Atlas Malfoy and how history repeats itself

Part 9

"Oliver Wood gets knocked down by the head of Slytherin's team, completely leaving our hoops out in the open and clear. Slytherins knock down another one of our players. And then, Harry was wriggling madly on his broom. Nearly falling to his death. Could've died! But, he didn't!" Ron hasn't taken a breath in in the last ten minutes of telling me about the game. He continues, "Hermione turns to me and is like 'look at Snape' and I do and you'll never guess what he is doing! Mumbling under his breathe and looking at Harry without blinking. I'm not idiot, so I knew exactly what he was doing with a little prompting from Hermione. He was cursing Harry's broom. I didn't want to do anything to bad, but Hermione was already dragging me to the teachers are sat, and says something, pointing her wand at Snape's cloak. A little fire starts, distracting absolutely everyone. Any questions so far?"
I let him take a few deep breathes and say, "Nope, carry on."
"Right, where was I? Oh yeah, a fire starts and everyone has to stomp on Snape's cloak, including Quirrell! Personally, didn't think he had it in him to stand up to anything, especially flames. Right, but anyway, Harry and the Slytherin seeker are butting at each other, and Harry stands up on his broom! Then, he falls forwards and once he gets up, he's acting like he is going to throw up. He caught the snitch! In his mouth, he caught the snitch! Everyone in the stands in going absolutely wild, other than the Slytherins obviously, but everyone else is going mental. I mean, screaming, shouting and I think I saw a few people crying and cheering. Blimey, it was amazing! You coming to the next one?"
"I don't know, are you still going to give me a second by second play back?"
He nods and I say, "Maybe. Depends. Oh, look, there's Hagrid. We should talk to him about Snape if you are worried Harry."
Harry looks up to where I'm pointing and says, "Yeah, sure. HAAAGRIDDDD!"
I race after him as he runs and say, "Harry has something to tell you."

Harry explains the whole story and Hagrid replies, "Why would Snape do that?"
"I dunno, why was he trying to get passed that three headed dog on Halloween?" Harry raises his eyebrows as Hagrid says, "Who told you about Fluffy?"
"Fluffy? That thing has a name?" I scoff. Hagrid rolls his eyes and says, "Of course he has a name. He is mine; got him off an irish fella down at the pub last year. Gave him to Dumbledore to guard the..."
"Yes?" Hermione presses?
"Shouldn't 'ave said that. No more questions! Don't ask anymore questions." Hagrid mumbles.
"But Hagrid. What ever that dog is guarding, Snape wants." Hermione says. Hagrid turns to us and says, "Now, you listen here, all four of you. Whatever that dog is guarding is strictly between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flammel."
"Nicholas Flammel?" I ask.
"Shouldn't 'ave said that..."
Hagrid walks off, leaving us to question this mystery man. 

Christmas is a welcome break, even if I'm going home. Goodbyes are awkward and I say to Ron, "Are you not packing?"
"Nope," He smiles, "Parents have gone to see Charlie in Romania. He is studying dragons over there. Anyway, good luck surviving Atlas."
"I shouldn't tell you this, but Snape gave me a vial of Liquid Luck and a vial of Veritaserum- a truth syrum. I'll use on of them to get through Christmas dinner. Anyway, enjoy your Christmas, Harry. First magical christmas! I would invite you round but... let's just say my Father barely wants me round."


The train ride is nice. Hermione and I get a compartment to ourselves, so we don't get interrupted.
"Whose watch is that?"
I look down at the little silver watch on my wrist as it ticks away, not a care in the world. I say, "In all truthfulness Hemione, I've got no idea. It's mine now, but it has initials carved into it. R.A.B. Mum said it reminded her of someone she used to love. Some random family member. It's odd, but I feel a really big connection to it. Like I've always been destined to get something of theirs. I'll be asking mum more about it over the holidays."
"I am sorry you can't come back to mine for Christmas." Hermione says, "I'd love to have you, but my parents are paranoid having someone whose parent's are... like yours is a bad idea. I really am sorry."
"No, it's fine. I hardly trust them with muggle borns. Or muggles."

I get off the train, where I immediately see Mum, Father and Draco. They all look so perfect. I walk over, where Mother smothers me into a hug. Father is stood talking to Draco, so I just trail behind them with Mother. We get home in under an hour, where I am sent off. Mother directs me to her study, which hasn't changed much.

The same two leather armchairs, with the desk splitting them up. The wooden floor with the portrait hanging over the fireplace. The black walls with the built in bookshelves. The line of decorations I made my mum growing up. Mum sits opposite me and says, "I estimate we have until dinner to talk. Now, I know I gave you the watch, but their are another few things of Regulus's I need you to have. Regulus was Sirius's little brother. He died. I don't know how he died. We are made to believe a death eater ended his life because he got cold feet. Ran away from the Death Eaters and didn't live long enough to fully regret it. Only eighteen when he died. Barely eighteen. Practically seventeen. You will not be a death eater until you are at least twenty years old, and even then I don't want you to be. Here is a bag. Take it to your room. Look through it there. Regulus- Regulus Arcturus Black. Go, go read it all, go look at it all. I didn't look through it. He often said he wanted to meet my children when I had any. I think we would've liked you the most."