Trading Magic for Fact

And all that she frees. A little bittersweet. It's home.
It's nothing as it seems. The little that you see, it's home.

The Great Hall was decorated for the festivities, pumpkins enchanted to float above the dining tables. The school ghosts took great delight in appearing through objects and frightening some of the first years.

Vange smacked Gabe’s arm. “Gabriel, stop stuffing yourself, would you?”

He groaned and finished his cauldron cake, mumbling with his mouth full. He waved her away. “Excuse me,” he said to Harry, Ron and Hermione. “Business to attend to.” He left the Hall before they could ask any questions.

Vange waited a few minutes before standing. “Business,” she said, leaving quickly. She had no doubt that Professor Dumbledore was watching them leave, but he knew what was going on. He seemed to know everything.

*~*~*~*

Divia waited until Draco was sufficiently absorbed in a conversation with Blaise Zabini and fell backward into nothingness. Her face disappeared first and then her clothes. She smirked as she crept away from the Slytherin table; invisibility without a cloak was a trick she had learned the past year. A glance back told her that she’d have to find her friends and conceal them quickly. Professor Snape was out to prowl after seeing the three leave the feast.

She met the two outside, pulling them towards her. She warned them of Snape, and helped them with the Invisibility Glamour as they continued to walk down to the Quidditch pitch. Far enough from the school so they wouldn’t be seen, they settled in a circle on the grass.

Gabe produced the supplies bought in Hogsmeade earlier that month as well as a goblet. Vange pulled a bottle of wine and some cakes from her satchel. Divia placed a black blanket on the ground, becoming a place for all the items.

“By the moonlight on this Samhain Eve, we welcome all visitors from the other realm,” Vange began. “Join us and share in this feast. As we remember you, we also ask for your blessings.” She poured the wine into the goblet, taking a sip. “I ask for these objects: aconite, onyx and black cloth, to be blessed in preparation for the ritual they’re needed in.”

Gabe drank from the goblet. “I ask for blessings of protection in this new year, as we face challenges that we’ve never even thought possible until now.”

Divia exhaled deeply, and drank the remaining wine. “I ask for the blessings of my parents, Fiona and Jayson. Let their spirits protect me as I reach out to right a wrong committed to them, and give me the strength that they had that night.” Tears filled her eyes, falling down her cheeks. “I miss you so much. Spirits, we send you on your way with our deepest thanks and love. Merry ye meet and merry ye part. Merry ye meet again.”

“Blessed be,” Gabe and Vange chimed in.

They cleaned the area, finishing the cakes and packing their satchels again. Divia shoved the supplies in the pockets of her robes, laying on the grass and watching the stars. She suddenly laughed. “Can you imagine if Lucius knew?”

Gabe wrapped his arms around his friend as her laughter turned to sobbing. “It’ll be all right. One more act and you’ll have his trust. That’s all you need, pure and perfect trust. If you can’t do it, we can go home tomorrow…”

“No no.” She shook her head wildly. “It has to be done. I’ll be okay.”

Without another word or even a look, the three marched back to the castle, invisible to the rest of the world.

*~*~*~*

Gabriel stared at the ceiling above him, enjoying Vange’s presence at his side. It was the first time since they’d arrived at their new school that she’d stayed with him…which was surprising since it was easier here. At home she had to sneak into an entirely different dormitory, but then again, there was no Snape or Filch prowling about in Salem. He felt her shift and heard her exhale heavily.

“Gabriel, I’m worried about Divia,” she whispered.

“I know. All those months she spent hanging around Mandrake… I still don’t think he was a good influence on her. He gave her everything she needed to pursue this insanity.”

“It’s what she needs. Closure. An end to her own torment.”

“This isn’t the way.”

“Not to you, and maybe not to me, but we have to be supportive. Just for this year, and then we’ll all go home. We can finish our seventh year in Salem, and get married and start our family.”

“What will she do, do you think?”

“I’m not sure. Hopefully she’ll settle.” Vange paused before adding, “Maybe with Jude.”

Gabe snorted. “I hope not. I don’t like him.”

“Well I’m sorry, but she seems to be attracted to Purebloods.”

“I don’t understand her thought process behind that one, either,” he commented.

Vange shrugged. “I think it stems from the part of her that wants nothing more but to have a normal Wizarding family some day. She’s always wanted to be normal, ever since we were little. Besides, better a Mandrake than a Malfoy.”

He kept quiet. He wasn’t sure if either was really better than the other.

*~*~*~*

“Lucius Malfoy, I presume? It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Lucius gazed at the hand extended in front of him before looking to its owner. “And you are?” he asked as they shook.

“Jude Mandrake,” he introduced himself. “This is quite a party you have here. Most impressive.”

The older man was almost taken aback by his guest’s judgment. “Thank you. Mandrake, eh? Your father would be Nicholas?” Jude nodded, sipping from the wine glass in his hand. “Yes, we met some time ago, but I have not seen him here tonight.”

“I’m afraid he had…other business to attend to. My mother favoured myself to represent the family, as well as my brother.” He motioned to another man engrossed in conversation with a few guests. “My sister would be here, as well, but she is in the midst of school in Salem.”

“Of course. How is schooling in Salem, may I ask? I’ve heard different things from different people.”

Jude shrugged. “It is decent for what it is...though the Naturals all about ruin a bit of it. I personally would have wished to attend Hogwarts or Durmstrang myself, despite the distance from home.” He paused. “You have a boy at Hogwarts, don’t you, Mister Malfoy?”

“Lucius, please. Yes, my son Draco is in his sixth year. Do you intend to raise your own family here then Mister Mandrake?”

“Jude. I haven’t given family much thought as of yet. I’ve only just left school myself and I need some time to do as I please without a wife to nag me.”

Lucius grinned. “Here here. What are your plans then?”

“I’m not quite sure about the long term. My immediate plans are to visit my cousin at Hogwarts, and make sure that she is in good hands there. She has had a rough life, you see.”

“Do go on.”

“Her mother died in childbirth, and her father spent years raising her away from all peoples magical. He did teach her however how to be a witch. He died recently, leaving her to our family. My father wants next to nothing to do with her, so an Obliviate Charm was performed, and he commissioned my brother and I to watch over her. We applied for her admission to Hogwarts.”

“It’s good to know she’s back, and at Hogwarts no less. She will receive a good education. I would hope she is in Slytherin, or perhaps her past has scarred her as a Hufflepuff…” Lucius trailed off, waiting for a response.

“Her ambitious nature and want for success has assured her a place in Slytherin, despite her meagre upbringings. We were very grateful for that.”

“Indeed. Perhaps I will have Draco look in on her then. What is her name?”

“Divia. Diviana Llewellyn.”

*~*~*~*

Very few students and even fewer Slytherins took Muggle Studies. When Hermione saw Divia in her class, she was quite surprised. She never spoke, but paid attention as the professor lectured. Today she seemed extremely tired, yawning silently through the class. Her robe hood was pulled over her head, hiding her even more from the view of the world. Hermione watched her closely as she pulled objects from her satchel and placed them on her desk. She sat in the furthest seat from the professor, allowing him to ignore the newest Slytherin entirely. Hermione looked back to her book, intent on learning about Benjamin Franklin and electricity, but she already knew about that, and she wanted to know what Divia was doing.

She tied black cloth around a photo of someone—Hermione couldn’t see who—and drew a sharp line over the fabric with her fingertip. She placed the object in a small black bag, pouring in some flower petals, and black crystals. For the remainder of the class, Divia held the pouch between her hands, whispering something under her breath.

The professor dismissed them and Divia dashed out of the room, striding down the hall with a purpose. Hermione hurried after her, curious as to what she was doing. In the sea of students Divia bumped into Vange, books falling to the ground from both parties. They knelt to pick them up and Divia discreetly handed Vange the black pouch, scurrying away.

Hermione frowned. Something strange was going on.

*~*~*~*

Hermione spent her evening in the library until she joined Harry and Ron for another session of the Duelling Club. Professor Lupin, always wanting excitement, suggested Harry and Draco duel. Justin Finch-Fletchley backed away from the table, remembering what had happened the last time they duelled. Lupin counted and Draco cheated as always, yelling, “Serpensortia!” at two.

Green sparks appeared in front of him, but nothing more. Commotion filled the crowd. Professor Snape had been watching the matter and stepped forward, taking Draco’s wand in hand. “Lumos,” he commanded, and a beam of light appeared from the wand tip. “Your wand appears to be fine. Try again.”

“Lumos,” repeated Draco. Still nothing more than a spark. “What’s wrong with this thing?”

“It would appear that you have been bound, Mister Malfoy,” Snape answered.

Divia looked up at her Head of House. “Sir, he’s been stripped of magic. If I may?” Snape nodded. She turned her glare to Vange. “Give me the Bind.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied dumbly, adjusting the satchel on her shoulder.

“Bag,” commanded Divia. The bag flew to her hand and she pulled the same black pouch from Vange’s things. “This isn’t yours?”

“He needs to be taught a lesson. Let him be a Muggle,” she gritted through her teeth.

“Twenty points from Gryffindor,” Snape declared, “and a week of detention for Miss Alexander.”

“But Vange didn’t…”

Vange elbowed Hermione before she could finish protesting. “It’s fine, Hermione. I did it. I should face the consequences.”

“Miss Llewellyn, are you able to break the Bind?”

“Certainly, Professor.” Divia dumped the pouch contents to the ground and took the photo in her hand. “This boy was bound by thoughts to mend, / But now this lesson comes to end. / Return him thus to normalcy, / as I have willed it, so mote it be.” She ripped the photo in half, releasing a stream of green light into Draco’s wand.

Hermione glanced at Gabe as he placed a hand on Vange’s shoulder. “It’s done,” he whispered. Something is definitely not right here, she thought.

*~*~*~*

Dearest Divia,

All is well in Salem—as well as can be. I’ve been up to my usual since graduation, making appearances to represent the family. Recently I attended a party at Malfoy Manor, and was privileged enough to speak with Lucius Malfoy himself. He was very curious as to your origins, my dear, and so I explained to him your situation. He thought perhaps he would have his son speak with you. I failed to mention that such a thing has already occurred. No matter. Let me know how that turns out, would you?

I cannot say I approve of your fighting, but you won’t listen to me anyway. Try to be civil at least, and don’t forget the Charms I’ve taught you. They’ll get you far. You’re among the best in Slytherin, the strongest and purest lines. It’s truly where you belong, being a Llewellyn. Do well in your classes—I’ll expect nothing less than high marks, but do remember to have fun. This is still your sixth year, no matter where you are or what goes on.

Forever, Jude

*~*~*~*

Draco watched as Divia gently patted soil over the roots of the plant in front of her. She seemed to have a gift for Herbology. She had yet to kill anything she planted, and thanks to her, whatever Draco planted also managed to stay alive. Arithmancy though… Draco smirked at the thought. He’d seen her in the library one afternoon, her head down on the study table, her hair fanned out around her. He thought she was sleeping until she viciously scratched her quill across her parchment. She growled and snapped the quill in half, causing him to laugh. “I don’t like Arithmancy,” she had mumbled. “There’s too many numbers.”

He sat down and helped her then, and thanks to him, Divia was surviving the course. They partnered in Potions as well, helped each other in the other classes they shared, and went to Hogsmeade together. He truly was intrigued by her.

After she had gotten into a fist fight with Pansy, Draco had waited for the howler to show up at the Slytherin breakfast table. It never came. She received one letter a week delivered by the same great horned owl. She never opened them at meals, only glanced at the seal and shoved them into the pocket of her robes.

Draco had received a letter from his father, explaining her pure lineage and how good of an ally she would make. Old and powerful family and all that. It was good to know that he could ask her to the Holiday Ball with his father’s approval.

*~*~*~*

Hermione’s twin sat in one of the chairs in the Gryffindor common room, letting out a sigh. The fire felt nice compared to the coldness of the dungeons, she didn’t want to go back down there. Gabriel stared into the fire, waiting for the girls to say something. When silence continued he finally spoke, “Feeling better about everything, Divia?”

She nodded slowly. “He invited me to the Ball and I accepted of course. You should’ve seen the look on Pansy’s face.” She snickered. “I haven’t made another girl jealous in…oh Goddess, never.”

“It’s a good feeling,” agreed Vange. “You do love tormenting her, don’t you?”

“Yeah I do. It’s just too easy sometimes. All I have to do is look at him and she gets mad.”

Gabe grunted. “Her parents are in the Death Eater crowd. Watch yourself.”

“Gabriel, I’m attempting to seduce the son of the most known in that group…why should Pug-Faced Pansy matter?”

“Just watch yourself.”

“Whatever.” She crossed her arms. “I’m glad the Bind didn’t last much longer than the afternoon. It was making me tired. That and the Glamours take a lot out of a girl. I’m very tempted to ask Snape if there’s some potion that will help…too bad that’d be a dead give away.”

“That git. Do you suppose Dumbledore’s told him anything?”

“Oh Vange, you’re talking like them now!” Divia exclaimed. She clapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” she whispered. “But no, I don’t think he has. Snape’s a big old sneak. I swear he slithers at night when no one’s around.”

“You think he’s seen you?”

“Definitely. He won’t say anything until he figures out what I’m up to though. He doesn’t seem one to jump into anything without entirely figuring the details out.”

Vange chuckled softly. “Good luck to him. There are so many details, he’ll be lucky to get the gist of it on his own.”

There was a creek behind them. Divia sat up. “Oh,” she groaned. “Um, hi.”

Hermione’s jaw could’ve hit the floor the way she was staring at Divia. Ron rubbed his eyes and Harry blinked dumbly.

“That is not me,” Hermione said. “Who is that? Why do they look like me?”

“Ssh, it’s okay. She’s well…” Vange couldn’t figure out how to explain.

“We’ve been caught in the act, Ladies. Divia, please.”

Divia exhaled, her disguise disappearing. “It’s just me.”

“Ugh, how’d the future Mrs. Malfoy get in here?” Ron questioned.

“Is that what you call me?” Divia raised an eyebrow. “That’s rather amusing. And I actually get in on my own, with the password, by pretending to be Granger here.”

The bushy haired brunette was getting more upset by the minute. “I knew it,” she replied. “I knew there was something strange going on with you three. First you had that amazing duel, which leads us to see you as mortal enemies, but then I saw you do the Bind and Vange took the blame for it. How does that make sense?”

“Divia is our best friend from home. We came here with all intentions of deceiving you. We won’t deny that, but we have to know we can really trust you for us to tell you why.”

“Like you can trust Malfoy?” Harry asked.

“Not exactly,” Divia answered. “We did everything to get him to trust me so he’ll tell me whatever he knows about his father.” She hung her head. “I’ll find out everything I can by any means necessary, even if that means using Draco.”

“Rather risky, isn’t it?”

Divia scoffed. “That’s funny coming from you, Potter. I just want him to get what he deserves.”

“Well, all right, but how did you get Sorted into Slytherin then?” Harry shook his head. “The Hat’s never been wrong.”

“You were almost in Slytherin,” she reminded him. “I’m obviously cunning, or else I wouldn’t be able to pull this off, and I have an insane will to succeed.”

“So you really are a friend?” Hermione questioned.

“Absolutely. You can trust me, or you can choose not to, but you need to know that all the blame that Evangeline and Gabriel take because of me is planned. I worked the Bind so I could release it when I had to, I’ve made my feelings towards Pansy known, and now I’m where I need to be.”

“Wow,” was all Ron could manage.

“Basically.” Divia yawned, thinking nothing of telling the Gryffindors her plans. They only got a taste of it, and she knew they wouldn’t tell anyone. They were on the same side. “I should be heading back down to the dungeons, maybe see Snape and get a Sleeping Draught.”

“He used to be one,” Harry blurted out. “A Death Eater, I mean. I know we’re still on a bit on edge, but you should know. He’s working for Dumbledore now, as a spy. When they’re summoned he goes and reports back here. I’m not entirely sure if you can trust him, he’s still quite odd.”

Divia’s eyebrow went up again. “Really? Well, I’ll see about that.” She closed her eyes for a moment and exhaled, disappearing entirely. Soft footsteps headed out through the portrait hole.

“This is a lot to swallow all at once,” said Ron.

Vange shrugged. “You may not trust her because of how she’s made you see her, but we know what we’re doing, and we swear to you that she is our friend. We just need you to keep quiet with it so she can continue on with what she’s doing. If this gets back to Draco, or worse, Lucius, she’ll be in an unbelievable amount of trouble.”

They promised, and a perfect trust was formed.