Malfoy and I agreed to meet again in two days; this time at the entrance of Hogwarts rather than the seventh floor which we both had thought was unstable and a risk we shouldn't take again. Now I had to explain to Harry and Ron, and if I was being honest with the rest of the Order, why I went on this mission to begin with.
I apparated back to Shell Cottage and walked in the front door. There were three wands on me in a heartbeat.
"What did we do on Christmas Eve this past year?" Harry immediately asked.
"We went to Godric's Hollow where we saw your parents' graves then were attacked by Nagini."
This appeased the group and the yelling started.
"Where were you?" "No note, how were we to know if you were still alive?" "Mione, how could you be so stupid?" "What was so important for you to be gone all day?"
"STOP!" I cried. "One at a time."
"Where were you today, Mione?" Harry asked, sounding a bit calmer this time.
"I went to Hogwarts and met Draco Malfoy. I think he can help us. And before you ask, I left a note on my bed. Did no one see it?"
"Malfoy? Why would you want to meet with him?" Ginny asked from the far side of the table.
"I think he's our best bet to find out if You-Know-Who has made more Horcruxes and at getting the wand. Last we knew, he was still stationed at Malfoy Manor and from what we saw at the end of the battle, the Malfoy's were done with the war."
"And what does he want in exchange for helping us?" Kingsley asked.
"A few things. He wants a way to communicate with us, specifically like the coins we used in fifth year. In addition, he wants testimony that he and his mother helped our side. He stated Mister Malfoy could rot in Azkaban for all he cares but was adamant that his mother was not involved. We're meeting soon to get the coin to him and plan further then."
"Mione, you can't meet with the ferret! He's going to betray us and take you hostage," Ron exclaimed.
"Ron, you know this is the only way we are going to end this once and for all. And if he was going to take me hostage, why didn't he today?"
"I don't know how the ferret thinks. I forbid you to go back!"
"Ronald you cannot tell me what to do. This is what is best for the Order and we need to end this as soon as possible. I am doing this and you can't stop me. Now, I need to go charm some coins. Does anyone else have any questions?"
The room was silent for a few minutes before Bill asked, "When are you meeting with Malfoy again?"
"In two days. I said I would have the coins ready by then."
"I think you should bring some back-up with you when you meet with him again. We don't really know what his orders are and we cannot lose you as well," Harry pleaded.
"Harry, I have to do this alone. I know you want to protect me, but I know what I'm doing."
With that, I turned and left the kitchen. Ginny and I were sharing the small bedroom upstairs. I dug out two Galleons from the bottom of my bag and started to apply the Protean charm. I wanted to make sure these coins would only communicate with each other and not the other coins previously made.
As I was starting the second coin, Ginny came in. She went to lie on her bed and watched me for a while before she asked, "I think you left something out downstairs. What else did Malfoy ask for?"
"Ginny, if I tell you, you have to promise to keep it to yourself. Harry and Ron will flip if they knew what else I agreed to."
"I promise. It's not something illegal is it?" Ginny asked.
"No, nothing like that. Malfoy asked for one night with me. We need to end this War. How bad can it be? He had a reputation at Hogwarts for being a womanizer so he must know what he is doing in regard to sex."
"But what about you? Do you really want your first time to be with Draco Malfoy? I mean he's hot and everything, but he's Malfoy. He hates you and all that you stand for."
"I know. And it won't be my first time. I met someone in France before sixth year and we had some fun summer."
Ginny hit my arm and said, "Really? Why didn't you tell me?"
"We had a lot going in sixth year and I didn't want to talk about it. As much as I love you, I wanted to keep this to myself," I mumbled.
"Okay, I'll leave it be. But I will be asking how it was with Malfoy."
"Fine. I can't promise I'll tell you anything, but I may need you to obliviate me when it is all over."
"That I can do. Are you sure this is what is right for you? We can find another way to end the war that does not involve you meeting with Malfoy again," Ginny offered.
"Ginny, I made a deal. I don't want to go back on it. I'm meeting with Malfoy on Thursday to give him the coin. That may be when I have my night with him as well, so can you cover for me?"
"I'll try, but Harry and Ron are stubborn. They're going to want to come with to make sure you're safe."
"Ugh, I know. I hope if I leave early enough they'll still be asleep and Malfoy gets there earlier than today so that if we are leaving, it happens before the boys wake up."
"Good luck with that. Do you need any help?"
"Thanks, but I got this. I could have done it there and have been done with this already, but I knew how late it was and how worried people would be here. I should be done in five minutes," I stated.
Ginny and I both went to bed once I was done with the coins, knowing tomorrow would bring more questions about my meeting with Malfoy and how they could stop me.