Circle of Love

Mariah carefully added the next ingredients to the potion she was brewing, and went to another cauldron to stir another. She was in charge of getting the medical supplies ready for the next week. She unrolled some gauze and poured some healing potions on it, and rerolled them. She placed them in some containers and began the whole process again.

The pile on her work table grew as the time passed, and finally she sat down to breathe. Her hand grabbed the glass of milk that Twinky brought her, and she sipped it as she drew a tired hand across her forehead. The room was over warm from the fires beneath the cauldrons, and she leaned back to fan herself with one hand as she surveyed her handiwork.

The supplies never seemed enough as the weeks passed with war now truly advancing to skirmishes between both factions. So many nameless dead or injured on both sides, but the death of Mad-eye Moody had hit the occupants of Number 12, Grimmauld Place the hardest though. He'd been on patrols with a few other Order members in Ottery St. Catchpole because of all the Death Eater sightings in that area. For safety's sake, the Burrow had been emptied of its Muggleborn families that had been hiding there to farther off locations. The Grangers had been sent to the Delacours in France, and the Creeveys to America.

It had been two months since Snape had told her and Draco they were siblings. Something she truly hadn't expected when she thought of her birth parents; having a brother. With Hermione's help, they had slowly forged a tenuous bond. Usually over the brewing potions that Mariah now tended alone. They, Harry and Ginny had all gone off on a private mission, and she worried for them. They'd gone about three weeks ago also, and had returned with Harry a bloody mess. Draco had supported him beneath one arm as they walked into the sitting room and it had taken a lot of different spells to finally cure the hex that Bellatrix had cast on him. The only thing that Mariah could figure out is what ever they had gone in search of hadn't been found- and it had been a trap.

Snape had been called off to the Dark Lord's lair repeatedly the past month, and would often return in the same condition as Harry had. Her brother's compassion towards him had her softening somewhat in her regards to him. It was still so very hard to want to accept the truths, but she did. The Sanders would always be her parents in her eyes and Caleb her brother, but now her heart was opening to accept more into it.

Mariah worried the most for Caleb and the others in Hogwarts. The reports were that the Death Eaters had laid siege to the school, and while they couldn't get inside, those inside were trapped. Her first initial reaction upon hearing had made her feet fly towards the entryway door to get to Cal. The only thing that had stopped her was Snape's arm wrapping around her to hold her back. She had fought and struggled against him, until finally growing tired and had burst into tears. He had stood unwavering as she had kicked and screamed, only a slight wince had shown on his face when her foot had connected with his knee.

“Mariah!” Draco had called to her once she landed on the floor. “Running off is not going to help Caleb!” He wrapped his arms around her, and felt the tears she was shedding soak into his shoulder. “We all have friends there,” He reminded her, his hand brushing over her hair lightly, “We will get them out.” He tried to reassure her, but was hardly assured himself. Pansy and Blaise were caught inside also, and very little of their safety trickled out. The only comfort Draco derived was the fact Snape was the one focusing on getting the wards dropped. He would delay the inevitable as long as he reasonably could without bringing too much notice to it. Hopefully by that point, Potter and company would have the last known Horcrux destroyed.

The Ministry had been infiltrated, and most of the surviving members of that were in hiding. The Minister himself had been killed, thereby Voldemort thought the 'good' side was leaderless. Schacklebolt had stepped up, and between him and Remus with the Order, were finally somewhat banded together.

The sound of breaking glass could be heard as Mariah's milk glass hit the hard wood floor with a tinkling sound as it shattered. She'd been startled by the sounds of a slamming door and a commotion in the hallway. It had her running towards the entry of the house in a panic. Remus and Tonks stood there with another Order member who she recognized by the locks of vibrant red hair. He lifted his head, and Mariah gasped. Remus had one arm tucked beneath Charlie Weasley's arm to support him as he stood weakly beside him; one hand clutching a folded piece of cloth to his side. The crimson color growing deeper as they stood there. Mariah stood there transfixed by the sight, her eyes wide open as her steps stopped at the doorway.

“Mariah!” Remus said as he turned to see her standing there, “Go fetch the potions kit, Charlie's been hurt and we need to stop the blood.” His words drew her out of her shock to nod in understanding. She ran down the hall to the lab, grabbed the box of potions and some of the bandages she had just prepared. By the time she'd returned to the hall, they'd gotten Charlie down on the settee in the sitting room.

“What happened?” Mariah asked and watched worriedly from the sidelines with Tonks by her side. She moved closer and conjured up a bowl of warm water and a cloth. Kneeling next to Remus, she began to wipe at Charlie's battered face. Cuts and scratches lined it and his arms, and with each touch of the cloth fresh blood oozed out.

“I tried to fly a dragon into Hogwarts,” Charlie admitted with a grin before Remus could speak. “Bloody damn wards blocked me!” He said with a small laugh, and then a slight groan as Remus uncovered the wound in his side.

“Almost got caught by Macnair- bloody fool trick.” Remus muttered out, his eyes never leaving the cut as he poured a few potions on it. “Your mother would have had your head if she knew- and mine.”

“I thought you went back to the dragon compound?” Mariah asked him, finally dropping the cloth back into the bowl. She stood up and placed it on the sideboard, and watched as Remus finished patching up the wound.

“I've been with a group in Hogsmeade trying to get into Hogwarts. Bloody Death Eaters have every avenue blocked. I was hoping the dragon could fly me high enough over the school to get in.” Charlie's shoulders shrugged again, and with a last gasp of pain, he looked at Remus' handiwork.

“Charlie Weasley!” Tonks exclaimed while walking over to him. She brushed back the wizard's red hair from his forehead lightly with one hand. “You plan on giving your mum a heart attack from worry?” She looked at the scratches on his face herself, and sighed. Her hand brushed against her stomach to sooth the baby's kicking as she talked. “I almost wish you had gotten in.”

“We'll get in eventually.” Charlie assured her with a wince as he looked around the room. “Least my dragon toasted a couple of them before having to fly off back to the compound.” He laughed and leaned his head back onto the settee's cushions. He and Tonks had been in Hogwarts together, and their friendship had lasted throughout the years. “Where are Ginny and Harry?” He asked finally after noticing that they were missing from the room.

Ginny stood next to Harry as the four of them looked down the narrow, dirty alleyway in Diagon Alley. Before Mundungus Fletcher had died to wounds inflicted by Bellatrix Lestrange, he had admitted to Harry that he had sold the necklace and other stuff he had stolen from the Headquarters to a small antique store on Knockturn Alley.

Hermione and Draco stood near them in the shadows created by the buildings. “I have to do this,” He whispered into her ear. She looked away from him silently, and her teeth gnawing at her bottom lip was the only sign she showed of her nervousness.

“We don't even know which shop he sold it to, or if it's even still there.” Hermione replied after a minute of thought. She turned her eyes back to him, and he sighed. The sadness he saw there made him place his arms around her waist. He grinned when her hands went to his shoulders.

Draco swiftly dipped his head to place his lips against hers. He felt her hands gather around his cheeks as he deepened the kiss, and he ignored the slight snort and mumbled 'We don't have time for this,' that Harry muttered out. His hands pulled her closer to him until there wasn't anything separating them.

Breaking away finally, he pressed his forehead against hers as he looked into her eyes. “I have that to come back to, love.” Draco whispered and felt the slight nod of her head against his. He pulled away from her to turn to look at Harry finally. “I'm ready.”

Harry handed him the faux necklace, and Draco slipped it around his neck. The metal was cold against his skin, and his finger traced the 'S' that was emblazoned into it. He slipped it beneath the collar of his dark colored shirt. He took out his wand and began to transfigure his hair to a darker color, and his eyes turned to a deep brown. The stubble that covered his face was quickly changed to match his hair.

“So- you like?” Draco asked as he turned back to look at Hermione. Her eyebrow quirked, and her eyes looked him up and down. The week they'd been away from the Headquarters had been mostly on the run after talking to Dung at the Order encampment just outside of borders around Hogwarts.

“Nice,” Hermione replied with a shake of her head. Her bushy curls bounced with it and she frowned. “I prefer you as a blond though.” She didn't mention the fact that with his eyes the brown color like hers she couldn't see him as him anymore. Hopefully the changes would fool any Death Eater that caught sight of him. Usually the four of them stuck together in their search, but this time they couldn't. One person would create less of a stir in the heavily overrun Diagon and Knockturn Alleys than the four of them blundering around. Plus Draco's Dark Mark would actually benefit him this time.

Draco drew his Death Eater robes from his pack, and drew them on. He grinned again when Hermione's fingers drew up the hood for him. “Just...” She looked him in the eyes, “Come back to me.”

With a silent nod of his head Draco turned from her to look at Harry. The look of understanding passed between them. Two months of traveling together had given both of them a grudging respect for each other. Neither would ever say they were friends, but they trusted each other with their lives and their companions' lives also.

Draco placed the mask on his face, and adjusted the hood farther up. Without a word he turned and headed out into the crowded street of Knockturn Alley.

Hermione took a few steps forward, her hand reaching out and Ginny moved to grab it. “No,” she whispered to her friend. “Let him go.” Hermione's eyes turned sadly back to look at Ginny. Her fear for him shown quite plainly on her face, and she jerked her hand out of her friend's hand.

“He'll be fine,” Harry said, pushing his glasses up his nose with one finger. His hand went to the back of his head as he rubbed it with uncertainty. How could he reassure her when he himself was worried. They'd never split up before, but he was glad he could trust Malfoy. He walked up to Hermione and placed his hand on her shoulder. Ginny joined them, and they all waited for Draco's return. The February snow drifted down on them, and the heat from their bodies made it melt slightly into their warm winter robes.

Draco had gone through two different Dark Art antique stores with little success. He was using the faux necklace as an example. The story was that he wanting to buy a matching one for a friend. Neither shopkeeper had seen the artifact before, and Draco moved with dread towards the last one. He'd hoped to avoid Borgin & Burke's, but it was to no avail. Too bad Fletcher had died before revealing the name of the shop.

Draco hated the place and the memories it held for him. The cabinet where the Death Eaters had entered Hogwarts that dismal night had come from here. Also his father was a frequent visitor there. He could only hope that today was not one of the days his father would stop by. He didn't think he could maintain the illusions he'd casted upon himself with his anger and revulsion for the man who had sired him.

Malfoy heard the tinkle of the bell announcing his presence as he entered the shop. He carefully looked around, and found it empty of customers- not even the shopkeeper was out in the main room. His eyes scanned the artifacts for anything he thought they could use while he looked for the necklace. The place and items hadn't changed much over the last visit he'd had over a year ago.

Borgin stepped out from behind a curtain leading to the back room. “Hello friend!” He said in an over cheery shopkeeper voice. “How may I help you this fine day?” He asked as he looked Draco's robes up and down. The Dark Lord's take-over the area had his business booming, and it looked to him he had a new customer from it.

“I was looking for a gift for a friend,” Draco said in a gruff sounding voice to cover his own. His hand reached up to finger the locket again, but he left it tucked under his collar. He was hoping Borgin would offer it up on his own. “A necklace for a Valentine's gift. You know?” He had taken the mask off upon entering, and the hood had fallen back. He winked with his words to add an understanding to his request.

“I have many necklaces and other pieces of jewelry. Rings, bracelets, earrings,” Borgin began to list them off eagerly as he pulled open a drawer. “Some are expensive, some are probably within range of,” He coughed slightly, unsure how much the wizard in front of him was willing to pay. “The working class man.” His fingers moved through the jewelry lying on a soft white cloth. The contents glittered with precious metals and gems in the harsh lighting of the store. Draco could almost see the man rubbing his hands together in anticipation of a sale, and he held back a snort of derision. He'd also had always hated the shopkeeper's greedy nature.

“Just a necklace,” Draco repeated, and winked again. “Her neck is lovely- long and thin, and I want to see my gift around it.” His eyes peered over the counter to see into the drawer, but he couldn't see anything similar to the one he himself wore around his neck. Would Dung had lied even while dying? The thought ran through Draco's mind, and he held back a groan of frustration. He pulled it out from beneath his collar, “I want a matching one like this.” He said finally, “Nothing like placing my own mark on a girl, you know?” He smirked and quirked an eyebrow at the older wizard. “When I purchased this one a few years ago, the seller told me that he had had one just like it. But it had been stolen.” Draco shrugged his shoulders.

“I had a pretty one close to it- all gold and shiny. Real old though,” Borgin said as Draco pulled out a heavy bag full of galleons to hasten the shopkeeper up. He looked at the Death Eater in front of him. There was an air of familiarity to him, but Borgin couldn't place it. Arrogant, definitely arrogant. Rich by the sounds of that bag of galleons, he thought to himself as he rubbed his hand against his chin. “It was broken though, the chain was fine- but the locket wouldn't open. Not worth much because of that.”

Borgin picked up a thin book from a shelf below the counter. “Someone bought it.” He flipped though the pages, and ran his finger down it. “Ah yes!” He exclaimed with a small chuckle. “One of my best customers.” He snapped the book closed and dropped it back onto its shelf. “I have other lovely things though,” He went on and fumbled through the drawer, totally missing Draco's look of shock and frustration. The sounds of the tinkling bell of the door had him clenching his fist. No way now to pry the name from him with someone else here. He couldn't even sneak behind the counter with the others there.

The shopkeeper turned to the newcomer, and forgot the young wizard for the time. Draco ignored their words as he again looked around the shop. He had to get his hands on that book to see who had the necklace now. It's time to get out of here, tell Potter and the girls, he headed for the door, and stopped short at the seeing the new customer. Severus Snape, he nodded his head to both men.

“Perhaps another time,” Draco said to the shopkeeper in the gruff tone he had adopted. Severus Snape arched an eyebrow at him. Bloody hell! “If the necklace happens to get returned by that bloke, send word to Artie,” His mind thought quickly on a last name, and he prayed to the Fates neither noticed the slight hesitation. “Davis at the Leaky Cauldron. I'll be there a few days.” He placed the mask back on his face and pulled his hood back up.

“Will do Mr Davis!” Borgin called out as the bell over the door tinkled and Draco slipped back out into the crowded streets of Knockturn Alley. He pushed his way through as he headed back to where he left the others. He couldn't even imagine how they were ever going to get that necklace now. It could be anywhere, or even in the Dark Lord's possession now. Maybe not, he wants his 'souls' kept separate, Draco thought as he saw the alley with the other three in it. The sharp clap on his shoulder made him stop, and he felt his eyes widen in fear.

“Who are you?” The hiss ran through Draco's ear, the hand on his shoulder tightening in its grip. He could see the others in the alley shrink back into the shadows deeper.