[4] UNREQUITED ENEMIES ━ Draco Malfoy

12. Students Out Of Bed

TWELVE STUDENTS OUT OF BED

Xander is buzzing in his Hufflepuff robes as he and the other students prepare to respond to Headmaster Snape's summoning. Diana is next to him as everyone slowly exits the Room of Requirement, preparing to meet up with the other members of their respective houses in an attempt to avoid suspicion. The girl squeezes his hand reassuringly, but it does not do much to quell his nerves. His stomach is aflutter, his mind worried with thoughts of what might happen next. Harry is going undercover along with Gryffindor, robes looking out of place covering muggle clothes, but with the hood up there is no reason to suspect anything is out of the ordinary.

They are just about to leave when Harry grabs Xander by the arm, saying, "Xander, wait. I want you to take this."

He hands something over to him and looking down, Xander sees that it's a wand. Draco's wand, to be precise, "Why? What do I need this for?"

"Give it back to him, but only when you feel he's earned it," Harry explains, "I think... I think if anyone can get him onto our side, it'll be you. So, give this back to him when you think we've got him."

Xander looks down at the wand, pocketing it carefully before turning back to Harry, "I can do that."

"Good, uh, see you on the other side, I suppose," Harry nods before going to meet up with the other Gryffindors.

He shoots a worried look over to Diana who offers nothing but a similar expression in return, showing that she is just as lost in this situation as he is. They sigh and pull up their hoods, joining the other Hufflepuff students as they began to march down to the Great Hall. His heart beats in tune with the thrum of heavy footsteps from the students surrounding him, no one knowing what exactly they've been summoned in the middle of the night for. Xander has a feeling it has to do with their return to the school, but he's not going to tell anyone else that.

Each house makes its way to the hall, everyone buzzing with uncertainty and fear, no one daring to sit as they instead stand in formation. Tne Carrows stand at the front of the room, their stern eyes observing every student in the crowd. He wonders if Harry will be discovered, but no one dares to make any sudden movements so they may be in the clear.

Snape enters the room and it is so silent, a pin drop would echo off of the ancient walls. He takes his place at the front of the room, in between the two Carrows, expression sour as always. His voice is slow and calculated as he speaks, "Many of you are surely wondering why I have summoned you here at this hour. It has come to my attention that earlier this evening... Harry Potter was spotted in Hogsmeade."

There was a burst of murmuring throughout the hall as Snape confirmed Xander's suspicion. His heartbeat quickened, but he made no show of it on his face.