Chapter 21
Harry made his way over to Malfoy, trying not to think he was doing the wrong thing. He understood now that people can change, Snape for example, and wanted to give Malfoy a chance to explain himself.
"What do you want, Potter?" asked a surprised Malfoy as he looked up to see what had blocked out the sun.
"To talk to you, about what you said in class," said Harry, not sitting down.
"What I said was the truth, Potter, I do regret it and I don't want to turn out like my father, he was gutless and weak and should have stood up to Voldemort more, just as I should have done." Harry sat down and looked at Malfoy.
"Tell me what happened," he said, it wasn't an order, but a request that he knew Malfoy would have to take if they were ever going to stop being enemies.
"The first time Voldemort was powerful, my father became a death eater because they were at school together, in Slytherin. Basically all the Syltherin's became death eaters whether they were in the same year or not, it was a sort of rite of passage. My father didn't know what he was letting himself in for but he was brandished with the dark mark and so was my mother who he met in school. He thought it was fun, running round in masks, killing some innocent muggles and everything but he soon got in way over his head. He knew that if he didn't do as he was told and impress Voldemort then he could get killed so he tried his best and quickly made a name for himself. When Voldemort returned, you saw my father in the graveyard, declaring his allegiance for Voldemort. He was scared, more scared than ever, because of me. Things were different this time because I was born. My father knew that if he did anything wrong then Voldemort would not hesitate to kill me or my mother, so he did as he was told. Then Voldemort decided he wanted the whole family, meaning me. I was pressured beyond belief into having the dark mark, persuaded it was a sign of power and something to be proud of. I hid my real feelings because I was scared. More scared than I have ever been in my entire life. Then I got my orders and was told if I didn't kill Dumbledore then I would die along with my family. I didn't want to die, I really didn't, so I made it look as if I was serious about it. The necklace, the drink, they weren't meant to kill him. Someone was supposed to figure out they were dangerous before any damage was done. That way it would look as if I tried but couldn't, maybe that way I could be spared. But Voldemort piled on the pressure and gave me a deadline, the end of term. If I didn't do it then he would be waiting at my house to kill me when I returned home from school. But I didn't do it, I couldn't kill him. I froze, I had Dumbledore right I front of me, unarmed, and Snape had to do it for me, little did I know Dumbledore had made him promise to, I didn't find that out until I read your interview in the summer."
"I was there that night Draco, I was in the tower, under my invisibility coat. I had been out with Dumbledore and he chose to protect me rather than defend himself."
"You were there?" gasped Draco.
"I saw the look in your eyes, I know you couldn't bring yourself to do it. What happened after?"
"Voldemort decided I was on probation and moved into our house," explained Malfoy. "He made my family into his sort of servants and we weren't allowed to leave, until the night of the Battle. Then we were under orders to kill as many as possible, but not you, you had to be alive and brought to him."
"And when you found us in the room of requirement?" asked Harry.
"Voldemort told us to get a diadem, we didn't know at the time what it was, just that it was important. Now I know it was a … a horcrux with part of his soul in it. You saved my life, even though I tried to kill you," said Malfoy simply. "You came back for me when that fire was everywhere, why?"
"I've got this uncontrollable need to save people," smiled Harry. "Crabbe died though."
"I know, but he was an idiot and I only hung out with him because our fathers were best friends."
"Your mother saved my life too, you know. She's the reason I'm sat here today, she lied to Voldemort," said Harry.
"I know, she told me after. She finally managed to stand up to Voldemort and all she wanted was for him to die and her life, our lives, to be normal. She knew the only way for that to happen was for you to kill him, so she lied and I respect her hugely for that."
"What about your dad?" asked Harry.
"He understood she just wanted to see me and wanted to be punished for what he did, so he turned himself in and is now serving a sentence in Azkaban," said Malfoy simply. "He knows he did wrong and couldn't live with the guilt."
"Malfoy, why did you return to school?"
"To finish my education, Voldemort interrupted it last year. I knew you were probably going to be here, I wanted to explain everything to you and I'm glad you gave me the chance."
"Thank you Malfoy," said Harry and he got up and walked back to the others. He and Malfoy could never be friends as such, too much had happened, but now he had heard his side of the story, Harry didn't hate him nearly as much.
After break, which he spent filling everyone in on the conversation, Ginny and Luna went to Herbology whilst the others made their way to the class Ron was dreading the most, Transfiguration. Upon entering the room Ron took Hermione's hand and dragged her to the seats right at the back in the corner. Hermione, thinking this was stupid, pulled away and took the seat in the second row, next to where Harry and Neville were sat. Malfoy came in a couple of minutes later and sat behind them and to the side.
"Welcome, class," said Charlie as he entered the room. "Now, Ron, why are you sat all the way back there, don't you want to sit next to Hermione?"
"What I want is to not have you teaching me," retorted Ron.
"Don't be like that. These lessons are going to be rather informal as I believe that's how you will best learn. So, how about we start with a recap seeing as most of you haven't had proper lessons in over a year."
They spent the lesson working in pairs going over past spells, such as making things change colour, appearance and shape. At the end of the lesson they packed up their things to go to Potions but Ron was held back.
"Ron, I know this is awkward for you, but please deal with it. I'm not here to spy on you, or check up on you, I'm here because I want to teach. Transfiguration was always my best subject and this job became available. If I'd have waited until you left school then it wouldn't be available. It may be awkward for a while, but I hope we can get past it."
"What am I even meant to call you? Charlie? Sir? Professor Weasley? Do you know how hard that is for me?"
"Ginny doesn't have a problem with it," pointed out Charlie. "And you can call me Charlie in lessons, as I will want everyone in the class to. But when I'm your house head and in the corridor just call me Professor, no Weasley needed, just Professor."
"Fine, I'll try," agreed Ron. "I'm still not happy with this," he pointed out, just so it was clear.
Harry was happy that Professor Slughorn was still teaching potions, but this year he had to cope without the help of the Half Blood Prince. But Harry needn't have worried because Slughorn spent most of the first lesson praising Harry for defeating Voldemort. Malfoy looked over from his side of the classroom and smiled when he saw the efforts Harry was going to in order to stop Slughorn or at least direct some attention on the others. When the bell finally rang and signalled lunch Harry couldn't get out of the classroom fast enough and tried to not hear Slughorn's comments about starting the Slug Club again. At lunch, they met up with Ginny and compared notes on their first morning back.
"Still glad you decided to return?" asked Ginny after Harry told her about his morning.
"Yes. Believe it or not I am. I could do without the staring and pointing but I'm actually starting to get used to it."
"Well I'm happy you came back, even if we're not in the same class. And we even get to share a bed!" smiled Ginny. "Oh and before I forget, I saw McGonagall on my way here and she wants to see me and all you guys after classes."
"Wonder why?" asked Hermione.
Whilst Hermione had Ancient Runes in the afternoon, everyone else, including Ginny and Luna had a free lesson and so once again went to enjoy the sunshine. Whilst walking across the grass they spotted Krum coming towards the castle. Harry looked at Ron who had also spotted him and was now shooting evil looks in his direction.
"I'll be right back, I'm just going to say hello," said Harry as he kissed Ginny and walked away from the group.
"Hello Harry Potter," said Krum in his thick accent.
"Good afternoon, professor," replied Harry with emphasis on the professor.
"Well, some of us do have to earn a living," smiled Krum.
"Why here? Why Hogwarts?" asked Harry. Krum smiled, pulled out his wand and pointed it at the ground. Immediately a bench appeared, Krum sat down and motioned for Harry to do the same. Why didn't we think of that, wondered Harry thinking to earlier on the grass and trying to get comfy.
"Well, it all started last year, after Bill and Fleur's wedding," began Krum.