The Mantra
Chapter 4: The Mantra
Tensions in the Manor were high for the remainder of the week. Draco tried his best to keep to himself, but his mother’s incessant nagging to join her for tea times was wearing on him. Both Draco and Narcissa avoided Lucius like Dragon Pox. His temper was rising and it was best to keep out of his path, lest they ended up the subject of his furor.
Draco read through nearly all of his new textbooks and noted that all of Lockhart’s books were worthless. He contradicted himself so many times, and inserted random tidbits about himself so randomly, that it was hard to follow or get anything useful out of them. He read one passage in Wanderings with Werewolves that he could’ve sworn he had read somewhere else by a different author, but it wasn’t noted as such in the text. He shrugged it off—Lockhart’s writing was all very repetitive anyway.
Draco attempted to be meticulous as he packed his school trunk, but inevitably ended up daydreaming about Hogwarts and a year without Harry stinking Potter. He grabbed his potions ingredients for the year, shoving them into various places—knotgrass into a shoe…wartcap powder into the transfigured snuffbox from last year’s exams… If his father and Dobby were successful with whatever they were up to, Potter wouldn’t be back at school this year. While Weasley would be overly annoying without Potter, he could easily be dealt with.
Once his clothes were pressed and folded nicely, he closed his trunk with a click and levitated it over to the door. He flicked his wand and the trunk softly dropped to the floor next to his new Nimbus 2001. He tucked his wand back in his pocket and flopped down on the bed.
There’s no way I’m going to be able to sleep tonight. I know I should, but it’s just so exciting! I’ll finally get my chance to do and have everything I had hoped when I started Hogwarts. And this time there won’t be a stupid Potter snatching it away! He can quietly fade back into being a Muggle and I can have what should’ve been mine to begin with. Maybe Granger and I can actually be friends outside of the library…I’ll get to be on the Quidditch team…the teachers will finally realize how excellent of a student I am when there’s no Potter to gawk at and fawn over…
Draco drifted off to sleep over his ramblings and dreams of a Potter-less school year.
…
When he awoke, the sun had barely begun to rise. Draco tried to roll over and go back to sleep, but the adrenaline had already kicked in the moment he cracked an eye open. He sat up in bed and bounded to the shower with a spring in his step.
It’s going to be a good year.
He quickly showered, trying to enjoy the steam, but unable to stop himself from rushing through his morning routine. He had showered, dressed, and fixed his hair in less than eight minutes. Peering out his bedroom window again, the sun had barely moved, but the light seemed to envelop the whole of the gardens below.
It’s going to be a good year.
Draco couldn’t keep the smile off his face. This was the happiest he had been since he had gotten his wand. Finally, he made the decision to have an early breakfast and just wait downstairs until it was time to leave.
It’s going to be a good year.
The blonde wizard scarfed down his meal, only slowing when his mother appeared for her morning tea and scone. Using table manners slowed his progress significantly, and when he was finished, he skipped around the dining table and into the drawing room, ignoring his mother’s amused expressions.
It’s time. It’s going to be a good year.
Draco stood next to the Floo bouncing on the balls of his feet. Mippy appeared next to him with a quiet POP! and the soft clicking of heels told him his mother was coming as well.
It’s going to be a good year.
Narcissa took a pinch of Floo powder and delicately tossed it into the fireplace. The Floo roared to life with brilliant green flames, and Draco took his mother’s waiting hand. They sped past grates and stepped out at King’s Cross Station. Narcissa banished the soot from their clothes with a practiced flourish of her wand. Looking around him, Draco saw a number of new First Years, and to his right stood Granger with her Muggle parents.
It’s going to be a good year .
He must’ve involuntarily tightened his grip on his mother’s hand, because she too noticed the girl he was so intently watching. Narcissa leant down and whispered in his ear, “She’s lovely, Draco.”
He jerked away from his mother, pulling his hand from her grasp as though he had been burned. He shot her a look of incredulity, retorting, “Mother, this is not the place nor the time.”
She slyly smirked and patted his shoulder, turning to greet the Parkinson’s and Greengrass’s who had just passed through other Floos alongside of them.
It’s going to be a good year.
Ten minutes later, they were saying good-byes and the gang loaded up onto the scarlet train. The girls took one compartment and the boys took the one across from it. Draco relaxed into the familiar seat and looked out his window to wave one last time to his mother. She held her own hand up in a small but regal wave and blew him a kiss.
It’s going to be a good year .
Behind his mother, was a frantic Granger. She was pacing up and down the platform, clearly looking for Potter. Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Weasley either. He’d seen the rest of the red haired brood to be sure, but he hadn’t seen Ronald .
It’s going to be a good year .
Draco smiled to himself when he heard the whistle of the steam engine blow sharply. Granger took one last look around before leaping onto the nearest car and waving frantically back at her parents. He could tell they loved her—her mother was crying as she waved and smiled back at her only daughter. They stood next to the Weasley’s, and all turned to leave as the train pulled out of the station.
It’s going to be a good year.
He turned back to the other boys in the compartment who were livening up as they shared stories about their summers.
It’s going to be a good year .
Eventually the commotion died down and everyone split off in their own conversations, or in Crabbe and Goyle’s cases, fell asleep. Draco was staring out the compartment door when he spotted a mass of messy brown curls leaning in and out of nearly every compartment she passed. With a lame excuse about using the loo or something, Draco slipped out of his seat and down the long hall.
It’s going to be a good year.
He carefully approached her, not wanting to sneak up on her and definitely not draw attention to them. When he was about to tap her on the shoulder, her attention turned on him. Her eyes were a molten honey and they narrowed at the sight of him—her worried expression turned to one of brash anger.
“What did you do to them?!” She shrieked accusingly in an angry whisper.
“Wha—what did I do? ” He didn’t know what he had expected really, but it wasn’t that . “I haven’t seen your precious Potter, or Weasley for that matter.” Draco had somewhat hoped they would be able to move past what had happened in Flourish & Blotts but it was clear to him now that it would take more than a candy apple and a book to win her over this time.
“I don’t know but you must’ve done something!” She was on the verge of tears now, “why else wouldn’t be on the train?” A tear tracked down her cheek and it took every ounce of willpower to not wipe it away.
What is that about?Why am I always feeling the need to comfort crying witches?
He took her hand instead and squeezed gently before quickly letting go. “I haven’t seen them since I last saw you, Granger. I don’t know where they are or why they aren’t on the train. If I see them, I’ll let you know, deal?”
She nodded and messily wiped away another tear. Sniffling, she turned to go back down the hall to continue looking for the two idiots. Before she could get more than a step away, Draco grabbed her hand again and pulled her back. What am I doing?
“Trolley cart is this way,” he said pointing behind himself.
“But, but Harry and Ron—“
“Are almost certainly not going to die without you for a few more minutes.” He wasn’t altogether sure that was true, considering the colossal amount of shenanigans they had gotten into the previous school year, but she seemed appeased by his persuasion.
“Okay…just a couple minutes won’t hurt.” She let him lead her down the hall and toward the trolley full of sweets waiting at the end.
It’s going to be a good year.
…
She had, in fact, only let him distract her for five minutes—the exact amount of time it took for her to nibble down an entire sugar quill. They didn’t really speak, he just offered her a shoulder to lean on while she tried not to cry over her missing friends.
Of course, Draco couldn’t tell her that although he didn’t do anything to Potter and Weasley, his father assuredly had. Though he didn’t dare lie to her either. He truthfully had no idea where they were or how they were stopped from getting to the platform.
Once their moment away from reality had come to an end, Draco wandered back to his compartment to find mocking looks on both Theo’s and Blaise’s faces.
“What’s wrong with you two?” Draco started.
“Curiously long trip to the loo—get lost, mate?” Theo chided.
“Nah, there was a long queue.”
“Funny, I didn’t see a line when we walked down there, did you, Theo?” Blaise smirked at Draco.
Theo switched seats so he was sitting next to Draco now. “Nah, I didn’t see a line either,” he said as he threw his arm across Draco’s shoulders.
“But what we did see—“ Blaise began.
“ YOU WERE HOLDING HANDS WITH GRANGER!” Theo burst like a damn breaking. Blaise shook his head disappointedly , as the brunette had clearly derailed the interrogation and gone rogue.
“Merlin, Theo, keep your voice down, you tosser!” Draco snapped back.
“Well you guys made me feel guilty for liking Daph, when you’ve had a thing with Granger this whole time!” Theo whined loudly.
“I swear to Salazar, Theo, if you say her name one more time loud enough for the whole damn train to hear, I will cut your tongue out!” Draco hissed threateningly.
Theo threw his hands up in mock surrender, “Alright! Alright! Fine!” He huffed but let it go.
“Do you wanna talk about it?” Blaise offered quietly, but Draco just shook his head. He turned away and looked out the window as they neared the station at Hogsmede.
…
Re-entering the castle for the start of term was just as magical the second time around. Draco felt his heart flutter for just a moment as they walked into the Great Hall to see the stars in the night sky above them twinkling brightly. The floating candles looked like stars themselves, and tables were so inviting with their House banners hanging overhead like a beacon to welcome them home.
The boys took their seats and the girls clustered across from them giggling and squealing in excitement for the new school year. Everyone was silenced, per usual, as Dumbledore stood to greet the students. Another odd opening speech, followed by Professor McGonagall leading in the First Years to be sorted.
Belby, Marcus… SLYTHERIN!
Chamber, Aaron… RAVENCLAW!
Coote, Ritchie… GRYFFINDOR!
Creevey, Colin… GRYFFINDOR!
Derrick, James… SLYTHERIN!
Dingle, Harold… HUFFLEPUFF!
Frobisher, Vicky… GRYFFINDOR!
Goode, Miranda… HUFFLEPUFF!
Goss, Geraldine… RAVENCLAW!
Harper, Hamish… SLYTHERIN!
Hooper, Geoffrey… GRYFFINDOR!
Irving, Amanda… HUFFLEPUFF!
Jones, Cameron… RAVENCLAW!
Kirke, Andrew… GRYFFINDOR!
Levins, Audrina… SLYTHERIN!
Lovegood, Luna… RAVENCLAW!
Robins, Demelza… GRYFFINDOR!
Stebbins, Steven… HUFFLEPUFF!
Summberby, Timothy… HUFFLEPUFF!
Summers, Lucas… RAVENCLAW!
Weasley, Ginevra… GRYFFINDOR!
The Slytherin table welcomed their four newest members and the food appeared before them. The boys stuffed their faces with turkey legs, potatoes and mash, puddings, treacle tarts, and anything else they could gorge themselves on. Draco loved Mippy’s cooking, but nothing compared to the feasts they had at Hogwarts.
By the end of the feast, the rumor was that Potter and Weasley had actually made it to Hogwarts—by flying car ! Draco was beside himself with rage. So much for his good year without Potter. As they plodded down to the dungeons, Draco was already writing his letter home to his father in his mind.
Father,
Potter made it to Hogwarts via flying car. Supposedly, he and Weasley crashed into the Whomping Willow, but don’t worry they’re still alive…
He repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists. Draco had been so hopeful—so ready to come out of his stereotyped role he had been forced into the previous year. Stupid Potter managed to take it all back—he dangled hope in my face and then snatched it away at the last second. Typical.
Draco was in no mood to talk to anyone. He really just wanted to wallow in self pity and head off to bed early. Pansy had other plans.
She had had a “start of term party” planned since the moment they got on the train that morning. It must’ve been what the girls were all tittering about at the feast. From what he could tell, the whole of Slytherin house was in on it and just as excited. How Pansy got the older years to listen to a Second Year girl, he had no idea, but he had a feeling all of them had only scratched the surface of who Pansy Parkinson really was.
The girls raced ahead, effectively locking everyone else out of the commonroom and in the dark dungeon hallway. The First Years were fidgeting nervously, most likely expecting some type of hazing or harassment. Draco rolled his eyes. Slytherin was no different from any of the other houses—they took care of their own—but they were never cruel to each other, that was for sure. The poor First Years only had the reputation to go off of, and would certainly be shocked when they entered their commonroom for the first time to a Pansy Parkinson party.
After about ten minutes, Daphne appeared at the entrance and welcomed them all into the party. Crossing into the commonroom, Draco’s jaw dropped. The girls had been precise and effective with their charm work. They had somehow floated glowing silver orbs around the room, the fire was roaring in the hearth, music blasted from a charmed record-player in one corner, and drinks were pouring themselves in another.
Theo eyed the glasses suspiciously until Pansy skipped over and told him it was just butterbeer and champagne for the older students (and apparently Pansy). She sipped from her champagne flute and fluttered her eyes at boys, clearly fishing for compliments.
Catching on quickly, Draco, Blaise, and Theo began peppering her with praise, “Great party, Pans!” “This is amazing, Pansy!” “Yeah, it’s awesome!”
“Okay, you guys can cut the crap,” she grinned wolfishly at them. “Enjoy!” She sauntered off into the crowd to enjoy her glory.
“We really should give the girls more credit,” Blaise murmured, staring after the dark-haired girl.
“Now, Blaise, don’t tell me you’ve gone soft for Pansy Parkinson!” Theo laughed whole-heartedly. “She’ll eat you up and spit you out!” He clapped Blaise on the shoulder.
“No, don’t be ridiculous.” Blaise shook his head, but his eyes were still tracking her through the throng of people.
“Go on, Blaise, go and talk to her then.” Draco smirked, knowing that he would never back down from a dare.
Blaise grabbed Theo’s butterbeer and downed it in one large gulp. He shoved the empty glass into Draco’s empty hand and marched off after the witch.
“I didn’t really think he was interested in her. I was only joking—“ Theo chuckled.
Draco just smiled, enjoying his friends—until Daphne walked by and Theo disappeared like a lost puppy trailing after its owner.
And then there was one .