Chapter 16
Susan Pevensie was ready for action. But she needed a plan, and it didn't take her long to come up with one. She needed an excuse to get close to Draco Malfoy. It was difficult. She was a year below him, and the Slytherin was becoming increasingly elusive, rarely seen in public. Rumours swirled that he was even skipping many classes. Ginny Weasley brought up this fact during History of Magic class, while talking to Luna and Susan about Harry Potter.
"He's convinced Draco's up to something," said the redhead. "Ron says he even thinks Malfoy could be a Death Eater."
"And what's he basing that on?" asked Susan, intrigued.
"I don't know," said Ginny. "Everyone knows he's no good. I don't think you really need proof to suspect him."
"No, I suppose not..." the girl replied.
She didn't wait a second longer. She knew Potter could help her. She wouldn't have to tell him anything about Narnia, just get his help investigating Draco. If there was anyone as interested as she was in dealing with the problem that Draco represented, it was Harry Potter. Peter had spoken to her about the boy; he wasn't very close to him, but apparently, Hermione had once mentioned a map the boy had, which allowed him to locate people within the castle.
"I'll see you later, girls," Susan said as soon as the class ended.
Shouldering her bag, she ran out of the classroom.
It didn't take her long to find the sixth-year Gryffindors. Peter was among them, talking to Neville Longbottom as they left Charms class. He barely noticed his brother as the Ravenclaw hurried past him.
"Potter!" the girl called out, causing the boy to turn around halfway down the hall.
He looked at Susan Pevensie, puzzled. He knew her from a couple of times she'd accompanied her father on quick visits to Grimmauld Place with the Order, but they'd never exchanged more than a few casual words.
"Susan..." he said. "How are you?"
"Very well," she said with a smile. "Sorry, I was in a rush... did I startle you?"
"No, no, it's fine," he said.
"I wanted to ask you a favour," she said, glancing around. "But not here."
"Intriguing," he said.
"It's about Malfoy," she whispered.
Harry's expression changed instantly. The confusion gave way to a firm, determined look that filled the Ravenclaw with admiration. With a gesture, The Chosen One motioned for her to follow him.
They disappeared around the corner of the hallway, unaware of the stealthy figure of Pansy Parkinson following them closely.
Peter Pevensie wasn't the least bit surprised that the Slytherin didn't show up for their Muggle Studies assignment. After waiting for her for over half an hour, he entered the library alone and began searching for books that might help.
The section dedicated to Muggle-related subjects was much larger than the boy had expected, occupying a large room in the library accessed by a small hallway. He found no one among the dusty shelves except for a pair of Ravenclaw students who blushed when they realized another student had discovered their hiding spot among the old books and cobwebs. They fled without a word, leaving the eldest Pevensie alone among the tomes protruding from the shelves.
But he welcomed it. Finally, some peace and quiet. He couldn't deny that beneath his anger at the Slytherin for not showing up, there was a feeling of relief at the prospect of not having to share the afternoon with her.
"Poetry, poetry..." he muttered to himself.
"Muggle Studies assignment?"
His brother Edmund's voice startled him, but he smiled as he turned around and nodded.
"That's exactly why I'm here. Astoria sent me to get a book," the boy said. "Lucky me, I got paired with her."
"You don't know how lucky," his brother replied. "Plus, I heard the assignment is shorter for third and fourth years, isn't it?"
"That's right," he said. "Bless Polly."
"I love her dearly," said Peter. "But this assignment is going to be a huge burden. Do you know who I got paired with?"
"Rumour has it you got stuck with Pansy Parkinson," said Edmund. "Can you believe it? People will make up anything these days..."
His brother's face made Edmund stop mid-sentence, his jaw dropping in disbelief.
"It can't be..."
"It is," said Peter. "But fortunately, she stood me up."
"Don't you think...?" Edmund began, looking around. "She must be spying on us."
"On us... or on Polly," said Peter, in the same tone. "Either way, she's definitely up to no good."
"A few days ago... I found her alone at night in the common room. She seemed very upset," said Edmund, unable to avoid whispering. "I'd almost say... scared. She looked terrified."
"What about her parents?" said Peter. "What do you know about her family?"
"They were supporters of the Dark Lord in their day," said the boy. "They're probably in his circle, but no evidence has been found against them. If the Ministry is even still looking for evidence..."
"Susan says it's ridiculous to think she could be a spy," he said. "But I'm not so sure. If Draco is involved, so is Parkinson."
"Just stay alert," he said. "But don't listen to Susan. She's usually right, but I know more about this than she does; I live in that nest of vipers... Don't underestimate Pansy Parkinson."
Lucy walked to Hagrid's hut door carrying the huge package she had lightened with a simple charm. She knocked several times, but no one answered, so she opted to open it gently, place the bundle carefully on the table, and close the door quietly.
"Is Hagrid in?" asked a voice behind her, startling her.
"You scared me!" the girl couldn't help exclaiming, catching her breath with a deep inhale. "No, um... it looks like he's out... he asked me to run an errand for him... well, one of his things, but I brought it over and couldn't find him..."
"Oh, no worries," said the boy with a smile. "Sorry for startling you... I'm Dennis Creevey..."
"I know," she said. "We have some classes together. I'm Lucy, Lucy..."
"Pevensie, I know," said the boy, still smiling kindly. "The new one."
"That's right," she said. "The one from Ilvermorny, as some people say."
"I lost a bet with my friends," the boy confessed without thinking. "I thought the hat would put you in our house. You had the look of a Gryffindor."
"Oh... well, I guess the hat didn't think so," she said, laughing.
"I guess not," he said. "Well... I'll come see Hagrid another time... are you heading up to the castle?"
"Yes..." she said. "Finally, it's Friday... I'm looking forward to dinner and then heading to the common room. I'm exhausted."
"Me too," said the boy. "I finally managed to fix my dad's old guitar. I can't wait to practice a bit more with it..."
"How interesting," she said. "It's strange, but I just realized not many wizards are interested in music... in learning it, I mean."
"My parents are Muggles," he said. "And they love music."
"Mine aren't," she said. "But they share that love with yours. You'll have to show me some of the songs you learn someday."
"Count on it," said the boy.
Lucy thought the Great Hall was too close by the time they reached its doors in the company of the young Gryffindor. They talked and laughed nonstop, sharing their favourite songs with each other.
"Lucy!" exclaimed Eleanor from the stairs. "Finally, I found you... I've had a horrible day."
The girl grabbed her friend by the arm, not noticing she was in the middle of another conversation. The Hufflepuff pulled her toward the dining hall while the youngest Pevensie turned with a smile to say goodbye to her new friend.
"Good luck with that guitar," she said quickly, causing a smile from the boy.
Eleanor dragged her into the dining hall, talking nonstop, but it took Lucy a few seconds to tune into what she was saying.
"My father's boss, Gareth Greengrass..." the girl said, bringing Lucy back to reality. "He's threatened to fire him. My mother is very distressed."
"For what reason?" asked Lucy, thinking of Astoria.
"I don't know, we can't know. Remember?" she said, as if it were obvious. "He works in the Department of Mysteries."
"That's right...," said Lucy.
"The Ministry of Magic is in danger with people like Greengrass working there," the girl said. "In the Department of Mysteries, no less! He's infiltrating, Lucy."
"What do you think they're looking for there?"
"I repeat, we can't know, but they study deep magic, unstable magic... they could be looking for anything there..."
"Have you thought about going to the Order? They might be able to help."
"That would definitely cost my father his job," the girl said. "It's forbidden for Unspeakables to be part of any political movement... they must safeguard... whatever it is they keep there... if they're suspected of giving out that information... it could mean life in prison... Azkaban..."
"The Order isn't a political movement... And Greengrass? Didn't you say, 'People like Greengrass'? Doesn't he belong to a group?"
"Not officially, but he's a peculiar man," she said. "Pureblood, and a family with connections
"Her daughter is perfectly normal," said Lucy.
"I don't trust them!"– exclaimed her friend.
Lucy decided not to bring up the subject again. She listened to her friend circle back to the topic a couple more times before she relaxed and started talking with other housemates sitting around. Lucy Pevensie's gaze then landed on the Slytherin table, where Edmund was laughing, still wearing his Quidditch jersey after practice. She couldn't help but notice that next to him, Astoria looked sadder than usual. She even seemed somewhat angry.
It couldn't be, could it? She knew Astoria. Astoria was good, wasn't she? She couldn't start doubting. Doubt meant division. Astoria wasn't her family. She had her own opinions, her own way of thinking. It didn't matter what Eleanor said.
A shiver ran down her spine again. She turned, but there was no one there. The area behind her was empty. And yet, she could have sworn once more that someone was watching her.