Disclaimer: Not mine, I only own some of the plot of this fanfic and Carya, some parts might be copied from the book (hopefully not very much. I tried to keep it to a minimum), you might notice that some people got into different houses than in the books by JKR; this has only minor reasons, but I need them to be where they are now ^_^
Author's Notes: Surprise! I finally got my ass down and typed this out before re-editing it to smooth out some mistakes I made. Took me long enough, didn't it? Well, anyway, I do hope this is up to your standards and not worse than Book one and two of my series.
Since my birthday is tomorrow, I'll post this tonight (I live in Germany so it might be broad daylight wherever you are living ^_^) Personally, this is my favourite of the three I've been working on so far. ^_^
I already got seven reviews for this tiny first chapter. That's good. More than for the other two first ones *smirk* Keep reviewing and tell me if something bothers you or if you like it but don't flame me. Every writer has his / her style and view on things. On another note, I finally figured out how the hell I can continue my asteriks (stars) and the little snakeline to indicate switch of language, etc. . Yippie, took me long enough, stupid , can't even make that easy for use writers, can it *sneer*.
~...~ Parseltongue
/.../ Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)
' ... ' thoughts
~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ Flashback or changing POV
Review Responses:
Nahirta: I'm currently not the fastest to update but here you are. I hope you'll enjoy this one too.
cherriniko: I've finished chapter two now. It took me some time to go over it again since I'd done something that I better shouldn't have *sheepishgrin* I hope that I can avoid that in the future. Enjoy the next chapter and Draco is going to be a darling *gg*.
A.J.D'Angelo: Well, there's nothing to say to that one *fg* Draco is going to play a big role in some way here. But I'm afraid that'll have to wait until the end of this book.
Sarita: Thanks for your honest review. I hadn't noticed that it had gotten this bad. I realised that I often write more like I'm writing a film script and not a general story. I will try and avoid that in the future but since it's a bad habit of mine to want to explain everything in detail it might pop up still. I'll also try and not do POV changes where everything is repeated (though having each person giving their thoughts on some matter will definitely stay since that's just the way I write). I hope that my efforts will be enough to keep you as one of my readers.
Athenakitty: Well, wouldn't you be worried with a father like Lucius Malfoy? I certainly would. I love reading stories where he isn't that bad but J.K.'s books suggest otherwise and he's a bastard in my story so there you go. Young Dragon will be safe, it just takes a while and it'll not be without a fight. Lucius probably (most likely even) won't regret doing what he did. Narcissa might but she's not that important in my story so I don't know if I involve her mindset that much. Draco will get a say in where he goes, don't worry and I'll only say that in the end he'll love the place he's going to live at ^_^
Jamie Black: Wow, thank you for the praise. I'll try to update as soon as possible but I've got loads going on in RL at the moment. I'm currently working in a shift system meaning that every other week I'm not getting home until half past ten in the night. The next week I always try and catch up on sleep in the afternoons after working from six in the morning until two in the afternoon. Anyway, here's your next piece of 'Chamber of Secrets'.
Naomi Summers: Thanks, I hope you'll continue reading ^_^
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Chapter 02 - Safety, Fears and Decisions or How to Blackmail A Malfoy
A small blonde boy tumbled out of the fireplace of the 'Three Broomsticks'. He had just barely managed to stay on his feet and took a careful but nervous look around the inn. His clothing was definitely wizard's wear but the left sleeve was torn and there was blood on it too.
He seemed to have a deep wound on his arm since it was bleeding quite heavily. His name was Draco Malfoy. He spotted the innkeeper and saw that very few guests were there at the moment when a soft but firm voice startled him and made him jump in fright.
"Mister Malfoy? Are you alright?" the voice asked him.
Draco whirled around without realising what had been said, his wide eyes carrying a scared look.
'It can't be, no, father couldn't know where I'm headed to, could he? Wait! He would never call me by my last name ...' he thought and then realised that he was looking into his headmasters face.
The boy let out a sigh of relief and relaxed visibly. He looked up at Dumbledore expecting the other wizard to say something. But what he saw made him wonder. The Headmaster seemed worried. Worried about him!
Draco was feeling happy and confused at the same time but he was in too much pain to think about that right now.
"Draco, where did you get that wound?" Albus wanted to know.
"P... p ... professor ... I ... I mean ... my father ... he came home ... saw me ... a curse ... I'm scared," the boy mumbled, the last words only a mere whisper but still loud enough for the old wizard to hear.
"You're safe now, my boy! Come with me Draco, we have to get you to the hospital wing immediately. ... Rosmerta, may we use your fireplace?" Dumbledore said and when the woman nodded he steered the boy back towards the fireplace, "Thank you, Rosmerta. Good evening!"
"Hogwarts, Headmaster's office. Password 'Pineapple Juice'!" Dumbledore said when he and a shivering Draco stepped into the fire. The password would be changed immediately after their arrival at Hogwarts.
When the two males appeared in Dumbledore's office Draco was a mess. He was shivering very hard, obviously scared to death and he had gotten lost in his thoughts. The boys eyes were wide with fear. Dumbledore put his hand on the boys right shoulder, squeezing it slightly.
"Mister Malfoy, Draco! It's okay! Everything is fine now. You're safe here, safe at Hogwarts. It's just you and me here," the professor soothed his student and Draco slowly looked at him. His thoughts coming into focus again.
'It's true, I'm safe here. They won't let him hurt me. I think so, no, I believe so,' Draco thought and suddenly felt very weak.
The thirteen year old was on the brink of collapsing. Dumbledore quickly dragged him through the empty hallways of the castle. Within minutes they reached the infirmary.
"Poppy! Poppy, quick, we have an injured guest who needs your help! It's urgent!" the headmaster shouted when the were inside the room.
Draco barely noticed that. He was dead tired and felt like fainting but his pride wouldn't allow the latter. Nor did he want to appear weak in front of his headmaster. It was stupid and he knew that but Draco just couldn't help himself.
The sleepy medi-witch came out of her rooms wearing a night-gown but as soon as she spotted Draco and his bleeding arm she went into professional mode. That meant Madam Pomfrey, the overprotective nurse of 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry' woke up and immediately lead the boy to one of the beds.
Draco had some problems walking now. His injury and the stress of the last few hours or even days had finally caught up with him when his excitement had vanished once he knew he was safe. Poppy examined his arm.
"Oh dear, what happened to you? Sit here Mister Malfoy and take off that robe and shirt. Albus, you will help him when he has problems with it," she asked and ordered not really wanting an answer.
The nurse went to her office to retrieve her wand and some healing potions. Draco meanwhile carefully tried to take off his clothes but failed since his left arm was pretty useless right now. He blushed a deep crimson when his headmaster helped him with that.
It was after all quite embarrassing to be undressed by one of your teachers. The wound on his arm was still bleeding hard and Draco could tell that he must have lost quite some blood by now. Pomfrey came back and examined him.
Although she was upset about the deep cut on his arm, she didn't find any other injuries. His upper arm had been hit with a strong cutting curse and Draco was lucky that it was only his arm. It could have been fatal if he had been hit in the stomach or in the face.
Madam Pomfrey waved her wand over him, gave him four or five disgusting tasting potions and bandaged his arm. After that she told him to lie down and gave him another potion. This did actually tasted nice, like strawberries.
It was a sleeping draught. Draco faintly heard the nurse asking the headmaster what had happened.
"Albus, who did this? Who hurt the boy?" she inquired.
Albus Dumbledore didn't answer. Poppy Pomfrey could only guess but she had a fairly good idea of who. She just didn't know why. Both adults watched as Draco drifted to sleep. They both looked really worried and concerned right then. But both for very different reasons.
While Poppy was only thinking about Draco's wellbeing at the moment, Albus was weighing his options. He just didn't know where to start now. Of course, Lucius cursing his own son made things much easier but he had to deal with more immediate problems first.
"What to do next? The boy is safe and asleep now. His arm will be healed in a couple of days but what then. He cannot stay here over the summer. We will need a legal guardian for him anyway. But who? I know Severus was appointed his godfather but that is out of question.
Hmm, who could I ask. I promised Draco I would find a place for him to stay. A place where he wouldn't be judged by his father's actions and behaviour. Perhaps I should ask ... yes, that is an idea. I'll owl them immediately," the headmaster murmured to himself while he was walking back to his office.
He began writing the letter as soon as he reached the room and then sent it with one of the school owls. After that he retired to his chambers and went to bed. He would explain Minerva and the others at breakfast the next day.
The morning came far too early for Headmaster Dumbledore's liking. He swiftly got up and made his way towards the infirmary to visit Draco. The boy was still asleep and he didn't want to wake him. So he left and headed towards the Great Hall for breakfast.
Minerva McGonagall, Rolanda Hooch, Samira Sprout, Filius Flitwick and Severus Snape were already there. His Deputy Headmistress looked at him accusingly for not telling her when he came back the last night. She wanted to know what had been that urgent that it couldn't wait until morning.
"Minerva, Severus, would you come to my office after breakfast, please?" he told and not really asked his colleagues.
The two teachers just nodded and wondered what had happened this time. They finished breakfast and followed Dumbledore towards his rooms. Once they got there Dumbledore's expression turned serious. This didn't go unnoticed by the other two.
'Something must have happened. Albus is worried. I hope it's not about You-Know-Who!' Minerva thought nervously.
'Something's wrong. The headmaster isn't telling stupid jokes and offering lemon-drops. I wonder what this is about,' Severus mused with a thoughtful frown on his face.
"Albus, where did you go last night? Was happened that you had to leave like that?" his Deputy asked.
"I got an owl from one of our students and went to retrieve him at Rosmerta's place," Dumbledore said matter of factly.
"Who?" Snape wanted to know and McGonagall looked curious now.
The headmaster was silent for a moment simply looking both professors but then finally told them.
"Draco Malfoy!" Albus said and watched his colleagues reactions before going on, "He ran away from his father's place and was seriously injured when he arrived at the 'Three Broomsticks'."
"It seems that a certain someone threw a cutting curse at the boy when he tried to leave Malfoy Manor," he said after he had looked at the two for a few seconds again," The boy is currently in the infirmary and recovering from last nights ordeal."
"Why do I have the feeling that you're not telling us everything, Albus?" Severus said suspicious.
The headmaster looked at them and searched for the right words to explain everything. Minerva was the Deputy Headmistress and Severus was Draco's Head of House, so they both had to know about this. But how to tell Severus that he wouldn't be able to care for his godson.
"Draco will not be going back to his parents. He left Lucius and Narcissa for good," he said and quickly continued when both his friends tensed up at his words, "At the end of last term Draco came to me and asked for help.
Apparently his father is sure that Voldemort (here Minerva flinched but Severus remained calm) will come back soon. He told me that his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps," Albus said looking at Severus with a hint of worry and regret in his eyes.
"But Draco does not want that. He has made his decision and I think the final push into the direction he is now going was that his father forbade him to be with his real friends," he said and looked at the other two.
"The Potters, Weasley and Granger. I should have known. Draco suddenly stayed away from them after being practically inseparable for almost every single second of their first year. And he was really nervous when I paired him with one of them in Potions.
Now I know why. I don't even want to imagine what Lucius threatened him with," the Potions Master told no one in particular but then he asked, "Is Draco okay, headmaster? How bad was it?"
"He'll be fine in a day or two, Severus. Although he lost quite some blood, it never was life threatening since he was only hit on his arm. No lasting damage was done," he soothed the younger professor, "Right now I am trying to find a place to stay for him.
I've already contacted someone about it and I do hope that both parties will agree," Albus said, the twinkle in his eyes was back with full force.
Severus didn't like that at all. He knew he wouldn't like Albus' choice even though he didn't know who it was just now. The most important thing was that Draco would be alright soon. The headmaster looked at him and Snape knew what he was thinking.
"I know that he cannot stay with me Albus. Even if I'm his godfather. It just isn't possible under these circumstances," he sighed and even Minerva felt sorry for him since she knew what this was about.
They sat together and talked for a while and the two professors found out that Albus still didn't have a new Defence teacher for the next term. Severus fervently hoped that it wouldn't be an incompetent fool.
Lupin had done a good job but the parents had demanded to have him removed because he was a werewolf. Severus might not have liked him but he had done a fine job. Who knew what idiot would come next?
~*~*~ Meanwhile at Black Manor ~*~*~
"Morning Padfoot, you have an owl!" Remus Lupin said cheerfully while drinking his coffee and looking at his best friend who had just entered their kitchen.
"Hmm, later Moony. I need some caffeine first," Sirius told him and groaned quietly while pouring himself a cup of coffee.
He looked horrible. He definitely was not a morning person. Only after two cups of strong coffee Sirius felt awake enough to deal with the letter. It was from Hogwarts - from Albus Dumbledore. The animagus carefully opened the letter not knowing what to expect from this.
The animagus silently started to read and his frown deepened with every sentence. Remus was curious and started to read over Sirius shoulder.
'Dear Sirius, dear Remus,
last night a student of Hogwarts escaped from his families home and sought help and shelter here at Hogwarts. He is fine now but he needs a place to stay from now on. I know that the two of you have much room and that you'll have two lively children with you in the summers and most other holidays.
I haven't told him yet because I wanted to know about your answer first. He is in the same year and house as your godchildren and he definitely cannot stay here or go back to his parents as they most likely would hurt him badly if not worse.
It seems his father tried to curse him when he fled from home. The boy was hit on his left arm with a severe cutting curse but no lasting damage was done. I know your first reaction to his name will be badly therefore I ask you and Remus to remain calm and consider this carefully.
He has nowhere else to go right now. No friends or relatives that would take him in and treat him like the child he is. They would hurt him, hate him or just bring him back to his father. I'm sure that at least Remus now has an idea of who I'm talking about.
He is a friend of the twins and was ordered to stay away from them last year. You wouldn't even have to pay for his needs as Hogwarts nowadays has a fund for such cases. Everything would be taken care of.
He just needs a home and guardians who would truly accept him and perhaps even love him as their foster son. His name is Draco Malfoy and I can assure you that he is nothing like his father even if it might seem like that at first.
You cannot forget how he was brought up the first eleven years of his life. But leaving his old life behind was his own decision. Please think about this. I hope to have your answer soon.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore'
Sirius was stunned when he finished reading and just stared at the letter in his hands. Remus who had read over his shoulder looked disbelieving. But then he knew that they truly would have to consider this.
'Albus wouldn't suggest for us to take him in if the boy hadn't honestly changed. He knows we wouldn't even consider it otherwise if ever,' Remus thought and tentatively put his hand on Sirius shoulder to get his attention.
"Sirius? Please talk to me, and don't explode! Think about it, will you? I know he's a Malfoy but Albus wouldn't have asked us if that was all the boy was.
I remember Carya telling me that they had been friends in first year and that the four of them were sad when he ended the friendship without saying anything or explaining it to them," he told his friend and Sirius nodded slowly.
They sat in absolute silence for a while. But then Sirius asked his friend something.
"Do you think the twins would agree on this? I mean, this is their home too. They should have a say in this don't you think? What if we say yes and they don't want it? Or the other way round? I might be able to overlook the name but ... I'm still worried," he said and looked at Remus.
The werewolf didn't know what to say and he didn't get a chance to either when a familiar raven soared through their open kitchen window. It was either Phobos or Deimos. Sirius hadn't been able to tell ever. Only Remus and the twins could do it.
"Hello, Deimos, are you bringing a letter from Harry and Carya?" the werewolf asked smiling.
The raven puffed his chest and stuck out his right leg. A scroll of parchment was tied to it. Remus took the letter and gave the raven some treats. The twins had suggested they should keep some muggle candy for treats since their raven's were magical and able to deal with those sweets.
The werewolf unrolled the letter and read it.
'Dear Padfoot and Moony,
we're having a nice summer right now. Are you still collecting us for the visit to Ginny's on the 24th? I'm looking forward to that and so is Harry. We miss them so badly. Hermione and Ginny are our best friends and since the end of first year we've become even closer.
Ever since we found out that Draco couldn't stay our friend. It's a shame, really, what people are allowed to do to their own children. I'm pretty sure his father was behind that because Draco paled when I asked him why he was ignoring us. He looked so scared and lost then.
I do hope someone gets Malfoy for that. We really like Draco, Ginny the most but she hasn't realised that yet. He even accepted Hermione after some time although he still dislikes most Muggles and Muggleborns. That's the one big problem of his upbringing, I think. ... I miss him too.
He is a good friend. He has never told our secrets to anyone, not even one time. He always got into trouble together with us and he helped us with the stone. That's just not fair. Sometimes I wished he was living with us. Then we could be friends again.
But that's just wishful thinking, isn't it? Harry says 'Hello' by the way and he wants revenge for that comment about his Quidditch skills Padfoot! I'd be careful around him when you fetch us.
Love,
Carya (and Harry)'
Remus eyes widened when he read it. He looked at Sirius and wordlessly handed him the letter. Once Sirius was finished the two looked at each other until Sirius spoke. It wasn't the reaction his friend had expected.
Sirius had been way too calm about this whole matter but it was a reaction after all.
"Well, now all we have to do is to decide if we are willing to go through this or not!" he said matter of factly while staring at his best friend.
~*~*~ End Meanwhile at Black Manor ~*~*~
They wrote a letter back to Dumbledore telling him that they'd need a few days to decide and that they would tell him their decision on June 25th if it was alright with the headmaster. They reply was short but seemed somewhat grateful for them even considering the request.
'Sirius, Remus,
take your time but please answer as quickly as possible.
Yours,
Albus'
The day at the Burrow had been eventful and Sirius was once again surprised at the kids. His godchildren were quite good pranksters, as were their friends but the Weasley twins practically worshipped the Marauders and even begged him to teach them some of his knowledge.
Of course he couldn't do that because Harry and Carya would be furious with him if he did. But he promised to help them if the two Potters allowed it. When the topic had changed to Draco that evening the animagus and his best friend noticed how sad the friends expressions had become and they knew what to reply to Dumbledore.
(A/N: Want to know more about the day at the Burrow? Read the last chapter of 'A Different World - Book 2' again. ^_^)
When they woke up on the 25th Remus wrote the reply and they both signed the letter. All that was left was Draco's decision now.
'Dear Albus,
we accept your request but the final decision is with the boy. I do hope you're right and he has changed. What does Severus say to this? As far as I know he is Draco Malfoy's godfather if I'm not greatly mistaken!
Don't tell me that you haven't told him whom you asked to take young Draco in! You know he'll have a fit when he knows about Sirius! We await your reply. And do tell the boy that we don't do this out of pity or to punish him.
It's for his wellbeing and our godchildren's happiness because we know they miss their friend.
And for Merlin's sake, tell Snape soon, I don't really want to be there when he finds out. He's already pissed enough whenever we meet.
Yours,
Remus and Sirius'
The headmaster was delighted when he got the reply from his former students. Now all he had left to do was to ask Draco if he agreed to this. Though that wouldn't be the difficult part. No, the biggest problem was Severus.
Although he knew that Sirius Black was innocent he still hated him for what had happened in their fifth year. Sirius had told him that he should go to the Shrieking Shack to find out if he wanted to know where Remus was and that nearly cost him his life.
Only James Potter's actions had stopped that from happening. He sighed and went towards the boys temporary quarters. This would indeed be difficult. When he reached Draco's room he knocked at the portrait that guarded the entrance. Draco opened and asked the headmaster inside.
"Well, Draco, to get straight to the point. I have found someone who would take you in. The asked me to tell you that it is definitely neither pity nor ill-will towards you that led to their decision. So will you promise me to consider this offer?" the headmaster told Draco and the boy thought about it for a few moments but then he nodded.
"You are offered a place at Black Manor. Living with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and of course the Potter twins - Harry and Carya. Please think about this carefully, for it would be your home until graduation and tell me your decision as soon as possible," Albus said seriously and left a stunned Draco to his own thoughts.
~*~*~ Draco's POV ~*~*~
'Staying with Black and Lupin? I don't know but ... Harry and Carya would be there. Do they still want to be friends with me? Do they even know about the headmasters conversation with their guardians? And if they know did they have a say in this? ... I'm pretty confused right now.
Shit, what will Uncle Severus say? He hates Black with a passion since they were in school. I know that he can't take me in or perhaps he doesn't want to, I don't know but still ... staying with Black? I think I have to go for a walk right now,' I thought, once again talking to myself without noticing it.
I went down to the entrance hall and outside towards the lake. Suddenly I remembered the third day I stayed at the school.
~*~*~ End Draco's POV ~*~*~
~*~*~ Flashback ~*~*~
Draco had seen his father all but running towards Dumbledore's office and followed under his invisibility cloak. He hid in a corner of the headmasters office but he suspected that Dumbledore could see him or at least knew that he was there.
Lucius Malfoy had found out where his son was currently staying and he was livid. The boy had brought shame on the Malfoy family by running from home. He didn't even think about the fact that he had almost killed his own son with that curse but Dumbledore would make sure he remembered.
Lucius barged into the headmasters office and was met with a smiling Albus Dumbledore. This fuelled his anger only further. The normally cold and collected Malfoy patriarch was seething and it showed in his voice when he addressed the headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Dumbledore, where is my son? Tell me immediately!" he demanded fuming but Albus remained calm and simply told him what he thought about the situation.
"Your son is safe and he is staying where he is. Draco will not be going back to your house. Not after what you did to him, Lucius," Albus said coolly.
Suddenly the elder Malfoy remembered the curse and although Dumbledore knew he remembered it didn't show on Lucius face.
"And how, pray tell, will you prevent me from taking him home?" he asked angrily now.
"Simple, our resident medi-witch has recorded the injuries Draco had along with what he was saying. And I know that if you brought this in front of the 'Department of Family Investigation' they would probably use a truth serum on him to find out what has happened.
That would call the 'Department for Children's Welfare' onto the scene and they would make sure he would never have to go back. You can have it the hard way if you want, Lucius. I doubt you would like being arrested for harming your own son, would you?" he paused and looked at the furious wizard in front of him.
Malfoy was dangerous when angry but he knew that he would win this argument. Lucius would never insist on something that would result in a public scandal. It would ruin his reputation, his career and perhaps even his life if a judge decided that his actions were unforgivable.
And that was very likely considering that the wizarding world believed that no child should be harmed in any way. Child abuse was considered almost as bad as using an Unforgivable on someone. He could be sent to Azkaban for this and he knew it.
"You can insist on his return but that will most likely cause a scandal and you know what would happen then. But ... if you are signing certain papers that allow him to be adopted into another family, I will spare you that.
It's your decision Lucius, only yours," the headmaster said as if he'd read his thoughts and now the whole pressure was on his opponent.
After a few minutes of tense silence Lucius had stormed out of the office. The headmaster had told Draco to return to his rooms under his cloak just in case his father was searching for him. Just then Malfoy burst back into the room.
"If anyone gets to know about this, you will regret it!" he threatened the headmaster and still reluctantly signed the papers.
(A/N: What was written there and what Dumbledore knows that Draco doesn't you'll find out later. But most likely not until the end of this book or even later. But it's enough to make Lucius Malfoy sign without further bargaining!)
Albus took his threat seriously and he would talk to the involved persons later. Draco stood there, shivering in fright and eyes wide from disbelief. He was free now. Free to go and live with someone else, someone who might perhaps even love him as their child given time.
Once Lucius had left the headmasters office Dumbledore went over to the boy and put his hands on Draco's shoulders. The child was crying although he didn't exactly know why. It could be because he was scared, happy to be free now or frightened where he would have to go to later.
It mainly was because Draco was feeling free now.
~*~*~ End Flashback ~*~*~
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