Chapter 13: Choices and Explanations
"Harry are you all right?" Sirius asked, frantically sitting up and pulling his Godson with him. Harry heard his Godfather, but the question didn't seem to be penetrating into his brain. All that he comprehended was that Draco Malfoy had just tried to kill his Godfather, but had killed Lucius Malfoy, his father instead.
"Harry?" Sirius asked, shaking his Godson gently by the shoulders. "Harry look at me."
Gradually Harry turned his fearful green eyes to his Godfather. "Sirius?" Harry asked tentatively, before abruptly enveloping Sirius in a tight embrace. Sirius gladly returned the hug, reassuring his Godson that he was all right.
"I . . . just . . . I . . ." Draco's deaden voice said. "I . . . didn't . . . mean . . . I . . . didn't . . ."
Harry and Sirius broke apart and turn to see Draco Malfoy kneeling next to his father's dead body. There were no tears, no sadness in his eyes, just fear, extreme fear.
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It had been one hour since the train incident and Harry and Sirius found themselves inside Dumbledore's office immediately upon arriving at the school. Dumbledore had yet to arrive and Harry figured he was still at the welcoming feast addressing the students.
"Harry are you sure you're all right?" Sirius asked worriedly, handing his Godson a cup of tea.
"Sirius I'm fine," Harry lied, taking the cup Sirius offered. In reality Harry was still a little shaken up with his Godfather's close encounter with death. If he ever lost Sirius it would kill him.
Sirius was about to call him on his bluff when Dumbledore came strolling into his office, his piercing blue eyes completely devoid of its twinkle and his face intensely grave.
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked simply after seating himself behind his desk.
Between Harry and Sirius they explained what had happened up to the moment where Draco's killing curse had hit his father. After they were done Dumbledore sat back in his chair and sighed.
"I was really hoping that wasn't the case," Dumbledore said gravely, shaking his head.
There was silence for a moment before Harry asked, "Sir, where's Draco now?"
"He was taken into custody by the Auror's that were on the train. The ministry is now holding him until they can conclude precisely what has happened today."
Harry nodded before asking something that had been nagging at him. "Sir what I don't understand is how Draco got out of his compartment on the train. Not even Hermoine or I could budge the door."
"That's because Draco Malfoy was never on the train," Dumbledore said grimly.
Harry and Sirius traded looks before Harry said, "Are you telling us he arrived with the Death Eaters? But he was in his school robes."
"Yes I know. It was all part of the plan," Dumbledore said. "I was notified almost one hour after the train had left Platform 9 ¾ of Voldemort's plan for Draco Malfoy. Severus had come to me immediately following his Death Eater meeting this morning. It seems that the raid on the train was also a test for the recently trained Draco. It appears that he was to kill at least one person on the train to prove his loyalty to Voldemort. After Draco had completed his task he was to stay on the train and arrive at school with everyone else. His mission was then to keep a close eye on all activities around the school. But as you can see things didn't turn out the way they planned."
"What will happen to the boy?" Sirius asked.
"Nothing as of right now," Dumbledore said. "Like I told you before, the Ministry is unsure of what exactly happened. They know that the killing curse did indeed come from Draco, but they are uncertain as to why he used it. They know that Lucius Malfoy is indeed a Death Eater, so killing him was completely justified. But as you told me Draco's target wasn't his father, it was Sirius. However, there is no visible evidence that Draco's target wasn't his father. Except for you two," Dumbledore said, looking them each in the eye before continuing. "Draco is refusing to talk and there is no visible sign of him being a Death Eater, nevertheless the ministry is not ruling the possibility out. We cannot question him under truth potion; our law forbids it. No one under the age of 18 can be administered any kind of truth serum."
"What will happen if he is convicted?" Harry asked quietly.
"He will be sent to Azkaban," Dumbledore said gravely, his blue eyes sad.
"They'd send a sixteen year old boy to Azkaban?" Sirius asked disbelievingly.
"The penalty for being found guilty of being a Death Eater is very clear," Dumbledore said. "It will not matter his age. Plus if he his sent there we would be sending him straight back into Voldemort's hands. The ministry is trying its best to relocate the Azkaban prisoners before Voldemort takes over it, but they are short handed as it is. I'm afraid Voldemort will secure Azkaban before we can. "
An uncomfortable silence accompanied Dumbledore's statement. Harry was torn, as was Sirius. Draco deserved to be punished severely for what he had tried to do, but sending a boy to Azkaban? Or worse, sending him straight back into Voldemort's hands?
"I think you two have both realized by now what part you will play in this," Dumbledore said, breaking the silence. "Since you two are the only ones who witnessed what happened, Draco Malfoy's life literally lies in your hands. You both are highly respected and trusted within the ministry, whatever you chose to tell the Ministry will seal Mr. Malfoy's fate."
Harry's eyes found themselves looking directly into Dumbledore's intensive blue ones before looking away quickly. Harry also felt his Godfather swift nervously beside him.
"The choice is yours to make, for it was one of your lives he almost ended. I just want you to think on this," Dumbledore said gently. "Draco Malfoy was brought up to follow the dark path, he had no choice in the matter. Lucius would rather kill his son then have him turn to the light. Draco lived in a house of hate and fear and his mother could do nothing to help. Maybe this is the chance he needs, a second chance without his father's influence."
Harry and Sirius remained silent not sure what to say or do. Dumbledore had a point, whether it was a good point of not they were still unsure. Draco had been nothing but trouble since the day he had arrived at Hogwarts.
"If he is found innocent, what will happen to him then?" Sirius questioned. "Would you allow him to return to school?"
"No. At least not for a while," Dumbledore said. "I have already set up a safe house for Mrs. Malfoy, if Draco is released he will be sent there as well to cope with what as happened. He will be put on trial and be observed by his mother and also by Severus who will drop in from time to time to check on things. If Draco can make some changes I will consider letting him back into the school."
Another silence followed this remark, Harry and Sirius both thinking on what Dumbledore had just told them.
"I'm sure the ministry will be notifying you soon of the court date for Draco. I'm just asking you to think carefully before you make your decision," Dumbledore said gently before smiling slightly. "It's getting late and I'm sure the feast has ended by now. Your friends are probably wondering where you are. The password is Sorcerer Harry. "
Taking that this was their hint to leave, Harry and Sirius slowly got to their feet and exited the office without saying a word. Once the stone gargoyles closed behind them Sirius turned to face his Godson.
"Harry?" Sirius said. "Are you ok?"
Harry turned to look at his Godfather, a mixture of emotions burning in his eyes. "Sirius I can't do this. I can't condemn someone's life, even if it is Draco Malfoy's. Yet I can't forgive him for what he did. He could have killed you today Sirius."
Sirius wrapped his Godson in a tight hug. "Come on Harry let's go talk," Sirius said before releasing him and guiding him down the halls and eventually out the front doors. They soon found themselves in the Quidditch stadium again.
"I'm just as torn as you are Harry," Sirius said after they were seated. "I don't think it was fair for Dumbledore to even ask us to make this decision."
"So why is he asking us to do this?" Harry asked dropping his head into his hands.
"I'm not sure," Sirius said. "But Dumbledore always seems to have reasons for his choices. Reasons I've come to learn to trust."
"I can't forgive him Sirius. I'm not even sure I can go and lie to the ministry for him," Harry said shaking his head.
"I know what you mean," Sirius said, looking out over the Quidditch field. "I think we both need time to think on this, as Dumbledore said, this is our decision."
Harry nodded and the two lapsed into silence. They just stayed like that for some time, each taking comfort in each other.
"I think I'll head to the common room," Harry finally said. "I'm sure Ron, Hermoine, and Ginny are there waiting to kill me."
Sirius smiled. "If they didn't kill you for disappearing for a month I don't think they'll kill you for disappearing for a couple of hours."
"I wouldn't bet on it," Harry said, standing up, followed by Sirius. "I think the only thing that keep Ron from killing me in the first place was his mother and, as you can see, she isn't here now."
Sirius laughed as they both headed back towards the castle. Sirius walked him to the portrait hole were they said their goodnights. When Harry entered into the common room, as he predicted, his friends were sitting in the corner waiting.
Harry and Sirius had already told Kairi, Ron, Hermoine and Ginny everything that had happen between Lucius and Draco. Then after they had gotten over that initial shock of Draco killing his own father, even if it was unintentional, they had all demanded an explanation on why Harry had never told them he was an Animagus. Which needless to say took some explaining.
"So what did Professor Dumbledore want?" Hermoine asked as Harry took a seat in the empty armchair.
"An detailed explanation on what happened on the train,," Harry said wearily.
"So what's going to happen to the scum bag now?" Ron asked disgustedly.
"I am not sure," Harry said hesitantly, not certain he should tell his friends, especially Ron, what part in Draco's fate he was to play. "Dumbledore didn't give us any details."
"Yeah well I'm sure we won't been seeing Malfoy around anymore." Ron said a grinning forming on his face.
"Ron he just killed his own father." Hermoine snapped. "I know he is a prat, but just think how he must feel."
"What? You'd rather it had been Sirius?" Ron countered back. "Harry finally gets an adult that actually wants to take care of him and you take Draco's side? If you ask me that git is going to get just what he deserves."
"I can't believe you would say that Ron. Sirius is just as important to me as anyone else," Hermoine said, looking close to tears. "I just . . . I just . . ." Hermoine tried to say, but suddenly burst into tears before running up the girls staircase.
"Ron you prat! I can't believe you would say something like that," Ginny said, punching her brother hard in the arm, before following Hermoine up the stairs.
"What is their problem?" Ron said, rubbing his arm. "You'd think they were actually concerned about the ferret boy."
"Ron," Harry said slowly. "I don't think it was your comments about Malfoy that got you in trouble."
"What are you taking about all I said was . . ." Ron started then suddenly hit his head with is hand. "I am such a prat!"
"I believe we already covered that," Harry said. "I suggest you apologize immensely to Hermoine tomorrow. As for me I'm going to bed, I having a feeling tomorrows going to be along day."
When Harry woke the next morning it was to an empty dormitory. Hoping Ron was up and apologizing to Hermoine, he quickly got dressed and ran down the stairs only to come face to face with a stern looking Ginny.
"Good morning Ginny," Harry said brightly, giving her a quick kiss. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing you can't fix," Ginny said.
Harry gave her an odd look. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Mr. Potter, that you were not being totally truthful yesterday about certain things and I want to know what," Ginny said, giving Harry a look that said 'you better answer me or else'.
Harry sighed. "I should have known I couldn't get anything by you. What is it you want to know?"
"I want the truth about the Prefect badge and Draco," Ginny said firmly.
"I already told you why I handed in my badge," Harry said hoping Ginny would drop it, no such luck.
"Harry if you think I'm going to believe that excuse you're stupider then a thought. You're talking to me Ginny Weasley, the only girl of seven children who is still alive today to tell about it."
Harry couldn't help but grin. "I knew there was a reason I loved you. Well besides the fact your older brothers pay me to keep dating you."
Ginny smacked him lightly. "Not funny Harry, now tell me the truth before I get mad."
"Come on," Harry said, capturing her hand. "We need to find a private room."
"Where are we going to find that in this school?" Ginny question as they both exited through the porthole.
Harry grinned slyly. "Don't tell me you forgot about our secret little room we found last year."
Ginny's smile soon matched Harry's. "You mean the one we'd go to to finish our homework in peace?"
"Yeah, if you count snogging as homework," Harry said laughing, while proceeding down a corridor before unexpectedly ducking through a hidden passageway.
"Have you seen Ron or Hermoine this morning?" Harry questioned as he continued down the hidden passageway.
"Hermoine left early and last time I checked Ron was still trying to find her," Ginny said, stopping next to Harry who had stopped in front of solid stone wall. Well at least it looked as though it was solid.
Harry started shifting the loose stones around like a puzzle until he heard a clicking noise and a door appeared.
"Well I hope Hermoine will forgive him this time," Harry said, opening the door for Ginny to go in ahead of him.
"Oh I think she will," Ginny said abruptly, trying not to giggle at the sight that met her as she walked into the room.
"What makes you say . . ." Harry said but stopped as he noticed the two other people in the room, who had apparently had the same idea as they had. Ron and Hermoine who were too busy making up with each other didn't even notice when Harry and Ginny enter.
Harry who decided he had had enough of watching Ron and Hermoine make out cleared his throat loudly. The response was instant. Ron and Hermoine broke apart and turned to face Harry and Ginny with horrified expressions.
"Harry!" Hermoine squealed. "We were just . . . Ron just need me to . . ."
Harry raised his eyebrows completely enjoying his friend's discomfort. "Really?" Harry said attentively while Ginny giggled.
"Er . . . what she said," Ron said, turning redder by the minute.
"I can't believe you guys!" Harry said, looking deadly serious while Hermoine and Ron were looking at him fearfully. "You have to schedule your make out sessions in this room around me and Ginny. I tell you no consideration what so ever."
Hermoine and Ron just gaped at him while Ginny was full out laughing by now.
"Harry you prat you've being snogging with my sister in this room?" Ron asked.
"Oh grow up Ron," Ginny said. "Just because it didn't take us so long to recognize are feelings for each other, doesn't give you the right to be a jerk."
"You two are really ok with this?" Hermoine asked nervously.
"You've got to be kidding?" Harry said grinning. "We've had bets going for two years now of when you two were going to grow up and tell each other your feelings. Speaking of which," Harry said, turning to Ginny. "Who won?"
"Looks like Bill did," Ginny said, taking out a worn out folded piece of parchment.
"Bill?!" Ron cried. "The whole family was in on it?"
"Yes, along with almost all the Gyffindors," Harry said, turning back to his friends.
"I think it's time for breakfast," Hermoine said briskly before making a quick exit.
"She's right, we better get going," Ron said going to the door. When he noticed Harry and Ginny didn't follow he turned around. "Aren't you two coming?"
"In a minute." Ginny said. "I need to talk to Harry."
Ron gave her a disbelieving look. "Right Ginny, like I'm going to believe that after you just told me what you and Harry really do in here."
"She's telling the truth Ron," Harry said, taking a seat on the only couch that occupied the room. "We just need to talk for a moment."
Ron still looked skeptical, but shrugged. "All right see you at breakfast."
After Ron had left Ginny also sat down, but on Harry's lap instead of the couch. "All right Mr. Potter start talking."
"Which do you want to hear first?" Harry asked.
"The badge," Ginny said.
"There are two reason I turned that in. The first one I can't tell you because I've been sworn to secrecy. And the second reason," Harry said a little hesitantly. "I'm not sure I should be telling you but Dumbledore didn't forbid me not to. Do you remember how a told you about the twins?"
Ginny nodded and Harry proceeded to tell her about the globe that turned out to be the Sphere of Elements.
"So what does the Sphere have to do with you? You're not a Founder's Heir," Ginny said, a little confused.
"True I'm not, but Dumbledore wants to test me and see if I can control the Sphere."
"Why?" Ginny asked.
"He wouldn't give me a reason when I asked," Harry said. "He just asked me if I would be willing to give up some of my duties so I could train with him personally. He gave me the choice of either staying a prefect or Quidditch captain."
Ginny smiled. "I bet that was a tough decision."
"Quite it took me almost .001 seconds to come to a conclusion," Harry said.
"So do you think you will be able to control the Sphere?" Ginny asked curiously.
"I don't know. It was originally made to be controlled by the Founder's or their heirs," Harry said thoughtfully. "But Dumbledore seems to think that I might be able to."
"Mm," Ginny said leaning her head on Harry's shoulder. "What about Mr. Malfoy?"
Harry sighed. "You can't tell anybody about this, not even Ron or Hermoine."
Ginny's confused brown eyes looked up to meet Harry's intense green ones. "I promise Harry whatever you tell me won't go beyond this room."
Harry nodded and told her what really happened on the Hogwarts Express and what Dumbledore asked of Sirius and him. After he was done they just sat there in silence for a moment.
"Do you know what you're going to do?" Ginny finally asked, her head still resting on his shoulder.
"No," Harry said softly.
"Just do what you always do," Ginny said. "Just follow your heart, it hasn't led you astray yet."
"It did once," Harry said, resting his chin on top of Ginny's head.
"Really? When?" Ginny inquired.
"When it told me it was all right to fall in love with a beautiful red head," Harry said, smiling. "It turned out she had a temper to match her hair and a dangerous right hook."
"Well if you hadn't made me mad then you wouldn't have had to experience my temper or dangerous right hook," Ginny said, smiling.
Harry laughed and placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her head so she was looking at him. "What I meant was that my heart should have realized sooner what a remarkable young women you are."
Ginny smiled. "Flattery will get you nowhere Mr. Potter."
"Oh really? What about this," Harry said shrewdly before lowering his lips to meet hers in a passionate kiss that didn't end until they both need to come up for air.
"Should we head down to breakfast now?" Harry asked.
"In a minute," Ginny said, grinning and wrapping her arms around Harry's neck. She then returned his kiss with just as much passion.
Ten minutes later Ginny and Harry finally showed up in the crowded great hall, Ron given them suspicious looks as they sat down opposite him and Hermoine.
"Here are your schedules," Hermoine said briskly handing Harry and Ginny their envelopes.
Harry opened his, taking notice that he had two slips of parchment instead of one. Reading the first he recognized his normal school schedule, except DADA he had every other day, for a longer period of time and it said advance class beside it.
Looking up he asked the others, "What DADA class did you get?"
"Advanced," Ron said, not even bothering to look up from his food.
"Me too," Ginny said, reading over her schedule.
"I do as well," Hermoine said.
"Why do we have it so often?" Harry inquired, dishing up food.
"Oh that's right you weren't here last night when Dumbledore explained," Hermoine said. "They're combining the DADA class between houses now as well. Years 1-4 will have the classes Tuesdays and Thursdays while years 5-7 will have it Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays."
"Does that mean we have DADA class with Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Yep," Ginny said excitedly. "Though I wonder what teacher we're going to have?"
"You mean Dumbledore didn't tell you who's teaching which class?" Harry asked.
"No he said it would be a surprise." Ron said. "Though I really hope we get Kairi, she's so hot! I mean she seems like a much better teacher," Ron added hastily as Hermoine glared at him.
Harry shook his head. "First off Ron you need to work on your boyfriend skills, second off Sirius is the very jealous tape so I'd watch it, and third off Demin is just as good of teacher as Kairi."
While Hermoine and Ginny started lecturing Ron, Harry turned his attention to his second slip of paper. He read it over once before slamming his head on the table with a groan.
"Hey mate what's wrong?" Ron asked, looking at his black haired friend with concern. Without a word Harry handed over the second slip of paper that Ron proceeded to read.
After School Schedule starting the first of next week.
Demin's Times
Monday-Friday 6:00a.m. to 7:00a.m. Jogging laps around school. Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Martial Art training
Dumbledore's Time
Monday. Wednesday. Friday 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Element training
Sirius and Remus Time
Monday. Wednesday. Friday 8:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. Dueling Class (not optional to you)
We have also conveniently scheduled your Quidditch practices to be Tuesday, Thursday,
Saturday, and Sunday.
Quidditch practice for Tuesday and Thursday's 6:00p.m-8:00p.m. Saturday's and Sunday's are opened for your own scheduling.
Sincerely yours,
Minerva McGonagall
"Wow Harry how are you suppose to get your homework done?" Hermoine asked after Ron was done reading.
"How should I know?" Harry said, looking up. "I doubt they even care."
"Don't worry Harry," Ginny said, taking the schedule from Ron. "You can handle it, besides you've got us to help you with your homework."
"Thanks Ginny," Harry said smiling. "I'm sure I'm going to need it."
"What does it mean by element training?" Hermoine asked curiously.
"I'll explain on the way to class," Harry said, standing up. "We don't have time to sit here anymore."
So with that the four of them left the Great Hall and headed for their first day of classes, Harry was greatly relieved he didn't have potions today.
THANKS TO NATURAL ANTHEM BY BETA!