Chapter 32
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter world obviously belongs to JK Rowling and not me. Obviously.
… … … …
After Ron had returned, Hermione began to isolate herself to where Ron was not. Not wanting her friend to be alone too much, Leila took it upon herself to be there for Hermione. While their situations weren't exactly the same, Leila too had dealt with someone she cared about leaving her and then suddenly returning back into her life in an unexpected way. She knew how confusing it could be and while Hermione wasn't ready to talk about it now; Leila would be there when she was ready. So, it didn't really surprise Leila when Hermione took watch that night. After Draco had fallen asleep, Leila crept outside to where Hermione sat bundled up on the old cushion.
"I know why you're out here," Hermione retorted.
"And why is that?" Leila asked as she took a seat beside Hermione.
"You think I need someone to talk to, but I'm perfectly fine, Leila," Hermione said.
"Good to know, but if you do need to talk..." Leila began.
"Ron's the one who needs to do the talking, not me," Hermione interrupted.
"He's talking to Harry right now which is why I came out here," Leila chuckled.
"You know what; I don't even want to hear his excuses. He left: plain and simple," Hermione snipped.
"But he came back, Hermione. It means something: whether you want to admit it or not," Leila explained.
"Leila, I know you mean well, but I don't want to talk about him. So please, if you only came to talk about him, go back inside and leave me be," Hermione responded.
"I won't talk about Ron, I promise," Leila sighed.
Hermione looked over at Leila and stiffly nodded her head before she returned her attention to the book she had been reading: the stolen copy of The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. Hermione flipped through several pages, looking over them quizzically before she sighed and pushed the book in front of Leila.
"I've looked through all our Ancient Runes books, but I haven't seen this one anywhere. Harry says that Krum told him it's Grindelwald's mark, but it seems too coincidental that it would show up in here if it is a sort of Dark mark. You had a few more months of Runes than I did, do you have any idea what it is?" Hermione asked.
Hermione's finger pointed to an equilateral triangle, bisected in half with a thin line, with a circle inscribed in the triangle, which was in place of the letter "A" for Albus. Leila looked at it, but she had no clue what it meant. This wasn't one of the Runes they had learned during class, but Leila wasn't entirely sure it was a Rune they were meant to learn the meaning to. If it was true what Krum told Harry, that it was a sort of Dark Mark, she would have no better of an idea than Hermione, but there was someone else who might. Hermione flipped a few more pages and the same sign appeared.
"Have you thought of asking Draco?" Leila asked.
"I don't know how much Harry wants him involved. It's bad enough Ron accidently slipped the Horcrux thing," Hermione sighed.
"I thought you didn't want to talk about him," Leila teased.
"I don't," Hermione snipped.
"You're the one that brought him up," Leila furthered.
"Only because he's the reason Malfoy now knows about the Horcruxes," Hermione retorted.
"Harry didn't seem too broken-up about it," Leila shrugged.
"I'm not even sure Harry even fully processed what happened. Once the hype of his return dies down, I'm sure Harry won't be particularly thrilled with Malfoy's newfound knowledge," Hermione responded.
"What's done is done; what's in the past is in the past," Leila commented.
"But it doesn't mean we can't protect our hearts based on prior experiences," Hermione said.
"Is this still about Harry and Draco?" Leila asked.
"You know that it isn't," Hermione stated rolling her eyes.
"Just making sure," Leila smirked. "I'm not sure I like the idea of Harry and Draco protecting their hearts from each other based on prior experiences."
A smile broke through Hermione's solemn stature, which eventually turned into giggling. Leila then began to giggle before she snorted, which made them both begin to laugh harder. Hermione and Leila laughed until they had to stop to catch their breaths. When they had finally settled down, Hermione leaned her back against a tree and sighed.
"How long are you going to stay mad at him?" Leila asked.
"How long did you stay mad at Draco?" Hermione questioned back.
"I don't know exactly, one day it just didn't seem important. Unless you're making a general statement, then I'm always mad at him," Leila smirked.
"And you're okay with that?" Hermione asked.
"It's just the way Draco and I are: we fight, but love is being able to look past that and seeing the other person for who they truly are and not their shortcomings," Leila said.
"I see the way he looks at you. I just want someone to look at me like that someday," Hermione sighed.
"Sometimes, it just takes time to figure out that someone already is," Leila smiled.
"I'm glad you're here Leila. I don't know that I would be able to talk with Harry about this," Hermione said.
"Believe me, I understand. Harry isn't the best one to talk to about boys," Leila responded. "Speaking of boys, I'm going to make sure our boys haven't killed each other yet."
Leila hugged Hermione before she stood up and walked back into the tent. She found Harry and Ron sitting on the bottom bunk beside a table with a jar of the little flames Hermione was famous for making, while Draco slept above them on the top bunk.
"I think he knew at some point I'd…need to find my way back. And she'd lead me," Ron said.
"And just who are we talking about?" Leila asked.
Ron and Harry both looked up at Leila. Ron jumped so high in surprise that he hit his head on the top bunk. Leila looked to see if he had awakened Draco, while Ron rubbed his head in pain.
"Bloody hell, Leila," Ron groaned.
"How was that my fault?" Leila retorted.
"Whatever. Oi Harry, you're still using Malfoy's wand right?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, mine was destroyed back in Godric's Hollow," Harry said.
"Well, I've got one. Here, it's Blackthorn, ten inches, nothing special, but I reckon it'll do. I took it off a Snatcher a few weeks back," Ron said.
"I'm sure Malfoy will like to have his wand back," Harry stated.
"Just so I'm on the same page, do we trust him or not?" Ron questioned.
"Ron!" Leila gasped.
"Maybe I missed some of the story or something, but after everything that's happened, do we really want to trust the bloke? I mean, he's a Death Eater," Ron said.
"A defected one," Leila added.
"I understand that he's doing all this for you, but what if you weren't here? Where would his allegiance lie?" Ron asked.
"When did you become a pain in the arse?" Leila questioned.
"I'm only looking out for our safety," Ron argued.
"I think for right now, we take this one day at a time. For the most part, the Unbreakable Vow covers us," Harry muttered.
"Whatever you say, mate," Ron said.
Leila sighed and leaned against the post of the bunk bed, while Harry rolled the Blackthorn wand in his hands, while Draco's wand lay carelessly strewn on the floor. Ron focused on Hermione's flames, which Harry pointed the stolen wand at.
"Engorgio," Harry muttered.
The flames massively flared up, causing both boys to push themselves back farther on the bed, while Leila screamed before she fell to the floor and shielded herself from the flames. Harry quickly came to his senses and aimed the stolen wand at the extreme flames.
"Reducio!" Harry shouted.
The flames subside, but Leila, Harry, and Ron are left breathing hard staring at the normal flames.
"What's going on?" Hermione shouted from outside.
"Nothing!" Harry, Ron, and Leila shouted simultaneously.
"Maybe a bit more practice, eh?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, maybe, but Malfoy's wand never did that to me," Harry answered.
"Speaking of him, I'm surprised loverboy didn't wake up," Ron commented.
"It's rather hard to sleep with you screaming like a bloody banshee Weasel," Draco mumbled.
"No one asked your opinion, Malfoy," Ron muttered.
"Well, I need his opinion on something," Hermione stated.
Hermione stood at the mouth of the tent with the copy of The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore in her hand. Ron instantly stood up and walked to her, but she ignored him and walked over to the bunk beds. Draco propped himself on his side with his elbow and looked at Hermione quizzically, but she ignored his looks. Leila wondered if Hermione actually wanted his opinion on something or if she was just doing this to piss Ron off as much as he pissed her off. Ron looked slightly hurt, but he turned to watch Hermione.
"What do you need, Granger?" Draco asked groggily.
"You've read this, correct?" Hermione asked holding up the book.
"You know I have," Draco responded.
"What's your take on this?" Hermione asked.
Hermione handed him the book and pointed to the mark that was used instead of the letter "A." Draco picked up the book and looked closely at the mark.
"It obviously means something between Dumbledore and Grindelwald and it doesn't surprise me that he would choose to be cryptic about it," Draco responded.
"According to Harry, who heard from Victor—erm-Krum, it's in the castle at Durmstrang," Hermione said.
"Now that I think about it, I do remember seeing it there. Father had business there and he brought me along; but I don't think that it means anything Dark," Draco added.
"Why not?' Leila asked.
"I saw it on one of the graves in Godric's Hollow which far preceded Dumbledore and Grindelwald's births," Draco responded.
"I want to go and see Xenophilius Lovegood," Hermione said.
"Sorry?" Harry responded.
"See this? It's a letter Dumbledore wrote to Grindelwald and that mark is in Dumbledore's signature," Hermione said.
Hermione took the book from Draco and handed it to Harry who examined it. Harry kept his focus on the book.
"It keeps cropping up, Harry. I know Victor said that it was Grindelwald's mark, but we saw the same mark on the grave in Godric's Hollow. You can't deny it because Malfoy even admitted to it. Not to mention The Tales of Beedle the Bard," Hermione began.
"It was outside of Gregorovitch's wand shop," Harry muttered.
"But what does it mean?" Ron asked.
"Well, we can't exactly ask Dumbledore or Grindelwald what it means. I don't even know whether Grindelwald's still alive or not," Hermione said.
"Last I heard he was in Nurmengard," Draco added.
"Where?" Harry asked.
"It's a Wizarding prison, similar to Azkaban, in Europe. It was actually built on Grindelwald's orders to house the opponents he defeated. Ironic, eh? He built it as a monument to his oppressive regime, only for it to become a symbol of his downfall," Leila answered.
The boys stared at Leila in slight amazement.
"What?" Leila asked.
"Since when did you become a Grindelwald expert?" Harry asked.
"So I paid attention in History of Magic once last year. What are you going to sentence me to Azkaban for it?" Leila scoffed. "That's about all the information Binns gave before he went off on one of his tangents."
"Getting off our tangent and back to Lovegood, we can ask Mr. Lovegood about the symbol he was wearing at the wedding. I'm sure this is important Harry," Hermione said.
"But don't you think if it was, Dumbledore would have told me about it before he died?" Harry questioned.
"Maybe it's something he wanted you to figure out on your own," Hermione claimed.
"Yeah, that makes sense," Ron agreed.
"No it doesn't," Hermione shot back. "Harry, you don't know have a clue where the next Horcrux is and neither do the rest of us. I still think we need to talk to Lovegood."
"Hermione," Harry groaned.
"Hermione's right. I think we should go see Lovegood. What say we vote on it? All those in favor…" Ron began.
Ron's hand immediately shot in the air. Leila slightly raised her hand in the air and looked at Draco, who now was standing right beside her with his arms folded across his chest. She elbowed him in the side, so he reluctantly raised his hand.
"Only because I'm curious, not because I think it will do any good," Draco explained.
Hermione glared at Ron before rolling her eyes; but she did raise her hand as she walked away toward the mouth of the tent.
"Outvoted, Harry, sorry," Ron said looking to Hermione for approval.
"Fine," Harry said. "Only, once we've seen Lovegood, let's try and look for some more Horcruxes, shall we? Where do the Lovegoods live, anyway? Does anyone know?"
"They're not too far from my place," Ron answered. "I don't know where exactly, but Mum and Dad always point to the hills when they mention them. Shouldn't be too hard to find."
"Leila, can I borrow you for a moment?" Hermione called from outside.
Leila quickly headed outside to find Hermione. Harry then slightly narrowed his eyes at Ron and Draco.
"You," Harry said pointing at Ron. "Only agreed to try and get back in Hermione's good books."
"All's fair in love and war, mate, and this is a bit of both," Ron said.
"And you," Harry continued pointing at Draco. "Only agreed because you want to stay in my sister's good books."
"Can you blame me? You've seen how she gets," Draco responded.
"Besides, cheer up, mate. It's Christmas holidays, Luna will be home," Ron grinned.
Leila walked back inside the tent and Draco walked away from Harry and Ron to meet Leila. She smiled at him when he stopped in front of her. With his finger he motioned her closer so that he could whisper in her ear.
"I think I've gone nutter. First I willingly subject myself to Potter and Granger, then Weasley comes along, now they're talking about Lovegood. Something's seriously wrong with me," Draco muttered.
"Or things are finally falling into place," Leila grinned.
"Only for you," Draco whispered.
"What if I wasn't around, would you still be doing the same things?" Leila questioned.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco asked.
"It's a question I want you to answer honestly," Leila furthered.
"I'm here aren't I? What more of an answer do you want?" Draco hissed.
"You're here because I asked you to come with me. What if you had still heard that Harry and Hermione were in Godric's Hollow, but I wasn't around, would you have taken your chance to escape?" Leila asked.
"Probably not," Draco shrugged.
"Why not? Would you have turned them into the Dark Lord?" Leila sneered.
"Of course not! Just because I don't particularly like them, doesn't mean that I wish them dead," Draco responded.
"After everything, you still hate them?" Leila questioned.
"I didn't say that," Draco groaned.
"Do you want to be here or not?" Leila asked.
"Leila," Draco sighed.
"You know what? That was answer enough," Leila scoffed.
Leila rolled her eyes and walked away from Draco for the bunk beds, while Ron and Harry stood quietly watching the scene.
"Leila," Draco groaned as he reached for Leila's arm.
"Leave me alone," Leila screeched.
"Well, I want to finish talking about this," Draco responded.
"No, you just want to argue until we finally make-up. Well guess what, no make-up snog for you tonight, I'm going to bed," Leila said furiously.
With his eyes wide, Draco watched as Leila stomped over to the bunk beds and angrily threw herself on the bottom bunk.
"What the hell just happened?" Draco muttered.
"Can't say for sure, but I take back what I said earlier. You're in the same place as Ron now: trying to get back into her good books," Harry grinned before he too headed over to the bunk beds.
"This is all your fault, Weasley," Draco groaned.
"How is it my fault?" Ron questioned.
"If you wouldn't have given Potter that wand, then I wouldn't have woken up, and then I wouldn't be in this situation," Draco muttered.
"It's your own damn fault, Malfoy; but honestly, I can't say that I mind seeing as I have a brother, who's a far better bloke than you can ever imagine to be, who cares for her. Harry and Hermione might be neutral about you, but don't expect the same from me," Ron said.
Draco shook his head as he walked over to the bunk beds and crawled back onto the top bunk where he had been sleeping. Ron walked outside and offered to take over the watch for Hermione until they were ready to leave in the morning, to which Hermione reluctantly obliged. The next morning the five quickly ate some berries and roots before they packed up the tent into Hermione's beaded bag. Then the five of them clasped hands, Draco clasped Leila's, who clasped Hermione's, who clasped Harry's, who clasped Ron's, and they all Disapparated onto a hillside with a brilliant view of Ottery St. Catchopole. When their feet touched the ground, Leila immediately released Draco's hand and looped her arm through Hermione's. Draco groaned, but followed the group as they walked a little higher to get an even better view.
"Which way is the Burrow?" Harry asked.
"I think I see the hedges and orchard trees over there," Ron said pointing.
"Plenty of protection from Muggle eyes," Leila commented.
"I suppose, but it's odd being this near, but not going to visit," Ron sighed.
"It's not like you haven't just seen them. You were there for Christmas," Hermione said coldly.
"You really think I'd go back to the Burrow and tell them I walked out on you? Yeah, I'm sure they all would've really great about it. Especially, Ginny and Fred," Ron scoffed.
Leila slightly froze at the mention of Fred. Why hadn't Ron made any mention of Fred to her yet? Nervously, she bit her bottom lip, waiting for Ron to continue on about Fred, but instead, Hermione suggested that they Disapparate again a few miles farther north. So, the group of five joined together once more and Disapparated away. They landed on another grassy hill, only this time Leila tumbled to the ground upon their landing. Draco reached out a hand to help Leila up, but she refused his help and stood up on her own.
"You can't still be mad at me," Draco groaned.
"In case you've forgotten, I'm always mad at you," Leila scoffed.
Leila brushed the grass off her bottom before walking closer to the others.
"So, how will we know which one's Lovegoods'?" Draco asked.
"If you would listen to anything anyone says, you would know the answer to that," Leila snipped.
"What Leila means to say is that the Lovegoods are a bit eccentric, so if all applies, their home should be easy to spot," Hermione explained.
"Thanks, Granger," Draco muttered.
"Aha!" Ron shouted.
They all looked to Ron who was pointing toward the top of a hill with a strange looking building. It looked like a great black cylinder against the sky, somewhat like the piece in chess called a rook.
"Luna?" Ron asked.
"Luna," Harry, Hermione, and Leila answered in unison.
"You were right, Granger," Draco commented.
"It was actually, Ron's theory," Leila said snidely.
"I don't care what is going on between you two right now, but we need to present a united stance in front of Lovegood. So this needs to end now," Harry hissed.
"Whatever," Leila muttered.
"I'm serious, Leila," Harry said.
"Sorry," Leila mumbled to Draco.
"Me too," Draco sighed.
"Happy?" Leila asked Harry.
"It'll do for now," Harry said.
"I may not look or act like it, but I'm still mad at you," Leila whispered to Draco.
Leila rolled her eyes before she turned from Harry as they headed toward the house they believed belonged to the Lovegoods. They walked across the large yard until they reached the stairs. Hermione was the first to climb the stairs and she rapped firmly on the door three times. Draco waited at the bottom with Leila and pointed to a sign.
"Keep off the dirigible plums?" Draco asked.
"Pick your own mistletoe," Leila chuckled.
"Not while I'm around," Harry whispered.
"It's theirs, look at the sign on the door," Ron stated.
They looked to the door's sign which read: THE QUIBBLER EDITOR, X. LOVEGOOD. Suddenly, the door swung open to reveal a disheveled Lovegood. While he hadn't dressed in normal Wizarding attire at the wedding, he still at least looked groomed, which contrasted to his current unkempt look.
"What is it? Who are you? What do you want?" Lovegood questioned.
"Hello Mr. Lovegood, I'm Harry Potter. We met a few months back at the wedding," Harry greeted.
Harry held out his hand for Lovegood to shake, but the man ignored Harry's outstretched hand. Lovegood took one step forward and practically pressed his face to Harry's scar, as if he were examining it to make sure that it was really him. The man then looked to each of the other teenagers, keeping a long look on Draco, before he took a step back. Hermione looked at Harry to say something before Lovegood retreated into his house and left them information-less.
"Would it be okay if we came in?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure that's advisable," Lovegood said looking around the yard suspiciously.
"It won't take long, sir," Harry continued.
"All right then…but quickly," Lovegood said.
Lovegood quickly ushered them inside, but Draco lagged behind a bit as he examined the yard having noticed Lovegood's paranoia. Draco grabbed Leila's arm, which caused her to gasp.
"He's paranoid about something," Draco whispered.
"It's not exactly legal to support Harry," Leila whispered back.
"No, it's more than that. Did you see the way he was looking around?" Draco said.
"Quickly, I said! Quickly! And watch out for the dirigible plums!" Lovegood ordered.
They followed Lovegood up the stairs and once they were inside, Leila turned to quietly talk to Draco.
"Look, I know you have no reason to trust us…" Leila began.
"This isn't about Potter, Granger, or even Weasel. I just don't think we're all safe here," Draco whispered.
"Lovegood's always supported us. Remember fifth year when he ran the article…" Leila said stopping suddenly.
"That outed my father as a Death Eate: yes, I do. But I'm telling you, he was looking around suspiciously. He's probably being watched," Draco tried to explain.
"Then why didn't you say something before?" Leila hissed.
"Its not like an office memo went out on who is being tracked," Draco said. "I didn't even think…"
"Well, you'd better come up," Lovegood said.
Leila looked Draco in the eyes and sighed as she reached for Draco's arm to follow Harry, Hermione, and Ron up the stairs, who were following Lovegood. They walked into a circular room, which seemed to double as a living room and a workroom. There were piles stacked high on every surface and the printing press was whirring. Lovegood excused himself for a brief moment to tend to his printing press, but that didn't stop him from questioning Harry.
"So, what brings you here, Mr. Potter?" Lovegood asked.
"What's that, Mr. Lovegood?" Hermione asked.
"Well, sir, we need some help," Harry answered.
"Ah. Help. I see. Yes, well, the thing is, helping Harry Potter, rather dangerous these days…" Lovegood responded.
"Aren't you the one who keeps telling everyone it's their first duty to help Harry?" Ron questioned.
"I have expressed that view, yes. In the past. Wouldn't you excuse me one moment. I shall return shortly and, um, try to help you…" Lovegood said wearily.
Lovegood dashed quickly out of the room leaving the teenagers staring at him oddly.
"What's going on here?" Harry asked.
"He's mental, let's face it. Luna's always a good value, but she's as nutty as squirrel poo," Ron explained.
"Speaking of Loony, where is she? Like Weasley said yesterday, its Christmas holiday, she should be here," Draco furthered.
But no one answered Draco's question because they were interrupted by a gasp from Hermione. She pointed to an enormous spiral horn mounted on the wall. Leila looked to Draco, who narrowed his eyes as if he were looking for something else, but the horn was the least of his concern.
"D—Do you see that?" Hermione stuttered.
"Well, yeah, of course. It's massive, isn't it?" Ron said.
Ron and Harry both stepped nearer to it and Ron reached his hand up to it.
"No! Don't go near it!" Hermione shouted.
Harry immediately straightened up, but Ron still reached his hand forward. With a glance toward Hermione to see that she was being serious, Harry slapped Ron's hand down.
"Now, what's the point in waiting up here, if we can't explore the place a little?" Ron asked.
"It's an Erumpent horn. It's a Class B Tradeable Material," Hermione hissed.
"Yeah, all right," Ron said unconvinced.
"You've got to be kidding me, who in their right mind would keep that in a home?" Draco questioned.
"Does it really look like he's in his right mind, Malfoy?" Ron scoffed.
Just then, Lovegood returned with a tray rattling with a teapot and cups. He set the tray down on a wobbly coffee table near the center of the room, which was also piled high with clutter, before he cautiously looked around the room.
"May I offer you all an infusion of Gurdyroots? We make it ourselves," Lovegood offered.
He poured the drink and handed each of them a cup of it. They all looked ready to vomit at the sight of it.
"Where is Luna, sir?" Hermione asked.
"Luna? Oh, erm-she'll be along. Now how can I help you, Mr. Potter?" Lovegood asked.
"Well sir, it's about something that you were wearing around your neck at the wedding. A symbol…" Harry began.
Lovegood raised his eyebrows and reached inside his nightshirt.
"You mean this?" Lovegood asked.
"Yes! Exactly! What we wondered sir, is, well, what is it?" Harry asked.
"What is it? Well, it's the sign of the Deathly Hallows of course!" Lovegood said.
"The what?" the teenagers asked.
"The Deathly Hallows," the old man said grinning.