The Flip Side

Prologue

The summer day was coming to its end, washing the hundreds of people walking through and around Trafalgar Square, both tourist and locals alike, in the warm glow of the setting sun. As it had rained for several days prior, the crowd was soaking up every minute that this particular Sunday was generously providing them. Children ran excitedly around Nelson's Column, chasing the wild pigeons that had gathered and roaring with great tenacity in imitation of the four bronze lion statues that lay proudly at its base. Parents rested their feet, sipped on takeaway coffees and largely ignored them, letting the great cats serve as temporary child-minders while they had a rare moment to themselves. Many had set the Square as a rendezvous point and enthusiastically greeted friends as they approached to compare shopping finds.

One man was there to partake in none of these activities, and stood on his own next to one of the columns that lined the entrance to the National Gallery. He was dressed in all black and wore a long, fine cloak that starkly contrasted his long blond hair, and produced a silver pocket watch to checked the hour, something he had done several times since he arrived in the Square. He wrinkled his nose in thinly-veiled disgust at the crowd of people, and tapped his walking stick impatiently on the stone in front of a particularly bold pigeon that had been curiously approaching him.

"Picking fights with the birds now, Malfoy?"

Lucius Malfoy turned around, keeping his face cool and expressionless as he regarded the slender, stooped man that had approached from the opposite way he had expected. He did not appreciate surprises, and refused to appear flustered as he greeted the smaller man. "Nott. You're late."

"I had to be certain that I wasn't being followed," Nott replied without hesitation and motioned for Malfoy to walk with him. "This is a rather sensitive matter, after all."

"Then why on Earth request to meet here?" Malfoy did not bother to hide his disdain for the location, glowering at a pair of young women that peered curiously at their strange, upper-class appearance.

"Hiding in plain sight, of course," Nott said casually. "Muggles may be the filth of society but they do provide a service: namely, noise cover. There are far too many ears in the walls and eyes in the streets in our world these days."

"Are we under suspicion?" Malfoy asked under his breath.

"It seems this business at Hogwarts last year has the Ministry spooked," Nott nodded. "They're trying to keep it all quiet, but our man on the inside says nine raids are scheduled for tomorrow night, including on my estate. Several items are in need of urgent relocation, which is going on as we speak."

"Is that so?" Malfoy stared suspiciously at the other man.

"It is - and before you ask: Malfoy Manor is not included on that list. Though I would caution you to rid yourself of anything that could cause embarrassment were that to change," Nott advised as the two men crossed the Square to stand next to one of the two large fountains. "Perhaps Mr Borgin could help you there."

"As admirable as it is for you to have my family's best interests in mind," Malfoy rolled his eyes, "I hardly believe that to be the sole purpose of this meeting."

"Sharp as ever, Lucius," Nott replied sarcastically, and Malfoy ignored the jab. "You are being charged with the care of one particular artifact."

"Just one?"

"Indeed. The Dark Lord's journal from his days as a schoolboy."

"What?" Malfoy hissed. "Such a thing would put my family in great danger were it to be discovered! And Borgin would certainly never risk buying it."

"We don't want you to sell it," Nott shook his head with an amused smile pulling at his lips. "We want you to see that it gets back to Hogwarts this year."

Lucius Malfoy peered at him curiously but Nott waved his hand to indicate that they keep moving. He motioned to a spot on the fountain wall that was just out of earshot from any passersby and there they sat casually next to each other. After taking a moment to discretely ensure that nobody appeared to be paying them especially close attention, Nott removed a small, shabby, black diary from his cloak and pretended to read from it.

"I would send it with Theodore, if I could, of course," Nott continued without looking at his companion. "But I obviously cannot carry on with it in my possession after tonight. And it would not do for him to be caught with it at school, either."

"And you expect me to have Abigail or Draco take that risk?" Malfoy returned with a scowl, gazing out over the crowd.

"Not at all," Nott replied coolly. "In fact, it would be ill-advised to even make them aware of its existence."

"How do you expect me to get it there?" Malfoy was growing tired of the game Nott appeared to be playing with him.

"We trust you'll find a way. You are a very resourceful man, after all," the smaller man said, as he tilted the diary toward Malfoy as though showing him a passage. The blond man played along, though the pages were blank. In one smooth motion, the book was passed from one to the other and then slipped into Malfoy's cloak pocket.

"I don't suppose you'll tell me what it does?" Malfoy asked haughtily as the pair stood once again and dusted themselves off.

"If I knew myself, perhaps," Nott answered him. "All we know is that it will play a key role in the return of the Dark Lord. If he did indeed make his presence felt at Hogwarts, as we believe, then that is where it must go. Perhaps it is finally time that school be cleansed."

Chapter One

Unwanted Encounters

"But Da-ddy!"

"Abigail, I am warning you, not another word about it!"

Abigail Malfoy scowled and closed her mouth. Beside her, Draco sneered as he took another bite of his breakfast bangers. He found it amusing to watch his elder sister whine and still not get what she wanted.

The argument had started yesterday morning when the family's eagle owl had delivered the mail containing Draco and Abby's Hogwarts letters. Abby had not been the least bit pleased to hear she would be returning to Hogwarts, and had spent the majority of the day pestering her father about returning to Durmstrang for another year, insisting that her previous year studying abroad had been the best she'd ever had. She had very nearly thrown a tantrum when Mr Malfoy had ignored her and informed the two that they would be going to Diagon Alley the next day for school supplies.

She spent that night cuddling her Himalayan cat, Nightshade, and sending letters by owl post back and forth to Marcus Flint about her horribly unfair life. Eventually, Flint promised her that he would arrive at Malfoy Manor the next morning and accompany her to Diagon Alley where they would meet up with some other members of Slytherin. The thought of seeing Flint the next day had considerably raised her spirits but still she had tried to plead her case to her father again that morning. The results were obvious; Lucius did not want to hear it.

"Abigail, darling, do not scowl," Narcissa Malfoy said as she whisked through the kitchen, her elegant hairstyle pinned perfectly in place. Dobby, the family's servant House Elf, dodged to avoid being knocked over by her as he raced about setting the long dining table with more food. "Your face will stay that way." Draco stifled a laugh.

"Mother," Abby rolled her eyes. "Really."

Narcissa moved behind the table and licked her fingers and then pulled a stray strand of Abby's blonde hair back into place among her curled locks. "Must look our best, darling. Marcus will be here soon, after all." She used the last bit of saliva on her finger to wipe a crumb from Draco's face.

"Mother!" Abby repeated.

"Must look our best for Marcus," Draco mocked her with a howling laugh.

Abby was tempted to turn her brother into a spotted toad but held her tongue as Lucius re-entered the room. Both sat up straight under his disapproving gaze - he was often after them, both for squabbling and slouching. Then, after a sideways kick at Dobby, who scurried from the room, he unexpectedly sat down with them at the head of the table.

"Princess," he began, folding his gloved hands neatly in front of him. "I know how much of a dreadful letdown you think Hogwarts will be to go back to after the year you had – especially with that wretched Professor Dumbledore in charge." Abby was nodding. "But, as it cannot be helped, how about I buy you something nice at Diagon Alley today?"

"Oh, honest, Daddy?" Abby beamed. "Can it be something from Knockturn Alley?"

"Anything you want, Princess," Lucius's cold grey eyes flickered.

"Oi! Hang on, what about me? Why does she get a present and I don't?" Draco interjected, shooting a displeased look at his sister. "Just because—"

"All right, Draco, I'll get you a present as well," Lucius conceded, sharply interrupting his son's protests. Draco looked triumphantly at Abby, who was about to argue but was cut off by Dobby as the elf came skidding back into the kitchen. He cast an apprehensive look at Lucius before speaking.

"Mistress Abigail!" he wheezed, quite out of breath. "Begging your pardon, miss, but Dobby has been sent to fetch you. Marcus Flint has just arrived by Floo Powder, miss, and he is asking after you."

Abby jumped to her feet and Draco sneered. "Mustn't keep Marcus waiting after all," he said as she passed but she ignored him with a toss of her blonde hair and he went back to chattering on about what he wanted for his present.

Abby marched through the many rooms of Malfoy Manor until she finally came to the large carpeted drawing room lavishly decorated with expensive ornate furnishings and beautiful hand-woven tapestries. This room was Narcissa's pride and joy: a chance to show off her stature and fashionable taste. A pair of enormous glass doors led the way out to the veranda that overlooked the garden. Nightshade was napping on the arm of one of Narcissa's gilded ebony armchairs. Standing in front of the white stone fireplace at the far end of the room was Marcus Flint - Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team and Abby's boyfriend for the past three years - carefully dusting his robes so as not to get a spot of dirt on the furniture.

Flint's dark, brooding eyes caught sight of her as she entered the room and his mouth twisted into his trademark crooked, toothy grin. He curled his finger, beckoning her to him. She smiled coyly and walked to his side, nudging Nightshade off the armchair before her mother could catch him. "Hello, Marcus," she said.

Flint's reply was to lift her chin (with surprising gentleness, given his size) and lean down to kiss her. "Life's not so horrible now, is it?" he winked after pulling back again and then both looked up at the distinct sound of somebody clearing their throat. Lucius was standing across the room with his usual disapproving look on his face.

"Mr Flint," came Lucius's cold greeting.

"All right, Mr Malfoy?" Flint said with a cocky grin on his face. "Lovely day, isn't it? If you don't mind, we'll just have a minute to enjoy it before it's off to Diagon Alley." Before Lucius could object, Flint took Abby's hand and led her out onto the veranda and closed the glass door behind him.

"The nerve of that boy," Lucius hissed as Narcissa came up next to him.

"I agree, father," Draco said loudly. Neither had noticed him follow Narcissa from the kitchen. "Utterly disgraceful."

"Off you go, Draco," Narcissa shooed him away. "Go and get dressed." Draco huffed but was pleased that he had gotten his word in and headed toward his room. Narcissa turned back to Lucius. "Now, darling, Marcus is a lovely boy. Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch team. Strong. From a proper wizarding family." She leaned closer to her husband's ear as she whispered, "Pure-blood. And he takes care of her. Our Abigail could do far worse, let me remind you." There was a knowing light in her eyes.

"Hmm," Lucius replied, not having taken his eyes from Abby and Flint as they crossed the grounds to sit by the fountain. "Indeed. Yet it doesn't stop me from worrying for her. Still, perhaps he will come in useful someday."

"Whether he does or not, we have more important matters at hand," Narcissa reminded him. "It is crucial that nobody suspect a thing."

"It is all in hand, Narcissa," Lucius tore his eyes away from the two outside. "They will be there today. Nothing to worry about."

"Good," she said and kissed his cheek. "Now you had better decide what you're buying for Draco before he goes mad with anticipation," she teased and then left the room. As soon as she was out of sight, Nightshade was back up on the armchair.

Lucius ignored the cat and moved to leave but as he turned around he caught sight of Dobby cowering a little ways off. He shot a warning glare at the jittery elf as he smoothly swept past him, wondering if that had not been the first time Dobby had been listening in on a private conversation. Not that it mattered; the elf's magical bond to the Malfoy family prevented him from betraying their trust. Still, he would have to think of a suitable punishment later.

It wasn't long before it was off to Diagon Alley. Flint told Abby that their friends Adrian Pucey and Terrence Higgs would meet them in front of Gringott's around noon, and Lucius had some business at Borgin & Burkes in Knockturn Alley. Naturally this interested Draco (who had now decided that he wanted a racing broom) and he insisted that he accompany his father. This arrangement was met with objections from neither Abby nor Flint, who were quite pleased that they would not have Draco tagging along.

As it was not yet noon when they arrived at Gringott's, Pucey and Higgs were not there. Abby and Flint waited next to the white marble staircase and passed the time with a lot of snogging, stopping only momentarily to leer at passers-by (most horribly at younger Hufflepuffs) and mutter rotten things about them just loud enough for them to hear but just out of earshot of their parents.

"Not interrupting anything, are we mate?"

They looked up; Pucey and Higgs had finally arrived. It was ten past twelve.

"You're late," Flint grinned after one last kiss from Abby. "No sign of Bletch, then?"

"He couldn't get away from some family do," Pucey shrugged. He and Patrick Bletchley, their team's Keeper, were rarely out of each other's company.

"But we're just in time for a little fun," said Higgs as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Look who's coming."

Abby and Flint emerged from behind the stairs to look in the direction Higgs had indicated: the entire Weasley family was making their way down the street along with two other children obviously not of the family but recognizable at any rate. In fact, by Draco's uncanny accuracy of their descriptions (through constant ranting all summer), Abby knew the two to be Hermione Granger and the famous Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter.

The four Slytherins stared down the troupe of Gryffindors as they neared, remembering vividly the feeling of Gryffindor's overthrow of Slytherin's seven-year House Cup winning streak (though Slytherin had still managed to secure the Quidditch Cup). They overheard the name Malfoy come up in conversation as the group passed and Percy Weasley - who was in the same year as Abby, Pucey and Higgs - looked in their direction, and then quickly looked away.

"Oh no," Percy muttered under his breath.

Fred and George heard the sentiment and paused in their curiosity, letting the rest of the family pass by and into Gringott's. "What is it, Perce?" Fred grinned. "Lose your Prefect badge?"

"No," Percy glowered at them.

"Are you certain?" George feigned concern. "We could search Diagon Alley for you. In fact, give us a minute and we'll have the Ministry of Magic on the case!"

"We'll leave no stone un-turned!" Fred declared.

"I haven't lost my badge, thank you," Percy stated firmly. "I've only just seen someone I didn't care to see before it was absolutely necessary."

"Oh? Who's that then?" Fred asked.

Percy quickly jerked his head over his shoulder and the twins turned their attention to the gang of Slytherins at the bottom of the steps. "Oh," George said in recognition. "Them."

"Or more specifically her, I'd imagine," Fred added. "From the look on her face, she's already planning to make up for her absence last year."

"It's nowt to joke about," Percy snapped. "Excuse me." He pushed by them and entered the towering building. Fred and George followed quickly and, once inside, moved behind Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"Funny how you mentioned seeing Draco Malfoy earlier, Harry," Fred scratched his ear.

"Why's that?" Harry asked, not particularly seeing anything funny about seeing Draco Malfoy at any time.

"Because we've just seen his sister outside," said George as Mr Weasley spoke to the Gringott's goblins.

"I remember you telling me about her," Ron frowned deeply. "You had me expecting a lot worse."

"Well, she didn't get the chance to start anything last year. That will change, I'm sure," Fred replied.

"She's really just like Draco then?"

"Of course not, Ron - she's a girl," George grinned.

"I meant that she's horrid, you great lump!" Ron snapped.

"She's all mouth and no sense to shut it," Percy said stiffly, obviously wishing they'd change the subject. "Nothing more."

"Not quite," George went on. "She's dead fit. Shame how a big gob ruins that."

"All you need's a good Silencing charm," Fred winked.

"Fred Weasley, don't you even think about it!" Mrs Weasley turned around suddenly. They'd almost forgotten she was there. "I seriously doubt it would be seen as an accident after a second time."

"Fred blasted her with a jaw-locking jinx our second year," George said, stifling a laugh. "Worked better than we thought it would."

"You didn't!" Hermione looked horrified at Fred.

"Brilliant!" beamed Harry and Ron together.

"She had to have her meals through a straw for a week," Fred nodded.

"Quietest she's ever been," George added.

Harry, Ron and Ginny were laughing. Hermione was shaking her head and trying not to smile. Even Percy's eyes revealed that he'd not entirely thought it to be the wrong thing to do, though the rest of his face would never admit such a thing.

"Of course, old McGonagall had a go at me for it," Fred continued. "And I had detention with Filch for every day she couldn't speak." He thought for a moment. "And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

"You most certainly will not!" Mrs Weasley interjected. Honestly, the woman had ears like a fox. Mr Weasley, however, was laughing silently to himself, hoping his wife wouldn't see.

"And that was it?" Ron asked. "I can't see a Malfoy - or anyone, really - forgetting something like that too easily."

"Oh, she didn't forget," Fred shook his head. "Especially when George and I made the Quidditch team."

"And since she's dating old Flint..." George trailed off.

"Oh," Harry groaned as he realized what they were implying. He had met Marcus Flint last year in the Quidditch match against Slytherin and knew him to be a nasty piece of work in his own right. Harry didn't like to think of the consequences of really angering him.

"But it was still worth it," Fred grinned.

Another silencing look from his mother and no more was said about it. Harry and the Weasleys made the trips to their respective bank vaults and soon returned to the surface where Hermione was waiting with her parents. She looked contemplative.

"Fred?" she asked. "About Malfoy's sister? You didn't say just why you cast that jinx. Surely not for fun?"

"Never you mind," Percy said quickly and brushed by to go his own way, muttering something about quills.

"What, Hermione?" Fred shrugged in response to her question. "You mean to say I needed a reason?"

Percy walked through the large bronze front doors of Gringott's and looked around cautiously; the Slytherins were nowhere in sight. He sighed in relief and started down the marble steps, peering up and down Diagon Alley and wondering if Penelope Clearwater (with whom he had been secretly sending letters back and forth all summer) had arrived yet. He reached the cobbles of the street, turned to his left and almost immediately fell flat on his face, spilling the coins his mother had given him.

"Careful, Weasley. Your life savings is getting away from you."

Percy gathered himself together and looked up at the sneering faces of Flint, Abby, Pucey and Higgs. They'd been tucked around the side of the Gringott's steps waiting for one of the Weasleys to come out, and they couldn't hide their glee that it had been him. Percy was suddenly furious with himself for believing they'd actually just gone off without incident.

As he shoved the coins back into his pocket and went to stand, Flint roughly dragged him to his feet, and then proceeded to shove him against the stair wall. Percy refused to lose his dignity even with the larger boy leering at him.

"Is there something you want, Flint?" he asked as normally as one can when a much stronger boy is squashing one against a marble staircase. "Or is this merely routine troll behavior?"

"Cheeky, Weasley," Flint flashed his horrible grin. "Maybe you'd like to tell us why you lot were discussing Abby's family just then?"

Percy swallowed. His gaze darted to Abby, who was stood just to Flint's left, watching him maliciously. "Harry had just seen your brother in Knockturn Alley, Abby, and was telling us about it. Nothing more. Now, if you please-"

"Nothing more?" Abby cut him off. "Funny, I could swear I heard my father's name mentioned."

"He was-"

"You remember the last time you spoke ill of my family, don't you Weasley?" Abby took a serious tone and she moved in front of him, staring him down.

"I'd think you would remember it just as well," Percy's voice was defiant. "I hate to admit it, but my brothers are more skilled with jinxes than they let on. How is that jaw of yours?" Abby's eyes narrowed and Flint pushed Percy even more forcefully into the wall. Percy's eyes bulged.

Abby stepped back and attached herself to Flint's arm. The Slytherin Captain leaned closer to Percy. "You're getting mouthy, mate. No brothers to back you up this time, though," he snarled. "Maybe it's time we finish what was started."

He was now squeezing him so strongly that Percy was finding it difficult to breathe. His stomach knotted but he held his composure and stared straight back into Flint's threatening gaze. If he was about to take a beating, then he was determined to take it like a man.

Suddenly, something caught Flint's eye and his attention shifted. Percy looked to see what it was: the shining Prefect badge on his shoulder.

"Oh, that's right," Flint sneered. "Weasley's a school Prefect. That changes everything, don't it, Ade?"

"Oh yeah," Pucey smirked. "Wouldn't want to land ourselves in a right mess by roughing up someone so important."

"Oi! Terry!" Flint called over his shoulder.

"Yeah?" Higgs moved over to him.

Flint shifted his grip on Percy and swiftly tore the Prefect badge from his cloak. "Isn't this yours?" he said and tossed the badge to Higgs.

"Nah. Mine's nicer," Higgs replied. "But maybe I'll start up a collection!" Percy watched in horror as Higgs pinned it to his cloak beside his own badge and puffed out his chest in imitation of Percy. The other Slytherins howled with laughter.

"Let him go."

Percy looked beyond Higgs to the source of the voice: Fred and George were there behind him accompanied by their friend Lee Jordan, all three with their wands pointed at Marcus Flint's back. Abby, Pucey and Higgs went for their wands but froze as the three boys shifted their aim to cut them off. Fred winked and Abby set her jaw in a scowl.

"Let him go, Flint," George repeated. "I wouldn't want to have to do anything that would leave you injured when Quidditch season starts."

Flint and George stared each other down; neither one seemed to blink. It was unlikely that Flint was worried that George would make good on his threat (being bigger than both twins put together), and he was certainly not one to back down from a fight. But, as his eyes flickered momentarily to look just beyond George, he could see the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team – Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell - moving toward them. Abby, Pucey and Higgs saw them too and glanced at Flint.

After a moment's indecision, Flint took hold of Percy's robes with both hands and threw him hard to the ground. Percy gritted his teeth as his knees and hands scraped along the cobbles and then Higgs dropped the Prefect badge beside him and proceeded to stomp on it.

"See you on the pitch," Flint snarled at George and then led the Slytherins away. Fred blew a kiss at Abby as she passed and she tossed her hair and hurried up to walk beside Flint. As he passed the other Gryffindors, Flint threw a hard shoulder into Wood, who moved instantly to retaliate but Angelina and Katie quickly held him back. They hurried to where Fred and George were helping Percy to his feet.

"All right, Percy?" Wood asked.

"Fine, thank you," Percy said as he pinned his badge back on his robes. His frustration was evident in his voice.

"I knew there would be trouble now their little gang's back together," Angelina snorted. "Pathetic, she is, that Abby Malfoy."

"Oh, d'you know, she deliberately turned me blue in Potions class once?" Alicia said. "Remember Angelina? She came in to deliver a message to Snape and then tossed something in my cauldron on the way out! And then Snape took points from Gryffindor because I had made a mess!"

"She's all mouth and no sense to shut it," Percy repeated his earlier assessment of Abby. Then with a look at his brothers that mixed gratitude with humiliation, he strode off with all the dignity he could muster.

"What d'you reckon, Fred?" George folded his arms. "Is there another Silencing charm in Miss Malfoy's future?"

"Well, George, I was never good in Divination, but I think this calls for something much better," Fred stroked his chin, and Wood couldn't help but wonder if he was going to have to replace his team's Beaters due to a double-expulsion.