Of Fangs and Fur

Chapter Seven: First Day of Classes


Harry slowly walked down the hall to go to breakfast. He stopped when he heard raised voices.

"I don't care what you say, Ronald Weasley! He's still Harry and he's still my friend! You are just being a stupid, insensitive prat! And I'm not going to listen to you anymore!"

Ginny whirled around and started to walk away from her brother, when she spotted Harry. She walked over to him and placed her hand on his arm.

"Hi, Harry. No matter what Ron says, I don't think you're a monster. You're still you. You're my friend and I still love you like a brother. I'm here for you, Harry. No matter what." she told him.

Hermione walked over to them and placed her hand on Ginny's and looked Harry in the eye.

"Ginny's right, Harry. Ron is being a jerk. And I can't wait to hear what Mrs.Weasley thinks of his behavior. I'm here for you, Harry. Always." she told him, giving him a small smile.

Harry smiled at them both, relief showing clearly in his eyes. He hugged them both and kissed their cheeks.

"Thank you. Both of you. I'm so glad I still have you guys. How's the rest of the house taking it?"

"Well, Neville hasn't said much. But Ron, Dean Seamus, and some of the seventh year boys were talking in the common room this morning. They were, they were talking about you, Harry. And it didn't sound good." Hermione said, as the three of them walked into the Great Hall.

They took their seats at the Gryffindor table and noticed, with some uneasiness, that the majority of the table was sending them dirty looks. They ate quickly, then waited quietly for Professor McGonnagol to give them their schedules. As soon as they saw their first class, they left the Great Hall. Harry and Hermione walked Ginny to her first class, then went to theirs: Potions with Professor Snape and the Slytherins. They stood outside the classroom and waited for Professor Snape to arrive and open the door. Slowly, the rest of the students started to arrive.

"Can you believe it? And Dumbledore still let him come to school! It's not right. It's dangerous. He's a monster! He should be put down." Ron Weasly's voice rang out in the quiet hallway. Next to him, Dean Thomas nodded his head in agreement .

"You're right, Ron. I don't want him sleeping in the dorm with us. He might attack us in our sleep. And no one would do anything about it because he's the stupid 'Boy-Who-Lived."

"Yeah. And to think, I trusted him all this time. He probably let himself get bitten. And Granger and Ginevra, they're following him around like he's bloody Merlin! Those two, I tried to protect them. Tried to make them see reason. They're nothing but his little whores. That's all," Ron said, sneering when he saw Harry and Hermione standing next to the door to the Potions classroom, "I can't wait to see what Malfoy and his cronies say to them about this."

Dean laughed and nodded.

"Yeah. It's going to be hilarious. Maybe he'll get Potter mad enough to attack him. Then they'd have to expel him."

They laughed together as they saw the Slytherins approaching.

"What's so funny, Weasel?" Malfoy said, quirking an eyebrow when Ron smirked at him.

"I just thought you might be, ah, interested in hearing the latest news about everyone's favorite little hero." he said, sneering in Harry's direction.

"Ron, don't do this." Hermione pleaded.

"Don't talk to me, Granger," Ron snarled, shocking the Slytherins and Professor Snape, who's presence had not yet been noticed, "Not until you see reason. Potter is a monster. And you are nothing but his little whore. Did you know Potter's a monster now, Malfoy? He got himself bitten. By a werewolf and a vampire. He's a blood-sucking monster."

Draco was saved from having to comment by Professor Snape's approach. He watched as the man covertly placed a steadying hand on Harry's back while he unlocked the classroom door.

"As amusing as it is hearing about the pathetic private lives of you children, I don't particularly care. Now get into your seats." he sneered.

The students followed him into the classroom and sat at their tables. Professor Snape stormed to the front of the room. He privately fumed at the audacity of one Ronald Weasly. Announcing Harry Potter's new ailments like That! It was ridiculous. He believed now that Mr. Weasly had only befriended Harry because of his fame. 'How fickle Gryffindors are. At least Miss Granger is still on Potter's side. Looking at Draco, I believe that Potter will have more help than he knows. Slytherins protect their own, and they can't stand to see the other Houses not doing the same. I'll think on this later.' He turned to face the class and saw that everyone was awaiting his orders. He touched his wand to the blackboard and watched as the directions for today's potion formed.

"Here are your instructions. Pair up as you'd like. But I warn you, if you are not working, you will be serving a detention with Mr. Filch, and you will be doing this on your own. Now get to work." He said, sitting down at his desk. He pretended to be looking over some inventory parchments. Really, he was observing the interactions of his students. He saw that Harry and Hermione had paired together. He watched while Hermione mixed the potion in their cauldron and told Harry what ingredients needed prepared and how to do it. He saw Draco look over at the pair several times. He saw Ron look over at them and smirk. Then he something in the air and, while Hermione had her head turned to help Harry, something landed in their potion. He stood and yelled for everyone to step back to the walls. Then the potion began to hiss and bubble over and everyone ducked when it exploded with a loud bang.

"Mr. Weasly, 50 points from Gryffindor and a week's detention with Mr. Filch for purposefully sabotaging a classmates potion. All the potions are useless now. Everyone will redo them tomorrow in class. Clean up your areas and leave."

All the students glared at Ron as they cleaned up. They filed out of the classroom and headed off in different directions. Harry and Hermione headed for Defense Against the Dark Arts. They sat outside the classroom on the floor waiting for the period to end. After a few moments, they weren't alone.

"Hello, Potter, Granger. So, is what Weasly said right?" Draco said, as he sat down on the opposite side of the hall. He was alone for the moment, having told his friends that he was going to try to get the truth from the two people before him.

"What do you care, Malfoy? Running out of things to use against us?" Hermione said, noticing that Harry refused to look up from the floor.

"Of course not, Granger. I'm merely curious as to what has so obviously destroyed the Golden Trio."

"It's true. Except for Hermione and Ginny being whores. It's true. Ron's right. I'm a monster. I was bitten by a werewolf and a vampire. I have become both. I am a monster." Harry said, looking at Draco for the first time.

"Harry...you're not a monster." Hermione said.

Draco watched Harry for a moment and saw the barely hidden self-hate in his eyes. He nodded, then looked Harry in the eyes as he spoke.

"I don't think you're a monster, Potter. I think you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. You were attacked. It's not like you had a choice. It doesn't make you a monster."

Before Harry could respond, the bell rang and the three of them stood up as the hall filled with students. Ginny came out of the classroom and saw Harry and Hermione. She hugged them both and told them she'd see them later. The students went into the classroom and took their seats. Some of them were still glaring at Ron for ruining Potions class. Many of the Gryffindors were also glaring at Harry. As they passed him, he heard some of them muttering about traitors and monsters. He tried to ignore them. But it hurt to know that these people, who had claimed to be his friends, now hated him. Professor Lupin entered the classroom. He looked around and saw Harry and Hermione sitting alone. He saw Ron whispering to Dean Thomas and frowned.

"Alright class. I will be assigning research groups. You will have to research and report on two Dark Creatures. You can pick your creatures once you are in your groups. First, um, Harry, Hermione, and Draco. Next is Blaise, Pansy, and Ron. Neville, Vincent, and Gregory. Theodore, Dean, and Seamus..." and on he went till everyone was in a group, "Get into your groups and decide what creatures you are going to report on."

The students formed their groups and started choosing topics.

"We should do vampires and werewolves. Potter, you have a bit of an advantage there and it would tell the rest of the class that you is not ashamed of yourself." Draco said, sitting down next to Harry.

"But I am." Harry said quietly.

"Well, you shouldn't be." Draco replied.

"Malfoy's right, Harry. You need to show them that you are still you."

"Are we decided then?" Draco asked.

"Yes." Hermione said.

Draco raised his hand and Professor Lupin approached their group.

"Have you decided on your creatures?"

"Yes. We will report on vampires and werewolves, Professor." Draco said.

"Alright. Don't forget that you'll have to make time to get together outside of classes to research your topics."

"Hey! Professor, that's not fair!" Ron exclaimed, "Potter has an unfair advantage since he is both of those creatures."

"Then perhaps this will help him to learn more about himself." Professor Lupin said.

The students went back to work, with the Gryffindors grumbling about the unfairness of Harry getting to research two creatures he already knew so much about. When class was dismissed, Harry, Hermione, and Draco agreed to meet in the library after classes to start researching. Then they headed to lunch.

Harry, Hermione, and Ginny are quickly then left the Great Hall. The Gryffindors and Slytherins had a free period after lunch, so the trio wandered the halls to avoid the rest of the Gryffindors. They turned a corner and their luck ran out. In front of them were ten Gryffindors, waiting for them. They turned around and found more closing in behind them. They pulled out their wands and stood back to back, with Harry facing Ron, who lead the group that had followed them.

"Well, well. What have we here? The monster and both his whores. I think the three of you should be taught a lesson." Ron said.

Spells started to fly fast and furious around the hall. Hermione tried hard to maintain a shield around the three of them. But with so many spells flying at them, it was useless. Soon, all three were hit with stunning spells and their wands clattered to floor. As the group of assailants advanced on the helpless trio, Harry got angry. He felt his fangs grow in and he welcomed the change. He snarled and the spell on him broke. He grabbed his wand and released the girls from their spells before the surprised Gryffindors could react. Harry looked at Ron and growled low in his throat. Their attackers recovered from their surprise and advanced. Harry leapt on Ron and knocked him to the floor. He punched him and was leaning towards him, fangs showing, when a voice stopped him.

"What is going on here? Granger, what's happening?" Draco asked, as he and his group of Slytherins approached.

"We were ambushed. Malfoy, get Harry. Please. Before he does something he'll regret later." Hermione responded.

Draco walked through the now silent group and over to where Harry was straddling Ron, lowering his head to Ron's neck.

"Potter?" he said softly, and got no response, "Harry?" Draco tried. He saw Harry still and continued, "Harry, come on. You don't want to do this. Weasly isn't worth it," he spoke low and gentle, trying to soother Harry and distract him from the vampire inside that cried out for the blood of his attacker, "Come on," he said, laying a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Come with me. I'll take care of you." he tried to pull on Harry but couldn't budge him. Slowly, Harry turned his head and looked at him.

"Draco?" he said, pulling away from Ron, "I need, I need to go to Professor Snape..." he trailed off. Draco took hold of him and helped him up.

"We'll get you there." he said. He turned to the Gryffindors and sneered at them, "I'll be letting Professor Snape know what happened here. 100 points from Gryffindor."

Draco held onto Harry and his Slytherins, along with Hermione and Ginny, took up defensive positions around them and the group headed to the dungeons. Once they reached Professor Snape's office, Pansy knocked on the door.

"And just what are all of you doing here?" Professor Snape asked as he opened his door.

"Sir, Potter needs your help." Blaise said.

Professor Snape looked at Harry who was being supported by Draco's arm around his waist.

"Bring him inside," he said, turning around and heading for his potions cupboard, "What happened?"

"We were ambushed, Professor," Hermione said, "By Ron and a bunch of other Gryffindors. Draco and the rest showed up just in time. I'm not sure what happened, but I think that Harry allowed the vampire blood to take control of him. He was about to bite Ron. But Draco stopped him."

"Damn. The only thing that will help him is fresh blood. Draco, you stopped him? How?"

"Just by speaking to him, Sir. I laid my hand on his shoulder and talked to him."

"Would you be willing to allow him to feed? He can only turn you if he wishes it. And I am certain that he doesn't want to turn anyone."

"Yes, Sir. I'm willing to."

"Alright. The rest of you go find something to do. You're all excused from the rest of your classes. I'll inform the Headmaster of the reasons."

After the students left, Professor Snape picked Harry up and carried him through a door to his private rooms. Draco followed behind him. Harry was laid down on the couch and Professor Snape went over to the fireplace. He flooed Professor Lupin's rooms and had Remus and Sirius come through. He informed about what happened. They were angry and worried about Harry. Remus looked at Harry and sighed. He knelt beside the couch.

"Harry, will you allow Draco to feed you? It's the only way to help you. Your vampire side is in a rage over the attack. Only fresh blood will help."

"I, I don't want to turn him." Harry replied.

"Then keep that in your mind, Harry, and it won't happen. You have to want to turn the person for it to work." Professor Snape said.

"Alright, if he agrees." Harry said.

"I do, Harry. This isn't your fault. It's that bloody weasel's fault. I want to help you. Here." Draco said, kneeling down and offering his neck to Harry.

"Are, are you sure?"

"Yes, now do it." Draco said, grabbing Harry's head and pressing it against his neck.

Harry inhaled the scent coming off Draco's skin. Woodsy. A little spicy. Musky. Totally male. He licked at the pulse point on Draco's neck and felt him shiver in anticipation. He scraped his fangs over the skin and smiled at Draco's surprised gasp. He bit down and tasted the sweet coppery blood that flowed into his mouth. He wrapped his left arm around Draco's waist and slid the fingers of his right hand into Draco's hair. His cock hardened at the sound of Draco's lust filled moan. He drank for only a moment, then lightly kissed the mark, and pulled back. He looked at Draco and smiled. Draco slowly opened his eyes to look at Harry. He couldn't stop the sudden picture that formed in his mind of he and Harry sharing a passionate kiss. He flushed slightly and looked at his hands. Professor Snape handed him a potion to help with the dizziness caused by blood loss. He drank it and then got up from the floor to sit on the couch beside Harry.

"Oh, Merlin! That was the most erotic ting I have ever experienced. Damn, Harry. If you ever need a donor again, you better come to me. I don't want to share that experience with anyone else."

Harry blushed and refused to look at Draco. The adults all laughed. Professor Snape looked at his clock and realized that it was time to go to dinner.

"It is time to head to the Great Hall." He said.

Remus and Sirius flooed back to their room and headed of to dinner. Professor Snape walked the boys to his office and opened the door to the hall. Once again, he found a crowd of students there.

"Oh! Professor, we wanted to walk Harry and Draco to the Hall." Blaise said.

"We are having Harry, Hermione, and Ginny sit with us so that the rest of the school knows that they have our protection." Pansy told him.

The Professor nodded his agreement to the idea and stepped aside so that Harry and Draco could join the students. Professor Snape followed the group at a distance so that he could intervene if anything happened.

Harry, Hermione, and Ginny took their seats at the Slytherin table, which had the rest of the school buzzing with speculation. Headmaster Dumbledore stood and turned to the Slytherin table where Harry was hurriedly whispering to Hermione and Ginny.

"If I ask to be resorted will you two join me?"

"Of course we will, Harry." they replied.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Miss Weasly. Could you please take your seats at the Gryffindor table?" the Headmaster asked.

Harry stood and looked at the Headmaster.

"With all due respect, Sir, we refuse and we request to be resorted."

"Resorted? Nonsense. Why..."

The Headmaster was cut off as the Gryffindor table went into an uproar. Ron Weasly stood up and glared straight at Harry.

"I think they should be resorted. We true Gryffindors don't want that traitorous, blood-sucking monster and his two whores in our House."

Amidst the uproar that statement caused, Draco stood and addressed the Headmaster.

"Headmaster, I believe that as a Prefect, I should inform you of something that myself and a few of my fellow Slytherins witnessed today. We came upon a group of about twenty Gryffindors, lead by Ron Weasly and Dean Thomas, attacking Harry, Hermione, and Ginny. Their reason? Because of Harry's unfortunate summer accident and the girls' decision to stand by his side as true friends. They are not safe in Gryffindor. If you refuse to resort them, then they will be adopted by Slytherin anyway. We will hide them in our dungeons and not let them be alone with any Gryffindors."

Professor Lupin, Professor Snape, and Professor McGonnagol (who was shocked by her House's behavior) all urged the Headmaster to allow the resorting. He thought about it for a moment, and then agreed. Professor McGonnagol left the room and returned a moment later with a stool and the Sorting Hat. She motioned for the three students to came up to the front of the room.

"I'm so sorry, you three. If I'd had any idea..."she said.

"It's alright, Professor. It's not your fault." Harry said.

Professor McGonnagol had Ginny sit first. She placed the Hat on her head and it instantly yelled, "Slytherin!" Next came Hermione. The Hat placed her in Slytherin as well. Finally, it was Harry's turn. He sat on the stool as Professor McGonnagol placed the Sorting Hat on his head.

'Ah! Mr. Potter. How sad what has happened to you. I told you'd make your true friends in Slytherin. That's where you belong.' the Hat said.

'Put me there then.' Harry thought.

'No arguments this time? Wonderful.'

"Slytherin!" the Hat shouted.

The Slytherin table erupted in cheers and clapping. Harry got off the school and went to join his house mates. He sat down between Hermione and Draco. Dumbledore started dinner and all the students started talking about the things that had just happened. At the Slytherin table, everyone welcomed the new members. When dinner was over, Pansy lead Hermione and Ginny to the girls' dorms and showed where they would be sleeping. The three of them sat on Pansy's bed and talked long into the night, getting to know one another. Draco lead Harry to his room and told him that they would be sharing.

"I hope you don't mind sharing a room with me." Draco said, watching Harry walk around the room.

"I don't mind. At least it's just us in here. It'll be more peaceful. More private." He said, with a suggestive wink at Draco.

Draco grinned and changed for bed. Harry got his pajamas on and sat on his bed to think. Draco soon sat down beside him. They sat side by side and talked long into the night about all the things that had happened that day and about how things were going to change now. Finally, Draco yawned and stood up. He made his way over to his own bed and curled up under his blankets. Harry curled up under his own blankets and sleepily watched Draco.

"Good night, Draco."

"Good night, Harry."

Harry remembered to practice his Occlumency before rolling over and going to sleep for the night. He dreamt of creamy white skin and sweet coppery blood and lust filled moans for most of the night, until he finally fell asleep enough that even dreams couldn't reach him.