148 October pt.2

Even aside from the rain and wind, it hadn't been a very happy practice session. First, the teammates were excited about Draco being the next captain, well some of them at least but since they found out Pansy was being the one, they felt wronged especially the older students who had been waiting for their chance. After they learned about Draco's strategies they felt pretty good about it so they agreed on letting Pansy be the captain but they never knew the fiery and simple chaser would turn out to be such a devil. Training went on no matter what weather it was or who was injured. The only thing that keeping motivated in this stage was seeing the Gryffindor team working just as hard.

Draco learned a lot and had many successful experiments of his own as well. As suspected, Draco's theory was correct and the egg seemed to absorb his blood for some reason. Draco had collected a lot of his blood over the years but even then all of his stocks were nearly finished as the vampire of an egg kept absorbing it like it was nothing. Draco thought about using other types of blood including animals but decided against it as the egg seemed responsive to only him and his gut told him not to do so. Luckily, the egg seemed more responsive and alive, Draco was sure it would hatch any day now which made him a bit more relieved.

The kelpies, on the other hand, were now perfectly healthy and fine. They are getting a bit used to Draco but they are not really close yet. Draco hasn't ridden on it and neither has the Kelpies tried to eat him. Both of them are in the midst of understanding each other and respecting each other's space. So to increase their trust, Draco has been spending a lot of time underwater as well.

Within this month, Elanor sent Draco a letter as well. Talking about her time there and how boring it was for her to stay in the palace all day long. Apparently, she did got some punishment for acting out and couldn't send a letter to him and she did as soon as she was free. Also within this month one of her brothers the one who acted during the fight came back again secretly and managed to convince some vampires to leave with him.

Ela and her sister think they are planning a rebellion but they haven't done anything yet which is causing them to have more suspicions. The letter ended with a shy 'miss you' which made Draco chuckle a little. Draco quickly wrote a reply and send one back with the bat that came along with it, telling her not to worry much about it and about how he was going to Durmstrang after a month telling her to not contact him during those periods.

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"Are you sure about this Draco?" Pansy and Hermione said at the same time looking at Draco.

"I am." Draco said, "As I said don't worry about it. I've got everything in control"

"Easy for you to say that to us when in fact you never even knew about this meeting." Daphne said, "Please take this a bit seriously."

"I will."

"You need any help?" Theodore said.

"In the name of Merlin, will you all calm down." Draco said standing up, "You guys are starting to freak me out as well. In fact, I did know about this meeting... just this morning--but hey I still knew and father has already informed me that more than half of the school board members are on my side. As long as I can come up with a good reason for what I did, they will all support me."

The four of the awkwardly smiled but Draco could still see their doubts.

"Sigh! Don't follow me." Draco said getting a bit frustrated as he got out of the common room heading towards Dumbledore's office. On the way there almost all the students were collected throughout the passageway looking at Draco as if he was going in on a war of some sort. The news about today's meeting with the school board regarding Draco and Lockhart was known by all and everyone was excited wanting to see what kind of outcome will all this result too.

Some older students especially girls were looking at Draco in disdain, as they were hardcore Lockhart supporters but the support for Draco didn't die out in comparison at all. Instead, in someway Draco still managed to overwhelm the supporters of Lockhart. There were still many students who were neutral since they didn't know Draco that well and Lockhart's new teaching methods were good enough for them, so they couldn't bother choosing a side.

"Good luck." Draco heard Harry say as he looked over at Harry and Ron. Ron who had survived his experiment was a very useful sacrifice as it helped Draco learn a lot of the Re'em blood potion. Ron suffered for a weak due to his immunity and body being completely depleted of energy, which was one of the side effects of the potion and the slug puking didn't help his cause either. But it wasn't all for vain as the potion helped him recover well and he could see that Ron was much healthier than before, not a big change but enough to make a difference. Of course, the difference wasn't noticeable but for Draco who was closely observing Ron like a lab rat, it was more than enough.

Draco nodded at them and headed towards the principal's office where Snape was waiting for him outside.

"You're late."

"Sorry, I wasn't exactly in the school's robes when I was informed about it." Draco said starting to walk in the towards the office following Snape, "What is happening inside?"

"Lockhart's already starting his act." Snape said, "Are you prepared?"

"I am."

Snape didn't say anything any further and opened the door towards Dumbledore's office. Today the office was a bit different. The pile of useless items were hidden away and there was a big enough room in the middle where Dumbledore, McGonagall, and the 12 school board members were sitting around listening to Lockhart's speech about how he is a good teacher and Draco being the student has no right to insult him.

The board members, collectively known as the Hogwarts Board of Governors are a group of twelve wizards who oversee the running of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They hold a lot of power in decision making in Hogwarts to the point where they even the appointment and suspension of a Headmaster is up to the governors or even shut down the school once and for all if deemed necessary.

The board members never had to deal with an issue like this before as a student boycotting a class and taking a whole house of students along with him was never heard of. They would likely not pay any attention to this sort of complaints but the accuser being a famous wizard beloved by many and the accusee being the upcoming rising young wizard, they had to pay attention to this case.

"Mr. Lockhart since we heard your side of the story, how about we hear Mr. Black's." Dumbledore said noticing Draco, "Please do come in."

Draco walking in noticed some acquaintances in the school board along with his father, "Good evening." He said casually as he stood in front of them along with Lockhart who was staring daggers at him.

"Mr. Black we have heard the whole accusation of Mr. Lockhart who claims you insulted him in the classroom burned his books and walked away encouraging your fellow Slytherin classmates to do the same." An old board member asked. "Is it true?"

"Yes." Draco admitted to it without any hesitation making the board members a bit shocked by his boldness, they had assumed that Draco would at least put up a fight. Some even started speculating if Draco was really giving up including his father who looked a bit uncomfortable at the moment.

"Did you boycott his classes purposefully?"

"Yes."