After The War - DARKNESS WITHIN (HP9)

Chapter 5 - Friend or For?

"Perfect!"June  said "now you can apparate anywhere! Even Hogwarts!"

"Good! Now all I need to do is make sure I shit myself scared in order to apparate." Malfoy sitting down in relief wiping his brow. He had been trying for weeks to apparate in and out of Hogwarts but failed. One of the other Salemers had to take him on a side long apparition whenever there was a meeting. For the first time he was able to do it on his own but that was because he was shoved down a flight of stairs just before aparaiting. This was a trick used to teach salemers how to control their powers.

Salem magic was a serious loophole in the protection spells the wand using wizards usually used. Sometimes it took more than one persons magic to get through protective spells, inconvenient but extremely effective. This explained how they managed to get twelve salemers into Hogwarts on Halloween night and kidnap Harry and Ron. Jumping out the window was the jump scare they needed to make sure their attempt at apparating worked. If it didn't work.... then they would fall to their deaths. This was the motivation every one of them were willing to accept if it brought Flamel eternal life.

They had a good time jump scaring each other before June finally said "We should probably go back before anyone notices we are missing." Malfoy nodded a broad smile plastered to his face. A genuine and rare smile, something he hadn't been able to do in a while.

He liked hanging out with June, not so much with her twin, Saige. Saige spent all her time with the master, like a mother hen she hovered over him trying to please him to a point it made malfoy sick. In the rare times she would leave the Master's side and join the group, she would be bossy and dominant.

June was one of the few witches who really cared about the real mission in hand. Saving the magic in witches and wizards.

"I'm glad you are with us and not against us." June told Malfoy who smiled. "It would be a shame for someone as powerful as yourself to be on the wrong side."

"When I was imprisoned in London, I had a chance to see what their real mission was." Malfoy replied "The master is not like the Dark lord who killed everyone who was against him. Yes, the master wants to kill the entire Weasley family and create a Philosophers stone, but he also wants the world to toss aside their wands and fully accept and control the magic that flowed through the veins. That is only beneficial for our kind."

"Exactly!" June said "But we can only do that once our Master has regained his health." It was revealed to Malfoy that the use of wands simply made them weaker. This was proving to be true as Malfoy had never felt better since joining the salemers. Not only was he now able to perform wandless magic but his spells were now more powerful than ever.

"Christmas holidays are starting soon, you will have plenty of time to stay here and work on your magic." June said.

"The Master is running out of time." Malfoy told her. Clearly the master was getting weaker without the power of the elixir to help him. It was with the help of potions given to him by Saige, June's sister that he was still alive.

"And where can we find a big old family to sacrifice to make a new stone?" June asked "I know you have become soft on the Weasleys, perhaps you could find another family to replace them."

"I'm really not soft on them. They are one of the biggest and oldest families but wouldn't anyone be enough to bring him back?" Malfoy said avoiding her eye.

"June! It's time for her medicine." Saige said, barging into the room and handing a her glass with a thick transparent potion before She could reply. "Wouldn't kill you to do it for once, I have school to get back to." June said rolling her eyes at her twin.

"You chose her, you take care of her. I'm not your servant." Saige snapped.

"Who is she talking about?" Malfoy asked looking confused. In his time at Flamel's home, he hadn't met anyone apart from the salemers and Septimus Weasley, Ron's grandfather. When ever he could risk it, he would levitate some bread into the cell where he was locked up, but he knew he wouldn't be able to help him escape just yet.

"A friend. She was at Hogwarts too but got herself gravely injured. But she is my friend and I was not about to let her die." June said "Come with me. I think you might know her."

Surprised and curious, Malfoy walked behind her to the room on the highest floor. June knocked on the door gently.

"Come in."

"Hello darling. How are you feeling today?" June asked cheerfully as she walked to the bed where a young girl lay, covered in blankets. What little of her face that could be seen was extremely pale and thin. Her unkept brown hair was scattered across the pillow, but she still looked very familiar to Malfoy.

"Her so called friends abandoned her at the time she needed them the most. Left her to fend for herself after she had given up everything for them." June said stroking the girl's brown curly hair.

"What happened?" Malfoy asked as she struggled to drink the potion June had given her.

"She was attacked by a ware wolf... Greyback." June said helping the girl swallow the rest of the potion. Malfoy clenched his stomach. He was more than familiar with that name.

"Greyback died in the battle of Hogwarts." Malfoy said, suddenly doubting himself.

"He did." June nodded. "This was before he died."

"I'm sorry about what happened to you. I knew Greyback. He was the worst creature I had ever met." Malfoy told the girl who narrowed her eyes at him and turned away. June laughed at Malfoy's bewilderment.

"Do you really not recognise her?" June asked. "She was with you at Hogwarts. How many times did your paths cross, and you still don't know her?"

Malfoy stared at the girl. He had a feeling he had seen her before. But Hogwarts?- yes, ofcourse!! How could he have forgotten!!

This is the leach that made Hermione cry, stole her boyfriend. What was she doing with the salemers?

"L-Lavender Brown?" Malfoy asked, hesitantly stepping forward to see her clearly.

"Took you long enough." She replied coughing and wincing. Her voice not high pitched anymore but low and croaky. She sat up a little, allowing the blanket to uncover her neck to reveal a big bite mark where Greyback had tried to bit her during the battle at Hogwarts.

Malfoy stared at her, his mouth open, completely at loss for words.

*******

Dum Dum Dum...... Lavender Brown is alive, but not so well....

How did she get involved with the salemers?? Is she friend or foe ??

I really like this character and can't wait to tell you more about it! If you have any guesses don't hesitate to drop a comment below to let me know 😇

Cheers!!