A ‘very little’ Happy Ending

Chapter 2 – News and Changes


A/N: I’m back! And still alive . . . what a glorious day! ^.^ Huh, just that you know I reread “Tempus Fugit” by Stylophile
(The story can be found on http://www.sabershadowkat.com/harrypotter/recs.html) and Hermione there was married to a muggle who understood the Wizarding World and all that. So read it! It’s a really good one and one of my favourites too. ^.^
I mentioned in the prologue that I don’t like the pairing of Hermione and Ron, which is Ron’s fault because I don’t like him (as well as Ginny). And I just changed it so Hermione gets someone else who lives in her neighbourhood. And Ron will disappear into . . . god knows what . . . as long as he’s gone. ^.^
So have fun with this chapter.


The Great Hall was a mass of noises, shootings and bewilderment! Some even starting a food fight just to get a bit of tension out of their system.
Professor McGonagall huffed, torn between pride and anger, looking just a bit forlorn. She was proud of young Harry that he finally took over his responsibility but her anger rows even more when she remembered that she had skipped out of her duty for that.

Severus Snape twitched uncomfortable in his seat. What had Draco thought of all of it? He was supposed to hate Potter not be playing little games with him! Somehow, he was angry with him and just a bit annoyed but somehow he was sad as well. Why hadn’t the boy talked to him, after all he was not his godfather for nothing!

Dumbledore had like ever, had that damn twinkle in his eyes and was enjoying himself completely on the stuff table were only every now and then a piece of foot flew his way. He had just so much fun with these two! He thought they would make a very good team, almost as bad as the Weasley twins. And that was fine with him, after all he loved to laugh.

Said Weasley twins were laughing their ass off because of what had happened at breakfast’s actions. They would have thought that it wasn’t possible but this Malfoy guy could be a good alliance for them and their coming joke shop. He surly would have some very good ideas. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing what Harry had just done, whatever it was that he had agreed to. However, they will have a lot of fun in the next few months that was for sure.


***

Draco was thoughtful at dinner. He went through everything that needed to be discussed that night. But it wasn’t really easy because his mind was so full of things that must be done soon. Mostly he ignored his foot on his plate and looked with bleakly eyes around without seeing anything.

Blaise looked at him ever again and made sure that no one concentrated on Draco to much. Since their first meeting, he watched the blonde’s back as well, that he called his best friend. Because of this Draco knew, he could trust the Italian boy with his life.

“It’s time.” Draco mumbled and stood to leave the Great Hall, Blaise and Pansy followed shortly with a pointed look to every Slytherin in Hogwarts. Even if they were only fifth year here at Hogwarts their whole house respected them and knew what these three would do to them when they got mad at them. There in, every one nodded and stood as well.

Griffendor table looked up suddenly when the whole table of their rivals stood and left the hall without a backwards glance. Neville was intimidated by their unison and his cheeks reddened slightly. Hermione was impressed with this scenario in front of her and considered for the first time that it maybe wasn’t so bad to unite with the snakes of Hogwarts. They seemed to be loyal . . . what disturbed her a bit by its strangeness.

Ron was mumbling again over the bloody Slytherins and their falseness what earned him a black look by his two brothers and a push of Hermione’s elbow in his ribs.

“Silence now. Stop fighting, we have to go too. There’s still a lot to tell the others.” Harry demanded and shook his head. Wordlessly he stood and waited for them to come with him.


***


He watched carefully when every Slytherin tried to find a seat in their common room so he could start his speech. Elegantly he crossed his legs and played silently with his wand, all emotions hidden behind well-trained walls only an arrogant sneer on his lips, while he waited for them to get ready in his armchair in front of the fireplace.

The room quieted quickly until a few minutes later it was completely silent and Draco looked up.
“Now . . . to inform every one of you. I reunited our house with those of the lions of Hogwarts. There is no out of it again so . . . if someone isn’t right with my choice you may speak now. Then let me tell you way I choose house unity.” he said in a calm and dangerous voice which reminded most of them of his father or their head of house.

A few mumbled and looked at their friends then a fourth year stood and looked at Draco. “I don’t understand. Why did you suddenly alliance us with them when you were against it just last year?” the girl asked with confusion in her voice but her face stoic.

“That’s an easy question.” Draco smirked at her until she was seated again. “Last year everyone saw what Potter had done. Every one of us was able to see his power, at least a bit of it. And first of all I think our beloved Dark Lord stands no chance against him.” here the blonde’s voice dripped with sarcasm when he mentioned the powerful wizard who tried to get all of them under his violence.

“Second, I know that only a few of us support him in their own choice. I know that the most of us only do what, we think, is expected of us. Third, I am not willing to bow in front of a half-blood that will only punish me when he feels like it. Think of it! Tommy-boy is quietly insane and everybody knows that. Think of what your parents talked when they thought you could not listen to them. Of course, you could after all you are a Slytherin and that means cunningness and pride. My pride refuses to me to bow in front of someone who isn’t worth it.” he went silent again and waited for them to work out what they had heard.

“You bowed for Potter. Means that that we then submit to another half-blood?” a seventh year boy stood and glared angrily at him. The boy received a hash glance from Blaise and a hissed warning from Pansy for his daring. His glare softened a bit but he stared silently at Draco.

“No! I told Potter that Slytherin only choose him as his partner not his subject. I am not willing to submit to him either.” the Slytherin prince smiled shortly at the boy who seemed to be satisfied with his answer. “Potter accepted this condition this morning. Everyone was there to hear him.”

“That’s not enough Draco. I want more.” Pansy said but refused to look at him and he had to stiffen a smile again.

“I know. Well lets say it this way . . . I plan to bring the name of our house to pride again. Every one of us knows that most wizards think all Slytherins are evil.” he stopped shortly and smirked with an evil glint in his eyes. “Well . . . we are . . . in some kind of way but that’s not all there is to us. We are as wise as Ravenclaw is but we have our cunningness to help us out when Ravenclaw has only . . . Well you know what I mean. And we are as brave as Gryffindor is but we don’t show it to the world but use our minds instead. We let our enemies underestimate us and surprise them with our strength. As sad as it sounds . . . But we are as loyal as Hufflepuff is although we don’t follow someone. We stand proudly by their side when it will be needed, not as their followers. We stand beside them as their partners. Slytherin bows to no one!” Draco looked around the room and watched their reactions closely.

“But this morning you bowed to Potter!” a young and stubborn first year added and stood shortly.

“That’s true but I don’t count it as a bow. For me it was more of a joke to him and I am very sure he knows that too. When you do not believe me, think of my history with Potter. Have I ever backed away from him? Have I ever submitted to him when everyone else grovelled before him?”

The common room fell silent again and everyone went through their memories of their fights with that boy.

“Well . . .” the blonde started a new. “Like I mentioned before I plan on bringing our name back to it’s old pride. Salazar Slytherin would be ashamed of us when we would submit ourselves to Tommy-boy who destroyed our name in this school. Sadly our ‘beloved’ headmaster supported this image of ours. But hear me out. Slytherin will be respected again and every new student would wish to be a Slytherin but not everyone is accepted in here. You still need to have those abilities of a snake, worth of a snake of Hogwarts.”

“How Draco? How?” Vincent Crabbe asked and pushed a piece of chocolate in his mouth.

“That’s easy my friend. I told you before that Slytherin is wise and cunning. So I think it would be possible for us to tutor those who aren’t as good as we are in some subjects. I know that somehow every Slytherin has good Potion skills which the other houses haven’t, of course with a few exceptions. We already do this in our own house. Why not let the whole school know of our intelligence?” the blonde smirked proudly and looked around the common room again.

“Then I want you to stop every fight with other student in Hogwarts. I somehow feel like I’m stronger than them and stand above low comments. Since you aren’t attacked you leave them alone and ignore their bickering.”

“But you fight with Potter everytime!” another pureblood spoke and stood for Draco to answer his statement. “That’s true. I had. But look back, when the tournament ended I hadn’t acknowledged his present if I remember right. I left him alone and so did I this year, haven’t I?”

Agreed mumbles went through the snake pit and they looked at their leader again. Draco nodded and continued his speech knowing the worse part was behind him now.

“Well . . . Every one of you knows about this little group Potter had started this year since our new DADA teacher is such a waste of time. Potter agreed to train all Slytherins as well. This includes all Ravenclaws too. What I know he only had a few of them in his little army. Before you shout at me, remember what little adventures Potter had every year. Every year he trained himself and got stronger every bloody time in everything that he chose to study. Miss Granger, I think figured that out when they trained in groups and used all their talents; that they may be able to win this upcoming war. But I know she hadn’t thought of our talents. With us we are . . . mhm . . . it may sound too arrogant but I think, with us we can win this war. Think back in time when good old Voldie was at his highest of power when he tried to kill little baby-Potter. He died in some way and all or at least most of our parents had their difficulties to stay undetected from those who thought or knew of their support for him. When we win this war, none of us will have to live in such a situation again. No hiding for any Slytherin! And, for this, we have to work on our fighting skills even more. That is why I think it would be wise if we unite ourselves with his little group. More detailed information will be given in our first . . . should I call it a lesson?” he smirked playfully and calm.

“Now let me tell you some thing which I discovered over the holidays. I told you before that everyone had seen at least a bit of Potter’s strength last year. I am no exception. I was troubled this summer and I searched for an answer almost going a little crazy myself, while I tried to find a way to join Potters side without truly joining him. I do not want Dumblef . . . Dumbledore to order me around because he thinks he is the strongest wizard beside Tommy-boy. After endless hours in our library at Malfoy Manor, I found out some interesting things. Therefore, I talked to some of our oldest ancestor’s portraits. I needed more information because I had found things that hinted towards something that was so old and long forgotten, that I had no books on it. The oldest of the old portraits finally remembered. However, he was not sure about what he was remembering. Therefore, he left his portrait in our ancestral gallery and went to those in our connected families to find out, what he had forgotten.

When they finally approached me, again they told me about everything they had heard from our friends and family. Now, I tell you. But, I want you to keep quiet about all of this also. I will tell every family, which is, concerned myself. But, I want you to write your families when you have time and talk them into supporting me and my family.

I don’t need to say that I was surprised myself when father accepted my proposal. Unofficially he works now for Potter, not for Dumbledore. And I want to keep it like that. I don’t trust this headmaster of ours. I know how life works in pureblood families and I am sure no one of you will disappoint me in this matter.

Well, back to my discovery. I read about an old power only purebloods have. A kind of power that remembers somehow to a familiar only out of magic. It remembered me on a bowl of mixed magic from every person in a pureblood family.
My ancestors confirmed my thoughts. Ever pureblood had given their magic when they were very old and shortly before death into that kind of bowl. Every bit of their magic went into it until they were only a mortal frame because their soul went with their magic in it.

After quite some time, I think you can imagine what kind of power lies in there now. But, let me warn you. A very hard training will be necessary to hold and host this magic because of its strength.
With your sixteenth birthday, you come into inheritance of those powers to host the magic. When you die without an heir or before your parents, this magic will retain to the next relative. I do not know now how this magic will look like when it is set free but I am very sure it will be quite imposing. Good old Dumbledore will get the shock of his life.” he laughed excited and shook his head in amusement.

“Here’s another warning for you.” he started again with a serious expression on his face. “This power I told you about does not let itself be used in peaceful times or against its will. There are still the souls of your ancestors in it, which control the magic. You are only the host! Don’t ever forget that! The magic destroys anyone who tries to abuse their intentions. So be warned.” Draco quietened and looked at his house in question.

“I . . . I am with you.” a seventh year girl stood and looked at him proudly after a while of thoughtful silence. A few followed her lead until the whole room stood and confirmed their approval to him.

Draco rose as well and smiled proudly at them. With a nod he left the room and entered his bedroom were he fell face first on his bed.

“Uh . . . I’m so tired.” he mumbled when he heard the door shut behind his friends.

“Me too.” added Pansy lamely and sank to his side. Slowly she patted his back and shoulders to soothe her own nerves, as well as his. A few troubled words broke out of Draco when he relaxed at her touch.

With sleepy eyes, he looked at Blaise who grinned at him. “You sounded quite snotty. Sometimes I though it was too much and almost laughed.” the Italian smirked amused.

“That’s right. I spoke to them like a true Malfoy heir. Father would have been so proud of me when he had been able to hear me.” Draco snickered and sat up slowly.

“I still need your help.” he mentioned quietly and looked at his friends again.
Have you talked to Potter about that power you mentioned down there?” Blaise asked calmly and Draco got the meaning immediately.
The blonde shook his head wordlessly and looked back at him. Then Blaise grinned again and sat down beside his friend.

“It’s all right. I am still by your side and Pansy is too as your second and third in command respectively. It will take more to loose us in a den of snakes here.”

Pansy nodded even when it was a time-consuming nod. She was so damn tired! “I think it would be wise to ally with Granger too. But I’m totally against an alliance with the Weasel.” the blonde motioned to the floor.

“Maybe Pansy . . . you could make your peace with Granger and . . . I think some kind of network is in need now. I still don’t want Dumbledore to interference with us.” he said in a low voice but did not look up.

The girl was quiet for a while. “You need all kind of news and this stuff, don’t you? To know who’s against you and when to act on it.”

“That too, it should help solve problems, and meetings need to be arranged where the whole school could meet because we need friendships between houses. People are more willing to learn when they have an aid to attend to.” the blonde nodded shortly and looked at the girl in a silent plea.

“Yeah.” she sighed and got up. “I’ll see you two tomorrow. I need my bed, now!”

The boys nodded and got themselves ready to bed as well. They talked quietly and laughed tiredly until sleep came. Sleep caught them all easy that night. The majority of Slytherin house had their thought still on what they just had learned, and a few of them slept within minutes out of exhaustion.


***


Draco was scribbling furiously on a parchment near his plate at the breakfast table the next morning and captured Harry’s interest with it. He wanted to know to whom the blonde was writing and why it was so important to do it at the breakfast table. But, it would wait until the two of them could speak alone again, he figured with a sigh. Strangely, their house meeting last night went very well. He still was surprised that his house stood behind him no matter what happened. He had thought, it would be harder to convince them of his motives. But strangely, it hadn’t. Most of all he owed Hermione, Fred and George. Ron was against it, of course but after a while, no one noticed his bickering anymore and concentrated on his reasons.

Harry looked up sharply when he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eyes. Draco Malfoy walked straight to the head table and began to talk with that Umbridge-bitch. He watched them closely and noticed her satisfied smile Draco finished talking. The blonde nodded to Pansy Parkinson and the girl stood as well, and met Malfoy halfway. Oddly, they walked straight towards the Gryffindor table.

Hermione looked at him shortly and he could see the trouble in her eyes when both Slytherins were only a mere feet away from them. He watched them coldly and wanted to ask what they wanted now but Malfoy beat him to that again.

“I need to talk to you again I fear. There are a few issues which our houses need our guidance on.”

“What so high words again? Are you sure I shouldn’t bring Hermione with me this time?” the raven-haired teen asked in a sweet tone when his eyes were sharp and dangerous.

“This time, actually I hoped she would be able to assist you with your choice of words and . . . well translate mine to you.” the blonde snickered and looked at him in amusement.

Again, his sour mood went with that look of those eyes. But this time it alarmed him somehow. He could not put his finger on it but there was something with Malfoy that did these things to him and when he wasn’t completely wrong to others as well.

“I need to speak with you too, Miss Granger.” Pansy Parkinson added stiffly and looked at her friend when she felt his elbow in her ribs. Harry and Hermione watched a silent battle between these two with furrowed brows. What was with them all of a sudden? Then Pansy straightened her back and took a deep breath. Silently she opened her eyes again and a tiny smile played on her lips. “Please.” Hermione was shocked to no end when the girl mentioned that word she believed wasn’t even in her vocabulary. Harry was not in a much better state. This was all so surreal and . . . well . . . strange!

“Right now or do I have the time to finish my breakfast?” the raven-haired one asked with a lifted brow. He watched pleased as Malfoy snickered again. Somehow, he liked that sound.

And shoved that thought straight into the back of his mind forcefully!

“I would appreciate it when you leave that amount of toast were it is and follow me out of here, please.” the blonde told him with a playful smirk.

Hermione looked at his plate. There was only a piece of his toast left there and she looked up at the Slytherins again. With a shake of her head and a sigh, she stood and went to the high wooden door of the Great Hall. Harry then had no other choice but to leave his breakfast behind and walks out with two Slytherins and a friend of his.

Of course, he was curious what Malfoy wanted this time.

And strangely again their talk was short and all business like, when the blonde wanted to know how their first little meeting for ‘training’ would go and when it would start, until the end but instead of leaving him alone again Malfoy had motioned to follow him and brought him straight to Snape’s quarters.

Harry huffed annoyed at the blonde who just ruined his morning with his actions.

“Don’t be like that.” the blonde smirked and looked at him with a mischievous glint in his grey eyes. “You know very well that he wouldn’t harm you.”

“That’s you who’s saying it, not Snape!” Harry protested and shook his head. “What do I need from another slimy git?”

But Malfoy only laughed in delight and just a bit malicious joy in his voice. “You’ll see.” he added and marched straight through the door without even knocking first and shocked Harry for the first time of this day. When he was good, he got him again.


***


“Sev! I’m sorry to disturb your morning peace and quiet but there is something I really need to clear with you, right now!” Draco cried in his loudest tone when he stalked through his godfather’s quarters.

“Dammit!” the potion master shouted in a fright when he threw away the quill he had used to correct one of Gryffindors potion essays. “Draco you little shit! I was just making a Gryffindors life a living hell!” he shouted back and fished for his quill on the ground. “And why is that little Potter boy here?!” the man demanded to know and looked at named teen in disgust.

“Awe . . . Sev that was really rude, you know.” Draco laughed amused and hoped on his godfather’s desk. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Harry with a dropped jaw and shocked wide eyes. He giggled silently and looked at the potion master again. ‘2:0 for me’

“What do you want this time? Last time you wanted me to get you a bonbon from Hogsmeade.” The greasy man mumbled and rubbed his temples.

“No, this time I need you to tutor Potter for me.” the blonde giggled again.

“No!” Severus Snape bellowed at his godson after he got his shock in control again. Why should he do that? And Draco did know very well that he hated that git!

But suddenly Draco was serious again when he watched his godfather silently. When the potion master sigh in defeat he smiled sweetly at him. “First of all I want to know why! Tell me everything and I will see what I can do for you.” he replied and shook his head. This was definitely not his day.

“I’m sorry. That isn’t possible but later I talk to you, I promise.” the blonde whispered and shook his head as well. Wordlessly he hopped from the desk and strode through the room a few times. “But know this. Slytherin is allied with Gryffindor now and don’t start shouting at me now. That was needed to be done and you know these as well as I do.”

Severus groaned and put his head in his hands. “Too soon.” he mumbled to himself and groaned again. He had hoped for at least 20 years until this day, but no . . . !

Draco waved this comment away and walked behind his godfather. “Papperlapapp. (1) Come on, Tommy-boy must be brought back to the ground after his little high flight. And now is as good as tomorrow.” He hummed quietly and embraced the man from behind.
Their cheeks touched and Severus closed his eyes He took a deep breath then with a sigh he shook his head and looked at his desk. “It’s not that easy and you know that.” he mentioned silently and caught his godsons hands.

“No it’s easier now, I know that much. It will still take some time to get all my work done. But after that everyone will be free again. Isn’t that worth it?”

The man sighed again. “So what do you want me to tutor him at?”

“You know that good old Voldie connected himself to Potter. And Potter can’t sleep nicely when Voldie rumbling through his head. He told me the sleeping potion isn’t working anymore so I figured you could help him block Tommy-boy.”

Severus looked at Potter again and watched him closely. The boy was in his own kind of shock he figured, and thought that he I wasn’t completely wrong about his open mouth and wide eyes. With another sigh he nodded shortly and looked at Draco when he withdrew his arms.

“I need your help here really much.” the blonde smiled at him and walked over to Potter again. Shortly before he shut the door behind him, he turned around again. “And no word to Dumbledore.”

Severus rolled his eyes and watched them leave. Well . . . watched Draco push Potter out of his quarters. Silence again.


###


Harry felt like he was in trance and only slowly he awoke out of his stupor. That scene was quite shocking. Either he had already had lost his mind or his sanity was in great danger he decided with another nod. Something was definitely odd here, very odd.

Draco laughed silently while he watched Harry come out of his daze little by little. It was quite entertaining. “So it is what . . . 4:0 for me?” he drawled and looked at the taller teen beside him.
“More like 1000:3 for you.” Harry added and shook his head to get lost of the last bit of this strange dream. “You gave me quite the shock there sweetheart. I’m not sure if I survive its consequences healthily. Every time I’m with you, you talk about Voldemort as if he is a little boy with no brain in his head. How come everyone else is so frightened of him then? Or is it just you?”

Draco’s eyes went wide. He was torn between laughing because that had been quite witty or pondering over the fact that Harry had just called him sweetheart. Therefore, he chose silence as his best option.

“What are you and Snape?” the raven-haired teen asked and looked in Draco’s eyes for a short moment while they walked to their first class.

“He’s . . . Didn’t you know that he’s my godfather? Strange, I thought everyone knows it already.” the blonde ranted and grinned amused.

“I’m not everybody!” Harry demanded and turned to the left when a stair decided to move when they tried to set their first step on it.

“That’s right you’re a dickhead.” Draco smirked playfully at him and marched forward.

“What? I’m not! I’m the one with you on your little tricky way here!” Harry all but shouted dumbfounded.

Draco laughed in excitement and began to run to get to class in time, Harry hot on his tail.
He felt like laughing like a little child again when Harry chased him to class.

A/N: Whoo! I got this done in only one day! ^.^! Yesterday I got a boost I think and I scribbled down my notes for this fic until chapter 8 and figured out later that chapter 6 and 7 are quite emotional and sappy. I fear.
And I think next chapter is longer then that but don’t hold me to it. I can’t promise anything.
Hope you all had fun! ^_^


(1) . . . Papperlapapp . . . it’s actually hard to explain because this kind of word just exists in German. But it mean something like “don’t talk!” or “that’s nonsense!” or “doesn’t matter (to me)” . . . yeah like that I think. ^-^

harrydraco4life:

*author grins* Yes he is a veela at last partly. But his powers are different. He can sooth other people who are nervous or angry. Well this he can without the activation of his blood.
When his blood is activated animals like him a lot suddenly, his looks change a bit and he can reproduce. ^,^’
An heir? Well he is Lucius’ heir. And everyone knows how Lucius is when it comes down to his magic. ^_^ He only accepts the best. So you can think of how he had trained Draco. And Draco rules only Slytherin because he is the strongest in this house and he is a Malfoy, the richest, oldest and purest family. (Well at last for me ^.^ )
Ravenclaws stand usually behind Slytherin and it’s rare that a Ravenclaw goes out with a Gryffindor, don’t you think? And because Ravenclaw is wise it follows the lead of Slytherin (well in Ravenclaw are purebloods as well)
Harry is just Harry. And you know how Gryffindor rules. They follow him no matter what. And Hufflepuff is known to follow Gryffindor because of their loyalty.


paigeey07:

Thanks again . . . I think. I’m not really sure if that was a compliment or not. But thanks from little me. ^.^ Hope you stick with me.


thrnbrooke:

Well . . . actually he’s only responsible for Slytherin but you know . . . Ravenclaw is wise and takes usually the side of the Slytherins . . . so. *sheepish grin* But nevertheless they follow him as well.
Thank you for reading and I hope I hear from you after next chapter. ^-^


Black Padfoot:

Thank you. ^.^ I know there are a lot of mistakes and I’m still searching for a Beta for my Harry Potter stuff, maybe later you’re not so busy and offer again . . . ? ^_^’ So don’t forget I’m just a little German who tries to learn this language properly . . . well and have some fun with writing. ^-^
I know that Dumbledore showed Harry the prophecy in the end of fifth year but I mentioned in my warning before the prologue that I changed that part for my use.
Read on. ^.^