Chapter Seven
The halls were bustling with cheerful people handing out gifts and holding out mistletoe. Christmas was near, it was almost upon them. Harry couldn't help but think of Cho whenever he saw the mistletoe, the people, the kissing... It was unusual, but the memory didn't hold sadness or even regret. He was relieved, somehow, to be rid of the anger and frustration he'd felt with her. Sure, it had been wonderful to find the girl he'd thought about day and night finally was there kissing him... But she loved Cedric, that was all. How could he compare to the most popular boy in the school?
Cedric was perfect in every girl's eyes. He was most popular, most handsome, most athletic; most, most, most... He was the favorite in every house, except for Slytherin. That's where Malfoy reigned supreme. But now he was gone... She still didn't love him. Or even like him. Nothing. There was nothing there anymore... if there was ever...
"Merry Christmas!" he heard a joyous voice declare. It was Cho. Oh god... not him. He couldn't face her. No... it wasn't him.
"Merry Christmas," said another voice. It didn't occur to him for a while what was happening, even though he knew that it was Malfoy's voice he had heard. He turned around just enough to see Malfoy kiss Cho in the middle of the hallway.
"Decided to snog a different girl every day?" Harry remarked.
"At least I get to snog someone, Potter."
Cho was completely put-off and walked away from Draco in a huff, waiting by the door to the dungeons. "Trying to get her back, are you? Well, she doesn't want you anymore. She's decided to choose someone superior."
"She's dated Cedric, Malfoy. You're nothing compared to him."
"And everything compared to you! You with your scar and your name that can get people to praise you wherever you go. You've done nothing worth praise."
"You don't have to try to make everyone else miserable just because Tamora doesn't want you."
Malfoy kept his mouth shut and walked past him, leaving Harry to face Cho.
"Oh, hello Harry. I didn't see you there." Cho was avoiding him intentionally, and she called for Draco, walking straight past as if Harry was a stranger. The door to the dungeons swung closed, and Harry was left alone. It wasn't that he was jealous, it was that Draco was trying to make him jealous. Ron met Harry at the door, looking exhausted. They traveled into the dungeons, then stopped at the door to the classroom.
"What's the matter, Ron? You look like you've been attacked."
"Close," he said, trying to fix his completely mangled hair. "Millicent sent her bloody cat after me; don't know how she got it into the common room. Jumped on my head while I was sleeping last night, before you came in. I didn't get any sleep, bloody cat kept me sneezing the whole night. I'm allergic to them, or at least hers. I think she put something in its fur."
Snape folded his arms, keeping the classroom door open. "Good morning, Mr. Potter; Mr. Weasley. Do you feel quite prepared to enter the classroom, or would you rather linger at the door until you are ready? I am so sorry to interrupt your tale of a life-or-death situation with a cat. Has Miss Black been loitering in your common room again?" The joy plastered on his face was unnerving.
"No, Professor, but you might want to ask Millicent what her cat was doing in the Gryffindor common room. Entering another house's common room is strictly forbidden, or didn't you know?"
Snape scoffed, gesturing with a wave of his arm for them to enter the classroom. "Come in before I decide to alert the Headmaster of your Animagi identities. Yes, I do know. And you won't believe who turned you in."
"Malfoy didn't know, he couldn't have known," whispered Ron in horror. "Unless it wasn't him..."
Harry looked about for Hermione. She was seated beside Tamora, who sat with her arms folded at the desk, hiding her face in her arms. Snape seemed quite pleased with himself, stirring a potion slowly at the front of the classroom. Ron and Harry took their usual seats, Harry and Hermione sitting in the aisle facing eachother. Harry could see from Tamora's look of defeat that something had happened. Something terrible.
"What's wrong with Tamora?" he asked Hermione concernedly. She, too, seemed wasted away by sadness.
"He knows, Harry. And what's worse, he got all of his information from Tamora."
Harry leaned toward her while Snape had his back turned. "Snape? How?!"
"Veritaserum," he heard Tamora's muffled voice reply. She lifted her head, "In my drink during detention. That's why he wanted me in detention with him instead of Filch for levitating Mrs. Norris. Took him long enough to get me for it. But when I got to his room..." Tamora explained slowly, and Harry could see it in his mind, as it was played out.
"Sit, and do not move unless you wish to have a limb burned off."
"I am no longer a docile house pet, Professor. Courtesy is a very challenging concept, I know."
"Sit and do not move unless you wish to have a limb burned off, please."
"Better, better..." She took a seat in the very front of the empty classroom, nearest him.
Snape placed a cup of pumpkin juice on the table in front of her, offering her the drink. She shook her head. "Why are you being so polite? Certainly not a force of habit."
"I am lacking kindness, not common courtesy, Miss Black. Though you seem to be the exact opposite."
"I do seem that way, don't I? I reserve all of my disregard and disrespect just for you, Professor. Don't you feel very honored now?"
"It would do you much more good to keep quiet in detention, or I may very well put you with Filch. And trust me, he is a fate worse than death." The smirk on his lips was very unreassuring, and quite terrifying. Nothing good ever came from Severus Snape's happiness.
A potion Snape was making was surrounded by billowing smoke, which was powdery in her lungs. She couldn't see very much, and the potion bubbled and spat tiny flecks of scalding water at her. Tamora coughed and held her hand to her chest, feeling a constricting pain in her lungs. "S– Snape, please," she coughed, reaching blindly for the pumpkin juice. Snape smiled in a twisted way, handing her the cup. Had she seen the look on his face, Tamora would've put the cup down and walked into the hallway for air.
"Now Tamora. Since you have succumb to my potion, let us see how much you know about the Animagi."
"I should've known you'd do this, Snivellus," she said, unable to move.
"Quiet. You speak only when I question you. How many of your... friends are Animagi?"
"I won't..." she struggled, clapping her hands over her ears.
Snape smirked, lifting her hand off of her left ear. "Mr. Potter's an Animagi, is he not?" he whispered into her ear. She shuddered, trying to keep her mouth from spilling out the words.
"Snivellus you g... I... Harry is... No!"
"Take your time, Miss Black. What about Mr. Weasley? Miss Granger, perhaps? How many are there? I'll be so heartbroken when Dumbledore expels them. How will I cope?"
Tamora's entire body stiffened and she sat up straight, her mouth opening against her will. She stared blanky up at Snape. "Harry is an Animagi. Ron and Hermione, too."
"And what are they? What animals, Tamora."
"Harry is a stag. Ron is a toad, and Hermione is an owl. And you are an ass."
"I didn't ask your opinion on myself. But thank you, that's all the information I'll need from you, Miss Black."
"Let us begin with something a bit simpler. I've been told I am devoid of sympathy, so now I will show some remorse for Longbottom's inadequacy. This is by far the least complex potion I have ever requested for completion."
Just as he was about to announce their assignment, Malfoy stepped through the door, closing it with a barely audible click. Tamora's head snapped to the source of the sound and she waited for Snape's reaction.
"Coming in late, Draco? Take a seat, then."
"But... he's late," Tamora spoke up. "shouldn't there be a house point deduction?"
"Miss Black," said Snape, emphasizing the dread with which he spoke her name. "Do you seriously suggest point subtraction from your own house?"
"Yes, I believe I do."
"Very well," he said nonchalantly, "if you can find another Slytherin to second the motion, I will see fit to subtract points." The Slytherins in the class were without a doubt the worst in the entire house (which is a very prestigious title), and all were friends of Malfoy. "No one? Well then. Have a seat, Draco. Your name has been cleared."
"Oh, well! If that is true, then possibly there is another proposition by the same rules. Harry, Ron, and Hermione will not be expelled if five or more from their own house will second the motion."
"I don't believe that's entirely appropriate."
"Why not? Let's see. Gryffindors, please rise."
"You do not know your place in this class, and you are a disruption, sit down." Snape already received little or no respect from the Gryffindors, but to have one of his own refuse his commands was insufferable, even incomprehensible.
Tamora commanded their full attention. "Now, be seated if you wish to see these three expelled." Not one of them sat down. "I rest my case, Professor."
"Expulsion is not a decision for a classroom poll, Miss Black. Now if you will not take your seat, I will give you another detention with myself. And I promise that this detention will be more trying than the last."
"Please do give me detention."
"The night of the Formal Ball."
"Please do not give me detention on that night."
"You requested detention, and I have given you the date. You meet me after class or you will find yourself in much worse trouble than Veritaserum." Snape continued the lesson without hesitation, explaining a simple healing drought. Harry hated the way Malfoy looked at her, the look in his eye when he did. The smirks, the way he raised his eyebrows suggestively at Crabbe and Goyle. The way they laughed. The look on her face when the boggart leaned against her and meant to kiss her. The look of utter fear. It made everything that had happened several degrees worse.
"I am pleased to announce that I can be rid of you all early today," said Snape. "The class times have been halved because of the Christmas dinner tonight. I also wish to congratulate our Quidditch team on their complete recovery from the brutal Quidditch match with Hufflepuff. Only in a severe storm with half of our team missing is Hufflepuff a worthy opponent."
The Slytherins were beside themselves with laughter, reliving the Hufflepuff team's feeble attempt to win. Even if it had been quite pathetic, they were evil by nature; their passion was the misfortune of others.
"Class dismissed. Remember your detention, Miss Black, but more importantly, remember your place."
"Go away, Draco," said Tamora with the same tone his voice usually carried.
Malfoy followed her up to the Fifth floor corridor in silence, then hit her with words like tidal waves, crashing over her head. "I know what your boggart is."
She stopped, nearly causing him to run into her.
"I know that it's me. Are you really that frightened of me?" he whispered from behind her. How she wished that she had walked with Hermione instead of taking her usual path. "Well don't worry, Tamora." Draco placed his head upon her right shoulder and kissed the ridge of her ear. "It only makes you all the more enjoyable to tame. The little black kitten," he mocked in her ear, making a distinct purr.
"I hope you die in wanting," she grinned, "because you will before I let you into my mind."
"Wanting," he laughed scathingly, turning her around to face him. "I never wanted something I couldn't get."
"Then I must be quite a new experience. We're going to be late for Divination. We might make Trelawney too happy if she's lead to think we dropped out of her course." She ventured down the hall, knowing from past experience that he was not far behind. Meanwhile, in the classroom, Hermione sat alone with the two empty chairs, knowing something had occurred between them. Malfoy was too used to acquiring his prize to give up on Tamora that easily.
She was just about to leave the classroom (even in the middle of a lesson, it was only Divination after all) when Draco's torso appeared ascending the ladder. Once he was into the room, he extended a hand for Tamora, who brandished her wand at him and helped herself into the class. Tamora closed the trapdoor, alerting Trelawney of her presence.
"You're both late," she said, her voice floating like so much smoke from a stick of incense. "I must subtract five points each."
"Yes, Professor," said Tamora automatically, both walking to the table.
"Before you may be seated," said Trelawney, "I must ask where you have been. You have missed a great deal of this very pivotal lesson."
"Pivotal?" Draco muttered to Tamora, and she elbowed him, answering politely. "I was on an errand for Professor Lupin. You can ask him if you like." If there was one thing Tamora knew about Remus, it was that he had plenty of experience with forming lies at a moment's notice.
"And Mr. Malfoy?" Trelawney asked, still aiming her questions at Tamora.
She thought about this, and the smile had faded from his face. "Well, Mr. Malfoy was trying to slow me down by asking incessant questions. I'm not sure what he was doing before we met in the hallway." Tamora could see Hermione grin out of the corner of her eye, and knew that Malfoy was stunned.
"Well, Mr. Malfoy? What have you been doing, then?" Her voice was a bit more stern, but still lingering in the atmosphere, higher in the clouds than even her head.
"Just came from the hospital wing, Professor," he answered smoothly. Tamora smiled. He never faltered between lies. "I was being treated for a previous Quidditch wound that didn't heal."
"Good one," Tamora whispered out of the corner of her mouth. Draco nodded proudly. Trelawney was now so confused that she didn't seem to even notice that it was an obvious lie.
"Ah, then begin on your assignment. I'm sure Miss Granger will be more than happy to tell you what we have been doing so far." Hermione nodded simply to quiet Trelawney long enough to ask Tamora where she had honestly been. Well, at least Malfoy and Tamora had one common bond. They both took pride in confusing Trelawney, and they were both very successful at doing so. Actually... they had several things in common. And what had really occurred in the hallway? Hermione knew Tamora better than she let on. Something had happened.
"It's nothing, Hermione," she replied, folding her charts. "He tries, I'll give you that. But never hard enough to produce any kind of effect." Tamora had said it loud enough for him to hear (he was only on the other side of Hermione, after all).
"Maybe force is the only way to produce an effect, then?" he drawled. "Please do tell me the secret, because I've been trying to find it for the longest time."
"The secret is sincerity. Try that before you sneer at me again."
Hermione didn't even approve of hints. She whispered while he walked away to get a palm reading chart. "You shouldn't encourage him like that. He's bound to fall in love with you."
"He wouldn't love me. He doesn't love me. He loves the chase, with any girl it's the same. Isn't that right, Draco?"
"You never do know for sure," he answered casually... too casually, sitting beside Hermione again. "And why do you always sit between us, Granger?"
"I wouldn't sit next to you at all if Tamora hadn't requested that I divide you two. Don't change the subject of the conversation."
"You mean the one you butted your way into?" Malfoy was just barely hanging onto this truce Tamora had made him keep with Hermione, and it was beginning to flounder. Hermione glared at him and instantly began to work on what was left of her classwork on palm reading and its similarities with the ruling birth signs under the moon and sun.
"Sun signs. At least there's something interesting in this course." Tamora read the instructions. "Draco, when's your birthday?"
"The ninth of January. Why?"
"To find your sun-birth correlation with palm-reading. Trelawney wants us to change partners for varied results on the chart. Give me your hand."
"What?"
"I'm not asking you to kiss me, I'm asking for your hand, give me your hand. Hand, Draco. It's connected to your wrist. Sometimes used to catch the Snitch, but I don't expect you to know what catching a Snitch is like."
His nose crinkled and his eyebrows furrowed at the remark. He refused to speak, instead he scoffed at nothing and held out his hand palm-up.
"Thank you." Tamora examined his palm, and he looked on curiously as she traced lines. "Hm... no. I can't... see..."
"Can't see what?" Malfoy seemed enthralled.
"Anything! You're in my light." She scanned the lines with her index finger, and he withdrew his hand quickly. "What's the matter?"
"Tickles," he muttered, trying to make sure no one would hear him.
"Aww... Is Draco Malfoy ticklish?" mocked Tamora with a laugh. "Fine. I'll just make up something that would sound plausible to Trelawney."
"Nonsense?"
"Exactly."
Hermione sighed, resting her head in her hands. "Do you honestly have to read my palm, Malfoy?"
"No, Granger, I can write some nonsense about you."
"Better yet, I'll write it. Lord only knows what you'll write about her," Tamora said in a huff. "And I've already got yours done. Here it is, Draco. But you still have to read my palm, god help me."
"What?"
"Nothing. Read." She held her palm toward him. Draco took her hand and examined it with a blank stare, making it obvious that he wasn't reading her hand at all. Hermione scribbled answers to fill out her chart hastily while he read Tamora's palm, and thank god she didn't look up. Just as Tamora was about to take her hand out of his grasp (knowing he wasn't truly doing anything at all), Draco turned her hand over and kissed it gently, never losing contact with her slowly darkening eyes. "I know what I'm going to write already. Quite easy to read palms, really." His silvery gray eyes bored into hers until she exhaled, pulling her hand away.
"Then you won't be too put off to fill out your graph now. Thank you for your... attention to the palm-reading."
A smile flitted across his face, and he filled out the chart quickly. "Oh no, it was my pleasure."
"I'm sure it was."
Hermione shot a sideways glance at them. "Did I miss... something?"
"No. Nothing," answered Tamora quickly.
"Class will be–"
"—Dismissed early, yes, we know." Hermione was feeling quite impatient to talk with Tamora, and to leave the unbearable fumes of the classroom.
"I did not finish my sentence," said Trelawney. "Class... will be dismissed early." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, Miss Granger- I am very upset to see you leave, too." It was the first time anyone had ever heard Trelawney use sarcasm, and it was disturbing somehow. "Class dismissed... Take care. Heed the warnings of the great beyond. You will each suffer a different fate, and there will be minimal deaths."
Once they were down the ladder and into the hall, Tamora found herself still walking beside Malfoy. Hermione had disappeared to her next class (disappeared being the key word).
"I swear, that woman gets battier every year," said Malfoy to Tamora. "Lucky she doesn't get locked up in St. Mungo's for feeding us that steady diet of cack."
"Oh do contain your love for Divination, Draco. Not that I believe that prat, but what happened to being polite?"
"To her?"
"She is a creature of this earth, though it's never been proven... Even so, be kind, you may surprise yourself." Tamora assumed that Draco thought it beneath him to be kind to another. It was almost impossible. Kindness? What does that have to do with death eaters?
"You know, Tamora," he quipped, "I thought you'd already have asked someone to the Formal Ball."
"And what makes you think I didn't?"
"Pansy. She told me."
"And... why would you want to know whether or not I had an escort?"
She could hear the cruel laugh of Malfoy. "Why do you think?"
"Well I'm not sure. I mean, it can't be that you want to escort me to the Ball. You know I'd never accept an offer from you."
"Oh really?"
"And do you want to know why, Draco? I can see past everything. How you used to (and still do) treat all of my friends, the way you treat your own so-called friends, even your obvious problems at home with Lucius–" Before she could continue he yelled aloud and lifted her a few inches off of the ground, slamming her against the wall.
"DRACO GET OFF! JUST BECAUSE YOUR FATHER WOULDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU IF YOU WALKED PAST HIM ON THE STREET DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD HURT ME!"
His expression completely changed, and he released her, his entire face slack. The usual spark of criticism that lit his face was completely washed away. Tamora stared at him, waiting for him to say something.
"Draco?"
He nudged past her. "Sorry if I hurt you," Draco whispered. "There's someone I have to see." He wasn't at all himself. He was... empty. Hollow. She could see it, hear it and feel it as he passed her by. Tamora had solved the mystery of his sadness long ago. No love, no acceptance, no warmth, no life... It was more of a curse than anything to have a family that didn't care. What would he have to base his life on if not a strong family? Oh god... the only thing he had to base his life on was...
"Draco wait," Tamora called, "please. I understand what it is–"
"No, no you don't." He kept walking, but he was missing the pride in his step. Tamora reached for his hand, pulling him back a bit before he turned around. "But you understand everything else, don't you? Wise Tamora, the girl with the notorious father. Just like Potter. No, I had respect for you. You never flaunted to spread your name across the front page. But you can dig into my worst memories and drag it out, like punching through my chest and ripping out my heart, still beating." She flinched at his choice of words, but that did not stop the torrent from his mouth. "Yes, I insulted your werew- Professor Lupin. And I apologized (with great difficulty- Draco Malfoy's apologies were the rarest of all). But I never stooped lower. When did I ever bring up your father's death? Answer that before you act like you know me."
"It's not a question of whether I know you, it's a question of whether you know yourself. I'm late for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Remus will be worried."
Harry met her in the hallway and without any hints blurted out, "Why do you talk to Malfoy so often?"
"Because he needs it."
"He needs your sympathy?"
"He needs a friend, if it's possible for me to become one. At the least he needs to talk to someone who has a vocabulary over five words. Mudblood, Potter, Weasel, yes, and no. And that idiotic neanderthal laughter... Would you like to hear that for seven years?"
"He deserves it, Tamora," said Harry honestly. "He's not worth your words."
Tamora continued down the hallway without Harry.
"It's you," said Harry incredulously, "you like him. You insult him, but... you like the way he acts, because it's a challenge for you to outdo him. You're really his friend, aren't you?"
"Tell the professor I've gone to the infirmary. I think I'm going to be sick." She stormed off down the hallway, leaving anger in her wake. The professor? Didn't she mean Remus?
"It's all right, Harry," said a silvery from behind him. It was Ravenwolf. "I'll explain after class."
Harry's mind was clouded throughout the entire class. What was Ravenwolf about to explain? Tamora had never denied that she liked him... the thought was sickening. How could she even find him the least bit entertaining? Malfoy wasn't worthy of the ground she walked on. She was so kind, and bold. He was an arrogant coward... Then again, Hermione hadn't complained about him for at least a month and a half. Everything he had ever known was becoming tragically disrupted. Hermione not seeking to kill Malfoy... in fact, stopping Harry from killing him. But even then it had been to save Harry from a worse fate.
But Tamora... she forgave him for insulting Remus. How could she even look at him after what he said? At the same time...
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy. I was wondering if I'd be seeing you here." Remus pulled a chair out. "Sit?"
"No... th..." he stopped himself. It was quite different to say that, even difficult. "But thank you." She'd had quite an adverse effect on him...
"So... Draco, is it?" He nodded to Remus. "It may sound odd, but I know what brings you here. It's Tamora, isn't it?"
"Only indirectly. I want to know about her. Her family, her father and mother mostly, her past. Everything." He tried to be his usually calm and collected self, but he found that it's quite difficult to be calm around a werewolf that already dislikes you...
"Well I don't think I have the right to tell you anything about that. And even if I did, what makes you think I'd trust you? You, Draco, are her greatest fear. That's not going to make you any more endearing. And you are also quite an enemy of Harry's. I know for a fact that he doesn't choose enemies without reason, which is also a point against you."
"Yes, I know. But there is something that should make you trust me. You see, Professor, I–"
"–have to go to the hospital wing to check on Tamora. Please, Professor Ravenwolf. It will only take a moment," asked Harry near the end of class.
Ravenwolf nodded. "I'll speak with you at dinner, then?"
"Yes. Thank you, Professor." Harry picked up his books and ran out of the classroom, heading for the infirmary. When he arrived, he found that all of the beds were empty, and Madam Pomfrey was grumbling to herself about being out of fresh blankets.
"Oh hello Harry. Looking for someone?" Madam Pomfrey smiled.
"Yes. Tamora."
"Well, she's not been around here for quite a while- not since that Quidditch game. I did see her pass here. Said she was on her way to the dungeons, I think..."
Harry thanked her and ran down the stairs, through the entrance hall into the dungeons. The usual prefect was gone, probably helping prepare decorations for the feast. Please let her be there... He knew the password. Tamora had told him long ago. It meant something... he remembered. It was the part of the Hogwarts seal.
"Draco dormiens." They really should have picked something different. Then again, why would someone venture into their common room? He didn't speak, but instead he saw. She was sitting in the girls' dormitories on a trunk at the foot of her bed, fiddling with a ring in her palm. He couldn't see anything about the ring, only that it was silver and had some type of engraved words upon the band.
"You can't escape my hearing, you should know that by now," Tamora said, raising her head. "Harry. I'm surprised. Ravenwolf let out early?"
"Only me," Harry answered, walking over and sitting on the bed. "What's it say?"
"It says 'Property of Sirius Black'. My mother and father's little joke to make themselves eachother's property. It's my mother's wedding ring."
"Oh..." was all he could manage. If that was her mother's...
"They took my father's ring when he went into Azkaban. It's probably still there in inventory, or in the garbage somewhere. I've never found out what they do with the prisoners' possessions once they're admitted to Azkaban." Tamora's eyes were fixed upon the silver ring, and she seemed crestfallen.
Harry heaved a sigh. "What did Malfoy do this time?"
"He failed to realize that he is not the only one who's felt pain or loneliness."
"What do you expect of him, Tamora? Honestly. He's a bastard."
"No, the child his father raised is a bastard. There's something..." she laughed sorely. "You know I'm really wasting my time explaining this to you. But you'll see it one day. I promise. On a less complicated note," she began, standing up and putting the ring on her finger. "I have an old friend coming for a visit. He's been granted permission to come over from Durmstrang on holiday. Do you know that he taught me a little bit of Bulgarian? It's really an odd language... form of Slavic. He's quite popular back there."
"Oh, that's nice," said Harry nonchalantly, still considering what she had said before. "What's his name?"
Remus paced the room, and Malfoy was now seated.
"Draco," he said sternly, "I do not care if that is true or not, it is impossible to ask me something like that. I suggest you make your way to the Great Hall soon."
"Please," he said again. He was growing accustomed of these new words, and they began to sound more sincere. "I just want to know about the murder. I want to know why Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban."
Remus' eyes darted to a silver bowl across the room and he smiled eerily. "I know that Professor Dumbledore would find intriguing to know what precisely lurks in that mind of yours. I will exchange a memory of mine... for a memory of yours. Because the one you asked of me is certainly my worst, it must also be your worst memory."
"What? That's ridiculous."
"Fine. I just assumed by your sudden courtesy that you truly wanted to know."
Thoughts darted through his mind, and he closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them slightly and looked in Remus' direction. "My worst?" He rose from his chair and walked over to the bowl at the other side of the room. "If you tell anyone," he said threateningly.
"You'll what?"
"I'll tell Tamora about your new potion, and what it really is."
Remus grinned at his threat. "I thought you'd know. Very well. And since it is you that I cannot trust, you will be first."
Harry slid off of her bed and began to walk out of the dormitories. "Tamora, the Christmas feast is beginning," he said, "we'd ought to go."
She followed him out of the dormitories and into the dank, barely lit dungeons."And please don't tell anyone about my friend. I want it to be a surprise."
"Oh, it will be," said Harry with a laugh. "Let's go."
In the classroom, Draco prodded his temple with the tip of his wand, removing a silvery strand and setting it down in the bowl. "You'd better keep up your end of the bargain."
"I am notably faithful, not to worry," he chuckled softly. Remus was drawn in, and he could see it in his mind's eye... so real, so vivid. It was Draco, much younger, not more than eight years old. He was wearing slicked-back hair like he had for a few years at Hogwarts, but not the same as he had been. He seemed very much like a normal child, but... tenser.
"Father, why am I needed at these parties?"
"Because every person there wants to see you. You should be proud to be a Malfoy. It's the only reason you are allowed to attend. Being part of this family is the highest honor one could receive."
"Then why do all of the people at work hate you? Pansy said her father is afraid of you."
"Shut your mouth," a female voice snapped, "you know you are not allowed to mention your father's work." It was Narcissa.
"But-"
"Your mother is right," said Lucius. "It would do you better not to say such things. I advise you not to speak for the rest of the night. Just nod politely and shake their hands."
"Father," Draco asked, "...Why do they wear those big black cloaks and those hoods all the time? Don't they get warm? It's summer."
"Shut your mouth!" Lucius ordered, and Draco flinched.
"Yes father," he answered reluctantly.
Then the sudden rush... time had just flashed by. They were now at a large gathering, a Death Eater meeting. It was some type of commendation banquet. The Malfoy Manner was filled with Death Eaters and the occasional Ministry employee (and even those were wearing their black cloaks). There were many that Remus recognized. Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange were chatting with a young woman with a floppy black hat who seemed quite out of place. A spy, possibly? No, if so she would've better disguised herself.
Macnair was laughing over some joke that he had just told, since Goyle had obviously not understood it. Crouch and Nott were discussing something in heated debate, and Crouch's thin mustache was often in a downward spike. Bagman, Dolohov, Crabbe- Igor Karakoff, even. All there. Lucius' party had quite a turnout. He wouldn't be surprised if this was an international gathering. Even... Oh what he would've given to kill Peter at that moment. Macnair, Mulciber, Tavers... And there were so many others. Some speaking Italian, others German or Russian or Czechoslovakian... Every nationality was represented by two or more, and there were several Americans, he noted. And then... Severus. Oh my, what a spectacle he was, talking with Lucius as if he cared. Remus could tell he was in pain to be around so many of them...
Lucius was now introducing his son (for the second or third time) to Severus, which Remus noted that he often did when he was even the slightest bit drunk. Forgetting who he introduced his son to was a specialty of his... he could tell by the look in Draco's eyes. That look Remus had known when he was a child... the 'oh no, he's at it again?' look of complete dread. But this was worse. This was embarrassing.
"Father," the little boy piped, "this is the fourth time you've introduced me to Mr. Macnair. I'm almost sure I know him alright. Can I go play with Pansy and Gregory now?"
The few in the crowd by Draco and Lucius were silent. His father was intoxicated and making a fool of himself. All those who were too terrified to tell him were shown up by his own son. He was not, however, plastered beyond wits, and noticed immediately that his son had just made him the butt of many jokes in the Ministry tomorrow morning. That's all he thought as he gathered the guests. "You must excuse my son."
"Your son? Lucius, you are without a doubt making yourself look ridiculous. Draco merely pointed it out." Severus' attempts to walk among them unnoticed were suddenly failing. Why had he defended Draco? Ah, that was it. He wasn't like the rest of them, not a monster, and it was evident.
"Let us continue with our soiree, shall we? Narcissa has prepared quite a meal for us all." That wasn't true either. Narcissa hadn't cooked a thing since the day she was married. They had numerous house elves, Remus was sure of that. Lucius sent a glare directly at his son, and suddenly Remus realized why this was his worst memory. The wrath of Lucius Malfoy was not to interfere with his parties or his work. There, he kept face, until it was time for the true punishment. Remus watched and even heard the time speed by, and it was after the party, and the last guest was about to leave (Macnair stumbled out the door, laughing something about ale).
Draco was already hiding in his room, the door was locked and he was cowering in the corner.
"Alohomora," Lucius uttered, and the ebony door opened with a swish. As soon as he had closed the door behind him, swift terror ensued. "HOW DARE YOU EMBARRASS ME IN FRONT OF ALL OF THOSE GUESTS, YOU LITTLE–"
"I'm sorry, father," Draco whimpered, shutting his eyes.
"Sorry won't stop the jeering tomorrow at the Ministry, Draco! You should've known better than to meddle. I TOLD YOU TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT, SO STOP YOUR SNIVELING THIS INSTANT!"
"Don't hurt me, please!"
"And what do you propose I should do? Let you go after causing such a stir at the most important gathering of the year?! THE ENTIRE LEGION OF DEATH EATERS WAS THERE TO SEE THE SPLENDOR OF OUR HOME AND TO GREET THE NEWEST OF OUR CLAN, YOU, AND YOU DISAPPOINTED THEM ALL!" he roared, taking his wand into his hand.
'Oh god...' thought Remus, watching Lucius raise his wand at Draco.
"No– father, please!"
"Oh no, we won't let mother hear this. She's out to see a play, I made sure that nothing would interfere with tonight. The most important night of the year, Draco."
"Please- I'm sorry! Please don't–" Draco was huddled with his knees to his chest, tears streaming down his face.
"CRUCIO!" Lucius yelled ferociously.
The last thing Remus heard was Draco's screams as he writhed and convulsed on the floor...
Remus was back in the classroom, Draco sitting in the corner. "You were probably quite pleased to see that. Now I'd like what I asked for."
There was nothing he could say. What could he tell Draco that would explain what he had seen, except... "Oh Draco, I'm so sorry. I knew that Lucius was cruel, but to that extent I'd never dreamed–"
"Save your speeches of pity for some poor dolt who needs them." Draco reinserted the silvery strand into his head and beckoned Remus to the bowl. "We bargained. Here's your end."
In the Great Hall, the banquet had already begun, shortly after an amusing anecdote provided by Dumbledore. The food was a wonder in itself, as it had always been. Roasted turkey and goose in a pattern down each table, surrounded by a mixture of deserts (and many forms of potato) one only dreams could be possible, topped off with instantly refilling glasses of butterbeer, compliments of Fred and George (the only real improvement to the school they had ever produced, other than ridding them of Umbridge).
Harry looked about for Remus, and noted that Malfoy, too, was missing. Where had they gone? Hopefully not in the same room, not after the night Tamora's Animagus studies backfired. That's when Malfoy showed his true colors. No matter how Tamora would force him to see, to Harry, Malfoy would always be an enemy. There was no possible way to see past it.
"And how long do you think Ron and Hermione can stay angry with eachother?" Tamora asked, watching as the two sat at opposite ends of the table.
"Until one of them gives in. And that won't be happening any time soon. I've seen this before, and something unusual happens soon after a row like that."
"Like what?"
"Well, then we discovered that the cat and rat they were fighting about were far from pets."
"I hope Draco's a rat. I want to hunt him and dangle him above my razor-sharp teeth until he squeaks pathetically and I swallow the stupid rat whole."
Harry gaped at her. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"Oh yes. Fine." Tamora began to shove a toothpick through a cookie with the Hogwarts seal in animated food dye on the front. Whomsoever picked up the cookie would have their house flash for a moment, then go back to the seal. Tamora, however, was too busy stabbing out the word "Draco" on the Hogwarts seal to notice.
Ron lifted the cookie off of her plate. "It's not the cookie's fault that he has a stupid name. Look what you've done. Completely mutilated. I'm going to have to put it out of its misery now." He shoved the mangled cookie in his mouth and moved on in his conversation with Seamus.
"God bless Ron," laughed Tamora, "defender of baked goods everywhere."
"Harry," said a voice from behind him. It was Ravenwolf. "I need to speak with you now. And Dumbledore has requested that you spend a moment in his office, Tamora."
Both he and Tamora got up from the table and followed Ravenwolf out of the Great Hall.
"What's this all about?" Tamora asked him.
Harry shrugged and ascended the steps with Ravenwolf. "Professor, shouldn't you show Tamora where Dumbledore's–"
"I'm fine, Harry. I know where his office is." She glanced down where a corner of the Marauder's Map protruded from her pocket. "I'll see you tomorrow morning. Maybe we can play some chess."
As soon as Tamora was down the hall and out of sight, Ravenwolf pulled him aside. "We don't really have to waste time by going to the classroom when you'll be headed to Dumbledore soon."
"What's wrong with Remus? You must know."
"That is what I needed to tell you... But you cannot tell Tamora. I swore to him she wouldn't find out."
"Hello Tamora," said Dumbledore cordially. "Enjoying the feast?"
"Headmaster," she said, "I thought there was something more important to discuss than the feast."
"Then you are correct," he said with a hint of concern in his voice, "the news I deliver to you is urgent."
In the hallway, Harry was stricken with such surprise he had never felt until that moment. He nearly forgot to breathe as Ravenwolf spoke.
"Why didn't he tell us, Professor?"
"Harry, what he does and does not tell you is all for a reason."
"Well I won't let him hurt himself!" snarled Harry.
"Shh!" Ravenwolf said, putting her hand over his mouth and pulling him into the nearest classroom. "Someone's coming. Someone not from this school. I can hear it."
"I didn't hear anything–"
"Sh- don't. Quiet," she whispered.
Dumbledore disappeared into a door at the top of a small flight of stairs just behind Fawkes. "I'll only be a moment, Tamora."
Ravenwolf and Harry waited in the endless silence for at least five minutes, when finally Harry could hear light taps on the floor. Someone had muffled their own footfalls? No... it was... footpads. Then, a low canine growl and the screech of Mrs. Norris. A dog was chasing Mrs. Norris down the hall past the classroom... a large black dog... The cat's hisses died down, and Harry peered out of the classroom. The dog had disappeared.
"Did you see where it went?" Ravenwolf whispered.
Harry shook his head. "I know who it was... but it can't be. I have to go to Dumbledore now, don't I?"
"Yes. He requested that you see him also. But not a word to Tamora."
Harry agreed and walked unescorted to Dumbledore's office. He muttered the password unconsciously, thinking constantly about the black dog. Maybe he had hallucinated. But then... how did Ravenwolf hear it? Something had happened then...
"Hello Harry. We've been expecting you," began Dumbledore with a welcoming smile. "I knew that it was best to wait until you had arrived. By the way, Tamora, this is yours I believe." Snivellus the parrot flew from his shoulder to the arm of her chair. "Your mail was returned before it could reach Tonks. And we received a note attached to the letter. Bellatrix Lestrange intercepted your parrot, and left us a single sentece: 'The Dark Lord will see an end to the disloyal families of Potter, Cambric, and Black.' Bellatrix was the only student at Hogwarts who knew the school better than Remus Lupin. She is coming to Hogwarts, and I'm afraid that she will not be alone.
"Tamora, no matter how much I deeply regret this, it is my only choice at the moment." Dumbledore's eyes showed worry beneath his half-moon spectacles.
"Regret what?"
Harry could tell that what Dumbledore was about to say would be highly important by the way his face had become creased with wrinkles of thought.
"I have just received news Peter Pettigrew. He has been seen walking about King's Cross Station at separate times of the day, attempting to open the portal to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. There aren't many ways to travel to Hogwarts, but the barrier is one of the most popular routes (as you may already know). And as I have just told you, Bellatrix is attempting to earn the trust of Voldemort by killing both you and Harry. If the two should ever meet or be sighted near the school, it would be far too late to protect you. Servants of Voldemort, though nowhere near as powerful as myself, will go to any lengths to destroy the surviving members of the 'disloyal' families. There are still some ways into the school that only his servants can enter. This is my first encounter with such magic that has not involved Harry as the sole target.
"Tamora," said Dumbledore, interrupting his own conversation, "If you should ever be in danger, not only would I lose Remus' trust, I would never forgive myself for such irresponsibility. That is why I am making this choice for you."
Tamora waited for him to answer, nodding in rapt attentiveness.
"My dear, the entire staff of this school as agreed unanimously to place you in the care of a trusted household for our short recess. (He held a hand up so that she would not protest.) Narcissa has agreed to let you stay in her home for the duration of Christmas break. It isn't safe for either of you at Hogwarts, Tamora."
"What about my home?!" snapped Tamora, raising her eyebrows. "And where will Harry stay"
Dumbledore spoke placidly, "You must understand; it is too dangerous. Lucius has been wandering about Grimmauld Place since Thursday last. The Malfoy estate is the only place that none will search. Lucius would never return home now. Harry will be staying in the home of Arthur and Molly Weasley. Both of the homes will be checked daily to ensure your safety. This is beyond all that we have ever experienced when dealing with Voldemort. Never has he known precisely how to attack without interference. I promise that you will be safe. I am sorry, Tamora. This was our only choice."
Tamora exhaled loudly, leaving Dumbledore's office. "Narcissa Malfoy, for god's sakes! Well at least that stuck up little warlock won't be there..."
"Tamora!" Draco's voice echoed. He ran up from behind her, "So, I've just heard that you chose to come to our home over the Christmas break." His heightened vantage point made Tamora feel much like a house-elf, having to look up at him from her mere five-and-a-half feet.
"I had no choice," she quipped frigidly. She held her books to her chest and picked up speed, trying to hint that he was the last person she wished to see.
"Well, my mum asked me to stay home for Christmas this year, so I'm respecting her wishes. We'll be spending Christmas together- the three of us, I mean," he said casually. Tamora pulled a piece of parchment from Draco's hand, reading it, watching his cheeks begin to flush a light pink.
"Dear mum, there's been a change of plans, I'll be coming home for Christmas break this year. Don't be too surprised to see me walk through the door..." Tamora looked up from reading. "...You want me alone with you! You are a cheeky little git, aren't you?"
"Little?" he scoffed, "As compared to you? My vicious lady– of inferior stature."
"For a moment I thought you had a clever answer. But you've lived up to your reputation, Malfoy."
"You've stopped calling me Draco now? It's them, isn't it? The idiot Mudblood, the Weasel, and the ever-popular scar-headed fool. They've pitted you against me. You couldn't have picked worse friends."
"Yes, I could have."
"Oh? Enlighten me," he sneered, purposely getting very close to her. The effect had worn off, and she would be scared no longer.
"I could've shaken your hand on the train and made friends with you. But I've a much better sense of judgement than you think." She kissed his cheek (the one she had slapped months ago, he remembered) and stood in front of him. "I hope it will help you to melt that frozen heart of yours. Deep in your heart, wherever it may be, you know you're more than a spoiled little brat. You're very lucky I saw through you." Tamora continued down the hall, seeing only a brief glimpse of Draco holding his hand to his cheek.
"Merry Christmas," her voice reflected off of the walls, entering his mind as immediately as the words had been said. It was as if she had struck his face rather than kissed him. He stood with his mouth slightly open, taken and wounded at the same time. Someday, she would change him, though she wasn't sure how.
It occurred to him then that he hadn't been kissed by his parents that he could remember. Never... No, there was one time. It was when he told his mother that he'd accepted his father's decision to begin his training in dark magic for the death eaters. Only when he embraced evil was he able to be loved. It was horrendous. And yet a girl he'd only met this year could already show such affection he had never encountered before. Tamora had definitely struck a nerve, and she was trapped in his mind the rest of the day, and every day after.
I turn off the light, and close the door, and there you are to open it again. you shed the light on all the things so dark. so dark before you were here. you're the nightlight to the darkened soul. recesses of my heart had been empty for so long, I forgot what it meant to care. my heart had stopped beating, and I felt so lonely, and then you were there. but then you were...there... you shattered the glass encasement that kept me so safe, so far... you brought in the danger to teach me that I was alive...there's so many things I'd taken for granted before... but then I betrayed you, and you showed me just one more... I'd taken for granted, the one thing that made me whole. the nightlight was gone, and I was a shell, and you were the star I never let go of your... light...
A/N: I have made references to Ravenwolf, though I am the only one who caught it (and Wicca practicing people out there). ::rewinds story:: said a silvery voice from behind him. It was Ravenwolf. ::pauses story:: Haha silvery... Ravenwolf... Silver... Ravenwolf... ::cackles:: Woohoo! I'm just so dorky it doesn't even make sense anymore! There will be illustrations for this fic (and possibly another fic TBA) on Mediaminer. Woohoo! They will begin very soon, as soon as the songfic chapter appears (probably Chapter Nine). ::blasts Finch:: LIKE A BAD STAR, I'M FALLING FASTER DOWN TO HER... SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT IT IS TO BURN!!! Page 84 in Word Perfect, baby, yeah!
Reviews, reviews. They are scarce. ::points at Lady Rumbottom:: There will be a new illustration for your fic if you actually update. ::growl::
Donnie- Yay you liked it! No! I refuse to call him Lupin! I'm the writer, I outrank you. So there! ::sticks out tongue:: Aww ya know I love ya. Hehe thanks for reviewing!