Reformation (Book 4 of The Corruption Sequence)

Chapter 6. Plans Into Action

Being back in lessons was harder for Harry than even he had expected. It took a lot to keep himself under control and, by the time evening came along, he had found himself surprisingly tired. He was hungry for more than just food and he had been kind of glad, but also nervous about the fact it was Nev's turn to donate to the cause.

Everyone was there like the time before and the atmosphere was actually friendlier than the previous meeting of all his friends; it seemed they were all relaxing around each other. Of course that only went a certain way to settle Harry's nerves.

When he withdrew his fangs from Nev's wrist, he was rather worried by his friend's expression. He couldn't tell what Nev was thinking at all. Nev had become his rock; the solid friend who wasn't always vocal and wasn't always there with good advice, but who could always be counted on for support. He dreaded having done something that would unsteady that rock. After Hermione's dazed response, he had expected Nev to take a little while to gather himself, but Nev was just sitting there.

"Why do they never tell us this stuff in DADA?" Nev asked, suddenly exploding into motion and throwing his arms into the air in an expression of exasperation. "The Ministry needs beating for their PG rated curriculum."

For a moment there was stunned silence and then Draco was the first to laugh, followed quickly by Hermione and then Ron and Harry managed a smile while blushing madly.

"Longbottom," Draco said and slapped Nev on the shoulder, "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm really beginning to like you."

The way Nev smiled at that had Harry feeling very warm inside; he had never thought he'd hear that either. A Longbottom and a Malfoy, friends: the world was probably about to grind to a halt or something.

"Talking of the Ministry and their fallibility," Hermione said, picking up the glass of butterbeer she had placed on the table earlier, "how is your plan coming along?"

"We're almost there," Harry said, happy to jump into a topic which didn't cause him hideous embarrassment. "Draco insists that we work out a few more dates before we can move forward though."

Draco made an agreeing noise to that and sat down on the sofa next to him as Nev moved to one of the other seats. Harry hadn't been the only one to notice Draco's reaction to him feeding off other people it seemed.

"If the Ministry choose to question us I want to make sure our story is airtight," Draco said simply. "The idiots will probably want a complete list of what we did and when, no matter how personal."

Hermione nodded, clearly showing her displeasure at the Ministry's idiocy.

"I agree," Harry quickly backed up his lover, "but I can't help wanting to get this all over with so you can have your wand back. I'll feel better when you can defend yourself."

He was very unhappy that Draco was having to rely on Crabbe and Goyle, especially when the two could not be with his lover all the time.

"There won't be any more trouble from the Gryffindors," Ron said in a very firm tone that had Harry looking at him.

"What ... you ..?" he asked, not actually sure what Ron might have done.

"We had a word," Hermione told him in a reassuring tone; "told them that you were trying to put everything behind you and the rest of us should set an example as well. Ron gave a lovely speech."

"I even called myself an idiot for that incident right at the beginning," Ron said, smiling sheepishly. "I think they got the message."

"And we'll keep an eye on them to make sure," Nev added resolutely.