Disclaimer: Much as I'd like to, I don't own Draco Malfoy, or any part of the magical world that J.K. Rowling has all the copyrights to ... please don't sue me. There are some parts of this story that are quotes from the book - it can't be helped - events are the same as in the book, but Draco's opinion of these events may vary from Harry's.
Author's Notes: I did plan to have this up for midnight New Years, but I didn't get my review-responses written quickly enough. Oh well, did we all get something nice for Christmas? I know I did *grins*. Happy New Year, everyone! I changed my mind about the elves not being allowed to pick up clothes - I think it's got something to do with intention - if the clothes are actively given (whether handed or deliberately left out) to them, that's what counts ... I'm obsessed with house-elves - they make such excellent target practice I don't want them to be free!
kraeg001: Thank you. Glad you liked.
Sinical-Sarchasm: *Theo returned the kiss* hmmm ... I guess he likes you too. I thought the physical description of the ONLY Slytherin who could see Thestrals was exactly as I pictured Theo, too - I was very pleased with that fact, actually - it meant I didn't need to change too much. Materialism rules. I'm psychic - go figure.
Hrei-siesn: Thanks.
duochang97: I knew I was right! My friends all said it was "where", but I knew it was "why" - *does her "I told you so" dance at her friends* finally, someone agrees with me!
Akuma-sama: Meh - shoulda woulda coulda.
Lolua: Cat told him not to do it, because she knew he'd regret it - not necessarily because there'd be consequences. I think Draco let his guard down a little, at the Ball - a mistake, but that's probably why it (unintentionally, I swear!) had a "tender moment" aspect, as you call it. *evil grin* I look forward to writing Draco's opinion of Umbridge *the evil grin turns feral* oh, yes I do. Luna isn't sneaky - she's practically too honest - she just won't tell you something unless it's asked specifically (no, I didn't steal that from JLM, I swear we must've got the same impression from JKR's portrail of Luna!). Theo has nothing to do with the Sorting Hat - just common sense. You're welcome, and thank you - happy holidays to you too.
Starre: Thanks - that's what I was going for.
dstrbd child: Thanks. And that's exactly what I did with that Santa-hat.
Elliy: Ok. Thanks. And I agree completely that Draco/Hermione should (and could) work in canon - Ron doesn't deserve her.
ravenbeaut: It's actually not Lucius' fault - he was raised that way ... Lucius' attitude is practically hereditary, my Draco's just lucky to have a mind of his own. The Simpsons reference was the part about calling a rose a stinkweed - the exact quote is: "'A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.'" "Not if you called them stinkweeds."
Elizabeth: Thanks.
Artemisu: Well, what else is there to do, sneaking outside like those two did? And be my guest - as long as you give him back in the same state you found him, you can borrow Theo.
mrscribble: That's the point *evil grin* I'm sadistic, but my Draco-muse is a masochist, so it works.
Simply Myself: Ah, ok. Glad you liked. You're right - you don't want to know what the Two Twits were up to (although, there was a huge hint in the conversation, that requires a seriously sick mind to get *proud grin*). Thank you - I liked that vision when I had it, too *evil grin*. I really do have a hat like that. Yeah, well, it's Akuma-sama's fault, about those books, really - see ch23 when I upload it, for more of those books. Actually, Theo's theory is flawed - but Santa really was a Slytherin - the red just wasn't Coca Cola's fault. I'm certain Crabbe and Goyle went to the Ball together in canon - absolutely positive. *grins* I couldn't not use that nickname, now could I? *blinkity blink* Thank you - I take that as a great compliment.
jinjo: Thank you - I'm proud of Theo, but I'd call him sneaky, manipulative, maybe evil (definitely Slytherin), but he actually doesn't like being called 'good' - dunno why, though. I figured some people wouldn't get the quote - knew it was worth noting - thanks for proving I was right. The "deny thy father and refuse thy name" part was vital to the conversation, but also had to go unsaid, you see.
queen of the clarinets: I've lost count how many people said that scene was sweet - I wasn't trying for sweet, but I didn't think I could write sweet, so I appreciate it. Thank you *bows*.
angelkas: I have no clue what a lute sounds like - it was mentioned in canon, and I felt obliged to include it in this fic. It's not that his parents don't love him - it's that they don't know how to let him know it ... Lucius seems to think that emotions are weakness, so he's practically in denial that he feels anything for anyone, but he does love Draco, deep down - very deep down ... and Narcissa's a whole other story I won't go into right now. Theo's not stupid - he found his way into trouble quite deliberately - he's got a Crabbe-and-Goyle-proof plan to get back off Draco's to-kill list ... well, sort of.
slytherin-punk-rocker311: Yeah, the frilly robes were Narcissa's fault - Draco may or may not remember about them by the time he gets home, though, so I'm mentioning it now. The Simpsons reference was the part about calling a rose a stinkweed - the exact quote is: "'A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.'" "Not if you called them stinkweeds." And I happened to like the song *shrugs* and I believe exactly the same things as it says.
"This isn't my fault ... except for the part that is". -Roswell
Chapter 21 - Pieces of the Puzzle
When Theo returned to the dormitory (Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be seen) I immediately looked up and glared at him, "What the bloody hell did you do that for?" I snarled.
"Huh? What I do?" Theo asked, in a faux-innocent voice that made it extremely obvious that he knew exactly what he'd done.
"You set up that dance, and you bloody knew I'd do it." I growled.
"Yeah. And I dunno why you're not grateful." Theo replied calmly, sitting down on the edge of his bed, and watching me. I sat up and continued to glare.
"Grateful? What if someone who matters had seen me?!" I asked, almost shouting.
Theo grinned, "So I don't matter, do I?" he asked.
"You know what I mean ... someone who'd use it against me."
"Well, no one who 'matters' did see, did they?" Theo asked.
"But they could have!" I snapped.
"Draco, what is it you find so fascinating about the metaphorical gift horse's mouth?" Theo asked, in a tone most reserve for small children.
I glared, "Theo, you know damned well nothing could have come from it. Now, which would you have preferred: knowing you can't have her, and thinking she wouldn't want you anyway ... or knowing you can't have her and knowing she feels the same about it?"
"So you did talk to her?" Theo asked.
"Yes. And it's your fault."
"Oh. Well, see ... it's not that bad ... really."
"Yeah bloody right." I growled, glaring at him.
"You don't believe in soul mates, do you?" he asked.
"I don't think so." I replied, a bit confused about why he asked that.
"Well, then you'll get over her."
"How do you figure?" I asked.
"Well, if soulmates do exist - you don't believe in them yet which means you've not met yours yet ... or if they don't exist, well then there's more than one person out there you could be happy with ... so either way, it's not the end of the world that you can't have this one person."
"Since when were you so deep and philosophical?"
"I've always thought like that. I just happened not to share the sane and rational side of my personality with too many people." Theo said, smirking.
"I feel honoured." I said sarcastically.
"You should do."
* * *
The next week was spent solely on homework ... and there was a lot of it. But then, on New Year's Eve, Theo asked me, "What's your New Year's Resolution?"
I snorted, "Ha, like I'm going to do something like that."
"I'm gonna make fun of Snape at least once, and see if I can get away with it." Theo said, as if this was a New Year's Resolution to be proud of.
"And I'm going to hurt you if you do anything to annoy me. Now piss off." I growled.
"Spoil sport." Theo muttered.
"I like New Years about as much as Christmas - now Bah Hum-bugger off!"
"Sheesh, I thought you'd like a party ... there's a New Year's party going on in the Slyth common room ... I only know cause Blaise's brother told her, it's mostly the senior school - fifth year and up ... just don't tell Snape."
I stood up and made for the door. Theo blocked me, "Where're you going?"
"To tell Snape." I said coldly.
Theo rolled his eyes, "You are determined to be a wet blanket, aren't you?"
"No, I'm determined to ignore the holiday - here's a deal: I don't tell Snape, and you don't pester me about New Year's. Ok?"
Theo sighed, "Ok, you win." after a moment's pause, "You know, I heard the Gryffindors are the only house who don't have these illicit parties every year. Apparently McGonagall caught them about twenty years ago and now checks in on them every year, but no one thought to check if the other houses were doing the same thing."
"Almost makes me wish I was in Gryffindor." I said distantly. Then after a few seconds, I firmly repeated, "Almost."
* * *
I was sitting in the library minding my own business for a change, when, "Hello, Malfoy." a female voice I recognised, but couldn't remember where from, said.
"How're you doing?" another female I should have recognised said. I turned around to see Carrie and Samantha sitting at the table behind me.
"Hi." I said, a little confused as to why they wanted to talk to me.
"You're kinda cute, y'know." Samantha said, blatantly running her eyes over me. I stared at her, a bit shocked (she was at least a head taller than me, and two and a half years older than me).
Carrie nudged Samantha, and she backed down a little, "So, anyway, we were wondering." Carrie said, seeming to search for words, "If you knew anything about the Dark Mark?"
"Huh?" I asked defensively, "Why would I know?"
"Well, it's fairly common knowledge your dad was a Death Eater. We wondered if you were in the loop - Carrie sure isn't, and I'm not even related to any of that lot." Samantha said.
"I ... well, why do you want to know?" I asked.
Carrie smiled sweetly, "Because, we've been seeing a pattern, and we wanted the rest of the puzzle."
"A pattern?" I asked, leaning forward, "Do tell, I'll see if I can help."
"Well, for a start, there was the Dark Mark - it couldn't have been one of the rioters because it scared them all away, so that means they're out of the loop." Carrie explained.
"Then there've been the 'unexplained disappearances' in the Muggle papers." Samantha added.
I gave her a curious look, "Are you Muggle-born?"
"My mom's a Muggle, my dad's half." she said, shrugging, and apparently not giving a damn that she was in the company of the offspring of two of the worst Death Eaters that ever got away.
"Who disappeared?"
"Some guy named Frank Bryce - suspected of three murders but let off on the fact that there was no Muggle cause of death." Samantha said.
"The killing curse?" I asked quietly.
"That was decades ago - it's a rumour going around my mom's aunt's village - they think the police finally caught up with him and he ran. We think there's no such thing as a coincidence."
"Ok, you said there was more than one disappearance." I noted, silently pleased that at least someone agreed with my theory that coincidences are a Muggle concept to explain the unexplainable.
"Random tourists in Albania, for the last few years ... the disappearances suddenly stopped the second week of the summer." Samantha whispered.
I blinked, "You-Know-Who was rumoured to be in Albania for a while." I said quietly.
"And if He's stopped killing random tourists, He's not there anymore." Carrie added, as if my comment wasn't news to her.
"You think those are connected?" I asked.
"We're Ravenclaws - we do the logic thing ... and the research thing - it's the most logical conclusion." Carrie said calmly.
I sat back and thought for a second, "How could He come back?"
"Someone has to be helping Him, right?" Samantha asked.
I nodded, "I guess so. Someone had to help Him when He went after the Philosopher's Stone in my first year."
"Yeah, we knew what that was and how to get past half the enchantments, for half the year before anyone did anything." Carrie noted absently.
"I figured the Terrific Trio, and my group of friends weren't the only ones who'd worked it out." I said, shrugging.
"Half the school knew." Samantha said casually.
"Only the Great Gossip Gurus were left out of the loop." Carrie added.
I smirked faintly, but quickly sobered, "So, what pieces of the puzzle are you missing?"
"Well, we don't know who's helping Him. We don't know how they're planning to bring Him back, but we figured Carrie's dad'd have been summoned by now if He were back already. We don't know when it's going down, and we don't know where. The plan is to figure this lot out and send a shitload of Aurors to the right place at the right time, with some cock-and-bull story." Samantha explained.
"Well, I can't help you." I said, "I've been trying to figure out what was going on for ages, and you've actually helped me - I would help you if I could." I thought for a second, "I don't suppose you know Moody's not Moody, do you?"
They both blinked, just out of time with each other, "He's not?" they both asked, again just out of time with each other.
"That's what my sources tell me."
"Well, I guess it makes sense - who in their right mind would hire a genuine nut-case when you can have a fake nut-case?" Samantha asked.
"Although, who ever said our beloved Headmaster was in his right mind?" Carrie added, seemingly sincere with the 'beloved' part.
"True, true." Samantha said, nodding, "But I guess it could be a plot on Dumbledore's part to scare Karkaroff, and still not have an unstable element as the DADA teacher - last unstable element we had nearly took a bite out of a few Gryffindors."
I shivered slightly at the comment that was obviously referring to the werewolf. Have I mentioned werewolves still scare the hell out of me? "Maybe. That and that the Dark Mark is back on the Death Eaters' arms is all I really know." I said, shrugging.
"Oh, well. We had to ask the son of the top free Death Eater, just in case, y'see." Carrie said calmly, as they both stood up and gathered their things together to leave the Library.
I gave her a glare that said 'tell anyone my father is a Death Eater, and I will hurt you'. She smiled innocently at me, and they both left.
* * *
A few days before the start of term, I cautiously took out my Christmas presents, making sure no one was there to see ... I added the box of sweets to my stash in the bottom drawer of my bedside table (which is password protected so Crabbe and Goyle can't get them) ... then I flicked quickly through a new book on Malkavian Magic (magic created by a specific - and none-too-sane - group of vampires, that often uses blood as a key ingredient) and added it to my Dark Arts collection in my trunk ... I scowled at the glass ornament my great aunt Iris had sent me (she's my father's aunt - the woman indulges in Muggle drugs, and still avidly persecutes the species - she once whacked a Muggle paper-boy around the legs with her walking stick for leaving her gate slightly open) then carefully re-wrapped it, addressed it to Pansy, and put it away in my trunk - it would make a good birthday present for her ... I threw the new clothes in the direction of my wardrobe, knowing a house elf would put them away later ... I saw a note attached to the Christmas card from Theo saying 'that Invisibility Cloak was supposed to be my present to you, and you nicked it :P'.
Then I picked up the two books Wednesday had given me - to be honest, I was scared of them. I carefully opened the Transfiguration book to see the blank creamy coloured pages. I debated for about a minute before fetching a quill and ink, and writing carefully, 'Hello?' on the first page.
'Ah, hello there. And you are?' the book replied in elegant feminine handwriting.
'Does it matter?' I wrote nervously.
'Oh, you must be one of Salazar's students.'
I scowled and wrote, 'Yes.'
'I was written by Rowena. Do tell me, how did you come by me?'
'I was given this book as a Christmas present. I was told it was stolen from the Hogwarts library, then subsequently stolen again, and given to me.'
'And where might we be at this moment?'
'In Hogwarts.'
'Ah, good. Could you possibly, once you have learned all the knowledge you seek in my pages, return me to the Hogwarts library? I was written to give knowledge to the students of Hogwarts, and I would like to continue in my purpose.'
'Certainly.' I said, warming to the book - it gave off a gentle, almost-but-not-quite kindly air.
'Thank you, kind sir.'
'How do you know I'm male?' I asked suspiciously.
'Your handwriting. I could go into more detail if you wished, but that is not my purpose, simply knowledge I have gained from experience with many students.'
'No need.' I had immediately recognised the gender from its handwriting as well, so I knew the basics of it.
'Now, I assume you opened me for a reason? What do you wish to learn from me?'
'Animagus.' I wrote immediately. I supposed it couldn't hurt to ask it for information.
'That is one of the more difficult forms of Transfiguration. It involves a great deal of work, and skill. Tell me, how far are you in your studies in the subject?'
'My latest practical project involved turning a wombat into a cricket bat.'
'Ah. Complex animal to inanimate object. Can you change it back yet?'
'Yes.'
'Have you attempted vanishing spells?'
'Only on pieces of Christmas wrapping paper, but it has worked.' I wrote, then added, 'While the paper was around the present, effectively unwrapping it.'
'Very good. That shows selectivity and concentration - both important elements to the Animagus. You will need to cast an Animus Veritas spell on yourself to find out what your spirit animal is.'
'I did that last year, when I decided I wanted to work towards the Animagus.'
'And your animal is ...?'
'A ferret.' I wrote, glaring at thin air as I remembered Moody's curse.
'Usually means a strong personality, if a bit cruel and vicious.'
Only a bit? She obviously doesn't know me. 'Thank you.' I wrote. She paused, and I'm now wondering why I'm thinking of this book as female. Probably because a woman wrote it, and its entire concept of thought is female.
Then she wrote, 'Perhaps you should practice simple harmless self-transfiguration spells. Turn your fingernails on your left hand into claws - if you cannot turn them back your right hand will still be free to use a wand. The spell must be wandless, so I advise you start wandless rather than getting used to working with your wand.'
'I don't understand how to use wandless magic of any sort, yet.' I wrote immediately.
'It is surprisingly simple, especially with spells that effect only yourself. You simply focus on the magic you usually send through the wand, and aim it instead to do your will within your own body.'
'Sounds really simple ... oh, that was sarcasm, by the way.' I wrote.
'I guessed that. Just try it - trust me.'
The living book is telling me to trust it - what do you think I'm going to do? I tried it. Yes, it's a stupid Gryffindoric thing to do, but I didn't see the harm - I wasn't using any magic I didn't already have, so it couldn't control me.
And it worked, too. I turned my hand around, looking at the vicious-sharp claws, then tried to will them back to normal. Which didn't work. I tried again, this time with more effort and concentration, and thankfully, it worked. Then I wrote in the book again, 'It worked.'
'You are already very close to the Animagus. Tell me - how old are you?'
'Fourteen.'
'Even if you can perfect the spell, it is physically not safe to cast an animal transformation spell on any human under the age of fifteen.' she wrote very quickly.
Try telling Moody that.
'I'll leave it till my birthday, then. It'll give me more time to practice what I need to know, right?'
'Indeed. And I can help you there.'
'Thank you.'
* * *
End of chapter 21
Author's Notes: I did plan to have this up for midnight New Years, but I didn't get my review-responses written quickly enough. Oh well, did we all get something nice for Christmas? I know I did *grins*. Happy New Year, everyone! I changed my mind about the elves not being allowed to pick up clothes - I think it's got something to do with intention - if the clothes are actively given (whether handed or deliberately left out) to them, that's what counts ... I'm obsessed with house-elves - they make such excellent target practice I don't want them to be free!
kraeg001: Thank you. Glad you liked.
Sinical-Sarchasm: *Theo returned the kiss* hmmm ... I guess he likes you too. I thought the physical description of the ONLY Slytherin who could see Thestrals was exactly as I pictured Theo, too - I was very pleased with that fact, actually - it meant I didn't need to change too much. Materialism rules. I'm psychic - go figure.
Hrei-siesn: Thanks.
duochang97: I knew I was right! My friends all said it was "where", but I knew it was "why" - *does her "I told you so" dance at her friends* finally, someone agrees with me!
Akuma-sama: Meh - shoulda woulda coulda.
Lolua: Cat told him not to do it, because she knew he'd regret it - not necessarily because there'd be consequences. I think Draco let his guard down a little, at the Ball - a mistake, but that's probably why it (unintentionally, I swear!) had a "tender moment" aspect, as you call it. *evil grin* I look forward to writing Draco's opinion of Umbridge *the evil grin turns feral* oh, yes I do. Luna isn't sneaky - she's practically too honest - she just won't tell you something unless it's asked specifically (no, I didn't steal that from JLM, I swear we must've got the same impression from JKR's portrail of Luna!). Theo has nothing to do with the Sorting Hat - just common sense. You're welcome, and thank you - happy holidays to you too.
Starre: Thanks - that's what I was going for.
dstrbd child: Thanks. And that's exactly what I did with that Santa-hat.
Elliy: Ok. Thanks. And I agree completely that Draco/Hermione should (and could) work in canon - Ron doesn't deserve her.
ravenbeaut: It's actually not Lucius' fault - he was raised that way ... Lucius' attitude is practically hereditary, my Draco's just lucky to have a mind of his own. The Simpsons reference was the part about calling a rose a stinkweed - the exact quote is: "'A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.'" "Not if you called them stinkweeds."
Elizabeth: Thanks.
Artemisu: Well, what else is there to do, sneaking outside like those two did? And be my guest - as long as you give him back in the same state you found him, you can borrow Theo.
mrscribble: That's the point *evil grin* I'm sadistic, but my Draco-muse is a masochist, so it works.
Simply Myself: Ah, ok. Glad you liked. You're right - you don't want to know what the Two Twits were up to (although, there was a huge hint in the conversation, that requires a seriously sick mind to get *proud grin*). Thank you - I liked that vision when I had it, too *evil grin*. I really do have a hat like that. Yeah, well, it's Akuma-sama's fault, about those books, really - see ch23 when I upload it, for more of those books. Actually, Theo's theory is flawed - but Santa really was a Slytherin - the red just wasn't Coca Cola's fault. I'm certain Crabbe and Goyle went to the Ball together in canon - absolutely positive. *grins* I couldn't not use that nickname, now could I? *blinkity blink* Thank you - I take that as a great compliment.
jinjo: Thank you - I'm proud of Theo, but I'd call him sneaky, manipulative, maybe evil (definitely Slytherin), but he actually doesn't like being called 'good' - dunno why, though. I figured some people wouldn't get the quote - knew it was worth noting - thanks for proving I was right. The "deny thy father and refuse thy name" part was vital to the conversation, but also had to go unsaid, you see.
queen of the clarinets: I've lost count how many people said that scene was sweet - I wasn't trying for sweet, but I didn't think I could write sweet, so I appreciate it. Thank you *bows*.
angelkas: I have no clue what a lute sounds like - it was mentioned in canon, and I felt obliged to include it in this fic. It's not that his parents don't love him - it's that they don't know how to let him know it ... Lucius seems to think that emotions are weakness, so he's practically in denial that he feels anything for anyone, but he does love Draco, deep down - very deep down ... and Narcissa's a whole other story I won't go into right now. Theo's not stupid - he found his way into trouble quite deliberately - he's got a Crabbe-and-Goyle-proof plan to get back off Draco's to-kill list ... well, sort of.
slytherin-punk-rocker311: Yeah, the frilly robes were Narcissa's fault - Draco may or may not remember about them by the time he gets home, though, so I'm mentioning it now. The Simpsons reference was the part about calling a rose a stinkweed - the exact quote is: "'A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.'" "Not if you called them stinkweeds." And I happened to like the song *shrugs* and I believe exactly the same things as it says.
"This isn't my fault ... except for the part that is". -Roswell
Chapter 21 - Pieces of the Puzzle
When Theo returned to the dormitory (Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be seen) I immediately looked up and glared at him, "What the bloody hell did you do that for?" I snarled.
"Huh? What I do?" Theo asked, in a faux-innocent voice that made it extremely obvious that he knew exactly what he'd done.
"You set up that dance, and you bloody knew I'd do it." I growled.
"Yeah. And I dunno why you're not grateful." Theo replied calmly, sitting down on the edge of his bed, and watching me. I sat up and continued to glare.
"Grateful? What if someone who matters had seen me?!" I asked, almost shouting.
Theo grinned, "So I don't matter, do I?" he asked.
"You know what I mean ... someone who'd use it against me."
"Well, no one who 'matters' did see, did they?" Theo asked.
"But they could have!" I snapped.
"Draco, what is it you find so fascinating about the metaphorical gift horse's mouth?" Theo asked, in a tone most reserve for small children.
I glared, "Theo, you know damned well nothing could have come from it. Now, which would you have preferred: knowing you can't have her, and thinking she wouldn't want you anyway ... or knowing you can't have her and knowing she feels the same about it?"
"So you did talk to her?" Theo asked.
"Yes. And it's your fault."
"Oh. Well, see ... it's not that bad ... really."
"Yeah bloody right." I growled, glaring at him.
"You don't believe in soul mates, do you?" he asked.
"I don't think so." I replied, a bit confused about why he asked that.
"Well, then you'll get over her."
"How do you figure?" I asked.
"Well, if soulmates do exist - you don't believe in them yet which means you've not met yours yet ... or if they don't exist, well then there's more than one person out there you could be happy with ... so either way, it's not the end of the world that you can't have this one person."
"Since when were you so deep and philosophical?"
"I've always thought like that. I just happened not to share the sane and rational side of my personality with too many people." Theo said, smirking.
"I feel honoured." I said sarcastically.
"You should do."
* * *
The next week was spent solely on homework ... and there was a lot of it. But then, on New Year's Eve, Theo asked me, "What's your New Year's Resolution?"
I snorted, "Ha, like I'm going to do something like that."
"I'm gonna make fun of Snape at least once, and see if I can get away with it." Theo said, as if this was a New Year's Resolution to be proud of.
"And I'm going to hurt you if you do anything to annoy me. Now piss off." I growled.
"Spoil sport." Theo muttered.
"I like New Years about as much as Christmas - now Bah Hum-bugger off!"
"Sheesh, I thought you'd like a party ... there's a New Year's party going on in the Slyth common room ... I only know cause Blaise's brother told her, it's mostly the senior school - fifth year and up ... just don't tell Snape."
I stood up and made for the door. Theo blocked me, "Where're you going?"
"To tell Snape." I said coldly.
Theo rolled his eyes, "You are determined to be a wet blanket, aren't you?"
"No, I'm determined to ignore the holiday - here's a deal: I don't tell Snape, and you don't pester me about New Year's. Ok?"
Theo sighed, "Ok, you win." after a moment's pause, "You know, I heard the Gryffindors are the only house who don't have these illicit parties every year. Apparently McGonagall caught them about twenty years ago and now checks in on them every year, but no one thought to check if the other houses were doing the same thing."
"Almost makes me wish I was in Gryffindor." I said distantly. Then after a few seconds, I firmly repeated, "Almost."
* * *
I was sitting in the library minding my own business for a change, when, "Hello, Malfoy." a female voice I recognised, but couldn't remember where from, said.
"How're you doing?" another female I should have recognised said. I turned around to see Carrie and Samantha sitting at the table behind me.
"Hi." I said, a little confused as to why they wanted to talk to me.
"You're kinda cute, y'know." Samantha said, blatantly running her eyes over me. I stared at her, a bit shocked (she was at least a head taller than me, and two and a half years older than me).
Carrie nudged Samantha, and she backed down a little, "So, anyway, we were wondering." Carrie said, seeming to search for words, "If you knew anything about the Dark Mark?"
"Huh?" I asked defensively, "Why would I know?"
"Well, it's fairly common knowledge your dad was a Death Eater. We wondered if you were in the loop - Carrie sure isn't, and I'm not even related to any of that lot." Samantha said.
"I ... well, why do you want to know?" I asked.
Carrie smiled sweetly, "Because, we've been seeing a pattern, and we wanted the rest of the puzzle."
"A pattern?" I asked, leaning forward, "Do tell, I'll see if I can help."
"Well, for a start, there was the Dark Mark - it couldn't have been one of the rioters because it scared them all away, so that means they're out of the loop." Carrie explained.
"Then there've been the 'unexplained disappearances' in the Muggle papers." Samantha added.
I gave her a curious look, "Are you Muggle-born?"
"My mom's a Muggle, my dad's half." she said, shrugging, and apparently not giving a damn that she was in the company of the offspring of two of the worst Death Eaters that ever got away.
"Who disappeared?"
"Some guy named Frank Bryce - suspected of three murders but let off on the fact that there was no Muggle cause of death." Samantha said.
"The killing curse?" I asked quietly.
"That was decades ago - it's a rumour going around my mom's aunt's village - they think the police finally caught up with him and he ran. We think there's no such thing as a coincidence."
"Ok, you said there was more than one disappearance." I noted, silently pleased that at least someone agreed with my theory that coincidences are a Muggle concept to explain the unexplainable.
"Random tourists in Albania, for the last few years ... the disappearances suddenly stopped the second week of the summer." Samantha whispered.
I blinked, "You-Know-Who was rumoured to be in Albania for a while." I said quietly.
"And if He's stopped killing random tourists, He's not there anymore." Carrie added, as if my comment wasn't news to her.
"You think those are connected?" I asked.
"We're Ravenclaws - we do the logic thing ... and the research thing - it's the most logical conclusion." Carrie said calmly.
I sat back and thought for a second, "How could He come back?"
"Someone has to be helping Him, right?" Samantha asked.
I nodded, "I guess so. Someone had to help Him when He went after the Philosopher's Stone in my first year."
"Yeah, we knew what that was and how to get past half the enchantments, for half the year before anyone did anything." Carrie noted absently.
"I figured the Terrific Trio, and my group of friends weren't the only ones who'd worked it out." I said, shrugging.
"Half the school knew." Samantha said casually.
"Only the Great Gossip Gurus were left out of the loop." Carrie added.
I smirked faintly, but quickly sobered, "So, what pieces of the puzzle are you missing?"
"Well, we don't know who's helping Him. We don't know how they're planning to bring Him back, but we figured Carrie's dad'd have been summoned by now if He were back already. We don't know when it's going down, and we don't know where. The plan is to figure this lot out and send a shitload of Aurors to the right place at the right time, with some cock-and-bull story." Samantha explained.
"Well, I can't help you." I said, "I've been trying to figure out what was going on for ages, and you've actually helped me - I would help you if I could." I thought for a second, "I don't suppose you know Moody's not Moody, do you?"
They both blinked, just out of time with each other, "He's not?" they both asked, again just out of time with each other.
"That's what my sources tell me."
"Well, I guess it makes sense - who in their right mind would hire a genuine nut-case when you can have a fake nut-case?" Samantha asked.
"Although, who ever said our beloved Headmaster was in his right mind?" Carrie added, seemingly sincere with the 'beloved' part.
"True, true." Samantha said, nodding, "But I guess it could be a plot on Dumbledore's part to scare Karkaroff, and still not have an unstable element as the DADA teacher - last unstable element we had nearly took a bite out of a few Gryffindors."
I shivered slightly at the comment that was obviously referring to the werewolf. Have I mentioned werewolves still scare the hell out of me? "Maybe. That and that the Dark Mark is back on the Death Eaters' arms is all I really know." I said, shrugging.
"Oh, well. We had to ask the son of the top free Death Eater, just in case, y'see." Carrie said calmly, as they both stood up and gathered their things together to leave the Library.
I gave her a glare that said 'tell anyone my father is a Death Eater, and I will hurt you'. She smiled innocently at me, and they both left.
* * *
A few days before the start of term, I cautiously took out my Christmas presents, making sure no one was there to see ... I added the box of sweets to my stash in the bottom drawer of my bedside table (which is password protected so Crabbe and Goyle can't get them) ... then I flicked quickly through a new book on Malkavian Magic (magic created by a specific - and none-too-sane - group of vampires, that often uses blood as a key ingredient) and added it to my Dark Arts collection in my trunk ... I scowled at the glass ornament my great aunt Iris had sent me (she's my father's aunt - the woman indulges in Muggle drugs, and still avidly persecutes the species - she once whacked a Muggle paper-boy around the legs with her walking stick for leaving her gate slightly open) then carefully re-wrapped it, addressed it to Pansy, and put it away in my trunk - it would make a good birthday present for her ... I threw the new clothes in the direction of my wardrobe, knowing a house elf would put them away later ... I saw a note attached to the Christmas card from Theo saying 'that Invisibility Cloak was supposed to be my present to you, and you nicked it :P'.
Then I picked up the two books Wednesday had given me - to be honest, I was scared of them. I carefully opened the Transfiguration book to see the blank creamy coloured pages. I debated for about a minute before fetching a quill and ink, and writing carefully, 'Hello?' on the first page.
'Ah, hello there. And you are?' the book replied in elegant feminine handwriting.
'Does it matter?' I wrote nervously.
'Oh, you must be one of Salazar's students.'
I scowled and wrote, 'Yes.'
'I was written by Rowena. Do tell me, how did you come by me?'
'I was given this book as a Christmas present. I was told it was stolen from the Hogwarts library, then subsequently stolen again, and given to me.'
'And where might we be at this moment?'
'In Hogwarts.'
'Ah, good. Could you possibly, once you have learned all the knowledge you seek in my pages, return me to the Hogwarts library? I was written to give knowledge to the students of Hogwarts, and I would like to continue in my purpose.'
'Certainly.' I said, warming to the book - it gave off a gentle, almost-but-not-quite kindly air.
'Thank you, kind sir.'
'How do you know I'm male?' I asked suspiciously.
'Your handwriting. I could go into more detail if you wished, but that is not my purpose, simply knowledge I have gained from experience with many students.'
'No need.' I had immediately recognised the gender from its handwriting as well, so I knew the basics of it.
'Now, I assume you opened me for a reason? What do you wish to learn from me?'
'Animagus.' I wrote immediately. I supposed it couldn't hurt to ask it for information.
'That is one of the more difficult forms of Transfiguration. It involves a great deal of work, and skill. Tell me, how far are you in your studies in the subject?'
'My latest practical project involved turning a wombat into a cricket bat.'
'Ah. Complex animal to inanimate object. Can you change it back yet?'
'Yes.'
'Have you attempted vanishing spells?'
'Only on pieces of Christmas wrapping paper, but it has worked.' I wrote, then added, 'While the paper was around the present, effectively unwrapping it.'
'Very good. That shows selectivity and concentration - both important elements to the Animagus. You will need to cast an Animus Veritas spell on yourself to find out what your spirit animal is.'
'I did that last year, when I decided I wanted to work towards the Animagus.'
'And your animal is ...?'
'A ferret.' I wrote, glaring at thin air as I remembered Moody's curse.
'Usually means a strong personality, if a bit cruel and vicious.'
Only a bit? She obviously doesn't know me. 'Thank you.' I wrote. She paused, and I'm now wondering why I'm thinking of this book as female. Probably because a woman wrote it, and its entire concept of thought is female.
Then she wrote, 'Perhaps you should practice simple harmless self-transfiguration spells. Turn your fingernails on your left hand into claws - if you cannot turn them back your right hand will still be free to use a wand. The spell must be wandless, so I advise you start wandless rather than getting used to working with your wand.'
'I don't understand how to use wandless magic of any sort, yet.' I wrote immediately.
'It is surprisingly simple, especially with spells that effect only yourself. You simply focus on the magic you usually send through the wand, and aim it instead to do your will within your own body.'
'Sounds really simple ... oh, that was sarcasm, by the way.' I wrote.
'I guessed that. Just try it - trust me.'
The living book is telling me to trust it - what do you think I'm going to do? I tried it. Yes, it's a stupid Gryffindoric thing to do, but I didn't see the harm - I wasn't using any magic I didn't already have, so it couldn't control me.
And it worked, too. I turned my hand around, looking at the vicious-sharp claws, then tried to will them back to normal. Which didn't work. I tried again, this time with more effort and concentration, and thankfully, it worked. Then I wrote in the book again, 'It worked.'
'You are already very close to the Animagus. Tell me - how old are you?'
'Fourteen.'
'Even if you can perfect the spell, it is physically not safe to cast an animal transformation spell on any human under the age of fifteen.' she wrote very quickly.
Try telling Moody that.
'I'll leave it till my birthday, then. It'll give me more time to practice what I need to know, right?'
'Indeed. And I can help you there.'
'Thank you.'
* * *
End of chapter 21