Disclaimer: Much as I'd like to, I don't own Draco Malfoy, or any part of the magical world that J.K. Rowling has all the copyrights to ... please don't sue me. There are some parts of this story that are quotes from the book - it can't be helped - events are the same as in the book, but Draco's opinion of these events may vary from Harry's.

Author's Notes: I needed to do some re-writing, after reading OotP. I have made some minor changes to this chapter, mostly spelling and grammar.

Sinical-Sarchasm: Glad you liked Footsteps of a Stranger ... it is one of my favourite of my own one-shot fics ... notice a pattern? You seem to like all of my stuff that I like best. I always imagined Draco was bi ... I mean, he acts a bit poncy, but I can't bare to think of that gorgeous blonde as being wasted on the wrong gender ... so let him be bi, says I. Crookshanks' name would have been a funny idea for that fic ... but I was going for a deep moral lesson. Hmmm ... it's like you read my mind ... Luna and Theo, sitting in a tree, doing things we should not see ... ahem. Yeah, that is a Theo thing to do, isn't it? It took me ages to come up with a suitable revenge ... I'm glad you approved. And Higgs could have made the potion himself, yes, but he was as you say, stupid. And another of the lines I'm very proud of, and you're the first to comment (the one about Muggle Studies). Thanks, about the questions ... much appreciated.

FYI - sixty Galleons equals two-hundred pounds - I checked.

Chapter 15 - Absolutely Petrifying

I was in the Library, on Saturday - it was the day of the Lions-Huffles Quidditch match, but I didn't feel like going. Potter would catch the Snitch - Lions would win. It was a better use of my time to catch up on revision - was I the only one in this whole school who realised exams started in a matter of weeks?

Apparently not, as Clearwater - the Mudblood Ravenclaw prefect who'd stayed at school for Christmas - entered the Library, and claimed a table, as far away from me as possible. "What's the matter, Clearwater? Not watching the Quidditch match, with your boyfriend?" I asked. She glared at me angrily. I grinned back.

We both resumed our studies, until someone else arrived. Hermione bolted into the Library and ran straight to the dangerous creatures section. I watched with bemusement, for a second, before standing up and going to see what she was up to.

"Hey, Granger?" I said, sneaking up behind her. She jumped and turned around to glare at me, "Where's the fire?" I asked.

"No fire." she said edgily, "I was looking for a book."

"There's something you don't see everyday." I said sarcastically. Another glare. "What are you looking for? And why in such a hurry? Afraid you'll miss a second of your precious Potter's Quidditch game?"

"No." she said irritably, "And I was looking for a book on snakes."

"Why?"

"Because I've got a theory." she replied, turning back to the books.

"Just a guess." I said, reaching into the pocket of my robes and retrieving the long-forgotten page from Flourish and Blotts, "But is this what you're looking for?" I asked, holding the crumpled page in front of her.

She scanned the text, eyes widening as she read. Slowly, she nodded, "This is it!" she cheered.

"Question I want answered is how it's getting around the castle?" I asked, as she snatched the page from me and wrote something on it.

She turned to look me in the eyes, "You're telling me you've known this all along?" she asked, her voice rising.

"Shhh - we're in the Library, remember - I'm sure you recognise the place." I whispered, "Yes. I've known all along." I admitted, "I tried to help. I was responsible for stopping the attacks."

"Yeah, right."

"Well, not personally, but I told the people who stopped them ... and I was there, when it happened." I admitted.

"I still don't believe you."

"Yeah, well the trouble got flushed. I don't know how it got back, but I don't think it's safe anymore."

"Flushed?" Hermione asked, "As in literally? And you said it got back?" I nodded. "You wouldn't be talking about a certain black-bound diary, would you?"

"Riddle's diary. I know Potter has it." I said.

She shook her head, "Been stolen. Had to be a Gryffindor who took it, too."

My eyes widened and I stared at her, "I would swear, right now, but I don't think you want to hear that."

"Not really."

"This is very bad." I muttered.

"Why so?"

"Because that diary is the cause of all the attacks!" I snapped, "It's evil. And whoever's got it now doesn't know what they've got."

"Are you saying that Tom Riddle is the Heir of Slytherin?" Hermione asked. I then heard something else - a hissing ... a snake.

"Yes." I muttered, turning round to try and pinpoint the sound. It sounded like it was in the corridor outside the Library. "And I hear trouble."

Hermione followed my gaze, "What?"

"It's outside those bloody doors." I whispered.

"What is?"

"The monster." I said, glancing at Hermione exasperatedly, "It's right there - can't you hear a hissing noise?"

"Yes, but ... oh, God." Hermione said fearfully, "You think it'll come in here?"

"I wouldn't be surprised." I said nervously.

Hermione looked at the page I had given her. "It kills if you look it in the eyes." she muttered to herself, "Mirrors." she then bolted across the room, to Clearwater, "Do you have a mirror?"

"Yes." Clearwater answered, obviously not happy at being interrupted, "Why?"

Hermione showed the page to Clearwater, saying, "This is the monster from the Chamber of Secrets. It can kill by looking you in the eyes. If you use a mirror, it'll not kill you ... a bit like the myth of Medusa."

I approached the two girls, apprehensively, "It's just outside." I said to Clearwater. She blanched and started rooting through her bag, eventually taking out a small round mirror. I glanced towards the closed doors, then back to Clearwater, "Know any other way out of here?"

"None that'd get us anywhere." she answered.

"Better be careful, then." Hermione said, starting towards the door.

"Typical bloody Gryffindor attitude. Jump in head first, and only then take a look at where you've landed." I said coldly.

"It's not failed me yet." Hermione replied - it sounded like she was half-joking.

I ran after her, stepping in her way, just as she reached the door, "You know it's only after Mud- er -" I glanced at Clearwater, and changed my wording, specifically for her benefit, "Muggle-borns. If I go out first, it might not attack."

"And I'm the queen of Spain." Hermione said acidly.

"Really? Since when?" I asked jokingly, before turning and opening the Library door - keeping my eyes on the ground, I stepped out and started walking quickly, away from the hissing noise.

I heard two sets of footsteps follow me. Then one stopped, and I heard what sounded like something very solid hitting the floor - I stopped and listened - I then heard Hermione gasp in horror, and a few seconds of tense silence later, another body hit the floor. Stupid girls - honestly, what part of not looking behind them didn't they follow?

Still with my eyes fixed on the stone floor, I started to walk away, again. Some insane part of my mind wanted to go back for Hermione, but I knew there was nothing I could do for her - my sense of self-preservation and sanity prevailed. However, I stopped when I heard a voice behind me, "Draco." it sounded like Weaslette - almost a singsong tone - but I wasn't sure if it was really her ... or Tom.

I stood still, not turning round, "That's my name ... don't wear it out, or I'll make you buy me a new one." I said, trying to sound casual.

"Turn round, Draco." she said coldly. I bit my lip and turned round, keeping my eyes on the floor. "Look at me." she snapped. I took a deep calming breath and slowly looked up, until I was looking into her eyes. They were staring back at me with a sense of power and confidence that I was sure Weaslette could never achieve on her own. She glanced to her right, but not behind her, as she hissed to the creature that was behind her. It sounded like 'turn away from the boy'. I sensed the movement, but refrained from looking. She turned back to me and said, "Look at him. Isn't he beautiful?"

I looked up at the giant serpent, which seemed to be paying attention to the wall to my left. It was bright acidic green, with a plume of scarlet feathers from the top of its head. From this angle, it did look almost beautiful. Beautiful, but deadly. "Yes." I answered, in a fearful whisper.

She walked towards me, carefully stepping over the bodies on the ground - I couldn't tell if they were only Petrified or really dead, "He won't hurt you, Draco." she said, watching me with a calculating stare that truly frightened me. She was a good deal shorter than me, but still managed to intimidate me, "He obeys me. You obey me, too, don't you?" I nodded nervously, backing away a few steps, out of instinct. I backed into a wall. "You do know who I am? I am Lord Voldemort." I glanced around, desperate for some way out, but there was none and I knew it. "You will do whatever I ask of you, won't you?" Again, I nodded. I wasn't about to argue with the person who told the King of Serpents who to kill. "Given the opportunity, would you join me?" I bit my lip again, but there was no way to say 'no' in this situation, so I nodded. "You will be my first new Death Eater, when I return, Draco. My powers are almost ready to take her, completely. When I do, Ginny Weasley will cease to be, and Lord Voldemort will rise again." I forced myself to smile and appear enthusiastic about this concept - I knew it was what Lord Snake-Lover wanted to see. "And you. I want you to be there, when I return. After I rise, I will take the school. It would be much easier if Dumbledore were out of the way. I want you to help me arrange that."

My jaw dropped, "How am I supposed to get Dumbledore out of the way?" I asked, shocked.

"Send a letter to your father." she said - I say she, because it was still Weaslette's body, even though I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was really Tom who was speaking to me, now. "Tell him about the attacks. I know it has been kept quiet, and I am actually quite surprised that you haven't told him about them already. Tell him the Heir of Slytherin has contacted you and wants Dumbledore removed from the area." she tilted her head, regarding me with an evil smile, "By any means necessary."

I nodded, "I can do that." I said honestly - I could, too. I was pretty sure that I wouldn't, but I knew I could.

"Good." she said, smirking - a smirk to rival my own, and that is saying something.

I glanced past her at the two hopefully-only-Petrified Mudbloods, "Were you after those two, specifically?"

"No. Just the Gryffindor." she replied, turning to look at them, "The plan is to make Potter come after me. He will lose, I will be restored, and we will rule the world."

"'We'?" I asked.

"I ... I will rule the world, but you and your family will defer only to me, so that counts pretty close to 'we', doesn't it?" she said calmly, as she turned back to me, looking me in the eyes.

"Yes. That would count." I admitted, trying not to show any more signs of fear than should be expected. I was much more afraid of Tom than he would think I should have been. He would think I should like the idea of his return and only fear the idea of displeasing him (which, it had been made clear, I hadn't), while I was really terrified at the idea of his return, as well.

"I like you, Draco." she said, still staring at me, "Don't disappoint me." and then she did the absolute last thing I'd ever have expected (or wanted, even if she wasn't possessed by the Dark Lord). She kissed me. On the lips. Barely touched me, but still, the fact that it happened was enough to almost petrify me, anyway.

Then she turned on her heel and walked away, hissing to the Basilisk as she passed it. I think her hiss translated as 'follow me. Do not look back', but I couldn't swear to it. If that was what she'd said, it obeyed her to the letter.

I stared after her, for a few minutes, before turning and running. I didn't stop until I was safely in my own room, on my own bed, with Jinx in my arms. I could hardly believe what had just happened, and I didn't particularly want to, either.

* * *

It didn't take long - certainly not long enough for a decent Quidditch match - until I heard signs of life from the common room. I got up and made my way out there, blending seamlessly into the crowd of excited Slytherins. "What's happened?" I asked the nearest person (who happened to be Blaise's older brother, Michael).

He glanced down at me to see who'd asked, and then he said, "No idea. McGonagall marched onto the pitch, before the Lions even got in the air, and said the match was cancelled. The whole Quidditch Cup is cancelled. Didn't say why, just to go straight back to the common room, do not pass go, do not collect sixty Galleons." I snorted at the Monopoly reference (what - you think Muggles are the only ones who play Monopoly?), before moving further into the room and locating Theo.

"What's up?" Theo asked, looking concerned.

"Tell ya later." I said, quickly covering up the emotions that must have leaked onto my face.

Then Snape arrived, shouted, "SHUT UP!" and they did. "There has been another attack. Miss Penelope Clearwater of Ravenclaw, and Miss Hermione Granger of Gryffindor have both been petrified. New rules are to be enforced, for the safety of all students. All students are expected to be in their house common rooms after six o'clock every evening. No student is to be out of his or her dormitory after that time. All students will be escorted between classes by a teacher. No student will leave class to use the bathroom, unless accompanied by a teacher. If the bathroom in the house area gets blocked - tough - you cannot leave after the curfew. All activities other than classes - yes, Flint, that includes Quidditch - are cancelled, until further notice. NO EXCEPTIONS." and with that announcement well and truly made, Snape made his exit.

The entire common room immediately burst into conversation. Theo's jaw had dropped and he was staring at the door Snape had left through, with horror. "What?" I asked, waving my hand in front of Theo's face.

He shook his head and looked at me, "Not allowed out after six? Not a hope in hell of sneaking off between classes? Everyone knows what Flint does to the boy's toilets, here. Shit!" I really tried not to, but you can't help but think the word 'literally' after that statement, now can you? At least I didn't say it.

"Worst's yet to come." I muttered, beckoning for him to follow me, as I weaved my way through the whispering crowd of Slytherins, to our dorm room. Theo followed, and as soon as the door was closed, I started telling him exactly what had happened, when I had met the Heir.

And as I told him the last part, he made a gagging noise, before saying, "I always knew he was a twisted evil git, but I hadn't realised he was perverted, too."

I shrugged, "I'm obviously not going to help him. It's not like he can force me to do anything, as long as I avoid Weaslette, right?"

"And the fact that he's gonna rise to power again doesn't affect that?" Theo asked sceptically.

"I doubt he'll take over, with Dumbledore still around. He'll wait to make his move after I do what he's told me. I won't, so he'll not win." I said, hoping that made sense, "I hope." I added, for good measure.

* * *

End of chapter 15