Harry briefly debated telling her to get lost. But Neville wasn't well accepted in Gryffindor because of his friendship with Harry and Hermione didn't have the house prejudices and was one of the few lions that accepted Neville and Harry's friendship. Harry thanks to his upbringing was strong enough to stand alone, but Neville was desperate for approval. Harry figure it was to much time spent under the harsh criticism of his Gran. Hermione wasn't much better off with her know-it-all tendencies, the two misfits of Gryffindor first year had sort of latched on to each other. So how much to tell Hermione, Harry debated. What he could tell her that she would believe? "Hermione, in the muggle world are all politicians good?"
"No."
"Dumbledore is Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot that makes him a politician."
"But Harry he's the leader of the light, and he's not a true politician he turned down the Minister of Magic job."
Harry rubbed his temples. "I'm just saying, I don't think he's quite as light as he's painted, and getting mixed up in his business could be very dangerous." Harry knew if he stayed near Hermione much longer he'd say something he'd regret so he packed his stuff and said "I need some fresh air. I'll see you later."
Harry headed back to the dorms and changed into sweats for a run. On his way out, the other first year Slytherins surrounded him. "What is this? Potter dressed like a filthy muggle?"
Harry considered his response carefully. He knew if he fought he could seriously hurt these other students but he had no interest in being a further target for ridicule or abuse either. "I want to burn off some stress; the best way for me to do that is to go for a run. Robes aren't practical for running in, sweats are. Excuse me, I would like by."
"I don't think so. Crabbe, Goyle, hold him. I want to show Potter exactly what he's good for. Target practice. After all he's not loyal to the house, hanging out with those two lions." Draco Malfoy started to pull out his wand.
Harry used what he felt was the minimum force required get the idiot bookends to release him a simple punch to the solar plexus each. Ignoring them as they fell he stepped forward and pinned Draco's wand arm with his wand half drawn and clasping a hand at Draco's throat. "Malfoy, you grew up magical and no doubt know lots and lots of magic. But I doubt you have the focus necessary to perform magic if I were to remove your voice box assuming you survived the procedure."
Draco attempted to swallow in his fear of the intensity in the green eyes looking into his own, but found the other boy's grasp on his throat prevented it.
"I don't care if you call me names, knock yourself out. BUT if you ever attempt to attack me again it will be the last thing you ever do because even if I don't know much magic, I do know how to kill someone. One more thing, you have a problem with muggles and muggleborns that's fine go ahead, your loss. It's what I expect of someone with inbreeding in their family tree. But you try to take those prejudices out on others by being a bully towards my friends, know I will know it, and it will come back and bite you on your skinny purebred ass." Aware that they were surrounded by Slytherins he raised his voice a bit. "That goes for the rest of you as well." Harry really hoped this little demonstration discouraged the mob mentality of his fellow snakes. Harry released Draco's throat and there wasn't even a red mark to show the prior presence of his hand. Harry pushed past the other first years and out the common room door, heading outdoors to run.
In the corner of the common room Marcus Flint and the two fifth year prefects watched as the confrontation happened. The common room had been almost full of students. The two fifth years wanted to intervene immediately but Marcus had stayed them. He wanted to see how Harry handled it. It had an almost Gryffindorkish tone with the not so subtle threat of physical violence but it had been delivered in such a way there would be no doubt in any snake's mind that it was nothing less than the truth. Harry Potter, BWL, had just gotten his fellow snakes off his back. By threatening Malfoy, the most wealthy and politically connected snake, he had just said to the whole of Slytherin mess with me at your own peril.
Elena Danforth and Sean MacKinnon looked to the older prefect. "Why did you stop us?"
"Potter has been alone since he was sorted here. The Professor has ignored him completely. He needed to establish himself in the pecking order or even better for him, completely out of it. If he didn't, he was at higher risk. He still is sort of at risk, but less so than before. There are still those in the house with dark ties that might hex him. But by remaining a lone snake he's safer from the powers that be outside of Slytherin, than if he became part of the pecking order. But I bet you a galleon Malfoy runs to Snape and tries to get Potter in trouble. I bet a sickle he succeeds too."
Harry came in from his run an hour later and found a bruised and battered Neville at the base of the stairs to the dungeon. "Neville! Oh my goodness stay still. Where do you hurt?"
"My arm and head are the worst."
Harry cast a lumos so he could see better. "What happened?"
"I .." Neville looked away. "I fell."
Harry looked at Neville's face. His nose was swollen and off center and he had the beginnings of a black eye. "Truth Neville, not what you think I want to hear." The blood was very fresh, and some of the marks were clearly from someone's hands.
Harry carefully went through the head to toe check he'd learned in a first-aid class. One ankle was swollen as well. "Does your ankle hurt?"
"Not as much as my arm."
Harry carefully ran his hands along Neville's sides watching his face for signs of discomfort. Once he was sure there were no hidden injuries he allowed Neville to slowly sit up. "Neville?"
"Some of the other older boys in Gryffindor, reckon I was miss-sorted thought they'd help to the dungeons so I could be with my snaky friend."
"Those bastards! Neville your injuries need more than I can do, you'll have to go to the infirmary. I can't get you there by myself. I'm going to get help. Okay?"
Harry went to the Professor's office but he wasn't there. So he headed to the common room for a prefect. Once in the common room he made a beeline for Flint.
Flint a little surprised since Harry had never approached anyone, said, "What is it Potter?"
"A student has been hurt and I need help getting him to the infirmary."
Flint accompanied Harry back out to where Neville sat. He said the spells to splint Neville's arm and ankle, that he'd learned for quidditch. Then he conjured a stretcher. All the while wondering what happened. Madame Pomfrey was pleased he had immobilized the Gryffindor's injuries before moving him and gave Slytherin twenty-five points. She dismissed Harry and Marcus back to their dorm. Then she called in Minerva and Albus.
Both Professors frowned when they were told what had happened.
Minerva snarled, "I will of course assign detention to the boys involved but perhaps Mr. Longbottom, you should reconsider your association with Mr. Potter."
Neville tightened his jaw mulishly. "No, he's my god-brother and he has proven himself to me. I'd rather be resorted to Slytherin, than give in to the bullies in Gryffindor."
Albus smiled slightly. "Admirable sentiments my dear boy but do be cautious in who you voice them to. It's been many a year since there was a friendship between a lion and a snake. How do you know Mr. Potter is your god-brother?"
"His mum left him a letter in his vault. She told him, and he told me on the train."
"Ah, I see. I wonder what else was in that letter." Albus wasn't happy to hear that, who knew what else was in that letter. The knowledge of his father's cloak must have come from it. He would have to question Hagrid see if he had seen this letter if not he'd have to inquire with the goblins.
Minerva said, "What do you mean bullies in Gryffindor?"
....
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