Blurred Lines
Diagon Alley Destroyed!
Last night Death Eaters, the followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, swept through the streets of Diagon Alley, burning some shops to the ground, and breaking into and destroying others. Reports of screams were first heard at 11pm, before eye witnesses claim they saw black mists (the aura given off when a Death Eater travels) sweeping through the streets, crashing in and out of the buildings so fast, bricks were being ripped out of structures. One eyewitness this reporter spoke to even claims that the atmosphere was akin to that of 'dementors; as if all the happiness had gone'.
The destruction is said to have gone for near two hours before the Death Eaters relented. When the residents of Diagon Alley finally thought it safe, this reporter can say as she was there at the time, they ventured out, only to find the new killing squad, the Deadly Assassins, marching through the streets. There was only a few of them, a small handful, but in stark contrast to what is normally expected, these Assassins started to help the injured and the helpless. They put out fires, pulled people from dilapidated buildings, and healed as many injuries as they could. When asked why they were doing what they were doing, one Assassin is quoted to have said 'because when the time comes, the people of the Wizarding World need to be able to put their trust in somebody. We are making that us.'
Despite the efforts of the Assassins however, there were still casualties, including the Fortescue family, formerly of Fortescue's Ice-cream Parlour. Florean, his wife Ada, their three children, Eva, Maurizo and Romano, and Florean's mother, Maria, all burned after the Parlour was set alight. All our thoughts, here at the Daily Prophet, go out to the people who lost something or someone, either in the attacks last night, or in any incidents over the past year. But it does pose the question: Where is our Saviour when you need him? Lorna Hawkins reporting for the Daily Prophet.
"Have you seen this?" Pansy asked Draco, passing the paper to him.
He scanned it. "They're doing what has been asked of them. Where's the problem?"
"What if He finds out? He'll go mad."
"Pans, don't worry." Draco reassured her. "Harry made Him promise to not harm any of us."
"I know, but just say…" she tried again, clearly scared.
"Pansy, stop it. Stop worrying. We'll be fine." Draco placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and looked up. He spotted a dark haired girl heading out of the Hall and, snatching the paper up, quickly stood up, following her out of the room.
He caught up with her and grabbed her arm, halting her. She turned. "Draco?"
"Roxanne. What do you know about this?" He shoved the paper into her hands.
She looked at it, before turning her sapphire eyes up to him. "It means the Assassins are doing what their leader has asked of them. And that's all you can do." She turned to leave once more but Draco grabbed her hand again. She turned back to him, her eyes questioning.
"Who are you?" He asked, imploring.
She smiled. "Like I said, you'll find out eventually." She turned to face him properly and stepped closer to him, looking up at him. "If only you weren't gay. You're such a handsome man. I'd try it with you. The pair of you broke a lot of hearts when you go together, you know that don't you?" She laughed. "But you both make a wonderful couple." She smiled and turned, walking out of sight of the Hall so she could disapparate, leaving Draco alone.
xxxxx
Tom Riddle folded the paper up neatly, calmly, before his temper got the better of him and he threw it across the room. "Wormtail!"
The rat scurried in. "Yes master?" he asked, frightened.
"The Assassins are starting to disobey me. Bring Severus to me. Immediately!"
Wormtail, eager to please, bowed low. "Yes master." He disappeared with a crack, only to appear a couple of minutes later with the Hogwarts Headmaster. "Severus Snape my Lord."
"Good, now run!" Tom spat at the snivelling man, who ran. Once the door was shut and silenced, Tom turned to his most loyal. "Have you seen the papers this morning Severus?"
"I have my Lord."
"Have any of the students, specifically the Assassins, left the castle in the past 48 hours?"
"No my Lord. I'd know if anyone left or anyone entered."
"What of Harry? Heard anything from him?"
"No my Lord."
"Hmm. Severus, cast a Patronus and call Lucius and Narcissa down here. I need to speak with them."
Severus nodded and cast his Patronus, telling it to pass on the message to Lucius and Narcissa. The two watched as the Patronus floated gracefully through the door and out of sight. From upstairs, the two could hear the Malfoy heads moving about and making their way down the stairs and into the room. "My Lord?"
"Lucius. Narcissa. I have a question to ask regarding your son."
"Draco, my Lord?"
"Yes, Draco. Where do his loyalties lie?"
"With Potter, my Lord. And through Potter, with you my Lord." Lucius confirmed.
"I thought so. But, if Potter were to, say, change allegiances, Draco would go with him?"
"I would think so my Lord."
"Even if his betrayal put him on the other side to you?"
"Draco would never betray us!" Narcissa interjected here. "Only way he would do that was if it was for the best."
"Hmm." Tom thought for a moment. "Severus, you see more of Draco nowadays than his own parents do. I have heard that he commands authority over his own House. Would he be able to do it over students from other Houses?"
"Easily my Lord." Severus said.
"Hmm. Thank you. That is all for now." Tom dismissed them.
The three adults left the room and the Malfoys walked with Severus out of the building. "What do you think all that was about?" Narcissa asked once they were out of earshot.
"I don't know. But I think, once Draco comes home for winter, we will find out." Lucius told her, putting a comforting arm around her.
Reaching up to take the hand that was around her shoulders, Narcissa turned to Severus. "Keep an eye on him whilst he's in the school Severus please. I need to know he's safe."
"Of course. I'll do my best. For now I bid my leave. Good day." He apparated out of the grounds, back to Hogwarts.
xxxxx