The Culmination of Slytherin
Severus Snape was drinking a glass of firewhisky in his office on the even of September 1st, 1991. The sorting this year had been wholly unsatisfying. He didn't have much time to drink his miseries away because his wife, Leann Snape nee Trobharten, was waiting within his quarters with their young son, Mercurius (meaning cunning). But, he was upset and this was necessary.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. He debated with himself but finally called out, "Come in."
The door opened and the source of his despondency arrived.
"Hello, Godfather." Draco was still superbly coifed in his Hogwarts robes trimmed in Blue and Bronze – the color of Ravenclaw.
"Hello, Draco. What is it?" Severus asked. Draco gave him a look which showed that he knew the man's emotional state.
"I am about to send the letter off to my parents detailing my entrance into Hogwarts. I thought you might want to see it first."
Severus was almost rude as he grabbed the parchment. He wanted information and here it was. He began reading:
Hello Mother and Father,
Enclosed within my own letter you will find another. A Muggleborn on the train, and now my housemate, learned of my name and asked me to pass along the letter she had written for Mother to thank her for writing the book explaining our customs. That Ms. Hermione Granger had already made an effort to employ the social graces though she is new to the Wizarding world marked her as an acceptable person to meet and get to know.
You might have noticed that I have a Muggleborn housemate. Unexpected I know, but not for the reason you might believe. I have, to my surprise, been placed within Ravenclaw.
When I was being sorted, the Hat made an unexpected find: I understood all too well the value and use of cunning and ambition. It was a surprise to me to learn that the reason for placement is often not to group students together by trait but to place them within the environment which would hone their practice of their most prized trait. Without the training I received as a child from yourselves and Uncle Severus, I would have ambition and cunning but be unpracticed and therefore would have been placed within Slytherin.
However, my education came early and the Hat gave me a choice. It could place me within Slytherin, although I already understood cunning and how to use it to achieve ambition. It would have guaranteed me a base from which to begin my achievement.
However, it warned that I would not grow if I chose that option. The other option was to pick another trait I may wish to hone. I could have chosen Bravery or Loyalty, but instead chose Wit. To my mind, what is true cunning without the Wit to achieve it?
And so, the Sorting Hat replied, "It is almost unfortunate for the students of Slytherin that they will not benefit from your presence among them as you learn to use true Wit in the House of RAVENCLAW." The hat yells the houses very loud.
And so therefore, you find me,
Your Loving Son,
Draco Malfoy, 1st Year Hogwarts House of Ravenclaw
Severus sighed as he finished the letter. He grumbled out, "I was defeated by my own actions."
Draco gave him a smirk. "You always warned me that planned success often ends in a different result than anticipated."
Severus gave his godson a look of mixed pride and irritation.
It was Halloween. After Charms class Draco knew he had to take steps. He turned to Padma. "Can you and Lisa go and make sure she's okay? I have to speak to Mr. Weasley about a personal matter."
His two Ravenclaw classmates nodded in agreement and rushed off to find their distraught housemate.
Draco walked over to Ron Weasley. He was standing there with his friend and Draco's cousin, Harry Potter. Harry was looking a bit shocked at his dorm-mate.
Draco walked up to Ron and said, "Ron. Did you have to be so mean to her?"
Ron had a rebellious look on his face. "She was just showing off and trying to make me look bad."
Draco sighed. "Ron, she was helping you to get it right. She was your partner. She could have been a bit less superior, but Hermione Granger doesn't have a malicious bone in her body."
"Well, she shouldn't have been such a know-it-all!"
Draco shook his head. "Ron. Did you know that Hermione and my mother exchange letters almost as much as I do with my parents? My mother has become very fond of her. What do you think would happen if she happened to mention this in one of her letters?"
Ron's face took on a terrified look. "You don't think she'll tell, do you?"
Draco sighed. "I don't know. If I were you, I'd take the first chance to apologize. Because if Hermione was upset and I didn't mention it to my mother, she would then become ticked off with me. I'd much rather mention in glowing terms how you took responsibility on your own to make it right. I'll try to get Hermione to tone it down – but you better apologize first."
Ron nodded in agreement, the fear still on his face. Draco's mum, as he had mentioned on the train, was not a woman to tick off.
Draco found who he was looking for on the pitch after the Gryffindors' quiddich practice. Four boys were talking and walking back toward Hogwarts. They all were talking cheerfully. Draco didn't need Cousin Harry (Seeker) or Ron (Reserve Keeper). He needed the other two. All four cheerfully greeted him as he approached.
Draco looked at the twins and said, "I need your help. But I don't need Mirth and Whimsy. I need the other two."
Fred and George Weasley, Pranskters Extraordinaire, let the smiles slide off their faces as they looked at their sister's betrothed. "And what does the inestimable Draco Malfoy need," one twin began.
The other finished, "with Mayhem and Disorder?"
Draco explained. Ron and Harry were both outraged as they listened to what Draco was saying. Fred and George, however, showed that they understood. Those expressions terrified the other students when they appeared. Draco nodded in satisfaction.
The twins turned to the other two Gryffindors. "We have a bit of business to attend to,"
"so don't wait for us."
"Tell Percy that we,"
"and Ginny,"
"will return to the common room,"
"after dealing with,"
The two finished together, "a family matter."
Both boys nodded in agreement and left to tell Ron's oldest brother.
Draco led the boys inside. They then asked Draco to wait. "Under no circumstances are you to tell anyone about this."
"Harry's dad and godfather made this."
"He loaned it back to us,"
"after we gave it to him,"
"after we found Harry was the son,"
"and godson, and nephew,"
Together they finished, "of the Marauders."
One of the twins, George (Draco guessed – they made it deliberately hard and he'd known them for years), pulled out a parchment. Fred took his wand and tapped it. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
The parchment suddenly began filling with ink. Draco was amazed. Finally, it showed a map of Hogwarts and he could see markings which showed everyone in the castle.
The three looked carefully and finally found their quarry. They appeared to be walking toward the Ravenclaw common room. Fred smirked, "We can take this passage,"
"to reach them before,"
"they make it to safe ground."
The three boys moved. (They weren't running, just walking fast – running was for lesser wizards. That was their story and they were sticking to it.)
Finally, they reached the corridor they were shooting for. All three stopped and got their breath and waited.
Soon, two girls were walking around the corner, talking and giggling. The three boys stood in the middle of the corridor.
The two girls suddenly saw who was waiting and Cho Chang asked, "Draco? What do you need?"
Draco took on his most "Pureblood" expression and replied, "You might not be aware but my father had a younger cousin named Selene. She died a couple of years ago in a potions accident, right in front of her daughter, Luna. Now, my family doesn't always like what Cousin Selene's husband does, but it doesn't change the fact that Luna Lovegood is family."
Cho and Mariatta tried to hide their guilty looks. The boys weren't buying it. "Now, Luna is not only my cousin, but my betrothed's best friend. Imagine my surprise when I found her, shoeless, without her coat, locked out of the common room. I asked her how she ended up there, but her explanation was a bit confusing. So I did a bit of digging. And guess what I learned?"
The girls' faces took on an anxious look.
"I'm just warning you now: If I find that Cousin Luna is bullied again, or is missing any of her things, I will ask my future brothers-in-law here to ensure that the guilty parties suffer more than a little embarrassment. I'm sure you know their reputation."
Both girls nodded quickly. "Good. I hope that this will be the last time we have to speak of this. I should warn you – you might want to expect a little embarrassment anyway. Nothing harmful – but the twins are a bit upset. Ginny and Hermione are helping Luna right now. You might want to see if you can help find the other things that Luna might be missing."
Draco nodded to them and turned away to walk back down the corridor. Fred and George gave the two girls their look and then turned and followed him.
Within a week, Marietta Edgecomb and Cho Chang had to report to the Hospital wing for calming draughts. Nothing had happened to them that anyone knew of – but they seemed to be much more nervous and tense than normal. Draco and the twins celebrated the "Prank without Pranking" with butterbeers that the twins smuggled from Hogsmeade.
It was right after the feast for the beginning of the 1993-1994 school year. Severus Snape was within his office and he had the desperate urge to hold his nose and close his eyes tightly to try to beat back the headache he was certain was forming right at the moment.
"Ms. Parkinson. While I am certain that it was uncomfortable, Ms. Weasley's hex falls under the heading of 'Family Matters.' Mr. Malfoy came to me immediately, before the feast, and explained what happened on the train. I would warn you that would be better for everyone – my sanity included – if you would make every effort to stay away from Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Weasley. Make every effort to avoid what Ms. Weasley might misconstrue as 'making doe eyes' and 'horning in on her man.' While Ms. Weasley is a Gryffindor and would prefer to deal with it herself, Mr. Malfoy is not. He is very educated on tradition. It would be far more preferable that this issue disappear than allowing parents to be involved. Do I make myself clear?"
It was two weeks before the Yule Ball. The Twiwizard Tournament was taking place at Hogwarts and there was much excitement. Draco had finally gotten Hermione Granger to fess up as to who her date was.
Draco then went and found the people he needed to talk to. It was before dinner on Sunday. Draco sat across from Ron and Harry and next to the twins. "So. Yule Ball. Who are you all taking?"
Fred and George replied, "We're taking Alicia,"
"and Katie."
"We took care of that,"
"as soon as it was announced."
Ron looked nervous. "Daphne Greengrass. My parents and hers arranged for us to get to know each other during the summer to see if we might end up in a contract. I'm a bit nervous." The Slytherin girl was almost as tall as he was and very beautiful. She also had no patience for stupidity.
Harry, who was smirking at Ron, said, "You'd better take Professor McGonagall up on those lessons. I don't think Ms. Greengrass would appreciate getting her feet stepped on."
The other boys chuckled. Draco asked, "And you, Cousin Harry?"
Harry shrugged. "I'm taking Luna – otherwise she couldn't go and we're friends. I assume your taking Ginny?"
Draco nodded. "Yes. And Hermione has a date too. I need your guys' help."
The boys looked interested.
Victor Krum was feeling great as he made his way toward the Library. Suddenly, there were several students walking with him.
"Hello, Mr. Krum. I'm Draco Malfoy. And these are Fred, George, and Ron Weasley – my betrothed's brothers. And this is my cousin, Harry Potter."
Victor nodded to them, confused. What did they want?"
"How are you liking Hogwarts?" Draco asked.
Victor considered that. "Hogwarts is nice. Is not as cold as Durmstrung and is much more open."
Draco nodded in acknowledgement. "And the girls are pretty good looking."
Victor smiled and agreed. "Da! Very pretty vomen!"
Draco replied, "And on that note, I heard you have a date for the Yule Ball."
Victor was confused again. "How did you know? Ve have not been telling people."
Draco stopped, and everyone with him stopped as well. He gave a small smile. "Hermione is a very good friend, but she's terrible at keeping a secret when she's happy. I worked on her until she confessed. She was happy at your invitation."
Victor gave a sheepish smile. "She is different. She does not act like fangirl."
Draco nodded. "She is different. She's also family – my mother has officially become her godmother. The two of them began exchanging letters after reading the book my mother wrote and it progressed from there. Our families even vacationed together this summer in France."
Victor looked nervous. "It sounds nice."
Draco replied, "Very nice. She's becoming a beautiful girl – I had to make a point of chasing away some boys on the beach who were bothering her. And on that note, I just wanted to warn you."
"Varn me?" Victor asked curiously.
All the boys with Draco nodded. Harry took up the conversation. "As Hermione is now the goddaughter of Cousin Narcissa, and Draco here is betrothed to these guys' sister – we're all one big family. And we take care of our own."
Ron, who had a little hero-worship of Krum, still was very calm as he said, "Yeah. And family is everything with us."
The twins finally said, "So, we wanted to make certain,"
"that Hermione's date knows,"
"that she is precious to us,"
"and we don't want,"
"to see her upset."
Draco took up the end. "We're here to wish you good luck and ask that you treat her well. Because it wouldn't be good otherwise."
Victor, who was a famous sportsman and often had girls throw themselves at him with the full support of their families, was impressed. He hadn't ever been threatened like this – and it was very polite. "I promise. I treat her good! I no act like … vat is word? … I not know vord in English. I vill not be fool."
All boys nodded in satisfaction and all took time to shake the Quiddich stars hand. Finally Ron asked, "By the way, can I get an autograph?"
His brothers, Harry, and Draco all laughed.
When Hermione confronted Draco later, she was torn between outrage and appreciation.
It was October in fifth year. Several students were meeting about the woman who had gotten herself put into Hogwarts to replace Professor Binns. She had been a Ministry employee and had pushed to get a History teacher in place to teach 'Proper History.'
Hermione Granger was angry. "She took my book and said that such information wasn't for me to learn. And it was the one that Aunt Cissa signed for me!"
Harry, who had cuts on his hand, said, "She told me she'd be getting Uncle Vernon's book banned. It didn't show proper respect for the Wizards and how lowly the goblin-creatures were."
Fred and George, who were making plans for their shop after Hogwarts, added, "She confiscated the Gameboys we were testing for our shop. Since magicking up Muggle items became legal, Dad and Mr. Malfoy are backing us to open up a shop where we can sell them as well as joke items."
The other twin nodded. "She said that Muggle filth had no place in Hogwarts and gave us detentions as well." He raised his hands, which were bandaged. "Not nice."
It was a mark of how upset the twins were that they were not speaking together and finishing each other's sentances.
Draco sighed. "I guess it's time to write a few letters."
Dinner two days later saw an announcement from the Headmaster. The Headmaster got Professor McGonagall to get everyone's attention and then said, "Yes. My announcement is in regards to a small change in Hogwarts' teaching staff. Madam Umbridge will no longer be your History professor after today. She is in St. Mungos being treated for the results of a sanctioned duel after which she will be returning to the Ministry for a review of her position there." He motioned to the side, "Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy will be taking the History position. Lady Malfoy, as a condition of her duel with Madam Umbridge, won her position of authority within Hogwarts." Every student could see the malicious smirk on the face of the new Professor.
At the Gryffindor table, Ron groaned and dropped his head on the table while everyone else cheered. Harry looked at him curiously. "What's wrong?" Harry could see the utter joy in most people's faces; even even-tempered Neville at the Hufflepuff table was looking emotional.
Ron didn't raise his head as he replied, "Mrs. Malfoy will be grading my essays again. I'm going to have to study four times harder."
Harry could help but laugh as he clapped Ron on the shoulder.
A/N: Yes, Dumbledore has become a non-entity within this story. He's not Harry's guardian, there is no Dark Lord to defeat, he isn't even the one taking charge of Harry's safety. The Blood Wards were superfluous - Harry is only there because people don't get rid of obsolete plans always. For the most part - the Dursleys are a non-entity in this story as well. Other than Vernon's relationship with the goblins. If you want to know about the book Vernon wrote, see "Teach your Children Well, Goblin Lessons" Chapter 2, Story ID 10374370.
Umbridge is a Supramicist - her wrangling her way in was a last gasp attempt to push back against the de-radicalization of Pureblood Society. She wasn't there to go against Dumbledore - she was there to fight back against Muggleborns achieving prominence, the idea of books like Vernon's book about goblins being sold, and finally the legalization of muggle devices being used with magic. Can you imagine the average Pureblood supremacist taking all of these changes lying down? What better position to fight it than the History position at Hogwarts?