Lemniscate

Two

After the feast is over with, and with quite a few more acquaintances under my belt, I make my way to the Slytherin common rooms, making sure to stay behind the male that is leading us. A few people give me odd glances, but I ignore them. I'm used to it, especially from the Slytherins.
But I'm one of them, now, I think, smiling. Draco nudges me and points to the portrait of a tall male, whom I assume is Salazar himself. The password, ironically, is pure blood, the same one that Draco had used in my second year. I wonder if it's always the same, or if they're just not very creative.
The prefects' speech isn't very long (and, of course, the head boy and girl are in different houses), and we get to bed quickly. Draco seems happy to have both me and Dion in the same dormitory, and I'm grateful, as well. That means that I'm only rooming with people I know, as Slytherins sleep three to a room.
I nod to each of them as I grab my nightclothes and start to change. I hear a soft gasp from behind me, and turn to see both Draco and Dion staring at my back.
Damn. I forgot that people don't know of the scars, yet.
"Sorry," I mutter, looking down, Draco swallows,
"When you said that they were abusive, I... I never thought that it would be like that..." I nod, letting sadness that I haven't allowed myself feel in years creep into my eyes and voice.
"I didn't think about it..." I sigh, "Promise me that you won't tell anyone? I'm already the Boy Who Lived. I don't need pity on top of that."
To my surprise, Draco chuckles.
"Spoken like a true Slytherin! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Dion?" he glances over to his friend, who still seems a little shocked.
"No, of course I wouldn't," he says, his voice a little shaky. I smile.
"I guess we already have a secret that binds us closer as friends, huh?" I joke. This seems to lighten the mood, and soon enough, we're joking around again.
We get to bed quickly after that, and as I lie on my side, I realize that I already feel as if I belong. I know that I did the right thing in coming back.
I allow a small smile to creep onto my face, and fall into a dreamless sleep.

The next day, we get our schedules, handed out by Severus, who looks at me longer than is strictly necessary before moving on. I wonder if the memories are already starting to come back to him. I'll have to help him with it, and soon, if I want a place to stay over the summer. Maybe he'll even help me to free Sirius and find Remus. Those two must be in dire need of each other by now, as they're mates.
I smile as I see what I have today. Defence Against the Dark Arts and Potions. Good. This means that I'll have a chance to confront Quarrel. Or, at least, find a way to approach him, as well as Severus. Draco looks over my schedule quickly, comparing.
"We have all of our classes together!" he says happily, gesturing to both me and Dion. I allow a small smile to come onto my face. Perfect, that means that I can keep and eye on Dion. I'm still not entirely sure as to whether or not I can trust him. He doesn't seem to be a Dumbledore supporter, but you can never tell.
I follow Draco as if I don't know where, to go, but I remember to jump the second to last step, almost as a second thought. Draco looks at me oddly, as if I shouldn't have known to do that, but then shrugs it off. I sigh, knowing that I can just say that I was copying him if he asks.
Potions is ridiculously easy compared to the potions that I've been studying for months before coming back. I have mine boiling in half the time that it takes everyone else, and Severus seems surprised when he passes my cauldron.
"Made this before, have you, Potter?" he says. I shrug.
"It just comes naturally, professor. It's not complicated if you understand the theory," I glance over to Ron Weasley, who is glaring at me over a sparkling orange potion, and smirk.
"Speak to me after class," he says, though not unkindly. Ronald and Seamus Finnegan laugh lowly, and I sigh. Draco pats me on the back.
"If he does anything to you, tell me," he says fiercely, and I smile, nodding.
"Of course, Draco."
At the end of the class, I go up to the Professor, a perfectly brewed vial of potion in hand. I stay at his desk until the others leave, and he tells me to take a seat.
"I may have... underestimated you, Potter," he says softly, and I chuckle.
"Took me for my father? That's quite alright. Though, I know that you didn't hate him, as it may appear."
Severus looks shocked, "I have no idea what you are-"
"Don't play this game, Severus. Father, I know what I can see. Now, I'll tell you this. I am not who I seem to be. I want the Dark Lord to rise again, as much as you want revenge on Dumbledore. I also know that Quarrel is, in fact, holding Tom with him, as I'm sure you've already figured out. All I ask is that you don't interfere in what I'm doing, or question it, and I won't tell your many secrets to Dumbledore."
"Are you actually threatening me?" slowly, I nod.
"Yes, I am. I may be the Boy Who Lived, but I am not above killing, and my core is very much dark. I also have a few more requests, but we can talk about them later. Father," I nod, leaving Severus in shock.
I know that it was a big risk, but it was necessary. A small smile comes onto my face.
I still have a long way to go, but I can already sense that this part of my plan is playing out perfectly. Though I know that there are many things that could go wrong, I laugh a little,and walk on my toes all the way to DADA.