Chapter 21

(Ellie POV)

'Draco? How will he…oh. I see. That's bloody brilliant. Wait, didn't you say he's under house arrest?' Harry asked, looking at Ellie.

'Well, yes he is, but Lucius wants him to spend more time with Astoria. If he goes to her house…'

'He'll have access to the library.' Harry interrupted Ellie. 'Well. I can't see why we can't try it. We have no other options as of this moment.'

Nodding her head in agreement, Ellie got up and went over to the table to pen a letter to Draco.

Damien,
Daisy told me something quite interesting and we have a proposition for you. Is there any way we would be able to speak to you? Let us know as soon as possible.
Erin x

Opal returned through the window and fluffed her feathers in annoyance that she was about to do another trip. Addressing the letter, she told the bird to take it straight to Draco and no one else and the bird flew off.

'So. How do you feel Daph?' Harry asked.

'Honestly, I could be a lot worse.' She replied. Ellie sat down again and watched the two interact. Harry and Daphne had put their past grudges behind them long before the war. If Ellie could pinpoint that exact moment, it would have been double potions with the Slytherins the year before they left to hunt for horcruxes. Slughorn had placed them together to work on a pairs assignment, whilst Ellie had been placed with Lavender Brown, much to her disgust. Harry and Daphne worked well together and had decided that being enemies was just plain stupid. However, if it weren't for their current significant others, she could have sworn they liked each other. There was something in their interactions that she thought was verging on flirty but bringing it up would just stir up trouble. Besides, she knew they wouldn't do that. Daphne was too in love with Theo and Harry was completely besotted with Ginny.

'Ellie, what do you think?' Harry turned to her, bringing her back to earth.

'I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't hear what you were saying.' Ellie replied.

'I asked if it would be ok if Ron came over later this week. I think he wants to apologize.' Harry explained.

'How many times do you forgive that great big oaf for his actions? It is about time he started to grow up and not act like a five-year-old.' Daphne spat.

'Yeah, he can be a grade A moron.' Harry agreed. 'But he is our friend. There have been times where he has come through though.'

'Yeah. I know. I know. The war and everything.' Daphne resigned.

'Anyway. Ellie, do you think it will be alright if he came over?' Harry asked.

'He needs to learn that people can change.' Ellie said, folding her arms across his chest. 'Draco is with us now, not his father.'

'I know. But I think he's remorseful this time. Ginny told me that he's been having a rough time lately. He failed his Chudley Cannons tryout again. He won't be able to tryout again until next year. Besides, Lavender is giving him a hard time about it. She wants him to go back to school and graduate and then get a 'real job'. Not to mention, he hasn't even told Molly yet that he doesn't want to go back to Hogwarts.' Harry explained. 'Having Draco here was the icing on the cake.'

'Did you just say Draco?' Ellie asked in shock. It was always Malfoy to him, not Draco.

'Uh…yeah I did. Ellie, stop changing the subject.' He replied in annoyance. 'I think Ron just needs more time than us to register the fact the world is changing.'

'That's no excuse for treating me, my brother and his best friend like crap, Harry.' Ellie rebutted.

'I know it's not. But come on, Elles, he's our friend. Don't you think we at least owe him the chance to explain himself? It is probably about time we give him the credit that he hasn't received for his effort during the war.' He replied.

'Well…ugh…fine. You've convinced me but I'm still not happy with this.' Ellie replied. 'But you are right that we do need to give him the credit.'

'Good. Well I'll get him to come around soon then. Maybe then, Ginny will come home.' Harry looked crestfallen.

'Harry, how are things with Ginny going?' Daphne asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

'What? Oh, they're fine.' He replied.

'Harry…' Ellie pushed. 'I've known you long enough to know that tone does not mean you're fine.'

'Alright. Alright. You got me.' He sighed. 'Ginny has been pulling away from me lately. I don't know why though.'

'Well, have you asked her what's going on?' Daphne asked.

'No. Well. Not directly.' Harry said.

'Harry…you won't know what's wrong until you ask her.' Ellie explained.

'I know. But every time I go to ask, she shuts me down or walks away.' Harry replied.

'Hmm…looks like Ginny needs a girl to girl talk.' Daphne suggested and looked at Ellie.

'Wait. You don't mean…me? Daphne no. I'm horrible with matters of the heart.' Ellie cried.

'No. Not just you. You and I will talk to her.' Daphne said, coolly and turned towards Harry. 'Harry, do you think you could get her to come here for us to chat?'

'Well. I suppose I can try. But there's no guarantee.' Harry said, quietly.

'Good. Don't worry Harry. We'll get to the bottom of this.' She assured.

'You're a good friend, Daphne.' Harry replied.

'I've been told.' Daphne feigned being flattered and Harry slapped her shoulder and both of them ended up giggling like little schoolgirls. It was really a strange sight to Ellie. She had never seen Harry let himself be like that apart from when he was around Ron and herself. Just how close were these two? She didn't let herself think about it for much longer for a reply came with Opal in that moment.

She jumped up and nearly ran to the window to get his reply. She didn't notice the knowing glance between Daphne and Harry.

Erin,
I'll make this quick as I'm not sure when my father will return. Meet me in your dining room, 9pm tonight. I will connect through floo call. My mother will keep father occupied. I don't know how long I'll be able to speak though.
Damien x

'What did he say, Ellie?' Daphne asked.

'Dining room, 9pm tonight.' She replied. Daphne and Harry nodded.

'Well that sorts out one issue. Now on to the next one.' Daphne said, turning to Harry as the floo went off in the house.

'POTTER! DAPHNE! ELLIE! Where the hell are you?' The sound of Theo's angry voice echoed around the house.

'In the library.' Harry yelled back. The sound of two pairs of feet came pounding up the stairs. Upon Theo's and Blaise's entry into the room and their solemn faces, they immediately knew something was up.

'Potter. I'm glad you're here. We have some bad news.' Blaise said and came and sat across from him.

'What happened?' He asked, sitting up straight in his chair.

'We went to Milan as there had been suspicious activity reported by various people. When we got there…' Blaise stopped and took a deep breath. 'The dark mark had been shot up in the sky.'

'Go on.' Harry said.

'We ran as fast as we could to see what happened. It was horrible.' Theo replied. 'The whole alley in Milan was decimated. There was nothing left. Even the café that served as the entrance was gone.'

'Any casualties?' Ellie asked in curiosity. Her worst fear had been confirmed. It had started again. Another war. Not even six months out of the last one.

'Everyone that was in the alley and café at the time have disappeared without a trace. As far as we know there could be survivors but they're just gone. No evidence that the killing curse was used. Aurors were there within two minutes but it was too late. They have no idea how it could have happened so quickly or how there was absolutely no one there. I asked some muggles what they thought happened and they seem to be treating it as a bomb explosion. But there wasn't even a body to be found.'

'I need to get back to work…now.' Harry said, emphasising the now. 'Thanks Blaise and Theo. I'll let you debrief here but I'll need you back in Milan in say about an hour?' The two men nodded in response as Harry got up and apologetically rushed out of the room which left the four of them in the room, contemplating what had just happened.

'So many people are just gone. How in the world could that happen and so quickly too?' Ellie wondered out loud. 'And not by the killing curse either.'

'Do you think this has something to do with Gwydion's misguide?' Daphne asked Ellie in response.

'It might. But I wouldn't have a clue until we know what it is. That's why we need to get Draco to get that book.' Ellie replied.

'What book?' Theo asked in confusion.

'There's a book in the Greengrass library that Daphne believes may have the answers as to what it is.' Ellie answered.

'Really? That's brilliant, apart from the retrieval bit.' Theo said bluntly.

'We're going to ask Draco to try and retrieve it when he floos tonight.' Daphne replied. 'He is engaged to Astoria. It will be the easiest way to get in.'

'But isn't he under house arrest?' Blaise quirked his eyebrow in confusion.

'He is but if he says he wants to spend time with Astoria at her house, their parents will be overjoyed. It's what they want.' Daphne stated. 'It's quite a brilliant plan really. They wouldn't even suspect a thing.'

'Well let's just hope he can pull it off then.' Blaise said, a hint of scepticism in his tone. They sat there silent for a few moments, reeling in the intensity of the situation before Theo changed the subject.

'You're supposed to be on bed rest Daphne. You could have hurt yourself travelling here on your own in your condition. You should know better than that.'

Daphne screwed up her face and glared at her boyfriend.

'My condition? Merlin. I'm not a china doll. I'm fine. I'm in one piece. It's not like I'm going to do it again now am I? I think Ellie could use the company here.' She glanced at Ellie and gave her a weak smile which she returned.

'But still…'

'I know. It was stupid of me and I'm sorry I worried you. I promise I won't do that again ok?' She mellowed her voice just enough to drizzle some honey over it. The effect obviously pulled off because Theo didn't push the issue further.

'So, I suppose Theo and I should get going?' Blaise asked and they all turned to him. He was sitting back in the chair with his arms folded across his chest. 'We'll have to swing by the manor and collect some supplies before heading back out to Milan. Goodness knows how long Potter will keep us there.'

'True. Hadn't thought of that.' Theo replied.

'Oh, while I'm at it, have you gotten anywhere with the contract?' Blaise turned his voice towards Ellie. The sudden change of subject startled her.

'Oh. Ah. The contract. Nothing worth mentioning.' She said lamely, hoping it would fool them. She was god awful at lying. Observing the Slytherins in front of her, Theo and Daphne seemed to accept her lie but Blaise, being the ever-perceptive twin, could tell she was hiding something. His face gave it away that he knew she was lying and he sent her an intimidating glare to indicate he wasn't so impressed.

'Later.' She mouthed. He settled for that response, unfolded his arms and extricated himself from the chair. He walked over to his sister and gave her a hug. 'You'd better tell me what you found later, sorella.' He whispered in her ear.

'Are you going to be alright here Daph?' Theo asked his girlfriend, wrapping his arms around her.

'Yes, of course I will be. I think Ellie and I will be perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves, Theo.' She replied and pushed back a little.

'Come on then, mate. Can't keep the famous Potter waiting.' Blaise dragged a reluctant Theo away from Daphne and towards the door. 'Ciao, ladies.' He gave them a final wave and wink before leaving the room. When they were out of earshot, Daphne spoke again.

'Ugh. As much as I love a concerned boyfriend, he drives me insane sometimes.'

'You can't blame him. You disappeared without telling him where you were going. You only just came out of a coma as well.' Ellie rebutted. 'He just wants to make sure you're ok. You've probably worried the guy to death by keeping the prophecy in so long. I couldn't blame him for that.'

'I know. I know. It's just I'm not the kind to sit around and have people dote on me. I'm not sure what your perception of a pureblood family household is like but it isn't all what it's cracked up to be.' Daphne replied.

'Tell me what life was like growing up, Daphne.' Ellie said, wondering if she had had it all wrong all these years.

'You see, most people think that being a pureblood elitist is the equivalent of being a filthy rich spoiled brat and for some, like my sister and Pansy, that is true. But for a few of us, like Theo and myself, we were provided with the necessities and whatever was required to keep the façade of the elite up. Sure, they doted on me the first few years of my life but when Tori came, they brushed me aside and only made sure the elves took care of me. I had to grow up watching my sister get everything she ever wanted. They paid attention to me when I got into Slytherin at Hogwarts but soon they went back to nearly forgetting I existed. Hogwarts was my haven. I didn't have to deal with my sister and parents who would ignore me. But then Tori got sorted into Slytherin as well and let's just say I had to deal with her parading around the halls, bragging about how good she has it. But when we started divination in year three is where it all went down-hill. I began telling prophecies that became true and when Tori found out she called me a freak and wrote to our parents. I got howlers. Tonnes of them. I was told to keep it under wraps because a seer in the family would tarnish their reputation. When he who must not be named rose, my parents, through peer pressure, became supporters. Because I was underage at the time, I was not forced to join them. They became obsessed with his work and when I became of age, just before the war, they tried to force me to join them. I blatantly refused. I saw what had happened to Draco and I wouldn't be placed under that pressure. So, I consulted Theo and he agreed, so we both refused. Our parents were furious and disowned us, throwing us out onto the streets with barely anything to survive. I hung around the estate for a little while and they got the elves to throw my stuff out onto the grounds. I think their intention was to burn it but I secretly collected enough of it before they got to it. Then I left and could never return so I went back to the only place I felt truly at home. I decided then and there, I was going to change the way other houses perceive Slytherins. So, when Slughorn placed Harry and I together in potions, I buried the hatchet with him and we've been friends ever since. I was much nicer to people and began making friends in other houses. My sister found out and yelled at me. But I told her I couldn't care less what she thought and took her down a peg or two and we've avoided each other like the plague ever since.'

'Oh wow. I had no idea, I'm so sorry.' Ellie replied.

'Don't be. I'm much better off without them in my life.' Daphne countered.

'You are such a strong person. I can't believe you had to suffer that much.'

'Hah. I bet Merlin's beard that you've suffered more than me. Draco told me what happened in the manor. Bellatrix the horrible bint of a woman. But you grew up being taunted by us only to find out you weren't what we called you. Not that you or anyone were in the first place. But still, that is torture. Not to mention, the turmoil of having to abandon your own identity to adopt a whole new one. What did your muggle parents even do when they found out that you know?' Daphne queried.

'They don't know. They don't even know me. I removed their memories before the war but the memory charm was too effective and it had permanent effects. It would have caused too much damage to remove the charms. It might not have been possible to retrieve any memory of me in their lives. But at least they are safe as Wendell and Monica Wilkins in Australia.'

'Oh, my goodness. I stepped at the end of a blast ended shrewt. I'm so sorry. I didn't know.' Daphne sympathised.

'Don't apologise. As you said, you didn't know.' She replied.

'Anyway, should we get something to eat? Surely it's nearing dinner time.' Daphne said.

'I'm starting to think Daisy was the perfect name for you.' Ellie said cheekily.

'Hey! You take that back.' Daphne swatted her shoulder whilst Ellie giggled.

'Sorry, no refunds.' Ellie giggled again and Daphne joined her.

'Alright Zabini. But I will get you back for this.' She replied.

'No doubt. Let's go then…Daisy.'

(Draco POV)

Her letter had arrived at the most opportune time. His father was out. Well actually opportune wasn't exactly the right word because recently, his father had been going out for odd lengths of time. Sometimes it would be days at a time, so he was just glad that he hadn't been home when he received the letter. He hated when his father would come home. Upon his return, he would have to prepare himself for another belting. He was beginning to think Lucius was trying to belt him into submission. But he would never succumb to that life again. He knew better. He wanted better. There was a proper motive to fight for; Ellie. He was fighting for her. For a chance to prove himself to her and to hopefully be hers someday. He would do anything for her, even if it meant getting hurt. But regardless of the prolonged absences of his father, he couldn't risk him seeing the letter and beginning to ask questions. Or worse, torturing him for answers. He shuddered and opened the letter from the owl (of whom he was informed was called Opal and was Potter's) and read the elegant script.

Damien,

His penname. They had come up with 'secret' names just in case any of the mail was intercepted. Apparently, privacy meant squat nowadays. Although, how effective these pennames were, he had no idea.

Daisy told me something quite interesting and we have a proposition for you.

So, Daphne was finally awake he realised and a proposition? Well, that would either be good or bad. He hoped that nothing could be worse than his current situation. But he wasn't sure there could be much worse than his current situation.

Is there any way we would be able to speak to you? Let us know as soon as possible.
Erin x

She signed it with an x. He sighed. She could do that with everyone though. He had no idea when his father would return but seeing as his mother now knew about his situation, maybe she would be able to distract him long enough if his father were to come home. He would have to find his mother and ask. Now a time. Hmm…His parents usually retreated to their quarters around 8:30pm, so perhaps, 9pm would work. Since his father cast a spell on the manor to prevent him from leaving the estate, he would have to make it a floo call as much as he hated putting his head in the flames. He would also have to floo from the furthest room from his father too. He couldn't risk being caught out and was very grateful in this moment that the recent bill to pass floo network trackers was denied, so they couldn't be tracked. So, he penned the letter and sent it back with the impatient owl.

He sighed and went to go find his mother. He found her in a sitting area, Evening Prophet in hand and drinking a cup of tea. She glanced up as he walked in.

'Darling. Come. Take a seat. Minky! Ah there you are. Bring Draco a teacup please.'

'Yes mistress.' She popped out and reappeared a moment later, placing the cup and saucer on the table and pouring a cup from the already steaming pot on the table. Then she disappeared again.

Draco sat down in front of his mother, who was entranced by the evening paper.

'Oh dear. Terrible things are happening in Milan. The whole alley just disappeared. Not a soul left in the wreckage.' She said and handed the paper to her son to look at.

'Merlin's beard. How did that happen?' He exclaimed and looked over the article.

'No one knows dear. The muggles are treating it as a bomb explosion. How preposterous.' Narcissa said and took a sip of her tea. He didn't reply. His mother just eyed him and drank her tea. 'Now. What was it you wanted?'

'Oh right. I have a floo call meeting tonight at about 9pm. If father comes home, could you please distract him for me?' He asked.

'Of course, darling. But who could you possibly be floo calling at such an hour?' She asked, a twinkle in her eye.

'Ellie.' He said bluntly.

'I see and why would you be calling Miss Zabini at late hours of the night? A secret rendezvous, perhaps?' She smirked, thoroughly amused by his discomfort.

'No mother. It is strictly business.' He replied.

'Risqué business.' She muttered with a slight chuckle.

'I heard that and since when have you decided to be a comedian?' He huffed.

'Darling. I'm just messing with you. Of course, I will keep your father entertained whilst you talk 'business' with Miss Zabini.' She agreed.

'Thank you, mother.' He replied and took a sip of his cup of tea.

'Now. Tell me. Has the girl gotten any closer to breaking this contract?'

'Not as far as I'm aware. Surely, you must know of something. Didn't you and father have one similar to this?'

'Yes, darling we did. But unfortunately, at the time, neither of us were looking to break it off, so we never looked at it. But our solicitor has the contract and if I go looking for it now, it may raise some suspicion.' She explained. He nodded in response. He was really getting worried that Ellie wouldn't be able to help him and he would have to marry Astoria.

'I'm worried.'

'About what love?' She placed down her teacup.

'About marrying Astoria.' He answered.

'I see. Tell me honestly son. Has Miss Zabini ever let you down?' She asked.

'No.'

'Do you trust her?'

'Yes.'

'Do you think she'll let you down?'

'No.'

'Then stop worrying. She will find a way to help you. I promise.' Narcissa resumed sipping her tea. 'Is that all you wanted?'

'Yes, mother.' He replied. 'No actually. I need the medicinal supplies restocked.'

Narcissa frowned. 'What has my husband done to you?'

'Hah. The question is more what hasn't he done?' Draco joked.

'I don't think the man I married is in there anymore.' She sighed. 'But fine. I'll send an order in with the elves tomorrow morning.'

'Mother. Can I be honest?' He asked. She nodded in reply. 'I know you have the whole pureblood woman can't leave pureblood man in a marriage thing, but the times are changing and perhaps it might be time for a visit to the solicitor.'

'No. Absolutely not. Times may be a changing son, but I will not get a divorce. I will not tarnish the Malfoy or Black name with divorce.' She replied.

'Ok. Ok. It was merely a suggestion.' He took his cup and drank the tea. 'I just hate seeing you hurt.'

'You think I wouldn't leave him if I could? I don't like this but I have a duty to uphold. Something my parents installed in me and I cannot go against it.'

'But mother. What if there was a loophole in your contract? Something to make your marriage invalid. Then would you leave him?' She sat there in contemplation. 'Please. If you can't do it for you, can you at least do it for me?' He was on the verge of begging but he didn't care. He was sick of being bashed to death, he wanted freedom, he needed his freedom.

'Ok. Fine. You've convinced me. I will pay a visit to Mr. Golding tomorrow.' Merlin! He had struck gold. Finally, he got through to her. 'I can't promise anything but I will do this for you. But only because I am concerned about your safety.'

'Thank you, mother.' He sighed in relief. Maybe. Just maybe, he could get his freedom.

'Alright. Well I assume the elves will be preparing dinner. So, I suggest we relocate to the dining room.' She suggested and left the room without waiting for her son.

It was now 8:55pm and Draco was hanging about the fireplace in the kitchens. He assumed his father wouldn't ever venture down there and the elves were more than happy to accommodate him. His father hadn't returned home that evening, but he could never be too sure. He was looking forward to hearing Ellie's voice again. He missed her. It was strange. If someone had told him he would be enamoured by Granger a couple of years ago, he would've thought they had been spending too much time in the looney bin with Luna Lovegood.

He took a deep breath, grabbed the powder and stuck his head into the fire. A moment later, the dining room of 12 Grimmauld Place appeared.

'Hello?' He said. Suddenly, she was in front of him, joined by Daphne a moment later.

'Draco.' She said with a small smile.

'Drakie poo. How stupendous it is to see you.' Daphne said in a mock Pansy voice.

'Nice to see you too, Daphne. Ugh. Don't ever do that Pansy voice ever again.' He shuddered and both girls giggled. 'How are you girls?'

'Great thanks.' Daphne replied for them both. 'Though the question should be how are you, Draco?'

'Well. Let's just say, I could be better. Father kicks the crap out of me every time he comes home. But at least it is less frequent now.' He replied.

'Lucius is definitely up to something.' Ellie muttered.

'I agree. I'm nearly a hundred percent sure that he is conspiring with the escaped prisoners.' Draco replied. 'How else would they have been getting around with aurors and order members at every turn? They've been doing well in covering up their tracks and we still have no idea what they need with the Misguide.'

'Speaking of the Misguide…' Daphne started. 'Ellie, please explain.'

'Well. Daphne thinks there might be a book in the Greengrass library that has Gwydion's Misguide in it.' Ellie explained. 'We have a plan…'

'Say no more. You want me to go to Greengrass Manor and extract the book. Am I correct?'

'Ah. I knew there was a reason we kept you around.' Daphne joked. 'Told you he's a smart cookie.'

'Yes, Draco. Please, if you wouldn't mind. I know you can't leave the manor right now, but if you explain to your father that you want to see Astoria, he might let you go.' Ellie reasoned.

'If or when he comes back.' He muttered. 'I'm so looking forward to that conversation.' He said, sarcastically.

'What about his mother?' Daphne wondered out loud.

'My mother knows I don't want to marry Astoria.' Draco said.

'Since when?' Daphne questioned.

'Since the beginning apparently.'

'Oh.' Daphne closed her mouth and said nothing else.

'But yeah. I'll see what I can do. How are you going with the marriage contract?' He asked.

'Slowly getting through it. Uh. Well. I may have found something but you are not going to like it.' Ellie replied.

'What? You said no breakthroughs earlier.' Daphne exclaimed.

'I said nothing worth mentioning. There's a difference. But in order for Astoria to call off the marriage, you have to…you have to be sterile.' He could see the light blush on Ellie's cheeks as she said it. She was obviously not comfortable in talking freely about these things, but maybe it was because she hardly knew them. She was right though. He didn't like that idea very much. He had always wanted a child of his own. He always thought he would have a son or a daughter and he would teach them to ride a broomstick or to brew a potion. He wasn't sure he could risk never having a child just to get out of a loveless marriage. It was a shame there wasn't a potion to make him temporarily sterile. He supposed even if there was, it probably could be detected in the blood.

Then he supposed if he couldn't have children, maybe he would be able to adopt. But given his past, he wasn't sure that the wizarding world would allow him to do that. Maybe he could adopt a muggle child. The muggle world wouldn't have a clue who he was and he could easily pass the background checks there. But a muggle child wouldn't have magic and he'd have to learn to live without it. It was just something he wasn't sure he would be capable of doing. There was also the muggle surgery to prevent pregnancy. The vasectomy or whatever. He knew that. But the reversibility was uncertain, the procedure was expensive and he just didn't think it was worth going through. So, he was stuck in this conundrum.

'Draco? Are you ok?' Ellie was staring at him in concern. He looked straight into those honey eyes and he knew right then and there that it wasn't worth the risk. Nothing was worth the risk of losing his chance with her. He wouldn't do that. He couldn't do that. Even if there was not even the slightest chance that they could be together one day.

'Yeah I'm fine. But we'll have to find another way because I will not do that.' He said, firmly.

'Fair enough Draco.' Daphne replied. 'I wouldn't have wanted to do that if I were in your situation either.'

'Ok, well I'll keep looking. Hopefully I will find something.' Ellie said.

'Thank you, Ellie. It means the world to me.' He replied. Suddenly, the whoosh of the floo network alerted him that someone was trying to get through, he didn't waiver though. Whoever it was, would have to wait. The person obviously knew what was happening for he heard a shout in the hallway a moment later. They had apparated instead.

'Excuse me, will you?' Ellie said and left the room.

'So, when are you going to tell her?' Daphne jumped into the attack.

'Tell her what? I don't know what you're talking about.' He replied, defensively.

'Don't play innocent with me Draco. I've known you since forever. I can tell that you like her. Merlin. You probably even love her. I've seen that look before. Theo looks at me like that. Seriously, I should have known during school when you would always go on about her.'

He groaned in frustration. 'Is it that bloody obvious? Do you think she knows?'

'Only to the trained eye. Look I can't tell you if she knows that you like her, but I can tell you she felt something that day you kissed. You won't be able to hide it long if she doesn't already know. She is too smart for that.' Daphne said in a low voice.

'She told you about that kiss?' He asked.

'She sure did.' Daphne giggled.

'Did she tell you anything else?' His heartrate was pounding in his ears, what had she told Daphne? Was it possible she felt the same way about him? He had no idea if there was a god, but sweet Merlin if there was, he was praying to him right now for it to be true.

'All I can say is she is a stubborn girl. But please don't give up on her. She may be the best thing that has ever happened to us Slytherins.' She replied.

He heard voices come into the room. One was Ellie. He knew that for sure. The others sounded suspiciously like the red headed twins who ran the joke shop in Diagon Alley.

'Daphne. Draco. Do you remember Fred and George Weasley?' Ellie asked as they approached.

'Indeed, I do.' Daphne replied. 'You're the ones who set off the portable swamp in the hallway during the year when Umbridge was at Hogwarts.'

'Ah yes. Some of our finest work. Don't you agree Fred?' George turned to his brother.

'Indeed, I do, George. Say Draco, you've got yourself stuck in a fireplace mate. Better look than the ferret I must say though.' Fred turned to see Draco in the fireplace.

'Highly perceptive of you.' He replied in annoyance. As much as he hated to admit that liked the twins, he was not going to show it. 'What are you two doing here?'

'Ah. Always the straight to the point kind of person. Never liked that. Reminds me too much of Percy.' Fred replied.

'Come on Fred. Just spit it out already.' Ellie said in annoyance. Good. He wasn't the only one who got fed up by the twin's antics.

'Yes. Well. You know the happenings in Milan?' They nodded in response.

'Well. A man came into our shop earlier today. He looked and behaved exactly like the guy Hagrid described a few weeks ago.' George continued.

'So, we sat and observed him for a bit. After about five minutes, one of our workers approached him. He got nervous and started to back away. That's when he reached the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Throwing it at their face, he took off out into the alley.' Fred explained.

'When we did the stocktake for the day, we realised he had stolen one of my Compendium Boxes of Pyrotechtrix.' George finished.

'Fireworks? Why would he want fireworks?' Daphne asked.

'Distraction possibly?' Ellie wondered out loud and everyone's eyes were on her. 'Well this guy is obviously working for the death eaters. He is probably going to use them as a distraction for whatever they are up to.'

'So, what's this got to do with Milan?' Draco asked.

'Well, you see. A map fell out of this guy's pocket as he fled the shop. It was a map of Milan with the café entrance circled.' George replied.

'No way. George you need to tell Harry.' Ellie exclaimed.

'That's what we intended to do when we came here but he obviously isn't here.' Fred explained.

'No. I believe Harry will still be in Milan. But if you stop by the auror after hours office, he'll probably come straight back.' Ellie replied.

'Yeah righto. See you three then. Can't be out long. Angelina will throttle me.' Fred said. George mocked a whip sound which earnt him a punch in his gut before they both left the room. The other three sat in silence for a moment before Daphne spoke again.

'So, who do you think is the suspicious blond-haired man?'

Well Happy New Year everyone! Have a great 2020. :)