One Day They'll Know Your Name

Name anything worse

The next morning, Madam Pomfrey frowned at his tiredness, but when he mentioned that it was just a nightmare and the only cure for that was good sleep in his own bed, she relented and let him go. Since it was a school day, he headed to breakfast and sat next to Draco, who greeted him with a smile and shoulder bump.

It wasn't until DADA was over that Harry realized that Runes was today. He groaned and slumped onto Draco as they settled into their seats in Charms, and Draco raised an eyebrow.

"Runes is today," Harry muttered petulantly.

Draco, the bastard, just laughed. Harry swatted him lightly with his sleeve and sat up as Professor Flitwick started class.

After lunch, Harry, Draco, and Hermione headed towards Runes. Harry dragged his feet when they neared the classroom, but they were all in their seats by the time class started.

Professor Babbling wasted no time. "What was the first thing I taught you in this class, Mr. Kennaz?"

Harry gulped. "To only use blood to write runes in a life or death situation?"

"Are you asking or telling me?"

"Telling."

"And, while the dragon would have killed you had you not used runes, the runes would have had enough power if you had used ink or something else. Now. I understand that you did not have ink at the time, but it is a simple conjuring to produce some. So, today, we will learn that conjuring spell, since you clearly have not learned it in Charms yet."

Hermione raised her hand, and Professor Babbling nodded to her. "We don't cover Conjuring as an actual topic until fifth year in Charms. We've learned some conjuring charms, but not very many."

"Well then. You lot will get a head start then. Now. While Mr. Eiwaz here was in an interesting situation, should I hear of anyone else following in his footsteps, there will be heavy consequences." With that, she whirled around and settled at her desk, pulling out her wand and conjuring a bottle of ink to begin the lesson.

*****************

After supper, Harry and Draco wait patiently outside Myrtle's bathroom for the others. They had a lot to discuss, and Harry was sure Salmissra would want to know how the first task had gone.

Neville arrived first, and Harry greeted him with a smile. He was carrying a plant, which had wrapped it's vines around his waist and shoulders.

Neville noticed the questioning glances and shrugged. "She was lonely. It's a quirk of her species. During their developmental months they need body heat rather than heat from the sun. They're picky though, and won't go to just anyone for this heat. Once she's matured, she'll be more stationary, but there have been stories of mature ones protecting their caretaker when they're nearby. She's actually a subspecies of the Whomping Willow, except she won't try to whomp anyone who comes by."

"Huh. That's cool that she likes you, then," Harry said. "Will she be ok in the Chamber?"

"Yeah, she'll be fine," Neville said. Just then, Hermione hurried up.

"Sorry, sorry, I was finishing up the homework for Charms and lost track of time! Luna should be right behind me, she was going to go find Ginny."

Just as she spoke, Luna, Ginny, and Ron came around the corner. Harry grinned and checked both ways before slipping into Myrtle's bathroom, followed by the other six.

He he he, you ssslutsss wink will never guesssssss my passssssword As the stairs materialized out of the walls, Harry motioned the others to go down first. As soon as he was clear of the door, he hissed again. Clossse, but keep the ssstairsss. As the entrance slid shut, lights flickered on around them.

Hermione, in the front, gasped. "How did you do that, Harry?"

"I just wanted to make sure no one followed us this year especially. There are people we don't know, and Voldemort is getting stronger by the day. That's part of what I need to say, but that can wait till we get to the main Chamber."

Hermione nodded and turned around to keep walking down the stairs. Before long they reached the main doors, and Harry opened them with a quick hiss. Salmissra met them in the middle of the room, quickly surrounding them and nudging Harry. Harry hatchling, you mussst be more careful! Dragonsss, of all thingsss! Oh that headmassster had better watch hisss back from now on!

Harry laughed and patted her nose. I'm fine, Sssalmissssssra. Hardly a ssscratch, and what wasss injured wasss fixed in the Hossspital Wing. Now, would you like to join usss for our talk?

Salmissra finally stopped fussing over him and unwound from around the children. No, hatchling. Thisss dissscussssssion would be bessst had without interfering mother figuresss I think.

Harry blushed and glared at her. I only called you mum onccce! And I thought we ssswore to never bring it up again!

Salmissra gave a snakey chuckle. No, you ssswore to never bring it up again. Go have your talk, I will wait here. Make sssure to come sssee me again before you leave.

Harry nodded and the humans stepped into the inner Chamber, then headed towards the library.

***************

Draco was nervous. He didn't want to talk about the letter his father had sent him, but he knew they needed to talk about it. He had gotten it the morning after the first task, and he hadn't really had time to process it what with worrying about Harry. But now it was time to talk about it, and he didn't know how anyone would react.

When everyone had settled into the chairs in the library, they looked at Draco patiently. He took a deep breath and pulled out the letter that he hadn't let out of his sight since he got it.

"As I mentioned last night, I got a letter from my father. He said that his Dark Mark was getting darker, and that it most likely meant that the Dark Lord is getting stronger." He closed his eyes and breathed deeply again. "He also said it's a very bad time to be seen as friends with Harry. And, I agree with him, somewhat. On the technicalities, if not the reality."

He looked over at Harry, but he just looked thoughtful, as did the rest of the group when Draco chanced a glance at them.

Harry was the first to break the silence. "I know Voldemort's getting stronger. I had a vision, or a dream, or something about him last night. He has a body, but it's a baby body. He has to rely on Wormtail, even for casting spells."

Neville nodded. "I think Draco's dad is right. Voldemort getting stronger is a bad time for one of his most loyal supporter's son to be friends with the Boy-Who-Lived. So. How do we work with this?"

Draco breathed a sigh of relief he didn't know he was holding, slumping in his chair and almost crying. "Thank you guys," he whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"What, you thought we wouldn't at least hear you out? If not understand that you want to protect your family as well as us? Please," Ginny scoffed. "As if. If you're friends with Harry, then Voldy can get to Harry through you, and to your family through Harry. It's a lose lose."

"So, what can we do?" Hermione asked, looking frustrated. "Whatever we end up doing it can leave no room for disbelief that Harry and Draco are no longer friends. And maybe Draco and the rest of us, for that matter."

Luna hummed in thought. "Yes, it must be big, and it must be public. How is your godfather doing, Harry?"

Harry frowned at her, baffled. "He's fine, living with Remus and Reggie, as you all know, you visited over the- Of course! Luna, you're a genius." He turned to Draco. "Dray, you need to insult Sirius. Or at least Remus, and by extension Sirius. Here's what I'm thinking...."