Twist of Fate

Chapter 25

The following Saturday Andromeda took Teddy off for the weekend to the Burrow so that Harry, Draco and David could work on the room together. Harry took them up to the room and David looked at what Draco had accomplished already in the room, "Really amazing work, Draco." Looking over at him David added, "I knew you were talented but this really showcases it. You should consider getting a portfolio together."

Draco just shook his head, "I like the Center."

"Not what I mean, the Center and I definitely need you, but you could easily do art projects like this on the side. Explore your talents."

David stepped back to look at the entrance to the alcove, "I think what we came up with will work, Draco. Why don't you show the sketch to Harry?"

They quickly sorted out what needed to be done and Harry and David got to work shaping the chicken wire as Draco mixed up the flour paste. "You are the potions expert." Harry said with a half-smile.

Draco rolled his eyes at him over the cauldron where the unpleasant smelling mixture was simmering. "I don't think a gloppy mix of flour and water can be called a potion."

"Technicality." Harry stepped back to look at the shapes that now surrounded the alcove. 'What do you think?"

Draco looked over with David, "That looks good and I'll be able to paint the mural over to this area and make it look all part of the same thing. So what do we do with the glop?"

"We need to tear the paper into strips and then smear the, er, glop on the paper and then just start sticking it to the form." Harry went and got the stacks of the Prophet that he had gotten from the Weasleys. "I can't think of a better use for the Prophet except perhaps to line an owl cage."

The three of them sat tearing strips, after a few minutes they had a small pile. David said, "Why don't I keep doing this and you two get started."

Harry levitated the cauldron over to the wall. He looked into the cauldron, "All of a sudden I remember why I never liked working with papier mache." He took a strip of paper and dropped it in the paste, scissoring his fingers he sluiced off the extra paste and turning he stuck the wet strip of paper onto the chicken wire. Draco watched him, "Are you sure a sticking spell wouldn't be easier?"

"Nope," David said with a smile, "Won't hold the paint and you wouldn't be able to texture it like you will this."

Draco sighed and pulled off his jumper, rolling up his sleeves of his silver blue shirt he sighed and copied Harry's motions, wrinkling his nose in distaste at the feel of the paste on his fingers.

Soon Harry and he developed a rhythm and were rapidly getting the sections covered. He reached for another strip and realized they were out of them.

"Do you have more strips ready, David?" Harry turned to ask, he stopped as he saw David sitting on the floor reading a Prophet.

David looked up startled at hearing his name. He looked from Harry and Draco to the Prophet and back down again. "This article is about you two."

Harry glanced at Draco, "Not exactly surprising, considering how often we are in the paper."

"It's about your trial, Draco. I knew about that but...I didn't know about this."

Harry looked at Draco in astonishment "You didn't tell him?"

Draco scowled, "No. Didn't see the need, figured someone at the Center would tell him. I guess everyone is taking the no gossiping rule seriously."

David shook his head, "No one said anything to me." Harry took in the other wizard's pale face and wondered which Prophet he could be reading. Heedless of the paste still sticking to his hands he reached over and took it from him. Looking at the cover he swore and handed it to Draco so he could see. Draco looked from the paper to Harry. The paper was from the trial, Harry walking out of the Wizengamot with Ron and Hermione supporting him was splashed on the cover. Draco crumpled it up.