Chapter 1: Deceitful appearances
A/N: Thanks to every one who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are great!!!
Also thanks Captn Jack Sparrow who beta-read this chapter for me. (She is German too, so there will probably still be mistakes.)
In case you haven't guessed it already, this takes place directly after book 5. It contains spoilers for all of the previous HP books.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters, places...
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After crying for a while Draco lifted his head and wiped away his tears angrily. He knew that it was partly his fault that Harry and his friends hated him. But it still made him miserable. He was sad that he couldn't show Harry who he really was. He had always told himself that it was because he had to keep up the façade as son of a deatheater, but he knew that was only part of why he had treated Harry badly. He wouldn't be able to handle another rejection like when Harry refused to take his hand in first year. He knew it wasn't Harry's fault because of the spell Harry was under. Once he found out who had performed the curse they would have to pay for doing this to Harry and him.
Lucius watched his son closely, concern shining in his eyes. The Malfoy family was not as cold as they were thought to be, well at least the two male Malfoys. Narcissa had always been indifferent towards everything and could be considered cold. Still it was utterly unlike Draco to break in such a fashion and Lucius was lost at what to do.
Draco looked at his father. "I take it your trial went well then?" he said trying a smile. He was genuinely happy that his father had been released from prison.
His father grinned. "I wouldn't be here if it didn't, would I" he said trying to lighten up the mood.
Draco smirked "I don't know, you could have escaped"
"Dumbledore testified that I was spying for the Order. They had to let me go after that. Fudge was not happy about that." Lucius said with a grin.
"Who would have thought that." Draco said still smirking. Then he continued more seriously: "Will you continue to work for the Order"
Lucius thought for a moment. "I don't know why I should work for a bunch of people who sent a child to fight their battles for them" he said thinking of Harry's sad expression back at the train station. "I'll help fight Voldemort, but I will not join the Order" he said.
Draco smiled at him. "Good decision Dad" "Does Mother know?" he added in an afterthought.
"What about me being out of prison, or about me betraying Voldemort?" he asked.
"Both." Draco said looking at his father. He knew that Lucius didn't love Narcissa and that his mother didn't care about either him or her son, but he was still curious of how she might have reacted hearing that her husband didn't support her Master.
"I bet she has already heard about it. There were a lot of people at my trial and I'm almost certain that she had someone to listen there." Lucius said.
At that time a large black owl appeared at the window. Lucius quickly walked over to let her in. The bird dropped an envelope in front of him and let. Lucius performed a quick spell to ensure that it wasn't cursed and than picked it up.
"It's from your mother" he said absentminded while scanning the letter. "She is asking for a divorce."
Draco couldn't keep himself from smiling. He was happy about the fact that his father would finally be free. His parent's marriage had been arranged by their parents and neither of them had been happy.
"I am going to take the papers to a lawyer to check them. I would not put it past Narcissa to try to get back at me by claiming the Malfoy fortune for her or something alike. But since it was her who has asked for an annulment of our marriage, I do not see a reason why she should get anything." He smirked and turned to his son who was still smiling at him.
"Well, I am going to sent a letter to Mr. Riqueza, are you going to be can I leave you here by yourself?" he asked his son teasingly.
"Very funny, Dad. Yes, I'm going to be fine, but I'm not going to stay here. I am going to go outside to fly." He answered taking his broom and leaving the room after his father.
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With one last look at Snape Harry stepped through the barrier and was soon standing between platforms 9 and 10. He moved to the right a little just in time to avoid a collision with Mr. Weasley who was dragging a still struggling Ron through the opening.
"Where are those relatives of yours? We thought we might have a little chat with them before letting them take you home" Mr. Weasley asked looking up and down the platform.
"I don't know if that's a good idea" Harry said at once, shivering at the thought what the Dursleys would do to him later.
"Oh, I think it is," Fred said. "We have to make sure they treat you all- right, mate" George continued giving Harry a friendly punch on the arm. Harry closed his eyes and sighed.
"That's them, right Harry?" Hermione asked looking at him.
Harry quickly opened his eyes and saw the tree Dursleys standing at the end of Platform 9 scowling darkly at everyone daring to come closer than 10 feet. He nodded.
"Well, lets go then" Ron said.
They all walked over to where Harry's family was standing. Dudley and Petunia quickly move to stand behind Vernon, who was eyeing the group of wizards suspiciously. Then his gaze fell on Harry who was standing a couple of feet behind the rest of the others. A look of pure disgust crossed the fat muggle's face but it was quickly pushed away. "Are you ready, boy?" he snapped.
Harry got his trunk and moved to stand beside his uncle, who turned to leave but was interrupted by Mr. Weasley who said: "Mr. Dursley? You might remember me, I'm Ron's father. I picked up Harry summer before last."
Harry couldn't keep himself from snorting. Of course Uncle Vernon remembered. Mr. Weasley had demolished the whole living-room of the usual neat Dursley-House. Next summer Harry had gotten what was probably the worst beating of his life for it. That said something because Harry had been beaten ever since he could remember. He was used to it by now, but that time was worse than ever. He had been hurt so badly that he could hardly move for four days.
Vernon Dursley glared at him, but that didn't seem to intimidate Mr. Weasley. He kept on talking.
"Ah, it seems you do. Good. I wanted to talk to you about the way Harry is treated when he is at your house."
"I am not aware that it is any of your business what is going on at my house" Harry's uncle answered scowling darkly.
"Well, it is if it is concerning Harry" Mr. Weasley replied calmly. "We expect that he is treated correctly" he continued watching the three Dursleys, who just continued to stare at them.
"And if we here that you've been horrible to him, we'll find out about it. You know what happened the last time right?" George said, grinning evilly.
Dudley whimpered at that remembering the way his tongue had grew to the size of a Python after having eaten one of the twins toffees. He tried to hide behind his mother what was in vain since he was about three times he seize.
"We expect to hear from Harry every three days." Mr. Weasley added.
With one last glare Vernon Dursley turned around his wife and son following quickly. Harry picked up his trunk and started after them. "Don't worry, Harry if they do something just tell us and we'll come to help you." Mr. Weasley said smiling at him.
'Yeah, like you have done that every other time they did something to him' he thought sadly. He put on a brave smile.
"I'll see you after the holydays, guys" he said to Ron and Hermione. "Goodbye Mr. Weasley" he said turning around. "By Fred and George" he called over his shoulder. He then hurried along and only caught up with the Dursleys at their car. He moved to put his stuff in the trunk and sat down in the back seat next to Dudley who seemed to have gained another 20 pounds and was occupying more than half of the seat.
Uncle Vernon started the car. He was fuming. 'How dare they talk to me like that' he thought livid. He quickly left Kings Cross to get home to deal with Harry who he thought was responsible for this humiliation. He turned around and glared at his nephew.
At this moment Dudley elbowed Harry in the ribs. "Move over, you are talking too much space" he grunted.
Harry sighed and moved to the side. 'Welcome home, Harry' he thought sarcastically.
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When Draco arrived at the front lawn, he quickly mounted his broom and started to climb higher and higher, then, on a dime he turned around and was now heading straight down to earth. He only pulled out of the dive when he was a few feet away from the ground.
He loved to be in the air, to feel the wind on his face. It always lifted his spirits. He continued to fly like that his stunts getting more and more dangerous as time passed. He was able to forget about his problems and to enjoy the flying.
When he went back inside the sun was already setting. He went by the kitchen to grab a bite to eat and headed to his room where he collapsed on the bed and fell asleep soon after.
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When they arrived at Privet Drive the Dursleys Vernon Dursley stormed inside still fuming from the talk to the Weasleys had given him. He was sure that Harry had asked those freaks to do that. That boy was going to pay for embarrassing him like that.
Harry heaved his trunk out of the car and followed his uncle slowly. He had seen the look on his uncles face and didn't like it at all. It was the look he was giving Harry when he was about to explode. He had seen it so many times before.
Harry lowered his head and entered the house silently praying that he was going to get to his room safely. His hopes were in vain though. He had just steppe through the door when Uncle Vernon grabbed him by the collar and pushed him roughly against the front door.
"You think that was funny, don't you boy?" he yelled
"No, sir, Harry managed to choke out. He had trouble breathing. Uncle Vernon's grip was merciless pinning him against the cold wood. Harry closed his eyes and waited for the first punch.
At this moment aunt Petunia appeared in the doorway holding her purse in her hand. "Vernon, did you forget? We are going to go out to celebrate Dudley's return from school."
"I'll be out in a minute." He said to his wife who turned to leave.
At this time Harry heard Dudley from the outside whining: "Dad, where are you? I'm starving"
Miraculously the grip loosened a little and Harry dared to open his eyes only to see his uncle glaring at him.
"This isn't over yet, boy," he said venomously. Harry shivered. That didn't sound good. He just nodded weakly.
"You will stay in the cupboard until we return." Harry winced. He hadn't been in there since he had gotten the letter telling him he was a wizard. He didn't think that he would ever have to go back there. He sure had hoped so. He hated it. It was dirty and brought back many bad memories.
"If you dare to use any of your abnormal tricks to get out of there, I am going to make sure that you will never leave this house again!!!" Uncle Vernon barked at Harry his face seemed to turn purple from all the yelling he was doing.
Then Harry was thrown into the cupboard and the Dursleys left. He was alone in the dark. He sank down onto the floor shivering slightly. In an attempt to comfort himself he pulled his knees up to his chin and wrapped his arms around them. He looked around sadly. It still looked the same as it did when he was moved to Dudley's second bedroom. There were the few toys he had have as a small child. They were all broken having once belonged to Dudley. There was the old tattered blanket he used to sleep with. He took it and wrapped it around his shoulder. He felt so alone starring sadly in the darkness a lonely tear running down his cheek.
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At the same time Draco was having a nightmare:
He was sitting in his room at Snape Manor when the walls began moving towards to him. The airy light room changed into an old dirty chamber in which he had barely room. But the walls didn't stop to move and soon he had the feeling that they were going to crush him. He tried to get out of the room, but it was locked. The walls were moving closer and closer. He started to panic.
When he felt the walls crushing his bones he woke with a scream. He was trying to find out what woke him and remembered the dream. It confused him to no end. He had never been claustrophobic and didn't know why he would have a dream like that. He spent the next couple of hours thinking until he finally fell asleep without coming to a solution.
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Please leave a review!!!
A/N: Thanks to every one who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are great!!!
Also thanks Captn Jack Sparrow who beta-read this chapter for me. (She is German too, so there will probably still be mistakes.)
In case you haven't guessed it already, this takes place directly after book 5. It contains spoilers for all of the previous HP books.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters, places...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After crying for a while Draco lifted his head and wiped away his tears angrily. He knew that it was partly his fault that Harry and his friends hated him. But it still made him miserable. He was sad that he couldn't show Harry who he really was. He had always told himself that it was because he had to keep up the façade as son of a deatheater, but he knew that was only part of why he had treated Harry badly. He wouldn't be able to handle another rejection like when Harry refused to take his hand in first year. He knew it wasn't Harry's fault because of the spell Harry was under. Once he found out who had performed the curse they would have to pay for doing this to Harry and him.
Lucius watched his son closely, concern shining in his eyes. The Malfoy family was not as cold as they were thought to be, well at least the two male Malfoys. Narcissa had always been indifferent towards everything and could be considered cold. Still it was utterly unlike Draco to break in such a fashion and Lucius was lost at what to do.
Draco looked at his father. "I take it your trial went well then?" he said trying a smile. He was genuinely happy that his father had been released from prison.
His father grinned. "I wouldn't be here if it didn't, would I" he said trying to lighten up the mood.
Draco smirked "I don't know, you could have escaped"
"Dumbledore testified that I was spying for the Order. They had to let me go after that. Fudge was not happy about that." Lucius said with a grin.
"Who would have thought that." Draco said still smirking. Then he continued more seriously: "Will you continue to work for the Order"
Lucius thought for a moment. "I don't know why I should work for a bunch of people who sent a child to fight their battles for them" he said thinking of Harry's sad expression back at the train station. "I'll help fight Voldemort, but I will not join the Order" he said.
Draco smiled at him. "Good decision Dad" "Does Mother know?" he added in an afterthought.
"What about me being out of prison, or about me betraying Voldemort?" he asked.
"Both." Draco said looking at his father. He knew that Lucius didn't love Narcissa and that his mother didn't care about either him or her son, but he was still curious of how she might have reacted hearing that her husband didn't support her Master.
"I bet she has already heard about it. There were a lot of people at my trial and I'm almost certain that she had someone to listen there." Lucius said.
At that time a large black owl appeared at the window. Lucius quickly walked over to let her in. The bird dropped an envelope in front of him and let. Lucius performed a quick spell to ensure that it wasn't cursed and than picked it up.
"It's from your mother" he said absentminded while scanning the letter. "She is asking for a divorce."
Draco couldn't keep himself from smiling. He was happy about the fact that his father would finally be free. His parent's marriage had been arranged by their parents and neither of them had been happy.
"I am going to take the papers to a lawyer to check them. I would not put it past Narcissa to try to get back at me by claiming the Malfoy fortune for her or something alike. But since it was her who has asked for an annulment of our marriage, I do not see a reason why she should get anything." He smirked and turned to his son who was still smiling at him.
"Well, I am going to sent a letter to Mr. Riqueza, are you going to be can I leave you here by yourself?" he asked his son teasingly.
"Very funny, Dad. Yes, I'm going to be fine, but I'm not going to stay here. I am going to go outside to fly." He answered taking his broom and leaving the room after his father.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
With one last look at Snape Harry stepped through the barrier and was soon standing between platforms 9 and 10. He moved to the right a little just in time to avoid a collision with Mr. Weasley who was dragging a still struggling Ron through the opening.
"Where are those relatives of yours? We thought we might have a little chat with them before letting them take you home" Mr. Weasley asked looking up and down the platform.
"I don't know if that's a good idea" Harry said at once, shivering at the thought what the Dursleys would do to him later.
"Oh, I think it is," Fred said. "We have to make sure they treat you all- right, mate" George continued giving Harry a friendly punch on the arm. Harry closed his eyes and sighed.
"That's them, right Harry?" Hermione asked looking at him.
Harry quickly opened his eyes and saw the tree Dursleys standing at the end of Platform 9 scowling darkly at everyone daring to come closer than 10 feet. He nodded.
"Well, lets go then" Ron said.
They all walked over to where Harry's family was standing. Dudley and Petunia quickly move to stand behind Vernon, who was eyeing the group of wizards suspiciously. Then his gaze fell on Harry who was standing a couple of feet behind the rest of the others. A look of pure disgust crossed the fat muggle's face but it was quickly pushed away. "Are you ready, boy?" he snapped.
Harry got his trunk and moved to stand beside his uncle, who turned to leave but was interrupted by Mr. Weasley who said: "Mr. Dursley? You might remember me, I'm Ron's father. I picked up Harry summer before last."
Harry couldn't keep himself from snorting. Of course Uncle Vernon remembered. Mr. Weasley had demolished the whole living-room of the usual neat Dursley-House. Next summer Harry had gotten what was probably the worst beating of his life for it. That said something because Harry had been beaten ever since he could remember. He was used to it by now, but that time was worse than ever. He had been hurt so badly that he could hardly move for four days.
Vernon Dursley glared at him, but that didn't seem to intimidate Mr. Weasley. He kept on talking.
"Ah, it seems you do. Good. I wanted to talk to you about the way Harry is treated when he is at your house."
"I am not aware that it is any of your business what is going on at my house" Harry's uncle answered scowling darkly.
"Well, it is if it is concerning Harry" Mr. Weasley replied calmly. "We expect that he is treated correctly" he continued watching the three Dursleys, who just continued to stare at them.
"And if we here that you've been horrible to him, we'll find out about it. You know what happened the last time right?" George said, grinning evilly.
Dudley whimpered at that remembering the way his tongue had grew to the size of a Python after having eaten one of the twins toffees. He tried to hide behind his mother what was in vain since he was about three times he seize.
"We expect to hear from Harry every three days." Mr. Weasley added.
With one last glare Vernon Dursley turned around his wife and son following quickly. Harry picked up his trunk and started after them. "Don't worry, Harry if they do something just tell us and we'll come to help you." Mr. Weasley said smiling at him.
'Yeah, like you have done that every other time they did something to him' he thought sadly. He put on a brave smile.
"I'll see you after the holydays, guys" he said to Ron and Hermione. "Goodbye Mr. Weasley" he said turning around. "By Fred and George" he called over his shoulder. He then hurried along and only caught up with the Dursleys at their car. He moved to put his stuff in the trunk and sat down in the back seat next to Dudley who seemed to have gained another 20 pounds and was occupying more than half of the seat.
Uncle Vernon started the car. He was fuming. 'How dare they talk to me like that' he thought livid. He quickly left Kings Cross to get home to deal with Harry who he thought was responsible for this humiliation. He turned around and glared at his nephew.
At this moment Dudley elbowed Harry in the ribs. "Move over, you are talking too much space" he grunted.
Harry sighed and moved to the side. 'Welcome home, Harry' he thought sarcastically.
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When Draco arrived at the front lawn, he quickly mounted his broom and started to climb higher and higher, then, on a dime he turned around and was now heading straight down to earth. He only pulled out of the dive when he was a few feet away from the ground.
He loved to be in the air, to feel the wind on his face. It always lifted his spirits. He continued to fly like that his stunts getting more and more dangerous as time passed. He was able to forget about his problems and to enjoy the flying.
When he went back inside the sun was already setting. He went by the kitchen to grab a bite to eat and headed to his room where he collapsed on the bed and fell asleep soon after.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When they arrived at Privet Drive the Dursleys Vernon Dursley stormed inside still fuming from the talk to the Weasleys had given him. He was sure that Harry had asked those freaks to do that. That boy was going to pay for embarrassing him like that.
Harry heaved his trunk out of the car and followed his uncle slowly. He had seen the look on his uncles face and didn't like it at all. It was the look he was giving Harry when he was about to explode. He had seen it so many times before.
Harry lowered his head and entered the house silently praying that he was going to get to his room safely. His hopes were in vain though. He had just steppe through the door when Uncle Vernon grabbed him by the collar and pushed him roughly against the front door.
"You think that was funny, don't you boy?" he yelled
"No, sir, Harry managed to choke out. He had trouble breathing. Uncle Vernon's grip was merciless pinning him against the cold wood. Harry closed his eyes and waited for the first punch.
At this moment aunt Petunia appeared in the doorway holding her purse in her hand. "Vernon, did you forget? We are going to go out to celebrate Dudley's return from school."
"I'll be out in a minute." He said to his wife who turned to leave.
At this time Harry heard Dudley from the outside whining: "Dad, where are you? I'm starving"
Miraculously the grip loosened a little and Harry dared to open his eyes only to see his uncle glaring at him.
"This isn't over yet, boy," he said venomously. Harry shivered. That didn't sound good. He just nodded weakly.
"You will stay in the cupboard until we return." Harry winced. He hadn't been in there since he had gotten the letter telling him he was a wizard. He didn't think that he would ever have to go back there. He sure had hoped so. He hated it. It was dirty and brought back many bad memories.
"If you dare to use any of your abnormal tricks to get out of there, I am going to make sure that you will never leave this house again!!!" Uncle Vernon barked at Harry his face seemed to turn purple from all the yelling he was doing.
Then Harry was thrown into the cupboard and the Dursleys left. He was alone in the dark. He sank down onto the floor shivering slightly. In an attempt to comfort himself he pulled his knees up to his chin and wrapped his arms around them. He looked around sadly. It still looked the same as it did when he was moved to Dudley's second bedroom. There were the few toys he had have as a small child. They were all broken having once belonged to Dudley. There was the old tattered blanket he used to sleep with. He took it and wrapped it around his shoulder. He felt so alone starring sadly in the darkness a lonely tear running down his cheek.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
At the same time Draco was having a nightmare:
He was sitting in his room at Snape Manor when the walls began moving towards to him. The airy light room changed into an old dirty chamber in which he had barely room. But the walls didn't stop to move and soon he had the feeling that they were going to crush him. He tried to get out of the room, but it was locked. The walls were moving closer and closer. He started to panic.
When he felt the walls crushing his bones he woke with a scream. He was trying to find out what woke him and remembered the dream. It confused him to no end. He had never been claustrophobic and didn't know why he would have a dream like that. He spent the next couple of hours thinking until he finally fell asleep without coming to a solution.
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Please leave a review!!!