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This is for Kandygurl4 (Kandi)! Happy Birthday!
Blood Is Thicker Than Tears
Chapter Thirty-Six
"Mum? Dad? Fred and George? What are you all doing here?" Ron asked, baffled by their appearance in Dumbledore's office.
He figured he was only going to have a conversation with Dumbledore. He wasn't exactly sure if he was ready to tell his family. Could he admit to them that their precious little Ginny was a traitor? That she had caused them the worst pain imaginable. That she was going to be part of a group of Death Eaters out to kill him and all of the Weasley clan. She was supposed to be the good one. The obedient girl, who was smart and fun to be around. Instead she had turned into everyone's worst nightmare. A Death Eater. A bloody Death Eater. A murderous, dangerous, evil Death Eater. How could she do this?
Scoffing, his older brother turned around and nodded at him. His arms were crossed as he began their story. George started, "You tell us-"
"Little brother," Fred finished. Following his twin's actions, he stared at his younger brother pointedly.
"We were mindin' our own business-" he began, feigning innocence.
He grinned excitedly. "Puttin' an explodin' gumball-"
"I thought it was a crackling jellybean," George said, tipping his head in thought.
"No, we agreed the explodin' gumball would scare him more."
"Well of course it would with those effects," he said, grinning mischievously.
"What effects?" Harry asked, interrupting them.
His eyes glinted excitedly, as he began his explanation. "It attacks the male geni-"
"Fred and George Weasley," Molly shouted. "Stop this instant!"
Draco and Harry tried to hide their laughter, but Ron simply sat quietly, waiting for his turn to speak.
This was the last time he'd probably hear this. The last time he'd hear them banter about like everything was fine. As if there was no War waging between everybody; a War that would end with the deaths of many. They were the happy go-lucky twins, who always managed mischief and kept everybody laughing. Where would their laughter go when they heard his news? Would it die away, never to return? Would it resurface one day, when the pain wasn't so much? He was the reason his brothers would lose their happiness. He did this.
"Yes mum," they said in a sing-song voice.
"As you were saying, Fred," his brother prompted.
"Are you sure you don't want to start George?" he offered graciously.
Shaking his head, he waved his hand. "No, you go again."
Shrugging, he sighed. "Alright then, if you insist."
"I do," he said, nodding.
"So, we tried to sneak the explodin' gumball into-"
"Terry Gouber's salad-" George grimaced, and spat the name with annoyance.
"For being the git he is, when suddenly-" Fred nodded, his eyes widening with overemphasized surprise.
He threw his thumb back at the confused woman standing by her husband. "Mum was yelling at us to-"
"Leave the poor chap alone and come along with her." He rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
"For important business at Hogwarts." He made a delusional motion at Dumbledore.
Sighing, George's shoulders sunk with overplayed exhaustion. "So far, we've been standing for nearly fifteen minutes-"
Shaking his head, he turned to his twin. "More like a half hour Fred-"
Thinking it over, he nodded. "Right you are George."
Turning back to them, he continued on. "As we were saying, a half hour, without any sort of refreshments-"
As if on cue his stomach growled. "Of which we direly need, given that we spent our lunch trying to coax the mean prat-"
"To pay attention to something else-"
"While trying to prank him." He said, exasperated.
"Ignoring our meals in the process-" he explained, sighing with sadness over the lost meal.
Frowning, the twin lifted his index finger pointedly. "Which were rather expensive I might add."
Staring at him with understanding, he nodded. "I think we should be reimbursed, George."
Smiling, the twin nodded. "I agree, Fred."
"That's enough you two," Molly Weasley chastised. "There'll be no more talk of money or the tricks you played on the unknowing chap in the restaurant."
Ron opened his mouth to begin sharing the sad news he had that was weighing him down. Part of him wanted to heard George and Fred go on about their little prank on the guy in the restaurant. Ron didn't want to be here any longer; he didn't want to see the smiles slip from their faces. He didn't want to see the flash of disobedience leave their eyes. If only it could keep going; if only she hadn't done this. If only he'd been a better brother.
"He deserved it though, mum. Don't you agree George?" He turned to his twin with raised eyebrows.
Nodding, he inhaled deeply. "I do Fred. He was being far too handy with the servers; especially that Melissa Piper." He shook his finger as if the man was standing before him, being reprimanded.
"Ah yes; he surely was. After all, Melissa Piper has been married for awhile to our good friend Lee Jordan." He nodded his head, cocking his eyebrow.
"She didn't much like our wedding present though," George said, tipping his head.
"Well, it did make her hair green for her entire honeymoon," Fred said, almost sympathetically, but then grinned.
Frowning, he nodded. Shrugging as if it made perfect sense, he smiled. "Right then; we can't have him interfering with that, now can we Fred?"
Sighing, he threw his arms up as if he couldn't help what had happened. "Certainly not, George. Why that would cause fighting and certainly the odd night where Lee-"
"Would show up and camp on our couch." His eyes were wide with exaggerated worry.
"Bad for business, George." He said, nodding.
"It is Fred. Why, we'll be trying to sell our Remove-All-Hair shampoo and she'll show up-"
"They'll fight in our apartment upstairs." Fred sighed as if it was already happening and he was passing on the upsetting news.
"People will be scared off!" George threw his arms into the air with fake anger.
Looking down with pretend upset faces, they sighed.
"And our new product will never be tried on-"
"The unsuspecting fools they're bought for."
Sighing, they shook their heads.
George frowned, looking up at them with fake remorse. "We couldn't let that happen."
"No we couldn't, Fred." He nodded shortly.
"Will you two please let Dumbledore get on with what he's been trying to say for the last ten minutes?" Arthur Weasley said, sighing.
Ron was beginning to get rather annoyed. He'd been holding this burden for far too long and now he just wanted to scream it at them. He couldn't take it any longer; he couldn't take being the only one in his family who knew that his sister had done something horrible. He needed to know what they thought, how they felt, what their reaction was. He needed to know how he should act or what he should think. He needed them to know.
"Sorry dad," Fred said with fake sincerity.
"But our brother asked a question," George said, waving his hand at the nervous red headed boy in the doorway.
"We couldn't very well leave him hanging, now could we George?"
"Why, that would be rude, Fred."
"I quite agree."
They nodded, turned their heads to their former Headmaster expectantly.
Nodding, Dumbledore looked over at the door to Ron. "You see Mr. Weasley, I know that you've come into some knowledge of a certain Weasley and I felt it best that you share it with your family as soon as possible."
"But professor, how did you know? We haven't told anyone," Harry said, confused.
"You'll be surprised to hear that I know most of what happens in this school," he said vaguely. Winking at them briefly, he nodded. Clearing his throat, he waved for everyone to sit down. "Mr. Weasley," he began but sighed realizing there were four Weasley men in the room. "Ron, I realize this will be very hard for you to explain and I understand if you'd rather someone else-"
"No," he burst out. "I want to tell them."
He couldn't let Harry or Draco tell them of it. Not even Dumbledore could make this sound better. It had to come from him because it was his fault. They'd likely be more receptive if it came from him anyway. After all, he was her brother; why would he lie about something like this? He wouldn't; he'd never say something like this about Ginny if weren't true. He hated saying it even though he knew it was true. He hated knowing that she had turned on them.
Nodding with understanding, Dumbledore smiled sadly.
"Mum, dad, Fred an' George," he started, before sighing.
"Well spit it out then," Fred said, bored.
"Yeah, we have a business to run you know," George agreed.
"Can't be lounging around Hogwarts all the time." He shook his head with fake sadness, as if his life had suddenly become far too complicated.
Nodding, George sighed. "Have to earn a living and such."
"Plus I have a date in an hour," Fred said, grinning.
His eyebrows rose as he smiled at his twin. "With Josie, right?" George asked.
"No, she was far too..." He tipped his head, frowning.
"Ah I see," he said, completely understanding what he was saying. "Must be Kelsy then!" he suggested, happily.
Grinning and nodding shortly, he pointed at him. "Right you are, brother."
"I always knew you'd date her," he said, nodding.
Grinning mischievously, Fred cocked his eyebrow. "She is quite the minx."
Rolling his eyes, Draco crossed his arms. "Nobody cares," he said, annoyed. "If the both of you could shut your traps, your brother has some very upsetting news to share with you." He sighed, exasperated.
Turning his head, Ron nodded his thanks. He was really becoming angry having to hear them go on and on about something of absolute no importance. He really needed everyone to just shut up. To just let him get it out there. So he could finally say it; tell them of what had happened. So he could admit his inability to keep her safe.
Nothing would ever be the same. He'd never be able to feel normal again. He'd never have a meal or a meeting with his family without remembering this moment. Without remembering that he was breaking their hearts. Nobody could ever make this better. It was all over now; there was no going back.
"Blimey, when did Malfoy replace Mione in The Trio?" George asked, cocking his eyebrow at the boy.
"Must've been the same time he dyed his hair brown," Fred answered, frowning. "You know, I rather miss his bleach blonde hair." He wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Seems without us 'round, things are changin' all over."
George nodded, with a fake solemn attitude. "I agree. We'll have to do something about that."
"Perhaps a trip around the school will help revive the days of the past," the Weasley twin suggested; his eyes flashing and a smirk adorning his face.
"Sounds like a plan, Fred."
"He hasn't replaced Mione," Ron grumbled. "She's currently in class. You do read the paper don't you? Draco and Harry are brothers," he said, staring at them as if they'd been living in a hole.
This was becoming too much. He had something really important to tell them, but they just wouldn't listen. It bothered him that they so easily cracked a joke about replacing Hermione. Not to mention their little remark about Draco; he and Ron were friends now. As odd as it might sound to some, he rather liked the bloke.
Bursting into laughter, they shook their heads.
"Good one Ron," George said, heartily.
"Yeah, didn't know you had it in you. Brothers," Fred snickered.
He snorted. "Like we'd fall for that."
"It's true," Molly Weasley said. "I just assumed you two knew." Holding her hands up in a small apology, she sat patiently waiting for Ron's news.
"What?" George shouted.
"No bloody way!" Fred yelled. "We figured the paper was pulling a farce. I mean Malfoy, a Potter. That's just preposterous!"
"It's not Malfoy anymore," Harry said, looking rather perturbed. "And that's not why we're here. If you'll all please, be quiet!" he said through gritted teeth. Turning to Ron, he nodded.
"Be quiet, he says," George snicked, snorting.
Fred nodded, snickering. "Like we could possibly pay any attention to Ron's news when-"
He couldn't take it any more. The horrible news was giving him a piercing migraine. It was just too much. The retched truth sat teetering on the end of his tongue. He had to tell them. He couldn't wait any longer.
"Ginny is a bloody Death Eater," Ron shouted. "Are you happy now? I wanted to let everyone down, slowly. I wanted to let it sink in, but I just can't take your stupid bloody ramblings about stupid bloody things! Our sister is a Death Eater!" he yelled.
"What?" Molly cried.
With hardened faces, Fred and George turned angrily to him. "Take it back," they shouted simultaneously.
"I can't," Ron said, stiffly. "It's the truth." Staring at the floor, his hands clutched the arm rests.
"No it's not," Fred yelled, angrily. "Gin is not what you say she is."
"Right. You're lying," George agreed. "You're just pissed off about something and you're taking it out on her."
"No I'm not," Ron said, quietly.
He wished he was; he wished this was all some sort of angry revenge, but it wasn't. His baby sister had changed; she had left them all behind in pursuits of something nobody understood. Disowning them, without their knowledge. Of only he could change it; turn back time and fix it all for everyone. If only...
Stomping over to him, they glared down at their brother. "Stop this, Ron! This isn't funny. She's our sister," the twins yelled.
"I know that," Ron replied, his face becoming dazed.
It was all out now; they knew. They'd never look at Ginny the same way again. They'd probably never look at Ron the same way. He was supposed to keep her safe; it was his job while at Hogwarts. The proof of his inadequacy as a brother was out there for all to know. He was horrible; he didn't deserve to be part of this family.
"He's telling the truth," Harry said. "I saw her with my own eyes."
"You mean the ones covered in glasses," George pointed it out.
"Glasses you constantly break." Fred added on.
"They weren't broken," he said, stiffly. "There was a group of girls, Death Eaters, that were talking in an empty classroom. They heard a noise and came out to investigate; which is when I saw Ginny standing with Parkinson, Bulstrode, Patil, and some unknown girl."
Closing his eyes, Ron remembered when they had told him the same thing. He hadn't taken it very well either. In fact, he'd gone on a rampage. How was he supposed to react though? This was Ginny. Little, innocent, sweet Ginny. She wasn't a Death Eater; it was unfathomable. She was still a little girl; with red hair and freckles all over her adorable face. She was so young; too young to make a decision like this.
He remembered their childhood; how close they were as little kids. What had changed that?
While his mum chased after Fred and George for jinxing a pie to hover over her head until she got angry, which would then cause it to fall and cover her in the tasty remnants, nine year old Ron was currently staring at the sweets jar calling to him from the counter. He didn't know enough magic to be able to make it fly to him, so he was assessing the area to figure out how he would get it. Tapping his chin, he stared at the jar with a crease of concentration in his forehead.
"Ronnie," Ginny called out in a sing-song voice. She was walking down the stairs carefully; reaching one leg out and putting it down and then bringing the other beside it before she moved down another step. "Roooo-nnnn--ieeeee!"
Frowning at the nickname, he shook his head. "What?" he called back, turning.
Finally she made it to the bottom and bound over to him. "What're you doing?"
"Nothin'," he said, frowning. "I want a candy but mum says I can't have one."
"Why?" she stared up at him with expressive, big, round brown eyes.
"Because she says I already had enough." Throwing his arms, up, he pouted. "I only had eight or fourteen."
Putting her hands together in front of her, she stared at the jar. "Why?"
Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Because I like candy," he said, exasperated.
Blinking, she looked over at him. Tipping her head, she frowned. "Why?"
Glaring, he shrugged. "Because it's good."
Thinking this over for a moment, she stared back at the jar before asking again, "Why?"
Turning, he frowned. Shaking his head, he threw his arms up. "Why do you?"
"Because you do," she said, smiling.
His brow furrowed for a moment. "Alright Gin, how 'bout you help me get some candy then?" A plan had formed, he only hoped nobody caught him. Though he was sure the twins had his mum completely preoccupied.
"How?" she asked, grinning.
"Climb up on my shoulders," he said, kneeling on the ground.
"Okay," she said excitedly. Running around him, she hopped up on to his back and pulled on his hair to get herself higher.
"OW! OW! OW!" Ron yelled.
"Sorry Ronnie," she said, her lip trembling. Her hands lifted up and rubbed at her eyes.
"It's alright Gin, are you ready?" he asked, rubbing his sore head.
"Mm-hmm," she said, happily.
"Okay," he said, nodding. Walking over to the counter, he stood up on the tips of his toes, leaning her in close to the jar. "Grab it, Gin. Hurry!"
"Okay Ronnie," she said. Leaning in, she wrapped her little hands around the jar and pulled it out.
"Ronald and Ginevra Weasley, just what do you think you're doing?" their mom shouted from the doorway of the kitchen. Her hands were holding the ears of the two red-headed twins, who stood grinning at the scene.
"Uh oh," George said, happily.
"You're in trouble now," Fred told them.
Turning around, Ron stared at his mom with wide eyes and long "O" of a mouth. Without thinking, he turned and ran. Ginny held onto the sweets jar tightly, her legs kept her on Ron's shoulders. His hands were wrapped around her knees as he ran into the living room and out the front door.
"You get back here this instant, you two," their mum called out, annoyed.
Hurrying across the green field, they headed for their tree. Hiding behind it, Ron slumped to the ground. He couldn't hear his mum's heavy footsteps, telling him she wasn't going to be showing up too soon. Helping Ginny off his shoulders, he set her down beside him.
"That was fun, Ronnie," she said, smiling.
"I told you not to call me that," he said, frowning.
"Sorry, Ronnie," she said, pouting.
"It's okay Gin," he said, easily. Reaching over he opened the jar and handed her a treat. Unwrapping it excitedly, she popped the chocolate frog into her mouth. Opening her mouth to smile, Ron laughed at her chocolate covered teeth. After finishing off the entire jar, he held his stomach in pain; since Ginny didn't have as much, she was only a tiny bit queasy.
Groaning at his tummy ache, Ron rolled onto the grass. Ginny crawled over to him, looking at him in worry. Shaking her head, she blinked her wide eyes. "Don't worry Ronnie, I'll make you feel better."
"How?"
"I'll do what mummy does," she said, nodding quickly. Leaning down, she kissed his small tummy. "There, all better, right?" She smiled hopefully. Wrapping her arms around him, she hugged him tightly.
"Yeah, Gin, all better," he said, not wanting her to feel bad. "Come on, let's go see mum." Picking her up, he started walking back to the house. While they walked, she fell asleep in his arms. Smiling down at her, he sighed when he saw his mum's scowling face appear at the doorway.
"How do you know they were Death Eaters?" Arthur asked, staring blankly at nothing.
"They were talking about Voldemort destroying them if they didn't finish their task," Harry replied quietly.
"Mum, dad, you can't believe them," Fred said, shaking his head.
"Right. They don't know what they're goin' on about," George said hastily. His eyes were wide and confused.
"Dumbledore," the twins shouted. "Tell them it's not true. Tell them she's working for you, on a mission of some sort."
Glancing at his Headmaster, he knew what he'd see; sorrow and regret. There was no plan for Ginny; she wasn't away on some hidden mission. He'd never have a sixteen year old girl make her way into that kind of danger. He hardly wanted Harry to do anything but study; why would he let Ginny, someone who has nothing to do with Voldemort, go into that kind of situation. That's just it; he wouldn't. There was no excuse; Ginny did this on her own.
"I'm afraid I can't do that Mr. Weasley's. As young Miss Weasley has nothing to do with any missions I may have underway. I'm afraid, I know for a fact that she is working with Voldemort," he explained.
"But how? When? Why?" Molly sobbed. "My little girl would never... No..."
"I'm so sorry Weasley family," the Headmaster went on. "I'm sure this is a very upsetting surprise."
"How can you be sure Albus?" Arthur questioned. His hand wrapped around his wife's, trying to calm her.
"I sadly cannot share how I received the information, but I can guarantee that it is true. We are currently trying to answer your questions Molly, of why, when and how. It is certainly a surprise that Voldemort has accepted a Weasley into his group, as your family is very known for its loyalty to Harry.
"I'm sure you want some time alone with Ron. If you'd like, all of us who are not part of the Weasley family will take our leave." He nodded slowly. Standing from behind his desk, he motioned for Harry and Draco to follow.
"Wait," Molly called out. "They're family," she said, motioning to the boys.
Draco and Harry stared at her for a moment. Harry wasn't all that surprised that she called him family, she had been doing so practically from the moment she met him. However, to hear the words directed towards his brother too, completely threw him off. He didn't expect them to be so forgiving or welcoming to him. He was happy they were, but still taken off guard.
"What?" Draco asked, surprised.
"Yeah," the twins said, loudly. "What!"
Smiling briefly, Molly nodded. "Draco, I haven't-" Standing up, she made her way over, her face deeply laden with sadness. "I have never been very supportive of your... foster father, Lucius. You, however, have long past proven yourself as a Potter. Harry has always been like a son to me, who I love very dearly. I one day hope, that you and I could share that type of relationship." Nodding, tears were milling in her eyes. "Now, this is a family meeting." She waved her hands around. "So you two, take your seats. We need to discuss this thoroughly."
Completely dazed and confused, Draco and Harry sat back down in their chairs.
With a simple smile, Dumbledore left them alone.
"First off," George shouted. "I really don't like whatever just happened."
"I agree," Fred yelled. "We cannot accept Mal-Dra-him into the family so easily. We're ready to completely forget about our sister because-" he ranted, angrily.
"-she's lost her marbles a bit-" He threw his arms up in exasperation.
"-but we'll accept a Death Eater's son into our family." He shook his head with wide annoyed eyes.
"He's probably hiding the Dark Mark!"
"One, I'm not Lucius' son. Two, I'm not a Death Eater, nor do I have any Dark Mark. And three," Draco said, angrily. "I think there are more pressing matters than me at hand, like let's say, Ginny!"
"Shut your hole," George warned, savagely. "You don't know us-
"-and you don't know our sister," Fred finished, his eyes burning a hole into Draco.
"He knows me," Ron bellowed, jumping from his chair. "Look, he's not like how he was. In fact, he was never like that. It's complicated and it doesn't matter. Draco is my friend and he's Harry's brother. One day, he'll probably be like a brother to you-"
"Doubt it!" George said, annoyed
"Highly!" Fred agreed, loudly.
"So stop being prat's and shut up," Ron yelled.
"Settle down, all of you," Molly shrieked. "Will you please try and act civilized? We need to really talk about this."
"What's there to say, mum?" Fred asked, his jaw clenched.
"Yeah, we've all decided to disown her, haven't we?" Glaring, George frowned at Ron. "I know little Ronniekin's has, haven't you?" Reaching out, he pushed his brother back. "You just couldn't wait to tell us, could you?"
Lunging at his brother, he knocked George to the ground. Lifting him up by the shirt, he stared down at him through thin and vicious eyes. "I have known for one day," he yelled. "I have punched my best friend, confided in my former archenemy, and cried my bloody eyes out." He shook his brother angrily. "She is my sister too," he screamed. "She means more to me than you know! And no matter what happens, she will always be my sister." Letting him go, he stood up and stalked back to his chair.
Fred helped his twin off the ground, and together they stood silently brewing.
"We can't let her continue on like this," Arthur said, painfully. "If I'm correct, she's the one who's tried to kill Hermione twice already."
"Yes," Harry answered, nodding.
Swallowing the emotion building in his throat, Arthur nodded; his eyes becoming red with tears. "Right then," he said shortly. "I'll inform Dumbledore that he must take her into custody. She'll be held until a hearing. Whatever is decided, is done. We cannot save her from this."
"Arthur," Molly said, sadly.
"I know dear," he said, patting her hand. "I know."
"So that's it then?" George asked, crossing his arms.
Following his actions, Fred glared at them. "We're just going to sell her out?"
"She made her own choices, boys," Arthur said, trying to sound strong. "There's nothing we can do now."
"This family sucks," Fred yelled. He threw his arms into the air with annoyance and disbelief at their words.
"We're not a family," George said. His face was red with anger, his eyes watery with tears.
Shaking his head, Fred paced; his brother was right there beside him. "Nowhere near one."
Ron winced; no longer a family, they had said. He never though a day would come when the Weasley's would crumble.
George stopped, looking around the room at each of them, with savage anger for them all. "Let's go."
Nodding shortly, Fred swallowed. "Lets."
"Boys, please," Molly shouted, her voice breaking.
Without turning around, they stomped out of the office, slamming the door loudly behind them.
Ron watched as his family fell apart in front of his eyes. He was right, George and Fred were going to blame him for this. They were right too; this was his fault. He caused this in some warped way. If he hadn't bugged her so much, if he had kept a closer eye on her, maybe she wouldn't have turned out this way. He was supposed to be her big brother; the one that kept her away from things like this. He wasn't there for her in her first year and he didn't take care of her any year after. Because of him, the Weasley family was being ripped apart.
Cradling his sobbing wife, Arthur patted her shoulder. Looking over to the three teenagers still sitting in the room, he sighed. "You boys get back to class, now. If there's any more news, we'll be sure to inform you of it." He nodded. "Be careful, all of you."
"Yes sir," Draco and Harry said, quietly.
"Dad," Ron muttered. "Is everything going to be okay?"
"Don't you worry, son," Arthur said, trying to smile at him convincingly. "Everything'll work it self out."
Walking over, Ron squeezed his mother's hand. "I'm sorry mum," he told her, sadly.
He was sorry for being a poor brother. He was sorry for being the person who had to tell her, her daughter was evil. He was sorry he had ever found out. He was sorry he wasn't a better Weasley. He was sorry for more things than he could apologize for.
Turning around, he followed his friends out the door.
Later that afternoon, after classes, Draco paced the room, the parchment he had copied out earlier clutched in his hand. Shaking his head, he tapped his chin. A quill was poised between his fingers, dripping ink onto the floor. Muttering to himself, he closed his eyes and thought it over.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, amused at his actions.
"Trying to decipher this paper," he mumbled.
"Why?" she wondered, cocking her head to the side.
"It's written in five different languages. I've figured out the Italian. I have half of the Spanish figured out. Part of the German is finished. The French was easy. But the Russian has me stumped. I learned it when I was six, so now it's kind of fuzzy." He frowned, scuffing his foot on the ground.
Blinking, she shook her head. "You know all of those languages?" she said in awe.
"Except Russian," he reminded, smiling lightly.
Standing up, she took the parchment from his hand and scanned it over. "Alright," she said. "I know Spanish, so I can help you with that. I know some German, so I'll work on that too. For the Russian, we'll have to make a trip to-"
"Your beloved library," he finished, nodding.
"Exactly," she said, grinning. "I feel like I haven't been there in ages," she told him sadly.
"Well I'm sure we'll make up for that tonight," he said, grimacing. "Come on, let's go."
Leaving the Head Common Room, they hurried towards the library. Ron and Harry were at a Quidditch practice, so they said they absolutely couldn't help with the translation. Draco was pretty sure that they had no idea what they would be able to do to help anyway. Pushing the door open, they waved to Madame Pince, before taking their usual table near the back.
Splaying the parchment out, she asked him to read it out to her. Each line changed which language it was in, making it a little harder to understand. Pulling out her quill, Hermione held it over a fresh piece of paper, nodding at him to go ahead and read.
For a moment, he just stared at her. Her hair was hanging down one shoulder, with her head tipped to one side. Her eyes gleamed out at him with interest. Perhaps because she was about to learn something, or maybe because she was looking at him; he wasn't sure. Her mouth lifted on one side, into a warm smile. For a brief moment, he actually wanted to forget all about the important news he had to figure out and wanted to just kiss her. However, this wasn't the time for that. They had important business to tend to.
Lifting the parchment, he looked it over. He had long past learned practically every single language possible. Lucius thought it was a necessity; that it would come in handy in the near or far future. All Draco knew was that Latin was what stuck with him and the rest took awhile for him to completely remember. He hadn't much cared for all the other languages; they were never as strong, he felt. Lucius had him learning since he was four; it seemed a young age now that he thought about it.
His mother learned with him; she'd sit in a chair at the back of the room, taking notes and asking questions. Draco thought it was because she wanted to expand her horizons, but really she just enjoyed talking to him in Latin so that nobody understood them. She had learned how to tell him things like she loved him, or that he was the greatest son in the world. Lucius didn't pay much attention to these things; when Draco was young, he figured Lucius didn't know much Latin. In fact, he was quite educated in the language and just didn't listen to his wife or son when they spoke to one another.
Clearing his throat, he began reading it out. He used the proper accent for each, sometimes making faces as he went, causing Hermione to chuckle. He loved how her face lit up when she smiled or laughed. It made his mind deviate from the work again, but he'd always turn his attention back to what he was doing.
The information could be vital; it could be of coming attack. He needed to know about these things and he was sure that no adult would let him or Harry know about what was happening. For a moment, he wondered how Hagrid passed the information on. It was fairly unlikely that the man was educated in all of those languages. Deciding to think it over later, he continued on with the news, watching Hermione as she wrote diligently.
"Señor, necesitamos discutir un asunto que aprieta. Le côté sombre pend au-dessus de nous plus que jamais auparavant. Wir müssen uns treffen, die leichte Seite zu sparen. Avvicina quando il tempo è funesto; la parola è che Snape arriverà a Hogwarts questo fine settimana. Порядок должен остановить его планы относительно Гарри и Дракона.
"Tobias Micauley nos ha ofrecido su oficina a nosotros para nuestra reunión. Vendredi quand la lune est basse, amener l'espion. Es gibt keine mehr Zeit, seiner plant muss werden gewusst. Abbiamo delle notizie sulla ragazza di Weasley anche, non è buono. Есть угроза прибытию мальчиков, новости говорят нам о новой проблеме.
"Muchos viven están en el riesgo, no nos desilusiona por no mostrar. Nous savons que votre sont complètement derrière Harry et Drago, nous les soutenons aussi. Während wir nicht immer hilfreich waren, sind diese wichtige Zeiten. Dobbiamo tutta la banda insieme durante questo tempo di Guerra. Министерство спрашивает вашу помощь, люди просят о вашей помощи, я прошу о вашем доверии.
"El fracaso no se verá. Nous gagnerons ceci. Wir werden frei von Hass sein. I gemelli lo sconfiggeranno. Весь свет будет бороться вместе, и весь темный умрет скоро."
Hermione's hand wrote quickly but neatly. Staring down at it, she began deciphering what she could. Standing up, Draco made his way over to the shelves, scanning them for anything that would help. Finding a few books on learning Russian, he brought them to the table. Sighing, he cracked one open and began to read.
Hours later, when they were ready to collapse from reading, with their eyes beginning to cross, Draco finally shouted in happiness. "I've got it," he said.
"You know what it says," Hermione asked, smiling in hope.
"We've finished it," he told her. Holding the paper up, he took hers too. "Look, we've translated the whole thing."
Her eyes widened. "Well read it out, already."
"Read what out?" Ron asked. He was still wearing his Quidditch gear as he plopped down in a chair beside Draco. Harry slumped down beside Hermione, his face was red and his glasses were fogged.
"Have fun?" Draco asked.
Grinning tiredly, the two boys nodded.
"Good," Hermione said, not really caring. "You're just in time to hear what we've found out about the letter that was mysteriously taken from Hagrid by two unknown people," she said, cocking her eyebrow.
"Those two sure were tricky," Ron said, sighing.
"Very tricky," Draco agreed. "Sure glad they did it though."
"Definitely. Where would we be without them?" Ron said, shaking his head.
"No where," Draco said, nodding his head. "Real saints those two."
"They should be given a reward," Ron announced, excitedly. "I vote sweets!"
Laughing, Draco shook his head.
Rolling his eyes, Harry threw a crumpled piece of parchment at each of them. "Tell us what it says then," he said, interested.
"Alright," Draco said, with a dramatic pause. Scanning the paper, he nodded. "Ready?"
Sighing, they rolled their eyes.
Opening his mouth, he read out the English version of the paper. He too was shocked at what it had to say.
A/N Hey guys! I bet you've all deserted me to go on some lavish and fun vacation. -sighs- I hope you liked this chapter, please review! It's really appreciated. Thanks to all who read and review! You guys rock : )
-Amanda