The Perfect Plan

Chapter four

The Perfect Plan

A Trip to Remember

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She had revisited this platform more than enough when she had to see away her daughter, but she had never thought that she would have to go there during the school year. What on earth was she thinking, getting into fights like that, and with a boy no less. She had better still be unconscious when I get there. Ginny took an empty compartment and sat by the window waiting for eleven o'clock to come and the train to pull out of the station. When it finally pulled forward she began to relax a little, at least she would get a little sleep until she reached Hogwarts.

She watched the town speed away and the countryside emerge before falling asleep with her head placed near the bottom of the window. Once the train bucked and she flew awake but fell asleep again, this time lying down on the long seat of the compartment. She didn't notice when the compartment door slid open.

***

Whoops, there's someone sleeping in here, Draco thought as he closed the compartment door again to find somewhere else to go. He chose the compartment next door. Most of the train seemed to be empty as no one was on their way to Hogwarts at this time of year. He sat down at the window and watched the trees and the evergreen grass blur by the windowpane.

Where did I go wrong, he thought as he sighed into the window where he rested his head. Am I not a good father? Merlin knows I try, I've given him everything he's ever wanted without spoiling him rotten like I was and he still acts out like this. I've taught him patience, and to be virulent if need be, but beating up a girl? Where did he learn that? Certainly not me! I've thrown names into the fire but I've never resorted to that. Who is this girl anyway? What could she have possibly done to make him resort to this?

He closed his eyes to rest some more after a sleepless night. He had better still be unconscious when I get there or else I'll probably put him in a coma, he thought angrily before falling asleep.

***

Cordelia's eyes flew open and they came face to face with the ceiling above. She had seen that ceiling before. It had to be the infirmary; this place had become her home away from home... away from home. She had a pain in her back as she tried to sit up. When she finally managed she turned to see Chayse sitting up already watching her. She winced as her neck adjusted to the pain of stiffness.

"Don't worry; it's a natural side effect. It goes away after a while."

"Mmm," she moaned groggily. "I feel like I've gone two hundred rounds with a Hippogriff."

Chayse smiled. "Well it's no worse than what is about to happen." He waited for her reaction to his words. "I woke up some time early this morning and I overheard them talking, McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore."

Cordelia sat up even more, her eyes wide ignoring the pain. "Well? What did they say?" she asked.

"Our parents sent back notes. They're coming."

Cordelia looked down at the bed sheets trying to decide whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. "I know what you're thinking. I was thinking it too when I heard it, it's a good thing." He gave her a consoling look.

She looked at him feeling instantly comforted. "But you know what this means now don't you," he added. "We'll have to actually tell them that we're friends or that we're enemies, whichever you want I don't mind." His head lowered a little, she wondered if he was crying. Any other person who came in now would think it.

She knew better. Without thinking, she gently pushed herself off the bed onto her feet and covered the three step distance with surprising ease to sit on his bed. "I have come this far as your friend Astie, don't you dare start pushing me away now. If we are going to do this, from now on we are telling the truth or else it will become ten times harder, especially for what we have planned. Listen to me, to pull this off we will need them to spend time together. If we are playing the roles of enemies, how will that become a possibility?" He didn't look hopeful at this. "Plus, I've always wanted to see your home and Easter holiday is coming up, if I don't like you where will I stay? Brother." She smiled when he looked up at her and grinned. He grabbed hold of her and hugged her. She winced slightly but ignored the pain anyway. "I've always wanted to be an older sister anyway." They laughed.

Hearing a door open behind them, they rushed apart and Cordelia made her way back to her bed. Both lay still and closed their eyes.

Dumbledore walked in for the second time after witnessing what he thought to be two students hugging, the same two students who were hexing and dueling last night. What on Earth? They had been talking about something being planned but he couldn't hear it very well, though he knew he distinctly heard one say brother. What were they up to?

"Poppy? You wouldn't happen to know if our two young duelers are awake would you? I have their parents here waiting for them."

Oh crap, they both thought. Grimacing inwardly, they hoped it didn't show.

"I'm not sure Dumbledore, I'll have to check." She came out of her office to look at them both, Cordelia had returned to her bed and both had their eyes closed. She came back clicking her tongue. "Well they're both awake," she said quietly. "But it seems that they do not want to face their parents right now."

Dumbledore smiled at her then looked over at the two beds side by side. He shook his head. Criminal masterminds at work, he thought.

***

Ginny sat in Dumbledore's office looking around in every direction; every direction except for the one in Draco Malfoy's half of the room.

She had first encountered him when she had gotten off the train and had made every effort to ignore him completely. However, everyone else around them felt that he was too far away and kept pushing them together. When they had gotten off the train every carriage was gone except for one, so they had shared it. When they had entered the castle together students were walking all over the place giving them strange looks as they walked to lunch. When she had finally asked him what he was doing there he had told her that he was just here on business and that it was none of hers. Dumbledore had told them to stay together so they had walked around and encountered groups of children who had enough courage to ask them who they were; namely some Slytherins.

When he had answered she was sure that she saw looks of awe in their faces before they finally closed their mouths and asked, "Y-your Chayse's Father?" She almost burst out laughing at their looks.

It wasn't until they turned to her that she stopped abruptly. "So you must be Cordy's mum." Cordy? She looked at them strangely and almost froze when they smiled at her. She turned to Draco and she could see the same reaction in his face. "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am," one of the boys said. Her heart almost stopped beating. They knew her daughter? The better question however was, they knew her?

She has a daughter? How was I not aware of this, why didn't Chayse tell me? Draco thought.

She gave a meek, "Yes, I am." Trying to keep all composure, but nothing could have prepared them for what happened next. The boy kissed her hand and the rest of them bowed, whilst the girl they were with curtsied, and then they walked off in the most polite way possible.

Both Ginny and Draco stood watching them as they turned the corner for lunch in the Great Hall. Then, silently, they walked to Dumbledore's Gargoyle glancing back every few steps not believing what took place. They waited there until he came to say the password and led them inside. It was there that he had left them alone again to check on the children.

When Dumbledore came back Ginny looked behind her and was disappointed that her child was not with him. Draco's face said the same. Instead he returned with two teachers, Snape and McGonagall.

"I'm sure you know why you are both here."

One look to both teachers and they both had comprehending looks on their faces. Draco went into his jacket pocket as Ginny felt in her pocket and withdrew a piece of parchment that Dumbledore recognized as his letters to them. They both nodded putting the letters on the table, ignoring each other completely.

Snape and McGonagall stood behind each of their corresponding ex-house members. Dumbledore continued, "Good, well as you can both imagine, this is quite serious now. I was just wondering, before we begin, if any of you know why your children feel the need to lash out this way."

Both shook their heads. In a way they felt like they were still at school being interrogated for something.

"Okay then, where shall I begin? In the past month both of your children seem to be stirring up a well-known rivalry again between your previous houses. Of course we have also noted the name in which they were born, which is why I have left some of this upon that reason and the rest upon the latter, though I had hoped that had dissolved by now." Ginny and Draco chanced a glance at each other, it wasn't resentment but they had both been present in the war and would never forget how all houses had united as one. It was the only way to survive and they all knew it. They returned their gaze to Dumbledore. "One thing I must tell you is that we have not had trouble in this school since those days long in the past. It has only been recently that these events started to happen and the rest of them seem to be oblivious."

"The rest of them?" They both asked. Ginny stopped and Draco continued. "What do you mean the rest of them, who?"

"Why, the rest of the school. They have neither talked to each other in classes, nor have they acknowledged each other in passing in the corridors."

"That's strange," Ginny said quietly.

"Very. We have no idea how to get to the bottom of this. We were hoping that one of you would have an insight."

"Us?" Ginny said.

"How would I have any idea why her daughter attacked my son?" Draco asked him.

Ginny turned on him angrily. "My daughter, excuse me have you even considered the fact that your son could be the one instigating these fights?"

"Both of you calm down. It seems the blame is shared. Both of your children have been starting these squabbles. The question that remains is why."

"What do you mean, isn't it a little obvious," he said pointing to Ginny.

Ginny returned his gesture. "Yes, I mean look at what he belongs to."

"Shut your mouth Weasley." His tone matched the look in his eyes only barely.

Ginny felt the heat rising from the pit of her stomach. If she wasn't brought up with manners she could have spat on him. "Make me," she said in a low tone. It was still clear that she was furious.

"Stop this!" the Headmaster scolded. They both jumped and fell into silence, looking immediately to the ground. He was about to continue when there was a knock on his door. "Who is it?" he said simmering down

The door opened ajar and Madame Pomfrey's head popped around it. "Can I come in?" she asked.

"Yes, of course Poppy, come in." He waved his hand for her to enter.

"If you don't mind I have something for you." She stepped inside and turned towards the door. She opened it a little more and waved hurriedly for whatever it was outside to come in. When there wasn't anything there Dumbledore looked at her expectantly.

Both Ginny and Draco turned around to face the door wondering what it was that was taking so long. When they did they saw the school nurse waving at something to come in. It was a few more seconds before two sets of feet walked in. Their shoes covered with robes, it was still obvious one was a boy and the other a girl. As their eyes continued upwards the uniforms got dustier and the Slytherin and Gryffindor crest did not sparkle as much as they had when the two had left home for school.

It was only when they reached the faces of their children did they see the true nature of their injuries. All black eyes and bruised. Draco gasped at the marks on his sons face, as did Ginny to her daughter's.

"Hello mum."

"Good morning father."