loyalotter | 9th Gryffindor Note [Written on the DA papers / Locked to the DA

[she sighs in frustration.]

That explains why our messages didn't correlate. [And glances at him.] I'm sorry... for yelling at you.

Well, at least you didn't punch me this time. [Folding up his paper and stuffing it in his pocket.] Now that that's settled...what exactly happened?

[She rubs her head a little.]

He wanted to ask me about a gift for someone... and then he asked about the wand I found. I told him I didn't know and he said I was lying. I think he was using Legilimency, but I don't know. I mean, I know the theory, obviously, but I've never had anyone use it against me before.

...[And then, as an afterthought.] He's frightening like that. Not scary, just... He reminds me of- [your mother] -what your aunt might have been like when she was younger.

...a gift? Since when does the Dark Lord give gifts? It wouldn't surprise me if he was, that's the kind of person he is. I'm sure he's tried on me and Potter a few times as well.

...you mean that calm but overwhelming sense of intimidation? Yeah, I've been there. Look. Things are really starting to get out of hand, and obviously there's something wrong with the papers. For all we know, he could have tried to put you under an Imperius today to spy on us since you went alone. ...you're not, right? I mean I think you're Hermione, but...just to be safe. [Pulling out his own wand and pointing it straight at her]

I don't know. He just asked me. I'm not sure I believe that's all he wanted. Actually, I don't.

[She sighs and looks away again. She's kind of frustrated with everything lately. Damnit, Luceti.]

I'm not under one, but if you want to be sure... [You're so lucky she trusts you enough for this.] Go ahead and use Legilimency. It'll give me a good feeling of what it's really like and you can see what really happened.

I don't buy it either, there's no way. He didn't happen to mention who it was for, did he? He's probably planning on using them for something.

[And here he pauses because, whoa, what.] ...are you serious? [It still hasn't quite sunk in that Hermione trusts him.] Legilimency's really privacy-invading.

He did... actually. [And another sigh because she doesn't want to say who.]

Well, it would give me an opportunity to try to throw it off, like we did in fourth year with the Imperius Curse. What were you going to do?

...[Doesn't like the sound of that sigh.] Are you going to tell me?

I guess that's true. [And he actually has the grace to look a tad sheepish] I didn't really have anything in mind, actually, the wand was just a threat.

[She looks you directly in the eye.] Narcissa.

[Though this gets a laugh from her and she relaxes a bit.] Is there any way I can prove that I'm just me? A quick Finite Incantatem or something?

...[That's definitely a defeated look.] No. No, that's not going to work.

Well, I suppose if you want to do this the easy way, but you're the one who wanted to learn Occlumency, didn't you? Though I suppose you could learn from Potter as well.

[and she hates that she had to say that.] I don't think he really wanted to ask me... or to use it against her. I think he just wanted to talk to me about his wand.

[And another rub of her head.] Yes, though I suppose it could wait... [And then she shakes her head.] One try. I'd like to see how it feels. And so you can see...

[Just...shaking his head.] If he harms her... I'm sure that's what it was too. Be careful around him, don't go anywhere alone if he asks.

...mm. Right. [Lifting and pointing his wand again] Are you ready?

[If he hurts your mother, he'll have an upset Hermione, too.] Right. Messenger Patronus next time.

[This is so weird. She examines the wand for a second before nodding once.] Yes. [The correct memory is right up at the forefront of her thoughts, so hopefully this will work. She's also really nervous about letting Draco into her mind like this, but that trust thing, right?]

You still need to teach us that, you know.

[You're nervous? Draco's also nervous because this is Hermione and this is still way outside of his comfort zone since he actually doesn't mind her so much now. He nods though and steadies his shaking wand hand.] Legilimens!

I will. You all should know it.

[But hey, deep breath and-- whoa, wow that's a weird feeling. It's like watching a movie of her memory. There's the talk with Riddle (http://hereisariddle.livejournal.com/3168.html?thread=228704#t228704), which isn't much more than him making Hermione uncomfortable. As soon as it's over, she tries to pull out, but... well, Luceti never makes it that easy.

[You'll get a vision of a fire, where someone's head is poking up out of the ashes... a certain Azkaban breakout who happens to be Harry's godfather. He's talking to Hermione, Harry, and Ron and they look torn between worried, happy, and surprised. Snippets of conversation can be heard including the words "Order" and "duty," but nothing substantial.

[There's one more memory you're going to be graced with before Hermione can pull you out of her head. This one isn't nearly so nice. It starts out harmless enough. Ron and Hermione walking into a shabby night cafe. They look like they're dressed for a party... or a wedding, in fact, but the party-goers are nowhere to be seen. The duo takes a seat at a table. Harry is nowhere to be seen. Odd.

[The memory bypasses a good deal of exactly what's said, but the name "Voldemort" sticks out clearly, and so does the fleeting idea of "Taboo," though it's not spoken or attached to anything. Though Hermione had her back to the booth next to them, she still lowered her voice when two burly men walked in and sat down. A little more talking here, mentioning the Order and Patronuses... and then-

[Suddenly, Ron shoves Hermione to the side onto her bench. The tiled wall shatters, hit by spells, and then Harry's voice, though he's nowhere to be seen... And it's chaos for a while. Ron gets bound up, the table explodes, sending Hermione crashing to the floor under it.

[...And finally Hermione pulls both of them out. Eyes wide, she glances back at Draco.]

...I guess Luceti's dampening spells make it a little more difficult than usual.

[...Awkward.]

[Draco's just going to camp out in your memories for a bit, all right? He really has this urge to just go punch Tom Riddle in the mouth though, even if he doesn't quite understand why he's so protective of Hermione right now. He knows how the conversation ends though, but it still ticks him off.

When the memory changes to something else, Draco's slightly started to see Sirius Black with his head sticking out of a fire. He has no idea what's even going on, but he's got a good guess, especially with the word order. He wants to ask about it, but soon the memory's changing again.

...this isn't anything new, why the hell is she showing him a date between her and Weasley? Merlin. Oh. Oh but wait...what is-what the hell? Draco's just going to stare and watch as all hell breaks loose before Hermione kicks him out and he's just staring at her for right now, trying to make sense of all of it.]

...Hermione, what...

[...ehe welcome to what's been our life for the last almost year. She looks a little uncomfortable at first, but at least it wasn't something ridiculous, like the day she messed with her parents' memories or something... Still...]

...You remember when I told you Harry, Ron, and I have been on the run for nearly a year? [She breathes again.] That was the start of it. Those two men were Death Eaters. Dolohov and Rowle.

[Feel free to pry, Draco.]

[What the bloody hell and a half. He's just going to stare at her while trying to process all of this.]

What were they doing following you three, exactly? [He recognizes the names, of course.]

[She hesitates.]

That was August of 1997, after the Death Eaters took over the Ministry. We'd violated the Taboo and they were after Order members.

The Taboo...the one about his name? [He can't quite remember if he heard about it from Harry, Hermione, or Ron, but he totally knows.]

[She nods.] Yes. They were drawn to exactly where we were and since they'd just taken over the Ministry... Harry was their top priority.

...am I involved in this at all?

[wtf why are you asking that?]

Not that I know of. You would have been at home getting ready to go back to Hogwarts.

[Because we're selfish and it's important to know we're not seriously trying to kill you guys.]

...ah. Okay. So what exactly happened that let you three escape?

Escape? From the cafe or... ["from the wedding?"]

[action] - ...SURE WHY NOT

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