Megan Potter - A Saga of the Heart - Book 6 - Dark Temptation-

Chapter 13 - Report

The afternoon wore on with anecdotes and stories of former students who had become famous or important, all of whom had gladly joined the Slug Club (urgh! Thought Megan). Megan was growing bored and impatient to leave, but knew that would have been rude. It was a somewhat guilty consolation for her to notice Ginny and Neville didn't look like they were having that much fun either. Finally, Slughorn looked out.

"Oh, great Heavens above! It's dark already, I hadn't noticed the time! You'd better hop off and change into your robes. Any time you're passing, Megan, and you, miss Weasley..." he added to Ginny, who waited till he wasn't looking to roll her eyes.

Zabini shoved past Megan and cast her a dirty look, which Megan didn't bother returning. She, Neville and Ginny bid their goodbyes and walked out.

"Why did you get invited, Ginny?" Neville was asking.

"Zacharias Smith kept bugging me about what happened at the Ministry. You know, that jerk from the DA? Well, in the end I hexed him, and Slughorn saw. I was sure I'd get detention, but he said it was a very good spell and invited me to lunch! Weird, isn't he?"

"A bit, yeah..." Megan agreed, glancing after Zabini.

An idea came to her. If she could sneak into their compartment, maybe she could learn more about what Malfoy was doing in Borgin and Burkes, and confirm or not if he was indeed a Death Eater now.

"I'll catch you later," Megan said.

It was true there was only about a half hour left, but it would be enough to find out something. She quickly caught up with Zabini, sliding the Cloak over herself and slipping in as he turned to close the door.

"Where've you been all this time?" Malfoy demanded.

"Took forever for the old codger to let us go," Zabini grumbled.

Checking no one was looking her way, Megan quietly stood against the wall. Malfoy was lying across the seats with his head in Pansy Parkinson's lap. She was smiling smugly, as though every girl would die to be in her place.

Not me, sunshine, Megan muttered to herself.

She had taken Pansy's appearance in second year and it had been a very unpleasant experience.

"What did Slughorn want?" Malfoy asked.

"Trying to make up to well-connected people," Zabini said, shrugging. "There weren't many, though, if you ask me."

Malfoy pouted.

"Who else was there?"

"McLaggen from Gryffindor."

"Oh, yeah, his dad's high up in the Ministry," Malfoy said. "Who else?"

"Some Belby bloke from Ravenclaw, and Longbottom, Potter and the Weasley girl."

"Longbottom?" Malfoy repeated incredulously. "That prat was invited?"

Megan forced herself to calm.

"Suppose so, he was there." Zabini said.

"What could he have that Slughorn could be interested in?" Malfoy snorted. "And obviously, he wanted to get a look at the wonderful "Chosen One," he added haughtily. "But the Weasley girl? What's special about her? Or any of that sorry lot, really."

Megan clenched her fist, willing herself to keep still and very quiet.

"Lot of boys fancy her," Pansy shrugged.

"Hm. Well, I pity Slughorn's taste. He seems to be going a bit senile. My father said he was a good wizard in his day. Mustn't have heard I was on the train, my father was always one of his favourites."

"I wouldn't bet on that," Zabini argued. "He asked about Nott, and he didn't look happy about his father being caught at the Ministry. Nott didn't get invited, did he?"

"Well, who cares? He's just some stupid teacher, isn't he? I mean, I might not be at Hogwarts next year, so it's of no concern to me if he likes me or not."

"What d'you mean, you might not be at Hogwarts next year?" Pansy demanded.

"I might have moved on to... bigger things," he said.

Given their expressions, Crabbe and Goyle had no idea what he was talking about. A clue towards him indeed being a Death Eater. Voldemort wouldn't want other relatives of his followers knowing or they might demand membership too. And Megan was certain he'd never have the patience for that.

"D'you mean... Him?"

Megan held her breath. She couldn't be sure, but she thought she saw Malfoy glance in her direction. She froze. If they caught her, she would be in big trouble. She wasn't a bad spellcaster; but being alone against five wouldn't be good for her.

"Mother wants me to complete my education, but I can't see it's that important, these days. When the Dark Lord takes over, what'll he care who has more OWLs or NEWTs? It'll be about service and devotion, won't it?"

"And you think you'll be able to serve him? Sixteen and not even fully qualified?" Zabini snorted.

"Maybe the job he wants me to do doesn't need qualification," Malfoy said.

They gawked at him.

"I can see Hogwarts," he said, sitting up.

They reached for their trunks. Megan slowly drew her wand, careful to keep well hidden. She didn't know if she'd been noticed or not, and didn't think so but Malfoy's glance in her direction worried her. She waited, standing very still.

"You go on," he told the others. "I want to check something."

And Megan frowned. Had he actually seen her? No, surely not. The Cloak made you entirely invisible! Maybe he was going to look at the object he wanted fixed...?

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Megan didn't have time to see it coming. She was hit in the chest and the force of the spell blew the Cloak off.

"I knew it. I thought I saw your shoe."

He stepped closer to her.

"While I've got you here..."

He shoved her so she was lying flat on the floor and smashed his foot onto her nose. Megan felt her nose break and blood trickle over her face.

"That's from my father. And now..."

He pulled the Cloak over her.

"No one'll find you even when the train's in London. See you, Potter. Or not."

And he pulled his cloak over his shoulders and marched out, leaving Megan alone, invisible, and unable to move.