere!" He defended himself as he saw the amused glints in the eyes of those present, going to his own bed as Regulus sat down in front of his, letting Celestia dry his hair without protests, having grown used to it over the past year.
,, And ?" The Italian pressed further, wanting more details.
,, You're sitting before the new Seeker and Chaser of the Slytherin Quidditch team!" Draco proudly proclaimed, his earlier embarrassment put aside for a moment.
,, Really? Congratulations." said Celestia, smiling happily at them, Regulus looked up at her from his spot on the ground, only able to look upside-down in this position. ,, Hunter wanted to try out as Keeper next year, Aiden having had to remind him that he had to grow slightly taller and put on more muscle if he wanted the position."
,, So we'll have the twins, you two and Hunter joining Quidditch teams, huh? It's going to be interesting to watch you guys play, especially with Aiden commenting on the whole thing." Theo said, making Celestia chuckle and Blaise snicker.
,, Don't remind me..... He's definitely not going to hold back with his remarks." said Regulus, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the feeling of Celestia's fingers running along his scalp.
,, Well we definitely won't miss out on your first practice match, when is it ?" Theo asked.
,, Saturday." The two boys answered at the same time, Flint had sworn that if they were late he'd have their heads.
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The next few days were spent with nothing out of the norm, though quite a few were amused when in Friday's Charms lesson Ronald's Wand had shot out of his hand and hit Professor Flitwick squarely between the eyes, creating a large, throbbing green boil where it had struck.
Aiden had to pinch Hunter throughout the whole lesson so the boy wouldn't start laughing.
And finally, Saturday morning came, which meant Slytherin was going to have their first practice Match.
,, We have to be quick, or they'll start before we even get there!" said Susan, as she, Hannah and Celestia quickly walked towards the Quidditch Pitch.
,, Susan.....It's too early...!..." Hannah complained, her roommate having dragged her out of bed, before sprinting up the Ravenclaw tower to get Celestia, the girl having already woken up a few minutes before her arrival, only to be dragged to her closet so she could get dressed.
,, This is Regulus's first time playing, we gotta support him, Hannah!" Susan argued, taking the girl's hand and making her walk at a faster pace.
Celestia simply watched the scene, her lips curling up into an amused smile.
,, Why are they so excited ?" Fenris asked, walking beside his Mistress with Chrome on his back.
, They want to support their friend.... Being the two Hufflepuffs that they are, they mean it with all of their heart.' She answered him through their Link.
,, The House with the Badger ?" He asked, Celestia, having taught him some things about Hogwarts, including the names and history of each House, though he still sometimes got things mixed up.
, Yes, the House with the Badger.' Celestia nodded, quite happy that Fenris could already guess the Houses.
The three girls were quick on their way and arrived in no time, Hannah now slightly more awake than earlier.
,, Morning girls." Hunter greeted, offering them a lazy wave as a greeting, his other arm being used as a pillow where he buried half of his head in, looking like he was about to fall asleep.
,, Good morning........ Did you stay up late ?" Susan asked, at which Aiden gave a huff, crossing his arms as he shook his head in disapproval, Theo and Blaise looking highly amused.
,, He didn't go to bed at all." Aiden informed them, pointing his thumb at Hunter. ,, Mr. Fletcher thought it'd be a great idea to go on the Internet and watch Videos of some weird Muggle with an Iron suit."
,, His name is Iron Man.... and he's cool.." defended Hunter, quickly looking away as Aiden shoot him a very pointed look.
,, Hey, why are the Gryffindors on the Pitch? I thought Flint said Slytherin would train today ?" Hannah asked, spotting the many Red Jerseys in the air, Fred and George being two of them.
,, We actually don't know........ maybe Wood and Flint agreed to share the Pitch or something like that." Blaise guessed, though he really had a hard time believing it himself.
,, Wood and Flint agreeing to something? That's as unlikely as the twins stopping their Pranks." Theo said, all of them looking at the team.
It didn't take long for the Slytherins to arrive........
And with them entering the Pitch, the Drama began.
Oliver Wood noticed them and shot towards the ground, landing much harder than he intended to in his anger, staggering slightly as he dismounted. Harry, Fred, and George followed.
,, Oh no........" Their group quickly made their way toward them, worried about what might happen.
"Flint!" Wood bellowed at the Slytherin Captain. "This is our practice time! We got up specially! You can clear off now!"
Marcus Flint was larger than Wood, in both muscle and size. He had a cunning look on his face as he replied, "Plenty of room for all of us, Wood."
The three female Gryffindor Chasers had come over, too. There were no girls on the Slytherin team, who stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the Gryffindors, leering at a man.
"But I booked the field!" said Wood, positively spitting with rage. "I booked it!"
Honestly, he sounded a lot like a toddler throwing a tantrum.
"Ah," said Flint. "But I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape. I, Professor S. Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owing to the need to train their new Seeker and Chaser'. "
"You've got a new Seeker and Chaser?" said Wood, distracted. "Where?"
And from behind the six large figures before them came a seventh, smaller boy, smirking all over his pale, pointed face. It was Draco. Right next to him was Regulus, expressionless as usual, giving off the impression of boredom.
"Aren't you Lucius Malfoy's son?" asked Wood, looking at Draco with dislike.
"Funny you should mention Draco's father," said Flint as the whole Slytherin team smiled still more broadly. "Let me show you the generous gift he's made to the Slytherin team."
All Eight of them held out their broomsticks. Eight highly polished, brand-new handles and eight sets of fine gold lettering spelling the words Nimbus Two Thousand and One gleamed under the Gryffindors'noses in the early morning sun.
"Very latest model. Only came out last month," said Flint carelessly, flicking a speck of dust from the end of his own. "I believe it outstrips the old Two Thousand series by a considerable amount. As for the old Cleansweeps" - he smiled challengingly at Fred and George in good nature, who were both clutching Cleansweep Fives -" sweeps the board with them."
None of the Gryffindor team could think of anything to say for a moment. Draco was smirking so broadly that his cold eyes were reduced to slits.
"Oh, look," said Flint. "A field invasion."
Ronald and Hermione were crossing the grass to see what was going on.
"What's happening?" Ronald asked Harry. "Why aren't you playing? And what're they doing here?"
He was looking at Draco and Regulus, taking in their Slytherin Quidditch robes.
"I'm the new Slytherin Seeker and Regulus is the new Chaser, Weasley," said Draco, smugly. "Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my father's bought our team.
Ronald gaped, open-mouthed, at the eight superb broomsticks in front of him.
"Good, aren't they?" said Draco smoothly. "But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. You could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives; I expect a museum would bid for them."
Flint shot him a warning look at that. ,, Malfoy, remember that the twins are far more skilled than you, even on their Cleansweeps... I would keep my mouth shut if I were you."
"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in," said Hermione sharply, ignoring Flint. " They got in on pure talent."
The smug look on Draco's face flickered.
"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," he spat.
Celestia wanted to curse Draco....
He just had to say it in front of the whole bloody Quidditch team, didn't he....
Susan and Hannah gasped, while Hunter gaped at Draco, Aiden looking like he was about to commit murder.
There was immediate uproar and Flint had to dive in front of Draco to stop Fred and George from jumping on him, Alicia Spinnet shrieked, "How dare you!" and Ronald plunged his hand into his robes, pulled out his wand, yelling, "You'll pay for that one, Malfoy!" and pointed it furiously under Flint's arm at Dracos face.
A loud bang echoed around the stadium and a jet of green light shot out of the wrong end of Ronald's wand, hitting him in the stomach and sending him reeling backward onto the grass.
"Ron! Ron! Are you all right?" squealed Hermione.
Ronald opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he gave an almighty belch and several slugs dribbled out of his mouth onto his lap.
The Slytherins had fixated glares at a certain Seeker. Draco was on all fours, banging the ground with his fist. The Gryffindors were gathered around Ronald, who kept belching large, glistening slugs. Nobody seemed to want to touch him.
,, Say Draco........ do you remember what grandfather and Lucius warned you about, this summer ?" Regulus asked, making Draco's laughter slowly come to a stop.
,, Calling her a Mudblood, you really are a disgrace." Regulus said, eyes holding a red tilt in them.
He was deeply disappointed in Draco, calling another student Mudblood so openly would only bring more problems for their House, not to mention Lucius, if the rumor of his son calling a Muggleborn schoolmate Mudblood, spread.
,, Our Apologies.......... We obviously need to have a word with our Seeker, before we allow him to play." Flint said, looking at Aiden, Hunter, Hannah, and Celestia. ,, You guys all right ?" He asked, wanting to make sure the four Half-Bloods knew it was not meant to insult them in any kind of way.
,, Y-Yeah....." Hannah shakily replied, Susan, who was holding her close, glared at Draco.
Regulus wordlessly took Celestia into his arms, looking at Aiden and Hunter who gave him nods, telling him they were fine.
Celestia wasn't bothered by Draco's indirect insult, having heard far worse in her young life.....
Though she found it sweet that Regulus had immediately tried to act as a shield and protect her.
,, I'm fine, Reggie." She assured, intertwining their fingers.
The boy looked at her face to make sure she was telling the truth, and finally nodded once he saw no hint of shock, fear or resentment in her eyes, letting her go...
Harry and Hermione had used the time to take Ronald away, but not to the hospital Wing as one would normally do. Instead, they carried him down to Hagrid's hut.
Though nobody had noticed that Hermione glanced back a final time, her eyes set on Regulus.
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,, This was a great fiasco....." Aiden said, sighing as he and Celestia sat in her room later that day.
He still couldn't believe that Draco had used that word......
,, Let us not think about that." Celestia said calmly, typing on her keyboard. ,, After all, we have a meeting with Professor Flitwick in about an hour...."
Celestia had asked her Head of the House for a short moment of his time earlier this morning, to talk to him about creating a club and the small Professor instantly agreed to meet her and listen to her ideas.
Now that more than just she herself was able to use the Internet and work with Electronic devices she wanted to start introducing the other students to it as well.
She was pretty sure that some of the older students who were in preparations for their O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts would appreciate the help of Cosmos, who she planned to Install into every single laptop and tablet they'd order.
Aiden sighed, letting a hand go through his hair to calm himself down. ,, You're right............"
Only for his moment of calm to be short lived....
It was sudden....
Celestia would have never paid it attention in the bustling halls of the castle....
But in the quietness of her room, with only Aiden, herself, and her familiars present, she heard something unnatural.......
It was a voice, a voice to chill the bone marrow, a voice of breathtaking, ice-cold venom.
"Come... come to me... Let me rip you... Let me tear you... Let me kill you..."
Fenris stood up, ears folded as he growled...
,, 'Tia ?" Aiden asked, seeing Fenris suddenly get aggressive.
She blinked, before turning to Aiden with her usual expression as she placed a hand on top of Fenris's head trying not to alarm the other boy. ,, Yes ?"
,, I think something's wrong with Fenris." He said, the Asgardian Wolf not having stopped growling, even as Celestia put her hand on his head.
She kneeled down, gently grasping the Wolf's head as she looked right into his eyes. , Fenris........ Calm yourself......'
,, I can't...!... Something dangerous lurks amongst the walls..!.." He said, continuing to growl as a warning to whatever his nose had picked up.
, I know......but you need to calm down........If it thinks you're going to attack, it will probably run havoc and kill everyone in this school, starting with us.' She told him, using their bond to make him stay put.
He backed down, slumping against her shoulder as she calmly patted him.
,, What's wrong with him ?" Aiden asked, standing up and walking over to them.
,, He heard one of the pipes beside the wall burst.......He'll be fine in a bit." She said, lying to not make him worry.
, This is bad..........' She thought, rubbing Fenris back as she heard moving along the pipes..... , Very bad....'