Ten Questions (Harry Potter x Slytherin reader)

Chapter 38

"You've got mail."

I look up from my transfiguration textbook to see Daphne standing over me, letter in hand. Heaving a sigh, I snap my book shut and take the letter from her. 

"Thanks Daphne," I mutter as I begin to open the envelope, carefully extracting the letter from it.

"Any idea who it's from?" Daphne questions, a curious gleam in her blue eyes.

I shake my head. "No idea. I haven't gotten any mail in ages."

When my eyes scan the paper, though, I am surprised to see who it is from.

Dear Y/n, I have been trying to find the time to write to you, but my work with the ministry has made it increasingly difficult. Nevertheless, I hope you've had a good start to your fifth year at Hogwarts. I am very pleased with the changes Professor Umbridge has been making to the school. She has done wonderful work with the ministry so far, and with any luck, Dumbledore will be gone soon, who I doubt will be at Hogwarts much longer. The Ministry is growing highly suspicious of him. Most of all, though, I am happy to hear that you have been distancing yourself from Harry Potter, and I hope it continues that way. If I can give you a word of advice, stay close to Professor Umbridge, and continue to distance yourself from Potter. Both will be equally beneficial to you.  

I will keep writing. Best of luck with the rest of the year, and congratulations, again, on becoming a Prefect. I am very proud of you, Y/n.

-Adrian Pucey

My head is now spinning, but Daphne's voice cuts through the air.

"Y/n, are you okay?"

It takes me a moment to realize that my jaw is clenched and my breathing has become more rapid. I take a deep breath and look up at Daphe, nodding. I crumple up the letter and toss it into the nearest dustbin.

"Yeah, just a stupid letter, that's all."

Daphne looks at me warily. She opens her mouth to say something, but then closes it, thinking better of it.

"Alright. I'm going to head to the Great Hall for breakfast? You coming?"

I wave a dismissive hand. "I'll meet you there in a moment."

Daphne's eyes linger on me for a few seconds before she shrugs. Without saying a word, she stalks off and leaves the dormitory, her golden locks billowing behind her. When she is completely out of sight, I groan and lay back down onto my bed, thinking to myself for a moment.

I had completely forgotten about Adrian's new position at the Ministry of Magic. While most people in my family did not work, our father thought it would be smart to place Adrian in a position where he could have slight influence in the ministry. Just thinking about it, I shudder, wondering how many other death eaters are currently working there, too. 

I wonder if Professor Umbridge is a death eater.

I shake my head to myself. I try to picture the professor among the likes of people like my father and Lucius Malfoy and almost laughed aloud at the prospect of it. 

Slowly getting out of bed, I put on my robes and start to make my way to the Great Hall. I've barely made it up the first set of stairs when I feel a hand encircle my wrist and pull me into another corridor. My heart jumps, and my free hand instinctively grabs for my wand.

"Jesus, Y/n! It's just me."

When I see who it is, my muscles relax at once and I lower my wand, breathing a sigh of relief. Harry is standing right in front of me, eyes wide and slowly lowering his hands, which quickly shot up in front of his face to protect himself. I pocket my wand and roll my eyes.

"If you wanted to talk to me, Potter, you could've just asked."

Harry ignores me and looks around to see if anybody is nearby. Not a single person is walking the corridor, but I still feel on edge, anyway. I frown when I think back to Adrian's letter.

"I'm sorry, I know, but this is important," Harry tells me, breathless. I cock an eyebrow at this, now curious.

"Well, you have my attention, Potter." I fold my arms and look up at him expectantly.

Harry scans the corridor once again for people, looking slightly uneasy as he does so. When he sees that nobody is there, he leans in closer and keeps his voice low. "Hermione came up with an idea, and I'm sort of unsure of it. But I wanted you to know."

I roll my eyes. "Spit it out, then."

Harry looks over his shoulder again, then sighs. "Hermione wants me to teach defense against the dark arts to students. To teach them how to protect themselves against Voldemort.

Oh.

I didn't expect that. A surprised look crosses my features. While it was obvious to everyone that Harry was the best in our year at the dark arts, I didn't think that Harry would put himself in a position like this. Maybe it was because I was so used to tutoring him due to our fourth year, but it was difficult for me to imagine him teaching anyone anything. Still, it was a brilliant idea. One that would have never crossed my mind. 

"Umbridge would never allow that," I finally manage.

"It would have to be a secret," Harry tells me. I pause for a moment, staring at the ground for a moment as I tap my foot against the stone tile, thinking hard.

"And why are you telling me this?"

"Well...  that's the thing. I want you to help." Again, my features betray me as I look at Harry in surprise. I also wasn't expecting that. Before I can reply, Harry continues. "You'd be a great teacher. And, Ron doesn't really think it's a good idea, but-"

"Because I'm a Slytherin, right?" I interrupt, my voice much colder than I intended it to be. "Y/n Pucey is not to be trusted."

Harry goes red at this. "Well, yeah, but... I trust you. You're brilliant at the dark arts, Y/n, and... well, you're my girlfriend. I don't want to keep secrets from you."

My heart skips a beat when I realize that it is the first time he's ever explicitly called me his girlfriend. I try not to look caught off guard, but my mouth drops slightly. 

"Okay, fine," I say. "I'll help you. But are you sure everyone else is fine with it? A Slytherin being a part of your secret club?" I raise an eyebrow expectantly.

Harry hesitates. "I'm... not sure," he admits. "But quite frankly, I don't give a shit about what Ron thinks." I smirk at this, and so does Harry. "I trust you, so they'll have to as well. We're having a meeting tomorrow in the Hogs head about it. I hope you'll be there."

It takes me a moment to speak again, trying to wrap my head around all of this information. "I will," I promise. I mean it, too. 

Not quite knowing what to say anymore, Harry gives a small smile. "Brilliant. Erm, I'll see you around, Y/n." And then, slinging his bag over his shoulder, he turns the other way and starts walking off, most likely to the great hall. I watch as he leaves. It has only been ten minutes, and this day has already gotten off to an odd start. 

I think about what would happen if I did join this club, and everything I would be putting at risk. Although I don't bear the dark mark, I am unwillingly on the path to becoming a death eater. If anyone outside of Harry's circle were to find out about my association with this... 

I shudder just thinking about what my father would do. 

Adrian's letter warned me not to be cross with Professor Umbridge. Her discovering this club would make me a direct threat to her, which, considering what she did to Harry, did not sound pleasant at all. I think back to Harry's scarred hand.

Sighing, I lean my head back against the wall. 

What are you getting yourself into, Pucey?

Authors Note: I apologize for the short chapter, y'all. I promise the next one will be longer. Anyway, question of the day: What's your biggest Harry Potter hot take?