MwaM; Ch 16: Girls, Gossip, and Grim Warnings

Author's Note: Hello there, this is chapter 16 of Merc with a Mouth. I really hope you will like it.

Important Disclaimer: All the characters in the story have been aged up, and therefore every character is an adult. This is an alternate universe story, which means none of the characters are minors or underaged.

Also, congratulations to our Guildmasters: Camo, I am Lord Dems, StormFox, RyanMK666, PenguGoesVroom, Hydrus Black and Darth Josh! 😇🥰

Now, without any further ado....Let's begin!

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Merc with a Mouth

-Dev Sagittarius Black

~Chapter 16: Girls, Gossips, and Grim Warnings~

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“And to think I was so damn worried about you last night.” A voice interrupted them as Harry was about to take another bite of his ham and cheese sandwich. “Care to explain what’s with all the rumours going around you, hmm? They say that Dumbledore called you last night and that Lord Malfoy was here as well.”

“Awww…did my Little Lips want to meet Mr. Stick-up-his-arse Malfoy?” Harry said as he turned to look at his redhead friend who stood behind him. “On second thought…that doesn’t narrow it down much, but eh, you know who I mean.”

“Of course I do, and I want to know what in Merlin’s name you are doing that he came here to specifically meet you.” Ginny added before she looked towards Susan. “Can we sit? I promise that we won’t take much of your time.”

“Sure.” Susan nodded before she looked at Justin, who shifted to the side. “Make yourself comfortable.”

“Thanks.” Ginny mumbled as the two sat between them. “Now, you, what the hell were you thinking before you attacked that idiot?”

“Aren’t you forgetting something, Ginny?” Harry asked her as he delicately sliced his omelette into thin pieces. 

“What?”

“I have a condition if you want me to answer.” He looked back at the blonde beside her. “Right, Luna?”

“Yes, Harry.” She nodded. “It’s a ritual, Ginny; that’s why I suggested we talk about it in private.”

“Wh-What?” Susan blinked as the two girls stopped eating. “What are you two talking about?”

“It’s a simple requirement, you see,” The Ravenclaw explained in the same airy voice, “You have to kiss him for every question that you want an answer to. Though, I’ve seen you answer a few questions without the requirement being fulfilled. Are you going to collect the kisses later, Harry?”

“If they’re interested,” He placed a piece of omelette in his mouth and looked at Hannah. “I’m sure that I would love to have someone pay up their previous deals.” He grinned when the blonde blushed a little and tried to look away.

“What’s going—”

“Ahem!” Ginny interrupted Susan, “Sorry, you know how it is for me, right? I have to leave soon.” She explained before adding. “You can interrogate him later all you want, but he’ll be here in a few minutes, and I want to go back to my table before that happens.”

The auburn-haired witch was about to reply with something along the lines of ‘Then go away to your table’, but her blonde friend stopped her from doing so by holding her arm under the table.

“Now, Harry, I'm not in the mood for a joke; therefore, it’d be better for the both of us if you simply answered right now.”

“Hmmm…I don’t know, Gin.” He glanced at her, his green eyes hiding the mirth. “You still haven’t paid me, so I might not answer.”

“If you don’t, then I’ll bat-bogey it out of you, you idiot.” She glared at him. “Now. What did Peacock Senior want? I don’t suppose he was just here to watch his son whine in the hospital wing?”

“I’d have said that it was exactly that, but it’d be a lie.” Harry shrugged. “He wanted me expelled for ‘harming’ his son et al.”

“And since you’re still here, I s’pose that Dumbledore didn’t let that happen?”

“Ah, yes, our dear, sweet, completely unbiased headmaster graciously protected me by giving me two months’ detention with Hagrid.”

“Two months?!” Ginny shrieked before hastily calming down. “And you’re okay with that?”

“You tell him, Weasley,” Hannah said, her voice dripping with exasperated fondness. She stirred her tea lazily with a finger. “He’s being too much of an idiot to ask for a fair deal.” She leaned in towards Harry, batting her lashes dramatically. “But if it helps, I’ll write your appeal letter myself. Probably on pink parchment and seal it with a kiss. Maybe Dumbledore likes a little flair.”

Justin snorted from the side, and Susan—sitting stiff-backed beside her—sighed quietly.

“This isn’t a joke,” she finally said, her tone quiet but accompanied with boldness. “You could’ve been expelled, Harry. You shouldn’t be punished for defending yourself—but flaunting it like this only makes it worse.” She glanced around the table before whispering. “Lord Malfoy isn't someone you laugh off. If he escalates this—”

“Then I’ll deal with it,” Harry cut in, looking at the girl in question. “I appreciate it, Susan, everyone, really I do. But I’m damn sure that he won’t be doing anything in the future.” He added before leaning back a bit. “Chill out, people, it’s just a detention, and who wouldn’t agree to a detention if they get to punch Malfoy and his boyfriends, right?”

“I would.” Justin nodded. "To be honest, I'm quite envious of how you got to beat the crap out of them and got away with just a simple detention. How did you pull that off?”

“Easy. Dumbledore's a sucker for chocolate frogs.” Harry shrugged, grinning at the boy. “You give him a chocolate frog, and he’ll forget what you did.”

“Oh?” Ginny raised her eyebrow. “And how did you convince Malfoy then? Cockroach clusters perhaps?”

“Nah, he just came for some Blood Pops,” Harry said with a smirk. “I’m pretty sure he’s a vampire—long hair, dramatic flair, always walking around with that cane like he’s about to monologue in a thunderstorm.”

Ginny, Justin, and Hannah erupted into laughter, while Luna and Susan exchanged amused smiles as they imagined the prim and proper Lucius Malfoy sneaking around like a gothic soap opera villain—red eyes blazing, fangs dripping, and dramatically flinging his cape as he hunted for unsuspecting victims… or maybe just a really good snack.

A few minutes later, the group settled back into their breakfast, chatting happily among themselves. Ginny kept slipping into quiet whispers with Harry, her cheeks flushing every time he did the same with her. Meanwhile, Luna animatedly told about the Rotfang conspiracy to Justin, who listened with polite confusion—too polite to ask her to stop, even though most of it went over his head.

Across the table, Hannah made playful attempts to pull Susan into the conversation, but the girl’s gaze kept drifting back to Ginny—watching the redhead inch closer to Harry and wondering about that strange deal involving kisses. She wasn’t sure how to process it all.

‘Kisses for questions? Was Harry really doing something weird like that? Who’d even do that in the first place?’She thought her eyes fell on the youngest Weasley, who shifted closer to him, practically sitting in his lap. ‘Guess I know who would…’ She shook her head.

"You know the easiest way to a guy’s heart?" Hannah said with a grin. "Shove him into the first broom cupboard you find and rock his world." She laughed when the redhead started to sputter and gave the girl a friendly pat on the back. "Easy there, baby. I’d hate for you to choke to death before you’ve even lost your virginity."

“Hannah!” The Bones heiress cried, her face aflame and almost as red as her hair. “What’s gotten into you?!”

“The question isn’t what’s gotten into me, Susan; it’s what’s gotten into you.” Hannah answered. “You’ve not finished what little you took for breakfast; you are not at all listening to my problems with the transfiguration essay; instead, all you have done is to stare at Boy Wonder as he flirts with little Weasley. Don’t you think it’s time you admit it to your little crushies, or to yourself at least?”

“Sorry to break your cute little bubble, but it’s not—as you put it—a crush.” The witch whispered, taking a huge gulp of her orange juice. “So I’d like it if you stopped pestering me about it.”

“Then care to explain your…ahem…staring contest between you and the lovebirds?”

Susan wanted to point out that Ginny and Harry weren’t lovebirds, but she held herself since it would only give her friend more material to poke about. Therefore, she simply shrugged and answered, “I was curious about the deal with the kisses, and why was Weasley interested in him.”

“And you were totally not curious about Carter’s lips and how they taste, right?” 

“Right.” Susan didn’t even have to look at Hannah to know that her friend was smirking at her. “Now, has he told you about it?”

“Nope.” The blonde shook her head. “Trust me, if he did, I’d have already known what he tastes like.”

“Oh C’mon, Hannah, don’t tell me you’ve got a crush on him as well.”

“As well, love?”

“I-I mean,” Susan stammered, “I know Megan has hots for him, and we now have Weasley as well, while Brown has always tried her best to get him to notice her, so…” She shrugged. “I didn’t know you were in line.” 

“I’m not in line, Su.” Hannah shrugged, taking a small sip of her tea and relishing in its taste. “I just find him attractive, and I'm quite sure that he wouldn’t mind some experience with the broom cupboards. You know what I mean?”

“I…really?” The buxom girl blinked in surprise as she glanced at her childhood friend once more. “I…You’re really going to…you know?”

“Soon.” The blonde grinned, her blue eyes glinting with mischief. “That’s why I wanted to confirm if you had hots for him as well. I’d have left him for you, but since you clearly aren’t interested…he’s free game, right?” 

Susan glanced back at the green-eyed flirt machine, currently whispering something clearly obscene—if the way the youngest Weasley was blushing like a tomato was anything to go by. By now, she knew that Harry was a flirt. It wasn’t exactly a state secret. Everyone knew he could talk the robes off a statue.

He hadn’t been around long, but somehow, not a single girl had managed to dodge his charm when they were being targeted with it. The Patil twins? Flirted with. Megan and Katie? Invited him to lunch twice. Sue Li from Ravenclaw? Blushed like clockwork whenever he so much as looked at her in Slughorn’s class.

And just yesterday, Susan had watched him talk his way out of a detention for literally falling asleep in Professor Babbling’s lecture.

Which—honestly? Was quite impressive. Disturbing, yes, but impressive.

Just like all of them before, she suspected that Babbling too fell for Harry’s charm with flawless effort. After all, who wouldn’t? Between those unnaturally green eyes, that lopsided grin, and the weaponized dimples.

And yes, fine. The dimples worked. They worked, okay? Susan wasn’t blind. She could admit the dimples were cute. Not fall-over-yourself-and-giggle cute, obviously. Just… annoyingly effective cute.

Totally manageable. Completely under control.

She knew her aunt had always told her to keep everyone—especially boys—at an arm’s length, and she did! She didn’t even want Harry that way, but for some weird reason whenever he spoke, her eyes wouldn’t be able to look into his green pools and instead would fall on those damn dimples that came whenever he smiled.

‘Well….there’s nothing wrong with liking someone’s smile, right? He just has perfect teeth, and that’s what I probably like.’ She tried to reason with herself. ‘And…and maybe I’m not worried about Harry. No, I’m worried about Hannah, that she might want to taste..ugh…kiss Harry again, and again…and I don’t know…again? That’s bad, right? Isn’t that something people do when they’re in love? What if Hannah leaves me because she thinks she loves Harry instead? No…can’t let that happen…’ 

“I’m waiting for an answer, Susan…” Hannah grinned, her baby blue eyes sparkling with mischief, and a Cheshire Cat grin blossomed on her face. “Is it alright with you if I take Harry into a broom cupboard?” 

“Err..Why not? I mean—”

Their hushed conversation was thankfully—for Susan—interrupted by loud hoots and flutters of feathery wings as hundreds of owls swooped in through the large doors of the great hall. Now, normally, they wouldn’t have paid the morning post much attention, but, for some reason, today was unusual.

“Hey….is it just me, or do you also think that there are a lot more owls than usual?” Justin asked as they watched the humongous flock flutter around as they dropped the package that had been clutched tightly in their talons.

“Yep,” Ginny agreed, “and….they have The Prophet.” She frowned before turning towards Harry, who was watching everything like others. “Do you think something happened?”

“Possible.” He nodded. “I’m sure we’ll know about it in a few minutes.” 

Just as he said that, gasps started to echo around the great hall as the students and professors read their copies of the newspaper.

Finally, a small flock swooped above them, dropping the infamous newspapers on their heads, which they caught and began to read. Their eyes widened in shock at the heading of the article that was on the front page; 

MINISTER NO MORE: FUDGE TOPPLED BY NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION

SR. UNDERSECRETARY DOLORES UMBRIDGE SUSPENDED AND UNDER OBSERVATION

TIBERIUS OGDEN CHOSEN AS THE NEW INTERIM MINISTER FOR MAGIC

There were a few pictures under the heading that showed the former minister for magic walking out of the Wizengamot room, ignoring the reporters and the multiple flashes of lights that aimed to capture his face. Another that showed the pink monstrosity that was his senior undersecretary screaming into the camera as she was dragged out of the chamber by the Aurors, and a few more pictures that showed Director Amelia Bones, Lord Tiberius Ogden, and Mesdames Augusta Longbottom and Griselda Marchbanks.

There was a long article underneath the pictures which detailed the emergency session that had been called in and the wave of no-confidence motions that had been led by Director Bones herself. She had then proceeded to bring out evidence against both Fudge and Umbridge, which detailed the deeply unsettling corruption that had been nurtured by them for years in the British Ministry of Magic.

Soon enough a low buzz of wild theories and speculations began thrumming through the student population as everyone began discussing the new changes in the magical government of their nation. Some of them were even pointing to Susan and Neville while the two students kept on ignoring the whispers that directly involved them. 

And although quite interesting, Harry wasn’t in the mood to be a part of the ongoing discussion, as he had something way more important to focus on. Once more, he looked down at the small note that had been slipped to him through his special copy of the newspaper. 

The note contained only a single line, and yet it was enough to set his nerves on edge;

‘Things are about to change in the Ministry. Protect her better—someone will try to kill her.’

There was no question about who had written the note. After all, they had been in correspondence for a month before he took the mission. 

The real question was: What exactly was about to happen? And more unsettling still—why did she sound so certain?

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A bitter chill rolled down from the looming grand doors at the far end of the carpeted corridor, coiling through the hallway like an abnormal form of darkness, unnatural and foreboding. Promising a cold, dark and ominous future for anyone who ventured through them.

Lucius Malfoy ran.

His white-blonde hair flipping in the wind, torn by the rush of air. The gilded cane in his hand trembled slightly, not from exertion—but from something far more worrisome. Fear. Panic clawed at his composure, usually so polished, now cracking with every step.

And for the first time in years, Lucius Malfoy wasn’t sure he wanted to arrive.

The blonde knocked on the doors twice before announcing himself, “My Lord, I am Lucius. May I enter?” 

There was no reply, but the doors opened on their own, wordlessly telling him that his master was in no mood to entertain anyone right now and that he was clearly pissed off. 

The Malfoy Lord entered the opulently decorated throne room only to find the ruby-encrusted black throne devoid of his master. He looked around, trying to spot the tall and thin frame of his master in the light of the dozens of crystal chandeliers that hung around the grand room.

Unfortunately, the Dark Lord wasn’t to be seen.

He even took a peek behind the throne to see if his Lord was near the fireplace, but the only living thing near it was the large coiled form of his master’s familiar, who was basking in the warmth of the flickering flames.

“My Lord?” Lucius asked out loud.

“Manners, Lucius; it seems that you’re forgetting them.” A distinctively clear, spine-chilling voice echoed throughout the dark chamber. “Or should I start disciplining you once again?”

“N-No master.” He immediately fell to his knees. “I wasn’t able to see you and was actually looking for you, my lord.”

“For what?” The voice came from every corner of the room at the same time, “Perhaps to further disappoint me with your incompetence?”

“I apologise, master.” Malfoy kept his head down, fearing that if he raised his head, his Lord might kill him. “I was a bit occupied with family matters and therefore was unable to check for the ministry letter regarding yesterday’s emergency meeting.”

“Of course, family comes first, right, Lucius?” This time the words were far closer, as if his Voldemort was standing right behind him. “Matters of blood are far more important than our mission and what we lost due to your inability to choose what truly matters.”

“Forgive me, Master.” He begged, “I-I know that I failed, but all I ask for is another chance. Just one more, and I swear on my life that I won’t disappoint you this time.”

“You seem quite sure of yourself, Lucius.” Voldemort said as he slowly materialised behind the man. “I hope that you know the gravity of your ignorance.”

“I do, master, but Bones isn’t in position yet. She’ll have to first vacate her position as the Director of DMLE and recruit someone else for it before she’ll be able to take up the minister’s chair.” The Death Eater explained. “That will take at least a week or two more, and that is more than enough time for us to threaten her niece.”

“And what do you think about our dear interim minister?”

“Ogden’s a good man with politics that are done behind closed doors, but he’s useless when it comes to taking active decisions. He probably doesn’t even want to do anything with the chair.” Lucius said before adding. “I’m quite sure that Bones and Longbottom supported him as an interim minister only because he’s easy to sway and would readily give them the position when they want it.”

There was a pregnant pause as Voldemort took his time to think about the consequences. What Lucius had said was true. The Ogdens had been a neutral family of wine merchants who had only cared about profiting from their business, which meant that Tiberius, just like his grandfather Bob, wouldn’t want to do anything against them anytime soon.

‘And Bones would indeed need some time before she makes a power move for the seat.’

“Rise, old friend.” The Dark Lord commanded, his voice low but firm as he grasped Malfoy’s shoulder and pulled him to his feet. “There is a lot that we have to do and little time.”

Lucius exhaled slowly, steadying himself as he turned to face the Dark Lord. Even now, after all these years, the mere sight of the man commanded reverence.

Tall and imposing, Voldemort’s features were almost unnervingly perfect. High cheekbones, a sharp, patrician nose, and piercing red eyes that burnt with an unnatural amount of power and malice. His shoulder-length midnight-black hair was meticulously swept back and gave him an air of cold nobility.

Lucius had often wondered, in the silence of his own mind, what this man had looked like at the pinnacle of his first reign—when his father, Lord Abraxus Malfoy, had been the one standing by his side. Had he been just as composed? Just as terrifying? Or had age only sharpened the blade?

He did not ask. He did not dare. Some questions, even now, are better left unanswered.

Voldemort released a small smile as his servant’s thoughts were brushed against his mind. He was still thankful for his wisdom when he had decided to show a rare moment of restraint: Stopping at three horcruxes instead of seven. 

Thankfully he had noticed the fragile state of his appearance after the creation of Slytherin’s locket. His skin had paled, and there was a subtle shift in his thoughts. They had turned more random and had gained a slight shade of violence….a bloodthirst that he hadn’t perceived before whispered to him at all times. 

So he had stopped.

Not out of fear, but calculation.

And in doing so, he had preserved more than just the vestiges of his once-handsome form. He had safeguarded clarity—kept his mind sharp, his control intact….his thoughts his own.

Immortality, after all, was useless if one became a monster even to oneself.

“Did we receive anything from our friend, Greyback?” 

“Indeed, my Lord.” Lucius nodded. “He has said that the young wolves are being trained now and that he has commanded a few of them to increase their numbers while he, along with the more seasoned members, will start their journey in three days.” 

“How long will we have to wait for him?”

“Seven days.” Lucius bowed. “But master, there is a slight issue with our plans.” 

“An issue?” Voldemort frowned when the man nodded again. “Explain.”

“Greyback and his pack have been feeding in the wild, my Lord, and that beast of a man hasn’t been known to show restraint.” He replied before adding. “If any of them forget their mission and accidentally go overboard, it’d become quite detrimental for our cause.”

“Indeed, we need to make sure that he only maims his targets enough to send a message to our precious Director and the old fool, not actually kill them.” The Dark Lord hummed in thought as he looked into the determined eyes of his servant. “What are you not telling me, Lucius?”

“I want your permission to lead the attack, master.” The blonde man replied. “It’d be my way of proving that I am worthy of your trust once more. I will ensure that Amelia Bones regrets the day she took a stand against us and sheds tears of blood for her actions.”

There was a moment of silence that followed his declaration. Lord Voldemort glanced into his follower’s pale-grey eyes and saw the determination that was as clear as the uncertainty and fear which dwelled deep inside him. 

It was quite clear to the Dark Lord that his servant was hiding something from him, and it wasn’t even difficult to know that the feeling which had motivated Lucius to ask this wasn’t the desire to prove his loyalty; rather, it was the intense craving of revenge.

“Revenge, is it?” Voldemort said, his voice smooth like the finest swords. “Not loyalty. Not duty, and not even a fickle desire of repentance…how predictable.” 

“My—My Lord, I—”

“Do not fail this, Lucius, and don’t make me regret giving you another chance.” Voldemort intoned, a small smile forming on his lips as his eyes glowed with thinly leashed fury. “Because if you do, then death would be something you’ll seek more than the revenge that is burning inside you.”

“Than-Thank you, My Lord.” Lucius mumbled as he bowed once more. “I won’t disappoint you again.”

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Ending Note: There we go! Liked it? Loved it? Needs some changes? Please, do tell.

I am waiting for all your comments. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Once more! Important Disclaimer: All the characters in the story have been aged up, and therefore every character is an adult. This is an alternate universe story, which means none of the characters are minors or underaged.

Thank you for reading and your comments,

With regards,
Dev Black