Let the Rivalry Begin

Chapter 12- Let the Rivalry Begin!

Kain walked into the green house, and smiled sweetly at Professor Sprout. She nodded and he took his seat next to a Griffindor that looked like she had a stick up her ass. He smiled at her and nodded, taking out a scroll he designated for Herbology. She stuck her nose even further in the air and pulled out a bright Peacock feather, dipping it into rainbow colored ink. He snorted and pulled his own ink bottle from the bag he’d carried in. Professor Sprout magiced herself a bit of chalk on the end of her wand and started to write introductory notes on the portable black board. She was speaking as she did so, and Kain ruffled through his bag loudly.

“Is there a problem Mr. Malfoy?” she asked, taking the noise as an interuption.

“No ma’am, just getting my quill.”

“Do it quietly then.”

“Yes ma’am.”

The Griffindor girl giggled a bit at him, and Kain smirked as she pulled out another quill, this one of an Ostrich.

“You can borrow this one.” she said quietly, “be be sure to give it back.”

“Thanks, but I’ve got mine.”

Much to her delight, he pulled out a Phoenix Quill, of which glowed a soft white before slowly starting to burn. Kain began taking down the notes, but failed to see the girl reach out to touch the quill. Her pained gasp was a dead give away, and as she started to cry, Professor Sprout turned to look at them.

“What on earth happened!?” she questioned, genuinely concerned for the girl as she then saw Kain’s quill, “Where did you get that quill?”

“I really don’t think we should be discussing how and where I got my writing instruments, Professor. That burn will continue to spread until it’s covered all of her.”
”You are correct on that Mr. Malfoy. Now where did I put that vial of…”

Professor Sprout scurried around the room, looking for whatever vial she was looking for, and Kain quickly moved around his desk to the front of the green house. Many of the students gasped as he picked various flowers and buds from different plants, and as he stepped towards the Mandrakes, Professor Sprout saw him.

“Oh no dear, don’t touch those!!” she protested.

“Hey there,” Kain ignored her, gently rubbing his fingers on the leaves, “may I ask a favor of you? I need a small root and a tear, if you don’t mind?”

“Talking to them isn’t going to-“

Much to everyone’s astonishment, the dirt in the pot started moving, and the small Mandrake unearthed itself. It’s eyes, however shut tightly, were wet, and it wiped at them furiously. Before Professor Sprout could say a word, there was a pearl-like object in its small fist, and it pulled one of its leaves off, handing both to Kain. He smiled and nuzzled its leaves before it dug itself back in, and he added everything he had collected to a large mortor and pestal.

“What are you doing?” Sprout asked, looking over his shoulder.

“Making a salve for her burn. Hand me a cup of water, please.”

She did as asked and he mixed it all together, waiting until it formed a thick paste like concoction. He dipped his fingers into it and grabbed the girls wrist, spreading it over her fingers and palm. The bright red of the burn glowed blue as it cooled and healed, and she squealed happily, hugging him. He murmured a ‘you’re welcome’ and sat back down. Professor Sprout looked at him with wide eyes before shaking her head and continuing with the lesson. Needless to say, she didn’t scold him for not taking notes.

~!*!~

He was the last one into the Transfiguration classroom, and everyone had heard by now about his heroics in Herbology. They were all looking at him as he walked in, their rumors and chatter quite loud as he took the only open seat left. Front row, right hand side, next to a Hufflepuff girl who he noticed was taking a puff on an inhaler. He smled at her as he took his seat, and unlike the rest of the class, noticed the cat sitting on the desk, watching them. He tapped the Hufflepuff on the shoulder and she leaned over so she could hear him.

“Acknowledge the cat.” he said, motioning to the grey striped animal.

“Why, it’s just McGonagall’s cat.”
”Not exactly… it is Professor McGonagall.” he told her, smiling and nodding to the animal as it looked at them.

The girl followed his example without a hitch, and the cat nodded back. It then took another look around the room, only to find her students busy chatting. Kain could feel her smile and the girl saw his eyes on her books. She smirked at him and stood up, taking the largest one in her hands. Kain winked at her and she slammed it down on the desk. The room grew deadly silent as all eyes turned to her.

“I believe that Professor McGonagall would like to begin class.” she said quietly.

“What Professor!?” laughed a group of Slytherins in the back.

“Well, uh… you see…” the girls eyes locked onto the floor and she shuffled her feet nervously.

The cat, who had been watching her, stood up, and leaped from the desk, becoming the afformentioned Transfiguration Professor. The whole room gasped and they hurried to tidy their things up and to get parchment out for notes. McGonagall smiled at the girl and put a hand on her shoulder.

“Thank you, Ms. Henderson, you may take your seat.” she said, walking down the aisle. “Now, what have we just learned?”

No one put their hand up.

“Anyone?”

Again, not a single hand went up. Kain groaned and rolled his eyes, finally raising his own hand.

“Mr. Malfoy?”
”Not everything is as it appears to be, and more often than not in the Wizarding World, has a double meaning and/or purpose.”

“Very good. It would benifit you all a great deal to keep your minds fresh and eyes open while you are in this class, as Ms. Henderson and Mr. Malfoy have demonstrated. 50 points to the both of them.”

“Don’t you mean to their Houses?” a Hufflepuff girl asked, raising her hand.

“Had the rest of you been paying attention rather than chatting I might have considered awarding points to the Houses, but since you were not…”
”You can’t award points to individuals!” a Slytherin shouted.

“If you’d be so kind as to take note of the fact that the Head Boy and Head Girl are chosen by the amount of points they have accumulated for their first six years here at Hogwarts, you will indeed see that I may award points to whomever I please, be it individually or as a House. Now, please take out your ‘Beginners Guide to Transfiguration,’ and we’ll begin todays lesson.”

~!*!~

He stepped out into the court yard, watching the others react to Keya’s presense. Rhiannon and Ron were with her, as they didn’t start teaching the dueling class until sometime next week, and the poor Dragon was having a hard time keeping her eyes off Ron’s chocolate frogs. He smiled and stepped up to one of the school brooms. For some reason he was bored.

“Alright class, I need everyone’s attention, and I need it now.” Madam Hooch bellowed, “There are a few rules in this class, and I expect them to be followed……”

He tuned her out, taking in the ancient castle around them on all sides. He could see McGonagall’s office, and furrowed his brow in confusion as she stood to greet his fathers. They both had brooms with them, and she smiled out the window. Directly at him.

“Everyone step to the right side of your broom.” Madam Hooch instructed, “Now hold your hand out over the shaft and say up. The broom should ‘jump’ into your hand.”

Everyone tried it, many of the Slytherins getting it right the first time. Kain’s broom didn’t move a bristle.

“Having problems Malfoy?” one of his fellow Slytherins laughed.

“No, I am not.” he replied, looking up to the window for some sort of sign, “I’ve just never flown on something so old, no offense Madam.”

“None taken Mr. Malfoy. Try again.”

“Up.”

Nothing. Draco opened the windows in McGonagall’s office and held a broom out. It balanced perfectly as he sat on it like a bench, helping Harry next to him, the other broom across their laps. McGonagall’s eyes laughed as they pulled the price tag off and tossed it away from them.

“I said UP!” Kain growled, eyes flaring as his hair was blown backwards.

The Hogwarts Broom remained still, but the broom Harry and Draco had in their lap took off, hovering next to Kain. His eyes darted up to his fathers and he smiled in thanks. There were many cries of excitement and alarm as the other Slytherins and Ravenclaws looked at his broom.

“That’s a Star Chaser Infinity+!” a Ravenclaw girl said.

“It’s the most expensive broom on the market!” exclaimed a Slytherin.

“Not even the Chudley Cannons can afford those!”

“I heard that Harry Potter’s got one.”

“Where the hell did you get one Malfoy?”

He ignored them and looked the broom over, taking in the silver threading on the tail, and the inlaid silver name. It rolled over a bit to show him where his name was engraved, and gasped.

“Kain James Malfoy-Potter.” he read to himself, carfully running a finger over the shaft. “Holy. Shit.”

The broom was alive, he could feel the power it had, and while Madam Hooch was looking away, took it in his hand, straddling it. The thing conformed to his hands, and felt like silk. He pushed lightly off the ground and the rush of air under it reminded him of a Muggle helicopter and the swoosh it makes. The other students backed up as he sat a few feet off the ground. Madam Hooch took notice of him and instructed the others to do the same. He quickly raised himself higher as broom tails came at him. He just missed being squished between two fat, ugly Slytherins.

<Where did you get this?> he asked his parents, looking up to them and seeing McGonagall sitting on her own broom next to them.

<My father,> Harry said, slipping off Draco’s broom and onto his own, <designed these before he died, and Sirius brought the plans to the people that made my Firebolt Inferno. They modified it a bit and sent me the first one off the line.>

<And since he is the only heir of James and Lilly Potter, he owns the rights to the broom.> Draco smiled over their link, <he just asked for one for each of us. Ron’ll be quite miffed when he finds out that he can’t get one…>

<He’s got Keya, why does he need a broom?> Kain laughed, earning himself a mental smack from both his fathers and ignoring the first rule (“Never do any type of flying that has not been instructed.”), flew up to meet them.

“Mr. Malfoy! Get back down here!” Madam Hooch shouted.

“Just a minute mum!” Draco called, taking the hug he was offered. “She’ll fail you.”

“No she won’t.” Harry said, hugging his son tightly. “Not when she sees that he’s a natural flyer.”

“I think I should be the judge of that.”

They all looked up to see Damiana sitting on an old Firebolt 2002, and Harry smirked. Riv was on her shoulder, and he hissed at Kain in challenge. The young Animagi hissed right back.

“You’re on!”

~!*!~

Charms and lunch went by uneventfully, save the worm in his salad. Like the night before, he ate it, and caught the disgusted groans all along the Slytherin Table.

“Mr. Malfoy.” a familiar voice said as a heavy hand laid itself on his shoulder.

“Uncle Sirius.” he replied, turning to look up at the dark haired animagus. “What’s up?”
”Hagrid wants to see you. To look at your shoulder.”
”Of course.”

Upon leaving with Sirius, both heard the murmurs that flew along the table. Kain smiled and hugged Keya as they walked out, taking her soft purr as a compliment.

“You’ll be with her for good soon, Keya.” he said, patting her thick neck as he moved to knock on Hagrid’s door.

“Be right wit’ ya Kain.” the half giant called from inside.

“Take your time Hagrid.”

After what seemed like only a second, Hagrid emerged, and handed him a piece of Treacle Fudge. He ate it, and let the gentle giant poke and prod his shoulders and sides.

“Would this be easier if I went Stag?”

“Prob’ly, but howev’r ya want ta do it is fine.”

“I’ll go Stag.”

He quickly shifted to his once natural form and looked up at Hagrid. The scar on his shoulder was white, just as Harry’s was on his forehead. After a quick inspection he smiled and pat him on the side.

“Yur as fit as ah fiddle. Ya ‘ave class wit’ me next, don’ cha?”

“Please, it’s just Hagrid, and- damn. ‘Ere comes yur class.”

Kain took one look at them and looked for a place to run. He found Hagrid’s paddock and took off. Many of the Ravenclaws he had class with rushed after him, and when he saw that there was no where to go in order to turn back to himself, turned to face them. They all laughed and talked about how cute he was, and he wanted to barf. Him, cute? He was NOT cute. Not in any way, shape of form.

<Sirius, get them away from me!> he shouted, taking a timid step backwards, <I don’t want them to know that I’m an animagus.>

“Let ‘im go.” Hagrid said to the class, “Ah’m sur’ ‘e’s got a family ta get back ta.”

“I wanna pet him!” a Ravenclaw girl said, stepping up to grab his antlers.

“Let him go.” a stern voice said, Sirius coming up to take the girl’s wrist.

“I wanna pet him! He’s mine!”

“I said to let him go. Don’t mess with things you will never understand.”

The girl ignored him and yanked hard on Kain’s antler. He grunted and fell to his knees, struggling to get away, but very careful not to hurt her. Sirius saw, and felt, how much he wanted to just let go, and tightened his grip on her wrist. Keya’s loud roar echoed loudly as she touched down behind Kain, and the girl ran back with the other students.

<Thank you both.> Kain said, standing.

“Oh my god, she’s gonna eat him, isn’t she?” one of the boys said, covering his mouth.

“Pansy.” a Slytherin snorted.

Kain glared at him, and ignored the mental protest from Sirius as he stepped towards the boy. His eyes started to flash blue, then stayed steady. The Slytherin glared right back.

<Don’t pass judgement before getting to know someone.> he said, <you’ll find it gets you into a whole hell of a lot of trouble with me, Slytherin.>

<Push? You mean like this?!>

Antlers to the boys stomach, and he pushed him back. The boy grabbed his antlers and pushed back. No one was winning.

<We’ll just see about that!>

The boy pulled out his wand, and cast a disarment spell (“Expelliarmus!”), which threw Kain a good 10 feet from him. The 11 year old Forever Guardian glared at him, and just before the Devil’s Snare he was calling could fly up from the ground, the ground started to shake. Looking up behind him, he saw Prongs running towards the group, his green eyes glowing brightly, scar standing out against his dark forehead. The paleness of his antlers made them seem golden in the sunlight, and his golden hooves beat hard on the ground, the tremors coming in time with them. The feeling of power and anger radiating towards the younger Stag was extremely strong, and burst up in an arch of green as he leaped over the crowd around his son, landing and standing proudly while glaring at the Slytherin boy. The black magic that accompanied the large serpent cast from the boys wand diffused around him like water and oil, and the snake quickly curled up at Hagrid’s feet as his Elemental pendant appeared in a small flash of green. The Slytherin glared at him and cast a simple spell (“Petrificus Totalus!”) that rendered most unable to move. Prongs just looked at him with narrow, amused eyes, and took a step forward.

<You can certainly cast a spell, Mr. Vulcany, but I warn you, don’t try to cast them on me. One wrong move, and you’ll be finishing the remainder of the term in the Hospital Wing.> Prongs said, turning to Kain.

<You’re lucky I find that sort of spirit amusing. You have me at 4:40, we’ll discuss your dueling with Professors Evans and Weasley then.>

<Oh, and Vulcany, don’t be so worried about keeping your advanced magic under wraps. It will come in useful, I can guarentee it. Get to your common room, I’ll inform Hagrid and Snape of this.>

The boy took off, and Prongs nudged Kain to his feet. With a nod from Hagrid, they walked off towards the Forbidden Forest, and once in the shadows, changed back.

“You alright?”
”I’m fine Dad.”

“Dad? What happened to ‘Papa’?”

“I decided that a Malfoy deserves a higher level of respect, so I’m calling Draco ‘Father’, and you ‘Dad’. Sound alright to you?”
”No complaints. Although, I do believe you’ve got quite the rival in Slytherin.”

“Armand will not be a problem. He’s a Firetail.”

“I know.”

~TBC~