The Price of a World

Chapter Six

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"Albus! Where's Harry?" The headmaster looked up from the paper on his desk. He looked at his visitor through the glass in his half moon glasses; his old grey eyes no longer contained that twinkle.

"Remus he's fine. Now please… be seated. We must talk."

"I'm sorry Headmaster. I must see Harry…" Dumbledore sighed.

"Okay Remus. He is with Madame Pomfrey." Lupin nodded and left the headmasters office.

** * **

Hermione was asleep in her bed. The sun was rising, and ray of light crept through the curtain and into Hermione's bedroom. Within minutes the sun and fully penetrated the curtain and showered her room in morning light. The birds outside in the tress sung their morning songs, the neighbours dogs barked as the morning postman did his rounds. Below her window her father mowed the front lawn whilst her mother pondered over her rose bushes.

Still half asleep Hermione clambered from the warmth of her bed over to the chair in which her dressing gown lay. She wandered mindlessly down the stairs and into the kitchen where she made herself some breakfast. She usually sat inside at the kitchen bench and ate but today she felt like eating outdoors. So she carried her bowl of cereal out onto the back porch. She sat herself down at the outdoor table. She was about to take a mouthful of cereal when an eagle swooped at her head. She screamed and ducked. The eagle circled and landed on the table. It was holding a beautiful red rose in its beak. Hermione took the rose from its mouth. The eagle then prodded Hermione's arm with its foot. A letter was tied to its leg. She undid the string and opened the letter.

Dear Hermione,

                        This is Lucifer. I told him to be nice, but be sure to tell me if he was a little rude or bad tempered. He will await a reply. I can't see you again until school starts. My father is making me stay here; I have duties to the Dark Lord. You know… It really baffles me; your values and beliefs are totally different to mine yet we are drawn to each other. Hermione, I can't begin to explain the complications in our relationship. I'm destined to be a Death Eater and…

            I miss you more than anything…

                        Always yours,

                                                            D. Malfoy.

She smiled. "Hello Lucifer." Hermione petted the eagle's head. "I'll be right back." Hermione went inside and came back minutes later. In her hand was a bag of owl treats, a piece of paper and a pen. She sat at the table and handed the eagle a few owl treats. He ate them happily whilst Hermione replied to the letter. When she had finished she tied her letter to Lucifer's leg and he took flight almost immediately. Hermione sat and watched the eagle fly off into the distance.

** * **

"Lucius. Your son is important to us. You know that!" Voldemort spat.

"Yes master."

" I want him to go to Hogwarts do his mission and come back here at the end of term."

"Yes my lord… When will you be instructing Draco of what he is to do?"

"Soon… very soon… We will have to ensure that he doesn't muck around this term. We need him to concentrate that is why I have asked Miss Parkinson to team up with Draco."

"My Lord… if Draco knows that he is being partnered with a girl to keep an eye on him. I am positive that he will be difficult and won't co-operate."

"Precisely. That is why we won't be telling him." Voldemort laughed an evilly disgusting laugh. "Bring him to me… We need to prepare him. We have only a week till he is to return to Hogwarts." Lucius bowed and left the room.

** * **

Lupin opened the door to the hospital wing and walked in. He walked over to Harry's bed and sat down.

"Hello Harry." Harry turned his head and just looked at Lupin. Lupin got off the chair and went to kneel by Harry's bed. "Harry, I never wanted to take Sirius' place. I never could be to you what Sirius was. And I'm sorry if you ever thought I was trying to do so." Harry glared at Lupin. Before Lupin could move Harry threw his arms around Lupin and cried.

"I miss Sirius… so much!" Harry said as he wipes his eyes on his sleeve.

"We all do Harry… we all do." Lupin stood and was about to leave.

"Lupin, aren't I coming with you to stay at Grimmauld place?" Lupin smiled.

"Of course!"

"Well… can Ron come until the end of the holidays?" Harry looked hopeful. Lupin looked at Harry's excited eyes and sighed.

"Oh alright… Ginny will have to come too though." Harry smiled.

"So when do we leave?"

"As soon as possible I guess." Harry jumped out of bed and collected his things in his arms.

"Give me a second to get my trunk…"

"Uh Harry. You have only just woken from some sort of death. I don't think Madame Pomfrey would be grateful if I dragged you from her care."

"It is okay Lupin. I think it is best that Harry leave the premises. I have come to believe that Hogwarts is no longer safe for Harry. And having him here, may just put the students in danger." Harry didn't dare look or speak to Dumbledore. He was furious with him, Harry had to bite his tongue to prevent himself from saying anything.

"Come Harry… we must leave." Lupin placed his hand on Harry's back and guided him to the exit.

** * **

My dear Draco,

                        I know that you are to be a death eater I also know that you are to become Voldemort's heir. I know more about you then you think. But I won't you to know that I will always love you Draco, no matter who you are or what you become. I miss you too and I look forward to seeing you at Diagon Alley.

            Love Always,

                                    Hermione  xoxo

Draco read the letter over and over again. He admired her beautiful flowing cursive writing; he could even smell her perfume on the paper. He jumped nearly two feet in the air when a fierce bang sounded on his bedroom door.

"DRACO! Get out here NOW!" It was his father. Draco threw his black robes over top of his clothes, slid his wand into the sleeve pocket and left his room. His father wasn't in sight. But he knew where he was to go. His father and the Dark Lord usually stayed in the dungeon office this time of the morning. He walked down the east wing's main corridor and turned the corner to the grand staircase down into the front hall. At the bottom of the stairs, to his left was the front door and to his right was another corridor leading to the servant's quarters, kitchens, formal dinging room and ballroom.

 He walked straight across the hall and up the staircase on the other side. He turned to the right and then immediately left into the gallery. The gallery was filled with portraits of the Malfoy family. And even famous paintings by famous painters such as Pastel Kreyons. He crossed the room and went under the archway into the room's extension with the more recent paintings. On the back wall of this room hung a tapestry of the Malfoy Family tree. Draco drew the tapestry aside to reveal a rort iron door. He punched in the sequence and the door slid open. Once Draco was through the door slammed closed with such force bits of limestone crumbled from the ceiling. He was in a stone stairwell that descended into the depths below Malfoy manner. Draco took off down the stairs three at a time. It was cold in the stairwell, but Draco was used to the cold, dark damp dungeons at Hogwarts. Water seeped from the limestone walls whilst moss and fungi that had developed on the wall engulfed even drop. It got colder as the stairs plummeted deeper. They ended in an underground courtyard. The office was off to the left. But to Draco's right, were many corridors, tunnels, dungeon cells, rooms, courtyards and secret passages. And Draco knew every, single, one.

"Draco! Stop daydreaming and get in there!" It was his father; he was standing waiting for him outside the office door. Draco walked over to Lucius.

"Sorry Father." Draco bowed his head and entered the room. There was new furniture and the stone floor was covered in a Persian rug. The walls were decked with shelves containing bottles with liquids or strange looking creatures inside. There were strange instruments and books, lots of books. There were single lounge chairs by the fireplace; the fireplace was lit. It was the first time Draco had ever seen it lit.

"Draco. Sit." Draco did as he was told. He sat in the spare seat by the fire. He looked at the floor.

"Draco, you know what is wanted of you."

"Yes master. I do."

"And you know that you have no choice in the matter."

"Sir never have I regretted the destiny you have chosen for me."

"You will be going back to school in a matter of days will you not?"

"Yes sir. School starts in 6 days."

"This is your seventh year at Hogwarts." He didn't give Draco a chance to agree. "And at the end of this year, you are old enough to be bestowed with the Dark Mark." Draco smirked.

"I am looking forward to the day master."

"It will be a grand night. A celebration of course. For my son is being conducted into the inner ring." Voldemort looked utterly pleased with himself and Draco.

"Whilst you're at school, there is a little operation I'd like you to undertake."

"Yes?"

"Watch your tongue in front of the Dark Lord Draco." Lucius warned. Draco hadn't realised he was there behind him. Voldemort sneered.

"Draco pay attention to me. I want you to watch Potter. He is weak, we didn't expect him to pull through…"

"Pull through?"

"We visited our friend the other day. The Dark Lord used his powers to… well shock his brain really. Sent his brain into temporary relapse. It was supposed to make it look like he was dead. And then they'd bury or even better; cremate him. And he'd be out of our hair." Lucius said with complete malice. "But some how he slipped through and survived…"

"Stupid Potter. Never was good at anything…" Draco smirked and Voldemort laughed hoarsely.

"We have a comedian here Lucius." Lucius Malfoy shot a deadly look at Draco. Draco knew he was in for it when Voldemort had left.

"His duty at Hogwarts my lord…"

"Yes, Draco you need to keep an eye on Potter. He is weak. I want you to find his weak points, get him where it hurts."

"Yes Sir. I understand."

"Good. You may go now Draco." Draco stood and walked to the door. His father followed.

"No Lucius. We must talk, organise what we are to do with Crabbe, Goyle and Zambini." Draco didn't want to get caught up in the conversation and left as quickly as possible. He ran the whole way to his bedroom and to his wardrobe. He opened the wardrobe door and there lying across two hooks was his broom. He removed it, threw open his window and took off his robes. He put his black pants and suede evergreen shirt on. He mounted his broom, kicked off and flew out the window.

** * **

"RON! Ron!" Ron came running down from his dorm.

"HARRY!" Ron ran over to Harry and hugged him. "Ginny! Gin look it's Harry!"

"Hello Ron."

"LUPIN! You came!" Lupin just smiled as Ginny came running at full speed down the staircase.

"Harry!" She ran and jumped on Harry. Her legs latched around his middle and she hugged him hard. "Harry your alright!"

"Uhh…" Harry was so shocked at Ginny's reaction. He was glad Hermione wasn't here, she'd be so jealous. Suddenly Ginny realised what she was doing and threw herself off him faster then she had jumped on him. She went redder then Ron's flame red hair.

"Ron, Ginny. Pack your trunks. You're coming with Harry and I to Grimmauld place for the remainder of the holidays."

"Give me five minutes." Ginny dashed back up the stairs to her dorm.

"Accio Trunk" Ron's trunk came flying into the room; nearly hitting Lupin over the head and landed with a thud on the floor. "I packed coz I knew Lupin would let us come with you Harry." Harry laughed. In four thuds Ginny's trunk landed at the bottom of the stairs with Ginny close behind.

"Ready." She said standing up and dusting her clothes off.

"Right then, come along." Lupin led the three children to the road leading up to the front of the school. There stood the same carriage that took Hogwarts students from Hogsmead Station to the castle doors. Harry, Ginny, Lupin and Ron all boarded the carriage. As soon as the door closed it set off.

"Where are we going?" Ginny asked.

"I'm feeling lazy so we are getting a carriage to the post office. From there we will use the fireplace to get back to the Black Residence."

"Why the post office?" Harry asked.

"Because we have a member of the order working there undercover. We suspect there to be Death Eaters checking all mail that goes through." All three children 'Ooooh'ed at the same time. When they arrived at the post office Lupin held the door open for the trio. It was warm inside the post office. It was decked with Christmas decorations. It even had little elves that sung a Christmas carol every time someone entered the shop. Lupin walked up to the counter and pressed the buzzer for assistance. A lady came waddling out of the post owlery.

"May I help you Sir?"

"Is it safe?" Lupin whispered.

"Yeah, come through. He is on lunch break." The lady let them through via the side door. She ushered them into a small room. There was a fridge, table, a few chairs and a fireplace. Lupin drew a sack of floo powder from his robes.

"Come along, take a hand full. You first Ginny." Ginny threw her handful of powder into the fireplace and got in immediately after.

"Number 12 Grimmauld place." And she was gone. Ron went and then Lupin. Leaving Harry to last. He smiled at the lady, threw down his powder and disappeared in a flicker of green flames.

** * **

Hermione was lying on her bed reading when a clatter came from the small veranda outside her window. She got up and went to the door and looked out. There standing on her veranda was Draco. She hurled the door open and ran over to him.

"Draco!" He smirked at her. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello to you too, no kiss?" Hermione laughed and planted a kiss on his lips. Draco kissed her back harder; he missed the last of her lips and the smell of her body.

"Draco my parents are here…"

"Yeah I know… they are out the front, and we are at the back…" Draco smirked. "Come for a ride with me." Hermione stared at him.

"Uhh… Draco…"

"Don't like flying?" Hermione shook her head slowly. "Well now's the time to start liking it." Before Hermione could object Draco scooped her up in his arms, mounted the broom and pushed off. Hermione screamed and clung onto Draco's shirt. Draco just laughed and soared up higher. Butterflies whizzed around inside Hermione's stomach. She had never been so terrified in her life. Draco went higher and higher right above the clouds. He slowed and then levelled out.

"Oh wow…" Hermione sighed. The view was amazing. All around then was puffy white clouds. That swirled into pearly masses. Below them was London and the lush countryside that surrounded the capital city. "Oh Draco its gorgeous." Draco was silent. Hermione looked into his eyes. He was thinking.

"What are you thinking about?" Hermione poked his chest gently. It seemed to break him out of his trance.

"Oh…" Draco smirked. "Just thinking about how beautiful you are…" Hermione laughed.

"Yeah I'll believe that when pigs fly…" Draco looked shocked. He leaned forward and kissed her. His kiss sent the chills across her body. She loved his kisses. His tongue dishevelled with hers.  They gasped for air and their lips found each other once more.

"Draco I had better get back, if my parents come looking for me and im not at home they'll flip."

"A few more minutes…" Draco tried to kiss her again but she turned her cheek.

"Draco…"

"Oh okay… hold on." Draco smirked and nosedived towards the ground. Hermione screamed as she felt her bottom leave the broom, she clung onto Draco like her life depended on it.

"Draco! You're going to paaay for this!" She screamed as he dived, spiralled upwards and jolted back down again. Draco just laughed. He came to a halt back at the veranda outside Hermione's bedroom. He careful set her down on the ground. She swayed a little but Draco held up upright. He kissed her cheek gently.

"I love you…" Hermione whispered in his ear. He kissed her cheek, and zoomed off.

** * **

"He's been gone a long time… maybe there is something wrong Harry."

"Maybe Dumbledore wont let him leave."

"Or Harry might have fallen down a hole, broken his leg. Blood sprayed everywhere and lupin fainted. We need to go out and help them!" George always let his imagination run away with him.

"Or he could just be enjoying his time away from you lot…" Moody grumbled. Charlie, Fred and George sat at the kitchen table tossing ideas around about why Lupin was taking so long. Before the three boys had a chance to retaliate against Moody's remark Lupin, Ginny, Ron and Harry bundled out of the fireplace and landed in a heap. Charlie and George went over and helped them all up. The five Weasley children hugged and chattered at each other. Lupin went and made a new pot of tea.

"Harry Potter. Long time aye?" Harry smiled.

"Moody!" Harry and Moody shook hands.

"Harry!" The twins said in unison.

"Fred, George!" They laughed and talked about the joke shop and new tricks they had come up with.

"We meet again Harry…"

"Hello Charlie. Still working on the dragons?"

"Naw, we had to hid them. Didn't want the dragons getting into the wrong hands you know? Over heard Mum and Dad talking about the Order and I joined."
"Harry, Ron your room is on the second level. Ginny yours is on the third. Buckbeak is still up in the attic. I'd avoid that area, Buckbeak isn't all that happy these days…"

"I don't blame him…" Harry whispered. Ron and Ginny followed Harry up to their rooms. When Harry and Ron reached their room their trunks were at the ends of their beds waiting for them. Harry unpacked his clothes into the wardrobe but Ron kept his in his trunk.

"Why aren't you unpacking?"

"I prefer to keep my clothes in my trunk. Plus I'm only here for a few days. Harry you could be here for another month… it all depends if you're ready."

"Don't worry Ron. I'll be going back with you on the Hogwarts Express."

Three simultaneous bangs came from the room above them. Bits of paint chipped and fluttered to the ground then the light swayed vigorously.

"Buckbeak…" Ron muttered. "Im starving. I'm going down for lunch. You coming?"
"I have to finish unpacking. I'll be down in a sec." Ron shrugged and left the room.

** * **