Draco Malfoy and his Unknown Fate:

Author's Notes: Hey. I guess the last chapter was a bit of a cliffhanger, wasn't it? Sorry about that. I hope this makes up for it. And thanks to everyone who reviewed the story!

Warnings for this chapter: None at all.

Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm merely borrowing them for the time being. This will be slash (eventually). Don't like it? Don't read it. Otherwise, enjoy.

The air was heavy and thick with magic, making it difficult to breathe. The atmosphere was hushed, full of untold secrets and forbidden power. Cubby holes lined one wall and they were filled with a myriad of dark objects. There were a few locked trunks scattered around, as well as several pedestals holding more powerful artifacts. Harry led the way through the clutter without even glancing at the other objects. They approached what appeared to be an altar made out of jet black stone. On top of it perched a burnt, blackened skull. Just the sight of it made Draco shiver with disgust. The most sinister of auras was radiating outwards from it, coating the area in a miasma of evil. The closer they drew to the skull the more Draco felt as if he needed to bathe, because even his skin felt filthy from being near it. The oily feeling only intensified when they stopped short of the altar.

"This is it." Harry said.

"Really? I never would have guessed." Draco said sarcastically under his breath, eyeing the black silk cloth the skull was laying on as well as the black onyx altar. The altar itself seemed to be soaking up the dark magic emanating from Slytherin's skull, but there so much of it the excess energy was pooling around them. It wasn't actually visible, but any wizard could have sensed it because it was so powerful. The hem of Draco's cloak was moving from the force of it.

Harry ignored the negative ambiance resolutely and stepped up to the platform that held the altar, pausing to open his knapsack again. After a moment, he took out another bag made out of some sort of fibrous material. Protective runes were embroidered all over it in overlapping patterns that dazzled the eye. The Gryffindor fiddled with the drawstring holding it closed and took painstaking care to make sure that his skin didn't come in contact with the skull as he maneuvered it into the bag. Once the bag was shut and the drawstring knotted tightly, Draco's skin stopped itching and he no longer felt quite so soiled, though the power was dispersing slowly. The Slytherin sighed with relief as Harry transferred the bag holding the skull into his larger knapsack. "So that's it?"

"Yeah. Now all we have to do is leave."

Draco took that to heart and darted back up the stairs quickly to escape the chamber. Harry followed more slowly, but emerged soon after. The stairs began to move immediately after Harry's foot had left the top step, righting the floor back to it's usual appearance. The Malfoy family crest replaced the stairs and after making sure everything was in order the two boys climbed back into the secret passages.

They retraced their steps through the Manor easily, the invisibility cloak aiding them greatly as they did so. There was a close call with a family ghost, but nothing came of it. The snake helped them get back on ground level from the third floor balcony without complaint before turning his attentions back to his frogs. It was all going so smoothly Draco couldn't resist gloating.

"Ha! And here I thought thwarting Voldemort was hard! It's so easy, I don't know why everyone can't do it. I mean, this was a piece of cake. Considering his shoddy defenses, I'm not surprised Voldemort was defeated by an infant." The Slytherin said scornfully.

"Er, Draco?"

"I mean, you'd think at the very least he'd have Death Eaters stationed around the grounds to guard an object that would give him unimaginable power, but obviously he's not quite that bright."

"Draco!"

"He must have a very good public relations agent, because in all honesty-"

"DRACO!" Harry finally shouted to get his attention. Draco fell silent, offended at the interruption, but a good look at Harry's nervous expression quelled him. "Do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" And then he noticed it, the low snarling sound that seemed to be getting louder. He instantly turned white from sheer terror.

"Draco? Draco! What is it?"

"Hellhounds." He whispered fearfully. And as if they'd been called, the hounds appeared. One could have been dealt with, though only with some amount of difficulty. Unfortunately, there was an entire pack. They were pure white with demonic red eyes that gleamed with something akin to insane blood thirst and their ears were flat against their wedge shaped heads. One of the dogs licked its chops loudly, showing off an impressive set of teeth and powerful jaws capable of crunching bones to splinters. "RUN!" The two boys set off, pounding down the gravel path and away from the pack that had caught their scent and had begun to hunt. With his heart thumping in his throat, Draco tore off towards the back wall with Harry at his side.

The hounds were growling and baying behind them, herding them along for their own amusement. Every now and then one of them would dart forward and snap at their legs, encouraging the boys to run faster. The demonic canines were playing with their food, maliciously taunting the two fleeing boys. Harry lifted his wand and landed a curse or two on the hounds behind them, but it only seemed to encourage the hell hounds to increase the pace. Draco didn't even bother, saving his breath for better things - like escape. His legs pumped rapidly and his breath began to come in gasps as he ran flat out towards safety.

As Draco and Harry pelted towards the wall at full speed Harry hollered the password. "Weasley is a dunderhead!" And then they were through, gasping and whirling around to stare at the wall in trepidation. There were several thumps and snarls against the suddenly solid wall, followed by an unearthly howl that made the hair on Draco's neck and arms stand up and quiver.

Harry, still panting, turned to him. Moonlight glinted off his glasses, making his eyes difficult to read. However, the sarcasm in his voice as he ground out his words said it all. "Oh yes, Draco. A piece of cake, I think you said?"

"Oh, shut up." Draco said sullenly, his usual wit no where to be found. There was a long moment of silence as the hounds presumably slunk off in search of easier prey. Draco slumped against the wall, feeling more relieved than he could ever remember being in his life. The sound of leaves rustling from a light breeze was relaxing and his heart began to slow from its frantic pace. Then suddenly a branch snapped and Draco flinched, ducking for cover in a nearby bush.

"That was me, Draco. Don't worry. But the look on your face!" Harry started snickering, his nervousness finally finding an outlet. Draco's climbed out of the bush, picking out a few twigs from his hair and glaring at the Gryffindor. Eventually, his mouth twitched and despite himself he chuckled. It rapidly degenerated into full out laughter, both of their voices ringing in the night air. They laughed together loudly for several long minutes, too hyped up on adrenaline and fear for anything resembling calm. Finally, their mirth died out. Harry heaved a sigh, a smile still playing on his lips.

"C'mon, Draco. We've got a ways to go yet."

"Isn't that the truth?" Draco said wryly, following the Gryffindor as they made their way through the underbrush back to their broomsticks.

To be Continued

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