[HIATUS] olympus has fallen ↬ draco malfoy

chapter 3

The next morning, I marched over to Cyrus. In my three years at Hogwarts, I had never sat at another table, but today I was resolute. His eyes widened as I plopped down in the seat next to him. The other Ravenclaws eyed me suspiciously but didn't say anything.

"Goodmorning, Cyrus," I said as I buttered my toast, "Did you sleep well?"

"What are you doing here?" he hissed. 

"Can't I sit with my little brother?" I feigned hurt.

"No! I mean yes - well, no - but, ugh!" he took a deep breath, "Whatever. Just sit at your table tomorrow. And to answer your question, no, I did not sleep well."

"What happened?" I probed. A number of scenarios ran through my head, each one resulting in Cyrus getting his head pushed down a toilet. 

"Nothing. There are only three other boys in my dorm - Stewart Ackerly, Trevor Birch, and Gareth Eidon. They're plenty nice," he lowered his voice to a whisper, "I was just nervous, you know? A bit homesick, so I couldn't sleep."

I nodded. Cyrus had never been away from our parents for long periods of time before.

"Do you...do you think Mother and Father will be mad?" he nervously.

"I guess we'll find out."

A flock of owls flew into the Great Hall - people always received the most mail on their first day. I saw Draco excitedly opening up a large sack of sweets from his Mother. Narcissa had no limits when it came to spoiling her son. 

My own owl, Berry, had trouble finding me since I wasn't in my usual spot. He landed on the water pitcher, nearly tipping it over. I untied my letter from his talons, then allowed him to munch on my cereal as I read.

Calypso,

We are pleased to hear that you sat with Draco on the Hogwarts Express - although I did not permit you to bring that Greengrass girl with you. However, this was not unexpected. You can never just do exactly what I tell to, can you?

We have also been informed that Sirius Black is at large once again, and intends to join the Dark Lord. Although, I never expected him to join our side. I supposed even blood traitors can eventually come to their senses after spending 12 years rotting in Azkaban. But if he really is as mad as they make him out to be, you must be careful. And beware of those Dementors. They're nasty, evil creatures who would not hesitate to suck the soul out of some unexpecting student.

Father wants you to know to focus on Charms this year, as it is the only subject you're mediocre at. He says a 'special opportunity' awaits you if you do well on your finals. 

By the way, which house is Cyrus in? He has not written to us yet. Tell him that if he is in Ravenclaw, it does not matter and if it is another, we shall discuss the issue in person. 

Eleanor Selwyn

I turned on Cyrus indignantly, "You haven't written to them yet?"

"I was scared, okay? I didn't want them thinking I was a blood traitor," Cyrus mumbled, his large brown eyes guilty. 

My eyes softened. Sometimes I forgot that he was just eleven. He was such a patronizing smartass sometimes that I assumed he was in his late thirties and going through menopause. 

"Here, we'll write a letter to them together. Meet me in by the Black Lake after dinner. You have to tell me about your first day," I stood up, quickly grabbing my bag and ruffling his hair, "Love you, lil' bro."

He groaned, shoving my hand off, "Just go already!" His face went beat red as his fellow Ravenclaws snickered. 

~~

The chilly September air sent a shiver down my spine. I wrapped my scarf around my neck tightly as I made my way to the Black Lake. I spotted the shadow of a tiny boy leaning against a tree - Cyrus was early, as always.

"What do you think about this?" he handed me his letter to our parents as soon as I sat down. After skimming over it I handed it back to him with a nod of approval. He tied the letter to his owl's leg, then leaned back into the tree contently. We watched as the owl fly away until it was nothing more than a speck.

I broke the silence. "So, how was your first day? Make any friends?"

He sighed, "It was alright. Charms was fun. I know all the spells already, but Professor Flitwick won't let me work ahead. Transfiguration was interesting but hard. And Potions was just weird. Snape gave a long-ass lecture about 'bottling fame' and 'stopper death', whatever that means. And then he took ten points from Gryffindor because he thought my partner messed up our potion. But it had been me who had added too much fluxweed, and when I tried to explain that it was my fault, he told me to be quiet or he would take points from Ravenclaw, too!"

"That's Snape for you," I laughed. Although I didn't like him much, I generally went under his radar in class and was able to avoid receiving his attention. 

"Well, I think he's very biased and unprofessional. Even if he just hates all of Gryffindor, he shouldn't be so obvious about it," Cyrus huffed, before his face lit up once again, "But I've already made three friends: Dennis Creevey, Trevor Birch, and Gareth Eidon!"

Though the name Birch was unfamiliar to me, Eidon and Creevey were awfully familiar. The Eidons were a rich, pureblood family who spent their summers in Cannes and their winters in Châtel. They inherited their wealth after a perfectly healthy, rich relative died from "unknown causes" at the age of 46. Mr. and Mrs. Eidon didn't work, and I doubted Gareth or his children would ever have to either. Our families were quite close, and our parents would definitely approve of this friendship.

The name Creevey, however, brought far less pleasant thoughts. An image of an excited First Year running all over Hogwarts taking pictures of everyone came to my mind. If Dennis was anything like his Harry Potter-obsessed brother, Cyrus was in big trouble.

"You're friends with a Mudblood?" I asked, alarmed.

Cyrus frowned at my reaction. "Yeah, but he's very smart and kind. He took the blame for me when I accidentally blew up our cauldron - "

"He's a Gryffindor, too?" I groaned, "Cy, if Draco and his gang see you two hanging out, they will never let you live it down! And if Mother and Father catch wind of you associating with mudblood Gryffindors, they will freak!"

"You won't tell them, will you?" he pleaded, "I won't be seen with him outside of classes, I promise!"

I opened my mouth to argue, but closed it. He's just a little kid, I thought, he doesn't understand. And he's been here for a day. He has the rest of the year to make proper friends.

"Fine," I sighed, "But don't be seen with him! I don't want people thinking that my brother is a blood traitor."

Cyrus nodded eagerly. "I won't let you down!"