How They Fell

Chapter Twenty Four


Did I just laugh at something Draco Malfoy said?

Shit!

What’s wrong with me?

Harry stood with his mouth gaping open in shock. He felt as though the world had just turned round and kicked him on his arse. What was happening?

He had actually found something that Malfoy had said funny!

He had been amused by Malfoy’s scathing wit?

Something was wrong with him! He should go to madam Pomfrey!

Harry was about to turn around and head for the hospital wing when common sense stopped him.

What the hell would Madam Pomfrey do about it? And besides he shouldn’t tell people.

But something was definitely wrong! For Christ’s sake, he should be sympathising with Nott, not laughing at him!

It just seemed hard to do when Nott had acted like such a fool and Malfoy had been so completely in control of the situation.

But he had actually laughed!?!

Harry realised he was panicking and tried to take deep calming breaths. Then he exhaled explosively as he realised something else.

SHIT! Malfoy had heard! And then turned around and seen him laughing! And then looked at him! And…then…hadn’t done anything…else???

Hmff! Weird.

That was very un-Malfoyish. He should have lorded it over him for the rest of the year, or at least call him names and pretend to be insulted that his humour could be appreciated by anything as low as Harry. Not look at him with an expression of-of gentle confusion!

Harry spent the whole of the potions lesson utterly bemused by the situation, contemplating it and panicking over what he had done. It was only due to Hermione’s timely interventions that he managed to survive the lesson without blowing up the classroom.

The rest of the day passed with Harry unable to think about anything else. Hermione was worried about what was wrong and Ron had become perceptive enough that he asked Harry if he had indigestion at lunch.

It was not a good day.

*` * *

The next day dawned without shedding any light on the subject. However, it did bring a note from Dumbledore with his breakfast and a rather interesting occurrence at the Slytherin table.

Still thinking about what had happened the day before Harry had unconsciously glanced across to where Malfoy usually sat, only to find him not there. His eyes quickly skimmed along the table, right up to the very front were Malfoy’s silvery hair announced his presence.

Harry gasped in surprise.

It had been obvious since the start of term that Malfoy was being excluded from Slytherin house, so Harry did not understand quite what he was seeing. It was common knowledge to everyone above first year at Hogwarts that Slytherin house had a very strict ranking system. The ‘leader’ of Slytherin house, whether head boy, prefect or, more usually just the oldest, most powerful pureblood, always sat directly under the teachers’ table. For Malfoy to be occupying that position again meant that there had been some pretty significant shifts within the house.

Harry wasn’t sure why but he had always enjoyed watching the movement and changes in the seating arrangement, it revealed so much. It was clear which students came form the powerful families in every year, and any argument of disagreement was instantly made evident as the loosing party would be moved further down the table. Harry supposed that it was the part of him that was vaguely Slytherin that liked to watch these things.

Malfoy had had a major achievement last year, taking the seat even though he was only a sixth year. It was a feat that no one could remember ever happening before. Thus his sudden loss of it and now his quick recapture were both equally surprising.

Harry was amused, watching each Slytherins’ reaction to the change. Some looked pleased, some bemused and some downright furious.

His eyes followed the angry Slytherins who were grouped by the door, muttering and gesticulating.

Nott’s reaction when he was greeted with the sight of Malfoy coolly sipping his coffee was almost comic; he was so angry.

Harry’s eyes flicked to the teacher’s table and noticed something very significant– Snape wasn’t there. His eyebrows rose in surprise; that was unusual and would allow greater freedom to what was happening below. A half smile on Dumbledore’s face told Harry that the events occurring were pleasantly expected by the headmaster, a fact that instantly added to Harry’s interest.

By now Nott was striding down towards Malfoy his followers flanking him in a manner that was definitely menacing. However, Harry knew that there really wasn’t much that could happen immediately in front of a table full of teachers. Especially if they were sympathetic to Malfoy as Dumbledore certainly seemed to be for some bizarre reason.

Quickly shoving a hand into the front pocket of his bag Harry pulled out one of Fred and George’s extendable ears, he wanted to hear this conversation. Using his wand he levitated one end across the hall, wriggling it underneath the tables and around the legs of students. He managed to get it in place just in time.

“Malfoy!” Nott practically spat.

“Yes,” came the calm reply. Nott swallowed, evidently trying to regain his temper.

“It seems you have made a mistake when you sat down this morning. I’m sure it’s just a bit of temporary forgetfulness.” For some reason Draco blanched slightly at this sentence, but quickly regained control and looked expectantly up at Nott.

“I know that last year you became accustomed to sitting here, but it is no longer your place. Move!”

Malfoy’s voice replied calmly.

“I do hate to have to break your little delusions Nott, but this is my place. Always has been.”

The whole of the Slytherin table was avidly hanging onto every word of the conversation. For a moment Nott looked like he was going to loose control of himself, but instead he swallowed, his face going a red to rival Uncle Vernon, and leaned over the table, looking menacingly down at Malfoy.

“Have you forgotten our little conversation at the beginning of term? I’m telling you to move Malfoy!”

“And I’m not listening.”

“You will listen to me you – you disgrace to the name of wizard! You – betrayer of your pureblood heritage! You – you’re as bad as your spying parents and deserve the same end!”

Malfoy smiled coldly.

“You need to work on your insults, Nott. They’re a contradiction in terms. As you have just highlighted I am a pure blood, but, wait a minute,” Malfoy’s voice dripped sarcasm. “You’re not exactly, now are you–or were you hoping to keep your mudblood great grandfather a secret? Secondly, as everyone with a brain knows, my parents were not spies, just betrayed by…oh, your father actually! Note the protection the Dark Lord gives his loyal followers.” Draco paused for a moment and then with a malicious smile continued.

“I would also like to remind you of my position as head boy.”

Malfoy was now speaking loudly enough for the whole table and most of the school to over hear what he was saying.

“And as head boy,” he continued, “I’m giving you detention for a week with Filch for insulting me and needlessly disturbing my breakfast.” At the look of shock on Nott’s face he smiled smugly.

“Oh, did you forget that the head boy could give detentions? Well I’m sure that you’ll all remember next time.” He said eyes passing over Nott’s supporters, simultaneously measuring his followers and revealing his distaste.

“Would any of you like to join him in detention?” Draco looked about expectantly, no one volunteered. “I thought not, I take it that you therefore accept my leadership.”

Then without giving them breath to contest the issue he stood up, said, “I’ll leave you to your breakfasts,” and strode out of the hall in a manner that put Nott and his wannabe’s to shame.

There was a moment’s pause as everyone digested the events.

Harry watched as Nott glared fiercely at the door, then looked at the empty chair and laughed.

“Ha! He really is stupid isn’t he?” He said gleefully plonking down into the chair and reaching for some bacon.

There was a moment’s pause before thick, pulsing boils sprang up all over Nott’s face and hands. Harry suspected that they were all over his body as well, probably with even more in various sensitive nooks and crannies if Harry knew Malfoy at all.

With a yelp he leapt from the chair and dashed out of the hall, evidently making his way to the hospital wing.

Harry laughed appreciatively and then suddenly stopped.

He had done it again.

Oh, GOD!

Harry pushed aside his breakfast and buried his face in his arms.

“What was that about?” asked Ron.

“I think Malfoy was just re-affirming his place as head of Slytherin.” Harry groaned, before sitting up and surreptitiously drawing back the extendable ear.

Hermione was looking at him questioningly, but stopped as soon as Harry caught her.

“Well I think it’s a good thing,” she said.

Ron did a double take and spluttered loudly.

“Yes Ron, and keep your mouth closed. He’s been really morose and quiet this term, not his usual self at all. I know half the teachers are worried about him. If he’s decided to stop moping and take charge of Slytherin house, then it’s a good thing. And besides,” she added as an after thought. “Nott’s horrible.”

“Yeah, he has been different this year,” agreed Harry, running over Nott and Malfoy’s conversation in his head. There were a couple of things which made his eyebrows rise in surprise.

Nott had said that the Malfoy’s had been spies! Well that was clearly impossible, Harry couldn’t think of a single person least likely to betray Voldemort. But Malfoy had said that they themselves had been betrayed. Discord among the Death Eaters? And what had happened to his parents?

With a jolt of realisation Harry realised that he had not seen Malfoy receive any of the usual packages from home that he used to have been so jealous of.

A small frown appeared in the middle of Harry’s forehead.

He had not liked Lucius and Narcissa, they had represented everything that he most hated. But Harry knew that betraying the Dark Lord meant death, and some part of Harry instantly went out to anyone who had lost their parents – even if that someone was Malfoy.

“You’ve got a letter Harry,” Hermione said, interrupting his musings.

Harry opened it and read the letter.

“It’s from Dumbledore. He wants me to visit him in his office after school.”

“I wonder what he wants,” mused Hermione.

Harry shrugged, his mind still investigating the situation with Malfoy’s family.

* * *

The day passed relatively quickly. At lunch and dinner Draco was still sitting at the front of the hall, despite being surrounded by empty seats. No one had seen Nott all day and his followers sat further down from Malfoy hissing at each other and glaring at him.

Harry smirked to himself. Well that was a mistake from the Nott contingent. Their refusal to sit close to Malfoy meant that the whole order of the Slytherin table had been pushed down five seats. Slytherins were very sensitive to how close they were to the head table and anything that pushed the whole lot of them five seats down from their usual places was really going to piss them off.

From Malfoy’s smirk as he looked down the table Harry was certain that he was aware of the situation and had manipulated it into existence. Harry sent himself a mental note never to play political games with Malfoy; he was too good at them.

The meeting with Dumbledore had been quite a surprise. Harry had said the password, ‘ice mice,’ and ascended to the head masters office.

“Ah, Harry,” he was greeted with a warm smile and the familiar blue twinkle. “I hope you are well.”

“Yes, sir.” He answered uncertainly. These day’s he never knew if he was being summoned to the headmasters office to be told off, congratulated or sent to certain death.

“Good. Now, as to the reason why I called you up hear today. I understand that you will be spending the Christmas holidays here.”

Harry nodded; apprehension filing him as his brain went through any possibilities the question could lead to. “Yes, sir.”

“And that unfortunately Miss Granger and Mr Weasley will not be accompanying you?”

Harry shook his head.

“Hmm, I understand that this would leave you with very little to amuse yourself with. The majority of the school, with only very few exceptions are all going home for the holidays.” Dumbledore sighed softly. “I can understand the wish to be with family considering the troubled times, but I must confess to finding the castle so much jollier at Christmas when we have more students with us.”

Harry was unsure how to reply to this so just stayed mute.

“In light of this I have decided that it might be an idea if we were to offer you a brief advanced defence course over the holiday period.” Dumbledore smiled at the surprise on Harry’s face.

“Just for a couple of hours a day. We would bring in a teacher or two from outside, probably an order member. I decided that as adept as you are it might be an idea to teach you defence techniques that are not commonly taught at Hogwarts, just as a precaution. Would you agree that it is a good idea?”

“Yes, sir,” said Harry relief filling him.

“And you would not object to giving up your time?”

“No sir, it would definitely be useful.”

Dumbledore smiled. “Good!”

“Um, sir?”

“Yes, Harry?”

“Would I be the only person taking the course?”

Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled a little more brightly, but otherwise his expression remained the same. Harry felt anxiety fill him again, but only briefly.

“Possibly Harry, there are other students that would certainly benefit.”

Harry nodded.

“Well dear boy, you ought to be getting back, I understand that Gryffindor has a Quidditch practice this evening and I can’t see it going too well without the captain. I would love it if Gryffindor managed to continue their winning streak and secure the cup for the third year running, although that’s strictly off the record.” Dumbledore winked slightly at him, he was dismissed.

“Yes sir. Good evening!”

Ron was really annoyed that he was missing such an opportunity when Harry told him.

“But Harry, they’re probably going to show you some cool Auror stuff! And I have to go to Romania, it going to be bloody freezing!”

Hermione’s response was also fairly typical.

“Really, Harry? I bet that’s going to be really interesting! You’ll have to tell me all about it when I come back. I wonder if it will be anything like the stuff you taught us in the D.A.”

“Don’t know. Whatever it is, it’ll give me something to do other than mourn the absence of my friends.”

Harry smirked smugly as both Ron and Hermione rushed forward to convince him that it wasn’t like that, that they loved him whatever. They both went off in a sulk when they realised that he’d been teasing them.

* * *

The last day of term came and went, and on the first day of the holidays Harry found himself in the entrance hall, waving goodbye to Hermione and Ron.

He stomped back upstairs to the sight of an empty common room. Harry was the only Gryffindor staying at Hogwarts this Christmas, and one of only seven students staying in the castle. Thank God for the defence coarse otherwise Harry was sure that he’d have a mind numbingly boring holiday, even with the potential of free reign with his Animagus forms.

At breakfast that morning Dumbledore had sent Harry another note. He was to have a free day today, but tomorrow morning at ten the first lesson would take place in the defence against the dark arts classroom.

Harry spent the rest of the day wondering idly who the defence teacher would be as he flew around Hogwarts first on his broomstick and then as a kestrel.

His questions were answered the following day as he stepped into the classroom.

“Ah, Potter’s here,” Harry could hear Moody say even before he opened the door. Harry prepared himself in case of being suddenly hexed as part of Moody’s ‘constant vigilance’ campaign.

“Wotcher, Harry!” said Tonks, but Harry didn’t return her greeting.

It wasn’t her bright blue hair that stopped him, but the presence of another person in the room.

*********

Author’s note: Hello again. Thank you so much to all those who have reviewed and told me what they think of this story, it never fails to make me smile like a loon. I’ve had a couple of questions about when I post and stuff about how this story is written which I will answer briefly.

I started writing this fic a year and a half ago (I know long time!) I have completed the first part and am now writing the second. The story is currently being beta’d, hence why it is being posted chapter by chapter. I update aprox twice a week, generally on Sunday and Wednesday/ Thursday. Hope that helps : )