Sunday morning dawned with a pale, weak sun struggling to pierce the heavy, snow-laden clouds over the Scottish Highlands. The air was frigid, but the atmosphere in the Great Hall was buzzing with the electric excitement of the final Hogsmeade visit before the holidays.
After breakfast, Orion slipped away briefly to deploy his Reflection Clone, sending his duplicate off to the Room of Hidden Things to continue the endless categorization.
With his operational duties outsourced for the day, Orion physically rejoined his brother.
They walked out of the castle, bundled heavily in thick winter cloaks, and joined the queue for the Thestral carriages. Draco was practically bouncing on the icy path.
"Finally," Draco breathed, watching the skeletal horses pull the carriages forward. "I thought Dumbledore was going to keep the gates locked forever. It's about time I got to see the village. I hear Zonko's has a new shipment of Dungbombs."
"Try not to blow off your own fingers, Draco," Orion advised smoothly as they climbed into a carriage, followed closely by Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
The ride down the winding, snow-dusted road was filled with chatter.
The carriage rattled to a halt at the edge of the village. Hogsmeade looked like a picturesque postcard, the thatched roofs heavy with fresh snow, warm golden light spilling from the windows of the various shops.
The Slytherin group immediately dispersed upon stepping out into the cold.
"Zonko's!" Draco declared, his hulking bodygaurds immediately following him there. Pansy hurried after them, shivering and complaining about the snow.
Orion remained standing near the carriage drop-off, adjusting his scarf.
"Orion," a cool, composed voice called out.
Daphne approached, her blonde hair tucked neatly into a silver-threaded hat. "I was planning on heading to Honeydukes. Astoria requested some specific treats, and I prefer not to navigate the crowds in there alone if I can help it."
"A sensible precaution," Orion agreed, offering his arm with a polite, aristocratic gesture. "I was planning on making a stop there myself to procure some items for Luna. We can brave the sugar rush together."
Daphne took his arm, and they walked down the cobbled street toward the sweetshop.
As they walked, Orion's sharp eyes scanned the village. He immediately noted the increased security presence. Several young witches and wizards in dark, practical cloaks were lingering near intersections or standing casually outside storefronts. Trainee Aurors from the castle detachment.
"You really do care about Luna a lot, huh?" Daphne muttered suddenly, her voice low enough that it wouldn't carry.
Orion raised a single, perfectly sculpted eyebrow, looking down at the Ice Queen of Slytherin. "Care is a strong word, Daphne. I simply find her company to be refreshingly devoid of the tedious political posturing that plagues our House. And she is significantly smarter than most people give her credit for."
Daphne hummed softly, not pushing the subject further.
They pushed open the door to Honeydukes, immediately assaulted by the overwhelming, sugary heat and the chaotic noise of dozens of students clamoring for Chocolate Frogs and Every Flavour Beans.
Standing near a massive barrel of Cockroach Clusters, looking thoroughly bored and slightly green, was Nymphadora Tonks.
"Tonks," Orion greeted her, stepping out of the main flow of traffic.
Tonks jumped slightly, her hair shifting to a startled blue before settling back to brown. "Orion. Greengrass. Don't sneak up on an Auror on duty, it's bad for the heart."
"You look thrilled to be here," Orion noted dryly.
"Yep," Tonks sighed, crossing her arms. "We got orders yesterday night, right after I finished suffering through that detention with you. We are to actively patrol the village while the students are here. Fudge's brilliant idea. He announced that with the escaped convicts still at large, the children were 'at risk' during excursions."
"A highly visible, performative display of security to reassure the parents," Orion translated smoothly. He offered a charming, mocking smile. "Well, with you standing guard by the Cockroach Clusters, I already feel infinitely safer."
Tonks glared at him, pointing a finger. "Watch it, cousin. I have the authority to confiscate your sweets."
"You wouldn't dare."
Orion and Daphne quickly navigated the aisles, gathering the requested fruit-flavored candies for Luna and a selection of elegant, dark chocolates for Astoria.
Once they paid, they regrouped near the entrance with Tonks.
"Tell me, Tonks," Orion asked, his voice dropping slightly. "Were you planning on meeting with Sirius while you were down here?"
He gestured vaguely toward the village. "I assume he must be here today, meeting with Potter."
Tonks perked up, looking around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "Yep, I was," she confirmed cheerfully. "Wanna join? He probably won't mind the company. Remus told me where they're meeting."
Orion's eyes narrowed a fraction. Remus? Not Professor Lupin?
"Ooh," Sparkle chimed in his mind. "Looks like someone is getting chummy with the Defense Professor. First name basis already."
Interesting, Orion thought, filing the social dynamic away for later analysis.
"Where are they?" Orion asked.
"They are at the Hog's Head," Tonks said, scrunching her nose slightly. "That old, dodgy tavern down the side alley. Very few people go there. It smells like goats."
"A tactical choice," Orion deduced. "While Sirius is technically a free man, he still attracts massive amounts of public attention, and Potter is a celebrity in his own right. Sitting in the middle of The Three Broomsticks would have caused a riot. The Hog's Head is discreet."
"Exactly," Tonks nodded.
"Let's go, then," Orion said, adjusting his bag of sweets. He paused, looking at his cousin. "Unless you are strictly stuck here guarding the candy?"
"Us Aurors are not stuck in one place like gargoyles, Orion," Tonks scoffed, pushing off the wall. "We are patrolling. We are actively encouraged to move around the village to ensure comprehensive security coverage. Come on."
Orion turned to Daphne. "I am heading to a tavern to meet a recently exonerated mass-murderer and a werewolf. You are welcome to join us, Daphne, or I can escort you back to the main street."
Daphne looked at the bag of chocolates in her hand, then at Tonks, and finally at Orion. Her pureblood upbringing screamed at her to avoid shady taverns and disgraced individuals. But her curiosity, and perhaps a desire for a distraction from the mundane, won out.
"I will join you," Daphne decided, her voice cool and steady. "As long as you do not mind my presence."
"Not at all," Orion smiled. "Let's go."
They left the warmth of Honeydukes, following Tonks down a narrow, dirty side street that quickly led away from the cheerful bustle of the main village, heading toward the shadowy, goat-scented mysteries of the Hog's Head.