Post by Meluivan Indil on Nov 28, 2005 15:00:51 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I own nothing in the world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts. The wonderful J.K. Rowling, who created it in the first place, owns it all and I am receiving no monetary gain for writing this.
Summary: There is a new student at Hogwarts, a transfer from the Beauxbatons Academy. But who is she, and how is she connected to Draco Malfoy? Story includes spoilers for the later Harry Potter fics.
Author’s Note: In this fic I have rewrote the last few chapters of Half Blood Prince to reflect how I would have personally liked to see it go, and have started a seventh year at Hogwarts for our favorite trio. There is a small amount of HP/OFC pairing in this fic, but I stress that this story is not a romance. This story is mostly about friendship and family ties. Therefore I am ignoring the fact that Harry and Ginny hooked up in J.K. Rowling’s version. I must warn that this story is rated PG-13 due to violence in later chapters.
Chapter 1
Harry stood frozen next to the Astronomy Tower door watching as Severus Snape stood staring at Dumbledore’s weakened body. If only Dumbledore hadn’t used that body binding charm on him. If only they hadn’t went after that stupid Horcrux to begin with, maybe there would have been a way to avoid the deadly situation they were facing.
He could tell by the look in Snape’s eyes that he meant to kill Dumbledore. But Dumbledore had trusted him. Why had he trusted him?
“Draco, this is your task to finish. The Dark Lord has given it to you.” Snape hissed. He turned then as a loud noise was heard from the bottom of the stairs. “All of you. Go down there and finish as many of them as you can. Once this is over I want a clear path out of here.” Snape ordered the Death Eaters behind them. They complied though reluctantly. None of them wanted to cross Lord Voldimort’s most trusted servant.
After they had left Snape looked directly at Draco. “You must decide what you want to do, boy.” He could see the hesitancy in Draco’s face.
“He can not do it, Severus. He is not his father.” A weak voice next to the wall called out. Snape turned in that direction, seeing Dumbledore trying to stand a little straighter. “But you on the other hand….” The wizard’s words died as a knowing look crossed his face.
Snape’s wand hand raised a fraction as he licked his lips and Harry could see him readying the curse in his mind.
“It is not too late to turn back, Severus. You have been my friend for many years now. Is this really what you wish?” Dumbledore’s voice strengthened, as he knew he was fighting for his very life.
For a moment it looked as if Snape was considering his words. But then his resolve returned. “I made the Unbreakable Vow, with his mother.” Snape motioned to Draco.
Dumbledore nodded understanding the situation Snape had placed himself in. “You are a member of the Order, Severus. Why would you do something like that?”
“I have been playing this spy game for so long that I have forgotten which side I am supposed to be on anymore. But as far as the Vow, I had no choice.” Snape said bitterly. “If I had refused, they would have known. That cow, Bellatrix, was with her. She would have immediately gone to the Dark Lord. Then where would I be? You can’t protect everyone Dumbledore. The Order of the Pheonix can’t protect everyone.”
Draco looked up at Snape with a surprised look on his face. He had known about the Unbreakable Vow that Snape had made with his mother, but he had never imagined that his mentor was leaning towards Dumbledore’s side in this war.
“What was the exact Vow you made?” Dumbledore asked wearily.
“I would do whatever it takes to protect this boy, even if it included finishing the task he was set to do, if he could not.” Snape spat out angrily.
“If you finish the boys task, do you think Voldemort will allow him to live? If you have to finish it won’t it prove to the Dark Lord that the boy does not have what it takes to be a Death Eater? Do you think he will be allowed to live?” Dumbledore asked knowing the answers that Snape would surely realize.
Snape looked to Draco, seeing the situation he was in.
“Severus, maybe the best way to protect the boy is not by finishing his task, but by standing by him, and being there for him, if the need arises.” Dumbledore suggested.
For a moment Severus seemed to contemplate Dumbledore’s words, but finally the wand lowered very slowly. Draco’s jaw dropped when he saw Snape’s wand hand fall. “But your Vow…” The boy said flustered.
“Was to protect you in any way I had to. And the best way to do that, is to ensure that you never come in contact with Lord Voldemort or the Death Eaters.” Snape hissed.
“Now, Severus, if you could. I need my wand.” Dumbledore stated holding his hand out.
“Accio, wand.” Snape said and Harry could see Dumbledore’s wand fly through the air and land softly in Snape’s hand. Then Snape moved forward handing the wand back to the Wizard.
“Thank you, Severus.” Dumbledore smiled waving the wand, and Harry was suddenly able to move again. “Now, Harry, if you don’t mind helping me. We need to join the fray downstairs.”
Snape and Draco both turned in the direction that Dumbledore was facing, and saw Harry remove his Invisibility Cloak. Harry swiftly moved past Snape and placed his shoulder under one of Dumbledore’s arms. “I will help you, Professor. But if you ever put a Binding Spell on me in the face of danger again, we will be having words.”
“Sorry, Harry. I wasn’t sure what was coming through that door. Severus, would you lead the way?” Dumbledore asked as Harry began to help him forward.
“Yes, Sir.” Severus answered then turned to Draco. “Stay behind me, Draco.”
The four of them made their way down the stairs from the Astronomy Tower, and into the fight below. Snape saw Greyback the huge Werewolf in human form. He was cornered by Lupin and Tonks, but was fighting in complete rage and fury. The smile that crossed his face when he saw Snape and Draco slipped when he saw Dumbledore and Harry behind them.
“Traitor.” He howled in rage, and broke free of Lupin after knocking his wand away. He was running towards Snape intending to rip his throat out.
“Greyback. We must go now.” A female Death Eater screamed from the door leading out of the chamber they were in.
Greyback heard her and swerved out of the path of the oncoming Curse that Snape had directed at him. He and the girl left the room as several other Death Eaters covered their escape.
“Stop them.” Snape yelled at the top of his lungs, but it was pointless. By the time he and the other members of the Order made their way to the front doors of the school they could barely see Greyback moving through the front gate, and then disapparating. They had captured almost a dozen Death Eaters, but the ringleaders had gotten away, and with them went any hope that Voldemort would not learn of the night’s events.
The injured were taken to the hospital wing and Snape took Professor Dumbledore to his office to attempt to counter the effects of the liquid he had consumed in the cave.
Harry feeling confused and rather useless at the moment went searching for Ron and Hermione. It was hard to believe that he and Dumbledore had only left the school a few hours before. There had been an immense amount of damage done to the structure, and he knew that it would take the teachers some time to repair it all.
He finally found his friends in the hospital wing. “Ron, Hermione.” He called out in fear that one of them had been hurt in the battle.
“Harry.” Hermione called out as her and Ron both swung around.
“Blimey, Harry. You had us worried” Ron said watching Hermione rush up to hug Harry.
“Is everyone still … alive?” Harry asked pausing before the word. He remembered the fear he had felt when he first saw the Dark mark above Hogwarts. His first fear had been that one of his closest friends had been harmed or worse killed.
“Yes. We all made it.” Ron said his eyes dropping to look at the floor.
Harry saw the furtive look on Ron’s face and looked to Hermione, who’s own face held a concerned look. “Who’s hurt?” Harry asked immediately trying to look past the two friends. “Is it Ginny?” For the first time he noticed that she was not with them.
“No, I’m okay, Harry.” Ginny said standing from beside a bed in the far corner. She turned to them and Harry could see that she had been crying. She walked to where they stood, and Ron wrapped his arm around her.
“Who…” Harry started to ask, motioning to the bed.
“Bill.” Hermione answered him. “He was viciously attacked by Greyback.”
“But it wasn’t the full moon. I don’t understand. I saw Greyback. He was clawing and biting at anyone who got near him.” Harry wondered.
“It seems that he has become more Werewolf than human. He now attempts to kill viciously even as a human.” Ginny said bitterly.
“Will he live?” Harry hated to ask the question, but he had to know.
“Yes, but the wounds do not heal right. Madame Pomfrey says he may never look the same. And there will be scarring.” Ron answered.
“Mum and Dad are on their way here.” Ginny said turning again to sit beside Bill. As they all moved closer Harry could see how horrible his injuries were.
When the rest of the Weasley family came in Madame Pomfrey asked Harry and Hermione to leave, so the family could have time to themselves.
They made their way back to the Gryffindor common room not sure where else to go. They saw Neville Longbottom there talking to some of the other Gryffindors. He and Luna Lovegood had been the only two other members of the DA to react to the call that Hermione had put out for help after Harry left. They were the only two who had been keeping an eye on the galleons that Harry had placed a spell on and given to the members of the DA. So other than Ron, Hermione, and Ginny they were the only students that had known exactly what had happened that night. Neville for once was happy to be the center of attention, as he told the gathered students of what had happened.
He looked up when he saw them enter. “Harry.” He called out in excitement. “It worked. We repelled the Death Eaters and caught a few of them to boot.”
“Yes, Neville. It worked.” Harry said in an exhausted voice. He didn’t want to talk to Neville, or any of the other students. So much had happened, and the only persons he wanted to share his part of the adventure with were Ron and Hermione. But most of all, he wanted to speak to Dumbledore. He had so many questions. And most prominent among them, was what they would do with the Horcrux.
Unfortunately the other Gryffindors were not ready to let them get away without explaining their parts of the battle. Hermione started off telling them what she and Ron had done, and about what had happened to Bill. All of the students shuddered at the thought of being attacked by Greyback, even in his human form.
When it was Harry’s turn, he wasn’t sure what to tell them. He had not been in the school for most of the battle and he was sure that Dumbledore would not want him telling them of the Horcrux, or about what had happened on the Astronomy Tower with Professor Snape and Draco. Luckily though at that moment a very young looking Second year came in and interrupted them. “Harry, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you in his office.”
It was what Harry was waiting for. He immediately made his way to the Gargoyles outside Dumbledore’s office, giving the password and rushing up the steps not allowing them to take him up, and without knocking entered the office.
“How are you, Professor?” He asked immediately.
“I am much better, Harry.” Dumbledore said smiling. He did look stronger, but still warn around the edges. “Professor Snape fixed me up a restorative potion that has counteracted the effects of that potion I drank. I am assured that within a few days I will be back to my regular self.”
Dumbledore motioned to a seat across from him, and Harry immediately sat down. “You have questions. I can see them in your eyes.”
“Yes, Professor. What is to happen to Snape and Draco?” Was the first question that came to Harry.
“Professor Snape.” Dumbledore corrected him. At his words, Harry felt some of the old anger bubbling up inside. “Harry, tonight of all nights, Severus showed me the greatest amount of loyalty that he ever could.”
“But he almost killed you. He was going to. I saw it in his eyes.” Harry blurted out.
“But he did not. Now did he?” Dumbledore countered. “And at great peril to his own life he did so. That Vow he took was a tricky one, and he is still under its power. He is now bound to Draco Malfoy for the rest of his life, and must protect the boy at all costs. For the day that that boy dies, will also be the day that Severus dies. It is just a good thing that Bellatrix was not as accomplished a witch as she might have thought she was. If she had done the Curse correctly Severus would have been bound to kill me or die himself. As it is, she just bound him as Draco’s protector.”
“And what of Draco. He is the one who allowed those Death Eaters to enter Hogwarts. Is he to be punished for that crime?” Harry hated the fact that he sounded vindictive when he asked the question, but his anger at Malfoy was still glaringly apparent.
“Harry, you missed part of my conversation with the young Mr. Malfoy. He had no choice in the matter. Voldemort would have killed him and his mother if he refused. As it is, I have very little hope for his mother’s safety. I have members of the Order searching for her, but she has yet to be found.” Dumbledore said with a touch of sadness entering his voice.
Harry hadn’t listening to that part of the conversation; he had been fighting so hard to free himself from the binding spell. But now that he thought back he remembered.
“Now for the question that you wish to be answered most.” Dumbledore said removing the locket from his pocket that he had taken from the cave. Harry tensed immediately. He had only seen one Horcrux in his life, but had not realized what it truly was even though he had destroyed it. But now he would have the opportunity to destroy yet a second part of Lord Voldemort. “Unfortunately, this is not a Horcrux, Harry.”
“What.” Harry said a little louder than he intended.
“Look inside.” Dumbledore said handing the locket to Harry. Harry opened the locket and saw a piece of paper folded and tucked into one of the sides where a picture should have been. He took the paper out and read the words.
To the Dark Lord.
I will be dead long before you read this. But I wanted you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux, and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
Harry shook his head in disbelief. After all they had went through to get the locket, after leaving the school without its full protection, the Horcrux turned out to be a fake. Dumbledore had risked his life to get that locket, and Harry had worked so hard to bring him back to Hogwarts. He felt as if his entire body was slumping forward in exhaustion. “So it was for not.” He said in a depressed tone.
“Not necessarily, Harry. It is a clue. We must now discover who R.A.B is and whether or not he destroyed the real Horcrux.” Dumbledore said smiling.
“Not to be disrespectful, Professor, but right now, I’m too exhausted for clues, or mysteries.” Harry said irritably.
Dumbledore chuckled. “That’s alright, Harry. You go on now. I myself am rather tired, but I have many a task yet to perform before my head may hit the pillow.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry stopped by the Hospital wing before going back to his dorm. Molly Weasley greeted him tearfully, and begged him to take Ron back with him so he could rest.
“I’m fine, Mum. I can stay here with you.” Ron argued.
“Now, Ron. Bill would not want you children neglecting yourselves over worrying about him. Take your sister and get some sleep.” Molly insisted.
They grudgingly obeyed her.
The dorm room was quiet; too quiet. Harry knew that Ron was not sleeping, and he himself could not sleep either. They had overheard several of the teachers speaking on the way back from the Hospital Wing. Hogwarts would close down early this year. They were to all be sent home so repairs on the school could begin, and many of the teachers were worried whether or not some of the parents would allow their children to come back after there having been a Death Eater attack at the school.
Harry did not want to go back to the Dursley’s so soon. His summer vacation always seemed long and tedious to begin with, but to have it extended depressed Harry greatly. He would be seventeen years old on July 20 though, and that would make him an adult in the wizarding world, and would also signal the end of his protection at #4 Privet Drive. He knew at that point he would have to leave the Dursley’s forever. But where would he go? Grimmauld Place was the only place he could imagine would be as safe, considering all of the protection spells and curses that had been placed on the headquarters of the Order of the Pheonix. But could he stand living there with Sirius gone? It had been nearly a year since his Godfather’s death, but he still felt the pang of heartbreak when he thought of all the time that they had been robbed of.
Author’s Note: Well as you can all see, I left out the part about Tonks and Lupin. It’s not because I dislike the pairing. Believe me, I like them together, but I did not think that the Hospital Wing with Bill lying injured so close by was a fit time and place to discuss a possible relationship. That bothered me when I read it to begin with. And I absolutely despise Fleur; so don’t expect to see her in any of my fics, at least not in a good light that is. I will warn every one now; this story is one that is full of angst, which you will begin to see in the next chapter. I hope you like it. Please review.
Summary: There is a new student at Hogwarts, a transfer from the Beauxbatons Academy. But who is she, and how is she connected to Draco Malfoy? Story includes spoilers for the later Harry Potter fics.
Author’s Note: In this fic I have rewrote the last few chapters of Half Blood Prince to reflect how I would have personally liked to see it go, and have started a seventh year at Hogwarts for our favorite trio. There is a small amount of HP/OFC pairing in this fic, but I stress that this story is not a romance. This story is mostly about friendship and family ties. Therefore I am ignoring the fact that Harry and Ginny hooked up in J.K. Rowling’s version. I must warn that this story is rated PG-13 due to violence in later chapters.
[glow=green,2,300]The Malfoy Family Secrets[/glow]
Chapter 1
A Different Ending
Harry stood frozen next to the Astronomy Tower door watching as Severus Snape stood staring at Dumbledore’s weakened body. If only Dumbledore hadn’t used that body binding charm on him. If only they hadn’t went after that stupid Horcrux to begin with, maybe there would have been a way to avoid the deadly situation they were facing.
He could tell by the look in Snape’s eyes that he meant to kill Dumbledore. But Dumbledore had trusted him. Why had he trusted him?
“Draco, this is your task to finish. The Dark Lord has given it to you.” Snape hissed. He turned then as a loud noise was heard from the bottom of the stairs. “All of you. Go down there and finish as many of them as you can. Once this is over I want a clear path out of here.” Snape ordered the Death Eaters behind them. They complied though reluctantly. None of them wanted to cross Lord Voldimort’s most trusted servant.
After they had left Snape looked directly at Draco. “You must decide what you want to do, boy.” He could see the hesitancy in Draco’s face.
“He can not do it, Severus. He is not his father.” A weak voice next to the wall called out. Snape turned in that direction, seeing Dumbledore trying to stand a little straighter. “But you on the other hand….” The wizard’s words died as a knowing look crossed his face.
Snape’s wand hand raised a fraction as he licked his lips and Harry could see him readying the curse in his mind.
“It is not too late to turn back, Severus. You have been my friend for many years now. Is this really what you wish?” Dumbledore’s voice strengthened, as he knew he was fighting for his very life.
For a moment it looked as if Snape was considering his words. But then his resolve returned. “I made the Unbreakable Vow, with his mother.” Snape motioned to Draco.
Dumbledore nodded understanding the situation Snape had placed himself in. “You are a member of the Order, Severus. Why would you do something like that?”
“I have been playing this spy game for so long that I have forgotten which side I am supposed to be on anymore. But as far as the Vow, I had no choice.” Snape said bitterly. “If I had refused, they would have known. That cow, Bellatrix, was with her. She would have immediately gone to the Dark Lord. Then where would I be? You can’t protect everyone Dumbledore. The Order of the Pheonix can’t protect everyone.”
Draco looked up at Snape with a surprised look on his face. He had known about the Unbreakable Vow that Snape had made with his mother, but he had never imagined that his mentor was leaning towards Dumbledore’s side in this war.
“What was the exact Vow you made?” Dumbledore asked wearily.
“I would do whatever it takes to protect this boy, even if it included finishing the task he was set to do, if he could not.” Snape spat out angrily.
“If you finish the boys task, do you think Voldemort will allow him to live? If you have to finish it won’t it prove to the Dark Lord that the boy does not have what it takes to be a Death Eater? Do you think he will be allowed to live?” Dumbledore asked knowing the answers that Snape would surely realize.
Snape looked to Draco, seeing the situation he was in.
“Severus, maybe the best way to protect the boy is not by finishing his task, but by standing by him, and being there for him, if the need arises.” Dumbledore suggested.
For a moment Severus seemed to contemplate Dumbledore’s words, but finally the wand lowered very slowly. Draco’s jaw dropped when he saw Snape’s wand hand fall. “But your Vow…” The boy said flustered.
“Was to protect you in any way I had to. And the best way to do that, is to ensure that you never come in contact with Lord Voldemort or the Death Eaters.” Snape hissed.
“Now, Severus, if you could. I need my wand.” Dumbledore stated holding his hand out.
“Accio, wand.” Snape said and Harry could see Dumbledore’s wand fly through the air and land softly in Snape’s hand. Then Snape moved forward handing the wand back to the Wizard.
“Thank you, Severus.” Dumbledore smiled waving the wand, and Harry was suddenly able to move again. “Now, Harry, if you don’t mind helping me. We need to join the fray downstairs.”
Snape and Draco both turned in the direction that Dumbledore was facing, and saw Harry remove his Invisibility Cloak. Harry swiftly moved past Snape and placed his shoulder under one of Dumbledore’s arms. “I will help you, Professor. But if you ever put a Binding Spell on me in the face of danger again, we will be having words.”
“Sorry, Harry. I wasn’t sure what was coming through that door. Severus, would you lead the way?” Dumbledore asked as Harry began to help him forward.
“Yes, Sir.” Severus answered then turned to Draco. “Stay behind me, Draco.”
The four of them made their way down the stairs from the Astronomy Tower, and into the fight below. Snape saw Greyback the huge Werewolf in human form. He was cornered by Lupin and Tonks, but was fighting in complete rage and fury. The smile that crossed his face when he saw Snape and Draco slipped when he saw Dumbledore and Harry behind them.
“Traitor.” He howled in rage, and broke free of Lupin after knocking his wand away. He was running towards Snape intending to rip his throat out.
“Greyback. We must go now.” A female Death Eater screamed from the door leading out of the chamber they were in.
Greyback heard her and swerved out of the path of the oncoming Curse that Snape had directed at him. He and the girl left the room as several other Death Eaters covered their escape.
“Stop them.” Snape yelled at the top of his lungs, but it was pointless. By the time he and the other members of the Order made their way to the front doors of the school they could barely see Greyback moving through the front gate, and then disapparating. They had captured almost a dozen Death Eaters, but the ringleaders had gotten away, and with them went any hope that Voldemort would not learn of the night’s events.
The injured were taken to the hospital wing and Snape took Professor Dumbledore to his office to attempt to counter the effects of the liquid he had consumed in the cave.
Harry feeling confused and rather useless at the moment went searching for Ron and Hermione. It was hard to believe that he and Dumbledore had only left the school a few hours before. There had been an immense amount of damage done to the structure, and he knew that it would take the teachers some time to repair it all.
He finally found his friends in the hospital wing. “Ron, Hermione.” He called out in fear that one of them had been hurt in the battle.
“Harry.” Hermione called out as her and Ron both swung around.
“Blimey, Harry. You had us worried” Ron said watching Hermione rush up to hug Harry.
“Is everyone still … alive?” Harry asked pausing before the word. He remembered the fear he had felt when he first saw the Dark mark above Hogwarts. His first fear had been that one of his closest friends had been harmed or worse killed.
“Yes. We all made it.” Ron said his eyes dropping to look at the floor.
Harry saw the furtive look on Ron’s face and looked to Hermione, who’s own face held a concerned look. “Who’s hurt?” Harry asked immediately trying to look past the two friends. “Is it Ginny?” For the first time he noticed that she was not with them.
“No, I’m okay, Harry.” Ginny said standing from beside a bed in the far corner. She turned to them and Harry could see that she had been crying. She walked to where they stood, and Ron wrapped his arm around her.
“Who…” Harry started to ask, motioning to the bed.
“Bill.” Hermione answered him. “He was viciously attacked by Greyback.”
“But it wasn’t the full moon. I don’t understand. I saw Greyback. He was clawing and biting at anyone who got near him.” Harry wondered.
“It seems that he has become more Werewolf than human. He now attempts to kill viciously even as a human.” Ginny said bitterly.
“Will he live?” Harry hated to ask the question, but he had to know.
“Yes, but the wounds do not heal right. Madame Pomfrey says he may never look the same. And there will be scarring.” Ron answered.
“Mum and Dad are on their way here.” Ginny said turning again to sit beside Bill. As they all moved closer Harry could see how horrible his injuries were.
When the rest of the Weasley family came in Madame Pomfrey asked Harry and Hermione to leave, so the family could have time to themselves.
They made their way back to the Gryffindor common room not sure where else to go. They saw Neville Longbottom there talking to some of the other Gryffindors. He and Luna Lovegood had been the only two other members of the DA to react to the call that Hermione had put out for help after Harry left. They were the only two who had been keeping an eye on the galleons that Harry had placed a spell on and given to the members of the DA. So other than Ron, Hermione, and Ginny they were the only students that had known exactly what had happened that night. Neville for once was happy to be the center of attention, as he told the gathered students of what had happened.
He looked up when he saw them enter. “Harry.” He called out in excitement. “It worked. We repelled the Death Eaters and caught a few of them to boot.”
“Yes, Neville. It worked.” Harry said in an exhausted voice. He didn’t want to talk to Neville, or any of the other students. So much had happened, and the only persons he wanted to share his part of the adventure with were Ron and Hermione. But most of all, he wanted to speak to Dumbledore. He had so many questions. And most prominent among them, was what they would do with the Horcrux.
Unfortunately the other Gryffindors were not ready to let them get away without explaining their parts of the battle. Hermione started off telling them what she and Ron had done, and about what had happened to Bill. All of the students shuddered at the thought of being attacked by Greyback, even in his human form.
When it was Harry’s turn, he wasn’t sure what to tell them. He had not been in the school for most of the battle and he was sure that Dumbledore would not want him telling them of the Horcrux, or about what had happened on the Astronomy Tower with Professor Snape and Draco. Luckily though at that moment a very young looking Second year came in and interrupted them. “Harry, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you in his office.”
It was what Harry was waiting for. He immediately made his way to the Gargoyles outside Dumbledore’s office, giving the password and rushing up the steps not allowing them to take him up, and without knocking entered the office.
“How are you, Professor?” He asked immediately.
“I am much better, Harry.” Dumbledore said smiling. He did look stronger, but still warn around the edges. “Professor Snape fixed me up a restorative potion that has counteracted the effects of that potion I drank. I am assured that within a few days I will be back to my regular self.”
Dumbledore motioned to a seat across from him, and Harry immediately sat down. “You have questions. I can see them in your eyes.”
“Yes, Professor. What is to happen to Snape and Draco?” Was the first question that came to Harry.
“Professor Snape.” Dumbledore corrected him. At his words, Harry felt some of the old anger bubbling up inside. “Harry, tonight of all nights, Severus showed me the greatest amount of loyalty that he ever could.”
“But he almost killed you. He was going to. I saw it in his eyes.” Harry blurted out.
“But he did not. Now did he?” Dumbledore countered. “And at great peril to his own life he did so. That Vow he took was a tricky one, and he is still under its power. He is now bound to Draco Malfoy for the rest of his life, and must protect the boy at all costs. For the day that that boy dies, will also be the day that Severus dies. It is just a good thing that Bellatrix was not as accomplished a witch as she might have thought she was. If she had done the Curse correctly Severus would have been bound to kill me or die himself. As it is, she just bound him as Draco’s protector.”
“And what of Draco. He is the one who allowed those Death Eaters to enter Hogwarts. Is he to be punished for that crime?” Harry hated the fact that he sounded vindictive when he asked the question, but his anger at Malfoy was still glaringly apparent.
“Harry, you missed part of my conversation with the young Mr. Malfoy. He had no choice in the matter. Voldemort would have killed him and his mother if he refused. As it is, I have very little hope for his mother’s safety. I have members of the Order searching for her, but she has yet to be found.” Dumbledore said with a touch of sadness entering his voice.
Harry hadn’t listening to that part of the conversation; he had been fighting so hard to free himself from the binding spell. But now that he thought back he remembered.
“Now for the question that you wish to be answered most.” Dumbledore said removing the locket from his pocket that he had taken from the cave. Harry tensed immediately. He had only seen one Horcrux in his life, but had not realized what it truly was even though he had destroyed it. But now he would have the opportunity to destroy yet a second part of Lord Voldemort. “Unfortunately, this is not a Horcrux, Harry.”
“What.” Harry said a little louder than he intended.
“Look inside.” Dumbledore said handing the locket to Harry. Harry opened the locket and saw a piece of paper folded and tucked into one of the sides where a picture should have been. He took the paper out and read the words.
To the Dark Lord.
I will be dead long before you read this. But I wanted you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux, and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
Harry shook his head in disbelief. After all they had went through to get the locket, after leaving the school without its full protection, the Horcrux turned out to be a fake. Dumbledore had risked his life to get that locket, and Harry had worked so hard to bring him back to Hogwarts. He felt as if his entire body was slumping forward in exhaustion. “So it was for not.” He said in a depressed tone.
“Not necessarily, Harry. It is a clue. We must now discover who R.A.B is and whether or not he destroyed the real Horcrux.” Dumbledore said smiling.
“Not to be disrespectful, Professor, but right now, I’m too exhausted for clues, or mysteries.” Harry said irritably.
Dumbledore chuckled. “That’s alright, Harry. You go on now. I myself am rather tired, but I have many a task yet to perform before my head may hit the pillow.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry stopped by the Hospital wing before going back to his dorm. Molly Weasley greeted him tearfully, and begged him to take Ron back with him so he could rest.
“I’m fine, Mum. I can stay here with you.” Ron argued.
“Now, Ron. Bill would not want you children neglecting yourselves over worrying about him. Take your sister and get some sleep.” Molly insisted.
They grudgingly obeyed her.
The dorm room was quiet; too quiet. Harry knew that Ron was not sleeping, and he himself could not sleep either. They had overheard several of the teachers speaking on the way back from the Hospital Wing. Hogwarts would close down early this year. They were to all be sent home so repairs on the school could begin, and many of the teachers were worried whether or not some of the parents would allow their children to come back after there having been a Death Eater attack at the school.
Harry did not want to go back to the Dursley’s so soon. His summer vacation always seemed long and tedious to begin with, but to have it extended depressed Harry greatly. He would be seventeen years old on July 20 though, and that would make him an adult in the wizarding world, and would also signal the end of his protection at #4 Privet Drive. He knew at that point he would have to leave the Dursley’s forever. But where would he go? Grimmauld Place was the only place he could imagine would be as safe, considering all of the protection spells and curses that had been placed on the headquarters of the Order of the Pheonix. But could he stand living there with Sirius gone? It had been nearly a year since his Godfather’s death, but he still felt the pang of heartbreak when he thought of all the time that they had been robbed of.
Author’s Note: Well as you can all see, I left out the part about Tonks and Lupin. It’s not because I dislike the pairing. Believe me, I like them together, but I did not think that the Hospital Wing with Bill lying injured so close by was a fit time and place to discuss a possible relationship. That bothered me when I read it to begin with. And I absolutely despise Fleur; so don’t expect to see her in any of my fics, at least not in a good light that is. I will warn every one now; this story is one that is full of angst, which you will begin to see in the next chapter. I hope you like it. Please review.