Do You Believe in Magic
Chapter 5
Malfoy's List
"Is everyone here?" asked Harry.
Hermione looked around the small meeting room and mentally took a head count. When she nodded Harry surveyed the group assembled at the table. Before he started the meeting, he looked over the notes he had made for himself.
Draco Malfoy: Newest member of JOotP. Slytherin 6th yr. Prefect. Recently began dating Ginny Weasley. Father belongs to Voldemor's inner circle. Excellent physical abilities (Seeker). Accomplished dueler. Trustworthy?
"I might as well begin with him,' thought Harry.
"Malfoy, what do you have to report?"
Draco stood. He sneered at Harry, clearly not happy that the group had voted the young man leader. He may be working with The Great Harry Potter; but that didn't mean he had to like it. Mentally sighing; but letting no emotion cross his face, he began.
"This past week I have been able to feel out several new candidates for the Junior Order. I made a list and will present it to you soon. I have also made a separate list of Slytherins who should not be approached for any reason. They are extremely dangerous, and any information they learn will immediately be known to the Dark Lord." Draco knew that right now he was fairly safe within the walls of Slytherin. He was of course being shunned; because he chose not to become a Death Eater. He told his father it was because he was expected to become one by the entire school. If he could convince everyone that he had no interest in the Dark Side, he could get closer to certain members of Potters own inner circle. He was able to use this as an excuse also to see Ginny Weasley. If he had outright denied his loyalty to his father and his beliefs he wouldn't be here right now. The young man would be dead.
Draco realized that he had paused for longer than was necessary and cleared his throat. "My first candidate for induction into the Junior Order is Pansy Parkinson."
Hermione who was drinking some water when Draco mentioned Pansy's name, promptly began choking.
"Pansy," she said in between gasps for air. "Is not joining this group. There is no way I will allow it."
While Harry silently agreed with Hermione, he had to question why she was so opposed to this nomination.
After posing his question Hermione gave her reasoning. "First she is a gossip. There would be no way she could keep any of this information to herself. Second, the girl hates almost everyone in this room. Third, I personally do not want to see her draping herself over Malfoy, every time we have a meeting."
Surprisingly, Ron was the one to speak up. "I don't want any one to say anything until I am finished talking." He looked meaningly at Hermione as he said this. He knew she would not like what he was about to say; but it needed to come out.
"As much as I am loathe to admit it, I agree with Malfoy. Pansy would be a great asset to this team. She is extremely intelligent, scoring only slightly lower than Hermione and Ferret Boy, every term. The girl has several friends outside the normal boundaries of her house. She doesn't advertise this fact; but she also does not support Voldemort or his cause."
Hermione narrowed her brown eyes at Ron. She was about to ask how he knew all these things, when Draco spoke.
"You're the one." he said. "She told me of everyone else; but would not speak of the last member." The blonde pointed his finger at Ron and slowly moved closer to him. "I should have figured; but you never once flaunted it. I have to admit, I no longer want in. Not because of my extreme dislike for you; but because from what I hear you are harsh. I would never survive in there."
Ron laughed and nodded. "I can't believe she told you."
"I tricked her into it," Draco smirked. "Had her convinced I was going to take hundreds of points from Slytherin in her name. She gave up the information quickly."
Hermione looked like she was about to explode from frustration and Draco waved to Ron indicating he should explain.
"Don't kill me Mione," he said looking awkwardly at his girlfriend. "I know that at the end of last year and the beginning of this one, you were all wondering where I was getting the money to buy certain items. I led you to believe that I was working for Fred and George. I know I shouldn't have lied; but you would have been furious to know how I really earned it."
The red head was slowly backing towards the door, hoping to make a quick get away if need be. He saw everyone was waiting for him to finish. "I ummm…" he stammered. "Oh bloody hell, I've been playing poker and winning quite admirably, I might add."
Shock was evident on everyone's faces; but Harry's. He had known that Ron wasn't making any money from Fred and George. Harry after all was a silent partner, and was kept up to date on any business handled in that store. He didn't know for sure what Ron had been doing; but he wasn't surprised. Ron had a very strategic mind. If anyone could win that much at poker it was him. Weasley number six was full of surprises.
Hermione was livid. "Gambling in Hogwarts?" she yelled. "What in the hell are you thinking?" The bushy haired witch began waving her arms around, while she continued her tirade. "What would happen if Dumbledore found out? No, more importantly what would happen if Snape found out. He would make sure you were expelled Ron. You know he has no love loss for you."
Hermione sighed and sat down once again. She looked around and saw people smirking at her. They figured she just climbed up on her soapbox for the hundredth time. They would just let her rant until she finally gave up. Hermione smiled to herself. She knew the reaction she would get from her 'friends'. That is precisely why she kept up this melodrama. No one, save two people, in this room knew the real Hermione Jane Granger.
Harry was also preoccupied studying everyone's reactions. He could see Draco's smirk. The Slytherin was happy with the Chaos he had just wreaked within a span of a few minutes. Harry wasn't sure if it was because that was Draco's plan or if he just found the whole situation amusing. Ginny was laughing outright, while Althea was hiding her giggling behind her hand. Luna was staring off into space, as was the Ravenclaws custom and Neville just stared at Ron in admiration. To Harry Hermione's reaction was spot on.
Harry decided he needed to take control of the meeting; before it got too out of hand.
"Are there any other comments about letting Pansy Parkinson into the Junior Order? Remember that all possible candidates will have to be screened by the Senior Order members."
No one spoke for or against Pansy. After that the meeting was rather anti-climatic. All other names brought before the group were approved and everyone else's reports were of non-value.
Hermione hurriedly gathered her belongings together and told everyone she needed to go to the library. No one gave her a second look. Then library is what Hermione does.
Ron pulled Draco off to side. Harry watched the two warily. He knew nothing good could come of the two talking. He was surprised when they came apart with not one punch or hex thrown. The blonde Slytherin strode towards Ginny and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. The girl waved at the others and allowed Draco to lead her out of the room.
Harry sent Ron a questioning look; but the boy just shrugged his shoulders and left the room. Luna and Neville left several minutes later, leaving only Harry and Althea in the Room of Requirement.
She was still sitting at the long table, looking over her notes. Harry walked up behind her and put his hands on her delicate shoulders. He began massaging them lightly, smiling to himself when she let out a soft moan. He slowly let his hands slide up the back of her neck. Althea leaned her head forward and Harry ran his hands through her thick tresses. He pulled her up from her chair with care and turned her to face him. He looked into her eyes silently asking for permission. She nodded slightly and Harry lowered his mouth to hers. He brushed his lips softly against hers running his tongue lightly across them. At this Althea opened her mouth allowing him access to her velvet mouth. The young man groaned against her lips and she answered with a moan of her own. Harry could feel himself getting hard and reluctantly released her. She was trembling and Harry was trying to get his own desire under control.
"Wow," Althea said while leaning her hands on the table.
Harry chuckled. He was in absolute agreement. "That was magical," he said to her. She nodded and moved closer to him.
"Harry," she started. "About what happened just now…"
Harry would wonder later what Althea had been about to say, when Professor McGonagall burst in to the room.
"Potter," the professor said in a no nonsense voice. "Professor Snape wishes to see you immediately."
Harry looked over at Althea and silently begged her to forgive him for leaving her there. She waved her hand indicating that he should leave. She knew Snape was not one to be kept waiting. Sparing a slight smile at his transfiguration teacher, Harry hurried from the room and made his way to the Dungeons. It wouldn't do him any good to keep his potions professor waiting. He also had a few questions for Snape.
Harry knocked on the room door and opened it slowly when he was told to enter. Professor Severus Snape was sitting at his desk grading papers. Harry took a moment to survey the Death eater turned spy and noticed that he sat with in very aristocratic manner. The man was not handsome and many students did not like him; but his presence demanded respect. Harry was one of the few who knew of Snapes double life and this was the main reason for his respect. Others respected him; because this is what he demanded. Snape realized that Harry was sizing him up and quickly sent him a sneer.
"Professor Snape," Harry began carefully. "Professor McGonagall said that you wished to see me."
Snape nodded and motioned for Harry to stand in front of his desk.
"Mr. Potter," he said. "I have been asked by Professor Dumbledore to receive your report of today's meeting."
The professor said nothing else and Harry was wondering if he wanted it in writing or what.
"Mr. Potter, I don't have all day. Begin now."
Harry quickly explained to him about the choices that Malfoy had made. He left out the part about the illegal poker meets going on. The head of Slytherin was impressed by the amount of research Draco had done into these students. He wasn't surprised by the choices either and was sure that Dumbledore and the other senior members of the Order would sanction them as well.
Snape was about to dismiss Harry when the young boy spoke up.
"Professor Snape, I would like to once again begin occlumenncy if you are willing to help me."
Before the professor was able to basically tell Harry to go to hell, the boy began speaking again.
"I know it was my fault that Sirius died. If I had just mastered the skill as you all told me to, he would be alive today." The young Gryffindor hung his head in shame. "I want to be able to keep Voldemort out of my head."
Professor Snape listened to Harry and knew that he really had no choice. As much as he disliked the boy and his cohorts, the time had come to set aside old grudges and do the right thing. The Potions master nodded and waved his hand signaling the end of the conversation.
Harry had wanted to ask about the rescue mission that had saved his fathers best friend, Remus Lupin; but knew that he would be pushing Snape too far. He would be sure to ask Professor Dumbledore or McGonagall when he had the chance.
Gryffindor Common Room
In the soft light of the dying fire sat two people discussing the day's events.
"Do you think anyone suspects?" asked the figure sitting on the couch.
The figures companion shook its head.
"No. Why should they. We have been extra careful and covered our tracks well."
"Tomorrow we will know if we are suspected at all," the first said. "After all Professor Snape always attends the dark revels. He will be sure to recognize us."
"Even if he does, it doesn't matter really. We know where his true loyalties lie."
A/N
And here ends the chapter. It has taken me awhile to get this out; but I plan on writing quicker form now on.
The next chapter will include the Dark revel and the truth of Remus Lupin's rescue. True alliances will be revealed as well duplicity and maybe a little lemon. So until next time enjoy.
I hope you all enjoyed and I am sorry this is so short. Next chapter should be twice as long.