Chapter Two


HARRY

"Draco Malfoy?" Ron's mouth twisted in disgust. "What does that bastard have to do with any of this?"

You can't blame Ron for the reaction -- after what Malfoy treated him during our days at Hogwarts, it's hard not to be resentful. Hell, I was pretty ticked at him.

I've never understood Malfoy. At times it was easy to be caught up in his sneering veneer. No matter what I think of Malfoy, I don't believe anyone, not even he could be so one dimensional. Sometimes you see little parts of Malfoy that didn't fit with facade he had built himself. And there was no doubt in my mind that that was all Malfoy was, a thick facade, built over years to keep himself from seeping out. But the problem with that was when you keep so much inside, to yourself, you also keep things from coming in. Sometimes I wondered how he could even feel with the barriers he's put up.

But there were times, the times when the guise slipped and you are treated to a look without malice. But then there were also the times where his eyes were so full of sadness and misery and it seems to roll off of him making you wonder how could the boy who had everything in life -- money, stature -- could be so unhappy.

My emotions had gotten in my way for many years, so much that it blinded me to Malfoy's true disposition. I could never explain the irrational feeling he seemingly arouse in me. Every time he opened his little mouth I felt the temperature rise and I could feel my heart start thumping and everything around me start to swim.

There had been a few years in which Malfoy had been missing -- after graduation -- where there had been no news, no Intel, no nothing on him. Then all of a sudden he popped up, after his father's death, a Death Eater and Voldemort's right hand man to boot. How he had risen so far up in such short time we never found out, but there had been some speculation that he had sold his father and his soul for the position.

When Malfoy popped into the public's eye once again and his exploits against Muggles and Wizards alike made known, Harry started to -- like everybody else -- wonder how he had gotten to that post. By then I had grown up somewhat and could think with a more unbiased heart. Without Malfoy there to antagonize me every few minutes, my mind was clear to think about how Malfoy was...Malfoy.

But to be frank, seven years ago when he first appeared was the first time I had ever thought about him for almost three years. When we were in school he was a pest, a bully, nothing more. Sure he made my life unpleasant, but after a while his threats became tedious, his insults unimaginative. He faded to the point of background noise and when he left, the noise gone, I didn't give it much thought.

He was always more important to Ron. It was Ron who kept taking offense, even after seven years of almost the same insults. Insults to his appearance, his parents lack of money, his name. Somehow Malfoy always found a way to hurt Ron.

But he like me, forgot about Malfoy as soon as he disappeared. It was as if he never existed in our lives. Then again, Ron was feeling the pangs of a love realized during the same time...

Now after so many years of hearing of Malfoy atrocities, of all the things he's done against mankind in general, I can't help but think that if he was on our side, then how could he ever do those things? I understand a need for cover, but to kill mercilessly hundreds of Muggles, Wizards and Witches is a bit much for us to forgive.

I know I'm not going to get all the answers, most, but most likely not all. I may be Harry Potter, a leader against the Dark, but I was still in a chain of command and there are things even I am not privy too. Hopefully, Dumbledore will find it prudent to tell us about his involvement with our fight as we are the ones who will be rescuing him.

RON

"Draco Malfoy? What does that bastard have to do with any of this?"

Malfoy. Just say his hearing -- saying his name makes me shake in fury. That damned bastard was no good.

What the hell does Malfoy have to do with this? He had no reason to help us, no reason at all! Why would a high ranking -- the highest ranking -- Death Eater help one of us? They would soon die than help one of us.

It sound rather melodramatic, doesn't it? But it's fact, not ideal speculation. We caught Death Eaters before. Big, small, powerful or cannon fodder, they all end up the same. Death by cyanide poisoning. Makes you think doesn't it? The almighty You Know Who (I'm working on it!) and his underlings resorting to Muggle poisons. I hadn't heard of cyanide before I starting working actively for the Dark, but from what I know it's too good for the twice damned bastards. They probably know it too...taking the cowards way out.

Malfoy...help us. It doesn't sound right, does it? No. I know the implication it was making, but I couldn't believe it. This is Malfoy we're talking about! Some things in life are supposed to be constant -- the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, Muggles will always be meddlesome and damn it! Malfoy is supposed to be a cold hearted son of a bitch! It's the way things are supposed to be.

Seven years ago, after his reappearance, I wasn't surprised like everybody else. While they were wondering why and how he had gotten so far up, I think about why it took him to damned long to pop up again. Two years is a long time, but I bet he was doing something nasty during that time. We never found out what he actually do during that time -- there was no way to ask, but blackguards like him can't last long without doing something dastardly.

But he had gotten us a map of Malos Island. Looking it over, it wasn't too small, but small enough to be hidden easily. There was a large enclosure on the West side of the island and a rectangular area. Malos Manor, I supposed. A number of small building were scattered in the enclosure, troop encampments. It could be nothing else. A forest dominated most of the East side Malos Island, making apparating there hard. Apparation is best when there's two open spaces. Less interference, you see. It's too easy for something to go wrong. In this case you end up being stuck within a tree.

I looked over the map with a strategic eye. It was good map, I couldn't deny that. It showed the sentries and the guards and where they were posted, making it easier to avoid them. Something had been bothering me from the moment Dumbledore mentioned Malfoy's name and now it was nagging me with no end. "Sir, are you sure we can trust...Malfoy?" I made me say his name, but I couldn't quite mask the small curl of distaste.

Leaning in closer, I noticed that there were more than one map. Lifting the top map off, my eyes bulged as I looked through the other maps. There were about four other maps in total, one of the manor, close up with each story shown in detail and the other four of the surround areas. Along the sides there were notes on how to avoid the lookouts and the other guards who seemed to make rounds every hour. If this was real... I shook my head. I can't let myself think like that. Malfoy must be up to something. Why else would he drop something so heavily kept a secret by the Death Eaters.

I looked up as I realized Dumbledore still haven't spoken. I glanced at Harry who was looking at the maps as well. I know that gleam in his eye. Harry and I, we've been friends for over a decade and a half. I think I wouldn't be able to judge my best friends emotions by now. Harry believed this, believed in him. It made me sick. Harry was still too trusting. How he had kept that naiveté that seemed to get him into trouble after all these years of war I will never know.

In a way it was good for him to be unchanged by the horrors we've gone through. By unchanged I mean he hasn't lost his innocence to the harsh realities of war as no one can be unaffected by it. Too many people have died...Neville was killed in action three years ago, Dean almost five years ago and then there was Aislynn... She perhaps hurt Harry the most. They were pretty close when she died suddenly seven years ago. I was never told how it happened, but I heard Harry was there when it happened.

Everybody refused to talk about it. Dumbledore wouldn't even acknowledge that she had existed and Harry... Harry took it hard. For weeks he just sort have stumbled around, not really living. I think he couldn't comprehend the death of someone who was so close to him. But he wasn't allowed much time to grieve. Just a week after Aislynn's death, Hermione's parents were targeted by the Death Eaters. They're okay, by the way. We somehow gotten a hold of the information about the attack before hand. They needed to relocated and protected and Harry threw himself into his work. He was never the same again.

Dumbledore

"Mr. Weasley, I promise you this map and everything I am about to tell you is true. Draco Malfoy is the Grey Dragon -- has been for twelve years. In all these years he has with us, he has never betrayed my trust or my confidence," I answered, my voice deadly serious. It was important that these two understand how important Draco was to the cause. Without him, we will never be able to win against Voldemort. Everything we have learned about this war has indicated that Draco is a key player in the Dark Lord's defeat.

"But he's Malfoy!" Ron argued, waving his hands in the air. "Have we forgotten what he has done to us? What he's done to innocent wizards and witches? Not to mention Muggles?!"

I could feel the anger building within me but I calmed down, pushed the rage down to a minimum. Ron would never understand what Draco has done for us. He has adverted more deaths, passed more information -- tactical and strategic -- to us than any other person that's been placed with the Death Eaters. When I finally spoke once again, my voice was quiet and calm. "No matter what you think of Draco Malfoy, you will have to put aside your disputes of the past for this mission. It's imperative that we get him out and get him out soon. For the last few weeks, Draco has been gathering information of an assault on Voldemort's part. From what he's learned so far, it's going to be a major attack against the Muggles. For the most part of this war, we have kept it out of the Muggles' eyes," I paused, looking over at Ron and Harry to see their responses. They nodded and I continued, "But this attack will bring the Wizarding community under scrutiny. We can't allow that. We have enough complications without having witch hunts being orchestrated by the Muggles. Draco contacted me a week ago, telling me that he has gotten all the information that we need, but he was captured before he pass the information on to us. We need that information."

Ron opened his mouth to speak, but I effectively stopped him with a wave of my hand. "I know what you are thinking Mr. Weasley. How can we trust him after all he's done, but let me remind you. What you see and hear is not always what is. Keep an open mind and remember Draco Malfoy is the Grey Dragon. You've heard the stories of him and for the most part they are all real. From what I've heard, you have always championed the existence of the man. Try to reconcile what you know of your hero and what you know of Draco Malfoy as they are the same person." I finished my little speech with a quick glare. Ron caught the message and reluctantly nodded. Good. It may take a while, but I know he will eventually trust Draco. That is if we get him out in time.

Time was running out and the Forgitius potion only lasts a week. We only have four days to get him out. After the potion runs its course, there will be no way to stop Voldemort from getting the information he wants and once he has it there's no doubt in my mind he will kill Draco.

I glanced over to Harry who had been regarding the maps closely. Through my entire conversation with Ron he didn't utter a word and I wasn't sure if he was amiable to the rescue of who was one of his most hated enemies. "Harry?" I questioned softly.

Harry looked up and the determination in his eyes struck me dumbfounded. "Tell me about the island," he commanded, pointing at the map. I felt hope rise in my chest. It wasn't a lost cause... there was hope! We could still salvage this, is we work quickly enough. I just hope we aren't too late.

A/N: I know this is short as well, but I didn't want to linger on this chapter too much, especially since this day is the only day I'll have to write this part. Today is my birthday and I didn't want to spend most of it working on this fanfic.

Hopefully I'll have time next next. Expect the next part sometime next week and please REVIEW! I know there are some of you who are lurkers who are hopefully reading this but don't want to take the time/effort to respond (I'm one of them!), but it would be nice if you could just put in a Yo! or More! to tell me you are reading. Please? You review and I'll try to do my part and review as well... I may not always sign in, but I'll try to review anyway!

Until the next part!