BANALITY : Draco Malfoy

47

By morning, I have woken up alone. After getting ready, I make my way downstairs. There is chatter coming from the living room. Because I was caught by Luna trying to eavesdrop last night, I don't bother trying to listen in. Rather, I walk into the doorway and see everyone I have met here except for Luna. Hermione and Ron sit on one sofa, and Ginny and Harry sit on the one opposite them. Draco is in one of the two chairs.

"Good morning," Hermione offers, her lips tight.

I step into the room. Draco stiffens, his grip on the mug in his hand tightening.

"We wanted to clear the air," Ron says.

This is the first time I have seen the four of them in the same room since I realized they had all been lying to me. Are they going to drop another bomb of truth that will destroy my world?

Harry grabs a wand off the coffee table and holds it up. It is mine.

"We figured we'd all like to stop lying to each other," Harry offers the plan and the wand to me.

My hand wraps around the wood.

"Harry says you're better at defensive spells now," Hermione nods.

"Apparently," I hold up the wand.

"The wizard who made your wand said that blackthorn wood bonds better with users who go through a hardship. The unicorn hair core is also loyal, so it makes sense that you can cast better magic. Actually, you might be much better if you remembered what you were doing."

Even the wand remembers something about me that I do not.

I take the only remaining seat, which is a chair opposite Draco. There is no breakfast forced upon me today, which is a nice change.

"So, we've come up with a plan," Hermione says. "We've decided that until we try the augurey tears that Luna is going to get, and exhausted that route, you and Draco aren't going to travel. Apparating and portkeys are a bit too dangerous."

"I'm going to train you in more defence," Harry adds. "One of our goals will be learning how to cast a Patronus Charm as a message to alert us if you are in absolute need. We're also trying to find a way to teach you how to use a broom so that if you need to leave, you can."

"Well, I don't think she's quite capable of flying and casting spells at the same time," Ron points out.

Hermione hushes him.

"So, that's the plan?" I ask. I look to Draco, hoping he will explain something. "What happens when the augurey tears don't fix my head?"

"You and Draco are going to take a portkey to Canada," Harry continues to explain. His eyes dart around the room, locking with Ron's.

Ron nods.

"So, you're giving up?" I ask, focusing my attention on the faces of the others.

Hermione sighs, "no one has ever been able to restore a memory-altering charm without breaking the mind, and even if we were experts in the field, it might take years."

"If Luna waltzed in here in ten seconds, soon enough other friends will come. This ruse can't keep up much longer," Ron points out. "I'm shocked Mum hasn't come by unannounced yet."

"We were trying to have the home ready for sale by January," Ginny points out. "We're already going to be delayed to early March."

"The magic is practically impossible," Hermione adds. "I've read as many books as I can think to read."