Harry Potter and the Flying Squad (01) - Sahits

He finished, "I promised Dumbledore not to talk to anyone, until the train is under way ...
That's why I didn't dare following your invitation. I guess I'd have spilled the secret within
minutes."
Fred and George exchanged glances, for once silent.
Hermione was the first to recover. "What are we supposed to do, Harry?"
"Well, we have to gather Cho and the two boys ... I've got pictures of them, and there's a letter
from Dumbledore for each of the three - you know, in case they won't move to our orders."
"Leave the boys to us," said George, "and let Hermione get Cho ... I can't help thinking she
might need that letter."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, that's what I had in mind."
Hermione's comment was a smile - a short one, Harry could watch how the full impact of his
story was wiping it off.
That reminded him. "Wait - before you go, there's something else ... Draco knows about the
plan." He informed the Weasley brothers about the short encounter, instantly followed by Ron
describing what he'd seen passing the three figures outside.
"Ron," said Harry, "go find Lupin and tell him." He pointed toward the head of the train. "The
last compartment before the freight wagon will be locked. Knock twice, then wait a second,
then once, and finally twice more - that's the code ... Ask Lupin what whe should do about
Draco."
"I'd have an idea," replied Ron, his glance passing the dog in the corner. "But you're right. I'll
ask."
As the others rose, Harry added, "Oh, I almost forgot - I've got a key for the compartment
next door, the one that's signed as out of order ... Fred, George, bring those boys in there and
stay with them until I'll join you."
He was alone with the dog, had a few minutes to prepare his rhetorics for the talk ahead,
which seemed quite a task of its own - somehow, the thought of explaining the situation to
Cho was more frightening than an encounter with some Dementors.
This would have been an excellent opportunity to bite nails, except he wasn't prone to it.
Days before, when meeting Dumbledore again, the Headmaster had suggested to inform the
two boys only as much as required to keep them together. This was one reason why he wanted
to separate between them and Cho - there was no doubt, he had to tell her the full truth.
And even if he might have found another reason inside him - this official one was enough,
wasn't it?
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