Black Plague

Chapter 26

It was only a month later when Lupin forgot to take his Wolfbane potion. Weasley, Granger, and Longbottom, had been doing something outside and almost got ate by Lupin. Snape had to save all their asses. He should have let them get eaten in my opinion, but he's too good a person for that. Gotta protect the children, I guess. He was really scratched up. But thankfully he was never bitten. He ushered them into the building and saved there asses, but rather than be thankful, they were pissed off at him because Wormtail got away.  Ungrateful bitches. Seriously, how did they miss that Lupin was a Werewolf? Snape all but spelled it out to everyone. Not as smart as they like to pretend, clearly. They had no clue. At least Draco and I were in Animagus form when we came across him. We should have been safe, since werewolves only attack humans. I just wasn't about to test that theory. Granted we shouldn't have been out there either. But shifting takes a lot of time and energy. They didn't have any excuses. They decided to chase a rat in the middle of the night. On a full moon. Like, what the fuck? They are just lucky Snape cared enough to save their asses.
Draco and I sat in the hospital wing most of the next morning, making sure Snape got better. We were supposed to go to Draco's house today, but Snape's health was more important. I was nice enough to accidentally blood curse Granger and Longbottom. Seriously. It was deserved. How dare they put themselves in danger then be pissed off at Snape after he saved their miserable, pathetic asses. Fuck them. Nobody messes with my people. And Snape and Draco are my people. That and Voldemort. Everyone else can fuck themselves. But those people matter. I will defend them to the death if I have to.

I have begun scanning over those three's thoughts and memories. Dumbles looks like he's given up on me. Now he is feeding them all a bunch if bullshit about Longbottom being the chosen one. Which is why, all of a sudden Ron cares about the poor kid. His life has been almost as pathetic as mine. But instead of abuse and neglect, he gets verbally barated nonstop by his grandmother. But he's never been loved a day in his life either. So Dumbles has been feeding them stories about how he was wrong until now. And I was never the one the prophecy talked about. Bullshit! I know I am. Because not only did Voldemort mark me accidently, but he has already named me his equal. More or less. Or at least said he is going to. But I think it's safe to say I vanquished him already. Unintentionally, but I think the prophecy has been completed. I came across it as I scanned Dumbles brain a couple times. I also came across other disturbing things, like how he has been manipulating everything. He is so high on his own importance he doesn't even stop to consider if he needs to sacrifice his pawns. He will destroy anyone. Even his own followers for his objective. Which he calls the greater good. But I'm just happy that Dumbles is trying to direct someone else's life. I want nothing to do with him.
In the mean time, I will keep learning and improving. Because if I have to fight the golden trio, and Dumbles, I want to be performing at the best of my abilities.

I am amazed how quick this school year has flown by. Being an Animagus and learning the patronus took a lot of time up. And it seemed to make the year pass in a blink of an eye. Maybe because I was thinking in terms of full moons instead of weeks like I always have in the past. I have always looked forward to each weekend. When I can see Voldemort again.

I am already packing up for the year and preparing to head home. I am still blown away with how quick this year flew by. Some big things happened this year. I have met my father. I have passed well beyond NEWT level in many of my subjects, and I have begun mastering many incredibly advanced and complexed magic not just the two big things. Now, I am able to do almost all my magic wandlessly, including my Animagus. I don't think I can even name off all the magic I know. But I know as much or more than most adults. Probably more. And I use them so regularly that I don't hesitate to use all of it while dueling. Speaking of dueling, I have bested Voldemort a number of times. He still wins more than me, but I can, and do beat him. We have even begun having Wandless duels just to push ourselves. That's always interesting. I think our duels help both of us improve our reflexes and spell usage. He grabs 10 cards, like I do, so he can become more comfortable using a variety of spells. We have hurt each other quite badly on occasions doing this, but it's important. Both to get used to fighting while hurt, and I learn how better to counter these more complicated spells.

For Christmas this year Snape gave me a note book with a list of all the spells he has created over the years. Pages and pages were filled with spells some quite creative. It was impressive. And very helpful.

Voldemort also taught me the spell for unsupported flight that he created. You float like a black ghost. Black smoky wisps float around you. Only your face showing. He has only given a handful of people the privilege of knowing this spell. Making me feel highly important.

So, I guess some big things have happened this year. But it feels like I blinked and it was over.

I finished thinking over my year in the shower and began dressing in all black. I brushed my hair and threw it into a high bun. I looked myself over and shrugged. I would try it out. It looked okay.
Then I double checked everything, grabbed my shrunken chest and walked away. I sit at the front of the table and began eating my food. Making sure I always remain poised like a proper Lord. For someday I will be. Then I followed everyone out to the train.

As I sat, quietly reading, Draco came and sat next to me. "You looking forward to the summer?" He asked. I shrugged. "I don't know. My home life is shit. So, not particularly. But I look forward to having more time to study spells. I always enjoy that."
He flashed me a look of pity, which made me push him. "Don't pity me. It's fine. It's not like they can hurt me anymore. If they even try, they're stupid." I shrug. He nodded. Trying to keep the pity off his face. Somewhat successfully. "So, I'll see you on the weekends?" I smiled at his attempt to change the subject to something safer. "Of course! What do you plan to do during the summer?"
He sat straighter and squared his shoulders. I smiled at his antics. "Well, my family always visit France for a couple weeks. Other than that, I'll continue learning spells and Severus will keep dueling with me. I will probably also practice using my Animagus form... I am starting to learn how to put up Occlumency. So I'll work more on that."
I grinned at him. "I'm really proud of you. You have made great progress this year. Hell, you're almost all the way through the book list!" He puffed his chest out. Feeling delighted to get praised by me. I smirked at him. I always found him amusing. I was curtain I made the correct choice in picking him as my right hand man. He would do anything to receive my praise.
"How is dueling going? I haven't been able to watch you." He grinned.
"I am getting pretty good at dodging and weaving. My reaction time is getting quicker. Severus says that once I learn all the spells on your flashcards, I might be almost as good as him." I smiled indulgently at him. I knew he would need to know more than just the flash cards to best Snape. After all, I had mastered those by the middle of my second year. But I didn't want to discourage him. Snape was possibly our best combat warriors. Even if his specialty was potions. He was a invaluable asset to our cause. Snape was probably right though. Draco would be catching up to him in no time. Especially with how hard he strived to get as good as the rest of us. I figured by graduation he would be unstoppable. On par with Snape and his Father. I would wager that Snape and Lord Malfoy were Voldemort's best duelists. Although his father was good in combat, his real strength was strategy.
"That's good to hear, Draco." I patted his arm in encouragement. "I think he's our best warrior. Him and your father. So being trained by him is going to help you become great. I'm sure in no time you'll be able to beat almost anyone. Hell, I bet if you went against half of the Dark Lord's followers you could beat them already. I've always seen greatness in you." I watched him preen before me and smiled. God he was adorable.
"Thank you" he grinned.
I don't know if that's one hundred percent true. I always knew he had the potential for greatness. But he needed to be moulded and encouraged. He thrives off praise. Which you wouldn't expect with how proud and confident he acts. But as soon as I talked to him I saw how much he needed it. He's not self motivated at all. He needs someone to come along side him and whispered encouragement and push him to become great. Without me and Snape in his life, he would be just another wizard. Average.
But he's a diamond in the rough. With some attention he will be worthy of being amongst the rulers of this worlds. Not to rule himself. No, he's not a leader. But to push our causes and make our ideas come to life. In that way, he's very much like his father.

I went back to reading as he began talking with his friends. They all talked about the extravagant trips they would make and plans their family had. I tuned them out, and resumed my studies. In some ways their lives were very different than mine. Summers were never about enjoying my freedom from school. They were about survival and becoming the best wizard to ever walked the earth.