[fifty]

Turns out, seven didn't mean seven hours, or seven people. As soon as Draco and Hermione got the note to McGonagall, she called for an assembly, along with a search of the castle.

The aurors, who had been there conducting "seminars" all week, scoured the castle for any threats, but came up with nothing.

McGonagall held the assembly in the Great Hall, checking the attendance, in case seven meant seven kidnapped students, but everyone was there. She pretended like the assembly was for the upcoming examinations, announcing several rules and regulations to make sure the traitor didn't think they were onto them.

Ten didn't mean anything either. There weren't ten Death Eaters waiting to storm the castle, not even ten birds. The crow that Elena had mentioned that dropped the note on her hand was nowhere to be seen, neither were its friends.

It was now Saturday morning, the day Pansy had planned for them to go shopping. Neither Harry, Ron or Hermione fancied the idea of leaving the castle, let alone the common room, where the stone might still be. However, McGonagall insisted they act normal and go about business as usual.

Much to Hermione's disdain, they split up like the people in muggle horror films do. Girls went off to look for dresses, whilst the boys went with Draco to look for dress robes. "If anything happens, I'm a message away." Draco tapped on the bracelet on Hermione's wrist, something they haven't been using to communicate in a while "Or send it through our link. I'll be there."

Hermione pressed a kiss on his lips "Likewise."

Since Ron insisted they act normal, the Slytherins had invited Goyle to join their little shopping trip, but he refused saying he had to take make-up work for all the assessments he had missed last term.

"Neville's keeping an eye on him." Ginny assured them

"We'll let's get going then so we can get back early." Harry sighed "Where to?"

"Wizarding London, of course." Pansy grinned "We'll apparate to Diagon Alley as soon as we leave the gates."

"Alright let's get this over with." Ron said, walking along with Harry. Normally, he'd be excited over the idea of getting new clothes, but under their current circumstances? All he wanted to do was stay in the castle and make sure nobody dies.

"Where are Theo and Celine?" Blaise wondered, noting their absence

"They said they'll follow." Astoria shrugged "Cel couldn't find her pegs for the dresses."

"Those two better make it quick." Pansy huffed as they exited the gates. She extended her hand to Ginny and Hermione, ready to disapparate.

Somewhere in the castle, Theo stood watching with Celine by his side "You sure about this?" She asked him

Theo watched as his friends disapparated, then glanced at the fire message in his hand "Absolutely." He said, reading the note one more time.

———

Diagon Alley was bustling with people as usual. According to Pansy, she had made appointments at Twilfitt and Tattings. Much to Draco's dismay, on the other hand, the other boys insisted Madame Malkin's dress robes would suffice. So, they split as soon as they entered the busy wizarding commercial street.

"These dresses look wonderful!" Elena gushed as she scanned the racks

"Oh no, darling, we're not going through those." Pansy shook her head "The dresses as the back are what we're after."

"Well, thank heavens Celine has decided to make me a dress too. At least I won't have to empty my savings for just one dress." Ginny mumbled

"Draco's paying for this, apparently." Hermione sighed, still not used to the seemingly endless supply of money her fiancée seemed to have.

"On that note, I'm just going to go look at some coats over here." Ginny smirked, walking over to the side.

Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed, sitting over to where Pansy waited "So, any colors in mind?"

"Well, I'll need two of course. One black, for yours, and a yellow one for Weasley's." Pansy shrugged "They insisted on a garden theme at the Burrow." Pansy tried to keep the judgement from her face, but of course, some old habits die hard.

Hermione nudged her playfully "Your Slytherin is showing."

Astoria laughed at Pansy's grimace "It's their party, Pans, leave them be."