AN: Hi everyone, thank you for the reviews, I love them! I have decided to start bringing the story to a close soon but there are still a few chapters to go. Still the big question remains and is up to you to review or PM you choice: Should Sirius Black live or die?
I apologise for the short chapter but I do hope you enjoy. Read and Review :) xx
I do not own Harry Potter *sulks whilst eating caramel slices*
"Malfoy?" Harry coughed the name out with some soot and spit as he sat on the floor.
"You're not getting away this time," Malfoy sneered as he reached down and hauled Harry to his feet. Malfoy's large cold hand held Harry's wrist in a vice-like grip as they both exited the office. Harry tried to pull away and pry Malfoy's fingers away from him but the older wizard was having none of it. Harry felt his wrist bones crunch together as Malfoy pulled him around.
"Let me go," Harry pleaded as he was dragged down the hallway and past the classrooms. Most students were in the Great Hall for dinner or in abandoned classrooms making out. Those few stragglers wandering the hallways were shocked at the sight of Harry back at school and went to speak but Malfoy shot them with a warning glare that rivaled Snape's.
"Mr. Potter is under arrest, do not attempt to assist or you will be charged as an accessory," Malfoy warned.
"Help me," Harry begged, not caring how weak he sounded. He dug his heels into the stone floor but ended up skating across the floor. Draco appeared around the corner and stopped in his tracks when he saw his father.
"Father?" Draco asked surprised.
"Remain calm, Draco. Mr. Potter is being taken care of," Malfoy Senior said briskly without stopping to talk properly.
"Draco, I haven't done anything," Harry said as they both locked eyes.
"Ignore him, Draco. Potter is a criminal and is going to face his fate."
Draco Malfoy jogged to his father's side to keep up with his long strides. "But what about Dumbledore?"
"He will be wise to keep out of Ministry business. Move along, Potter," Lucius snarled as Harry lagged behind and he yanked him forward. The main castle doors burst open as the trio approached them.
"Where are you taking him?"
"Enough questions, Draco!" Malfoy barked in annoyance and headed down the front staircase.
"Why don't you just take him to Umbridge or...or you can call Fudge here to take him?"
"He's not going to the Ministry."
"But-"
"Draco, enough!"
Harry tried to scramble away and tried to make sense of his captor's words; not going to the Ministry? Where would he be going? Why doesn't he want Umbridge and Dumbledore?...Oh no!
"You're taking me to Voldemort!" Harry cried out. "I won't let you do it!"
"I don't need your permission," Malfoy spat and he broke into a run; poor Harry almost tumbled to the ground at the unexpected change of pace. The Ground Gates were getting closer and the younger Malfoy tried to get more information from his father.
"You're taking him to the Dark Lord? Why?" Draco asked as he ran to keep up.
"Go back to school, and tell no one," Malfoy replied. "Come along, Potter."
They reached the gates and Malfoy shoved Harry off the grounds before he turned to his son. "We will finally be free soon, Draco. There will be nothing to worry about."
"What about, Potter?" Draco asked. A miniscule hint of worry crept into his voice.
Malfoy didn't bother to respond as he pulled Harry close and tucked him against his chest as he apparated. Draco Malfoy was stunned and ran back to the castle. He had to find someone and tell them what he just saw. He planned on telling the first adult he would come across and saw a dark figure appear from the Forbidden Forest. He let out an unmanly scream and slipped on the grass before tumbling to the ground. The shadow loomed over him and he threw his arms up to protect his precious face.
"Draco?"
"Snape?"
Malfoy dropped his arms as his favourite professor came into view as he removed the disillusionment charm.
"Why were you running? It's dark out," Snape gently scolded as he helped his student to his feet.
"I just saw Potter."
Snape looked as if he were about to explode. His usual dull porridge toned face suddenly turned red with rage. He latched onto Malfoy's shoulders with more force than he intended and his bony fingers dug into the equally bony shoulders. "Where is he? When I get a hold of him-"
"Father has him...ouch...professor, you're hurting me."
Snape loosened his grip ever so slightly. "Lucius has him? Where is he taking him, Draco? Where?"
"He dragged him off past the gates and apparated somewhere."
"Where? Draco, I need to know."
"I don't know. Father said that he was taking Potter to the Dark Lord."
Snape dropped his arms and looked as if he saw a ghost. Lucius was taking Harry to Voldemort and he has no idea where to find him.
"I need to know of the Dark Lord's location. It is of utmost importance."
"I don't know."
"Draco!"
"Honestly, professor, I don't know. Mother doesn't want me involved with him and Father never revealed where he is hiding."
Snape ran his hands through his greasy hair and began to pace as he wracked his brain for the memory he saw in Wormtail's mind.
"Professor," Malfoy said carefully just in case the Potions Mater would suddenly turn on him. "Are you and Potter innocent?"
"Yes," Snape snapped abruptly. Malfoy was taken aback by the sharp tone but didn't take it to heart; especially with his teacher in such a worried state. "Draco, do you trust me?"
"Of...of course."
Snape reached out and placed a hand on his student's shoulder, more gently than last time. "I need you to find the headmaster. Tell him that the prince has lost his emerald at the gates. He will understand."
"Can't you get him?" Malfoy asked childishly.
"I'm a wanted fugitive, Draco. I can't just walk into the bloody school with Umbridge in there can I? Potter's life is in extreme danger. Just do it!" Snape then pushed Malfoy none to gently towards the castle and the boy ran. Snape meanwhile ran to the gates and waited in the shadows.
"Come on, Potter. Where are you?" Snape asked himself. He searched his memories and focused again on the lighthouse he saw through the cave mouth. Potter could be anywhere along the coast. He prayed that Malfoy would find Dumbledore quickly.
Malfoy ran through the grand doors and almost smacked into Umbridge.
"Mr. Malfoy, no running in the corridors, young man," the pink toad exclaimed.
"Professor, I need to talk to Dumbledore. It's very important," Malfoy panted as he tried to catch his breath.
"Whatever you have to say to him, you can say to me."
"No, it's only for Professor Dumbledore," Malfoy said. He was desperate to protect Snape at all costs.
"I find your disrespect disturbing. What is so important?"
At that moment Peeves cackled as he swept down and snatched Umbridge's hat from her head.
"You pesky poltergeist! " Umbridge screeched as she chased after Peeves. Malfoy rolled his eyes and ran towards Dumbledore's office. He smacked right into Fred and George and tumbled to the ground.
"Watch it, mate," Fred (or was it George) said as he brushed himself off.
"Being chased by a girl, Malfoy?" taunted George (or was it Fred).
"Where's Dumbledore? It's urgent."
"What's urgent?" the twins asked in unison.
"I can't say, but you will rue the day you don't tell me where the old man is."
"We know where he is," George said. "But what's in it for us?"
Malfoy squirmed. "Potter's life is in danger. I need to get to Dumbledore."
"Harry?" Fred said. He grabbed Malfoy by the front of his robes. "Where is he?"
"I don't know but I just saw my father drag him towards the gates. I'm telling the truth."
"Then why aren't you running off to the toad?"
"Because...I...I can't say. Please don't make me say."
George placed a hand on his brother's arm. "Snape is outside isn't he?"
Malfoy's eyes widened. Both twins understood at once. Fred dropped the boy and stepped back.
"He's in the kitchen. We'll take you there."
Everyone ran to the portrait guarding the kitchens and George tickled the pear. They all climbed through the entrance and Dumbledore was munching happily on a salted caramel slice as Ron had custard tart smothered over his face. Hermione looked on in disgust.
"Honestly, Professor, how much sugar can you eat?" Hermione asked in shock.
"I never took any notice," Dumbledore smiled and bit down again.
"Professor!" Malfoy called out and he was immediately surrounded by house elves who were eager to serve the new arrival. "No, no, shoo. Go away!"
"Be nice to them, Malfoy," Hermione growled with sudden protection over the servants.
"Shut it, Mudblood," Malfoy spat.
"Draco Malfoy, that word is unacceptable," Dumbledore scolded through a mouthful of slice.
"Potter's in trouble!"
Everyone stopped and stared at the young Slytherin. Dumbledore hurried to his side.
"What's wrong with Harry? What do you know? How do you know?"
"My father had him by the wrist and dragged him to the gates. He's apparated. I was told by someone to give you a message," Malfoy explained.
"Where's Harry? What has your father done to him?" Ron demanded as he threw his custard tart on the table. The house elves scurried to clean it up and were fighting over the wash cloth.
"Hush, Ron," Hermione hissed. "What's the message?"
"The...the prince has lost his emerald at the gates," Malfoy said, relieved to get the message off his chest.
"What the bloody hell does that mean?" Ron exclaimed as Dumbledore stood up and briskly started to walk to the exit.
"Professor?" Hermione questioned.
" Harry is being taken to Voldemort and Professor Snape is waiting for me at the gates," the headmaster replied.
"We're coming too," Ron decided and marched to Dumbledore's side.
"No," Dumbledore said sternly. "You cannot get involved. It is too dangerous. You will return to your dorms...all of you, right now. You will not follow me and you will talk to no one. Miss Granger, please tell your head of house that I have urgent business to attend off the school premises?"
"Of course, sir," Hermione said obediently. "Please make sure that Harry is safe."
"I will do my best. Now please do as you have been asked."
Dumbledore swept out of the kitchen and made his way to the gates as fast as possible. He ignored the passing students and ghosts. Voldemort could not get his hands on Harry; it would be unacceptable. He and the order still had no idea where he was hiding. He saw the gates and Snape nearby pacing. With surprising speed and strength for an old man, Dumbledore broke into a run until he reached the anxious professor.
"Severus, what happened?" Dumbledore inquired.
Snape stopped pacing and stared at Dumbledore. "Lucius Malfoy has Potter. Draco said he saw them walking here and apparate. Lucius told him that they were going to the Dark Lord and Draco has no clue as to his whereabouts. I've lost the boy, Albus."
"You have not lost him, Severus. How did Lucius get him anyway? He can't enter Privet Drive."
"Why was he here?"
"He and Dolores were here to witness and interrogate Harry's friends about yesterday."
"What happened then?"
"I changed the serum to water and Miss Granger realized what I had done. We then left for the kitchens."
"Did Lucius attend too?"
"No, we offered him to join us but he refused. I went down to the kitchen and..."
"You left him in your office unattended?"
Both wizards stared at each other and Snape erupted into a full on rant.
"You IDIOT! Potter must have come through the floo from Figg; she's the only person with floo access around Potter's residence! How could you be so careless, albus? I never allow a visitor to be left unsupervised in my quarters or office. Especially an untrustworthy person like Malfoy!I even told Potter to refuse people entry into that cottage we are staying at."
Dumbledore suddenly gasped and Snape jumped from the unexpected response.
"I remember seeing a lighthouse with blue paint. I think I know where they are."
"About bloody time, Albus!"
Snape suddenly grabbed the dogtag that was around his neck as it heated and vibrated against his chest.
"Gotcha," Snape said as he stepped outside the gate and apparated to wherever Harry was summoning him from. He landed on the ground and pulled his wand out immediately as he took in the sight before him.