A/N: The next installment. Thanks to everyone whose helped me. Hope you enjoy.
CHAPTER 11
You must be swift as a coursing river,
With all the force of great typhoon,
With all the strength of a raging fire,
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon.
--From the movie Mulan
"Harry. Stop. We're fine. We're going to win," Ron said after watching Harry pace in front of him for five minutes. They were in the Gryffindor Common room, and Harry was fretting about the match against Slytherin later that afternoon.
"Ron, we can't lose this game!"
Ron shook his head. "Harry, Gryffindor has always beaten Slytherin since you came. Chill."
Harry rolled his eyes. "C'mon. Get the rest of the team. We're going down to the field."
"Harry, we don't have to be down there for another hour!"
"I don't care. Get the twins and chasers and meet me down there in five minutes."
Ron rolled his eyes in exasperation as he watched Harry leave the common room with his firebolt. He sighed and stood, knowing Harry was perfectly serious. He grabbed his own new broom, and raced up the stairs to find his twin brothers. He caught them in the middle of setting up one of their tricks.
"Interesting," Ron drawled from the doorway. The twins whipped around.
"Oh shit," muttered Fred.
George tried act innocent. "You wanted something, Ron?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Yeah, your undying love for me.," he replied sarcastically. "No, Harry wants the entire team down at the field in four minutes."
Fred stood up. "Oh shit," he repeated.
George made a face. "Harry's as bad as Oliver. Ok Ron, we'll be there in a sec." Ron turned to leave but George quickly went on. "And don't you dare tell anyone about this."
Ron shrugged and quickly ran back down the stairs. He yelled up the stairs to the girls rooms, "CHASERS! GET DOWN HERE NOW!"
Angelina, Alicia, and Katie ran down the stairs, broomsticks in their hands. They stopped dead when they saw it was Ron.
"What's up? Where's Harry?" Angelina asked.
"The Captain wants up all down at the field in two minutes."
They rolled their eyes. "Where are the twins?" Katie asked.
Ron shrugged. "They're coming. Let's go, they'll catch up."
The three chasers followed the boy out of the common room. As they walked down the halls, Fred and George caught up with them.
"What are you guys doing! Harry expected down at the field a minute ago!" George exclaimed in mock horror. They all stared at each other for a second, and burst out laughing.
"C'mon my brave friends. Let's go face the wrath of our Captain," Fred cried out and then they were all running down the halls, ignoring the looks people gave them.
Harry looked up irritably when they entered the meeting room. "You're late."
Fred rolled his eyes. "Sorry, your majesty."
Harry glared at him. "Alright. Change into your robes and we'll talk." He waited on the bench while the girls went to their changing room and the guys went to theirs.
In about five minutes they were all gathered once again in the big room.
"So what's the big deal, Harry?"
"We're playing against Slytherin, George. That's the big deal."
"Harry, you really need to chill. They're easy as pie to beat. Especially with that Malfoy boy as their captain." Angelina looked slightly impatient.
Harry shook his head. "No no no! Wrong."
"Harry, stop acting like Wood. It's driving us crazy!" Alicia snapped.
"Alicia, be nice," Fred admonished.
Alicia rolled her eyes but said, "Sorry, Harry."
Harry shrugged and grinned. "Naw, that's my fault. Sorry about that. We'll be fine."
Katie nodded. "Yep. We'll win. Now let's just go over some key pointers." She nodded at Harry. "The floor is yours, Captain."
Harry smiled and began. His team settled down on the couches and prepared to listen to his hour long speech.
***
The two teams filed out onto the field. Slytherin in green and Gryffindor in crimson. For the first time since Harry had been at Hogwarts, the Slytherin team actually had girls on it.
Harry and Draco met in the middle. "Captains, shake hands," came Madame Hooch's voice. They met eyes for a second and Harry quickly looked away. Draco continued to stare at him through narrow eyes after they had shook hands.
"On the whistle then." The whistle blew and 15 people kicked off into the air.
"The quaffle is now taken by that ugly Slytherin Noll," began Lee.
"Lee," McGonagall warned.
Lee shrugged and continued. "Slytherin in possession. Noll passes to Jorlan, who passes back to Noll as a bludger hit by George come his way. Noll passes to Nonial, who passes to Jorlan, who shoots. And misses thanks to Ron, the little kid brother of the infamous Weasley twins, who are planning to open a joke shop when they leave the school. So come one come all and buy their jokes. Cheap prices, guaranteed satisfact-"
"LEE! Two years ago it was advertising for the Firebolt. Now is it for those two friends of yours?"
Lee grinned. "Sorry Professor. Look at those two laughing. The beaters on the Gryffindor side seem to be slacking off. Or maybe they have some trick up their sleeves." Fred and George glanced over at the commentator and him a thumbs-up.
Harry flew passed them. "Get back to your job, twins," He snapped. They grinned, gave each a high five and flew after the jet black bludgers.
Harry glanced down below him, to where Draco was flying on his own broomstick. Harry silently admitted to himself that Draco had an elegance he'd never be able to match. But Harry had the speed and the recklessness which would win him the game. Or so he hoped.
Draco felt Harry's eyes on him and he glanced up. "Scared, Potter?"
"You wish, Malfoy," Harry spat back. Draco laughed lightly and tipped his broom upwards, causing Harry to change his course of direction and cursing.
"The two seekers seem to be having an argument, which will be won by the famous Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived. There really is no point to this game as Harry's skills are unmatched as a seeker. Malfoy will be left in his dust," Lee's commentaries continued. He ignored the glares from the Professor.
"The score is still 0-0. Slytherin Chaser Noll in possession. He shoots, and oh damn-"
"Lee."
"He makes it. Keeper Ron Weasley looks devastated. But that's ok. Gryffindor Angelina in possession of the brilliant red quaffle. She passes to Alicia who speeds down the field. And then- oh damn it, one of the Slytherin beaters hit a bludger at her. She spins and drops the quaffle, which is caught by Slytherin seeker Jorlan. She speeds down in the other direction. Ron, time for you to pay attention. Jorlan passes-wait! Was that the snitch?" A mummer went through the crowd. "But the two seekers seem intent on killing with looks. I doubt either of them saw it."
Draco laughed. Harry glared. "Are you trying to distract me?" he snarled.
Draco grinned at him and replied innocently, "The wonderful, courageous, heroic Harry Potter distracted? The world must be coming to an end."
Harry glared at him and flew upwards. Draco laughed again and followed. His tactics were working. If Slytherin could score enough goals, then it wouldn't matter if Harry caught the golden snitch. Draco flew after his arch-rival.
"And Slytherin scores again. Damn, damn damn. The score is 80-0. Harry might want to catch the snitch soon, before this gets out of hand. We can't have the lousy Slytherin's winning, can we? No, of course not. Anyway, Katie in possesion, A bludger coming her way, but George easily hits it off towards Noll, who is now hanging up side down on his broom. What a comic sight! He climbs back on and chases after Alicia, who seems to be slightly angry."
"Slightly?" Fred muttered to himself from where he flew. "If looks could kill I would hate to be Slytherin." He paused and reconsidered his words. "Wait a moment, I'd hate to be one of those lazy bastards anyway." He shook his head and glanced over at Harry, wishing that the snitch would be seen. It had never taken Harry this long before to find it. Malfoy must be doing a god job on distracting him.
"I asked my father the other day why your parents were killed," Draco was saying.
"Really," Harry muttered back. "And of course he knew since he's a death eater?"
"My father is not a death eater!"
Harry shot him a disgusted look. "Could have fooled me."
Everyone knew the older Malfoy was a death eater, but Draco was not about to admit to that accusation. "He's not. But he does know why. It's because they were muggle loving fools. And your mother was a mudblood."
"Shut up Malfoy," Harry warned.
"Yep, a filthy little mudblood. Your father was a pureblood, obviously. You know, he was once in love with my mother."
Harry turned to look at him. "Your mother. Yeah right. Why would he love a Slytherin? Stop lying, Malfoy"
"My mother was not in Slytherin."
"Really. Then what was she in? Gryffindor?" Harry replied sarcastically.
Draco shrugged. "I don't know. Actually, I don't think she went to Hogwarts. I'm pretty sure she went to Durmstrang."
"Then why aren't you there?"
"Because she hates it now. Dunno why. Too cold, I guess."
"Surprise, surprise. I'm very surprised they didn't send you to a school that teaches the dark arts."
Draco shrugged and trailed Harry, who was still searching the ground. "Gryffindor isn't as good as you think. Look at Pettigrew for instance."
"What about him?" Harry asked innocently.
"Don't play me innocent, Potter. I know all about you and your escaped convict of a god father."
Harry shrugged and turned to face him. "Escaped because you couldn't catch him," he said smiling.
"No," replied Draco. "Escaped because your lousy ministry knows nothing and can't find him. Useless ministry. Fudge is probably going to get himself killed one day."
Harry shrugged. "The man won't even admit Voldemort's back in power."
Draco grinned. "Never did understand why you trusted him."
Harry's green eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by that?" he asked roughly.
Draco just shrugged and flew downwards. Harry cut him off, causing him to swerve violently upwards.
"What do you mean by that?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "How screwed up is it when the minister of magic doesn't believe in Voldemort? What does he think all those muggle killings are?" Draco shrugged.
Harry nodded to himself. Some things were so much clearer now. Everything, except one thing.
"Why did you tell me that?"
Draco gave him a look. "Tell you what?"
Harry stared at him. "You basically told me Fudge is a traitor."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "No, I basically told you he was a spy." A look of panic crossed Malfoy's face. "But you didn't hear that from me," he added quickly.
Harry smiled genuinely. "Hear what, Malfoy?"
Draco shrugged. "Dunno, Potter. I think you're hallucinating. I haven't said anything to you the entire game." He grinned and then shouted, "Excepted your a lousy wizard." Draco sped to the ground, Harry following. Next to next, they raced towards the snitch they'd both seen. Suddenly a bludger came hurling at Draco. He didn't see it, but he felt the impact. He spun wildly into Potter, throwing them both off track. Draco sped towards the ground, spinning. Harry raced towards the snitch. His hand closed on it, and he landed safely. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Malfoy lying on the ground-unmoving.
"Oh shit," he muttered. He knew that he should have caught Draco, but winning the game was more important. He glanced up at the score board and to his horror the score was 200-190. Slytherin had won. Draco confused and annoyed him so much that he hadn't been paying attention. All the worry for Draco vanished immediately. The stupid, damn git.
He walked away towards his team, but couldn't help looking over his shoulder. Draco was on a stretcher, one side of his hair streaked with blood. The shoulder that the bludger had hit had been dislocated. Harry turned away and joined his depressed team. Even Fred and George weren't smiling anymore. They all watched Harry with fear in their eyes.
Harry sighed. "We'll talk tomorrow," he told them shortly, leaving them to stare after him. He walked slowly towards the changing room, but changed his direction before he got there.
Hermione caught up with him. She walked beside him, not talking. He was glad of the comfort and silence. He turned to her. "I'm going up to the hospitable wing."
She looked at him. "Malfoy?"
Harry nodded. "Coming?"
She studied him as they walked. "What were you guys talking about the entire time?"
Harry sighed. "He was purposely making me lose my concentration."
She nodded. He glanced at her. "You're not surprised?"
She shook her head. "Malfoy knows he can't catch the snitch before you, so he tried other tactics." She shrugged. "He could trust his chaser to score. He just had to keep you distracted."
"And it worked," Harry spat angrily.
She sighed and they walked in silence the rest of the way. As they neared the hospital wing, they found Cygna waiting outside the door. She glanced at them.
"They won't let us in," she said, annoyance clear in her voice.
"Do you know how he is?" Harry asked anxiously.
The twin shot a peculiar look at him. "Not good. He landed pretty hard, even though he wasn't that far above the ground. I think he hid his head on a rock. And his shoulder was dislocated. I don't anything else." She leaned against the door.
Harry groaned and Cygna frowned. "What are you guys doing here anyway? I know Draco and you aren't the greatest of friends."
Harry laughed. "More like we are the greatest rivals you've ever seen."
Cygna frowned. "He doesn't hate you."
"How do you know?" Harry asked. "He sure acts like he does."
"That's Draco's way of hiding his feelings." She grinned. "He doesn't hate you, but he sure dislikes you. Don't why, either."
Hermione and Harry exchanged glances. "You've no idea?" Hermione asked.
Draco's twin shrugged. "I guessed that it had something to do with the rivalry between Slytherin and Gryffindor. But," she said shooting a sharp look at them, "I don't think that's the only thing."
Harry sighed and sat down on a bench. Hermione joined him. Cygna remained standing. "It's more like Draco's is a bit obsessed with the pureblood and 'mudblood' crap."
Cygna grinned. "Well, I don't have that problem, so we'll get along just fine."
The two Gryffindors exchanged glances. "You don't sound like the typical Slytherin," Hermione commented.
The other raised an eyebrow. "And what's the typical Slytherin?"
Harry shrugged. "Gyrffindors are the worst people, muggles and muggle-born wizards should be killed, Voldemort is the one master, and the dark ways are the best."
Cygna grinned. "I don't think Gyrffindors are the worst people. Well, not all of you. Lavender and Parvati grate on my nerves." Hermione and Harry grinned at that. "Muggles, on the other hand. Many of them hate us. They deserve to die. Voldemort does more bad than good, even for his followers. He probably ends up killing one death eater for every ten muggles." She shrugged. "As for the last. I don't know. I know a lot of the dark arts spells and I've grown up with them. I don't particularly care for them, but I can and will use them."
Hermione frowned. "Would you kill some one?"
Cygna replied, "If they deserved it, yes."
Harry nodded. "That makes sense."
The Malfoy grinned. "I know." She suddenly turned serious. "Harry, you might want to learn some dark spells and how to think evil, because that's the only way to defeat Voldemort."
"Are you telling him to become like your father?" Hermione snapped, eyes flashing.
Cygna's steel colored eyes narrowed. "No, stupid," she retorted. "But if you want to take it that way, go ahead."
Hermione laughed bitterly. "You're just as bad as your brother, aren't you. Stupid, evil, annoying, and arrogant."
"Shut up, Hermione," Harry muttered.
"No, Hermione. Continue. I'd love to hear what you say." Cynga said, smiling mockingly.
The door opened, stopping any more insults. Dumbledore motioned them in. They walked in, Hermione closing the door behind her. "This way," Dumbledore said. He led them past row of beds, finally coming to where Draco lay.
Cygna looked down at his pale face. "Will he be alright?"
Dumbledore hesitated. "I don't know," he replied softly. She nodded and sat down in a chair. Dumbledore turned to the other two.
"Harry, I need to see you in my office, now." Harry nodded and followed Dumbledore out. Hermione was left there, standing awkwardly. Cygna glanced up and saw her. She sighed and motioned to the chair. Hermione dropped into it. The two sat in silence for a while, until Hermione couldn't stand it.
"Cygna," the girl looked up at hearing her name. "I'm sorry about that back there."
Cygna shrugged. "I don't really care what you call me. But I am perfectly serious about Harry using the dark arts. There's absolutely no way he can defeat Voldemort without them. He can escape, but no, he can't destroy."
Hermione dropped her eyes. "So he'll have to use the killing curse?"
Cygna shook her head slowly. "Voldemort can't be killed. Only turned back into the ghost form he was after the first war."
Hermione looked up again into the clear silver eyes. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because," Draco said from the bed, without opening his eyes, "She knows exactly what's at stake."
"How are you feeling?" Cygna asked.
Draco half-smiled. "Not good. What happened?"
"You don't remember?"
"No."
"You were hit with a bludger in the shoulder and you dislocated it. You spun and hit the ground rather hard. I'm pretty sure you hit a rock."
"There aren't supposed to be any rocks on the field."
"You hit something."
"I feel weak." he frowned. "Um...Cygna? I can't see anything."
Cygna leaned over. "Oh shit. I hope that nurse can fix this." She looked worriedly at Hermione.
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know."
Draco frowned. "Who is that?"
Cygna grinned slightly. "Hermione Granger."
"What?" Draco asked, startled. Cygna laughed. Draco groaned. "What did I miss?"
"How much did you hear?"
"Everything you said, I think. I meant before. I guess Gryffindor won?"
The amusement was clear in his twin's voice. "No, actually. We beat them by ten points."
Draco groaned. "And I'm missing the one celebration of a life time? Damn it all."
Hermione slipped out of the room quietly. Cygna waited until the door had snapped shut before turning back to her twin.
"It's next week."
Draco's head turned towards her, even though he couldn't see anything.
"Does Dumbledore know?"
"No. He thinks he has three weeks."
"Good. We'll slip out of Hogwarts this weekend and down to the manor."
She frowned. "How are we going to keep our selves from being missed?"
He grinned. "We'll have an owl delivering letters both to us and Dumbledore that require our presence at home. He'll fall for it."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Good." They sat in silence for some time.
"What went on between you and Granger?" Draco asked.
The contempt was clear in her voice. "She's jealous and thinks she's 'oh so very smart'."
"You sound pretty jealous yourself."
"I'm not. I don't care what she thinks."
"You really hate her, don't you."
"She's what we all call the 'typical Gryffindor.' Falls straight into the trap."
Draco laughed. "You like Potter, but you hate the rest of them."
His twin blushed. "Shut up," she snapped.
Draco sobered down. "Do you really like him?"
She sighed. "No, not really. As a friend, I guess. No crushes, I'm afraid."
"Really," he drawled. "Too bad since he seems very drawn to you. As does his sidekick. Competition."
She hit his arm. "Shut up. I don't like Ron. He's an idiot."
Draco laughed. "Glad you agree with me. Weasley always was the most annoying of the trio."
"I thought you hated Harry the most."
"I do. But he isn't the most annoying, just the hated."
Cygna shook her head. "If I ever decide to date him, I'll make sure you don't know."
"If you ever decided to date him, I'll kill him."
She shot a sharp glance at him. "I was joking."
"I'm not."
"Draco-"
"Never mind. Go away, Cygna. I need my sleep."
"Draco-"
But he turned away from her. She glared at him for a moment and then spat, "Fine. They're right about you." She stood angrily, sending the chair crashing to the floor, and left the room, slamming the door shut behind her.
***
He did not move until he heard her footsteps fade away. He turned over and opened his eyes. He'd been lying when he said he couldn't see. His innocent sister had believed him. He stared at the white wall for a minute, clenching and unclenching his fists, going over what had happened. He had been perfectly serious about killing Harry.
He sat up and examined his body. The nurse, as usual, had done a good job in healing. He slipped out of the bed and quickly changed into his black robes.
"Accio Invisibility Cloak," he whispered. Within moments his light blue silvery cloak was in his hands. He donned it and slipped silently out of the room, shutting the door softly behind him.
He sped down the halls, as silently as possible. He entered the library and found his sister in the back, talking quietly with Ginny Weasley.
Draco leaned against the wall and eavesdropped on their conversation.
"Why should I believe you? You're a Slytherin?"
"Because I'm being perfectly honest," Cygna snapped. "Do us all a favor and shut up and listen, alright?" Ginny stared, but did not say anything. "Good. Now listen. You need to tell your friend Potter that your brother and Granger are going to be lured out of the castle as bait. Knowing Potter, he'll be an idiot and go after them. That must not happen. Understand?"
"Why not just tell Dumbledore?"
"Because that would ruin everything! You don't understand."
"Then why don't you tell me?"
"Because you can't understand. There's things you can't be told."
"If you're not going to tell me the important stuff I'm leaving." Ginny stood angrily and slung her bag over her shoulder. Draco winced. He'd learned from experience walking out on his twin was not a good idea.
"Imperio. Sit down." The Slytherin's voice was cold and commanding. The two girls stared into each others eyes for a minute before Ginny slowly lowered herself into the chair. "Good. Just do what I told you. Tell Potter not to leave the castle. Now leave." Ginny nodded and fled.
Draco took off the cloak and hid it. "Turning coat, sister dear?"
She whirled around. "Draco!"
His eyes flashed angrily. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Saving Harry's life."
"Are you crazy! We need him at the Manor."
"I thought you were against father, not with him."
"Don't be stupid," he snapped.
"Me stupid?" she stood, kicking her chair out of the way in rage, and marched up to him. "Me stupid. Look at you? You're the one whose followed him these past 15 years. And you accuse me?"
"You would have followed him to if it meant your life."
"I wouldn't have been as weak as you are!"
The two twins stared at each other, eyes blazing.
"Weak am I?" he said in a soft, cold, cruel voice. "You're the one whose had life easy. You're the one whose life has never been in danger. You're the one father's never abused. You call me weak? Did it ever occur to you that the reason father sent you, not me, away was because of the shame? He saw your weakness. Look at you. Fraternizing with a Weasley. Damn you,-"
He didn't get to finish as she slapped him hard across the cheek, leaving a red hand print on his pale skin. "Shut up, Draco," she hissed softly. "And listen to me. It's time you start acting who you really are. I'm sick of your mask. You think father really cares? He knows who you are. You aren't really the sarcastic, cruel person you pretend to be. Sure, you can be that, but only when you're nervous. Why can't you be yourself?"
"Why? You're asking me why? Maybe because while father and you know my true colors, no one else does. I've got a reputation to uphold."
"Damn your reputation. Who cares?"
"I do! Isn't that enough?"
"No. It's god damn stupid."
"Are you accusing me of being stupid?"
"Aren't you?" She asked in a fake innocent tone.
He glared at her. "Get out of here. I don't know why you came to Hogwarts, but I wish you hadn't. You're screwing everything up. My life. Potter's life. Everyone's god damn lives."
She glared at him. "I'm screwing them up? You're the one who wants Potter dead."
"Will you stop jumping to conclusions? God damn it, why do you all think I want him dead?"
"Then why did you get so angry about my conversation with Ginny. It wasn't even any of your business."
"Yes, it was. Look," he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and continued in a more rational tone. "Look. We need Potter at the Manor next week. The potion's done. I've also made a polyjuice potion. We have both Harry and our brother take it, they switch places. Potter still has his blood, so Slytherin can't be brought back to life."
She frowned. "But Gryffindor can since Harry's related to him."
"Really?"
She shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, one of the reasons Voldemort's always hated the Potters."
He nodded. "That makes sense. But it won't necessarily mean Gryffindor's brought back to life. It could be either of his parents. We just don't know."
She nodded slowly. "I'd rather have any of those three back than Slytherin."
He smiled his agreement. "Me too."
The two looked at each other for a second and then both colored slightly.
"Cygna-"
"Draco-" She said at the exact same time.
They both cut off, stared at each other, and started laughing quietly.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have flew off the handle like that," he apologized.
She smiled lightly. "And I shouldn't have slapped you. We're even."
He grinned at her. "We should probably clear out before Madame Pince arrives." They both started laughing, again.