Yeah yeah, I know. You all thought I abandoned the story because its been like a year or something since I updated. Well, here's the next chapter you guys, hope y'all enjoy it, 'cause I just had to sit down and write one after I remembered I had once started a fic on some site somewhere. Took me some time to hunt it down. I'd totally forgotten. I'm in the middle of my A Levels btw, my next exam is in a couple of days, so I better get some decent reviews from you guys, or I'll just abandon this right here...


An excruciating pain blinded him and he fell down, clutching his left arm. His wand fell before him. Tears of anguish blurred Covey's vision as he blundered through the trail, eager to get to his destination. He didn't think he would be able to take it much longer. And, he reminded himself, he didn't have time…
Draco stared as he watched the man writhe in pain and then speed off. That was a very very close call and Draco had a mind to not let it get that bad ever again. Although it was a hideous sight, he felt almost thankful for the pain that Covey had felt. If it weren't for that, he would've been caught – spying on a teacher.

He hurried after the disoriented figure, deep into the woods. He was very careful to keep at a distance. After several minutes of plundering through the trees, the young professor stopped – in front of what seemed like the ruins of a mansion… amidst a forest…


Hermione sped towards the room with the hidden bookcase. She needed to find a cure for this, that is, if there was one. Her worst fear was confirmed just minutes ago, chilling her to the bone. What if this was the end? What if there was no cure? What if…? There were endless possibilities to this.

Suddenly realizing that she had the transferolatum, Hermione quickly sent a message to Draco informing him of her latest discovery and asking for help. Running up the moving staircase, jumping occasionally to avoid trick steps, she managed to get to the 7th floor where the room had been. She heard something behind her and as she whipped around to see what it was, she bumped into someone and fell on the ground. A cackle of laughter echoed in the hallway. Peeves the poltergeist hung midway in the air, an evil smirk on his face.

'Oh – it's you, what are you doing here?'

'Ron!' Hermione exclaimed, her voice a little more enthusiastic than she meant it to be. This caused a slight smile to spread on the face of the redhead.

'Yeah. You look worried, what happened?' he asked, fighting to keep a straight face. He kept imagining the look on Viktor Krum's face when he would receive the howler.

'Harry's in danger, you've got to help. Something terrible is going on' she blurted out.


'The first stage is complete'

'Excellent'

'I wish to receive your permission to continue with the second…'

'You have worked with stunning wisdom and accurate timing, given your… condition of course. However, the second and final stage is my job and not yours – He will be my kill. I wish to witness his agony of death. This leaves just one more job for you to complete'

'Your wish is my command'

'Bring him to me'

Draco covered his mouth to stifle a gasp.


'What?' exclaimed Ron, the look of triumph on his face, melting away into one of pure worry. 'Where is he?'

'Hospital wing'

No sooner had these words left Hermione's mouth when Ron sped towards the direction of the Hospital wing. Hermione couldn't quite discern his expression at the moment; it seemed like a mix of anguish, worry, hatred and pain all at the same time. Hermione almost laughed at the irony of the situation. It was only last year when Ron had claimed, on occasion of Harry's kiss with Cho Chang, that no person could ever feel "that many emotions at one time. They'd just explode!".

'As if there isn't enough burdens of studies upon his poor existence, he has to go through all these physical predicaments too, all because of some stupid sport! I absolutely will not stand and let him endure this any longer. Honestly it's all – ' Madam Pomfrey muttered as she went about giving Harry his medicine.

Harry had passed out after Hermione broke the news to him. Rushing him to the hospital wing, Hermione told Madam Pomfrey that he fainted due to extra Quidditch practice and that he was Captain n all, so the duties were more physically demanding.

Hermione ran a hand through Harry's forever untidy-looking hair, almost wishing she could share some of his pain. He was so true, so loyal. She had never met someone as pure hearted as Harry. He was a gem of a person and what fate had planned for him did not seem fair to Hermione. First his parents, then Sirius … the constant threat to his life from Lord Voldemort. It was enough to drive a person to insanity – but not Harry. No. Harry had nerves of steel and the will of a warrior, the soul of martyr. He was a person who, when loved someone, loved them truly, madly and deeply, but when he hated someone, he was almost scary, he hated not without reason, however. She hoped that once he fell in love it would be someone who was totally worth all of it. Hermione knew what it felt like to be loved by Harry Potter – the Boy Who Lived – a legend. Of course, just from a friend's perspective. Ron and Hermione had both witnessed Harry's love for friends – it was pure and frightening. Pure, because he loved right from the heart, and frightening because of its deep intensity.

She constantly felt that she wasn't giving back as much as she received, and she was sure Ron felt the same. Harry would always be there for them, they were his family, the people closest to him. Hermione just hoped she would always be able to be there for him as well – what with Draco on the scene now, she wondered whether she was worthy enough of Harry's precious friendship. After all, Draco had made Harry's life a living hell these past years, yet Harry hadn't been mad at Hermione for having fallen in love with him – he had been a good friend. He hadn't jumped at her and made her feel more strange than she already felt.


Draco, stunned to the bone, stood fixed in his spot – not knowing where to go or what to do. He had just witnessed Covey's visit to Lord Voldemort. Covey was a Death Eater! But… he didn't let anyone get the faintest idea that he might be one. The guy was a plausible actor; he had to be given credit for that.

'You don't have much time. Now go!' ordered the evil voice of Voldemort.

'Yes. Yes M'Lord' mumbled Covey, turned around and started shuffling back the track he had used to get here.

Draco, not expecting Covey to comply in such a hurry, was caught off-guard as Covey came up. He stepped on Draco's foot, but continued on as if he hadn't even noticed in his hurry to get back.

Voldemort had vanished into thin air, just like he had appeared – from out of nowhere.

Mentally shaking himself for not being cautious enough, Draco carefully followed Covey back to the castle. Although, now that he remembered, he should've gone there long before him so he could warn everyone. Keeping this in mind and the fact that he may never be able to forgive himself if something that he knew about, that he had the power to stop would take place, Draco started to run across the path, making as less noise as possible and taking a shorter route back to Hogwarts, away from Covey so he wouldn't get caught. He didn't like the condition Covey was in now. His face was grey and gaunt and he had a mad, almost manic expression on his face.

He had almost reached the castle gates and was about to climb over them when he felt his invisibility cloak pulled off him. Thinking it may have happened due to a stray branch or something, he tried to pull it over again, only to discover, that his discoverer wasn't a twig – but his subject himself.

'Well well well, what have got here?' Covey managed to whisper, looking savagely at the blonde boy.
'I'm sure Professor Covey is around in the castle somewhere, Cornelius. I assure you, he was in no condition to go anywhere - at this moment especially' said Dumbledore, with assurance, to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, who was sitting twiddling his thumbs on the seat opposite his desk, a slight frown on his face, two lines formed in the middle of his aged forehead.

'That young man is a danger to the wizarding world in that state, Albus, you know that! How can you not know where he is? He's not in his office, not in the castle – then where can he possibly go? Perhaps paying a visit to the Giant Squid in the lake? I should think not!' cried Fudge irritably.

'I do not know his exact location, but I'm sure I can find out' promised Dumbledore, writing a little something on a piece of parchment and sending it off with one of the school owls. 'We'll know in a bit'


A scrawny owl twittered his way into the Hospital Wing, much to the dismay of Madam Pomfrey. 'Nasty birds, all over the place – just because they're school owls – think they can bother my patients – hard as it is for them to recover – school just won't listen!' she grumbled distastefully as she headed back to her office.

Ron and Hermione looked around to see the owl speeding their way towards them. It landed on top of Harry's bed and Hermione attempted to free the owl of its message. After a little coaxing, it gave in and she opened the message that was addressed to Harry in Dumbledore's slanted script.

'He wants the Marauder's Map' she announced.


Shit! He was caught. There went all his hard work down the drain! What kind of a spy was he? Malfoys were supposed to be good at everything they did. How could Covey had known he was following him? Unless he had Moody's eye of course – or if… maybe Voldemort told him? No, he didn't think so. Covey was smart – he was well aware of that fact – but was it possible for him to be as smart, as agile and alert in this state as well?

Covey had a surprisingly strong grip on Draco's collar. He peered at him with the curiosity of a wild cat, wondering whether its prey was good enough to devour. Malfoy gulped – admitting he was a little afraid of the consequences.

'Out of school parameters, are we?' clicked Covey's tongue dramatically. 'That won't look good on your report, now will it? Stalking a teacher – that will look even worse. Aren't you the Malfoy boy? Hmm… interesting fella you are. You know this is gonna cost you a lot, regardless of the fact that your father's a great benefactor of Hogwarts and everything. What would he do if he found out his only son had disgraced the family name by being expelled out of school? Now what… may I ask, may have tempted you to follow me out here? Hmm?' inquired Covey breathlessly.

Draco, at a complete loss of words could only wince in reply. This monster didn't seem like the same young fellow he had seen at school all the time; the handsome stud most girls had swooned at the sight of. It was like he had transformed. Like his negative side had overcome his positive. The mere thought sent shivers up his spine. Suddenly, the evil expression on Covey's face turned into one of blatant fear.

'Do you know something, boy?' he cried

Silence.

'How much do you know?' a horrified Covey shook Draco roughly by his collar, causing the skin on his neck to redden considerably.

'I –' started Draco, hoping he would stall him long enough to come up with a good enough plan of action.

Without a warning, Covey collapsed to the ground. Draco, relieved of the man's feverish grip, gasped for air and marveled at his luck. He had just dropped down, just like that. Draco looked around to see whether they were being watched. Covey seemed to have only blacked out, possibly due to the obvious atrocity of his task, Draco mused. But no, he was a grown man, he would just black out just like that would he? He seemed to be very much alive, to be sure though, Draco reached down to feel for a pulse. It was there, he could feel it. He didn't think it was a very good idea to leave Covey behind in a state like the one he was in right now, but then again, why bother? He was the one causing all the trouble anyway! His mind made up, Draco walked forward, then remembering he was a student and was out of bounds roaming around outside school, he wouldn't be the most welcome person at the gate. However could he gain entry? He glanced over at Covey's limp form and a mischievous smile played on his lips.


Hermione waited outside Dumbledore's office while Ron raced back to the boys' dormitory to fetch Harry's map. A moment late he was back and the two of them were on their way up the spiraling staircase to Dumbledore's office.

'Yes, yes, please come in Harry. I was just – ' Dumbledore stopped in mid-sentence, clearly surprised at having Ron and Hermione instead of Harry in the doorway.

'Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, please come in. Is something the matter?'

Hermione almost started out on the whole story when she noticed Cornelius Fudge sitting opposite Dumbledore. She shut her mouth and stood resolutely next to the door. Her move was so obvious, Ron felt the Minister fidget.

Trying his best to cover up the situation, Ron stepped forward and awkwardly begun 'Er… sir… H-harry c-couldn't really. We're here to give this to you instead' He handed Dumbledore the map. 'And erm… we were hoping to have a word with you? Alone? Now?' a note of urgency in his slight murmur of a speech.

'Minister, I shall be right back' said Dumbledore apologetically, aptly sensing that Ron and Hermione would not say a word in the presence of the Minister. Dumbledore lead them down the staircase and into Professor McGonagall's deserted office right next to the stone gargoyles that flanked the doors to Dumbledore's own.

'Now' he said, sitting down and motioning for the other two to sit down as well.

Hermione, waving a hand at his request started on with her story.

Dumbledore listened intently as Hermione blurted out all the new happenings in her story. However, clever as she was, she somehow missed the mention of Draco Malfoy in all of this at all.

'I see' said Dumbledore. 'Harry's in the hospital wing? Let's see what information the map holds for us. Ron, who had already opened the map showed Dumbledore how there was no sign of Covey anywhere. Dumbledore nodded and scanned the entire corridors. Nothing.

'You two run along, I'll take care of this. Cornelius is here, we shall discuss the matter over and you can rest assured that Harry will be under the most powerful of protections. I will see to that myself' he murmured as he set off in the direction of the Hospital wing.

'This won't do' muttered Hermione as she turned on her heel and left the office, determined to find something out. Ron, noticing that Dumbledore had left the map behind, quickly cleared it with a swift 'Mischief Managed' and carefully put it in his pocket.

'I need to use the lavatory. I'll be right back' she lied to Ron as she entered the girls' lavatory. An agitated Ron, slumped against the wall.

Hermione typed away on her transferolatum, wondering why Draco hadn't given her a heads up on the events. Then again, she hadn't thought much about telling him either? What if he was in danger? She felt her heart thump against her chest a little harder. Hopefully not.


Draco ignored the beep from his pocket as he fixed the Invisibility Cloak over himself and made Covey walk forwards with this trick spell he'd learned to make puppets act like real people. And since Covey wasn't conscious, he was like a big, rather heavy puppet himself!

'Walking' him to the door, Draco muttered the spell teacher usually did to let Filch know he had to open the gates.

Draco had taken great care to drape Covey's hood over his head so as to obscure his lolling eyes and his open mouth. At first, he feared the spell hadn't worked. Beads of cold sweat broke all over his forehead. But, to his great relief, a few minutes later a disgruntled Filch in his dressing gown, scowled his way to the gate – it seemed to take him ages. Draco had never welcomed the sight of Filch more than this – ever. The gate finally opened.

'Out for a nightly stroll, Young Mr. Covey?' asked Filch, his voice sickly sweet.

Draco grunted in response and moved in, making sure Filch didn't notice that Covey's feet weren't exactly on ground level…

Filch, apparently in a hurry to get back, raced past him and Covey and up the staircase and in the castle. Draco felt a little chill run down his spine as he looked at his surroundings and wondered what he was to do next. He was looking at the Whomping Willow on his right when he ran smack into someone. That someone collapsed to the ground the instant he hit into them. This was more than he could take. People were collapsing all around him – what was the big idea here??


Okay, so that's all I've got with Chemistry twirling in my head all over. Sorry, I haven't time to give all the shout-outs to my greatest reviewers, just please review this time and let me know whether you want to know how it ends or not. Just one last chapter to go, then an epilogue, and we're done forever. Oh, and remind me never to start fics again, they're a constant pain in the neck since they're such a great responsibility!!

Peace Out,

XOXO,

hik