15 June 1996: A Dark Storm Rising

The one person I could think of that would make the biggest statement that I was against the Dark Lord would be my own father... which I may end up killing in the end, even if it was not by my own hand.  I knew there was no way I could do that.  As much as my father made me miserable at times, he was still my father.  "As of right now my plan is to stall for as long as possible before I figure out what I'm going to do," I admitted.  It was a bad idea for the moment, but it was all I had to try to avoid facing the facts.

At least there was some hope. In Draco's statement, he admitted that there were some second thoughts about whatever it was that he'd promised his family and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. A small smile crept into my face as I said, "If there's anything I can do to help, I want you to ask."

I smiled at him, glad that despite everything that we had to go through in our lives, that things between us seemed to never change.  "The same is extended to you, Blaise.  I almost feel like you're in more immediate danger than I am," I told him.  He had openly made his decision.

I nodded. "Of course," I said, a half-smile stretching into the corner of my mouth. I could only hope that Draco would side with the right army.

I sighed and shook my head.  "So what are you going to do?  Back to Hogwarts or out on your own?  Either way, you're on the run," I pointed out, wondering what was going to befall my friend.

"If Potter can be safe at Hogwarts, I figure I can be, too," I admitted. I knew Draco and Potter had had their outs in years past, but we couldn't deny that Hogwarts was the safest place for any of us. "I'll just have to sleep with one eye open."

I hoped that were true.  With what I was planning -- or attempting to -- Hogwarts may not become as safe as it once used to be.  "I suppose you're right," I agreed.  If Professor Dumbledore could keep the Dark Lord at bay, then Blaise should be safe... until that all changed anyways.  If it changed.

"Meaning that you'll be safe there, too, Draco," I hinted, hoping that he would come around. "We both know that, in the long run, joining them puts us in more danger than fighting against them."

I nodded slowly.  "But fighting against them puts my family at even greater risk than myself," I added quietly.  I sighed.  "I'll figure something out.  Being at Hogwarts will be the best way for me to do that, too, for the time being."

"Sounds like you belong in Gryffindor," I joked. "Since when does Draco Malfoy care about others?"

I laughed humorlessly.  "When it comes to the well-being of Juniper, I have always cared.  I'm starting to care less and less about my father," I said blatantly.

"I don't blame you there," I said, immediately regretting the attempt at humor. "I know you and Juniper have always been close, Draco. That's not at all what I'm saying. I'm sorry."

I sighed and shook my head.  "No, you're fine... tension is just high and, well, you know," I said, hoping he understood what I meant.  I did not mean to snap at him.  He knew how Juniper and I were together... he had witnessed it plenty of times.

I smiled. "I know," I agreed.

<<Is there anything else they should talk about? I'm kind of out of ideas for this thread.>>