Chapter eleven:
Unbreakable
It was summer break after the incident of Dumbledore's death that left the entire school stunned. Draco was home in the Malfoy manor alone with his mother months after the meeting with Voldemort and Narcissa was eagerly awaiting her husband's return from Azkaban as Voldemort promised. Draco was in a gloomy state, sitting on his dark bed in his bedroom, replaying the last time he saw Luna when he left with the death eaters. He only hoped that she knew he didn't commit the murder, this was the only thing he had hoped Harry would've tattled on him about. Draco never expected to find the girl he would fall in love with this early in life, but he had. While Draco was preoccupied in his bedroom, Lucius had walked through the front door, greeted by his wife Narcissa. "Welcome home, Lucius." Narcissa greeted lightly. Lucius closed the front door and stepped into the living room in the big, quiet mansion. "Where's Draco?" Lucius asked. Narcissa walked up to Lucius and gave him a quick peck before looking towards Draco's bedroom. "He's in his room." Narcissa replied. Lucius had decided to walk to Draco's bedroom and opened his door. "I much prefer if you knocked." Draco stated in irritation, thinking it was his mother or Bellatrix stopping by. Lucius bit his cheek, feeling insulted. "I rather you not speak to me in that manner, Draco..." Lucius stated in arrogance.
Draco then turned his gaze to his father the moment he heard his voice before standing up. "Father...i see that you are back." Draco replied, noticing his father was like his old self. "I suppose you haven't heard..." Draco added shortly after. Lucius took a few steps inside from the doorway before coming to a halt. "Heard what, exactly?" Lucius asked curiously. Draco kept his expression flat as he stood there across from his father. "I was given a mission from you-know-who at the beginning of the year." Draco informed. Lucius honestly didn't like the idea of his son having a mission but had hoped he didn't let down Voldemort. "And?" Lucius simply asked arrogantly. Draco but his cheek. "It was accomplished. Though it made me have a rather miserable school year." Draco pointed out. Lucius looked around his bedroom before placing his eyes back onto his son. "I suppose this was the killing of the headmaster, no doubt?" Lucius questioned, he had heard news of Dumbledore's death since leaving Azkaban. "Yes." Draco replied quickly. There was a mere silence before there was noise coming from the living room in which both Lucius and Draco exited to the living room, spotting the other death eaters and of course, Voldemort issuing an immediate meeting.
They gathered at the table with Voldemort at one end of the table at the front while Draco sat on his father's right and Narcissa on her husband's left at the middle of the table. Draco was always nervous when he was around Voldemort, it seemed he had inherited that trait from his father. Draco looked up to spot an unconscious woman revolving slowly near the ceiling, as if suspended by an invisible rope whom he recognized as a professor from Hogwarts, Charity Burbage. His attention broke when he heard footsteps echoing in the room, Snape had just arrived, late. Lucius didn't even look over when Snape arrived but kept his eyes on his wand, nervous. "Severus. I was beginning to worry you'd lost your way. Come. I've saved you a seat." Voldemort spoke as he grinned. Snape walked over and took a seat, looking at Voldemort. "You know our hosts, of course, Severus. Narcissa in particular has been most hospitable. Lucius, on the other hand, is, I fear, burdened by my presence. Are you, Lucius?" Voldemort questioned the older Malfoy. Lucius turned his focus onto Voldemort nervously before parting his lips to reply. "My lord?" Lucius spoke hesitantly. "Are you burdened?" Voldemort repeated. Lucius actually was but didn't want to insult Voldemort in risk of dire consequences. "My lord is always welcome here." Narcissa replied for Lucius. Voldemort simply ignored Lucius as he was slightly irritating him before putting his focus onto Snape. "You bring news I trust, Severus?" Voldemort asked. Snape was watching Nagini on the floor beside Voldemort before turning his attention onto Voldemort. "It will happen Saturday next. At nightfall." Snape informed. "And this information comes..." Voldemort trailed off, questioning Snape. "...from the source we discussed." Snape informed once more.
Corban Yaxley, whom worked for the Ministry of Magic, was sitting at the table as well and decided to put in his own input. "I have heard differently, my lord. Dawlish, the Auror, let slip that the Potter boy will not be moved until the thirtieth of this month, the night before he turns seventeen." Yaxley stated. "This is a false trail. The Auror Office no longer plays any part in the protection of Harry Potter. Those closest to him believe we have infiltrated the Ministry. No doubt a Confundus Charm has been placed upon Dawlish. It would not be the first time, he is known to be susceptible." Snape refuted. Voldemort looked over at the two before a squat man spoke. "Well, they've got that right, then, haven't they?" the man spoke before he began cackling. Voldemort then raised his hand to silence the room. Draco remained quiet the entire time as he just listened on, he didn't want to be here. "Pius, what say you?" Voldemort asked Pius Thicknesse for his opinion. Pius looked up after staring at Nagini, keeping his gaze placid. "One hears many things, my lord. Whether the truth is among them is not clear." Pius replied. Voldemort was merely amused at the response. "Spoken like a true politician. You will, I think, prove most useful, Pius. Where will he be taken? The boy?" Voldemort questioned Snape. Pius became relieved. Snape pursed his lips for a second before parting them in reply. "To a safehouse. Likely the home of someone in the Order. I'm told it has been given every manner of protection possible. Once there, it will be impractical to attack him. We may have compromised the Ministry, but there are those who remain loyal to him. As long as the Ministry stands, his allies within will have the means at their disposal to insure his safety." Snape informed.
Draco kept looking up at the dangling professor at the ceiling, deep down feeling sorry for her knowing her fate. "My lord, if I might, I'd like to volunteer myself for this task. I'd like to kill the boy." Bellatrix blurted out, catching Voldemort's attention right before a wail came from the floorboards, causing irritation to fall on Voldemort. "Wormtail! Have I not spoken to you about keeping our guest quiet?!" Voldemort spewed. "Yes, m-my lord. Right away, my lord." Wormtail replied then scrambled away. Voldemort then looked over to Bellatrix. "As inspiring as I find your bloodlust, Bellatrix, I must be the one to kill Harry Potter. But I face an unfortunate complication. It has recently come to my attention that my wand and Potter's share the same core. They are, in some ways, twins. We can wound but not fatally harm one another. Which means, if I am to kill him... I will have to do it with another's wand." Voldemort explained, looking around at the faces in the room, everyone remained nervous and not wanting to give up their wand. "Come now. Surely one of you would like the honor? What about...you, Lucius?" Voldemort spoke, standing up and walking over to Lucius. Lucius stiffened when he heard his name. Draco remained facing forward as Voldemort passed him to his father, terrified.
Lucius looks up at Voldemort, sallow looking. "I require your wand." Voldemort commanded, holding out his hand. Lucius scanned the room, everyone besides Snape avoided eye contact with him and he then turned to his son, Draco, who met his father's eyes for a brief moment before looking away. Narcissa had to wake Lucius to reality as she touched his wrist. Lucius then hands his wand over to Voldemort whom looked at it and held it to his ear. "Do I detect elm?" Voldemort asked. "Yes, my lord." Lucius stated quickly. "And the core?" Voldemort asked once more. "Dragon-dragon heartstring." Lucius replied, trembling. Voldemort nods, getting a feel for the wand, then he shifts his eyes to catch Lucius staring at his wand on the table. "My wand? You can't possibly think I would give you my wand." Voldemort spoke as he was merely insulted. Lucius looked up at Voldemort, remaining speechless. "No, my lord." Lucius replied nervously, looking away. "I have given you your liberty, Lucius, is that not enough for you? But I have noticed that you and your family seem less than happy of late...what is it about my presence in your home that displeases you, Lucius?" Voldemort asked. Of course the Malfoys weren't happy, they were basically picked on by Voldemort but Draco was unhappy due to the mission he was given, nearly losing the girl he loved. "Nothing – nothing, my Lord!" Lucius answered. "Such lies, Lucius…" Voldemort stated, displeased. Voldemort then returned to his seat.
"A happy event that, I hear, has taken place in your family this week, Lucius, Bellatrix?" Voldemort pointed out. "I don't know what you mean, my Lord." Bellatrix replied, confused. "I'm talking about your niece, Bellatrix. And yours, Lucius and Narcissa. She has just married the werewolf, Remus Lupin. You must be so proud." Voldemort explained. There was an eruption of laughter from around the table of the news about their niece Nymphadora Tonks. "She is no niece of ours, my Lord!" Bellatrix she shouted over the laughter. "What say you, Draco?" Voldemort asked, putting his hand up to silence everyone, Draco looked over at Voldemort. "Will you babysit the cubs?" he asked. The laughter resumed and Draco looked in embarrassment at his father, who was staring down into his own lap in shame of his niece. Draco didn't like being considered a laughing stock in his own home, where he used to consider his safe house. "Enough." Voldemort silenced the room again before turning to Snape. "Do you recognize our guest, Severus?" Voldemort asked. Snape looked at his coworker before turning back to Voldemort. "Ah, yes." Snape answered briefly, not wanting Voldemort to think he was friends with the witch. "And you, Draco?" Voldemort asked curiously. Draco immediately shook his head, wanting to divert the attention from himself. The woman awoke and Draco stopped looking at her, feeling awkward. "But you would not have taken her classes." Voldemort stated, looking at Draco. "Of course not, sir." Draco spoke as respectful as he could, not wanting to get on Voldemort's bad side.
Voldemort paused for a moment after Draco answered before he went to test out the wand, flicking it at the woman floating at the ceiling, having her float down the table. "For those of you who do not know, we are joined tonight by Miss Charity Burbage who until recently taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her specialty was Muggle studies. It is Miss Burbage's belief that Muggles are not so different from us. She would, given her way, have us mate with them. To her, the mixture of magical and Muggle blood is not an abomination but something to be encouraged. I, of course, take a contrary view. But we're all civilized here. All adults. We can agree to disagree." Voldemort explained, raising the wand to the woman. "Severus, please. We're friends..." Charity Burbage begged, tearful. Snape remained silent. "Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort casted, killing the woman. Draco looked at her when she hit the table, feeling guilty witnessing the death. "Nagini... dinner." Voldemort called the snake, it slithered on the table and gobbled up the corpse of the woman. After the meeting, the death eaters left the manor and it was instructed for them to meet up on the 27th of July to try to kill Harry and plan the attack, but Lucius was unsure if he would be taking part since he had no wand as Voldemort was using it.
Draco found out that they would be keeping prisoners in their cellar after the meeting, having one already brought there and questioned prior to the meeting, Ollivander the wand maker. This idea made Draco feel uneasy but it wasn't his idea to change. He was also surprised to see what he had seen with killing of the witch who taught at Hogwarts but he assumed it was better her than him, it would've been him if he didn't complete the mission previously he figured. Draco began to walk to his bedroom before a voice called out, causing him to halt. "Draco..." Lucius spoke in a hoarse tone. Draco looked back at his father before Narcissa appeared at Lucius' side. "Yes?" Draco asked, piercing his eyes towards his parents. "I know the task wasn't what you wanted and it got me out of Azkaban...i know it was because of me...but i..." Lucius had a difficult time expressing himself outside of his arrogance. Narcissa stepped ahead of him towards Draco, Draco now focusing on his mother. "What your father means, is he appreciates what you did." Narcissa finished for Lucius. Draco then turned his gaze onto his father. "No problem." Draco muttered insincerely before walking off hastily. Narcissa sighed as the bedroom door slammed. "That went well." Lucius commented. Narcissa shook her head lightly before taking a seat on the leather sofa. "He had a rough year because of it. He even took your walking stick with him to school. Not to mention..." Narcissa explained, trailing off. "Do not tell me he's still with that girl he took to that ball?" Lucius sneered. Narcissa frowned. "Lucius..." Narcissa warned. Lucius rolled his eyes before marching off.
Meanwhile Luna remained at home with her father, Xenophilius, smiling to herself in her bedroom as she thought about Draco. Though she wondered if she would see him again after he left with the death eaters that night. Xenophilius walked upstairs to Luna's bedroom with a letter in hand, knocking on her opened door. "Yes father?" Luna spoke, turning her focus onto her father. "We got an invite, you see...to a wedding." Xenophilius announced as he walked in and sat in front of her on the bed. Luna took the invite and read it. "Oh, its to Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's wedding on August 1st...it will be lovely. See my friends there and things." Luna stated. Luna wished she could've taken Draco as a date but despite the situation, she figured it would be awkward for him going to his rival's friend's family wedding. "Is everything okay?" her father asked in concern. Luna nodded. "Yes. Sort of. I just miss him, you know?" Luna explained. "Draco?" Xenophilius. "Yes. We got back together and I'm not sure if he will be in school the coming year. After everything." Luna explained. Xenophilius understood as he had been updated with the wizarding news. "You will see him again, I'm positive." Xenophilius encouraged. Luna smiled before her father got up, exited her room and continued his writing in the Quibbler, including articles that applauded Harry Potter and an obituary for Dumbledore. Luna was tempted on writing Draco a letter but she didn't want to make things difficult for him if he was surrounded by the death eaters.
As a week had passed, it was the 27th of July and that night was the planned attack on Harry Potter at the Dursley house. Lucius found out that he wasn't taking part in the attack since he had no wand as Wormtail wasn't taking part either. Draco didn't want any part of the attack that was happening that night despite not being considered anyway. As the attacked ended up a failure as Harry and the order had gotten to their safe house being the burrow, besides Madeye Moody, the death eaters departed. The next day, there was news that Snape was going to be the new headmaster and was appointing a few new professors, of course being death eaters known as the Carrows, so he knew he would be returning to Hogwarts. 'Another dreadful year.' Draco thought to himself. The only positive thing that would be this year was seeing Luna again though it may be harder to do so with a school run by death eaters. Draco got up and went to his silver table, sitting on the black chair and dipped his quill into ink. He began writing on the parchment paper, a letter he intended to send to Luna.
He wanted to inform her on the news he had overheard, without his parents or the death eaters finding out. He had planned a way to deliver the letter, in order to keep it secret, he would travel to Hogsmeade in order to send it off. After writing a lengthy letter to Luna, he sealed it in an envelope, leaving out his crest stamp for safety reasons but a simple dull seal replaced it, labeling it as 'Luna Lovegood' before placing it into his jacket pocket to hide. Getting up, he walked out of his bedroom and into the living room where his parents sat. "I'm heading to Hogsmeade, i need a butter beer and time to think." Draco explained, remaining a morose expression. Narcissa sighed. "Okay, Draco. Be safe. But while you're there, pick me up some of that tea from Madam Puddifoot?" Narcissa replied. Draco nodded gently before exiting the mansion, knowing which tea his mother normally drank. He apparated to Hogsmeade and made his way to the Hogsmeade Post Office where dozens of owls were used for the public's mail shortly after purchasing a sugar quill from Honeydukes for Luna. Stepping in, Draco ignored some stares he got due to his classy suited up appearance and took out his letter. "I'd like to send this letter and uh, sweet directly to Luna Lovegood, at the Lovegood residence." Draco requested to the lady clerk at the counter. After paying 2 galleons and 5 knuts, they wrapped the sugar quill in a wrapping paper, tied it to the back of the letter with a string then attached his letter to a dark charcoal Great Horned owl after stamping the letter with the Hogsmeade stamp and the owl flew off. Draco then continued through Hogsmeade and stopped by the tea shop for his mother then grabbed a butter beer before returning home to Malfoy manor.
Luna sat on her favorite chair in their tiny living room when she noticed a dark owl fly to their cottage. Luna opened the front door in time to step out and have the owl land on her arm. Taking the letter with an item attached to it from the owl's beak, the owl then flew off. Luna read the front was addressed to her and the writing was familiar. Opening the small package, she noticed it was a sugar quill and then after taking a seat on the porch steps, she opened the letter, reading:
'Dear Luna,
I hope everything's well with you. I honestly hated leaving the way i did, the possibility of not being able to see you again tore me up inside. But i do have news, hopeful that it helps. I hope that you liked the sweet attached...i remember you telling me one of your favorite sweets at Honeydukes was the sugar quill.
I had overheard some information at home that will be taking place soon. That is why I've sent this from Hogsmeade instead of from home, to divert any death eaters from potentially tracking my letters. I had found out that Professor Snape will now be headmaster and will be appointing some new staff, as you may have guessed, that are death eaters. Having this occur, i shall be returning to Hogwarts for the next year though it may not be the same school as it used to be. At least we will be together.
I'll forever protect you to the best of my ability, as i have shown the last year.
You're constantly on my mind, i hope that I'm on yours as well. I love you.
Yours always Xx
Draco.'
After Luna read the letter, she was blown away that it was from Draco. Luna stood up and walked back inside, her father sitting at his writing desk seemed curious at what she had gotten from the mail. "Another invite?" Xenophilius asked humorously. Luna shook her head as a smile remained on her face. "A letter from Draco...he sent me information regarding what he heard from home and a sweet from Honeydukes." Luna explained. Xenophilius motioned for the letter but of course waited for his daughter for approval before reading and doing so, he read the whole letter. "Very brave of him to even let this slip from the position he's in, he must truly care about my Luna." Xenophilius stated. Xenophilius was a little more impressed by Draco's actions in order to keep Luna safe but he still had to prove more to gain Xenophilius' trust. Luna agreed with her father. "I'm not keen on letting you return to such a school that's involving death eaters, though." Xenophilius pointed out. Luna frowned. "I know, but i would prefer to return. Finish school, you know. Snape isn't awful, besides i can revive the D.A." Luna explained. Xenophilius sighed, being a protective father he decided to let her go. He knew there was another reason, reason being Draco.
That night in Malfoy manor, Voldemort had returned in order to question the wand maker, Ollivander, once more about how the different wand didn't work. The only thing Draco heard from the living room were shouting and begging that were muffled before Voldemort exited the cellar swiftly. Voldemort looked at Lucius in the living room before he dropped Lucius' wand to the floor. "Useless..." Voldemort snarled before vanishing. Lucius remained silent before picking up his wand from the floor. Narcissa had watched from a corner of the room, in a way feeling bad for her husband. Draco's eyes remained on his father for a brief minute before looking away and walking into his bedroom.
The next day came, August 1st, and Luna was looking forward to the wedding when and her father would be attending that night. The trace had been off of Harry since the night before and everyone was getting things ready for the wedding. As the night came, Luna and her father left their cottage dressed up and apparated to the Burrow in the outskirts of Ottery St Catchpole. Luna looked around at all the decor and huge white tent before the ceremony was held then the reception began. She then noticed the garden gnomes in front of the Weasley home. Curious, Luna leans over and touches the gnome before it bit her on the finger, causing Luna to jump back some. "Luna, be careful. Though, gnome saliva is very beneficial." Xenophilius stated before guiding her towards the tent. Luna finds Harry among the crowd inside the tent. "Hello, Harry!" Luna greeted before noticing Harry had been focused elsewhere before she greeted him. "Oh, I've interrupted a deep thought, haven't I? I can see it growing smaller in your eyes." Luna added, hoping she wasn't interrupting Harry. Harry shook it off. "No, of course not. How are you, Luna?" Harry asked, being polite. Of course Luna was well, hearing from Draco the day before lightened up her mood. "Very well. I was bitten by a garden gnome only moments ago." Luna replied, holding up her finger that had bled a little. "Gnome saliva is enormously beneficial! Xenophilius Lovegood. We live just over the hill!" Xenophilius added himself into the conversation. "Nice to meet you, sir." Harry greeted. Luna smiled as her father leaned in to speak in a low voice. "I trust you know, Mr. Potter, that we at The Quibbler, unlike those toadies at the Daily Prophet, fully supported Dumbledore during his lifetime and in his death support you just as fully." Xenophilius explained. Harry took that as a compliment. "Come, Daddy. Harry doesn't want to talk to us right now. He's just too nice to say so." Luna stated before she remembered what Draco told her in the letter previously and decided to inform Harry. "Wait, Harry..." she shouted, Harry came to a halt and went to look back at Luna as she approached him. "I was told yesterday from...a source... that Professor Snape now will be headmaster and some death eaters will now be professors." Luna explained, not wanting to disclose that it was Draco for his safety. "Not surprised. Thank you , Luna." Harry replied in soft tone, he knew that it was Draco who most likely told her as that's whom her inside source very well may be before walking off to talk to Elphias Doge.
As everyone was mingling, a burst of light went into the tent and a silver lynx patronus appeared. "The Ministry has fallen. The Minister of Magic is dead. They are coming..." the voice spoke in warning before the lynx disappeared. Everyone began panicking and scattering, apparating before the trio apparated away and Luna with her father apparated as well back home. Luna was a little afraid of what will be happening but her father reassured everything will be fine. Draco had also heard about the falling of the ministry at the mansion about a moment before everyone else had gotten the warning. Soon, everyone will be starting a new year at Hogwarts besides the trio...but it will be ran different from before, newly controlled by Severus Snape.