Hermione dragged herself into the Great Hall for lunch and collapsed on the bench next to Neville. He put his parchment to the side and placed his hand on her back.
"I think the professors would understand if you spent the day in bed."
Hermione adjusted her position and laid her head on her arms.
"This is not the first time I have been exposed to Veritaserum," she said.
"While that may be the case, I heard this was your first time being exposed to so much of it."
"From whom?"
"Luna."
"Of course," Hermione grumbled. "And she told my mother."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"You have never met my mother officially, so I will let you be the judge of that when the time comes."
Neville grinned and tucked hair away from her face.
"You must take after her," he teased.
"Something like that." Hermione closed her eyes. "What are you working on?" she asked.
"Professor Sprout gave me free access to the greenhouse last year, so I have been marking my progress with my new abilities."
"Anything to report?"
"I can cause plants to grow, cause them to die, and I have recently learned that I can manipulate the dirt to do my bidding."
Hermione opened one eye and said, "I think you and my brother will get along a little too well."
"Does he know about me?"
"He knows everything that I know," Hermione murmured.
Neville hummed and packed up his parchment completely. Hermione yawned and turned her head as more Gryffindors piled into the Great Hall. She waved at the twins, and they detoured to where she sat. Instead of stopping, Fred and George brushed against her robes and continued on their way to where they usually sat. Hermione clicked her teeth and sat up straight, feeling a new weight in her right pocket. She pulled out the small package and opened it, seeing a vial of what appeared to be a memory. Hermione cocked her head and closed it, putting the box back into her pocket.
"What was that?" Neville asked.
"I have no idea, but when I figure it out, I will pass the message along. For now, I need to eat."
Neville jumped when a bowl of Minestrina appeared in front of Hermione. Hermione mentally thanked Hogwarts and chuckled at the confusion on Neville's face.
"One day, I will teach you how to connect with Hogwarts. She is always willing to help a Child of Fate."
"What is it?"
"Minestrina," Hermione explained.
"That tells me nothing."
"It is a soup made of tiny pasta, some broth, Parmigiano-Reggiano, rosemary, and I think this one has butter in it."
"What's Parmigiani Reggieano?"
"You said that as wrong as one person could," Hermione said dryly.
Neville snorted and went back to his food. Hermione was about to eat when Severus snatched the bowl and the spoon. She whined, but Severus ignored her and tested her food. Satisfied that she wasn't poisoned, Severus placed her food back on the table and walked away. Hermione huffed and went back to her food. Two bodies slid into the table across from her, and Hermione was tempted to leave.
"Did you hear the rumors?" Ron started.
"I spent my night in the infirmary, Ronald. So I doubt it," Hermione pointed out.
"Right, sorry."
"Why are you sorry?"
Ron was startled at the question, and he stammered a bit before saying, "I just meant I'm sorry you spent the night in the infirmary."
Hermione didn't believe him, but there was no proof they had anything to do with what happened, so she left it alone. Neville cleared his throat and asked about the rumors. Harry seemed relieved to get the conversation back on track, and he leaned forward.
"Blaise has a sister."
"What? No way," Neville said.
"It's true! Pansy told the entire class," Ron said.
Hermione continued to eat her food in silence. She had a small moment of regret for entertaining Pansy that day at the beach.
"Pansy is your source? She's known for being dramatic and a liar," Neville scoffed.
"We thought so too until she swore on her magic in front of the entire class that she met Blaise's sister," Ron said excitedly. "And she did a spell right after."
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. Fucking Pansy.
"If Blaise has a sister, I wonder where she is," Harry said.
"Does it matter?" Hermione sighed. "Why is this important news?"
"Because there's no record of her existence."
"Again, why is this important news?"
"Think about it! Why would Blaise and Lady Zabini hide her?" Harry asked. "There has to be some reason for it."
"Not everything needs to be a conspiracy," Neville said.
"Maybe the child is half-muggle," Ron joked.
"Or maybe Lady Zabini did not want a bunch of people judging both of her children for something out of their control," Hermione said. "Look at the way you treat Blaise. If I were a mother, I would not want to put both of my children in that situation."
"I can't believe you're defending a Death Eater again."
"Maybe if you two stopped being such ignorant arseholes, I would not have to," Hermione shot back.
"How are we being ignorant? Lady Zabini publicly supports the Dark Lord," Ron hissed.
"Because she is a Slytherin? Because she does not bow and worship the great Albus Dumbledore? Come off your high horse, Gryffindor. It is ridiculous that this school cares so much about what color your robes are when there are bigger things to be concerned about."
"Since when are you so anti-Hogwarts?"
"Around the time someone poisoned my tea without my knowing," Hermione deadpanned. "So you will have to excuse me if I am not interested in any type of house rivalry and gossip." Hermione put down her spoon and stood from the table. "I am here to learn, and once I am done with that, I am moving on. Can either of you say the same?"
"No, Hermione. I can't," Harry gritted out.
"Has it ever occurred to you that's your fault?" she asked.
"Excuse me?"
Hermione bent over until she was at eye-level with Harry and said, "I admit you got the short end of the stick with your prophecy and losing your parents. But at what point will you stop pretending to be a martyr and choose to live? You can choose to live your life instead of preparing to sacrifice yourself for a group of people who will forget you in ten years. Despite what Ron and the others are telling you, there is no fame in death."
"And you wonder why we think you're working for the Dark Lord."
"I am no spy, Harry." Hermione stood up straight and adjusted her robes. "But my loyalty to the Order is as strong as their loyalty to me."
Blaise rubbed his temples as Theo asked about his sister. Again. Pansy's gossip reached the ears of the Headmaster, and he had a meeting with the wizard after dinner. Hermione was back in the infirmary and on bedrest for the foreseeable future. Blaise wasn't worried about her, knowing his sister was getting extra rest without stressing over someone attempting to finish the job they failed the first time. Blaise relaxed when Daphne sat next to him, and he kissed her behind the ear.
"Well, hello to you too," Daphne murmured.
"I've missed you."
"You say that like you haven't seen me all day."
"Any second I'm not with you feels like a life not worth living."
Daphne narrowed her eyes and said, "You're pushing your luck, Zabini."
Blaise grinned and slipped an arm around her waist. Daphne placed her hand on his knee and propped her chin with the other, leaning on the table.
"Are you okay?"
"Everyone seems eager to hear about my sister," he complained.
"Can you blame us?" Theo interrupted. "We had to hear about it from Pansy, of all people."
"My sister does not factor into things I want to talk about."
"Why? Is she ugly or something?"
"Theo!" Daphne hissed.
"What? I'm just asking."
"Nah, you're just interested to see if she's single," Pike teased.
"Piss off," Theo said, punching Pike in the arm.
"I know we're not best friends, Blaise, but hiding a sister is a big deal," Tracey said, sitting forward.
"Maybe she's a squib or something." Daphne kicked Theo in the shin under the table, and he yelped in pain. "Fuck, I was kidding!" he whined.
"Blaise doesn't owe any of you an explanation," Daphne said.
"You're only saying that because you're sucking him off in your dorm room every night," Pike scoffed.
Blaise picked up a fork and stabbed the table centimeters away from where Pike's hand rested. The table grew silent, and Blaise said in a low voice, "Mind your tongue or lose a limb, understood?"
Pike nodded sharply, and Blaise yanked the fork from the wood. All eyes went to Pansy as she approached the table. She sat down next to Theo and frowned.
"What?" she asked.
"You told the entire school about Blaise's sister," Daphne exclaimed.
"So?"
"I warned you on the train not to say anything," Blaise gritted out. "Yet you did it anyway, and you even swore on your magic that you were telling the truth. Now, I have a meeting with Snape and the Headmaster over it."
"Come on, it's not that big of a deal, Blaise."
Blaise stood and slammed his palms on the table loud enough to echo in the Great Hall. Pansy and the rest of the Slytherin table jumped in response. "Just because your father had multiple children outside of his union does not mean the rest of the world needs to know my business! If anything happens to my sister, you and your siblings will end up poor and living with the same muggles that your father breeds by the end of the week!"
Daphne placed a hand on his arm in warning. Blaise gently brushed her off and stormed from the Great Hall. He shoved his hands into his pockets and made his way to the infirmary, hoping the smoke pouring from out of his robes wouldn't be noticed.
When Blaise left, Daphne glanced at Pansy. Theo and Pike ducked their heads and went back to their food. Tracey hesitated, wanting to comfort her friend but also pretend as if nothing happened, and Millicent snickered under her breath. Daphne glanced down the table to Astoria, who wore an indifferent scowl. Not that Daphne expected anything less. Her sister was not the type to get involved with petty drama. Daphne wasn't heartless, so she was a little annoyed that Blaise embarrassed Pansy in front of everyone instead of waiting until they were back in the dungeons. But at the same time, Daphne pulled Pansy to the side once they got off the train and repeated Blaise's warning, telling her that it would be in her best interest to let it go.
Pansy didn't, and now the entire school knew she had half-muggle siblings out there in the world.
Daphne sighed and decided to let the chips fall where they fell. Things were getting a little tense, and it wouldn't be long before something – someone – shattered from the pressure.
Draco excused himself when Blaise arrived in the infirmary. It was clear he needed his sister, so he left. Poppy put Hermione in a bed hidden from the main door to ensure privacy. It made coming and going easier for Draco and the others. He strolled down the hall toward the dungeons, not quite hungry enough to venture into the Great Hall, and he paused when he passed a window. Outside, Draco watched Neville heading to the greenhouse. He rubbed the back of his neck and made a detour.
Neville kneeled in the dirt and ran his fingers through the soil. He closed his eyes and concentrated, listening and focusing on the magic buried in the Earth. A warning came that he wasn't alone, and Neville looked over his shoulder. Draco removed his hood and stepped forward, wiping his hands on his slacks.
"Evening," he greeted nervously. "I hope I am not disturbing you."
Neville shook his head, a little confused and caught off guard by the visit, and he asked, "What brings you out here, Malfoy?"
"Draco."
"Pardon?"
"I- you can call me Draco."
Neville grinned and said, "Then I guess it wouldn't be too much to ask if you called me Neville."
"I can do that," Draco agreed.
"Good. So?"
"Oh. I saw you from inside and wanted to come out here and," Draco paused, grimaced, and he finished lamely, "say hi."
"You came out here to tell me hello?" Neville teased.
Draco rolled his eyes and was about to leave. Neville panicked-
"Wait!"
A vine emerged from under the table and twisted around Draco's leg. Draco glanced down, then at Neville with his eyebrow arched. Neville blushed, and the vine unraveled and returned to its place. Draco brushed away the dirt. Neville walked up to Draco and ran a hand through his hair out of habit.
"I'm sorry. I'm still not used to this," Neville explained.
"Used to what?"
"All of it. I used to be a goofy kid with a toad," he joked. "Now I'm some kind of prophetic dirt magician."
"That is an odd way of putting it."
"I'm a bit odd," Neville said dryly.
Draco flushed red and looked down.
"I- I like odd things."
"Are you being nice to me because of the prophecy?" Neville asked. "Because if you are, it's not worth the trouble."
Draco shook his head and scuffed at the dirt. He sighed and looked up, saying, "I've been working up the nerve to talk to you for longer than a few hours, Neville."
"You have?"
"I notice everyone so that I can learn their weaknesses and strengths," Draco said. "It's a curse of being a Malfoy, but noticing you became less of a defense mechanism and more of personal interest. Like how you don't like tomatoes or how you always have dirt under your fingernails. You sometimes even have it in your hair, and Luna would brush it away when you weren't looking. You're better at potions than everyone thinks. You only pretend not to understand because you don't want Seamus to be the only one struggling. You read every Sunday morning in the back of the library because it's the only time where you can read muggle fiction without being asked about it. I find you a little terrifying, to be completely honest. You're not the usual Pureblood I encounter, but you're equally as fascinating."
Neville didn't know what to say. He didn't think Draco paid that much attention to anyone, let alone him. Draco's face fell in the prolonged silence, and he bowed his head.
"Right then. I'm sorry for bothering you."
Draco left the greenhouse, and Neville was startled into action. He grabbed Draco by the back of his robes and tugged him back inside. Draco lost his balance and fell into him, and Neville was a little shocked he had an inch over the Slytherin.
"I-I'm not good with words," Neville stammered.
"You don't have to say anything-
"I like you," Neville blurted out. "I think you're fascinating too. And cute. And a lot terrifying."
"What?"
Neville groaned and rubbed the back of his head.
"Draco, I haven't- this is- you're the first guy I paid attention to when I got here. Even when you were being a jerk, I couldn't take my eyes off of you. It's hard to have a crush on someone you think hates you."
"Tell me about it," Draco muttered.
"I never hated you."
"You didn't?"
Neville shook his head.
"Oh," Draco exhaled. "That's good. I don't hate you either, by the way."
Neville gave him a crooked grin, and Draco looked away. He coughed and stepped back, adjusting his clothes.
"Would you be interested in having tea with me this weekend?"
"Are you asking me on a date?"
"Only if your answer is yes."
"Then yes."
"Good. I'll be in touch."
"I look forward to your missive," Neville teased.
Draco scowled and left the greenhouse. That time, Neville let him go, and he bounced on his toes and did a little fist pump before going back to the dirt.
Blaise took the steps into the Headmaster's office two and knocked once he reached the door. It swung open after a minute, and Blaise entered the room with his face cleared of any emotion.
"Mister Zabini, thank you for joining me. If you would please take your seat, the meeting will begin shortly," the Headmaster said.
Blaise nodded and sat next to Snape, who seemed confused. The fire roared green, and Blaise frowned as his mother stepped into the office. Anathema glanced at Blaise, Severus, and then turned to Dumbledore.
"Has something happened, Albus?"
"Lady Zabini, a seat, please."
Anathema sat next to Blaise, and Dumbledore stapled his hands under his chin.
"I will keep this short as it is late, but I called you all here to inform you that I requested birth documents for your daughter and sister."
"Excuse me?" Anathema exclaimed.
"You can't do that!" Blaise argued.
"Albus, why do you need me here for that?" Severus asked.
"Because I needed the head of house in here per the rules, Severus. And Mister Zabini, I am well within my rights to make this request. Anathema, why is there is no recorded documentation of your daughter's birth here or in Italy?"
"My daughter is of no concern to you or the Minister!"
"With your history-
"Oh, spare me the political bullshit, Albus," Anathema hissed.
"Anathema, you should know that this is a ministerial request of the highest order. Should you not comply by the morning, you will be arrested."
"Is that a threat?"
"No. It is merely a fact."
Anathema twitched and rose from the chair. She kissed Blaise on top of his head and nodded politely at Severus before heading to the fireplace.
"I urge you to heed my request, Lady Zabini," Albus said. "Unless there is a reason your child lives in the shadows?"
"My daughter is a private person, and I agreed with her father that she should live a life out of the spotlight. But if you insist on meddling in affairs that do not concern you, then I will be forced to respond in kind."
"Is that a threat?"
"No. Merely a fact."