Harry rushed down stairs as quickly as he could, almost tripping over
the steps. Lupin and Mrs. Weasley jumped up from their seats at the
kitchen table and went over to him. He stopped for a minute to catch
his breath.
"Malfoy! He's... on our... side!" he said, between breaths.
"Yes, dear. We know that. Are you all right, you're looking a bit pale Harry. Come have a seat." Mrs. Weasley patted him on the back. Lupin looked up at the stair landing, Ron was close behind Harry.
"I saw it in the Vera-Orb. We can trust him." Harry added.
"What'd you see?" Lupin asked, as they lead him over to the kitchen table. Mrs. Weasley hovered a glass of water over to him. He drank it, feeling as if he hadn't drank anything in days.
"Well, I didn't actually see anything, I heard everything he's been going through since the summer. Crabbe and Goyle, they're spies for Voldemort." he told them as he finally started to return to a normal breathing rate and skin color.
"I should've expected it. Their fathers were Lucius' right hand men." Lupin stated, leaning back in his chair. Mrs. Weasley handed Harry a damp cloth for his head.
"Giving a teenager a Vera-Orb, what was Alastor thinking. I knew you were far too young for it's power." she muttered. Hermione and Malfoy came down, hurriedly. Ron looked at her, she seemed a bit flustered. They both did. He scowled at Malfoy, who winked at him. Harry looked at Malfoy. He wanted to appologize, but he couldn't. Not to Malfoy. He understood him now, but he wasn't like Hermione, he couldn't forget the past five years, when even to that day Malfoy was trying to make his life miserable. He just continued to stare.
"Take a picture, Potter. It'll last longer." Malfoy sat down next to Hermione at the table, across from Harry.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"Well it seems that Harry has learned to work the Vera-Orb. I'm quite astounded, it takes a powerful mind to be able to control it and actually use it." Lupin replied. Malfoy rolled his eyes. "So it wasn't an ordinary seeing orb. What does it do?" she questioned.
"Well it allows the beholder to see into the soul of the person in question to find out their true intentions. You have to be sure that it's what you want to know, your whole heart has to be in it. In this case, Harry heard Malfoy. Usually you see what's going on, but in Harry's case he heard all he needed to hear. As you get older, you'll be able to use it more effeciently."
"Wait, he saw me? What's so deep in your heart about me, Potter?" Malfoy asked, confused.
"I caught him looking into my Pensieve. He saw my battle with Voldemort from fourth year, and Cedric's death. Then he went on to tell me that we didn't have a chance against him, speaking as if he was still one of them. Ron and I decided we'd try and use the Orb again. My feelings of hatred seemed to overwhelm me. I had to know who's side he was on. He was risking my friends and family." Harry directed at Lupin. He turned his attention to Malfoy and continued.
"I saw you, Crabbe, and Goyle recieving your marks. You never said anything about the other two! You knew they were on Voldemort's side, and you said nothing!"
"It wasn't my place to." Malfoy snapped back.
"Then I heard you arguing with your father. He threatened to kill you. Then I heard you attack Hermione while you were held captive. You hurt her!"
"Shut up. That wasn't my fault! If you'd listened to anything that Granger had said before, it was my father!"
"So then you went running to Dumbledore. Threatened him! You said you were going to see to it that he was the first to die! I heard you!"
"I was scared! I bet you like hearing that don't you? I. was. scared." they were at each others throats at this point. Mrs. Weasley pushed Harry back down in his seat, while Hermione pulled Malfoy back.
"What else did you hear Harry?" Lupin asked, calmly. Harry decided not to mention Hermione, he didn't want to embaress her.
"I heard Professor Snape. He was telling him that he'd picked his side, and he had to stick with it. Voldemort already considered him a traitor, and that he'd protect him." Harry replied.
"See, I told you." Malfoy sneered. The room remained quiet for a moment, while Lupin thought about what to do. The twins came walking down the stairs, half asleep.
"What's going on down here?" asked Fred
"What's with all the bickering?" asked George.
"Go back to bed. We'll explain in the morning." Mrs. Weasley replied, shooing them out of the kitchen and back up the stairs.
"I'll write to Alastor in the morning explaining to him everything that happened. That might calm his nerves a bit. Don't be suprised if it doesn't, though. You four need to get some sleep. Back upstairs with you." Lupin said and escorted them to the steps. Hermione stood between Malfoy and Harry.
"I don't know how he expects us to sleep now." Ron mumbled. They saw Kreacher scurry by, the bedroom door stood wide open.
"You don't suspect he got into the pensieve, do you?" Harry asked the others.
"I hope not, Harry. To be honest, you need to find a safer hiding spot for that. Yours is liable to be marked as a very valuable tool. If Voldemort got his hands on it, we could be done for. He'd have an account of every single thing you've been through the past five and a half years. He'd know your weaknesses" Hermione answered, softly.
"Sixteen years, actually. My only memory of my parents is in there." Harry corrected, sadly. Hermione said goodbye to the boys and headed across the hall to her and Ginny's room. Her and Malfoy's eyes met, then they both looked away. Harry closed the door behind Malfoy. A third bed had been added to the room, making it more cramped than it usually was. Harry put his Pensieve into the cupboard and locked it with a charm. They all got ready for bed and settled in.
"I can't sleep." Ron stated after they'd all been laying there in the dark for about an hour.
"Well, I'm at least attempting, if you don't mind." Malfoy turned over and covered himself with the blankets. Harry got out of bed.
"Where are you going?"
"To visit Buckbeak, I've been neglecting him since we got here." Ron got up to follow.
"Oh, come on. I'm not staying in here alone." Malfoy complained.
"Afraid of the dark?" Harry teased.
"I'm not going to risk being hexed by one of you in my sleep." he replied angrily, and crawled out of bed. They quietly walked down the hall way and into the master bedroom where Black had been keeping Buckbeak. The Hippogriff was laying on the floor, peacefully. He looked up when he saw them come in. Harry went over and petted him on the beak. He nudged Harry's hand. Malfoy stood as close to the door as possible, nearly frozen with fear.
"Afraid he'll remember you?" Ron asked him.
"Shut up, Weasel. It wasn't your arm he nearly tore off, now was it?"
"You didn't have to follow us and well maybe if you'd been a little nicer to him instead of calling him names, he wouldn't have done it." Harry stated. Buckbeak turned its attention on Malfoy.
"Just bow to him." Ron smiled. Malfoy was now one with the door. He bowed slowly, not losing eye contact. Cautiously, Buckbeak returned the bow.
"See he forgives you."
"That's nice." Malfoy replied, weakly. He stopped bowing and slowly moved towards the hippogriff. He petted the beak slightly, then quickly took his hand away. He laughed nervously, then regained composure. Harry smiled and petted Buckbeak's feathers. Ron went over to the closet and pulled out a bag of dead rats and ferrets.
"Do you want to feed him?"
"Are you kidding me?" Malfoy jumped back from the bag of dead rodents. He moved back towards the door.
Malfoy spent the rest of the holiday in solitude, sulking in the attic or working on his studies. Hermione joined him occasionally, but spent most of her time with Ron and Harry trying to figure out what Voldemort might be up to. She'd made a huge list of new charms and spells for DA to practice once they got back to school. Ron and Harry worked to learn them just as well as she had. Harry too, found himself to be spending more time alone, with his Pensieve. Putting new memories into it, and going back through his happiest moments. Soon it was time to head back to Hogwarts. Lupin and Mrs. Weasley woke them all up early, yelling about the importance of them being at King's Cross on time.
"All right! I get the importance!" he snapped back at Mrs. Weasley when she'd come into the bedroom a third time to make sure they were packing. She looked taken back, then huffed and left the room.
"It was never like this at the mansion." he added under his breath.
"Why do you treat my mom like that?"
"Because she's mudblood-loving filth, Weasley."
"You are too, you keep forgetting how much you fancy Hermione." Harry pointed out, shoving the last of his belongings into his already over stuffed suitcase.
"I don't fancy her. She fancy's me. To me, it's just sex. I'm with Parkinson." Malfoy smirked and sat down on his bed. He didn't have anything to pack since he'd never unpacked in the first place.
"Yeah, you keep mentioning that, but I wouldn't brag. Pansy looks like a overstuffed pug." Ron commented.
"Shut up. She's a pureblood, and more witch than Granger will ever be."
"Yet, Hermione is the only one that can talk some sense into you. I heard her in the Vera-Orb. The things she says to you are always running through your head, aren't they?" Harry sat down on his bed and faced Malfoy, who just scowled at him. George and Fred showed up at the door.
"You ready then?"
"Mom wants to have a word with you before you head on over to King's Cross." Fred said and looked at Malfoy, who seemed to be a worst mood than ever. They lugged their suitcases downstairs.
"Hey can you boys help?" Ginny called from upstairs. Ron and Harry went to help the girls with their things. Harry was having a hard time with Hermione's.
"What's in here? The library?"
"Just a few selected readings that Tonks said I could borrow from the Black's collection. I'm thinking there might be something in them that can help us be prepared for whatever Voldemort has planned." she replied and helped push it from the bedroom onto the landing. Harry was out of breath.
"Oh please." Malfoy scoffed then grabbed the suitcase from Harry and drug it downstairs. Harry helped Ron with Ginny's, which was reasonably lighter. Mrs. Weasley gathered them around.
"It's been so good having all of you here with us for Christmas. I hope you all have a good term, and send an owl if you need anything." She hugged everyone, but Malfoy, Fred and George. The twins were staying of official Order business.
"Now for the matter of getting you back to school. We can't use the potion again, because you need to be awake for the prefect's meeting, so this is a huge deal of trust, Draco." she continued, facing Malfoy.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't tell anyone the location of the Order. I got it." he rolled his eyes. They proceeded to walk down to King's Cross, pushing their belongings on carts. Harry was out of breath by the time they reached the train station. They moved their way to the spot between platforms nine and ten. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny went first.
"We'll see you on the other side boys, be careful." Mrs. Weasley smiled and followed Ginny through.
"Who wants to go next?" Ron asked. Hermione decided she'd go, and made sure that no one around was watching. She got a headstart and ran towards the barrier. She ran straight into it, causing a commotion. Ron and Harry helped her up, while Malfoy doubled over laughing.
"It's not funny. The barrier is shut." she snapped, dusting herself off and nursing her arm. Harry tried to push his hand through, but all he felt was the cold stone of the column.
"So then how do we get through?" Malfoy asked, and leaned against his cart.
"I don't know, Dobby had closed it before our second year. That's when we stole the car..." Harry stated, still pressing against the rock hoping that it'd work. It remained solid.
"Well we can't go around stealing cars now can we?"
"Shut up, Malfoy." Harry helped Hermione pick up her belongings and put them back on her cart.
"I figured I'd find you with them, Draco. Look at how pathetic you've become." they heard a deep voice from behind them. Everyone turned and faced Lucius Malfoy. Malfoy stepped back into Ron, then shoved him aside.
"Your mother was worried when you didn't come home for the holiday. I knew you'd have too much shame to come back. You've become a disgrace to the family name. My own flesh and blood." he continued. Harry, Malfoy, and Hermione all pulled out their wands immediatly as Lucius began to slowly advance on them.
"Do you think I'm dumbwitted enough to use magic. I've just come to offer you once last chance to show your loyalty to your family. Defy me again, and you'll be no different than them to me. I'll kill you the first chance I get."
"Then you better start planning for my funeral than shouldn't you? I've made my decision."
"Don't be cheeky. I'm still your legal guardian, don't expect to remain at the school for much longer."
"What are you going to do, father? Pull me out? Hell if Dumbledore will send me back to you."
"What have they done to you? What've they brainwashed you with? By the end of this, you'll see you chose the wrong side, and you'll suffer for it. Dumbledore's pathetic followers won't trust you with anything, they know your history better than you do. Once the Dark Lord has what he needs, who do you think they'll turn on first? I can't believe I ever called you my son. I'll call on you again within the next month. You have one more chance." Lucius growled, then apparated. Malfoy's eyes glistened, but he refused to shed any tears. Instead, he turned his anger at Ron who was still standing next to him.
"What are you looking at, Weasel?" he snarled, then threw a book at one of the trains. A passing guard came up to them, looking a bit biwildered.
"You think you're funny do you? Throwing books around. I'm going to be back here in five minutes, if I catches you around here again, I'll take you in. Got that?" he lectured.
"Sorry, sir." Malfoy gritted through his teeth. The guard walked off, only looking back once and shaking his head.
"Oh my God! We've missed the train!" Hermione nearly shrieked, looking up at the clock. She leaned against her cart, wanting to cry.
"They're going to take away my prefect badge. I'll have to go home to my parents for the rest of the school year. I'll be behind everyone in our classes."
"Calm down, Hermione. We can take the Knight Bus." Harry told her. They dragged their things outside and waited. About ten minutes later a triple decker purple bus pulled up next to them, with a BANG. Ron moaned.
"I hate the Knight Bus." he complained and stood up. Stan came out and smiled at them.
"You again, well come on then, don't just stand there. Can't keep yerselved outta trouble can, ya." Stan stated as he loaded their suitcases. They got on board and looked for a place to sit. It was rather empty than it had been the previous year. They all took seats on the first floor. Stan eyed Malfoy as he sat down next to Hermione.
"'Eaded off to 'Ogwarts again then?" he asked Harry, who nodded.
"All right then, Ern! 'Ogsmeade!" Stan yelled at the driver, and with another BANG the bus lurched forward knocking Malfoy into Hermione, who knocked into Ron, who pushed Harry over in his seat. They clung to dear life to the polls by the seats.
"You're looking paler than normal, Malfoy. Can't handle it?" Harry asked. Malfoy shot him a glare, then was thrown forward. Hermione clung to him to hold him in his seat, and to keep herself from falling over as well.
"I've seen your father in the paper, there mate! You're the Malfoy's kid, right?" Stan questioned. Malfoy ignored him.
"Well fine then, it's just the ministry's 'eadstrong 'bout findin him. Dangerous wizard 'e is. You anythin like 'im?" once again, Malfoy pretended he didn't hear him. Stan got the point and left to go talk to a witch who was in the far back of the bus.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Ron muttered, clutching his stomach as the Knight Bus pulled into Hogsmeade. They got off and grabbed their luggage, with another BANG they were left to themselves in the middle of the village.
"That way." Hermione pointed and started trying to drag her suitcase. Malfoy rolled his eyes and pulled out his wand.
"Wingardium Leviosa! Honestly, Granger." he muttered, and walked ahead of her. She blushed as he left her standing there feeling like an idiot. The rest of them levitated their things and walked towards Hogwarts. They'd gotten back to school before the Hogwarts Express. They placed their things in the hallway and headed towards Dumbledore's office, they were greeted half way, by Snape.
"Good to see you've arrived." he said coldly. Harry half thought he'd been hoping they would've missed the train and stayed behind with the Order.
"We need to see Professor Dumbledore." Malfoy told him. Snape nodded and led them up to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore was petting Faux who'd, it seemed, recently burst into flames.
"You've all made it back safely, very good. I heard that there was a problem at King's Cross and was afraid that something'd happened. I sent Molly back looking for you, but she told me she couldn't find sight of you anywhere. Have a seat." he smiled, and sat down in his chair at his desk. Malfoy and Harry took the two seats, while Ron and Hermione stood between the two chairs.
"I know you must be frustrated with the fact that niether Molly nor Reamus were able to tell you anything about the current situation, but I'm afraid I didn't want to spoil your holidays."
"So it is bad." Harry stated.
"Voldemort's plan to attack the school is nearly finished. He called Severus to him about two weeks ago, to discuss the details in further. It is to happen on the fifteenth of March." he continued.
"The Ides of March." Hermione thought out loud.
"Yes, it was also a planned Hogmeade visit. He'd orginally decided to attack the village and move his way into the school, as you know Mr. Malfoy. But your father has suggested a change of plans, as he figured you'd already given me that piece of information. He's going to use the dementors to get his army into the school and attack us directly. My abilities no longer threaten him, I'm afraid."
"So what are we going to do?" Harry asked.
"That I cannot tell you at the present moment, but be assured that when I can, I'll call on you again. Now, I think the others have arrived, so you best join your classmates. Don't think on it too much, as worry does the mind and body no good." Dumbledore stood up and led them to the door. As they decended the staircase they saw the rest of the school coming in, talking about their holiday and the things they got for Christmas, completly unaware of what they were going to have to face in a few months time.
"I'll see you tonight, then?" Malfoy directed at Hermione."
"Yes, in the Room of Requirement this time. Dumbledore thought it'd be safer there." she replied. He nodded then headed back towards the Slytherin common room. Pansy ran up to him and kissed him. Hermione watched, perplexed.
"You're still tutoring him? But his grades are back up." Ron stated as they headed towards the Great Hall for the feast. She blushed.
"I've been teaching him about Occlumency since October, with Snape's help of course."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"It wasn't that important. It's just so that he'll be able to fight back against his father better. That way he can be of some use to us without Voldemort finding out everything he knows. It's not that big of a deal." she stated and walked off quickly towards the Great Hall, leaving Harry and Ron at her stunned.
"I didn't know she knew about that sort of thing." Ron commented. Harry shrugged and they walked off after her.
"Malfoy! He's... on our... side!" he said, between breaths.
"Yes, dear. We know that. Are you all right, you're looking a bit pale Harry. Come have a seat." Mrs. Weasley patted him on the back. Lupin looked up at the stair landing, Ron was close behind Harry.
"I saw it in the Vera-Orb. We can trust him." Harry added.
"What'd you see?" Lupin asked, as they lead him over to the kitchen table. Mrs. Weasley hovered a glass of water over to him. He drank it, feeling as if he hadn't drank anything in days.
"Well, I didn't actually see anything, I heard everything he's been going through since the summer. Crabbe and Goyle, they're spies for Voldemort." he told them as he finally started to return to a normal breathing rate and skin color.
"I should've expected it. Their fathers were Lucius' right hand men." Lupin stated, leaning back in his chair. Mrs. Weasley handed Harry a damp cloth for his head.
"Giving a teenager a Vera-Orb, what was Alastor thinking. I knew you were far too young for it's power." she muttered. Hermione and Malfoy came down, hurriedly. Ron looked at her, she seemed a bit flustered. They both did. He scowled at Malfoy, who winked at him. Harry looked at Malfoy. He wanted to appologize, but he couldn't. Not to Malfoy. He understood him now, but he wasn't like Hermione, he couldn't forget the past five years, when even to that day Malfoy was trying to make his life miserable. He just continued to stare.
"Take a picture, Potter. It'll last longer." Malfoy sat down next to Hermione at the table, across from Harry.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked.
"Well it seems that Harry has learned to work the Vera-Orb. I'm quite astounded, it takes a powerful mind to be able to control it and actually use it." Lupin replied. Malfoy rolled his eyes. "So it wasn't an ordinary seeing orb. What does it do?" she questioned.
"Well it allows the beholder to see into the soul of the person in question to find out their true intentions. You have to be sure that it's what you want to know, your whole heart has to be in it. In this case, Harry heard Malfoy. Usually you see what's going on, but in Harry's case he heard all he needed to hear. As you get older, you'll be able to use it more effeciently."
"Wait, he saw me? What's so deep in your heart about me, Potter?" Malfoy asked, confused.
"I caught him looking into my Pensieve. He saw my battle with Voldemort from fourth year, and Cedric's death. Then he went on to tell me that we didn't have a chance against him, speaking as if he was still one of them. Ron and I decided we'd try and use the Orb again. My feelings of hatred seemed to overwhelm me. I had to know who's side he was on. He was risking my friends and family." Harry directed at Lupin. He turned his attention to Malfoy and continued.
"I saw you, Crabbe, and Goyle recieving your marks. You never said anything about the other two! You knew they were on Voldemort's side, and you said nothing!"
"It wasn't my place to." Malfoy snapped back.
"Then I heard you arguing with your father. He threatened to kill you. Then I heard you attack Hermione while you were held captive. You hurt her!"
"Shut up. That wasn't my fault! If you'd listened to anything that Granger had said before, it was my father!"
"So then you went running to Dumbledore. Threatened him! You said you were going to see to it that he was the first to die! I heard you!"
"I was scared! I bet you like hearing that don't you? I. was. scared." they were at each others throats at this point. Mrs. Weasley pushed Harry back down in his seat, while Hermione pulled Malfoy back.
"What else did you hear Harry?" Lupin asked, calmly. Harry decided not to mention Hermione, he didn't want to embaress her.
"I heard Professor Snape. He was telling him that he'd picked his side, and he had to stick with it. Voldemort already considered him a traitor, and that he'd protect him." Harry replied.
"See, I told you." Malfoy sneered. The room remained quiet for a moment, while Lupin thought about what to do. The twins came walking down the stairs, half asleep.
"What's going on down here?" asked Fred
"What's with all the bickering?" asked George.
"Go back to bed. We'll explain in the morning." Mrs. Weasley replied, shooing them out of the kitchen and back up the stairs.
"I'll write to Alastor in the morning explaining to him everything that happened. That might calm his nerves a bit. Don't be suprised if it doesn't, though. You four need to get some sleep. Back upstairs with you." Lupin said and escorted them to the steps. Hermione stood between Malfoy and Harry.
"I don't know how he expects us to sleep now." Ron mumbled. They saw Kreacher scurry by, the bedroom door stood wide open.
"You don't suspect he got into the pensieve, do you?" Harry asked the others.
"I hope not, Harry. To be honest, you need to find a safer hiding spot for that. Yours is liable to be marked as a very valuable tool. If Voldemort got his hands on it, we could be done for. He'd have an account of every single thing you've been through the past five and a half years. He'd know your weaknesses" Hermione answered, softly.
"Sixteen years, actually. My only memory of my parents is in there." Harry corrected, sadly. Hermione said goodbye to the boys and headed across the hall to her and Ginny's room. Her and Malfoy's eyes met, then they both looked away. Harry closed the door behind Malfoy. A third bed had been added to the room, making it more cramped than it usually was. Harry put his Pensieve into the cupboard and locked it with a charm. They all got ready for bed and settled in.
"I can't sleep." Ron stated after they'd all been laying there in the dark for about an hour.
"Well, I'm at least attempting, if you don't mind." Malfoy turned over and covered himself with the blankets. Harry got out of bed.
"Where are you going?"
"To visit Buckbeak, I've been neglecting him since we got here." Ron got up to follow.
"Oh, come on. I'm not staying in here alone." Malfoy complained.
"Afraid of the dark?" Harry teased.
"I'm not going to risk being hexed by one of you in my sleep." he replied angrily, and crawled out of bed. They quietly walked down the hall way and into the master bedroom where Black had been keeping Buckbeak. The Hippogriff was laying on the floor, peacefully. He looked up when he saw them come in. Harry went over and petted him on the beak. He nudged Harry's hand. Malfoy stood as close to the door as possible, nearly frozen with fear.
"Afraid he'll remember you?" Ron asked him.
"Shut up, Weasel. It wasn't your arm he nearly tore off, now was it?"
"You didn't have to follow us and well maybe if you'd been a little nicer to him instead of calling him names, he wouldn't have done it." Harry stated. Buckbeak turned its attention on Malfoy.
"Just bow to him." Ron smiled. Malfoy was now one with the door. He bowed slowly, not losing eye contact. Cautiously, Buckbeak returned the bow.
"See he forgives you."
"That's nice." Malfoy replied, weakly. He stopped bowing and slowly moved towards the hippogriff. He petted the beak slightly, then quickly took his hand away. He laughed nervously, then regained composure. Harry smiled and petted Buckbeak's feathers. Ron went over to the closet and pulled out a bag of dead rats and ferrets.
"Do you want to feed him?"
"Are you kidding me?" Malfoy jumped back from the bag of dead rodents. He moved back towards the door.
Malfoy spent the rest of the holiday in solitude, sulking in the attic or working on his studies. Hermione joined him occasionally, but spent most of her time with Ron and Harry trying to figure out what Voldemort might be up to. She'd made a huge list of new charms and spells for DA to practice once they got back to school. Ron and Harry worked to learn them just as well as she had. Harry too, found himself to be spending more time alone, with his Pensieve. Putting new memories into it, and going back through his happiest moments. Soon it was time to head back to Hogwarts. Lupin and Mrs. Weasley woke them all up early, yelling about the importance of them being at King's Cross on time.
"All right! I get the importance!" he snapped back at Mrs. Weasley when she'd come into the bedroom a third time to make sure they were packing. She looked taken back, then huffed and left the room.
"It was never like this at the mansion." he added under his breath.
"Why do you treat my mom like that?"
"Because she's mudblood-loving filth, Weasley."
"You are too, you keep forgetting how much you fancy Hermione." Harry pointed out, shoving the last of his belongings into his already over stuffed suitcase.
"I don't fancy her. She fancy's me. To me, it's just sex. I'm with Parkinson." Malfoy smirked and sat down on his bed. He didn't have anything to pack since he'd never unpacked in the first place.
"Yeah, you keep mentioning that, but I wouldn't brag. Pansy looks like a overstuffed pug." Ron commented.
"Shut up. She's a pureblood, and more witch than Granger will ever be."
"Yet, Hermione is the only one that can talk some sense into you. I heard her in the Vera-Orb. The things she says to you are always running through your head, aren't they?" Harry sat down on his bed and faced Malfoy, who just scowled at him. George and Fred showed up at the door.
"You ready then?"
"Mom wants to have a word with you before you head on over to King's Cross." Fred said and looked at Malfoy, who seemed to be a worst mood than ever. They lugged their suitcases downstairs.
"Hey can you boys help?" Ginny called from upstairs. Ron and Harry went to help the girls with their things. Harry was having a hard time with Hermione's.
"What's in here? The library?"
"Just a few selected readings that Tonks said I could borrow from the Black's collection. I'm thinking there might be something in them that can help us be prepared for whatever Voldemort has planned." she replied and helped push it from the bedroom onto the landing. Harry was out of breath.
"Oh please." Malfoy scoffed then grabbed the suitcase from Harry and drug it downstairs. Harry helped Ron with Ginny's, which was reasonably lighter. Mrs. Weasley gathered them around.
"It's been so good having all of you here with us for Christmas. I hope you all have a good term, and send an owl if you need anything." She hugged everyone, but Malfoy, Fred and George. The twins were staying of official Order business.
"Now for the matter of getting you back to school. We can't use the potion again, because you need to be awake for the prefect's meeting, so this is a huge deal of trust, Draco." she continued, facing Malfoy.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't tell anyone the location of the Order. I got it." he rolled his eyes. They proceeded to walk down to King's Cross, pushing their belongings on carts. Harry was out of breath by the time they reached the train station. They moved their way to the spot between platforms nine and ten. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny went first.
"We'll see you on the other side boys, be careful." Mrs. Weasley smiled and followed Ginny through.
"Who wants to go next?" Ron asked. Hermione decided she'd go, and made sure that no one around was watching. She got a headstart and ran towards the barrier. She ran straight into it, causing a commotion. Ron and Harry helped her up, while Malfoy doubled over laughing.
"It's not funny. The barrier is shut." she snapped, dusting herself off and nursing her arm. Harry tried to push his hand through, but all he felt was the cold stone of the column.
"So then how do we get through?" Malfoy asked, and leaned against his cart.
"I don't know, Dobby had closed it before our second year. That's when we stole the car..." Harry stated, still pressing against the rock hoping that it'd work. It remained solid.
"Well we can't go around stealing cars now can we?"
"Shut up, Malfoy." Harry helped Hermione pick up her belongings and put them back on her cart.
"I figured I'd find you with them, Draco. Look at how pathetic you've become." they heard a deep voice from behind them. Everyone turned and faced Lucius Malfoy. Malfoy stepped back into Ron, then shoved him aside.
"Your mother was worried when you didn't come home for the holiday. I knew you'd have too much shame to come back. You've become a disgrace to the family name. My own flesh and blood." he continued. Harry, Malfoy, and Hermione all pulled out their wands immediatly as Lucius began to slowly advance on them.
"Do you think I'm dumbwitted enough to use magic. I've just come to offer you once last chance to show your loyalty to your family. Defy me again, and you'll be no different than them to me. I'll kill you the first chance I get."
"Then you better start planning for my funeral than shouldn't you? I've made my decision."
"Don't be cheeky. I'm still your legal guardian, don't expect to remain at the school for much longer."
"What are you going to do, father? Pull me out? Hell if Dumbledore will send me back to you."
"What have they done to you? What've they brainwashed you with? By the end of this, you'll see you chose the wrong side, and you'll suffer for it. Dumbledore's pathetic followers won't trust you with anything, they know your history better than you do. Once the Dark Lord has what he needs, who do you think they'll turn on first? I can't believe I ever called you my son. I'll call on you again within the next month. You have one more chance." Lucius growled, then apparated. Malfoy's eyes glistened, but he refused to shed any tears. Instead, he turned his anger at Ron who was still standing next to him.
"What are you looking at, Weasel?" he snarled, then threw a book at one of the trains. A passing guard came up to them, looking a bit biwildered.
"You think you're funny do you? Throwing books around. I'm going to be back here in five minutes, if I catches you around here again, I'll take you in. Got that?" he lectured.
"Sorry, sir." Malfoy gritted through his teeth. The guard walked off, only looking back once and shaking his head.
"Oh my God! We've missed the train!" Hermione nearly shrieked, looking up at the clock. She leaned against her cart, wanting to cry.
"They're going to take away my prefect badge. I'll have to go home to my parents for the rest of the school year. I'll be behind everyone in our classes."
"Calm down, Hermione. We can take the Knight Bus." Harry told her. They dragged their things outside and waited. About ten minutes later a triple decker purple bus pulled up next to them, with a BANG. Ron moaned.
"I hate the Knight Bus." he complained and stood up. Stan came out and smiled at them.
"You again, well come on then, don't just stand there. Can't keep yerselved outta trouble can, ya." Stan stated as he loaded their suitcases. They got on board and looked for a place to sit. It was rather empty than it had been the previous year. They all took seats on the first floor. Stan eyed Malfoy as he sat down next to Hermione.
"'Eaded off to 'Ogwarts again then?" he asked Harry, who nodded.
"All right then, Ern! 'Ogsmeade!" Stan yelled at the driver, and with another BANG the bus lurched forward knocking Malfoy into Hermione, who knocked into Ron, who pushed Harry over in his seat. They clung to dear life to the polls by the seats.
"You're looking paler than normal, Malfoy. Can't handle it?" Harry asked. Malfoy shot him a glare, then was thrown forward. Hermione clung to him to hold him in his seat, and to keep herself from falling over as well.
"I've seen your father in the paper, there mate! You're the Malfoy's kid, right?" Stan questioned. Malfoy ignored him.
"Well fine then, it's just the ministry's 'eadstrong 'bout findin him. Dangerous wizard 'e is. You anythin like 'im?" once again, Malfoy pretended he didn't hear him. Stan got the point and left to go talk to a witch who was in the far back of the bus.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Ron muttered, clutching his stomach as the Knight Bus pulled into Hogsmeade. They got off and grabbed their luggage, with another BANG they were left to themselves in the middle of the village.
"That way." Hermione pointed and started trying to drag her suitcase. Malfoy rolled his eyes and pulled out his wand.
"Wingardium Leviosa! Honestly, Granger." he muttered, and walked ahead of her. She blushed as he left her standing there feeling like an idiot. The rest of them levitated their things and walked towards Hogwarts. They'd gotten back to school before the Hogwarts Express. They placed their things in the hallway and headed towards Dumbledore's office, they were greeted half way, by Snape.
"Good to see you've arrived." he said coldly. Harry half thought he'd been hoping they would've missed the train and stayed behind with the Order.
"We need to see Professor Dumbledore." Malfoy told him. Snape nodded and led them up to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore was petting Faux who'd, it seemed, recently burst into flames.
"You've all made it back safely, very good. I heard that there was a problem at King's Cross and was afraid that something'd happened. I sent Molly back looking for you, but she told me she couldn't find sight of you anywhere. Have a seat." he smiled, and sat down in his chair at his desk. Malfoy and Harry took the two seats, while Ron and Hermione stood between the two chairs.
"I know you must be frustrated with the fact that niether Molly nor Reamus were able to tell you anything about the current situation, but I'm afraid I didn't want to spoil your holidays."
"So it is bad." Harry stated.
"Voldemort's plan to attack the school is nearly finished. He called Severus to him about two weeks ago, to discuss the details in further. It is to happen on the fifteenth of March." he continued.
"The Ides of March." Hermione thought out loud.
"Yes, it was also a planned Hogmeade visit. He'd orginally decided to attack the village and move his way into the school, as you know Mr. Malfoy. But your father has suggested a change of plans, as he figured you'd already given me that piece of information. He's going to use the dementors to get his army into the school and attack us directly. My abilities no longer threaten him, I'm afraid."
"So what are we going to do?" Harry asked.
"That I cannot tell you at the present moment, but be assured that when I can, I'll call on you again. Now, I think the others have arrived, so you best join your classmates. Don't think on it too much, as worry does the mind and body no good." Dumbledore stood up and led them to the door. As they decended the staircase they saw the rest of the school coming in, talking about their holiday and the things they got for Christmas, completly unaware of what they were going to have to face in a few months time.
"I'll see you tonight, then?" Malfoy directed at Hermione."
"Yes, in the Room of Requirement this time. Dumbledore thought it'd be safer there." she replied. He nodded then headed back towards the Slytherin common room. Pansy ran up to him and kissed him. Hermione watched, perplexed.
"You're still tutoring him? But his grades are back up." Ron stated as they headed towards the Great Hall for the feast. She blushed.
"I've been teaching him about Occlumency since October, with Snape's help of course."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"It wasn't that important. It's just so that he'll be able to fight back against his father better. That way he can be of some use to us without Voldemort finding out everything he knows. It's not that big of a deal." she stated and walked off quickly towards the Great Hall, leaving Harry and Ron at her stunned.
"I didn't know she knew about that sort of thing." Ron commented. Harry shrugged and they walked off after her.