Atlas Malfoy and how history repeats itself

Part 12

"Don't you think it's a bit odd that the thing Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon and some random person in a pub just happens to have one? I mean, how many people wander round with Dragon eggs in their pockets?" Harry says, sprinting to Hagrid's hut. I follow after, until I hear Harry say, "This stranger though. You must've talked?"
"Well, he wanted to know what type of creatures I looked after, and I told him, after Fluffy there'd be no problem. Obviously he was interested in Fluffy. I told him, the trick with any beast is to know how to calm them. Take fluffy for example, play a bit of music and he falls right asleep."

Hermione's jaw drops, Ron's eyes widen and Harry is already sprinting back to the castle. It takes me a second to catch on, but Hermione dragging me really helps kick start it. Harry slams into McGonigal's office and says, "We have to see professor Dumbledore immediately!"
"He's gone?" Ron splutters. Harry adds, "But we need to see him. This is about the... the Philosopher's stone."
McGonigal raises her eyebrows and says, "That is magic that you four shouldn't be involving yourselves in. Go back to your dormitories."
Harry rambles on about something and I feel Snape's voice through every bone in my body. I can't quite comprehend what he is saying, but his glare is strong as he walks off. Harry says, "We're going through the trapdoor. Tonight."

That very night, I climb downstairs in a tracksuit, where I come face to face with Neville. He says, "You're going to lose us points again. I won't let you. You'll get us in trouble again. I'll- I'll fight you."
"Neville," Hermione says, "I'm really sorry about this."
She petrifies him, and we arrive at the third floor corridor. Fluffy is asleep, which is weird. There is a harp, playing a sweet lullaby. Snape's work. I hold the invisibility cloak while the others move Fluffy's paw. We open the trap door and as Harry is explaining the instructions, I say, "Does it seem a little quiet to you?"
"The harp... it's stopped playing?"
Fluffy noticed too. I jump in through the trap door and onto some vines, which immediately start grabbing at us.
"DEVIL SNARE!" I scream, "WE'RE GOING TO DIE!"
I loosen my muscles, falling through with Hermione. A burning sensation flies up my knee and I look down to see blood trickling down my leg. Harry looks at me, wrinkling his nose and he asks if I'm okay. I only glare. Hermione does something getting Ron down, but I wouldn't know. I haven't really been paying attention to anything other than Harry's cloak. I hobble along to the next room, which is full of keys with wings. Ron helps me to the floor and demands, "Sit down. Mum always said that when you hurt yourself, you should try making sure the blood doesn't ruin your clothes. Here, use this."
He pulls out some sort of rag and ties it round my knee. I thank him and gasp as the keys fly to attack Harry. He grasps one, and shoves us through the door.

We walk into the next room. A giant chess board lines the room as the floor, with a few missing pieces. Ron groans and Hermione says, "What? What is it Ron?"
"Wizard chess. There are a few missing pieces... we have to be the pieces. Right... let me think then... I'll be the knight. Hermione and Atlas, you go together. Be the queen- or queens. Queens... queen? I'm really not sure. Okay, Harry... you are going to stand on the only other empty square. Now, we play."
White takes their go and Hermione says, "Ron, you don't suppose this is going to be like real wizarding chess... do you?"
Ron commands a piece to go sacrifice itself and says, "Oh god. Yes, Hermione, I think it's going to be exactly like wizarding chess."

Hermione screams and hugs me every time black take their move. Eventually, Ron says, "Once I make my move, then you're free to check the king."
"No, Ron no!" Harry yells.
"What is it?" Hermione says through tears. I gasp, "Are you kidding? He's going to sacrifice himself!"
Ron barks an order and I close my eyes, burying my head in Hermione's shoulder. I hear him scream and Hermione tries to pull away, but I grab her back. She clings onto me and I stare at Ron's still body. He is still breathing and it takes everything I have not to run to him.
"Checkmate." Harry splutters. Now we can move.

I sit with Ron, putting his head on my lap. Harry disappears through a door and Hermione says, "Now, which one of us is going to go and get McGonigal?"
I shrug and say, "I'll stay with Ron. I think I know enough spells to keep him awake if he does wake up. But you, Hermione, I think you'll make McGonigal a little less angry. She'll appreciate if you go to her. Let me stay."
Hermione nods, getting up. Just as she puts her hand on the door, she turns round and says, "Are you sure you'll be okay? Your foreheads bleeding."
I raise my hand to just above my eyebrow and feel the wet sensation of blood. I nod and say, "I'll be okay. Just go get anyone you can find."

Within ten minutes, Hermione is back with McGonigal and Madame Pomfrey and Severus. Madame Pomfrey does something, gently waking Ron up, and Snape helps me to my feet. I sob, "Harry. Harry is still through there. You need to help him."
I repeat that again and again, until I reach the infirmary. I slip into bed, into a restless sleep.

I wake up in the morning, a bandage on my leg and my tracksuit cut into shorts. Father will absolutely implode when he sees that. Hermione helps me out and into the Great Hall, where I cry to her about how angry my dad will be. Ron snaps, "I've been speaking to mum. She says you are welcome to come over whenever. She said she is sick of hearing about how your Father is treating you."
I smile and Harry walks in, lowering himself to the bench. He looks at me inquisitively and I say, "I know I look mental, but I am far too tired to get changed."
Harry laughs and Dumbledore takes the stand.

"It has come to my attention," he says, smiling, "It happens to be the last day of the year. Now, lets see, it looks like Slytherin has one. However, I have a few last minute awards. To Miss, Atlas Malfoy, I award fifty points, for it takes a lot to help a friend in dire need, but to do it while close to collapsing yourself is real talent."
I bow my head and can't hear what Dumbledore says over the adrenaline.
"It looks like it is time for a decoration change."
Dumbledore claps his hands as the banners change from green to red! We've won, but I can see Draco glaring from across the hall. I smile at him, inwardly groaning a little. This is it, and the summer has yet to bring on some... interesting adventures. Good luck to me. At least I have some real friends now.