A/N: This is an Alternate Universe Harry Potterverse story. It's a "Redeemed Draco" fic, and those who like their junior Malfoys nasty had best read elsewhere. "Metamorphosis" is the ever-growing plot bunny that came out of the journal-story "Letter to No One."
A/N UPDATE (Jan 2006): This story is being re-edited to clean up minor plotline glitches, punctuation and grammar errors prior to the posting of a new chapter. "Metamorphosis" does not take OOTP and HBP into account, although the author reserves the right to borrow various bits of background and minor characters to use for cosmetic purposes.
Metamorphosis: Chapter Eight
by RowanRhys
Monday, 23 December 1996
The twins' office was crowded with a variety of gag samples and parchments piled on a desk, a pair of disorganized worktables with ongoing potions processes bubbling away, a mix-match of chairs and a round table cluttered with the remains of an incomplete meal. The china teapot and attendant crockery went flying to shatter on the floor as Fred flung Draco into the room and yanked the door closed behind them.
As the air "oomphed" out of him when the back of a chair hit his diaphram, Draco heard an obnoxious squealing blare out from the desk. Doubled over, he winced as George grabbed a handful of his hair, yanking his head up and back. A wand jabbed at his throat.
"I'm telling the truth! My father--" He choked as the wand stabbed deeper into his Adam's apple. "My father brought them to the manor last night. I--Listen to me!--"
"Sneakoscopes don't lie, Malfoy."
Hating having to reveal his weakness to the Weasleys, of all people, Draco forced out, "I've got a Glamourie spell on." He tugged uselessly against Fred's hold, unable to get his own wand. "Terminate it and the 'scope should shut up."
He closed his eyes as the Finite Incantatum breached the spell he'd renewed before leaving his home. The illusion slipped away and he opened his grey eyes to stare hopelessly at the be-freckled face in front of his.
George's angry expression faded into one of shock as the Sneakoscope abruptly went silent. "Bloody hell, Malfoy. What happened to you?" The wand dropped away from his throat and George let go of his hair, although Fred still had a merciless grip on Draco's arms.
"Nothing you need worry about." He stifled as gasp as Fred jerked on his wrists.
"Let go of him, Fred." George pulled out a chair and dropped into it. "You look like you got in the way of a Bludger or two."
"Close enough." When Draco's arms were released, he rubbed gingerly at the still-purple mark on his forehead. "Look, I don't have much time before I'm missed. I still need to find a way to get Granger out, and it's got to happen today before father's other--guests--show up. Mrs. Granger is in St. Mungo's. Don't mind how, but I got her there about two hours ago. Tell your dad--tell the Headmaster. They were supposed to be bait to get Potter to come."
"The Ministry can send--" George began.
"And Granger will die before the perimeter alert wards finish sounding off." Draco hoped he didn't sound as scared as he felt. "It's got to be done from the inside before my father realizes they are gone. He and my mother are occupied with all the Christmas social stuff today--the Ministry Luncheon and the Daily Prophet's ball later tonight. I can get to her--give her my wand, if nothing else." He shook his head. "Ill have to see how they've set up the wards around her. But don't let Potter try anything. That's what my father wants. To give Potter to--to You-Know-Who--for a Christmas present."
Fred moved around to the side and blinked at the greenish splotches that adorned Dracos face. "Why are you doing this? Youve always been the--"
"--Been the Slytherin bastard?" Draco closed his hands on the back of the chair in front of him. "Look, I still dont like the idea of Mudbloods overrunning the Wizarding World. But I'm no Deatheater, no matter what it looks like from the outside." He shoved up his left sleeve, baring his forearm. "And I'm doing my damnedest to keep from getting that bloody Mark." He dragged in a deep breath as he yanked his sleeve down over the bruises that ringed his wrist. "Granger isnt my favorite person in the world, but its not right what my father planned for her and her mum. I cant stand around anymore doing nothing and looking like I approve of what he's doing."
The twins glanced over at the silent Sneakoscope, then back at each other.
"I'll Apparate down to Dad's Office," Fred finally said, "And he can get Mr. Granger to St. Mungo's." He glared at Draco. "If this turns out to be a red herring you are going to look ten times worse than you do now by the time I'm done with you."
I finally decide to spill my guts and it ends up being to these two? Draco forced himself not to visibly bristle at the animosity in Fred's manner. "I'm not worried about what you can do to me, Weasley. You'd better get going so Mr. Granger can have at least some of his worries relieved."
Fred growled something under his breath and left the office, slamming the door behind him.
George flicked his wand at the Sneakoscope and disabled it. "You'd better put your make up back on, Malfoy, before you head home."
Draco scowled at the term "make up" but quickly drew his wand and re-cast the Glamourie on himself. George escorted him back out into the shop, clearly intending to accompany him all the way out the front door. As they passed the Wacky Wands display, Draco suddenly paused as an incipient idea bloomed. "Wait a minute." He searched for the wand that was a close double for his own. "How much?"
"Why do you want a joke wand?" George wanted to know.
"Maybe it might just help with what I'm trying to do tonight."
"Fourteen Sickles, eight Knuts."
Draco dropped a full Galleon into the red-haired wizard's hand. "Count the change as credit for the next time I drop in." He pulled up his hood and slid into the holiday crowds in the street, thinking, I just hope there will be a next time.
TBC
A/N: Sorry it's so short, gentle readers, but my original text disappeared and I had to reconstruct it and my muse insists that this is where the chapter breaks. I think she had the 'flu right along with me and is inclined to be cranky! Thanks for you patience!