Chapter 10
The rest of the holiday had floated away quietly and before Salazar knew it, the first of September had arrived. With a smile on his lips he watched as Sirius ran around the house and looked for his shoes minutes before they had to leave. Finally Remus snapped. With a growl the werewolf ripped out his wand and snarled:
"Damn it Sirius, we don't have time for this! Are you a wizard or not? Accio Sirius' shoes."
Salazar fought back laughter when he saw the sheepish smile on his godfather's lips. Then he straightened himself when Remus turned to him.
"Do you have everything Harry?"
"Ye... Yeah I packed everything yesterday."
It wasn't so funny when Remus turned his irritated gaze at you. His brown eyes had specs of gold in them and somewhere in there Salazar swore he could see a shadow move. Remus nodded and then turned towards Sirius, who had once again disappeared into the house. Remus sighed, but then he grinned and it wasn't a pleasant grin either.
"Let's go Harry. Padfoot can catch up with us when he realises that we have left. If he does realize it, that is."
With that Remus grabbed Salazar's arm and then apparated them to King's Cross Station.
For the moment Salazar was sitting alone in a compartment on the train. While enjoying the silence he thought back on the moment when they had arrived at the station. Everyone there had watched for a moment before breaking out in whispers. It had been annoying and it had hurt when he had sawn the anger in the eyes of some of his dorm-mates. Honestly he couldn't help being adopted. It wasn't as if he had known! Suddenly he heard the sound of someone approaching and opened his eyes tiredly. When the door opened he fought back a groan and straightened himself.
"Draco. Nice seeing you. I honestly thought that you wouldn't show up. It's good to know that some things don't change."
Whatever the Malfoy-heir had expected, the shock on his face clearly showed that it wasn't this. Then his eyes narrowed and he regained his bearing.
"Think you're funny Potter? Oh forgive me I forgot! That isn't your true name right?"
Salazar chuckled. Yep. This was the same old Draco. With a smile on his face he gestured to the other boy, inviting him in. When the boy stayed in the opening his smile widened.
"Well I believe that you're referring to the fact that I'm adopted regarding my name? Sorry about disappointing you Draco, but the Potters blood-adopted me. I'm their son by blood and therefore Potter is my name. Now won't you come in? There is something important I would like to discuss with you. Ron will be here shortly with refreshments. Come now, I don't bite."
Then Salazar leant back towards the back of the seat. It was clear that Draco was uncomfortable, but then he moved inside. When he had seated himself he turned towards Salazar and sneered slightly.
"Now then Potter. What was it you wanted to discuss? I hope you don't waste my time."
"Well I've been thinking a lot lately. "
"How curious. I didn't think that you knew how to think at all."
Draco had spoken sharp words, but there hadn't been any malice in them. Something Salazar found very reassuring. With a chuckle he shook his head, smiled and lent against the back of the seat.
"Counting on how I've acted trough the years I guessed as much."
Then Salazar had to laugh at the face the Malfoy-heir made. Draco certainly hadn't expected Salazar to agree with him. Then Draco snapped out of it. He smiled and it was a genuine one. They watched each other for a second then they both chuckled softly and for a moment the atmosphere in the compartment were a warm and friendly one. Then Salazar grew serious.
"I told you that I have been thinking a lot lately and it has forced me to mature a lot. Some of the things I've realised actually don't sit very well with me".
A strange light had entered Draco's eyes. He looked at Salazar more closely.
"With that said. I have matured Draco. I'm not the same boy you knew before."
Draco nodded, without taking his eyes of his former nemesis. It was clear to him that the boy, no young man, in front of him wasn't the moody and stubborn teenager he remembered from the last school year.
"I can see and hear that" he said softly while leaning forward slightly.
Salazar smiled and mirrored Draco's movement while speaking.
"We both have grown up and matured, don't you think? So how about burying the axe and begin anew? Would you consider it?"
When all Salazar got was silence he pressed on while watching Draco closely.
"I know that we all were young and immature back then and that Ron and I behaved badly too. But we have all grown and matured and that is the reason I'm willing to do this."
"Why now? What have changed?"
"Well do you know why I turned your invitation for friendship down in our first year?"
"No."
Salazar remained silent for a moment before he began to tell the young Malfoy about his life with the Dursleys. As his tale grew longer and longer Draco's face became paler and paler and his eyes shone with fury.
"Do you see now? You reminded me strongly of Dudley, with your bratty behavior. First you insulted Hagrid and then you insulted Ron, the second friend I ever had."
"Yes. I see it now. So that was why you refused my friendship?"
When Salazar nodded Draco leant back against the seat's back and closed his eyes. It was up to Draco now and Salazar watched him silently waiting for the blonde's move.
"So stupid. You're right. We were both young and bratty back then. But still, why now?"
Draco watched Salazar with narrowed eyes and Salazar knew that it was his turn now. If he didn't answer it just right... he closed his eyes and forced himself to relax.
"You and everyone else seem to know that I'm adopted and that Dumbledore apparently doesn't believe that I'm the chosen one anymore. It will give me a lot of new enemies, among them many from my own house and I can't afford to have more enemies than I can protect myself from, since I doubt that Voldemort will stop hunt me simply because Dumbledore has lost his faith in me."
Silence rested in the compartment. Draco looked at him with half lidded eyes and there was nothing on his face that gave any indication to what he was thinking. Even though Salazar seemed calm on the outside, he was very nervous. Of all the enemies he would have at Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy was the one he couldn't afford to keep. The Slytherin was wily and his family had a good political standing and many contacts. He couldn't afford to have them as his enemies when the truth about him came out.
"What you say makes sense, but more importantly, what's in it for me? What can you give me that will be worth the problems of being your friend?"
Salazar smiled and leant forwards.
"How about the facts that I'm one of the richest wizards in Britain, the heir of three old families, the current Lord Gryffindor and the fact that I own a fourth of Hogwarts?"
Draco gaped at him and with a smirk Salazar waited for the Slytherin to gather himself.
"You... you... you are... heir of three old families..."
Hook.
"Bloody hell, a fourth of Hogwarts?"
Line.
"Lord Gryffindor? One of the richest wizards in Britain?"
And sinker.
"Yep. That's me. The same old Harry Potter. So what do you say Draco? Friends?"
Somewhere in an old dusty manor, a meeting was being held. On a throne made of bone was an imposing dark robed man sitting, his crimson eyes gleaming with malice and blood lust. A huge snake rested its thick coils over his bony shoulders and the massive head was in his lap, being caressed by his thin fingers. Before him were wizards clad in similar black robes and white masks, gathered in a semi-circle. They were kneeling with their heads bowed, listening to their lords orders.
"Right now the Hogwartsss expresss isss heading for the ssschool. I believe that an attack upon it would be a proper welcome to the first year mudbloodsss. Don't you agree Luciusss?"
One of the kneeling wizards nodded his head and a lock of blonde hair slid out from inside the hood.
"Yes, my master. I certainly agree with you. There is no better welcome for the filthy mudbloods than death and destruction." The blond male answered in a silky voice.
With a smirk on his thin, almost nonexistent, lips, Voldemort rose from his throne and strode down to his Death Eaters. He came to a stop in front of the kneeling Malfoy- patriarch and with a wave of his hand he easily banished the hood and the mask.
"Yesss, I quite agree, my ssslippery little friend."
His thin, bony finger played with the silver locks and the Dark Lord knew that the kneeling wizard was fighting back the urge to shudder. His smirk grew.
"However, there isss sssomething that worriesss you about thisss raid, isssn't there Luciusss?"
This time the blond man visibly tensed and it made the dark lord laugh.
"You're worried about you son aren't you? Well don't be. For a long time you have been mine and now it is time for young Draco to take your place."
At this, the elder Malfoy forgot his fear and stared up at the dark lord with wide eyes. Voldemort chuckled and almost fondly caressed a pale cheek.
"My most valued friends. Today is the day we strike a hard blow to the light. But know this. No harm is allowed to fall upon young master Malfoy. In fact the one who brings him here unharmed and alive will be well rewarded. Now go my Death Eaters, go and start the preparations. Rodolphus, you're in charge. Lucius remain where you are, we have much to... speak about."
For the moment a somewhat shaky calm rested in the small compartment. Draco and Ron still eyed each other now and then, but some of the hostility in their gazes had vanished. Shortly after Salazar and Draco had come to a peace, Ron had entered and immediately the tension had risen in the small space. But then the redhead had smiled, albeit somewhat crookedly, and stretched out his hand.
"Nice meeting you. I'm Ron Weasley."
Draco had looked at him silently, for a moment, and then he had taken the offered hand and presented himself.
"Draco Malfoy, a pleasure."
Salazar found himself watching the two of them with a faint smile tugging at his lips. Honestly, they were so transparent and he asked himself why he hadn't noticed it before. His smile grew into a smirk and when he chuckled softly, they both turned to face him, with narrowing eyes.
"Harry, whatever you're thinking about, forget it at once. It is certain to turn out bad." Ron grumbled and looked at him pointedly.
The smirk on Salazar's lips grew and his eyes sparkled merrily.
"Ah, but Ron, how do you know that I was thinking about something bad?"
" I know you. Besides your eyes betray you."
At this Draco leant in and added his thoughts on the matter.
"Yes Harry, your eyes are unusually… twinkly. Mind to share what you find so amusing?"
"Hm… how about no? I like my head where it is thank you."
Their friendly banter was interrupted when the doors to their apartment suddenly opened. At once Salazar turned towards the doors, his wand already in his hand. But it didn't make him feel secure. Since his… awakening, his wand hadn't quite been the same as before. 'I need to see Olivander, or preferably another wandmaker, who won't recognise me' he thought, before refocusing on the person standing in the doorway.
"Hello Neville. Had a good summer?" Salazar greeted the other, still keeping his wand out, but hidden in the sleeves of the dark green robe he wore.
The other boy looked slightly hassled and wild-eyed, but Salazar didn't sense any hostility around him. Neville gaped for a moment, before closing his eyes quickly and taking some deep breaths.
"I… Yes my summer has been good but the last weeks have been interesting. May I come inside, please, before they find me again?" he asked, throwing a wild look over his shoulder.
Salazar couldn't help the smirk that formed on his lips, but he did understand Neville's plight and if his guesses about whom were hunting him, he certainly pitied the boy.
"Of course Nev. Don't be stupid. Get inside before they see you." Salazar said and gestured for the other wizard to enter.
When Neville had entered Salazar swished his wand, making the doors close. Then he cast a number of locking charms, privacy spells and a notice-me-not-charm on the doors, everything to keep Neville's stalkers out.
"Nice Po- Harry. There was some spells in there even I don't recognise! When have you learnt that?" Draco asked leaning forwards slightly, never once losing his composure.
Salazar cursed himself silently, but still managed a small smile.
"Well I spent the last of the summer holidays at my godfather's place and had access to his library."
He took a small pause before adding, almost casually:
"Oh, my godfather, you know him right? I think you are related. His name is Sirius Black."
Draco's mouth fell open and his eyes widened marginally. For some moments he only opened and closed his lips trying to find his ability to form words again. Salazar chuckled softly before taking mercy and casting a wandless and silent calming charm on the other boy.
"Bloody hell, Black is your godfather? He's my mother's cousin! Bloody hell we're almost family!"
Laughter filled the small compartment after Draco's outburst and the previously tension had disappeared. Salazar's smirk grew into a full grin.
"Yup, so can I call you Cousin Dray?"
An aghast look found its way onto Draco's face and he almost yelled 'no absolutely, not!'. At the sight of the flustered slytherin everyone in the compartment burst into merry laughter. Everyone, but Draco, who pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.
"So Neville, how has your summer been?" Salazar finally asked after managing to calm himself.
"Quite good actually until the middle of august. You see, we had a visitor and he had some rather strange news... "
A scowl appeared on Salazar's face and his eyes darkened. Yes, he could see where this was going and it almost made him groan. The old coot was moving faster than he expected.
"Let me guess, the esteemed headmaster decided to tell you about the fact that I'm adopted and about his new theory, that you're the boy-who-lived?"
Neville actually looked down at this and swallowed hard, but then he seemed to gather himself. Slowly he raised his head and met Salazar's eyes. Then he nodded.
"Please tell me he is wrong about me being the boy-who-lived." He whispered softly, his eyes pleading.
Once again, Salazar found himself wanting to curse the aged headmaster for creating this situation, for doing this to him and his friends. Slowly he moved from his seat and then sank down at Neville's side. He hesitated briefly, but then placed his hand on the young man's shoulder.
"I wish I could Neville. I wish I could. I don't believe the Old Goat, I still think it is me, but others won't. Dumbledore could claim that you were Merlin's illegitimate son and they would believe him. "
Neville made a face, but still nodded, knowing that Salazar was right. Some people were like that. If the headmaster told them to jump they would and the only thing they would question would be the preferred height of the jump.
Suddenly the comfortable silence was replaced by a blaring noise and at once everyone in the compartment covered their ears with their hands.
"Bloody hell! What is that?" Ron shouted over the noise.
Salazar rose and concentrated. Swiftly he used wandless and soundless magic to adjust the wards' noise to a bearable level. When the screeching sound was lowered everyone in the compartment sighed and lowered their hands.
"That, was the wards activating. Something on the train or on the tracks must have triggered them. Quickly, draw your wands and follow me, we must hurry." Salazar said with unusually serious eyes.
Hiya everyone! I'm back! At least for now =P I apologize for the time it has taken me to get this chapter done. There have been many things going on during the time I've been gone, some bad some good, but it have affected my motivation to write and until now, I haven't managed to drag out my muse from wherever he was hiding. Currently I'm having a slightly rough time, I'm in school with a lot of homework and many tests coming and to top it all one of my relatives are gravely ill, but hopefully recuperating. I'm sad to say, that "Who said the dark side was evil?" probably is on ice for now, I simply don't know how to continue the plot from where I am. Suggestions and Ideas are appreciated. Until next time! /Witton