Chapter Twenty-Three - The Siblings
The week of the Easter holiday was both awkward and surreal.
The Malfoys were rarely seen at the table. Mrs. Malfoy was most often seen, for she made it a point to at least break fast with the rest of the family. Mr. Malfoy spent every minute of his time with his remaining son, even to the point of helping Draco with his homework.
Harry didn't want to intrude on their time together, so he worked on his assignments alone. He would have sought out Remus, but he wasn't around much either. He often left early and got back late, engaged in secret Order missions to persuade many of his fellow werewolves to join the fight against Voldemort. When he wasn't on assignment, he spent his time with Tonks. While Harry hoped he would be successful in both regards, unfortunately it meant that Harry saw him but little and never did manage to ask him a few questions about his Astronomy and Defence assignments.
When he wasn't putting quill to parchment, Harry spent time with Sirius. They lifted weights or played cards to keep their hands busy, but best of all was the conversation. Sirius still had Marauder stories to tell, and Harry relished the opportunity to learn more about his father. He loved the time he got to spend with Sirius, just the two of them.
Harry was thoroughly worried about Elan and Percy, but somehow he managed to get his essays completed. They were nothing spectacular, but unless the professors were feeling especially harsh, all of them would earn at least an A+.
In only a few short days, it was time to head back to school. Harry knocked on the door of Draco's guest room on Sunday morning.
"Just a minute." Draco's voice was muffled through the door. When he opened it, Harry started at how disheveled his best mate seemed. His clothes were wrinkled, his hair was limp, and he had deep bags under his eyes.
"You look like something the cat dragged in. If only the others could see you now."
"I wouldn't even care at this point." Draco let out a hopeless sigh. "Come on in."
Harry entered the room and sat down in the desk chair. Draco collapsed heavily on the bed.
"How are you, mate?"
Draco ran his fingers through his hair and laced them together at the back of his head.
"I'm scared, Harry. Really scared. I know there was always this risk, but it's still a rough bit to cope with."
"How's your mum and dad?"
"Well, Mum's been a brick through the whole thing. She's taking it much better than Father is. I swear, he's cracking. He spent all his time talking about the family legacy, and he kept offering all this wisdom."
"Like what?"
"'Trust is a commodity so precious that it is measured in drops.' Mental stuff, really."
"Surely the quality time with him was good."
"Mostly. I'm worried that he might do something crazy though."
"Like what?"
"He spent at least twenty minutes last night talking about grandchildren."
"Grandchildren?"
"Yes. He definitely wants them. I'm worried about what lengths he might go to in order to get them."
"What could he do?"
"Technically, I am betrothed to Pansy. I'm still underage. So is she. If our fathers agree for us, then we'll be married."
"Who's the unlucky party who gets to tell her the good news?"
"I certainly don't want to do it. Not for all the tea in China."
"How are you supposed to make babies if the bride hates your guts?"
"I'll be sure to ask him that if he tries to go through with such an absurdity."
"You ready to go meet the train?"
"We aren't Apparating back?"
"That's what I meant. We'll Apparate into Hogsmeade and then mingle with the crowd at the platform."
"What time are we leaving?"
"Four."
"What do we do until then?"
"Let's see if you can disarm me yet."
Draco groaned.
Between duelling and weight-lifting, they managed to keep themselves occupied until lunch. After some hasty sandwiches, they grabbed hot showers and put on fresh robes. They met Sirius in the sitting room.
"Ready?"
"Let's do it," Harry said.
They Apparated to Hogsmeade.
Harry hugged Sirius tightly.
"Take care," the older man said.
"You too."
"I love you, Harry."
Harry had never heard those words before. He'd come to accept that his parents had loved him, but in the year and more since he'd been living with his godfather, somehow the words had never been said. Tears flooded his eyes in a most unmanly fashion, and he clung to Sirius with sudden weakness in his knees.
"I love you too," he managed to choke out.
Their embrace lasted long moments, and Harry felt his composure returning.
"Bye, Sirius."
"Bye, Harry."
Harry and Draco slung their bookbags over their shoulders and began walking towards the train platform. The sun was just starting to burn the sky red, and a warm breeze rustled the branches of the trees. In the distance, they could hear the train approaching. White smoke billowed up from the valley. The red engine chugged into sight, and the brakes kicked in with a great squeal of metal on metal. When the train had come to a complete and total stop, the driver hopped out. He tapped his wand to a copper rod that ran the length of first car, and all the doors opened at once.
Harry jumped up onto the platform and began calling out instructions to the laughing students that poured out of the train cars.
"Keep it orderly now! No shoving! No dallying! No standing in doorways! Keep it moving! Everyone off the train and into the carriages!"
Harry caught a flash of red hair and turned to see Ginny and Laine step out. Laine looked beautiful. She'd curled her hair. She hadn't bothered to wear her school robes and was dressed in a tight blue number that set Harry's pulse racing.
"You greet your girl, Harry," Draco said. "I've got to greet mine."
Harry could tell from Laine's expression that she wasn't happy. He looked for the danger signs, but his girlfriend didn't look like she was ready to explode yet.
"Hi, Laine." He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek.
Her eyes flashed, and he inwardly groaned.
"So you do remember me. I was starting to wonder if you'd gotten hit with a Memory Charm. Does your owl have a broken wing?"
"What?"
"You skipped out on the train ride," she said accusingly. "Then you didn't write me or anything the whole holiday. You weren't on the train today either. Yet I know you didn't stay at school. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Things have been kind of frantic. I've been helping Draco and his family through this difficult time. There hasn't been a lot of time for writing letters."
"That's a pathetic excuse. It doesn't take more than ten minutes to write, 'Hi, Laine. Easter isn't as fun without you. Can't wait to see you again. Love, Harry.' But apparently I'm not even worth that much effort to you."
The conversation was rapidly going downhill.
"Laine, I-"
"Don't even bother. You could have if you'd really wanted to, but I guess with you it's out of sight, out of mind."
With that last verbal jab, she whirled around, nearly whipping Harry in the face with her hair, and stormed off. She grabbed a startled Ginny's arm and dragged her along. They got into a carriage with some other fourth years and headed up to the castle.
"What did you say to her?" Draco asked.
"Nothing. She's mental."
Draco nodded.
"Harry! Over here!"
Daphne and the other fifth year Slytherin girls pushed their way through the crowds.
"Good hols?" she asked.
"Decent."
"Hey, Pansy," Draco said quietly. "Would you please join me? I've got something important to talk with you about."
Pansy seemed puzzled by the change in Draco's usual demeanour. She nodded and took his arm as he led the way to a carriage. He held the door for her, and the pair set off together.
"What's going on with them?" Daphne asked as she, Millie, and Tracy all piled into their own carriage.
"You might want to pick out some dress robes suitable for a wedding," Harry answered, joining them.
Millie looked like she might be ill.
"What, those two?" Daphne said with a giggle. "That'll be the day."
"If you say so," Harry said tantalizingly.
"What do you know, Harry?" Tracy inquired.
"I'm sure you'll find out soon enough. How was Easter, Tracy?"
"It was nice. We stayed home this year. I got to spend some time with my parents, which was nice. We didn't see much of Jamie."
"How are her Healer classes going?"
"They're keeping her busy."
"That's good."
"She seems a bit happier these days. I think she's met a boy, but she hasn't mentioned him yet."
"About time," Daphne quipped.
Tracy made a face. "Tell me about it. I'm sure she'll tell me about him in due time. She tells me everything."
"You'd better keep us informed."
"I will."
Before they could ask Daphne about her holiday, they had arrived at school.
Harry jumped out and held the door for the ladies. He saw Pansy and Draco were still talking in the entrance hall. They went inside to the Great Hall where dinner awaited them.
They sat at the first free seats they came to, and Millie's little brother made room for them without even needing to be asked.
"Hi, Harry. Good hols?"
"Not bad. You?"
"It was very educational. I don't think I've ever heard some of the swears Millie was using."
Millie was not a refined lady like Pansy. She didn't even aspire to it like Daphne and Tracy did. She cared nothing for niceties. Her language fit better in a Quidditch locker room than a tea parlour.
"Shut up, Arse. Not a word."
Arcen smiled so widely, Harry thought his face might split. "Millie, did you tell them about your debutante ball? Your dress is going to be so pretty!"
Millie's eyes narrowed. "I warned you. Anything dire that happens to you after this is not my fault."
Arcen either didn't get the hint or just didn't care. "It's cameo pink, with pink and white roses. She's going to look just like an angel. You'll all be there of course to see her dance with Viktor."
Millie, true to her word, stopped Arcen from spilling more details. She cast a spell that removed his mouth. Unable to speak, he made angry noises, but Millie simply resumed her dinner.
"A ball?" Daphne said with delight.
"Not you too!"
"Now that you're sixteen, it's only proper that you be introduced to society. I'd love it if my parents could put one together for me."
"You can have mine. I don't want it."
"Be a sport, Millie. You'll get to see Viktor again."
Millie blushed near to purple.
"Didn't you say he'd invited you to visit him in Bulgaria? You never went, did you? Or did you?"
"No, I never did. With the war on, I didn't think it would be smart to venture into unknown territory. If it were a place I knew already, that might have been one thing, but to go as a total stranger seemed too risky."
"But you wanted to so badly," Daphne gushed, clutching her hands over her heart. "Your heart just broke when you had to write that letter of denial."
"I did not. I was glad I didn't have to deal with more mushy romance junk."
"Methinks the lady doth protest too much," Daphne said through her giggling.
Draco and Pansy joined them. They sat next to each other, and the customary hostility between them seemed to have vanished.
"I hear wedding bells might be in the air," Millie said, desperate for something to distract them all from her ball.
Pansy scowled. "It's the most absurd thing I've ever heard of. Make no mistake: this will not happen. Draco and I are utterly united in our defiance. It's the one thing we agree on completely."
"We'll be working on ways to make our fathers see reason, and suggestions are more than welcome."
Daphne quipped, "You could marry other people."
Pansy shook her head. "I couldn't produce a document showing I have the consent of my family, so it wouldn't be recognized."
"You could make yourself unsuitable for marriage."
"Get in the family way? Don't be absurd."
"I'll work on it," Daphne promised. "We could just castrate Draco."
"No, we could not just castrate Draco!" he yelped.
Dinner conversation continued to be light-hearted and teasing. Everyone ate too much dessert and clutched full bellies as they headed towards the dungeons.
As they arrived back in the common room, nobody was quite ready to crack the books open. Everyone made to relax in front of the fireplace. Harry headed back to the dorm. Theo hadn't made it up to the meal.
His curtains were drawn, despite the relatively early hour. There was a plate with half of a sandwich left on his bedside table, so Harry knew he'd eaten something at least.
Harry joined the gang by the fire and soaked in the crackling warmth.
Laine emerged from her dorm and crept up close to Harry.
"Can we go somewhere and talk, please?" she said softly.
Harry nodded and led her to a far corner of the common room where there was a secluded nook. It was reasonably private, especially given that everyone was by the fire.
"I'm sorry I got so mad," she said, just as quietly as before. "What with Elan and Percy being abducted, it makes total sense that security would be stringent. Letters can be intercepted and tampered with. I was just upset because I didn't get to spend any time with you on the train. Sirius surprised you, I know. I should have expected that you wouldn't take the train back either."
"It wasn't on purpose," Harry said. "I like spending time with you."
"Me too. Let's try to do it more often."
"Yes."
She kissed him then, and everything was all right again.
After the house had mostly settled down for the night, Harry headed to Professor Snape's office for an Occlumency lesson.
"Sir, did you manage to see Elan or Percy?"
Snape looked truly grey. "I could do nothing for them. I only saw them for a brief moment. I doubt they even knew I was there. Bellatrix Lestrange has charge of them, and they are better off dead than in her hands."
Harry felt sick to his stomach. He couldn't imagine how badly Ginny and Draco would take losing their brothers. He never had siblings, but he knew the loss of friendship, and both Elan and Percy had been loyal friends.
"It's my fault."
Snape waved his hand. "I admit, trouble does follow you, but this was not your fault. Bellatrix had stalked her nephew for weeks, waiting to kidnap him. Percy's one mistake was being a loyal friend. You did nothing wrong."
Harry wished that logic could comfort him. "I will take him down. I swear it," he hissed, more to himself to anyone. "It has to end."
"Let us see how far we have progressed towards that goal. Clear your mind."
Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. As agitated as he was, Snape would find him easy pickings.
Despite his worries over his missing friends, Harry did quite well. His mind was a tranquil sea that mental probes could not penetrate, no matter what direction they came from. He was very much in his meditative state, and Harry actually felt quite refreshed.
"I believe, Mister Potter, that we have carried your study of Occlumency to a certain limit. I am no longer able to penetrate your mind, even when you are in a highly emotional state. You are ready to face the headmaster."
Harry shot to his feet in amazement. "I am?" he exclaimed with elation.
"Yes. His is one of the few minds more powerful than the Dark Lord's. He is your last challenge."
Harry swelled with pride. Snape thought he was ready. He couldn't wait to get on the magic mirror and talk to Sirius.
The week flew by. Harry was worried about Elan and Percy, but he tried not to dwell on the nightmare visions. Voldemort wanted him to see the images, so Harry wanted to avoid them.
Harry hurried to Snape's office on Sunday night. He wasn't sure what to expect now that Snape had declared him ready, but there had been no notice to change the routine.
Snape attacked Harry without notice as soon as he opened the door. He stumbled back, shoving back against the invasion. In seconds, his mind was secure. He stood there breathing heavily, shoulders shaking with sudden adrenaline, heart thumping in his chest. He stared at Snape, his eyes mirrored shields to guard his mind.
"Well done, Mister Potter," Snape said approvingly. He relaxed and looked away. "I do believe that you have become reasonably competent as an Occlumens. You are ready for a larger challenge. Tonight shall be your first session with the Headmaster."
That was great news, but Harry tried not to let the emotion affect him.
"Very good, sir," he said calmly.
The walk to Dumbledore's office was quite long, and Professor Snape was never much one for small talk.
"Infiltrate!" came the response to their knock.
"Ah, Harry, so good to see you. Would you care for a lemon drop?"
"Thank you, sir."
"Professor Snape has been telling me about the remarkable progress you've made in your study of Occlumency."
"I've gotten a little better, sir."
"I should like to test your skills myself, if you have no objection."
Harry didn't know how he felt about Dumbledore seeing some of the things Harry had seen and done. There were secrets he was keeping: his Animagus training, his Apparition lessons, and Eithne the basilisk for starters. But the old man could hardly be more of a threat than Voldemort. Harry trusted his mind and his defenses.
"I suppose, sir."
Dumbledore looked over his half-moon spectacles, his twinkling blue eyes boring into Harry's with determination.
"Legilimens!"
The force of Dumbledore's mind was overwhelming. Harry sat and tried to remain calm. Even Voldemort hadn't pushed this hard. It was as though he were covered in heavy weights pressing in at him. He could feel tendrils of thought probing his defenses, trying to find a weak point to breach. Any shield would collapse if you hit it hard enough and fast enough, and Dumbledore eventually did. Harry was ready, and he redirected his thoughts to his recent examinations, calling up every memory he had of the goblin rebellions. If it could put him to sleep in class, it ought to do wonders for satisfying Dumbledore's inquisition.
The other presence in his mind ceased pushing, and Harry had a brief moment of respite. Seconds later, there came another push, much faster this time, and seeming from a different direction. His shield crumpled, but Harry quickly channeled his Astronomy test, letting Dumbledore see how quickly he'd been able to find and diagram the constellation of Cancer.
Harry felt Dumbledore retreat a bit. He reestablished his protection, ordering his mind and taking a deep breath. Sure enough, there came another assault, and Harry gasped as he felt two different probes poking at his defenses. Snape had never done this to him before. Harry stilled his panic, calling up the ingredients of a Forgetfullness Potion. When his shield failed, Harry instinctively tried to link the two tendrils together. He sent them to the same harmless thoughts.
Then it was over. Harry sat in his chair, breathing a bit heavy.
"Remarkable. Congratulations, Harry, on a truly remarkable feat of mental discipline. Many who study the art for years do not acquire such skill."
"Thank you, sir."
"I will be glad to continue your training. Report here next week at your customary time for Professor Snape. You may go now."
"Good night, sirs."
That night, Harry was troubled by strange dreams. He stalked purposefully through the stone corridors, and black-robed figures bowed out of his way. He made his way up to the tower cells and looked in with a flush of satisfaction.
A young man, so dirty that it was hard to tell he had blond hair. He was nearly naked, clad only in a ragged pair of trousers. Bruises covered his body. Still, there was no mistaking that pointed chin or those grey eyes.
"Crucio!" Harry couldn't see the spellcaster, but the voice belonged to a woman.
The screams of the damned were sweet music to his ears. Elan Malfoy twitched and writhed on the rough stone floor, and Harry felt a surge of alien pleasure.
Harry struggled to push out what he could plainly tell was an intruding mind. He came awake in a cold sweat.
The images raced through his mind, but he pulled the calm from within and soothed his thoughts. He felt the image fading away.
With a stab into his mind like a knife, he saw Percy writhing in pain. When the spell was removed, Percy was too bad off to even weep. A low, gasping sort of whine was the best he could manage.
Harry swallowed his emotion and detatched himself from Percy. The calmness flooded through him as the image faded.
Harry kept himself centred and calm. Brief flashes, too blurry to identify assailed him. He ignored them and focused on his breathing. The attacks tapered, and eventually he drifted off, perfectly content.
The next morning he got up early and went to Snape's office to report the dream.
"You say you managed to fend him off?"
"Yes, sir. It took a bit, but eventually the visions faded. It's all thanks to your teachings."
Snape allowed himself a small smile. "You are welcome, Mister Potter. You did well. You kept your wits about you under pressure. Dismissed. If you have further visions, please inform me."
The cold fact that he couldn't do anything at all to help Elan and Percy gnawed at Harry. He felt helpless, and he didn't care for the sensation one bit. He had a powerful urge to do something and having to go about his daily routine as though nothing were amiss simply felt wrong. He bent his thoughts on the matter as he chewed his breakfast.
Three days into May was the full moon, and Harry had managed to swap patrol schedules around so that he was completely free. He intended to sneak off the grounds and meet up with the Marauders in London.
With such tools as the Marauder's Map and his father's invisibility cloak, it was simplicity for Harry to sneak out of the castle. He hurried across the grounds down to the Whomping Willow. He drew his wand and was about to poke a stick at the knot that would immobilize the waving branches when he felt the alien presence in his mind.
His eyesight faded as the vision overtook him. Elan and Percy, together now, were twitching on the stone floor. Percy's robes were so ragged as to not ever merit being called clothing any longer. Elan was shirtless and had long red stripes running up his back. They were screaming in unison, the two pitches melding into an awful harmony.
Harry shoved the images out of his head. He summoned the calmness to banish the panic and fear. He drew a deep breath and emptied his mind.
The blow to his stomach caught him unawares.
His eyes popped open, and he found himself laying on his staring up at the sky while the branches waved over him. His chest hurt atrociously, and he couldn't draw breath. He scrambled to his feet just in time to get another branch across his back. He fell down, lacking even the wind to cry out. He struggled to gather his wits.
The transformation was without thought. Suddenly Harry was a lot closer to the ground. He still hurt, and his instinct took over. Chitter crawled out of harm's way and collapsed, trying only to get his breath back.
His human mind knew that he needed to get back to the castle. He would get there faster in his human body. He willed the change and took two steps. The pain was nearly intolerable. If not for the agonies he'd endured during Animagus and Apparition lessons, Harry was sure he would have fainted. Several of his ribs seemed broken.
He didn't know where his wand was. He had been holding it. He must have dropped it under the willow.
With a squeak, Harry transformed again. He padded slowly over to where eleven inches of holly had landed on a patch of moss. He grabbed it in his teeth and carried it out of danger.
He made the transformation for what he hoped would be the last time for a good while.
Harry managed to get himself under the invisibility cloak, but only with sharp daggers of pain in his side. He went back to the castle as quickly as he could, which wasn't very fast. He put the cloak away and climbed the stairs to the hospital wing.
"Madam Pomfrey?" he said, pushing open the door.
"Good evening, Mister Potter. What seems to be the trouble?"
"We were working on our spells, and I caught a Bludgeoner square on."
"Why didn't you block it?"
"I was busy dealing with the swarm of angry bees."
"You children are entirely too reckless. Where are you stung?"
"None of them got me. Just the curse."
"Well, let's take a look at you. Have a seat."
Madam did her usual diagnostic.
"Cracked ribs, a bit of tissue damage, and a concussion. Drink this pain potion. I'll be right back with the Skele-Gro."
The potion tasted like mango. Harry's head was still spinning when Madam handed him a small cup of foamy white liquid.
"Down the hatch."
Harry very much wanted to spit the vile tasting stuff out again. Actually, he wished he hadn't drank all of the pain potion.
"Now, I'm going to keep you overnight for observation."
Harry groaned and reached for the pyjamas she handed him.
He slept poorly, knowing that Sirius would be worried about him. In the morning, Madam chided him for not getting more rest. He accepted her scolding with minimal fuss.
She did allow him to leave, and he hurried down to the dorm. After ruefully catching Sirius up, he grabbed his bath things and headed for the shower.
Umbridge called a prefect meeting a week later to announce the last Hogsmeade weekend of the year. Once again, prefects and select members of the duelling club were drafted into service.
On the way back to the common room, Harry thought about where he would take Laine and what she might like to do. It would have to be special, he decided. They so seldom had occasion (or time) to do nice things together.
Fortunately a font of dating advice was mere feet away.
"Hey Pansy, I was wondering if you had any thoughts on what I might do with Laine this weekend."
"You might snog her senseless, but somehow I don't think that's what you meant. I take it that the Three Broomsticks common room isn't terribly exciting?"
"Not really, no."
"Well, one place I've always wanted to go is Madam Puddifoot's."
"What's that again?"
"It's this delightful little tea shop just a few buildings back along the side street there. It's a small sort of place, but that's where any boy takes a girl when he wants to treat her right. It's the only place you can get a Love Potion."
"Love Potion?" Harry yelped.
Pansy giggled. "Not that sort of potion. It's this fizzy coffee drink with peppermint ice cream. It's absolutely sinful but yet so yummy."
"Sounds interesting."
"So if you want to show Laine a good time, bring her there."
Harry once again thanked his lucky stars that he had such good friends.
"Thanks, Pansy."
"Any time, Harry. Now if only some nice boy would ask me to go there, we could double."
"Still no luck finding one?"
"Finding is not the problem. Finding one who isn't already taken is."
Harry grinned at her.
"Sorry, Pansy, but I learned never to get involved with two girls at the same time. Besides, I don't think Laine would appreciate it. She's gotten a teensy bit jealous lately."
"A bit? The girl's gone mental."
"Things have been slightly stressed this year."
"You can say that again."
"Things have been slightly stressed this year."
Pansy laughed, and the sound echoed delightfully through the dungeons.
Back in the common room, Harry quickly informed Draco about the village outing.
"What do you say we double date, my good man?"
Harry blinked. "With who?"
"You."
"I mean who am I going to double date?"
"Laine."
"Yes, I get that. Who are we supposed to double date with?"
"Me and Ginny."
"Ginny?"
"Yup."
"When did she agree to go out with you?"
"She hasn't yet, but she will."
Draco seemed almost to be his old self for a moment.
"You're awfully confident."
"Call it a hunch."
Harry followed Draco over to where Laine and Ginny were sitting by the fireplace with Arcen and Lucas doing homework.
"Hey, Ginny," Draco said, sitting down next to her.
"I'm really busy, Draco."
"I know. I won't be but a moment."
She glanced up from her text. "Well?"
"There's to be a Hogsmeade visit this weekend, and I wonder if you might like to patronize Madam Puddifoot's fine establishment with me."
"With you? Are you still on about this?"
"If you like, we could sit with Harry and Laine."
"We're going?" Laine said with surprise.
"If you'd like to, yeah," Harry answered.
Laine squealed and hugged him tightly.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Draco, I'm not sure what's behind all the attention, but sure. Why not? Let's go to Madam Puddifoot's."
"Excellent. See? That wasn't so hard now, was it?"
Harry had trouble sleeping that night. He was very excited about the visit to the village. He hoped he would be able to keep Laine happy. If she got cranky, the day would take a sharp nosedive, but if she was cheerful, then he might get some serious snogging.
When he finally did get to sleep, his dreams were distinctly non-Voldemort-related. He woke up panting for breath and needing to change his shorts. He laid back down and tried to calm his racing thoughts. The remainder of his night passed without disturbance.
Harry and Draco were up early, both excited about the visit to the village. They hurried through their showers, wanting to be in the common room to greet their dates. When the girls emerged from their dormitory, Harry's breath was stolen away. Laine had taken a lot of care with her appearance. Though she really didn't need make-up to look nice, she had used a bit to make herself very pretty indeed.
Draco bowed to Ginny and offered her his arm. Harry did the same with Laine. Together, the quartet strolled up to the Great Hall. The boys were hungry, and Harry was inclined to eat like wild animals, but the presence of the ladies helped him keep his urges under control.
Couples and other groups of students trickled away from the hall as they finished breakfast and headed for the front gate. The village waited for no one. The weather outside was absolutely delightful. There wasn't a cloud in sight. A warm, gentle breeze carried the scent of the mountains. Flowers bloomed all across the grounds, growing more wild once they departed the castle grounds.
Harry and Laine held hands as they walked down the path. So far she was smiling and laughing. He resolved to do whatever he could to keep her in that mood. He pointed his wand at a patch of wild forget-me-nots. He whispered an Engorgement Charm. One of the blossoms grew to the size of his palm. He Summoned it and presented it to Laine with a flourish.
Laine tucked the blue flower into her hair. It looked good. It made her hazel eyes seem brighter, more golden. She smiled at him, and Harry hoped this was a sign that their day would be a good one. As they passed the train platform, Laine squeezed Harry's hand. He smiled as he remembered the fun time they'd had under it. Hopefully today's outing would not be similarly interrupted.
Draco kept up a stream of neverending chatter. He yammered on about the Quidditch team as though he had not a care in the world.
Ginny had demonstrated skill on a broom before, so Harry suspected she would try out for the team next year. She wasn't presently a reserve either, but it was entirely possible she could beat out Arcen for the third Chaser spot.
All the Quidditch talk got them to discussing the upcoming last matches of the season.
"Honestly, I'll be glad when we're done with practices and can focus on the OWLs," Harry said.
"Not a very captainly thing to say," Laine teased.
"Maybe not, but even captains have to pass their exams."
They walked around the village with no particular aim. The prefects and select members of the duelling club were required to maintain vigilence.
In Honeyduke's, they found Crabbe and Goyle raiding the shelves with a basket in each hand.
"Stocking up, I see," Draco drawled languidly.
"Isn't that the point?" Goyle retorted. "When is my dad going to take me out for the day? If I want sweets, I need to get them now."
That made a great deal of sense. Harry bought a case of Chocolate Frogs, seven bags of Bertie Botts, and twenty Sugar Quills.
Munching on a Licorice Wand, they headed into Zonko's Joke Shop, where they ran into the Weasley twins.
"So we'll have fifty units ready by the end of term. Given the summer to work unrestricted, we should have another three hundred each of the cremes, the nougat, and the pastiles. We'll make our delivery on first September."
"Very good, Mister Weasley," said Zeddicus Zonko, grandson of Zekiel. He handed over a pouch that jingled. "Thirty percent up-front, as we agreed."
"Thank you, Mister Zonko," said the other twin. "Always a pleasure to do business with you."
"Fred, George," Ginny said with surprise. "What are you two doing here?"
"Just a bit of business, Gin. We'll tell you if you promise not to tell Mum."
"Is this the operation you keep talking about?"
"It is indeed. Your brothers are quite talented inventors."
"Shame you weren't in Gryffindor to see it, but we tested a lot of our products on the younger students-"
"That's disgusting!" Laine said hotly.
"They volunteered. Anyway, we were able to get our formulas worked out. We just need funds. We put on a demonstration for Mister Zonko here, and he's agreed to put up some money now so we can get started on his first order."
"Well done," Draco said, sounding sincere. "Starting up a business is not easy. Father tells me that even maintaining the ones one has is a lot of work."
"Thanks, Malfoy. Say, have you ever thought about investing in an up and coming comedy confectionary company?"
"Would you care for a sample?" One of the twins held out an orange-white swirled candy.
"Don't take it," Ginny warned.
"Believe me, I'm not that stupid. What's it do?"
"This is a Canary Creme. It'll turn you into a bird for a time."
"I see. What else have you got?"
"Ton-tongue Toffee. Makes the tongue swell up."
"That might be useful."
"For those looking to skive off the classes a bit, you can't beat the Nosebleed Nougat."
"Comes in two pieces. You eat the first, get out of class, eat the second half, back to normal again."
"Where have you been with that stuff? I've needed it several times this year."
"One of our best products by far is the trick wand."
"Looks like an ordinary magical wand, but try to cast a spell and it turns into a rubber chicken."
Draco couldn't help but laugh at that.
"Impressive. Send me an owl with a business plan and a product line. Tell me how much you need. We'll talk."
Ginny hardly seemed less incredulous than the twins.
"We'll do that, Malfoy. We will."
They left the shop and Apparated as soon as they got to the street.
"Are you really going to give my brothers money?"
"Not give," he said meticulously. "I'm going to invest in their company. Maybe. This is exactly how Father makes money. If the company does well, I'll make money. If they do poorly, I'll lose it. I have a vested interest in seeing them succeed."
"Are you joking?"
"I never joke about money."
"You'd better not be trying to suck up to me by trying to buy my brothers."
"I'm not trying to buy anyone. I just want to make a profit and prove to my father that I've got good business sense. Shall we? I'm feeling rather parched."
Madam Puddifoot's was a small teashop up a side road that Harry had never noticed before. It was a cramped, steamy little place where everything seemed to have been decorated with frills or bows.
On the way in, they ran into Neville Longbottom, who was walking with Amy Geagan, a fellow fifth year from Gryffindor. She was rather pretty, about his height, with short brown hair that peeked out from under her fur-trimmed hat.
"Hi, Longbottom," Harry said cordially.
"Hi, Potter."
"All right?"
"Near enough. A bit panicked about the OWLs, of course, but that's nothing surprising. Even the break I got when they cancelled Divination isn't helping as much as I'd hoped."
"How goes the Remedial Arithmancy?"
"It's a nightmare. I expressly avoided signing up for it in third year, and now I get dragged into that classroom anyhow."
"That's rough. It was a third class for Daphne, Crabbe, and Goyle, so they just got to keep Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes."
"I'm wishing I'd signed up for that instead."
"No turning back time, I'm afraid."
"I guess not. Have a good lunch."
"You too."
Draco held the door as they filed inside. A bell over the door announced them in a tuneful tinkle; the round tables were decorated with lacy napkins and china sugar bowls. There weren't many customers, but a few tables were occupied. Harry noticed Diggory and Cho Chang.
They ordered drinks to start with. Both girls got Love Potions. Draco wanted a simple coffee with milk and three sugars. Harry had no idea what to get. The menu was as incomprehensible as his Ancient Runes homework once had been.
"I'll just have what he's having," he finally told Madam Puddifoot when he'd stood there indecisively for five minutes while a line queued behind him.
"I'll bring them right over."
"I wish Longbottom hadn't mentioned the OWLs," Draco said as they chose a table. "I'd almost managed to stop thinking about them for a few moments."
"Be glad you have the OWLs to preoccupy you," Ginny said enviously. "I've got entirely too much time to think about other things. Are you able to sleep any?"
"Some. Most of it is pretty exhausted sleep."
"Do you dream? I have to see them tortured every night in my nightmares."
"Badly?"
"Yeah. Cruciatus. A few lessers for variety, but mostly that."
"I have no doubts," Draco said heavily.
"I just can't get these images out of my head. Over and over I see Percy get cursed. She doesn't even ask him any questions. She just tortures him."
Laine said, "I've been so worried about you two that even I'm starting to dream about it. I don't know if it's Ginny describing them so vividly or what."
"It's really strange, but I always seem to think he's being cursed by a woman."
"Actually, that might be true. Aunt Bellatrix probably begged Voldemort for the pleasure of torturing him."
"Her own nephew?"
"Believe it. She's an absolute fanatic. She hates my father, so anything she can do to hurt him is good. She probably wants to do the same to me." Draco had a momentary flicker of fear cross his face.
"Well, who could blame her for that?" Ginny asked, trying to distract him. "Don't worry. Half the girls in Hogwarts will hex you before she gets close enough to try."
Draco chuckled sadly. "I think you don't dislike me half so much as you let on. You're obviously a girl with some sense about her. Why do you protest so much?" He paused for a moment. "Got a crush?"
Ginny forced a laugh and shoved him playfully. "Draco, the size of your ego never ceases to amaze me."
Madam Puddifoot brought their order to the table, and Draco took his mug eagerly. They all tried to keep the conversation light, but there honestly wasn't a lot to be cheery about. They lapsed into silence and sipped their drinks. Harry tried Laine's concoction and found it far too sweet for his tastes. Laine reached over and wiped foam off his nose. Ginny reached over and smeared foam on Draco's face. He sputtered a protest, but it seemed good-natured, and he cleaned himself off with great aplomb.
"Do you guys want to have lunch here?" Harry asked.
"Food's pretty expensive here," Ginny noted.
"I asked you out, Ginny. I'll get the cheque."
"Do you enjoy wasting money, Draco?"
"It's not a waste. I want to pay for you."
"Not that. Do you enjoy overpaying? Food's better and cheaper at the Three Broomsticks."
"If we go, are you going to let me pay?"
"This is a date, isn't it?"
"I believe it is. Shall we then?"
"Let's."
Harry held the door as they exited the tiny teashop. Laine took his hand and squeezed it tightly as they headed towards the pub.
They had turned onto High street and were nearly there when a familiar voice roared in outrage.
"Malfoy!"
Harry closed his eyes with exasperation. Their Hogsmeade weekend had been going so well. He really didn't want Weasley to screw it up, but there he was, red-faced and brooding as he stalked toward the four of them.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing with my sister?"
Nobody in proximity could help but hear, and many turned to watch the unfolding drama.
"We were simply having high tea at Madame Puddifoot's. Nothing that you or your family would find disgraceful or inappropriate," Draco said calmly.
"Like I can believe a mini-Death Eater like you, Malfoy," Weasley said, still making enough noise to cause a crowd. "You're just like your father. Everything you say is a lie."
Draco started to raise his wand but, even before Harry could persuade him otherwise, Ginny grabbed his wrist and shook her head.
"Ginny, get away from him," Weasley yelled.
"Why?" Ginny asked. "He's been nothing but a gentleman to me, which is more than I can say about you."
"I'm your family!" Weasley fumed. "Get. Over. Here. I won't allow you to hang around scum like him."
Harry instinctively grabbed Draco's collar to keep him from lunging at Weasley. "You won't allow me?" Ginny responded, raising her eyebrows. "I have my own mind, Ron. I can think for myself, and I happen to like Draco. I don't need you to second-guess my judgment."
"That's my job to look out for you! He's a Slytherin!"
"Well so am I!" Ginny shot back. "Are you seriously going to try to tell me who I can and cannot date?"
"You're dating now?!"
Before things could degenerate, a shrill voice split the air.
"Ronald Weasley!"
Weasley's face went pale. Ginny winced and lost a bit of her outward anger.
"Uh-oh," she muttered quietly.
"Uh-oh, Weasley," Draco drawled. "You're in trouble."
A plump, red-haired woman was walking angrily from the Three Broomsticks. "M-mum?" Weasley's voice quaked. "W-what are you doing here?"
"I should ask the same of you!" Harry tried his best to blend into the background. Now a crowd really was gathering.
"It was Ginny, Mum, she's -"
"We were just keeping to ourselves, Mum, and Ron tried to attack Draco."
"He called me all sorts of vulgar and nasty names," Draco said, "though I'm sure that's no reflection on your mothering skills."
"Ronald, what have I told you about your language?" Mrs. Weasley chided.
"I never called him - he's just making that up!" Weasley fumed.
"I did not raise you to go off calling other people liars," Mrs. Weasley said, taking Weasley by the ear, "nor did I raise you to brawl in public."
"Ow, Mum, you're hurting me!" Weasley's mother dragged him off towards the Three Broomsticks as the crowd of students howled with laughter.
"What just happened?" Harry asked when he could breathe again.
"Mum got a job cooking for Madam Rosmerta. It's why I wanted to come here. I knew he wouldn't be able to start any trouble with her around."
"Clever little plan," Laine noted with approval.
"Call it dating insurance. I wanted today to go well."
The food at the Three Broomsticks was twice as good as before now that Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen. There was not a great deal of conversation at the table nor in the rest of the establishment. Everyone was too busy eating.
Harry had some duelling club business to attend to, so they walked back up to the castle. Laine headed to her dormitory to crack the books. She snogged him quite thoroughly before they parted company.
"Meet me on the seventh floor at curfew tonight," she whispered, her breath hot on his ear. "Wear your best robes."
"What do you have in mind?"
"You'll just have to show up and find out, won't you?" she said impishly. "That green number from last year would be fine if you haven't anything else."
"I'll see what I have."
It was of course impossible to focus on his captainly duties now that his imagination had been fired.
Laine had asked Harry to wear his best robes. He was fortunate that he had never unpacked his dress robes from the Yule Ball last year. They were a bit wrinkled, but Harry knew what to do. He spied just the person he needed sitting at a nearby table.
"Pansy, what's a good charm for freshening up a set of robes?"
"You're not going to wear the same clothes without laundering them are you?" she replied, wrinkling her nose.
"No, I'm pulling out something out of the back of my wardrobe and need it to be as though it were newly laundered."
"Ah. Yes, I can help. Bring them here."
Harry ducked back into his room and carried the robes out.
Pansy arched an eyebrow. "Those are your dress robes from last year."
"Yes, they are. How about that?"
He met her questioning gaze unflinchingly.
Pansy tapped them with her wand and whispered something Harry didn't catch.
"There. Perfect."
"Thanks, Pansy. You're the best."
After dinner, Harry pulled on the dress robes, ran a comb through his hair, and put his invisibility cloak in his pocket. He wrapped up in a light cloak and stuffed parchment into an envelope.
"I'm just headed up to the Owlery," he said to the others in the common room. "Back in a bit."
Harry hurried up to the seventh floor, trying not to draw too much undue notice. He was the first to arrive, or so he thought. As soon as the bell tolled curfew, a door appeared in the wall. It opened with a slight creak, but nobody came out.
"She doesn't want to have the room go away," he reasoned. He grabbed the handle and swung the door wide.
Amazingly, he seemed to have stepped back in time.
He was in the Great Hall, and the walls had all been covered in sparkling silver frost with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The moon was in waning crescent, but still so bright it seemed one might reach out and touch it. The House tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each to sit a dozen people.
There were no other people present, just Harry and Laine. She wore the same simple yet elegant purple dress but did it much better now. She had removed the shoulder straps, and Harry found himself wondering how it was staying up before realizing that he didn't care how or even if it did. A shiny satin sash gathered it in at her narrow waist, the garment's only decoration. The fabric flowed smoothly over her hips, and he found his eyes tracing her delightful lines.
Her auburn hair was as he remembered it, magnificently styled as only magic could do. A few locks curled down the left side of her face, and his fingers twitched to brush it back.
Around her neck, the gold locket he'd given her gleamed brightly.
He had to remember to breathe. She was lovely.
"You look beautiful," he said simply.
She beamed at him, more radiant than the moon, and she dropped into a deep curtsey.
"You are very handsome."
"Laine, would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me?"
Her smile grew even larger. Her eyes sparkled.
"Thank you, Harry. I would be delighted."
Somehow the room knew exactly the right music to play. Harry took Laine's hand and led her to the centre of the dancefloor. The strains of the opening number were plucks on the strings of his memory.
Harry had learned how to dance from Pansy and Daphne. Laine followed his lead easily, and it was as though they'd been dancing together for months rather than for the first time. She moved and responded to his slightest signal. He didn't step on her toes once.
The song ended, but the dance went on. New music swelled to inspire the feet, and Harry sent Laine into a twirl, simultaneously doing one himself. With no one to watch and criticize, they were as free as could be. They moved beyond the basic steps, becoming a little more stylish and flamboyant. He twirled her, spun her, and even once dipped her. They moved together as one, their eyes locked, their faces very near. Even if there had been more people present, they would not have been noticed. For each right now there was only the other.
Harry was breathing harder from their exertions, so he danced Laine towards the punch bowl, which was filled with a red and fizzy liquid.
"This is fun. Great idea."
"Thank you."
"What made you think of it?"
Laine giggled a bit. "I liked you even then, you know. I was very jealous of Patil, and I dreamed that you'd suddenly change your mind and want to take me instead. When it didn't happen, I figured I'd at least console myself with a few dances. Then the scarlet harlot contrived her way into being your other date. I didn't get a single dance with you."
"Well here I am," he invited, opening his arms. "I'm all yours."
They danced for an hour, lost in each other. When they wanted to rest, they rested. When they wanted to resume, they resumed. Harry felt his worries drop away. Somehow the magic of that night had returned, and only the moment mattered.
There was no need to venture into the cold of the Scottish winter for a chance to snog either. Harry twirled her, but when he brought her back, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. With no other people present, he leaned her back right there in the middle of the dancefloor. It was gentle and soft, even tender. She melted into him, and the music somehow was punctuated by fireworks, though Harry honestly couldn't tell if it was from the magic of the room or the power of her kiss.
Laine kissed him again, harder than before. She was running her fingers through his hair and up and down his chest. Her tongue poked at his lips demanding entry. They had kissed in the French style a few times before, but always gently and with reservation. Now Laine seemed almost demanding of him.
Their teeth clacked together, and Harry winced. He broke the kiss and touched a finger to his lip. It wasn't bleeding, but he'd definitely have a swollen lip in a few minutes, especially if this rough smooching kept up.
The torchlight reflected red in Laine's eyes. She tipped her head slightly to one side. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. With me, I mean. What's wrong with you? You're never pushy when we kiss. Now you're licking my tonsils."
"I've missed you. When was the last time we got to snog? Seriously, now."
"Almost a month," Harry said after some thought. "There was Easter holiday, and then I got crushed by classwork. I'm still barely getting by. I caught a break from Snape last week, otherwise I wouldn't even be here tonight."
"I know," Laine said. "I'm not saying you should be doing anything different, but I don't know when I'll have a chance to be with you, and now that I've finally got you, I don't want to talk, and I don't want to just cuddle. I want your tongue in my mouth and your hands on my body."
Harry blinked. Laine was being very forceful. "Well that sounds delightful. Let's have a seat, then."
"Don't get too hopeful, though. All the clothes are still staying on."
"Of course."
She suddenly smiled, so calculating and self-congratulatory that Harry felt a bit nervous.
"I know the OWLs are only a month away. It's going to get worse, but there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. After you take your last exam, sleep for three days straight, and wake up, I might let you take some of the clothes off."
Harry's pulse started racing. He could hear his heartbeat thundering in his ears, and he was certain his face must be flaming red. He began to stammer, but Laine cut him off.
"Less talk, more snogging."
As the kiss deepened, Laine slowly ran her fingers through his hair, sending jolts of electricity through his scalp, down his neck, and straight to his feet. He pulled her closer, pressing their hips together. Her other hand, which had been stroking his back, squeezed him tightly. He ran his fingers slowly up and down her sides.
Their tongues duelled, slipping and sliding first in her mouth, then in his. Breath came in short gasps of inhalation and throaty moans to exhale. His heart was beating so fast, he was certain she could hear it, and sweat beaded on his brow from all the blood rushing to his face.
She rubbed her knee against his leg, causing a tremor that nearly felled them both. The hand on his back dipped lower and gave his bum a firm squeeze. He slid his hands up her side and brushed the edge of her breasts. She giggled and squirmed against him.
They snuck out of the helpful room near to midnight. Harry had the foresight to bring the Marauder's Map with him, so he was able to scout a safe route back to the dungeons.
"What is that you keep looking at?"
"Oh, just a handy bit of magic my godfather showed me. The parchment will glow yellow and then red if we get too near to danger."