The Badger And The Snake; Phan/Harry Potter AU

Twenty-Nine.

They arrived at the meeting, Dan introduced Troye and Connor to the rest of the lot. They were friendly enough, but McGonagall was obviously not in the mood to initiate icebreaker activities. The meeting began briskly.

"We have a few new additions to the Army this year. Some veterans, and some who recently converted. If I hear one snide remark, you will be expelled from this group," she said, staring around at the teenagers. "This group is a place of acceptance. People change. If I didn't trust someone completely, I would not have let them in." Looking at every single one of them in the eye, she said, "We have one common enemy. Do not forget this." Silence washed over the group. The witch resumed. "That being said, please stand when your name is called...Chang, Franta, Malfoy, Mellet, and Pentland." The group clapped politely.

"That Malfoy character is up to no good," whispered someone next to Dan. Alfie, was it? "His father was Lucius Malfoy. The Lucius Malfoy. Practically, Voldemort's right hand man, I heard. I don't know what's going through his head. Man's gone mad." McGonagall didn't hear him.

Dan felt defensive for some reason, his inner social justice warrior waking inside. Alfie heard McGonagall say she did not want anyone to feel excluded. Anyway, this Dragon guy was like, what, 25? 26? The battle was seven years ago. And his father's side lost. Dan couldn't even think clearly, he was so angry. He just felt like Alfie was being rude to someone he didn't know, judging Malfoy because of his family's reputation. That wasn't fair. Dan made a mental note to introduce himself to Malfoy later.

"First matter of business," said the witch, motioning for the new recruits to sit. "Battle strategy. The Houses will stick together, except in Mr. Howell's case, as per usual. You will break up into teams of at least three. I cannot stress this enough. If you children have any brain in you, you will not go out into any war by yourself or with just your friend. You must always be with at least two other people at a time, taking care and looking for them, and they will do the same for you.

"Secondly, do not engage in battle unless you are over the age of sixteen. We don't need fourth year martyrs. If you are younger, you are defense, and are to stay inside the room of requirement at all times.

"If you are a part of the Dan Howell Defense Squad, please let me keep you for a moment after the meeting."

_______

"Daniel. I have some important information to give you."

The blood drained from his face. He knew what was about to happen.

"Do you mind if your 'squad' listens in? You might want to sit down."

"Phil can stay. I don't know the others."

Malfoy and Chang nodded, leaving the room wordlessly. They understood.

"Daniel . . . We have found evidence that suggests you may be Voldemort's son."

Phil gasped. That's why I knew that name! He thought to himself. Wow, how thick can you get?

Dan didn't know what to say.

"But . . . Didn't Voldemort have a thing against Muggles? And my mother . . . She's a Muggle."

"I don't feel I have the right to explain the Dark Lord's sex life, Mr. Howell," spat McGonagall, flushing.

They sat in silence for a while.

I'm dating Voldemort's kid.

"So. . . What does this mean?" Asked Dan, confused. "I'm supposed to kill my own father? Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm partial to him or anything. He's killed loads of people. He deserves it . . . I'm not even sure how he's supposed to come back. I thought that was over. But I guess not . . ." Rage built inside of Dan. " How could he do that? He comforted me, laughed with me, cried with me for five years as a fucking ghost. Sorry, professor. Anyway, why would he build me up. Gain my trust. All the while, what? He didn't care about me. Ultimately, he was just planning to kill me? I'm his son. Does he have a hair of remorse in him? Love?