CHAPTER SIX: DRACO, DELILAH & DESTINY

Harry was a worrier. He worried about everything – school, his friends, the Order. He worried about playing badly at Quidditch. He worried about all the attention he was getting from the female populace. He worried about Ron and Hermione breaking up, and him having to pick up the pieces of his two best friends, like he often did. He worried about going to Potions, what with all the snide comments he received. He worried about Professor Snape betraying Dumbledore, and ultimately him. But mostly he worried about the prophecy predicting his demise.

He was yet to tell anyone of the prophecy. As far as Ron and Hermione were concerned – its contents were destroyed that night in the Department of Mysteries. In regards to the Order, a few people like Lupin and Professor McGonagall were informed of some information, but not the entire thing. In particular, the part about Harry being the only one that could finish Voldemort off was kept from them.

And so it remained a secret between Dumbledore and Harry. There was only one person, to Harry's knowledge, that knew he was either going to die, or become a murderer – and that was the old man sitting up in his tower formulating a plan that could be his death.

Murdered or a murderer. Neither of these options was very appealing. Sometimes the former was more tempting to Harry than the latter however. He didn't want to be a murderer. He didn't want to be what he hated. And life got so hard sometimes; it felt to Harry, that nothing would let up and that he was always going to be this way - a reluctant, tragic, hero. It didn't seem right. Sometimes he just wanted to throw his hands up and say, "Sod off! I'm done with all of you!"

But he knew. He had always known that it doesn't really matter what he wants or feels. All that matters is that he saves the wizarding world. That he saved Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, Three Broomsticks, his friends – from ever having to go through what he was going to have to go through. What he had already gone through.

But there was also a more skeptical, realistic, part of Harry that told him you can't do this on your own. And that same part of him was saying what if you don't defeat Voldemort? What will your friends do then?

So with all these thoughts in his mind, Harry made a decision. The first really confident decision he had made in a long time. He wasn't sure if it was wise or sensible but he had to trust his gut feeling. For years now, he had been trying to run from his future only turning around to fight it off a few times. But now ... now there was no running. And he had to be ready. And so did those around him.

"Harry? Harry! HARRY!"

"Er... what?" said Harry, pulling himself out of his thoughts.

"I said, you look very pensive," said Hermione. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"What? Whatta for the whatta? What's a penny?"

"Shut up, Ron," said Hermione rolling her eyes. "So, Harry, what's on your mind? You've hardly touched your toast. You should get something into you."

"I'm just trying to ... Miss Snape wants me at five o'clock ... if we do it at eleven or noon..?" Harry thought out loud.

"Whatcha talkin' 'bout?" asked Ron through a mouthful of marmalade.

"Hermione, do you still have that list of all the DA members?" asked Harry quickly.

"Yes ... it's in the dorm somewhere. Why?"

"Can we get everyone on that list – except for that traitor Marietta girl and all those that have left Hogwarts – and get them to meet in the Room for Requirement at noon?"

"We could probably do that," Hermione said sounding a little excited. "Do you want to start the DA up again?"

"Well, if everyone wants to. Sort of..." said Harry.

"Brilliant!" said Ron.

"Great!" said Harry. "Could you let everyone know then ... discreetly? I've gotta go and-"

Ron and Hermione didn't hear the rest as Harry was sprinting out of the Great Hall amidst several sighs from the aforementioned female populace.

"Oh!" exclaimed Hermione clapping her hands together. "This is perfect. You go tell Ginny and get her to spread the word to the other Gryffindors. I'll go and get the list and go to the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Oh! And anyone else who wasn't in the DA but might want to be now that Umbridge has gone. And remember Ron, discreet."


Harry was sprinting though the corridors and jumping up the staircases towards Dumbledore's office. If Dumbledore said yes to his plan ... well ... Harry would be very happy.

He stopped in front of the entrance, "Blueberry Flavoured Ghost Drop."

As Harry was lifted up the stairs to the door leading into Dumbledore's office, Harry thought of the best way to approach the Headmaster with his request. After a few seconds of internal debate outside Dumbledore's office, Harry decided to just be honest and hope Dumbledore would be in a benevolent mood.

Harry tentatively opened the door.

"Good morning Harry. How are you today?" Dumbledore's voice carried to Harry from inside the small library to the left of his desk. Dumbledore walked into the room and sat behind his desk, eyes sparkling behind half moon glasses.

"I'm alright Professor."

"That's good to hear. Lemon Drop?" Dumbledore pointed to a small glass bowl with little lollies in it.

"Umm, okay." Harry stepped forward and took a Lemon Drop - although he did not unwrap it - and sat down opposite the Headmaster.

Dumbledore bent over and picked out a rather large lolly and smiled up at Harry, "Now Harry, what were you after?"

"Well, do you remember – well I'm sure you do cause you were sacked for it and ... oh – I..." Harry stumbled over his words.

"Are you referring to your controversial Dark Arts group of last year? I remember that very well Harry. I was particularly fond of the name."

Harry smiled, encouraged. "Well I've been thinking. About everything. And I think it would be really good if we started it up again. It wouldn't be a secret or anything! And anyone who wanted to join could and ... well, I thought it would be a good way to communicate information about Voldemort and everything to the other students," Harry got a little nervous and began to talk very fast, "Just cause people are starting to ask all these questions and I would really like to tell them. I think we need to be ready, for … whatever comes. And the DA could help prepare then. And I want tell people that there are ... individuals ... helping them. I don't mean I'd tell them everything! I'd run things by you or Professor McGonagall first! It's just-"

"Harry, Harry," Dumbledore raised his hand in order to stop Harry's rambling. He gave him a big smile, "I think that would be a very good idea. For fear often comes from ignorance, it would be wise to inform your fellow students of some things. Resurrecting the, what do you call it? The 'DA'? That would be a very good way to get the message across, that they're not alone and there are people out there helping, aiding, protecting. I applaud you Harry, for being so assertive."

"Thank you, sir," said Harry, with a very satisfied smile on his face.

"Now, what do you wish to tell them Harry? We'll see what we can do."


"What are you doing!" Salima Snape shook her head in disgust.

"Well I was attempting to sneak ... what's your name? Hailey? Yes, I was attempting to sneak Hailey out of my room before you found her but-"

"Get out!" Salima yelled at the young, tousled looking girl.

She quickly ran out of the room closing the door behind her. Miss Snape stood stock still, her hands on her hips, until she heard the front door close behind Hailey.

"Are you that fucking stupid? A muggle Draco, a goddamn muggle! What if she found out you were a wizard, huh? What if your beloved father found her? My God! Is there not one functioning brain cell in there! Have you sustained damage to your frontal lobe! And here! You brought her here! I'm trying to protect you! If either side found out you were here they'd have both our necks! Have you no control over your libido? This isn't even your house! It's not even my house-"

"Okay, jeez I get it!" Draco Malfoy had the grace to look slightly ashamed.

"What happened to all your passionate speeches about the inferior race that is Muggles?" Miss Snape asked.

"Don't give me that! I stick to every word of it. It's not like there's anything in it, it's just se-"

"Don't. You. Dare. You know what? I hope you knock her up and hence forth are always connected to your inferior race!" Miss Snape walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her.

Draco Malfoy looked at the door for a few minutes, having an internal debate. He decided to swallow his pride – but only for Salima. Never for anyone else.

Draco pulled on a shirt and walked out of his room and through the corridor to the lounge. "Mr. Malfoy – you're still here? Does my great-grandson know you're haunting his corridors?" said a painting hanging over the fireplace.

"Sod off, Potter."

"Watch your language, young man! I built this house..."

Draco kept walking through to the kitchen where Salima was clattering away around the stove. Clattering, because her shaking was making it awfully difficult to pour tea into her cup. Draco stopped at the breakfast bench and hung his head when he saw her silent tears.

He tapped his hand on the bench top to make his presence known. She stopped her clattering for a moment, and then resumed with a little more force. He had upset her and he hated himself for doing it. She was the only person in the whole world who loved him and accepted him for what he was. He was different when he was with her. He was a better person. Normally he went out of his way to make people uncomfortable. He took pride and pleasure in it. But with her, a scowl would shoot through him causing sleepless nights and a general feeling of cold, grey, dread.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

She stopped again, "I know."

"I know you're putting up with heaps from the 'We-Love-Potter' club, I know you're taking it for me. I don't mean to be ungrateful."

"Don't be humble Draco," Miss Snape said turning to him. "It's not very becoming on you."

"I'll practice? Right after my don't-bite-the-hand-that-feeds-you class."

This earned him smile, "Come here."

Draco walked over to Miss Snape and let her hug him. He normally made a fuss whenever she attempted to cuddle. But the truth was – he loved it. And he had never realised it until she left all those years ago, and it didn't happen anymore.

"Please be careful, Draco," she pleaded into his hair. "You mean everything to me."

"A natural inclination," he said superciliously. He often opted for this tone when she spoke of their relationship. Although Draco knew he loved her as a son would love their mother, knew it for sure, he could not bring himself to tell her so.

She knocked him on the head playfully. "Have some breakfast and get changed. We have to go to Hogwarts."

"Both of us? You're taking me back?"

"Yes. I've taught you enough to get you through the rest of the year without any of your, ah, friends, inflicting any lasting damage."

"What about the Dark Lord? What about Father? They'll find out if I go back."

"Yes, but my brother will live to see another day. Lucius has been hounding him."

"Oh."

"Yes, 'oh' indeed."


Harry stood up nervously in the Room of Requirement. It looked just like it did at the old DA meetings, only it had expanded a bit to accommodate the increase in numbers. There were more Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws than there had been previously and Harry was encouraged and overwhelmed at the same time.

"Well ... thanks everyone ... for, ah coming. Um, well basically I thought that we should re-open the DA, and so here we are."

Hermione nodded her head for him to keep going. "I've, ah, I've spoken to Dumbledore about it and he said that it would be fine. There'll be nothing exclusive about the club so anyone can join who, ah, wants to. And we won't need the coins this time cause it won't be a secret. We'll do some of the stuff we did last year, and we'll do some new stuff as well. And also ... I'm sure some of you will have probably guessed that ah, there are people working against Voldemort and his Death Eaters."

At this, there was a murmur and everyone sat up a little, intrigued. "Well, basically. I've been given permission to answer questions that you may have. I might no be able to answer them, or I just might not know – but I'll do what I can. These are hard times and, well, I hope that the DA can make it a bit easier for everyone. Give us self confidence and not allow to living in ignorance, you know?"

Harry blushed a little as the room broke into boisterous applause.

"Alright then," said Hermione standing up. "Let's get started."


Harry was on a bit of high after the Dumbledore's Army meeting. Students had fired questions at him and he had told them what he could. That there were people working against the Death Eaters and that, in time, they could join them. Although Harry told them that he didn't know who these people were or what their name was. Just that Dumbledore had told him they exist.

And then they had started practicing spells and charms for two hours. They missed lunch. Harry had to admit that it was rather flattering when three Ravenclaw seventh years had decided to find out how strong Harry really was. It was over in less than a minute and everyone looked on with awe and applauded loudly when Harry began conjuring stretches for the three Ravenclaws who were suffering the after affects of a particularly nasty Bat-Bogey Hex.

So it was with a small smile and a light heart that Harry went off to Dumbledore's office at a quarter to five. It wasn't until he walked through the Headmaster's office that some cold truths came barging back into his mind, with a full barrow of dread dragging behind.

Harry took a moment to take in his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was that Lupin was not there. Then he looked over at three of the Brethren members, Keiko, Christina and Maureen. They were talking quietly with Professor McGonagall who looked very grave.

And then he saw Professors Snape and Flitwick talking heatedly by Fawkes who was sitting up on his usual perch. He couldn't here what they were saying, but words like "unreasonable" and "raving lunatic" were escaping Snape's mouth while Flitwick was saying something about shit hitting a fan.

All this, Harry thought was very peculiar. But nothing prepared him for what he saw when he went looking for Miss Snape.

"What are you doing here?" Harry said loudly.

The whole room stopped. Everyone looked over at Harry and then, like one very loud shuffle, took a seat each from around the large office.

"Close your mouth Potter it's rude to stare," Draco Malfoy snapped and turned away from him to face Miss Snape.

Miss Snape smiled at Harry, "We've been waiting, Harry. How did your meeting go?"

Harry didn't say anything and decided to query her later at how she had known about the meeting. Instead, Harry narrowed his eyes and looked at Dumbledore uncertainly.

"Take a seat Harry. Alright ladies and gentleman, welcome to what is subsequently a small additional meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. There is someone I would like you all to meet," Dumbledore said.

Miss Snape and Malfoy took a seat and Harry followed suit, sitting in between Maureen and Keiko but continued frowning at Malfoy. He couldn't even begin to comprehend what he was doing here.

"As some of you will remember," Dumbledore began. "And as the rest of you were informed-"

"Informed of what?" Draco said quietly to Miss Snape.

"- we will have a new asset to the Order. I would like you all to meet Delilah Hamilton."

Harry stopped frowning at Malfoy and stared, open mouthed at the girl who had just walked through Dumbledore's library.

She was certainly a sight. Rather petite and willowy looking, she had long blonde hair and the bluest eyes Harry had every seen. Right now she was looking rather intently at Miss Snape as if trying to break through her mind. She was clearly unsuccessful as Miss Snape simply raised an eyebrow.

"I have heard of you," Delilah spoke quietly. Her voice sounded Australian but Harry suspected she had been in Britain for a while as it was faint.

"Really?" Miss Snape said. "I am flattered."

There was silence for a moment and it seemed the whole room and everyone in it was holding their breath. Finally Delilah spoke again, "How are you doing it?"

"Doing what?" Miss Snape asked innocently.

"Keeping me out of your mind. I can break everyone's. It is my gift. Why can't I break yours ... you are not even trying."

"Are you sure that's your gift then?" Malfoy snorted.

This, Harry thought, was a very foolish thing to say. Delilah flicked her gaze from Miss Snape to Malfoy.

It wasn't pretty. Malfoy fell to the floor his hands over his ears screaming bloody murder, "What are you ... ARGH! Stop it! No, no, no, no, don't show me that! No! Please! ARGH!"

Then suddenly Malfoy stopped. Harry looked around to see what had changed to make him stop. Delilah was still staring at him as intently as ever. No one had moved. Then Harry saw that Miss Snape's hand had fallen onto Malfoy's back. She had stopped it. Whatever 'it' was.

Miss Snape looked livid but held her tongue. Simply glaring daggers into Delilah.

Then almost as quickly as it had happened, Malfoy sat up looking extremely shaken.

"What was that Salima? What did she do to me?"

"I'll tell you later," was her reply.

Delilah moved over to Harry, which didn't make him anymore comfortable than before. He was careful not to meet her eye.

"Miss Hamilton I would ask you to please stay out of my students' minds," Dumbledore said a little angrily.

Delilah said nothing.

"Now, first order of business. Mr. Malfoy, perhaps you would like to inform everyone of your status," Dumbledore said, looking at Malfoy.

"My status?" said Malfoy scornfully.

"Yes Mr. Malfoy, who are you and where do you stand?"

Malfoy looked at Miss Snape cautiously, "There's nothing to tell Professor," said Malfoy quietly. "I'm staying alive, nothing more."

"Perhaps I should word the question a little more specifically. Do you know what you are? What you are becoming?" said Dumbledore.

Malfoy looked a little poignant, "Yeah, male Brethren, blah, blah. Big responsibility, yay."

Harry gasped. The male Brethren they had been talking about was Malfoy? There must be some mistake? Harry thought.

"It is a big responsibility Mr. Malfoy. You will take the place of one of these very powerful women, and will take up the duty of protecting your Dieu."

But there can't be a mistake, thought Harry. If Dumbledore believes it ... it must be true.

"My what?"

Dumbledore smiled and looked over at Harry, Malfoy followed his eyes. "Oh, Christ."

"Not Christ, Draco ... Harry." Miss Snape said laughing.

"I'm glad you find this amusing," Malfoy snapped. "I am going to die for that idiot, why him?"

Miss Snape snorted, "Why you?"

Harry was sure he saw Professor McGonagall crack a smile at this comment.

"Come now, we are not making progress," intervened Dumbledore.

"I'm on your side, okay?" Malfoy said, clearly miffed. "Just drop it."

"How can we be sure Mr. Malfoy?" tiny Professor Flitwick spoke up.

Malfoy smirked rubbing his head and giving Delilah the evil eye, "You can't. But by what Salima's been telling me – you'll need all the help you can get. Beggars can't be choosers. Don't know why you're bothering, really..."

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," said Dumbledore carefully to Malfoy. Harry wasn't sure what this meant but evidently Malfoy did because he nodded his head and looked away saying nothing more.

"And Mr. Malfoy brings us to our next order of business," everyone sat up in their chair anxiously. "The retrieval of Doctor Daniel Buoy."

"Who?" asked Maureen.

"I know him!" said Harry quickly. "He was the one who gave me Voldemort's letter."

There was a cringe around the room at the name being mentioned.

"Yes," said Delilah from behind Harry. She was looking at the little trinkets on the wall. "The boy who lived."

No one paid this comment any heed. Harry, however, turned around to face her. She met his eyes, and twittered her nose as if trying to make a decision. Whatever it was she must have decided against it because she looked away.

"Why do we need him? Does You-Know-Who have him?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"Yes Minerva, Voldemort has him. And although the Doctor does not know it – he has a great deal of information that is crucial to us. Before anything else can happen, we must get him back."

"Vell ve can't jus' stroll ento Voldemort's Headqwarters," said Christina.

"We will not need to," said Professor Snape, speaking up for the first time. "The Dark Lord does not keep his captives in the same location as himself. And only the Inner Circle knows the Dark Lord's whereabouts. The fact of the matter is, if we plan it correctly, we should be able retrieve the captive quite easily. To my knowledge, the Dark Lord doesn't know how valuable Doctor Buoy is."

Harry looked at Professor Snape curiously. Snape was talking in a polite sort of fashion. He was conducting long sentences that didn't include "fifty points from Gryffindor!" Harry could hardly believe it. He wondered if this was what Snape was really like out of the classroom. But then he remembered the Occlumency lessons and decided that Snape must just be having a brain malfunction.

"No, I don't think Voldemort does either," said Dumbledore.

"I would not be so sure about that," said Delilah quietly from the library entrance this time.

Dumbledore was frowning and looked surprised, "Do you need to tell us something, Miss Hamilton?"

"I already have," said Delilah, not turning around.

After a moment, Dumbledore continued, "What do you suggest, Severus?"

"Give it four weeks. The week before Christmas. A squad of ten should do it. And it might be an idea to bring Potter and Mr. Malfoy. Maybe even the Seer... give them a feel for the situation. I predict a relatively easy escape, although I cannot be sure. They need to get real experience ... especially Potter."

Dumbledore did not appear to be very keen on this and replied with, "We'll see. Who do you suggest to take?"

"The women, Shacklebolt, and the two eldest Weasley's. If we are not taking a large group, it would be ideal to send the best - especially if the students are going. I of course cannot go. Whilst it would be suicide for me to attend a Death Eater meeting that Voldemort was presiding in, there are still many of the Inner Circle who trusts me. To go would signify where my loyalty truly lies."

Harry had never heard Snape talk about his life as a turncoat before. Harry thought it was significant that Snape was letting his real allegiance be known in front of Malfoy. Does this mean Malfoy really is on our side?

"Very well," said Dumbledore. "Make the arrangements; Remus will help you with locations and plans. We will have another meeting regarding this on Wednesday. Agreed? Do you agree to do this Salima?"

"Yes, if the boys go."

Harry gulped. He was going to face the Death Eaters again? Well, if Dumbledore let him. And Malfoy wasn't fighting on Voldemort's side? But Miss Snape said he was a Death Eater. Harry decided to be very cautious of Malfoy. Whilst it was true that he had changed a lot this year, he was still not someone to be trusted. Harry could still see that something in him ... that thing that made him not a very pleasant person.

"Splendid," said Dumbledore. "I think we should leave it there, I'm not sure we could get through much more tonight. Miss Hamilton, are you hungry? Perhaps Professor Flitwick could take you to the kitchens to get some dinner?"

Delilah smiled at Dumbledore in an "I-know-what-you're-really-up-to" sort of fashion. But she agreed and Professor Flitwick bid everyone a good night before taking Delilah out of the office.

Everyone sat in silence for a few minutes and then Dumbledore spoke up again, "I find it necessary to warn you, before I let you all go down to dinner, to be very weary of Miss Hamilton. Whilst Salima may be able to ward off her power, no one else will. It is important that you understand that she is a Natural Seer. Meaning that everyday, every second, all she sees is the future. She is constantly seeing the future. Constantly. She knows exactly what is going to become of all of us. Naturally, someone like this would be very valuable to Voldemort, so we must protect her with our lives."

Harry thought it was rather pointless to protect her as she looked as if she would be able to protect herself pretty damn well.

"It is also important to realise that Miss Hamilton will do anything to see her prophecies come true. She will steal, cheat, murder and lie to see the future come out the way she has seen it. And that is all she cares about. Nothing else. Do not look for guidance, sympathy or in fact any sort of help from her. Anything she shows you, anything she tells you ... be careful. It may not be true."

Harry took all this in and decided to stay well clear of Delilah.

"And now, you may leave. Have a good dinner and a good night. I'm sure your fellow Slytherin's will be pleased to have you back Mr. Malfoy."

"Yeah, I'm sure," said Malfoy. And it was then that Harry realised that Malfoy had his school robes on. It then occurred to Harry that Malfoy had not been with his father at all. But that Miss Snape had taken him away when Lucius escaped from Azkaban to stop Lucius getting him.

Harry was about to get up to leave when Dumbledore called him back, "Harry, a private word if you don't mind?"

Harry nodded his head and sat back down.

After everyone had left Dumbledore began, "I realise Harry that it must be hard for you to understand where Mr. Malfoy is coming from. He has never asked for or earned kindness from you. But nevertheless, I will ask you to give it to him. No matter how reluctantly it is received..."

Dumbledore then began to tell the story of Draco Malfoy. And Draco Malfoy was a young man to pitied. Harry knew this … if Harry were not so proud, perhaps he could go to Malfoy and offer a truce. The way Dumbledore told it, Malfoy deserved it. But then he heard Miss Snape's voice in his head...

"I want you to know the truth ... how it really was. Not the romanticised version you'll get from Dumbledore."

Harry smiled to himself.

"Do you understand Harry? He has his reasons, just as you do."

Harry knew that Dumbledore was not lying. But he was speaking with a little more passion and using a lot of emotive language.

"I understand perfectly sir. Forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much. I'll try to suck it up," said Harry.

Dumbledore smiled, "Thank you Harry. You may go."

"Good night, sir."


Harry was not impressed.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" Harry asked; temper beginning to get hard to control.

"My sentiments exactly!" said the painting of Alfred Potter.

"Not helping, Alfie..." said Lupin under his breath.

It was Sunday and Harry had come to Godric's Hollow, as usual, for his training. However, he had been strolling through the house when he came across Draco Malfoy in the master bed. And he wasn't alone.

Harry threw about six curses in the space of five seconds and it wasn't until Miss Snape Apparated in front of him and took his wand out of his hand that it stopped.

If Harry was angry, it was nothing to Miss Snape who practically threw a muggle girl by the name of Hailey, ("Her again!") out the door. Harry quickly left into the lounge room where Delilah (for some reason) was sitting with Lupin.

Harry was trying to figure it out, through Alfred, how Malfoy knew about the house, how he knew where it was, how he had got there and whether or not it was the first time. A painting, however, didn't appear to be great at conversing about things that it hadn't actually lived through. That is, Alfred kept talking about a woman by the name of Helga that lived in 1946. Whatever that meant.

There was a loud banging noise from the master bedroom, and Harry hoped that it meant Miss Snape had just killed Malfoy.

He felt rather sick. It was far too early in the morning to witness such a sight as ... Argh! I'm never going to get that image out of my head! Harry thought.

Finally, Miss Snape came out of the master bedroom, looking beyond irate. She had Malfoy by the arm who was only wearing boxers, "Apologise now!"

Malfoy looked like he was about to tell her to sod off, but the look on her face deterred him. "I'm sorry," he said weakly.

"I'm sorry who!" shouted Miss Snape.

"I'm sorry Potter."

"For..."

"Please don't make me say it," Malfoy pleaded.

Miss Snape was unmoved; she raised her eyebrows for him to continue. When he looked away, she sharply twisted his arm around his back.

"Ow! Owie! Okay, okay, I'm sorry I copulated in your house! Please let me go! Ow!"

Miss Snape let him go. Harry was trying hard not laugh and so was the old man in the painting. Lupin had looked resolutely in the other direction at the word 'copulated'.

"You better practice that, you'll be saying something similar to Dumbledore and Severus when you explain to them the reason you snuck out of Hogwarts last night," Miss Snape said.

Malfoy looked mortified. Harry didn't blame him.

"We'll talk about this a little more afterwards," Miss Snape said quietly.

Harry wasn't listening. He had just noticed a large, black tattoo on Malfoy's arm. Malfoy noticed and quickly walked off, no doubt to get a shirt on. Harry frowned and looked at Lupin uncertainly.

"Now, for today's lesson Harry, we'll be joined by Delilah and Draco."

Harry looked at Miss Snape uncertainly; something didn't feel right, but he sighed and nodded his head anyway.

"Good, let's get started."


A/N: Thanks to MinorMistake99 and Fleury.

AbundantFear :-)