Chapter Ten

"Lightning Has Struck..."

"Another report, Albus." Snape said, slamming a stack of papers on his desk.

"Who?" Dumlbedore asked softly.

"A boy named Samuel." Snape answered.

"Parker?"

"Yes. This one was my fault.." Snape said slowly. "I noticed Draco looking for a way out with Ms. Parkinson and Mr. Burns. I set up a diversion. The Imperious Curse was used last night."

Dumbledore stayed silent for a while as Snape wrote on a piece of paper. "Severus. Your Unbreakable Vow? How?"

Snape dropped his quill as the memory flashed into his head.

"Swear to it. Make the Unbreakable Vow." Bellatrix whispered.

"Get out your wand." Snape hissed.

"I made the Vow to watch over Draco and complete the task if-"

"Draco were to fail." Dumbledore finished. "Draco didn't fail the task. Severus, the Vow should no longer be in effect!"

Snape finished writing the report on Sams death the night before. The images kept repeating in his head. The duel, Sam hitting Amycus with a Knockback Jinx. Professors scattering from the table as Amycus blocked the Green Sparks sent at him. Minerva grabbing Luna and escorting her from the Great Hall. Sam doing whatever Snape wanted him to. Bellatrix emerging inside the Shield and Alecto casting the Killing Curse at Sam, which shattered the massive Shield and hit Sam in the back. The faces of the Professors and students. The uncontrollable cackling of Bellatrix and the faces of anger on both the Carrows. Snape dropped his quill and stood up from the desk, facing the painting of Dumbledore.

"How much longer?" Snape asked, his voice stern, but trembling.

"I-I'm not sure, Severus." Dumbledore said.

"Why? Why is it you're never sure of anything until its too late?" Snape snapped. "I told you I no longer wanted to do this. You insisted, no, you forced me to continue. How much longer, Albus."

"Severus, I-"

"I don't want anymore lives on my hands, Albus!"

"Just a little longer, Severus." Dumbledore said quietly.

"A little longer." Snape mocked.

Snape finished writing the report on Sam before handing it off to an owl to deliver to the Ministry. Snape sat back at his desk, his hand by his head. Alecto sending a green bolt and Sam falling replayed in his head.

"How much longer, Albus?"

"I'm not sure, Severus."

.

.

Draco met with Rick every other day to discuss the new information Rick got from Luna. Sometimes other people would join them, but it was usually just the two of them.

"So aside from Remus, Kingsley, and Bill, I found out Aurors Arthur Weasly and Nymphadora Lupin take part in patrolling the school." Rick said, throwing down a second large sheet of paper.

"Nymphadora married Remus? The werewolf?" Draco asked.

"Sick, right?" Rick said. "All of these Aurors have been avoiding Dementors and Deatheators the entire time!"

"Doesn't surprise me." Draco snarled. "I've seen them all, they're talented."

"That's still a lot of Dementors."

Rick folded the two large sheets of paper and twirled his wand before placing it back on the dusty bookshelf. They left the room, shutting the door quietly behind them.

"BURNS! MALFOY!"

They both turned to see Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan walking towards them, rather quickly. Once they reached them, Dean shoved Rick. Draco stepped back, so did Rick.

"What's the matter, Finnigan?" Draco snarled.

"Wanna act tough now that ya' boyfriends closer?" Rick laughed.

"Stay away from Luna, understand Rick?" Dean growled.

"Piss off, Dean." Rick spat.

"Just back off, alright?" Seamus spoke up. Draco noticed that he and Rick had a similar accent, only Seamus' was stronger.

"Or what?" Rick hissed.

Dean and Seamus pulled their wands out, Rick followed. Draco reached for his, but remembered that Harry Potter had taken it.

"Scared, Malfoy?" Dean mocked.

"In your dreams." Draco snarled.

"Focus on me." Rick demanded, stepping infront of Draco.

"Stupify!" Dean shouted.

"PROTEGO!" Rick said, the purple shield coming in front of him.

Dean and Seamus both threw Hexes at Rick, who kept 'Protego' up. Draco watched helplessly as Rick deflected all of the spells thrown at him. Draco watched for an easy two minutes, Rick barely breaking a sweat. Draco looked over to see an owl land on a window ledge, a large package in its beak. It was Narcissas owl! Draco ran towards it, dodgine a Hex sent by Seamus. Draco grabbed the package from the owl and opened it.

Draco,

I noticed Harry take your wand the other night. I hadn't thought about it bu you will need one. In the package is my wand, you will need it more than me. Things will be changing soon and you will need it to protect yourself.

-Narcissa Malfoy.

Draco looked to see his mothers wand. He pulled it out of the small box and thanked the owl before running to Ricks aid.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Draco yelled.

Dean blocked the spell, and Rick dropped his shield when he saw Draco. Rick released an offensive fury against Dean and Seamus, both were having a hard time blocking. Draco sent a few Hexes at Seamus, who stumbled backwards. The variety of colors lit up the poorly lit hallways. It was as if the Weasly twins had set off more fireworks. Draco was amazed at what Rick was capable of, and how fast he was as well.

"You four!" The voice of Professor Sprout echoed down the hall.

"Stop!" Amycus ran infront of Sprout, making for the four.

They all stopped and took off down the hall. Dean and Seamus took off down a flight of stairs, Rick not far behind. Draco ran down a separate hall, Amycus throwing Hexes at him.

"STOP, MALFOY!" Amycus demanded.

Draco ignored his order. Amycus sent a Hex at him, but Draco blocked it and kept running. Draco made it to the moving staircases, but Amycus was right behind him. He turned around to see the Deatheater with his wand over his head, mid spell.

"Everte Statum!" Draco shouted.

Amycus flew back and groaned when he hit the floor. Amycus got back up as Draco ran halfway down one staircase, but it wasnt moving. Draco jumped onto another staircase and ran down it. Amycus flicked his wand and a piece of the safety rail infront of Dracos hand exploded. Draco fell and rolled down the rest of the staircase. He got back to his feet and sent a Hex at Amycus before runninng through a door. Draco sprinted down the hallway, not knowing how he would get out of trouble when Amycus eventually caught up to him. Draco felt a hand grab his shoulder and pull him behind a statue. Draco looked over to see Rick, his eyes wide.

"Draco, we have to get to Snapes office, NOW!" Rick said. "Potters here!"

They ran through the halls paying no attention to the spells Amycus sent their way. Amycus twirled his wand and a statue exploded, causing Rick to let out a scream.

"You two... are in so much trouble!" Amycus snarled, still trying to catch his breath.

"We need to get to Snape!" Draco said.

"For what?" Amycus snapped.

"To report Dean and Seamus." Rick whispered. "They attacked us for no reason!"

"Nonsense!" Amycus said. "You'll go to Bellatrix for assaulting me!"

Amycus snatched Rick to his feet and shoved him forward. Amycus glared at Draco, who walked beside Rick. Rick was holding his right arm, the statue Amycus made explode must've cut it. There was blood everywhere. On their way to the Headmistress' office, the trio was stopped my Professor McGonagall.

"Excuse me, where are these boys being escorted to?" McGonagall asked.

"Bellatrix. These two attacked me!" Amycus sneered.

"I'm sorry to inform you that Hogwarts Protocal states that injured students are to be escorted to Madam Pomfrey, regardless of the given situation." McGonagall snapped.

"I'm sure Rick can wait." Amycus said, glaring at the Professor.

"It's Hogwarts Protocal."

"Fine, take Rick. I'll escort Draco to his aunt." Amycus said, shoving Rick into McGonagall.

"I can't carry Rick all the way to the hospital! Draco will have to come along!" McGonagall said as she pulled Draco towards her. "You've got a class to teach anyway."

McGonagall escorted Rick to Pomfrey, his face was starting to turn white. She then lead Draco to Snapes office door. She urged him inside before rushing away. Draco turned to face the door. He wiped sweat from his forehead before shoving the door to Snapes office open. When he entered, Snape and Bellatrix were standing face-to-face, but they both turned to look at Draco at the same time.

"Lightning has struck..." Draco said slowly. "Potter's here.

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