Nicole Stevens: Dragons and Deceit

Chapter Fifteen

I clutched the back of Draco’s robes as he moved around, socialising with the other Death Eaters. He seemed completely at ease despite that I was invisible behind him.

“Hello again, Blaise. You’re looking quite awake at this time of night. Had some of your beauty sleep already, I suppose.”

Blaise smirked. “No sleep for me. I spent most of the night glaring at you, or don’t you remember our little conversation?”

“I remember it.”

“Yes, I had suspected you would. And I stand behind what I said. If you don’t drop the thing with that slut, Stevens, you know what will happen. Your father would be very displeased for you to foul-up the name of Malfoy by ruining all of our plans. My father wouldn’t even tolerate that sort of behaviour from me. I don’t know how you manage to keep out of trouble with Lucius, but there must be more than a weak spell to delude him that much.”

“No spells again family members,” he shot back. “I didn’t charm him to be deluded. I did, however, mention that our lord was pushing me to move to such actions. The Dark Lord backed this plan, and so I am in no danger of my father’s wrath. At least, not from this plan. I promise you I will not fail. If I do, then you may personally tell me, ‘I told you so.’”

“I’ll be sure to, because I am positive you will fail.”

“You realise that you are speaking out against the Dark Lord, do you not?” Leander Malfoy said from behind Blaise. She spun around, smiling falsely.

“Oh, I am not. I agree that using Stevens to our advantage is a good plan, but I disagree that Draco Malfoy is the man for the job. You have, no doubt, seen the way he has behaved in the past with such plans. He botched it. He always does. Now, I ask you, does that seem like he’s the man for it?”

“Do you know of any other who attracts her?” Leander questioned.

“Indeed, there is Harry Potter. I’m sure others would volunteer for the job-she is not completely unfortunate physically-but her personality is not as attractive. I know for a fact that she is not sugary sweet, nor is she the cookie-baking type. The few people who might volunteer for the job would be quite put off by the fact that she has been quite the slut, going to Harry, then Draco, back to Harry, with Draco secretly, etcetera. Surely you have heard?”

“Of course he has,” Draco returned. “And might I remind you that it has worked to our advantage that she has certain confusions in the dating-area? Honestly, Blaise. I know you were only initiated last year, but I kept you informed before then. You act as if you know nothing of the plans, or of the three year history I have had with Stevens.”

“Do you know, Blaise, I think my cousin has a point,” it was Somnus who interjected this time. “He has been part of this little organisation longer than you have, though you should be well informed on the history. His credibility is, as far as I am concerned, much better than yours.”

“Somnus,” Leander said. “Do not make trouble. Now, I must be off to speak with Narcissa.” He turned and meandered through the crowd. Somnus smirked at Blaise and ran his fingers through his hair.

“I didn’t notice you were making trouble,” Draco said, his voice full of sarcasm. “Blaise, did you notice Somnus making trouble?” She scowled at them both and headed over to Pansy. “Now, Somnus, why did you come to speak with me? I don’t suspect you were all that interested in my conversation with Blaise. Unless you fancy her, in which case, there’s no need to ask for my permission. You may have her.”

“I don’t find her attractive in the least. That colour hair is not appealing. I prefer blond, you know.”

“Are you getting at something?” Draco asked.

“Your conversation actually did cause me to come over. She suggested that a different guy try to win Stevens over. I don’t think it’s a bad idea. You’re not doing too well at it. And as Stevens does seem to have a fetish for Malfoys, I was thinking that maybe I could do the job.”

My jaw dropped. I stared between Draco and Somnus, trying not to make an indignant comment, as I was the invisible girl. Draco shook his head, saying, “No way would she go for you. It’s more than just being a Malfoy. Otherwise, she’d go for my father, or your father, or Griffin, which is positively disgusting to think of. So, I choose to veto that suggestion. Next subject?”

“Is there really more to it than that? You mean to tell me that she actually has to have feelings for someone before she’ll sleep with them? Odd, I did hear Blaise call her a slut twice. I was under the impression that she was serious. In fact, seeing the way she behaves, I wouldn’t be surprised if Blaise was serious, and you just didn’t want to admit it because you feel something for Stevens.”

“There’s much more to her than you would ever care to know. She does have feelings, and she happens to pay attention to them, even if she’d rather ignore it entirely. She hasn’t slept with me, she hasn’t slept with Potter, and she certainly won’t sleep with you. Blaise gets ideas from meaningless things. Actually, Blaise is like you in that respect. And she’s like you because of the fact that she’s a horrible person who likes to gossip,” Draco spat angrily.

“I seemed to have touched a nerve,” Somnus said. “I’m sure it was an accident. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be off to suggest my plan to Lucius. He will be delighted to hear it, I’m sure, as his son is such a failure.”

Draco’s hands clenched at his sides as he watched Somnus disappear into the crowd. I held his hand reassuringly, and he whispered out of the corner of his mouth, “If I ever begin killing my relatives, he’s the first to go. I cannot stand that horrible prat.”

“I know,” I said quietly. “I don’t know what’s happened to him. I guess the Death Eaters have really gotten to him over the past year. Or maybe you said something? I don’t know. And I suppose it doesn’t matter, because I now know about the plan, and I will not go along with it, no matter what he says or does.”

“Good thing. Come on, I think the actual meeting is about to start.” He led me over to a great pair of doors and opened it slowly, giving me time to slip inside. I held onto his cloak as he moved into the room and stood in the centre. The voices outside became quiet and then rose in pitch. The doors were thrown open and Death Eaters poured in. Obviously, their numbers had increased greatly in the past year. From behind me I heard French being spoken, and across the room, two loud Italians spoke to each other. There were people from everywhere in the world. A group of Americans clustered in a corner. I knew two of them. My cousin and his friend. Shawn and Mark. Both of them were perverted. It didn’t take long for the surprise of seeing them to dissipate. It fit their personalities.

Lucius Malfoy came out from a side door, half leading, half dragging a robed figure. He threw him into the middle of the room, and the crowd pushed forward to get a better look. A pair of glasses lay beside the figure. It was Harry.

Voldemort stepped out from the shadows, grinning evilly. “Good evening, my faithful followers. I hope you all are well on this fine evening. I am sure that those of you who do not know why you are here are anxious to have your questions answered. Tonight, I am introducing the new plans. And, I am introducing you to the one person who has, alas, managed to thwart me time and time again. Harry Potter, will you please stand and face the crowd?”

Harry slid his glasses back onto his face, standing weakly. He did not make eye contact with anyone, choosing instead to stare at the floor. “Do you have anything to say to everyone here?”

“You suck,” Harry announced loudly.

Draco covered his mouth, trying not to let a laugh escape. I elbowed him hard and he became subdued again. “Yes, I am sure that is what you believe. Now, you know of our plans, do you not?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Then do tell me what about the plan is unfortunate?”

“The fact that it involves you and your little minions.”

“Ah. Yes, well, for all of you who are as of yet uninformed, let me begin. Draco Malfoy, if you will come forward, please.” Draco nodded once and stepped up to Voldemort’s side. I was left standing by myself, and I struggled not to tread on anyone’s toes. Voldemort began speaking, explaining the intricacies of the plan. I crawled on my hands and knees towards Harry, who had sunk onto the floor with his knees drawn up to his chest.

I was careful not to touch him as I whispered, “Harry, it’s me. I’m…well, I’m invisible right now.” He kept his expression neutral, and nodded slightly. “I didn’t know you were going to be here. I-”

He shook his head slightly, muttering, “Don’t talk. If someone hears you…”

“Mister Potter,” Voldemort said suddenly, “are you talking to someone?”

“There’s no one here I would waste my words on,” Harry spat.

Voldemort sneered, “Of course. Now, back to the plans…”

“Harry,” I began.

“Listen.”

Draco was speaking. “Though it is a supposedly an infallible plan, there is one flaw: every single one of us is human. Or was a human, at one point or another,” he added as an afterthought. “Because of this defect, each of us must perform at our highest. We must be diligent. We must work together as one entity."

Voldemort nodded approvingly and thanked Draco, allowing him to return to his place. "Wait for a moment," I told Harry. Then I crept back to Draco, tugging on his cloak. "Draco, what's the spell to make someone invisible? I want to cast it on Harry, and then..."

"This will take more planning than that. Once you had cast the spell, you'd have to run to the door without stepping on anyone's toes. And for two people it's as good as impossible. If you waited until we were about to clear out, then it would be much easier. They'll have the alert out quickly, but waiting would slow it slightly. I'll tell you when to do it. The spell is Proté Mener. Remember it."

I stood beside him for the rest of the ceremony, reciting the spell in my head. It was lucky that I had my wand with me, I thought as Voldemort kept speaking. He stopped abruptly and began gesturing at the door. The meeting was over. Draco whispered, "Go."

I hurried over to Harry and grabbed his hand. "We're getting you out," I said. He nodded, as I pointed my wand at him, "Proté Mener." He was invisible. I led him quickly and quietly out of the centre of the room. Draco ran to the door, shoving it open. Shouts erupted from behind us and Voldemort shouted, "Find him!" Harry and I ran out the door as Draco caught us up. He was in lead now, walking briskly towards the front door of the castle. He pushed the door open, and whispered, "Go to the village. Catch the Knight Bus. Get yourselves back to school."

I replied, "Okay." And we were off again. Harry had much longer legs than I did; he was practically dragging me along. It took our combined strength to pull the gates open. The Death Eaters were still at the front doors of the castle, where Draco was assuring them that we could not possibly have gotten outside so quickly.

Harry squeezed my hand and said, “I think Draco might not be the evil of the universe after all. Now let’s go catch the bus.”

We ran to the village, and by the time we had arrived I was gasping for air. "Where's your wand?" Harry asked from my right. I rummaged in my pocket for it, before handing it to him. "Finite incantatem." I could see myself now. Harry shoved the wand into my hand and I repeated his words. He was gazing at me. I made eye contact with him, and he looked away quickly. "I--we should probably catch the bus." I nodded silently and he said, "Give me your wand for a second." He took it from me and extended it. There was a great bang and a purple bus appeared before us.

There was a flash of red light from behind us, and Harry shoved me towards the door of the bus. I glanced back as I stepped up. Death Eaters were coming up the path. Draco saw Harry and his gaze flicked up to me. 'Go' he mouthed at me. Harry spun around and said, "Leave me."

"But Harry--"

"Do it! Now!"

I jumped up the stairs and the door closed behind me. There was another bang, and I was thrown backward onto a bed.

"Some mess you've gotten yourself into," the bus driver commented. "Looked like they were out to get you."

"That's because they were."

A boy came down the stairs, frowning. "What was all that shouting? Almost woke the other passeners."

"I dunno," the bus driver replied. "Nor do I want to, I think."

"Hello," the boy said to me. "You have the fare, don't you?"

"Actually, no. I was hoping...well, once I get back to school I'll get you the money. This wasn't something I had planned on. Could you take me to Hogwarts?"

"'Course. Only about a five minute drive from here, isn't that right?" he said to the driver.

"Aye, it is. I'll stop there before we go to London. It'll be much quicker that way."

I sat on the edge of the bed, my forehead pressed agaist the cool window. Outside it was raining; the windows were fogging up. It was just my luck. With this mockery of a plan, I had ruined not only Harry's chance of freedom, but I had also spoiled Draco's cover.

"You look like someone just died," the boy said.

I ignored him and continued staring out the window. The bus jerked once, skidding to a stop. Standing, I made my way to the door. "You needn't pay, Miss. I'm sure it won't hurt to just let you go for free." I smiled and muttered a thank you, before stepping down. The clouds were pouring buckets of rain onto my head.

The bus jerked with another loud bang and disappeared down the road. I turned and made my way to the gates. It was difficult to walk through the mud and the rain, but I managed to stumble up to the castle. Once inside, I wrung out the bottom of my shirt and began walking up to the Fat Lady's portrait. I didn't need to tell Dumbledore about my little escapade. He would find out soon enough.

The Fat Lady was awake, and yawning. When I gave her the password, she grumbled something about curfew and swung open. In the common room stood Ron and Hermione. They were glaring at me. I opened my mouth to say something, but the only thing that came out was, “Hnughn.”

“Where were you?”

“I was, I was…Why do you care? How did you even know I was gone?”

“We were looking for you, because I heard you leaving earlier. You know you’re not supposed to be out after ten. I can't believe that after all of the warnings you've gotten you'd still go gallavanting off in the middle of the night. I have to report you to Umbridge, you know. This kind of behaviour is exactly what caused the school governors to assign you a Guardian. And yet you still find it appropriate to wander around the castle at night," Hermione ranted.

Ron grimaced as he said, "It's not as if you're doing anything good either. We know you went off to the Slytherin dorms. And when Harry gets back, don't think I'm not going to tell him. He doesn't deserve to be treated like a..." He paused, searching for words. "Like a substitute boyfriend. He's been placed second for his entire life. And he thought that you would be the one person who treated him like he was the one and only. Because even though he was the Boy Who Lived, you treated him like a normal person. But then Malfoy comes along, and Harry's been bumped right back to second place again. You're disgusting."

"I was at Malfoy Manor with Draco," I admitted. "And I was trying to get Harry free. So go on, blame me for everything if you want. But I would like for you to know something. I'm human. I'm not a saint. I do awful things sometimes. I lie, I cheat--lots of people do. If you cut me, I bleed. If you poison me, I die. You're human too. You've made mistakes. Maybe you haven't made as many as I have, but...that's why we're different people. Hermione, tell Umbridge if you like. It's your duty as Head Girl. Ron, go on hating me. That is something I've grown used to. Goodnight."

I turned away from them and walked up to my dorm. The clock on Parvati's nightstand said that it was almost six in the morning. Without even undressing I curled up on my bed and fell asleep.