Mischievous Glint | George Weasley

Chapter 33

Outside the shop, we walked down the alley. Half the alley was closed down.

"How is it Fred and George are doing it?" Hermione asked.

"Fred reckons people need a laugh these days." Ron replied.

"Reckon he's right..."

"You guys, They both made me the manager of their shop." I announced as Hermione and Harry had a look of surprise on their faces.

"Of course." Hermione said, the corner of her lips turned up.

"Well... congratulations." Harry said as I thanked him.

We eyed the poster of Bellatrix, her mocking half- smile.

"Oh no. Look." Harry, Hermione and Ron followed my gaze to the wreck that was Ollivander's Wand Shop.

"But everyone got their wands from Ollivander. Young. Old..." Hermione said.

"Good. Bad. Speaking of which..."

We followed Harry's gaze as across the avenue, Draco and Narcissa paused, glanced around, then slipped quickly down an alley.

"Is it just me? Or do Draco and mummy look like two people who don't want to be followed?" Ron muttered under this breath.

We trailed Draco and Narcissa, who navigated these dark streets with ease. Hermione and I were lagging a bit then glanced up at the darkening sky. When we looked back, we saw Ron and Harry far ahead. We turned in a shadowy corner. Harry and Ron ducked inside a shop front. At the end of the alley, a single shop glimmered dully.

'Borgin & Burkes', it said. Narcissa and Draco entered, greeted a stooped man who was Borgin. He pointed and Draco walked to a Lacquered Cabinet and played his fingers over its glassy surface. Narcissa spoke and Draco turned finding Borgin holding the curtain to the back room aside. Draco hesitated, then followed his mother through.

"What're they playing at?" Ron asked.

"Dunno, let's go closer." Harry replied.

We moved through the shadows, alone, peering down side streets, each darker than the next, lost, but holding it together. Harry, Ron, Hermione and I creeped to the end of a narrow passage towards the voices, and finds ourselves behind Borgin & Burkes. We climbed on a roof and held onto it peeking at the blurred glass to see them. Then we saw figure appeared standing near where we were peeking. We quickly ducked so that he wouldn't notice us. Next after a few seconds we peeked again and saw the curtains were pulled down blocking our view inside it.

   ♠️

Next day we prepared for another year at Hogwarts. When we arrived I felt like someone was missing.
Ron and Hermione and I stepped into the crowded aisle.

"Have you seen Harry?" I asked.

"No." Hermione looked around for Harry.

"Probably on the platform. C'mon." Ron said as we walked to the platform.

We were sat on the table as Ron stuffed his face as always. I sat there silent craning my neck, looking for Harry with Hermione. She looked pissed and kept her gaze fixed at ron.

"Don't you worry. He'll be long soon-" Ron mumbled with mouth full of pudding and Hermione started whacking him with her book.

"Will. You. Stop. Eating! Your best friend is missing!" I grabbed Hermione's hand to stop her.

"Oi! Turn around, you lunatic."

Hermione and I spinned and saw Harry and Luna approaching. Harry's blood-spattered face was quite the sight.

"He's covered in blood again. Why is it he's always covered in blood?" Ginny asked.

"Looks like his own this time." Ron said

"Where've you been, Harry? And what happened to your face?" Hermione asked as we eyed his face.

"Later. What've I missed?" Harry changed the topic.

Just then, the light in the Hall began to gently dim and all eyes turned to Dumbledore. Standing at the top of the Hall, ashen hand raised to the enchanted ceiling, where clouds responded to his gestures and shroud a gleaming full moon.

"The very best of evenings to you! First off, please join me in welcoming the newest member of our staff, Horace Slughorn."

Mild applauses ensued. We clapped perfunctorily, my eyes drifting to the entrance of the Hall as a pair of Aurors station themselves just outside.

"Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say, has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master. Meanwhile the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be assumed by Professor Snape."

This was greeted by stunned silence. Dumbledore frowned then attempted to generate something by clapping his hands once. A few Slytherins joined in as well as me and some dim-witted first years.

"Now, as you know, each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival tonight. You have a right to know why." Dumbledore continued.

"Once there was a young man who, like you, sat in this very Hall. Walked this castle's corridors. Slept beneath its roof. He seemed, to all the world, a student like any other. His name? Tom Riddle."

The Hall went utterly silent.

"Today, of course, the world knows him by another name. Which is why, as I stand looking out upon you all tonight, I am reminded of a sobering fact. Each day, every hour, this very minute perhaps, dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle. But in the end, their greatest weapon remains... you."

I saw Harry eyed Malfoy, slouched low, lazily levitating a fork with his wand, as if Dumbledore were unworthy of attention.

"Just something to keep in mind. Now, off to bed. Pip pip!" He got off the podium as everyone started to leave.

"That was cheerful." Ron commented.

I bid Hermione and started to leave for my dorm. Just then I heard Harry calling me.

"Y/N!"

"Yes, Harry?"

"Umm... well since you're a Slytherin, have you seen anything different about Malfoy?" He asked as I thought for a moment.

I did.

He stopped bullying or picking at me or calling me names like before. He sometimes glances at me but when we make eye contact, he simply looks away. If I'm not wrong, there's always a hint of guilt and fear in his eyes.

"Actually yeah."

"What is it?" Harry's face lit up with curiousness.

"He stopped bullying me and now became the silent one. Not to mention, quite sneaky too." I said as he nodded.

"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Right. Goodnight Harry."

Then I walked off. But I couldn't get rid of the thought from my head.

Was he up to something? If, then I have to inform Harry.