Rainy day Hogwarts Imagines

“You’re not wearing your crest?” You asked, noticing the lack of the golden ring Blaise typically wore, it being similar to Draco’s. “I’ve officially been disowned.” He shrugged. “Oh” “I took mine off as well.” Draco said. “Did they disown you too?” You asked. “Not officially no. But I’d rather not be associated with my pathetic father.” He said, sounding bitter at the mention of Lucius. You decided to change the subject again.

“What’s the paper say?” You asked. Blaise cleared his throat. “Uh… it uhm… says that Fudge is finally admitting that Voldemort is back.” Blaise said. “And it of course drags Harry into it around the third paragraph.” A voice said. You rose a brow, moving the partition next to you back. “Hermione!” You gasped. “Hey. Glad to see you’re alright. Last time I saw you, I watched your head get thrown against the edge of a desk.” Hermione said. “Why is that the first memory everyone has now!?” You sighed. “Are the others fine?” Blaise asked. “You two are fine, why didn’t you check?” You asked. “We were focused on you.” Draco said.

You looked at Blaise. “Even him?” You asked. “Yes, even stone cold Blaise has a soft spot for you. I think he even considers you a best friend. ” Draco said. “Aw Blaise, you care about-“ “Don’t. You. Even.” Blaise halted. He sighed. “I tolerate you as a friend. Only best friend I got is in that chair.” He said, pointing to Draco. Draco rolled his eyes. “The others got released this morning, I needed a little extra help, but I should be fine in no time.” Hermione said. “Wait, why do I have to-“ “Because you have a concussion!” Draco said. “She’s fine now. She is able to go.” Pomfrey said. “Oh. Okay, thanks.” Draco said. “Ha! I get to go!” You said, getting up. You stumbled slightly, Blaise bracing you.

“Thanks bestie.” You said standing up straight. “You’re welcom- No!” He realized making you laugh. “How’s Ron?” You asked. “I feel like shit.” Ron’s voice said. You pulled back the other partition. “Jesus you look-“ I can still smell the formaldehyde.” He muttered. “Well at least my knowledge stuck.” You said looking at Ron. “Pomfrey jammed some disgusting ‘Oblivious Unction’ down my throat. Earlier I was just gargling apparently.” Ron said. “Lovely.” You grimaced.

Over the course of the next few days, things seemed to take a change for the better. Umbridge wasn’t coming back, that much was made clear, Dumbledore and Harry’s names had been cleared, everyone now patting Harry on the back. You all sat around Ron’s bed, discussing what the papers were saying. “It was bound to come to light eventually.” You said. “Yeah, how did the interview even end up in the Daily Prophet anyway?” Draco asked, rereading the paper for what seemed like the sixth time. “Daddy sold it to them” Luna said. “Huh. Who would’ve guessed.” You said, reading over Draco’s shoulder. “We’re spending the summer in Sweden because of the money he made off of it!” She said excitedly. “What’s in Sweden?” Hermione asked. “Chocolate-“ “hopefully the Crumple-Horned Snorkack” she answered. “Or… that.” Blaise said after hearing her answer compared to his casual one. You cracked a grin, Draco still smiling despite not looking up from the paper to see Hermione’s eye twitch.

“That sounds…” you braced for a potential argument. “Nice” Hermione said through gritted teeth. You still smiled at her as she clearly hated the discussion topic. “What’s new around school?” Hermione asked. “Flitwick finally got rid of the swamp.” Ginny answered. “Ha! How long did it take?” Hermione asked. “Five minutes” Ginny said earning another wide smile. “That just confirms he had the chance to fix it but never wanted to.” Blaise said making you all chuckle. “Well , he did leave a small patch by the window.” Ginny said. “What? Why?” Draco asked. “I think it’s a monument to Fred and George.” Ron said. “Can’t forget our girl Pansy now, come on.” Neville said, making you laugh. “They sent me all of these” Ron said, motioning to a pile of chocolate frogs. “Guess that means the joke shop is going well” you said, Hermione grimacing at the mention.

“So I guess everything is back to normal.” Draco said, finally setting down the paper. “Filch must be over the damn moon.” Blaise said. “Quite the opposite, he’s been real gloomy as of late.” Ginny said. “Says Umbridge is the best thing that ever happened to Hogwarts.” You muttered under your breath. You all looked over at the bed with the familiar bat in it. You stared with intense hatred. “I’m surprised no one’s tried to hex her yet.” You whispered. “They say she’s still in shock.” Hermione muttered. “Sulking, more like.” Ginny said. “Wanna see something great?” Ron asked. You all nodded.

Ron made a noise with his mouth, similar to hooves clicking and she bolted upright, her eyes wild with terror. You bit back a laugh, silently wheezing into Draco’s shoulder. “Speaking of centaurs, who’s even the divination teacher? Or are we just flipping a coin and heading to a class?” Blaise asked, trying to not laugh, his eyes watering as Umbridge’s eye twitched at the word ‘centaurs’. “I guess Firenze is staying.” Draco said, clearing his throat but still smiling. “He has to, he can’t go back to the others.” You said, finally allowing the feeling to disperse in your chest. “Then so I guess Blaise is right. Flip a coin.” Harry shrugged. “Bet Dumbledore wishes he could’ve got rid of Trelawney for good.” Ron said eating a chocolate frog. “I still don’t understand how she had a job to begin with.” You admitted. “How can you both say that? We saw first hand that prophecies are real.” Hermione asked. “I never denied that, again, Firenze taught me everything I know. I just don’t get how Trelawney ended up at Hogwarts, Umbridge mentioned she was from a bloodline with a famous seer but so far she hasn’t had” you noticed a peculiar look fall over Harry’s face. “A vision…” you said.

“It’s a pity that the prophecy broke, I would’ve liked to actually hear what it had to say.” Hermione said. “Yeah, it is. Still, at least You-Know-Who never found what was in it either- where are you going?” Ron asked. “Uh… Hagrid’s.” Harry said. You rose a brow but nodded. “Have fun” you said, clearly suspicious of where he may actually be going. Still you sat with the group. “So… how’s… your family?” Hermione asked Draco.

Draco let out a long sigh. “Well, they got arrested. They’re in Azkaban. So they’re not great.” Draco said. “How are you holding up?” You asked. Draco gave you a kind smile, the same one that made you fall in love with him. “I’ve got you. That’s all I need.” He said. Blaise seemed quiet. “What about you? You alright?” Neville asked him. “Dad’s also been arrested.” Blaise said. “But are you alright?” You asked. Blaise stared at the floor for a while before you got out of your chair. “I just… don’t.. get how he could-“ your arms wrapped around him. He paused for a moment but hugged you back. “Alright fine. You’re… you’re one of my best friends.” He sighed. You pulled away with a wide smile. “I will revoke it if you make a big deal out of this.” He huffed. You laughed but hugged him again. “Just think, all of us will be spending the summer together.” Ginny said.

Both Draco and Blaise blinked. “Sorry, mate… what?” Blaise asked. “Well you’re staying with me and dad. During the summer we spend a few weeks with the Weasley’s before school. We all go to King’s Cross together.” You said. “…..So we’re-“ “Gonna be living together for like two or three weeks.” Ron said. “Oh god at one point this would’ve been a nightmare.” Blaise said. “Eleven year old me just had a stroke.” Draco said earning a laugh from everyone.

Three days passed when Ron and Hermione were finally released. Draco and Blaise seemed to have a shocking reaction to people insulting their families to their face. Draco and Blaise usually agreed at the insults being thrown even tossing a few in. Umbridge tried to sneak out before the end of the term but peeves wasn’t having it, whacking her with her own stick and a sock full of chalk making you laugh when you saw the sight. The last night at Hogwarts you, Blaise and Draco all sat around in the common room rather than go to the feast. The weight of it all was hitting you. Cedric and now Sirius. Maybe it was Cedric’s cardigan around you that made you think of it but once you started thinking about it, you couldn’t stop.

Blaise still seemed to feel odd about his father. Since it was just you three, he was talking to you more about it. “What do you think you’ll say to Narcissa if she’s at the station?” Blaise asked Draco. Draco looked over into the fireplace. “She’s not going to be there.” Draco said. “How can you be sure?” You asked. “Because she sent me a letter.” He said. You and Blaise looked at him with shock. “She signed papers giving Remus permission as guardian for school events. She and father are out of the picture now.” He said. “What… why is she so accepting?” You asked. “There’s no telling.” Draco shrugged. “What about you Blaise? Do you think your mother will-“ “If she does it’ll be a miracle. She’s been dead since I was six.” Blaise said. You blinked. “You… wait so what about-“ “My mother is technically his backup, she also signed that Remus had permission as guardian for Blaise.” Draco said. “Ah.” You nodded.

The sound of the fire crackling was the only noise now. “Blaise? You okay?” You asked, noticing a look on his face. “My family disowned me.” He breathed. “I made the right choice and they disown me” He said. You hugged him as he stared into the fire. “I don’t get how they could-how I’m…” he sighed frustrated. “I keep… thinking to myself that… If I just hadn’t followed Draco around I wouldn’t be in this weird position.” He said. “What do you mean?” “All of this happened because of you Y/n. Not in a bad way just.. you told us the truth. You set me free. My whole life I struggled with trying to keep up with my brothers. They all were competitive for the family fortune. Now I don’t have to do that anymore… course it means I’m broke but… I’m happy… Thank you.” Blaise said. “You’re welcome…. I think?” You said.

The next morning you all sat on the train, reading the paper. “This is all so odd. The world’s finally agreeing with us.” You said. “This is just the start.” Hermione muttered. You noticed Cho walking with her friend. “Whatever happened with you two?” You asked Harry, nodding to Cho. “Nothing.” Harry said. “I… think she’s dating someone else now.” Hermione said. “You’re well out of it, mate. I mean she’s quite good-looking and all that, but you want someone a bit more cheerful.” Ron said. “She’s probably cheerful enough with someone else.” Harry shrugged. “Uh, as a person who knew her with Cedric, no. No she is not. She’s actually kind of a bitch.” You said making Blaise laugh. “Damn, that was cold.” He laughed. “I kept my mouth shut out of respect for Harry!” You said.

“Who is she even with now?” Draco laughed. “Michael Corner” Ron said. “Wait, weren’t you dating-“ “not anymore.” Ginny halted. “He didn’t like Gryffindor beating Ravenclaw at Quidditch and got really sulky, so I ditched him and he ran off to comfort Cho instead.” Ginny said. “That dog.” You gaped. “Well, I always thought he was a bit of an idiot.” Ron said. “It’s Michael Corner. He is an idiot.” Blaise said making Ginny snort. “Just choose someone better next time.” Ron added. “Well, I’ve chose Dean Thomas, would you say he’s better?” Ginny asked, you staring in awe. “WHAT!?” Ron screeched. You laughed and Draco smiled as the train reached its stop.

The steam rushed out into the station, you all getting up. You all crossed through the magical barriers with your luggage, you gaping with a wide smile. “Sup my bitch?” The black haired girl asked as you dropped your suitcase. You hugged Pansy, Fred and George standing behind her with a sigh. “No hugs for us? We’re dead to you now?” Fred asked. “Get in here you idiot!” You said, gripping his and George’s sleeves and yanking them into the hug. When you finally let go, Pansy sprinted past you, lifting Luna into a hug. “I MISSED YOU!” Luna squealed. “I MISSED YOU! TELL ME EVERYTHING!” Pansy said making you smile as Draco walked over with Blaise. “So. Tell me the bitch is gone.” George said.

You grinned. “Thank Harry and Hermione. Centaurs got her.” You answered. Both Fred and George brought their fists down triumphantly with a hushed “yes!”. Molly sighed before smiling at you. “How are you?” She asked. “Tired, but okay.” You assured as she hugged you. Harry walked over with an exhausted expression. “How’s business?” You asked Fred. “Booming. We regret absolutely nothing!” Fred said. “Yeah, the shop is great, you should see it!” George said excitedly. “Hopefully we will soon.” Blaise said.

Both twins looked at the boys. “Right… your… fathers…” George said. “They had it coming.” Blaise shrugged. “…Wait a second… two of you… technically four…. I don’t suppose you three want a summer job, do you?” George asked. “Uh… well it depends-“ “Dad, can we work at the joke shop for the summer?” You asked Remus. “Yep, they already asked me in the car” Remus waved off. You smiled, Draco wrapping his arm around you.

For a brief moment he swore he saw his mother through the steam. But just as he looked away for a brief second, when he turned back what he thought was an illusion was gone. You rose a brow seeing the adults all walking off. “Dad, where are you going?” You asked. “Having a chat with Harry’s Uncle and Aunt.” Remus said. You smirked. “Can I help?” You asked. “It’s encouraged” Tonks said, everyone walking over.

“Afternoon.” You greeted the family. “You might remember me, my name’s Arthur Weasley” Arthur said. “We wanted to talk to you about our pal Harry.” Blaise said, resting his elbow on your shoulder. “Yeah about how he’s treated when he’s at your place.” Moody said, glaring at them. “I am not aware that it is any of your business what goes on in my house-“ “I expect what you’re not aware of would fill several books, Dursley” Moody said, making Draco snort. “Anyway, that’s not the point.” Tonks sighed. “The point is if we find out you’ve been horrible to Harry-“ “And we will in fact hear about it.” You said. “Yes, even if you won’t let Harry use the fellyphone” “telephone.” You and Hermione corrected. “That thing. If we get any hint that Potter’s been mistreated in any way, you’ll have us to answer to ” Moody said.

“Are you threatening me, sir?” The man asked Moody. “No.” You walked forward. Despite your small size, you still seemed intimidating to him. “We’re threatening you, sir.” You said, Remus smiling at you. “And-and do I look like the kind of man who can be intimidated?” the man asked. Draco stood next to you, his hand on your shoulder as he stared daggers into him. Moody’s eye was the final kicker though, it whirring around making the woman jump back. “Yes, you seem like you are.” You said. “So, Potter… Give us a shout if you need us. If we don’t hear from you for three days in a row, we’ll send someone along.” Moody said. Moody parted with him, as did the boys. “I swear, I’ll write as much as I can. You remember the code?” You asked Harry. “Yeah. I do.” He nodded. You hugged Harry before running off with Draco and Blaise.

Finally you got to the car, loading the luggage into the back. “So, three teenagers, you're positive you can handle it?” Arthur asked Remus. “I’m not really concerned about Blaise,” Remus said, looking at Blaise who roughed up your hair. “It’s Draco” Remus mumbled as Draco kissed your forehead before getting in the car. “Well, if you need me I’m across the hall.” Tonks said. Remus blinked. “Sorry, what?” He asked. “My apartment? Yeah I’m your neighbor.” Tonks said. “Dad! Are we leaving or what? I miss my bed, I am train lagged.” You whined. “Train lagged isn’t a thing Y/n.” Blaise said. “It is too. I am train lagged.” You said, Remus rolling his eyes. “Have a good summer Remus” Molly said. “You too Arthur, Molly.” Remus said, walking to the car.

The car ride was spent talking in full about the experience at Hogwarts, discussing the entire event that was Umbridge. Draco however zoned out. For the first time in his life he was now uncertain. Uncertain to where life was taking him, uncertain on where he was going… But he was certain about one thing. And she was sitting in the passenger seat laughing about Pansy leaving with Fred and George. He loved you. And if he was going to fight in a war, he was determined on one thing.

He was going to keep you safe. Or die trying.

You all ended up in another lift, it's noise making you more unsettled as you rode to the Department of Mysteries. Not one of you dared to utter a word. The moments to speak were gone and now you all followed towards the black door. “Okay, listen” Harry began as you all stood in front of the door. “Maybe.. maybe a couple of people should stay here as a- as a lookout and- “ “and how’re we going to let you know something’s coming?” Ginny asked. “She’s right, the ministry is huge, you could end up miles away.” Draco agreed. “We’re coming with you, Harry.” Neville declared. He sighed but nodded, finally turning to the door.

He pulled it open, you being met with a circular room. Everything was black, reminding you of the Malfoy Manor. “Someone shut the door.” Harry muttered. Luna closed the door, the group being met with darkness. Harry looked at the various doors for a moment before hearing a loud rumble. You soon realized the wall was moving.

“That’s not ominous or creepy as fuck.” You muttered sarcastically as the wall sped up before abruptly stopping. “What was that about?” Ron asked. “I think it was to stop us from knowing what door we came in from.” Ginny said. Realization set in, you all quietly groaning. “Fuck” you breathed. “How’re we gonna get back out?” Neville asked. “Well, that doesn’t matter now.” Harry said, clearing his throat. “We won’t need to get out till we’ve found Sirius.” Harry declared. “Don’t go calling for him though!” Hermione halted. “No shit Sherlock. Anything else to add to your groundbreaking realization?” You muttered, “I wouldn’t take it personally, she insults people a lot when she’s uncomfortable.” Draco halted Ron from snapping. “Oh that makes so much sense.” Blaise realized. “Where do we go Harry?” You sighed, blocking out the boys.

“I don’t… In the dreams I went through the door at the end of the corridor from the lifts into a dark room- that’s this one- and then I went through another door into a room that kind of… glitters. We should try a few doors. I’ll know the right way when I see it.” He said. You nodded as he walked up to the door in front of him, Harry opening it with caution.

You peered over his shoulder, seeing green tanks that were massive. It had something white within them but you could recognize a familiar scent combined with something else. “… what the fuck are wizards doing with formaldehyde?” You asked aloud. Everyone turned to you. “Formal-a what?” Ron asked. “A chemical combination that preserves… organs… oh my god those are-“ “Aquavirius Maggots!” Luna said. “No Luna… those are… brains.” You gagged. Draco blinked, feeling deeply unsettled by what he was seeing. “What the fuck do they need brains for?” Blaise asked. “Let’s get out of here. This isn’t right, we need to try another door-“ “there are doors here too.” Ron pointed out. “In my dream I went though that dark room into the second one. I think we should go back and try from there.” Harry said, looking around. All of you went back to the dark room, Luna nearly closing the door. “Wait!” Hermione halted. Luna stepped back, Hermione drawing her wand. “Flagrate.” She said, am ‘X’ appearing on the door before she closed it. “Quick thinking.” Blaise said as the room turned again. “I swear this is like a rubix cube.” You muttered.

“Let’s try this one.” Harry said, pushing another door open. It was a rectangular room that almost looked like a college classroom. There was a stone arch that had almost a sheet like material in the actual arch. “What is this?” You muttered. “Who’s there?” Harry called, walking into the room. “Careful!” Hermione said, walking behind him. You followed him down to the arch when he paused, looking through it. “…Sirius?” He asked, his voice barely audible. You moved to the other side of it, looking through it. You knew Harry must’ve been feeling the same way. Like someone was within the veil.

“Let’s go.” Hermione called. “Yeah, something is off.” Draco agreed. “Harry, let’s go okay?” Hermione asked. “Okay.” He muttered. Neither you or Harry moved though. You were hearing the same thing. Faint whispering that you could make out. “What is it saying?” You asked. “Nobody is talking you guys.” Hermione said, walking over to the two of you. “Someone’s whispering behind there.” Harry said walking forward. “Is it Ron maybe?” You suggested. “I’m over here.” Ron said, peering around the arch. “Can’t anyone hear it?” Harry asked. “I can hear them too!” Luna nodded. “There are people in there.” She said, earning a frown from Hermione. “What do you mean ‘in there’? There isn’t any ‘in there’ it’s just an archway, there’s no room for anybody to be there- Harry, stop it! Come away-“ she pulled him back but he shook her off. “Harry, we are supposed to be here for Sirius!” She yelled. “Sirius… right…” you said, clearly distracted. Harry stepped back though, catching your attention. “Let’s go.” He said.

You followed without question, still looking back at the veil. “What d’you reckon that arch was?” Harry asked. “I have no idea.” You said. “Whatever it was, it was dangerous.” Hermione said, putting an ‘X’ on the door. The wall spun again before reaching that same abrupt stop. Harry approached another door, pushing before frowning. “What’s going on?” You asked. “It’s… locked.” Harry said before shoving himself against the door. “This is it, then, isn’t it?” Ron asked before shoving himself against the door with Harry. “Get out of the way!” Hermione huffed. “Alohomora.” She said. You didn’t hear a click which made you frown. “How are we getting in?” Blaise asked. “Sirius’s knife!” Harry gasped, pulling it from the inside of his robes, sliding it into the crack of the door and the wall. Harry pulled again… nothing. And the blade was melted.

“Right, we’re leaving that room.” Hermione announced. “But what if it’s that one?” Ron asked. “It can’t be. Harry could get through all the doors in his dream.” Hermione said, marking the door. “You know what could be in there?” Luna asked. Hermione muttered under her breath, Neville clearing his throat to cover her insult. The wall slid back again, Harry shoving open the first door he saw before you saw his eyes widen. “This is it” he gasped.

The room was exactly as he described, glittering with light. “This way!” He called, moving forward. You followed, looking at the various desks. You noticed a bell jar sitting on one of the desks. “Oh look!” Ginny pointed to the jar, a small egg resting within it. A hummingbird emerged before it floated upwards, enclosing itself back into the egg. “Keep going!” Harry ushered noticing Ginny wanting to stop. “But-“ you grabbed her arm, pulling her with you.

Harry looked at the door with wide eyes. “This is it.” He breathed. Everyone drew their wands, Draco sliding his freehand into yours. “I love you.” He muttered. “I love you too.” You whispered. Harry pushed the door open, you being met with the tallest shelves you had ever seen. Crystal balls rested on the shelves, small torches glowing a dim blue being your only source of light. “It was row ninety seven, right?” You asked. “Yeah” Harry nodded. “we need to go right, I think.” Hermione murmured. “Yeah, that’s fifty four right there.” Blaise pointed out. “Keep your wands out.” Harry instructed.

You followed the numbers, a eerie silence amongst the group. You followed Hermione who was counting the rows before she stopped. “Ninety-seven.” She whispered, stopping. You all peered down the row, seeing nothing. “He’s right down at the end. You can’t see properly from here.” Harry whispered. You all followed Harry, the tension rising. The crystal balls seemed to glow dimly. Hermione looked around the shelves as you all walked before she stopped, Harry moving forward. You stopped with her. “What’s wrong?” You whispered. “The name.” She muttered. You saw Harry’s name. You blinked. “Harry” Hermione called with no response. “Somewhere about… here.” Harry muttered, not paying attention to Hermione’s beckon.

“Harry.” You called. “Or maybe…” “Harry” you and Hermione called. “What?” He asked angrily. “I…I don’t think Sirius is here.” Hermione said, looking at the crystal ball. Harry didn’t turn to face you but Ron was now locked on to what you and Hermione had seen. “Harry?” Ron called. “What?” Harry huffed. “Have you seem this?” Ron asked. “What?” Harry turned, walking over to where you all stood. “What?” Harry asked looking at the glass ball. “Your name is on it.” You said. Harry moved closer, looking at it confused. “My name?” He asked. “Well it says ‘S. P. T. to A. P. W. B. D. Dark Lord and (?) Harry Potter.’” You read aloud. “Why is your name here?” Blaise asked. “None of our names are here.” Draco said, looking around.

“Harry, I don’t think you should touch it.” Hermione said, clearly unnerved by the ball. “Why not? It’s something to do with me, isn’t it?” Harry asked. “Don’t, Harry” Neville said. He looked incredibly nervous. “What if it’s a trap Harry?” You asked. “It’s got my name on it.” Harry said. “And? If a tiger who was ready to kill you popped out with your name on it, would you approach it?” You asked. Without thinking, Harry clasped the ball.

You all held your breaths. However, nothing happened. Suddenly, Draco grabbed your hand with wide eyes as if he saw something you didn’t. “What are you doing here?” He asked. Everyone looked over at the blonde man who was staring back at you with wide eyes. You felt your heart pounding as you realized who was standing before you. “I came for that.” Lucius said, his voice cold as he motioned to the orb.

“Where’s Sirius?” Harry asked as more people in black robes emerged. You were outnumbered. All of the robed figures seemed to laugh at Harry’s question. “The dark lord always knows.” A female voice said. You flinched at that voice. You didn’t know how but you could recognize the tone. Someone had described this woman to you but you didn’t know who she was. “Always.” Lucius agreed. “Now give me the prophecy, Potter.” He snapped. “I want to know where Sirius is!” Harry yelled. “*I want to know where Sirius is*!” The female voice mocked. You stared at her, her face not being clear due to the lights shining from the robed figures’ wands. “You’ve got him, he’s here. I know he’s here.” Harry said.

“*The little baby woke up fwightened and fort what it dweamed was twoo*” The woman mocked with a baby voice. Fear rose in you as you backed up with wide eyes realizing who was speaking to Harry. Draco rose a brow, noticing you shake with fear as you gripped Neville’s arm. “Don’t do anything, not yet.” Harry muttered to Ron. She laughed. “You hear him? You hear him? Giving instructions to the other children as though he thinks of fighting us!” She laughed. “Oh, you don’t know Potter as I do, Bellatrix.” Lucius said.

Neville gripped your shoulder with wide eyes as Draco’s mouth went completely dry. “It seems about the only thing I couldn’t predict was my son, his girlfriend and Zabini.” Lucius spat, looking at you. Blaise moved closer to you, his wand drawn. Your chest was pounding. You felt anger rising in you as you stared at Bellatrix. Along with anger was fear, you shaking like a wet dog in snow. “Give me the prophecy, Potter.” Lucius growled. “I know Sirius is here. I know you’ve got him!” Harry yelled.

The death eaters laughed again at Harry. “It’s time you learned the difference between life and dreams, Potter. Now give me the prophecy, or we start using wands.” Lucius said. “Go on then.” Harry challenged, Neville immediately pulling you behind him. No one moved for an attack however. “Hand over the prophecy and no one need get hurt.” Lucius said, glaring holes into Harry. Harry, much to the group’s surprise, laughed. “Yeah, right. I give you this- prophecy, is it? And you’ll just let us skip off home, will you?” Harry scoffed. Immediately after the words escaped Harry’s mouth Bellatrix attempted to get the crystal ball from Harry. Harry was prepared though, immediately firing a spell before she could successfully attempt to take the prophecy.

“Oh, he knows how to play, little bitty baby Potter. Very well then-“ “I TOLD YOU, NO.” Lucius’ voice echoed. “If you smash it-“ Bellatrix noticed you staring. “I know you” she said. Draco frowned. You shook, whether it was with terror or anger you didn’t know. Bellatrix let out an unsettling giggle. “Tell me,” she said, looking at you. Lucius rose a brow. “How’s mummy dearest?” She asked. Lucius looked at you with a frown. “So you really are Marlene’s daughter.” Lucius said. Bellatrix snorted. “How did you not know?” She asked. “She’s really good at lying. As is my son, apparently.” Lucius said. “How could you side with them? They tried to kill a child- they killed a classmate- how could you do this!?” Draco asked. “I did this to protect us! To protect you!” Lucius snapped. “You put us in danger is what you did!” Draco yelled.

“ENOUGH!” Bellatrix yelled. “You need more persuasion? How about we take good ol’ McKinnon. We’ll reenact that night and we’ll have Longbottom watch as I snap her neck!” Bellatrix said. “Touch her and I kill you myself.” Draco snapped. “Come now nephew, that’s no way to talk to your family.” She hissed. “We may share blood but you will ***never*** be my family.” Draco growled. “You’ll have to smash this if you want any of us.” Harry said, everyone standing around you protectively. “I don’t think your boss will be too pleased if you come back without it, will he?” Harry asked.

Tension had never been higher as Bellatrix seemed to be unhappy with the fact that Harry had her stuck. “So, what kind of prophecy are we talking about anyway?” He asked. “What kind of prophecy? You jest, Harry Potter.” Bellatrix said, looking at him. “Nope, not jesting. How come Voldemort wants it?” Harry asked. “You dare speak his name?” Bellatrix asked. “Yeah, I’ve got no problem saying Vol-“ “shut your mouth! You dare speak his name with your unworthy lips, you dar besmirch it with your half-blood’s tongue, you dare-“ “did you know he’s a half-blood too? Voldemort? Yeah, his mother was a witch but his dad was a muggle- or has he been telling you lot he’s pureblood?” Harry asked. “STUPEFY-“ “NO!” Lucius shouted, deflecting Bellatrix’s shot. You heard glass fall to the floor as crystal balls fell off the shelves. Apparitions appeared from the glass on the floor speaking. “At the solstice will come a new.” One of the apparitions spoke.

“DO NOT ATTACK WE NEED THE PROPHECY!” Lucius shouted. “He dared-“ “Can we please leave.” You whispered. Blaise frowned looking behind Bellatrix. “My father is here too.” He realized. You looked at Blaise who’s jaw was clenched. “WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE THE PROPHECY!” Lucius shouted. The apparition spoke again but you weren’t paying attention. “How do you know it’s your dad?” You whispered. “The scar on his hand.” Blaise whispered. You felt bad for Blaise but this was not the place to ask if he was okay. “You haven’t told me what’s so special about this prophecy.” Harry said abruptly, moving his leg and hitting Draco’s. “Do not play games with us Potter.” Lucius growled.

“What?” Draco whispered. “Dumbledore never told you that the reason you bear that scar was hidden in the bowels of the Department of Mysteries?” Lucius asked. “I- what?” Harry asked. “What?” Draco repeated, confused on what Harry wanted him to do. “Can this be?” Lucius asked making other death eaters laugh. “Smash shelves.” Harry whispered while they laughed. “Dumbledore never told you?” Lucius asked. “Well this explains why you didn’t come earlier, Potter, the Dark Lord wondered why-“ “When I say go” “ you didn’t come running when he showed you the place where it was hidden in your dreams. He thought natural curiosity would make you want to hear the exact wording…” Lucius rambled. “Does your dad typically ramble into a villainous monologue?” You whispered behind Draco. “He does like over explaining,” Draco muttered.

“Did he? So he wanted me to come and get it, did he? Why?” Harry asked. “Why?” Lucius laughed. “See?” Draco asked quietly. “Because the only people who are permitted to retrieve a prophecy from the Department of Mysteries, Potter, are those about whom it was made, as the Dark Lord discovered when he attempted to use others to steal it for him.” Lucius explained. “He really does love to explain.” You nodded quietly. Blaise still was locked on to the man he claimed was his father. “And why did he want a prophecy about me?” Harry asked, Draco looking around. “About both of you. Haven’t you ever wondered why the Dark lord try to kill you as a baby?” Lucius asked. You rolled your eyes. “Yet he still failed” you muttered making Luna resist an urge to snort. “Someone made a prophecy about me and Voldemort? And he made me go fetch it for him? Why couldn’t he come and get it himself?” Harry asked. “get it himself!?” Bellatrix asked, clearly horrified by the nonchalant nature of Harry.

“The dark lord, walk into the Ministry, when they are so sweetly ignoring his return? The dark lord, revealing himself to the Aurors, when at the moment they are wasting their time on my dear cousin?” Bellatrix asked. “Is it just me or does she sound in love with him?” Blaise whispered. “So he’s got you doing his dirty work for him?” Draco asked. Harry nodded. “Yeah, like he got Sturgis to steal it- and Bode?” Harry asked. Lucius frowned, eying his son. “Very good, Potter.” Lucius said, his eyes still on Draco. “But the dark lord knows you’re not-“ “NOW!” Harry shouted.

“REDUCTO!” Draco yelled, multiple curses being flung in your direction before you heard a glass crash. Draco grabbed your hand as you heard multiple glass shattering nearing closer and closer. “RUN!” Harry yelled before you all broke off into a sprint. Your heart was hammering against your chest as your legs tried to keep up. You honestly thought that if it weren’t for Draco dragging you, you wouldn’t be with the group. You panted, nearly out of breath as Ginny, Ron and Luna bolted past you. You ran through the door, Hermione slamming it shut as Blaise entered. You panted as she locked the door. “God this is a sign I should’ve picked up a sport.” You whined out of breath. “You don’t like heights.” Neville panted. “I meant like football or something, fuck quidditch.” You breathed making Blaise snort. “Wait- where’s the others!?” Harry asked. “They must’ve gone the wrong way!” Hermione breathed. “Listen!” Neville hushed. You all stopped talking listening to the voices behind the door.

“Leave Nott, leave him I say, the Dark Lord will not care for Nott’s injuries.” Lucius hissed. “Caring man, that Lucius.” Blaise whispered. Draco shook his head but you all continued to listen. “Judson, come back here, we need to organize! We’ll split into pairs and search, and don’t forget, be gentle with Potter until we’ve got the prophecy, you can kill the others if necessary- leave Draco and Blaise alone though, I will deal with them. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, you take the left, Crabbe, Rabastan, go right- Jugson, Dolohov, the door straight ahead- Macnair and Avery, through here. Rookwood, over there- Zabini, come with me!” Lucius instructed. That confirmed it. Blaise’s father was amongst the death eaters.

“What do we do?” Hermione asked, her voice shaking with fear. “We shouldn’t be near the door, that’s for sure.” Draco breathed, backing away. You all ran, practically on your toes to keep quiet. You all heard something heavy against the door, Draco again, grabbing your hand in case you had to break into another sprint. You looked around and realized: you were surrounded by desks. “Under the desks, now!” You whispered, everyone obeying.

You and Draco hid near each other, your heart pounding as you heard the door open. “They might’ve run straight through to the hall.” One of the men suggested. “Check under the desks.” One instructed. You trembled with fear as one walked near the desk near Neville. You had to think, fast. “STUPIFY!” You screamed, a bolt of red lights striking the man down. You emerged from the desk, Draco and Hermione doing the same. “Avada-“ Draco slammed the death eater over, Neville aiming his wand as the two wrestled. “EXPELLIARMUS!” He yelled, Draco’s wand flying away along with the death eater’s.

Draco and the man scrambled, you frowning. “STUPEFY!” Neville yelled, making an attempt to strike down the death eater. However he missed, knocking over a shelf, glass flying to the ground. It was like it was stuck on repeat before it came back together and fell again. The death eater gripped his wand, Draco diving away as the man yelled another spell again.”STUP-“ “STUPEFY!” You yelled, hitting the man square in the back. The man froze, the wand clattering to the floor as the man fell back on the Bell jar from earlier. You expected more glass to shatter but instead his head sunk through it almost like it had gone through some sort of film like material, or a bubble. Draco picked up his wand. “Good aim.” He breathed. “Dad owns a crossbow.” You breathed, everyone turning to you. “For fucks sake, he’s a werewolf!” You whined. “Look out!” Neville shrieked , looking at the man who’s head was in the bell jar. The man’s head was shrinking rapidly, you not wanting to see but also in a state where you couldn’t look away.

You watched his head shrink to the size of a baby’s. “What the fuck am I looking at?” You asked. “I have no idea.” Blaise gaped. “This is kind of funny though.” Draco muttered. “Well yeah- it’s a fucking baby head on an adult man- you can’t make this up!” Blaise said. “The jar messes with time!” You realized as the head returned to normal size. The man struggled as it shrunk back, you all hearing shouting.

“RON!?” Harry called, turning away from the curious sight. “GINNY!? LUNA!?” Blaise called, hoping to hear a response as well. The man flailed, the baby head crying as if it really was an infant. Harry turned around aiming his wand before Hermione pulled his arm back. “You can’t hurt a baby!” She gasped. You blinked. “Woman, he tried to kill us!” You said, looking at the man… baby thing.

The yelling got louder, you all finally looking away. “Come on!” Harry ushered, leaving the flailing baby man alone. You followed back into the hall before seeing two death eaters racing towards you, Hermione throwing you all into a messy office room before slamming the door. “This is the worst day, right?” You breathed, Draco nodding. “You’re not even breaking a sweat!” You panted. “Quidditch helps.” Harry said, also not out of breath. “Oh fuck off-“ the door opened, all of you moving back. “IMPEDIMENTA!” A death eater shouted, knocking all of you back. You slammed back into the desk, your head hitting the edge.

Your vision went hazy, your head was throbbing. You felt someone lift your head. Was this it? Was this how you died? To some random man you couldn’t even see? “Stay with us Y/n!” You heard a voice say. “Mum?” You whispered, barely lucid. You heard more yelling, your eyes lazily opening. You heard someone shout a spell, two men falling over. “Come on, please be okay!” You heard someone say. That voice… “ow.” You winced, leaning up. “Woah, woah! Slow down rockstar, you hit your head pretty hard.” Blaise said. You leaned forward onto Draco’s shoulder. “Oh she’s okay… stunned… but okay.” He said, looking at your head.

You noticed Hermione “oh my god don’t tell me she’s-“ “alive.” Harry assured. You nodded, getting up. Blaise helped. “We have to get out of here.” Draco said. “We’re not far from the exit, if Neville and Blaise can get Hermione and Y/n to the lift and raise the alarm-“ “I’m not going anywhere, I will be fine.” You said. “Fine but Hermione is still out cold” Harry huffed, “Neville can-“ “ I’m mot eaving eiher!” Neville halted, his speech halted by his newly bruised face. “We have got to find the others.” Blaise concluded.

“Fine, let’s go.” He said, Blaise lifting Hermione into his arms. You opened the door seeing the baby man still flailing about. You nodded for the boys to move, walking back into the circular room. The door slammed shut once Draco exited behind Blaise, the room spinning. “Which way do you thin-“ three people fell out of the door. “Found them.” You said sarcastically. “Ron” Harry said, sounding slightly relieved. You noticed Ginny backing away and gripping her leg. You ran over, looking at her. “What happened?” You asked. You heard Ron giggling.

“You all look funny! Haha!” Ron giggled. “Did someone slip him drugs or some shit?” You asked as Ron fell against Harry. “I think Ginny’s ankle is broken, I heard something crack.” Luna said. “Unconscious girl, head injury, bruised boy, zonked out Ron. We’re building a resume.” You muttered. “Four of them chased us into a dark room full of planets, it was a very odd place, some of the time we were just floating in the dark” “We saw Uranus up close!” Ron said excitedly. “That’s what she said.” Blaise coughed out and you snorted, “haha! Right?” Ron asked, blood dribbling out of his mouth. Draco shook his head looking at him. “He doesn’t have head trauma, I don’t know what the hell happened to him?”

“I don’t know what they hit him with! He’s been out of it ever since one of them hit him with something!” Ginny huffed, “what happened to you?” Blaise asked, shifting so that Hermione was in a comfortable position in his arms. “One of those fuckers grabbed my ankle, Luna used the reducto curse and one of the planets exploded, somewhere along those two events my ankle quite literally turned against me.” Ginny said. “We need to get out of there before my father or worse- my aunt- finds us.” Draco said. “Luna can you help Ginny?” Harry asked. She nodded, Ginny sighing. “I can handle it myself- ow!” She whined as she nearly toppled over. Luna slung Ginny’s arm over her shoulder, Harry doing the same with Ron. Ron rambled, and you sighed.

You drifted towards a door. “THERE THEY ARE!” You heard Bellatrix shriek. Your heart began to race again as Draco’s eyes widened, him opening the door and yanking you through it as a curse narrowly missed you. Everyone quickly ran in, Harry slamming the door shut as he cast the same charm Hermione had been doing to lock the door. You heard arguing, Bellatrix‘s shrill voice screaming at the men on the other side. “Oh fuck, we’re back here!?” You whined. Everyone turned back to the brains in the tanks. “Alright, start sealing the doors, NOW!” Harry instructed.

You all locked as many doors as you could before you saw Draco shoot back. Five death eaters charged in. “CAREFUL! That’s Lucius’ boy, he said to leave that to him! Same with the Zabini boy!” A man halted. Draco grunted, getting up. “Fuck!” Draco winced. You backed up slowly as Bellatrix looked at you with an unsettling smile. “DRACO” Blaise yelled, nodding to you. Draco frowned as Bellatrix aimed her wand, Draco jumping in front of you. Bellatrix frowned. “Get. Out. Of. My. Way.” She hissed. “Over. My. Dead. Body.” Draco fired back.

You’re not entirely sure what the hell happened next all you knew was that Blaise had somehow gotten closer, hitting Bellatrix with something. You all sprinted behind a desk, looking over at the other group stuck behind another desk before you saw Ron with one of the brain sucked onto his face. You jumped back. “What the fuck happened!?” You gasped. “The idiot summoned it out of the tank!” Ginny said. “It’ll suffocate him!” Blaise gasped.

You saw a red flash, Ginny falling over. Draco pulled you close, frowning. “We’re out numbered!” He yelled, Neville struggling to use Hermione’s wand. Harry looked down and then back up before he bolted out from behind the desk, running off. “NEVILLE! STAY WITH RON!” You yelled before the three of you bolted out of the room and after Harry.

You raced through the door, running through the door that was open, you being back in the room with the stone archway. “There’s ten of us and one of you” “Correction. Four of us and ten of you. Still not good odds but uh… eh.” Blaise corrected. The death eaters turned, Bellatrix looking at you with a wide smile. Lucius frowned. “Draco what are you doing here? With them?” Lucius asked. “Well father, I’m not a fucking coward who hides behind Voldemort.” Draco spat. “You don’t even realize what you’re saying- she’s hexed you!” Lucius declared. “No. She told me what Bellatrix did. What you did. What you refuse to admit you assisted with!” Draco yelled. “I did nothing-“ “YOU. STOOD. IDLY. BY.” Draco yelled, his voice booming with anger. “I take it you feel the same?” Zabini asked Blaise. “Of fucking course I do! You seriously thought you jackasses could kill a classmate and I wouldn’t care!? That was a child! We are children! You’re targeting a child! And you fuckers call yourselves parents!? Are you actually out of your fucking minds!?” Blaise asked. “Fine! You’ve made your choice!” Lucius shouted.

“All night I have wanted nothing more” Bellatrix yanked your arm and Draco aimed his wand. “Than to see how long you’d hold out. Possibly longer than your mother!” She giggled. “Draco don’t!” You halted, noticing four death eaters aiming for him. Draco gave you a concerned look. “Give us the prophecy.” Lucius growled at Harry. “Don’t!” You yelled at Harry. Harry obeyed your command shaking his head. “Very well. Bellatrix!”

You didn’t even hear the words. You hit the floor with agonizing pain jolting through you. Draco lunged forward but Blaise could see it was suicide, him holding him back but looking away. Your screams echoed through the room, you sobbing from the pain that was coursing through your body like a fast acting poison.

Your chest rapidly rose and fell as Bellatrix stopped. “Change your mind, Potter?” Lucius asked. “DON’T.” You insisted. Harry this time seemed to hesitate to denying him again. “ARRY. DON” a voice yelled. You looked over to see Neville panting. “NEVILLE NO!” you screamed. “Go back to Ron!” Blaise yelled. “HARRY DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE!” You screamed. Harry shook his head again to Lucius. “again, Bellatrix” “DAMN IT FATHER, STOP!” Draco yelled.

Again, your body felt like it had been baptized in fire as you screamed. Neville was mortified before you heard a door burst open. “GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER YOU SON OF A BITCH!” You heard a voice shout. Your eyes widened as you looked to see your dad. Bellatrix smirked, Draco glaring. He took the moment to knock her wand out of her hand, pulling you up off the floor. You scrambled to your wand, shots being fired around you. You looked over though with wide eyes noticing a death eater’s hands around Harry’s neck.

“STUPEFY!” You yelled, the man dropping Harry. “Thanks!” Harry coughed. “Thank me when we’re not dead!” You said. Harry nodded as you blocked a spell. “IS THAT A FUCKING EYE” you heard Blaise shriek, you noticing Moody. “FUCK” you hissed, seeing the man on the ground. You felt someone slam into you, knocking right back into Bellatrix’s vision. “Shit” you breathed. That same unsettling smirk fell over her before you watched her wand fly back again. Draco stood protectively next to you. “You’re going to need a white horse for you to ride in on next time” you teased, Draco smirking. “Jokes on you” Draco laughed as he fired another spell at a nearby death eater. “I look good on a horse” he said. “Oh I never doubted that” you laughed. Remus ran over with Blaise. “Take Neville-“ you fired at someone behind him. “Thank you, take Neville and Harry and get out of here-“ Remus instructed as Blaise rammed into a nearby death eater.

“Got it. Stay safe dad” you said. Remus nodded, bolting away as you, Blaise and Draco ran to Harry and Neville. “He can’t stand!” Harry said out of breath as Neville attempted again to stand, this time tearing Harry’s robe.

You watched the prophecy slide out and shatter against the stone. “Harry, I’b sorry” Neville gasped. “Don’t worry about it- Blaise, help!” Harry said. Blaise helped him up before Neville’s eyes got huge. “DUBBLEDORE” He gasped. “What-“ you turned just in time to see the man rush past you.

Relief washed over you as Dumbledore stood with his wand ready. Most death eaters cleared out, but a shrill voice let out one last curse, a red bolt streaking across the room and right into Sirius’s chest.

Time seemed to slow as you watched Sirius’s eyes roll back and his wand clatter to the stone floor. Rather than watch his body hit the floor, you saw it float back into the veil. Memories flew through your mind, tears falling down your face. Harry lunged forward, Draco holding him back. This pain. This grief, you had felt before.

Your heart ached with that same familiar pain of losing a friend. You had watched your best friend return home, dead. You had watched your friends leave you. You had to watch your home be desecrated by a power hungry woman who had abused you. You fell to your knees, the weight of everything finally hitting you all at once. Sound had drowned out as your heart pounded against your chest. However one sound managed to creep through.

A shrill laugh.

All at once you picked up your body, being controlled by one emotion. Unbridled rage. Remus was helping Neville up, Harry was in shock, Blaise was helping with injuries and Draco was helping Harry. You had no one watching you now. You could do it. No one was going to stop you. All it took was Harry’s shocked and traumatized face, being reminded of the very distant memories of your father having to hear the news that your mother had been killed. Killed by the very same bitch that had inflicted the same pain again tonight. You bolted forward, unaware of the silver eyes that had noticed you go after Bellatrix. “Y/N! NO!” Draco called, but it was too late.

You chased after her room through room, past the ditzy Ron on the floor, past the barely lucid Luna and Ginny, past a lift, past a door. You panted, your wand was drawn, your face was wet from your tears, your body was tired from the running. You heard that shrill laughter before you felt a pair of arms wrap around you. “GET AWAY FROM ME!” You screamed. However this voice you heard was different. “Not a chance!” It was female, yes but it wasn’t quite that insanely annoying and nail biting as the other. This was someone you knew.

Your eyes immediately saw pink and the red coat. You shook her off looking at her. “Y/n, you shouldn’t be here- she could kill you!” Tonks said. You shook your head. “No, no she killed Sirius- she killed my mother- she needs to PAY!” You screamed. “I’m not going to pretend like I know what you’re going through but you are a child! You should not be here!” Tonks yelled. You heard that laughing again. “Stand-in mummy saves the day!” Bellatrix said, her voice distant. Tonks took your arm, apparating back to the room. However now someone else was missed. Harry. “Where’s Harry?” Tonks asked as you collapsed against a bench. “He took off. After… Bellatrix…” Blaise breathed.

“Fuck! You have to be joking, we were just-“ “what in the hell were you thinking!?” Draco asked, looking at you. “I was thinking that woman tortured my friends parents. I was thinking that woman tortured my mother. I was thinking that woman tortured me. I was thinking that that woman has brought enough pain- enough suffering that she deserves to-“ “STOP.” Draco halted, both of his hands on your shoulders. “You are not in any condition to take her head on like you attempted. You’re not in any condition to fight anyone- you’re not invincible Y/n!” Draco yelled. You looked at him with a tired expression.

You were finally hit with an overwhelming exhaustion, your bottom lip trembling as you broke down into sobs. Draco held you in his arms, Remus and Tonks sitting on either side of you. “We got you kiddo.” Tonk said softly. “We’re here now.” Remus soothed. “I-I can’t-can’t do this- not-not again” you choked out. Draco closed his eyes, trying to ignore the fact that your pain was destroying his heart. “I can’t- I can’t do this” “No” “I can’t do it- I can’t” “No, Y/n look at me-“ “I can’t-“ “look at me.” Draco hushed. You looked at him through your tears. “We can do this. You’re not by yourself anymore, you have us.” Draco said softly. “That’s right.” Blaise nodded, kneeling to you. “You’ve got me. And the pink chick. And your dad.” Blaise motioned to the adults next to you. “You’ve got the bruised idiot over there.” Blaise added making you let out a choked laugh. Remus let out a small smile at the sight of your friends coming to your aid. “And God knows you’ve got me.” Draco said softly, holding your hand with his freehand on your cheek. “You have us, you will always have us.” Tonks assured.

You nodded, tears still falling. Draco pressed a kiss to your forehead. Remus smiled slightly before a thought occurred. “Draco, where are you currently living?” Remus asked. “Uhh…” the uncertainty finally hit him. Of course he couldn’t go home. Lucius was very clearly on the wrong side, his family didn’t have any plans of switching sides either. “…I think at the moment I’m homeless.” Draco admitted. You looked over at Remus and he sighed. “Oh I’m so going to regret this.” He muttered. Tonks rose a brow. “Draco, would you like to stay with us?” Remus asked. “Uh… not to be a pest but I am also a homeless child.” Blaise said. “Dad?” You sniffled. He sighed. “You too. Would you both like to-“ “If it isn’t too much trouble.” Draco said. “It better not be or else I’ll-“ “Remus, now isn’t exactly the time to threaten your daughter’s boyfriend.” Tonks halted.

You wiped your eyes and Remus held you. Blaise looked behind you raising a brow. “Is that the bloody minister?” Blaise asked. You turned, seeing Cornelius Fudge rubbing his hand over his face. “Oh god” you groaned. “Students? There are more students here!?” He gaped. “Our friend needed us.” Blaise sighed. “But-… Well I you would need support for…” he stuttered. You rose a brow, standing. “You believe us now?” You asked. “We fucking saw him!” A ministry worker said. “Henry! They’re children!” Fudge scolded. “Well we did! Him and Dumbledore got into a fight, the Potter boy was there too!” Henry said. “Harry must’ve slipped past us.” You muttered. “Good lord you’ve got a gash on your head!” Another worker said. Right. The desk.

Your eyes widened. “Ron! Ginny! Oh my god we left them!” You gasped. “There are more!?” Fudge asked. “Yes, in the brain tank room!” You said. “The what?” Remus asked. “Oh, you so do not want to know.” You shuddered. “Do any of them need medical attention?” A worker asked. “All of them do.” Draco answered. Fudge looked over. “And by the way, we can provide names for you.” Draco added. “I doubt you-“ “It’s true. Lucius was an idiot and decided to announce names when they broke up into groups to find us.” Blaise nodded. “Lucius? As in-“ “My father.” Draco said, him trying to hide the obvious disgust for his own father. “….Anyone else?” Fudge asked. “My father as well.” Blaise said. “Oh lord.” “And I can list all the names, Draco , show them where the others are.” Blaise said. Draco nodded, walking off with ministry workers.

You looked at the veil with a sad expression. Sirius really was gone. He wasn’t coming back, he was dead. “God, our house is going to get crowded.” Remus muttered. You looked over, nodding. “Two teenage boys, are you ready for that?” Tonks asked. “No.” Remus sighed. “Might can take the Zabini boy off your hands, he can crash at my apartment.” She offered. “Good luck separating him from Draco.” You said with a slight chuckle. “Your boyfriend has a boyfriend?” Tonks teased making you smile slightly. “They rarely separate. I just call them a package deal.” You shrugged. “I’m glad you have friends. Especially ones that protect you.” Remus said. “Draco- fuck he’s got a bruise on his back!” You realized. “What? From what?” Tonks asked. “There was one death eater that used that stupid knock back hex and he hit the wall.” You said. “I take it that’s why you have a gash?” Remus asked. “Well I went headfirst into the edge of a desk.” You said making both adults wince. “Good grief child, it’s a miracle your conscience!” Tonks gaped. “Nothing a little spite won’t fix.” You shrugged.

“You really should make sure you’re not concussed.” Remus sighed. “Eh. I seem to recall a sledding incident where you went headfirst into the whomping willow and then got knocked into a rock, which you apparently walked off.” You said. “What the fuck?” Tonks snorted. “Sirius told you that, did he?” Remus asked. You nodded, your vision going back to the veil. “Harry’s alone again.” You muttered. “No. He’s not alone, he’s got us.” Remus said. “I wish he could stay with us.” You mumbled. “I know…” Remus breathed. “The Dursley’s sound… so awful.” You muttered. “I recall Lily not really being able to communicate with her sister all that well. Petunia always came across as -“ “demented?” “Hostile.” Remus said. Remus stood up, extending his hand to you. “We should get you back to the school. See if anything can be done about that Umbridge woman.” Remus said.

All of the kids exchanged looks. “Right…” Blaise nodded. “About that… uh” “She was hauled off by centaurs.” You admitted, Tonks staring at you. “You lot get up to all sorts of trouble, huh?” Tonks asked, looking at you with slight amazement. Remus was also staring. “How-how in the hell is that possible?” Remus asked. “Uh… you sure we have the time to discuss it?” Draco asked. “We will-ow” you winced getting up. “On the train.” You said. “Can’t we apparate back?” Blaise asked. “You can’t apparate on campus grounds.” Draco said, slightly concerned at your pain. “My head is killing me, Jesus,” you winced.

You all rode back to Hogwarts, Blaise filling Remus and Tonks in on everything that had taken place. With each new detail Remus looked like he was on the verge of a heart attack. “Hagrid seriously brought back a giant?” Tonks snorted. “Yep.” Blaise said. Your eyes closed, falling asleep in Draco’s lap. Draco smiled softly, playing with your hair. “Thank you Draco.” Remus said. “For what, sir?” He asked. “Keeping her safe, knowing her headstrong nature, it had to be a challenge to keep her from literally waltzing with danger.” Remus said. “It wasn’t too-“ “Oh my god it was hell.” Blaise groaned. “It wasn’t that bad-“ “she literally told Umbridge to go fuck herself.” Blaise said. Tonks snorted and Remus sighed. “Wait, to her face?” Tonks asked. “Yep.” “That’s legendary-“ “Wrong.” Remus sighed. “Right. She’s a kid. Bad child. No swearing.” Tonks nodded. Remus bit back another smile.

“So, ” she began, looking straight at him. “You stationed lookouts around my office and you sent this idiot” she nodded to Ron “to tell me the poltergeist was wreaking havoc in the Transfiguration classroom when I knew perfectly well that he was busy smearing ink on the eyepieces of all the school telescopes, Mr. Filch having just informed me so.” She said, you trying to plot in you mind what to do. Two against nine seemed like good odds. If you could find an opening… “clearly it was very important for you to talk to somebody. Was it Albus Dumbledore? Or the half-breed, Hagrid? I doubt it was Minerva McGonagall, I hear she is still too ill to talk to anyone.” You needed your wand… if you could get Draco’s attention…

“It’s none of you business who I talk to.” Harry growled, you and Ginny swapping a look. “Very well,” Umbridge sighed. “Very well, Mr. Potter… I have offered you a chance to tell me freely. You refused. I have no alternative but to force you. Draco, fetch me professor Snape.” She said. Draco nodded, leaning off the window and walked out. “I told him.” You said to Harry as realization dawned on him. “Told who what, Miss McKinnon?” Umbridge asked. “I told Ron that you’d call for Snape once you got nowhere with Harry.” You lied. “Since you’re feeling cocky Miss McKinnon, why don’t you tell me what’s going on.” She said with a frown. You scoffed. “Go fuck yourself.” You said making everyone gape.

“Excuse me?” Umbridge asked. “Sorry, wasn’t clear enough. Go. Fuck. Yourself.” You snapped. Umbridge opened her mouth but Draco walked back in with Snape. “You wanted to see me, Headmistress?” Snape said, noticing you and Harry in the chairs at Umbridge’s desk. “Ah, professor Snape” She nodded. “Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can please.” Snape sighed. “You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter.” He said, surveying the room. “Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops would be sufficient.” He said earning a small smile from you. “You can make some more, can’t you?” She asked, her patience clearly running thin. “Certainly. It takes a full moon cycle to mature, so I should have it ready for you in around a month.” He said.

“A month!?” She screeched. “A month? But I need it this evening, Snape! I have just found Potter using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!” She yelled. “Really?” Snape said, seemingly unsurprised by this. “Well, it doesn’t surprise me. Potter has never shown much inclination to follow school rules.” He stated. “I wish to interrogate him!” Umbridge repeated. “I wish for you to provide me with a potion that will force him to tell me the truth!” She yelled. “I have already told you that I have no further stocks of Veritaserum. Unless you wish to poison Potter- and I assure you I would have the greatest sympathy with you if you did- I cannot help you. The only trouble is that most venoms act too fast to give the victim much time for truth telling.” He sighed.

“You are on probation! I expected better, Lucius Malfoy always speaks most highly of you!” You and Draco swapped a look of surprise hearing the name fly from her lips. “Now get out of my office!” Snape gave her a sarcastic bow, making you resist the urge to laugh. He left, leaving you all with Umbridge.

“Your forcing me, Potter… I do not want to” Umbridge said after pacing. “But sometimes circumstances justify the use… I am sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice.” Blaise and Draco both seemed alarmed. “The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue.” She said. Your eyes widened, as you frowned. “No!” Hermione screamed. “That is illegal!” You said. Umbridge lowered her eyes on you, leaning forward. “You would know, wouldn’t you?” She asked, Neville thrashing against Wellington. “Perhaps we should start with you!” She said. “Since you’ve been so mouthy.” Ginny struggled and Harry looked downright mortified. “Do nothing.” You said, seemingly to Ginny. In all actuality, you were saying that to Blaise and Draco, who both seemed ready to reveal themselves as traitors. “Who was he speaking to?” Umbridge asked.

You glared at her. “**Fuck you**.” You said. Umbridge scowled before whipping her wand forward “NO!” Hermione screamed. “No- Harry we have to tell her!” She screamed, “Hermione, shut up!” You yelled, not letting your eyes leave Umbridge’s. “We’ll have to, she’ll force it out of you anyway… what’s… what’s the point.” She said. “Hermione if you say something I swear to-“ “Well, well, well! Miss Question-All is going to give us some answers! Come on then girl, come on” Umbridge said excitedly. “DON’T SAY A WORD!” You yelled. “I’m- I’m sorry everyone” Hermione said, panicked. “But I can’t stand it-“ “that’s right, that’s right girl!” Umbridge nodded enthusiastically. She motioned for Draco to grab you, which he did, pulling you out of the chair and holding your arms from behind. “HERMIONE DON’T!” You yelled. “Now then…” she began as Umbridge forced Hermione to sit. “With whom was Potter communicating just now?” She asked. “Well,” she gulped looking at you with hesitation. “Well, he was trying to speak to Professor Dumbledore.” She lied.

Relief hit you almost instantly. Hermione had a plan. “Dumbledore? You know where Dumbledore is then!?” Umbridge asked excitedly. “Well… no! We tried the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks and even the Hog’s Head-“ “Idiot girl, Dumbledore won’t be sitting in a pub when the whole Ministry’s looking for him!” Umbridge shouted. “But- but we needed to tell him something important!” Hermione said, putting her face in her hands. “Yes? What was it you wanted to tell him?” Umbridge asked. “We.. we wanted to tell him” she hesitated “Damnit Hermione- No!” You yelled. “We wanted to tell him it’s r-ready!” She choked out. “What’s ready girl!?” “The… the weapon!” Hermione squeaked out. “Weapon? Weapon?” Umbridge asked with excitement. She seemed thrilled by this information. “Y-y-yes. But he had to leave before it was finished and n-n-now we’ve finished it for him, and we c-c-can’t find him t-t-to tell him!” Hermione wailed.

“What kind of weapon is it?!” Umbridge asked. “We don’t r-r-really understand it! We j-j-just did what P-P-Professor Dumbledore told us t-t-to do!” She whined. “Lead me to the weapon.” Umbridge said. “I’m not showing… them.” Hermione said, looking at the Inquisitorial Squad. “It is not for you to set conditions” Umbridge hissed. “Fine. Fine let them see it, I hope they use it on you! In fact I wish you’d invite loads and loads of people to come and see! Th-that would serve you right- oh I’d love it if the wh-whole school knew where it was, and how to u-use it, and then if you annoy any of them they’ll be able to sort you out!” She said.

Umbridge looked up at the Inquisitorial squad with suspicion. “All right, dear, let’s make it just you and me… and we’ll take Potter too, shall we? Get up, now-“ “professor” Draco spoke, loosening his grip on your arm. “Professor Umbridge, I think some of the squad should come with you to look after-“ “I am a fully qualified Ministry official, Malfoy, do you really think I cannot manage two teenagers alone?” She asked. Draco’s mouth twitched, almost as if he was hiding a laugh. “In any case, it does not sound as though this weapon is something that schoolchildren should see. You will remain here until I return and make sure none of these- she gestured to you, Ron, Luna, Neville and Ginny. “Escape” “Alright,” Draco nodded. “And you two can go ahead of me and show me the way.” Umbridge smirked.

You watched as the door closed, before Draco let go, as did Blaise, Ginny and you both knocking out Wellington. “That will hurt him in the morning.” You said before Draco immediately kissed you, Ginny, Neville and Luna looking shocked. “Do not ever challenge that woman again.” He said, you nodding. “I know I’m sorry. I thought Hermione was going to actually spill.” You said, “I don’t think the twins knew how life threatening it would be to keep you from getting attacked.” Neville coughed out. “Are you okay? Wellington had like a death grip on your neck man.” Blaise asked. “You’re all on our side!?” Neville asked. “Yeah, we never left. Need I remind you, me and Dobby warned you idiots when the DA was a thing?” Blaise asked. “But you two broke up?” Ginny said confused. “No we didn’t. We staged it so I could be in the Inquisitorial squad. Y’know… in case this” Draco motioned to the room as a whole. “Happened.” He said. “That was smart” Luna nodded. Wellington twitched and with zero hesitance Luna kicked him back unconscious. You all stared in awe. “What?” Luna asked. “… nothing.”

You all ran through the corridors in search on Hermione and Harry. “Where would they go?” Ron asked. “Somewhere in the Forbidden Forest- Grawp!” You snapped your fingers in realization. “What?” Everyone but Ron asked. “Grawp!” You and Ron nodded. “Are you both having a stroke?” Blaise asked. “Yeah, darling what the fuck is a Grawp?” Draco asked. “Hagrid’s brother!” You said rushing through to the outside. “Hagrid’s got a brother?” Neville asked. “And he’s here?” Ginny asked. “Yes” you nodded. “Has he always been here?” Blaise asked following you. “No he brought him back from… Er.. wherever he went a few months ago I guess.” You said. “Wait you mentioned he was with giant colonies.” Ginny halted. “Oh god so he brought back a GIANT!?” Draco asked. “Yep.” You and Ron nodded. “That stupid git!” Blaise gaped. “Watch it! That’s our friend!” Ron huffed as you stopped on a hill. You otherwise had to spot Hermione and Harry quick or you had to take a shot in the dark and guess where Grawp was.

Luckily for you, you saw Harry and Hermione running out of the forest. Course you tried to ignore the blood on the two as you ran forward. “Anyway, Harry, how exactly were you planning to get all the way to London?” Hermione asked. “Yeah, we were just wondering that.” You said walking over. “So, got any ideas?” You asked. “How did… well it was six on one…” Harry muttered. “You missed Wellington getting knocked out by Luna’s boot.” Ron said.

“Where’s Umbridge?” Draco asked. “She got carried away by a herd of centaurs.” Harry said. “And they left you behind?” Ginny asked. “No, they got chased off by Grawp,” he sighed. “Never mind that now. Harry, what did you find out in the fire?” “Yeah, was Sirius home?” You asked. “No, he’s not there. Sirius is still alive but I can’t see how we’re going to get there to help him!” Harry said. “Snape knows-“ “There isn’t time to wait for Snape!” Harry snapped. “Well, we’ll have to fly, won’t we?” Luna asked. “Okay” Harry turned to her “first of all ‘we’ aren’t doing anything if you’re including yourself in that, and second of all, Ron’s the only one with a broomstick that isn’t being guarded by a security troll, so-“ “actually we’ve got mine.” Draco said. “And mine.” Blaise said. “And mine.” Ginny nodded. “Yeah, but you’re not coming.” Ron said to Ginny. “Excuse me but I care about what happens to Sirius as much as you do!” Ginny argued. “You’re too-“ “I’m three years older than you were when you fought You-Know-Who over the Sorcerer’s Stone.” She said. “Back up, you’ve seen the Sorcerer’s stone!?” Blaise asked. “Yeah, but-“ “We were all in the DA together. It was all supposed to be about fighting You-Know-Who, wasn’t it? And this is the first chance to do something real- or was that all just a game or something?” Neville asked. “No but of course it wasn’t-“ “Then we should come too.” Neville said. “We want to help.” Blaise said.

“That’s right!” Luna nodded. “We’ll, it doesn’t matter anyways because we still don’t know how to get there-“ “I thought we said we’d fly?” Luna said confused. “We don’t all have brooms Luna.” You said. “There are other ways of flying than broomsticks.” She said. “I s’pose we’re going to ride on the back of the Kacky Snorgle or whatever it is?” Ron asked sarcastically. “The Crumple-Horned Snorkack can’t fly.” Luna said, making you sigh. “But they can and Hagrid says they’re very good at finding places their riders are looking for.” Luna said, motioning to nothing. Harry turned back around with wide eyes. “Yes!” Harry said relieved. “Is it those mad horse things?” Ron asked. “Those ones that you can’t see unless you’ve watched someone snuff it?” Ron said making you scoff. “Tactfully put Ron.” You sighed. “Yeah.” Harry nodded to answer Ron.

“How many?” Ron asked. “Just two.” he answered . “Well we need four.” Hermione said. “Five, Hermione.” Ginny corrected. “I think there are nine of us actually.” Luna said. “Look you five-” Harry pointed at Neville, Luna, Ginny, Draco and Blaise. “You're not involved in this-” He snapped. “The second they helped you and knocked someone out, they became involved.” You halted. “Y/n-” “Harry just accept the help you’ve been given and shut the fuck up. We're wasting time.” You reminded. “Fine. It's their choice but unless we can find more thestrals they’re not going to be able-“ “Oh, more of them will come.” Ginny said. You snapped your fingers in realization. “They’re covered in blood.” You realized. “What’s that got to do-“ “Hagrid used raw meat to attract them the first time, it’s most likely the blood makes a scent for meat for them or something.” You answered.

“Okay then, Ron and I will take these two and go ahead, and Hermione can stay here with you three and she’ll attract more thestrals-“ “I’m not staying behind!” Hermione huffed. “There’s no need, look here come more now… you two must really smell” Luna said. Harry turned, seeming frustrated with the fact he couldn’t seem to lose the added group. “Alright. Pick one and get on then.” He huffed.

You had to ask Luna how to mount the thestral, her helping you on. “This feels so weird.” You admitted. “I know. It looks like we’re floating.” Blaise agreed. “We all ready?” You asked. Everyone nodded. “Ministry of Magic, visitors’ entrance, London, then.” Harry said, his voice sounding like it had no confidence in the thestrals’ tracking skills. “Is it going to respond?” Draco asked. As if the thestral was waiting for those words, you felt your thestral lower, you tightening your legs around it. You swallowed before it shot up, you gasping with surprise. “HOLY CRAP WE ARE HIGH- VERY VERY HIGH!” You screamed. “Scared McKinnon!?” Blaise asked. “YES! VERY MUCH SO!” You shrieked.

“You are not scared of heights.” Draco snorted. “UH. DUH? HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ME ON A BROOM? OR AT A QUIDDITCH MATCH IN THE HIGH STANDS?!” you asked. A collective “ohhhhh” coursed through the group. Draco noticed the uneasy look on your face. “….Anybody have any road-trip songs?” He asked. You looked over, as did everyone else. “Draco… What?” Neville asked. “Well I mean, we’re going to be flying for a while sooooo… Any road-trip games? Stories? Anything to keep my girlfriend from passing out from fear and falling to her death?” Draco asked. “Lovely thought darling.” You groaned. “Hey, do you remember that trip to Romania where Charlie left us stranded to tail that Romanian Longhorn who flew out of Romania?” Ginny asked, “I recall Ron hating it because he can’t speak Romanian or pronounce anything to save his life.” You snorted. “You’ve been to Romania?” Neville asked. “Right, this was before I knew you-“ you noticed Harry flinch as if he felt pain.

“Harry, is he alright?” You asked. “I think so… He’d be happy if Sirius died, he’s still alive.” Harry said. You recalled the incident of Harry laughing himself into a stupor when the Azkaban breakout took place. He would know. He would feel the emotion rise. You all spoke amongst yourselves, most of the group trying to distract you from the height of flying before the thestrals all started flying down. You closed your eyes, gripping the mane as you tried to ignore the rapid descent. You expected to feel a heavy impact but instead noticed a light touch to the ground. You opened your eyes, shaking slightly as everyone began climbing down.

Draco extended his hand to you, helping you down. “Never again” Ron breathed, looking as if he were prepared to lose his lunch on the pavement. “Agreed.” You said as Draco chuckled. “It wasn’t that bad.” He said. “Says the one who flies with reckless abandon for funsies on a broom.” You said with an eye roll. “Where do we go from here, then?” Luna asked. You all turned to Harry who gave his thestral a pet on the head (presumably, you couldn’t see of course). “Over here.” He motioned to a phone booth. You blinked. “Uh… Harry-“ “Come on.” He ushered. You sighed, walking into the phone booth.

You weren’t sure how you managed to fit in the box with everyone but you did. “Whoever’s nearest to the receiver, dial six two four four two.” Harry said. “On it.” Draco said, squeezing past Blaise. “Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business.” A female voice said. “Uhh… what would this qualify as?” You whispered. “Harry Potter, Y/n McKinnon, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy… We’re here to save someone, unless your Ministry can do it first!” Harry announced. You all looked at him. “I doubt that’s a reliable-“ “Thank you.” “Never mind.” “Visitors, please take the badges and attach them to the front of your robes.” The voice said. You heard the sounds of metal clinking, badges falling out of the coin slot.

“Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium.” The voice announced. “Great, can we get out of this claustrophobic nightmare?” Blaise huffed. You felt the ground shake before you noticed the pavement move upwards. “Hey guys… whatever happens in here…” you cleared your throat and everyone turned. “I love you guys. All of you.” You said. Draco slid his hand into yours, him closing his eyes as if to savor the calm moment.

The thought of death never even occurred to Harry until you said something. In fact, the gravity of your words had just hit everyone in the booth. If Harry was right and Voldemort was still alive, there would be a good chance they weren’t all coming back alive. Should Harry have listened to your reassurance that Snape had things under control? Should he have put more faith in Hermione’s insistence to this being a trap? If you died, the blood would be on Harry’s hands. Remus would never forgive him if you got hurt. Mrs. Weasley would never forgive him if Ron or especially Ginny got hurt.

“I’m sorry.” Harry said. You looked at him. “For what?” Ginny asked. “For getting us into this.” He muttered, “Hell on earth couldn’t have stopped us man.” Blaise said. “You said you needed help. We came.” Draco shrugged. “Draco… what are we going to do if your father spots us?” You asked. “He doesn’t work today. We’re good.” Draco assured. “My dad might recognize us but I figured I’d do what I’m good at.” Blaise said. “Which is?” Ron asked. “Lie with charisma.” Blaise said as you reached the end of the ride.

“Besides, it doesn't matter her reasoning Delores. The girl chose according to her grades. If she really wanted to she probably could be an Auror” McGonagall said. You rose a brow. Umbridge scoffed. You frowned, looking at her. “Y/n, you're doing great in classes, honestly any of the career paths are available to you. Of course being an Auror would require more advanced classes but I believe-” “She didn't say she wanted to be an Auror.” Umbridge halted. “I never said I didn't want to be one.” You said.

“Now you're just going along with what you hear.” Umbridge sighed. “What can I say, I'm flexible. Continue professor.” you said. “What about the Cursebreaker made you interested? Along with dragonology.” McGonagall asked. “Travel.” you answered. “Dragonology does involve a lot of travel.” McGonagall nodded. “I know, Charlie was in Egypt at one point.” You nodded. “Is eveything based on your friends’ choices?” Umbridge asked. “Not that it's any of your business ma'am, but I take personal opinions of the job into account. I don't want to get stuck in a office somewhere with a dead-end job that I'm going to hate.” You snappped.

“Tch. And if I said that working for the ministry is wonderful?” Umbridge asked. “Sorry, I mean that I take opinions from competent people.” You said making McGonagall hide a smile. Umbridge frowned. “Do not take that tone with me miss McKinnon.” Umbridge warned. You opened your mouth but noticed McGonagall's warning look against it. “Yes ma'am.” You muttered.

“It's wise to take people's opinions of the job into account. They can often provide information or ideas you might not have thought of beforehand. Just make sure you're not too reliant on certain opinions.” McGonagall said. You nodded, trying to ignore Umbridge. “What profession do you recommend for my course load?” you asked. “The Cursebreaker seems like a wise choice. I do think you have a high chance to become quite prominent in that field. I do recall you being interested by the Dragonologists last year though and because you do know Charlie there is a good chance we could get you an apprenticeship working under him.” McGonagall answered. You nodded.

“Are we sure that such a problematic child would be suited for that position?” Umbridge asked. You frowned again, McGonagall sighing. “How am I a ‘problematic child’?” You asked. “You've been reprimanded multiple times by multiple facility members, including myself.” She said. “They don't take that into account Dolores, Charlie Weasley was reprimanded multiple times by myself multiple times when he was a student.” McGonagall sighed. “I'm just saying, would she meet the mental requirements-” “She is mentally sound.” McGonagall said. “Can I leave? I'm missing very important notes right now and I'd rather not do what Crabbe did last week and unintentionally make laughing gas.” you asked. “No-” “Yes you may. We settled on Cursebreaker?” McGonagall asked, cutting off Umbridge. “Yes.” you nodded.

You left, taking your seat in Snape's class. Pansy looked over, leaning over slightly. “Did you think about what the twins said?” she asked. “Yeah.” You mumbled. Pansy looked over to see Snape talking to Harry, her speaking again. “Do you think you'll-” “No.” You admitted. Pansy nodded. “I'm going with them.” Pansy said. “What?” you asked as classes began to change. “Y/n, I think we both know I suck at school.” Pansy said. “Yeah but-” “I want to make a choice for myself for once... so I said bye to Luna this morning and I told them I was going with them.” Pansy said to you.

As you stepped into the hall you hugged Pansy. “I asked Longbottom to keep an eye on you. You've got the dorm to yourself. You've got this Y/n. Give that son of a bitch hell.” She said. You nodded before you walked through the hall before arriving to Umbridge's classroom, sitting down. Pansy however was absent. “Where is Miss Parkinson?” Umbridge asked. “She was here a moment ago. I don't know where she went.” Blaise answered. Umbridge's mouth twitched. “You know where she went, don't you?” she asked.

Blaise and Draco looked over as you seemed to have an intense staring match. “ I don't.” You said, looking at her. Umbridge stared at you and almost seemed irritated by that answer. “Do not lie to me.” “why would I lie? I have no reason to.” you asked. “You do know where she is-” “What is your problem with me? Seriously, I haven't done anything to upset you outwardly. I do my work, I read your stupid books, I do what's asked of me, what more do you want from me!?” You snapped. “Do not raise your-” a loud noise cut her off, silence falling over all of you.

Sounds of yelling and students outside got louder and you all looked around. You shot Harry a look as Umbridge walked out of the room, the class following shortly afterwards. Harry took off in the opposite direction, you following the crowd. You ended up looking at what people were seeing, an entire corridor turned swamp. You snorted, Umbridge shoving you of the way as she marched up to the three culprits. You hit the ground, scraping your arm.

Pansy smirked, staring at the woman in pink as she yelled. Lee helped you up before Filch shoved past him, you getting knocked back down. “Well the ground is my home now” you said making Lee chuckle as he pulled you up. Draco watched the twins with wide eyes. “I got the form, Headmistress!” Filch said, waving a piece of paper around. “I've got the form and I've got the whips waiting... Oh let me do it now..” Filch begged. You frowned, looking at Lee. “Did he just say whips?” you asked. “That's bad.” Lee muttered.

“Very good, Argus” Umbridge praised, turning to the trio. “You three are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school.” Umbridge said, you frowning. Blaise and Draco both watched with caution from a pillar, Draco eying you occasionally. “You know what” Fred sighed. “I don't think we are.”he said, Pansy's smile widening “George, Pansy... I think we've outgrown full-time education.” Fred declared. “Yeah, I feel the same way.” Pansy nodded. “Time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon?” George asked. “Definitely.” Pansy and Fred nodded. “Accio brooms” the three shouted, their brooms flying overhead. “Raincheck on the torture.” Pansy sighed before smiling at Luna. “Yeah, don't bother to keep in touch.” George said.

Fred smiled at you, giving you a small nod. He shouted about promotions for the business before all three shot up, flying off. “STOP THEM!” she yelled. “Give her hell from us Peeves!” George shouted as they flew off. You smiled before Umbridge gripped the sides of your shirt unexpectedly. Draco leaned off the pillar as you glared at the woman. “You knew about this!” she yelled. “I didn't know!” You shouted, Lee watching with wide eyes. “STOP. LYING. TO. ME.” She yelled. Hermione and Ron watched as you were yelled at again. “I'M NOT LYING!” you halted, Umbridge's face bordering dangerously to scarlet. “Argus.” She said, her voice lowering. “Get. The. Whips.” she said sternly, Filch seeming more than happy to rush off before Neville intervened.

“She didn't know, I did.” He halted. Umbridge paused, looking at the boy. “Trying to save your friend isn't going to help her or you.” Umbridge hissed. “It's true, I helped make the swamp. They didn't tell anyone but Pansy.” Neville said. Umbridge let go, you shaking your head. “Neville-” “Hush.” Umbridge hissed. You looked at Filch as he reemerged with a whip, your heart dropping. “You claim full responsibility for helping?” She asked. He looked at Filch and then you as you shook your head no. “He's lying-” “HUSH.” Umbridge yelled. “I do. I claim full responsibility-” “No-” “for helping-” “NO!” “BE QUIET. Blaise, get her out of here.” Umbridge said, Blaise and Draco both moving through the crowd of students. “No-NO! GET OFF ME BLAISE!” You yelled thrashing against Blaise as he pulled you back. “Draco, help me out.” He grunted as you tried to pull away from his grasp. Draco gripped your arm, pulling you back which earned a yelp from you. He blinked before halting Blaise as he rolled up your sleeve. Draco hid his concern before Blaise finally just lifted you up.

They put you in the common room, you kicking and screaming. “Y/n! Calm down, I'll go and help him!” Blaise said. “LET. ME. GO.” You yelled. “Only if you CALM DOWN!” Blaise shouted, holding you by holding back your arms. “Y/n-” you finally had enough, slamming your head back into Blaise's, him letting you go immediately to cradle his nose. “Fucking hell!” He winced. Draco however stopped you. “Stop.” He said. “Neville needs me-” “Lee is going after him with Blaise, calm down.” Draco said. “What?” You asked. “When you were being confronted by Umbridge, Blaise slipped into the crowd, he told Neville to take the blame, Lee is causing another distraction.” Draco halted. “But what if-” “I'm not letting you go Y/n.” he halted. “But-” “Umbridge is looking for reasons to go against you Y/n, don't.” He said. You frowned. “If something happens to Neville. I will not forgive you.” You said before going to your dorm. You slammed the door, being met with Pansy's empty side of the room. You slid to the floor with your back against the door.

“She seemed really upset.” Draco muttered, sitting on the couch. “I think she broke my nose!” Blaise groaned. “I hope she's okay.” Draco mumbled. “God, it won't stop bleeding!” Blaise sighed. “Let me see it.” Draco sighed, sitting across from him . Draco examined it “It's not broken. Bruised to hell and back, sure. Not broken.” Draco said. “God, your girlfriend packs a hit.” Blaise grunted. “I'm aware.” Draco mumbled. He got up. “What are you doing?” Blaise asked. “It's been an hour. Lee hasn't gotten back to us-” as if on cue, Lee came in with Neville.

Neville had looked like he had taken multiple gunshots with how he required Lee to walk. “Where's Y/n?” Neville asked, wincing as he stood on his own. “Her room-” that was all Neville needed to hear, him using the wall to walk to your door.

He knocked. “Go away.” You said, muffled by the closed door. “it's me.” Neville said. The door flew open, you standing there with wide eyes before you hugged him. “Ow-ow sides-” Neville winced. “Oh I'm so sorry!” You gasped, letting go. “I'm okay.” Neville assured. “Why did you do that?” You asked, looking at the boy as he sat on Pansy's old bed. “Because I promised Fred and George to keep you safe. We all did.” Neville said. “What?” “You're the one slytherin all of us have basically vowed to protect.” Neville admitted. “But Neville-” “I'd do it again. You're practically my sister Y/n. I'm not letting you get hurt.” Neville declared. You sighed. You sighed. “Any ideas for room decoration now that you've got the room to yourself?” He asked.

“No. I'm beginning to think I should've left with them.” you mumbled. “Why didn't you?” He asked. “Hogwarts is my home.” You mumbled. Neville nodded. “I get it.” He said. “Do you need help back to the common room-” “No, Lee's here.” He said, grunting as he got up. He left you alone, Draco slipping in. “Hey.” He said, his hands in his pockets. “Hey” you mumbled, your voice small. “I'm sorry... for... yelling at you.” You said. “It's okay. You've been through enough.” He said calmly. “You didn't deserve that.” You sighed. “You're okay.” He said again.” “No I'm not-” “Y/n. Yes you are.” He said, both hands on your shoulders. He kissed you, you pulling away and hugging him. “I was so worried that he-” “I know.” Draco said, holding you. “Can you... just lay with me for a little bit?” you asked. He nodded, both of you lying down.

When you fell asleep, Draco slid out of bed, sneaking out of the small hall and back into the common room. Luckily, it was around dinner, leaving him and Blaise alone in the common room. “How is she?” He asked, tissue now shoved up his nose to stop the bleeding. Draco paused, looking at him before finally speaking. “She's okay. I think now that she's seen Neville she's calmed down.” He said sitting down. Draco looked at his robe that was draped on the back of Blaise's chair. “We're doing the right thing. Right?” He asked, looking at the silver pin. Blaise nodded. “Right.”

As the weeks carried on, everyone was still talking about the great escape of the twins and Pansy. You however, seemed to be completely by yourself outside of the comapany of Neville and Lee. Lee noticeably was less enthusiastic but was still a part of the crusade against Umbridge. Many students were following Fred and George's example, often finding ways to prank Umbridge. Many of them had decided to purchase the snackboxes that made the user sick claiming they had bad cases of “Umbridge-itis” which cracked you up.

Peeves didn't seem to let up with his constant chaos and even better, the swamp that was made in the corridor by Fred and George was still there, unable to be destroyed. You had kicked into full-blown study mode, this time no one was able to stop you. Late night visits from Draco had become study sessions, quidditch games became time for you to use the library without interruption. Draco theorized it had to do with your friends not being around you.

Draco sat on your bed. “Wolfsbane is for: a. Transfiguration, b. Invisibility or C. Werewolf transformation?” He asked, reading from a flashcard. “Werewolf transformation. Gives the user control when under the effects of the full moon.” You said pacing. “Correct-” a knock sounded off at the door, you and Draco exchanging a look. “Who is it?” you asked. “It's Dobby ma'am!” The squeaky voice said. You felt relief but still motioned for Draco to hide, him jumping into the closet before you opened the door

He stood ready with a poorly wrapped package and a plate of cookies. “What's up?” you asked. “Dobby knew master was alone studying for the month and wanted to make sure master had cookies” he said. You chuckled. “Thank you Dobby.” You said with a smile. You took the plate of cookies, setting them on the bed. “What's that you've got there?” you asked. “A hufflepuff student wanted Dobby to give this to you” he said. You rose a brow, opening the package before gasping.

Cedric's cardigan. Your bottom lip trembled as you pulled it close to your chest. “Thank you Dobby” you said, him nodding. “Wo-would you like a cookie?” you asked. “Dobby is grateful but has to say no, Dobby has more packages to deliver.” He said before leaving. You closed the door, Draco slipping out of closet. “What did he give you?” He asked. You sniffed the cardigan, struggling not to break down as the familiar scent of cologne, coffee and honey hit you. “Cedric's cardigan.” you whispered. Draco hugged you, you holding it close.

You calmed down after a while. When you did, Draco looked at the cardigan, silently. “It still smells like him.” You mumbled. “Sometimes... I forget how close the two of you were.” Draco said. You looked over at him. “It didn't surprise anyone when you were his second trial, you two were best friends. You, Pansy, Fred and George.” He added. “When Cedric died, I didn’t speak for most of the summer.” You said, looking at the yellow and black. Draco remembered that night Harry came back with the cup.

He had fallen to the ground and was sobbing on top of Cedric. You were the first to sprint down there and once you had come within three feet of Harry and Cedric’s body you fell to the ground screaming. Your haunting cry was the first thing that alerted to something being wrong. The funeral was something Draco and his family went to to be polite. You still sat with the family, the Diggory’s all showing you kindness as if you were one of their own.

Cho didn’t handle his death well either but she really seemed to hate you. You were the one girl Cedric prioritized over everything. Maybe it was the fact he was an only child. Maybe it was the fact the two of you met in your first year, long before Cho coming along. It was always clear you were always going to be in his life. Draco held your hand silently. “I wish he was still here.” You whispered. “I know.” Draco said softly. “I wish that you knew him…” you mumbled. Draco looked at you. “He was so smart. And kind. He knew how to make people laugh. He gave good advice.” You mumbled. Draco sat up. “Tell me about him.” Draco said. You looked over. “How did you meet him?” Draco asked. You smiled softly, holding the cardigan. “He noticed me in my first year…”

The next few days you spent with Neville, sitting in the Herbology classroom. “How is everything? Going with you I mean?” You asked. “Nervous for the O. W. L.s” he said. “I'm right there with you.” You chuckled “We've only got a week. It's freaking me out.” Neville said. Luna sat down next to you. “Hey stranger” you greeted. “Hi... I hate to ask but have you heard from Pansy yet?” she asked. “No, not yet.” You said. Luna looked disappointed by your answer. “I'm sure we'll hear from them soon.” You assured. “I know. I miss her.” She sighed. “I do too Luna.” You nodded. “How goes the studying?” Neville asked. “Terrible. I'm afraid the Nargles have made it impossible to focus.” Luna said, Neville looking confused. “Those Nargles cause all sorts of problems, huh?” You asked, her nodding sadly. “It's quite an issue.” She sighed.

The tests neared closer and closer, you meeting up with Ron, Harry and Hermoine to study. Hermoine and Harry both looked anxious as Ron rambled about the house cup winning quidditch game that you knew you'd hear about later that night from Draco. “And did you see that goal I blocked from Zack?” Ron asked. “No... we didn't” Harry finally said. “Oh. Well did you see-” “We didn't get to watch match, we couldn't.” Hermone said. Ron looked like he had been told the most outrageous sentence as his face slowly turned red. You took a swig of water from your water bottle “It was Hagrid- He's.... Oh god, he brought back a giant!” Hermoine wailed making water shoot out your mouth.

“HAGRID'S DONE WHAT!?” you and Ron asked in unison. Hermoine explained everything, her getting more upset as she went on. “Sorry sorry. You're saying that Hagrid.... Wants us to teach this thing... his brother... Grawp... English?” You asked. “Yep.” Harry sighed. “Has he lost his mind?” You asked. “I don't know!” Hermoine whined. “I can't believe this is real.” Ron said, shocked. “I can't believe he won't take Firenze's advice!” You scoffed. “I know! He won't listen to reason! He won't listen to anyone!” She cried, looking frustrated. “I've never been this upset with Hagrid. He gets it in his head once he sees a creature that it needs help, from what you just told us Grawp doesn't want to even be here!” You said, frustrated. “I'm upset too! Dragging us into this!” Ron sighed. “We didn't know how to tell either of you... Ron you've been happy lately and Y/n's been held up in her dorm.” Harry said. Hermoine looked at you sympathetically. “How's.... Y'know... the break up?” Hermoine asked. You looked around, scanning the area before motioning for the others to lean in.

“me and Draco aren't broken up.” You whispered. “What?” Ron asked. “We faked it so Umbridge would favor him again. We wanted to hear more from the Inquisitorial Squad. We're still together.” You answered. “You two have been good at pretending then because I know Lizzy Hanks is trying to be his girlfriend.” Hermoine said. You chuckled. “I'm not worried.” You shrugged. “You seem very confident in your relationship.” Harry said, sounding impressed. “Well yeah I am. But she also looks like she got kicked by a mule so-” Ron snorted and Hermoine hid a laugh.

Finally the dreaded week arrived. You were nervous but the second you saw the test, it wasn't anything that bothered you. You had confidence in just about every answer you put. You did exceptionally well on the parts that required you to actually cast spells. When the professors asked, you were able to cast a full patronus, the wolf jumping around the room before dissappearing. Then came the dreaded Astrology course. You weren't any good with tea leaves but still tried your best. “Uh... you'll... find love soon?” You said, the professor nodding with an unreadable expression before writing on his clipboard.

You seemed to go through the tests with ease until astronomy. Testing week had you on a set schedule and you were falling asleep almost at your telescope before the sounds of a door opening awoke you. Light from inside poured onto the lawn, a group of people being led by Umbridge walking out. You rose a brow, watching her march up to Hagrid's hut. You wondered if anyone else was watching, you dropping your quill in hopes of catching at least Harry's attention.

Harry however, was already watching. He shot you a questioning glance and you shrugged, standing up straight. “Is something wrong miss Mckinnon?” The professor asked. “No sir, dropped my quill.” You said. He nodded before you heard shouting, everyone looking in the direction of Hagrid's hut. You looked at the hut, confused when you saw red flashes of light. “No!” Hermoine gasped. More shouting ensued before the door below opened again.

The professor struggled to get you all back on course as the sounds of McGonagall shouting filled your ears. You all watched with wide eyes as she yelled at Umbridge before watched multiple spells hit her. You slammed a hand over your mouth in shock as you watched Hagrid bolt with Fang over his shoulder.

You felt like the silence that had fallen over the class had gone on for an eternity before the professor hesitantly told you all that you had five minutes. When the test was over, you wished Pansy had still been there so you could talk to someone about what you had seen. Would your dad know about what happened to McGonagall? She was in the order, it'd be dumb not to tell someone what had happened. You walked into your room where Blaise and Draco stood, making you jump. You closed the door, looking at them.

“What the hell just happened?” Blaise asked. “I have no idea. Best one I've got is that Umbridge thinks the Niffler problem in her office was Hagrid's faul- Fuck!” You gasped, realizing what this meant you now had to do. “....Are you okay?” Draco asked. “Uh... No. Not exactly, I need to talk to Hermione in the morning.” You sighed. “Oh, you're really trying to hate yourself.” Blaise said. You rolled your eyes. “She's my friend Blaise.” You said. “I know I know. But would it kill the girl to act like she's had fun before?” he asked. You sighed. “I just hope McGonagall is okay... I heard someone mention she's with Madam Pomfrey.” you said, sitting on your bed. “Any reason you guys are here?” You asked. “Yeah, we wanted to check on you. We saw your face during the entire thing.” Draco said. “I just hope dad knows...” you sighed. “He will. Moody will probably tell him.” Draco shrugged. “Moody is in the group?” Blaise asked. “Yeah, so is Snape. Which is why it HAS to get back to them somehow” Draco said. “Sorry... That gloomy ass man is in-” “Say what you will about Snape but he is very loyal to Dumbledore.” You said. Blaise nodded.

The next day was your final test. Draco wanted to scold you for the clear reason that you had probably been studying at an ungodly hour. However, he had to play his part and pretend he didn't care. Neville however, took notice of your excessive studying. “Wait wait- I have to see when the revolution was- WHAT IF I DON'T REMEMBER NEVILLE! WHAT IF IT ASKS WHO REVOLTED AND I PUT CORNISH PIXIES!?” you whined as Neville took your textbook. “You will do great. I guarantee it.” He assured making you huff. Luna waundered over with Ginny. “Nervous?” Ginny asked. “Ridiculously so.” You sighed, reaching for the textbook as Neville raised it so you couldn't reach it. You groaned “I think you'll do fine, Pansy said that part of the reason she was passing Magical History was because of you.” Luna said. “I know. I'm just... Ugh I want to prove that... Umbridge wrong.” You said. “And you will” Ginny assured.

You entered the testing room, sitting down. As you heard the go, you thankfully knew just about every question the test was asking. You noticed Harry slowly dozing off as you looked up to pop your neck from the intense leaning down before you returned to the test. You had finished early, grabbing your bag that was by the door when you heard a thud. You turned around before seeing Harry hold his head, groaning in pain. You put down your bag, rushing over with the professor as you tried to get Harry to wake up.

He panted as the professor and you hung over him. “Are you alright Harry? Do you need to see the nurse?” the professor asked. “No- no I'm fine. I fell asleep is all- had a nightmare"he said, looking at you, hoping you'd understand. You nodded. “Stress induced probably. Testing anxiety.” You lied. “People think it's a myth!” The professor sighed. “Would you like to try to finish up? We have only five minutes left but you might be able to review your questions.” the professor asked. “Yes- no! No I think I'm good.” He halted. “I'll take him to get some tea, he needs to calm down.” you said, earning a nod. You and Harry rushed off, Draco and Blaise exchanging glances.

You walked with Harry through the hall. “Harry, what happened, what did you see?” you asked. The last time this had happened, it required you to go back to Grimmauld place. “S-Si…Padfoot is in trouble.” He said, speed walking to the infirmary. You followed him to see what was supposed to be McGonagall's bed, empty. “Where's McGonagall?” You asked Madame Pomfrey. “They took her to St. Mungos this morning. Five hexes at her age? It's a wonder she's not dead.” She responded. You frowned looking at Harry as he stumbled out.

He looked as if he had been shot in the chest, the boy going pale. He looked ready to throw up as you put a hand on his back. “Breathe Harry. Breathe..” you said softly. He shook his head. “Padfoot- we've got to find a way to get to Padfoot-” he said, you frowning. “I know, we've got one more shot at this-” “How!?” Harry asked. “The fireplace in Umbridge’s office. We can use it to call home, find out if Sirius has left.” You said. Harry frowned before walking. You followed Harry through the crowds of students who were fresh out of class. Hermione and Ron both ran over, clearly worried. “Harry, are you alright?!” Hermione asked, looking at him. You shook your head as Harry opened his mouth to speak. “Not here” you said. Harry nodded, finding an empty classroom before finally you spoke.

“He had another nightmare, this time about Sirius.” You said. “What happened?” Hermione asked. “Voldemort has got Sirius.” He said. “When did you see this?” Ron asked. “Clearly during the exam Ron.” Hermione sighed. “Where would he even be? Unless Voldemort has found headquarters….” You said, hoping that wasn’t the case. “No, the department of mysteries. There’s a room with glass balls and they’re at the end of row 79.” He said. You blinked. “That’s…” “oddly specific.” Hermione said, looking at him. He moved to a desk, shaking with fear. “How’re we gonna get there?” He asked. “G-get there?” Ron asked, both you and Harry looking at him like he was stupid. “Get to the Department of Mysteries, so we can rescue Sirius !” Harry shouted. “But- Harry…” Ron sounded afraid to speak his next thought. “Harry how did Voldemort get into the Ministry of Magic without anybody realizing he was there?” Hermione asked. “Same way Lucius Malfoy has a job. He most likely has agents on the inside.” You muttered.

“That’s not even a point- the question we need to ask is how we’re getting in there!” Harry shouted. “But… let’s think about this… it’s five o’clock in the afternoon… the ministry of magic must be full of workers… how would. Voldemort and Sirius have got in without being seen? Harry… they’re probably the two most wanted wizards in the world… You think they could get into a building full of Aurors undetected?” She asked. When she put it like that, it did make you question your own case. “Maybe someone smuggled them in.” You suggested. “Anyway, the department of Mysteries has always been completely empty whenever I’ve been-“ “You’ve never been there, Harry.” Hermione said, you looking at her. “You’ve dreamed about the place, that’s all.” She said quietly. “Is there a reason you’re working against us Hermione!?” You snapped.

“No! It’s just dreams-“ “they’re not normal dreams!” He yelled, getting closer to her, “how do you explain Ron’s dad then, what was that all about, how come I knew what had happened to him!?” “He’s got a point.” Ron said quietly. “Of course he does, because he’s right.” You sighed. “But this is just- so unlikely!” She argued. “WE FLY ON BROOMS FOR SPORT HERMIONE, HOW IS THIS UNLIKELY!?” You snapped. “Look I’m sorry but neither of you are making any sense-“ “do we have to seriously spell out DANGER in to you!?” You snapped.

“Hermione, Harry’s seen them.” Ron huffed. “Okay!” She sighed. “I just got to say this…” you narrowed your eyes, “you… this isn’t a criticism, Harry! But you do.. sort of… I mean-“ “Oh my god granger, get to the point.” You sighed. “Don’t you think you’ve got a bit of a- a- saving people thing?” She asked. He glared at her. “And what’s that supposed to mean, a ‘saving people thing’?” “Well… you… I mean, last year for instance… in the lake… during the tournament… you shouldn’t have… I mean, you didn’t need to save that Delacour girl… you got a bit…. Carried away.” You frowned, looking at her. “I mean it was really great of you and everything! Everyone thought it was a wonderful thing to do!” “That’s funny, I remember Ron saying I wasted time acting the hero…. Is that what you think this is? You reckon I want to act the hero again?” Harry questioned, clearly pissed off by the implication.

“No, no, no! That’s not what I mean at all!” She said panicking. “Then get to the point because I’m getting pissed off right with him.” You sighed. “I’m trying to say- Voldemort knows you, Harry! He took Ginny down into the Chamber of Secrets to lure you there, it’s the kind of thing he does, he knows you’re the- the sort of person who’d go to Sirius’s aid! What if he’s just trying to get you into the Department of Myst-“ “Hermione! It doesn’t matter if he’s done it to get me there or not- they’ve taken McGonagall to St. Mungo’s, there isn’t anyone left from the order at Hogwarts who we can tell-“ you leaned off the desk before it hit you. You said nothing, leaving the room leaving everyone confused. No one was concerned about following after you as you ran down into the potions room.

A class of first years sat ready to begin before you barged in, Snape raising a brow. “This is extremely-“ “it’s an emergency.” You said out of breath. “What is it?” He sighed. “Padfoot is in danger.” You said. He frowned. “What?” “Padfoot. Snuffles. He is in danger, Prong’s son said he had another… nightmare and it was Padfoot being attacked.” You said. Snape grabbed your arm, pulling you out the room. “Where?” He asked, looking at you. “Department of Mysteries.” You answered. “Go. Do not interrupt my class again.” He said, walking back in.

You felt relieved before you raced back up the stairs, into the classroom. It was empty and your heart dropped. You immediately thought of what you said to Harry, racing to Umbridge’s office. However Blaise snatched your arm. Ginny and Luna wrestled against Draco. “Let me go you fucking bastard!” Ginny hissed. “Calm down, we’re just following orders, it’s better we found you than anyone else.” Blaise said. “What’s going on?” Draco asked. “Bite me!” Ginny growled. “Sirius is in danger.” You breathed, both girls looking at you shocked. “What do we do?” Blaise asked. “Umbridge who all was helping with this plan?” You asked. “Hermione, me, Ron and Luna” Ginny answered. “Take us as if you were punishing us, I need time to plan,” you said.

You walked into the Gryffindor common room. "Angel, calm down, it's not that big of a deal-" "Not that big of a deal!? Fred this is our future! This is bigger than- than Hogwarts! Why are you so adamant about all this why!?" "Because I have to think of my future too Angelina!" "A joke shop. Are you fucking kidding me!? Fred between sch-" "hey. What's going on?" You asked. Angelina pinched the bridge of her nose. "George. Are you out of your mind?" Angelina asked. "She gives good advice. Hear her out." George said. "Again. What is going on?" You repeated.

"I'm not going to-" "Angelina is panicking about her future." Fred said. She shot a deadly glare. "She thinks we're too different. She also thinks I take nothing seriously."he huffed. "You are getting on my last nerve Fred." She warned. "Why don't you want me involved?" You asked. She seemed to hesitate. "I don't know if I can trust you. And I think these boys were too trusting of you." She said finally. "Wha- did I do something to make you-" "are you fucking serious? Please tell me you're not actually basing that odd of the fact that she's a Slytherin." Draco sighed. You looked at him and then her. "Well you have to admit the track record-" "oh my god that's why you've never liked me!?" You asked.

"I'm just saying-" "No no- Let's get one thing clear" you cut her off. "The sorting hat and these houses are fucking stupid." Everyone went silent and the paintings all gasped. "I'm dead serious. It's stupid. It doesn't help you outside of school, it bases your sorting on personality traits when you were eleven, if anything It's just a glorified tool to give us dorms. Assuming I am a horrible human being because I am in Slytherin is god damn ridiculous. Shit, I'd understand if you were hesitant because my father's a werewolf, hell I'd even be willing to understand it's because I'm dating Draco. But do not, and I mean DO NOT EVER base your opinion over me over the fact that I got sorted into the spooky snake house by a talking hat." You said sternly.

She blinked. "...Wow." George gaped. "... Your father's a werewolf?" "My father is Professor Lupin." Everyone who didn't know this information gaped. Angelina sighed. "I'm....I'm sorry." She said. "It's... well you're definitely not alright but it will be fine." You said simply. "...Can we get back to the beginning issue?" Fred asked. "Yes." you sighed. "Angelina wants to study medicine. " "okay." You nodded. "And he wants a joke shop! The only medical studies for wizards is in Birmingham and he wants to work out of Diagon Alley! How is that going to work!?" She asked, getting aggravated. You sighed. "Stop thinking about the future." You said finally. Both looked at you. "We all might not even have one." You said, Draco looking at you slightly concerned. "This is war Angelina. This isn't a game, this isn't a afterschool activity we're training for. We are training to protect ourselves from being killed. We are training to survive. Right now, we need to just focus on now. Thinking about our futures can come after we destroy Bellatrix- Voldemort." You said, correcting yourself. She blinked. "Why would we kill-"

"She's right." Fred said. Angelina looked back at him. "...Fred I don't think I can be in a relationship with someone who doesn't focus on their future." She said. "What?" He asked. "you didn't hesitate. You're so spontaneous Fred, it's sweet most of the time but... I can't handle that we can't even talk about our futures without fighting. I can't handle... This." She said looking at him. "So you're saying" "I'm saying we should breakup." She said softly. "Angel..." He sighed, running a hand over his face. "Is this really what you want to do?" He asked. "I don't think I have a choice." She sighed. He nodded with a sigh. "alright then." He muttered.

She walked away from him, going to her dorm and you put a hand on Fred's shoulder. "I'm sorry Fred." You said softly. He sighed. "You're right... we don't really know if we have a future do we?" Fred asked. You paused, looking at the ground. "I...I honestly wish I could say we do. But... he's back. *She's* back." You muttered. "We really did get a short end of the stick, huh?" George asked. "Yeah." You muttered, looking at the fire in the fireplace. You felt tears stream down your face and George noticed. "I am so terrified of all of this." You admitted. "We're all scared." Ginny assured. "Believe me, none of us wanted him to be back" Fred said in agreement. "I'm not afraid of him." You breathed. "I'm afraid of what I'm going to do when I see Bellatrix." You admitted. Draco held your hand, you clenching it. "I'm terrified that I'm going to lose control the second I see her-" you could hear the eerie laugh that had been described to you before in the back of your mind. "I'm so scared that when I see her it won't be a matter of **if** I'll kill her. It'll be **when**."

Everyone stared at you but Draco could see you getting lost, him putting his hands on the sides of your face. "I'm not going to let that happen. None of us will let that happen. You won't lose yourself Y/n. I won't let you lose yourself." He said, looking into your eyes. You said nothing, hugging him tightly. "Plus we'll all have a go at the bitch. Might knock her back to sanity." Ginny added making you laugh.

You all continued with the meetings, you fighting twice as hard alongside Neville. You were impressed considering he had never had any sort of aptitude for magic. Blaise was invited to the meetings and he came to one but got swamped with homework and backed out, saying he'd act like a mole, getting on Umbridge's good side so he'd feed you all information later. This seemed to work, her relaxing on the homework for him, him kissing her ass and then promptly rolling his eyes while her back was turned. Draco trained more and more with Ron, saying he needed to adjust every five minutes.

Ron was aggravated, of course, but seemed to warm up to having Slytherins in the DA. Pansy laughed as her wand flew out of her hand due to Luna."Your-your joke threw me off darling!" She wheezed. "I know, I used my humor to distract you so I'd win." She said with a smile, her looking up. "Oh that's adorable when you're devious!" She said making Fred gag. Angelina seemed to be focusing with Dawn Willows, a girl in her own year. Her vision would float over to Fred but would quickly go back when he'd notice.

You panted. "How are you feeling Neville?" You asked, seeing as your last jinx knocked him to the floor. "I'm alright, can you show me the wand movement for that one again?" He asked. "Yeah, sure" you breathed. You readied yourself before being knocked back and Neville snorted. "I cannot believe you actually fell for that" he said extending his hand to help you. You took it, pulling yourseld up with a eyeroll. "I'm not used to you not sucking." You admitted. "Alright, I'll give you a pass on that one." Neville nodded. "Are you alright though? I mean... with... everything?" You asked. He let out a long breath. "Well... I mean no.... but then again.... are you?" He asked. "Me neither." You nodded.

You sighed. "You know what's stupid?" "What?" Neville asked. "The way I used to train was a lot more physical." You admitted. "Really?" Neville asked. "Dad wanted me to be able to fight and then run in case he ever tried to attack me in his werewolf form." You admitted. "Damn." Neville said. He seemed to take pause. "Did you ever have to?" He asked. "No." You admitted. "I guess that's a plus." He said. You nodded with a small laugh. "I guess that's one way to look at it." You said.

Neville looked at you. “Do you think we'll ever have to... see...” you knew what he was implying. “I'm worried about what's going to happen when we do.” You muttered. Neville noticed that word usage. He was talking about **if**. You weren't stupid or naive. You were living out of ground zero for this war, you were most likely going to see Bellatrix more than once if you didn't kill her the first time you laid eyes on her. “Maybe we should flip a coin for the first shot.” Neville joked, making you snort. “Or rock paper scissors.” You added making him chuckle. The tension of his question seemed to disappear, you and Neville looking at each other. “You know you can always talk to me.” Neville said. “Same courtesy is extended to you.” You said.

"That concludes today's lesson, Neville, you're doing a good job by the way" Harry praised. Neville seemed to flush with embarrassment. Draco wandered over to you. "Hey you." He said softly, smiling. You smiled back at him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Hi." You greeted. So I was thinking.... Valentine's day is coming up." Draco said. You looked at him. "Uh huh." You nodded. "And I want to do something with you. Whatcha think?" He asked. You blinked. "...I mean sure but please don't get me anything-" "Too late, you've got a whole week of presents coming up." He said. "Wha- DRACO!" You whined as he skipped off.

And indeed that is precisely what happened, the week of Valentine's day involved something new being delivered by owl. A bracelet, chocolate, Enchanted quills, special stationary with your name on it and earrings. You found yourself quite distracted your attention, thank god, no longer directed at the escaped convicts. The day of Valentine's day though you were a nervous wreck. Pansy however seemed quite content. "Why are you so nervous, the hard part is over?” She asked. “Dates make me nervous!” You whined. “What do I even wear!?” You asked. Pansy got up, rifling through your drawer before pulling out a red dress and leggings. “Here.” She said. You blinked. “How is it you can dress me but not yourself?”you asked motioning to Pansy's Def Leppard t-shirt and ripped jeans. “Painting pottery with Luna. She said to dress down so I did.” Pansy shrugged. “...Side note, we gotta stop hijacking Sirius's clothes. My wardrobe is turning into his Highschool years.” You said. “....Agreed.”

So you walked out, wearing the jacket Narcissa gave you and Draco looked up. “my god you're radiant.” he gaped. “Well uh... Pansy chose the outfit and... eheh. CAN YOU NOT STARE AT ME MAN YOU'RE FREAKING ME OUT!” you whined making Blaise who was walking by snort. He blinked. “My apologies... uh.... You're in that nervous state again Y/n.” Draco noticed. “I know!” You whined, voice cracking. “Why, what's wrong?” he asked, slightly concerned. “I... Well it's Valentine's day.” You breathed. “And that means?” He asked “there's a ton of expectations.... And I don't want to disappoint you or-” “Woah woah woah. Darling, first off, you could never disappoint me.” He began. “Second off, I just want to be a distraction from the outside world. So today. We are doing whatever you wanna do. So.... whatcha wanna do?” he asked. You blinked. “Uuh... well... I did want to go to Hogsmeade... dad wants to meet me. And you. He wants to see you.” You said. “Alright! Hogsmeade it is— wait your dad's going to be there?” he asked. “Yep.” “....Well now I'm nervous.” He admitted.

“we don't really have to go-” “Nope. I'm dating his daughter, it comes with the territory. Let's go.” He nodded. You walked with him, leaving to Hogsmeade. You walked with Draco, his arm around you. You'd occasionally whisper little jokes to him, making him smile. You walked into the three broomsticks, Remus drinking butterbeer with Tonks, laughing. You blinked. “Uh... did you know your dad had a girlfriend?” Draco asked. “Well Uh... they're not together.” you said before Tonks looked up. “Oh! She's here! Hi Y/n!” Tonks waved. Draco pulled a seat out for you, shaking Remus's hand.

“Hi cous’!” Tonks said. “...What?” Draco halted. “Oh right, your mother probably doesn't mention me, I'm Tonks. Aka daughter of your mum's sister Andromeda.” She said. Draco nodded. “Oh right, she does occasionally mention you.” Draco said. “Oh god, really?” “It's typically with disdain.” He admitted. Tonks let out a snort making Remus smile. “So, what do you two have planned today?” Remus asked. “Nothing really-” “That she's aware of anyway.” Draco said with a smirk. “...He still is refusing to tell me his plan, seriously give me hints!” You whined. “Nope. I give you nothing.” Draco said and you pouted. “Is it perhaps the thing you asked me about?” Remus asked. “Yes sir.” Draco nodded. “She'll love it.” Remus said, sipping on butterbeer. “Wait wait wait back up back up!” You halted. Both men turned to you. “You're in on his plan?” You asked. “Well he did send me a letter asking if it was a good idea.” Remus said. “Wha- So my dad gets to know- and you know- but I can't know? What patriarchal bullshit is this?” You asked making Butterbeer shoot out of Remus's nose. Draco couldn't help but laugh at your frustration, Tonks also cackling as she sank down in her seat.

“Wow you- you really are your father's child.” Tonks laughed. “Well it is bullshit!” You whined. “If it makes it better, I know for a fact that Pansy and Luna are in on it.” Remus said making you look at Draco. “What the hell do you have planned?” you asked. “Not saying.” He said. “Draco-” “Nope” “Please!” “you're acting like a toddler.” “gimme a hint!” “no” “please! Baby!!!” You whined making Draco smile. His smile faded as he leaned forward, squinting. “What the hell?” He said. “Please give me one hint-” “Is that Rita Skeeter?” Draco asked. “Stop trying to distract me-” “No, Darling, look.” He pointed making your eyes widen. “...Oh god no.” You said. “Hermoine is with her—” “Can we leave?” You asked. “...Uh... yeah, sure, it was nice meeting you again Mister Lupin, and Tonks, It's good to finally meet you- Y/n wait up.” Draco said quickly following you out the door.

You sighed. “I hate that woman.” You breathed, pacing. “ I do too, she was always so irritating.” Draco muttered. “Yeah well. You never had your name plastered in a paper because of her.” You sighed. Draco then remembered the whole fiasco between her, Cedric and Cho. You had been spotted multiple times with Cedric and Rita Skeeter made it seem like the two of you were together. Cho, naturally with her dramatic nature, was pissed, making the entire Ravenclaw house basically hate you. Cedric eventually dumped Cho because of the whole incident which of course added to the fire, Rita basically making you famous in the papers for getting the Champion to dump his girlfriend for you.

You looked over to see Cho, running out of the tea shop in tears with Harry seeming very confused. “...Well their date seemed to go well.” You said sarcastically. “Never really been a fan of Cho. She was always too... fixated on things that didn't matter.” Draco commented. “She's dramatic as well.” You said earning a nod. Harry walked over . “The hell happened?” You asked. “I'm still trying to figure that out.” Harry said confused. “Why was she crying?” Draco asked. “She kept pushing me to talk about Cedric, she lost her shit when I asked to talk about something else.” Harry explained. “...Wait so she wanted to talk about her dead ex boyfriend on a date? Christ.” You winced. “She might feel isolated.” Draco said. You looked at him. “While I'm not sure discussing Cedric while on a date is... A great idea, I will say that it's possible she thinks no one can relate.” Draco explained. “Course, that's ridiculous though, Y/n can relate to her probably better than Harry can.” Draco added. “Yeah, she doesn't like me.” You said. “What? Why?” Harry asked. “Let's just say, Rita didn't only write about Hermoine. Apparently I was caught in a love circle with Fred, George, Lee and Cedric.” You sighed. “Speaking of which, were you aware she's in there?” Draco asked. “Who, Hermoine? Yeah, I'm meeting her-” “No, Rita Skeeter.” Draco said.

“...What?” Harry asked. “Yeah-” Luna and Pansy walked past, paint on their hands. “Oh Draco, good you're here. It's ready.” Pansy said. “Oh. OH! Good! Y/n let's go!” he said. He took your hand and you stumbled laughing. “Where are we going!?” “Come on!” he laughed. You followed him back into Hogwarts and he held your hand before letting it go, putting one hand on your back and a hand over your eyes. “what are you doing” you giggled. “Alright step forward” Draco guided. You did and he finally lifted his hand.

You were met with something beautiful. It was a painting, a painting of your favorite book characters, all sitting around conversing at a table. The painting was even enchanted, each of the characters genuinely talking. “Oh my god.” You gaped. “H-How!?” You asked. “Lots of reading from Hermoine, meeting up with Luna and Pansy who helped me paint it...” “yeah but you were usually around me, when did you have the time?” You asked. “Oh, when you were asleep.” He said. “Wh- Draco! This is- This is amazing!” You said. “Do you like it?” he asked. “Draco I love it, thank you so much!” You said, kissing his cheek. He smiled, kissing you. “Unfortunately though you've now made me feel like shit though-” “what?why?” He asked. “I got you nothing and you blow me away with this!” You whined. “Darling you are the best gift I could possibly have. You do not need to get me anything.” he assured. You kissed him again. He chuckled, cradling your face. “Draco.” You whispered. “Mmhm?” “I love you.” You said.

Draco smiled. “I love you too Darling.” He said, pressing a kiss to your lips again. “You two aren't going to shag are you, because uh... I'm here.” Blaise said. You blinked. “Blaise what the hell-” “Yeah no, we're not-” “I know I know you two are saving yourselves for marriage blah blah blah” Blaise yawned. “...Blaise are you just now waking up?” Draco asked. “I don't do Valentine's day dude. Can't fucking stand it.” He said. “Well I thought you and Rose-” “do not even get me started.” Blaise halted. “...You two broke up?” Draco asked. “Crashed and burned. In a fiery death- there it is!” Blaise sighed, rummaging through the cupboards and pulling out a bottle of firewhiskey. “I'm drinking myself into a stupor.” Blaise said, walking back into his room.

You blinked. “Wow.” You said. “I know, only time I've seen him like that was when Leila Washington dumped him.” Draco said. “He seems to be handling it-” you heard a radio cut on. “YOU'RE HEREEEEE THERE'S NOTHING I FEARRRR” you jumped and Draco sighed. “Is that... Celine dion?” You asked. “Yep.” “MY HEART WILLL GOOOO ONNNNNN!” “...Blaise cannot sing.” You winced. “Correction, he can't sing drunk. He can actually sing normally really well.” Draco said. “Could've fooled me-” “WE'LLLLL STAY FOREVER THIS WAYYY!” “...Can we like... not be here-” “yep”

You walked to the Gryffindor common room, Lee looking up. “Thank fucking God” he said. “What's going on?” You asked, noticing George, Ginny, Zacharias and Ron looking at each other. “It's Fred, he won't leave his room, it's beginning to smell like a dying animal.” George said. You sighed, digging through one of the cupboards and grabbing a bottle of Whiskey, walking into the dorms and knocking on the door. “Go. Away.” “I brought whiskey.” You said, earning the door to open. Fred looked like a mess, his hair unkept, him in his boxers and a bathrobe. You ignored this, Draco looking away however. You held up the bottle that you grabbed from the cupboard. “This is why you're my favorite.” Fred muttered, you walking in. Fred sat on his bed, a record on in the background as Draco sat next to you on George's bed. “What's up Fred?” you asked. “Oh nothing, just lost the love of my life and I'm alone on Valentine's day.” he said. “Oh boy.” you breathed, moving next to him. “I just- I thought she liked my spontaneity! And then like— she changes her mind- WHY!?” He whined, flopping backwards onto the bed. He unscrewed the whiskey, Draco getting ready to hand him a glass before Fred drank it straight from the bottle. “I keep- I keep telling myself, Y/n is right, this is war and Angelina thinks we're in the DA because it's a school activity. And I'm reminded of that fact everytime I'm sneaking around Umbridge's hard ass.” Fred muttered. “But I *miss* her.” he said. “What do you think has you this upset?” you asked. Fred sniffled.

“My whole life I've always felt so different. Like I'm fucking insane and most of the time it's fun. But when you act crazy, you get treated differently so you get this whole other side to life. You're labled to-to not be normal. And then there was Angelina... and she never treated me like I was weird. She could always tell the difference between me and George and she came into my life and she made me feel normal. And then she... she took my normal.” Fred said making you put a arm around you. “Freddie, I'm going to say something you've probably heard before.” You said. He looked over.

“Fuck normal. Normal is for people who are too afraid to make changes for themselves.” You said. Fred chuckled, sniffling. “Y/n... I don't think you get it-” “Fred, look at who you're talking to.” You halted. “...Valid point.” Fred sighed. “I know what it's like to feel alienated, it's a shitty feeling. But you can't let one person define you. If you let Angelina be your normal, if you make her that normalcy, that's not love for her that's a love for a pattern.” You said. He blinked. “What?” Fred asked, leaning up. “Maybe your love lies with wanting to be normal instead of her. Fred, I'm not calling your feelings bullshit, but honestly maybe you just enjoyed feeling normal and not the actual relationship. Really think about Angelina. Really think of your arguments recently. Really think of how many times you've rolled your eyes or never had a interest in what she was saying.” You said. Fred was now upright, thinking. “Holy... shit— Y/n you're right.” He realized. “I am?” “Yes! Angelina got on my nerves-on my first date with her I remember I drank the butterbeer to keep from telling her she's boring!” He said making Draco chuckle.

You put a hand on Fred's shoulder. “Think you'll be okay?” You asked. “Yep. Whiskey is certainly helping.” He said. You smiled, him sighing. “George thinks you need a bath.” “Yeah. Yeah I'll take one now.” He sighed getting up. You did a small celebratory “yes!” Before clearing your throat and getting up.

You left with Draco sighing. “Are we like... the parents of everyone else today or something?” You asked. Draco chuckled as you both walked. You walked down the hall past the small square, seeming to reminisce over something. “Something on your mind love?” He asked. “This uh... this used to be Cedric's favorite spot.” You said, motioning to the area. Draco paused staring at you in silence. “..I didn't really know that much about him.” Draco admitted. You let out a small chuckle. “He used to say he ‘took me in like a stray pup'. He'd do it all dramatic like.” You said. Draco nodded, looking at you. “He was always there when I needed him... we both were only children and we used to say in another life we were brother and sister.” You whispered. Draco wrapped his arm around you. “He should be here. Y'know?” You said. He nodded. “I know darling.” Draco said. You cleared your throat. “What's your favorite memory with Cedric?” a voice asked. Pansy walked on over with her arm around Luna.

You pondered, laughing when you had a answer. “The one prank he did with Fred and George.” You said. “Ohhhhh that was a good one! What about him breaking Quirrel causing a early dismissal?” Pansy asked. “Oh oh! That's a good one!” You laughed. “Personally I liked it when he had to tackle that damn textbook that was sentient and he fell down the stairs tackling George.” Draco said earning a hard laugh from Pansy. “OH MY GOD THAT'S WHY HE FELL!?” you asked making Pansy laugh harder. “God he was a riot” Pansy said. Luna reached into her bag handing you a flask. “To Cedric.” She said. “To Cedric” all of you said, drinking one by one from the flask. “Where the hell did you get Bourbon?” You coughed. “I have my ways.” She said.

You ended up in the Slytherin common room, curled up on a couch with Draco as he read. You smiled up at him, saying small compliments and he'd kiss your nose, going back to reading softly to you. When you fell asleep, he passed you off to Pansy and she tucked you in.

The next morning you awoke to a magazine smacking your head. “What the hell Pansy?” you said, voice groggy. “Potter did a interview.” Pansy said. You leaned up and were met with the words of The Quibbler. “...Oh my god, that's why Rita was in the Three Broomsticks?” you muttered. You read on into the article, silence falling over you before you closed it. “Y/n?” Pansy asked. “...Cedric must've been so confused and scared.” You muttered. Pansy sat on the edge of your bed. “You've been thinking about him a lot recently.” Pansy noticed. “I miss him. I miss having him to talk to on the male side of things.” You said. “You can always talk to Draco.” Pansy said softly. “It's not the same.” You said. “We-we used to have a plan and now...” you put your face in your hand. “I can't even look in the general direction of the Hufflepuff common room.” You said, voice muffled. Pansy put a hand on your back. “You know what? I think you need a mental health day.” she said. “The O.W.L.s say otherwise.” “Nope. Y/n, just sleep. Let your mind rest. We've earned it.” She said, turning out the light. You wanted to argue but sleep took over the second you leaned back.

Pansy walked out and stretched, Draco sitting on the couch reading the Quibbler. “Has she seen it?” He asked. “Yeah. Took it as well as we thought she would. The painting won't shut up about it.” She said. “Why isn't she up yet?” Blaise asked. “She's taking a mental health day.” Pansy said. Draco looked up. “Does she need me?” He asked. “I don't think-” out you came, wrapped in your blanket before you laid on the couch with Draco. “...Alright then, that answers my question.” Draco said. He held you close, Pansy sighing. “how many people have read this?” Blaise asked. “From the sounds of the Great Hall, a fuck ton. Anyone who hasn't seen it, will. Unless Umbridge bans it. But either way, people are going to hear about it.” Pansy answered. “Cho.” You mumbled. “What?” Blaise and Pansy asked, Draco looking down at you. “Cho needs to read it if she hasn't.” You mumbled.

“I think she did.” Pansy assured. “Good” you said, curling into a ball. Draco uncovered your blanket so he could see your face. “Love... Do you want some breakfast? Anything?” He asked. “Coffee.” “And?” “more coffee” “How about toast?” you shook your head. “You need to eat dear.” he sighed. “Coffee.” “Only if you eat a piece of toast with it.” “Fine.” you settled. “...Blaise think you can-” “Getting toast and coffee. And grapefruit.” “No!” “Keep it up and I'm making your coffee water-” “Fine you win!”

Blaise came back later and bolted in. “Bitch incoming, seperate!” He said, setting the food down. You and Draco moved to the other sides of the couch, you sitting on your copy of the Quibbler. Draco shoved his under the couch cushion and Pansy slid her's into a book, making it seem like she was reading a textbook. In strolled Umbridge, toting armfuls of the Quibbler. She was muttering angrily under her breath and Blaise pretended to be surprised by her entry. “What's the matter Professor?” “I have told that boy to stop with this-this nonsense!” She huffed, tossing a few into the fireplace. You wanted already to snap at her. “Why aren't you dressed?” she asked you. “I'm sick. I believe I caught something from the cold yesterday.” You replied, faking a stuffy voice. She sighed, looking at you. “You've been sick quite frequently Miss Mckinnon.” She said. “Well, blame my immune system.” You said, coughing. “You're lucky it's the weekend Miss Mckinnon.” She said. “Indeed.” You sighed, leaning back. Draco looked over at you as you stared at the fire. Umbridge tossed in more. “If you come across more of these, confiscate them will you? Blaise, I trust you'll burn them.” She said, wiping her hands from soot. Blaise nodded, getting up. She left and you all seemed to take collective breaths of relief.

“Here's your food.” Blaise said, handing you the toast, Grapefruit and coffee. You of course drank the coffee first but eventually ate. He stared at the magazines. “What should we do with them?” Blaise asked. “...I vote we secretly distribute half and burn the others” Pansy said. “Agreed.” Blaise nodded. “Just make sure you don't get caught.” You said. “I've hung out with Fred and George for Christmas Y/n, I've got this in the bag.” She said with a smirk.

You didn't do much that day, just mainly sleeping and occasionally talking to Draco. The next few days were intense, you were deadset on acing the O.W.L.s but something steered your attention away from that. It all started with you walking to Trelawny's class. You were reading your notes when a voice stopped you. “Stop.” Draco halted. You froze in place. “Bench.” He said. You looked past your book seeing the bench you were about to hit. “When did that get put there?” you asked. “It's always been there, yesterday, you came from the other way, need I remind you, you almost tripped over Helana Quincy when she was tying her shoe?” Draco reminded. “...Oh.” you said. “You need to relax about these O.W.L.s, at this rate you're straining yourself.” Draco said. “I am not-”

“the hell are we supposed to do?” Ron asked. You finally noticed Lavender and Pavarti crying. “...What happened?” you asked. “Trelawney got sacked.” Harry said. “What?” Draco and you asked in unison. “Yeah, apparently Dumbledore has already got someone in place to replace her.” Ron said. “But- what the hell are we supposed to do?” Draco asked. “study!” you said, earning Draco to grab your book before you could reopen it. He held it up, you grumbled and crossed your arms. “Finally, someone took that away from you.” Pansy said, walking around the corner. “...What the fuck happened?” “Trelawney has apparently been fired.” “Oh Jesus fucking Christ I'm not awake enough for this shit.” Pansy groaned. This isn't good, where is she going to go?” You asked. “Here. She's staying in Hogwarts, Dumbledore wouldn't let her leave and told her to stay because of a loophole. Umbridge's got the right to fire but not remove them from campus.” Harry said. You rose a brow. “I mean I could see why he'd want her to stay if he plans on rehiring her.” “Well, of course he'd rehire her, what other reason does he got to keep her here?” Ron asked. Somehow, this made you think maybe there was a reason to that outside of rehiring. “Maybe there is another reason.” You said. Everyone turned to you. “Don't you think it's a bit odd that Trelawney was hired in the first place? You've heard Hermoine say it herself, she doesn't give accurate readings and from my extensive knowledge on Divination, the material she teaches isn't even solid. Bunch of bullshit at best. So why did he hire her?” you asked. Everyone fell silent. “...That's... that's a damn good question.” Pansy said. “And when have we ever seen her actually *leave* campus?” you added. “....Never.” “I think she's here for another reason.” You shrugged. “Now that you've said something, I'm right there with you on that thought.” Harry agreed. Draco paused.

“You have an extensive knowledge of Divination?” he asked. “Yeah, dad wanted me to learn the way Mum did which was from a centaur he knew from the forest.” You shrugged. “...Huh.” “Your mum learned from a Centaur?” Harry asked. “apparently.” You shrugged.

The next day, you found youself in a completely different classroom. It was like a open woods area, making you really confused until you saw him. “Firenze?” You halted. He turned, looking at you. “Y/n. Good to see you again.” He said. “You know professor Firenze?” “I taught her everything she knows.” He said, voice calm as he spoke. Draco looked over surprised. “Now. As we begin these lessons, I will warn you this is very different from what Professor Trelawney taught you. This, is legitimate.” He said. “But professor, Trelawney is legitimate.” Lavender said. You rolled your eyes. “She very well may be. But her methods are not.” He said.

The lesson continued to awe other students as he explained star readings to the others, him shutting down Pavarti's ramblings on how mars’ retrograde would make you drop things. “That's not what the stars are for. Those are merely musings from humans.” He stated. You felt relieved that someone actually capable was finally teaching you. “Now. Can someone tell me what the stars are meant to be used for?” He asked. You rose your hand and Draco rose a brow. “Yes Y/n?” “they're meant to predict major changes or great forces of evil” you said, looking at him, almost to silently ask if he'd seen anything major in the stars. He may have been *your* teacher but even a well trained human couldn't read stars as well as a centaur could. He nodded and spoke again. “This is correct”

The lesson carried on, you listening for any clues to what he was seeing but he gave you nothing. When class ended, you, Harry, Draco and Ron stayed per his request. “Tell Hagrid it is all for not. He needs to stop.” He told you. He gave no context to these words, only that it supposedly needed to be said to Hagrid. When Harry apparently did tell Hagrid, Hagrid seemed to not care for the opinion and seemed to shove him right out the door.

You found yourself in another DA meeting, practicing a type of ward. You had always been strangely good with those, blocking away whatever you needed to. You panted, slightly exhausted as Neville had been tossing spells at you to make sure you had this down. “You're really good at this.” he said. “Thank you- Blaise?” you straighted up, still out of breath. Harry looked over. “Dobby?” Harry asked. Draco blinked a few times. “Sorry- this is where he's gone?” Draco asked. You nearly forgot Draco was technically in the family Dobby worked for. “Dobby has come to warn master Potter” he squeaked. Harry blinked talking to him before frowning. “FUCK.” he hissed. “What's going on?” Pansy asked. “SHE KNOWS.” he yelled. “What do we do!?” Angelina asked. “**RUN**.” Harry yelled. You nodded, Blaise rushing back out, grabbing Draco. You, Fred and George bolted, running down the hall before Draco turned, shaking his head with wide eyes mouthing “common room.” You nodded, taking both of the boy's arms and rushing through another hallway. You paused though, seeing Harry's shadow with the familiar short woman's. “Fuck.” You whispered. You avoided the corridor, finally getting to the slytherin common room. Draco looked up with relief, hugging you as soon as he saw you.

“They got Harry.” You told him. “Fuck. Explains why I saw the damn minister earlier.” Blaise hissed. “What are we going to do?” Luna asked. “I don't know.” You said. “This is bad.” Pansy said. “I know.” You muttered. Draco sighed. “Do you need anything? Any of you?” He asked. “Tea would be nice.” Luna said. “I'm with the blonde chick, tea sounds good.” Lee said as Fred and George sat down with him. “Tea it is.” Draco nodded. He pressed a kiss to your forehead and he walked over to the cabinets. “For now though, I suggest you hide in the dorms. She can't bust you there.” You said. “Right. Fred, George, Lee. You're with me.” He said. “Right on.” Fred said, getting up. “Luna, Angelina, Pansy, Ginny. You're with me.” You said. They followed to your dorm, sitting on your beds. “God, this is a dark dorm room.” Ginny said. “I agree, the black is a little... much.” Angelina said. “well the straight shot view of the Black lake is also... frightening” Ginny added. “Oh it's even scarier when the Giant Squid floats about.” you said, sitting on your bed. “Oh dear god that's horrifying.” Angelina gaped.

“You get used to it honestly.” You shrugged, Pansy opening the bottom drawer. “Snacks?” She asked, waving a bag of chips around. “Me please.” You waved. She tossed you the bag, you catching it. Luna sat cross legged on Pansy's bed, watching her girlfriend with a small dreamy smile. You sighed, leaning back.

“This is bad. Like really bad.” You said. “No kidding.” Angelina muttered. “How bad is this about to get for Harry?” Pansy asked. “I imagine even worse. Ever since the Quibbler article, Umbridge has been out of control, she kept saying that stupid phrase over and over again.” you sighed. “She's awful.” Luna said, Pansy nodded. “I'm worried on how bad this will be though. Blaise said he saw the minister.” she said. “I'm just glad Blaise told us in time for some of us to get away.” You admitted. “Me too.” Luna said. “I'm even more glad that she's not even our House leader.” Pansy said. “She's not? I would've figured she'd bring down Snape.” Angelina said. You offered her a chip and she took it, nodding as a thank you. “Nope. He's just as big of a vindictive shithead as her. She'd gain nothing by removing him.” Pansy said.

You frowned. “Hold on. How did Umbridge find out?” You asked. Everyone looked over. “What?” Angelina asked. “We've been secretive. How did she find out?” You asked. “Maybe we got too careless?” Ginny suggested. You shook your head. “No. We have the map remember? Everytime it's been checked she's not near the room of requirement.” You reminded. Pansy, Luna, Ginny and Angelina all frowned. “Someone snitched.” Angelina realized. “Who was it?” Pansy asked. “I think I know.” Luna said softly. You all looked over. “There's a girl who's friends with Cho. She tells everything to Umbridge. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if she said something” Luna said. You pinched the bridge of your nose.

“This is bad” you mumbled. “Agreed.” all girls said in unison. “I keep having this feeling of impending doom. Like this, what's happening now, is just the beginning.” Ginny said. “I keep feeling like I'm being watched. All the time.” You muttered. “It feels like we're living in a hamster cage.” Pansy said. You looked out into the black lake, seeing the water swoosh as the squid swam past. “I just wish our parents would tell us more.” You muttered.

“Mum thinks the information could get us killed.” Ginny said. “She's trying to protect us.” Pansy muttered. “It'll be for nothing” You said. The girls looked at you. “What do you mean?” Ginny asked. “It doesn't matter how long Molly stalls. You said it yourself, we're practically living in ground zero for this war. We will **have** to play a part in it.” you sighed. “You keep saying that. What is with you and this war?” Angelina asked. “My mother died for this not to take place again. She died doing what she believed was right.” You said. “Your mother is...” Angelina looked down.

“I really don't know much about you.” Angelina admitted. “I don't usually use my dead mother as an opening line.” You said, sighing. You heard a knock. “Who is it?” you asked. “Blaise. Coast is clear, I can walk the girls back.” He said. Ginny and Angelina got up, walking out. Luna quickly kissed Pansy, walking off with them. “Think tomorrow will be worse?” Pansy asked. “Think? Pansy, I'm betting on it.”

The next morning a new decree sat on the bulletin board. Draco walked over with Blaise. “You guys have seen it. Great.” Blaise muttered. “How in God's name did that god awful woman take over!?” You asked. “Oh it gets better.” Blaise sighed. “This morning she called me to her office, she wanted me to be on some stupid Inquisitorial squad.” Blaise said. “Oh my god, seriously?” Pansy asked. “Yeah. So I apparently will be busting some balls.” Blaise shrugged. “She didn't ask you?” You asked. “No, I doubt she trusts me now that our relationship is very much public.” Draco muttered. He seemed almost worried about this fact.

“Draco is something wrong?” You asked. “What happens when she decides to really have it out for me?” Draco asked. “what do you mean?” Pansy asked. “I mean, my dad works in the ministry. She can tell my father whatever she thinks he needs to hear...” Draco sighed but you already understood what he was implying. “Fuck, I never even considered....” Pansy muttered. “I won't let her touch you guys. I'll probably dock points occasionally so it won't be blatant favoritism but I will use my title best I can for you guys.” Blaise assured. Draco smiled slightly. You shook your head. “...This isn't going to last.” You said. “Was that a threat? Raising hell?” Pansy asked. “No but I know two people who probably will.” You said leaving.

You went about your day, walking alongside Harry as you left Herbology. Students all day had been talking of Dumbledore's great escape. You questioned the validity of some of the versions you heard but Harry confirmed that most of them had stayed true to what actually happened.

“Dumbledore will be back before long” Ernie, a hufflepuff said. “They couldn't keep him away in our second year and they won't be able to this time. The Fat Friar told me...” He dropped to a whisper so only the group could hear. “That Umbridge tried to get back into his office last night after they'd searched the grounds for him. Couldn't get past the gargoyle. The Head's office has sealed itself against her.” Ernie chuckled, making you snort. “Even the castle can't stand her.” You said making Ron resist a strong urge to wheeze.

“Oh I expect she really fancied herself sitting in the Head's office.” Hermoine said with a bitter tone. You noticed a passing slytherin whispering to Blaise. Blaise eyed you for a moment. “Stupid puffed up power crazy old-” “Talking about our beloved Headmaster with malicious intent, Granger?” Blaise asked, giving her a look of warning. “No, just disdain.” She said. “Five points from Gryffindor. Five from hufflepuff as well” He said. Everyone looked at him. “You don't have that power.” Ron scoffed. “No, students don't typically have that power. But I'm with the Inquisitorial Squad. I do have that power.” Blaise said. He gave you another look of warning. “You can't be serious-” “Let's just talk about something else. Won't happen again” you halted Ron. Blaise nodded, a look of relief washing over him.

“He had to have been bluffing.” Ernie muttered. “He wasn't. He mentioned the new title this morning.” You muttered. “Jesus. This morning just gets worse.” Hermoine sighed. “What about Draco?” Ron asked. “He's not with them. Umbridge doesn't trust him after him taking the blame for you in Hogsmeade.” You explained. “Still, docking points is insane! They could easily rig it!” Ernie sighed. You motioned to the giant hourglasses with house colored beads in each. “This look fake to you?” You asked.

“Noticed, have you?” Fred asked. George stood by you, books under his arm. “Blaise just docked us a few points...” Harry muttered, watching more beads fly from the hourglass. “Yeah, Montague tried to do us during break.” George said. “Tried?” You asked. “He never managed to get all the words out.” Fred snorted. “Due to the fact that we forced him headfirst into that Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor.” George explained making you laugh. Hermione however looked horrified.

“But you'll get into trouble!” She said. “Not until Montague reappears, and that could take weeks, I dunno where it sent him.” Fred shrugged. “Anyway... We've decided we don't care about getting into trouble anymore.” George declared. “Have you ever?” Hermoine scoffed. “Trust me, they have held back.” You said making George nod. “We always knew where the line was drawn.” Fred stated. “We might have to put a toe across it occasionally.” George said. “But we always stopped short of causing real mayhem” Fred said. “And now?” You asked. “Well. Now...” “with Dumbledore gone” “We think a bit of mayhem” “is exactly what our new head deserves.” Fred and George said.

“You mustn't! You really mustn't she'd love a reason to expel you!” Hermoine pleaded. “You don't get it Hermoine, they're saying they've got nothing to lose. They don't care.” you said. “We'd walk right out right now if we weren't determined to do our bit for Dumbledore first. So. Anyway” Fred checked his watch, “Phase one is about to begin. I'd get in the Great Hall for lunch if I were you, that way the teachers will see you can't have had anything to do with it.” Fred said. You rose a brow. “saving our asses before losing yours?” You asked. “you know us.” George winked. “Anything to do with what?” Hermoine asked Fred. “You'll see. Run along now.” He said.

The others walked away and you looked at the twins before sighing. “You know I'd help you if I could.” You said to George. “I know. Just know we're sitting front row at your graduation” “front fucking row with a job offer.” Fred and George assured. You smiled. “...I'm gonna miss you morons.” “It's not like you're losing us love.” Fred assured. “Yeah, we'll be right down the hall during the summer.” George agreed. You hugged both of the boys, them hugging you back. “Why do I still feel like I’m losing you?” You asked. “We might not be here in person but believe me. Our memory will fucking echo through these halls.” Fred said. You chuckled. “Now. We weren’t joking, I suggest you run off with the others unless you think Remus would be fine with you leaving school.” Fred said.

A part of you nearly took off with them, possibly riding shotgun to whatever “mayhem” the twins had planned. But you nodded, walking away. You went to the Great Hall, sitting next to Draco as he read. “Whatcha reading?” You asked. “Lord of the Rings. You’re right, this man goes on with songs like he’s Shakespeare reincarnated.” He said making you laugh. He slid his hand into yours and Pansy sat down. “Any idea why the twins just bolted off with weird smiles on their faces?”she asked. “They’re planning something apparently. Didn’t tell me what but it sounds like they’re not sticking around for Umbridge’s reign of terror.” You whispered. “I wish they’d let me in on it.” Pansy sighed. “Your parents would be fine with you getting expelled?” You asked. “Probably not. But at least I’d be away from that-“ “watch it.” Draco warned, nodding to Goyle who’s ears practically perked up for a chance to punish someone.

Pansy sighed. “You okay?” You asked, noticing a look on Draco’s face. “I… I’ll talk about it later.” Draco muttered. You had this anxiety fill you. “Draco can we talk now? Unless you’re not planning on breaking up with me.” You said. His eyes went huge. “Wha- no! At least not really!” He halted. “What?” You asked. He looked up and sighed, standing up. “Come with me, I don’t trust…” he nodded subtly to the Inquisitorial squad members talking.

You followed to the abandoned girls bathroom, him sighing. “I think we should fake a breakup.” He said. You blinked, looking at him. “What? Why?” You asked. “We need more than just Blaise on the inside, I want to help. I am sick of just watching it happen. If we can fake a break up, I can pretend to go back to the way I was until Umbridge trusts me. When she does… I can give my father all the information he needs to fire her.” He said. You looked in him, slightly sadden by this idea. “Yeah but… what happens to *us*?” You asked. “We can sneak to each other, you’re not the only one who takes notes from the twins you know.” He said. “Just… let’s wait to see whatever the boys have cooked up and then we’ll go from there.” You said. “That’s fair. So… we’re good?” He asked. “We’re good.” You assured, Draco kissing you with a smile before you heard a loud boom.

You jumped, confused by the loud noise. You heard it again, Draco exchanging a look of confusion before peaking your head out of the bathroom to see Goyle chased down the hall by a firework. You snorted, walking out with Draco watching every one of the Inquisitorial squad members sprint away. “This is it? I expected… more.” Draco said. “This is phase **one**.” You corrected. “Of?” He asked. “No idea.” You shrugged. You watched the chaos in front of you but finally turned around to Draco.

“…Let's do it.” You said. “Do what?” Draco asked, watching Crabbe run past him. “Your plan.” You said. “Okay. But we have to tell Blaise. Just so he doesn’t go after you or something.” Draco said. “Same for Pansy, she’d literally light you on fire if she thought you hurt me,” you said. Draco sighed. “So… we’re broken up?” He asked. “Not quite, we need to make this a big deal if we want the plan to work. Wait for this to die down and next time when we have a chance, we fake an argument.” You said. “Smart.” Draco nodded, sighing. “I hate the idea of being away from you.” He said. “I know.” You muttered, a green firework exploding near you. “But I promise, any good information I find goes straight to you guys.” He swore as a sparkler went off nearby.

You went to bed that night with a sense of dread, explaining the plan to Pansy. Blaise was let in on the idea and just nodded long, telling Draco he’d find a way to get Draco into the Inquisition. Draco walked out of the dorms and saw you standing at the bulletin board with Pansy. “You alright?” He asked. “Yeah. Ready for this?” You asked. “Yep.” He sighed. “My advice… avoid me and let me take it from there.” You said. “You’ve got a plan?” He asked. “Yep.” You nodded. You both parted ways, not seeing each other until lunch.

“Draco.” You called, him not turning around. “Draco.” You called again. Fred looked over his shoulder, as did Harry. “Draco, why are you ignoring me?” You asked, walking over. He sighed, looking at you. “I can’t have a moment to myself, can I?” He asked, Hermione looking confused. “Not when you haven’t even glanced in my general direction today, what the fuck is up with that?” You asked. “I needed some time.” “For what?” You asked, him getting up. “To think Y/n.” He sighed. “You’ve been acting strange all week, what the hell is going on?” You asked. “Nothing, god would you just lay off?” He sighed. “Just answer me Draco-“ “I’m breaking up with you.” He said abruptly.

Shocked looks fell over everyone watching. “You have done nothing but ride my ass on fitting your insane standards and I’m sick of it.” Draco snapped. “I was just trying to help-“ “make someone else your pet project. Try one of the Weasley’s I’m sure they’ll take you.” Draco said, moving past you. He slid a note into your palm, you sliding it up your sleeve. You stared at the ground, Fred getting up. You felt his arm wrap around you along with George. “We’re going to kill him.” Fred said hugging you. “I just… I can’t believe he…” “let’s go back to our room okay? Make some hot cocoa.” Pansy said. “Okay” you said, voice small.

You entered your room, opening the note. “Stop the twins after two pranks on me so I don’t die. I’ll hang out with you tonight if I can. Love you.” You smiled as Pansy closed the door. “Quite the show you gave. Seriously, did you want an Oscar?” She asked. You laughed and sat on your bed. “What he said… it didn’t bother you did it?” She asked. “I know he doesn’t mean it.” You shrugged. “Good. Because had I not known this was staged I would’ve killed him.” Pansy said. “I guarantee the twins will give him hell.” You chuckled. “We have to fuck up your make up.” She said. “What why?” You asked, Pansy approaching with a glass of water and a makeup brush. “Because we have to make you look depressed dude, you’re wallowing.” Pansy said.

You rolled your eyes but allowed her to work, fixing your make up so that it looked like you had been crying. Pansy even took the facade a step further, blasting what she described as “the ultimate break up playlist” putting on tunes such as “I will Always love you” “Unbreak my Heart” and a ton of Boyz II Men. You had to resist the urge to die laughing when Professor Snape asked you to turn down the music, saying “I know teens like to be dramatic and everything but there is no need for me to hear Unbreak my Heart in my classroom when I’m four rooms away from you.”

Later that night, Pansy sat in the common room as Draco snuck into your room. Her excuse was that she had to get out of your pit of depression. He slipped in, not realizing you were changing before you jumped. “Fuck- sorry, should’ve knocked!” Draco said turning around. “It’s fine, a part of my soul might’ve just died, no biggie.” You said, sliding your shirt on quickly. Draco turned back around, you kissing him. “What I said didn’t bother you did it?” He asked. “No, god no. Draco I know you didn’t mean what you said.” You said. He sighed with relief. “I just feel like I had to sound like I was making it personal, I know how much of an ass I used to be…” he said. “I know, did you kiss Umbridge’s ass though?” You asked. Draco nodded, sitting on the edge of your bed. “I think she’s beginning to trust me, she seemed satisfied to know about the break up.” He said. “Well she’s a bitch so…. Not shocked that someone else’s pain is great to her.” You shrugged.

“It’s weird. I put so much faith in the Ministry and now…” Draco shook his head with a sigh. “You’re on the right side.” You assured. “I know.” He nodded, holding your hand. “I just wish… None of this was happening. Like I don’t want to pretend I don’t love you, I don’t want to avoid writing letters home because of the Inquisition, I don’t want to spend my fifth year with a psychotic cat lady as the headmaster.” Draco said. “If all goes well… She won’t stay the headmaster. I might not care too much for Dumbledore but I know if he wouldn’t let the ministry take him, if he wouldn’t let Trelawney leave, if he wouldn’t let Hagrid leave…. He’s not going to let her stay. He’s questionable at times but he’s loyal to the right people…. Most of the time.” You said. Draco chuckled. “I’ve never heard a positive thought on the man from a Slytherin, typically we’re very bitter.” Draco said. You chuckled. “I’m not the typical slytherin, we covered this already.” You said. Draco pressed a kiss to your lips, smiling. “It feels nice. To have a moment to breathe.” He said. “I love you.” You said softly. “I love you too.”

Draco slipped out once Pansy gave him a clear, you sighing. “Think you guys can keep it up?” Pansy asked. “Probably.” You shrugged. “You seem oddly calm with all of this.” Pansy noticed. “I think studying for the O. W. L. S will be my distraction.” You shrugged. She winced at those words. “Right, that is creeping upon us.” She realized. “Yeah. On the bright side, Draco has to pretend to not care about my well-being which means I can study as much as I want.” You said making Pansy roll her eyes. “You say this like studying is fun or something.” She sighed. “It can be with the right CD. So do us both a favor and Unbreak My Heart.” You said making her snort.

The next few days you noticed Harry distracted, him sitting by the lake with a far off look. You sat next to him in the grass. “You know, the dorms in Slytherin actually look out into the Black Lake?” You asked. “I’ve been in your common room once.” Harry muttered. “Right right, the Polyjuice potion.” You nodded. he said nothing else. “Alright, what’s up? What’s going on?” You asked. He sighed, seeming unsure if he wanted to provide context. “Do… do you ever wonder what your mum was like? When she was our age?” He asked. You let out a long breath. “All the time, why?” You asked. “It’s just… I…” he sighed, looking into the lake. “I saw a memory. Of Snape’s.” He said. “How on earth did you manage that? The occulumacy lessons?” You asked. “No. A Pensieve.” He said. You nodded slightly. “Like in Dumbledore’s office?” You asked. “Yeah.” He nodded. “So what did you see?” You asked, looking at Harry. “I saw my father… he… he practically tormented Snape. And my mother she seemed to hate him.” Harry muttered.

You chuckled, catching Harry off guard. “Dad said James was always somewhat of a problem child.” You recalled. “Yeah but attacking someone because you’re bored? Who does that?” Harry asked. “A child.” You answered. Harry blinked. “Something changed in James over time Harry. He, from what I gather was an arrogant jackass for the longest time. As was my dad and Sirius.” You said. “Yeah but… you grew up hearing stories about this-“ “Harry, I didn’t have a true relationship with my dad until my third year.” You said.

Harry blinked. “Dad is so afraid of his lycanthropy that he stayed away from me as a child. I was basically raised by Molly and Arthur.” You said. Harry blinked, looking at you with shock. “I didn’t realize…” “Third year forced us to spend time with each other. He had to be near me, it was his job.” You said. “I asked him any questions I could about my mum.” You sighed. “How did you figure out Sirius was innocent?” Harry asked. “The map.” You said. “What?” “The map. The Marauders map. It never lies. It took one glance at it with Fred and George after hearing dad’s retelling of what took place that night to know Peter was the lying bastard.” You said.

Harry nodded. “Keep this in mind Harry. A Pensieve retells memories from the person’s memories perspective. There’s a good chance that there’s more to it. And keep in mind, Lily did love James. Dad knew that James was Lily’s world when they got married, at least until we were born.” You said. Harry nodded looking at you. “That actually does help.” He said. “I think you miss Sirius too. We haven’t been able to talk to him since… well you know.” You said. “Yeah… but there’s not a way to talk to them.” Harry sighed, Ginny sitting next to him.

“Mum sent us Easter eggs, there’s one for you too Y/n.” She said, handing you a chocolate egg. You took it, nodding as a thanks. “What are you talking about?” Ginny asked. “Thinking of a way to talk to Sirius.” You answered. “Ah. Have you tried asking Fred and George?” She asked. “Why would I ask them?” “They come up with some good ideas, I dunno it’s worth a shot.” Ginny shrugged. “I’ll talk to them.” You said getting up.

You walked through the corridors, Draco and Blaise talking near you. You avoided eye contact, Draco excusing himself before leaving. You slipped into the Gryffindor common room, Lee sitting on the couch with Fred sitting on the floor with George. “If it isn’t our favorite Slytherin!” He said, both of the twins looking over. “Hey darling” “you doing okay?” Fred and George asked. You nearly answered honestly but cleared your throat. “I’m alive, that’s what counts, right?” You asked, sounding monotone. “We’ll kill Malfoy over what he said.” Fred sighed, “I don’t want to talk about Draco. Harry wants to…. Can I talk to you guys alone actually?” You asked. Both boys got up, walking to their room. You sat on George’s bed. “What’s up gorgeous ?” George asked. “Harry wants to talk to Sirius, the floo network is being watched though, as is our letters.” You said.

“Ah, I got you.” “Also Draco and I aren’t broken up.” You said. “…what?” Fred asked. “We faked a break up so Umbridge would trust him more and he’d be able to get on the Inquisitorial squad.” You explained. “What? Really? Uhhh…” “what did you do?” “Uhhhh….” “George what did you do?” You repeated. “We might’ve… “ “put hair dye in his shampoo.” Fred admitted. “And?” “Well we… we were so ready to kill him we might’ve…” “WEASLEY!” you heard from a muffled voice in the common room “What. Did. You. Do!?” “Hexed… his broom…” “and then we made the prefect bathroom sink... explode.” George admitted and you sighed.

“We didn't know!” Fred defended. The door opened and there stood a drenched Draco with Green hair. “Seriously!? Green hair!?” Draco asked, closing the door behind him. “We just found out the break up wasn't real.” George sighed. “Stay away from your broom-” “Too late, we had practice and I nearly broke my arm! So now I've been drenched, my hair is green, my broom is hexed- is there anything else!?” “Your hair changes color with your mood.” George said making Draco groan.

He looked at you, who was hiding a smile. “Oh laugh it up.” Draco sighed making you chuckle. “I'm sorry. It's just... your hair is like fading to purple” you snorted . “It happened the moment he looked at you... someone is randy for you.” George said. “Shove off.” you rolled your eyes. “Am I not allowed to love my girlfriend?” Draco asked. “I don't hear you denying anything.” George teased

“Is there anything else I need to know about?” Draco asked with a sigh. “No, we had more planned but now that we know.... we'll go with smaller things.” George assured. Draco nodded before reaching for the door. He paused though, turning to you and pulled you into a deeply passionate kiss, walking out with fake yelling. “AND YOUR MOTHER AS WELL! YOU STUPID GIT!” Draco shouted as he left. You lightly pressed your fingers to your lips in confusion as to what sparked him to do that. “Randy. I'm telling you.” Fred nodded. “Can you come up with something for Harry?” you asked, changing the subject “Oh yeah, pretty sure I know what to do.” George nodded.

You nodded, leaving back to the slytherin common room. You sat on the couch, waiting for a ridiculous meeting with the head of Slytherin over career options. “So what do you think you want to do?” Pansy asked, looking at the various pamphlets on the table. You lifted a cursebreaker pamphlet. “this is what Bill Weasley does” you muttered, looking at it. “Think it's your calling?”Pansy asked.

“Ha. No. I'm not working in a bank.” You said. Draco sat across from you, Pansy glancing up before snorting. “Dude, wanna explain why your hair's purple?” Pansy asked. “I owe you no explanation Parkinson.” he sighed. “careful, I can get Fred or George to do it again.” you said, mot looking up from a healer's pamphlet. Draco his a smile.

“Who in the world would want to train security trolls?” Pansy asked. “I don't know, same people who would want to be a magical botanist?” You said, confused. “See anything yet?” Pansy asked. You looked at the table with a sigh before noticing a red pamphlet. “Think you have what it takes? Study abroad, dive into danger now with Dragonology” you picked it up, raising a brow. “This is what Charlie does...” you mumbled. “Weasley's wearing off on you? Becoming role models?” Draco asked. You rolled your eyes. “Shove off Draco.” “Bite me.” “You wish you mangy little-” “Ahem.” Blaise cleared his throat, hiding a smile. Draco lifted his pamphlet to hide his forming smile as students around you muttered about your break up. “Dragonology?” Pansy asked. “I mean. It seems interesting.” You shrugged.

“I always thought you'd be good as a teacher.” Pansy said. “Very funny.” You rolled your eyes. “I'm being serious. You've taught me more than anyone else has. And you dated that purple haired jackass over there so you've got patience” She stated. You picked up a teaching pamphlet. “I'll think about it.” you shrugged.

That night was the same as the one before, Pansy leaving for dinner to be with Luna as Blaise kept watch for Draco as he slipped into your room. You looked up from your teaching pamphlet. “Enjoying my wit so far? I think I'm coming up with some good insults.” You asked making him chuckle as he sat next to you. “You turned your hair back.” you noticed. “Yeah. Blaise helped.” Draco said. He noticed the two pamphlets in your hand. “Cursebreaker? I thought you said you didn't want to work out of the bank?” He asked. “Well it does involve travel...” you said, looking at it. “You want to travel?” he asked. “I've always wanted to see the world. it's just.... been more impossible as of late.” you admitted. “Well... I for one think Pansy was right. You're a good teacher.” Draco said. You chuckled. “But what about the world?” you asked. “I'll take you to see it.” Draco said with a smile. You chuckled, kissing him. He again, gave you that same passion from earlier. You pulled away looking in his eyes. “Draco.... Do... Did you want to... I mean what Fred said... Did you want to sleep with me?” you asked. “Depends. Are you offering?” Draco joked and you playfully smacked his arm. “The thought has crossed my mind, yes.” He said finally. “And?” “If it's something you'd want to do, I wouldn't be opposed to it-” “I'm not ready!” You halted.

Draco blinked. “I just... You're my first real boyfriend and I... Draco I have a lot on my mind and that isn't something I'm even ready to begin thinking about in this decade.” you admitted. “Then we won't do it.” He shrugged. “I mean...” you blushed sighing, looking out the dark windows of the black lake. “I just don't.... think we should do it in full.” You sighed. “And that's fine.” “A little messing around is fine just don't expect me to touch... *it*.” you said. Draco blinked before snorting.

“What?” You asked. “*It*?” He asked. “Yes! It! Your...” you groaned, your face red as you got up, standing with your arms crossed. “You do know penis isn't a unforgivable curse right?” Draco asked. “I know!” You whined. “And it's not like I'm asking you to touch... it.” He chuckled. “Oh shut it you.” You sighed. “Y/n. Seriously though. We don't have to do anything. I'll wear a chastity belt for all I care.” Draco shrugged. “I know I just....” you sighed, again your face red.

“What's wrong?” He asked. “Can I ask a inappropriate question?” You asked. “This entire conversation is technically inappropriate, go ahead.” Draco shrugged. “When Fred commented on you being... Y'know... did... were... you?” You asked. “Well no. Not until I kissed you.” He said. “Wait not until- as in-” “Y/n, are you asking me if I've ever thought about you sexually?” Draco asked. “Yes.” you nodded. “would the truth make you uncomfortable?” Draco asked. “No I wouldn't have asked if that were the case.” you said. “Alright. I'll answer it when you answer the question.” Draco said. “What?” you asked. “Have you rhought about me sexually?” Draco asked.

Your face was bright red before you took a deep breath. “Yes.” You nodded. “Then there is your answer.” he said. “So you have?” you asked. “Yes. I have. Many, many, MANY times.” Draco said. You blinked. “So you've... thought...” you seemed baffled by the answer despite the fact you said pretty much the same thing. “Have you thought about me...” you struggled to ask your next question. He rose a brow. “When you're.... theoretically... handing... yourself?” You asked. He rose a brow, getting up. “Y/n, what's got your curiosity piqued like this?” Draco asked. “I don't know, I... I just know that Blaise is rather upfront with his sex life and I-” “Are you interested in fooling around right now?” he asked. “...I'm not sure how to answer that-” Draco stood in front of you, putting his fingers below your chin.

“To answer your question... Yes. And believe me the thoughts I've had...” he chuckled. “They'd make anyone who could read minds think I was a pervert.” Draco said. You blushed harder, Draco moving strands of hair from your face. The smell of mint and earl grey were stronger now, your legs becoming weak. “What... did these... thoughts entail... exactly?” you asked. Draco let out a chuckle. “I've thought about what you must sound like... what you look like...” he got close to your ear, your face now warm as if you had stood in front of fire. “What you'd feel like.” He said. Your heart was racing. “I have a theory that you'd enjoy me kissing your neck.” he said softly. You swallowed. “Then... test it.” You mumbled.

He kissed you first, undoing your tie. You gripped the ridges of the dresser, Draco unbuttoning your shirt before allowing his lips to connect with your neck. You tilted your head, as if it were instinct, your legs becoming weak. Your body felt like electricity was coursing through you, like a buzz from firewhiskey without the regret in the morning. Your breathing was hitched before Draco heard something.

Your voice was light, breathy in its emission sound. It was a moan. It wasn't just a moan, it was Draco's name. He pulled back, smiling as if he'd won something. “My theory seems to be correct.” Draco said. You blushed, looking away before Draco kissed you again. “I should go.” he said with a laugh. “Uhuh.” You nodded, breathless as to what just happened. He kissed your forehead, walking out.

Pansy soon entered. “Man, the twins said they've got something big planned for tomorrow- What is that?” Pansy blinked. You looked at her confused. You were now wearing your tank top. “What is what?” you asked. “That mark? On your neck- did you get laid?” She gasped. You looked at her confused before picking up a mirror and gaping. That fucker left a hickey on your neck. “I didn't get laid.” “So you fooled around?” she asked. “Depends on your definition.” You sighed. “Well-” “Wait what do the twins have planned?” you asked.

“Well, Harry wanted to talk to... Lupin. Since the floo network and post is being watched though, he can't do that. But Harry said the only confirmed fireplace that isn't under watch is Umbridge's.” Pansy explained. “And?” You asked. “Well Fred and George plan on some sort of big diversion. They haven't said what they just said that when five o'clock hits, it was game on” Pansy said. “Interesting.” You said. “You know the uniform isn't going to cover that hickey.” Pansy said. “I know. How do I get rid of it?” You asked.

“Oh I forget how innocent you are sometimes... you can't just get rid of it.” Pansy snorted . “Wha- what am I supposed to do!?” You asked. “Claim you moved on?” Pansy suggested. “With who!?” “I don't know, maybe Lee will take that claim if you ask him.” Pansy shrugged. “Ugh! Why did he do this?” You whined. “Probably because he couldn't be with you right now and got carried away. I dunno.” She shrugged. “Scarf?” you asked. “It's supposed to be hot tomorrow Y/n.” Pansy sighed. “Concealer?” you asked. “That might work.”

So you hid it as best as you could. The next morning you sat next to Fred. “Good you're here.” He said, clearing his throat. “We've got a proposition for you.” Fred said. You rose a brow. “For both of you.” George said, looking at Pansy. “And what's that?” you asked. Fred nodded to George, leaning to your ear. “We are leaving hogwarts. Today.” He said. You nearly pulled back to look at him “Do you want to leave with us?” Fred asked. You blinked, looking at Fred. “I...” you looked at Umbridge who was eying you with hatred. “...I have to at least try to stick it out Fred. I can't just...” you wanted to say yes. You wanted to run with them but you couldn't.

Your mother loved Hogwarts. You felt like if you left this woman in charge, she'd be disappointed. But with that same sentiment you knew your mother would've loved to hear the tale of daughter left the hands of the vicious headmaster Umbridge. “How much time do I have to think on it?” You asked. “Until five.” Fred said.

You found yourself distracted now. Draco slipped you a note through Blaise, you reading it. Two simple words “I'm in.” You looked at him as he adjusted the Inquisitorial squad pin on his robes. You nodded, looking down. Now his actions would be watched on a microscopic level...

"Uh... Y/n Pansy's running with Fred." Draco said. You turned around. You rose a brow before seeing Blaise and and Ron both you and Draco exchanging a look before you excused yourselves and bolted out the door. "What do you think is going on!?" You asked as you were racing to find them. "I don't know I couldn't actually tell if they were chasing one another or- Oh my god!" Draco stopped.

"HARRY! STOP!" Pansy urged as he geared up to hit a already bloodied student, Luna not saying anything next to her but watching with wide eyes. You booked it towards him. "HARRY CALM DOWN!" You yelled as you yanked him away. Harry jolted back, his elbow slamming into your nose. You stumbled back, Fred and George exchanging a look before pulling Harry off of the kid. Draco rushed over, pulling out a handkerchief. "What happened!?" You asked Blaise, Draco holding the handkerchief to your nose. "Some student kept singing this stupid song Edgar Munce came up with. Something about Ron, they wouldn't stop and then he just lost his fucking shit man!" Blaise said as he kept kicking. Draco patted your nose. "Oh jesus Love, your nose is bleeding like a fountain."Draco said, not even concerning himself with the situation outside of you. "George-" "Nuh uh, I don't trust that after the Katie Bell incident." You halted as Fred pinned Harry to the ground, reaching for the reversal effect in his pocket. The sudent in question rose, it being Goyle.

"You're-you're all the fucking same!" He yelled. "Goyle, lay off man." Blaise urged. "You and this whole pack, you're all fucking insane!" He yelled. Luna flinched and Pansy glared. "For God sake you're letting a actual lunatic hang out with us-" Draco didn't even give Pansy enough time to hit him, him aiming his wand at him. "You fucking traitor." Goyle hissed. "Nope. Just gained some common sense." Draco said simply. Harry was finally let go, him still seething but standing still. "Oh crap." Ron muttered as Umbridge walked over. Draco put away his wand.

"What in Merlin's beard happened over here?" She asked seeing Goyle's state. She narrowed her eyes at Harry. "It was my fault. He hit Y/n, I reacted." Draco said quickly. You all exchanged looks. "Mister Malfoy I don't know what game you're playing at but-" "There's no game. I hit him, it's that simple. You all saw it." Draco said to all of you. You gave Draco a concerned look. "...Yeah we saw it." Pansy agreed. "Yep" "uh-huh" Goyle was seething. "You're all just protecting that-that freak!" He yelled, pointing to Harry. You held the handkerchief to your nose but Draco angled your head down, holding it for you. "maybe detention might be best for both of you. Teach you all to tell the truth." Umbridge said looking at Harry. You gave Draco a panicked look. "It was my fault and my fault alone Professor, if you're going to punish someone, punish the actual culprit and not who you feel is best." Draco said, glaring at the woman. "Draco no-" He spoke again. "Maybe if you didn't have such a biased opinion on Gryffindor we'd actually get somewhere with change."

Umbridge frowned. "Come with me mister Malfoy." She said. You gave him a panicked look and he pressed a kiss to your temple. "*Hem hem*." All of you cringed. "No Public Displays of Affection." She stated. You glared at her as Draco walked with Umbridge. "She's going to-" "I know." Pansy muttered. "I have to tell his parents." You said. "serves him right, trying to defend-" "If you know what is best for you, you will keep your mouth shut." You snapped, looking at him. He moved back before he finally walked away. "Lucius is here?" Blaise finally asked. "Yes, along with his mum." you said. "I'll go with you back to them, they're more likely to believe what I tell them." Blaise said as the two of you rushed back to the Three Broomsticks.

Lucius looked up. "Ah you're back- Where's Draco?" He asked. "Umbridge took off with him, he punched Goyle." Blaise said. "Wha- Why would he do such a thing- and why is her nose bleeding?" Narcissa asked, her wrapping her arm around you and looking at the damage. "Goyle egged on Pansy, I nearly punched him myself, but as he geared up to hit me, he hit Y/n instead. Draco punched him after that." Blaise said. If you didn't know the truth you'd most likely believe the story he told. Blaise seemed so convincing. Lucius stood up, sighing. "I swear I try not to pull him into trouble." you said, slightly afraid of the man. "No no, I believe it, when Draco feels strongly about someone he doesn't hesitate to defend them." Lucius sighed before walking. "Blaise, show me where they went, Y/n, stay here with my wife please." He said. Oh. Joy.

Silence soon accompanied the table as Blaise ran off with Lucius. "Would you like anything to drink-" "I know who your parents are." Narcissa said. You swallowed hard. "I don't blame you for lying to me. I would too in your shoes." She muttered. "I don't-" "I cannot imagine the pain your father and you went through. And the fact that my sister she-" She shivered uncomfortably at the thought. "I know I am not her. But I am sorry." she said quietly. You felt so many emotions at once. You wanted to be mad, you wanted to hate this woman. But you knew she was being sincere. "you won't tell Lucius will you?" You asked. "Oh no. There are three different Mckinnon families, I will keep your secret safe." She said. Relief washed over you.

"Why do you care?" You asked. Narcissa sighed, pondering her answer. "I think it's the mother in me. To know my family caused a child that pain, it haunts me." She said. You nodded slowly. You looked out the window, hoping to see Draco. "I hope he's okay." You muttered. "Believe me, I do too." she said, sinking into her seat. Finally Lucius reemerged, Draco with him. He was holding his wrist and you stood up, rushing outside. "She's under watch now-" You cut Lucius off, hugging Draco. He held you close. "I'm alright Love. I'm alright." He soothed. "You're an idiot." You whispered making him chuckle. Lucius hid a smile as Narcissa walked out. "Don't worry, we will fix everything." Lucius said to you. "Thank you Mr. Malfoy." You said. "Please, Lucius is fine." He said. Blaise smiled at you and you smiled back before he shook Lucius's hand. "if it were under better circumstances, I'd say it's a pleasure to see you again." Blaise said. "You are still coming for Christmas?" Narcissa asked. "Yes Ma'am. "Oh! I had a thought!" Narcissa said. You all looked at her. "Y/n, we must have you over for Christmas!" she said. You blinked. "I uh... I'll talk to my father." You said. "Oh and I suppose none of you know where Pansy is?" She asked. You nearly forgot Pansy was considered family friends with the Malfoys.

"She's probably at Honeydukes, the girl loves Pumpkin Pasties." you said with a smile. "Well, we should go then! Draco, let me know if your girlfriend can come." Lucius said. "Yes sir." Draco nodded, his arm around you. His parents walked away and you blinked. "Well, my parents like you." Draco said.

"Yeah, about that.... It's deeply unsettling to see that they're..." "Normal?" Draco asked. "Yes." you nodded. "Oh I wholeheartedly agree." Draco sighed. You looked at Draco. "They didn't say anything when you were alone did they?" He asked. You debated on commenting on his mother's knowledge of your identity but instead you shook your head. "You two finally dating?" George asked, walking over. You turned slightly as Fred and him walked over. You eyed Fred who seemed slightly in pain. "...Fred what's wrong?" You asked. George looked over. "Ah it's nothing, Harry bruised my side is all." Fred said. "I'm not buying it, come with me." Draco said with a sigh. You blinked before he walked over. He forced him to show his side, a large dark bruise showing. "Oh my god Fred!" You gaped. "It's really not that bad- Ow-jesus fuck." He winced as Draco observed where it seemed to hurt the most. "Mm. Blaise, go to Dervish and Banges, get the 'Lotus Salve', I'll pay you back." Draco muttered. You rose a brow as Blaise jogged off. Draco kneeled, picking up a handful of snow before holding it to the bruise. "Are you trying to actually give me frostbite?" Fred asked. "Nope, getting the size of the bruise to shrink." Draco muttered. Fred blinked. "When did you become so smart with healing?" George asked. "After Hermoine clocked me in the nose." Draco muttered.

You snorted and he rolled his eyes. "What's got you laughing?" Draco asked. "Just remembering your finer moments. That was hilarious to witness in person." You recalled. "Har har." Draco said, again rolling his eyes but smiling. Blaise came back with a paperbag. Draco removed his mittens, opening a small container and applied it to the remaining bruise. "You'll be fine, George, make sure he applies this till the bruise is gone." Draco said. You smiled as Draco used the paperbag as a napkin to wipe his hands. "Thanks mate. Y'know... You're not so bad." Fred said. "This doesn't mean I'll give you alibis when you're in trouble." He said. "Oh why not!?" George whined and you giggled. The boys looked over at you as you laughed and Draco smiled.

The day seemed to go by quickly, leaving you very much exhausted by the time you got back to Hogwarts. You entered the common room with dozens of other students and Draco. You stood in front of the entrance to the girl's dorm.

"Your wrist doesn't hurt does it?" You asked him. "I'm alright Love, it's more like a bad scrape."Draco assured. "I hate that she did that to you." You whispered. Draco put a hand to your cheek. "It's alright. I'm alright." He reassured. You felt your cheeks warm up. "You're very close to me at this moment." You muttered. "Do you not want me to be?" He asked, his voice barely audible. "I.." you could feel his breath, the scent of Earl gray and mint swirling in the air. "I want.." you couldn't think straight, hell, you couldn't think period. You gripped the doorway, your heart pounding in your ears.

"Y/NNN!" Pansy called and you sighed. Draco let out a breathy laugh. You groaned, your head falling onto Draco's shoulder. He smiled. "In desperate need of girl talk! Helllloooo?" Pansy waved, sticking her head out of your room's door. "One moment Pansy, she's a little preoccupied." Draco halted, turning around. "Ughhhh! Hurry up making out already!" She whined. "We're not making out!" You groaned. "Yet." Draco muttered making your face go red. "Just send her my way Draco, I need feminine advice here!" Pansy yelled.

"I should go-" Draco turned back to you, your closeness being made very clear once more. "Mmhmm, what was that?" He asked. "I-I uhm." You stuttered making him smile. "I had a good time today." He said to you, again you gripping the doorway. "I- uh... did too." You breathed. Your eye looked down at his lips and then to his eyes. Draco smiled before leaning back. "I-I have your scarf." You pointed out, holding it up before he could leave. Draco nodded with a smile. "You can keep it." "I'm more of a jacket thief than a scarf thief." You said making him chuckle. He nodded as he reached for his scarf in your hand, a surge of confidence going through you as you yanked him forward, kissing him. He stumbled slightly, leveling himself as he cupped your cheeks. You pulled away and stared at him. "...Kay. bye." You said before sprinting into your dorm room. Draco stood there, his scarf in hand before he laughed and walked back to his room.

You ran a hand over your face and Pansy was sitting on your bed, holding a plush star. You blinked. "...What the fuck happened to you?" You asked. "I kissed her." Pansy said. You blinked. "And?" You asked. "I like her!" She whined. "What's with the plushie?" You asked, pointing to it as you sat next to her. "That would be what she gave me." Pansy said with a blush on her cheeks. You smiled. "Did you give her anything?" You asked. "Chocolate covered strawberries." Pansy muttered. "She loves strawberries, nice thinking." You nodded. Pansy huffed. "I kissed her." She repeated. "And..?" You asked. "I like her. Like really like. She's funny, she's so brutally honest that it's funny and then when she actually tries to be funny it's hysterical. Course there is the whole Nargles thing... what the hell is a Nargle?" Pansy asked. "I'm not sure. Continue." You motioned as you got up, removing your jacket and shoes. "I've never felt this way towards anyone. She's... god Y/n, she's amazing." Pansy said. "You like her. " You said with a smile. "Yeah.... yeah I do."

She looked at you. "What about you, how'd your date go?" Pansy asked. You smiled but your eyes seemed distant. "I met Narcissa." You said. She looked up. "As in..." "Narcissa Black." You said. "Wha- and you let me talk about my day!?" She gaped. "She knew who I was. " You muttered. "Well what did Draco say?" Pansy asked. You stayed silent and her mouth flew open. "You didn't tell him!?" She asked. "No." You muttered, turning to your dresser. "Well does douchebag know?" She asked. "Who?" You asked. "Lucius." She sighed. "No." You said, sliding off your shirt. "So she knows who you are, Draco doesn't know that she knows but Lucius just thinks you're someone else?" Pansy asked. "Yep." You said. "He'll find out eventually." Pansy warned. "I have no grief with him. It's that woman's sister I have a problem with." You muttered. "Still... did she say anything to you?" Pansy asked. You paused, your t-shirt halfway on your arms.

"She apologized." You admitted. Pansy stayed silent. "I don't know how to feel about this." You admitted, sliding the shirt on. "Y/n... you should talk to Draco." Pansy said. "No- No. We just started dating I don't want to bombard him with this." You muttered. "Y/n- hear me out" Pansy said. You looked at her. "Draco made himself distant from his family once he found out what they had done. He clearly will understand-" "I just... I'll tell him later right now Lucius is busy trying to get Umbridge fired." You muttered. "He's doing what!?" Pansy gaped. "I turned the attention the abusive teacher, who if you'll recall, tried to punish Draco." You said simply. "Oh my God that is so..." "I'm not sure if anything will come from it. He's a supporter of Voldemort, I doubt that he will remove the Ministry Spy." you muttered. "...That's a good point. But at least it gets the punishments to stop." Pansy said. "truer words have never been spoken." You agreed as you sat next to Pansy again.

Pansy looked over. "So other than... that, anything else exciting happen?" Pansy asked. "I'm officially his girlfriend." You said, leaning back onto your pillows. "Jesus he acts fast." Pansy said. "I kissed him." You added. Her eyes went wide. "You- YOU SHOULD'VE STARTED WITH THAT!" She said. You rolled your eyes and Pansy laid next to you. "Start from the beginning and leave anything out, you die." Pansy said. You laughed and the two of you spoke about the kiss.

When you were finally asleep, you thought you'd feel better about Narcissa in the morning. However, around 2:00, you were woken up to Mcgonagall. You leaned up. "Is something wrong?" You yawned. " Come with me, I don't want that wretched woman following." she muttered. You got out of bed, walking in the halls with her. "What's going on?" You asked. "Something has happened to Mister Weasley." She said, entering Dumbledore's office.

Harry was standing with Ron, Ginny, Fred and George. Everyone was silent. "We have to get you all back to Grimmauld place." Dumbledore said. "Wait, what happened? What's going on?" You asked, now fully awake."We'll explain later." Fred said, looking at you. You nodded but had a slight realization. "Wait, how are we getting back?" You asked. "Right, Mum said the floo powder networks were being watched." George recalled. "You'll be traveling by portkey." Dumbledore stated, motioning to a kettle on his desk. You all exchanged looks but seemed to all understand.

There was a odd flash before a golden feather hit the floor, Dumbledore seeming slightly frustrated. "Fawke's warning... She knows you're all out of bed. Minerva, go send her off- tell her any story." He said, McGonagall nodding before taking off. A portrait re-emerged to his spot. He seemed almost bored by him being there. "He says he'd be delighted." The portrait stated.

So much was happening but nothing was being explained, it frustrated you to no end. You wanted so badly to know what was happening. Why were they all awake right now? Why was everyone panicked? Why wasn't Hermione with them? You wished Pansy was at least with you but you knew the distrust within the school towards the rest of the Slytherins. Sometimes you felt as if the only reason people trusted you was because of who your father was.

"You have all used a port key before?" Dumbledore asked. You all nodded in response. "Good. On the count of three." You all moved closer to the kettle. "One" why was this happening? "Two" what exactly was happening? "Three" you noticed Harry seemed to look at Dumbledore for a brief moment with loathing. You all gripped the kettle and all fell in the kitchen of the quarters of the Order of the Phoenix.

Sirius ran up to all of you looking extremely worried. "*Always a good sign.*" You thought to yourself. "What happened? One of the portraits said something happened!" Sirius asked. "Ask Harry." Fred said. "Yeah I'd like to be filled in here." You said, raising your hand. Everyone turned to Harry. "It... I had... kind of like a vision." Harry said. You blinked. "I-I saw..." he ran a hand over his face. "Mister Weasley being attacked by-by a giant snake." "Oh my god" you whispered. You looked around and paused. "Is dad home?" You asked. "No, he's out on a mission." Sirius said. You frowned, anxiety coursing through you. You wanted to see your dad right then and there, you knew that if Arthur had been attacked, your father was likely to have had something happen.

"What about mum?" Fred asked, his arms crossed. "She's most likely doesn't know yet." Sirius said. "We've got to go to the hospital!" Ginny urged. "No, if we do that people will have too many questions." You halted making them all turn. "If Mrs. Weasley doesn't know, how odd would it be for her children to show up at St. Mungo's with no warning but know exactly what happened?" You pointed out. "Well we could lie and say we heard it from someone." Ginny said. "We could end up exposing the order." You muttered. "To hell with the order!" Fred shouted. "This is our dad Y/n!" George said. "You think I'm not fucking terrified right now!? You all know at least where your dad is! Mine is most likely in a equally dangerous situation, I don't know where my dad is- I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S EVEN ALIVE!" You snapped. Everyone fell silent and you turned away from them all, hugging yourself. Sirius put a hand on your shoulder. "I know this is hard. But at least until we hear from Molly, we need to act like we know nothing." He said. You nodded slowly. "...I'm sure Mooney is okay." Sirius assured. You didn't respond.

You all waited around, butterbeer being the only thing to bring even a little bit of comfort. You tried so hard to convince yourself that Tonks wouldn't let anything happen to your dad. The two were being paired up so often now it was second nature to see them both together. A golden flash filled the room and there was Fawkes, on the table with a letter neatly attached to his foot.

"Dad's still alive." Was the only thing everyone seemed to hear. It made it sound a lot more dire than all of them originally thought, sending alarm bells in your brain. What if Arthur died? God, where was your dad!? Sirius sat next to you and you sighed, your knees to your face. "Did you steal my AC/DC shirt?" He noticed what your pajama shirt seemed to be. "Yep." You nodded making him snort. You didn't respond as you took a large swig of butterbeer. A few hours ago you were drinking this in a pub with your boyfriend- "oh shit!" You realized. Everyone looked over. "No one's told Hermoine, Pansy or Draco!" You realized. "Yikes" George winced realizing how bad their mornings were going to be. "Why would Draco need to know?" Sirius asked. "Well...Uhm..." you cleared your throat. "He's actually in the DA." Harry said. Sirius blinked. "You're kidding." He said. "No." Everyone replied. "But his parents- can you even trust him-" "believe us when we say that he's now a friend." Fred said. Sirius seemed to still have his doubts. "Is there anyway to get the message to him?" You asked. Sirius shrugged. "If you're all as close as you claim, Hermoine will tell Pansy and Draco." Sirius said. You nodded slowly before leaning back. "*Think of something* " you thought to yourself. "*Think of anything. Anything but this*." You sighed.

You noticed your watch and saw the hands read 5:00. The sun was slowly rising. You watched the long hand travel to two and that's when the kitchen door opened. You stood up, hoping it was your father. However the red hair told you otherwise and you closed your eyes. "He's going to be okay." She said. Relief washed over you in that sense but the anxiety of your dad being missing still was present. "Bill's with him right now, he's taking the day off." She added. "Molly- er.." you gulped. "Do... do you know if my dad was with him or anything?" You asked. She shook her head but gave you a sympathetic look. "No dear, I'm sorry I don't know." She said. "...alright I uh.." you cleared your throat to make sure you sounded fine. "I'm... going to bed I..." you wanted to say more but any longer in that room would cause a breakdown. You walked past them and up the stairs.

"How long has that poor girl been like that?" Molly asked. "All night." Fred said, equally as concerned. "I can't imagine the terror she's going through." Ginny whispered. "When... will we get to see dad?" Ron asked. "Later. Why don't you all head to bed? You've been up a while now." She said. They all gave scattered replies of agreement before they headed to bed. You didn't sleep though. You laid on your side, facing away from Ginny and just waited.

Soon you heard the door open and muffled voices downstairs. You knew exactly who that was as you bolted upright, waking Ginny. You bolted downstairs. "Remus, go see your kid. She's terrified something's happened." Sirius muttered. "Looks like she found me first." Remus said noticing you standing there. Your eyes watered quickly as you rushed into his arms. He held you close, pressing a kiss to your forehead. "Brought something for you too." He whispered. You pulled away confused until Pansy emerged from behind him. You hugged her and she chuckled. "God, I leave you for a few hours and you're falling apart on me!" She teased, whispering like everyone else. You laughed, wiping your eyes. "Draco, does he-" "he knows. I told him. He's coming up with a reason I'm not going home with him for Christmas." Pansy said. "Is Tonks-" "right here kiddo." Tonks said making you hug her. Tonks smiled, Remus's heart doing a backflip in his chest as he saw this. "Sorry about the waterworks." You chuckled, wiping your eyes. "You had every right to be worried." Remus assured.

You noticed Kreecher eyeing Pansy, seemingly with hatred. "...Who the hell is that?" Pansy asked. "Kreacher. I guess you've never seen headquarters." You realized. "The hell kind of name is Kreacher? The crypt keeper is a much better name for him." Pansy said making Sirius snort. "Don't try to make him do anything, he hates us all." You said walking with her back upstairs. "Question" "yeah?" "Why are we whispering?" Pansy asked. "Oh, the portraits insult you. I'll explain in a moment." You said. You entered the room and Ginny stretched. "Morning." She yawned. "Hey." Pansy waved. "When did you get here- better yet- how?" Ginny asked. "Oh. Remus came and got me. Mum gave permission for me to be here." Pansy said. "Ah" she nodded. "So the portraits?" Pansy asked. "Sirius's family hates him. They all see him as a Bloodtraitor and he's supposed to be disowned. He was never supposed to inherit the house but clearly that didn't work out. The portraits are PISSED that he's here and if you wake them, they lose their shit, especially the one of his mother." You explained. Pansy nodded. Pansy never had a full explanation as to why Sirius's family hated him, she, like many other's had small bits of information. "Uh... question." Pansy said. "Hmm?" You made a sound of acknowledgement. "Why did his family hate him?" She asked. "He was a Gryffindor, he had friends that weren't pureblood and he always did things to piss them off. I've heard he also took the blame for mistakes Regulus made too." You said.

You knew so much more about Sirius due to the fact that your father was rather upfront about his friends. You knew he was innocent before most did as well due to this fact. Your father told you anything he could. "I'm going to go talk to dad." You said making both girl's nod. You walked out, heading back downstairs and into the kitchen. Remus was making breakfast with Sirius. "Hey pup, want to help?" Remus asked. You smiled. "Actually, can you take over for a little bit I am tiredddd!" Sirius whined. Remus rolled his eyes but you nodded, taking the spatula from him. You moved the eggs on the pan around to make sure they weren't being burnt. "Anything new happen at school?" Remus asked. You knew that tone. He knew something. You turned to him. "Who told you about Draco?" You asked. "Ha! So there is something!" Remus said pointing at you. "Well yeah! But seriously you're worse than Pansy. And she's a teenage girl." You said making him laugh. "So when did that happen?" He asked. "Literally just yesterday." You said. Remus nodded. You continued to scramble the eggs. "...This doesn't bother you does it?" You asked. "In the context of my daughter dating? Of course it does." He said, with a matter-of-fact tone. "No more... more in the context of who his mother is." You said. He paused but nodded as if he landed on his response. "No. The kid clearly isn't like his parents and he is not his family." Remus said. You nodded. "They invited me to stay with them for the holidays" you muttered. Remus looked over. "Did you want to go?" He asked. "I dunno." You shrugged. "Wait if you just started dating Draco, how did his parents invite you?" Remus asked as you flipped off the burner. "They were there." You said, pulling a plate from the cupboard. "And?" Remus asked, noticing there was more. "Lucius has no idea who I am but Narcissa knows." You admitted. "Of course she does..." Remus sighed. "I hated being around them." You admitted, gripping the edges of the counter. Remus looked over. "They... they were so fucking normal." You muttered. Remus never cared about you swearing in front of him. He always said it made you more honest with what you told him. "I know they're not the ones who killed mum. But..." you looked at your father with a sad and angry expression. "But I can't stand the fact they're happy." You admitted. Remus nodded.

"I know how you feel." He agreed. "So I'm not a sociopath?" You asked. "Pft. No. I was expecting more homicidal rage, but I know that's not you... for the most part." Remus said. You nodded and emptied the pan onto the plate. "Does Draco know?" Remus asked. "Mmhm." You nodded. "I'm so confused on how this kid's personality took such a 180°." Remus said. "Eh. He always had it in him, he's just a git." You said making your father snort. "He's my git though." You added making him groan. "You cannot grow up, I forbid it." He whined. "Oh my bad, time to revert back to being six!" You said sarcastically.

Soon everyone was down for breakfast when a owl came. Remus got up, grabbing the letter. "Y/n, it's for you." He said. "Me?" "You. From Draco." Remus said making you get up. You sat down, opening the letter and something fell out of the envelope.

"Dear Y/n,

I hope everything is alright, Granger told me this morning something happened. She gave little context as to what, but I hope you're safe. Tell Fred to make sure he keeps using the salve and tell George he left his damn notes in the common room and I'll mail those to him when I can.

Currently, the owlry is somewhat safe, father's been watching Umbridge like a hawk. I've told him about the quills but it appears the woman has gotten rid of any evidence that she is violating protocol. Blaise keeps pestering me out asking Pansy a question and I saw your father with her this morning so I'm assuming she's with you, so I'll ask now; does she have the potion notes and if she does, how does that antidote work? It's confusing both me and him.

I feel as if I'm rambling and I do apologize I just... Please let me know you're safe. You don't even have to send me a letter or anything, you can send Granger back to me for all I care. Just please let me know you're okay.

Sincerely, Draco

P.S. I came across this locket yesterday and wanted to give it to you since we're not seeing each other for Christmas."

You leaned down, picking up the locket from the floor and you smiled. "...That idiot." You chuckled. "Oh that's lovely!" Molly said walking in. "Her boyfriend sent it to her." Fred said, wriggling his eyebrows. "Shut it." You sighed. "I wasn't aware you were seeing someone! Remus why didn't you say anything?" She asked. "Mm, I only found out this morning." Remus said simply. Remus stood up, standing behind your chair and moved your hair, putting the locket on for you. You smiled at your father and he patted your head. "Well! Who is it?" Molly asked. Everyone exchanged looks. "Wellll... uh..." you paused. "Draco Malfoy?" You said. Molly seemed to pause, staring at you with a blank look. "...I see!" She said. Clearly, she had more she wanted to say.

"He's become a stand up guy actually, really got his act together." Harry chimed in. "Oh, Fred he wants to remind you to... use the thing from yesterday." You said making him nod. "Right." Fred nodded. "Oh and Pansy, Blaise wants to borrow your notes." You added. "That idiot. Fine I'll send them his way." She sighed. "How much did he cover in that letter?" Sirius snorted. You handed it to him and he read it silently, his smile growing wide by the end of it. "You've got him whipped kid." He said. "I know! It's sickening!" Pansy said with a laugh. "Don't get me started on your ass." You said making her laugh. "Uh yeah and?" Pansy said. "The star plushie? The fact that you were a nervous wreck?" You reminded. "Wait, star plushie? I saw that earlier on Pansy's bed." Ginny stated. You slowly turned with wide eyes and big smile making Pansy take a long sip of coffee. "I'm confused, what does a plushie-" "my girlfriend gave it to me."Pansy said. Fred's jaw flew open. "YOU AND LUNA!?" "Yep, made it official this morning." She said, raising her hand to show a bottlecap ring. "Oh my god, why is everyone dating everyone!?" George asked. "Not true, Harry's still single." Fred said as Harry choked on his coffee. "Right? You're still single? Give George hope here." Fred said. "Uh...Well uhm about that-" "oh for FUCKS SAKE!" George whined. "Language George!" Molly scolded. Remus was having a hard time keeping it together as the boy smacked his head on the table. "Well I'm not seeing anyone!" Ron said. "Yeah but that's expected!" George said making Fred wheeze. "Excuse me!" Ron gasped. "You're too dense to get a girlfriend!" George stated. "Oh come on Georgie, you can get a girlfriend. Dawn Willows seemed intereted in you." Fred said. "She was flirting out of sympathy Fred." George groaned. You snorted. "Okay, I know Dawn Willows, she does not flirt with people out of sympathy, she's into you."you said. George perked up slightly. "This conversation took a strange turn" Sirius muttered. "Agreed." Tonks yawned, sitting at the table.

You smiled at her, pushing a mug of coffee to her. She smiled, roughing up your hair and drinking. She was so like you in a fun way. Her bright pink hair (that varied from moment to moment due to her problem with being indecisive) always brought a smile to your face, along with the fact that she genuinely seemed to enjoy you and your dad.

Sirius blinked. "...Is that my Led Zeppelin tank top?" He asked, noticing Tonks seemed to follow your lead in pjs. "...you left it in our room, I just called dibs." She said before taking a long sip of coffee. "Remus, your kid can brew a mean cup of coffee." She said. "Oh yes, her addiction is coffee. Mine is tea." He said simply. "This right here is murder prevention juice. I don't strangle people when I drink it." She stated. You chuckled, Ginny looking at Molly. "When do we get to see dad?" She asked. "After you all get done eating and you're dressed." She said with a smile.

You felt odd being in this position. Should you go with them? Should you stay? You did know two others at St. Mungo's but... you'd never seen Alice or Frank. The idea of going to St. Mungo's made a pit form in your stomach. You weren't sure you were mentally prepared to do something like that. You fiddled with your fingers, contemplating things. "Can I stay here?" You finally said. Sirius looked up, Molly looking over. "I just... I don't think I can handle..." you struggled to vocalize what was wrong. "...I understand dear, do you want to write him something so he knows you're here?" Molly said, her smiling softly to you. You nodded, getting up. "I'll write something now so I can hand it to you when you leave." You said. "Mm. I'll go with you, I gotta get my notes to Blaise." Pansy said.

When you left, Remus sighed. "I'm sorry Molly, I didn't even think about-" "no, no you're fine. I'm sure that place has plenty of bad memories for her." Molly stated. Harry pondered for a moment. "...Remus have you ever considered sending Y/n to therapy?" He asked. Remus nodded. "I did around the time Cedric passed away. But..." he sighed. "Unfortunately there's a lot of risks to that. She wouldn't be able to truly vocalize what's wrong to a muggle psychiatrist, she can't talk to a wizard one either because no one believes Voldemort is back and when someone did make that proclamation, he was called insane. She usually talks to me about her problems but... lately I feel like there's pieces of a puzzle I'm missing." Remus explained. "She's been leaving us out of the loop too" Fred agreed. "Pansy most likely is the only one who really knows, that or Draco" Harry suggested."Draco and her haven't been dating for very long." George pointed out.

The group conversed a bit longer but soon got ready, leaving you, Pansy and Sirius alone. Remus told you he had to go with them for some unknown reason but considering you now had proof the man was alive and well, you were alright with the situation. You gave Pansy a small tour of the house, her being confused by the tapestry. "So... Narcissa was a Black?" She asked. "Mmhmm." You nodded. "...So Draco's related to Sirius?" She asked. That thought never even popped into your mind. "...Yeah, that's so weird now that I'm thinking about it." You said. "Eh. I guess I never even put two and two together myself. It's just... looking at the damn tapestry... it's hard to ignore." She said looking at it. "Hard for me to ignore too, trust me." Sirius yawned from the doorway with a cup of something you suspected was not coffee considering its lack of steam. "Hope I didn't offend you." Pansy said sincerely. "No. You're all good Parkinson." He said.

You were honestly bored. Outside of a house tour, there wasn't much to do. Pansy had half a mind to bring playing cards, your trunk didn't really have much for entertainment within it. You were playing your fourth round of Rummy when you heard the front door open. You and Pansy went downstairs to greet the group but Harry shoved passed you, going up the stairs. "...What the hell happened?" You asked. Molly grimaced at your free foul-mouththing but answered anyways "Harry isn't feeling well." You gave the twins a look and they looked upstairs and then back at you, silently telling you to wait till you were all back upstairs.

You followed the boys, standing there. "What's going on?" You asked, closing the door behind Pansy. "Harry's possessed." George said. "What?" You asked. "Harry's possessed." Fred repeated. "Oi, we're still clearly missing important pieces of information." Pansy huffed. "Harry is possessed by Voldemort." They said in unison.

You froze at hearing this. Was this why Harry had angry outbursts? Was this why he was so aggressive? Was this why you weren't allowed in the meetings? Because everyone knew they'd tell Harry, who from the sounds of it, was Voldemort?

You grabbed a chair, sitting down in it. "...What the hell?" You asked. "Moody is the one who let it slip."George said. "In front of you?" You asked, slightly shocked that he'd do that. Fred pulled out the extendable ear and your shock went away. "So... this is why we're being kept in the dark." Pansy said, seemingly understanding the gravity of this as well. "Probably." George said. "So this means whatever we find out we now have to keep from him?" You asked. "What- no- why would we do that!?" Fred asked. "You git, he'd know! Voldemort would know!" Pansy agreed. Silence fell over the group. "What do we even do with this information? For fucks sake he's the one training us." Pansy said. "I can't imagine what Harry is even thinking right now." You muttered.

You soon went back to your room, sitting there at the desk near the window in silence. You still needed to write to Draco. Pansy sent a simple note: "your girlfriend is alive you moron, here's the notes." You however wanted to tell him so much. It killed you that even though Draco was insistent that sending letters was fine, you weren't trusting of where he got the information from. You went through five sheets of paper, writing but later crumpling it up. Harry still hadn't come out of his room and another owl soon arrived, this time more official looking.

A silver "M" rested on the wax seal, your father knowing damn well what those two things meant. It was from a Malfoy, which one it was, worried you. Remus knew it wasn't Draco, yes the boy was formal but it's not like he had access to that wax seal at this moment. Remus eyed it, looking up and then sighing. He walked up the stairs, knocking. "It's open!" Pansy said, playing cards with Ginny. He walked in and sighed. "Y/n you have another letter." He said. You looked over confused but stood up, taking it.

You opened the letter and soon realized it was Lucius.

"Dear Y/n,

I know my son must've already talked to you considering that he has told me the turn of events. Something about your father being sick alongside Mr. Weasley. I can't imagine the pain you must feel, know that me and Narcissa are in your corner. If you decide you need a break away from everything this Christmas, you are still welcome.

Sincerely, Lucius."

You blinked. "...He says he's sorry you're sick." You said with a small snort. Remus looked confused. "Hmm?" "Apparently Draco told him you were sick. "Oh. I see." "He also said I'm still welcome for Christmas." You added. Remus looked at you. "...Do you want to go?" He asked. You pondered. "...I mean... kind of." You admitted. He looked at you. "All that I can think of is the order. All that I can think of is Voldemort, it's... it's like it never stops." You muttered. Pansy looked over but said nothing. Remus nodded slowly. "Then do it." He said. "What?" You asked. "Do it, go. We'll get you Christmas morning, you'll go to the Malfoy's that afternoon." He said simply. "Wha- REALLY!?" you asked excitedly. "Yeah! You can head out with Pansy, it'll be fine, mail Lucius back though and let him know." Remus said. You nodded enthusiastically and he pressed a kiss to your head, you sprinting over to the desk.

Your message was very brief but it was simple

"Dear Mr. Malfoy,

I'll definitely take you up on the offer, I will come with Pansy if that's alright. Thank you so much for you offer, although I have one request. Please don't tell Draco I'm coming, I'd like for it to be a surprise.

Sincerely, Y/n."

You sent it off, sitting there with a wild smile. "You're excited to see your boyfriend aren't you?" Ginny asked. "Maybe a little." You said with a small laugh.

You kept counting down the days till Christmas and when it finally came it felt unreal. You were of course happy to spend it quite your family. But the second you were on a train to the Malfoy's you were practically bouncing. Pansy would roll her eyes but smile anyways.

Harry however had refused to show his face until Ginny reminded him that she too had been possessed by Voldemort at one point. All of you had nearly forgotten second year's incident with Ginny being the cause of chaos because of Voldemort. Afterall, with how terrified Ginny was of everything in her second year, when you recieved word she was the cause you almost didn't believe it. Hermoine even came to Grimmauld place once she found out about everything, saying skiing wasn't actually her thing.

Christmas seemed to be inching closer, you even going Christmas shopping with Tonks at one point. While she was turned the other way, you managed to buy her something as well without her noticing. You weren't thrilled however to find that Christmas would involve going to St. Mungos. You sighed, throwing on your sweater and jacket. "Have you ever... met Alice? Or..." "no" you said, your voice small. "Then... we'll just make note of where not to go!" Pansy said. You nodded.

Oh how you had no idea.

You nearly reached for the door handle but the door flew open, Fred and George strolling in before closing the door. "I'd give it a bit before going downstairs, Merry Christmas by the way." Fred said. "What? Why?" Pansy asked. "Mum's crying downstairs " "Percy sent back his sweater." George sighed. You frowned. "That brother of yours is a moron." "If you're expecting disagreement, you're going to be disappointed." Fred snorted. "Remus is calming her down, apparently telling her 'he's a pile of rat droppings' wasn't helpful." George said. "Wow. How sympathetic of you." Pansy said, her voice flat.

You all waited for a bit before finally heading down. "So you're actually coming with us this time to St. Mungo's?" Fred asked. "Don't have much of a choice, dad's going, he needs to take us to the station." You sighed. You noticed Hermoine with a wrapped present. "What's that?" You asked. "A present for Kreacher" she said happily. You frowned looking at Ron. "Tell me it isn't clothes." Ron said. "Sirius said Kreacher knows too much, so if you're thinking of liberating that little shit, I'd be careful." You reminded. "No. It's a blanket." She huffed. "...where does he even sleep?"Pansy asked. "Oh, his room is in the kitchen... actually it's more like a den.." she admitted. "Huh." You shrugged.

You all made your way through the kitchen, Molly still seeming to recover from the after shocks of everything. You followed Hermoine to Kreacher's spot, you staring at the strange bungalow. You knocked but no amswer came. "...Hey... when was the last time any of us actually saw Kreacher?" Fred asked. "Maybe he's moping around upstairs." Ron said. "Hopefully." Harry muttered. "You don't think after Sirius told him to get out he left completely, do you?" Hermoine asked. "House elves can't leave their property unless they're being banished." Sirius said, making you all turn. "That can't be true, Winky went with Crouch to the World Cup last year." You said. "And Dobby left the Malfoys in my second year. He reprimanded himself repeatedly but he still did it." Harry said. Sirius looked down with a frown.

The rest of breakfast everyone was talking about seeing Mr. Weasley. You were nervous to even be setting foot in St. Mungo's. You didn't think it'd be as bad once you actually got there but boy,

you were about to be proven wrong.

"You annotate your books?" She asked. "Yep." You nodded, reading silently. Pansy stretched, picking a book off the coffee table and taking off her shoes before putting her legs across hers. Pansy was your bestfriend, her being a bit more lax towards the rules. You loved having her around, especially because she seemed to vocalize what you were thinking half of the time.

Draco noticed the two of you and sighed. "Draco, your move." Blaise yawned. "Right." He murmured before moving his piece. Blaise noticed where is attention was. "She can hit you from here." He joked. Draco gave him a flat stare, rolling his eyes. "I don't know what that girl's problem is. It's like she looks forward to hitting me. And what the hell is with Pansy encouraging her!?" He asked. "You know Pansy, she is like the Fred Weasley of our house, she lives for the chaos like that." Blaise yawned. "Still. I don't understand why she gets so upset. She knows what this house stands for, why in the hell does she get so territorial when I mention purebloods?" He asked. Blaise looked at you and squinted. "...You don't think she's a Muggleborn do you?" Blaise asked. Draco scoffed but then paused. "...Wait do you not actually... wait does anyone actually know who her parents are?" Draco realized. "No. Well... Maybe Pansy would know." Blaise shrugged.

You checked your watch. "Gotta dip, George needed me for something he and Fred are concocting." You shrugged. "You're their Guinea pig?" She asked. "Well they are paying me." You chuckled before walking out. You walked up the stairs, going to Gryffindor's common room. "Well if it isn't our favorite slytherin!" George chuckled. Hermoine looked up with a frown. "No. No, you are not going to pull a student into this." Hermoine argued.

"Granger, relax, I promise I've been the one who's mainly experimenting with this stuff." You halted. She squinted. "I don't know if it's wise for you to even be in here, Umbridge has been cracking down on this stuff lately." Hermoine said with a sigh. "I'm fine, I'm slytherin. It's clear she favors the whole lot." You yawned. "How did you even end up in slytherin? You're so much more... normal." Harry asked. "Your guess is as good as mine." You shrugged.

Pansy had been reading when she noticed Draco in a chair close to her. She jumped. "God!say something before sneaking in like that!" She hissed. "I'm literally just sitting here!" Draco defended. "Doing nothing and staring like a weirdo! What do you want!?" She asked. "Do you know Y/n's parents?" Draco asked. Pansy's face went blank, her seeming to try not to display any emotions. "....Pansy?" Blaise asked, leaning on the arm of Draco's chair. "Why do you want to know?" She asked. "It occurred to me I don't even know who they are? Are they nobles? Puerbloods?" He asked. She sighed. "Draco. You especially do not need to ask her that question." She said sharply before getting up. She left, leaving the boys confused. "what the hell did that mean?"

You wiped your mouth, gagging from the left over puking pastille. Fred handed you mouth wash and you spat into the bucket, Lee Jordan using a disappearing charm to make it go away. Pansy entered and you looked up confused. "Hey." She waved. "What are you doing here?" Ron asked, eyeing her. "Stuff it Weasley." She sighed. George threw up in the bucket, jamming the other side of the pastille into his mouth and quickly recovering. "...Lovely." she grimaced. "Y/n, can I talk to you?" She asked. "Yeah, I need to study anyways." You nodded, grabbing your bag and walking. She walked with you. "Are you going to talk or-" "Draco asked about your parents." She said. You froze, standing there terrified. "What?" You asked. "He asked about your parents. I didn't answer him, mention them or anything, I swear." She said. You shook your head with a frown. "I don't understand what his fascination is. He just keeps pushing my buttons and now this!?"you whined. "I'm sure it'll be fine. We just won't answer him!" She said. "Yeah... yeah that'll... that'll work." You muttered.

The next day arrived oh too quickly, you standing in line waiting for entry into Snape's class. Pansy yawned, leaning against you. "I told you, you should've gone to bed earlier." You said. "Mmm but I wanted to do good on McGonagall's exam." She yawned. "Yes but you will do worse without sleep." You reminded. "Save it for the motivational testing posters." Pansy said making you laugh before hearing Draco. He had noticed Gryffindor's entry into the dungeons, of course saying things to provoke them. You sighed, realizing you left your newspaper in the common room. "What do you want to do?" Pansy asked. "I'll yell at him." You sighed. "Oh yeah, Umbridge immediately let the quidditch team back. Not sure about Gryffindor though, seems they have their lot cut out for them." He said loudly.

Harry rolled his eyes, you sighing. "Draco it is too early today. Shut up." You said. "I will say what I want- And let's not forget the absolute lunatics on the team. Hell, half of them deserve a one way ticket to St. Mungos hospital-" Neville lunged, prepared to strike him, but Harry held him back.

However it seemed holding back was pointless as a loud slap rang throughout the hall. Draco held his cheek, his eyes wide. "Are you insane-" your eyes were brimmed with tears you staring at him with a angry look. "Would you just SHUT THE FUCK UP!?" You yelled. He froze staring at you, Blaise being equally as shocked that you actually hit him. "You and your family have caused enough pain and suffering, would you just shut up with your god damn insults already!?" You asked, you shaking as you did. "Y/n-" Pansy put a hand on your shoulder pulling you back before both of you left. Neville swallowed slowly slipping away from Gryffindor and going back to the Slytherin Common room. You sat on the couch, sobbing against Pansy. "What'd you want Longbottom?" She asked. You slowly looked over to see Neville. "I... I never got the chance to talk to you." He said. You slowly stood up. "I'm... I'm sorry about what happened to your mum." He said softly. "I'm sorry about her failing your parents." You whispered. He shook his head, giving you a sad smile. "She kept them alive. She didn't fail them" Neville said softly. Your bottom lip trembled before sobbing and hugging him. Neville held you in a hug for a few moments, eyeing Pansy who looked almost sad at the fact you were sad.

Draco couldn't think straight. He kept expecting you to show up in class but you never came. "Today we will be making-" "Hem hem." Snape turned to the horrible woman in pink. "I believe, Professor, you are missing a few students." That annoyingly perky smile present her face as she spoke. Snape turned to the students seeing the empty chairs and noticing two slytherin students in particular missing. "Where is L/n and Parkinson?" He asked the class. "Y/n wasn't feeling well, Pansy was helping her." A student claimed. "And Longbottom?" He asked. It was at that moment that everyone did indeed realize he was missing. "I reckon Snape finally scared him off." Ron whispered to Harry. "Speaking while I am, five points from Gryffindor." Snape said staring at Ron.

"Perhaps this year's prefect knows where his fellow student went." Umbridge said. Ron gulped. "...I-I don't." He admitted. "Mm. I see." She said. "And what of you Mister Potter? Any idea where Mister Longbottom might've-" "Here! Sorry professor, Trevor ran off again!" Neville said abruptly, making everyone jump. Umbridge seemed unhappy with his presence almost like she wanted him to not show. Harry looked at Neville confused as he sat down, noticing his shirt seeming damp. Neville buttoned up his cardigan as Umbridge returned to her stool.

You didn't show up to the rest of your classes, Draco feeling confused and strangely guilty." What the hell did I say?" He asked. "Beats me." Blaise shrugged. "She hasn't shown up to any of her classes." Draco sighed. "Why do you care? It's not like you two have EVER gotten along." Blaise sighed. "Still, her reaction Blaise, it was.. it was extreme." He said. "It was called for." A voice said behind them as they sat in Flitwick's class. Pansy was reading her book, both boys turning to her. "Where's Y/n?" Draco asked. "Not saying. Maybe that good ol' slap will do you some good. Make you control your damn mouth." She said bluntly. "Was me bitching at Gryffindor seriously that bad?" Draco asked. "Idiot. It's what you did. It's what you said." She explained. "What? Why would she take that-" "you need to learn to keep your thoughts to yourself pretty boy. Y/n will seem tame with her newspaper after I'm through with you if you step out of line." She said, glaring at him. "Oh what's your problem now-" "you hurt my best friend. Haven't you ever heard the phrase 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorn'?" She asked. "The hell does Congreve have to do with this?" He asked. "You pissed me off. Not smart." She paraphrased before raising her book back up.

The next week was pure unadulterated hell. Draco everytime he even so much as looked at a kid wrong would result in Pansy hitting him, and no. She did not hold back. Your absence continued, Draco now officially feeling guilty. It didn't help that Peeves himself seemed to take part in the torture of the boy. He came into the common room soaked. "Call off your lackeys. Please." He said after spitting water out of his mouth. "What in the hell happened to you?" You asked. "Fucking Peeves busted the pipe in the bathroom while I was washing my hands!" He said. "Why do you assume I sent him after you?" You asked. "Because pansy is getting her VENGEANCE!" He yelled frantically. "Draco, I have no control over Peeves. As for Pansy, I didn't send her after you either!" You said. "Then why is she so mad!?" He asked. "Probably because you offended me. She doesn't take well to people hurting me." You murmured. "What did I say?" He asked. Your breath hitched. "I...I should go-" "You've avoided me all week, Y/n please just talk to me!" He said.

You looked at him slightly shocked. "Why do you care?" You asked. "What?"he asked. "Why do you care?" You repeated. Draco sighed. "Look I... I understand what you're trying to do. And I... I appreciate it." He said hesitantly. "...I'm not quite following." You said confused. He huffed, frustrated he had to say any of this out loud. "I understand that you are trying to make me a better person. And I appreciate you for doing so." He finally said. You stood there for a few minutes, finally sighing and going to your dorm. "I- Y/n-" "stay here. I'm getting something." You huffed before returning to your dorm. You pulled a photograph from your nightstand, walking back downstairs and handing it to him.

Draco took it confused. The photograph was a confusing one, one of a large group. He recognized one person though, it looking a whole like Harry Potter but not quite. His eyes were darker, hair slightly more untamed. Next to him was a woman with red hair, with Harry's eyes. He looked up confused. "...who are all of these people?" He asked. "...Nevermind them." You said before pointing at two people. There was a woman who stood tall, her blonde curls on her shoulders, her elbow propped on the man next to her. Draco paused, recognizing the man before he gaped.

He realized now why your eyes were so damn familiar. He'd seen them before. "Your father is Professor Lupin!?" He gaped slightly. You took the photograph back, looking down. "When the first wizarding war happened, something happened... A-a prophecy was told, I don't know what was said but it led to my mum going to the Longbottoms." You sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose. "She thought that the chosen one was Neville." You admitted. Draco was aware that Harry and Neville's birthdays had lined up but he wasn't aware that anyone would've pegged that moron for the chosen one. "She was so determined to deter the prophecy but..." you sighed. "Your aunt killed her." You said, the weight of Pansy's words now hitting Draco. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. "Neville's parents were tortured to insanity, my mother was held down and forced to watch it... and then... Bellatrix killed her." You whispered.

Draco felt beyond horrible. Pansy's words to him had this unbearable weight. "...why did he never say anything when he was a professor?" Draco asked. "Thought it'd make me safer. Less likely to be bullied or have any future problems." You muttered. "...Your last name... Mckinnon.." "my mother was Marlene Mckinnon. I took her last name because I wanted her legacy to live on." You admitted, eyes glossy with tears. "What... what did you mean by 'future problems'?" Draco asked. "Look at what happened to my dad when people found out what he was. Who's to say they won't assume I have that same affliction? Who's to say that my future would be okay when people like your father are in power?" You asked, looking at him.

Draco felt even more guilty now. "I can still have a future if I don't use his name. But as long as there are people like Umbridge, Fudge and Lucius, there won't be a way to pave the way for the next generation." You said grimly. Draco felt nearly offended by the fact that Lucius was a strong factor in your argument. At the same time, you also made it clear why you had a disdain for his family.

They robbed you of your mother. They robbed Neville of his family. Right now, he swore he could feel his blood run through his veins and it felt unbearable. His body felt heavy, tainted with responsibility and a legacy covered in other's blood. He knew his parents supported you-know-who during his time. He just assumed that it was for power, money even. Now however, he couldn't unsee this. He couldn't remove the thought that Bellatrix Lestrange was his aunt. Narcissa knew what the woman did. Lucius knew what she did. Neither of them talked about her like the heinous woman she was.

Draco apologized to you, going to bed as you walked off to the Gryffindor common room. The next few days were strange, Draco being silent, even at times scolding Blaise for insulting someone. However the strangest thing, was the newfound protective nature over both you and Neville. It confused the hell out of you and him, noticing Draco's constant interference with other's comments or bullying. He even seemed to be more okay with Harry, Ron and Hermoine's presence.

"Did you break Malfoy!?" Ron asked as you entered the common room. You rose a brow. "Uh... what?" You asked. "Draco! He's suddenly nice, is he actually acting that way or is it a kiss on the cheek before betrayal?" Hermoine asked. "A kiss on the what?" Ron asked. You sighed. "I don't know what the boy is doing." You said before Fred and George came from their dorm. "Hey sweetness, we got a new one." He said before tossing you a themometer. You caught it, walking away with them when Draco entered. "What the hell are you doing here?" Ron asked. "...Uhm." he sighed and put a hand on the back of his neck. "I..." he sighed. "I wanted to say- " "shit shit shit shit shit" George's voice got louder with every word. "MAKE WAY, WE FUCKED UP!" You yelled. Fred slung over your shoulder as George opened the door. "What did these idiots do!?"Hermoine asked. "Too hot of a fever for Fred to handle, nothing big." "He's passed out George!" You said with a groan. Lee Jordan threw the boy over his shoulder. "We got it, Y/n, study the solution, figure out where we went wrong." George said. "Okay!" You nodded before heading back to their dorm when you stopped. "Draco?" You said confused. "Shit. Y'know, I'm just going to leave-" "dude have you seen Fred He's like... passed the fuck out." Pansy snorted, walking in with a green apple in her hand. She stopped. "The fuck is Draco doing here?" She asked. "Oh my god I came to say I'm sorry!" He yelled.

You all stared. "...What?" Ron asked. "I'm sorry for being... rude. All the time. And... I'm sorry for everything I've done." He finally said. You blinked, staring at him, slightly impressed. "...Wow. never would've thought you had that in you." You said. "Right? The fuck you do to him Y/n, give him a concussion when you smacked him?" Pansy joked. Hermoine sighed. "Look that's nice but-" "Hem hem."

It felt like you were in a horror movie, all of you slowly turning to the woman in the hideously pink outfit. "What, pray tell are you doing in a Gryffindor common room?" You opened your mouth but Harry's flew open oh too soon. "Shouldn't we ask you the same thing?" He asked. You looked at Harry with a sigh. "I was simply getting my notes back from Lee Jordan. Pansy and Draco were with me." You said. Umbridge twisted that mouth of hers into a slightly disgusted look when you spoke. "You cannot be in a group larger than three students." She said simply. "It was me George and Fred. Lee borrowed the notes afterwards." You said quickly, almost as if you rehearsed this. "That's still-" "following the rules. I checked." You said with a glare. Her mouth twitched, as did her eye. "And I escorted her to ensure this exact thing wouldn't happen." Draco added. Her vision flew to him. "And what is miss Parkinson doing here?" Umbridge asked. "Simply making sure that my friend is alright. She's been unwell all week professor." Pansy said, batting her eyelashes. You knew this was Pansy's hilarious way of being sarcastic when she did that. However this seemed to hold over Umbridge. "Very well. Carry on." She said with a huff. She walked out and all of you waited a while before speaking again. "She's gone!" Nearly headless Nick said, emerging from the wall. All of you let out breaths before Hermoine spoke. "I cannot believe that worked." Hermoine said. "I can't believe Harry didn't get detention. Again." You sighed.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Why did she seemed to hate you?"she asked. "...Uh." you swallowed. "Y/n hangs out Fred and George. She immediately thinks she's a troublemaker." Draco said quickly. "I mean... she is a troublemaker." Hermoine said. "I'll say, I mean she was the one that turned Penelope Clearwater's hair-" you slammed your hand over Pansy's mouth. "She's joking- DON'T LICK ME!" you said earning a laugh. Pansy laughed and you swiped your hand across her cardigan. Draco let a small smile slip.

"...By the way Draco. We accept the apology." Harry said. You all looked over. "Not sure I trust it. But I accept it." He said. Draco nodded. "Fair Potter. Fair." He nodded. "We should go. Don't want Umbitch asking questions." Pansy said. You nodded, leaving with Draco and Pansy.

You laid awake that night, staring at the picture of your mother and father. This was happening. Again. A war was rising to the surface and it was only going to get worse. Your time at Grimwald place was fine, yes. But with how many agents constantly ran back and forth, looking at Harry with worried glances... this was happening.

You sighed, getting up, careful not to wake up Pansy. You slipped out into the common room, noticing Draco sitting in front of the fireplace. The giant squid's shadow passed over the room, it always was more awake at night. "Couldn't sleep either?" You asked. Draco gave a small smile, letting it disappear quickly as he stared into the flames. "Draco?" You asked. "He's really back isn't he?" Draco asked. You froze. It seemed you weren't the only one with that on your mind. You weren't much comfort seeing as your next words were rather blunt.

"Did you really think he wasn't when Cedric came back dead?" Draco sat in silence, nodding slightly with a frown. "...My parents helped." He whispered. "What?" "My parents... They helped. They did what was asked of them. They..." he clenched his fist. "My parents allowed this to happen- they- Fuck!" He clenched his head. You frowned, kneeling to him. "I supported them- I-" "Draco you're not your parents." You halted. You said. He stared at you. "I supported them Y/n, I practically fucking preached their message around these stupid school halls!" He said frustrated. "Your parents wouldn't be feeling upset right now if this were them in your position. They are your family that you love, I can see why you'd blindly follow them!" You defended. "That doesn't excuse my behavior -" "you want to fix your behavior?" You asked. "Yes!" He said. "Then tomorrow come with me after class!" You said sharply. He paused. "...What?" He asked. "You will see. Now stop moping. It's pathetic of you, and you my friend are not pathetic." You said before rising and leaving.

So there he was, following you. Pansy finally met up with you as well once classes were over. "Ready?" She asked. "Yeah, lets move it." You nodded. "Where are we-" "hush blondie." Pansy said, closing her hand as if to mimick a mouth closing. You walked through an area before finally taking Draco's hand. "Swear to me that you do not mention what is behind that door." You said. "What door-" he looked over, seeing the well polished door and blinked. "What the fuck-" "promise!" Pansy said, aiming her wand at him. "I promise! Jesus!" He said alarmed. Pansy nodded before both of you shoved Draco into the DA' s meeting place. Students were still gathering, though the few that were already present seemed shocked to see Draco.

"You brought him!?" "Relax Weatherby, I ran this past Harry he said it was fine." You sighed. "If he did, maybe the prophet was right. Maybe Potter is going mad." A student said. "What is all this?" Draco asked. Cho stepped forward, slightly friendlier. "The DA." She said. "What?" He asked. You took your picture of the original order, posting it to the board. "Dumbledore's Army." You said.

Neville smiled, seeing his mother and father. He put a hand on your shoulder and you smiled. Draco felt a odd sensation... dare he say... akin to jealousy. "I'm totally kicking your ass Longbottom." You breathed. "Oh you wish Mckinnon!" He laughed. Pansy smiled slightly at her friend. "She seems happier" a voice said making Pansy jump. "God- Lovegood, announce yourself!" Pansy jolted. "I'm here!" Luna said enthusiastically. Draco rose a brow, looking at her. "Loony- Luna lovegood knew about this?" He asked. "Yeah." Pansy muttered, her eyes watching her carefully.

You looked over at Luna with a warm smile, Luna hugging you. "Oh! oh I brought what you wanted!" She said smiling. She reached into her pocket handing you a pair of radish earrings. "Thank you!" You said smiling, putting in the earings. "Neville... how my swag look?" You asked. Neville snorted as you threw up a sideways peace sign, posing for his review. "Majestic." Neville answered with a laugh. Harry came in with Ron and Hermoine, Ron seeing the earrings and sighing.

You felt a hand on your head, Fred standing next to you. "Oh I figured out what was wrong." You said. Fred looked over. "What was it?" George asked. "Gotta dilute it." You said. "that's what we were missing!" Fred gasped. "See, told you I knew what I was doing, but noooo! You thought you knew better, instead that ended up with a passed out you nearly falling onto Lee and George with a ticket to see Pomfrey!" You said with a sigh. "Oh sweet luscious-" "luscious? Really-" "SHH!" "Sweet luscious holy majestic Y/n, we will never doubt your godly powers again! Praise her!" George said loudly, dramatically dropping to your feet and acting as if he was praising you like a god. You rolled your eyes as Fred and Lee both dropped down. "Pansy join!" Lee urged. "On this gross ass floor? Hell no." She said.

Draco seemed to notice a drastic change in you. You acted so much more outgoing. You were sarcastic, you were funny... you were so much more at home here than in your common room. "Oh by the way!" Fred hopped up, propping his arm on you. "Your father sends a message!" He said. "Really? Suppose he can't..." you eyed Draco before finally deciding to speak. "You suppose he can't send a owl because he'd be intercepted?" You asked. "Intercepted?" Draco asked. "Are you kidding? Umbridge is reading what we're writing. If it were anything private you didn't want her to know, save it for the next time you'd see your family." Lee said. "... She's watching Slytherins too?" Draco asked, slightly taken aback by that idea since so far she had taken a affinity to them. "Nope. Seems to us she left you all alone. Well except our little Y/n. But she's always hated her. Knew her mum apparently and found out who her dad was." George explained. "She thinks I'm secretly a werewolf. She's kept an eye on me these past three full moons, so far she has nothing to go on but apparently that doesn't satisfies her constant need to be a massive bitch." You uttered, showing visible disgust of the woman. "You hate her that much?" Draco asked. "Kind of hard not to when she passes laws on shit she doesn't understand and then makes your dad's life a living hell." You muttered. Fred showed a sympathetic look as Harry walked in. "Alright! Sorry it took so long, took a bit to not look suspicious from von bitchy out there." Harry stated. Everyone snickered. "We've got a new one. Say hi to Draco." Harry motioned. A few scattered, half-hearted hellos echoed through the room. "Alright... today we're learning how to conjure a patronus."

You muttered "crap" under your breath, Draco noticing but not saying a word. You all scattererd throughout the room, Harry guiding you all through the instructions. A few people produced bouts of light. Again, you all tried. As practiced continued, patronuses were all in the room, a few still struggling to do just that. Harry began walking over, fixing the common problem. You however seemed pretty reserved and now seemed to have stopped trying completely. He walked over. "Y/n? You good?" He asked. "Can't produce it. Oh well." You shrugged. "Is there a particular problem?" He asked. You seemed to not want to give your answer. "I can't... find a happy memory." You admitted. He nodded.

"Alright... close your eyes." He instructed. You closed your eyes, sighing. "Can you think of any moment, anything related to your mother?" He asked. Your mind scattered trying to find something, anything. Your heart dropped as you thought you had nothing of your mother before suddenly one memory came to mind. Blurry, hazy, but enough fuel to hold on to your wand. "Expecto Patronum" you said loudly before a blast of light shot from your wand, a image of a wolf emerging from your wand. Your eyes shot open and Harry smiled. "Knew you had it in you." He said. You smiled, looking at your patronus with the most beautiful smile Draco had ever seen. "Draco? You having trouble?" Harry asked. "Er- nope. Think I uh... think I might have it?" He said.

Draco closed his eyes, searching for a memory. Then it got interrupted. By you. He tried again, interrupted by you. He huffed. "Or not." Draco said. "Something wrong?" Harry asked. "I keep.... thinking of a different subject than what I'm intending to." Draco admitted. Harry noticed where his glance was going. He knew exactly what was happening. "Why don't you try thinking of the different subject?" Harry suggested. Draco swallowed, closing his eyes, flashes of you smiling, laughing, swirling in his mind. "Expecto Patronum."

A horse emitted from Draco's wand, you smiling at him. "You did it!" You said. He gulped. "Yep." He nodded. Well shit. This was a new problem. He liked you. Harry, judging by the smile on his face, knew that he liked you too. "Alright. Now, unfortunately our next lesson will most likely be a while considering-" "quidditch" everyone said in unison. You rolled your eyes. "Still don't see why we can't set aside the afternoon." You sighed. "It interferes with practice!" Angelina said. "Oh. Yeah, I'm sure that's a great excuse for the dark lord. 'Sorry man. I know you have this whole dark uprising but I got quidditch soooo. Sorry!'." You said earning laughs from Fred, Lee, Pansy and George. Harry snickered but Angelina rolled her eyes and you sighed.

You all went back to your dorms, you sitting on the floor and propping yourself against your end board while you and Pansy ate chocolate. "So I didn't think you could produce a patronus?" Pansy said. "I thought so but then like... I had this memory... I swear... I could hear mum." You admitted. Pansy looked at you. "Really?" She asked. "Yes." You said. "That's amazing." She said with a smile. "What do you think Draco thought of?" You asked. "Mmm. Being an ass?" Pansy joked. You threw a dark chocolate piece at her. "No. I mean, when we got back, he refused to look at me, even when we were walking back." You said.

"Who knows. I'm so over boys. Thinking of just ditching them and joining a convent or something." She said making you snort. "You were utterly boy crazy third year, what happened?" You asked. "I never.... I never felt anything towards them. I did that because I thought that's what I was supposed to do." She said honestly. "Mm." You pondered, thinking back to Pansy's past boyfriends. "...Pansy... has it maybe occurred to you that you might not... like boys?" You suggested. She blinked. "What... what do you mean?" She asked. You sat up straight. "Pansy you said it yourself. You never felt that way towards them." "So you think I like girls?" Pansy asked. "Maybe? Or maybe you don't like anyone? Or maybe I'm talking out of my ass." You shrugged. Pansy pondered. "I never considered... girls." She said. "Just something to think about." You shrugged. "... do you like girls?" She asked curiously. "Mmm... Well I've never ventured into dating." You said. Pansy snorted. "Right, miss chastity over here, sorry" she teased. You threw another piece of chocolate at her and she laughed harder. "It's not like I haven't tried!" You huffed. She leaned up from almost falling over. "Yeah, I know you did try. With Kai Waterton. Once" Pansy said. "It was my first year. And he rejected me, no one's been interested in me." You sighed. She snorted. "No one? No one. Okay. Tomorrow remind me of this moment at breakfast." She said. You sighed.

The next morning you and Pansy sat at the Gryffindor table. "Hem hem." Sounded off. You gritted your teeth. "Ma'am?" "No interhouse mingling!" She said. "That's not a rule Delores." McGonagall halted. Umbridge seemed to dislike this fact, her smile twitching before you ignored her outright. Then you heard that whispered word, something you didn't expect muttered but it was. "Bloodtraitor."

You looked up, glaring at her. You wanted to open your mouth but you knew that's what she wanted. You gritted your teeth and pulled your head down. The last thing anyone needed was someone snapping at her outside of Harry. Draco, however was standing next to her and heard this as he was making his way for Blaise and decided to irk her further, staring her down as he sat next to you and Pansy. Fred smirked, noticing what he was doing and you smiled slightly as Umbridge's eye twitched.

As she returned to the staff table the chatter in the great hall increased. "Oh, what was that thing you told me to remind you about last night?" You asked Pansy. Pansy nearly choked on her drink in her goblet before laughing. "Right. Okay." She nodded, patting her chin with a napkin. "Guys. GUYS!" Pansy waved all the boys attention, they turned. "What's up?" Ron asked. "Alright. Back when you first got to know Y/n, how many of you had a crush on her?" She asked. Hermoine choked on her food and Ginny laughed. Fred and George raised their hands with no hesitation, Neville slowly raising his and quite a few others raised theirs as well. What shocked you was when Ginny and Luna (who was sitting next to her might I add), raised their hands, laughing as they did. "...What the fuck?" You gaped. "None of you ever said anything!?" You asked. "You never seemed interested!" George said. "And Ginny, are you joking?" You asked. "Oh no. Oh no no no. You confused the hell out of me." She laughed. "I also liked you at one point but I love you as a friend now." Luna said. You blinked. "You even pulled girls dude. You got game." Pansy said, smirking.

"Wha-No no, saying I have game implies I know how to play the damn game- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME PANSY!" you said earning hard laughs from Fred, Draco, George, Pansy and Harry. You groaned into your hands. "There there." Fred patted your arm. You shoved him away. "Don't touch me right now I am so done with the world right now." You grumbled. "Come now Mckinnon, you're fineeee. You just are oblivious to relationships, there's nothing wrong with that. It's not like Harry has a track record, or Draco-" "I get it Fred." You grumbled. "Oh sweetness. You don't need a boyfriend to survive. I mean shit, if you're really adamant about going on a date, I'll take you on one or we'll straight up find someone to date." Ginny said with a shrug. "I..." you looked down and then settled on your answer.

"Do it." You said. Everyone looked over. "What?" George asked. "Do it." You repeated. Ginny looked at Fred. "You go left I'll go right?" She asked. "No need, I'll do it." Draco halted. Everyone's sights went to him. "What? Just helping a friend out." Draco said. Harry squinted at him. ".... Right." Harry said slowly. "Are you sure?" You asked. "Yeah. Hogsmeade, this weekend?" He asked. "...Sure." you agreed. "And I have a suggestion." He added. "Yeah?" "Wear blue, it brings out your eyes." He said, very close to your face. Pansy's jaw dropped and you swallowed. "...Okay." you said before Draco got up and walked out of the great hall.

You blinked, everyone's jaws practically on the floor. "WHO THE HELL KNEW HE LIKED HER!?" Ginny asked. "I did, I just didn't think he'd act on it." Harry said, sounding slightly impressed. "Are we sure he actually likes me and he's not just-" "oh no. No no no no. Y/n, look at the facts." "Okay." You leaned forward listening to Fred. "He was the first to volunteer. He heard what Umbridge said, purposefully pissed her off by sitting here. He knows what colors you look good in. Y/n, he notices you. He notices your habits, your little flaws that he likes, he likes you." Fred explained.

Suddenly sitting at the table in hogsmeade was a lot more intimidating. Draco was currently getting butterbeer and you were just sitting there, fiddling with the hem of your dress that Pansy picked out. Draco sat back down and you gulped. "I don't bite you know." He teased. "I know Draco it's just... odd." You muttered. "What's odd? Me?"he asked. "No. The whole idea of a date. It's ridiculous, why do people do this!?" You asked. "To get to know one another." Draco said. "You can do that without the dressing up and-and the awkward chit chat." You huffed. Draco chuckled. "Then don't think of it as a date." he said. "But you asked me-" "I want you to be comfortable Y/n, the last thing I'd want is for you to feel uncomfortable." He said sincerely.

You felt a smile tug at your lips. "...When did you meet Blaise?" You asked. Draco leaned back in his chair, thinking. "Oh geez... we knew each other way before hogwarts. Fathers worked together. But I think I befriended him because he always called me 'Draco' and not my last name." He said. You nodded. "When did you meet Pansy?" He asked. You nearly choked on your Butterbeer with a laugh. "Well uh." You coughed out. "I was her alibi." You admitted. "What?" Draco asked. "I was her ablibi for a prank. It was a panic response really, she freaked out, grabbed my arm and said she was with me and I, like the true trooper I am, nodded my head." You explained. Draco chuckled. "Been hooked at the hip ever since, she's my best friend." You admitted. He smiled. "What's your favorite book?" He asked. You pondered. "Well.... I'm currently reading a book called 'the hobbit' that's interesting." You said. "The... what?" "Hobbit. Small creature. Hairy feet. Eats like a fiend." You clarified. "Is this creature... real?" "Oh goodness no. Tolkien just has a odd imagination." You chuckled. "What about you? Assuming you are interested in reading." You said. He chuckled. "Macbeth is actually my favorite." He answered. "Actually Tolkien was a big fan of Shakespeare." You pointed out. "Really?" Draco asked curiously. "Yes, he actually had this weird thing about the prophecy in Macbeth. He hated the fact a woman didn't take charge, he-he felt like it was this big missed opportunity so he wrote this character named Éowyn and she absolutely OBLITERATES this enemy in the books. Pretty cool." You explained. Suddenly you realized your rambling. "Sorry, I'll just shut it now." You said drinking your Butterbeer.

But Draco had a wide smile on his face, looking at you as if you were the best thing he'd ever laid eyes on. "I am interested in what you're telling me. And I don't want you to think that your interests are boring to me, because they aren't." He said simply. "...So I can tell you what utter bullshit it is that he spends too many pages talking about trees." You asked. He smirked. "Trees? How does one talk about trees for multiple pages?" He asked.

He watched with a smile as you ranted to him on Tolkien's odd attachment to trees, that according to you "I'll never understand who the fuck finds trees that fascinating outside of Luna or Neville." "Oh god and then theres the songs!the man writes songs throughout the book like a tonedeaf poet!" You ranted. Draco smiled, his head on his hand. "The man just keeps going with the damn songs- it's like he wants to live up to Shakespeare but like- NO!" You said frustrated. Draco laughed at your comedic outrage. You huffed and leaned back. "Are you enjoying my pain?" You asked with a huff. "Oh yes, absolutely. It's rather comedic to see you this upset about a man who died before we were even born." Draco said drinking his butterbeer. You stared at him confused.

"Can I ask you something?" You asked. "Mmhmm." He nodded before taking another sip. "Why me?" You asked. He stared at you. "What?" He asked. "Why do you like me? Why choose me? Why. Me?" You asked. He set down the mug looking at you "You saw good in me. You chose to continue to chip away at me until I started acting better, you have shown me the consequences of my own actions, you've taught me so much Y/n. I like you because despite the reputation Slytherin has, you always see the best in people." "Minus Umbridge-" "Umbridge has no soul, that is besides the point." Draco said making you smile. He took your hand into his. "I want to be yours Y/n. I want to learn more." He said softly. You swallowed. "O-okay." You said blushing. "You do realize I'm asking to be your boyfriend?" "Uh-huh." You nodded, clearly taken aback. "So then it's settled." "yep." "We're dating?" "Uh huh." You nodded still at a loss for words. "Having trouble forming words?"he asked. "My brain has trouble registering the fact that I went from no dating experience to dating you apparently-"

"Y/n. Help. Now." Pansy's voice cut you off. Draco rose a brow. You noticed the panicked look in her eyes. "Uhhh. Draco do you mind-" "not at all, I'll be here." He said softly. You got up walking with Pansy. "Pansy, what's going on-" "I did it. I asked a girl out." She said. You blinked. "...Who?" You asked. "Luna." She admitted. You squinted at her. "Luna? Really?" You asked. "It-It just happened, I was just talking to her and then-then Ginny noticed Luna staring at me and-and she pulled me aside and asked me if I was into girls and I said I didn't know yet but I wanted to find out and next thing I know, I'm asking Lovegood out- What the fuck did I do Y/n!?" She asked. "....I didn't think you even tolerated her much less would go on a date with her." You admitted. "Well I never said I hated her. She's sweet. And strangely charming. And smells like strawberries for whatever reason." Pansy said. You blinked. "Wow I'm so dense. You really did like her this whole time." You said. "What-no." She lied. "She smells like strawberries?" You repeated. "...Okay maybe a little but... Y/n... what if I mess up?" She asked. "Lucky for you, Luna finds people to be fascinating no matter what they do. You chose the foolproof date. It doesn't matter if you mess up, so long as you don't insult her dad or the Quibbler, you'll be fine." "Why does that matter?" She asked. "Her dad writes for the Quibbler." You pointed out. "Why does that explain so much?" She muttered. "Pansy. You've got this. I know you do." You assured. Pansy let out a long breath. "I should get back to Ginny and Luna..." she said. "Tell me how it goes." "You know I will." She said with a smile.

You walked back to the three broomsticks, Draco looking up. "Everything okay?" He asked. "Oh yeah. Just... weird weird things are happening today?" You said slightly confused. "Blaise came in and mentioned something about Luna and Pansy?" He said. "Jesus news travels fast." You breathed. "I didn't realize Pansy liked girls." He said confused. "Mm. I think it's a new realization for her. Me not so much." You said. "What do you mean?" He asked. "I mean, I always noticed Pansy never seemed truly interested in guys. She never seemed to romantically connect with them, she never really showed any big reactions to anything to do with them. I'm not even sure she's interested in girls, it could be that she's not interested in anyone. But considering her panicked state beforehand..." You explained. Draco nodded. "I hope everything works out." He said. "Me too." You breathed. You looked over at Draco. "...So what are your hobbies?" You asked. "Mm. I draw occasionally." He said. You seemed to perk up at this response. "Really?" You asked. He opened his bag, handing you a book.

There were different drawings, roses, plants he had found across campus, a hilarious drawing of Harry that made you giggle and then you saw it. Draco avoided eye contact for a moment at you looked at the drawing of you. ".. Draco this is-" "you don't have to be generous-" "beautiful." You said sincerely. He looked at you, another smile playing to his lips. "Really?" He asked. "Yes- Draco this is wonderful." You admitted. He opened his mouth before freezing up, swallowing hard. You followed his eyes before seeing him.

Lucius. You looked at Draco. "What do you want to do?" You asked. "I suppose my father came in here to find me." Draco muttered. "Would you like to leave?" You asked. "No no. I'll... I'll talk to him, if you want to leave I understand." He said. "No, I'll stay here if that's what you're doing." You said. Lucius looked at the table before walking over. Draco stood up, shaking his father's hand. "Good to see you father." He said, though there was a subtle hint of distain in Draco's tone. "Haven't been hearing from you lately." Lucius said, almost ignoring you outright. "That dreadful woman is reading our letters." You said quickly as Draco seemed to hesitate on his reason for not writing home. Lucius looked at you. "And you are...?" Lucius asked. "Y/n Mckinnon." You answered. His eyes widened at the name, him locking into place. "...was your mother-" "father, this is my girlfriend." Draco said. Lucius paused at this statement. "Girlfriend?" Lucius asked. "Yes." You nodded.

There was this part of you clawing to get out. You wanted to unhinge yourself, yell at him. But you remained composed, staring at him with a fake smile but loathing eyes. "We should have dinner with your family one day, it is customary for us to meet the family." He said, eyeing you still. "I'm not sure that's a good idea." You muttered. Draco looked over at you, sliding his hand into yours. "Her father's ill at the moment, he's not much company." Draco lied. "Ah I see. And your mother?" He asked. You opened your mouth but nothing came out. "Passed away when she was a little girl." Draco said. "My apologies. I nearly thought you were..." Lucius seemed to not catch on. "I thought your mother was someone else for a moment." Lucius said, relief seeming to feel relief. "Do you mean Marlene Mckinnon?" You asked. Draco looked at you slightly panicked. "It's a common mistake, I think they were cousins or something, I dunno." You lied, seeing the slight panic in Lucius's eyes. Lucius let out a slight chuckle, you smiling politely. "Pleasure meeting you, and I'll see what I can do about this Umbridge woman." Lucius said. Then you had an idea.

"Wait, sir you work for the ministry right?" You asked. "Yes I do." "You can do something about Umbridge?" You asked. "...I may be able to, from what I've heard she is a very good-" "you should know she physically abuses students she doesn't like." You said. Draco blinked a couple of times. "What?" Draco asked. He had never been on the receiving end of Umbridge's punishments, he had no idea this was going on. "At first I thought it was fake when Harry Potter mentioned it to me, but then she decided to take a particular dislike to me." You said before removing your jacket and rolling up your sleeve. There it was, the scar bearing the words "I must not tell lies."

Lucius blinked. He sat down as did you and Draco. "When did this start?”

You chuckled. "I read these books in hopes of gaining inspiration. " You admitted. He rose a brow. "You're a poet?" He asked. "Oh no. Poetry is much too... limited for me. I am making rather unsuccessful attempts to write a novel." You admitted. Regulus smiled. "Do you have a solid concept?" He asked. "No. That's the problem. It's... oh you won't want to listen to me ramble about this." You sighed, sitting back down. Regulus sat down in the chair next to you. "Indulge me." He said. You hesitated but finally spoke. "It's like my mind won't shut off. It's like it comes up with all of these ideas but it refuses to stick with just one. That's all I want. One solid idea." You explained. Regulus nodded. "You need to just sit down and write and write and write until something sticks." He said. "If I had the time, I would. But alas, I'm always getting dragged to these ridiculous events." You told him. "I feel the same way. Almost everyone in that room has the same motive in mind." He said. "Money?" You guessed. "Well that and social standings." He nodded. You sighed, leaning back in your chair.

"I never understood the women that did this." You admitted. "How so?" Regulus asked. You shifted to be able to use your hands as you spoke. "The reason why you and I are here have been told to each of us for a different reason. Why did your parents bring you here?" You asked. "To find a suitable wife so we can have children and keep the family line going." He said. "Uh-huh, do you know what instructions were given to most of these girls?" You asked. He shook his head. "Ensure your future and marry a pureblood man so you can live." You said. He blinked. "Your **family** line depends on this. My *life* depends on those idiots out there currently prancing around on the floor." You stated.

Regulus never noticed or even heard that there was a difference in reason for everyone being there. He knew the Pureblood lines could be extreme, but convincing their daughters that they **needed** to be married was utterly ridiculous. "See, my sister married for love, not status. So the duty of ensuring my family has the status, the money, the blood, it falls to me. Even though Frederick is a perfectly respectable member of society, that duty is still mine because he is the poor working man." You said with a sigh. "...Can I say something?" He asked. "Of course." You nodded. "I've never met a woman who speaks her mind, truly. I've met plenty who share the small thoughts but in the past fifteen minutes, you've not only shattered a few of my world views but you also have voiced your discomfort being here." He said. "I'm irritating, aren't I?" You asked. He laughed. "Quite the contrary, you're the most interesting woman I've spoken to." Regulus told you. You smiled. "You know... dancing isn't completely horrible." You said making him chuckle. "Is that your way of asking me to dance?" He asked. "No. Just merely making an observation!" You said, making him chuckle.

Regulus stood up, extending his hand. "May I have this dance, so long as you do not leave my side this evening to keep from speaking to anyone else because they're boring?" He asked. You snorted. "So long as you do the same for me, Mister Regulus Black." You said taking his hand. As your family conversed with the sons of their colleagues your father glanced over to see you dancing. He nodded to you, your mother looking over with a smile. "I do believe she found someone." She said, watching you dance with Regulus. "Is that... Regulus Black?" Your father asked. "...Yes, my God she found possibly the best bachelor out here. And I didn't even send that one." Your sister said.

You found that you were actually enjoying yourself, as did Regulus. Everyone could see a perfect match had been made. As the dance ended you both bowed, laughing and out of breath. You two lasted for about six more dances before your parents beckoned "Y/n! Regulus! Come here for one moment" your father said. The two of you walked over. "Yes father?" You asked. "Y/n has to leave but tomorrow you two are to be at the square together at 9:00." Your father said. "Why are we leaving-" You noticed your mother coughing and frowned, walking over and pulling out your handkerchief. "Very well sir, I look forward to seeing you again Miss Y/n." Regulus said with a smile. You didn't even hear him until your sister elbowed you as she helped your mother. "What- oh! Yes, I'm sure tomorrow will be lovely!" You said. Regulus noticed your mother cough, a small amount of blood coming onto the handkerchief but her quickly folding it so that you or Victoria wouldn't notice.

And so you left. Things were grim at home compared to how all of you made it look I'm public. Your mother had taken ill after she went over to your less than wealthy neighbors to help with their children. Whenever she came back, she came back with an unknown illness that made her weak. You sat by her bedside, using a cloth soaked in water to cool her down. "Mother, you'll never get better at the rate you're attempting to go." Victoria said. Your mother coughed. "I just... I want you to succeed..." she said to you. You held her hand, squeezing it tightly. "I'm trying mama. It's just... these boys they're... their motives aren't as good as you may think." You muttered. "...That Regulus boy... he seems to really like you." She coughed. "Enough talking mama, you're straining yourself." You said softly. She nodded. "...Can I get some tea?" She asked. Victoria rolled her eyes. "Your solution isn't going to be tea mother." Victoria chuckled. "It helps with everything, I swear." Your mother defended making you silently laugh. "You need rest mum." Victoria said, softer with her tone. Your mother nodded and closed her eyes, falling asleep. You and Victoria stepped out. Your father walked by, looking at the two of you. "How is she?" He asked.

Victoria closed her eyes. "Father she isn't doing well... I don't suspect that she'll make it." She said. "...Even if we get the best doctors?" He asked. Victoria sighed. Her medical knowledge was vast, due to her love of helping people. That day your mother went to help that family, Victoria had gone with her. Everyday since then she's wished that she was the one that got sick. Instead she was the one that took care of her. It didn't help that while your mother had been sick, she was pregnant with you."Father, you and I know that this has been coming for a long time." Victoria said. "How long do you think she has?" You asked. "...Maybe a few months." She said softly. Your father bowed his head.

You walked to your room, closing the door and looking at the desk. Papers were all over it, the room dimly lit by the small lamp on the desk. You sat down pulling out a pen and writing. Regulus interrupted your train of thought, the boy immediately popping into your head after a third sentence. You dropped your pen and sighed. You started writing again but then you remembered the boy's laugh. You sighed in frustration, when you heard light pecking. You looked over at your window go see a nearly black owl. You opened the window, taking the letter from its beak and feeding it a small cracker.

A wax seal was on the letter, one bearing a black and silver '"B". You took a letter opener to it and opened it, confused.

"Dear Y/n,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. Though I was disappointed that our time together was cut short, I am looking forward to us spending more time together. I must say, in all my time at these pointless social engagements, I've never met someone with as much heart and personality as you. You are absolutely a wonder to be around in all the best ways possible. I would love to know some of your favorite authors so the next time I see you I can converse with you. I do find that my train of thought has been mostly derailed by you, I nearly signed your name on a letter addressed to my cousin today, it took three layers of whiteout to fix. I do wonder what my mind looks like since you seem to frequent it so often.

Sincerely, your friend Regulus."

You smiled and sat back at your desk, setting his letter aside and you picked up your pen. You looked at his letter one last time before your pen seemed to write on its own. You wrote out your sentences carefully, answering his small questions and supplying him with your thoughts that he seemed to be intrigued by. Finally you closed with a sarcastic comment, sealing the letter with your family seal and sending the owl back.

Regulus was reading a letter from his cousin Tonks when he heard his owl pecking. He looked up, opening the window slightly shocked to see that you had actually replied. He put Tonks' letter aside, holding the letter. The wax seal was still warm, his smile growing wider as he sat down and opened it, reading its contents.

"Dear Regulus,

Surely you have better things to do than read a girl's ramblings at midnight. I however, decided to graciously bestow my words to you in case you couldn't sleep.

To answer your first question, my favorite authors are William Shakespeare, Jane Austin and William Blake. Each of them have interesting views of the world, explaining them through their various tales.

Austin shows her opinions with sarcastic elegance. It is clear the woman despises high society despite herself being a part of it. She's self aware in a comedic way that provides levity to some of her tales.

William Shakespeare has a interesting way about him. He understands the madness of love, he understands tragedy to a beautiful degree (I have yet to recover from Ophelia's demise). But he also understands how to make his words flow in such a way, many have not quite mastered it.

William Blake however, is different from the two. The man writes as if he is seeking answers to a love he once owned but lost. If you ever find yourself reading any of his works, I would love to discuss the ideas of how he may had lost that love in his life, whether it be a romantic love or a sense of belonging he seems to no longer have.

I too, have found myself unable to fully collect my thoughts. You seem to just make a guest appearance when I am simply attempting to write. I do wish your smile to be less charming so that perhaps I could actually get one or two pages of something done, but for now I will continue to struggle.

And my dearest Regulus, to answer your question, your mind to be quite spacious, surely you've ought to have a marble or two up here somewhere, or at least one thought to keep me entertained.

Sincerely, Y/n"

Regulus chuckled to himself, him laying down with a smile on his face. You were so much more interesting than any typical friend he had made. You had this way about you that seemed to just... Make him smile. It was hard to ignore, especially since when you left, Regulus seemed uninterested with every other girl. This was beginning to look like a wonderful match.

The morning sun rose as did you, getting up and walking towards your bathroom when you discovered your mother fully dressed. "Mother, what are you doing out of bed? You should be resting." You asked. "I am to accompany you and Regulus today, as is his mother." She stated. You frowned. "Mother, you struggled to stay at the party last night, standing out in this heat with your dress isn't wise!" You argued. She sighed. "Y/n, I am fine." she said. Still, you stood your ground. "Send Victoria, send father, but you need rest mother!" You sighed. "Y/n, I am fine. For the love of god, put on your dress and get ready." She huffed. "She's right mother, you shouldn't be out." Victoria said. "Oh for God's sake just let me GO." She demanded. Victoria pinched the bridge of her nose before nodding. "I'll get my coat, Y/n, get ready." Victoria said, you nodding. "where are you going?" Your mother asked Victoria. "With both of you. Someone has to keep an eye on you." she stated. "This is utterly-" "It's this or you cancel, take your pick." Victoria said. your mother sighed. "Fine." She nodded. "And you're bringing your cane." she added. "I am not!" "You will and you will like it, mother." Victoria sighed as you left.

Regulus straightened his tie and sighed. Every minute he was checking his pocket watch, him getting increasingly nervous as time slowly but surely passed. Walburga was too preoccupied by her own thoughts to even notice her son swapping out his tie every five minutes, just to put the first one back on. The other thing was his hair. By God, the amount of times the boy kept fixing his hair. It didn't necessarily matter, Regulus's hair was typically a "somehow styled mess" according to Tonks. He took a deep breath as his mother announced it was finally time to leave.

The ride to the park was silent, your mother clearly being annoyed with Victoria's presence. Victoria was deep in thought. She knew the topic of her marriage would come up, she just needed to find a way to change the subject in case it came up. You were looking out the window but not exactly paying attention to the scenery.

Walburga though was chatty during their ride, saying how glad she was that Regulus finally found a suitable girl to potentially marry. He blocked out a good portion of the conversation, despite his mother's neverending chatter. He wondered if Sirius ever had to endure this. Course if it were him, it'd most likely be a lecture he was receiving and not praise.

You stepped out of the carriage, Walburga greeting your mother. You sighed before you locked eyes with him. Regulus.

Your heart instantly hammered against your chest, your jaw seeming to lock shut. Regulus smiled at you, making you weak in the knees. As the two women chatted, Victoria noticed that look on your face. You had a crush. She smirked but said nothing. Regulus bowed and you curtsied before he took your hand and kissed it. "It is a pleasure to see you again Miss Y/n." He said. You smiled. "The pleasure is mine, Mister Regulus. " You said with a smile. "Oh go on you two, walk!" Your mother ushered. You chuckled and he stuck his arm out, you taking it.

"Do you often enjoy strolls?" He asked, dropping formalities once you were out of ear shot. "Usually I do when I'm alone. Gives me time to think. You?" Your asked, occasionally looking back in the direction of your mother. "Oh yes, it gives me clarity away from home." He said. "Do you prefer to be away from home?" You asked. "Yes." He nodded, supplying you to no reason why. "So, you sent an interesting letter last night." Regulus said. You found yourself smiling but still looking behind you to your mother who was perfectly fine. "You're just full of wit aren't you?" He asked with a smile. You felt your cheeks warm up. "I do hope you're not out of quips yet, the morning has just started."He said. You chuckled but your focus seemed to be at your mother. "Y/n?" Regulus asked. You jumped. "I'm sorry, I..." You stopped and he rose a brow. "My mother is sick." You admitted. He nodded, recalling the party. "She... when she was pregnant with me, my neighbors fell ill. My mother and sister went to assist them in whatever way they could but my mother came back sick. She hasn't been the same since." You explained. Regulus nodded, taking your hand. "Where are we going?" You asked. "To sit near our mothers, you're worried are you not?" Regulus asked. "Well yes- but the walk-" "It is a bit cloudy today, not the most ideal weather, I find myself to be a bit tired." Regulus said. You stopped and he turned around. "You really don't have to accommodate my need to watch my mother." You said. He chuckled. "Would this make you happy?" He asked. "What?"You asked. "Would this make you happy?" He repeated. "Well yes-" he put a hand on your cheek, halting any forming words. "Your happiness today is the only thing that matters to me. If this one choice makes you happy then I'd make it fifty times." He said softly.

Your heart was going ballistic, your sister smirking to herself as she watched you. That boy was smitten. The two of you walked back over, sitting down near your parents at a nearby park bench. "Any more progress on your book?" He asked. You snorted. "No. It's been just me pacing and trying to get ONE solid idea. I swear you'd think something was wrong with me." You sighed. He laughed. "From the way you write, I'm honestly shocked. You seem so... fluid on paper." He explained. You chuckled. "You're being charitable." You said. "I am not, it's true. You seemed so honest, like you were sharing each of your thoughts with me. I enjoyed it." He said. "Especially the added quip that I may or may not have fallen to madness." He added making you laugh. He smiled at that noise, feeling as if he was doing something right.

As the day continued, you two hadn't moved from the park bench, discussing anything from literature to personal lives. He was telling you about his brother, one that seemed infamous to high society. "I think I've met Sirius before." You admitted. "I don't doubt it, he was friends with quite a few noble boys to be brought back to a function. He hasn't been going to them lately. He's tired of the gossip about himself apparently." Regulus admitted. "I imagine, even I've heard plenty from the others to know he must tire of it." You admitted. "They're polite enough to not say anything about it in front of me." He said. He paused for a moment. "What do they say?" He asked. You got nervous, looking down. "They say he made one too many mistakes for your family's liking... that he always messed up on purpose and it backfired in on him." You explained. He sighed, leaning back. "It wasn't true at first." He admitted. You looked over. "Sirius did in fact try. It was me who kept making mistakes but he took the blame." Regulus admitted. You rose a brow. "Eventually it became my father looking for..." He cleared his throat. "...He hit him didn't he?" You asked. Regulus froze. "...How did-" "I can just.... I can tell." You admitted. Regulus nodded with a small frown. "My mother... she's also... out of control. Ever since father fell ill, he hasn't been... as bad." He admitted. He looked at you. "Y/n, you do understand that I am courting you, correct?" He asked. You nodded. "Then I have to warn you that my family is not exactly safe. They have certain expectations but if you truly do feel that this is something you cannot deal with then I will immediately back away." He said. You shook your head. "Do not worry for me, I can handle my own." You said. He paused, looking at you for a moment. "...Thank you." He said. You smiled softly, Regulus's heart seeming to skip a beat.

"Do you still speak to your brother?" You asked. He looked out with a small smile. "Oh yes. Quite often. At the moment he's quite taken with a girl named Marlene Mckinnon." He said. You chuckled. "I recall that girl, she had quite the spirit." You said. He smiled. "I often forget we went to the same school. How did we never meet?" He asked. You chuckled. "I was only at Hogwarts for a year. I was switched to Beauxbaton when I reached my second year." You admitted. He nodded. "Did you enjoy it?" He asked. "Oh yes, France is quite lovely." You said.

Your mother glanced over at the two of you as you conversed on the bench. "They seem like such a attractive couple." Walburga said. "Indeed, I'm glad to see that they have found each other." Your mother agreed. "I can imagine their children being gorgeous." Walburga daydreamt. Both your mother and your sister tensed. "...Is something wrong?" She asked. "Well in regards to... children." Victoria shifted uncomfortably. "...Yes?" Walburga asked.

You found yourself laughing at a joke Regulus had made when you heard yelling. Both your attentions had gone to your parents. "The girl is utterly useless then! What use is the marriage if she can't provide an heir!?" Walburga asked. Regulus looked at you shocked and you swallowed. "You.. you're unable to-" "I did not wish for you to find out this way, I am so sorry Regulus." You said. He shook his head. "It is fine believe me, I don't exactly want children. That's more of my mother's wish." He muttered. You looked at him surprised."I..." You swallowed speaking with him. "Regulus, come, we're leaving." Walburga huffed. "Walburga, wait!" Victoria halted. "Nothing you can say will save this match!" She huffed before you noticed your mother clutch her chest. "Mother?" You asked, walking over. Regulus stood up before your mother collapsed. "MOTHER!" You gasped, catching her and Victoria turning around before sprinting to the two of you. "I'll get help!" Regulus said before bolting off.

It didn't take long for him to get someone on the scene. You paced back and forth in the hallway as Walburga discussed the situation with your father. Regulus walked in as you paced. "I should've stayed by her side, I should've canceled this the second she got out of bed this morning!" You muttered to yourself, unaware to Regulus's presence. You paced and paced until you felt hands on your shoulders. You looked up to see Regulus. "If you don't stop, you're going to descend into madness Y/n. You need to breathe." He told you. You shook your head. "We never should've gone to the park, I should have canceled the second she got out of bed, she needs rest, she needs to-" your voice cracked. "Your mother hates me now, everything is... everything is wrong you shouldn't even be here." You said, lips trembling. "Technically my mother has no say over who I court. She has no jurisdiction over me." He said. "Regulus-" "I don't want to be away from you, but now is not the time to discuss this. We will discuss this later." He said softly. You nodded slowly, looking at your mother's door. Victoria and three doctors went in two hours ago and did not come out. It made you nervous.

"I remember when she first got sick after I was born... me and Victoria spent days trying to help her get better. It... it was like we worked in shifts. I stayed up all night, Victoria stayed up all day. But there was one day where... I fell asleep and when I woke up she wasn't there. I remember this fear, this crippling fear that she died during the night. So I sprinted downstairs and saw her at the breakfast table. I remember crying from relief because... I had to accept for a brief moment the idea that she was..." You broke down sobbing and Regulus held you. "I can't lose her- I can't." You sobbed. He caressed your head, holding you close until eventually you tired yourself out. You fell asleep against him once the two of you sat down in the hall. Victoria finally stepped out and saw him. "... she fell asleep." Regulus said. She nodded. "...do you think she'll get better?" He asked. Victoria shook her head. "...I don't even think she'll..." she shook her head. "The best I can do is watch over her tonight. The doctors are staying in the west wing tonight, will you be staying as well?" She asked. He looked at you and then Victoria. "Yes, though mother might drag for a brief moment." He admitted. She nodded and walked back into the room. The sound of the door closing woke you up. "Your sister came out she said that she was going to watch her-" "then I should to, I'm sorry I have to-" "go.. I'll be fine." He said.

He watched as you walked into the room and he stood up, sighing. He made his way back downstairs to hear shouting from the study. "She is not to be with my son, I forbid this!" Walburga yelled. "In case you haven't noticed Walburga, you are not in charge, Regulus is. And there are more pressing matters at hand than my daughter's romance with your son!" Your father yelled. "Mark my words F/n, they will never see each other again. I refuse to let another one of my sons throw his life away." She spat. "I'm shocked you mention your other son, considering you always pretend the boy does not exist. But you, again have no control over this. Regulus is the man in charge, what he decides to do, goes unless somehow Sirius is the heir again or Orion is suddenly better." Your father said. "Not if I force him back home." Walburga said. Regulus opened the door and sighed. "Mother-" "Wait outside Regulus." She said. "No." He said. She stopped. "Excuse me?" She asked. "I said. **No**." He repeated. "If you are to discuss my future I am to be involved with the conversation. There is nothing wrong with Y/n, she and I will continue to court each other." He said. Your father rose a brow. "She can't provide an heir Regulus. She is useless to you-" "she is more than just her childbearing abilities. And I don't want children." He stated. "Regulus, you're still on about this-" "IT HAS BEEN SIX YEARS MOTHER, IF I WANTED THEM I'D HAVE CHANGED MY MIND." Regulus stated bluntly. Silence fell over the room. "My whole life you have been so controlling. You have this incessant need to micromanage everything. Sirius had half a mind to deliberately anger you so he *could* leave. You and father are both fucking ridiculous and I have always stood by and let you do whatever you wanted. But you will not tell me that Y/n is less than nothing because she cannot bear children. She is intelligent, she is kind, her humor is honest to God peak comedy, she speaks her mind, she is amazing. Just because she lacks one singular quality that you want, does not mean that she is any less to me. Because she is not. She is amazing, she is pure, she is beautiful and she is strong." Regulus explained. Your father looked at him with approval and Walburga shook her head. "No." "Mother" "No. I will not lose you-" "Mother!" "I AM NOT LOSING YOU LIKE WE LOST YOUR BROTHER." She snapped. She grabbed his wrist. "We are leaving." She snapped, walking away and yanking his arm.

Regulus felt this instant dread, knowing damn well what was to happen. As he was dragged out the house he got an earful on the ride home. He was taken back to the estate where he muttered a signaling charm under his breath before entering the house and removing his belt per his mother's demand.

Sirius was at dinner, chuckling and speaking with Marlene. She seemingly was the only person to truly accept Sirius after the whole "disowned" situation outside of the marauders. He enjoyed her presence and wanted to spend almost all of his waking moments with him. Which is why when he saw a symbol appear on the table and instantly left her where she was, this came as a shock. He booked it down the streets of London, looking for the nearest dark alley to apparate in. Finally he found one, disappearing and reappearing outside of the house. It had been nearly five years since he last set food on the grounds of the Black estate. He unlocked the door with the key Regulus snuck to him in case of a emergency just like this and braced for impact.

You sat in a chair, patting the sweat away from your mother's face as Victoria fed her medicine. Victoria knew the effort was most likely useless. Your mother had been too sick, it would've had to have been a miracle to let her survive. Hours went by with you just watching her. No reading, no talking, no source of entertainment. Just watching as you held her hand and prayed to any God that came to mind that she would make it. "Y/n, you need to eat." Victoria muttered. "So do you." You muttered. She sighed. "Y/n-" "I'm not leaving." You refused. She nodded. "I'll get the maid to bring us food." She said walking out. You held your mother's hand as she slept. "Please mama... please." You whispered.

Victoria stepped down the stairs before hearing a sudden loud knock on the door, it sounded frantic. She opened the door and there stood Sirius Black with Regulus's arm slung over him. Regulus looked worse for the wear, looking as if the poor boy had been literally hit with a train. "Oh my God, what happened!?" She asked, shocked to see Regulus out of his elegant state. "My mother and that fucking cane of hers happened, I need bandages, tell me you have bandages." Sirius said. "Shit, we have doctors here. West wing, follow me." She said. She walked him to the west wing of the house.

Victoria assisted in the removal of Regulus's shirt, seeing the damage. "Oh my god." She gaped. Regulus wasn't saying anything. All he was doing is staying silent. "You should've contacted me sooner." Sirius muttered. "I'm sorry." Regulus said, barely audible. "Why would she do this!?"Victoria asked. "I defended your sister and she didn't approve." Regulus said. Sirius rose a brow as the doctor slowly applied disinfectant making Regulus wince. "You... actually confronted mother. On purpose? Are you insane?"Sirius asked. "What is she going to do? Disown me?" Regulus asked. "Or kill you!" Victoria said. "Please, Sirius went through worse." Regulus muttered. Sirius sighed. "That is besides the point Regulus, you don't need to be doing shit like this." He said. "I don't want to do this anymore Sirius, I'm tired of listening to her. I followed her rules. Her ridiculous rules. I did everything right and then I made one choice she didn't like and she wants to ban me from ever setting foot near Y/n again. I don't want to do that, especially when she needs someone more than ever-" "food!" Victoria realized. "...Wha- oh my God I left Marlene at the restaurant!" Sirius realized. "You did what!?" Regulus asked as Victoria ran off. "I saw your signal, I took off, Jesus I'm a horrible boyfriend." Sirius winced. "Go home. " Regulus said. "You need me." He said. "No I don't, the hard part is over." Regulus said. "You and I both know that woman will not stop." Sirius said. "Putting you in the center of things again isn't going to help." Regulus winced as the doctor applied more disinfectant. "You're at least staying here." Sirius said. "That was the plan." Regulus said. Sirius looked at his little brother. "You don't deserve any of this." Sirius said. "Neither of us did."

Victoria walked back in to see you asleep on the bed with your mother. Your mother was holding you close as if you were a child. But she was awake. "Victoria, come here for a moment." She said. Victoria closed the door and sat down. "Mother I-" "I want you to know that I am proud of you for choosing love." She said. Victoria blinked. "Frederick is a good man. He may not be apart of our way of life but I have never been disappointed by you. You're a good woman. I feel like you don't hear that often enough." She said. Victoria felt tears forming. "You know what's happening?" Victoria asked. "I've always known." She nodded. She looked at you who was asleep. "Promise me you'll take care of your sister." She asked. "... I promise." Victoria agreed. "Mother... Regulus is here... Walburga-" "I know all that she's done. And I have full confidence that Regulus will protect Y/n if need be." She said. "What about the boy? What about Regulus?" She asked. "Your father will take care of that." She said. She looked out the window, before looking down. "Can you get your father?" She asked. Victoria nodded before exiting again. She stood in front of the door before silently crying to herself.

Sirius finally registered this strange energy in the house and the fact that there were doctors on sight. Someone in this house was dying. He walked backed into the west wing, seeing Regulus getting up. "Who in the house is sick?" Sirius asked. "M/n. She's the lady of the house. Victoria isn't sure she'll survive... I'm not sure she will either." Regulus admitted. Sirius looked at him. "Was this why you asked to be brought here?" He asked. "Yes." Regulus answered. Sirius said nothing, only sighing before laughing. "You have not changed." He said. "What is that supposed to mean?" Regulus asked. "You're still that kind hearted kid that made all the slytherin girls swoon." Sirius said with a sigh. He rolled his eyes. "They did not swoon." Regulus said. "Please, I saw them. They swooned." He said. "They did not!"

As the night continued Victoria slept in a chair next to your mother's bed, your father sleeping next to your sister as you were asleep with her. Victoria was never fully asleep though. And then she heard it. Silence. That God awful silence that was so loud. She woke up your father by moving forward and putting her ear to her chest. That silence got louder and louder as she closed her eyes and sobbed. Your father hugged Victoria, careful to silence the noise so you could sleep.

Somehow, you managed to sleep through everything. When you woke up however the bed and the room was empty. You leaned up, confused and you noticed silence in the house. Dread filled you as you walked downstairs, praying to see your mother at the table. Instead you saw Regulus speaking with Victoria and your father. Your father looked over and your lips trembled. He didn't have to say anything. The dark bags under his eyes, the tear stains. You knew damn well what happened and you felt your cheeks grow damp.

Regulus hugged you and you cried into his shoulder, him whispering "I'm so sorry" over and over again. It didn't take long for the condolence baskets to come in. Everyone and their mother seemed to send you all food, flowers or alcohol. You didn't leave your room and the only person you'd even glance at was Regulus. You sat with your legs in the seat in your room, looking out the window. "Do you want anything? Food? Water?" He asked. You shook your head. "...Maybe I should give you some spac-" "stay." You whispered. He blinked. The first words anyone had heard you say since her death. "Please.... stay." You whispered. He got up, moving your book to the side so he could sit with you and pulled you into his arms. He pressed a kiss to the side of your head as you fell asleep against him.

When you fell into your deep sleep again he moved you to the bed, going back to the west wing to gather his clothes. "Going home?" Sirius asked. "Yes, I can't leave them completely unattended people will talk." He muttered. Sirius noticed his brother's face. "What's on your mind Regulus?" He asked. Regulus stopped folding his shirt. He swallowed hard. "Why her?" He asked. Sirius rose a brow. "What?" He asked. "Why her? Why Y/n's mother? Why? Why is it that Y/n has to lose her mother when- when idiots like our father get longer lives? Y/n's mother got sick as a result of trying to help someone, our father got sick because he went to a meeting with contaminated people. Father isn't- he isn't a father at all, why does he live when a woman who is actually a wonderful mother, a loving wife dies and- and that asshole gets to live!?" He asked. Sirius had never seen his brother so vulnerable before. "I just... Y/n deserves better than this. Than anything I could ever give her." He said. Sirius got up. "She deserves to be happy Regulus. And she's happy with you. The only person in the most difficult time of her life that she wants around, is you." Sirius said. "I don't plan on leaving her Sirius. Not now especially, she needs me." He said. "Good that you know it-" "Y/n?" Regulus heard Victoria. The two men rose a brow, going to the living room to see you with a box of paper. You lit a match, putting papers in the fireplace before you opened a drawer grabbing blank parchment. "Make sure the fire doesn't get out of control." Was all you said before you left to your room. "What is that girl doing?" Your father asked. Victoria knelt, picking up one of the papers before it burned. "...She's burning her old drafts." She said.

You sat in your room at your desk, a picture of you, Victoria and your mother resting on the shelf of it. You inhaled sharply before writing any thoughts that formed. You just kept going, until you reached nothing. But that wouldn't stick, no. You took that paper, balled it up and tossed it to the side before scribbling more down. This time the thoughts were more fluid, the thoughts were coming faster and faster. Before you knew it you had five pages. You kept writing, letting your papers hit the floor if they were in your way. All that you could hear in your room was scribbling and the sound of your clock ticking. You just kept going, writing so intensely you didn't notice that five pages changed to fifty, fifty changed to a hundred, one hundred finally ended on two hundred and fifty pages. You froze looking at the chaotic state of your room. You picked up each of the pages, putting them in order before sitting back down. You read each one carefully, scrapping a few and writing more.

"Y/n? It's Victoria, do you mind if I come in?" She asked. "Fine." You said. She opened the door to see your wand holding your hair up, you writing and pages lining up on the floor. "Uh... Regulus... had to go home for more clothing... what.. Y/n, what are you-" "Please don't touch the pages, the ink isn't dry." You halted her. She paused. "...Y/n are you alright" Victoria asked, confused on your mental state. "My mother just died, how do you think I'm supposed to feel." You muttered. She moved carefully around the paper, sitting on the edge of your bed. "Does Frederick know?" You asked, still writing. "Yes, he's going to be at the funeral." She nodded. You kept writing. "Sirius also went home... Y/n, were you aware Regulus and Sirius were being abused?" Victoria asked. You froze. "...I knew about Sirius but the way Regulus worded it made it seem like he was never apart of it. " You admitted. "He stayed here because his mother hurt him." She admitted. You looked down. "What are you writing?" She asked. You sighed. "our life story." You said. "Our life... You.. Really?" She asked. "Is that ridiculous?" You asked. "No I just didn't expect us to be the subject." She admitted. You kept writing. "...Would you like me to get the type writer?" She asked. "No, not yet. I want to make sure this is what I want. " You replied. "...okay... do you mind if I sit here?" She asked. "I enjoy the company." You said.

Regulus entered his house, Walburga sitting in the living room staring blankly into the fireplace. "You've come back." She muttered. "I needed clothes, I'm staying with the L/n's again." He said walking towards the stairs. "Why her Regulus?" She asked. He stopped. "She provides nothing to you." She said. "She loves me mother. I love her." He said. She shook her head. "Regulus. All I want is for your dreams to be able to come true. I don't think she can provide-" "I'm not pursuing my dreams mother I'm following yours." He said sharply. Walburga frowned. "Where did I go wrong?" She muttered. Regulus stepped back, enraged by such a simple sentence. "Where did you go wrong? where did you go wrong!?"He asked. He walked into the living room, anger and sadness in his eyes. "You went wrong the second you and father put your hands on Sirius. You went wrong when you favored me over your own child, you went wrong when you disowned my brother, you went wrong when you screamed at Y/n's mother for something no one could control. You and father aren't even parents, it's more like- like you're wardens in this fucked up prison!" He said. Walburga shook her head. "I just want you to succeed-" "I JUST WANTED A MOTHER." He said sternly.

Silence fell over both of them, him shaking his head before walking away. He went into his room and ran a hand over his face. Regulus grabbed a suitcase, packing it with clothes and Walburga knocked on the door. "I don't want to speak to you." He said. She opened the door anyway, tapping his shoulder. He turned around. "What mother, what?" He asked. She pulled his hand forward and put a ring in his palm. "Ask her." Was all she said before leaving. He looked at the ring and then swallowed.

You found yourself asleep when Regulus came back, knocking on your bedroom door. You and Victoria jumped at the noise. "Coming." You said, getting up. You tip toed through the pages. "I brought food." Regulus said. You froze at the voice. "Is that Regulus?" She asked. "Yes! Grab the pages!" You said. "Which order-" "it doesn't matter!"

Regulus found himself slightly amused by the girls quiet bickering. "Y/n, is there a specific order- oh my God your hair." Victoria gaped. "What's wrong with my hair!?" You asked, voice cracking making Regulus bite back a snort. "It's everywhere! Come here!" "And trust you with a brush!? Last time I did that I *lost* my hair!" "Y/n, look in the mirror." She said. You sighed, Regulus hearing footsteps before a loud gasp. "You let me look like this in front of you!?" You asked. "We're grieving Y/n-" "I look like a crack whore from Knockturn alley!" You whisper shouted, though that didn't stop Regulus from hearing. You heard stifled laughter. "...tell me he didn't hear me." You muttered before you brushed out your hair to be presentable. Victoria gathered the papers and you opened the door.

"Regulus! Hi!" You said, clearing your throat. "I figured you didn't eat so I brought food downstairs." He said. "Oh! Thank you- Victoria just put the papers on the desk!" You sighed seeing Victoria slightly panic on where to put the pages. "There is no room on the desk!" She huffed. "Then. Put. It. On. The. Vanity." You huffed. "Right! We'll be right down!" Victoria said. Regulus nodded and began to walk. He stopped though turning around. "Also, I believe your hair looks fine Y/n." He said. You felt a blush rise to your cheeks and he smiled walking downstairs.

Your father was already sitting at the table. "Walburga contacted me." He said as Regulus sat down. "She's given you her blessing." Your father said. Regulus nodded, putting his hand in his pocket. He felt the ring she gave him. "You do still wish to marry my daughter, don't you?" He asked. "Yes sir." Regulus answered. "Good. Then listen to me and listen well." He began. "If you ever lay a hand on my daughter, if you ever harm her wellbeing I will personally kill you." Your father threatened. "If I ever hurt your daughter I'd kill me." He said. "I am holding you to that young man." Your father said. You came in with Victoria sitting down. Your eyes locked onto a empty chair, you swallowing a forming lump in your throat. "The funeral is tomorrow..." your father said. You nodded as the house elf set the food out. A knock sounded off and you looked up confused. The house elf answered the door, a man standing there. "Frederick!" Victoria gasped, hugging her husband. "I got on the train the second I received word." He said. "It is good to see you son." Your father greeted. Frederick hugged your father and you soon hugged him after. He rose a brow however at the new boy at the table.

"Who is this?" He asked. "Oh this is Regulus Black, family friend." Your father said. Regulus shook his hand as he sat down. "Winny, set one more plate out-" "oh no I'm fine on food, some tea would be wonderful though." Frederick said. "Very well, some tea for the man please." The house elf scurried off and you sat down. "You're aware that the funeral is tomorrow?" Your father asked him. The table was finally set and you all began eating. "Yes sir... I am so sorry I couldn't come sooner, we were finishing up dealings in France. Oh, Rachel sends her condolences " He said. You looked up. "You saw Rachel?"You asked. "He works with her father." Victoria said. You nodded mindlessly, still clearly distracted by the obvious absence. "Who is Rachel?" Regulus asked, in hopes of distracting you. "A girl I went to school with." You muttered. "Beauxbaton?" He asked. You nodded. "You knew she went to Beauxbaton?" Victoria asked. "Yes, we discussed it." Regulus answered. "...in how much detail?" Your father asked. Your cheeks flushed red and Regulus rose a brow. "Not... much, am I perhaps unaware of something?" Regulus asked. "Well, outside of the fact that Y/n was nearly kicked out of Beauxbaton and nearly knocked the head off of the founder's statue, no." Victoria said earning a snicker from Frederick. "You did *what*?" Regulus asked. You cleared your throat. "I... may or may not have caused... a bit of chaos. After Denerick Le vaunt asked me out." You said. Regulus bit back a laugh. "Why?" He asked. "Well the boy was obsessed! I had to do SOMETHING he didn't like so... I went on a... rampage." You admitted. Frederick snorted and Victoria stifled laughter. "A rampage is being polite." Your father chuckled. "Okay, outburst." You said. "Also being charitable." Victoria said. "She dyed the boy's hair orange, got the wood nymphs to attack him, and nearly blew him up which resulted in the statue at the front of the school to nearly be decapitated." Your father listed. Regulus looked at you shocked. "What! Don't give me that look, I know what really happened to the Defense of the Dark Arts teacher's hair!" You defended. "Touché." Regulus said with a laugh. "What did *you* do?" Victoria asked curiously. "I simply... made the teacher bald." He said. Your father nearly choked on his food and Frederick halted from drinking his tea. "You made him bald!?" Victoria asked. "He insulted my family so... I Sort of... retaliated." He admitted. You smirked and he shook his head with a smile. "A match made in heaven, I swear." Your father chuckled.

"Oh, you two are engaged?" Frederick asked. A blush fell over yours and Regulus's faces. "N-no." You said, eating your food. "They're courting each other." Victoria whispered. Regulus started to fiddle with the ring in his pocket again. You all ate in silence before you dismissed yourself. "I bet she's writing again." Victoria sighed. "That's what she's been doing?" Your father asked. "Oh yes. When I investigated earlier she had papers strewn about the place, it was like she wouldn't stop." She said. Regulus rose a brow. "She took my advice?" He muttered to himself. "Hmm?" Your father asked. "Oh, nothing... may I be excused sir?" He asked. "Go ahead, I'd love to speak to Frederick about his business dealings anyway." Your father answered before Regulus got up and left to your room.

He knocked on the door. "Come in." You said. He opened the door and you looked over, slightly confused. "I thought you were Victoria." You said before going back to writing. "I can leave if you'd like." He said. "No it's alright, I enjoy your company." You said. Regulus smiled, sitting down. "What are you writing?" He asked. You paused, looking at your words on paper. "My life story. It's... a bit scrambled at the moment, I had the papers laying out for the ink to dry and Victoria mixed up the pages." You answered. He nodded. "Mind if I read some of it?"He asked. Your cheeks flushed. There was a bit of a ramble on Regulus. How you adored the boy's presence, how he made you smile, how he made you laugh. But to your own surprise all you said was "sure". He took the small stack of papers, seeing the numbers in the corner and organizing them before reading.

He found himself enthralled by you. Your life seemed so interesting, so amazing on paper. You were relatable, you were honest. You were funny. And then he got to his page. "My life seemed to change when I met this boy. He stumbled across me completely by accident. Call it destiny. Call it a hilarious line up of two introverts running away from social interaction, but I met him and my life changed.

Regulus was his name, his hair was dark, his eyes were a dark green that made me nearly lose myself in them. Without even saying any words, Regulus nearly made me fall off a window sill and I distracted myself by making sarcastic comments and small quips. You would think with me being a woman, my comments would be annoying to him. But there was never a moment between the two of us where I felt like Regulus thought of me to be beneath me. He saw me as his equal and it was that simple quality that made me fall for him."

Regulus looked at you as you wrote. He didn't say anything but you stopped writing, looking at the picture of your mother. You heard only the sound of the clock in your room, the clicking getting louder. "Y/n?" Regulus asked. You inhaled sharply, standing up. "I need air." Was all you said before getting up and leaving. Regulus blinked a few times. He put the papers down, following after you. You weren't downstairs but he did catch the tail end of the door closing, making him practically sprint out the front door. You of course hated the fact that it was cloudy, seeing as it felt not only cliché but it felt gloomy which was in fact your mood.

You walked quickly, trying to ignore the fact that Regulus was running after you. He put a hand on your shoulder though and you stopped. "Y/n-" His mind halted and he opened his mouth but nothing came out. Your face was different, your grief seeming to just hit you all suddenly. You shook him off and walked. "I'd like to walk with you. We don't have to talk, we don't have to discuss anything. I just want to... be here for you."He said. You turned to him, saying nothing but giving him a nod. You walked along the path, finding a bench in front of a large pond. You sat down, Regulus sitting next to you.

"I'm scared." You whispered. He looked over. "I don't know what I'm doing most of the time. I always- I always saw that-that my mother knew what to do most of the time. I remember this dinner we went to once... we sat next to each other and anytime I was confused I'd-I'd give her this look. She'd subtly show me what-what I had to do and now... what happens now? I'm supposed to be the lady of my house, I'm supposed to know what to do-" you put your face in your hands. "For God's sake when my mother died I locked myself in my room and just wrote. I don't know what I'm doing and I don't have anyone to teach me how to do it." You said, frustrated by your feelings. "Victoria can-" "Victoria doesn't live with us. She lives with her husband in France where she can actually study medicine. " You muttered. Regulus looked at you, clearly sympathetic to you venting to him. He had no solutions and worst of all, he could not relate to this feeling. He couldn't relate to this because he knew that when his father passed both him and Sirius would feel this new sense of freedom. Regulus said nothing, hugging you quietly. You clung to him, staring blankly at the water as tears fell. "I can't do this." You whispered. He shook his head, pulling away from you but keeping his hands on your shoulders. "You can Y/n. You can and you will." He told you. "But how? How can I keep going in a society that I don't even know how to function in?" You asked. He moved strands of hair from your face. "Y/n, you are one of the most independent and intelligent people that I know. I know my words don't provide much comfort especially because I cannot relate to this feeling. But I believe that you can do this. You're so driven and so smart Y/n. I... I love that about you and I don't want you to think the only reason why you've made it this far was only because of your mother. Your mother was kind. I can see that in the way your family conducts themselves. But please, do not think you're incapable of functioning on your own." He said. You blinked, looking at him. The two of you said nothing, only the sounds of wind and the occasional sound of a bird filling silence.

You don't know what motivated you do what you did it anyways. You kissed him. Regulus didn't expect that to be the initial reaction but once he registered what was happening he put his hands on your cheeks, cradling you close. You nearly sank into his arms before you pulled away. "Oh God." You muttered. "Y/n I-" "Please don't say anything." You halted. You couldn't believe that you just did that. You certainly didn't mean for that to happen but his unconditional love and faith in you just made you fall head over heels. He looked at you. "Do you regret it?" He asked. You looked over at him feeling horrible for kissing him without consent but now you felt worse. "N-no I just didn't... that's... I meant to at least ask for your consent." You muttered. He chuckled with relief. "Y/n, feel free to show your affection towards me at any time." He said. You looked over confused. "You're not mad?" You asked. He smiled, putting his hand under your chin. "How could I be when Y/n L/n has confirmed she loves me without words?" He whispered. Your mind seemed to freeze, your cheeks going red.

You felt something wet land on your shoulder before he paused. "Darling, I believe it is about to rain." He stated. "..shit" You sighed before a clash of thunder made it clear. You both got up as the rain started coming. You were both of course rushing but he grabbed your hand and started running the second it started pouring. The two of you entered the house completely soaked. You panted, out of breath as Victoria came downstairs. "Oh my goodness! You two were outside in that!?" She asked. "Well, it's actually national baptism day and we decided to suddenly be religious." You huffed. "Come, let's get you warm." She said. Regulus chuckled as your sister dragged you off.

You changed clothes, preparing for bed as Victoria brushed out your hair. "Ow! Victoria, there's a head under that!" You winced. "Sorry" She said. "Ow! Victoria please just give it a rest!" You said. "Alright! Alright." She said, putting down the brush. You sighed, getting out of the chair. "Y/n are you alright?" Victoria asked. "I kissed Regulus. " You admitted. Her jaw dropped. "You-" "kissed him. I kissed him. Like a moron! How could I do that!?" You sighed putting your face in your hands. "Do you love him?" She asked. "I cannot comprehend why I did that! Who just sits there and kisses a person-" "Do you love him" "especially when he didn't ask me to kiss him or- or" "Y/n, do you love him?" "Yes." You admitted. She chuckled. "Y/n... now especially is a time where you need to let yourself be happy." Victoria said. You sighed. "I don't want to mess this up." You said. "Honey, you technically messed up the second you made a sarcastic comment to a noble man. But he loves you in spite of that. Hell, from what you've told me, he encourages you to speak your mind." She said. You sighed. "He's so... different, I'm confused on how he's remained unmarried. He seems so... so genuine." You stated. "Y/n, he was a desirable man before you. He just never paid attention to anyone making advances. You however... you captured that attention and have yet to make him bored." She said. "He reminds me of Frederick." She added. "How so?" You asked. "Well Y/n, I didn't secure the family fortune. I married a poor working man out of love, according to society. You found the strangest middle between love and your supposed duty. You have seemingly chosen a rich man that you love rather than just marrying a poor man that you love or settling for a rich man despite the fact that you hate him." Victoria explained.

These words kept you awake. You couldn't sleep, you kept tossing and turning and you sat up, grunting with frustration. Your mother used to have a remedy for this. Warm tea. You got out of bed, quietly walking through the house until you reached the kitchen. The house elf, Winny was sitting on a stool. "Miss Y/n, why are you awake?" She asked. "Couldn't sleep. Lot on my mind." You muttered. "Would you like some tea?" She asked. You nodded and Winny got up, walking around the kitchen and gathering a cup, tea and honey. She sat back down, taking a tea kettle that was already on the counter and pouring water. You rose a brow. "You already had the water ready?" You asked. "Mister F/n was in here not long ago." She said. You blinked as she poured a little honey in it. You took the cup, walking to your father's office. He was sitting at his desk, the tea sitting in front of him.

His eyes wandered up and then back to the tea. "Couldn't sleep?" He asked as you closed the door behind you and sat down. You shook your head. "Me neither." He said softly. You sipped on the tea and he chuckled. "Seems we had the same idea." He said. "Mum made tea for you too?" You asked quietly. "She did. Seemed to be her remedy for everything. Couldn't sleep? Drink tea. Tired? Tea. Can't focus? Green tea." He listed making you chuckle softly. Your laughter fell silent, your father twisting his wedding ring. A nervous tic he only showed when he was clearly thinking about your mother. You'd seen him do it plenty of times before but now it had this new weight to it. "I miss her." You whispered. He looked up, reaching out and clutching your hand. "Your mother was so proud of you and your sister." He said. "I struggle with putting a dress on in the morning... why was she proud?" You asked, clearly questioning your own integrity. "She was proud you chose to be your own person. She loved that you were so independent, she loved that you ventured off on your own at parties even if it was to get away from people. Even though you acted outside of society's boundaries, you made her proud by being your own person." He explained. You felt tears run down your face.

You winded up sleeping in your father's office that night, sleeping in a chair. He woke you up to get ready and the silence in the car was deafening as you rode, the only thing accompanying the sound of the car was the rain and windshield wipers. Regulus sat next to you both in the car and at the service. You were quiet the entire time, just staring at the tombstone. You stood in front of the grave in silence, your sister being the first to leave. Your father left not long after leaving you and Regulus alone. He held the umbrella over you and said nothing as he saw you cry silently. "..I'm going to be okay." You whispered. He looked at you with a softened gaze, putting his arm around you. You hugged him as he held you in his arms, him passing the umbrella to Sirius who just walked over. "Thank you for being here with me." You muttered. "Thank you for letting me be here." He said softly.

You all returned to the house, a wake being held. You stayed close to the staircase as did Regulus and Sirius both. "This is ridiculous, I don't even know half of these people." You muttered. "Well over there is the viscount of Lindbury. Over there is Genevieve Lestraud. Over there is James Potter- James!?" Sirius did a double take. There were two girls with him, one blonde another with red hair. Sirius hugged the blonde girl, her kissing the side of his face. "I'm so sorry for your loss Y/n, I remember your mother. She helped me cross to the platform in my first year." The red haired girl said. You nodded. "I'm afraid I don't know who you are..." You admitted. "Oh! I'm Lily this is Marlene and this is James." She said. "Right, Lily Evans, good to see you again." Regulus remembered. "You too Regulus. " She said. "Oh this is your brother!" Marlene realized. "You must be my brother's girlfriend. " He said. You seemed locked onto your father who was sitting in a chair. "Excuse me." You said before walking over to him.

"That's Y/n?" James asked Regulus. He nodded watching you. "Rumor has it she's to be your wife." Marlene said. "I'd rather not discuss my courtship here." Regulus said. You disappeared to the kitchen before re-emerging with a glass of water. You gave the glass to your father and he smiled saying something to you and you nodded, pulling a seat and sitting next to him. "Why did you come?" Sirius asked James. "Lily wanted to pay her respects and Marlene said you forgot your jacket." James admitted. Marlene held up his coat and he chuckled, taking it and kissing the side of her head. "I'm going to check on Y/n." Regulus said before walking off. "Oh he's so smitten." Marlene said with a small smile.

A nobleman had parked himself in front of you, telling stories of your mother. Your father noticed the slight distain on your face. "And then there was the time-" your father nodded to Regulus, then tilting his head to you to silently tell him to intervene. Thankfully the boy got the hint, walking over. "Y/n! Can I borrow you for just a moment?" He asked. "Yes, thank you." You said getting up and walking with him. Regulus chuckled. "I could see the annoyance in your eyes." He said. "He kept telling the same four stories. Over. And over. And over. And over-" Regulus laughed and you smiled slightly. "Would you like to accompany me to hiding in my father's study so that I can avoid condolences and not be near people?" You asked. "Absolutely. " Regulus nodded. You entered the study and jumped seeing Frederick and Victoria drinking.

"Oh! There you are, sit sit!" Victoria urged. You sat down. "What are you doing?" You asked as Frederick put a glass in your hand and filled it with alcohol. "We're discussing mother, the good memories... you know mother, she wouldn't like this stuffy energy, she'd want us to celebrate her." Victoria reminded. You looked at your glass before drinking. "Do you remember the Christmas is Paris?" You asked. Victoria laughed as did Frederick. Regulus sat down, Frederick offering him a glass with him taking it. "You mean when Freddie nearly set the tree ablaze or when mother *actually* set the tree ablaze?" She asked making Regulus nearly choke. "When mother just literally said 'fuck it' and threw alcohol on the tree, got father to take it outside and gave you a match." You said with a smile. "I remember we thought she went insane!" Frederick said laughing. "She was so annoyed by -by the pine needles that-that her solution was to just- just burn it!" Victoria wheezed. Regulus found himself laughing with you all. "And then there was the tea! She was obsessed with tea!" Victoria recalled. You laughed. "Oh yes, she was particularly fond of green tea, do you remember when I got sick with a cold?" You asked. "Everytime you downed a cup, BAM. There was another one." Victoria said making you laugh and all of you finally fell silent before Frederick poured more alcohol before raising his glass. "To M/n L/n. That broad was amazing." He said. All of you clinked the glasses together and then drank.

You spent the rest of the night telling stories, your father finding you all later. Instead of becoming angry, he joined you, drinking with everyone. You ended up going to bed, the next morning all of you suffering from a hangover. You headed downstairs for water, seeing Regulus holding his suitcase. "Oh I hope I didn't-" you stuck your hand out to halt his speech while holding your head. "Too loud." You said, voice quiet. "Sorry." He said quieter with a slight chuckle. "How are you unaffected?" You asked. "You've met my brother. Right?" He asked making you nod. "Did I wake you?" He asked. "No... where are you going?" You asked. "Home." He reminded. You nodded. "...I almost forgot you don't... live here." You admitted. He chuckled. "I have spent quite a bit of time in the house." He admitted. "Regulus... uhm." You shifted. "Are you alright?" He asked. You nodded. "Would... could I see you again... tomorrow when I'm less... hungover?" You asked. He set down his suitcase, putting his hands on your cheeks. "Name a time and I will show up." He said softly. "...8:30?" You asked. He nodded. "I will be there." He said, kissing your forehead before lifting his suitcase and leaving. You smiled to yourself before walking away from the front door.

As the days continued, you spent more and more time together, often not doing much outside of talking but still clearly showing subtle affection towards one another. Today was a different day. It was sunny and he was at your estate today. You were reading under a tree and his head was in your lap as you played with his hair. "Victoria left with Frederick last night." You said. "Is your father taking that well?" Regulus asked, his eyes gazing at you, despite the fact that you were still reading. "He's taking it fine. After all he has his wonderful companion." You said. "You?" Regulus asked. "No actually, he got a dog." You said. Regulus laughed. "...that actually wasn't a joke, he got a German shepard." You clarified. "...Wait really?" Regulus asked. You nodded. "His name is Reginald. Very regal, very sweet." You said.

Regulus pondered as the subject seemed to die out. "Y/n, what do you think Paris looks like at night?" He asked. You snorted. "You're joking, right?" You asked. "What?" He asked. "I lived in France Regulus, I know exactly what it looked like." You said. He chuckled. "Right then... describe it to me." He said. You looked up, pondering for words. "It almost seemed to glitter. The lights... they looked so warm. And when you walked down the street there was this odd sense of calm. I can only describe it to be like standing in the woods despite the fact that it's a city."you explained. He smiled at your description. "You should write that in your novel." He said. You looked down. "Why the sudden fascination with France?" You asked. "Mm, your sister lives there. I figured maybe I'd take a trip." He said. You chuckled. "Well, have fun on your little trip." You said. Regulus pondered again. "Why did she move to France? I mean, I understand Frederick's job brought him there but I feel as if there must be another reason." He asked. "Your feelings are accurate. France is the only location where women can go to school for other things besides teaching besides Russia. But Russia..." you seemed to be alarmed by the mere mention of the country. "It isn't.... something has always been off. Not with the country but with the way wizards conduct themselves over there. It's more like a military than a society." You explained. Regulus nodded.

Silence finally settled between the two of you. You flipped the page, reading in silence when you finally felt him stare. You looked down. "What?" You asked. "Nothing, you're just beautiful." He said. You laughed. "I'm not joking! You look beautiful!" He said, sitting up and looking at you. You shook your head with a smile. "You're very random." You pointed out. He caressed your cheek, smiling at you. You rolled your eyes. "I can't read when you're being affectionate Regulus." You said. "Maybe I want attention." He suggested. "Maybe you're trying to distract me from my reading!" You said before lifting your book. Regulus rolled his eyes, pulling your book back down. "Reguluusss!" You whined. "There is a party tonight at the Duvain estate... care to accompany me?" He asked. "Will you give me back my book if I say yes?" You asked. He rolled his eyes. "Yes." He agreed. You pondered. "Alright, only if Marlene and Sirius are going." You said, figuring there was no chance you'd catch Sirius at such a prestigious event. "Ha! They are!" He said. You blinked. "They are, Sirius is friends with Francis." He said. "Damn I thought I could get out of this!" You whined. Regulus stood up, extending his hand to you.

The two of you argued while walking. "Social events are not that bad Y/n." He said, walking into the house. "Lies. All lies. It's all mind numbing chit chat that makes me want to kill myself." You whined. "Come now, Sirius and Marlene will be there." He encouraged. "Father please give me something to do tonight!" You begged. Your father looked up from petting the dog. "...Oh! Yes I actually do have something for you to do tonight!" He said. "Ha! I apologize, Regulus it seems I will be busy... doing what exactly?" You asked your father. "Well Francis Duvain is having a gathering tonight, I thought we'd go-" "OH GOD DAMN IT!"

You must've pouted the entire car ride. "Come on, at least I'm with you." Regulus encouraged. You squinted at him. "The bastard that dragged me here? Evil. You're evil." You said making him smile. "Oh yes, I just scream evil. Literature, dancing and" he gasped dramatically "small talk." Your father snorted and you rolled your eyes. You finally came to a stop. "Noooo." You whined. You tapped the driver's shoulder. "We can still make a run for it-" "come on!" Regulus laughed. You followed, much to your dismay but kept close to Regulus. He smiled with you on his arm, everyone now being aware of the prensence of you two. He whispered something in your ear and you giggled, Sirius walking over. "How is my favorite couple?" He asked. "Dreadful, please take me home." You begged. "Me, James, Lily and Marlene are all drinking in another room, join us." He said. You nodded, Regulus and you following.

James was laying across the couch, large bottle in hand with his tie around his head. "What the hell happened here?" You asked. "Well, he tried to take it off but stopped midway." Marlene said. Lily handed you a drink and you shook your head, pointing to the bottle. She sighed, handing you the whole bottle. "Thank. God." You breathed before drinking. Regulus rolled his eyes but did in fact take the bottle after you passed it. "So James, what brings you back to our little side of society?" You asked. "Well-" he sat up, taking another swig. "Mother and father have insisted I join high society. So they're forcing me to take Lily and we have to prance around for hours while my parents talk about the lovely table settings and how Bianca Weatherby's dress is to 'die for'." James exaplained. "And plus it helps that Sirius is... well... of the high society." Lily added. Marlene sat in Sirius's lap with a drink. "Honestly, this is ridiculous. Why should we be hiding? Why not go out there and cause chaos, hell- Francis encourages shit like this." Marlene said. "Y'know, I agree! You're already scandalous for hanging with the disowned brother and I feel like dancing!" Sirius said. "Comrades! To the party!" You said with a laugh.

You all stepped into the main party room the dancing all being very slow and elegant. "Oh now that won't do." Marlene said. You looked to the band, who appeared rather bored. "I have an idea." You said before slipping into the crowd and walking over to the band. You asked a question to them and they all stopped playing and the crowds looked over. Something you told them seemed to pique their interests. They resumed playing but this time, playing a faster paced song. You walked back over. Sirius chuckled. "She's good." Sirius said. Marlene seemed to disappear into the crowd but returned with a top hat. You laughed. "What? I felt fancy." She said tipping the hat.

You rolled your eyes before Sirius pulled her out onto the dance floor. They danced, yes. But it was not by any means elegant. You nearly toppled over as James and Lily joined them. The nobles of course didn't move... until Francis (the host of said party) and his wife joined them. Regulus pulled you to him, both of you dancing while laughing. For once this atmosphere didn't feel stuffy or like no one was actually having a good time. Your father smiled, watching you dance. Regulus looked at you lovingly as you both jumped. He knew he wanted to be with you from that moment on.

"My family has been talking about France. " he said. You rose a brow as you danced. "Are you leaving England?" you asked. "Most likely." He admitted. You felt a small sinking feeling. "Unless I was given a reason to stay." He added making you look at him. A glass broke in the background. "Tis a sign let the party move outside!" Francis yelled. Couples adjourned outside. "What do you mean?" You asked. "I wouldn't leave if I were given a reason to stay." He said. "Regulus, I don't want you to stop your life because of me." You said. He looked at you. "So... you want me to go." He said. "...I... I want you to be happy and if you think you'd be happy in France then-" "I don't want to go to France... Not unless..." he shook his head. "Unless what?" You asked. "We should go outside-" "unless what Regulus ?" You pressed. "Unless you were with me." He stated. You paused. "...I" you seemed to hold off on explaining your feelings. "Y/n, in the time I've known you, you've always spoken your mind." Regulus pointed out. "Guys the party is moving-" Regulus held out his hand halting Sirius. "I don't want to vocalize my emotions when it could stop you from living your life Regulus, I want you to be happy. I want you to live your life with no regrets and I want you to feel like you have done everything you've wanted to-" "just say how you feel Y/n!" You shook your head "Please-" "Y/n I am actively asking you to give me a reason to stay, please just-" "I want you to stay." You finally said. Your eyes were sad, you almost seemed ashamed to even state that fact.

"But I don't want you to feel as if you missed out because I asked you to stay. I want you to be happy-" "I'm at my happiest when I'm with you." He said softly. Sirius, Marlene, James and Lily all stood watching as couples were laughing and dancing outside. "Y/n... please... tell me how you feel." He said softly. You inhaled, your breath shaking. "I have never felt a connection or bond as strong as ours. I have struggled with socializing my entire life. I always speak my mind, I always say what people are thinking, I walk with purpose, I never wanted to be in high society and I always voiced that fact. But you... you changed so much. You encourage me to tell you my feelings, you are always there when I need you, you enjoy my company, you love my family, you put up with my habits and I know that-that I could let myself fall. That I could just let go and fall and I know you'd catch me. But I'm-I'm terrified that if I choose to let go, you will grow tired of my company or choose to walk away-" Regulus took your hands into his as you spoke. "I cannot lose you and if I make the choice to let go I risk losing you-" "you will never lose me." He whispered. You couldn't speak. "Y/n I am so insanely in love with you. And I know you love me too. And by this point I have no idea what's holding me back from asking you-" "what are you doing" you asked as he slowly got down on one knee. "Oh my god." Marlene gasped. "Y/n L/n. Will you please just marry me already and allow us to tell those pretentious bastards outside to suck it?" He asked. "You're insane!" "Well, some say love is akin to madness." He shrugged. "....You really... have you even thought about this?" You asked. He pulled out a ring, one that his mother gave him. "Oh my god you have thought about this." You breathed. He looked at you awaiting your answer.

Time seemed still as Francis Duvain turned to see the proposal before signaling for the band to stop. Sound ceased, couples confused before they turned to the small group still inside. Your father smiled as you stared into Regulus's eyes, heart pouding in your ears. You could feel every moment with Regulus lining up for this moment, every memory flooding you. He could've hidden in any room that day but he wandered into the room you were in. You could've kept your many thoughts of high society to yourself but you didn't. You could've chosen to leave. But you didn't.

Regulus looked at you, hoping this wasn't out of line but thankfully you nodded, tears in your eyes. “Yes- Yes!” You nodded, him smiling, sliding the ring onto your finger and holding you. You had no idea you had an audience until clapping ensued, making the two of you slowly turn. Regulus looked at them and then you. “Run?” “Right behind you.”

Draco wrote to you as much as possible

Something changed though, the morning Remus dropped you off at the station

Remus got on the train with you

You blinked.

“Dad... I know we’re close but this is the first day of kindergarten all over again.” You said

“...Pup I’m a professor this year.” He snorted. 

Harry, who just got on the train with the Weasleys paused. 

“WHAT?”

“You’re totally riding with us.” You said excitedly

So there you were in cart with your dad, Harry, Draco, waiting for Hermione and Ron who were chasing Hermione’s cat

Draco kept giving you this cute little smile. 

You two never said anything to each other but you still exchanged this smile. 

Remus of course noticed this but said nothing 

Ron and Hermione finally showed up 

“Crookshanks did not--” “YES IT DID!” 

You all looked over 

“What’s going on?” You asked

“Ron’s rat ran off!” Hermione said

“More like your cat ate him!” Ron fired back.

“What does your pet look like so we can find him?” Remus asked

“He’s a brown rat.” “He took off the second we got close to the cart.” Hermione explained.

That raised an alarm in Remus’s brain. 

“...Ron how old is your rat?” Remus asked.

“Oh he’s old. Like twelve years old.” Ron said. 

Remus stood up and drew his wand

“Dad?” You asked. 

“Lock this door the second I leave. If you find the rat one of you come and find me.” 

You guys didn’t find the rat, however there was this strange new tension on campus.

There were a few aurors walking around, one of which was walking you and Harry to classes

That auror was (wait for this one) Sirius 

People of course were speculating that 

A: your father was a professor 

and B: The Sirius Black was escorting you out of all people around the school

See, the weird thing was that four different people were walking Harry to class.

Neither you or Harry were fully alone. 

But that wasn’t the only weird thing going on.

You and Mcgonagall seemed to be discussing something at every free moment

Two weeks into school you seemed to be taking some sort of advanced skill

Don’t get me started on the group noticing you chewing something for a solid month 

Ministry members were also talking to you

not even Harry knew what was going on

Then came the trip to Hogsmeade

You all went and for the most part it was fun

 until Harry got the bright idea to eavesdrop on a conversation

He found out everything.

Peter, the betrayal, why staff was acting odd. 

all of it. 

He didn’t say anything either, he walked out of the three broomsticks, walked over to the shrieking shack and threw up

You listened to him sob and that night was hard

Draco sat at the foot of your bed while you sighed. 

“He’s going to be okay Y/n, he has us.” He reminded. 

“I know... But still... Jesus... I can’t imagine what must be going through his head” You breathed. 

Draco put a soothing hand on your leg and you smiled 

“I’m always here Y/n... Always.” he said softly 

You both exchanged this look.

Something in you just leaned forward and he kissed you.

then you heard a small pattering noise... like rat feet

You both split apart and you grabbed your wands

“MCGONAGALL!” you yelled.

She ran in and noticed the alarm on both Draco’s face and then heard the noise.

She found the rat but it was the wrong rat.

“Maybe it is best that you sleep out in the common room like mister potter. Draco you should go back to your--” “While that killer is roaming campus, I am not leaving my best friend alone.” He said. 

Mcgonagall sighed, but understood his worry before it registered that he knew.

“You know about Pettigrew?” she asked. 

“My father doesn’t keep me completely out of the loop professor.” Draco answered

She sighed. 

but she agreed to let him stay as long as he wasn’t completely alone with you.

You two didn’t bring up the kiss at all. 

But things certainly got weirder between you two.

Both of you would get extremely flustered if you even looked in the same direction

then came the night you snuck out.

it was a full moon and you were staying in Hermione’s room due to the fact that the guys snored so fucking loud.

You snuck out, tip toeing past the sleeping boys and meeting Sirius outside of the common room.

“Are you sure you want to help?” Sirius asked quietly.

“I’m sure.” You nodded before both of you took off. 

What you didn’t realize was that Hermione followed you.

Along with the guys.

You slid down the whomping willow, walking into a room with Sirius where he gave you a talk of “be careful, avoid being in direct line of his vision and stay safe.” 

The group was hearing all of this, along with the pained groans of someone. 

“He’s turning.” Sirius noticed. 

“Did he drink his potion?” you asked. 

Sirius noticed the potion’s contents on the floor. 

“Shit.” You both said in unison before hearing the snarling

“Y/n, change, now!” Sirius said before taking on his dog form.

You took on an Animagus form.  

It was a hawk, a loud screech emerging from you as you took flight

The group watched you and Sirius basically herd Remus into a room from a door crack.

“She’s an animagus?” Ron whispered. 

“From the looks of it, yeah.” Harry muttered. 

“Remus is a werewolf?” Ron asked

“No shit sherlock.” Draco muttered. 

Then Remus had an outburst, a rat scurrying by his feet.

Sirius immediately took his human form and sprinted after it, leaving you alone with your father. 

The rat stopped at Hermione’s feet that was blocking the way out.

The group was caught. 

“What in the blazes are you doing here!?” he asked. 

Remus lunged at you, you dodging the attack

He snarled and you tried to stand your ground

“I--” Harry picked up the rat and frowned.

Remus slammed you against the wall before you took your human form

“dad, it’s me--”

Sirius used the reversal spell and sure enough it was Peter.

“You son of a--” 

Then everyone heard a scream.

Your scream.

Sirius dropped everything, sprinted back in the room before seeing you with a bite mark on your shoulder

“HARRY GET Y/N TO THE INFIRMARY NOW!”

So the group now was not only holding a wand to a fugitive, they also had a potentially dying girl with them

Draco was sprinting as fast as humanly possible with you in his arms

The rest of the group was trying to get Pettigrew to the ministry 

Sirius was trying to keep your dad from going ballistic

Two hours later you were in a bed passed out with Draco pacing

Pettigrew fucking escaped and the ministry was high tailing it after him

You, thank god, weren’t a werewolf but you were unconscious

no one could pry Draco away from you.

You unconscious for about five days

Remus was a wreck

When you woke up Draco and Remus were both asleep at the foot of the bed

You shifted and Draco’s head shot up.

“Professor she’s awake” Draco said 

Remus looked at you with tears almost bombarding his face.

“Y/n, I’m so sorr--” “Dad it’s okay. I knew what I was getting into, I almost expected it.” you stated.

Remus was still very hesitant to even look at you

Summer was spent at the Weasleys, Draco again being present for it.

neither of you still talked about the kiss and it was driving both of you crazy

You both were 10x more jumpier around each other

Draco was so scared he was losing you as a friend 

So Fred gave him some advice because he knew you liked him.

“dude. Just hit on her. Let her know you’re still interested-- fucking show that you care!” Fred said. 

“But what if it fails--” “It won’t!” 

So Draco started being smooth as hell

You were reaching for a glass and he stood so close to you and grabbed it for you

You almost dropped the glass the second it was in your grasp

You’d be so focused on something, look over and see Draco staring and literally fuck it up within seconds. 

He lends you his jacket, all the time

You love it but are too chicken to admit that you do though

And then came the tournament

Draco left about three days before the tournament

He left you his jacket though

but you all ended up going 

As you were walking to the portkey Cedric seemed to have his sights set on you

Fred and George had to literally stand between you because they did NOT want Cedric making moves 

Course, all the boy was interested in was friendship though and you knew that because you knew he liked Cho

You thought that Draco wasn’t going to be there but you were pleasantly surprised.

Well, until you saw his father

and you realized what jacket you were wearing in front of him

You were a fumbling mess, stuttering over your words

However Lucius is a civil man and assured you it was fine (while also giving a look to Draco)

Let’s just say Lucius wasn’t exactly thrilled with his son’s choice

You were practically shaking when you were in your seat and eventually just sat near concessions.

Cedric found you and calmed you down, you thanking him

For the most part you enjoyed the game after you calmed down

You had to listen to Ron’s big speech on Krum afterwards though and you were rolling your eyes

Draco met you guys back in the tent

“Y/n, are you alright? I noticed you looked really pale when you left.” He asked

“Your father is terrifying.” You said before hearing what you thought was a scream of celebration

You took a long sip of water before Arthur ran in. 

“Everyone, grab your things, we need to leave.” He said

“What’s going on?” You asked 

The sense of alarm on Arthur’s face made everyone worried. 

Draco immediately pulled you close to him, neither of you letting go when you got to safety.

“Are you alright?” Cedric asked.

Draco immediately seemed jealous

“I’m okay Ced, don’t worry. I’m more worried for Harry.” You muttered looking over at the boy.

“Wait... Draco, where’s your dad?” Hermione asked.

He frowned, looking around the camp grounds to see no trace of his father. 

“....Don’t tell me he’s--” “I don’t know. He stopped keeping me in the loop after our second year.” He muttered.

“....Why?” You asked. 

Draco seemed so tense because of that one little question.

“I think he had something to do with the chamber of secrets.” Draco said

“What?” The group asked in unison.

“he carried around this black journal, I don’t know if you remember that girl from Slytherin, Pansy? We’re friends with her family and I think he snuck it into her luggage or something. Either way when the ministry found her she was unconscious and the journal was on the ground next to her.” Draco explained

Everyone was shocked. 

“Your father almost killed a student!?” Ron whisper shouted

“I didn’t know, it wasn’t until last year that I started piecing shit together man!” Draco whispered

“Are you insane-- you have to be” “Ron calm down” Hermione whispered

“He almost got someone killed!” Ron said

“Draco is not his father!” You snapped. 

Everyone was surprised by your reaction, especially Draco

You sighed and looked away, looking at the scene in front of you 

That’s when a flash of green light practically blinded you and there it was

the dark mark

Draco grabbed your hand, staring at it with a frown. 

“Do you think he’s--” “I don’t know.” Draco whispered

You all went back to the Burrow, Molly mortified that her adoptive sons  (and daughter) went through that

Remus was also there, for the first time in months he hugged you. 

“I thought the worst.” He muttered.

“I’m okay papa.” You whispered.

You all were cautious when you went back to school

Cedric was happy you were okay, Cho was too

Cedric was also talking to you more, mainly because you had crossed paths multiple times at campus.

Believe or not, you were actually really good friends.

Draco still was having no luck in asking you out

Fred and George witnessed him nearly lose his mind during the first few hours of school because you touched his hand

He went from smooth to a nervous wreck.

Then the introduction dinner started

And everything was odd.

You watched the Beauxbatons dance with ease

You watched Durmstrang march forward

You listened to Ron’s squeal when he saw Viktor Krum

And then a Durmstrang boy seemed to immediately take a liking to you

Which made Draco want to stab him

You seemed completely oblivious to the guy’s flirting though

You all found out about the goblet of fire

Draco actually was considering joining the competition but you seemed to have a negative reaction to it.

Then they announced the age restriction on it and everyone but you seemed to hate the idea of that.

Then Harry ended up getting roped into it and you were arguing 24/7 with the ministry workers on why he was involved 

Then mad eye moody assured you that he’d be fine. 

Mad eye moody freaked you out.

Seriously, he seemed awfully fixated on you and Harry

Draco hated seeing you with that Durmstrang boy.

Seriously.

He was always there, smiling at you, laughing at something you said.

Draco was over all in a sour mood when he was around

You didn’t mind Nikolai but you needed a break so you found yourself sitting at the lake

A blonde French girl sat next to you

It was Fleur

she didn’t always like being in the center of attention and needed a break

So the two of you became close friends

She taught you French, you taught her English

You and her became very close, Draco taking notice of your friend

not in a romantic way. Actually, she noticed his interest was not with her

No, she knew he was in love with you just by the way he looked at you

“So how long have you and Draco been... seeing each other?” Fleur asked.

“Oh we aren’t... Dating.” You muttered, throwing a pebble into the water

“Really? He looks at you as if he was in love, I just figured--” “He doesn’t--... Does he?” You asked.

“Oh my goodness does he, he seems completely head over heels.” She said.

So then you started thinking about this more and more. 

something was clearly bugging you and Draco could tell

It was that damn dance class

Draco and you were paired up and you seemed so distracted.

“Y/n?” Draco asked.

“Hmm? Oh sorry.” You muttered.

“Are you alright?” He asked, the glint of concern in his eyes

“Yeah, I’m fine...” you said

You two were dancing great actually, smiling and laughing before you noticed it

the loving look that Fleur was talking about

“Draco I need you to be 100% honest with me.” you began

he nodded

“Do you love me?” you asked. 

Draco froze as did Fred and George who were listening. 

Draco swallowed hard. 

“I-I” He stuttered. 

“Draco?” You asked.

“...Yes.” he answered

You didn’t hesitate in kissing him

You simply yanked his tie, pulling him to you and you just...

kissed him

He kind of locked in place for a minute and Fred groaned. 

“KISS HER YOU GIT!” George said.

finally his shock subsided and he put his arms around your waist. 

he kissed you back and boom

you two were dating

You both were so in love and it was nice for the friend group to see you so happy. 

You two were inseparable and of course Fred and George took full credit

The second challenge came along

You were all sitting on the docks when you noticed missing people that didn’t make sense

Cho wasn’t present for her own boyfriend

Ron wasn’t there either

and neither was Gabrielle.

You frowned, walking over to her 

“Fleur, where’s Gabi?” You asked. 

“She’s not with the girls?” She asked. 

You shook your head and she frowned.

“Fleur, what was this challenge?” You asked. 

“...retrieving... something...” she said before both of you realized what was going on.

“Y/n?” Draco asked. 

Fleur’s pale face combined with your shocked expression concerned him

“Love what’s wrong?” He asked. 

“They’re down there.” you whispered. 

Draco frowned. 

“....Are you sure?” he asked.

“Hermione would never miss this.” you muttered.

The contestants had to line up and you frowned, watching them all jump in

You noticed Neville give Harry Gillyweed 

You sat and waited, seeing Krum come up first with Hermione.

You ran over, seeing her cough .

“Are you alright?” you asked. 

“I’m fine, have you seen Ronald?” she asked. 

“He wasn’t down there?” you asked. 

“I...Don’t know, I couldn’t see.” She said.

Cedric came up with Cho and you looked over. 

Finally, Harry came up with Ron

You were relieved when they showed up

But anxiety filled you back up when Fleur came back empty handed.

“The mermaids, I-I couldn’t get her back--” 

You looked over 

“Neville, hand me the rest of the Gillyweed.” you said 

He handed it to you and you took off your shirt. 

“Y/n, what the hell are you doing!?” Draco asked. 

“Saving my friend..” you said before jumping into the water

Draco nearly went in after you but Moody stopped him.

“If she’s in danger, we’ll know.” He said

Soon, you popped out of the water with Gabrielle and Fleur sprinted over.

You were cold, naturally

Draco was just happy to have you back, wrapping you in a towel.

the ministry was pissed with your involvement now, but because you were a Hogwarts student points were given to Cedric and Harry.

Durmstrang insisted that that was bullshit and that points should've been docked but uh...

Dumbledore rlly said "No fucks given"

So that good old Yule ball.

You didn't really plan on going but Ginny AND Hermione insisted.

As far as Draco knew, he was aware it wasn't your scene but didn't get the memo that his friends were dragging his girlfriend to the dance.

His plan was to show up for looks, raid the cookies, leave, sneak to you and just spend time with you.

So imagine that boy's shock watching you walk Hermione down the stairs looking beautiful.

He just was there really to make his parents happy by keeping up appearances, but now that you were there it was a reason to stay.

You and him couldn't take your eyes off each other.

You did dip out pretty quick once things got loud but you also raided the snacks, sitting on the steps.

You laughed at some silly little joke he told you.

He smiled, brushing the hair out of your eyes

"Draco..." You said.

"Hmm?" He hummed.

"do you ever consider a future... With me?" you asked.

He smiled, kissing your knuckles.

"All the time my love." He replied.

"Like what?" you asked.

"Well I know that I want us to live in a nice house... And I'd like a dog." he said.

You laughed, making him raise a brow

"My uncle is a dog, my father is pretty damn close to one, aren't you aggravated with all the canines?" you asked, making him smile.

"I've always found basset hounds to be adorable, sue me." He said.

You laughed harder.

"What is with you?" he asked.

"It's hard to imagine you with a dog like-like a basset hound! A great Dane, maybe but a small little basset hound is amusing!" You said.

He shook his head with a smile.

"One day I hope that we grow old together... Maybe have children if it doesn't make you uncomfortable... Our son's name would be Charles... Our daughter would be named Violet." He finally said.

You blinked, feeling this beautifully intense emotion of love.

"Draco I love you." You said.

He smiled, kissing you. "I love you too."

And you almost kissed again until you heard shouting from Ron and then Hermione.

"I have to handle these morons, I'm sorry." You told him.

"Go. I'll see if I can talk sense into Ron." He nodded.

So the night ended with you comforting Hermione and Draco bitching at Ron for not seeing what was SO CLEARLY IN FRONT OF HIM.

The final trial began, Ron of course having tension with Hermione

You had this bad feeling.

Draco could tell too.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked.

"I just... It feels off. Something about this. It feels off." You said.

And then it began.

As players returned back to the start you started asking questions.

And then Fleur said something.

"When I turned a corner, I swear I could hear a rat!"

Your heart dropped and you BOLTED to the ministry workers, BEGGING them to pull the rest of the students out.

Their exact words were "We can't just do that based on a 'paranoid whim'."

And then it happened.

Harry and Cedric came back.

Only one of them wasn't alive.

You sprinted down to them, pulling Cedric's chest to your ear, praying you heard something.

The silence in his chest was so loud.

You let out this pained cry that alerted the crowd something was wrong.

You and Harry were both dragged back to Moody's office

You had this feeling again.

Uneasy, like something was wrong.

As Moody talked, you kept noticing the weird tongue thing he was doing.

As he revealed more and more... It made sense.

"You put Harry's name in the Goblet of fire!" You realized, Harry looking over shocked at your accusation.

He was searching frantically for something.

You didn't even dare to reach for your wand.

You knew he'd kill you in a instant

"For a girl so caught up in a ridiculous romance, you catch on quick, Lupin." He said.

"Harry won because I made it so. He ended up in that graveyard because it was meant to be so and now the deed is done." He told you, leaning close to your face.

He walked to the cabinet looking at you and Harry.

"Imagine the reward I'd get for finally silencing the great Potter. The girl... Well the girl would just be a plus." He chuckled, whipping out his wand.

"EXPELLIAMUS!" was shouted.

You and Harry backed to the wall, hearts pounding.

"Are you alright?" you asked him.

He nodded "You?" He asked.

"Yeah." You breathed.

Dumbledore, Mcgonagall and Snape all joined you, Snape pouring something in Moody's mouth.

The truth was revealed.

Moody was actually not Moody, in fact, he was Barty Crouch Jr.

And the real Moody was what was in the mysterious chest he kept in the office.

Once you and Harry were released, you both went to the common room where the group was waiting.

You hugged Draco.

You explained everything, deeply unsettling the group.

"do you know what this means?" Ron asked.

You watched the fire in the fireplace with a blank stare

"War."

The banners of Cedric went up.

Harry felt too much guilt keeping the prize money.

So he gave it to Fred and George for their business.

You seemed very depressed over the summer

You hardly left your room.

Then something happened.

Draco showed up at your house in the middle of the night.

"What in Merlin's beard are you doing here, it's four in the morning?" Remus asked.

"I need a place to stay sir." He said.

a family meeting was called.

Naturally everyone was half awake until Draco explained what was going on.

Not only did Draco confirm your suspicions of his father being a death eater. He was allowing Voldemort to stay with them.

Draco saw him enter, apparently said he was going for a walk and then just... Took off.

Remus, while reluctant to let his daughter's boyfriend to stay in the same house as them, allowed it.

You all told the Weasleys of course

Once the school year began, Sirius made a attempt to alert the ministry of "hi, guess what, the guy we all feared would come back is in fact back... And staying at the Malfoy manor"

This was waved off.

Remus tried.

waved off.

ARTHUR TRIED

waved off.

Once you got to school, something odd was going on.

there was a ministry worker there

As a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher

and everyone was claiming that Cedric's death was a accident.

This. Made. You. Livid.

You and Harry were both pissed that actual magic was no longer being practiced

"Don't you think we should actually PRACTICE the magic, especially now that 'You know who' is back?" you asked.

"He. Is. not. back."

You glared.

"You're fucking joking right?" You asked.

By this point you were UNBELIEVABLY fed up with everything.

Weeks of refusing to acknowledge the death of Cedric or the many warnings of a war brewing made you no longer care.

"You are saying this in a class room with two children who has been attacked multiple times by his followers-" "Miss Lupin, be quiet please." "one of which SHOULD'VE died, his parents, DID die." Miss Lupin, sit. Down." "Another student's parents were tortured to a point where they can't even speak and he's aware of what's really going on!" "Miss Lupin I will not be spoken to like this-" "You might be terrified of even acknowledging what is happening, but it won't stop the fact that it is." " Miss Lupin-" "How in the hell do you think Cedric ended up dead!?" "WHAT HAPPENED TO CEDRIC WAS AN ACCIDENT!" "BULLSHIT!"

You of course got detention.

And that's when you discovered how truly crazy this woman was.

When you came back, you immediately told Mcgonagall what she did.

She did what protocol suggested.

She asked the ministry to remove her.

and basically got a "no❤️"

Dumbledore was AWOL and it was clear that this was going to be a LONG year.

Rules kept being added, lessons were being ignored

So you and Harry started the next "Dumbledore's army."

You used this 'room of requirement' a student showed you.

She was sweet actually

kind of on the hippy side but you liked her.

Draco and you both felt so tired of this woman.

Draco knew that if he just asked his parents they might do something.

But probably at a high cost.

You told him not to do anything.

"Why? Y/n, you've been injured by this woman. Harry's been injured. We've contacted everyone we know in the ministry, nothing's been DONE!" he asked.

"I have full confidence in Dumbledore." You said simply.

He didn't get that one at all but when along with it anyway.

FINALLY it reached a new point.

You were pissed, Cho revealed where the Room of Requirement was.

So you finally wrote to your dad.

"Dad. I might not finish school. Sincerely, your loving daughter."

Fred and George noticed your anger and decided to help you direct it somewhere.

They showed you a plan.

You agreed and explained it to Draco.

He was sad you wouldn't be graduating with him.

But he handed you a matchbox, kissed your head and told you to go to town.

and so you did

You set off fireworks with them and Draco smiled.

Once the three of you finished the handiwork you watched it all explode together.

"Regret any of this?" Fred asked.

You smiled at the boy.

"Never Freddie."

And so you left Hogwarts, the three of you opening up the shop.

Remus wasn't too happy with your... Unethical way of handling Umbridge.

But he was proud.

Then came a day when Bill came into the shop saying he met someone.

He would mention little things about this charming blonde girl he met

apparently English wasn't her first language so she spoke with an accent.

When you asked the name you nearly died

it was Fleur!

Your dad came in the shop one day asking all of you to close early and that it was an emergency.

you all went with him, you going to a house you had only stayed in once in your life, shortly after James and Lily died.

It was Sirius' parents' house.

The real moody was there, as were all of the Weasleys and Draco.

then there was this girl with pink hair.

You'd notice the look your dad would give her, making you realize he liked her.

You all joined the Order that night and would report back to them pretty regularly.

Then came a meeting where Draco came back.

He and Remus had been discussing something.

And Draco agreed to something

You were working in the shop one day

Draco came in and he said he had to speak with you

You sat there and listened to him

"The Order thinks we need a spy." He said

"What is Moody cooking up over there?" you asked.

"The only one with an opening is me Y/n." He said

You froze.

"No. No, tell me you didn't-"

"as far as my family knows, me and you have broken up-"

"Draco that is too dangerous, why the fuck would you ever agree to do something like this?" You asked.

"Because I want a future with you Y/n... And this is a war we have to fight." He said.

You accepted the situation but hated all of this.

And then Harry had a vision.

Something was wrong, Arthur was in danger

So you all went to the Ministry

Turns out he was right.

You ended up saving Arthur's life.

Then there was another vision

Sirius was in danger.

So you all went.

This was one of the worst decisions to make

You all went, finding out why Death eaters were there

A prophecy

you guys beat them to the punch however...

Which led to death eaters running after all of you

You all ended up in a battle, your dad, Tonks and Sirius coming to you all.

You fought as strong as you could, actually packing a real punch

and then it happened.

You all thought you were in the clear

"AVADA KADAVRA!"

Sirius stumbled back.

Your eyes widened as you bolted away from Ginny and Remus held Harry as he screamed

Then Voldemort came

you felt true terror

Then....

Dumbledore resurfaced

The Death Eaters took off

You all grieved the loss of Sirius.

You were right there... You should've done... Something.

Draco finally managed to sneak off and tell you that something WORSE was brewing

An attack on Dumbledore

So you all warned him

He didn't have much of a reaction to finding this out, which didn't completely shock you, the man was one of the most powerful wizards , he had a lot of enemies

To Voldemort, that was what was standing in his way.

You all started training more, though you still felt this depression due to the inability to see Draco or the inability to be at Hogwarts. \

However your father's new girlfriend always seemed to check on you.

You loved her, she had this sense of humor you just seemed to vibe with

Your dad referred to you two as his girls

finally one day Remus came by the shop.

He was rambling a lot about something changing and fiddling with something in his pocket

"Dad." you sighed

"And if you have any problems with Nymphadora-"

"Dad."

"I really want to hear them because your opinion matters-"

"You're proposing to her, aren't you?" You asked.

He paused but nodded.

"I'm so happy for you two dad." You said, sincerely.

He smiled and hugged you "Thank you pup"

So the two got married, you and Harry being the witnesses to it

Not long after the wedding though, Tonks kept getting sick

Remus was TERRIFIED he did something

You however noticed a series of patterns

Foods that Tonks used to love she now hated, she craved some off putting things and then it hit you

You pulled her into another room

"You're pregnant." You told her

"No, no I can't be- Oh my god I'm pregnant."

"you're WHAT!?" Remus asked, walking in at precisely the wrong time

"Uh.." "Sur...prise?" you said confused.

Your dad handled it real weird.

He was panicked at first

BABY PROOFED EVERYTHING around the Order

then he sat down with a calculator and was pricing things just saying "Oh god."

then he finally said he was happy

You started getting this feeling though

this feeling of being watched

Draco was visiting less and less and you figured maybe that's why you felt weird.

Then something happened.

Harry and Draco came back to the Order one day, both looking sick to their stomachs

"Love... Are you alright?" You asked Draco

He was shaking, Harry just looked shocked

Remus came in, looking at the boys.

"So it is true." He muttered.

"What's going on?" You asked.

"....Dumbledore he's.... He's dead."

This felt like such a shock.

One of the most powerful people... Gone

Just like that.

"Who killed him?" You asked

"S...Snape."

Your heart dropped.

the whole wizarding world now grieved

You all felt so.. Weird.

Then... You got a letter

Fleur asked an odd question

"Will you be my bridesmaid"

You happened to be drinking coffee and reading this next to the boys

"BILL PROPOSED!?" you asked

Fred and George both looked up

"HE DID WHAT!?"

So that's how you all found out.

Then your lil bro was born!

Teddy!

Then there was a slight... Problem

Harry was going to be attacked

So seven people devised a plan, drinking polyjuice potion to avoid having harry killed

Fred, George, Fleur, Bill, Ron and Hermione all drank the potion

You stayed with Molly and Ginny

When your father came back he was pissed.

Someone in the Order betrayed them.

And then came George

Who was now missing an ear

Oh no

You all helped nurse him back to health

then when he was lucid he said the iconic lines of

"I'm holey"

You and Fred rolled your eyes but were glad he was safe

Then... The next days came

The prime minister of the wizarding world showed up

He had things of Dumbledore to give to all of you

and he gave you all a quest

to destroy some horcruxes

You all went to a wedding

Fleur and Bill! WOOHOO!

Draco of course went

He loved seeing you again

"I've missed you." You whispered to him at a table.

"I've missed you too." He said.

He smiled, watching the happy couple dance.

"...Do you think we'll have something like that?" You asked

"Well for one we're not getting married in a tent." he said making you laugh

then all hell just seemed to break lose

The wedding turned into Harry, you and Hermione all going on the run

Hermione of course came prepared

You all went to some random shop and devised a plan

You all got attacked (they failed)

You all went back to Grimmauld Place, figuring clues had to be there

you ended up sleeping there, finding Sirius's room.

You found his old things... His leather jacket being right on a chair

"Take it." Harry told you.

"But Harry you-" "You always loved that thing growing up... I'll take his lighter." He told you

Then you had a thought

"Wait, what were the initials in the book?" You asked

"RAB"

then it clicked with both of you

Sirius didn't mention his home life to you guys, but he did talk about his little brother

Regulus Arcturus Black

You found this little locket in his room

And then you met that creepy ass house elf

Then you had to go to the ministry

Oh god.

You all snuck in

and there was Umbridge.

You stood there in a court room

and you learned that that feeling of being watched was more than valid.

You, your families... They were all being watched by the bitch in pink.

before they started to figure out what was going on and saving a woman in the process

Then others started chasing you and next thing your ass knew, you were in the woods

You all made a attempt to destroy the locket

it failed.

you all had to walk

for days

then Ron got jealous

Then he took off on his own

You all had to keep going

Hermione was noticeably more sad

"how do you do it Y/n?" she asked

"Do what?" you asked

"fight so hard without him next to you." She asked

You sighed

"I have to keep going Hermione. If we want any shot at a future... We need to keep going." You said

"...Right." She nodded

"Plus, I found that binge drinking helps." You added making her snort

After days of traveling you found clues that led you all to a grave yard in a place that felt vaguely familiar.

You found a grave with a symbol on it

But that's not what made this familiar

"Harry-"

You looked up and saw him at a grave

you and Hermione walked over to see James and Lily's headstone.

You conjured a lily to place while Hermione put a wreathe on it

You all ended up in a house with an old woman.

Well an old woman that ended up being a snake

A literal snake

So you bolted.

Then you ended up on the road

AGAIN.

While you were asleep, Harry managed to find the sword of Gryffindor

...And RON!

So you broke the horcrux

you all made up but now you needed to figure out what to do next

After more traveling you ended up with Luna's dad

Mans was cryptic

and then you were all attacked

you all took off in the woods, magic was in fact used to hurt harry but only enough to conceal his identity

you ended up in the malfoy manor.

Draco's face dropped once you were put in front of him

"Y'know.. I bet the girl will have answers." Bellatrix suggested.

"Which one? There's two." Lucius said, staring at you

"...Lover girl here, who's been makin' eyes at your boy." she said.

His heart pounded in his ears as you were handed over to Bellatrix.

Harry shot a look to Draco and he had to bite his tongue

"So... pretty pretty girl" She began

you swallowed hard, looking at Draco.

"What did you take. Hmm? From the vault?" She asked

You shook your head.

"I wasn't with them-" "LIAR!" She yelled making you jump.

"Last chance. What did you take-" "I don't know--" she pinned you to the floor, winding you.

"WHAT DID YOU TAKE!?" "NOTHING!"

and then she started the torture.

You let out bloocurdling screams, begging for her to stop Draco having to look away, he was on the verge of tears

Then the group managed to escape.

As the group prepared to fight and you were shaking from...everthing, you all heard this metal squeak

You looked up to see

Dobby?

Draco looked at him, then you, then as the chandelier fell, he grabbed you, ran to Harry and you all apparated out of there

You all were safe

...Until Dobby stumbled forward.

And then Draco caught him

"D-Dobby is sorry Master Draco.." He muttered

Draco let tears fall

"You will die, a free elf Dobby." He told him.

"Dobby... Is..Free" were the last words of Dobby

You and Harry buried him, you feeling this intense guilt

"This isn't going to be the last person we bury, will it?" you asked.

"...No." Harry muttered.

Hermione went through her bag, pulling out your jacket.

You put it on, holding your wrist in pain

"What did she write?" Ron asked.

"...Blood Traitor." you muttered.

Draco pulled you to him, kissing your head

"I should've reacted-" "You could have died." you said.

he hugged you tightly, you sobbing into his chest

You were so tired.

and this wasn't even halfway done.

Well after a few days of rest they all asked what Bellatrix wanted to know

You told them it was something about a vault

The group decided to investigate said vault.

You told them you weren't joining them

Neither was Draco.

Instead you stayed with Bill and Fleur, away from everything

Fleur noticed you being so... Out of it

She sat next to you in a chair

"What's on your mind?" She asked

"Was that how they felt?" You muttered.

"What?" Bill asked, looking up from a book as Draco washed dished

"Neville's parents. Was... What I went through... That terror... Was that how they felt?" You asked.

Draco stopped what he was doing and hugged you.

Draco never stopped feeling that guilt

You and Draco took a break after the events at the manor from the Order.

Your time however came when the battle started.

Everyone showed up, first years were evacuated,

Shit was going to hit the fan.

So you all buckled up

You wore Sirius's jacket, standing next to your dad and Draco

you held Draco's hand, watching McGonagall's force field slowly break.

"THEY'RE COMING!" Ginny shouted, sprinting down the bridge with her group.

You all fought, screams around you as you sprinted down halls to find Fred and George

"Fred!" You called.

"BEHIND YOU!" He yelled, Draco blasting a rock away from you.

"Fucking trolls!" Draco coughed.

Fred and George never left your side after that.

You looked around the battlefield and frowned.

"Where's dad?" You asked

Draco looked to the twins.

You all took off again, before seeing your dad and Tonks

relief washed over you seeing him

and then

A spell was fired behind him, the entire area collapsing

Draco took your hand, sprinting away as you watched the area collapse where your father was.

When you were safe, you fell to the ground.

"We- we have to go back" You whimpered

"We can't Y/n..." Fred said.

"We-we have to--" You sobbed into George's chest, him holding you

they were gone...

Your dad

Tonks...

Gone.

Draco looked around, hearing students yell

"We're not safe here darling, we have to go" He said

you nodded, but were still crying

Fred and George met back up with you in the infirmary, before seeing something gut wrenching

Percy was dead.

The whole family grieved, Ron sobbing into Hermione's shoulder, Ginny hugging you

Fred and George felt like the worst people on earth especially after Arthur mentioned something

Percy, stuck up, hard ass Percy's last words

was a joke.

You and Draco stayed near the infirmary, guarding the son of a bitch with your lives

you saw Hermione and Ron, both with Harry.

You ran over, looking at them

"How many more are there?" You asked.

"One. I don't even know what it is." Ron huffed.

Harry said nothing, hugging you tightly.

"You and I may not be related by blood. But we are family." He mumbled in your ear

You originally assumed his sincerity came from the fact you were surrounded by war

And then it hit you

Harry could read Voldemort's mind

Harry could read Nagini's mind

Harry could speak Parseltongue

He ran off before you could speak

"No... no no no--"

"What's wrong?" Draco asked.

"Harry's the last horcrux." You said, your voice breaking.

Everyone froze as they realized what had to happen

It didn't help either when the battle just seemed to stop

and they saw Hagrid holding someone.

Ginny let out a cry that nearly broke you

Fred and George out their hands on your shoulders as you sobbed

You lost...

You all... You were doomed from the start, you all lost

And then... they asked you all to pick sides

Draco's family motioned for him to come but he didn't move an inch from your side

But then something unexpected happened....

You walked forward.

"...This is quite unexpected miss Lupin. But I'm sure there's a place for you--"

"I’d like to say something." you said, looking at him.

"I don't care that Harry's gone. People die everyday, my dad. My stepmom. My friends. My family. My brother now has to live in a world where he doesn't have his parents. So I don't care that Harry is gone. Because he’s still with us…in here. So is my dad, Tonks, Cedric…all of them. They didn’t die in vain! I won't fucking let them. I refuse to let them. But you will, because you’re wrong. Harry’s heart did beat for us. For all of us! It’s not over!” you told the dark Lord.

Draco gripped his wand ready to counter whatever spell was about to be fired

And then something very very surprising happened

Harry was alive.

Intense relief washed over him before you snatched his wand back from Lucius and threw it to him

Lucius had the last straw with you

so he started to attack you

what he didn't account for was you having serious strength before you socked him in the jaw

Draco and you took off before you saw flashes of red and green

You watched as Harry overpowered Voldemort, destroying him once and for all.

You did it.

You hugged him, along with Draco, Hermione and the Weasleys

Harry broke the elder wand, doing away with it so no one would have a chance to use it for evil ever again

You went to sleep, finally feeling safe.

You felt empty though, having to come home to your house now without your dad or Tonks

Andromeda was staying with Teddy, sure not to wake you

When you woke up that morning you could smell something specific.

Your dad's pancakes.

you bolted up, sprinting to the kitchen to see

Draco

Disappointment coursed through you and he turned around, hugging you

"I'm so sorry." Draco whispered.

You whimpered and let the tears fall before

"Tell me you didn't burn the one thing I left you in charge of."

You turned around, Remus standing there.

"DAD!" you screamed, hugging him

He winced but hugged back.

"Oh! Hello, this is a strange start to a morning." Tonks said before you yanked her into a hug

Turns out a few of the Slytherins were around the campus on their brooms as Sentry's for Mcgonagall.

When the collapse took place, they saved them from any lethal damage

A few cracked ribs and a collapsed lung? Yes, but at least they were alive.

You all had a proper funeral for Sirius.

You, Fred and George all completed your time in Hogwarts.

Once you did, you became healer, but something WILD happened on graduation day

You smiled, looking at your family.

Draco cleared his throat, standing next to you.

"hi there stranger." you said, earning a chuckle.

"can we talk, I do have a question to ask." he said.

You nodded, turning to him.

"You remember the future we wanted together?" He asked.

"Kids, a small house and the dog? Yes, I remember." You said.

"what if I had a plan to make it happen?" He asked.

"...what?"

"Y/n, what if... we got married?" he asked.

Your mind imploded

"YES YOU FUCKING MORON!" you said, hugging him.

So you two ended up getting married.

You ended up having a son and the basset hound your husband just had to have.

Buddy was the dog's name

Scorpius was your son's name.

One day you were doing the dishes when Scorpius came up to you

"mummy, I have a question." he said.

"What is it dear?" You asked.

"My teachers mentioned you left hogwarts in your fifth year. What happened?" He asked.

You smiled.

"Well my little lad... That's quite a story."