Chapter 34: Something Happens

Anthony was working in the kitchen as usual. He had finished with the dishes when Reese walked up to him. Reese was smiling.

"I've got a plan."

Anthony groaned inwardly. Reese's plans always seemed to cause him trouble. On the other hand, half the time he ended up at Hogwarts. The last time, he even won some money playing poker. Not that he's ever find a place to spend three sickles.

"And your plan is?"

"First, I need to ask you if you want to be a part of this."

"Ask? Usually, you just tell me I'm part of it."

"This is different. You're too good of a friend for me to try and trick you into this. That's why I need to ask you for your help."

Anthony's first reaction was to ask what made Reese think they were ever friends. His second reaction was to just go along with it again. After all, he might end up at Hogwarts.

"Reese." Anthony kicked himself mentally. "Sure, I'll help. That's what friends are for."

The relief showed in Reese's attitude instantly. He pulled Anthony away from the rest of the staff. "We need to sneak into Hogwarts."

"Millicent."

"I wish."

"Then this is serious."

"My baby brother's been kidnaped, and they might bring him back tonight. Malcolm sent me an owl."

"I know. He said hi to me before he flew back."

Reese was completely serious. "We may have to do this more than once. In case this is the wrong night."

"And what will we be doing?"

Reese looked down.

"Nothing. Not really. There's nothing we can actually do. But I kinda gotta be there, and . . . I'm afraid. This is really serious and I can't bluff my way out of it. It scares me and if I try to go by myself, I may not make it." He looked at Anthony with total humility. "These guys are bad. As bad as you can get. I'm hoping if you go with me I can still pretend I can do something. I mean . . . before I met you, I never had a friend. I always tried to boss people around so they wouldn't try to hurt me. It worked. If I ever tried to talk like this to anyone else, they'd laugh at me. But you're my friend, and that's why I told you."

Anthony took a deep breath. He thought to himself that he deserved to be in this situation. He always went along with what Reese did because he could usually get something out of it. And as a result, Reese thought the wrong thing about him. There was only one thing he could do in this situation. Lie.

"Big scary guys that you're afraid of? You know you'll do the right thing when the time comes. It's an instinct you've got. You're just thinking about it too much." He noticed Reese give him a grudging smile. "When do we go?"

"After your last class. I did Lasagna for dinner. All they need to do is heat and serve."

"It won't be dark. How are we going to sneak in."

"We're not. I'm personally delivering a message from Filch. They'll let us in."

"Filch is sending a message?"

"No. I'm just going to tell the guards that he is. I had Malcolm forge his handwriting on this envelope. And you'll need about twenty five feet of rope."

Anthony nodded. He also noted that Reese was back to his normal abrasive self-serving egotism. Now Anthony had to decide if what he did was a good thing.

Two brothers stood outside staring out over the lake.

"How do you know?" Dewey asked.

"Ginny. I know Potter's meeting with Dumbledore tonight. And Ginny slipped by saying he might be back late. I think Dumbledore's going to take him someplace."

"She might have meant that Potter's going to be back from his meeting, not from some trip."

Malcolm nodded. "I thought of that. But there was something in Ginny's tone. Like she was worried. I told Reese, just to be safe."

"Reese? You're going to give Nob to Reese? But he's an idiot? All he'll do is take Nob back to Glen Levitt and put him to work in the kitchen, And he MIGHT remember to tell Mom or Dad."

"Yeah, Dewey. And Nob will be in a protected area. They can't just grab him and apparate away."

"Reese's school is protected?"

"Yeah. Most of the kids who go there, someone in their family is a witch or wizard. That's why they go there. To keep them from being easy targets."

"Cool. Hey, Malcolm. Since Nob's as smart as you, they could give him advanced placement."

"Tell Mom." Malcolm pointed over to the entrance. "There he is."

"He brought that kid Anthony with him. Why'd he do that?"

Malcolm shrugged. "He wants to show off. Look at me. Look at me. I can sneak into Hogwarts."

Dewey laughed. "That's just like him. We'll ditch Anthony after dinner."

"Maybe before then. He likes to hang out with the Creevey's and those second years he met on the train last year."

"And then what do we do?"

"We wait."

Dewey thought briefly. "Does Draco have a signal or something. He never said how he'd let us know when."

"Not really. He told me we'd know when he wasn't smiling any more."

"As long as he doesn't start crying again. And he's still acting weird. Do you know what we did Sunday. He dragged me down to Hagrid's to have tea and cookies. And he likes the cookies! I tried one and had to go see Madam Pomfrey to get my mouth open again." Then Dewey muttered, "she didn't have to spend an hour trying to figure out what I was trying to say."

If it were me, I would have told him to come back when he could be more coherent.

"You're back?" Euan asked as Anthony sat down.

"What can I say? I'm spending more time here lately than at my own school."

Jenny snorted. "If you stay the night you can go to class with us tomorrow. We have history."

Matt chimed in with his impersonation of Professor Binns. "Yes, I know you. You're one of the Perkins boys."

"I'll try. Let's see how the night goes." Anthony looked over at the Slytherin table. "Reese is happy for the moment. Millicent is talking to him." He turned back. "Why does she like Reese, anyway?"

"They think alike," Jenny answered. "In a battle of wits, you're looking at two unarmed combatants."

"And I'm his friend. What does that make me."

"Mental." Jenny paused. "Are you really?"

Anthony nodded. "I like the way he thinks." He talked over the laughter. "Really. Why, this very afternoon he said to me, 'I think I'll go over to Hogwarts. Do you want to join me."

"A toast," Euan suggested as he lifted his glass of pumpkin juice. "To the way Reese thinks. May he think that way often."

Anthony drank the toast and looked over to see how Reese was doing. He tried to hide his concerns when he saw Draco walk up to Reese and said something. Anthony was smiling when he turned back to his friends.

Draco, on the other hand was not smiling. He excused himself and walked over to Reese and put his hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Thank you for coming."

Reese, without any sarcasm, answered, "We're family."

Draco gave him a polite smile and went back to his seat. He would find out soon enough if tonight was the night. Just in case, all the pieces were now at hand. In the midst of all of this, Draco had a stray thought. 'When did I start caring about family?'.

"There you go," Millicent said as she finished tying Reese's tie. "Now you look like a real Slytherin. She gave him a kiss, then led him out of Draco's dorm room into the Slytherin common room.

"What do you think, Draco?" Reese asked.

Draco looked aghast. "You were just supposed to put on a robe, not raid my wardrobe. Are those my patent dragon leather shoes?"

"You had three pair," Millicent pointed out. "And you did want to see what Reese would look like."

"He asked about trying on a robe so Filch would find him harder to spot. Do you know how much those shoes cost?" Draco stared at Reese. "That's my favorite satin shirt!"

"And it fits perfectly," Reese told him. "It's a good thing we're the same size. Everything fits." He looked at Millicent and smiled. "Even the pants. That was Milly's idea."

"Please. Please tell me you meant trousers. By the gods, Reese, how could you?"

Millicent looked miffed. "I turned my back. There was nothing indecent about it."

Draco snarled. "Like you wouldn't think of doing anything indecent."

"Not in your room. Isn't that right, Reesey-poo."

"Yes it is, love munchkin."

"I'm going to be sick," Draco looked at the others in the common room. "Would all of you please stop laughing." Draco paused for a minute and felt for something in his pocket. He pulled out a coin and looked at it. He turned to Theodore Nott and looked at him. Nott nodded and walked away to the dorm rooms, unnoticed. Draco turned back to Reese. "We'll do this the easy way. Consider those clothes as a gift. ALL OF THEM. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm supposed to see Professor Snape."

"I'll join you," Reese said cheerfully. He gave Millicent a kiss. "I'll be back."

Millicent kissed him in return. "You look so nice. Maybe Snape'll let you stay."

Reese waved goodbye and followed Draco outside. "That was close."

"Don't worry. You didn't give anything away."

"I want you to know I did try. But Milly doesn't believe in that sort of thing. Not until after marriage."

Draco looked at Reese. "What are you talking about?"

"Uh . . . Nothing."

As they started climbing the stairs, Reese had to ask. "What happened to Dewey? We told him we were going to do this together?"

"He went to get Malcolm," Draco said, giving Reese a knowing grin. "I decided to use the revised plan. Those two will wait outside. Too many students around might make our guests nervous."

"Yeah, right," Reese said nervously.

Malcolm looked at the note that Romilda Vane gave him. It was from Draco. It was happening. Dewey was going to Snape and would meet them later. They would meet Malcolm near the DADA classroom and go up to the Room of Requirement from there.

"Thanks, Romilda."

"Just don't expect me to do this all the time."

That's why Romilda is everyone's heartthrob. Word has it even Ron Weasley had a crush on her. Until the love potion wore off.

Malcolm ran back to his dorm and grabbed a few things he might need. As a last minute thought, he grabbed his hat and put it on. He even brushed his hair over his forehead the way Hermione had done. Saying only a quick goodbye to Anthony as they passed, he left Gryffindor House and headed out to meet Draco.

Theodore Nott waited for his prey to come. He smiled from his alcove when he saw Malcolm heading down the hallway. He waited. Malcolm was only ten feet away. Nott stepped out of the alcove. His wand was drawn.

"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS."

Malcolm froze into position.

Nott laughed as he walked up to the Gryffindor. "I was sent to inform you. There was a change of plans. Whatever it is, Draco is going through with it anyway."

"I guessed," Malcolm said suddenly, and hit Nott in the jaw before the Slytherin could react.

I have to tell George. That hat worked like a charm.

"Wha - " Nott said before Malcolm hit him again. Malcolm hit him a third time. knocking him to the ground. Nott groaned, then opened his eyes. Malcolm was kneeling on his chest, wand in his face.

"It's your choice. Tell me where Dewey is or find out how good I am at the Cruciatus Curse."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me, you bastard. We're talking about my brother."

For emphasis, Malcolm lifted his knee up a little bit, then brought it down hard on Nott's chest.

"I asked you a question."

Nott laughed. "I'll take my chances. In the long run, I know I'll have my revenge."

"I'll ask you again in one minute. CRUCIO."

"EXPELIARMUS," Dewey yelled from down the hallway. Malcolm's wand went flying.

"DEWEY."

"Get out of the way, Malcolm. He's mine."

Malcolm grabbed Nott's wand as he stood up. "Go at him."

Dewey smiled. "Petrificus Totalus." He walked up to Nott and cast another spell.

"An air bubble?" Malcolm asked. "Why an air bubble? Dewey? The lake?"

"Yeah. The Giant Squid will keep an eye on him. Mobiluscorpus. Help me get his body up to the window."

Malcolm went into the DADA classroom and opened the windows while Dewey floated Nott's body to the ledge.

"Malcolm, do you know a good propulsion charm."

"I don't have my wand."

"Here. I wasn't sure I could trust you with it. Not with that spell you were about to cast. Nice hat, by the way."

"Thanks." Malcolm took his wand. "Whenever you're ready, Dewey."

Dewey whispered into Nott's ear. "I know you can hear me. And I know you're going to hate me for this. But here's the deal. Try anything, and we'll both find out how good my brother is at the unforgivable curses." His mouth still next to Nott's ear, he shouted, "GO FOR IT, MALCOLM."

They both watched appreciatively as Nott's body shot out across the school grounds. As it sailed across the lake, a huge tentacle reached up and grabbed it. Tentacle and body both disappeared into the water.

"That's taken care of," Malcolm said happily. "Do you know what's going on?"

"Nott caught me by surprise. He warned everyone in my dorm not to do anything, or else. As soon as they left, my roommates started arguing. It felt good."

"What were they arguing about?"

"Who gets to release me. Morgan had already flicked a messenger bug onto Nott's robe so we could follow him. And by now Avery's warning the Aurors.

"Avery? But his father's a Death Eater."

"Malcolm, all of us in the second year don't agree about pure blood. But we all agree we don't want someone like You-Know-Who in charge. We're all on the same side until all of this is over."

"Did anybody tell Snape?"

"NO. He's one of them."

"How do you know?"

"Ron told me everything that Potter told him. I decided to believe Ron."

"And Avery. He's in your house. Can we really trust him?"

Dewey looked at his brother. "Does it matter? Help won't get here fast enough, anyway. Draco must have already started bringing them in."

"Tonks is in Hogsmeade. I'll find her. Find Draco. Get Nob and get him out of the school."

"Oh, goody. I get the easy part."

"Then you get to Hogsmeade. Dewey, you do have the easy part. You have to avoid all the trouble. I'm going to check things out first. If they have a warning, they'll need to know where to go."

"Malcolm."

"What now?"

"Be careful. There are probably other people in Hogsmeade, too."

"Thanks for telling me. Now I'm Paranoid."

Right now, paranoid is the best thing to be.

Malcolm flew out the window and Dewey ran out the door and to the nearest staircase. He reached the Room of Requirement just as the Death Eaters were beginning to walk out. They stopped when they saw Dewey. Dewey was smiling.

"The coast is still clear but I don't know for how long. Malcolm's flying around outside. He's supposed to let you know if he sees anything."

"Another cousin of Malfoy?" A gruesome looking man said. "Why did he ever need to bring us in." The man looked at Dewey with his yellow eyes. "You've got good blood in you." The man leered. "But from now on, stay out of our way. Understood."

"Yes, Sir," Dewey said carefully. "I'm just glad I could do my part."

Given the chance, he rushed past them to find Reese and, hopefully, Nob.

Reese watched with nervous fascination as the first man stepped out of the cabinet. The man smiled at him in an intimidating manner.

"And who are you."

"I'm Draco's cousin. I'm supposed to take Nob back to Aunt Narcissa's."

"To . . ." the man said in surprise. "Malfoy was telling the truth?" A woman stepped out of the cabinet. "Alecto, this boy is here for the hostage. To take him back from where we picked him up."

The woman laughed. "Malfoy was true to his word? I'm amazed."

The man and woman stepped aside as the cabinet opened a third time.

"REESE," Nob said and jumped into his brother's arms. Both, later, would be secretly glad that no one else in the family noticed the tearful reunion. Nor would either ever admit that it ever happened. Even to each other.

"Was it bad, Nob?"

"Only this last part," Nob whispered. "The reason is coming next."

Both boys watched as a gruesome looking man came out of the cabinet. He grinned at Reese. It was not a comforting grin. As more people came out, the man continued to watch them.

Once everyone was through, they began to walk out, paused to talk to someone, then continued on their way.

Dewey walked in a minute later and came over to the cabinet. "Any problems?"

"Outside of those goons?" Reese said. "Some old drunk came in, earlier. I had to push her out of here. I did make some whooping noises while I did it. Just to scare her."

Dewey turned to his younger brother. "Nob, any problems."

"Outside of those goons? No."

"Then let's get out of here."

"Where's Malcolm?"

"He went to get the cavalry. And we need to get out of the fort."

The three brothers ran out of the Room of Requirement. It was pitch black.

"What is that?" Nob asked fearfully.

"Peruvian Darkness Powder," Dewey answered. "We gave some to Draco."

They heard noises. It sounded like a fight was starting.

"What's going on?" Nob asked this time.

"Who cares," Reese said. He grabbed Nob and the three made their way in the opposite direction of the noise. When they could finally see again, they started running.

By the time they reached the first floor, they had to pause for breath. Then they made their way down the last flight of stairs and out the doors to the outside. And stopped again.

"Avery?"

The second year Slytherin smiled at his dorm mate. "I didn't give them much of a warning. It was only Filch and an auror and a couple of people from the town talking about a wedding that's coming up. Filch said that the people I wanted to warn were already up here. When you get clear, look at the astronomy tower."

"Where are you going?"

"Slytherin. And I'm hoping I don't have to take sides."

Dewey held out his hand. "Wherever you stand, I'll stand with you. We're in this together."

Avery took his hand in gratitude. "I'll still hope."

Avery ran inside, and Dewey led the way toward the school entrance. Once they were far enough away, he looked back. The Dark Mark was hanging over the astronomy tower.

"I know that sign," Reese said. "We have to go back."

"Reese? Why would we do that. They're well trained wizards with no moral values. And you can't even use a wand as a stick. What we have to do is get out of here."

"NO. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. IT ISN'T ABOUT DOING ANYTHING. IT'S ABOUT FAMILY."

"Do you mean Draco?" Dewey's question dripped with sarcasm. "My dear cousin who had his friend freeze me in place, and then had the same jerk attack Malcolm? "

"I mean Draco who made sure I was there to get Nob. Your dear cousin who made sure you and Malcolm were out of the way so you wouldn't get hurt, regardless of what happened." Reese's voice became small. "Besides. All that was my idea."

"YOU?" Dewey asked.

"This is getting to be a very interesting discussion." Nob said with mock cheerfulness. "I'm glad I came."

"Why don't you get out of the road?" a new voice suggested. "And keep your voices down."

"Anthony?" Dewey asked.

"Anthony," Reese said happily. "This is my brother Nob. Nob, this is my best friend, Anthony."

"Reese has friends?" Nob asked.

"I didn't believe it either," Anthony said cheerfully. His eyes flicked to the tower. Everyone else turned as well. There was a green glow that surrounded a man on the edge of the tower. The glow hung on him as he fell over the side to the far ground below.

"What . .. was . . . that?" Anthony asked.

"I read about it," Nob murmured.

"The killing curse," Dewey said forcefully. "Murder."

"Who?" It was Reese who asked.

Anthony's voice reflected everyone's renewed fear. "There's some bushes over here. That's where I hid the rope."

"Rope?" Dewey asked. "Reese, what's going on?"

"I'll explain in the bushes."

Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine literally ran through the walls to get out of the castle. It had become a battlefield. And despite being dead, neither boy cared to watch others die. They stopped to rest at the foot of a tall tower.

"What happened in there, Edwin?"

"You're asking me? I think they're fighting."

Charles glared at his friend for making such an innocuous comment. "I would have never guessed."

"Perhaps if we payed more attention to the people instead of the other ghosts."

"I payed attention," Charles said wistfully.

"To Ginny? Or to Hermione? As they dallied with their boyfriends."

Both boys jumped as a body fell to the ground near them.

"Edwin, it's the headmaster."

Both boys stared incredulously.

"Dear me," Albus Dumbledore said. "Did I fall all that way?"

"You were already dead by then," a young lady answered as she appeared next to him. She had flowing black hair and a gothic style of dress with a golden ankh hanging from a necklace.

"PROFESSOR," Charles called out. "YOU NEED TO RUN!"

"Run? Whatever for?"

"BECause she's . . ."

"Death? And why should I be afraid of death? If anything I should be surprised." Dumbledore turned to the figure of death. "I must admit, my dear, you are prettier than I expected."

"Thank you, Albus," Death said with a light laugh. "But you were always a flatterer." She pointed to Charles. "And this young man and I have some unfinished business."

"I'm not going," Charles said, fear in his voice.

"How curious. That would explain how the muggle child became a ghost." Albus said, then cast a curious glance at Death.

"You know how children are. And I had my hands full at the time. But I promised to come back for him. Charles, I'll be taking you next."

"Noooo." Terror filled the boy's voice.

"Charles, death is nothing to be afraid of," Albus told the boy. "When it is time, it must be grasped with both hands and held tightly, just as we should have done in our lives. Death is only the chance to travel to another plane. And only those who fear to live should be afraid of dying."

"But I don't know what will happen. And I don't want to leave Edwin. He's my friend."

Albus smiled. "Friendship is a good enough reason in my book. For me, I've lived my life. I hope that my death will make those I leave behind stronger than before. As it is, I must travel a new path."

"You were always eloquent, Albus." Death said as she put her hand on his shoulder.

Albus nodded. "You must truly love life to wear such a bright smile."

The two embraced. Dumbledore's spirit seemed to shrink and to fade until Death's arms were empty. Then she threw her hands in the air, as though casting something skyward. As Charles and Edwin listened, the sound of wings could be heard.

"Friendship?" Death asked as she turned to Charles. "I am supposed to take you once I catch up to you."

"But what about Edwin."

"I'll be fine," Edwin lied. "I'll muck about here with the other ghosts. Learn how to haunt things."

Death folded her arms. "I'm not supposed to let you go."

"But?" Edwin asked gleefully, then added with embarrassment, "Sorry. I thought you were going to say something else."

"No, but I don't appreciate being lied to, Master Paine." Death shrugged her shoulders. "Fine, Charles. You can stay until you're ready to go."

"Thanks. Loads. Really," Charles said with gusto.

"But." Death looked at Edwin and smiled. "The two of you have to do me a favor. Is it a deal?"

Charles and Edwin looked at each other and nodded. "It's a deal," they both said.

"Good. Now take my hands. We're going someplace else."