CHAPTER SEVEN

MALFOY AND MARRIAGE

Harry, feeling cold sweat starting to form on his skin, pressed on walking in search for the cell of Malfoy. He passed by several cells containing familiar faces, Death Eaters, with a strong expression of anguish and hopelessness. He saw, in a shabby pair of pants, Avery, bare chest and sprawled on the floor. The Dark Mark on his arm was visible from where Harry stood. The next cell was Bellatrix Lestrange's, now looking more skull-like than ever. She was standing by the bewitched bars, looking at Harry as he watched. A cell directly across Lestrange's cell was McNair's, lying on the floor fidgeting slightly under the shadow of the walls that contained him.

Suddenly, he heard a woman scream. He, alarmed, frantically looked around to see the source of the voice. Just then, a Dementor glided pass him, which made him realize it was his mother he heard scream as the said Dementor went close by, triggering him to relive his parents' murder.

Harry continued on. He saw Crabbe next, then Goyle, both looking pale as paper, crying by a corner, praying for death. Harry then walked into the next cell and stopped.

The man inside the cell had long, dirty, ill-kept blonde hair, a thinning form, and was covered in clothes worse than what house elves wore. Harry stepped closer as the blonde man stepped into the light cast by a torch. Harry has found Malfoy.

"Come to smile at me, Potter?" said Malfoy with malice strong in his weak voice.

"No" answered Harry with as much confidence he could muster.

"I suppose." said Malfoy, eyeing a Dementor floating across the corridor.

"I need to ask you something which I believe you know of"

Malfoy said nothing. Harry went on. "I need to ask you about Barty Crouch."

"That weasel, Crouch. You, Potter, came to ask about him?" hissed Malfoy.

Harry was lost in thought. He supposed that Malfoy and Crouch were on the same side since both of them were faithful to the Dark Lord. Apparently, he was wrong for strong hate was distinct in Malfoy's voice.

"Wait, I thought you both were on the same side?" continued Harry.

"That's what you think, Potter. I bet he has returned. Am I correct?"

"Yes. But how do you..."

"Crouch is no ordinary Death Eater. He was part of the Dark Lord's circle for other reasons."

"But Voldemort would have known! He has, has ways."

"Don't say the Dark Lord's name! Yes, you would know about the Dark Lord's abilities. He is a superb Legilimens. Crouch however, was and is a great Occlumens. He was able to block his mind from the Dark Lord's powers."

"But, how come Crouch is still alive? He was kissed by a Dementor towards the end of my fourth year at Hogwarts."

"Dementors used to work for the Dark Lord for they are easily bribed and they respond to evil, Potter. I don't know what Crouch did exactly but I think he persuaded the Dementors to lessen the gravity of the kiss enough to leave him alive."

"But..."

Malfoy stared at Harry and said "No further questions, that is if you show me... Never mind. You won't accept."

"What Mr. Malfoy?"

"Show me how, how my son is doing, then I answer your remaining questions." With this, he went to the other end of his cell, into the shadows of the walls.

Harry, certain that Malfoy wont answer him anymore, walked back towards the big iron doors towards the Ministry of Magic.

When Harry walked on the grand hall of Ministry of magic, he saw Magda zooming by, clutching brooms and hitting light fixtures. He just watched her, thinking about how lost he was, without a job and a place of his own. Everything started fine but now, everything was falling apart. He then, banishing all these thoughts from his mind, disapparated and appeared at the front desk of St. Mungo's.

"The ward of Mr. Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore is at the Kryselda Shamsrum ward." said the receptionist after Harry asked her where Dumbledore was located. He then went looking for his room, passing through halls lined with portraits of various healers.

He then found the Kryselda Shamsrum ward. He slowly opened the door and stepped in. Once inside, he closed the door gently behind him and was welcomed by Dumbledore's smiling, pale face.

"Ah, Harry, I was beginning to think you were never going to visit." said Albus.

Harry smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"Excellent. I'm feeling quite well. This though, I cannot say applies to you. You seem most unhappy."

"Oh, its nothing."

"Its not nothing. My good friend Arthur told me you got fired."

"Yeah. Bummer. Now I have to go looking for another job."

"That won't be necessary, Mr. Potter. I, as headmaster of Hogwarts, now ask for your approval on teaching at school. You, I remember, were quite gifted in Defense Against the Dark Arts and would do well to instruct students."

"Oh," Harry didn't know what to think. He never considered teaching as a job. Being an Auror was his dream. Another voice in his mind suddenly reminded him of the joy he felt when he taught in the D.A., how fulfilling it felt to pass knowledge to others. With this he accepted.

"Excellent. I'm sure you'll make a fine professor." said Dumbledore.

Both of them fell silent. Harry looked around the ward, the apparatuses that were by Dumbledore's bed, the orbs of light in the ceiling, the window, and the view from it.

"Time" said Dumbledore suddenly, breaking the silence. "It seems slow when it is truly fast. I'm now old, much older than when you were at school, Harry. Its speed is remarkable. That is why I don't waste it Harry. I'd rather be at Hogwarts with all the children their, and all my friends than be here."

Harry just listened, unaware of the reason why Dumbledore is telling him this.

"Being with your loved ones," continued Dumbledore as he stared out the window "is time well spent. Remember this Harry. Now, please excuse me for I am feeling rather tired. I'm going to take a nap now."

Without a word, Harry silently opened the door and stepped outside. He realized what he must do. Time well spent is time with your loved ones. It was so clear to Harry what he must do. They have been with each other for two years. He loves her. What was missing from their frequent dates and talks was something permanent.

Tonight, he will ask for Cho's hand in marriage.

END OF CHAPTER SEVEN