Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Azalea drifted awake. She could feel Nelda still cradled in her arms and reached up to run her fingers through the blonde hair. She let out a soft sigh and opened her cat like eyes. This was not a situation that she ever thought she would get into and she blamed the Potter luck. She shifted to lay on her back then blinked in shock. There at the foot of her bed sat Luna who was staring off out the window. When Luna noticed she was awake she tilted her head.
“Azalea I have an issue that might infest you and Nelda with nargles.” She whispered to the girl while looking into her eyes without blinking.
Azalea could feel Nelda stir awake. “Whatever it is, Luna, we will help you.” Azalea told the younger girl.
“Luna there is nothing you can do to cause me to hate you.” Nelda murmured into Azalea’s shoulder.
“Even if the name Rodolphus Lestrange is written on my left wrist?” She asked airily. Her face was as serene as always. The only thing that gave away her feeling of unease was her silvery eyes.
“Would you hate me if I had Rabastan Lestrange written on mine?” Nelda asked in return.
“No. I would never hate my friends.” Was Luna’s immediate reply.
“Well we are about to both be unwilling Lestrange wives then.” Nelda replied.
“Oh.” Came her soft reply with a look of sympathy crossing her face.
“I also will be a death eater's unwilling bride.”Azalea spoke as she showed her wrist. “If the three of us have death eater soulmates do you think anyone else does?” She asked the other two girls, a feeling of dread bubbling up from her stomach. “We should call an order meeting. First we should tell Theo, Blaise, Daphne, Susan, and Hannah. We can’t blind side the others especially since they are all a part of the leadership.” She told the other.
To make sure that the D.A. ran smoothly, she had made up a council of sorts. First there was herself who was the leader. Then there was Nelda who became second in command, should anything happen to her Nelda would take over effectively immediately. Then there was Theo who was the main strategist who decided when it was best to strike and where. Luna’s position was the head negotiator, she could talk circles around her opponents leaving them with their heads whirling. Susan headed the legal department, making sure that they stayed on the right side of the law and finding loopholes when necessary. Hannah immediately took the position of head Healer with her gentle but firm personality. Then there was Daphne, she was the head of treasurer. She made sure that they had the finances to head the operation by selling surplus potion ingredients discreetly and filling up their coffers.
She also was the one who bought the battle uniform made out of a silvery grey dragonhide leather jerking that buckles down the front with a leather utility belt to keep potions and a dagger, with a silver acromantula silk long sleeve undershirt and black dragonhide leggings with black lace up calf high dragonhide boots, and a Snow White hooded cloak, a mockery of the death eaters cloak, with a bone white mouth mask that looked like a skeletal dragon’s mouth to hide their identity, though the council had bronze deer skull masks which had black feathers that hung off of it, which should be coming next week. Finally the last of the council was Blaise who was the main interrogator. He was extremely effective having learned everything he knew from his mother Cecilia, one of the most famous black widow witches in a century.
Together the eight of them were called the council of the Morrigan. They all had a pivotal role in the war effort and much like the war goddess herself, they were made up of more than one person though they numbered eight instead of three. It doesn’t hurt that Susan’s animagus form could be mistaken as a crow, one of the goddess’ main symbols either. Not to mention that all of their animagus forms were named after different war deities.
She pulled out a Blue Chalcedony pendant with the runes ehwaz and ansuz carved on the front and back respectively. The crystal was intricately wrapped with copper wiring and hung off a copper chain. It was linked to eight other identical pendants that hung around her friends' necks. She got the idea in second year after Dobby the house elf kept stealing her friend's letters. She had decided that she wanted a direct way to contact her friend.
The necklace allowed her to send out thoughts to the other holders of the necklaces and for them to send back thoughts to her. It worked by using the properties of the Blue Chalcedony crystal which helped in communication, along with the rune Ehwaz which stood for transportation, sending, and communication and the rune ansuz which stood for leadership, victory, and the power of words to help send the messages to the connected pendants. But what tied it together was the copper. It helped tie all of the necklaces together and conducted the energy needed to send the message out. She pushed her magic through her necklace and sent out her message to meet at the chamber of secrets entrance.
In two separate common rooms five heads cocked to the side as if they were hearing something that no one else could. They all got dressed and made their way to the chamber while under the notice-me-not charm. They could not afford to be found out; their whole operation relied on it's ambiguity.
When the five members reached the chamber, they noticed that it was already open. One by one they jumped down and landed in the piles of old bones that littered the floor. Theo took the lead as Blaise, Daphne, Susan, Hannah, and himself made their way to the main chamber. When they passed through the last door they came upon the sight of Azalea sitting on the massive corpse of a still pristine Basilisk. Nelda was sitting on the floor with her back up against the beast with one leg outstretched and the other bent at the knee to rest her arm against while Luna sat in a meditative position by the tail.
The creature was too toxic for bacteria to start the decaying process let alone the massive amount of magic that is trapped inside of the beast still. It’ll take years for the process to begin. It had just recently reached a state of lowered toxicity in the blood making it safe enough to harvest. Any sooner and the toxins in the body would melt through any sort of protective clothing that the teens owned.
“First of all I called you down here for two reasons. First off in about two months time Dumbledore plans on harvesting this beast and claiming it as his own since it was killed in his school so we need to work fast to get all of the valuable pieces. I want this thing stripped clean before he gets his hands on it so I want Nelda, Theo, Daphne, and Hannah to pick out three people each to help render it while Blaise, Susan, Luna and myself will search for any hidden objects that could be useful.” She ordered calmly, her emerald eyes staring at each member with confidence.
“Second of all Nelda, Luna and I have run into a major issue. Each one of us met our soulmate at last night's battle. Our soulmates are Death Eaters.” She revealed with a hint of unease.
Each person reacted differently at the new information that Azalea dumped onto them. Theo was the calmest, his mind already working on ways that this could be used to help them. He didn’t care who they were though if they hurt his sisters they would die. Blaise was the second calmest. He really couldn’t care less who their soulmates were as long as they treated the three right. Daphne had hummed in surprise while cocking her head in consideration, she knew though that she would stand by her friends. Hannah had a sympathetic look on her face but didn’t seem too shocked while Susan’s shoulders seemed to sag.
Azalea's eyes zeroed in on the last two. Their reactions had been different than she expected. In fact the two girls looked relieved. Her eyes focused in on them with the single minded focus of her honey badger form as she raised her eyebrow. The intensity of the gaze caused the two girls to fidget and shift around. Finally Hannah cracked.
“Susan and I have names too.” She mumbled while twirling a strand of hair around her fingers.
“Ah. Well I thought more members of the D.A. would have them but I didn’t think it would be members of the council. Theo I’m going to leave this mess in your hand. Neld and Luna gave me their permission to reveal to you their bonded’s names. Nelda has Rabastan Lestrange while Luna has Rodolphus Lestrange. Mine is Lucius Malfoy. Now who do you have, Hannah, Susan?“ She revealed and questioned in a strong voice.
“Susan has the name Antonin Dolohov while I have a man named Thorfinn Rowle. Susan and I know of Dolohov seeing as he is one of the most dangerous enemies on our list, but I’m not too familiar with Rowle.” Hannah informed the two while Susan Looked down nervously.
“I don’t know what to do Azalea. What do I tell my aunt? She will be disappointed in me.” Susan whispered to her friend.
“Keep your chin up Susan. No matter what you have the support of the members of the council and of the D.A. If your aunt doesn’t accept it then we will make her accept it. It isn’t like you chose him on purpose and I will make sure everyone understands that. Having him as your soulmate doesn’t change who you are.” Azalea said with conviction. She wouldn’t let this tear down the willowy aubernette. Susan would need her support and she damn well will receive it.
She then looked towards Hannah. “I know of Rowle. He was finishing Hogwarts when we started. He was hot headed and had a tendency to throw his weight around on the quidditch pitch. I have also heard the order talk about them while I was staying at their base. He has a tendency to set things on fire and will fling curses indiscriminately. Be careful if you run into him again he has a short temper. He is known to partner up with Dolohov. We ended up lucky though. None of us ended up with Malciber or Selwyn.” Azalea comforted the group.
A collective shudder ran down everyone’s spine at the last two names. Surprisingly enough those two names were at the top of their hit list. Surpassing the likes of Gibbon, MacNair, Yaxley and the Lestrange’s. Malciber was a complete sociopathic monster who liked to prey on young girls, leaving their bodies savagely torn apart. He was the type of person parents told scary stories about to keep them from behaving badly.
Then there was Selwyn. He was another type of monster. His MO was to kill children then send their parents letters about how he did it, taunting them with their child’s gruesome ending. Truthfully she was inclined to believe that even some death eaters found them distasteful. The entity of their Association had an outstanding order. If either of the men were there they were to focus on killing them. It didn’t matter what their original objective was, taking out child predators trumped it.
Azalea could feel a headache coming on. Fate was in the works. It was the only way that explained the fact that her members plus herself were paired up with the enemy. She knew that her friends would never reveal the group's secrets. She was worried about the rest of the DA. Speaking of the DA they needed to change the name now that they were separated from being a subgroup in the order. They were a third side of the war. They should have a name that signifies that. It should have something to do with a dragon, considering their masks.
“Hey guys. I was just thinking that we should change the DA’s name now that we have organized into a war faction. No one is going to give a group with the name Defense Association. Since we have dragon maw masks it should be in our name right?” She said to the seven other people. “Does anyone have any suggestions?” She inquired.
“What about the Opaleye brotherhood?” Suggested Blaise.
“The Vipertooth coven.” Hannah chirped from where she had sat against the wall.
“I like the Vipertooth due to its small but deadly reputation. But how about the Vipertooth Acolytes?” Theo gave.
The name felt right. It resounded with everyone and felt like a piece that had been missing had just clicked into place.
“Let’s start our way to the room of requirement. I’ll send out a message on the galleon.” With that said Azalea took out her head galleon and sent out a message for all members to report to the room of requirements in two groups at a time starting with Alpha and Bravoin five minute intervals to avoid suspension.
It took about an hour for all the DA members to be gathered in which Azalea was able to feed all of the groups reports that they had submitted in a folder hidden in the floor. The room had been made to look like a large war room with a map of wizarding Europe hanging in the background. There were a total of eleven tables that had four seats on one side that faced a raised platform that had eight chairs behind a mahogany podium. After everyone had sat at their tables the lights lowered slightly and all outside noise was canceled out, signifying the start of a meeting.
Azalea stood up and stalked to the podium, drawing all eyes to her. “First of all I want to congratulate everyone for their exemplary work yesterday. I am proud of everyone. Teams Alpha, Beta, Charlie, Delta, and Echo fought beautifully and took down many enemies. Team foxtrot had a treatment room already set up and fully operational and healed all of our wounds without issue. Group Golf did a wonderful job at distracting the teachers. None of them even noticed we were gone. Then group India had came across eight adult Acromantula and were able to kill and harvest them giving us three quarts of their venom as well as find patches of aconite, asphodel , and castor that we can cultivate. Nelda they have brought back cuttings of the plant that are under stasis in one of the trunks to the left. From Tracy’s report we have a new batch of poly juice potion as well as healing potions. All in all everything is running smoothly.” she informed the group.
“The war is now out in the open.” She continued gravely.
“We are splitting from the Order Of Phoenix due to them withholding information that could have cost us our lives so the council and I have chosen a new name. One that will hopefully strike fear in the hearts of Death Eaters. Moving forward we shall be known as the Vipertooth Acolytes. We have battle uniforms being made out of dragonhide leather along with masks carved out of dragon bone all made from a single Ironbelly that died of natural causes. You may personalize it if you want but I want you all protected. After school lets out I want the assassinstion department as well as teams Alpha and Beta to meet at gringotts. I will allow all you to pick one weapon from the Potter vault as I got clearance at the end of last year due to the tournament emancipating me. Also before I move on. I would like anyone who has an issue with their soul mark to seek me out. I will not judge you on who it is but I will be there for you, even if they happen to be a death eater.” Her voice was strong as spoke.
Her catlike eyes swept over the pale but determined faces of her soldiers. They were all so young, but the adults seemed all too happy to sacrifice them to save themselves.
“I have tasked Nelda, Theo, Daphne, and Hannah with overseeing the harvesting of the Basilisk that I killed in second year. It is now safe enough to cut into. I will now give them the floor.” She said before stepping back away from the podium.
Nelda, Theo, Daphne, and Hannah all stepped to the front with Nelda being slightly ahead. “We will all call out three names. Those of you that are selected will be working with us to render the beast down into usable parts. Remember to bring your dragonhide gloves. We will provide the diamond phials needed to contain the venom as well as the Mithril knives that are needed to cut into the skin. You will want to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or distorted. Before I start, are there any questions?” Nelda asked the members. When no one said anything she continued on. “When we call your names I want you to come stand in front of us. Wayne Hopkins, Roger Davies, and Ernie MacMillan please step forwards and follow me.” She said as she turned and went toward the left of the platform.
“Megan Jones, Flora and Hestia Carrow, please follow me.” Theo called out and went to the back of the podium, watching as the three approach him with piercing eyes.
“Lisa Turpin, Tracey Davis, and Dean Thomas, please follow me to the right.” Daphne called out in a calm voice.
“Terry boot, Katie bell and Michael Corner.” Hannah called out, staying where she was.
After the groups separated Azalea came up to speak to the rest of the members. “All right guys while those four groups are being informed on what part of the serpent they are taking I will be handing out your tasks. Blaise, Susan, Luna and myself will be searching the chamber for anything of use. Fred and George I want you to anonymously prank Malfoy Manor and the Ministry. Also start a prank war with Sirius. This will keep the two enemy bases occupied.” She ordered the red headed twins. The look of manic glee that spread across their face was slightly terrifying.
“Aye aye boss lady.” The twins crooned in sync. Before turning around and disappearing into the back of the room.
“Hermione, I want you, Adrian, Anthony, Justin and Cho to find a way through anti apparition and anti portkey wards. Use Adrian's knowledge on old wards.” She barked out and watched as a different type of manic crossed Hermione's face.
“Ginny, I want you to broaden your knowledge of spells. You are one of our more vicious duelers. I want you to embrace it. The rest of you are on distraction duty. Act normal and steer attention away from the members who are busy.” She said, giving her final order.
She went off towards the right side of the room and stood in front of the wall and waited for three seconds until an ornate door showed up. She walked through the door and into what looked like an office. It had an East Indian rosewood ornate desk with five drawers. It had Celtic designs carved into it and had a matching black leather chair that had the same designs carved up the legs. Behind the rest were two bookcases made of the same wood and in front of it sat two leather club chairs. The walls were a soft silver.
When she had found the desk she had used a spell to make it so no one without the blood of a Potter could open it. She kept most of the members information in there, nothing damning just name, age, and team name. Still if someone who was not a Potter tried to open it it would explode in their face. She sat down at the desk Ed and collected herself. It had been a long day.
“Dobby!” She called out sharply.
Not even a second later a sharp crack resounded through the room.
“Mistress Azalea Potter calls Dobby. What can Dobby do for the great Azalea Potter?” Dobby squeaked out.
“Dobby, can you do me a huge favor? I need you to run to my gringotts vault and bring back 32 pint sized diamond vials along with 16 mithril potion knives. Find BloodFang. Tell him I want a meeting on Saturday and that I will need a port key from Hogsheads to Gringotts and back. Tell them I want a full blood test done. When you're done, take five galleons for your work.” She told the house elf.
“That is too much missy Potter. I could never take that much from you. You is too nice to Dobby!” Wailed the house elf.
“Take it or leave it Dobby it is important information you are passing along. No one else can know.” She gently told the house elf.
“Dobby will not fail missy Potter Ma’am.” He saluted before popping off.
When she was alone she slumped into her seat. She honestly didn’t know what she was doing. The only thing she had to use for a guideline was the war documentaries on the Telly. She had no adult she could go to for advice and right now she really needs it. Her right hand trailed up to caress her left wrist gently. What was she supposed to do now?
When she was younger she used to dream of finding her soulmate. She had wanted to finally have someone who would never hurt her. She had prayed for someone gentle and protective yet she ended up with a man who would walk over corpses to achieve his goals. Every time she had ever seen him he had a cold and calculating look in his eyes.
As a soft knock sounded against the door she straightened up. “Come in.” She called out softly.
Daphne popped her head in then proceeded to glide in and sit on one of the chairs when she was waved in by Azalea.
“All of the harvesting teams have been briefed.” Daphne’s soft calm voice stated.
“Perfect, I have Dobby going to get what we need. It should all be here by tomorrow. I’ll take everyone down on Friday to start harvesting. On Saturday I’ll open it in the morning and leave Theo down there. I'll close it when I’m back from Gringotts. Do you think you can take a pit stop at the library and retrieve any books about enchanting objects? I just had a thought that if it works out, it can give us the upper hand.” Azalea told the taller girl.
“Yes I’ll stop and acquire the books as soon as I leave.” She informed her friend and leader.
“Is there anything else?” She asked.
“No, that was everything.” Daphne said before standing up. She nodded goodbye before turning on her heel and slipped out through the door.
Daphne looked around the room of requirements and noticed that the only people that were still in it were the R&D group and Nelda, Theo, Susan, and Hannah. ‘Everyone must have shuffled out when I was talking to Azalea.’ She thought to herself as she went to the others of her group.
“Azalea will outfit us tomorrow with the necessary items before taking us down to the chamber the next day.” She told them.
“I’m heading to the library to pick up some books so I’ll see you tomorrow or at lunch if I’m there.” She continued. She said her goodbyes to everyone before walking out.
It only took her 10 minutes to make her way from the seventh floor to the first floor. She was lost in thought when she turned the corner to make it down the Library hallway when she practically crashed into what felt like a brick wall. She started to fall backwards when two sturdy arms wrapped around her waist, stopping her descent. She grabbed onto the person's upper arms to try and steady herself and opened her ice blue eyes to see who it was she ran into. She felt her mask crack as she paled slightly in shock.
What she ran into was a young man who stood at a tall 6’. He had a strong frame with pale ivory skin, dark mahogany curly hair and forest green eyes that seemed as if they were piercing through her. His face showed no emotion as he looked her over while he steadied her.
“Sorry Rookwood. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. It won’t happen again.” She said, praying that her voice didn’t give her nervousness away. He had had a reputation of being spell happy and she didn’t want to fight him at the moment.
“Alright there Greengrass?” His voice was soft and deep as he questioned her, still not letting go of her.
“I’m fine now thanks for catching me.” She said as she moved her right hand off of his bicep and let it drop to her side to free up her wand arm. She was starting to get even more nervous. Being this close to someone who might be an enemy was disconcerting. She then moved her left hand up to his chest and applied a slight pressure trying to subtly tell him to let go of her waist.
At her movements he only cocked an eyebrow. With a slight smirk spreading over his face he flexed his arms while still keeping them locked around her. He knew all too well that he was making her feel nervous, in fact he found it amusing.
“I best continue to make my way to the library.” She continued on trying to ignore that this seventh year still had her in his embrace. She could feel the twitch starting up in her left eye.
“Is that so?” He purred out, enjoying her discomfort. “Aren’t you one of the fifth years that alway hang around Potter? Do you think it’s a good idea to walk the halls by yourself?” His tone didn’t change but his question sent a chill down her spine. It felt as if he was threatening her.
“I can handle myself thank you. And I really do need to get to the library. I’m sorry for running into you Rookwood but I must be off.” She said firmly. She twisted herself out of his hold and sidestepped around the taller slytherin. “Have a nice evening.” She told him without looking back. If she had she would have noticed his eyes staring at her in interest. The dangerous smirk that spread over his face would have sent chills racing down her spine. She hoped that that would be the last time she had to deal with him.
She turned into the library and silently slipped past madam Pince and went over to the section that dealt with runes and enchantments. She found three books that looked credible before stealthily making her way to the restricted section. There she struck gold. The book she found was labeled as ‘Enchanted Encyclopedia’, which seemed huge. It must have over two thousand pages and next to it had ‘Most Useful Jewelry And Clothe Enchantments’. She snuck both of them into her leather bag and slipped back out of the library. She had only been in there for twenty minutes and nobody had noticed her so she made her way to the great hall for dinner.
She was almost there when Malfoy stepped into her path. “Well well well, if it isn’t ice queen Greengrass. Are you ready to accept my courting proposal yet? You know you won’t get better than me. It’s generous enough that I’m offering you this. You really should feel honored.” His whiny voice causing her to wince in disgust.
“For the last time Malfoy I will not be your trophy wife. Nor will I lower myself by spending any more time needed in your presence.” She insulted him.
“You’ll regret saying that! Wait till my father hears about this. You no good filthy bit-“ he trailed off and started to pale. She didn’t understand why until she felt two hands rest firmly on waist.
“Run along Malfoy. The Greengrass’ are of old English stock. There is no reason for them to sully themselves with foreign blood like yours. Besides, I don’t see Greengrass here being into Beastiality.” A dangerous voice said from right above her ear.
“R-Rookwood t-t-this doesn’t involve you.” Malfoy stuttered out while puffing himself up to seem more important.
“Do I look like I care if it involves me boy. Remember your place.” Mattaius sneered out while pulling Daphne back into himself. She felt like she was trapped in a dangerous situation between a predator and his prey.
“You can’t talk to me that way! Don’t you know who my father is?!” Draco whined out loudly.
“I don’t care about your bloody ponce of a father. The real question is do you want to make me angry?” Mattaius said to the Malfoy heir while stroking her sides gently with his thumbs. The soothing motions relaxed her while making her feel protected, causing her to lean her weight back into his strong frame. Mattaius hummed contentedly at the feel of her soft body relaxing into him.
Then Azalea rounded the corner. She took in the sight of Malfoy with his goons and the sight of Rookwood standing behind her friend who was relaxed into his body.
“Malfoy, are you bothering Daphne again? I told you to leave her alone you fucking ferret.” She snarled out ignoring the other two while focusing her eerie eyes on the blonde boy and his posse.
“Shut up Potter no one cares what an orphan like you has to say.” He sneered out, standing to his full height to try and intimidate the shorter girl and failing.
“Oh you want to bring parents into this do you? What are you still being coddled by mummy and daddy? Can you not fight your own battles? Oh I have a better idea how about I turn you back into a ferret since Crouch jr isn’t here to do so. He taught me the spell, you know.” She snarled at him. Then stepped closer with her eyes flashing and a vindictive smirk sliding across her face causing the boy and his goons to flinch back away from her.
“Just wait till my father hears about this!” He snarled before stalking off with Crabbe and Goyle lumbering behind him.
She strode over to Daphne, still ignoring Mattaius. “He didn’t do anything to you right? If he did, our revenge would be brutal and swift.” She told the taller girl.
“No, he didn’t get a chance. What would you have done to him if he did?” Daphne asked.
“I would have stripped him and his mother of the Black family magic. I am the heiress Black after all. Then I’d have Nelda slip him a non lethal concoction. After about a week I would cause an accident with some kind of venomous snake so it’s not lead back to me. Can't be seen as a murderer after all.” She said with a dark smirk.
“Damn Potter, how long do you spend a day fantasizing about killing the boy?” Rookwood asked the diminutive girl.
“That’s for me to know and you to guess at. Dee, did you get what I asked for?” She said, turning her attention back to the older girl.
“Affirmative. I will give it to you when I see you tomorrow. I informed the group of what you told me earlier. Have you encountered any issues with the bumblebee about what happened at the meeting Wednesday?” She asked Azalea.
“Negative Bumblebee seems happy on his throne. Don’t think he noticed but I know Padfoot did along with Moody. He hasn’t even given me one disappointed talk yet about the happy accidents.” She answered.
“Do I even want to know what you are talking about?” Asked the forgotten about seventh year in amusement.
“Most likely not. Your father will probably inform you during break about his side of things.” She told him, causing him to zero in on her. He knew just what she meant. It was about this damn war that he got sucked into. What surprised him though was that Potter was actually talking to him instead of yelling about him being a no good death eater spawn if she knew about his father.
“Do you not care that you’re talking to the son of a death eater?” He asked incredulously.
“Why would I care about who your father is? I could ask you the same considering that I crossed wands with your father already.” She shot back.
“I honestly couldn’t care less.” He supplied, causing her to smirk.
“Then let me properly introduce myself. My name is Azalea Potter, Lady to house Potter and heiress Black. It is nice to meet you, heir Rookwood.” She told him, reaching out a hand.
“Hello Lady Potter my name is heir Mattaius Rookwood. It is a pleasure.” He answered back, taking her hand in his and kissing the back of it from over Daphne’s shoulder.
“Well it’s been fun but I gotta go, things to do, people to fight and all that.” Azalea said, giving them a half hearted wave and sauntered off.
“Do you not know the meaning of personal space?” Daphne asked the older man when they were alone in the hall.
“Sorry princess can’t seem to keep my hands off of you.” He told her with a smirk while turning her around to face him.
Daphne sighed. She didn’t like the fact that she seemed to be relaxing in his presence, let alone in his grasp. He shouldn’t be this comforting. His presence should terrify her, he was an enemy. She had no doubt that if he didn’t already have the mark he would this summer and she refused to be with a death eater.
“Is there something I can help you with?” She asked him.
“Nope. I just saw you while I was talking to Alec. I couldn’t just watch while Malfoy was tainting the air you breathe.” He told her while smirking.
“I thought your families were allied.” She told him.
“Like hell any Rookwood would help or spend time with a Malfoy.” He scoffed out, causing her to raise an eyebrow. She knew for a fact that his father was with Draco’s on Wednesday. “Our fathers might both be death eaters but I have standards.” He huffed out.
“Well thank you for fending off the ferret but I must be going now. It’s supper time.” She told him.
“Then I’ll come with you.” He told her, slinging an arm over her shoulder and leading her to the Great hall. She jumped when she noticed that MacNair melted out of the background and drifted over to Mattaius’ other side.
“Potter is surprising.” The MacNair said in a thick Scottish brogue. He stood at 5’10 with light auburn hair and electric blue eyes. He had pale skin with a splattering of freckles on his face and had a stocky build.
“Not really.” Daphne muttered. “In what way?” She asked.
“Well I didn’t think she would be that violent for one and she didn't seem to care that Mattaius was a death eater's kid. She also noticed me.” He told her.
“First off, that wasn’t even her trying to be violent, that was her normal state. And of course she doesn’t care about someone having a death eater parent. Theo Nott is one of her best friends. Plus she is always aware of her surroundings, it would shock me if she didn’t know you were there.” She informed both of them.
“Doesn’t it bother her to think that the parents of her friends are trying to kill her?” Mattaius asked.
“No. She doesn’t care and never will. The only time she judges people is if they hurt children or are devout death eaters like Bellatrix was.” She told him.
“Was?” The two seventh years asked.
“Nelda killed her on Wednesday. No one will be hurt by her again.” Came a reply from behind them making the two men jump. They turned around and saw Theo standing behind them with a blank look on his face.
“Nelda?” Alec inquired.
“Nelda Longbottom.” Theo told them with a proud look in his eyes.
“Little Longbottom killed Bellatrix? How?” Alec asked.
“I punched her hard enough that the bone in her nose was driven into her brain.” Said a soft voice from the left.
There Nelda was, leaning up against the wall looking at them impassively. She pushed up off the wall and made her way to Theo’s side. “Daphne, are you coming with us? The rest of us decided it would be best to eat elsewhere. It seems the twins decided to spike the food in the great hall.” She informed her friend.
“Fred and George turned everyone’s hair into rival house colors.” Azalea's voice from behind the group.
The two seventh year Slytherins glanced at each other. It felt as if they were being surrounded on all sides. Then they noticed even more people showing up. Blaise and Luna approached from the right while Susan and Hannah approached from the left.
“Yea I’ll follow. I don’t feel like having Weasley red today.” Daphne told them unfazed by the group's antics.
“Of course if you want to join us today MacNair, Rookwood you can. The more the merrier.” Azalea purred out, staring them down.
“Sure why not.” Mattaius said while MacNair nodded. This group seemed too interesting to pass up on.
Azalea nodded before stalking her way over to Theo and linking arms with him while Nelda did the same on the other side.
“Where too brother bear.” Azalea asked.
“How about we head outside to the lake by the cliffs. We can ask Winky to take food out there.” Theo said, completely relaxed at having the two girls hold onto him after all these years.
“Sounds like a plan. Winky!” Azalea called out.
With a pop winky appeared. “How can Winky bes helping yous.” The house elf asked.
“Can you take food out for ten by the lake please?” Azalea asked.
“Yes Winky can do as the missy wants.” She said before popping off.
With that the eight members of the council plus two others made their way to the lake. Once there Azalea and Nelda dragged Theo to the ground with them causing Susan and Hannah to giggle. About five seconds later the food appeared before them so they picked at it while chatting.
“It’s been such a long day.” Azalea groaned out while resting her head on Theo’s shoulder. “I can’t wait for it to be over. Or to watch Nelda kill Bellatrix again. Nel that punch was pure genius. I was so proud of you!” She squealed out.
“Azalea, don't think I missed you killing Travers. That blood boiling curse was pure perfection.” “Nelda replied with a smirk causing the younger girl to blush shyly.
MacNair felt his eyebrows shoot up. He was not prepared for two Gryffindors to praise each other for their most recent kills. He looked over to his friend and found him in a similar state.
“What did Travers do to deserve the blood boiling curse.” Mattaius asked.
“He dared to touch Theo and hold him hostage. He is just lucky I got to him before Thorros did for touching his heir. No one threatens my family without repercussions.” Azalea pouted.
“Damn Potter, remind me not to get on your bad side.” Mattaius said with a faint smirk. This was unexpected. He had assumed that she would be like Dumbledore and loath killing. She seemed a lot more dangerous than he had assumed she would be.
“Don't worry I’m sure you’ll be reminded every day this summer. After all, the war is now fully out in the open.” Azalea smirked with amusement. It was going to be a messy war on all sides.
“Out in the open? I thought I had more time.” MacNair muttered out as he shifted, a blank look sliding back onto his face.
Azalea heard the soft utterance and took in the two older boys' stiff posture. She hated that this war was ruining her generation. She wanted to help them but there wasn’t enough time. She didn’t have the resources yet to make them disappear or have safe houses set up. That was the reason she was going to gringotts on Saturday; to see if there were any working Manors that she could use. She also knew that Dumbledore would never help them. He would sacrifice anyone to achieve his goals and he only helped people when it would make him seem good and just.
“Do either of you even believe in the pureblood mantra?” Azalea asked quietly.
“No, I just want to focus on enchanting objects. I love working with runes and charms but my father doesn’t care. He wants me to follow in his footsteps. Says that every male MacNair has been an executioner since the 1500’s. Don’t get me wrong, hunting is fun and I enjoy the thrill of it but it’s not a job I would enjoy.” MacNair answered.
“I don’t either. My mother died before my father went into Azkaban so I had to be fostered when he went in. Aunt Isadora was my only family left but she had married a Muggle-Born man so my father hadn’t talked to her in years. I hadn’t even known she existed until she came to take me home with her. She raised me with such love along with her husband Hakon who was a Swedish immigrant. I found out later that my father had cursed her infertile when he found out, so she wouldn’t be able to have kids. Not once did they blame me for his actions. How could I think my loving uncle was less of a wizard than my asshole of a father?” Mattaius said, staring at the sky. “When my father escaped last year he killed them both, I will never forgive him for killing my heart's parents.” He growled out with a dark look. He felt something brush up against his side to see Daphne leaning against him in silent support.
“Can you escape?” Azalea asked.
“Once again no. When my father came out of prison he forced a vow on me. I will have to take the mark when summer starts.” Mattaius spoke with disdain.
“My father had found my plans to escape last summer; he also forced a vow on me.” Alec told them.
“Does the vow force loyalty?” Azalea asked the two men. When both of them shook her head she hummed. Neither of them sounded happy about the mark. It made sense with them being friends that they would have the same views. Rookwood sounds positively disgusted with his father too. This could work out in her favor. If they turn spy for the Acolytes she would be able to help them avoid Azkaban when the war was over. She had been looking to recruit them anyway.
Before she could offer anything the curfew bell rang out. They had five minutes before the teachers started their patrol.
“I have something I want to discuss with you two. I’ll find you on Sunday.” Azalea told them then all of the council scattered, disappearing in a blink.