The Prince Returns

Chapter Seventeen

Regan Prince was confused. She was rarely confused. She had never been confused in school. She had never been confused with her family or friends. And, until recently, she had never been confused with boys. Her only real boyfriend had never confused her, even after two years of dating. He was the type of guy who wore his heart on his sleeve. He believed that he should tell his girlfriend everything. By the time he started sharing his Britney Spears and Jennifer Aniston fantasies with Regan, she decided he was a little too open and honest. Therefore, Regan was not ready for the confusion that was Draco Malfoy.

Their "relationship" was confusing. After the second day of classes, they met in the library to do homework. The teachers were laying the work on thick so far, citing the N.E.W.T.s. As the two worked silently on their homework, Regan reflected on their "relationship." They had only been study buddies up until he had warned her about the Death Eater attack on her house. After that, she hadn't wanted anything to do with him. After all, it was his father who had led the attack. However, he offered her homework help, which she needed. He also offered her his condolences, which she didn't really know how to accept. She kept remembering every mean thing he had ever done or said to her. Then, about two weeks after the attack, he sent her a very long letter that did not mention homework. He apologized for every mean thing he ever did to her. He even apologized for his father. He hinted at his doubts in Lord Voldemort and his father. It was the first time that Draco had really seemed human to Regan. After that letter, she saw him differently. Their letters became friendlier and he, along with Ron and Richard, helped her mourn her mother and eventually move on. Though Regan was hesitant to admit it, she did not know if she would have been able to cope with the loss of her mother without Draco. However, she did know that she wouldn't have been able to complete all her homework the professors had sent her without Draco.

Once the homework was completed, they kept writing each other. Occasionally, he slipped back into his old way, arrogantly insulting Hermione, Harry, or Ron with some comment in a letter. After chastising him a few times, she learned to ignore it. She discovered his father's abuse, though Draco never discussed it. She almost felt that he told her accidentally through remarks in his letters. They never mentioned their parents directly or the work they were doing. The war and Lord Voldemort were touchy subjects. Regan still wasn't entirely sure where Draco stood.

She wasn't for sure where she stood with him either. She could never tell what he was thinking or how he was feeling. The kiss he gave her the day he visited, if it could be called a kiss, only confused her further. He ignored her friends, and Regan herself when she was with them. While an improvement over annoying comments and insults, it only increased her confusion. Then in private he would be almost nice, or as close to nice as he could get. The arrogant tone is his voice lessened, though possibly only because the Prince family was wealthier than the Malfoys. His smirk was gone, though his face remained expressionless. Regan was almost ready to give up on Draco Malfoy. Then, as they were leaving the library, with no one else in sight, he slipped his hand into hers. Regan did not know whether she wanted to strangle him or hug him.

****
Richard Prince was nervous. Again. It was his third day as a professor. Dumbledore had the schedule arranged so that Richard only had one class a day, except for Thursday and Friday, when he had two. He spent the rest of his time creating intense lesson plans and doing what he could for the Order from Hogwarts.

His fist two classes had gone fine. However, he hadn't done much teaching. He had introduced himself and went over his plans for the year. He had demonstrated a few spells, charms, and curses they would be using. The students then questioned him. They asked him about everything from his life to the demonstrations to the purpose of the class. Richard hadn't counted on questions. Still, he allowed the students to get it out of their systems. He would simply have to include more in the next lesson.

While the first two classes had calmed and reassured him, he was dreading the third. On Wednesday, he was teaching his daughter and her friends. Back at the Institute, he had taught Braydon and his friends on occasion. It had been terrible. Because he knew the students personally first, they did not take him seriously. They had made jokes, talked out of turn, and ignored assignments. While Regan was always more mature than Braydon, he was still nervous.

As the students filed in, Richard tried to calm down. He looked through his notes, reminding himself that he was the teacher, he was in charge. He nodded to Regan, Harry, and Hermione as they entered the room together, taking seats in the middle of the classroom, not too close to the teachers desk. Richard watched closely as Draco Malfoy entered and sat next to Regan. While Richard trusted his daughter completely, he did not entirely trust her new friendship with Malfoy and he did not trust the boy at all.

It took the entire passing period for all the students to file in and take their seats. There were only ten students for the Wednesday class. Once the bell rang, they all quieted and looked at him expectantly. He walked around his desk and stood against it, trying to appear calm.

"Hello, class. I am professor Prince. Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts," he said loudly, his voice remaining steady. He was off to a good start. "As you know, this is not a typical class. Professor Lupin and Professor Moody, excellent teachers, are collaborating and working together. Their lesson plans coincide. I, however, am doing something completely different from them. I am teaching a select few students. I give you all my congratulations for joining the class. Believe me, picking the students taking this class was not easy. Every one of you have displayed intelligence, discipline, and interest in Defense Against the Dark Arts. You are the best of your class. You will therefore be treated accordingly. I know what each one of you are capable of. When deciding upon students, I talked to every other professor in the school. I know that all of you are capable of doing well in this class. Therefore, I will not accept any negligence on your part. There will be no late homework and no talking out of turn in class. You will pay attention. You will take notes," he said sternly, looking at each student. Several cowered under his gaze or shifted uncomfortably. He continued on in a much lighter tone. "Now, this will be a difficult class. What we will be working on here is usually taught at much higher levels of education. If you feel that you are falling behind or having trouble in class, see me. I will do what I can, even if it involves removing you from the class.

"While we are here to learn, I will try to make the classes as enjoyable as possible. If I do anything that bothers you, please let me know. If I'm too boring, let me know. You're here to learn, not die of boredom," he finished. Several students smiled. A few even chuckled. Regan rolled her eyes. Richard proceeded to go over his lesson plan for the upcoming year. The students seemed excited. Richard kept one eye on his daughter and her friends. Regan only rolled her eyes once more and did not look extremely embarrassed. Harry and Hermione looked excited. Richard could not read Malay's expression. Draco watched his teacher, but did not show any feeling to Prince, only a slight interest in the class. Richard thought that he would be watching the blonde boy throughout the year. "Any questions?" he asked once he finished his spiel. Several students raised their hand.

"What is the point of this class? This is the third time I've had DADA this week. Why three teachers?" a Ravenclaw girl asked. Several students lowered their hands. They were all wondering the same thing. Richard sighed. He had already answered similar questions many times. Even outside of class, students asked him about the need for his class.

"I am sure that all of you are aware of what has happened over the last few months outside of Hogwarts in the wizarding community," he began, talking to the entire class. He looked around the room, pausing briefly at Draco Malfoy, a Death Eater's son. The boy blinked indifferently before Richard moved on. "Everyone with the school realizes the importance of learning to properly defend yourself. It has never been as important as it is now. There are very powerful wizards who are no longer abiding by the Ministry's laws. They will use any means to get what they want, magic or otherwise" he said, thinking of Lucius Malfoy in particular. His gaze strayed to his son again. Draco's face betrayed nothing. It remained expressionless. However, Richard detected a brief flicker in the young man's eyes, though he could not decipher it.

"At Hogwarts, we are trying to prepare you," he continued. "By increasing DADA lessons, we are preparing you for what could be waiting. However, you specifically are as prepared as the previous lessons would get you. This class is designed to teach you more advanced defenses that you could easily use in certain situations." He smiled at the class, hoping his explanation was sufficient. Several students were whispering to one another. A few seem terrified. Hermione was beaming; she had given Harry and Ron a similar speech earlier. Harry was whispering a question to her. Richard looked to see what his daughter thought. However, she wasn't looking at her father. She was having a whispered conversation with Malfoy. Richard felt an anger rising inside him. He kept seeing Lucius Malfoy in his home, destroying everything, performing the Cruciatus curse. He did not like seeing his daughter talking so easily with Draco, not when he so resembled his father.

****

That night, Harry was sitting in the common room doing his homework. The teachers had again piled on the assignments and, even though he had been working for nearly an hour, he had not made much progress. He was working alone. Ron and Hermione had claimed that they were going to the library to study, but Harry had his doubts. Also, Ron had been grinning sheepishly and Hermione had been blushing. Regan was with Snape in his classroom. Working alone did not work for Harry. His mind wandered without someone to help keep him on track. The portrait hole opened and he looked up. Ginny entered. As prefect, she had been roaming the halls. He beckoned for her to join him. "How's it going, Harry?" she asked as she joined him on the sofa and pulling her own homework out of her bag.

"Not so well. I need some encouragement," he said, smiling at her. She smiled back.

"I'll see what I can do. What are you working on?" she asked.

"Potions. I still haven't completed the essay that Snape assigned Monday. I don't see how Regan can manage extra classes with him," he said with a sigh. Ginny looked slightly annoyed at the mention of Regan.

"Her first class is tonight. She probably won't be able to manage," she said. "Anyway, I also have Potions. And Herbology. And Transfiguration. And Divination."

"I didn't know you were still taking Divination."

"Well, I'm sort of good at it," she said, blushing. She looked down at her books and continued in a low voice. "On my O.W.L.s, I did really well in Divination. Dumbledore thought I should pursue it."

"Do you really see, I mean in her class?" Harry asked. Ginny shrugged, looking embarrassed.

"Sometimes. Sort of. Anyway, I also have a lot of Defense stuff. I have class with Prince on Tuesday. We didn't really do much in his class, but Lupin did not hesitate with homework this afternoon," she said with a sigh as she started to look through her book.

"I didn't realize you were taking Richard's class," Harry said.

"You mean you didn't think I was smart enough," Ginny replied with a small smile.

"Well," he said uncomfortably, "Ron isn't in the class, and I just assumed you wouldn't be."

"Harry, I don't know if you've noticed, but I am not Ron," she said, her smile growing. "In fact, I'm a completely different person. And I happen to be okay at Defense."

"I know. You were great in Dumbledore's Army," he said quickly, blushing.

"Homework?" she asked, gesturing to the work laid in front of them, trying to change the subject. He nodded.

****

It was nearly midnight when Regan left the dungeons to go to the Gryffindor tower. Snape hadn't been too bad. He had led her into his office and they went through all the restricted ingredients that were too rare and powerful to use during class. Then, the two immediately started on a potion. As they worked, Snape explained the potion, how it worked, it's importance, and how it was made. The potion was called Kinsella. Though illegal, several Aurors and Unspeakables in the Ministry were allowed to use it, but a special license was required. As a potions master, Snape was also licensed to use it, as well as teach it to students who he deemed worthy and had gotten respectable test scores in Potions.

Kinsella was a very powerful mixture. When consumed, it temporarily robbed the witch or wizard who consumed it of his or her magical powers. The witch or wizard was simply not able to perform magic. His or her wand was useless. A very small amount of Kinsella would last for hours. A very large amount could possible rob a wizard of his powers completely. It was rumored that a large dose of Kinsella even killed a witch once. However, it was only a rumor. The potion itself was difficult to make and took several hours. Ingredients had to be measured exactly. Those ingredients then had to be added at certain times. The mixture had to be stirred at the right speed in the right direction. The mixture had to be heated at the precise temperature at the right times. Severus Snape himself made a few mistakes in the beginning, causing them to start over.

Therefore, it took all night to make the potion properly. The halls were completely deserted and quiet as Regan made her way back to the dormitory. She used a spell to light her wand so that she could see. Several paintings protested, claiming the light woke them up. She lowered her wand and quickened her pace. Regan was exhausted. She had gathered a lot of homework during the day, but she was so tired that she decided the homework could wait until the next night, a rarity for Regan Prince, to put off homework. However, she also had Quidditch practice the next evening. She wondered when D.A. and the Dueling Club would start. Maybe the homework would have to wait until the weekend.

She entered the common room, planning on heading straight for her room and then her bed. However, she was taken aback when she entered the room. Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley were still awake. They were sitting in chairs next to the fireplace. Their homework was laid out in front of them, but they were not doing homework. Instead, Harry had his arms around Ginny. She had her face laying on his should. Ginny was crying. She did not notice Regan enter. Harry did. He looked at Regan and gave her the slightest nod to acknowledge her presence. She gave him a small smile before quietly going up to her room, trying not to disturb them. She had the feeling that Ginny did not want to see her at the moment.

****

The next morning at the Great Hall, Regan did not feel like eating breakfast. Harry and Ginny had not come down yet. Ron and Hermione were holding hands and talking in whispers across the table. Therefore, Regan was stuck talking with Lavender and Parvati. Generally, she did not mind talking to the girls, as long as it didn't happen often. They could talk about shopping and clothes. That was about it. Once those topics were exhausted, the girls would sit in awkward silence until Lavender or Parvati mentioned a boy they were currently infatuated with. A conversation comprised of shallow comments and giggling. That morning at breakfast, the girls were having the latter conversation. Lavender was raving about a Ravenclaw sixth year. Apparently, he had told her that she was performing a spell incorrectly while she was practicing at dinner the previous evening. His attention to her must mean that he was in love with her, at least according to Lavender. Regan rolled her eyes and hoped that Harry would hurry to breakfast so that she could have someone to talk to. She was just beginning to zone the two girls out when she noticed that they were both staring at her expectantly.

"What?" she asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious. The two girls looked at each other, as if to decided which one would continue.

"Well," Lavender said, looking to Parvati for encouragement, "we were wondering if you were dating anybody."

"No," Regan said, doubting by the look on the other girls' faces that that was the question they were wanting to ask. "Why?"

"You spend an awful lot of time with him..." Parvati began. Lavender nodded.

"With who?" Regan asked, looking to the doorway, willing Harry to enter so that she could stop this ridiculous conversation.

"With Malfoy," Lavender whispered, leaning forward in her seat.

"You think I'm dating him?" Regan asked, turning back to Lavender and Parvati.

"You're always with him and he's a Slytherin," Lavender said quickly. Regan raised her eyebrows.

"So? We're friends. We do our homework together," she said. Paravati and Lavender looked at each other, clearing not believing her. "Wait, do other people think we are dating?"

"I think it makes sense," Parvati said suddenly. "I mean, you're both from similar families. And I'll be one of the first girls to admit that Malfoy's cute, even if he is a jerk sometimes. Most of the time."

"You didn't answer my question," Regan said. Lavender and Parvati were the type of girls who were always on top of gossip. At Hogwarts, news traveled fast and girls like Lavender and Parvati usually knew all the news.

"Some people are considering it as an option..." Lavender said slowly.

"Are you correcting them?" Regan demanded.

"We didn't know what was correct," Parvati replied quickly.

"Now you know, so let other people know," Regan said, getting up. "I've got to go get ready for class."

Lavender and Parvati watched her go. As soon as she left the Great Hall, Parvati hurried over to the Ravenclaw table to tell her sister the news. By the end of breakfast, all the students wondering about a Slytherin and Gryffindor knew about Regan's confessions.

****

Regan hurried upstairs after leaving the Great Hall. She was glad to be rid of the two girls for a moment. They were irritating after awhile. Regan literally ran into Harry as she went to the dormitory. She was entering the portrait hole as he was exiting it. Both had wandering minds and didn't see the other until they had landed in the floor. The two stood up and brushed themselves off.

"What are you doing up here?" Harry asked.

"I needed to get a few books for class," she said, adjusting her robes properly. "Why were you late for breakfast?"

"Over-slept," he said sheepishly, grinning.

"What time did you go to bed last night?" she said, remembering him in the common room at midnight.

"Maybe two," he said with a shrug.

"Where's Ginny?" she asked quietly.

"I don't think she got any sleep last night. She's still in bed. I think she can miss a day," Harry said.

"About last night, I didn't mean to interrupt anything," she said, uncomfortable with the course the conversation was taking.

"I know. Ginny doesn't know you saw her."

"I'd like to keep it that way," Regan said quickly. Harry nodded in agreement. "What was going on?"

"She just needed someone to talk to," he said.

"I thought that she was doing better," she replied.

"She is. She just had a..." Harry searched for the right word.

"Relapse?" Regan offered. Harry chuckled in spite of himself.

"Something like that. She needed to talk and I don't think she has a Ron or Hermione to go to. Know what I mean?" he asked. Regan nodded, thinking of her own version of Ron and Hermione: Gretchen and Leo.

"I didn't realize you two were that close," she said. Harry shrugged.

"I don't think we were until recently. Even then I think that I was just available."

"I know what you mean. Anyway, I need to get my books. You need breakfast," she said, forcing a smile. "See you later."

Harry nodded and made his way to the Great Hall. Regan went upstairs. Her room was next to Ginny's. She stopped at the sixth-year bedroom and listened. She could hear nothing. She considered knocking and making sure Ginny was all right, but decided against it. Regan and Ginny certainly were not good friends and Ginny would need a good friend. Regan went on to her own room.

****

Lucius Malfoy was angry. When Lucius Malfoy was angry, people usually paid. Whether it was an unlucky house-elf or an unfortunate Ministry worker, someone would pay. However, Lucius Malfoy was angry and he could do nothing. He was sitting in his luxurious office in the Ministry, reading Fudge's latest memo. Upon reading it, he added it to his growing collection of Fudge memos. As with the others, this new memo angered Mr. Malfoy. It angered him to the extent that, if anyone were brave enough to venture into his office, Mr. Malfoy was sure that they would see steam issuing from his ears. He never thought he would see the day that the Minister of Magic would ally himself with the Order and Albus Dumbledore. Not only had Fudge publicly allied himself with Dumbledore, he had given the old man control and power within the Ministry.

Lucius Malfoy angrily shoved his seat from the desk and stood up. He walked to his window and looked out. The Magical Maintenance had decided that the day would be sunny and bright, not a cloud in sight. It had been sunny and bright ever since Fudge made his famous announcement. Lucius was sick of seeing the sun. He was ready for clouds and rain.

He was also ready to leave the Ministry. Lucius Malfoy did not need to work. The Malfoy family had enough old money to see his great-grandchildren through life. However, the Ministry job paid him well, gave him more power, and gave him an insight on what his government was doing at the moment. For these reasons, Lucius kept the job. Or, more accurately, he was told to keep his job by the Dark Lord. The job itself had been almost bearable, but then Fudge had opened his big mouth and gave Dumbledore all the power the government could give. It made Lucius sick to think of it. After Fudge's announcement, Lucius had made plans to quit. He had filled out all the necessary paperwork. He had planned a lengthy speech he would give, ensuring that every Ministry member would know what he thought of Fudge and why he was leaving. Lucius had thought that Voldemort would appreciate his actions. Several Ministry members might have followed him. Instead, Voldemort had been furious at the suggestion. He had ordered Malfoy to stay with Ministry and to keep his ears open.

The worst part of this new Ministry was acting normal. Most people knew that Lucius Malfoy was a Death Eater and supported Voldemort. They may not admit it, but they knew. Most thought, and were right, that Voldemort was staying somewhere at the Malfoy Manor. Both Malfoy and Voldemort knew that they knew. Still, this could not be acknowledged. Everyone in the Ministry, Malfoy and other Death Eaters included, had to act as if Malfoy did not serve Voldemort. Malfoy had to act as if he approved of Fudge's actions against Voldemort. Luckily, Malfoy had previously made his dislike of Dumbledore known, so he did not have to hide his distaste for Dumbledore's new power within the Ministry. Malfoy had to endure the meetings during which an Order member was always present, making sure he or she was heard. Malfoy had to endure Dumbledore's orders and then pretend to follow them. Then he had to endure the countless memos Fudge sent detailing some new change brought about by the Order. Even though the Ministry was now answering to the Order, Malfoy could not get a hold of any information about what the Order was doing. Any and all correspondence between the Order and certain Ministry officials was closely guarded. Despite many different efforts from Malfoy and other Death Eaters masquerading as Ministry officials, no one had been able to break past the security measures and find out what the Order was working on.

Malfoy also had to endure the Aurors. Even though it was almost common knowledge Lucius Malfoy supported Lord Voldemort, the Aurors were having trouble finding proof of it. Without proof, nothing could be done. A year and a half ago, when he had been captured and placed in Azkaban, the Dementors, who had then moved to Voldemort's side, had released him. Because he could not be tried again for the same crime, there was nothing the Ministry could do. Also, because of a very tight contract Lucius himself created, the Ministry was forced to give him his job back. Therefore, the Aurors were very anxious catch Malfoy as a Death Eater. Since his return to the Ministry a year ago, the Aurors had tried to capture him again. Since Fudge's famous announcement, they had only increased their efforts. They stopped by his office at least once a day and went through his things. They stopped by his house. Malfoy was not stupid. He had hidden all his dark arts artifacts in his basement, along with all Death Eater items. Of course, Voldemort was living in the Malfoy basement in a section he had made comfortable. Malfoy had placed several charms and spells on his basement, several using dark magic. The Aurors went to the basement and it appeared to be a normal room. They could detect nothing sinister. However, beneath the facade were several more dungeon chambers containing the hidden material that the Aurors could not see or access. Malfoy was sure that the Aurors were frustrated and the thought made him smile.

While his job was angering Malfoy, his son only increased the anger. Draco's failures the previous year were nothing compared to his failures his seventh year. He had failed to make Head Boy. Worse, Harry Potter had gotten Head Boy. Draco had paid dearly for that one. Still, Lucius had given his son the benefit of doubt. Even though Draco had failed to get Harry expelled, Lucius had given him another task for the new school year, hoping his son would redeem himself and give Voldemort reason for him to become a Death Eater other than his parents. Lucius, upon Voldemort's wishes, had told Draco to befriend Regan Prince. Lucius hoped that Draco would either be able to convince the girl to join Voldemort-her brother had already proved himself useful-or find out information on the Order and Richard Prince. Draco's letters spoke of failure. Regan would have nothing to do with Draco. She would not talk to him. In Draco's letters, he told his father of his many attempts to speak with her, but she would only throw some insult and leave him to join Potter or Weasley. Draco's incompetence sickened Lucius Malfoy. Sometimes, he doubted he was truly his son. Another annoyance was the missing Nirvana Stone. It was an old family jewel that Lucius and Narcissa both enjoyed when they were having a long day. Over the summer it had disappeared and Lucius was certain that Draco had taken it, though the boy denied it. Lucius assumed that Draco had given it to some stupid girl at Hogwarts, some slut that wanted the benefits of the Malfoy name.

Lucius left the window and sat back at his desk. He could hear his secretary in the other room, talking to someone. He did not see the witch very often any more. She seemed to have developed a fear of her boss and approached him only when necessary. Lucius sighed as the door opened an another memo flew in. As he read it, his anger boiled throughout his veins, flushing his cheeks. Fudge was informing everyone that there would be a new cover for all TPS reports. The Order of the Pheonix was having trouble with the old covers. Lucius Malfoy muttered something under his breath and the new memo was instantly engulfed in flames. Lucius Malfoy was angry and nothing was being done. Voldemort insisted they wait and prepare for war. Malfoy was sick of waiting and preparing. In April, he had had a taste of war and he wanted more. He did not think he could wait much longer.