Chapter 21 Shift?
Author notes : I am very humbled by your amazing responses to the last chapter. A very big thank you to my beta Eidya1. Wish I can hear from all those of you who are following my story or have favorited it! It would be nice to visualize a tone with the words….. (Sigh!!) Well that's just me asking for a review yet again!
The silence in the hospital wing was deafening as everyone stood stunned in the wake of Bellatrix's exit. Everyone turned to Dumbledore as he took control of the situation. He turned to Professor McGonagall "Minerva, can you please direct the students back to their dorms and ensure that all students return to their dormitories until further notice? Filius and Pomona can help you with their houses. I would however, request you to handle the Slytherins as well seeing as Severus would be undoubtedly delayed" he said his voice calm and clear.
Once the students followed Professor McGonagall out, Dumbledore turned to those inside the hospital wing. But before he could proceed further, he was interrupted by the sound of running footsteps as Harry and Ron ran into the infirmary.
"Hermione are you alright? We heard that there was an attack…" Harry burst in breathing heavily, and ran to Hermione's side. Harry cast a worried look at her, searching for injuries while she sought to reassure them that she was uninjured. "What happened?" he asked but before Hermione could reply Dumbledore intervened.
"Boys, Miss Granger is indeed fine but we have other things to take care of right now. I am sure she will fill you in once we tend to other issues. You may be here for the time being" he said and turned to Severus Snape. "Severus, we have to attend to Lucius. Please release him from the petrificus and contact the Auror department, if you will" he instructed.
Harry and Ron cast a horrified as well as a curious look at Hermione but refrained from commenting, as they watched Severus get ready to do the needful. They also looked at Draco warily without knowing how to react, considering that they did not know any details yet. For once they had no clue as to what had happened.
Severus Snape moved to find a floo when he was stopped by Draco's soft voice. "Professor, he will need medical attention. The curse I used"…he trailed off a look of anguish flashing for a moment before it became a mask again. Harry and Ron exchanged a look. What? Draco had used a curse on his father?
Dumbledore assimilated the information and turned to Severus Snape "On second thoughts, call in Poppy first Severus" he said.
Dumbledore then turned to Draco who noticed the hint of disapproval in the headmaster's eyes. "What curse did you use, ? Perhaps we can prevent the damage" he said.
Draco sat down shakily on the bed and held his head in his hands "I used Organum aruspices!" he murmured in a tortured whisper.
"What??" the shocked exclamation erupted from Poppy Pomfrey as she immediately moved into action. She had just come into the vicinity after having treated Cho Chang. On seeing the enquiring glance of the headmaster she replied "the girl is alright. She is sleeping and will not wake for another few hours. It is mostly rest that she needs. It is who might need immediate attention, considering that curse".
"We might not have much time if the curse has already started to spread. Severus release the man from the bind and levitate him onto a bed will you?" she called out crisply as Severus stepped in to act as directed. He was startled as well, that curse was a borderline dark arts spell.
As Poppy started a series of diagnostic scans and the corresponding remedial action Dumbledore beckoned to Draco. He sat beside the teen and asked in a firm but not an unkind voice "Draco why did you use the spell, you do know" … It's a dark curse, yes I know" Draco finished, his voice coming out low and dull.
"May I ask how you came into the knowledge of that curse?" Dumbledore persisted "and how you are able to cast it? Not many people can use that spell effectively".
Draco looked at Dumbledore while other things registered at the periphery of his mind. He saw the shocked and disapproving look on Hermione's face and he could not ignore the small tendril of guilt that wound its way into his gut.
He was discomfited by the feeling, as he had never really sought anyone's approval for his actions before. She was the only one who had not judged him and it hurt to realize that she might be disappointed in him.
The Weasel had a distrustful look on his face which was to be expected but he was thrown by the calm look on the Golden boy's face. He had expected to find recrimination, being the savior of the wizarding world and all that but it was not so. It was a confusing reaction that Draco did not want to dwell on just then.
He took a deep breath and looked around. There was no excuse for this; he had in full conscience used a dark arts spell. He looked at Dumbledore "well I have Lucius Malfoy for a father, what can I say?" he said with a flippant note but at Dumbledore's stern look he amended. "There are a lot of books on the dark arts at the Manor and I may have looked through them." He said in a non committal tone.
"So you are a dark wizard then" Ron burst out a note of triumph in his voice. Draco looked at him with disdain and drawled in his icy Malfoy tone "You obviously don't know the difference between reading and using, Weasel" He snapped unable to contain his ire. "And you would be able to use a spell just by reading huh ferret?" Ron retorted.
It was actually a valid argument but Draco was not going to give the Weasel a point. He garnered himself for a cutting reply, lapsing into his old persona when Dumbledore interrupted with a question of his own "While 's language might be wanting, he does have a point" he said.
Draco let out the breath he was holding and said "I don't know, Professor. I have never used this spell earlier, just read about it. I know how powerful my father's spells are and I knew that the regular spells would not hold especially as we just had Hermione's wand. It was an instinctive reaction. But I did feel that the spells I cast carried more power than before. Perhaps it's the bond" he explained.
"This is just ridiculous, I mean nobody can just read and execute spells on the first try. You expect us to believe that ferret and by the way who gave you permission to use Hermione's name?" Ron exclaimed incredulously, a touch of anger lacing his tone.
Draco got ready to respond but he was interrupted by the arrival of Severus and Poppy. Dumbledore turned to Poppy "How is he?" he asked referring to Lucius Malfoy and Draco felt a jolt of fear run through him. For the first time the enormity of what he had done hit him. If his father, scratch that, if Lucius died, Azkaban might be a very real proposition. The thought terrified him but he did not dare express it.
He held his breath as Poppy said "He will be fine Albus. We caught the curse before it could damage any organs. He can be enervated in an hour but my ethics demand that I tell you that the man needs to be in bed for at least another day. Again I also understand that the law needs to be involved so I leave you to deal with it" she said making her exit as Dumbledore nodded his understanding.
"What is this curse anyway?" Ron asked looking at the room at large. Severus sneered and replied in his drawl "it's an organ entrailing curse" on hearing which Ron turned a sickly green.
"eww…." He said with a grimace and turned to his friends to see the same expression on their faces. Hermione had screwed her nose while Harry looked a little green himself.
Dumbledore however stood up signaling the end of the discussion and made his way to where Lucius lay. Severus followed closely while Draco lingered behind. Harry moved forward a bit but stopped halfway through as if he had second thoughts. All of them had a clear view of the proceedings however.
Dumbledore went up to the bed and looked down on the form of Lucius Malfoy and nodded to Severus Snape. Severus nodded in return, knowing what Dumbledore wanted and cast Incarcerous binding the unconscious man in ropes.
"Perhaps we should summon the Aurors before he wakes up. Severus, would you do the honors?" Dumbledore mused. "That would be advisable" Severus agreed and went in search of a floo that he could use to contact Kingsley Shacklebolt. The man was a member of the Order as well as the head Auror after all.
He returned in record time "I have let Shacklebolt know, he will be here shortly with a team of his men. I recommend that these three" he said gesturing to Harry, Ron and Hermione "return to the tower before the Aurors come. We don't need any more drama" he added drily.
"Good" Dumbledore responded before adding "The aurors however might need Miss Granger for questioning as she was at the site of the action and I assume that Harry and will not leave her side". Harry and Ron nodded at the words and moved to stand resolutely by Hermione's side.
He then proceeded to wake up Lucius Malfoy. "Enervate" he called out softly and watched the grey eyes spring open. There was confusion in his eyes for just a moment before turning ice cold. He looked around and his eyes reflected his suppressed rage when they rested on Draco and became decidedly glacial as he saw Severus Snape.
"I need to speak with Draco" he demanded in his customary drawl, devoid of any expression. Draco tensed as Dumbledore spoke "I am sure that whatever you would want to speak with him can be done so in our presence" in a firm voice, not giving any quarter for negotiation.
"Then know this" Lucius Malfoy said knowing a lost cause when he heard one… "Henceforth he is not a Malfoy. He has no claim to the name and everything else that comes with it. Without me he will be nothing, nothing. I will make sure of it" he spat venom spitting in his tone and eyes. He then looked directly at Draco and hissed in a menacing voice "You fancy yourself to be a better man than me but by using this curse you have proved yourself to be tainted just as I. You can never be free, never".
Draco unconsciously stepped back from the raw hatred emanating from Lucius but was saved with the sound of footsteps and the entry of the aurors. They wasted no time in hauling Lucius Malfoy away after casting a disillusionment charm on him, even though there were no students in the corridors. Dumbledore sighed in relief and turned to the students in the room.
"Sorry to be asking this so late, but how are you Draco?" he asked softly. "I am fine Sir," Draco replied and continued in a tense tone, not willing to let on that his father's words had hit hard. "What will happen now, regarding the dark curse I mean?" he asked.
He clenched his fists and was aware of Hermione moving closer to him as if to show her support. He was grateful for her presence as Dumbledore took a deep breath.
"It is a matter to be deliberated at length. It would have been damning if the curse had come from your wand but we are fortunate that the curse was cast from Lucius's wand. So for the time being no charges will be carried against you but I would advise you to refrain from using such spells in the future".
Draco let out the breath that he had been holding and sunk onto the bed wearily. "But how can we explain the curse hitting him?" asked Draco and then answered his own question "we could say that his curse rebounded when it hit our shield". The answer came out tentative as he looked at Hermione. She had to corroborate if the story was to pass muster.
"What? He uses a dark curse and goes scot free just like that?" Ron asked indignantly. Hermione spoke up for the first time in a long while "and if he had not I would not be here Ron. Is punishing him more important than my life?" she asked quietly.
Ron sputtered unable to respond as Harry stepped in "While I might have not used a dark curse I would have tried my best to hold Lucius off at any cost .When you are fighting for your life you don't always think straight. I am with you this time Malfoy" he said as Hermione gave a smile. She knew that he was thinking of the unforgiveable that Harry had cast against Bellatrix at the Ministry of Magic.
"Thank you Potter" Draco said while at the same time remained tense at the Weasel's reaction. The Weasel could upset the cart all by himself. "Fine" Ron allowed grudgingly "although I doubt that you thought of Hermione's welfare I will let it go, not for you ferret but because I stand with my friends".
Dumbledore beamed with the customary twinkle as the aurors trooped back in. They took the account of the incident from both Draco and Hermione and spent some time speaking to Dumbledore, taking his view and opinion. They informed Dumbledore that Lucius will be held at Azkaban and then tried for his crimes.
They also wanted to have a word with Severus Snape at which point Dumbledore suggested that they could do so in the privacy of his office. He did turn around to add a last word "I would request you to get back to your dormitories soon as considerable time has already lapsed" he said with a faint smile as he exited the hospital wing.
As Dumbledore left, Draco relaxed his breath coming out in a rush. He ran his hand through his hair as his father's words washed over him. Was he indeed tainted? Potter would never have used a dark curse under any circumstance and he had not even thought about it twice. Was he no better than his father then? The question gnawed at his conscience and he was filled with doubts and regrets.
His self-recrimination was however cut short as he felt a soft warm hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Hermione's gaze filled with soft warmth. Potter looked concerned while the Weasel looked like he wanted to be somewhere far away from this.
"Draco, don't let your father's words get to you" she said. It was as though she could read his thoughts. Draco was startled as she continued "The fact that you bear the injuries that you do says that you are different from him. You turned your back on them and that was a brave thing to do. Your father is the one who has nothing. You have us..." she said her voice soft but forceful.
"But then you are the golden trio" he said with a sneer "it would be easy for you to say, you would not cast a dark curse ever, you are bloody perfect. Why would you want to be associated with me?" he lashed out.
Hermione calmly stepped forward and took his hand. Draco was startled at the touch but made no move to remove his hand as Potter stepped forward. "Malfoy, we know that many things have changed for you but do not presume to know everything about us. You are still a prat yes, but you are not your father. Even I can see that" he said with firm determination.
"We have been rivals, a bit of enemies even in the past but don't you think a truce would work better in the current circumstances?" he asked extending a hand forward.
"I don't need your pity Potter" the words came out harsh as the old Malfoy surfaced. He stood up agitated and riled. He was a Malfoy, he did not need anyone. He could survive on his own and very well thank you.
"Don't be a prat Draco" Hermione admonished. "You need friends right now and honestly! Are the Slytherins going to be your pals now?" she asked. It was a valid question and one which Draco knew the answer to.
He knew that he would be viewed as a traitor and the Slytherins would either walk away or try to do him in. There was no middle ground and there would be no allies there. Perhaps she had a point. But to be friends with Potter?
But the instant the question arose, however he knew that his path was already laid out. This was what his mother had wanted and however hard this was going to be it made sense in light of recent events. He needed allies, in a war where he could be caught in the middle of both the light and the dark sides.
"You have a point" he conceded "I accept but don't expect me to be a sodding Gryffindor, Potter" he said simply while clasping Harry's hand. Harry smiled a mysterious smile "who ever said that I am Gryffindor?"he said with a wink and relinquished the grip.
That was unexpected Draco thought to himself and filed it away for later and merely said "whatever Potter". And then Hermione spoke up "we have got to go now, it's rather late. See you around Draco" she said and gestured for Harry and Ron to follow her out.
As they left the hospital wing, Draco felt the weight of loneliness as he sunk onto the bed. It had been nice to have someone to talk to even if it had been Potter and his coterie. No scratch that, it was not Potter at all…it was Hermione.
How had his life become so complicated? Nothing he planned seemed to follow on course anymore. Only that morning he had decided to keep his distance from Hermione and then all this had to happen. It had been a fortunate circumstance for her to be present; he shuddered to think what could have happened otherwise. At the same time she could have been hurt and it would have been because of him. It was a disconcerting thought as well as a situation to be in.
And Potter…Potter had sounded downright cryptic…what the hell was that about? It was all very curious. Life was becoming messy what with being disowned to top it all. He had expected it yes, but to actually hear it made it kind of final. Now he had no home and no money to call his own.
He could not help feeling suddenly adrift. The loneliness was stifling. He had once taunted Potter about staying at Hogwarts during the holidays, but now? He had taunted the Weasleys about being poor and now where was he? The tables had turned and it was he who was in a worse state. The realization made him more depressed. He sighed; anyway there was no help for it now. He had to deal with things as they came.
His musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps as Severus Snape came in. Draco sat up straight as they headed towards him. Snape came to his bedside and said "Draco are you alright? I hope you are not hurt in any way?" he asked solicitously.
"No I am fine. But I was worried about you. You were gone for so long…" Draco replied.
"Yes I am sorry about that", Severus said and continued "there was nothing I could do. But the events of today indicate that we should not delay the procurement of a wand for you. You will also need clothes and the supplies for school. If you are up to it, we can go to Diagon Alley tomorrow" he offered.
"But I have no money" Draco interrupted"what do I do?" he wondered. His tone reflected the deep hurt the admission cost him. Severus felt a flash of sympathy for the boy before reassuring him that he would pay for everything and that he should not concern himself with those issues right now.
"You should also be ready to move to my quarters immediately. The hospital wing is no longer safe as it will be common knowledge among the Slytherins by now. I have shrunk my robes so that they will fit you so get changed." Severus moved away so that Draco would have privacy to change as he drew the curtains around the bed.
Draco changed into the shrunken robes and stepped out just as Pomfrey came in to do her final check. She waved her wand over him and seemed satisfied with the results. "You may go and make sure that you don't land in here soon." She said with a smile.
"I might hang out with Potter madam Pomfrey, do your words still hold good?" Draco asked drily. "That boy has caused me enough grey hairs now don't you start too. Now shoo, go and I don't want to see you for a long time" she said smiling widely.
Draco smirked and followed Severus out of the hospital wing. He had never paid much attention to the healer earlier. But he appreciated the kindness she had shown him the last many days.
They descended to Severus' quarters in the dungeons. It was not a new experience for Draco as he had been in the quarters plenty of times. But it had been as a welcomed guest but now….he was more of a refugee. The knowledge chafed at him as he took in the surroundings with a new perspective.
He had always taken the rooms for granted but now he was grateful for its presence. It was a far cry from Malfoy Manor but neat and furnished well enough.
Severus turned to him "The room that you used earlier is now yours. Feel free to decorate it as you wish and if there is anything that you need do not hesitate to ask. Just make sure it is clean and neat alright?" he said in a soft voice.
Severus realized what a shift it was for Draco. He had been born into luxury with the proverbial silver spoon. This was a step down and it would take the teenager a while to get used to the new reality. But he knew that in time this would be the better option.
"I understand Uncle Severus. Thanks" Draco responded before settling down on the couch in the living room. It was just a little after noon and he was already exhausted. It had been an eventful day and too much had changed in too short a time.
Severus noticed the fatigue and said "let us have lunch and then you can lie down for a while. Classes have been suspended for the day so I am relatively free. Perhaps we can start with some instruction on wandless magic in the evening?".
"Yes Uncle Severus. That sounds fine" Draco responded. Severus nodded and ordered a light lunch of soup, salad and sandwiches which appeared on the table in a few minutes.
Both of them seated themselves and started to serve their own portions. Severus noted the small potions that Draco had served himself and remarked "You can stand to gain a bit of weight Draco. Your body has been through a lot of trauma and you need to regain your strength. You don't have to do it all at once but do try to increase your portion size over time".
Draco nodded in the affirmative and concentrated on getting through his lunch. Once the both of them were done Severus banished the plates to the kitchen and moved back to the living room.
Draco spent some time looking over the considerable collection of books in the study before retiring to his room for a lie down. The times to come would be demanding and very different from what he was used to.
Author note: Okay, I know that my note is already up there but a quick question? What do you think should happen with Lucius? I need your thoughts on the issue and get ready for more action and romance in the chapters to come!