AN: Thanks to my reviewers! I really appreciate it. Sorry this chapter was late…the holidays kept me busy. Hope you guys had a nice holiday!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 10: The Right PathDraco received his next letter from Voldemort the following day. It was very short.
Mr. Malfoy,
After last night's lesson, I hope your loyalty never wavers again. Be at your Manor tonight at seven.
L.V.
With a renewed sense of determination ever since Dumbledore had told Draco of his own heroics, Draco ran to Dumbledore's office to report the letter. "Sir!" He yelled when he was inside the office. "I've received another letter."
Dumbledore took the letter from Draco's hand and examined it. He sighed. "Draco you know what you must do. Go to this meeting and find out what you can." Draco nodded and raced from the room attempting to be on time for Transfiguration for once. He reached the classroom out of breath, but the lesson had not yet begun. During the class, Draco's mind was conflicted .One part of him wanted to do what Voldemort wished, simply so he would not be tortured any longer. The other half of him wanted to help Dumbledore. And suddenly words came back to him…words that he hadn't known were stored in his brain. A speech from a long time ago.
"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
Draco's mind had made a decision. In his choice between what was right and what was easy, he would chose right. He would work for Dumbledore even if it took his life.
~*~*~
Draco smiled at the memory. Things had begun to fall into place at that moment. It was the turning point of his life. He had always considered that moment in Transfiguration when he had decided to do what was right, the greatest thing he had ever experienced. It was a revelation of sorts. He sighed with a sort of half-smile on his face. Draco walked over to his dresser and picked up a framed newspaper article from it. There was a picture with an article. The members of the Order of the Phoenix. He was standing beside Potter for probably the only time in his life.
He stared at Harry for a moment, wondering how he had come to dislike the boy. He supposed it was partly his father and the rest…well Harry had refused his friendship on the first day of school and Draco never could accept that.
In the end, they had all reached an understanding, a sort of mutual respect. Oh, he had never become friends with any of the little trio, but he found he could stand their presence and they had learned to tolerate him a little more as well. But there were still things that had not been forgiven. Hermione had never quite forgiven him for helping with the murder of her parents. And who could blame her? He had never actually offered an apology. And same with Harry…he had never even apologized for torturing him. Draco set the framed article back down and traveled back in time to a point where he had finally found the right path.
~*~*~
Draco arrived at the Manor three minutes before seven. Voldemort and the rest of the Death Eaters were already there. The Dark Lord began to speak at once. "We have been stagnant in our activities for a short period of time. We've been dealing with leaks in our system." He hissed, sending Draco a look of malice. "However, everything is now as it should be. We have Dumbledore by the throat. We are on the offensive and he has no idea what we will do next. So I think we should attack the very place he calls home. Hogwarts is the new target! We can eliminate Potter and Dumbledore at the same time…as well as a few pesky students who feel it is their duty to support Dumbledore."
Draco knew he was speaking of the Weasleys. Almost all of them were involved in the fight against Voldemort.
"How should we go about doing this you're wondering? Well Dumbledore has protected the walls of his school with more enchantments that you or I have even heard of. That's why we may need some outside help on this mission. Cursebuilders. Lucius, you have access to Ministry records. I need you to find out which cursebuilders helped construct the magical walls of Hogwarts. If they put them up, they will know how to take them down. Go Lucius, now. We cannot wait another minute." Draco's father left without a word. "Severus. I need you to find floor plans of Hogwarts. Also, any information on the enchantments around the castle will be helpful. Go." Voldemort sneered. "All of you may leave. Accept for young Draco." Draco stopped in his tracks and turned around to face the Dark Lord. "If in any way this attack is thwarted, Draco, I shall know you are behind it. And the second the news comes, you will find yourself begging for death before I am done with you."
Draco merely nodded. "Yes, Master," He muttered trying to keep any traces of defiance out his voice. He walked out of the room quickly and Apparated to Hogsmeade. Soon he found himself on the sloping lawns of Hogwarts and for once his mind did not hesitate on what he should do or say. He headed straight to Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was already sitting behind his desk and looking towards the door when Draco entered. Perhaps he had been waiting for his arrival.
"Headmaster," Draco began. "Voldemort wants to attack Hogwarts. He sent my Father to find out which cursebuilders were involved in putting up the enchantments around the castle. He sent Snape to find floor plans of Hogwarts and any information about the enchantments. He told me that if the attack was thwarted he would torture me and kill me," Draco finished breathlessly. "What are we going to do?"
Draco thought the situation looked rather hopeless. If Dumbledore did nothing then Voldemort and his Death Eaters would come and kill. If he did something then Draco would end up dead. Perhaps it was a sacrifice that Dumbledore was willing to make? Draco searched the eyes of the old man, hoping that he had a solution that did not end with Draco dead.
"There is a simple solution to this problem," Dumbledore stated. "We will give Voldemort what he wants."
Draco looked at Dumbledore incredulously. "You're kidding, right? You're going to lead Voldemort straight to Hogwarts?"
Dumbledore smiled. "With false information of course. I will have one of my contacts at the ministry plant false records at the archives. I will have Severus take false floor plans to Voldemort. Hopefully, you will not be suspected." Dumbledore sighed and for the first time that evening, his cheery disposition was no longer intact. "If Voldemort does suspect you, I'm afraid you're on your own, Draco."
Draco nodded, and for the first time since he had joined the Order of the Phoenix he felt the absence of fear. "I understand sir." Wearing a look of grim determination, Draco made his way back to the Slytherin common room. He would help hinder this plan if it killed him.
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