✓ WE NEVER SLEEP, draco malfoy

T H I R T Y - S I X

"She has a heart, too much heart perhaps."

— Marcel Proust, Remembrance of Things Past

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Hogwarts was different when Rowan had gotten back. There was a dramatic shift within the Gryffindor tower and it was all directed towards the Greer girl. Ginny had practically tried to go throw Rowan against a wall when she first entered and was held back by an equally as angry Seamus. 

Rowan had tried, before returning, to speak to the Weasley Twins but the pair had refused to speak to her when she entered their shop. She tried to buy something, as a show of good will but they'd snapped in her face that they don't sell to Death Eaters.

It seemed that news of Rowan's new affiliation had spread. Quickly.

"Why couldn't you tell them I was doing it to help?" asked Rowan as she and Harry sat in the common room one night later that week. "I mean, I warned you, didn't I?"

"Still hurt," he murmured but cracked a small smile as he met her eyes. "It's going to take some convincing."

"And you can't convince them?"

"Not well enough, obviously."

"Well, can't Mione or Ron do it? The twins threw me out of their shop, Harry!"

He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I'll try but...now that everyone knows you're with Malfoy, things are just going to be more difficult."

"Malfoy's trying to help," she said under her breath, shaking her head. She reached out and tended to the fire with the poker as she scowled. "He's really trying."

Harry shifted and reached out, grabbing her arm gently to get her attention. "And have they told you anything at all? About ways to defeat Voldemort?"

Rowan shook her head. "Not yet. They won't tell me anything unless I'm initiated." She shrugged. "At least that's what I think. I can ask Florence–"

"And have her try to kill you?" scoffed Harry, shaking his head. "No way, Ro–"

"She wouldn't do that," said Rowan, "we're on the same side now."

Harry rolled his eyes, leaning back against the couch from his spot on the ground. "Ask her but I wouldn't be surprised if she lies or is even sworn to a vow to protect his secrets."

"You really think so?"

He nodded. "I wouldn't doubt it for a second."

Rowan sighed, sitting back against the couch. "I've got a meeting with Snape at midnight but I'll be sure to ask Florence about any weaknesses. Have you gotten anything out of Slughorn?"

He shook his head. "Not yet."

"Isbn't Dumbledore being pretty insistent that you do so?"

He nodded again. "It's not like it's easy."

"It could be–"

"Yeah, yeah, if I just use the Liquid Luck."

"And?"

"And what, Ro?"

"And are you finally going to use it?" She nudged him and he rolled his eyes and swatted at her arm. 

"I don't know yet."

"Better figure it out soon, shit's going to go down before the end of the term," she whispered and made a move to get to her feet but Harry grabbed her arm, stopping her. "What?"