A/N: wow…lots of history here… :P chapter five will be the last one I post for now today, I want to work on my VoldemortXHarry fic some (:
It had been a month since that transfiguration class and Draco had avoided any contact with the trio since. He still couldn't believe what happened that day but had shoved it out of his mind in hopes to focus on trying to kill Dumbledore. It was October fourth, a Saturday, and Draco was in his dorm getting ready for his prefect rounds. When his badge was pinned to his outer robe Draco made his way into the common room where Blaise was studying with Flora. They seemed to be getting quite close, spending unusual amounts of time together. "What time does your round end Draco?"
"11:30, I probably won't get back until later though. I plan to sneak out to the abandoned bridge for a smoke." Blaise nodded, "I heard Brown in Charms, and she said she planned on snogging Thomas in a broom cupboard so look out."
"Thanks for the heads up, I'll see you in the morning." With that Draco made his way out of common room and into the halls of the dungeons. The best part of being in Slytherin was being in the dungeons, the walk to the Great Hall was short and no other prefects aside from Slytherin one's ever dared to venture down. So if you were out after curfew once you made it to the dungeons you were safe. No Slytherin ever took points from a Slytherin, not even Professor Snape unless he absolutely had to and if he was forced to, losing points was the least of your worries.
Draco lost himself in possible ideas to spike the old coots lemon drops as he made his way to the first floor. The secret room behind Marigold the Martyr's tapestry was clear as was the two cupboards around the corner. Draco had only been to the headmaster's office once, years ago, when he had come to Hogwarts with his father before he had started school. He could vaguely remember the large round room that was covered in portraits. Dumbledore's desk was up the small set of stairs, he could remember thinking how bizarre it was. And behind the desk was a large window with an amazing view.
The window! Maybe he could use the window; he could fly up and open the glass before levitating the poison in. But he would have to do it in the dead of night, when both Dumbledore and the portraits were fast asleep. Draco smirked smugly, this could actually work. Not only would he have much to write the Dark Lord tonight about but now he had a plan, things were just falling into place nicely. The Dark Lord would beyond pleased with Draco. Draco headed up to the second floor still smirking; his mood could not get any better tonight. Well, maybe marginally if he managed to find Brown and Thomas, deducting points and handing detentions would just be gravy.
Draco did find them; turns out they were on the third floor in a cupboard beside Greta the Great's tapestry. When he had opened the door a topless Brown fell backwards and landed at Draco's feet, blushing so hard her face resembled a Weasley's hair. Thomas had been mortified and didn't say a word as Draco took twenty points and gave them both detentions with Filch tomorrow night. Yup, this night was officially out of things to make it better so Draco decided to call an early quits and started on the way back down to the first floor. He passed two Ravenclaw prefects both of whom nodded in greeting as they walked by, but other than that the halls were abandoned.
Ten minutes later he was walking across the courtyard to the bridge that was hardly used anymore. This is where he came for relaxation and quiet; where he could just smoke and watch the water ripple from the giant squid's movements.
He sat down about a quarter of the way through the bridge and shed his outer cloak. With a flick of his hand his wand produced a small flame which he used to light the cigarette before it was extinguished with another flick. The moon reflected beautifully off the Black Lake and with the Forbidden Forest in the back ground it was a sight worth painting. Maybe he could bring his sketch book down some night and sketch it; he'd had to leave his paints at the Manor this year. Draco had always loved to paint, he had first picked up a paintbrush when he was five and since then he hadn't ever put it down.
He also played the violin and the piano, both of which he started young at request of his mother. What rarely anyone knew was that he also played harp and cello, his two favorite instruments. He had started those when he was twelve; a Ravenclaw by the name of Genevieve Roswell had taught him to play the harp in exchange for help in potions. She was absolutely abysmal but with Draco's persistent tutoring and some well-placed tips from Severus she got pretty good. A fellow Slytherin, Lillian Moon, had taught him to play the cello in his third year so and in return he taught her French. Lillian had a brilliant mind and caught on quick, learning French in a year. Draco, as he already played violin, piano, and harp, learned the cello even quicker. The beautiful baritone music soothed his nerves when he was anxious or on edge just like the piano was what he played when he was angry.
"Do you mind if I sit?" Draco was ripped from his thoughts and whipped his wand around in surprise; he hadn't heard anyone walking up. He cursed when he realized it was Potter who was standing there, hands up in a gesture that said 'I mean no harm.'
"What do you want Potter? What are you doing here?" Potter only shrugged, confusing Draco, "I just want to sit, may I?" Draco wanted to say no, to tell Potter to piss off, but this was a chance to try and find out what was going on with Potter this year. Grudgingly Draco nodded and lowered his wand. Potter sat beside him, dangling his feet over the edge. The silence was awkward and heavy, making Draco wish Potter would go away. This was his spot not even Blaise bothered him here. "You come here often." It wasn't a question but Draco nodded anyway before taking another drag off his smoke. "I didn't know you smoked."
"And I didn't know you cared Potter." He snapped venomously, tired of Potter's presence already. Any other time of day he would have eagerly jumped at the chance to dissect Potter, but his was his time. The time that he had come to cherish ever since he had found this spot in third year. "May I bum a smoke?" Draco clenched his jaw in annoyance but handed Potter the case nonetheless. "Thanks," Draco nodded silently as Potter lit his cigarette with his wand. "Where are your sidekicks?"
Potter chuckled and exhaled smoke, "Where's your lackeys?"
Draco smirked slightly as he too exhaled, "Touché." Seems like neither one wanted to be bothered right now. Draco waited until both of them had finished their cigarettes before asking, "What's going on with you this year Potter?" Potter was quiet a moment and Draco started to think he wouldn't answer but he did.
"I'm tired." His tone gave away far more than those two words, Draco got the impression this was more than simply insomnia problems. "Of what?"
"Everything." Potter whispered, so quietly Draco almost didn't hear him. He watched Potter take another smoke and waited till it was lit to ask another question. "So why are you talking to me? Why not get the old coot to help you?" Draco picked up the silver cigarette case and grabbed another smoke as well, lighting it while he waited on Potter to answer.
"They want me to be someone I'm not." To that Draco didn't know what to say as he didn't know what Potter was talking about. Potter kept talking though, "First year, when I met you, you reminded me of my cousin. He was spoiled and dumb as a rock but someone who didn't hesitate to beat me up, so I begged the Sorting Hat not to put me in Slytherin. It told me I'd be great there, that Slytherin would help me on my way to greatness. But I didn't want to be in the same house as you; you already knew so much about the magical world when I knew nothing. Until I could defend myself; I wanted to stay far away from you. So I begged the hat to put me somewhere else, obviously it did, but not before it told me I was making a mistake." Draco looked at Potter stunned. The hat wanted to place him in Slytherin? The Gryffindor Golden Boy, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Chosen One, in Slytherin? That would have caused a riot! But he acted so...Gryffindorish.
"Potter surely you jest, you're the biggest Gryffindor I've ever met." That only elicited a sigh from the raven haired wizard. "I had to fit in, so I pretended to be the epitome of Gryffindor. But I'm tired. I'm tired of pretending I'm ok with muggles. I'm fed up with being the savior. Dumbledore has informed me that some kind of "kill Voldemort lessons" will start soon and instead of feeling eager and ready...I feel dread. I don't want to fight. I don't even know why we are fighting. All I know is people expect me to hate Voldemort because he killed my parents but I can't miss what I never had right?" Draco dropped his cigarette in shock while he stared at Harry Potter. Potter didn't know what this fight was about? He didn't want to be the savior? Draco felt as if the world were turning upside down, he didn't know what to do. Quickly he gained his composure; perhaps Draco could sway Potter to the dark side. The Dark Lord would have to be notified immediately.
"Do you want to know what this impending war is about?"
"Yes." Draco nodded and inhaled deeply before exhaling slowly. "In the magical world there are three types of Wizards: Dark, Neutral, and Light. Purebloods and Half-blood's can have any one, depending ones bloodlines and upbringing, and a certain amount of choice. That's why you hear of old "Dark" families and old "Light" families, it's just some wizards are light and some are dark. Then you have those like Longbottom or Moon, hell even Thomas is from a Neutral family. Mud-erm, muggleborns are always neutral. They don't have enough power to be light or dark, too much muggle blood in their veins. Mud-muggleborns always come from some distant squib, two muggles just can't make a magical child, and you have to have magical blood somewhere even if it's highly polluted. Now, that doesn't mean that Neutrals can't cast light or dark spells it will just be harder and drain them faster. Most prefer not to. Are you with me so far?" Potter nodded, looking like he was soaking this up like a sponge. Draco couldn't believe he was going to attempt to turn the Harry Potter. Merlin had someone slipped him muggle drugs?
"Back in the time of Merlin, all creatures lived together. Muggles, Wizards, Werewoves, Vampires, Veelas, Fairies, Elves, and every other creature. They are too innumerous to begin to list. Merlin had a sister, Morgana, who had a son named Mordred. Merlin was a light wizard who helped the muggles and promoted peace. Morgana, is a more complex witch. She didn't care much about the muggles in the beginning. She was the first to explore the Dark Arts.
"She found that all more connected to the earth than light wizards. The magic of the earth was strongly tied to the Dark wizards. The Dark Arts are not based off of incantations or wand movements. They are based off of emotion and core power. Anyone could wave a wand and incant to levitate and object whether they wanted to or not, but only Dark Wizards can reach deep into core of their magic and use the well magic through their wand to do the wizards bidding. No wand movements are necessary for the experienced Dark wizards.
"Now when Morgana had Mordred she taught him everything she knew, but she also taught him disdain for the muggles who had been growing more and more uncomfortable with the power of magic. She knew what was going to happen, that it was inevitable. So she raised Mordred to be a fierce, strong, powerful leader, one who was capable of taking on Merlin and helping the magical race before the muggles revolted.
"Mordred went on to marry a witch, Guinevere during the war he raged and when King Arthur was ran out of his own kingdom. Mordred had two sons before the final battle was waged. Mordred was killed by Arthur, but not before fatally wounding him. War raged between the muggles and the magicals until Mordred's sons were grown and they were the ones to use the Dark Magic to take all of the magicals and move them into hiding."
Draco leaned back from his slouching position against the wooden rail his arms and chin were rested, and he turned to Potter who was in the same position staring out at the lake. "Are you still with me Potter? I know this is ancient history but it's important and will make sense in a bit."
Potter turned to him his eyes alight in the way they used to be and Draco almost smiled at how happy he looked. But he quickly squashed it down. "Please don't stop, it's fascinating."
Draco nodded and continued.
"Well not all of the wizards agreed with this. The light wizards, who were really close to the muggles, disagreed with Mordred's son's choice. They believed they could calm the muggles down and reintegrate. They wanted to. They refused to listen to logic and started to believe with some of their muggles friends' views. The Dark wizards had powers the Light ones didn't. And so began the jealousy, which morphed into anger and fear. Which eventually led into the absolute distinction between Light and Dark.
"Now we skip a really long time. Things got so bad that eventually the Dark wizards began to only reproduce with other pureblood Dark wizards. For a short time it was okay, but with all of the fighting between Light and Dark, the Dark lost a lot of prominent families. Reducing the choices they had in partners. Which brought forth inbreeding and squibs.
"Squibs have always been cast out into the muggle world. It's cruel to keep them when they are surrounded by a world that runs on magic, yet they have no magic themselves. But that led to muggleborns. And the endangerment of our world, once again. It's happened several times throughout history and every time witches and wizards were hunted by muggles.
"The influx of mu-muggleborns in the last hundred years has started to tear apart our traditions and beliefs that we have held for a millennia. You see by the time a mud- muggleborn," Draco sighed frustrated, trying to censor his wording was annoying. Potter seemed to catch this, "You can call them whatever you want, I'm still listening." Draco raised his eyebrows, Potter just kept surprising him at every turn, he nodded and continued.
"By the time a mudblood is introduced into our world they have been firmly raised with muggle views. So they come into our world and instead of adapting to our beliefs that have been in place for a thousand years they try to change our views to make them comfortable. Dark Creatures like Vampire's, Werewolves', Veela's, Demon's, and all sorts of others have been stripped of any rights here in Britain because their "dangerous." Draco sneered at the thought and grabbed another cigarette.
"Not only that but any sort of blood magic has been banned as well. Potions are no longer tailored by blood and any ritual that involves blood is classified as dark and illegal. At least six other branches of magic have become almost extinct and if we don't do something now they will be extinct for our kids. The mudbloods have also started trying to change our holidays to theirs; Yule is starting to be called Christmas. As if we would ever celebrate the birth of some guy who condemns our world to a hell because we have magic. And Samhain is being pushed to be called Halloween.
"It's disgusting, if they want to come into our world they should have to adapt to us, not us to them. Not only that but then they go and tell their muggle parents all about our world risking our secrecy and safety. On top of that now they have decided all dark magic is evil and should be banned. The dark creatures and wizards are fed up, were fighting back. The Dark Lord is our only hope of attaining our rights and creating a new world.
"We can't go back to all of the old ways, we need some change and we know that. Squibs need to be kept within the magical community so that over time muggleborns are gone all together. But we also can't stay as we are. The history, the tradition, the dark magic will vanish in the wind." Draco finished his rant and took a long drag; just thinking of how mudbloods and light wizards were fucking up their world pissed him off.
"They never told me any of this." Draco looked to Potter, who was looking out at the lake deep in thought. Finally he looked to Draco, "Thank you. Will you meet me here tomorrow night?" Draco would have gaped like a fish if he hadn't been masking his emotions for years. He nodded dumbly shocked, as Potter got up and started to walk away. Had that really just happened? Had the Chosen One really just told him that he was tired of being the savior? What did he do with this? Draco cast a quick Tempus, it was only midnight. He could easily sneak down to Hogsmeade and apparate home; his trace had been dissolved this past summer.
The Dark Lord would kill him for holding this back. Making up his mind Draco grabbed his smokes and cloak and stuffed the former in his pocket. As he rushed to Hogsmeade he tied his cloak around him and pulled up his hood. His strides were long and fast going downhill towards the town, he needed to get this to the Dark Lord, now.
Ten minutes later he was sneaking around back of the Hogs Head. Once he was hidden in the shadows behind the old pub Draco spun on his heel and disappeared with a crack. Draco reappeared in the foyer of the Manor, he didn't see anyone but he heard the telltale sounds of high heels coming down the marble hallway. Draco waited and a few minutes later his aunt Bella appeared. "Draco!" Her face was morphed from surprise and into worry, "Are you alright? Why are you here?" Draco held up his hands to show he was alright, "I'm fine Aunt Bella, but I need to speak with the Dark Lord. Is he here?"
"What? Yes of course, but he is in his personal chambers. He's not to be disturbed unless it's crucial." Draco nodded, "Aunt Bella, I need to speak with him it is crucial." She looked ready to protest when his father came down the grand stair case. "Draco! What are you doing here?" Draco looked to his father and tried to explain, "I need to see the Dark Lord father, will you get him?"
"Draco, I have no idea what is going on but he is not to be disturbed-"
"He will kill you both for not getting him right now. Go. Get. Him." They both still looked hesitant and ready to argue and Draco gave up trying to sway his family. "Lissy!" Draco comannded and his Aunt Bella hissed, "Draco! That is-"
The small elf popped in and bowed low, "What can Lissy be doin for Master's eater?"
"I need you to inform the Dark Lord that Draco Malfoy needs to speak with him as soon as possible." She nodded and popped out before his father could try to stop it. "Draco, this is enough. What is this about? Tell me, and I will pass it on for you, you need to get back to school." Draco ignored them both and waited for either the elf or the Dark Lord. "Draco, he will-"
"Surely Crucio for trying to withhold this information from him. This is not something to be put in a letter or to be withheld for a moment longer than necessary." He cut off his Aunt who looked half angry and half curious. Lissy popped back in then, "Master says for Mister Draco to come with Lissy. She will bring him to master's office."
"Thank you Lissy, lead the way." Draco continued to ignore his Aunt's and Father's protests and followed Lissy down the hall. She took him to the same office he had met with the Dark Lord twice in over the summer. The house elf opened the large oak doors with serpents for handles and Draco entered, walking forward until he was in front of the Dark Lord's desk and then kneeled. He could practically feel the Dark Lord's ire and curiosity as he waited to be told to sit.
"You may rise, Draco." Draco stood and then sat in the same chair he had over the summer. "Thank you my lord. I'm sorry for disturbing you at this hour, but this is crucial for you to know and it could not be trusted with owls."
"What is this crucial information Draco?" His lord was leaning forward and resting his elbows on his desk, his chin resting on his folded fingers. "It would be difficult to explain my lord, if you permit me a minute to lower my Occlumency shields I can show you much easier." The Dark Lord nodded and Draco closed his eyes focusing on his shields. He had only lowered them a few times but after a few minutes they were down. Focusing on all his recent memories with Potter he pulled them forward to the front of his mind. When they were all sorted in chronological order for his lord, Draco opened his eyes and made eye contact with the Dark Lord and nodded. Almost immediately the Dark Lord was in his head viewing memories. It wasn't painful, but it also wasn't pleasant. He could feel are large force present and his hea felt like it was being stuffed with cotton.
First he showed his lord what happened on the train, followed by what he saw in the Great Hall. Next Draco showed him what happened in Transfiguration with the drawing of Granger getting hit with a Cruciatus curse and how Potter had laughed. Finally he showed his lord how he went to sit by the lake and how Potter had found him. The Dark Lord played it twice, the second time even slower than the first time as if he were analyzing every detail. When it finished the second time the Dark Lord pulled out and Draco closed his eyes, pulling his shields back up.
"You continue to please me Draco, Severus reported just yesterday that the Potter boy was the same as always and yet you are so attentive." This caused Draco to flush lightly; it would never get old being praised by his lord.
"I am glad I can be of such use to you my lord. Was I right to come immediately?" The Dark Lord leaned back in his chair, his black hair that was flecked with small areas of grey contrasted beautifully with the emerald color of his chair. "Yes, I would have been very upset had you waited. You did well to follow your instincts and not listen to Bellatrix or Lucius." To be sixteen and be praised multiple times by the most powerful dark lord in centuries was unbelievable, but this was also the man who would save their world and to be praised by both made Draco incredibly happy.
"So Potter is second guessing. And tired? Hmm…you were right Draco, you might just be able to sway him to our side. But he is still a threat...the prophecy is still a factor to consider."
"Prophecy my lord?" Draco flinched involuntarily when the Dark Lord pierced him with an angry glare. Draco didn't look up from his hands, too nervous that he displeased his lord. After a few moments the Dark Lord spoke and Draco dared to glance up. "I suppose you should know, maybe you will be able to get the whole thing from Potter. Tell me Draco do you know why I went after the Potter's all those years ago?"
Draco's eyes widened, this was definitely not common Death Eater knowledge, this was top secret information that he was being privy to. Draco shook his head, unable to speak in his shock. "There was a prophecy made by your divination professor in the presence of Dumbledore. Luckily my spy overheard some of it and was able to relay it to me. 'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord arrives...born to those who thrice defied him...born as the seventh month dies...' It could have been the Potter's or the Longbottom's," Draco couldn't help the snort that escaped his lips, Longbottom was barely better than a squib. For him to even have had a chance at becoming the Boy Who Lived was hilarious.
The Dark Lord looked amused at the thought as well and didn't seem to mind his interruption. "I chose Potter, and sent your aunt and uncles after the Longbottom's. I planned to use the Potter brat's death to secure my final tie to immortality but the killing curse back fired and I lost my body. If you can, discreetly, see if Potter will tell you the rest of it. I know he knows it. For now try to sway him, but until I learn the rest of the prophecy I cannot determine whether or not it is safe to leave the boy alive." So many things were swimming through Draco's mind that he had trouble keeping up. The one thing he knew for sure was that his lord trusted him with highly sensitive information and Draco couldn't believe the honor. "Of course my lord. How should I get tomorrow's meeting to you?"
The Dark Lord was quiet, as he stared into the fire that was roaring to his right. "I will have you come to me again, afterwards. Do not rush your meeting with Potter because of time; I will wait here for you. It does not matter what time you get here. Before you apparate here hold your wand to your mark and send a surge of magic through it. I will get it and be prepared for you. Now get back to Hogwarts before you are missed." Draco stood and bowed low before turning to leave. "Draco," He turned around half way across the room, "Yes my lord?"
"You are quickly becoming invaluable. Keep this up and you shall be rewarded greatly." Draco was sure his eyes sparkled in happiness at the Dark Lord's praise. "Thank you my lord, I am honored to be such an asset to you." With that he swept from the room and closed the doors. Once he was out of the hall he spun around and disappeared with a crack.