Chapter 10
Six months ago, if anyone told him that he would be back at Hogwarts as Harry Potter’s brother, with said brother’s sleeping infant on his chest, Theo probably would’ve taken the risk and had them admitted to St. Mungo’s. Surprise, surprise. Theodore Nott-Potter was laid on the couch in his shared room with a sleeping Teddy. He needed a break from all of the stares. If they weren’t full of hate, they were full of pity; Theo couldn’t decide which he hated more. Three visits to the hospital wing a week wasn’t really what he had in mind when he agreed to return with his siblings so the three of them could finish their education.
If Harry wasn’t in class, with Theo in the hospital wing, or with Teddy, he spent most of his time in detention. Theo didn’t think anyone was really taking Harry seriously with his threats. They hadn’t been privileged to the new ones he and Hermione had created. Hermione tried to stay out of trouble, but she was slowly losing her resolve. Theo was hers to protect, and she felt as if she was failing. Hermione Granger-Potter never failed. His brother and sister sent him to their room while they took the time to address the issue with their fellow schoolmates. Theo just hoped he wouldn’t hear any screaming. He witnessed the duel between Harry and Hermione against the Weasley family. He never wanted to be on the wrong end of their wands.
While Theo spent quality time with Teddy, with Bill and Fleur posted outside the dorm room, Harry and Hermione gathered the eighth year students in the common room. They were going to settle this matter; for good. George, Fred, Astoria, and Luna were also present. Mostly because Fred insisted on being present. He was rather fond of Theo, and therefore very protective of him. George was there to ensure that his brother didn’t do anything rash, this was up to Harry and Hermione. Astoria was there as back up. She was smaller than most of those present, but she was still a Slytherin afterall, and Theo was family. Luna was there simply because it was rare for her and Draco to ever be apart.
“Alright you lot,” Harry started, trying not to let his anger get the best of him. He was tired of the treatment Theo, as well as the rest of the Slytherin’s, received. A first year ended up in the hospital wing at the hand of a sixth year Ravenclaw. Harry had officially reached his limit. “We’re going to air this shit out now. And then we’re moving on to the rest of the school. Anyone with any sort of issue with Theo, myself, Hermione, or the Slytherin’s for that matter, speak.”
No one dared to speak, everyone sat around with their heads down. Harry took this as his chance to continue, “Well that’s a load of shit. None of you have anything to say? Is that because you like to let your wands do the talking? Hexing someone who won’t stick up for himself because he’s not only too scared, but because he also thinks he deserves it? He had nothing to do with the War. Theodore is innocent. He’s a victim just as much as the rest of us.” Some hung their heads in shame, others scoffed.
“Got a problem?” Hermione interjected, turning her attention to a certain Hufflepuff. “Actually, yeah. I do. I don’t understand why any of you would go to such lengths to protect Death Eaters and their supporters. They murdered people, they attacked us. It’s repulsive,” Ernie MacMillan spat. Fred was seething from his spot on the couch. George had his arm over Fred’s shoulder holding him in place while Astoria rubbed his arm in an attempt to soothe him.
“What if I told you that the war is over? That the prejudices against people on the opposing sides have died down. We’re free to live in peace, live how we want.” Hermione bit back bitterly. She and Harry didn’t risk their lives, go on the run, and lose their childhood for this. They did it for a better future, a blended Wizarding World. Where blood status didn’t determine how important you were. “I’m not dismissing what was sacrificed or the outcome. I’m saying that I refuse to be forced to enjoy the company of those who wished people like yourself, Granger, dead.” MacMillan retaliated. Harry stood in front of his sister protectively, “You’ll do good to watch your town, Earnie. I’m not known for having control over my temper, but I am known for fast reflexes.”
That statement earned Harry a glare from most of the room. “We’re clearly not the ones to help you see past your blatant discriminatory minds. So, Draco,” Harry turned towards the platinum blond seated in the corner of the room, Luna perched in his lap. Draco’s head snapped up, eyes wide, his fellow Slytherin’s staring at Harry with weary looks. “Were you a Death Eater?” Harry asked bluntly. Draco gritted his teeth, “You know bloody well the answer to that, Potter.”
“Did you choose to become one?” Harry continued. Draco, unsure of where this interrogation was going, “Absolutely not, my mother was captured and tortured. Either I accepted the mark or she died at the hand of a mad man.” Harry nodded his head towards Hermione, “Draco? Was Narcissa the only person captured, tortured, and threatened by You-Know-Who?” Draco shook his head, he could think of at least a dozen others. No one had a choice in their position in the war, but none of them wanted the fate forced upon them. “Would you say that every single Death Eater openly accepted the Dark Mark?” She continued, again Draco shook his head.
“Most of us didn’t have a choice, we were given ultimatums. Join or die. Do what you’re told, or watch the person you love most die,” he whispered. Tears were stinging his eyes, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for being an absolute prat when we were kids. I’m sorry for the things i’ve said and done. I know words will never make it better, but those that fought on the side of the light weren’t the only ones who did things they aren’t proud of. I never wanted any of it. I only wanted to protect my mum,” he cried. Pansy and Blaise hung their heads, tears slipping out. Despite winning the war, the aftermath was a battle in itself.
‘Thank you, Draco. For everything you sacrificed. No one should have had to do any of the things we were forced to,” Hermione whispered. She turned to address the rest of the room, “If you want to hate and blame the Slytherin’s for the actions of their family, or their own, then you should add Harry and I to that list. We aren’t innocent either. We tortured people, we killed people. Bloody hell, we even used an unforgivable curse on fellow wizards countless times.” Harry reached behind him and held Hermione’s hand, “None of us are innocent, and if you refuse to see and accept that, then I’m sorry. But the next time someone curses, hexes, or injures anyone in the Slytherin house, especially Theo, you will find out just how merciless I can be.”
Harry, Hermione, Astoria, and the twins made to leave the room. With their backs turned, some angry housemates turned their wands towards the younger Slytherin. With a scream, Astoria fell to the ground trying her best to claw at her back. Hermione and the twins dropped to the ground near her, while Harry turned with his wand pointed in the direction of Ernie MacMillan, His wand drawn, pointing towards the crying girl, a look of disgust on his face. Without a word, Harry sent his signature hex towards the Hufflepuff. Taken by surprise at the sensation of spiders crawling inside his skin, MacMillan fell to the sofa, screaming and scratching at his skin. His skin started to blister and bleed as a spider finally made its way to the surface. The surrounding students watched on in horror. No one made a move to help their fellow housemate as he writhed in pain. Almost as soon as they appeared, the spiders were gone. “That was an easy one, next time I won’t be so lenient. I’ll say it one last time. Theo, Astoria, Draco, Pansy, Blaise, and every other Slytherin are off limits.” Harry said darkly, his attention turning towards his witch. He scooped her into his arms and made his way to the infirmary, leaving everyone behind. Including a group of open-mouthed Slytherin’s.