Leonardo Malfoy was sleeping. It had taken three baths full of hot soapy water to scrub the filth from his body. Poppy Pomfrey, not daring to use magic on him had cropped his matted hair to his head with a pair of ordinary muggle scissors. It had taken her hours to fix the many injuries his body had sustained. It seemed that at some point every bone in his body had been broken and despite her skill as a healer there was very little she could do with his ribs, which were now mended but stuck out at sharp angles where they had been smashed.
A small pop alerted her to the arrival of an elderly house-elf carrying a tray of food.
"Good afternoon Bobby. I'm afraid our patient is still asleep."
"Very good Madam Pomfrey. Bobby was just remembering how much Master Leo was enjoying steak and kidney pudding when he was at school here." Poppy narrowed her eyes. It had been strange that until he had been brought to her by Minerva and Harry, she had not remembered Leo Malfoy at all. When she tried to think of him the memories seemed covered in a dust blanket, like furniture in an old house. But as Bobby had spoken, it was as though someone had pulled off the blankets and thrown open the windows.
"Do you remember hi m Bobby?"
"Of course Bobby is remembering Master Leo. He was very kind to us Elves. We was never believing Headmaster Dumbledore when he is saying such things about Master Leo." Strangely at this revelation the Elf did not move to harm itself.
"Things?"
"Yes. Like him being with a muggle girl. Which is meaning he has to be expelled from Hogwarts. And him joining The Dark Lord. He is only going with The Dark Lord to be protecting Master Severus."
"Severus?" The voice was faint and sore from lack of use. Poppy quickly moved over to the bed where her patient's eyes were opening. "Where's Severus? It's a trap. They're in it together. I have to warn him."
"Bobby, please go and get The Headmistress and Mr Potter." The elf stood for a moment, its green eyes unblinking as if it was lost in thought. Then the elf bowed swiftly and disappeared.
"He's dead isn't he?" The blue eyes were burning into her.
"Severus?"
"Yes."
"I'm afraid so."
"And Dumbledore and Riddle?"
"Yes."
"Good." He spat the word. Then he looked down at the blankets. "I can't remember everything. Not yet. But I will."
In Minerva McGonagall's office, Harry was getting more confused by the minute.
"So he's a Warlock? Isn't that just another word for a Wizard?"
"Yes and no. These days people use the term Warlock and Wizard interchangeably. But traditionally there is a clear distinction. A Wizard needs a wand to perform magic. A Warlock does not. Of course some Wizards can perform wand- less magic, but they still draw the power behind that magic from the air. A Warlock's power comes from the earth. "
"So Warlocks are more powerful?"
"Yes. But a true Warlock is very rare the chances are millions to one. Warlocks are feared, with so many superstitions surrounding them. But they don't come into their powers fully until they are eighteen. The last Warlock we know of who lived was Merlin. Imagine being eighteen and suddenly you have power over Life and Death, the power to do whatever you want without needing any Deathly Hallows."
"You'd become a monster? Like Voldemort, only worse."
"Exactly. And most parents made the choice for the greater good. To prevent their child from becoming a monster." She swallowed, looking a little sickened. "Most parents elected to have their child kissed by the Dementors"
Harry blinked, unable to even consider the death of one of his children, without choosing to have the child's soul sucked out.
"So, how did Leonardo Malfoy survive? How did he end up begging on the streets?"
"I can't remember. I really can't."
Harry blinked and looked around the office. For the first time he noticed that Dumbledore's Portrait was empty.
"Professor? Could I... Could I look into your memories?" She regarded him for a moment, her lips pressed into a thin line, then she nodded slowly.