The Enchanted Sword
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I wonder whom it was with. Hermione thought to herself. Probably Pansy Parkinson or some other Slytherin everyone knows is his or her house's toy. I wonder how long ago it was. None of the entries are dated. Hermione continued thinking and she perused once more through the diary she had found containing Draco's deepest most inner thoughts. She knew it was wrong to even be thinking of him in any way but as the enemy but how could she help it when she knew these things about him. She had considered speaking with Snape or Dumbledore but wasn't sure what good any of that would do. She had a feeling that there were already plans underway to do with him. How could there not be? He was a very strong wizard and would no doubt be joining his father at Voldemort's side on his birthday, which was fast approaching.
Although she was enjoying herself, she decided it was definitely way too late to continue pondering over something that didn't matter. She placed the diary carefully under some of her things, climbed into her bed and fell almost instantly to sleep.
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"So where are you guys going?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione prepared to head out to an Order meeting.
"I'm going to tutor a small group of first years." Hermione replied swiftly.
"I have an Occlumency lesson with Snape." Harry said trying to sound somber and annoyed.
"What subject are you tutoring Hermione?" Ginny asked seemingly casual.
"Transfiguration." Hermione replied, absently feeling her necklace to make sure that it was hidden safely behind her jumper.
Ron and Ginny seemed to be satisfied enough. Harry made plans to meet Ron on the Quidditch Pitch to practice some new moves later on and finally the two headed to Dumbledore's office.
"I don't think Ginny trusts me very much Harry." Hermione said as they walked promptly down the corridors.
"Just give her some time to get over you and Ron. Trust me, you two will be back to the ways things were in no time." Harry said nudging her a bit as if to encourage her.
"I hope you're right Harry."
"So have you had your eye on anyone in the last little while? I've noticed you looking at a certain wizard and I can't help but ask if you want me to set you two up."
"Wha...What? Who do you mean?" Hermione said completely struck by Harry's remark.
"I knew it!"
"Harry listen, it isn't what you th - "
"I'll tell Terry as soon as -"
"Who?" Hermione said interrupting him.
"Terry Boot. You know, from Ravenclaw?"
"Oh right. Harry I'm really not interested..." She began an explanation but as they rounded the corner to the hallway leading to Dumbledore's office, there was Draco. He was sitting comfortably in front of the stone Gargoyle.
"I was wondering when the two of you were going to grace me with your presence." He said smoothly with a sort of half smile.
"Hermione let me explain before you -"
"What is he doing here? How does he know? Harry, DO something!" Hermione said waving her arms around frantically. Draco seemed to be finding this extremely entertaining.
"Listen Hermione it's all right. He joined a few weeks ago. You remember how the initiation works, he was telling the truth, that's all there is to it."
"But, it can't be. Everyone knows he follows his father." Hermione replied calming down somewhat.
"You're in a right state. You'd think I was pointing a sword at you or something." Draco said.
"Drop it Malfoy. Just because you're on our side doesn't mean I have to like you." Harry replied icily. "We better get going anyways, we're already late. Jube-Jube." Harry said and the winding staircase appeared before them. They headed quickly up the stairs, not one of them saying anything. Though Hermione whispered a quick hello to Lauvance as she passed through the door.
"Come in. We will be traveling via floo powder to a remote location near to where we will be meeting this evening." Dumbledore headed quickly over to his fireplace and they followed promptly.
"Harry you first. I will go last to make sure you all travel successfully. Professor McGonagall is waiting for you there. You will be traveling first to an inn called the Enchanted Sword so as to deter any followers."
"Is professor Snape not joining us this evening?" Hermione said noting his absence.
"He is waiting for our arrival at our final destination, and probably not in a pleasant mood considering his strict punctuality." Dumbledore replied with a slight twitch to his mouth that was so slight it could have been never even happened. It had looked as if he had wanted to let out a chuckle at the thought of a Snape standing and waiting, growing angrier by the minute for something as simple as being a bit tardy. "Now, Harry if you will please step into the fireplace." Harry quickly complied and Dumbledore picked up a plain looking vase that had a certain aged beauty to it, removed the lid and leaned it towards Harry. Harry took a handful of the sandy powder and said, "The Enchanted Sword". He said it a bit more clearly than was absolutely necessary but Harry had learned to be extra careful when it came to pronouncing places when traveling the floo networks.
Hermione stepped up next and was gone in seconds. Draco walked slowly over to Dumbledore averting his eyes the entire time. Never missing a wink, Dumbledore asked, "Mr. Malfoy, is there something you wish to tell me?"
"N...no sir. It's just I feel...apprehensive because I know that as soon as I get there everyone will be watching me."
"I understand. It's a most extraordinary thing that you have joined us and because of the almost impossible chance of anyone even thinking of you changing like this, most people will find it hard to accept at first. Once they see that you are loyal, then all will be forgotten." Dumbledore said gesturing with his arms to add effect.
Draco grabbed a handful of the powder and was gone in mere seconds. After securing the wards on his office and casting an untraceable spell, Dumbledore followed suit with Draco.
They arrived in boisterous common room of a rather antique looking inn. All the tables were crowded with witches, wizards and other creatures of which would be hard to put names to. There were instruments on a type of stage that had been bewitched to play themselves and many were singing along to the pleasant tune. Server elves were rushing about trying to avoid the crowds of people attempting to dance and balance their massive trays of butterbeer and the like.
"What is this place?" Harry shouted over the immense din.
"We shall talk outside." Dumbledore replied. His voice was perfectly clear to all of their ears and yet it seemed as if he had not raised his voice above normal volume.
With some difficulty they managed to plow their way through and find the concealed door, which seemed quite small and could only allow one person through at a time. They were thankful that it opened outward; else they would have had a major dilemma trying to make room for the door.
"Minerva good to see you." Dumbledore said as a rather stiff looking cat strode over to them. She transformed back into herself in almost the blink of an eye.
"So what happens now?" Draco asked with more volume than would normally have been necessary. Their ears were still ringing from the noise of the inn.
"We often travel to this location before apparating to another location. If we do not use that inn then there are many others, which we have designated to be safe. After this evening we will have to start traveling to different inns so as to not to draw attention to us as a group. It is especially important for you, Draco. We are running a great risk this evening by traveling together. Minerva, you must stay behind for moment and see that we are not followed. I will apparate to the Remus' and since none of you are aware of the location, then we will have to use a special means by which we all travel. The home is called Ferinus. Harry, please grab onto this arm. Hermione grab onto the other, and Draco grab onto either Harry or Hermione." Draco latched onto Hermione's arm and Dumbledore began muttering an incantation that would undoubtedly allow this to work.
They all felt the unnatural tug as if they were being hooked from a hook in their navel until suddenly they were standing in the middle of a field with a lush forest behind them. No house was present, but Harry and Hermione knew that the same trick used for Grimmauld Place must be in effect for Remus' house also. Remus barely ever visited his property and only acquired it fairly recently.
A moment later, Professor McGonagall appeared just ahead of them. "Remember children, you must concentrate on the name of the home." They did as they were told and suddenly a door appeared and the house came into view as if being inflated. Upon site, it was more a ranch or farm estate than a house but it suited Remus Lupin to the last inch.
They headed over to the house across the dew-covered grass and climbed the steps to enter the door. They hung their coats and scarves upon a coat stand and headed towards the noise of conversation.