Chapter 11
The emerald flames roared to life once more as Draco stepped through the Floo into his flat. He barely had time to straighten up before his foot caught on something solid, sending him stumbling forward.
“What the—?” Draco’s gaze snapped down to find Theo sprawled out on the floor, motionless.
For a split second, panic seized him. “Theo?” he barked, dropping to his knees beside his best mate. He grabbed Theo’s shoulder and gave him a firm shake. “Theo, wake up! Merlin, don’t tell me —” and then it dawned on him. “Alina?” He frantically shouted.
“It’s Ali.”
Draco’s head snapped toward the voice, his wand already half-drawn. Across the room, Alina was crouched in the corner, her back pressed against the wall, clutching the ashtray like a lifeline. Her eyes were wild, and her entire body trembled as she glared at him.
“You said it was safe,” she hissed, her voice shaky but accusing. “You lied to me!”
Draco blinked, his panic giving way to confusion. “What are you talking about? You are safe.”
“Not from him!” Alina jabbed the ashtray in Theo’s direction. “That lunatic came through your fireplace pointing that wand thing at me! So I knocked him out.”
“You what?” Draco’s voice rose an octave, disbelief etched on his face. He stared at Alina, then at the ashtray in her hands, and finally back at Theo. “You mean to tell me that you—” He gestured wildly toward Theo’s unconscious form.
“Yes, I hit him!” she snapped, her voice still trembling. “And I’ll do it again if he so much as twitches!”
For a moment, Draco just gawked at her, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process what she’d just said. Then behind him the fireplace roared to life again.
Draco turned to see Hermione stepping out of the Floo. She paused mid-step, taking in the scene: Theo unconscious on the floor, Draco kneeling over him in disbelief, and Alina gripping the ashtray like it was her only weapon against the world.
“What in Merlin’s name is going on here?” Hermione asked, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Draco pointed at Alina. “She knocked Theo out.”
Hermione blinked, then her lips twitched. “She what?”
“She clocked him with an ashtray” Draco said, trying to suppress a smirk.
Hermione pressed a hand to her mouth, but it did little to stifle the laugh that escaped. “Oh, that’s—oh, Merlin, that’s priceless,” she said, doubling over slightly.
Draco cleared his throat, “It’s not funny.”
“It’s a little funny,” Hermione countered, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.
Draco groaned and turned back to Theo, pulling out his wand. “Alright, let’s wake him up before she decides to use me for target practice next.”
“I can hear you!” Alina snapped, still clutching the ashtray.
Draco ignored her, muttering a quick spell to heal the lump forming on Theo’s head. With another flick of his wand, he murmured, “Rennervate.”
Theo stirred with a groan, his eyes fluttering open. He reached up to rub his head, wincing as he sat up. “What the hell happened?”
“You got knocked out mate,” Draco said, unable to keep the grin off his face.
Theo blinked at him, then turned to see Alina standing over him, still clutching the ashtray. His expression shifted from confusion to outrage. “She did that?”
“Yes, I did,” Alina snapped, stepping forward. “And if you so much as reach for that wand-thing again, I’ll do it twice as hard.”
Hermione burst into laughter, clutching her side. Even Draco couldn’t help but chuckle, though he quickly cleared his throat to cover it up.
Theo, however, looked far less amused. “You let her—”
“I didn’t let her do anything!” Draco shot back. “I walked in after she’d already turned your head into a Bludger.”
Alina huffed, crossing her arms but keeping the ashtray close. “Maybe don’t come through magical fireplaces uninvited and start threatening people.”
“I wasn’t threatening you—” Theo began, but Hermione cut him off with a wave of her hand.
“Alright, enough,” she said, still grinning. “Let’s all take a breath before this turns into round two.” She turned to Alina. “You can put the ashtray down now. No one’s going to hurt you.”
Alina hesitated, her grip tightening for a moment before she finally set it down on the coffee table. “Fine,” she muttered, but her wary eyes stayed fixed on Theo.
Draco sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Well, this has been a disaster.”
“You’re telling me,” Theo muttered, still rubbing his head.
Hermione smirked as she stepped forward, extending her hand to the nervous woman on the couch, “I’m Hermione Granger, the brooding one over there is Theodore Nott. I understand you’ve had quite the night.” Alina hesitated for a moment before taking Hermione’s hand. Her grip was firm despite the faint tremor in her fingers.
“My goodness, you’re freezing!” Hermione exclaimed, frowning.
“I’m fine,” Alina replied with a shrug, though her stiff posture betrayed her discomfort.
Hermione immediately began rummaging through her beaded bag, pulling out a neatly folded sweater and a pair of leggings. “Here, these are clean and should be much more comfortable than that uniform. There’s a restroom down the hall.” She handed the clothes to Alina, who accepted them hesitantly, her gaze flicking toward Draco for confirmation.
He pointed toward the door. “Second on the left. Take your time.”
As soon as the restroom door clicked shut, Theo crossed the room in three long strides and punched Draco squarely in the arm.
“Oi! What the hell was that for?” Draco barked, rubbing the sore spot with a grimace.
“That,” Theo growled, “was for lying to me about doing something for Potter, blowing me off for lunch with Granger, and—oh, let’s not forget—bringing home some random Muggle who decided to use an ashtray to rearrange my skull!”
Draco opened his mouth to retort, then paused, his expression shifting as if he were actually considering Theo’s words. “Alright, fair point,” he admitted reluctantly, though his tone was tinged with amusement. “But I don't think she is actually muggle.”
Theo looked at him confused. "Explain."
Draco launched into a recounting of the events at the café, pacing as he described the men in masks, Alina’s sudden escape, and his inability to identify the attackers. Hermione listened intently, her brows furrowing deeper with every detail.
“You didn’t send Harry a Patronus?” Hermione asked sharply when he finished.
“No,” Draco admitted, his voice clipped. “I can’t.”
Surprise flitted across her face, but to Draco’s relief, she didn’t press the matter. Instead, she drew her wand and cast a shimmering silver otter into existence. “Harry, please come to Malfoy’s flat as soon as possible. It’s rather urgent,” she instructed. The Patronus swirled around her briefly before darting out the window.
“What the fuck was that?”
All three heads whipped around to see Alina standing in the hallway, dressed in Hermione’s borrowed clothes, her wide eyes glued to the fading silver light of the Patronus. Her mouth hung open in shock, and she clutched the doorframe as though it might steady her.
Draco sighed, running a hand through his hair. “That,” he said, gesturing vaguely toward where the Patronus had disappeared, “is a magical messenger. Think of it as... enchanted post.”
“Enchanted post?” Alina repeated, her voice rising slightly. “What am I even doing here? You told me this place was safe!”
“It is safe,” Draco said firmly.
“Yeah, sure,” Alina shot back, her fiery tone making a reappearance. “So far, it’s been ashtrays, magic animals, and—oh yeah—a guy who burst out of the fireplace!”
Theo snorted despite himself, though he quickly disguised it as a cough.
Draco pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. “Look, I know it’s a lot to take in, but no one here is trying to hurt you.” He paused, his tone softening. “We’re just trying to figure out what’s going on and how to help you.”
Hermione stood then and motioned for Alina to sit. "Ill make some tea, lets all just calm down and wait for Harry to get here ok?" She then busied herself in the kitchen while Ali moved to sit on the armchair away from the two men. Draco felt like hours had gone by but in reality it was probably only minutes.
Draco leaned against the arm of his sofa, arms crossed as his gaze darted between Alina and Theo. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken hostility. Alina sat stiffly in one corner, her eyes still slightly puffy from earlier but blazing with defiance. Theo sat across from her, rubbing the faint lump on his head, his irritation barely concealed.
“So,” Draco began, his voice cutting through the silence, “are we going to talk about this, or are we just going to sit here glaring at each other all night?”
“I’m not glaring,” Theo muttered, though the sharp look he sent Alina suggested otherwise.
“Could’ve fooled me,” Alina shot back, her tone biting. “wand-wielding lunatic.”
Theo raised an eyebrow, his irritation flaring. “You hit me with an ashtray!”
“You were threatening me!”
“I was not—”
“Alright, enough,” Draco snapped, rubbing his temples. “Merlin’s beard, you two are like children.” He sighed, shooting Theo a warning look. “Theo, you did come in here wand-first. She panicked.”
“Thank you,” Alina said, though her tone was more triumphant than grateful.
Draco turned to her, his expression unimpressed. “And you,” he said, his voice firm, “might want to stop throwing heavy objects at people until you’ve had the chance to assess whether they’re an actual threat.”
Alina huffed, crossing her arms. “I’ll consider it.”
Hermione returned and perched on the edge of a nearby chair, cleared her throat. “Right, now that we’ve established everyone here has questionable conflict-resolution skills, can we focus on the real issue? Namely, Alina’s abilities.”
Alina shifted uncomfortably, glancing down at her hands. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I don’t even understand what’s happening myself.”
Theo scoffed under his breath. “Convenient.”
“Theo.” Draco warned, his voice low.
“I’m fine,” Alina interjected, though her voice wavered slightly. She looked up, her eyes locking with Theo’s. “For the record, I didn’t ask for any of this. You think I like being able to… sense things about people? Half the time, it’s just—noise. Feelings, intentions, all muddled together.”
Hermione frowned, leaning forward slightly. “But it’s more than that, isn’t it? You didn’t just sense their hostility—you knew it was directed at you specifically. That’s not something most people can do.”
Alina hesitated, her jaw tightening as if trying to find the right words. “I guess. I don’t know. It’s not like there’s a manual for this sort of thing,” she said, frustration lacing her voice.
Draco, who had been staring off in thought, suddenly muttered, “The sparks.”
Hermione turned to him. “What was that?” she asked, her tone edged with curiosity.
Draco’s gaze shifted to Alina, his expression unreadable as he held her eyes for a moment. “The sparks,” he repeated, his voice more deliberate this time. “I saw you shock that man in the café the other day—with sparks at your fingertips. I completely forgot about that.”
Alina’s face flushed, and she quickly looked away, her gaze darting toward the floor as if the pattern of the rug was suddenly the most fascinating thing in the room. Her shoulders stiffened, betraying her discomfort.
Theo, on the other hand, had no such restraint. His expression twisted in a mix of disbelief and irritation as he pointed an accusing finger at her. “Are you psychotic?” he demanded, his tone as blunt as ever.
Alina’s head snapped up at that, her eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?” she shot back, her voice sharp.
“Oh, don’t give me that look,” Theo countered, leaning forward as if daring her to argue. “You’re out here throwing sparks at people like some unhinged firecracker.” He gestured wildly with his hands, his incredulity palpable.
“I didn’t mean to!” Alina shot back defensively, her own irritation bubbling to the surface. "Kinda." she muttered under her breath.
“Right,” Theo retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Because accidental electrocution is totally a reasonable accident to have on a Tuesday morning.”
“Enough,” Draco interjected, his voice cutting through their bickering like a blade. Both Alina and Theo turned to him, startled into silence. Draco pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling heavily before looking at Alina. “You don’t know how you did it, do you?”
Alina hesitated again, visibly deflating under his steady gaze. “No,” she admitted quietly. "It just…..happens sometimes.”
Draco nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “It wasn’t random,” he said, more to himself than to her. “You were reacting to a perceived threat. Magic like that—untamed, instinctive—it usually manifests like that in….. young children”
Alina folded her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Theo snorted at that, unable to resist. “Great. She’s weaponized and untrained. Fantastic.”
Before anyone could respond, the Floo flared to life again, and Harry Potter stepped into the room, brushing soot off his Auror robes. He froze for a moment, taking in the odd tableau before him: Theo, rubbing his head; Alina, still looking like she might bolt at any moment; Hermione, sitting with her usual air of forced patience; and Draco, leaning against the sofa with his usual air of nonchalance.
“This looks cozy,” Harry said dryly, stepping further into the room. “Someone want to explain what’s going on?”
Draco straightened, brushing imaginary lint off his sleeve. “Long story short? Two men tried to kidnap her,” he said, nodding toward Alina. “Alina this is Potter, Potter this is Alina. I intervened. They Apparated away before I could get a good look at them.”
Potter simply stared at each individual in the room, taking a moment to absorb the peculiar dynamics at play before finally breaking the silence. "Well, quite unexpected," he remarked, his voice laced with a mix of disbelief and intrigue. Just then, he conjured his silver stag patronus, watching as it shimmered with ethereal light. "Uh, yeah, Gin, sorry love, this is going to take much longer than I thought. Don't wait up," he relayed, his tone apologetic yet resolute. With that, the majestic stag bounded away, disappearing from the room in a flash of silver.
"Bloody hell," Alina muttered under her breath, her wide eyes reflecting a blend of surprise and concern. Potter glanced at her, a look of confusion crossing his features as he made his way to sit in the other armchair, the weight of the situation clearly dawning on him. "Okay, explain in great detail, from the beginning," he prompted, signaling that he was ready to unravel the chaos that had unfolded.
After recounting the chaotic events of the night to the chosen one, Draco let out a heavy sigh, his frustration palpable. "I'm just peeved they managed to hide their faces the whole time," he muttered, his brow furrowing as he leaned forward, a sudden spark of inspiration igniting within him.
“About earlier,” Draco began, his voice cautious and laced with urgency, “you definitely would have seen their faces when they ordered the coffees. Did you get a good look at them?” His piercing gaze bore into Alina, searching for any hint of recognition.
Alina’s shoulders stiffened at the weight of his question. “Yeah, but I didn’t recognize them. They’re strangers to me,” she replied, her tone edged with uncertainty.
“That doesn’t mean they’re strangers to us,” Hermione chimed in, her tone measured and steady, providing a counterbalance to the tension in the room. Her analytical mind was already racing through possibilities, considering how they might unearth the identities of these mysterious figures.
Draco nodded, a flicker of determination igniting in his stormy gray eyes. “The wizarding world isn’t that big. If I could see the memory, I might recognize them,” he said, the prospect of piecing together the puzzle beginning to solidify in his mind.
“What do you mean, see the memory?” Alina asked sharply, her posture growing defensive again, as if bracing for an impending confrontation.
“I’m also a Legilimens, like we believe you are,” Draco explained, his tone steady and measured, the weight of his words hanging between them. “Only I’m trained in it, and I’m definitely not a natural, so it’s not quite the same as how it’s manifested for you.” He paused, gauging her reaction before continuing. “It’s a skill that can allow someone to access thoughts and memories. If you let me, I can look at what you saw.”
Alina’s reaction was immediate and visceral. She recoiled slightly, her body tensing as her hands clenched into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms. “No. Absolutely not,” she declared, her voice firm and resolute.
“Alina, it’s the quickest way to figure this out,” Hermione interjected gently, her honey-brown eyes pleading with Alina to reconsider. “Draco’s highly skilled, and he wouldn’t—”
“No!” Alina cut her off, her voice trembling with a mix of defiance and fear. “I don’t trust him. I can’t trust him.” The words spilled out, heavy with the weight of her past experiences.
Draco frowned, his jaw tightening as he processed her words. “Why not?” he asked, his curiosity piqued, even as a flicker of hurt flashed across his features.
Alina’s gaze snapped to his, her expression a tumultuous blend of frustration and fear. “Because I can’t tell what you’re feeling. I can’t sense anything from you. It’s like... you’re blocked,” she said hesitantly, the admission slipping from her lips. “Someone else do it.” Her voice quivered slightly, revealing the vulnerability beneath her fierce exterior.
Hermione’s eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze darting to Draco. “That’s because he’s Occluding.”
Draco exhaled sharply. “Of course, I’m Occluding.”
Hermione groaned, turning to Alina. "Malfoy’s using Occlumency. It’s a magical skill that blocks someone from accessing his emotions or thoughts. He’s not trying to deceive you; it’s just second nature for him.” She again shot him an angry look. "Malfoy,” she said, “if you want her to trust you, you need to drop it.”
Draco hesitated, his jaw clenching. “I’m not thrilled about the idea of dropping my guard around a stranger, especially one who throws ashtrays at people.”
"Well, get thrilled, you are the only one of us who knows legilimency. If you want to help her, get over it." Hermione answered.
Alina crossed her arms. “I’m still here, you know.”
Draco sighed again, this time with an exaggerated flair, almost as if he were performing for an audience. He closed his eyes, allowing the weight of the world to settle on his shoulders for just a moment. A faint shudder passed through him as he consciously let go of his mental defenses, peeling back the layers he had so carefully constructed. When he opened his eyes again, they were softer, more open.
Alina's tense posture relaxed just slightly, as if she could sense the shift within him.
“You mean it,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “You really just want to help.”
"Holy shit, she really is a legilimens," Theo said in awe, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and admiration. He leaned back slightly, as if the revelation had knocked him off balance.
Draco inclined his head, his expression earnest. “Will you let me see the memory?”
Alina hesitated, biting her lip as uncertainty flickered in her eyes, but after a long, tense pause, she gave a small nod, almost imperceptibly. “Alright. But if you try anything—”
“I won’t,” Draco interrupted, his voice soft but firm, a promise laced with sincerity.
He raised his wand slowly, the movement deliberate and careful, giving her one last reassuring look. Then, with a gentle touch, he pressed the tip lightly against her temple. “Legilimens.” The incantation hung in the air, charged with anticipation as he prepared to delve into her mind.