The Son of Lord Voldemort

Chapter 48

The double attack on Zacharias Smith and Nearly Headless Nick turned what had hitherto been nervousness into real panic. Curiously, it was Nearly Headless Nick's fate that seemed to worry people most. Everyone was wondering what could possibly do that to a ghost, people asked each other: what terrible power could harm someone who was already dead? There was almost a stampede to book seats on the Hogwarts Express so that students could go home for Christmas. The Slytherins and a majority of the Ravenclaws found it amusing to say the least. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs would walk around in huddled groups and students could be seen looking around in a paranoid fashion. Neville had almost hyper ventilated when he saw his shadow one afternoon and Harrison spent twenty minutes calming him down.

Everywhere anyone went Aurors were present, they were stationed all around the castle and the grounds. A tall black man with a deep voice and one gold hoop earring normally stood by the large oak doors that led to the Great Hall, Harrison learned that his name was Kingsley Shacklebolt. A grizzled older man who resembled a lion who Harrison recognized from the Daily Prophet as Rufus Scrimgeour was also present quite often. Harrison made sure to never draw their attention and acted perfectly pleasant around them. He could tell that some of the students felt safer with Aurors everywhere but that didn't lessen the tension and fear that filled the school.

Soon the term ended and a silence deep as the snow on the grounds descended on the castle. Harrison had been planning to return home for the holidays but his plans changed at the last minute when some of his fathers plans advanced quicker than he had planned. Lucius, Narcissa and Bellatrix were helping Tom so Draco was staying as well. Leo and Cass were going to stay but their father wanted to see them so they signed up to return home. Blaise's mother had apparently gotten engaged so he had to return home to meet the unfortunate man. In fact the only Slytherins staying over the holidays were Harrison and Draco.

The two Slytherins walked into the Great Hall after saying goodbye to their friends and they both stopped dead in their tracks. The four house tables were gone, instead there was one large round table in the center of the hall. Fred, George, Percy, Ron, Ginny, Seamus, Dean, a small mousy first year Harrison knew was Colin Creevey and a Ravenclaw prefect named Penelope Clearwater were the only ones seated there. Draco made an annoyed noise in his throat as they began walking to the table. Harrison ignored the glares from Ron, Dean and Seamus as he sat down next to Percy. The older boy gave him a respectful nod which Harrison returned. Harrison knew that Percy was reporting the goings on in Gryffindor tower to his father and Percy knew Harrison was the Dark Lord's son, but by their interaction one wouldn't be able to tell they had anything in common.

"Harrison," Fred began grinning.

"What are you-" George continued.

"Doing here?" Fred finished as he pulled apart his roll.

"What are you doing here?" Ron growled. "Your dad doesn't want you around?" He gave Harrison a challenging look as the twins scowled at their younger brother.

"Ron!" Percy scolded looking both angry and embarrassed.

Harrison turned cold eyes to his least favorite person in the world as he held up a hand to Percy. "I could ask you the same question." Ron's ears turned red. "It's none of your business, but my father is currently busy with work." He spoke in a silky voice that reminded everyone at the table of Snape. "I'm staying at Hogwarts in favor of staying with one of my friends."

"What are you doing here?" Ron snapped at Draco in an attempt to regain some dignity.

"That's none of your business weasel," Draco sneered, his gray eyes burning with hatred.