A/N: I wanted to pour out my thanks to everyone who has been reading the story. I also wanted to warn you that this will not be a funny chapter. It covers an event I've been hinting toward, and that is why it is called . . .



CHAPTER 20: THE DREADED DAY

"What is Dennis Creevey doing?" Ginny asked.

"You know how he wants to be an animagus," Malcolm said. "Well, I thought it would be a good idea if he knew what type of animal he wanted to become."

"And he's looking through nature books?"

"Yeah, he wants to be a bird, like me, but he doesn't feel comfortable as an owl. I told him how the animal should fit his personality, so he's checking things out."

"How close is he to becoming an animagus?"

"The truth is," Malcolm said, "I never realized how hard it was, until I started teaching him. I'm guessing he'll be in his fourth year by the time he's good enough at transfiguration. His skills are improving, but it will take time. I was lucky that I had a natural talent for it."

"So there isn't any quick spell?" Ginny said.

"There is, but if you can't do it right, it doesn't matter."

Ginny smiled at Malcolm and said, "You may not like it, but you have matured. I like seeing you this way."

"Thanks, I guess," Malcolm said. "Do you want to come to the Hospital this weekend? The mature performing owl could always use a helping hand."

"I'd love to, Professor Malcolm," Ginny said with a laugh.

*

It was Sunday night, and Malcolm was sitting in the Headmaster's Office, looking across the desk at Dumbledore.

"Why don't you tell me what happened," Dumbledore said.

"Everything was fine on the train," Malcolm said, "but when we got to the hospital, the nurse said that we couldn't see Basil, because he was sleeping. Draco started shaking, and kept asking to look in on his brother, and the nurse finally agreed. Draco came out a few minutes later and ran off. We tried for a while but we couldn't find him, then some doctor assured us he was still inside the hospital, and they would watch in case he tried to leave.

"Ginny and I went to entertain the kids, and some of the older patients. When we found out that Draco was still in the building, Nurse Hull offered to let us stay the night, and we decided it might be best if we did..

"In the morning, we helped out a bit, but when we asked, the nurses said Draco was doing fine. Then we were told it was time to head back to school. I still don't know what happened to Draco."

"Thank you, Malcolm," Albus said. "I do appreciate your efforts, and you concern for your friend. I should tell you that he IS fine, and Dr. Spencer is on her way here with him."

Malcolm sighed with relief. "I was worried. Draco looked awfully scared when he came out of the room."

"He loves his brother very much," Albus said, "and he is afraid of losing him. Your friendship with him will help in the days to come."

"It's hard," Malcolm admitted. "I can see Draco changing. I don't know if he'll want to be my friend anymore. I know Ginny is trying her best to remain close to him, but he keeps pushing her away as well."

Albus sighed. "Miss Weasley is a warmhearted person. She will do anything she can, I think, even if her parents are against it. I admit, I do not know if that is a good thing."

"Did Dr. Spencer say anything?" Malcolm asked.

"An interesting question," Albus answered, "She said that would violate the relationship between doctor and patient. We will have to trust her with this. And, Malcolm, I will have to ask you not to discuss the conversation with Ginny, and especially not with Draco."

[This is creepy. I'm losing a friend, and now I have to keep secrets from him. How is life Unfair? Let me count the ways.]

*

Malcolm kept an eye out for Draco the next couple of days. They even talked briefly about nothing in particular. Everything seemed to be returning to normal. Then he went down to breakfast. It was on the fourth day since they had come back, that it happened.

Malcolm had just sat down, when Neville Longbottom walked over to Ginny.

"Good Morning," Ginny said cheerfully.

"Er, Ginny," Neville said nervously, "I received a letter from St. Mungo's today."

Ginny froze. "What did it say?"

"That's the weird part," Neville said, and Ginny tensed. Malcolm noticed them talking and saw her reaction. "It said to tell you that I got the letter."

Ginny's hands went to her face. When that happened, Malcolm quickly looked over at the Slytherin table, but Draco wasn't there. He looked back and Ginny was running from the Hall. Malcolm got up to follow, but Neville caught up to him in the hallway outside.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"Nothing," Malcolm said, as he looked around for Ginny.

"It's Basil, isn't it?" Neville hissed.

"You know?" Malcolm asked in surprise.

"Malfoy keeps my secret, and I keep his," Neville said evenly, "What happened?"

Malcolm explained, hastily, "You know, they won't tell Draco anything, unless he's there, and they can't tell anyone else about Basil. But I worked it out. Because of your parents they could contact you, but they couldn't say anything. We struck a deal that if anything happened, they would send you THAT letter."

"Clever," Neville said, "but Ginny is probably trying to find Draco. You know the way to Slytherin. You lead."

[Neville? He's acting more like Potter than Potter ever did.]

"Let's go," Neville insisted, and Malcolm led the way. Halfway there, they ran into Ginny face to face with Draco, with Crabbe and Goyle flanking him. Ginny was sobbing.

"Is it true?" Draco asked tonelessly.

Neville nodded. Draco nodded back and said nothing. Ginny tried to take his hand, and Draco shook it off angrily. He backed up and let out a soundless scream. Suddenly he began to strike out at anyone, but Gregory Goyle was prepared. He grabbed Draco and held him close. Draco hit him repeatedly, but Gregory stood there, holding on. Eventually, Draco exhausted himself, and collapsed. Goyle held him firmly as Draco began crying into his shoulder.

Vincent Crabbe walked to the Gryffindor students and said, "We'll take him to Madam Pomfrey. He'll be fine." Neville nodded again, gently took Ginny's arm and led her away.

Malcolm stayed to ask, "You knew, as well?"

"Malcolm, we grew up together. Of course, Gregory and I knew. He never told us where he went, but it wasn't hard to figure out." Vincent turned to Draco, then turned back and said, "I'm glad he found out from friends. It will be easier for him."

*

The Gryffindors and Slytherins were settling in for third year Potions Class the next day, when Professor Snape walked in. "Take out your quills," he said angrily, "You will spend this class writing the description and uses of all the ingredients that you know of. I expect at least three feet by the end of the class."

"Not you two," He added, looking directly at Malcolm and Ginny. "I heard about your altercation with certain Slytherins yesterday, and we will be discussing the matter with Professor Dumbledore. Collect your belongings." He looked up and said to the rest of the class. "Mr. Filch will watch you while I am gone, and I have left him a free hand to deal with any cheaters."

Snape ushered the two students out of the classroom, and led the way down the hall, when Ginny said, "Dumbledore's office isn't this way."

"We're not going to his office," Snape said, then added, "Wait here." He walked into another classroom and came out with Neville Longbottom. He ushered them down another hall, through several rarely used corridors, to a dusty old door.

"You may not believe this, Miss Weasley, but this is the only door that your brothers could never find their way past. And now, I am trusting you with the password." Professor Snape turned toward the door, and said, solemnly, "Requiescat."

The door opened to the outside. It was a large field surrounded by high walls. Near one of the walls was a small group of people.

"You should know," Severus Snape said, "This place is normally reserved for former teachers who have made a request, and the occasional orphaned student."

The three students said nothing about their surroundings as they followed the Potions Professor into the school cemetery.

Albus Dumbledore was standing by the grave with Draco and Vincent. Gregory stood on the other side with Dr. Spencer, and the nurse who always took care of Basil. Malcolm numbly stood where Snape placed him and looked at the grave. A coffin, too small to look real was sitting there, waiting to be lowered. He looked at the headstone, and smiled when he read the name, "Basil Malfoy." A date followed it, the date of birth. Underneath was another date, the day before yesterday. Beneath it was the inscription "Beloved Brother, Beloved Friend." Malcolm began to cry.

Someone put a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at Professor Snape. "He is in a better place," Severus said softly, "because he died knowing he was loved."