Chapter 46: Hickory And Home

"You forgot to do your Transfigurations homework again?"

Draco groaned into his cup of coffee, rubbing his eyes, "And now the old bat is putting me in detention."

"So no Hogsmeade for you two?" Pansy interjected, "That's a shame."

"It could've been your first real date," Daphne nodded, Madeline kicking her under the table with a pointed glare, "Oi, what?!"

Okay, so Madeline was a little upset that Draco wouldn't be going to Hogsmeade with them. She was hoping that they could spend some time alone, away from the castle and from prying eyes. But there was nothing they could do, really. And besides, Draco had said-

"-I'll make it up to you," Draco promised for the fifth time that morning, "We could sneak to the Astronomy Tower again tonight. Or if it's too cold, we could do something during the weekend-"

"Stop stressing, Malfoy," Madeline reassured him, "It's fine. We've got plenty of time, right? And besides, there's nothing in HogsmeadE we haven't seen before."

Draco shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck, "I'm pretty lucky, huh?"

"How so?"

Draco didn't answer, and instead nudged her ankle under the table. He outstretched his arms on the table, palms up. Madeline happily put her own hands in his, feeling his thumbs rub the tops of her hands.

What he meant to convey was, I'm pretty lucky to be with you. He didn't need to say it; Madeline knew what he meant. She couldn't keep the smile off her face as she looked at him. Merlin, she was getting in deep.

"This is sickening," Blaise complained, standing up, "Alright you lot, are we ready to go?"

"Already?!" Daphne groaned, "Why can't it be like, an afternoon trip? And why are these trips still allowed anyway? I thought they were tightening security."

"They are," Theo shrugged, standing up, "Don't question Dumbledore's logic, I guess."

The Slytherins all began standing up, apart from Draco, who would be spending his October Hogsmeade trip in detention with McGonagall. Madeline moved to his side of the table, throwing her arms around him and resting her head on his shoulder.

"The Astronomy Tower sounds nice," she whispered to him, "Same time?"

"Same time," he grinned, turning to face her. He gave her a small peck on her temple before letting her go, allowing her to catch up with her friends.

It was only October, and yet the weather was already turning cold in Hogwarts. Madeline had decided to wear wide navy pants and a tucked-in cream knitted jumper, her Bisset crest necklace around her neck, and her dark hair cascading down her shoulders. It really was getting a little long for her liking, but her mother had always liked her with long hair. She waved Draco goodbye as she walked through the doors of the Great Hall and to the Entrance Hall with her friends, looping her arm around Daphne and Theo's.

"Let's have a good day, shall we?" Madeline grinned, bumping her hip against Daphne's.

"Someone's in a good mood," Theo observed, "Wouldn't have thought you were going to be so chuffed about not being with Malfoy all day."

"A girl deserves a break," she teased, "At least this time, there's no date for Daphne to hound me about."

"Oi," Daphne laughed, "You looked beautiful for your first date with Fred, and it was all thanks to me."

Madeline hummed. She'd really enjoyed that day, despite being awoken by Daphne's incessant nagging, "Odd how time flies, huh?"

"Better make the most of it," Theo interjected.

Madeline thought back at her first date with Fred. Time really did fly. It felt like only a few days ago when she'd been sat in the Three Broomsticks with him, sipping Butterbeer and talking about themselves. Getting to know each other for the first time.

"I am not a troublemaker!"

"Said the girl who put a prototyped Exploding Bonbon in Draco Malfoy's drink."

And now, she was dating Draco. It was like the Fates had decided that turning her life completely back to front would be funny. Which, in a way, it was. She hadn't expected to be more excited to come back to Hogwarts and go to the Astronomy Tower than to go into Hogsmeade.

Madeline found herself in a queue at the Entrance Hall. Filch was standing at the oak front doors as usual, checking off the names of people who had permission to go into Hogsmeade. The process took even longer than normal as Filch was triple-checking everybody with his Secrecy Sensor. Of course, they were going to do security checks.

"What does it matter if we're smuggling Dark stuff OUT?" demanded Ron Weasley, just a few meters in front of her, "Surely you ought to be checking what we bring back IN?"

Madeline scoffed, although she agreed with him to an extent. However, it only took a few minutes before she was out in the school grounds and walking with her friends. Daphne and Pansy were a few meters in front of them, while Madeline walked with Theo, Gabe, and Blaise.

"Lovely day," Blaise commented bitterly as the wind whipped around them, "Any plans for the day, Gabe?"

Gabe shrugged, "Not really. How about you lot?"

"Probably just going to mooch around," Blaise shrugged, "Get out of the wind, and all that."

"How exciting," Madeline teased.

"Three Broomsticks it is!" Gabe cheered mockingly, arms in the air, "God, this is going to be thrilling isn't it?"

"Shut up Birch," Madeline laughed. She looked at Gabe, her mind flashing back to the letter in her bedside table. Really, today was the perfect opportunity to get Gabe alone and ask him what he knew of Beddgelert, or if he knew of anyone from the village. She'd had absolutely no luck in the library researching the village, so Gabe was her next best port of call.

The road to the village was full of students bent double against the bitter wind. It took awhile for the Slytherin group to get into Hogsmeade, and Gabe Birch was met with audible disappointment when he saw that Zonko's Joke Shop had been boarded up. Honeydukes was open, which seemed to be where everyone was headed first. Daphne and Pansy had completely strayed from the group, making their way over to Tomes and Scrolls.

"So, what now?" Madeline asked, "Anywhere you lot are desperate to visit?"

"I wouldn't mind popping into Gladrags Wizardwear," Blaise hummed.

"And I should probably get my wand checked out," Gabe explained, holding his wand which now had a substantial dent in it, "Is the Hogsmeade branch of Ollivanders open?"

"Looks it," Madeline confirmed as she spotted the shop just a few buildings down, "I'll come with you Gabe."

"And I'll go with Zabini," Theo nodded, "Meet at the Three Broomsticks?"

Gabe and Madeline nodded, "See you later lads."

The Slytherin pairs parted ways, Gabe and Madeline making their way down to Ollivanders. The shop was much smaller than the Ollivanders in Diagon Alley, and of course wasn't run by Ollivander himself. Instead, it was run by a short man with a stubbly beard and a rather odd-looking hat.

Madeline opened the door to the shop, a bell above them echoing in the small room. They were the only customers, the man behind the desk greeting them with a smile on his face. He'd been knitting before the two students entered, knitting needles still in his hand.

"Hogwarts students, ey?" the man greeted them, "Didn't realise you were all headed into the village today."

Madeline nodded as Gabe stepped forwards, "I've got a dent in my wand from being disarmed in class. Could you take a look at it, see if it needs mending?"

"Of course," the short man nodded, taking the wand in his hands carefully, "I'll just take it round the back for an inspection, but it doesn't seem like the core has had any damage. If you'll excuse me."

The man trotted off his stool and to the back of the store behind his desk, opening a parting curtain and closing it behind him, leaving Madeline and Gabe alone.

"So," Gabe began, "You must really miss France when the weather is like this."

Madeline shrugged, "It's not too bad, mind. I get to spend time with my mates here, at least-"

"And Draco," Gabe wiggled his eyebrows, "We all saw that one coming, you know?"

"Oh hush," Madeline laughed, "Let's not talk about Draco, shall we? It feels like it's all everyone wants to talk to me about."

"You're right, you're right," Gabe relented, "Must be annoying, huh?"

"A little," Madeline conceded. This was her opportunity; her change to ask Gabe. She straightened up, "So, you know I'm from France and the ins and out of my relationship, but I barely know anything about you."

Gabe raised an eyebrow, "Alright then, ask away?"

"Where in Wales are you from?"

Gabe hummed, "Aberystwyth."

Madeline feigned recognition, "Isn't that super close to Beddgelert?"

Gabe frowned as the shopkeeper emerged, "No, not really. Beddgelert is a couple of hours away, at least."

"Your wand is all done," the shopkeeper announced, producing Gabe's wand once more, now perfectly sleek and straight, "I mended the dent, although there was no damage to the core. Just makes it look pretty, doesn't it?"

"Indeed it does," Gabe joked along, "How much do I owe you?"

"Let's call it five Sickles," the shopkeeper nodded, turning to Madeline as Gabe fished out the change from his pockets, "And you, young lady? Would you like me to take a look at your wand? Free of charge, of course. Unless you want something mended or fixed."

Madeline shrugged, taking her wand out, "Sure, no harm that, is there?"

The shopkeeper nodded, taking Madeline's wand from her hands with great care. He twirled it between his hands, humming thoughtfully, "Dragon heartstring core… Bloodwood handle… A very well-made wand indeed. And the holes left by the knots in the hickory are nothing to be worried about."

Madeline nodded. She'd known this already; all the wands in her family were made of various different combinations of bloodwood and hickory-

"Interesting you mentioned Beddgelert," the shopkeeper hummed, "I believe this specific type of hickory to be of that area."

Madeline froze, clearing her throat, "Pardon?"

"This is Welsh hickory, very rare," the shopkeeper explained, "You can tell by the way the knots are formed in the wood, and the darkness of this particular hickory. Are you looking to find the tree?"

"No," Madeline shook her head, swallowing nervously. She took the wand back from the shopkeeper, ignoring Gabe's odd looks, "Just a coincidence, I guess."

After a few more polite exchanges, Gabe and Madeline left the shop, both with their hands tucked into their pockets to protect them from the chill. They walked in silence for a few moments as they headed to the Three Broomsticks, Madeline's eyes fixated on the ground as she scuffed her boots against the cobble.

Someone by the initials M.M had sent her the name of the town in which the wood of her wand was from. Who would bother going through all that trouble and not reveal themselves? What were they hiding?

"You're not a great liar, you know that right?"

Madeline scoffed, looking up to look at Gabe, "Pardon?!"

"Beddgelert has a population of like, four hundred people Madeline," Gabe teased, knocking his shoulder against hers as they reached the entrance to the pub, "You should learn to be more subtle."

Madeline didn't answer. She didn't have a chance to as Gabe swung the door to the Three Broomsticks open. They stepped inside, immediately looking around for a free table. Madeline spotted Hermione, Harry and Ron in a very heated conversation on one table. They spotted Blaise and Theo just up ahead at the bar, ordering a couple of drinks.

"You were quick," Madeline observed as she reached her friends, "Nothing good enough for you in the shop, Zabini?"

"All last season," Blaise confirmed, missing the joke. He turned to Gabe, "Got your wand fixed then?"

Gabe nodded, twirling it between his fingers, "Nothing to worry about."

The four friends ordered their drinks - three Butterbeers and a hot chocolate for Blaise - and began searching for a table. Theo spotted Daphne and Pansy in a booth in the corner, both nursing their own hot chocolates. He nudged the others, pointing over in the direction, and the group began making their way to the two girls.

Madeline and Gabe were lagging behind slightly, having been caught behind a taller Hufflepuff student trying to get to his own table. They darted past him, cutting across a corner of the pub that wasn't in view from the door-

-And saw none other than Fred Weasley on a date with Fay Dunbar. Or at least, what looked like a date, judging by the way Fred had slicked his hair back. Fay Dunbar; the girl who had slagged Madeline off to her friends in this very pub during her first date with Fred.

Madeline wanted nothing more than to dart past them without a second glance, but of course they got stuck behind that same Hufflepuff student, leaving them right in front of the table, and of course-

"Oh, hey Fay," Gabe greeted amicably, waving with his free hand, "Fancy seeing you here. You alright?"

"Gabe!" Fay suddenly seemed nervous under Gabe's stare, nothing like the brash and egotistical girl Madeline remembered from just a few years back, "I, uh, hey!"

Madeline raised her eyebrow at the blush forming over Fay's cheeks. Her and Gabe? Surely not. Gabe surely had better taste. But then again, she was on a date with Fred.

Fred Weasley, who looked rather embarrassed right about now. Good.

"And… Madeline," Fay greeted, although her expression seemed much more sour now, "Oh, is Draco here as well?"

"He's busy," Madeline replied bluntly, not daring to meet Fred's eye.

"That's odd," Fay mused, "I'm used to seeing you two together all the time."

"I'm sure even you can recognise that we're different people, Dunbar."

Gabe snickered at this, but Fay didn't seem impressed. Instead, she leant her elbow on the table and rested her head on her hand, looking at Madeline coyly.

"He's a great kisser our Draco, isn't he?" Fay teased, smirking at Madeline's wide eyes, "Oh, you didn't know? We snogged in fourth year. We kind of had a thing-"

"Glad to see his taste has improved," Madeline retorted without a second thought, "Now, if you'll excuse us."

Madeline all-but grabbed Gabe's arm, dragging him away and over to their friends, leaving Fay and Fred gaping behind them. She didn't spare them a second glance, pulling Gabe into the booth with her friends and making sure she sat with her back to Fred.

Merlin, she really, really didn't like Fay Dunbar.

"Brooding breeds wrinkles," Daphne pointed out to Madeline, "If it helps, we've been watching their date go horrifically wrong."

Pansy snorted, "Seriously; either Weasley has no game, or Fay is not interested."

Gabe raised his eyebrow, taking a sip of his Butterbeer, "I'd assume it's the latter."

Pansy snorted, "Why's that?"

"Because Fay and I snogged last week."

Madeline almost choked on her Butterbeer, the others laughing. Blaise patted Gabe on the shoulder, "Nice one, mate."

"She's a nice enough girl when she fancies you," Gabe explained, turning to Madeline, "Although I think she's fancied the majority of the school by now. Nothing wrong with that, mind you. But I wouldn't take the Draco thing personally. He probably just kissed her during a Quidditch party or something."

Madeline sighed, nodding. It didn't bother her, not really. But she didn't like people using Draco or Fred or anyone to try and intimidate her. Bloody hell, this Hogsmeade trip was not one to be remembered.

"So, what have you two been up to?" Madeline asked Pansy and Daphne, who just shrugged.

"Weather was awful, so we came straight in here," Daphne shrugged, "Bloody boring village, isn't it?"

"That's what we were saying!" Blaise exclaimed.

The group continued their various conversations, discussing everything from classroom gossip to homework assignments. Madeline's mind kept wandering over to Fred and Draco. She wished the latter was here; perhaps the day would've gone differently if so. She was so distracted that she didn't even notice her missing the table when trying to put her Butterbeer down, spilling a mouthful onto her cream jumper.

Daphne gasped, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it's only a drink-"

"Not you, the jumper," Daphne explained, "You better go pat that dry before it stains!"

"We're wizards, Daphne," Madeline raised her eyebrow, "We have charms for that-"

"Dry it, now!" Daphne ordered, dramatically closing her eyes and leaning back into Blaise, "Zabini, fan me. I don't know how much longer I can look at that horrible sight."

"Ever the drama queen," Madeline rolled her eyes, standing up, "I'm off to the loo."

Madeline opened the bathroom door, sliding past a Gryffindor girl who almost shoved Madeline out of the way. She huffed, raising her eyebrows. Katie Bell, was it? She should watch where she's going.

Madeline put her jumper under the outdated dryer, waiting for the stain to dry. It wasn't even a stain, really. It would be fine after a wash or a charm. She popped to the loo, washed her hands, and by the time she went back to her table, her friends were all stood and ready.

"Should we head back to the castle?" Theo asked, "The weather is getting worse."

Madeline nodded, "Great idea."

Madeline, Theo and Daphne had ended up somehow lagging behind the others, meaning they were now walking behind Harry, Ron and Hermione. Which would've been fine, if they weren't walking so darn slow.

"Are you alright after seeing Fred with Fay?" Daphne asked, "If I'd known you were coming, I would've sat on the other side of the pub."

"Honestly, it's fine," Madeline shrugged, "He can date who he wants."

"He was staring at you the entire time after you came in," Theo commented nonchalantly, "Don't think he was really paying attention to the date, to be honest."

Madeline snorted, shaking her head, "Poor girl."

They rounded a corner in the lane, sleet coming thick and fast. Up ahead of the Golden Trio were Katie Bell and a girl called Leanne. Madeline had seen them around Hogwarts before. They seemed to be arguing, but they were too far away to hear what they were arguing about. However, she could just make out Leanne moving to grab hold of the package Katie was holding; Katie tugged it back and the package fell to the ground.

Then they heard a scream.

Madeline's eyes darted back to Katie Bell, who was rising high into the air, her arms outstretched as if she was about to fly. Her hair was whipped around her by the fierce wind, but her eyes were closed and her face was quite empty of expression, except for her mouth falling wide open, a harrowing scream echoing throughout the desolate road.

"What the hell?!" Daphne called as the Golden Trio rushed forwards.

Katie's eyes flew open but whatever she could see, or whatever she was feeling, was clearly causing her terrible anguish. She screamed and screamed; Leanne started to scream too and seized Katie's ankles, trying to tug her back to the ground. Harry, Ron and Hermione rounded up to the two girls. She suddenly fell to the ground, dropping about six feet, but thankfully Harry and Ron caught her.

Daphne was holding on to both Madeline and Theo's arms as they watched Katie writhe in pain on the ground. She thrashed and screamed, apparently unable to recognise any of them. The screams sent chills into Madeline's soul, her heart pounding and her mouth drying. Something was horribly wrong.

"We'll go call someone!" Madeline called to the group, Theo and Daphne following her as they rushed up to the castle. They were sprinting by now, rounding up to Hagrid's hut and knocking wildly at his door.

"Hagrid!" they called at the door, "Hagrid, help!"

Hagrid swung the door open at once, frowning at the three Slytherins, "Wha-"

"Someone's hurt!" Madeline hurriedly explained, "Cursed, maybe. Down the lane. Harry is with her. I think it's Katie Bell."

"Go get the staff in the castle," Hagrid ordered immediately. He began rushing down the lane, exactly the same way they came. Madeline's heart was beating out of her chest as they rushed up to the castle. But before they could cross inside, Theo stopped them.

"You two find Madame Pomfrey, I'll try finding Snape," Theo explained, "If it's a curse, he'll know what to do."

Neither girl had time to argue. They nodded, rushing off to the Hospital Wing immediately.

That evening, Harry, Ron and Hermione were pacing the Gryffindor common room.

"I'm telling you, it was Malfoy," Harry argued for the fifth time, "Malfoy knows about the necklace. It was in a case at Borgin and Burkes four years ago, I saw him having a good look at it while I was hiding from him and his dad. This is what he was buying that day when we followed him! He remembered it and he went back for it!"

"I dunno, Harry," said Ron hesitantly. "Loads of people go to Borgin and Burke... And didn't that girl say Katie got it in the girls' bathroom?"

"Leanne," Hermione protested, "Her name was Leanne."

"She said she came back from the bathroom with it, she didn't necessarily get it in the bathroom itself-"

"And McGonagall herself said that Malfoy was in detention with her all day," Hermione pointed out, "He would've been with Madeline at the Three Broomsticks if it wasn't true."

"Yeah, but-"

"I asked Borgin about the necklace, don't you remember?" Hermione pressed on, "When I went in to try and find out what Malfoy had asked him to keep, I saw it there. And Borgin just told me the price, he didn't say it was already sold or anything-"

"Well, you were being really obvious, he realised what you were up to within about five seconds, of course he wasn't going to tell you! And anyway, Malfoy could've sent off for it since-"

"We're going in circles, bloody hell," Ron huffed, rubbing his eyes, "The more important question is; who do you reckon Katie was supposed to give the necklace to?"

"Goodness only knows," said Hermione. "But whoever it was has had a narrow escape. No one could have opened that package without touching the necklace."

"It could've been meant for loads of people," Harry argued, "Dumbledore… Or Slughorn- Dumbledore reckons Voldemort really wanted him and they can't be pleased that he's sided with Dumbledore. Or…"

"Or you," Hermione interrupted, looking troubled.

"Couldn't have been, or Katie would've just turned around in the lane and given it to me, wouldn't she? I was behind her all the way out of the Three Broomsticks," Harry shook his head, "It would have made much more sense to deliver the parcel outside Hogwarts, what with Filch searching everyone who goes in and out. I wonder why Malfoy told her to take it into the castle?"

"Harry, Malfoy wasn't in Hogsmeade!" Hermione huffed, actually stamping her foot in frustration.

"He must have used an accomplice, then," Harry tried, "Crabbe or Goyle- or, come to think of it, another Death Eater, he'll have loads better cronies than Crabbe and Goyle now he's joined up-"

"Maybe it was Madeline."

Hermione and Harry turned to Ron, "You what?"

Ron shrugged, "It makes sense. She's dating Malfoy now, remember? And yeah, she helped us with the battle last year or whatever, but do you see her sat here with us now? No. She's probably all cosied up with Malfoy in their common room."

"I hate to say it Harry, but he has a point," Hermione deflated, "I saw Madeline go into the loo as Katie Bell came out."

"I don't think it was Madeline," Harry shook his head, "She did loads last year to prove herself to us; why would she help Death Eaters of all people?"

Ron shrugged, "Maybe she got sick of playing the good guy. And she's dating a Death Eater in training."

Harry shook his head, although he didn't really know what to think anymore, "No, I don't think she did it."

"It wasn't a very slick attack, really, when you stop and think about it," Ron added casually, "The curse didn't even make it into the castle. Not what you'd call foolproof."

"You're right," Hermione agreed, "It wasn't very well thought-out at all."

Guilt was not a familiar feeling for Theodore Nott. He was a very proud man; had been raised this way. Before his mothers passing, she'd always taught him to be a proud and strong person, no matter who or what tried to get in his way. And now, with his father imprisoned and no mother to lead his way, he was lost.

Or had been lost. Until recently.

He walked the corridors of the seventh floor alone, only accompanied by the sound of his echoing footsteps. He'd been in these corridors a fair few times already this year, eyes scanning around. Finally, he found the door. He glanced around him once, and without hesitation, opened the door to the room.

It seemed like an endless room of junk, quite frankly. And yet, as he closed the door behind him, he seemed to know exactly where to go. He began walking along the narrow walkways created between the piles of junk, taking a few left turns until, finally, he found what he was looking for.

Draco Malfoy stood in front of the broken Vanishing Cabinet, rubbing his forehead tiredly. He'd had the instructions on how to fix it from Borgin, but it made absolutely no sense.

"Still going?"

Draco jumped, spinning around to meet Theo's eyes. He huffed, "Do you think I'd still be here if I'd fixed it?!"

"You look tired," Theo commented. He paused, crossing his arms, "You need to tell her."

"What good will that do, Nott? Telling her that her boyfriend is trying to smuggle Death Eaters into Hogwarts?!"

"You're putting her in danger," Theo reminded him calmly, "We're putting her in danger, but everyone knows about you two now. She'll be the first on your family's hit list unless she's on your side."

"Our side, Nott," Draco glared, "You're in this as much as I am."

"Which is why I'm here to help you fix this damn thing so we can get out of this alive," Theo reminded, him, rolling his sleeves up, "You're late for the Astronomy Tower, by the way."

"Theres no way in hell I'm leaving you in here alone with it."

"Then hurry up and help me," Theo commanded, "Maybe you'll catch Madeline before she hexes you for being late, again. Also, your plan with the necklace? Absolute shitshow. You are not subtle, Malfoy."

Draco glared at Theo, rolling his sleeves up, "I'd much rather you be quiet, Nott."

Guilt was not a familiar feeling for Theodore Nott, but he really, really wanted to get out of this alive. And so, if he had to lie to a few people, so be it.

He was going to make it out of the war alive.

A/N: A lot of important plot points in this chapter that I've been waiting to incorporate since I started this story! Pay close attention ;)