Harry jumped the last four stairs, rounded the corner at an impossible speed, before landing almost headlong into Snape. And sure enough, standing behind him in a fur-lined travelling cloak and dragon hide gloves, was Draco Malfoy. The ever-present subtle sneer and coolly raised eyebrows could not belie Malfoy's evident unease, and lack of control over the situation. His sodden white hair rose in odd peaks, in contrast to his usually immaculately coiffed locks, and his trunk had the lumpy helter-skelter appearance of having been packed under immense pressure, all suggesting that he had been unwillingly torn from the comfort of sleep.
Harry looked furiously from Malfoy to Snape, the latter of whom was contemptuously brushing off the patch of his robes that had come into contact with Harry.
"What is he doing in Sirius' house?" This was all Harry managed to snarl through gritted teeth. The house, though hardly brimming with luxuries and creature comforts, was undoubtedly a sanctuary to him. Here, he could escape from homework schedules, detentions, the Dursleys, and, of course, Malfoy and his cronies. His presence was a breach of the worst kind.
"Control yourself, Potter," drawled Snape, sneering at Harry past his over-large nose, "We have hardly seen you to be a master of tact and subtlety in the past, but surely even you can recognize that there are things greater than yourself at work? Or do you think the Order is obliged to brief you on every decision that is made?"
The quiet trickle of embarrassment was not enough to mask the fact that Draco Malfoy was in Grimmauld Place, where Harry ate, slept and relaxed, and he glared defiantly at both of them. Perhaps it was a trick of the dancing lamplight, but Harry was sure he saw the same fury and resentment echoed in Malfoy's eyes, aimed at the back of Snape's head.
The sound of the clicking and sliding of bolts behind them saved Harry from responding to Snape's condescending question, and he became aware of the various Order members speaking in urgent, subdued tones around him, ceasing as Dumbledore crossed the threshold and made his way to the landing onto which, it seemed, all the inhabitants of Grimmauld Place were assembled.
Malfoy's eyes darted nervously towards Dumbledore's figure, as he placed a hand onto his shoulder.
"I'm very pleased to see you arrived safely with Professor Snape, Draco. You are, as you've no doubt only minutes ago been informed, at the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. This will be your home for the foreseeable future, and I'm sure over the next couple of days you will become quite fond of the many delights and surprises it has to offer."
Malfoy glanced once more nervously at Dumbledore's hand and, before having time to devise an insolent retort, Sirius burst through the kitchen door with Kreacher in his wake, whose orb-like eyes seemed to dangle precariously in their sockets upon catching sight of the fur-clad Malfoy.
"Tell me it isn't true- the Malfoy boy, Death Eater in training, is not staying at the Headquarters. This is madness, Dumbledore!"
It seemed the other members of the Order, though not openly hostile, were equally wary, and looked searchingly from Dumbledore to Malfoy.
"Well, I'm quite ready to go back to Malfoy manor- I assure you I'm not here by choice!" Speaking for the first time since his arrival, Malfoy's voice higher than usual, though being surrounded by a pack of less-than-friendly Order members did not stop him from pointedly looking at the cobwebs draping the walls with pronounced distaste.
Harry caught Malfoy's eye, and glared daggers at him, hoping to convey in a look the absolute, venomous loathing he felt for the insufferable blond at that moment.
"Before I say anything else," interjected Dumbledore, looking directly at Harry for a few moments, "We must agree to end this hostility. It is wasteful and dangerous."
A strangled growl came from Sirius' direction.
"Let us please come into the kitchen, and discuss the necessary formalities over tea. Perhaps a smaller party would be best, I'm sure Draco and Professor Snape have had an evening quite full of excitement already. Harry, Hermione, Ron- please join us, if you will. And, let me see… Molly and Remus, your presence would also be appreciated."
Harry noted that, of the adults, Dumbledore had chosen the most conciliatory personalities of the order, and notably omitted Sirius. Ron, Harry also observed, made a point of slamming his shoulder into Malfoy as he filed into the kitchen.
The odd party assembled awkwardly around the small table near the stove, Snape sitting protectively close to Malfoy, while Mrs Weasely busied herself with the tea.
"I understand," began Dumbledore, sighing slightly, "that there is a history of enmity between certain parties at this table. It might be that I hold some of the responsibility, in allowing the house system to continue at Hogwarts, which seems to foster these inherited hostilities. Whatever the case, tonight must mark a change. Draco, you've been taken from Malfoy manor under my instruction tonight because you were to be used as a dispensable pawn in a dangerous design, almost certainly at the expense of your life, if not your soul. Professor Snape, needless to say, cares very deeply for you" (Snape shifted uncomfortably at this remark) "and assures me that you are essentially a good and decent person."
Involuntarily, Harry audibly scoffed, while Ron outright snorted, but the pair became quiet immediately as Dumbledore's disappointed gaze pierced them.
"Harry, Ron, Professor Dumbledore is right. Don't you see, this war is almost entirely fueled by this kind of mindless, principle-based animosity. If professor Snape can vouch for Draco, then we have no reason to doubt his word. He's taken an innocent soul from the clutches of evil." Lupin smiled warmly at Malfoy, who stared insolently at something indistinct in the distance, maintaining what he no doubt thought was a regal and dignified pose in his fur, which he'd not yet removed.
"I'm very glad you agree, Remus. It is for this reason that I insisted on yours and Molly's presence-" Dumbledore nodded respectfully at Mrs Weasely, who had by this time served tea and sat at the table "Knowing of the… tumultuous relations between some in this kitchen, and of your own level-headed natures, l want you to help ensure that Draco's transition into the Headquarters goes as smoothly as possible."
Both solemnly agreed to take on the responsibility while, for the first time, Malfoy's now flushed features betrayed some emotion.
"This is too much. Let me tell you, I will not be babysat by a werewolf and Weasely, and wile away my time with Potty and mudbloods. You're mad, the lot of you. You especially," Malfoy rounded on Snape, "are a traitor, and kidnapper to boot. If you think father won't hear about this, you are quite mistaken. You're as bad as all these Gryffindors!"
Snapes lips thinned, as he stared straight ahead, and said very softly, "Quiet Draco, you've no idea how ignorant you are."
"Ignorant? Of course I was ignorant! I foolishly considered you an ally all these years. I am going back home now, with or without your help."
Snape stood up as Malfoy did, clutched the front of his robes, and forced him back into his seat. "Idiot boy, sit down and keep your mouth shut. Go back, and you won't survive to see next summer. Your family's name is dirt, and you are nothing more than a piece of meat to them. They will be informed in the morning that you've been taken against your will by the Order- that's the only way to safely remove you without giving your parents a death sentence. Be grateful, and try to not so blatantly reveal your immaturity and ignorance."
A heavy silence followed. Remus looked respectfully at Snape, and Molly once again busied herself with tea, charming the saucers clean. Harry looked from Snape, who sat staring blankly ahead, to Malfoy. His resentful and insolent demeanour remained, but Harry could sense Malfoy's dawning sense of vulnerability, his pale hands clasped tightly together on the table, and his eyes somewhat glazed.
"Draco?" Molly approached him gently, "Why don't we go upstairs and sort out the sleeping arrangements."
A/N: Thanks for feedback so far, I really appreciate it! If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please leave a review
In response to the question about what year they're in, I had sixth year in mind. Yes, Sirius is still alive… but c'mon, we all know he shouldn't have died, right? Also, the focus is going to be more on what's going on in the story, I don't want to end up rewriting the books…