Chapter 7 Unidentified Curse
Malfoy stopped sobbing and opened his eyes and noticed Harry standing near him, and mumbled, "My arm ached." And he held his left arm with his right hand.
"Show me," said Harry, and knelt on his knee.
Malfoy sat up and rolled his sleeve of pajamas and showed the Dark Mark: a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth.
"Do you feel the burning sensation?" asked Harry.
"No. Now it's better. But I did. I..eh, had a bad dream."
"What dream?"
"The scene Dark Lord killed my father and my mother," said Malfoy in a frown.
"How was it like last night?" asked Harry.
"I didn't remember. But Hestia said she heard my voice at midnight on the first night here at Hogwarts. I couldn't remember well but maybe that was the same dream," said Malfoy.
Then Ron came out of his bed across to them. "What on earth happened?" asked Ron.
"His mark burned and he had a bad dream," Harry explained.
"Oh, Merlin, it can't be?" said Ron. His face turned pale. "You defeated Voldemort. Why did Malfoy still feel it?" said Ron.
Malfoy flinched to hear the name.
"You don't feel the burning of your scar on your forehead, do you?" asked Ron.
"No, I don't," said Harry.
"Well, it's my turn. Harry, go to bed. I'll watch Malfoy," said Ron and he stood up, pointed his wand to the stool near the sofa, "Accio a stool," Then the stool hurtled into Ron.
Ron caught it with his both hands and sat down and said, "Do you have something to read, Harry?"
Harry handed the book of Legilimency to Ron.
"Oh, it looks very difficult," said Ron.
Then Malfoy came out of his bed and walked to the desk and took two magazines from his desk and handed them to Ron. Ron returned the book to Harry and said, "Blimey, 'Wizard Weekly" and 'Broom Flight"*
And he sat down, began to read one of magazines. Malfoy went back to bed and he was smiling? Harry wondered. The curtains of Malfoy's four-poster were open, and Malfoy turned over his body and faced the wall. Harry took off his robes and went to bed. He watched over Malfoy and Ron for a while and soon fell into sleep.
When Harry woke up again, Ron was snoring and nodding on the stool. Harry turned his gaze at Malfoy's bed, he saw rumpled sheets but Malfoy wasn't there. Harry sat up and came out of bed and woke up Ron.
"Ron, wake up! Malfoy's gone!"
"What?" Ron woke up and stood up and looked at Malfoy's bed.
"Oh,Merlin. Where did he go? Have you checked the bathroom?" said Ron.
"Not yet."
They rushed to the bathroom and flung the door open. The bathroom was dim. Malfoy was there. He was wearing Slytherin robes on his pajamas holding a candle light in his left hand and stirring around liquid in the cauldron.
"Blimey! Do you always wake up at four in the morning? "said Ron.
"No, I couldn't sleep because of your snoring," said Malfoy coolly.
Ron's face turned red.
"Ron, you'd better go to bed. I'll watch him," said Harry.
"Sorry for falling asleep, mate," said Ron and went back to bed.
Harry summoned a stool and put it in front of the bathroom door and sat down while Malfoy kept brewing potions. He took out his mother's old journal 'Ancient Magic' and began to read the article about ancient blood magic: "Most of Druid families were expelled from England before King Arthur's era. Some wizards and witches believe Merlin was from the Druid family. They were forced to leave England and most of them chose Ireland to live in. Their magic was very powerful. Their most well-known powerful magic is blood magic. They invented blood magic to prevent their enemy from attacking them." Harry realized. So his mother learned old blood magic that protected Harry from Voldemort. The magic was from Druidic magic. Or did Snape know about old blood magic before Harry was born? He turned on the cover and stared at the signature: Sev& Lily.
Malfoy kept brewing potions. Harry was completely absorbed in reading the old journal listening to the bubbling sound of the muddy liquid of the cauldron.
Harry and Malfoy kept yawning during breakfast at the long Slytherin table.
"Aren't you hungry?" asked Ron eating greedily. Malfoy rolled his eyes.
Harry wanted to go back to the four-poster bed, and he waved his hand toward Ginny at the long Gryffindor table after he noticed her staring at him. Hermione was beaming at them. Then brown owl descended down into Malfoy's porridge bowl and upset it. Malfoy swished his wand which reminded Harry that he had not retuned Malfoy's hawthorn wand.
Malfoy casted, "Scourgify," And he took out his dragon skin gloves and shoved his hands into them.
Then he fed the owl bacon, pulled off the newspaper. He unfolded the Daily Prophet then read through it then handed it to Harry. Harry read it:
MINISTRY LIFTED THE SEIZURE OF MALFOY'S VAULT
Ministry canceled the writ of attachment upon Malfoy vault for Narcissa Malfoy's devotion for Wizarding World.
They didn't mention about her devotion in detail. Harry reckoned they didn't mention what her devotion was to protect her life from the remaining Death Eaters.
"So they knew you would withdraw your money. The threatening owl will arrive until noon," said Harry to Malfoy handing back Daily Prophet.
"Who are protecting my father?" asked Malfoy.
"Zabini and Hit Wizards," said Harry.
Malfoy lifted his face and looked relieved. Until lunchtime Malfoy spent time to continue to brew potions. So Harry and Ron stayed in the Head Boy's room to watch Malfoy. Harry read Occlumency and Legilimency books. Ron explored the other books in the book-shelf. Harry read half of the 'Advanced Legilimency' and thought he had to practice casting Legilimency and stood up. He walked up to the bathroom where Malfoy was engaged in brewing potions. Harry opened the door and came into the bathroom. The bathroom was full of vapours and odd smells. Malfoy was now cutting herbs. Harry waited and asked him when he put ingredients into the cauldron.
"Malfoy, since when have you had a nightmare?"
Malfoy stopped his hands glancing back to Harry. "Why do you ask me such a question?"
"A research for the remaining Death Eaters," said Harry.
Malfoy kept silence for a while. He continued brewing potions and opened his mouth, "Since you had defeated Dark Lord."
"You mean, you have had a bad dream since May?"
"Yes, I do."
"What dream? The same one as last night?" asked Harry.
"Yeah, almost the same."
"Can I cast you Legilimens?"
"What?"
"Legilimens. I'll see your bad dream by casting the spell," Harry explained.
"Oh, I have heard about it from Professor Snape. But can you cast the spell? I reckon it's an advanced one," said Malfoy.
Harry felt guilty. He didn't have a confidence to cast Legilimens accurately.
"Pathetic. Did you try to cast on me such a dangerous spell?"
Harry kept silence.
"Well, you might have thought it was no problem to cast such a dangerous spell on the ex-Death Eaters. I don't forget you cast on me Sectumsempra two years ago," said Malfoy coolly.
Harry thought Malfoy was right and said,"I'm sorry."
"Come," said Malfoy and he passed by Harry and went out of the bathroom. Harry followed him. Malfoy opened the drapes of the portrait of Snape.
"Professor, your favorite students have a question. Wake up, please," Malfoy talked to Snape.
Snape in the portrait opened his eyes, "What's the matter?"
"Potter wants to cast Legilimens on me to get the information about my nightmares," said Malfoy.
"I've taught him already that spell," said Snape.
"Professor, are you sure?" said Malfoy.
"Positive. He defeated Dark Lord. He could read Dark Lord's mind before. And he also could seal his mind against Dark Lord's invasion in the end," said Snape.
Harry opened his mouth, "Professor Snape, I could defense against Voldemort's external penetration finally but I could only read Voldemort's mind because I was.., you know?" Harry couldn't say the word, "Hocrux" in front of Malfoy.
Malfoy flinched to hear "Voldemort".
Ron cleared his throat and said, "What are you talkin' about?"
"Your bloody mate was trying to cast the dangerous spell on me," said Malfoy.
"Harry, did you attack Malfoy?" asked Ron anxiously.
"No, I didn't," said Harry instantly.
"I think it's also useful for Draco to practice his Occlumency against the remaining Death Eaters' external penetration. We are going to see how well Draco resist and how well Potter cast Legilimens," said Snape.
"Oh, I remembered. You trained them with Snape in your fifth year," said Ron.
"Call me sir or Professor!" said Snape.
"Sorry, sir," said Ron.
"Now, Potter, let's begin," said Snape of the portrait.
Harry took out his wand.
"Do not use your wand, Potter! I taught you three years ago! You don't need your wand. You could resist the Imperius Curse and Legilimens by Dark Lord without your wand. Eminent Aurors have aptitude to penetrate the culprit's mind without their wands," said Snape.
"But how can I do it? I read 'Advanced Legilimency' last night. It said you could use your wand," said Harry.
"If you use your wand, it is unmistakable the culprit will be cautious, and what if the culprit were good at Occlumency?" said Snape.
"Yes, you're right. But Professor, I've never penetrated the other's mind except Voldemort," said Harry.
Malfoy flinched again.
"That's why you'll be good at it. Remember the knack you penetrated his mind through Dark Lord's channel. Concentrate your mind and look at Draco's eyes," said Snape.
Harry stared at Malfoy's grey eyes and he was surprised a little to know Malfoy was not afraid of being stared at by Harry like this. He seemed rather relaxed. Did Malfoy believe me? Harry wondered. Or he might be relaxed because Snape watched them.
"Draco, remember what I told you two years ago," said Snape.
Harry shouted, "Legilimens!" and he penetrated Malfoy's mind.
He saw Voldemort was smirking in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor. Voldemort whispered Malfoy who was trembling.
"If you can't carry out your work, your father and mother will be killed by my loyal lieutenants. They'll tell you when you should execute. You'll feel the burning sensation,"
said Voldemort in Malfoy's mind.
And Voldemort touched Malfoy's Dark mark on his left arm. Malfoy screamed with fear. Malfoy in his mind was sobbing. And Harry noticed two masked Death Eaters were standing behind the image of Voldemort.
Harry finished his incantation and asked Malfoy, "Who were two Death Eaters?"
"Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange,"said Malfoy.
"Can you recognize their faces when you see them?" said Harry.
"Of course, I can," said Malfoy.
"What did you see, Harry?" Ron asked.
"There were two Death Eaters with Voldemort in Malfoy's nightmare," Harry explained.
"It can't be. You defeated Voldemort," said Ron.
"Yes, I did, but I feel two other death Eaters are real. Professor Snape, what do you think? I reckon you know about Malfoy's bad dream, don't you?" Harry asked Snape.
"Potter, I admit your instinct is right this time. The image of Dark Lord is not real but they might be able to control or use dark magic to let Draco believe Dark Lord is still alive," said Snape.
"Did they say what you had to carry out in your dream?" Harry asked Malfoy.
They stared at Malfoy and waited for his answer. Malfoy looked distressed. Then he opened his mouth, "To bring in Potter to them."
"Bloddy hell," Ron grumbled.
Harry now understood. Rodolhpus and Rabastan Lestrange want to take revenge on Harry using Malfoy.
"Now, lunch time. The threatening owl will be sent to Malfoy," said Ron.
"Right. Let's go downstairs," said Harry and three of them went down the marble staircase. When they entered the Great Hall, Hermione and Ginny approached them.
"Well?" Hermione said to Harry.
"What?" Harry asked.
"What did you find about Malfoy?" said Hermione.
"How did you know we found something?" Ron said.
"Two powerful wizards are guarding Draco Malfoy. There must be something behind him," said Hermione.
They were marching to the long tables in the Great Hall.
"Malfoy felt his dark mark burning at midnight," Harry whispered Hermione.
Hermione gasped and said, "He couldn't be, could he?"
"Yes, he could. Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange sent their messages through Malfoy's dark mark," said Harry.
"Are you sure?" said Hermione.
"Yeah, positive. I felt their dark magic when I penetrated Malfoy's mind," said Harry.
"Could you cast Legilimens?" asked Hermione stunned.
"Yeah. I've done it by myself without my wand, no Voldemort's influence," said Harry.
"Wow, brilliant. I knew you were a powerful wizard. I can cast a few wandless, but wandless Legilimens is quite an advanced one." Hermione beamed at Harry standing near the Gryffindor table.
"But Harry, I reckon they want to take revenge upon you," said Hermione anxiously.
"What did he say?" Ginny asked Hermione.
Hermione explained to Ginny what they've talked. Then Malfoy was now sitting at the long Slytherin table and shouted,
"Oi! Trainee Aurors, do you guard me or not?"
Harry sensed Malfoy's irritation, so shouted back,
"Right you are, Malfoy. We're coming!"
Then Ginny took a step to Harry and said,
"Be careful, Harry."
And her soft lips met his. Harry kissed her back.
"Oi, we're on duty!" Ron said to them.
Then Hermione stood on tiptoe and kissed Ron's cheek. Ron blushed. Harry grinned. And they went to the long Slytherin table, sat down on the either side of Malfoy, who had begun to eat his sandwiches. Then a big black owl descended down in front of Malfoy. Malfoy's face turned pale with fear. Harry wondered how many times this Slytherin had feared Dark Wizards' threats.
"Put on your gloves, Malfoy," said Ron reassuring Malfoy.
Harry took out his wand and said,
"Go on. I'll help you."
Malfoy put on the protective gloves made by George. Then he pulled off the parchment and unfolded it. Harry and Ron looked into the parchment from the either side of Malfoy. A picture of a snake protruding from a mouth of a skull was moving in the parchment ominously. Then the picture transformed into the letters:
Draw one hundred Galleons from your vault and go to the Quidditch pitch of Appleby Arrows alone. No Aurors. If you bring in any Aurors we will kill Bertie Higgs.
"The camp of Appleby Arrows is the nearest pitch in England from Hogwarts," said Ron.
"Northern England?" said Harry.
"Yeah, we need to send Patronus to Robards," said Ron and his patronus, Jack Russell Terrier leapt and left. They finished their lunch quickly then stood up. Harry strode off to the platform where professors were having lunch and told McGonagall that they'll leave for Gringotts.
"Be careful, Potter, Weasley," said McGonagall. Gaius Scrimgeour stood up and said.
"Draco, be careful." And he stared at Malfoy's eyes. Malfoy's face was pale. Harry reckoned Scrimgeour was penetrating Malfoy's mind.
"Don't be afraid, Draco. Two Gryffindor wizards are guarding you. You can't hide anywhere."
"I'm not a coward," Malfoy spat out his words. Then he pulled out his wand then casted "Accio suites," then Malfoy's black suits hurtled in. Then Malfoy went to the boy's bathroom and came out wearing black suits. Three of them strode off the exit of Great Hall. Hermione and Ginny were standing there. Hermione gave them a forced smile. Ginny's bright brown eyes met Harry's green eyes. He could read her mind through her eyes.
"Be careful, Harry. I'll wait for your coming back safely."
Ginny told Harry in her mind. Harry nodded towards Ginny like reassuring her.
Harry, Ron and Malfoy went out of the gate and disapparated and apparated on the crooked, cobbled street towards the place where the snowy-white Gringotts stood towering over the other little shops. Harry pulled out his Invisibility Cloak and put it on. Ron and Malfoy sloped first and Harry followed. In front of the foot of the marble steps leading up to the great bronze doors of Gringotts, Williamson and Dawlish were waiting for them. Williamson strode towards them and whispered,
"Is Potter here?"
"Yes, he is, sir," said Ron.
"Well, I and Potter will escort you, Mr. Malfoy. Weasley, guard the entrance with Dawlish," said Williamson.
Harry followed Malfoy and Williamson. He pulled out his wand. They passed the liveried goblins at the entrance. Harry was relieved to see the goblins didn't hold Probity Proves, the golden rods which detected spells of concealment and hidden magical objects. Then they went through the second pair of silver doors. A pair of liveried goblins bowed them. They were in a vast marble hall. They passed by more than hundred goblins sitting on high stools then reached to the counter.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Malfoy. May I help you?" said the goblin kept glancing at Williamson.
"I want to enter my vault," said Malfoy.
"Identification?" asked goblin.
Malfoy held out his wand. The goblin took his wand and examined it then put it back to Malfoy.
"Here's your key," The goblin handed a key to Malfoy and said,
"You can use it only today."
The goblin led them into a narrow stone passage way lit with flaming torches. They sloped downwards. The goblin whistled and a small cart came hurtling up the tracks towards them. The goblin, Williamson, Malfoy and invisible Harry climbed in. The rattling cart hurtled through a maze of twisting passages. At the end of a passage he found a dragon, Harry was surprised to see a Hungarian Horntail. They plunged deeper, passing by an underground lake and stopped at last beside a small door in the passage wall. The passage wall was familiar to Harry. Was Malfoy's vault in the same passage as Potter's vault? He wondered. Malfoy handed his key to the goblin. The goblin unlocked the door. A lot of green smoke came billowing out and as it cleared, Malfoy went inside. Williamson, Harry and the goblin were waiting at the entrance. Malfoy came back to them with two bags. They were back in a cart and they stood outside of the exit of Gringotts after their wild cart-ride. Harry pulled off his Invisibility Cloak.
"Well, nothing has happened?" said Dawlish.
"How is Lucius?" asked Williamson to Dawlish.
"I've got no Patronus yet."
"So will we wait?" said Williamson.
"Well, it's not good idea to wait here," said Dawlish looking around.
"Potter, Weasley and Malfoy are too famous. Let's apparate back to Hogwarts."
Then they apparated in the front of the gate.
"Eh, I want to put my own bag in my room," said Malfoy.
"I'll escort you," said Harry.
Williamson and Dawlish nodded and said,
"We'll wait here." Ron nodded, too.
Then Harry sent his Patronus to McGonagall. But Professor Gaius Scrimgeour strode towards them instead of McGonagall.
"Your Patronus looks very strong, Mr. Potter, I'm very impressed," said Scrimgeour and opened the gate.
"Is Professor McGonagall busy?" asked Harry.
"Yes, she is. Terence Higgs offered Headmistress his thanks by coaching Quidditch youth teams of Hogwarts," said Scrimgeour.
"Oh, great," said Harry.
"Well, do you want to go back to your room, Draco?" said Scrimgeour glancing at Malfoy's money bag.
"Yes, professor," said Malfoy.
Scrimgeour nodded and left there. On their way back to Head Boy's room, Harry expected to see Ginny, but he couldn't see her. They went down the marble staircase after Malfoy put his own Galleons in the safe place. Then someone halted them.
"Sir, wait. I have a parchment for you," a male house-elf said and bowed deeply.
Malfoy held out his hand to get the parchment, but Harry stopped him,
"Wait! Don't touch the parchment." Harry had a hunch it might be a Portkey. The memory of the Triwizard Tournament cup flashed back somewhere in his head. Then he asked the house-elf. "Who gave you the parchment?"
But the house-elf repeated the words, "Sir, here's your parchment," his ball—like big eyes were opened wide showing his fear.
Harry tried wandless 'Legilimens' upon the house-elf. Harry's green eyes stared at the big eyeballs of the house-elf:
The house-elf was trembling in his mind. The same image of Voldemort as Malfoy's bad dream was ordering the house-elf. Harry found two masked Death Eaters with Voldemort. They told the house-elf if he couldn't hand the Portkey parchment to Malfoy with Potter, he would be killed.
Harry said to the house-elf, "Don't be afraid. I defeated Voldemort. He doesn't exist. Please tell me who gave it to you?"
"Oh, master, I was failed. The time came to punish me!" Then the house-elf climbed up the marble staircase.
Harry shouted, "Wait, you don't have to punish yourself." Harry glanced back to Malfoy and said, "Come with me, hurry!" Then Harry and Malfoy climbed up the staircase chasing the house-elf.
"Harry! You came back," Hermione called above them descending down the staircase and she gasped pointing at the spot where the house-elf was now standing on the handrail of the staircase of the second floor, The Portkey parchment was glowing bright blue in his hand. He wobbled on the handrail. Harry shouted,
"No!"
Then the house-elf dived, at the same time, Harry and Hermione pulled out their wands and casted the same incantation, "Aresto Momentum," a Cushioning Charm upon the falling house-elf.
The students in the Entrance Hall screamed in horror of the sight, the falling house-elf. Harry was the first to dash down to the spot the house-elf fell down.
Author's Note: * Thanks to Pookha, he gave me the idea about the title, "Broom Flight".
