Dark Months Past

Conjuring a pair of arm chairs, Albus rested his tired bones and awaited the boy's tale. He noticed young Malfoy had chosen to remain at the window, and decided not to call him on it.

"Over the summer my father became obsessed with Granger. The first owl he sent me after start of term was an order to monitor her behavior, her usual routine. He said it was in preparation of her induction into proper society. I knew she would be taken from Hogwarts to the Manor; Father had said the Dark Lord desired her for her connection to Potter, but that we would benefit from her brains."

The boy's voice was devoid of emotion, his reflection pale against the cool glass. As he spoke, he leaned his head against the window pane, staring at the darkness beyond.

"He ordered me to follow her whenever possible, to learn everything I could about her, with the purpose of an easier capture in mind. So I did; after classes and meals I would follow her to her rooms with the pretense of patrolling the corridors. When she went out with Potter and Weasley to Hogsmeade, I kept track of her by following with Crabbe and Goyle, flinging insults at them.

"On Halloween, there was to be a Dark Revel and Granger was the planned entertainment. At least, that's what my father said; I didn't find out until later that taking Granger was my father's idea, not the Dark Lord's. That she had become an obsession with him."

"How did you plan on taking Miss Granger?" asked Albus, his voice quiet and gentle.

Draco sighed, and pushed a lock of damp hair from his forehead.

"I was to wait until it was her turn to patrol the hallways. I had a Portkey with me, a necklace. I hid behind a suit of armor until I heard her pass, then jumped her from behind. I put my hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming, and forced the necklace into her hand.

"We were both taken to the Manor; Father was waiting, and cast a Full Body-Bind as soon as she was in the house. He told me I had done well, and that I must return to school before she was missed, to throw off any suspicion. So I did."

Waving a hand, Albus called for sandwiches and tea, which appeared instantly.

"I don't know what happened to her after that, at least until the winter holidays came. I returned home expecting her having been killed after the Halloween Revel, and was surprised to find my father had kept her alive. When I asked him about it, he said it was to prove to her the better blood.

"That Christmas Eve was another Revel, the first I was to partake in without having received my Mark officially. Apparently Father had ordered for a special table to be made concerning the ceremonies that evening; it had been custom built to resemble a cross.

"Later she would be tied to it, as Father had become fond of torture the Muggle way. He said they had invented some of the more ingenious ways of causing pain."

Suddenly, the boy shivered, though the room was warm and snug. He wrapped his arms around him tightly, seemingly unaware of his actions.

"The Dark Lord came that night," whispered Draco, his eyes unreadable except for the smallest hint of fear:

"He came and commended my father for his handling of the Mudblood. He encouraged him to increase her suffering, though she was no longer a valued prisoner."

If possible, the boy's voice dropped even lower, to the point where even Albus' sensitive hearing had trouble with his voice.

"Father ordered for her to be brought before Him," he shivered in recollection, "When she was dragged to His feet, He kicked her hard in the ribs, then forced her to be bound to a table. Three Muggles were brought in, two men and one woman; He possessed them one by one and raped her.

"After they were finished, He forced them to slit their own throats and expelled himself from their bodies before they died. I was instructed to carry her back to her cell and give her as little water as possible; she couldn't speak, but her eyes begged me to kill her. That night changed me forever."

For a long time, they sat across from each other, the younger one lost in the darkness outside, the older one taking in what the boy had told him. Albus had known the Death Eaters were inclined towards depravity and perversion. He had simply not known the extent of their atrocities, as Severus had effectively kept him in the dark about his required actions.

"How did she receive the wounds in her hands and feet?" asked Dumbledore after a long silence.

Forcing his eyes to remain expressionless as he stared out the window, Draco swallowed, the horror returning in full.

"It was just over the Easter holidays; Father liked to have me watch, I guess," he rambled, "He always made it worse when I was home; said I was to learn by example."

Slowly, he drew in a deep breath, the poison of his memories draining as he spoke to Dumbledore.

"Father crucified her, as a last punishment for not telling him what he wanted to know. I think it was really because she refused to break for him. After that night, he swore he would kill her and be done with it after having one last go with her.

"She never gave into him, not even when he drove the spike into her feet. All she did was tighten her body and bite her lips. That night she would bite through them many times. Finally, he grew tired of her and left her bleeding, calling to me as he walked away to fetch him some wine while I was down there.

"Later that evening, I snuck down into the dungeons to see her. I wanted to know why she wouldn't break for him, why she was so loyal to Potter."

He swallowed.

"There...were things she said...that impressed me. I think at that time I was on the wall, as it were; not quite ready to give in to either side, but at the point where I was wavering. What she said stunned me, in more ways than one; she said there was still good in me, to not let it be destroyed."

The boy's face turned at last from the window, the turmoil evident in his eyes.

"I couldn't believe she said that to me, of all people. Then she told me I had a choice about my life; that though I may not like the one I'm given, I still have it. At that moment, I made my choice. I Summoned the nails from her wounds, but she collapsed before I could deaden her senses to the pain.

"I had brought the Portkey with me, having changed its destination to the Hogwarts gates in case the choice I made had need of it. If it hadn't, I would've changed it to someplace else, and forgotten about it. When we reached the grounds, we were found by Professor Snape."

Albus found himself speared by Draco's piercing gaze, urgent and demanding.

"The Professor is a Death Eater, sir. He cannot be trusted at the school any longer."

The Headmaster shook his head, deciding what should be mentioned, and what should definitely be kept out of the conversation:

"Professor Snape has not been among Voldemort's true supporters for some time now. He has been an informant for our side, and saved countless lives in the process. I can assure you, despite his required actions for maintaining this pretense, he is not on Tom's side."

Draco was silent for long minutes before tilting his head at a speculative angle and saying:

"Granger trusts you, and believes in you enough to suffer my father's torture. The least I can do for her is trust you now."

Albus nodded his head.

"You will be escorted to your Head Boy rooms for the remainder of your stay at the castle, which is as of yet undecided. If you choose to remain here after graduation, you will be welcomed, but let us not worry ourselves about the future at present. I believe you have an appointment with a soft mattress at the moment, one that I have no desire to keep you from."

The slight twinkle in his eye had returned as he spoke, standing as he did so. The boy followed his example automatically, marveling at this radical change in view of this old man. Months ago he was a candy-crazed old fool, and now he was the only protection left to him from a vengeful father, and a no-doubt very displeased Dark Lord.