Disclaimer: Harry Potter & Co. still belong to J.K.R., otherwise it's not like her to be updating in a span of a few days.
A/N: Here's a really long chapter for now, to help to clear up some of the question marks littered about in the previous few chapters. No Draco-Hermione interaction this time round, sorry, but I promise better in later chapters! For now, here's a greater insight to the new character Corrinne.
Argus Filch carried his flickering lantern up to his ear, illuminating his wrinkled features and crooked scowl with his high forehead glimmering with oil with a few strands of straggly greasy hair hanging down. With a gleaming-eyed Mrs Norris curled up in his arm, he shuffled along the corridors, his bulging eyes scanning all corners for any delinquent students. It was ten-thirty, and the prefects had also left their duty posts to go to bed. Mrs Norris arched lazily, cast a glance down a corridor unblinkingly for a while, before she gave an uncharacteristic purr and nuzzled against Filch as he made his way towards the staircase.
"That cat is scary," muttered Ron, as the trio peeked out from behind the pillars, securely wrapped in Harry's Invisible Cloak. "I swear she saw us!"
"If she did, she'd have yowled down the whole place, Ronald," said Hermione, in her sagely voice. Then she quickly scanned the area. "Okay, coast is clear, let's get going!"
They scurried across the corridor, trying not to step too hard in case Filch heard them. Hermione kept an eye on the shuffling caretaker, who was muttering something bad-temperately to himself as he climbed the moving staircases, and soon, they were out of his view, and right in front of Professor McGonagall's office.
Harry had stopped first, so the other two nearly bumped into him with his abrupt stop. They stood staring at the big door in front of them.
"Erm... Harry, you should knock."
Harry took a deep breath, then raised his knuckles to softly rap on the door three times.
There was a rather worried voice emanating from within. "Come in!"
Harry pushed open the door, and once they saw Professor McGonagall with a surprised look etched on her face at the absence of her visitor, Hermione pulled off the cloak and shut the door behind her.
Staring at the sudden appearance of the trio in front of her, Professor McGonagall's stunned face morphed into a frown when she noticed that none of them looked particularly like they were in an emergency.
"What are the three of you doing by sneaking out at this time? You'd better have a good explanation!" With that, she continued to tidy up her desk with her wand, flicking it all around as her books and papers flew from left to right, piling up in neat stacks on either side.
Hermione nudged Harry, so he coughed and pushed up his spectacles nervously. "Well, Professor, we wanted to know – what really happened to Lucius Malfoy."
There was a thud, and the book that Professor McGonagall was levitating fell flat on the floor. Her eyes were wide open. "Mr Potter, I don't really think..."
"We were sent by Professor Dumbledore." Harry hastened to explain. "He said – to find you at this time, so we figured..." He tried not to look embarrassed. "That it wasn't really against the school rules..."
Minerva McGonagall stared hard at Harry, then at an eager-looking Hermione and a thoughtful-looking Ron, then sighed as she stepped away from her desk and motioned the three of them to the side, where she conjured up four soft looking chairs. The trio fell into their seats, silent, as Professor McGonagall smoothed out her robes while she sat. Finally, she looked up at them, with a very serious look on her face that bordered on annoyance.
"I really shouldn't be letting you know, but since the Headmaster has wished for me to do so, then I shall. I don't really know why he wants you three to be in the know when half the wizarding world are still asking questions. I am trusting that – he did really tell you that, Mr Potter." She narrowed her eyes at Harry, who nodded vehemently. "I also trust that you three will not let this out to the others." She received three affirming nods. "Well then, I'm sure you know that Lucius Malfoy was murdered by You-Know-Who..."
She sighed, and shifted her gaze away from her students to the fireplace. "You-Know-Who had sent Lucius Malfoy on a very important mission, which according to what Professor Dumbledore had gathered, was to visit a former Death Eater to obtain something from him that You-Know-Who wanted. Of course, after obtaining it, this former Death Eater was to be silenced. However Lucius Malfoy seemed to have let the man slip through his fingers after obtaining this item, which I really have no idea what it is." Professor McGonagall eyed the questioning look of the three students, with Harry's look betraying a hint of disappointment thereafter.
"This man escaped to one of the former Soviet Union states. As Malfoy was desperate not to fail You-Know-Who, so he gave chase and had created an elaborate set-up to capture the man. Unfortunately, when he did reach there, for some extraordinary reason, he voluntarily let the man go, and when You-Know-Who found out that this man had escaped twice because of Malfoy, and apparently because this man had told Malfoy a secret that You-Know-Who wanted the man to bring to his grave..."
"Lucius Malfoy was now a threat to Voldemort," Hermione finished, as Professor McGonagall cringed at her outright use of the name. "This is altogether queer; first there is a man who was formerly a Death-Eater. Professor, how can Vol – I mean, You-Know-Who let anybody become a former Death-Eater? Either you are currently one, or – you will cease to exist."
"Yes, Miss Granger, but this man is different," said Professor McGonagall, her gaze shifting back to the fireplace. "He saved You-Know-Who's life before."
All three raised their eyebrows. "So he's a benefactor?" Harry asked.
"You could say so, Mr Potter," replied Professor McGonagall. "Not once, but twice. I'm not very sure about the first time, but I know when You-Know-Who was severely weakened after attempting to possess you last year at the Ministry of Magic." She looked back at Harry, who had paled. "This man had managed to Heal him with the tremendous powers that he had accumulated; if he did not have that amount of strength, You-Know-Who might have not been able to pull through much, which I'm sorry to know."
Harry clenched his fists, and Ron and Hermione instinctively covered them with their palms, hoping to ease the tension in there.
"Who is he?" asked Ron.
"I'm afraid I don't know, Mr Weasley," replied Professor McGonagall wearily, her eyebrows knotting together. "No one knows who this man is, apart from that he is a Healer and lived a life as a hermit beforehand. Surely he must have attended Hogwarts to be able to qualify as a Healer, and St. Mungo's must have his records, but we are still doing our investigations as it is likely that he has changed his identity. "So far we've only gathered this because of –" She cleared her throat. "Professor Dumbledore."
Hermione wondered how come Professor Dumbledore knew so much, but Professor McGonagall carried on, interrupting her train of thought. "The reason why this Healer left the Death Eaters is quite unknown, but apparently it was a decision made by the Healer himself and approved by You-Know-Who."
Harry and Ron mused over this, as Hermione moved on to her next thought before she lost it completely. "And so, besides that, there's this whole issue about how You-Know-Who wants to get something from this Healer, and eventually eliminate him when all this while, he's been letting him go. Then how Malfoy allowed him to escape twice, especially voluntarily for the second time. And the secret that You-Know-Who couldn't let anyone know. This is really really queer!"
"Is it true that Draco Malfoy will become a Death Eater?" interrupted Ron. Hermione had been about to shoot him a death glare for changing the topic, when she realised what topic he had shifted to, and the image of a silvery-blond haired figure floated into mind. Earlier on during patrol, he had not said a word – in fact, his mind seemed to have wandered elsewhere, and Hermione felt best not to provoke him. They had spent the entire patrol in silence, with Malfoy occasionally sending a chillingly angry glare at one or two students who were supposed to be back in bed, waving his wand carelessly to signal the taking away of points. He had not been overboard as he used to be back when he was in Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad. The smirk and swagger still remained, but it seemed that in the place of the immature, arrogant and spiteful Malfoy, there was a rather darker version with an unfathomable pool of emotions.
Professor McGonagall had a pained look on her face. "Mr Weasley, I don't really know how to answer that question..." She eyed Harry, and immediately thought of Professor Dumbledore telling the boy gently to go look for her for answers, and sighed, trying hard not to look exasperated. "Well, it is tradition that should a Death Eater be removed because of disloyalty, if he has children, the eldest child, when he or she comes of age, must take over the parent's position and serve You-Know-Who with loyalty to pay back for the parent's sin."
Hermione sighed inwardly. She was hoping that what she had read in the books was merely a myth. Turns out that was unlikely.
"But Malfoy is not..." Ron began.
"The coming-of-age for the Death Eaters," said Professor McGonagall, gently, "is sixteen."
Harry, Ron and Hermione kept silent, their bodies shuddering a little. Draco Malfoy had already turned sixteen before the sixth year at Hogwarts had begun.
"How can Hogwarts let that happen?" whispered Hermione, finally. "How can Professor Dumbledore let a Death Eater stay within this walls?"
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "That isn't a matter I should comment upon, really. Miss Granger, please do not worry unduly, the Headmaster and all of his staff will ensure the safety of the students at Hogwarts – it comes first and foremost, above all." Her voice was laced with a trembling edge, Hermione had not missed that. "We believe that – we do have sufficient precautions in place, and we will make sure that any student involved with the Dark Arts in the wrong way," she cleared her throat once again, "will be dealt with."
Harry wanted to open his mouth, but Professor McGonagall shook her head. "It is late, and I have told you enough. Please return back to bed, with that cloak securely in place, and make sure that Filch doesn't see you, or I'll have a lot of paperwork to deal with tomorrow." She managed a smile at them. "Now go."
There was no use arguing with that firm tone of Professor McGonagall's, and Harry begrudgingly swung the cloak over the three of them as they left the office.
On their way back, Harry was muttering something under his breath, and Ron asked what he was talking about. Harry raised his eyes to meet Ron's, then Hermione's, and sighed.
"This is going to be a hell of a year."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Corrinne Whitemayer sat in front of the dormitory window, staring outside as the white blanket of snow below was illuminated by small yellow lights from the school grounds. She felt the tears starting in her eyes as her mind wandered, but she blinked them back fiercely. She had come to Hogwarts in order to be equipped as a brilliant witch, in order to avenge her parents. She had been enrolled at Hogwarts only the year before because her grandaunt refused to send her to the school that had led to her parents near-deaths – she should stay out of magic! But the young Corrinne had magic in her blood; she was defiant and her grandaunt eventually relented to let her enter. Because she entered late and was far behind everybody in terms of studies and skills, the various professors had been instructed by Professor Dumbledore to give her private lessons. He knew, when he saw the fierce look on the girl's face when she had stepped into his office, that this was a girl not only with a history, but also with a character. This was a girl destined for great things.
Of course, Corrinne had imagined him thinking that way, and she smirked to herself bitterly. Thinking so highly of yourself huh, Corrinne? She pulled her knees to her chin and hugged them tightly. So far, she had done her best, only falling short of Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. Draco Malfoy! The thought of the sneer on his face made Corrinne's face harden. It was bad enough not being able to subdue the son of her enemy in grades, having to restrain herself from hexing him in public to draw Lucius Malfoy out, but worse enough to know that from being the most snarky little thing in Hogwarts, he had become a public figure of sympathy because – Lucius Malfoy was dead! Lucius Malfoy! Corrinne seethed with rage, standing up abruptly and heading towards the door, pulling it open, allowing a low light to flood into the bedroom for an instant. She didn't notice that one of the beds in the room was empty before she shut herself out from the darkness, and was plunged into the soft lights of the common room, which were still glowing as she made her way down the stairs to the chairs in front of the empty fireplace.
As she sank into one of the big armchairs, she could see her parents' faces floating in front of her, her father's stern but yet kindly face, her mother's dancing dimples and lovely smile, with her golden tresses flying in front of her face. Corrinne touched her own blonde hair, smiling absent-mindedly. Then her smile vanished, as she remembered opening the door to the study room one day, ready to burst out in happiness to her parents that spring had arrived, only to see the straggly white-blond hair of Lucius Malfoy, with his gloved hand extending a wand towards her parents. Her parents, who were lying unconscious against the bed frame, their eyes rolling upwards, with froth bubbling out of their lips.
The young Corrinne had screamed in terror, flung herself upon her parents, and with tears streaming down her cheeks, she faced Lucius Malfoy with her eyes wide with rage and fear, but the man had disappeared after that millisecond she had turned to face him. All of a sudden, there were so many people who appeared, pushing Corrinne aside, albeit gently. She had scrambled to get a hold on her parents, but the crowd had vanished just as quickly as they had arrived, together with her parents. One man with a long beard had remained, watching Corrinne shake with horror and despair, as she clambered towards him, tugging at his robes and pleading to see her parents.
The next thing Corrinne knew, she was being shoved through a long and winding tunnel, her whole body compressed and being sucked through like a vacuum cleaner was pulling at her. When she opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital, but oh what a strange hospital it was! There were people with witch-like hats, dressed in the formal robes that the man, who was holding her hand, was wearing. There were things flying about as well, but Corrinne paid little attention, as she followed the man, her eyes blurring with hot tears and her heart laden with anguish. She was eventually brought to a room, but told to stand still and not move towards her parents.
She watched as a group of what looked like doctors and nurses to her, descended upon the shaking figures of her parents, there were many things flying about, Corrinne thought she saw wands! But when they eventually dispersed, she saw the contorted faces of her parents, her father laughing insanely, and her mother's beautiful smile completely wiped off, leaving a crooked and sad grin that was plastered lopsided on her face. Corrinne was stunned; she gripped the robes of the man beside her so tightly, and was about to rush ahead when he pulled her out of the room.
"Please, let me be with them! I beg you, I beg you!" the cries of the young Corrinne reverberated around, attracting stares from all sides. Immediately, the man had whipped out his wand, and all of a sudden, Corrinne was shouting silently, her eyes huge with complete shock and anger at being rendered mute.
"I'm sorry, Corrinne," whispered the man, his eyes kindly, wise and patient, so Corrinne closed her mouth, amazed that he knew her name. "Your father and mother have been cursed by a very very evil man. They were a threat to him and his master, so they had to be killed, but your parents are lucky to have survived." He was treating her like an adult, and Corrinne liked it, but she was too anguished to react. "Your parents will never be the same again, Corrinne, you must understand this." He smiled sadly at her. "I know your grandaunt will never let you learn magic again..." and as soon as he lifted the Silencing Charm, little Corrinne burst out angrily at this point in time. "I will learn! I WILL GO TO SCHOOL! I want to learn magic so that – " Her peaked face crumpled. The man put a hand on her shoulder...
The next time Corrinne saw those kindly eyes was when she was in that man's office, staring at him with a unprecedented feeling of trepidation and awe. He had leaned forward over his desk, his eyes twinkling and smiling, "I'm very glad your grandaunt decided to let you to come, Corrinne, very glad. Welcome, my dear, welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
Corrinne stared at the empty fireplace, which suddenly had small flames licking up at the centre, before bursting into a merry crackle. She spun around, only to see a familiar figure walking down from the other staircase – the one leading to the boys' dormitory, while stuffing his wand back into his robes.
"Neville?"
He made his way down to the armchair opposite Corrinne, sitting down.
"I know how it feels."
Corrinne looked at him in surprise.
Neville raised his head, his eyes meeting her reddish ones. "My parents were Cruciated too. By a Death Eater."
Corrinne was genuinely surprised. She knew very little about the backgrounds of her other wizarding friends, not only because she was new, but because the girls she hung out with usually talked about frivolous, happy things, not the melancholic histories of their classmates. Yes, they did gossip about students of other houses, but definitely not their own house. She knew, however, that almost everybody else knew about her background, especially since she had entered late.
"Who?" she whispered.
"Bellatrix Lestrange," he mumbled, leaning back into the armchair. "And I met her last year when I was fighting alongside Harry at the Ministry of Magic. She killed Sirius, Harry's godfather. I tried to hex her, but she skipped aside. And every night I dream of me being able to do it, to kill her, to avenge my parents." Neville looked at Corrinne again. "They're at St. Mungo's too. I saw your parents when I went to visit my parents."
"I'm sorry," whispered Corrinne. "I hardly look around when I'm there. I just..."
Neville managed a smile. "It's okay."
They remained silent for a while, before Neville eventually spoke up again.
"I know how it feels. It's just –" He hesitated as Corrinne's glittering red eyes focused on him. "Look, I'm not trying to pity Malfoy, I can't do that, he's been absolutely revolting the past few years. Just because he's not hexing some small kid upside down or royally screwing up our house, doesn't mean he won't do it later, or that he's some angel all of a sudden." Neville could feel Corrinne relax a little. "All I want to say is that you need to get a grip. I heard about your outburst yesterday from Ginny, and Harry and Ron were talking about you flying at Malfoy and I overheard them..."
"Hermione Granger..." muttered Corrinne, her eyes flashing.
"It's not Hermione's fault, they're her best mates," protested Neville, then sighed. "But you really need to try to control yourself. The more you fly out at people, the more obvious it is. Lucius Malfoy is dead now, he's the one who killed your parents, not Draco Malfoy."
"But if Malfoy senior is dead, guess who takes over his place?" whispered Corrinne. "I know the rules of the Death Eaters. I've read up extensively on them. And then what are the odds Draco Malfoy won't follow in his father's footsteps?" Like father, like son.
Neville shrugged. "We don't know. We've just got to be prepared. We keep an eye on him, that's for sure. It's just..." He looked at Corrinne again, her red eyes softening a little. "Please, you need to simmer down. If you're flying out at him every now and then, you'll only get yourself into trouble, especially since it looks like everyone's sympathising with him."
Corrinne had never heard the dull and bumbling Neville Longbottom speak so much, and somehow, she felt touched. She felt her heart lurch a little, then she mumbled a 'goodnight' before getting up and disappearing back to her dormitory, leaving Neville to stare sadly at the crackling fire.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"FOCUS!" roared Professor Snape, as he wielded his wand menacingly. "My goodness, Draco, why are you just as terrible as Potter at this?"
"Don't. Compare. Me. To. POTTER!" raged Draco, as he took a step forward with his wand outstretched, but before he could shout, he was plunged into a whirling mass of thoughts, memories... his father, wielding the wand in the same way Snape did, causing the young Draco to writhe in pain... then picking him up again and putting a hand on the blond mess, whispering, "Son, I do this all for you. I'm sorry..." and then muttering a healing charm... his mother, smiling and laughing... himself, staring at the countless hooded men, his left sleeve rolled up to the top, in front of him...
"ARRGHHHH!" screamed Draco, and he fell backwards. "PROTEGO!"
Snape blocked it off with ease, having been prepared that Draco would fire a Shield Charm, just as Harry Potter had in his fifth year. He walked forward to the heaving Draco, whose eyes were dazed and almost wild, his blond hair and black robes in complete disarray.
"Draco, you know why you have to do this," said Snape, in a low voice. "It's for your parents."
Draco winced, his left forearm throbbing. "I'm... tired..."
"Get up!" ordered Snape, with a sneer on his face, though he felt more despair than anger for the boy in front of him. "If you don't get this done properly, you're going to fail miserably. And you know the Dark Lord doesn't spare..."
Draco's eyes narrowed and he braced himself to stand as he slowly picked up his wand.
It was going to be a long night.