Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
November 16, Saturday
Draco had come up to the Great Hall earlier than his friends feeling pumped up about the match but when he looked at the head table Severus wasn’t there but he couldn’t think much of the implications of this because he noticed that Potter was staring at him. He met Potter’s gaze and raised an eyebrow at him. Potter looked away and Draco went back to eating.He wanted to look up and check if Potter was staring at him again but he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. Blaise sat down next to Draco without withdrawing his hand and Pansy and Theo sat down across from him.
“All set for the game then, Dray.”Theo asked as three of them started to fill their plates.
“Yeah, we are totally confident that the new strategy will work but I will still try and beat Potter to the snitch.”he said, taking another bite.
“That's the spirit Dragon.”Blaise said. He liked how his friends still encouraged him before a game.
“What is this between you and Potter he is staring at you like there is no tomorrow.”Blaise commented looking over Pansy’s shoulder.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”he tried to lie. But the last time he ever succeeded in lying to them was when they were five. And here comes the questions. He thought as he resumed eating.
“What are you not telling us?”Pansy asked suspiciously.Draco didn’t answer.
“No point in hiding it ,Dray.” Theo said.
“It’s nothing. I just had a run in with Potter last night.”he replied keeping his tone casual.
“And what is the nature of this run in ?”Pansy urged him.
“Okay.”he resigned to tell them and continued “I was coming back from the library and Potter decked me.”
“And what did you do?”Theo inquired.
“I shoved him against a wall and left.” he omitted the part where he almost choked Potter and their brief proximity.
“So you didn’t hex?”Blaise challenged him.
“I was about to but I just left.”
“You were supposed to stay away from Potter.”Pansy criticized and Draco snapped.
“That’s exactly what I have been doing but i can’t help it if he is stalking me.”
“And why would he stalk you?”
“I don’t know . Why don’t you ask him? And besides he should be stalking a bloody comb. I mean has he even seen one in his miserable life and - hmpf”
Pansy stuffed his mouth with a muffin before he could begin another rant about Potter. She kept the box of sweets on the table and the three of them grabbed a muffin each. Of course she brought him sweets he thought fondly.After eating his muffin, he leaned forward he kissed her cheek from across the table.
“If I didn’t know you were gay, I’d hex you for that.”Astoria said as she came and stood next to Pansy.
“Morning Ash.”Pansy greeted her and Tori asked if she was ready to go.
“So which one of you came to your senses and asked the other out?” Blaise remarked.
“I don’t think it was our Pansy.”Theo guessed.
“No , Theo it was me.”Astoria replied with a raised eyebrow and they both left the Hall together.
“Fucking finally. Thought we’d have to intervene.”Blaise said grabbing another muffin.The two of them chuckled.
“I best be off”. Draco got up from his seat as his two friends wished him good luck and he headed off to the Slytherin lockers.
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Harry had gotten up unusually early today and decided to go breakfast before the hall became crowded. He sat down in his usual seat at the Gryffindor table and started eating. He saw Malfoy enter the hall and sit at the Slytherin table and he couldn’t look away. His gaze was fixed on Malfoy for a while and Malfoy looked towards the Head table and looked back right at Harry and he raised an eyebrow. Harry looked away and took a few bites at his breakfast.He looked up at Malfoy again and he saw that Zabini had an arm around his shoulder. He did not like that. He saw Zabini look up at him and mutter something to Malfoy and it made Harry frown. He was extremely annoyed that the Slytherin table was on the opposite side of the room because he couldn't hear anything. He saw Malfoy kiss that Parkinson on the cheek and he felt inexplicably jealous. He was about to scold himself for that when Ron sat down across from him completely blocking his view of Malfoy.
“Mate, you are here early?”he asked, drinking his pumpkin juice.
“Yeah I got up early.”
“Ginny has already headed to the locker room. We better get going quickly.”
“Yeah, I am done.”he said. He had only had a few bites but he didn’t feel like eating. He wasn’t sure how much it had to do with waking up early and how much to do with Malfoy kissing Parkinson but he convinced himself that it was because of his early morning. As Ron didn’t eat before a game, Harry didn’t have to wait for him so they left together.
The match had begun an hour ago and Gryffindor strategy had completely backfired. The Slytherin keeper wouldn’t let them make a single goal that is if the Slytherin chasers ever let go of the Quaffle. Guess Ginny was right afterall. He thought wryly and looked around for the snitch. The score was at 90-20 and as captain and seeker, Harry was under a lot of Pressure. He couldn’t for the life of him sight the snitch. He looked around to see if Malfoy had spotted the snitch. That was perhaps the worst decision Harry had ever made because he just couldn’t take his eyes off of Malfoy. His gaze for searching around for the snitch and his hair shone in the sunlight. He frowned in concentration and the way his back arched as he gripped the handle of his broomstick. He was flying fast but his perfectly styled hair remained intact. Harry realized with a start that Malfoy had spotted the snitch. He followed Malfoy but by the time Harry could catch up, Malfoy was wrapping his long fingers around the golden ball.
“MALFOY HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH. SLYTHERIN WINS.” he heard and couldn’t believe that he lost a match because he was busy ogling Malfoy.
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Draco was sitting with his friends in the common room. He was being showered with praises left, right and center. Pansy was telling them about her date with Astoria. Pansy had joined Tori along with the fourth years and the way she was talking the three of them were sure that she hadn’t paid any attention to the match at all. Just when she was finished and the four of them decided to head to dinner he received a note. It was from Severus.
“Why is professor Snape calling you now?” Blaise asked.
“Maybe he figured out something. It says come instantly.”
“What about dinner and the party. You have to come to the party, you are the bloody seeker.”Pansy declared.
“Pans I’ll go and hear what he has to say at least.”he replied and left for Sev’s chambers after telling them to not wait for him.
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Harry was sitting with Ron, Hermione and Ginny at dinner. The air in the Gryffindor was tense, nobody blamed Harry or anybody else for that matter but they were disappointed about losing the game. Ginny was scolding Ron for not listening to her while Hermione did her best to calm them both down. Harry really didn't want to stay here. He was glad that he could leave in a couple minutes. He looked over at the Slytherin table but Malfoy wasn’t there. Probably celebrating his victory. He told the three of them that he is heading to meet Dumbledore. They nodded at him and he left the Great Hall.
Harry’s walk to the Headmaster’s office was short. He was standing in front of the entrance when he realized he didn’t know the password. He checked his pocket for the note and read it again.
Harry,
See me in my office after dinner this Saturday.
Dumbledore.
Ps. enjoy your treacle tarts.
“Treacle tart”he said and climbed the staircase. Dumbledore’s office was exactly like it was before and the professor was sitting at his desk, writing something when he entered.
“Ah, Good evening, Harry.”Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Good evening, Professor. You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, Harry. Sit Down.” Harry does as he is told and waits for Dumbledore to begin.
“The Unspeakables have been researching the veil for a long time now and they were able to perform an extraction.”he says with a smile but Harry is not able to understand. He knows what veil Dumbledore is talking about but he doesn’t want to get his hopes up. He doesn’t know how to respond so he just nods.
“Harry, Sirius Black is alive.” he said. And Harry's eyes went wide with shock and his mind went black. It seems like Dumbledore had expected this and he simply offered Harry some lemon drops. Harry took the offer and kept quiet for a while composing himself.
“Where is he now ? Can I see him soon ?” Harry asked relief flooding through him.
“ I am afraid the Healers won't let him go yet. Perhaps professor Lupin knows more than I do.” Dumbledore sighed and Harry decided that he was going to see Remus as soon as possible.
“I suppose you would wish to speak to him now.” Harry nodded. “Go ahead.” Dumbledore said and Harry left for Remus’ Chambers when he suddenly remembered that Remus was only going to be back by tomorrow afternoon because of the moon cycles. Guess even Dumbledore has forgotten.he thought and went towards the Gryffindor towers.
He entered the Gryffindor common room to find it empty besides his two best friends. He went to approach them and he saw them…..snogging!!! He immediately left to the dorms glad that the two of them had not noticed. He was happy that they had finally gotten together after years of dancing around each other but he absolutely did not need THAT visual. He thought to talk to them tomorrow and went to bed.
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Draco muttered the pass spell and entered Severus’ Chambers as he felt the familiar wave of coolness hitting him. He was wondering why he was asked to come here instead of Sev’s office. That's where they usually chatted as he helped brew potions for the hospital wing often. Must be serious, he thought ominously and found that Sev was sitting on the couch. He sat across from his godfather expectantly.
“ Good evening, Sev.” He said and Severus replied with a neutral hum.
Severus pulled out the now familiar potion vial and set it on the table. Severus’ expression indicated that this wasn't going to end as smoothly as Draco originally hoped.
“Where exactly did you find it ?”
“In father’s study.It was beneath some paperwork alongside some other empty vials around 6, I suppose.” He replied wondering why Sev was asking this.
“ You were right about the three ingredients deciding the main properties of the potion. Though the said ingredients are native to South America and cannot be acquired easily in this country.” Severus concluded.
Draco knew that the Manor’s gardens were enchanted to fit the plant's needs. They even grew desert plants there and he had himself worked on some of the charms whenever his mother had allowed. “We grow many of those.” he shrugged.
Severus simply nodded and continued. “This potion is supposed to hide the giver’s faults from the receiver.”
Draco either didn’t understand the implications of this or he simply did not want to. He looked at Severus with a neutral expression hoping he would continue but when he didn’t , Draco decided to break his silence.
“Do you think he could have given it to me or mother?”
“For it to work, it has to be administered very frequently. Around 4 times a week I’d say. He may have given it to you during the holidays but I think this is for Narcissa.”
“You reckon?”
“Narcissa has always been able to find a person’s flaws and her marriage to your father had been at best for selfish reasons and at worst for fulfilling familial duty. If there was anything that didn’t sit right then she would have found out. Could you know something Lucius would want to do without her knowledge?” Severus finished.
Draco’s mind immediately went back to those awful occlumency sessions with Aunt Bella and the agony it came with. Thinking of it still made him shudder but his father insisted it will make him strong. He was too young to realize it was wrong and that he should probably tell someone but there were many other things like New year's eve which he still hadn’t mentioned to his friends. In short there were a lot of things his father would want to hide from mother and the fact that he used a bloody potion to do so made him feel sick.
“There are a lot of things he would want to do without her knowledge.”
“Well is it something I should be worried about?”.
“Not anymore. Now that he is gone.”
“Is there anything you are not telling me?” he asked in his signature tone.
“No such thing.”he replied hastily but he was trying to convince himself rather than his godfather.
“Draco, I recognize that I may not be able to offer you much comfort but if there is anything potentially harmful then you shouldn't hesitate to tell me. I can still help you with your worries.”
“There is nothing to worry about.”he affirmed but the truth was far from it and only his three friends knew the full extent and he had still kept some things from even them.
“I am not inclined to believe that.”he responded with a look of sheer determination. Draco knew how his godfather could be when he believed that there was more than what meets the eye.
“Well, the last time I told you, you ended up hexing father’s toes off.”
He still remembers like it was yesterday, it was 7 weeks before Hogwarts and he couldn’t contain his excitement so he had rambled for hours about how he was going to be the topper and how eager he was to see the Slytherin common room. His father had told him that this kind of behaviour was unworthy of a Malfoy. That day he got one of the worst beatings and he was bleeding all over the dungeon floor when his father told him to stop crying like a little girl and called him a pathetic little freak. After applying some healing potions, he flooed to Sev’s home and cried in his arms and told him everything. Later on, he learnt that Sev had hexed father and father took it out on him by hitting him with his newly bought cane and from next week to up until school began was a cruel time for him; being disciplined by his father and aunt on how to behave worthy of a Malfoy and not put his father to shame.
Severus got up and sat down next to Draco, this was generally when Sev wanted to show that he was here for him but he didn't want to make Sev feel that it was his fault while he was ever the only one ever there to protect Draco.
“What happened after that?”Severus asked as he laid a hand on his shoulder and Draco knew if he stayed there any longer then his resolve would break and he still had to find a way of telling mother about what his father might have done to her.
“Not a lot. But why do you reckon that father did not use it on me, the potion I mean?” he asked trying to change the subject but also did want to know what Severus thought.
Severus’ expression softened as he answered, “Draco, you can deny it now but you always adored Lucius and you very much wanted to become everything like him at some point. You tried all you could to please him. That night you had told me you felt like it was your fault for being so eager. And the reason I think he didn’t use it on you is because there was no reason to, but, Narcissa isn’t like that. And you may not want to tell me much of what happened but is there someone else you can turn to?”
“I have Pansy, Blaise and Theo.”he said, grateful that Sev won't push anymore.
“And you have told them about whatever it is you are so hesitant to tell me.”
“Yes.”
“Do you want me to tell Narcissa or do you want to tell her by yourself?”
“I think I will tell her myself when I go back for Christmas holidays.”he said, getting up.
Sev got up after him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “If there is anything bothering you or if you simply want to speak then don't hesitate to come to me.” he said removing his hand from Draco’s shoulder. Draco had been meaning to tell him something ever since he found out in fourth year now or never he thought as looked down at his shoes. He could feel Sev’s gaze on him and found himself even more nervous, he was suddenly very much aware of all the cooling charms in this room.
“I am gay.” The words almost left his mouth involuntarily and the thought of losing his godfather scared him to no end and he didn’t dare look up to see if Severus was disgusted by hearing that.
“Okay.” he heard across from him and he was relieved and extremely shocked at the same time.
“‘Okay’ that’s it?” he asked incredulously.
“Well, is there anything else you wanted me to say?”
“I-you …..you are okay with it!?!”
“Yes. why?”he asked, confused at Draco’s reaction.
Draco all but jumped into Sev’s arms. He buried his face in his godfather’s shoulders as he hugged the man. A part of him was scared that he would be told off given that he was not a child anymore but he was proven wrong as he felt Sev place a hand on his head.
“What did you think I would say?”
“I thought you would be disgusted.”
“I do not have anything against homosexuality so you need not worry.”
“Good.I was scared of losing you.”he said, feeling more relieved than ever. He really had know idea how much weight he was carrying until now.
“You wouldn’t have.”Severus said and Draco’s resolve broke and he let himself cry knowing that he won’t be berated for it even though Sev thinks it is dramatic. In his godfather’s arms he felt safe and protected like he had when he was a small child.
“Why are you crying now?”
“I don’t know. I just feel relieved mostly.”
Severus’s only response was placing his free arm on Draco’s back in an attempt to soothe him. Draco cried for a while before letting go.
“Thank you.”
“By the way, congratulations on the game today. And don’t relax too much, the rest of the world shall not stop at this victory.”
Draco grinned at this. “Good night, Sevy.”he said knowing how much Sev hated that nickname.
“You do realize you are the only person who can ever get away with calling me that.”
Draco chuckled and received a ‘dismissed’ in response. He didn’t fail to notice the fondness in Sev’s voice even when the man was scowling.He saw the time as he left and noted that dinner was over.
He walked to the common room and the party had already begun. He decided he would join the party for now and left the talk to tomorrow.
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