( Great Hall )
"Wow, can you believe it? The Great Boy-Who-Lived, defeater of You-Know-Who, and enemy number one of Slytherin house, is a Parselmouth?" Tracy said for the second time, as she and Daphne mock-duelled.
"Yes, it's most ironic, isn't it," she said, discreetly casting a look over in the direction of the sulking Gryffindor. "An ability, a gift, that most pure-bloods would kill for, and he's sulking. At least it's shut up Weasley and Malfoy," both of whom were clearly shaken by the night's revelations, albeit for different reasons. "I wonder how long till rumours start that he's the Heir of Slytherin?" Stating the last part just a bit louder so more of her year mates could hear, "After all, it makes sense that a Parselmouth would be Slytherin's heir," she said, while appearing to think intently over the recent developments, to the point that she wasn't ready for Tracy's stinging hex.
Over the next half an hour they mock-duelled, with Snape hovering around the Hall, just watching everyone. Already the students were watching Neville with hawk-like eyes, waiting for him to attack them. "It's funny how a simple statement can become a full-blown rumour," she said proudly at her handiwork as she left the Great Hall.
"Yeah, I doubt he's the Heir," Tracy stated, coming to a similar conclusion herself. "Besides, Neville seems as surprised as the rest of us," noticing something she had missed as she thought over the observation.
"Indeed, only a fool would intentionally show such a talent under the current conditions. The whole school is going to be watching his movements now the Aurors, the Professors, everyone. He just became the number one suspect."
"Oh well," her friend stated. "But I find it odd that Draco just happens to use a snake-summoning charm against Neville. It feels scripted, as if it was planned. Professor Snape only started teaching Draco after the duelling club was announced."
"Possibly, but how did Professor Snape know?" she asked her friend.
"Maybe he didn't? Maybe it was a test?" Tracy said. "After all, Neville was found at the scene of the first attack."
"Hey! What are you two talking about?" Harry asked, surprising the both of them.
"Well, you would know if you went to the duelling club," she stated, already planning on telling Harry since he would hear the news soon enough anyway, but she would at least try to get something out of him. "Where were you?"
"Reading some bank statements and reports. Sirius and my manager attend most of the discussions or Andy does while Sirius is out of the country but I like to personally keep up to date on everything. After all, it would make it easier for when I finally take up the responsibility myself," he said seriously, while rubbing his Potter family ring. "On that subject, I would like to talk with you, Daphne, about a possible business venture, since your family runs one of the biggest clothing brands in Britain."
"Sure," she said carefully, wondering what possible business deal Harry was cooking up. "However, it is my father's discussion first and foremost; I can't talk on his behalf. It will be his discussion in the end, not mine."
"Of course. So what happened?"
"Longbottom is a Parselmouth," Tracy stated, which made Harry blink several times.
"Interesting. I wonder if that will turn up in the Prophet tomorrow. So tell me exactly what happened," he said to Tracy as he listened to his friend give a detailed recounting of everything that happened.
...
The Next Day
Many people would say that it was unnecessary, but frankly yesterday's events had given him a means to strengthen his position within the school, at a rival's expense. After all, Neville was his most dangerous year mate from a popularity standpoint.
Looking over at the Gryffindor table, the lion himself looked rather down, still clearly not over what happened the previous day. Ah, here it comes, he thought, as he saw the owls flying into the Great Hall, carrying their load of newspapers. He unfolded his copy of the Prophet, which for the most part he considered absolute trash, but it was still the most widely read newspaper in Britain.
Scanning the front page, he saw nothing about Longbottom. 'So not front-page news then.' Flipping through the pages yet still finding no sign of the news he wanted, which was odd.
"Something wrong?" Padma asked, clearly noticing his above-average interest in the Prophet today.
"Nothing major, just thought there might be some news," he replied, trying to sound as normal as possible. Whilst eating the rest of his breakfast, he thought over the available facts. Clearly Rita hadn't been able to print it, and that meant either of two things: it would either be in the next edition, or it had been blocked by another party or group who had paid off the Prophet not to print the story.
Either way, he would have to wait to confirm either theory this evening with Rita. It was either the Headmaster who had blocked the article, or Lady Longbottom herself or both working together, since they were in a political alliance but he was sure the information would leak out anyway.
After all, secrets rarely stay secret, especially when a whole school of adolescent children know of it.
...
Looking inward, he put bits and pieces together, trying to solve a puzzle as another piece in his Animagus jigsaw puzzle fell neatly into place. Wings both meant the desire for freedom, as well as a desire to reach the top. What else am I? I am not peaceful, but neither am I aggressive; I'm balance. Am I though? he thought, as he tried to objectively analyse the traits that made him whole.
I like puzzles and riddles. Does that mean I like a challenge? Does that mean I'm active? He thought of his training each morning. What am I? he demanded of himself, getting annoyed at not being able to get some straight answers for once. Maybe I should just take the damn potion. No, I can do this I'm stubborn and prideful, but confident, reassured of my worth.
I have anger and hate, but it's controlled; it doesn't control me. I have a temper, but it's controlled. I'm slow to anger, I feel love, joy am I an emotionally balanced individual?
Feeling pressure on his shoulder, he opened his eyes to see Serenity resting there, holding a leg out with a letter.
"Thanks, girl," he said, taking the letter from the owl. "What would I do without you?" Watching as she puffed out her chest pridefully, he smiled before pruning her feathers. Watching his owl, "Am I an owl?" he asked aloud, just for Serenity to give him a look that said, 'I don't think so,' as she examined him closely.
"What am I?" he said for the hundredth time this evening.
"I'm not extremely friendly, nor am I a loner. I seek companionship with my equals?" he said, examining his philosophy for making friends. "Value I first made friends according to mutual gain and benefit," he stated as he helped Serenity remove a damaged feather. "What defines me? Knowledgeable, prideful, arrogant, hardworking," he said, listing what possibly defined him as a person. "I don't follow, I lead. Do I care what others do? Yes and no," he thought of Rita and his friends, and how he viewed the world.
"I'm manipulative, I lie and mislead, I steal, and I am cunning. I'm a trickster of sorts," he said, feeling a bit lighter at making that insight.
Am I a predator or prey? he thought, changing his angle of thought. "Predator," he answered, already knowing that. Do I work alone, or as a team as a pack? Both, he answered. What determines the way I hunt? What determines how I work? How do I operate? Thinking back over his schemes first stealing the stone, trapping Snape in a contract, taking advantage of Rita's situation, working with Madam Bones to free Sirius, the brooms, then the Chamber and Peter 'I decide whether I need a team or not... whether the task is too big for me alone to achieve.'
He began thinking over the different styles of hunting in the wild, thinking of a wolf for a moment before dismissing the idea, since he was certain he had wings.
"Do I have wings?" he asked, just for Serenity to look at him with a look that said, 'No, you idiot, of course not...' A wolf can hunt freely in the wilds, either by itself for smaller game or with a pack for larger game. It stalks, it ambushes, it chases down, uses its own power... "Am I a wolf?" he said aloud, seeing how his traits could be seen that way.
"You don't look like one to me," Penny said cheerfully, as he sent her a look. "The door was unlocked..."
"What animal do you think I am?" he asked, wondering what his friend would say.
Catching her off guard with the unusual question before she put two and two together, she replied playfully, "Ehh... I don't know, a lion?" Clearly taking the mickey out of him.
"Yea, yea, laugh it up, fuzzball," he said, going with a Han Solo quote.
"Don't be a spoilsport. Your Animagus form will be something deadly in its own right you killed a troll last year, that's going to leave a mark," she pointed out, highlighting something he had missed whilst thinking over his form. "Probably some type of ambush predator, like a leopard. That would suit you well, by the way. They are graceful, powerful, smart," she offered in explanation.
"Maybe," he admitted, seeing some of her points. "Would you like me to be a leopard?"
"As long as you're cute," she said playfully.
...
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