𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 ⟶ 𝑻𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆

CHAPTER FIVE

5 | slytherins

𝟸 𝚜𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟿𝟺𝟺

ANOTHER CRISP OF red leaf fell from its branch and another dry, delicate petal fell from its flower, sunshine broke through the greying clouds as the wind whistled through the trees. Harry and Ron shivered from the cold and pulled their robes tighter around themselves.

They were looking at the Marauder's Map in search of their best friend who seemed to have disappeared right after breakfast. They shouldn't be surprised when they found her name floating in the library moments later and immediately raced to her side. They found her at a table far from prying eyes, burying herself in a piece of parchment while scribbling names onto another.

"Class hasn't started yet and you're already working?" groaned Ron, plopping himself on a vacant chair.

"It's the patrol schedule Dippet asked me to make," replied Hermione, without looking up from her work. "I need to give it to Riddle this afternoon."

There was a tall stack of books beside Hermione and Ron carefully avoided it so they wouldn't fall as he looked over her shoulder to read the parchment she was holding. His mouth fell open. "Enzo's a prefect?"

"You know him?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah. Neville's grandad."

Harry frowned. "You know Neville's grandad?" It came out more of a disbelieving statement than a question.

Ron nodded.

"When?"

"Last night during the feast—bloke even looked like him," Ron said. "I think I saw my grandad too."

"Your grandad?" said Hermione, pausing to look at him in disbelief. "But isn't he in his mid-twenties by now?"

"Not grandad Weasley but my other grandad—Atticus Prewett!" corrected Ron, his eyes bright. "I've never met him personally but Bill and Charlie said he was nice. He'd always sneak them sweets when mum wasn't looking."

"You've talked to him?" questioned Harry.

"Well...no," replied Ron, looking sheepish. Then he blinked and Hermione looked over when he remained silent. He looked as though he remembered something before he turned to Harry who was sitting on the other side of the table.

"Was it true?" Ron probed, narrowing his eyes.

"What?"

"That Malfoy's nice?" said Ron bitterly. "Enzo told me he is."

Hermione's quill stilled over the parchment. She whipped her head so fast, one might think she broke her neck. "Malfoy?"

Harry shrugged. "I've just met him but he's..." Harry hesitated, looking around them. It was still quite early and the library looked very much empty apart from a few mingling students. He continued on. "But he's definitely not Draco Malfoy."

"Yeah. No shit," grumbled Ron, jumping up and snatching a book from the tall stack that sat on the table. He snorted when he read the title: A Long Dark Tea-Time with the Soul.

"I mean literally, Ron. Draco was a stupid git but Abraxas..." Harry shook his head.

Hermione stared at him. "Something happened after the feast didn't it?"

Harry remained quiet, his gaze wandering off to the window.

"Harry..."

"He defended me," he said softly.