Learn to love

Collateral Damage

Catching up with Malfoy at the Two Broomsticks, we grab a secluded table at the corner. The two broomsticks wasn't something fancy. The drinks weren't the best, but they quince the thirst. Glancing around my eyes scanned the few customers in the small pub. I spotted Ginny with some guy. A few teachers. Looking past the staircase, I noticed Hermione, Harry, and Ron. Thinking back to what David had just told me, I took in the small smile both Harry and Hermione sent my way. It pained me that after the birth, those will be no more.

"Black!" Malfoy hissed.

"What?"

He gestured the package sitting between us. "How are we going to do this."

I swore this kid knew nothing. "A simple spell will do Draco." Grabbing the package, I shrunk it down to pocket size. "Take this into the restroom, if you can, place it in the girls. Place it somewhere visible, the spell will wear off once you do." For once he did what was told. At that moment a young girl I had seen a few times walked into the pub. Waving my wand underneath the table, I cast a small spell. It was harmless. All it did was imprint the task of something or someone. In this case, find the package and take it to Dumbledore.

Staying for a few moments, we waited until she left with the said package. I still couldn't get over the disgusting feeling of what I had done. Whatever was in that package couldn't be good for his health. I kept going through ideas of how I could sabotage this delivery.

"That's done with, let's get the hell out of here." Malfoy grumbled.

I gestured to the bartender for another Butterbeer. "You go on ahead, I am staying for a bit."

"Whatever."

I needed to speak with Hermione. I needed to talk to someone and right now she was my only friend. Seeing the trio stand up to leave, I grabbed my coat and walked out behind them. I wanted to be clear of the small town before approaching them. To the outside circle, I was still the friend that betrayed them. I chuckled at the buzzed Hermione. Reaching my hand out for her shoulder I stopped. Someone gave out a blood cold scream. Glancing past the trio I growled at the scene in front of us. "Why can I never get a bloody break!" The girl I had enchanted was laying flat on the snow. Her friend sobbed on the side repeating the fact that she had warned her not to touch it. Which was odd, seeing as how I made sure she wouldn't be tempted to touch whatever it was. Before I could make my way towards the package, the girl was sliding from side to side like a ping pong ball. Suddenly lifted into the air, her mouth wide open, whispers spilling out, then she simply dropped. "What the hell was that?"

"Don't get any closer." Hagrid came rushing for the girl. "Get back, all of you." Picking up the girl, he gently shook her trying to get some reaction.

I spotted Harry approaching the necklace. "Harry, don't."

"Do not touch that, except by the wrappings." Hagrid warned. "Do you understand me?"

"We know Hagrid." I pushed Harry away from the package, using my wand to wrap it up once more. "You take her to the infirmary. We will take this to Professor McGonagall." Picking the package up, we rushed back to school. We found Professor McGonagall in her classroom. "Long story short, one of the students picked it up and touched it. She was suddenly possessed and here we are now."

She stared at me with a blank stare. "I'm sorry?"

Placing the package on her desk, I used my wand to unwrap it. "Don't touch it."

She sent word for Snape the moment she saw what it was. "You're sure Katie did not have this in her possession when she entered the Three Broomsticks?"

"It's like I said." Katie's friend began. "She left to go to the loo, and when she came back, she had the package. She said it was important that she deliver it."