Chapter Thirty-Six: Draco's Story

The next morning, Harry woke up and started to make breakfast for the house. Just as Harry started cracking the eggs, he could hear someone moving loudly in their room. As he began to fry the bacon, Katie walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning, loud one," joked Harry.

"Hah, hah, good morning to you too," said Katie as she walked up behind him and placed a kiss on his cheek, "That was certainly an interesting night."

"It wasn't my first and it won't be your last," said Harry, "Did you sleep well?"

"I suppose after all that," said Katie, "What's for breakfast?"

"Fried eggs, bacon, sausage," said Harry, "Simple stuff, really. I hope everyone can stomach it."

"I'm sure we can," said Mr. Smith as he entered the kitchen, "Do you have any coffee?"

"I have yet to learn to make it, so I suppose you'll have to do it yourself, sorry," said Harry as he flipped the bacon.

Harry could see Mr. Smith making coffee as the rest of the house slowly trickled into the kitchen.

"Looks like you three had a rough night," joked Harry as Ron, Hermione, and Ginny entered.

"You would too if you were knocked unconscious onto the stone floor in here," said Ron.

"Oh, was that us?" asked Mrs. Smith, "Oh, we're sorry, my dears. I hope you will forgive us."

"Its okay, Mrs. Smith. You didn't know what you were doing," said Hermione as she placed her head on Ron's shoulder.

"Here's breakfast," said Harry as he began to dispense the food.

The group began to eat their meal, nervous to talk after the night before. After a bite, Draco began to start coughing.

"Potter! Did you put enough pepper on these?" asked Draco after he finished his coughing fit.

"You didn't realize I gave you yours first?" asked Harry as he attempted to stifle a laugh, "I'm just kidding. If you don't like it, I suppose you can starve."

Draco ate his meal quietly.

"I think today's a good day to test the potion," said Hermione, "Everyone's here except for Neville."

"Okay, I'll see if he can come and help. It'd be better for him if he's here," said Harry.

"Excellent, I can't wait to see how it turns out," said Hermione in anticipation.

"I'm sure it'll be great," said Ron, "You sure want to through that mate? It could take six tries before we get it right. You never know, it might not work at all."

"Way to be enthusiastic, Ron," said Katie.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine," said Harry.

"What's this potion for?" asked Mr. Smith.

"Hopefully, it will help to battle a dementor," said Harry as Draco spit out his orange juice.

"Just where did you get you hands on a dementor? They've already joined him!" yelled Draco, "Come now, Potter, I know you're thick but are you that eager to die?"

"Really, Draco, I never knew you cared so much. For your information, we have a boggart. We'll be using that to test it," said Harry.

"Couldn't that be dangerous?" asked Mrs. Smith, "What if your calculations were incorrect and it poisons you?"

"Then Professor Snape will dance on the Astronomy Tower," laughed Harry, "No, I have certain reasons to believe I won't be dieing until my final battle with Voldemort. I trust that Hermione's calculated every thing to the exact measurements. Today, we're testing two things: the varying amount of chocolate and the results."

"So, why are you testing it with a boggart?" asked Mr. Smith.

"When a boggart attacks me, it turns into a dementor. My old professor, Remus Lupin, told me that it suggests that the thing I fear the most is fear itself," said Harry, "Now, if you would all excuse me, I have to speak with Neville."

Harry walked into the den and grabbed some orange glittering powder. He through it into the fire and stuck his head in as he shouted Neville's name.

"Harry?" asked Neville when he walked past the fire, "What's going on?"

"We're testing the potion today, would you care to assist us?" asked Harry.

"Sure, let me tell my gran and I'll be there in, say, half an hour," said Neville as his head disappeared.

"You know, Harry," said Ron as he walked into the den, "For someone who hates floo powder, you seem to be used to using flack powder."

"Is that what it is?" asked Harry, "I've used it a couple of times. I guess I just assumed how it worked. I'm going to grab my trunk and then go to the library. Let me know when Neville's here and we can test the potion."

Harry went to his room, grabbed his trunk, and lugged it into the library. He set the lock so that only he could open it. As he carried a stack of books down into the trunk, he heard someone calling him.

"Harry?" called Katie, "Are you in here?"

"Down here!" called back Harry.

"What're you doing down here, Harry?" asked Katie.

"I thought that if I have a problem that I need to look up, where else should I look but in my own personal library?" explained Harry.

"Oh, do you need some help?" asked Katie.

"Sure, just start grabbing some books off the shelf and bring them down," said Harry.

The duo worked in silence until they finished.

"Thanks for the help," said Harry as they slumped into a sofa, "I have to ask you a question: Why are you with me?"

"I'm with you because carrying all those books around made me tired," said Katie.

"No, why did you agree to go out with me?" asked Harry.

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I just felt… a bond with you. I can't explain it, I felt drawn to you," said Katie.

"Yeah, I felt that too," said Harry.

"HARRY!" yelled Ron, "NEVILLE'S HERE!"

"Guess we had better go," said Katie as she playfully pouted, causing Harry to start laughing.

Harry and Katie walked into the den and found a very nervous Neville.

"You didn't tell me Malfoy would be here," moaned Neville.

"Sorry, Neville, but he should stay out of your way. Hey, guys, can you come in here?" asked Harry.

Ron and Hermione entered the den.

"If you would all follow me, I will be taking you to a secret part of my Manor. I want as few people to know how the testing goes and I think that it's the only hidden place with enough room," said Harry as he led them to the library, "Ron and Neville, if you could bring the trunk."

"What's so secret about the library?" asked Ron as he placed the trunk on the ground.

"Nobody can see this?" asked Harry as he pointed to the door.

"Yeah, it looks like every other empty shelf around here," said Ron as he thought he was pointing out the obvious.

"No, this," said Harry as he placed his hand on the door.

The door opened to show the chamber. Harry heard four audible gasps behind him.

"Welcome to my training ground," said Harry, "Let's go meet my ancestor."

Harry led the group to the painting.

"Hey, Godric," said Harry.

"Harry, mate, have you lost it?" asked Ron, "What're you talking to?"

"They cannot see me, Harry," said Godric, "Only Potters may."

"Never mind, it's just another thing that makes me stand out. Anyway, could you two put the trunk over there?" asked Harry as Ron and Neville dropped the trunk in the middle of the room.

"Okay, let's start with one bar," said Harry as the trunk rattled violently.

Hermione handed Harry the vial and he drank it in one gulp.

"Definitely better than Polyjuice Potion," said Harry, "You guys back up so you don't get caught."

Harry unlocked the trunk with a flick of his wand and a dementor floated out. Harry immediately heard a sharp screaming for about ten seconds and then it faded slightly.

"Expecto Patronum," said Harry as he forced the boggart into the trunk.

"It's a start," said Harry, "After a few seconds, the memories faded slightly."

"Two bars?" asked Hermione as she handed the vial to Harry.

Harry again swallowed it and turned back to the trunk. He opened it and the dementor again exited its confines. Harry could hear the screaming start again. As soon as it started, it faded and returned. Harry felt as if someone was turning his hearing on and off.

"Expecto Patronum," said Harry, again forcing the boggart into the trunk.

Harry slumped down against a wall.

"Its definitely better," said Harry, "This time it was as if someone was turning the volume up and down.

"The third times the charm," said Katie as she took a seat next to him.

"You all right mate?" asked Ron.

"Yeah, this reminds me of Patronus practice back in our third year. Relentless would be a good word for their attacks," said Harry, "Let's get it done with."

Harry forced himself off the ground and drank down the potion with three bars of chocolate in it. When he unlocked the trunk, the dementor seeped out of the trunk. There was no screaming. As Harry looked towards his friends, he could see that they were hearing their worst memories. He turned back to the dementor-boggart.

"Expecto Patronum," said Harry as the stag erupted from his wand.

Harry watched as the stag rushed to the dementor. Harry watched in surprise as the dementor didn't retreat. Instead, it shrank. The stag stopped and vanished as vapors rose. Where the dementor had been, Harry could now see himself. This wasn't just Harry, it was a Dark Harry. Harry could feel the dark aura pulsing from the boggart's body. The Harry-boggart turned its wand to his friends, who were staring in shock.

"R-riddikulus," yelped Harry as the boggart turned into a bouncing teddy bear and then disappeared in a wisp of smoke.

"What was that, Harry?" asked Katie as she stood.

"It would… appear… that I have a new fear," panted Harry, "I think that was me. I think I'm afraid of my power growing out of control and my hate consuming me. I don't want to turn into Voldemort."

"Don't worry, as long as you have your friends with you, you'll stay on the side of the Light," said Neville, "That is what keeps you from turning into that… murderer, his so-called friends abandoned him. We'll stick with you until the end."

"Thanks, Neville, I needed that," said Harry, "Hermione, could you dictate the effects of the potion as best as possible?"

"I have already started," responded Hermione as she began to scribble furiously.

"Thanks," said Harry as he stood, "Could you guys leave me here for a minute? I need some time alone. I'll be out in a little while."

The four friends left and Harry walked over to the painting of Godric Gryffindor.

"How- What happened?" asked Harry.

"Your potion worked perfectly. Your subconscious knew that and is no longer fearful of dementors. Unfortunately, I couldn't make out the second form," said Godric.

"It was me with my power growing out of control. Next summer, I'm supposed to train with the Monk to control my power," said Harry.

"The Monk, you say? I'm happy for you, this will prove to be useful," said Godric.

"Were you trained by him?" asked Harry.

"Yes but I won't tell you anymore," said Godric, "Now, back to your fear. You are indeed powerful; you have proven that over and over. Just keep this in mind: anger can increase the power of your spells but it leads down the path to the darkness. Salazar found this the hard way. Love is a better way to strengthen your spells. You had better go back to your friends now, Harry."

Harry went into the den and found everyone sitting quietly. Harry took a seat next to Katie.

"Draco? Would it be okay if you told everyone what cause this drastic conversion or would you rather keep it private?" asked Harry.

"I'll be okay to tell you all. In fact, I think it's for the best," said Draco, "As most of you know, I was to become a Death Eater yesterday. Potter knows full well how… he treats his minions. Since the day I returned home from Hogwarts last year, my father thought that it was prudent to teach me what would happen should I fail. I leave you no envy, Potter. I could feel my father's anger and frustration as he endlessly tortured me, hour after hour, day after day, until I reached the brink of my sanity. I started to be able to resist the pain. The week before the new term was to start, he allowed me time to recover. I spent this time unconscious, drifting through the universe, or so I believe. I was shown things during that time that I wish I never had."

"Are you okay?" asked Blaise.

"Yes, I'm fine. The first vision I was shown…" said Draco as he screwed up his face in concentration, "was of a giant bird. It was white and gold. I think that it was a phoenix. It spoke to me; it told me that it was going to show me the life of my savior. It showed me the deaths of two parents and the attempted killing of a baby. The result was a house blown to pieces."

"You saw it all?" asked Harry.

"That… and more. I watched as the phoenix showed me a little boy being beaten by a much larger boy. I watched as the same child was being chased by a dog. I was shown scene after scene of Potter's horrendous childhood. My focus eventually altered to that of his school years. I watched as he faced Quirrell and his spirit in an attempt to protect the Sorcerer's Stone. I saw as he faced a memory of the sixteen year old Tom Riddle. I watched as he slayed a basilisk with Gryffindor's sword. I watched as the poison seeped throughout his body, slowly killing him until a phoenix… Fawkes, I think he called it, healed him with his tears," said Draco as he stared at the floor, "Then, I watched as he fought against the dementor's influence in our third year. I watched as he uncovered the truth behind the betrayal against his parents and as you saved your godfather. The scenes shifted yet again, showing me a graveyard. I watched as you were tied up and used in his sadistic ritual to return to his body. I watched as you dueled and saw the echoes of his latest kills. I watched you bring Diggory's body back to the school and discovered that Moody was really Crouch. The vision altered again, showing you fighting to keep him out of your mind. I watched as he lured you to the Department of Mysteries and the smashing of the prophecy. As your godfather fell behind the Veil and you're being possessed by him, I was watching. I watched in horror as you unleashed your rage upon Dumbledore and his office. The phoenix appeared before me again and told me that you still faced dark times ahead but with friends, you stood the possibility of being happy. The final words it spoke were in the form of a question. It told me to choose."

Harry sat in silence, absorbing Draco's retelling. He vaguely registered her placing her head on his shoulder.

"I think that it's time we all went to bed," said Mr. Smith, "Off you all go."

Everyone went to their respective beds but none slept.