Chapter 66.

Draco's hand felt like an emotional anchor around Magnolia's as they walked through the Slytherin Common Room. She was concentrating on every breath, forcing herself to remain calm as her eyes roamed the room for their friends. She hadn't seen any of them since leaving Malfoy Manor the previous day; Magnolia and Draco had spent the day in the Room of Requirement focussing on centring Magnolia's mind again. The day of meditation and breathwork had helped Magnolia calm her fried nerves and she hoped that sense of calm would remain when she faced her friends again. A pang of disappointment hit Magnolia's chest when she didn't see the group she had hoped to, but she let Draco lead her through the room and down the stairs to the boy's dorm room.

The mood in the boy's dormitory was sombre as the pair opened the door and walked in, causing the other students to stop their discussion and look up at the pair. Magnolia almost didn't want to look at her friends, but she forced her eyes to roam around the room at them all. Pansy immediately jumped up from her place on Theo's bed and ran towards Magnolia, enveloping her into a tight hug, as Daphne and Tracey quickly followed. Magnolia's breath was ragged as she felt the girls rally around her. Magnolia knew that she would have questions coming her way, but she was almost ashamed that she had doubted her friends would stand beside her.

The group spent the evening in the boy's dorm room, there was no discussion about it; Magnolia's friends had instinctively known that she still didn't want to be surrounded by the other students. She felt as though her soul was returning to her throughout the evening, listening as Blaise complained about the amount of studying he still had to do and everyone else snickering at him that they had warned him multiple times. It wasn't until later in the week, when Theo had pulled Magnolia for a game of Wizarding Chess, that what had happened was mentioned at all.

"How are you?"

Theo had already cast the Muffliato charm, so Magnolia knew that whatever was said between the two of them wouldn't be overheard. Everyone had been very careful not to bring up the weekend around Magnolia through the week, the girls had been meditating every night again, but no other mention had been made. So, when Theo's question was so loaded, Magnolia knew exactly what his question was referring to. She took a deep breath, taking a moment before answering to deliberate on moving a Pawn or her Rook.

"I don't know, Theo," Magnolia sighed, "I'm scared, I scared myself. I'm sorry."

"What did he do to you?" Theo leant forwards, "What happened when you were left with You-Know-Who?"

"We spoke about school; he taught me some spells…"

"Spells?"

Magnolia looked up from the chess board, directly into Theo's concerned eyes. The two of them could be honest with each other, she knew that, but what she didn't know was how her friend would take the truth of what had happened in the gardens of Malfoy Manor.

"What kind of spells, Maggie?" Theo pressed.

Magnolia turned her eyes back to her chess pieces, noticing that Theo was trying to trap her remaining Knight and feeling a slight warmth of pride that she had managed to notice his plan. Maybe she was getting towards the point that she might be able to beat Draco one day soon.

"Mainly defensive stuff. He seemed very insistent that I master them as much as possible." Magnolia shrugged, it was no secret between her and her friends that Tom Riddle wanted her safe and defended.

"Maggie…" Theo started, placing his hand on hers, "What you said… did he teach you dark spells?"

"He's the Dark Lord, Theo. What do you think?"

Magnolia didn't know why she was snapping at her friend. Maybe she didn't want to admit to herself what she had done during the Easter Ball, or maybe she didn't want her friends to know from her. Saying it would make it real, and then she would have to watch as Theo digested the news of what she had done- of what she could do. Glancing back up, Magnolia wasn't surprised to see that Theo's eyes were full of sympathy for you. He knew what she was skirting around and why.

"That bad, huh?"

"Yeah," Magnolia shuddered, "Yeah. That bad."

Theo sent her a sympathetic smile as he told his Bishop to move across the board and knock out her Queen, instantly causing a Checkmate. Magnolia dropped her head into her hands as Theo laughed.

"It's no excuse to leave your King so defenceless though."

"I thought I saw your plan!"

"I know. Honestly, Maggie, you're going to have to do better then this against Draco." Theo laughed.

The pair re-joined their friends then, who were in the throes of a Potions study session, not mentioning their conversation again. Magnolia snuggled into Draco's side, picking up the book he had passed to her and flicked through the pages, taking in Draco's neat notes on the side of each page. She smiled to herself; he had such an affinity with Potions. It wasn't until Blaise threw his History of Magic book to the side, groaning about Trolls that the group decided to call it a night and each head to bed.

"Here."

Magnolia startled at the sound of her brother's excited voice. She turned to him, not quite believing what she was seeing as he placed a fabric pull string bag on the table next to her plate. Magnolia was sure that Harry had never approached the Slytherin table in the Great Hall before, and here he was, stood next to the table with a grin on his face.

"What- What is happening?"

"I organised to get some money sent to us," Harry shrugged, scratching at his neck, "You know… so you can get some more clothes… Hermione and Ginny said you- said girls- like a choice. A, erm, a choice of what to wear. Especially for… you know."

"Harry, what on earth are you talking about?" Magnolia asked, hearing the sniggers from her friends at his jabbering.

"You… you said got a new dress for… for summer. I thought you would want a choice." Harry explained, excitedly, "And I'm sure that George will ask you on more than just one date."

Three things happened at the same time at Harry's words; Theo barked with laughter so hard that he almost choked, Pansy spat her drink across the table, and the glass that Draco was drinking from smashed in his own hand.

"What-"

"I've already told him we'll work out a way round the Dursley's, and Ginny will help you get ready."

"Harry-"

"Mags, it's fine! We'll figure out a way, don't worry!" Harry's grin grew, "Anyway, buy yourself some clothes. I'll see you at the match."

As Harry walked away, Magnolia swivelled back to face her friends, dumbstruck at the conversation she had just had with her twin. Magnolia couldn't work out how her brother had come to the conclusion that he had; they hadn't spoken about George since he had left Hogwarts. Across the table, Draco's jaw was tense as he looked down at his plate, his shoulders rigid. Magnolia was desperate for him to look at her so he would see the confusion in her own face. Around them, their friends were still laughing at the interaction that had just happened. Pansy's hand appeared in front of Magnolia, grasping the money pouch on the table.

"Well, you heard him." Pansy laughed, "We've got shopping to do."

"Pans-" Magnolia sighed.

"What? It seems to me that your brother not only wants you to go shopping- which I am more than happy to help with- but he also wants you wearing those clothes on dates- something I'm sure Draco will be able to do."

"Except, he doesn't want her on dates with me, Pansy." Draco's hard voice spat, "He couldn't have made it any clearer that Magnolia is supposed to be with Weasley. Easy for him to think that when he doesn't know about us."

Magnolia frowned, "Draco, he can't."

"Why?"

Draco finally looked at Magnolia, and she saw him the way he was after George had kissed her. He was desperate, and suddenly everyone else in the Great Hall disappeared, leaving the two of them completely alone. Magnolia wished she had an answer that would be good enough for him. Everything came down to the two different sides her boyfriend and her twin lived in. Magnolia wasn't sure how to tell Draco that without making him think the worst.

"Not yet."

That was all Magnolia could say. She couldn't think of what else to say to him that would help. Everything she needed to say was too big to be spoken in the Great Hall at breakfast time where they were both so exposed. Luckily, Pansy was still talking about what Magnolia could buy with the money that Harry had passed to her and planning their next trip to Hogsmeade around clothes shopping. The lightness of Pansy's conversation, and the comical groans from the Blaise and Theo, were a welcome relief to what Magnolia was feeling between her and Draco.

Of course she didn't want to hide her relationship with Draco and really, they weren't. Everyone in their own House knew about them, it was just never spoken about. Thinking about it, Magnolia realised that they weren't very good at hiding their feelings from the rest of the school either. She would just have to find the right way to tell her twin. Magnolia's eyes widened as she had a thought of how to broach the subject with him: she would tell Sirius first. He was beginning to thaw at the mention of her Slytherin friends, he had told Harry himself that he regretted his own actions towards his brother simply because of Regulus' House in Hogwarts. Looking across the table, Magnolia saw that Draco was still in his own mind, only half listening to the conversation going on around him. She tapped his foot with her own under the table, pulling his attention back to her.

"Soon." She whispered with a smile, "I promise."

Magnolia had already promised her brother that she would join him and Hermione at the Quidditch match that morning. It was the last one of the year, Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw, and potentially the deciding match of the year too. Magnolia joined Harry and Hermione in the stands, watching as the teams made their way into their places on the pitch. As the match started, Magnolia could tell just how much Harry still missed playing, and how much he was hurting that he couldn't help his team right now, especially as Ron would undoubtedly let in goal after goal.

"Harry… Hermione… Maggie…" Hagrid's hushed voice sounded from behind her, "Can yeh come with me? Now? While ev'ryone's watchin' the match?"

"Er, can't it wait, Hagrid? Until the match is over?" Harry asked.

Magnolia frowned at her twin. She nudged him, nodding for him to look at Hagrid properly. His nose was bleeding, both his eyes were black, and even his bruises had bruises. He looked like he'd been beaten up by something even bigger than himself. Magnolia nodded to Hagrid, and stepped towards him, pulling her brother and Hermione with her too.

"I 'ppreciate this, you three, I really do." Hagrid mumbled as they made their way down the stairs of the Quidditch stands, "I jus' hope she doesn' notice we're gone."

Magnolia frowned as she followed Hagrid, Harry and Hermione out of the stands. Why was Hagrid so worried about Umbridge noticing that they weren't watching the match? Magnolia paused next to Hermione as Hagrid explained that they were going into the Forbidden Forest, the two girls glancing at each other, wondering what they had gotten themselves into by following Hagrid. Magnolia's concern didn't ease when she saw Hagrid pick up a crossbow that had been hidden in a bush and sling it over his shoulder, explaining that they were going further into the Forest than usual and that the Centaurs hadn't been as friendly with him as they had used to be since Firenze began teaching at the school.

Harry grabbed Magnolia's arm as she almost fell to the ground, tripping over the thick roots that entwined in the soil beneath their feet. None of them had ever been this deep in the Forest before, it was dense and dark, so dark that Magnolia was having difficulty seeing mere feet in front of her. Hagrid's wide strides weren't helping either; the three school students had to practically run to keep up with him. Finally, he stopped, suddenly seeming more reluctant and passive than he had since he had called on them for help at the Quidditch match.

"Before we go in- I need to warn yeh." Hagrid began, looking down at his feet instead of the three stood in front of him, "Well, it's lookin' like I'll be getting' ter sack any day now."

"But you've lasted this long," Hermione interjected, lighting her wand to cast some light amongst the group "What makes you think-"

"Umbridge reckons it was me tha' put tha' Niffler in her office."

"And was it?"

"No, it ruddy well wasn't!" Hagrid cried back.

Magnolia understood, Draco had already warned her about Umbridge's distaste for anything half-breed, any magical creature. Hagrid was not only a half-breed giant, but he had a great talent and love for all magical creatures. Umbridge would hate that, especially as Hagrid would always be incredibly loyal to Professor Dumbledore, she would be looking for anything that she could possibly pin on Hagrid to get him fired.

"Look- I wouldn' be tellin' yeh this at all if I didn' have ter. See, if I got… well I can' leave withou'… withou' tellin' someone… because I'll need you three to help me. An' Ron if he's willin'."

"Of course we'll help you, Hagrid." Harry immediately replied, "What do you want us to do?"

Magnolia cringed. Her brother had no clue what they were getting themselves into, and he just promised Hagrid he would help- that they would all help. She liked Hagrid, but she wasn't dim enough to realise that he got himself in dangerous situations with dangerous creatures. If what he was bringing them to had to be hidden so deep in the Forest, and kept such a secret, it must be bad.

"I knew yeh'd say yes." Hagrid sniffed back tears, "Jus' a little further... watch the nettles. Really easy now, very quiet."

Hagrid led them into a clearing with a large mound of earth in the middle. Magnolia's eyes widened as she took in the state of the Forest surrounding them; trees had been thrown aside, great holes had been ripped from the Forest floor, roots were bare and torn apart.

"Hagrid, who is he?" Hermione asked, before gasping, "You told us- you told us none of them wanted to come!"

Magnolia glanced between her brother, Hagrid, and Hermione in confusion. Who hadn't wanted to come?

"Well, no. He didn' want ter come." Hagrid scratched at the back of his neck, "But I had ter bring him, Hermione, I had ter!"

"Oh, Merlin." Magnolia gasped, as realisation dawned on her.

Beside her, Harry still looked perplexed. Magnolia nudged his shoulder, pointing him towards the large mound in the centre of the clearing. Now, she could tell it wasn't a mound at all. It was breathing. It was huge. He was a giant.

"I couldn' jus' leave 'im! The others were pickin' on him for bein' so small!" Hagrid wept.

"Small!?" Magnolia scoffed, "We have two very different ideas of small, Hagrid! What were you thinking?"

"I couldn' leave him, see… because, well because… he's my brother."

"When you say brother…" Harry began quietly.

"Well, half-brother. Yeh see, me mum took up wit' a giant after she lef' me dad an' she went an' had Grawp here."

Magnolia rubbed her temples as Hagrid explained. He had found his brother, Grawp, when he and Madame Maxime had been trying to recruit giants for the Order. Hagrid had refused to leave him behind with the other giants, even when Madame Maxime had argued and left without him. He'd had to tie Grawp up in the Forest, much to the dismay of the Centaurs and Firenze's warning, coming every couple of days to talk to him and keep the giant company. That was what he wanted them to do- keep the giant company. Magnolia could have laughed; her foolish brother had already promised they would help.

Before Magnolia could do anything to stop Hagrid, he decided to wake his own brother up to introduce them. As Grawp moved, Magnolia got a true sense of how enormous he was. He had to be over 16 feet tall. He moved with surprising speed, almost swiping Hermione off the ground when Hagrid tried to introduce them, only missing because Harry and Magnolia had grabbed their friend and moved backwards quick enough. Luckily, that was enough for Hagrid to decide their outing had come to an end.

The four began to walk back through the forest, Magnolia's head pounding at what had just happened. Her brother was walking close to her side, a welcome sense of safety within the dense Forest. Magnolia thought back to watching Hagrid with Grawp, how he spoke about him. He was so sure he should be the one to protect him, he put himself in harm's way to do so. She thought of Sirius, how desperately sad he is when he talks about his brother. Magnolia could see it in his eyes, even when he was talking about the good times of their childhood, everything was tainted by the state of their relationship when he died. All because they couldn't be completely honest with each other.

"Harry… I need to tell you something."