Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter...
Time to Duel
Draco stepped through the portal and looked around the Slytherin Common room, it was great to be back. After a week imprisoned in his family dungeon and then another two weeks trapped in a coma he was relieved to finally be back on his feet and in a room that was finally safe. The Common room was empty, save for a couple of second years working on their homework in the far corner of the room. He walked slowly towards the staircase, his hands running above the soft chair that faced the firework. The Giant squid swam across the large windows as though it was even welcoming him back.
He climbed the steps one by one passing the doors for the younger students as he ascended. Memories of hiding under Theo Nott's bed waiting to jump out and scare him in his first year, Vincent Crabbe puking on Goyle's bed in second year because he'd eaten too many sweets. Getting ready with Blaise Zabini for the Yule Ball in their fourth year, and the memory of his father's imprisonment being discovered in the very same room a year later. All those sleepless nights during his sixth year, the fear of being killed and his parents been killed because of his failure. They all came hurtling back to him as he passed each door. He stopped outside the boys seventh year dorm room, he could hear two voices in the room, he pushed open the door and was surprised to see Lucius and Narcissa sat on Lucius's bed, books surrounding them.
"Draco!" Narcissa cried, climbing off of the bed engulfing him in a hug. He held on to her tightly burying his face in to her shoulder. "Are you okay?" Narcissa pulled back eyeing him up and down.
"Nobody was allowed to see you and there was very little information given on your health." Lucius announced as he slowly pushed his own body off of the bed and he wrapped his own arms around Narcissa and Draco.
"I've been better but I'll be okay," Draco said as he left their embrace. He walked over to the bed and lowered himself on to it, he picked up one of the books and read the title, "Animagus Animals,"
"Draco, what happened to you?" Luicus asked, joining him on the bed.
Narcissa joined them and placed her hand on his knee her eyes shining with concern and Draco sighed, he looked down at the book in his hands.
"The mission started off great, we broke in to the manor, retrieved the diary and Hermione fled with it in her possession and all there was left was for me and Gideon Prewett to get out but we got caught, Prewett managed to escape but I wasn't so lucky. I was dragged by my own grandfather and a few other Deatheaters to face the Dark Lord." He leaned back on one of the bed posts and unfolded his legs, bringing them up to his chest.
"I was trained in Occlumency by Bellatrix to I was used to his invasions and what to and not too show him but a person can only handle the Cruciatus curse for so long before one's mind becomes weak. He eventually got into my mind and he saw we'd stolen the Diary and he knew I was from the future. He threw me in to the dungeons and left me there. He tortured me daily for information. Cruciatus, any dark spell he could think of. He'd have the Deatheaters beat me, starve me. My body was slowly breaking."
"That's awful," Narcissa whispered her voice filled with emotion, "What did Abraxas do? Did he know you where his grandson? Tell me he helped you,"
"He did nothing. All my life I wanted my grandfather's praise, I wanted him to be proud of me but it's something I'll never receive. He knew I was his grandson he figured that out quickly with me breaking the wards, but he didn't care. He only cared about his precious Dark Lord, he stood and watched as the snake tortured me, there was no help from him, no food or water to stop me from starving, nothing. He just left me for dead…" The vase on the side of the bed plummeted to the ground and smashed into pieces, the flowers inside laid crumpled on to the floor.
The room was silent as Draco and Narcissa stared at Lucius. He was breathing heavily, his eyes identical to Draco were wide and alive, anger dominated his face and he walked towards the window gripping the window sill until his fingers turned white.
"How could he!" he snarled, "How could he stand and do nothing as his own grandchild was tortured. How could he not see the truth that was so obvious in his face! What kind of man is he? All my life I have strived for his approval, all I ever wanted was to see the look of love, pride any sort of sentiment in my father's eyes that wasn't disappointment nor anger. I've always been a failure. I thought if I joined the Dark Lord he would finally deem me worthy but I know it doesn't matter what I do, he'll never be proud of me or anybody in my life and now hurts the child of my own flesh and blood because he knows I've passed on what he deems a disappointment."
"Lucius, that isn't true." Her hand curled over his shoulder, "your father is a cruel, wicked man with no compassion, no understanding of love, kindness and joy. He is weak, he is worthless and he follows the wrong beliefs. You are none of that and if you can see the good in life, if you can feel love and show it in return and that makes you a failure then spend the rest of your life as a failure Lucius because at least then you're being true to yourself and those who love you already will continue to love you."
"She's right you know. Sure you've not always been the most loving father but you knew I had potential and wanted me to achieve it. I didn't know this until a few years ago. I always thought I was a disappointment, when I first arrived here you were looking for Granger and I was blown away with the fact you were being nice to her. You always taught me that Muggles and Muggleborns were below us, that they didn't belong in the magical world. I was constantly coming second to Hermione Granger in every class and it infuriated you. I just couldn't seem to prove that I was good enough. I was angry but relieved when you were arrested in my fifth year, because I knew you wouldn't be there to see my Owls and realise I was once again below Granger."
"When the Dark Lord released you from Azkaban you were a different person entirely, that year in Azkaban changed you, you learnt that family was more important than the blood that flowed through our veins, what did it matter if the Dark Lord won the war if one of us was dead. I was told that the two of you ran through the halls of Hogwarts yelling for me. Mother lied and destroyed the chance of the Dark Lord winning the war just to find me. You eventually found me and we went home, together, and we were determined to spend what we believed our last hours tucked away in Malfoy Manor safe and together."
"You see Lucius, you allowed your father's cruel tongue to change yourself into being a man your father would want, in the process you lost yourself. This is a second chance almost, to prove to your son that you are a worthy father, to be the father you always wanted to have. I believe you can do it, you just have to as well,"
"Thank you," Lucius whispered, he pressed a kiss on to Narcissa's forehead and took her hand in his, and they walked back to the bed and listened as Draco continued to tell them the events of what had passed.
"But how did you survive if the snake bite was poisonous?"
"When I was born you placed Severus as my godfather, it seems as though he discovered how to transport thing in time. He sent Hermione a letter and a potion that was infused with the antidote of the snake." Lucius and Narcissa stared at one another in shock, only a few hours had passed since Hermione sprinted from the classroom leaving everyone in shock.
"In his letter he told me that you were both in hiding and you were safe. You'd remain in hiding until the Dark Lord was officially dead."
"I'm just so glad you're safe," admitted Narcissa stroking Draco's cheek. It was oddly calming yet creepy all the same. "There is something I am wondering though… what's going on between you and Hermione Granger."
"Me and Granger? Don't be ridiculous, nothing is going on between Granger and I. Honestly, she was just worried about my safety, she blamed herself for what happened to me. You know what Gryffindors are like, they worry too much… what, stop looking at me like that - I'm serious there is nothing going on between Granger and I - seriously we're just friends." Both Lucius and Narcissa smirked and raised a brow. "You're not buying this are you?" The two blondes shook their heads and Draco huffed, crossing his arms he looked at the teenagers.
"If she's only a friends then so be it, but I approve," winked Lucius, the smirk on his face growing larger.
"You do – wait I mean – oh shit," shaking his head Lucius and Narcissa just laughed. "I think I'm going to bed, it's been a long couple of weeks. Goodnight,"
"Goodnight Draco!" they sung in unison. Both still grinning over Draco's sudden embarrassment.
Over the next few days, students were constantly coming up to Draco, asking him how he was and what had happened. He had given very little information upon what had happened informing many that Dumbledore wanted to keep it quiet as the Aurors were looking into it and giving out information could disturb their investigation. The whole story had been designed by Hermione and Draco on Saturday, after it came apparent that Draco's recovery was the talk of the school. He had been forced to gather the Marauders and the Slytherin spies to inform them of what had happened. He had returned to class on Monday and was grateful to focus on something else, other than the torture. He had been excluded from all previous homework assignments, something he had been thankful for and had asked Hermione for her help in catching up.
At quarter to seven Hermione and Draco walked down the corridor to the classroom they had been using for their evening classes. All the students where already there and waiting for them to arrive.
"Afternoon everybody," greeted Hermione as she placed her school bag on to the floor. "I'm awfully sorry about rushing out like I did last week but I did promise you that I would have all potions marked by Professor Slughorn. Draco is handing out your results as I inform you of today's topic." Hermione untied her winter robe and placed it on the chair, raising her wand she lit the candles in the room and lit the fire.
"Today we will focus on duelling. For all of those hoping to enter the line of an Auror then you will need to master you wand work in battle. We are all aware of the dangers that are on the horizon. Lord Voldemort and his followers are growing stronger and growing in numbers, soon we will have to take a stand for the world we love and cherish and we'll have to take out the dark. For many of you this will mean a war. All those of age will be given an option whether you will wish to fight. Today I am not interested in the path you wish to choose but I'm here to aid you if you decide to fight. Those men and women determined to purities the world are dangerous, the unforgivables are unforgivable for a reason but yet those who follow Lord Voldemort have obviously missed that memo. It's frowned up on to kill, to torture and to control another being yet in the midst of a war, anything goes. Your simple tricks you learnt as a child are useless and you may find yourself casting them and being on the receiving end of them."
"I want to make sure you are in control in your movements and your wand work. I want to be sure when you step in to a war that you are capable to defend yourself no matter what spell you cast. Whether it be the killing curse or Expelliarmus."
Draco handed out the last of the results and raised his wand, one by one the desks in the room began to lift and they flew to the other side of the room where they piled on top of one another. All the students in the room stood as the chairs from underneath them followed after the tables.
"Okay, so I want you to pair up with someone in your year group. I don't care who but pair up." Said Draco as he stood a few feet away from Hermione.
It didn't take long until everybody was paired with another, Hermione turned to Draco and grinned. "So we are going to focus mainly on simple spells that we can all do, I don't want any of you to spend the night in the infirmary so please no dangerous spells. To start with we are going to work on simple blocking, so when Draco casts a spell," she nods to Draco who cries Anteoculatia, Hermione waves her wand and the spell is blocked. "You are to block the spell with your mind or with words, those who are already learning wordless magic I'd like you to practice blocking with your mind. Those who haven't learnt it you're welcome to block with speech. Until I'm satisfied you'll continue to focus on this. I will then ask you to do send a spell back immediately once I'm happy with your progression I will have you start a two way duel, where you'll cast five spells, the aim isn't to knock your partner to the ground or make them have antlers, boils or warts, it's to improve your fast thinking and hand work. You may all begin."
Spells were cast, and flashes of light erupted around the room as spells were repelled and cast. Hermione stood with Draco beside the desk watching the group with a critical eye. Her eyes constantly stopping on the duel between Bellatrix and Snape, it was fascinating to watch. The trust they had in the others abilities was admirable as she was certain the spells they were using weren't taught to them as children. A flash of blue erupted from Snape's wand and Bellatrix quickly blocked it without a word, and the spell dissolved into nothing.
"Bellatrix and Severus, you can move on to the second step." The duo nodded and Hermione continued to watch them.
"I often wondered if something ever happened to the two of them, you know romantically. I heard a conversation last year between Dolohov and Nott Snr, saying they had intense sexual tension. I was grossed out but I started to notice things, he could drive her insane with a few words, she'd freak out, curse him and scream, get right into his face and he'd stand their unfazed and it drove her mad. I thought they hated one another but I don't know anymore."
"I thought Bellatrix loved Rodolphus, it certainly looks like it." Said Hermione as her eyes landed on the duel between Rodolphus and Lucius at the other side of the room.
"I think she does, but don't forget she spent 15 years locked away in Azkaban, they held no love for one another once they were freed, I think they fell out of love. I know Rodolphus hated what she had become, they slept in separate rooms, avoided each other as much as possible. I think she's secretly liked Snape but has always hated herself for it because he's a half blood, he's not really a looker, he's not rich."
"It's her dirty little secret." Hermione said. "I doubt she'd ever admit it."
"Nar, she'd kill you before she admitted it." Draco chuckled. He turned his eyes on to the group still working on the singular spells. "Alice and Lily, James and Sirius, Lucius and Rodolphus, Magenta and Fuschia next phase." The groups mentioned nodded their heads.
Hermione and Draco weaved through the groups offering advice and help, pausing every now and again to demonstrate to those who were struggling. After 15 minutes every pairing was on to the second stage. Some students were finding it easier than others but Hermione was happy with how the lesson was progressing. Another five minutes into the lesson Regulus pulled Hermione aside.
"How about a demonstration, you've fought in a war zone so surly you should be able to show us a proper duel between a Deatheater and the Order." He said quietly, Narcissa who was stood beside him smiled and nodded her head, also eager to see them duel.
"I'll speak to Draco," she told them and walked away. Draco was in the far corner of the room helping two Ravenclaw fifth years with their wand work. Upon seeing her approach he raised his eyebrow.
Hermione informed him of what had been said, "Why not," he said with a shrug.
"Okay everyone listen up. We're going to take a break for a second and I'd like you all to gather around but don't cross that line." Hermione waved her wand and a blue line suddenly appeared across the room.
"Seeing as you are all progressing in this Hermione and I are going to demonstrate to you all a duel that could take place in war. The skills will be the same but we'll be adding speed and manoeuvres as well as more complicated spells to it. We're not expecting you to achieve anything like this today but with practice we are hoping that you'll be able to adapt on what you have learnt and develop your own duelling pattern and have the confidence to duel quickly and under pressure." Informed Draco as he pushed the teacher's desk towards the wall.
They stood a few meters apart, Hermione cast a quick shielding spell that would protect those in the room. Hermione looked at Draco and wordlessly waited for him to make his move. With a quick flick of his wrist a stream of white light erupted from his wand and it hurtled towards Hermione. Raising her wand in the air she swirled it once and the spell disappeared before shooting back instantly with another spell.
Draco stepped to the left and rotated his wand as the spell zoomed straight past him, Hermione ducked and fired the same spell right back at him. The duel continued on for another few minutes until Hermione grinned and flicked her wand to the left, it hit Draco in the shoulder but he retaliated instantly with another spell. With a final glance at Draco Hermione silently cast Expelliamus and his wand shot out of his hand. Grinning she smacked her hand with the wand and the spell blasted Draco from his spot and he was flung towards the wall. Quickly Hermione suspended Draco's body in the air and lowered him to the ground.
"Good move Granger," he said as he rubbed his chest, wincing from the sting of the spell. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."
"Wow!" said James from beside the pillar. Hermione and Draco turned to everyone and smiled as they saw their expressions. Mouths were agape and eyes were wide all were staring at them in shock.
"It looks fancy but it's the very same you are doing, the difference is you are not stepping out of the fire but actually trying to diminish the spell. When it comes to duelling for your life, speed is the name of the game. You want rid of your opponent as fast as you can, while you're duelling them you could get attacked from behind, you could save a friend who is struggling, you can shrink the numbers of the foe as more fall to the ground." Hermione explained as she removed the blue line on the floor.
"This the same thought process you should have if you're wanting to become an Auror, get the buggers down as quick as you can. If they're down they can't hurt you."
One by one each pair went back to duelling, Hermione and Draco informed a few pairs to attempt the third phase. To their surprise they picked it up quickly, Bellatrix and Severus were duelling like them, there were spells shooting in all directions and they're were stepping back and forth. It wasn't until a flash of red left Severus's wand and Bellatrix's fell to the ground did he grin.
From her spot on the floor Bellatrix scowled up at him, she pushed herself up and stood back in her place. She never checked to see if he was ready and waved her wand. The spell left her wand and hurtled towards him but he quickly diminished it and the duel continued.
As the hour rounded to an end, the group started to leave. All were slightly sweaty and worn out but Hermione noticed that everyone had a smile on their face.
"Great work guys!" Draco said patting Remus on the shoulder. "Looks like we can make soldiers out of you yet," he chuckled.
"Yeah but this soldier wants a bath and his bed." Yawned Sirius loudly.
"Not yet, you said we'd cover becoming an Animagus in this lesson, so what do we do first," Sirius groaned and dropped to the floor, he crossed his legs and leant against the stone pillar.
"There isn't much you can do until you have mastered breathing and completely emptying your mind of everything. Once you've mastered that, then you need to learn to focus on the colour of the animal. You'll never be able to change if you are focusing on something else. It's even harder to control your mind once you've transformed because you need to be able to transform back." Explained James, he ran his hand over his face and he lent against the same pillar as Sirius. "Do you all know what you want to be?"
Everybody shook their heads, "well until you decide on what you want to be there isn't much we can do. Other than teaching you to breath."
"Well we might as well try that for now," nodding their heads the group all stood and faced the Marauders. James explained the basics of breathing in time with their heartbeat and told them to focus on that. One by one everyone closed their eyes and focused on the sound of their heart beating in their ears and the air exhaling from their mouths.
It turned out to be much harder than they had expected. After five minutes of practice nobody had been able to achieve it for very long.
"Don't forget it took us two years to learn to do it on our own. Just because we're helping you don't expect it to come straight away." Sirius told them as he stared upon the dejected faces of the others.
"I know it's not much but practice that every day, we can't do anything until you can breathe in time with your pulse and not think about what you're doing. You also need to decide on an animal because without that stage you're not going to get anywhere with it." said Peter.
It was hard to take but Hermione nodded her head. There was no word on the other Horcruxes, she had no idea where they were located and without Harry she wondered if she'd ever be able to locate them. Becoming an Animagus was begin to look harder than she had first thought, she knew work was involved but she couldn't help but wonder if she was taking too much on.
I'm back, and here is the next chapter. I was actually able to get this written quite quickly. I was going to post it tomorrow but I decided now that it was finished that I'd get it up today.
Hopefully you'll all enjoy it.
A big thank you to all those who have reviewed, please keep doing it, it means a lot.