AN: Sorry for the short chapter. I just wanted to let you know that I'm not giving up on this story, even if my life gets complicated.
Chapter 21: An Unlikely Ally
Ridley wasn't sure what she was doing back at Snape's house. She certainly didn't want to be there, but she definitely did not want to stay alone at Sirius's house. It seemed everyone in the order had gathered at Snape's house to show their appreciation and gratefulness that he was not dead. He deserved it, but deep inside, Ridley couldn't gather an ounce of goodwill for the man who had hurt her just like everyone else.
Instead, Ridley was sitting alone on the steps outside calculating. Without a spy, the order was now a step behind Voldemort's plans. They needed a new one, and fast. The problem was, most people in the order would be recognized instantly by Voldemort. She had an idea, but it wasn't going to get anyone else's approval.
The one person she least expected to see dropped down on the steps next to her, looking equally as dejected.
"Do your parents know you're here, Malfoy?" Ridley asked the blonde boy next to her.
"No," he admitted. "My godfather may be a traitor, but he's still family to me." His voice lacked conviction.
"You don't believe that," Ridley replied. "If you really thought he was a traitor, you wouldn't care wether he was your godfather or not."
Malfoy nodded. "I don't blame him. I don't want to be a death eater either."
"You're scared," Ridley realized. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I don't care about your opinion of me," Malfoy snapped in his usual, condescending voice.
An ugly idea began to form in the back of Ridley's mind. "They're going to force you, aren't they Draco?" she asked, making her voice sound as kind as possible.
Malfoy looked stricken as he nodded.
"Then maybe we can help each other," Ridley suggested.
Malfoy gaped at her in amazement. "How could we possibly help each other?"
Ridley leaned in closer. "If you get me into the Death Eaters, I'll protect you with my life."
Malfoy opened then closed his mouth, at a loss for words. "Why?" he finally said.
"Because the order needs another spy, and you're my only way in," Ridley answered.
"Can you really protect me?" Malfoy asked skeptically.
"I have been protecting my little sister for my entire life at the cost of my own soul," Ridley deadpanned. "Protection is all I'm good at."
"Would you make an unbreakable vow?" Malfoy asked.
"Who would be crazy enough to help us do that?" Ridley responded.
Malfoy half-sneered half-smiled at her. "Mad Eye."
Inside Snape's house, the atmosphere was warm and friendly. Hailey felt like she was coming alive at the order gathering. She was grateful that the man she had begun to look up to hadn't died that awful day.
Severus stood awkwardly, clearly not enjoying being the center of attention. Remus stood next to him, trying to pull some of the attention away and make his new friend more comfortable.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Hailey ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you for taking me in," she said softly.
Rough, calloused hands found their way to Hailey's back. "Thank you for not giving up on me," Severus replied.
Three lone wizards stood alone in the darkness of the alley, with only the pale moonlight: Mad Eye, looking at the pair of teenagers apprehensively, Draco, squirming with fear, and Ridley, expressionless. "Are you sure this is what you want?" Mad Eye asked for the third time.
"Yes," the duo responded together.
"Voldemort's an excellent legillimens. Malfoy's been taught to occlude, but you haven't Ridley."
Ridley nodded in understanding. "Voldemort will only see my rage and darkness," she said. "He'll have no reason to suspect that I would work against him."
"You understand that if you get caught, you're dead, right?"
"I've been dead for a long time," Ridley replied. "Let's get this over with."
The two teenagers took each other's hand while Mad Eye raised his wand. "Do you, Draco Malfoy, solemnly swear to bring Ridley into the Death Eaters safely without blowing her cover?"
"I swear," Malfoy answered.
"Do you, Ridley Potter, promise to protect Malfoy with your life to the best of your ability?"
"I swear," Ridley answered.
Their hands glowed for a moment before the light of the spell faded. "It's done," Mad Eye said. "For better or for worse."
"What happens now?" Ridley asked.
"I bring you home with me," Malfoy replied.