WITHDRAWAL. draco malfoy

ii. espionage

« ESPIONAGE »

"So, did you find who sent you the potions' book last Christmas?" Hermione asked innocently.

Lillian shot her head up, meeting Hermione's soft gaze, "No, why?"

"I was just wondering, I mean you must be curious to know who it was from?"

"Well, yeah, but we have other things to take care of," Lillian lied, frowning.

A strong howling was heard up until their room and the two teenagers stood on their feet, running until they were standing near the barrier beside the staircase.

"Is that an owl I heard?"

"You haven't seen him, have you? Harry," Ginny asked all the way from downstairs, "Apparently he's wandering about the house."

"Really?" Lillian asked.

"Really," Harry answered, laughing after listening to the whole conversation.

Lillian and Hermione ran downstairs with Ron on their feet, finding Harry who was currently embracing Ginny in the living room.

Hermione didn't seem to care about it as she ruined their little moment, "Harry!" And she almost jumped in his arms, hugging him tightly.

Lillian did the exact same thing, pecking him on the cheeks, "Oh Harry, you cheeky boy, you didn't tell us anything!"

After hugging Ron and Mrs. Weasley, "Why didn't you let us know you were coming?"

"I didn't know! Dumbledore.."

"Oh, that man! What would we do without him?"

But, Lillian and Harry were more interested in the awkward gesture Ron was trying to do to Hermione, pointing a finger to her lips, "Got a bit of toothpaste."

Lillian tried her hardest not to laugh but found it difficult considering the situation, so instead of embarassing the two more, she walked closer to Harry, "Have you got dinner?"

"Yes, I did, thanks Lillian."

"How about you all go back to your rooms?" Mrs. Weasley asked and all the teenagers nodded, soon disappearing in the staircase.

"So, when did you get here?" Harry asked to the two girls.

"Well, I've been here almost all summer? I didn't really want to be alone for the hearing and my parents weren't doing so well," Lillian confessed, resting her head on the side of the bed.

"For me, a few days ago, though for a while I wasn't sure I was coming." Hermione said, earning a confused look from Harry.

"Mom sort of lost it last week, said Ginny and I had no business going back to Hogwarts," Ron admitted, "That it was too dangerous."

"Oh come on!" Harry answered.

"She's not alone! Even my parents, and they're muggles, know something bad is happening," Hermione retorted.

"Anyway, dad stepped in, told her she was being barmy. Took a day or two, but she came round."

"But we're talking about Hogwarts. Dumbledore," Harry added, "What could be safer?"

Hermione, Lillian and Ron exchanged a nervous glance.

"There's been a lot of chatter lately. That he's gotten... old."

"Rubbish! He's only — what?"

"A hundred and fifty. Give or take a few years," Ron answered playfully.