Chapter 20- Consideration

"What a disgrace-"

"Oldest member of the family and yet the least responsible of all of them-"

"I am disappointed in you, brother."

"Big brother, how could you do this to me!"

"Albus... Take care of your brother and sister for me..."

"You selfish, arrogant little-"

"It's for the Greater Good, Albus, the Greater-"

"You were an utter fool to believe that idiot. Look where it got you. A man afraid of being in power, and yet always needing control of the situation. How far you have fallen."

And then there was the man himself, Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore, the greatest wizard alive... or at least, that's what the ignorant people thought. He was looking straight at me. "Most impressive, Alyssa. I'm sure we can expect great things from you." said the man who used children as pawns, surely planting something in my mind that will make me want to do everything as he wishes. So I tried to tune him out.

"I... have been a nuisance. The older generation cannot take charge anymore, in this new age. Indeed, the phrase, 'I am too old for this' applies to me very nicely. I hope... that someone as young as you, as brilliant as you... will not make the same mistakes this old man did."

I woke up to Harry's worried face. "Big Sis, Big Sis! What's wrong?"

I blinked. "Harry?" I realized I was sweating, and my breath was heaving. "What happened?"

"You tell me. Were you having a bad dream?"

I recalled the contents of the 'dream' and grimaced slightly. "Yeah... you could say that. Water please?"

"Sally!" he called out into thin air. The young-looking house elf popped into the room. "Get us some water please. And could you call Aunt Andi while you're at it?" She nodded and went to disappear, but I said, "Wait. There is no need to call our Aunt, so simply bring the water please."

Her eyes looked at me, worrying, and saw my determined face. "Yes, mistress. Right away." And she popped away.

"Liz," he returned back to his normal way of calling me.

"Yeah?"
"What did you dream about?"

I got a distant look on my face "I'm... not really sure either. We should just go to bed only Sally comes back."

He grabbed my shoulders. "Was it anything bad?"

I met his gaze squarely. "Nothing bad. Just confusing." I ruffled his hair more than it already was. "You know I never lie to you."

"Which forks are used to eat what?"

"A very good question. This is the salad fork, this is the..." and Gran continued to drone on about the question Neville asked.

Currently, Harry, Neville, Susan and I were all in our etiquette class.

"You shouldn't have asked." Harry whispered to Neville. "Sorry," he whispered back. Gran stopped in the middle of the lecture to give us a brief glare, and then continued on. "Of course, the most important thing while having dinner with potential partners- business or otherwise- is?"

"Making sure they know our House isn't a joke, and that they cannot try to make a fool out of us. But of course, always conceal some cards up your sleeve, to make sure that even if they catch you off-guard, you'll weather the storm and come out the other side." I recited, almost word to word, what she had been drilling me on for the last 2 days.

The whole reason we were all having these classes was because of the invitation I was sent by the House of Malfoy.

Strictly speaking, I was the only one invited, so I'm the only one who needs to be educated early. But Gran and Aunt Andi took those two along for the ride as well, because apparently, 'if I'm teaching one of you, I'm teaching all. Otherwise it would be double the effort.'

...Or so they said.

[Just remembering that stare they give you when you do something wrong gives me chills. As I thought, women are scary.]

Oh, Advisor! You haven't been here for the whole of the chapter! Good to have you back!

[What chapter are you talking about? This is a story.]

Oh, you know, the usual. You're in my head, so you don't need to ask anyway. What have you been doing lately?

[Performing tasks in the background while your computer -sorry- mind is idling.]

Are you a software protection device or something? Did you hit your head? Are you alright?

[I am fine. I've been researching about the Malfoy family recently, hence my silence. The most important period of their history was while they were the 'Foy' fmily in France, and became 'Malfoy' while they assisted the French king. Simply put, they messed up pretty badly and ran with their tail tucked between their legs to England. You probably won't be able to use that in the meeting though. Your biggest advantage will be the sheer number of houses you're the Head of.]

I'll definitely prepare everything and go into the battlefield with guns blazing! The Malfoys can be nothing but enemies!

No...thing... but.. ene...

WHY THE HECK ARE you like this?!

ANNDDD done! What did you think? I'm going to keep this message short I guess, so please review and let me know!