September 1994
The Great Hall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry put a small smile on his face and walked towards Hermione.
"Excuse me ladies. If you don't mind, may I?" Questioned Harry with his smile.
Lavender sitting next to Hermione, blushed on Harry's question and shifted to her side giving up enough space for Harry to sit.
Harry said, "Thank you," and took his seat.
Hermione was instantly questioned, "Where have you been Harry?"
But before Harry could give, Ron sitting few seats diagonally from Harry, scoffed, "Probably spending time with those traitorous snakes."
Harry let out a chuckle but did not respond. He thought engaging with such a fool would only lower his IQ and a waste of time.
Harry indulged himself in the food and though Harry appeared careless at the moment, he carefully observed his surroundings, particularly, Hermione.
The worry etched on her face only increased with time as the dinner progressed. He wondered if she has landed herself in some kind of problem or is it related to something else? He decided to ask her later.
He also observed Ron and though it was hard to tell anything if your food is stuffed with as much as food as it can hold, Harry observed occasional grin on Ron's face.
The dinner concluded and everyone started to leave for their houses. Harry also walked side by side of Hermione, when he found Daphne standing outside the great hall.
Hermione watched him in worry as he walked towards her with no care in the world.
"Good evening, Miss. Greengrass," greeted Harry.
"Good evening, Potter," greeted Daphne back.
"Next weekend after breakfast, we will meet in the great hall and then we can find any empty classroom. I have informed Susan," informed Daphne.
"Are you okay with it, Potter?"
Harry nodded, "It is fine by me."
Daphne smiled, "Goodnight, Potter."
Harry muttered, "Goodnight, Miss. Greengrass."
Harry walked away and found Hermione waiting for him at some distance away in the corridor.
He questioned, "Is everything fine, Hermione?"
Hermione nodded, "Harry why are you associating yourself with the Slytherins?"
Though Harry found this question disgusting, he controlled his emotion. After all, thinking evil about the Slytherins was not Hermione's fact.
There was no doubt that Slytherin had produced many dark wizards over the centuries and was the major source of Voldemort's supporters but branding the whole house with such a pre conceived notion was hypocrisy at its peak by the so called supporters of light.
The new students were almost systematically made to believe that every Slytherin was evil. And professor like Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy only strengthened the notion.
"And why should I not associate themselves, Hermione?" Asked Harry back.
Hermione was tongue tied for an answer. After all, how laughable it would sound to logic is she said that every Slytherin was evil.
Harry getting no answer stated, "Don't believe anything simply because someone told you about it. I won't deny the past house of Slytherin but that does not mean everyone is evil."
"I would say that by orchestrating them to such an extent pushes them on such oath. On the other hand, students like Draco goes unpunished, which reinforces the notion among most Slytherin that this is the path to be taken."
"More so ever, my family and Daphne's Greengrass family have been friends for a long time," informed Harry.
Hermione nodded and both of them continued to walk. They were to arrive near the portrait when Hermione hesitated but finally began, "Harry, be careful in the common room."
Harry stared at her for more explanation but she shook her head, "I don't know, but many students were planning something."
"Was Ron the leader?" Asked Harry.
Hermione again hesitated but nodded her head under Harry's intense gaze.
"Harry, you know how he is. I don't think he is planning something dangerous," Hermione tried to placate Harry.
September 1994
Gryffindor Common Room, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry nodded expressionlessly. They arrived near the portrait, gave the password and entered inside the common room.
The common room was completely silent, despite being filled with students from all the years. Many students were sitting on the couch by the fire and most of them were leaning on the wall.
As soon as the duo entered, they were stared by dozens of eyes at the same time. Hermione was almost panicking at this scene while Harry remained calm.
Harry took two steps forward and a frightened Hermione walked next to him.
"Harry," began Ron with a try to deepen his voice and Harry almost laughed at the method of Ron wanting to intimidate him.
Ron continued, "Why are you doing this? You have started to behave like those idiots. Talking about your family status and your position every time."
"Now, you have started to mingle with those snakes. Are you looking down on the rest of us? Is our status not good enough for you to find a friend in the Gryffindor? Tell us, Harry," declared Ron.
Harry wanted to laugh at all what Ron said but on second thoughts, that whatever Ron said was definitely something creative. Even if, it was not very convincing it could definitely muster a group behind him for a short time.
And Harry was sure that, Ron did not have the brains to frame such creative charges. He wondered who might have helped Ron in coming up with these charges.
Keeping these things at the back of his mind, he focused on the issue at hand right now.
"Ron Weasley," declared Harry.
He gazed all around the house, "I wonder if all of you have the same question?"
Under the intense gaze of Harry no one dared to answer but everyone knew that this question was a mere formality as their presence and the initial behaviour clearly indicated their support on this issue.
Harry shook his head in amusement, "Though I am not bound to answer any of your questions and neither of you can dare to do anything to me, but since many of you have been my good friends or good classmates for the past three years, I will explain things this single time."
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