I do not own these characters....
Chapter Eleven: Taking Sides
"What do you feel?" Firenze prompted. I closed my eyes.
"I feel..." I glanced up. He nodded. "I...I don't know." The centaur's shoulders fell a couple degrees, and I knew he was irritated, but when he spoke his voice was calm.
"Perhaps...wait here." He disappeared quickly. Artemis, who was always nearby, clicked her beak in frustration. She found these lessons horribly boring. I didn't blame her. This was my fifth lesson with Firenze, and so far I had reaped nothing but numb fingers from these late night meetings. The first night had seemed so promising in that little forest clearing—until the lesson had begun.
"Clear your mind. Let go of all your worries for a moment," Firenze had instructed. In that instant, I knew there would be a problem. Honestly, can you blame me? I loved a boy who my family hated and was intended by a secret organization to be the next You-Know-Who, and this all somehow through a little-known prophecy involved me and had almost killed me twice. How could I possibly 'clear my mind'? I sighed, leaning against Artemis for warmth. A rustling sounded from the brush. I waited for Firenze to step through the trees. Nothing happened. I looked around the clearing. Another rustle.
"Firenze?" I called softly in a high-pitched squeak. No answer. I drew my wand. My blood ran icy. Another rustle—this time closer. I whirled around and pointed my wand to the spot, and I felt a rush of terror—and then something else. I felt...malice, anger.
"Petrificus Totalis," I yelped, and I nearly screamed when Firenze came crashing through the trees, frozen. "Oh...oh...oh..." I ran over to him, murmuring the counter-curse. He struggled to his feet. "I'm so sorry, I thought you were-"
"You did it!" He said happily.
"I...what?"
"What did you feel?" I frowned.
"You were...angry, you were going to..."
"You did feel it!" He said triumphantly. My eyes widened.
"Now, feel around yourself. How many people are in the woods around us?" I closed my eyes once again. I tried to recreate the feeling from a moment ago, then...
"Two. One is bored, one is frustrated." I said, surprised.
"Yes!" I felt a little light-headed. After a month of frustration, the payoff was immense.
"Who are they?"
"Friends of mine," the centaur said, "they owed me favors." I nodded. I was still in shock of the sudden break-through.
"Thank-you," I said, grinning. He smiled.
"I did nothing," he said with a little bow. He turned to leave.
"Wait!" I called. "Is this it? Isn't there more you can teach me?" He looked at me curiously.
"I am afraid that I have done all that I can do. The rest is up to you. Good-bye." He left before I could even wave.
I couldn't resist trying out my new ability on everyone I passed. This Ravenclaw was worried, this Hufflepuff was excited...it was quite interesting. I climbed the stairs to the dormitories triumphantly. Rose was already asleep—her face cradled between the pages of a large book that she had been reading. I chuckled as I replaced the book with a pillow, and marked her place for her. I was struck by how much I missed talking to Rose. We had grown apart these past months with everything happening. I sighed and slumped onto my bed, recalling the days when I could talk to my best friend, and I wasn't constantly craning over my shoulder, waiting for someone else to try to kill me.
The next day, I rose and got ready quickly, nearly flying down the stairs to meet Will. When I saw him, however, he did not look good. Purple circles stretched beneath his eyes, and I flinched. Will had not slept, either. Walking a bit apart from the rest of my cousins, I whispered to him.
"What's wrong?" He looked at me sadly.
"I...not here." I took his hand.
"I have news, too," I murmured. He took a deep breath.
"Later, then. Usual place, usual time." I nodded. "See you in Herbology."
The day passed as they normally do: slowly. Will barely spoke during Herbology. I could feel the worry and fear pouring off him like something tangible, but I didn't press the matter. He would tell me in his own time. I only slid my hand on top of his comfortingly. He looked at me with those eyes, making my blood quicken.
"I love you," I mouthed. He drew a line from the corner of my mouth to my ear with his thumb.
"I love you," he mouthed back.
I carried on throughout the day with a dark sort of anticipation, finally making my way down to the study. Will was pacing in front of the fire.
"Evey," he murmured. Closing the short distance between us, he took me into his arms like we'd been apart for a year. Slightly taken aback, I pulled back to look him in the eyes.
"Will, what's wrong?" I asked him softly. He only shook his head and pulled me against him again. The emotions coming from him were nearly too much to bear. I guided him to the familiar leather armchair.
"Tell me," I whispered to him. He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"I..." His voice cracked with a sob. My heart was pounding. I had never seen Will like this—it terrified me.
"Will," I repeated his name like a mantra under my breath. "It can't be that bad. Whatever it is, we'll get through it." It was not the speech I had been planning, but it would have to suffice. His breathing calmed a little, and he pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to me. I opened it with dread.
Scorpius,
This letter is to let you know that we are most displeased with your recent actions. It was most unnerving for us to find out that you—our only hope, the heir to the Dark Throne, no less—have been wasting your time cavorting with a filthy, worthless blood-traitor. I, of all people, fully understand the allure of a pretty girl and normally this type of behavior would have been easily overlooked. However, you were warned to keep out of our plans for the traitor, and knowing you blatantly and deliberately disobeyed a direct order has caused us to gravely question your devotion to the Cause. Indeed, we have been deliberating these past months on your punishment for your disobedience. However, since your time is so quickly approaching, everyone has agreed that one simple deed will prove your eternal loyalty to the Keepers. Your task is this: kill this girl you have been so reckless with. The means are unimportant, so long as you complete the deed yourself. Do this, and your crimes will be forgotten. We will welcome you back like the hero you are. If, however, you fail...only know this: you will take part in the ritual. The glorious return is in sight. We have not come this far only to have victory snatched from our fingertips at the final moment. I know you will make me proud, my son.
Your Father,
Draco Malfoy
I read the letter without flinching. When I had finished, I folded it neatly and held it out to Will. He wouldn't touch it.
"Do you want to talk about this?" I asked gently.
"Not particularly," he choked out.
"I...can't quite fathom a...a dad sending this to his son," I thought out loud.
"He's my father. Not my dad." I shifted closer to him.
"What...are you going to do about it?" He sighed.
"I've been thinking about it. It came late last night," his voice was a little steadier. "It wasn't this that...that I...about an hour ago, they sent me this." He handed me a photograph. I shuddered when I saw what it was of. It wasn't actually a photograph...it was a drawing—a very convincing one—of...me. Inside it, I walked along the shore of the Black Lake. Apparently hearing a noise, I turned...there was a flash of green light, and I fell. My lifeless body lay in the grass, my eyes still wide with surprise. The drawing went black, then repeated itself. Beneath it, there was a short message scrawled.
S- The sooner the better. -D
He buried his face in the crook of my collar bone and neck.
"I...couldn't bear it," he said against my skin. I felt a sudden surge of rage, coming from no one but myself. I clutched Will's face in my hands.
"Will, look at me." I commanded, kissing him fiercely. "Look at me!" I grabbed the letter and the drawing and jumped to my feet. I whipped around to face him. "Watch! Are you watching?" He nodded, speechless. I stormed over to the blazing fire and threw them into the flames. I watched as they warped and blackened and, finally, crumbled into nothing. I turned back to Will.
"You see?" I said, the anger evaporating from my voice. "They're only paper. I'm real...I'm here. I love you. Now...how are we going to stop them?" Will took a shuddering breath.
"What if...we can't stop them?"
"Don't say that! Never say that! We can't back down, Will. If we're ever going to be together, we have to beat them. This is a war, Will. We have to fight back! Now what are we going to do?" He looked up, his eyes intense.
"You're right." I took my seat next to him. Our hands entwined.
"Should we go to Professor Lioda?" I asked. He shook his head vigorously. I could feel his determination...Merlin, I loved him!
"She wouldn't believe us...or, if she did, she would have to call in the Order of the Phoenix. They would conduct a long investigation, and—trust me—they wouldn't find anything. The Death Keepers have not been found out for over sixty years. They know how to stay aloof. We don't have time for doubt. If we took the chance and they didn't take us seriously..." he trailed off, not wanting to finish. I bit my lip.
"You're right. They might not believe us...but I know who would." I jumped up. "Come on," I started for the door. He didn't follow. "What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said, stepping towards me. "It's just...I love you so damn much." I reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Let's go." I led him out of the study and nearly ran to the main staircase. "Meet me in the Room of Requirement," I told him. "We need somewhere private, where we can talk and no one can listen. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Wait! Where are you going?" I kissed him quickly.
"Do you trust me?" I asked.
"More than I trust myself," he said. "Hurry." I ran to the Gryffindor common room. There was someone that was long overdue for an explanation. I burst into my dormitory and ran over to Rose, who was reading on top of her bed. Lydia and Alyssa were nowhere to be seen.
"What's wrong?" she demanded.
"I...I need to talk to you, Rose. Not here...follow me." Without another word, she jumped off of her bed and pulled on shoes and a sweater. I ran into Lily's room, which she shared with four other girls. "Lils?" She looked up. So did the other four heads. "Come one, I've got...something to show you." She raised her eyebrows, but obeyed.
"What's this all about?" Lily asked as I descended the staircase.
"Not here," I murmured. "Help me get the boys." Rose got Hugo, Lily got Albus, and I crossed my fingers as I knocked on the door to James and Fred's room.
"What?" Someone shouted from inside. I entered.
"James, Fred...will you come with me?" Fred looked at me strangely.
"What do you want?" He demanded. I bit my lip.
"It's...it's really important, Fred. Please? I know that you've been mad at me lately, but...I need you right now." He didn't meet my gaze. I felt my eyes tear up.
"Come on, Evey," James said, heading toward the door. "I'm with you." I smiled up at him.
"Thanks." I said, following him out of the room.
"Ev', wait!" Fred jumped off of his bed. "I...I may not approve of...all you do, but...you're still my sister. I'm with you, too." I threw my arms around him. In the hall, my five cousins and brother stood, eyes turned to me.
"Tell us what's wrong, Evey," Hugo said. No one else spoke, but they all looked at me expectantly.
"Follow me," I said. And the seven of us made our way to the Room of Requirement, where Will was waiting.
Six pairs of green and brown eyes widened as Will recounted his tale. When he was finished, six jaws hung slightly agape. I jumped out of my seat and went to stand by Will, linking my arm with his.
"I know it's...hard to believe, but it's true. We have to stop this, and soon. No adults, no Order. We have to go this alone. So what do you say? Will you help us?" Silence. No one said anything for the longest moments of my life. Then, Rose broke the silence.
"C-count me in," she said. It was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.
"Rosie!" I released Will to gather her up in a hug. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner," I whispered to her, "But I-"
"It's okay, Evey. We're best friends, remember? I wouldn't desert you now," she replied. Recalling the others in the room, I let go of Rose to face them.
"I'm in, too!" Albus announced, pushing some of his jet-black hair from his face.
"Of course, I'm with you!" James said, flashing me a half-smile.
"Me, too!"
"And me!" Lily and Hugo seemed excited for an adventure. We all turned to Fred.
"The question is," Fred said slowly, "what's the plan?"