Thank you to:
Meeko13
Sammyjean
Twilight-Luv
DracoMalfoy4Ever
Demonic-Kat
Who took the time to add/fave/review my story! I'll try and upload as soon as possible for you guys! This chapter's longer than before…hope you like it!
Chapter 3:
As the year went on Potter, Granger, and Weasley, but especially Potter, grew more and more obsessed with Lindi and her apparent power over everyone in school. Snape treated her like she was his daughter, Flitwick and Sprout the same, Umbridge thought she was an angel, and even Mcgonagall liked her! Harry couldn't understand it! Was everyone else blind? Did they not see that it was all a charade, for all her innocent looks and puppy-dog eyes, how could they ignore that she was best friends with Malfoy and Zabini? No one seemed to understand him except Hermione and Ron, everyone else was blind, and it was like she had put a spell on all of them.
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"Good Morning Boys!" Lindi chirped her usual morning greeting to Blaise and Draco before the trio headed up to the great hall for breakfast. With a groan and mumbled "Mornings" Blaise and Draco dragged themselves up from their fireside armchairs and followed Lindi out of the common room. As they walked down to the great hall, the trio was once again unaware of their classmate following them.
"Blaise, are you coming to Hogsmeade with us?" asked Lindi.
"No. Maybe. I'll see you there?" When Blaise only got confused looks in return he continued, "Astoria has asked me to accompany her."
"Ooh. To accompany her –eh mate?" teased the suddenly wide-awake Draco. Giving Blaise's shoulder a slight shove. The now bright-red Blaise looked up from where his gaze was formerly fixed on his shoes, mouth gaped, and into the two nearly identical smirks of Lindi and Draco.
"Oh shuddup you guys! It's not a date - " Blaise started.
"Uh huh. Tell Astoria that. She's been in the john all morning getting ready for her "Big-Date." Teased Lindi.
As Draco and Lindi laughed and Blaise groaned at the immaturity of his two friends, they entered the great hall and made their way over to the Slytherin table.
In the entrance hall, Potter hid in the corner and quickly slid off his invisibility cloak and stuffed it into his bag. He then trudged his way into the great hall and sat down next to Hermione and Ron, never taking his eyes off the trio of laughing Slytherins.
He watched as after around 15 minutes, Merilinda sent Malfoy a significant look and whispered something in his ear. At his nod, the pair stood up left a blushing Blaise talking to Astoria and made their way out of the hall, with this time Draco snagging a piece of toast on their way out.
Harry quickly rose, mumbled incoherent excuses to Granger and Weasley and followed the pair out of the hall. He looked around the entrance hall; saw the duo, heads ducked against the bone-chilling autumn wind, heading outside to the Hogsmeade carriages. He decided against putting back on his invisibility cloak and instead followed the duo into their carriage.
"Dray, remind me to stop by the post office later. We have a letter waiting from –" Merilinda started before looking up startled as Potter entered the carriage.
"Potter! What are you doing here!?" challenged Draco.
"Going to Hogsmeade. Why?" innocently replied Potter.
"Yes, but why are you in our carriage?" continued Draco
"Your carriage?"
"Yes! Our carriage, we were here first having a very important discussion –
"Well you are more than welcome to continue. Just pretend I'm not here. Unless you were discussing something you wouldn't want little ol' me to hear." Potter challenged back.
With a smirk, Draco leaned back not giving Potter any satisfaction and stretched his arm across the back of the bench. Merilinda, noticing the evil glint in Draco's eyes, knew instantly what he was doing and decided to play along. Leaning against Draco's side, she pulled his head down so that his ear was on level with her lips and whispered two words.
"I'm game."
After a seemingly coy glance over at Potter who was thoroughly confused, Merlinda smirked ever so slightly knowing Potter was completely flabbergasted that the rumors he had heard about the two gorgeous Slytherin prefects was true, and leaned closer into Draco who smirked even larger and dropped his arm from around her shoulders to around her waist. Resting his large hand on her right hip.
The duo then proceeded to have a seemingly intense conversation whispering into each other's ears.
"Think he's buying it Dray?"
"Oh, I know he is."
Slowly the "couple" drew apart as the carriages slowed to a stop at the town station. Leaving the totally stunned Potter behind, the two Slytherins quickly slid out of the carriage and made their way into town.
After a few seconds, Potter realized that the two Slytherins were getting away. He quickly threw on his ever-trusty invisibility cloak and followed the once again laughing Slytheirn duo into Hogsmeade.
"First stop: the post office." Ordered Lindi as she began to march in that direction, pulling the still laughing Draco behind her.
"Ahhh…but Lindi…why can't we just continue what we were doing? I was having so much fun." Teased Draco to the now blushing Lindi as she saw the Hogwarts students already in the post office looking at the duo shocked, or worst in Lindi's mind, knowingly.
Lindi was saved from having to dignify that with a response by the arrival of an unexpected ally, a fairly familiar man, and a man that to all purposes was their father, Lucius Malfoy.
"Draco, my dear boy. Merilinda." Lucius said giving them each a nod in greeting.
"Well it looks like I won't have to stick these to an owl after all. They're from your mother. She wishes you both well." Lucius continued shocking both Draco and Lindi till they saw his subtle wink and knew from whom these letters must be from, Lindi's biological father.
After Lucius, bid his farewells. Draco and Lindi left the post office and found a bench slightly removed from main road through town and sat down to read their letters.
"Dray, there must be some mistake. This says I'm supposed to go to a meeting, at the Hog's Head? Bloody Hell. He can't truly expect me to befriend those bleeding Gryffindor's can he? I mean I can only act for so long." Merilinda wondered.
"I think he's serious Lindi because I'm explicitly not supposed to go with you. Instead me and Blaise are to be your, and I quote, "supporters and protectors" as you go undercover. Lindi, is he crazy? He's risking his only heir!" answered Draco.
"Yes, he is crazy. Crazy-smart. And we will follow exactly what he says." Lindi explained grabbing Draco's hand and wrapping it in both of hers.
"Don't worry Dray. I'll be fine. He would never intentionally hurt me. And besides I get two stud-ly men constantly watching out for me." Lindi continued jokingly, trying to take Draco's mind off her impending task.
"Oh really? And who might they be?" asked Draco back to his old self, fishing for compliments like always.
"Well, I don't know if you know them, but they are simply gorgeous. One of them is named Neville…I think his last name is Longbottom..and the other is named - " teased Lindi before Draco cut her off putting his hand over her mouth.
Laughing, Draco said, "C'mon Linds, let's get a drink in you before you start spewing anymore nonsense." And after linking arms with her they did just that.
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An hour and a half later, Lindi walked all alone, her arms crossed against the chill of the wind, to the Hog's Head. Not a spot frequented by many students, and by even fewer purebloods.
As she opened the door, she realized she must be early as there were no other Hogwart's students in the pub besides a few students seated in a booth in the corner, Potter, Granger and Weasley. Knowing that they must have spotted her, she quickly made her way over to them. As she neared, she quickly saw Potter and Weasley go on the defensive and stick their hands into their coat pockets to grab their wands.
"Wait! Wait! I just…I just want to talk to Granger." Lindi said eyes downcast, hands clasped in front of her.
"Oh, of course Lindi. Ummm…Guys, I'll be right back. C'mon Lindi let's go talk over by the bar." A surprised Hermione accommodated.
The two girls walked to the bar and sat next to each other on two empty stools at the end of the bar, far away from the creepy bartender and his patrons, both girls unaware of the witch bundled at the end of the bar listening in on their conversation.
When it was clear that Lindi wasn't going to start this very unique conversation, Hermione attempted to edge her on.
"So, Lindi…"
"Oh right sorry. I don't know how to say this. I mean I know how…but, I'm terrified you won't believe me or something…"
As Lindi trailed off Hermione quickly stepped in knowing that whatever Lindi had to say. It must be important.
"It's alright Lindi, you can tell me. I promise to listen and at least attempt to understand." Hermione promised.
"Okay. But before I start I just want to say that I didn't tell anyone about this. Okay, well…I heard some Hufflepuffs talking in the library the other day about Umbridge and how they were unhappy with her teaching style. And I really don't blame them; I mean she's a real coot. Anyways, so I heard them mention your name and how you had a plan or something. And I was wondering, I mean hoping that I could join in? I really need a good grade on her O.W.L." Lindi managed to stammer out.
When Hermione only looked up at her instead of answering, Lindi quickly added, "I mean I understand if I can't because of my family, and house, I mean I am basically a Malfoy - "
"No, no you are welcome to join us." Hermione quickly replied before Lindi could make an excuse to leave.
"Come sit with Harry, Ron and I till the meeting starts." Offered Hermione.
"I mean I don't want to impose - " started Lindi.
"No, no problem. C'mon." Hermione said and led the way back to her table.
As the two girls approached the table, Lindi saw Harry get visibly angry at the fact that the two girls seemed to be on such friendly and agreeable terms with one another. When Lindi sat down next to Hermione, opposite Ron and Harry, Harry could have sworn he was dreaming. There is no way that as he saw it, the girlfriend of his mortal enemy could ever be on his side.
"Hermione. What's going on? What is she doing here?" questioned Ron.
"Lindi is going to be joining us. She thinks Umbridge is horrible too and wants to actually learn as well AND I'm assuming Lucius would kill her if she failed her OWLS." Hermione explained smiling at Lindi's slight nod.
"How do you know we can trust her? She's a Slytherin!" finally exclaimed Harry.
When Lindi looked down seemingly ashamedly and rose to leave. Hermione quickly stopped her saying,
"No! Don't leave Lindi. It is this exact prejudice that…Harry, all she wants is to not be a blind mindless ministry witch and instead actually wants to learn. Are you really going to turn her down?" Hermione challenged.
Harry looked up at the still standing Lindi and offered her an ultimatum,
"OK. She's in. But if any word of anything we do get's out to any of your Slytherin buddies." Harry ended with a shake of his head as other Hogwarts students began arriving for the meeting.
Hermione quickly rose to greet everyone and secure the group a larger table in the corner. The remaining trio, two Gryffindors and a Slytherin, quickly rose and took the chairs flanking Hermione, with Harry on her right and Lindi on her left.
After the whole group had arrived and everyone had butterbeers, Hermione quickly gathered everyone's attention and began the meeting. Harry was once again angered that aside from a few second glances, no one had commented on Lindi's place at the meeting, did they not realize that she was a Slytherin!
Hermione then pushed Harry to speak, effectively putting a halt to his short 'bout of anger as he was forced to field questions as the group's proclaimed leader. As the meeting came to a close and Hermione asked all assembled to sign a list proving the group members confidentiality, Harry felt sure that Lindi would jump out at this point, proving her disloyalty. But, no, Lindi jumped up at the opportunity to sign, and after a quick farewell and thanks to Hermione fled.
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Down the block from the Hog's Head, Draco was leaning against a light post, sucking on a lollipop. As Lindi approached, he stood up straight and opened his arms wide. Lindi walked right up to him, into his embrace and hugged him tight.
"Oh my God Draco, you have no idea how hard…"Lindi trailed off as she buried her head in Draco's jumper.
"C'mon Luv" Draco said as he patted her on the head indulgently, before linking arms with her and escorting her back into town. As they walked, Draco reached into his pocket and asked,
"Lollipop?"