Planning
(Malfoy Manor: Master Bedroom)
Narcissa Malfoy was sitting in her bedroom, thinking about her son when her husband Lucius came into the room, looking grim.
“Is everything alright, dear?” asked Narcissa
“No, the Dark Lord just informed me that he lost contact with Draco’s Mark” Revealed Lucius
“What?” Whispered Narcissa shocked
“I don’t know what happened, but he is gone Cissy” Revealed Lucius as Narcissa turned on him
“Get out” Yelled Narcissa
“Cissy?” Tried Lucius
“GET OUT” Roared Narcissa as she brandished her wand and aimed it at Lucius
(12 Grimmauld Place – 3 days later)
Draco awoke to a bed instead of the cold floor of the attic, and saw that Tracey was sitting next to him, asleep.
“Tracey” Stated Draco as Tracey shot up and stared at him
“Draco” Stated Tracey as she hugged him
“I’m ok” Reassured Draco
“We didn’t know when you would wake up.” Stated Tracey
“Did … Did it work?” asked Draco cautiously
“Yeah, it did. You were out for three days” admitted Tracey
“Where are the others?” asked Draco
“Strategizing in the library, Potter had this plan get one of the Horcruxes. So, he and Astoria were going over it.” Revealed Tracey
“Let’s go see them” Stated Draco as he attempted to get up
“You should stay down for a couple of hours; I am sure that they are fine. I will go let them know that you are awake” Stated Tracey as she left Draco alone
(Hogwarts: Gryffindor Common Room)
Hermione was sitting with Ron and Neville in the common room when a snowy owl came flying into the room.
“Hedwig” greeted Hermione as Hedwig hooted and offered her leg to her
“I thought we weren’t supposed to get mail” Stated Neville
“We aren’t” Stated Hermione as she took the letter carefully and Neville snatched it and cast some spells on it
“It’s clean” Stated Neville as Hermione opened it
“It’s from Harry” Breathed Hermione as she cast a privacy ward
“What does it say?” demanded Ron
“It says that he made it to safety and that he is Snuffle’s place and it is secure. He also remarks that the quest is going well, with two more to go. He says that he tried to get back into Hogwarts but was prevented by Death Eaters. He says he thinks that Voldemort will attack Hogwarts soon” admitted Hermione
“I wish that we were with him” admitted Ron
“Me too, we should bring this to McGonagall” Suggested Hermione
“Yeah, we should” Agreed Neville
(12 Grimmauld Place)
Draco was approaching the library where they were heavy arguments going on, and he saw that Harry was arguing with Tracey and Astoria.
“It will work” Retorted Harry
“You are not going to do that” Sneered Tracey
“You can barely do it, how can he …. “Argued Astoria
“What is going on?” interrupted Draco
“He wants you to be a part of this insane plan” Revealed Tracey
“What is your plan, Potter?” asked Draco sighing
“I admit it is not the best plan, but if it works it will help us get the snake” Revealed Harry
“Well, go ahead and tell him the plan that will get him killed” Retorted Astoria
“I was thinking that …. “Started Harry as he outlined his plan
(12 Grimmauld Place – a few days later)
The Group was sitting at the dinner table as Harry made some dinner and put it on the table, as they ate in silence.
“I got to ask, what happened between you and Daphne, Tracey?” asked Harry as he broke the silence
“Harry” Warned Draco
“No, it is fine Draco. He deserves to know. I am a half-blood, a secret that was well kept amongst me, Daphne, and Astoria. Me and Daphne knew each other when we were little, and we looked out for each other. That was until fourth year” admitted Tracey
“Daphne has a crush on Theo, and she fell for his charm. She didn’t use to believe in the pureblood movement, but I guess she started to believe for Theo” Shared Astoria
“It all came to a head when we got into an argument, and she revealed to the entire common room that I was a Half-blood. It got worse from there” Whispered Tracey
“I am so sorry” admitted Harry
“It is not your fault” Stated Tracey
“She is not long for world anyway” admitted Astoria
“What do you mean by that?” demanded Harry
“My family was cursed, a blood curse. I originally had it. Daphne, back when she still loved me, found a way to transfer it to her and convinced my uncle to do it.” Admitted Astoria softly
“I’m sorry” apologized Harry
“You had no way of knowing” Whispered Astoria
(12 Grimmauld Place)
Astoria was sitting in the attic when she turned to see Harry enter and sit next to her.
“Is everything alright?” asked Harry concerned
“I am just thinking about everything I guess” admitted Astoria
“Yeah, I do miss my friends that are inside Hogwarts” admitted Harry
“Why did you leave them behind?” asked Astoria as Harry sighed
“I made a promise to Draco, to get him to safety. I thought I could get back inside, I guess I didn’t think that Voldemort would move on the Minister that soon” Stated Harry as he sighed
“Are you still dating Ginny?” asked Astoria curiously
“I broke it off with her once I found about the Horcruxes and we would have to go hunting them. I didn’t think that I would survive” admitted Harry
“You are more powerful than you give yourself credit for” Encouraged Astoria
“I know, but Voldemort has so much more experience than me” Admitted Harry
“You are still learning” admitted Astoria
“Yeah, I feel myself getting stronger. I hope it will be enough” Stated Harry
“You do have something that he doesn’t have” admitted Astoria
“What?” asked Harry confused
“You have something greater to fight for, you are fighting for your friends and family.” Explained Astoria
“Yeah, you are right.” Stated Harry as silence enveloped the room
“Are … Are you getting back with Ginny if you survive this?” asked Astoria both awkwardly and curiously
“I don’t know. I do like her, but she wants the fame and attention, and I don’t. I never wanted to the Boy-Who-Lived, I would trade it all away for my parents” admitted Harry softly
“Maybe, she would understand?” suggested Astoria
“I don’t know” Stated Harry unsure
“No matter what happens, I will always be there for you.” Stated Astoria
“Thank you” Stated Harry
(Malfoy Manor: Meeting Hall – three weeks later)
Voldemort had summoned all of this death eaters to an emergency meeting and stormed into the room.
“Is everything alright, my lord?” asked Bellatrix
“I share visions with Potter last night, he was talking to that mudblood whore of his and they are moving out tonight, and I will take a few of you with me and we shall end him tonight” Stated Voldemort
(Crystal Cave – Later that Night)
Voldemort approached the cave that housed one of his Horcruxes with much dread, knowing know that they knew about them, he turned to Bellatrix.
“Bellatrix, take some of the death eaters and go to Gringotts and retrieve the Hufflepuff Cup from your vault, now” Ordered Voldemort
“Of course, my lord” Stated Bellatrix as she popped away, leaving him with Snape and Lucius as they entered the cave
“There is one person, here my lord” Stated Lucius as he cast a detection spell
“Be careful, there are Inferi here” Warned Voldemort as they passed the chambers in silence and on alert and finally arrived at the location of the Horcrux and Voldemort stopped at seeing who was in front of him.
“Impossible, you are dead” Roared Voldemort
“It is good to see you, Tom” Stated a familiar voice