"Let's talk at the High Tower." Will waved a hand.
One look at Draco hurrying toward him, and he could guess what it was about.
Another letter had probably arrived from that side.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, on the top floor of the High Tower, Will opened the envelope Malfoy handed him.
This time, though, it wasn't from Voldemort. Lucius had written it. The message was simple: Will was to spend part of the Christmas holidays at Malfoy Manor.
For one thing, he was to get acquainted with the Death Eaters. Will raised an eyebrow at that—Lucius had actually written that Will should get acquainted with his subordinates to make future operations easier.
For another, they had an operation to prepare for over Christmas.
There was also something about Draco.
After reading the letter, Will conjured a flame in his hand and burned it to ash.
"You're not going home for Christmas." Will glanced at Draco, who was sitting on the sofa.
"Huh?" Draco didn't follow at first. "Has the situation gotten that dangerous?"
"Your father wants you to stay at school for Christmas. The Death Eaters might be planning something, and if you get mixed up in it and end up crippled, what happens to the future of the Malfoy family?"
Draco nodded, beginning to understand.
Will seemed to remember something. "Oh, and come up with a good reason to stay at school. Don't just refuse to go home. That would look strange."
"What should I do, then?"
"Anything. Ideally, make a mistake in Potions Class and have an accident that puts you in the hospital," Will said. "A broken arm or leg would heal in a day. That's no excuse.
"A Potions Class accident, on the other hand, is easy to arrange. Snape will be there,