Oh My Pie
Neville Longbottom was behaving strangely. Well, stranger than usual. He was so distracted during Transfiguration that he managed to turn Weasel's hair an awful shade of puce instead of the ties they were supposed to change. It was no surprise that Weasel wasn't so amenable to Longbottom afterwards. His clumsiness was becoming over-the-top. In Potions, his clumsiness reached new levels that Rory was sure not even Uncle Severus could anticipate. They were creating the cure for boils when Longbottom's potion began to foam and spew bubbles, which rapidly covered a large portion of the classroom. There was no doubt in any of his classmate's minds that he did not create the cure. Instead, he created a potion that caused it. Class was immediately dismissed and a third of the class had to report to the hospital wing.
"Merlin, I don't think we had the ingredients to create a boil potion! At this rate, we'll all die because of Longbottom's pathetic attempts at magic. I wish he would get expelled." Draco complained before eating a forkful of lamb chops.
They had come back two weeks prior from the funeral and were adapting as well as expected. The pair were performing adequately in their classes, yet were quiet and solemn at times.
"Why d'you think he's acting so odd?"
"Dunno, really. Granger thinks that it has something to do with an owl he received on Sunday."
A surprised look surfaced on Rory's face. "You've been speaking to Granger outside of our study group? When did that happen? I thought you hated her."
Draco's cheeks tinged pink.
"You're missing the point!" Draco sputtered. "Something is going on with Longbottom."
Rory could not help but laugh. "Other than the fact that he's a complete idiot?"
His friend and sort-of-brother scowled and rolled his eyes in exasperation. This only made Rory laugh harder.
Changing the subject, Draco said "Have you heard from," he leaned in close," your father?"
Sensing Dumbledore's eyes on him Rory whispered "Yes. I'll tell you later."
When they had reach their dormitory, the two were alone. The others had presumably gone to the library or were fraternizing amongst friends in their common room. Both blondes sat themselves down on Rory's bed. They closed the canopy of the bed and illuminated their wands.
"So, what did the Dark Lord say to you? He couldn't have written. I'd bet they'd confiscate your mail immediately."
"Exactly. Uncle Severus came to me last week and told me Father wanted to speak with me. That was on Wednesday. The next night, I went to Uncle Severus' office for a fire call."
"Well?" Draco said expectantly. "Get on with it!"
"Piss off. I'm getting there." An annoyed Rory took a deep breath before continuing. "He said that he needed to lie low for a while. However, I am to keep up the charade. I mustn't let on that I know anything. That's why…"
"Yes?"
"That's why I'm not going to see him for a long time. I've had some training in Occlumency, but Father doesn't believe that will be enough against Dumbledore. He'll send me messages here and there though."
Rory looked absolutely crushed. It was glaringly obvious that he adored his adopted father. No one could ever dispute this.
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"It's fine. He said that when I'm older, I'll be able to do more. He wants to keep me safe."
"I guess both of us are orphans of sorts, eh?" Draco nudged his friend in the shoulder.
"Yeah, I guess so." said Rory, half-heartedly.
The Christmas holidays couldn't come quick enough for Rory. He was tired of revising for his end-of-term exams, the endless squabbles between Draco and Hermione and of dealing with Potter. Rory wasn't sure how much more he could take. Of course, he had to keep his friendship with the Muggleborn a secret. If word got to Daddie, his goose would be cooked. Hermione had surprised both of them by not only being a great tutor but by being fun to hang around with. Now that Rory knew that Draco was friendly with Hermione on his own, he could relax a bit in her presence. He supposed that Draco wouldn't become friends with someone of her blood status if she weren't trustworthy and deserving. Though as far as he was concerned, the jury was still hanging on that.
The aurors were still on the case of who had killed the Malfoys. Many fervently believed that they were killed for betraying the Dark Lord. Others believed that another follower killed them out of jealousy or spite. Still others claimed that it was a hoax; that they had faked their own deaths to escape. There were no leads as of yet.
Draco, Rory and Theodore were bored out of their minds when they reached Platform 9 & ¾. The Tonkses were present to pick up Draco, but Uncle Theo was conspicuously absent.
"Rorryk, you and Theodore will be staying with us as well." She turned to Theodore, "You're father has been up to his neck in interrogations. Potter seems to believe that he has something to do with Draco's parents' murders. Quite ridiculous if you ask me. From the way your uncle acts, I'd doubt it highly. He can barely manage his finances, let alone plan a murder. Of course, I could be wrong, but I don't think so."
Her eyebrows knitted together in concern as she hurried her charges.
"Now, let's be on our way. I've something in the oven that needs minding. I'm not sure I trust Nymphadora to take care of it."
The four went to the closest apparition point and disappeared with a pop.
Mrs Tonks was right in not trusting Tonks. She was met with catastrophe the second she opened the door. Smoke was everywhere. It was a miracle the house did not burn down. With a few spells, Mrs. Tonks dried the water soaked kitchen while vanishing the smoke and hideously burnt remains of three pies.
"Nymphadora! Nymphadora, you come here this instant!" she hollered. No response was given. Apparently, Tonks knew her goose was cooked and hightailed it to a safe haven.
"Oh! That girl drives me utterly insane! If I didn't know better, I'd have said she was my cousin Sirius' child!"
What happened next was surprising. All of the house began to shake. Pots and pans began to lift up and clash with each other. None of the boys wanted to get near to the woman or ask questions, lest she strike out in her anger. Suddenly, the front door opened to reveal her husband. The animated objects dropped and stilled.
"Darling… is everything ok?" Mr Tonks seemed to be aware of the peril that lay ahead. He walked slowly and purposefully towards his wife.
"What did Nymphadora do this time?" he sighed.
"Your daughter burnt not only one but three of my pies! I repeatedly asked her if she felt up to watching them. But no! She burns them, leaving me to clean after her when she's off with her friends! Ugh! I can't wait until she moves out!"
"There, there. Everything's all right now, yeah? You'll scare the children if you continue to lose your temper, darling."
She looked thoroughly embarrassed as he turned to the boys.
"Are you three ok?" he asked.
The boys nodded silently in return.
"Good" he muttered as he affectionately rubbed Draco's hair. Draco looked slightly peeved, but allowed his uncle to do it anyway. Rory gave Draco a questioning look, to which the young Malfoy responded with a glare.
Theodore glanced at his companions and shook his head. Out of seemingly nowhere, he pulled out a book and began to read.
"Let's get all these pots in order, shall we?" He and his wife spelled the various kitchen appliances and accessories into place. "There we are! I can't believe I had to do this all by hand once. Thank Merlin for magic!"
The man looked to his wife and then to the children. A broad grin swept unto his lips as he heard the familiar sirens of Muggle firemen. "Who's up for some take away?"
Mr Tonks called on the "fellyphone" and ordered Chinese take away after they dealt with the firemen and explained that it was a false alarm. Neither Rory nor Theodore had ever eaten anything of the sort, though Draco seemed to be familiar with the concept. The chicken was soaked in some brown substance and the rice looked greasy. It was filled with little bits and pieces that looked like they didn't belong there. Why would anyone mix egg with rice? Rory wondered. One taste of the mess quickly changed his opinion. Whoever decided to make this was a genius. He scarfed down his food within minutes.
Perhaps, this holiday would turn out all right after all.
Let me know if this chapter was ok! I kind of forgot about their living in a Muggle neighborhood. I thought of it as soon as I uploaded. :/
