Chapter 2
The strangest rumours were created when it was made known that Draco had lost conscious in the entrance hall. Some said that he was attacked by one of Hagrid's animals, as others said that he fainted after seeing a mouse. But nobody knew the real cause, and even if someone did, thanks to the Hogwart's rumour mill, it would be uncertain if it were truth or not.
As soon as Draco had been found, he had been rushed to the Infirmary. There, Madame Promfrey healed his wounds, and as expected, they healed perfectly. Then the 21 questions began. She wanted to know how he came to sport such injuries and was going on about it, but Draco refused to tell. The stubborn healer wasn't planning to let him go without an explanation and that was the reason why Dumbledore and Snape were presently standing before his bed.
"Draco, I want you to tell me how you acquired these injuries", said Dumbledore, looking serious, for once.
Draco looked at him cockily but didn't say anything.
Snape looked at Draco inquiringly.
"I think I know what happened headmaster", said Snape while he took a step forwards and yanked Draco's hospital gown from his arm. As he expected there was nothing to see and he looked at Draco questioningly. Draco pulled his arm away from Snape's grasp and covered his arm. He glared at him.
"Voldemort I presume?" asked Dumbledore while he looked thoughtfully at Draco.
Draco shuddered when he heard Voldemort's name and decided to tell Dumbledore. He hesitated and stared suspiciously at Snape, who stared back. He sighed and decided that Snape couldn't hurt him while Dumbledore was here.
"I refused to become a slave for an insane old man who is a half-blood to boot," said Draco, emotionless.
Dumbledore had a pensive look on his face but stayed silent, so did Snape. Draco continued.
"I don't want to be slaving away for hours on end for some crackpot who rules with fear as the only weapon. But don't get me wrong, I still hate mud-bloods."
He stopped talking for a moment to see what kind of affect these words had on the two older wizards.
"Why do you let a Death Eater teaching at Hogwarts?" blurted Draco out, while he looked at Dumbledore.
He had always wondered why Dumbledore let Snape teach at Hogwarts. The man was a death eater, as Draco had found out recently. He had always seen Snape as an ally, someone who was rational and held the same idea's about the dark lord as he had, but now he hadn't chosen the dark side, Draco wanted to be as far away from him as possible. Snape looked at Dumbledore questioningly and Dumbledore nodded. Snape started to tell Draco about his job as a spy for the light.
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It was now three days after Draco had refused the mark and the changes were very obvious. The people from Slytherin were enlightened by their families about Draco's treason and ignored him, or in the 7th year Slytherin's case, threatened and taunted him.
The prince of Slytherin had fallen. Nobody from his house talked to him anymore. The other houses also noticed these changes, although they didn't know why it had happened.
"What happened to Malfoy?" asked Hermione one night during dinner.
"His housemates finally realised what a total bastard he is", said Ron with his mouth full.
"Ron! Honestly, swearing and talking with your mouth full. Learn to not talk and eat at the same time will you?" Hermione glared.
"But Hermione, you understood me now just fine!" exclaimed Ron.
Harry tuned out to the hourly (or daily if he's lucky) arguing of his friends and stared at Malfoy who was sitting alone in a corner of the Slytherin table. If Malfoy hated the fact that nobody talked to him, he hid it very well. He still looked as smug as ever.
Although Harry disliked Malfoy, he felt sad for him. He knew from his own experiences how it was when nobody talked to you anymore and didn't wish that upon anyone, even Malfoy.
He was interrupted from his train of thoughts by a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Dumbledore standing behind him. Surprised, Harry looked up at him.
"Harry, could you come to my office after dinner please? The password is dragon liquorice."
Harry nodded and Dumbledore walked out of the hall.
Hermione and Ron, who had stopped arguing to listen in to the conversation, looked questioningly at Harry.
"Why do you have to go to his office?" asked Hermione, curiously.
"How would I know?" asked Harry.
"Just asking," said Hermione.
Quickly, Harry ate one last bite of his dessert before he stood up and started walking to Dumbledore's office.
He said the password to the gargoyle, which jumped aside and walked up the spiral staircase.
When he opened the door he was surprised to see Malfoy in the office.
"What is he doing here?" asked Harry more harshly than he intended.
"Why don't you sit down Harry and let me explain", said Dumbledore while he pointed at the empty chair opposite his desk.
Slowly Harry seated himself in the chair while he threw a suspicious look at Draco.
"As you probably have noticed, the attitude of many Slytherins concerning Draco has changed."
Draco snorted, "To put it lightly," he mumbled. Dumbledore continued calmly.
"This didn't happen without a reason. Draco has refused the dark mark."
Harry was shocked, he had always expected the mini me of Lucius Malfoy to become a death eater. He opened his mouth to say something, closed it and opened it again without saying anything.
"Although Potter's imitation of a fish is very amusing to look at, was there maybe another reason why you wanted to speak to us?" asked Draco impatiently.
"Yes there was," said Dumbledore while he folded his hands. "I want you to meet each other twice a week in an empty room to practise your duelling powers."
"What!" said Draco and Harry in unison, ready to protest.
Dumbledore held his hands in the air to indicate that they had to be silent and continued.
"This will be important for both of you. Draco, now the Death Eaters know about your choice it is likely that they want revenge. Therefore it's important that you can defend yourself."
He turned towards Harry.
"For you Harry, you know what I mean, and it is up to you whether you will tell Draco of it or not. But it is important that you're prepared on everything."
The boys were thinking over Dumbledore's words, Draco looked confused.
"Good, than is that settled!" said Dumbledore happily, while he looked towards the two disgruntled boys. "I propose that you will meet each other tomorrow evening at half past 7 in the empty room in the charms corrider. Don't forget to lock the room when you are in. We don't want a student to come in in the middle of a fight."
The boys nodded and stood up, ready to leave.
"Oh and Harry", said Dumbledore, Harry turned towards Dumbledore; "I don't want you to tell anyone about Draco or about the duelling, please. Not even Ron or Hermione."
Harry nodded and walked out of the office. His head was dizzy from all the new information that he had just received.
He and Draco walked in silence until they parted, then he rushed to the Gryffindor Tower.
When he entered the Gryffindor common room, Hermione and Ron immediately started to question him.
"What did Dumbledore say, Harry? Was it Voldemort?" they bombarded.
Harry wanted to tell what Dumbledore had told him, but then he remembered his last words. He looked at Hermione and Ron. He had to make up something, quick.
"I'm having extra lessons with Snape twice a week", said Harry suddenly.
"For your Occlumency?" asked Hermione.
"Yes," said Harry.
To be honest, Harry was happy that Hermione said this. Now he had killed two birds with one stone. Not only was his absence explained they also wouldn't pester him about his disappearances that were going to be so obviously noted.
Snape finally turned out to be good for something, after all, even if it was for a lie.
Next chapter: Harry and Draco's first duelling session.
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