Chapter 3
Harry took a deep breath as he got ready to meet Marcus at the Quidditch pitch. It had been their regular meet up point now. Even for practicing spells. Not many went out there now that there was no Quidditch. It had enough room for them to practice spells without damaging anything around them and the weather, though chilly, was still holding its own. He checked himself in the mirror one more time before ducking out of the boys dorms and into the common room. Luckily it was a Saturday morning and not many were roused yet, and those that were had places to go so slipping out of the common room was a simple thing. He was halfway to the pitch when he felt the tripping hex and fell flat on his face. A sibilant hiss leaving his lips and he looked around only to see a set of robes ducking around the corner. He couldn’t tell who it was or the house. He was really starting to get pissed off with all the pranks and bullying. He had thought Hogwarts was better than that for the most part.
He brushed himself off and adjusted his robe when a gentle hand landed on his shoulder. He whirled to stare into the large brown eyes of another one of the older Slytherins.
The teen held up his hands quickly, “Easy Potter. I was just seeing if you were all right. Those two threw a pretty powerful tripping jinx. Are you hurt anywhere?”
Harry tried to place the older wizard before it clicked, “Heir Montague?” He really hoped he was correct.
The Slytherin nodded, “Indeed, You may call me Montague. Flint talks about you to us on occasion. Says you're alright when not surrounded by that group of yours.”
He flushed and turned away, “Not much of a group. Just me these days.”
“Yeah, I noticed that too. Look, you should tell a professor that someone is tossing jinxes at you. They can take care of it.”
Harry shrugged, “Don’t see the point. It won’t stop. I uhm, Thanks. For checking on me.”
“Not a problem. Were you headed? I will escort you.” The elder asked as he extended his arm for the other to take.
Green eyes glanced at it and he wasn’t sure what to do. When he set his hand on the other’s elbow the other just simply adjusted his hand till it rested properly in the crook of his arm, “Quidditch pitch to meet Marcus.”
“Ah, yes he mentioned he was heading out there. He still has us running drills every Tuesday evening and Sunday morning. Brutal but he is a good Captain.”
Harry laughed, “Well, he would have to be, to put up with Malfoy.” Then quickly looked down, “I’m sorry that was rude. He is your team mate.”
The other gave a soft chuckle before his face schooled back into that flawless mask, “Don’t worry about it. Most of the team hates him. Or at least finds him highly annoying.”
He nodded and looked around as he was escorted out the main doors. He saw a few early risers whispering and watching but for some reason Harry couldn’t bring himself to care. They would talk about him even if he wasn’t walking arm and arm with a Slytherin. At least this way he was likely to get a stunner or some jinx tossed in his direction, “You're a chaser right? My dad played Chaser. I’ve always wanted to try other positions.”
The older wizard nodded, “You got the build to be a chaser. But I don’t think you could cut it as a beater. Those guys are brutes. All that muscle.” Then he looked at Harry, “You could be a keeper too. But they tend to be more lanky. Easier for them to stretch out to block goals.”
Harry snorted, “I know I am short.”
Montague shrugged, “So what your short. My cousin was always short, then he hit his seventh year and shot up like a foot and a half. Not everyone becomes a hulking brute from the beginning.”
The Gryffindor laughed brightly, “Yeah, you're right.” He walked with the other as a calming silence fell over them till they were in the Quidditch pitch.
Marcus came jogging over, already in a loose pair of training robes, “Graham, what are you doing all the way out here?”
Harry was about to answer but stopped at the soft pat to his elbow.
“Just escorting Potter out here. Some students decided to jinx him this morning and I made it my duty to escort him safely to your hands.”
Green eyes rolled at the dramatic words, “It was a tripping jinx and I was fine but I am grateful for the company.”
Marcus scowled darkly, “Did you recognize who did it? Maybe I should start picking you up at Gryffindor tower.”
Harry shook his head, “I didn’t catch who it was and you don’t have to do that. It wasn’t bad.” He removed his hand from the crook of the others elbow, the chill felt more strongly now that he wasn’t pressed so close to the larger Slytherin who felt like his own radiator.
Montague shrugged, “I don’t mind escorting him about if you cant meet him. As for if it is necessary, well. I will follow my Captain’s lead Harry. He is right. What they are doing is wrong. I know I have no room to talk, I have sent a few spells out myself and I know Slytherins give as good as they get but you are a Hogwarts Champion. You should be treated with respect.”
“I am not the Champion. Diggory is. I just got lumped in because I have bad luck.”
Marcus snorted, “Your luck sucks.”
Harry grinned, “And I got the lion’s share.”
Montague groaned, “No, I can’t take puns this early in the morning. I am going to the library and then to breakfast. Try not to skip it.” Then patted Harry on the head before nodding to Marcus and walking off the pitch.
The Gryffindor quickly tried to fix the messed up hair, “I was wondering why we were out here so early.”
Marcus grinned, “It is good to get some training in before breakfast. It keeps your mind sharp. Now, we were working on shield charms. So show me your best shielding charm.”
The younger sighed knowing he wasn’t getting out of this that easily.
-------------
Harry collapsed into the chair at the Gryffindor tower with a wince. His backside was killing him. Marcus was brutal at training and didn’t hold back. So his arse meeting grass happened more times than it didn’t but now he could cast several shield charms and quicker. He looked around at the food and made himself a quick meal before digging in hungrily. He loved the food at Hogwarts. The elves always knew how to cook the best meals and his favorites were always on the table. Though he guessed everyone’s favorites usually ended up on the table.
Once he was sure he couldn’t eat anymore he stood and headed straight for the library. He wanted to look up a few more spells to see if there was anything else that could help him breathe underwater. The bubblehead charm was fine but it never hurt to have a back up plan. Most wouldn’t even consider him going to the library, he wasn’t exactly the most studious of people. This was life or death though, and he really wanted to keep living. So with a determination to live he buried himself in the large tomes the library had to offer. Mostly focussing on charms and defensive spells. He knew there was partial transfiguration but that was well past his area of expertise.
“Studying hard?”
Harry jumped and nearly dropped the book he had been reading as he looked up to see Marcus hovering over him like a great bird of prey. “Oh, yeah. I was looking for anything I could use for the task. I know bubblehead charm works but I wanted a back up plan. I also wanted to know if there were specific spells that leaned more towards water based creatures.”
Marcus nodded and sat next to him at the table, “Well there are alternatives to the Bubble heard charm. You could try a plant or potion, if you can brew them. But we still have to teach you how to swim. Spells though, you're looking at wordless ones. Have you ever casted a wordless spell?”
“No, I didn’t know you could. Well outside accidental magic.”
Marcus nodded, “Magic can be casted normally, wandlessly, wordlessly, or both.”
Harry frowned, “Does it have a trick to it?”
Marcus nodded and looked through the books, “We should start with first year spells. Then we can work up from there. What is your strongest spell?”
Green eyes narrowed as he thought, “Patronus I guess.”
“You can cast a Patronus? How large is your mist?”
“No mist, comporeal. It’s a stag.”
Marcus stared at the younger wizard in shock, he wasn’t sure why he was shocked. This was Harry Potter. “That's impressive. So let’s start with some first year spells. We should probably find an empty classroom or go back to the pitch. Let's check out the few books you want and head out.”
Harry picked up the couple that seemed to be the most promising and watched as Marcus flicked his wand and the other books filed themselves away back to their spots on the shelves. Taking his arm he let himself be led to the check out and then out the door and down a few halls. It was mostly quiet with the weekenders trying to enjoy the last rays of sunshine and nice weather before the snow hit. Being taken around by the arm was almost soothing. It gave him a sense of peace and safety that he had not really experienced over the years.
“So what color of robes were you thinking of wearing to the ball?” Marcus asked softly, “I tend to wear my family colors but I do not wish to clash with your choice.”
The younger thought a moment, “Oh, the seamstress did them in a dark green. She said the color made my eyes pop.”
“Green would suit you. Any accessories?”
Harry shrugged, “I have never really done a formal engagement. I don’t even know how to dance.”
Marcus grinned, “You leave it to me then. I want your Yule ball to the be the best. I want them all to look at you and regret ever treating you with any cruelty.”
“Why do you sound like your creating a battle plan?”
“Oh because I am. Trust me Harry. By the time the Yule Ball ends, everyone will regret what they have done. I will have the most handsome and intriguing man at the ball and they can all go fuck themselves.”
Harry laughed softly, “Then I will leave it to you.”
“Excellent. Trust in me Harry. I will never lead you astray.”
The rest of the day was a blur of activity. Learning wordless spells took a lot more energy then casting them normally but by the time dinner rolled around he was already casting most of the first grade charms wordlessly. He wanted to try wandless but he also knew rushing was not always a good thing.
He stretched away some of the kinks from sitting for so long, “Back to the crowds and words.”
Marcus nodded, “You could just come sit with me. There is no rule saying you must sit with your house for meals. You can meet my friends.”
“I would really like that.”
The Slytherin grinned, “Perfect, Trust me.”
They were words that Harry would learn to trust in the other. Taking comfort in the presence of someone who was actually proving to give a shit about him. They were just about to the Slytherin table when a hex clipped his shoulder. A searing pain and blistering sensation and he stumbled some, Marcus released his arm and turned his face twisting darkly.
“Who the fuck threw that!” He stomped over toward the Gryffindor table to Ron who still had his wand out, “You think that is funny Weasley. Throwing a hex at an unarmed back of another student. I should have you running laps till you puke.” He grabbed the younger by the front of his robe and hauled him up his free hand pulling back to punch the now frightening face of the other student.
“Flint that’s enough, you're going to get yourself in trouble for starting a fight.” A calm hand of Higgs settling on his shoulder.
Marcus snarled and pulled his shoulder from the other’s grip but didn’t punch the red head. Instead he shoved him away, “Watch yourself Weasley.” He turned to his best friend, “Can you check on Harry please. The hex was red.”
No sooner had he spoken then Weasley went to punch the older Slytherin, “Stupid Snake!”
The elder dodged and turned long enough to slam his fist into the red heads face, listening to the satisfying crunch of a nose going and the cry of pain from the younger student, “That was self defense.” Leaving a bleeding Ron to tend to a startled Harry.