Just Too Tempting
By Avadne
Chapter 6: A Procedural
(A/N: A Draco-centric chapter. This explains a lot of things subtly, so watch out for the little things. Enjoy)
It had been just over a month since the arrival of two new students. In which 2 full moons had already passed without much incident. But it wouldn't last. The Marauders were standing in a rather isolated and empty hallway, talking in low voices about the next full moon and their next, great adventure that came with it. Well, James and Sirius were. Remus was dreading it, as usual; dreading the pain, the fear of a slip up, the aftermath… and Pete was also dreading it, again, what if there was a slip-up? It was dangerous really, what they were doing. Pete had been hesitant form the very start and that had not changed.
"When is it?" Pete asked in a hushed whisper, looking at Remus nervously. James and Sirius kept turning around in case anyone crept up and overheard something important.
"25th… Friday," Remus replied automatically, his face passive and blank. November's full moon fell on a Friday. They had already managed to keep Mi and Draco away with excuses for October's full moon, but they would get suspicious soon and Remus knew it.
"What about it?" Draco asked cheerfully, suddenly walking out of the classroom the Marauders had been standing close to. Both James and Sirius did a double-take; had they really been that careless?
"Oh... er, nothing, but James has a Heads meeting, Pete and I have detention in Transfiguration and Remus is visiting his sick grandmother," Sirius offered offhandedly, trying to make the story seem plausible.
Draco was doing some very quick thinking; there was no way in hell that story was true. Sirius had just been a bit too casual about it, and about the stories for it to actually be true. Draco would definitely check it out after he left, perhaps ask Hermione or something. For now, though, Draco only eyed the boys warily, clearly in disbelief of their tale.
"If you say so," he drawled out lazily, noticing that while Pete's eyes showed anxiety, Remus's showed guilt and embarrassment. Both James and Sirius looked angry, but defeated.
"Remus and I have Quidditch practice. See you," James said quickly, leaving with Remus. Pete and Sirius followed them too. Draco left the classroom also, waving slightly in search of Hermione.
He didn't have to look long. In the next corridor, they bumped into each other clumsily. Hermione dropped all her books, which Draco bent down to help retrieve.
"Would you please watch we're you're going?" she said angrily, but Draco shook his head, symbolizing that now was not the time. Immediately, Hermione's forehead creased into a frown. Draco got straight to the point.
"All of the Marauders are conveniently going to be out on the 25th. James has a 'Heads meeting'. Sirius and Pete got 'detention in Transfiguration' and Remus is going to 'visit his sick grandmother'. Or so I heard. When is the full moon?"
"It would have been… but, no. The lunar stages are different and change through 20 years. It's got to be the 25th,"
"Remus will transform. Keep out of their way. I'm going to study," Draco said before sweeping out of the room. In a very Malfoy like fashion, Hermione realized.
I'm going to study… yeah, right. Draco had much more important things to do. Like figure out what the hell to do with the Voldemort fiasco, the one that Hermione still didn't know about. Thankfully, in Draco's opinion, for she would make a huge fuss and insist on helping. Right now, her help was definitely not needed. Draco needed to think, to act on his own. For now.
Draco dropped onto his bed; he had been doing this a lot lately, hiding out with the curtains drawn. It's going to be soon, he thought to himself. The first showdown was not far away and Draco knew it. He knew what to expect; questioning, the recruitment and conformation. He had led these things in the past… or future? He would be prepared.
"You are wanted in the Common Room… there's a meeting with Them on your schedule," a low, empty voice said from the doorway. Draco twisted around to see a boy that couldn't be over 4th year. That's low… getting kids to do their dirty work? Draco thought in surprise. A 20 year gap changed many things; yes, They were still around in 1998. Actually, Draco had been one of the higher members, if not the top. But the inclusion of anyone below 5th year was against the rules.
The young teen stepped out of the dorm quickly and Draco stood up reluctantly. Great; I haven't even had a chance to think yet, he thought to himself, slowly making his way down the stairs. His eyes were greeted by a somewhat familiar scene, a scene that he had been in the centre of many times.
The Common Room was empty, except for Them… Severus Snape, Rabastan Lestrange, Mario Wilkes and Ruark Nott were all there, assuming the main leader positions. But they were prepared, protected; Snape and Lestrange were 7th years, but the others were 6th. The remaining 6th and 7th years were guards, currently positioned around the room, ready for an ambush.
"Take a seat," Lestrange commanded. He and Snape were seated on higher chairs, with their right-hand men, Nott and Wilkes, on either side.
"I'd rather stand," Draco replied coolly. He knew how it was; even the most innocent offer held meaning; that wasn't a polite request, it was a challenge of wills. Lestrange sent him a heavy scowl, like his 2 young henchmen, but Snape's face remained impassive.
"Fine. We have brought you here to discuss… business that involves you directly, as well as the Procedural Admittance that all students must pass on entrance to 6th year. Since you have not yet passed, your fate remains in our hands," Snape took over, his voice silky yet hollow, except at the end, where a note of emphasis had entered. Draco knew what message he was conveying.
"Leave!" barked Nott to the guards. All 5 top guards left the room wordlessly; it was just Draco and Them now and Draco was not looking forward to it.
"Now… let us begin. The Spell," Lestrange snarled. Wilkes fumbled around for a second before producing his wand. He headed over to tap Draco on top of his head.
"Truth Spell; no lies," he explained gruffly. Snape gave Draco a Look as he opened his mouth in protest. Draco calmed himself and masked his face once more, but his stomach was churning. The use of Truth Spells wasn't registered in the future… Draco couldn't lie.
"One tap is enough," reminded Snape softly and Lestrange blushed slightly. He lurched forward and gave one small tap and at once, Draco's head fuzzed out slightly. He used every bit of Occlumency training his father had forced on him at this moment, fighting to keep control over his mouth and mind. The fuzzy feeling lessened ever so slightly, but did not disappear.
"Name," Snape requested.
"Hunter… Brown," Draco stuttered out. He knew the trick to these spells; they hadn't been specific enough. Simply asking for his name, Draco could take it however he wanted. What is your given name would have gotten a different response.
"Lineage,"
"Pure," this time, Draco said it immediately, clearly. His heritage was pure to the finest detail.
"Where do your loyalties lie?" it was Lestrange questioning this time.
"To me, to my house and my beliefs," Draco answered without hesitation. He was loyal to Slytherin, just not to Voldemort.
"Have you lied?"
"Lying is not possible under the spell's effect,"
"No! Have you lied while at Hogwarts?"
"Of course… I am a Slytherin after all," Draco bit out, smirking.
"What are you doing here?" Lestrange hissed out venomously.
"Enough. You are not permitted to ask questions that weren't previously discussed and decided on," Snape cut in coldly before Draco could speak. He got out a bottle of antidote and roughly spilled a drop into Draco's moth. The fuzziness lifted and Draco mentally congratulated himself for the answers he had come up with."But the remaining questio-" Lestrange began to protest, but Snape looked at him and he stopped talking immediately.
"Silence. I will finish this off; you have stopped your chance. The other questions will remain unanswered.
"Brown, your loyalty in this does not matter; you are the latest recruit and from my knowledge, you will join, like everyone. It isn't wise to cross paths with the Dark Lord. He has chosen you. We expect a confirmation in 14 days. Meeting adjourned." Snape looked directly at Draco before stepping down from his chair and stalking off, robes billowing as usual.
"I'm watching you, Brown," Lestrange spat the name like it was dirt. "I will get my answers."
Draco looked at him scornfully, implying to Lestrange that Draco held no fear, only boredom. But instead, Draco knew he was up shit creek, and deep. But he did smirk to himself; Lestrange, the great oaf, had screwed up his chance to get the truth out of Draco. What an idiot, Draco thought with glee.
"So, what do the mighty Marauders have planned for this week?" Hermione asked as James and Remus came into the otherwise nearly empty Common Room. The only other people were a threesome of first years in the other corner. Remus smirked and waved to Hermione, but kept walking upstairs. James, however, stopped and sat down.
"Well, well, well… wouldn't you like to know?" James replied cheekily, winking at Hermione. Hermione on the other hand, rolled her eyes, but grinned.
"What, no Quidditch practice or detentions? Heads meeting? Anything?" Hermione was carefully baiting for an answer, wanting to hear James's excuses for the full moon period, Tuesday.
"Just had Quidditch. But now that you mention it… I have a Head's meeting on Friday while Pete and Sirius got detention with McGonagall," James replied, casting a look out the window then one over his shoulder towards the portrait hole.
"Transfig? I don't recall that…" Hermione bit her lip and trailed of, lowering her eyes and sneaking a look at James from underneath her lashes.
"Oh yeah, for once, McGonagall didn't make a public scene… she just handed them their slips with their papers," James explained uncomfortably.
"Well, then… I guess I'll have a quiet night with Remus?" Hermione murmured, just loudly enough for James to catch.
"Actually, Remus is visiting his sick grandma…," James offered, seemingly casual. Hermione smirked; he was good. But both she and Draco knew the Marauders were lying.
"Oh, so no knight in shining armor to warm me up on the cold, cold, Friday night then? I may have to sink as low as Hunter," Hermione asked playfully, deliberately shivering and wrapping her arms around herself in mock-coldness.
"For that, I would miss any Heads meeting," James replied, smirking. He laughed jokingly and Hermione joined in at their own silly tactics; something about James brought out her… playful side, she supposed. It surprised her how much he could do that and how little it took for him; a simple smile or question and Hermione a giddy, humorous teen instead of the woman she had to become over the past few years. It was a great feeling; those years of friendship with Ron and Harry were amazing, but they took away any child-ness Hermione had left. Now James was brining it back.
"Hi, guys!" an energetic voice yelled out happily. Only Sirius.
"Hey Sirius," both Hermione and James chorused simultaneously, laughing slightly. Sirius wore a grin on his face, which was not unusual. But he looked especially pleased with himself today.
"Guess what? I have a date," he told them cheerfully, not waiting for a guess. James rolled his eyes in boredom.
"What, your 4th this week? I've lost count," James said tiredly. "You're a bloody man slut, Sirius."
"Live while you can, Jaime. Live while you can," Sirius told him, shaking his head in 'shame' at James. "Go on dates, break hearts, take a risk, play a prank…"
"A day in the life of Sirius Black, huh?" Hermione put in, already feeling sorry for the poor girl that was going out with Sirius. Sure, Sirius was a great guy; he was funny, charming and very charismatic. But he was also arrogant, almost too cheerful and… well, as James put it, a man slut; he had, so far, had more dates than the all the 7th year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs put together.
"You say it like I fuck and chuck every girl I meet," Sirius said, slightly hurt.
"Do you?"
"NO! I'm a perfect gentleman all the way… all the girls know what's going to happen. I never force anyone into anything, thanks very much," Sirius retorted proudly. Hermione only shook her head; Sirius was a man of surprises.
"Well, Sirius; I have to say, I'm proud of you. You're not a complete womanizer," Hermione said to him, grinning.
"Thanks… now, I think I'll just leave you two lovebirds to your flirting, eh?" he replied. With a maniacal grin, he was gone before James or Hermione had the chance to deny anything.
End chapter 6.
I picture Sirius as popular with girls, but not a womanizer. They know what they are getting into, but Sirius is NOT a man slut that lost it at 13.
My pairing is clear. After reading so much of these terrible Lily 'Mary-Sue is my middle name' Evans stories out there, it got me thinking that perhaps there was someone else for James, someone other than perfect Lily. Do not get me wrong; I love the L/J pairing, but it's so hard to find quality stuff on them, so I decided to do a different spin. If you don't like it, go read a Lily-Sue story; maybe that will bring it down to your level
2 things for flamers:
Have a reason: not liking the pairing isn't a reason; no one is forcing you to read this. Guess what? At least I have the guts to do something original. Flaming ain't original
Do it fashionably: trust me, if you can't spell the word 'horrible', you're the one looking like a complete fuckwit, not me.
Hail to anniePADFOOT, who gave me that little flamer-note :)
Thanks to everyone who reviewed…
CPegasus, Silwen Aurdomiel and Wren Craven for reviewing anniePADFOOT's A Bunch of Snakes – go to her page for more excellent stories.
Gwynn-Potter
Is this soon enough for you? 11 days isn't that bad I suppose. It will have to do, anyway. I try to update regularly but it doesn't always work out. But well, thanks for your review.
Nissy Padfoot
I wish you the best of luck with the writer's block. I hate them, the evil little shits! LoL I have a bit of a violent temper underneath my hyper cheerfulness. Yes, I guarantee this story is completely and totally different to all the other stuff out there with the time travelers being noble & going back & such. Ooooh very excited about it. Anyway, thank you
Silwen Aurdomiel
Ok, I'm not sure if I spelt your name correctly… so if not, my apologies. Thanks for all your wonderful reviews; I thought the idea of Hunter as a middle name was rather fitting. And I love cheerful!Sirius, so I've made him that. Also, I wanted to show that Draco did change a bit… so he's kind of a bit split-personality like, changes moods in seconds. I love him, he's my favourite character. Go the art of flowing robes… thanks a lot for reviewing.
spychick899
Thanks for being a continuous review. They're my favourite type. And yes, I tried to make Pete likeable enough; it really gets to me that some people just leave him out. At that age, they were still excellent friends, and even though I don't like him, he deserves inclusion. Thanks very much
Wren Craven
Why, thankyou. You really think it's supremely well written? Wow. Thanks very much! I've made each chapter around 2000, because for me, that's a comfortable length which I have no problem sitting down and writing in one session. My vocabulary... well, I like using big words to sound smart. So there you go ;) And I did review a story of yours; I'm yet to get to the others. Thanks again
Kris-tina4
I greatly appreciate you pointing out my mistakes, since I have a fair bit. I've also changed the Potions-DADA problem, thanks. Oooh you think Annie likes to talk? Try being me, she never ever bloody shuts up! It's quite entertaining, because she can talk for a good hour or so about nothing, really. Holly's work is great, definitely on my quality list. She's very talented, you're right. And the Weasley thing… well, I had a quick look at the time lines on the HP Lexicon, and it seemed that Bill was a 1st year while James & co. were 7th… but eh, I just felt like putting him in. He's the best Weasley, definitely. Yes, I'm also a Ron hater, although I don't really hate Ginny that much. I don't like her, but she's tolerable.
Avadne