The Dragon Games

A hushed murmur swept the hall, and Harry lost his nerve. He began to stand, not to support the Headmistress, but to pummel Malfoy. Hermione rose as well, grabbing his arm and stopping him. He looked at her and she shrugged. Ron quickly rose up as well. Soon the whole hall was in whispers; Harry could hear a few of the Gryffindors sitting farther down.

"Harry thinks its okay," a boy muttered.

"But so does Draco," a girl said.

"Should we stand?"

Luna started to stand from the other table, followed by Ginny and Neville. Soon, others were following suit and within no time at all, everyone but half of the Slytherin table was standing, facing Aiyana.

The Slytherins who had chosen not to stand were regarding their fellow classmates in disgust. The few who did stand, Harry noticed, were among Malfoy's posy and admirers.

Aiyana beamed, turned her attention to the Slytherins, and said, "It seems you are out-voted, dears. Please stand with the rest of your classmates."

They turned to each other, and a few rose. Then Blaise spoke out, "What's going to happen if we don't?"

Aiyana just smiled, and then turned back to the others.

"I would like half the students from each table to please stand up and switch to another table. You may stick with your friends, of course. This is just the beginning transition; we will learn to coexist more as this school year goes along. Please move now, so that we may start the feast."

"Do we move?" Harry asked, looking at Ron.

"Let's go," Hermione said, taking Ron and Harry by the arms, and leading them towards the once Ravenclaw table.

Harry looked back to see Luna joining Ginny at the Gryffindor table, and Neville joining Hufflepuffs. As he looked around, he noticed no one was joining the Slytherin table, and only three had left it. Those three were heading right towards Ravenclaw. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle took their seats a few students away from Harry and the others.

"Harry, maybe we should move to Slytherin," Hermione suggested.

"I'm not sitting at Slytherin, even if such a thing doesn't exist anymore," Ron said sharply.

"But no one is sitting there," Hermione said.

"Then let them be segregated," Ron stated.

Soon, the students had settled in various places around the hall, and Aiyana began to speak again.

"Thank you for cooperating so nicely. This year at Hogwarts will be very fun indeed. We will be voting for our main mascot sometime this week. So, tuck in." Aiyana said grinning, and food filled the tables.

"Brilliant," Ron said as he started to fill his plate.

Harry, however, was not hungry, and couldn't take his eyes off Malfoy, making sure that he didn't slip out somehow.

Hermione noticed Harry not touching food and let out a tutting sound.

"Harry, eat something."

"Yeah, come on mate, it's delicious," Ron said through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

Harry nodded and took a piece of chicken. His eyes kept shifting over to Malfoy, wondering why he was back.

Malfoy was talking to Crabbe in a low whisper. Harry craned hard to hear, but as he did so, he saw Malfoy consciously stop speaking and turn to him.

"Excuse me, I don't believe I was talking to you," Malfoy said coolly to Harry. "And if you keep looking at me, I promise you, I'll be the last thing you ever see."

"Why are you here?" Harry asked stiffly.

"Because we're breaking down boundaries, Potter, weren't you listening?" Malfoy said in a mocking tone.

"I know why you're at the table, you prat, but why are you here at Hogwarts?"

Malfoy stared at him for a moment, blank faced. Harry waited. Malfoy started to open his mouth to say something, but turned his head towards Goyle and spoke to him instead in a whisper that Harry could not hear.

Harry, frustrated, slammed the table, and the students around him turned curiously.

"Harry, just leave it for now," Hermione whispered. "He's up to something, and we'll figure it out."

"Yeah Harry, don't worry," Ron said, patting his shoulder.

Harry nodded and turned back to his food. This year was definitely not going to be fun.

***

-Summer-

-Number 12 Grimmauld Place-

-Two days before the wedding.-

Everyone in the room was staring silently at Percy, who looked around and nodded.

"Percy?" Mrs. Weasley's voice called out. "Percy?"

"Hello, mum," he said, letting her pull him into a huge hug.

"What are you doing home, sweetums?" Mrs. Weasley asked, tears in her eyes.

Mr. Weasley came into view, looking at his son apprehensively. Percy saw him and gave him the same blank look.

"Dad," Percy started.

"Oh! Arthur, Percy's home!"

"So he is, Molly," Mr. Weasley said sharply.

"Dad, I-" Percy started.

"Why don't you just sit down with the family first, before you get to business matters? Your mom misses you, after all," Arthur said, nodding to the family who was all staring awkwardly at the scene.

"Right," Percy nodded. "Where's Bill?"

"Oh, he...Where did he go Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley asked her husband, looking around for him.

"Zat's a very good question if you ask me," Fleur said, slightly upset.

"He went to catch up with his brothers and Lupin," Harry said, causing everyone to turn to him.

Oops, Harry thought. Attract attention Harry, brilliant.

"They went to the Leaky Cauldron," Hermione spoke up.

"Well, I'll go there as well," Percy said, nodding to Hermione's information.

"I'll go with you, Perce," Charlie Weasley said, coming from another room.

"Alright," Percy agreed.

"Tell Bill that we will need to take pictures later, so 'e better be 'ere," Fleur said.

"Will do," Charlie said before the two apparated.

Molly let out a low hiccup and Arthur put his arm around her, bringing her into the kitchen.

"Well, that was fun," Harry muttered.

"What do you think he's here for?" Hermione asked.

"Who knows? It's Percy; he could be after anything."

"Well, shall we mingle?" Hermione asked.

"If we must," Harry sighed.

The two headed into the living room and were immediately overwhelmed by greetings. Harry was shaking tons of hands and people were saying his name a lot, as they always did.

"'Arry, it's nice to see you again," Gabrielle greeted, kissing his cheek.

"Nice to see you again," Harry echoed.

From the back of the room, he saw a taller red-headed man named Uncle Tom who was talking with another red-headed woman named Aunt Ethel.

"See the brown-haired girl? Molly says her son talks about her a lot- she thinks they're dating. Lovely couple they would make. Seems she's a muggle though, but there are'nt too many pure bloods around. And Harry Potter was dating little Ginny Weasley! Isn't that remarkable, Ginny and Harry?"

"Let's get out of here," Harry groaned. He turned to see Hermione looking a little pink in the face.

"You okay, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Fine. Yeah, let's go somewhere else."

Harry turned away and smiled as they left. As they entered the kitchen, a big woman with lots of make-up and bright vibrant clothing grabbed a hold of them.

"Harry Potter! And this must the lovely Hermione Granger!" the woman said in an obscenely loud voice. "I'm Ron's Aunt Crissy!"

Harry and Hermione exchanged frightened looks as Aunt Crissy began to hug them both incessantly.

***

The feast was over, and the dishes had just been wiped clean of dessert. Everyone was quiet once more as Aiyana stood to speak to the students.

"Well, I know you must all be very sleepy, and so therefore, to speed things along, I will leave all further announcements and schedule pass outs till tomorrow after breakfast. Now, since none of you knows exactly where you are to be staying here at Hogwarts, I would like you all to do the following. Professors McGonagall, Hagrid, and Sprout will be handing out directions to your new common room and dormitory. Moreover, I know this seems silly, but after each semester, you will change your sleeping arrangements so that you will be meeting new friends and making alliances. So with that, those with the last names starting A through I, go with Professor McGonagall. J through R with Professor Hagrid, and S through Z with Professor Sprout."

Harry, Hermione and Ron stared dumbfounded for a moment.

"How many common rooms do you think there will be?" Harry asked.

"No idea, mate."

"Are we not going to share a common room?" Hermione asked.

"Who's going to do my homework?" Ron asked, suddenly panic-stricken.

Hermione scowled and the two watched as she headed off towards Professor McGonagall. Harry let out a laugh.

"Well, see yah, mate," Ron said.

"Right," Harry muttered. Would they really break up the trio they had kept together for six years?

Harry got in line to see Hagrid, and when it was his turn, the great giant smiled.

"'Arry, you're back," he said as he pulled him into a rough hug.

"Hi, Hagrid," Harry said.

"Well, let's see, 'Arry. Here's your map, and your password."

"Thanks," Harry said, glancing at it as he moved away from Hagrid.

Behind him, he heard Draco drawl, "So, where'd they put me?"

Harry walked out of earshot and read his password ("lullaby"). Harry pulled out the directions and followed them up to the fifth floor, down a right hall, a left, and finally met his destination. He found himself standing in front of a large female statue that was smiling at many other students Harry had never seen before.

"What's going on here?" Harry asked a blonde haired girl.

"She won't open up," the girl replied. "Says that we haven't gotten the right place."

Harry moved towards the front and spoke the password, but the statue just smiled.

"I'm not moving for even great Mister Harry Potter because I have no where to move to! Now scram and leave me be."

"Come on!" a fifth year boy groaned.

"Harry? What's going on?" a familiar female voice called out.

Harry turned and was surprised to see Ginny looking at the statue.

"This isn't the right spot," Harry replied.

"Well of course it's not, you great bunch of ninnies," rang a voice near the back of the line. The voice belonged to Malfoy. "The place is still farther."

"We can't go any farther," the blonde girl stated.

"Move it," Malfoy said, pushing his way to the front. "Watch," he commanded. He pushed the statue's arm and a wall opened up to the right.

Everyone started to push down the hall, and Malfoy walked swiftly past Harry who was giving him a death glare.

At least I won't have to worry about finding Malfoy, Harry thought optimistically. As he moved down the hall, he heard a voice calling from afar.

"Harry! Guess we're in the same place," Ron appeared, smiling.

"Cool. Have you seen Hermione?" Harry asked.

"No, she took off in another direction earlier."

"Too bad," Harry said as they started down the hall.

"Did you recognize anyone else?" Ron asked as they went.

"Just Ginny and Malfoy," Harry stated.

"Malfoy? I better not room with him, or I swear he's dead."

"I quite agree," Harry nodded.

Soon, they found themselves in front of a wall.

"Lullaby," Harry said.

The wall slid open and the two walked in to see a very cozy looking room with more colors and arm chairs then their previous common room.

"So which way to your room?" Ron asked.

"This way," Harry said, pointing to some stairs on the right.

"So far, so good," Ron said.

The two headed up the stairs, pushed open a door, and were in a hall lined with doors.

"Which one is yours?" Harry asked.

"Err, it's called...they're giving them names?" Ron asked rhetorically, disgruntled as he read his paper.

Harry read his, and discovered his room name was-

"Phoenix," Harry said.

"Centaur," Ron muttered. "Now this is just bloody stupid."

"It does seem ridiculous."

"Well, catch you later, Harry. Just pray our roomies don't involve Malfoy or his crew."

"Bye," Harry said, and Ron disappeared behind a door that read Centaur in gold lettering.

Harry found his door and pushed it open. Inside, his stuff was already by his bed. He discovered there was also a door closed, obviously currently occupied with a light shining from underneath that undoubtedly was a bathroom. They had their very own bathroom.

No one besides Harry was in the room yet, so he sat down on his bed and started to unpack.

The main door opened, and in stepped another seventh year boy that Harry recognized from Ravenclaw in past years. He had long brown hair, brown eyes, and a charming face.

"Harry Potter," he greeted, recognizing him.

Harry nodded his greeting, but had no idea what his name was.

"I'm Keifer Pax," he said as he sat down on a bed diagonal to Harry's.

"Nice to meet you, Keifer," Harry said, and continued to unpack.

"We have a bathroom?" Keifer's voice suddenly rang out.

"Guess so," Harry smiled.

"Neat."

The door opened again, and in stepped Dean Thomas.

"Harry, Keifer! Sweet! We're roomies guys!" Dean said with enthusiasm.

"Hey Dean," Harry greeted.

"What's up, Dean?" Keifer said.

"Not a lot...So...who's the fourth?" Dean asked.

Harry shrugged.

"Apparently he's in the bathroom," Keifer noted.

"We have a bathroom?" Dean said, just a dumbfounded as the others.

As they laughed, Harry looked over at the unoccupied bed across from him and glanced at the suitcase. He didn't need the bathroom door to open to guess who was going to be residing in it. Malfoy's name was etched on all his suitcases.

Harry let out a groan. Just typical, he thought. Well, at least I can keep an eye on the bugger.

Dean hadn't noticed Malfoy's things, so when the bathroom door opened and Malfoy appeared in the doorway in his silk black pajama top and pants, the boy's mouth dropped right open from shock.

"Malfoy?" Dean finally said.

"Thomas," Malfoy said in a rude greeting and went to his bed, ignoring the others.

"What are you doing here?" Dean asked roughly.

Malfoy looked up, and Harry saw his eyes fall on him.

"Why does everyone keep asking me dumb questions tonight?"

"Because they fit you, Malfoy," Harry muttered.

Keifer grew uncomfortable from the scene. Harry could tell the boy knew that none of them particularly got along.

"Potter," Malfoy acknowledged. "This will be quite interesting," he smirked.

Harry didn't say anything, and Malfoy didn't hold his gaze for long.

"Who are you?" Draco asked Keifer.

"Keifer Pax," he answered. "You're Lucius' son."

"So I am," Draco said. "And you're a what?"

"What do you mean?" Keifer asked.

"Mudblood? Half-blood? Pure blood?" Draco asked coolly.

"Pure," Keifer answered.

"Ravenclaw?" Draco guessed.

"That's right."

"Hmm," was all Draco said as he got into bed and pulled the curtains closed.

Harry looked towards Malfoy's bed for a moment before closing his own curtains, which shut out every noise in the room.

Harry pulled out the letter he had been concealing for weeks and unfolded it. He lighted the tip of his wand with a muttered "lumos," and began to read it for the hundredth time.

Dear Harry Potter,

I've chosen to write to you for three reasons and three reasons only. Each will be more important than the other, so read carefully and do not disregard anything.

The first is that your search for Voldemort's Horcrux's is a worthless ambition. They are being taken care of.

The second is that Draco Malfoy is returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry next year, and he has something for you that could be of great importance. Should you return to school, the information you will find there will be very important in the coming war. Finding out the reason Draco Malfoy is back will be of great importance in your quest for peace.

The third and most important reason is there will come a time at school when you will be invited to join a game of wits. When you are asked to enter, do so. The Games of the Dragon will be difficult at any rate, but the prize from winning will grant you a huge lead in the war against Voldemort.

I've told you three simple things- all of which will be to your advantage if you succeed in following through in them. Though I give this news anonymously, I hope you trust enough in your gut that this is the way that will win. I am on your side. The side of the once great leader and Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. If you need to reach me, leave messages in the Astronomy Tower in the loose stone behind the stairs.

Trust in me,

The Angel of Reason

Harry folded up the letter once more and sighed heavily. He didn't know he could trust this so-called Angel of Reason, but regardless, he couldn't let this bit of information slip by unchecked. Harry had decided that if anything seemed even a bit dodgy, he'd get out of Hogwarts and go back to where they'd left off.

He looked back down at the letter. How was it being taken care of? Who else could possibly know about the Horcruxs? What were The Games of the Dragon, and how dangerous were they really? What sort of information did Malfoy have for him?

All these questions kept floating through Harry's head, but no answers came, and none would come until Harry took action. Therefore, he decided, tomorrow morning he would catch Malfoy before he left and make him spill the news. With that decision, Harry sat up and pulled out his pajamas, ready to get some sort of rest before having to confront Malfoy.

***

Hermione entered her common room behind a suit of armor after saying the password Blizzard. She looked around for a familiar face and came upon three very unfriendly looking ones. Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, and Millicent Bulstrode were smiling evilly, looking in her direction.

Oh brother, Hermione thought.

"Granger," Pansy said. "Well, well, this is quite ironic. We were just talking about you."

"What do you want?" Hermione asked, annoyed.

"I heard you lost your Prefect badge," Blaise stated.

"What a shame," Pansy sneered.

"Is this what you want to talk to me about?" Hermione asked, feeling slightly intimidated as the three former Slytherins crowded around her.

"You've lost your power, Granger," Blaise grinned.

"Power? What are three talking about?"

"The power you had as a perfect. You lost it,"

"But you see, along with your loss of power, comes a loss of dignity," Pansy said as she folded her arms across her chest.

"What?" Hermione asked, bewildered.

"You see, Granger," Millicent started, "we're taking you down this year. Any way we can. Precious Hermione Granger isn't going to be so tough once we're done with her."

"You're going to be begging us to stop," Pansy said.

"You'll beg for us to stop the pain," Blaise laughed.

Hermione frowned and then pushed passed them, heading towards her room.

"Don't think you can get around this Granger. It's going to happen, and believe me, it's going to be fun," Pansy said.

"Fun for us, anyway," Blaise pointed out stupidly.

Hermione ignored them and entered her room. She breathed a sigh of relief and then closed her eyes.

What are they after now? Hermione wondered, and what do they have planned for me?