Author: ICountCrows
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, setting, or much of the basis for the plot of this story. That is all property of J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Press, and Arthur A. Levine Books.
Summary: A POV story in which Harry and the gang return to Hogwarts for their fifth year. Harry is extremely vigilant this year because he feels responsible for Cedric Diggory's death, and Draco has gone through a transformation as well...
Chapter: Cinque - Can You Trust the Honesty?
Chapter Warnings: None
Harry
The invisibility cloak felt strange and empty when I used it by myself. It was heavier on my shoulders, too, without Ron's usual help holding it up.
But I knew I couldn't bring them with me. They would never trust Malfoy, and Malfoy would never put up with them being around. And besides that, I didn't trust him enough yet to expose my friends to him. Nervously, I felt for the security of my wand, which I had stuffed in the front waist of my pants. Although our meeting was supposed to be a peaceful one, I couldn't bring myself to face my nemesis, the son of a Death Eater, unarmed.
During the long walk to the quidditch pitch, I found myself wondering what on Earth Draco Malfoy could possibly want from me. We had only agreed on being civil to each other a few hours earlier, so what could he possibly have to say to me? I knew he wasn't going to ask me for help with his DADA homework.
I began envisioning our meeting...
I shook my thoughts away as I realized I had made it to the quidditch pitch without incident. A deep, shaky breath, and I started toward the center of the field where I could see the silvery reflection of the moonlight on Malfoy's hair. I shed my invisibility cloak as I walked and draped it over my arm. I didn't want Malfoy finding out about that little secret.
When I came upon him, Malfoy was lying on his back, resting his head on his hands, staring at the stars.
"Hello, Harry," he greeted confidently, not bothering to interrupt his gazing.
"Draco." I shifted my arms so the invisibility cloak dangled in front of my wand. I was uncomfortable standing there out in the open. It was such a vulnerable position...
"You didn't tell anyone we were meeting, did you?"
"No," I replied. "That would not have been easy to explain to my friends." Even as I spoke, I was beginning to wish I had told somebody that I was going to be with Malfoy, just in case I never made it back.
"Likewise," he smirked. Finally, he rolled onto his side and looked up at me, propping himself up on his elbow. "We need to talk, Potter..." He blinked. "Harry."
"What about?" I asked gruffly, keeping my answers to a minimum.
Malfoy sighed exasperatedly and sat up. "Are you going to sit down? Because you're making me nervous standing there like that."
I glanced around, not wanting to do any such thing, but not seeing how I could refuse.
"I won't bite, Harry."
I sat haltingly, being extremely careful not to break my wand but trying to be inconspicuous about it as well. Eventually, I ended up with one leg stretched out straight in front of me and one leg up. I leaned back on my hands, hoping I looked nonchalant.
If Malfoy noticed anything suspicious, he didn't show it. Instead he stared off at something far away in the direction of the castle. I figured it was something only he could see, something convenient enough for him not to look at me.
Traitors never look you in the eye.
"So it's agreed, then," he blurted randomly, turning to face me. "This...peace...This stays between us?"
"Agreed," I nodded after a moment, almost relieved that I wouldn't have to explain my newfound "trust" in the enemy to Ron and Hermione.
"You're mental!" I could hear Ron saying.
"Good," Draco breathed. He seemed as relieved as I was. "There are...Death Eaters in my house," he stated simply. "People who want you dead, Harry. And if we suddenly became friends..." The last part of his statement hung silently in the air, like a bullet afraid to hit its target. We both knew that he meant they would want him dead, too.
I began to wonder if he had asked me to meet him so he could tell me who they were. I had seen many of them during my last encounter with Voldemort, but I was sure that more had joined over the summer.
"If my father found out that we were speaking..." He trailed off again, then looked up at me, and I almost thought I saw pleading in his eyes. "You're not going to turn him in, are you?"
Draco
I waited with bated breath. The answer to this question would define our futures. I knew that if he said yes, he would die, and it would be my fault. No, I wouldn't kill him, but as soon as I sent word to my father, someone would.
I didn't want a death hanging over my head. I didn't want it to be my fault. But I had never stood up to my father, and if I lied, he would surely find out.
'But it's not just standing up to your father, Draco!' the coward inside me wailed. 'You'd be defying the Dark Lord! No one does that!'
'Harry Potter does,' came the sneering reply.
"What do you mean?" Harry's voice interrupted my panicked thoughts. "I named all the Death Eaters I saw last year before the summer holidays."
Death Eaters, oh yes, but murderers, Harry! Did you name any murderers?
"The Ministry have known for years that your father was a Death Eater. Snape named him almost fifteen years ago when Voldemort first fell from power."
Snape? Snape knew my father was a Death Eater?
Harry must have seen the confusion on my face. "Snape was a Death Eater, too, but he didn't go back last year when the Dark Mark called." He paused, frowning. "If the Ministry haven't gone after your father yet, then I doubt they'll do it any time soon. Cornelius Fudge didn't even believe that Voldemort had returned."
Oh, Merlin! Harry didn't know! They wouldn't have to kill him because he didn't know!
"Listen, Draco, I've got to be getting back. My house worries about me." He got up, grinning. "Haven't figured out I can take care of myself yet, I guess."
He turned to leave, but as he walked away I called him back. "Harry!" I found myself blurting. "Harry...I didn't know he was a Death Eater. I didn't know until this summer. I saw the Dark Mark on his arm. I-" I swallowed. "I promise you, I didn't know."
The Boy Who Lived stood motionless for a moment and we stared at each other. Then, an eternity later, he nodded, and turned back toward the castle, continuing on his way.
As I lay there on the ground, staring up at the stars, I felt like the proverbial "Boy Who Cried Wolf". Harry Potter had absolutely no reason to trust me, and I knew that he didn't yet, but I told myself I had to keep being honest with him. I had to gain his trust, because I knew I was going to need his help. I was going to need him when I refused to join my father.
I was going to need him when the Dark Lord Harry so boldly called Voldemort wanted me dead.
********** * **********
Well, what do you think of that! Could Draco Malfoy be turning over a new leaf? Unbelievable, isn't it! Some things to munch on for Chapter Six...
- Will Harry ever trust Draco enough to help him?
- And who are the Death Eaters in Slytherin House?
- Most importantly, what would happen if Lucius Malfoy got word of this conversation?