Friendship, Loyalty, And Love

Friendship, Loyalty, and Love

Chapter 6:

Malfoy Missives

As the next few days passed, the castle, which had been put into something of an uproar by the attack on Justin Finch-Fletchley, slowly calmed again and returned to it’s normal routine. Dean, however, was not ready to let down his guard. He had, he felt, too much to lose and was kind of tired of relying on others to protect him. But he was reasonable enough to realize there wasn’t much he could do at this time. The professors were working on searching the castle, and Madame Pomfrey and Professor Snape were trying to help Justin. The wonder trio (as Seamus affectionately referred to Harry, Ron, and Hermione) were even found most evenings sitting in the common room, discussing possible methods and plans that the attackers might be using. This, however, was not particularly useful, Dean thought. There had been only one attack, which didn’t exactly give them a lot to work with.

His personal method was work. Hermione herself couldn’t complain about his dedication to his studies as he (and more often than not, Seamus with him) practiced his transfigurations, studied Charms, and reviewed Defense Against the Dark Arts hexes and curses. He had decided to take one of his previous DADA teachers’ advice and practice "constant vigilance."

Seamus found this dedication somewhat odd, but was willing to go along with his friend’s strange behavior, only questioning him about it once, less than 3 days after the attack on Justin.

"Dean," Seamus had said, as they headed down to an unused classroom that the older kids were allowed to use to practice in. "Dean, what’s up?"

"What do you mean?" the taller boy had asked. "We’re going to go practice."

"Clearly, but why? What’s up with you? Ever since the attack you’ve been being really, I don’t know, weird about work."

Dean stopped and looked at Seamus, then realized the other boy was right, he never had explained his reasoning. "Well," he said at last. "It’s just, I’m really worried about the attack and what it might mean."

"Yeah, I know that," Seamus said. "So am I. But I don’t understand how that leads to an hour every day in the library researching hexes and practicing them, and the same for transfigurations, and for charms. Hell, next you’ll be going over extra potions texts."

"I just want to be prepared," Dean gave a little sigh. "I don’t believe that things are nearly as much under control as the professors would like us to believe, and I know Harry can’t take care of everything. We both know that one of us might be attacked, or one of our other friends. I want to be ready in case it does happen."

"That’s great and all, but . . ." Seamus paused. "Well, I just don’t see why . . ." and he trailed off again.

"Why all the practices?" When Seamus nodded Dean went on. "It’s really strange that someone managed to get on the grounds to attack Justin, and no one’s been able to figure out how they did it, right? So probably they still have the same way of getting here, and if they’ve got it they’re going to use it."

"I don’t know," Seamus argued. "There were all the attacks when the Chamber of Secrets was opened. No one was getting on the grounds then because the monster was already here."

"Right," Dean agreed. "But Justin wasn’t petrified, was he? He was hit on the back of the head and force feed some potion they haven’t identified yet."

Seamus sighed. "So this is all so you’ll be ready when they attack you? What makes you think you’ll be the one being attacked."

"Not just me," Dean said. "I want to be ready in case they attack me, or Hermione, Colin, or little Dennis. And especially," now Dean looked angry, "Especially if they attack you."

Seamus didn’t have a response to that; instead he just gave Dean a little smile, then took his hand and headed on towards the room they were using to practice.

***

Less then 2 days later the boys discovered that being prepared to fight didn’t help if you weren’t there to fight in the first place.

All of the Gryffindors were awoken on Friday by their Head of House, calling in the Common room for everyone to come down. The boys in the 5^th year dorm got up and hurried down, worried about what Professor McGonagall might have to say to them.

When they reached the Common room their roommate, Ron, hurried over to where Hermione was standing with her roommates. He gave her a hug and said something that she apparently replied tartly to, but neither boy could hear what it was.

"Everyone," Professor McGonagall finally said when the room was sufficiently full. "There’s something you all need to know." The Gryffindor Head of House looked very worried, and her next words told them why. "There has been another attack."

Intakes of breath and mutters hurried around the room, but the Professor quickly quieted them. "Mandy Brocklehurst and Lisa Turpin were working on an Astronomy project up in the tower with Terry Boot, all of Ravenclaw. Apparently Terry left the girls to get some supplies, and when he came back he found them both lying on the ground, unconscious."

"How did it happen?" Harry suddenly asked from where he was standing with Neville, Dean, and Seamus.

McGonagall looked very upset at this question, but answered truthfully. "We don’t know Potter. Lisa was struck on the back of the head, much as Justin had been, and, as far as we can tell, Mandy put up some struggle before being knocked unconscious herself. Both girls have been feed some potions, but the professors are all working on helping all of the victims. But that is not the important part of what I have to say. Until we know who’s attacking these students, or how they’re getting into the school, none of you is to leave the grounds unescorted, and, well . . . all of the students who have been attacked are children of Muggles. Until we know what’s going on none of you with Muggle parents should wander around the school alone. I’ve got to go talk with Professor Dumbledore, and the first morning classes have been canceled." The whispering following these announcements became loud at this, and as McGonagall headed out the portrait hole they turned into full discussions.

Seamus turned to talk to Harry, but saw that he had made his way over to where Ron and Hermione were apparently discussing something. Hermione’s roommates had disappeared, but Seamus tugged on Dean’s arm and led him over to the others.

"You . . . ought to . . . passages . . . map." Hermione’s voice sounded kind of angry, although Seamus couldn’t make out most of what she was saying.

"No one besides . . . about them Mione," Ron could be just made out, protesting. "That can’t be . . . getting in."

"Ron’s right," Harry agreed as Dean and Seamus shoved their way through the rest of the crowd. Hermione looked cross but Harry asked her, "Look, are you going to tell? Cause I don’t think it’s necessary, and you know what will happen if they know."

"No," the girl sighed. "I won’t tell, but I don’t approve." She looked up at Dean and Seamus and smiled at them.

"Hey," Seamus said. "How you doing ‘Mione? I know Lisa and Mandy were friends of yours." Seamus saw Harry’s scowl at the reminder of what they had discussed after his conversation with Malfoy, but the dark haired boy didn’t say anything.

"I’m ok," Hermione said. "I just want to know how they are."

"Well, we could go visit the Hospital Wing this afternoon after Potions," Dean offered. "It’d be good to see how Justin is doing too."

"That’d be nice," Hermione agreed.

"I’ve got to say," Ron put in. "I don’t think much of whoever is making these attacks."

"Oh, and the rest of us do?" Seamus asked.

"No, ‘course not," Ron said. "It’s just, first they attacked a boy working all alone, and now two girls in a secluded tower. Both attacks included blows to the back of the head. I just mean that the person who’s doing it isn’t much on fair play, is he."

Harry looked kind of thoughtful at this, but Dean just scowled. "It’s a Death Eater, Ron. Fair play isn’t exactly something they’re known for, is it?"

"Don’t get so worked up," Hermione put in. "And don’t travel alone, ok guys?"

"Right, you too," put in Seamus. "After all, if you get attacked who’s going to make us study?" The Irish boy grinned and Hermione laughed. Then Neville came by with Colin and Ginny. Both purebloods seemed to be scolding the smaller boy, and when they stopped near the larger group Ginny turned to Dean.

"Dean, tell Colin he’s being a prat," Ginny demanded.

"A prat about what?" Dean asked, seeming kind of curious. It wasn’t often anyone saw Ginny berate her friend, and she seemed very upset about whatever it was.

"Little idiot was out last night, alone." Neville put in. "He knows better, but he was out wandering around."

"Why on earth would you do that?" Seamus asked. He noticed Harry and Ron standing slightly apart and whispering. Ron kept gesturing towards his sister, but Harry kept shaking his head. He didn’t know what was going on, and decided he didn’t want to.

"I was working on some night shots," Colin said. "It’s different working with less light and I haven’t quite got the chemical mix right for developing . . ."

Colin was interrupted by Hermione. "Colin! You know you’re not allowed to be out late!"

Now Ginny rounded on Hermione. "Oh don’t," she said, sounding exasperated. "We didn’t come here to get scolded by Prefect Hermione. I was hoping my friend Hermione and my friend Dean would be able to tell my friend Colin that he’s an idiot to take such risks!"

"Gin," Hermione started, then paused. Finally she turned to Colin. "Look, Colin, you know you’re not supposed to be out after hours, and you know that it’s dangerous these days, right?"

"Yeah," Colin sighed. "I do."

"Then why’d you do it?" Neville sounded as upset as Ginny looked.

Colin turned to Neville, then to Ginny. "It was something I needed to do, ok. I’m sorry." He held out his hands to both of them, and Neville gladly took one, but Ginny still looked upset. "What is it?" Colin asked, quietly.

"You know what it is!" the young girl finally exploded. "The last time there were attacks, when the chamber was opened, and I," she cut herself off.

"Oh, Gin," Colin said. "I’m sorry. It wasn’t anything like that, and I won’t do it again, I promise."

Ginny launched herself at the two boys who’s hands were still clasped and hugged them both. Seamus thought he could hear her whispering, "Just be safe," at both boys.

"Colin," Hermione spoke up as the three disengaged. "I’m not going to take any points from you this time, but don’t do it again, and you heard Professor McGonagall, don’t go wandering around alone. You’re at just as much risk as the rest of us Muggleborns."

"I doubt he’s going to have to worry about going anywhere alone," came Dean’s quiet mutter from behind Seamus. Seamus turned a questioning glance at his observant friend, but got no answer, and soon the three had wandered off.

Hermione said she was going to go get ready for the day, and Harry headed off to hunt down one of the Weasley boys, wanting their opinion on whether they ought to go ahead with their regular Quidditch practice that night or not. Dean and Seamus were about to go back upstairs as well when Ron tapped Dean on the shoulder.

"Look Dean," Ron began. "I know you’ve been watching Ginny a lot this year . . ."

"I was sketching her, and we already had this conversation." Dean sounded kind of annoyed. "You know I’m not interested in your little sister."

Seamus was startled by this, but Ron continued. "Yeah, I know, that’s not what I’m asking about this time." At Dean’s raised eyebrow Ron went on. "What’s the deal with Ginny and Colin and Neville?"

"That’s a good question, but if you want a good answer you should probably ask one of them and not their portrait artist." Dean’s answer was sardonic, but Ron continued.

"I’m just looking out for her, you know that. And I want to know what’s going on."

Dean gave a little sigh. "You want to know what I know, ok, here’s what I know. Colin likes Ginny, Ginny likes Colin. Neville likes Ginny, Ginny likes Neville. Colin likes Neville, Neville likes Colin. If, when, or whether any of those likes mean more than LIKE, I couldn’t tell you."

"I didn’t know Colin and Neville were . . ."Seamus started, then trailed off, gesturing to the air between himself and Dean to finish his sentence.

"To the best of my knowledge, neither of them is," Dean grinned. "But it’s a weird dynamic, not unlike the wonder trio," Dean’s gesture at Ron let the redhead know that by this Dean meant himself and his two best friends, and Ron scowled at the title. "That turned out ok, right?"

"That’s the best you’ve got?" Ron asked, although not accusingly.

"Yep," Dean answered. "Look, talk to Ginny if you want to know anything about her life. It’s, get this now, hers."

"Or better yet," Seamus chimed in, "catch on to the fact that she’s going to grow up and have her own life. You can’t be her protective older brother forever, it’s going to get old. She’s 14, she’s allowed some space." Ron scowled at his roommate, but let it go at that. The three boys finally headed back up to their dorm to get dressed.

***

The day was a long one, even without the classes which had been canceled, and everyone was very glad when Potions, their last class, finally ended, especially Ron who had a detention with Snape coming up that evening and wanted to spend as little time with their Professor as possible. Hermione, Dean, and Seamus got their things together quickly to go up to visit with the students up in the Hospital Wing, but Dean noticed that Harry, who had indicated he might go with them, was being sort of slow about getting everything together.

"Harry, you going to come?" Dean leaned over the stained table to ask his roommate.

"Um," Harry looked up from whatever was absorbing his attention. "No, I don’t think so," he said at last. "I got this back from Malfoy." He discreetly showed Dean a small slip of paper, which Dean looked over.

Malfoy, meet me after class. Need to talk to you about developments. -H

Potter, you’re a wanker. Passing notes in class is going to lose your house points. Leave me alone.

When and where? -D

After class, in the hall. Git. -H

Right. Lose the mudbloods and the weasel. -D

"Huh," snorted Dean. "Honestly, if I didn’t know any better I’d say he’s an insufferable git and couldn’t stand you . . . oh, wait. That’s true."

Harry grinned at this. "Yeah, I know. But I’ve only got a few questions, I’m sure I can put up with him for a while."

"What do you want to ask him? I thought you’d decided he didn’t know anything else." Dean was a little confused.

"Oh, um, no I don’t really. That is," Harry pulled himself together. "I’m going to make sure, check over some of the things he told me last time. And, maybe, I’m going to ask him if he’s willing to do more than just not work for Voldemort. Maybe he’ll be willing to work for us."

"I don’t know Harry, I doubt . . ." Dean began, then saw Hermione and Seamus looking over at them. "Damn," he whispered. "Ok, we’ll see you in the tower then," Dean said a little louder as Seamus started to come over to see what was keeping them. Dean hurried over to Seamus and Hermione, puzzling over why Malfoy had apparently changed his mind and crossed out the bit about not meeting Harry, and why Harry thought the Slytherin would have anything useful to tell him.

"Ready?" Hermione said when he reached them.

"Yeah, let’s go." As the three of them left the Potions, Dean glanced back over his shoulder and saw Malfoy watching them leave with an inscrutable expression on his face.

When they reached the Hospital Wing they found Madame Pomfrey bustling around, mixing concoctions and checking over small implements. The two girls were lying stretched out on beds next to the one Justin was still unconscious in.

"Hello Madame Pomfrey," Seamus spoke up when it became apparent that the medical witch hadn’t noticed their entrance yet.

"What?" she looked up. "Oh, hello boys, Hermione. What can I do for you? I’m kind of busy right now."

"We’re sorry to disturb you," Hermione said. "We just wanted to know how their doing?" she gestured to the three unconscious students.

Madame Pomfrey gave a little sigh. "Things aren’t well in here I’m afraid," she answered.

"Why not?" Dean asked. "The last time we came to visit Justin you thought things were going to be fine. Has Professor Snape had trouble figuring out the potion you found on Justin?"

"Not really," Madame Pomfrey said. "The thing is, that doesn’t seem to be the only potion involved. The potion we found traces of on Justin is the one that’s keeping him unconscious, but not what’s attacking him. And both girls had traces of different potions on their lips. We’re going to have to analyze of all three children’s blood and figure out exactly what they’ve been given before we can come up with something to counteract it. It’s possible they’ve all been given different mixtures and we can’t afford to give them something which will interact badly."

"Oh," said Hermione. "Is there anything we can do?" she asked.

"I’m afraid not," the medical witch answered. "Well," she added. "You lot can avoid being attacked yourselves. Three patients is more than we need." Madame Pomfrey smiled at them, then glanced at the clock on the wall. "Oh dear, you lot better head out and get started on your work, shouldn’t you, because I need to go check on something."

"Yes, and thank you," Hermione turned and started to usher the boys out of the room. Once they were in the corridor she asked them what they were doing this evening after dinner.

"Well, I need to hunt down Harry and find out what was decided about Quidditch practice, and maybe do some work before then," Seamus said.

Dean nodded. "I need to find Harry too. I, uh, want to get his notes from Divination," he said, grabbing at the first thing Hermione wouldn’t be able to help with. Her really wanted to find out what Malfoy had said, but, as Harry hadn’t mentioned his original meeting with the Slytherin to either Ron or Hermione, Dean didn’t want to bring it up.

"Oh," Hermione said. "Ok, I’m going to head over to the library. I’m going to do some work on Potions, then after dinner I’m going to go back for some Herbology work. Either of you want to come by?"

"I don’t know," said Dean. "We might, but probably not."

"Hermione," Seamus added. "You know you shouldn’t be out on your own, even in the library."

"I’m not going to be," Hermione sounded exasperated, as though she had already had this argument. "Neville will be with me before dinner, and Lavender’s going to be working with me on Herbology afterwards. And Ron’s going to come join us when he finishes his detention."

Dean wasn’t sure he trusted these measures but Seamus spoke up before he got the chance to protest. "That ought to be ok," he said. "After all, there was at least a week between the last attack and this one, so things ought to be quiet for a while. And I know that you can handle just about anything with a little help, right?"

Hermione seemed pleased to not have to argue and nodded at Seamus. "Don’t worry guys, I’ll be fine."

"Ok, good luck with all of that then," Dean smiled and the girl ran off to meet with Neville. "Do you really think everything will be ok?" he asked his friend when she was out of eyesight.

"Hope so." This answer didn’t reassure Dean and Seamus soon added, "Besides, what else would you have me do? We can’t exactly lock everyone who’s at risk up in their dorms until the bad guys are all gone. Especially since that includes me." The Irish boy mock-scowled. "She’s got to live her life, and neither of us has the right to stop her. And Ron will be there eventually."

"You’re right, of course," and Dean dropped his arm around Seamus’ shoulder. "Come on," he said. "Let’s go find Harry. He met with Malfoy again after class and I want to see what happened."

***

When the boys reached the Common room they discovered their roommate wasn’t back yet, and he hadn’t returned by the time they left for dinner. They ate with Ron and Hermione, and saw Neville sitting with Ginny, Colin, and Colin’s brother Dennis, but saw no sign of Harry. Hermione and Ron weren’t worried though, and after they had finished Ron left for his detention and Hermione and Lavender headed for the library. This time when the boys returned to their dorm they found their roommate waiting for them. "Knew you guys would come looking for me sooner or later," Harry grinned at them.

"You were right," Dean answered with a grin. "And we knew you’d want someone to talk to about the latest discovery on the Malfoy front."

"So what’s up? Get any info from the slimy git?" Seamus asked.

"Don’t call him that," Harry said, a little defensively. Seamus was startled by this, but Dean seemed to be expecting something of the kind.

"So, I take it he’s a convert then?" Dean asked and Seamus gave his friend a look.

"Not yet," answered Harry. "But I have to admit, I kind of feel bad for him. Here, look at this." He handed over a piece of parchment for his roommates to look over.

It was high quality parchment, even better than what the boys usually used to write essays on. It had been closed by a wax seal bearing an elaborate ‘M’ and the script the note was written in was very neat and clean. But that was all that could be said in favor of the letter.

Draco,

the letter said.

As even one of your limited intelligence will have gathered by now, things go well for the followers of our Lord. You would be well advised to reconsider your rash words at our last meeting.

However, as I am reasonably certain that you have never in your life done anything which was well advised, I shall assume you are not going to.

If that is the case let me inform you that you will not be welcome back at the Manor for Christmas holiday. Our plans go forward and the manor is going to be full of faithful followers, and possibly another guest. If you are here and have not changed your mind you will be spending the holiday in the dungeons. Unless you developed a taste for them during your stay this summer, I suggest you stay at school.

Do let me know if your decision has changed.

Your mother sends her love; I refrain from pretending to do the same. We will have your Christmas presents delivered to the school.

Your father,

L. Malfoy

"Wow," breathed Seamus. "Lucius Malfoy is a right prick, isn’t he." Harry nodded, but Seamus couldn’t help but add. "Harry, you sure the letter’s genuine? I mean, clearly Malfoy seal and all that, but are we sure it’s not a ruse."

"I’m pretty sure, yeah," Harry added. "Draco was . . . upset, to say the least. Plus, we talked about some other things, and I think I’m starting to trust him."

"But if it’s a trick, that would be the idea, wouldn’t it?" Dean asked.

Harry scowled. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But I . . . I think I’ve got to go with my feelings on this one."

"And what feelings exactly would those be, oh intrepid captain?" Seamus joked, but Dean gave him a light thump on the arm and Harry scowled at him.

"Not funny," Harry growled, then continued discussing his meeting with Malfoy. "The letter pretty much says that Draco’s father’s involved in the attacks here at school, and that this winter there’s going to be something happening at Malfoy Manor. I suggested trying to get down there and spy but, well, was told that I was something of an idiot." Harry looked a little abashed at this. "So, we’ve got a couple other options in front of us. Draco’s going to see if he can send a letter to his mother. He doesn’t really think she’ll go so far as to help but you never know. And I’m going to tell Professor Dumbledore what we’ve found out."

"Wow, Malfoy actually agreed to all of this?" Dean sounded impressed.

"Well, not as such, no. He was going to write his mother anyway, and since he doesn’t think she’ll help he didn’t seem to mind adding a small, carefully worded paragraph to the letter. And he doesn’t know I’m going to talk to Dumbledore." Harry grinned at his friends. "Not like I’m going to tell him all my plans, really guys," he chided. "Have some faith. Oh," Harry looked up as they heard the portrait hole open. "Ron’s here, that was quick. Be right back." Harry hurried over to his best friend, and while they waited for them to get back Seamus dropped into a seat.

"Hey Dean," he asked. "Since when does Harry refer to Malfoy by his first name?"

Dean only got as far as shrugging when Harry and Ron came back. "Hey Ron," he said. "Detention over already?"

"Yeah, Snape wasn’t that bad for once," the red head answered. "He’s so busy working on the blood samples from Justin, Mandy, and Lisa, he didn’t want me in his way. I just had to clean all the counters in the classroom and then he kicked me out. Said I made too much noise for him to concentrate, but he was so frazzled he didn’t even take points."

"So, where’s Hermione?" Seamus asked.

"Hmm? Oh, right. Well, she’s probably still in the library. I’m going to go meet her, but I wanted to come back here and change." He held up his arms, showing them his soaked sleeves. "Bit of a mess, aren’t they?"

"Yeah," Seamus agreed, but was cut off by the portrait hole slamming open. Neville, Ginny, Colin and Dennis came pounding into the room. All four of them had clearly been running for a while and were quite out of breath.

"There’s been . . . another . . . attack!" Neville managed to get out. "Hermione . . ." but he got no farther. Harry and Ron gave each other a pair of horrified looks and bolted out the gaping portrait hole.

"Wait!" Ginny called out from the chair she’d dropped into, but it was too late, they were gone. "Hermione’s not in the Hospital wing," she panted to Seamus and Dean. "She’s gone missing!"