Chapter Fourteen

Stop this train
I wanna get off and go home again
I can't take this speed it's moving at
I know I can't
But honestly,
Won't someone stop this train
-John Mayer

(Draco Malfoy)

My eyes opened slowly. I felt like they'd been held down by concrete or something even heavier than that. I groaned a little, an ache spreading through my head, all the way down into my right shoulder and my back. I tried to move my right arm but it screamed in protest so I let it be. I gazed around the room fuzzily, trying to remember where I was. It was bright and freezing, but it wasn't the Hospital wing.

"You're awake."

I jumped and immediately regretted it. "Ah, damn it, Potter. Put a bell around your neck or something," I moaned, my voice hoarse.

He grinned, entering my field of vision. "We've been taking turns watching you. You've been out for a couple of days. It's not surprising. You were hurt a lot worse than we thought. Your back took some serious healing. Oh, and Ginny accidentally dislocated your shoulder when you passed out."

"Bloody strong girl," I muttered, a bit more amused than angry.

'They said you felt like a corpse when the pulled you in. Your temperature had dropped substantially. When we got you here, though, it spiked and you were sick for a couple of days. No one knows why that happened, but Hermione says it was probably shock."

I brushed some hair out of my eyes with my left hand, not wanting to ask the next question. "What happened after I passed out?"

"Well, we put you in the hospital wing first, but your temperature wouldn't rise, no matter what we did. The school was evacuated not long after that anyway, so the Order of the Phoenix decided that we'd take care of where you'd go. I think Snape referred it to your mother. She wasn't able to come for fear they found out where you were."

"I understand," I said softly. "Go on."

Harry sighed, lacing his fingers. "There were some students killed that night. Ernie went down. Hannah's had a very hard time with it. She won't talk to anyone. Alicia Spinnet did too. And…" He seemed to have difficulty saying it. "Pansy Parkinson died too."

I was overcome with shock. "What? Pansy?"

"Yeah," Harry sighed. "She practically lost her mind. She was screaming out at the Death Eaters. She was hysterical. They wanted to shut her up. It was awful."

There was a bit of sadness lingering in my mind, but I couldn't get over the shock. "I never expected…"

"I know," Harry replied gently.

"What else?" I asked, not wanting to think about it anymore. "What else happened?"

"Parents were outraged about everything - well, some of them - and the Prophet's having a hay-day. It's ridiculous. School will be closed for awhile. Dumbledore tried to explain though. The only reason the Death Eaters got in was because of Salazar Slytherin. He was able to get them past the wards no problem, because he made those wards and that school."

The memory of his face came rushing back to me and I felt sick again. "How did he--"

"Hermione looked it up," Harry cut in, knowing exactly what I was going to ask. "It took a lot of work to get it. It was in the Restricted Section."

He set a large, dusty, leather-bound book on the bed and opened it, flipping through the pages. "What we figure happened was… Salazar Slytherin died, and someone placed his soul in an object - we haven't figured out what - and it was saved there for quite sometime. Then Voldemort took hold of it when he was still at school, when he was Tom Riddle, and kept it until you were born."

"Why me?" I asked softly, more to myself than to him.

"We figure Lucius offered you to be Salazar's soul-holder," Harry said, answering me. I didn't want him to answer.

"So he took the soul from whatever it was in and placed it within me? Why didn't he just keep it in the locket?"

"Because the soul had no life within it if it remained in something inanimate. It could take on some of your life if it was within your body, thus could be brought to power when needed. When Voldemort went looking for Salazar's corpse, he activated the soul. That's when you started dreaming."

I sighed. "Bloody hell…"

"Your mother never knew-"

"Of course she didn't, Potter!" I snapped, feeling pain lash at my shoulder and spine. "She never knew because Father never told her anything. He just offered up his family because he was so bloody scared--"

I stopped there because I didn't want to start crying in front of Potter. I lay back against the pillow and closed my eyes.

"Anything else?"

"Well, if you like, you're welcome to stay at the Burrow with us. We think you'd be safer among Order members."

"What the hell is the Order of Phoenix?"

"It's an underground organization made to fight Voldemort. It's kind of like Dumbledore's Army."

"Snape's in it, right?"

"Yeah."

"That's what I thought. I guess I could stay there. There's no way I can go home now…"

I could feel pity emanating from Harry. "…Get some rest."

I dropped off immediately.

…

It had been a few more days before I felt up to getting out of bed and walking around. St. Mungo's discharged me when I started complaining. I was putting on an overly-large green shirt over some baggy gray pants when the door opened.

"Those close are much too big."

"I've lost some weight since I've been here. I can't eat the putrid food, and I was sick a lot of the time I was here. I still have a touch of fever. I can still hardly move around. I'm bloody sore. How are you, Snape?"

"I'm surprised you're not angry with me," he replied.

"No. I understand the reasoning behind your disappearance. It would've destroyed your cover. Did you have any idea that would happen?"

"No, I hadn't heard a word. The Dark Lord's been oddly vague in his messages as of late. I think he's suspicious of me. I'll have to start lurking around him more for awhile. I'll get information to you as soon as possible."

"Mum okay?" I asked, trying to straighten the ridiculously wide collar of my shirt.

"She wasn't very happy, but she's doing better now. She hates not getting to see you at Christmas, but she sent this with me to give to you."

He handed me a small box, wrapped in green paper. That's right, I thought. Christmas has passed.

"May I?" I asked, looking to him.

"It doesn't matter to me."

I opened the box, then stood there, awed. "Bloody hell…"

"What is it?" Snape asked.

It was a silver pocket watch with D. M. engraved onto the front. I pulled it out and held it in the palm of my hand. I opened it to see another inscription. With Love, Mum.

"Oh…" I murmured, suddenly overcome with loneliness and sadness.

Snape put a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry you can't see her."

"It's… okay. Just… take care of her okay?"

"I will," he said. "I've got to go now. The Weasleys are waiting for you outside. I honestly never thought I'd say that."

He mused on that for a second then disappeared behind the door. I wiped a tear from my cheek, shook myself a bit, and headed in pursuit, my slippers gliding against the floor. I moved slowly down the hallway, still slow due to an extremely sore back, and moved around the corner where the reception was. There they were, the Weasleys, looking very Weasley-like and cheery. Well, most of them. I sighed, trying to keep track of everyone.

Molly, the mother. Arthur, the father. Fred, George, Ginny, and Ron, of course. Then Harry and Hermione. There were more, I knew, but they weren't among the crowd. Molly approached, looking maternal.

"Oh, look at you. You look like you could spend more time here." Something about her voice warmed me up a bit. Perhaps it was because I was missing my own mother.

"I'll be fine… but thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

"Fred and George and Harry have already gotten your bags. Do you think you can handle the Floo network?"

I nodded slowly. Ginny walked over slowly and offered to help my along. I waved it off, not wanting her to feel guilty about hurting my arm. Mr. Weasley threw the powder into the fireplace, turning it an electric green, and we all piled in together. It was a tight, embarrassing fit. I was pushed up right between Ginny and Hermione. Like I said, embarrassing. Soon, however, we had made it to the Burrow and I stepped out, gazing around the room.

I had never been inside the Weasleys' home before, but the moment I arrived, I felt full of warmth. There was just something that made it cozy, something that made me want to curl up in an armchair and read or write or sleep. I doubted I could do much writing though with the sharp pains in my shoulder still.

"Where'd you get those clothes, Draco? They're bloody huge," Ginny said, grinning.

"I've had them. I usually wear them when I don't feel like moving a lot," I replied honestly. "My Mum gave me some big clothes after I had a Quidditch accident and she said bigger clothes would make it easier to make it around the house."

Ginny's grin turned into a delicate smile. "I guess it makes you think of her, hm?"

I shifted, uncomfortable. "You all fit in here?"

"It's tight, but we fit," Ginny laughed. "It brings us together. You'd be surprised how many people we can fit in this little place."

"Your room's up here," Harry said, following Ron up the stairs.

"Oh… okay…" I said, feeling awkward. I realized how many Gryffindors surrounded me.

It took me a bit longer to get up the stairs than the others, but I made it on my own. I got to stay in Percy Weasley's old room. Harry and Ron were going to stay in the attic bedroom. Hermione would stay with Ginny. I'm by myself, I mused. I wasn't happy or unhappy about it. Mrs. Weasley had just finished dusting the room, and she looked quite depressed as she straightened the comforter on the bed. She hadn't seen me. I cleared my throat.

"Oh, oh dear. Did you find your way alright?" She jumped suddenly, trying to smile, but her eyes were still sad.

"Yes. It's fine." You should see my house. You can get lost in there much more easily. "Thank you for taking me in on such short notice."

"Oh, dear, it's no problem at all!" she said, chuckling, looking merry again and reminding me of Ginny.

She began to shuffle past me and I turned. "Um… Mrs. Weasley?"

She turned. "Yes?"

"You really don't mind me being here?" I couldn't understand how trusting she was.

"Don't worry, dearie. Harry filled us in and the Order met about it. We offered. There's always plenty of room here. Dinner will be in a couple of hours."

I watched her go, feeling lonely, then moved into a room that was not mine to begin unpacking my bags.

…

I was lying on Percy Weasley's bed, staring at the ceiling. My clothes had been unpacked and put away, but I kept one, small, brown leather bag packed with a few things, just in case I decided to run. My thoughts were lingering on Slytherin, that gruesome, corpse-like face, smirking at me in such superiority, and the fear I felt, deep down inside my stomach, churning and tightening my gut. I was still running a very low-grade fever that made sweat beads pop on my forehead, but it wasn't bothering me much.

What stuck out most in my mind, however, was my father. His face, pale and silent, watching me as I struggled with life. I rubbed my neck absent-mindedly, brushing against the large bruise Slytherin's hand had made. I gulped. I can't believe what happened… and Hogwarts…It hurt to think that Hogwarts had been evacuated. It had always radiated safety, and I had done a lot there within the past months. I was almost sad to know that it was empty, and I was also intrigued. What will Salazar Slytherin do if he gets inside Hogwarts?

I shook my head, deciding to think more on it later. Mrs. Weasley was calling the family down for dinner. Fred and George had already left for the flat above their shop, but had managed to get one of their Basic Blaze Boxes inside my suitcase (scared me quite a bit when fireworks went off in my room) when they had brought them to my room. I would have been angry, but when Mrs. Weasley grew furious at the twins' antics, I couldn't help but be impressed by their handiwork. I was a prankster myself, of course.

I lumbered down the stairs, which were only two flights for me, rather than five for Ron and Harry, and I made it to the table right after Hermione and Ginny. I sat across from them. Molly had dishes floating all around the kitchen, cooking and cleaning themselves. It was probably one of the most wonderful smells my nose had ever come in contact with. It wasn't like Malfoy Manor at all, but it was no better, no worse. I had just never had home-cooked food before, not by a mother, just by house elves. Mother would make soup or hot chocolate now and then, but never a full meal.

"'Ay, Mum, what's for dinner?" Ron asked, slouching up to the table and sitting across from me. Harry took a spot next to him, looking deep in thought.

"Oh! Mince pie, chicken and ham pie, boiled potatoes, and some homemade fudge for desert!" she chirruped as the plates floated over to the table and landed in front of us. "You don't mind that, do you, dear?"

I didn't realize she was talking to me right away, but I shook my head. "N-no, ma'am. Of course not. It looks quite good."

Merlin, it was awkward. Everyone else felt so at home there, I could see it, but I felt alienated and lost. I wasn't sure what to do. I sighed, then took a bite. It was incredible - there's no other word to describe it. I think I ate more than my fill that night. It had been so long since I had eaten anything substantial and I felt empty. Soon enough I was so full I was afraid I'd vomit if I had one more bit of fudge, so I refused her third offer of it.

Ginny began collecting dishes and moved off into the kitchen. She seemed a bit irritated with me, but I wasn't surprised. I wasn't exactly being welcoming, and with her mother around to do all the mothering, she didn't really have to. I excused myself from the table (and got funny looks, which I wasn't sure as to why), and headed up the stairs.

"You know, Malfoy," Ron's voice caught my ear as he followed up behind, "You don't have to be all polite and the like. It's a bit weird."

I turned. "That's how I leave the table at my house."

"Well, unlike you, we don't live in a huge castle," Ron replied, sounding slightly bitter. "We're a bit more tight-nit, so don't go crazy with the manners. You'll fit in better without them."

He headed up another flight. I followed, amused.

"Is the famous, bad language, Potter's sidekick, Ronald Weasley actually being nice to me?"

"Don't get used to it or anything."

I continued to follow, much to his protests. "Let's see this room of yours."

"Oh, bugger off, Malfoy," Ron groaned, obviously regretting his previous statement.

I smirked at him, having fun. "What? Afraid of what I'll see? Dirty magazines or what?"

"Wouldn't think someone like you would be interested even if they were there."

"So?" I muttered, annoyed.

He grinned. "You like the Chudley Cannons?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"My rooms full of 'em. Enter if you will."

We made it to the fifth floor and opened the door with Ronald on the front.

End Chapter Fourteen

(Author's Note: Another fast chapter, and a much better filler than last time, I must say. I don't have much to say right now, but I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading!)