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Practice to Deceive	By : SailorSol Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 12424 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Disclaimer: Any characters & situations you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling. Any characters you don�t recognize belong to me. You can borrow them, but email me first and check on the characters.

Author�s Note: This story is AU after book 5. It contains NO REFERENCES to book 6 in any way, shape or form.

CHAPTER 5: HOGWARTS

1 September

Draco Malfoy nervously fixed his robes for what seemed to be the twentieth time before following his mother onto Platform 9 �. The last item he checked was the silver and crystal boutonni�re holder, complete with a red rose, charmed to stay fresh.

He was going to meet his unknown admirer today, and he was nervous. What if it was who he hoped it would be? What if it wasn't? What was he going to do?

With his hands shaking, Draco followed his mother through the gateway to the Hogwarts Express.

***** *****

Harry and Lilith had arrived early. They took the last two compartments in the last car. Harry was fidgeting and nervous.

�The glamour itches,� he said. �If I didn�t know I�d only be wearing it until Dumbledore provokes me, I wouldn�t bother with it.�

�It�s a necessary part of The Game, little brother,� Lilith said, smiling affectionately. �Pulling this coup off against the old man will gain you the respect of every Player at Hogwarts, including your intended.�

�What if he takes one look at me and tells me he despises me?� Harry asked, his mood switching from annoyance to despair. �What do I do, then?�

�He won't,� Lilith assured him. �I've seen him through your eyes. He loves you as much as you love him. He won't turn you down because he doesn't despise you. The only thing you have to do is convince him that your feelings are genuine.�

�I'll convince him,� Harry said, his face becoming serious.

�I'm going into the next compartment,� Lilith said. �I'll be there if you need me.�

�Okay,� Harry said. �I hope Draco gets here early. I'd like to have this all settled before Ron and the others get here.�

�What about your friendship with Ron?� Lilith asked.

Harry frowned.

�Ron didn't believe me about the TriWizard Tournament,� Harry said. �Ron always thinks I'm trying to get attention, get away with things. He wanted what I had, and I wanted what he had.�

�You mean you wanted a family,� Lilith said. �You wanted a real home. I promise you'll have that with Astrid and me�

�I know,� Harry said. �I'm looking forward to it being the three of us, as siblings. Is Astrid really infatuated with Professor Snape?�

�Well,� Lilith said. �She hadn't met him, yet. She was in love with his mind, how intelligent and powerful he was. I don't know if that'll hold up to the kind of man you remember.�

�We'll see,� Harry said.�Who knows, having a girlfriend might improve Professor Snape's attitude, especially one that is safe from Voldemort.�

***** *****

�Come on, Ron!� Ginny pulled at her brother, and then surged ahead of him and Hermione and ran through the gateway onto Platform 9 �. She was anxious to get away from her older brother, and she was even more eager to get to the train, and try to find Harry. Harry had to be on the train, somewhere.

A trip to Diagon Alley to get school supplies had been an interesting experience. She had encountered Lucius Malfoy in Flourish & Blotts, and he had first looked annoyed, and then surprised, and then respectful. Ginny gathered from his reaction that there was more to the medallions that she and Hermione wore than he was letting on.

She thought back to the night she had received it, and the woman sitting quietly in the room, until she had something to say. Everyone there had paid attention to what she had said, and had seemed affectionate to her, like a favorite child. She had called Voldemort 'father,' but she had called Rabistan Lestrange 'uncle.'

She and Hermione had been summoned the night before. Voldemort had looked a bit distracted, but he had ordered them to watch, listen, and give any information they gathered to his daughter, who would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Also, Lucius Malfoy's bastard half brother would be teaching Dueling. He was also someone to report information to.

Ginny handed her trunk to the wizard packing the luggage car, and hurried onto the train. She had to find Harry. She had to see him again.

She hurried through the train, looking into every compartment, not finding the one person she was looking for.

In the next-to-the-last compartment of the last car, she came across someone that startled her. For a moment, she thought that the silver-haired woman from Voldemort's castle, Astrid, had dyed her hair.

When she raised her head, though, Ginny realized that this woman was not the same. She had an air of instability about her, and the book in her hands dealt with Divination, not Potions, as Astrid's had. Also missing was the medallion that Astrid had openly worn around her neck, a larger version of the one that Ginny wore tucked under her blouse.

Also, where Astrid had an air of quiet tragedy about her, this woman had a feeling of fragile sanity, as though her mental stability teetered on a knife's edge.

�I'm sorry,� Ginny said. �I was looking for someone.�

�The one you seek can't be far,� the woman said. �There isn't much more train to go.�

�True,� Ginny said, dejected. �I hope he's going to be on the train.�

�Why would anyone miss the train?� the woman asked her.

�He might not be able to come,� Ginny said. �I just don't know.�

�Then you should find out,� the woman said.

Ginny thanked her and moved on, to the last compartment in the train.

Inside the compartment was Harry. He looked older, wiser, and somehow even more beautiful than Ginny remembered him being.

�Harry?� she said. �Harry, I've been worried!�

�I'm sorry I worried you, Ginny,� Harry said, turning towards her. �A lot has happened, and I've had to re-evaluate some things. I hope you can adapt to what I've had to do.�

�I'm just glad you're alright, Harry,� Ginny said. �Hermione and I have to talk to you, but it has to be away from Ron. We found out some things that you wouldn't believe.�

�If it has to do with Dumbledore,� Harry replied, his green eyes darkening with anger. �I can believe almost anything.�

�Well,� Ginny said. �I promised Hermione that I wouldn't talk to you about it without her. The one thing I will tell you is that Remus Lupin got beaten, nearly to death, and it's been blamed on Lucius Malfoy.�

�I'll kill Malfoy,� Harry growled. His eyes began to glow before he closed them and took several deep breaths before opening them again. The glow had died down.

�Malfoy didn't do it, Harry,� Ginny said. �I heard Dumbledore tell Moody to do it, and use a Polyjuice potion. They were trying to lure you out.�

�It didn't work, since I didn't hear about it,� Harry said. �There was nothing in the Daily Prophet about Remus getting beaten up.�

�They probably didn't want to make it seem that Diagon Alley wasn't safe,� Ginny said. �I'm glad it didn't work. You seem to be a bit better than you were at the end of the year.�

�A bit,� Harry said. �I had someone to take care of, and a lot of studying to do.�

�Hermione and I did a lot of studying, too,� Ginny said. �Ron still thought that studying was a waste of time.�

�Ron doesn't know what he's talking about,� Harry growled. �I hope Hermione isn't still going out with him.�

�No,� Ginny said. �Hermione told him she wasn't going to go out with him any more. He doesn't understand, and she told him she was too worried about you. Ron's worried about you, but not in a good way.�

�Ginny,� Harry said, meeting her eyes finally. �Have you thought about who you want to marry when you get old enough?�

�Yes,� Ginny said, blushing. �I can't make up my mind, though. There are two boys I'd like to be the one I marry, but I can't decide which of them, and they don't like each other, even if I could marry both of them.�

�What if they liked each other?� Harry asked. �What then?�

�I still can't afford two husbands, Harry,� Ginny said. �I'd have to come into a lot of money, especially since neither of the boys I have in mind needs money. They're both pretty well off.�

�Well,� Harry said, leaning back into the seat. �I wish you luck, with either of them.�

�Harry,� Ginny said after a moment. �Why are you asking?�

�Let's just wait and see who else finds me,� Harry said. �I promise I will explain before we get to school.�

***** *****

Draco prowled the passageway of the Hogwarts Express, keeping his eyes open for the boutonni�re that would match the one on his robes. He glowered at underclassmen, sneered at first years, and either acknowledged his year mates with a nod of his head, or insulted them, depending on whether they were purebloods or not.

The only students that rated a different reaction from him were Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Ron Weasley rated a curled lip and a look of disdain from the Slytherin Prince. Draco didn't even bother to interrupt Ron's game of Exploding Snap with Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas. Their exchange was silent, a war of expressions and body language.

Draco ran across Hermione at the end of one of the train cars. She was behaving as usual; nosy and authoritative. She had matured even more over the summer. She was turning into a witch whose beauty matched her brains and power.

Abruptly, Draco made a decision he had been toying with for over a year, and admitted something he had been in denial over since his third year of school.

Knowing that there was no one nearby that would see them, Draco backed Hermione up against the wall of the car and stole her lips in the most passionate kiss he could manage.

Hermione started to protest, to find her mouth invaded by an agile and eager tongue. She was plundered from lips to throat, and her breasts started to tingle and an ache built up between her legs; an ache that Ron's fumblings had never created.

This ache reminded her of the night she had met Victor after the Yule Ball, in an empty classroom. Her parents might have been disappointed at her losing her virginity at fourteen, if she had ever told them, but she had never regretted it.

Draco released her before he took it further than a kiss. He gazed down into her dazed, lustful eyes, and then remembered that he had started the day looking for his mysterious suitor. He backed away and left the train car quickly, before she could ask him what was going on.

***** *****

Draco had nearly given up hope when he reached the last car of the train. If his mystery suitor wasn't here, then he didn't know what to do.

After a nearly fruitless search, Draco opened the door to the last compartment. Inside was Ginny Weasley, one of the objects of his fantasies for a year now. Sitting across from her was the main object of his fantasies: Harry Potter. More important, perched on Harry's chest was a boutonni�re holder identical to the one he had received by owl.

�I've been looking everywhere for you, Potter,� Draco said. �I have a few things to talk to you about.�

�You can talk in front of Ginny,� Harry said. �Anything you have to say to me, you can say to her.�

�Alright, Potter,� Draco said. He entered the compartment and sat down next to Harry.

�The new owl was a nice touch,� Draco said. �It has my parents completely fooled. My mother even went so far as to tell the Parkinsons that the betrothal was off. Pansy's happy about that. She's got her eye on someone else.�

�What are you talking about, Malfoy?� Ginny asked. �Harry, what is he talking about?�

�I sent Draco presents over the summer, Ginny,� Harry said. �Courting gifts. I would have sent some to you, too, but I had to talk it over with him.�

�Draco Malfoy,� Harry said, reaching into a pocket and pulling out a ring box. �You accepted my gifts. Are you here to return them, or will you marry me?�

�I'm not stupid,� Draco said. �I'll marry you, of course. I'd like it if you'd include a couple of girls, though. I'm supposed to have an heir, and you should, too.�

�If it's not Ginny and Hermione, forget it,� Harry said stubbornly. He ignored Ginny's gasp of surprise to keep all of his attention on Draco.

�Who else, Harry?� Draco said softly, smiling at him. �Who else could possibly be worthy of two wizards like you and me except the smartest witches in two years?�

�You always insult Hermione,� Harry pointed out.

�That's just to keep my father guessing,� Draco said. �Slytherins don't wear their hearts on their sleeves, Harry. I'm going to have to teach you that. You Gryffindors always let everyone know what you're thinking and feeling.�

�Not true,� Ginny said. �But then, thanks to your father, I'm more Slytherin than anything else, anyway.�

�I got taught about The Game this summer,� Harry said. �I need to tell you two about that, along with Hermione.�

�I just hope you don't want to marry Weasley,� Draco muttered.

�Ron's history,� Harry said. �If what Ginny won't tell me is true, then Ron's crossed the line for the last time. Don't worry about it.�

�Good,� Draco said. �I'd be willing to do a lot of things for you, Harry, but I'm drawing the line at shagging Ron Weasley.�

�Don't I get asked?� Ginny asked testily, tired of being ignored.

�Asked what?� came a voice from the suddenly opened door. The three of them looked up to see Hermione standing in the doorway.

�Just the girl we were waiting for,� Draco said. He smiled at Harry and reached out to pull Hermione into the compartment. He ignored her protests and pulled her into his lap, locking his arms around her waist.

At Draco's nod, Harry closed the door with a flick of his wand, and pulled Ginny into his lap, mimicking Draco's position so that he had his arms around her waist as well.

�I just asked Draco to marry me,� Harry said.

�Harry, that's wonderful!� Hermione said. �I mean, I thought that he liked you, but I didn't have a clue that you liked him too! That's just marvelous!�

�I wanted to ask you and Ginny, too,� Harry continued. �I learned a lot of things this summer, Hermione, including that I shouldn't be afraid to love someone, and to tell them.�

�Ask Ginny and me what, Harry?� Hermione said, puzzled.

�To marry us,� Draco said, blowing gently in Hermione�s ear.

She blushed, and looked at Harry for confirmation.

�Draco�s right, Hermione,� Harry said. �I do want to marry you and Ginny, as well as Draco.�

�Lucky for you that wizarding laws are different from Muggle laws, then,� Hermione said.

�What do you mean?� Draco asked. Hermione smiled at him.

�In Muggle law,� she said. �Not only is marriage only usually between a man and a woman, but it's only one spouse at a time.�

�How boring,� Draco said. �Of course, I'm going to be the first Malfoy in about three hundred years to choose his own partners, but I'll be the first one in about five hundred years to have more than one.�

�Nobody in my family's ever done it,� Ginny said. �Mum thinks that the twins will, of course. Complimentary twins never separate, and Fred and George are moreso than most. They're going to have to marry complimentary twins of their own.�

�Now, what did you need to tell us?� Draco said. �Hermione and I have to get back to Prefect duties soon.�

�Alright,� Harry said. �After I left the Dursleys, I went to Grimmauld Place. There was another house elf there, called Helper. He's Kreacher's grandson or something. Anyway, he had Sirius' will. Sirius left everything to me, including a couple of other estates that only I could get into. I had to go to the gates and declared that I was Sirius Black's heir before the estate would let me in.

�I went to one called Sherwood Manor,� Harry continued. �I started studying, and while I was there, I met someone that needed my help. She was an American witch, and she'd lost her twin sister. She had gone completely mad without her.�

Harry pulled back his sleeve to show them the Binding mark, what looked like a tattoo of ivy with purple leaves, around his right wrist.

�I Bound myself to her to make her sane again,� he said. �In return, I got her knowledge, too. She was a WART student at Mistland when it was attacked.�

�What did she get on her NEWTs?� Hermione asked.

�I knew you were going to ask that,� Harry said. �She got all F's on her NEWTs.�

�That's impossible!� Ginny and Draco declared together.

�No,� Hermione said. �I read about that, two years ago. A pair of complimentary twins in America got all F's on their NEWTS, fourteen of them. They got the same grades on their OWLs, too. They could be anything they wanted to be.�

�Now all the survivor is going to be is crazy,� Ginny said. �Honestly, Harry, nobody's ever successfully saved one half of a pair of complimentary twins when one is dead. It's only a matter of time.�

�Maybe not,� Harry said. �It's possible that her sister is the new DADA teacher.�

�That would be interesting,� Draco said. �I know a few things about that new DADA teacher.�

�Like her being Voldemort's daughter?� Harry asked. �I already know that. They have a really interesting parentage. Somehow, they have three fathers.�

�They'd have to be part faerie,� Draco said. �One of their parents would have spent time with the Lord or Lady of the forest. I know that doesn't describe Him, so it would have to be one of their fathers or their mother.�

�Their mother,� Harry said. �She was the only heir to an Old Blood estate, the one that centers on Hogsmeade, but she turned down the Lord of the Forest.�

�Not before she spent time with him,� Draco said, smirking. �Any idea who the other parents are?�

�An American chaser named Simon Tyler,� Harry said. �And either Rudolphus or Rabistan Lestrange. The Lestranges and Voldemort got high on something called Casidor and raped Lilith's mother. She'd made love to her husband that morning, so three or four of them are Lilith's fathers, and her sister's as well.�

�Complicated,� Ginny said. �This is making my head hurt.�

�It gets better,� Hermione said. �Ginny and I talked to Voldemort ourselves.�

�What for?� Harry said. �Why would you go anywhere near him, and why would he let you go?�

�What we overheard,� Ginny reminded Harry. �Hermione and I went to tell him that one of his people was going to be framed for trying to kill Remus. We also heard Dumbledore tell Ron to convince you to fulfill the prophecy.�

�We also heard something you might find interesting,� Hermione said. �Something that Voldemort�s daughter confirmed. Bellatrix Lestrange is still alive. That means that somewhere, Sirius is still alive.�

�But the veil . . . � Harry said, hopeful and confused at the same time.

�To quote,� Ginny said. �� The only evidence we have for where that Veil leads is a bunch of idiots that couldn't keep you out of their most secure area.��

�I see,� Harry said. �Well, then I guess that Sirius will come back when he can.�

�You�re also supposed to be influenced by the new Advanced Flight teacher,� Hermione said. �Dumbledore seemed to think that it was foolproof, between him and Ron.�

�We wouldn't want that,� Draco said. �Hermione and I have Prefect duties. We'll see the two of you later.� He lifted Hermione off of his lap, and the two of them left the compartment.

***** *****

At Hogwarts, Astrid was going over her lesson plan one last time while Heather and Kevin played nearby. Sarah was happily occupied in her playpen with the dragon plush animal, under the watchful eyes of a house elf.

Abruptly, a shrill sound echoed through the halls. Astrid had been briefed about the alarm, and she quickly put aside her quill and hurried down to the Great Hall.

Several of the professors were already there when she arrived, including a rather flustered-looking McGonagall and a concerned Snape.

�The train has stopped,� Dumbledore was saying as Astrid entered the hall. �We do not know the reason, but I will remind the staff that the last time this happened, it was when Dementors were searching the train for Sirius Black.�

�Surely that is not the reason, this time, Headmaster,� Snape said. �What could they possibly be looking for, this time?�

�We do not know that there are Dementors, Severus,� Dumbledore said. �It could be something harmless.�

�I'll go, Headmaster,� Astrid said, stepping forward. She had taken Clarissa and the twins to King's Cross station that morning.

�You will not go alone, Astrid,� McGonagall said. �If it is Dementors, not even a witch of your talents could hold off very many at once.�

�True,� Astrid said. �Either you or the Headmaster must stay here, though.�

�Minerva will stay here,� Dumbledore said. �I will go, as will Severus and Maximillian. The four of us should be able for anything, even a full-scale Death Eater attack.�

�Albus, what should the rest of us do?� McGonagall asked, anxious for the safety of the students.

�Wait for word, Minerva,� he replied. �I will send a message when I know what the problem is. If we are having problems, then I will send for reinforcements.�

�Very well, Albus,� McGonagall said. �Good luck.�

***** *****

The portkey dropped the four of them into the middle car of the train. It was desperately cold, and Astrid immediately felt the memories of Mistland coming forward.

�I believe it's Dementors, Headmaster,� she said.

�I believe you are correct, my dear,� Dumbledore said. �Maximillian and myself with go forward from here. You and Severus head to the rear. I won't ask if you know the Patronus Charm, my dear, that would be insulting.�

�True,� she said. �Well, Professor Snape, shall we?� she indicated the far end of the car with a wave of her hand, and then followed him towards the back of the train.

When they entered the next car, they saw movement at the far end. A creature in ragged, flowing black hooded robes turned in their direction and then started towards them.

�Hold on a moment, Professor Snape,� Astrid said. �I won�t claim to be an expert, but I�ve read a bit on the Necromancer�s cant, and I�d like to see if I can ask it some questions. I want to know on whose authority it is here. You and I both know who didn�t send it.�

�That is quite true, Professor Tyler,� he replied. �Very well, see what you can do. I can understand a bit of the Necromancer�s cant, although I cannot speak it.�

�It just takes an agile tongue, Professor Snape,� Astrid said. �It also helps if you can hiss while you speak.�

Astrid carefully stepped forward, keeping her wand at the ready and concentrating on her Occlumency.

�/By orders whose come do you here,/� she hissed her query. �/Purpose what yours is?/�

�/We were sent to find the boy of thunder,/� the creature hissed in reply. �/We are not to return without him./�

�/Who you sent?/� she hissed, worried by the turn of the conversation.

�/The High Lord,/� it replied, drifting closer.

�Who High Lord is?/� Astrid queried. She tightened her grip on her wand and paused a moment to reinforce her Occlumency again.

�/High Lord is High Lord,/� the Dementor was nearly close enough to touch. Astrid was shivering from the intense chill that emanated from the creature.

�/High Lord others what call?/� she asked, now more grateful than ever for the presence of Severus Snape at her back.

�/Others call High Lord Minister,/� the creature replied. It reached out towards her with its scabrous hand and its bony fingers.

Astrid felt her Occlumency shields deteriorate under direct pressure of the Dementor�s close presence and her own personal memories.

It was a voice behind her that brought her thoughts back to reality.

�Expecto Patronum,� Snape�s voice was deep and clear.

Astrid was vaguely aware of something large rushing past her. The influence of the Dementor faded, and she managed to make her vocal cords work, to add her own energies to Snape�s defenses.

�Expecto Patronum!�

From the tip of her wand came a rush of glowing white energy that formed quickly into the form of an Oriental dragon. Specifically, it was a Kage Tatsu, a Shadow Dragon from Japan. They traveled in shadows and could create shadows of their own. Astrid had been told about them during her schooling, and her Patronus had taken that form from its first coalescence.

Now, Astrid looked in shock as her Patronus joined another of the same shape, swirling around the two of them to keep the Dementor away.

�Perhaps we should talk later, Professor Snape,� she said, keeping her eyes on the Dementor.

�Yes, perhaps,� Snape replied. �I don�t believe that I have ever seen two people with the same Patronus before.�

�First,� Astrid said. �We need to drive the Dementors off and make sure the students are safe.�

�Yes,� Snape said. �Forward, then. Can you maintain the Patronus for a while?�

�Yes,� Astrid replied. �We should send the Patronuses ahead of us, to clear out the Dementors.�

They made their way down the corridor of the train car, watching closely. Each compartment they passed held frightened students, including her own children, but no Dementors. They were beginning to breathe a bit easier until the door at the far end of the car opened.

A Dementor glided through the doorway and continued quickly towards them. The reason for its haste was apparent shortly when several other Patronuses came through the end of the car: an enormous fanged serpent, an eagle, an otter, a large shaggy dog, and a unicorn.

As soon as she saw the unicorn, Astrid felt like an enormous weight had lifted from her heart. The only unicorn shaped Patronus that she had ever seen or heard of belonged to her sister, Lilith.

The Dementor was between her and her sister.

She slipped her wand into its sheath and spread her empty hands in front of the Dementor.

Desperate to escape and eager for a meal, the Dementor moved towards what it believed was a willing victim.

When it was less than two feet from her, Astrid revealed that what had seemed to be surrender was instead a trap.

�Expecto Patronum!� she cried. White light blasted from her spread hands, enveloping the Dementor in incandescence. It shrieked in agony and then was engulfed and devoured by the light.

Astrid let her hands drop and the light faded, leaving nothing of the Dementor but a tattered scrap of cloth lying on the floor of the corridor.

She turned to smile triumphantly at Snape, but her smile faded when she saw the look of fear on his face. She had never dreamed that the one man she desired above all others would fear the power that she carried.

She put it out of her mind, and then proceeded into the next car, the last in the train.

At the far end of the car, there were five individuals. Two were faced away, one was turning from one side to the other, and the other two were facing in their direction. They were a young man with pale blonde hair and a girl with bushy brown hair.

�Professor Snape!� the blonde boy cried, lowering his wand. �There are still Dementors outside.�

�Then send your Patronus outside, Mr. Malfoy,� Snape said. �I do find it curious that you and Miss Granger are side by side.�

�Strange things happen during battles, Professor,� Malfoy answered. �Besides, not everything is what it appears to be.�

Hermione�s medallion had come out of her jumper during the fracas, and it glittered in the fading light.

�So I see,� Snape said.

�I can explain, Professor Snape,� Hermione said, grabbing at the medallion and tucking it back into her jumper.

�That is unnecessary, Miss Granger,� Snape assured her. �Now, are all of you safe?�

�Quite safe, Professor,� a familiar voice said as the other two individuals turned around.

Snape found himself staring at Ginny Weasley and, unsurprisingly, Harry Potter.

�Mister Potter,� he said. �You have been leading people on a merry chase this last month. Would you care to explain yourself to me first, or to the entire staff at once?�

�I have nothing to explain to Dumbledore,� Harry said. �I will explain to you, at the castle, if you will listen.�

�Very well, Potter,� Snape said. �I will hold you to that.�

Astrid was staring at the tallest of the group. She pushed past Snape and the students he was talking to. She stopped a few feet away to look at her sister with disbelieving eyes.

�You are alive,� she murmured. �They told me that they had you, but I didn�t really believe them. Then, I thought you would be insane, and I�d never find you, even if you were alive.�

�Why aren�t you insane?� Lilith asked.

�I don�t have time to explain,� Astrid said. She pulled off one of her dark green gloves and held out her hand to her sister.

Lilith copied her sister, removing one of her lavender gloves. The two young women locked eyes with one another, and then clasped their ungloved hands at the same time.

They were both each immediately overrun with all of the memories that the other had gathered since the attack on Mistland. Between the two of them, now, they had all of the information they needed.

�We�ll pretend we don�t recognize one another,� Lilith said after they recovered. �I�ll say that my twin was, um, Leonie, and that she died at Mistland.�

�Dumbledore already �knows� that my twin died,� Astrid said. �I�ll name her, um, Andrea. If he discovers the truth, then he�ll only be convinced that we�re unstable, and therefore useable.�

Astrid pulled a duplicate of her medallion out of her pocket and caressed it with her hand.

�Father gave me this for you,� she said. �Ever since those idiots brought you to England. I despaired of ever giving it to you. We have to go, now that the Dementors are dealt with. I�ll find a way for us to see one another at school.�

�Does he know you talk to birds and cats?� Lilith asked. �I could come see you as one of those.�

Astrid�s reply was stilled by the sound of the car door opening. She turned to see Dumbledore enter, followed by Maximillian Malfoie.

�Everything is under control up there,� Maximillain said. �How are things back here?�

�The Dementors have been dealt with,� Snape said. �Headmaster, Professor Tyler knows a bit of the Necromancer�s Cant. She was able to get the first Dementor that we encountered and it told us that they were sent for �the boy of thunder.��

�Not good,� Dumbledore said. �Did you find out who sent them? Was it Tom?�

�It was not him, Headmaster,� Astrid said, turning away from Lilith. �It said that it was sent by someone they call �High Lord.� When I pushed it, it said that others call the �High Lord� �Minister.� I don�t know about you, but it sounds to me as if the Minister of Magic wants Harry Potter for something unwholesome.�

�I believe you are correct, Professor,� Dumbledore said, playing the kindly older man. �I will take that up with Cornelius after the students are safely at Hogwarts.�

�Of course, Headmaster,� Astrid said. �You will be relieved to know, as well, that Mr. Potter seems to be safe and sound.�

�That is a relief, my dear,� Dumbledore said. �Harry, my boy, don�t ever do that again. You had us all very worried, very worried indeed.�

�I needed to get away, sir,� Harry replied without the faintest sign of affection or dislike.

�We should be getting back,� Dumbledore said. �We must be in place before the train arrives.�

�Very well Headmaster,� Astrid said, turning back to Lilith. �I�ll see you at Hogwarts. It will be very strange, with you still studying and me teaching.�

�You�ll have to tell me how you did it,� Lilith said.

�Come see me when you have some free time,� Astrid said. �We can catch up then.�

�I see you two know each other,� Dumbledore said. His blue eyes darted from one witch to the other, suspicious and concerned.

�Yes,� Astrid said. �Lilith and I were in the same year at Mistland. I�m just happy to see that one of my year-mates survived.�

�You will have plenty of time to catch up, my dear,� Dumbledore said. �Harry, I want to see you in my office after the feast.�

�Yes, Professor,� Harry said, a look of indifference on his face as if it were set in stone.

�Come along, Professor Tyler,� Dumbledore said. �The Welcoming Feast awaits.�

TBC
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Practice to Deceive