Chapter 36 -Draco Mysteriously Disappears
"Twerp, You got everything packed that you are going to take back with you?" Fred questioned the twerp as he and George packed the stuff they were bringing with them and sorted out, what was left of the candy kits and packed them away. "Once we are in the carriage and on our way it will be too late to gather anything you left behind."
"I'm sure." Severus said quietly. "I have very little to pack." His mouth twitched into a half smile as he closed and locked his small traveling trunk. "I suppose we will be met by your Mom at Kings Cross?"
"Oh more than likely, we just hope she forgot her plans to yell at us for those pranks at Halloween.
"Yeah, she does have a tendency to get louder, the more angry she gets."
"And the Longer she waits, makes her even more terrifying when she does start."
Severus stared at the twins in horror. If they were telling him the truth his hopeful expectations for a nice quiet Christmas was shot. His eyes narrowed as he suspected the boys were just trying to get him going and he was not going to put up with it.
"Hey, we are only joking with you." said the twins as they noticed his smouldering look, "Mom won't be that bad...we hope."
Severus threw a look of annoyance towards the twins as he double-checked his little trunk, before dragging it out and down the stairs.
Hermione had been waiting down in the common room ready to leave, as the twins and Severus came down. Harry and Ron were not far behind them.
"Is Bill coming too?" asked Ron.
"Of course he is, he promised Mom that he would baby-sit the Twerp."
Severus glared at George. "He isn't babysitting, as you so delicately put it, he is riding herd on all three of us."
"Me think the twerp is right bro."
"Yeah, I think Mom is not trusting us."
"Honestly, you would think we were untrustworthy or something."
"More like she has a slight issue about our twerp's little inventions."
"Hey guys, you helped too." snapped Severus whose nerves were tingling. "Personally I would have preferred to stay alone here at the school than listen to adults arguing and fighting during the so called happy holiday."
"What are you talking about twerp? Mom might blow off steam now and then, but she does love us all so, even you for some odd unfathomable reason." Ron told him. "It's not that bad, She will be very happy to have all of us home, together for Christmas."
Severus sighed as they walked out of the common room. They said Merry Christmas to the fat lady and her friend Vi who had come over for a fine Christmas chat and celebration of their own. Then down the stairs, across the corridor to the entrance where the carriages were lined up ready for departure.
Professors, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Flitwick along with Madame Pomfrey were on hand to wish the small group a safe journey and promised to pop in to visit over the holidays.
"Goodness, what a face Twerp, don't tell me your not excited about going home." Poppy said as she felt his forehead and brushed his hair back.
"Not too anxious." he replied truthfully. "I will enjoy seeing everyone again but Christmas..."
Severus rearranged his facial features into a half smile. Dumbledore almost frowned as he noticed that Severus was acting more like his adult self when he mentioned Christmas. He knelt down and with one arm around the boy's shoulder told him. "Time will fly by and you will be back with us, enjoy your Christmas holidays."
Severus gave him an odd look and nodded slowly. Dumbledore was a little worried about the boys' attitude towards Christmas and fervently hoped that once Severus got on the train headed back to see Molly and the rest of the family, he would come to relax and enjoy the holidays.
Both McGonagall and Flitwick hugged the boy and bade him a happy holiday. Severus's eyebrow rose slightly and he got into the carriage with the trio and Bill who promised to look after the twerp on the train.
"Confound it Twerp, what the hell have you got in your pocket, its poking me." yelped Ron as he felt a sudden jab in his side.
Severus reached into his pocket and pulled out a box that had a closed vial of swirling fluid that he had mixed up the night before carefully packing it in a soft yet protective material. He pulled the vial out and studied it in the light. He gave Ron a glance, then with a sneaky grin said. "Sorry Ron, I forgot I had it in my pocket, luckily it didn't break."
Ron eyed the vial nervously as he asked, "What and why is it lucky that it didn't break., or should I dare ask?"
Severus shrugged as he placed it in the chest pocket of his shirt. "It's just a sample of something I had been experimenting with."
"Twerp, I hope it is innocuous, you don't want mom to tear into you as soon as we get home." said Bill warningly. "But I am curious, what is it?"
Severus shrugged his shoulders and told him. "It's really not much yet, It is a drink that I was working on for the deluxe candy kit."
"Uh, oh, what is it supposed to do?" asked a now very cautious Ron. He eyed the swirling fluid with an air of distrust.
Severus put on his most innocent look as he replied, "it's nothing really, It is supposed to make the person who drinks it see things like flying mermaids and swimming dragons."
"What! Mermaids don't fly and dragons don't swim either." Ron told him firmly.Severus gave him an exasperated look. "Of course they don't, it just makes the person think they see them doing things they cannot do."
"Bill laughed, "Hallucinations, is what I think you mean, I hope it isn't addictive."
"No, there is nothing in the mix to do that. It is just temporary. It is similar to the stuff that made Umbridge see dead students, only this is a flavoured drink. This is only one flavour..."
Draco's nerves were jumpy as he made his way to the carriages, Crabbe and Goyle following behind him as per normal for them. He was feeling stressed with the knowledge that within a few hours he would be home at Malfoy Manor, and his Father would most definitely make him wish he were never born. He dreaded to think what would happen to him when his father dragged him in front of the Dark Lord.
He climbed into a carriage with Crabbe and Goyle, in just a few minutes they would be heading down to Hogsmeade station and then once on the train, Draco figured he could count his days as a free wizard over. He knew down deep that he was a fool to believe that the Order would save him. Yet he had a thin slice of hope still fluttering around inside him.
"Merry Christmas." yelled a few students to friends who were staying behind at the school for the holidays as they left the castle. The few stragglers climbed into their carriages and then the procession left the grounds and headed to the station where the Hogwarts train sat calmly belching out puffs of smoke.
The happy students and staff who where going on the train, carried parcels and smaller trunks into the compartments while any larger trunks were placed in the baggage car. The trio found themselves together in a compartment with Ginny and Neville Longbottom. Severus looked up at Bill who guided him to their compartment. Bill asked him if he would rather be sitting with Harry's crew. Severus said, "No, I'll be fine here."
He then got up on one of the seats and opened up a book, which he read silently. Bill sat down beside him and unfolded a copy of the Daily Prophet. The twins came barrelling in with Lee Jordan and sat down across from Bill and Severus.
"How is the new experiment coming along? Asked Lee as Bill groaned. The twins grinned evilly as Severus brought out the box with the vial in it and showed them."
"Too bad Umbridge wasn't around to test it out for us." said George.
"I guess we will have to test it on ourselves like we normally do." said Fred.
"It should work guys, I found it in the book Bill gave me." Severus smirked as he snuck a quick peek at Bill's horrified face. "I just gave the formula a little tweak here and there."
George and Fred grinned, "Great, we'll get working on the new packaging when we get home."
Draco walked onto the train with Crabbe and Goyle close behind him. He chatted with Montague and Blaise before heading to his favourite compartment with Crabbe and Goyle following him like double shadows.
He opened the door and as the three of them crowded in and shut it, they noticed a cloaked man sitting and leaning back on one of the seats, He looked to be sleeping with his arms folded across his thin chest and his long legs stretched out before him. The boys looked at each other, puzzled, as they sat down across from him.
After the train started to move the man stirred and opened his eyes and glared at the three boys who sat across from him. A twisted grimace graced the thin lips of the dark cloaked man as he magically sealed the carriage so the doors would not open and no sound would leak out.. The jaws of Crabbe and Golyle both dropped in shock
"Wha, what i-is going on? Cried out Draco as he stared at the cold dark eyes of the sallow faced man sitting across from him and his companions.
Crabbe and Goyle were ignored as the man glared at young Malfoy. "The precious son of Lucius Malfoy, the only heir to the Malfoy fortunes." The wand held steady, "I fear your journey to soon be at an end."
"My journey?" Draco replied with a faint shudder in his voice. "What do you mean? There is no way off the train while it moves."
"There is a way, once the train slows down to head into Kings Cross. The wards are weakened, and we can leave."
"My Father will be angry for sure, once he finds out you kidnapped me." exclaimed Draco who looked nervously at Crabbe and Goyle whose facial expressions were frozen with fear.
The man smiled grimly, "Foolish boy, do you think I wouldn't know what goes on inside that simple head of yours?"
He turned around gracefully and pointed his wand at Crabbe and Goyle. "Petrificus Totalus." he said in quick succession then wiped out their memory of seeing him, then cast a confundus charm to make them believe that they saw Draco with them the whole time they were on the train.
"Now that the witnesses are safely out of the way, I will ask you. Do you still wish to avoid taking the dark mark?"He snapped.
Draco's eyes widened as he stammered with confusion. "I d-do, how did you know? I mean who are you?"
"You don't recognize me boy?" The man asked softly and silkily. "For now I am Severus Snape, that is all you need to know."
"I know that you are not, really..." stated Draco nervously. "The twerp is the real Severus Snape."
The man took a flask out of his cloak pocket and took a swallow of what it contained. He made a face as he closed the flask and placed it back in his pocket.
"Poly-juice! Of course, you were sent by Dumbledore." exclaimed Draco who felt like a large weight had been removed from him. " I understand."
"Good, about time you figured it out." commented the man as he shook his head. "For a minute I wondered if your brain was affected by the company you keep."
Draco looked at his two companions, who were dozing peacefully. "They will be all right, won't they?" he asked looked up at the Wizard who was now standing close by him.
The man put his wand away and held Draco's shoulder, "They will be fine, and with no memory of me being here, just you and them. I would have obliviated them, but I don't think they have many brain cells left between them." He chuckled grimly. "Now that those two are out for a nap, are you ready to vanish from sight?"
Draco exclaimed, "From the train? I thought it was like Hogwarts, no apparating "
The dark man laughed. "Don't worry just hold on and we will be gone." With that assurance, Draco held on tightly as they disapparated.
A few minutes later both, Crabbe and Goyle stirred, and looked at each other. "Where is Draco?" asked Goyle. "He wouldn't leave without us."
Crabbe shrugged. "Probably went to the loo or something, He'll be back."
The train whistle sounded as the station for nine and three-quarters came into view. That was the signal for everyone to be ready for disembarking.
Bill watched Severus who had said very little to anybody during the train ride. His silence bothered Bill a little as he had thought the child had started to become more sociable in the last few months.
"Hey Twerp, we are nearly at the station." Bill commented as he stood up and got down the small trunk and his knapsack. He then set back down and waited for the train to come to a full stop. "Lets hurry on, I'm sure Mom is getting very excited at having her brood home." Bill gave Severus his knapsack to carry as he took the small trunk.
It was a very cheerful yet frantic time as everyone gathered his or her belongings and their familiars. Parents and siblings met the students as they stepped off the train and left the platform cheerfully yelling at each other to Owl during the holidays and traditional greetings of Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays were heard throughout.
On the platform Arthur and Molly was waiting for their family with barely concealed excitement. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione got off the train first, and then the twins came off with Bill and Severus. Molly hurried forward and hugged each member of her little family tightly. Hermione and Harry were hugged also, and then Molly looked Severus over, a slightly worried frown on her face, which cleared up as she found him to be whole and healthy. She then gathered him up in her arms and hugged him as he wiggled to get free.
"Not to be pushy or anything Mom, but don't you think we better get moving?" asked Bill who was still holding onto the little trunk.
Lucius watched them with apparent disinterest as Narcissa and he waited and wondered where their son was. Lucius frowned when Molly cuddled the small boy that Draco was supposed to dispose of but didn't. Seeing the small child and the reception he received, Narcissa was too concerned with finding Draco to care about some insignificant brat that the blood traitors were harbouring.
The crowds thinned out and Narcissia asked Lucius if he thought Draco had decided to stay at Hogwarts without notifying them.
Lucius snapped back at her. "He better not have, he knows we expected him to come home."
Narcissia and Lucius Malfoy enquired, of the train conductor if he had noticed Draco Malfoy was on the train."
The conductor thought a moment and said. "Yes, I did. Hasn't he come off the train yet?"
"Obviously not." Lucius said dryly. "Otherwise we wouldn't be standing here asking you if he was on the train."
Ron noticed the Malfoys still standing on the platform as Molly was fussing over the twerp. He wondered idly why Draco wasn't with them. He nudged Harry and whispered "Looks like their little golden boy hasn't quite made it off the train."
"That sounds like news Ron! Better tell the Daily Prophet that Malfoys' little boy was the last off the train instead of the first." Harry replied sarcastically.
Ron smirked as they walked towards the barrier that Molly, Arthur, Bill and the twins along with Severus had already passed through.
Hermione's forehead furrowed as she looked back at the train out of curiosity, "That is a little odd, there's Crabbe and Goyle just getting off the train, and they are by themselves."
"They are on their own? That's a first." commented Ginny. "I wonder how Draco managed to dump them."
They didn't say anything else as they took their turns to walk through the magical barrier between platforms nine and ten.
Meanwhile, Crabbe and Goyle were met by their parents who asked where Draco was and they both looked back at the train then shrugged their shoulders with bewilderment as they said, "Dunno, he was walking behind us, didn't he get off the train?" They looked around at Lucius and Narcissa who had approached them and heard the boys.
Lucius blew and roared. "Then we better make a coach to coach search of the train." Indignation and frustration flashed in Lucius's eyes, as there was panic in Narcissas.
Hogwarts
The investigation by Filch and his team of house elves into the broken barrier had brought up some interesting facts. One was that the boards did not weaken and break on their own, neither were they tampered with physically. That meant someone used magic to weaken and cause the boards to splinter and break away. If Severus hadn't managed to cast the Wingardium Leviosaand Malfoys' boy Draco hadn't caught the boy and brought him safely down to the ground..." The Headmaster shuddered at the thought. He was pretty sure that Lucius had not expected his son to save Severus. He seemed to be very much out of sorts with the boy according to Alastor.
Professor Dumbledore suspected Lucius Malfoy had either done the deed or bribed someone. It would be hard to prove it though. Knowing Lucius. He would grease the palms of the Minister of Magic with quite a few galleons, to make sure his tracks were covered up. Fudge was not above taking a bribe, especially from the likes of Lucius Malfoy. Dumbledore sighed as he thought of telling Severus he was not to come back to Hogwarts after the holidays, but that would be a great disappointment to both the boy and himself. Harry was doing much better with Occlumency, thanks to Severus and his sneaky idea of giving Mr. Weasley and Miss. Granger lessons along with him. He had a long way to go though before he would be at ease and be able to block Voldemort from his mind.
12 Grimmauld Place.
The entire Weasley family was to be at 12 Grimmauld Place for Christmas, along with Severus. It was going to be the first time in years that Sirius was able to enjoy himself. He worked hard at making the place sparkle, with Molly's help when she could spare the time and he pushed Kreacher into doing his bit, though the little house-elf complained the whole time. He decorated the now bright drawing room with a large tree covered with ornaments of green and silver that his mother had on the tree when he was younger, that should please the little twerp and also ornaments of red and gold were added for Griffindor. Some of them were animated as snakes wiggled around staffs of silver and flicked their little tongues out. The Lions stalked around the tree roaring out greetings when anybody got close. The little crystal creature figurines scattered thought the tree glinted as they reflected the light. Holly was draped around the doorframes and cedar branches across the fireplace mantle. The little flecks of snow drifting down from the ceiling over the tree looked very realistic to Sirius as he watched the magical snow and icicles clinging to the tree branches.
He was expecting a new guest to come today, and had promised to greet him civilly. Alastor had told him to expect the boy before the Hogwarts train arrived at the station. It wasn't too long after Sirius left the drawing room for the kitchen, to check the meal Molly had started before she and Arthur left for the station, that Draco Malfoy stepped through the front door with the man who was posing as Snape. Sirius fought down the urge to ask him who he really was. Draco looked somewhat shook up as he gazed at Sirius Black. The pseudo-Snape rested a reassuring hand upon Draco's shoulder.
"Draco Malfoy, welcome to my humble home" Sirius said as he reached his hand out in greeting. "You certainly have changed over the last few years, I would have never thought that you would turn your back on your family."
"I never really thought out the consequences of following my fathers footsteps in the service of the Dark Lord before," answered Draco.
Sirius gave Draco an odd look of suspicion that passed quickly and mentioned carefully, "You know, I have always understood that only the followers of Voldemort call him the Dark Lord."
Draco winced and said, "Sorry, my father always told me to call his master by that name."
Sirius then smiled as he motioned for the boy and the pseudo-Snape to follow him into the kitchen. "I was planning to have a hot drink, come join me while we wait for the others to come." He paused "Er you coming Snape?"
"Sure I could do with a hot drink, I suspect those two thick headed dunderheads will be telling Draco's parents that he was coming off the train right behind them, about now." He smirked and his eyes glinted as they walked into the kitchen where a tantalizing scent of Molly's home cooking was filling the air. Sirius sniffed and said, "I wish they would get home soon, that scent is making my stomach rumble.
Draco wondered what the Daily Prophet would have to say about his disappearance, after all how many students had managed to vanish on a still moving train, especially the Hogwarts Express.