The Other Side of the Mirror
Year Six
Chapter Two
-Another Year-
"Focus. Why aren't you focusing, Draco?" came the voice of Bellatrix Lestrange. She stood before Draco in his father's study, her thin figure garbed in long black robes, trimmed in red. Her wavy, raven hair looked better than it used to be. Even her face had filled out more and the insane look in her eyes only appeared when she was fighting, something she loved more than anything else. However, that was to be expected, after being out of Azkaban for so long and eating.
Bellatrix, along with Snape on occasion, visited Malfoy Manor. Bellatrix, being Draco's aunt, had taken it upon herself to teach him Occlumency. If he was to be able to keep Dumbledore none the wiser about what he'd be doing at Hogwarts that year, he'd need to block his mind. Draco, more specifically, wanted to learn to block Snape.
"I am focusing," he snapped back and prepared himself for another of Bellatrix's attacks. "Just do it already."
It's my job and I won't let Snape steal my glory. The Dark Lord has given this job to me… and as he was hit by Bellatrix's mind, a memory flashed before his eyes.
"Draco Malfoy," came the hissing voice of the Dark Lord from within the shadows of his hood.
"Yes ,my Lord." Draco kept his head bowed, kneeling before Voldemort. He kept his eyes closed, his hands clenched into fists within the sleeves of his robes. He couldn't let the Dark Lord see that he was scared. I'm not scared. I'm not. He thought with more bravado than he felt.
"Since your father's demise and foul up last year, you are given a chance to redeem your family. Do you wish to proceed?"
"Yes, my Lord." Draco forced his voice not to quake.
"Good. You will return to Hogwarts and upon doing so, you will kill Albus Dumbledore." The voice sneered with obvious hatred.
Draco couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise, which he quickly muffled. His eyes widened as he looked at the damp earth beneath him. Dumbledore? Kill Dumbledore? Sure, they had their differences and Draco didn't exactly like the Headmaster, but he never wanted to kill him.
"Do not prove to be as weak as your father, Draco," snapped the Dark Lord, bringing Draco's attention back to the present.
"No, my Lord. I am not weak."
"Then do this and take your place within the Death Eaters. If you succeed, then you will have proven your worth. However, if you fail," The Dark Lord's voice grew quieter and more menacing, sending shivers through Draco, "you will be killed, along with your mother. And trust me when I say that it will not be a pleasant death"
Draco swallowed, knowing that the Dark Lord's threats were very viable. He knew of how the Dark Lord killed people and the intense torture beyond imagining. I will not fail! I can't! I'm not going to let him kill my family! He thought fiercely.
"I will not fail, my Lord."
"We shall see."
"Draco!" Bellatrix's voice snapped him out of his memories and he found himself on the ground, lying on his back. She stood over him, glaring. "You're better than this. You've had no problems before during all of our other lessons. What's the problem now?"
Draco winced, pulling himself to his feet. He smoothed his black clothes. "I'm fine, Aunt," he retorted. "You know as well as I do that I'm a better Occlumens then most."
"That may be the case, but you're still doing your lessons."
Draco scowled. "Try again and you'll see that I'm perfectly capable of defending myself."
"Legilimens!"
Draco felt her try to force herself into his mind and he blocked it easily, throwing up an impenetrable wall. "Aegre!" A thick welt appeared across her hand and she hissed in pain, her dark eyes flashing with anger.
"Don't play your tricks on me, Draco. The Dark Lord won't be so kind as me, if you should try this on him," she said coolly.
"I don't plan on using it on him," he retorted with equal coldness. "I'm done for today." He turned and walked out of the study, heading quickly for his room. Once he was inside, he shut the door, locking it and walked to his window. Taking a seat on the lip of the tall, arched window, he looked outside over the maze. Fog blanketed the dark green, hedged maze, which was beginning to show effects of August weather. The leaves were beginning to color and the branches of surrounding trees whipped in the cold, brutal wind.
He sighed, leaning his forehead against the cool glass, closing his eyes. If I hadn't brought up my knowledge about those Vanishing Cabinets, I wouldn't be in this situation now. I thought I was so clever, devising a plan on how to get the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. Montague didn't realize he had struck gold, but I did. I knew exactly what had happened.
Another memory enveloped him.
Draco stood before a robed figure, standing on a dais in the center of a dark, stone-walled room. On either side of him stood a Death Eater. One was Bellatrix and the other was Fenrir Greyback. Draco was glad to see that Snape wasn't there, as this part of his plan didn't involve the Potions Master. His mother stood in another room, probably worried sick that he had decided to go to the Dark Lord. But after hearing about what was happening with the Death Eaters, and their attempts at figuring out a way into Hogwarts, he took a chance. He had told Bellatrix that he had found out a way to get them inside, unnoticed.
She had brought it to the attention of the Dark Lord, who requested Draco's presence.
Draco swallowed, moving forward and bowing his head in respect. "My Lord."
"It is has come to my knowledge that you know a way into Hogwarts?" hissed the Dark Lord.
"Yes. The Vanishing Cabinets. There's one in Borgin and Burkes. He doesn't know what it does, but I do. It's connected to one inside Hogwarts. A friend of mine was lost in it last year and he said he could hear things going on in both ends. But it's broken"
"You come here claiming to have a plan and then tell me it won't work?" snapped the Dark Lord with a cold menace.
"I can fix it!" said Draco quickly, looking up at the Dark Lord. His heart was hammering in his chest and he was terrified, but he forced his face to remain cool and collected.
The Dark Lord was quiet and a curtain of deadly silence filled the room. Torches flickered around them, casting shadows on the stones and on the faces of the two Death Eaters. Finally, the Dark Lord spoke. "What is your proposed plan?"
"I'll fix the cabinet, my Lord. And then you can use them to let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts."
"Your friends are at Hogwarts. What is your purpose in aiding me? Other than saving your own life, of course."
Draco bowed his head. "I wish to prove my worth, my Lord. I wish to see your success." He swallowed, forcing his words to come out slowly and calmly, despite his hammering heart. "My father failed you but I will not."
Draco blinked, bringing himself out of his memory. Now I've got no choice, he thought bitterly. I have to carry out the plan and I will. It won't be hard. I can fix that cabinet. I didn't receive Outstandings to do nothing with them. Borgin will tell me how to fix it and if he doesn't, well, then I'll deal with him.
Draco rubbed his left forearm, looking back outside. He heard the door open and looked over to see his mother standing there. "Mother," he greeted.
"Draco." Narcissa moved over to her son, reaching out and touching the side of his face. "What's been troubling you? You don't eat and you don't seem to sleep. I'm worried."
He brushed her hand away. "I'm fine, Mother." He looked out over the maze. "I've just been very busy and I haven't been hungry lately." He looked back at her. "Don't worry so much."
"Someone has to. You return to Hogwarts in only a few short days. Are you sure you're ready?"
His gaze narrowed. "Mother," he said firmly. "I told you. I'm fine. I can handle it. I've got a plan and it's going to work." He hadn't told her about what the Dark Lord has requested of him, about Dumbledore, and he wasn't going to tell her. It would only make her more worried. She didn't even know about his plans for the Vanishing Cabinets.
"I just don't want to lose you too."
"You won't."
Narcissa shook her head but gave him a small smile. "You remind me of your father more every day."
Draco felt warmed at the compliment, as it was one of his aspirations to become as powerful as his father once had been. Also, of course, to surpass his father and be put into the Dark Lord's good graces, if there was such a thing. I think Father would be proud to see what I've managed to do. Me, a sixteen year old, and someone that the Dark Lord needs, he thought with a smirk.
"I hope I would." Except I'm not going to make mistakes. I'll take care of Potter and that will be that.
She smiled. "How did you lessons go today?"
He shrugged, leaning against the window as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine. I'm perfectly capable of defending myself. I don't see the point in continuing."
Narcissa frowned. "Draco, you know very well why you must continue."
"Mother," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'm not a child. Stop treating me like one." He stood, walking over to his wardrobe and opening it. He looked at himself in the full-length mirror. He ran his hands down his black silk shirt, smoothing it. He looked very much like his father, carrying the same elegance as Lucius. Over the past summer he had done plenty of growing up. His constant meetings with the Dark Lord, however, had begun to take their toll. However, even with the lack of sleep, Draco knew he was still quite handsome, with angular features and sleek blond hair, now hanging freely about his face.
Narcissa came up behind him, looking into the mirror. They stood at the same height now. "You look so much like Lucius," she whispered. She placed her hand on his shoulder, looking at him. He looked at her. "Draco, I want you to have this." She took out a small black box from a pocket in her dark blue robes. She placed it in his hand. "It was your father's and it was to be given to you when you had met his standards. I believe that you have far more courage than you realize. This next year is going to be rough but I know that you can get through it. Just be careful, Draco. Promise me that much."
He held the box tightly. "I promise, Mother. Don't worry."
She smiled slightly, but there was worry in her eyes. "I wish I didn't have to." She hugged him and he slowly returned her hug. They parted and she glanced at the box before looking back at him. "Open that when you wish." She squeezed his shoulders and then left.
Draco looked down at the box and then walked over to his bed, taking a seat. He opened the box slowly to reveal a silver chain necklace, with an oval emerald surrounded by diamonds. Inside the emerald was the Malfoy family crest: Twin serpents surrounding a decorative 'M'. He ran his fingers over the necklace. Our heirloom. My father treasured this necklace. It always sat in a display case in his study, something to admire but never to touch. He gently picked up the necklace, setting down the box. Now it's mine. I won't fail you, Father. I will avenge you and I will rise above all the rest. No one will stop me. Not even Potter. He hooked the necklace around his neck, slipping it beneath his shirt. Then he stood, heading out.
Draco climbed onto the Hogwarts Express, heading to his usual compartment. Pansy and Blaise Zabini were already there. Crabbe and Goyle would be on their way soon enough. He'd have to catch up with Nott later.
"Draco!" cooed Pansy. "I saved you a compartment." She smiled brightly and he gave her a small smile in return.
"Of course you did." He strode in, taking a seat next to her.
"Did you hear about the new professor?" asked Zabini.
"Slughorn, isn't it?" said Draco, leaning back against the booth.
"He's supposed to be a pretty decent teacher. I wonder what class he'll teach," mused Pansy. She reached over, tugging at Draco's shoulders and brought him down so that his head rested in her lap. He didn't resist, figuring it wouldn't do much use anyways. As she began to run her fingers through his hair, he smirked. That feels good. Guess she's useful afterall.
"Who knows," said Draco with a slight shrug.
The compartment door opened and Crabbe and Goyle thundered in, sitting down on either side of Zabini. Zabini didn't look pleased to be sitting between the two large boys. "I'm starving," complained Crabbe. "Do you have any food, Malfoy?"
Draco rolled his eyes slightly. "Crabbe, you're always hungry. Just go into the first year's compartments. They always have plenty of food."
"Tsk, tsk, Draco," clucked Pansy. "You're a Prefect. You're supposed to set the example."
Draco pushed Pansy's hand away, sitting up. "Don't try to mother me, Pansy," he said with a scowl. At this point, Prefect duties are the least of my worries, he thought. Besides, I have bigger things to take care of.
"Sitting around and being lazy, Malfoy?" Draco looked to see Ron Weasley standing in the doorway, a contemptuous look on his face.
"Well, well, Weasel," sneered Draco as he stood. "Thought you'd like to get a bit of ranting in early, did you? Shopping around for new friends? Wouldn't be surprised if they finally got rid of you. All you do is slow them down."
Ron glared at him. "At least I'm doing something useful, instead of lying around. But that's your specialty, isn't it, Malfoy."
"Ooh, big words coming from someone without much of a brain. Did Granger teach you over the summer?"
Ron's eyes flicked to Zabini and Goyle, who now stood behind Draco. "Shut your mouth, Malfoy." A group of first-years ran past just as Ron went for his wand. Ron removed his hand from his pocket. "Be lucky they were there or –"
"Or what?" Draco smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "What do you think you could possibly do to me?"
"Plenty."
"Better work on your threats, Weasel. They wouldn't scare a flobberworm." He shoved Ron into the corridor and shut the compartment door.
"Who does he think he is, barging in here like that?" said Pansy.
Draco shrugged. "At this point, I don't really care." He walked over, taking a seat next to Pansy again. He lay down, allowing her to resume running her fingers through his hair. I could be out there, using my Prefect powers, but what's the point? I'll have plenty of power soon enough and being a Prefect will hardly matter. Besides, I have to figure out how to fix that cabinet. This group will need to know, the basics at least. As soon as we reach Hogwarts, we have to begin. The clock is ticking and the Dark Lord isn't known for his patience.
"I heard people talking about Slughorn," said Goyle suddenly. "He's inviting people to some sort of meeting."
Draco was suddenly interested and looked at Goyle. "A meeting? What sort of meeting?" Slughorn…wasn't he a professor when my father was in school? The Slug Club or something. An elite club for the gifted. Father always did say that Slughorn had chosen well. The Dark Lord himself had been part of that club and look how powerful he had become. I wonder if he's going to do the same thing this year. Wouldn't be surprised if I got an invitation.
"I dunno." Goyle shrugged, pulling out a bag of cookies from his pocket. He began munching.
The compartment door opened again and Draco glanced at it. It better not be Weasley again, he thought with a scowl. However, it was merely a young first-year boy, holding a scroll tied with a violet ribbon in his hands. "This is for Blaise Zabini."
Blaise stood, taking the scroll, and the boy left. Blaise shut the door with a kick and sat back down.
"Who's that from?" asked Draco.
Blaise unrolled the scroll. "It's from Professor Slughorn. An invitation. We're supposed to go to a meeting in his compartment."
Draco nearly scowled but stopped, thinking. I need to talk to them, but I suppose it'll have to wait. "Then go. Tell me what happens."
"Will do." Zabini stood, leaving and shutting the door behind him. Draco closed his eyes, feeling Pansy's fingers continue to run through his hair.
"Probably boring anyways, but it'll be interesting to see who he chooses," said Draco.
"Where were you all summer, Draco?" asked Pansy. "I hardly saw you."
"It's none of your concern. Let's just say I was busy."
Pansy stared down at him. "What did you do?"
Crabbe and Goyle, having found things to munch on, looked at Draco curiously.
Draco glanced at them and then pulled out his father's necklace, fingering the stone. "Worked on something. But I'm not going to go into details now. Later, when we have the whole group." He put the necklace back inside his shirt and closed his eyes. For the first time, he actually felt sleep tugging at his consciousness and decided, for once, to let it take over. His body needed it and soon he was fast asleep.
He stirred some time later, opening his eyes to see Crabbe reading a comic, Goyle was busy writing something, and Pansy was looking in a small mirror, touching up her makeup. He sat up, stretching. "Did I miss anything?" he asked.
"No, it's been awfully boring. Why are you so tired anyways?" asked Pansy, putting her mirror away.
"Even Malfoys need their sleep. Did Zabini come back yet?"
"No," answered Pansy. "He's been gone for hours."
Draco glanced outside, seeing that it had turned dark. "We're almost to the school. Zabini better get back here soon."
Just then, the compartment door opened and Zabini walked in. Zabini went to shut it but it seemed stuck. "What's wrong with this thing?" said Zabini angrily as tried to shut the door, but it wouldn't move.
Suddenly, Zabini stumbled, toppling onto Goyle's lap. "Get off me!" snapped Goyle, trying to get Zabini off him.
"Not my fault your big fat feet were in the way," snarled Zabini.
Draco glanced at them but something white caught his attention. His eyes flicked to the luggage rack and he frowned. Goyle slammed the door shut and flung Zabini off him. Draco's attention was drawn back to them as Zabini collapsed back into his own seat, looking ruffled. He sniggered and lay back down, allowing Pansy to touch his hair again. He smirked, glancing at Crabbe, who was still immersed in his comic. Goyle shot a glare over at Zabini but was quiet.
"So, Zabini, what did Slughorn want?" asked Draco.
"Just trying to make up to well-connected people," said Zabini, glowering at Goyle. He looked back at Draco. "Not that he managed to find many."
Draco scowled. "Who else had he invited?" I want to know who exactly is in this little club of his.
"McLaggen from Gryffindor."
"Oh yeah, his uncle's big in the Ministry."
" – someone else called Belby, from Ravenclaw – "
"Not him, he's a prat!" said Pansy.
"- and Longbottom, Potter, and that Weasley girl."
Draco sat up suddenly, shoving Pansy's hand away. "He invited Longbottom?" What, in Merlin's name, would make him want to invite that incompetent idiot?
"Well, I assume so, as Longbottom was there," said Zabini indifferently.
"What's Longbottom got to interest Slughorn." Zabini only shrugged and Draco sneered. "Potter, precious Potter, obviously he wanted a look at 'the Chosen One,' but that Weasley girl! What's so special about her?"
"A lot of boys like her," said Pansy, watching Draco out of the corner of her eye. "Even you think she's good looking, don't you, Blaise, and we all know how hard you are to please!"
"I wouldn't touch a filthy little blood traitor like her whatever she looked like," said Zabini coldly and Pansy looked pleased. Draco smirked and lay down again, settling his head in Pansy's lap. He felt her fingers resume their stroking.
"Well, I pity Slughorn's taste. Maybe he's going a bit senile. Shame, my father always said he was a good wizard in his day. My father used to be a bit of a favorite of his. Slughorn probably hasn't heard I'm on the train or –"
"I wouldn't bank on an invitation," said Zabini. "He asked me about Nott's father when I first arrived. They used to be old friends, apparently, but when he heard he'd been caught at the Ministry, he didn't look happy, and Nott didn't get an invitation, did he? I don't think Slughorn's interested in Death Eaters."
Draco felt anger rise inside him. How dare that buffoon act as though we're not good enough for his little club. My father was plenty good enough and still is. However, he merely let out a singularly humorless laugh. "Well, who cares what he's interested in?" he said with a shrug. "What is he, when you come down to it? Just some stupid teacher." He yawned ostentatiously. "I mean, I might not even be at Hogwarts next year, what's it matter to me if some fat old has-been likes me or not?"
His eyes flicked to the luggage rack but then returned to the rest of the Slytherins. I'm not going to say anything revealing, but it might be fun to lead Potter on, if my suspicions are right. He smirked.
"What do you mean, you might not be at Hogwarts next year?" asked Pansy indignantly, stopping her fingers.
"Well, you never know," said Draco, smirking slightly. "I might have – er – moved on to bigger and better things." Crabbe and Goyle gaped at Draco. Zabini looked curious and Pansy looked dumbfounded. She began running her hand through his hair again.
"Do you mean – Him?"
Draco shrugged. "Mother wants me to complete my education, but personally, I don't see it as that important these days. I mean, think about it…When the Dark Lord takes over, is he going to care how many OWLs or NEWTs anyone's got? Of course he isn't…It'll be all about the kind of service he received, the level of devotion he was shown."
"And you think you'll be able to do something for him?" asked Zabini scathingly. "Sixteen years old and not even fully qualified yet?"
"I've just said, haven't I? Maybe he doesn't care if I'm qualified. Maybe the job he wants me to do isn't something that you need to be qualified for," he said quietly. Something that better work or I'm done for. It's going to take a lot of work.
Crabbe and Goyle still stared at them, their mouths open in shock. Draco glanced out the window and then sat up, relishing in the fact that he had stunned them all. All the better. Fixing that cabinet shouldn't be too hard, especially with them in awe of me. Everyone will be in awe when they see me rise above all the rest. "I can see Hogwarts. We'd better get our robes on."
He stood, along with the others and reached for his trunk. He heard a thump as Goyle tugged down his trunk and heard a gasp. He quickly spun, frowning at the seemingly empty space on the luggage rack. Potter…
He turned back around and smirked. I'll get you, you just wait. He opened his trunk and pulled out his robes, pulling them on. Then he took out a thick traveling cloak and locked his trunk. Fastening it around his neck, he felt the train begin to slow. With a final lurch, the train came to a halt. Goyle threw open the compartment door and moved out, shoving away a crowed of second years. Crabbe and Zabini followed closely behind.
Pansy looked at Draco, holding out her hand. "You go on," he said. "I just want to check something." Pansy sighed and left, shutting the door behind her.
Draco walked over the compartment door, watching as people filed past. Then he shut the blinds and moved to his trunk. Potter's probably stupid enough to think I'd actually say something worth hearing. Nosey Potter. Always trying to be the hero. He smirked, bending down over his trunk, opening it. He pretended to get something, rifling through his clothes. At the same time, he slipped his wand into his hand.
Spinning around quickly, he said, "Petrificus Totalus!." He watched with a satisfied smirk as Harry toppled down off the shelf, landing on the floor with a ground-shaking crash. Harry's Invisibility Cloak was trapped beneath him, revealing his entire body.
Draco just smiled broadly. "I thought so. I heard Goyle's trunk hit you. And I thought I saw something white flash through the air after Zabini came back…" Draco glanced at Harry's trainers and then looked back at him. "You didn't hear anything I care about, Potter. But while I've got you here…"
He stamped hard on Harry's face, watching as blood spurted everywhere. He heard a satisfying crunch and knew he had broken Harry's nose. Just a little taste of what's coming to you, Potter, he thought venomously.
"That's from my father," he said coldly. The only reason he's in Azkaban is because of you, Potter. You'll regret it, in the end. "Now let's see…" Draco bent down, tugging Harry's cloak out from beneath him and threw it over Harry's immobilized form. "I don't reckon they'll find you till the train's back in London," he said quietly. "See you around Potter…or not." He smirked, leaving, making sure he stepped on Harry's fingers. He walked through the corridor, exiting the train and finding his group waiting by the carriages.
"What did you have to do?" asked Pansy.
Draco smirked. "It seemed we had a little eavesdropper."
Zabini arched an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Potter."
"Potter?" Zabini repeated. "How –"
"Invisibility cloak. The idiot." Draco snickered as they climbed into the carriages. "But I petrified him and broke his nose. He'll be in plenty of trouble if he manages to find his way back to Hogwarts."
The group laughed and Draco felt the carriage move as they headed to Hogwarts.