A/N Thanks for reviewing Dark Lulu, Redwoman, Tabby Girl, Laura and Child-of-the-Dawn.
I've always found the character of Ollivander to be interesting. I use some of the lesser known characters quite a bit so look for him to return.
Big thanks to Linze for helping me out with some questions I needed answered for a few later chapters.
Another big thanks to Audrey1 for offering to proofread my stories.
Laura All I can say is when Lupin was teaching in POA he would then have qualified as a former student and Professor McGonagall never makes an exception to her policy against dating former students.
It may sound odd at the moment, but trust me it deals with one of the central themes of the story and will be handled very delicately and in character. Besides you won't find out about it in detail for at least another 50 chapters so if it really bothers anyone they can just put it out of their mind until we get to the days of the Marauders..
I'm going to try to speed up the story a little bit so people don't lose interest. I just realized it took me ten chapters to get through about four hours of events. That might give you an indication of how long it will take me to tell sixty plus years in a person's life.
Wizard's Code is a plot device I am going to use a few times. It will be a combination and often distortion, of old Roman, Viking, and Anglo-Saxon codes of conduct.
***********************************
Once Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall left, Harry found his way upstairs. He was staying in the same room as last year. The only difference was this year, Neville shared the room with them.
Ron was already asleep, but after five years of sharing a bedroom with Neville, Harry knew the lack of sound in the room meant Neville was only pretending to be asleep. Harry had figured out by now that Neville knew a lot more about what went on tonight than he did, but given the other revelations of the day, Harry was fairly certain he didn't want to share in that knowledge.
It took a long while for Harry to get to sleep. In the quiet darkness of his godfather's house, it was harder to keep the memories at bay.
When Harry finally managed to drift off to sleep, Neville's usual snoring was still not to be heard. Harry's last conscious thought before sleep was an acknowledgement that not trying to share in Neville's knowledge was a wise choice if it was that disturbing.
***************************************
Everyone slept late into the afternoon. Even Mr. Weasley spent the day at Grimmauld Place. His only official ministry business of the next few days was to help try to keep the children from running amuck before or during the Wizengot.
A few of the more trusted Order members were allowed in and out of the house. Moody pulled Harry aside and asked Harry to go through the events of the previous night. Harry found it odd that Moody hadn't just gone to Professor McGonagall for information, but went through the events with him anyways. But for the most part, the children were kept secluded.
As the children attempted to play gobstones, test out some of Fred and George's newer inventions, and talk about anything other than the trial planned for the next day, the adults' nervousness was distracting. Most were convinced that the previous evening's attempt on Harry's life would not be the only one before the Wizengot was finished. After all, what other motive could be behind Lucius Malfoy's demands that Harry be present.
That evening, when the other children were sent up to bed, Harry stayed behind to speak to Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. It was less some of the weight he had felt on his heart and plus not a small number of hugs that he finally followed up after the other children.
The others were too full of nervous excitement to sleep that night. More than once, Mrs. Weasley had to send the girl's back to their own room.
Before they finally fell asleep, Ron was the one to bring up the topic.
"Are you guys, you know, afraid?"
"Yes." Admitted Harry.
Neville spoke with a weary determination that ended the conversation. "It doesn't matter if you're afraid or not. A wrong has been done and it needs to be corrected. Wizard's code."
"Yeah." agreed Ron quietly. "Wizard's code."
Harry didn't need to ask exactly what Wizard's code was to agree with Neville's other words.
********************************
The next morning came both too quickly and not fast enough. The breakfast feast Mrs. Weasley had prepared with her overabundance of nervous energy was left almost untouched. Only Luna, who could shrug off anything, even bothered to fill a plate.
The escort that came for them was enormous. Besides the members of Harry's guard from last night, it appeared every hit wizard and auror in the employ of the Ministry of Magic was present. They formed a human wall around each of the children for the journey.
They arrived without incident and were led to the door of the Wizengot. There one by one they were called in to testify. Harry was the first of the children to go.
The Wizengot was much less intimidating this time with Albus Dumbledore to look down reassuringly instead of Fudge and Umbridge's accusing glares of last summer. Harry couldn't help but rejoice to see now that Dumbledore was again on the Wizengot, the toad woman was not to be seen.
After relating his version of the events at the Department of Mysteries, Harry was allowed to take a seat in the stands to watch the rest of the proceedings. Harry couldn't help the feeling of déjà vu sitting next to Alastor Moody.
Looking at Lucius Malfoy sitting in the chair reserved for the accused, Harry felt no small amount of satisfaction. The Dementors might no longer be in charge of Azkaban, but even so, the shrunken ness of Lucius Malfoy's form showed it was still not a desirable place to be. Harry had no need to listen to the others give their accounts of what had occurred in the Department of Mysteries. All he needed was to look into Malfoy's face and see that finally, the smug expression and air of superiority were gone.
When Harry finally managed to tear his eyes from that most welcome sight, he let his eyes roam the rows of observers. He probably shouldn't have been, but he was surprised when he met the gaze of Draco Malfoy. No one had mentioned Draco and his mother would be in attendance, but now that he thought about it, why wouldn't they be here.
The ferocity of Draco's gaze, the expression of sheer hatred and unconcealed rage didn't bother Harry. Maybe it was just that Draco needed something, someone to focus on so he didn't have to look down upon his own father sitting chained to a chair before all these people. But then, although Draco had never before fixed him with a look with quite that degree of hatred and rage, Draco had always fixed him with a look of hatred and rage.
It probably wasn't the most well-advised thing Harry had ever done in his life, but right at that moment, he just couldn't help himself. It felt too much like the right thing to do. Returning Draco's gaze, Harry fixed his own face with an ear-to-ear grin and raised a hand to wave cheerfully at Draco.
The way Draco turned crimson and stood, the way Narcissa Malfoy had to physically restrain Draco from trying to get to him, were too much for Harry. He finally averted his eyes.
"Potter, its not a good idea to kick an animal when they're down. Once you have them cornered with no escape left, that's when they become most dangerous."
Not wanting to be brought down from his new high, Harry just nodded and went back to checking on who was in attendance. Really, it wasn't that Malfoy had managed to upset him or that he did realize the truth to Moody's advice, that made him seek out a familiar, reassuring face. Really, it wasn't. When he didn't find the face, he couldn't quite keep the disappointment from his voice.
"Professor McGonagall didn't come?"
Moody snorted. "That would be the day. If McGonagall walked in those doors, these people would clear out faster than if a stampede of insulted hippogriffs flew in. You do know who her grandmother was don't you?"
Probably not really wanting to know, Harry slowly shook his head.
"Mnemosyne Themis." said Moody, as if that settled the matter.
Not seeing a dawn of recognition on Harry's face, Moody sighed before continuing.
"Mnemosyne Themis was brought up on charges before the Wizengot. After the Wizengot found her guilty and pronounced her punishment, she pronounced the Wizengot guilty of sitting in judgment of her and carried out a punishment of her own. She sealed the doors and set fire to the room. Wiped out the whole Wizengot except for one who happened to be a salamander animagus. Died in the fire herself. Fire went on for three days, but never touched any of the other chambers in the Ministry. There is a reason this room is stone now."
Hermione, who had finally finished her very detailed testimony joined them at the middle of the story.
"I've read that story before, but it never includes what Mnemosyne's original crime was."
Moody looked Hermione in the eye before responding. "She charmed the flowers in her garden to bloom even in winter."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "The punishment for that used to be rather severe?"
Moody shrugged. "Five galleons."
Hermione's brow furrowed deeper. "Mnemosyne killed herself and all those people to avoid paying a five galleon fine?"
Moody shrugged again. "Well, there was the principle of the matter too."
Hermione just stared at Moody.
With Ron's lack of attention to detail, his testimony had not lasted long at all.
"So if all these women were cursed and a bunch of nutters how did they manage to keep having children?"
"Men are very weak, Weasley, very weak."
Ron didn't argue. "So does Professor McGonagall have any relatives that weren't psychotic murderers?"
Moody took a moment to think. "A few centuries ago, there was a woman, Eris. She used to scribe books and donate them to libraries.-"
"That's not bad." said Hermione.
Apparently she had spoken too soon.
"They were cursed books. She used a special quill that wrote in her own blood. Then, she enchanted the blood so any not of her line attempting to read it would go blind or mad depending on which volume."
"That would fit my definition of psychotic." Corrected Ron.
"Aye, but she never actually murdered anyone. Minerva's mother never actually murdered anyone either, but I think if she had lived just a little longer… Then again, as Henry James once wrote, 'To kill a human being is, after all, the least injury you can do him.' No, I'd say Artemisia caused plenty of damage in her short life."
The conversation came to an end when Luna's testimony began. Unlike the testimony of the others, Harry found Luna's version held his attention. It was quite interesting, as it was something new and entirely unlike anything he remembered happening.
Ron spoke the question they were all thinking. "What Ministry of Magic did Luna go to?"
Harry was thankful Dumbledore was on the Wizengot again. He managed to move Luna's testimony along and extract enough relevant facts from her to satisfy the other members of the Wizengot Council.
When Neville entered to give his testimony, you could tell people already knew who he was. A quick murmur of excitement went through the crowds followed immediately by a respectful hush. The Wizengot listened to Neville's rendition of events without interruption. Even the more skeptical members made no effort to contradict Neville Longbottom when he completed his testimony.
Kingsley Shackleton was the last to give testimony. The other adults had given their testimony earlier. Harry let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding when the Wizengot at last gave its judgment. Lucius Malfoy would never again walk free of Azkaban.
When the group stood to leave, Moody put a hand on Harry's shoulder to stop him. Harry looked up and saw Draco Malfoy standing in an empty spot not far.
"I want a word with Potter. I claim my right by the Wizard's code."
Moody's magical eye traveled the length of Draco Malfoy before he spoke so low only Harry could hear him.
"You don't have to. His family only invokes the code when it benefits them. They sure as hell never lived by it. It's your choice. He is unarmed. His wand was taken at the entrance of the Ministry. He and his mother were checked for any weapons, poisons, or other dangerous items before being admitted."
Remembering Moody's earlier words, Harry decided to speak to Draco. After all, saying no would only delay Draco's wrath a few months until school started.
"Turn around slowly, Malfoy. I want to check you for contraband first."
Draco sent Moody an angry glare, but did as he was told. Finding no cause for particular alarm, Moody released his hold on Harry's shoulder after a final piece of advice.
"I tried to argue their tongues were dangerous items, but no one would let me remove them."
Moody kept his magical eye fixed on Draco as Harry approached him.
Draco's expression and voice exuded contempt.
"Rather pleased with yourself today, Potter. This isn't over you know."
Harry tried to keep in mind Moody's earlier advice, he really did. But Draco Malfoy and his whole family were loathsome.
"It is over for your father, Malfoy."
Draco's eyes flashed with anger before a smirk settled on his features.
"Shame your little pooch couldn't come with you today, Potter."
Seeing he had hit his mark, Draco continued.
"I'm sure he would have been a great comfort to you. At least my father is still alive. When this is all over, my father will be set free, but you'll still be out a mongrel."
Harry knew Draco was trying to bait him. He tried to keep his temper.
"Voldemort isn't going to win, Draco. Your father is just as good as dead for you."
Draco's temper was rising too. "Who's going to stop him? You? I don't think so, Potty."
Harry took a step closer in an attempt to intimidate Draco.
"I won't be alone. The Ministry, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, they are all onto your master's plans. He won't succeed. So be a good little ferret and go run on back to your mummy."
Draco peered Harry up and down. He gave Harry a look of pity as if Harry was a simpleton.
"Still haven't got a clue about what's really going on, do you, Potter?"
Draco's question was delivered more as a comment.
"You think you are so righteous. You don't even know what it is they have you fighting for."
Knowing Draco was just trying to get him off balance, Harry kept his face neutral. "And I suppose you are going to explain it all for me?"
"You still think Dumbledore is the great protector. You think all of this is a fight between good and evil. Well, sorry to disappoint you, Potter., but if you think you are fighting on the side of right, you are wrong. Do you really want to know what is going on here, Potter? Or are you content living a lie?"
"Blow over, Malfoy."
Draco was so worked up, spittle was flying from his mouth as he spoke.
"You think Dumbledore is so good and noble. And McGonagall is his loyal little lapdog. Content to just do his bidding. McGonagall is only by his side because she doesn't get a choice. He keeps her there using the Imperius curse."
Harry put out a hand to push Draco aside and go rejoin the others. If Malfoy was going to lie, next time he should try to make it a little more believable than Luna's stories.
"Sod off, you little ferret."
Draco smirked. "Don't believe me, do you?"
"Whatever gave you that idea?" said Harry sarcastically.
Draco's smile took up more of his face.
"Don't take my word for it, Potter. Ask him. Ask your great hero and look into his eyes when you do. Forget what he says, just watch for the answer in his eyes. You'll know then, I'm telling the truth."
Something about the way Draco insisted made Harry pause. Of course, he knew it was a lie, but what was Draco playing at?
"He wouldn't do that, Draco. In case, you have forgotten, that's the kind of thing your master does."
"Really Potter, you are so naïve. Do you really think she would have stayed with him all these years by choice? He's like a hundred years older than her. Do you know what he makes her do at night? Do you want to know the vile things he does to her?"
"Draco, shut your filthy mouth."
Harry had had enough and pushed past Draco.
"What did Malfoy want?" asked Ron when Harry returned.
Harry really didn't feel like repeating all the disgusting lies Draco had told. "He wanted to copy my Herbology essay, but I told him I didn't have it on me."
I've always found the character of Ollivander to be interesting. I use some of the lesser known characters quite a bit so look for him to return.
Big thanks to Linze for helping me out with some questions I needed answered for a few later chapters.
Another big thanks to Audrey1 for offering to proofread my stories.
Laura All I can say is when Lupin was teaching in POA he would then have qualified as a former student and Professor McGonagall never makes an exception to her policy against dating former students.
It may sound odd at the moment, but trust me it deals with one of the central themes of the story and will be handled very delicately and in character. Besides you won't find out about it in detail for at least another 50 chapters so if it really bothers anyone they can just put it out of their mind until we get to the days of the Marauders..
I'm going to try to speed up the story a little bit so people don't lose interest. I just realized it took me ten chapters to get through about four hours of events. That might give you an indication of how long it will take me to tell sixty plus years in a person's life.
Wizard's Code is a plot device I am going to use a few times. It will be a combination and often distortion, of old Roman, Viking, and Anglo-Saxon codes of conduct.
***********************************
Once Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall left, Harry found his way upstairs. He was staying in the same room as last year. The only difference was this year, Neville shared the room with them.
Ron was already asleep, but after five years of sharing a bedroom with Neville, Harry knew the lack of sound in the room meant Neville was only pretending to be asleep. Harry had figured out by now that Neville knew a lot more about what went on tonight than he did, but given the other revelations of the day, Harry was fairly certain he didn't want to share in that knowledge.
It took a long while for Harry to get to sleep. In the quiet darkness of his godfather's house, it was harder to keep the memories at bay.
When Harry finally managed to drift off to sleep, Neville's usual snoring was still not to be heard. Harry's last conscious thought before sleep was an acknowledgement that not trying to share in Neville's knowledge was a wise choice if it was that disturbing.
***************************************
Everyone slept late into the afternoon. Even Mr. Weasley spent the day at Grimmauld Place. His only official ministry business of the next few days was to help try to keep the children from running amuck before or during the Wizengot.
A few of the more trusted Order members were allowed in and out of the house. Moody pulled Harry aside and asked Harry to go through the events of the previous night. Harry found it odd that Moody hadn't just gone to Professor McGonagall for information, but went through the events with him anyways. But for the most part, the children were kept secluded.
As the children attempted to play gobstones, test out some of Fred and George's newer inventions, and talk about anything other than the trial planned for the next day, the adults' nervousness was distracting. Most were convinced that the previous evening's attempt on Harry's life would not be the only one before the Wizengot was finished. After all, what other motive could be behind Lucius Malfoy's demands that Harry be present.
That evening, when the other children were sent up to bed, Harry stayed behind to speak to Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. It was less some of the weight he had felt on his heart and plus not a small number of hugs that he finally followed up after the other children.
The others were too full of nervous excitement to sleep that night. More than once, Mrs. Weasley had to send the girl's back to their own room.
Before they finally fell asleep, Ron was the one to bring up the topic.
"Are you guys, you know, afraid?"
"Yes." Admitted Harry.
Neville spoke with a weary determination that ended the conversation. "It doesn't matter if you're afraid or not. A wrong has been done and it needs to be corrected. Wizard's code."
"Yeah." agreed Ron quietly. "Wizard's code."
Harry didn't need to ask exactly what Wizard's code was to agree with Neville's other words.
********************************
The next morning came both too quickly and not fast enough. The breakfast feast Mrs. Weasley had prepared with her overabundance of nervous energy was left almost untouched. Only Luna, who could shrug off anything, even bothered to fill a plate.
The escort that came for them was enormous. Besides the members of Harry's guard from last night, it appeared every hit wizard and auror in the employ of the Ministry of Magic was present. They formed a human wall around each of the children for the journey.
They arrived without incident and were led to the door of the Wizengot. There one by one they were called in to testify. Harry was the first of the children to go.
The Wizengot was much less intimidating this time with Albus Dumbledore to look down reassuringly instead of Fudge and Umbridge's accusing glares of last summer. Harry couldn't help but rejoice to see now that Dumbledore was again on the Wizengot, the toad woman was not to be seen.
After relating his version of the events at the Department of Mysteries, Harry was allowed to take a seat in the stands to watch the rest of the proceedings. Harry couldn't help the feeling of déjà vu sitting next to Alastor Moody.
Looking at Lucius Malfoy sitting in the chair reserved for the accused, Harry felt no small amount of satisfaction. The Dementors might no longer be in charge of Azkaban, but even so, the shrunken ness of Lucius Malfoy's form showed it was still not a desirable place to be. Harry had no need to listen to the others give their accounts of what had occurred in the Department of Mysteries. All he needed was to look into Malfoy's face and see that finally, the smug expression and air of superiority were gone.
When Harry finally managed to tear his eyes from that most welcome sight, he let his eyes roam the rows of observers. He probably shouldn't have been, but he was surprised when he met the gaze of Draco Malfoy. No one had mentioned Draco and his mother would be in attendance, but now that he thought about it, why wouldn't they be here.
The ferocity of Draco's gaze, the expression of sheer hatred and unconcealed rage didn't bother Harry. Maybe it was just that Draco needed something, someone to focus on so he didn't have to look down upon his own father sitting chained to a chair before all these people. But then, although Draco had never before fixed him with a look with quite that degree of hatred and rage, Draco had always fixed him with a look of hatred and rage.
It probably wasn't the most well-advised thing Harry had ever done in his life, but right at that moment, he just couldn't help himself. It felt too much like the right thing to do. Returning Draco's gaze, Harry fixed his own face with an ear-to-ear grin and raised a hand to wave cheerfully at Draco.
The way Draco turned crimson and stood, the way Narcissa Malfoy had to physically restrain Draco from trying to get to him, were too much for Harry. He finally averted his eyes.
"Potter, its not a good idea to kick an animal when they're down. Once you have them cornered with no escape left, that's when they become most dangerous."
Not wanting to be brought down from his new high, Harry just nodded and went back to checking on who was in attendance. Really, it wasn't that Malfoy had managed to upset him or that he did realize the truth to Moody's advice, that made him seek out a familiar, reassuring face. Really, it wasn't. When he didn't find the face, he couldn't quite keep the disappointment from his voice.
"Professor McGonagall didn't come?"
Moody snorted. "That would be the day. If McGonagall walked in those doors, these people would clear out faster than if a stampede of insulted hippogriffs flew in. You do know who her grandmother was don't you?"
Probably not really wanting to know, Harry slowly shook his head.
"Mnemosyne Themis." said Moody, as if that settled the matter.
Not seeing a dawn of recognition on Harry's face, Moody sighed before continuing.
"Mnemosyne Themis was brought up on charges before the Wizengot. After the Wizengot found her guilty and pronounced her punishment, she pronounced the Wizengot guilty of sitting in judgment of her and carried out a punishment of her own. She sealed the doors and set fire to the room. Wiped out the whole Wizengot except for one who happened to be a salamander animagus. Died in the fire herself. Fire went on for three days, but never touched any of the other chambers in the Ministry. There is a reason this room is stone now."
Hermione, who had finally finished her very detailed testimony joined them at the middle of the story.
"I've read that story before, but it never includes what Mnemosyne's original crime was."
Moody looked Hermione in the eye before responding. "She charmed the flowers in her garden to bloom even in winter."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "The punishment for that used to be rather severe?"
Moody shrugged. "Five galleons."
Hermione's brow furrowed deeper. "Mnemosyne killed herself and all those people to avoid paying a five galleon fine?"
Moody shrugged again. "Well, there was the principle of the matter too."
Hermione just stared at Moody.
With Ron's lack of attention to detail, his testimony had not lasted long at all.
"So if all these women were cursed and a bunch of nutters how did they manage to keep having children?"
"Men are very weak, Weasley, very weak."
Ron didn't argue. "So does Professor McGonagall have any relatives that weren't psychotic murderers?"
Moody took a moment to think. "A few centuries ago, there was a woman, Eris. She used to scribe books and donate them to libraries.-"
"That's not bad." said Hermione.
Apparently she had spoken too soon.
"They were cursed books. She used a special quill that wrote in her own blood. Then, she enchanted the blood so any not of her line attempting to read it would go blind or mad depending on which volume."
"That would fit my definition of psychotic." Corrected Ron.
"Aye, but she never actually murdered anyone. Minerva's mother never actually murdered anyone either, but I think if she had lived just a little longer… Then again, as Henry James once wrote, 'To kill a human being is, after all, the least injury you can do him.' No, I'd say Artemisia caused plenty of damage in her short life."
The conversation came to an end when Luna's testimony began. Unlike the testimony of the others, Harry found Luna's version held his attention. It was quite interesting, as it was something new and entirely unlike anything he remembered happening.
Ron spoke the question they were all thinking. "What Ministry of Magic did Luna go to?"
Harry was thankful Dumbledore was on the Wizengot again. He managed to move Luna's testimony along and extract enough relevant facts from her to satisfy the other members of the Wizengot Council.
When Neville entered to give his testimony, you could tell people already knew who he was. A quick murmur of excitement went through the crowds followed immediately by a respectful hush. The Wizengot listened to Neville's rendition of events without interruption. Even the more skeptical members made no effort to contradict Neville Longbottom when he completed his testimony.
Kingsley Shackleton was the last to give testimony. The other adults had given their testimony earlier. Harry let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding when the Wizengot at last gave its judgment. Lucius Malfoy would never again walk free of Azkaban.
When the group stood to leave, Moody put a hand on Harry's shoulder to stop him. Harry looked up and saw Draco Malfoy standing in an empty spot not far.
"I want a word with Potter. I claim my right by the Wizard's code."
Moody's magical eye traveled the length of Draco Malfoy before he spoke so low only Harry could hear him.
"You don't have to. His family only invokes the code when it benefits them. They sure as hell never lived by it. It's your choice. He is unarmed. His wand was taken at the entrance of the Ministry. He and his mother were checked for any weapons, poisons, or other dangerous items before being admitted."
Remembering Moody's earlier words, Harry decided to speak to Draco. After all, saying no would only delay Draco's wrath a few months until school started.
"Turn around slowly, Malfoy. I want to check you for contraband first."
Draco sent Moody an angry glare, but did as he was told. Finding no cause for particular alarm, Moody released his hold on Harry's shoulder after a final piece of advice.
"I tried to argue their tongues were dangerous items, but no one would let me remove them."
Moody kept his magical eye fixed on Draco as Harry approached him.
Draco's expression and voice exuded contempt.
"Rather pleased with yourself today, Potter. This isn't over you know."
Harry tried to keep in mind Moody's earlier advice, he really did. But Draco Malfoy and his whole family were loathsome.
"It is over for your father, Malfoy."
Draco's eyes flashed with anger before a smirk settled on his features.
"Shame your little pooch couldn't come with you today, Potter."
Seeing he had hit his mark, Draco continued.
"I'm sure he would have been a great comfort to you. At least my father is still alive. When this is all over, my father will be set free, but you'll still be out a mongrel."
Harry knew Draco was trying to bait him. He tried to keep his temper.
"Voldemort isn't going to win, Draco. Your father is just as good as dead for you."
Draco's temper was rising too. "Who's going to stop him? You? I don't think so, Potty."
Harry took a step closer in an attempt to intimidate Draco.
"I won't be alone. The Ministry, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, they are all onto your master's plans. He won't succeed. So be a good little ferret and go run on back to your mummy."
Draco peered Harry up and down. He gave Harry a look of pity as if Harry was a simpleton.
"Still haven't got a clue about what's really going on, do you, Potter?"
Draco's question was delivered more as a comment.
"You think you are so righteous. You don't even know what it is they have you fighting for."
Knowing Draco was just trying to get him off balance, Harry kept his face neutral. "And I suppose you are going to explain it all for me?"
"You still think Dumbledore is the great protector. You think all of this is a fight between good and evil. Well, sorry to disappoint you, Potter., but if you think you are fighting on the side of right, you are wrong. Do you really want to know what is going on here, Potter? Or are you content living a lie?"
"Blow over, Malfoy."
Draco was so worked up, spittle was flying from his mouth as he spoke.
"You think Dumbledore is so good and noble. And McGonagall is his loyal little lapdog. Content to just do his bidding. McGonagall is only by his side because she doesn't get a choice. He keeps her there using the Imperius curse."
Harry put out a hand to push Draco aside and go rejoin the others. If Malfoy was going to lie, next time he should try to make it a little more believable than Luna's stories.
"Sod off, you little ferret."
Draco smirked. "Don't believe me, do you?"
"Whatever gave you that idea?" said Harry sarcastically.
Draco's smile took up more of his face.
"Don't take my word for it, Potter. Ask him. Ask your great hero and look into his eyes when you do. Forget what he says, just watch for the answer in his eyes. You'll know then, I'm telling the truth."
Something about the way Draco insisted made Harry pause. Of course, he knew it was a lie, but what was Draco playing at?
"He wouldn't do that, Draco. In case, you have forgotten, that's the kind of thing your master does."
"Really Potter, you are so naïve. Do you really think she would have stayed with him all these years by choice? He's like a hundred years older than her. Do you know what he makes her do at night? Do you want to know the vile things he does to her?"
"Draco, shut your filthy mouth."
Harry had had enough and pushed past Draco.
"What did Malfoy want?" asked Ron when Harry returned.
Harry really didn't feel like repeating all the disgusting lies Draco had told. "He wanted to copy my Herbology essay, but I told him I didn't have it on me."