Chapter 25
(Draco POV)
He had lost count of how many times Minky had fixed him up over the past week since he had returned. His father had been relentless in his search for information and hadn't held back physically in his attempts to subdue him. Minky, of course, had done her best to fix him up every single time however, with each subsequent beating, it had become more difficult. He was surprised that his father had stooped to brute force. It was quite ironic really. He was fighting against muggle kind yet he relied on their techniques in order to get his way.
Now as he sat up in his bed, the dawn of the day his trace would be lifted fast approaching, he could not wait to be free and to heal properly. He was sure no amount of Skelegro could fix how brittle his bones were feeling right now. He could feel every inch of his body ache with every single movement and he had bruises in places where he had no idea they could bruise. Taking the last vial of pain relief potion from his bedside table, he downed it, instantly feeling his muscles relax.
Today was the day. He was finally returning to Hogwarts. He would be away from his father, safe from his wrath. As he contemplated this thought, a soft knock came from his door. He tensed but doubted it was his father. He had thankfully disappeared last night on 'business' again.
'Come in.' He said clearly. 'Mother. To what do I owe the pleasure?'
'I'm leaving him.'
He took a double take. Did she just very bluntly say what he thought she just said? Had his mother really just gone against her morals and do something for herself? If she had, he would be very impressed.
'Pardon?' He quirked his eyebrow.
'Darling. I said I am leaving your father. I can't do this anymore. I can't keep sitting back and watching you whilst you get hurt. How are you feeling this morning by the way?' She asked as she came to examine the bruise around his eye. He flinched as she touched it. 'It's a bit tender, isn't it?' She mused as she retrieved a bottle of something from her robe pocket. 'I asked my friend, Frederic Porter for a bottle of his ointment. They've since taken it off the shelves, something or rather about illegal use of gildenweed, but here. It should help. Apply sparingly, a little goes a long way.' She handed him the bottle.
The label read:
Porter's Bruise Ointment
Since 1923
Reduces swelling and the appearance of bruises
Warning: If irritation occurs please discontinue use
May contain traces of figs
'Thanks mum.' He replied and placed the bottle on the bedside table. 'Did you see Mr. Golding?' He asked. She sighed and turned to him again.
'I did and I filed a divorce. Given the dire circumstances, he didn't even question it.' She admitted. 'Lucius was mad, of course. He demanded an explanation and in doing so, finally raised his hand on me. It turns out our marriage contract had a violence clause and the moment he raised his hand on me, it became null and void and the divorce automatically went through.'
'But hasn't he raised his hand on you before?' He asked.
'Many times, dear, but the violence clause only came into effect when I filed for divorce. It is supposedly some ancient protection clause that I doubt has even been used before.' She shrugged.
'So that's it. You're free?' He asked.
'Yes darling. I am free.' She confirmed. 'You can be too. I am going to go and live with sister, Andromeda. She's finally forgiven me for the horrible things in our past. I'm sure she'll want to get to know her nephew as well.'
'Thanks mum. I will consider it.'
'Although, I do imagine you will probably want to be on your own or with your friends after this is through.' She mused. 'Perhaps get yourself a nice apartment in a city somewhere. London has some great real estate this year. Or maybe you'd like to go abroad?' She winked and he immediately knew where this was headed.
'Mother. Stop it. I'm not in the mood.' He sulked. She sighed.
'Well darling, you had best be getting ready. I'll see you downstairs. You might want to put a glamour on your face before you get to Hogwarts though. You don't want Minerva to think she's chosen the wrong person for Head Boy now, do you?' His mother elegantly glided out of the room. He had completely forgotten that he was Head Boy this year. No more Slytherin dorm rooms. He'd be sharing a dormitory with the Head Girl. Eleanora Zabini. Ellie. Now that was going to complicate things even further.
He groaned and rubbed his face, inhaling sharply at the sting of pain that erupted from his eye. He picked up the vial of Porter's Bruise Ointment and applied a drop onto his finger before carefully running it around his eye. The reaction was instantaneous as the inflammation drained away from his face. He had never been so grateful for his mother's high society friends right now.
He got up and began packing the few bits and pieces that he had unpacked from his visit to the Greengrass Manor. Then he packed his school robes and Head Boy badge. He smirked. McGonagall was off her rocker to choose him as Head Boy but he wasn't going to complain. He doubted much of Slytherin House would be very receptive to him this year. He wouldn't be hounded by Astoria or Pansy either. Having a dormitory away from all that would make his life a whole lot easier. He looked up out of the window as the sun peeped over the hills and he felt the trace leave his body. He breathed a sigh of relief. He was free. The sun rose a little further before he left the room and trundled downstairs with his trunk, his owl cage devoid of Aquilla for the time being and his wand.
He found his mother in the ballroom by the fireplace.
'Come Draco. I assume that the trace has been lifted?' She asked and he nodded in response. 'Wonderful. Now, we're headed to the Leaky Cauldron first, then Diagon Alley and then we have another stop in London before Platform 9 ¾.'
'Why so many detours, mother?' He quirked his eyebrow.
'You'll see.' She smirked before gesturing for him to get into the fire alongside her, he felt the pull of the floo and he was suddenly in The Leaky Cauldron.
Tom the barman was polishing glassware and the cleaning ladies were setting up tables for breakfast for the inn guests. It couldn't be much more than eight in the morning. His mother gestured for him to follow and he didn't argue. He wasn't exactly sure why they were here. Perhaps his mother had to see a legal representative or something. This early though? He supposed he would find out soon anyway.
The pair walked up the stairs and to the right before entering a conference room. He didn't have time to register who they were meeting there before she spoke.
'Goodness gracious Draco. Whatever happened to you?' Headmistress McGonagall was sitting at the end of the desk, a look of horror etched across her face. So much for putting a glamour on before seeing the headmistress. He turned slightly to see Ellie who was seated to her right and his eyes were drawn straight to her. She looked indifferent and he couldn't read her.
'I'm afraid this was Lucius' doing Minerva.' Narcissa explained.
'That's terrible. Please, come sit Draco. We have much to discuss. Narcissa, would you care to join us for some tea? I shall call Madam Nicholson to fetch us some.' The witch asked.
'No thank you, Minerva, I think perhaps I should get along and do a few things. I'll be back before you finish.' She politely declined and glided out of the room.
'Right, I'll just get the tea sorted and then we can start.' McGonagall stood and went to fetch the ladies downstairs to make them some tea, leaving Ellie and himself alone. She didn't say anything, she just stared at her hands whilst she ringed them together. Was she nervous? Why would she be nervous? He thought she was over their past. Perhaps it was just the meeting in general. It was obviously going to be a Head's meeting. Probably something about Hogwarts' security protocols and such. He looked at the dark-haired girl. Her usually silky and wavy hair looked dull and frizzy. Her lightly freckled skin was porcelain from lack of sunlight. Rings of dark purple drooped from her eyes as if she hadn't been sleeping. In all honesty, she looked sick. When she met his gaze, his fear was confirmed. The once brightly shining, amber eyes had become a deep and dull ochre colour. She wasn't well and his whole body ached – not from the physical pain his father put him through – but rather from seeing her in this way.
'Elle, you look terrible.' He blurted out without thinking.
'Gee, thanks, Draco.' She snorted and looked away.
'Sorry. That came out wrong, I just meant…uh…well, are you okay?' He stumbled.
'Depends on what you mean by okay.' She replied.
'I just meant…, you know what forget it.' He shut his mouth. It wasn't worth delving deeper into at the moment.
'No. Say what you meant.' She said, a tone of frustration in her voice. When he didn't say anything, she threw the scrunched-up piece of paper he hadn't realised she had been holding at him.
'Hey. What was that for?' He yelled.
'Tell me what you meant. Also read it.' She pointed to the paper. He sighed, rubbed his sore face, and tried to think of the best way to answer her.
'Have you been sleeping?' He said finally.
'No.' She huffed. 'Now read the piece of paper before McGonagall gets back.' She demanded.
'Alright. Alright. No need to get so bossy.' He replied and unwrapped the paper, smoothing it in front of him.
'I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that.' She mumbled and he chuckled.
He turned his focus to the paper.
Milton is sourcing the Demiguise blood
They need large quantities of it
Harry wants you to stay at Grimmauld Place during the breaks
No luck in breaking your marriage contract
How are you, no, really, how are you?
He smirked at the last line and looked up at her.
'I'm better now the trace has been lifted.' He admitted.
'You look terrible, Draco.' She poked her tongue out at him and giggled.
'Touché.' He replied and scrunched the paper back into his pocket. 'So, Harry's place is a bit crowded at the moment.' He changed the subject because he honestly didn't want to talk about himself anymore.
'A little bit but it's been good having the company.' She sighed.
'I can only imagine.' He sighed, as McGonagall came back into the room with a tray of tea. She placed it on the table, poured each of them a cup, took a sip and then addressed the heart of the matter.
'This year at Hogwarts is going to be run a little differently.' She started.
'How so, professor?' Ellie asked.
'Firstly, we are going to increase the security at Hogwarts. Extra measures have been taken to protect the castle from any further damage. Restrictions will be placed on extra-curricular activities. Professor Slughorn insists on running his slug club, the chess club, the magical creatures club, the divination, transfiguration and potions club as well as the gobstones clubs will continue as normal.'
'And quidditch?' Draco sat up straight in his chair. His favourite game had better not be cancelled. He needed it to get through the year.
'Has been put on a probational period for the moment. We shall trial it but, if we cannot ensure the safety and security of the students then we shall have to disband it.'
He nodded silently. Thank goodness for that.
'And what of Hogsmeade trips?' Ellie asked.
'From now on there will be no Hogsmeade trips and every child of age will be notified at the Great Feast tonight. We would like there to be trips but we can not ensure everyone's safety. There will be stricter curfews as well. No student is to be out on the grounds without permission after dark. The exception is prefects on duty. I want you two to ensure the prefects stick by this protocol and enforce this ruling amongst the students. Is that clear?'
'Yes ma'am.' Draco said, taking a sip of his tea.
'One more thing on school matters. This year is going to be about promoting house unity and therefore, with the go ahead from the teachers, we have decided to introduce a buddy system. This will mean any student from years five to seven from a certain house will mentor a younger student from a house different from their own. That includes you two. Ellie, I have paired you with a Slytherin third year student, Fable Higgs and Draco, I have paired you with a Gryffindor third year, Dale Robins. Everyone will be given a piece of paper with their buddy on it at the feast tonight. I want you two to make sure everyone abides by the rule and give anyone who disobeys a detention. We will have a study, mentor night on Wednesday nights in the Great Hall and everyone is expected to show up and help their buddy if they need. It is our hope that we stop the hostility between certain houses. That is one of the main reasons I chose both of you to be heads. I know your past isn't great but I hope you two are on your way to putting that behind you. If the school community sees that perhaps it will have a ripple effect. Have I made myself clear?'
'Yes professor.' Ellie agreed, Draco nodded in response. He wasn't sure how the older Slytherins would react to that. But McGonagall knew what she was doing so he hoped it would all work out. He had far too many more pressing things to think about apart from having a little Gryffindor hanging around him.
'Alright. Well that concludes the official proceedings of this meeting. Is there anything you have to add for order things?' She whispered.
'Nothing that Harry hasn't already told you, professor.' Ellie said.
'Ok, well I'm afraid that I have to get back to the school. I shall see you two later today. Stay safe.' McGonagall left the room, leaving him alone with Ellie again. He looked at her and gave a small smirk before he got up to leave and find his mother.
'Draco.' She said, softly.
'Yes, Ellie?' He looked over his shoulder at her.
'Um…' She paused. 'Nothing. I'll see you on the train.' She muttered and disapparated out of the room. He assumed she would be going back to Grimmauld Place for the last few hours before they boarded the Hogwarts Express. He imagined what it would be like, the house in utter chaos as five or potentially even six people (couldn't forget Weaselette) prepared to go back to Hogwarts. He shook his head, muttered the disillusionment charm, and went downstairs to find his mother.
Narcissa's head snapped towards him as she talked with Tom the barman. She smiled as he made his way towards them.
'Yes, I'm sure Mr. Jenkins will be quite pleased. Now if you don't mind, we've got to get a move on Tom. Places to be, people to see. Etcetera.' She waved him off as they went out the back and into Diagon Alley. She didn't comment on her conversation with the barman and to be frank, he didn't really even care. His mother had associates all over the world and it was usually about something to do with a function or an investment. Nothing exciting. As they strode up to Gringotts, he wondered what on earth they were going to be doing at the bank. She obviously picked up on his confusion because she explained in a hushed tone. 'I am settling the money from the divorce.'
He nodded and stepped into line behind her because when Narcissa talked business you didn't want to be in the way. It was still early and the bank was perhaps the least busy he had ever seen it. But that didn't stop his mother. She marched up to the head goblin with a sense of sudden confidence he hadn't seen from her in a while. Her small but audible ahem alerted the goblin to her arrival.
'Ah Mrs. Malfoy, what can I do for you?' He sneered in his goblin-like manner.
'That is Ms. Black to you. I am no longer affiliated with that name apart from my son.' She gestured to him. 'Speaking of that is why I am here.' She conjured some paperwork and handed it to the goblin. He read intently over his half moon glasses and then nodded in understanding.
'Right this way, Ms. Black, Mr. Malfoy.' He jumped off his stool and directed them towards the carts. For the second time that month, they twisted and turned down to the Malfoy vault. 'Enchantment, please.' The goblin said to her and she whispered it to him. He traced his pointed finger down the door to reveal the vault behind.
'Half is yours; half stays here.' The goblin muttered as they walked into the vault.
'Goblin, what is your name?' Narcissa asked.
'Darium ma'am.' He replied.
'Darium, I'll need you to take a list.' She ordered as he conjured a notepad and quill and gestured for her to go on. 'Vault seven hundred and forty-three, move all jewellery to that vault. Leave all dark items here, I do not wish to be affiliated with them. Divide the money and other gems evenly between the vaults.'
'Mum, can't you take more than that? Afterall, he deserves what it after the way he's treated us.' He complained.
'Darling. As much as I hate your father, I once loved him and I can't leave him in complete financial debt.' She replied. 'Besides, my private vault has twice as much as this vault does.'
He whistled low. He had never in his wildest dreams believed that his mother was actually richer than his father. But it actually made sense. She was the one who had the keen mind for business. But because of the stupid deluded pureblood rule, she had no say on what his business ventures should've been.
'Darium, repeat back what I said to you.' She ordered the goblin.
'Even amounts of money and gems and all jewellery to move to vault seven hundred and forty-three, dark items stay here.' He replied succinctly.
'Good. I expect that to happen, effective immediately.'
'Yes ma'am.' Darium replied and whistled to other nearby goblins. 'We have a code 392. Effective immediately.' With that understanding, the goblins went about dividing the possessions in half.
'Sir, vault number?' One of them asked.
'Seven hundred and forty-three.' Darium replied.
'Yes sir.' The money began to disappear from within the vault and Draco assumed it was going straight into his mother's vault.
'Ma'am. Sir. We ask you to leave now. We will make sure all is in order.' The goblins rudely pushed them out of the vault and back towards the cart where Darium was waiting.
'Is that all you wanted today, Ms. Black?' He asked huskily as they got into the cart.
'Actually, I wish to open an account for Draco.' She replied.
'Ah, yes. A divorce settlement can never leave a child at a financial disadvantage. Once we return, would you mind stepping into a side office so we can find the appropriate security option for you? I do believe hmm…perhaps Mr. Weasley, yes, I'm sure he can assist you with such a task.' Darium said and began to whisk them away back to the top of the bank. Seriously? His mother was going to set him up with his own private account. He supposed that was a logical idea. It would prevent his father from making him broke the rest of his life. Once the ride was completed, Darium guided them to a one Mr. Weasley's office – how many children did this woman have? – where they were invited to sit down.
Bill Weasley, from the name tag on the desk, was apparently the oldest child given his age. Draco distinctly remembered that Fleur Delacour had married him and now that he was part of the order, he remembered seeing both of them at the meeting. It was all coming back to him.
'Now, Darium has just informed me that you would like to set up an account under Draco's name, is that right, uh…Ms. Black.' He raised his eyebrow at the piece of paper in front of him but said nothing to offend the opposing party.
'Yes. One with as much security as my own personal vault if that is possible.' She replied and looked at Draco. He was getting rather bored of being dragged around to doing all this business. He just wanted to get going and on the train back to Hogwarts.
'Right. Let's see what's available.' Bill pulled out a big book full of lists of what Draco assumed were all the vaults in the bank, who owned them and their security levels. 'Ah…you are in luck, Mrs…uh Ms. Black, sorry. Vault number seven hundred and forty-five has just become available since the last remaining heir of the owner of the vault has changed vault security level. I believe it is two apart from your own.' He replied.
'Excellent. Well we will take it.'
'Great. I'll just need some details from you Draco and get you to sign this and I'll give you the enchantment and you should be ready to go.' Bill replied. Draco couldn't help but notice the scar on his face from when Greyback attacked him. Bill smiled kindly but he could tell he was a bit put out by his staring still.
'Ah, one more thing.' His mother interjected. 'I will set up a monthly transfer into that vault from my personal one if that is possible.'
'Absolutely, I can put that through once I get the details. How much will that be for?'
'1500 galleons.' She replied. Draco looked at her in shock. 'Oh, don't give me that look, you'll have nothing in that account otherwise. Besides, it's only until you graduate and you can still live off your father's money. That is until he changes the enchantment on it.'
'Right. Draco, can you please fill out this information and we'll enter you into the system and get the account set up?'
He took the piece of paper and began filling out his details. Nothing out of the ordinary. Once he was done, he handed it back and gave him a piece of paper with the enchantment written on it.
'Pleasure doing business as always. Rest assured your son's financial status will be secure so long as he keeps the enchantment safe.'
'Thank you.' They both stood up and walked out of the office.
'Draco. Would you mind staying for a moment?' Bill asked.
'Sure.' Draco stopped in his tracks and turned towards the red-haired man. 'What can I do for you?'
'I have some information on your father. Just because I work an office job now doesn't mean I don't still keep up with my old curse-breaker friends. Anyway, it turns out that a few men, one confirmed as Lucius were at the base of a mountain in Spain protected by this dreadful curse.'
'A curse? What kind of curse?' He asked.
'It is terrifying. Makes you do the most insane things the closer you get to it. One curse-breaker killed himself when we tried to break the curse years back. We believe the mountain protects a hoard of creatures. Shape-shifting creatures. Anyway, we set up a tracking device to analyse who went by and who tried to break the curse. Both of which your father and three other men tried to do last night. Whatever they are doing, these creatures have something to do with it.' He whispered in a low voice.
'Bill, how much has Potter told you?' He asked.
'Not much.' Bill replied and ran his hand through his hair.
'The death eaters are after demiguise blood. It's to do with the mirror they've got. It enhances its power.' He replied.
'Well, that would make sense with the mountain theory.' Bill replied.
'So, is that all you had to tell me? My mother has some sort of schedule and we need to get going.' Draco said.
'Yes. That's all. Let Harry know if you see him.'
'Will do.' He went back out of the bank feeling relieved to finally be out of that place, his mother was waiting for him.
'Right, oh my is that really the time?' Narcissa asked as she looked up to the clock on the bank. 'We must really be going.' She grabbed Draco by the arm and pulled him towards the Leaky Cauldron and straight through into London. 'Come Draco. We mustn't dawdle.' She said as she pulled him into an alleyway and apparated them both somewhere.
He hadn't been expecting the side apparition and he was a bit winded when they landed.
'Mother. Where are we?' He wheezed.
'Visiting a friend. Come love.' She replied with a smirk and walked towards a shabby, dilapidated building with creaky steps up to the main entrance. The house looked so rundown that if he didn't know better it would have been given a condemned notice. He assumed whoever was inside had purposely made the house to look this way so that the neighbours wouldn't dare go near it.
'Arabella, it's Narcissa.' She knocked on the door as he looked around cautiously. Couldn't people see them?
'The house has wards, my child.' An older woman in a cloak stepped out of the house. He nearly jumped out of his skin. 'Don't be afraid, I am Arabella. A friend of your mothers. Come in, come in. We have much to discuss.'
The woman, Arabella or whatever, gave him a very strange vibe. It was like he had met her before, but he definitely knew he hadn't. However, his suspicion of the house being better on the inside than the outside was confirmed the moment he walked through the door. Arabella's wavy, once golden now silvery locks cascaded a mile down her back as she took her hood off and led them towards a settee inside her house. She was a woman of roughly sixty and was sporting an eclectic blouse and pant combination under a hooded robe. If he weren't mistaken, she looked a lot like the divination teacher Trelawney except without the hilariously ridiculous glasses and she hadn't once falsely predicted something. She offered them tea which his mother refused to let him decline even though he had only just had a cup of tea an hour before. Her reasoning, he would find out shortly.
'Now. Draco. I believe Narcissa was telling me that you are having trouble breaking a contract of some sort.' She began as she set the cups of tea in front of them. He didn't know what to say. Why did his mother even trust this woman with such a secret? Who the hell was she? 'Be careful what you say, my child, I am very equipped to read one's mind.' She raised one eyebrow and took a sip of her tea, her purple eyes glazed with amusement.
'Yes, I suppose you could say I have been.' He was thoroughly put out by the fact this woman was a legilimens. He already had too many friends with that ability. Her intense gaze at him had done nothing to calm him down. In fact, it had made him worse. What the hell was this woman playing at? Why did his mother bring him here? Why did she even trust her? How the hell was she going to help? His heart rate had spiked and he could feel his hands get sweaty. Was it hot in here or was that just him?
'Ah, I see. You don't think I should be trusted with this secret. You mustn't worry so much. I'm afraid I have no one to tell.' She said mystically. 'Please drink your tea, I won't be able to help unless you drink it.'
'Uh…excuse me but how is tea going to help me?' He was more confused than ever.
'Draco, Arabella is a tea-leaf reader. The best tea-leaf reader there is, she can help you if you only drink your tea.' Narcissa said and took a sip of her tea.
'How do I…'
'Know if it will work?' Arabella interrupted. 'Trust me, how did Professor Dumbledore know so much about what was happening? Because I interpreted them. Well me and my sister Sybil of course.'
'Professor Trelawney is…'
'My older sister, yes.' She interrupted again. 'Unfortunately, we've grown apart and she believes that I want nothing to do with her which is not true but her psychic abilities are not what they used to be.' He nearly snorted, remembering how Trelawney would always predict the grim in Potter's cup. But that would explain why he thought he looked like her in the first place and why he thought he knew her.
'So…how exactly will this help me with my problem?' Draco took a sip of his tea.
'Well, it will depend on what the leaves predict and then I may be able to advise you on how to go about your situation whatever it may be.' She replied.
'So, you're basically going to predict my future from a bunch of leaves. I'm sorry but I'm having a hard time believing that whatever you predict is going to be reliable. Your sister wasn't the best example.' He countered. The idea sounded absolutely preposterous.
'Yes. But your mother has told me that you have friends. Friends with the same abilities and they haven't been proven wrong as of yet, have they?' She mused. Well, the woman did have a point he supposed. Daphne and Theo had yet to predict anything wrong. But they didn't read tea leaves.
'Yes. But they…'
'Don't read tea leaves. I know, I know.' She interrupted him once more.
'Will you stop doing that? It's irritating.' He huffed in annoyance.
'Draco. Even if these leaves don't predict your future, you have no reason not to even try.' Narcissa said. 'See, I'll let Arabella predict mine first.' She handed the woman the cup and the energy in the room exploded with divine magical energy. It was as if the presence of spirits had ascended upon the room. It was creepy but also convincing. He would be no worse off than he was now.
'Narcissa, I see that you've just experienced or are experiencing a tower moment within your life. Perhaps with your husband. The leaves tell me you have recently come into a period of good fortune. Perhaps an old friend came to town or someone is willing to reconcile with you. The future is looking just as good with an attachment coming forward for those you love in your life. But beware, a past figure lingers longer than they should.' She snapped out of the trance and he knew right then and there that the woman was telling the truth. Not once had Professor Trelawney fallen into a trance when giving a prediction from his recount.
He took the last sip of his tea and passed his cup to her where she fell into another trance. She hissed.
'Alas. I can't find the answer to what you seek. But fear not, a young lass with raven hair will succeed in helping you. The leaves stir trouble in the near distant future. Beware of those around you, who may betray your trust. Long-term I see, much brighter and happier tones with you and your chosen bride being wed beneath an arch of rose.' She snapped out of the trance again and he could tell she was exhausted. 'Did I just clarify anything? I'm afraid I don't remember my predictions after I leave the psychic zone.'
'You said just enough. Thank you.' He said politely. 'But I do believe we must be off.' He said, looking at the clock on her wall. 'Sorry, I do need to be at Platform 9 ¾ in half an hour though.' He apologised and got up looking eagerly at his mother.
'Yes. I do believe we have taken up far too much of your precious energy.' She said. 'I will be in contact soon Arabella. We can catch up for high-tea.'
'Sounds wonderful, love. But get going. I don't want you two to be late on my account.' She ushered them to the door. 'Please do stay safe, these are daunting days I tell you. Daunting.' She waved them out the yard and across the street to the alleyway where they had originally apparated to. Draco didn't feel anymore clarity about his situation but had faith that Ellie would be the one to solve the problem. She nearly ran into his mother when she stopped dead in her tracks.
'Mother, what is it?' He asked and she shushed him dragging him up against to wall and gestured down the alleyway.
Two hooded men appeared and both him and his mother sank back into the dark shadows.
'Norman, do you honestly believe that he'll go through with it?' The younger of the two asked.
'Silence, you numbskull. It is already done. Finalised this morning. He had no choice in the matter.' Norman replied.
'But surely…'
'It was an ancient rule, boy. One that hadn't been enacted since well ever.'
'Well what will he do now?' The other one asked. Draco's foot slipped on a rock and made a loud noise. He flinched at the noise as Narcissa's eyes widened and the two men looked up.
'Who goes there?' Norman asked. 'I said who's there. Show yourself.' He had his wand out at the ready. Luckily, an alley cat chose that moment to jump out from behind some bins and went towards the men.
'It's just a stupid cat sir.' The other man said.
'I'm aware of that now, you fool.'
'So, what will Lucius do now since Narcissa has called it quits?' They began walking towards them and they both muttered the disillusionment charm, hoping that it would disguise them enough.
'Well we'll find out when we get to where we are going.' Norman replied with a tone of annoyance.
'Where's that?' The other man asked. Norman stopped and looked around, hoping that no one was around. When he didn't find anyone, he replied in a hushed tone.
'Look, I don't like you but since you've been so loyal to our cause, I will tell you. We're going to Nott Manor. The Nott boy was so bankrupt when his poor daddy died and left him with such a debt he had to sell the place. Stupid boy was too pigheaded to see the world the right way and he brought my traitorous daughter down with him. They'll rot in hell for what they've done.' Mr. Greengrass sneered and the pair continued up the road and out of earshot.
When the coast was clear, they both sank off the wall.
'Nott Manor? Mum you know what this means. This means that we know where they are hiding. And we can plan our next move.'
'Darling. Shh. Not here.' His mother soothed. 'You had better discuss this with the Zabini's.'
They disapparated to Platform 9 ¾. The Hogwarts Express had just arrived and the students were starting to arrive. Draco stood by one of the train station walls waiting anxiously for his friends to arrive. At approximately quarter to eleven they all appeared through the Kings Cross Station wall and he rushed forward to them, wishing his mother goodbye as he did.
'Hey Draco. How are you doing?' Blaise pulled him into a man hug.
'Could be better, I need to discuss something with all of you guys when we get on the train.' He replied. 'How was the rest of the holidays?'
'Good. Hey that sounds serious. You ok?' Isobel asked.
'Yeah fine. Where's Ellie?' He asked.
'Ah, I think she went to the bathroom with Daphne. She'll be here in a second. Don't get your wand in a twist.' Theo said.
'Theo! How are you going? It's been a bit.' Draco replied, glad to be amongst his friends again.
'Yeah we're great actually. Glad to finally be out of quarantine.' Theo joked.
'Quarantine? Who's diseased?' Daphne asked as she and Ellie joined the group.
'Nobody hon. Just making a joke.' He placed a kiss on her cheek.
'Hey Ellie.' Draco said.
'Hi Draco.' She replied. 'You ready for head duties?'
'Yeah. Let's go.' The two of them walked away from the rest of the group and Isobel suddenly asked.
'Do those two know how bad they've got it for each other?' The trio laughed at her comment.
'Hah. Oh, yeah. They've definitely got it bad.' Blaise replied and the quartet made their way towards the train to find a compartment.
It was going to be a long train ride to Hogwarts.
They're going back to school! There were a lot of revelations this chapter. Hmm...the mystery is unfolding. Thanks to all those who have followed, favourited and reviewed this story. I appreciate them all. Hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Until next time Zozo :)