The Laws Have Changed-Chapter 15
She knew that she had to keep her wits about her for this particular graffiti run.
She refused to be put back in the situation that she had found herself in last time. She didn't want to give Draco or their friends cause to worry. Especially when there were more important things she needed to do.
She sighed as she thought about the discussion she'd had with Neville and Luna. As more punishments were doled out, the more the new teachers had decided to pit the student body against each other. The first time they heard of a fifth year Ravenclaw being forced to use the Cruciatus on a first year Gryffindor, lest they wanted it to experience it themselves, they knew something needed to be done. Ironically, the scariest part wasn't agreeing to take on these punishments on behalf of the younger students, it was telling the DA members of their intentions.
They had expected some of their peers to draw a line in the sand. And she wouldn't have blamed them. With their Muggle-born friends forbidden from rejoining them that year, in addition to rumors that students might be taken at any moment should they step too far out of line, the current term was unlike anything they could have anticipated. If she was being honest, she wasn't sure if the others could put aside their self-preservation instinct to take on additional suffering. To hear the resounding agreement to protect those who did not have the skill to protect themselves was equal parts heartwarming and gut-wrenching.
It was something she began to struggle with the more she had those moments of peace with Draco. They were both about to go to war and she was training others to do the same.
She only allowed herself to cry about it once. It had been after Luna escorted her back to her boyfriend's room and she slumped to the ground the minute the door was closed. She knew she probably panicked Draco, but he, blessedly, didn't let it show. He simply lowered himself beside her, his back against the door and helped her crawl into his arms. He didn't question why she was brought to tears, nor did he make a fuss when she let out a keening wail. He lightly ran his hand up and down her arm, knowing that she preferred that to the same kind of touch on her back. He whispered apologies for the small part he had played in their world's present situation. She felt lightness returning when she felt his deep chuckle reverberate against her at his insistence that she let him apologize. She even let out a surprise bark of laughter when he argued back that no,hewas the lucky one to have her in his life. He had given her a melancholy sigh before he continued, claiming that her presence had given him a second chance at life; something he was profoundly grateful for every day.
Things seemed to be a bit more alright, not perfect, but by no means terrible anymore when he reminded her of the fact that he loved her. That he would do what he could to help give them a world to be fearless in. He laced his fingers with hers, kissing the top of her hand as he murmured against it how he wanted nothing more than to hold her hand in public. How he wanted to spend the summer with her at his family's vacation home along the French Riviera. How he wanted to see a Muggle movie with her. He'd admitted to hearing about them from some of the Muggle-born Gryffindors during a class his fourth year and he secretly thought they sounded really cool. Every new mundane request made her heart soar. Merlin, he just wanted the same normalcy she did. He didn't want the extravagance; the potential trip to his vacation home and the fancy dinner he eventually mentioned notwithstanding. He just wanted to date her like any other bloke.
The small realization prompted her own whispered chants of love, with kisses peppered in between each confession as she tried to press her lips onto every plane of his face — his jawline, his chin, his cheeks, the tip of his nose, the bridge, his eyelids, his brow bone, his temples, his forehead, and, finally, his lips. Every bit of skin was carefully savored and cherished under her unwavering scrutiny.
When she at last thanked him, he smiled and the subsequent kiss he imparted onto her reddened lips felt like she was kissing him for the very first time. A hand cradled her head as he slowly moved in perfect sync with her. The arm that had been keeping her tucked against him found better purchase on her hip, gently squeezing, always letting her know that he was there for her. Every touch was reassuring and a reminder that he could be her safe harbor; that she had him in addition to all the others that were acting as her support system for that year.
She took a deep breath, making sure that the trainers she wore were still sufficiently muffled and her Disillusionment Charm was still doing its job. Based off of the Prefects' schedule she'd copied from Draco, she knew that there would be no one around the Great Hall at this time of night.
She was grateful for the fact that the doors were always kept open, despite the dark times they were in and she wondered if Snape kept up this formality for appearances or because he somehow knew what she was up to. The curmudgeonly Headmaster may have been the bane of her brother's existence, but she hoped that she could thank him one day. She clamped a hand over her mouth to silence the snort that was threatening to spill out. Professor Snape would probably keel over in shock that a member of the Weasley family felt any kind of gratitude towards him.
She stiffened when she heard the clock chime out ten times. Each ring droning through the empty corridors. It was now or never.
To make things less obvious and to, hopefully, encourage those who were on the fence in Draco's house, she decided to leave a message on all four student tables.
Dumbledore's Army - Still Recruitingwas carefully scrawled across the length of the sturdy wood as fast as she conceivably could. As an added bit of flare, she charmed the messages to be inscribed in one of the representative colors of each respective House: crimson, emerald, navy, and goldenrod. Trying to keep silent against the creak of the chairs and support beams was a bit of a hassle, but by the time she finished, she almost wished Colin was there to fuss over taking photos of her handiwork.
She frowned as she thought about the excitable Gryffindor who would've been joining her for classes that year if it wasn't for the misfortune he had of being born to Muggles. Her frown deepened when she thought about the fact that his parentage was considered a "misfortune" in the first place.No. She shook her head. It wouldn't do for her to get pulled into an emotional black hole before she returned to Draco's room.
She reinforced the concealment covering herself before quietly creeping out of the vast room.
As she was about to approach the Head Boy's private quarters, she paused and flattened herself against the wall as she heard thethunkof heavy footsteps echoing against the stone. She knew she was well hidden, but she couldn't help the childish impulse to close her eyes; if she couldn't see them, they couldn't see her. They couldn't see the sheen of sweat gathering at her hairline, nor could they see the slight shake of her wand hand as she gripped it at her side, her knuckles going white from the effort. They couldn't hear the way her heartbeat droned in her ears; a metronome counting down the seconds until she was alone once more.
Now close enough to her hiding place, she could make out two different sets of steps: one was heavier than the other, almost stomping through the barren halls as though they were irritated at being late for a class. The other was lighter and barely discernible; a delicate footfall that probably came from years of training in subservience.
Hissed whispers became coherent mumbles until she could clearly hear the two voices as they passed.
"Do you think it's true, Daph?"Daph?She only knew of Daphne Greengrass amongst the seventh years, but the person speaking was a boy, that much she was certain of. However, she couldn't say who. Outside of a handful of Slytherins, she wasn't entirely familiar with whoelse comprised the rest of her boyfriend's cohort.
"You know I try to stay out of the way. My family can't risk anything considering Astoria's condition."
"I'm sorry some of us aren't afforded that luxury." The boy alongside the eldest Greengrass sister sounded snide as he spat out the words and she knew from that alone that he would've been sneering.
"Theo, you know that I —"
Theo?Wasn't there some reedy looking fellow named Theodore Nott in Slytherin? She was sure she had heard Hermione mention his name before. Said he was smart, but kept to himself; really only socialized with the girl next to him, and maybe hung around Draco or Blaise, if either boy felt so inclined.
"I know," Theo said with a sigh. "I'm sorry." His voice grew softer as he spoke. "I know what's at stake for you. I guess I'm just…"
"Tired?" Daphne offered.
"Yeah," he replied on an exhale. "My father's insistent on getting me to somehow convince Professor Snape to give him the Sword of Gryffindor."
"Why?" Their footsteps paused at Daphne's question, precariously close to where she stood. She covered her mouth once more, trying not to breathe too deeply or hold her breath lest she alert them that they weren't alone.
"He seems to think that if he delivers it to the Dark Lord personally, that it'll make up for all of his ineptitude in his absence." She opened her eyes the tiniest bit to better gauge where they were. They were just ahead of where she hid and she could see the tall brunet rake a hand through his already messy waves. "I can't just randomly pop into the Headmaster's office though. And if rumor is to be believed, there's a portraits of the former ones there, too. Does my old man honestly believe that fucking Dumbledore, even as a bloody painting, won't cause some kind of fuss?"
She was grateful that she had covered her mouth for she surely would've gasped at the newfound knowledge. Maybeshecouldn't use the sword, but she knew that it would help Harry. And if Dumbledore's portrait truly was kept there, she knew the odds would be in her favor if he sawherriffling around in his former office.
"C'mon, Daph. Draco's room is close by, so you know there'll be nothing here for us to worry about. The Carrows wouldn't dare piss him off as long as Snape's still around."
She saw the older girl nod, her honey blond hair falling in front of her face as she looked down to follow him.
She only let herself relax once their footsteps became distance echos, her body suddenly draining itself of adrenaline. All she wanted now was to sleep. Maybe a bath, but mostly sleep.
She kept her body close to the walls as she continued to creep along them, double checking both directions before whispering "Artemis" to let herself into her boyfriend's quarters. His new password brought a smile to her face when she thought of it. She knew his previous one, "lemon tart," was a reference to one of the last treats they had shared the prior term. So when he provided her with this new one, she couldn't help but ask if it held any significance.
Her smile turned into a grin as she remembered the ruby red flush that had taken over his entire face as he admitted that he thought he was dreaming when he had first seen her in the infirmary last year. He thought she was the mythical goddess due to how bright the moon had shown behind her. She had laughed at his mumbled explanation, finding it appropriate as she told him that she did rather feel like a hunter seeking out her prey when she cornered him on that fateful night.
With a relieved sigh, she removed the Disillusionment Charm and kicked off her shoes, not caring where they landed for the moment because she knew Draco would make sure they made their way to his wardrobe.
The room was dark, save for the dimmed warm glow resonating from the fireplace. He normally preferred to wait up for her, but she also couldn't fault him for falling asleep. She had seen how difficult it was for him to remain resolute in his presumed cause — his blusterous front for the other Death Eaters left him feeling drained each day. His trust in his fellow Housemates was wearing thin and he confessed that he was grateful to the Dark Lord for at least giving him this form of privacy. He wasn't going to question it, even though he knew others would.
She slipped off her robe, trying to prevent the hanger's metal hook from clacking too loudly as she put it away. As she got closer to his bed, she noticed his slumbering form curled up under the blankets; his body facing the door in anticipation of her return. She bit her lip when she took in how tense he seemed. His knees were almost to his chest, his mouth was turned down, his brows were furrowed, and an arm reached out across his chest to where she would normally sleep. Seeing him made her body even more aware of how exhausted she was. She decided to forego her bath, knowing that he would enjoy having another moment in the tub with her the following morning.
Upon changing, she slipped under the bed linens, gently lifting his arm to make room.
"Gin?"
In the continuously waning light she could see him move his head, eyes just barely open. Even though she'd yet to reply, she could feel him adjust his position — his legs were lowered and his frown was replaced with a content sigh as he wrapped his waiting arm around her waist, pulling her close until she rested under his chin.
"I'm here," she whispered, nuzzling against his chest. "Go back to sleep."
He let out a small grunt before tangling his fingers in her hair and gently nudging her knees to let him in. She couldn't tell where he ended and she began and being held so dearly in his embrace felt like the only thing tethering her to world. When it was just the two of them, sharing comfortable silence, it made her feel less alone, in a strange way. She logically knew that she was a blip in the grand scheme of their war-torn world, but there were moments where it was like standing on the edge of a cliff. Moments where she knew she was the only person capable of keeping an uneasy student body at peace.
"Stop overthinking, love."
She let out a throaty chuckle at his murmured command; his lips dragging across her hair haphazardly due to his barely conscious state.
He gave another relaxed sigh and, what had to be five minutes later, she heard his breath hitch, releasing a light snore before evening out once more. Secure with the knowledge that he had fallen back asleep, she finally gave in to his wishes and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
Draco hated what the older DA members agreed upon.
And she knew that he would the minute she thought to go through with it. The topic was so contentious that it caused their first major fight as a couple. She knew that was bound to happen sooner rather than later, if only because neither one of them were exactly known for being level-headed when they felt strongly about something.
What completely derailed her anger and frustration, though, was the fact that he was moreso mad at his inability to do anything to stop the cause of her decision in the first place.
That had left her in stunned silence, leaving her to stand there, hands shaking as she watched her boyfriend pace; his hair standing up at odd angles as he quickly moved a hand through it. He hated the fact that his father had dragged him into this situation, when he'd had no choice in the matter. He hated that he was simply born into being the child of a Death Eater and had become the one thing he hated the most.
"I have no intention to stop you, Gin." He collapsed on the loveseat in front of his fireplace, his head thunking back onto the stiff leather. "I know that this is one of the few ways that you can help and I knew that something like this was bound to happen this term. I just…" He ran a hand over his face as he trailed off. "I just wish that you didn't have to resort to this in the first place."
She crawled onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his chest, squeezing as hard as she could. Her eyes stung, but she couldn't do it. She refused to let out the impending deluge as much as her body wanted her to. There would be another time during the eventual final battle. The knot growing in her stomach seemed to forewarn her to expect her world to shatter in some way when the dust had cleared. And then, she might indulge, but now was not the time. Now was the time to be the fearless leader everyone expected her to be.
"I know this isn't ideal," she eventually murmured, allowing him to slowly lower her head against his chest. "And I know that this will only provide you with more stress, which I am genuinely sorry for." Her breath came out in shudder that seemed to rattle her chest more than expected. When she felt his arms constrict around her, she steadied herself once more. "But I need to be there for those students and I need you to be there forme."
"Always, love. You know that."
She nodded, snuggling up against him as she presented her forehead for him to kiss. "I do, Draco, and that's one of the things I love about you. So, please, just be here to help me recover in whatever way I need to."
"Do you have enough potions or supplies?" She had made sure to advise him that heractivities, as they decided to call them, would also include healing the students thatdidgo through with taking physical punishments on behalf of others. She realized that was probably another reason why he begrudgingly went along with her plan.
"I may need your help there. In fact, I think Blaise might come in handy, too."
She could feel his cheek rub against her hair as he tilted his head in a brief nod. "Just give me an inventory of what you already have and we'll go from there." She smiled when she felt his lips twitch as he tried, and failed, to hold back a smirk. "You know, you're very lucky that I'm not above abusing my status as Head Boy in order to help."
She let out a bark of laughter that quickly dissolved into a fit of giggles. "You've been abusing them since the minute you first gave me your password," she eventually gasped out.
"And I regret nothing," he replied, jostling her head slightly as he shrugged. "I thought having my own room and bath was already nice enough of a set up after years of living with others, but I think I'm truly only able to appreciate it because you're here."
She lifted the shoulder furthest from him carelessly, flirtatiously. "You spoil me, Draco. How can I go back to my dorm now that I understand such luxury. I suppose the only solution is to become Head Girl next year." She heaved a resigned sigh then glanced up at him.
Her face turned pink when she saw that he was gazing at her wistfully, his eyes the softest she'd seen them all day. She could finally see the flecks of blue sprinkled amongst the steel grey.
His hand slid up her arm until he was cupping her face, angling her so his lips were mere millimeters away. "I'm happy to hear that you have no interest in getting rid of me just yet."
She smiled as he smirked, their lips brushing against each other, their breath slowly creating a fog around them. She didn't want to be the one to give in. Giving in didn't necessarily mean admitting that he was right, because she understood his perfectly normal concerns. No, giving in at that moment almost felt akin to completely giving up. What she would've been giving up on, she wasn't exactly sure of. But his worry that she was on the fence regarding his last statement forced him to close the space between them.
And at that point, she didn't need to assuage his fears and anxieties about the future of their relationship with words. She knew her airy sigh as he brought their lips together told him everything he needed to hear.
A/N: Thank you for reading, commenting, subscribing, or favoriting this fic! I appreciate the continued support y'all give me!
I will also say that I had a fit of inspiration recently for some of the next few chapters, so updates may be a bit more frequent, if I can manage it. I'm currently writing chapter 16, so we'll see what happens lol.