Chapter Thirty-Two:

(A/N. Hey everyone! I'm glad that people like me as a writer. I have to get to homeroom. Enjoy!)

Draco slowly opened his eyes and stretched luxuriously. He got up and saw a pile of presents at the foot of his large bed. He opened Crabbe and Goyle's presents first, recognizing them by the horrible wrapping. They had given him candy from Honeydukes and some stuff from Zonko's. Pansy had given him a pair of red underwear that promptly went into the fireplace. The last present was from Hermione. It was a pair of Quidditch gloves and a book on drawing. He smiled slowly. They had known each other for a very little amount of time but already they understood each other perfectly. The thought saddened him and made him smile. An insistent taping drew him to his window. He opened it and a large black eagle owl flew in. A Malfoy owl. With a shaking hand Draco ripped open the envelope and unfolded the letter.

Draco,

My son, your ceremony is drawing nearer. The Dark Lord has chosen your sacrifice for the Death Eater Initiation. You will bring Harry Potter to the Forbidden Forest a half hour before midnight on January 5th. Apparate to the Manor. The ceremony will begin at midnight. Merry Christmas my son,

                        Lucius Malfoy

 Draco stared at the letter. He folded it and stuck it in his pocket. He suddenly realized he couldn't do this alone. He wouldn't be able to defeat Lucius and the Dark Lord without help, or he would die. A year ago it wouldn't have mattered if he died, no one would mourn him and Draco would miss no one but his dear mother. Now, Draco wanted to stay for Hermione and for the sweet, tantalizing promise of a future with the beautiful woman he loved. Yes, he needed help and advice. He would go to Dumbledore.

Hermione sat in the Gryffindor common room reading a novel when Ginny finally awoke and came down. Hermione had promised the day before to wait for the younger girl and unwrap presents with her.

"Ready?" Ginny asked. Hermione nodded and set her book aside. Ginny tore into her presents and Hermione praised each of the redhead's gifts, especially a gold charms bracelet.

"Harry gave it to me last night." Ginny confided. Hermione then got up and opened her presents next. Harry and Ginny, for they had bought it together, had given her a pretty red sundress and a set of garnet earrings. Ron had given her a fake flower, be spelled to sing out love songs. However, the spell was badly done and it sung it in an annoyingly high, squeaky voice and the songs were lame and irritating. She took the second to last present and recognized it as a book. It had no card. She opened it and smiled slowly. It was a book on horses. On the inside cover was a short message.

                For my ladylove and the woman of my dreams. With all my heart,

                -D.M

She grinned and hugged the book close. She reluctantly let it go and reached for a small box. Inside was a card.

Go out by the lake.

Was all it said. Ginny leaned over Hermione's shoulder and read the small note. She raised a questioning eyebrow but Hermione shrugged.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Let's go!" Ginny cried and in one swift motion she grabbed her coat and ran out the door. Hermione leapt to her feet and followed.

"I believe it was my present!" She called to her best friend who ignored her. They raced across the grounds and as they swung around a tree they both gaped at what stood before them. A large white horse stood by the lake. It had moonlit white hair and a silver tail and mane. On its forelock was a large eight pointed gold star. It had the elegance and beauty of an Arabian horse but there was something different about this horse. A warm, golden nimbus surrounded the wonderful mare. The horse wore a golden bridle and there was a small note on it. Hermione took it and read it.

Moonbeam is half unicorn and half Arabian mare. I hope you like her, Hermione.

This was the best present she had ever had. She couldn't believe Draco had gotten her something so wonderful.

"Wow! Who gave this to you?" Ginny asked, staring at the horse, her face filled with awe. Hermione smiled and turned back to Ginny. She winked at her best friend.

"A secret admirer."

Draco walked up the narrow staircase to the Headmaster's office. He was about to open the door when he heard muffled voices coming from inside. He hesitated, unsure of what to do. Curiosity won and he leaned closer to hear better.

"-you know who it is! You know what's going to happen!" A strange, female voice was saying angrily. "The signs are all here! You've read it!"

"She's quite right. The prophecy is very clear." Dumbledore said, his smooth voice calm.

"What? 'The Son will kill the Father and defeat the Darkness of the land.' That means nothing! It could be any darkness and any son and father!" A male voice cried. The voice was familiar, though Draco couldn't quite place it.

"What of the other prophecy? 'From the devil's loins will rise the messiah who will defeat the darkest wizard of all.' You can see the signs as clear as I!" The woman shouted.

"It means nothing! Silly riddles and rhymes!" The man yelled back. Draco could hear heavy breathing and could imagine the two shouters glaring at each other.

"Enough, Severus. You must speak to the boy. The wheels of fate are turning and we must warn him, whether you believe in the prophecies or not." Dumbledore said. Draco eyes widened. The man had been Snape! He knew he had to talk to them now. He raised his fist to the door and knocked.