Fate's Request: A Harry Potter FanFiction

David soon found himself back in the infirmary under the watchful gaze of Madam Pomfrey following his Christmas break.

"I assume you've been keeping up with the potion regime while on break?" enquired Madam Pomfrey of a shirtless David which she scrutinisingly looked over.

"I did Madam Pomfrey," David replied.

"Hmm, yes it seems as if you have. The curse seems to have weakened slightly, those morning runs of yours must be doing you some good…" Madam Pomfrey said while nodding her head slightly.

"That's good to hear. Madam Pomfrey… I was looking for information regarding my illness and well I really couldn't find anything," David said, hoping the healer would be able to share some information for him.

"I would be quite shocked if you had found any information regarding it David, it is some of the darkest of magic known and any information regarding it is heavily regulated. I'm assuming you want to learn more about it?" she said with a stern voice.

"Yeah, I do… I guess I hope to either, well basically I don't want to die after graduating," David chuckled, weakly.

"I can get you information especially regarding your curse and books on healing for you to start reading on. You can come to me with any questions David," said Madam Pomfrey, understanding David's sentiments quite well, "Get your shirt on, we're done here."

"Thanks, Madam Pomfrey," David replied, truly meaning it.

Before David could leave the infirmary, he was stopped by the matron, "Oh and David, since we're going to be seeing quite a lot of each other you can call me Poppy."

Grinning he replied, "Sure, see ya later Poppy!"

---

The month following Christmas passed by quickly. David continued to excel in all his classes, found himself meeting and talking more to his fellow first years from all houses, other than the Slytherins of course. They wouldn't be seen dead chatting with a muggle-born like him. It was a shame as he wanted to ask Daphne Greengrass about what her family knew about Malediction, luckily there was still time for that as they got older, and hopefully less bigoted.

David's friendship with Hermione flourished, she even attempted to properly introduce Harry and Ron to him. Unfortunately, they were disinterested as it seemed that with Ron's influence, no one existed in Harry's world other than Gryffindor's. Quite put out by her friends dis-interest in meeting her other best friend, Hermione settled for spending a fair bit of time with David outside of the library. He even introduced her to Fitz. Her expression at meeting the Phoenix was something that left him wishing he had a camera to capture the moment forever.

Accompanying the end of January was finally the reappearance of Mel.

"Master!" she exclaimed suddenly as David was sitting in his dormitory.

"Well, well, well, the wayward Elf finally returns" replied David with a massive grin on his face. He truly missed his forever capable assistant of a House Elf.

"I know you missed me, Master, no need to hide it behind snark and humour" Mel happily replied without missing a beat.

"Of course, I did, how have you been my dear Mel? Finally managed to track down our gardener?" he asked.

"Oh, quite a lot better now that I can finally take care of you again, and yes I did track down and convince Greeny to work for you. I decided not to push my luck with the Hogwarts Elf's and let you properly bond with her over the summer break," she explained.

"That's fine Mel, will she be okay without a bond for so long?" David asked curiously.

"She'll be fine, Cross Manor has enough ambient Magic to keep her healthy for years to come without a formal bond," Mel said with a nod.

"That's good to hear, how about some tea and we talk about your adventures?"

---

The week following Mel returning David requested her help with the Orphanage.

"Mel, we need to deal with my living arrangements before July. I'd really rather not return their, not after spending time at our home…" David said, eventually trailing off.

"I understand David, what can I do to help?" Mel replied, eager to assist.

"Do you think you could glamour yourself to look like a human and confound the orphanage in signing away guardianship to you?" David asked, hoping it would be possible.

"Yes, it's possible Master, however, I believe I will have to create a false identity in the muggle world to cover our traces…" she said while rubbing her chin.

"Do you have any idea how we can accomplish such a thing?"

"Yes, the goblins. It is well within their powers to arrange the appropriate paper-work for such a thing," Mel answered easily.

Surprised, David replied, "Huh, that's convenient. I'm assuming this won't come cheap?"

"What a silly question Master, these are goblins after all," Mel said with a shake of the head.

"Of course, silly me… one more thing Mel, I need you to start investigating if it is possible to remove the trace placed upon under-age wizards and witches. Take your time, the orphanage comes first."

"Very well" and with a pop, she was off.

---

The very next day Mel informed David that the orphanage was dealt with and that she would now begin investigating the trace and the possibility of removing it.

Trusting Mel and leaving her to her devices the months went on, David found himself being stared at by both Professor Flitwick and now one Albus Dumbledore. This resulted in an increase in the amount of study time he dedicated to Occlumency.

What was curious however were the different expression both Professors had in their occasional subtle attempts of staring.

His head of house always seemed between a cross of optimistic and unsure in his pondering of one, David Cross. The headmaster, however, was another story, while he was able to steel himself far better than Flitwick, the look in the headmaster's eyes that David was barely able to catch were worrying.

Realising there was nothing he could do other than study hard and have Mel check his food for potions in the case of a nefarious plot, David simply continued as he was and hoped whatever the Professors were thinking about wasn't detrimental to himself.

"David, why do I see Professor Flitwick staring at you sometimes?" Hermione asked suddenly, as she and David were eating.

"Oh, so you've noticed as well?" David asked, surprised.

~Really shouldn't put things like that past her~

"Yeah I took a while since I don't really sit with you at mealtimes, but since I tend to look over to the Raven-, "suddenly going red, Hermione stuttered then continued, "Uhh, yeah I noticed him staring at you quite intently at times…"

"Glad to know I'm not going mad. Yeah, he's been doing that for a while now. I have no idea why, but he has been doing it less recently. Maybe he's caught on I've noticed it… Actually, Hermione can you do me a favour?" David asked, ignoring her faint red features.

With a cough, she replied, "Sure David, what do you need?"

"Can you watch Professor Dumbledore and see if he does the same thing?" David asked, unsure if she would help.

"The headmaster? Are you sure?" Hermione questioned.

"Yeah, I thought I caught him doing the same thing a few times, I want a second opinion and truthfully I'm a little worried…" David said with worry in his voice.

"Yes, I can do that for you, David. I'd honestly think you were mad if I hadn't already noticed Professor Flitwick doing it..." replied Hermione with her obvious embarrassment gone and now looking intently at David.

"Thanks, Hermione, you're the best."

---

Reading in the library while waiting for Hermione for their daily study session, David was eventually greeted by a worried Hermione biting her lip, looking distracted.

"What's wrong?" David asked, having no idea what was bothering her.

"Whatever do you mean David?" replied Hermione far too quickly.

David replied by simply staring at her without saying anything and eventually she cracked.

"Oh alright! You know Hagrid? The groundskeeper? Well… he's hatched a dragon in his hut…" she explained, eventually lowering her voice.

"Wow, that's cool… and extremely worrying, he does realise that his hut is made out of wood and that it's illegal to own a dragon?" David asked.

"He doesn't care… He thinks he's its mum for Merlin's sake!" Hermione shouted, forgetting where she was.

"Have you tried telling Professor McGonagall?" he questioned.

"No… we couldn't do that to Hagrid, and Ron and Harry have a plan. Ron's brother works with dragons in Romania and they're going to write to him about taking it back to Romania, to the reserve he works at," she explained, not really confident.

"It's a good plan… but you do know that the Hogwarts staff would probably help Hagrid deal with the dragon before he gets arrested for breaking the law, right?" He said, remembering just how tight-knit certain members of the Hogwarts staff were.

"Yeah… you might be right…"

"Of course, only specific Professors Hermione, like… let's say your head of house?" David said, giving her blatant hint in what to do.

"I'll speak to Harry and Ron… but I think you might be right David."

---

"Oi! You! Yeah you, Cross!" Yelled a voice David hadn't heard often.

Hearing an irate redhead calling out to him as he was on his way to Ravenclaw tower, David turned around and replied.

"Can I help you?" David questioned calmly.

"You keep your mouth shut about Hagrid and the, you know what, or else!" shouted the red-head.

"I'm sorry? Or else what?" David asked, not quite believing this was happening.

~This idiot cannot be serious~

"You- You'll get what's coming to you, you slimy snake!" he roared.

"I'm in Ravenclaw Weasley…" David replied, holding in a laugh.

"Whatever just keep shut your mouth shut, will you? Or you'll regret it!" he ordered.

Turning to look at Ron's black-haired accomplice, David asked, "And you agree with him, Potter?"

"Err, yeah. Just uhm, back off… this has nothing to do with you…" replied Harry slightly unsure of himself.

Staring at the two idiots before him for a good minute, he finally sighed and replied, "Yeah sure, your funeral. I won't say a word. Bye."

Seeing David walk-off, Ron arrogantly turned to Harry and said, "See Harry, easy, now that Ravenclaw won't bother us, or we'll set the twins on him."

"I guess…" Harry said, not sure he did the right thing there.

Sighing to himself again as Ron's voice easily carried down the empty corridor, his good opinion of Hermione went up another level as she had her work cut out for her keeping those two from failing out of Hogwarts and alive.

Coming to a stop and realising that Hermione married that moron, David shuddered inside.

---

"So, I was threatened by your two friends to keep quiet about the dragon yesterday Hermione," David said casually.

Seeing Hermione's eyes almost bulge out of her head, David continued, "I'm guessing my idea of getting help from a professor didn't go down well with them?"

"I'm so sorry David! Ugh, I'm going to kill Ronald! Wait, did you say two?" Hermione exclaimed, catching up.

"Yeah… Harry was there, and he agreed with Ron, though he did seem somewhat reluctant" replied David while shrugging.

Covering her head with both hands, Hermione g.r.o.a.n.e.d at the stupidity of her two friends.

"I'm so, so, sorry David. I'll make it up to you, I swear," she said, quite distraught.

"It's fine, I don't mind… You know I'm kind of curious how those two, well Ron in particular, are able to keep up with the schoolwork… He did not seem to be the brightest tool in the shed," David said with a chuckle.

"I help him, a bit, with his homework" squeaked Hermione, her face going red.

"You know, meeting him I bet it's quite a lot more than a 'bit'…" David deadpanned.

Seeing as there was no reply from Hermione, David continued, "You shouldn't do his work for him, Hermione, not to mention we have exams coming up, you need that time to study."

Pondering David's words, Hermione eventually nodded, "You're right, I need to focus on my own work right now with exams coming up. If he can't pass after all the help I've given him, then he should probably just repeat his first year… I'm not his mother!"

"That's good to hear, I need to you keep all the schoolwork challenging. It's too easy to be on the top of our classes without you," David said, not feeling guilty at all that he probably caused Ron's failure in a few subjects.

Huffing in annoyance she quickly told David what she had nearly forgotten to tell him earlier, "Before I forget David, you're right, the headmaster has been eyeing you off… I'm a little worried. Is everything okay?"

"I hope so, truthfully I have no idea why he's taken such an interest in me. Think he'll summon me to his office before the year is out?" He asked, truly not knowing what was up.

"Maybe… I really don't know…"

--

Making his way down to breakfast following a shower and run David was accosted by a smug-looking Hermione.

"Going by that shit-eating-grin you've got going I'm going to assume they got caught?" David asked his best friend.

"Yes and no" Hermione replied rolling her eyes. "They got the dragon to Ronald's brother safely, but they got caught coming back by Professor McGonagall. They've lost a bunch of points and have detention later this week."

"Did you tell them I told you so?" David asked while laughing at the two's predicament.

"Yup, Ronald just huffed and puffed towards his dorm. I feel a little bad for Harry though, he seemed somewhat ashamed… anyway! Want to sit with me for breakfast?" she asked while batting her eyelashes.

"Sure, that'll be nice. Actually, we should do it more often, there are no rules about where you have to sit to eat other than certain feasts."

Beaming at David, Hermione grabbed his hand and dragged him off toward the Gryffindor table for breakfast.