Chapter 2 – The Moment That Changed Your Life
Draco often found it hard to leave his bed and get ready to work on a Monday. Honestly, who likes to work on a Monday? He pulled his sheet over his head and ready to return to his heavenly dream. His house elf Aki popped into Draco's room "Aki is here to inform Master Malfoy he has to leave his bed now, breakfast is ready and Master Malfoy can't be late to work!"
During the war, the death eaters and Lord Voldemort himself have murdered a lot of wizard families. It has left a lot of "orphan house elves", one of the first program Hermione has introduced after she took up her post in the ministry was to find these "orphan house elves" a home. Hermione never lost her interest in protecting the welfare and rights for magical creatures. This program called "A Home For Elf, A Family For Life", where the house elves were opened for families and individuals to adopt. The applicants were required to go through ministry check and interviews before approved by the department. The applicants are required to provide the house elves one day off per month and salaries are also required for the house-elves. As house elves see receiving payments from their master was disgraceful and an insult, both sides have agreed the salary would go towards to the charity "Care For Our Magical Creatures". A monthly follow up visit from the department are also mandatory for the initial year.
Draco has adopted two house elves from this program Aki and Hana. Hana serving at The Malfoy Manor and Aki serving him at his apartment."Oh my dear Aki you know I can go to work whenever I wanted, there is no specific time. What is the point for being the owner of the company when you don't get to sleep in? So I think I would rather stay in bed today." said Draco, poor Aki standing at Draco bedside, staring at Draco with her large watery elf eyes, hesitated if it was a good idea to disturb her master's sleep."But Master Malfoy, you said… you said… last night, you have to get to work for your potion! The… the… potion you have been working on for the past three months!" Ding Dong yes, Draco realised today was the day he could not afford to be late, he has to add in the Holy Basil Seed into his lull potion, a potion he has been working on for three months now. He expected this potion would help to heal those who suffered mental instability from the Cruciatus curse. "Alright, Aki you have proven your point. I better get waffles for breakfast today." Draco patted Aki's head gently as he left his comfortable bed.
Walking into his work, he was interrupted by his two brilliant potion research assistants Phoja and Katebe Burgdorf who he met during his years at Hogwarts, have now worked with him for over 3 years. They are twins sister, most interesting fact about the Burgdorf sisters, they share the same biological mother but two different fathers. This explains one appeared more Asian looking and the other more Finnish. Both of them are highly intelligent, beautiful and work efficient women he enjoyed to work with. Together the sisters have invented a few potions that made great contribution to the wizarding world. These potions have brought in great profit for the company.
"Mr. Malfoy, we need to talk to you before you enter the potion room." Said Phoja circumspectly. Draco recognised this look on the Burgdorf sister's face, he knew something serious must have happened, the question was what had happened? "I am afraid we have to re-make the Lull potion we have been working on." Katebe holding her breath, not knowing how would Draco reacts to this terrible news.
"I need both of you to tell me the truth, I do not wish to apply legilimency on you two. Tell me is it Dan Murphy again. I swear I am going to fire his ass if it is him again? How many troubles has he caused since he started here? And don't you two try to bail him out again!" None of the sister gave him a response, both of them stood there quietly, they have learnt in the past when Draco got into this disgruntled mood it was best to keep their mouth shut. "I shall take this silence response a yes." Draco turned and proceeded into the potion room.
The first thing he saw was the newly hired intern kneeling on the floor cleaning the potion residue off the floor, the potion he has been preparing for the past three months.
"I am so sorry Mr. Malfoy, it was an accident! I swear please do not fire me." The intern holding the cauldron in his hands, shaking worried if he is about to lose his first job.
"Dan, clean up this mess. I am going to be in my room, tell the others I don't care how urgent they think their matters are, I do not want to see or talk to anyone except the Burgdorf for the rest of the day." Said Draco, how much he would like to strangle Dan right now but no he told himself he has to learn to control his temper.
"I shall Mr. Malfoy, is there anything else sir?" Dan asked knowing Draco would never let him get away without awarding him a punishment.
"Yes Dan, I will need you to go to the information room, gather the notes from the Lull potion cabinet. After you go through the notes, draw up a flow chart for the formation of this lull potion and I will need an ingredients list written up too. Have it on my desk by Thursday morning. You are dismiss, now move your ass." Draco would not care if Dan managed to finish the task because he knew the Burgdorf sister would go behind his back and gave Murphy a hand.
"Most certainly, Sir" Dan walked out from Draco room. Three days is certainly a challenge he thought, but he has to try his best maybe he would ask the Burgdorf sister for help, time is ticking.
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Sitting in his office, still trying to overcome the shock of losing the potion he has been working so hard on, he wished he had slept in today instead, he was having one of the best dream, in the dream Hermione was sitting on his lap, he has his arms wrapped around her. And Aki woke him up just as Hermione leaning in to kiss him. Staring at the ceiling trying to control his emotion, maybe he should take a soothing draught. He remembered he once too had the same despaired expression just like the one on Dan's face, a long time ago. Going down his memory lane, the night he made his decision, he walked out from the room of requirement making sure no one saw him. He felt a grab and the next thing he knew. He has been pulled into an empty classroom by his godfather Severus Snape.
"Draco just tell me what you are up to, you know I can help you!" Severus shouted.
"You don't understand! Just leave me alone! Things have changed okay?" Frustrated by his godfather recent stalking ability.
"You know I will help you, I have made an unbreakable Vow with your mother" Snape now holding Draco by his arm.
"Looks like you are going to break it, cause I am changing my mind now" He has accidentally slipped, now worried because no one has managed to figure if Snape is on the Dark Lord or Dumbledore side, will he mentioned this to the dark lord?
"Draco, what do you mean by changing your mind now?" Snape now confuse by Draco's word desperate to find out what was going on.
"It is not your business and you won't be able to understand. Just leave me alone." Draco pulled his arm out from Snape's grip.
"Do enlighten me then. Draco you know you can trust me. You and I both know I care about you a lot." said Snape.
There was a deep pause. Snape has been looking after Draco since he was a baby. Draco knew Snape was like a family to him, he had showed more care to him than his own father Lucius Malfoy. Draco asked himself who could he really trust in this world. Ironically, was the man standing in front of him and his mother. A voice in his head told him it is fine to tell the truth to his godfather.
" I don't want to do this anymore, I don't want to serve the dark lord." It was definitely something Snape wasn't expecting. He couldn't help but to be pleased from Draco's word, but he has to be sure. He took a deep breath.
"Draco and what is the reason, why you have changed your mind about the dark lord. Is it merely you are afraid or there are more reasons behind?" Snape asked.
"It is not because I am scared to fail my task or afraid of punishment from the dark lord. Its just I have come to the realisation I was wrong about the whole muggle-born and blood purity. What we are doing at the moment to them is wrong, I would hate myself forever if I have to continue with this." He shoved the page he torn from the book into Snape's hand.
Snape could hear the desperation from Draco voice, he looked at Draco he could see this innocent face that he has missed from this boy. He sighed. "Draco, you know this is a serious matter. Are you telling me you are considering switching side?" Draco looked up and his eyes meeting with Snape, he replied firmly " Yes". "Then we will have to see Professor Dumbledore. I must ask you to return to your dormitory now, I will find you tomorrow."
Draco returned to his dormitory without complaining. It has been a long day, but somehow he felt weight lifting off his chest, he felt much lighter. Now he is in his warm bed, he just want to enter his dream and leave all his worries behind.
Snape was surprised yet delighted by Draco's word. Finally the boy has come to senses, took him a long time though. But what could he do now to protect this boy and his family? The only person he knew held the answer would be Dumbledore. He wasted no time and made his way to Professor Dumbledore's office.
"What a surprise visit from you Severus, I wasn't expecting you this evening. Do you have news for me? I sincerely doubt you come all the way to my office to sing me a Christmas carol? My favourite is Jingle Bell Rock." Dumbledore sitting behind his desk, you can't tell if he is actually smiling, definitely not with his thick and long beard covering.
"I am sorry to disappoint you Dumbledore, there will be no silly Christmas carol singing today, especially not when you have requested my least favourite song. However, I do got news about our young Malfoy." Snape laid the piece of paper Draco shoved into his hand earlier in front of Dumbledore.
Dumbledore picked up the paper, "Now I do recognise these text from a certain book, a book I have long lost. I assume our young Malfoy is feeling extremely confuse?" said Dumbledore.
"No he is not, instead I believe he has made up his mind already, he told me he does not want to be part of what he is doing now, he have decided to switch side." Snape answered.
"Now isn't that just a merry news for us." Dumbledore sounded more than delight.
"Dumbledore, you do remember the task he has been assigned by the dark lord." Severus tried to raise his main concern regards to the current situation.
"And yes, Severus and it shall be carried on just like how we have planned." Dumbledore replied calmly showing no signs of worries.
"But Dumbledore, Draco has changed his mind, certainly we can make an adjustment to the plan? You know I am not a big fan for your so call brilliant plan at the moment." Said Snape, a bit annoyed since he wasn't too happy with Dumbledore's original plan.
"No Severus, Harry has to be one who kill Voldemort not me. No matter how powerful I am. As you are well aware, I am dying and thanks to your brilliant healing skills, I managed to prolong my life a bit. I would like to make good use of my death, in this case saving young Malfoy and his soul. I am sure you understand this." Dumbledore let out a sigh. He knew he was asking Severus Snape a huge favour, a favour he could never return. He has owed Severus a lot but it is something has to be done, he could not afford to have Severus hesitated when the moment comes.
" I assume I will just let Draco know he will just carry on with his plan for now?" Said Severus realised Dumbledore would never change his mind.
"Please do and Severus I shall let the order know about Draco's decision, but I must asked you to take good care of him. We shall speak together with Draco tomorrow."
"Sure I will organise that. " Severus left Dumbledore's office still not please with Dumbledore's decision.
Draco woke up the following day by this chill breeze of wind, he was glad he has cast a warming charm in his bed. He felt like he had the best sleep since the start of the year. Ever since the semester began, he was stressing over the task Lord Voldemort assigned him. Aunt Bellatrix has always told him it is a great honour to serve the dark lord, he should be proud that he could be useful for the dark lord. He admitted to himself when he first received the task he was extremely pleased with himself, he told himself he would make the dark lord proud, he would bring glory to his family, Lord Voldemort would forgive his father's mistake in the ministry. He was sicked of other death eater making smart remarks on this matter in their meetings. Determined that was the moment he would shine and restored his family reputation among the death eaters and Lord Voldemort. The task has become more challenging than he expected. He has encountered several obstacles but he had managed to resolve it. Still it was not good enough for the dark lord. Snape had offered to assist him through his task, but he didn't want any help. He wanted to prove to the world he is independent. Laying in his bed, he told himself none of this matters anymore, he has made up his mind he has told his godfather his decision.
Draco was never evil, deep down he has a good heart. He has the heart of his mother but he was acting like his father because he was a Malfoy. The world has misjudged his godson all this time. He was just a child who craved for his parent attention and a high achiever who did not want to fail his family. Snape knew Draco well enough to know. He knew Draco's opinion on muggle born was from his upbringing and most of it to uphold the Malfoy reputation. He always knew as he grow up he would develop his own opinions. Snape walked into the Slytherin dungeon, there were no signs of Draco. As he was wondering where could Draco be at this hour, he found Draco walking down from his dormitory.
"Draco, Professor Dumbledore and I would like to have a chat with you before lunch." Said Snape.
"You mean now?" Draco just got out of bed, still in his pyjamas, not dress to leave the dungeon yet.
"Get ready now and may I remind you I will not be please if I have to wait more than 5 minutes because you are investing too much time to get your Malfoy hair done. 5 minutes." Said Snape, he never understood why his godson could possibly spend so much time on his hair. Precisely 5 minutes later, Draco found himself following Snape to Dumbledore's office. None of them spoke to each other during the walk. The castle was dead quiet, most of the students have returned home to spend their Christmas. It was so quiet, you can hear a pin needle dropped onto the floor. The walk felt like forever to Draco, it was the silence that made him more nervous.
"Professor Dumbledore" Draco greeted Dumbledore as he walked in. He was surprised he has spent 5 years at Hogwarts, yet this is the first time he visited the headmaster's office.
"Draco, please do take a seat, would you care for a cup of hot tea or pumpkin juice?" Dumbledore sound more than enthusiastic.
"Tea please, professor" Draco replied politely although still nervous. Dumbledore happily drew up three teacups with his wand, each filled with hot lemon ginger tea in it.
"Its lemon ginger tea, I am sure you will find it rather tasty especially in this weather." Dumbledore smiled, noticed Draco was sniffing his tea trying to figure what kind of tea it was. "So Draco, Professor Snape has brought me the news." Dumbledore stopped as his words were interrupted by Draco
"Yes I have informed Professor Snape about my decision, but my sole concern is that I can trust you both and I need you to ensure the safety of my family, especially my mother." Looking up at Dumbledore, Draco knew he has no reason not to trust this man but his mother safety was his main concern.
"Draco, I will promise you, The Order and I will always have your family and your safety in mind. However given the involvement your family had with Lord Voldemort, there are certain things I do not dare to make promises I might not able to keep. But we will give our best effort. In return I would like you to promise me, you will follow Professor Snape's instruction at all time without questioning his motive." Dumbledore made Draco a promise.
There was a hesitation in Draco's mind, He glanced towards to where Snape was sitting. Snape gave him a nod with reassurance and approval. Draco turned his attention back to Dumbledore, without any questions or doubts he simply replied "Certainly, Professor."
"Draco, now that I have your words. The task you have been assigned by Lord Voldemort, I would like you to carry on. You will remain as a spy just like Professor Snape. When the time comes, Professor Snape will give you further instruction and information. Once again I will assure you, your family safety will be our priorities." "But Sir…" Dumbledore continued without letting Draco interrupt him again. "Draco, I have encountered a piece of dark magic a while back, it is slowly killing me. My life is coming to an end. I cannot reveal too much to you at this stage. But do we have an agreement?" Dumbledore gave Draco a rigid look, it is imperative that Draco understood and trusted him. "I can't thank you enough for your trust. I want you to know you have made the right decision. There are things I have chose to disclose from you for now, but as time pass I promise you, you will learn and know more. I shall let you retire to your lunch now and promise we will speak again soon." Draco bided Dumbledore and Snape farewell and left the office. He didn't go to the great hall for lunch. He went to his favourite place near the lake, a place he found quite comforting and calming.
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Draco found his stomach growling, it is half two. A sandwich and a soothing draught were left on his desk along with a note written "your lunch" from the Burgdorf sister. When did they come in? Draco must been too lost in his thought he didn't notice the Burgdorf sister have entered his office. He finished his sandwich quickly, realising how hungry he was. He decided to go home early today. He has too much in his mind he knew he would not be able to make any progress at work. Maybe he could check his mate Blaise Zabini if he has plan for the evening, perhaps he would like to have an early dinner with him, a catch up is long due. Thankfully Blaise was more than happy to meet up with Draco, they have decided to meet at The Two Wands, a small quiet pub Draco enjoyed because no one there would pay him any unwanted attention.
"Long time no see, mate" Blaise waved at Draco from far away, slowly walking towards to where he was sitting. "Thought you have completely forgotten about me, how is the Lull Potion you are working on? Almost finished I assume?"
Ignoring Blaise's comment on his potion, he glazed at his drink. Blaise has known Draco since Hogwarts, they were in the same house and in the same year. He knew there are only two reasons Draco would suggest a catch up at The Two Wands, either something went wrong with his potion or when he is in his "Emotional H crisis". Today seems to be a potion problem. He knew the only one thing that can lighten up Draco's mood, the magic word.
"So I got news of Granger, want to hear?" Said Blaise and there was the response Blaise was expecting from Draco. The "seem to be dead" Draco suddenly came alive, sat up looking at him, like a puppy waiting for its master to feed its treat. Blaise now works at the ministry in the Department of Law Enforcement with Hermione Granger. Something Draco envy of, but he knew he has no brain in the law area. Draco waiting for Blaise to continue, "So she read the article you published last week and I specifically remembered she said you are truly an amazing and dedicate potioneer." Blaise smirked as he continued "She asked me whether I have ever read your work since we are like close friend."
"And what did you say?"Draco interrupted Blaise.
"Well I told her never unless when your company introduced a new potion and I have to write up the stupid law about the use and restriction on it. So only through force never voluntary." Blaise laughed.
Hermione thought he is an amazing and dedicate potion master? And she had been reading his published articles? Draco flattered by Hermione's comment. Although she no longer remembered him from the past but now he knew he meant something to her, simply a dedicate potioneer. Talking to his inner self, he heard Blaise.
"Oh one more thing, she is moving to the apartment, you know two floors below yours this week." Draco dropped his jaw, his eyes wide opened as if someone just told him he didn't have his pants on.
"Did she know?" Still can't believe what Blaise just told him. He wasn't sure it this was a good news to him or not. He loved the idea how he might see her more than once a week, but what should he do when he saw her in the building?
"No she doesn't know you live there. But seriously mate, I haven't seen you more than 3 months, can we talked about something else. Honestly it has been 3 years and you only have yourself to blame."
Draco apologised to Blaise and soon found himself enjoying the conversation on Quidditch with the thought of Hermione living closer to him still circling in his mind. This news has definitely lightened up his terrible day.
Hey guys, I am sorry about this chapter. It seems like I hardly mentioned Hermione at all! I promised as the story goes by there will be more of her :)
Coming up next would be Hermione moving into her new apartment. And Draco first meeting at The Order after the death of Dumbledore !
Also I would like to take this opportunity to thank you soooooo sooooo much for ksouzas3, you are the first person to review on my story and my first follower! I can't tell you how much i was motivated and happy when I received the notification! I hope you will enjoy the story as it goes by and I haven't bored you to death yet!
Also thank you for MicPen, ayalodae, AlwaysBeAUnicorn7 & Snlemonpie to favourite and follow my story! It means a lot to me and I hope I will do better as I go along! There are just way too many good and creative writers here!
