Their first trip to Hogsmeade had arrived and Xaden was going with Bodhi and Liam. He knew that there was a chance he'd run into Violet and Rhiannon, and he couldn't say he was disappointed by the prospect. Anytime he got to spend with Violet outside of school was good enough for him. His feet crunched the leaves underfoot as they walked to the village. Autumn had officially arrived at Hogwarts, and he knew it was a matter of time before the snow arrived.
He remembered meeting Viktor Krum the year before, during the Triwizard Tournament. The Durmstrang student had said they experienced brutal winters, and Xaden believed him. He also, in passing, had mentioned he didn't support Karkaroff's allegiance to the Dark Arts, even though Durmstrang was a school devoted to the Dark Arts. He knew that Viktor Krum had developed a soft spot for Hermione Granger; had seen that at the Yule Ball and in the resulting rows Ron Weasley had had with her afterwards. He wasn't a fan that an eighteen-year-old had asked out a fourteen-year-old, but they hadn't seemed to be serious. So, there was that.
As Liam, Bodhi, and himself walked into the Three Broomsticks, he scanned the crowd. Malfoy and his mindless gits were sitting at table, drinking Butterbeer and Rhiannon and Violet were sitting with a couple of fellow Ravenclaws. Liam looked at him. "How is tutoring going with Violet?"
Xaden thought about it. "Well, the chances of me making an Outstanding on my OWL for Transfiguration are higher than they've ever been."
Bodhi snickered, but Liam thumped him on the back. "Good job, mate."
They went and ordered a few Butterbeers, sitting down at a table close to Violet's, and she glanced up, smiling at him for a moment. He felt warm, and knew it had nothing to do with the Butterbeer placed in front of him just then. Xade smiled back and took a sip, glancing around the pub. He didn't know how many dark wizards were here – if there were any – and he wondered if he'd be quick enough at his spell work to protect those who needed it, and charm those who didn't so they did not remember.
Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and Hermione Granger all walked in just then, and sat down at a table not too far from Xaden's. Ron threw him a look of deep disgust, but Xaden wasn't surprised. On principal, the Gryffindors and Slytherins didn't get along. He thought it was a pity but didn't do anything to fix it, either. At least he wasn't the carbon copy of Draco Malfoy and calling all muggle-borns mudbloods. The thought of Violet's face if he had ever called a muggle-born that sent an icy knife through his chest, and he vowed to make Malfoy stop.
Just then, the sound of a chair being pulled back could be heard, and he looked up. Violet and Rhiannon were sitting down at their table, looking at the three of them in turn. Bodhi raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What are you ladies doing?"
"We're sitting down with a few friends," Rhiannon replied, taking a sip of her Butterbeer.
"Yeah, who cares what other people think?" Violet asked, smiling shyly at Xaden. His heart began a pitter-patter and he grinned at her, hueing slightly as he did.
They talked for a bit, each getting absorbed in separate conversations, until someone walked up to them and interrupted them. "Sitting with a mudblood, Riorson? What is this, charity?"?
"Watch your mouth, Malfoy," Liam hissed, and Xaden glared at him.
"Still listening to the prejudices mommy and daddy whisper in your ear?" Xaden asked.
"We're in Slytherin," Malfoy hissed.
"And not all of us are bred to hate muggle-borns," Bodhi replied calmly. Xaden knew his two best friends would have his back if things came down to it, but he really hoped a fight wasn't about to erupt in Madame Rosmerta's shop.
"Walk away, Malfoy," Xaden hissed.
Crabbe and Goyle popped their knuckles menacingly, but Draco just sneered. "I told Potter once he'd regret the side he chose. Do try not to make the same mistake, Riorson."
Xaden felt annoyed at the interruption but then Violet was speaking. "You seriously don't ever change, do you, Malfoy? You'd think the murder of an innocent human would soften you slightly but nope, you're still the same selfish prick you've always been. Having things handed to you because you think you deserve them."
Malfoy's pale cheeks pinkened and he glared at Violet. "I'm better than you'll ever be, Sorrengail. Pathetic weakling."
Violet laughed, stretching her arms above her head. "If that's the best you can do, you're losing your touch. Run back to daddy, Malfoy."
Draco sneered, but turned on his heel and strode away. Rhiannon busted out laughing. "God, Malfoy is such a git. You'd think he'd learn to not bother by now."
"Nah, Harry Potter is his usual method of goading people," Liam snickered.
Xaden laughed. "Malfoy is a git."
"Is it true his dad is a Death Eater?" Rhiannon asked.
Xaden looked at Violet, wondering what she thought as he, of course, knew that Lucius Malfoy was in Voldemort's inner circle. Violet hummed. "I think it's possible, if not probable. Malfoy said he saw the error of his ways, but he's such a muggle hater, that I wouldn't be surprised if he was right in with Voldemort's circle."
Rhiannon winced at the name but didn't say anything, and Xaden spoke. "We can't go around accusing people of being Death Eaters. Not these days."
Violet looked at him. "Because Voldemort is back?"
Rhiannon spilled her drink and Xaden was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He so desperately wanted to prepare Violet for the fact that Voldemort was indeed back, but how could he tell her?
Bodhi spoke up just then. "It's unwise to have this conversation but even more unwise to think Harry Potter was lying."
Xaden breathed a sigh of relief because in that moment, an understanding crossed the table.
Voldemort was back.
What were they going to do about it?