A/N: When I first began writing, I would finish the story, then publish a chapter a day. Then I changed to once a week. Now I'm like everyone else. I'll try to be regular in my postings, but I can't give any guarantees. It's had to believe but my work load has increased. I was told it will ease up some time after August. Here's hoping this story doesn't take forever.

Chaos Theory states that a butterfly flapping its wings in China can make it rain in Central Park. It is therefore possible that, in some parallel universe, JK Rowling is the author of

DRACO MALFOY AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Chapter One: A Meeting

Even though the students had left less than a week ago, these people would have met sooner if it were possible. It was the first time since the end of the last war that members of the Order of the Phoenix were gathered together.

Albus Dumbledore cast his eyes on everyone in the room. They had been discussing the return of Voldemort, Another name kept coming up in the discussion until Charlie Weasley, one of two new recruits, had to ask if they were there to talk about Voldemort or Malfoy.

Albus smiled, although with little humour. "It seems we cannot separate the two. Draco Malfoy played a major part in Voldemort's return."

Sirius Black quickly added, "and in thwarting his planned attack on the school."

"You did that," Kingsley Shacklebolt admonished. "That you arrived with the boy was proof that we knew of his plans."

"Draco also helped me survive that visit."

Kingsley smirked. "If you told us the truth, you managed your own survival by revealing the fact that you made an unbreakable vow."

"To Malfoy?" James Potter's question held disbelief. "Next, you'll tell me you really meant to give him your house elf."

"His sister," Sirius explained.

Frank Longbottom had to ask. "I thought Malfoy was an only child."

"He is," Severus Snape interrupted. "Had his parents lived another seven months, that would not have been the case, but that is neither here nor there."

"Then why mention it?" Longbottom asked.

"Because Draco knows of it. And he is the person we are discussing. As I am the only person alive who knew of this fact, and I did not tell him, I thought it of passing interest. He also knows the child would have been a girl. That is a fact that even I was unaware."

Charlie heard no noise, it was more of a feeling, but he turned toward the Headmaster. He noticed everyone else had turned to look as well. Dumbledore saw he had their attention. "Severus, Draco tells me that you have talked with him frequently about his parents. Did you ever talk to him about what you did, during the war?"

"Never. The things I told him were personal things. To let him know his parents loved him. To show him they were decent people."

Charlie knew the animosity that his parents felt toward Snape and he had been assured that theirs was not an isolated opinion. That still did not prepare him for the outburst. Potter and Longbottom were both on their feet, their anger obvious and their commingled voices incoherent. Potter's wife tried to calm him down, but Charlie noticed Alice Longbottom almost seemed to be cheering her husband on. A quick glance showed most of the people approved of the abuse the Potions professor was receiving.

"Please," Dumbledore said forcefully. Muttering apologies, both men sat down. After a short pause, the headmaster continued. "I asked Severus this question because Draco Malfoy also knows that his 'uncle' was a spy for us, and that he had been passing information to us all through the last war."

Charlie felt it. Dumbledore was about to say something important. Nor did the old man disappoint.

"I am telling all of you this, now, because all of you are aware that Severus has successfully convinced Voldemort that he is still loyal." Again, a pause. James Potter had uttered the word, "no."

"Yes, James," Albus said in a kindly voice. "The Malfoys were my source. Most of the information came from Lucius, but Lily was in a perfect position to let us know about any last minute plans. She was always asking the Death Eaters for chances to 'prove herself'. It was her final message to me that gave us the warning that Voldemort was planning something dangerous, and that if anything happened to him, you and Frank were the most likely targets for revenge." Again, the humourless smile. "We know the results of that warning."

Frank Longbottom was the one to answer. "Our family is alive and healthy because we knew to be prepared."

Charlie was as stunned as the others. He grew up being told what monsters they were. "Sir," he dared to ask. "I grew up hearing the stories. If what you said is true, why did they do it? And . . . why reveal it now?"

Albus gave him an honest smile. "It needed to be kept secret, because most of us knew that Voldemort hadn't died. He was badly hurt, it is true, but he did survive. His followers, the ones who escaped, were still out there. Some, we knew to watch but we did not have enough evidence to bring them to trial. Had the truth been revealed, they would have known they'd been discovered.

"Now? It seems that Draco talked with someone after Sirius Black left the cemetery. Whoever he talked to, that person also knew about the Malfoys. Draco knows what his father did. That means that others do as well. And, considering the fact that Voldemort, himself, is still unaware of the deception, the unknown person, or persons, could be our allies.

"How do I know that Draco knows this? He told me? As to who told him, he said it didn't matter."

"Did he say anything about what happened?" Potter asked. "About HIM?"

"He said we bodged his plans, and thanked me very much for the faith I put in him. It seems the lack of trust was mutual. And now it has been reinforced."

"Does he trust anyone?"

"Me," Sirius Black said with a laugh. "He just doesn't like me. And he trusts you, (pointing at Severus) the only one smart enough to be honest with him."

"A compliment?" Snape asked, surprise in his voice.

"The truth."

Another pause. Charlie looked over at his mum. She was whispering to her husband about all those years, the things they'd said,

A new voice spoke. Kingsley Shacklebolt. "Draco Malfoy did trust us. Many of us. We did betray his trust. Because we thought we knew better. Perhaps we did, but that is unimportant." He looked at Severus. "Does he still trust you? Truly."

Severus Snape tried to smile, to say yes. Charlie could see that. But the situation required honesty. The smile faded as the man answered.

"He does. Not completely. He believes I'm keeping a secret from him. The same secret that his godfather was keeping." His frown became a sneer. "If you are thinking of manipulating him . . ."

"We are not," Dumbledore told him, firmly. His look told everyone that it was an order that every member was to follow. "We have badly underestimated the boy. He always threw up a bluff that he knew everything. We forgot that, sometimes, he did know. Sometimes, his smug look was exactly that."

The discussion turned back to Voldemort. The older members of the Order were going over the details of what Sirius Black had seen and heard. Charlie felt a nudge and looked over. The Auror, Tonks was now sitting next to him. "Like being back in school again. Listen and learn. You're a newbie, too. What do you think of all of this?"

"I think I'm safer babysitting Mum," he laughed as she gave a confused look at his mother. "Not her. Mum is Draco's dragon." Tonks smiled when he asked if she remembered Gringotts. "She clutched a couple of days ago." His smile faded. "There were seven eggs."

"That's good?"

Charlie shook his head. "Mum's old to begin with. And she'd been through a lot. I'd say, uh, two of the eggs looked fine. Two others, maybe." He wiped his eye for no reason. "We're hoping." He tried to change the subject, even though he had brought it up. "I'd like to know how an only child can have a sister, though. That should be an interesting story."

"I met her," Tonks said. "And her husband." She snickered at Charlie's confusion. "They grew up together. In that orphanage. 'He's my brother,' she told me, 'because I says he is."

Charlie laughed, drawing curious stares from the others.

"Charles?" Molly said, anger in her voice. "Why is Draco Malfoy screaming after his hand has been cut off a cause for laughter?"

Arthur put a hand on her shoulder. "Dear, I think he was having a different conversation."

"And not paying attention, like he should."

Tonks tried not to smile, and failed. "I was explaining how Draco has a sister. Sorry."

Molly wasn't appeased. "And it was funny."

"Yes. The reason was funny." Having disrupted the meeting, Tonks decided not to apologize. "Do you know why?"

"I do," Sirius Black answered, in a more serious tone than anyone expected. "They had no one. Neither of them had a real family. So they made one." His eyes became unfocused as he dwelt on a memory. "If anything, she's tougher than her brother." A smile came to his face. "Molly, do you know why Draco trusts me? Janice told him to."

"Always Malfoy," Professor McGonagall said, "Every time were take up the discussion, Draco Malfoy's name always comes up. It's as though . . ."

"Minerva," Dumbledore asked, "You've thought of something?"

"Nothing I can put my finger on. It's as though he's in the way. The prophecy, for example. The child born as the month of July ends. But Draco was born in August. He's . . . interfering." She sighed in exasperation. "I can't find the words, Albus."

"I do understand," Claire Potter said. She looked at Alice Longbottom. "Your son or mine will fight Voldemort and, hopefully, defeat him. Draco Malfoy, because of his mother . . ."

Charlie silently cursed. He should have been paying attention or he would have understood that remark.

"Because of his mother," Claire Potter was saying, "stopped Voldemort before he could mark his enemy. When he tried to return, using the stone and the diary, Draco stopped him." Her voice was both forceful and said. "Both those times, he had help. This time, WE interfered. And Voldemort was restored."

Claire was looking at her husband. "Harry was wrong. Draco isn't somehow the Chosen One. He's the harbinger. He wasn't blocking us. He was protecting us. He was blocking him from reaching us until we were ready. And in our haste, we pushed Draco out of the way."

Charlie felt a chill run down his back. He had heard about those events. Now that it was pointed out, the pattern was obvious. He took a deep breath as Tonks asked a question: "Is Draco still on our side?"

"He never was," Albus Dumbledore answered. "He was never on HIS side either."

"He did something else," Severus Snape added. "He has convinced the Dark Lord that he is loyal. Voldemort told me that he read Draco's mind, albeit briefly, and that Draco sees him as a father figure. He is convinced Draco will do anything for him."

Charlie listened carefully. He was being told two contradictory things and he was being told that both were true. He almost smiled with relief when James Potter asked the question.

"Will he? Will Draco Malfoy do anything for HIM?"

Neither man changed their frowns as Snape answered, "I do not know. I do not know what the boy is thinking. I do not know what he is planning. He trusts me to help him as far as it serves my own interests."

"But you're UNCLE Severus."

Snape sneered at Potter. "You forget. I also helped betray him. And, in Draco Malfoy's eyes, that is exactly what I did. I knew of the plan and told him nothing. I knew of the plan and agreed with it. If you think the way he thinks, you would have no reason to trust me."

"Does the boy trust anyone?" Longbottom asked. "Anyone we can use to talk to him? Perhaps . . ."

Sirius Black laughed. "Frank, I already told you. He trusts me."

"But he doesn't like you."

"And I don't like him," Sirius insisted. "He is an impertinent self-centered bastard if I ever met one, and before anyone says anything, yes, I do know what I'm talking about." He shrugged his shoulders. "And I was telling the truth. He trusts me because I promised his sister." He looked directly at James Potter. "As far as she is concerned, he is her brother."

Remus Lupin spoke in the silence. "I remember you saying that, James. Your parents took him in after he ran away. Sirius commented that they were treating him as though he was as much their son as you were."

James nodded as he repeated the memory. "As far as I am concerned, you are my brother."

"How touching," Snape intoned.

"But accurate, Severus," Dumbledore noted. "We relate to what we can identify. This muggle girl, Janice, showed Sirius Black that he shared something in common with Draco Malfoy. And, for better or worse, formed a bond between them."

"A bond?" Claire Potter asked the question. She was clearly amused.

"Sirius faced Voldemort. His intention was to protect Draco. And Draco lied to Voldemort, the man he had minutes before pledged his loyalty to. He implied that Sirius did this because he had made a Wizard's Oath. An Unbreakable Vow. " Dumbledore asked if Claire understood.

"But . . ."

Albus explained. "He made no oath. He made a promise. That he would watch over Draco." His eyes twinkled as he looked at everyone. "Sometimes, a simple promise is more biding than the strongest oath."

"Funny, that," Tonks said. She was musing to herself but her voice carried in the sudden silence. "He's still in the way," she explained. "Draco." She apologized. "But, don't you see? He found himself facing, uh, him. He pledged his loyalty. He sacrificed his own hand to help restore him. Then, he turns around and deliberately lies to him."

"And gets away with it," Charlie added with a grin. He had a sudden insight. He turned to his parents first. "Dad, Mum, I've figured it out."

"Well, don't just tell us," Molly admonished. "Tell everyone."

With a slight blush, Charlie apologized. "Sorry, old habit. Had to get my parent's approval first."

"And what is your insight, Charlie," Albus asked.

Charlie was taken aback for a second. In all the times he talked with the headmaster, this was the first time he was addressed as an equal. Not the student, or the dragon keeper. As a partner.

"Um, Claire Potter said that Draco stood in our way and we pushed him out of the way. It seems obvious to me that we didn't push him far enough. He's still in the way. He just that much closer."

McGonagall was nodding her head. "A good analogy. But we need to know, is he really trying to protect us until we're ready, or is he trying to protect him until he is ready? I should remind everyone that we knew of Voldemort's plan. But for Draco Malfoy, we would have succeeded." She looked up. "I suppose that is the proof we need. Draco Malfoy does have his own plans, whatever they may be."

"And," Kingsley Shacklebolt said, "I must ask Sirius a question. Draco Malfoy trusts none of us, not even his Uncle, because of our involvement in the 'plot' against him. In light of this, how can you say that he still trusts you."

Sirius grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Because he believes that it was my plan."

Charlie was surprised that it was his father who commented. As everyone sat stunned at the remark, Arthur added, cheerfully, "It makes perfect sense if you know how Draco thinks."

Charlie would have been even more surprised if he knew that his father was the only one there who truly understood Draco Malfoy. And, because of a mere promise, the man would not reveal this fact. Arthur knew what Draco's secret plan was. Whatever it took, Draco Malfoy wanted to survive.

The discussion returned to the events surrounding Voldemort's return. Everyone was given their assignments at the end, and they were dismissed. Charlie's task was the easiest. Keep an eye on Mum. The dragon seemed to know when Draco was in serious danger.

As he left with his parents, Charlie was surprised when Sirius Black caught up with them. Sirius wanted to ask about Mum.

Sirius explained. Draco was the Latin for dragon. His patronus is a dragon. He bonded with a dragon. He has an affinity for fire spells. Sirius then pointed out that his friend, Evelyn, (All the Weasleys gave him a knowing smile) said the dragon was his Avatar, his spirit self.

"That sounds like superstitious muggle codswallop," Molly noted.

"For muggles, perhaps," Sirius insisted, "but we are dealing with magic. And Draco Malfoy. He's already thrown too many surprises at us. I thought Charlie would be able to tell me something about how dragons think, how they act. Maybe, and I do mean maybe, it will tell us something about Draco, how he thinks and how we can expect him to act."

Charlie tried to explain what little he knew that might apply to a person. As he started, Remus Lupin and Tonks joined the group to listen in.

"Dragons? They marry for life. They're huge. They're suspicious of anyone until, and even after, they get to know you. We confirmed the empathy bond, but you already know Draco had one. They are very protective of their family, and their friends. Dragon friends, that is. Mating pairs remain together for life." Charlie paused. "It's hard to know what to say."

"How do they hunt?" Remus asked. "It could give us an idea of what Draco will try to do."

Charlie nodded. He wasn't surprised that a werewolf would ask such a question. "In a lounge, (a group of dragons) they simply attack their food. Alone, they look around, first, to make sure they're safe. Not that there are many things that can harm a dragon. Then they make sure of their prey, say a sheep or a cow, before they swoop down and carry it off. I've seen a dragon snatch a sheep without disturbing the rest of the flock."

Charlie reminded them of what had happened at the lake, when Draco was attacked by the harpies. That was another characteristic of dragons. Mum went to help because it was Draco. She was determined to defend him or die with him.

"That's not much to go on," Charlie pointed out.

"Enough," Sirius said thoughtfully. "It does explain a recent request Draco made."

"Request?"

"Muggles. Dragons protect their families. Draco's family are all muggles. Voldemort won't like that. And I think Draco's trying to protect them. Even the ones he doesn't like."