Feral Den

Chapter 37

Christmas Day came and went. Hailee gave others presents, and got some in return. She ate food with those at Grimmauld Place and watched as Sirius dragged Lupin into a horrible dance in the living room.
By the time she was back in Kings Cross, most of the shock and worry had worn off. Hermione had even commented on how much better she looked.

"It's the magic."
Hermione slapped her shoulder for that comment.

Hailee continued to wear the Slytherin locket, the thing never leaving her neck since she had put it on.
Pushing her luggage into the train, Hailee found a compartment where Ron and Hermione followed her. It felt strangely like deva ju, where Hailee was struggling to push her trunk up into the racks. The odd feeling was completed when two well known hands came to her aid and helped her heave the thing up.
Turning around, Hailee met the long body of Thomas.

"Thanks."
He smiled. "You're welcome." He didn't comment on how this time she had thanked him, instead only followed Hailee as she left the compartment.

This time, Hailee didn't go say goodbye to Missus Weasley who was fussing over her children —whether it look halfhearted from a distance.
Moving into a random unused compartment, Hailee slid the door shut behind Thomas and her, slipping the blind down before spinning to face him.

"Have a fun Christmas?" Thomas asked.
"Yeah, it was great." Hailee said sarcastically. "Ate some food, got some gifts, even saved Mister Weasley from death." She smiled at him.
Thomas smiled back, though he quickly felt on edge. Hailee stepped into his personal space.

"Tell me what the hell the goddamn prophecy is."
Thomas stiffened, before forcing his shoudlers to loosen. "I don't—"
"Don't tell me you don't know about the bloody prophecy. I'm not a fool, Tommy. I've been having dreams about it, and if I've been seeing it, I know damn well you or your girlfriend have talked about it. I know Bellatrix is a very loyal follower of Voldemorts."
Thomas pursed his lips. "...Why do you want to know so bad?"
"Curiosity killed the cat, Tommy. But satisfaction brought it back." Hailee breathed. "Tell me, Tommy, before I get one of the others to spill it."
"You'd hurt your friends?"
"I needn't hurt to get someone to talk. There are other methods."
"You're sounding rather Slytherin right now."
"I am a Slytherin." Hailee hissed.

The words, the phrasing —all brought another meaning. Swimming between Thomas and Hailee.

She watched as his features contorted, before smoothing and softening out. "Fine." He whispered.
Hailee stared, watching as Thomas still seemed to contemplate. Before he finally let his tongue loose.
"The prophecy was made before we were born —two months in advance actually. While we weren't the only ones scheduled to be born in July, father only thought of us —of you. Narcissa was mother's midwife —the moment you were born —from what I've gathered, father had done something to rid you of the prophecy. But... seeing what has happened, I don't think it worked."
"What's the prophecy?" Hailee asked, her words whispers.
Thomas closed his eyes, sighing.

"From what mother has told me, the prophecy stated at the end of the seventh month a child would be born that would become the Dark Lords equal. That child would conquer the Dark Lord."
"...And Voldemort believed that prophecy?"
"It's in the Department of Mystery isn't it? The prophecy was made, and had come true."
"I'm not a subject to a prophecy."
"Are you sure about that, Lee-Lee?"
Hailee opened her mouth, but closed it soon after.

She wasn't sure, and she didn't want to believe it. But what adult did she have to ask? Who could she trust to be unbiased and have all the answers and wisdom for her?
The answer was no one.
Dumbledore, who she may have turned to in the past, would be biased, tell her lies and keep her in the dark. Lupin would tell her she's speaking nonsense like Missus Weasley, Madeye and whoever she told in the Order. Sirius... he would turn to the others and would be silenced before Hailee could pry any real answer from him.
Voldemort wasn't even a thought in Hailee's mind —she refused even the mention of turning to a man she was supposed to hate for help.