DISCLAIMER:

My sister: Hey! What's that?

Me: Oh, just some polyjuice potion to turn me into J.K. Rowling. You know… just so I could own the best books ever for an hour or two...

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Chapter 4: The Truth Comes Out

Draco walked along the hallways by himself. As much as he tried, he couldn't get the horrible images of Dumbledore out of his head. Whenever the images faded a little from his mind, they would come flooding back because he had to go and have that dream again. He had wanted to help Draco and his family escape, help them to get away from the monster called Voldemort.

Draco shuddered at the thought of the Dark Lord. He descended deeper and deeper into the depths of the castle. He passed the giant doors leading to the Great Hall, past the painting of the pear to get into the kitchens, and down lower to the dungeons. Even though it was his first night back at Hogwarts, he missed the Slytherin house common room. Even though it was dark and cold, it had been his home for the past six years.

He also missed his friends. Crabbe and Goyle he could live without. Blaise, on the other hand, Blaise was his one and only true friend. They had been though everything together, ever since he could remember. His family and Blaise's were good friends, so naturally, Blaise and Draco would be friends too.

He then realized he had walked right past Professor Slughorn's office. He turned around and knocked on the door. There were loud noises as the professor came to the door. Draco suspected that a couple potions had been smashed by his large belly. The professor opened the door. "What do you want boy? It's late!"

"Well, Professor, I was wondering if you could give me some dreamless sleep potion."

He stared at Draco like he had sprouted horns on top of his head. He then said rather rudely, "No. I don't think you deserve any. Nightmares of what you did keeping you up at night? Good."

"But-" The door was slammed in his face. Draco was furious. "I DID NOT KILL DUMBLEDORE!" he kicked the door of the office. He was pleased to see that he had broken some of the boards.

Draco decided that he needed some food. And a drink. After tickling the pear, he walked into the kitchen and was greeted by Dobby, who asked, "What can Dobby get for Master Malfoy?"

"I want some chicken. And you can get me some fire whiskey too." Dobby gave a small bow and brought the food and drink.

Draco ate the food, even though it all tasted like sawdust. Then, asking for the bottle of fire whiskey, he went back to his dormitories.

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Hermione was lying in her bed when she heard the portrait open. She had been awake ever since she heard Malfoy screaming in his sleep. Then she heard him go into the bathroom and throw up. And then he left.

Hermione was becoming concerned. She needed to know what was going on with him. Why she had no idea. Getting out of her bed, she walked quietly to the stairs. Malfoy was sitting on the couch, a bottle full of amber liquid in one hand.

Walking down the steps, she asked, "Malfoy? Are you alright?" He jumped when he heard her voice. She could see him quickly wipe his eyes.

"Fine, Granger, just fine."

"No, you are not 'just fine'. Tell me what's going on." She sat down by him on the couch.

"You know I didn't kill Dumbledore, right?" Malfoy's eyes were red and puffy.

"Y-yes," said Hermione slowly, "is that what's bothering you?"

"No. Just forget it. It's not like you would know how I feel." He took a swig of the liquid.

"Well, maybe if you just told me, I could help you."

"Well, the night that Dumbledore died the Dark Lord found out that I didn't do it. He was livid. Then he went to my parent's house and brought my mother and father to me. He told me that as a punishment, I would have to watch my parents die, so that I wouldn't mess up again." Malfoy had tears in his eyes.

"Oh Malfoy! I am so sorry about your parents," Hermione could feel tears falling down her face. "I know how you feel. My father died too. I didn't even get to say good-bye.."

Which one grabbed which, she couldn't tell but they were suddenly wrapped in each other's arms, sobbing. When they broke apart, Malfoy waved his wand and made two glasses appear. Then he filled them with the amber liquid and held his up. "To our parents."

"Yea," Hermione said softly. She sipped the drink. It had a bitter taste and burned her throat on the way down, but created a warm feeling in her stomach.

Soon, they were laughing and making toasts like, "To the coffee table!" "To that shoe!" "To my frizzy hair!" Needless to say, they were very drunk.

"Yerr noooo, I alllways thought yyeeeeuuuu was cuuuuttee," slurred Hermione, falling off the couch.

"Yyyeeas sirrie, I amm ther hottest thingy yoll eeer ssseeee!" answered Malfoy, leaning to touch her hair. "You got reeelly perty hairs!" He proceeded to fall on top of her.