Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong
While you see it your way
There's a chance that we might fall apart before too long
"Harry, don't!" Chloe cautioned as he took a step towards Frank, wand raised high "Let me do this"
Harry gave her a stiff nod and reluctantly stayed put as she walked closer to Frank and sat down on the only chair in the room, facing the bed. Frank's eyes were on her the entire time and he didn't even flinch at Harry.
"Yes Frank" Chloe, began trying her best to sound confident and not frightened, as she truly felt "Tell me how am going to die"
He smiled and inched forward, closer to her.
"He will come for you soon… very soon… and when he does, nothing you have done to protect yourself will save you"
"Who is he Frank?"
"You will know soon enough… he is going to make you suffer, oh yes he will" He said, sounding delighted at the prospect.
"I think you are lying"
For the first time since they first met, something else was showing in his face. Chloe could tell he was offended by her accusation and had lost some of his cool confidence. She gave him a very warm and knowing smile, which only seemed to unsettle him even more.
"You shouldn't have said that" He replied.
"And why is that? All you have said so far is that someone is coming for me, but why should I believe you? Why should any of us take you seriously?"
"You will think of me when he tortures you and all you can do is scream and beg to die…. Yes, you will remember me then"
"Ummm, no… that does nothing for me" Chloe said, standing up.
"Look at me" He said, grabbing her arm.
Harry and Evelyn immediately stepped forward, both pointing their wands at Frank. He quickly let go of Chloe and she took a step back, rubbing her wrist.
"If you touch her again, you will be the one begging to die" Harry threatened.
Frank continued to look at Chloe, completely ignoring Harry. Once her heart rate had gone down, she stepped closer to him again, mindful to stay out of his reach.
"Okay, I'm looking at you. What is it Frank?"
"You already know the person coming for you. You deem him a friend, but he will betray you… he will be your demise"
Chloe said nothing as she stared into the black abyss of his eyes, the mood in the room suddenly tense in an almost suffocating way. Without a warning, she launched an attack on his mind, and was met by strong resistance. Several minutes passed in which she attempted to break through his defenses, looking for any signs of weakness, any marks left by Lucius. At one point, she found something promising, but then she felt a hand on my shoulder, and looked up to see Evelyn staring at her. She looked back at Frank, but knew she had already lost it.
"That is enough for today, come"
Chloe let Evelyn walk her out of the room, Harry following close by, trying her best not to be upset that she had just been interrupted.
"It won't be long now Chloe" Frank said, and Harry immediately slammed the door shut.
"That was it, right? You are not coming to see him again" Harry said.
"Of course I am! You can't expect me to only work on him once"
"I don't like this Chloe"
"Neither do I Harry, but he is our best chance right now, our only chance"
"She is right Potter" Evelyn joined in "And you and I will be there as well, she will not be in danger"
Harry nodded in agreement, still reluctant. He then left to meet Ron and Chloe followed Evelyn back to their department and back to work. That night, after a very long and heated argument between Harry, Ava, her dad, and Chloe, they finally agreed on going to visit Ava's uncle in the weekend just as long as Harry and Jasper were coming as well. Chloe and Ava had only agreed to it if they boys would give them a few hours alone on Saturday, which they readily granted to once Ava informed them of the small Quidditch field her uncle had on his property.
Chloe worked on Frank two more times before leaving Friday afternoon and was somewhat reluctant to leave for the weekend as she feared the small progress she had made would be lost by Monday. They arrived at the castle around one in the afternoon and were met by Ava's uncle Jeremy and his wife Imogene whom Chloe had previously met but hadn't seen in years. They were very welcoming and after each of them had checked on their rooms and left their bags, they were served tea and pastries in the sunroom. When Ava's two cousins were back, she sat with Chloe in the stands to watch everyone else play Quidditch. She took the opportunity to tell Chloe a little more about the book she was planning on writing and how she was going to ask Harry about it tonight.
After a splendid dinner in which they ate far too much, they all followed Jeremy to the castle's library. There he challenged all of them to a game of Exploding Snap but Jasper didn't like the game so Zoe offered to play chess with him instead and Ava took the opportunity to ask Harry if they could talk. Chloe watched them from the corner of her eyes until one of the cards in her hand exploded, at which point she decided to focus solely in the game.
"I had asked Chloe to talk to you about this first, but she wouldn't do it" Ava said, as they stepped away from everyone else.
"What is it then?"
"Well, I have wanted to write books my entire life and most recently I realized I want to write about history specifically. I have an interview with a man in Wales next week and he wants an outline of what I plan to write. I want to write about the Dark Lord's rise to power, his connection to you and his battles with you"
"There are many books like that already Ava" He said simply.
"I know" she nodded "And that is why I wanted to talk to you. None of those books have much information from your perspective, there are still many things to write about and I… well… I wanted to ask you if you would consider letting me interview you… for my book"
Harry stared at her for a few seconds before shifting his gaze to Chloe. She had a funny look of concentration on her face and then she was laughing at something he couldn't hear.
"You look stupid like that" Ava's voice cut through.
"What?"
"You have a silly smile on your face and you are staring at Chloe like it is the first time you have seen her"
"I don't think calling me stupid will help your case that much" He replied, blushing.
"I don't beat around the bushes Harry; you should know that by now"
"Yes, you are very blunt. Why did you ask Chloe to talk to me about it first?"
"Obviously because she is your girlfriend and you love her. I was hoping you would agree to it because she was the one asking, and I am her best friend"
"But she didn't do it because she didn't think it would be fair" He stated.
"Yes, she said it was up to me to deal with it"
"And you were doing a good job until you decided to insult me" He joked and she chuckled.
"It was not an insult. I am happy that my best friend found someone that looks at her like that. You two are good for each other"
"That is very nice of you Ava"
"I have my moments"
"I see… Would you have written about Voldemort and I before? Or is this just convenient since I am dating your best friend?"
"Who is blunt now" She said, but she didn't seem upset "I guess this is a fair question…. I would have written about you before. What happened between you is an important part of the magical history, I could never overlook it"
"But it helps that I am with Chloe"
"It does… listen Harry, I would never ask for anything you don't want to share. This would be your chance to tell things as you want, kind of like you did with the Quibbler during your fifth year. And I would like to hear from Hermione and Ron as well, if you and they agree to it"
"I cannot, and will not, answer for them but I will ask them if you would like me to"
"Yes, please. But what about your answer?"
"Can I think about it? Until tomorrow night?"
"That's promising; I thought you would just say no. Yes, you can let me know by tomorrow night"
Harry nodded and they walked back to everyone else. Ava went to play chess with Jasper while Zoe and Harry joined everyone else for several more rounds of Exploding Snap. A little before midnight, everyone else went to bed but Chloe, Ava, Jasper and him. Ava left the library soon after her family members to walk Jasper to the kitchen, for a late-night snack; Chloe and Harry stayed behind.
"How did your conversation with Ava go?" She asked.
They were by the fireplace, Harry sitting down while her head rested on his lap. She was holding a book and reading it in the flame's light. He looked down and saw that she had put the book down and was now staring up at him. He pushed a loose strand of hair from her face and placed it behind her ear.
"I'm not sure I'll ever get used to how blunt she can be" He began and Chloe snorted.
"She can't help it, and she does it with good intentions"
"I know. It went well; I told her I would give my answer by tomorrow night"
"Do you want to talk about it? I will do my best to be impartial" She said, solemnly.
"There are some things I don't want to share with anyone I already haven't, and she assured me I wouldn't have to…. But something is keeping me from saying yes and I don't know what it is"
"You had to keep a lot of things secret Harry, and you still have to, I think it is only normal that you have certain reservations about it"
"Do you think I should do it?"
"It is not my decision to make"
"I know, I'm only curious"
"Just know that whatever you decide, I will fully support you. If you say no, I will not be upset that you didn't help Ava with the book"
"Thanks" He said, leaning down and briefly kissing her mouth.
After giving it a lot of thought, Harry decided to help Ava with her book and to ask Ron and Hermione if they would like to contribute as well. Ava was very excited and spend a few hours further developing some of her ideas. By the time all of them arrived home from the weekend, they were all feeling better and relaxed. Ava's family had been fantastic and they had assured them they could come for another visit anytime. To Harry's surprise, and annoyance, Chloe had somehow convinced Evelyn to let her work on Frank the entire day on Monday, stopping only for a brief lunch break. Because Evelyn couldn't be away for so long, she had sent Vanessa, a senior official from her department to supervise Chloe during the afternoon. Harry managed to move around all of his obligations and stayed with Chloe the entire time.
Halfway thought the day, he realized there wasn't much to do in the room with them, so he had Ron bring him some case files so that he could work on them, while keeping an eye on Chloe. Right before six o'clock, as he was getting ready to call on Chloe, he heard Frank shriek and immediately stepped between them, Vanessa right next to him. He looked down at Chloe and she met his gaze with a smile, so he turned around to check on Frank. He was still sitting in his bed, but now he was against the wall, trying his best to put as much distance between himself and Chloe as he possibly could.
"Let's go" She said, standing up.
Harry and Vanessa followed her out of the room and all the way to Kingsley office. Once he had told them to come and they were sitting across from them, Chloe spoke again.
"I have retrieved a few of his memories" She began and they all gasped "Not from the Antique shop thought. I have a few memories of his about his childhood and early adulthood. I can share those with you on a pensive later, but for right now let me just say this: He had a really rough life and when You Know Who rose to power for the last time, he was a snatcher"
"So, our suspicions were correct" Kingsley said "he is involved with someone that used to support Voldemort"
"I think it is safe to say that" Chloe agreed.
"Can you get any more information from him?" Kingsley asked.
"I will do my best"
"That was very impressed Minister, that she has already gotten this much" Vanessa said "very impressive indeed, Ms. Lewis"
"Thank you" Chloe said, her face slightly red "But getting anything from him will be harder now. He knows I can get in, so he will put up a fight"
"I have confidence in you, Chloe" Harry said, and she squeezed his hand "You can do it"
"Harry is right" Kingsley said, standing up "From now on, Frank is your sole responsibly Chloe and I will speak with Evelyn so she can arrange for another senior Obliviator, or herself, to be present at all times. And Harry, I suggest you do the same. I know you want to be with her, but we need you for other things"
"I will ask Ron, Landon, and Liam to rotate with me, Minister" He agreed, very unenthusiastically.
The Minister got up and retrieved his pensive, and offered Chloe a few vials so she could place the memories.
"That is settled then. Go home and rest, all of you" Kingsley said, dismissing us "And Chloe, you did an excellent job"
Lucius Malfoy had just left the Master's office after bringing him some interesting news. It seemed that Harry Potter's girlfriend had successfully obtained some memories from Frank. None were of true importance but, though he was very impressed with her work, she was now a threat and he did not take those lightly. It appears that Ms. Lewis and him would be meeting sooner than he had planned, but before it got to that point, he had another plan. He needed to test someone's loyalty, and this situation gave the Master the perfect way to do so.
Draco walked into the Goyle's drawing room and was met by the usual group of people he had come accustomed to at the meetings he was allowed to attend, the only difference being that his father was also in attendance tonight. Draco sat down in his usual spot and looked around the room. Pansy gave him a wide and seductive smile, a couple of people nodded in his direction but everyone else was looking at his father. Draco looked at him as well, and he was standing taller than what he had seen in years, clearly enjoying his new found power and influence among this group.
"Now that Draco is here, we can begin" he said in a slow and controlled voice.
Draco halfway listened to him as he told them things that he had found out, and the recent news his main spy in Potter's crowd had delivered earlier in the day. His attention grew when he mentioned Chloe and her continuous advances with Frank, although she had yet to obtain the memories his father had hidden.
"And finally, the last item on tonight's agenda" Lucius said, staring right at his son "Draco, the Master is pleased with your interest, but being my son isn't enough to prove you have truly become one of us. Thus, he has decided to test you"
Draco gave his father a hard nod, agonizingly aware of all the eyes in the room resting on him.
"The Master has decided it is time to alarm Potter and his friends a little more and he has chosen you to ensure this happens"
"And how exactly does he want me to do this?" Draco asked, matching his father's tone.
"He wants you to attack the mudblood and her traitor boyfriend"
"Granger and Weasley?" He asked, taken back.
"Honestly Draco, who else?"
"How?"
"He has left that to you, but heed his warning that you are not to kill them. Master wants them alive… for now"
A few laughs could be heard around the room at his father's words. Draco looked around again, briefly, and Pansy flashed him another smile. He ignored her.
"When should I do it?"
"The sooner the better. And Draco, make sure you are not caught"
"Yes, father" He said harshly.
"Very well, this is all for today" Lucius said, before turning away from and leaving without another word.
Draco stood up and headed for the exit, without another word as well, but was soon followed by Pansy.
"How are you going to do it, Draco?" She asked, keeping pace with him.
"I haven't exactly had the time to think about it" He replied irritably.
"There is no need to be upset, Draco, you will think of something" She said, completely mistaken about the reason behind his mood "This is a great honor… you should be proud"
"Of course I am proud, don't offend me"
"It was not my intention. I can always help if you need" She added, a hint of seduction in her voice, just as she used to speak when they dated at Hogwarts.
"I can figure it out on my own Pansy" He said, thankful for having reached the fireplace and grabbing a handful of floo powder.
Before he could step into the flames, Pansy walked between him and the fireplace. Taking a few steps towards him until they were dangerously close, she leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"You seem very tense… maybe there are other ways in which I can help"
And with gentle nudge of her hips against his, she walked back to the drawing room. As soon as she was gone, he took the floo network home and from there to the actual place he wanted to go.
"Harry James Potter! We are not going to have this discussion again. I am going with Ava to Wales tomorrow for her interview to support my best friend, and to take a well-deserved break from Frank, and you will be staying here to work and not following us there" Chloe said, as they climbed the stairs to her room.
"I still don't think it is a good idea"
"We have discussed that already, as well. I'll be fine and it is only for a day. I'm sure you can bear to be away from me for that long" She said, trying to be comical.
"Not funny Chloe"
"I appreciate you worrying about me, but you really don't have to be so over protective Harry"
"Maybe I do"
"But you don't" She said, stopping right outside her room "I love you, and I love that you want to make sure I'm safe but you have to tone it down some"
"Fine, I will tone it down some… but if anything happens"
"I'll be the first to say I'm sorry"
Kissing him on the cheek, she opened the door and walked halfway in before freezing. Then, she stepped back and closed the door, and Harry ran into her.
"What?" He said, fixing his glasses.
"I'm sorry! I just remembered I might have left the book I was telling you about in the library. Could you go check there? Please?"
"Okay, but are you sure everything is ok?" He asked, eyeing the room behind her.
"Positive, I'll be here when you come back" She replied, reassuring him with a smile.
As soon as he had turned the corner, she walked back in and locked the door.
"What are you doing here unannounced?" She asked, almost yelling.
"Was that Potter I heard?" Draco said, from his usual spot by the fireplace.
"Yes, and he almost saw you!" She responded, even louder.
"Tone it down some, will you? You are getting a little hysterical"
She glared at him in response.
"And I did announce my visit" He added, taking his sickle out of his pocket and holding it up so she could see it "You didn't see it?"
"I didn't have mine" Chloe admitted, waiving her wand and casting the Accio spell.
"Good thing I wasn't in dire need of your help"
"I'm not in the mood for your sarcasm Malfoy. Tell me why you are here"
"Your mood is about to take a turn for the worse, I have some bad…."
POP. They both jumped as one of Chloe's house elves materialized in front of them. He looked at Draco with a distrustful expression then turned his attention to Chloe and bowed.
"Harry Potter says he hasn't found your book and asks if he should come meet you here or look for it somewhere else" He said in a squeaky voice.
"Koda, you are not to tell anyone, especially Harry, that someone else is here with me. This is to remain a secret"
"Yes mistress" He said, glancing at Draco once more.
"Tell Harry I will be joining him soon and make sure he doesn't come back here"
Koda nodded, looked at Draco again and bowed one more time before leaving with another POP.
"As you can see, we don't have much time. What is it Malfoy?"
"I was given a task, to prove myself. I have to attack Granger and Weasley"
"Come again?" She shrieked.
"I'm not going to kill them, calm down. I just need to think of something that will scare them good enough, but not really harm them so that you won't feel the need to harm me"
"I'm leaving for the day tomorrow, but meet me back here at eleven at night and we will think of something"
"Are you actually offering to help me attack your boyfriend's best friends?"
"Yes, I'm offering to make sure you don't overdo it. I have to go now"
"Until tomorrow then. And keep your bloody sickle with you, at all times"
She nodded and left, watching in the corner of my eyes the flames turn green and take Malfoy away.
Harry was still suspicious when Chloe joined him in the library but Chloe was too distraught by what Malfoy had just to really notice. They eventually found the book, which Chloe had suggested he give to Hermione, and Harry left shortly after. Early the next day, Chloe apparated to Ava's flat, trying to be quiet and not wake up Ava's roommate. From there, they met Jasper outside and traveled to Wales. They arrived at Cromwell's Ink just a few minutes before her appointment and were greeted by his two sons Edward and Henry, the later Jasper's friend and the one who had arranged the meeting in the first place. After they were introduced, Edward struck a conversation with Chloe while the other two men were talking to Ava about their father. Soon after, the doors to Mr. Cromwell's office opened and the man himself stepped out to greet them.
"Jasper, how nice to see you again" He said, shaking hands with Jasper. "And these are?"
"Mr. Cromwell, this is my girlfriend Ava and her best friend, Chloe"
"Pleasure to meet you both" He said, taking turns shaking their hands. "Let us go into my office and discuss business then Ms. Ava. And Chloe, don't you worry, my boys and Jasper will keep you company"
"Thank you, sir,"
They watched as Ava and Mr. Cromwell walked back in his office and closed the doors. Chloe lost track of how long they were in there for she was having a lively conversation with the boys. Henry and Edward reminded her a lot of Ava and herself, and it was very amusing. When the doors to the office opened again, Ava came out first, the proud smile on her face telling me Chloe all she needed to know. Elbowing Jasper out of the way, she gave Ava a hug and congratulated her before letting him do the same.
"Yes, yes, congratulations Ms. Ava indeed" Cromwell said "You are a very talented young lady, I look forward to reading the next draft of your book"
"Thank you" Ava said from her spot next to Jasper.
"Now, before you leave, I have asked Ms. Ava about meeting Mr. Potter as well. I have decided to have all of you and Mr. Potter for dinner at my manor, this Saturday night. Would that be possible, Ms. Chloe? Your friend has already agreed to it"
"I will ask Harry when I return home and owl you tomorrow, if that is ok"
"It is most definitely ok. I will look for your owl tomorrow. Now, if you excuse me, I must go back to work"
After leaving the building, they said goodbye to Henry and Edward who were also going back to work and headed to Ava's house for lunch with her family. Chloe always enjoyed visiting them, especially Ava's mother, and they had a fantastic time. Throughout the day, she had tried her very best to keep from worrying about Draco's task, but when she finally arrived back home, after a quick visit to Harry's, all she could do was pace back and forward waiting on Malfoy to arrive.