All of the characters are products of the mastermind of J.K Rowling. She has created all in this story and if I do add some of my own characters I will inform before hand.
I have to say that I like to write about Draco Malfoy, it is shown throughout my writing. I like his style and his presence you just know he must have surrounding him at all times.
I think he is a good guy all in all and that his father has just always led him dumbly, I will sometimes write just to put that to mind but right now, this story is about a different Draco I see when I think about his character.
Chapter 1
The arrival
Draco stood unmoving. His father looking on proudly, oblivious to the fact that his son wasn't faithful to his beliefs, that the stone look on his face was one of shock rather then fearlessness. Draco Malfoy stood in a room full of Death Eaters, and to his great discomfort, Voldemont. They were in the middle of the ceremony that would make him a full-fledged Death Eater.
His eyes darted around the room and found the gaze of his mentor, Professor Severus Snape, he looked to find the Professor staring back into his grey eyes with his cold black eyes. He thought that he saw an instant of remembrance, but it was gone in an instant and replaced with a warming no one knew was there. But though he tried to comfort Draco with his supporting gaze, Draco found no comfort and returned his attention to Wormtail, who had been preparing his arm for the dark mark.
The people in the room, all people Draco had grown up around, were looking on at him, most tense, and ready to watch yet another becomes part of the feared team. None but, with the exception of Severus Snape, knew he was a spy. And had been since he was 12 years old, Dumbledor had made him see all the pain of the last bout the feared team had placed on the magical and non-magical worlds. First he was reluctant, all the years of his life, he had been taught to hate Potter, to mistreat mudbloods, to take the Malfoy name to great lengths, but most of all, to rise up and follow his father in becoming a Death Eater.
First of all he did hate Potter, but not for his father's reasons, he loathed him for the pain people went through to save him and keep him safe. He had told Dumbledor time and time again what was going on in the dark force's plans, all to get Potter, all the plans hurting hundreds of innocent people, but Dumbledor had never yield to his pleas to forget the Potter boy.
He didn't like, but was forced to for security reasons, mistreat Mudbloods, if in his second year, he had stopped it would have arose suspicion if he would e started to open doors for Hermione Granger. He had to stand and ridicule her, and pay for it in his mind. In truth he had liked Hermione ever since their second year. She wouldn't care though; he just wished he could tell her he was on her side.
At least he would bring the Malfoy name far; he would be the only Malfoy to be on the good side, and he knew all of his family would one day find out his disloyalty.
At least he would become a Death eater.
His thoughts were cut short by the sudden pinch on his arm, it had started. The pinch grew into pain beyond explanation, it moved from his arm through his veins, it traveled to his heart, which was beating uncontrollably fast, he let out a scream that could crack glass, he dropped to the ground clutching his chest. He gasped for air as the pain started to burn his insides, then it stopped. Abruptly the pain was replaced by a dizzy feeling. He felt as if he had been swung in large fast circles.
Slowly he stood up to face Voldemont. His face was twisted into a would-be-smile if he had lips remotely human. He looked at Draco with amusement.
Draco was overcome with disgust, that he needed a reason to look away from that face. He quickly looked down at the Dark Mark on his arm; it was shining darkly on his pale skin.
He let out a shiver as a hand-applied pressure on his shoulder, and he turned to face his father, he was proudly smiling.
"Come on son, you will remember this day for the rest of your life, August 31st, we must get home, you can't be late for the Hogwarts express, after all, you are our spy for 5 years running." He turned to bow at Voldemont, who stared at Draco in an odd way " Besides you look as if you're about to pass out." And he did, to his father's great disappointment; no Malfoy had ever passed from getting the dark mark, let alone in room full of Death Eaters.
*
Rise and shine," Draco groaned at the high-pitched voice that he knew as his Mother's. She doesn't know she is about to send her only child off to betray her, and eventually get her husband put into Azakaban. "You must hurry, I've let you sleep in." Heaving a deep sigh, Draco opened his eyes and squinted against the bright light streaming through the tall windows of his large room.
The room was a big rectangle complete with a sitting area and work area.
"All right I'm up, I'm up." He sat up to see a house elf ready with his breakfast; this elf was unlike his old one Dobby. Dobby would tell him tales of a place where elves were free and could enjoy life; this one was mute and just stood staring into space, waiting for another order.
Draco took his food and dismissed the elf, his mother sat at the end of his bed excited for him. She jumped up a second later and started to take out his robes for him to wear. All of his robes were black so it was hard to tell the difference between his school uniform and his everyday robes.
"Are you ready yet?" His father came into his room; obviously still upset he had passed out last night. But Draco didn't mind, his father was usually mad with him. "I want to be there early so you can get a good compartment, its just horrible last time, you got stuck with a bunch of mudbloods." Draco didn't look at his father but agreed to hurry up.
"Alright Narce honey, lets leave him to get ready." They left him and Draco started to get ready, forgetting his breakfast and pulling his robes on after a short shower.
He opened the door of his room to find his father waiting.
"Ready to go?" He nodded and his father performed a joint apparition to King Cross station, just at the entrance to platform 9 ¾. It was set up so people could go in through the muggle world but his father disliked them so much that he insisted they only spend seconds at the most.
They found a compartment that was 'perfect' according to his father, since it was near the driver, someone his father knew. They put his trunk on the train and said goodbye, Draco's father had to go to a meeting with the Hogwarts council board, to decide on a few things.
It was a while before there were anymore students, and even longer before Crabbe and Goyle arrived, watching his friends push each other to see who would board first, he realized their name's were both something a snake does with its food.
He laughed at that and turned his attention back to the entrance, where Hermione Granger and Potter were helping Weasley with his horrible excuses of an owl, it was flying uncontrollably in its cage and making a lot of unnecessary noise.
"What you thinking? Should we pay them a visit?" Crabbe asked following his gaze towards the 'dream team', as they had often called them. He shook his head at the question and took a seat.
"We'll go later, once they are more comfortable." His two ninny friends, nodded dumbly, let down because they wouldn't be able to go sooner. But they too decided to sit down and began to fight over seats next to Draco, Crabbe one and took up two seats next to Draco, Goyle sat across from him staring out the window.
~The Dream team's compartment~
" Harry? Are you alright?" Hermione asked shacking Harry out of his daydream. "Is there something wrong?" Harry thought of not telling her but knew it would just lead to some questions in the future.
"I've had a dream," His two friends exchanged a look of fear and sat across from Harry, "It was like last year, vivid and with Voldemont," Ron winced at his use of the name but he didn't say anything. "It was in Hogwarts, I think one of the dungeons, and there was a cauldron, with greyish green potion. Voldemont was talking to a masked wizard and Wormtail. He was giving a talk to them about treachery, and he said that one of them was a traitor, then before anyone even opened his mouth he killed the masked wizard." Hermione let out a little yelp and Ron ran his fingers through his red, red hair, in deep reflection.
"Did you think you recognized the masked wizard?" Harry shook his head no; Ron asked another question that was harder.
"I didn't see anyone in the room but there could have been. It wasn't a full view, only part of it." Hermione looked thought full and opened her mouth a few times before speaking.
"You said it was vivid right? Well was it like you could feel the temperature in the room? Or was it just the sight that was vivid?" Harry thought for a second.
"It was cold, but that could have been because I left the window open the whole night. Why." She dismissed her notion with a wave of her hand.
"Just a thought, that's all." She turned to look out the window, in time to see a large house, and above the house…
~*Back with Draco Malfoy*~
Draco did a double take. He couldn't have seen what he thought, it wasn't possible, and his father would have said if there was going to be a raid.
He felt Crabbe lean over him.
"What do you think they are doing?" he asked, a question, for the first time, that wasn't easily answered.
"I don't know, it looks like a wizarding house, they only put the dark mark over muggle or mudblood houses." But there it was, still visible from the compartment window, ugly and black.
"I think I'll go and owl father, he'll tell me what is going on." Crabbe and Goyle got up to go with him but he said he would go alone. He grabbed his hawk and parchment he went to find an empty compartment, sitting in the corner he carefully dipped his quill into the green ink and placed it on the paper.
Father,
Saw a bird flying in the sky. Not in it's usual flying course.
Is there any news on the flying pattern?
D.M.
Draco looked at the letter, it was in a secret code he and his father had made up and it was used by more then a few Death Eaters, the bird was really the dark mark, and the flying course was a term they used for it's location.
He gave it to the hawk and let it go out the open window. It was flying one way when it abruptly changed course and went towards the house.
A shiver ran through Draco's body as pictured his father, probably in command at the house, no doubt someone was killed.
Draco went back to his compartment to find his two unintelligent clots of friends were no longer in the compartment. They had probably gone to look for the lady with the snacks trolley, they had incredibly large appetites.
A sudden rush of wings startled him; he knew it was the same bird he had just sent out. If it was back so soon, his idea of his father's whereabouts had been correct.
He opened the letter with care, using all his letters from his father as a way to monitor. Dumbledore found their use of code.
Son,
The flying patterns have changed; they all missed their mommies and want to be closer to home.
L.M.
So something was being planned, near Hogwarts. He thought of sending an owl ahead to hogwarts, but he didn't really trust his Hawk, He decided to go to the front compartment and use Pansy Perkins's owl. She had always liked him and would do virtually anything he asked, not that he had asked her to do much.
He found her chatting with a bunch of her friends, they laughed loudly as he came into the compartment then settled down as he pulled Pansy away.
"Can I use your owl Pansy?" He asked not even caring to be polite, just flashed his Malfoy smile and she melted. She smiled and nodded, running back to her compartment and returning in a second with her small black night owl.
"Why don't you join us Draco. We would love it if you stayed." Draco looked back into the compartment and shook his head; there was not one boy among the sea of girls it was unnerving.
"I don't think I will thank you. I am going to give the bird instructions just to go to hogwarts when its finished." Let down, Pansy nodded and returned to her compartment, head hanging slightly.
He found the whole thing amusing, her interest in him didn't seem to fade one bit each time he had turned her down. He thought about how insistent she had been last year that they go to the Yule Ball together, maybe them going together wasn't the best idea. She had been even clingier following the Ball.
He suddenly remembered about the owl as it nipped him sharply in the arm. He hurried to his compartment, still no sign of Goyle or Crabbe.
He picked up his quill and dipped it in purple ink, he like his changing ink, and he began to write to Dumbledore. The only person he respected, well he also respected Snape, but Dumbledore was the only person Voldemont feared, and he knew Voldemont's strength.
Dear Dumbledore,
My father seems to be in charge of a station set up around 45 minutes away from Hogwarts.
Attached is letter from my father, received under 15minutes ago.
Draco Malfoy
He muttered instructions to the owl and let it go out the window. He watched it fly out of site and into the sunlight. His eyes bleared as he looked into the sunlight, though the sun was setting, the pink tinge was bright, and he was unable to look away from the majestic sight. The play of natural colours, in the warm summer air, the way the rush of the train had no way of disrupting the picture like the blurred trees that whipped bye.
His thoughts were interrupted with a loud bang as someone came into the compartment, banging the door shut with rage.
It was Hermione Granger, she was steaming. Her usually relaxed face contorted with furry, he could see that her eyes were full of tears, and he didn't know if she had been him yet. He cleared his throught and she shot him an angry, tearful, look.
"Shut up Malfoy." She said acidly and, to his surprise, sat in the seat across from him. Almost forgetting himself he asked what was wrong. She looked at him apprehensively before speaking, tears cracking her voice.
"Nothing! Your two knuckle heads put a depression spell on me!" She sat across from him looking out the window, he was surprised that she would sit close to him and that they weren't having a row. He almost didn't laugh, but then he did, and she didn't even bother to look up.
"Shut up!"
"Why don't you just doing a reversing spell? I would have thought you of all people would know one." Draco said ignoring her warning to shut up.
"I'm too upset, so shut up!" He laughed again and took out his wand. She jumped a little staring at the wand pointed at her, then just turned to the window and burst out into tears.
Her tears were loud and prolonged. Draco pointed his wand at her and released the spell. The tears stopped and her crying slowed until she was whipping her eyes with the cuff of her robe sleeve.
Draco stood and opened the window, letting, along with the wind, Pansy's owl. Obviously, Dumbledore had sent a reply back.
He carefully took the letter off the owl's leg and turned his back to Hermione to read the letter.
He read it once then once again.
Dear Draco,
I have received your notice, we knew there was a base set up but we were unclear on the whereabouts it was set in.
I hope all is well, have a safe trip.
Please see me before the feast starts, there are a few things we need to discuss concerning the event to start this year.
A.D.
P.S. I had to put a charm on the nasty bird you went over, the side effects will ware off soon, just don't put it close to flames of any kind, magical or natural.
He had only just finished reading the last line when it was yanked out of his hands, Hermione, un-noticed had read over his shoulder, and had found the context of the letter unbelievable.
He made a grab for it but found he was unable to move, he was trapped in a statue spell, and he had no way of stopping her.
He stood watching her read, her eyes growing even wider as she realised what it all meant. For once in a very long time he cursed her wits and her comprehension powers. She turned to him, her eyes softer then before and asked plain and simple questions.
"Are you a death eater?"
"Yes." He mutter as best he could, still frozen like a statue, he could tell she thought he looked funny, but this was too serious for her to start laughing.
"Do you work for Dumbledor?"
" Yes." He muttered once again.
"For how long?" He hadn't planned on this question.
"Since our 2nd year." She eyed him suspiciously, not believing his answer. "The end of our 2nd year." She took the spell off of him and his mussels relaxed he stretched his legs by walking around the cabin until he was in front of the door.
" Why then? Why haven't we been told? I mean, Harry should have been told at least. I mean, I don't know what I mean." She looked frustrated, he knew the answer would upset her, hell it stilled upset him, but he said it anyways.
" Because it could leak out, and if even Crabbe or Goyle finds out I'll be killed and all the work we have been doing will have died in vain, I think saving hogwarts from attack is more important then being friends with more people." The compartment door slid open, and Harry and Ron stepped through.
They were smiling broadly until they saw whom Hermione was talking to.
" What," Ron said standing next to Hermione. "First the two fat heads, now Blondie? I think we could take him" Ron looked him up and down, taking in the familiar sneer and slivery blond hair. "Easy." That did it. Draco lunged at Ron, grabbing the front of his robes. Harry waited a split second before trying to pry them apart, but to no avail. Hermione grabbed her wand; she was upset that her conversation was interrupted in the first place. And fighting just made her livid.
She quickly performed the same spell she had used on Draco earlier, only on all three feuding boys at once. It left them looking like detailed statues.
"I have had enough fighting for one day," she looked at each of them in turn, this time almost laughing at the expression on Ron's face. "Now I'm going to take the spell off, the first one to do anything will spend the rest of the trip like a statue." She once more performed the counter curse, and waited a minute as they stretched their mussels.
"Now, Harry and Ron," Her two friends looked at her, still a little stiff. "Can you two kindly leave, I would like to finish my conversation with Draco." The two looked outraged, they both started to talk at once, then seemed at a loose of words, then they quickly retreated at the sight of Hermione's wand once more.
Hermione waited till the compartment door slid closed to talk once again.
" I need to know more. Are there any plans? New developments? Anything?" Draco looked out the window.
"I can't-"
"I wouldn't say anything-" Draco grabbed her shoulders and gently shook her.
" I know you wouldn't but, hundreds of lives, including our own, depend on this staying a secret. I know everything that is going on at Hogwarts, one death eater hears that they will force feed me truth serum. Everything, passwords, plans, EVERYTHING!!!" Hermione took a frightful step back, seeing her getting uncomfortable he let go of her shoulders. "Sorry but I cant say anything, for all I know Dumbledore will wipe your memory, you know to much already, if someone even overheard our conversation.. I don't even want to think of what might happen." Hermione stood staring at him, not believing how upfront he had just been. He sat down in one of the chairs and looked out the window once more.
"Draco I-" Hermione started sitting across from him.
"Anyways, you better go, Slytherins do 'chat' with Gryffindors." The last words weren't aimed to hurt, but they had. Hermione hated that the school was divided into such apposing houses, she hated that one of the people she met on her very first train ride wouldn't talk to her in the halls the next day because she had been sorted into Slytherin. But she nodded knowing that he was right, she got up and walked to the door.
"Hermione," Draco said before she opened the door, she turned to face him but he was still looking out the window.
"Yeah?" She said releasing the door latch.
" I think it's best if you come to Dumbledore's office with me before the feast." And she left, not knowing what might happen if Dumbledore thought she was a liability to the situation.
The train soon slowed to a stop, and Crabbe and Goyle came back looking mess, as students started to leave the train, Hermione, Potter and Weasly past through his compartment, each giving him a look. Potter gave him the same look of loathing, Weasly gave him a threatening look, which he didn't even think was all that good. But Hermione, she had a mixture of pity and respect, she felt sorry for him. They caught each other's eye and Draco knew she would meet him at Dumbledore's office, even if she were worried.
Crabbe nudged him to go, he hadn't realized he was blocking the exit and went on. He had to give the other two a good reason for no going with them to the feast. He hadn't had time to think after Hermione had left. To his great relief, as soon as their carriage pulled up in front of the castle, McGonagall came up to the three boys.
"Mr. Malfoy, could you please come with me, the two of you can persist in going to the great hall." Looking a bit confused (what else is new) the two large boys shrugged and walked off. The Professor turned on her heel and began towards the school, Draco stopped her with two words.
"Someone knows." She swerved around and looked at him, shocked. She started to breath heavily. A little alarmed Draco quickly explained. "Don't worry, its just Hermione Granger," The teacher looked at him suspiciously.
"How on earth did that happen?" She said turning to look at the mess of students rushing by, catching the sight of the flaming red Weasly hair. She took action. " You come with my." Draco followed, know that she was now involved whether she wanted to be or not. "Miss Granger," McGonagall said once they were a few paces behind the tree of them. Hermione turned a small smile on her face, but if faded slightly as she saw the teacher and her company. "Would you come with me please, there is a little matter to take care of, if you understand." To Harry's and Ron's surprise as well as Draco's, Hermione nodded once and followed McGonagall standing shoulder to shoulder with Draco.
'This was going to be no ordinary year' were the thoughts of all four students as they entered the Hogwarts castle
A/N: Now is my favourite part, please review this story, and tell me if I'm waiting my time with this. I love readers, and even more when they review.
I have to say that I like to write about Draco Malfoy, it is shown throughout my writing. I like his style and his presence you just know he must have surrounding him at all times.
I think he is a good guy all in all and that his father has just always led him dumbly, I will sometimes write just to put that to mind but right now, this story is about a different Draco I see when I think about his character.
Chapter 1
The arrival
Draco stood unmoving. His father looking on proudly, oblivious to the fact that his son wasn't faithful to his beliefs, that the stone look on his face was one of shock rather then fearlessness. Draco Malfoy stood in a room full of Death Eaters, and to his great discomfort, Voldemont. They were in the middle of the ceremony that would make him a full-fledged Death Eater.
His eyes darted around the room and found the gaze of his mentor, Professor Severus Snape, he looked to find the Professor staring back into his grey eyes with his cold black eyes. He thought that he saw an instant of remembrance, but it was gone in an instant and replaced with a warming no one knew was there. But though he tried to comfort Draco with his supporting gaze, Draco found no comfort and returned his attention to Wormtail, who had been preparing his arm for the dark mark.
The people in the room, all people Draco had grown up around, were looking on at him, most tense, and ready to watch yet another becomes part of the feared team. None but, with the exception of Severus Snape, knew he was a spy. And had been since he was 12 years old, Dumbledor had made him see all the pain of the last bout the feared team had placed on the magical and non-magical worlds. First he was reluctant, all the years of his life, he had been taught to hate Potter, to mistreat mudbloods, to take the Malfoy name to great lengths, but most of all, to rise up and follow his father in becoming a Death Eater.
First of all he did hate Potter, but not for his father's reasons, he loathed him for the pain people went through to save him and keep him safe. He had told Dumbledor time and time again what was going on in the dark force's plans, all to get Potter, all the plans hurting hundreds of innocent people, but Dumbledor had never yield to his pleas to forget the Potter boy.
He didn't like, but was forced to for security reasons, mistreat Mudbloods, if in his second year, he had stopped it would have arose suspicion if he would e started to open doors for Hermione Granger. He had to stand and ridicule her, and pay for it in his mind. In truth he had liked Hermione ever since their second year. She wouldn't care though; he just wished he could tell her he was on her side.
At least he would bring the Malfoy name far; he would be the only Malfoy to be on the good side, and he knew all of his family would one day find out his disloyalty.
At least he would become a Death eater.
His thoughts were cut short by the sudden pinch on his arm, it had started. The pinch grew into pain beyond explanation, it moved from his arm through his veins, it traveled to his heart, which was beating uncontrollably fast, he let out a scream that could crack glass, he dropped to the ground clutching his chest. He gasped for air as the pain started to burn his insides, then it stopped. Abruptly the pain was replaced by a dizzy feeling. He felt as if he had been swung in large fast circles.
Slowly he stood up to face Voldemont. His face was twisted into a would-be-smile if he had lips remotely human. He looked at Draco with amusement.
Draco was overcome with disgust, that he needed a reason to look away from that face. He quickly looked down at the Dark Mark on his arm; it was shining darkly on his pale skin.
He let out a shiver as a hand-applied pressure on his shoulder, and he turned to face his father, he was proudly smiling.
"Come on son, you will remember this day for the rest of your life, August 31st, we must get home, you can't be late for the Hogwarts express, after all, you are our spy for 5 years running." He turned to bow at Voldemont, who stared at Draco in an odd way " Besides you look as if you're about to pass out." And he did, to his father's great disappointment; no Malfoy had ever passed from getting the dark mark, let alone in room full of Death Eaters.
*
Rise and shine," Draco groaned at the high-pitched voice that he knew as his Mother's. She doesn't know she is about to send her only child off to betray her, and eventually get her husband put into Azakaban. "You must hurry, I've let you sleep in." Heaving a deep sigh, Draco opened his eyes and squinted against the bright light streaming through the tall windows of his large room.
The room was a big rectangle complete with a sitting area and work area.
"All right I'm up, I'm up." He sat up to see a house elf ready with his breakfast; this elf was unlike his old one Dobby. Dobby would tell him tales of a place where elves were free and could enjoy life; this one was mute and just stood staring into space, waiting for another order.
Draco took his food and dismissed the elf, his mother sat at the end of his bed excited for him. She jumped up a second later and started to take out his robes for him to wear. All of his robes were black so it was hard to tell the difference between his school uniform and his everyday robes.
"Are you ready yet?" His father came into his room; obviously still upset he had passed out last night. But Draco didn't mind, his father was usually mad with him. "I want to be there early so you can get a good compartment, its just horrible last time, you got stuck with a bunch of mudbloods." Draco didn't look at his father but agreed to hurry up.
"Alright Narce honey, lets leave him to get ready." They left him and Draco started to get ready, forgetting his breakfast and pulling his robes on after a short shower.
He opened the door of his room to find his father waiting.
"Ready to go?" He nodded and his father performed a joint apparition to King Cross station, just at the entrance to platform 9 ¾. It was set up so people could go in through the muggle world but his father disliked them so much that he insisted they only spend seconds at the most.
They found a compartment that was 'perfect' according to his father, since it was near the driver, someone his father knew. They put his trunk on the train and said goodbye, Draco's father had to go to a meeting with the Hogwarts council board, to decide on a few things.
It was a while before there were anymore students, and even longer before Crabbe and Goyle arrived, watching his friends push each other to see who would board first, he realized their name's were both something a snake does with its food.
He laughed at that and turned his attention back to the entrance, where Hermione Granger and Potter were helping Weasley with his horrible excuses of an owl, it was flying uncontrollably in its cage and making a lot of unnecessary noise.
"What you thinking? Should we pay them a visit?" Crabbe asked following his gaze towards the 'dream team', as they had often called them. He shook his head at the question and took a seat.
"We'll go later, once they are more comfortable." His two ninny friends, nodded dumbly, let down because they wouldn't be able to go sooner. But they too decided to sit down and began to fight over seats next to Draco, Crabbe one and took up two seats next to Draco, Goyle sat across from him staring out the window.
~The Dream team's compartment~
" Harry? Are you alright?" Hermione asked shacking Harry out of his daydream. "Is there something wrong?" Harry thought of not telling her but knew it would just lead to some questions in the future.
"I've had a dream," His two friends exchanged a look of fear and sat across from Harry, "It was like last year, vivid and with Voldemont," Ron winced at his use of the name but he didn't say anything. "It was in Hogwarts, I think one of the dungeons, and there was a cauldron, with greyish green potion. Voldemont was talking to a masked wizard and Wormtail. He was giving a talk to them about treachery, and he said that one of them was a traitor, then before anyone even opened his mouth he killed the masked wizard." Hermione let out a little yelp and Ron ran his fingers through his red, red hair, in deep reflection.
"Did you think you recognized the masked wizard?" Harry shook his head no; Ron asked another question that was harder.
"I didn't see anyone in the room but there could have been. It wasn't a full view, only part of it." Hermione looked thought full and opened her mouth a few times before speaking.
"You said it was vivid right? Well was it like you could feel the temperature in the room? Or was it just the sight that was vivid?" Harry thought for a second.
"It was cold, but that could have been because I left the window open the whole night. Why." She dismissed her notion with a wave of her hand.
"Just a thought, that's all." She turned to look out the window, in time to see a large house, and above the house…
~*Back with Draco Malfoy*~
Draco did a double take. He couldn't have seen what he thought, it wasn't possible, and his father would have said if there was going to be a raid.
He felt Crabbe lean over him.
"What do you think they are doing?" he asked, a question, for the first time, that wasn't easily answered.
"I don't know, it looks like a wizarding house, they only put the dark mark over muggle or mudblood houses." But there it was, still visible from the compartment window, ugly and black.
"I think I'll go and owl father, he'll tell me what is going on." Crabbe and Goyle got up to go with him but he said he would go alone. He grabbed his hawk and parchment he went to find an empty compartment, sitting in the corner he carefully dipped his quill into the green ink and placed it on the paper.
Father,
Saw a bird flying in the sky. Not in it's usual flying course.
Is there any news on the flying pattern?
D.M.
Draco looked at the letter, it was in a secret code he and his father had made up and it was used by more then a few Death Eaters, the bird was really the dark mark, and the flying course was a term they used for it's location.
He gave it to the hawk and let it go out the open window. It was flying one way when it abruptly changed course and went towards the house.
A shiver ran through Draco's body as pictured his father, probably in command at the house, no doubt someone was killed.
Draco went back to his compartment to find his two unintelligent clots of friends were no longer in the compartment. They had probably gone to look for the lady with the snacks trolley, they had incredibly large appetites.
A sudden rush of wings startled him; he knew it was the same bird he had just sent out. If it was back so soon, his idea of his father's whereabouts had been correct.
He opened the letter with care, using all his letters from his father as a way to monitor. Dumbledore found their use of code.
Son,
The flying patterns have changed; they all missed their mommies and want to be closer to home.
L.M.
So something was being planned, near Hogwarts. He thought of sending an owl ahead to hogwarts, but he didn't really trust his Hawk, He decided to go to the front compartment and use Pansy Perkins's owl. She had always liked him and would do virtually anything he asked, not that he had asked her to do much.
He found her chatting with a bunch of her friends, they laughed loudly as he came into the compartment then settled down as he pulled Pansy away.
"Can I use your owl Pansy?" He asked not even caring to be polite, just flashed his Malfoy smile and she melted. She smiled and nodded, running back to her compartment and returning in a second with her small black night owl.
"Why don't you join us Draco. We would love it if you stayed." Draco looked back into the compartment and shook his head; there was not one boy among the sea of girls it was unnerving.
"I don't think I will thank you. I am going to give the bird instructions just to go to hogwarts when its finished." Let down, Pansy nodded and returned to her compartment, head hanging slightly.
He found the whole thing amusing, her interest in him didn't seem to fade one bit each time he had turned her down. He thought about how insistent she had been last year that they go to the Yule Ball together, maybe them going together wasn't the best idea. She had been even clingier following the Ball.
He suddenly remembered about the owl as it nipped him sharply in the arm. He hurried to his compartment, still no sign of Goyle or Crabbe.
He picked up his quill and dipped it in purple ink, he like his changing ink, and he began to write to Dumbledore. The only person he respected, well he also respected Snape, but Dumbledore was the only person Voldemont feared, and he knew Voldemont's strength.
Dear Dumbledore,
My father seems to be in charge of a station set up around 45 minutes away from Hogwarts.
Attached is letter from my father, received under 15minutes ago.
Draco Malfoy
He muttered instructions to the owl and let it go out the window. He watched it fly out of site and into the sunlight. His eyes bleared as he looked into the sunlight, though the sun was setting, the pink tinge was bright, and he was unable to look away from the majestic sight. The play of natural colours, in the warm summer air, the way the rush of the train had no way of disrupting the picture like the blurred trees that whipped bye.
His thoughts were interrupted with a loud bang as someone came into the compartment, banging the door shut with rage.
It was Hermione Granger, she was steaming. Her usually relaxed face contorted with furry, he could see that her eyes were full of tears, and he didn't know if she had been him yet. He cleared his throught and she shot him an angry, tearful, look.
"Shut up Malfoy." She said acidly and, to his surprise, sat in the seat across from him. Almost forgetting himself he asked what was wrong. She looked at him apprehensively before speaking, tears cracking her voice.
"Nothing! Your two knuckle heads put a depression spell on me!" She sat across from him looking out the window, he was surprised that she would sit close to him and that they weren't having a row. He almost didn't laugh, but then he did, and she didn't even bother to look up.
"Shut up!"
"Why don't you just doing a reversing spell? I would have thought you of all people would know one." Draco said ignoring her warning to shut up.
"I'm too upset, so shut up!" He laughed again and took out his wand. She jumped a little staring at the wand pointed at her, then just turned to the window and burst out into tears.
Her tears were loud and prolonged. Draco pointed his wand at her and released the spell. The tears stopped and her crying slowed until she was whipping her eyes with the cuff of her robe sleeve.
Draco stood and opened the window, letting, along with the wind, Pansy's owl. Obviously, Dumbledore had sent a reply back.
He carefully took the letter off the owl's leg and turned his back to Hermione to read the letter.
He read it once then once again.
Dear Draco,
I have received your notice, we knew there was a base set up but we were unclear on the whereabouts it was set in.
I hope all is well, have a safe trip.
Please see me before the feast starts, there are a few things we need to discuss concerning the event to start this year.
A.D.
P.S. I had to put a charm on the nasty bird you went over, the side effects will ware off soon, just don't put it close to flames of any kind, magical or natural.
He had only just finished reading the last line when it was yanked out of his hands, Hermione, un-noticed had read over his shoulder, and had found the context of the letter unbelievable.
He made a grab for it but found he was unable to move, he was trapped in a statue spell, and he had no way of stopping her.
He stood watching her read, her eyes growing even wider as she realised what it all meant. For once in a very long time he cursed her wits and her comprehension powers. She turned to him, her eyes softer then before and asked plain and simple questions.
"Are you a death eater?"
"Yes." He mutter as best he could, still frozen like a statue, he could tell she thought he looked funny, but this was too serious for her to start laughing.
"Do you work for Dumbledor?"
" Yes." He muttered once again.
"For how long?" He hadn't planned on this question.
"Since our 2nd year." She eyed him suspiciously, not believing his answer. "The end of our 2nd year." She took the spell off of him and his mussels relaxed he stretched his legs by walking around the cabin until he was in front of the door.
" Why then? Why haven't we been told? I mean, Harry should have been told at least. I mean, I don't know what I mean." She looked frustrated, he knew the answer would upset her, hell it stilled upset him, but he said it anyways.
" Because it could leak out, and if even Crabbe or Goyle finds out I'll be killed and all the work we have been doing will have died in vain, I think saving hogwarts from attack is more important then being friends with more people." The compartment door slid open, and Harry and Ron stepped through.
They were smiling broadly until they saw whom Hermione was talking to.
" What," Ron said standing next to Hermione. "First the two fat heads, now Blondie? I think we could take him" Ron looked him up and down, taking in the familiar sneer and slivery blond hair. "Easy." That did it. Draco lunged at Ron, grabbing the front of his robes. Harry waited a split second before trying to pry them apart, but to no avail. Hermione grabbed her wand; she was upset that her conversation was interrupted in the first place. And fighting just made her livid.
She quickly performed the same spell she had used on Draco earlier, only on all three feuding boys at once. It left them looking like detailed statues.
"I have had enough fighting for one day," she looked at each of them in turn, this time almost laughing at the expression on Ron's face. "Now I'm going to take the spell off, the first one to do anything will spend the rest of the trip like a statue." She once more performed the counter curse, and waited a minute as they stretched their mussels.
"Now, Harry and Ron," Her two friends looked at her, still a little stiff. "Can you two kindly leave, I would like to finish my conversation with Draco." The two looked outraged, they both started to talk at once, then seemed at a loose of words, then they quickly retreated at the sight of Hermione's wand once more.
Hermione waited till the compartment door slid closed to talk once again.
" I need to know more. Are there any plans? New developments? Anything?" Draco looked out the window.
"I can't-"
"I wouldn't say anything-" Draco grabbed her shoulders and gently shook her.
" I know you wouldn't but, hundreds of lives, including our own, depend on this staying a secret. I know everything that is going on at Hogwarts, one death eater hears that they will force feed me truth serum. Everything, passwords, plans, EVERYTHING!!!" Hermione took a frightful step back, seeing her getting uncomfortable he let go of her shoulders. "Sorry but I cant say anything, for all I know Dumbledore will wipe your memory, you know to much already, if someone even overheard our conversation.. I don't even want to think of what might happen." Hermione stood staring at him, not believing how upfront he had just been. He sat down in one of the chairs and looked out the window once more.
"Draco I-" Hermione started sitting across from him.
"Anyways, you better go, Slytherins do 'chat' with Gryffindors." The last words weren't aimed to hurt, but they had. Hermione hated that the school was divided into such apposing houses, she hated that one of the people she met on her very first train ride wouldn't talk to her in the halls the next day because she had been sorted into Slytherin. But she nodded knowing that he was right, she got up and walked to the door.
"Hermione," Draco said before she opened the door, she turned to face him but he was still looking out the window.
"Yeah?" She said releasing the door latch.
" I think it's best if you come to Dumbledore's office with me before the feast." And she left, not knowing what might happen if Dumbledore thought she was a liability to the situation.
The train soon slowed to a stop, and Crabbe and Goyle came back looking mess, as students started to leave the train, Hermione, Potter and Weasly past through his compartment, each giving him a look. Potter gave him the same look of loathing, Weasly gave him a threatening look, which he didn't even think was all that good. But Hermione, she had a mixture of pity and respect, she felt sorry for him. They caught each other's eye and Draco knew she would meet him at Dumbledore's office, even if she were worried.
Crabbe nudged him to go, he hadn't realized he was blocking the exit and went on. He had to give the other two a good reason for no going with them to the feast. He hadn't had time to think after Hermione had left. To his great relief, as soon as their carriage pulled up in front of the castle, McGonagall came up to the three boys.
"Mr. Malfoy, could you please come with me, the two of you can persist in going to the great hall." Looking a bit confused (what else is new) the two large boys shrugged and walked off. The Professor turned on her heel and began towards the school, Draco stopped her with two words.
"Someone knows." She swerved around and looked at him, shocked. She started to breath heavily. A little alarmed Draco quickly explained. "Don't worry, its just Hermione Granger," The teacher looked at him suspiciously.
"How on earth did that happen?" She said turning to look at the mess of students rushing by, catching the sight of the flaming red Weasly hair. She took action. " You come with my." Draco followed, know that she was now involved whether she wanted to be or not. "Miss Granger," McGonagall said once they were a few paces behind the tree of them. Hermione turned a small smile on her face, but if faded slightly as she saw the teacher and her company. "Would you come with me please, there is a little matter to take care of, if you understand." To Harry's and Ron's surprise as well as Draco's, Hermione nodded once and followed McGonagall standing shoulder to shoulder with Draco.
'This was going to be no ordinary year' were the thoughts of all four students as they entered the Hogwarts castle
A/N: Now is my favourite part, please review this story, and tell me if I'm waiting my time with this. I love readers, and even more when they review.