Chapter seven:
The Mission
It was summer break for the students now and everyone was with their families. Meanwhile, Harry had decided to stay the summer with his godfather, Sirius Black at 12 Grimmauld Place, the Black ancestry home and occasionally visiting the Weasleys. Sirius had been lucky back in the ministry to have dodged Bellatrix who attempted to catch him off guard before Remus Lupin stupified her right in time - Sirius was positive that Bellatrix would've killed him given the chance. Luna was at home, waiting for when Draco would send her the owl in order to inform her of his arrival but it has yet to arrive. "You know, it will be very special to meet this Malfoy. If he has caught my daughter's heart, he must be worth meeting." Xenophilius said as he stood in the doorway, noticing Luna always sat outside waiting for the owl each day. Luna, sitting on the steps, looked up at her father. "I think you will like him." she said as she looked back down to scan her eyes over the empty field, smiling to herself.
Draco had let his parents know that he had planned on going out for the day to visit a classmate. He was nervous on sharing that it was Luna because he honestly feared for her safety. He didn't want his parents, particularly his father, to use her simply as a pawn but his mother had caught on unfortunately. "Is this the girl you took to the ball, Draco?" Narcissa asked. Draco bit his cheek before responding. "Perhaps. Why does it matter?" he asked curiously. Narcissa looked to Lucius who seemed rather irritated before looking back at Draco. "It doesn't, Draco." she reassured him. Draco saw his father's irritation before looking to his mother. "It doesn't seem like father is thrilled." Draco mentioned. Narcissa sighed. "I'll handle your father. Now, go write her to let her know you're arriving." Narcissa stated. Draco nodded before heading into his room. Narcissa looked over innocently to her husband Lucius. "Let him have some fun. After all, we don't know what the dark lord has planned when he arrives tonight." Narcissa explained.
"I know the girl is friends with Potter and do not approve of my son having any affiliation with such." Lucius spewed out, he saw Luna at the ministry not long ago with the others. Narcissa just shook her head and walked passed him. Draco sat at his silver desk and pulled out some ink and parchment, addressing the envelope to 'Luna Lovegood', writing:
'Luna,
I will be on my way to Diagon alley. If you still choose to meet me, I'll be in front of the shop, Broomstix.
Looking forward to seeing you in hopes that you feel the same.
Draco.'
Draco then folded the letter and put it into the envelope, sealing it with wax that took shape of the Malfoy crest. He used the family owl to send it off and then slipped his wand into his coat pocket. He left the Malfoy mansion in his slick, all black suit and black polished shoes, exiting out the gate and apparated to London. Draco took his time, knowing it may take a little for the owl to get to her so he casually made his way to Charing Cross Road then walked through the Leaky Cauldron. Exiting the back of the pub, Draco pulled out his wand and tapped the special brick three times with the wand before it let him gain access to Diagon Alley.
Luna was still sitting on the steps of her home when she saw an eagle owl appear just above the trees with a letter in its mouth. Luna stood up and held her arm out for the owl on which it landed. Once she took the letter, the owl then flew back to Malfoy manor. She opened the letter and read it with a smile on her face before running back into her cottage. "Draco is waiting for me at Broomstix in Diagon alley. I will be back soon." she told her father before she went outside and apparated. Draco had walked through Diagon alley and stood in front of Broomstix. As he waited for her to arrive, Draco looked at the broomsticks that were displayed in the window. Luna made it to Diagon alley and as she walked through the crowd, she noticed a blond male dressed in black standing with his back turned, looking at the broomsticks. Draco recognized Luna from the reflection in the window and smiled crookedly to himself, turning around to face her. "I was hoping you weren't going to stand me up." Draco said cheekily as he locked eyes on her.
Luna had been checking him out in his suit before she blushed a little at his comment. "I wouldn't do that." she replied sweetly. Draco chuckled a little before Luna took his hand into hers and they walked out of Diagon alley and apparated to Ottery St Catchpole. Once they appeared there, Draco followed her lead towards an open field where a small cottage-like home appeared over a hill. "That's home." Luna pointed out. Draco was used to a bigger house but he figured it was something unique like Luna and would show him more about her. Upon approaching the cottage, hand in hand with Luna, her father Xenophilius came out of the cottage once spotting them. "This must be the boy who stole my Luna's heart." Xenophilius greeted as they approached him. Draco was quite nervous and although he found him a little odd in appearance. "Yes, i consider myself the lucky one, sir." Draco replied respectfully. Xenophilius had a genuine smile on his face, pleased to hear that Luna has had a good influence on a Malfoy. "Please, come in." Xenophilius insisted, motioning towards the front door. As Draco and Luna entered the cottage, Xenophilius followed behind and rushed over to start some tea. "I'll make us some tea." he explained. Luna directed Draco to the small livingroom area and they both took a seat.
Luna could tell that Draco was nervous and not used to the setting but she was happy that he came here for her. Draco intertwined his fingers with hers as Xenophilius came back in with three tea cups and a kettle of tea, pouring the tea into each before setting it down and taking a seat himself. Xenophilius was a little cautious though knowing that Draco's parents were suspected death eaters. "So, i hear that you write the Quibbler." Draco broke the ice. Xenophilius nodded. "Yes i do. I've been writing a piece on Crumple-Horned Snorkack...they have been sighted." Xenophilius replied. Draco gave a soft smile at the words and looked at his hand that was intertwined with Luna's. Xenophilius wanted to just bring his suspicion to the open, not to cause harm. "I hear that your parents are followers of you-know-who...is that the truth?" Xenophilius asked forwardly, he was merely curious. Draco then stood up, loosening his grip on Luna's hand. "I rather not discuss that." Draco stated, being caught off guard he exited the cottage irritated. Luna stood up and ran after him, finding Draco half way up the hill. "Draco! Draco Malfoy!" she shouted, causing Draco to come to a halt and turned around to face her. Luna caught up to him and frowned.
Draco was irritated on being asked about his parent's business, he was merely ashamed of them taking part in following Voldemort, having it be a sensitive subject. "I'm sorry that my dad was too forward. He looks out for me, you know and i think he came off quite too strong. Please don't leave." Luna pleaded, taking his hand into hers. Draco was silent for a moment as he glanced from Luna to her home before nodding. "Okay." he replied. Luna smiled as they went back into the cottage. "My apologies, Mr. Malfoy. I was just merely curious." Xenophilius apologized. Draco took in a breath as he nodded slightly before sitting back in his seat. "I think we both know the answer to that question, sir. If you must know, I'm not exactly fond of their business practices. But i will surely do whatever it takes to protect Luna." Draco explained, figuring her father was worried about her safety. Xenophilius noted what Draco said and found himself able to trust him with his daughter. "I will hold you to that, Mr. Malfoy. " Xenophilius stated. Luna was happy that they seemed to get along and knew Draco would keep her safe as he attempted to the previous year with Umbridge in charge. After tea, Luna and Draco went outside to walk and talk, holding hands as they did so before Draco stopped to face Luna. "I meant what i told your father. I will do my best to protect you." he told her. Luna smiled softly. "I know." she replied. After the afternoon passed by and they spent time together, Draco had to go back home. Luna and Draco embraced in a hug for a few minutes before he then walked off to apparate back to the Malfoy manor. Little did they both know that would be the last time having a normal day for a while.
Upon returning home, Draco walked into the mansion and spotted his parents in the living room. "Got home just in time, Draco. The dark lord is about to arrive." Narcissa stated. Draco wasn't looking forward to this but it was something he would have to endure. Narcissa walked up to her son and brought him over to the black leather chair, having him take a seat. The moment came when Voldemort had arrived with Bellatrix Lestrange and a couple other unimportant death eaters into the Malfoy manor. Voldemort looked over at the Malfoys before they all assisted him at their long, black dining table including Draco who his parents insisted was old enough to join. "I suspect you know why I'm here, Lucius." Voldemort addressed. Lucius was nervous of course and afraid of Voldemort. "Yes...of course..a new-a new mission." Lucius stuttered out in a hushed tone. Draco just watched from the side of the table beside his mother. "Correct, Lucius. However, this mission is for one specific person in mind. Draco..." Voldemort explained, giving the attention to the youngest Malfoy.
Draco's eyes inadvertently looked over to Voldemort as his heart began to race. "I need Draco to kill the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. If failed to complete this mission, it will have fatal consequences." Voldemort stated. Narcissa was getting very worried, it was an extremely hard task for her son, he was just a boy. After Voldemort had addressed the mission, he caused the dark mark to appear on Draco's left arm, then he and the other death eaters left the mansion as Bellatrix stayed behind. "We need to speak to Severus. Tonight." Narcissa stated in fear. Draco didn't want to do this mission and knowing doing so, everyone would hate him even more. He looked at his arm with the dark mark on it with fear, feeling guilty now since he had basically reassured Luna that he didn't want any part of what his parents were doing. "Why Severus?" Bellatrix asked, rolling her eyes. Narcissa got up from the table and went to place her hands onto Draco's shoulders. "Maybe he could try to sway the dark lord into giving the task to another person. This is my only child." Narcissa explained. Bellatrix rolled her eyes.
Narcissa and Bellatrix left the mansion and headed to Spinners End to visit Severus Snape. Upon knocking on the door, Wormtail had looked through the glass of the door before opening it and letting the two women inside. "We need to speak to Severus." Narcissa stated. Wormtail then directed them to the office room where Severus was reading a paper before he folded it over and spotted the two sisters. "Run along, Wormtail." Severus said. With a flick of his wand, the door shut in front of Wormtails face. "I know i may be wrong to be here and the dark lord himself forbade me to speak of this-" Narcissa began before being cut off by Snape. Bellatrix was curiously picking up an object in Snape's office as they spoke. "If the dark lord has forbidden it then we ought to not speak of it, put it down Bella, we must not touch what isn't ours." Snape paused as he watched Bellatrix put the object back down. "As it so happens, I'm aware of your situation, Narcissa." Snape explained. Bellatrix seemed shocked that Snape knew of this mission despite not being at the meeting. "The dark lord told you?" Bellatrix said remaining skeptical.
"Your sister doubts me...understand that over the years I've played my part well, so well that I've deceived one of the greatest wizards of all time." Snape pointed out. Bellatrix snorted at the statement about Dumbledore. "Dumbledore is a great wizard, only a fool would question it." Snape added. Narcissa had been seated on a chair in the office. "I don't doubt you, Severus." Narcissa replied. Bellatrix didn't trust Snape as she attempted one last time to sway Narcissa but to no avail. "He's just a boy." Narcissa clarified in concern. "I cannot change the dark lord's mind...but it might be possible for me to help Draco." Snape stated. Narcissa stood up from the chair in front of Snape. "Severus..." Narcissa replied. "Swear to it." Bellatrix blurted out, causing both Narcissa and Snape to look over at her. "Make the unbreakable vow...its just empty words...he'll give it his best effort...when it matters most he'll just slither back into his hole." Bellatrix added, in a hushed tone as she approached them then circled Snape, adding lastly, "coward." as she walked back over to Narcissa. Snape didn't like Bellatrix's words and decided to prove her wrong. "Take out your wand." he stated, surprising Bellatrix.
Snape and Narcissa held each other's left arms while Bellatrix began to cast the spell that would intertwine around their arms like fiery barbed wire. "Will you, Severus Snape, watch over Draco Malfoy as he attempts to fulfill the dark lord's wishes?" Bellatrix asked. Snape hesitated for a moment before answering. "I will." Snape replied. "And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm." added Bellatrix. "I will." Snape agreed once more. "And if Draco shall fail, will you yourself carry out the deed the dark lord has awarded Draco to perform?" Bellatrix asked, closely to Snape now. Snape hesitated a little longer this time, remembering his talk with Dumbledore before responding. "I will." he responded. The vow was now finalized and they both removed their hands off each other before the sisters left Snape's home.
Once Narcissa came home, she had informed Draco that Professor Snape was going to offer his help with the mission but Draco felt like his mother didn't think he was mature enough to handle this on his own. Meanwhile, Luna had came back into her cottage and spoke with her father about him meeting Draco. "So...what do you think?" she asked curiously. Xenophilius put the tea cups away and came back over to his seat. "He sounds like he truly cares for you, pumpkin. Despite his parents being death eaters, i suppose he's a decent boy." Xenophilius replied, though he was still a little skeptical. Luna smiled at the approval from her father, she honestly couldn't wait to see Draco again although she didn't know that he had unwillingly became a death eater when he came home. The next day came and Narcissa wanted to get Draco's suit tailored, so they ventured out to Diagon alley to a tailor shop. Meanwhile, Harry, Hermione and Ron has passed by the tailor shop on their way to the twins' newly opened joke shop when they noticed Draco was getting his suit tailored. Staying hidden, the trio spot him standing on a step stool while the tailor stitched up the rim of his trousers. Upon accidentally getting pricked by the needle because he unintentionally moved, Draco spewed insults towards the tailor. "Ow! You brainless prat! Be careful where you put that needle." Draco spewed, irritated.
The tailor nodded as he continued the stitching and Narcissa shook her head at his choice words but didn't correct him either. The trio outside had to step away from the window in order to begin laughing at the scene they saw before going to the Weasley's joke shop. Draco and Narcissa had finally left the tailor shop and that's when they stopped at Twilfitt and Tatting's for his mother then after decided to enter Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for a treat. Draco had to make plans in his head on exactly how he was going to carry out his plans, thats when he decided to go to Knockturn alley after and look around at Borgin and Burkes. Draco had given off a gloomy expression ever since given the mission and that was what mostly filled his head now. Looking at the window while waiting for his cup of ice cream, he spotted Luna walking with her father outside, most likely shopping for school supplies. Draco admired her for a moment before his mother Narcissa handed him his ice cream, breaking his attention from his girlfriend. Draco didn't want to drag her into his mission that he was given by Voldemort, but he would have to stay low at school at his attempts of murdering the headmaster.
After finishing his ice cream, Draco split from his mother and headed into Knockturn alley, passing by the Weasley's joke shop unintentionally catching the trio's attention. As Draco made his way down the alley way towards Borgin and Burkes, the trio followed behind under the invisibility cloak. Draco entered the shop in Knockturn alley and looked around before the shop owner approached him. The trio stayed a certain distance away to not get caught but listened on using the Expendable ears from the Weasleys joke shop to over hear. "Can i help you, Mr. Malfoy?" the shop owner asked, familiar with the Malfoys. "Yes, you can actually. You see...i need to know how to repair a vanishing cabinet." Draco mentioned, saying 'vanishing cabinet' in a hushed tone that became muffled to the trio over hearing. He had been given information in the previous year about its power from Graham Montague who apparently threatened the Weasley twins and gotten shoved into the cabinet head first which broke it. Draco had discovered then it was moved into the Room of Requirement in which he needed to fulfill part of his mission. The shop owner then questioned Draco who had showed him the dark mark on his arm, which was blocked by a large black cabinet for the trio. "Very well, Mr. Malfoy. Follow me." the shop owner directed to the back of the room to explain in case there was anyone else coming into the shop.
Draco took note on how to repair a vanishing cabinet and then mentioned that he needed unique items that nobody ever took into consideration of buying. Draco was then directed to things in the back of the shop such as a necklace which he purchased. Before returning to the front, Draco wanted to make something clear to the owner. "A family friend of mine will be coming in from time to time by the name of Fenrir Greyback to see if you are giving this matter your full attention." Draco instructed, wanting the owner to also fix the vanishing cabinet in the shop as well. The shop owner nodded. "I got it." the owner replied before bagging up the necklace in secret for Draco and then as Draco was about to leave the shop, the trio backed up under the invisibility cloak. Draco exited the shop and walked off, heading back home, leaving the trio skeptical on what he was doing exactly. Hermione decided to enter Borgin and Burkes in an attempt to find out exactly what Draco was wanting and what he had taken. "Can i help you?" the owner screeched. Hermione turned her head immediately. "Yes, i...im looking for a birthday present for my friend...Draco." Hermione fibbed. The store owner didn't buy her story and decided to kick her out. "Get out!" he shouted, ushering her out the door. "So rude." Hermione commented.
Once she left, the owner had placed the 'closed' sign on the door to prevent anyone else from coming in and to begin fixing the vanishing cabinet. The trio had been curious on what he was doing in Borgin and Burkes but Harry was even more skeptical, suspecting Draco was up to no good more than usual. Draco figured he could try succeeding at his mission with easy and simple ways without having to do it in cold blood. Returning home to an empty, dark mansion, Draco proceeded to his room for the night, just laying there and thinking - thinking of how he will go about his mission at school and of course now his mind drifted onto Luna. How would he not feel guilty hiding this from her? He laid there in bed until he fell asleep, awaiting for the first day back to Hogwarts for sixth year.