Welcome back! Here comes the next chapter, so get ready! Thanks so much for reviewing the last chapter. I appreciate all of your reviews. Oh, and a reviewer told me that I spelled B-L-A-I-Z-E instead of with a 's'. I'm sorry! I wasn't sure of the spelling so I guessed. Well, I'm not going to change it, so it'll just stay that way. Sorry if this is any trouble for you, and thanks to that reviewer!
Disclaimer- I don't own anything, but the plot and a toothbrush.
Chapter 6 Welcome to Our Clan
It was morning when Draco woke up. It took him a minute to realize where he was. Suddenly, all the memories come flooding back to him. Hermione and the sword fight. Following the man, Neville, to the secret rock. The opening of the rock. Being caught. The trial, and finally, the decision to keep him. Draco happily got up with these thoughts still turning around in his head. He got up and opened the door to his room. There stood Justin, smiling at him.
"Morning Draco. You're up late." He said nodding.
"What time is it?" asked Draco thinking it must be noon already.
"Just past six. We've been up since four. You better learn to wake up earlier. The day only has twenty-four hours, and as thieves, we used a good eighteen of those hours."
"Oh God…" trailed Draco looking back at his bed wishing to go back to bed. "You get up at four?" he asked as though Justin was lying. He nodded again.
"Yep, we're up before the sun is. C'mon, you can have some breakfast. The party is tonight, and we need to get you ready." Said Justin turning to go down a long corridor. Draco silently followed him, taking in all of his surroundings. The corridor was much like the others, just as dark and gloomy.
Finally, it opened up to reveal a great dinning hall lit with candles and torches on the walls. The table was a deep mahogany wood with chairs lining it up and down. Draco estimated that it could've fit fifty people. The rest of the clan, including Hermione, was sitting down at the other end eating and talking about the party that night.
"When are they coming?" asked Ermine to Ron.
"They'll be here as soon as the sun sets. I think we have to wait outside to let them in." answered Ron. Draco turned to face Justin to ask for directions, but found that he was already gone. He decided to just sit at the end and hope someone would notice. It took a few minutes, but soon Hermione picked up her head and saw him.
"Up at last, eh? Well, you better not get used to it. There's no time for sleep when you're on the run and are trying to survive." Said Hermione. The table had gone quiet to listen to her. "Anyway, the party will be held tonight here. There, we're going to introduce you to the rest of the thieves' world. It's a fairly large bunch, so there will be plenty of people that you have to talk to."
"Who's going to watch him?" asked Harry. "He can't just wander alone. No one could know that he's a prince. They'd kill him in a second."
"Yeah no offense, but he doesn't stand a chance, especially since the Scorpions are coming. You know for sure that they'd be happy to kill the heir and take the throne for themselves. Adam would love that." Said Blaize. Hermione and the others nodded.
"You actually invited Adam and the rest of those slimy scorpions?" asked Neville in a timid voice.
"We have no choice. Unfortunately, they are well-respected thieves, even though they kill more than they take. We have to invite them, or else it's like a personal insult to the rest of the thieves." Said Hermione sadly. Draco wasn't exactly sure who these "Scorpions" were but thought better of it not to ask.
"So what do I actually have to do?" asked Draco making everyone stare at him.
"All you have to do is mingle and make sure you don't blow your cover." Said Justin simply.
"What if I screw up?" Draco shot back at him.
"Then you can kiss your ass goodbye." Answered Harry.
"He's right." Said Hermione suddenly. "What if he does mess up? We can't afford to let that happen. Draco, you will go to the party, but stick with me. That way, I can introduce you to all of the important thieves and hopefully keep you out of trouble."
"Who said anything about me getting into trouble?" Draco wondered why everyone thought he wasn't smart enough to do this.
"No one, but it's happened before. We tried to let another guy in a few years back, and he didn't make it past the party." Explained Hermione.
"Insulted dear, old Arty on his weight. Went out like a light in the line of running away." Said Ron placing his hand over his heart. The others chuckled.
"Okay, so all I have to do is suck up to these people, and I'm good?" questioned Draco. Hermione smirked.
"Not used to sucking up, eh price?" she asked.
"Are you kidding?! I always had to suck up to my parents' friends. I've mastered the art of sucking up." They laughed and finished their meal.
The day went by quickly for Draco. He was taught several things about the thieves that were coming. Some were more interesting than others. In one day, Draco learned the dos and don'ts of being rubbing elbows with the crafty and sneakish. Once they were satisfied with him, they sent him some clothes. Draco changed, early awaiting the party. Having learned his way around, Draco headed for the main entrance. Everyone was already there, waiting for him.
"Ready for this?" asked Dean grinning at him.
"Bring it on." Draco said shaking his head. Hermione said the password, and the lake parted. At the other end was a crowd of thieves awaiting entrance. They began to walk towards the door.
"Okay, remember not to show them fear, or step on them, or insult their hair." Muttered Harry to Draco quietly as the thieves came down.
"They find that very offensive for some odd reason." Said Ron. The crowd of thieves made it to the door. Leaders of all clans stepped up to greet Hermione.
"Welcome to our humble adobe, fellow thieves!" announced Hermione. "We've called you all here to introduce our newest member. Please welcome, Draco!"
There was a loud roar of appreciation for Draco. He stepped up with Hermione and smirked at the crowd. She seemed pleased that they had accepted him so quickly. They turned their backs and led the crowd inside into the dinning hall. The other members of Hermione's clan had gone off to talk with other clans. They entered the dinning hall and sat down. Food had already been placed on the table for them. Draco sat next to Hermione, who was talking to a man with a beer belly and greasy brown hair.
"So Arty, how's the clan been? Doing a lot of stealing, I hope?" inquired Hermione. The man laughed a full laugh and smiled.
"Everything's been great, m'dear. Last week we were planning on crashing the prince of Sirena's party, but it looks like you beat me to it." Said Arty happily smiling and her. Draco watched her face, but she showed no sign of a new emotion.
"Oh yes! It was great. We got plenty of money, and we finally paid back that guy from Egypt. He's expecting us to go there for a party. We might do that some day." She said. Arty then looked over at Draco, who was sitting properly in his chair eating.
"So where'd you pick up this turkey? The place?" asked Arty laughing again. Draco became mad, but didn't want to blow this in front of Hermione. He watched her, and barely saw her chuckle. He took this as a good thing.
"Oh no actually. We found him in Sirena. He has a great talent for this line of business. I think he'll be a great addition to our clan." Said Hermione smiling at Draco. Draco wasn't sure whether or not she was laying or not.
Dinner finally ended, and Draco was glad. No one else picked on him at all, and he stayed right with Hermione as promised. Everyone was now up and chatting with each other. Hermione and Draco were standing off to the side as she pointed out several people to him.
"Over there is Charlie. He's the most wanted thief in the desert for stealing, but has never killed anyone, which makes him a form of a hero as for as thieves go. Talking to Blaize is Sir Jacob. He was a very wealthy man in England, but lost it all when he came to the desert. Now he's one of us, but he'll kill you if you don't call him sir." Explained Hermione giggling.
"What? You couldn't tell your new coward about me?" asked a cold voice from behind them. Hermione and Draco spun around. A man with hair black as night and deep blue eyes was standing before them. Hermione's voice became sharp and she was no longer smiling.
"Adam, leader of the Scorpions. What a pleasant surprise. I wondered when you'd show up." Said Hermione with no feeling in her voice.
"Oh, surely you missed me, my desert flower. My, my, you look even more beautiful every time I see you." Said Adam in a silky sick voice. Draco glared at him, feeling that he was trying to take his Hermione.
"Don't even try it." Said Hermione turning to the side.
"Well, your new member looks just as clueless as the rest, but what's to be expected from a guy you just picked off the streets?" said Adam still staring at Hermione.
"At least my clan is an honest one. We take what we need and don't kill. Unlike some clans I know of, who kill for fun." Sneered Hermione.
"I'm a real thief. And you, with your talent, we could join and rule." Said Adam with a flare in eyes.
"Rule what?" asked Hermione crossing her arms.
"Sirena of course. Didn't you hear? The prince is gone. With him out of the way, the palace will be ours to rule with you as my queen." Said Adam offering his hand. Hermione snorted.
"I have no crave to be queen. I want to be free forever and not be tide down to one place." Said Hermione in a stony voice. She grabbed Draco's arm, and walked off.
"What was that about?" he asked when no one could hear them. She sighed.
"Adam wants me to marry him so that we can join our clans and take over Sirena. I don't want that. The only thing that I fear is that I will be caged forever. It's more than I can stand!" yelled Hermione in frustration. "Though I do pity you. The whole town is looking for you, and you're being held here." Draco shook his head.
"I don't think I would go back. Even if I could, I wouldn't. Being king isn't all it's cracked up to be." Said Draco. "There's no reason to pity me."
"Well then, if you're really going to be a thief, then you're going to need some training." Said Hermione.
"I don't need training!" exclaimed Draco. Just as he turned, he tripped over a vase and came crashing to the ground pulling Hermione on him. She looked shocked, but she finally began to laugh.
"You better get a good night's rest, prince. We start training at dawn." Said Hermione standing up and smirking. She winked as she turned around and headed back for the party. Draco's eyes never left her back.
A/N: Thanks so much for reading all! So sorry it took so long! I've been very busy and tired so I don't know how many updates I can make this weekend. I'll try to do my best. Please review and thanks again!
Me,
RonFan