Chapter 22: You're Making Me Blush

"Hello, Harry, I see you're eating dinner late," Professor Lupin sat down, "Fleur will be here tomorrow. I'm so glad they found her. She was found in a graveyard in the middle of a riot…The Ministry came in just as Dumbledore had gotten things under control. Most of the Death Eaters attacking him were captured. Although, a couple were let off because they were helping Dumbledore… Can you imagine that? The man their leader fears was being assisted by his followers!"

"Wow," Hermione said, "Did Fleur get out okay?"

"Yes, she did, thank heavens," Lupin said in a relieved way, "I also heard several people were found dead, though…and that you five were there…" Lupin grinned, "Harry, you're dad would've been proud… Were you there to rescue Fleur?"

"Sort of…" Harry muttered.

"By the way, Sirius has begun working as an Auror again and he found something out. One Death Eater, Dolsmov or Dolohoe-"

"Dolohov," Draco corrected.

"Yeah, him," Lupin said, "Anyway, there's a rumor that he and a few other brave Death Eaters have split off from You-Know-Who…"

"But couldn't that get them killed?" Hermione gasped.

"Hope so…" Draco muttered.

"Why did they split?" Ron asked.

"Because they feel You-Know-Who's no longer doing his 'job', whatever it is… and that he's no longer dealing out just punishments…" Lupin guessed, "Sirius told me that they're going to work against You-Know-Who-"

"To help us?" Neville asked, "Fight him, I mean…"

"No," Lupin sighed, "Unfortunately, they're going to do the exact same thing You-Know-Who is doing or was doing, according to them. They're also going to strike not only Muggle-borns and half-bloods but Death Eaters and their families that they think pose the most threat to their group; which means they may do your job Harry and kill You-Know-Who."

"That means I may not come back from Christmas break alive," Draco joked.

"What?" Lupin turned his head to Draco.

"Well, Dolohov has always seen my father as a threat to his position; so it's only logical he's go after us."

"Maybe you could stay here…" Hermione said. "You'd be safer…"

"And have more fun," Ron added.

"My house at Christmas is more insane than it usually is; it's awesome," Draco grinned, "Plus I know where my parents hide ALL my presents…"

"Well, Sirius is going to tell your father all of that when he gets better. With luck, he'll probably be home for Christmas…" Lupin smiled a little, "But I bet your father will want to go home recovered or not."

"Either that or the Healers will MAKE him go home," Draco smiled even wider, "He's not the easiest person to get along with…"

"Neither are you," Harry contradicted.

"Oh stop it," Draco joked, "You're making me blush…" He yawned and stretched. "Well, I'm done. I'll see you all in the morning and remember, one more week of lessons and then CHRISTMAS!"

"I can't wait!" Harry said excitedly, "Now that Sirius has a job and has cleared his name; I can go live with him! HOORAY!"

"Well…good night," Lupin got up. "I'll see you tomorrow in my class. I have the work you need to make up… It's not a lot so don't look at me like that, Ron… STOP!"

Ron was trying his best to give Lupin puppy eyes and get out of his work. "Darn," he said resuming his usual expression. "It works all the time with my mum…"

"Do I look like your mum?" Lupin smiled, "And those were not puppy eyes. Trust me… I know exactly what they look like. Oh shoot… tomorrow's the beginning of the full moon. I won't be in class, but hopefully, Fleur will. If not, I'll have your work on my desk. You can just get it from there." He yawned, "I really need to go to bed, good night…"

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville walked up to there common room and discussed the events they had just learned of.

"I bet You-Know-Who will kill them all," Ron said, "I mean, the guy is scary. He knows everything."

"I'm sure they could pull it off," Hermione argued, "It's not like he's everywhere at once."

"You have no idea!" Harry yawned. "Well, good night, Hermione. I'll see you in the morning…"

"'Night everyone…" Hermione waved and walked off to her common room.

"Well, that's good," Ron whispered as he and Harry got into bed. "Everything's turned out right…"

"Except one thing's bugging me…" Harry said, "Dolohov has decided to go after Draco… and his family…"

"He might go after you, Harry," Neville said fearfully. "I mean, just to spite You-Know-Who, he might kill you!"

"I don't know," Harry said sleepily. "Maybe he will, maybe he won't…"

"Yeah, we're probably safe…" Ron muttered, "Honestly, Neville, you worry too much…"