“But I’m not a Slytherin,” Harry protested.
“Blaise said that you should be, though,” Draco said.
“I could be a Slytherin, but I’m actually a Gryffindor,” Harry tried to explain.
“Why can’t you be both?” Draco asked. “We sit at both the Slytherin table and the Gryffindor table every day. So, why can’t you wear Slytherin robes some days and other days wear Gryffindor robes?”
“Uh, well . . . ,” Harry trailed off, not exactly having a good answer for that. What Draco said actually made a bit of sense. “I’m not so sure other people would see it that way. It might upset some people.”
The others were listening intently as Harry tried to explain this to Draco.
“Why should they get angry?” Draco asked.
Harry sighed. How did he get himself into these kinds of discussions with Draco all the time? Harry really didn’t want to upset the Slytherins that he was actually becoming friends with.
“They shouldn’t get angry,” Harry said quietly.
“Well, then why would they?” Draco asked, pressing for a better answer.
How do you explain house rivalries to a four-year-old? How do you explain that you’re supposed to be the Gryffindor Golden Boy and Savior of the Wizarding World which leaves you with an image to uphold?
Then again, Harry was already breaking tradition just by sitting at the Slytherin table. Already the school seemed to be tolerating that fact pretty well. Everyone knew that Harry was taking care of the four-year-old and seemed to be respecting that fairly well overall. It helped considerably that Harry actually had the support from both Gryffindor and Slytherin houses.
And really, if everyone was respecting Harry’s affiliation with the Slytherins overall, why couldn’t he take that a little further and show his support of the house by wearing their robes?
Would it really hurt Harry’s image? Did he particularly care if it did? People had thought a lot of things about him over the years, including that he was turning to the dark side, but they always came back around eventually, still expecting him to be the hero.
Would it cause a lot of trouble in the school and more fights and duels, though? There were still a few diehards in both houses that had trouble dealing with Harry’s affiliation with Slytherin. Would they cause trouble?
Would Gryffindor feel insulted? Would Slytherin feel insulted?
“Harry?” Draco asked tentatively, tugging on Harry’s robes.
Harry blinked and focused again on his surroundings, everyone still watching him closely.
“You know what, Draco?” Harry said. “I think you’re right. I don’t think anyone should be angry, and if they do get angry, I don’t really care. I don’t have a problem with showing a little Slytherin pride along with you some days. In fact, I feel a bit honored to be a part of both Gryffindor and Slytherin houses.”
Draco grinned, but the Slytherins looked gobsmacked at Harry’s words.
“Harry, you can’t wear Slytherin robes,” Pansy protested, her words filled with astonishment.
“Why not?” Harry asked, brows arched.
“Because you’re not a Slytherin!” Pansy screeched.
Harry, and all those closest to her, winced.
“He might as well be,” Blaise said with a shrug, seeming to warm up to the idea.
“But he’s not,” Pansy protested, much quieter this time.
“I think he should wear Slytherin robes if he wants to,” Goyle said quietly.
Harry whipped his head and gave Goyle a surprised smile for sticking up for him. Crabbe and Goyle rarely ever spoke up that Harry had witnessed.
Harry turned to look at Crabbe, sitting on the other side of Draco. “What do you think, Crabbe?” Harry asked quietly.
Crabbe swallowed nervously. He glanced warily at his fellow Slytherins before looking steadily at Harry. “I think it could help show the rest of the school that maybe we’re not so bad as everyone thinks.” He swallowed nervously again before continuing. “You’re a . . . kind of big person in this school. People notice you and all, and already we’re kind of being treated nicer.” He shrugged uncomfortably.
Harry smiled at him warmly. He was actually becoming quite fond of the two large Slytherins who’d threatened him bodily so many times over the years.
“If you do wear Slytherin robes, we’ll be there in case anyone tries to hassle you,” Goyle added, his tone threatening anyone who’d dare mess with Harry.
Harry grinned. “Thanks, guys.” It was extremely odd being the one on this end of their bullying ways. “Just, let’s try not to actually hurt anyone, all right? We want to improve things, not make them worse.”
“Whatever you say, Harry,” Crabbe said.
Harry glanced back to Blaise and Pansy, and laughed outright at their gobsmacked expressions.
Blaise recovered from his shock first. “Yeah, whatever you say, Harry,” he smirked. “We’ll be behind you.”
“Gods, when did things get so turned around?” Pansy asked in bemusement. “I could have swore Harry was the leader in Gryffindor house, not Slytherin.”
“I’m not a leader in Slytherin house at all,” Harry said snickering.
Pansy looked at him curiously. “Yeah, well, you’re beginning to fool me,” she said seriously. “And we’re only in the second week of school this year.”
“Pansy, I’m not trying to interfere or anything,” Harry said, uncomfortable now. “I’m just trying to make the best of things and take care of Draco.”
Pansy snorted. “I know that. And if it wasn’t for Draco, we wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you so easily.”
Harry was really uncomfortable now. Once again he was being reminded that these people were only being friendly with him because of Draco’s attachment to him. Really, the whole situation had actually gone a whole lot smoother than Harry would have ever expected—if he had ever thought to imagine this scenario.
“I’m sorry for intruding,” Harry said quietly, looking down at the table. Harry had been caught up in the conversations and hadn’t been eating much. Now he wasn’t really even hungry anymore. Why did everyone have to keep reminding him that he wasn’t wanted?
He missed the glares that Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle and Draco were directing at Pansy. Draco didn’t quite understand what had happened, but he realized it was Pansy’s fault that Harry was sad again.
“Harry, I didn’t mean that the way it came out,” Pansy said, obviously realizing what she’d said and how Harry had taken it.
“No, you’re right. We all know why I’m here. I just need to be thankful that you’ve all taken this whole turn of events so well. This is about Draco, not me,” Harry said quietly.
“Harry –” Pansy began.
“No,” Harry said, holding his hand up to stop her from saying anything else. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I obviously needed the reminder of my place here.”
Harry really wished that he could just walk away, but he had to remember Draco. “Are you about finished, Draco?”
Draco nodded, looking at Harry sadly, not understanding what had happened, but understanding that Harry wasn’t in the mood to answer his questions. He remained silent, getting up and picking up his bag.
