Disclaimer: Sighhh, not mine.
A/N: ~Cowers in fear~ Well, I thought that OoP would be enough to get me off my lazy @$$ to continue, and surely enough, here I am. IÕm really very sorry, but I just went through a period in which I simply didnÕt know what to write or what to do with the story, even though I already have the end written. I sincerely apologize, and I want to thank everyone who has kept on reviewing, itÕs so flattering and it really means a lot to me. Thanks to the 127 (holy crap!) of you who put me on their favorites list! ThatÕs really so cool, and IÕm glad so many people like this fic. Obviously if youÕre reading this, you had the patience to stick with me for so long, so thank you SO MUCH!!!! Once again, IÕm sorry for the delay. Now, for those of you who have NOT finished OoP (Order of the Phoenix) and do not want the ending spoiled, IÕm going to say something that WILL spoil the ending for you, so IÕll allow some scroll room before the spoiling part and before I start the next chapterÉ.
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SPOILER INFO BELOW, DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ OOPOK, so those of you that are reading this know who ~sniffle~ died at the end of OoP (I cried SO hard at the end of that book) And, you guys know that he plays kind of an important role in this fic, so, after careful consideration, IÕve decided NOT to kill him off again, just so it corroborates with OoP. And, please also ignore the fact that the relationship in my fic would be incest, seeing as how they turned out to be cousins!!! My fic will just run in a parallel universe to the actual series!! So, weÕll continue on with the story! (oh, and my brotherÕs dog looks just like Snuffles, itÕs very very sad)
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Draco awoke eagerly the next morning and got dressed. He was excited, since he knew heÕd be travelling back to Glasgow and heÕd be able to see Charlie again. Though it wasnÕt one of the times he was most pleased to see Gryffindors get detention, it ranked fairly high on the scale, if only for the fact that heÕd be able to check back in at the orphanage.
This time around, the students were gathered together following Professor Dumbledore out to the Portkey that was awaiting the groupÕs arrival to transport them to St. HelgaÕs. They gathered around a large, rusty cauldron handle, and each held on. They were quickly whisked away to Glasgow, where Harry, Draco, and Hermione led the other 5 down the street to the building.
Once inside, they were met by a woman hermione remembered as being called Ms. MacGregor. She explained that they were having their annual EverybodyÕs Birthday Party.
ÒWhy is it called that?Ó asked Ron.
ÒOh, welll dear,Ó Ms. MacGregor said, Òmany of our children donÕt actually know when their birthdays are. Two of our girls, Kelly and Angeline, thought it up. The children love it, weÕve been doing it for years!Ó
ÒOh, I see,Ó Ron replied with an embarrassed look on his face.
ÒWell, yes, everyone just do what you please, the children love having visitors! TheyÕre all very kind and chatty, have fun!Ó Ms. Macgregor walked ovr to a group of small boys fighting over a jumprope, and left the Hogwarts visitors to themselves.
Dumbledore made a beeline for a group of small children, no older than seven years old, who were playing a game of hopscotch. Ron and Ginny walked over to two redheaded children, the boy was about ten and the girl about eight, who were bickering furiously.
ÒHello,Ó Ginny said brightly, ÒcouldnÕt help but overhear you two!Ó
The little girl stuck her lip out, ÒDon wonÕt give me back my doll! He stole it!Ó
ÒStop whining, Jenny!Ó Don retorted.
Ron laughed, ÒYou two are named Don and Jenny? Are you brother and sister?Ó
ÒNo,Ó said Don, as Jenny was saying ÒyesÓ in a rather defeated tone.
ÒAh, well, IÕm Ginny and this is Ron, weÕre brother and sister, too!Ó
Jenny smiled up and Ginny, and they all began talking.
Harry and Maya had joined Dumbledore, which left Hermione and Draco standing there, observing the room. Draco had a pensive look on his face.
ÒWhatÕre you looking for?Ó Hermione asked him.
ÒThat boy Charlie that I talked to last time I was here.Ó
He squinted around the room for a few more moments, then walked over to ask Ms. MacGregor where Charlie was.
He returned to Hermione to inform her that Charlie was in the infirmary upstairs.
ÒIs he alright?Ó
ÒHeÕs fine, just broke his arm. IÕm going to go visit him. IÕll see you in a bit?Ó
Hermione nodded and smiled, and Draco went off. He took the staircase up one flight, and found the infirmary easily. Charlie was in a bed next to the window, drawing on a chart with lots of lines and squiggles on it.
ÒHi, Charlie, do you remember me?Ó Draco asked.
Charlie looked up at Draco and grinned, ÒOf course I do! How are you, Draco?Ó
ÒIÕm fine, IÕm more curious about how you are, though!Ó
ÒOh, this is nothing. I just broke it playing football. IÕm the teamÕs captain!Ó he said proudly, showing Draco his chart with his tactical drawings on it.
ÒWow, looks like you play rough!Ó
Charlie grinned, ÒYeah, IÕve only been playing again for about three monthsÉ I figured mum and dad wouldÕve wanted me to, they always loved watching me play,Ó he said slightly wistfully.
Draco gave him an encouraging smile, ÒThatÕs really great Charlie, I bet youÕre the best on the field! What else have you been up to?Ó
Charlie perked up at the chance to update his older, cooler friend, ÒWell, IÕm getting top marks in three classes now! Just not math, I hate math. And, uhhhÉ I kind of have a girlfriend,Ó he smiled sheepishly.
Draco raised his eyebrows and laughed, ÒA girlfriend, eh? WhatÕs her name?Ó
ÒOh, well, her name is Kelly. She talked about me with that other girl you were here withÉ Hormoney?Ó
Draco snorted, ÒHermione. I wonÕt tell her you called her that.Ó
Draco and Charlie enjoyed a nice, long conversation, and before he knew it, it was time to leave.
ÒOK, Charlie,Ó Draco said with a sigh, ÒIÕm really sorry, but I have to go now.Ó
ÒWell, thatÕs ok, Draco. Are you going to come back?Ó
Draco grinned, ÒOf course I am, Charlie!Ó
They bid farewell, and Draco joined his comrades downstairs, they waved goodbye to the kids, and walked back to the Portkey site.
As they walked back up to the castle entrance, Hermione asked Draco how his visit with Charlie went.
ÒOh, great, really great, heÕs doing loads better. That, and he called you Hormoney!Ó
Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Maya began laughing riotously and even Dumbledore couldnÕt help a small laugh. Hermione glared at them.
ÒFive points from Gryffindor!Ó she said with an amused glare.
ÒNice try, Miss Granger,Ó Dumbledore said with a laugh, and they all went inside.
There was a parchment waiting for Draco when they entered the Common Room from Professor Snape.
ÒHmm, I have to meet him in his office at half four. What time is it?Ó
ÒOoh, youÕd better hurry, Draco, itÕs quarter past.Ó
Draco took some parchment and a quill and set off down towards the dungeons. He arrived at SnapeÕs office a few minutes early, and knocked.
ÒEnter.Ó
Draco walked in and sat down at SnapeÕs desk. ÒGood afternoon, Professor.Ó
ÒHello, Mister Malfoy, I trust you had a good morning?Ó
ÒYes, sir.Ó
Snape looked up at Draco, the dim light of his office made Snape appear old and almost sickly. Draco could tell he was very worn out.
Snape sighed, ÒAlright, I know that I donÕt need to remind you that this meeting is not public information.Ó He paused, ÒIÕve done interviews with most of the members of our house regarding their, shall we say, Ôaffiliation.Õ It is disheartening to say the least. Many of your peers have already taken their oaths to the Dark Lord, as IÕm sure you know. Miss Parkinson and Miss Bulstrode can barely contain their excitement. Crabbe and Goyle will follow the same path as their fathers, as will many in the 5th, 6th, and 7th years.Ó
Draco nodded, ÒI canÕt say IÕm surprised, sir. WeÕve all been raised with the Slytherin mentality.Ó
ÒNow, IÕve weighed our options, and I believe the best plan is that you keep up a front of passive support for the Dark Side. Too much and word will get to Voldemort that youÕre trying to dupe his newest Death Eaters, too little and they will become suspicious. IÕd even recommend a bit more socializing with Slytherins and a bit less with Miss Granger. You have been fortunate that, thus far, Slytherin House has been far too preoccupied with its newest celebrities to notice that youÕre fraternizing with Gryffindors.Ó
Draco felt stung at what Snape said, but knew that it was true, ÒYes, sir.Ó
ÒI belive that IÕll be summoned out of Hogwarts soon enough to meet with the Dark Lord. I still canÕt tell if he still has faith in me, or if heÕs playing us all for fools. But, like I said, if he gives me any information on the supposed attack on the castle, I think thatÕs a good sign.Ó He laughed morbidly, ÒA bit ironic, really.Ó
Draco and Snape finished their meeting and Draco went back to his Common Room, where he found Hermione reading her Arithmancy notes. She smiled at him when he walked in, and he sat down on his chair and leaned forward.
ÒIÕm not going to be able to see as much of you for a while,Õ he said sullenly.
Hermione sighed deeply, ÒI knew that was coming. I understand.Ó
Draco looked up at her, ÒIÕm sorry, Mione. SnapeÕs just very worried thatÉÓ
ÒDraco, I understand, I donÕt except you to put any more lives in jeopardy so you can walk around Hogsmeade and talk to Ron and Harry.Ó
Draco nodded, and silence fell over the duo.
ÒDo you think that, seeing as this might be our last time together for a while, that we could maybe borrow the Invisibility Cloak from Harry and take a walk?Ó Hermione asked.
Draco smiled, ÒOf course. The weatherÕs supposed to be really nice all week.Ó
She smiled back at Draco, and walked towards Gryffindor to borrow the Cloak.
ÒWhenÕs it going to happen?Ó he asked himself, exasperatedly. He shook his head, sighed, and waited for Hermione to return.
A/N: OK, I PROMISE that there wonÕt be another, like 6 month wait for me to get my rear in gear. You guys (or some of you) know that I love to thank my individual reviewers but since thereÕs been so many since the last time I posted, IÕll have to resume that another chapter! But, seriously, I read ALL of the reviews, every single one, and IÕm so grateful for everyone who takes the time out to comment and even just to read this damn thing!!! So, once again, I apologize for taking so long, and I thank you for reading this! Please review/flame/say hi/whatever ifyou have the time, I havenÕt heard from a lot of you in a long time!! IÕd like to know whoÕs still out there, lol! BYE, SEE YOU SOON!!!!!
