Harry Potter: Instant Kill

Grace, Daphne and I made our way to breakfast the next morning under the gaze of the rest of our house as they were studying us to look for any opportunity to talk to us or failing that to ingratiate themselves with us. This was nothing new but the intensity seemed to have doubled after the confirmed rumours spread around the house after Professor Snape's visit.

"These stares are only going to get worse aren't they?" Grace asked as we made it to our house table and started to plate our food. "Yes, they will, unfortunately," I replied while Daph told her to learn to ignore them. The gossip column was going strong as I saw groups of whispering happening around the hall with the most prominent happening on the Hufflepuff table which was seen as a kind of neutral ground in terms of inter-house conflicts.

As the whispered rumours spread, Dumbledore stood up and made his way to his lectern causing nearly every eye to look towards him. "I have a few remarks to make before we all leave for our daily routines. First, all trolls have been handled and removed from the grounds. Second, there was a total of 5 trolls who were let into the school and made to run rampant. Third and lastly, I have some points to award."

While waiting for the murmurs to die down after he clarified how many trolls were let loose, Dumbledore fiddled with the candles standing on the rim of his lectern. When all murmurs ceased he looked up and continued, "As I said 5 trolls were counted and 3 were taken care of by teachers. However for whatever circumstances, 2 trolls were in positions to harm students, luckily no one was seriously harmed. So I award 50 points each, for outstanding bravery to face a troll but also outstanding friendship to face it to protect your friends, to Mr Erik Bodewig, Miss Daphne Greengrass, Miss Grace Potter, Mr Harry Potter and Mr Ronald Weasley. All these people dealt with 2 fully grown mountain trolls to protect friends from danger saving the lives of at least 2 students."

After his long announcement of points, Dumbledore started to applaud the 5 of us, which was followed by the teachers and finally the rest of the student body. While they were clapping, I was enjoying the food that was still on my plate, not paying attention to the fake smiles and false friendships being presented by the other Slytherins.

The rest of the day passed exactly how the others did, in bored contemplation or a multitude of book chapters read. This trend carried on through the month of November and the first 2 weeks of December until it was broken by another visit to the common room by Professor Snape. "The form for those who wish to spend the Christmas holiday at Hogwarts is here. I will stick it to the board and collect it by the end of the week."

After his small statement, he left quickly with his signature robe swish and brooding look. Daphne and I barely looked towards the form as we would be heading home for the holiday to spend time with family as well as to enjoy some time away from the monotony of boring classwork.

It was at this time that the young Malfoy walked towards us and coughed to get our attention, "You both are formally invited to attend the Malfoy yule ball." He said while presenting the both of us with beautiful invitations detailing the time the ball would start while also stating the need to bring a mask as it would be a masquerade ball. 

As we looked at the invitations which would have cost a few galleons to make, Draco spoke once again, "It would be my honour to welcome you into my home for this ball, which is speculated to be the biggest Malfoy yoke ball yet as many prominent guest have been invited such as Minister Fudge and Minister Delecour."

"Thank you, Draco. Daphne and I will make sure to attend and are very grateful for your thoughtfulness in inviting us." I say making him preen under my praise even though I was mainly visiting his home to pick and choose which artefacts I want. "It looks like we will need to get some new dress robes made," Daphne said while I gave a subtle grimace as getting robes made was an awful experience from what I remember when Walburga took control of my birthday robes.

The week didn't take long to pass before we were walking to the carriages to take us to Hogsmeade station, I helped Daphne into the carriage before giving a small bow to the skeletal horse who was bowing its head towards me.