Right lads, I would like to first give many thanks to those of you who have reviewed, favourite and alerted this story, it's lovely to know that people are interested. I don't own Harry Potter. Enjoy.
Xxxx
Chapter 9: When Draco met Harry
Midnight found Draco Malfoy in his room at Malfoy Manor. He didn't dare leave the room in fear of his master. A house elf had brought him food several hours ago but he found himself famished once more, but was it enough to make him leave? There was also another reason he didn't want to leave the confines of his room. Draco was afraid of the inevitable confrontation with his father. He doubted that the man had been told of Draco's mission, but surely his father would notice the change in him. And his mother… he did want to see his mother but he knew wherever she was, his father wasn't far behind. He didn't want to have to deal with the disappointment in Lucius's eyes and the disapproval of the way his son had behaved-like a coward.
Draco didn't know if his father actually loved him or not…the truth was that he did but as time had passed in the future, Lucius' position was lost and his descent into ruin had broken him. He put terrible strain on his son to regain family honour and when Draco couldn't- well, their relationship had worsened. Draco lost respect for his once proud father and though he always loved his mother, she became too quiet to confide anything in.
Draco had spent his time thinking over everything that had happened in his life. He had no idea what to do now. Just wait to fall into ruin as had happened before?
Draco didn't know it but he was about to be aided in his decision.
As his stomach gave another rumble he decided to sneak down to the kitchens and get some food. He didn't want to call their house elf as she was probably tending to the Dark Lords needs or those of any other Death Eaters.
So fully dressed, he slipped out of his room, closing the door behind him silently and made his way along the passage toward the back staircase. The grand staircase was used too often by the more 'important' occupants of the house.
As he passed one of the rooms he noticed the door was slightly ajar. Staying in the shadows he attempted to sneak by, his pale face worried about who was within the room. Just as he made it past, he heard a name which made him stop.
Severus.
Draco paused and listened, wondering if Snape was inside…perhaps he could talk to him later if he was within the manor.
Leaning against the wall with bated breath he listened out for the familiar silky tones but he heard none. He almost jumped when he heard the hissing of the Dark Lord.
"I have come by some valuable information as of late, some of it has revealed rather disturbing truths. Our dear Severus is not to be trusted."
Draco froze and both his curiosity and fear held him there.
"My Lord?"
Draco didn't recognise the voice immediately. He was male, perhaps one of the Death Eaters under a low profile for protection.
"Our potions maker has been working with that old fool for some time it seems" Voldemort's voice was cold and there was no humour or satisfaction. He was furious. "I don't need to remind you of the penalties of such a betrayal. He must be dealt with. If he has also been passing information to Dumbledore, he could be a serious liability. I will summon him soon and deal with him personally."
Draco's blood ran cold. It was happening once more. 'Severus working for Dumbledore?' he thought to himself within the shadows. He seriously doubted that, but it was possible that Snape had betrayed there master. Draco now understood why one would want to leave such service as this.
Steadying himself, he crept away from the door. Making his way to the stairs he paused, leaning on the banister. Sweat coated his pale brow and dampened his blonde hair. What was he to do?
Could he stand back and allow history…or future…to repeat itself? But if he warned Snape that would also put him in the betrayal count…
The young Malfoy took a breath and looked back toward the hall with pale eyes. He could go back to his room and continue in his pathetic existence or he could leave and be cast out of everything he knew.
The answer lay before him, but it took him a minute to find it. Draco's longing to get away from servitude and regain some control over his life, coupled with the warning he had to give to Snape somehow outweighed his longstanding cowardice and in a few seconds, he had fled down the stairs, intent upon leaving this hell forever.
Xxxxx
Professor Dumbledore sat in his office at seven am, the morning after Harry's awakening. He held several letters in his hands and though none of them were surprising he did have a thoughtful expression upon his features.
Each one contained notification from Professor McGonagall, Hagrid and Professor Sprout-who had been away on business for the Order as well as visiting their own homes as they did each summer. Though he had expected them before this, their arrival did complicate things. They were going to return by the end of the week and though they were only three, he knew that others would soon make an appearance, both for Order reports and to begin the scheduling of next year's classes and exams. Though Dumbledore had known he would probably move Harry so as to not force the boy to deal with too many faces, the example set by the disastrous meeting with his friends the night before made the need all the more great. The only problem was where to move him and with whom. It would just be until term started or until harry became ready to face the world once more. The headmaster felt guilty that he had pushed too much upon the boy already and did not want to put further strain on him. The obvious choice was of course the boys relatives, for though this Harry technically had come from the future, the wards had not been broken in this time nor had they reached their max. The boy was fifteen and had not outwardly decided that he had left there forever. He would be untouchable there but Dumbledore knew it might be dangerous for Harry's recovery to sentence him to a place he hated so much and with relatives who would not care for his physical or mental condition. He needed someone who would aid Harry's recovery diligently. The only three in full awareness about Harry were he, Professor Snape and Madame Pomphrey but none were suitable candidates. He himself was too busy with the Order and other…errands, Professor Snape was key to spying on Voldemort and as chief potions maker and Madame Pomphrey would be needed here for any order members in need of healing over the summer, which was generally quite a few. Their investigations were getting more and more dangerous.
Carefully folding the parchment of the letters, one having the notable scrawl that was Hagrid's writing, he placed them in a small drawer within his desk and stood up from his chair. He had a few days to work out the details of Harry's situation although he didn't think the boy would object to being moved away from familiar faces, judging by what had already transpired.
Xxxxx
After a light breakfast and a dose of his dark, thick and disgusting potion, Harry was permitted to go for a small walk. He had managed to get back to the hospital wing the night before without the matron ever knowing he had left. And it seemed that Snape didn't care what he did or happened to him in any way, so Harry presumed he didn't have to worry about him telling tales.
He carefully avoided any corridors or passages that would take him in sight of the lake, sticking to the near corridors of the hospital wing. Harry couldn't even feel relieved that he was allowed out of his medical prison…something had died in him the night before. There was something about hearing first hand that a man forced to protect you hated your guts and didn't care about you in any degree. The feeling was like a punch to the stomach. One he should have seen coming but deep down, though he knew he was hated, since seeing his memories, he had suspected there was some form of…care within Snape, that extended beyond his duty to protect him. Though he knew care wasn't the correct word, Harry couldn't find another one to fit. It was something like that. But he had been proven wrong. There was no 'care' in the potions master's eyes last night and the tone he had spoken his harsh words in left no room for emotion.
Sighing, Harry paused at a window and looked out at the bright sky. He thought about the mess he had made with his friends and hung his head in shame. He was thoroughly miserable without them, but couldn't bear to be near them, it was a horrible feeling.
Dragging his mind away from his friends, Harry considered what would happen to him when the professors began returning. He knew Dumbledore didn't want to make what had happened common knowledge so he guessed he would be moved and Harry knew there was only two options, Grimmauld Place or Privet drive. He wasn't sure which one he despised more. Once upon a time he had called Grimmauld Place a refuge where he and his friends had spent many hard working but happy months planning in the company of Kreacher…now it held too many memories. Only did he get over the memories of Sirius within its walls were they filled with happy times that were crushed with an iron fist.
But Privet Drive…? It had been so long since he had been there and said goodbye to the Dursleys for the last time. Seeing them again would be odd-particularly Dudley. Harry didn't know if his cousin had had his change of heart by now. As for his aunt and uncle, well deep down he was numb toward them but all the memories of his childhood left anger bubbling at the brim of his heart. He had never known of what had become of his family after Voldemort took over. If he had found them they would have been killed but if they had, no doubt Voldemort would have dangled their heads on a piece of string in front of Harry, knowing it would somehow cause him pain.
As if running away from his thoughts, Harry turned and slowly and tiredly made his way to the grand staircase and descended it. As he reached the entrance hall, Harry knew that someone above despised him, as Snape came strolling out from the passage Harry knew led to the dungeons.
Harry stopped dead and funny enough, when Snape's keen eyes spotted him, he did too. Harry had never seen the man react in such an ungraceful way and had the situation been much different, he would have laughed. But he did not.
"What are you doing down here Potter?"
The tone was cold, as always. Harry wasn't sure what he expected of this first meeting after last night but it certainly wasn't this.
"Walking. I'm pretty sure it's allowed" he answered back coolly, but his heart was not in it.
Snape glared for a moment, before turning toward the Great Hall. He couldn't deal with thinking about Potter after last night. He had spent a sleepless night in much confusion and put all the blame on the boy before him. However his black boot had not touched the stone floor when a loud banging could be heard near the wooden doors that were the entrance to the castle.
Both Harry and Snape froze. Harry had never known someone to…knock…on the doors? Apparently Snape hadn't either for Harry saw the man's pale hand settle over a pocket where his wand was concealed. Whoever was at the door was obviously uninvited.
Sweeping over, Snape drew his wand and pulled open the doors magically, so he was in full view of who was on the other side of them.
There in front of him stood a haggard looking Draco Malfoy.
"Draco?"
The boy in question looked up at him, seemingly quite shocked at where he was. There were dark circles under his eyes and he looked too thin even for him.
"Severus. You're alive"
Draco said this to convince himself almost and he sagged in the doorway, exhausted from flying all night. Snape noticed the broomstick on the ground next to him and put two and two together.
"Mr Malfoy what are you doing here, your mother and father-"
"I've come to warn you…and to tell you some things. I've made a mistake Severus."
Draco's tone was defeated but he was also insistent.
"We need to talk"
Xxxxx
Harry had stayed in the shadows as the younger Malfoy was led into the castle, so he did not see him. Snape led the blonde boy upstairs and Harry followed quietly until they reached Professor Dumbledore's office. Once the two Slytherins were within, Harry knocked.
"Come in Harry"
The moment Harry stepped within the rounded office, the atmosphere changed. Dumbledore was sat behind his desk, looking at Harry with a raised eyebrow, while Snape and Malfoy were on Harry's side. Both turned at the newcomer and Snape instantly scowled.
"This does not concern you Potter, I suggest you go back to the hospital wing."
But Harry wasn't listening and it seemed that neither was Malfoy. Harry stared at the boy while Malfoy stared back, but the blonde had something in his eyes. He was both shocked and truly horrified to see Harry standing there in front of him and it was in those grey eyes that Harry found the answer to a question he had suspected the moment he saw the boy. Harry had never seen such a haunted expression on fifteen year old Draco's face nor in the depths of his eyes and he knew. He knew as he watched his eyes trace the scar down Harry's eye.
With strength Harry couldn't afford to waste, he threw himself at the younger Malfoy and landed a hard punch directly to the other boy's face which knocked him to the ground.
"POTTER!" roared Snape, grabbing the raging Harry as he fought to get nearer to the fallen boy.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH! Harry screamed, desperately trying to get free from Snape's grasp. "You told him everything didn't you!"
"Harry-"interjected Dumbledore softly, but it was no use.
"You watched him torture me every day, wasn't that enough for you Malfoy?"
Harry was livid. All he could see was the boy in front of him and his mind flashed back to each time Malfoy had stood back and watched…he couldn't bear it.
Snape struggled to keep a hold on the teenager, but he was equally shocked. He had rarely seen Potter resort to physical violence.
"What on earth are you going on about Potter?" Snape hissed from behind, grasping the boys wrists tightly.
"Him! He's from my time I know it! And he just spilt everything to the Dark Lord! No wonder I was so paranoid- I knew he must have found out and now I know who told him."
Harry stopped fighting to get free and just stared at Malfoy.
"Tell them." He spat.
Xxxxxx
Harry had since calmed, once Draco had been taken from his sight by Snape and Dumbledore, but once the anger had dissipated, the fear began to set in. He didn't trust Draco one inch after everything that had happened and he was worried what harm the boy could inflict upon those around him if he betrayed them. Harry wasn't so ready to believe the 'change of heart' story that the younger Malfoy had entered the castle with. There was too much he could not forgive.
Dumbledore didn't understand Harry's reaction and if the headmaster didn't get it, there was no reasoning with Snape. However as he sat in a chair next to his bed an idea came to Harry. Though he had been firmly against divulging and seeing such things again, he knew that making the professors understand what a danger Draco was, was more important. Perhaps it was time to show them a few memories…willingly this time. And in an instant he was gone, marching toward Dumbledore's office. He would do anything to avoid the mistakes he had made in the future and one of those mistakes had been misjudging Draco Malfoy.
When there was no one in Dumbledore's office…well, he got no answer, Harry turned and though his stomach lurched painfully at the thought, he made his way to Snape's office.
Xxxxxx
Predictably Snape had not wanted to be in his presence. Nor hear his 'lies' as Snape deemed them.
"Potter, Mr Malfoy has left the Dark Lord's ranks and requires protection. You should not begrudge someone aid when they are running from such a foe…you have plenty of experience no?"
Snape turned from his desk where he had laid several empty potion vials, ready for filling, incidentally for Harry's antidote. Harry ignored the dig and tried once more.
"I know you hate me but I'm right about this. I don't trust him and with good reason!" Harry spat, uncharacteristically forceful.
Snape sneered "That does not surprise me. You really have to get past these school grudges Potter, its ridiculously childish!"
"Fine."
Harry got up from his chair awkwardly and took out his wand. For a moment Snape actually thought the boy had the cheek to try curse him but instead Harry pointed it to his temple and withdrew a familiar strand of silver substance. He grabbed one of the vials from Snape's desk and dropped it within its confines before slamming it on the table and swiftly leaving the room. As the door slammed behind him, Harry closed his eyes. He had just given some of his most dreaded memories to a man he despised.
Inside the office the potions master was staring at the small bottle and glanced back toward the door. He was more than surprised that the boy would give up something like this. He must obviously want to prove something. Judging from Harry's reaction when Snape had accessed his memories last time, the boy was not one for sharing.
Taking the bottle up in his pale fingers he held it up and examined the contents. He could be sure how many memories were contained within. If the man was honest with himself, he was hesitant to view the contents. He didn't know what he was going to see but going on his knowledge of the Dark Lords usual methods and the mental state of the boy who had been his victim- it was nothing good.
Glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece, Snape decided he had time. Curiosity always seemed to creep up on him when it came to Harry.
Taking off his heavy black robe, Snape strung it over a chair, being left in black trousers and a black buttoned up shirt. He then walked over to a drawer in his desk and pulled out the heavy stone pensieve. He knew he would have to give it back to Dumbledore soon, but this was important.
He poured the small vials contents inside and watched them swirl into a darkness that instantly made Snape realise that what lay before him was worse than he expected.
Right before he dipped his head into the contents he muttered darkly "meddling child".
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Silence fell around Snape's ears as he landed in a torch-lit room. It was large but rather empty, save for a few frames hanging on the walls. The professor couldn't make out their occupants in the shadows. Turning around he looked for Potter knowing he must be here somewhere and his eyes were not disappointed.
Sat in a lone chair in the centre of the room was Potter. Snape didn't want to stand nearer but in order to see exactly what was going on, he needed to move at least two metres.
As he came closer several things caught his eye.
Potter was secured to the chair with black rope. It secured his wrists to each arm, his ankles to each leg and there was even a piece wrapped tightly around his waist. Someone had gone to some effort to make sure there were no mistakes where the boy was concerned. The boy's head hung in front of him, but Snape sensed he was awake. His black hair wasn't matted with blood like Snape had seen in his last memory, nor was his clothing in tatters. There were a few bruises and scrapes and his lip bled persistently, but the boy looked relatively unharmed compared to the state he had come to them in.
'This must be when he was first captured' Snape guessed, glancing around the room. He didn't feel for the boy, though he was in a dangerous situation, Harry was in as good a shape as could be hoped for.
"What are you trying to prove Potter?" Snape asked aloud to the echoing walls, its other occupant obviously not hearing anything.
The potions master was beginning to get impatient when a door opened at the end of the room, golden light streaming in before it snapped closed.
Potter lifted his head at the noise and it was then that something shocked the greasy-haired man. Harry's face was lifeless, his eyes dull and red-had the boy been crying? The new figure walked silently into the room and the torch-light until his face was revealed. It was Draco Malfoy.
Snape was surprised that Lucius' son was let anywhere near the Dark Lords prize but he watched regardless, wondering what was going on.
The second Harry caught sight of the blonde hair, his face turned stony and he was more alert in his posture. The potions master noticed his fists clench under their restraints and when he spoke there was true bitterness in his voice.
"Malfoy."
Severus noticed immediately that something was off about Draco, he didn't reply or sneer, but he kept his distance from the boy as long as possible.
"Look at me!"
Snape almost jumped at the ringing command that came from the bound boy. The younger Malfoy however, did jump. In an obvious attempt to regain control of the situation, Draco turned and stared at the other boy, a sneer on his all too pale face. Something in the eyes didn't match the sneer.
"Shut it Potter. Prisoners don't give orders to Death Eaters."
Snape instantly reeled. So Draco had been made a death eater by this time. He should have expected it but something about it shocked him. He had decided last year that he would try dissuading the young boy from joining those hateful ranks. It seemed he and his future self had failed. 'Or perhaps I was dead too soon to do anything about it?' Snape considered this with no emotion, his looming death didn't bother him as much as it should have.
"Are you happy now? You got to be a Death Eater and follow in daddy's precious footsteps?"
Snape saw the stony expression on the blonde's face when Harry spoke.
Harry continued, his hatred for the boy before him settling his grief and fear for the first time in days "Congratulations Malfoy" he spoke, in a cold whisper "You have not only sold your own life, but you have sentenced me to death as well."
Harry seemed to be shaking at this point, from anger or fear it was unknown. Snape watched him, something unsettled him about the picture in front of him-but what he wasn't sure.
"I saved your life Malfoy-twice! And you handed me over on a silver platter didn't you? You told him where I was…you…"
Harry quietened down and looked away from the other occupant.
Snape had frozen when Harry spoke. He had saved Draco? It made no sense to the professor. However, the boy betraying Harry's location to his enemies unfortunately was believable to him.
"I've never pretended to like you Malfoy, but I thought you were better than that."
Though Harry wasn't looking, this made the other boy freeze where he stood and stare at the boy in the chair, as if he had never heard such a thing in his life. But the second Harry's head moved to look back at him, he closed his mouth and straightened up. "I'm a Malfoy, Potter. I don't know what you were expecting but I don't care about you or the other parts of your little cheer group."
A flash of pain crossed the green eyes "They're dead" he whispered, almost not managing to get the words out.
Snape's mouth set itself into a grim line. He had expected this due to recent behaviour of the boy-who-lived, but to hear it confirmed…
Apparently this was not news to Draco and he instantly looked torn, but he straightened his features. "I told you a long time ago what would happen if you opposed the Dark Lord Potter, the mudblood and Weasel should have-"
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Harry shouted, anger pumping in his veins as he thrashed against his bonds "You don't- no one…" Harry's mouth lost its ability to form speech.
Draco had taken an involuntary step back at the shout and he cursed himself for doing so. Isn't this what he had always wanted, Harry Potter finally beaten? Here the boy was, tied up and defeated in front of him and still he made Draco feel like the lesser man. Well no more.
"Don't be so pathetic Potter. They're dead. What else could they have expected from being friends with you. You got what you deserved Potter. You have spent the last seven years foolishly opposing the greatest wizard in the world. Not such a big man now are you?"
Neither Snape nor Harry it seems, could believe the severity and harshness spoken. Malfoy had always been a bully and even cruel at times but this…this was a new low.
Harry seemed to be unable to come up with a reply to this, he seemed shocked out of system and his eyes faded to dull green orbs with each word. But after a minute, his low voice sounded throughout the room.
"Are you angry Malfoy?"
The boy in question laughed coldly "Why would I be angry Potter?"
"Because you just realised that no one would be willing to sacrifice themselves for you like I would have done for my friends…a-and they did for me."
Heavy silence followed this, which only served to prove Harry's theory. Snape watched the struggle going on inside Draco, he almost looked defeated. But a hardness came into his eyes, one that was present in Lucius' eyes often during a torture session, and Draco marched over and slapped Harry harshly across the face. The dark haired boy's head was flung to the side as the stinging sound rang out.
Almost afraid of what Harry was going to say next, Draco conjured a black wad of cloth and stuffed it into Harry's mouth "Well there's no more to die for you now Potter".
A thick mist suddenly descended on the scene. Snape had almost forgotten he was watching memories and he stared hard into Harry's shocked face until it was obscured and a new scene threw itself before him.
He was surprised to see he was back at Hogwarts, on the grounds to be precise. It seemed to be approaching evening and standing by the lake's edge were over fifty Death Eaters. Snape walked between them, eyeing each one with distaste. He noted that he was not among them. As he came to the front of the hooded spectators he was met with the sight of the Dark Lord. Dressed in deep green robes which littered the ground, he had a triumphant gleam in his red eyes.
Snape walked right up beside him, even in a memory, still wary of the distance between them.
"Bring Potter to me" he commanded in his high, cold voice, a smirk tugging at the side of his lipless mouth "I'm sure he will enjoy the view."
No one chuckled at the obvious humour, there was an air of quiet settled over the followers. However Snape heard the silence broken by footsteps and Bellatrix herself approached their master, dragging a bloodied and bruised boy with her by the hair. Snape was impressed to see that Potter struggled even in his damaged state. His hands were tied behind his back and there was a gag around his mouth. Despite the defiance, Snape could tell the boy was terrified.
Voldemort swept over to where the boy was forced to his knees and grabbed Harry by the chin, making him look up to face him.
"Do you want to know what has become of those you yourself led to death Harry? Those whose spirits were so uplifted by the golden boy, their saviour?"
Grabbing a fistful of Harry's hair Voldemort dragged him forward and stood behind him, clutching his jaw to make sure he looked out onto the water and in the instant Harry's eyes met the scene he began to scream. They were muffled but no one could doubt the absolute horror within each one.
Snape looked puzzled until he himself followed the boy's forced gaze. Within an instant, Snape felt like gasping in horror and retching at the same time.
There, floating within the lake in their hundreds were bodies. Every one dead and cold and floating eerily atop the surface, some faces pointed toward the sky, others toward the dank and deep waters. The potions master's dark eyes followed the pattern of people and couldn't help but notice how many bodies were only children- of Hogwarts age.
Eyes uncharacteristically wide, Snape found them back on Harry who had gone limp in the grasp which forced him to look upon such horrors. The boy's eyes were drowned in tears and his screams were now silent.
"Such a pity" Voldemort whispered, almost soothingly into the boy's ears. "Had they sided with me and not you my dear boy, they would be alive and well. Their families would not be at home, hoping with all their might that their 'loved' ones were still breathing, they would be together. See how many lives you have destroyed with your false hope Harry. You drove me to this."
Something stirred within Snape as he saw Harry's body shake with sobs that could not be heard. They boy was crushed. He balled his fists as he heard the poisonous words the monster hissed into the young boy's ears.
"Your friends are amongst them…somewhere."
A muffled cry of 'no' could be heard as Harry was fed this information.
"I admit, perhaps such a burial was…rude of me, but they will serve their uses. I trust you remember the other lake you visited Harry?"
Though Snape had no idea what was going on, suddenly Harry fought against Voldemorts grip and in his fury, knocked the Dark Wizard back a few paces. Instantly Snape knew this was not good. And the situation was not helped by what followed. Harry's gag slipped off in the struggle and he turned to face Voldemort, tears streaming from his eyes "You snake-faced bastard!"
If there had been silence before, now it was a graveyard. Snape watched as Harry recoiled instantly, knowing what damage he had done.
Voldemort was calm…which was never good.
"Watch your tongue Harry. It could get you into trouble. You don't like what I did with your friends then?"
Harry stayed silent, both afraid, infuriated and completely devastated.
"Oh trust me Harry, it's not that bad. Shall I show you?"
The potions professor knew he was in trouble now. Even Snape winced a tiny amount as Voldemort grabbed Harry by the throat and marched into the water itself, the nearest body floating only metres from them. The magnificent green robes flowed all around the monster they enveloped, as he paused in a particular spot.
Standing in water up to the Dark Lord's chest, he turned Harry to face him "I see you value how your friends are treated in death Harry, well you must tell me if my methods are improper".
Before any reply could be made, he grabbed a fistful of the black hair in his long pale fingers and thrust the boys head into the water and held him under unyieldingly.
Snape watched helpless from a bit away, disgusted that someone could do that to a seventeen year old. He knew Harry had to have survived beyond this but fear gripped his insides unconsciously.
…
Harry was down for too long, he was going to drown.
The boy in question was struggling furiously but Voldemort's grip was too strong. He swallowed mass amounts of water as he yelled into the dank green depths. With his arms tied behind his back he could do nothing to prevent his lungs filling with water and just as lights popped in front of his eyes, he was wrenched out and pulled tight against his captor, hair dripping around his face. But he was not allowed draw breath. Voldemort instantly put a cold hand over his mouth and nose and Harry shook. As soon as he was let go he choked up mouthfuls of water, coughing and spluttering, drawing breath harshly and desperately. But he had not had two gulps of life-retaining air when his head was forced under once more.
This time when he was pulled out he expelled more water and heaved violently.
Though enjoying himself, Voldemort was growing tired. But he didn't allow the punishment to stop.
"Draco" he said sharply to the crowd.
The younger Malfoy came forward to the bank and bowed.
"Continue Harry's little lesson."
With a moment's hesitation that only Snape saw, Malfoy headed into the water and took the weak Potter, grabbing a fistful of the ebony hair. Voldemort glided toward the bank and then turned to watch from there. Harry stared back at him, green eyes wide, taking in as much air when he had the chance.
"Put him under" was the cold order and amidst a request to stop from his victim, the younger Malfoy plunged the saviour of the wizarding world's head under the water once more to the enjoyment of the crowd.
Snape couldn't bear to watch any longer, and he turned, deciding he had had enough, just as the scene changed. He was beginning to understand why Harry had so much trouble trusting Draco Malfoy. Though he suspected that this was not the full story.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
xxxxxx
