Chapter Twelve: Truths revealed

Mortifera sat in the upstairs parlor of the Three Broomsticks studying. School had started back three weeks ago and she was focusing on her finals. "I brought you some butterbeer," Draco said as he sat the cup in front of her. "You're my knight in shining armor," she smiled. "Defense," he asked looking over her books. "Yes," she smiled. "You have all this memorized. You're going to pass with flying colors," Draco assured her. "You are too sweet," she smiled.

"Besides," he began. "You've been getting a lot of practice."

"Speaking of," she said closing her books. "We have a meeting to get to," she smiled as they headed back towards the castle. Suddenly the area went dark. Mortifera froze for a moment in fear before pulling her wand. "Draco, get inside," she yelled pushing him towards the nearest store. Mortifera pulled the coin Hermione had given her from her pocket and pressed it. Now she just had to hold them off until help arrived.

"Look what we've got here," one said as they walked closer to her. She pointed her wand at him. "Take another step and you'll be missing a limb," she said coldly. "I don't think you would," he said as he went to step forward, but a hand pulled him back.

"She would," Lucius said stepping forward. Mortifera watched as he stepped in front of her. She couldn't help but to look in the direction she had pushed Draco. "Mortifera," he smiled. "You are as beautiful as the last time I laid eyes on you."

"Thank you, Lucius," she said politely. "I am glad to see you are doing well."

"Yes," he began. "I look a little better then I did a few days ago, but Azkaban will do that to you, I suppose."

"I'm sure that Draco will be happy that you are doing so well. He has missed you greatly."

"Back together are you," he asked.

"Yes, sir. It's like we were never parted."

"So sorry to hear about your father," he said. "He didn't have to die, but he was stubborn."
"He was loyal," she said the anger building in her. "And you," he asked. "Are you loyal?"

"To those who I care about," he answered. "Draco," he asked. "Always," she smiled. "Severus," he asked again. "He's my family. The only family I have left," she said sadly. "What about Potter and his friends," Lucius asked. The question caught her off guard. Suddenly she saw Lucius flying backwards. She darted towards the direction of the spell to find members of the order there. "Get back to the castle," Tonks said as she approached them. "Use the Floo in Honeyduke's Cellar."

Mortifera obeyed and soon found herself at Hogwarts where Severus and Draco waited on her. Draco wrapped his arms around her. "Are you alright," Severus asked. "Lucius was there," she said softly. "It was as we feared," Severus began. "There has been another break out at Azkaban. Fudge has been missing for several days."

"I want to help," she said standing up. "It's too dangerous for you, Fera. You're what he wants," Draco said. "He's right, Mortifera," Severus said putting a hand on her shoulder. "I can't just sit here and wait," she began. "I'm a fighter. I always have been. And I'm pretty damn good at it."

"There will be a time," Severus said. "This just isn't it."

Mortifera stood up and walked away. She started towards the Room of Requirement. "Fera," Harry's voice drew her out. "Hello, Harry," she said softly. "Are you okay," he asked. "I'm fine. D.A. meeting still on?"

"Yeah," he said as he led the way. "Is Draco coming," Harry asked. "I'm sure he'll be alone soon," she smiled as she heard Draco behind them. She smiled as she was greeted by the happy faces that swarmed around her. "Death Eaters in Hogsmeade," Seamus said. "There goes our trips," Lee said. "This just proves what we've been saying. Voldemort is back. He has a mission," Harry said.

"He wants me," Mortifera said standing up. It was the first time she had admitted to the group the truths of her visions. "You," one Ravenclaw student said. "Why you?"

"I'm powerful," Mortifera said.

"A bit full of yourself aren't you," the girl said with a scoff.

"It's true," Hermione stood up. "Mortifera is probably the most talented witch or wizard in this room. She can do things that we could only imagine."

"Like what," Seamus asked.

"Have you ever noticed that when there's tension in a room before I enter, the tension seems to go away? Or how I seem to know things before they happen?"

"I just thought it was luck," Seamus said. "I'm a seer and what Muggles call an empathy."

"And she's wicked good with advanced spells," Draco said as he walked up beside her and placed his arm around her waist. "In the robe shop," Ginny began. "You said we'd be good friends. You knew that didn't you."

"I had hoped," Mortifera said. "Voldemort wants me, but not in the same way he wants Harry. He wants to use me as a weapon against those who oppose him. I've seen it. He will try to use my love for all of you against me."

She held tight to Draco's hand. "We won't let that happen," Neville smiled. "He'll have to go through all of us!"

She smiled at him. She knew that he was speaking truthfully for him at least. "I don't want to put any of you in danger," she said. "I won't ask that of you."

"You don't have to ask," Luna stepped up. "I volunteer."

"So do I," Neville said standing next to her. Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron stood with them. She knew that they were the ones that would stand to fight. "Thank you," she said with a smile.