Chapter 18
It was a rather large group that went down to Hogsmeade the next day. Not only were Harry's old friends, Ron and Hermione, with them, but his new friends: Neville, Draco, Blaise, Theo, Tracey, and Daphne.
"Where d'you reckon we should go first?" Ron asked. "We're kind of a big group."
"Split up?" Blaise suggested.
"I want to talk to Hermione and Ron about Dad," Harry said. The Slytherins frowned a little, and Neville looked confused.
"Well, I've heard that very few people go to the Hog's Head," Hermione suggested.
"The ones that do will definitely report Professor Black," Draco retorted. "The clientele there are not the most trustworthy."
"The Three Broomsticks will be better," Daphne agreed. "There's so many conversations happening that no one will notice a Secrecy Charm."
"Tracey and I will go with you," Blaise decided. "The rest of you can go shopping. Then we can switch."
"Why you two?" Ron asked curiously.
"I'm a Firstblood," Tracey explained. Hermione looked shocked. "And Blaise's mother was never confirmed to be a Death Eater, as she kept claiming neutrality."
"How do you know Dad, then?" Harry asked.
"My father sent me to a Muggle preschool where I met Tracey," Daphne explained. "She'd often stay with us. Although, I think Professor Black only met her once. We've been friends since then, I tell her everything."
Tracey blushed faintly, only noticed by Blaise, Harry, and Hermione. The bushy-haired girl looked even more startled.
Before Hermione could say anything, Harry said, half-playfully, "Are you okay hanging out with Slytherins, Neville?"
Neville smiled ruefully. "Now that Malfoy's stopped hexing me, I'm fine."
Malfoy pouted. "I haven't hexed you since first year, Longbottom."
"I know."
"We'll see you for lunch," Daphne said cheerfully. She snagged Draco's arm and dragged him into Dervish and Bangs. Theo and Neville followed, looking amused.
Harry and the rest of his friends headed into The Three Broomsticks, which was loud and cheerful. Harry cringed a little.
"I'll cast a Muffling Charm so it's not as loud," Blaise said quietly to Harry -- and Tracey, who had turned a little pale.
"What's wrong with the noise?" Ron asked in a puzzled tone. "I know you got Resorted because you don't like it, but you never really said why."
"I don't think our childhood had great experiences with loud noises," Harry explained flatly. Hermione looked concerned.
Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Tracey took a free table in the back, and Blaise cast a few spells. The noise died down immediately, and Harry and Tracey relaxed.
"I'll go get us some butterbeer," Blaise said, heading over to the counter.
"Tracey, you said you're a Firstblood," Hermione said hesitantly. Tracey nodded. "But I thought Slytherins didn't like Firstbloods."
"You mean Draco didn't like Firstbloods?" Tracey said dryly, amused. Hermione looked thoughtful. "The rest of the Slytherins don't care, as long as you follow their rules."
Harry suddenly remembered. "Tracey, no one told me who those sixth and seventh years were, the night I got resorted."
"A lot happened that night," Tracey agreed. "Usually, we don't forget."
"What are you on about?" Ron asked.
"Slytherins have a different system than the other Houses," Tracey explained. "We're not really supposed to explain it to non-Slytherins, but if you two promise not to tell anyone else..."
"We won't," Hermione said, looking intrigued. Ron rolled his eyes at her but nodded.
"Slytherin is ruled by a court," Tracey said. "A King, a Queen, and their group of friends. Our current King is Marcus Flint, and our current Queen is Gemma Farley. When she leaves at the end of the year, sixth and seventh years participate in a duel and a battle of wits, and whoever wins that becomes the next Queen or Consort. The same thing will happen when Flint leaves."
Harry cocked his head. "Do you know if Vol -- the Dark Lord was a King?"
Hermione's eyes widened and Ron frowned.
"He was, actually," Tracey agreed. "I don't know who the Queen or Consort was, though."
"Abraxas Malfoy."
Blaise had returned with the butterbeer. He started passing them out as he said dryly, "You didn't hear Draco in first year? He was bragging that his grandfather and father were part of the Court, and he was going to be the King once he was in sixth year."
Tracey laughed. "I remember now. Draco bragged about a lot of things. And complained about Harry a lot."
"'Potter, with his stupid scar and pretty eyes-'" Blaise mocked. Harry, who had taken a sip of butterbeer, choked on the sweet drink.
"His what?" Ron asked, startled.
Blaise and Tracey smirked. "You were going to tell Hermione and Ron about Professor Black," Blaise told Harry, who was still coughing.
"F-f-uck y-you," Harry managed. Tracey giggled.
Blaise rolled his eyes and flicked his wand at Harry. His lungs and throat cleared.
"Did you just cast a Nonverbal spell?" Hermione exclaimed in shock. "That's Newt level!"
"It's a Zabini thing, darling," Blaise grinned. "Go on, Harry."
Harry stuck his tongue out at him.