XXII: A Show Of Loyalty

Chapter XXII: A Show Of Loyalty

Charis sat in a window seat in the Ravenclaw common room, waiting for Jack to arrive so they could run through an old Charms paper for their mock NEWT exam together. It was a grey and cloudy day, and the rain was trickling down the window pane like tears and drumming like impatient fingers.

Charis looked out of the window and shivered, noticing the thin curl of smoke coming from Hagrid's hut in the distance. It looked cold and miserable out there. Thankfully, there was a roaring fire in the hearth and enough soft throws to keep her warm and cosy as she studied. But the weather seemed to match her mood somehow. She was feeling lonely nowadays. And once more, she missed her best friend.

For a few blessed hours on the day after Valentine's, it had felt like old times with Morgana. Morgana had reached out for her by sending an olive branch in the form of a chocolate croissant. They had giggled together in Potions, and it had felt as if the distance that had grown between them had gone away. But as soon as Charis had confessed to her friend about the library incident with Severus, Morgana had become cold, almost hostile, once more. Charis knew hurt pride had something to do with it as well as a smattering of envy. But as far as she was concerned, Morgana had no right to be jealous, not when she was supposedly having a torrid affair with Lucius Malfoy, which she was clearly enjoying. All Charis wanted was her friend to be happy for her, especially as it surely wouldn't be long before Severus declared his love for her. But something seemed amiss, and Morgana seemed to be slipping away again, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

'How are my two favourite kittens?'

Charis' thoughts were interrupted by Jack's cheeky smile as he took a seat beside her at the window.

'Hey, Jack. Just daydreaming, don't mind me,' Charis answered with a smile of her own.

'It looks like you're not the only one dreaming, eh?' he asked, beaming down at the mass of white fur asleep inside Charis' robes. Lily was indeed happily curled up inside the top pocket, purring away gently. And Charis could not help but grin as she glanced down at the tiny ball of white fluff. The kitten seemed to enjoy studying as much as she did.

After chatting briefly about Gryffindor's shocking narrow loss to Hufflepuff on Saturday, Jack and Charis began studying in earnest. They had barely begun, however, when their revision session was interrupted by their housemate, Luna Lovegood, who was merrily distributing the latest copy of the Quibbler around the common room to all and sundry, claiming to reveal the truth about Cedric Diggory's death at last.

Not wanting to miss out on the gossip, Charis hastily paid Luna a few Knuts and settled down with Jack for a read. As much as she thought Luna was a little eccentric, Charis was well aware of the Prophet withholding information and not telling the whole story in regards to the events at the end of the Tri-Wizard Tournament last year. The fact Harry Potter desperately wanted his side of the tale to be told, even in a paper which usually published such odd theories, immediately grabbed her attention.

They both devoured the article in minutes, and once they had finished, Jack looked up sombrely.

'It's really true then,' Charis gasped, noticing her friend's expression. 'You-Know-Who was the one who killed Cedric. He's back.'

Jack sighed. 'Yes. Yes, he is.'

Charis gave him an odd look. 'You don't sound at all surprised? Aren't you shocked?'

Jack looked straight at her. 'I won't lie to you, Charis. Since the start of term, I've known for sure.'

Charis couldn't help but looked surprised at this. 'But how could you have known?'

Jack looked around quickly, to check if they were being overheard. The common room was filled with excited chatter of people discussing The Quibbler, but Jack lowered his voice anyway.

'Harry told me in person. He has started a resistance movement, right here in the castle, and I'm a member. We're all in danger, Charis. Blood status is irrelevant now.'

Charis searched Jack's eyes. Jack was a half-blood wizard from his father's side and was proud of his heritage, both Muggle and magical alike. To Charis, he always seemed like he had the best of both worlds. He had been brought up with knowledge of the wizarding world's secrets, yet he embraced Muggle culture wholeheartedly as well. Jack was very interested in blood status, but not for bigoted, Slytherin reasons. He had a keen interest in genealogy, and for his NEWT in History of Magic he was researching his family tree and writing a thesis on magical genes and magical transference within the Muggle community. He had even gone so far to ask Charis if she would like him to help her research her own family tree, to see if they could locate one of her magical ancestors.

'Part of the reason Harry did this interview is because he wants more recruits,' Jack continued quietly.

'Recruits?' Charis asked, her eyebrows raised.

'Recruits for an army. Dumbledore's Army. To fight against You-Know-Who.'

Charis gasped. The whole thing sounded so serious, like they were at war. An army? Could they really have the strength to fight against Voldemort and his followers?

'There was a reason those Death Eaters had escaped from Azkaban. They were joining their leader! And we have to stand up and fight!' Jack went on. 'I know what you're thinking, Charis. "What good is a group of kids?" But you were with me in Hogsmeade, and you and I came face-to-face with those Death Eaters. And you managed to Stun one of them! You see, kids can fight!'

Charis' heart was thumping loudly as Jack spoke. She knew what he was saying was true, and yet she desperately wished it wasn't.

'Harry was impressed with your performance that day. You're brave and you know your defensive spells. That's what the DA does: training in defensive and offensive spells for use in case of attack. Harry wants you to join the resistance. And so do I.'

'Of course I will!' Charis did not hesitate. Now they knew Voldemort was back and that Harry was telling the truth, she was absolutely going to support him one hundred per cent.

Jack smiled with relief. 'I'm so pleased. We wanted to ask you ages ago, but when you started dating Zabini we had to be careful ...'

Charis flushed at the mention of her indiscretion with the handsome yet poisonous Slytherin. This was nothing she was proud of.

'But I always knew you were on the right side, Charis,' Jack continued softly. He had obviously noticed her discomfort. 'And Harry can't wait to meet you. Our next meeting is this afternoon at three. Come to the Room of Requirement then, and I'll introduce you to the whole gang.'

He smiled again at Charis, who smiled back and listened with fascination as Jack explained more about the DA, how Harry had managed to recruit more and more members since the first meeting back in October, and also the other organisation forming the resistance, the Order of the Phoenix. And the more he said, the more excited she became.

'There is just one thing, though,' Jack said after his explanations and looked down awkwardly.

'What is it?'

'Well, the group thinks ... Harry thinks ... that you should not tell Morgana about the DA.'

'What?!' Charis was outraged. Sure, she and Morgana had not been particularly close lately, but there was no need to keep her in the dark about the DA when she could be a useful member, too.

'Well, sorry, Charis, but she IS Slytherin,' Jack offered by way of explanation.

'What the – what has THAT got to do with anything?' Charis spluttered in disbelief. She and Morgana had been friends since their first year. Hell, Jack and Morgana got on like a house on fire! And now he didn't want her to join because she was Slytherin?

'Please, don't get upset,' Jack pleaded. 'It's just there isn't a single Slytherin in the DA.'

Charis' mouth dropped open. 'Morgana isn't like other Slytherins. You know that!'

'Charis, please! Of course I know that! But Harry thinks it's a risk letting her join.'

'A risk? Morgana helped us out in Hogsmeade, unless you've conveniently forgotten! Doesn't that show you her loyalty?' Charis protested.

'Yes, HER loyalty.' Jack was clearly uncomfortable. 'But we have no idea what is going on in Slytherin common room. They might make her talk.'

Charis had no answer for this. She knew first hand just how cruel Slytherins could be, and she didn't doubt for a second that if they got a whiff of the DA they would make Morgana's life even more of a misery, let alone try and stamp it out. But still, Charis trusted her friend and knew she would not betray any of their secrets.

'Sweetie, you know I like Morgana ...' Jack persisted.

'But you don't trust her?' Charis shot back.

'We don't trust her House. That's all.'

Charis thought for a few moments before sighing. 'This feels really wrong.'

'I know it seems unfair. Just come along this afternoon for a session. See if you like it. Let's talk to Harry and the others about it. Please? Charis?'

Charis looked into her friend's pleading blue eyes and could not help but relent.

'Alright. I'll come along. But I think you are making a mistake not trusting Morgana, and I'll tell Harry that, too.'

* * *

'Oi, Belakane! I want to talk to you.'

Morgana groaned inwardly. Listening to Draco Malfoy's drivel was so low on her priority list at the moment that she would have preferred making out with Filch. Actually, she did not want to talk to anyone. Her head was aching, and she was feeling nauseous and tired. All she wanted was to lie down for a while.

'Unfortunately for you, Malfoy, I do not want to talk to you right now,' she replied without even looking in Draco's direction. 'Send an owl.'

But if she had hoped that Draco would just let her go, Morgana was sadly mistaken.

'Do not make me cast a Body-Bind at you, Belakane,' Draco snarled. 'I want to talk to you, and you will listen.'

Morgana exhaled and turned around to face the boy. To her surprise, he was alone. But then again, it was lunchtime. Crabbe and Goyle were certainly stuffing their faces in the Great Hall.

'Do make it quick, Malfoy,' she said, her hand tightening around the wand in her pocket. She did not trust Draco as far as she could throw him, with or without magic.

'I want to make you an offer,' Draco explained, pulling himself up to his full height in front of Morgana.

Morgana just raised an eyebrow at him. Whatever did the little twit have to offer her when she could get all she had ever wished for from his father?

'I am offering you a way to redeem yourself, Belakane,' Draco started. 'Join the Inquisitorial Squad, and we will forget about your so-called friendship with a Mudblood.'

'Redeem myself? Dear Draco, I do not need to redeem myself in any way.'

'That is where you are wrong, Belakane,' Draco spat. 'You want to be careful. Times are changing. So far, you have been able to hide behind your blood status. But soon, this will not be enough, and blood traitor is right next to Mudblood in my book.'

'You need to brush up on your spelling skills, Malfoy. There are nine letters between B and M.'

'Don't get cheeky with me, Belakane,' Draco hissed, raising his wand. But Morgana just stared at it as if it were a common wooden stick.

'Are you threatening me, little boy?' she asked. She was not scared of Draco. His friends were in the Great Hall, and the wand in her pocket was pointing right at the boy's crotch. All it took was a flick of the wrist. 'Have your parents not taught you that certain people cannot be touched?' she continued calmly. 'Not even by a Malfoy?'

'That is where you are wrong, Belakane.' Draco's cheeks were slightly flushed now, and his eyes were glittering angrily. 'If you keep up with that attitude, me and my friends will give you a taste of how blood traitors will be treated in the future. The time has come for you to choose what side you are on, Belakane. Make sure you choose the right side, or I won't be held responsible for my actions, Slytherin or not.' He stepped back and lowered his wand. 'I give you until nightfall to make a decision, Belakane. Choose wisely.'

And before Morgana could tell him that she had chosen sides a long time ago, Draco Malfoy had already left the common room.

* * *

At three o'clock, Charis entered the Room of Requirement with Jack and was surprised to see not only how the room had changed into a vast training area, but also how many students of all ages formed part of the group.

Harry greeted her warmly and suggested that she pair up with Hermione for this lesson, just to go through what she already knew and see if there were any gaps in her knowledge or if any of her defensive charms required more work. Charis took an instant liking to Hermione. She was friendly and bright and put her at her ease immediately. They practiced Disarming and Stunning, and Charis was having such fun that the two hours seemed to fly by in no time at all. It was only the loud roar of Ron's grumbling stomach which, to the amusement of the whole group, made Harry draw things to a close.

'Right, I think that's about all for today. If Ron doesn't get some food soon he'll start munching on some of you first years! Good work, everyone. We'll probably be meeting next week, same time, but check your coins, alright?'

Charis squeezed the Galleon in her pocket. What a brilliant idea, she thought and wondered why Hermione had not been sorted into Ravenclaw.

Everyone started packing up and making their way out the door as Harry, Ron and Jack made their way over to Charis and Hermione.

'Charis, your Disarming Spell rocks!' Harry said with a grin.

'Thanks, Harry,' Charis replied, green eyes looking back into green. It was unusual to meet other people with the same colour eyes as her, and Harry must have thought so, too, as he gave her a curious expression for a moment.

'Do you like the idea of the DA then?' Harry finally asked. 'Are you coming back next week?'

Yes, of course, she would love to, but there was something gnawing at Charis. 'Uh, Harry? Can I have a word?' she asked cautiously.

'Sure, Charis.'

He beckoned her to one side as Jack, Ron and Hermione busied themselves with packing up books and tidying the room.

Charis took a deep breath, not knowing where to start. From what she saw, Harry looked like a really nice boy. Maybe she could change his mind about her friend.

'Um ... I heard you didn't think it would be a good idea for Morgana to join the DA,' she blurted.

Harry looked uncomfortable. 'Well, um, not just me ...'

'It's because she's Slytherin, isn't it?' Charis asked quietly.

'Well, frankly, yes.' Jack had already told Harry that Charis was firm friends with a Slytherin, but Harry had not quite been prepared to have this conversation so soon.

'That's really hypocritical though!' Charis stated, looking up at Harry pleadingly. 'By excluding her on that basis, you're being like the worst Slytherin.'

'It's not so much about HER as a person,' Harry started, not wanting to alienate Charis. She was indeed skilful at charms and would be a useful addition to the DA. But he had to think about what was best for the group.

'Morgana is the coolest person; her House shouldn't matter,' Charis continued. 'I mean, you let Hufflepuffs in!'

'Charis, please, this is not about Morgana per se,' Harry explained. 'It's about the people around her.'

'She doesn't even hang around with any Slytherins!' Charis protested a little louder than she had meant to. And she noticed that Ron, Jack and Hermione were now looking over and listening to this conversation with great interest.

'It's enough that they share a dorm,' Harry retorted.

'Morgana fought by my side when that Death Eater attack happened in Hogsmeade,' Charis exclaimed. 'Surely she has just as much a right to be here?'

Jack, Ron and Hermione had made their way over now, concerned at the direction the conversation was taking.

'Charis, listen, this is not about Morgana,' Hermione said gently, trying to calm down the situation.

'We cannot risk this group,' Harry answered firmly. 'Who knows what the other Slytherins would do to her to make her talk? And if they found out about the DA, Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad would have a field day, and we'd all be in solitary detentions for the rest of the year. Bang! No more DA.'

'She should be fighting with us, though,' Charis murmured. Harry's point was valid to say the least, but it still felt rotten.

'Charis, I just cannot take that risk. I'm sorry. No Slytherins.' Harry glanced at her apologetically as Charis shifted her gaze to Jack.

'Surely you can see how hypocritical this is?'

Now it was Jack's turn to look awkward. 'You have to admit that Morgana has ... um, changed lately.'

'Changed how?' Charis asked, knowing full well her friend had indeed changed, and with it, their friendship. And she, too, had been wondering if Morgana was finally cracking under the pressure the other Slytherins were putting on her.

'She's become, well, edgy,' Jack went on.

'Morgana has things on her mind,' Charis explained, trying to make a stand for her best friend. 'But that has not stopped her being anti-Voldemort!'

'Charis, we do not doubt Morgana's loyalties,' Harry started, but he was cut off by Charis.

'I'm sorry, guys. I think what you are doing is great, and I had a lot of fun today, but if you won't let Morgana in just because of her House, then I don't think I can be part of this group.'

Hermione looked hurt, and Ron's mouth gaped open. Jack shook his head.

'Charis, please,' Harry tried again.

'It's too hypocritical. I'm sorry, I just can't exclude her from this. She's my best friend. You have my word I won't reveal anything about the DA. And if it comes to fight, I will fight alongside you gladly. But I hope you understand why I can't do this.'

Charis looked at them sadly as the rest of the group cast each other disappointed looks.

'We understand that you can vouch for Morgana,' Hermione conceded, taking a different approach. 'But what about the people around her?'

'She spends an awful lot of time in Snape's office lately,' Jack pointed out.

'He's her Head of House, Jack! She takes Potions NEWT!'

'How often are you in Flitwick's office?' Jack fired back.

'We have a weekly catch up, fifteen minutes on a Monday. You know that!'

'She seems to be seeing Snape all the time.'

'Not ALL the time,' Charis bristled with indignation and... what was that other feeling? Jealousy? Was Morgana really spending more and more time with Severus?

'Anyway, she's having issues with Potions at the moment,' she went on, trying to quash the pang of jealousy in her stomach. 'It's her favourite subject, and she really wants to get an O. You know how hard Snape is to please.'

Jack looked at Charis incredulously. 'Morgana? Issues with Potions? Do you believe that yourself? Something's fishy, Charis. You have to admit that.'

'Morgana has stuff on her mind! You can't blame her for that. Don't any of YOU have stuff on your mind?' Charis looked around the room, her eyes pleading with them once more.

'Of course we do,' Harry said quietly. 'There is a war coming. And it does not look like anyone in Slytherin House is on our side. And as for Snape ...'

'I know you might not trust Snape, but I do,' Charis said defiantly as everyone looked at her in shock.

'You trust Snape?' Ron piped up as she nodded firmly. 'Are you insane?'

'You might not believe it, but he would fight tooth and nail for this school and its pupils. Dumbledore trusts him, and so do I.' Charis' jaw was set as Ron looked at her like she had an Erumpent horn growing out of her head.

'Dumbledore gives people very little explanation for why he trusts Snape,' Harry started.

'Is Dumbledore ever wrong?' Charis shot back.

'Snape is a highly trained Occlumens,' Harry replied, avoiding the question.

'And Dumbledore is a highly trained Legilimens,' Charis countered.

'My godfather says Snape cannot be trusted,' Harry answered bullishly. He was beginning to get frustrated. He hated Snape, and he had no desire to have someone in the DA who seemed to like the greasy git.

'Harry, leave Sirius out of this,' Hermione stepped in, her voice calm. 'People didn't trust him either, but they were wrong weren't they?'

'Yeah, but ... '

'And Snape is part of the Order,' Hermione pressed on. 'And if he weren't good, he couldn't cast a Patronus, because a Patronus is light magic. Therefore, I trust Snape. And you should, too.'

'Have you actually seen his Patronus?' Harry asked incredulously around the room. Why did Hermione insist on taking the bat's side all the time?

'No,' Ron admitted reluctantly. 'But he must be able to cast it. All Order members do, don't they?'

'Does HE?' Harry persisted.

'I dunno. That's what dad said, anyway,' Ron continued. 'Dad said that the members of the Order communicate with their Patronuses. But there might be other ways as well.'

'Fact is, we do not know if Snape can produce a Patronus,' Harry said, folding his arms over his chest.

'I reckon he can,' Charis said stubbornly.

'I still don't trust him,' Harry answered through narrowed eyes. 'I know quite a bit about him, you know,' he murmured in a low voice.

'Do you?' Charis replied, genuinely intrigued.

'My godfather told me, as a matter of fact,' Harry continued, ignoring Hermione widening her eyes and shaking her head disapprovingly.

'And what exactly did he say?'

Harry paused, and took a deep breath. 'That Snape is a Death Eater.'

Charis felt a shudder go all the way down her spine. Severus? A lackey of the Dark Lord? That was ridiculous!

'Snape would never ...'

'And why not?' Harry cut her off. 'My godfather went to school with Snape, and he says that Snape knew more about the Dark Arts when they first started than anyone.'

Charis gazed back at him, looking as hurt as if he had called her a Mudblood.

'See why we cannot trust Slytherins?' Harry asked, hoping he had at last proved his point. But the next thing he knew, Charis had thrust her enchanted coin into his hand and was stomping out of the Room of Requirement. And not even Hermione could say anything to change the Ravenclaw's mind.

* * *

How dare Potter?!

Charis was fuming with rage as she ran down the stairs. How dare he say those horrid things about Severus? Severus Snape a Death Eater! Pha! This was more than ridiculous! Surely, Potter's godfather was holding some kind of grudge against Severus, and that was why he was trying to malign him. Surely, Severus had snatched some good-looking girl away from under his nose or something.

Charis was so busy with mentally trash talking Sirius Black that she barely noticed when she bumped into Morgana.

'Hey, steady, Ravenclaw. You know that running in the corridors is forbidden according to Educational Decree Number 7843 or something.'

Charis grinned up at her friend. It had been a while that Morgana had made a joke. She had missed it.

'So is sitting on the stairs, but I don't give a flying fart in space,' she said and sat down, patting the space next to her. And to her utter joy, Morgana actually took a seat.

'How are you doing?' Charis wondered. 'We haven't spoken much this week.'

'I know,' Morgana sighed. 'It's a hectic time. I do not even want to imagine how it will be when the NEWTs actually start.'

'You look pale,' Charis pointed out. 'Are you studying too much?'

'I live in the dungeon, Charis,' Morgana joked. She did not want to tell her friend about her headache, nor the reason for it. 'We're all pale down there.'

'Yes, you are,' Charis confirmed, the thought of pale skin making her think of another Slytherin who resided in the dungeons – one with raven black hair and penetrating, onyx eyes.

'Morgana, what do you know about Snape?' Charis bit her lips as soon as she had asked the question out loud. Was asking Morgana about Snape really such a wise move?

'What do you mean?' Morgana inquired, raising an eyebrow.

'What do you know about Snape, the private man Snape?' Charis went on, trying to sound casual. 'Does he have family, where does he come from, what did he do before he became a teacher? Stuff like that.'

Morgana narrowed her eyes. 'Why would you want to know?'

Once more, Charis bit her lip. 'It's just ... it's something I heard. About Snape being a Death ...'

'FOR FUCK'S SAKE, BELAKANE!'

Both girls jumped up as Draco Malfoy came flying up the stairs towards them.

'Did you not listen to anything I told you today, Belakane?' Draco roared. 'How dare you sit here with that Mudblood?'

It was now that Morgana realised that they had been sitting on the stairs that led to the dungeon. Instinctively, she pushed Charis behind her back.

'You should not be here, Charis,' she hissed so Draco would not hear. 'The dungeons are not a safe place for your kind at the moment.'

Your kind? Charis swallowed dryly. Morgana had not just used those words, had she?

But there was no time to ask. Morgana was standing with her back towards her, and the look in Draco Malfoy's eyes made it very clear to Charis that the dungeons were indeed off limits for her kind from now on.