Chapter six:
Must Have Order
It has been a couple days since the quidditch incident and Draco had gotten out of the hospital wing. Unfortunately, he was still on Inquisitorial duty as he remained a watchful eye on groups forming. Crabbe and Goyle insisted on breaking through the wall that students seemed to disappear in but Draco knew that it had to be more to it since it was magical - his own way to try to put them off from ratting to Umbridge at the moment but he also wanted to figure it out. Unknowingly, Harry didn't exactly cover his bases on hiding the D.A., he didn't state Umbridge couldn't come in or find it and so on which gave her Inquisitorial squad the upper hand. "What's wrong with just breaking open the wall?" Goyle asked. Draco planted an irritated expression on his face, it was too early in the morning for this. "I told you, Goyle...you cannot physically break something that's done with magic. How many times do i have to tell you?" Draco sneered. Draco did have a cunning side to him that most overlooked, he would come up with something eventually though through this, his mind always came back to Luna. If he acted indifferent now, he's assured it would be reported by Umbridge.
Though through dinner, Draco had his eyes on Luna, he did however scan for faces he remembers entering through that secret passage, for an easy target to take to Umbridge in order to get out information. He definitely wasn't going to do that to Luna, he knew she would never forgive him - at least to his knowledge. Most students were getting up to leave, but looking at a particular girl that he knew was in the D.A., he found himself an easy target, Marietta Edgecombe. Draco elbowed Crabbe who then elbowed Goyle and stood up. "See that girl right there, i believe her name is Marietta. Let's take her to Umbridge's office." Draco pointed out. The three Slytherin boys made their way over to the doors of the Great Hall and over to Marietta Edgecombe, unknowingly catching Luna's attention from the Gryffindor table, not sure what was going on. Draco and Goyle grabbed Marietta by the forearms and dragged her off towards Umbridge's office.
Dragging her into the office, Marietta was terrified. "Who's this?" Umbridge asked forwardly as she set her cup of tea down. Keeping their grip on her, Draco parted his lips in reply. "She's part of that group that Potter is forming." Draco explained. Umbridge was surprised to have such proof in front of her that she was ecstatic. "Very good, boys." Umbridge replied, standing up from her chair and gathering a certain potion in a vial from her desk drawer. Goyle shoved Marietta onto a chair in her office and Umbridge pointed her wand at the girl. "incarcerous!" Umbridge casted, tying the girl to the chair. Umbridge then force fed the girl Veritaserum that she had gotten from Snape's pantry, which causes one to tell the truth. Marietta then was forced to expose the D.A., without her will, causing Hermione's jinx to appear on Marietta's face, not knowing that Hermione bewitched the parchment they signed to join the D.A. Now Umbridge knew exactly how to get into the Room of Requirement.
That same evening, Harry and the rest of the group were in the Room of Requirement practicing when Dobby entered the room, finding out by himself about Umbridge being on her way, knowing about the meeting. "Harry Potter, i must warn you. Umbridge is on her way here. She knows a lot, a lot about Dumbledore's Army." Dobby warned. Harry was a little panicked as the rest of the students began trying tp figure a way out. "Who told, Dobby?" Harry asked. Dobby looked around and sighed sadly. "Marietta Edgecombe...but she was forced, i witnessed it unknowingly from the otherside of the door." Dobby explained in panic. Harry then turned to his friends. "What are you waiting for?!? RUN!" Harry shouted. They then all bolted out an exit the room opened up and left the Room of Requirement, having it be nine to ten.
Draco spotted Harry running and pelted him with a spell, causing Harry to fall onto the ground. Draco was hidden behind a statue in the room and stepped away from it. "Got you, Potter." Draco said proudly with a smug before looking towards Umbridge. "Over here, professor! I've got one!" he declared to Umbridge. Umbridge hurried over. "It's him, well done Draco." she encouraged before looking to Harry. "On your feet, Potter. We're going to see the headmaster." Umbridge stated. As the D.A. members had gotten away, Luna noticed Draco's grip on Harry and was disappointed that he was helping Umbridge after what he attempted to tell her earlier. Draco noticed her look of betrayal before she ran off, letting Luna escape as Pansy ran inside the room, grabbing the list of D.A. names that appeared as she wanted, knowing how the room worked now. Draco felt guilty, but he had no choice in working with Umbridge. Once Pansy gotten the list, she flashed a smirk towards Draco. "Someone's girlfriend is on here. Looney Lovegood." Pansy snickered devilishly as she walked by. Draco just have her a glare and bit his cheek before Umbridge stepped out, taking Harry into her grip, letting Draco let go.
"Search everywhere for the others, Draco. Round them all up. Check everywhere, bathroom, library...we must find them." Umbridge ordered. Draco nodded then hurried off. There was no way that he could turn in Luna, especially after the look he had received from her. Meanwhile, Luna had been in the library with Ron, Ginny and Hermione as they were in awe that they had gotten caught because of Cho's friend. Luna however, was disappointed in seeing Draco take part in the capture attempt. "Is everything okay, Luna?" Ginny asked. Luna looked at her friends and gave a mere shrug. "I don't know. I can't believe Draco did that." Luna replied. Ginny sighed. "Well. He is Malfoy, can't expect much from him. Especially after he started the fight with my brothers at the quidditch match." Ginny pointed out. Luna frowned. "He did?" Luna asked. Ginny nodded, looking at Ron."He was putting down the Weasleys. He took credit for writing the song the Slytherins sung about Ron at the match. Its what my brothers told me." Ginny explained. Ron looked at Ginny dumbfounded. "That little git." Ron commented, now just finding that out. Luna didn't know how to react to what she just heard but she had hoped Draco would have a better explanation for it.
Umbridge had met up with Cornelius Fudge and Kingsley Shacklebolt by the entrance of the school and made their way to Dumbledore's office with Harry in her grip, once she explained to them about catching the D.A. Umbridge shoved Harry into Dumbledore's office as she along with Fudge, Kingsley, Percy Weasley and an auror had filled the room. Dumbledore stood up from his seat. "You may be high inquisitor of this school, Professor Umbridge, but please do not manhandle my students." Dumbledore explained. Fudge clapped his hands. "Well, well, well...Mr. Potter. I assume you know why you're here?" Fudge asked. Harry was confused and looked to Dumbledore who had shook his head slightly. "Not really, no." Harry said, turning his head back to Fudge. "You don't? You haven't broken any school rules?" Fudge pushed. "School rules? No." Harry replied. "Or ministerial decrees?" Fudge pushed further. "Not that i know of." Harry assured.
Their focus broke when Umbridge, who has stepped out earlier, brought in Marietta Edgecombe that was crying, having pimples on her face with the word 'sneak' from Hermione's jinx. "I'm afraid the poor girl cannot speak but i will tell you what transpired." Umbridge paused. Stepping aside the girl, Umbridge went to face Fudge and Dumbledore. "Shortly after dinner, she came to me and said that if i went to the Room of Requirement, i would find an illegally formed student group. It was at thus time this hex took affect." Umbridge stated. Dumbledore had disagreed with every statement Umbridge made and she even took to using Marietta as a witness but shook her head every time she was asked about the meetings and if Harry sad the leader. That infuriated Umbridge. "Well, what about the meeting tonight?" Fudge asked. Umbridge then went on to explain how she and her squad got into the Room of Requirement and pulled out the list Pansy gave her of all their names from the D.A. as Fudge grabbed it and looked it up and down before looking at Dumbledore. "So, Dumbledore, you've been behind this whole thing?" Fudge asked rhetorically. He hands the list to Dumbledore who looked at it. "Dumbledore's Army?" Fudge spat out. Dumbledore smiled and spread his hands widely. "Well, minister. You've caught me." Dumbledore replied. "This has been all your doing. You've been recruiting students for your army!" Fudge fumed. "Quite correct, Cornelius." Dumbledore said. "I knew it! I knew it! You've been plotting against me all this time." Fudge spewed. "That's right." Dumbledore replied. Harry was surprised and looked to Dumbledore. "Professor, no..." Harry pleaded. "Quiet, Harry." Dumbledore said. "Yes, shut up, Potter! Dumbledore, you will be coming with us to the ministry." Fudge implied. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "You seem to be laboring under the delusion that i will be 'coming quietly'." Dumbledore stated as he walked up a step from his desk. "Refusing arrest, are you?" Fudge stated in surprise. "Precisely. You see, i have no intention of going to Azkaban." Dumbledore stated further. As Kingsley moved in to arrest him, Dumbledore was faster and suddenly a blast of fire spelled out, knocking them over unconscious. Dumbledore noted that Harry should continue occlumency and that Fudge will regret removing him from Hogwarts before he blasted off, vanishing with Fawkes as Fudge opened his eyes. "Find him!" Fudge shouted as they got back up. Harry and Marietta then exited the office.
Draco had searched the halls and bathrooms for the rest of the D.A. during the time of the Dumbledore office incident and even though boys weren't allowed in the girl's bathroom, he had Pansy go in to check in which she grabbed Cho Chang, taking her up to Umbridge's office to remain watch of her until Umbridge got back. Draco, Crabbe and Goyle searched the boys bathroom, catching Collin Creevey and Neville Longbottom as they headed towards the library. Draco was feet ahead of them and upon spotting Luna with Ron, Hermione and Ginny, in which they noticed his presence, Draco decided to walk off to his cronies. That moment gotten the four students in the library worried before they overheard Draco's voice echoing down the hallway. "Take those two to Umbridge, I'll search the library myself." Draco stated. Crabbe and Goyle then dragged Neville and Collin off to Umbridge's office where Pansy was waiting. Once they left, Draco then entered the library, catching the students attention before Hermione and Ron dashed out their wands, pointing at Draco as he dashed out his wand as well, out of defense. "I'm not going to do anything, Weaselbee and Granger." Draco mocked, looking at Luna before turning his attention back to them. "If Goyle and Crabbe come back, they will." Draco added. Draco didn't plan on turning them in, knowing they were with Luna and friends with her except Harry, who was his rival to begin with.
Ron was still bitter from what happened at the quidditch match. "Then why are you with them?" Hermione asked forwardly. "I had no choice...not that its any of your business, Granger. Its not for your benefit, trust me." Draco sneered before he glanced back at Luna, giving her a light, gentle nod. Luna was still disappointed in Draco about him turning in Harry and what happened with quidditch but she trusted that Draco wasn't turning them in. "I better get back..." he stated before turning his gaze away from Luna and left the library. Luna smiled softly. Hermione then sat back down after putting her wand away along with Ron. "He's vile." Hermione commented. Luna looked over at Hermione. "Well, he let us go. I don't believe it to be a vile thing to do." Luna stated. Ginny rose an eyebrow. "He let us go because of you, Luna. Its obvious." Ginny pointed out. Harry had then found them in the library soon after and they were surprised he had been let go. "Are you okay?" Ginny asked Harry. "Yes but Dumbledore...he's gone. He vanished after taking the blame for the D.A." Harry explained. Hermione got up and hugged Harry before stepping back. "So i figured no one found you?" Harry asked the three of them. "No. Well, Malfoy found us but he let us go. Didn't turn us in. Im guessing-" Hermione explained before being cut off by Harry. "Luna?" he guessed before Hermione nodded. "He certainly has a soft spot for you." Harry noted towards Luna who smiled shyly. "I suppose." Luna replied.
As the Inquisitorial squad departed the office after turning in several students and Umbridge ended up letting them go. Since Umbridge had overheard Pansy's taunting remark about Luna, she requested Draco to stay behind. "I couldn't find anyone, besides Longbottom and the Creevey boy, professor." Draco lied. "Is this true...that you're fond of this, this Lovegood girl, Mr. Malfoy?" Umbridge asked. The door slammed a moment after being asked as Draco glanced over to her wall of cat decor before Umbridge cleared her throat. "What if i am?" Draco asked curiously, he figured Umbridge wouldn't be keen on the idea. Umbridge placed a fake smile onto her face as she stood back up again to face Draco. "I would advise otherwise, Mr. Malfoy. After all, she is on the list of the delinquent army that was formed. But if you continue on with Miss Lovegood, there will have to be dire consequences." Umbridge explained, once again passive aggressively. Draco glared as his temper brewed, there was no way he was going to stop seeing Luna. "That is none of your business, Professor. What i do in my personal life is up to me." he snarled. Umbridge didn't like being disobeyed but played a mocking giggle. "We'll see, Mr. Malfoy." she replied. Draco bit his tongue, ripping off his Inquisitorial squad badge and tossed it onto her desk before storming out of her office.
Draco didn't know what exactly Umbridge had planned for separating him and Luna but he knew damn well he wouldn't allow her to succeed. Umbridge had declared herself as acting headmistress of Hogwarts due to Dumbledore's departure and began making another specific decree. By the next day, Umbridge had announced over the intercom a new decree regarding groups. "Decree #31, Boys and girls are not permitted to be within 8 inches of each other at all times." Umbridge announced. When Draco heard this, he knew it was about two things - Potter D.A. and his relationship with Luna. Draco straightened up his tie as he felt stressed. As the evening came, before dinner, Draco sat in a empty, dim corridor on a stone bench. He absolutely hated Umbridge and honestly wished the school year would end quickly. Umbridge had also banned the Quibbler from being in Hogwarts because Luna's father has posted the truth with Harry's story about Voldemort returning.
He removed his sweater vest and loosened his tie, remaining in his white long sleeved shirt and trousers. As he ran his hands through his blond hair in frustration, he heard footsteps coming down the corridor. He stood up, his hair messy from his hands a second ago before noticing it was Luna. "I was looking for you, didn't see you in the Great Hall." she pointed out as she approached him. Draco had seemed rather stressed. "I'm not exactly in the mood to eat tonight." Draco replied. Luna frowned, putting her hand up to cup his cheek. "We're supposed to be 8 inches apart." Draco looked away for a mere moment as Luna lowered her hand, he had guilt written all over him. Luna furrowed her eyebrows. "I don't care." Luna replied, attempting to lock eyes with him. Draco looked back at Luna, surprised that she would ignore the rules in order to be close to him. "We need to talk though." she added. Draco knew that it would be about the last couple of events that involved him. "We need somewhere private." Draco mentioned. Luna knew about the Room of Requirement but they would have to be sneaky and make sure this time that their exact words guaranteed their privacy. "Come." Luna said, grabbing his hand and pulled him along with her to the seventh floor. Luckily, they made it to the Room of Requirement and with Draco thinking they needed a private place to talk without Umbridge barging in, they entered through the entrance quickly. Seeing a sofa appear, Luna pulled Draco over to it with her and they took a seat.
Draco was rather nervous about talking about his actions, unsure if Umbridge or even Voldemort would over hear him. "Is, uh, is this place sound proof?" Draco asked, looking around the room. Luna looked around as well, putting her hand into his before they both looked at each other. "It should be. No one can come in that you request to not enter." Luna explained. Draco took note of it before intertwining his fingers with hers. "Why did you help Umbridge?" Luna asked softly. Draco sighed, he had to be careful with his words. "I didn't want to at first but then, she threatened my parents. As you know, she's in the ministry." he explained, mostly truth as he looked at their hands and traced her thumb with his. Luna began to feel bad for Draco. "Yes, i heard. Thank you, by the way, for not turning us in at the library." she stated, looking at their hands as well. Draco smiled softly for a moment, he actually liked having this time with Luna, just the two of them. "Least i could do." he replied before parting his lips once again. "I left my badge with Umbridge the same day, by the way. She didn't want me to be around you anymore since she discovered the group here and overheard Pansy mention you with me." he explained. Luna had noticed he was under a lot of stress and now got the reason of the new decree. "So , you don't work for her anymore?" she asked curiously. "No. To my knowledge but if it seems that i am, i was threatened. I could never harm you." he replied, before locking eyes with her. Luna placed her other hand in his other empty hand, intertwining it too. "One more thing...why did you say those things on the quidditch field?" she asked. Draco was surprised to hear that she heard his exact words but then again he figured that Harry and the Weasleys most likely told her. "I was blowing off steam...from everything with Umbridge, expectations from home and jealousy as i mentioned earlier with your cheering for Potter. Losing the match just, well, pushed me over the edge." he explained honestly. He was beginning to trust Luna though he didn't want to get into detail about his home life since it wasn't exactly his entirely to tell.
Luna figured she could understand with the pressure he seemed to have but she didn't like what he had said about her friends though. "I understand the stress and all, but perhaps you could say your sorry to them." Luna suggested. Draco rose an eyebrow at the suggestion, knowing he wouldn't apologize. "They did gang up on me, caused me loads of pain." he pointed out. Luna sighed, knowing that is true too. "Okay. You win." she smiled softly. It was silent for a moment before Luna scooted a little closer to him and Draco rested his forehead gently against hers. The way Draco felt about Luna the last few weeks clearly explained that they were most likely officially together but perhaps not to the public. Draco needed someone like Luna to comfort him and understand him, in which he has found. Luna needed someone like Draco that accepted her for who she is and would make her feel important while protecting her. "I suppose we should come up here more often." Draco mentioned, causing Luna to laugh softly. Draco then eased in and his lips met hers, kissing her softly, as he let go one of his hands from hers, using it to cup her cheek. Luna gave into the kiss, she felt herself connect to him. They stayed up there for a little longer before leaving for dinner.
Both Luna and Draco showed up in the Great Hall but within 8 inches apart and sat at the their tables for dinner, well Luna was actually at the Gryffindor table but snuck in so Umbridge wouldn't spot her. Draco noticed Luna's gaze and smiled softly at her before he began eating. "Awfully late to dinner, Luna." Ginny mentioned, attempting to hide a smile knowing Luna came in with Draco. Luna looked over to Ginny, taking her gaze off Draco. "Lost track of time." Luna said in her soft voice. After dinner ended, everyone has turned into bed as final exams were soon approaching in a couple of days but of course within those couple days, Umbridge had once again coerced Draco into taking his badge back with threats of his family being exposed in which Draco hated taking back. Perhaps he figured he could use his position now to protect Luna from Umbridge, only if he handled her. Meanwhile, Harry, Hermione and Ron planned to use Umbridge's fireplace to communicate with Sirius since Harry had a vision of Sirius being tormented at the ministry of magic which was false anyway. While exams took place for the fifth years, Fred and George had planned a swamp on the third floor in order to distract Umbridge for the trio. But upon finishing the swamp, they decided to have a brilliant exit, not expecting to finish school to launch their careers in the pranking business. With that, while the fifth years were doing exams, Fred and George flew in the doors on their brooms and lit up their handmade fireworks, causing a ruckus in the hall and making Umbridge furious. One of the twins even tossed one towards Crabbe and of course at Draco to get him back from the quidditch incident but Draco ducked it by the door. The twins then flew out of the castle.
With the chaos, Harry, Ron and Hermione darted to Umbridge's office, meeting up with Ginny while Filch reported the swamp to Umbridge, causing her to, in a fuss, go check it out. The trio went into her office and had Ginny as lookout, attempting to use the fireplace as the others were monitored but before they could, Umbridge had caught onto them as Ginny looked too suspicious, running off before Umbridge got there and Umbridge caught the trio. As Umbridge ordered her Inquisitorial squad to gather most on the list once again, they have captured Neville, Luna and the trio as Draco had Ginny in his grip, dragging her in. "Caught the Weasley girl." Draco announced as he shoved her to the group watching Harry in the chair with Umbridge towering over him. Luna looked sad that Draco was again working for her but she had remembered that he said he might be threatened again into doing so. Draco stepped aside as Goyle guarded one side and Draco went to guard the side where Luna was, slipping his right hand that had been out of view from Umbridge and placing it into Luna's hand. Luna noticed his hand and gripped it lightly, knowing he was reassuring her that he wasn't going to harm her or any of them while they watched the intense scene in front of them. Harry and Hermione ended up leaving with Umbridge to find some 'secret weapon' in the forbidden forest while the rest stayed with the squad. Luna then turned to Draco, keeping her hand in his as she leaned against his arm and rested her head near his shoulder. "Oh please. That makes me want to vomit." Pansy spewed out, spotting Draco and Luna. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Speaking of." Ron mumbled, fidgeting through his pockets as he remembered his brothers gave him puking chocolates in case of anything. Pulling them out, Ron placed the so called chocolates wrapped in fancy wrapping onto the desk. "Want chocolate to pass the time?" Ron insisted, Ginny and Neville knew what they were but Luna wasn't too big on chocolate anyway. Goyle, Crabbe, Pansy and Draco grabbed a piece and ate them before it sunk in, causing them to feel sick. Draco ran over and grabbed Umbridge's trash bin and vomited as the other Slytherins grabbed anything they could puke in. Neville and Ron darted out while Ginny had to drag Luna out with her. "Draco..." Luna frowned, rubbing his back as he had his face in the bin, being supportive until Ginny had pulled her away. As the four left, Luna felt guilty having left Draco when he was sick. "He'll be okay, Luna. Those are prank chocolates from my twin brothers. It'll wear off." Ginny reassured. They then met up with Harry and Hermione who got rid of Umbridge with the centaurs taking her. They planned to get to the ministry of magic, with Luna's advice of using thestrals.
Draco, Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy had ended up in the hospital wing from the constant vomiting as Madam Pomfrey treated them. Draco ripped off the badge once again and tossed it onto the floor of the hospital wing, causing Pansy to frown then began constant nagging once she stopped vomiting. Draco groaned at the bickering. "Will you shut up?" Draco complained. Pansy glared. "No. You're an idiot." Pansy stated. "Madam Pomfrey!" Draco called out, Crabbe started chuckling at the bickering. "Miss Parkinson, please remain quiet unless you feel well enough to leave." Madam Pomfrey commanded. Pansy frowned before deciding to just leave. Draco was relieved when she left.
After hours passed, Luna, Neville, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny had returned with Dumbledore from the ministry. If Draco had known how the death eaters and his father treated Luna, he would be furious but it had been unknown to him until he saw Luna walk into the hospital wing with a busted lip. Madam Pomfrey sat her down on a bed and began treating her lip as Luna looked over at Draco. "What happened?" Draco asked her. Once Madam Pomfrey excused her, Luna walked over to Draco. "Fighting off death eaters at the ministry of magic when trying to find the prophecy while making sure Sirius Black was okay." she explained. Draco furrowed his eyebrows, knowing most likely his father was involved in that mission. "So, a death eater did this to you?" he asked. Luna nodded then shrugged. "Yeah but, its okay. He flew awfully far when Neville hit him with a spell." she pointed out. Draco attempted to refrain from laughing as he hated the death eaters. "Ah, okay." Draco replied. They both left the hospital wing together hand in hand before greeting everyone in the Great Hall for dinner, enduring another speech from Dumbledore.
It was the day when summer break would start again and Luna found herself sitting in the courtyard with Draco on a stone bench, one of their hands intertwined with each others. "Maybe this summer you can come visit me and my dad. I think he would like to meet you." Luna suggested. Draco wasn't sure about it, afraid that his parents would prefer if he was home but he liked the idea of being away from home. "Or i can visit you." Luna added. Draco's eyes darted from their hands to her eyes inadvertently. "I honestly think it's a bad idea for my place. You'll be bored as the Malfoy mansion is unbelievably huge and well, my parents aren't accustomed to visitors really. Except for business." Draco explained, trying to word it right without giving away anything. Luna understood. "Its okay. I know how your father is at least, I've seen him, just recently at the ministry." Luna stated. Draco wasn't surprised but then realized that she knew his father was a death eater. "I know he's a death eater, Draco. I know you just want to protect me." she added. Draco nodded. "Exactly that. Perhaps i can visit your place for a day. I can convince my parents of that." Draco compromised. Luna's face brightened at his words. "I'll write you and we can meet up in Diagon Alley." he added. Luna nodded. "I like that." she said. With that, the students boarded the Hogwarts Express and headed home for the summer, awaiting sixth year.