Chapter 3 – Christopher
Harry woke the next morning feeling the warm weight of his girlfriend lying next to him with one arm strung across his chest. He smiled and kissed her on the forehead before carefully moving out from under her and climbing out of bed. He heard a slight moan of protest as he moved but she didn't appear to wake up. Gathering a change of clothes he left his room and went to try out their new bathroom. A quick shower later he was dressed and sitting on the bed next to Ginny kissing her awake.
"Mmmm…Promise you'll wake me up like this every day." Ginny said as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I can't promise I'll be able to do it every day, but I want too." said a grinning Harry.
"Thanks for letting me stay with you last night. I really didn't want to be alone after everything that happened yesterday."
"Neither did I." said Harry placing another soft kiss on her lips, "Come on, we should go meet Ron and Hermione for breakfast. They're probably wondering what happened to us last night."
Ginny reluctantly got out of bed and after fetching a change of clothes from her room familiarized herself with the new bathroom as Harry had done. It wasn't long before they were walking hand in hand towards the Great Hall.
Hermione woke with a crick in her neck she couldn't seem to explain until she opened her eyes. It took her a minute to realize she had fallen asleep with Ron on the couch in the Gryffindor common room but when she did she sat bolt upright letting out a small "Eeep!"
Ron shifted and groaned a bit as she moved away from him but almost immediately returned to his snoring.
"Ron. Ron. Ron!" Hermione said as she shook his shoulder.
"Wha… go away mum… stores closed…." he mumbled still mostly asleep.
Hermione giggled. "Ron, breakfast is almost over." she whispered.
Ron woke instantly looking around the room in a daze. Finally realizing where he was his gaze landed on Hermione. "That's not funny." he said rubbing his eyes.
She continued to laugh eventually causing Ron to grin. "Ok, maybe it was a little funny." he admitted.
"Come on Ron, lets get cleaned up and dressed and find Harry and Ginny."
After showering and dressing in a clean set of robes the pair met back in the common room.
"Harry's bed hasn't been slept in and his trunks not there." Ron said as he approached Hermione.
Hermione looked thoughtful as she responded. "I stopped by Ginny's dorm, she isn't there either. I don't think they came back last night."
Taking her hand Ron led her towards the portrait hole. "Let's go down to breakfast and see if they turn up."
As Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall they found the object of their search sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table holding hands as they ate.
"Hey you two, what happened last night?" asked Hermione.
"Yah, and why isn't your stuff in the dorms?" added Ron.
"Sorry guys it's kind of a long story and we can't really tell it here." Harry said looking around to see who was near. Leaning in close he began to whisper, "It has to do with what happened on the train yesterday. We can't stay in the dorms with everyone else because of it."
Ron and Hermione looked totally confused.
"Let's see when we all have some free time together and we'll explain it too you." Ginny said.
"But you're in a different year than us we probably won't be able to meet until after dinner." Hermione whined.
"Not necessarily," said Ginny, "Harry and I have to take all our classes together so we're not exactly sure what our schedule is going to look like."
Hermione, getting exasperated with the vague answers, decided to give up and eat some breakfast while they waited for their schedules. It wasn't long before Professor McGonagall came by passing them out. Unfortunately and much to Hermione's chagrin, Harry and Ginny were asked to go to the Headmaster's office after breakfast to finish working out their schedule.
"Sorry Hermione." Harry said. "Look, worst case we can go to the room of requirement after dinner. Ok?"
"It's ok Harry. We're just worried about you and want to know what's going on, that's all." she replied.
"I know, and we do appreciate it. Well, see you both later I guess."
Leaving Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall Harry and Ginny left to meet with the Headmaster.
"Canary Creams." said Ginny as they approached the gargoyle guarding the stairway to Dumbledore's office. Stepping on to the rotating stairs the pair soon found themselves standing in front of a large wooden door. As they were about to knock they heard the Headmaster's voice on the other side telling them to come in.
"Good morning Harry, Ginny."
"Good morning sir."
"Please have a seat and let's see if we can't work this out." He said twinkling all the while. "I trust after your first night you still find your new accommodations to be satisfactory?"
"Yes sir, they're wonderful." said Ginny.
"We're going to hate to have to give them up when we find a cure for this potion thing." Harry added.
Dumbledore sighed and seemed to age many years in front of them. "I spoke with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Nott last night after I left you both. Mr. Nott was very forthcoming; unfortunately he was recruited by Mr. Malfoy after arriving on the train and did not know what the potions were. Mr. Malfoy refused to speak to me. As he is underage it is unlikely the ministry will allow the use of Veritiserum therefore I am afraid we will have to continue to pursue our current course of action."
Harry and Ginny nodded not thrilled but not really surprised either.
"As to the matter of your timetables, I believe the best course of action would be to bring Ginny up to the sixth year material as quickly as possible. Potions will not be an issue as you will both be receiving individual instruction nor do I believe Defense Against the Dark Arts will be a problem. I have no doubts that you would be able to pass your owl today with flying colors and probably your Newt as well." Dumbledore smiled at Ginny his twinkle going full force. "Professors McGonagall and Flitwick assure me that you are at the top of your class and will have little trouble catching up to the other sixth year students. What thought's do the two of you have on the rest of your classes?"
"Well," started Harry, "I was planning on Dropping Divination, History of Magic, and Astronomy and just taking Care of Magical Creatures as my fifth class."
"I'm not sure. I still need to finish all my Owl classes." Ginny said.
Dumbledore passed a piece of parchment he had been writing on to Harry and Ginny. "If I might make a suggestion," he said, "I believe you should leave Potions, DADA, and History of Magic open studying them on your own time. We'll then place you in 6th year for Transfiguration, Charms and Care of Magical Creatures and 5th year for Herbology, Astronomy and Ancient Runes. Ginny you would sit with the rest of the 5th year class to take your Owls at the end of the year but enroll as a seventh year next September."
Ginny let out a deep breath at the thought of her new workload. "Yes, I think that will work."
Harry squeezed her hand in a reassuring gesture.
"I have every confidence in your abilities to do this Ginny, and I'm sure you will find Harry to be a most helpful resource." Dumbledore said as he continued to smile at the pair. "I will speak with your professors and let them know the particulars of your situation to prevent what problems we can. Should this get to be too much for you please let me know and we'll revisit the scheduling."
Having already missed their morning classes Harry and Ginny returned to their rooms to relax before lunch and Transfiguration.
Harry and Ginny were sitting at the Gryffindor table with Ron when Hermione entered the Great Hall taking a seat next to her boyfriend with a large grin on her face.
"What has you in such a good mood Mione?" asked Ron after he received a kiss on his cheek.
"Madame Pomphrey is a wonderful potions professor!" she exclaimed. "We made a healing draft and she actually explained how it worked and what the different ingredients did. I think I learned more in today's class than all of last semester."
Everyone grinned at Hermione who was practically bouncing up and down in her seat with excitement. Seeing Harry and Ginny she was reminded they still had not had their conversation. "Did you get your schedules straightened out?" she asked.
Harry and Ginny nodded as Harry removed their schedule from within the backpack they were sharing and slid it across the table for Hermione and Ron to view.
Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley
Potions -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Open
DADA -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Open
History of Magic .-.-.- Open
Transfiguration -.-.-.- 6th year -.- M, W, F -.- 3rd Period
Charms -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 6th year -.- Tu, T .-.-.- 3rd Period
COMC .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 6th year -.- Tu, T .-.-.- 1st Period
Herbology -.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 5th year -.- M, W .-.-.- 1st Period
Ancient Runes .-.-.-.-.- 5th year -.- M, W, F -.- 2nd Period
Astronomy -.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 5th year -.- Varies
Monday
Herbology -.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 5th year -.- 1st Period
Ancient Runes .-.-.-.-.- 5th year -.- 2nd Period
Transfiguration -.-.-.- 6th year -.- 3rd Period
Tuesday
COMC .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 6th year -.- 1st Period
Charms -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 6th year -.- 3rd Period
Wednesday
Herbology -.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 5th year -.- 1st Period
Ancient Runes .-.-.-.-.- 5th year -.- 2nd Period
Transfiguration -.-.-.- 6th year -.-3rd Period
Thursday
COMC .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 6th year -.- 1st Period
Charms -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- 6th year -.- 3rd Period-Double
Friday
Ancient Runes .-.-.-.-.- 5th year -.-2nd Period
Transfiguration -.-.-.- 6th year -.- 3rd Period
"This is quiet a load." Hermione said after studying the schedule for several minutes.
As she handed the parchment back to Harry he and Ginny could both tell by the look on her face she wanted an explanation for the odd distribution of classes.
"It's designed around getting me through the Owls and through the sixth year work in the core classes. Next year I'll be in my seventh just like you." Ginny explained to Hermione and Ron who was listening curiously.
"I assume this has to do with what happened on the train." Hermione whispered across the table receiving a nod in response.
Hermione sighed in frustration. "What about all the open classes? I understand potions as you're getting a private tutor," she said with a bit of thinly disguised jealousy, "but what about DADA and History of Magic?"
"Those we have to learn on our own. Dumbledore thinks Ginny would have no problem passing the Owl right now in DADA and Binn's class is hardly worth attending anyway." laughed Harry as he received a nod and snort from Ron.
"I guess we'll have to meet after dinner then to hear your story, Ron and I have Defense after Transfiguration." Hermione said.
The rest of their lunch was spent eating and chatting about nothing in particular though Hermione returned to her original topic of Madame Pomphrey teaching potions several times.
After lunch the group made their way to Professor McGonagall's transfiguration classroom. Ginny received many curious glances as she entered and sat in the back of the classroom with Harry holding his hand the entire time.
"Welcome to sixth year Transfiguration." began McGonagall. "I would like to start by welcoming Ms. Weasley to our group. She has shown exceptional skills in the area of transfiguration and I have every confidence in her ability to succeed in this class. This term we will begin working on Human Transfiguration. This is a highly dangerous art and I will warn you right now that any misuse of the skills I will be teaching you will result in severe punishment up to and including expulsion depending on the infraction."
Professor McGonagall went on to describe the syllabus for the first semester followed by a lecture on the theory behind Human Transfiguration.
As the class let out Harry and Ginny grabbed Ron and lead him up to McGonagall's desk. Hermione being part of the group followed along.
"Professor?" Harry said getting her attention.
"Yes Mr. Potter what can I do for you?" she asked as she noted who was in the group.
"As much as we hate it I'm afraid Ginny and I won't be able to play Quidditch this year."
Ron looked shocked and crestfallen at Harry's announcement and Hermione also appeared shocked knowing how much they loved to play. McGonagall just nodded in acceptance. "I understand Mr. Potter. Unfortunately I had come to the same conclusion as well. Mr. Weasley, please come see me when you have some free time so that we may schedule some times for tryouts. Thank you for stopping by."
Nodding reluctantly Ron lead the way out of the classroom followed by Hermione and a somewhat disheartened Harry and Ginny. Parting ways Ron and Hermione left for their next class while Harry and Ginny wandered back to their rooms to begin studying.
Hermione was getting excited as dinner came to an end. Finally she would find out what was going on with Harry and Ginny. As the teens stood up preparing to make their way to the room of requirement Dumbledore approached with a grin, his twinkle blazing away furiously.
"Hello everyone. How was your first day of classes?" he asked politely.
"It was wonderful sir! Madam Pomphrey is a wonderful potions teacher." Hermione said causing the rest of the group to smile and chuckle.
"That's wonderful Ms. Granger, I'm sure she will be most pleased to hear that you think so. I apologize if I'm interrupting any plans you might have had but I will need Harry and Ginny to join me in my office this evening. Christopher will be arriving shortly and is most anxious to meet you both."
Hermione let out a small huff in disappointment and Harry chuckled to himself wondering how much more of this she could take. "Sorry Hermione, guess we'll have to put this off for a bit."
Dumbledore, Harry and Ginny were chuckling at Hermione's frustration as they walked towards the Headmasters office. "I fear I will be on the receiving end of Ms. Granger's wrath if I stand between her and the answers she seeks much longer." laughed the Professor.
Making their way through the halls, past the gargoyle and up the stairs they finally arrived in Dumbledore's office. Taking his seat behind the large desk Professor Dumbledore motioned for Harry and Ginny to take two of the empty seats positioned on the side opposite him.
After the usual offer of sweets the three chatted lightly waiting for the arrival of Harry and Ginny's new Potions tutor.
Several minutes later, the fireplace roared to life with the familiar green flames of floo travel followed by an old wizard tumbling out and landing flat on his face.
"Bugger." he mumbled.
The man was grinning with the most infectious smile as he untangled himself from his cape and stood examining the room at it's occupants as he did so. "Hello Albus." He said merrily. Continuing around the room he spotted Harry and Ginny sitting in front of the Headmasters desk doing their best to try not to laugh out loud. He briefly looked back at the fireplace before turning to the pair chuckling softly.
"You know in all the years I've been flooing around I've only managed to stay on my feet twice. Both times were at the expense of that poor witch that calls herself my wife." He stopped his rambling for a minute to shake his head laughing at the memory. "The second time her head ended up stuck in a bucket and ever since she adamantly refuses to go through before me."
Harry and Ginny broke down laughing and Dumbledore's shoulders could be seen shaking in a failed attempt to keep himself from laughing along with them. With a wave of his hand the man removed the soot and ash from his face and robes.
"I'm Christopher by the way." he said still smiling as he approached the teens with his hand extended.
"Harry Potter." Harry said returning the man's handshake. As their eyes met Harry could feel the man's penetrating gaze delve into him. It wasn't like Legilimancy; it seemed to go much deeper as if his very soul was being weighed.
"Ginny Weasley. It's nice to finally meet you Christopher." Ginny felt the same as Harry had as Christopher greeted her. There was no ill will or malice in the gaze, just the feeling of being examined and judged. They both took it as a good sign when Christopher continued to smile brightly.
"Why thank you. It's nice to meet you as well." he said grinning back at the teens. His expression changed slightly now displaying a bit of mischief as he glanced at Albus out of the corner of his eyes before returning his gaze to Harry and Ginny.
"So, how long have the two of you been animagi?" he asked innocently.
Harry and Ginny's eyes opened wide at his question but when they looked at him they found he was no longer looking at them but at the Headmaster and he was laughing hysterically. Turning towards Dumbledore they both began to laugh along with Christopher at the look on his face.
His eyes were opened wider than either of them had ever seen and his mouth was gaping in surprise opening and closing slightly as if he wanted to say something but didn't know quite what. Dumbledore's gaze shifted from Christopher to Harry and Ginny. His look of surprise and astonishment changed to one of pride and happiness and he smiled shaking his head slightly at the pair as he began to laugh with them.
"Damn." Christopher said. "I meant to bring a camera with me."
"Oh well." he sighed. Returning his gaze to Harry and Ginny he continued to grin widely. "Sorry for spilling your secret but it's not often I get a chance to surprise Albus like that."
"That's ok, I know what you mean." Harry said still trying to control his laughter as was Ginny.
It took several minutes but Dumbledore finally managed to get himself back under control. "You two are just full of surprises this summer." he said as he continued to grin. "I don't suppose you would be willing to show us your forms?"
Harry and Ginny nodded and a moment later a large Lion and Lioness were standing in the Headmaster's office side by side. After each let out a loud roar they changed back with huge smiles on their faces exhilarated from the thrill of changing into the powerful animals.
Harry thought Dumbledore would blow a fuse if his eyes twinkled any brighter. "What wonderful and magnificent forms. Thank you so much for sharing them with us."
"I notice your forms are very similar." Christopher said with his look of mischief. "You know my wife and I have similar forms as well." He was sure to annunciate the word 'wife' as he said this.
As the teens blushed bright red and stared at the floor Christopher broke down laughing again. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it." he finally managed to sputter out. "I'm only kidding. Alas I am one of those unfortunate souls who do not have an animal form."
In spite of themselves Harry and Ginny found themselves laughing at the joke he had played on them. "For a Potions Master you're not very greasy or evil." Harry said his own Marauders smile now in place. "Not really living up to your profession are you?"
Christopher laughed out loud. "Very true, very true. I do believe we're going to have a good time with these lessons aren't we?"
The teens were grinning widely in response very much looking forward to spending time with this man.
Dumbledore finally cleared his throat gaining everyone's attention. He smiled broadly as he began. "As amusing as this all is I believe there are some details we need to take care of."
After nodding in agreement Christopher turn his gaze towards Harry and Ginny. "Albus gave me a copy of your time table and with the exception of Thursday you appear to have 4th period free. I will meet you in your common room Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at that time. Some of the potions we will be brewing are quite temperamental and will require your attention at times when you would otherwise be in class for another subject. Albus has assured me that you will be excused from classes at those times."
Christopher paused giving the teens a moment to take in everything he was telling them. "I understand that due to an incident on the way to school we already have a bit of a project ahead of us. Let me see if I have this correct, Severus is going to brew the memory potion that was used and all possible combinations of amorous potions based on the known ingredients."
Harry nodded. "Yes sir."
Christopher's head whipped around scanning the office behind him before he returned his grinning gaze to Harry. "Sorry about that Harry, I thought my father was here for a moment."
Harry and Ginny looked at him confused while Albus just sat smiling and twinkling.
"Just kidding Harry, I'm Christopher my dad was 'sir' and I don't think we want his kind of horror unleashed on the world again." he said chuckling.
Albus leaned across the desk towards Harry and Ginny holding a hand up to his mouth as if to tell them a secret but spoke loudly enough for all to hear. "From what I know of his father by 'horror' he means he acted exactly as Christopher does."
Harry and Albus laughed and Ginny giggled while Christopher held his hand over his heart saying, "I'm wounded Albus." His antics caused the three to laugh even harder.
Christopher continued as their laughter died down. "Once Severus determines what amorous potion was used we will then be enlisting Poppy's help to find a counter to the new combination. Does that sound about right?"
Harry and Ginny nodded.
"Great. I believe this will fit in perfectly with what I had in mind. I propose we begin working on the cure straight away to speed things along as it were." Christopher finished smiling as if proud of himself for thinking up a better plan.
"Si… I mean Christopher, how can we work on a cure if we don't know the cause yet?" asked Ginny.
"Ahh, I was hoping you would ask that. Potion brewing is a complex business in even its simplest form and we are going to be creating some of the most complicated concoctions you will ever come across. Let me give you an example of what I'm talking about. One of the first potions we will be starting on will contain 27 ingredients and take almost a month to brew. Once complete we will suspend an additional ingredient in the mist created on the surface of the potion to alter its properties slightly after which we will discard the potion. Imagine a whole month and a considerable amount of work just to create an ingredient to be used in another potion. Now, can you begin to understand the meaning of complex and see how we could start to work on a cure straight away?"
Harry and Ginny were both nodding in understanding as Ginny responded. "If we go by your example you're saying we could begin creating some of the ingredients that will probably be needed to brew the final cure."
"Very good Ginny, spot on." said a smiling Christopher.
Harry was pondering what had been said. "How do we know which ingredients to create?"
Christopher blushed slightly as the question brought memories of times past to the surface of his mind. "Well let's just say I have some experience in these matters and have already laid out the years work."
"I should say you have some experience in these matters as you so eloquently put it." Dumbledore was laughing heartily as he spoke. "Go on, why don't you tell them what happened." he sputtered out.
Dumbledore received a glare from Christopher though his characteristic smile never left his face. Dumbledore only laughed harder.
"Well, ok. You see when I was younger I was the recipient of a botched amorous potion."
Harry and Ginny were instantly riveted by his story as he had apparently gone through a nightmare similar to what they were going through now.
"You see this old hag had taken a liking to me and decided to do something about it. The potion she used was a permanent version, but like I said, she botched it. The effects would kick in and out. Sometimes I would feel an overwhelming desire to find her, and at other times I'd be become lucid and run for my life. Believe me when I say I occasionally woke to some scary sights." Christopher chuckled as he made his last comment. "So I eventually began trying to work out a cure for what had happened. I actually met my wife during that time. She was brilliant at potions and incredibly understanding. It took us close to ten years to work out and then we stumbled across the final solution quite by accident. Anyway, like I said I do have some experience in these matters."
The young couple grinned as he finished his story confident for the first time since the train ride from London that they would beat this.
"We'll talk more as time goes by. I'm sure there are many other bits of magic I will be able to impart to you along the way. I would ask that you keep the work we do between us. Much of what we will be doing can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands."
Standing up Christopher prepared to leave. "It was a pleasure meeting you both. I'll see you tomorrow for your 4th period." Stepping in the fireplace he could be heard muttering something about floo travel and the devil as he disappeared in a rush of green flames.
Dumbledore was smiling as he faced his two students. "So, what do you think of your new potions tutor?"
Harry and Ginny both chuckled. "I think Potions is going to be my new favorite subject." Harry said.
"I agree." added Ginny. "I think it's going to be a lot of fun."
"Of that I have no doubts." replied Dumbledore. "Just be sure to put forth your best effort."
"We will." they both promised.
"I know you will. It's almost curfew so off you go."
After bidding the Headmaster farewell Harry and Ginny left his office hand in hand to return to their quarters for the night.
Draco Malfoy sat in the dim light of his cell at the Ministry of Magic his hatred of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley growing by the minute.
The cell was small only about ten feet square. There was a cot with a thin mattress and even thinner blankets along one wall and a bucket in another corner for his waste. The cell door was made from iron bars so the Aurors could easily check on the inmates during their rounds.
'Bloody Potter.' he thought as he fumed. 'Always the hero, always gets away with everything, always, always, always. And now he's got her. Bitch. I'll show them. I'll show everyone!'
The longer he dwelled on the situation the more irrational his thoughts became. He was pulled from his musings by the sound of the dinner cart being pushed down the hall. Every so often it would stop and the sounds of a tray of food being pushed through a slot along the bottom of a cell door could be heard.
'It's time.' he thought.
Removing his right shoe he undid a carefully concealed latch to reveal a secret compartment in the heel that was designed to be hidden from all types of detection including magical methods. After removing two small vials of potion he closed the compartment and replaced his shoe. Opening the vial of poison he emptied its contents into the waste bucket and dropped it on the floor by his bed. He then quickly swallowed the contents of the second discarding the vial into his waste bucket and watching as it vanished. As he lay down on his cot he felt a wave of cold sweep through his body causing him to shiver. A few seconds later a wave of numbness followed the same path the cold had taken and he lost consciousness.
A cart containing several trays of food came to a stop in from of the jail cell of Draco Malfoy. The old witch pushing the cart carefully removed a tray of food and approached the door. As she kneeled down to push the tray through the door she saw the inmate in question laying perfectly still on his bed. As she continued to look into the cell she noticed a small glass vial and a stopper lying on the floor next to the bed. Standing up still holding the tray she stared at the young mans chest and found no movement. Returning her tray to the cart she ran down the hall to alert the Auror on duty.
"Cummings report." said Kingsley Shacklebolt as he and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement Amelia Bones arrived on the scene.
"Sir, Madam, Prisoner Draco Malfoy was discovered in his cell unmoving with an empty vial which contained an unknown substance by Koreena Scorson as she made her rounds delivering dinner to the inmates. She notified the Auror on watch who contacted me. Upon entering the cell we verified that Draco Malfoy is deceased. A check of the wards on the cell shows that there have been no other occupants and the door had not been opened since his incarceration. The vial has been sent to the lab for further analysis."
Kingsley and Amelia approached Draco who was still lying on his cot. His skin was cold to the touch and had a slight blue tint to it. With a wave of his wand Kingsley cast a spell verifying Malfoy was deceased. Further examination of the cell yielded no additional clues.
"Cummings, take Mr. Malfoy's body to the morgue for further examination. Let me know the minute we receive the report on the vial."
"Yes sir."
Amelia spoke as the pair headed back to their offices. "How do you think he came into possession of what was most likely a vial of poison Kingsley?"
"I'm not sure. I was part of the crew that brought him in from Hogwarts and we detected no magical items or foreign substances during booking. Either he found a way to circumvent our procedures or someone on the inside provided him with it."
Amelia nodded. "Do what you can to find out."
It was 2:00 AM and everything was quite in the morgue until one of the bodies suddenly arched its back taking in a huge breath of air. The heavy breathing continued for several minutes punctuated by groans and whimpers of pain as the body of Draco Malfoy awakened from its stasis.
Draco lay on the cold stone slab for almost an hour. He couldn't believe how painful it had been to wake from the artificial comma or how tired his entire body felt. Using every bit of energy he had he managed to sit up and remove his left shoe. Once again he opened a secret compartment in the heel removing two small vials of liquid. He downed the energy potion first and while he still felt exhausted he at least knew he wasn't going to pass out now. He quickly followed the energy potion with the pain reliever in the other vial before standing up and moving to a window.
After opening a small part of the window designed for owls to come and go through he transformed into a black raven and flew out quickly disappearing into the night.
