Chapter 34
It had been less than 24 hours when they met in the Room of Requirement. The almost palpable discomfort made Daisy feel as if she had returned to when the first meeting with all their friends took place. And, watching Astoria reassuringly hold Draco's hand as they waited for the last people to arrive, Daisy thought they had done well to help him. The boy looked devastated. How had they not noticed it?
The way Astoria had managed to convince him to meet them that evening amazed everyone, but Daphne later told Daisy how she had never had any doubts about it. Draco loved to pose haughtily, but in reality he was a good guy who cared about everyone he loved. He would follow Astoria to the ends of the earth just to make sure she was safe.
They had promised Draco Malfoy something, and to keep their word, they needed to devise a plan that would work. To do that they needed all the help they could get. It was something that had to be discussed with all the members of their small dysfunctional group present, even if it was a bit dangerous to have six people infiltrate the school without anyone noticing. It certainly helped that four of that group had spent most of their school attendance sneaking around undetected. That and the fact that Harry had gone to pick them up with the marauders' map.
While Daisy watched in amusement at the confused look on Draco's face as Luna started chatting with him as if he had always belonged there, the door opened.
" I never thought I'd set foot in the school again. " Fred said, looking delightedly at all the people inside the room.
" At least it wasn't Mum who sent us back here. " George rolled his eyes, remembering the empty threats they received when they dropped out of school.
" Admit you miss Hogwarts like anyone else would. " Cedric said, receiving nods of approval from Sirius and Remus.
" I don't know, I'm starting to enjoy domesticity. " Theo said amusedly, poking fun at his fiancée's parents who still didn't really appreciate the rushed engagement.
" Don't get too used to it, dear. " Sirius smiled coldly. " Living with that one is going to be hell without all of us acting as your buffer. "
" Oh, I know. " grinned Theo, smiling even more when Harry snorted amused at the answer given. He was sure he saw Sirius and Remus shudder.
" Guys, it's good to see you all again. " Cedric nodded to those present, trying not to laugh when Daisy jumped on him. More than a hug she seemed to be poaching him.
" She just passed me to hug her brother-in-law. " >> Theo commented in annoyance, blowing off the Weasley twins when they teased him.
" He surpassed us all for him. " nodded Sirius, finding himself agreeing with the boy.
" My Hufflepuff' life is sad without Cedric here. Susan can back me up. " mumbled the girl against her friend's chest. " Besides, you deserved it with all the horrible things you said about me. "
" I didn't say anything. " Remus defended himself, smiling mockingly at Theo and Sirius as his daughter moved from Cedric's arms to his.
" Is he gloating? " Theo asked, shocked.
" It makes it hard to be mad at him when he acts like that. " sighed Sirius, ignoring the rest of those present and approaching Draco. He knew that if someone hadn't taken matters into their own hands, they would never have started the conversation that had required their presence. " Don't worry, we won't hurt you. " He reassured the boy, who had been stiffening more and more with every step he took. " How is Cissy? "
" She could be worse. " Draco replied. He had agreed to meet them upon Astoria's request but he wasn't sure it was worth risking everything for a small chance to make it. His mother would suffer the pains of hell if anyone found out what he was doing. And she would be alone this time because they would kill him.
" But she might be better. " Sirius retorted, looking closely at his cousin's son. " When she was little, she told Reggie and me that she wouldn't raise her children the terrible way our parents did. If Voldemort had kidnapped my mother at your age, I would have thanked him. I guess she kept her promise. "
" She's a very good mother. " Draco admitted, turning a small smile on his face. " She always did her best to keep my father away from me. "
" Great, as soon as she's free we'll talk about the future of the Black family. " Sirius nodded, introducing Remus to him to further relax the boy.
" I know him, he was my professor during my third year. " Draco said, looking at Sirius like he was an idiot, much to Astoria's amusement. " To tell the truth: he was the professor of all of us. "
" The best this bloody school has had. " Harry said, stepping closer and giving Remus' arm a comforting squeeze, who had blushed at everyone's assent.
" Well, it's not like you met him as my husband. " Sirius replied petulantly.
" Potter. " Draco sneered, looking down at the boy advancing towards him. " What do you gain from helping me and my mother? We're not on Dumbledore's side. "
" Neither are we. " Harry replied, extending a hand towards him and looking at him with a raised eyebrow. He was curious to know how he would react. " It has recently come to my attention that many young purebloods have to follow some sort of script in order to survive so.... if the offer still stands I'd like to meet you. The real you, that is. "
" Maybe after we save your mother. " Hermione added, rolling her eyes at the drama of her best friend.
" Granger... " Draco said, looking at the girl in displeasure.
"Let's put the past behind us, yes?" she said, ignoring the stares of everyone present. What she had been told for years was not right and she knew that belittling the issue by saying they were just children was even worse. However, she was aware that many of the Slytherins in that room once they left the safety of their haunts would call her those terrible names if encountered in the corridors. It was a matter of keeping up appearances because in this school spies were everywhere and a single wrong thing could ruin someone's life.
" Good." sighed Malfoy, shaking Harry's hand firmly. " How are you going to help my mother? I'm not dumb enough to think I can do it without anyone noticing. Once there, the dreaded final battle will probably begin. "
" We need the most reliable description of the location. Entrances, exits, hidden rooms etc... " said Ron, taking a seat on one of the couches and inviting the others to follow him. " We've been told you're a skilled occlumier so we can start devising a plan without the fear of you-know-who finding out anything. "
" Once we devise a plan, we will let the members of the order know everything else. " Cedric said, smiling reassuringly at Draco when he noticed how he stiffened at the words. Surely he was thinking he had been lied to when they claimed not to be on Dumbledore's side.
"Don't worry. " Astoria said, gently stroking the boy's arm. " We don't follow Dumbledore. Somehow we managed to take the reins of order into our own hands and now we are in charge. "
" Dumbledore and everyone else take their orders from us. " Blaise said amused, receiving a dirty look from Sirius. The man seemed undecided between wanting to scold him and laughing at the absurdity of the situation.
" Maybe don't say that in front of Mad-Eye, he'll curse you into oblivion. " snorted Daisy.
" I continue to be worried about your friendship with that maniac. " muttered Theo.
" The crazies all need to stick together and join forces, that's why I get along so well with all of you. " she stuck her tongue out at him, before returning her attention to the rest of the group. They seemed to have pulled out a sheet of paper where Draco had sketched out a floor plan of his house, even jotting down the names of the people who seemed to be wandering the corridors. His aunt Bellatrix and a few others had officially moved into the house so they could be together with their master.
" The mansion is protected, we'll need someone inside to get in without attracting suspicion. " Draco reasoned aloud, revealing that his presence would draw more stares at him because no one trusted the boy who had been forced to join the cause.
" Fortunately for you, we have someone who will take care of that. " smiled Fred.
" Among the Dark Lord's most trusted is someone I care about. " Draco admitted, his cheeks slightly flushed with shame. He hated showing that kind of emotion but he had to swallow his pride if he wanted to save Uncle Severus' life.
" Don't worry about your godfather, nothing will happen to him. " Sirius said, revealing he had been their spy for years.
" That gives us a few more chances to infiltrate. " nodded Draco contentedly. " Let's just hope we can win. "
" Don't worry, the priority for all of us will be saving your mother. " Harry reassured him, promising that fighting would only be their last resort.
No one wanted to start a war they didn't feel ready for.
" So we agree on the plan? ' Ginny asked, scrutinising those present.
" We should work it out better, but we can only do that after talking to all those who will perform an important task. " said Neville, gaining the approval of the only adults in the room.
" Well, can you now explain to me why Potter no longer has that horrible scar? " Draco asked, making everyone in the room laugh. Strangely, he was not offended but calmly waited for the explanation, which led him to listen to the story of how they had all gathered together. Luckily for him they were all sitting in very comfortable sofas because the story turned out to be terribly long.