Author's Note: I apologize for how short this chapter is. It is mostly a filler, but part of it will prove to be important.
Chapter Six:
"Dreams, Visitors and Intentions"
Success is always wonderful. It brings you happiness and it felt as if this was the happiest she'd ever been in her entire life. They'd done it. They were a family now. No more feeling alone or sad. There they stood, just staring at one another, almost afraid that if either blinked the good feeling would go away. Together, they walked off, arm in arm. They were smiling. It was such a good feeling; nothing could ever ruin it.
Hermione and Lauran woke with a start.
***
Hogwarts was in an uproar. If it wasn't enough that the first Samhain Ball was a total disaster in its first hour, fate had to send in an angry older brother to put the icing on the cake. Draco Malfoy plowed through the halls, his face tight in arrogance. He was making his way fast through the corridors of the school that once was his. His destination was the Headmistress' office to make a very wordy complaint. He didn't care that it was in the middle of the night, his brother was in the Hospital Wing for reasons he had not been told and he wanted answers. When he made it to the door, he very impatiently rapped his hands against the door. When there was no answer, he did so again. Again, there was no answer. Annoyed, he forced an entrance.
His voice rang out, "McGonagall! Where are you?"
After a few seconds, he could hear someone moving around above him and decided he would make himself at home in one of the chairs. Finally, after what seemed like an hour, she appeared, her hair a mess and wearing that same stupid robe she'd had since before he'd been at Hogwarts.
"Mr. Malfoy! May I inquire what may be so important that you have to disturb me in the middle of the night?"
His face turned more smug, if that was even possible, "I received an owl earlier this evening with a letter saying that my brother is in the Hospital Wing with major injuries to the head and remnants of very powerful magic. However, the letter failed to explain how he came across such injuries and my mother and I would like answers."
As she began to relate the night's events to him, he messed with the papers on her desk. One in particular caught his attention. It held the names of Potter's mudblood friend and the youngest Weasley child. It took only moments for him to realize that it was the list of staff. So the Mudblood and female Weasley were professors at Hogwarts? Well he couldn't have that!
"I think you should reevaluate your choice of staff. There are some on it that are less than desirable," he said interrupting the story that he had not even been listening to.
McGonagall was not pleased, "Mr. Malfoy, my choice in staff is not any of your concern."
"It is my concern if my brother is being taught by that Mudblood and her muggle-loving Weasley friend!"
McGonagall's jaw dropped, "That is it! If you insist on insulting my choices in staff, then I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave…now!"
Malfoy answered with a simple, annoyed, "Fine."
As the days passed, Madam Pomphrey's worry grew. The boy in her care had not seemed to improve at all. In fact, it appeared that he had grown worse with the time. She contacted her Headmistress to request permission to transfer the boy to St. Mungo's. She felt as if there was nothing more she could do for the boy. Headmistress McGonagall agreed. Madam Pomphrey had hoped that the transfer would ease her worry, but it did not. The Headmistress had voiced her concern that the boy might die, in which case the girl, Lauran, could be tried by the Wizengamot for charges of murder and maybe even for being a Death Eater. Her concern soon became an epidemic and the entire staff was now worried for the girl's and the boy's fate.
***
The Slytherin boy raced against time. He was expected soon and if he didn't show up in time, he would be severely punished. He had information that was needed by their leader. Though the Dark Lord was dead, the Death Eaters would rise again. But they would need help. Most of the original members were dead or in Azkaban, but that didn't matter. They had someone who knew the ropes, whose father was an original. He would lead them to greatness. And with the knowledge that the Slytherin boy held, they would be undefeatable.
He entered the room and his Master greeted him with a snarl, "You're late!"
The boy cowered, "I am sorry, my Lord."
"Nonetheless, you hold knowledge that is very important. Please…do share."
The boy began, "Vladmir was injured at the hands of a mudblood named Lauran Courtinger. She knows magic that does not require a wand or a spell to be spoken. She also is a Parselmouth…"
"Interesting. Very interesting. I want this power of hers in our possession. So…Tell me, when will be the next best opportunity to attack Hogwarts?"