In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*The Order of the Phoenix

Summer at 12 Grimmauld Place had been interesting for Briar Lupin. Order members had been coming and going every day and she was fascinated by each of them. She had met the real Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Mundungus Fletcher, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle, Emmeline Vance, Sturgis Podmore, and Hestia Jones.

They had also been joined by all the Weasleys, Hermione, and Professor Snape. So Grimmauld Place had become rather full rather quick. But Briar was glad for it because it gave her some form of entertainment since she couldn't really leave the house

Sirius and Remus had gone out of their way for her 14th birthday though and the whole house had been decorated and full of laughter and music. But aside from that Grimmauld Place remained rather dark and dirty, despite Molly Weasley's constant cleaning

What had also rather ruined the summer was that the other children in the house were angry that Briar got to be involved in the Order meetings, and she was desperate to tell them why, but Dumbledore had instructed her that no one was to know about her abilities

Speaking of them, Dumbledore had enlisted someone to help teach her more about her veela side and abilities; Fleur Delacour 

The Order were assembled for a meeting one July afternoon, when Kingsley burst in

"Harry!" He exclaimed and everyone looked at him in confusion "The Ministry just informed me that Harry has been caught performing a patronus charm in the presence of a muggle and now he faces expulsion from Hogwarts"

"What?!"

"That's mad!"

But across all the chaos the gruff voice of Mad-eye Moody was loudest and it silenced everyone else "We bring him here. Tonight."

So a plan was hatched for the Order to draw the Dursleys out of their house so the Order could go in and retrieve Harry. Briar wasn't allowed to go get Harry, despite her excellent flying skills, since Dumbledore wanted her to practice with Fleur

Fleur and Briar had become very close thanks to all their lessons and in exchange for Fleur teaching Briar her skills, Briar was teacher her English

Usually their lessons were rather simple. Briar had been learning how to control her anger so she didn't do anything stupid, but also how to use her abilities when not angry. She found that the transformation of her face to resemble a bird when angry was rather weird, but she did enjoy the ability to throw fire

But today for the first time Briar managed to throw fire without having to transform or get angry

"I did it!" She cheered as she and her friend made their way into the order meeting room, where Dumbledore, Snape, Sirius, Bill, Molly, and Arthur were

"Congratulations, Miss Lupin" Dumbledore smiled genuinely and Sirius ruffled her hair "Professor Snape here was just giving us a report on the situation regarding the return of several of Voldemort's old followers"

"And it appears many of them are parents of your classmates, including the Malfoys" Sirius frowned "I'm not sure how I feel about you returning to Hogwarts this year"

"Sirius, I assure you that nothing will happen to Miss Lupin as long as she is in school," Dumbledore said "She will have the protection of our magical enchantments, and her professors"

"Knowing Snivellus will be protecting her doesn't make me feel better," He retorted, shooting Snape a dark look

"Black, as much as I despise you, I will do what Dumbledore asks of me and that includes protecting students" He replied

"In addition, there will be Order members on patrol at the school" Dumbledore said "And Miss Lupin's abilities grow stronger with each lesson thanks to Miss Delacour so I am certain she will be safe"