Reaching Maturity

Disclaimer: still not mine. All I own are the 5 books, the first 2 movies (video and CoS and PoA on DVD), a couple of other HP books and JKR's biography.

My physical trauma exam is DONE! Yay for me! I won't find out how I've done for a while yet, but I'm fairly sure I've passed. Heart attack and chronic pain no problems, rheumatoid arthritis could have been better and upper limb nerve trauma wasn't exactly wonderful. And only one more essay to go!

A/N: I originally intended to post this on Friday but kept messing up the formatting. So I didn't. Hmph.

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Chapter 14: Further Developments

So, Wormtail's craftier than I ever gave him credit for, Harry mused (at the same time Hannah and Draco had been arguing). Using Marie-Jeanne – or Marie, as he and Hermione had come to refer to her as, as it was shorter – was a surefire way to gain quick advances in positions in Voldemort's circle. Being a total rat certainly helps. He grimaced at the unintended pun.

The diary certainly made interesting reading, with Marie-Jeanne's perspectives on other people Harry knew of. Petronella Avery, for one, and Bellatrix Lestrange. The diary spoke of Avery (then Nott, presumably the aunt of Theodore Nott in Slytherin) being engaged to the Avery Harry had come across in the graveyard in his fourth year. Bellatrix was on the run from the Ministry still, after her escape from Azkaban in Harry's fifth year. Petronella was now dead, her husband in hiding.

"Well?" demanded Hermione, abruptly dropping down beside him. "Anything interesting?"

"She's not happy with Wormtail using her to get right in with Voldemort – and we know how in with him she was," answered Harry, lifting his head from said diary to look at Hermione. As it was evening, she was in Muggle clothing – red flared jeans, black ankle boots and a pale blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. The Head Girl badge was, naturally, pinned to her shirt. Her hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail and she had allowed Parvati to apply a small amount of make-up to her face. Harry thought she looked very pretty.

"I'm only surprised she didn't attempt to seduce Voldemort," remarked Hermione. "She seems to have no qualms about doing it with all the other men – including the married ones. In fact, it would seem as though it was particularly the married ones."

Harry smirked. "You're right there. I just wish she didn't go into quite that much detail. I mean, I really don't want to read about…well, you know."

Hermione nodded fervently, wrinkling her nose. "It is somewhat unnecessary. Anyway." She reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out a neatly-folded piece of parchment, handing it to Harry. "Hedwig couldn't find you so she came to me instead."

Harry took it from her, brushing her fingers slightly, and read it. "Sirius has gone to Strasbourg to look for Marie," he summarised. "As Padfoot – or Snuffles – obviously."

"So you think she's involved in Narcissa's disappearance as well?"

"I do." Harry got to his feet. "I need to talk to Malfoy."

But when he got to the hospital wing, he was firmly turned away by Madam Pomfrey. "Mr. Malfoy is not having visitors at this hour, Mr. Potter. He's resting."

"But this is important!" wheedled Harry. "And it's not that late; it's not even past curfew!"

"I'm sure it can wait until tomorrow." She placed her hands firmly on his shoulders and propelled him out of the hospital wing and down the corridor. Defeated, Harry slunk off.

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Hannah waited a few days, like McGonagall had suggested, before she went to see Draco again. She was relieved when Transfiguration ended, and she sped from the classroom to the hospital wing. Justin attempted to stop her, but she simply pointed her wand at him. "Remember this, rich-boy?" she inquired pleasantly. He backed off and let her pass, eyeing her warily.

"I knew you'd come back," said Pomfrey, by way of greeting.

"How is he?" asked Hannah anxiously, remembering her angry words to Draco.

Pomfrey shook her head gravely. "I don't know, Hannah. He seems very down and withdrawn. He won't talk and he's spent a lot of time crying. He's been having some fairly bad nightmares as well. Won't take anything to stop them, mind. He can be extremely stubborn when he's made up his mind to be."

Hannah nodded wryly, then followed Pomfrey through. The mediwitch gently woke Draco, shaking him lightly on the shoulder. "Someone here to see you, Draco," she told him, before leaving them to it.

Hannah was alarmed at the changes in him from just a few days' absence. His naturally pale face was deathly white and his grey eyes were dull, their usual sparkle absent. There were black circles under his eyes, which contrasted painfully sharply with his pale face, and his cheeks were tearstained. Hannah stood there awkwardly. He hadn't registered her presence yet. "Draco?"

He glanced briefly at her. "What do you want?" he asked listlessly.

She sat down on the chair beside his bed. "To say that I'm sorry," she replied. "I should never have shouted at you the way I did, and I shouldn't have said that you were pathetic. But Draco, you're not just your father's shadow, or his clone. You're your own person and you've got your own mind. Just because he's evil, it doesn't necessarily mean that you are. Because you're not."

"Why should I believe you?" That hollow, dead voice again. It sent shivers down Hannah's spine. She was determined, however, to not let this put her off.

"You should believe me because I've got a much better perspective from here than you have. And you're ill, and illness always affects a person's judgement."

He shrugged. "Save the lecture for someone that actually cares, Abbott." Despite his weariness, there was a clear note of anger in his voice.

"So you're giving up on yourself?" she demanded sharply. Then she softened her voice and took his limp hand in hers. "There's no reason for you to do so. I'm not going anywhere. Understand?"

For the first time in a long while, there was the faintest hint of a spark in his otherwise lifeless grey eyes. He gave her the briefest of nods. "Yeah."

They sat in silence for a long time, neither needing to say anything.

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"Ravenclaw absolutely have to win this game, don't they?" asked Theresa from her position on the bench in the Gryffindor changing rooms.

"They do. Hermione's done the maths. Slytherin are two hundred points behind us and Ravenclaw are two hundred and seventy behind," Harry confirmed. "Hufflepuff are completely out of it now; they've played all of their matches now and only got two hundred points from all three matches."

"Poor Hufflepuff," said Theresa sympathetically. She had a cousin in Hufflepuff.

"Slytherin's new Seeker isn't anywhere near as good as Malfoy," added Ginny. "And he's on a ridiculously old broom. I mean, a Cleansweep Seven next to your Firebolt!"

"But we don't want Ravenclaw to win by too much," put in Ron, "else they'll beat us to the Cup."

"Oh, but it could be interesting, for the final match when we play them," said Dai, grinning enthusiastically.

"And Harry's the best Seeker in the school," Seamus pointed out, swinging his legs back and forth, and kicking the box of old Beater bats on which he was sitting.

"All right! Let's just get out there and practise!" Harry ordered. "I know we don't play until next term, but this term's short and we've got to stay on top form – which we can't do if we're too busy speculating on the Ravenclaw-Slytherin match! Outside!"

It turned out to be a good practice, and they traipsed back to Gryffindor Tower two hours later, hot, sweaty and covered in mud. They'd had a friendly game against Hufflepuff, with a bewitched golf ball instead of the Snitch, when the other House's team had come out for a practice. Although the Hufflepuff Seeker had caught the substitute Snitch, the loss hadn't bothered Harry; getting the others to improve on their teamwork (something that they already did extremely well) was far more important.

Both House teams had rotated positions – good all-round knowledge of every position, and not just their own, in Harry and Ron's opinions, meant a better team and a greater understanding of the game. Ron had read something about it in a Quidditch magazine early in their sixth year. McGonagall had complimented them at the end of the practice – she had been in charge of observing, as the no-practice-without-supervision rule was still in strict enforcement.

Hermione greeted Harry with a hug as he entered the common room, although she was quick to withdraw, as he was still very sweaty. "Lupin wants to see us in his office. Now," she added agitatedly, hopping from one foot to the other.

"Why? And can I at least have a shower?"

"No! Look, Sirius is here with some news!" she hissed, grabbing his hand and yanking him out of the portrait hole.

The Fat Lady glared at them – or, more specifically, at Harry. "What was the point of going in if you're going to come out again immediately?" she grumbled. But she was ignored by the two as they hurried along the corridors, Hermione tugging Harry along, to Lupin's office.

The werewolf greeted them with a smile as he looked up from the fourth-year tests he was marking at his desk, and gestured to a sofa. "Do sit down." He used his foot to gently nudge awake the shaggy black dog that was curled up by his blazing fire. The dog obligingly turned into Sirius, who sat cross-legged on the floor. "I was enjoying a nice nap there, Moony."

"Tough."

"So what's going on?" asked Harry impatiently.

"Marie-Jeanne Lenoir is no longer at her home in Strasbourg," Sirius informed them shortly. "I was able to…ask around, shall we say, although my French has never been anywhere near as good as Moony's. It transpires that Marie-Jeanne has been making her way to Wiltshire."

"This just gets better and better," remarked Lupin grimly from his desk, where he as marking essays. He groaned. "These blasted fourth-years! Anyone would think they didn't know what a library was for, never mind where it is! 'The Leatherfold, which was originally invented in Wales…' Honestly! Sometimes I wonder why I bother."

"What's in Wiltshire?" interrupted Harry, confused.

"The Malfoys' home," Sirius explained. "Hermione, you've got relatives down in the southwest, haven't you?"

"Well, yes, there's my great-aunt Louisa, but I don't see what she's got to do with anything."

"Owl her," Lupin told her. "See if anything unusual's been happening in the last five months or so. She does know you're a witch, doesn't she?"

Hermione nodded. "She'd apparently suspected it since I was four – she's actually a witch as well."

"How did you get from here to Strasbourg and back so quickly?" Harry asked of Sirius.

"Apparated. I've still got my licence."

"Oh. Of course."

"Now, anything more on this supposed Death Eater in the student body?"

Harry shook his head. "I haven't found out anything, and I can't ask Malfoy at the moment because Pomfrey won't let me in to see him."

"I'm not surprised," said Lupin. "I popped in briefly yesterday and he looked absolutely terrible. We're going to have to find something out about his mother, and soon."

Sirius' mouth twisted into an ironic smile. "Never thought I'd see the day when I'd be helping a Malfoy."

"You think we did?" retorted Harry.

"Can we get back to business?" demanded Hermione impatiently.

Lupin nodded and removed a scrap of crumpled parchment from one of his desk drawers, handing it to Hermione, who was between Harry and Sirius. "Severus found this in Draco's hand when he collapsed in your Potions lesson."

"Exactly how many people know for sure about Narcissa Malfoy's disappearance?" asked Hermione.

"All of the staff, plus Sirius, you two and I think Hannah Abbott."

"Hannah? Since when did she get involved?" asked Harry.

"They've been greenhouse partners in Herbology this year," Hermione informed him impatiently. "They've struck up a good friendship. You were the one who originally passed on the message that he wanted to see her. Honestly, Harry, do you notice anything?"

Harry glared at her.

"There have been rumours in the Prophet," said Lupin. "Nothing concrete, of course – they've got far more important things to focus on, and Lucius refuses to confirm or deny anything."

"What a surprise," muttered Sirius sarcastically.

"There was something else, Sirius," added Lupin, looking pointedly at his friend.

"Ah yes. Thanks for reminding me. Pettigrew. Staying at the Malfoys'," growled the Animagus.

"WHAT!" cried Hermione.

"You heard."

"That settles it. We need an action plan," declared Harry.

"And may I inquire as to how exactly you intend to do anything at all while we're in school, without arousing any suspicion whatsoever?" demanded Hermione.

Harry was stumped.

"We can't do anything yet," Lupin told them. "We don't know enough. And personally, I don't want to take the risk of being blasted into the middle of next week by Lucius Malfoy. That's providing his son doesn't do it to him first, of course, but he's not in any fit state to be doing much of anything at the moment." He turned to Sirius. "Padfoot, I think you're going to have to do some more investigative work before we can progress from our end. See if you can find out anything more about Narcissa. I'll be reporting to Dumbledore."

"I'll go now," said Sirius. "Owl me if necessary, but don't use Hedwig." He transformed into Padfoot and slipped out of Lupin's office.

When he had left, Lupin turned to Harry and Hermione. "We're going to have to be extremely careful, although I'm sure I don't have to remind you. Harry, I need you to talk to Draco if Poppy will let you – get some information out of him. And tell him we're working on finding his mother, although I don't advise you to get his hopes up. If nothing else, Poppy will kill you.

"Hermione, I want you to find out as much as you possibly can from your aunt. Arthur Weasley and Tonks are using their connections in the Ministry. Kingsley too. And Severus is working on finding out who this alleged student Death Eater is; it's looking more and more likely that it's a Slytherin, so Severus is the best-placed person to find out that sort of information.

"Now, I'm sure you've both got homework to do, so I won't keep you."

Harry ignored the comment about homework (for once he had none) and, shower long forgotten, made his way up to the hospital wing, passing Hannah on the way. She caught his arm. "Don't bother going up to see Draco. He's asleep," she said.

"Oh. OK." So he made his way back to the Gryffindor common room and found McGonagall glaring at the Fat Lady. "…don't care! Change it back now! I need to get in!"

"Problem, Professor?" asked Harry as he approached her.

"Yes. We've had an apparent sighting of You-Know – of Voldemort – on the outskirts of Inverness," she informed him grimly. "Far too close for comfort. We – the staff – need everyone in the Great Hall for the next few nights as a security measure. Unfortunately," she continued, glaring at the Fat Lady, who was absorbed in examining her reflection in a pocket mirror"someone has changed the password in the last half-an-hour."

"Veritaserum," said Harry to the Fat Lady.

"I tried that already," said McGonagall. "She's changed it to that Welsh town with seventeen syllables that not even Dai Evans can pronounce, and we can't get in unless we say it perfectly. The fact that this is a dire emergency has apparently gone completely over her head. Perhaps she'll listen to the Headmaster." She spun around on her heel and marched swiftly down the corridor, leaving Harry to glare at the Fat Lady.

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TBC

Author thanks:

Heartsyhawk: This is how I see Draco as well. JK tends to write him as a fairly 2D character, but seeing as the books are from Harry's perspective (so much so that I doubt many people would notice if she used first person instead of third person), so I suppose it's to be expected. (blushes at compliments) Thank you loads; characterisation is one of the most important elements in a story. This is the first fic where I began writing Draco/Hannah; it just kind of sneaked up on me and then next thing I know they're together! I've been an incurable Draco/Hannah shipper for nearly 3 years now!

Lucidity: my bag's a bit like Hannah's and it seems like the kind of bag she'd have. The things on it reflect aspects of her personality (although I don't think she realises this; it's more a subconscious thing). I agree with you about how important such little touches are. Draco still has aspects of his old nature and they may never go. These things take time. He's scared and hurt and ill, and Hannah just happened to be the one to bear the brunt of it all – it could have been anyone, really.

Dark-Rune1: (blushes as red as a Weasley's hair) I feel incredibly honoured that you've reviewed, then! Extra thankies are in order, and I'll even give you some of my biscuits (I'm eating far too much junk food at the moment, due to essays and so on). I'm a Draco fan as well (obviously) and I am of the opinion that he's a far more complex character than he appears to be in the books. I made you cry? Have some tissues. I didn't realise it would have much of an effect on a reader! I'm so glad that I've portrayed Draco accurately; having never suffered that kind of abuse (for which I am extremely thankful), I worry about how well I write these things. Having been bullied for most of my secondary school life (the problem of taking on the role of the year group freak), I applied the same principles. Seeing as you commented on it, I am planning on writing books, and I've sort-of started a couple of them. The main one is one that I can't do a lot more to without doing a lot of research into several topics, plus I have lots of uni work to do. I have plans for others as well. I be published one day!

A Monkey's Harp: I agree with you about Hermione; but then, if she's never experienced it, she probably wouldn't know what to look for – plus Draco's extremely skilled at putting on a front and constructing defensive walls. Glad you like the hero-complex thing!

CloudofDreams: Draco's health is not an issue I'm prepared to comment on at the moment. Hermione does usually understand things, but she resents Harry being so secretive – and also the fact that there's something she doesn't know! I'm afraid I do have rather strong feelings about Justin Finch-Fletchley; it was CoS when he was going on about Eton that did it for me. You're right about Harry being "a bit of a hormonal brat" in OotP! The French penpal thing will be dragged out for a while yet – it's a trick of the trade to keep the audience reading and coming back for more! (That, and maximising the number of possible reviewers!)Samhaincat: oh, you poor thing. You really do have my sympathies. I hate computer problems; the IT system at uni still hasn't been completely sorted! It's been at least 5 months now. Hannah is by nature a very sympathetic person.

Samhaincat: oh, you poor thing. You really do have my sympathies. I hate computer problems; the IT system at uni hasn't been completely sorted! It's been at least 5 months now. Hannah is by nature a very sympathetic person.

The Lady Quotes: I can never tire of reviews that include the phrase "poor Draco" for this fic. He really is having a dreadful time of it – but you can guarantee he'll never go out without wrapping up properly again! And Hannah Abbott ROCKS. End of story.

Rinkurocks: Yay! I'm converting people to the DMHA pairing! (blushes from praise) And I really need to take more care when typing; I keep writing 'peole' instead of 'people'!Silfion: Yay! New reviewer! Another DMHA convert! Party time! (goes red from praise) I'm obviously doing a good job if I've got so many people hooked!

Jmmy: bribery is indeed a wonderful thing and I hope this chapter prompts a longer review…(nudge nudge wink wink) I will look at your fics once I've got the time – still got a 3,500-word essay to do at the moment. Cliffhangers, and hints and suggestions, are also wonderful because they keep the readers coming back for more – and the review tally increasing! Draco's one of my favourite characters to write about. And yes, there are indeed romances! I haven't really put much into them because I didn't when I was writing it originally and so with one couple there isn't much at all. I've tried to incorporate more detail into it but it didn't work so you're just going to have to imagine that in the scenes you don't see they'll be together and talking and holding hands and going round the back of Sprout's greenhouses for a snog…;)

Rebell: no, Ron doesn't know. Do you really think he's likely to find out? In some ways Lucius strikes me as being worse than Voldemort.Dark Lady Arantraneth: you have a very cunning plan! Hmmm, now you've given me an idea for a parody spin-off…

Ruperts-a-honey: your guess that it's a DMHA romance is correct! I've fallen in love with this pairing, and a lot of my fics that feature Draco also include Hannah. As far as I'm aware I'm just about the only DMHA shipper on There must be others out there somewhere!

TinorialPeredhil: Harry James Potter, I agree, will never win an Oscar! He just can't act very well at all. Draco Malfoy, on the other hand, definitely stands a good chance – although if they're not even going to give it to Captain Sparrow, Draco had better not get his hopes up too much. Who did win Best Actor last year? Hermione is just nosy by nature because she wants to know absolutely . We don't really know anything about Justin, but the mere fact that he was going on about Eton in CoS was enough to put me off him for life! I spent all 14 years of my school life in state schools and it hasn't hindered me! (Besides which, my parents could never afford to send me to a private school).