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Please enjoy this chapter. Hopefully it will clarify anything that has been unclear. The next chapter is the epilogue.

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Chapter 25

Albus Dumbledore was in his office after breakfast. The Headmaster knew that both Harry and Draco would be stopping by today. Dumbledore did not expect them so soon however.

'Come in.' Dumbledore answered wearily to the knock on his office door.

Harry and Draco entered Dumbledore's magnificent circular study. 'Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy.' Dumbledore bowed his head slightly, pointing his weathered hand at the seats opposite his desk. The two guests sat down quietly and looked at their Headmaster expectantly.

'How can I help you today?' Dumbledore was determined to take this as slowly as possible. The truth was too cruel. And then there is Severus, the man who understands far more than Dumbledore wanted.

'I think you know why we are here, Professor.' Harry voice was quiet but it carried very clearly due to its coolness. Draco leaned back slightly, watching the man he disliked for six years. Draco simply did not understand Dumbledore. One man should never be this powerful while having so many flaws.

'Well Harry, tell me why you are here.' Dumbledore's voice was filled with polite curiosity that was sickeningly disgusting taking in the circumstances. Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Draco was faster. 'We would like you, sir, to explain everything that happened to us since we have gone to the Malfoy Manor.' Draco's tone was nowhere close to polite. Looking at Draco, Harry could make out the arrogant features of the blond's father. Draco now expressed the cold detachment of his father while leaning back on his chair as if it were a throne. Harry instantly compared this Draco to the Draco in emerald robes in his dream last night. Harry gulped, feeling tense suddenly.

Dumbledore was piercing Harry with his brilliant blue x-ray like gaze. Noticing Harry's discomfort, Dumbledore turned away from Draco. 'Is there something you would like to share with us, Harry?'

Harry glared at Dumbledore. The old man was using Legilimency to defend himself from questions. No, whatever Dumbledore was going to do would not work thought Harry. 'I think we are the ones asking questions here, professor.' Harry dared to look straight into those blue eyes. Dumbledore's smile faltered slightly, the old man turned to look at Draco again. 'I was under the impression that Mr. Malfoy here is responsible for everything that happened to you, Harry.'

Draco gulped very angrily. How dare Dumbledore start making up excuses and evading explanations by blaming Draco? Draco opened his mouth in a snarl, only to be stopped by the sound of the door banging open. It was Snape and he looked livid.

'Dumbledore!' Snape strode inside the room and placed his hands on his Godson's shoulders.

'Severus.' Dumbledore had not been expecting Severus Snape to be there, therefore he was at a loss for words.

'Haven't you been evading enough, Dumbledore?' Snape's malevolent glare was fighting with Dumbledore's cordial smile.

'Severus, I think that maybe you and I should talk in private to discuss this...' Dumbledore looked at Draco and Harry, and then at the door.

'They are staying because they have to know the truth Dumbledore. It is their right.'

'I never though there would be a day when you, Severus, of all people, started defending the rights of Harry Potter.' Dumbledore inclined his head to a side slightly.

Snape simply stared at Dumbledore. 'I assume you have received my letter yesterday, Dumbledore.'

'Wait was that the letter Hedwig delivered to you last night?' Harry looked slightly outraged at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore closed his eyes for a second and then opened them, clearly ignoring Harry's question. 'Yes I have received it Severus. I do not underestimate the threat you impose on both myself and Lord Voldemort.' Dumbledore paused, yet nobody flinched at the sound of the name. 'Yet I do not think a man of your intelligence would really publicize the information you receive from me and Lord Voldemort.'

Snape smiled unpleasantly. 'I can have Rita Skeeter here in ten minutes Dumbledore. Her quill would only be the beginning.' Snape smiled yet more. 'If I expose the plan you and Fudge have been brewing for weeks, the magical community would be outraged. This may not have repercussions on you, but the Minister will have to resign. Dumbledore I wonder if you realize who the next Minister will be?'

'Severus, do you think that you will be safe from Lord Voldemort after you go to the Daily Prophet? I cannot say that I will be willing to protect you after that.'

Snape actually laughed at this. Harry has never heard Snape laugh; the Gryffindor could not suppress a smile at this. Draco was sitting quite still, his shoulders still held by Snape. The Slytherin was simply watching the Headmaster closely.

'Dumbledore, do you expect me to believe that you have been protecting me for the last sixteen years? Did you ever stop the never-ending rumors about my Death-Eater past? Did you ever give anyone a reason to trust me? Did you stop me from confronting Quirrel and the Dark Lord? Did you prevent me from getting summoned by the Dark Lord two years ago? You have used me Dumbledore, just like you used these two.' Snape was breathing slightly faster now. The Potions Master removed his hands from his Godson, and moved right into the distance separating Harry's and Draco's chairs . Stooping, Snape's face was now level with that of Dumbledore.

'They deserve the truth Dumbledore. I am not even asking you to apologize or show remorse.'

Dumbledore was no longer smiling. Looking at the man he hired seventeen years ago, Dumbledore had no choice. Snape was right after all.

'Very well, Severus. I will do so. I will tell them everything, but you must no interrupt.' Dumbledore's voice carried severe authority. 'I would like you to sit at the chair near the door. You can ask questions after I am done.' Dumbledore then looked at Harry and Draco. 'I need you two to listen, and listen carefully because I am not repeating this ever again.'

Harry has never heard Dumbledore look so annoyed. Were they inconveniencing him simply by expecting the truth?

Dumbledore had gotten up from his seat and moved to the window. The blue eyes were concentrated on the spot where the sun should have been rising. The storm clouds were evidently not letting up. Sighing deeply, Dumbledore began:

'I have known about Draco's plan to kidnap Harry. I have known even before Professor Snape did. You may ask me how I have found out but that would be highly irrelevant. Lucius' and Narcissa's positions were enough of a sign to know that Lord Voldemort has entrusted Draco Malfoy with a task of bringing Harry Potter to the Malfoy Manor. What I had not been expecting was Professor Snape's quick wit. Your Potions Master suggested releasing Lucius from Azkaban and bringing him here, same as Narcissa. This way Draco would not have to do anything.' Dumbledore never looked around. The Headmaster's voice sounded hollow and detached.

'I have thought about Professor Snape's proposal for hours. I was not willing to commit to the risky and controversial endeavor of releasing Lucius Malfoy. Besides, Narcissa Malfoy was well hidden by Professor Snape.' Dumbledore turned to look at Draco.

'Yes Draco, Professor Snape knew the whereabouts of your mother. It was him who sent your mother to France of all places.' Dumbledore's voice held significant accusation. Snape shifted in his seat, his black eyes on the fire roaring in the grate.

'I have known that to undermine Lord Voldemort I must not repeat the mistakes made decades ago. Lord Voldemort cannot act alone all the time; his followers were his propagators. Without his followers, Voldemort was just one man, albeit very powerful.' Dumbledore was pacing around Harry and Draco. 'I had to ensure that Lord Voldemort would be pushed back by a lack of followers. This is why I devised a plan with Cornelius Fudge. The Minister agreed that eliminating Death Eaters was crucial to our survival. I also understood that Fudge was essential to resisting the Dark Lord. Losing Fudge meant losing the Ministry.'

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Draco gave him a warning look.

'The plan I devised with the Minister was perfect. We would let Draco continue on his plan and kidnap you, Harry. In fact, we were prepared to help Draco. Why do you think Fenrir Greyback and Bellatrix Lestrange had such an easy time getting inside the school? I assured minimal security.'

'So you used me as bait?!' Harry blurted.

Dumbledore completely ignored Harry's outrage and went on as if he heard nothing: 'The two biggest problems we were facing were Professor Snape's disapproval of our plan and Draco's feelings for you, Harry. I never thought that Draco would be able to get past the animosity between the two of you. I guess I was wrong...'

'That's not the only matter on which you are wrong, Dumbledore.' Snape got up from his seat and looked at Dumbledore. 'Why don't you tell them about the Aurors Dumbledore?'

Dumbledore sighed again. 'Very Well.' Snape sat back down again. 'You two may remember that we have set up anti-disapparition wards all around the Manor. This kept Death Eaters trapped inside, not expecting anything. I knew that Lord Voldemort would suspect some attempt from me to try and rescue Harry. Luckily over the years, Tom Riddle's arrogance never stopped growing; he believed that nothing, absolutely nothing could let Harry Potter escape his grasp this time. I suspect that even to this day, Lord Voldemort believes into Professor Snape's loyalty.'

One thought was racing inside Draco's mind now. It was a horrible thought that Dumbledore did not help clear away when they talked in the very early morning. Was Lucius Malfoy really alive or not?

'When the time came, about a hundred Aurors stormed the Malfoy Manor. Cornelius will be very happy in tonight's Evening Prophet, almost thirty of Death Eaters are either dead or incarcerated. Unfortunately, the Aurors did not seem to recognize Professor Snape and the two of you when you tried to leave the Manor.'

'Dumbledore, do not try to fool me or them! You know as well as I do that Fudge merely tried to kill me, making sure that no one could go public on the whole 'bait' plan. Fudge wanted the Aurors to capture both Draco and Harry so that he can boast about how he saved the Boy Who Lived.'

'We may never know, Severus. Either way, the plan was a success...'

'Success?!' Draco finally could not control himself. 'Because of your stupid plan, Severus was almost killed, you gambled the life of Harry Potter away and it is because of you that my father is dead!' Draco's voice rose and cracked.

'Draco, Draco, I have told you that Lord Voldemort is a very powerful Legilimens. He was just trying to pressure you to give up Harry.' Dumbledore waved his hand slightly as if the matter was insignificant.

'Dumbledore.' Snape was once again on his feet, but he showed no anger this time. Instead, the Potions Master silently approached the back of Draco's seat.

'Severus.' Dumbledore voice was foreboding. 'Do not...'

'He is old enough to handle it, Dumbledore. Especially after what you have made him go through.' Snape gently placed his hand on Draco's arm and grasped it.

'Draco.' Snape's voice was the gentlest Harry has ever heard it. Draco's eyes slowly traveled up to meet his Godfather's gaze. 'Draco, your father did die last night.'

There was silence in the room. Dumbledore was giving Snape a piercing look. Snape was still looking at his Godson, who simply closed his eyes and sat floored to the chair. Draco flinched slightly when Harry's hand ended up on his shoulder. 'How do you... how do you know?' Draco barely managed to croak out the syllables.

'After I arrived at Hogwarts yesterday, an owl managed to find me, I do not know how. But there was a very short note and also this.' Snape pulled out a small box from the pocket of his robes. Opening the box, Snape presented Draco with a magnificent silver ring decorated with emeralds. 'Your father's ring. It is meant to be passed on from Malfoy to Malfoy.'

Draco simply took the ring in his hand, a lone tear made its way down the blond's cheek. The new head of the Malfoy family simply looked at Snape. Snape sighed, taking out a crumpled piece of parchment from the same pocket and giving it to Draco. With the room very quiet, Draco opened the parchment. He gasped instantly; the whole parchment was covered in dried blood. Draco could barely make out the rushed writing of his late father.

Severus,

Give the ring to Draco. Protect him and Narcissa.

Tell Draco that I understand.

Draco closed the parchment, pressing it to his chest. Draco could not believe it, his father, the Lucius Malfoy is dead? After months of fearing this one thing, it has happened. The choice was made for him by the Dark Lord.

As Draco sat, he suddenly came to the realization that he put Harry through hell for nothing. Nothing mattered anymore. He did not matter anymore. His pathetic attempt at saving his family while keeping Harry alive was useless. Nothing would ever be the same.

Draco rose to his feet suddenly. As if in a daze, Draco slowly walked to the door. He did not even acknowledge when Harry called out 'Draco!' Turning the brass doorknob, Draco left the Headmaster's office.

Snape's face showed a struggle between staying in Dumbledore's study and going after his Godson. In the end, Snape's heart won the brief struggle over his brain. Turning on his heel, Snape swept from the room.

Harry was looking at Dumbledore with heavy accusation. 'Why didn't you tell him right away?'

Dumbledore gave a very audible sigh. 'Old man's mistakes, Harry.' Dumbledore got up again. 'Only now do I realize that I have made yet another big mistake, Harry.'

Harry remembered almost exact words from Dumbledore last summer. 'What was your mistake, sir?'

'Everything with you and Draco. I should have tried to rescue Lucius Malfoy. But instead, I was trying, like I always do to protect you, Harry.' Dumbledore walked to the window, watching the midday sun warming up the chilly morning. 'I wanted to protect you and make you a stronger person, Harry. Do you remember how I told you that I would teach you about the means of defeating Lord Voldemort?'

Harry simply nodded, waiting for more. Finally, Dumbledore was going to give some convoluted reason for everything that has happened.

'You were angry and frustrated with me, Harry. I wanted to rid you of that feeling by making you confront Lord Voldemort. Indeed, I had my confidence in both Severus and Draco. Too much confidence in fact.'

'Wait... so you did all this to protect me while exposing me to danger?' Harry voice was lacking the accusation Dumbledore was waiting for.
The Headmaster turned to look at the boy who was his only hope of defeating Voldemort.

'Yes, Harry. I wanted you to grow, I wanted to quench your thirst. I wanted you to appreciate your actual importance in this war. But I was wrong, I should have told you about Voldemort. Do you remember how I told you about your safety and assigning two Aurors for your protection?'

Harry nodded yet again, he could not help his curiosity at the moment. He was getting an insight into Dumbledore's complex mind.

'There never were any Aurors, Harry. I acted just like Voldemort would - I played with your feelings, drowning you in my over-exaggerated wish to protect you. I knew you would be angry, I knew that you would be careless. I knew that you would keep your guard down in front of Draco. Old man's mistakes, Harry. Old man's mistakes.'

'You didn't need to make me keep my guard down. I suspected Draco, but he made me trust him. I fell in love with him. I...' Harry suddenly broke off, as he watched an unexpected tear that escaped Dumbledore's cool facade.

'Oh Harry. Do you see now? I have cost Draco his father, and I have cost you love. Something you hardly had for the past sixteen years.'

'Professor, I... I do not think all is lost with Draco...' As Harry said those words, he suddenly realized that he needed to be with the blond. 'I need to go after him.' It was a statement, not a question. Springing to his feet, Harry ran from the room.

Dumbledore sat, a small smile on his face. There may be hope after all. Getting up, Dumbledore took out his wand. Perhaps it would be wise to reverse the Memory Spells he placed on all of the students?

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