"And here we...go"
Chapter 28
Harry and Hermione both stepped out of Director Bones's office after a lengthy discussion about their plans. She of course had not been without her worries but after hearing the full context behind the plan she was willing to make sure that the ministry atrium would be empty and her auror guards on standby.
Arriving back at Hogwarts they saw a copy of the daily prophet.
EX HOGWARTS PROFESSOR FOUND DEAD!
The body of Severus Tobias Snape was discovered today in his home in west York. The DMLE were despatched to determine the cause of death and it has become apparent that he was not killed by the killing curse. However upon examination two things were discovered. The first is that Severus Snape was in fact still to this day a loyal follower of you know who. The second was that the cause of death was an unbreakable vow. It is unknown to the daily prophet who the vow was made with and what the terms were but one thing still remains a mystery to the prophet. Why did Snape make an unbreakable vow in the first place?
The recently sacked Hogwarts professor was not considered a popular man by many as it was revealed that his teaching methods were biased and unjust.
For a full report turn to page 4
After they had finished reading Harry and Hermione looked at each other both knowing what the other was thinking. Harry said it first.
"2 Galleons say that Snape made the vow to protect Malfoy" Hermione nodded. It seems that the conversation with Malfoy was going to happen a lot sooner than they had originally anticipated.
Scribbling down a quick note Harry asked Dobby to deliver it.
The room of requirement 4 pm come alone
Harry and Hermione spent the spare few hours that they had covering prefect duties and spending time with Luna and Neville. When it came to 4 pm Harry and Hermione were waiting outside the room of requirement. They were casually talking when they heard a cough of interruption.
"All right I'm here let's get this over with" Draco said bitterly. Hermione closed her eyes and thought of the room they needed and they entered. Draco and Harry walked in and noticed that they were a fire a couch and an armchair.
"Sit down" Harry said gesturing to the chair. Draco did hesitantly. Harry and Hermione were much more casual.
"Were not going too much around as we have a lot to do and we don't want to waste time. Here's the deal Malfoy if you even think of using the eight letter word starting with M then any type of deal is off and we'll treat you the same as everyone else." Harry started. Draco nodded. Hermione then began to speak.
"We know you have the Dark Mark Draco; we know that it was you that poisoned the bottle of mead which was given to Professor Slughorn with the intention of giving it to Dumbledore as a present." Hermione stated her facts.
"How do you know all this?" Draco asked. Harry laughed.
"Malfoy, you're talking to the brightest witch of our age. You couldn't even begin to comprehend what Hermione knows" Harry replied.
"We have some questions for you and we want answers" Hermione added with a sense of sarcasm in her voice at Harry's remark. Draco nodded.
"Do you know why Severus Snape died?" Harry asked. Draco sighed.
"Yes. Severus is my godfather. He made the unbreakable vow with my mother in order to protect me throughout this year so that I could complete my mission." He replied.
"What mission were you given?" Hermione asked.
"To kill Professor Dumbledore" He replied in monotone.
"Well that won't be happening considering he is being held by the ministry. What were you repairing the vanishing cabinet for?" Hermione asked. Draco looked up.
"How did you know about the vanishing cabinet?" He asked.
"We'll ask the questions here Malfoy, answer ours and we'll answer yours." Harry shot back. Draco sighed again.
"They create a pathway. The sister cabinet is in Borgin and Burkes. My other task was to repair the cabinet so that the death eaters could gain access. I'm going to assume that you two were responsible for the destruction of the cabinet"
Harry laughed. "Half right, myself and Neville will take credit to that"
Draco was about to insult Neville when a look from Harry made him decide otherwise.
"Now this is the most important question that was going to ask you. Do you truly want to back Voldemort?" Hermione asked. Draco was shocked that she used the Dark Lord's name so fearlessly. Maybe he had his assessment of Gryffindor's wrong.
"No, I was raised by the dark lord's biggest arse kisser. He forced me to take this mission. He...he threatened to kill my mother if I didn't help the dark Lord" Harry and Hermione were shocked by his honesty. Who would have known Draco Malfoy was human after all.
"Ok Draco here's the deal. Despite the last 5 and a half years going against me we believe you. I can help you. When my godfather died I was made head of the house of black. I can dissolve the marriage between your father and your mother and reinstate you into the house of black. You would become Draco Black. I will give you a safe house until everything has died down and I will provide you with living expenses. This is prone to three conditions" Harry explained. Hermione looked at him. They didn't discuss this...
"Condition 1; you are to forget about Bloody supremacy. Blood status is completely pointless. The entire crusade that Voldemort is on is dramatic irony as he himself is a half blood. Condition 2; I will reclaim the expenses of the house of Malfoy but you are to use the money to benefit society not to make it your own personal domain" Draco nodded.
"What's the third condition?" He asked.
"You are to apologise and beg forgiveness for everything that you have done to Hermione over the years. Only if she forgives you will I give you protection." Hermione mouth was gasped opened. Harry maintained eye contact as he observed Draco who looked as if he was in the middle of a battle of his pride against his love for his mother." After a few minutes Draco stood up. He took a few steps away from Harry and Hermione before turning and dropping to his knees.
"I'm Sorry. I'm sorry for everything that I ever did to cause you harm. Calling you a mudblood and disrespecting you. When I found out you had been poisoned I was filled with guilt I never wanted to join the death eaters I only wanted to live my life and break free of the clutches of my father. I beg the forgiveness of Hermione Granger" He said solemnly. Hermione looked at him and saw something she had never seen before. Humanity.
"I forgive you" she whispered. Draco gave a small smiled before standing again.
"Dobby" Harry called. Dobby appeared.
"What can Dobby be doing for you Harry Potter sir?"
"Dobby take Draco Malfoy to Malfoy manor, collect Narcissa Malfoy and then take them both to Grimmauld Place. Set them up a room and made sure they are both fed and watered." Harry asked of his loyal companion.
"Yes Harry Potter sir" Dobby said as he moved towards Draco.
"Draco, I am sending you to my godfathers home, if I find out you have disrespected Dobby or are not respectful to him then all deals are off" Harry said sternly. Draco nodded before taking Dobby's hand. The two of them apparated away. Hermione then tackled Harry from behind. They both feel to the floor with Hermione straddling Harry.
"So forget to tell me a few things about that meeting did you? Why did you make him do that?" She asked. Harry smiled.
"Hermione my love. You deserved to have him ask for forgiveness. It was also a test. To see if he truly wanted to be saved from Voldemort so I put his pride against his protective instincts for his mother. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but you would have never let me do it otherwise" He explained. Hermione tried to keep a stern face but she couldn't keep up the facade and smiled.
"You never cease to amaze me Harry" She said before going to stand up but Harry caught her arm.
"You didn't think you could have me in this position and not kiss me did you?" He asked as if it were the most obvious question in the world.
Hermione smiled and bent down to kiss him.
Daily Prophet Exclusive!
The daily prophet has learned that a week from today the boy who lived Harry Potter shall be attending a meeting with Director Bones of the DMLE.
Harry Potter is going to the meeting in order to discuss his future career as an auror.
Harry Potter is expected to arrive at the ministry 12 PM.
The famous child student at Hogwarts has been given permission by Headmistress McGonagall to take the day off from lessons to attend the meeting.
We here at the Daily Prophet can't help but wonder. Is the boy who lived using his fame to get favours others wouldn't be presented with?
Page 5 for a full report on the story
In the dark corners of Riddle manor. Lord Voldemort is reading the article before laughing. He faces Nagini.
"The boy shall die in the ministry my friend" He hissed in parsletongue.
Authors Note: TRAP SET
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