017 [voice] [/locked again (sorry guys!)]
House meeting. NOW.
(ooc: Only for the Potterettes and Draco once again. Serious discussion is to be had!)
(ooc: Only for the Potterettes and Draco once again. Serious discussion is to be had!)
You're late. You just missed me saying that someone by the name of Tom Riddle is in World's End now. That's all, hope it didn't inconvenience you.
[He knew he is be a bit of a jerk, but he's so worked up right now that Harry just reverted back he treated Draco before. He'll apologize for it later in private. For now he turns back to Ron's question.]
I don't think the taboo exists here. I said Voldemort's name plenty of times in the past year and Death Eaters have never come to catch me. And... I didn't see him, but I heard him over the communicators just now, when you were all making "nice" with him. I could never mistake that voice that I've heard when in Dumbledore's memories and have heard plenty of times in my dreams.
[He pauses just long enoughto pass a hand through his hair.]
I don't know what this means for us... but it can't be anything good.
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You mean we spoke to him? He never introduced himself as that Harry - obviously we would have known.
[She frowns in confusion at the mention of this Taboo-- both Ron and Harry seem to know about it; which, frankly, makes no sense that she doesn't.]
What's this Taboo you're talking about? I've never heard of that before.
Wait a second - does he know who you are Harry?
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He grimaces when Malfoy passes by him, looking to Harry as though saying, "See, I can be civil if I need to be." Of course, he sort of negates that by the way he unconsciously puts an arm around Hermione's shoulders as though the blond's presence poses some kind of direct threat to her. Still making every effort to avoid Malfoy's gaze, he looks down to Hermione as he answers her.]
While I was gone, you know, after I left you all, I found out that he'd placed a jinx on his name. Saying it would break any kind of protective enchantments and act like a Trace, which works brilliantly; the only people who dare to use his name anyway are members of the Order and the like. That's how they found us at Tottenham Court Road; Harry'd said his name and they were able to track us.
[He looks down then, feeling confused and dirty. There was only one new person he'd spoken to recently, and Harry was hinting that this was Tom Riddle. The very idea that he'd thought Riddle decent enough during the conversation is revolting.]
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Even so, he does nothing else to upset either of them, instead situating himself in the chair. He then turns towards Potter expectantly. Really, if this isn't anything important - which it likely isn't, just Gryffindors jumping at shadows again - he'd be more than willing to give Potter a piece of his mind-
At the mention of Tom Riddle, however, Draco's somewhat mocking smirk vanishes, eyes widening. His hand jerks to grip his left forearm before he can help it. His fingers dig into the hidden mark unconsciously, nails biting through the thin fabric of his sleeve to create a subtle stinging sensation.
The rest of the discussion continues around him, the others' words failing to register amidst the dull buzz of panic that begins to fill his mind. Voldemort is here. Perhaps not at his most powerful, but he's finally found a way to World's End - and the traitor residing within.
The thought sends a chill through Draco. With his hand clutching the mark tightly enough to hurt, he looks up suddenly, gaze locking automatically on Potter. His voice is strained and more than a bit frantic as he interrupts.]
And? What do you plan to do about this?
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Tom Riddle only knows that Harry knows who he is. He does't know about Ron, Hermione, or Draco, despite talking to them. They should be safe, for the time being. Harry would just have to make sure that it stays that way.]
He doesn't know who I am. But he knows I know who he is. You three... don't talk to him. Don't approach him. Don't antagonize him in any way. You three are safe.
In the meantime... I'll figure something out. We just had a seriel murderer running around World's End. I think the first thing I should do is talk to the new Task Force leader... I think that's Matt. Tell him about Riddle, let him decide what to do about it.
[Harry frowns and passes a hand through his hair. Usually, Harry knows exactly what he needs to do, or can figure it out eventually. Riddle... Harry is completely unsure of what to do.
It's at this moment that he looks up at Draco and his expression softens when he sees the fear in his eyes. It didn't occur to him how hard this will be on him. He's a Death Eater and while Tom Riddle might've not had a following at that point in his lifetime, Draco still has traces of his magic embedded deeply in his arm. Can he feel him now? Is that why he clutches his arm? Harry will have to talk to him about it later, in private.]
We have to treat this... carefully.
(ooc: Although as we see, that's exactly what Harry DOESN'T do. XD)
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But that's more than Ron wants to think about right now.
He can't help the way he rolls his eyes at Malfoy's question about what they intended to do about Riddle's appearance, though, thankfully, he manages to bite back a heated remark about how Malfoy only wants to know their intentions so he could warn his master about it well ahead of time. He knows on some level that Malfoy owes no allegiance to Tom Riddle, since he's just another teenaged wizard and may well have been Malfoy's classmate if he'd been born fifty years earlier. That doesn't mean he believes there's no chance Malfoy won't betray them now. He did it once when he led the Death Eaters right into Hogwarts, and he can do it again.
Instead of voicing any of that negativity - especially considering the sickening way Harry softens when he looks at Malfoy - Ron simply nods in response.]
Right. He already knows I'm a wizard; I guess I gave it away when I mentioned Merlin. He didn't seem to think much of it, though...not that I was really paying him much mind, since I thought he was normal. But just because he knows that you know who he is, Harry, doesn't mean you should be any less careful. It's smart to have at least one person keeping an eye on him, but it's no good to us if that eye gets gouged out.
[OOC- Skipping 'mione for now due to Kim's hiatus; hope that's cool with everyone!]
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