CHAPTER 3
The Order members sat and stood around the Headmaster's office waiting to start the meeting. They were waiting for the arrival of the Headmaster, Arthur and Remus. Draco Malfoy sat and tied to a chair with invisible ropes, tears sliding on his cheek. He was brought here under Dumbledore's order. If not because of Dumbledore, Alastor Moody were already sent him to the ministry.
The door opened, Albus Dumbledore entered, followed by Minerva, Remus and Arthur. With a tight face, Albus walked in and sat in front of Draco. Everyone in the room were watching in silence.
Albus untied Draco and looked at the boy. "Draco looked at me"
Draco looked up with teary eyes. Albus smiled towards the boy. "You're a good boy, Draco".
The boy looked up to him with a shock face. "You're not a murderer. Your mother don't want you to become one"
"How do you know that? My parents must be disappointed in me because I couldn't do it" squeaked Draco.
"Only your father. Not your mother. She came to Severus last summer and begged him to protect you. She knew you couldn't do it and she didn't want you to do as well", explained Albus.
"If I didn't do it then, the Dark Lord will kill my parents", said Draco softly.
"I will try my best to save your mother. But I doubt that Voldemort will kill your father", said Albus, ignored the winced from the boy.
"I will contact your mother tonight and see if she can come to hogwarts tomorrow, then we will hide both of you" added Albus, he assured the boy.
Draco nodded. "How is Professor Snape, Sir?"
Albus slightly smirked, "I thought you never ask". The Boy bowed in shame. "Your godfather will recover nicely", continued Albus.
"Now, the Order will escort you to the guest room. Do not try anything foolish, Draco. You are under Severus' and my responsibility ", said Albus. Draco nodded and silently followed Emmeline Vance walked out of the office.
Albus sighed and sat at his own chair back. "Have you destroy the vanishing cabinet, Remus?"
Remus nodded. "Yes, Albus"
Albus turned to Tonks but she already knew what to speak. "Alastor, Kingsley and the rest Auror already took the death eaters to the ministry", said Tonks.
"What really happened Albus? and why they attacked Severus?,", asked Minerva.
"They weren't here to attack Severus, they were here to kill me. The dagger was supposed to hit me, but Severus took the hit instead", said Dumbledore with a sigh.
The Order gasped.
"Draco Malfoy was ordered kill me. He had tried several attempts such as Katie Bell incident, the poison and tonight event. Voldemort didn't expected the boy would succeed. He would use the boy's failure to punish Lucius Malfoy for failing to retrieve the Prophecy in the Department of Mysteries", explained Albus.
"What about the Unbreakable Vow Severus? Harry heard Severus conversation with Draco", said Remus.
"Narcissa and Bellatrix came to Severus' house before this year term started and forced him to take unbreakable vow to protect Draco while the boy tried to kill me. However, he did not agreed to the third vow", said Albus.
"What was the third vow?", asked Minerva, feeling uneasy.
"To carry out Draco's task, of course", replied Albus.
Minerva put a hand to her mouth.
"Thank Merlin he didn't agree"
"Even if, I was still supposed to die tonight", said Dumbledore.
The Order looked at him oddly. "What do you mean?", asked Arthur.
"Did you remember my black hand?", he raised his right hand and received a nod from them.
"I have suffered a dark curse from the beginning of the term till while ago. Severus managed to save me by trapped the curse into my hand from spread. But still the curse would still spread and I only had 1 year left to live. Then, I make a plan to save Draco's soul. The plan was only Severus and me know about it. However, he spoiled it earlier. Luckily, he had found the cure in time", explained Dumbledore.
"Why didn't you disclose the plan to us? we could help. And what was the plan actually?", asked Elphias Doge.
"You can't. Because the plan was, Severus has to take Draco's place, to kill me so that Voldemort would trust him implicitly", said Dumbledore.
"Are you insane Albus Dumbledore??", yelled Minerva. "Of course he would spoiled your plan. You are like a father to him"
"I know, I didn't expect he could find the cure and I need to save Draco's soul", said Albus softly and defeated.
"and what about Severus' soul?
Albus sighed. The night still long and he need to answer a lot of question.
Severus woke up and found a white sheet concealed him up to his breastbone, fresh blood stained the bandages that covered him his chest. His eyes moving backwards and forwards, trying to see something other than the eternal blackness. His body felt a bit numb.
He tried sat but felt a new jab of pain in his chest. He let out a moan and closed his eyes to bear the pain.
"Severus, hold still", Poppy rushed to his side.
He felt a tingle of Magic in his body, then the pain disappeared.
"Good Morning, Severus"
Severus looked up and met Poppy. She gave him a glass of water and helped him sat up.
"Are you an idiot? You are going to die", hissed Poppy.
"I still alive now isn't it? if the curse in his body, it would spread faster than I can predict", replied Severus.
"How long do you think you have?", asked Poppy softly.
"maybe 6 more month. it would be more easier to find the cure if the curse in my body. I could feel it", said Severus.
He saw Poppy sad face and tears ran down to her cheek.
"Don't worry Poppy, my existence is not important. Nobody would mourn me I'm sure", stated Severus flatly.
"Severus!!"