Chapter 30: Escaped Truths

With heavy hearts, we parted when it was time to go back to Hogwarts. He stole a kiss before going back to Bulgaria. Edmond chuckled when he saw this. The family had another meeting. According to Tarquinius, a cousin of ours who volunteered to become the Death Eater mole, You-Know-Who is trying to reinforce his troops. It would mean big trouble for the rest of us. Papa and Uncle Wilhelm instructed me to keep my eyes peeled for the children of the other Death Eaters. They also reinforced the barriers of my brain. (When we were young, we were "taught" Occlumency little by little, and all of us, including my other cousins, are now practically immune to Legilimency. Edmond was far more the best among us. I just came in second, so I needed more practice.)

"Here's your Christmas present," Nikki handed Ianthé a box during their trip back to Hogwarts.

"So, how was the rest of your holidays?"

"Not bad. Procyon had a little meltdown and almost torched Charlie… again… You know, just a little bit of temper tantrum."

"How many times do I have to tell you, or Professor Hagrid for that matter, that dragons cannot be domesticated?" Ianthé stretched her legs.

"I know, I know, but it can be possible…"

"It will be… after a series of cross-breedings and being born in captivity."

"You might be right…"

"Hey, I didn't mean to give you ideas…"

"But your idea is brilliant."

Ianthé stood up and put a Locking and Silencing Charm on their compartment.

"I have some bad news."

"Is it about…. You-Know-Who?"

Ianthé nodded.

Nikki paled, "This is pretty bad…."

"…. even for purebloods like us… We know we're not safe…"

"What about Viktor? What does he think?"

Ianthé shrugged, "The meeting occurred after he left, but I think his father will tell him once he arrives in Bulgaria."

"Let's not talk about it…"

"Yeah…"

The silence was broken when there was a tap on the door. Out stood two identical red-haired students.

"Can we come in?"

Ianthé removed the Locking Charm on the door and let them in.

"Finally!" one of the twins sat next to Ianthé.

"So, what's up with you two?" Nikki asked.

"Well, we have completed the Headless Hats and they are ready to be released in the market."

Ianthé nodded to them, "What about your dad? Is he okay?"

"Yeah, thanks to your mum's connections…"

The twins hugged Ianthé.

"Umbridge went ballistic when she learned your lot left the school without her knowing. She was seething!"

Ianthé got closer to the twins, "But how did Potter know what happened to your dad?"

"That's what we do not know. At first, we all thought he was possessed or something…"

"So, he's not possessed."

"Apparently not, but he turned into some kind of aerial that channels out You-Know-Who's feelings or emotions…"

Ianthé squinted as if calculating something, "That would serve as an advantage… especially if You-Know-Who doesn't have a clue about it…"

"We still don't know about that…."

The conversation was cut short as the train stopped in the Hogsmeade station.

The first few days went smoothly, as Ianthé, Nikki and the twins still worked on how to market their new products. One fine morning, the atmosphere during breakfast suddenly turned upside down as the owls came.

Nikki coughed out her juice. Ianthé quickly patted her back.

"Look at this! Death Eaters escaped Azkaban last night!"

Ianthé took the newspaper from Nikki and scanned the headlines. She discreetly looked at the Slytherin table, where Draco Malfoy reigned. He looked far more cocky than he previously was.

Ianthé put on her game face and acted like nothing bad has happened.

"You're not affected by this? This is pretty bad!" Nikki whispered furiously.

Ianthé got up and slung her bag, "We need to be early for class…"

Comprehension dawned on Nikki. She quickly followed Ianthé out of the Great Hall.

Instead of going to the greenhouse for Herbology, they went to the Owlery.

They went up the winding stairs to the Owlery. Inside, there perched a magnificent eagle owl, with a letter tied to its leg.

"Razilia! Maybe that's why she wasn't with the other owls."

Ianthé quickly opened the letter.

I,

We are worried for your safety inside the castle. Do not bring down your guard. Keep you eyes peeled all the time and no more wandering at night. Uncle is really worried, and so is V.

Eddie

"Okay, now, this whole thing is officially bad," Nikki plopped down on her bed that night.

Ianthé pulled out a vial from her trunk. She removed the cork and drank a few drops of liquid.

"What's that?"

Ianthé lay down her bed, "It's enhanced Dreamless Sleep potion."

"Oh…."

The next day, another Educational Decree was posted all over Hogwarts.

Teachers are hereby banned from giving students any information that is not strictly related to the subjects they are paid to teach.
The above is in accordance with Education Decree Number Twenty-six
Signed by Dolores Jane Umbridge

"This is absolutely preposterous!" Nikki ranted as they made their way to the Great Hall.

On a deserted corridor they always pass as a shortcut to the Great Hall stood a redhead.

"George, what are you doing here?" Ianthé asked.

"Nikki, could you give me a minute with Ianthé?"

Nikki smiled although she was puzzled, "Yeah sure…"

"I'll follow you the Great Hall, okay?"

Nikki waved her hand.

"So, what's this about?"

"Well, the next Hogsmeade weekend was already posted…."

"And?"

"Will you go out with me on the next Hogsmeade trip?"

Ianthé gaped at George.

"Well, I mean, just as friends….." George stammered.

"Oh… sure! I can't wait to tell Nikki! We ARE going as a group, are we?"
George's smile slid from his face, "I'll tell Fred…"

"I hate to cut this conversation short, but I'm really really hungry."

"Okay, let's go to the Great Hall. Walk with me."

Ianthé walked quickly while George followed behind her. The sparkle on George's eyes, the excitement, was gone. He hung his head low while walking towards the Great Hall.