Eyes Opened

[Draco Malfoy POV]

I lay in my bed, here I don't have to be Heir Malfoy of the Noble House, son of Lucius Malfoy.

I've been wondering, where did it all go wrong? First year, when I was a fanboy of Quidditch, arguing with Heir Peverell?

Or when I found out my... my mother had left us and married him?

When? Answer me!

Tears drop from my eyes. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I was meant to be the leader of Slytherin House like my grandfather and father were. I was supposed to be a great potions master; I've been practicing since I was six with my godfather.

But here at Hogwarts, Granger is better at everything, Potter is better at flying. Peverell has the most influence, and I am nothing, just another heir of a declining House.

Now the Dark Lord has returned. Finally, it is our time to take revenge on those who look down on House Malfoy.

I don't know what happened to Father when he wrote this disgusting letter. I respected him and wanted to be like him, but I don't know anymore.

I don't even want to be at Hogwarts anymore. I am tired of students laughing behind my back—students of other houses, that is. Slytherins stick together outside the common room, but they too, don't respect me once inside.

As if that wasn't all, now this damned letter. I wipe my tears and tear up the letter. This is the first time I have ever denied my father's orders.

[POV end]

____

[Hermione Granger POV]

No! What have I done!

I looked at the beaten Lockhart and berated myself for my ignorance.

I looked over everything. I... I didn't even talk to him. There was no guessing now: Professor Lockhart was a faker. He didn't even know he was holding his wand upside down while pointing it at Agustus! Even Ron knows that!

I have to apologize to my friends. I can't even look them in the eyes. I am ashamed of how I behaved toward them.

Initially, I thought Lockhart's inaction was suppressing his power to avoid hurting students, thinking it would hurt them if he retaliated. I didn't know at the time how dumb I was. He wasn't even capable of beating a third-year student!

I ran out of the infirmary and saw some girls bringing flowers to Lockhart, and my face paled.

I looked just like them when I bought him flowers! I should just die. My head hurts from the utterly foolish behavior of myself.

Ignoring them, I walked toward the common room and saw Harry and Ron playing chess at a table.

Approaching them, I sat down. They both looked at me and then refocused on their game. Analyzing the game, I saw Ron was winning, but Harry still had a chance to turn it around.

"Guys, I want to talk to you about something," I said to them.

Harry looked at me while Ron grumbled, "Not now, Hermione, this is supposed to be my 50th win over him."

Harry ignored his remarks and urged me to talk.

"I want to apologize for my actions. I was wrong about Professor Lockhart."

Ron dropped the chess piece in his hand, and Harry's face showed a shocked look too. I guess they were not expecting me to apologize.

"Merlin's beard, are you alright, Hermione? Are you good, or do you have a fever?" said Ron dramatically. I rolled my eyes at his actions.

"Mate, I think we should take her to Madam Pomfrey. She'll fix her," said Harry in the same tone as Ron.

"Sure, Lockhart's there too," I said, smiling.

"How?" asked a bewildered Harry.

"Wicked!" said an excited Ron.

I explained everything that happened after the class.

"Haha, pointing his wand upside down!" roared Ron as he wiped tears from laughing. Harry wasn't much better; he too was enjoying this.

"We should tell Nev. He would love to hear this," said Harry.

"You're right, mate," said Ron.

But I had somewhere to go. I had to apologize to Dora, the twins, and Cedric too, as I also hadn't talked to them.

"You guys go. I have more friends to apologize to. I'll see you guys afterward." They both nodded and ran off to find Neville leaving the chess game behind.

[POV end]

[Agustus's POV]

Reviving Arianna and Rosemerta was easy, but seeing Aberforth's reaction was something else. He thought she was his imagination, but after confirming she was alive, he wept like a child.

He even ignored his beloved sister who was standing next to her. After 10-15 minutes, he saw Arianna and hugged the girl.

Arianna was a cheerful 17-year-old girl. She had long platinum-colored hair, her face delicate and ethereal, with a serene and graceful demeanor.

She reminds me of my skadi, I was sure they will get along.

Albus Dumbledore thanked me profusely after their revival and took both of them home.

He had planned to introduce her as daughter of Aberforth and Rosemerta.

After solving those problems, I went to the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets and took out the giant snake from there.

Hogwarts was surrounded by a magical forest. After confirming from Dumbledore, I let the snake roam around the dark forest.

I didn't forget to make sure the snake didn't go outside the forest or come too close to the school. Little warding did the job perfectly.

I didn't wanted any thestrals, unicorns or centaurs to suffer due to the Slytherin's snake, so I had moved them a little deeper, centaurs were easy to subdue as they could feel my power, unicorns were hard as they were fearlessly roaming around me, Luna helped me relocate them in exchange for some special Belgian chocolate pudding.

Now I was waiting to see what Tommy's diary would do.

After a few weeks, I got tired of waiting and destroyed the diary. I'm getting impatient as time pass by.

At this point, I had destroyed Hufflepuff's cup, Death's ring, Slytherin's locket, Nagini, and now this diary.

The diadem remains in the Room of Requirement.

Christmas was very busy as I had met Lord Black, Lady Greengrass, and Minister Millie.

Sirius and Harry decided to pay their life debt by giving me the patents of Potter House's potions.

Lady Greengrass and Lord Black signed an alliance treaty, giving me a lot of farms and materials which have a lot of value.

Millie complained a lot, but after I agreed to make her younger, she forgot about all her worries.

I also used my wards on Black Manor and Millie's Home as I don't want Voldemort hurting them. I still want that Black Library. I'll ask Sirius if he will give me that in exchange for Potter's life.

The most surprising was Lady Longbottom's Letter. She had given me a contract about how House Longbottom owed me a life debt. She explained her reasons, but the contract was missing key details, like the signature of Lord Longbottom himself and his blood seal. I'll deal with them in summer.

It was the last week of the fourth year. It was a rather calm year, if we ignore Voldemort's revival and the Hogsmeade attack.

I had also destroyed Voldemort's last Horcrux, the diadem. Oh, only Harry remains now.

[POV end ]

[A Random Lesser Vampire's POV]

Two hundred and fifty vampires were circling around Hogwarts, attempting to find a way in without disturbing the castle's wards.

The King had dispatched his trusted vampires for the job, as this was our only chance to rise as Noble Vampires.

Many lessers were excited about this opportunity, in the castle there is a distinct hierarchy maintained by us all, and the power reigns supreme. Becoming noble was everyone's dream which United us all.

As midnight approached, we closed in on the castle when we heard a rustling sound nearby.

I could see some vampires dropping down on the ground to determine the source.

Several possibilities crossed my mind; perhaps it was the centaur tribe living close to Hogwarts, or maybe the acromantula colony.

But as the source of the sound drew nearer, I realized how wrong I was when I saw a tail smashing in vampire standing few feets away from me. It was a colossal snake, a basilisk!

Recognizing the species of the snake, I closed my eyes and relied on my senses. However, the other vampires, who had never ventured beyond the castle, were unaware and met their demise gazing into the eyes of the beast.

The snake wasted no time and launched its attack. Understanding the dire situation and the failure of our scouting mission, I made a quick decision and fled towards the village near Hogwarts, leaving my fellow vampires behind.

[POV end]

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Sup, beaches... I'm back, seeya tomorrow. Show me some stones.