Enternity Chapter 18 - part one
“Blah” Talking
‘Blah’ Thinking
“Blah” Parseltongue/Notes/Different languages
Blah Dreams/Flashbacks/Anything and Everything else
I apologize so much for the very, very long wait. And really, thank you for the continued favs, bookmarks, alerts, and re-reads of this fic. And the continued reviews, even if they’re only to remind me that you’re waiting for an update, thank you SO MUCH for your patience and literally I’m so sorry that this is taking so long for me to finish up. There’s only a few more chapters left and I really, really want to get this finished soon. Thank you for your continued support, I really do appreciate it.
The family clock showed where all her children were; the spell to make it had been in the Prewett family for generations. When her brothers had died, she remembered her mother’s clock was covered with a sheet. Her mother couldn’t look at it after that and Molly never asked her what it showed. She used to wonder where her brother’s hands pointed to.
Now she doesn’t have to wonder.
Percy’s hand points nowhere. It has no pointer anymore and instead of silver it is black now. It mocks her, sticking out and screaming for everybody to see that she is a horrible mother. She hates herself for not being able to see past Percy’s hand, she knows her six other children's hands are pointed elsewhere but none of them are black.
“Mum, the floo is open.” Bill’s voice pulled her away from the horrible timepiece.
“The floo, dear? Are we going somewhere?” Molly asked, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu. Bill smiled at her but something about it seemed strained.
“Yeah, you agreed to come back with me to Egypt, remember? Fleur and I would love to have you.” Bill said, wrapping an arm around her to pull her to the fireplace.
It was getting harder to concentrate and remember things; Percy seemed to dominate her mind. She hated it, but what was she to do? Forget her son? He was so young…
‘And whose fault is it that he’ll never be old?’ A voice whispered to her, sounding remarkably like her mother.
The floo spit her out and she could see an endless blue sky and a sea of sand. She remembered coming here to visit a few years ago, before the war restarted, when Percy was just made Head Boy…
‘Fred and George gave him such a hard time, maybe I should have scolded them more often, got them to lay off their big brother.’ She mused, still remembering happier times.
“Mum?” Bill again. She sighed and turned to face him. He smiled at her, curling an arm around her shoulders to lead her away.
“I’m living with Fleur now. I managed to buy a nice place near enough to the site, and I can walk to work on good days. It’s through the market and tucked away. Doesn’t look like much on the outside, but it’s got three rooms, each with their own bathroom - the plumbing for that was fun, let me tell you - a kitchen, and even a little sitting nook. All open concept, you’ll see what I mean when we get there. Between Fleur and I we got a nice balance in the décor - it’s a blend of contemporary and traditional. It’s brilliant, you’ll see.” Bill talked eagerly and Molly lost the train of conversation as she remembered how interested Percy was in Bill’s work and the site. He spent a lot of time with various books and listening to Bill’s co-workers and was always very interested in the spell work and knowledge to be found here.
Molly jumped when a door closed behind her. She looked around and realized she was indoors.
‘Is this what my life is going to be like now? Going through the motions as if in a fog while memories and thoughts of Percy suffocate me?’ She thought with a detached sort of horror. She had no answers.
XXXXXXXX
There were only two first years to be sorted. Letters to muggle-borns hadn’t gone out that year, due to the war. Draco was already sitting and other students were still trickling into the Hall as Professor McGonagall brought in the sorting hat. She didn’t call out their names but it was obvious who they were - Christina and Tessa Pyrites, the last remaining members of their family who were just made wards of the Ministry a few weeks prior, and part of an older family who made a name for themselves in both the muggle and wizarding world for their inventive architecture.
The two girls were the same height. One had short black hair that was swept out of her eyes, while her sister had long, curly black hair. The short haired one made it into Slytherin while her sister went into Ravenclaw. No one clapped and by the time the two girls were seated at their respective tables, the last few students had trickled in. Most children of Death Eaters had been pulled out, most likely the ones 15 and up were marked, and many other parents had pulled their children out because they were fleeing the country. (He says “most” just because the majority of them were pulled out doesn’t mean they all were. He knows Blaise has the Dark Mark and is sitting next to him, so who knows if any of the others are marked? Better to be safe then sorry.) There were fifty-seven students in Hogwarts this year by Draco’s count.
He wasn’t sure if there had ever been a lower amount of students in Hogwarts’ history. Perhaps when it was getting off its feet (he’d have to ask Harry to be sure of that), but even then the reason for the low turn-out would be different. It was apparent that Slytherin was the only house with at least one student per year.
“So, how was your summer?” Helena Flynn asked, breaking Draco out of his thoughts. She was a fellow sixth year who came from a neutral family.
“Boring. Yours?” Draco asked more to be polite than anything. Flynn hadn’t ever spoken more than three words to him their whole Hogwarts career and he didn’t see a reason to change that now.
“My family couldn’t get out of the country. None of our relatives would take us in.” She said bluntly. Draco paused in eating for a second to look her over. She sat calmly across from him but her hand, which was clutched around a fork, was trembling just a bit.
“I’m sorry.” He said quietly. She nodded and he went back to eating. He looked around the hall and wondered how many of them have similar stories, how many couldn’t leave due to money problems, or how many have been sentenced to stay because their parents were willing to die for a cause.
“Don’t think about it.” Blaise murmured from next to him. Draco wanted to obey his long time friend, but knew he couldn’t.
The Headmaster eventually stood up and what little chatter there was in the Hall quieted.
“Children, while normally I would welcome you to a new school year, I feel that I would lying if I said I was happy that any of you were stuck in the situation we all find ourselves in. Dangerous times are upon us; there is a war going on. I would like to say that when the school year is up you will have families to go home to and that everything will be okay. I cannot. I will say that while you are within these walls, you shall be safe. Even now, people are doing everything they can to protect you and safeguard our future, your future. Hard times are upon us, dangerous times. It is now more than ever a time that we should stand as one. In an effort to protect you, I have suspended all Hogsmeade visits and Quidditch has been cancelled. I urge you all not to leave the castle, especially not after sundown. You are protected within the walls, but outside of them I cannot keep you safe. And always remember: Together, you are strong.” Headmaster Dumbledore finished, looking out over the Hall.
XXXXXXX
Blaise watched as Draco and Potter talked quietly. Potter had a bracelet on his wrist that glittered just barely when light from the windows hit it. Blaise hadn’t had a chance to get a really good look at it, but he knew what it was. It was probably gorgeous; after all, Draco had good taste.
He sat down near Potter, an open chair between them for Draco. The two stopped talking to look at him briefly and Draco arched an eyebrow at him.
“Figured if you were going to be obvious, I might as well sit here. Try to do some damage control.” Blaise said quietly. Draco made a noncommittal noise and Potter stared at Blaise for a long time, long enough that Blaise was starting to get uncomfortable, before looking back at Draco.
‘Right, I forgot that Potter is… odd, sometimes.’ Blaise thought.
“Harry, this is Blaise Zabini. Blaise, this is Harry Potter.” Draco murmured before moving to sit down between them. Potter smiled at Blaise, but it didn’t look particularly friendly. More like the smile of a porcelain doll, complete with a strange disconnect between the smile and the empty eyes. Blaise nodded to him, before looking towards the front of the classroom.
‘What in the world does Draco see in him? I mean, he’s gorgeous but damn is he creepy.’
Just then, Sirius Black descended from a set of stairs that lead to an office holding his wand and smiling. He looked much healthier than he had in any of the recent pictures of him and was dressed smartly.
“Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hello and well met and all that.” He said. What little talking there was quieted down and people could be heard sitting down. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger took seats in front of Potter and Draco, after shooting him odd looks - not quite suspicion but also not merely acknowledgment.
“In case you didn’t notice, this class is for all of the current sixth years from all houses. Seeing as we have so few of you, most of your classes will take place with all of you present. No need to have only two houses to a class when the current total of students is only about sixty, give or take a few.” Professor Black continued.
“Now, given the past few teachers you lot have had over the years, I’m going to have a lot of work to do to get you all prepared for the real world. As much as it sucks, we’re at war and you need to be prepared for the reality of that. Last year there was a catastrophic attack on Hogsmeade and it seemed as if ole snake-face was attacking everyone left, right, and center. Just because he’s taken a bit of a break doesn’t mean that things aren’t still dangerous. Constant vigilance and all that.” Professor Black paused here, looking over them all.
“You may have noticed that this year there was no book you needed to purchase for this class. This is because I have decided, and Professor Dumbledore has agreed, that the best way to teach all of you would be a hands-on approach. So, this class will consist of mock duels of all types - one on one, groups against groups, and any other combination I can think of. I will also teach you new spells to incorporate as term goes on, but most likely the one who will do that will be Professor Lupin, as he is back with us this year as well. One on one teaching is more his style, I’d rather just throw you in the deep end and call it good.
“Seeing as there are fifteen of you in this class, I want you all to make three groups of five. These groups will be the groups you stay in for the remainder of the year, so choose wisely. You have five minutes.”
Granger and Weasley turned around and immediately said they wanted to be part of Potter’s team.
“I’m with you.” Draco said to Potter, who nodded absentmindedly. Longbottom came over and Potter smiled at him, waving him to sit next to Weasley. Blaise stood to see who looked like they could use an extra person when Weasley spoke up.
“Hold up, this isn’t all that challenging. I think I’m going to go join someone else, so I can have more opportunities to go against you guys, it’ll be better that way. Zabini can join your group.” And with that he walked over to MacMillan and Bones, who greeted him with smiles.
“That alright with you, Blaise?” Draco asked. Blaise nodded, somewhat shocked at the way things turned out. Granger tossed him a polite grin while Longbottom just gave him a nod.
He sat back down and saw Potter smile in his direction out of the corner of his eye.
“Alright, all of you look like you’re done. Make sure to separate yourselves and remember who you’re grouped with - you’ll sit together from now on. I want all of you to spend the rest of the class getting to know each other and such. Make friends or at least civil acquaintances.” And with that, Professor Black pulled up a chair and got out a book to read.
XXXXXXXX
Eleanor, Luna, and Ginny were sitting around a table in the library when Neville found them. Luna had what looked like an Arithmancy textbook open in front of her, but was paying more attention to Ginny, who was hunched over her own book with a scowl on her face. Eleanor’s chin was resting on a book, looking thoroughly bored.
“Studying?” He asked with amusement. Eleanor snorted while Ginny grunted, waving her hand at an empty chair in welcome.
“Have you guys had Defense yet?” He asked while pulling books out of his bag.
“Not yet, we have it later today. From what we’ve heard though it’s going to be different - some people have said that Sirius, sorry, Professor Black is crazy while others have declared him the best teacher we’ve ever had. Ron already declined to tell us what the big deal is, said it would be better to have it be a surprise. Or something.” Ginny responded, writing on a nearby piece of parchment.
Luna turned her book sideways and something… rippled across the pages.
“What in the world?” Neville muttered, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
“Oh, did you see the bookworm? It helps me with my Arithmancy and glows in the dark!” Luna said happily. Neville nodded in response, wondering if what he saw was really a bookworm or something else entirely - he’s never been really sure of how much to believe that comes out of Luna’s mouth.
“How in the world does a creature that eats words help you study?” Eleanor asked skeptically.
“Well, they don’t eat numbers, obviously. I said it helps me with Arithmancy, not studying in general.” Luna responded, turning her attention back to her book. Eleanor gave Neville an incredulous look.
“Alright, my transfiguration homework can go die in a hole. Seriously, I cannot make this essay any longer and I’m still short. I give up.” Ginny said, slamming her book closed. “So, Neville, anything you want in particular or are you just here to spend time with your favorite girls?” Ginny sounded much happier as she changed the subject.
“Yeah, I guess so.” Neville laughed. In a lot of ways, these three were his favorite girls - he wasn’t interested in them, but they were his friends. He liked Luna’s wit, Ginny’s passion, and Eleanor’s sense of humor. These three were also normal, in comparison to people like Harry, who seemed otherworldly at best or Hermione and Ron who seemed more mature then he was used to. Draco, oddly, was becoming a good friend, but there were times when they didn’t seem to have anything in common. He really missed these three this summer.
“So… I’ve never gotten a straight answer out of you - do you like girls or boys or what? Because everyone knows Ginny and Luna’s types and you three know my type, so that leaves us in the dark about you. Tell us your secrets!” Eleanor joked, leaning forward with chin in hand.
“I-I-Wait, what?” Neville stuttered, face heating up. Eleanor laughed at his embarrassment while Ginny snickered.
“C’mon, we’re all friends - unless you’re crushing on one of us?” Ginny teased. Neville laughed at that suggestion.
“Honestly, I don’t even know. There’s so much going on right now, I try not to think about it. I have no idea how you two do it - I can barely handle myself right now, I can’t imagine how it would be if I was dating.” Neville said to Luna and Ginny.
“It's easy for us, I suppose. We were together before all this happened.” Ginny said, smiling at Luna.
“Crumble-horned Snorlocks tend to group together easily and I’ve always had an affinity for them.” Luna said shrugging.
“So, you’re confused or what?” Eleanor turned the topic back to Neville, who shrugged before answering.
“Not so much confused as… I don’t know, it just hasn’t come up? Before the war, I was concentrating more on not failing out of school and my plants and I always just thought I’d do all that stuff once I got out of school but now… it’s just never come up.” Neville finished awkwardly.
“Huh, I guess that makes sense.” Eleanor said speculatively.
“Maybe you’re like a sea-ell; they mate only when another sea-ell flashes the right lights at them but before that they never feel the urge towards it.” Luna said, leaning back in her chair. He wondered vaguely if sea-ell’s were real - they sounded plausible…
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Neville responded, honestly not all that concerned.
“But wait, you’ve said Harry is attractive.” Ginny said, sounding bewildered. Neville snorted.
“Yeah, because I have eyes. He’s gorgeous, but I don’t want to date him; sometimes I think Draco is crazy. Harry, while lovely and wonderful, is also seriously creepy sometimes and I’ve noticed his morals are all over the place. Yeah, no thank you; I’ll keep him as a great friend, thanks.” He said firmly.
“But, doesn’t that imply you have a type?” Eleanor asked. Neville shrugged.
“Huh, guess it’s not that big a deal. You going to tell us what Siri - Professor Black’s - class is like or are you going to leave us in the dark like Ron?” Ginny asked, changing the topic with ease.
“Nah, I don’t want to ruin the fun. It’s different, that’s for sure. We might not need Harry to teach us with Professor Black here, but I’m personally going to continue training with Harry in my free time.” Neville said.
“Oh, continuing with Harry’s lessons is pretty much on everyone’s agenda I think. Just because we have a competent teacher doesn’t mean we don’t want to continue learning advanced stuff from a master.” Eleanor said, before shuddering and continuing with: “Just means we’re going to go back to having aches and pains and exhaustion and messed up sleep schedules.”