The Domino Effect (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 25: The Beginning of Classes

In some of the higher years he has heard from the snake statues and the snakes in the portraits that a lot of them are thinking he is a spy to the "light side", he is a burden because he was raised by muggles and that he was equivalent of a "mudblood" and is not worthy of the Slytherin house. He was thankful for his parselmouth ability because after the whole fiasco with his father's howler, he went out and saw the snakes in the portraits and wondered if it will work. And it did. They have become his new piece of spy network as apparently, there are portraits even inside the different common rooms allowing him access to people's movements.

But right now, he is glaring at the letter their father has sent to Iris. It was addressed to him that Iris has to relay. "Why is he writing to you anyway?"

Iris glanced at the burnt-up ashes on the table. "Well, he probably knew you were going to do that so he made sure I also get a letter." Iris shrugged.

Their father sends them an apology letter, claiming that he was drunk, he didn't know what came over him, and hoping for some reconciliation Harry at the moment is too angry at him to even think of the thought of forgiveness. They were still far from his list of things to consider. Harry who was already on alert due to the howler decided to burn down the letter before he could even read it. This surprises his year mates as they didn't know Harry knew some spells, especially fire spells knowing that he was muggle raised.

Harry has an affinity for fire and wind elements. It was one of the things Uncle Iggy wanted to assess. Fire is the most common affinity of elemental magic used by most wizards and witches (something to do with the evolution of the human race where fire has become essential to the way of life). Iris on the other hand has a strong affinity towards lightning or storm magic which is one of the rarest elements and very hard to master mostly because of its rarity there aren't a lot of spells she can learn from it.

Their mother also sent them a letter as well as Aunt Petunia, Uncle Iggy, and Uncle Oggy. Their mother apologized for their father's behavior, their aunt was furious about their father, and Uncle Iggy told them (mostly Harry) to not worry about the legalities of everything, he'll take care of it and just focus on school. Harry is just annoyed that their father used Iris as the buffer between him and the rest of the Potters which to Harry seems a bit of a stressful thing to do especially knowing that Iris might be more willing to the bridge to help tie down the family if needed. And he didn't want his sister to be burdened by it.

"When exactly are you leaving?" a stern voice spoke up right next to Harry and it was directed to Iris. This surprised them as it was Zacharias Smith who spoke. Harry would expect it from Malfoy, not Smith. Iris looked confused at him.

"Why are you mad at me?" Iris asked.

Blaise snorted. "It's not you. It's just Mr. Smith. He's still mad he wasn't sorted to Hufflepuff." This also earned some snorts from the rest of the Slytherin house. They never really think of Hufflepuff as an equal and believed them as an inferior house. They still can't believe anyone would be willing to be sorted there.

"Really? We didn't notice." Theo said sarcastically.

"He's been whining about it yesterday," Tracy added.

"All day," Daphne muttered.

Harry just glared at the boy. "You know, you need to change that attitude of yours. It's not going to help you survive in this house." He whispered to him while glancing at the higher years who are now looking at Zacharias calculatingly. While Harry is a target because of his family name and his brother. So is Zacharias and he is showing his weakness to the eyes of a house that would use it for their gains. The Smiths are an old pureblood family (the main branch that is, Sally Smith of Hufflepuff is half-blood and a cousin from the branch family line) and rich but they are not at the same level as the Malfoys nor are they that politically inclined despite their position in Wizengamot.