𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒫𝓇ℴ𝓂𝒾𝓈ℯ𝒹 𝒪𝓃ℯ | 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐲 |

#22 Family Secrets

Right as we left the corridor leading towards Umbridge's office, we bumped into Harry and Hermione, their breath pacing.

"How did you escape?", Hermione called out as we met in the middle of the corridors.

"Puking pastels. Nothing for somebody with an sensitive stomach.", El grinned. "Ron told them he was hungry and wanted some snacks. They told him to bugger off and ate them themselves."

Hermione and Harry tried to hold their laugher, while the girl looked rather surprised by Ron's quick and smart act to get them out of the situation.

"I hate to break the catch up short, but how are we getting to London?", I hurriedly chimed in, trying to urge them to get back on the topic.

Since Umbridge confiscated all brooms, we couldn't take them. If it wasn't for that honestly serious situation, I would be relieved. I was still a really bad flyer.

But Harry's features were turning to every one of us, before he shook his head slightly. Not much, not really noticeable, but enough for us to see.

"Look, it's not that I don't appreciate everything you done, all of you.", he glanced at me shortly, his eyes traveling to the still remaining bruises on my underarm which were exposed because I had pulled the sleeves of my white shirt up to my elbows. "but I've got you into enough trouble."

"Cut your crap right there, Harry.", I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms in front of my chest in disbelieve.

"You said Dumbledore's army could really make a difference. Or were that just empty words?", Neville chipped in to my surprise since he was still rather shy when I was around. Even though he gained some trust in me after I protected the organisation from the Inquisitorial Squad.

"Exactly, so we're coming with you no matter how hard you're trying to talk this out of us. We didn't go through any of this to let you alone in whatever there is in the ministry.", I smiled at him and tilted my head as everyone silently agreed.

"Okay, so, how are we going to get to London?", Harry mirrored my question and smiled a quiet thanks in our direction, before Luna did a step forwards. Her hand intertwined with El's, her lips friendly curled into a smile.

"We fly, of course.", the blonde said sweetly and looked at her girlfriend who knowingly smirked down on her.

Luna guided us towards the edge of the forbidden forest. To say each one of us, except Harry and El, were confused, would be the underestimate of the year.

And I never saw thestrals before - of course, because I never saw someone die in front of my eyes.

But Harry did, and Luna to my surprise. So they guided the creatures towards us and prepared them for the ride to London.

Luna stationed herself with Neville on one, Harry and Ginny shared a thestral, while Ron and Hermione were right behind El and me.

Flying through the air and over the grounds of Hogwarts was too peaceful for me. Too beautiful to let it really sink in in fear, that it could get crushed any minute.

The air was ruffling through my open blonde curls, the soft breeze of spring tingling my skin as the sun started slowly to sink on the horizon.

"So, what did Malfoy want?", El started a conversation, as the thestral drifted a bit to fly next to the one Luna shot us a grin from. "Shove some salt in the wound? Call you a traitor again? I'm still convinced I should've hex him after what he said to you in the corridor."

"No, he's -", I started, but what should I tell her, when I wasn't sure what he meant either.

"He lied to you. And not in a small attempt, he kept a huge secret. And now he's a bitch about you not telling him and Maribel about our organisation? He really swings the double standards club."