A/N: Well, here's Chapter 3. Not my best writing, I must caution you, but
whatever.some of the information is crucial to the plot later. So anyway,
review, please! Thank you to all my current reviewers! =)
CHAPTER 3 "Revelations"
Harry visited the hospital wing every day now. Ron's bed had been concealed by the white curtains. But Hermione's bed was open. Day by day, he would sit by her, gazing sadly into her blank face and wide glassy eyes. One stormy night, his expression was no different. Wondering where Madam Pomfrey was, he had a strong desire to heal her-right here, right now. But he couldn't-he had no idea what sort of condition she was in, but-
CRASH.
Harry looked up in shock. Professor Dumbledore was framed in the doorway, silhouetted for a moment in a blinding flash of lightening.
"I have come," he said, " to ask a favor." He raised his hand and pointed his wand straight at Hermione. Bright red light filled the room and suddenly, Hermione was sitting up, looking, her face slightly surprised.
"'Mione!" Harry cried, starting to hug her, but Dumbledore held up a hand.
"I have come to ask a favor," he repeated, "And so-to business.
You both know that Harry is related to Godric Gryffindor. But, in fact, you, Harry, are his last remaining heir. Gryffindor and Slytherin were friends at first, then deadly enemies. Their heirs have carried on their feud ever since. Your father and Lucius Malfoy before you. I presume you now know who Slytherin's heir is?" Dumbledore looked at them expectantly.
A moment of silence. Then-
"Malfoy," Hermione breathed. "But you said Voldemort was the last remaining heir!"
"I was wrong.
"But that is correct. It was Slytherin' nature to bring discord: his nature to dislike others better and different from himself."
Harry broke in. "But what does this have to do with the favor?"
"I'm getting there, Harry. It has come to my attention that Voldemort seems to gain courage and strength from enmity. Your task, Harry, is to resolve the feud. Please take this seriously, Harry, as the future of the magically community depends on this. But however-" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "I believe you need to learn more about your past and the past of those nearest you." He clapped his hands.
The world as Harry and Hermione knew it dissolved.
*~*~*~
A beautiful town replaced the dreary wing they had just left. Birds chirped, streams chuckled, everything seemed to suggest the presence of spring, although that season was more than half a year away. Harry knew inside where he was. He didn't know how he knew, but he was quite sure he was correct. It was where his parents had lived and died. Godric's Hollow.
Instinctively, he headed towards his former home, following a deep atavistic memory in his instinct.
If Harry hadn't already known the house had been there, he would have just walked right past it. All that was left was a pile of rocks and half a wall. There was a strange hush around the area, as if nature were paying homage to Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Harry felt his breath catch in his throat, making it go very tight. This was where his parents had lived, where he himself had lived when he was young, the last place they had walked. Images of his father and mother's ghosts from last year reappeared. He was so caught up in these thoughts that he didn't even notice the other people standing there. But suddenly, his head snapped up. He had the funny prickling sensation he had when he was being watched. A shaft of flaming red hair and a knob of sleek silver caught his eye. His eyes narrowed. How dare two Death Eaters stand upon the remains of this house?
"So I suppose Dumbledore's told you to watch your tongue, eh, Potter?" Draco Malfoy drawled, his familiar smirk firmly in place.
Remembering Dumbledore's words about ending the feud, Harry held his tongue and just stared stonily back.
Malfoy was still talking. "So you know where the amulets are? What about the sword? I suppose Dumbledore's told his favorite boy and his girlfriend the Mudblood everything."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy," Harry said, his voice calm and even.
"You mean you don't KNOW? Dumbledore didn't tell his favorite boy what this is all ABOUT? Don't you know WHY you're here?" Malfoy's face was lit up with glee.
Harry nodded. "So tell me, Malfoy," he said. It cost him every once of resolve to say that and keep his face straight, but he pulled it off. Malfoy was caught by surprise. He hadn't expected Potter to as like that, but his advantage was greater. So he began to speak.
*~*~*~
For Hermione, Godric's Hollow seemed the perfect place-hints of spring, peaceful tranquility. She kept looking around as she followed Harry and no0ticed that as they got closer to Harry's destination the tenser the air became.
Nearer and nearer they went. Somehow, Hermione knew what was coming. She braced herself for what she might see, but gasped anyway.
It wasn't the rubble that made her gasp. It was the people.
As Malfoy stepped up to speak to Harry, she turned her attention to the other girl. Her hair was a long waving flame. Ginny Weasley.
Hermione's gaze hardened as the girl came closer. Here was the girl who had killed Parvati, and undoubtedly many others. For a minute, the two just stared at each other. In that moment, Hermione noticed a necklace around Ginny's neck. So beautiful. But oddly terrifying. On a sudden impulse, her hand shot forward. Ginny's eyes widened. She thought Hermione was attacking her. But a moment later, it was just the necklace that Hermione hurled to the ground. She looked up.
The change in Ginny was like a new day breaking. Her eyes cleared and regained their fiery sparkle, like a river in the sun. Even her hair seemed to bounce more playfully. When the girl stretched up, her sleeves fell back. Hermione glanced at Ginny's right forearm. There was nothing there. The Death Eater was a Death Eater no more.
*~*~*~
"So let me get this straight, Malfoy." Harry pushed his bangs back and stopped pacing right in front of Malfoy. "We're all heirs. I'm Gryffindor's, you're Slytherin's, Hermione's Ravenclaw, and Ginny Hufflepuff. Each of us has our own special amulet to help us find the Sword, which will restore all good once it does what it was meant to do. Correct so far?"
Malfoy nodded. "The Sword signifies the time that all four founders coexisted in harmony. It can only be reached through all four collaboration-maybe the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons heirs are needed too, but it isn't certain."
"Right, and we're the first heirs to be in the same year, same school which facilitates our ability to reach the-wait, why did you tell me all this? Aren't you supposed to hate me?"
Malfoy looked surprised. "I've always liked you, Potter," he said finally, making Harry snort derisively.
"You sure didn't act like it!"
"Well, there was that one time, in first year, when you and I had a little- quarrel, so to speak, about Weasley's family-I really WAS mad at you for that. Being the person I am, I told the entire house, and when I was over it, I was in too deep to really get out. So I just had to act."
"You pretended you hated me for 4 years," he said in a 'yeah, right' sort of voice.
Malfoy shrugged. "Well, there was always the reason that old daddy was hanging around and would have me beheaded if I thought otherwise."
Harry sighed. He still wasn't quite sure if he fully believed Malfoy, but-
"Harry! Harry!" It was Hermione, running up, cheeks flushed with happiness, Ginny at her heels. "Harry! Look!" Hermione held up Ginny's right arm. "Death Eater-no more-all gone!"
Harry grinned. This must be a first-Hermione not being able to string two words together! Then his grin faded. He turned to Malfoy. "Then again, there's the fact that you're a Death Eater."
Malfory shrugged again. "Not now that the contract is broken," he said, holding up his plain arm.
"What contract?" Harry asked without thinking.
"Oh, God, why did I bring this up?" Malfoy thought, eyes closed. Then he opened his silver eyes. "Potter, when someone becomes a Death Eater, he or she has to sacrifice something for Lord Voldemort. My father gave me, and my services. But now he's dead." Malfoy's face was impossible to read.
There was a moment of silence. Everyone seemed to be at a loss for words. Finally, Ginny spoke.
"Your father's dead? I'm so sorry, Draco." Ginny put her hand on Malfoy's arm and looked sadly into his flashing gray eyes.
"Draco? Did you just call me DRACO?!?!?!" Malfoy looked incredulously at Ginny. "Nobody real's called me that since I was a baby." He looked almost wistful for a moment.
"Do you prefer Malfoy?" Ginny asked.
"No, Draco's fine," he said. "For all of you. It's like coming back home again."
"What do you mean?" Ginny persisted.
Draco sighed. "So here goes-my life's story.
My father and I never had a very friendly relationship. He was the controller-he ruled by force. Even so, I worked hard to please him and respected him. That is, until one day, one day when my life changed completely." Draco fell silent for a moment, working up the courage to say what he had to say next.
"Now don't be offended, Potter. I knew your parents. I-I loved them as I had never loved anyone else since. They were like my real parents. I looked to them when I wanted advice, them when I needed comfort. Especially your mother, Potter. She was the best person I've ever known." Draco swallowed, trying to will himself to keep going.
"I was there the night they died, Potter. All the Death Eaters were, too. My father forced me to go. I didn't know what would happen yet, so I went, mainly because my father said it would strengthen my character." Draco sighed and looked Harry straight in the eyes for the first time. "I was only a year and a half old, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Then again, wizards mature so much faster than Muggles anyway, so that might not be surprising. Anyway, when your mother sacrificed herself, I was crying. I never cry. That was the last time thus far. What your mother did, Potter, was braver and more giving than you can even imagine. Pure love. She gave up her life for you. You can't ask for anything more, Potter.
That night, I learned to hate. I may have been little more than a year old, but the emotions I felt were stronger and more complete than what Voldemort feels. He only thinks of power, that's his problem. Anyway, I hated my father that night. I hated him for his heartlessness, for his ability to rejoice when your parents were dead. The Death Eaters didn't realize Voldemort had lost all his powers until a while later, the stupid gits. But that night, I realized what an evil person my father was. If he even was a person. I resisted him from then on, for as long as I can remember. I resisted, he punished me. You think you've got scars, Potter? Take a look at these." He took off his shirt and turned so they could see his back.
The group gasped in shock. Long, deep gashes cut into the fair skin. Ugly bruises dotted his back. This must have been torture to acquire and live through.
"What about your mother? Didn't she know about this?" Ginny asked.
"My mother is weak. Gullible. She believes everything she is told," Draco said in a mixture of disgust and sorrow.
When Draco was back facing them again, Harry took a deep breath.
"Mal-Draco, I-I honestly don't know what to say, really. I've always been known for my bravery and courage, but-" Harry shook his head. "All of that should belong to you."
Hermione stepped forward, eyes full of sadness, face portraying her compassion. "I really don't know what to say either, but I do think you need a hug." She held out her arms and to her surprise, Draco took the offer, his embrace fierce and full of pain. The other two joined, and the four Heirs stood, entwined upon the remains of what two of them had once called home.
*~*~*~
In the hospital wing back in Hogwarts, Dumbledore smiled into his Pensieve. He looked over at the black dog beside him.
The dog seemed to be very content and at peace. It kept grinning and gazing into the Pensieve. "Old Voldie's been thwarted before," it thought. "And it may happen again."
*~*~*~
A/N: Once again, a major thank-you to all the kind, kind reviewers! Please R/R! =)
CHAPTER 3 "Revelations"
Harry visited the hospital wing every day now. Ron's bed had been concealed by the white curtains. But Hermione's bed was open. Day by day, he would sit by her, gazing sadly into her blank face and wide glassy eyes. One stormy night, his expression was no different. Wondering where Madam Pomfrey was, he had a strong desire to heal her-right here, right now. But he couldn't-he had no idea what sort of condition she was in, but-
CRASH.
Harry looked up in shock. Professor Dumbledore was framed in the doorway, silhouetted for a moment in a blinding flash of lightening.
"I have come," he said, " to ask a favor." He raised his hand and pointed his wand straight at Hermione. Bright red light filled the room and suddenly, Hermione was sitting up, looking, her face slightly surprised.
"'Mione!" Harry cried, starting to hug her, but Dumbledore held up a hand.
"I have come to ask a favor," he repeated, "And so-to business.
You both know that Harry is related to Godric Gryffindor. But, in fact, you, Harry, are his last remaining heir. Gryffindor and Slytherin were friends at first, then deadly enemies. Their heirs have carried on their feud ever since. Your father and Lucius Malfoy before you. I presume you now know who Slytherin's heir is?" Dumbledore looked at them expectantly.
A moment of silence. Then-
"Malfoy," Hermione breathed. "But you said Voldemort was the last remaining heir!"
"I was wrong.
"But that is correct. It was Slytherin' nature to bring discord: his nature to dislike others better and different from himself."
Harry broke in. "But what does this have to do with the favor?"
"I'm getting there, Harry. It has come to my attention that Voldemort seems to gain courage and strength from enmity. Your task, Harry, is to resolve the feud. Please take this seriously, Harry, as the future of the magically community depends on this. But however-" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "I believe you need to learn more about your past and the past of those nearest you." He clapped his hands.
The world as Harry and Hermione knew it dissolved.
*~*~*~
A beautiful town replaced the dreary wing they had just left. Birds chirped, streams chuckled, everything seemed to suggest the presence of spring, although that season was more than half a year away. Harry knew inside where he was. He didn't know how he knew, but he was quite sure he was correct. It was where his parents had lived and died. Godric's Hollow.
Instinctively, he headed towards his former home, following a deep atavistic memory in his instinct.
If Harry hadn't already known the house had been there, he would have just walked right past it. All that was left was a pile of rocks and half a wall. There was a strange hush around the area, as if nature were paying homage to Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Harry felt his breath catch in his throat, making it go very tight. This was where his parents had lived, where he himself had lived when he was young, the last place they had walked. Images of his father and mother's ghosts from last year reappeared. He was so caught up in these thoughts that he didn't even notice the other people standing there. But suddenly, his head snapped up. He had the funny prickling sensation he had when he was being watched. A shaft of flaming red hair and a knob of sleek silver caught his eye. His eyes narrowed. How dare two Death Eaters stand upon the remains of this house?
"So I suppose Dumbledore's told you to watch your tongue, eh, Potter?" Draco Malfoy drawled, his familiar smirk firmly in place.
Remembering Dumbledore's words about ending the feud, Harry held his tongue and just stared stonily back.
Malfoy was still talking. "So you know where the amulets are? What about the sword? I suppose Dumbledore's told his favorite boy and his girlfriend the Mudblood everything."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy," Harry said, his voice calm and even.
"You mean you don't KNOW? Dumbledore didn't tell his favorite boy what this is all ABOUT? Don't you know WHY you're here?" Malfoy's face was lit up with glee.
Harry nodded. "So tell me, Malfoy," he said. It cost him every once of resolve to say that and keep his face straight, but he pulled it off. Malfoy was caught by surprise. He hadn't expected Potter to as like that, but his advantage was greater. So he began to speak.
*~*~*~
For Hermione, Godric's Hollow seemed the perfect place-hints of spring, peaceful tranquility. She kept looking around as she followed Harry and no0ticed that as they got closer to Harry's destination the tenser the air became.
Nearer and nearer they went. Somehow, Hermione knew what was coming. She braced herself for what she might see, but gasped anyway.
It wasn't the rubble that made her gasp. It was the people.
As Malfoy stepped up to speak to Harry, she turned her attention to the other girl. Her hair was a long waving flame. Ginny Weasley.
Hermione's gaze hardened as the girl came closer. Here was the girl who had killed Parvati, and undoubtedly many others. For a minute, the two just stared at each other. In that moment, Hermione noticed a necklace around Ginny's neck. So beautiful. But oddly terrifying. On a sudden impulse, her hand shot forward. Ginny's eyes widened. She thought Hermione was attacking her. But a moment later, it was just the necklace that Hermione hurled to the ground. She looked up.
The change in Ginny was like a new day breaking. Her eyes cleared and regained their fiery sparkle, like a river in the sun. Even her hair seemed to bounce more playfully. When the girl stretched up, her sleeves fell back. Hermione glanced at Ginny's right forearm. There was nothing there. The Death Eater was a Death Eater no more.
*~*~*~
"So let me get this straight, Malfoy." Harry pushed his bangs back and stopped pacing right in front of Malfoy. "We're all heirs. I'm Gryffindor's, you're Slytherin's, Hermione's Ravenclaw, and Ginny Hufflepuff. Each of us has our own special amulet to help us find the Sword, which will restore all good once it does what it was meant to do. Correct so far?"
Malfoy nodded. "The Sword signifies the time that all four founders coexisted in harmony. It can only be reached through all four collaboration-maybe the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons heirs are needed too, but it isn't certain."
"Right, and we're the first heirs to be in the same year, same school which facilitates our ability to reach the-wait, why did you tell me all this? Aren't you supposed to hate me?"
Malfoy looked surprised. "I've always liked you, Potter," he said finally, making Harry snort derisively.
"You sure didn't act like it!"
"Well, there was that one time, in first year, when you and I had a little- quarrel, so to speak, about Weasley's family-I really WAS mad at you for that. Being the person I am, I told the entire house, and when I was over it, I was in too deep to really get out. So I just had to act."
"You pretended you hated me for 4 years," he said in a 'yeah, right' sort of voice.
Malfoy shrugged. "Well, there was always the reason that old daddy was hanging around and would have me beheaded if I thought otherwise."
Harry sighed. He still wasn't quite sure if he fully believed Malfoy, but-
"Harry! Harry!" It was Hermione, running up, cheeks flushed with happiness, Ginny at her heels. "Harry! Look!" Hermione held up Ginny's right arm. "Death Eater-no more-all gone!"
Harry grinned. This must be a first-Hermione not being able to string two words together! Then his grin faded. He turned to Malfoy. "Then again, there's the fact that you're a Death Eater."
Malfory shrugged again. "Not now that the contract is broken," he said, holding up his plain arm.
"What contract?" Harry asked without thinking.
"Oh, God, why did I bring this up?" Malfoy thought, eyes closed. Then he opened his silver eyes. "Potter, when someone becomes a Death Eater, he or she has to sacrifice something for Lord Voldemort. My father gave me, and my services. But now he's dead." Malfoy's face was impossible to read.
There was a moment of silence. Everyone seemed to be at a loss for words. Finally, Ginny spoke.
"Your father's dead? I'm so sorry, Draco." Ginny put her hand on Malfoy's arm and looked sadly into his flashing gray eyes.
"Draco? Did you just call me DRACO?!?!?!" Malfoy looked incredulously at Ginny. "Nobody real's called me that since I was a baby." He looked almost wistful for a moment.
"Do you prefer Malfoy?" Ginny asked.
"No, Draco's fine," he said. "For all of you. It's like coming back home again."
"What do you mean?" Ginny persisted.
Draco sighed. "So here goes-my life's story.
My father and I never had a very friendly relationship. He was the controller-he ruled by force. Even so, I worked hard to please him and respected him. That is, until one day, one day when my life changed completely." Draco fell silent for a moment, working up the courage to say what he had to say next.
"Now don't be offended, Potter. I knew your parents. I-I loved them as I had never loved anyone else since. They were like my real parents. I looked to them when I wanted advice, them when I needed comfort. Especially your mother, Potter. She was the best person I've ever known." Draco swallowed, trying to will himself to keep going.
"I was there the night they died, Potter. All the Death Eaters were, too. My father forced me to go. I didn't know what would happen yet, so I went, mainly because my father said it would strengthen my character." Draco sighed and looked Harry straight in the eyes for the first time. "I was only a year and a half old, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Then again, wizards mature so much faster than Muggles anyway, so that might not be surprising. Anyway, when your mother sacrificed herself, I was crying. I never cry. That was the last time thus far. What your mother did, Potter, was braver and more giving than you can even imagine. Pure love. She gave up her life for you. You can't ask for anything more, Potter.
That night, I learned to hate. I may have been little more than a year old, but the emotions I felt were stronger and more complete than what Voldemort feels. He only thinks of power, that's his problem. Anyway, I hated my father that night. I hated him for his heartlessness, for his ability to rejoice when your parents were dead. The Death Eaters didn't realize Voldemort had lost all his powers until a while later, the stupid gits. But that night, I realized what an evil person my father was. If he even was a person. I resisted him from then on, for as long as I can remember. I resisted, he punished me. You think you've got scars, Potter? Take a look at these." He took off his shirt and turned so they could see his back.
The group gasped in shock. Long, deep gashes cut into the fair skin. Ugly bruises dotted his back. This must have been torture to acquire and live through.
"What about your mother? Didn't she know about this?" Ginny asked.
"My mother is weak. Gullible. She believes everything she is told," Draco said in a mixture of disgust and sorrow.
When Draco was back facing them again, Harry took a deep breath.
"Mal-Draco, I-I honestly don't know what to say, really. I've always been known for my bravery and courage, but-" Harry shook his head. "All of that should belong to you."
Hermione stepped forward, eyes full of sadness, face portraying her compassion. "I really don't know what to say either, but I do think you need a hug." She held out her arms and to her surprise, Draco took the offer, his embrace fierce and full of pain. The other two joined, and the four Heirs stood, entwined upon the remains of what two of them had once called home.
*~*~*~
In the hospital wing back in Hogwarts, Dumbledore smiled into his Pensieve. He looked over at the black dog beside him.
The dog seemed to be very content and at peace. It kept grinning and gazing into the Pensieve. "Old Voldie's been thwarted before," it thought. "And it may happen again."
*~*~*~
A/N: Once again, a major thank-you to all the kind, kind reviewers! Please R/R! =)