The Silent Order: Draco Malfoy

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

On the way to potions the next day, I feel like I'm being watched. Not in a way that made me self-conscious, like last night. Shadowed by a mouse.

I turn abruptly and there he is.

Curtis.

Curtis.

Still woefully unable to produce magic, I scowl at him as he approaches me - as if the sneer of an eleven-year-old would provide an adequate threat.

"Lil. Listen. I was just trying to get you to come outside. Everyone already knows you're weak right now. Can't let them know you're weak in the head too. Us Slytherins have a reputation to uphold."

I continue to shoot daggers at him.

"Ok. Fine. You're right. I'm sorry. But listen. The other Houses started referring to you as Slythervane while you were like, hibernating. As in, weathervane. That's so lame."

I remain silent. He pratters on:

"You wouldn't believe what we had to do to protect your image. Draco Malfoy challenged two Gryffindor first-years to a wizard duel at midnight who were getting uppity about your freaky Great Hall sky meltdown. He didn't show up, obviously. Then told Filch on 'em. They got detention with Snape I think. Made 'em polish the Slytherin Quidditch trophies. Classic."

This sparks my attention.

"Who were the Gryffindors?"

"That new Weasley kid and The Boy Who Lived," Curtis answers, rolling his eyes.

I stop. I'm insecure. I spent Christmas with them. Could they really be doing something mean? They don't seem like the type, though I didn't exactly become best friends with Harry. Even so, I have a hard time believing malintent.

"Do you know if they were making fun of me?" I ask, quietly. Curtis turns to me, considering.

"Nah. I think they were just trying to ask around for information on how you were able to crack lightning in the Great Hall right under the nose of Albus Dumbledore himself. A LOT of people were curious after it all went down. Draco came after them. Probably just trying to squash stupid rumors. He was like, 'Get her name out of your mouth.' Then he challenged them to a midnight duel," Curtis says.

We continue walking towards our potions class in relative silence.

"Look Lil. Slytherins kind of keep to themselves. It's fine if you have friends outside the House. But-"

He steps around me, stopping me in my tracks, forcing me to look up at his, for once, serious face.

"-Slytherins take care of each other first. They say Gryffindors are loyal, but they have nothing on the loyalty from one Snake to another Snake."

...

Snape slinked up to his desk, several minutes late to class.

Why is he limping?

"Hey Curtis?" I ask.

"Oh, we're talking again?"

"Ugh whatever. How long has he been limping like that?"

Curtis considered me.

"You really have been out of the loop. It started last week. I'm surprised you didn't notice," he answered.

"We don't, like, chat," I say.

"Yeah, I've gathered the pair of them are kind of deadbeat...." he trails off, noticing my glare.

"I don't know," I finish.

Snape begins his lecture:

"Some of you will benefit from today's assignment: Wit-Sharpening Potion. Perhaps you should begin immediately," he drawls, gaze lingering on me. "The Wit-Sharpening Potion was a potion which allowed the drinker to think more clearly. Due to this, it acted as an antidote to the Confundus Charm. This potion is a popular essay question on the O.W.L.S. you will all sit next year. Turn to page 98."