Rhapsody of a Veela

Part 54 - Dragon Balls, Champagne and Holiday Spirit

 December 1996

You did not think much of it as a small enveloped letter landed in your hands after being dropped off by an unfamiliar owl during breakfast in the great hall. You yawned as you opened it, seeing as it did not look like those sent by Fred – which were usually sealed by a doubled W&W in wax. Instead it looked rather plain, and it did not seem to contain any glitter bomb, fireworks or any sort of mischievous surprise either. When you read the short message inside twice however, your eyes opened wider.

"Beware of the full moon,

-Your Secret friend "

"What's that, another prank letter from Fred?" Hermione asked by your side, as you nervously pushed the letter into your robes pocket.

"Something like that" you quickly said, all so you could avoid suspicion and further questions.

You knew what it was about, it was likely sent by the mercenary you had encountered, polyjuiced to look like Cedric and at another time, George, - you had never found out his true identity. He was warning you that Bellatrix Lestrange was not giving up on her wish to see you dead, and the fact that she was likely to send someone else to finish the job now that the mercenary was blackmailing her.

This was all still on your mind, as you entered the Gryffindor common room after a long and tiring day. Only to be approached by Harry Potter,

"I need to ask you something" he said, and the lump that grew in your stomach by the mere sight of his face foretold that it would be of something you did not wish to hear about, as you followed him to a corner where no one could hear,

Hermione looked up worried towards you, but after a moment of hesitation she turned back to her book, although you were sure she'd try to listen inn undetected even if she suspected she knew what it was about. Harry pushed his glasses further up his nose before he began, shiftily,

"You're pretty close with Draco aren't you?" he had an accusatory tone in his voice, it had not gone unnoticed that you had been so friendly with the enemy for all this time. Your confused look turned sour rather quickly,

"Used to be.. I suppose"

Your thoughts started racing back, to the exact moment it had all gone wrong. When you had stunned him in Umbridge's office so he would not loose all credibility with his friends – or sometime earlier. Perhaps it was during the summer break, when he had finally uncovered the truth about your father. Even if he too had suspected it all along, everything was different the moment it was confirmed.

"Well, I think he's up to something" Harry continued intently, and from the corner of your eye you could tell Hermione was shaking her head softly.

"Something bad" Harry added, coming a little closer as he whispered,

"I suspect he's been initiated as a death eater, and-"

That was the moment he lost you, and you scoffed loudly. Accidentally catching the attention of the rest of the common room.

"Are you really that daft?" you hissed,

"Draco isn't up to anything nefarious, can't you tell he's hurting?"

"Hurting or not, he's up to something. I'm sure of it"

You rolled your eyes,

"I reckon it's time you let go of this childish animosity"

"But-"

"I'm sure you have better things to worry about Harry, like.."

A grin suddenly fell over your face,