Hidden Feelings - A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter Forty-One

I understand what's happening the moment the wall starts to rumble, bricks shifting and shaking like they're about to be blown out. I lower my wand away from Ron, letting out a breath of frustration.

The wall finally explodes, and when the dust settles, Umbridge stands with a smile on her face, her wand pointed in front of her. I catch a glimpse of blond hair in the group of students behind her and clench my fist, narrowing my eyes.

"Hello, students," she calls out, stepping through the rubble. "It has come to my attention that you all have been participating in a rebellious group that was not approved by me. Is that true?"

One of the Slytherins behind her pushes a girl forward, her face covered in boils. Hermione takes a sharp breath in, before muttering a soft "no." The room stays silent, other than the girl's sobs as she tries to cover her face.

"If those who are responsible for the creation of this step forward, I will not punish the entire group," she snaps, staring straight at Harry who already stands near the front of the group.

"It was Medlor," I hear someone say from the group of students, right as Harry starts walking forward. I feel the color drain from my face as everyone turns to look at me. Draco storms into the room, pointing at me. "I saw her tampering with a coin, a few days ago. It has to be how they're sending out the meeting times."

I don't hesitate in walking forward, Hermione and Ron joining me. I give Draco a harsh glare on my way, turning the cold look to Umbridge when Harry pipes up.

"Professor, Elizabeth didn't have anything to do with the organization of it," Harry tells her. "She-"

"Quiet! Mr. Malfoy told us what he saw," she interrupts. Harry is indeed telling the truth, as I truly didn't help them, just took the lessons along with anyone else. But I'm not going to back down from the punishment. I'm not letting Malfoy get to me again. "Will you four come to my office? Children, clear these heathens out of here and take them to the heads of their houses. Mr. Malfoy, dear, stay with me. You can explain more of what you saw."

I follow her up to Dumbledore's office with my friends, staring daggers at the back of Malfoy's head.

I hate him.

••••••••••

Draco's POV

Draco,

As you know, Medlor's father has recently returned to the Dark Lord's call, and he's been making some suggestions that I want your opinion on. We feel that you'll understand the girl's capabilities more than her father, and we want to ensure that he's not simply trying to protect her by offering her a place with the death eaters next year.

He wants her to be initiated with you, Draco. He's sure that she could be of great use, especially being in the castle. He thinks with how she's progressed in the past years, she could help you find a way to get us into the castle. What do you think? It doesn't matter if she's willing, but we need to make sure she's strong enough to handle this. With how she made out in the tournament last year, I don't doubt her power.

One of our issues is that she doesn't yet know her father is a death eater. If you think she could make a useful addition, she will spend the summer at the manor, and he will be able to tell her then. He doesn't know this yet, but if we begin to go through with this, all it will take to convince her is the threat to kill him if she refuses.

Write back to let me know what her strengths are. Don't mention this to anyone.

Sincerely, Lucius Malfoy

The letter had gotten here this morning, and it was what convinced me to finally tell on Dumbledore's Army.

The coin must have slipped from her pocket, the day I discovered it in the Room of Requirement. I kept it to myself, even steered the Inquisitorial Squad away from that hallway when we went on our searches for their little club. But once I received the letter from my father, I knew the best thing I could do for Elizabeth was to display her as brave, someone unafraid of standing up against Voldemort. Lumping her in with the other three was the best way to do that, get her in trouble with the ministry directly to have something to convince my father making her a death eater would be an unsafe move.