The Buddy System. *Updating In Process*

Round Two

"And we have asked the Minister to -"

"Stop by with his handsome good looks to bring a smile to everyone's face?" Kingsley said.

"Not exactly what I was going to say," Iro smirked.

"I don't know. He brought a smile to mine," I laughed and Kingsley hugged me.

"Well then mission accomplished. Actually you called at a good time Iro. I need to speak to Raelyn anyway on a few matters. So what did you want?" He turned to the Potion masters in the room.

"We want to pick your brains on an idea we had," Professor Slughorn beamed.

"Why don't we head to the kitchen and have a cup of tea?" Narcissa asked as she directed all the grown ups out of the room.

"Anyone any clue what's happening?" Theo asked when we were alone. I shook my head.

"So how are you Rae?" Blaise asked.

"I'm ok actually. Chest is a little tight but other than that I feel good."

"Do you need anything?" Azaleah asked.

"Besides better taste in men?" Theo smirked.

"Like you are much better," Pansy laughed.

"Az's taste is better than yours," Theo stuck his tongue out at her.

"Bloody child," Pansy rolled her eyes.

I sat back, enjoying the show as they bickered.

"I will be glad when you are better and things go back to normal," Blaise said rolling his eyes.

"And then we can start planning your wedding," Azaleah said nudging me as she sat down next to me on the bed.

"Maybe we could have a triple wedding?" I smirked.

"Why who else is getting married?" Blaise asked.

"Mate, I thought you were smart?" Draco laughed.

"Huh - oh! Shush! Don't put ideas into anyone's head!" Blaise gasped.

"Who is putting ideas where?" Pansy asked.

"No where! Nothing!" Blaise panicked. "Just talking about Rae and Draco's wedding."

"It will be so exciting to have a wedding," Pansy smiled. She flicked her wand and moved the chaise out for her and Blaise to sit down.

"If you say so," Theo muttered.

I was about to ask him what he meant when the door knocked and Kingsley stepped in. "Sorry to interrupt but I need to speak with Raelyn about the curse?"

"Sure," Pansy and Theo said standing up and Blaise and Azaleah followed.

Draco reluctantly stood too but didn't make to move to the door. Kingsley smiled at this. "You can stay kids. I daresay Raelyn will tell you all anyway."

"Sounds interesting," I smiled as Draco and the gang all sat next to me on the bed and Kingsley conjured an armchair.

"Now, Rae. I have a few updates for you. As you know I have had a few Aurors and Bill Weasley working to find the source of the curse."

"You have?" Draco asked.

"Yes. More specifically, how Miss Hughes got her hands on it and why she thought to use it. I have asked that Benjamin be interviewed as well -"

"How is he?" I asked.

Kingsley sighed. "He is better. He obviously has a long way to go to fully recover - if he can. But he was able to help us. He showed us some memories of his. Of his time with Teeny. I thought I could either let you see them or -"

"No!" I shouted.

"No?" He asked.

"I...can't...Look I know she was evil but I don't want to see it. She was my friend. She was our friend. She betrayed us. I don't think I could watch her be something else. It's -"

"Too heartbreakingly painful," Azaleah finished.

"I get it." Theo muttered as well, hugging Azaleah to him.

"That is fine. You don't have to. I just wanted to give you the option. It may clear some things up. But I can just have the Auror's -"

"I will do it." Draco said defiantly from beside me.

"You want to see it?" Kingsley asked surprised. He looked from me to Draco and back to me again.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't see that side of Teeny. The evil, manipulative side to her. It would be like experiencing it all over again. But I did want to know. And who better than the person I trusted more than anyone in the world.

"I will do it so Raelyn doesn't have to." Draco said as he gripped my hand. "We need to know what drove Teeny to do this. How she found out about the curse and who gave her access to the books. To make sure no one else is able to use this spell. I want answers. So I am volunteering to go."

"Me too," Blaise said. "I will go with Draco."

"Are you sure?" Azaleah asked.

"Yeah. Anything for you girls." Draco smiled.

"We thought you would say that," Nate said entering the room with Wren, Harry, Ginny and Ron.

"A few of us are going with you to help." Harry said moving to the bed and nodding at me.

"Not me!" Ron piped up. "Don't get me wrong Raelyn, I like you now. But I have had enough adventures to last me a lifetime and I honestly have aged about 10 years following this one around." He pointed to Harry. "I do not have it in me to take on another adventure."

"That is charming Ron," Ginny rolled her eyes.

"I'm being honest," he shrugged. "I just wanted to tag along. My girlfriend is here somewhere and I wanted to see her for the first time this weekend. And see how you were of course."

"Don't worry Ron," I laughed. "I don't want to go either. I don't blame you at all." I winked at him and smiled. I was hardly going to be annoyed at him when he was in the same position as me. " Hermione is in the lab. Reading that blasted book of curses I think."

"Alight then. Who is ready for a trip down memory lane?"