so listen up, this one goes out to the well behaved.
we wonder how we all got so tame.
and yes it's true, we have to share part of the blame.
but i will never understand just how
you can pretend that you offend when you don't question
the things that you are told.
you sold control.
and you might as well have had the best intentions.
only your heart will ever know... but...
i don't wanna be part of the well behaved.
i miss that good old fashioned chaos.
don't wanna be another boring story.
I miss death or glory…!
October 30th Sun, 6AM
Lovegood Mansion
The days passed slowly in Lovegood Mansion. Each day was spent training both physically and magically. Although I was now able to hold my own against Draco in combat I could only last about five minutes or so with Khalida. Magically I hadn't improved much. My stunning spells were a bit more effective and when I attempted to disarm Draco I was actually able to knock him off his feet a few times but other than that I was still pretty much useless.
I kept my distance from Luna after my little adventure in the dungeon. But my efforts weren't very effective as the woman seemed to follow me around and show up at the oddest times. For the life of me I couldn't understand how in the world a blind woman could get around so well by herself.
The problem with Luna was what caused me to wake early in the morning and head down for breakfast before anyone else. I sat at the large, round dining room table alone, scribbling furiously in my notebook. At first the little book had only served as a place to store notes and information but its purpose had changed to that of a kind of journal where I would write down my day to day observations.
"I'll take that," Draco drawled as he snuck up behind me and snatched the notebook away from me. I reached out to take it back but he held it just out of my reach.
"Let's see what our dear Jenny has written," he said with a smirk as he looked over my most recent musings. "I'm beginning to think that all witches and wizards are completely insane," he read, raising an eyebrow in surprise. He seemed to look over the line once more before giving me a look of indignation.
"I don't think that's very accurate," he spat.
"Of course not," I said with a grin as I snatched the notebook away from him and quickly wrote another sentence. "Now it's accurate," I said with a smirk as I handed the notebook back to him. Draco hesitantly reached out and took it.
"Not all wizards are insane," he read slowly, "Some are incredibly vain, narcissistic and self-absorbed."
"O that's really nice," he snapped angrily as he threw the notebook at me. "What proof do you have for your little theory?"
I chuckled in amusement as I wrote a few more lines. Draco sat down next to me and leaned over to peak over my shoulder. I hunched down so he wouldn't be able to see. Once I was finished I read over the small paragraph before pushing the book towards him.
"I came to the above conclusion," Draco recited, "through analyzing the actions of one Mr. Draco Malfoy, a middle-aged wizard. Supporting my theory are these facts. Number one, Mr. Malfoy uses hair care products. Hey! What's wrong with that?"
"Just keep reading," I said quickly as Draco glared at me for a moment before looking back at the paper in front of him.
"Number two, the hair care products are of muggle origin," Draco growled, "Number three, the hair care products are not only of muggle origin but they are also made for women. O that's just…I can't believe…of all the stupid…" He continued to sputter angrily as I pulled the notebook back towards me and flipped the cover over.
"Well it's true," I stated in an innocent tone. Draco was silent for a moment before leaning over to whisper in my ear.
"But you like my hair don't you?" he asked curiously. I reached up and ran a hand through his long, blonde hair and reveled in its softness.
"O yes," I replied as I closed my eyes. I continued my ministrations and I could feel Draco lean in closer.
"Now, now children," Khalida chided as she strolled into the dining room, "There will be none of that while I'm around."
My eyes snapped opened quickly as I backed away. Draco growled in annoyance and sent Khalida a menacing glare. The angry look didn't seem to phase her at all though as she sat across from me and hummed happily to herself.
"Why in the hell would a vampire be up at six in the morning?" Draco asked angrily.
"Someone has to keep you in line," Khalida replied simply and I couldn't help but chuckle as they began to argue.
Khalida seemed to take on the role of mother hen since we'd come to the mansion. Anytime Draco attempted to 'make a move' Khalida would show up to stop him. The whole thing was making Draco very irritated with the vampire but I found it extremely endearing.
A sudden tapping noise at one of the windows finally interrupted their incessant squabbling. Draco rose from his seat and opened the window letting in two large brown barn owls and a quite menacing black eagle owl. The owls each perched on the back of a chair at the table and waited patiently for Draco to dislodge their packages. As soon as he was finished with the barn owls they took off back through the window but the eagle owl remained as if it was waiting for a reply.
"Who's it from?" I asked curiously as Draco eyed the letter.
"Severus," he replied, "he must want a response."
"Why don't you open the other two packages first and give the owl a rest?" Khalida asked and the eagle owl seemed to hoot in relief.
The first package, which was a fairly large brown box, was quickly handed to Khalida. I recognized the second package as a newspaper and I assumed it was the Daily Prophet. The dining room was quiet except for the rustling of papers. I absentmindedly nibbled on my breakfast, handing small pieces of bacon to the large black owl every once in awhile.
"Well this is a relief," Khalida said with a sigh as she finished reading the letter that had come with her package.
"What is?" I asked as I pushed my empty plate away from me and took a sip of my orange juice.
"This is from my muggle friend back in London," she stated as she motioned toward the letter and box, "She says that Officer Wilkes is doing fine and no one has come snooping around yet."
"So you were worried about him then?"
"Just a little," she admitted, "but I think he will be safe there for the time being. He's probably much better off there then he would be with us, that's for certain."
"I'm glad you have good news because this is definitely bad news," Draco stated shakily as he lowered the newest issue of the Daily Prophet.
"What is it?" Khalida and I both asked at the same time.
"See for yourself," Draco replied as he threw the paper toward the middle of the table. Khalida and I both stood and leaned over to read the front page.
AWG THREATENS MILITARY ACTION
by Pansy Parkinson
In a surprising turn of events at a press conference yesterday in New York, New York USA, President Robert Curtis of the American Wizarding Government made what political analysts are calling 'vague threats of military action' which seemed to be aimed at Albus Dumbledore, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In one statement President Roberts even went so far as threatening to renounce America's participation in the ICW if the Supreme Mugwump did not immediately relinquish his position.
When I asked President Curtis the reason for his recent change of heart concerning Albus Dumbledore he stated that, "For too long Albus Dumbledore has thought himself above the laws of the wizarding world. His actions on his last visit to America and his kidnapping of Jenny Riddle have shown that he is a man who will stop at nothing to get what he is after. Also, the fact that the British Ministry of Magic has brought no legal action against him and has gone so far as to threaten legal action against an American citizen taken against her will shows that it is nothing more then a puppet government under the control of a very powerful and manipulative wizard."
The AWG has been adamant in its allegations that on September 8th at approximately eleven in the morning, Albus Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy and Jenny Riddle visited Crystal Lake Cemetery in Edina, Minnesota USA along with two muggle FBI agents. President Curtis admitted that he did authorize Miss Riddle to visit the cemetery and offered the FBI agents as protection, alluding to an apparent lack of trust of Mr. Dumbledore and Mr. Malfoy. The AWG alleges that a fight broke out when Albus Dumbledore tried to steal the body of Harry Potter, Jenny Riddle's father. It also issued a press release stating that the two FBI agents were killed and six aurors were critically wounded.
Since then tension has been running high between the British MoM and the AWG. When Albus Dumbledore was asked about the AWG's allegations he stated the following: "I do not know where Miss Riddle has disappeared to and to the best of my recollection I do not remember the events of September 8th happening the way President Curtis has described." When I questioned him further as to the whereabouts of the body of Harry Potter he had no comment.
Minister of Magic, Arthur Weasley, has issued this statement concerning the AWG's recent threats and allegations. "I have complete faith in Albus Dumbledore and I cannot find one shred of truth in President Curtis' allegations. The only thing that I see is a young leader who is attempting to gain power by defaming a man who is not only an international hero but a wizard who has worked tirelessly to protect wizards and witches around the world."
The situation between the AWG and MoM seems to be growing worse everyday and this reporter can only hope that things will be resolved peacefully and cooperatively. If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Miss Jenny Riddle or the remains of Harry Potter they are urged to contact Arthur Weasley's office at the Ministry of Magic.
I stared at the article for a moment before sliding back down into my chair. Khalida sat down a few seconds later with a worried expression. She reached into the large box next to her and pulled out a thin brown folder. I gave her a curious look and she pushed it across the table.
"It's all of the information Wilkes dug up on Charles Smith," she stated, "and some information on the investigation into the break in and fire at your home." I nodded in understanding as I eyed the meager collection of notes and paperwork.
"What does Severus have to say?" I asked as Draco ripped open the envelope in his hand. He scanned the letter and his eyes widened in surprise.
"He sounds pretty angry," he replied softly as he folded the letter up and shoved it into his pocket.
"And you're surprised by that?" I asked in confusion.
"I suppose it is expected," he stated sadly. "I'll need to ask Luna for some parchment and a quill," he added. I quickly opened my notebook and pulled out a sheet of paper. I laid it in front of him along with my pen.
"Thanks," he said as he began to write. In seconds he was finished and he sent the letter off with the eagle owl.
Draco picked at his breakfast as Khalida pulled another newspaper from the box in front of her. She unrolled it and began to read. I watched quietly as her lips set in a grim frown.
"More bad news?" I asked curiously and she nodded her head.
"Actually more of the same," she stated as she browsed through the pages. "This ones from America though," she explained, "I thought it might be good to keep abreast of the situation there as well so I've been asking Seth to drop the paper off with my friend in London."
"So what's it say?" Draco asked as he pushed his half-eaten breakfast away.
"It's practically the same as the Prophet article," Khalida said worriedly, "but completely opposite. It doesn't appear that this problem is going to go away anytime soon. If things keep going on like this then I fear war will be inevitable."
"And Hogwarts will be right in the middle of it," Draco added with a sigh, "If Curtis wants Dumbledore then I'll bet you anything he'll go after him at school and with all those children there…"
"But Hogwarts will protect them," I stated assuredly, "and the teachers too."
"But they can't protect everyone," he growled, "Some of them could get hurt or even killed."
"There must be a way to stall things," Khalida said thoughtfully as she folded the newspaper, "even if we can't stop things completely."
The dining room grew silent as we all attempted to think of something we could do to improve the situation. The whole thing did seem pretty bad but I couldn't help but think that there must be something that could be done to ease tensions a little bit. An idea came to me and I felt as if a light bulb had just appeared over my head. Perhaps public opinion was the key.
"Part of the problem is my sudden disappearance," I said slowly and they both nodded in reply. "Well then we'll just have to make sure that everyone knows that I haven't disappeared."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Draco asked incredulously, "The Ministry is looking for you and I'm sure the Americans have agents searching for you as well."
"Then we just won't let them find me," I stated matter-of-factly, "But we'll make sure that the right person knows I'm still around."
"Who?" Khalida asked curiously as my lips turned up in a catlike grin.
"Tomorrow is Halloween," I said absentmindedly, "So I think that Harry Potter's daughter is going to pay a little visit to Godric's Hollow to pay her respects and if someone is there at the time well I guess there's no helping that."
"But who?" Draco growled in annoyance and I decided I was beginning to enjoy our little game.
"Does Colin Creevey still work for the Prophet?" I asked in a bored tone.
"I think he's a photographer there now," Draco stated as my grin doubled in size.
"That's even better," I replied, "How well do you know Pansy Parkinson?" Draco seemed to think about my question for a moment before replying.
"Well, we were both Slytherins so I guess I can say I knew her pretty well," he said with a smirk and I knew he was beginning to understand what I was getting at.
"So we'll write her a letter and let her know where we'll be tomorrow," I explained, "and we'll tell her to bring Colin…and his camera."
"It's perfect," Khalida exclaimed excitedly just as a soft tapping noise sounded down the hall.
"What the hell was that?" I asked as we all jumped in surprise.
"I don't know," Draco replied worriedly, "but it's definitely not an owl. It almost sounds as if it's coming from the front door.
Draco, Khalida and I rose from our chairs and headed toward the doorway. The tapping became louder as we moved down the hallway. We stopped in front of the door and Draco hesitantly opened it. At first glance it appeared as if there was no one there and we all looked around in confusion until I felt something hit my foot.
"What the hell?" I mumbled as I glanced downward and gasped in surprise.
Draco and Khalida followed my gaze and their jaws fell open in shock. There on the floor in front of me was a long, piece of wood which was relentlessly running into my foot. I nervously bent down and picked up the stick and immediately red and green sparks shot out from the tip.
"It's my wand," I said in an awed tone.
"I wonder where it was at," Draco stated thoughtfully as he studied the wand. I could only nod dumbly in agreement.
Holding the wand in my hand was like meeting an old friend for the first time. It was if a piece of me was missing that I never even knew existed. I wondered how I even survived without it and I vowed to never let it out of my sight.
Draco closed the door and we headed back into the dining room. I was still a little out of it when we sat back at the table so I never even noticed when Draco pulled a sheet of paper from my notebook and laid in front of me.
"You have a letter to write," he stated sternly. I nodded sheepishly and pushed my wand into the inside pocket of my robes.
"I don't know what to write," I admitted as I picked up my pen from the table. "How do I know she'll believe me?"
"Just write what I tell you and I guarantee she'll believe you," Draco replied with a smirk. I nodded in reply and pressed the pen to the paper.
"Dear Mrs. Pansy Parkinson," he dictated as I began to write, "Meet me at 1PM at Godric's Hollow. Do not tell anyone of our meeting and make sure to have Colin Creevey accompany you."
"That's it?" I asked in disbelief.
"Don't interrupt me, I wasn't finished yet," growled Draco, "keep writing." I blushed in embarrassment and readied my pen once again.
"If you are brave enough to take me up on my offer then I assure you that I will do for you and the Prophet what my father did for Rita Skeeter and the Quibbler. Sincerely, Jenny Riddle."