Amethyst woke early Saturday morning and practiced wandless magic in the courtyard. She was so focused on what she was doing that she hadn't noticed when Draco joined her.
"You keep getting stronger and stronger. Flitwick's right: even though using a wand is more comfortable and natural feeling, wandless magic has its use. It probably wouldn't be a bad addition to Charms - at least some of the basics." Draco said after a while.
"We never know when we might be without a wand. Wandless magic has its advantages." Amethyst smiled at him. "Been out here since dawn." She stretched.
"Almost time for breakfast." He reached for her hand. She took his hand and they headed into the Great Hall. There weren't a lot of people at breakfast yet. Most were third years as it was their first Hogsmeade weekend. Fourth years and up had had some weekends already. Seventh years were filing in since they were on sentry duty just in case any acromantulas decided to attack the paths to Hogsmeade. Most fifth years were planning a quick trip into Hogsmeade and then spend the rest of the day getting ready for the Feast. Most of the girls would be preparing for the Halloween Feast. "Scorpius isn't planning on going to Hogsmeade. He said he wants to focus on studying for the Care of Magical Creatures exam, especially since they didn't have the course last year. Not sure where he gets the passion from It wasn't a favorite of mine."
"It's certainly not for everyone." Amethyst smiled. She took a deep breath as she thought about what she might learn when she met with Dimitri at noon.
"It's going to be okay." Draco squeezed her hand.
"I'm not sure what I'm more nervous about. Any family information he may have or whatever Pansy and them are plotting." She pushed crumbs around her plate.
"It's going to be okay." Draco repeated and then kissed the top of her head. "Come on, the students will be heading to Hogsmeade soon." They were going to help watch the path to Hogsmeade along with the seventh years. They made their way to the halfway point. Harry and Ginny were at the Hogsmeade end while Neville and Hannah were closer to Hogwarts. Other professors were scattered along the path while Ron, Hermione, and McGonagall stayed at Hogwarts. Once the last few students passed by them, Amethyst and Draco made their way to the Three Broomsticks. They were early, but didn't feel much like walking around.
"There he is." Amethyst spotted Dimitri as he entered. He looked nervous and kept glancing around as though he was worried someone followed him.
"He looks on edge." Draco noticed his demeanor as well. "Not sure how much information he will be willing to share if he's suspicious."
"Private room upstairs?" Amethyst asked. Draco nodded and headed to the bar. After speaking with the owner, he motioned for Amethyst to join him and they headed upstairs. Dimitri noticed and followed a few minutes later.
"Muffliato." Draco cast the muffliato charm to conceal their conversation.
"Thanks for coming." Amethyst tried to ease into the conversation.
"I don't have long. Roberts, Pansy, and Goyle get suspicious if I miss a meeting with them. They're suspicious in general, but more so if one of us misses a meeting." Dimitri relaxed a little knowing no one could hear them. "Why did you want to talk to me?" He looked at Amethyst.
"I learned the other day that Illyana had another child before she met and married my dad." Amethyst explained. "He was given up for adoption, probably because of her parents. He wouldn't be much older than me… born around 1978 or so."
"You think he's me?" Dimitri asked. She nodded. "You'd be correct. I'm your half-brother. I only learned this a few years ago, after our grandmother passed."
"Do you know who your biological father is… was?" Draco asked.
"No. My birth certificate only listed Illyana Karkaroff as my mother. No one seems to know who my father is, but I don't really think it matters anymore. My adoptive parents were good wizards. They raised me away from the Dark Arts… the way Illyana would have raised you, had she survived." Dimitri smiled warmly at his sister. "I think she would be happy that we've found each other."
"I think so, too." Amethyst returned the smile.
"Any news on what those three are planning?" Draco asked.
"They, honestly, haven't told me many details. They are planning something for tonight though. Keep your eyes peeled. Pansy is bringing Roberts and I'm coming with Goyle." Dimitri looked between Amethyst and Draco. "I don't know who they're targeting. It could be either of you or both." Draco grabbed Amethyst's hand. "I'll do what I can to protect you. To me, family trumps all and you are family, Amethyst."
"We really appreciate any information. We won't be caught off guard tonight." Draco shook Dimitri's hand.
"Be safe." Amethyst hugged her brother. He was tense at first but then hugged her back. "We'll meet again under better circumstances."
"Both of you be safe." Amethyst and Draco nodded before leaving the room first. Dimitri left a few minutes later.
"We need to find Harry." Draco said. They made their way back to their spot on the path. Not long after they got in their spot, Harry and Ginny were making their way from Hogwarts. "Harry!" Draco waved.
"Did you two meet with him?" Harry asked when they neared.
"He said he doesn't know specifics but that whatever they are planning is going to happen at the Feast." Amethyst replied.
"Alright, I'll contact the office and have some Aurors and others sent to be on the safe side." Harry replied and pulled out his phone. "Still too close to Hogwarts to get cell service. I might have to step into Hogsmeade to make the call but that should still be plenty of time."
"I think I might take a nap before getting ready if there's enough time." Amethyst stifled a yawn.
"Most of the students are already back at the castle. That's why more of the seventh years aren't here." Ginny said. They waved and headed towards Hogsmeade.
"Makes me feel a little better knowing that Harry knows something might happen tonight." Draco said. They waited about an hour before heading back to Hogwarts.
"Not enough time for a nap now." Amethyst pouted a little. Draco pulled her into a hug before letting her go into her tent. "Even with magic it will still take time to get ready."
"I'll meet you by the entry way to the Great Hall." Draco kissed her forehead and then, reluctantly, let her go. It wouldn't take him long to get ready, so he decided to find Scorpius in the library.
"Amethyst?" Ginny and Hermione entered her tent after they returned from Hogsmeade. Amethyst emerged from the bathroom. "Draco won't know what to say when he sees you." She said. Amethyst was wearing a floor-length black evening gown. It was off-the-shoulder with long sleeves. The whole thing was dusted with gold glitter that got heavier at the bottom. Her hair was down in loose waves with the front sections pinned loosely in the back with a Hufflepuff House crest hair pin.
"I don't know about all that." Amethyst shook her head. "Certainly didn't take me as long as I thought it would to get ready."
"We're on our way up now." Hermione replied. "The boys are either ready or haven't even started getting ready."
"I just have to finish my make up." Amethyst stifled a yawn.
"Were you up early this morning?" Ginny asked.
"Woke up, couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to practice wandless magic before breakfast."
"Flitwick said he'd like to add wandless magic to the curriculum. It's been difficult to convince the board." Hermione mentioned.
"It's beneficial. I know most feel weird without a wand, but wandless magic has its advantages." Amethyst slipped on a pair of black heels and sighed.
"Come with us." Hermione and Ginny grabbed her hands. Orion trotted along behind them.