The eyes of the fourth year group followed him as he left the group.
"You two seem friendly." Blaise commented as soon as Harry was out of earshot.
"We get along well." Draco responded, his tone light, though knowing he'd have to navigate the conversation carefully. He turned his attention back to the first year corridor giving him somewhat of a distracted air.
"How long have you known each other? You seem awfully familiar to have just met on the train yesterday." Daphne spoke up, her eyes fixed on Draco. Here was someone else who seemed to have changed a great deal over the summer, even if none of the others realized it yet. Added up with everything else she had observed, she was watching every twitch Draco made.
Draco chuckled softly. "We have known each other awhile. Though I had no idea he was going to be coming here for school." Draco was inwardly pleased. One thing he had learned as he matured was that sometimes bland understatements and misdirections could be infinitely more fun the empting bragging about his parentage.
Daphne's eyes narrowed further at Draco's reply. She knew he was lying, if Draco really knew there was a Flamel heir, he would have lorded his knowledge over the rest of his classmates with accompanying grandiose claims of friendship. Now he was understating things, and only in response to questions. He was actually acting like a Slytherin for once. Before Daphne could press him further, she was cut off. "Is he really in line to inherit the Flamel fortune? What's he like?" Pansy asked, eager for information, as she sidled up close to Draco. She had been silent up till now still seething over the curt dismissal a conversation with Ares had resulted in the night before.
Draco rolled his eyes, he had forgotten how pretentious and materialistic Pansy could be. She seemed to be focused on that even as she pressed into his side. "You saw the ring yesterday. You know that's impossible to fake." His voice was in a drawl that verged on the edge of mocking.
Pansy flushed but didn't say anything in response. It was Blaise that spoke up next, "How is it that none of us knew the Flamels had an heir? They are recluses, but that is information I'm sure that would have gotten around to the families like lightning. I know the owlery was nearly empty last night with messages home."
Draco shrugged and chuckled softly, "Maybe they just didn't want the hassle, or preferred to keep him hidden."
Tracey shook her head, "As soon as everyone finds out, they're going to be buried under an avalanche of mail."
The last boy, a tall wiry one whose expression had been nothing but haughty, half sneered out at the others. "Of course Draco is making friends with the Flamel heir. Everyone will be in a rush to as soon as they hear back and are given the go ahead from their parents. The Flamels coming out with an heir is likely to be as much news than the Tri-Wizard tournament. With their wealth alone everyone would be clamoring, but throw in the Wizengamot seat of an Ancient and Noble House, and I bet marriage contracts fly to the Flamels by the dozen. Better to ingratiate yourself first before everyone else rushes in too."
"Nott is right, their wards are going to be working overtime anyway. I'm sure all their mail is routed through a post box somewhere. You know how reclusive they are. That makes me want to know how you two know each other." Blaise observed dryly.
Draco shrugged and smiled enigmatically. "All I will say is that Ares and I have some common ground. I think I can be relatively certain when I say Ares isn't likely to make friends with sycophants or people who want to befriend him for his name alone." It was better to leave things unexplained than it was to try and make up something, especially on the spur of the moment. Draco pulled away from Pansy and turned and began to head back to his room. "Where are you going?" Pansy demanded, in almost a whine.
"Ares had the right idea. Nothing to be done here, and I could use a shower too." Draco called over his shoulder as he left the room.
Six of the eight fourth years remaining, exchanged glances. Different thoughts running through their heads.
The other two wondered if they could leave for breakfast yet. Crabbe and Goyle never were the smartest of people.
When Harry came out of his room some time later, he was carrying a school bag and was dressed in his school uniform. He still felt weird dressing in green and silver, though he had to admit that it was less jarring on the eyes than red and gold could be. Draco was pacing up and down the corridor by the rooms. Draco jumped when Harry seemed to literally appear from out of nowhere. "Where the hell were you?" he immediately demanded.
Harry tilted his head, as an amused look briefly crossed his face. "What do you mean?"
Draco gestured, "I can't find your room!" He had taken a quick shower and grabbed his bag with the necessary things he'd need for class during the day, then Draco had gone to find Harry, only to realize Draco didn't know where he could find him. Despite Draco having been certain that he had shown Harry to his room the night before, for the life of him, he couldn't remember where that room was.
Harry nodded and chuckled, "Of course not. I told you I was capable of protecting myself." He had put far more extensive wards and protections around his own room, than he had around the rooms of the first year students.
Draco frowned, "But that doesn't explain how you managed to make it so I couldn't find your room."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you enjoy reading? Visit my site on Tiendup! There you will find the advanced chapter in PDF format, ready for your convenience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
https://fictiontopia.tiendup.com/