The Final Lesson
Written by: HoshiHikari
Disclaimer: I do not own HP! That's right, the characters still all belong to J.K Rowling As for the plot, it might have been done before, so I won't take credit for that either
Summary:
He is tainted by evil. He had lost all emotions, all feelings all humane senses. He had become heartless, soulless towards all living creatures. The final straw had snapped. How could Harry save the world and bring light into a world consumed by darkness, when he, himself is the cause of chaos and destruction? When he himself is the Dark Master, the Half-Blooded Prince?
He is a werewolf, a dark creature, tainted by the goodness of people. He is the remaining Marauder, given the responsibility and the burden to raise young Harry. Now that Harry's gone evil, to what lengths would his guardian goes to protect him, to save him, not only from the world but from himself? Can Remus bring back the Harry that was once adored by everyone? Will Remus be able to teach Harry the most important lesson of all time? Can Remus teach Harry how to once again be humane, to have a heart and a soul? Will he, Remus be persuaded to give up, and cross over, when all is lost, and Harry is past being worth saving? Or will he stick by his beliefs, run out of time, and in turn pay the ultimate price?
NO SLASH! NO SLASH! in fact, Romance is not important, nothing romantically, and if there is, its not meant at all!
Author Notes: "…." talk Italic thoughts/dreams /…/ Parseltongue Snake language underlinetext/letter/writings bold/italicslyrics from songs (if any)
Strega: Risk. It's not as dangerous as it seems. He just needs to tread carefully. There's really nothing more he can lose, but everything to gain. On the other hand, bad for Remus….he'll lose everything if Hary succeeds. Glad that you like how it was done. There really is no point in crying. What's done is done, and it can't be changed. He's just laying down his cards face up and letting his opponent decide and make their own decision of what to play. The part with Voldie (oh he's gonna kill me for calling him that) just popped up out of the blue, but have to agree it did work out nicely. I suppose in a way Harry is half-half, half wanting Remus to discover and half being a masochist.
Harry will be getting hurt often, at least enough to provoke the protectiveness in Remus. Yes, some of it will be from the Light, and some as seen earlier, by Voldemort himself, you know, just to strengthen Harry's point of being 'controlled'. Remus of course would bear witness and Harry can edge him along the 'right' path by manipulating things to fit himself.
The Potion to turn Remus wolfy. So full out trusting Snape now eh? True, Harry could do that, but like you said, the only way to keep someone on his side is to sway them without the aid of substances, for then if he succeeds then the loyalty is 100 given and not falsely dangerously built as it is relied on something else.
Back to Remus. Yes, Harry is 'his' cub. Actually he always has been, just the matter of Harry accepting that fact. Aside from Harry, Remus and Voldemort, no one knows of Harry's goal of 'switching' sides. It's going to stay that way. If anyone aside from Voldemort was chosen for that task, well, Harry would be in trouble. Voldemort was chosen for a reason. He is dead and nothing more then a sprit, that relies on his own wand for existence. Nothing can change that. The dead stay dead. Besides, no one knows he still dwells in the human realm. Remus shouldn't have either, but he is a special character, who believes in the impossible. Thus the whole 'we can start over'. The way there is a 99.9 chance that Sirius (though he is rumored to reappear) is dead and 99.9 readers are still in denial and would rather it have been anyone then him to die, (anyone but he or Remus), it's the same thing for Remus. He's facing reality, but he isn't going to accept it without a fight, and of course he wants to start over (maybe even all over till before Peter betrayed them, when they were all happy), but sometimes what he wants and what can actually be accomplished is two very different things. He's still stuck there to know it, to realize it. Someone or something just has to wake him up, snap him out of the daze.
me...: glad you are enjoying it. Thanks for the compliment. The answer to your question is 'I can't tell' smirks that will be running the whole thing. Have to say, it can go both ways, 50-50 either way. Still in the process of getting to the ending, as you said, it's the process that's exciting. Won't want to spoil that. Besides there is still a long, long way to go, don't want to know yet…besides, truthfully, I haven't made up my mind yet. It's so tempting to go both ways. In the end though, it's really more what the reader wants, though I must say that even though I haven't made up my mind, I tend to have come to a conclusion where both can work.
Thanks to everyone else who reviewed! I'm going to update my bio often so please check it out!
Chapter 19 The Family DecisionJuly 28
"You called headmaster?" the latest freshly graduated Redhead asked the moment he had entered Albus' office. "Ah, Mr. Weasley glad that you could make it here. Lemon drop?" he asked.
Ron shook his head before eyeing the one other person that was also in the room with them. "What's he doing here, headmaster." Weasley asked, disgust showing clearly on his face, eyeing the blonde suspiciously.
"Mr. Malfoy…" "Draco, just Draco, headmaster. I will have no association with that family." Malfoy interrupted. Dumbledore nodded understandingly his eyes glowing. "Draco is here under my invitation, as are you Ronald." Ron's mouth snapped shut.
"Both of you have now graduated and have been inducted into the Order. No more childhood grudges will be tolerated. You are both of age and therefore must act accordingly." Ron wanted to interrupt, but a glare from the headmaster caused him to shrink back into his chair. "I see not how that is not possible Mr. Weasley. After all, Harry"
At this moment both flinched at the name, as did most of the rest of the world did at hearing it. It had not been 3 months since Harry had fully gained complete power that rivaled that of Dumbledore's, but he had already promoted such intense fear that even Voldemort had not been able to accomplish at the peak of his age.
"After all, the half-blood has found himself thriving in the least likeliest place, among the least likeliest people, who by historical standards had him down as the top most wanted figure head to kill. He has overcome the subtle differences to hold firm the reigns of Darkness." A pause. "I do not see how you two cannot."
"I will if he will." Malfoy spoke quietly. Ron stole a quick glance at the blonde, wondering why he was so eager to follow Dumbledore's strict rubric. It made no sense at all and the only reason he could think of that would lead Draco to act the way he did was because he was under strict order, orders that were not from Dumbledore but from Harry, himself.
"Mr. Weasley?" Albus asked, turning to face the Redhead. Ron didn't speak, and when he did, he blurted out. "I can't. Professor, how the hell can you expect this?" "language Weasley. Why not?" Ron puffed up, his face reddening. He flung his arms to the side in wild gestures as though it would help demonstrate his point.
"Gryffindor's and Slytherin's never go together. We are enemies. Nothing can ever change that Professor." Dumbledore did not speak, though his face showed displeasure. "even if they did go together, Weasley's and Malfoy's do not. Look back into history Professor and you will agree that the rivalry goes further then either of us can imagine."
"Is that your reason Mr. Weasley, for if it is, it is not valid."
"He hurt me. He hurt Hermione. He hurt our house. That bouncing ferret and his little buddies made our lives a billion times rougher, like we needed it. Just cause he's from a family of Death Eater's and just because Malfoy's have the support of You-know-who…" "Voldemort Ron" Ron ignored the headmaster. "and the Prince, he think he owns the place. He gets away with everything. Top it off, Snape" "Professor Snape" Albus corrected, sounding dangerously low. "lets him do it, and that git…" "You say anything about my Godfather, weasel, and you'll regret it." The blonde sneered, turning fully at the other. "Professor Snape stated clearly that if he wanted us to do something, he'll make sure we do it, even under the use of an unforgivable, which is not preferable as then we might end up in the wrong castle."
No one spoke, as Draco knew the threat all too well and there was no point in denying it, while the ex-headmaster realized there was no use to make the boy think otherwise.
"I will not deny anything you said Weasley. However, grow up Ron" Draco spoke again. "Face it. I am not the man who I use to be. If you can't accept that fact, then it's your fault, not mines."
"Yeah, you're right Malfoy. You aren't the man I remember. You aren't that ferret bastard that exist around snakes. No, you're worst. You are a Death Eater and in league with an asshole…"
"Weasley language!" Dumbledore interrupted sharply.
"Why the hell do you even bother with us ferret. Bet everything you're just a spy here to deceive the Order. You're whole family is Dark, there is no reason you won't be either…"
"Weasel how dare you…" Draco suddenly jumped up. The next minute the blonde had already launched himself onto the redhead, pinning him to the ground. "What the f—k is wrong with you brat How dare you classify me with those filthy grubs that gravel at the feet of a tyrant! I try to be decent for once, and what do I get? One accusation after the next. I try to be the good guy, cause I am the good guy and what do I get!"
"Malfoy! Weasley!" Neither seem to respond. Dumbledore sighed. This was becoming more difficult that he had thought. Taking out his wand, he forcefully flung the blonde away from the other, letting him hit the wall.
"I will not tolerate such behavior." Dumbledore whispered evenly, anger clearly written across his face. "Like it or not, you two will be working together on the next task. Frankly, from your current behavior I would say that you won't succeed. I don't care. As harsh as it seems I won't show any pity if either of you end up dead from the result of internal battle and not from an external force. In fact, if that is the case, I must say I'll personally have to walk up to Harry, grovel and congratulate him on his success and then hand him the world on top a silver platter. There is no point in prolonging the war if my left hand is fighting my right instead of corporation to defeat a common evil."
The two looked at him thunderstruck. "er…we'll mange to work something out…" Ron spoke quietly, wiping the blood off his face with his sleeve. "and it's best that you do, and quickly too. Your entire survival of this task depends on the other and how much trust you place in them." Dumbledore soften his voice a bit. "We cannot survive on our own. Our survival depends on each other. Only united can we have a chance to stand against Evil."
"Bishop, E 3" The chess piece moved diagonally four spaces to occupy the spot that had once belonged to the left white horse.
"Checkmate." The prince said sounding quite bored, for he was bored. After playing five consecutive games of chess against his guardian and wining each one, it wasn't that hard to blame him.
"Another…" Avenger demanded, rearranging the pieces with the swipe of his wand. The person across form him gave a wearily look. "Why are we here anyways?" The younger man protested, irritated. Avenger looked up at him. "If you would prefer to do something else, then suggest it." The prince inwardly growled, wondering how he had let his guardian talk him into this.
The two of them were currently sitting in the mist of Hogsmade (which surprisingly after such fitful of attacks that it was still operated as though nothing had occurred),with heavy glamour charms and invisible wards so that no attention was drawn towards them. Somehow Remus had managed to convince him to have them spend some one on one time together, some 'normal' time.
For maybe just three or four hours a day, they would abandon their current positions in the wizardry world and descend to mingle with the commoners. Remus had believed that if they were able to spend more time together and redid things that they had use to do and enjoy with Sirius around then maybe the old Harry could resurface.
Of course, Harry had known the man's intention, but had gone along with it, as he had earlier said, admitted to him that he wasn't who the man now thought he was and also because, and he would never admit this, he actually enjoyed doing the things that Remus had in stored for the day and even looked forward to having his old life back, but of course with crucial changes. He suppose that being able to be 'normal' for three or four hours a day was much more tempting then the rest of the bargain he had struck with his guardian just to let the older man whisk him away to do what he wanted to do as well as try and change him, something that he had voiced that he had no objections in trying and welcomed him to do so, knowing fully well that he had already changed Remus' traits and brought out his darker character so that in the end, Harry would succeed long before Remus would ever get a chance to leave a strong imprint.
"Anything but chess." The prince growled again, weaving his wand so that the board and the chess pieces disappeared. Avenger stared at him for a while before shaking his head. "Sirius was just like you. Just because he excelled at something, chess included, he would abandon it and would never come back to it." A pause. "He was so surprised the day I surpassed his expertise that James himself challenged me. That was something as James acted as arrogant as Sirius did. I bet him as well." Avenger's eyes seemed to glaze as he recalled a better part of his childhood life.
Harry did not interrupt nor did he make a comment, ignoring the words completely which was quite easy to do. Avenger having seen that his words had no effect on the boy, caused him to realize just how cold hearted the other human had become, if Harry could still be classified as human. Having had his wish granted, he was disappointed to find that there was nothing in the world, nor was there anything that he could do to trigger the slightest emotion. There was no smile, no tears, no anger, no warmth. In fact even the cold hate filled glare (the only thing that hinted the man was capable of feelings or emotions) had disappeared and was replaced by a stone, stiff, expressionless mask. Even if it was intense hatred, Remus would have been happy with it as it proved that Harry was capable of being a human and therefore was a sign that perhaps it was possible to teach other feelings.
"Let's take a walk then." Avenger suggested at last. Harry nodded. They both stood, checked that they left nothing behind before causally striding to nowhere in particular.
"So would you like a new broom?" Avenger asked out of the blue as that passed a Quidditch Shop. "Why?" Harry asked, stopping to look at the 'Lightening Bolt' which was the newest and best broom "The Firebolt isn't outdated yet, and won't be for a time to come." The prince drawled. "and don't you dare think you can bribe me otherwise. You can't replace Padfoot, Moony."
"Anything unusual?" Snape asked one of the lower rank Death Eaters as he appeared from thin air, next to one of the guards that was station at the entrance of the cave that was located just off Hogsmade.
"No sir" One of the Death Eaters replied. Snape's eyes narrowed, frowning slightly. "Nothing? No unusual occurrences at all?" he questioned again. The second Death Eater shook his head.
"Sir…" the first Death Eater began hesitantly. Snape turned slightly towards him. "I do not see the purpose of making it known that we are guarding this place. I thought it was suppose to be a well laid out trap to capture more prisoner by using the prisoners we already have. I doubt Dumbledore will fall for it. It's too easy."
"You are suppose to guard. Who said make yourselves known? You're purpose is to monitor any unusual movements that the Order might have. You are to alert me at once when anything does occur." Snape gestured at the inner cave where the student prisoners were bind and blindfolded and spelled so that they were deaf, and scattered onto the corner of the cave. "You are to watch them. That's your purpose that is all you need to do. Unless otherwise instructed, make sure they stay here. If any goes missing, both of you will die. Master's orders."
The two Death Eater's trembled slightly. "Now I will check back in another 15 minutes."
"Bloody hell" was the first thing that escaped the Redhead's mouth, once the two of them had apperated about 200 meters from their destination so that they had to trek the rest of the way. Ron groaned, having the faintest feeling that he was spliched. Malfoy eyed him. "You're whole Weasley." Ron groaned, louder this time. "Shut up. The sooner we accomplish our task, the sooner we get out." The blonde continued, brushing his clothes before setting off towards the direction of the cave.
"Where exactly are we?" "somewhere close to Hogsmade." Draco continued. "My godfather had mentioned to Dumbledore that we should check out this place." Ron gave him a look to go on. "and Dumbledore actually trust that slimly git?"
Malfoy's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You will not insult my family." "Why not? You've insulted mine for 7 bloody years!" "Well maybe because they are the poorest scumbags, Mudblood lovers in the world. Red hair, freckle face, with a speck of dirt on the nose, hand-me-downs, poor excuses for a pureblood."
"Shut up Ferret!" Ron again launched himself at the pureblood, pinning him down and began throwing punches at him. "Death Eater! Slyterin bastard! Blond, arrogant jackass! Why the hell Professor Dumbledore trusts you goes beyond me. You're a mix of two prominent well known Death Eater families! What makes him think you won't turn into a Malfoy-Black-Snape breed is beyond my comprehension!"
Both Death Eaters bounced onto their feet The alarm that was set 500 meters around the cave had just activated, notifying them both that someone or something was happening.
"Come on, lets check it out," the taller, skinner man chimed. The shorter plump man gestured at the prioners. "Alright you watch them, I'll check it out. Alert Severus." The plump man nodded and watched the other leave.
He didn't have to get far when two voices interrupted the silence of the clearing.
"Where exactly are we?" "somewhere close to Hogsmade" "My godfather had mentioned to Dumbledore that we should check out this place." "and Dumbledore actually trust that slimly git?"
He quickened his pace, faintly recognizing one of the voices, but not close enough to distinguish who it was. Only when he came to view of two young men, did he abruptly halt and hide.
"Well maybe because they are the poorest scumbags, Mudblood lovers in the world. Red hair, freckle face, with a speck of dirt on the nose, hand-me-downs, poor excuses for a pureblood."
He watched amusedly as a redhead, whom he assume was a Weasley launch himself at a blonde of similar ageDraco. A hand suddenly touched his shoulder and it caused him to jump. He spun around quickly to find Snape behind him. The Potion Master had a finger on his lips to motion silence.
"Shut up Ferret! Death Eater! Slyterin bastard! Blond, arrogant jackass! Why the hell Professor Dumbledore trusts you goes beyond me. You're a mix of two prominent well known Death Eater families! What makes him think you won't turn into a Malfoy-Black-Snape breed is beyond my comprehension!"
At a distance, Snape rolled his eyes. Leave it to Weasley and his wild accusations. At the moment, he wasn't interested in the redhead, but more of young Malfoy. Draco wasn't suppose to act this way. He was suppose to be a loyal spy to the Dark Prince. So if he was, why would he waste time on Weasley and not just bring him to their Master when the two of them were alone.
"Find Lucius. Inform him the current situation. I would like to see his point of view in this." Snape whispered into the lower Death Eater's ear. There was a quick nod, before he disappeared.
Draco forcefully flung the other off of him, slipping from under the other until he was on top. "Shut up Weasel. You know not the first thing about me. So don't you dare make false accusations. I am not who you think I am. I am not your stereotypical Malfoy so don't you dare classify me as one!"
The young Slyterin's face was inflamed in anger. "I am not my father. I will never be. For all I care all Malfoys and Blacks with the exception of Sirius can go to hell. I don't care. I've already suffered 18 foul, abused years with them, I don't need anymore of it!"
Snape felt someone breathing behind his shoulder. He didn't need to turn around to know it was Lucius.
Weasley had never seen Draco so upset, to the point that it scared him. He didn't know how to deal with him at all.
"I am part of the Order as much as you are. I don't regret it. I don't regret treading down this path. I will die before betraying the Order, the way you would. If I have to, I'll slaughter my entire family if Dumbledore ever asked me to, just to prove my loyalty."
Draco slowly got off of Weasley who was too petrified to speak. "Now I suggest you come with me. As much as I hate to admit this, I have an advantage around here. They think I'm Lucius's boy and therefore, the fact of being a Malfoy is enough to cease suspicion." Having said that, he once again proceeded towards the cave.
Severus could feel emotions flaring from the man behind him. However, it disappeared as soon as it had come. "Severus, you deal with Weasley, leave the brat to me." Having said that, Lucius stomped off towards his son, making sure himself was out of sight, but at the same time visible enough so that if he ever wanted to fire a spell, it would hit on target.
Avenger looked slightly offended at the tone used, but nevertheless he was happy as it did mean that Sirius had left a mark on the boy, a good mark. "What makes you think that Harry? I would never dream of replacing Sirius." Harry gave him an incredulous look. "I was just thinking we could get a new broom for you and we could go flying at dusk." Harry turned back to look at the broom. "If you like, you could get some of the Death Eater's together and we could play a decent game. Go and give the Quidditch World Cup a run for its money."
The Prince turned slightly back towards his guardian. He could see where this was leading to. It was another one of those fruitless attempts in trying to get Hary back to being Harry. He shrugged his shoulder. "Quidditch doesn't appeal to me any longer. However, I suppose I could get a game going, if it pleases you. I suppose one less nightly massacre won't harm anyone." A pause. "I see no point in getting a new broom. Neither you nor anyone of my followers has one that comes close to half the speed of the Firebolt."
"I know that, but that isn't the point." "then what?" "A Firebolt is associated with your name. It can cause inconveniences. Shall we say, sometimes it's the best to blend in." "Oh right…and a Lightening Bolt wouldn't. Think it sends a clearer picture on who the rider may be. Oh great, I just need something else to remind me of that bloody curse on my head." He snapped sarcastically.
Avenger turned away. Harry raised an eyebrow, and seeing no response, started walking again. Avenger hurriedly followed. When they were on even footing again, Harry muttered. "When it comes to gifts, there is nothing a blind man would welcome more then vision, not sight, but vision." Avenger groaned silently, giving a quick glance at the other's face. Though he could not see the scars that had blinded the man's left eye, he could envision it clearly. He shrugged, shaking it off, deciding that it was too late to mend what was done in the past.
"Right choice Weasley. I see household grudges have not stopped you from making the correct decision." The blonde frowned. He could hear the distinctive footsteps behind him, but wondered why the other had not retorted, which was something he was awaiting to happen. He abruptly stopped, and spun around. Immediately, his faced paled at the sight of who it was.
"Father" Draco greeted silkily after regaining composure. His eyes darted from side to side, but he could see no redhead. He wondered briefly if his father had killed him.
"Draco." Malfoy sneered ever so slightly, his wand twitching slightly. "Why are you here? I believe the Prince's orders clearly stated that you are to remain at Hogwarts unless otherwise notified." The elder Malfoy's eyes squinted. "unless of course you are deliberately disobeying him." Draco shifted his weight from one leg to the next.
"There is a spy among us" Lucius continued, noting the uneasiness in his son. "I want you to find him and bring him to me so that he can be punished properly. No one will get away with betraying the Prince, not even family." Lucius hinted, ever so lightly. Draco seemed to outwardly flinch. He didn't comment, but he didn't like where this conversation was going.
"but then again, I believe you know that already." A pause. "after all, you are a Malfoy and all Malfoy's have a way of finding out anything." Another pause. "So then, maybe you are here to report who the spy is." Then ever more quietly. "Nothing can be gained by protecting Dumbledore and his minions. I see not why you are doing so."
Draco stared at the floor, not knowing how to respond. Then almost inaudible, he asked. "what makes you think that? What makes you think I…." he never finished his sentence. His father briskly walked up to him and tug something off his neck. He gasped. "Two things. The first is this" he dangled the Order necklace in his hand, "and the second is that I, no, shall I say Severus and I, overheard a little conversation just minutes ago between you and Weasley."
Ron watched Draco disappear behind some bushes. He waited awhile before begrudgingly following in the general direction that he knew that Malfoy was heading. He hated to admit that for once the blonde was correct. In fact, he hated to admit that Malfoy was right in the fact that he knew nothing about the other at all.
He shrugged, only half aware of the surroundings as his other half was busily trying to decipher the young Malfoy's true intentions.
"Stupefy!" The stunning spell came out of nowhere, hitting its target perfectly. Ron stumbled backwards. Before he knew it, he was lying face up on the floor. A Death Eater was standing above him.
"Petrifucus Totalus!" A second spell was issued. It flew over Ron's head and hit the looming Death Eater by surprise. A third spell was issued and the Death Eater was thrown backwards with a mighty force, knocking him out instantly.
The reversal stunning spell hit Ron, and immediately the Redhead jumped onto his feet. He spun around, this time wand ready to face whoever had issued those spells.
"Weasley" Snape, who was dressed in a complete Death Eater outfit, but had the mask hang loosely around his neck, acknowledged the boy.
Ron's face relaxed slightly. His Potion Professor wasn't who he wanted to see, yet if he had the choice he would rather it be him then any one else. He was no fool, and he knew that if it wasn't for the older man, he was probably dead by now.
"er….thanks…" Ron muttered softly. "Professor" Snape made no sign that he had heard the boy. Instead he gestured to the inner corner of the cave. Ron's eyes followed the gestured. There they were. The reason of this entire task. The students that awaited to be rescued. Not needing to be told, Ron bounced towards them.
Snape watched from a distance, taking in the scene coldly. In the split minute that he had encountered Ron within the cave, he had made his decision. The decision to either help Dumbledore or remain loyal to Harry. It wasn't that difficult. He knew very well his place and his standing in society, who it actually boiled down to if he could only save one of them. He had known it all along. That was why it hadn't been difficult to the point where he would regret it later. Harry would understand. He would always understand, but Dumbledore would not. Dumbledore only wanted what was best for everyone, which in turns proves to be the worst for that paticualar person. Snape knew well that if he had chosen otherwise, Dumbledore would have a fit and begin doubting him all over again, blaming him for things that were out of his control. Harry, on the other hand would not. The boy was a reasonable man, and on the contrary to popular belief, once you got to know him, he was still the boy that the world had once fallen in love with.
"Get going now" Snape hissed out, apparently angry that he was actually doing this. "take as many as you can." Ron looked up momentarily. "I will not help you." There was the questioning stare. "I know not what's gong on here. I will not be blamed, or shall I say, tortured for doing what's right." Snape then turned and walked out of the cave, pausing once to say one last thing. "and do tell Dumbledore to send someone else next time, someone more experienced." He didn't need to turn around to know that Ron's face had turned into the color of a overly ripped tomato.
Draco's face paled drastically. "Father…Father…I…I…I can explain." The usually calm teen sputtered out. Malfoy Sr. squinted a bit, "Yes, you need a lot of explaining to do young man. Shall I say, to the whole family. If we deem it reasonable, we might consider some alternative for your actions." Draco gulped hard. He hung his head, and waited.
Lucius took a step back from his son. Then taking out what seemed like a family seal, he tapped it once with his wand.
Harry abruptly stopped. Avenger halted beside him. He looked at the young man to see him looking in the general direction of the cave that was located off of Hogsmade.
"Lucius is summoning a family gathering." Harry squinted his eyes. "A Malfoy-Black-Snape gathering to be precise." "What's that suppose to mean?" Avenger asked, also looking in the general direction that the other was. "My instincts tell me something's happened at the Cave."
The young man did not finish before a pop from a nearby alleyway sounded. "It's Snape." The Prince continued, distinguishing who and where the appertor had apperated to. Leading the way, they zigzagged through the people of the village, and headed into a dark passage.
"My prince." Snape spoke, bowing slightly at the sight of them, recognizing the disguise that the two were wearing. "Report" that was the greeting in return. Snape took a breath, and spoke of what had occurred. Both Harry and Avenger listened intently. "and Lucius' reaction?" The prince asked slowly. Snape looked at him for a while, shaking off the thought that he wasn't punished for letting Weasley and the prisoners freely go. Then again, at the present time, getting Draco and making him pay was more important then the other.
"I do not know. However, I have the suspicion that Lucius is leaving it to a family decision." Harry gave a quick nod. "perhaps you would like to attend?" Avenger seemed to agree as he was once again fiddling with his daggers. Harry shook his head. "I will respect Lucius' decision. I need not get involve unless I am required. His is old enough to decide what's right and wrong. I am sure he will be able to come up with an appropriate solution, and only if I disagree with it, shall I interfere." Snape nodded. "Then I must leave" Harry nodded his approval. "and oh, Snape, just know that I am always watching from the sidelines. Always. Just because you get away with one thing, don't you dare think you can get away with another. In the end it is I who judges what is right and wrong. Bear in mind, betrayal is not acceptable" with that last warning, Snape disappeared.
The wind shifted. Five whole minutes passed in silence. Then pops could be heard from all directions. Draco shifted uncomfortably. His father was no longer in front of him, but a certain distance off to the side, standing next to the rest of the family.
The young Malfoy heir slowly looked up. He could see he was surrounded, at least in a half circle. His father, Narcissa Black-Malfoy, Bellatrix Black-Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange and Severus Snape. Ok, so it wasn't Draco's whole family, only the ones of importance, and was very influential.
"Lucius, care to explain the meaning of this?" Bellatrix asked, being just as impatient as ever. The elder Malfoy did not reply. Instead, he turned to his son. "Yes, would you care to enlighten us son?" Draco made no attempt to justify himself. Seconds turned into minutes, and still no reply.
"Very well." Lucius turned slightly to Snape. "Severus, if you would, help me out. Act as a cross reference if you would." Snape nodded.
Having said that, Snape began the tale from the beginning, with the Prince's original goal. Lucius picked up where Snape left off and repeated word for word what the conversation between Draco and Weasley.
Now all eyes fell on Draco, whose face had took on a few shades of red. A silence overlapped. He didn't need to know that a few wands were pointed at him.
"Now" Lucius continued again. "Draco, I do believe you have been a Death Eater long enough to know the consequences of betrayal, not only to the Prince, but to us as well, your family." A pause before he turned to the group of gathered wizards and witches. "I now subject my son to these consequences. Is there any objections?" There were silent shuffling among the gathered.
"Draco!" Narcissa finally said, quite sternly, though it was clear that her voice had a pleading sense. Her son still did not say a word. "Please, ask your father for forgiveness. Please. You were under a spell weren't you? Dumbledore forced you didn't he?" His son made no attempt to justify himself.
"Lucius…" Narcissa continued, turning to her husband. "Please, he's your son! You can't do this to him. Anything but that!" she shrieked, knowing fully well what would happen to her son. True, she despise him for taking the enemy's side, but in the end he was her son, and that was what mattered "Think of what you're doing! He hasn't lived ½ his natural life. Anything, anything but that." She gulped hard.
Lucius had a cold hard face, that spoke for itself. A face that said nothing could be done to change his mind. "Narcissa, what would you have me do then? Hide him, protect him for committing what's wrong!" "Yes! He's your son. Please reconsider. No matter what's happened, in the end he's your flesh blood and bone!"
His face did not change, though his mind was racing. "Even if I did agree with you, how much can I do? Harry will find out. Would you rather have us treat it ourselves, or leave it to him? Either way, Draco's life is sealed. His days are numbered." Narcissa's face paled at that thought. "I will not hand him over. That would be cruel and I am not that cold blooded as the Prince or his pet werewolf."
His wife shut up. Lucius then swept his eyes around the others that were attending. No one else seemed to disagree, but then again, maybe because they didn't want to voice it.
"If no one else disagrees, can we agree with a way to deal with him? Must not forget we need to present some form of this episode to the Prince, at least to inform him. I'll hate to be blamed for being mistakenly working on the wrong side by hiding the boy."
There was some silence. Finally Bellatrix spoke. "What do you propose Lucius?"
When Lucius spoke again, he spoke slowly and clearly. "Kill him. However, considering the face that he is my son, to make it a quick and fast one."
No one spoke. Lucius glanced at the boy once who wasn't the least fazed by having his fate laid down before him. His eyes furrowed, but made no comment. No one seemed to object.
"and then we give the dead body to the Prince and let him do whatever he desires with it." It sounded simple, but at the moment, that was all he could think of. "for all I care, he can feed it the birds."
Another silence elapsed. Seeing no last objections, he motioned for his boy. "Come Draco. Say your final goodbyes." The boy said nothing. Instead he walked towards his father. Without glancing back, he walked off with him.
The two walked in silence for a very long time, to a very desolated area.
"Get out." Lucius said at last, turning his back on his son. "I never want to see you again, or hear from you for that matter." He didn't see his son's eyes widen. "Your mother's correct. In the end you are my son. I cannot do it."
"Father…I…"
"Get out!" he hissed.
Seeing no room for objections, he took one last look at his father, before turning and slowly walking away.
From behind him, Lucius felt the wind pick up. Then before he knew it, two daggers swished by him, one pinning Draco through his back, the other landing just above the head, at a precise angle.
Malfoy hissed angry, and hurt. He spun around, but he couldn't find the owner of the daggers. That didn't matter, the daggers themselves were a signature mark of the owner. He scowled. Nevertheless he went up to his son, flipped him around to see dead, surprise eyes staring up at him, a look of betrayal.
So he must have thought I did it.
Malfoy didn't ponder long. Instead, he picked up the note that had been pinned onto the ground by the second dagger.
Malfoy,
I understand your fatherly intentions and I am glad you still have them. To say the least, I would have done the same if I could. However, you must understand that you are risking a loosing stake. If the boy gets away, not only will you be blamed, but your family and all those involved. You realized that don't you. There are so many complications. Besides, I spared the boy for what you know is bound to occur, if caught afterwards. Just be glad.
Avenger
How he had ever safely made it back to Headquarters, with everyone else safe and sound, or to a certain point, was something that Ron would never fully understand. All he knew was he that he was glad that he was alive.
The moment he had arrived at Headquarters, there was an immediate rush of people that flooded around him. No one ever mentioned Draco as they were busy attending to the captured now released students. It was only until they had found a way to somehow completely unbind and counter cursed all spells on Hermione, did the process quickened.
"So Ron it is good to see you have succeeded, but even better that at least one of you made it back alive," Dumbledore was looking him over the moment the redhead seemed to settle down. "would you like to tell us your tale and how Draco might have fallen" the old man assumed him dead as he wasn't here.
Ron gulped down a piece of chocolate, before opening his month to speak. He didn't get pass a sentence when Dumbledore's attention was brought to somewhere else. He had noticed a pop that had sounded in another part of the building. He seemed to be the only one to notice.
"A moment Ron." Saying that the old man, walked out of the room, and headed to where the sound was. He found what he was looking for at the remotest point of headquaters.
There in front of him, lay Draco. The dagger had been pulled out earlier so that it was not intruding from the boy's back. Instead, the boy seemed to be in a single piece. Aside from the obvious fact that he was dead, nothing seemed to be wrong with him.
Dumbledore looked him over once. He walked closer, only to find a piece of paper sticking out from the hole the dagger had caused. It was dipped in blood, but the hastily written message was still distinguishable, clearly identifying that Snape had been the one who brought he body back.
The Malfoy-Black-Snape family decision, approved by the Prince, executed by Avenger.
So finished. Well there's the fate of Draco. Review!