Chapter Thirteen

Learning defensive spells was now top priority so I was chomping at the bit to get to Hogsmead that weekend. Natalie and I worked out a plan to where we would tell Draco that we wanted to do some girl shopping, then slip away to the Hog's Head for the meeting before meeting back up with him at the Three Broomsticks. Fred and George had a laundry list of supplies they needed for their candies so they were going to meet us at the Hog's Head.

It was a chilly winter day, with snow thick on the ground but thankfully none falling from the skies. I slipped on a warm pair of jeans, a sweater, coat, gloves and hat before meeting Natalie in the Great Hall. She was bundled up as well, ready for a day hopping between the heat of the shops.

"We're just waiting for-" She began only to stop when she spotted Draco entering the Great Hall. With an enthusiastic wave, she motioned him over to our table. I grabbed a muffin and bit into it as we waited for him to reach us. When he was level with us, Natalie made a big show of feeling her pockets, "Oh, darn. I left something up in the Common Room. Why don't you two go on ahead and I'll meet up with you later?"

Without waiting for a response, she dashed out of the Hall. Pathetic. She was trying in a not-so-discrete way to give Draco and I time together, away from classes and school and teachers. She had no clue we were spending time together on the Astronomy Tower at least a couple nights each week.

"Ready to go then?" I asked, not only eager to get to the meeting later, but excited to spend some time in Hogsmead. I loved the little village and a trip there never failed to put a spring in my step. Draco nodded and I practically skipped out the doors. I was getting ready to start down the path that would take us to the village when Draco reached out and caught my hand.

I turned back, thinking that he wanted me to stop and wait for something, but he merely smiled down at me and pulled me along, our hands intertwined. Fake or not, my heart skipped a beat and a blush rose in my cheeks as I fell into step beside him.

"I'm glad we're friends," The statement was full of honesty and trust and I knew that Draco could feel it. In a way, I guess I was testing him, hoping that if he was planning on turning me over to my father, I would be able to see the fake in his eyes when he replied.

He looked down at me, smiled, and with eyes that spoke volumes about his feelings, he replied, "Me too."

That was good enough for me. With a huge grin plastered on my face, I spun around in a happy little dance move. Draco laughed. I hadn't heard his laugh very much and it was wonderful, floating through the air and tickling the snow around us. I danced along the path as we neared Hogsmead, enjoying his laughter. When we entered the village, I took his hand and did one finally spin, ending up wrapped in his arms. We stood there for a moment, gazing at each other. I can't really describe what I felt then, but I knew right then and there, that whatever was going on between us was real. This may not have been what Draco was expecting when he accepted this mission, but then, he wasn't the same anymore. I could see it in his eyes. He wouldn't hand me over to my father. Later, I would have to come up with some idea of what to do about it so that my father wouldn't kill him, but for now, we had each other.

…

Draco

After what happened in Defense Against the Dark Arts, I was surprised that Nicole was so bubbly during our trip to Hogsmead. She never told me what was wrong, what had made her sick. Natalie and I had both gone to the hospital wing as soon as class was over, but Nicole hadn't been there. Natalie found her in the Common Room and she waved it off as being something that was easily cured by Madame Pomfrey. I wasn't so convinced. She had been grabbing her left arm. I knew what that meant. And judging by the letter I had gotten from my father the morning of the Hogsmead trip, I wasn't surprised that the Dark Lord was getting impatient.

The unread letter was in my pocket, burning a hole against my skin as I watched Nicole flounce away with Natalie, both giggling as they headed off to do their girl shopping. Whatever that meant. Nicole turned and waved to me over her shoulder, shooting me a cheerful smile before her and Natalie rushed off. I smiled back even though she was already gone. Whatever the letter said, I wasn't going to turn her over to the Dark Lord.

I retreated to the warmth of the Three Broomsticks to read the letter and wait for Natalie and Nicole to return. Taking a booth near the back, facing the door so I could see when the girls arrived, I pulled the parchment from my pocket. My father's immaculate writing frowned up at me. Taking a deep breath, I opened the letter.

"Draco," It read, starting out just as cheery as they always did. "I hope you are making progress. He is waiting, but growing impatient. I would hope that you can complete the task by Christmas. Perhaps she can ride the train home with you. Let us know how you are fairing. Father."

Christmas. That seemed too close. I would have to stall for time, perhaps tell them I was having trouble befriending her and that I might stay for Christmas in order to get more time with her. Hopefully, Nicole planned to stay at the school for the holiday. I'd have to ask when she got back. As I sat there thinking, I didn't notice when the doors opened and Natalie and Nicole entered. I was deep in thought, trying to come up with a plan to get around the Dark Lord and keep Nicole safe.

"Don't hurt yourself," Natalie's voice sniggered as she slid into the booth opposite me. Nicole slid in beside her, looking troubled.

I mentally shook myself and forced thoughts of the Dark Lord to the back of my mind. I found it strange that Nicole looked so troubled, while Natalie looked excited as if she knew some scandalous secret, "What's wrong?"

Natalie shot Nicole a sympathetic look, "She's just found out that she has to do detention with Umbridge tonight. She ran out of class so fast, I guess the crazy old bat didn't have time to assign it then."

I grimaced; since Umbridge began taking over the school with her Inquisitor position, everyone knew exactly what kind of detention she gave. Nicole rubbed the back of her hand at the prospect of what awaited her, "Maybe it's not so bad." She didn't sound so sure.

Taking her hand in mine across the table, I gave her a comforting smile, "Maybe I can through a good hex her way and get detention with you, then it won't be so bad."

Nicole almost grinned at the thought of Umbridge being hexed, but shook her head, "I'll be ok. At least she hasn't taken Filch up on his offer to hang students by their thumbs."

We all grimaced at that. After a moment of silent contemplation, I figured now was a good a time as any to ask, "So, what are your plans for Christmas?" I tried to sound casual and turned my attention to my butterbeer, not wanting to raise any alarms with my question, even though I knew there was no way the girls knew about my mission from the Dark Lord.

Natalie shrugged nonchalantly, "I'll stay here as always. Fred thought maybe we could go to the Burrow for Christmas, but he hasn't heard from his mum yet what the plans are. Were you going to come this time, Nicole? Since you skipped out on us over the summer."

Natalie gave Nicole a teasing shove to the shoulder and while Nicole grinned back, it didn't reach her eyes, "I don't know. I think I might just stay at the castle."

"Is your dad dragging your mum to France again, to visit his parents?" Natalie was looking down so she didn't see Nicole flinch at the mention of her father. I tried to pretend I didn't see it either, but the look on Nicole's face said she knew I had seen.

"Y-yeah," Nicole stammered, fidgeting slightly and blushing as she realized Natalie was talking about her Muggle father, not her real father. "They've been planning the trip for months."

Natalie nodded, "Then maybe you can come to the Burrow, too. Mrs. Weasley's always happy to see you." She gave Draco a conspirator wink, "She thinks Nicole keeps the twins in line."

The smile was real this time as Nicole turned to me, "What about you, Draco? Are you going home for Christmas?"

"No," I shrugged casually, "I thought it might be fun to stay this year. Most of the other Slytherins are leaving, so I'll get the whole dormitory to myself."

Natalie not-so-discreetly nudged Nicole with her elbow, "Oh, how nice! Both of you are staying! Maybe you could have Christmas together."

Normally, my cousin's blatant attempts to set me up with anyone would be annoying. With Nicole, I didn't mind, especially since this was the outcome I'd been hoping for. This would give me more time with her and buy time to figure out what to do about the Dark Lord.

…

Draco's questions about Christmas had me worried. After the incident with the Mark and the revelation by Snape about Draco's assignment, I was nervous. I knew Draco wouldn't turn me over to my father, but I couldn't help but wonder if the Christmas question had come from being pressured by his and my father. If they were urging Draco to hurry, then we were running out of time to come up with a plan. Hopefully, staying at the castle would buy us some time and Draco was feeding them a bunch of hooey to keep them at bay for the time being.

I didn't have much time to think though as I entered Professor Umbridge's office that night after dinner. As always, the kittens lining her walls were watchful and creepy in their cute, frilly plate frames and Umbridge sat straight and proper in her desk. There was another desk seated in the corner and she motioned for me to have a seat.

My heart was already racing and my palms started sweating as I slid into the chair and looked down at the piece of parchment and the harmless looking quill. I knew the quill was far more harmful than it looked but I wasn't about to let Umbridge see me sweat. Harry had stopped me at dinner and warned me about what was to come, as if I hadn't heard the rumors. He said just keep writing, don't think about it and if you squirm, it only made it that much more enjoyable for Umbridge.

Trying to keep myself from squirming, I looked over at Umbridge, "What would you like me to write?"

A wicked smile spread across her toady face, "You will write 'I must obey my superiors.'" The tone in her voice told me she didn't just mean teachers.

Since she didn't tell me how many times, as Harry said she wouldn't, I didn't bother asking. I put my head down and began writing. As the message began scratching itself into my hand, I bit my lip and forced myself to keep writing. This woman and my father would make a great pair, I thought bitterly as I scratched the words in my own blood.

Halfway down the parchment, I began to realize that the pain in my hand, which was radiating up my arm was not the only cause of the pain. The Mark was throbbing, too. The more it throbbed, the more the pain in my hand faded to the background and I could feel the anger bubbling up inside of me. Who did this woman think she was punishing students like this? She had the same self-satisfying smirk as my father, enjoying my pain and punishment that according to her I deserved. Maybe she deserved to be punished. After all, I hadn't done anything wrong. I didn't want to be sick during her class. Ok, maybe I did, but I didn't make myself sick like she thought I did just to get out of class.

The anger was making the Mark burn now and I pushed the quill hard into the parchment, making the letter I was writing stab hard into my hand. I couldn't help but gasp as the pain overshadowed the burn of the Mark and my anger instantly diminished. Umbridge glanced over at me, a smug grin on her face. I ignored her, using the pain to forget my anger and calm myself so that I could continue.

After that, it was a constant struggle to keep the anger away and focus on the task. I had to write harder and harder to get the pain to override the anger so that I would stay in control. I feared if I didn't, the anger would take control and I would do something stupid that would make my father proud. I couldn't have been more relieved when Umbridge stood and came to my side to examine the writing on my hand.

"Very well, dear," She seemed satisfied. "That is enough for tonight. I expect you to return, same time tomorrow."

I flew out of my chair, out the door, down the stairs and out into the corridor where I stopped to take several deep, calming breaths. My hand was red and fierce, the words glaring up at me. I couldn't help but wonder if my father would approve of the words. Would he see me as his subordinate, expecting me to obey his every whim? Duh, I thunked my palm to my forehead, of course he did. Which was why I wasn't going to give in just as I was now secretly fighting Umbridge by attending Dumbledore's Army.