Duty Calls

September 5th. (Chapter 4 - 'Demands')

- Draco's Story -

I received an owl at breakfast this morning with the following message from my father.

Draco,

I understand that your position as Head Boy allows you to visit Hogsmeade whenever you wish. You are to exercise that privilege today and meet me at The Hog's Head at 2p.m. Come alone and tell no one of your plans.

Father.

What the hell is all THAT about? Why all the cloak and dagger stuff? Whatever it is, it must be important because my father will only come to Hogsmeade when absolutely necessary - he says that being in such close proximity to Dumbledore makes him physically ill. *smirk* Something's obviously come up since the summer holidays ended. Oh well, I don't mind meeting him, any excuse to miss History of Magic. Not that Binns will notice if I'm not there, he wouldn't be aware of what was happening even if the entire class danced naked with cauldrons on their heads!

11.45p.m. I can't believe it; I just can't believe it! I thought I knew my father's scheming ways pretty well by now but obviously I haven't even scratched the surface!!!!!!!

I knew something 'big' was up the minute I walked into the pub. (It's such a damned nuisance not being able to Apparate directly from the castle.) He was obviously tense and didn't speak, apart from a terse greeting, until I'd almost finished my first mulled mead, but when he did, his tone put me on my guard at once.

"Draco, I don't believe it will come as a shock to you to learn that I, and many others like me, were completely stunned and lost after the defeat of the Dark Lord and so many of his loyal supporters at the hands of that wretched Potter and company." This certainly wasn't news to me; my parents had both been bitter and withdrawn for weeks after the war had ended with such a resounding defeat for our side. My father went on.

"Indeed, I think it would be fair to say that such a blow was one from which I believed the Wizarding world would never recover. But my friends and I refused to give up hope and, in recent weeks, several of us who survived the horrors of last year have been meeting secretly in Scotland to discuss what steps we must take in order to elevate Pureblood wizards and their families back to their rightful place in the world."

He paused to order another drink, just long enough for me to wonder what in the world he and his friends had been planning and how it involved me? I didn't have to wait long for my question to be answered. In spite of the fact that the pub was crowded and noisy, he leaned in very close when he spoke, clearly not wishing any part of our conversation to be overheard.

"We have come up with several strategies to further our cause and this is where you come in. You, and all the other young people in whose hands the fate of the Pureblood race now rests." He fixed me with a glare from his grey eyes, so like my own, and I had a feeling that whatever he was about to tell me was not something that I was going to like. I was right.

"In order to grow strong and powerful again, we must sew the seeds of unity and strength immediately, before it is too late. We must forge unbreakable bonds with our own kind, and it is with this in mind that I asked you to come here today." A very tight knot was forming in the pit of my stomach but I didn't speak so he continued.

"The name 'Malfoy' still commands an enormous amount of respect in Wizarding circles. It has always been so and I see no reason why that should change. My family, and that of your mother, can both be traced back through centuries of wizard nobility. Salazar Slytherin himself is a distant relative of mine." I wished he would get to the point, I didn't need the history lesson for God's sake, the 'nobility' of my parents respective bloodlines had been constantly drummed into my head since I was old enough to understand what it all meant.

"Your mother and I were very distressed that we were unable to have more children after your birth. (That's hardly my fault!) However, you have proven yourself to be a loyal son and for that I am most grateful.

"It was one of the dearest wishes of the Dark Lord that Pureblood families who were loyal to him should increase their numbers by as many and as quickly as possible, for we cannot grow strong again without future generations. Obviously, the Dark Lord is gone, but there is no reason that his dream should die with him.

"Your mother and I cannot hope to further secure the future of our line, or of Pureblood wizards, more than we have already, but you can, Draco, and you will. It is your duty to aid the cause in any way possible. With this in mind, it is my pleasure to tell you that you are to be married at Easter."

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September 5th.

- Hermione's Story -

The first meeting of the Valentine's Ball Steering Committee was held at 4 o'clock today and, in typical fashion, our 'esteemed' Head Boy didn't bother to turn up! Luckily, all the prefects were there though. Harry and Ginny even came along to see what they could do to help. (Actually, I think Ginny came along just to be near Harry but I'm grateful for her assistance anyway.)*grin* Everybody was very enthusiastic and came up with some great ideas - with the exception of Ron, who sat by himself and hardly said a word. I hope he's not overdoing things, he has Quidditch practice four nights a week and he's helping Hagrid build cages for the baby Wimbubbles which are due to hatch shortly. Plus there's his prefect duties and homework - the poor darling is obviously exhausted! I'll have to see to it that he has a quiet weekend.

I had trouble looking Catherine Dixon in the eye at the meeting. I'm still trying to deal with the nature of her relationship with Malfoy, but I DID manage to ask her if she knew where he was? She replied in the negative.

I FINALLY tracked him down outside the Slytherin change rooms just as he was heading in to get ready for Quidditch training. He was in a foul mood.

"What do you want, Granger? Come to see what the bodies of REAL men look like have you?" Crabbe and Goyle laughed sycophantically of course, as did the rest of the Slytherins. I was fuming but I was determined not to let him get to me.

"Actually, Malfoy, I was wondering why you didn't turn up to the first steering committee meeting today? Everyone else was there and you KNEW it was on because I reminded you yesterday. It sets a very bad example to the prefects if the Head Boy can't even be bothered to be somewhere when he's supposed to!"

"Why don't you just do us all a favour, Granger, and drop dead! Such a pity Bellatrix's curse only caused you minor injury last year, if she'd aimed it properly, there'd be one less Mudblood for the rest of us to worry about!" And with that, he stormed off, leaving me feeling even more furious with him! He's so evil! Dumbledore has made a huge mistake giving him the head boy's job; I knew it would never work!

I tried to talk to Ron about it in the common room after dinner but he gave me an odd look and said he was too busy with his homework to listen, yet I saw him, not twenty minutes later, playing Chess with Neville so he must have completed his assignments awfully quickly!

By the time I finished my own homework, there was only Harry, Ginny and myself left in the common room; everyone else had gone to bed. It took me several seconds to notice that Ginny was winking at me and gesturing towards the door with her eyes. I FINALLY got the message; she wanted me to leave so she could be alone with Harry! (I'm so thick sometimes...) I said my 'goodnights' quickly and went to my room. I'd only just changed into my pyjamas and robe when there was a knock at my door.

11.30p.m.

Why oh WHY did I open the door!!!!! If only I'd pretended to be asleep, none of it would have happened!

It was Ron. I expected him to be in his pyjamas at that hour but he was fully dressed and glaring at me with a face like thunder!

"Ron, what's the matter? Has something bad happened, what is it?!" When I stepped back to let him in, he lurched forward and almost knocked me over. He was DRUNK!

"Ron, what the hell do you think you're DOING? If any of the teachers catch you, you'll be expelled on the spot! You know the consumption of alcohol on school grounds is strictly forbidden!" Instead of looking scared or ashamed, he just sneered at me.

"Oh and wouldn't Miss - Oh - So - Perfect - Head - Girl just LOVE it if poor-but-loyal Ronnie was chucked out of school! That'd leave the coast clear for her to fall into Darling Draco's ever-loving arms!!!!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing, he was obviously crazed.

"What in the world are you TALKING about, Ron? Me? With MALFOY!? You've GOT to be kidding! We HATE each other!" The force of the slap was such that it knocked me off my feet and sent me sprawling backwards onto the bed. When I looked up, he was standing over me with his fists clenched, his eyes, slits of fury. I was utterly terrified and I began to sob, clutching my rapidly swelling cheek as he glared at me. It took me several seconds to realise that he was talking to me.

"...think I haven't noticed the way you look at him, the way your eyes travel all over his body when you think nobody is watching! How jealous you've been since you found out about him and Catherine Dixon. Making a million excuses to spend time with him, fretting when he doesn't turn up to meetings and THEN skulking around outside the Slytherin change rooms, waiting for him to arrive! Do you think I'm stupid, Hermione, do you think I'm BLIND?????" His breathing was so laboured that he was barely hissing above a whisper but every word cut into my heart like a knife.

"Ron! No! I SWEAR it isn't true! There's NOTHING going on between Malfoy and me! I love YOU!" I stood up and tried to grab his hand but he shook me off and continued raving.

"Don't lie to me you Mudblood slut! I can't BELIEVE what a fool I've been! All these months I've been wanting us to get closer and take our relationship further but I respected your decision when you said you weren't ready. I'll bet THAT made you both laugh! Stupid, trusting Weasley, waiting patiently while his girlfriend gives it up to King Slimeball! Any wonder you were so stunned when you saw him with Catherine, you thought he was all YOURS!!!!" The second slap brought a stream of crimson from my lip and made something in me snap.

"Get out! Get out NOW!!!" I faced him squarely, blood dripping down my chin and onto my robe. "Leave this room immediately, Ron, and don't ever come back! We're finished and if you come near me again, I swear you'll find out EXACTLY why I'm the cleverest witch in the school!" I turned my back on him, shaking madly but unwilling to let him see my fear and pain. I didn't turn around again until the door slammed and the echo of his footsteps died away, then I threw myself down onto my bed and sobbed.

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