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: {pondering this chapter's title} what, you thought I'd pretend she wasn't relevant to the plot? {shakes her head sadly if you thought that, you still haven't learned - there are no coincidences - only plot-devices (and the Force ... ok, I have now officially spent too much time playing that game ... not that that'll stop me, mwhahahahahaa). Oh, any Red Dwarf fans will get a chocolate-product of their choice if you can spot the quote from Gunmen of the Apocalypse (Melora, in your case, that offer is meant literally).
IMPORTANT NOTE: I shall be changing my screenname, on Monday 7th June, to: Kat Astrophe.
duochang97: -- was Wesley really that obvious? lol. And who says they're going to find out who Crouch is? That would make a pattern that even pleading artistic licence and fate would have a hard time explaining. And actually, he thought of Polyjuice because Theo mentioned the 1 hour clause - he did the math with the Crabbe and Goyle incident, and that was the clue.
kraeg001: Thanks.
Exodia Himself: Theo may or may not find out... I've not written that far yet. And I'm in the middle of writing a second Star Wars fic, so I'm not totally back to HP yet. ATHSS will not return - live without it.
Simply Myself: Glad you liked it.
elliy2002: He did notice. It's in this chapter. But he didn't make a big deal out of it.
Bob: I didn't like ATHSS any more - I'm the author, so my decision is what counts. Besides, if I get bored when I'm done with DMPOV-OotP, I may go back and re-do ATHSS... it seriously needs revamping, if I ever do put it up again, though.
dragonsprincess: I thought I mentioned Milli's Hufflepuff boyfriend in the Yule Ball chapter? And it doesn't seem that odd to me - the boy is a pureblood, after all. And I get notification emails when JLM updates.
I'm not the weakest link: Cute name. Glad you're enjoying the story.
Rain10: Thanks. And don't worry, I'm not giving up on this fic any time soon.
A Slytherin-Pureblood: Glad you like it.
Lolua: Yeah, that was the idea, with Theo's petty theft - I like making little things like that fit in. I sincerely doubt Draco will ever use Polyjuice... but ya never know, book 6 could prove me wrong. As for Milli's boyfriend... I've no clue, that'll write itself when the time comes. I read it when you told me about it - interesting... I find it difficult to reconcile her image of Theo with mine... difficult, but not impossible - mwahahaha!
xenelle: Wesley Price, because the character is based on Wesley Windon-Price, from Buffy/Angel... you could watch Angel a lot for a good Divination lesson mwahahaha.
angelkas: Huh?? I was proud of the book title, too... but what was the other line you said in your review supposed to be about?
mrscribble: Lol - here's an update - please don't die. I don't want to be bothered with the paperwork involved.
Eve Of Fire: Um, that's why it's so funny!
auburnbeagle: Welcome back.
Lillei: Glad you like it. Ah, the third task, I wondered that for a while, too - watching hedges grow would be boring... but then, watching a lake for an hour shoulda been boring, too.
"Yes, we have an enormous amount of books, and we need to do a great deal of research ... and I actually haven't got squat, but I just like to see Xander squirm." (Giles, BtVS)
Chapter 26 - Millicent Bullstrode
"Granger?" Theo asked. She was nowhere to be seen - he was teasing Krum ... again.
"Get over it, already, Theodore." Wednesday said, acidly, "He didn't pick you."
Krum and Theo both glared at Wednesday.
Wednesday just smiled that 'I'm a demon in human form' smile, and resumed what she had been doing. She'd also been teasing Krum, but she couldn't resist taunting Theo, any opportunity she got. Apparently, that sort of behaviour is hereditary, in their family.
I made a mental note not to do anything too embarrassing around either of them ... then I remembered the Yule Ball. I hate those two sneaky conniving evil ... you get the picture.
x x x
"Hi, Milli." I said, sitting next to the large girl, at breakfast.
"What do you want, Draco?" Milli asked - not coldly, but not warmly either.
"I was wondering if you knew anything about Bertha Jorkins' disappearance?" I asked bluntly.
"Why do you care about that?" Milli asked, now sounding interested.
"I'm investigating something - she might be connected to it. I want to know if she is, and if so, how." I answered honestly.
"Hmm." Milli pondered, "She vanished on a trip for Bagman's department. It was her fifth job in three months, she's been shunted around since some incident when she used to work for Crouch - it was covered up, but my aunt's in Crouch's department, so she knew something happened - no one knows what, though. Rumour has it Jorkins walked in on Crouch doing inappropriate things with his house elf, and he wiped her memory, but I really didn't think he was the type."
"I kind of hope that was just a rumour." I muttered, disgusted.
"Me too." Milli agreed.
"How do you know all this?" I asked after wiping the vile mental pictures that rumour inspired from my mind.
"I plan to be a journalist. I wasn't lying when I said that to Skeeter. So I make it my business to know as much as possible." Milli answered, "Not that I tell anyone I don't like any of it. But, you'd be surprised how easy it is to learn things, when people think you're stupid." she added, grinning. I gave a wary glance to Crabbe and Goyle, "Oh, don't worry - they really are stupid."
I frowned, but then nodded. "So Jorkins went funny after working for Crouch, then vanished near Albania on a job for Bagman. Right, thanks." I said, smiling at her.
"Now, can I ask you something, Draco?" Milli asked.
"You just did. But do go on." I said, smirking.
"Ha ha." Milli said, deadpan. "Anyway, what is it you're researching? I might help you more, if the price is right."
"Whether I tell you anything depends on how you answer another question I have. But I'm not asking it here. I'll meet you in the common room, at lunchtime." I said.
"Ah, a secret rendezvous - you think you're a spy or something, Draco Malfoy?" Milli asked, barely restraining herself from laughing.
"Spy is such a harsh word, Milli." I joked.
She sniggered. "Fine, Malfoy, play your spy-games - I'll meet you there."
x x x
When I met Milli in the common room, it appeared to be deserted - everyone else was at lunch. "So what's this big secret question?" she asked, trying not to laugh again.
"What is your opinion on you-know-who?" I asked bluntly.
"You mean the deceased Dark Lord?" Milli asked, surprised, "Please don't tell me you're one of those Death Eater fanatics who think they can bring him back."
"Just tell me your honest opinion." I said.
"He ... he was a frighteningly great military leader. He could have taken over the world if Potter hadn't stopped him." Milli said.
"That's a proven fact, not an opinion." I noted.
Milli frowned, "What will you do if I give the wrong answer?"
"Not tell you anything, and probably never have a civil conversation with you again." that was a lie - if she gave me the wrong answer, I would pretend I agreed with her - keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
"Well ... I heard Dumbledore mention that Tom Riddle - guy that opened the Chamber of Secrets in our second year - was actually you-know-who ... so I researched the archives. Did you know he's a Mudblood?"
"You are kidding." I said.
"He is ... well, technically half-blood. His father was a Muggle." Milli elaborated.
"Ok, that's interesting to know." I muttered.
"So, I asked myself: 'why would a half-blood go on an anti-Muggle crusade?' seemed a bit hypocritical to me." Milli continued, "So I researched some more - got my hands on some Muggle documents and all - told my aunt I wanted them for a Muggle Studies project."
"You don't even take Muggle Studies." I noted.
"My aunt doesn't know that." Milli said, smiling innocently, "So I find out that this half-blood was abandoned by his Muggle father for being a witch's child. Think of the mental disorders that alone could cause - paranoia, Oedipus complex, xenophobia - and add growing up in a Muggle orphanage in that part of the century - no one could be mentally stable after all that. Then he finds out about the magical world, and learns that his mother's old friends never once offered to take him in - these friends were Mudbloods, I should note. Then after a great deal of research - he left a paper trail a troll could follow, but he was only twelve so we'll not call him stupid for that - he finds out he's the direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself - he must think: the people of this magical world should surely have paid him more respect than letting him be locked up in some Muggle orphanage for eleven years ... I should note they've not really learned from that error, but that's another story altogether. He was mercilessly bullied by your grandfather, Landau Malfoy, and his generation of Crabbes and Goyles, for being half-blood and for not having parents, there are some reprimands on record for Landau calling him 'the Slytherin Mudblood' in the presence of teachers."
She gave me a pointed look then, and I winced ... the brat I used that term for didn't seem to mind it, though ... really.
"When he was fifteen, records get sketchy - he did not return to the orphanage after that so the Muggle records are non-existent - there were 'unexplained occurrences' during that year - from the evidence of our second year, I'd guess that was the Chamber of Secrets incident - there is also one 'accidental death' on record that year: Myrtle Loney, half-blood ... she's the ghost in the bathroom."
"I've heard of her." I noted.
"Nice girl, if you don't mention she's dead ... or the weather ... or politics ... or anything else that could upset her." Milli said conversationally.
"So continue what you were saying about you-know-who." I said, knowing she'd been trying to change the subject. I didn't mind her stalling - she was giving me some very useful information.
"Well, after he left school, Tom Riddle may as well have ceased to exist - no paper trail, no records, nothing. Then several years later, Evil Incarnate appears, claims Pureblood lineage of Salazar Slytherin and starts a campaign to wipe Muggles from the face of the Earth. If you want my opinion - based on these facts - he's clinically insane. He and his Death Eaters are a bunch of xenophobic genocidal maniacs. He should be locked up, psychoanalysed, and then fed to Dementors." Milli said calmly.
I smiled, "A very long-winded and highly informative way of making your point. And it's the right answer."
She looked surprised, "Really? But I thought your dad was a Death Eater?"
"He is. I just don't want to be." I smirked, "And you've given me the perfect excuse - I have no intention of bowing to a Mudblood."
"From what I've heard." that was Theo - he was sitting in a high-backed chair with his back to us - sneaky brat, "He doesn't make you bow - he makes you crawl on your hands and knees to kiss the hem of his robes."
"Whatever - same difference." I said, shrugging - if it had been anyone but Theo, I would have been horrified that they had been listening to the conversation - as it is, somehow I'm not really surprised.
"Milli?" Theo asked.
"Yes?" Milli replied warily.
"Since we're on the same side - and I heard what you told Draco at breakfast - could you maybe research Crouch and Bagman - one of 'em's got to be up to something." Theo said calmly.
"Crouch is clean - only stain on his conscience is the decision to reproduce." Milli answered.
"Why's that?" Theo and I both asked.
"His son joined the Death Eaters and got sent to Azkaban." she said, shrugging, "Eventually died there."
"So what's the dirt on Bagman?" Theo asked hopefully.
"Owes a heap of Galleons to Goblins. Bad gambling debts. He's a freeloader, thinks he can gamble back the money! Goblins've threatened to break his kneecaps if he doesn't pay them back by the end of June. Nothing political, though." Milli said shrugging.
"Square one, again." Theo muttered.
"I really am getting sick of dead-end clues." I muttered.
x x x
Pansy sighed dramatically, as she stood next to me, outside Potions class, waiting for Snape to let us in. It was almost four weeks since she had tried to apologise at Hogsmeade, "Draco, I said sorry ... right?"
"Yeah." I said, giving her a wary look. I'd all but laughed in her face - she is a Slytherin - I was expecting the worst.
"Well. If you apologise for laughing at me, we can call it even and be friends again?" she asked hopefully.
"I didn't laugh at you." I noted.
"You as good as did." she said coldly.
I sighed, "Fine. Deal." I said relieved. She obviously valued our friendship over revenge - that's a good thing, right?
"Pansy, you are going to love this." Milli said, as she approached us and handed Pansy a copy of Witch Weekly. Pansy took the magazine and looked at the page it was opened to. I turned my attention to a random point on the wall, in the opposite direction - I had no interest in anything that magazine normally printed.
"Oooooooo." Pansy grinned evilly, "Draco - this is priceless!"
I tried to ignore her, "I don't like that pointless rumour-mill, Pansy." I growled.
"You'll like this one." she noted.
"I know for a fact that every word ever printed in that magazine, since the day it was first released, is a scandalous lie of one sort or another - the best you get is half-truth and fashion tips." I said coldly. I only knew this because I'd heard my mother voice her opinion of it too loudly, often enough.
"He's right." Milli said, smirking, "But good fashion tips, they are. And a lot of people do believe it - this one is worth reading, even if it isn't true."
I rolled my eyes, "If anyone catches me reading that, it'll ruin my reputation."
"Not if I force you at wandpoint to read it." Pansy said, drawing her wand and pointing it at me.
"You wouldn't dare." I growled. Crabbe scowled at Pansy, but wasn't quite stupid enough to give her a threatening look (Goyle just continued to look stupid).
"Want to bet?" Pansy asked too-innocently ... that was a real threat.
I sighed, "Fine, whatever." I muttered, looking over her shoulder at the magazine.
'HARRY POTTER'S SECRET HEARTACHE'
"You don't expect me to read this?" I asked, pulling a disgusted face.
"It's good comedy value." Milli said simply, "Read."
I glared at both girls, before continuing to read it.
'A boy like no other, perhaps - yet a boy suffering all the
usual pangs of adolescence, writes Rita Skeeter. Deprived of
love since the tragic demise of his parents, fourteen-year-old
Harry Potter thought he had found solace in his steady girl-
friend at Hogwarts, Muggle-born Hermione Granger. Little
did he know that he would shortly be suffering yet another
emotional blow in a life already littered with personal loss.
Miss Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, seems to have a
taste for famous wizards that Harry alone cannot satisfy.
Since the arrival at Hogwarts of Viktor Krum, Bulgaria
Seeker and hero of the last World Quidditch Cup, Miss
Granger has been toying with both boys' affections. Krum
who is openly smitten with the devious Miss Granger, has
already invited her to visit him in Bulgaria over the summer
holidays, and insists that he has 'never felt this way about
any other girl'.
"How far do you expect me to read before I vomit?" I asked coldly.
"The whole story." Milli said, smirking.
"I think I'm going to be sick." I muttered, as I continued to read. I also thought I might hunt down and murder Skeeter and her informants.
'However, it might not be Miss Granger's doubtful natural
charms which have captured these unfortunate boys' interest.
'She's really ugly,' says Pansy Parkinson, a pretty and viva-
cious fourth-year student, 'but she'd be well up to making a
Love Potion, she's quite brainy. I think that's how she's doing
it.''
"Pansy, you gave that reporter a quote? Even if it's against an enemy?" I asked coldly.
"Why shouldn't I?" Pansy asked huffily.
"Because the woman is known for misquoting. She could probably have twisted that to make people think YOU knew things about illegal potions, if she'd wanted to. Skeeter could quite easily take a quote from you and make you out to be the bad-guy. Never give the woman a quote again - she might not be on your side next time." I said - it was an effort to remain calm.
Pansy blinked, "Sounds almost like you're mad at me for this quote?"
"No, I'm mad at you for trusting a potential enemy. I wouldn't trust Skeeter with Weasley's money!" I snapped.
Milli sniggered, "He's got a point, Pans ... but seriously, this one didn't do us any harm, and we'll watch what we say around her."
Pansy scowled, "Yeah, we'll not say anything to Skeeter without a legal expert present." she said sulkily - and quite sarcastically, too.
Milli took her literally, "That's a good idea, actually. Either myself, or Draco could fill that qualification, am I right?" she asked, looking at me.
I shifted uncomfortably - the closest to legal expertise I had was knowing how to talk my way out of punishment when I was caught red-handed ... and I wasn't exactly brilliant at that. "I guess." I said, scowling.
"Now keep reading." Pansy insisted.
'Love Potions are of course banned at Hogwarts, and no
doubt Albus Dumbledore will want to investigate these
claims. In the meantime, Harry Potter's well-wishers must
hope that, next time, he bestows his heart upon a worthier
candidate.'
"Like Weasley." I muttered, handing the magazine back to Pansy.
"Huh?" Pansy asked.
"He got to the last line, Pans." Milli said, sniggering.
"Oh ... oh! I get it." Pansy descended into fits of giggles, and I edged away from her, just in case she was contagious.
The sound of loud footsteps could be heard, and Milli looked past me ... I knew without looking who it was, by the evil grin that spread across Milli's face, "Oh, Pans ... look behind you." she said quietly.
Pansy peered past Goyle, who was blocking her view, and all-but cheered, "There they are, there they are!"
"Yes, Pansy, we're not deaf ... not until you shout any louder, anyway." I whispered to her.
She was too interesting in tormenting the Terrible Trio to care what I'd just said to her, though, "You might find something to interest you in there, Granger!" she jeered, throwing the magazine at the three Gryffindors.
Hermione caught the magazine, and gave Pansy a 'have you forgotten to take your medication?' look.
We didn't have time to see her reaction right then, though, because Snape chose that moment to appear.
x x x
End of chapter 26
Author's Notes: {pondering this chapter's title} what, you thought I'd pretend she wasn't relevant to the plot? {shakes her head sadly if you thought that, you still haven't learned - there are no coincidences - only plot-devices (and the Force ... ok, I have now officially spent too much time playing that game ... not that that'll stop me, mwhahahahahaa). Oh, any Red Dwarf fans will get a chocolate-product of their choice if you can spot the quote from Gunmen of the Apocalypse (Melora, in your case, that offer is meant literally).
IMPORTANT NOTE: I shall be changing my screenname, on Monday 7th June, to: Kat Astrophe.
duochang97: -- was Wesley really that obvious? lol. And who says they're going to find out who Crouch is? That would make a pattern that even pleading artistic licence and fate would have a hard time explaining. And actually, he thought of Polyjuice because Theo mentioned the 1 hour clause - he did the math with the Crabbe and Goyle incident, and that was the clue.
kraeg001: Thanks.
Exodia Himself: Theo may or may not find out... I've not written that far yet. And I'm in the middle of writing a second Star Wars fic, so I'm not totally back to HP yet. ATHSS will not return - live without it.
Simply Myself: Glad you liked it.
elliy2002: He did notice. It's in this chapter. But he didn't make a big deal out of it.
Bob: I didn't like ATHSS any more - I'm the author, so my decision is what counts. Besides, if I get bored when I'm done with DMPOV-OotP, I may go back and re-do ATHSS... it seriously needs revamping, if I ever do put it up again, though.
dragonsprincess: I thought I mentioned Milli's Hufflepuff boyfriend in the Yule Ball chapter? And it doesn't seem that odd to me - the boy is a pureblood, after all. And I get notification emails when JLM updates.
I'm not the weakest link: Cute name. Glad you're enjoying the story.
Rain10: Thanks. And don't worry, I'm not giving up on this fic any time soon.
A Slytherin-Pureblood: Glad you like it.
Lolua: Yeah, that was the idea, with Theo's petty theft - I like making little things like that fit in. I sincerely doubt Draco will ever use Polyjuice... but ya never know, book 6 could prove me wrong. As for Milli's boyfriend... I've no clue, that'll write itself when the time comes. I read it when you told me about it - interesting... I find it difficult to reconcile her image of Theo with mine... difficult, but not impossible - mwahahaha!
xenelle: Wesley Price, because the character is based on Wesley Windon-Price, from Buffy/Angel... you could watch Angel a lot for a good Divination lesson mwahahaha.
angelkas: Huh?? I was proud of the book title, too... but what was the other line you said in your review supposed to be about?
mrscribble: Lol - here's an update - please don't die. I don't want to be bothered with the paperwork involved.
Eve Of Fire: Um, that's why it's so funny!
auburnbeagle: Welcome back.
Lillei: Glad you like it. Ah, the third task, I wondered that for a while, too - watching hedges grow would be boring... but then, watching a lake for an hour shoulda been boring, too.
"Yes, we have an enormous amount of books, and we need to do a great deal of research ... and I actually haven't got squat, but I just like to see Xander squirm." (Giles, BtVS)
Chapter 26 - Millicent Bullstrode
"Granger?" Theo asked. She was nowhere to be seen - he was teasing Krum ... again.
"Get over it, already, Theodore." Wednesday said, acidly, "He didn't pick you."
Krum and Theo both glared at Wednesday.
Wednesday just smiled that 'I'm a demon in human form' smile, and resumed what she had been doing. She'd also been teasing Krum, but she couldn't resist taunting Theo, any opportunity she got. Apparently, that sort of behaviour is hereditary, in their family.
I made a mental note not to do anything too embarrassing around either of them ... then I remembered the Yule Ball. I hate those two sneaky conniving evil ... you get the picture.
x x x
"Hi, Milli." I said, sitting next to the large girl, at breakfast.
"What do you want, Draco?" Milli asked - not coldly, but not warmly either.
"I was wondering if you knew anything about Bertha Jorkins' disappearance?" I asked bluntly.
"Why do you care about that?" Milli asked, now sounding interested.
"I'm investigating something - she might be connected to it. I want to know if she is, and if so, how." I answered honestly.
"Hmm." Milli pondered, "She vanished on a trip for Bagman's department. It was her fifth job in three months, she's been shunted around since some incident when she used to work for Crouch - it was covered up, but my aunt's in Crouch's department, so she knew something happened - no one knows what, though. Rumour has it Jorkins walked in on Crouch doing inappropriate things with his house elf, and he wiped her memory, but I really didn't think he was the type."
"I kind of hope that was just a rumour." I muttered, disgusted.
"Me too." Milli agreed.
"How do you know all this?" I asked after wiping the vile mental pictures that rumour inspired from my mind.
"I plan to be a journalist. I wasn't lying when I said that to Skeeter. So I make it my business to know as much as possible." Milli answered, "Not that I tell anyone I don't like any of it. But, you'd be surprised how easy it is to learn things, when people think you're stupid." she added, grinning. I gave a wary glance to Crabbe and Goyle, "Oh, don't worry - they really are stupid."
I frowned, but then nodded. "So Jorkins went funny after working for Crouch, then vanished near Albania on a job for Bagman. Right, thanks." I said, smiling at her.
"Now, can I ask you something, Draco?" Milli asked.
"You just did. But do go on." I said, smirking.
"Ha ha." Milli said, deadpan. "Anyway, what is it you're researching? I might help you more, if the price is right."
"Whether I tell you anything depends on how you answer another question I have. But I'm not asking it here. I'll meet you in the common room, at lunchtime." I said.
"Ah, a secret rendezvous - you think you're a spy or something, Draco Malfoy?" Milli asked, barely restraining herself from laughing.
"Spy is such a harsh word, Milli." I joked.
She sniggered. "Fine, Malfoy, play your spy-games - I'll meet you there."
x x x
When I met Milli in the common room, it appeared to be deserted - everyone else was at lunch. "So what's this big secret question?" she asked, trying not to laugh again.
"What is your opinion on you-know-who?" I asked bluntly.
"You mean the deceased Dark Lord?" Milli asked, surprised, "Please don't tell me you're one of those Death Eater fanatics who think they can bring him back."
"Just tell me your honest opinion." I said.
"He ... he was a frighteningly great military leader. He could have taken over the world if Potter hadn't stopped him." Milli said.
"That's a proven fact, not an opinion." I noted.
Milli frowned, "What will you do if I give the wrong answer?"
"Not tell you anything, and probably never have a civil conversation with you again." that was a lie - if she gave me the wrong answer, I would pretend I agreed with her - keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
"Well ... I heard Dumbledore mention that Tom Riddle - guy that opened the Chamber of Secrets in our second year - was actually you-know-who ... so I researched the archives. Did you know he's a Mudblood?"
"You are kidding." I said.
"He is ... well, technically half-blood. His father was a Muggle." Milli elaborated.
"Ok, that's interesting to know." I muttered.
"So, I asked myself: 'why would a half-blood go on an anti-Muggle crusade?' seemed a bit hypocritical to me." Milli continued, "So I researched some more - got my hands on some Muggle documents and all - told my aunt I wanted them for a Muggle Studies project."
"You don't even take Muggle Studies." I noted.
"My aunt doesn't know that." Milli said, smiling innocently, "So I find out that this half-blood was abandoned by his Muggle father for being a witch's child. Think of the mental disorders that alone could cause - paranoia, Oedipus complex, xenophobia - and add growing up in a Muggle orphanage in that part of the century - no one could be mentally stable after all that. Then he finds out about the magical world, and learns that his mother's old friends never once offered to take him in - these friends were Mudbloods, I should note. Then after a great deal of research - he left a paper trail a troll could follow, but he was only twelve so we'll not call him stupid for that - he finds out he's the direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself - he must think: the people of this magical world should surely have paid him more respect than letting him be locked up in some Muggle orphanage for eleven years ... I should note they've not really learned from that error, but that's another story altogether. He was mercilessly bullied by your grandfather, Landau Malfoy, and his generation of Crabbes and Goyles, for being half-blood and for not having parents, there are some reprimands on record for Landau calling him 'the Slytherin Mudblood' in the presence of teachers."
She gave me a pointed look then, and I winced ... the brat I used that term for didn't seem to mind it, though ... really.
"When he was fifteen, records get sketchy - he did not return to the orphanage after that so the Muggle records are non-existent - there were 'unexplained occurrences' during that year - from the evidence of our second year, I'd guess that was the Chamber of Secrets incident - there is also one 'accidental death' on record that year: Myrtle Loney, half-blood ... she's the ghost in the bathroom."
"I've heard of her." I noted.
"Nice girl, if you don't mention she's dead ... or the weather ... or politics ... or anything else that could upset her." Milli said conversationally.
"So continue what you were saying about you-know-who." I said, knowing she'd been trying to change the subject. I didn't mind her stalling - she was giving me some very useful information.
"Well, after he left school, Tom Riddle may as well have ceased to exist - no paper trail, no records, nothing. Then several years later, Evil Incarnate appears, claims Pureblood lineage of Salazar Slytherin and starts a campaign to wipe Muggles from the face of the Earth. If you want my opinion - based on these facts - he's clinically insane. He and his Death Eaters are a bunch of xenophobic genocidal maniacs. He should be locked up, psychoanalysed, and then fed to Dementors." Milli said calmly.
I smiled, "A very long-winded and highly informative way of making your point. And it's the right answer."
She looked surprised, "Really? But I thought your dad was a Death Eater?"
"He is. I just don't want to be." I smirked, "And you've given me the perfect excuse - I have no intention of bowing to a Mudblood."
"From what I've heard." that was Theo - he was sitting in a high-backed chair with his back to us - sneaky brat, "He doesn't make you bow - he makes you crawl on your hands and knees to kiss the hem of his robes."
"Whatever - same difference." I said, shrugging - if it had been anyone but Theo, I would have been horrified that they had been listening to the conversation - as it is, somehow I'm not really surprised.
"Milli?" Theo asked.
"Yes?" Milli replied warily.
"Since we're on the same side - and I heard what you told Draco at breakfast - could you maybe research Crouch and Bagman - one of 'em's got to be up to something." Theo said calmly.
"Crouch is clean - only stain on his conscience is the decision to reproduce." Milli answered.
"Why's that?" Theo and I both asked.
"His son joined the Death Eaters and got sent to Azkaban." she said, shrugging, "Eventually died there."
"So what's the dirt on Bagman?" Theo asked hopefully.
"Owes a heap of Galleons to Goblins. Bad gambling debts. He's a freeloader, thinks he can gamble back the money! Goblins've threatened to break his kneecaps if he doesn't pay them back by the end of June. Nothing political, though." Milli said shrugging.
"Square one, again." Theo muttered.
"I really am getting sick of dead-end clues." I muttered.
x x x
Pansy sighed dramatically, as she stood next to me, outside Potions class, waiting for Snape to let us in. It was almost four weeks since she had tried to apologise at Hogsmeade, "Draco, I said sorry ... right?"
"Yeah." I said, giving her a wary look. I'd all but laughed in her face - she is a Slytherin - I was expecting the worst.
"Well. If you apologise for laughing at me, we can call it even and be friends again?" she asked hopefully.
"I didn't laugh at you." I noted.
"You as good as did." she said coldly.
I sighed, "Fine. Deal." I said relieved. She obviously valued our friendship over revenge - that's a good thing, right?
"Pansy, you are going to love this." Milli said, as she approached us and handed Pansy a copy of Witch Weekly. Pansy took the magazine and looked at the page it was opened to. I turned my attention to a random point on the wall, in the opposite direction - I had no interest in anything that magazine normally printed.
"Oooooooo." Pansy grinned evilly, "Draco - this is priceless!"
I tried to ignore her, "I don't like that pointless rumour-mill, Pansy." I growled.
"You'll like this one." she noted.
"I know for a fact that every word ever printed in that magazine, since the day it was first released, is a scandalous lie of one sort or another - the best you get is half-truth and fashion tips." I said coldly. I only knew this because I'd heard my mother voice her opinion of it too loudly, often enough.
"He's right." Milli said, smirking, "But good fashion tips, they are. And a lot of people do believe it - this one is worth reading, even if it isn't true."
I rolled my eyes, "If anyone catches me reading that, it'll ruin my reputation."
"Not if I force you at wandpoint to read it." Pansy said, drawing her wand and pointing it at me.
"You wouldn't dare." I growled. Crabbe scowled at Pansy, but wasn't quite stupid enough to give her a threatening look (Goyle just continued to look stupid).
"Want to bet?" Pansy asked too-innocently ... that was a real threat.
I sighed, "Fine, whatever." I muttered, looking over her shoulder at the magazine.
'HARRY POTTER'S SECRET HEARTACHE'
"You don't expect me to read this?" I asked, pulling a disgusted face.
"It's good comedy value." Milli said simply, "Read."
I glared at both girls, before continuing to read it.
'A boy like no other, perhaps - yet a boy suffering all the
usual pangs of adolescence, writes Rita Skeeter. Deprived of
love since the tragic demise of his parents, fourteen-year-old
Harry Potter thought he had found solace in his steady girl-
friend at Hogwarts, Muggle-born Hermione Granger. Little
did he know that he would shortly be suffering yet another
emotional blow in a life already littered with personal loss.
Miss Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, seems to have a
taste for famous wizards that Harry alone cannot satisfy.
Since the arrival at Hogwarts of Viktor Krum, Bulgaria
Seeker and hero of the last World Quidditch Cup, Miss
Granger has been toying with both boys' affections. Krum
who is openly smitten with the devious Miss Granger, has
already invited her to visit him in Bulgaria over the summer
holidays, and insists that he has 'never felt this way about
any other girl'.
"How far do you expect me to read before I vomit?" I asked coldly.
"The whole story." Milli said, smirking.
"I think I'm going to be sick." I muttered, as I continued to read. I also thought I might hunt down and murder Skeeter and her informants.
'However, it might not be Miss Granger's doubtful natural
charms which have captured these unfortunate boys' interest.
'She's really ugly,' says Pansy Parkinson, a pretty and viva-
cious fourth-year student, 'but she'd be well up to making a
Love Potion, she's quite brainy. I think that's how she's doing
it.''
"Pansy, you gave that reporter a quote? Even if it's against an enemy?" I asked coldly.
"Why shouldn't I?" Pansy asked huffily.
"Because the woman is known for misquoting. She could probably have twisted that to make people think YOU knew things about illegal potions, if she'd wanted to. Skeeter could quite easily take a quote from you and make you out to be the bad-guy. Never give the woman a quote again - she might not be on your side next time." I said - it was an effort to remain calm.
Pansy blinked, "Sounds almost like you're mad at me for this quote?"
"No, I'm mad at you for trusting a potential enemy. I wouldn't trust Skeeter with Weasley's money!" I snapped.
Milli sniggered, "He's got a point, Pans ... but seriously, this one didn't do us any harm, and we'll watch what we say around her."
Pansy scowled, "Yeah, we'll not say anything to Skeeter without a legal expert present." she said sulkily - and quite sarcastically, too.
Milli took her literally, "That's a good idea, actually. Either myself, or Draco could fill that qualification, am I right?" she asked, looking at me.
I shifted uncomfortably - the closest to legal expertise I had was knowing how to talk my way out of punishment when I was caught red-handed ... and I wasn't exactly brilliant at that. "I guess." I said, scowling.
"Now keep reading." Pansy insisted.
'Love Potions are of course banned at Hogwarts, and no
doubt Albus Dumbledore will want to investigate these
claims. In the meantime, Harry Potter's well-wishers must
hope that, next time, he bestows his heart upon a worthier
candidate.'
"Like Weasley." I muttered, handing the magazine back to Pansy.
"Huh?" Pansy asked.
"He got to the last line, Pans." Milli said, sniggering.
"Oh ... oh! I get it." Pansy descended into fits of giggles, and I edged away from her, just in case she was contagious.
The sound of loud footsteps could be heard, and Milli looked past me ... I knew without looking who it was, by the evil grin that spread across Milli's face, "Oh, Pans ... look behind you." she said quietly.
Pansy peered past Goyle, who was blocking her view, and all-but cheered, "There they are, there they are!"
"Yes, Pansy, we're not deaf ... not until you shout any louder, anyway." I whispered to her.
She was too interesting in tormenting the Terrible Trio to care what I'd just said to her, though, "You might find something to interest you in there, Granger!" she jeered, throwing the magazine at the three Gryffindors.
Hermione caught the magazine, and gave Pansy a 'have you forgotten to take your medication?' look.
We didn't have time to see her reaction right then, though, because Snape chose that moment to appear.
x x x
End of chapter 26