Fractal
Chapter Four
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There was many shouts as several Hogwarts students ran towards the main doors of the castle. It was chaos realized, and Ron and Hermione were caught up in the middle of it on their way back from lunch. They were swept along with the crowd and had no choice but to follow, or else they would be crushed.
"It's Malfoy! Draco Malfoy's back!!" One of the Slytherins shouted. At this Professor Snape, who had been caught up in the mob as well, pounced out from the crowd and straightened his robes. He scanned the line of the forbidden forest, seeing a movement in the shadows. Then, as if by magic, Draco Malfoy appeared out of the wood, riding atop a gorgeous white unicorn. Several jaws dropped. Snape tried to control the wild hoard of students, but in the end it was futile; they rushed towards Malfoy like a hoard of wild beasts, gathering around him and the unicorn and staring in awe.
"Malfoy, where did you get the unicorn!?" Crabbe asked him, helping him down from the creature. Draco looked at his friend Saron and patted his neck, looking back to his friends.
"I ran into him in the forest." He said simply, walking back towards the school. Draco felt tears welling up in his eyes; his house had missed him! They were happy to see him back amongst them!! It was truly one of the better moments in Draco's life. Draco turned to Saron, who was plodding beside him.
"You can go now, Saron." Draco said softly, whispering to his new friend.
I don't want to go. I'll stay here with you, since you are helping me after all. Saron said gently, nuzzling Draco's neck happily. There were more shouts from the school, and Draco looked up to see Albus Dumbledore running towards him, his robes held up high. The old professor was breathing heavily when he reached the small posse of Slytherins, motioning for them to step aside.
"Mr. Malfoy, where have you been!?" Dumbledore said, breathless.
"I've been...away, sir. There's something I need to talk to you about, but first I'd like you to keep my friend here on the Hogwarts grounds. I promised him that he could stay." Dumbledore looked at the shimmering unicorn, then nodded in agreement. Snape came over, smiled at Draco then took Saron from him and went to house him in a comfortable stall by Hagrid's hut. The entire pack of Slytherins marched back towards the school, not willing to let anyone else get close to Draco.
In the shadows, a certain brown haired, brown eyed girl stood, watching the small procession as it made it's way across the grass like a snake. How appropriate, she thought, chuckling to herself.
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"Now then, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about, Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked. Draco was exempt of classes for that day, to explain to Dumbledore what had happened to him. After Draco had explained all of his journey to the headmaster - a story that he thought he particularly liked - he got down to what worried him.
"Saron said that someone attacked him with a hot column of green light. He said that the figure was cloaked, and was carrying a wand." Draco said, settling back in his chair. Dumbledore looked interested in this, and made a mental note to himself to check it out when he could.
"Very curious, indeed..." Dumbledore said gently, scratching his beard. "It could not be You-Know-Who...he is too weak still...." The old man considered. "Perhaps...perhaps it is someone more close to home..." Draco nodded, feeling relief spread over him. Now that Dumbledore knew, he could worry about other things.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Malfoy. This information is very important to this school. You are excused." The old man said. Draco nodded, excused himself and walked down the steps from the headmaster's office.
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The rest of the day was uneventful. Draco was confined to his room while the other students were at their classes, so he was alone most of the day. Looking to his overloaded desk, Draco saw something that he hadn't spotted there before. Perhaps an own had dropped it off when he was out...
Moving aside all the packages of sweets and all the 'required reading' from his parents, Draco came upon a small package. It was purple, wrapped in a yellow ribbon. Malfoy stared at it hard, wondering who would have sent him something like this. Finally deciding to see what it was, he opened it. Staring back at him was a small letter sheet of hard card paper, it's ends looking like it had been singed by fire. Draco turned it over and nearly freaked out when he saw purple writing on it.
Dear Mr. Malfoy,
I saw you approach the school in that hoard of Slytherins. I'm happy that you're back from the Forbidden Forest and that you're not hurt. Oh, thanks for not biting my head off in the hall that day.
Draco blinked. It was...it was that girl from the hall! He struggled to remember her face, but found that he could not. Why in the world would she send him something like this? Draco looked at the small card, wondering if he should rip it up or not. His fingers ran along the edges, his mind contemplating what to do. Undecided, Draco tossed it onto his bedside table. He didn't have to worry about it; no one would come in his room and look at his stuff. Again, the greatness of being a fifth-year.
The card stayed on his bedside table for the rest of the day; Draco found himself staring at it when he had nothing else to do. He shook his head; just what was wrong with him?!?
Draco!! Saron's voice came to him, sounding frightened. Malfoy immediately ran to the window, where he saw Saron in his pen, jumping and bouncing about. His head ground together; how was he supposed to communicate with Saron!? He decided to try something. Draco picked a thought and focused in on Saron, hoping that he could somehow get the transmission. There was a ripple-like feeling, and Saron stopped moving. Apparently, he had gotten the message.
You...spoke to me. This is odd. Saron said gently, looking up at Draco from his pen.
No, don't look at me!! Draco thought. You'll make people suspicious! Saron nodded his agreement mentally and went back to grazing.
Now then, what were you so upset about? Draco asked his friend, leaning against the window. He tried to make it look like he was just looking out the window for something to do, to cover it up.
There's a presence here. I can't see where it is, but it's coming for me!! Saron said helplessly, beginning to pounce around and the like. Draco thought fast.
Make a lot of noise! Hopefully Hagrid will come out and check on you. He suggested. Saron took his suggestion and made wild noises and beat against the side of his pen. Luckily, Hagrid came out and checked up on him. Draco couldn't sense what he was saying, but he knew that his friend was safe.
Thank you. The presence is gone. Saron said thankfully, calming down. Hagrid said a few more words to him, then retreated back inside his little cottage. Draco sighed; that had been a close call for the both of them!
