Chapter 1
Draco was surprised to see his large eagle owl soar in through one of the many open windows of the Great Hall on the Friday morning of the weekend before Spring Holiday. His mother had just sent a large package of sweets the previous weekend, so this letter was quite a surprise. Draco opened it quickly, trying to hide it from his Slytherin housemates, and read his father's scrawling print.
Dearest Draco,
Just writing to give you fair warning of my arrival at your school tomorrow afternoon. I doubt Dumbledore has told anybody anything of this gala as of yet. I am not quite sure exactly how to tell you myself. Dumbledore is throwing a very extravagant victory party tomorrow evening at Hogwarts. Due to certain circumstances in my own personal bsuiness, I must turn against my own people. I am joining the side of goodness and light. Please do not take this news the wrong way. I shall see you tomorrow afternoon.
Sincerely,
Lucius
Draco nearly dropped the letter to the floor in disgust. How dare Father turn against family tradition! What good would he do to society if he was not on the side of the Dark Lord? Draco supposed he would never know. He knew he was making a scene, but he quickly cast a spell on the letter to burn it up, and then nearly sprinted out of the dining hall, knocking Pansy Parkinson out of his way as he left. The Slytherins all looked strangely at each other before returning to their breakfasts. Draco had never behaved this way before during the past six and a half years they had all known each other.
From his vantage point at the Staff Table, Professor Snape witnessed all of Draco's strange actions. He supposed Draco had just been told about the Hogwarts Victory Party held in honor of his father. All of the teachers were told about the party before the students. Snape rose from the table, whispered something to Dumbledore, and then strode down the center aisle, following Draco's path. Naturally, the curiosity of the student body was piqued by the superfluous amount of black fabric swishing past the tables. After Snape had left the hall, Dumbledore rose to make his morning announcements, which would explain the actions of both student and professor.
"Flibbertijibbet! Buttons! Sponge cake! Daffodils! It comes to my attention that one Mr. Lucius Malfoy has decided to assist our forces in the battle against evil." Many of the students had looks of bewilderment on their faces as Dumbledore continued his speech. "As many of you may or may not know, Mr. Malfoy has been debating his personal alliances for many months now. With his decision to now battle evil, his life is in a precarious situation, and we will do our best to protect Mr. Malfoy in all of his future endeavors. Due to this difficult decision, I believe a grand party is in our near future." A twinkle appeared in Dumbledore's eye as he finished his announcement. Even though everyone in the school now knew of the gala event, only Dumbledore knew of the extent of the festivities.
* * * * * *
Draco was in complete shock as he stared into the dark green fires of the Slytherin common room. Why hadn't his father told him sooner of his surprising, decisive action. His family line would be tainted forever now, without a strong alliance to the Dark Lord. Draco was just beginning to become part of the revels, and was well on his way to becoming a prominent Death Eater himself. He sat with his head in his hands as he attempted to rationalize his father's actions. Draco was quite surprised when the rustle of robes brushed through the entryway to the common room,.
"Go away. I don't want to talk to anybody."
"Come now, Draco, is that any way to speak to your Head of House?"
"Professor Snape," he stuttered with surprise, "I didn't realize it was you."
"Obviously," the teacher muttered under his breath. Snape stood behind the occupied armchair for five minutes before speaking again. "Do not worry about the Malfoy name, Draco. It will still maintain its status in the wizarding world." Snape had been actively cooperating solely with Dumbledore for years now, despite his perfect attendance at the Dark Lord's revels as a spy.
As the professor left the room, Draco couldn't help thinking just how right his Head of House actually was. His father wouldn't do anything foolish enough to ruin his family's name.
* * * * * *
Lucius Malfoy was welcomed to Hogwarts with many open arms for the first time since his graduation from the school many years ago. Not all of the teachers were willing to accept his cross over to the side of the good, but they allowed his entry because Dumbledore so easily accepted the blond man as one of his own. Nevertheless, Lucius was instructed not to enter the party until everyone else had already been seated. Dumbledore was treating him like a prince of some sort, announcing his arrival, and making a big show of everything Lucius did. The blond wizard was actually quite nervous - he had no way of knowing how the entire school population would behave in his presence, now that he was no longer burdened with the pressure of the Dark Mark which still graced his forearm.
As a symbol of welcome for their guests, the faculty formed a makeshift receiving line as the students and other welcomed guests proceeded into the Great Hall from their respective dormitories or living quarters. A red carpet had been spread across the atrium to enhance the festive spirit of the evening. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws entered first, all dressed in their finest. There were robes of every color in the crowd of students. Dumbledore had made sure to only allow formal attire at this very special victory party. The Slytherins made their way up from their dungeon common room. Even Draco, after yet another mood swing as he was preparing for the party, was present in his best dress robes.
The Gryffindor trio were some of the last students to arrive, almost late, as was to be expected of them. The boys, Ron and Harry, were dressed in simple black robes with either scarlet or gold accents in their ties and shirts below the robes. Hermione graced the scene in robes of royal purple with strands of gold shimmering throughout the material. Her gold jewelry glistened in the candlelight as she followed the boys down the receiving line. A rough hand on her shoulder halted her progress, almost causing her to stumble into Ron, who was discussing something with Professor McGonagall.
"Miss Granger…"
"Oh, hello Professor Snape. I didn't see you standing there in the shadows." She smiled politely to her potions master.
"I wonder, Miss Granger, how much homework you didn't complete in order to look your finest tonight for Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione blushed at this cheeky comment and quickly changed her focus of conversation. Hermione had been extremely cautious around Professor Snape ever since the first time he called her a "know-it-all" in class. Hermione was moving closer to her friends, when she was nearly trampled in a stampede of joy. She turned quickly enough to avoid any collisions.
"Sirius!" the trio shouted in unison.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione found Lupin standing behind Sirius, half hidden in the little crows.
The two newest guests smiled and happily greeted their three favorite students. After everyone had been greeted, Lupin headed into the party with the trio and the other staff members. Sirius was able to grab a hold of Snape after Dumbledore and McGonagall went to bring Lucius Malfoy down to the party.
"I saw what your did to Hermione before. What the hell kind of comment was that to make to a student?" Sirius queried.
"What are you talking about? I asked a perfectly legitimate question, being that I am her teacher."
"Oh come off it Snape, it sounded like you were trying to pick her up."
Sensing a serious argument about to erupt, Snape simply broke off conversation and strode into the Great Hall. Sirius entered as well, taking a seat at the Gryffindor table between Harry and Lupin.
Dumbledore and the others had returned to the doors of the Great Hall. Realizing that everyone was waiting for them, the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress entered and took their places at the staff table, but Dumbledore remained standing.
"I know you are all waiting for this party to get started, so I will not keep you in suspense any longer. Here is our guest of honor, Mr. Lucius Malfoy!"
The double doors magically swung open, and a very smartly dressed wizard came staggering down the center aisle. The entire crowd gasped in a unison inhale. Draco cringed when he saw his father enter. The young blond wizard rested his head in his hands and thought to himself, "Holy Merlin, the damn wanker's got himself drunk before the party's even started…"