Later that evening, Danny left the Slytherin common room and returned to the party. Snape was still there, talking with Slughorn. The majority of the other party goers had already left. Danny waited patiently beside the door and eventually Snape took his leave. Danny rushed along beside the wizard and waited until they were a safe distance from the office before turning visible. Snape exclaimed in surprise before glaring at the ghostly teen.

"Sorry," Danny mumbled. Snape sighed.

"I assume you have something to report," Snape drawled tiredly.

"Draco's using the Room of Requirement. Unfortunately, for as long as he's using it, I won't be able to find out what he's doing. I can't get inside," Danny informed the wizard. Snape hummed in understanding.

"I was under the impression you could get into anywhere," Snape remarked. Danny huffed in annoyance.

"Alright, I admit, I can't get into the Room of Requirement. But anywhere else, not a problem. I think it's because the room isn't technically there. If I try to phase in, I end up outside and the door is selective," Danny confessed begrudgingly.

"What about you? How was your talk with Draco? I only overheard a little, by accident by the way. Still avoiding you huh?" Danny asked. Snape sighed loudly and nodded.

"Yes. I'm afraid so. He's angry and upset about his father. He wants to prove himself to the Dark Lord. That's why he's doing this. He doesn't realise exactly what he's agreed to just yet," Snape muttered sadly. Danny nodded slowly.

"I think he's starting to though Severus. He's scared. Getting desperate. We need to give him something to let out those pent up frustrations. He's avoiding you. And I can't talk to him," Danny mumbled worriedly. Snape nodded.

"How often does he go to the Room of Requirement?" Snape inquired. Danny shrugged.

"Not sure. He's got this knack for losing me. If I didn't have my ghost sense I'd say he's got a ghost turning him invisible to give me the slip. But there is a chance that he knows I'm watching. You know. Known ghostly order member," Danny replied. Snape smirked.

"Don't say it," Danny growled knowing that the wizard was going to make fun of the halfa's abilities.

"Any suggestions?" Snape asked instead. Danny sighed.

"Let me think about it. Honestly I'm run off my feet. Following Draco, a couple of other obligations for Dumbledore, Peeves, looking for ghosts. Quick question, do you know if Draco's staying for the holidays?" Danny replied. Snape glanced at the ghostly teen.

"I wasn't aware that you were that involved with the order. Perhaps you should get a day to yourself. Being so overworked, it might be why Draco keeps losing you," Snape suggested, concern barely hidden in his dark eyes. Danny sighed.

"If I had the time, I would. But watching Draco is important. I don't want there to be another Katie Bell," Danny muttered. Snape's forehead creased in understanding and sympathy.

"I understand the burden we've been given Phantom. You aren't alone. Perhaps we could utilise another ghost to help us," Snape offered. Danny gasped and snapped his fingers.

"That's it! Draco could talk to another ghost. And I know the perfect one. It'll take a little convincing and working out though. I gotta go Severus," Danny exclaimed with excitement and rushed off through the castle.

Moments later Danny was outside the second floor girls' bathroom. He knocked on the door and phased inside.

"Myrtle! Can I talk to you?" Danny called.

"Oh, Danny. Yeah, come in," Myrtle answered. Danny drifted further into the bathroom and considered how to explain what he wanted the ghost to do. He'd only spoken to Myrtle a handful of times. The dreary ghost tended to spend her time in the drains or the girls' bathroom, places Danny didn't really go normally. However, he usually got along with the female ghost despite her pessimism. Myrtle floated out of her favourite cubicle.

"I spotted a boy. I'd talk to him, but he doesn't really like me. He's pretty stressed out and upset. I was hoping you could talk to him and help him a bit," Danny explained carefully. Myrtle tilted her head curiously.

"Is he being bullied?" she inquired. Danny shrugged.

"I haven't seen it, but… I've just seen him alone a few times. I actually spotted him crying," Danny informed her, trying to get her to sympathise. Myrtle gasped, and nodded.

"I'll talk to him. Who is he?" Myrtle confirmed.

"I think his name's Draco Malfoy. Don't quote me on that though. He's blonde, Slytherin and he looks pretty sick recently," Danny described. Myrtle frowned.

"A Slytherin? I dunno about that," Myrtle muttered.

"Oh come on Myrtle. Please, I'd talk to him, but he really doesn't like me. I'm concerned about him. Myrtle I wouldn't ask otherwise," Danny pleaded. Myrtle bit her see-through lip.

"I guess, it wouldn't hurt to talk to him once. But it'll have to be after Christmas," Myrtle relented.

"Thank you so much Myrtle. That's a huge weight off my shoulders. When you do get a chance, please let me know how it goes. I did mention it to a teacher but the boy won't talk to the teacher," Danny added. Myrtle sighed and nodded in agreement.

"Alright Danny. But I can't guarantee that he'll talk to me," Myrtle retorted.

The next day, Danny found out that Malfoy was going home for the holidays. The halfa was tempted to follow the teen but decided against it as he wouldn't be able to stay nearby and could be dangerously close to Voldemort without back up. So instead, Danny decided to take the time over the holidays to track down some more ghosts. For the first week, that was what Danny did. He spent every day in London and the surrounding area looking for ghosts. He also took the time to spend some time with Peeves and Grawp, having been ignoring them both since Katie Bell got hurt favouring to shadow Malfoy as closely as possible.

Deciding to take Snape's advice, Danny teleported home to spend Christmas with his family, having missed the holiday the previous year and not visiting since Katie Bell got cursed. They were overjoyed to see him and the day was wonderfully relaxing and a welcome break. Once the day was over, Danny returned to his ghost hunting, despite his family asking him to take things a little easier, having commented on how exhausted he looked. Halfway through the week after Christmas, Danny got a surprise invite to the Burrow for dinner. He happily agreed, hoping to see how Harry and Ron were doing having been too busy to check in with the teens recently.

Danny teleported to the house and knocked on the door after reverting to human.

"Danny! How wonderful? Now let me think, ah yes. The day after you arrived at headquarters, Dumbledore organised to meet you. Why did you say it was?" Mrs Weasley greeted Danny. Danny smiled and nodded.

"I was going to meet a tutor as part of the agreement with my parents," Danny answered, knowing which meeting she meant. Mrs Weasley smiled warmly and held the door wide open and pulled him into a welcoming hug.

"Come in, Danny, you look exhausted! I hope you're hungry," the red haired woman fussed over him. Danny laughed softly.

"Been busy Molly. How are things with you guys?" Danny replied. Mrs Weasley nodded.

"Oh, brilliant. Arthur got a promotion, I don't know if you heard or not. It's been months since we saw you Danny. Fred and George are doing well. They're here, they'll tell you all about it. Remus is here as well," Mrs Weasley informed him. Danny smirked and listened to the witch tell him all her news, Danny offering comments of sympathy or excitement depending on what he was being told.

Harry and Ron stepped into the kitchen and saw the halfa.

"Danny! You made it!" Harry cheered happily. Danny smiled.

"Blimey, mate. What have you been doing? You look terrible!" Ron exclaimed. Mrs Weasley glared at her son. Danny laughed.

"Thanks Ron. You too. I've just been super busy for the last few weeks. How's school?" Danny retorted good-naturedly. Both boys shrugged.

"Alright I guess," Harry replied noncommittedly.

"I have a girlfriend," Ron bragged happily. Danny smiled.

"Well, congrats Ron. What's she like?" Danny offered, genuinely curious to find out more about the reason Ron and Hermione had been arguing.

"Oh… well Lavender… she's um… I mean, it's great you know," Ron mumbled uncertainly. Mrs Weasley called Harry to help her in the pantry. Harry happily agreed to help the witch.

"Ron, if it's not working, tell Lavender," Danny muttered conspiratorially. Ron blinked and shook his head.

"No! No it's… it's not like that. It's just… Lavender's great but she's pretty full on, you know. I hate to admit it's nice to have a break. But I do like her," Ron quickly interjected. Danny shrugged.

"If you say so, but you sound like you're convincing yourself not me Ron. I'm not the best person to give advice when it comes to love, but sometimes… things just aren't right. And it isn't fair to pretend they are. Just think about it. Do you like Lavender, or do you like having a girlfriend? Because there is a difference," Danny advised carefully, not really sure where the advice came from. Ron bit his lip and nodded slowly.

"I guess you're right. I'll… I'll think about it. Honestly Lavender being my girlfriend has caused a lot of problems between me and Hermione. She's really upset for some weird reason. I don't get why. She snogged Viktor Krum, you know the famous seeker. And now she's getting upset because Lavender's snogging me," Ron grumbled.

"Do you miss being around Hermione then?" Danny asked. Ron sighed and nodded.

"Yeah. And not just because she helps me with my homework either," Ron admitted. Danny smiled and nodded.

"I know the feeling," Danny replied.

Ron blinked before slapping his forehead.

"Of course you do. You probably miss your family and friends in America," Ron realised. Danny shrugged.

"I do. But I'm pretty busy here so it keeps my mind off them to be honest. And I can always visit if I really want to," Danny confessed. Ron nodded sadly.

"Must be hard. I'd hate to be so far from home. But I guess you're right. When did you see them last?" Ron asked.

"Christmas. I missed Christmas with them last year, you know because I got bitten. But haven't seen them since ooh must be October before that," Danny answered. Ron whistled.

"Do you write to them in between visits?" Ron inquired. Danny shook his head. Ron frowned sympathetically.

Harry returned a few minutes later, carrying a sack of potatoes for Mrs Weasley. He set it down on the counter and sat beside Danny and Ron.

"So, what have you been doing recently Danny? You said you were busy," Harry asked. Danny gave a sad smile.

"Order business Harry. Sworn to secrecy. But mostly I've been running messages and errands for Dumbledore," Danny offered. Harry pouted disappointedly.

"Do you know where Dumbledore's been going then? He's been away a lot this year," Harry ventured. Danny shrugged. He didn't know everywhere Dumbledore went, but he did know some of the places Dumbledore went off to.

"Danny! It's been ages!" a man boomed happily. Danny looked up and saw a worn Remus Lupin. The halfa grinned and got to his feet.

"It has Remus. Good to see you. How's things?" Danny greeted, shaking the wizard's hand.

"Oh, you know. Werewolf struggling to help the order. Been underground among my kind. Looking for supporters," Lupin answered.

"Any luck?" Danny inquired.

"Not really. Most werewolves keep to themselves. Actually had to avoid Greyback before I came here for the holidays. Needed to lay low for a little while," Lupin informed the halfa.

"Greyback? Didn't you say that he's the one that bit you?" Danny recalled. Lupin nodded. Danny frowned.

"Did he spot you?" Danny asked worriedly.

"Don't think so. Greyback has a reputation. I was gone before he had the chance to see me," Lupin assured him.

"What about yourself?" Lupin inquired. Danny shrugged.

"Been busy. My special talents were needed," Danny answered with a joking tone to avoid difficult questions. Lupin chuckled.

"Come, walk with me Danny. I think a relaxing walk would be welcome," Lupin suggested. Danny grinned in agreement.

For the next twenty minutes Danny and Lupin talked freely about Phantom. Danny told Lupin about Wulf, learning Esperanto and catching Vortex. His job of watching Malfoy was completely confidential as it tied into Dumbledore's secret plan where both Dumbledore and Harry had to die. However Lupin did ask after Danny's family, friends and studies with Miss Fisher. Danny then returned the favour. Lupin told Danny of a few werewolves he'd befriended. They returned to the kitchen as dinner was being served, everyone gathering around. Fred, George, Fleur, Bill, Mrs Weasley, Lupin, Mr Weasley, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Danny were all seated. Danny ended up beside the twins and they were only too glad to tell Danny of their successes. Mrs Weasley loudly commented on how disappointed she was that Tonks couldn't join them as well.

Thought Danny deserved a break. Also wanted to check in with Harry since it's been a while.

Let me know what you guys think so far.

A few announcements.

The first is that I've put a couple of polls on my website. Please check it out. I'll admit I've been very busy recently and have neglected it but I've updated it. This site doesn't allow links but the website should be visible in my info on my page. If not, take the spaces out and type this into your search bar.

jbgilroy.

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Next, check out my facebook page too, there's a link on my website or you can search for JB Gilroy on facebook. You should be able to see it.

Until the next chapter.