Where The Beginning Of The End Begun
A/N: I have to say that some may find this chapter incredibly boring and that's because it's kind of a filler. I really just want to stick to the film as much as possible for them being in fifth year so that we can get through it quicker and get on to the more exciting things to come in sixth year. Also, I'm going to take precautions and put the rating of this up to an M because they're will eventually be lemons and stuff and I'm just paranoid. Anyhow, I apologise again for this dull chapter and I promise they won't all be like this!
Chapter 12-
Lying in bed I think about everything that's happened over the past month and a bit. After a while, I come to the conclusion that very little actually has happened.
Adelaide's ball has been the highlight of the summer for me, after that I've really just been going along with it. I visited Aibhlin and Aedan in Ireland for a few days and I've went shopping loads but that's about it.
I honestly thought this summer was going to be eventful. I mean, I haven't seen Draco since the ball and in all honesty he was supposed to be my main source of excitement. Thinking about that though just makes me think about what Aibhilin told me about considering the options I have with Draco.
It's difficult though. I can't bring myself to get over what everyone else thinks and be with him but I also can't stop being around him completely. He's just too important now.
Maybe this school year things will be different…maybe.
A knock at the door pulls me out of my thoughts.
"Come in." I call. Mum opens the door and walks through with a sympathetic look upon her face.
"Are you all packed for tomorrow?" She asks, eying the suitcase and bag sitting on the floor at the foot of my bed. Tomorrow I've to go and meet Hermione and the Weasley's and stay with them until it's time to head back to school because mum doesn't want me to be by myself, probably because she's paranoid that something terrible is going to happen to me.
"Mhmm." Comes my response. Mum walks over to me and smiles sadly. She sits next to me on the bed and starts stroking my hair in a comforting way.
"I'm sorry that I won't be there to send you off but you'll be with Hermione and Aibhilin and all of your other friends."
"I'm not upset about you not being there mum. I'm fifteen now, I can get on a train without you."
"Well you could at least act like you care." Mum says, feigning hurt.
"Oh hush mum. You know I care. It's just not a big deal anymore." I give her a small smile.
"It's a boy, isn't it? That's why you aren't bothered about me missing seeing you off. You think it would be embarrassing, wouldn't you?" She gives me a question look, waiting for my answer.
I stare at her for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Mum, you need to be in France in the morning. You couldn't be there even if I wanted you to. So I've accepted it. It has nothing to do with a boy." I tell her.
"Is it Draco? Because, you two seemed awfully close at Adelaide's ball and-"
"You were drunk at the ball. You don't know what you saw." I say, trying to throw her off.
"I wasn't even that drunk." She says defensively.
"Oh okay." I give her an incredulous look. Mum rolls her eyes and stands up.
"Alright, it's not him. There isn't even a boy." She puts her hands up, emphasizing her point. "Anyway, since I won't see you in the morning, this is goodbye for now my little Gen-bug."
Leaning down, she kisses my nose like she so often does and stands up straight again.
"I love you darling. So much."
"I love you too mum. Have fun in France." I wink at her making her laugh.
"Have fun at school. And be careful…" She says walking out of the room.
I sigh and pull the covers around myself, closing my eyes and letting sleep consume me.
"She's off to Paris, again. It's like the third time she's been this year. She says it's because of work, the Ministry needs her to go but I'm starting to think there's more to it." I tell Ron and Hermione.
"Like what?" Ron asks.
"A bloke, obviously."
"You think your mum's seeing someone? Surely she would tell you." Hermione adds in.
I shrug at them before turning at the sound of the door opening.
Hermione and I jump up at the same time when we see Harry. She hugs him first and I follow.
"Good to see you Harry." I smile at him after pulling out of the hug.
"Are you alright? We heard about the dementor attack. You must tell us everything." Hermione rushes out.
"Let him breathe Hermione." Ron says, walking up next to us.
"And what about the hearing?" I ask, wanting to know answers as much as Hermione.
"It's just outrageous." Hermione says. "I've looked it up, they simply can't expel you."
"I owled my mum about it and she says that they shouldn't even be having this hearing. She also said she'd look into it but I'm not sure how she's going to do that from abroad." I tell him, trying to be comforting.
"It's completely unfair!" Hermione stresses again as we all move back into the room.
"Yeah, there's a lot of that going around at the moment." Harry says sadly. I give him a look of sympathy, feeling bad for him like always.
"So what is this place?" He asks, quickly changing the subject.
"It's headquarters." Ron states.
"Of the Order of the Phoenix." Hermione explains further.
"Which I have just learned is a secret society." I add on.
"Right. Dumbledore formed it back when they first fought You-Know-Who." Hermione tells Harry.
"He couldn't put any of this in a letter I suppose. I've gone all summer without a scrap of news." Harry's voice sounds desperate as he talks.
"We wanted to write mate. Only," Ron begins but Hermione cuts him off.
"Only Dumbledore made us swear not to tell you anything."
"And you?" Harry asks me.
"I didn't know about anything until I got here. I'm just about as in the dark as you are Harry."
He nods and turns back to Ron and Hermione.
"Dumbledore said that?" They don't say anything. "But why would he want to keep me in the dark? I mean, maybe I could help. After all I'm the one who saw Voldemort return. I'm the one who fought him. I'm the one who saw Cedric Diggory get killed."
I wince at the mention of Cedric. It's been massive news since it happened. Only recently has the noise about it died down for me. And that's only because I refuse to listen to the rumours and lies spreading about it.
"Hi Harry." I jump as the twins appear out of thin air.
"Thought we heard your dulcet tone." Fred says.
"Don't bottle it up mate, let it out." George tells him.
"Anyway if you're done shouting, do you want to hear something a little more interesting?"
We all give each other a look before nodding.
I stay silent as they lower the ear down to the door where all of the adults are talking about Harry.
"Well he's not an adult either! He's not James, Sirius." I hear Molly hiss.
"But he's not your son." Sirius replies.
"He's as good as…who else has he got?" I turn when I hear footsteps. I smile at Ginny who is holding Binx.
"Here you go." She whispers, handing him to me.
"I know how much you love being with him so hold on to him for now." I push her arms back gently.
"Thanks." She says softly.
"Hey Ginny." Harry greets her.
"How touchingly paternal, Black. Perhaps Potter will grow up to be a felon, just like his godfather."
"Snape's part of the order?" Harry asks quietly.
"Apparently so." I mumble.
I see Hermione's cat Crookshanks at the bottom of the stairs, near the ear and I try to grab Binx before he sees as well but by the time I've turned to Ginny, he's already leaping down the staircase.
"Binx." I hiss as quietly as possible.
He and Crookshanks start fighting for the ear and clawing at it. Hermione and I keep calling the names of our cats but it's no use.
Finally, Binx pulls the ear off of the string completely and Crookshanks steals it and runs off so Binx runs after him.
"Hate your cats." Ron growls.
"Shove off Ron." I scoff at him. He glares back.
I sit in between Ginny and a young female Auror named Nymphadora Tonks, at dinner. Now that I've spoken to her a bit, I've come to find she's actually quite interesting and funny and she's also a Metamorphmagus, which I find pretty epic. As of right now she's keeping Ginny and I entertained by changing her face into that of an animal.
"What's the Ministry of Magic got against me?" Harry asks. Our attention turns towards him as the kitchen becomes quiet.
"Show him. He'll find out soon enough." Moody says in a gruff voice.
As Kingsley hands Harry a copy of The Daily Prophet we all wait in silence for him to read it.
"They've been attacking Dumbledore as well. Fudge is using all his power, including his influence of The Daily Prophet, to smear anyone who claims the Dark Lord has returned…" Sirius tells Harry gravely.
"What? Why" Harry questions.
"The Minister thinks Dumbledore is after his job." Remus explains to Harry.
"But that's insane! No one in their right mind could ever believe that Dumbledore would've-"
"Exactly the point. Fudge isn't in his right mind. It's been twisted and warped by fear." Remus cuts Harry off.
It seems a lot of people's minds have been changed by fear. Even my mum has seemed a bit off since the return of Voldemort.
"Fear makes people do terrible things Harry. The last time Voldemort gained power, he almost destroyed everything we hold most dear. Now he's returned and I'm afraid the Ministry will do almost anything to avoid facing the terrifying truth."
"We think Voldemort wants to build up his army again. Fourteen years ago, he had huge numbers at his command and not just witches and wizards but all manner of dark creatures. He's been recruiting heavily and we've been attempting to do the same but gathering followers isn't the only thing he's interested in. We believe Voldemort may be after something…"
"Sirius." Moody warns him.
"Something he didn't have last time." Sirius continues, ignoring Moody.
"You mean like a weapon?" Harry questions.
"No." Molly snaps, breaking the tension that was rising amongst everyone. "That's enough. He's just a boy. You say much more and you might as well take him into the Order straight away.
"Good! I want to join. If Voldemort's raising an army then I want to fight."
I crane my neck, trying to see past the crowds of people on the platform.
"Can you see her anywhere Hermione?" I ask.
"No…wait, is that h-"
"Magenta!" Aibhilin shouts as she runs up and hugs me.
"Aibhilin!" I exclaim, gripping her tightly.
"Oh it's so good to see you and finally be away from that woman!" Aibhilin says.
"Well you survived, congratulations." I applaud her.
"Hello Hermione, Ron. Nice to see you as well." Aibhilin smiles at them.
"You too Aibhilin." Hermione smiles. Ron just gives her a nod.
"I'm off to find Harry." Ron informs is before walking off.
"I better go as well." Hermione smiles again before following Ron.
"Let's get on the train." I grab Aibhilin's arm and walk with her to a door of the train where we board it.
After a bit of searching, we find an empty compartment and take our seats.
"So, tell me everything. I feel that I've been desperately disconnected this summer." Aibhilin says almost immediately.
"There isn't much to tell." I shrug. "Nothing's happened. Well, except for the whole Harry thing."
"About that, what's actually happening? I don't think I want to believe what The Daily Prophet says."
"He used magic to save himself and his cousin from a dementor attack. The Ministry were convinced it was something else so they held a hearing which Dumbledore turned up at and he managed to get Harry cleared of all charges."
"Oh yeah and they've been spewing lies about Dumbledore as well. At least, I hope they're lies."
"They are. Dumbledore isn't after the Minister's job." I reassure her and she nods. "The ministry is just screwed up."
When someone knocks on the door of the compartment I look up to see Adelaide's smiling face. She waltz's right in and takes a seat next to me.
"How are you two?" She asks, starting a conversation.
"Alright. You?" I ask.
"I'm great. What about you Aibhilin?"
"Fine, thanks." Aibhilin says, sounding unsure.
"Okay, I didn't actually come here to make small talk." Adelaide admits. Well, I could've guessed as much. "I've heard a whisper down the train that Malfoy is looking for you and I don't know where things are between the two of you so I thought I'd be nice and give you a heads up about it so that you can…prepare yourself or whatever."
"How very kind of you Adelaide." She doesn't pick up on my sarcasm.
"I know. But anyway, you have a nice journey. Oh and Aibhilin darling, if you see your brother could you please tell him he's in trouble." Adelaide smiles and walks out of the compartment.
"Yeah…I'm not going to do that." Aibhilin mumbles after she's left.
When the train stops, Aibhilin and I gather our bags and follow the other students.
Another year at Hogwarts. I wonder how well this is going to go. After all, I thought last year was going to be normal and now things are even worse with the return of Voldemort.
As we walk towards the carriages, we stay silent. Both of us lost in our own thoughts until I hear commotion behind us.
"What'd I tell you? A complete nutter." And there it is. The voice I've secretly been longing to hear for ages.
"Just stay away from me!" I hear Harry shout.
"Do you ever think Malfoy's going to give Harry a break?" Aibhilin asks quietly, obviously aware of Draco only a few paces behind us.
"Not a chance…" I whisper before I feel an arm around my shoulders.
"Pathetic." Draco scoffs. "Why must you choose to associate yourself with him?"
"Because he's a good person." I say, pushing his arm off even though I really don't want to. I'm just paranoid about people making assumptions if they see us being close.
"Oh yeah, he's a real saint." Draco laughs and so do Crabbe and Goyle.
"Why are you even here?" Aibhilin asks.
"That's none of your concern O'Malley so you can leave now and I'll keep Magenta company." Draco smirks.
"Actually it is my concern because Magenta is my best friend and I'm not going to just leave her alone with you idiots." She growls back.
"Can't the both of you just shut up?" I snap at them. They stop talking but continue sending each other glares. Looking around, I realise that there's someone missing. "Where's Blaise?"
At the mention of his name Aibhilin perks up slightly and Draco starts looking around as well.
"Probably off chatting up some girl." Draco concludes. I subtly look to Aibhilin, noticing how her perkiness has deflated.
When we arrive at the carriages, the boys head to one and Aibhilin gives me a look.
"No way." She says simply, I nod my head slightly but don't agree out loud. In all honesty I don't want to be stuck with a bunch of Slytherins despite Draco being there.
"Let's go Blakewood." Draco comes up behind me and I turn to face him.
"Actually, I'm going to go with Aibhilin sorry. I'll see you at school." I rush out before giving him a small smile and turning back around to Aibhilin.
As we walk to the next carriage that contains a few Gryffindors I hear Draco scoff loudly behind me and I cringe.
"You didn't have to do that you know." Aibhilin says quietly.
"Yes, I did. And besides, I'd obviously much rather be with you than sit and listen to the complete and utter shite that comes out of Crabbe and Goyle's mouths." I give her as much of a smile as I can muster up.
The carriage starts pulling itself along as soon as Aibhilin and I are seated. On the journey, I remain quiet. Not wanting to join in on any conversations. Instead I keep my eyes focused on the scenery that we pass by thinking about the one thing that seems to be plaguing my mind these days and that of course, much to my dismay, is Draco. I wish that I could find something else to worry about but it always just comes back to him.
I push my plate away from me, not feeling in the mood for eating dessert. I rest my head on my hand, trying and failing to block out the noise that everyone in the hall is creating.
I watch everyone else around me, noticing how there is a big gap between Seamus and Harry. The people on Seamus' side continuously give Harry dirty looks and glares.
Of course I don't know exactly why they are acting this way but I'm betting it's because of all the rumours about Harry. In fact, that's probably exactly why considering it's all I've been hearing about since we arrived at school. Shallow little fucks.
"Good evening children," I turn my head at the sound of Dumbledore's voice starting his speech.
"Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We're pleased to be welcoming back Professor Grubbly-Plank who'll be taking Care Of Magical Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave. We also wish to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge." I look to the small woman dressed in pink who looks very out of place sitting beside Snape. "I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the professor good luck. As always, our care-taker Mr Filch has asked me to remind you…"
A small and obviously fake cough interrupts Dumbledore. My attention turns back to the new professor as does everyone else's.
As everything goes quiet, she stands up and makes her way to the podium where Dumbledore is standing.
Across from me I hear Harry whispering to Hermione.
"She was at my hearing. She works for Fudge." He says.
"Thank you headmaster for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me." Umbridge says. My face remains stoic as I watch her. "I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends."
"That's likely." Fred and George say at the same time. Funnily enough, that's exactly what I was thinking.
"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school. Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved. Perfect what can be perfected and prune practices that ought to be prohibited." Oh I hate her already.
Dumbledore starts clapping and encourages us all to do the same. I do so against my will though.
"Thank you Professor Umbridge, that really was most illuminating."
"Illuminating? What a load of waffle." Ron mumbles. I give a small laugh at that.
"What's it mean?" Harry asks, slightly confused as always.
"It means the Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts." Hermione replies tensely.
I would've thought that my mum would have told me about this. If the Ministry is messing in Hogwarts business then surely things are worse than they seem. Is this what she meant about being careful?
"Please talk to me M, I feel like you're upset with me." Aibhilin pleads as I read my book.
"I'm not upset with you Ave. I'm just not in the mood for talking right now." I tell her simply.
"Why must you be so difficult?" She asks.
I roll my eyes at her and continue reading. I look up when everyone starts to go quiet. Seeing Harry walk in explains it.
I give him a small smile as he passes and so does Aibhilin. Everyone else just glares.
"Dean. Seamus. Nice holiday?" Harry asks casually.
"Alright. Better than Seamus' anyway." Dean tells him quietly.
Seamus stands up, throwing down the copy of The Daily Prophet that he was reading and facing Harry.
"Me mam didn't want me to come back this year." He says, walking over to Harry who looks sick of hearing it already.
"Why not?" Harry asks nonchalantly.
"Let's see…eh, because of you. The Daily Prophet's been saying a lot of things about you Harry and about Dumbledore as well." Seamus tells him.
"You don't actually believe that shite do you?" I call from my spot on the chair. Seamus turns to look at me before shrugging.
"Well, no one was there the night Cedric died."
"Oh well I guess you should read the Prophet then like your stupid mother, it'll tell you everything you need to know." Harry retorts.
"Don't you dare talk about my mother like that!" Seamus shouts.
"I'll take on anyone that calls me a liar." Harry snaps back.
When Ron enters the common room he rushes right over to Harry.
"What's going on?" He asks.
"He's mad is what's going on!" Seamus claims, pointing a finger at Harry. "Do you believe the rubbish he's coming out with about You-Know-Who?"
"Yeah, I do. Has anyone else got a problem with Harry?" Ron challenges. Nobody speaks up so they both head up the stairs.
Aibhilin and I share a look and head out of the common room not wanting to remain in the awkward aftermath of all that.
In D.A.D.A I take a seat next to Aibhilin, once again ignoring the people around me.
Someone charms a paper bird to start flying about the classroom and everyone takes their turn of trying to hit it until it burns to ashes on a desk.
Standing at the back of the class is Umbridge. Getting a better look at her now I see how short she really is. Despite her height though, she stands with snobbish confidence and she looks like she's unaffected by all the looks she gets. I make a face at the fact she's once again wearing all pink…it's an overwhelming amount of the one colour.
"Good morning children." She says.
Everyone straightens up a bit and turns their attention to Umbridge who starts walking between the desks- I gag slightly at the strong scent of her perfume as she walks past me -whilst using her wand to make words appear on the chalkboard.
"Ordinary. Wizarding. Level. Examinations. O.W.L.s. More commonly known as Owls. Study hard and you will be rewarded . Fail to do so and the consequences may be… severe."
I definitely hate her.
She levitates the books and we each receive one on our desk.
"You're previous instruction in this subject has been disturbingly uneven." As the book is placed on my desk I read the front cover. It reads 'Dark Arts Defence-Basics for Beginners.'
I give Aibhilin a look of confusion and she returns it.
"From now on you will be following a carefully constructed-Ministry approved- course of defensive magic." And there goes my liking to this subject.
Hermione raises her hand and Umbridge allows her to speak.
"There's nothing in here about using defensive spells." Hermione says with a questioning tone.
"Using spells?" Umbridge lets out a high-pitched laugh. "Well I can't imagine why you would need to use spells in my classroom."
"We're not going to be using magic?" Ron questions.
"You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way." Umbridge tells him.
"Well what use is that? If we're going to be attacked it won't be risk-free." Harry blurts out.
"Student's will raise their hands in my class." I scoff at that. "It is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations. Which, after all is what school is all about."
"My mum works for the Ministry and she never mentioned any of this to me." I say, not liking where this is going.
"Your mother, Miss Blakewood, is out of the country at this time. How is she to know about such things?" Umbridge questions.
I go to answer back but Harry beats me to it.
"And how is theory supposed to prepare us for what's out there?" He asks.
"There is nothing out there dear. Who do you imagine would want to attack children like yourself?"
"Oh I don't know maybe…Lord Voldemort." The class erupts into whispers as Harry says the name that so many people fear.
"Now let me make this quite plain. You have been told that a certain dark wizard is at large once again. This. Is. A…Lie."
"It's not a lie! I saw him, I fought him!"
"Detention Mr Potter!" She shouts.
"So according to you Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord?"
"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident."
"It was murder! Voldemort killed him, you must know that!"
"Enough!" Umbridge shouts. "Enough. See me later Mr Potter, my office."
"I can't stand her! And I've only had one bloody class with her. I swear to Merlin if I hear her talking about exams again I'm leaving Hogwarts." I throw my arms up as I pace back and forth between the tables.
"Yes but then I'd have no one to amuse me." Draco complains before smirking.
"I'm sure you'd find someone." I give him a bittersweet smile. "Pansy, perhaps? She seems awfully willing to do anything for your attention..."
Draco hops off the table and walks towards me, boxing me in against another table.
"I'm not interested in Pansy." He says quietly, his breath hitting my lips.
"Are you sure?" I ask. I can't stop my eyes from flickering between his lips and his eyes.
He nods his head, leaning in even further.
"I want you." My heart swells along with my ego as he kisses me. It's been so long since we've kissed and I've missed it.
I pull him closer to me by his neck and he keeps one hand on the table behind me and one on my waist.
As we kiss Aibhilin's words randomly pop into my head, reminding me that if I keep this up with Draco then I'm going to be the one that gets hurt. I try to push those thoughts away and just enjoy what's happening right now but they keep clawing at my brain. I don't want to be hurt, especially not by Draco.
She's right though. I can't keep doing this. I need to pick one option out of the two.
I pull back from the kiss and gently push him away, averting my eyes from his penetrating gaze.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
"We need to stop this." I tell him solemnly.
"Stop what?"
"This." I motion between the two of us. "I just- I can't keep sneaking around with you…kissing you and acting like we're together when we're not."
"Then let's stop sneaking around and just be together."
"It's not as simple as that. It's confusing and complicated." I say, still not looking at him.
"No. It isn't confusing and you are the one making it complicated." He says as he walks towards me. "You're already mine. You just don't want people to know because you're afraid. You're afraid that, Merlin forbid, someone might say something bad about you. Or that your precious Gryffindors won't like you anymore. Stop caring about what people think. Stop being such a coward."
Before I can stop myself I slap him across the face.
"I am not a coward and just so you know, if we ever got together publicly then the whole of Slytherin would hate you. Could you handle that?" I question him fiercely.
"They're all incapable of hating me. And if you're so sure that you're not a coward, why don't you prove it?" He challenges, brushing off the fact that I slapped him.
"I don't have to prove anything to you." I push him with all the strength that I can gather and grab my bag.
"You can't keep denying what you want Blakewood." He says with a sigh.
"Oh, I know what I want Malfoy. I want to be as far away from you as possible." I tell him before heading out of the room.
"We both know you won't be able to keep that up." I hear him call, just loud enough for me to hear and ignore it.