Spell Master

Author: Babychan

email: baby_chan1778@yahoo.com

Title: Spell Master

Rating: R but it will become NC17 later.

Series: Yes. Chapter 8/?

Parings: H/D S/N/L N/B

Summary: The wizarding world is going to find out that Harry Potter is not the only one with awesome powers. Its a Pro-Slytherin and Pro-Draco fic. This is slash fiction. This is also the re-edited version.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all its characters do NOT belong to me :( (pout) I’m just writing for the fun of it. I get no money for it whatsoever.

A.N.: Please be gentle with your reviews. This is my first fanfic.


Spell Master

“Owww!!” Draco whined as he laid on his stomach and rested his chin across folded arms. “What are you using? It stings!!”

“Witch Hazel.” Snape informed dispassionately as he brushed aside the feathers of his son’s wings and cleaned the last of many a deep gashes on Draco’s back. “Now tell me again, why you chose to come to my quarters instead of having these wounds tended to in the infirmary?”

“I told you already, Daa!” The blond grimaced as his stepfather blotted a wound. “That hall is hexed! It sent me to, and trapped me in, some door-less classroom on the north side of the Hogwarts!”

“Is that so?” The dark-haired man asked in an amused tone. “Did you use the south-east corridor to go to infirmary?”

“Of course.” The boy drawled in a tone that clearly said ‘duh.’ “It’s the quickest way from the Great Hall.”

“Then it’s your own fault that you ended up in that room.” Severus drawled as he dipped his fingers in a jar, then slathered on some quick healingtmentment on a deep cut. “If you would have read your History of Hogwarts, when I told you to, you would have known what happened to that hall on the first day of school.” He tsked bemusedly. “But since you didn’t ...”

“I *did* to read it!” The flaxen-haired boy interrupted indignantly as he arched his back and perched himself on his elbows. “In my fourth year!”

Severus raised one of his devil-arched eyebrows and pursed his lips in skepticism.

Draco hated that look. Well, he hated getting it from his parents because it meant that they didn’t believe him. It wasn’t like he lied to them *that* often. Only when it benefited him.

“I’m not lying!” The young Malfoy assured in a pout. “I just... must have skipped that page...or something.” It was the only plausible explanation. For he read the book from beginning to end.

Snape smirked and nodded slightly. “I guess I can believe that.” He gestured for Draco to sit up. “You *were* rutting at the time.”

The Potions Master inwardly groaned in remembrance of that year. Anything and *everything* made his son sexually aroused. That was also the year when Draco got a bad case of wonder-lust. No one was safe from Draco’s seductive charms. Well, no pureblood anyway. Especially since his Veelan pheromones were radiating off an aphrodisiac every time the boy got aroused.

Which was all the time!

During Draco’s fourth year, the Slytherin dorms were like one big orgy because of the Veelan prince‘s pheromones were in hyper drive, permeating the whole dungeons. EVERYONE was getting lucky that year. Even Snape. Though he tried to resist, he made many secret nighttime visits to his ex’s. They accepted him readily each night and reluctantly let him go in the morning. However, being Veela Lucius and Narcissa understood what was going on. They knew that because of their son, Severus could not help his obsessive sexual need; even though, he wasn‘t ready to rejoin their three way marriage. They were just glad that he was coming to *them* to fulfill that need and not someone else. Because then... they would have to kill that person.

Possessive? Oh Severus had no idea.

It was privately teased –because it actually happened– that Draco even got horny looking at McGonagall. The boy claimed it was because of the way she was idly stroking her wand. Though, even with that explanation, Snape couldn’t see HOW!! The thought of Minerva in any type of sexual position made the Potions Master want to barf! However, it was an interesting class that day. So interesting, in fact, McGonagall had to end it early. It was too sexually charged for her taste, and the unwavering, licentious gaze that Malfoy was bestowing on her wasn’t helping either. Severus could barely hold back a chuckle when she stormed into the professors lounge and demanded that he make a potion to put a reign on the young snake’s libido. Honestly, Snape wasn’t sure why she got so upset. The old witch should have felt flattered; it wasn’t like she was a spring chicken anymore. She was more like an over cooked, dried one. Moreover, Snape felt that she really should have expected this; Lucius *did* go through the same thing when *he* was rutting.

But in the end, Severus did make the potion. Not that it did much good. When it came to sex, Veela were extraordinary creatures.

Because of Draco’s nonchalant infidelity, which started during his fourth year, Severus felt bad for the Parkinson girl. She was a horrid little fat thing, at the time, but Snape’s stony heart went out to her. A tad bit. However, he knew it was for the best. Draco’s sexual need was insatiable and Severus new first hand how demanding Veelas could be as it related to sex. Hell, he had married two of them. At the same time! A lesser man would have died of pleasure during the first year. He knew this for a fact, because he almost did!

Severus looked at his son thoughtfully as he remembered that year. “Actually Dragon, I’m still surprised you were able to read anything at all.”

“Well, that’s what happens when your Daa is Head of your House.” The boy grimaced as he stretched his wings. “You mind your duties.... No matter what.”

Severus smiled at that. Regardless to what anybody else said, Draco was a good boy and a good son.

“It’s not funny!” Draco frowned. He mistakenly took the Potions Master smile for amusement to his plight, in the tower. “Only Merlin knows how long I could have been trapped in there! If it wasn’t for thait Pit Potty, I probably would have died in there!”

“Are you telling me that Potter rescued you?” Snape’s tone was clearly disappointed. Not for the fact that someone found Draco but for the fact that it was Potter.

Draco choked at the accusation.

“So he didn’t save you?” This time the question was asked in a breath of relief.

“Of course not! Draco snapped affronted. “It was I who saved him!”

At that admittance, Snape paused in his tending to the boy’s wounds, for about thirty seconds. Because of this hesitation, Draco bit his bottom lip and hoped that he didn’t do something wrong. He knew that both of his fathers were Death Eaters and that they both hated the Gryffindor with an unbridled passion, but he also knew that they weren’t exactly loyal to the Dark Lord nor did they want Potter dead. So just to make certain, Draco asked diffidently.

“Did I...do something wrong?”

“No.” Severus assured in a flat tone. “I was just reaching for my wand.” With his other hand, he delved within the massive feathers of Draco’s right wing and felt for the fracture the boy was complaining about earlier. “Rescuing Potter....Is this how you acquired all of these injuries?”

“Yes sir.” Draco saida toa tone that said he knew that he was in trouble, despite what his stepfather assured.

“You’re not in trouble, Dragon.” Snape promised in a slightly warmer tone. “What happened?” He had asked before but Draco wouldn’t tell.

“We fell out of a tower window. Actually, it was Potter who fell out of the window, first. I fell out trying to pull his heavy arse up.” The boy answered flippantly, accompanied with a dismissive flick of the wrist. “He was all hysterical over the death of his godfather....and flung himself right out of the window. I think he was screaming something about Black being innocent. Probably wanted to join the* poor* bastard.”

He wasn’t sure why he wasn’t telling the whole truth and informing his Daa that Potter tired to push *him* out of that said window. Draco knew that if he told, he could very well get the Gryffindor expelled. He knew all three of his parents would make damn sure of it, and there would be nothing Dumbledore could do about it. So *why* was he protecting the boy? Draco wasn’t sure, but he decided to think on this quandary later. Right now, he had to school his composer so that his Daa wouldn’t know he was lying.

Severus snorted at the notion of Black being innocent before he asked knowingly, for he knew Draco was lying, as he used his wand to mend the broken bone. “Are you sure that Potter didn’t attack you, again? I was told by Lupin that he attacked you earlier.”

“You mean the werewolf actually told?” Draco asked surprised. “Was it guilt?” He asked then quickly answered his own question. “No. I would imagine not. He was probably just trying to cover his arse because he knew that I would tell... or blackmail Potter about it later.” The boy scowled at having his plans foiled because he *was* going to try and blackmail Potter later. “I wouldn’t even be surprised if he tried to blame *me* for tottyotty’s actions!”

“Actually, he did.” Snape informed bitterly. “That reminds me. 100 points Gryffindor, for the attack on the Head Boy and an assistant teacher on the train, and 150 points to Slytherin for Draco saving Potters life despite the recent attacks.”

In reality, Severus didn’t just want to take points away from Gryffindor, he *wanted&* Potter expelled for what he did to Draco, but he knew that Dumbledore would never approve of that. That was why he just settled on taking the maximum amount of points away. He’ll probably get chastised by Dumbledore later, but now, it was worth it because...

Malfoy beamed. “I wonder what the mudblood is going to do once she finds out her House is in the negative. By a HUNDRED points!” The boy chuckled happily as he ran aristocratic fingers through his long, white-gold trs ans and gathered them over one shoulder. “I think I will be early for the Perfects meeting tomorrow morning just to make sure I see her reaction!”

Severus gave a bemused smirk. “Don’t forget, you have to go to a teacher’s meeting at 9am. So try to end the Perfects meeting as early as possible. Also, tomorrow’s the only day for Drop-and-Add, so expect there to be revisions to your attendance roster.”

Draco nodded as the started making a mental list of everything he was going to have to do tomorrow. He to had to drop-and-add a class as well. “Are we going to be able to go to Hogsmeade to buy last minute school supplies or will we have to order them?”

“You’ll have to order them. Drop-and-Add is in the morning. You’ll still have classes that afternoon.” Severus answered absently as he gave most of his attention to mending the boy’s broken wing. “While we are on the subject, have you decided which class you are going to drop tomorrow?”

Draco nodded again. “I was thinking Magical Philosophy 101. I really didn’t want to take the class anyway...It’s just that I tested out of almost everything else and there‘s not many electives to chose from.” Crystal eyes narrowed angrily as he remembered the reason he had to drop that class, in the first place. “Daa, may I ask *why* you didn’t *tell me* that I would be required to take Muggle Studies? I‘m sure if I knew before hand, father could have prevented it.”

Severus smirked with a mischievous twinkle in his beetle black eyes. “Believe it or not Draco, I think you will enjoy the class.”

Before his stepson could disagree, he withdrew both his wand and his hand from the boy’s wings, then sat back and placed both hands on his lap. Severus gave Draco a scrutinizing gaze to make sure that he didn’t miss not even the smallest of injuries. However, while doing that he couldn’t help notice Draco’s ethereal features. The boy had the look of his mother. More beautiful than handsome. In spite of this, Draco was in no way effeminate, for he carried himself like both of his fathers. Like bottled fury. In public that is. In private, he was their spoiled and beloved demon prince.

“Can you change back now, Dragon?”

The boy flexed his wings again before he nodded his head yes. For some odd reason, the male Veela had a hard time shifting forms if he was badly injured in some way. Almost immediately after, a warm glow surrounded the young prince and his long tresses and angelic wings disappeared in what looked like glittery dust. What was left was the human looking form of Draco Malfoy, though his white-blond hair was not gelled back. No, it fell with downy softness around his face.

“You know you can’t gel your hair anymore.” Snape reminded as he got up to put the items he was using away. “The potion fumes of all those cauldrons will have a nasty reaction to it.”

“It’s never reacted badly to it before.” Draco responded, horrified to what his Daa just said. They already had this discussion, he thought he had made his point clear. He needed his hair gel.

“Ah....but you’ve never been in there for more than one class, a day.” Snape retorted in an amused tone. “But do as you wish... but when your hair starts falling out in clumps, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

There was a long pause of silence before Severus heard Draco pad softly into his bedroom to look in the mirror.

The boy combed his fingers through his soft platinum locks, making them feather perfectly beautiful on each side. Pleased with the results, he gave himself an appraising wink then wondered why he didn’t give up his hair gel before. Then he remembered that it was hero-worship to be just like his father.

“Charmed.” Severus whispered to himself as he looked at his son. “Charmed to be forever beautiful.” Lucius and Narcissa were the same way. No matter how in disarray they *should* look after a bout of mind-blowing sex, they always managed to pull off the haggard look beautifully.

“No, Daa, It is you who are beautiful.” Draco drawled truthfully and smiled a rare, pleased, smile at the dark-haired man.

Severus didn’t react to his son’s words, for he knew the boy believed them to be true. Lucius and Narcissa were the same way for some odd reason. Though the Potions Master wasn’t complaining, for he would be the first to admit that it was good for his ego.

Instead of commenting on Draco‘s words, he watched the boy walk about his room, open up a dresser drawer, pilfer through his belonging and pull out his brand new and outrageously expensive, black, silk shirt. He didn’t even want to buy that shirt in the first place, but somehow Lucius goaded him into getting it, while they were in Ibiza for Draco’s birthday. And now, before he even got the chance to wear it...

“Do you mind if I borrow this?” The boy asked as he put it on. He wasn’t going to wait for an answer, in fear that it would be no. After getting it over his head and tucking the shirt into his khaki pants, Draco looked into the mirror and ran an idle hand through his . “D. “Daa, on second thought...Can I *have* it. It looks damn good on me.” His mirror image nodded in agreement.

The older man frowned. Nevertheless Draco was right, the shirt did suit him. But then again, everything looked good on him. Severus was fairly certain that his son could make burlap sackcloth look stylish.

“No Draco, you cannot have my shirt. However, you can borrow it until you get to your room. Then I want it cleaned and returned to me.” The boy unconsciously poked out his bottom lip in a pout before he schooled his face into indifference. “I thought your father bought you one. A white one.”

“He did.” Actually, his dad bought him three, white, grey, and green, but he wasn’t going to admit that. “I had it on today, but I had to shred it to save my life.” He then gave his Daa a look that said “since mine is gone, I should get yours.”

“Fine Draco, keep the damn shirt.” He never could say no to the boy. Even though he knew that with all the clothes his mother bought him this summer, Draco would probably never wear it again.

“Thanks!” The boy smiled. “Oh, while you‘re giving me stuff, may I have some levitation potion too?”

Severus’s brow knitted in irritation. Draco was always like this, never satisfied; give him an inch and he’ll try to take a mile. “What do you need it for?”

Draco gave him a licentious smirk. “Do you really want to know?”

“No...I don‘t suppose I do. ” Snape shook his head and waved his hand dismissively. “Just forget I asked.”

The young blond snickered. His stepfather was a king of debauchery when it came to his parents but oh so modest when it came to taking about it. At least with him anyway.

“I haven’t had the time to put my potions in their proper place... But I trust you know what the phial looks like. It’s in the box over there.” Snape pointed to the far corner, by the front door. “But first you must answer me this. Why did you want Zeni in Slytherin?”

“Oh, little good faith?” Draco purred happily as he primped in the mirror. “Actually, it was mother who wanted him there. She didn’t give me her reasons though.”

“You know he’s a werewolf, correct?” Severus asked and arched a brow inquiringly.

“Actually, no I didn’t.” The blond answered inattentively. Zeni being a magical creature or not, was not important to him. At the moment, he was more interested in his mirror image. “I guess that makes things easier for your research, hmn? ...Now that we’ve got a werewolf of our own.”

If Zeni was sorted into any other house than Slytn, an, all the other snakes would have cried out that he was a danger to their safety. Just... to be hateful. But as it stands now, with ‘little good faith’ in Slytherin, his disease was more of an asset, than a hindrance. That is, if he chooses to use his magical advantage properly. Also, Odin didn’t have to worry about his secret getting out. There were actually *many* students with the blood of some type of magical creature in Slytherin. Malfoy and Zeni were no rare exception. It was *so* common a fact, that it was almost expected, that if you weren’t completely human you would sort into Slytherin. However, that was usually because those *nonhumans* were the same students who prided themselves on being a *pureblood.*

Purely -magical-blood, that is.

Most of the student population didn’t understand the truth in that terminology, Actually, most of the student population didn’t understand a lot of things about Slytherins.

Severus thought about what Draco said and nodded knowingly. Now it was made sense. Narcissa had convinced the should-be Hufflepuff to sort into Slytherin, despite the fact that he was a magical creature, just so he could have his own little werewolf guinea pig, and that would keep him from having to work with Lupin!

Narcissa wasn’t pleased when she found out that Remus was coming back to Hogwarts, for she knew that the older Gryffindor had a crush on Severus back in his 4th year. Lucius was really no better, but he had more skill at masking his feelings on the matter. Severus tried to make them understand that he was *not* going to fall for Lupin. And that he loved *them,* even though it hurt to be with them. It reminded him too much of how good it used to be, before his daughter died. And for the past decade, he didn’t feel like he had the right to be happy because he felt that it was his fault Vanity was dead. He blamed himself for making her leave the palace that winter. The second reason the two Malfoys didn’t have to worry about him seeking a relationship with the werewolf was because Severus HATED the man! Remus made him LOSE the Order of Merlin and made him look like a FOOL in front of the Ministry!! So HELL no! He~ll NO!! He wasn’t going to fall in love with Lupin!

Severus was no Gryffindor who would fall in love with the person who despised you. NO, he was Slytherin and they were too smart for such stupidity!

After a self appraising nod, the raven-haired man left his thoughts and turned his attention to the horny, teenaged Veela who was now sifting through a box potion bottles so he could find the potion that will allow him to have some type of strange and exotic sex his his girlfriend. And more likely than not, Draco would convince Pansy to include another, probably male partner.

Draco was so greedy. So insatiably greedy. So very much Malfoy.

When the boy found what he was looking for, he gave his Daa and expectant look.

“Are you going to make your annual speech to the first years or do you want me too?” Draco’s tone was earnest and impatient even though he wasn’t serious about making the speech. No one could make a speech like Severus. “I’m only asking because--”

“You have plans. Yes, I can tell.” Snape lightly gestured to libidinously charged air around them. “I thought you learned how to control your pheromones, Dragon?”

“Yes well....” The boy said in a rushed tone as he put on his silk school robes, picked up his rune chest and walked toward the front door. “Its been a month. As you already know, since I’ve been captive in your castle...” He gave a mock glare to his stepfather before he swept out of the small quarters. “It‘s only by Merlin’s name, and my right hand, that I‘m lucky I haven‘t died of blue balls already!”

Snape chuckled despite himself. Draco was one of the few people that could make him laugh. But it was only because the boy could be so melodramatic at times. Draco knew very well he got ‘some’ at his party last week. With a bemused smirk on his face, Snape followed the hurried steps of the boy, out of the room and down the winding corridors. He wasn’t sure if Draco was serious or not, but he planned on making the speech himself. It was important that his students knew that they could trust him, no matter what. He also wanted to make sure that he planted the seeds of House pride in each of them; all the while, invoking a fear of him upon them as well. It all balanced each other out, in the end, and maintained order in Slytherin.

It wasn’t long before Draco stopped in front of the ornately, carved portcullis.

“Slythern Pride.” The blond said quickly. He didn’t even have to ask what the password was, for it was always ‘Slytherin Pride’ for the first month. It was part of his Daa’s plan to speak things into truth. The older wizard believed that if the first years said it enough times they will start to believe it.

It worked.

After the door slid up, the Head Boy wasn’t surprised to see his whole House waiting *patiently* in the common room. Most of those who were sorted into the House of the Snake were of the Upper Class and ‘old money.’ The art of etiquette was practically drilled into them from birth; though, some pulled off the elegance of it better than others did. However, proper etiquette and respect for those who *deserved* it was always and observable trait in Slytherin students. The thing is though... Those spoiled, rich, pure-blooded children didn’t believe that most deserved their respect. On the other hand, Professor Snape was and exception. He was like them. Old in family name, wealth, land, a pureblood, and a Slytherin. He understood their views, and why they believed what they believed. And to a very large degree, he shared some of those same beliefs.

He was an older version of them.

So of course they respected him!

Of course that wasn’t the only reason they were waiting patiently for the Professor this evening. The Potions Master first speech had a way of invoking a pride in being sorted into Slytherin that no one could take away. Even though it seemed that everyone else, in Hogwarts, tried to.

The speech was different every year, but iwaysways evoked the core of the Slytherin spirit; Pride, Strength and Honor. His speeches were so impressive, in fact that the returning students always made sure that they were present to hear them.

With liquid, aristocratic grace, the Professor entered after Draco. A smirk slowly tugged at the corners of his mouth. It was a bit prideful, a bit arrogant, a bit sinister, completely Slytherin. That smirk was mirrored by his students who were waiting for him. Waiting to be lead, to be guided. To be saved. Yes, this was why Severus stayed when he knew that with his skill, he could do far greater things. He stayed for them.

The raven-haired man took a silent breath and started with his eloquent oration.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In another part of the school

Harry patted his robe after he stepped through the portal. He wanted to make sure that he could feel the feather he had hidden in the inner breast pocket. Upon getting to the dorms, he was lucky that a returning 3rd year walkwalked out of the portal when he arrived, because he didn’t know the password to get past The Fat Lady, and he didn’t want to have to ask someone to let him in. Right now, all he wanted to do was get to his room and try to forget about this day and all the awful things Malfoy had told him while they were trapped in that classroom. It was hard enough HarrHarry not to think about it during his journey to the dorms. It was just lucky that he didn’t have to walk far, for the tower he fell out of, was on the same side of the castle, as Gryffindor Tower

After stepping through the portal, he was surprised to find the dorm full of Gryffindors. It was still early in the evening, so Harry expected almost everyone to still be at the Beginning of the Year Banquet. But it appeared that everyone had been *here* for awhile, for Harry barely made it in time to catch the end of McGonagall’s lecture on the rules of the dorm. Usually, only the first years had to stay and listen to her drone on about the proper behavior; however, this year there seemed to be a lot more returning students present for the reprimand. Most notably present was Ron, Dean, and Seamus.

When she finished, the professor looked up and made eye contact with Harry for the briefest of seconds then looked back at the group in front of her. She looked like she wanted to say something more, but before she could even begin, two 2nd years, in the far corner of the common room, tried to cast a spell they had no business trying to cast and created an explosion. The older witch dismissed everyone and left to harangue the two students as she grumbled something about finally getting rid of the Weasley twins only to have two more who where just as bad.

Harry tried to make himself invisible when Ron, Seamus, and Dean passed him without even a backward glance. The seeker wasn’t entirely *ungrateful* for that, for he was well aware of Ron’s temper and the three boys looked pissed. Harry surmised that they must have been chastised for their actions last year. He just hoped that they wouldn’t try to retaliate against *him* and that he would be able to get to his room without any hassle. With that in mind, Harry walked a little bit faster and a little more cautiously through the long corridor toward his room.

He knew where it would be located. Dumbledore owled him just beforeool ool started and told him that was going to have his own room, even though he wasn’t a Perfect. In a way having is own room was a good thing, but Harry knew that this ‘special treatment’ would probably make things worse for him later.

A shove that could be considered rude if it wasn’t accompanied by a belated “Excuse me” pushed Potter almost against the wall.

Two tiny 1st years ran past him, giggling in the excitement of being away from home and in anticipation of the adventures that they were sure to have in the future.

The sight of it made the raven-haired boy sm He He remembered when he was filled with that sort of joy, just by being here. It seemed like a lifetime ago. When another set of younger students brushed past him, he took an extra effort to watch his step as he walked up the stairs; Gryffindor Tower was like a mad House right now! First years running around happily trying to discover every nook and cranny before curfew. The students who returned were extremely excited as well, as they ran around and caught up with friends who they missed over the summer. The seeker could hear laughter and happiness coming out of all the other rooms and... He envied it. All of it. Sure, he somewhat made up with Ron and Hermione on the train, but they didn’t even try to comfort him when he left the Great Hall. Ron also walked past him in a dark cloud and Hermione... He shook his head solemnly, as he forced himself not to think about it. For he wasn’t exactly sure if they really liked him again or they just liked the fact that he got into a row with Malfoy.

“Oh Harry!”

The boy turned toward the voice and a surprised smile lit up his features. When he saw the Head Girl, down stairs in the common room, she was busy re-explaining the dorm rules to some first years.

“I was so worried about you!... When you left!” Hermione breathed out in relief as she ran up the steps, skipping every other one. “I wanted to follow...” She shook her head with solemn regret. “But Ron figured you needed some time alone.”

Harry shrugged weakly as he tried to hide the hurt.

The brown-haired witch bit on her bottom lip, in a melancholy fashion, before she gave Harry a hug. “I should have followed my first instinct.” She whispered. “I’m sorry, Harry.”

“It’s okay...” Harry choked out as he held onto the girl like a life preserver.

A tear trickled out of her brown eyes. “No, Harry, it isn’t.” She whimpered. “I’ve treated you horribly!”

“It’s okay.” Harry assured again as he tried to hold back his tears. “It doesn’t matter now... We can’t change the past...so lets not think about it.” He pulled back a little and gave her a pleading look. Merlin knew he already had enough to think about. The last thing he wanted to do was dredge up the memories of being one of Gryffindors most hated.

Hermione looked away from that downhearted gaze, ashamed. The young witch was ashamed; even though, she didn’t participate in any of the pranks against him. She was ashamed because she didn’t exactly stop them either. Instead, she forsake him by ignoring his pain, by hiding in the library, and giving her unwavering attention to her studies.

Why did she engage in such a non Gryffindorish behavior? Because she was young and angry. Angry because she was punished so severely, and Harry, who did the same crime wasn’t punished at all. Like the rest of them, who got into trouble, she believed that Harry was exempt because he was the Boy-Who-Lived. And she was angry and jealous of that fact. It was a petty, and she realized that now. She also realized that her anger probably wouldn’t have lasted as long as it did but Ron, who had years of pent up resentment toward Harry, new exactly how to fuel everyone’s vengeful fire when their contempt started to wean.

Yes, she could see it now. But then, her eyes were blinded by the injustice of it all. A *self proclaimed* injustice because she *still* felt venerated for attacking Malfoy with enough hexes to render the boy unconscious. Even though the only thing the Slytherin did.... was say something she didn’t agree with.

Conversely, even though she believed herself to be in the “right” for what she did to Malfoy, she could no longer fully believe that being in Gryffindor cancelled you out from being petty and spiteful. She found out, from holding a volatile two year grudge that even Gryffindors were not beyond reproach. However, this year she was determined to put a stop to it. No one was going to hurt Harry anymore. Not her, not anyone! Whether Dumbledore saved Harry from punishment or not, she was not going to blame him anymore. Even if that meant she was going to be an outcast herself. She was just grateful that the raven-haired boy forgave her so easily.

“Harry” She said with a forced joy as she slipped her arm through one of his. “Let’s get out this hallway and get you to your room! Do you know were it is?”

“At the end of the seventh year hall, right?” He boy answered diffidently. “Isn’t that’s were the Perfects usually stay?”

Hermione forced her expression to remain pleasant. She knew about all of the drama Harry went through when he was sharing a room with, what she called the Three Stooges; Ron, Dean and Seamus. But in her honest opinion, it didn’t seem fair that Harry got his *own* 7th year Perfects room just for being an outcast. Those rooms were almost as nice as *her* room for being Head Girl. And she worked her arse off for that privilege, and Harry didn’t!

Harry knew that he wasn’t a Perfect, but since there were no 7th year male Perfects in Gryffindor, Dumbledore gave him the empty room. He also knew that by admitting that he had a Perfects room, without deserving it, was the wrong thing to say as soon as the words were out of his mouth. But it was too late now. He couldn’t take it back. So Harry decided to ignore Hermione’s strained expression as he asked timidly. “Are you allowed to go into the boy’s dorm?”

He hoped she was, because he really needed a friend. The last thing he wanted, right now, was to be alone. Even if the other boys ignored him in the room, he should have been in, he’d rather have that than be alone

“I‘m Head Girl, Harry.” Granger answered with a playful cocky wink as she tried to reassure him that she was no longer angry with him. “I can go anywhere I want. Ah...Here’s your room, dear sir!”

When the door opened, it wasn’t empty. There were two, four poster beds in it and one Neville Longbottom who was packing up his stuff.

“Um... what are you doing in here?” Hermione asked, her tone clearly expressed her surprise to see the other blacklisted Gryffindor in Harry‘s room.

Her voice startled the brown-haired boy and he whirled around to face them “Oh!” His hand fluttered to his chest as he let out a deep breath. He was jumpy and rightfully so, after last year. After collecting his wits, Neville stared at the girl in front of him and asked. “Hermione?... Are you allowed to be in the boys dorm?”

There was no hello or pleasantries since *he* didn’t receive any. Longbottom was not the same boy he was before he started hanging with the Slytherin Court. Though he was in no way, Slytherin.

“Yes. Yes, I am.” She assured primly. “As Head Girl, I have the authority to be here. So why are you here?” She gestured lightly with her hand. “In Harry’s room?”

Longbottom gave her a thoughtful assessment that tapered on being rudely pissed. “Professor McGonagall told me this was my assigned quarters.” He said then returned back to his packing.

Inwardly, Neville was glad to see that Harry had gotten at least *one* of his friends back. But that didn’t mean he was going to kiss her arse. No, not this year and never again. Neville had decided –with Blaise’s influence– that when everyone turned their back on him, he no longer had to go out of his way to try and befriend them. Blaise told him that they weren’t worth the ground his beloved cherub walked on! Longbottom didn’t believe his boyfriend at first, but after Zabini kept reminding him of how his Gryffindor “friends” virtually ignored him for five and a half years, then tormented him for the last half of last year, he started accepting the Slytherin’s words as truth.

“Oh that’s wonderful!” Harry said in pure relief. He did NOT want to be alone this year; even if his roommate was the other outcast.

The brown-haired boy turned slightly and smiled at Harry. He wasn‘t expecting the boy to take the news so well. So he softened his tone, for it was wavering on being sharp. “She told me that I’m supposed to room here since we got so many first year Gryffindors. She said everyone was being shifted around.... Though, I suspect that she was just trying to keep me from the populace that wants to tar and feather me for dating Blaise.”

Hermione swallowed hard, ashamed once again. In her conviction to keep Harry safe, she had completely forgotten about Neville.

“I really am sorry, Harry....” The brown-haired boy assured as he gave a heart felt nod and a warm, apologetic smile to the only person he considered a friend in Gryffindor. “I was told that you were supposed to have a private room. I hope I won‘t be too much of an imposition.” He then returned to his packing.

“Don’t worry about it, Neville.” Harry smiled as he made his way to sit on his bed. However, like Neville, Harry knew that Professor McGonagall wasn’t being entirely truthful. When he passed Ron’s room, he noticed only three beds and like all magical residences, they magically enlarged to accommodate, just like this one must have been, because it was *huge.* However, he didn’t care about McGonagall’s little, harmless, lie because now he had a roommate!

Then Harry’s brow furrowed as his mind finally processed what Longbottom was doing.

“Um... Neville.. may I ask why you are packing?”

“Oh..this..?” The brown-haired boy blushed as he folded a shirt and placed it into his trunk. “It’s just a precaution... As you probably know...” He glanced up and locked his brown eyed gaze with Hermione’s even though he was talking to Harry. “I lost so much stuff last year....” Due to the viciousness of his roommates, her boyfriend in particular, but Neville left that part unsaid.

But the Head Girl heard the unspoken statement loud and clear. And she started fidgeting where she stood.

It was good that she understood because Neville was absolutely certain that he would not be able to keep Blaise from retaliating for his sake, as he did last year. Blaise Zabini was probably the second most vindictive and cruel persons in the whole school, when he was angry, only to be topped by Draco Malfoy. And the long-haired boy was not pleased with how they treated Neville. The only reason that Ron and the rest of the Gryffindors, who tormented him, were even *alive* today was because Neville, who Blaise utterly worshiped in private, pleaded their case and also because Draco intervened and told Zabini that he would handle any trouble that may arise.

There was a tense silence in the room for about a minute. Before Hermione decided that she needed to leave. She was overwhelmed with guilt and she *needed* to *get away.* Yes, go away and chastise Ron, Seamus and Dean for how they treated Harry *and* Neville. Yes, that was what she was going to do because that would make her feel...less guilty.

“Well... ” Hermione began. “I guess I’ll be going then.”

“No!” Harry said with woeful distress. “Why?.. Its still early yet!” He got off of his bed and quickly walkeer ter to where she stood, in the middle of the room.

Hermione glanced at Neville then back at Harry. “No reason really, Harry, it’s just that I really should be going...”

“Don’t leave because of me.” Longbottom chimed after he caught the not so subtle glance from Hermione; even though, Harry seemed oblivious to it. He couldn’t believe that she did that. He felt offended that she blamed *him* as an excuse to leave.

“Oh it’s not because of you!” She assured in a half lie. “I just have rounds, you know...My new duty as Head Girl, and all...” She gave a sheepish grin and hoped it passed off as believable.

“I guess...” Harry moped as his shoulders sagged slightly. He was really looking forward to catching up with her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast.” She assured as she gave him a hug good-bye. “Though I might be a bit late. I have to go to a Perfects meeting in the morning.”

Being Head Girl was like being the co-president of a student government and the Perfects were the representatives of each House and year.

In the brown-haired witch’s opinion, it really was a shame that so many Gryffindors allowed their pettiness to consume them and make them forget about their studies, just so they could think of pranks against Harry and Neville. Because of these pranks, their grades dropped and they broke so many school rules that it cancelled them out from even being in the running for a Pers pos position. And because of this, it gave Slytherin a major edge. Because not only did Slytherin manage to almost have two Perfects in every year represented, Malfoy was Head Boy. And Hermione knew from Perfect meetings of the past that Malfoy was a very vocal and demanding representative when it came to what benefited *his* House.

“Now, if I am not at breakfast...it’s because the meeting ran a bit long.” She assured. “But I will probably see you at Drop-and-Add. I signed up to help.”

Harry’s brow furrowed. “Drop-and-Add?... Why would I do that? I’ve already picked out my classes. I’ve even bought my books and everything.”

“It’s because Muggle Studies is now a requirement to gain our wizarding license.” Neville volunteered after he closed his chest and went to sit on his bed.

Harry turned to face the other boy. “Since when?” His voice held a bit of a hysterical edge to it. He did not want to take a class that was pure lecture. That’s why he never took the class in the first place. Well that and because he didn’t feel like he needed to learn about Muggles since he lived with them.

“Since Dumbledore announced it at dinner.” Longbottom answered timidly. He wasn’t expecting Harry to be so against taking the class.

Hermione was shocked by Harry’s reaction as well. So to calm him down, she joked warmly as she put a comforting hand on Harry’s shoulder “You should have taken the class when I did and then you wouldn‘t have to worry about taking it now.”

If it was at all possible, Harry, now, looked even more distressed. He now realized that because he waited until his 7th year to take one of the primary classes that meant he was going to have to be in a class full of under classman!

“If it makes you feel better...” Neville offered after noticing that Harry seemed even more upset after Hermione’s comment. “I have to take the class too.”

Harry brightened a bit. That did make him feel better! “Well at least we won’t be the only 7th years in there. I mean... at least we‘ll have each other.”

“Oh trust me, Harry,” Hermione giggled knowingly. “Your class will be *full* of 7th years....from every House.”

“But mostly Slytherin” Neville added with a smile. He was glad that he was going to get to take a class with Blaise. His boyfriend was in mostly advance classes, so even though Gryffindor/Slytherin had some shared classes, Blaise wouldn’t be in them.

Harry groaned. “That means Malfoy will probably be in there too.”

It wasn’t that Harry didn’t want to be around the blond Slytherin... Okay, yes it was...It was just that he wasn’t sure how to act around him now that he knew that the evil git saved his life *twice.*

“Probably.” Hermione agreed softly. “But maybe not. I was told that even though it’s a mandatory class this year, the sign up roster is still going to be like those of electives. It’s going to be a miss-mesh of years together, in the same class. So Malfoy may very well likely not be in your class at all.”

Harry looked skeptical to her logic, but he nodded anyway.

“If it makes you feel better, Harry.” Hermione offered. “Ron has to take the class too.” When a look of surprise graced Harry’s face, she smiled. “Yes, even though his family is fascinated with everything muggle, Ron refused to take the class because it was pure lecture. And we all know that he equates lecture with book work, and book work with reports, and reports with too much work for him.” She giggled again and sm dre dreamily. “That boy is so lazy when it comes to anything but quidditch! Perhaps one day I will be able to convince him that learning can be just as exciting as a quidditch game. Then again, maybe not.” She giggled again.

Harry looked at his friend and could tell that she loved Ron so very much. It was written all over her dreamy expression as she talked about the red-haired boy. On the other hand, throughout her harmless teasing of her boyfriend, Harry’s facial reaction was blank. He couldn’t force himself to smile as she talked about Ron, but because of her joy, he couldn’t allow himself to frown either. Neville, on the other hand, had narrowed his eyes in displeasure. He didn’t like Ron, and he didn’t care who knew. Not anymore. However, even though their outward reactions were different, both of the boys were thinking the same thing, which was that Ron was not lazy about *everything* besides quidditch. Especially when it came to carrying out his self-righteous revenge.

Before either of the boys could school their features, Hermione took note to them, and now she felt REALLY guilty.

“Well...” She began as she chewed on her bottom lip. “I better get to my duties....”

This time Harry didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he smiled. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

She nodded and looked to Neville, expecting him to happily agree with Harry. The boy just stared back at her as if he was expecting *her* to return the pleasantry to *him*, but not really caring if she did or didn’t.

“Right.” She sighed out to herself and mentally chided herself for expecting Longbottom to jump on her bandwagon as quickly as Harry did. “So I guess I’ll see you both sometime tomorrow then.” She smiled at Harry then was off as quickly as her little legs would carry her.

After she left, Neville stood up and walked to the door. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a torn piece of parchment with one hand and retrieved his wand from his robe with the other. He then proceeded to read out the words on the paper to cast a protective locking charm on the door.

“Why did you do that?”

“Do you really need to ask ,Harry?” Neville answered tiredly as he walked back to the bed. It wasn’t the spell that drained him, it was being in these dorms. It was stressful being trapped with hundreds of students who hated you.

“No..” The raven-haired boy mumbled. “I suppose I don’t.”

The twys wys went about dressing for slumber, in silence. It was awkward, the silence, but reassuring because both boys knew that the other was not plotting against him. After they finished dressing for bed Neville spoke timidly.

“Harry....If you don’t mind...I mean...” He bowed his head ashamed. “Tomorrow, when we bathe...will you watch my back?” He reluctantly looked up. “It’s just that I don’t want what happened to me last year to happen this--”

Harry interrupted with a quick nod, for he didn‘t want Neville to go into it.

He already knew what happened because he was the one who found Neville, crying and curled, in the fetal position, in the back shower stall. The offenders used a potion instead of a charm to mask their true appearance, so Neville couldn’t identify anyone when he was questioned about the incident. And Prior Incantato was useless because no wands were used to cast the spell. No authorities were called, Dumbledore handled things himself; though Harry was never exactly sure what the Headmaster did. Neville was distraught, to say the least, and he refused to return to Gryffindor Tower even if it meant expulsion. Because of this, the Headmaster allowed the boy to stay in the safety of the Slytherin House. That was also when Draco put out his warning of protection over Longbottom. However, everyone who knew what happened to Longbottom were warned to keep the offense to themselves in order ‘protect’ Neville’s privacy . No one was allowed to speak of it. Ever.

“I hate being in here!” Longbottom admitted in a melancholy sigh as he crawled into bed then cast a protection spell over himself. “It’s just that....everyone here... they are such hypocrites...” The tucked the covers around him, in an angry huff. “At least in Slytherin, when they’re are doing something wrong...Well... they *know* they are doing something wrong, and they chose to do it anyway.” He looked at Harry, who was staring sadly back at him. “I mean in here...” He gestured to the room but meant something much more vast. “Here...they do what they *believe* is ‘right’....Even if it’s completely *wrong* and they feel justified in there actions! I hate it!”

Harry looked down and stared at his feet and nodded slightly, in agreement. He didn’t want to agree and maybe three years ago, he would have refuted Neville’s quite rant. But now...after everything he’s been through, everything he knows...Harry had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

“I mean... take what they did to us...To me..” The boy choked out, then shook his head to try and erase the bad memory. “It makes me remember some of the stories Blaise told me about Aurors, and how they repeatedly showed up without notice and thoughtlessly ransacked his home, just because they thought his dad was a Death Eater.” He looked at Harry who was, still, staring at his sock covered feet. “Those men who did it... those Aurors...who purposely destroyed priceless Zabini heirlooms and threatened my boyfriend, when he was only *three years old,* that they were going to take him to Azkaban... they were Gryffindor’s, Harry....And you know what?... Many of the Gryffindors that have harassed *us* are going to be Aurors too...after they get their licenses..... And... that makes me afraid... So very afraid.”

After the boy’s statement, Harry whipped his gaze up toward Neville. He was going to defend the actions of the Aurors and remind Neville that Blaise’s father probably *was* a Death Eater, so the actions of those older Grffindor’s were more likely than not, justified. But when he actually saw Neville and noticed the steady stream of tears on his rounded cheeks, all thoughts of his righteous argument died on his lips. Instead, Harry quickly crossed the large room, in order to comfort his roommate.

“No, stop!” Longbottom cried out when Harry almost reached his bed. “Don’t come any closer!”

Harry skidded to a halt. “I...I’m sorry...I wasn’t going to.” The seeker sputtered. “I wasn’t going to hurt you or anything ...I was just going to--”

“I know... and I thank you, Harry” The other boy sniffed out and wiped away his tears, with the back of his hand. “It’s just that the charm... I put over my bed...It will hurt you if you come too close.”

“Oh!” Emerald eyes widened in shock. He didn’t know that and in awkward movements, he found himself unconsciously stepping back.

Neville didn‘t attempt to remove the charm as he explained where he got if from. “Blaise found it in a book, in his dad’s personal library... He told me that I should use it until I get permission to stay in the Slytherin dorms.”

“You mean..” Harry choked. “That you’re not...staying?”

Neville shook his head no. “I shouldn’t have even had to spend *one* night in here... Especially not after last year!” The boy looked away ashamed. Then pulled his covers to his chest and laid down, with his back facing his roommate.

“Where are you intending to stay?” Harry asked even though his brain immediately told him that it was a stupid question.

Neville sat back up and faced the seeker. “You promise you won’t ?”
?”

Harry nodded even though he already knew the answer.

There was a skeptical pause from Longbottom, before he decided to confess. “I’m trusting you not to tell....because Professor McGonagall told me that I would be required to stay in my own dorm this year...She assured me that I have nothing to fear from my follow dorm mates.” Neville rolled his eyes and mentally spat that “if that was so.... then why did they feel the need to separate Harry and I from the others?”

“I won’t tell.” Harry assured. He didn‘t have to hear what Neville said mentally to understand why the boy felt afraid to share his secret. “I promise you....I won‘t tell a soul.”

Neville smiled then said in a conspirators whisper. “’I’m going to room with Blaise. He told me that Draco already approved it, so there will be no problem!”

“But there *is* a problem!” Harry said, a little too loudly for the other boy’s liking. The seeker sat on his own bed and continued, but this time in lower tones. “What if someone tells? I mean not me, of course, but someone in Slytherin. You know it’s against to rules!”

“No one will tell.” Longbottom assured. “I told you, Draco already approved it. And whatever he says is pretty much law in Slytherin!”

“Oh.” Harry didn’t know that, but he suspected it after the row on the train. Draco seemed to wield a lot of authority over his housemates. “But what if someone *else* find outs? Like someone in Gryffindor...You can get into big trouble if they tell on you.... And you know...they probably will.” Harry was embarrassed and ashamed that he would even have to admit that.

Neville thought about what the raven-haired boy said, for about three seconds, before he came to the conclusion that “I will just have to think about the consequence when they arise.”

Harry was shocked. “But ... you might get expelled!”

“I know...” Neville gave his roommate a pleading look. “I just can’t stay here anymore! I just can‘t!....You won’t tell will you?”

Harry shook his head woefully. “No, Neville, I won’t tell...”

Longbottom gave Harry a sheepish yet grateful smile, then laid back down and brought his covers up under his chin. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Harry sighed as he crawled under his bed sheets. “But you will, at least, wait until after the curfew check to leave right?” Harry turned to his side and looked at the boy. “ I mean just so one will get suspicious.”

Longbotom bit on his bottom lip and thought about it. Actually, he had the mind set of never returning to Gryffindor Tower after he left, but Harry’s idea did make more sense. There really wouldn’t be any harm in showing up right before curfew then leaving immediately after. It wasn’t like he didn’t perfect doing that last year before the incident.

Neville looked at Harry, who was on the other side of the large dorm room. “Sure, Harry I’ll leave after curfew.”

The raven-haired boy gave a relieved smile. It wasn’t only for his roommate sake that he asked the boy to visit their room. It was for the company. Harry didn’t want to be alone, and if Neville came by and spent a little time with him, then it would be better than the isolation he felt last year.

“Good-night, Harry.”

Potter reached up and grabbed his wand. “Good-night Neville,” and cast a spell that made the lights go out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A.N. This is not a rant, just a very long thought and hopefully an explanation.

Ok your probably saying There is_ no way_ that Gryffindors can be so cruel right? (sheepish grin) Ok maybe your not. (giggle) But if you are, I just want to say that this is...(sheepish grin) my version of them so I need them to be this way for the fic. So pl don don’t yell at me for OOC.

But in my humble opinion, I do believe that they _can_ be so hateful. One, because they are fiercely prejudice against Slytherin and, rightfully so, Death Eater’s. But it’s their hate for the people of the Snake House that makes believe that if they _feel_ like they are in the “right” then they are willing to do awful things and not feel bad about it. Case in point, Sirius Black when he tried to kill Severus. Or, like whermiormione set Snape’s robes on fire. (in the movie) Not only was that was a _dangerous_ attack _on a teacher. She felt justified for this attack because she _thought_ Snape was cursing Harry. And why did she think the worst of her professor? Because Snape was Slytherin. So of course, Snape couldn’t have been _ saving_ Harry’s life. No of course not. Snape was Slytherin, so if he gets third degree burns, if she was wrong in her assumption, then so be it, he deserved them anyway...for being Slytheirn. Right? Now if a Slytherin student did the same thing ,for the _same_ reason to a Gryffindor teacher, because we all know that Slytherin students don’t trust Gryffindors, I doubt it would be treated so lightly.

I’m just saying that ....I’ve noticed that there are three different rules at Hogwarts. A lenient one for Gryffindors, The regular school rules for Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, and a harsh unfair type of injustice for Slytherin.

And also, when we learn about the different houses in the song from the sorting hat. We learn that Gryffindor is noble and brave house, but is says nothing about having some type of God Like goodness. No, actually there not very good at all, not even to each other really, they just get away with everything.

Nor does the Hat say that being sorted into Slytherin was meant being evil. I think we learned that was not the case when the Hat _first_ tried to sort Harry in Slytherin. And we all know that Harry’s not evil. But yet everyone in the school treats them as such.

So you can probably see that this is a pro Slytherin fic.

Now, what exactly happened to Neville? Whatever your mind said happened to him. What you _initially_ thought the Gryffindors were capable of. Whether it was a verbal threat, a ruffing up, or a rape, Whatever you first thought.

Oh Draco’s power will be explained later. We’ll, also eventually see them in Muggle Studies and Draco teaching his clas ... And some H/D interaction ^_^

Ok... whew... that way more than enough from me

Okay... I would like to thank everyone who read this fic and a special thanks to all who reviewed
::hugs::
babychan