Chapter Two
Developments
It was past midnight, and the old house on Honey Hill was as quiet- on the outside it slept along with the rest of the world, but then it did that in the daytime as well, which was why Dumbledore had chosen it. On the inside, however, no-one was asleep. Dumbledore sat in his chair having remained stationary all evening, whilst Lupin leaned wearily against the fireplace, staring into the fire thoughtfully. Snape sat in the corner in shadow, his wand still resting in his hand as he stared evenly at their guest. Sirius sat at the table with Harry, Ron and Hermione on either side of him. Lucius Malfoy now sat by the window, the curtains drawn so as not to alert anyone to their presence and to allow them to burn candles un-noticed. No-one spoke- indeed all the speaking had been done. Instead each of them entertained their thoughts as an ancient grandfather clock ticked quietly in the background. A sudden clattering at the back door, and then the sound of it opening aroused them. Snape, Sirius and Remus once again leapt to their feet and brandished wands.
"And who might this be," Snape half spat, "Voldemort himself perhaps?"
All eyes were on the kitchen door as it opened with a slight creak.
A woman stood in the doorway, a black cloak covering most of her person and a few loose strands of blonde hair protruding from her hood. She looked taken aback at the reception she'd received, and for a moment she just stood as the men lowered their wands.
"Imelda, are you crazy?" Lupin said with a slight smile, shoving his wand up his sleeve and stepping forward to hug her loosely.
"No, but what got into you guys? You're a bit edgy aren't you?"
Snape retreated to his seat, his face set and his wand remaining in his lap. Lupin ushered her in and went to check the back door, leaving Sirius to hug Imelda and take her cloak. Someone else had entered the room with her- Ginny Weasley hovered near the door, and upon spotting her friends at the table went to greet them. Lupin returned, looking confused.
"No Reuben?" he asked quietly, a look of concern creeping across his face.
Imelda looked at him, her face implying that what she had to say would have to wait. She greeted Dumbledore, and scooped her blonde hair up into a long pony tail. Lupin sat back down next to the fire, as Imelda moved to the only vacant chair in the room.
"Well I am totally exhausted….." she trailed off as she noticed the extra presence in the room. She could only really see his feet, as the rest of him was mostly in shadow. The candle had gone out in the corner where he sat. She blinked. Sirius looked across at Snape and raised an eyebrow, and Snape frowned back.
"That had better not be who I think it is." Imelda's voice quivered slightly as she shot to her feet and grabbed a candle from the table. She swung around to face the window, as Lucius Malfoy stepped forward out of the shadow.
"You," She hissed.
"Harry, I think it's time you four retired. It is late. Your rooms are ready, up the stairs and to the left."
Dumbledore's voice was quiet, and Harry knew better than to argue. Sirius stood up and pushed his chair in under the table, offering to see them up, and closed the door behind them. Imelda had not moved, and Lucius stared at the floor.
"Imelda, you must…."
There was a cracking sound as a mug on the table fell into several pieces, then shattered completely. Lupin winced, and Snape sat forward slightly.
"Control yourself Imelda, we must not go around breaking crockery when we are displeased," he sneered.
"Shut it Snape, what do you need with mugs when you don't even like tea!" her voice was very unsteady, and her fists clenched by her sides.
"So it is true then." Lucius had not spoken for a while, and his voice sounded husky, with a hint of amusement, or wonder. It was hard to tell which.
"What is?" Snape snapped.
"You have got a witch from the east on your side."
Lucius now looked at Imelda's face. He'd witnessed the mug breaking, but she had not touched it, nor been anywhere near it. And unlike the others she had not reached for her wand. She did not even seem to have one on her.
"Why is he still alive?" Imelda demanded, facing Dumbledore, who had gotten to his feet. "How can he be in here with four of you, plus the kids, and he is still alive? What is this, a tea party with the devil? Have you invited with Voldemort as well? Bellatrix on her way is she?" A painting behind them fell off of the wall and the glass smashed.
"Have you lost your minds?"
"Calm down, Mel," Sirius said quietly as he re-entered the room and closed the door. "Let us explain."
She breathed deeply, not looking at him.
"How can you ask me to stand in the same room as him, and take no action?" she half whispered. "He killed… he has…"
Dumbledore's arm on her shoulder calmed her, and she leaned back against the table.
"Have I ever given you cause to mistrust me?" he said, his hand still on her shoulder. There was kindness and understanding in his voice. She shook her head silently.
"Then I must ask you to trust me now, and to let us explain."
After a moment, she nodded, and Dumbledore strode slowly to the fireplace.
"You-sit," Snape growled, and Lucius Malfoy clenched his jaw as he sat back down.
"In your absence, the seven that were taken have become eight," Dumbledore began. He too stared into the flames, as if he thought they would reveal to him something that he had lost.
"The eight being none other than Draco Malfoy."
Imelda's head snapped up. She glanced at Dumbledore, then at Lucius. He stared at the floor, but looked like he was going to be sick.
"It is believed that the eight that have been taken are not necessarily important to the Dark Lord, but that they have been taken as some sort of… punishment to those left behind."
Imelda narrowed her eyes.
"Well what's so strange about that?"
"It is strange because nothing has been heard of them since they disappeared. They have not turned up dead, nor have there been any rumours or reports, above and below ground, of their whereabouts. And there's more. The Dark Lord has gone quiet. There has been very little movement from his known associates, and Azkaban has gone… silent."
Lupin wore the same troubled expression as his eyes searched the flames beside Dumbledore.
"What do you mean?" Imelda half whispered.
"We believe, from what Mr. Malfoy has told us, that the Dark Lord is displeased with his followers- in light of recent events as several of his plans to recruit have failed, and as a result he is changing his tactics entirely. He has gone underground himself, and has taken a very select few with him. The eight included."
"But what does he want with Draco?" Imelda asked, noticing Lucius flinch at the sound of his son's name.
"I failed him twice," Lucius murmured. "He is angry with me, and has taken Dra….. My son, to punish me."
Imelda frowned.
"So are you saying that he needs these people for something?"
"No, more that he specifically wants them for something."
"Well, what for?"
"That," Dumbledore said turning around to face the room, "Is what we are here to find out."
"Why don't we go to bed, and we'll discuss this further in the morning?" Sirius stood up and looked at the clock.
"You expect me to sleep here with a deatheater in the house? I trust you, headmaster, but I can never trust him." Imelda pulled her robes tighter around herself and looked away.
"Lucius has opted to join us now, Imelda, and I, along with the rest of us, have chosen to accept him. He has vital information, that could save the lives of those that are missing, and indeed of those who remain. I do not ask you to trust him, but to accept him professionally."
"You needn't worry," Lucius said quietly, "I could not stay here tonight."
"Not quite the manor, is it?" she said sarcastically.
He said nothing.
" Mel," Lupin asked, turning to face her.
"What about Reuben?"
"She is on her way, but she had something to take care of in…" she glanced at Lucius briefly, "…in the east."
Lupin looked worried.
"Don't worry, she'll be here by the morning. Early hours I should think. You can have the kettle on for her, ready and waiting with a cup of tea. You know how she loves her tea." She smiled wearily, and Lupin chuckled, also tired.
"I can if you stop smashing our mugs with your mind." Sirius laughed too, Dumbledore chuckled to himself and even Snape managed a half smile.
"You picked up the Weasley girl OK then?" Sirius asked, snuffing out a candle.
"Yes, she was waiting for me. I do think we should explain though, this must be weird for them. They are so young."
"And so we shall, in the morning. They have a right to know what they are entering into. But now, let us rest. It has been a long day." They all stood up ready for sleep- one less in the room. Lucius Malfoy had gone.
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