The Journal of Regulus Arcturus Black

Chapter 24. Dumbledore's Death

Sixth Year was great because it meant that Draco needed to study for his N.E.W.T.s but not actually take the exam until next year. But it did mean that instead of an end of year exam he was engulfed in homework. Draco and the rest of the Slytherins decided that they'd continue with their studies in the Great Hall instead of their common room. It was loud and gloomy, there were people that tried to make sure they were quiet and conscious of the exam session, but most forgot after a while.

Also, the library was brimming with anxious N.E.W.T. and O.W.L. level students whose brooding revision drained all in their path. Draco didn't need to be that depressed until next year, where he hopefully would sit down and get all his work done.

Millie, having finished her homework, was having a grand time reading out loud her next book. Draco didn't think he had ever seen her really finish any schoolwork in front of him. She almost always had her work out in front of her, just to be left aside whilst she continued reading whatever book caught her fancy. Still, her voice was gritty and low from talking so much but it was nice. It was a good distraction.

Draco was scribbling down a conclusion of sorts for his potions homework, finding that his eyes were stinging from the lack of blinking and that his head and writing hand were aching. "Done!" he exclaimed, standing up and rustling Theo who was resting on his incomplete Dark Arts essay.

Theo spluttered up, blinking owlishly whilst he looked around the Great Hall. "You guys feel that?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

"What?" Greg asked, wanting any excuse to forget his Charms homework.

"I can sense an asexual in our midst," he whispered.

Draco furrowed his brows, "wha—"

"Seriously?" a voice called from behind Draco.

It was safe to say that every one of the Slytherins had screamed at the top of their lungs. Draco managed to trip up against the bench he was sitting on and fell backwards into Potter's arms. His invisibility cloak lay fallen by his feet as he grinned at everyone sheepishly.

"How?" Greg whispered.

Theo snorted, "I saw your shoes walking over whilst I was lying down."

Potter nodded slowly and then helped Draco sit back on his seat. "I need your help."

"Okay," Draco said. "Give us a second, darling." He quickly spun around and motioned for the rest of his group to inch closer. Theo was resting his chin on Draco's shoulder, as everyone leant over their homework and bent their heads together. "I don't trust him."

"Oi!"

"Shut it Potter!" Blaise called, before tucking his head back into their circle. "What do you think he's here for?"

"He did say he needed our help," Pansy muttered.

"Yeah but does he really?" Greg asked, frown lines appearing on his face.

Draco nodded before biting his lip, "what could we possibly have to offer?"

"Information?"

"Money?"

"Connections to Italy?" Blaise answered.

Draco rolled his eyes, "that's a very last minute plan. It could be about," Draco lowered his voice, "the horcruxes."

"You all know about it?" Potter asked, his head ducked into a gap left between Millie and Vince. Cue another set of screams before the group of rather dramatic Slytherins all pushed away from one another. Draco slipped and fell harshly on his seat, scowling.