CHAPTER 28: THE CLOAKED CONSPIRACY
Once inside the castle, the students hurried to their respective rooms, gathering their essentials for the afternoon lessons. Harry was scheduled for a session on wandless magic with Professor McGonagall, while Ron and Hermione were off to Potions with the mixed company of Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Ginny, on the other hand, had a mission at hand: to determine if Colin Creevey had managed to speak to Daphne Greengrass, as per Harry's request.
In the corridor outside the classroom, Ginny caught sight of Colin just as he was about to enter. Luckily, they shared the same class.
"Colin!" she called out, beckoning him over.
"What's up, Ginny?" Colin asked as he approached, his curiosity piqued.
"Did you deliver the message to her?" Ginny inquired, her tone serious.
Colin's expression shifted to one of embarrassment and solemnity. "Did someone spill the beans?"
Ginny nodded. "Yes. It's not ideal, but it's necessary. Besides, she's older than us; she should understand. So, did you tell her?"
"Yeah, she agreed to meet me an hour beforehand by the Humpbacked Witch statue," Colin confessed, his cheeks flushing slightly. "She mentioned something about a reward."
"Got it. Stick to the plan. And remember, don't accept anything she offers you. Take this before you go," Ginny said, passing him a small vial containing a light green potion.
"What's this?" Colin asked, examining the vial with curiosity.
"It's a potion Hermione whipped up; it'll shield you from most love potions. We don't know what that girl might try," Ginny explained.
"Thanks!" Colin exclaimed gratefully.
"No problem. But we should head to class; it's about to start," Ginny reminded him, glancing towards the classroom door.
Later, two hours before dinner, after their final class of the day, the remaining members of Dumbledore's Army donned their house-colored hooded cloaks and made their way to the top floor of the castle, all converging towards the Room of Requirement. With 23 members in tow, they were ready for their clandestine gathering.
At the door, a figure greeted them, accepting whispered words from each member as they entered one by one. Once everyone had arrived, the figure shut the door firmly behind them.
"We've devised a new method for our meetings," the spokesperson announced, his voice muffled by the hood. "In light of past betrayals, we've ensured that anonymity is preserved. No one here will know the identity of the person next to them."
Unbeknownst to the group, two hooded figures trailed behind them as they listened intently. When the spokesperson finished speaking, the shadowy figures halted, their mission clear: to identify one among them.
"Number three will elucidate the plan," the spokesperson continued, gesturing towards one of the hooded figures. All eyes turned towards him as he stepped forward. Meanwhile, his companion drew his wand and swiftly cast a spell, causing the person in front of him to collapse, unconscious.
"Desmaillus!" the incanter exclaimed, and the fallen figure slumped to the floor, masked identity concealed no more.
"Now, remove your masks!" Harry commanded, setting an example by uncovering his face. The others followed suit, revealing a mix of confusion and concern.
"What's happening?" Hannah Abbott questioned, her voice tinged with worry.
"We'll know soon enough," Hermione replied, carefully removing the hood from the unconscious individual.
"It's Colin Creevey!"
"We can't jump to conclusions; he might be under the influence of Polyjuice Potion," Harry cautioned, his mind racing with possibilities.
As Harry began to recount the events that led them to this moment, tension hung heavy in the air.
"They asked about the future of the D.A., so I called this meeting to provide an answer," Harry announced solemnly. "YES, Dumbledore's Army will continue. But with some alterations."
"Alterations? Why change something that's been working?" Ernie Macmillan protested, his brows furrowed in confusion.
"The first change is our location; the Headmistress has granted us permission to use this room for our 'study club,'" Harry explained. "And I won't be the instructor."
"But Harry, you've been fantastic!" Neville Longbottom interjected, his loyalty evident in his voice.
"Professor Lupin will take over as your instructor. He's far more knowledgeable in Defense Against the Dark Arts and will prepare you better than I ever could. The essence of our group remains the same, just a few adjustments," Harry clarified.
"Is that all?" Lavender Brown inquired, her gaze fixed on Harry with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty.
"I'm afraid there's more," Harry continued, his tone grave. "The Headmistress has imposed one condition: we can't be an elitist or exclusive club. We have to keep our doors open for new members."
"But that changes everything! We should have the right to choose who joins us," Ernie Macmillan protested, his frustration evident.
"We've considered that," Hermione interjected. "We proposed to Professor Lupin that potential members must meet certain criteria and earn our trust. This way, we can gauge if someone is likely to betray us."
"It's a method of maintaining some control over our group, wouldn't you agree?" Hermione glanced around, seeking validation from their peers.
"I'm not thrilled about any of this," Zacharias Smith spoke up, voicing his discontent, much to Harry's lack of surprise.
"I know we had our disagreements last year. But I hope I've proven my intentions since then. I only ask for your continued trust. Can you do that?" Harry appealed to Zacharias, his gaze steady.
"I can't make any promises, but I'll try," Zacharias conceded after a moment of contemplation.
"That's all I ask. Oh, and before I forget, Ron and Hermione will oversee the training of our new recruits," Harry announced, preempting any objections. "They're the most advanced among us, and I won't entertain any arguments. They'll need your support. This way, we'll have the chance to get to know the aspirants and gather opinions before admitting them into our ranks."
Zacharias Smith seemed more appeased by this arrangement, his expression softening slightly as he nodded in acknowledgment. Harry glanced at his watch and then at Colin lying on the floor.
"We've been together for nearly an hour now; let's give it a little longer," Harry suggested, drawing everyone's attention back to Colin, the unconscious figure at the heart of their concerns.
As the group watched in astonishment, the soft brown hair of the unconscious boy began to recede, replaced by a sleek black, while his stature stretched taller, his skin darkening with each passing moment.
"It's Blaise Zabini!" someone exclaimed, their voices a mixture of amazement and simmering anger as all eyes turned towards the transformed figure.
"This is precisely why we insisted on the keyword and masks!" the spokesperson declared, his tone edged with urgency. "We've discovered that there are students feeding information to the Dark Lord, divulging everything that occurs within these castle walls."
Shock rippled through the gathered students, mingling with palpable disdain. Hannah Abbott, who had suffered the loss of a family member to dark forces, felt a surge of hatred welling up within her.
Harry pressed on, his voice firm with resolve. "Now that we've unmasked one of them, you can deduce the others: Nott, Parkinson, Davis, Greengrass, and Bulstrode. And let's not discount the possibility of others being involved, especially considering that even first-year students are aiding them."
"We must alert the Headmistress and have them apprehended," Hannah declared, her voice laced with determination. Hermione, meanwhile, knelt beside Zabini, contemplating their next move.
"How do we prove it?" Hermione pondered aloud, rolling up Zabini's sleeves as she examined him closely. "They don't bear the Dark Mark; they aren't official Death Eaters yet. It would be our word against theirs, and many of their parents hold considerable influence. We'd achieve little more than putting them on guard."
"Our best chance lies in controlling the flow of information to them. We must remain vigilant; they already have insight into some of our identities," Harry remarked, casting a meaningful glance towards Zabini. "He masqueraded as Colin, and Colin himself informed us that they attempted to ensnare him with a Love Potion."
With the revelation hanging heavy in the air, the gravity of their situation weighed upon them. They knew they had to tread carefully in the dangerous game they found themselves entangled in.
"That explains why Zabini was getting so chummy with us!" the Patil sisters exclaimed, their voices tinged with a mix of realization and frustration.
"From now on, our discussions about the group stay within these walls. We'll begin each meeting with spell practice, and any discussions will be held towards the end. This way, we'll prevent anyone from eavesdropping and learning things they shouldn't," Harry declared, his tone resolute.
"Is that all we're going to do?" Zacharias Smith interjected, his tone bristling with indignation. "I want vengeance for my uncles! Those bastards murdered them because they refused to join their ranks!"
"I had hoped to hold off on revealing this information, but now seems as good a time as any," Harry began, his gaze solemn as he addressed the group. "I've uncovered something that could be instrumental in Voldemort's downfall," he paused, sensing the tension rise among his peers. "And later on, I'll need your help to leave the castle undetected."
"I want to fight! I won't be relegated to mere bait!" Zacharias insisted, his voice tinged with determination.
"Smith, you flinched at the mere mention of his name earlier," Harry pointed out, his tone gentle yet firm. "Imagine facing him head-on. You wouldn't stand a chance," he continued, addressing Zacharias directly. "Every time I confront him, it's a struggle to keep my emotions in check. You want to take on Voldemort when you can't even utter his name without hesitation! I won't put anyone's life at risk needlessly," Harry emphasized, his gaze sweeping across the group.
Assured by Harry's reasoning, the group unanimously pledged their commitment to aiding in Voldemort's defeat.
"I'm glad to hear it," Harry remarked, casting a glance towards the unconscious Zabini on the floor. "Now, we must deceive this snake into thinking he hasn't been uncovered." Hermione stepped forward, producing a vial from her robe.
"We'll administer an incomplete Polyjuice Potion, transforming him back into Colin temporarily," Hermione explained. "We'll then proceed with our spell practice, and within the hour, we'll vacate the room. The only thing Zabini will glean from this encounter is that we're honing our Defense Against the Dark Arts skills, just like last year."
A hush fell over the group as a familiar figure stepped forward.
"But where's my brother?" Dennis Creevey's voice broke through the silence, his concern evident.
"Don't worry, your brother is our eyes and ears within the enemy ranks. He discovered they were using our own members to gather intel," Harry reassured him, offering a glimmer of hope.
"Daphne Greengrass tried to cozy up to him to extract information," Hermione added, a hint of amusement tingeing her tone. The boys chuckled, while the girls shared in the amusement of the Gryffindors' plight.
"She even went so far as to proposition him, offering to trade secrets for... favors," Harry continued, prompting disbelief from the boys and incredulous looks from the girls.
"How could someone stoop so low, even if she is a Slytherin?" murmured some of the group members, shaking their heads in disbelief.
"At this very moment, Greengrass is distracting Colin so Zabini can take his place here," Harry explained, laying out the elaborate ruse they had concocted.
"He's probably enjoying himself," Dean Thomas remarked with a smirk, earning him a reproachful glance from some of the girls.
"Let's ensure Colin remains unaware of our discussion. We'll handle keeping him in the loop, and please, no blame directed his way," Harry instructed, his voice firm yet compassionate. Hermione playfully tapped her boyfriend on the head, drawing laughter from the group.
"Now that everything's clear, let's administer the potion and begin. Each of you will be assigned a number," Harry continued, organizing the group with precision. "Colin will be number 22, and Dennis, you'll be 23," he directed towards Dennis, who nodded in understanding. "Let's get started!"
As Zabini regained consciousness, disoriented and unaware of the elaborate scheme unfolding around him, the group seamlessly resumed their spell practice, concealing their true intentions with practiced ease.
"Finally, you're awake. What happened?" the figure who had greeted them at the door inquired, feigning concern. "You fainted and have been out for a while. We were considering taking you to the infirmary," they continued, maintaining the facade as Zabini struggled to piece together what had transpired. Unbeknownst to him, the clock was ticking, his time running short before the effects of the potion wore off and his true identity was exposed.
"Just feeling a bit tired, that's all. What did I miss?" Zabini replied, his voice laced with weariness as he struggled to maintain his facade.
"Not much, just the introductions and the initial spellwork. We figured out you were number 22 since you didn't provide a number," the figure at the door replied, their tone tinged with suspicion. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah, just tired. But I think I'll head to the infirmary for a bit. Is that alright if I leave?" Zabini questioned, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation.
"You're acting rather odd. Of course, you can leave whenever you need to. Do you want someone to accompany you?" the figure offered, concern evident in their voice.
"No, no need. I'll manage. Just need to rest up a bit, and I'll be good for dinner," Zabini assured them, forcing a casual demeanor as he rose from his seat and made his exit.
As he descended the stairs and slipped out of the room, Zabini cast a surreptitious glance around, ensuring no one followed him. Once satisfied, he made his way towards the dungeons, his mind racing with thoughts of evasion and deception.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the castle, a contented smile graced Colin Creevey's face as he ascended towards the Room of Requirement. Although he had missed the meeting, his time had been well spent exploring the depths of intimacy with Daphne Greengrass, the Slytherin prefect. While their encounter hadn't fulfilled all his desires, Daphne had promised even greater pleasures in their future liaisons.
The only caveat? Their meetings must remain clandestine. Colin understood the importance of secrecy; if their affair came to light, it would spell disaster for both of them. With this knowledge firmly in mind, Colin resolved to keep their trysts hidden, knowing that silence was his greatest asset in this dangerous game of deception.
As he made his way through the corridors, memories of the clandestine rendezvous flooded Zabini's mind. Each step echoed with the echo of their stolen kisses, the softness of her lips still lingering on his own. He couldn't help but recall the intoxicating sensation of exploring her curves, the thrill of slipping his hand beneath her uniform to caress her breasts, the forbidden allure of their illicit encounter.
But as his mind wandered back to the moment when Daphne had halted his advances, a tinge of embarrassment washed over him. She had rebuffed his further advances, teasing him with the promise of more rewards yet to be earned. Despite her Slytherin cunning, Zabini couldn't deny the pleasure he had derived from their passionate exchange. It was a strange sensation, knowing that even a snake could succumb to desire.
Upon his return, Zabini was greeted by his friends, who surrounded him with congratulations and eager inquiries. The boys clapped him on the back, reveling in his conquest, while the girls stood by with solemn expressions, their scrutiny not lost on Zabini.
Reluctantly, Zabini recounted the details of his encounter with Greengrass, his cheeks burning with embarrassment as he observed the serious expressions on the girls' faces. They were holding him accountable, ensuring that the decision of his actions lay squarely in the hands of the Slytherin prefect. They wouldn't coerce her into anything; she would have full agency over their interactions.
WELCOME TO LORDARESARCTURUSBLACK ON P.A.T.R.E.O.N
FOR EARLY ACCESS TO NEW CHAPTERS JOIN US ON P.A.T.R.E.O.N LORDARESARCTURUSBLACK YOU CAN JOIN US FREE TO READ A NEW CHAPTER ONE DAY EARLIER ON P.A.T.R.E.O.N BEFORE IT RELEASE ON FANFICTION.