The Secret's In The Telling ENG DRARRY

Chapter 21: Vanima

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"Serpentsortia!"

The spell was quickly becoming something of a trademark. Once again, the black snake landed on the tiled floor with a soft thud and string of hisses. Other students edged nervously as it reared towards them, but almost instantly another serpentine voice cut the silence. Harry, at Draco's shoulder, was staring intently at the conjured snake and whispering in those sibilant tones of his. The Slytherin listened with almost clinical interest. He'd heard Potter use that talent only twice in all the time they'd known each other, both incidents in the heat of battle. Now, both of them calm, he found himself rather fascinated by the wave of hisses and breathy whispers that fell from the Gryffindor's lips. He even shivered, a little.

Both sets of hisses eventually ceased, and the black body of the serpent turned lazily and coiled itself loosely around Draco's left ankle, perfectly tame.

"What would any of you do," he began to speak calmly, though with a slight sneer that seemed permanently present in this room, "if I cast this spell when Potter wasn't here?"

No one answered. Instead, he was met with hostile, stubborn looks from the majority of those gathered. A few Ravenclaws looked intellectually interested, curious as to where he was going, and most Hufflepuffs were trembling. But the Gryffindors – the biggest number of people here – folded there arms and stared, unblinking. Annoyed, he looked at Harry with an expression that plainly said, Well? Do something!

Unhelpfully, Harry just shrugged. He, too, had his arms folded, though his attitude was one of detached interest. Draco had seen that look before. Potter was evaluating him, trying to see how he'd handle this 'teaching' lark.

Bugger that, Draco thought, fighting the urge to flip the Gryffindor off.

Fine then, if no one was going to do anything. They were all asking for this. In a flash, his wand was in his hand and slashing through the air, encompassing most of the room. "Oppugno!" The spell, meant to bend the will of conjured creatures, immediately took effect. The snake, which had been twining around him almost fondly, instantly altered its nature. It was moving like a black streak, fangs bared, hurling itself toward its indicated prey.

Harry took half a step forward, opening his mouth to hiss a counter-command, but Draco flung his arm out, catching the Gryffindor across the chest and barring his way. Harry looked at him incredulously, but he refused to acknowledge the blazing green eyes burning into him. He watched the snake move to strike, tense, hoping one of those slow-moving dolts would think to react, rather than waiting for Harry to save them. But his wand was still at hand, ready to Vanish the serpent at the very last second if he really needed to.

It looked like he was going to have to. People were scrambling backwards, murmuring anxiously and fumbling for wands, but the snake was fast, and it wasn't a great distance it had to cross. Ginny Weasley let out a shriek as it set its sight on her, and gave a final burst of slithering speed.

Mentally, Draco cursed and raised his wand to stop the attack. He didn't get that far.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

The black creature shot into the air, where it hung, suspended as if in a bubble, writhing helplessly in a very confused manner.

Granger had finally taken matters into her own hands, and now shakily lowered her wand.

Draco tutted. "Finally."

Harry, scowling, reached up and knocked away the Slytherin's restraining arm. Though he'd expected it, even wanted it, Malfoy's teaching methods unnerved him. He'd never be able to take a chance like that, even though the danger was minimum. The Slytherin had done it coldly, unaffected by the risk.