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Tracey straightened her robe, ready for the Hogsmeade weekend. It would be nice to get out of the castle for a few hours, to pretend that things were normal. Things in Slytherin House had already been tense last year, when it was an open secret among them that Potter was right, the Dark Lord was back. And this time around, he was moving quicker. He’d revealed himself in the Ministry and had marked Malfoy during the summer. Some Slytherins were even jealous to not have been marked yet either. She barely managed not to shudder. Hopefully she’d be able to avoid them today and could instead enjoy the day with Daphne.
She checked the time. Daphne was likely already outside, catching up with Astoria, before the two of them would spend the day together. She went down to the common room, ready to join her. Before she could reach the entrance, however, Parkinson, Nott and Hicks, a seventh year, blocked her path.
“And where are you going?” Parkinson sneered.
Tracey was tempted to point out that it was obvious but thought better of it. Daphne could still say something like that, not her. So she did her best to keep her voice level. “Hogsmeade.”
“And what are you planning there?” Nott asked. “Leading a proper pureblood witch astray?”
Her breath caught. She’d tried so hard to hide her feelings for Daphne, both because she did not want to jeopardize their friendship and because she’d been afraid of a situation like this.
“Ah, Tracey, there you are,” Zabini interrupted. He did not even acknowledge the other three and instead smiled at her and offered her his arm. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Ready for our date?”
It took her a moment to understand his plan but then she put her hand on his arm. “I haven’t been waiting too long, no, so you’re forgiven.”
He gave the other three Slytherins a condescending look when they tried to stare them down. “Nott. Hicks. Parkinson.”
After a long, tense moment, Nott stepped aside. “Zabini.”
Zabini didn’t speak another word, just led her out of their common room.
“Thank you,” she said when they were far enough away.
“For once my mother’s reputation is of use. They are interested in money and murder.”
“Alleged murder,” she corrected, the way he’d often done.
His lips twitched. “Alleged murder,” he echoed.
They fell silent but kept walking arm in arm.
“I’m sorry if you had plans for today,” Tracey said.
“Nothing beyond getting out of the castle for an afternoon. It’s more your plans that have fallen through now, haven’t they?”
She swallowed hard. “They have.” And not just today. This had been the first time they’d felt safe enough to confront her and she knew that it would not be the last time, not if she stayed close to Daphne. “I’m surprised they didn’t protest the idea of my dating you as well.”
“Why protest my choosing a halfblood as my first victim?” he said, voice low but with an almost unnoticeable brittle note to it.
She bit her lip. She’d heard the jokes, of course, wondering if he would be a black widow like his mother, wondering what witch or wizard would be foolish enough to marry him. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged.
She considered her options. For today at the very least they would have to keep pretending. But it also wasn’t like the situation in school was likely to improve anytime soon. “Are they expecting for you to take a certain time before you...?” ‘Murder me for all my family possess' seemed too crass to say out loud.
“We’re both still underage. I wouldn’t gain anything from your death unless we’re at least engaged, so we have time until we turn 17.” He himself had already turned 17 in the fall.
That still gave them a few months, if they kept pretending. For once she was glad to be among the youngest in their year.
“Dating will be a good excuse for why you are no longer as close to Greengrass.”
True. She'd have to figure out how to sell her sudden interest in Zabini but otherwise a new relationship would be a believable reason for being busy. “And you? What do you get out of a relationship with me?”
“Aside from spending time with one of the few reasonable Slytherins in our year? I’m hoping there will be fewer recruitment speeches if I’m busy.” He fell silent, then admitted quietly: “And it will be a welcome distraction.”
She appreciated the honesty and decided to repay it by not asking further. “So where are you taking me for our date?”
~*~
Their Hogsmeade visit turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable. They spend a few hours browsing in the bookstore, debating the merits of their favourite authors and making fun of some of the latest ‘bestsellers’. It seemed some had been inspired by Lockhart. It hadn’t been as good as spending the day with Daphne would have been, of course, but leagues better than it would have been if Zabini had ignored her predicament.
But she still dreaded what she knew awaited her back in their room.
“I didn’t know you had a date. Or that you’re interested in Zabini,” Daphne said when she entered the dorm.
Tracey used the excuse of putting away the books she’d bought to avoid meeting Daphne's gaze. “His invitation was very spontaneous. And he’s very fit.” She might not be interested in men but she wasn’t blind.
“And did you enjoy your date?”
“I did. I even agreed to a second date already.”
“Oh.”
She couldn’t place the tone of her voice but didn’t dare look up to try and read her face.
“I... hope he’s treating you well,” Daphne offered. Tone harder, she added: “Or he’ll have to answer to me.”
At this, Tracey just had to smile at her. “Thanks Daphne.”
~*~
Their plan worked out well. She noticed Parkinson, Nott and others of their allies watching her, but they didn’t confront her again and even reduced their scrutiny the less time she spent with Daphne. It hurt to have to keep her distance but she could deal with it. Perhaps she’d be able to meet with Daphne over the summer and explain everything. And Blaise was becoming a close friend. She wouldn’t want to miss the friendship.
She was walking on her own when someone grabbed her arm. She tensed, letting her wand slide into her hand, but relaxed when she saw it was Blaise. Then she noticed his expression. “Blaise?”
“How quickly can you pack? At least the essentials.”
“I mastered that spell, so just moments. Why do you ask? What’s going on?”
He pulled her along to their common room. “We’re eloping.”
She stopped and stared at him. “Have you lost your mind?”
He looked around to make sure no one would overhear. “Draco warned me it’s going down tonight. Some kind of attack on Hogwarts.”
“Fuck.” As one of the few halfblood Slytherins, it would be dangerous for her, no matter who won. She hurried her steps. “What about the others?”
“Greengrass is a pure blood. The Death Eaters won’t hurt her and the house and her family's reputation will protect her from retaliation from the other houses.”
That was a relief but not what she was talking about. “I meant the other Slytherin halfbloods.”
“Tracey...”
She just stared at him, not saying a word.
Finally he sighed. “Grab the girls, I’ll get the firstie.”
She flashed him a smile. “Thank you.”
It took just a few moments before they met up again in the corridor outside their common room. Her heart ached at how quickly the three younger half bloods had been ready, clearly expecting that they might need to flee. It was helpful right now, but they should not have to be prepared for this. She should not have to worry about fleeing.
Silently, they made their way out of the castle, careful not to draw attention. Fortunately Slytherins were known to walk in groups, for their own safety, so their leading the younger students through the corridors wouldn’t be too out of the norm.
“What do we do now?” Hall, a third year, asked when they were outside.
“We make for Hogsmeade,” Tracey said. “If we’re lucky, someone will let you contact your parents, have them pick you up.”
“And then what?”
“Get out of the country, if you can. Lay low if you don’t. Avoid the magical community, at least until it’s over. Or even longer, until emotions have settled somewhat,” Blaise said. “You don’t want to be the second Thorebourne.”
“Who?” Miller asked. She was in her fifth year but had always kept her distance from other students, even in their house, so it was not too surprising that she was not familiar with it.
“A mixed family after the first war. The husband was a Slytherin, his wife was a Muggle. They were attacked during the celebrations that Halloween, because people expected them to sympathizers of the Dark Lord. She’s still in the spell damage ward.”
The younger students blanched. Tracey had no words of comfort to offer. Yes, Blaise could have been less blunt, but they needed to understand the danger they were in.
Philipps, the first-year, gasped suddenly. They followed his gaze back to the castle.
The Dark Mark floated over the Astronomy Tower.
She closed her eyes, trying to strike the sight from her memory. “Let’s hurry.”
~*~
They only slowed down when they reached Hogsmeade. Like so often during the past few months, their found themselves in front of the bookstore, though it was closed already for the day.
“Miss Davis? Mister Zabini?” Raycraft, the owner stepped out of the dark shop. “What are you doing here at this time of the night?”
“The castle is under attack. Can you call the aurors?” she asked. Who knew if the teachers were able to call for help in time. “And... if you know a safe place for them for the night?” She nodded towards the younger children.
“Of course. Come in.” He let them into the store, then went to his office. They could hear him and the auror talk through the open door. He soon returned, carrying parchment and quills. “You can borrow my owls. I have a few, in case books have to be delivered. Or use my fireplace.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He waved them off. “The five of you are also welcome to stay the night.”
“Thank you, but Tracey and I will leave. They’ll also be easier to hide, the fewer they are,” Blaise said. “I have my apparition licence already, so we will leave on our own.”
“They’ll be safe here until they can be reunited with their parents?” she asked, needing to make sure.
“They will. My word as a fellow Slytherin halfblood.”
She allowed herself to relax somewhat. That was them taken care of. “Thank you.” She nodded to the younger students, then she and Blaise went back outside.
For a long moment, they just stood there side by side, facing in the direction the castle lay in.
“It’s lucky Malfoy warned you.”
He kept looking off into the distance. “He said he knew I wouldn’t want your death, that I’d want you safe.” His lips twitches, neither a smile nor a frown. “So he kissed me and told me to get out with you.”
She stared at him, then said: “So he knows you well enough to know you’re not a murderer or someone who’d lead a girl on, but not well enough to tell that we’re not serious?”
“How’s Greengrass taking our dating?”
She winced. Good point. “Guess we’re good actors.” She continued more softly: “I left her a note, that there’s an attack, that she should take care, and that I’m leaving.”
“Not that you love her?”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to come back.” If she’d live through the upcoming war. “It felt wrong to tell her under the circumstances, especially through a letter.” She paused. “Not sure where that leaves me.”
He gave her a crooked grin and offered his arm.