I'm sorry for the short chapter before… to be really honest with you I have the middle and end of this story written already, just not the beginning! So here I give you another short chapter, BUT not such a long wait for the update, again my sincerest apologies.
Thank you very much for all the reviews, they've all been really positive and a great help so far! Given me a boost and motivation to carry on with this story! Sorry about the summary- or rather, the lack of one, but I really don't know what to write in it as I've not figured out the whole story yet! It's coming to me though!
I don't own anything you recognise, and with no further ado, on with another short chappie to make up for the last short one, hehe 1 short + 1 short = 1 long!
All Fools
The days drew by, relentlessly ticking away their precious time at Hogwarts, within the safety of the castle walls pushing them closer to the time they'd have to step out of the light and security of their beloved school and out into the dark and cold shadows of the future.
Harry sighed as he glanced up from his work in the library, Ron and Hermione sat opposite him, as always and worked silently on their research.
"There's been nothing this year… nor last year… except for the massive breakout of Azkaban." Harry muttered.
Hermione put her quill down, her frown deepened, "Harry we've gone over this already, he's back now isn't he? And he's bidding his time, things are happening just not at Hogwarts…"
"People are dying and disappearing, he is doing his work, Harry. He's not lying low anymore…" Ron sighed, "at least not as low as he was." He added.
"I know that," Harry murmured. "But-"
"There are no buts,'" Hermione snapped, cutting him off, "now's the time to learn all you need to know, to arm yourself against him, Harry, we join the order once we graduate, then you can start planning, for now… stop worrying, Merlin!."
Harry nodded, "Occlumency is great, there really is nothing like your dead fathers sworn nemesis trying to penetrate your mind, oh, and you two should know- seeing that you're both there too, having Remus and Tonks do their Dark Arts on me is also wonderful. And the lessons I am giving on the side… they're draining. I hate this preparation, I want it to end now! I'm ready, whatever the outcome may be, I am ready." He muttered venomously.
Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head in despair, "This negativity will be the death of you Harry, live a bit why wont you?" She snapped clearly annoyed.
Harry shrugged and carried on with his Transfiguration essay, Ron was reading up on ancient history and Hermione turned back to her Ancient Runes. Voldemort hadn't attempted an attack on him since the battle in the Ministry of Magic at the end of his fifth year. Though Harry was deeply grateful he was also fearful, this could only mean Voldemort had something planned… something he'd been planning for 2 years, and this made Harry nervous.
He, Ron and Hermione would be joining the Order after graduation, they were pretty much full members already, all three of them were then to complete their Auror training. Harry had continued giving lessons as part of Dumbledore's Army, however it had been kept secret and only the closest of friends to Ron, Hermione and himself were taking part. On top of this he had kept going to his Occlumency classes with Snape and occasionally Dumbledore, which was a great relief, and finally thrice a week Remus and Tonks came secretly to give the Trio Auror training. They barely found time to do their homework, the whole process was draining.
Draco smirked from his table in the corner, hidden away behind a shelf full of books, from his place he could hear the Golden Trio and also see the little Weaslette working with Lovegood, Blackwood and the halfblood Creevey or something. The Longbottom boy also sat with the Weaslette, seemingly helping her with her Herbology. Snape was one of the Dark Lords most loyal servants, it was known throughout the inner circle, his head of house was simply a spy on the inside of Hogwarts, close to the Headmaster.
Blaise sat beside him, apparently focused on his work but Draco knew he was discreetly watching Eleanor. Smirking to himself Draco saw that Blaise's discretion didn't go unnoticed by Eleanor as she blushed shyly.
"She knows you watch her, fool." Draco muttered under his breath.
Blaise smirked, "Aye, I know, 'twas you I was hiding it from, fool."
Draco rose his eyebrow questioningly, "You approached her." Draco asked rhetorically.
Blaise nodded, his eyes openly transfixed on Eleanor, "She's agreed to go to Hogsmead with me next outing."
Draco nodded, his eyes shifting to Ginevra focused on her notes as Longbottom was explaining quietly some property of some plant. She was biting her bottom lip in concentration, absorbing everything that Longbottom was explaining, ignorant to his blatant insane crush on her.
"By the way, Drake." Blaise muttered, "Your Weaslette landed herself a weeks detention from Snape, starting Monday."
Draco slowly turned his eyes on Blaise, his lips curled into an evil smirk, "Is that so… who's duty?"
As part of the new curriculum, undoubtedly a vain attempt by the Old Crackpot for unity between students, seventh years were charged with overseeing detentions. Naturally, professors picked students from their own house to oversee a detention given in their relative classes.
Blaise sighed, "Parkinson's… and no, I wont persuade her." He said adamantly, knowing it was useless, dreading what he knew Draco would ask of him.
Draco smirked, "I really don't think that's up for discussion my friend."
Blaise groaned, "Drake, Merlin knows my cock wont stand for that whore, literally."
"It has countless of times before, what's the difference now?" Draco mused, "I'm sure Crabbe and Goyle will be more than willing to help." He chuckled.
"She won't pass her duty over for the likes of Crabbe or Goyle, just tell her you'll relieve her of her duty." Blaise muttered.
"I can't afford to raise any suspicion." Draco hissed.
"Aye, that you can't," Blaise sighed, "Fine, as long as you are there to initiate it."
Draco smirked and nodded, "Oh, I will be." His eyes shifting back to Ginevra, "As for my brave little Gryffindor Weaslette, we'll see how broken she truly is."
"Elle, what's with all the blushing? You're doing your potions essay for Godric's sake!" Ginny whispered.
Eleanor looked startled, "Oh, it's nothing, was just thinking about something." She said quickly and bent over her work.
Ginny glanced around the library and caught Blaise momentarily glance at Eleanor, worriedly Ginny looked back at Eleanor, "Slytherins are bad news, Elle, especially ones who associate themselves with Malfoy." She said quietly.
Luna who was writing furiously on a piece of parchment placed at 90degrees from her quill softly said, "She's right you know, from another world they are, those Slytherins." In an almost singsong matter-of-fact voice.
Eleanor looked up at Ginny hesitantly, "I- well he doesn't seem that bad."
Ginny rolled her eyes and groaned, "Merlin woman! How is it that you can see the good in even the darkest most evil people on the planet?"
"Well I don't know about Malfoy, but Blaise seems nice enough." Eleanor said somewhat defensively.
Collin raised an eyebrow, "It's, Blaise, now then is it?"
Ginny also rose an inquisitive eyebrow at her friend making Eleanor blush profoundly, "Well, he did ask me to call him by his first name."
Ginny frowned and looked over at Malfoy's and Zabini's table, only to meet the all too familiar cold grey eyes of Malfoy staring at her, a smirk displayed mockingly on his perfect unblemished handsome face. Ginny glared at him, forcing all her hatred out through her eyes.
I'm watching you, Weasley, he mouthed silently at her.
Ginny sneered, bearing her teeth slightly and mouthed back, Bite me, Malfoy!
Draco sneered back at her, making Ginny shudder as he mouthed, With pleasure, blood traitor.
"Ginny?" the deep and unmistakable voice of Ron sounded from besides her making her snap her head round to face him, her eyes blazing in hateful anguish. 'What the..?" Ron muttered as he turned his eyes to where Ginny had been looking, his face evidently darkened. "Is Malfoy bothering you, Gins?" he asked softly though his eyes showed the utmost concern for his only sister.
Ginny smiled weakly, "His mere existence bothers me, Ron. Anyway did you want something?"
"Yeah, but it can wait for later, everything alright here? Nev's helping you with Herbology is he?" Ron chuckled.
Neville blushed crimson and Ginny nodded, "Yeah, I help him back with potions, we've got a deal going." She grinned.
Ron grinned back and ruffled Ginny's hair, "I heard you got detention with Snape."
Ginny sighed, "Yeah, for the whole of next week… I forgot my homework in my dorm."
Ron rolled his eyes, "Bloody prick, that Snape, just hold your tongue."
Ginny grinned, "Will do."
Ron nodded and looked somewhat proudly at his sister, "Right, I'll talk to you later Ginny…"
Ginny nodded and turned back to her homework ignoring the cold trails on her back she knew to be Malfoy's eyes on her. Merlin she hated him so much! At the very least her detention was with the Parkinson bint, thank Godric it wasn't bloody Malfoy! If only she knew how wrong she was… she would be feeling so relieved.