Fatal Affair

Chapter 5: A Familiar Face

Nova sat in the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld Place a week later, eating grapes. She was in the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, a group of witches and wizards set to take down Voldemort. The door of the kitchen opened, and a young woman with brightly coloured hair walked in. 

"Tonks!" Nova stood to hug the woman. "I'm so fucking relieved to see you." Nova had been gone for a month and missed the members of the Order and their more happy demeanour. 

Tonks sat beside Nova, looking concerned. "Is it awful?" she asked.

"It's OK I suppose." Nova leaned against her fist, gazing at Tonks. "What's been going on here?" 

"Not much, really." Tonks reached over Nova to grab some of her grapes and shoved them into her mouth. "Remus is gone. Doing something for Dumbledore." 

"He didn't tell you where?" Tonks simply shook her head. "I'm sure he'll be fine, Tonks." Nova briefly rested a reassuring hand against her friend's arm. "So, Lucius," Nova added quickly, wanting to change the subject, "complete ass." 

"I figured that." Tonks snorted. "He's a sociopath, isn't he?" 

"Maybe," Nova said thoughtfully. "He's asking me to do stuff for him." 

"Like what?" 

Nova hesitated before speaking, remembering that only Severus, Dumbledore and herself knew about Draco's task to kill Dumbledore. "Just little stupid things. I think it's his way of establishing control, because You-Know-Who is treating him like shit." 

"Are you actually listenning to him?" Tonks tossed a few more grapes into her mouth. 

"I like to string him along a bit. I need to have some fun too." 

Tonks laughed. "Is his wife just as bad?" 

Nova's heart sank slightly at the mention of Narcissa. "I haven't gotten to know her, yet." Tonks adjusted in her seat, sensing the change of emotions in the room. "Besides, aren't you related to her? You should know better than me." 

"Being related to someone doesn't mean you really know them." 

Nova ate some more grapes, trying to delay talking about Narcissa, when Dumbledore walked into the room.

"Ah, Miss Harrison," he said, eyes meeting Nova's. 

"Professor Dumbledore, how are you?" Nova smiled politely. 

"Very well, thank you." He glanced at Tonks, a mouth full of grapes. She lifted a hand in greeting, unable to speak, then got up and walked out, knowing I was here to see him. "How is everything going?" Dumbledore sat beside her. 

"Fine," Nova offered. "They don't suspect anything it seems."

"Yes, Severus has told me that much." 

"Why did you ask to speak with me, Professor? I thought I was to give you any useful information through Severus." 

"You are, my dear." Dumbledore paused to examine Nova's face. Her cheeks grew warm from the attention. "However, I wanted to speak to you now, and as Severus would not be back for awhile, I asked to meet with you myself." 

"Speak to me about what, sir?" Nova questioned.

"Severus has told me that Lucius has asked you to befriend his son," Dumbledore explained. He waited until Nova nodded to continue. "I wanted to ask you to do the same. Do exactly as Lucius says. Befriend Draco, gain his trust, offer support, et cetera." Dumbledore waved his hand as he finished his sentence, his finger and part of his hand appearing black as if charred. 

"Sir, your hand," Nova pointed out. "What-" 

"You need not worry about this." Dumbledore tucked his hand under the table quickly. "Do you understand what I am asking of you?" 

"Yes." Nova nodded. "Befriend Draco. I can do that. I just don't understand why it matters to you, sir?" 

"What do you mean?" Dumbledore took a grape between his fingers and examined it before plopping it in his mouth. 

"How does it help you if I befriend someone who is meant to try and kill you?" Nova asked bluntly. 

"Not everything is to benefit me, my dear," Dumbledore said, absentmindedly. 

"Then what's the point?" Nova urged him on. 

"Draco is lost at the moment," Dumbledore explained. "He is caught between what he believes is right and what is actually right. Between pleasing his parents and catering to his moral compass. He is struggling, Miss Harrison. He could use a friend, someone who will support him no matter his decision." 

Nova thought this through for a moment before speaking. "That's awfully generous of you considering he wants to kill you." 

"He does not want to kill me," Dumbledore said. "He is being forced to make a choice much beyond his years of wisdom." Dumbledore stood to leave. "If you'll excuse me, Miss Harrison. I have important things to attend to at Hogwarts." 

"I don't understand," Nova said, stopping Dumbledore in his tracks. "Hogwarts isn't safe for you. Why go back?" 

Dumbledore glanced down at Nova, caught halfway between her and the door. "Hogwarts is where I'm most needed, Miss Harrison."