Wizards, Witches and ... Muggles??

Chapter 5

The detention was set for the following Thursday with Professor Snape - cleaning out the Potions classroom, without magic for the trio and Ginny.

They had complained loudly amongst themselves that they had to put up with Snape for a whole four hours. Jamie-Rose and Laura were ecstatic that their plan had succeeded, and rumours had spread like wildfire around the castle.

Apparently most first- and second-year students thought that they had gone to the Shrieking Shack to confront the supposedly revengeful ghosts and to tell them to leave. The older students thought they had gone to the Shack to be 'alone' - that rumour had put the girls in giggling fits whenever they heard it.

The only people that knew the truth were the people that had been involved, which now included Voldemort. They had sent the Portkey back to him empty, which caused him to become angry.

Rose had been sitting at breakfast on Sunday, when a black eagle flew in and dropped a blood red letter into her plate of food.

At first Ron had thought it was a Howler but as Rose turned it over she saw the Dark Mark burnt into the envelope. As she opened the letter up, a trickle of some sort of pus seeped onto Rose's hands, burning them. Luckily there was only enough to burn her hands and not scar them.

Rose was very much tempted to send a letter back to Voldemort telling him that it hadn't hurt and to stop sending her junk mail, but Laura had pointed out that it would only make things worse. After a while, Rose agreed with Laura not to antagonize the Dark Lord.

The fifteenth brought with it rain and sleet making it a very miserable and damp day, which in turn made the six of them depressed.

Walking down to the dungeons after dinner at half past seven that night the conversation was strained. Rose and Laura really wanted to start a conversation but any they had were of the Order, and they couldn't start a conversation like that without the fear of being overheard.

Coming to a stop outside the Potions classroom, they each took a deep, calming breath, and then pushed open the door to see not Snape but Remus Lupin.

A silly grin suddenly appeared across Rose's face as she stepped into the classroom. The others just shook their heads and hid sniggers behind their hands at the obvious crush Rose still had for the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

"Well, you all finally made it," greeted Remus.

Nodding her head Laura replied "Let me guess. Snape had a pain in his arm, otherwise known as Voldemort, and had to leave?"

"Unfortunately yes, he did, so I'll be supervising," answered Remus.

"God, you're going to have to stay here?" asked Rose quietly.

It had always been a bit of a problem for Rose to maintain concentration for more than ten minutes when Remus was in the room. Also, when he was, everything seemed to go wrong for her. What Rose didn't plan on happening was Remus answering her rhetorical question.

"Yes, Jamie-Rose, I am," answered Remus.

Cringing at the use of her full name, Rose replied, "Please Professor, don't use my full name."

"Why not?" enquired Remus curiously.

"Because I used to get called James and, no offence to your dad Harry, but I really don't like it," explained Rose apologetically.

"Fair enough then, I suggest you get started, otherwise you'll be here all night," responded Remus.

With a lot of grumbling they set to work cleaning up. Rose, Laura and Harry were scrubbing out the cauldrons whilst Ron, Hermione and Ginny were cleaning down the tables. They had agreed to clean the floor together.

Half-way through the detention Rose was about to grab another cauldron when she tripped over the water bucket, sending the cold water over Laura, Harry and herself, soaking their shoes and socks right through.

"Bloody hell," cursed Laura, moving away from the puddle that had formed on the floor.

"Sorry," Rose apologized.

"Did you have to wet us through?" asked Harry indignantly.

"What happened?" asked Remus, coming over to them.

"This dope, professor, spilt the water all over us," answered Laura.

Sighing, Remus cast a drying spell on the three teenagers then replied, "Try not to spill it again."

Nodding her ascent Rose re-filled the bucket and began scrubbing the cauldrons once more. By half past eleven they were finished and were allowed to go back to Gryffindor Tower, where they finally they all stumbled into their own bed for a much need rest.

* * *

That Saturday was a Hogsmeade visit: Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had all decided to go. Rose had come down with slight cough so had opted to stay at the castle where it was warm, and Laura had chosen to stay with her for company.

So eleven that morning found Laura and Rosen wandering around the hallways talking about this and that, when they came across a very angry looking Draco Malfoy.

"Do you really think he is a Death Eater?" asked Laura quietly, so Draco wouldn't overhear.

"I don't know. Why don't you go ask him?" suggested Rose in whispers.

"Okay," answered Laura.

Both girls walked up to Draco, who was sitting against a wall with a letter in his hands.

"Hem, hem," greeted Laura in mock imitation of Dolores Umbridge.

Looking up startled, Draco replied, "Get lost."

"We aren't going to fight you, Draco. We just want to ask something," explained Rose, sitting down next to him.

"Well get on with it, then get lost," snapped Draco.

"Are you a Death Eater?" asked Laura bluntly.

Standing up, Draco retorted, "That is none of your business, Mudbloods."

"You'll find, Draco, that it's Muggle," responded Rose, standing back up again.

Only the teachers, the trio, Ginny and the Order members knew that Rose and Laura were the Muggles, so this statement sparked interest to Draco.

"What?" asked Draco disbelievingly.

Sighing, Laura answered, "You are going to answer our question first, before we tell you anything else."

"Fine, I'll tell you, but not out in a corridor," replied Draco.

Nodding, Rose pulled them both into an empty classroom then shut the door and sat on the teacher's desk. She motioned for Draco to sit down as well.

"Tell us then Draco," instructed Laura, calmly but forcefully.

"If I find out that either of you two have used this information against me you'll be sorry," threatened Draco menacingly.

"It's war Draco," retorted Laura. "If you want to live through it, tell us which side you're on."

"Okay, enough!" interjected Rose. "Laura, go sit on the desks over there without making any comments. Draco, we aren't going to use any information against you but we will be telling Dumbledore."

Laughing Draco replied, "You think the great Dumbledore can protect me?"

"He protected us Draco. If you need protection we can guarantee your safety, but we need to know!" repeated Rose calmly.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell," explained Draco. Taking a deep breath he continued, "I may not like Muggleborns or Muggles but I do not believe that killing them is an answer."

Jumping of the desk, Laura replied, "Ha, I knew - what did you just say?"

"Laura, stop jumping to conclusions," Rose scolded. "Draco, we need to let Professor Dumbledore know."

"That's fine. So, what were you going to explain to me?" questioned Draco, not a hint of malice in his voice.

"You cannot repeat this, but we're the Muggles," answered Laura.

"How did you by pass the wards around the castle?" Draco enquired.

"Dunno."

"But how did you get here into Hogwarts it's suppose to be impossible to see for muggles," stated Draco confused.

"We had a drink when we saw someone so that we could see Hogwarts but don't ask because I really don't know. Anyway we've got people to see and places to be," answered Rose cheerily.

"What?" asked Draco.

"Sorry, Muggle saying. We'll see you around," replied Rose sheepishly.

Rose and Laura left Draco in the empty classroom and they made their way up to the Headmaster's office. Reaching the stone gargoyle they gave the password that they had been told of, 'Chocolate Frogs'. Laura knocked on the door and they heard Dumbledore's voice telling them they could enter.

Both girls opened the door and strode into the office. What they weren't expecting was to see Severus Snape sitting there, looking like he could sleep for months on end.

"Ah, Miss Blore, Miss Lang. What can I do for you both?" asked Dumbledore.

"It's about Draco Malfoy sir," answered Laura.

"What has Mr. Malfoy supposedly done this time?" questioned Professor Snape.

Scowling slightly, Laura answered, "Nothing Professor."

"So, what is wrong with Malfoy?" snapped Snape, his patience wearing thin.

Rolling her eyes, Rose replied, "Laura, stop being an antagonist. Professor Snape, Draco is not gong to take the Dark Mark."

"He's not?" asked Severus, surprised.

"No, but he needs to know that Professor Dumbledore will give him the protection that he needs as the son of a Death Eater," answered Laura.

"Very well, he has my full protection when he needs it," acknowledged Dumbledore.

"Thank you," beamed Rose.

Both girls turned to leave the room, but Professor Dumbledore spoke again.

"Girls, this Tuesday evening will be an Order meeting in my office. I intend to explain your plan to them and I would be pleased if the people who thought of it were there."

"Of course Professor. What time shall we come up?" asked Rose.

"Seven," answered Albus.

Nodding that they understood, the girls both left the Headmaster's office and made their way back to Gryffindor Tower.

* * *

Laura and Rose were waiting in the common room on Sunday morning for Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione to come down for breakfast. Saturday hadn't been just Rose and Laura on their own wandering the castle: they had proven Draco wasn't following in his father's footsteps and they had been invited to an Order meeting.

"Morning," greeted Harry, stepping into the common room, Ron right behind him.

"Morning. Sleep well?" replied Rose cheerfully.

"Yes," answered Harry.

"Come on, let's get down to the Great Hall for some breakfast," suggested Ron, joining in the conversation.

Agreeing, they all moved out of the common room and started descending the stairs towards the Hall. On their way, Laura and Rose told the four of them about Draco and made the boys promise not to provoke or to use the information against him. Both Harry and Ron agreed, somewhat reluctantly.

Entering the Hall they went over to the Gryffindor table and began breakfast. Halfway through the doors banged open. Looking over to the entrance everyone's mouths dropped open: the escaped convict Sirius Black was standing there.

Rose recovered first. Jumping up, she asked, "Are you free?"

"The Ministry of Magic have given me a full pardon and legal rights to look after my godson," answered Sirius, breaking into a smile.

Laughing, Rose started to clap. Soon the whole hall was standing up and doing the same, including some Slytherins and the teachers. Harry was laughing and crying as Sirius came over to them.

"I owe you six a debt of gratitude for what you all did," thanked Sirius.

"Don't thank us," replied Rose, who too was now crying from happiness. "We're glad that we figured something out to make you a free man and for Harry to have a proper guardian."

Rolling her eyes, Laura pulled Rose into a hug saying, "You daft sod."

The one thing that shocked the hall the most was when Professor Lupin stood up at the table and shouted,

"PADFOOT, YOU KNOW YOU WORRIED EVERYONE WHEN YOU DIDN'T ANSWER OUR OWLS!"

"AH MOONY - YOU KNOW HOW IMPULSIVE I CAN BE. THIS TIME I BROUGHT A HOUSE!" bellowed Sirius.

Remus just shook his head and joined in the laughing. Even Professor Snape let a small smirk play on his face. Rose looked over to Draco and saw a smirk on his face, but it held no trace of malice.

Some of the older students left, after the commotion had died down, and Sirius sat down next to Harry and started on the Gryffindor table breakfast.

"So, how does it feel to be free?" asked Laura, whilst Rose dried her eyes.

"It feels good, but it will get a bit of getting used to not changing into Padfoot everytime I go out," answered Sirius.

"So where did you buy this house?" asked Harry.

"It's not far from Hogsmeade," answered Sirius. "You'll see soon enough. You do still want to live with me don't you?" he asked.

"Of course," answered Harry, beaming.

They spent the rest of the day talking: Harry and Ron updated Sirius on who has taken the lead for the House and Quidditch Cups, Rose and Laura explained about Draco being on the their side, and Hermione and Ginny just kept asking questions. All in all they all enjoyed the day thoroughly.

* * *

On Tuesday evening at a quarter to seven the trio, Ginny, Laura and Rose were walking through the corridors, heading towards Professor Dumbledore's office for the Order meeting. For the last two days the six of them had not worried about anything: they just acted like normal sixteen years olds, shoving the threat of Voldemort to the back of their minds. But Tuesday had brought everything rushing back to them.

"Do you think they'll agree to it?" asked Rose, breaking the awkward silence.

"If they don't then it will end up being disastrous for us," answered Harry.

"How so?" questioned Laura, bewildered.

Sighing, Harry explained, "Because if they don't agree to it, it is just giving Voldemort more time to gain power. If they want to get rid of him everyone has to act now before it's too late."

"Oh, right," replied Laura.

They carried on walking in silence. Everything that Harry had said was right: if they wanted to destroy Voldemort they'd have to do it on their terms and before he became too powerful.

Reaching the stone gargoyle, Harry gave the password and the six of them stepped onto the moving staircase that carried them up to the Headmaster's office.

Knocking on the door, the six friends entered. Sitting in chairs around the room were several different members of the Order. From the right to the left was: Nymphadora Tonks, Mundungus Fletcher, Hestia Jones, Dedalus Diggle, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Bill, Fred, George, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape. In the front of them all sat Albus Dumbledore.

"Ah, you all made it," greeted Albus, as the six of them took the last seats.

"Of course we made it," replied Laura.

"Well, I shall explain the plan in a minute, but, Severus, do you have anything to report?" questioned Dumbledore.

Clearing his throat, Severus answered, "No, the Dark Lord is at the moment questioning every Death Eater's loyalty to him."

"Good, that may buy us some time," replied Dumbledore. "The reason I called you all here is because we have come up with a plan to get rid of Voldemort," he explained.

"We? Whose the we, Albus?" asked Hestia curiously.

"We, as in Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, Miss Lang, and Miss Blore," answered Dumbledore.

"You mean to tell me Albus," seethed Severus, "that we will be risking our lives because six arrogant children thought up some ludicrous idea?"

"I'm not a child Severus Snape," spat out Laura.

"You will address me properly," Snape retorted.

Standing up, Laura snapped, "I will address you properly when you address me properly."

"LAURA!" shouted Rose.

"What?"

"Pack it in. Snape's only concerned about himself, so shut up and sit down," ordered Rose.

Grumpily, Laura sat back down and throughout the rest of the meeting she kept shooting angry glares at Snape, who returned them just as coldly.

Professor Dumbledore explained what was going to happen: he was planning on sending Severus to Voldemort telling him that he (Dumbledore) was weak, and Harry would be unprotected. Hopefully, Voldemort would fall for the trap in coming to Hogwarts. At Hogwarts he would meet the scrutiny of Aurors, Order members and civilians that Dumbledore had managed to recruit: the older students and Harry Potter. The wards surrounding the castle would be dropped so that only Voldemort himself could get in, but Voldemort would not be bothered about his Death Eaters if he thought that Dumbledore weak and Harry were unprotected.