Chapter 29
Harry had dreams that night about what Draco said Professor Riddle wanted to do to him and it was ruining his sleep cycle.
On top of that, November invited rain. Lots and lots of heavy rain that soaked the quidditch field and the grounds of Hogwarts in grimy mud and deep puddles. It was raining so much that the letter Harry sent to wish Sirius a happy birthday returned five minutes after he had sent it with a wet and angry Hedwig pecking at his nose.
This didn’t stop Marcus Flint. The Slytherin quidditch captain made the team practice every day in the rain, sun, hail or wind. Hermione taught Harry and Draco a water repelling charm for their goggles so they could actually see which was majorly helpful.
Harry was glad Draco was on the reserves. Flint was training him to be Chaser once he leaves next year and Draco was actually really good. He sent Harrys father lots of letters about his practice schedule and what moves he used to work on to manage a win for the Gryffindors in 1978. James Potter was all too happy to share his Chaser days and sent Harry a letter to invite Draco over for Christmas. It filled Harry with happiness to see the people he loved most get along.
Before anyone could look at the time, it was the morning of the first quidditch match of the season.
Draco and Harry wore their quidditch gear to the Great Hall for breakfast and glared at all the students booing at them. It wasn’t so bad as the Weasley twins were waving their arms like they were orchestrating it and Harry stifled a laugh as they stood up on the Gryffindor table to make the booing louder when Flint and Adrian Pucey entered the hall.
“Silence please.” Dumbledore called from the staff table, not taking any more steps to stop the chanting at all.
“Ugh, what a hypocrite.” Draco spat. “Wait till I tell my father about him, the old hag will loose respect from the board immediately.”
“Like you don’t talk about Dumbledore to your father anyway.” Harry nudged him.
“Obviously I talk about him, he’s an outrage to society!”
“Good morning to you too, Malfoy.” Blaise grumbled tiredly.
“You won’t be grumping around me when I win us the Quidditch cup.” Draco snapped proudly.
Blaise rolled his eyes and took a massive scoop of porridge for his bowl. “You’re in reserves, twat, don’t get all high ’n’ mighty when Potter’s doing all the work.”
“Flint’s been training me. If any chaser gets injured then I’m first pick.” scowled Draco.
“So you’re a proxy?” Blaise smirked. This made Draco scowl even more.
Before anyone threw anything, Harry stood up and gestured for Draco to do the same.
“We should head out, yeah? Weasley’s been staring daggers into the back of your head the whole breakfast, Draco.” Harry gestured to the Gryffindor who was still glaring at them.
“At least Riddle’s been minding his own business, the creep.” Draco muttered angrily.
Harry flushed at the thought but didn’t look at the staff table, too scared to see.
“Let’s not think about that. Come on Malfoy, we want the changing rooms before the Gryffindors get there.”
They waved goodbye to their friends and nodded at the rest of their team who told them they were going to follow after breakfast. Once they left the Great Hall Draco started nervously messing with the cuffs on his quidditch robe.
“Hey, calm down.” Harry soothed, taking Draco’s wrist so he’d stop fidgeting. “What’s happened? You were so confident this morning.”
“I’m fine, Potter, maybe you’re the nervous one.”
“Don’t snap at me.” Harry snapped back. “I was terribly nervous my first game as well, you remember? You had to debrief me like five times beforehand.” He chuckled at the memory.
Draco continued to stare forward but his jaw visibly clenched.
“Is it the rain?”
No answer.
“Is it the thunder and the rain?”
Nothing.
“I’d say you’d be nervous about the whole student body watching but you’ve always been one for an audience.” Harry laughed, trying to lighten the mood. They were outside the castle now and shivering in the cold rain as they headed to the changing rooms.
“Is it because your parents are gonna there?” Harry tried.
Draco clenched his jaw even more.
There is it. Harry grinned in self-victory.
“It’s a stupid thing to get worried over.” Draco grumbled.
“No it’s not.” Harry reassured him. “Parents are our biggest critics and I know all you want is to make your father proud so it’s normal to put this massive amount of pressure on yourself.”
Draco snorted. “Since when did you become smart?”
“What? I can’t be good looking and smart now?” Harry smirked.
“Since when did you become good looking-“
“Well I’m not ugly-“
“No, no, you’re definitely some kind of ugly.” Draco grinned.
“This isn’t a mirror, Malfoy.” Harry retorted back. “And besides, I distinctly remember you calling me attractive on the train in September so you can’t go changing your opinions of me.”
“I don’t remember saying that.” Draco teased, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
“Well you did.”
“Did not.”
“Did so.”
“I don’t recall.”
“If I had a pensieve and knew the spell to get a memory out right now, I’d prove you wrong.” Harry opened the door to the changing rooms and slammed it shut before Draco could get in.
“If I didn’t know any better,” Draco smirked as he opened the door, “I’d think you liked being called attractive, pretty boy.”
“Oh shut up.” Harry blushed, throwing his gloves at the laughing face of his best friend.
——
It was mid game and it started hailing.
The weather was certainly ruthless, but the game was even more so. Harry had almost been knocked off his broom three times and it had barely been half an hour. Lee Jordan was commentating as always, with an obvious bias towards his own house, Gryffindor.
“And George Weasley swings his bat, just missing Potter. Good shot, mate!” Harry heard him scream into the mic. It was very hard trying to see where the snitch could be as well as keeping track of the bludgers getting hit his way.
“Gryffindor seeker Bonny Kiter has seen the snitch, I think… oh, false alarm.”
Harry let himself relax for a moment at that comment and continued to fly around. He knew his family was in the staff stand, wrapped in Slytherin merchandise Marlene and Dorcas had bought them. Harry had waved at the happily when he first saw them and they all waved back, Sirius even wolf whistled earning a thunder of laughter from the surrounding students. Dracos parents were also on the stand with them and Harry gave Draco a supporting smile when he noticed his best friend waving shyly. Draco was never one to be shy.
Slytherin was currently 50-90, loosing by 40. Flint was getting restless and kept changing tactics.
“Potter, flying near our hoops!” He called.
“That’s dangerous, I’ll get hit!” Harry yelled back.
“Manson’ll be on you, just do it!”
Harry swore under his breath but followed the order, not wanting to deal with the repercussions later.
Just as he suspected, the moment he went near the Slytherin hoops, a bludger was coming right at his face but Manson glided in front of him with his black club and smacked the daylight out of it in the same direction it flew from.
“Cheers for that.” Harry muttered, clapping hands with the sixth year.
“No problem.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, right behind Mansons ear was a flickering gold circle. The Golden Snitch.
“I’ve seen it, keep look out.” Harry ordered, never taking his eyes off the target.
“Fuck yes.” Manson practically moaned. None of them wanted to be playing right now when they could feel a pool forming in their shoes from the amount of rain.
Harry whizzed towards the snitch, his Nimbus Two Thousand and One holding the straight line perfectly. He distinctly hears Lee Jordan mentioning him when the snitch takes a 180° turn to the middle of the field.
Harry takes the tight turn and holds out his hand, the snitch is flying in front of him but Harry is making haste and before he even knows what’s happening he’s jumping off his broom and tumbling to the floor with the snitch in his hand.
The crowd is silent but when Harry raised his fist with two wings flittering side to side, a thundering roar erupted.
“Yes Potter, you freaking legend!” Marcus Flint screamed as he flew to Harrys side and pulled him into a hug. The rest of the team followed and Harry squealed when he lifted onto their shoulders.
“Potter rules, Woods is bulls!” The Slytherins chanted.
“You did it, Harry.” Draco gushed, running from where he was sitting on the reserves bench.
Harry urged to be put down and he and Draco had a big hug.
The stands opened up and students and teachers came running down to congratulate the teams. Harry shook each of the Gryffindor teams hands with an encouraging smile and a “good game”. Their quidditch captain Oliver Woods looked on the verge of drowning himself.
The rain became heavier and Harry’s hair was plastered to his forehead and dripped from his eyelashes. His friends from the stands were looking the same but it didn’t stop their smiles.
“Marvellous, just fantastic.” Blaise praised, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
“Thanks.”
“We’re so proud of you both.” Tracey told them, mainly to Harry but Draco still smiled.
“That was one riveting game, Mr Potter.” said Professor Snape, coming up in front of them. Professor Riddle was beside him, looking calm as ever.
“Thanks, Professor.” replied Harry politely.
“Potter will win us the quidditch cup this year, won’t you?” Snape winked.
“I’ll try my best, Professor.”
“Were you two on the quidditch team?” asked Pansy.
“I was never one for sports.” said Snape grimly.
Riddle nodded. “Nor was I.”
Draco scoffed under his breath and Harry had to elbow him when Riddle looked in their direction.
“I am proud to have such talented students in my house.”
“Thank you.” Harry muttered, feeling a blush rise on his face. Draco practically growled.
Dumbledore announced the celebrations will continue inside and out of the rain. Harry almost forgot about the weather but when he entered the warmth of the Entrance Hall, his soaked robes felt heavy and cold.
“I can’t wait to have a shower.” Crabbe groaned.
“Not if I have one first.” Harry started.
“Prongslet!” A shouting voice called him.
Harry turned around with a wide grin to see his family coming towards him with smiles just as wide. Harry ran at his father and jumped into his arms, not feeling embarrassed by the amount of eyes looking at them. Putting his chin on his dads shoulder, Harry smiled at the rest of his family. Sirius had an arm wrapped around Remus’s waist and Remus had one around his neck, it looked more platonic than anything but Harry was glad they were slowly publicising their relationship. Marlene, Peter, Dorcas and Mary were all there with Slytherin beanies and scarfs covering half their faces.
“I am so, so, so, so, so proud of you, darling.” His dad all but sobbed into his hair.
“You’re not crying are you?” Harry whined.
“No, course not. I’m not crying, you are.”
“He was like this the whole game.” Marlene rolled her eyes fondly. “And you did play an amazing game, by the way, you’ll smash Gryffindor out of the park.”
“And- and it’s only your third year.” His dad wailed again.
“Stop hogging him, James.” Harry heard his mum scold. His dad put him down then he was immediately taken into the arms of his mother.
“I have never been prouder, sweetheart.” She whispered.
“Thanks, mama.”
More arms went around him and it was one massive family group hug.
“Aww, I’ve missed these.” Peter sighed happily, making Harry giggle.
“Me too, Wormy.”
When they all tore away, Harry was pulled into another long hug by Sirius with Remus ruffling his hair fondly.
“Where’s Malfoy’s kid?” His dad asked, looking around. His eyes were still misty but at least he wasn’t sobbing anymore.
“Probably with his parents, dipshit.” said Dorcas, bonking him on the head.
“Language! We’re surrounded by innocents.” He gasped.
“We all know that more than half these students shag in the cupboards twice a day, Prongsie.” Peter teased.
“I’m going to find Professor McGonagall.” His mum tiredly sighed. She kissed Harry on the forehead before strolling away.
“Oh Minnie. I had a lovely chat with her before the game started.” Sirius said. “She’s still as lovely as when I first saw her.”
“Oh, Merlin.” Harry grumbled.
“The same affectionate glare whenever I swear, I’ve missed it over the years.”
“I don’t think that’s mutual, love.” Remus patted his back.
“Jealousy is not a good look on you Moony.”
Harry rolled his eyes at the usual banter and ‘affection’ for his Transfiguration teacher so he went back to his friends where everything was less ridiculous.
After a few moments of talking, Draco came up beside him with an unsettling expression.
“What’s the matter?” Harry asked.
Draco side eyed towards Harrys family and they saw Professor’s Riddle and Snape talking to them, except, Harry’s father looked anything but happy to be talking to his old classmate and looked like a fight was about to start out. Harry’s mum and Remus were standing in the middle of them with exhausted eyes and their wands out.
Oh great. Harry thought. Will his father ever let go of a grudge?
“I’ll deal with this.” Harry sighed.
“Oh Harry, I was just about to find you.” Remus grinned at his godson. “Will you introduce your parents to your new professor?”
Feeling like a child, Harry did it anyway. “Mum, dad, this is Professor Riddle.”
Riddle nodded his head curtly and held out a hand. “Pleasure to meet the parents of one of my top students.”
Harry felt that uncomfortable feeling he had been dealing with since halloween but smiled when his mum looked proudly at him.
“Harry’s always loved defence against the dark arts, it’s his favourite subject.” She prided.
Riddle looked far too pleased. “That’s great to hear, it’s always promising to see such talented students strive in subjects like mine.”
“Indeed.” His father looked much less proud, always distrustful of DADA teachers since Harry’s first year. “And how long are you planning to work here?”
“For as long as Dumbledore will have me.”
Harry looked around, smiling slightly at the Weasley siblings all in a little huddle, they were probably talking about a letter their mother sent and what the best way to reply was. They all seemed to fear Molly Weasley more than anything. Draco was back with his parents, his back was straighter and he looked more tense than Harry had ever seen him, Lucius Malfoy was talking to him lowly whereas Narcissa was stroking the hair at the nape of his neck. Astoria and Daphne Greengrass were far apart as usual, neither of them seemed to enjoy the others company which was a strange dynamic to see after growing up with such close relationships in families.
“Did you hear that, Harry?” His mum asked.
“What, sorry?” said Harry.
“Professor Riddle proposed private lessons in defence against the dark arts.”
Harry felt his skin go cold and looked wide eyed at Professor Riddle who looked calm and expressionless.
“I- I didn’t think I needed private lessons.” He stammered out.
“I believe you do, Mr Potter. I’m already privately tutoring a few students in the older years who show promising skills in my class, it’s a way for you to advance in spells, jinxes and curses when defending yourself against the dark arts. I have a feeling in the future, you’re going to need it more than most of your classmates.” Riddle explained.
“Oh.” Harry frowned. “Can I do it with my friends then, so they can advance with me?”
Riddle looked hesitant but Snape quirked an eyebrow. “Impressive thinking, Mr Potter, Mr’s Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Zabini show promising attributes in the dark arts as well.”
“I believe that can be arranged.” Riddle agreed.
Harry sighed in relief, anything to get him out from being alone with the teacher was an achievement.
Riddle excused himself and went towards the Malfoy’s. Looking at Draco’s expression, Harry knew he probably looked the same.