Rosabella's Point of View:
The Weasleys stayed at Black Manor that night and we would rebuild the Burrow the next morning. It was not difficult to fix but more the fact that it had been burned down in the first place. Momentarily, I had forgotten we were in the middle of a war and now I had been harshly reminded of it.
Late in the afternoon, a few days after New Year, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Michael and I lined up beside the kitchen fire to return to Hogwarts. Winter stood next to me. The Ministry had arranged this one-off connection to the Floo Network to return students quickly and safely to the school. Only Mrs. Weasley was there to say good-bye, as Mr. Weasley, Fred, George, Bill, Fleur, Remus, Jason and Jacob were all at work. Mrs. Weasley dissolved into tears at the moment of parting. Admittedly, it took very little to set her off lately. She had been crying on and off ever since Percy had stormed from the house on Christmas Day with his glasses splattered with mashed parsnip (for which Fred, George, Ginny and I all claimed credit).
"Don't cry, Mum. It's okay . . ." Ginny said, patting her on the back as Mrs. Weasley sobbed into her shoulder.
"Yeah, don't worry about us or about Percy. He's such a prat, it's not really a loss, is it?" Ron said, permitting his mother to plant a very wet kiss on his cheek.
Mrs. Weasley sobbed harder than ever as she enfolded Harry and I in her arms.
"Promise me you'll both look after yourselves . . . stay out of trouble . . ." Mrs Weasley sobbed tearfully.
"I always do, Mrs. Weasley. I like a quiet life, you know me." Harry said.
"I'm the calmest person in the world. Nothing interesting ever happens to me." I joked, grinning.
Mrs Weasley gave a watery chuckle and moved to hug Michael. She then stood back.
"Be good, then, all of you . . ." Mrs Weasley said, looking at me in particular.
Harry stepped into the emerald fire first and shouted "Hogwarts!". He vanished into the green flames. We waited a few minutes before I went next, Winter coming with me. I gripped her tightly with one hand and grabbed floo powder with the other.
"Hogwarts." I said clearly.
I had one last fleeting view of the Weasleys' kitchen and Mrs. Weasley's tearful face before the flames engulfed me. Spinning very fast as I clutched onto Winter, I caught blurred glimpses of other Wizarding rooms, which were whipped out of sight before I could get a proper look. Then I was slowing down, finally stopping squarely in the fireplace in Professor McGonagall's office. She barely glanced up from her work as I clambered out over the grate. Winter jumped out and shook all the Ash off her.
"Evening, Black. Try not to get too much ash on the carpet." Professor McGonagall said.
"Whatever you say, Professor." I said, grinning broadly as I went to stand next to Harry.
Harry slung an arm around my shoulders.
I brushed some ash out of my hair as Michael came spinning into view. When Ginny and Ron had arrived, all five of us trooped out of McGonagall's office and off toward Gryffindor Tower. I glanced out of the corridor windows as we passed. The sun was already sinking over grounds carpeted in deeper snow than had lain over the Burrow garden. In the distance, I could see Hagrid feeding Buckbeak in front of his cabin.
"Baubles." Ron said confidently, when we reached the Fat Lady, who was looking rather paler than usual and winced at his loud voice.
"No." The Fat Lady said.
"What d'you mean, 'no' ?" I said.
"There is a new password. And please don't shout." The Fat Lady said.
"But we've been away, how're we supposed to -?" Ron started to say and I looked at Michael.
"It was the Head Girls turn to pick the password." Michael mumbled to me.
Of course it was.
"Harry! Ginny! Ro! Mike!" Called a familiar voice.
Hermione was hurrying toward them, very pink-faced and wearing a cloak, hat, and gloves.
"I got back a couple of hours ago, I've just been down to visit Hagrid and Buck - I mean Witherwings. Did you have a good Christmas?" Hermione said, breathlessly.
"Yeah, pretty eventful, Rufus Scrim -" Ron said at once.
"I've got something for you, Harry. Oh, hang on - password. Abstinence." Hermione said, neither looking at Ron nor giving any sign that she had heard him.
"Precisely." The Fat Lady said in a feeble voice, and swung forward to reveal the portrait hole.
"What's up with her?" Harry asked.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say it's a hangover." I said and Ginny and I grinned at each other.
"How would you know?" Michael asked, eying me suspiciously.
"You saw Jay and Jake the morning after the wedding." I said, coolly.
Truth was that Ginny and I drank all two fire whiskey bottles in the locked cupboard at Black Manor. The night was fun, the morning was hell. Michael still eyed me suspiciously but Hermione spoke before he could.
"Well, you're right anyway, Ro. Overindulged over Christmas, apparently. She and her friend Violet drank their way through all the wine in that picture of drunk monks down by the Charms corridor. Anyway. . ." Hermione, rolling her eyes as she led the way into the packed common room.
She rummaged in her pocket for a moment, then pulled out a scroll of parchment with Dumbledore's writing on it.
"Great." said Harry, unrolling it at once to discover that his next lesson with Dumbledore was scheduled for the following night.
"I've got loads to tell him - and you. Let's sit down -" Harry said but at that moment there was a loud squeal of "Won-Won!" and Lavender Brown came hurtling out of nowhere and flung herself into Ron's arms.
Several onlookers sniggered. Hermione gave a tinkling laugh.
"There's a table over here. . . coming. Ginny?" I said.
"No, thanks, I said I'd meet Dean." Ginny said, though she did not sound very enthusiastic.
Leaving Ron and Lavender locked in a kind of vertical wrestling, match, Harry led Hermione and I over to the spare table.
Winter lay by my feet and yawned. I scratched behind her ears.
"So how was your Christmas?" Harry asked.
"Oh, fine. Nothing special. How was it at Won-Won's?" Hermione said with a shrug.
"I'll tell you in a minute. Look, Hermione, can't you -" Harry said.
"No, I can't. So don't even ask." Hermione said flatly.
"I thought maybe, you know, over Christmas -"
"More like hoped." I muttered.
"It was the Fat Lady who drank a vat of five-hundred-year-old wine, Harry, not me. So what was this important news you wanted to tell me?" Hermione insisted.
She looked too fierce for even me to argue with at that moment, so Harry dropped the subject of Ron and recounted all that we had overheard between Malfoy and Snape.
When he had finished, Hermione sat in thought for a moment.
"Don't you think -?" Hermione started to say.
"- he was pretending to offer help so that he could trick Malfoy into telling him what he's doing?" I finished for her.
"Well, yes." Hermione said.
"Ron's dad and Lupin think so." Harry said grudgingly.
"But this definitely proves Malfoy's planning something, you can't deny that." I said.
"No, I can't." Hermione answered slowly.
"And he's acting on Voldemort's orders, just like I said!" Harry said.
"Hmm . . . did either of them actually mention Voldemort's name?" Hermione asked.
Harry frowned, trying to remember.
"I'm not sure . . . Snape definitely said 'your master,' and who else would that be?" I said, thoughtfully.
"I don't know. Maybe his father?" Hermione said, biting her lip
She stared across the room, apparently lost in thought, not even noticing Lavender tickling Ron.
"How's Remus?" Hermione eventually asked.
"Not great." I said and I told her all about Remus's mission among the werewolves and the difficulties he was facing.
"Have you heard of this Fenrir Greyback?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I have! And so have you, Harry!" Hermione said, sounding startled.
"When, History of Magic? You know full well I never listened . . ."
"No, no, not History of Magic - Malfoy threatened Borgin with him!" Hermione said.
"Back in Knockturn Alley, don't you remember? He told Borgin that Greyback was an old family friend and that he'd be checking up on Borgin's progress!" I said.
Harry gaped at us.
"I forgot! But this proves Malfoy is a Death Eater, how else could he be in contact with Greyback and telling him what to do?" Harry said
"It is pretty suspicious. Unless. . ." Hermione breathed.
"Oh, come on, you can't get round this one!" Harry said in exasperation.
"I'm curious to see what's she's come up with." I said, smirking.
"Well . . . there is the possibility it was an empty threat." Hermione said.
"You're unbelievable, you are." Harry said, shaking his head.
"Well it wouldn't be the first time." I said.
"We'll see who's right . . . You'll be eating your words, Hermione, just like the Ministry. Oh yeah, I had a row with Rufus Scrimgeour as well . . ." Harry said.
The rest of the evening passed amicably with all three of us abusing the Minister of Magic, for Hermione, like Ron and I, thought that after all the Ministry had put Harry through the previous year, they had a great deal of nerve asking him for help now.
The new term started next morning with a pleasant surprise for the sixth-years. A large sign had been pinned to the common room notice boards overnight.
APPARITION LESSONS
If you are seventeen years of age, or will turn seventeen on or before the 31st August next, you are eligible for a twelve-week course of Apparition Lessons from a Ministry of Magic Apparition instructor.
Please sign below if you would like to participate.
Cost: 12 Galleons.
Hermione both but our names down. As Hermione was signing her name, Harry and Ron arrived. Harry stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, rested his chin on the top of my head as he read the Apparition sign.
Harry signed up. Ron was just taking out his quill to sign after Hermione when Lavender crept up behind him, slipped her hands over his eyes, and trilled, "Guess who, Won-Won?"
Harry and I turned to see Hermione stalking off. We caught up with her, neither of us having no wish to stay behind with Ron and Lavender. But to our surprise, Ron caught up with us only a little way beyond the portrait hole, his ears bright red and his expression disgruntled. Without a word, Hermione sped up to walk with Neville.
"So - Apparition, should be a laugh, eh?" Ron said, his tone making it perfectly plain that Harry and I not to mention what had just happened.
"I dunno. Maybe it's better when you do it yourself, I didn't enjoy it much when Dumbledore took me along for the ride." Harry said.
"I forgot you'd already done it." I said.
"I'd better pass my test first time. Fred and George did." Ron said looking anxious.
"Charlie failed, though, didn't he?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, but Charlie's bigger than me," Ron held his arms out from his body as though he was a gorilla, "so Fred and George didn't go on about it much . . . not to his face anyway . . ." Ron said.
"When can we take the actual test?" Harry asked.
"Soon as we're seventeen." I answered.
"That's only March for me!" Ron said happily.
"Yeah, but you wouldn't be able to Apparate in here, not in the castle. . ." Harry said.
"Not the point, is it? Everyone would know you could Apparate if you wanted." I said.
Ron and I were not the only one to be excited at the prospect of Apparition. All that day there was much talk about the forthcoming lessons. A great deal of store was set by being able to vanish and reappear at will.
"How cool will it be when we can just -" Seamus said eagerly and clicked his ringers to indicate disappearance.
"Fiona and me cousin Fergus do it just to annoy me, you wait till I can do it back . . . they'll never have another peaceful moment. . . I have to pass first time. Fiona did. She'd never let me forget it if I didn't." Seamus said.
He was lost in visions of this happy prospect, he flicked his wand a little too enthusiastically, so that instead of producing the fountain of pure water that was the object of today's Charms lesson, he let out a hoselike jet that ricocheted off the ceiling and knocked Professor Flitwick flat on his face. I couldn't but laugh but I tried to smother it as best I could.
"Harry's already Apparated." Ron told a slightly abashed Seamus, after Professor Flitwick had dried himself off with a wave of his wand and set Seamus lines ("I am a wizard, not a baboon brandishing a stick.") I had lost it at that point and was laughing hysterically.
"Dum - er - someone took him. Side - Along - Apparition, you know." Ron said as I continued to be consumed in by an uncontrollable fit of giggles.
"Whoa!" Seamus whispered, and he, Dean, and Neville put their heads a little closer to hear what Apparition felt like.
For the rest of the day, Harry was besieged with requests from the other sixth years to describe the sensation of Apparition. All of them seemed awed, rather than put off, when he told them how uncomfortable it was, and he was still answering detailed questions at ten to eight that evening, when he was forced to lie and say that he needed to return a book to the library, so as to escape in time for his lesson with Dumbledore. I winked at him as a way to say good luck.
I had something on my own agenda to do. No more bezting around the bush. Out of the trio and I, I win least likely to get hexed on sight.
I told everyone I was bored and going to find someone to prank. No one question because I'm, well, me. I set off with Winter walking next to me. I pulled out the Marauders Map.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." I muttered and pointed my wand at the map.
I scanned the map for Malfoy and found him descending the seventh floor. He headed into a bathroom but what was odd was that he went into a girl's bathroom. I headed quickly in that direction. Once I reached the bathroom that was on the second floor, I realised it was the same bathroom that I helped Hermione brew the polyjuice potion in. Merlin, please don't let Moaning Myrtle be in there. I can't deal with her right now. I entered the bathroom and found Malfoy hunched over a sink. His form was shaking and there was the muffled sound of sobs. I was taken aback. I don't think I've ever seen him so vulnerable. My determination left me and was replaced with sympathy. Winter still eyed him as if he were a threat. I slowly walked towards him, debating how best to approach.
"Draco?" I said softly.
Draco stiffened. The muffled sound of sobs stopped leaving a tense silence in its wake. Draco slowly turned round to face me. He was pale and he had a grayish complexion. The bags under his eyes were very dark. He looks like he hasn't slept in days. He seemed skinner and I vacantly recalled that I haven't seen him at the Slytherin table very often. Once again, his eyes revealed the most. The desperation in them seemed nearly overwhelming. The fear, the panic, the anger. They were all woven in together. Draco stared at me with a gaurded expression.
"What is it, Black?" Draco demanded.
"Couldn't help but notice that your in the girls bathroom? Something you want to talk about? I always thought you were more in touch with your feminine side." I joked but you could here the sincerity in my voice.
Despite himself, I saw the edges of Draco's lips twitch as if he wanted to smile.
"I was under the impression no one came into this bathroom because of -" Draco said.
"Moaning Myrtle." Draco and I said together.
"Yes, barely anyone comes in here. The only people who do are lost first years, people who are up to something and don't want anyone to know or people who want to be alone." I said and then looked at him seriously.
Draco avoided eye contact.
"Your cracking, Draco. Whatever you're up to and I know you're up to something, it's too much." I said, gently.
Draco glared at me.
"You don't know what your talking about, Black." Malfoy snapped back.
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"So Snape didn't make an Unbreakable Vow to your mother? You haven't been avoiding him all year because whatever you're up to you want all the credit? You're not working on Voldemort's orders?" I said and Draco more then flinched at the mention of Voldemort's name.
His face drained of any colour and his breathing actually became more erratic. His eyes held more then fear, they held absolute and unbidden terror.
"And your reaction confirms my theory." I said sympathetically.
"What theory?" Draco spat at me.
"Voldemort's making you do something. Something that you can't cope with. Something you may not even want to do." I said quietly.
Draco's brief solemn expression was all the confirmation I needed.
"What did he ask you to do?" I asked Draco softly.
"Why do you even care?" Draco yelled at me and Winter growled warningly at him.
"No one should be forced to do something they don't want to do. Draco, let me help you." I said with complete sincerity.
"You should worry about yourself not me." Draco said.
I looked at him confused.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Rosabella, they don't need you. They only need at least one of your brothers. You can't carry on the Black name. Your main use is bait to lure those big brothers of yours. The only reason Bellatrix wanted you too was because you meant something to your grandmother and Bellatrix was close with her, so she only tried to get you too as a way to honour her last wish. Keep up this defiance and they will kill you. There's only so much leniency you'll be granted. Don't become more trouble then your worth." Draco said.
I shrugged and Draco rolled his eyes.
"You couldn't be obedient if your life depended on it." Draco stated.
"You only just figuring that out? Wow, you really are slow." I teased.
Draco laughed slightly and then he stared intensely at me. I shifted uncomfortably at his intense gaze. Draco then placed his hand under my chin and lifted my face up so I had to look at him. Draco spoke before I could step out of his hold.
"What is it . . . about you . . . that makes me still care." Draco said so quietly that I barely heard him.
Draco seemed to be talking to himself more then me. I jerked my chin out of his hold and took a few steps back from him.
"When you're ready to come clean, if not to me then someone else who can help you, I'll be there for you if you need me to be." I said and left Malfoy in the bathroom, Winter walking next to me.