DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any other character that is left to J.K. Rowling. A special thank you to my beta Jucy Sam and all of you reviewers and readers, thank you all so much for following along with my story, it gives me great joy to know you all like the story so much!
"Mia, get behind me," I seethed. I stepped in front of her and glared at the man standing before me. "What in the hell are you doing here?"
"What? Am I not allowed to come give my son congratulations?" he drawled. He looked just as refined as ever, which meant he had somehow gotten into the bank account, he still carried that god awful cane with him…and he still wore that horrid smirk on his mouth. "You are Head Boy Draco; I wanted to tell you how proud I am."
"Leave…now," I growled, "I don't want your congratulations, I don't want you here…as a matter of fact I don't want you anywhere near me." My father clicked his tongue.
"Now, now," he said, "Is that any way to speak to your father?"
"You heard him," said Mia, grabbing my arm, "He wants you to leave, so go."
"Don't you dare talk to me," said father, "You filthy little mud blood!" I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist as I stepped toward him, but Mia stopped me shaking her head.
"I will not tell you again," I said, "Leave now…before I make you!" He chuckled and swung his cane in his hand. I drew my wand.
"Oh, are you going to use that on me?" he questioned, his voice full of mock shock, "How very far you have fallen Draco. You know we don't dirty our blood…or have you forgotten that? Perhaps you need reminding?"
"You know I don't care about that," I said, my wand up and at the ready, "My Veela blood does not care, and I love her. I won't let you hurt her, or mother…or anyone else for that matter."
"Well, you can't keep that promise," said father, "Someone is already hurt." He smirked evilly, and leaned against the wall.
"What?" I questioned.
"Theo," whispered Mia, behind me, "He must...have been the one."
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!" I yelled.
"Oh, nothing that anyone will be able to figure out," laughed father, "And things like this will continue to happen until you see sense. I will take away everything you love, and care about…I will make every last one of them suffer unless you give it all up…and you won't be able to figure out who is going to be next…trust me."
"I will make you regret this," I hissed, "Even if I have to kill you myself!"
"Kill me, HA!" he said with a sneer, "Son, you couldn't even kill Dumbledore when you had the chance!"
"How dare you talk about him!" shouted Mia, "How can you be so awful? You realize your ONLY son will die if he chooses what you want him to."
"Not to worry," said Father, "I believe you should go see your friend…he may not have much longer."
"STUPEFY!" I screamed, but he was gone with a pop and the spell hit the wall. "NO!"
"Dragon," said Mia, "We need to go talk to the Headmistress…she needs to know about this…quickly."
"What did he do to Theo," I whirled around to face her, "What did he do to my friend?"
"Shh, I will figure it out," she said, "And that is a promise, we need to tell the others…and go to the Headmistress right now."
"Mia," I said, I could feel her shaking then. I didn't know whether it was out of fear or anger, but she was shaking and she was staring at me. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry." I kissed her forehead.
"Come on then," she said, as she walked back toward the portrait. "We need to act quickly…he may be planning something as we speak." We ran to the Headmistresses office. I practically shouted the password, and we ran up the steps, as the Gargoyle spun around.
"Oh!" said Professor McGonagall in surprise, as we burst into the room. "What is it? What's happened?" She stood up from her seat.
"Lucius Malfoy is back," said Mia, "He's the one that's hurt Theodore Nott, and he's threatened to keep hurting people close to Draco…and myself I assume. He was just in the Head's Common Room."
"He was here?" she questioned, "How could he possibly…it would have to have been a very strong Cloaking Charm. I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy, I should have taken better care…of course, and we will have to figure something out to protect all of you."
"Perhaps Grimmauld Place," said Mia.
"What is that?" I asked, looking at Mia.
"It's Headquarters," she replied, "For the Order of the Phoenix. Harry owns it. It was given to him by Sirius."
"Sirius Black?" I questioned.
"Just so," said Professor McGonagall, "Miss. Granger, that might suffice for now, seeing as all its Charms are still working. We will have to act quickly though," she walked over to Dumbledore's portrait, "I believe we have a list of people that need to be brought to the office."
"Of course," he replied, bowing his head and walking out of the portrait. I stared at the now empty picture…I was a better person because I couldn't kill him…right? Mia and I sat down as we waited for the others to arrive. It wasn't long before Blaise, Harry, Ginny, Luna Lovegood, and even Weasel arrived in the room.
"What's he doing here?" I questioned.
"He is still my friend," said Mia, "Even with everything he has said and done…I still wouldn't want him to die." I nodded, and caught Weasel glaring at me.
"So once again we are in trouble and being threatened by a Malfoy," said Weasel.
"Ronald, shut it!" said Mia, then she looked at the others, "I know this isn't the most convenient thing, but we will need to go into hiding…somewhere he can't find us."
"Grimmauld Place," said Harry almost instantly, "It's going to be the safest place there is."
"That was my thought, but I still was going to ask you before settling it," said Mia. I looked over at Blaise, he had his arms crossed over his chest and was staring at the floor.
"Blaise," I said, and he looked at me. He was still angry I could tell, "Mate…I'm…I apologize for the way I acted…it wasn't your fault. Actually it was mine."
"What?" he questioned, "How was it...your father did it?"
"Yes, and he did it because of me," I said, "He hurt Theo because I chose Mia, instead of choosing to die." He looked at me, his expression unreadable.
"I…" he started, "I don't blame you. You can't control your fathers actions…but thank you for saying sorry." I nodded.
"So the lot of you will have to leave tonight," said the Headmistress, "your trunks should be packing themselves now. Draco you will need to go collect your draught now, then we will find a way to get you to Grimmauld Place…perhaps a portkey will do…I suggest you make sure everything is ready…go on." We walked out of the office as a group, although Weasel walked a little ahead of all us.
"What did he do to Theo?" asked Harry.
"He didn't say," said Mia in reply. She took my arm and looked at me, "But I have promised to figure it out."
"We'll help," said Ginny, "He is after all a part of our lives now." I looked at her.
"Thank you," I said.
"I wonder if we will be able to go see him," said Blaise, "Do you think they will allow it while your father is still out there?"
"I don't care if he is still out there," I said, "I'm going to see Theo whether they like it or not."
"Agreed," said Mia, "I'm rather good at Cloaking Charms, it won't be that hard." I smiled at her.
"You're rather good at everything Mia," I said, and a blush spread across her cheeks.
"Yes, well," she said, "Let's get packing shall we?" she turned to the others, "Meet us at the Head's Dorm when you all are done, I would rather us go back to Professor McGonagall's office as a group…just in case."
"Safety in numbers," said Blaise, I looked at for a moment.
"Wait," I said just as everyone was walking off, "Blaise stay with us, we will go help you pack after we are done. Then we can all meet by the Slytherin Portrait."
"Fat Chance," said Weasel, "I don't want to be anywhere near the Slytherin Common Room."
"If you say one more thing," I stepped toward him, but I was stunned as I watched Mia reach over and slap him across the face.
"Stop it!" she yelled, "Blaise is the only one of us who doesn't have anyone with him, Draco's plan is sound…he wants to keep his friend safe."
"Exactly his friend," said Weasel, "Why do I have to worry about it."
"Because whether you like it or not," started Harry, "Blaise is now our friend too."
"I have had nothing to do with them since this whole thing started," said Weasel, "Why should I bother now?"
"Because…come on Ron," said Mia, "After everything we have been through together, please, don't be like this." The Weasel looked at Mia for a moment, "Things have changed Ron…and they have changed for the better, I wish you could see that."
"I…"started Ron, "Fine I will be at the Slytherin Portrait."
"Thank you," I said, and went quiet…had I just said thank you to the Weasel? He seemed as shocked as I was, and walked away with Ginny and Harry without saying a word.
"Well, that was…new," said Mia, "Blaise come on then." The three of us walked back to the Head's Dorm. I went in first just to make sure it was alright, and went back for Blaise and Mia when I saw it was clear. "Alright you boys pack Dragon's things, I got my things covered."
"But…" I started.
"If I finish before you do I will come help you," she said bluntly and walked up the stairs ahead of us. She left her room open and I stood for a second watching as she opened a bag in the middle of her room and then cast some sort of spell.
"What did she just do?" asked Blaise, looking at me. I smiled, feeling a bit proud. Stuff had started floating out of drawers, and off of shelves into the small bag.
"She's the brightest witch of our age," I said, "What did you expect?" He shrugged and we both walked across to my room.
"So…are we supposed to start hand packing?" asked Blaise. I looked at him.
"Here, I will go ask Mia what she did," I said, and walked back over to her room, "Mia…how did you do that?"
"It's an Undetectable Extension Charm," she said, "The other is a levitation charm which you should know…I can put one on your bag if you like, I'm just about done." She smiled at me.
"Have I ever told you how amazing you are?" I questioned, smiling at her.
"Not in so many words," she said smiling back, "But thank you."
"Well, I'm just stating facts now aren't I," I said, and she laughed a little. She looked over at Blaise, who was standing in the doorway.
"I can do this for your bag too," she said, "It's not a problem…perhaps I can teach the two of you at some point." With Mia's spell it didn't take us long to get packed, we waited for the others for ten minutes by the Slytherin Portrait.
"Sorry, Ginny couldn't find Arnold," said Harry, as he, Ginny and Ron came walking up. Luna was not far behind them.
"Who is Arnold?" I questioned.
"My Pygmy Puff," she said, "He's adorable." Ginny smiled and patted the purple fuzzy thing that was on her shoulder.
"Speaking of pets…where is Crookshanks?" asked Harry.
"Oh…he stayed with my parents," she replied, "I…didn't want them to be all alone." Harry looked at her thoughtfully.
"Sorry Mione," he said.
"Wait are you talking about the Ginger cat that always followed you around," I asked.
"We will talk about it later," she replied, "Best if we get back up to the Headmistresses office and be on our way."
"Right," I said, "Shall we then?" We all walked back up to the office, ready to leave Hogwarts.