The Houses Competition (or THC)

House: Gryffindor

Class: Transfiguration

Category: Drabble

Prompt(s) chosen.: [Character] Draco Malfoy

Word Count: 967

AU: Harry's character is a bit AU. Maybe Draco's too...

Beta: secretfanficlover, Copper's Mama

Draco took a deep breath. He was about to do it. He was going to beg his schoolyard nemesis. But, it had to be done if he wanted to ensure his parents' survival. He asked Crabbe and Goyle to go away - hopefully, he won't have to work on the Vanishing Cabinet for another day.

"Potter! Potter!" he shouted as Potter, along with his friends, walked out of the Potions class. The three of them stopped and looked at each other in surprise since they hadn't ever heard Draco shouting.

"What is it, Malfoy?" Potter asked, looking at him warily. Not that Draco could blame him.

"I want to talk to you. Alone," Draco said the last word by looking pointedly at the Weasel and the Mudblood.

Weasel opened his mouth, no doubt for another insult, but Potter saw Draco's eyes and gave a sharp look to Ron who immediately backed down.

My, my, Draco thought, It seems that there are more layers to the Golden Trio than I thought.

The Mudblood saw Harry's sharp gaze, nodded slightly and took the Weasel away.

Draco built some powerful privacy wards around them and started to explain…

"Listen, Potter, I am a Death Eater; as is my father. However, we have seen the Dark Lord. He is utterly insane and people have joined him this time only due to utter devotion or due to fear. My father never wanted to join him again but he had no choice. We did it reluctantly. However, just before I came back to Hogwarts, he tortured my mother. Badly. It was the last straw. My parents renounced their loyalty and left for a safe-house. They are still safe but I don't know for how long. Please, help us."

Potter looked at him once more and it felt as if those piercing Avada Kedavra green eyes were looking at his soul. Potter nodded once and said, "Come on, then, Malfoy."

"Where are we going?"

Potter just raised an eyebrow and said with a wry smile, "Why? Dumbledore's office, of course."

"Bu-! You are turning me in?"

That answer seemed to annoy him for he said, "Don't be stupid. We're going to Dumbledore to see if you are truly telling the truth or not. Then, well...you'll see."

Why didn't he like the sound of that?

"Acid Pops," Potter said and, instantly, the gargoyle jumped aside and the wall behind it split open to show an old staircase moving upwards.

"Come on, then," Potter said as he climbed onto one of the stairs.

Oh well, what is the worst possible thing that could happen?

…And, that was a rhetorical question.

"Harry! My boy, welcome! And you've brought a friend too! Care for a lemon drop?" the Headmaster asked and it was all Draco could do from gaping at him. It was clear as day that he and Potter were not friends, thank you very much.

Potter sat down on a chair and Dumbledore transfigured another chair for him. He sat down after a pointed stare from Potter but declined the lemon drop. Potter declined them too.

"Now, m'boys. What do you want to talk about?"

Draco explained everything again.

"Ah. I see. He is telling the truth, my boy and I am pleased that you brought this to my attention."

The next hour was spent in planning, by which he meant that Dumbledore threw out orders-disguised-as-suggestions and Potter contradicted some of them.

Finally, it was decided that Dumbledore would charm a locket as a portkey for him. Dumbledore would also go to the safe-house to check on his parents and cast more wards if necessary. Then, at Christmas break, Draco would go back to his parents and the Order of the Phoenix would stage an accident and proclaim that the Malfoys have died. When asked about why people would believe it, Potter only said that 'a hero's speech can do wonders.'

'Since when did Potter become so mature?' Draco thought.

"Thank you, Professor. Truly," Draco said honestly. Dumbledore would keep his parents safe and out of harm's way.

Dumbledore simply chuckled and said, "Don't thank me, my boy. Thank Mr. Potter who passed up a brilliant opportunity to use your words against you and out you as a Death Eater traitor - making sure that you would find no help from either side."

Now that he thought about it, what Dumbledore said did make sense. So, he muttered, "Thank you, Potter."

"Don't mention it," Potter replied in a voice that screamed that it was too awkward for him.

"Go now, boys. You have classes to attend," Dumbledore said as he signed two slips of paper with his non-decayed hand.

Harry simply nodded at the Headmaster and said, "Good day, Professor."

"Good day, Professor," Draco said to Dumbledore because, why not? He had already condemned himself when he asked for help from Potter. Not wishing the Headmaster a good day wasn't going to change anything.

Potter and he walked together towards their Charms class which they both had together. He had completely missed his free period where he had hoped to squeeze in some homework. Oh, well.

Suddenly, Potter tapped his shoulder and said, "Malfoy, I think it is your owl."

True enough, Hades, his great eagle-owl had somehow squeezed in through one of the windows and was flying straight towards him.

Draco snatched the letter from his talons and watched as Hades literally demanded Potter to stroke his plumage, which Potter did.

He opened the letter with a suspicious feeling of dread.

The letter had three words written in his mother's hasty handwriting.

I'm sorry, Draco.

The parchment was also covered in drops of blood.

"What is it, Malfoy?" Potter asked, strangely concerned, no doubt sensing the mood shift.

Draco could only croak out, "It's too late."

A/N- Hope you liked this story. Have a wonderful day/night.