Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing except my own character, Muirgeann le Fay (Merissa Lovey), and all else belongs to the esteemed Ms. Rowling, who I thank most heartily for creating such a universe for all of us to enjoy and explore.
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Not long now, I thought as I took notes on the book I was reading. I glanced up from the candlelit page to see that Harry and Ron were both sound asleep, slumped in their chairs with quills still in hand. I pulled out my wand and got them into their beds, closing the books with a sigh. If only I had access to more books. Surely the answers we seek must be somewhere. How on Earth are we going to get into the school? It'll be watched. Closely. Professor Snape will make sure there's a way, if he knows we have to get in. Does he know, though? Perhaps I ought to send him some sort of message.
"'Mione." Ron mumbled in his sleep. I frowned at him in irritation. How dare he dream of me. Useless, hopeless, stupid fool of a boy. I turned back toward my book and resumed my note-taking. After finishing the book, I yawned. I wonder what Draco's up to now. He'll be heading back to school soon, won't he? I wish I could go back too. It'll be hard to get a good job once this is all over without any N.E.W.T. examination scores.
I stood up and stretched, working to get out the pain in my back from the long day of research. If we survive the war, at any rate. That's not for me to worry about now, though. For now, I should rest. We'll never form a plausible plan if I'm not well rested. Merlin, help us to succeed. More than just our lives will be over if we don't.
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"Remember what I said, Draco. You know what to do and who to trust." Mother said as she stood in front of me, her eyes worried despite her smile.
"I know, Mother. I won't fail." I assured her. She looked like she wanted to hug me, but instead brushed my hair back and patted my cheek softly.
"I love you, Draco. We all do. Be safe for us." she whispered, all the worry in her eyes infecting her voice. "Have a good year at school, dear. Learn everything you can, but remember to have fun as well. Next year, you begin your adult life. Good-bye, Draco."
"Good-bye, Mother." I replied as I boarded the train. After taking my seat, I watched her stand alone as the train slowly pulled away, my father off talking to Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle. She raised her hand before vanishing from view and I turned from the image with a sick feeling in my stomach. If for no other reason, I have to help end this war for her sake. Mother needs to be known as the hero she is. She needs friends.
"Draco, how good to see you!" Pansy exclaimed as she opened the compartment door and took her seat beside me, Crabbe and Goyle trailing behind her.
"Good to see you as well, Pansy. If you don't mind, I would like to rest. Would you please keep quiet?" I asked, leaning against the window. She nodded and sat down, talking quietly to Crabbe and Goyle. I closed my eyes and let their droning conversation become background noise as I lost myself in my thoughts. Once we finally arrived at Hogwarts, I followed the others off the train and headed into the Great Hall thinking about what names I could gather in case the Dark Lord was not soon defeated.
"Draco, who's that girl next to the Headmaster?" Pansy whispered in my ear as I sat down. I glanced up to see a woman with blood-red hair reach in from of Snape to take his goblet, drinking it before offering it to him. "Merlin, did you see that? Who is she, Draco?"
"Our new Potions teacher, I would guess." I predicted as the woman's black eyes met mine. She smiled mockingly and I shot her a careless smirk before turning my attention back toward the Slytherin table. This is unexpected.
"Be careful, Draco. Snape's looking your way." Blaise warned under his breath. I glanced toward the table to see Snape frowning as the woman set her hand on his arm in a gesture far more intimate than I would have expected Snape to suffer through. I looked back toward the table, turning my back toward the teacher's table. She'll be dangerous. No doubt about that. As I changed the subject and kept the others around me distracted, I dwelled on Snape's behaviour and became more and more disheartened. Has he forgotten Lovey? Is it an act? Was that all an act? Is he really supporting the Dark Lord and has just fooled Mother, Lovey, Hermione, and who knows how many others?
"We'd best head toward the dormitories. The Hall's clearing out." Blaise suggested. I glanced around to see that it was so and stood.
"Let's go." I told them. Once they were up, I fell behind the others, Blaise beside me.
"Are you going to see the Headmaster?" he asked.
"Yeah. I need to find out what I can. Tell the others any lie they'll accept, won't you?" I asked. He nodded and followed the others, giving me a faux salute as I broke off to head toward Snape's office. I took my time, winding through the dungeons absently until I reached it. I froze outside as a woman's laugh came through the door, followed by a masculine murmur. Without waiting to hear a reply, I ran toward the dormitory and shut myself inside the Common Room.
"Find anything out?" Blaise asked under his breath as I sat down beside him. I gave the slightest shake of my head and he got me involved in the group's conversation without giving them the chance to wonder where I'd been. If we make it out of this war, I'll ask him to join me on some of my planned business ventures. I could use a reliable, actually intelligent partner like him. I stayed until it was reasonable that I escape and then I headed to bed, but found that I couldn't sleep.
Professor Snape must be on our side. Mother and I aren't worth enough for him to keep alive, with what he could tell the Dark Lord. At least the war seems to be going well, regardless. Although, if Professor Snape is right, fighting in this war will gain nothing in the long run. We're only resetting the system, so to speak. The evil will just come back and this will all just repeat itself again and again in the future. No matter how hard we try, we aren't going to do anything. Not permanently. It's useless. An image of Hermione came to mind and I scowled fiercely. No, not useless. Not if I can protect her, if even for only part of her life. She and those like her can have normal lives if we're successful. That's why we have to fight. Not for good, not for the Light, just for a chance. A chance at life, a chance at peace, a chance, more than anything, at happiness.
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