Death Eater Spawn

Slughorn's Christmas party

I wasn't going to go to Slughorn's party, but I realised that my Christmas at the Malfoy's wasn't going to be that enjoyable. So I decided that I would go, to try and have some fun.
I managed to find a beautiful black dress, with full length sleeves, that Narcissa had given me the year before. Accompanied by some dark make-up, applied by my room mates, I ended up looking quite fierce.
This party was very exclusive, as there weren't that many members in the Slug Club. And you could only go if you had an invite, or were there as someone's date.
I had of course asked Draco if he would go with me. I thought it might cheer him up.
But he said that he was too busy, so I decided to go alone.

Luckily I didn't have to hang around the party by myself, as Harry was there, with Luna as his date. I knew that Harry asking her to go with him, had upset many single girls through-out the school.
I didn't see Harry in that way, so I wasn't too bothered. Besides, the only boy I had eyes for, wasn't even going.
"You look very nice Zoe" complimented Luna, when I entered the room.
I blushed. "Thanks Luna. You look very pretty as well".
Luna smiled, then went back to talking to Professor Trelawney, about some bizarre theory.
"She's right. You look very stunning" agreed Harry.
"You don't look too bad yourself Potter" I replied.

"Now, I thought you said you had a date, when I asked if you would go with me" said Harry.
"My date stood me up, I'm afraid" I admitted.
"Sorry... I'm sure I can guess who it was"
"Leave it Harry. This is a party, and I for one, plan to enjoy myself".
Unfortunatley at that moment, Slughorn saw us, and dragged us over to some famous man, and began introducing us.
I wasn't really paying attention to the man, as my eyes were drawn to Snape, who was standing in the corner of the room, looking very uncomfortable.
Even though he taught me Defense Against the Dark Arts, I hadn't seen much of him all year. Which made me sad, as we had been so close.

He looked as if he were trying to escape, but Slughorn pulled him over towards us, to add him to the conversation.
We had begun talking about Harry's amazing Potions ability. Which surprised me. As Harry had never been very gifted at Potions. And only passed his OWL because I had been teaching him privately.
Snape was also surprised by this bit of information, and glared down at Harry, as if trying to learn his secrets.
Harry began to talk about how he wanted to become an Auror, which I already knew. When Luna suddenly informed us that the Auror's were trying to bring down the Ministry, using Dark Magic, and gum disease.

To stop ourselves from laughing, me and Harry gulped down our wine, making ourselves choke. We wiped our mouths on the backs of our hands, removing the liquid, that had gone in every direction.
That was when I saw something that made my heart stop.
I saw Filch enter the room, dragging Draco in by his ear.
I saw his nervous eyes flick around the room, until his eyes met mine.
"Please. I know I've been a jerk, but I need your help" Draco begged, speaking inside my head.
"I discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor, he claims to have been invited to your party. Did you issue him an invitation?" Filch questioned Slughorn.
I rolled my eyes and sighed, knowing that I would have to interfer.

"He is my date. I chose to bring him here. He was late, because he had to finish his school work, before he could attend" I lied, stepping out of the crowd.
Looking at Draco's clothing it was clear that he had no intention of coming to the party, but I had to lie to get him out of trouble. Just like he had done for me, the year before.
"Well that settles it then. It's alright Argus, you may let him go" instructed Slughorn.
Filch looked as if he'd been slapped in the face, when he was forced to let Draco go.
"I'd like a word with you Draco" said Snape, suddenly.
I frowned. Snape had always liked Draco, so I didn't know why he was looking at him with such anger.
Draco looked resentful, but he followed Snape from the room, not daring to refuse an order like that.

I looked around, and saw that Harry had dissappeared. I made my excuses and left the party, intent on following Snape and Draco.
I saw Harry outside, and approached him, before he had time to put his invisibilty cloak on.
"Hey!" He snapped.
"Shhh. Listen, you aren't the only one who wants to know what Draco is up to. So either I go alone, or we go together" I whispered.
Harry didn't look happy, but he threw the cloak around us, and we followed Draco and Snape as quietly as possible. Eventually they entered an empty classroom, and we had to push our ears up against the door, to hear what was going on.

"...cannot afford mistakes Draco, because if you are expelled..." Snape hissed.
"I didn't have anything to do with it alright! That Bell girl must have an enemy no one knows about. Don't look at me like that. I know what you are doing, I'm not stupid. But it won't work, I can stop you" snapped Draco.
"Ah. I see Aunt Bellatrix has been teaching you Occlumency. What thoughts are you trying to conceal from your master Draco?"
"I'm not trying to conceal anything from him. I'm trying to stop you butting in"
"I am trying to help you. I swore to your mother I would protect you... I made the unbreakable vow..."
"Looks like you'll have to break it then, because I don't need your protection. It's my job, he gave it to me. I have a plan, and it's going to work... It's just taking a bit longer than I thought it would".

"If you tell me what you are trying to do, then I can assisst you" said Snape.
"I've got all the assisstance I need thanks. I'm not alone" replied Draco.
"Well you were alone tonight, which was a foolish..."
"I would have had Crabbe and Goyle, if you hadn't put them in detention"
"You are being incautious Draco. Wandering the corridors at night, and relying on assisstants like Crabbe and Goyle. You are going to get caught... Maybe you should include Miss Rosier in your plans, she is smart, and she will be able to help you"
"He doesn't want her involved, and I won't put her in danger. Besides, I have other people working for me, other than Crabbe and Goyle".

"Then why not confide in me, I can help you" begged Snape.
"I know what you're up to. You want to steal my glory" replied Draco angrily.
"You are speaking like a child. I quite understand that your father's capture and imprisonment has upset you, but...".
Snape never got to finish, as the door flew open, and Draco stormed out, narrowly avoiding me and Harry. Who had heard the whole thing.
I didn't hear anything that was any use to me, as I knew most of it already. But unfortunately, Harry hadn't known it all. And now he knew more about Draco's mission, than I would have liked.