Listening to: Teenage Dream-Glee Cast (Warblers, actually)

Well, here we are on Friday, once again. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoy writing it.

I've started working day shifts at work, but don't worry, I've got a few chapters pre-written for editing and just need to keep up with updating.

Remember: any inconsistency, any at all, let me know.

Now, for those of you who have pointed out that Peter Pettigrew has not been mentioned, he will be mentioned in this story. The reason I didn't mention him was because I was wondering what the hell to do with him (dead, run away, faked his death like in the books, etc.)

Enough of that, let's get on to lucky number seven!

Chapter Seven

There is something about them that puts even their closest companions on edge.

-Bartemious Crouch Sr. on the Keeney family

The first of September came almost too quickly for anyone's liking that year along with what Draco considered to be a load of shit in making all students attend Hogwarts. Many Muggleborns and Half-Bloods had vanished-either on their own or with Avalon help. Those that did appear on Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters were those that he knew Professor Snape (recently appointed Headmaster, much to everyone's general disgust) would most likely leave alone. The Creevey brothers' parents, he knew had been sheltered at the Titanica, one of the many Avi-run properties that had been offered up as safe houses where they could continue their education without Voldemort's interference if things grew too bad for them.

He had not made Abigail promise to keep her head down and not say anything. They both knew that wouldn't happen. He also knew that she would go out of her way to make things hell for the Death Eaters that now swept around the school, as she wasn't so subtle to not attempt to hide her copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Neville, on the other hand, had packed a copy of The Wizard of Oz and a complete set of the works of Shakespeare rather than the required texts for now-mandatory Muggle Studies and Defense. Looking at the titles on the booklist, Draco doubted that "Defense" was even the proper name for that class anymore and Muggle Studies had suddenly become mandatory, whatever the reason, he figured Voldemort was behind it.

He was sure that Voldemort or no, the school would be lucky to still be standing by Sahmain. Fred and George had also promised delivery on a large amount of items developed specifically to wreck havoc, provided of course, that the mail wasn't searched too closely.

"So," Abigail said. "No telling me to stay out of trouble?" she was smiling, a good thing, he thought.

"I know it's impossible." he grinned. "Just write so we can have an inside view." The train whistled and he pulled her towards him. "Come home safe," he whispered in her ear. He held her until the last possible second before she joined Neville.

"I love you!" she called as the train pulled out of the station.

"I love you too," he said, wishing that he were able to go with her.

{PAGEBREAK}

The Gryffindors on the train had readily accepted Abigail into their group given she had no qualms about hexing the Slytherins when they deserved it. She and Neville had been sitting quietly at a table when the train suddenly stopped. Abigail rolled her eyes as a Death Eater stalked into their compartment. Neville stood up. "He's not here." he said.

"Don't bother Neville," Abigail said, checking for non-existent spots under her nails. "Riddle's proven that stupidity is the one thing he values."

The other students held their breath. Dean Thomas, returning on an Operation Home Front visa looked shocked.

The Death Eater grinned nastily.

{PAGEBREAK}

Harry knew that hiding here was only buying them time to start searching for whatever Horcrux that had been hidden in Gringotts. Personally, he thought breaking into the bank would require subterfuge, and Fred and George's expertise. But, as Fred and George were currently on the run with everyone else, they had what they could find and what Hermione had put in their bags.

Ron was playing with the radio when Harry entered the kitchen. He could catch snatches of songs until Ron gave up finding anything and simply listened to the speaker.

"…and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the entire Malfoy family are under investigation. Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy have been missing since early last Sunday as well as Draco Malfoy's twins, Arthur and Eileen Keeney. Draco's fiancée Abigail has not responded to ANN letters asking her opinion on this matter. It is suspected that Bellatrix LeStrange, Narcissa Malfoy's sister might be involved with the disappearance, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet." Ron dropped his fork on his plate with a clatter, looking at Harry.

"What does that mean?" he asked hollowly.

"It could mean anything." Hermione said, quickly moving to clean up the plates. "They could have faked their disappearance. I know there's a few safe houses that they've set up-" the plates slipped and dropped. "Damn," she bent down to pick up the pieces, forgetting her wand.

"What about Mum and Dad?" Ron asked. "They're not Avi."

"Bill is," Harry said, thinking of Ginny. "Charlie is. They could get them somewhere safe." He flicked his wand at the dish and it repaired itself. "Only thing is though, Abigail and Neville haven't completed their NEWTs."

"Draco wouldn't let her go willingly," Ron said. "Even with that article in the Daily Prophet making attendance mandatory." He gazed down at the copy of the Avalon Advocate. This newspaper they could trust at least. He flipped the page idly, and saw the headline:

Missing Avis Presumed Dead

On 1 August, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley went missing after Death Eaters attacked the wedding reception of Mr. Weasley's older brother, Bill Weasley (Avalon Department of Financial Affairs) to Fleur Delcaour (Avalon Liaison from France). The three were reported missing later that night by their families. As the search for what some are now referring to as the "Golden Trio" (a reference to their membership in Gryffindor during their time at Hogwarts School), is growing desperate as each day passes with no new information. Last night, Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, issued a statement saying that he believes that they are in fact, alive and well, and are searching for an important artifact that may lead to the downfall of Tom Marvolo Riddle, alias Lord Voldemort. However, their sudden disappearance, many fear, may be a cover-up of a sinister nature.

Well, they at least had some facts straight. He knew that his mum would have a thing or two to say when this was all over, but for now, the only thing keeping her at home with Ginny and his dad was Voldemort.

{PAGEBREAK}

"I don't like it." Harry said, squinting in the mirror. He scratched his head.

"Stop that," Hermione slapped his hand away. "You're going to ruin it."

"Hermione, it's a miracle that thing lasted as long as it did." Ron said. "Besides, I've always hoped Harry would be a part of the family. I just wasn't expecting it to happen like this." Hermione had dug around in Regulus's room before finding a supply of wigs they suspected had been a major part in the first Avalon group's many escapades, thankfully unharmed other than a few stray burn marks that Ron really didn't want to think about where they came from.

They were preparing for a train ride to Godric's Hollow and needed disguises. So, he was now wearing a wig Hermione had cropped short to make him look more masculine. Hermione had found a nice blonde wig that suited her well in Harry's opinion, whereas Ron was forced to dye his eyebrows brown to match his. Harry, on the other hand, was wearing a wig that more resembled crushed cherries that had their juice squeezed around his hair.

All in all, they figured they could have done worse. In fact, they could have been forced to go through this venture having to drink Polyjuice-even Moody's modified version every so often. None of them had any inclination to proceed in that manner.

"So, Abigail's mum really pulled something like this off?" Ron asked, as they made their way though Muggle London .

"She looked so convincing that even McGonagall was taken in." Harry said, "Ran around Hogwarts looking like Mum most of their sixth year."

"Wow." Ron said. "Even Fred and George can't pull that one off." He studied his reflection in the mirror. "Why did she do it, though?"

"So they could use the library." Hermione said, "comparing notes on what information there was about Tom Riddle, curses, hexes and such. Apparently somehow she was the most respectable."

"I take offense to that," Harry said. He was quiet for a moment. "Yeah, the only other respectable one is Remus, but I don't think Dad would've let him in on it."

"How did they get caught?" Ron asked, keeping one eye on a pair of people who looked odd.

"Well, they didn't line it up right, and Slughorn found Lily Evans talking to Dad when Lily Evans had just left class." The stories seemed to make them relax and blend in a bit better.

"That makes no sense whatsoever." Ron said. "What did he do?"

"Grabbed the both of them and hauled them to Dumbledore's office." Harry said. "We're here," They went inside the small station.

"Okay, so we're headed to King's Cross," Hermione handed them the underground passes. "Then onto Wales."

"How are we going to get all the way to Wales without getting caught?" Ron asked dubiously as they boarded the car.

"Luck," Harry replied.

{PAGEBREAK}

Draco sat in the rocking chair, holding Arthur. Abigail's letters told them almost nothing of what was going on. They were brief, to the point, yet contained almost no information at all.

He supposed that his letters were no better. He updated her on how fast the twins were growing and what he and Ginny were working on. Arthur's bulla glinted in the moonlight. The twins were old enough to wear them and he found that somewhat comforting. They were relatively plain, as far as bullae went without much more than the standard family emblem and good-luck spell in runes. Both had the Keeney family raven engraved on them. He doubted that anyone would call them "Malfoy". His and Abigail's next child-which he hoped would be a few years in the future-would definitely be "Malfoy" rather than "Keeney."

"Things happen for a reason," he said to Arthur who had thankfully fallen asleep. Arthur was too much Abigail's child-up all night, too much energy, already getting himself into trouble with Hermione's half-Kneazle cat, Crookshanks. Eileen, however, was quiet and serious, but ready to smile for anyone. Personally, he was looking forward to the chaos as they learned to walk. He doubted his mum was, though. She and Mrs. Weasley had fun baby-proofing the nursery and already had plans for the rest of the house. Crookshanks leaped onto the window seat, his tail twitching as he studied Draco. "What're you looking at?" he asked.

The Kneazle seemed to give a Hermione-like expression as he leaned over to sniff Arthur. Arthur sneezed and Crookshanks jumped back. "Serves you right," he told the half-Kneazle, setting Arthur in his cot. "C'mon, furball, time for bed." Crookshanks puffed up his fur as though to ask, "Who are you calling a furball?"

(PAGEBREAK}

Lord Voldemort was just refining his plan for what to do about the Keeney girl. She was months away from turning seventeen, and there would be no one to protect her. He was sure of it.

"Hello, Tom," A voice said behind him. He jumped. The Malfoy family had abandoned their manor early that summer and his Death Eaters were still falling prey to the traps that had been set. It was nearly November. Their incompetence was grating on his already frayed nerves.

"You're dead," he said, flatly, turning his gaze back to the fire. At his feet, Nagini continued slithering around, hissing contentedly.

A snort. "I guess you could say that. Still obsessed with killing my nephew?" Knowing that he would not get peace until she decided otherwise, he rose, facing her.

Aster Jean Keeney looked just the same as the day he'd killed her. "That is no concern of yours," He replied. She rolled her eyes, smirking slightly. Insolent, little bitch, he thought.

"He is my family, of course he's my concern." Was it just him or had the temperature suddenly dropped as though there were more spirits in the room? "Really, Tom, one would think that you've come to terms that a one-year-old nearly killed you the first time and do things properly rather than upset the balance of power even more."

"I will be immortal, you arrogant harlot." he said, losing all patience with her.

"Since I was at school, you've been a running joke. 'Riddle me this,' we would say, 'What do you get when Slytherin's last family is reduced to living in a hovel rather in London?' "

He gripped his wand tightly. Spirit or no, he could still destroy her. " 'A Tom Riddle'."

Green light shot out from the end of his wand and went straight through her, leaving the cabinet behind her in shatters. She laughed. "Immortality is for heroes." she warned him in a sing-song voice. "Infamy for fools who don't head Death."

Another jet of green light and the chandelier threatened to fall.

"Beware, Tom. You've gone too far this time." Before he could fling another curse at her, she vanished.

I think I can honestly say that this is the first summer that I've been hopped up on a combination of allergy meds and vitamins. All thanks to that mild New England winter we had (and no, Irene and that huge-ass storm that knocked out power and nearly jeopardized my updates does not count). That and I nearly landed myself in therapy for life this semester.

Well, I'm going to go burrow a hole in my parents' basement so I can avoid all allergens.

Mischief Managed,

Sparky

Listening to: Edge of Glory-Glee