Harry Potter Next Generation: Family Legacy

Chapter Forty-Two: I Promise (Hazel)

"Albus!" I gasped. "How did you know we were here?"

"I'm telepathic," he joked, taking a sarcastic reply from my book of sarcasm. "Hazel, I basically just had to look for snow on the seats. Which, in case you're wondering, would be your hair."

I grinned at him. "You did well, even though you lost."

Albus nodded at me. "It was James fault, I said!" He glanced beside me. "Dad? You were watching?"

For a moment I thought he was talking about my father, then I turned and stared into the face that was plastered onto so many newspapers and books. Messy black hair and vivid green eyes like Albus's, with only glasses making it so they weren't identical twins.

"Mr. Potter?" I said, stumbling back a little.

Albus's dad smiled. Then he turned and nodded to my Dad.

"Draco," he said. My eyes widened. Unless I was mistaken, Harry Potter had never said my father's name aloud. But then, there had never been a Potter and a Malfoy who were friends. I guess there was a first time for everything.

Mr. Potter slowly reached out his hand, and shook Dad's. There was a moment of pained silence, then Mr. Potter smiled. I drew my gaze away from them and looked at the Quidditch pitch below. A mass of yellow and black robes were moving on the green grass and the seven Hufflepuffs that were hoisted upon everyone else's shoulders were holding a brilliantly sparkling Cup into the air.

My heart tingled as I saw the victorious Quidditch players. Again I silently cursed Rose for causing the series of events causing me to get suspended. I wanted to be down there, laughing with the other Slytherins and loving the other house's desperation.

"I wish I was down there, too," Albus said sadly. His shaggy black hair blew across his face in a sudden gust of wind that dried the sweat on my brow.

I shrugged. "Don't worry. Next year Slytherin will beat you Gryffindors by only a little bit so you won't feel too bad about yourself." I glanced at him pleadingly, knowing I wouldn't be able to see my best friend until next year. "Please write to me during the summer. Especially on my birthday. I never get out of the house. The villagers think that my entire family is crazy."

"The entire family?" Albus feinted surprise. "If they were just talking about you then I would understand, but everyone?"

I smiled sweetly. "You're very funny, Al. Maybe you should just skip getting a wizard's education and go into comedy for the Muggles."

"Yeah... So, when's your birthday?"

"August 13. The cursed month on the unlucky day."

Albus's broom floated a little closer to me. He leaned on it, hugging the wooden stick to himself. "I'd say you're pretty lucky, Hazel Astoria Malfoy. Maybe two unlucky things rebound like negative numbers."

I looked at him, confused. "Negative numbers?"

"That's what I'm giving you for your birthday, Hazel. School books. You're going to need to know Muggle education."

I folded my arms. "Don't you dare, Albus. I'm already trying to get a wizard's education."

"And how's that going?" Albus's broom jerked even closer to me, until we were almost a foot away from each other. He blushed fiercely and slowly moved backwards. "Sorry."

"Hazel? I hate to separate you from your friend, but we need to go." I turned to see Dad tapping his thick, golden watch that was strapped around his right arm. Mr. Potter stood beside him, his green eyes staring at Albus and I strangely.

I turned back to Albus. "Bye, Al. See you next year."

"Promise that you won't get suspended next time?" Albus asked.

I grinned. "Promise."

"Promise that we'll still be friends?"

"Of course!"

"Promise that you'll write to me?"

"Why am I promising you so much stuff?" I challenged, smiling. "If I don't write I'll be dead, okay Albus?

He held up a finger. "One more. Promise that—" He eyed the two adults behind me, then moved closer on his broom. He gripped the railing for safety, and leaned to whisper into my ear. "Hazel, promise that you'll remember what the Sorting Hat said." Before I could respond he whispered again," I know what it said to you. Remember, okay?"

Remember how Dad and Lucias and Narcissa aren't me? How Slytherins can be good and kind? Remember how I should be proud of my last name? Of course I'd remember.

My lips brushed his ear as I leaned closer and whispered," I promise."