After All This Time - Book 2

Thirteen

Annalise's POV

Hogsmeade was bustling with students, many of which were enjoying their first weekend away from the castle. The streets were packed as students ran from shop to shop, enjoying their few hours of freedom. I gripped George's hand tighter as he wove his was through the crowd to a narrow alleyway. I kept my hand in his as we approached a dingy and run down inn; Hog's Head. Of all places that the meeting could have been help, Hermione had to choose this one. We walked in the front door and were met by a gruffy old man who looked strikingly similar to Dumbledore. He glanced at us for a moment before pointing us towards a small room in the back. The twins and I entered the room to find about thirty other students already packed in. I pulled my hand from George's and quickly made my way over to Harry, pulling him out of the room so I could talk to him. 

"Harry, I really don't think it's a good idea for me to be here. I can't join and most of them will probably think I'm spying for Draco."

"You're staying" he insisted. He placed both of his hands on my shoulders and started straight into my eyes, affirming me that I had made the right decision. I gave him a small smile as he briefly hugged me before turning back into the room.

~

I couldn't help but feel bad for Hermione. So many students had come to join, yet they were all still so skeptical about Voldemort returning. I was considering selling myself out for the sake of her not breaking down when Luna stepped in, remarking that Harry had produced a Patronus. One by one more of his friends started chiming in about how he had killed the Basilisk and warded off hundreds of dementors. I watched as the skepticism slowly started falling from the student's faces and was replaced by hope and the willingness to fight with Harry. All was finally going well until a fifth year Ravenclaw spoke up.

"What about her? She's with Draco, why would she join us if she could easily sell us out to her boyfriend."

My chest tightened as I looked from him to Harry. Harry eyes grew wide as they met mine. Both of us were racking our brains for an answer when George stood up to answer him.

"She might not join us, but there's not a doubt in my mind that she would never sell us out" George said, glancing over at me. "She is a source of information for us. Draco knows everything going on in Hogwarts and may relay some of that information to her. We need her just as much as we need each of you."

A silence fell over the room as everyone looked to one another, trying to process what had just been told to them.

"If Harry trusts you, then so do I."

I turned my head toward the source of the voice to see Luna rising from her seat. She walked up to me and hugged me before signing the sheet on the table next to where I was standing. One by one the other students followed her, each signing their name on the sheet of paper. When everyone was done, Harry folded up the sheet of paper and shoved it down into his pocket.

"Then it's settled. We will notify you all of the first meeting time and place as soon as we can."

Everyone gave a small applause before filing back out to the main street of Hogsmeade. I waved to Harry as I slipped out of Hog's Head with everyone else. I knew Draco would be looking for me and I couldn't let him find out this way.

~

"Where in the bloody hell have you been?"

"First of all you're a terribly clingy and rude boyfriend" I said, leaning in to give Draco a kiss on the cheek. "And what, was Draco Malfoy worried about me?"

Draco's face turned bright red and I heard Crabbe and Goyle snickering behind the two of us. I tried to supress my own laughter as Draco turned and shot them both a deathly stare. I slipped my arm into his and ushered him off into the crowd, away from his posse and Pansy. "Now lets go to Three Broomsticks, get some butterbeer, and stare at each other lovingly for a while."