"Neville Longbottom is dead!"
The words echoed over the Hogwarts grounds and James, just as many of the other teachers, paused at the words. For them, this was a moment of sadness, of grief. A moment to be forever remember as the fall of a beacon of hope. But that was only for those on the 'light' side of the war. To James, this was the beginning, and he stood still, face to the sky and eyes closed, savoring the moment.
He stood there, still and silent, until someone finally broke the illusion of calm.
"Let's go! There're still Death Eaters in the town!"
And suddenly everything started up again, the noise, the people, the tremors through the ground. James composed himself and began to run towards the gates separating Hogwarts from the village. As he stepped past the gates the sounds hit him in full force, making him appreciate just how much the wards protected the school. He hurried down to the village and joined the mass of people, ducking and dodging as was necessary to get to the center, to where the action was happening.
Soon enough he'd gotten there, as if he'd been suddenly dropped into the fray. James turned around, eyes frantically searching for a distinctive pair. He stopped, having located the Dark Lord in the midst of a duel with two aurors and one of the townspeople. Voldemort blasted them back and caught sight of James, his disguise's red eyes locking onto James's face. Their eyes met and James gave an imperceptible nod, one returned by Voldemort.
"I think we've accomplished what we came here for," the Dark Lord drawled, his voice a hiss. He raised one hand into the air and all of the sudden nothing but 'pops' could be heard as the Death Eaters disapparated, leaving the collection of witches and wizards disoriented.
"They're gone!" "Where did they go!" "You hit me!"
Voices could be heard from all about the center of the village, some with relief, others in frustration, and some in pain as misguided spells hit people. James whirled around in the mass of people, yet again looking for one in particular. He stopped when he caught sight of white hair, and made his way over to where Dumbledore stood, overseeing the crowd from the edge of the gathering.
"Albus! Is what they're saying true?"
The old man turned to the voice, the first to have caught his attention. People turned as they heard James, wondering what Dumbledore would have to say.
"Is Longbottom really dead?" James continued, headless of the audience they now had.
Dumbledore looked dejected as he focused on James. He looked over the young man's face, wondering at the blankness that seemed to have overtaken any emotion. He sighed, slightly and brought his eyes to meet James's.
"I'm afraid so, my boy. I'm afraid so."
James's expression didn't change in the least at the news, the only indication that he'd received the news was the pop of apparition that came from where he'd just been standing. With him gone people surged forward, the sound having broken the silence that had pervaded. Dumbledore was mobbed with people demanding any number of truths about the situation, and he mentally wished he'd had James's foresight to disappear.
The receiver of these thoughts was oblivious to them as he apparated into the Reception Hall of Malfoy Manor. James didn't even pause due to his arrival, and immediately headed towards the Meeting Hall where he knew everyone would be after the raid. He strode past the bewildered guards and threw open the doors, successfully interrupting the debriefing that was in progress. All sound ceased as James confidently made his way up stairs and onto the dais and made his way up to the Dark Lord.
The Death Eaters watched in shock as James threw himself into Voldemort's lap and pressed their lips together. Silence pervaded throughout the room until the two broke apart and the Dark Lord cleared his throat.
"That will be all for now," he said, voice husky. And when he didn't hear the telltale sounds of departure he tore his eyes from James to stare at his minions. "Leave."
The response was instantaneous, the sounds of apparition and of people leaving the Hall by foot. He didn't deign to notice that one in particular had to be dragged out of the room, and Bellatrix's shouts fell on deaf ears as her family removed her from the Hall.
"You're happy that he's taken care of," Marvolo stated, allowing his glamour to drop so that he once again appeared as his human self.
James kissed him again in response.
"I think you've shocked my followers. A few of them beyond repair," he continued once he was free to speak again.
James kissed him again.
Marvolo didn't speak much past that point.
"What do you think happened? They said some students had died…" Hermione asked, her curiosity having won out, forcing her to break the silence that had fallen after James's departure.
"I hope it was Golden Boy," Draco said viciously. "What?" he asked, seeing Hermione's shocked face. "Did you honestly expect anything less from me?"
Hermione's eyes were unfocused when she responded, as if she was far away. "No…it's just…that doesn't bother me as it should."
Draco's brow creased in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Hermione's eyes focused on him. "I just…didn't feel anything when you said Neville might be dead. I've become so detached from them. I mean, I haven't even spoken or thought about him for over a month now."
"Your point?"
"I'm just shocked at my own lack of reaction."
"Well Granger," he teased, "look at you, fitting right in with the Slytherins. Because, let's face it, none of the rest of us would be sorry if he's dead either."
Hermione ignored the jibe. "How do you think James'll react to this."
"Probably be overjoyed," Draco muttered to himself.
"He probably will," Hermione's voice was quiet and thoughtful, but still loud enough for Draco to hear her. He looked up quickly, not having expected her to hear him. Hermione caught sight of his shocked expression and laughed. "Oh please, give me some credit, Draco. I can at least figure out which side of the war someone is on. And honestly, not even Snape has taken as many points from Neville as James has."
"There you go again."
"What?"
"Calling him James."
Hermione colored slightly. "Well, I'm around you all the time and you're always calling him that. It's hard to keep straight."
At that point Wyn crawled into Hermione's lap holding an ink stained parchment in her mouth.
"Oh, look, she wrote something!" Hermione exclaimed. "I didn't know she could do that!"
Draco paled and took the parchment from the little dragon. Owl your father, was all it said.
Hermione looked at if once Draco placed it on the table. "Well, that's a bit cryptic, isn't it."
Draco simply pulled some parchment from his bag and inked up a quill, jotting down a quick note and sealing it. "I'm going to the Owlery," he said, standing from the sofa.
Hermione stared after him in confusion before jumping up and following him out of James's room. They passed other students gossiping or rushing through the hallways, none of them paying attention to the odd pair rushing past them.
"Draco! Slow down a little, would you?" Hermione huffed as they entered the Owlery. The blond ignored her as he coaxed his owl down and tied the parchment to its foot. He walked the owl to the window and released it, finally turning back to Hermione.
"If Wyn says to message my father, there's got to be a reason for it."
Hermione just looked at him oddly. "She's a dragon."
"She's James's dragon, she knows a lot more than you're giving her credit for. Now come on, it's time for lunch."
Dinner was a subdued affair that night, the least of which being that several students were still in the hospital wing being treated. The students' deaths hung like a dark cloud over the usual Halloween festivities, each house having lost students in the attack. Most deaths had been put down as accidents caused by the attack, for how else could you describe a collapsing building burying a group of Ravenclaw and Slytherin Fourth Years? Needless to say even those who would have been overjoyed by Longbottom's death remained quiet due to the losses.
Draco was similarly subdued, having still not heard back from his father. And therefore he was surprised along with the other students when the doors to the Great Hall burst open and none other than Lucius Malfoy walked in, heading straight for the Dumbledore. The pervasive silence was broken when parents began filing into the Hall after Lucius, heading for their children to make sure they were safe and sound.
"Parents and students!" Dumbledore called, and the Hall once more quieted to the semblance of a tomb. "I have just been informed that due to the day's events, the school will be closed until we can fortify it against further attacks."
When Dumbledore paused, Lucius spoke up, turning to face the mass of people. "All of your parents have been informed of this and have made arrangements for you to arrive home. For those of you whose parents were unable to personally come and collect you on such short notice, and do not have other means by which to return to your homes, you will be taking the Hogwarts Express to King's Cross Station. You will arrive in the morning, where you families will greet you."
Lucius paused and surveyed the Hall. "The train leaves at midnight, I suggest you pack." With that the occupants of the Great Hall shot into motion. Parents pulled their children aside, those whose parents hadn't come rushed to their dorms to pack their trunks, and some just continued to sit, wondering about the fact that Hogwarts was actually closing.
"Miss Granger, a word." Lucius's voice easily carried over the noises in the Great Hall, catching Hermione right as she was about to exit through the doors. She turned and stared at him in shock, before resignedly fighting the crowd to reach him where he still stood at the Teachers' Table. Draco joined them as soon as Hermione stepped up to Lucius, and the elder Malfoy motioned them off to the side, away from the teachers.
"James requested I bring you with me," he said by way of explanation.
Hermione just nodded in acceptance.
"I assume you have house elves to pack for us?" she asked.
Surprise flickered in Lucius's eyes. "Yes."
"Then let's leave as soon as we can. The apparition wards stop at the gates."
Lucius nodded and the three made their way out into the Entrance Hall and then out onto the grounds. They walked swiftly and when they reached the gates, Lucius held his arm out to Hermione. Once they were ready, Lucius apparated the two of them into the foyer of Malfoy Manor, Draco arriving just after.
"He's in the parlor, and Draco?" Lucius paused and waited for the two teens to face him. "I would advise knocking before you enter."
Draco turned pink at the insinuations.
"Lord Marvolo is here too, then?" Hermione asked, her tone indecipherable.
"That would be an accurate assumption."
Hermione nodded and a look of determination spread across her face. "Lead the way, Draco."
Draco unerringly led them through the maze of corridors and finally stopped before a large door, knocking as he'd been instructed to do.
"Enter," came from beyond the door, and Draco pushed it open. He stepped quickly inside, followed by Hermione, and shut the door quietly before turning to face the room's occupants. The first thing he noticed was that James and Marvolo were seated in chairs opposite each other. The second was that Marvolo was staring intently at Hermione, who he noticed was staring right back.
"Miss Granger," Marvolo said by way of welcome.
"My Lord."
Draco's eyes widened and his gaze darted between the two.
"I told you she would figure it out," James said as he set down his teacup, eyes fixed on Marvolo.
A/N: Well, this one didn't take too long. Hopefully things are progressing satisfactorily. I think I'll probably be ending this soon, so just a heads up. Once again thank you for the reviews and, as always, please let me know what you think!