Alternate Universe - brothers Draco & Harry

Chapter 17 - the 3rd Year

Year 3 was here, everyone was excited to be back. Professors loved to see the smiling faces of students, the students were happy to see all their friends and classmates again. But during these happy moments, no one in this reality, not even Dumbledore himself, realized just how different this year would be. Just how crucial to the Dark Lords plans.

Hercules and Draco sat on the train, both boys buzzing with excitement. They had already changed into their green robes. Meanwhile, Blaise was napping in the same compartment, right next to Hercules, but Crabble and Goyle were no where to be found. 

"Those two oafs are probably alone in some other compartment," Draco stated, rolling his eyes. "They are probably busy stuffing their faces, I just know it."

"Yeah, the cart lady didn't seem to have that many snacks left," Hercules stated before the two broke out into a fit of laughter. As they did, the compartment door slid open, and the boys, along with their sleeping friend, were faced with three very cute girls. 

"Hello, Malfoys," Saskia said, coming inside the compartment. She took a seat between the sleeping Blaise and Hercules, meanwhile, Aurelia went to sit next to Draco, giving the boy a soft smile. Daphne followed the two sisters inside, sitting right next to Aurelia like always.

"Hello," Hercules said. "You all look well."

"You too," Saskia quipped. "I see you've grown over the summer. Well, you have, Hercules. Draco seems just as puny and irksome as before."

"Oh, keep your lady trap shut, Petrova," Draco spat, crossing his arms. This made Daphne chuckle, the girl earning a swift glare from Saskia. Meanwhile, Aurelia tried to brighten the situation by making a light joke, but it only annoyed Saskia to see Draco smile and light up whenever he spoke to her sister. His eyes always dropped and glazed over whenever he looked at Saskia, like she was a piece of gum stuck to his shoe. 

'No, Draco probably looks at gum stuck to the pavement with more adoration and respect than he does me,' Saskia thought. 

"So," Aurelia spoke up, her tone soft like usual. "What have you boys been up to?"

"Oh, not much," Draco said, noticing his brothers reaction to her words. He had seen it before, but now it was obvious. Something about Aurelia actually annoyed Hercules. This was a surprise, almost nothing and no one ever got under his brothers skin, this certainly intrigued Draco. 

That's when the scheming brother had an idea. "Hey, Hercules, I was going to tell Aurelia the story of how we flew our brooms into a tree back at home, but you just tell that story sooo much better than I." Draco grinned. "Care to entertain her?" Hercules adjusted in his seat, slightly displeased, but he did tell the story, very fast and not so entertaining.

This only served to fuel Draco's interest, who devised up something even more diabolical. "Hey, you know what, Aurelia. I just got an amazing idea. Remember, last year you asked me to teach you flying? I said no, because I didn't have the extra time. Well, Hercules actually mentioned that he has some free time, he offered to take my place and help you."

Hercules's eyes almost popped out of his head, his hands clenching into fists as he tried to stay calm, baffled at his brothers words. Meanwhile, Aurelia felt awkward. She couldn't really reject the offer and say that Theodore Nott had agreed to help her himself. If Daphne found out that her friend, Aurelia, was getting close to the boy she loved ever since she was small, she'd never talk to her again. So Aurelia did the only thing she could.

"Oh, I don't know. I'm sure Hercules is just as busy as you, I doubt he has got time to teach someone like me. He's the Slytherin seeker, he's got one of the most important and demanding positions on the team." Draco could see that neither his brother, nor his friend, Aurelia, liked this arrangement, but it only fuelled his amusement.