Green Eyed Monster | Draco Malfoy

79. Backfire

Chapter 79 - Backfire

"So is this change of plan likely to get us killed?" I frowned, crossing my arms over my chest while I examined the group of people that were now starting to crowd the Dursleys' entryway. "Because I vote for sticking to the original."

"Your vote isn't important," Bill smirked, hardly moving over in time to avoid his younger twin brothers storm towards me and lift me in a hug that resembled some kind of sandwich. I didn't return it properly thanks to my arms being pinned at my sides, but that did nothing to stop the immediate blush from Fred beaming at me like he was. Holy Helga, it would be a lot easier to get past the fact he fancied me at one point if he wasn't always so damned happy to see me.

"No votes for you; you're still sixteen," George mocked, raising his eyebrows teasingly. I rolled my eyes.

"For four more days!"

"You're sixteen, nonetheless," Lupin interrupted, making the twins finally let go of me so that some of them could explain what was about to happen. "There are rules for the Order to follow."

"There were age rules for the Triwizard Tournament too," I reminded him simply. "Well, what's the new plan then? Something involving a battalion?"

"A wonderful battalion-"

"-a wonderful battalion to beat all other battalions..." I rolled my eyes at the twins, though I was unable to fully keep the smile from my face. It was good to see them; as much as Ron and Hermione were here for Harry - as much as all the Weasleys were here for Harry - it was nice to know that the twins liked me best.

"I can't believe you're all here. Kingsley," Harry stepped forward a little, even though the man was all the way across the room. "I thought you were looking after the Muggle Prime Minister?"

"He can get along without me for one night. You two are more important."

"Aw," I cooed dully. "How sweet."

"Guess what's sweeter?" Tonks asked excitedly, shoving her hand toward my face and wiggling a ring at me. A ring that happened to be on her left finger...

"Merlin's mullet, Tonks," my eyes widened as I looked up, switching my eyes between her and Lupin - both were beaming, both were proud.

"You got married?" Harry nearly yelped, looking more shocked than I was.

"I'm sorry you couldn't be there, it was very quiet," Lupin explained to the two of us. I smiled a little tightly, trying not to think about how odd it was that while I felt scared and miserable, people were still living out their lives in normal ways. They got married while I was contemplating how to kill an evil overlord who's been plotting my twin's death for sixteen years - just another Thursday.

"You're right," I tried not to sound bitter considering I was happy for them, even if confused by how they could find such happiness in times like these. "That's much sweeter."

"All right, all right, we'll have time for a cozy catch-up later," Moody announced.

"Unless we die," I pointed out.

"Always the optimist, Audrey."

"Enough," Moody interrupted again, banging his cane on the floor to get everyone's attention. Heads snapped to him like soldiers in combat - which unnerved me more. He dropped the heavy sacks he was carrying to his feet, kicking it a bit further away from him and toward the group of us. "As Dedalus probably told you, we had to abandon Plan A. Pius Thicknesse has gone over, which gives us a big problem. He's made it an imprisonable offense to connect this house to the Floo Network, place a Portkey here, or Apparate in or out. All done in the name of your protection, to prevent You-Know-Who getting in at you."