Finally back from my holidays! I meant to do some writing whilst I was away and I think I managed about a page. I got distracted by cocktails and sunshine!
Anyway, here's chapter thirteen. Hope you guys enjoy :)

Chapter thirteen

Malfoy

Malfoy checked over his shoulder for what like the hundredth time that evening as he made his way quickly down the empty corridor. He glanced at the note in his hand once more and then screwed it into a tight ball and shoved it in his pocket. A creaking door caught his attention for a few moments but he didn't dare stop for long. Keeping Death Eaters waiting wasn't the brightest idea. The room of requirement snuck up on him and before he knew it a small concealed door was carving itself into the castle wall. Draco paused for a few seconds, doubt creeping through him. He brushed it off quickly and pushed open the door. As it swung shut behind him the door vanished and the cold castle wall was back in place. Nobody would know he was here.

The room that had been created for him was large and empty with a single fireplace in the corner. The flames flickered brightly, enticing him over. Unsure what to do he knelt before it and sat back, waiting.

It was nearly ten minutes later that the fireplace finally came to life. Malfoy sprung forwards onto his knees and, with a bright burst of orange that nearly singed the hair from his face, Avery's face appeared before him.

'What is it?' Malfoy asked the face in the fire quickly. 'What's happening? Why aren't you going to St Mungos anymore?'

'Change of plans,' Avery said quietly. A pained expression groomed his face. Malfoy frowned.

'You were never going to St Mungos, were you?' He asked. 'You were trying to keep the castle clear of Order members.'

'Smart kid,' Avery said.

'There are not enough of you to take the castle,' Malfoy told him. 'And the enchantments are too powerful for you to do any serious damage.'

'They don't want the school,' Avery told him. 'They want the boy.'

Malfoy's eyes grew wide. 'You're going to try to kill him now? Here? And what do you mean 'they?' Avery, what's going on?'

'Look, I shouldn't even be here, Draco. Things have changed. The Death Eaters have changed. A few of the new recruits have decided they want to do things differently. We're following orders from a higher power now.'

'The Dark Lord – he's not back… surely.'

Avery shook his head. 'No, he's got nothing on the Dark Lord. But this guy has managed to convince everyone to follow him. They all believe in him, they all trust him which is something Lord Voldemort never had. I don't know what's going on – it's like he's managed to brainwash everyone. We've got no idea who this clown is. We're stuck Draco and we've got no choice in the matter. They're coming here tonight and they're planning to take the boy.'

'Then what do you want with me?' Malfoy asked.

'They want you to lead them to Gryffindor tower – you know the school.'

'I can't!' Malfoy stammered. 'I don't know how to get into the tower and there are still teachers here protecting the students. I can't just lead a load of Death Eaters through the castle!'

'It wouldn't be wise to tell that to them when the turn up. You need to figure out a way to either get out of this, or do as they say.'

'I can't lead them to the tower,' Malfoy said quietly. 'You know I can't.

Avery nodded.

'Cause a diversion – a distraction. Anything that will mean the Death Eaters won't be able to get through. I'll say you fire called me to tell warn off the attack.' Avery looked at Draco for a few moments. 'You won't be able to come back to school after this, you know that.'

Malfoy gave an awkward nod.

'You have a choice though Draco,' Avery said. 'You're still a minor; you've been away at school. These new guys don't know you all that well. You could run away. You could escape.'

'I'm not going to run away,' Malfoy said darkly. 'I have come too far to just abandon everything now.'

Avery sighed. 'Please make sure you've thought this through. Coming to us will be…hard.'

'I know,' Malfoy said. 'I'm ready.'

'If you're sure…then go. Do whatever needs to be done.'

Malfoy gave a quick nod and then got to his feet.

'Draco – it's going to need to be something big.'

Avery gave a pained smile and then the embers burnt into nothing. The fire extinguished leaving a cold black smoke in its wake. Malfoy thought to himself for a few seconds. Something big….

Harry didn't need to wait long for the shadow to reveal itself. He'd followed it down several corridors and flights of stairs to the familiar spot where you would find the room of requirement. He'd had to stop and throw himself behind pillars and round corners every few moments as Mrs Norris and Filch were patrolling the corridors frequently. He'd almost walked straight into Professor McGonagall who Harry assumed was on her way to check he was in Gryffindor tower. He gave a slight grimace. Goodness only knows what punishment she was going to dish out when she discovered he wasn't there and had decided to follow a strange shadow through the castle instead. No – not a strange shadow. Malfoy.

He hung back and watched as Malfoy checked over his shoulder again, as a door appeared in the middle of the wall and as Malfoy made his way inside. Harry knew better than to try and follow. The room of requirement would never allow him entry and who knows what spells or hexes it would dish out if he were to try. Instead, he sat back against the wall opposite and waited.

'Harry!'

Harry leapt to his feet at the sound of his name. Believing McGonagall had found him he had an excuse on the tip of his tongue, when Hermione and Neville rounded the corner.

'What are you guys doing? You should be in the tower!'

Hermione stopped walking and folded her arms. 'Really? And where do you think you should be, Harry? You heard what Remus said!'

'Yes I heard,' Harry said. 'But the Order isn't here. If Malfoy is up to something then I could stop him.'

'How do you know it's Malfoy?' Neville asked.

'He went into the room of requirement,' Harry said. 'He's in there now. I know it's him.'

'Please, Harry, come back to the tower.'

Harry shook his head. 'I'm not going until I know it's safe. I will not sit back and watch as Malfoy leads a bunch of Death Eaters into the castle!'

As Neville and Hermione shared pained glances the door on the opposite side of the wall began to force itself into existence again.

'He's coming out,' Harry whispered. He pulled his wand from his trouser pocket and strode forwards with a determined glare on his face. Hermione raced after him.

'Harry for goodness sake, this is ridiculous!'

Harry ignored her and stood his ground. The door opened slowly and Malfoy emerged, completely consumed by his thoughts. He didn't notice the three of them stood directly in front of him at first until Harry cleared his throat and pointed his wand directly into Malfoy's face.

'Potter!' Malfoy's voice was strangled. 'Granger, Longbottom. Why aren't you in your common room?'

Harry frowned. 'I was about to ask you the same question, Malfoy. What the hell are you up to?'

'What business is it of yours?' Malfoy snapped, moving to walk past them. Harry blocked his path easily.

'I know you're leading Death Eaters here,' Harry said.

Malfoy threw back his head and laughed. 'Well you've caught me,' he said, holding his hands up. 'That's exactly what I'm doing. Look at the long line of Death Eaters stood behind me.'

'Don't be smart,' Harry said coldly. 'Tell me what you're up too!'

'You're in way over your head,' Malfoy said. 'Stay out of what doesn't concern you, Potter or one day you're going to end up getting yourself killed. Now move out of my way.'

Harry shook his head. Hermione grabbed Harry's shoulder.
'Please, Harry, let's just go.'

Neville gave a nod of agreement. 'I think he's telling the truth, Harry,' he said nervously.

'He's lying,' Harry snarled. 'What were you doing in there? Why are you hiding out in the room of requirement?'

'Move out of my way, Potter,' Malfoy said again. His eyes roamed over the figures of Hermione and Neville and a cold thought passed through his mind. Something big Avery had told him. He needed a distraction after all. Something that would cause all the teachers to come to this part of the castle…
He swallowed the anxious lump that had appeared in the back of his throat. Needs must, he told himself. He pulled his wand from his robes and held it limply at his side. Hermione's eyes watched his movements suspiciously.

'Move now Potter or I shall make you move.'

Harry grinned. 'Try me.'

With one fluid movement, Malfoy had pointed his wand not towards Harry, but had aimed for Hermione instead. One spell came into his head and he shouted it loudly before it escaped him.

'Sectumsempra!' he bellowed.

With a look of complete shock, Hermione was thrown backwards into the air and against the wall behind them. She sunk to the floor limply; blood was already beginning to pool from the several wounds that had torn into her body.

Harry staggered backwards slightly; he tried to call her name but found his tongue firmly stuck to the roof of his mouth. An intense rage raced through him. With sluggish movements, he turned to look at Neville who was already by Hermione's side, desperately trying to staunch the steady flow of blood.

'Harry! Get help!' Neville cried. When Harry didn't move Neville cried again. 'HARRY!'

But Harry was frozen to the spot. Only one thought was occupying his mind, consuming him entirely and it wasn't about getting help.

'Leave him!' Neville shouted as Harry took a step forward.

Harry turned to Neville. 'I can't,' he said desperately. 'I can't just let him go. '

Before he knew what he was doing, he'd spun on his heels and charged up the corridor towards Malfoy who was already sprinting in the direction of the Great Hall. He heard Neville calling desperately after him and was sure he saw the familiar flash of a Patronus before he rounded the corner away from his injured friend.

'STUPEFY!' Harry yelled frantically. His spell missed target, rebounded off a portrait and narrowly missed hitting him in the face.

Filled with a surge of adrenaline, Harry charged at Malfoy from behind and knocked him clean off his feet. The impact tore the breath out of them both and they tumbled to the floor in a heap. Harry righted himself quickly and grabbed Malfoy around the throat. Malfoy's eyes grew wide in terror and he began to struggle furiously. Snarling and filled with a burning desire for revenge, Harry forced his fist firmly into Malfoy's face. There was an impressive spurt of blood and a loud crack as his nose crumbled beneath Harry's fist. Malfoy cried out and tried to pull his hands up to his face. Harry followed up with another swift punch, stopping him in his tracks.

'I'LL KILL YOU!' Harry bellowed furiously, his grip tightening around Malfoy's throat. 'IF SHE'S DEAD I'LL KILL YOU!'

Malfoy tried to speak but his airway was so constricted all he could do was gurgle. Harry lifted his head and slammed it back down onto the concrete floor.

'What were you doing?' he cried. 'In the room of requirement? TELL ME!'

Malfoy's head made contact with the ground again.

'TELL ME!'

'HARRY! What're you doing?' Someone was suddenly bellowing in his ears. Harry didn't even have to try to ignore it. He was lost in his own world; his fist was almost working instinctively, pounding all his frustrations, anxieties and worries out into the pale face now lying still beneath him.

'For merlins' sake, Harry! STOP!'

A pair of strong arms wound their way around his chest and tugged sharply. Harry fell backwards and his hands broke contact with Malfoy. He struggled against the iron grip.

'HE KILLED HER! HE'S KILLED HERMIONE!' Harry bellowed again, trying to thrust his elbows backwards into whoever had hold of him.

'Hermione isn't dead, do you hear me?' the voice said. They gave Harry a hard shake. 'I don't want to stun you, Harry, but I will if you don't calm down!'

Slowly, the world began to resume its normal colour and focus. The cloud of sheer fury was abating and Harry found that he was once again able to concentrate on things around him. He looked down and found several people surrounding Malfoy's eerily still body. He hadn't noticed them before. He was on his feet now, someone had managed to drag him upright, and there was still that iron grip around his chest holding him back. Harry let out a heavy breath and unclenched his shaking fists.

Sensing that he was finally at ease, the arms released him and turned Harry around firmly. Harry didn't need to look up to see who it was.
Remus didn't need to say anything either. He turned his back and began to walk in the direction of his classroom.

Harry followed obediently.