Chapter Seven
Polyjuice Trouble
September 5- We've got one month.
Hermione made a list…I swear, she loves her lists. At least they serve a purpose…Bless her…Ron's Famous Wizard Card collection doesn't…And we all know he has over 200 stacked in a box in his room…and yes, he brought them all…
To Do List
Operation: Become Death Eater
1)Find Polyjuice recipe
2)Find Polyjuice ingredients
3)Brew Polyjuice Potion
4)Find and stalk Death Eaters
5)Learn said Death Eaters habits
6)Find Voldemort's hideout
7)Capture said Death Eaters
8)Sucessfully impersonate said Death Eater
9)Complete Operation: Snape's Legacy
10)Come back alive with the Horcrux colour
Operation: Snape's Legacy
1)Persuade Ron to agree to said operation
2)Get Ron and Harry to open Occlumency For Dummies
3) Get Ron and Harry to actually study occlumency
4)Study occlumency every night
5)Study legilmens
6)MUST BECOME ACCOMPLISHED OCCLUMENS AND LIGIMENS
I'm hurt Hermione and Ginny think I won't study willingly…Not that it's not true…I think Ron's hiding tonight in the kitchen. A little too obvious if you ask me. I'm going to hide where they won't think to find me…the linen closet.
September 6- Unfortunately they found me last night. And it only
took them 15 minutes. Not surprising when you consider how small the
flat it.
"Ron! Harry! Get your fat arses out here NOW!" Ginny yelled from the living room.
"I found one!" Came Hermione's terse reply, dragging Ron from the kitchen by his ear.
"One down…just one to go…Did you find Harry?"
"No." with a sly grin Hermione turned to face Ron, "Why don't we interrogate the perp? He might know…"
Ron held up placating hands "I swear I have no clue where Harry is…I was in it for the food! Why don't you look for him?"
"Fine!" Ginny snapped and stormed off while Hermione silently handed Ron the occlumency book.
Doors slammed, first the bathroom, then each of the bedrooms. Finally, there was only one door left.
"The linen closet…" Ginny murmured on an intake of breath, her voice oozing with repressed glee.
Bright light flooded my hiding spot while two hands grabbed me and yanked me out hard.
"Study"
I almost stomped to the living room. Only my strong self control, built by years of false rumors and occlumency with Snape, kept me from that. Instead I walked solemnly, like an accused man walking to the rope.
So, we studied. It wasn't surprising how good Hermione was. Ginny
is a natural. It must come from growing up with all those brothers.
She's not as good as Hermione yet, but Hermione has had more practice.
Ron isn't doing so well. He's like me. Oh well. He better learn fast or
it'll be Ginny, not him being Lucius.
We have 'homework'. We have to read the occlumency book. Ron gets it tonight, he has to read the first five chapters by eight tomorrow, them I get it. Next Ginny. Hermione's already read it…After that we continue our cycle, reading the next five chapters.
September 7- Hermione, the least conspicuous of us, went to Diagon Alley today to find the polyjuice potion ingredients and recipe. We would look into pre-brewed potions, but I think we need this time to practice occlumency and legilmens anyways.
She was gone for close to three hours. When she returned she had a think tome and a bag of ingredients. She said that her excursion went without interruption.
So, at the moment our potion masters, Hermione and Ginny, are now starting the dreaded potion.
I really hope essence of Crabbe doesn't taste so bad this time…
September 12- Step by step, ingredient by ingredient the potion becomes closer to completion.
Hermion and Ginny are now adept occlumens. Unless Voldemort actually forces his way with a wand, I'm sure they'll be fine. I'll make a guess that he won't be able to read their mind with just eye to eye contact.
Ron isn't so bad anymore. He's about as good as when Ginny started. I'm no better.
Though on a happier note, I'm a very good legilemens. Better, even then Hermione. Seems I like to shift through people emotions. Figures.
Despite his sister actually being better, Ron is adamant. There is no way he is letting Ginny go so close to Voldemort. When under the polyjuice, there will be no way out if one of us is caught. Well, the chances of Crabbe or Goyle being caught is slim to none. But the chances are very high for Ron and Hermione.
September 15- Now that we have had some time to deal with out occlumency skills we have to locate out bodies to be. Easy…I think not. Nothing is easy when your Harry Potter. I think this quest, thus far, is proof enough.
"Ok. You are all sure of what you're doing?"
"Yes Hermione" We dutifully chorus out.
"Ok. One more time. Ron…?"
He rolled his eyes, "I have to patrol Knockturn Alley."
"Yes. With who?"
"Harry."
"How?"
"Under basic, yet concealing human transfigurations."
With a satisfied smile she turned to Ginny. "You?"
She looked at Hermione like she had grown two heads. "I'll be with you…In Diagon Alley." She added before Hermione could ask her questions. "Under basic, yet concealing human transfigurations." she quotes snidely.
Hermione raised an eyebrow yet said nothing.
So we left for our respected places. Being with Ron wasn't too bad. He was always good for a laugh. Yet I was a little disappointed. I would have, secretly of course, loved to go with Ginny. Oh well. Can't cry over spilled potion…It was quite fun actually. I was six foot, with long, blond hair, that would make a Malfoy proud. But with dark black eyes. Very angular features and a wiry build. I look to be in my mid 20's. Kind of like Ron, but more light. Oh, and no scar. Concealment charm. Love it.
I walked out of a random store, on alert. We needed to spot a known Death Eater and get close.
I look over at Ron and have to cover a snort. He was short, just past 5'5, with red hair, easier just to leave it, but no freckles. He was heavyset and looked to be in his mid 20's also. With grey eyes he didn't resemble Ron at all.
Neither of us were sporting the cloaks that graced most frames in this Alley. We did this in purpose. We wanted to come off as young and naïve. We were young, of course. Though we weren't really that naïve.
"So…" I started. We were swaggering pass a dark, dimly lit store. It looked similar to many of the others down Knockturn Alley. My head snaps up in surprise. "Blimey mate, are those human heads?"
Ron just gulped.
A Devil-May-Care smile graces my lips and I ask, "Do you wanna go in? To check, I mean." I add the last bit hastily.
The corners of Ron's mouth turn up in a similar smile as he turns toward the store. I take that as a 'Yes'.
The doorbell rings softly as we walk down the shelves. We stay within a footstep of each other for safety reasons. I stop and pick up a small, dusty, yellow bottle.
Ron bent down, and under the pretense of checking out the various bottles, he used the opportunity to peer under the shelve.
"Anything?" I ask replacing the small jar and picking up another.
"Nah…wait! There's three people coming this way…" He ducked lower to get a better view. "I can't see who it is…All I know is that they are all wearing black robes…though one does have nice green trimming…" Ron added as an afterthought.
"And that is why we must do it that way." A male voice stated confidently
"Are you sure we can't skip the potion... and go right to the" A distinctively female voice started off hesitant then ended soft, sensual, "fun…"
"Now now dear," the male voice laughed, "We wouldn't want to go against our orders."
"I suppose not…So. We needed a dark haired, virgin girls head? Correct?" The female sighed.
"Of course." He answered
"But father--"
"SHH! Draco, keep your mouth shut and pay attention!" The male voice hissed.
Their footsteps halted right in front of us. They must have heard Ron's gasp. I said a silent prayer that there was a shelve between them and us.
Ron sprang up like he was on fire. "That was Draco!" Ron leaned in and whispers right into my ear. So quiet I had to strain to hear it.
I looked down into his eyes. I nod. He nods in silent understanding. We know what we have to do. We also know the consequences.
Our steps in time, we walk along the shelf until we reach the end. I hesitate for a second before I take a deep breath and turn down the other side. Ron just behind me. We come face to face with the full Malfoy family.
I pat myself on the back for having the courage and joining in with the rest of our dorm mates when we used to stay up late and impersonate famous people.
I give my self a humble look and say in a Scottish accent, "Hello there"
Draco's nose curls but he stays quiet.
"Hmm…" Was all Lucius could give for an answer…
Ron, catching on added, "We heard that you had some…" his voice turned silky "connections. To some very high…people…" he added emphasis to the last word.
Lucius' eyes had an odd gleam in them and Nacissia looked to be sizing us up. "And you are…" Lucius drawled.
"Rick MacGrier." I called automatically.
"Steve Smith." Chorused Ron from my left.
"Never heard of you…or your families…"Lucius commented in a condescending tone.
"Don't believe you would. I…err…" I hesitate and look ashamed, "did not come from what you would call the most well off family that ever lived…" I look down, trying to make my shame real.
"And I," Ron continued the charade, but instead of looking ashamed, he looked positively disgusted. Though that could partly be from fear… "am a half-blood" he whispered the last part.
I wanted to give him a hug of joy. He looked and sounded utterly perfect! And if the reactions had anything to say about it I would say we hit the mark.
Narcissia looked sympathetic. Draco looked bored…And Lucius looked like he had hit the jackpot.
"Come with me" Lucius drawled.
I shot Ron an uneasy smile. This was what we wanted…though it was still a bit scary.
We followed the Malfoys through the store. Lucius spent a good 20 minutes fingering all the human heads before selecting a rather long haired one.
Once the door swooshed shut behind me Lucius turned to face us with a mocking smile. He turned and walked up the cobble street. I kept shooting glances at Ron. He was becoming a little uneasy too. We were getting more and more secluded.
"Ok. This will do. Draco. Keep watch. Narcissa, come with me." Lucius handed his parcel to Draco and turned into an alley.
"So." Lucius started. "You're interested in the Dark Lord?"
I gasped. Blunt are we, I thought. "Yes. I understand he is looking for new recruits?"
Ron just nodded. He suddenly lost all the colour he had gained during our fast walk.
"Always" Came Lucius' terse reply.
"Meet me at noon tomorrow at this address." He pulled out his wand and conjured a piece of parchment with some writing on it.
"Would you mind if we bring some friends?"
Lucius and Narcissa tensed, so I immediately rectified.
"Lady friends"
A slow smile spread on Lucius' face as he nodded.
We told Hermione and Ginny. Hermione has started talking non-stop and making plans. Ginny is resigned. But i really didn't expect much of an emotional out burst form her.
So it looks like we are meeting the Malfoys at...Dun dun dun...get this, MALFOY MANOR!
Now, is that a good thing...or a bad thing. I just really hope they don't try to initiate us then and there...oh GAWD I hope not! that would mean Voldemort would be there! And then we would be D.E.A.D.
Oh well. I gotta have faith...
A/N:Hope this isn't too heavy yet...it will get heavier...and there is a major fluff chapter coming up very soon. And if this isn't too heavy then...well...I guess that's a good thing. Though the next chapter will really change that thought...Just a warning.
Next chapter: Malfoy, Malfoy and, Who?:They go to Malfoy's Manner and see some...interesting... people. try and guess who. And something involving pink frilly underwear...
Please review. Thank you. This is kind of dissappointing. This fic has lots of views...but only 4 reviews. I love reading reviews...Even if it's a line, it's nice...So, please, if you can spare 5 seconds out of your busy life review. It's all I have..tear
On a lighter note...do you wanna know some of the chapters I have written? Yes you do! Here they are;
Chapter 8: Malfoy, Malfoy and, Who?
Chapter 9: Hairs, Secrets and, Owls
Chapter 10: Taking Our Pick
Chapter 11So, It All Comes Down To Trust?
