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Not Myself by Saerry Snape

Chapter 164 – Variances of Conversation

"You threatened him? Harry, what's gotten into your head?"

Harry glared at Hermione and growled, "He just about told the entire seventh year Slytherin class that I'm a Snape! I think that's cause enough to threaten him a little."

"Harry…"

"He's right, Mione," said Niamh. "If Voldemort were to find out…" She trailed off and looked mournfully at Harry, who's eyes glittered dangerously.

"It wouldn't be a good thing," commented Mika from where he sat with Ginny.

"No, it wouldn't," said Hermione. "I just hope that Dumbledore doesn't find out about this. Seriously, Harry, threatening a teacher? You could be expelled?"

"Even when that teacher is my half-uncle?" spat Harry.

Mika arched an eyebrow in surprise as Ginny said, "That could make a difference."

"He's still a teacher," said Hermione. "That he's your uncle doesn't matter."

"Half-uncle."

"Whatever."

Harry sighed and said, "Look. I didn't want to threaten him. I mean…he's my uncle. He's family. I would never want to hurt him."

"I sense a 'but' coming," said Ron.

"But," continued Harry with a glance at the redhead, "if he tries to harm Da in any way – I'll kill him. Family or not, I'll kill him."

There was silence for a long moment before Mika quirked a smile and said, "I hope you never get pissed off at me."

"I've already been pissed off at you and you survived."

"Yeah, but that was before you spent four years training for a war we haven't fought yet."

"But we have," said Niamh. "Tyls, the Gauntlet, your rescue. Even Cedric's death was all part of the war."

"And this year its going to end," said Harry in a dark voice. "One way or another, this war will end."

"My Lord, what of Snape – the traitor?"

Voldemort turned his vicious red gaze towards the Death Eater who had spoken. Although the skull-like mask hid his face, Lucius Malfoy could be discerned by any who knew his haughty voice.

"Let us leave him for now," hissed the Dark Lord as he stroked the scaly head of Nagini. "We shall deal with our traitor in good time."

"Gather your children," continued Voldemort as he rose from his stone throne. "Gather them and bring them to me. On the eve of the year, they will be Marked as mine."

"Yes, my Lord," chorused the gathered Death Eater's as they bowed as one.

Voldemort's thin lips twisted into an evil smirk.

"Go," he commanded a moment later as he reseated himself.

The Death Eater's filed out in silence until only Lucius remained. He removed his mask and dropped to one knee at his master's feet.

"My Lord…"

"What is it, Lucius?" hissed Voldemort irritably.

"My Lord, I wish your permission to be rid of the traitor when the final battle comes. He caused my…affliction."

The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed on the blonde man kneeling before him. He was not the same as Severus, who had followed him only because he had to. Lucius had followed of his own will – although his father's, like Severus', had had some play in that decision. But he had not been forced.

Voldemort had still always preferred Severus over Lucius. Not only did Severus have other skills he could use but he wasn't the cold-blooded killer that the vain Malfoy was.

Lucius' loyalty, however, had never wavered.

Which was not something he could say of Severus.

And the heir to the Snape fortune had been the spy in his ranks that he had tried so hard to dig out. He had never suspected Severus. Although he should have. A Death Eater who willingly chose to be a spy among the Auror's? Suspicious indeed.

Severus had killed his so-called brother's in arms – rather brutally in fact. Voldemort wished he could bring him around, make him completely loyal to the Dark.

But Snape's never changed their ways.

Even traitors – traitors who had allowed a werewolf to attack one of his own and infect him with the virus they carried within them.

That was the affliction Lucius was referring to. Being forced to become such a creature had grated roughly upon the nerves of the usually infallible Lucius Malfoy. He had very nearly lost his mind and with just a few more transformations, he might.

Unleashing that insanity upon a traitor would be exhilarating.

"Very well, Lucius," purred Voldemort. "You may have the traitor."

A cruel smile twisted Lucius' lips and he said, "Thank you, My Lord."

Voldemort waved a hand in dismissal and Lucius rose, leaving before his master could curse him.

This year, Potter, thought Voldemort with a grim smile. This year I shall finally be rid of you.

The days passed quickly in Hogwarts and Halloween was gone before anyone knew it had even been there. When the Christmas holidays began to approach, everyone was jumping about madly, getting ready to head back home or to spend their days in the castle.

Harry was lounging on the couch in the Hexer's Corner, Niamh curled up against his side with her head on his chest. She had long since fallen asleep and he was amusing himself by playing with her hair.

"I see you two got back together after all."

Harry looked up and saw Draco standing there, a letter crumpled in one limp hand.

"Yeah," he said after a moment, tugging gently at a lock of dark hair. "Though I don't think we were ever really apart."

"Heheh. I can believe that. You two were made for each other."

"Maybe. What's that?"

Draco blinked and looked down at the letter crumpled in his fist. He then looked back at the dark-haired young man and replied, "A letter from my father. He wants me to come home for hols."

"Well that sounds nice."

"He's been ordered to take me to Voldemort. To be Marked."

"What?" exclaimed Harry. He shot up into a sitting position and Niamh moaned, shifting her position so he was forced to lie back down. "You can't go!"

"I have to," said Draco. "If I don't, he'll disown me."

"Better disowned than forced to serve Voldemort. Look at my da, Drake." Harry fixed his friend with a mournful look, finishing, "You don't want to end up like he did, do you?"

"I won't."

"You don't know that."

"Actually," said Draco with a small smile, "I do. See, Harry…I have a girl."

"Really? And when did this miraculous thing happen?"

"Last year."

"Do I know this girl?"

"Yes. Very well."

"Do you love her?"

Draco nodded, his fist crumpling about the letter again.

"I do," he hissed softly. "I never thought I would but I do. And I know she'd accept me even with a Dark Mark. Besides, we need a new spy in Voldemort's ranks, don't we?"

"Why are you asking me?" asked Harry.

"Because you, my friend, will be at the very center of the final battle. You'll need to know what's happening on the other side before then."

"Maybe. But I don't want to lose a good friend to the Dark."

"We were enemies once," pointed out Draco.

Harry smiled and said, "But not anymore. I advise you not to go home but its your decision. If you go…please, be careful. I don't think I could stand to lose a friend."

"Neither can I," said Draco. "I'll think about it, Harry. Long and hard."

"That's good. Don't tell me what you decide."

Draco's eyebrows arched up into his hair in surprise.

"Don't you want to know?" he asked.

Harry gave him a sorrowful look as he replied, "I'll know when your not there after hols start. I don't want to know before then."

"Why?"

"Because I'll try and stop you."

Draco blinked.

Harry was trying to protect him. Like he had been trying to protect Niamh from getting hurt the year before…

The younger Draco would have shoved that protection away and gone on without looking at the risks. But the older Draco had learned a lot from watching Harry.

Mostly he had learned that the dark-haired wizard protected what he loved and cherished.

He protected his friends, his family – the girl he loved.

And he even wanted to protect the Malfoy heir, who had been his enemy only a few short years ago.

How things had changed…

"I won't tell you then," said Draco.

"See you."

"Yeah."

The two of them stared at each other for a long moment before Draco turned and walked away. He had two days to make a decision.

Either he could remain and be free of everything but his loyalty to the girl he loved and his strong friendship with Harry.

Or he could leave and return with Voldemort's Mark on his arm, forever a prisoner of the Dark.

The problem was that one part of him wanted the first and another wanted the second.

Author's Note

Last day of vacay – last night, actually. By tomorrow (Sunday), I shall be home. It'll be great to be back.