Something Changes
Chapter 4 – What are you doing here?
Draco stood nervously in the foyer of number 12 Grimmauld Place. He'd made to Order's headquarters, and now all he could do was wait and hope they would accept him.
Minutes passed and still Draco stood alone, peering around at the gloomy gray 'Black House'. The hideous gray rose wallpaper had begun to peel off and in places there was nothing but cracked drywall. The young Malfoy shifted his weight back and forth between his feet awkwardly as he waited.
He took an unneeded breath that seemed to be taken more out of habit than anything and felt his stomach rumble hungrily. Draco suddenly wished he'd drunk the blood Wormtail had brought him the previous night, but he dismissed the feeling and waited with baited breath as –finally- he saw Potter coming down the creaky wooden staircase with at least ten members of the Order trailing behind him tiredly. They were bickering under their breaths at Potter.
"Why would you even let him in?" The annoying Weasley asked, half awake but visibly fuming with rage.
"Harry, he could be up to something; you never know." The muggleborn Granger whispered, her annoying voice echoing down the old stairway. She was dressed in a hideous nightgown with a teddy bear print and her hair was puffy and sticking in all different directions, making her look even worse than normal.
Behind the Golden Trio came who Draco guessed were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley staggering down the stairs as well, their wands extended and Mr. Weasley had Lumos flaring a bright light from the tip of his shabby second hand wand.
"You shouldn't have brought him here, Harry." Mommy Weasley hissed. "Don't you remember what his father did to Ginny?"
Yeah, but I'm not my father… Thought Draco.
Potter looked like he was trying his best to hush them. Then coming down from another eerie hallway came Draco's cousin, Nymphadora Tonks.
After what felt way to long, everyone who happened to be staying at number 12 Grimmauld Place had gathered in the front hall, and all had cast their hurtful, hate-filled, and suspicious eyes on him, all except Potter, who only looked at him with confusion and uncertainty. Draco was slightly shocked – surly Potter hated him the most – but he kept himself in check and looked down, not meeting any of their eyes.
The young Malfoy drew in a shaky breath as if to calm himself before slowly looking up and the members of the Order. His shoulders began to un-tense, but he was still very much aware of the four wands being pointed at him. He wouldn't deny it; he was scared.
Finally, Annoying Weasley spoke. "What d'ya think you're doing here, Malfoy?" The ginger spat harshly and Draco drew back submissively.
"Ron." Potter hissed warningly, nudging him slightly with his elbow. Was Potter protecting him? Weird…His emerald green eyes met Draco's silver ones and they held the gaze for a moment before the young Malfoy looked away, down casting his eyes.
Draco stood silent for a minute before repeating to the Order what he had told the raven haired boy in the streets. "I want to join the Order of the Phoenix." He muttered, nervously, tentatively.
Weasley scoffed. "We know that much already – Harry told us. But what are you really here for?"
"I just told you." The blonde said, a bit of the old snarky Malfoy coming through.
"Why should we believe you?" Granger asked rudely.
"I – " Draco began, but was cut off by Potter.
"Look Hermione," The raven haired boy whispered, trying –but failing– to not let Draco hear. "he looks sick… And, maybe he could help us, you know, give us some info."
"Why should we care?" Weasley said breezily. "Since when do you care about Malfoy?" At this, Draco bowed his head in hurt.
Potter rolled his eyes and huffed. "Come on guys…"
The young Malfoy spoke again. "I… I can give you information! Anything you need! I can give it to you!" Draco paused. "Please, I've no where to go…" He pleaded weakly.
"No." Weasley said. "Go back to your damn Death Eater daddy and tell him you failed your little mission to spy on us!"
"That's not it at all!" The blonde screamed. "Please, I just barely got away."
"I think you should leave." Mr. Weasley said shortly.
"Please –"
"Get out, Malfoy." Annoying Weasley said forcefully. "Harry was stupid to even let you in!"
Said boy, who had remained quite through this whole thing, finally spoke. "Ron…"
"Harry." Granger cut in. "Ron's right. Not the way he said it, but you shouldn't have let him in."
Potter became silent and simply looked at Draco, his face twisted with confusion and exhaustion.
The young Malfoy was about to put up another argument when someone cut in.
"Wait, before you make him leave, we should consult Dumbledore."
"What's the point, Nymphadora?" Mrs. Weasley asked angrily. She'd had enough.
Draco watched as his cousin and Mommy Weasley bickered back and forth for a few minutes before his eyes fell on Potter, who had been staring at him. Their eyes met and Draco gave him a weak and nervous smile. Potter's eyebrows shot up to his hairline in shock and he barely managed a slight awkward smile in return. He then suddenly took a deep breath and stepped forward bravely.
"We're calling Dumbledore." The raven haired boy said firmly, effectively ending Tonks and Mr. Weasley's argument. "We always said whoever wanted to join could join, so why not Malfoy?"
"His father is a Death Eater, how do we know he isn't one too?" Weasley said accusingly, making Draco feel horrible as the dark mark stung and burned his arm. He felt degraded
He saw Granger nod beside the weasel quickly, and for a moment – when Potter made no response – Draco thought the Golden Boy was about to back off, but he put his foot down,
"We are calling Dumbledore!"
"Harry…" Granger began.
"No." Potter said with finality. He turned to the rest of the group. "Mrs. Weasley, please send an owl to him."
Mrs. Weasley grudgingly left the gloomy front room and entered the rusty kitchen. Once in, she fetched a piece of parchment and a quill, grabbed Hedwig and began to scribble madly on the paper. Once finished, she read it over before giving to Hedwig, who took it in his beak and flew out the dirty window.
"Done." Mrs. Weasley huffed as she joined the group once again, her hands resting on her plump hips angrily.
"Good." Was the only reply Potter gave.
A tense silence filled the once grand foyer as they waited, unsure of what to do.
"So…" The Weasley twin with an F on his shirt – Draco was pretty sure his name was Fred – chirped awkwardly. Draco wasn't completely sure where he had come from, because he was sure he didn't see him or the 'G Weasley' enter the hall. No one responded to him, they just stood silently, nervously.
Draco's eyes fell on Potter and when said boy looked at him, he smiled gratefully, pulling his lips upwards but showing no teeth. It was unfamiliar for Draco to smile, let alone at Potter, but this feeling wasn't a bad unfamiliar, but a surprisingly good one. Draco, contrary to popular belief, enjoyed smiling, but he'd never tell. Even before the Dark Lord had risen, Draco seldom smiled in public, saving the smiles for his family only.
As the awkward silence continued Draco heard yawns come from the surrounding people, until finally there was a loud crack just outside the front walls. A pause. Then, three swift knocks tapped lightly on the birch door.
"That'd be him." Mr. Weasley muttered before moving towards the door, glaring at the Malfoy as he went. Turning the door knob and opening the door just a crack, sunlight poured in.
Draco felt a sharp knife of fear slash into him, his nervousness bubbling inside him like a boiling potion. The sunlight was about to flood the whole room in just a few moments. He knew he couldn't be in the sun. What was he to do? There were no corners to dip around and no rooms for him to enter. He was worried.
Mr. Weasley fully opened the front door and Draco did his best to push up against the wall, making himself as thin as possible to escape the sunlight that painted the gloomy walls of number 12 Grimmauld Place. Less than a few moments later, an old sparkly eyed man with an almost two foot long beard stepped into the foyer.
"Morning all." Professor Dumbledore said happily. "And shut the door please, Arthur, shut the door. For Draco's sake at least."
Draco's eyebrows shot up to his platinum blond hairline. Did Dumbledore already know? But how? He'd told no one yet.
Mr. Weasley closed the door with a confused look and Draco relaxed against the wall, the sunlight draining out the room, leaving the hall dark once more.
"Thank you, Arthur." He chirped, his half moon spectacles glinting in the dimly lit foyer. "How is everyone this morning? Molly?"
"Fine." Everyone muttered, except Draco, who remained quiet, tonguing his fangs slowly, but jolting away at how sharp and needle like they were against his tongue.
"And you, Draco?"
"Fine, Professor." He said quietly, keeping his eyes downcast.
"Good. Good. I was wondering when you would finally arrive."
Draco looked up, surprised.
"Albus?" Mrs. Weasley began. "You – you were expecting him?"
"Yes and no." Dumbledore smiled as he pulled a yellow hard candy out from no where and popped it into his mouth. He smiled at the taste before continuing. "Harry, thank you for letting Mr. Malfoy in, and just in the nick of time too – the sun was just about to rise." He smiled.
"Uh—" Potter gaped at him. "You're welcome." He finally stammered.
"Professor…" Draco began, quietly. "How do – how do you –"
Dumbledore just smiled and patted the young Malfoy's shoulder. "I have eyes among the Death Eaters."
Draco thought for a moment about this piece of information. "Uncle Sev?" He guessed.
"Yes. He is your godfather, correct?"
Draco nodded.
"He cares for you very much. The moment he found out what had happened, he came straight to me, asking me to go get you. I told him that in time, you would come to us." Dumbledore said simply.
"Okay." Draco was unsure of what to say next, so he simply remained quiet.
After a moment of silence Weasley spoke up. "Will someone please tell us what's going on!"
Dumbledore nodded softly. "Mr. Malfoy will be living at number 12 Grimmauld Place until term begins, when he will go Hogwarts like the rest of the students."
"But, sir –" Granger began.
Potter nudged her. "Leave it." And to Draco's surprise, she did just that.
"Listen," Dumbledore started, and for the first time that morning he sounded dead serious. "Some things are going to have to change around here to accommodate Mr. Malfoy."
Draco just barely heard Annoying Weasley mutter something along the lines of: Why he is so special? But Draco dismissed it.
"Mr. Malfoy was attacked on command by Lord Voldemort –" Almost everyone shuddered. "– by Yansmer Victos. I do believe you know who he is."
Realization seemed to flow through everyone in the hall. Did they all know what Victos was?
"Attacked as in changed?" Mrs. Weasley asked, fear and shock lacing her words.
"Yes, Molly."
Everyone withdrew, and shocked gasps filled the room. Everyone had taken a step back from Draco, everyone except Potter, who just looked on with shock.
"So… so he's a vampire?" Granger stuttered.
"Yes." Dumbledore said simply. "He has been for a month."
A deafening silence filled the hall as everyone watched him.
"And… and" Mrs. Weasley started. "You think he can just live here?"
"What if eats us?" The female Weasley – Draco was pretty sure he name was Gingery or Jenny or something – whined. Damn, she's annoying… Draco thought. She stood beside Potter with a pout, her ugly ginger mane following past her shoulders in knotted strands. Draco rolled his eyes – he wasn't going to eat her, but he could use it as a threat if she got too annoying.
"He will live with you and he will not eat you." Dumbledore said, still happy-go-lucky in his way. "I will provide him with the things he needs.
Mrs. Weasley huffed, not seeming to be able to find a way out of this. "What about when term begins? He can't stay here!"
"I believe I said that he will also be going to Hogwarts."
"But what about the students? You can't have a vampire running loose among them!"
"Mr. Malfoy will be given his own room and accommodations will be made."
"Fine!" Mrs. Weasley huffed. She grumbled something under her breath but outwardly said nothing.
"Good." Dumbledore said, smiling once more. "Harry, if you would please show young Mr. Malfoy to a room." Potter nodded and Draco smiled. At least someone was okay with him being here, even if that person had to be Potter. "I'm afraid I must be going, but I will return later with the necessary items. Good day to you all." And with that, he swept out of the door, opening it as little as possible so barely any light came into the room, his lilac robe flowing gracefully behind him.
"Well," Potter said. "Um… Follow me. I'll show you to your room."