Chapter 46: Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

I was excused from class the day I arrived. All the girls in my dormitory were wondering where I had been, but Nikki was the only one who knew the exact reason.

"So, what happened when I was gone?" Ianthé handed Nikki (who was sitting on Ianthé's bed) a large package.

"Nothing much, Slughorn still adores his favorite student, blah blah blah…. Fred and George owled me… So far, that's it. Slughorn didn't even notice you were gone!"

"So the spell's still effective…" Ianthé speculated.

"What spell?"

"Well, on the train, he was standing in front of me and I cast a notice-me-not spell that could last an entire year… I only needed to fortify it every once in a while, during Potions class…"

"You are absolutely mental, you know that! Casting a spell on a professor is illegal!"

"Well, Dumbledore gave me the go signal…. And I really had to do it! So that he couldn't get me into the spotlight."

"Thanks for the Provence stuff, by the way… I could really use it for the summer…"

"Where exactly are your plans?"

Nikki shrugged, "Oh nothing much…. Just got invited to Bill Weasley's wedding….."

Ianthé looked at her surprised, "No way! Who invited you? The twins?"

Nikki shook her head.

"It possibly can't be….. him?"

Nikki raised her eyebrows.

"So what did the twins write about?"

Nikki got closer as there were other students coming in from the common room, "It's about the you-know-what. They already delivered them to your house in London. Your uncle received them."

Ianthé nodded.

"So, have you got dress robes for the wedding?" Nikki asked her nonchalantly.

"Huh? I'm invited?"

"Of course you are, silly! The twins actually wanted you as their date but they are far too occupied with the plans of wreaking havoc in their brother's wedding. Charlie told me that Fleur mentioned regarding inviting Viktor Krum. Harry Potter would be there, of course. So I guess it would be a Triwizard champions' reunion of sorts?"

"Oh… I still have a lot of dress robes anyway…"

"From whom?"

"Mainly Viktor, but his mum gave me a number of dress robes as well… Anyways, I forgot to give you the most important good news of all…"

Nikki bounced on Ianthé's bed, "What is it?"

"I recently discovered my future career option aside from being Viktor Krum's wife…"

"Really?" Nikki stared at her wide-eyed.

"Uh-huh," Ianthé's head bobbed, "I was assisting the Healer when Andy gave birth. She mentioned that I should consider Healing. I asked my dad regarding his opinion on this and guess what? He agreed! He said I would bring honor to the family!"

Nikki's jaw dropped, "He said that? And when did you call your father Dad?"

"Well, I noticed significant changes in his personality… Well, all of my family's actually…"

"No more 'filthy mudbloods and blood traitors'?"

"No more," Ianthé smiled.

"Whoa… So this war is changing them?"

"I guess so…"

It was just another morning. Nikki and I were eating breakfast, as usual, when a mysterious letter arrived, delivered by what seemed to be one of the school owls.

"What's that?" Nikki peered at the envelope.

Ianthé shrugged as she turned the envelope to open the flap.

There was something written on the flap.

Open this only when you're alone.

"What's this about?" Nikki tutted, "Secret admirer?"

Ianthé's brows furrowed, "I'll be in the courtyard going to Hagrid's hut. If I don't come back in ten minutes, go there, okay?"

As soon as Nikki nodded, Ianthé sprinted out of the Great Hall.

To my dear violet flower,

I need to see you immediately. I desperately need your help. Please. Meet me near the tapestry of the dancing trolls on the seventh floor corridor tonight. If your answer is yes, tie your hair into a ponytail. Please, violet flower. I need you.

Love,

Dragon

"Damn…" Ianthé sat on a low wall near Hagrid's hut. What am I going to do?

She searched her pockets for her dark blue ribbon and tied her hair into a ponytail. She sprinted back to the Great Hall.

"Hey," Nikki frownes, "What's with the ponytail?"

Ianthé searched the hall for a platinum-blonde Slytherin. She found him discreetly looking at her and nodded.

"I'll tell you later at the common room."

"So what was the letter about? And why did you put up your hair when you got back?"

Ianthé handed Nikki the letter.

Nikki read it quickly.

"So you're violet flower?"

Ianthé nodded.

"Who's Dragon?"

"Clue. He's a Slytherin git who apparently needs my help."

"Oh, I get it… But why does he need your help?"

Ianthé shrugged.

I found Draco pacing the whole corridor of the seventh floor when I arrived there that night.

"Okay, Draco, spill."

Draco grabbed her hand and opened a door that materialized on the wall.

"Hey!" Ianthé said indignantly.

They went inside a room that looked like the sitting room of the Herze manor.

Draco suddenly hugged her. Ianthé felt tears fall down on the back of her shoulder.

"Help me, Ianthé! He's going to kill my family if I don't do it! But I want out!"

Ianthé looked at his eyes intently, "Tell me the truth, Draco… Through your mind…"

Draco sighed and looked back intently.

"You're in deep shit, Draco," Ianthé sat down on a chair as she felt her knees give in.

"I know. I still want out."

"Talk to Dumbledore about it."

"I can't. Snape exchanged an Unbreakable Vow with Mother. He'll die if I don't kill Dumbledore."

Ianthé placed her hands on her face, as a sign of contemplation, "Draco, make up your mind. You need to make a decision now!"

"I want out, but he'll kill Father and Mother."

Ianthé looked at him pointedly, "Don't you think he won't kill you if you succeeded? You know how the Dark Lord is…"

"I am aware of the consequences…"

"You do know that my family can help make Narcissa vanish from this earth?"

"That's why I need your help. Please take care of my mother, just in case something happens to me."

"No, Draco, you can't possibly…." Ianthé feared for his life.

Draco placed his hand on Ianthé's, "I have to…"

Ianthé hugged him tightly, "Be careful, okay?"

Draco released her and looked into her eyes, "You could have been mine… but I was too thick-skulled and too stone-hearted for your liking…"

Ianthé smiled sadly, "You finally realized that after some years…."

Draco shrugged and also smiled half-heartedly, "Any guy would be most lucky to have you as a girlfriend… or even as a wife…"

"Oh, shut up!"

"No, seriously…" Draco stopped smiling at Ianthé, "If I get off and after this war is over, would I get another chance?"

Ianthé's tears fell unconsciously, "I'm sorry, Draco…"

Draco's face fell, "Say no more… I….. I have to get back… and so do you…"

Ianthé stepped out of the room and headed quickly to the Ravenclaw common room. Draco Malfoy walked slowly but not in the direction to the dungeons.