Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter facts. This is just my fic.

Chapter 4

†The Story-Teller†

There were two loud knocks on the wooden door of an old cottage. The old man living in the cottage was still dressed in his shabby. His teeth are still yellowish but his hair was a little bit fixed. It was already late in the afternoon. Who could be his visitor? The old man opened the door. "Yes, boy, you came." the old man said toothily. Draco Malfoy entered the small cottage. The cottage was crowded with stacks of papers and foreign artifacts. There was a small coffee table, two squashy but worn-out arm chairs over a wooly but torn green and silver carpet by the fireplace where a kettle was heated. Then, in one corner of the cottage, there's a wooden table, two wooden – but scratched – chairs, a sink, a row of counter tables and several cupboards. On the other corner, there was an antique cabinet and a small couch with blankets allover. There was also some kind of door in the near end that seemed to be the bathroom. The place was small and dingy.

"Have a seat." the old said as he removed the stack of scrolls on one of the red armchairs. Draco hesitated at first but sat down at the end. The old man went to his cupboards and got two cups and saucers and a jar of tea leaves. He put all those stuffs on the small coffee table. He removed the kettle from the fireplace and poured water in the ordinary tea cup. Then, he added the tea leaves, leaving a wonderful aroma. "Tea." the old man offered a cup to Draco.

Draco picked a cup and sipped some tea. The tea was good and it gave him warmth allover. It was good for the winter. First, there was silence, except for the crackling fire and the sipping of tea but after a few moments, the old man began to speak. "Young boy, do you want to know about this?" he pulled out the necklaces out of his robe pocket. Draco nodded.

"Very well, listen to me closely." the old man said. "Many call me a madman, or a lame story-teller. It's actually up to you whether you'll listen to me or not, young man. It's your choice." he stopped for a moment and continued. "It was actually long time ago, in the medieval times, in a muggle society. Medieval, prince and princesses, lords and ladies, barons and dukes. It was long time ago." the old man was redundant, but Draco could somehow understand the age of the old man. "There was a witch hunter, just like the vampire hunters. This witch hunter was vile and deadly. He accuses everyone he wanted to accuse of being a witch, warlock or a wizard. Even the innocent are blamed. But the landlord of the manor believes in him. So, the lord gave him the right to kill witches. But the truth was, that witch hunter was a wizard. He kills his own kind and also the muggles. Poor muggles.

Those who were accused were burned in the town square. That said witch hunter was actually not that good at magic. Why? Because his magical parents died and he was orphaned. He was raised in the orphanage. But in the orphanage, he discovered his magical capabilities but no one would believe him. Then, he was called a madman. He was treated like a circus animal after that because people believed he's a lunatic. The poor bloke. But wait, someone pitied him. A childless couple accepted him. He was schooled, so he became learned, but he just learned muggle studies, no magic. His new parents told him to keep quiet about his magical powers, so he did.

One afternoon, after going to school, he knocked on their door but no one answered. So, he just entered with enthusiasm. In his hands, he was holding a card – he made himself – for his stepparents. But he saw no one was there. So, he went up and noticed that the door of his stepparents' room was somewhat ajar and he could hear whispers. Why do his stepparents need to whisper? So, he eavesdropped and heard what they're talking about. He was shocked and confused. He couldn't believe what he heard. He was angry. Why had they kept it secret? Why? So-" but the old man was cut by Draco.

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to go, it's late now." Draco told the old man. The old man looked disappointed. "Here, have these necklaces. I'm too old. I'm too poor. I can't protect this anymore. I sense that you have a good heart. I sense that you'll break the curse. You'll change history! You'll make one of the evils vanish forever! But… but… there's a price to pay! You'll need to sacrifice." the old man said.

Draco was confused but nevertheless, he accepted the necklaces and nodded.

"And one more thing, young man, those necklaces are cursed."

Draco nodded and went out of the old cottage. His mind was too preoccupied with questions and amazement. So, this is it.

Author's Note: I'll update as soon as possible. I'm going to school, so my sched is quite full, but if I have free time, I'll write as many chaps I can write. Enjoy.