The Marauders Rise (II)

The Slug Club IV

February 19, 1974

In HORACE'S office, there are only a handful of students who have shown up to his dinner party. NARCISSA, LUCIUS, and MAFALDA stand together wearing handsome dress robes, while a couple Ravenclaw girls talk with HORACE, and FABIAN and PANDORA attempt to teach each other how to dance.

NARCISSA: Not a huge turnout this time.

MAFALDA: Whatever. There's free wine, and that's all that matters. (She finishes her glass and begins to pour another).

HORACE: (walking over to them, visibly intoxicated) Miss Black! So good you could make it, my dear.

NARCISSA: Always a pleasure when our paths cross, Professor.

HORACE: Shame not many people could come tonight, though!

NARCISSA: Yeah, I think all the fifth-years are starting to study for O.W.L.s. It's a very busy time.

HORACE: Indeed, indeed! And what about you all, with N.E.W.T.s coming up? How are we feeling?

LUCIUS: Well-prepared, sir.

NARCISSA: You know me. Always ready for a challenge.

MAFALDA: (nonchalantly) I'm in sixth-year, so. Not that big of a deal.

HORACE: Anyway, as I was telling Dumbledore, I said- excuse me, the Headmaster- that these exams need to be administered more properly, I mean some of these proctors are several hundred years old! But he's so mixed up in his Phoenix club right now-

LUCIUS: Phoenix club?

HORACE: Order of the Phoenix, yes.

NARCISSA: (intrigued) The Order of the Phoenix? What is that?

HORACE: Couldn't tell you, m'dear. Haven't gone to any meetings or such. But if you ask me- (he lowers his voice) -I reckon it's got a thing or two to do with You-Know-Who.

The three Slytherins glance at each other heavily.

HORACE: I'd bet any money that he's got a good many Aurors at his command right now-

MAFALDA: Aurors? The guards that fight the Dark Arts? I thought they worked for the Ministry.

HORACE: They do, they do, but Dumbledore's got a few outside the Ministry's control, I think. Working in the shadows.

NARCISSA: Aurors working outside the Ministry's control? Is that legal?

HORACE: Probably not. I mean, they're not doing much right now, but if action starts- and I think it just might- the Minister won't be too pleased.

LUCIUS: What would she do?

HORACE: She would be angry, she would, but word on the street is she's not gonna be in office much longer.

MAFALDA: The Minister's getting sacked?

HORACE: If the Dark Arts continues to grow like this and she refuses to act, then certainly. But remember, this is all top secret. Don't go spreading it around. Ah, Master Prewett!

HORACE goes over to talk to FABIAN, leaving the three Slytherins under a heavy silence.

MAFALDA: What do you think this means?

NARCISSA: Can't be good. If Bellatrix finds out about this- that Dumbledore's got some sort of secret army-

LUCIUS: Do you think she'd plan an attack?

NARCISSA stares silently at LUCIUS, refusing to admit the truth.

MAFALDA: Well, what do we do?

NARCISSA: We have to talk to her.

LUCIUS: Cissy, no-

NARCISSA: If she's planning an attack on Ministry guards in broad daylight, we need to talk her out of it! Or at least prepare!

LUCIUS: Think of what could happen, Cissy-

NARCISSA: I am thinking of what could happen! Imagine if it's on Hogwarts grounds! There've been Aurors patrolling Hogsmeade all year! What if she attacks them there?

MAFALDA and LUCIUS glance at each other, then silently nod.

NARCISSA: Whatever this is, we have to act fast.