CHAPTER 10
DISCLAIMER: I don't have the pleasure of owning this fantastic characters, because the fantastic JKR had the idea first. So please don't sue good young Silvia ok?¿ ::pouts::
RATING: PG-13
PAIRINGS: H/D R/Herm G/N
A/N: I am really touched by all your reviews. You really keep me writting. There are times when I get blocked, but then I think in all the encouraging comments and words begin to flow. J From the bottom of my heart, THANKS.
CHAPTER 10
He had those words stuck in his head. How could he wait when he knew that one of his best friends was going to be beat up by his own father? How could he sleep knowing that they were going to force the Dark Mark upon him?
It was impossible to close his eyes without seeing a pair of silver ones full of pain and defeat. He had to do something. Anything.
That's why, a day after Draco's "kidnapping", he decided he was going to Malfoy Manor with or without help.
The day had barely awoken when he jumped out of his bed, determination shinning in his emerald eyes. He quickly changed his pyjamas for a pair of dark blue jeans and one of Mrs. Weasley's green jumpers.
He eyes the bed at his right. Ron was sleeping peacefully. I'd be impossible for him to hear Harry. The red-head barely reacted with his magic alarm clock when he had to get up, so it'll cause no additional problems to our Golden Boy.
Harry put on his trainers and lifted the bed's mattress. There was a shimmering silver cloth underneath. It was his invisibility cloak, neatly folded in a little piece of clothing that prevented the expensive item from being stained or ripped.
He took the cloak off and draped it over himself. Luckily, everything would be allright once out of the dorms. He closed the door smoothly after having glanced at his friends one last time.
Then, he descended the staircase silently, gripping the silver material around himself very tight, making sure that it covered his whole frame.
He finally arrived at the common room. The fire was already lit and a ginger cat was coming his way purring a little too loud.
**Not now** he thought. It was Crookshanks, Hermione's naughty cat, that was now nibbling the cloak trying to catch Harry's attention.
"Stop Crookshanks! It's not a good moment." said Harry to the cat. That didn't cease to molest him.
"Please!" he exclaimed a little louder.
"You wouldn't have lasted too much if you'd talked as loud as you're doing now." A voice was coming from the armchair in front of the fireplace, and although all he could see was the back of it, he knew it could only be one person.
"What are you doing up Hermione?" asked a very pissed but at the same moment surprised Harry.
"I would ask you the same question, but I'd be wasting my time because I already know the answer" replied the brown-haired witch, that was facing her friend with an unreadable expression on her face.
"So, now you know, I'll continue with my plan if you don't mind." said Harry.
"Where do you think you're going? Stop where you are. You'll stay here and return to your dorm immediately if you don't want to be reported to McGonagall, or worse, Snape." warned Hermione with an unwavering voice.
"I must go Herm. He needs me, he needs help." pleaded the boy.
"We know that Harry, but are you going to risk everything?" she paused for a second and continued "You know how hard the Order has worked just to have all tied up. You can't go there and ruin the whole thing, a lot of things are at stake.
Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. For a flickering moment, his friend's voice had turned cold and distant, like she didn't really care about what happened to Draco. What were the Order plans compared to a human life? Nothing, it meant nothing to him. And he said that to his friend.
"You've forced me to do this Harry." and without flinching, she swished her wand muttering a powerful binding curse. "Sorry, I had to do it. It was the best choice."
Then the common room's entrance creaked open. It was Dumbledore, wearing a golden cloak peppered with purple stars. He was looking sadly at his pupil, but the emotion was suddenly replaced by false calmness. He hated war. **This poor young children, living in a world of fear.** he thought.
He approached the young witch.
"Don't feel guilty, Miss Granger. It was your duty as Head Girl and member of the Order" said the old headmaster while rubbing the girl's shoulder reassuringly.
"I know sir. But he's right. We must do something. Draco is innocent and he doesn't deserve to be deserted by his friends."
"It's too late now, dear child." Dumbledore's eyes had lost their spark and now were a dull blue "Lucius is his father, and we can't interfere between them. It has been the duty of every Malfoy since Voldemort appeared: to serve evil and destroy the side of the light. It is his destiny, we can't play with that.
"But can't we rewrite our lives then? Or all the decisions have already been made for us?" asked a frustrated Hermione. She felt guilty for being cold with his friend, but she'd always been the logical one. She couldn't follow her feelings, could she? She was beginning to doubt this.
-We can. Miss Granger. But it'll end right in the end. Goodnight Hermione.- and then the headmaster left the room without further comments.
The effect of the curse that had hit Harry was fading, and he was slowly drifting to consciousness.
He blinked once, then twice. Everything was very blurry, he had to get used to the dim light that was blinding him. The first thing he saw clearly was Hermione's sad expression. Suddenly he remembered. Draco.
And he broke down.
Pleading.
Praying.
Crying.
For Draco and for him. For everything he didn't understand. For all the things he had been bottling up inside of him for so long. And the brown-haired witch could only watch. Rooted to the spot and surprised at Harry's breakdown.
Luckily no one noticed the painful scene that was taking place in the common room. Everyone was peacefully dreaming of sweet kisses and happy quidditch matches. Of utopic realities that made their lifes more bearable, that hid the fact that their world was falling apart.
Monday 10:00 a.m SEVERUS SNAPE'S CHAMBER, THE DUNGEONS
The Potion's master was sitting on his squashy armchair plotting different schemes against Voldemort when he felt a wave of pain along his arm. He gripped his wrist with all his strenght trying to ease the burning. A dark tattoo of a skull and a snake was radiating a dark light.
-He's calling all the troops. Something big is going to happen, and they're going to get suspicious if I don't apparate as son as possible- thought Snape.
He didn't have time to warn Dumbledore nor any of the Order's members. He had no choice. He was going there alone and defenceless. And he was going to bring Draco back at all costs, even if it was the last thing he did.
The dark-haired man stood abruptly and made sure that his wand was in the pocket inside his robes. Something caught his attention. It was a shinning silver dagger, engraved with old runes. He grabbed the item unceremoniously and "portkeyed" himself.
Monday 12:00 a.m. DEATH EATER HEADQUARTERS
After a serie of repeated 'pops', a big empty black room was packed with hundreds of Death Eaters. Hoods covering their heads, masked with pearl white masks, they formed two long rows, leaving a wide passage in the middle. A low murmur filled the room, but then a door was opened and everyone went silent.
Severus was trying to cover his nervousness, but he knew what was next. Their meetings were so predictable that he could've laughed. If only he didn't risk his life while doing it...
Another hooded figure glided across the passage, not even looking at the men at his sides. Covered with a thick black cloak and unmasked, there stood the feared Voldemort. He radiated such coldness and hatred that it was impossible to fix your eyes in him for more than a minute. His ever-watching snake-like eyes scanned the room. His stare was so intense that his followers were stripped naked only with a brief look. That's what Severus dreaded the most.
Then something strange happened. Their meeting took an unexpected turn. Voldemort was roaming the room looking directly at every Death Eater.
"I've been informed that there is a traitor between us." hissed the powerful wizard. "I will not tolerate such insolence in my ranks. I dare this person to a duel. We'll see if you're so brave now." added evily.
Silence.
"Well, well, well. I see that our hero has lost all bravery. Maybe that will help." he waved his hand and the door opened again. A short man was dragging the unconsious body of a very familiar blond boy. His torn robes barely covered his bruised torso and his head was hanging in an odd angle.
"Come here Wormtail, and bring the boy with you."commanded Voldemort.
Snape flinched. It was Draco, and for what he could see, he had been beaten and probably tortured. What was he going to do now?
He could feel his godson's pain. And without warning an incantation was muttered:
"Ennervate!" Voldemort had his wand pointed at Draco, who suddenly opened his eyes.
"Are you going to tell me about Dumbledore's plans boy?" asked the Dark Lord.
"Never!" yelled Draco.
"You've decided then." and another curse was directed to him, but this time it was a powerful one, the Cruciatus.
Draco's shrieks echoed through the room. And one of the Death Eaters stepped aside the main row. He pointed his wand at Draco and ended the curse.
"I knew you'd be discovered. Let me see your face!" said Voldemort with a stern voice.
Nothing. The traitor didn't move.
"Oh! We've got a deaf one among us. I think you'll hear better now, Expelliarmus!" and the man's wand flown to his hand. His cloack had ripped with the spell's impact and his face was visible. It was Severus Snape, glaring the wizard that now had his wand.
"So, it was you Severus. I think this is going to be a good day" and he smiled darkly.