A/N Merlin, I am super late today but I did it. I had a ton of homework for class tonight and I was running errands for the better part of the afternoon so I'm only just now settled enough to post this chapter. I did it, though. This may not be the chapter you were wanting but I promise, it's the chapter you need. I mean, honestly, how could I jump straight to the battle without this chapter? I couldn't.
Enjoy!
Midnight three days from now. Be ready.
Draco read the words in his journal again. It wouldn't be long before the war was over. He looked at his trunk, the battle armor packed tightly at the very bottom. In three days he would be wearing it. They all would. He had to tell Luna so the others knew. He wasn't sure if Hermione had told them yet. She would, of course, but he wanted to make sure they knew to be ready. He would have to find Luna later. Maybe she would be in the library after dinner. Draco stored the journal at the bottom of his trunk, near his armor. A jolt of adrenaline surged through his veins at the impending battle. Everything was coming to an end. In three days the Ministry would fall, Dumbledore would be dead, and the Harry and the Dark Lord would face off.
Looking over his shoulder as he hesitated at the doorway, Draco's heart filled with bittersweet joy. Everything they had sacrificed to get to this point was worth it. He turned away, walking slowly out of the common room. The halls were lightly populated, enough to keep his footsteps from echoing as he made his way to the Great Hall. He heard the clamor of hungry teenagers well before he reached it, and he felt around his pocket for one of Fred and George's puking pastilles. It was easy to pick out the red of Ron's hair and he silently cast a command charm and notice-me-not spell. It shot across the room, plinking unnoticed into Ron's cup. Almost unnoticed. Ginny met his gaze, a bemused smile on her face but she didn't stop her brother from drinking from his cup. Draco sent her a playful wink, quickly moving to his seat. He saw Ginny lean over and whisper something in Neville's ear. Draco watched Neville stifling his laughter at Ron's incipient sickness.
Ron stilled suddenly, and if Draco could see his face, he would have noticed the green hue he had taken on. The redhead abruptly stood from the table, one hand on his stomach and the other over his mouth. He rushed out of the Great Hall, nearly knocking over some first-year students on the way. Draco laughed silently, meeting Ginny and Neville's eyes. They shone with amusement but they kept their laughter in. He let his face fall stoic again, scooping food onto his plate and forcing himself to ignore Ginny and Neville. They might make him laugh again.
Luna brushed by Draco as he made his way to the library, quickly turning to him. "Sorry, I didn't see you there, Draco."
"Don't worry about it, Luna. How's everything going?" he asked, falling into step with her.
"It's going. How well it's going remains to be seen. How about you?"
"Things are coming together. I have news. I'm not sure if the three of you know yet. Have you gotten anything from her?"
"Not since Christmas. The school has been strict with incoming post, what with all the Death Eaters coming out of hiding." Luna looped her arm through Draco's as they walked, navigating through the corridors to the library. He stiffened slightly in surprise but soon relaxed.
"You'll have to spread the word. I won't be able to."
"Of course. The Nargles have still left them alone. I wonder what she did to them to keep them from being taken."
"Knowing her, it was probably something no one else would ever even think of," Draco said as he held open the library door. Luna nodded airily to him as she entered. He followed behind her as she led them to a table in the back corner. It was empty of students and the few staff members that were there paid them no mind.
"What news do you have?" she eagerly asked, leaning forward and resting her weight on her arms.
Draco leaned forward, whispering, "In three days, the Death Eaters will be infiltrating the castle. The four of us will be meeting them in the Room of Requirement at midnight. We answer directly to Hermione unless she isn't there. We answer to Bellatrix if that happens. Our job will be to help secure the castle. Once the wards are down, it'll be chaos but at that point, we'll be keeping anyone from interfering in the Dark Lord and Harry's duel."
"It's almost over, Draco." Luna's bright eyes shone with a hopeful light, wide on her face and making her look much younger.
"I hope so." He stood from his chair, leaning on the table in a way he hoped seemed casual.
"We'll be ready."
Draco nodded once, leaving the quiet library. Luna sat by herself, waiting for Ginny and Neville. The two Gryffindors always met her long after she arrived but she didn't mind sitting by herself. She enjoyed the peacefulness of the library and the scent of books calmed her. She had always loved books, reading anything she could get her hands on. When she had first seen the Hogwarts library she was wonderstruck at the number of books in one room. She had never seen anything like it before. It still amazed her, how much knowledge one room contained. She had read many of the titles located in the library during her years at Hogwarts. Some had been boring but others had been fascinating.
"Hey, Luna," Ginny said with a wave. She sat opposite the blonde witch. Neville sat beside Ginny, both of them looking at Luna.
"I have wonderful news," she said, looking at the two Gryffindors.
"Well, spill," Neville said, leaning forward.
"Three days from now at midnight in the Room of Requirement. Bring your armor," she whispered.
"Finally," Ginny muttered.
"I can't believe it's finally here," Neville whispered.
Luna nodded, launching into an explanation of everything Draco had told her about the plan and their instructions. They listened with wide eyes, excitement on their faces. It was nearly curfew when the three students finally parted from each other, heading through the darkened halls. Neville and Ginny walked side by side to the common room. Luna had already split from them to go to the Ravenclaw tower and the two lions kept quiet. There weren't many students still out but they didn't want to be caught talking about the plan, especially when it was only three days away from happening. They were greeted with the noise typical of their housemates as soon as they stepped into the warm room.
"Did you see Ron's face after he took a sip from his cup?"
"Yeah, makes you wonder what caused it."
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say someone put one of the Weasley's puking pastilles in it. That's the only thing that makes a guy go green like that."
"Yeah, but we all would've seen someone put it in. I'm telling you, he ate something bad!"
Ginny and Neville watched their housemates go back and forth about why Ron got sick during dinner. They quickly grew quiet when the focus of their conversation entered the room. He looked much better but the faint smell of vomit still clung to him and he looked paler than normal. His face was contorted into an expression of annoyance.
"What the bloody hell are you lot looking at?" he snarled, giving everyone an angry glare. Most of them avoided his gaze, embarrassment coloring their cheeks. Others, like Ginny and Neville, met his gaze levelly.
"Chill, Ron. They're just seeing who came in," Harry said from his spot on the couch.
Ron ignored him, eyes locked with his sister's and said, "You did it, didn't you, Ginny? You put one of Fred and George's puking pastilles in my goblet!"
"I did no such thing!" she protested, crossing her arms.
"I saw you whisper something to Neville about my cup!" Ron's voice cracked as he yelled, earning a few winces from other Gryffindors in the room.
"Don't be ridiculous, Ron. Where would I even get any?"
"I don't know but there's no one else it could be. Ever since Hermione left to join the Death Eaters you've been acting weird!" The room fell even quieter at the mention of Hermione joining the Death Eaters. It still baffled some of the Gryffindors. They had never thought Hermione would join such vicious people.
"Ron, stop it. It wasn't her. One of us would have seen her do it," Harry said. He stood between Ron and Ginny, his hands on the older Weasley's shoulders.
"She could have done it when you were looking away," Ron tried.
"Just stop, Ron," Harry sighed, moving his friend to the staircase leading to their dormitory. Ron complied, still glaring at his sister but not saying anything else.
Ginny turned to Neville, muttering a farewell and heading to her own dormitory. She spared a glance at her trunk, thinking about the armor tucked away at the bottom. In three days this would all be over. She wouldn't have to hide anymore. Without changing, Ginny threw herself onto the bed, urging herself to fall asleep. The sooner the three days were up, the better.