~Chapter 9~

~Following~

AN: Okay this chapter is when the action starts. Hope you like itJ

Going back to Hogwarts was not much different from staying at Grimmauld Place. I avoided people as much as I could, only going to meals and classes and then retreating. Retreat to where you ask? Anywhere. Somewhere empty and quiet.

I hadn't been sleeping very well since I found out about the prophecy. I'd toss and turn for hours before eventually falling into a light sleep.

I couldn't stop thinking about what I was meant to do. It was a constant twinge on the back of my mind. I found it harder to concentrate in classes, or to concentrate on anything.

Deciding not to talk to the Gryffindors was a safe move for me. My house mates were curious; I could see that they knew something was going on. Having no one to talk to was hard, I came close to telling Blaise about the prophecy a few times, but then I backed out. He was always asking how I was and if everything was alright which made me feel guilty for lying.

Sitting in a theory lesson of Defence Against the Dark Arts was the worst. Although it no longer pissed me off just watching Hermione and Harry earning a stack of house points for answering all the questions. It just became very boring and tedious.

Dumbledore's way of teaching was another thing; I don't think I liked it. He liked to catch a lot of students unaware.

"Mr Malfoy?" I came back to Earth while stretching my arm into the air.

"Uh…Sorry?" I had not been listening.

"You know the answer?"

"Sorry sir, just stretching."

The Weasel turned around in his seat and laughed. I sneered at him and he stopped. The rest of the class stared.

I shook my head at their immaturity and quietly got out of my seat and walked out of the classroom. No one said a word, I knew Dumbledore had seen me but he didn't try to stop me. I guess there were more advantages of being on his side than I originally thought.

Of course, I decided it would be best if I went to my next lesson which was the last of the day and Potions.

It was a good thing I did too.

I might have missed something.

We had Potions with the Gryffindors as well, not many of them had decided to take it this year. I wonder why?

"Ten points from Gryffindor Weasley!"

I grinned.

"But professor…" The Weasel protested.

But the professor wasn't listening. Snape grimaced and I saw him place a hand on his forearm under his desk.

My stomach churned knowing what this meant. He stood up and looked at the class with a serious but pained expression on his face. "If anyone leaves this room before they are told to, by me, or another member of staff, the consequences will be dire."

He left the room quickly, with his robes billowing behind him.

The class was deadly silent, even though few, if any other students would have seen Snape clutch his forearm.

I stood up, so did Potter.

There was Granger, quietly begging him not to go. I couldn't make out the words as they whispered urgently to each other. I looked around; no one was stopping me from leaving.

I took a deep breath and walked out of the classroom, ignoring the glares I was getting from Crabbe and Goyle. I saw Snape walking down the hallway and I felt the need to follow. I went after him but kept my distance so he couldn't hear my footsteps. I sensed someone behind me; I turned and saw Potter catching up.

We followed the professor for another few minutes before we saw him enter a room.

"Dumbledore's office," I heard Harry whisper beside me.

Somehow, he knew the password as well. We entered together to find a large door. I stood there not knowing what to do; when Harry put his ear against it I did the same.

"How could this happen?" asked a panic stricken McGonagall. "In Hogsmead of all places!"

"Minerva, it was bound to happen sooner or later," said Dumbledore.

"What are we to do about Potter and Malfoy?" asked McGonagall.

"They must remain here," Dumbledore stated.

"Albus, the Dark Lord, fully believes that he is able to enter the school," Snape said. "What is your plan exactly?"

"I shall explain, but first, the two young boys outside should enter."

I froze and swore under my breath, Potter opened the door.

"Sorry professor," I heard him murmur.

"That's quite alright," said Dumbledore kindly, "I imagine you two would be curious."

McGonagall looked shocked but said nothing.

"Now, I cannot let the two of you go and fight. You must remain here while we take care of everything. Severus, I'm sure you can think of a way to convince Voldemort that entering the school grounds will have an extreme penalty. If your cover is blown you must get out immediately, you know what Voldemort does to spies."

With that, Snape nodded and swiftly left the room.  

"But sir, if Voldemort enters the school – "

"Harry, I assure you that will not happen."

"It will be better to let me go!" Harry's temper was rising; this would not be a pretty sight.

"I will not let you. We do not have time to argue. Minerva and I must warn the students."

The two of them left the room, leaving Harry and I unaccompanied.

Harry said nothing. I felt the rage brew up inside me. It was almost as if they wanted us to go but didn't want us to think that they would place us in danger.

Fuck Dumbledore! Just because he felt too noble to encourage us to fight, didn't mean that I was going to do anything. I would stay put, just like he told me to.

Harry stood up.

"Where the hell are you going?"

"Where do you think?" he said angrily.

"Surely you're not going after Voldemort?"

"You are so thick! Don't you get it? He wanted us to go!"

"Why didn't he say so then?" I yelled.

"Forget it, I'm leaving, I have a prophecy to fulfil. Too many lives have been lost." He turned and walked out of the office.

I sighed and went after him.

AN: Now it's finally getting exciting. Sorry it's been a bit slow, I like to ramble. I'll update as soon as I can.

Please review and I'll love you forever! (By the way, Happy Valentines Day!)