PART 40

                                          A WAR was coming.

It was ever-present , looming in the air like the humid shadows of rain-filled clouds , molten into the putrid smell of wet ashes - and the occasional deluge could only keep it away for a few lasting moments , before it crawled into the hearts of all once again - an omnipotent reminder of what was to come in the near future.

And yet , when the boy with platinum hair looked at the girl with cerulean eyes , her hands tucked into the pockets of her trousers , hair escaping the woollen cap on her head ; as well as at the rest of his friends fooling around - sounds of their laughter feasibly melting into the chatter of the crowd , he felt as though nothing had really changed in the past few months. Swathes of silver snow lay across the cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade. Wreaths of golden leaves , tiny bronze bells and strings of fairy lights adorned the shop fronts and the wooden shingles - the sun hidden behind the briny sky.

Before long however , he saw Evanna pull Pansy away from the crowd.

"Go ahead" , Evanna said. "Pansy and I will catch you later."

Draco raised a brow. "Join us soon", He affirmed - and the others nodded , before walking away. Pansy turned to face Evanna , questioning ,"What ?"

Evanna beckoned Pansy , the latter rubbing her hands together for she had forgotten her gloves -both falling into step beside each other as Evanna spoke ,"I saw the Golden Trio walking towards the Shrieking Shack. They were saying something about horcruxes."

Pansy's eyes widened. "How did they know about horcruxes ?"

"Which is why I want to follow them."

"And so you asked me to.... tag along ?"

"Makes it less suspicious , we could just be two students passing by."

"You know that is not true."

The duo trudged through the snow ,  the wind biting at their skin , the white hush of early December strangely calming. They strolled casually through the streets lined with emerald pines - shreds of the deepest shades of green appearing between the brutal , unforgiving ice that lacerated the ground. The Trio walked ahead of them ,and Pansy could clearly see Hermione irately shake her head at some possibly foolish prospect Harry or Ron may have presented. 

They halted in their steps when the Gryffindors a few feet ahead of them stopped , both Evanna and Pansy hiding behind a tree.

"We could always use an Invisibility charm to get closer and hear what they are saying" ,Pansy muttered.

"Yes , and that would leave footprints in the snow close to them ,  which they would quite blatantly see", Evanna whispered back - brows furrowing in concentration as she tried to lip-read them for the Trio spoke in controlled , hushed voices.

"They plan to ask Slughorn about the horcruxes."

The sudden statement that pierced the silence which had lingered for a long moment surprised Pansy - as she arched a brow ,  whispering "And they expect him to tell them everything ?"

"Slughorn is guilt-ridden at the moment - he was the one who told the Dark Lord how to make horcruxes."

"That is a good plan", Pansy admitted with a sigh.

"Which is why I can't believe that Potter came up with this."

"Who knows ? Maybe Granger finally brewed him a Wit-Sharpening potion."

A small chuckle tore from Evanna's throat , before she inferred ,"They don't know about the horcruxes yet. They are still a few steps behind , and I don't think there's any information worth staying here for."

Pansy nodded , before the duo quietly slipped away - lurking in the shadows of the trees before melting into the unwavering throng of students crowding the streets of Hogsmeade. Before Pansy could walk away towards the pub , Evanna tugged at the Slytherin girl's hand once again - making the latter halt in her steps and look at her with an enquiring look.

"I need to go to Scrivenshaft's to buy a few quills. Tell the others that I'll join them in fifteen minutes", Evanna affirmed - and Pansy responded with a single nod before watching as the Ravenclaw effectively melted into the crowd. Snowflakes tickled at her skin - the air still as Pansy trudged through the ivory snow towards the Three Broomsticks for a warm dreg of butterbeer.

                                                         __________________________

 Katie swung open the door to the restroom , throat still tight and parched from the hysterical laughter that had bubbled not moments ago. Leanne's odd sense of humour never failed to crack her up. Her cheeks were flushed with the remnants of cheer , raven hair curling onto her shoulders. Tightening her coat around her as an out-of-place chill crept up her spine , Katie leaned over the basins , washing her hand.

For some reason , the Gryffindor felt as though someone was watching her. Shaking off the sensation that she deemed to be her illusion , her caramel eyes drifted towards the grimy walls of the tiny restroom , the line of washroom stalls with doors that had rusted handles. Connecting her gaze with that of her reflection , she closed the faucet - wiping her hands on her handkerchief.

Katie's blood froze as she felt a cold , ring-clad hand clamp around her mouth , the cold metal of it pressing onto her lips - choking back her screams , the end of a wand pressing to her left temple.

Not long passed before a searing heat travelled through her veins , making her feel as though her bones were melting - and darkness was all she could fathom.

                                                        ______________________________

From beside Katie , silver dust shimmering in the air , and Evanna materialised , her invisibility charm wearing off , holding tight to the unconscious Gryffindor girl's shoulders before she completely slumped to the ground.

It hadn't been difficult to enter the pub through the back door , albeit there had been a couple of wards which had pegged her for bare moments before all locks fell open and she was free to pass through the door that only staff was allowed to use. Lucky for her , the crowd at the Three Broomsticks was almost impenetrable - and she had easily pushed her way towards the girl's washroom - awaiting the arrival of anyone who entered the washroom first , having concealed herself effectively with a charm. Katie Bell just happened to be the victim.

"Imperio", The Ravenclaw casted - and Katie's eyes opened , although her warm irises were clouded with a pale ivory colour. Katie stood up slowly , Evanna assisting her with a monotonous appearance. The Gryffindor's body stood erect , shoulders stiff as she awaited the command.

Evanna's hand slipped inside the fabric of her coat , and she pulled out an intricately wrapped box.

"Take this to Dumbledore", Evanna ordered - receiving a nod from Katie , who took it without hesitation.

"Wait here. Exit the restroom a few minutes after I do."

With those last words , she left Katie Bell standing - pushing open the door , and vanishing down the aisle. The air was tangy , almost as though it were marred  by sea salt - and Evanna did not once look back , only putting on an easy smile as she found her friends at a table.

"Hey", She greeted , slipping into a seat next to Draco - the boy smiling at her , before she ordered a warm drink for herself.

                                                    ____________________________

Draco watched with an amused look as Evanna practically raided Honeydukes. 

Blaise had said he had some 'business' , but Draco was well aware that the former followed Luna into a bookshop. Pansy had announced she was tired , and had left early. 

He watched as she went from one shelf to another , eyes raking each type of sweet with precision - before carefully selected an entire lot of all that she wanted to have. It had been ten minutes since Theo , Daphne , Evanna and he had entered the shop - and the Ravenclaw already held a pile of candies that towered over her head.

"Are you going to eat all of that ?", He questioned , mirth glistening in his grey eyes.

"Of course not , I am going to arrange them in glass shelves. They will make lovely showpieces , won't they ?" , came her muffled reply.

Draco simply rolled his eyes. He was a sweet fanatic , and yet he held only two packets of peppermint candies and a sugar quill.

He tapped his foot , observing as she scrutinised the delicacies in the store. On the other side of Honeydukes , Theo was blushing furiously as Daphne handed him her things to hold , and their hands brushed together. Draco snorted - watching as his ordinarily indifferent friend morphed into a pathetically stammering mess in front of the Greengrass girl.

To think that two years ago Theo had asked Evanna to the ball when he could've taken Daphne.

The Ravenclaw emerged from behind the shelves a few moments later , the tower cradled on her arms even higher - balanced with expertise. He asked if he should help her , but she shook her head - declining his help. The pair walked towards the counter , where a lady wearing a smile waited.

"50 galleons", She announced , taking one look at the heap of sweets and packets that Evanna tumbled onto the wooden desk.

"He's paying", Evanna said with much conviction , pointing towards Draco - who arched a brow.

"And who said that ?", the Slytherin drawled , although he didn't mind paying at all.

"You were the one who asked me out , of course you're paying", Evanna affirmed with an incredulous look towards her boyfriend. Draco sighed , before a playful smile etched onto his features and he relented , handing the lady the money and paying for his sweets as well.

"Do I get a share ?", Draco enquired as exited Honeydukes and hiked up the hill through the curve in the road - towards the castle on the moors. Theo and Daphne walked ahead of them , while Evanna and Draco followed behind slowly - hands full of bags from Hogmseade - although most of the stash belonged to Evanna.

"No", Evanna said blandly - keeping her eyes ahead , but Draco observed as the corners of her lips curled upwards into a small smile , a chuckle rising from her throat.

He couldn't help the chortle that escaped his own lips , a grin etching on his face as his hand inched towards her - entwining them before the duo rushed up the hill to catch onto their friends.

[ a/n : going to be on hiatus for sometime. *cough* not even 'sometime' - i may not be able to update till the beginning of next month. if i do , its because -

a ) god blessed me 

b ) i am just addicted to writing ]