Valerie, thanks for the review! Hermione will return with the other students, but first I had to kinda sort things out.
Draco opened his eyes.
He felt no pain. Neither in his stomach, nor in his legs, nor in his head.
He didn't know where he was. But it doesn't matter.
Maybe his father found him. Maybe he finished. Maybe the crucius curse was not enough anymore. Because now he really WAS a traitor.
The memories flooded his mind. He was awake, and nothing could stop him to stand up.
Nothing except the chains around his ankles.
'Shit. I'm not dead. I don't think anyone could hold me back, if I'm a ghost,' thought Draco.
What to do now? Scream? No, he doesn't felt like screaming. The room was bright, and friendly. He didn't really know why he was enchained, but maybe there was a good reason for it.
He sensed someone else in the room.
He turned his head and saw Professor Snape sitting next to him in a chair, nearly asleep.
He didn't want to wake him up, though he was curious.
But Snape awoke by himself, a look of concern in his face, which tightened, as he saw Draco awake.
"So, Draco," for the first time he called one of his students with the forename, "you've finally awoken. I shall get Professor Dumbledore."
"No, no, Professor Snape", he didn't know why, but he didn't want to be alone, "no, please, just answer me some questions."
"I'm really not in the position of answering–"
"Did they realize my warning?"
"Draco, I can't–"
"Please, i need to know! Have you evacuate Diagon Alley?"
"Mr. Malfoy, we've taken you're warning seriously. I can't tell you more. I'll go for the Headmaster"
He left, and Draco was alone. Could they catch the Death Eaters? Could they save the innocent?
Some minutes later Snape returned, followed by Dubledore.
"Hello, Draco. How are you?", Dubledore asked friendly, and gave him a warm look.
"I'm fine. Could you catch them?"
"Unfortunately… not. It happened that the Death Eaters were well protected, most of them were able to flee from our Aurors. But we could save a lot of lifes because of your warning, and I'm very glad that you've told us. Now, Draco, it is very important for me that you tell me what happened the evening you came to my office."
"I-I…", Draco didn't know whether he should tell him about the course or not. "What about my father? Could he flee?"
"Yes, I think Lucius Malfoy is in a well hidden place. But you can be sure, as long as you stay in Hogwarts, there is no-one who could harm you. Can you tell me who did this to you, and why?"
"It… It was my father. He-he did the crucius curse on me," Draco shook slightly, he didn't dare to look them into the eyes.
Snape looked rather shocked. He couldn't imagine any father who did this to his son.
"I've overheard them. There was a meeting, in the mansion, and I could hear them talk about Diagon Alley. M-my father found me. First he thought it might not be a problem. But… then I started to freak out. Told him, I would tell everything Dumbledore, if he wouldn't stop them. See, I know, there would be a lot of innocent people. Maybe Potter will be under them, but the victims are to big. I wanted to stop them. But they… they didn't want to be stopped."
Dumbledore nodded. "Draco, again, I want to thank you for warning us. This was very brave, and very less people are able to bear a crucius curse without being damaged. So Professor Snape gave you some sleep potion and you've been in a long sleep. You dreamed very … actionly, and that's why you're enchained With these words he lifted the chains with a move of his wand. Then he continued:"It is the first of September, and all the students are on their way to Hogwarts.
Now, there will be a lot of Slytherins, and I don't know if Lucius had told is fellows of you turning to the other side. It might be dangerous, if I tell them that you've come and warned me. But if you want so…"
"No! No, Professor, I'm ok with this. But to be honest, I think, they will know. I'll just go down the great hall when everyone arrives, and I think, if I just separate me a little from the other Slytherins, I'll do well."
"If you feel so… Good bye then, Mr. Malfoy."
"Good bye Professor Dumbledore."
Draco expected Snape to turn away, but he remained, and again sat down in his chair, watching Draco in his bed.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Draco?"
"You… you aren't… you weren't on the meeting. But Da- my father told me, you're very loyal to the dark lord, how comes, you haven't killed me yet?" as cool as it may sound, but draco's voice shook, and Snape made him nervous.
"Because…", Snape thought about a good answer, but it seemed to be the best to be honest to the boy. "Because I'm the same as you are. I did the same as you did. But I've returned to the dark side. But Just obviously, because my real loyalties were, are and will be in Professor Dumbledore. I've got my reasons, but you can trust me."
He didn't want to say more, and Draco understood.
"Your school things, Mr. Malfoy, are already in Hogwarts, as Malfoy mansion is now empty, we got it for you, and you will be able to have a normal school year," with these word Snape turned away and left the hospital wing.
A/N: I'm hungry. Review hungry. Oh please, just leave a comment!
