Chapter 4
With all the excitement from the night before, Harry still had classes.
And with the exciting news of his new founded great powers, what was said in the Snake Conclave must stay in the Snake Conclave. Therefore, he couldn’t tell everyone he passed about the news and had to keep it locked up till nighttime when he could finally gush about it to his roommates who were just as excited as he was.
Harry wished Ron was talking to him, he would probably say it’s ‘bloody brilliant’ and then start making fun of his ever-growing fame. Ron always made fun of him being so famous that he couldn’t walk down Diagon Alley without a journalist butting in. Harry missed it greatly, and quick glances across the Great Hall wasn’t enough.
The boys did have a few classes together, Potions and Transfiguration, but Harry always sat with the Slytherins and Ron always sat on the opposite side of the classroom without giving him a glance. Then when Harry tried, Ron would rush out and keep his eyes to floor. Fred and George were kind to him and sometimes invited him to eat at their table which he always declined since Ron left the table whenever he went to sit down.
“He’ll come around, he’s just a bit of a salted toad.” George sympathised.
“He should come around faster.” Harry had replied grumpily.
With his friendship with Ron declining, his friendships with his Slytherin first graders were growing each day. The group spent every minute of every day together. They studied, ate and walked around in a small eight people pack and Harry loved it.
Draco pointed out that Millicent had a crush on Crabbe since she blushed whenever he talked or even sat next to her, so Harry and Draco made sure to always make sure they sat next to each other. In potions class one time, they made Pansy trip and cut her leg so Millicent would have to find a new partner. The boys had apologised to Pansy of course, her sacrifice didn’t go down in vain, and she made them give her their chocolate pudding after dinner for three days in a row.
Other than in-group-drama, Harry tried in classes, despite popular belief he mucks around all class. He and Draco worked together to make the best ‘cure for boils’ potion that earn them 20 points for Slytherin. Then in Transfiguration, Harry was asked to work with Hermione Granger, the Gryffindor, for a school project on changing the appearance of a teacup into a rat.
She was much more studious than anyone he met before, and his mum was Lily Evans so that was saying a lot. She bombarded him at most times of the day to plan for a good study time.
“I’m sorry Hermione, but we’ve got flying lessons next and I’m not going to miss that for Transfiguration.” Harry said when Hermione tried to get him to a study session.
“Oh but Harry, I really want a good grade on this assessment and flying isn’t going to help at all!” She sulked.
“Come on Harry, we’ve got to get going before the Gryffindors take all the good brooms.” Draco also sulked, pulling on his robe sleeve.
Harry turned back to Hermione who looked about ready to cry. Why must girls be so emotional? “Hey, it’s all right, we have two weeks before it’s due. I’ll meet you tonight if you’re that worried.”
This cheered her up and a pretty smile graced her lips. “Sounds perfect, Harry! Before dinner?”
“Yep!”
Draco pulled on his sleeve harder, making Harry stumble. “Come on Hazz, we’re now 2 minutes late.”
Harry rolled his eyes and gestured to Hermione. “Come with us, ‘Mione, you take flying with us.”
“Ugh, if I must.” She grumbled and the group of three trudged into the windy cold. Madame Hooch had a line of brooms set out and most of the students were already lined up in front of one.
“This would be much more dignified if we got to bring our own brooms.” Draco muttered, crossing his arms at the cheap, pre-used school ones.
“Cheer up, Malfoy, we can bring our own next year.” Tracey said cheerfully.
Draco did not cheer up and grumbled under his breathe until Madame Hooch clapped her hands and got everyones attention to her.
“Alrighty! Get in front of a broom, real quick.” She demanded.
“Good!” She praised, “now, put your hand above your broom and say ‘Up.’ Put real gusto into it!”
Harry did as told and said “up!” As loudly as he could, his broom immediately flew into his grip and Harry grinned. 11 years of quidditch practice was finally going to some use.
He looked down the line to see Ron who was practically yelling at his broom to come up.
“Up. Up. UP!” He screamed, the broom finally obeyed at the last command and smacked him right on the nose. Ron cried out and held onto the sore part, his broom in the other hand.
Draco laughed loudly from beside him, earning glares from the Gryffindors.
“Find anything funny, Malfoy?” Hermione snapped.
Draco raised his hands in surrender and grinned innocently. “Nothing at all, Granger. Just find it funny how Weasley can’t manage to pick up a broom almost as rugged as he is.”
Rons ears turned red from embarrassment and he glared at the blonde with venom. Harry put his broom down and crossed his arms at his friend.
“Draco, shut up before I punch you in the nose.” He scolded.
“What, you’re defending this weasel after he hasn’t talked to you for a month?”
Harry picked his broom up again and glanced at Ron who was looking at the floor with bright red ears and a guilty expression. Hoping he’d say something to what Draco said, Harry stared at his best friend but it wasn’t returned. Disappointment boiled in him and Harry suddenly felt angry and sad all at once, his best friend hated him because of his house yet he was seen laughing with a Hufflepuff at lunch. They were meant to be best friends for life and Harry could see they were slipping away.
Since before they could talk they had been best friends. Lily and James were friends with Rons uncles who died in the first war so his parents made it their goal to look after their sister, her husband and their six children - at the time. So Ron and Harry were put together and they never wanted to be apart. They were brothers, not that Ron needed another brother, but Harry did. They learnt to fly together and apparently after Ron said his first word, Harry said his right after him. Neville joined them at times but he never seemed to get as close to the boys. Now Ron was gonna be best friends with Neville and move on, leaving Harry heartbroken.
“Maybe I won’t.” He muttered, still looking at Ron.
Madame Hooch clapped her hands again and gestured for everyone to get back in line. “Alrighty, get on your brooms and gently push off the ground, make sure to only hover as high as two meters please. We can move onto skills later.”
Everyone obeyed and as most people hovered a few meters, poor Neville pushed off a little harder than necessary and span into the year. He had never been good at flying, no matter how hard Harry and Ron tried, and his skills were shown as he slipped off his broom and landed on his elbow, a lound snap echoed through the quidditch patch.
“Oh Merlin, Mr Longbottom! Are you alright?” Madame Hooch fussed, running towards the injured boy.
The students formed a circle around Neville and Harry winced at the stated of his arm. Neville was whimpering quietly and holding his elbow.
“I-I think it’s broken.” He cried out.
His roommates, Seamus, Dean and Ron helped him up and looked at the Professor for guidance.
“What d’you want us to do with him, Madame?” Seamus asked, his accent extremely Irish.
She tutted and took Neville by his not injured arm. “I’ll take him to the infirmary. No flying while I’m gone. I will find out and whoever does, will get a months worth of detention.”
As the pair walked away, Draco picked up a red ball that was lying where Neville fell.
“Neville has a remembrall?” He questioned moving the large, transparent, marble-like glass ball.
“He must have dropped it, give to here, Malfoy.” Dean snapped, holding his hand out.
Draco raised an eyebrow and smirked at the orb. “Actually, I might put it somewhere for Longbottom to find.” He then got on his broom and flew much higher than two meters.
Harry opened his mouth to yell at him but Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle were laughing loudly and calling taunts at him.
“Do a flip!” Crabbe dared, Malfoy winked and did a clean 360.
“Fly higher!” Millicent said and Harry watched his friend go higher, spinning the remembrall in the air.
“Draco, stop spinning it, you might drop it!” Harry called.
Instead of coming down, Draco flipped it higher before catching it swiftly.
All right then, Harry thought as he got on his broom and pushed off gently.
“Get down Harry, Madame Hooch said we weren’t allowed on our rooms till she returned.” Hermione ordered from the ground.
Harry ignored her and flew to where Draco was spinning the ball on his finger like a basketball.
Draco grinned at him and span around him in taunting circles. “What a surprise seeing you here.”
Harry rolled his eyes and held out a patient hand. “Please just give me the remembrall and come down, we don’t want to get in trouble.”
“Didn’t know you were a sucker for the rules, Potter, father always told me your father and his friends were the infamous trouble makers of this castle.”
“I would be if they didn’t loose the map.” He muttered under his breathe. “Come on Draco, that isn’t yours.”
Draco threw the ball again and sighed. “If you really want then you’ll have to get it yourself.” He then grinned maliciously and threw it in the air, letting it fall to the ground.
Harry held onto his broom and zoomed down, he had practiced diving for objects all summer and now his skills had use. He held his hand out as he got closer to the ball, and as they were centimetres from the ground, Harry grasped around it before zooming out so he didn’t hit the ground.
The girls were cheering and Harry could hear Pansy squealing his name. “That’s my man right there!”
Harry rolled his eyes and came over to her. “You have got to stop saying that.”
“Nonsense.” She teased, pulling him in for a hug and ruffling his already windswept hair.
“That was so cool! How did you do that? I was fully worried you’d hit the ground.” Ron sauntered over, jumping on his toes in excitement.
Harry shrugged and blushed at the praise. Ron seemed to remember he wasn’t meant to talk to him and folding his arms on himself, giving Harry a teethless smile.
Draco flew down and held out a hand, which Harry ignored, crossing his arms and giving Draco a glare.
“I didn’t know you’d get sensitive about it.” He grumbled, pointing a hand to the remembrall in Harrys hand. “It was a silly joke.”
Harry was about to scold his friend again when Professor McGonagall yelled at him from across the field.
“Mr Potter! Come over here, immediately.” She yelled, Harry widened his eyes and ignored the snickers from his friends.
“Looks like someones in trouble.” Blaise teased, punching his shoulder gently.
Harry glared at Draco one last time before dropping his broom and jogging towards the Professor.
“Is there a problem, Professor McGonagall?” He asked when he was finally in hearing distance.
McGonagall crossed her arms and looked at him with distain. “Come with me, Potter.” She turned on her heel and walked towards the castle again, Harry followed obediently behind.
“I’m sorry for flying when I wasn’t meant too. Draco Malfoy took Nevilles remembrall and I was worried he’d break it.” He tried to explain, running out of breathe with keeping up with the long legged Professor.
“That’s not why I called you over, Mr Potter, not that flying without adult supervision was the right thing to do.”
Harry waited for her to elaborate but she continued down the corridor.
She then stopped in front of a trophy case that was filled with large, golden cups and plaques.
She sighed deeply and they stood in front of the case in silence. Harry coughed quietly into his fist.
“I don’t believe James Potter would last 11 years without bragging to his son of his quidditch accomplishments.” The Professor said after a small while.
Harry raised his head and looked at a large plaque with ‘Chaser, James Potter, 1978’ written on it in gold. He did, in fact, know of his fathers and Sirius’s quidditch victories. They told him stories of all the injuries, the cool tricks, the winning scores. Remus told him about his commentary during the games, how he had sworn in front of the whole school more than once. It was an experience Harry always wished he could live through.
“Is this why you’ve brought me over here?” He asked McGonagall.
She shook her head. “No, Mr Potter, I wanted to talk to you about your skills on a broom. I watched your stunts from my office window and am incredibly impressed. You truly are James Potters son, only he could dive that well on such shitty school brooms.”
Harry’s eyes widened at the swear word and he tried not to giggle. McGonagall looked at him from the corner of her eyes and flashed a Cheshire grin.
“I would hate to give an opposing team such a valuable player as yourself but I will let Professor Snape known of your skillset on a broom, they are in need of a new seeker once their current one graduate.”
“I can play quidditch? But I’m only a first year, Professor.” He asked.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. “Would you prefer I didn’t tell your head of house?”
Harry shook his head quickly. “No professor, I would love to play quidditch.”
“Oh, I do wish you were in my house, Mr Potter, you would be a very valuable asset to our team.”
They were silent again, when Harry saw something.
“Is that you Professor?” He asked, pointing to the name besides his fathers.
“No.” She chuckled. “I did not go to school in the 70’s, much earlier actually. That would be my nephew, my brother passed down the quidditch gene well.”
Harry nodded and looked at his fathers name. Maybe they could reimburse their relationship if he got on the team.
“Thank you so much Professor McGonagall, but I’ve got Defence against the dark arts next and Professor Quirrell is-“
“Oh yes, thank you for talking to me, good luck in your lessons Mr Potter.”
Harry did a bow-like-nod before turning on his heels.
“Oh, Mr Potter, something else.” McGonagall said.
“Yes, Professor?” He asked politely.
“Although you are not in my house, feel free to talk to me whenever you please, my office is always open.” She offered, smiling motherly.
Harry nodded again and said thank you. “I will keep that in mind.”
——
It was probably nothing, but Harry’s scar just kept on throbbing. The pain traveled through his whole body but his scar was the main problem. And it always throbbed during dinner in the Great Hall. It started in the first week after a long full day of classes and then it continued. At first, Harry thought it might be a headache but headaches didn’t last for two months.
“You alright, Harry? You’re holding your forehead again.” Tracey asked kindly, touching his hand.
“I think it’s a headache again.” He muttered, putting his head on the table and groaning in pain.
“D’you wanna eat in the common room?” Blaise asked, putting more potatoes on his plate.
Harry groaned again, the Slytherins exchanged concerned glances and Draco started getting up, tugging on Harrys elbow.
“Come on, let’s go back to our dorms, put on coal face masks and go to bed.”
“Count me in!” Pansy said, also getting up. “I’m a sucker for a good face mask.”
“Of course you are.” Millicent blushed, smiling shyly at Crabbe.
Draco started to led Harry out of the hall, keeping a tight grip in case he tipped over. They were nearly out of the room when a familiar voiced yelled, “Harry!”
Ron and Neville must have noticed something was wrong because they were coming over with concerned expressions.
“You alright, Harry?” Ron asked, putting his hands deep in his jean pockets.
Harry then doubled over, the pain searing. He collapsed and felt a scream leave his lips.
“Harry! Oh my gosh!” Draco gasped, rubbing his back.
“Someone get help!” Neville yelled.
Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape were running between the tables and the Headmaster kneeled at Harry’s height. He tried to lift Harry’s face to see what was hurting but Harry sobbed in pain. Students were surrounding them, muttering and asking what was going on.
“Is he okay?” He heard Hermione ask, voice shaky.
“Go back to your tables please, we’ve got this sorted.” McGonagall called, coming to see the problem.
Madam Pomfrey shooed Dumbledore out of the way and put a reassuring hand on Harry’s shoulder. She looked at Draco and Blaise, the closest students there.
“Boys, try and help Mr Potter up, we’ve got to take him to the infirmary.”
Draco nodded and put Harry’s arm over his shoulder, Blaise did the same on his other side.
“Alright Harry, we’ve got you.” Draco muttered, they lifted him and Harry hissed, moving his hand off Blaise’s shoulder to hold his scar. They followed Pomfrey to the infirmary, stopping when the injured boy stumbled. Harry removed his hand once they left the Hall, feeling like a laser wasn’t burning the back of his head. He took a shaky breathe and held tighter to Dracos neck.
“Alright there, kitten?” Draco teased, holding him tighter around the waist.
“Kitten?” Both Harry and Blaise asked, laughing loudly.
Draco rolled his eyes, cheeks flushed. “Kittens are clingy and Harry was being… you know what I mean!”
“Hmmm I don’t think I do.” Harry teased.
Draco flushed more and pinched Harrys side. “Do you want me to drop you?”
“Not if I have my kitten claws on you.”
“It was a joke! Get over yourself, you’re being a cockroach now.”
“Hehe. Cock.” Blaise giggled.
Madam Pomfrey led Harry to a well made white bed near the end of the infirmary. She fluffed his pillows before leading his backwards slowly.
“You feeling alright, Mr Potter? Headaches? Migraines?” She questioned.
Harry shook his head.
“Did it feel worse in the Great Hall?”
Harry nodded.
“Do you think it was the noise or the amount of students that set that off?”
Draco looked solemn. “You did scream at one point.”
Harry shrugged and looked at his mingled hands.
“Lets have look then, it was the scar that hurt, right?” She asked softly, getting an elastic band and tying his fringe back before touching the lightning strike lightly.
“Has your scar ever hurt like that before?”
He frowned. “I remember it burning up when I was younger and my parents threw a large party to celebrate the anniversary of the war but thats all I can remember.”
The nurse hummed in response and ran off to get ointments. Draco and Blaise were sitting on nearby seats, talking softly and looking at Harry on occasions.
Harry sighed loudly, gesturing them over. “I’m not gonna die, come closer!”
“You did scream Harry, I was proper worried.” Draco said, still looking concerned.
“As you should be, this is not a laughing matter.” An old voice said from the doorway, Albus Dumbledore strolled in with Professor Snape at his heel.
“Where’s Poppy?” He asked darkly.
Blaise pointed to the office and Dumbledore went over, walking in without knocking. Snape stood beside Harrys bed and tipped his head sideways.
“Feeling better, Mr Potter?”
“Much.” Harry replied awkwardly.
Snape raised an eyebrow. “You gave us a real fright, we considered contacting your parents.”
Harrys eyes widened and he shook his head quickly. “No need, Professor, I’m feeling fine now.”
The Professor was going to reply when Madam Pomfrey entered again, looking frustrated.
“No talking to the patient, Severus! Mr Potter is in a very fragile state.”
“I’m not fragile.” Harry murmured.
“Of course you’re not, dear.” She sighed, dabbing a cold cream on his scar.
“I’ll say you’re fine for the night, come back immediately if you feel anything over than normal. Mr Malfoy, Mr Zabini, make sure he has an early night. If he’s anything like his father he’ll go bungee jumping off the astronomy tower instead.” She demanded, both hands on her hips.
“Thank you, Madam Pomfrey.” Harry smiled, Draco held onto his elbow again as if he’d collapse at any moment.
Dumbledore waved and looked down at them through his spectacles. “Good night boys.”
The Slytherins said goodnight and left quickly, knowing a serious talk was going to occur.
“What d’you think Dumbledore meant by ‘this is not a laughing matter’?” Harry asked, imitating the Headmasters voice.
Blaise shrugged. “Merlin knows, he does love a good entrance, that man.”
“Or you’re in mortal peril and someone is trying to kill you by using your scar.” Draco said seriously. The boys were silent for a minute before bursting into laughter.
“Who would ever want to kill me?” Harry laughed into his hand.
“A billywig who has nothing better to do with their life.” Blaise added making them laugh even harder down the hall, bumping into each other as they tried to compose themselves.