Back to Splits
Chapter 27
Not much was said as Draco and Severus made their way down to the Great Hall. When they entered through the double doors, they parted ways as Severus walked over to his usual stop with all the other teachers, and Draco went to his spot at the Gryffindor table.
"Draco are you okay?" Neville asked worriedly when his friend sat down beside him.
"I'm fine, Neville. Just a bit beaten up, but nothing I can't handle," Draco reassured.
"We tried to visit you and Harry in the infirmary, but Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let us in. She kept saying you needed to rest," Weasley said.
"We weren't in there very long after we woke up. Thank you for the gifts you sent," Draco responded.
"Did you get any licorice wands?" Weasley asked with wide eyes. Granger hit him on the arm and Draco laughed. "You can have some on the train home, Weasley."
"When are you going to start calling me by my real name?" Weasley asked.
Draco had never really thought about it. He always called those three by their last names. Part of him thought the world would collapse if he didn't. Though he knew why really didn't call them by their real names. It was the one thing that separated them from truly being friends, but if he was that upset by the chance of his godfather not allowing him to be friends with them anymore he guessed it was time to end his doubts.
"What do you want me to call you? Ron?" Draco smiled jokingly. "Yes, it's a lot less confusing to who you are talking to," Ron explained.
"I mean, I guess I can call you that if you really want me to," Draco said.
"Does that mean you'll call me Hermione?" Granger asked.
Draco shrugged. "If you want."
"And me Harry?" Potter asked hopefully.
"I might as well since I'm changing everyone's name too," Draco replied.
Dumbledore stood up and tapped his glass, gaining the attention of the whole room. "Another year gone and I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were...you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts...
"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty-two points; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six points and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."
Draco watched as cheers broke out from the Slytherin table and Gryffindors started to sulk in defeat. Pansy, Blaise, and Theo had giant smiles on their faces and looked over at Draco to give him a smirk. Draco rolled his eyes. They were always a competitive bunch. He just mouthed, "Watch" and gave them a smug look back.
"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," Dumbledore continued, "However, recent events must be taken into account." Draco couldn't help but feel at least a little happy as the Slytherin's smiles dropped.
"I have a few last-minute points to dish out. First- to Mr. Ronald Weasley..." Ron's face turned as red as his hair, "for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Draco cheered along with the Gryffindors as they had been taken out last place. Once they had calmed down, Dumbledore went on. "Second- to Miss. Hermione Granger...for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Cheers erupted again and tears were in Hermione's eyes. "Third- to Mr. Draco Malfoy...for doing what's right even when danger lies ahead, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Draco smiled brightly as everyone around him cheered for him. "Fourth- to Mr. Harry Potter... for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."
The excitement from all the Gryffindors was astonishing. They were all buzzing with anticipation because they all knew they were tied with Slytherin now. As Dumbledore raised his hand to speak once more, the room fell silent. "There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."
If the others thought Gryffindor couldn't get any louder they were greatly mistaken. Cheers and shouts filled the Great Hall as they celebrated their win. Draco looked over at his Slytherin friends who were shocked at the turn of events and gave them a victorious smirk as they had once done before. He had to admit this year had ended a lot better than the one he previously lived through.
"It seems we need a change of decoration," Dumbledore announced and clapped his hands. The banners that were once silver and green had turned to gold and red.
It took a moment for everyone to settle down again, but when they did food appeared in front of them all. Draco followed everyone and filled his plate full of his favorite foods. He was happy to find that he actually wanted to eat and wasn't nauseous at the thought of food.
Everyone enjoyed their last meal at Hogwarts and headed back up to their dorms to finish packing their bags. When Draco entered his dorm he saw there was a letter on his and everyone else's bed that held their exam results.
He opened his letter and read that he had passed all of his classes with exceptional results and had the highest grades among the first years with Hermione right behind him.
"Thank god!" Ron exclaimed as he read his letter, "Mum would've killed me if I didn't pass. How'd you do Harry?"
"I passed!" Harry said excitedly. Draco looked over to Neville who also had a smile on his face. "I passed Potions!"
Draco started to pack up the rest of his stuff and made sure everything was in its place. When he and the rest of his dorm mates were finished packing, house elves came to take their trunks to the train.
Draco, Neville, Harry, and Ron met Hermione in the common room, and they all walked outside where Hagrid and the other first years were waiting. Hagrid pulled Harry aside while Draco and the others climbed into a boat. Harry joined them soon after, and the boats carried them across the lake.
As Draco got out of the boat and onto the platform, he heard his name being called. "Draco!" voices shouted and he knew exactly who they were from. He looked around and saw Pansy, Blaise, and Theo running over to him.
"Do you want to sit with us on the train?" Pansy asked. Blaise elbowed her in the side, and she added, "Neville can come too."
Draco stayed silent and looked over to Neville who just shrugged. They could either sit with Pansy, Blaise, and Theo or Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Umm," he started and looked between the two groups of friends, "How about we sit with Pansy, Blaise, and Theo the first half of the train ride and then switch the other half."
Neville nodded in agreement and Pansy squealed. She grabbed Draco's arm and dragged him to find a compartment on the train before he could even give a glance back to Harry, Ron, or Hermione.
Pansy insisted that Draco sat next to her, so Theo, Blaise, and Neville on the other side of the compartment. "You have to tell us what happened, Draco. Everyone kept saying different things in the Great Hall," Theo said.
"It's a long story," Draco said and then filled them all in on what had been going on in the school all year, what happened once they went down the trapdoor, and his argument with Dumbledore.
"So that's why you all got those points at the very end?" Theo asked.
"Yes, us brave Gryffindors did a great favor for the school. It's only fair that we would win the house cup," Draco smirked and turned to Theo, “And you owe me ten galleons.”
Theo sighed, but handed the money over willingly. The three Slytherins rolled their eyes. "Of course Dumbledore would do anything to have his Gryffindors win. I mean, he even gave Neville points," Theo said.
Neville looked down into his lap, and Blaise elbowed Theo in the side. "Don't listen to him Neville. He's just upset that he has to go and tell his father that we lost after already saying we would win," Blaise reassured, "Besides, if Theo would've been in your position he would've let Draco go down there without a care in the world."
Neville blushed as Blaise squeezed his shoulder.
Pansy decided to change the conversation and said, "My parents are already looking into who I should marry. They sent a list of names I should be considering last week," She turned to Draco, "Your name was at the top of the list."
Draco eyes grew wide. He almost forgot that purebloods had arranged marriages with all that had happened that year. His friends didn’t know he was gay either, but when he confessed to them in the past they didn’t treat him any differently. He felt comfortable telling them now because it wasn’t something he could change. He had already tried.
"Well you better tell them that will never happen and to look for other options," Draco said.
Pansy scoffed, "Am I really that unlikeable that you don't even want to be on the list of possibilities to marry me?"
Draco sighed. He didn't mean to hurt her feelings the way he did. "Pansy, if I had to choose a girl to marry you would be my first pick, but I'm gay so I don't plan on marrying a girl any time soon."
"Oh! Well I suppose then," Pansy stuttered out.
An awkward silence grew among them as no one else spoke up. Draco rolled his eyes, "I don't have the plague. I just like boys. Do any of you have a problem with that?"
"No!" they all shouted quickly.
"It's not that we care. It's just that we're surprised that's all," Theo said and the rest of them nodded.
"I'm bi since we're sharing," Blaise said, "I told those two a couple of months ago though."
"Yeah, now Blaise, you, and I can talk about cute guys!" Pansy said excitedly.
"Well at least I still have Neville, right?" Theo asked.
"Umm, yeah," Neville said quickly and looked back down at his lap.
"So does anyone have a crush?" Pansy asked knowingly as Blaise gave her a hard look. Draco rolled his eyes, "We're eleven Pansy. Besides, I don't have time for crushes right now. I have to focus on my studies, so when my father finds out I'm gay, I'm not a complete disappointment."
"Do you still have to do your weekly potions lessons with your godfather this summer?" Blaise asked, trying to change the topic.
"Actually, my parents decided it would be best for me to live with Sev this summer. My father says I'll be able to focus on my studies more, but I think they still haven't gotten over the fact that I was sorted into Gryffindor yet."
"Will you still have your birthday party this year?" Theo asked, concerned.
"I'm supposed to visit my parents often, so I think they are still planning on having one. If not I'm sure I can talk my mother into one. She never turns down the chance to throw a party at the Manor, so I hope you all will be there, even you, Neville."
"Thank Merlin! We've been looking forward to it for weeks," Pansy said.
"Yeah, Draco's parties are always the best. You'll have lots of fun if you go," Blaise told Neville.
"Are you sure your parents will like me being at your house?" Neville asked Draco.
"I think they will be more than happy if I mention it. When my father found out you were in Gryffindor, he practically said we had to be friends even though we already were," Draco explained.
The five of them continued to talk about their summer plans and other random stuff until Neville reminded Draco that they promised to sit with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"We should probably get going then," Draco said to Neville, "Our trunks should be in their compartment, so we can change out of our robes when we get there."
As Neville and Draco were about to leave, Pansy, Blaise, and Theo stood up as well. "We'll walk with you down and then change our robes too," Blaise said.
They left the compartment and Pansy, Theo, and Blaise started to tell Neville stories about Draco when he was a kid. Neville chuckled at them, and Draco in return told stories about them which they didn't find near as funny.
They were all laughing by the time they reached the other compartment and when Draco opened the door, the three Gryffindors inside looked towards the group. The laughter died down and Draco and Neville went over to their trunks to grab clothes to change into.
"Hey Draco, Nev," Harry greeted and Draco watched as the raven haired boy gave an acknowledging nod to Pansy, Blaise, and Theo who all gave a nod back. He was happy to see that both of his groups of friends could get along.
"Hey, we're going to change robes real quick and then Nev and I will come back here," Draco replied with a smile and walked out of the compartment with Neville.
Once the door was shut, Theo said, "Please don't tell me they're always that chipper?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Not everyone can keep up your dark mysterious lifestyle, Theodore." Theo kept quiet after that comment, but gave his friend a hard look.
"They also haven't seen Draco very much since he got out of the infirmary," Neville pointed out, "They're probably a bit worried about him. I mean he was passed out for days and barely made it to the feast."
"Look at that someone can actually be worried over you, Draco," Blaise joked, "Gryffindor is changing you."
They had reached the bathroom when Draco replied, "I seem to remember you all begging me to explain what got me into the infirmary the moment we sat down on the train."
"Oh bugger off," Blaise sighed. The four boys walked into stalls to change, and when they were finished they met Pansy outside.
"Come on Nev. Harry and the others are probably waiting," Draco said. The five students all exchanged farewells and Pansy gave the two Gryffindors quick hugs before they parted ways.
As Neville and Draco walked back to where their other friends were seated, Neville asked, "Did you really make your peacock turn grey and act like an elephant."
Draco gave his friend an amused look. "Yeah, you should have seen my father's face. He had the house elves chase it around the yard for hours to change it back."
Neville laughed as well and opened the compartment door. Inside Draco saw Harry and Ron laughing at something one of them had said and Hermione was curled up in the corner with her nose buried deep in a book. He couldn't help but smile at his friends as he walked through the door.