CHAPTER TEN

CONFRONTING DRACO

The cold days went by as Harry taught the students class after class. Now, Harry was known to all students as the "cool" teacher. Though in his career, things were very good, the ever pestering dreams he had on Sirius Black's assumed death still plagued his nights. The dreams seem to serve as a nightly reminder on how far he was from getting answers he needed regarding Crouch and the veil.

Harry was no where closer to getting Draco to see his dad. Harry now made a mental note to find a way for Draco to visit Azkaban so his father, as Lucius promised, can cough up more information on Crouch.

The start of the holiday vacation arrived, giving Harry an opportunity to give his full attention to the Draco-Lucius issue. He had to talk to Draco soon for he promised to spend the holidays with Ron. That night, he will visit him in his room up the north tower.

The day melted away, ushering in the cold night. The wind was strong and the snow was heavy. The Great Hall seemed empty as dinner progressed since many students were staying with their families for the holidays. Harry sat at his place, eating dinner, readying himself to meet Draco. He eyed Malfoy, thinking horrible scenarios of him with Draco.

Draco soon stood up and left the Great Hall. As Harry noticed this, he emptied his plate and stood. He said goodbye to Hagrid, who was gobbling mashed potatoes beside him, and started towards the Grand Staircase.

The halls were empty as he walked towards the north tower. Portraits whispered as he swept by, looking at him. The corridors sparkled, thanks to the shimmering Christmas decor made by Professor Flitwick. Harry then went by knights in Santa hats, and then reached an extremely long staircase that went spiraling upward. He went up the stairs, stepping slowly since he didn't want to speak with Malfoy anyway. He was forced to see him.

Minutes later, he reached the last step. He was exhausted of climbing that staircase. He then went to a small corridor that was barren. Even the portraits there were empty. He then reached a ladder that went up the ceiling through a trap door. He started to ascend the ladder. He reached for the trap door, then learned it was locked. He whipped out his wand and muttered:

Alohomora!

The trap door didn't open. He had to knock.

He took a deep breath then began knocking the trap door. The sound of footsteps began above him, getting nearer and nearer. The lock then clicked and the trap door was lifted. The face of Malfoy greeted him menacingly.

"What do you want?" asked Draco.

"I, umm.. need to talk to you." replied Harry.

"What is it?"

"May I step inside?"

"No you may not, Potter."

"But I need to talk with you in private."

"Oh fine then. Quickly, get up here"

Harry went through the trap door and then Malfoy locked it again.

"What is it?" asked Draco with arrogance in his voice.

"Well, it's about your dad." Harry looked around the room as Draco went to get coffee. The Divination classroom was very different now. There was no incense in the air. The draperies were gone, replaced by light fixtures. The fire which was eternally burning in Trelawney's class was now not lit.

Moments later, Draco returned, sipping from a cup.

"What about my father?"

"I went to see him before to umm..." he thought of a lie since he can't tell Draco about Crouch and the veil. "... to do an assignment from the Ministry and well, your dad refused to answer my questions. That is, unless he, he sees you."

"So, in short, you need my help. Honestly, I would hate to please you Potter. Especially when you are the reason my father is in prison. Well, I trust you know what happened to me next, which got me landed here in Hogwarts, working under a Mudblood lover such as that Dumbledore."

"Please Draco. I saw you father. He told me he hasn't seen you for a long long time." Pleaded Harry. He felt anger rising in him which was caused by Malfoy's strong words against Dumbledore but getting angry about this may not be the best move in getting Malfoy to visit his father.

This wasn't going towards what Harry had hoped for this morning. Draco was not going to let his pride down and do a favor for Harry. Draco was too full of arrogance to admit that he missed his father, which was evident in his eyes.

Harry cannot let this happen. Not when he was close to getting information about Crouch, which can possibly save Sirius. He had no choice but to do what he was now planning but he cannot do it right now. He mustn't to avoid anyone from possibly knowing what he was about to do. Tonight, while Draco is asleep, Harry will execute his plan and hopefully, get the answers he was seeking. He left Draco alone and went to his own room, packing his things to be ready by tomorrow, when he will be going to the Weasley's for the holidays.

Harry finally opened the door out of his own room. It was a bit past midnight and was almost certain that Draco was asleep. He then stepped outside, into the drafty corridor, and was consumed by the darkness as he closed the door behind him. He whipped out his wand and whispered: "Lumos". A narrow light was shed into the cold corridor. He walked past portraits that snoozed heavily into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. He exited the classroom and went into the same hall towards the long, spiraling staircase of the North Tower. He went up the tower, lit only by his wand and the small windows that lined its walls. As he went up, he stared into the windows, which gave him full view of the night sky, all dotted with stars. The whomping willow stood afar, its branches steady now. He remembered his third year, when he went through the whomping willow and found out the truth about his godfather. He remembered the joy he felt on knowing that somewhere, he had family. This of course, was Sirius Black. He promised himself, in his heart, that he will do anything to preserve this family by saving Sirius Black, which had long been overdue.

He reached the ladder and the trap door. It opened upon Harry's gentle push. Before, when he first visited Draco, he lodged a piece of thick, folded paper on the crack of the trap door upon exiting it. This disabled it from locking even if Draco charmed it to lock. He clambered upon the Divination classroom, which was as dark as the corridors he just went by. He then silently walked by the wooden chairs and tables, towards a small door by the corner of the room. He twisted the knob and found it unlocked. This made sense since Draco didn't need to lock it if he thought that the trap door was already secure.

He stepped inside. He saw Draco's room, which was surprisingly shabbier than his. A tall glass cabinet filled with bottles of tea leaves and crystal balls greeted him as he went in. Beyond this was a bed and sleeping on it was Draco in his bed clothes. Even at his sleep, his face reeked with malice that reached every strand of his blonde hair. Harry then walked quietly towards the side of the bed.

Harry raised his wand. He had no choice. If Draco won't meet up with his father, then Harry must force him to do so.

He then pointed his wand at Draco's sleeping body and flicked his wrist, saying

"IMPERIO!."

Harry was now in total (and illegal) control of Draco Malfoy.

END OF CHAPTER TEN