Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 28: Allies in the Shadows

Harriet's POV

Hogwarts felt like a war zone wrapped in the guise of a school. The oppressive energy was suffocating, and the Carrows wasted no time in asserting their control. Their twisted idea of discipline left students in a constant state of fear, and even the bravest among us wore the strain on their faces.

Draco and I worked carefully, slipping through the castle's shadows, watching and waiting for the right moment to reconnect with our allies. It wasn't long before an opportunity presented itself.

Late one night, when the halls were quiet and the Slytherin common room was empty, Draco whispered to me, "It's time, Potter. We need to find them."

I let out a small, determined purr and followed him as he led the way out, the bag I usually hid in left behind for now. We navigated the familiar corridors, avoiding the patrolling Death Eaters and making our way to the seventh floor. The closer we got to the Room of Requirement, the more I felt hope stirring inside me.

When we reached the corridor, Draco looked around, his expression tense. "I hope this works," he muttered, pacing back and forth in front of the blank wall, focusing his thoughts on needing a place to hide from the Carrows.

The door appeared, and relief flooded through both of us. Draco opened it, and we stepped inside. The Room of Requirement had transformed into a massive space filled with makeshift beds, supplies, and a small group of students huddled together. I recognized many of them: Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and several others who had stayed behind to fight.

Neville was the first to notice us, and he stood up, his wand at the ready, his expression a mixture of shock and suspicion. "Malfoy?" he demanded, his voice hard. "What are you doing here?"

I stepped out from behind Draco, and the room fell silent. Ginny's eyes widened, and she stepped forward, her hand clapping over her mouth. "Harriet?" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "Is that you?"

I nodded, my heart aching at the sight of my friends. They had changed-grown harder, more determined-but they were still my friends. Ginny's eyes filled with tears as she knelt in front of me, reaching out to touch my fur.

"Oh, Harriet," she whispered, her voice breaking. "What happened to you?"

Draco took a shaky breath, his voice cutting through the emotional reunion. "She's been cursed," he said, his tone defensive but weary. "We've been working together to find a way to break it-and to stop Voldemort. We need your help."

The room erupted into murmurs of disbelief, but Hermione and Ron pushed their way to the front. Hermione's face was pale, but her eyes were blazing with determination. "You're telling the truth," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "You really have been helping her."

Draco nodded, his hands clenched into fists. "Yes," he said, his voice firm. "I know I'm the last person you'd want to trust, but we don't have a choice. Voldemort's planning something huge, and we need to be ready."

Ron's jaw was clenched, but he looked at Harriet-at me-with a mix of relief and anger. "You've got a lot of explaining to do, Malfoy," he said, his voice low. "But if Harriet's with you, we'll hear you out."

Hermione's eyes softened as she looked at me, tears spilling down her cheeks. "We'll get you back, Harriet," she whispered. "We'll break the curse. I promise."

Draco's POV

It was strange to be standing in the Room of Requirement, surrounded by people I had once considered enemies. The tension was thick, but I could see the flickers of hope and determination in their eyes. It reminded me of why we were fighting, of what was at stake.

Neville stepped forward, his expression guarded but open. "What do you know?" he asked, addressing me directly. "What is Voldemort planning?"

I took a deep breath, the weight of the information heavy on my shoulders. "He wants complete control of Hogwarts," I said. "He's planning to use the Carrows and others to crush any form of resistance. But that's just the beginning. He's after something in the castle-something powerful. I don't know what it is yet, but Snape might."

Luna's dreamy voice broke the tension. "We'll protect Hogwarts," she said, her eyes full of quiet confidence. "We always have."

The others nodded, their resolve hardening. It was a fragile alliance, but it was real. Harriet had brought us together, and the knowledge that we had each other gave me a strength I hadn't realized I needed.

Hermione stepped forward, her eyes fixed on me. "We'll need to work together," she said. "No secrets, no lies. We have to trust each other completely."

I swallowed, the enormity of what she was asking settling over me. But then I looked down at Harriet, who had risked everything to be by my side, and I knew there was no turning back.

"No secrets," I agreed, my voice steady. "We're in this together."