𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧

ACT ONE, CHAPTER THREE
a special invitation.

VENUS HAD TO agree that what Malfoy had done in Knockturn Alley was suspicious, but no one was as obsessed with figuring out what it was about more than Harry. Over the last week of summer break, Venus listened to her boyfriend ask her, Ron, Penelope, and Hermione about what they thought about it. The four of them seemed to have moved past it while Harry decided to talk about it every moment they were alone.

"Yes, I've already agreed it was fishy, Harry," Hermione voiced, quite impatiently. She was sitting on the windowsill in Fred and George's boxes, her feet propped up on one of the cardboard boxes. Hermione had grudgingly looked up from her new copy of Advanced Rune Translation to look at Harry. "But haven't we agreed there could be a lot of explanations?"

"Maybe he's broken his Hand of Glory," Ron vaguely suggested, attempting to straighten the bent tail twigs on his broomstick. "Remember that shriveled-up arm Malfoy had?"

"But what about when he said, Don't forget to keep that one safe?" Harry asked for the umpteenth time, making Venus sigh and continue looking out the window at the sunset. "That sounded to me like Borgin's got another one of the broken objects, and Malfoy wants both."

"You reckon?" Ron replied, now attempting to scrape some dirt off his broom handle.

"Yeah, I do. Malfoy's father's in Azkaban. Don't you think Malfoy'd like revenge?"

Ron looked up at Harry and blinked. "Malfoy, revenge? What can he do about it?"

"That's my point, I don't know!" Harry insisted in exasperation. Venus looked over at him and frowned. "But he's up to something and I think we should take it seriously. His father's a Death Eater and—"

Harry then broke off. His eyes were fixed on the window behind Hermione, his mouth falling open.

Venus felt concern consume her body. "Harry, what's wrong? Is your scar hurting again?"

"He's a Death Eater," Harry breathed out slowly, and Venus' eyes widened in disbelief. "He's a Death Eater. He's replaced his father as a Death Eater!"

Penelope immediately refused, saying that Malfoy wouldn't do that and that Harry was taking this too far.

"It seems very unlikely, Harry," Hermione stated. "What makes you think—?"

"In Madam Malkin's," Harry cut in. "She didn't touch him, but he yelled and jerked his arm away from her when she went to roll up his sleeve. It was his left arm. He's been branded with the Dark Mark."

Venus, Ron, Penelope, and Hermione all shared a look.

"Well . . ." Ron trailed off, sounding thoroughly unconvinced.

"I think he just wanted to get out of there, Harry," Hermione told him.

"He showed Borgin something we couldn't see," Harry insisted stubbornly. "Something that seriously scared Borgin. It was the Mark, I know it — he was showing Borgin who he was dealing with, you saw how seriously Borgin took him!"

Yet another look was exchanged.

"I'm not sure, Harry . . ." Hermione admitted.

"Yeah, I still don't reckon You-Know-Who would let Malfoy join . . ." Ron said.

Harry looked absolutely annoyed. He snatched up a pile of dirty Quidditch robes and left the room. Venus let out a sigh before ultimately deciding to follow them. In her time as being Harry's friend and girlfriend, she had learned not to push him. But she could be a good girlfriend.

Venus caught up to him on the landing. "Harry, hold up for a second."

He turned to look at her. "What? Are you going to tell me that I'm crazy, too?"

"No. You have a theory and I can hear it out if you want me to, but we also have to look at the logic of said theory. Accusations don't really get people far."

Harry's eyes trailed across her face for a second, making Venus' heart beat against her chest. "You want to talk about it?"

"I'm willing to listen," Venus replied. "That's a part of being a good couple, right?"

He looked at her for a moment longer before reaching his hand out. Venus smiled and took it. He brought her closer to him and kissed her temple.

"We are a good couple," Harry admitted.

"I know," Venus responded.

He then looked down at her, and the adoration in his eyes made her mind spin. "I love you."

A bright smile spread across Venus' face — her and Harry hadn't uttered those three words since leaving each other for summer break. "I love you, too."

The two of them then began to descend down the stairs. They met Ginny on the landing, who was going back to her room with a pile of freshly laundered clothes in her arm.

"I wouldn't go in the kitchen just now," Ginny warned them. "There's a lot of Phlegm around."

Venus rolled her eyes. "Ginny."

"I'm just saying."

Sure enough, when they entered the kitchen, they found Fleur sitting at the kitchen table discussing what she wanted in the wedding with Bill. Mrs. Weasley was watching them over a pile of self-peeling sprouts, looking terribly bad-tempered.

". . . Bill and I 'ave almost decided on only two bridesmaids, Ginny and Gabrielle will look very sweet togezzer," Fleur was saying. "I am theenking of dressing zem in pale gold — pink would of course be 'orrible with Ginny's 'air—"

"Ah, Harry, Venus!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed loudly, interrupting Fleur's monologue. "Good, I wanted to explain about the security arrangements for the journey to Hogwarts tomorrow. We've got Ministry cars again, and there will be Aurors waiting at the station—"

"Is Tonks going to be there?" Harry questioned, handing his Quidditch things to Mrs. Weasley.

"No, I don't think so, she's been stationed somewhere else from what Arthur said."

"She has let 'erself go, zat Tonks," Fleur admitted, examining her own reflection in the back of a teaspoon. "A big mistake if you ask—"

"Yes, thank you," Mrs. Weasley interjected. "You'd better get on, Harry, Venus, I want the trunks ready tonight, if possible, so we don't have the usual last-minute scramble."

Their departure the following morning was quite smooth. The Ministry cars had glided up to the front of the Burrow where they were waiting. All of their trunks were ready and packed, Crookshanks (Hermione's cat) was safely enclosed in his traveling basket, and Hedwig, Pigwidgeon, Aria, and Annabeth (Harry's, Ron's, Venus', and Penelope's owls, respectively) and Arnold (Ginny's new purple Pygmy Puff) were in cages.

"Au revoir, 'Arry," Fleur voiced throatily, kissing him goodbye.

Venus smiled at her. "Bye, Fleur. I hope to see you soon."

"Au revior, Venus!"

Ron then hurried forward to say goodbye to Fleur, but Ginny stuck out her foot and tripped him right in front of her. Penelope let out a loud laugh as Ron got up and hurried off to the car.

There wasn't a cheerful Hagrid waiting for them this time. At King's Cross Station, two grim-faced and bearded Aurors in dark Muggle suits moved forward the moment the cars stopped and marched them into the station without speaking.

"Quick, quick, through the barrier," Mrs. Weasley urged, who seemed a little flustered by the efficiency of the Aurors. "Harry had better go first, with—"

She looked inquiringly at one of the Aurors, who nodded briefly. The Auror then seized Harry's upper arm and attempted to steer him toward the barrier between platforms nine and ten.

"I can walk, thanks," Harry told the Auror irritably, ripping his arm out of the Auror's grip.

Venus didn't know why she found that attractive, but she did. Harry then pushed his trolley directly at the solid barrier and disappeared. Venus followed after him and found herself standing on platform nine and three-quarters. The scarlet Hogwarts Express was standing before them, making Venus smile. Hermione, the Weasleys, and Penelope then joined them within seconds. Harry motioned their group to follow him up the platform to look for an empty compartment.

Hermione looked apologetic. "We can't, Harry. Ron, Penelope, and I've got to go to the Prefects' carriage first and then patrol the corridors for a bit."

"Oh yeah, I forgot," Harry responded.

Mrs. Weasley checked her watch. "You'd better get straight on the train, all of you, you've only gota few minutes to go. Well, have a lovely term, Ron. . . ."

"Mr. Weasley, can I have a quick word?" Harry inquired.

He looked slightly surprised. "Of course."

Harry looked back at his girlfriend. "Be right back, Star."

Venus nodded. She allowed Mrs. Weasley to say goodbye to everyone before the woman finally turned to her.

"Thank you for letting me stay at your house for the summer, Mrs. Weasley," Venus said. "I really appreciate the hospitality. My parents told me to say thank you, as well."

Mrs. Weasley smiled at her. "It was no problem, dear. I loved having you at the house. Oh, and tell your parents I said hi when you write to them."

Venus looked back at Harry and Mr. Weasley anxiously. They still seemed to be in conversation, but the train seemed to be about fully boarded and the doors were closing. The whistle then blew.

"Harry, quickly!" Mrs. Weasley instructed.

He hurried forwards. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley helped Venus and Harry load their trunks onto the train.

"Now, dear, you're coming to us for Christmas, it's all fixed with Dumbledore, so we'll see you quite soon," Mrs. Weasley explained to Harry as Venus shut the door behind them and the train began to move. "You make sure you look after yourself and—" the train gathered speed "—be good and—" she was now jogging to keep up "—stay safe!"

Venus and Harry waved until the train turned a corner and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were no longer visible.

"Let's go find a compartment, yeah?" Venus asked.

The two of them started to drag their trunks down the hallway. People stared shamelessly at Harry as he passed and even pressed their faces against the windows of their compartments to get a look at him.

Venus smirked at Harry. "Mr. Popular, huh?"

Harry glared playfully at her. "I hate you."

"You've told me otherwise, love." Venus then tapped Ginny on the shoulder, who was standing in the hallway chatting with some friends. "You want to join us in finding a compartment?"

Ginny offered her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Vennie, but I said I'd meet Dean. If you find Elijah, though, would you tell him I said hi?"

She then walked away, her long red hair dancing behind her. Venus' heart slightly sunk at the thought of confirming the news about Ginny and Dean to Elijah, but then her mood brightened. She would see Charlotte and Elijah again today.

"Hi, Harry!" a voice then said from behind them. "Hi, Venus!"

"Neville!" Harry exclaimed, and him and Venus turned to see Neville struggling towards them.

"Hello, Harry," a girl with long hair and large misty eyes then voiced, who was just behind Neville. "Hello, Venus."

Venus smiled at the girl. "Hi, Luna. How are you?"

Luna was clutching a magazine to her chest, and large letters on the front announced there was a free pair of Spectrespecs inside. "Very well, thank you."

"Quibbler still going strong, then?" Harry questioned.

"Oh yes, circulation's well up."

"Mind if we join you?" a familiar voice then blank.

Venus' head whirled around. Sure enough, standing there were her two best friends — Charlotte Thomas, resident Slytherin, and Elijah Rogers, resident Ravenclaw. They had been the first friends Venus had made when she came to Hogwarts.

"Charlie!" Venus shouted, immediately throwing her arms around the girl.

Charlotte laughed and hugged her back. "Hi, V."

Venus then let her go and hugged Elijah. "How've you guys been?"

"All right," Elijah answered. "We've been looking for you."

"Oh, Ginny told me to say hi for her," Venus admitted. She then gave him a sheepish smile. "She's, uh . . . she's with Dean right now."

The bright expression on Elijah's face dimmed. "Oh. Uh — that's nice of her."

"Let's find seats," Harry announced, seemingly wanting to move past the conversation.

Their group of six set off along the train through groups of silently staring Hogwarts students. Finally, they found an empty compartment, and Harry ducked inside it gratefully.

Neville gestured to himself and Luna. "They're even staring at us! Because we're with you!"

"They're staring at you because you were at the Ministry too," Harry corrected, hoisting his trunk onto the luggage rack. He lifted up Venus' as well, making her smile at him graciously. "Our little adventure there was all over the Daily Prophet, you must've seen it."

"Yes, I thought Gran would be angry about all the publicity, but she was really pleased. Says I'm starting to live up to my dad at long last. She bought me a new wand, look!" He pulled out a wand and showed it to them excitedly, but Venus frowned. Neville should've gotten his own wand in the first place and should've always lived up to his dad. "Cherry and unicorn hair. We think it was one of the last Ollivander ever sold, he vanished next day — oi, come back here, Trevor!"

Neville then dived under the seat to retrieve his toad. Venus sat down on the seat with a small laugh. Harry then instantly locked their hands together as he sat down next to her.

"Are we still doing D.A. meetings this year, Harry?" Luna inquired.

"No point now we've got rid of Umbridge, is there?" Harry countered.

"Aw," Charlotte commented, crossing her arms. "But those were wicked fun. I liked blasting Neville across the room."

Neville bumped his head against the seat as he emerged from under it, his face burning as she smirked at him. "Come on, Char."

"I enjoyed the meetings too," Luna agreed serenely. "It was like having friends."

Venus frowned. Before anyone could respond, there was a disturbance outside their compartment door. A group of fourth-year girls were whispering and giggling with each other on the other side of the glass. Venus stared at them in confusion.

"You ask him!"

"No, you!"

"I'll do it!" One of them, a bold-looking girl with large dark eyes, a prominent chin, and long black hair pushed her way through the door. "Hi, Harry, I'm Romilda, Romilda Vane. Why don't you join us in our compartment? You don't have to sit with them."

She added the last part in a stage whisper. Romilda then indicated to Neville's bottom as he groped around under the seat again for Trevor, Luna's face as she wore her free Spectrespecs, the figure of Elijah who was reading a book, and how Charlotte was in the middle of braiding her hair.

Her eyes then set on his and Venus' interlocked hands. She glared at Venus, like that was supposed to affect her at all. Venus merely raised an eyebrow at her. Romilda Vane wasn't exactly intimidating, and Venus' wasn't insecure in her relationship to be jealous of things like this.

"And who says he'd want to sit with you?" Charlotte argued, not even looking at the girl as she continued to braid her hair.

Harry nodded in agreement, a stone-cold look on his face. "They're friends of mine."

Romilda looked very surprised. "Oh. Oh. Okay."

And with that, she withdrew, sliding the door shut behind her.

"People expect you to have cooler friends than us," Luna said.

"Trust me, Luna, no one is cooler than us," Charlotte responded as she tied off her braid. "I mean, who else can read books faster than Elijah?"

"Hermione," Elijah voiced.

"I'm trying to make a point here."

"Sorry. Thanks, Lottie."

"You are cool," Harry argued. "None of them was at the Ministry. They didn't fight with me."

Luna beamed. "That's a very nice thing to say."

"We didn't face him, though," Neville stated, now emerging from under the seat with dust in his hair and Trevor in his hand. "You and Penelope did. You should hear my gran talk about you. That Harry Potter's got more backbone than the whole Ministry of Magic put together! She'd give anything to have you as a grandson. She didn't say much about Penelope, but that's because of, you know . . ."

Harry let out an uncomfortable laugh and quickly changed the subject to O.W.L. results. Neville recited his grades and wondered aloud whether he could be allowed to take a Transfiguration N.E.W.T. with only an Acceptable. Meanwhile, Elijah had admitted that he had gotten all Outstandings — no surprise there. He had stressed so hard last semester over what his parents would think if he didn't get an Outstanding on everything, and he had finally proved them wrong.

Venus then looked over at her boyfriend, who had a strange expression on his face, and nudged his shoulder. "What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"

Harry blinked and his face flushed a light shade of red. "Sorry — I—"

"Wrackspurt got you?" Luna asked sympathetically, looking at Harry through her enormous Spectrespecs.

"I — what?"

"A Wrackspurt . . . they're invisible. They float in through your ears and make your brain go fuzzy. I thought I felt one zooming around in here."

She waved her hands at thin air like she was beating off invisible flies. The conversation hastily changed to the subject of Quidditch.

The weather outside of the train windows was patchy, like it had been all summer. They passed through chilling mist then clear sunlight. Finally, during one of the clear spells, where the sun was visible almost directly overhead, Ron and Hermione joined them.

"Wish the lunch trolley would hurry up, I'm starving," Ron admitted longingly, sitting besides Harry and rubbing his stomach. "Hi, Neville. Hi, Luna. Hi, Charlie. Hi, Eli. Guess what?" He then turned to Harry. "Malfoy's not doing Prefect duty. He's just sitting in his compartment with the other Slytherins, we saw him when we passed."

Harry sat up straighter, obviously interested. Venus' eyebrows knit in confusion. Malfoy wouldn't have given up such power like that.

"Huh," Charlotte commented. "Well, he's a loser, so."

"What did he do when he saw you?" Harry questioned.

"The usual," Ron replied, demonstrating a rude hand gesture. "Not like him, though, is it? Well — that is—" he did the hand gesture again "—but why isn't he out there bullying first years?"

"Dunno."

"Maybe he preferred the Inquisitorial Squad," Hermione suggested. "Maybe being a prefect seems a bit tame after that."

"I don't think so," Harry responded. "I think he's—"

Before he could further expand on his theory, the compartment door slid open. A breathless girl stepped inside.

Charlotte blinked. "Who the hell are you?"

"Lottie," Elijah scolded.

"Oops, sorry."

"I'm supposed to deliver these to Neville Longbottom, Venus Black, and Harry P-Potter," the girl explained.

She faltered as her eyes met Harry's, and her face immediately turned scarlet. The girl was holding out three scrolls of parchment tied with violet ribbon. Venus' eyebrows knit in confusion as she took the scroll addressed to her. Once the scrolls were delivered, the girl stumbled back out of the compartment.

"What is it?" Ron demanded as they opened their invitations.

"An invitation," Harry answered, and Venus looked down at her parchment.

Venus,
I would be delighed if you would join me for a bite of lunch in compartment C.
Sincerely,
𝒫𝓇𝑜𝒻𝑒𝓈𝓈𝑜𝓇 𝐻.𝐸.𝐹. 𝒮𝓁𝓊𝑔𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓃

"Who's Professor Slughorn?" Neville inquired.

"New teacher," Harry replied. "Well, I suppose we'll have to go, won't we?"

"But what does he want me for?"

"No idea. Listen, let's go under the Invisibility Cloak, then we might get a good look at Malfoy on the way, see what he's up to."

Venus rolled her eyes once more. Harry was becoming a bit obsessed with Draco Malfoy.

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charlie and elijah are literally my favs ugh I love them