Chapter 23


(Harry POV)

'You want to join the order?' He quirked his eyebrow. 'Do you understand just how much danger you would be getting into?'

'Yes. I do. My life is already in danger by association with the Zabini family. You could find my assistance very useful. I have extensive knowledge of herbal medicines, I'm pretty good at charms and hexes and I have quite a knack for history. Harry, my entire family, everyone who I loved were caught in the Milan attack. I have nothing left to lose. I want to help and this is the best way I can.' She replied.

He sat and contemplated the passionate woman in front of him. Perhaps he should let her join. Afterall, they would need all the help they could get. She had said she was a Ravenclaw. She could be quite a useful person to have on board. But could he trust her? He had no background on this woman. He had no idea who she was, who her family were, where their associations lied. Perhaps he should use Veritaserum on her. He did have a small bottle of the liquid in his bag. He never knew when he was going to need it. But it was seriously all he had going for him at the moment.

'Alright. I will need to put you through a course of Veritaserum first and then if you pass, you will have to take the oath to the cause.' Harry replied, walking over to his bag and pulling out the potion vial.

'But Harry. You didn't put any of us through the course of Veritaserum. Why her?' Blaise asked.

'I'm sorry, Blaise.I don't like doing this but you must understand that since I don't have any background on Isobel, I have to take this precaution. I hope you don't mind Isobel. It won't be too gruelling, just a few questions about your family and core values.' He said calmly to the girl. He didn't want to frighten her. She could be a key player in this fight. The prophecies did state that there was another person who would join their fight. Perhaps she was the reason and person they'd been looking for.

'Go right ahead Harry. I have nothing to hide.' She replied as he handed her the vial of potion. She took the potion and placed the vial down on the coffee table in front of her.

'Ok Blaise, ask her something that you know the truthful answer.' Harry ordered.

'Are you the person responsible for the Ravenclaw first year prank fiasco during our fourth year?'

'Yes. I was the one who played those pranks.' She replied.

'Wait. I heard about that. Seriously? That was you? I thought it was Fred and George.' Harry was surprisingly impressed by this woman that he hardly knew.

The first-year prank fiasco had been a series of pranks that had been strategically played throughout the course of their fourth year, also the year of the Triwizard Tournament on the first years. The targets had predominantly been on Ravenclaws but some had even branched out to Slytherin, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff house. A lot of them had involved charmed objects following students around and potions that had done various things. He distinctly remembered one morning when the entire first year cohort had turned up to the Great Hall for breakfast with bright, fluorescent hair colours. Even Malfoy had somehow ended up with bright green hair that morning. Which was why he had thought it had been the Weasley twins.

Being reminded of this event now, he wondered what other things did he not know about this woman? He supposed it shouldn't have been that surprising that he didn't know much about her, given that he was so focused on defeating Voldemort amongst other things. He hadn't really bothered getting to know people in the other houses apart from the ones in the DA.

'Yes. Fred and George weren't the only ones who could play a mean prank.' She replied. 'Can we get on with this?'

'Ah yeah, sorry. What is your full name and blood status?' Harry asked after a minute.

'Isobel Sofia MacDougal.' She replied. 'Half-blood.'

'Who is your fiancé?' He asked.

'Blaise Zabini.'

'Who are your parents and their occupations?'

'Lionel and Sandra MacDougal. My father works in the Department of Mysteries as an unspeakable. My mother owns a high-end fashion photography business in muggle London.' She replied.

'Do you have siblings?' He continued.

'My twin sister, Morag.' She replied. 'Also, a Ravenclaw.'

'Where do you stand on blood supremacy?' He suddenly brought out the big guns.

'I'm one hundred percent against it. No one's blood is better than another's. Hermione Granger is living proof of that.' She answered confidently.

'And what are your family's views on it?'

'The same as mine. Morag and I both stayed for the Battle of Hogwarts, we fought alongside you despite our mother's worst fears. Our father fought hard from within the ministry to protect it.'

'Was there anyone in your family who dabbled with the dark arts? Or were affiliated with death eaters.' Harry said his final question, relieved she was answering every single one with a good response.

'My great-great uncle Aidan MacDougal did have a past working in Borgin and Burkes but apart from that no. I believe his wife threatened to leave him if he didn't quit so he did. We were told it was just for monetary purposes.'

'Ah. So, your family struggles with money?'

'Potter. If I may interrupt. How the hell is that relevant?' Blaise snarled.

'Many families went to the dark side on the false promise of great wealth within Voldemort's new order, Blaise. I am making sure that she will not fall privy to those pretences.' Harry replied calmly. Why the hell was he being so seventeenth century? Merlin, he must have been tired. But the other two didn't bat an eye at it so he continued. 'Now go-ahead Isobel.'

'If you are asking if Aidan went to the dark side on the promise that he'd be promised great wealth, you'd be sorely mistaken. Our family has a great history of not being associated with anything illegal. We are practically off the grid in that respect. However, we are quite well off actually, given that the ministry pays well and my mother's business is booming. It was only previous generations that suffered during the recession period.' Isobel clarified.

'You seem to know a bit about history.' Harry then asked. 'Why is that?'

'History was my favourite class during Hogwarts. I know Professor Binns could be a bit of a drag sometimes but some of the events he talked about were actually interesting. Like the Ogre wars and that unit on Welsh Mythology back in year two. I love to study history.'

'Thank you for that Isobel. Your knowledge of history may be able to assist us in our investigations. I've got all that I need to hear for now.' Harry said. 'We'll move straight onto the oath. Blaise if you will.' He gestured for Blaise to hold out his wand on her hand, much like Ellie had done for Draco.

'Isobel, I will need you to look into my eyes and not look away for this. Only answer with I solemnly swear to do so. Or I am. Got it?' Blaise ordered and gently picked up her hand, pointing his wand at it and staring into her eyes.

'Go ahead Blaise. I'm ready.' She nodded. He coughed a little and then said very clearly.

'Do you, Isobel MacDougal, pledge your allegiance to the light side and promise to provide any information that may support the cause?'

'I solemnly swear to do so.' She replied. A burst of yellow light sprung from his wand onto her arm.

'Do you pledge to tell us the truth and to not betray our trust?' He continued.

'I solemnly swear to do so.' She replied, sending another spark of energy onto her arm.

'Do you promise to do all in your power to protect those on the light side, if any harm shall try to befall them?' He asked.

'I solemnly swear to do so.'

'Do you accept that you are fully aware of the extent of consequences that will behold you should you betray this oath?'

'I am.' Another shot of energy. She smiled at him and Harry was simply blown away by the amount of chemistry these two had. They only had to look into each other's eyes and it sent out the 'I want you' vibes. He shivered not really wanting that image in his head.

'Isobel MacDougal has pledged her allegiance to the light side and if she betrays the trust, she will be cursed for eternity.' He declared, sending one more shot of energy into her arm before removing his wand and letting go of her hand.

The couple looked back to Harry who had been watching the couple all the time in interest. They hadn't done anything remotely romantic but he couldn't help but sense the strong attraction between them. When they had gazed into each other's eyes as Isobel pledged herself to the cause, he swore he saw fireworks. When Harry hadn't said anything for a while, the couple blushed and he inwardly chuckled. Blaise Zabini had just blushed in the presence of Harry Potter, his sworn mortal enemy. Although, now that Zabini was the brother of Hermione/Ellie, he supposed he should get more used to that idea. A knock came at the door.

'Bloody hell. Who is it now?' Harry grumbled and got the door.

'Fred. George. What's the news?' He invited the twins in. 'You remember Blaise and this is his fiancé Isobel.'

'Blimey. Isobel, haven't seen you in an age.' Fred said. 'Did you say fiancé?'

'Yes.' Harry replied. 'Just go with it.' He said under his breath.

'Still playing pranks on first years?' George asked her.

'Afraid not. Playing pranks on first years is so fourth year.' She winked at the twins to say that she was lying.

'Ah. Tis a shame.' George replied.

'Could've given us a run for our money if you really tried.' Fred winked at her, to tell her that they were on to her. 'Although Mr. Filch would've been a better target. Or perhaps even Malfoy. Although Malfoy with green hair was a great touch.'

'Touche.' She replied.

'I see, we don't need any introductions then.' Harry chuckled and gestured for the twins to join them. 'So, what brings you here?' They handed him the map they found with the shop entrance circled. He looked up at them with confusion. 'A map of the disappearance sight? What would I do with that?'

'The man who owned this map came into our shop today.' Fred said. 'He stole one of George's fireworks boxes but dropped this map when he ran out.'

'He looked exactly the way Hagrid described the man in the Hog's Head.' George replied. 'We didn't get a good look at him though, so we couldn't tell you who he was.'

'But with a map like that, he'd nearly one hundred percent have to be linked to the incident.' Blaise chimed in.

'Our sentiments exactly.' The twins said in unison.

'I will get Jamieson down in forensics to check for some DNA. Although, not sure how far that'll get. For all we know, this guy could be under the Polyjuice potion.' He conjured an evidence bag and placed it into the bag. 'Thanks guys. First lead we've had all afternoon.'

'No worries Harry. Hope we figure out what happened soon.' George said.

'We'd better be going. Angelina is going to kill me if I don't get back soon.' Fred replied. 'It's date night, you know.'

'Yeah wouldn't want old Freddie boy to miss date night.' George mocked kissing sounds at his brother which earned him a punch on his shoulder.

'Sod off, mate. I could say the same thing about you and Alicia.' Fred replied. The other twin blushed. 'Alright. Nice seeing you folks. We'll be off then.' Without a moment more of hesitation, the twins disapparated from the hotel room.

'So. How exactly can my history skills help?' Isobel asked after a moment.

'Ah. Since you've taken an oath, we had better fill you in.' Harry said and began to explain with interjections from Blaise when needed.

'And now they have some object called Gwydion's Misguide which Dolohov extracted from a person's bin in Worthing. All we have to go off is that it looks like a mirror.' Blaise ended.

'Gwydion. Gwydion. I feel like we learnt something about him during school…' She muttered.

'Wait. Gwydion is a person?' Harry asked.

'Well. Maybe not in real life but perhaps in mythology. Perhaps you could find some insight through a mythology text.' She suggested.

'I've found your assignment.' Harry smirked. 'Find out about Gwydion. I will assign someone else to your post here.' He yawned. 'But for now. I think I need some rest. It's been a long day. Ellie and Daphne will get everything sorted for you when you get there. The floos would have opened for Isobel the moment she took the oath.'

'Alright, Potter. Thank you for everything.' Blaise thanked him.

'Don't mention it.' He yawned and collapsed on the bed, completely ignoring the fact his two visitors had yet to leave.


(Ellie POV)

She startled out of sleep at the sound of the floo. She knew she was safe but ever since the war, she had been extra cautious of these things. It probably didn't help she was such a light sleeper nowadays because she was constantly haunted by the things that happened at Malfoy Manor. She looked down at her arm in the moonlight to see the mudblood etched into her skin. She honestly thought she was going to die that night. If it hadn't been for the bravery of Dobby the elf, she had no idea what the world would've been like. Sure, Harry was an incredibly smart person but he had barely just survived with her by his side. She wasn't sure she wanted to think about what would've happened otherwise. It made her feel sick to her stomach. A knock at her door startled her once again and she sat up.

'Come in.' She called. Daphne poked her head around the door and looked towards her incredulously. 'Oh, it's just you Daph. What's up?'

'You'd better come and see this.' The girl smiled and walked away.

Well, that was weird.

She rolled out of bed, straightening her pyjamas and smoothing her hair before following Daphne downstairs. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight she would see when she entered the dining room.

'BLAISE! ISOBEL! What are you doing here?' She shouted. What time was it? Surely it was past midnight. She wrapped herself around her brother.

'Nice to see you too, sorella.' He replied. 'But could you loosen your hold please? I would like to live please.'

'Oh sorry.' She untangled herself from her brother.

'What is all this commotion?' A very disgruntled Theo walked sluggishly into the room. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the other occupants of the room who had turned to stare at him. 'What? Some of us need our sleep. Blaise, what are you doing here?'

'Potter offered protection to us. If you're a target, they are just as likely to try and use us as bait to get to you.' Blaise said pointedly at Ellie. She hadn't thought of that. As her twin, of course he was in just as much danger. She smirked.

'Whoa Ellie, you could give Draco a run for his money with that smirk.' Daphne remarked.

'Oh, shh you.' She replied, slapping the girl on the shoulder. 'I guess we had better get some rooms sorted out for you. Blaise you can share with Theo and Isobel can either share with Daphne or myself.' She replied.

'I'll share with you if you don't mind.' Isobel replied. 'No offence Daphne.'

'None taken.' The girl replied. 'All the more space for me.' Theo and Daphne glanced at each other cheekily.

'Ew…come on you two. We didn't need that image.' Blaise mused.

'Sorry not sorry.' Daphne winked at him.

'Ugh. Slytherins, I swear to god. Come on Isobel. Let's go and get your bed ready.' Ellie said to her future sister-in-law. When they were out of earshot, Isobel spoke.

'If someone would have told me I was going to marry Blaise Zabini a year ago, I would have seriously thought something was wrong with them. But now that I know him, I couldn't imagine my life without him. I know that it is moving so fast but he's all the family I got left.' She stopped and corrected herself. 'Well him and his family of course.'

'What do you mean?' Ellie asked. 'What about Morag and your parents? I thought Blaise had to choose between you or your sister.'

'They were caught in the Milan attack. I…' Isobel stopped.

'Oh. I see. I'm so sorry. We'll try and get them back, I promise. But Blaise and I are still here if you need anything.' She sympathised. 'I lost my parents too. Not my biological ones but the ones that raised me so I understand how it feels.'

'Thanks Herm…I mean, Ellie. Wow. It's weird to say that. But I appreciate it.' She smiled weakly. When they reached the room, Ellie pulled out her wand to make the bed. She was too tired to do it the muggle way. They said nothing all the while, the news of Isobel's lost family looming heavily in the air. As they settled in for the rest of the night, Isobel piped up. 'Ellie?'

'Yes, Isobel?' She replied.

'I took the oath to the order.'

'You did what?' Ellie sat up abruptly in bed.

'I took the oath. If I want to help my family, I want to do it right and that's by helping you. Harry gave me the mission to figure out who Gwydion is.' She replied. Ellie took all the information in, the gears spinning in her head could practically be heard in the silence of the room.

'Of course!' She shouted. 'How could I be so stupid? Gwydion is a person. I thought it was a place. It makes sense now.' She rolled out of bed and strode towards the door. There was no way she was getting sleep tonight now.

'Hey. Where are you going?' Isobel asked and sat up.

'To the library. Are you coming or not?' She smirked wildly at the girl.

'How can I refuse an offer like that?' The girl smirked back and followed her out the door.

Both girls sat in the tiny Black house library reading over the limited stash they had there. Unfortunately, they had come up with nothing. It was well past five am when Ellie realised Isobel had fallen asleep in one of the books. Although she yawned, she didn't really feel tired. They had stayed up all night and still hadn't found anything. Sighing, she gently closed the book she was reading on Irish folklore and tiptoed out of the library.

On her way back to her room, she ran into Blaise.

'Sorella. What are you doing up so early?' He yawned.

'I actually couldn't sleep, so I've been reading in the library.' He rolled his eyes. 'Isobel is asleep in the library, help me get her to bed, will you?' She asked and he gestured for her to lead the way.

'Don't worry. I couldn't sleep either. Kept worrying about mum and dad, Draco, Isobel's family…' He trailed off as they entered the room. He lowered his voice. 'She lost everyone she loves in the Milan attack. I'm all she has left.'

Ellie shook her head. 'She has me too and everyone else here.' She replied giving him a weak smile before he went over to her. Blaise picked up the girl and carried her back to her room, placing her gently under the covers and then kissed her forehead before whispering to Ellie that they should leave her be. Nodding, Ellie and Blaise both walked down to the kitchen. Kreacher had returned and started muttering insults at them both as they walked into kitchen.

'The mudblood who turned pure. Bet she thinks she's all mighty. Oh, and the boy who likes to play with fire…'

'Go Kreacher.' The sound of Harry's voice made them both jump out of their skin. The old house-elf grumbled but left them. 'Sorry about him. He refuses to give up old ways. How are the guests settling in?' He asked and started to brew a pot of tea for them all.

'As best as we can. It's been a trying few days.' Blaise replied.

'You don't have to tell me that.' Harry replied. 'I asked Peters to take over the investigation in Milan. He is more than capable. I have more pressing matters to deal with here. We need to find out what this weapon is. Any word from Malfoy yet?'

Ellie shook her head. 'No but don't lose hope. There will be something. Isobel and I began on it last night. We both couldn't sleep. But we haven't found anything yet.'

'I'm sure you'll find something.' He replied just as the pot began to whistle. He came back and poured them all tea. 'So, I asked Ginny if she could come over tomorrow. She said she would.'

'Oh, that's great. I'm glad. We can all talk to her about what's going on then.' She replied.

'It is…' He sighed. Ellie could tell something was up and she looked to Blaise who gave her a look to indicate he felt the same.

'Harry. Something is wrong. What's up?' She asked. He rubbed his hands over his face and through his shaggy hair and groaned.

'I feel like there's another man.' He replied. 'Like she's cheating on me. She just won't talk to me anymore.'

'Aww Harry. I'm sure that's not true.' She reached out to squeeze his hand.

'Yeah mate. I saw the look she gave you at that order meeting. I wouldn't be worried about another man.' Blaise said cheekily.

'Oh my god. Why are men so sex oriented? Seriously.' Ellie replied disgusted with the amount of sex talk that had occurred in the last 24 hours. The men chuckled.

'Thank you.' Harry said. 'I just miss her.'

'Don't worry Harry. We'll sort it out.' She replied.

'Yeah she'll be riding the Potter train again in no time.' Blaise replied.

'Ugh. That is it. I'm out. I'm going to bed.' Ellie stood and walked out of the room as the two men chuckled behind her.

Striding up the stairs, thoroughly put out, she made a pit stop at the bathroom and then continued straight to her room. Isobel was still fast asleep as she silently made her way to bed.

Closing her eyes, she shut out all thoughts and finally succumbed to her need for sleep.


(Draco POV)

It had been a few days now and Draco made his way to the library again, trying his best to avoid everyone (including elves) he saw. He needed to find some more information on this Gwydion person? Thing? Place? He wasn't really sure anymore. He hadn't made any progress but something told him he should check the mythology sections again.

He came to a halt just down the corridor from the library. Hiding behind a suit of armour, he watched as he saw Mr. Greengrass talk to one of the paintings on the wall. Counting the paintings from where he stood, he identified it as the thirteenth one. Perhaps this might be to do with the plan? He had no idea. He wasn't close enough to hear the conversation and he cursed the lack of armours and tapestries on the walls. After a moment, he looked up and in the direction of the suit of armour and came walking towards it. Once he was in earshot Ambrose spoke to him.

'You can stop hiding Draco, I know you're there.'

Drat. Now he knew something was up.

He came out from behind the suit of armour and stood before the man. How the hell did he even know he was there? Oh…the paintings. Well, now he just felt played.

'Lady Margaret tells me you've been sneaking around the home since you got here. Care to explain yourself?' The man glared at him.

Quick Draco think of something.

'Oh yeah about that. I have a thing for hidden passageways. I love to find them. That's what I was doing behind the suit of armour.' He lied.

How pathetic.

The man looked sceptical. 'No. You're definitely up to something. But what? I do not know.'

'I promise sir. I am not up to anything. I'm just a keen explorer is all.' He replied, hoping the man would take the bait.

'Fine. I don't see a reason not to trust you. Astoria showed me the wonderful necklace you gave her yesterday. Truly a beautiful piece. Was it from your mother's collection?' He asked.

'No, it was my Aunt Bellatrix's. I think Astoria would appreciate her style more than my mothers.' He replied, not truly lying. The girl's taste was truly awful.

'Right. Well. She is expecting you for high tea later today. Two o'clock sharp in the rose garden. Don't keep your bride waiting.' The man brushed past him and strode down the hallway flicking his scarf over his shoulder as he went. He truly was a peculiar man. Waiting until the man disappeared around the corner, he walked up to the portrait that Mr. Greengrass was talking to only moments before and realised the person was not there anymore. The label read: Milton Xavier Greengrass 1788. Making a mental note to look the man up, he walked into the library.

Abandoning his original reason for coming here, he made a beeline for the family tree book he had discovered the previous day. Opening the ginormous book, he turned to the index to find a Milton. Succeeding and finding the page number, he turned to it and began to read.

Milton Xavier Greengrass – 1765-1800
Knockturn Alley Apothecary Manager
Affiliated with the Society for Promotion of Dark Sorcery, Potion Brewing Society, Hordes and Hounds Society
Commonly known for his contributions to black market ingredient trade

He wrote down the name on the nearest piece of parchment and stored it in his pocket. There was something eerily off about this Milton. He bet his life it had something to do with this plan. Greengrass needed an illegal ingredient and Milton was just the guy to do it. He would get someone to check out this Knockturn Alley Apothecary. He was almost certain that a portrait of Milton would also be in that store.

Returning the book to the shelf, he went over to the mythology sections and began perusing the shelves. Taking a book out titled 'The Origins of Welsh Mythology', he went and sat at a desk. All of a sudden, he came across a section on the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi. Right underneath it he began to read.

Important people to note:

Gwydion in Welsh mythology was a deceptive magician who was able to transform the physical form of others around him. He was a strong warrior and of a gifted mind, strong enough to thrice defy his sister and outwit a powerful lord.

He couldn't believe it. It was a breakthrough. He had found him. Finally. He continued to read a bit into the specifics of the story but that didn't really help, so he finally latched onto the final paragraph.

It is in Welsh mythology that Gwydion fashioned a mirror of deception from his magic in which the person who possesses it shall acquire the ability to deceive their target person and/or people by changing the form of a situation, person or place. More commonly known as a misguide, how the mirror exerts it's power nor it's magnitude is unknown, although it has been rumoured that vial of Demiguise blood may enhance the effects. Demiguise blood is difficult to come by and thus there has been no proof that this is true. However, nowhere in history has reported that the mirror still exists past the 1500s.

He had to stop himself from shouting with joy. He had found it. He had found what it did. He couldn't wait to get out of this place to show Ellie. Well everyone else as well he supposed. Writing down everything he could from the book, he got up and placed the book back on the shelf, then made sure to search the rest of the Welsh mythology books making additional notes. Before he knew it, it was nearing two. He hadn't realised just how easily the time was slipping away from him. He quickly packed up, slipped the notes into his pocket and slunk out of the library back to his room to quickly dispose of his notes before hightailing it to his high tea with 'the future wife'. He groaned.

He was really dreading this. All she wanted to talk about was the wedding and how much she loved her 'Drakey wakey'. He shuddered at the childish nickname she had given him.

He found her in the rose garden adorned in her new favourite necklace and a dress that was much too seductive for her innocent disposition. But it did absolutely nothing for him. He wasn't interested in her. He was much more interested in getting this over with so he could get out of there as soon as possible. She instructed him to sit and he did just that.

'Drakey-wakey. You've been avoiding me. Am I not pretty enough? Do you not like me?'

Spot on sweetheart.

Was what he wanted to say. Instead, he replied. 'No. It's not that. I've been really busy preparing for final year is all. I need to ace these NEWTS.'

'Oh. How boring.' She rolled her eyes although she did possess a glint of acceptance of that answer. Perhaps she wasn't as ditsy as he once assumed. Still didn't mean she wasn't annoying as hell. 'I know what will cheer you up. Wedding plans.' She began to chatter away and he tried to focus but he kept feeling anxious to just get away. He nodded when he was supposed to but he honestly just couldn't care less. He finished his tea and finger sandwiches as quickly as he could and then stopped her mid-sentence.

'And we can have tulips…'

'Tori. I have some bad news.' He said, mustering all the solemn energy he could.

'Oh. You're right, tulips won't be in season then.' She replied.

'No. Not about the wedding.' He answered.

'What is it, Drakey wakey?' She pouted.

'I'm leaving. Today.' He told her outright.

'What? No! We've hardly spent anytime together. Please stay. Please. You do hate me.' She began sobbing.

'Oh Tori, please don't cry. I promise I don't hate you. I'm a very busy man. I have important business things to take care of. I promise we'll spend more time together when we're at school.' He replied truthfully.

Although strongly dislike is a phrase I'd like to use.

'Ok. Do what you have to.' She sniffed stiffly. 'You men and your work. It always comes first.' She huffed and stormed off. Oh well. At least he could leave now in peace.

Running back up the stairs to the suite, he packed everything back into his trunk and shrunk it, placing it in his pocket. He then ran down the stairs to the fireplace and flooed home. He couldn't wait to tell everyone he had found the information they needed.


He ran up to his room as soon as he got there ready to compose a letter to Ellie/Erin. Rushing in the door, he pulled his trunk out and brought it back to it's original size. But in his haste, he neglected to notice his father standing in the corner.

'Draco. Back so soon? I was wondering when the girl would scare you off.'

'What the fuck are you doing in my room father?' He asked, whipping around at his voice. Thankfully he hadn't taken the notes out of his trunk yet.

'Tsk tsk. No need to be so testy. I'm just taking a look around. Seeing what mischief, you may be getting up to and my, my you've been a bad boy. Sending messages under an alias to another woman when you're already betrothed. And who is Erin, Draco? Or should I say Damien?' He walked closer and Draco gulped. He knew he should have burned those letters but he couldn't bring himself to. Now he was in some real shit.


(WARNING: Domestic violence is coming up, if this triggers move down to next line).

'I said who…is…Erin?' He slapped him across the face. 'Answer me boy.'

'No one. Just some girl I dated at school.' He replied, hoping his father would accept the answer but to no avail.

'Liar.' He kicked him. 'You're working with someone. I know it.' He said vindictively. He continued to kick him repeatedly.

'I'll give you one more chance. Who is Erin?' He yelled. Draco was gasping for air, clutching himself in pain and rolling on the floor.

'I told you who she is dad. Please. Stop.' He yelled. He could feel Lucius trying to enter his mind but he blocked him. He wouldn't tell him. Ever.

'God damn it boy. You're hiding something from me.' He gave him one last blow and a devastatingly loud crack was heard in his leg, making him scream out in pain. 'You're weak. But I will find out who she is, mark my words boy.' He spat and walked out of the room.


'Minky.' He gasped out in pain.

'Yes master. Oh, dear god. Not again. Minky will fix yous up master. Right away master.' She went about fixing his many ailments and then levitated him onto the bed, giving him a dreamless sleep potion to help him relax.

'Thank you Minky.' He said, appreciatively before succumbing to sleep.

'Yous are welcome, master. Yous will sleep well now. Master will suffer greatly for what he has done to yous.' The elf replied before thinking of a something bad to do to her other master even though she would deserve and suffer severe punishment afterwards. But Minky would do anything to protect the man that helped shelter her and showed her kindness when she needed it most.


So here was the next chapter. Stay safe y'all.

Until next time Zozo :)