Harry sat in a haze at Grimauld Place for the next few days. He continually
went over the scene with Draco at the Ministry in his head, while he was
alone in his room. He tried to pretend like it had never happened. He
didn't dare tell Ron or Hermione; he knew it would result only in an
uproar. He tried to analyse it from different angles, which didn't help at
all, and when he wasn't thinking about Draco he was miserable being in his
late godfather's home.
Kretcher was absent from the house. It seemed that when he found about Sirius's death he left immediately, and headed for the closeted people he could call 'master': The Malfoy's. But now that house only held Narcissa and Draco, and Harry didn't like thinking about Draco. He often felt surging feelings rise in him whenever the Malfoy's name was mentioned, or when he read it in the Daily Prophet. He spent his time at Grimauld Place alone, except for meals and whenever he was needed. He hated being back and he couldn't wait to get away.
A few weeks later, after Christmas, the doorbell rang, which re awoke Mrs.Black, who hadn't changed her ways since his last visit.
"DIRTY, FILTHY SCUM! YOU NO LONGER HAVE BUISNESS IN FOREFATHER'S HOUSE! IT'S YOUR FAULT MY SON IS DEAD!" Harry, who'd left his room to see who'd arrive, standing on the landing, felt a sudden stab of guilt. He'd been told repetitively that it wasn't his fault, but he'd convinced himself it was. He peered over the railing and down into the entrance, and saw Emmaline being carried in by Lupin and Moody. Harry could just see a trail of blood running down her face, and she seemed to be unconscious. Her face was black and blue, and there was an ugly looking, bloody wound slightly visible from her side. Mrs.Weasley hurried towards them, after Hermione had opened the door, and led them to the drawing room, locking the door behind her. The only time Harry had thought about Emma was when he remembered the last look Draco had given him before she led him away. He hadn't figured out where they had gone. Hermione looked up at him, a very scared expression on her face, and he returned it with a grim one of his own.
For three days Lupin didn't leave the drawing room, and every time Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny tried to steal a look inside they had the door slammed politely in their face. After Harry had told them about Lucinda leaving with Draco at the ministry, leaving out certain details, Hermione, right on cue, figured out where Emmaline had been.
"Well, you said Malfoy asked whether he needed protection, didn't you? I heard that Professor Clarke has, um, other business," she whispered carefully, as they sat with Ginny in Harry's room. With the absence of Fred and George, Harry and Ron got rooms to themselves, "with, erm, unfriendly people, so I'm guessing she went to Azkaban, and Professor Dumbledore asked her to take Malfoy with her so he could see his dad. Well," she said matter- of-factly, "that's my opinion, anyway."
Ron stared at her, his mouth open wide. "Did you just think of that off the top of your head?"
"And how did you know about Em- Clarke being involved with unfriendly people?" Harry added.
"Well, obviously, you have an idea too, don't you Harry? Something you forgot to tell us?" Hermione asked slyly.
"Well, all I know is that Lucinda Clarke is an alias. That's it. Her real name is." the warning that Emmaline had given Draco flashed across his head. Ah, Draco.Harry felt a smile sneak onto his face. Why was he thinking like this? He snapped himself out of it, ". her name is on the wall in her office, on a plaque under a photo.she told me that if Dra-Malfoy told anyone what her name really was then he'd die a slow and painful death. I dunno if that will happen to me too."
Hermione grinned with satisfaction. "I knew it! I knew you knew something about her! Ok, hows this: as long as you don't tell us what her name is, can you tell us everything else you know, and we promise we wont tell anyone!" Ron and Ginny nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
"OK, all I know is that she was Ministress of Magic in Hidden City- Australia, Ron, - and before she came here she was Defence Ministress. She said she had some business to attend to, but I didn't know they were going to Azkaban. How did you find that out?"
"Well," said Hermione, "I kind of, overheard, um, Mr and Mrs Weasley talking about it. Apparently," she said, lowering her voice to a whisper, so that the three of them had to lean in closer to hear, "Lucinda, or whatever her name is, has got very close connections in V-Voldemort's inner- oh, stop that, Ron, - his inner circle. Ever wondered why she always wears those black gloves? It all makes sense!"
"So," said Ron, slowly, "are you trying to say that Professor Clarke is actually a Death Eater spying for us, or spying for him?"
"I don't know that yet, but I don't think she's spying for him. I'm guessing that she's doing what Snape's doing: pretending she's spying for them, when she's really spying for us. Like what Kingsley did for us last year with Sirius and the Ministry. Anyway, that's just a guess."
Harry took this in slowly. Em was pretending to be on Voldemort's side, when she was really leaking in information to the Order. He agreed; it did make sense when it was all laid out.
"So, if Hermione thinks that that's what's going on, then it's obviously what's going on. Hey!" exclaimed Ron, breaking the whispering, "maybe Harry can accidentally call her by her real name, and we'll coincidently walk right in at that moment and she'll have to tell all!" he smiled from ear to ear, as though this was the greatest plan ever concocted. Hermione nodded, and Ron went bright pink.
"It could work.but then again, we don't know what her powers are like; she might know what's going on before we even leave this room."
As though something was going to happen, Harry, Ron and Ginny all looked around in case she jumped out from behind something. Hermione sighed exasperated.
"She's not here now! Honestly. So when can we do this?" she asked.
"Tonight, if you want." Harry said. So they made up a plan and set out to the drawing room. But as they reached the landing and looked over into the entrance, they saw Emmaline standing, her hand on the door, ready to leave and talking to Moody. He whispered something in her ear and she looked up. She grinned at the four of them.
"Hey guys! How'ya hol's been?"
They stood there in dumbfound silence.
"Hang on." she said, turning to Moody, and talking urgently to him. He nodded at something, and she turned her attention back to the four staring down at them, "Harry! We need to get you back to Hogwarts! Or," she added silently to Moody, "they'll have me head on the choppin' board. Both of them. Oi!" she called back to them, "I'm about to head off now, so if you wanna tag along and get there with no worries, then come on down! When are you guys going back?" she asked. Moody grunted something. "Right. Oi! Harry, you got a choice. Come with me now and we dun have to worry too much about an attack. Or you can go back with these guys and Moody." She smiled at him, and Mad Eye whispered in her ear. Her smile slowly faded but perked back up as soon as he'd moved away. "I gotta hit the road, so, if you could get your mind clicking.you know."she said, making hurry-up-or-miss-out gestures with her hands.
Harry turned to Hermione, Ron and Ginny. Hermione had a stern look on her face.
"They will be expecting you to travel back with Moody, Lupin and them.it would be safer." She said. Ron nodded, and added, "Yeah, and we'll be seeing you soon anyway."
"Commin' or goin', Harry?" Em called. Then, the strangest thing happened. A small voice in his head, his optimistic voice, suddenly said, "I don't wanna be killed goin' to school, Harry. Can we go and get out of here, already? This place makes us sad."
"Yeah, just let me say goodbye." He called down to her. He turned to his friends. "Well, I'll see youse around, I guess." Harry said.
"Ok, Harry. Take care." Said Hermione, giving him a hug, then Ginny. Ron patted him on the back as he headed down the stairs, and whispered, "I dunno why she gets worked up about you going out by yourself, especially since you usually have a teacher or someone with you. Well," he said, turning his voice up, "See you soon, Harry!"
"Yeah, you too." Harry replied, reaching the landing. He turned to face Em and Moody. "What about my-"
"Your trunk will be delivered, like last time." Said Em, without him finishing his question.
"Oh, ok then. Well," he said, turning to the small crowd, "I'll see you lot later. See you soon, Moody," he finished, shaking Mad Eye's rough hand.
"Take care, Potter. Anything, suspicious, happens" he said, looking Harry in the eye with his own, his magical eye swivelling towards Em, who rolled her own, "let us know, ok? Be good." And Harry waved to everyone as Em led him outside.
Grimauld Place slowly disappeared and Em and Harry were left standing before an empty block.
"Um, how are we getting to Hogwarts?" he asked her. She turned to him, and held put a stuffed toy, which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, her black gloves holding it around the neck.
"Portkey!" she said in an enthusiastic tone, "Here! Take a, leg, or something." she said, looking at it for a good place for him to grip. Harry took it by the arm. "Ready? One.Two.Three!"
Once again, Harry felt as though a hook was pulling at the back of his navel. They lifted off the ground and soon disappeared.
Harry and Emmaline landed with a thud on Hogwarts grounds, just in front of the Entrance.
"Yay! Home again!" said Em excitedly, leaving Harry with the stuffed toy and racing up the stone steps. Harry watched after her. This teenaged hardly seemed like a Death Eater, he thought. Em wheeled around in her tracks.
"Uh, are you comin'? Or are you gonna stand outside in this freezin' cold? Jeeze, it's cold. Harry! Get inside!" she motioned for him to follow her, and she pushed the doors open and slipped inside. Harry jogged up behind her.
The Entrance Hall had lost all of its Christmas decorations, and it looked plain and cold as it usually did. But Harry felt a lot safer here then he did at Grimauld Place. Em turned to face him, a wide smile on her face.
"Well, what do you want to do? I think that we're the only ones here, so we can." but she stopped dead. Her face fell in an instant and the warm feeling Harry had been receiving off her died as quickly as her smile did. She looked strait towards the passage to the dungeons. "Maybe not." She said, in a voice most unlike her own. She grabbed Harry's robes and pulled him into a broom cupboard. She pressed her gloved finger against his lips and opened the door so it was a-jar, and crouched down, watching the passage to the dungeons like a hawk. Harry stood in the darkness, looking out as well. He couldn't hear anything, except for his and Emma's breathing, but other then that, the Hall was silent.
They waited there for a few minutes, before the broom cupboard started to become crowded. Harry went to open his mouth, but before he could, Em had stood up and made a cat like hissing noise at him. She looked back out the crack in the door. He lent over and followed her gaze. Though he didn't realise it at first, he noticed that he had pressed his body against hers, and their heads were very close together, looking out the door. His heart started pounding, and he could feel sweat building up on the back of his neck. 'Don't even think about it; she's your Transfiguration Professor!' said a voice in the back of his head with urgency. But then, the optimistic voice that had persuaded him to leave Grimauld Place piped in, 'But she said so herself: she's still only a teenager, like yourself." Harry blinked dumbfounded and wondered why he was feeling like this. Then he remembered that he'd always feel the same whenever Cho was within eyesight. He's felt this again when Draco had touched his scar.the sweat on Harry's forehead was trickling down his neck.
At that moment, Harry heard very faint footsteps. He went to get a better look out of the broom cupboard when Em closed the door and turned to face him. She made a shush noise at him and she held his hands. His scar gave a slight prickle, but then again, he was nervous. She closed her eyes, and then Harry heard a voice that he thought was in the cupboard with them.
"I'll teach that spoilt brat to lie to me.He knows what I can do but he didn't think.stupid little blonde prat."
It was Professor Snape. Harry closed his eyes and he could suddenly see the Entrance Hall, and Snape striding through it. His greasy hair didn't move as he went up the stairs and disappeared down a corridor.
Em let go of his hands, and the Entrance Hall faded away out of his mind. He looked at her and saw her face was screwed up in concentration. A few seconds later, she opened her eyes and grinned at him.
"Sorry 'bout that. I'm not in Snape's good book, so, I suspect he would have been suspicious to see us back here early. Well, it's getting." she eyed him slyly, "hot, in here, isn't it?" and she opened the door and they stumbled out.
Harry had to admit, it had been hot in there, and the winter chill of the Entrance Hall swept over him. Em looked at him.
"Well, I have to get to my office and do some correcting, so if you."
"How'd you do that thing, where I could see the Entrance Hall and hear Snape talking?" Harry interrupted.
"Lots of practice!" said Em, poking his nose and running away up the stairs, going in the opposite direction that Snape had, leaving Harry in the Entrance Hall alone.
He moved towards the wall, and sat down, leaning against it. His scar had stopped prickling, and he wondered what he was going to do now. He figured that he'd go to Gryffindor Common Room, or head up to Em's office and look at all of her pictures and listen to her stories. Or perhaps he'd go and see if Dumbledore was here, and catch up with him. Just when he got up, after he'd decided that he'd walk around and see which presented itself first, he found himself face to face with Draco Malfoy.
"What are you doing here, Harry?" he asked.
He was defiantly worse for wear. While his hair was exactly as it had always been, perfect, his left eye had been beaten, and was a very deep shade of purple. His lip had been cut open, and there was a red mark on his cheek, where it had been hit. There was also a bruise above his left temple. And even though Harry could tell he was in pain, he still managed to smirk at Harry, with some grimace.
"I had to come back early, but that's my business, Draco. What happened to your face?"
"That would be my business. Actually," said Draco, looking up, thinking, "it's your fault I'm like this. Do you know where Emmy is?"
"She's here. Hang on," said Harry. Something had just clicked in his brain. "Em was beaten too! What happened to her? You two must have been together!"
"Actually, no, Harry." Said Draco, staring him in the eye, "I, if you must know, was attacked my father. Em was attacked by my aunt. Happy now?" he asked, and he turned towards the staircase. He'd gotten half way before his words sunk into Harry's head. Draco was now at the top of the stairs, and was heading down the corridor. Harry sprinted after him. Just as Draco turned around to see what had been following him, Harry grabbed him by the shoulders and slammed him against the wall. Draco hit it with a thud and a look of fear spread across his face. But only for a second.
"What is it Harry? Angry? Confused?" he asked with a smirk. Harry pinned him against the wall harder. Draco's smirk disappeared. "Listen, Emmy was attacked after I was. I didn't know until a few hours after. I couldn't do anything, and when you do this, I still can't do anything."
Both he and Harry were breathing very heavily. Draco was staring Harry in the eye, and the feeling that Harry got in the broom cupboard came back. He loosened his grip on Draco, who straitened himself up. They were very close together now.
"Listen, Harry. If I find something out, before everyone comes back, then I will tell you something, ok? But." he said, looking Harry up and down, "just give me some warning before you go pushing yourself up against me like that." He gave another smirk, brushed himself against Harry and continued towards Em's office. A thousand questions appeared in Harry's mind, but before he could ask one, Draco had turned a corned and was out of sight. So instead Harry headed towards Gryffindor Tower, and changed into different robes.
At dinner there were only four people: Harry, Draco, Em and Snape. A table had been placed, not in the Great Hall, but in one of the rooms off it. It was bigger then the room Harry had gone into after being announced for the Triwizard Tournament. There was a small table in the middle of the room, with a chair on each side, and a fire was roaring on the back wall. Harry had arrived last, to find Snape glaring at him, Em smiling at him and Draco avoiding his eye. He sat down and food instantly appeared on the table.
"Did you have a good trip, Potter?" Snape asked him.
"Uh, when?" Harry asked. Em had gone cold and Draco had gone white. They were all staring at Snape.
"You know, at the Ministry. Did you get there ok, and did you get to You- Know-Where safely? No, distractions, along the way?"
Draco, who had been just about to put something in his mouth, dropped his fork and looked frightened. Harry looked at Em, who put on a very brave smile.
"Well, actually, Mr. Snape, I got Harry safely to the Ministry, no worries. And Arthur looked after him like a son, eh Harry? And when I got to You- Know-Where, he was as happy as Larry. He had a good trip, so don't worry yourself, Mr. Snape."
"Well," said Snape, looking at Em with daggers, "I just thought that the conditions that he'd been travelling in, his company, you know, that he might have been in danger. I couldn't begin to imagine what kind of people a trio like you could attract." He finished with a very snide smile. Harry was to scared to speak. Draco still hadn't looked at anyone, keeping his eyes directly on his food.
"Oh," said Em, regaining her stride, "I'm sure you could imagine very well who a trio like us could attract. A lot of old friends, eh Serverus? Or are they foes now?" She gave a small chuckle, "I can never keep track."
Snape's smile had gone. He had turned an albino white.
"Well," said Em, "I'm stuffed. I have important work to do. You understand." She said. She gave a grin to everyone and swept from the room. Draco muttered something about not being hungry, and followed her out the door. All that were left in the small room were Harry and Snape.
Harry looked at Snape, who stared strait back at him.
"Potter, if you have any more contact with Malfoy, then you will die." Said Snape.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Said Harry, as innocently as he could. But the kiss with Draco had slipped into his head, and was replaying it's self over and over.
"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about!" Snape yelled, standing up. He leaned across the table at Harry, and leaned in close. "Heed my warning, Potter! He was hurt because of you, and I wont let it happen again!" he stood up strait and swept away through a side door, leaving Harry alone in the room.
"Well," said a voice behind him, and Harry wheeled around in his seat to find the picture of Violet, The Fat Lady's friend, staring at him, "I must say, good job at getting him angry. But Harry," she said, beckoning him to lean in. Harry rose from his chair and moved closer to her portrait, "I know for a fact that that man is hiding something. I don't know what it is, but it's there."
"Why are you being nice to me?" Harry asked her, "I thought you didn't like me."
"Well," said Violet in a huff, "I don't like him more then I don't like you. I suppose you'll be heading to Gryffindor Tower?" Harry nodded. "Ok." She said, and she moved out of the frame. Harry left the room, and as he closed the door behind him, he could hear the House Elves removing their plates.
When Harry did reach Gryffindor Tower, he found Draco sitting next to the Fat Lady's Portrait.
"Harry!" she exclaimed, "Get this," she said, pointing towards Draco, "away from here! He wont leave!"
"What do you want?" Harry asked.
"To talk to you. Em's busy, Snape can't look at me in the eye and well, you're the only one left." He said, getting up. "Where have you been this whole time? I've been waiting here with her for ages!"
The Fat Lady gave a huff.
'Well, that isn't my fault, Draco. Now, excuse me. Twinkerbell." He said to the Fat Lady, stalking past Draco and entering the Common Room. But he heard a cry behind him.
"Harry! Harry, He's coming in! Stop him!"
Harry wheeled around to find Draco scramble up through the hole after him, kicking the back of the portrait as he stood up. He dusted himself off and looked at Harry.
"Were you just going to leave me there?" asked Draco. Harry nodded. He headed up to his dormitory. Draco followed.
"What do you want? Quit following me!" Harry said angrily, entering the 6th year's dorm. He went down and lay on his bed. Draco stood next to it, grinning.
"I'm bored, Harry. Do something entertaining." Harry closed the hangers around his bed on Draco. But Harry could still tell he was there. "Don't ignore me, Potter. And don't pretend I'm not here, cause I know you can't!"
Harry froze. How did Draco know he'd been trying to forget him? The butterflies in his stomach were starting to rise. He pulled back the hangers slightly, and stuck his head out. Draco was still standing there, smirking at him.
"Snape told me that if I had any contact with you then I'd die, and from what I know, Voldemort's already tabbed me for that. So sod off."
"And do what?" Draco asked, sitting on the side of Harry's bed, "Hang around the castel for four days by myself? I don't think so. Not when I have you to entertain me."
He smiled at Harry, and the cut on his lip stretched wide. Harry noticed that since Draco had disappeared to Em's office earlier that day, the purple ness in his eye had gone gown drastically.
"Why was it my fault that that your father it you? Where did you go with Em at the Ministry? Why did you, uh," Harry thought of the kiss. It had been good, he realised, "do that thing at the Ministry?" he asked, his questions coming out. He looked up at Draco, expecting some snide answer. He didn't get it.
"Well, I went to Azkaban with Em, because she had business there, and I wanted to see my father. Emmy said you already figured that out. My father hit me across the face," he said, pointing to his lip, "and I hit my head against the stone walls there," he said, pointing now at the bruise above his temple, "and then he punched me." He said, indicating to his eye. He did that because you kissed me at the Ministry." He finished promptly.
"WHAT?" flamed Harry, sitting bolt right, and throwing back the hangers. Draco looked alarmed, but excited, "You kissed me first!"
"Yeah, well," said Draco, throwing back his hair, "get over it. If you don't stop looking at me like that then I'll do it again."
Harry didn't mind the prospect of this, as he looked up at Draco. The moonlight, floating in the window near his bed, was draping Draco in itself and his hair shone like silk. When he wasn't insulting someone, he actually looked quite good. His grey eyes had lost their steel look, and were now soft as they looked into Harry's. "Why are you being nice to me?" Harry asked.
"Because, I don't know. Don't question me." Draco said, bending in closer to Harry. They were now only inches apart, Draco looking down into Harry. "But it wasn't that bad, was it, Potter? I could tell you enjoyed it. I did." He whispered with satisfaction.
Harry had a feeling that Draco was letting something off, because Harry lent up, and without thinking, pressed his lips against Draco's. They were soft, as before, but now it was different. He wasn't nervous, and soon Draco was kissing him back. Harry could feel Draco's tongue slip inside his mouth once again, and soon Harry was lying on his back on his bed, Draco on top of him, kissing him deeply. Adrenalin rushed back through Harry, and he was enjoying every moment of it, as was Draco. He was satisfying a lust he'd had since he'd first played Harry in Quidditch. Before Harry knew it, Draco was undoing Harry's jeans, and he moved away from his face.
"Are you all right with this, Harry?" he asked. Harry had never seen him being nice like this. Harry's emotions were running wild; he needed Draco to keep going. He nodded and made some kind of feeble noise. Draco removed Harry's glasses and placed them on the bedside table.
He moved down Harry's body, and came to rest where he'd just undone Harry's jeans, and took him in the mouth. Harry tried hard not to come to soon, Draco was satisfying him in a way he'd never been satisfied before. He grabbed the bed head and held in, moaning while Draco pleasured him. Draco came back up and looked at Harry with satisfaction. He'd gotten quite a bit out of it too, obviously. He crawled back up and lay down next to Harry, his head resting on his chest, which was moving sharply up and down, but was softening.
"Did you like that, Harry?" Draco asked, looking up at him. He couldn't believe how good Harry looked without his glasses on and panting. Harry nodded, calming down. For a few minutes they just lay there, panting, and soon after began talking about things that best friends were talking about, and they learned a few things off each other, too. Draco stayed in Gryffindor Tower until the early hours of the morning, when, after finishing a conversation about Harry's childhood, he realised that Snape would have been looking for him all night.
"See what you've done now, Harry? I cant go near Snape, cause he'll kill you, and I cant go near Emmy, cause she'll figure out what we've been doing up here." Harry convinced him to leave, and head back to the dungeons, and make up some story when he got there. Draco left the dormitory, feeling lighter then air, and Harry lay on his bed, feeling the happiest he had in a few months.
Kretcher was absent from the house. It seemed that when he found about Sirius's death he left immediately, and headed for the closeted people he could call 'master': The Malfoy's. But now that house only held Narcissa and Draco, and Harry didn't like thinking about Draco. He often felt surging feelings rise in him whenever the Malfoy's name was mentioned, or when he read it in the Daily Prophet. He spent his time at Grimauld Place alone, except for meals and whenever he was needed. He hated being back and he couldn't wait to get away.
A few weeks later, after Christmas, the doorbell rang, which re awoke Mrs.Black, who hadn't changed her ways since his last visit.
"DIRTY, FILTHY SCUM! YOU NO LONGER HAVE BUISNESS IN FOREFATHER'S HOUSE! IT'S YOUR FAULT MY SON IS DEAD!" Harry, who'd left his room to see who'd arrive, standing on the landing, felt a sudden stab of guilt. He'd been told repetitively that it wasn't his fault, but he'd convinced himself it was. He peered over the railing and down into the entrance, and saw Emmaline being carried in by Lupin and Moody. Harry could just see a trail of blood running down her face, and she seemed to be unconscious. Her face was black and blue, and there was an ugly looking, bloody wound slightly visible from her side. Mrs.Weasley hurried towards them, after Hermione had opened the door, and led them to the drawing room, locking the door behind her. The only time Harry had thought about Emma was when he remembered the last look Draco had given him before she led him away. He hadn't figured out where they had gone. Hermione looked up at him, a very scared expression on her face, and he returned it with a grim one of his own.
For three days Lupin didn't leave the drawing room, and every time Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny tried to steal a look inside they had the door slammed politely in their face. After Harry had told them about Lucinda leaving with Draco at the ministry, leaving out certain details, Hermione, right on cue, figured out where Emmaline had been.
"Well, you said Malfoy asked whether he needed protection, didn't you? I heard that Professor Clarke has, um, other business," she whispered carefully, as they sat with Ginny in Harry's room. With the absence of Fred and George, Harry and Ron got rooms to themselves, "with, erm, unfriendly people, so I'm guessing she went to Azkaban, and Professor Dumbledore asked her to take Malfoy with her so he could see his dad. Well," she said matter- of-factly, "that's my opinion, anyway."
Ron stared at her, his mouth open wide. "Did you just think of that off the top of your head?"
"And how did you know about Em- Clarke being involved with unfriendly people?" Harry added.
"Well, obviously, you have an idea too, don't you Harry? Something you forgot to tell us?" Hermione asked slyly.
"Well, all I know is that Lucinda Clarke is an alias. That's it. Her real name is." the warning that Emmaline had given Draco flashed across his head. Ah, Draco.Harry felt a smile sneak onto his face. Why was he thinking like this? He snapped himself out of it, ". her name is on the wall in her office, on a plaque under a photo.she told me that if Dra-Malfoy told anyone what her name really was then he'd die a slow and painful death. I dunno if that will happen to me too."
Hermione grinned with satisfaction. "I knew it! I knew you knew something about her! Ok, hows this: as long as you don't tell us what her name is, can you tell us everything else you know, and we promise we wont tell anyone!" Ron and Ginny nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
"OK, all I know is that she was Ministress of Magic in Hidden City- Australia, Ron, - and before she came here she was Defence Ministress. She said she had some business to attend to, but I didn't know they were going to Azkaban. How did you find that out?"
"Well," said Hermione, "I kind of, overheard, um, Mr and Mrs Weasley talking about it. Apparently," she said, lowering her voice to a whisper, so that the three of them had to lean in closer to hear, "Lucinda, or whatever her name is, has got very close connections in V-Voldemort's inner- oh, stop that, Ron, - his inner circle. Ever wondered why she always wears those black gloves? It all makes sense!"
"So," said Ron, slowly, "are you trying to say that Professor Clarke is actually a Death Eater spying for us, or spying for him?"
"I don't know that yet, but I don't think she's spying for him. I'm guessing that she's doing what Snape's doing: pretending she's spying for them, when she's really spying for us. Like what Kingsley did for us last year with Sirius and the Ministry. Anyway, that's just a guess."
Harry took this in slowly. Em was pretending to be on Voldemort's side, when she was really leaking in information to the Order. He agreed; it did make sense when it was all laid out.
"So, if Hermione thinks that that's what's going on, then it's obviously what's going on. Hey!" exclaimed Ron, breaking the whispering, "maybe Harry can accidentally call her by her real name, and we'll coincidently walk right in at that moment and she'll have to tell all!" he smiled from ear to ear, as though this was the greatest plan ever concocted. Hermione nodded, and Ron went bright pink.
"It could work.but then again, we don't know what her powers are like; she might know what's going on before we even leave this room."
As though something was going to happen, Harry, Ron and Ginny all looked around in case she jumped out from behind something. Hermione sighed exasperated.
"She's not here now! Honestly. So when can we do this?" she asked.
"Tonight, if you want." Harry said. So they made up a plan and set out to the drawing room. But as they reached the landing and looked over into the entrance, they saw Emmaline standing, her hand on the door, ready to leave and talking to Moody. He whispered something in her ear and she looked up. She grinned at the four of them.
"Hey guys! How'ya hol's been?"
They stood there in dumbfound silence.
"Hang on." she said, turning to Moody, and talking urgently to him. He nodded at something, and she turned her attention back to the four staring down at them, "Harry! We need to get you back to Hogwarts! Or," she added silently to Moody, "they'll have me head on the choppin' board. Both of them. Oi!" she called back to them, "I'm about to head off now, so if you wanna tag along and get there with no worries, then come on down! When are you guys going back?" she asked. Moody grunted something. "Right. Oi! Harry, you got a choice. Come with me now and we dun have to worry too much about an attack. Or you can go back with these guys and Moody." She smiled at him, and Mad Eye whispered in her ear. Her smile slowly faded but perked back up as soon as he'd moved away. "I gotta hit the road, so, if you could get your mind clicking.you know."she said, making hurry-up-or-miss-out gestures with her hands.
Harry turned to Hermione, Ron and Ginny. Hermione had a stern look on her face.
"They will be expecting you to travel back with Moody, Lupin and them.it would be safer." She said. Ron nodded, and added, "Yeah, and we'll be seeing you soon anyway."
"Commin' or goin', Harry?" Em called. Then, the strangest thing happened. A small voice in his head, his optimistic voice, suddenly said, "I don't wanna be killed goin' to school, Harry. Can we go and get out of here, already? This place makes us sad."
"Yeah, just let me say goodbye." He called down to her. He turned to his friends. "Well, I'll see youse around, I guess." Harry said.
"Ok, Harry. Take care." Said Hermione, giving him a hug, then Ginny. Ron patted him on the back as he headed down the stairs, and whispered, "I dunno why she gets worked up about you going out by yourself, especially since you usually have a teacher or someone with you. Well," he said, turning his voice up, "See you soon, Harry!"
"Yeah, you too." Harry replied, reaching the landing. He turned to face Em and Moody. "What about my-"
"Your trunk will be delivered, like last time." Said Em, without him finishing his question.
"Oh, ok then. Well," he said, turning to the small crowd, "I'll see you lot later. See you soon, Moody," he finished, shaking Mad Eye's rough hand.
"Take care, Potter. Anything, suspicious, happens" he said, looking Harry in the eye with his own, his magical eye swivelling towards Em, who rolled her own, "let us know, ok? Be good." And Harry waved to everyone as Em led him outside.
Grimauld Place slowly disappeared and Em and Harry were left standing before an empty block.
"Um, how are we getting to Hogwarts?" he asked her. She turned to him, and held put a stuffed toy, which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, her black gloves holding it around the neck.
"Portkey!" she said in an enthusiastic tone, "Here! Take a, leg, or something." she said, looking at it for a good place for him to grip. Harry took it by the arm. "Ready? One.Two.Three!"
Once again, Harry felt as though a hook was pulling at the back of his navel. They lifted off the ground and soon disappeared.
Harry and Emmaline landed with a thud on Hogwarts grounds, just in front of the Entrance.
"Yay! Home again!" said Em excitedly, leaving Harry with the stuffed toy and racing up the stone steps. Harry watched after her. This teenaged hardly seemed like a Death Eater, he thought. Em wheeled around in her tracks.
"Uh, are you comin'? Or are you gonna stand outside in this freezin' cold? Jeeze, it's cold. Harry! Get inside!" she motioned for him to follow her, and she pushed the doors open and slipped inside. Harry jogged up behind her.
The Entrance Hall had lost all of its Christmas decorations, and it looked plain and cold as it usually did. But Harry felt a lot safer here then he did at Grimauld Place. Em turned to face him, a wide smile on her face.
"Well, what do you want to do? I think that we're the only ones here, so we can." but she stopped dead. Her face fell in an instant and the warm feeling Harry had been receiving off her died as quickly as her smile did. She looked strait towards the passage to the dungeons. "Maybe not." She said, in a voice most unlike her own. She grabbed Harry's robes and pulled him into a broom cupboard. She pressed her gloved finger against his lips and opened the door so it was a-jar, and crouched down, watching the passage to the dungeons like a hawk. Harry stood in the darkness, looking out as well. He couldn't hear anything, except for his and Emma's breathing, but other then that, the Hall was silent.
They waited there for a few minutes, before the broom cupboard started to become crowded. Harry went to open his mouth, but before he could, Em had stood up and made a cat like hissing noise at him. She looked back out the crack in the door. He lent over and followed her gaze. Though he didn't realise it at first, he noticed that he had pressed his body against hers, and their heads were very close together, looking out the door. His heart started pounding, and he could feel sweat building up on the back of his neck. 'Don't even think about it; she's your Transfiguration Professor!' said a voice in the back of his head with urgency. But then, the optimistic voice that had persuaded him to leave Grimauld Place piped in, 'But she said so herself: she's still only a teenager, like yourself." Harry blinked dumbfounded and wondered why he was feeling like this. Then he remembered that he'd always feel the same whenever Cho was within eyesight. He's felt this again when Draco had touched his scar.the sweat on Harry's forehead was trickling down his neck.
At that moment, Harry heard very faint footsteps. He went to get a better look out of the broom cupboard when Em closed the door and turned to face him. She made a shush noise at him and she held his hands. His scar gave a slight prickle, but then again, he was nervous. She closed her eyes, and then Harry heard a voice that he thought was in the cupboard with them.
"I'll teach that spoilt brat to lie to me.He knows what I can do but he didn't think.stupid little blonde prat."
It was Professor Snape. Harry closed his eyes and he could suddenly see the Entrance Hall, and Snape striding through it. His greasy hair didn't move as he went up the stairs and disappeared down a corridor.
Em let go of his hands, and the Entrance Hall faded away out of his mind. He looked at her and saw her face was screwed up in concentration. A few seconds later, she opened her eyes and grinned at him.
"Sorry 'bout that. I'm not in Snape's good book, so, I suspect he would have been suspicious to see us back here early. Well, it's getting." she eyed him slyly, "hot, in here, isn't it?" and she opened the door and they stumbled out.
Harry had to admit, it had been hot in there, and the winter chill of the Entrance Hall swept over him. Em looked at him.
"Well, I have to get to my office and do some correcting, so if you."
"How'd you do that thing, where I could see the Entrance Hall and hear Snape talking?" Harry interrupted.
"Lots of practice!" said Em, poking his nose and running away up the stairs, going in the opposite direction that Snape had, leaving Harry in the Entrance Hall alone.
He moved towards the wall, and sat down, leaning against it. His scar had stopped prickling, and he wondered what he was going to do now. He figured that he'd go to Gryffindor Common Room, or head up to Em's office and look at all of her pictures and listen to her stories. Or perhaps he'd go and see if Dumbledore was here, and catch up with him. Just when he got up, after he'd decided that he'd walk around and see which presented itself first, he found himself face to face with Draco Malfoy.
"What are you doing here, Harry?" he asked.
He was defiantly worse for wear. While his hair was exactly as it had always been, perfect, his left eye had been beaten, and was a very deep shade of purple. His lip had been cut open, and there was a red mark on his cheek, where it had been hit. There was also a bruise above his left temple. And even though Harry could tell he was in pain, he still managed to smirk at Harry, with some grimace.
"I had to come back early, but that's my business, Draco. What happened to your face?"
"That would be my business. Actually," said Draco, looking up, thinking, "it's your fault I'm like this. Do you know where Emmy is?"
"She's here. Hang on," said Harry. Something had just clicked in his brain. "Em was beaten too! What happened to her? You two must have been together!"
"Actually, no, Harry." Said Draco, staring him in the eye, "I, if you must know, was attacked my father. Em was attacked by my aunt. Happy now?" he asked, and he turned towards the staircase. He'd gotten half way before his words sunk into Harry's head. Draco was now at the top of the stairs, and was heading down the corridor. Harry sprinted after him. Just as Draco turned around to see what had been following him, Harry grabbed him by the shoulders and slammed him against the wall. Draco hit it with a thud and a look of fear spread across his face. But only for a second.
"What is it Harry? Angry? Confused?" he asked with a smirk. Harry pinned him against the wall harder. Draco's smirk disappeared. "Listen, Emmy was attacked after I was. I didn't know until a few hours after. I couldn't do anything, and when you do this, I still can't do anything."
Both he and Harry were breathing very heavily. Draco was staring Harry in the eye, and the feeling that Harry got in the broom cupboard came back. He loosened his grip on Draco, who straitened himself up. They were very close together now.
"Listen, Harry. If I find something out, before everyone comes back, then I will tell you something, ok? But." he said, looking Harry up and down, "just give me some warning before you go pushing yourself up against me like that." He gave another smirk, brushed himself against Harry and continued towards Em's office. A thousand questions appeared in Harry's mind, but before he could ask one, Draco had turned a corned and was out of sight. So instead Harry headed towards Gryffindor Tower, and changed into different robes.
At dinner there were only four people: Harry, Draco, Em and Snape. A table had been placed, not in the Great Hall, but in one of the rooms off it. It was bigger then the room Harry had gone into after being announced for the Triwizard Tournament. There was a small table in the middle of the room, with a chair on each side, and a fire was roaring on the back wall. Harry had arrived last, to find Snape glaring at him, Em smiling at him and Draco avoiding his eye. He sat down and food instantly appeared on the table.
"Did you have a good trip, Potter?" Snape asked him.
"Uh, when?" Harry asked. Em had gone cold and Draco had gone white. They were all staring at Snape.
"You know, at the Ministry. Did you get there ok, and did you get to You- Know-Where safely? No, distractions, along the way?"
Draco, who had been just about to put something in his mouth, dropped his fork and looked frightened. Harry looked at Em, who put on a very brave smile.
"Well, actually, Mr. Snape, I got Harry safely to the Ministry, no worries. And Arthur looked after him like a son, eh Harry? And when I got to You- Know-Where, he was as happy as Larry. He had a good trip, so don't worry yourself, Mr. Snape."
"Well," said Snape, looking at Em with daggers, "I just thought that the conditions that he'd been travelling in, his company, you know, that he might have been in danger. I couldn't begin to imagine what kind of people a trio like you could attract." He finished with a very snide smile. Harry was to scared to speak. Draco still hadn't looked at anyone, keeping his eyes directly on his food.
"Oh," said Em, regaining her stride, "I'm sure you could imagine very well who a trio like us could attract. A lot of old friends, eh Serverus? Or are they foes now?" She gave a small chuckle, "I can never keep track."
Snape's smile had gone. He had turned an albino white.
"Well," said Em, "I'm stuffed. I have important work to do. You understand." She said. She gave a grin to everyone and swept from the room. Draco muttered something about not being hungry, and followed her out the door. All that were left in the small room were Harry and Snape.
Harry looked at Snape, who stared strait back at him.
"Potter, if you have any more contact with Malfoy, then you will die." Said Snape.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Said Harry, as innocently as he could. But the kiss with Draco had slipped into his head, and was replaying it's self over and over.
"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about!" Snape yelled, standing up. He leaned across the table at Harry, and leaned in close. "Heed my warning, Potter! He was hurt because of you, and I wont let it happen again!" he stood up strait and swept away through a side door, leaving Harry alone in the room.
"Well," said a voice behind him, and Harry wheeled around in his seat to find the picture of Violet, The Fat Lady's friend, staring at him, "I must say, good job at getting him angry. But Harry," she said, beckoning him to lean in. Harry rose from his chair and moved closer to her portrait, "I know for a fact that that man is hiding something. I don't know what it is, but it's there."
"Why are you being nice to me?" Harry asked her, "I thought you didn't like me."
"Well," said Violet in a huff, "I don't like him more then I don't like you. I suppose you'll be heading to Gryffindor Tower?" Harry nodded. "Ok." She said, and she moved out of the frame. Harry left the room, and as he closed the door behind him, he could hear the House Elves removing their plates.
When Harry did reach Gryffindor Tower, he found Draco sitting next to the Fat Lady's Portrait.
"Harry!" she exclaimed, "Get this," she said, pointing towards Draco, "away from here! He wont leave!"
"What do you want?" Harry asked.
"To talk to you. Em's busy, Snape can't look at me in the eye and well, you're the only one left." He said, getting up. "Where have you been this whole time? I've been waiting here with her for ages!"
The Fat Lady gave a huff.
'Well, that isn't my fault, Draco. Now, excuse me. Twinkerbell." He said to the Fat Lady, stalking past Draco and entering the Common Room. But he heard a cry behind him.
"Harry! Harry, He's coming in! Stop him!"
Harry wheeled around to find Draco scramble up through the hole after him, kicking the back of the portrait as he stood up. He dusted himself off and looked at Harry.
"Were you just going to leave me there?" asked Draco. Harry nodded. He headed up to his dormitory. Draco followed.
"What do you want? Quit following me!" Harry said angrily, entering the 6th year's dorm. He went down and lay on his bed. Draco stood next to it, grinning.
"I'm bored, Harry. Do something entertaining." Harry closed the hangers around his bed on Draco. But Harry could still tell he was there. "Don't ignore me, Potter. And don't pretend I'm not here, cause I know you can't!"
Harry froze. How did Draco know he'd been trying to forget him? The butterflies in his stomach were starting to rise. He pulled back the hangers slightly, and stuck his head out. Draco was still standing there, smirking at him.
"Snape told me that if I had any contact with you then I'd die, and from what I know, Voldemort's already tabbed me for that. So sod off."
"And do what?" Draco asked, sitting on the side of Harry's bed, "Hang around the castel for four days by myself? I don't think so. Not when I have you to entertain me."
He smiled at Harry, and the cut on his lip stretched wide. Harry noticed that since Draco had disappeared to Em's office earlier that day, the purple ness in his eye had gone gown drastically.
"Why was it my fault that that your father it you? Where did you go with Em at the Ministry? Why did you, uh," Harry thought of the kiss. It had been good, he realised, "do that thing at the Ministry?" he asked, his questions coming out. He looked up at Draco, expecting some snide answer. He didn't get it.
"Well, I went to Azkaban with Em, because she had business there, and I wanted to see my father. Emmy said you already figured that out. My father hit me across the face," he said, pointing to his lip, "and I hit my head against the stone walls there," he said, pointing now at the bruise above his temple, "and then he punched me." He said, indicating to his eye. He did that because you kissed me at the Ministry." He finished promptly.
"WHAT?" flamed Harry, sitting bolt right, and throwing back the hangers. Draco looked alarmed, but excited, "You kissed me first!"
"Yeah, well," said Draco, throwing back his hair, "get over it. If you don't stop looking at me like that then I'll do it again."
Harry didn't mind the prospect of this, as he looked up at Draco. The moonlight, floating in the window near his bed, was draping Draco in itself and his hair shone like silk. When he wasn't insulting someone, he actually looked quite good. His grey eyes had lost their steel look, and were now soft as they looked into Harry's. "Why are you being nice to me?" Harry asked.
"Because, I don't know. Don't question me." Draco said, bending in closer to Harry. They were now only inches apart, Draco looking down into Harry. "But it wasn't that bad, was it, Potter? I could tell you enjoyed it. I did." He whispered with satisfaction.
Harry had a feeling that Draco was letting something off, because Harry lent up, and without thinking, pressed his lips against Draco's. They were soft, as before, but now it was different. He wasn't nervous, and soon Draco was kissing him back. Harry could feel Draco's tongue slip inside his mouth once again, and soon Harry was lying on his back on his bed, Draco on top of him, kissing him deeply. Adrenalin rushed back through Harry, and he was enjoying every moment of it, as was Draco. He was satisfying a lust he'd had since he'd first played Harry in Quidditch. Before Harry knew it, Draco was undoing Harry's jeans, and he moved away from his face.
"Are you all right with this, Harry?" he asked. Harry had never seen him being nice like this. Harry's emotions were running wild; he needed Draco to keep going. He nodded and made some kind of feeble noise. Draco removed Harry's glasses and placed them on the bedside table.
He moved down Harry's body, and came to rest where he'd just undone Harry's jeans, and took him in the mouth. Harry tried hard not to come to soon, Draco was satisfying him in a way he'd never been satisfied before. He grabbed the bed head and held in, moaning while Draco pleasured him. Draco came back up and looked at Harry with satisfaction. He'd gotten quite a bit out of it too, obviously. He crawled back up and lay down next to Harry, his head resting on his chest, which was moving sharply up and down, but was softening.
"Did you like that, Harry?" Draco asked, looking up at him. He couldn't believe how good Harry looked without his glasses on and panting. Harry nodded, calming down. For a few minutes they just lay there, panting, and soon after began talking about things that best friends were talking about, and they learned a few things off each other, too. Draco stayed in Gryffindor Tower until the early hours of the morning, when, after finishing a conversation about Harry's childhood, he realised that Snape would have been looking for him all night.
"See what you've done now, Harry? I cant go near Snape, cause he'll kill you, and I cant go near Emmy, cause she'll figure out what we've been doing up here." Harry convinced him to leave, and head back to the dungeons, and make up some story when he got there. Draco left the dormitory, feeling lighter then air, and Harry lay on his bed, feeling the happiest he had in a few months.