Lessons and Alliances

Harry looked wary and Ron looked irritated as you approached.

“Er… morning guys,” you greeted them. “How was your first night in the castle? The Slytherin dorms are in a dungeon that looks out into the Black Lake. Malfoy and I saw the Giant Squid this morning.”

“So you’re cozying up with Malfoy and the other blood purists then?” Ron challenged you. You flinched back at the blatant hostility in his tone.

“They’re my housemates,” you pointed out defensively, “What would you have me do? Ignore them all? That goes against Professor Snape’s rules for his Slytherin students. And Malfoy’s my roommate. You think he’s annoying? You’ll only have to deal with him in small doses. I’ve got to live with him for the next seven years while I’m here. Come on, I’m still the same guy you shared a compartment with on the Hogwarts Express.”

“Yeah, that was before we knew you were a slimy snake!” Ron insisted. “Don’t trust him, Harry. Slytherins always have an ulterior motive. You can’t trust a word that comes out of their mouth.”

“I… you do realise that I’m a descendant of Salazar Slytherin,” you reminded the redhead. “Being sorted into Slytherin was always a possibility for me.”

“Then I guess all that talk on the train about not being like your family was just talk then,” Ron retorted.

“I’m the last of my family,” you argued. “I have a family legacy to revitalise. The hat sensed that ambition and put me in Slytherin. Come on, Harry… Ron might not understand because there have always been loads of Weasleys running around. But you’re the last Potter. You can’t tell me you want your family name to die with you.“

“You could have asked the hat not to put you in Slytherin,” Harry finally spoke up.

“Where’s this coming from?” you asked. “You haven’t been in the Wizarding World long enough to have developed biases.”

“The man who murdered my parents was a Slytherin,” Harry stated. “That’s enough for me.”

“And that makes them all bad?” you countered. “You think my housemates are going to run around and **** muggleborns? They’re thirteen! Show some common sense! It’s that kind of closedminded attitude that forces Slytherins to tread a dark path.”

“No, it’s because they’re a bunch of backstabbing cheaters!” Ron insisted. “I don’t want anything to do with those kinds of people. If you’re in Slytherin, sooner or later, you’re going be just like that!”

You reeled back and tried not to show how much Ron Weasley’s bullheaded words hurt.

“Back off, Weasley!” You were surprised to find Millicent Bulstrode standing beside you. “You may not realise how great Marvolo is… but we like him!”

Ron tensed at the sight of the large girl. “And that’s supposed to be a good thing?”

“Look, let’s just go,” you decided. “This didn’t go the way I hoped it would.” You glared at Ron and then shook your head sadly at Harry. Actually... now that you had some support... maybe you could go on the offensive? “Just remember, I wasn’t the one badmouthing everyone that came into our compartment. What did you say about Longbottom and his toad? ‘If I had a toad I’d lose it as quick as possible’.”

“I thought you were zoned out for that!” Ron protested.

“I didn’t see Longbottom come in,” you admitted. “But I still heard your comment once he was gone. You were right about one thing: you have no room to talk. Toads are at least good for testing potions.”

“They are?” Millicent asked.

“Their skin absorbs liquids so you don’t have to **** them to ingest things,” you explained. “Plus, there’s a Toad Choir at Hogwarts. I’ll admit that I thought Longbottom’s attachment to his toad was a little weird but Ron’s the one with a useless rat that’s not even on the approved pets list. And believe me, even if you had succeeded in turning him yellow… he would still be the most useless pet in Hogwarts.”

Ron’s ears went red and he looked annoyed. “Well, I-”

“And you call me a blood purist?” you cut him off. “I wasn’t the one who insulted Hermione Granger when she came into our compartment. What did you say? ‘Whatever house I’m in I hope she’s not in it.’ That sounds like something Malfoy would say.”

Ron’s face had gone red along with his ears. “I’m not like Malfoy! Or you Slytherins! I didn’t say that because she was muggleborn! I said it because she’s a bossy know-it-all! And I--”

“Oh yes, Merlin forbid she wants to learn everything she can about magic,” you interrupted. “That sort of attitude should be encouraged in muggleborns. I’ve got news for you, Weasley. Learning magic is what this school is for. If you’re not here to do that then you should get out and stop wasting everyone’s time! Better a know-it-all muggleborn than a know-nothing dunderhead.”

“You… I…”

The red-faced Ron was left sputtering as you rounded on Harry. “I’d be careful if I were you, Harry. If you let Ron dictate your social life… he’s going to drive everyone away and you’ll end up going through Hogwarts with no friends. Where’d you say you went before Hogwarts? Stonewall High? From what you said, you didn’t seem to enjoy your time there. Do you want Hogwarts to be like that?”

You turned to Millicent, “Let’s go. I guess Professor Snape was right about maintaining friendships with students in other houses.”

You left Harry and Ron on the stairs and found Blaise Zabini leaning against the wall nearby. “Alright there, Marvolo?”

“Yeah, I’m okay…” you replied. You were disappointed that your friendship with Harry and Ron had fallen apart. But you were surprised and relieved to have Millicent come to your defense and then to see Blaise lurking nearby to support you if necessary. “Thanks for having my back there, Millie.”

“We’re family… right?” she asked. “And… I’ve known Malfoy for a while. Our families travel in similar circles. You’re a lot nicer than he is.”

“Unless he’s tearing into someone like he just did to Weasley,” Zabini chimed in.

“His pigheaded house bias got on my nerves,” you defended yourself.

The three of you left the castle through the entrance hall and you were surprised to find Draco Malfoy and the others standing by the fountain in the main courtyard.

They had all waited for you… It was actually somewhat touching.

“It’s about time,” Malfoy remarked. “What took you so long?”

Blaise smirked, “You missed Marvolo tearing Ron Weasley a new one.”

“WHAT!?” Malfoy snapped. He stalked up to you and his gray eyes bore into yours. “I thought you understood Slytherin unity. The next time you want to have a go at Weasley or Potter, invite me along. I would’ve had your back.”

The obvious unspoken part of his statement was the fact that he wanted a chance to have a go at Potter and Weasley himself. But his offer of support seemed surprisingly genuine. All of Ron Weasley’s talk about traitorous Slytherins… it was actually touching to know that the rest of the Slytherins in your year had been nearby and likely would have come to support you if you called for them.

“Right, I’ll remember that,” you agreed. “Sorry to hold everyone up.”

“Then quit standing there and get a move on,” Pansy demanded, “Are we going to the Owlery or not?”

A few minutes later, you were watching as six owls flew from the Owlery in a ‘V’ formation. Your ashy barred owl with Millicent’s letter was at the front with Draco’s regal eagle owl and Pansy’s screech owl flying in his wake. Daphne’s gray owl and Theodore’s barn owl came next in the formation while the school owl that Blaise had borrowed brought up the rear.

You spotted a familiar snowy owl as you left the Owlery. That made you think about how fast your friendship with Harry and Ron had deteriorated. But it was nice to know that you still had some friends in the castle. Although, ‘friend’ didn't seem like the right word in regards to Malfoy. Maybe an alliance? Either way… lesson learned.

Speaking of lessons… you made to the greenhouse just in time for Herbology. Professor Sprout had trays set up with some kind of tentacle-like plants in them.

“No more than four to a tray,” she instructed.

There were eight Ravenclaws in the class with you and they managed to divide themselves into two groups of four. Although, the one little Asian girl Su Li seemed extra wary when she looked at the tentacle-like plant.

Your housemates divided up into three groups. Malfoy was at one tray with Crabbe and Goyle. Parkinson looked like she had absolutely no intention of touching the plant as she stood at another tray with Greengrass and Davis. You were joined by Bulstrode and Zabini but Nott seemed to be conflicted in his decision of what group to join.

As far as Slytherin leadership went, Malfoy clearly had Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson firmly in his camp. Greengrass and Davis appeared to go along with Parkinson but you were reasonably sure that you could sway them if you had a decent idea to offer. Millicent and Blaise were on your side. That left Theodore Nott as the lone holdout. The boy was near silent and seemed to be an enigma. You couldn’t remember him speaking at all.

But as he started towards Malfoy’s group you called out to him. “Oi! Nott!” He turned to look at you. You gestured to Malfoy and Parkinson, “Do you want to wind up doing their work for them… or do you want to stick with us and do your own?”

Nott considered your words then nodded and came over to join your group. This showed that Nott was another semi-neutral party that could be reasoned with. If it ever came down to a split decision between you and Draco Malfoy -- Nott, Greengrass, and Davis were the ones you’d need to convince in order to get your way.

You likely wouldn’t have to deal with politics like this in the other houses but forging alliances and social-climbing came with the territory of being an ambitious Slytherin.

As far as the class went, Greengrass lived up to her plant-based family name and proved to have a deft hand when dealing with plants. You made sure to follow her example when you worked on your own plant which was made easier by the fact that she had to do it twice. First for her own plant and then again for Parkinson’s.

That started a trend as the first week progressed where different Slytherin first years showed an affiliation for a particular subject. In Charms with the Hufflepuffs, later that day, Tracey Davis and Pansy Parkinson showed that they were rather skilled in the subject. You weren’t far behind them. You had learned about a number of charms from Kingsley Shacklebolt so getting a chance to perform them was a welcome opportunity. Professor Flitwick was rather easy-going and Charms covered a lot of ground.

Transfiguration was much more difficult and Professor McGonagall was a strict teacher. The quiet and studious Theodore Nott was the first of your class to transfigure his match into a needle but Professor McGonagall hadn’t actually given him any points for the feat. After Nott, Blaise Zabini seemed to make the most progress as he’d turned his match silver. You asked for a tip after the class and Blaise offered this explanation, “You’ve got to really understand the theory behind it before it’ll actually work. It requires focus and discipline.”

You had Astronomy once a week at midnight which resulted in your first class the next day not being until after lunch. Draco Malfoy proved to have a rather in-depth knowledge of stars and constellations and was all too happy to boast about it. “Mother comes from the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. They have a tradition of naming family members after stars and constellations. She carried it on with me. I’m named Draco after the Dragon constellation. With Sirius Black in Azkaban, I’m the last potential heir which leaves me poised claim to the Black Family once he kicks the bucket. Mother made sure I knew my way around the night sky in preparation.”

Defense Against the Dark Arts was twice a week with the stuttering and nervous Professor Quirrell. You were rather disappointed to find that his lessons seem to be mainly on defensive theory and not in the practical aspect of casting defensive spells. Ollivander had said your wand was good for dueling. You were hoping to learn that in this class. But it didn’t look like that would be the case. The timid professor didn’t seem like he would be able to defend himself from a household ghoul.

“Maybe we should go to the library and research spells on our own?” you suggested as your group of Slytherin first years began to leave. “I’ve got some jinxes that I want to learn.”

“As long as we don’t have to associate with Granger,” Malfoy insisted. “I hear that she has no friends and practically lives in the library.”

“M-Mister G-Ga-Gaunt…” Professor Quirrell called out as you were about to walk out. “C-Could you st-stay behind for a m-moment?”

You shrugged to the others and turned back to the professor. Maybe this would explain why he’d been staring at you. “Is there something you wanted, professor?”

“Perhaps you could indulge a former Ravenclaw’s curiosity,” Professor Quirrell requested. “The fascinating story of you being the last Gaunt broke over the summer. What are your ties to that family?”

“Morfin Gaunt was my grandfather,” you answered. You’d grown used to giving this explanation over the course of your first week in Hogwarts.

“...” Professor Quirrell paused as if he was listening to something you couldn’t hear. “Morfin? I wasn’t aware that he had a child…”

“Most people weren’t,” you replied. “He didn’t even know. My grandmother kept my father a secret from him and he carried her name and his true heritage wasn’t revealed until after he died during the war. Unfortunately, even I don’t know her name, or my father’s.”

“So that explains it then,” Professor Quirrell mused.

“Was that all you wanted, professor?” you asked.

“Yes, you’re free to go, Mr. Gaunt,” Professor Quirrell said. “But do remember that you have a lofty family legacy to live up to… don’t disappoint us.”

“I don’t plan to, sir,” you assured him, “The hat didn’t sort me into Slytherin only for my family ties.” You left the classroom and were pleased to find that the others had waited for you again.

“What was that about?” Draco inquired.

“The usual,” you answered, “Another person wanted to know how I came to exist.”

It wasn’t until much later, that something about the odd conversation struck you. Professor Quirrell hadn’t stuttered once while you were explaining your family history.

You would soon discover that Professor Quirrell’s odd behavior and his disappointing class were the least of your worries. Because the award for the most disappointing lesson and the most useless professor went to History of Magic with Professor Binns. The ghost professor’s classes were based purely on lectures and were all about goblin rebellions. Professor Binns’ slow droning made the class a complete and utter bore and put the most studious of your class into a sleepy stupor.

“Talk about a waste of time,” you vented to the other Slytherins back in the common room. Usually, Draco Malfoy was the one complaining about how the school’s standards had fallen under Professor Dumbledore’s tenure as Headmaster. But on this subject, you were glad to take your turn. “History of Magic could’ve been a chance to learn more about our culture. We could be learning about the founders. We could be learning about how our families founded our society. But instead, they sucked all the potential interest out of the subject by sticking us with the dullest and most boring professor lecturing on one of the dullest and most boring subjects.”

“Father says Binns was teaching even when he was a student here,” Malfoy supplied. “He’s useless. Keeping him on is just another one of Dumbledore’s many failings.”

“I think it might have been a financial decision,” Parkinson suggested, “If the professor’s a ghost… you don’t actually have to pay him.”

“Then why even have him?” you wondered. “If he’s not going to teach anything worthwhile then why waste time having him teach classrooms of sleeping students.”

“We… weren’t sleeping…” You blinked and turned to stare at Crabbe and Goyle.

“You weren’t?”

“No… we like the goblin rebellions…” Crabbe admitted. “The battles’re interesting.”

You glanced over at Draco and this seemed to be news to him as well. “Did you take notes?”

“Yeah…” Goyle dug into his bag and pulled out the parchment he’d been taking notes on.

You grabbed his notes and skimmed through them. They were filled with dates and names that seemed to be accurate and were fairly legible. “These are surprisingly extensive… And what are these other numbers?”

“I was trying to keep a kill count for the more blood-thirsty goblins,” the large boy admitted.

“Let me borrow your notes,” Malfoy demanded. “Father will be furious if I fail that class. Even if it is mostly pointless.”

“Hold on, I’ve got an idea,” you announced. “I’ll make you a deal. You loan us your notes so we can pass that useless class… and Draco and I will help you in Potions.”

“We will?” Malfoy asked, surprised at being roped into your plan.

“We have Potions with Professor Snape tomorrow morning,” you reminded him, “He expects us all to do well in his class. We can’t afford to perform poorly, especially since we share it with the Gryffindors. No offense, but Vincent and Gregory seem to struggle the most during every other lesson. If we split them up then the two of us could guide them both to a passing grade.”

Goyle blinked and stared at you in surprise. “You’d do that… for us?”

“Of course,” you replied. “Slytherin unity, right? If you two have higher grades that’ll give Slytherin a higher average. What do you say, Potions partners?” You extended your hand.

Goyle glanced over at Malfoy… and you saw him give a quick nod. The larger boy shook your hand and your alliance had been forged.

“Let’s just hope you’re actually decent at Potions,” Malfoy remarked smugly.

“At the very least, I’m prepared,” you insisted. “I’ve been reading Magical Drafts and Potions as well as One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi all week. I even owl-ordered a bezoar from your family’s apothecary! Everyone else seems to have a class they excel at. I’d say I’m due.”