Disclaimer: Don't own anything
So we left off where Fred had just discovered Hermione and Remus' secret affair and Neville and Tonks were talking about… well, life. Now we join the others- Draco, Harry, and Ron- to see what they're doing.
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/Draco/
Draco paced the corridor outside of the kitchen, house elves darting in and out with trays for the guests. He sighed, walking into the kitchen and looking at the elf stirring the cauldron for their midnight toast, handing him a small green vile, "Do me a favor and add a drop of this to every single drink before it leaves here, hmm? I want this to be perfect- something that'll be remembered." He smirked, looking around the kitchen. He then proceeded to lean down and whisper to the elf, "If you do this without flaw, you'll get clothing and you'll be freed."
The elf looked at him questioningly, "Sir Malfoy, it is a pleasure to serve you in any way possible. I shall do your bidding." He chuckled, "My father has you all so whipped…" He said, turning quickly on his black dragon hide boots and continuing out into the ballroom. He wore a cream-colored button-up shirt that was halfway undone with a pair of black riding pants and his dragon hide boots.
The one thing that made his costume were, of course, the real dragon's wings he'd grown with a potion he'd stolen from one of Snape's old potion books. Oh, how he missed his godfather. He clapped his hands together once he reached the top of the grand staircase and looked out at the audience, "Hello my faithful servants. The Dark Lord has asked me to summon you here tonight on behalf of the deaths of my father and godfather…"
/Ron and Harry/
Ron looked out of the carriage window, laughing, " 'arry! Bloody 'ell! Look at all these death eaters!" He said, glancing back at the dark-haired boy. He grinned, "This is our night, yeah? We're finally going to destroy his army?"
Harry pulled Ron back, sighing, "I don't know… I sure as hell hope so, Ron, but I don't know…" He put an arm around Ron's shoulders, "Just remember… If I don't make it out of this war alive, I love you. You've been my best friend through it all and you've always done whatever you can do to make sure I'm happy. Thanks, Ron. I couldn't ask for any more."
Ron felt a tear run down his cheek and he quickly wiped it away, laughing nervously, "Look what you've gone and done, 'arry. You've got me in tears." He said, smiling. He looked over Harry's costume, "Tell me again why you're dressed like a dementor, hmm?" Harry blushed, "I don't know… Why are you dressed as Viktor Krum, huh!"
Ron laughed, "Oh, can it! Let's just get into the mansion and end this thing!" He grabbed Harry's hand and led him into the Manor. He froze suddenly, watching Hermione's eyes. He followed them intently, "I… I knew she was after somebody new… but…" He made a disgusted face when he saw who she was looking at. She even told him she loved him!
Harry wrapped his arms around Ron, "Shh… Come on, who needs her? You're perfectly fine, Ron. I mean… she doesn't know what she's missing, mate." He kissed Ron on the cheek and he blushed. Ron shook his head, "Don't be embarrassed, 'arry… I… I liked it…" He said, placing a gentle kiss on the other's lips.
/Tonks and Neville/
Her eyes went wide when she saw Remus replying to Hermione and she stormed over to him, "You sick pervert…" She whispered, not trying to draw attention. Her eyes were welling up with tears, but she fought them back as hard as she could. She stomped on his foot as hard as she could, "Dating an old student? That's disgusting…"
Neville walked up behind Tonks and put a hand on her shoulder, "Nymphie… Nymphie. Don't complicate things, now. Just move along… mom… Please, don't do this. We can't risk blowing our cover." Tonks nodded, hugging Neville, "You're right… Let's leave this scum of the earth to commit his crude deeds."
/Tonks and Fred/
Fred shook his head, "Sorry, 'mione. I'm not going to just sit by and watch." He said, chasing after Tonks. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into a strong embrace, "I'm sorry for my friend. I'm not like her- I don't lie, I promise. I mean… I may be a great prankster, but… I don't cheat." He said, grinning at her awkwardly.
Nymphadora laughed, "Fred, babe, you're cute as a button, but… I just don't think you could keep up with me…" She said, turning to see Neville had disappeared. She blinked, feeling Fred wrap his arms around her from behind and kiss her softly on the cheek. Oh, it felt nice to feel young and in love…
She closed her eyes, melting into the embrace. It was never this simple or innocent with Remus. He was too serious and to-the-point. He was too… well, quite frankly, he was too old. She found herself glancing back at Fred and placing her lips to his, sighing with happiness.
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Where's Neville? What's going to happen between Fred and Tonks? Do you think Hermione and Remus' relationship will survive? Find out in the next installment.