A/N: WOW! What a great response! I didn't think that everyone would return so quickly!! This has made me so happy that I'll put up the next chapter! *Throws hugs and kisses* I'm very glad you're all still enjoying yourselves! This one will be a bit short cause I decided against merging it. (I only merge the short chapters) and the one after this is a bit longer.
Disclaimer: All these wonderful characters belong to J.K.R but I'm trying my best so they stay the way she left them! Like the good baby sitter I am! ;)
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Chapter 13 "Special Favors"Night had fallen and they were all ready to meet with the Slytherin but the location he had chosen was not in the least, the best place for a meeting. The dungeons that sank deeply into the Hogwarts grounds looked their dampest this day, as all four Gryffindor stood collected at the entrance.
"I'll be back soon. You all tell me what happened alright?" requested Ron before turning about.
"Don't worry. Let us take care of it," said Harry.
Ron simply smiled and walked back up the stairs. The other three marched into their potions classroom and sat on a few chairs and desks. After about fifteen minutes, there was the sound of a door closing and in marched Draco with a look of vigilance in his eyes. He didn't say hello but marched up to the three and cut straight to the chase!
"I know how to cure my father. It's really the only thing I can think of. We're still not good enough to make that potion and every time I mention it to someone else they begin to ask questions so I've decided to ask for a favor…"
"Wait, wait! You mean the Curalithium? And a favor?" said Hermione. "Are you going to call that person you said that can cure your father?"
"We - we can't. I just got word from my mother that he's finally passed on. He was a very old wizard,"
"Oh… that's so sad," said Ginny.
"Not as sad as my father's state. He doesn't even recognize me anymore. The only person he'll respond to is Weasley! I guess he's there now?"
"That's right," said Harry as an awkward silence filled the dungeon. Finally he continued. "So tell us Malfoy... Whom did you call out?"
"I believe I have can answer that," came the drawling of a deep voice.
As they all turned around, there's stood a curtain of black robes draped over a sallow skinned man. The small hint of light that flickered from the few torches in the room fell over his greasy black hair as his mouth grew a strange grin.
"So… why have you called me out here Mr. Malfoy?" asked Serverus Snape.
"What??? Are you mad? Asking him to help? After what happened? And – because of it he's…" said Harry trying to leave out the more incriminating parts.
"Listen Potter, Professor Snape makes a flawless potion,"
"But your father was the one to cripple him in the first place! It will take another 2 years before Snape returns to normal! Do you think he'd ever help him after that whole episode?"
"Help Lucius? What? Lucius Malfoy is dead," said Snape lifting an eyebrow.
"Not quite…" said Draco. "But he might as well be unless you can help,"
***
Snape had been leading most of the Order of the Phoenix through Hogwarts to where Voldermort was. The castle had been taken and it was up to them to reclaim it. They had to separate within the entire school as they encountered demons and Death Eaters at every turn. Eventually Snape was left alone trying to isolate where the Dark Lord could be hidden until he met up with Harry followed by Draco. Snape decided to bring them along as he searched but were stopped by Lucius Malfoy who quickly took his wand challenged Snape to a duel for his betrayal as a Death Eater. The tension grew and Draco was torn between the tides. His father urged him to return to him but after what had happened right after the Death Eaters seized power over the school, Draco was far too reluctant to go back.
As the dueling progressed the surges of magical energy flew across the room like lightening bolts. Malfoy had hit Snape in the legs with a curse that thins the bones in the entire body! A simple hit or kick was all that was needed to shatter Serverus like glass. Malfoy headed closer until Harry placed himself in front of Snape. Draco did the same and took out his own wand in defense while moving closer to his father. Malfoy told Draco that this was foolish but that he could not harm his only son… it was then... that a green flash hit Lucius resonating like a cannon.
***
"What is this nonsense? I saw it with my own eyes! Your father -"
"Was cursed or at least hexed. He never died! And now he is suffering from a spell that confuses his thoughts. The only thing I can think of is for you to help us to cure him with Curalithium. We can't make it properly yet and you owe both Harry and I a wizard debt," said Draco as his pale eye flickered with the only remaining hope left inside him.
Snape looked at the boy. He did owe his life to Harry and Draco in a certain way but was this really enough for him to break a vow of loyalty to the ministry? He had sworn to no longer tamper with anything regarding the Dark Lord or his followers for the remainder of his days. Otherwise he would undertake a very hefty sentence and if Lucius Malfoy were still alive, then this would be very much breaking his vow.
Harry, Hermione and Ginny remained silent. What would telling Snape resolve to?
"A debt you say? My condition, does not tell me otherwise…"
"Wait!" said Hermione surprisingly. "You were in a duel when your were cursed. How could they have prevented anything happening to you then? There was not enough time to interfere. Professor Snape, all you have to do is make that potion and you will not have any part in this! Your name will never come up if anything surfaces. I mean, we're supposed to know how to make this anyway right? We just want it in advan -" she then stopped.
Why did Draco want this to be done now anyways? They still had 4 months left of school and enough time to learn it by June. Well, at least Hermione could have learned it by then.
Professor Snape gave an irritated sigh. The bond between wizards is serious thing that is quite hard to break. He did owe them a favor…
"Alright. I'll do it," he finally said.
"Really?" squeaked Ginny.
"Yes-yes…"
"Can you have it ready for tomorrow?" said Malfoy eagerly,"
"Tomorrow? Why so soon?"
"It's really important you have it done for tomorrow. Please Professor,"
Harry, Ginny and Hermione never thought they'd hear that word come out of Draco. "Please" did he say? They stood there, flabbergasted, as Professor Snape seemed to be thinking it over. Finally he nodded.
"Alright. I will have it done for tomorrow afternoon. Remember that the Curalithium must be taken at least within 2 hours of its concoction, otherwise, it's worthless,"
"Yes professor, you've easily repaid your debt to me. We'll see you around 5 here,"
"Alright. By then it should be complete," he said as he silently marched away leaving the damp dungeon.
Hermione looked at the Professor surprised. Why would he be willing to co-operate so easily? "What surprised will he have waiting for us?" she thought and then gasped.
"What is it?" asked Ginny
"Oh! Err – Nothing! I - I was just supposed to meet Ron tomorrow…"
Draco looked at her like she had just insulted him but didn't say a word. What did he care if she was there of not… what did it matter to any of them anyways? It's not like they were friends…
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A/N: Amazing!!! Keep up the reviews everyone and you'll be getting more chapters A LOT faster then usual!! Keep spreading the word and I'll keep posting!!!
