"Honestly, I don't see why I have to sit with you lot." Malfoy grumbled
as the Hogwarts express set off to King's Cross. Harry, Hermione, Ron,
and Ginny were all crammed in the compartment with Malfoy, who was
perplexed with having been dragged to sit with a group of Gryffindors.
Ginny glared at him, giving him the evil eye.
"Your sister's looking more and more unlike you, Weasel. She might actually have been considered hot, if it weren't for all the second hand clothing she has to wear." If Malfoy was going to be forced to sit with them, he was going to make the experience as miserable as possible for all of them.
"Shut up, Malfoy." Ron snapped at him. Malfoy smirked. He looked over at Hermione who'd avoided making eye contact with him since they got on the train.
"What's your problem, Granger? Usually you can't shut up." he poked her. She pushed him away. Harry glared at Malfoy. All of them were trying their best not to hex him or backlash. They didn't understand Dumbledore's urgency that he sit on the train with them, until Hermione explained that he could easily tell his friends exactly where he was going, and as since most of his friends had families which were death eaters. If they were going to find out he was staying at the headquarters of the Order, it was best to have them know after the break, rather than the chance of being attacked during. At least after Malfoy had left, they could put a whole new set of curses which kept prying eyes away.
When they arrived at King's Cross, Moody and Lupin were waiting to gather their things. Mrs. Weasley came rushing over to them and gave them all big hugs, except for Malfoy of course.
"Draco, it's good to have you with us. I know this Christmas break won't be as fancy and lavish as the ones your used to, but at least you have company." she told him, cordially.
"Uh, thanks." he remarked. Mad-Eye came up to him and looked him over.
"I don't like the cut of his jib. There's something not right about this one. Malfoy, is it?"
"Yes, professor." Malfoy replied quickly. Harry smiled and laughed to himself. Obviously, Malfoy was still afraid of Moody, after the incident fourth year.
"Psh. Professor. I've never been no professor." Mad-Eye continued to look over him.
"There was an incident in fourth year, your double turned Malfoy into a ferret and bounced him around off the walls." Hermione giggled. Malfoy shot her a look of distaste.
"I'll bet he had a good reason too. I'll be keeping an eye on you, son." Moody warned him and went to help Lupin with the luggage.
"I'm sorry to do this Draco, but I need you to drink this potion." Mrs. Weasley stated handing him a small vile.
"What is it?" he asked, cringing his nose at the smell of it.
"It's just a sleeping draught. It's for our our precautions. You'll wake up in a couple of hours just fine."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you'll be left here on King's Cross, ya will." Moody snapped.
"Just drink it, it's for your own saftey as well, Draco." Lupin told him, throwing the last of the luggage on a trolly. Malfoy looked at everyone standing around, and grudgingly drank the liquid. He fell against Lupin, asleep.
"Now, Harry. May I see your invisibilty cloak?" Lupin asked him. Harry pulled it out of one of his cases. Lupin threw it over Malfoy and proceeded to levitate him. They all walked together back to Grimmaulds Place.
"He's waking up!" Ginny yelled, rushing down the stairs. Harry and Ron's game of Exploding Snap crashed to the floor.
"He looks so much like his father." Mrs. Weasley commented, as she cooked dinner.
"Now, don't get me wrong. Dumbledore is wise, but this has to be the most foolish thing he's done. That boy can't be trusted." Moody remarked.
"If you're going to talk about me, at least wait until I'm in the room. I don't take kindly to be talking behind my back." Malfoy said, as he came down the stairs.
"And we don't take kindly to death eater's boy. Your father is one of the foulest I've met in my day. If you want any hope at a decent break, you'd do best not to talk that way to your elders. Come with me." Moody told him. He took Malfoy by the arm and dragged him into the den. Harry and Ron followed behind, peering through the doorway.
"Do you know what this is?" Moody asked him, pointing to a mirror that hung on the wall. Dark shadows of people were moving through the mirror, except one, who's eyes shon a bright white. Malfoy quickly turned around to face the people in the mirror, but there was no else in the room.
"It's a Foe-Glass, Malfoy. It detects dark beings. When there is a death eater or a dark wizard about, then you can see the whites of their eyes. Do you know why they're glowing now?" Moody asked him. Malfoy shook his head.
"Because you're here! He's marked you, has he?" Moody questioned. Malfoy rolled up his sleeve to show his tattoo. Moody just nodded.
"You'll have to pardon Alastor. It's just, with your father's reputation, he expects nothing short of that from you. I'll have to ask that you don't go snooping about. You may be on our side, but you're not a part of the order, and there are some things you especially don't need to know until we're sure you can be trusted, Draco." Lupin stepped in. Malfoy rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"Molly's finished cooking, so I suggest you come and join us for dinner."
"Brilliant. Stuck with the Weasley's all holiday." Malfoy muttered under his breath and left the room, knocking into Harry. He scowled at him and took his place at the table. There was a knock on the door. Mrs. Weasley got up and answered it. It was Tonks followed by Fred and George.
"Oh, boys! You've come home for the holiday! It's great to have you here, we've just sat down to supper." She hugged the twins and closed the door behind them.
"What's Ferret boy doing here?" Fred asked, taking off his jacket.
"He had no where to go for Christmas, and Dumbledore didn't want him wandering about the school grounds, it's too dangerous."
"Well this'll be a most interesting holiday." George smiled.
"Now you two stay out of trouble." Mrs. Weasley warned.
After dinner, Malfoy went to his room, along with Ginny. They called together the people that were there to talk about the risks they were taking with Malfoy in the house. Moody was the first to speak out.
"My Foe-Glass uncovered his identity as a death eater. He's been marked. We can't keep him here."
"It's Dumbledore's orders. Lucius is after him. It's the only place he's safe." Tonks reminded them.
"What've we heard about Voldemort?" Harry asked. He didn't want Malfoy to get all the attention.
"He's disappeared again and he hasn't called on Severus in awhile. He's biding his time before the big attack. His army is ready, but he wants to take care of you first, Harry." Lupin answered.
"Let's just hand Malfoy over to him, that'll be one less thing for us to deal with." Ron muttered.
"It's Dumbledore's duty to protect his students. While Malfoy is still at Hogwarts, he has to protect him." Hermione told him.
"You hiding on the staircase, back to your room!" Moody yelled out. Harry turned to see Malfoy and Ginny running back up the stairs and heard a door slam.
"We can't talk about this while he's in the house." Mrs. Weasley said, standing up.
"I need to know what's going on!" Harry demanded.
"You will in time. The more we find out, the more Dumbledore can tell you." Lupin assured him. Ron, Harry, and Hermione were sent upstairs. Malfoy was sitting on Harry's bed.
"What are you doing in here?" Ron questioned.
"I'm bunking with you two. The twins took my room, and that God awful chicken is in the only other bed room available. I'm NOT sleeping with that thing." Harry stuffled a laugh, then started unpacking his belongings.
"Well there's only two beds." Ron commented.
"Then I guess one of you will be sleeping on the floor. I'm not here on my own free will, so I get a bed. And you need one Weasley, cause I'm sure you don't get comfort like this place back at your parent's home."
"Shut up. And that's Harry's bed. You being here wasn't our choice either, we just have to put up with you."
"I suppose I could go share a bed with Granger, it wouldn't be a new thing." he smirked.
"As if she'd ever make that mistake again." Harry stated, while putting his clothes in the wardrobe.
Malfoy wouldn't budge, so Harry surrendered his bed then went down the hall to sleep in the upstair's study. He tossed and turned, but couldn't manage to fall asleep. He looked at the clock, it was just past one in the morning. He turned over once more onto his side, and stared into the black void of darkness. Having Malfoy there made him uncomfortable. He felt the need to stay watch in case anything happened, so was subconciously unable to sleep. He heard a noise from outside the room, and sat up. The door opened and a light from behind it shone through, casting a dull shadow across the objects in the room.
"Malfoy, what are you doing here?"
"It took my awhile, but I realized where we were. We're in the old Black house. I've been here before... this must've been where that murderer had been hiding out all along from the dementors."
"He was cleared of the charges."
"Pity he didn't live long enough to enjoy his freedom though, eh Potter?"
"Go back to bed."
"You can't tell me what to do. I have more right to be wandering these rooms than you do, my Grandmother's sister lived here."
"And she was just as vile as your family. They've cleaned this house out, you have no rights here. If anything, it belongs to Tonk's now... your cousin. Now go back to bed before I go and get Moody."
"You think that git scares me?" Malfor snarled. The door creaked open. Both boys quickly turned to see who heard them. It was Hermione.
"Would you two just go to sleep? Ginny and I can hear you through the wall. You're going to wake the whole house." she told them, sleepily.
"I can't sleep with Weasley snoring." Malfoy snapped at her.
"You could always go sleep with Buckbeak." Harry mentioned.
"Shut up. Besides I don't trust you, Potter."
"The feeling's mutual. I can't sleep with him wandering the hallways, sneaking about."
"Well if you're going to be stubborn, then do it quietly. Have either of you seen Kreacher about?"
"No, I thought they got rid of him." Harry replied.
"No, he was lurking around Ginny and I's room earlier. He was muttering something about how his master's returned or something. I don't know, I can't remember." she yawned.
"What's Kreacher?" Malfoy asked, nervously.
"He's the Black's old house elf."
"You'd like him. He'll probably be your only friend here by the end of the Holiday." Harry remarked. Malfoy turned his wand on Harry.
"You keep making smart ass remarks at me, Potter and I'll-"
"And you'll what, Draco? Please, the twin's are just waiting for an excuse to hog tie you and try out their new line of products." She said, cooly.
"Keep out of it, you know what I'm capable of."
"She's right you know, no one here is comfortable with you. It's ten to one. You can't try anything." Harry defended. Hermione was looking at Malfoy with a complete look of distaste. Defeated, he returned the look, then left the room and went back to bed.
"I have to come clean, Hermione." Harry said, lowering his wand.
"About what? Can it wait until morning? I'm beat."
"I'm the one who wrote you the note to meet Malfoy in his room. I heard him talking to Pansy and setting up the date. I wanted you to know the truth about him."
"I know, Harry. I've been friends with you for nearly six years. I recognized your handwriting right away."
"Then why'd you go?"
"Because I had to see what it was all about. I had a suspicion he was still with Pansy, and I figured that was what it was about. It's okay. Now if you don't mind, I'd really like to get some sleep." She left the den, leaving Harry once again to toss and turn through out the rest of the night.
"Your sister's looking more and more unlike you, Weasel. She might actually have been considered hot, if it weren't for all the second hand clothing she has to wear." If Malfoy was going to be forced to sit with them, he was going to make the experience as miserable as possible for all of them.
"Shut up, Malfoy." Ron snapped at him. Malfoy smirked. He looked over at Hermione who'd avoided making eye contact with him since they got on the train.
"What's your problem, Granger? Usually you can't shut up." he poked her. She pushed him away. Harry glared at Malfoy. All of them were trying their best not to hex him or backlash. They didn't understand Dumbledore's urgency that he sit on the train with them, until Hermione explained that he could easily tell his friends exactly where he was going, and as since most of his friends had families which were death eaters. If they were going to find out he was staying at the headquarters of the Order, it was best to have them know after the break, rather than the chance of being attacked during. At least after Malfoy had left, they could put a whole new set of curses which kept prying eyes away.
When they arrived at King's Cross, Moody and Lupin were waiting to gather their things. Mrs. Weasley came rushing over to them and gave them all big hugs, except for Malfoy of course.
"Draco, it's good to have you with us. I know this Christmas break won't be as fancy and lavish as the ones your used to, but at least you have company." she told him, cordially.
"Uh, thanks." he remarked. Mad-Eye came up to him and looked him over.
"I don't like the cut of his jib. There's something not right about this one. Malfoy, is it?"
"Yes, professor." Malfoy replied quickly. Harry smiled and laughed to himself. Obviously, Malfoy was still afraid of Moody, after the incident fourth year.
"Psh. Professor. I've never been no professor." Mad-Eye continued to look over him.
"There was an incident in fourth year, your double turned Malfoy into a ferret and bounced him around off the walls." Hermione giggled. Malfoy shot her a look of distaste.
"I'll bet he had a good reason too. I'll be keeping an eye on you, son." Moody warned him and went to help Lupin with the luggage.
"I'm sorry to do this Draco, but I need you to drink this potion." Mrs. Weasley stated handing him a small vile.
"What is it?" he asked, cringing his nose at the smell of it.
"It's just a sleeping draught. It's for our our precautions. You'll wake up in a couple of hours just fine."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you'll be left here on King's Cross, ya will." Moody snapped.
"Just drink it, it's for your own saftey as well, Draco." Lupin told him, throwing the last of the luggage on a trolly. Malfoy looked at everyone standing around, and grudgingly drank the liquid. He fell against Lupin, asleep.
"Now, Harry. May I see your invisibilty cloak?" Lupin asked him. Harry pulled it out of one of his cases. Lupin threw it over Malfoy and proceeded to levitate him. They all walked together back to Grimmaulds Place.
"He's waking up!" Ginny yelled, rushing down the stairs. Harry and Ron's game of Exploding Snap crashed to the floor.
"He looks so much like his father." Mrs. Weasley commented, as she cooked dinner.
"Now, don't get me wrong. Dumbledore is wise, but this has to be the most foolish thing he's done. That boy can't be trusted." Moody remarked.
"If you're going to talk about me, at least wait until I'm in the room. I don't take kindly to be talking behind my back." Malfoy said, as he came down the stairs.
"And we don't take kindly to death eater's boy. Your father is one of the foulest I've met in my day. If you want any hope at a decent break, you'd do best not to talk that way to your elders. Come with me." Moody told him. He took Malfoy by the arm and dragged him into the den. Harry and Ron followed behind, peering through the doorway.
"Do you know what this is?" Moody asked him, pointing to a mirror that hung on the wall. Dark shadows of people were moving through the mirror, except one, who's eyes shon a bright white. Malfoy quickly turned around to face the people in the mirror, but there was no else in the room.
"It's a Foe-Glass, Malfoy. It detects dark beings. When there is a death eater or a dark wizard about, then you can see the whites of their eyes. Do you know why they're glowing now?" Moody asked him. Malfoy shook his head.
"Because you're here! He's marked you, has he?" Moody questioned. Malfoy rolled up his sleeve to show his tattoo. Moody just nodded.
"You'll have to pardon Alastor. It's just, with your father's reputation, he expects nothing short of that from you. I'll have to ask that you don't go snooping about. You may be on our side, but you're not a part of the order, and there are some things you especially don't need to know until we're sure you can be trusted, Draco." Lupin stepped in. Malfoy rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"Molly's finished cooking, so I suggest you come and join us for dinner."
"Brilliant. Stuck with the Weasley's all holiday." Malfoy muttered under his breath and left the room, knocking into Harry. He scowled at him and took his place at the table. There was a knock on the door. Mrs. Weasley got up and answered it. It was Tonks followed by Fred and George.
"Oh, boys! You've come home for the holiday! It's great to have you here, we've just sat down to supper." She hugged the twins and closed the door behind them.
"What's Ferret boy doing here?" Fred asked, taking off his jacket.
"He had no where to go for Christmas, and Dumbledore didn't want him wandering about the school grounds, it's too dangerous."
"Well this'll be a most interesting holiday." George smiled.
"Now you two stay out of trouble." Mrs. Weasley warned.
After dinner, Malfoy went to his room, along with Ginny. They called together the people that were there to talk about the risks they were taking with Malfoy in the house. Moody was the first to speak out.
"My Foe-Glass uncovered his identity as a death eater. He's been marked. We can't keep him here."
"It's Dumbledore's orders. Lucius is after him. It's the only place he's safe." Tonks reminded them.
"What've we heard about Voldemort?" Harry asked. He didn't want Malfoy to get all the attention.
"He's disappeared again and he hasn't called on Severus in awhile. He's biding his time before the big attack. His army is ready, but he wants to take care of you first, Harry." Lupin answered.
"Let's just hand Malfoy over to him, that'll be one less thing for us to deal with." Ron muttered.
"It's Dumbledore's duty to protect his students. While Malfoy is still at Hogwarts, he has to protect him." Hermione told him.
"You hiding on the staircase, back to your room!" Moody yelled out. Harry turned to see Malfoy and Ginny running back up the stairs and heard a door slam.
"We can't talk about this while he's in the house." Mrs. Weasley said, standing up.
"I need to know what's going on!" Harry demanded.
"You will in time. The more we find out, the more Dumbledore can tell you." Lupin assured him. Ron, Harry, and Hermione were sent upstairs. Malfoy was sitting on Harry's bed.
"What are you doing in here?" Ron questioned.
"I'm bunking with you two. The twins took my room, and that God awful chicken is in the only other bed room available. I'm NOT sleeping with that thing." Harry stuffled a laugh, then started unpacking his belongings.
"Well there's only two beds." Ron commented.
"Then I guess one of you will be sleeping on the floor. I'm not here on my own free will, so I get a bed. And you need one Weasley, cause I'm sure you don't get comfort like this place back at your parent's home."
"Shut up. And that's Harry's bed. You being here wasn't our choice either, we just have to put up with you."
"I suppose I could go share a bed with Granger, it wouldn't be a new thing." he smirked.
"As if she'd ever make that mistake again." Harry stated, while putting his clothes in the wardrobe.
Malfoy wouldn't budge, so Harry surrendered his bed then went down the hall to sleep in the upstair's study. He tossed and turned, but couldn't manage to fall asleep. He looked at the clock, it was just past one in the morning. He turned over once more onto his side, and stared into the black void of darkness. Having Malfoy there made him uncomfortable. He felt the need to stay watch in case anything happened, so was subconciously unable to sleep. He heard a noise from outside the room, and sat up. The door opened and a light from behind it shone through, casting a dull shadow across the objects in the room.
"Malfoy, what are you doing here?"
"It took my awhile, but I realized where we were. We're in the old Black house. I've been here before... this must've been where that murderer had been hiding out all along from the dementors."
"He was cleared of the charges."
"Pity he didn't live long enough to enjoy his freedom though, eh Potter?"
"Go back to bed."
"You can't tell me what to do. I have more right to be wandering these rooms than you do, my Grandmother's sister lived here."
"And she was just as vile as your family. They've cleaned this house out, you have no rights here. If anything, it belongs to Tonk's now... your cousin. Now go back to bed before I go and get Moody."
"You think that git scares me?" Malfor snarled. The door creaked open. Both boys quickly turned to see who heard them. It was Hermione.
"Would you two just go to sleep? Ginny and I can hear you through the wall. You're going to wake the whole house." she told them, sleepily.
"I can't sleep with Weasley snoring." Malfoy snapped at her.
"You could always go sleep with Buckbeak." Harry mentioned.
"Shut up. Besides I don't trust you, Potter."
"The feeling's mutual. I can't sleep with him wandering the hallways, sneaking about."
"Well if you're going to be stubborn, then do it quietly. Have either of you seen Kreacher about?"
"No, I thought they got rid of him." Harry replied.
"No, he was lurking around Ginny and I's room earlier. He was muttering something about how his master's returned or something. I don't know, I can't remember." she yawned.
"What's Kreacher?" Malfoy asked, nervously.
"He's the Black's old house elf."
"You'd like him. He'll probably be your only friend here by the end of the Holiday." Harry remarked. Malfoy turned his wand on Harry.
"You keep making smart ass remarks at me, Potter and I'll-"
"And you'll what, Draco? Please, the twin's are just waiting for an excuse to hog tie you and try out their new line of products." She said, cooly.
"Keep out of it, you know what I'm capable of."
"She's right you know, no one here is comfortable with you. It's ten to one. You can't try anything." Harry defended. Hermione was looking at Malfoy with a complete look of distaste. Defeated, he returned the look, then left the room and went back to bed.
"I have to come clean, Hermione." Harry said, lowering his wand.
"About what? Can it wait until morning? I'm beat."
"I'm the one who wrote you the note to meet Malfoy in his room. I heard him talking to Pansy and setting up the date. I wanted you to know the truth about him."
"I know, Harry. I've been friends with you for nearly six years. I recognized your handwriting right away."
"Then why'd you go?"
"Because I had to see what it was all about. I had a suspicion he was still with Pansy, and I figured that was what it was about. It's okay. Now if you don't mind, I'd really like to get some sleep." She left the den, leaving Harry once again to toss and turn through out the rest of the night.