Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of the characters that might appear in these stories.

Part seven: Draco tells what he has learned, and gets a rather nasty surprise of his own. Well, nasty in the way it's revealed anyway. R&R, please. And huge thanx to everyone who has already. Lots of love.

Payback

By: WhyteRoze28

Chapter 7

'My map?' The words kept running through Harry's head, as he tried to concentrate on the conversation at hand.

"Mr. Malfoy, exactly what did happen when you went to the Headmaster's office?" Snape asked, his expression concerned.

"Well, let me think," Draco replied, threading his fingers through Harry's. "He mentioned that no students, and presumably no teachers, have received any news-bearing items in over a week."

At this statement, Hermione nodded. "That's true. I've spoken to a few people who haven't received their copies of the Daily Prophet recently! And…" She trailed off as she noticed that they were all staring at her. "Sorry. Please, go on."

Draco smiled at her tendency to go off on a rant, and Harry couldn't stop the warm feeling that rushed through him. The blonde Slytherin was obviously warming up to her.

"Thank you, Granger. Now, as I was saying." Draco shifted a bit, leaning on Harry, for moral support, and continued, oblivious to the dagger-filled glares that Ron's eyes were throwing at him. "He then told me that my mother has been trying to contact me as well. It seems that my father was not executed, as I believed. Instead, he has somehow managed to escape."

The words hung in the air, as everyone absorbed the enormity of the situation.

Blaise, who had his arm wrapped around Ginny's waist, was the first to speak. "As a matter of fact, has anyone actually received any mail during the past week?"

As everyone shook their heads, Harry sat up straighter, remembering the owl-less mornings lately. "Has anyone here tried to send mail during the past week?" he asked, frowning as the reply was again negative.

""Damn, this is bad," Ron stated, beginning to pace. "We're cut off… from everything."

"Astute observation, Weasley," Draco drawled.

"Ginny, on the other hand shook her head, deep in thought. Then, without commenting, she stood up, and walked to the fireplace.

Professor Snape was the first to realize what she was thinking. "Of course," he exclaimed, jumping up and following her. "The Floo Network. We can try to contact the Order, and see if we can get through.

He grabbed a handful of Floo Powder from the flowerpot, which had appeared on the mantle, and threw it into the fire, calling, "Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place!"

After a few seconds, a face appeared, framed by sky-blue hair. "'S about time someone tried to contact us," Tonks stated, pulling herself out of the fireplace. She glanced around the room, seeming surprised at seeing Blaise, and utterly stunned by Draco and Harry holding hands.

"Harry? Wot in the…"

"Later, Tonks," Harry interrupted, not wanting to go into the long explanation at the moment. "What's going on outside?"

Very soberly, Nymphadora Tonks sat down in the chair that Snape had vacated. "Well, Harry, it's a right bloody disaster out there. I mean, wot with dear Uncle Lucius escaping and all."

Harry felt the shock radiating from Draco. At first, he assumed that it was just because Tonks had just admitted that she was related to them, but then…

"Uncle?" The quietly spoken word held so much confusion. Harry knew instantly that Draco had never known that he was related to a half-blood.