Deepest desire (A Harry Potter fanfic)

chapter seven

Christmas was coming.

One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to finds it’s self covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver post had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again. Every one was saying how it would be great to go home, I was the only Slytherin that would be spending the holidays at the school.                  

Everyone was complaining about how cold the dungeons where potions where but I guess being in the cold most of my life made me not notice.

“I do feel sorry,” Draco said, one potions class, “for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they’re not wanted at home.”

I tried to ignore him then as I measured out powdered spine of lionfish, I didn’t tell Draco that I would be staying for the holidays. I was going to be lonely for sure but when I found out that Fred and George were going to be staying I cheered up.

 When we left the dungeon at the end of potions, we found a large fir tree blocking the corridor

ahead. Two enormous feet sticking out at the bottom and a loud puffing and panting sound told us it was Hagrid behind it.

“Hi, Hagrid, want any help?” Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.

“Nah, I’m alright, thanks, Ron.”

“Would you mind moving out of the way?” Draco called from behind them. “Are you trying to earn extra some money, Weasley? Hoping to be a gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose – that hut of Hagrid’s must seem like a palace compared to what your family’s used to.”  Ron dived at Draco just as father was coming up the stairs.

“WEASLEY!”

Ron let go of the front of Draco’s robes.

“He was provoked, Professor Snape,” said Hagrid, sticking his huge hairy face out from behind the tree. “Malfoy was insultin’ his family.”

“Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid,” said father silkily. “Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and be grateful it isn’t more. Move along all of you.”

Draco, Crabbe and Goyle pushed roughly past the tree, scattering needles everywhere and smirking. I stood quietly in the corner behind Ron and Harry and waited for Hagrid to move the tree.

 “I’ll get him,” said Ron, grinding his teeth at Draco’s back, “one of these days, I’ll get him -”

“I hate them both,” said Harry, “Malfoy and Snape.”

I hissed at him like a snake before I knew it , for a moment I thought it was my snake but I remembered Draco had him. Harry and Ron jumped at the noise then turned to look at me; they must have forgotten I was there.

 “Harry, Ron,” I said calmly but with an edge to my words, “I know you must be very curios about what Professor Snape teaches me during Defence Against the Darks sessions. Would you like me to show you?”

I slowly pulled out my wand and pointed it at them; they had gone quite pale as they shook their heads.

“Well then,” I remarked cheerfully putting my wand away. “I suggest you remember the little chat we had and the next time you try to pick a fight with Draco you can bet I won’t just stand there and do nothing.” I grinned at them as I skipped off down the corridor with all their shocked faces watching me.