Please review, I need ego boosters. Boy, is my self esteem losing to my self consciousness…
Please review, I don't know if I should continue…
WHEN WE LAST SAW THEM!!!
"Mr. Malfoy, a word, please," Dumbledore said, after having watched the blonde boy stare out the same window Harry had with a thoughtful expression.
Draco swallowed, and tried to regain his composure once again.
"Yes Professor," Draco said, and followed Dumbledore to his office. Once there, the elder asked Draco to sit down.
"Draco, as you know, I'm Order of Merlin, First Class. Besides doing many great deeds for the community, do you know what power you must learn to become that?"
"No, sir."
"The ability to see through any invisibility cloak – and invisibility spell," he added, looking at Draco from over his glasses. Good bloody god, Draco thought.
"Sir, I promise I won't tell anyone what happened – or what I heard – I just-"
"No problem there, Draco. But," Dumbledore said, "I believe you to be trustworthy. I think it's my duty to explain to you some things that went on tonight. Care for tea?"
"No thank you, sir."
"Very well. I know nothing of the emotions that Mr. Potter showed during Potions class, but I do know that the acts that Mr. Weasley had shown when you arrived were most atrocious. I will be speaking with him about that behavior, yes – ah, back on track. I think I'll be short and to the point. Mr. Sirius Black is innocent. The Ministry wants proof and I cannot give it to them, so for now, there's no hope of his innocence being proven. He is Harry's godfather, and right now, he, Mr. Lupin and myself seem to be the only people he trusts – I hope. Last year, during Harry's battle at the Department of Mysteries, Sirius Black was killed, but, as you heard, I have found a way to bring him back. Mind you, he wasn't really dead, just in somewhere called the Middle World– well, that's how it's said in English. It's one of the many places named with an ancient language that's been forgotten for so many years. Such a shame – it was terribly beautiful. Only certain people can use it – the word chooses the speaker."
"The word? Not the language?"
"Ah, yes, my apologies. You learn that you have the capability to speak this language when you're trying to say one word, but it comes out as the translation in Hithido – well, that's the one name for the language, the simpler one. Such a shame that it's been lost…it only comes to those who have soulmates."
"Can you speak it, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore smiled a true, heartfelt smile. "Yes, Draco, I can."
"Er, if I may, who's your soulmate?"
"You'd really wish to know?" Draco nodded, and Dumbledore looked blissfully happy. "As much of a shock as it may or may not be, Professor McGonagall and I are very much in love," the Professor continued, still smiling.
"Can't say I didn't see it, sir. But congratulations and best wishes in life – even though it may be a little past the time for that –"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Thank you, Draco. I appreciate it. Where were we? Ah, yes, soulmates. There have only been a few pairs of soulmates that have come to Hogwarts, and maybe 500 pairs in the world, meaning 1,000 people all together."
"Sir, can – can you tell me who some of the soulmates were?"
"Why, of course. Well, there was Gefen Ronden and Janet Guiden who were one year above me – they were both good friends - and many, many others…I don't recall many of the names, but there was, of course, your parents."
"M-my parents?" Draco asked incredulously.
"Why, yes."
"But Professor, my parents are –" and Draco couldn't finish that sentence. What were his parents? They were – they were soulmates – but they never said they loved each other – they never showed any affection…Father was always out with – out with Voldemort, making – making plans to kill people – to torture people. The realization his Draco like he never thought it could. My father – he's Voldemorts right-hand man. And I – I'm going to be just like him. I – he – he was still Voldermort's follower when I was a baby – when – oh, God, my father – I' m going to be that…And have to put people through all of that? I – I… Draco had never felt so nervous in his life. How can I have never seen this? I've been such an oblivious asshole! I always knew he was in with Voldemort – but he – he really wants me to become what he is…Draco shuddered. His brow furrowed as he thought. How can I have missed this? He's done everything and anything that Voldemort every asked him to – anythi—"
"Professor –" Draco's eyes were wide, fearful, and downcast. He swallowed – "He did that, didn't he."
"Did what, Draco?"
"My father – he killed his parents, didn't he."
"Whose parents?"
Draco's voice was tight with emotion. "You know whose parents." His eyes searched the floor for some answer, but found none.
"Yes, Draco. Your father was present, and was the one to persuade Peter Pettigrew into turning to Voldemort."
"C-can I sit down?" Draco asked, realizing he'd stood up in shock.
"Yes, yes, go ahead." Dumbledore conjured another, more comfortable chair. Draco sank into it, lost in his thoughts. He was – he is so miserable – and my father…my father was the one who put him through all of this torment…he killed – he killed his parents – and so many more…but what do I care?? He's Harry bloody Potter, I don't care if he's happy or not – if he's an orphan or not – if…
If he's lonely or not…
I need t—
"Professor – I can't…" Draco said with a shaky voice
"Can't what, Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore looked concerned.
"Do that – be him – kill—god, I can't even say it without feeling guilty…"
"Draco, what's the matter?"
Draco looked up at Headmaster and saw a chance. An opportunity. A way to get himself out of the hole he was born to fall into.
"I can't follow in my father's footsteps. I – I don't want to do…" Draco trailed off. What didn't he want to do? Meet Voldemort? Be a Death Eater? "I don't want anyone to ever feel what he's felt. I can only imagine what he thinks – how he feels…no, I can't imagine how he feels, and that's what bothers me. I – I don't want to kill people, I don't want to rip apart families, I don't want people to live sheltered lives, and I don't want people to lost trust in everyone because all they've been told is lies…" Draco whispered the last, and looked up with sad eyes to the older man. "I don't want to be a Death Eater – a follower of Voldemort – I think I want t—I think I need to be on the Light Side."
Professor Dumbledore looked at Draco, confusion apparent.
"For once, in many, many years, I am speechless."
"Uh – sorry.."
"Nothing at all to apologize for, but I want you to go back to wherever you go to think, and do just that. Think long and hard about this. Come back after dinner so that we can discuss this, yes?"
"Y-yes, Headmaster."
Dumbledore got up to walk Draco to the door. Before letting him leave, Dumbledore took Draco's hands, and said, "If this is really, truly what you feel is necessary, then I want you to think of the consequences. You'll be putting yourself in a lot of danger, Mr. Malfoy. And if you chose to stay with your father – I may have to Obliviate you of recent conversations, okay?"
"Yes, sir. Good afternoon."
Draco walked back to the room that Severus had had put in for him especially, He had a lot on his mind – and more then he wanted to believe of it was guilt. Draco sighed and sank down into the window sill seat, rubbing his eyes.
This is going to be more complicated then I thought…
