Of Silver and Green

Ch. 23 The Feeding Habits of Slytherins

"Potter, can I ask a favour?" Brynne hissed into the boy's ear halfway through lunch.

"Sure," he replied, getting up to follow her from the Great Hall despite the looks he was receiving from Granger and Weasley. "What is it?" he asked after they got outside the enormous dining room.

"Well, Draco wasn't in there for lunch, and I'm fairly certain he didn't eat anything for breakfast."

"And?"

"And I was wondering if you knew where the kitchen is. I want to take him some food," Brynne explained quickly.

"Draco sure is lucky to have you. I can take you now if you like," he said, leading her to a flight of stairs.

"And...can I borrow your invisibility cloak?" she asked hesitantly.

"Sure, for what?"

"I want to make sure he takes the food, without him knowing I'm around."

They were standing in front of a large painting containing different fruits. "Tickle the pear," he told her. Brynne looked at him skeptically. "Just do it."

She reached out and tickled the painting and gasped when the pear giggled and transformed into a doorknob. Brynne looked at Harry in shock, but he just rolled his green eyes dramatically and opened the painting to reveal a kitchen bustling with busy house-elves. One elf ran up to Harry and hugged him around the legs, saying, "Harry Potter has come to visit Dobby!" in a high-pitched voice, his huge eyes watering slightly.

Brynne gazed at the house-elf distastefully. It looked ridiculous with its long nose and enormous floppy ears. And this one's clothing was particularly garish. None of it matched and the diminutive creature was wearing a tea cozy for a hat. She was secretly glad that she had had Pilar, her Spanish nanny, taking care of her when she was younger, instead of one of these grubby little beasts. She wondered how they managed to take care of wizarding children when they couldn't even keep themselves clean.

"Dobby, this is my friend, Brynne," Harry was saying.

"Dobby is happy to meet you, friend of Harry Potter!"

"Brynne," she corrected, but the Dobby-creature wasn't paying attention to her anymore.

"Can Dobby get Harry Potter some food?"

"Sure," answered Harry. "That's why we came." Dobby hurried away and came back, moments later, with a large basket laden with enough food for five people.

"Will this be enough, Harry Potter?" Dobby squeaked.

Brynne nearly laughed when Harry replied with a thoughtful, "I hope so."

~~~***~~~

"You shouldn't have said that!" Brynne exclaimed when they were finally able to tear themselves away. "He nearly gave you another basket of food!"

"Hey, you wanna see Gryffindor Tower?" Harry asked mischievously as they began to climb a flight of stairs. "No one will see you. They're all still in the Great Hall eating."

"And even it anyone were to see me, no one would dare question the great Harry Potter!" Brynne said with a smirk.

"But they question me all the time!" he exclaimed. "'Can I take a picture, Harry?' 'Would you sign an autograph, Harry?' 'Can I have a lock of hair?'" He sighed dramatically. "There just isn't enough Harry Potter to go around," he said, sounding exasperated.

Brynne couldn't control her peals of laughter, and she cuffed him in the shoulder. Suddenly, Harry stopped walking. Brynne looked up to see a portrait of a rather large woman wearing a pink dress. Brynne wondered why they were standing there until the lady asked, "Password?"

"Pumpkin juice," Harry told her. The portrait cocked her eyebrow at Brynne suspiciously and swung open, revealing a small, cozy common room decorated in scarlet and gold.

Brynne sucked in a breath. She had thought the Slytherin common room was nice, but this put it to shame. The carpet was of such a thick pile she seemed to sink in as she stepped through the portrait-hole. The tapestries, curtains, and upholstery were of the deepest scarlet with edging in burnished gold. Only the best for Dumbledore's pets. Brynne stood in the middle of the room slack-jawed, turning slowly to take in the lavishness of the room fully.

"You will have to come upstairs with me, in case someone comes back early," Harry's voice cut in playfully. Brynne hurried up the stairs after him and into his room. She was surprised how similar in appearance his room was with Draco's. The furniture was nearly identical, besides the obvious difference in colour of the upholstery. The desk and bed were of the same style as Draco's, but while Draco's were of dark mahogany, Harry's were fashioned of blond oak wood.

Brynne watched as Harry opened his trunk and extracted his shimmering silver invisibility cloak. When she saw what was beneath it, her eyes widened. She had never seen it up close, though she knew Harry was the only person at Hogwarts to have one. She moved closer to the trunk and gazed down affectionately at the Firebolt. Although she was a Beater and had no need for a broom that fast, she couldn't help envying the broom's absolute exquisiteness. She ran her fingers lightly over the handle, electricity running from the broom up into them. How powerful and free Harry must feel, soaring through the air on such a magnificent broom.

"I'll let you borrow it some time," Harry offered, noting her reverence. Brynne could only nod. "Anyways, let's get this food to Malfoy. Lunch is nearly over." He closed his trunk hastily, snapping Brynne from her thoughts. He led her from the room, and luckily met no one in the common room on their way out. They descended flight after flight of stairs until finally the reached the correct corridor. When they reached the trapdoor, Brynne and Harry pulled the invisibility cloak over themselves.

"Snake venom," Brynne said quietly, and the entrance to the common room opened with a whoosh. They stepped through and made their way carefully up the stairs to Draco's room. Brynne didn't even think about the fact that Harry didn't seem at all surprised about the appearance of her common room. When they reached Draco's door, Harry placed the heavy basket of food at the door. Then Brynne knocked softly, moving away from the door, forgetting that they couldn't be seen.

The door opened slightly and Draco peered out, looking like he hadn't slept in weeks. He glanced around warily. Not seeing anyone, he was about to turn and close the door when he caught sight of the basket. He glared at it suspiciously, but weakened at the smell of the food inside. Brynne heard his stomach growl softly and he snatched up the basket and closed the door.

Brynne released the breath she'd been holding and stepped out from beneath the cloak. Harry lowered the cloak so only his head was revealed. Brynne gestured silently for Harry to follow her and proceeded to the end of the hall to her room. She opened the door and peeked inside. Satisfied the room was empty, she beckoned him inside and locked the door.

"For a second, I didn't think he was going to take it," Harry said.

"If he hadn't been so hungry, he wouldn't have," Brynne remarked softly. "He's so suspicious."

As Brynne moved around the room, locating the books and supplies she would need for her afternoon classes, Harry let his eyes drift around. He noticed an oddly placed basket in the middle of the floor. "What's in here?" he asked, walking over to it.

"Aidynn," she replied, looking up from her desk. "I wouldn't open it, if I were you."

"Ah," he said, moving his hand away from the latch.

"Which greenhouse do we have Herbology in today?" she asked, going back to what she was doing.

"Two," Harry replied, sitting on her bed. "I think we're doing snapdragons."

"They have magical properties?" Brynne asked incredulously.

"Not usually. I think these are hybrids that have been crossed with Wolf's Bane." She looked at him skeptically. "Neville told me," he explained.

"Well, let's go then," Brynne said, hoisting her book bag. "Do you have your stuff, or would you like to share mine, since you don't have time to go back to the tower for yours."

"I forgot mine," Harry said, reddening.

"Well, you can work with me then. Cover your head and let's go."