Chapter 35: The End Justifies The Means

Malcolm transformed into an owl and flew out the window. He circled the school to get a sense of where the Death Eaters were. Convinced they had not yet left the Room of Requirement, he headed straight for Hogsmeade. All he could think of was that everything had gone horribly wrong.

That was when he noticed the others. It was Tonks he saw. Malcolm flew closer to that particular window when his friend chanced to look out. She cast a spell and the window opened. Malcolm landed on the ledge.

"You're out late tonight. Do you have a date?"

Malcolm hooted in annoyance, then jumped to the floor and transformed. "You've got to promise not to tell anyone you saw me."

"We promise," Remus Lupin said from off to one side, humor obvious in his voice. "And why did we not see you? Outside of the fact that you were never here."

"Draco's letting Death Eaters into the school. They're going to be coming from the Room of Requirement."

"When?" The humor was gone.

"I think they might already be here."

"Malcolm." It was Bill Weasley. "How do you know this?"

Let's see. The long version will take until next week. I'll give them the short version.

"We're family. They kidnaped Nob. Draco had to go through with this or else."

"So he's letting in the Death Eaters?"

"And I'm giving the warning." Malcolm said angrily. "If it works, Nob is safe, and you get to capture a few more of them. And if it doesn't work, Nob is still safe."

Tonks put her hand on Malcolm's shoulder. "And if Nob isn't safe?"

"DON"T SAY THAT."

"You've warned us," Bill said hastily. "We need you to fly into Hogsmeade and warn the others."

"Avery's already doing that."

Everyone listening was surprised. "But Avery's father . . ." Tonks started to say.

"Avery is Dewey's friend. He's trying to help . . . Dewey's family. And it doesn't hurt his by doing this."

Bill nodded. "And nobody knows about that either. "Fly, Malcolm. Two messengers are better than one, in case they don't believe the first one."

Malcolm nodded and transformed as he jumped out the window. In seconds he was on his way to Hogwart's entrance. He was nearing the gate when he heard the shouts, but couldn't make anything of them. He circled lower and saw that every person near the entrance was looking back at the castle. When he turned to see the castle, Malcolm spotted it. The Dark Mark, rising above the astronomy tower. He perched on the gate itself to stare. What happened next he heard. Two brooms went past him, high overhead.

Dumbledore? I can see him. But the other? Must be hidden by an invisibility spell or something. That's what I like. More things that I don't understand.

It was Filch who got his attention. His motions were obvious. An owl flying high in the dark night would be invisible. And could see and hear everything.

The greatest amount of time was spent getting high enough. Malcolm did notice at one point that Avery was almost to the school. Once he was finally high enough, Malcolm could glide over the tower and look down. It wasn't pretty. He passed overhead to see Draco and Dumbledore. Other people were coming out onto the parapet. Then he was past the tower and had to circle around again. It was when he had half completed his turn, he saw it. Dumbledore, at the battlements, the green glow of the killing spell engulfing him. As he watched, Dumbledore was blasted off the tower and was falling to the ground below. No longer thinking, Malcolm went into a dive. He felt a great need to get to the old man, that if he got there fast enough he could do something.

White.

Everything went white.

NO. NOT NOW. WHY? WHY?

The glow faded but not completely. Malcolm found himself in human form, standing in front of a grave. The same grave he stood before, the last time this had happened. And the glow was in front of him, gradually fading and taking form.

"Basil?"

"Hello, Malcolm. It's time for you to remember. It's time to remember everything."

Malcolm took a deep breath. He did remember. He remembered it was Basil in the dream, the one he could not remember. And he remembered being in class that day, confronting Umbridge. He remembered Umbridge erasing his memory. And he remembered one other thing. He remembered being in an alternate world AND reading the books about Harry Potter. He remembered how the last book ended.

"Why? What good is it, remembering all of this now?"

"Why ask why? Everything that happened tonight happened. Despite that book, it was not foretold."

Harry could see Basil clearly now.

"But I could have saved him. I could have warned him."

"He already knew. He knew that what happened could have happened. He prepared and took his chances. He accepted his fate." Basil waved his hand. "I could do nothing about that Malcolm. And I did not return your memories now to hurt you. I did it because I was now able to."

Malcolm could now bear to look at Basil without squinting.

"Why . . . How . . . are you here?"

"I came to an agreement. Or as you would say, I made a deal."

"I'm not going to like this. Am I? Why are you interfering with my life?"

"It should be obvious. When I was alive, only one person truly loved me. I want to save him."

'Draco? Is he in danger?"

Basil gave Malcolm a look of playful scorn. "Of course, he's in danger. He may very well die tonight. But that is beside the point. Did you know, Malcolm, that Draco had a prepared spell? If he were to die, he would remain here as a ghost."

"That sounds like Draco."

Basil gave a sincere smile and grabbed Malcolm's hand with affection. "He cancelled that spell tonight, before he went to face his danger. And it was because of you."

"Wait a minute. You did all that stuff to me just to get Draco to cancel a spell."

"Ask any ghost, Malcolm. Ask them if they are happy. Not one will tell you yes. Ghosts are not happy people. In life, they always feared. And in the end, they chose to stay on in this world as spirits rather that discover what awaited them beyond the veil. Had I not intervened, Draco would have done the same."

"And to do this you gave me bad dreams and moved me through time and space. Did you send me to that movie studio, too."

"No. That was Nott's doing. Although he has no idea what he did, only what he intended. That was why I moved you three times and gave you the seven dreams, and one other thing. One, three and seven. They are the numbers of great magic."

Malcolm tried to understand everything that he was told. "And that One was?"

"Nob. I gave him the understanding of what he could do, before he could understand what it was he was doing."

"Could you be a little less cryptic."

Basil, no longer glowing, smiled. "Nob is a changeling. You know that. And he can keep changing until he specifically chooses a form. I put into his head the idea of choosing a form. Yours. You made him fall in love with your family. It was not that difficult to do. But it had its affect. Draco noticed how you and your brothers treat each other, both the good and bad."

Malcolm frowned. "You tricked Nob into becoming a miniature me?"

"I gave him the means to get what he most wanted. A family which would love him. In time, he would have figured it all out. He may have become human, anyway. But he would not have had a family."

It's weird. I don't really follow that, but I think I understand, anyway.

"Okay, you let Nob know how to become human. That let Draco know what it was like in a real family. And what about moving me around."

"Had Umbridge found you in the classroom, and found you out, you would have faced a terrible punishment when you were unprepared. Draco would have had a realistic replacement for me. Had you attacked Harry Potter, you would have lost. The prophecy is too strong in him . . ."

Prophecy? Oh, yeah. The Phophecy.

". . . and had you flown to Dumbledore's side, you would have been seen, by those who would not be kind toward you."

"Basil? You're fading."

"It's the price I must pay. Nothing in this world is free. But I told you of the one thing I did, and of the three things I did. I must now explain the seven things I did. The dreams."

"NO. Tell me why you're fading?" Malcolm's face filled with horror. "You're becoming a ghost?"

"It is the price. And now, about the dreams." Basil's smile was filled with compassion. "They are about love. You have three dreams left. If all of them come true, you will have nothing. But if you can change even one of them, you will have your heart's desire."

"Gabrielle? I'll get her back?"

Basil nodded. "If that is what you want. As for me, my task is done. Having saved Draco from wanting a ghost's life, and having given Nob the means to a life he wanted, I give you what I gave them. The one thing all three of you needed. Hope."

Basil sat down on his grave. He was dressed in his hospital garb. He ignored everything around him except for the ghostly children's blocks, which he proceeded to move around in an intricate manner.

Malcolm's voice was weak. "Basil?" As a tear fell down his cheek, he looked upward. "Please," he whispered, "don't leave him like this."

"This is a cemetery," Charles Rowland said.

"What?" Malcolm turned to see the two young ghosts and a lady dressed in black. "What's going on?" He looked at the woman carefully. "You look familiar. But I haven't seen you before."

"You have, Malcolm. You don't want to remember. But I was just a shadow to you."

Malcolm furrowed his brow. "It was in the cemetery. He had me in his clutches."

"And I whispered in your ear to take flight. It wasn't your time."

Malcolm nodded. "You're Death."

"Albus said you were a smart one."

"When did he say that?" Edwin asked.

"When we embraced," Death answered.

Malcolm's face went ashen. "He's dead?"

Death never lost her smile, but it held sympathy now. "You knew that, Malcolm. You have to accept it. Albus did. Isn't that right, Charles."

Charles gave a wain smile. "Only those who fear to live should be afraid of death."

Malcolm nodded. "That's Dumbledore."

Charles smiled. "He told me that after he died. I tried to warn him but . . . I would swear he was laughing at me."

After an awkward minute or two of silence, Malcolm looked at Basil. "Are you the one he made the deal with?"

"I am," Death told him. "His dying freed him from his body and let him use his mind to its full extent. He made an impassioned plea. And well thought out."

"Did it have to be so involved?"

Death nodded. "He had to give everyone subtle pushes in the right direction. You, he had to shove."

She's laughing at me.

Malcolm paused. "I'm not good at talking to incarnations."

"You've never done it before. I'm not surprised."

She's still laughing at me.

"Does Basil . . . have to be like this?"

"It was his part of the deal. He becomes a ghost, and I take Draco when it's his time."

"But Basil. How long?"

"Forever."

"But . . . IT"S NOT FAIR."

"It's called life, Malcolm."

"NO. IT"S NOT CALLED LIFE. YOU CAN'T PUNISH HIM FOREVER."

Death still didn't lose her smile. "It isn't a punishment. He felt the need to keep a balance."

"Then . . . He . . . Didn't . . ."

"Have to? I suppose not. And you're beginning to sound like Stevie. He asked. I agreed."

Malcolm's voice had anticipation in it. "And if I ask?"

Death smiled in sheer delight. "And what do you have to offer me? Your soul?"

"I don't think my soul's worth very much. I could give you my thanks."

I wish she would stop laughing at me.

"It's a deal."

Malcolm was stunned. "You're going to do it? For me?"

Death shook her head. "And for Albus. He asked me as well."

"He knew what was going on?"

"He was a very smart man. And, Malcolm. We made a deal. You owe me your thanks. And now for Basil."

Edwin had to ask. "You can control ghosts?"

"When I specifically make them. And I only control how they are, not what they do." Death walked over to the boy sitting on the grave. "Basil?"

The boy looked up. "I can't see the universe with my mind, anymore."

"I've made a new deal. While you are a ghost, you will only be as smart as your brother. And it your duty to learn what life is like, for him."

"How?"

Death pointed to the two other ghosts. "Basil Malfoy, Meet Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine. They'll show you what life is like."

"But we're dead."

"Life is about being, not about being something. You can learn." She held out her hand. Basil took it and she helped him to stand up. "There is one more thing, Basil. When it's Draco's time, I will call you. The two of you will cross the veil together."

Basil, in gratitude, hugged Death while he shed ghostly tears.

Death laughed. "Go on, now. All three of you. Charles, Edwin, take good care of him."

Basil started to leave, then turned to Malcolm. "I always meant to tell you. You're very annoying."

"It's my best feature," Malcolm said, and both smiled.

Death put her hand on Malcolm's shoulder as the three ghosts walked away.

"I don't think you should tell anyone about this, Malcolm. And by the way, you owe me something."

"My thanks. It's all yours."

"Another task completed," Au revoir, Malcolm."

"WAIT," Malcolm shouted as Death turned to go. "I was curious. Will I ever see you again."

Death smiled warmly at him. "It's guaranteed."

"Um. Right."

And now she's laughing at me. Again.

Malcolm sighed, then took wing and flew off to find his brothers.

Meanwhile, back in the bushes.

"Reese, you're a stupid idiot. You actually plan to rescue Draco after he kills Dumbledore?"

"He won't," Reese insisted.

"He already did, is my guess," Dewey snarled.

"He promised."

"He promised me we'd all be part of this. Then he had Nott attack me."

"I told you. I planned that. If something went wrong, we all wouldn't be there."

"We . . ." Dewey paused. "Reese, that's actually a noble thought."

"I knew Mom would blame me. I thought it was an easy way out."

Dewey frowned at the lame excuse but Anthony's look told him that Reese was serious.

"Okay, but why do you want to rescue Draco?"

"If we don't, they'll kill him."

"That's fine by me," Nob said. "Which they? The bad ones or the good ones? Or is it whoever gets there first?"

"Shut up, Nob. You're starting to talk like Malcolm."

Dewey nodded. "That's a good enough reason for me."

Reese smiled. "Then you'll help me."

"Sure. Nob, shut up." Dewey smiled. "And why should I help you rescue Draco. After what he did, I don't care if he gets killed. I actually liked Dumbledore."

"Excuse me," Anthony interrupted. "I can give you a good reason. First, that may not have been Dumbledore. Secondly, if it was, Draco may not have been the one to kill him. And lastly, if it was, and Draco did, we've kept a notorious murderer from escaping."

Dewey fumed. "That is a good argument. But why should we go through with Reese's plan?"

Anthony smiled wryly. "Reese has something that Draco needs."

Dewey followed Anthony's gaze. He was looking at the astronomy tower. He turned to Nob. When Nob nodded his head, Dewey turned back to Reese. "Okay, we go with your plan."

"Good timing," Anthony called, pointing to the main doors. Everyone looked up. Even at this distance they knew the thin figure was Draco. With him were Professor Snape and a handful of others that the brothers recognized from the Room of Requirement. Anthony sighed. "And it looks like we're in the right spot. "Places, everyone. And let us hope luck is on our side."

Dewey's first thought was that this whole idea was stupid. There was no way they could get to Draco. His second thought was that Potter really was right. Snape was a traitor. "And I trusted him."

"What?" Nob whispered.

"I trusted Snape. I told him everything."

"He already knew," Nob told him. "SOMEONE told me that."

From the look Nob was giving him, Dewey knew he didn't have to ask who. Then they heard the shout and everyone looked up. Hagrid came storming out of his hut, wand in hand, sending hexes at the Death Eaters.

"We might have a chance after all," Anthony whispered. "And we won't need the rope."

Reese nodded and called to Nob. Nob slid over and hugged his brother. A few seconds later, he let go. Draco Malfoy was looking back at him and smiling.

"Dewey."

"Reese?"

"Keep your wand ready. We made need a few quick curses."

From the road near Hagrid's hut, a familiar voice was heard to shout, "STUPIFY."

Dewey's head snapped up and he peered through the bushes. "That's Potter. He's fighting Snape."

"Run, Draco," Snape called back as he turned to fight the new foe.

Everyone stared in surprise. Draco continued to run for about twenty feet, then stopped in the middle of the road to look back. He was no more then ten feet from where they were hiding.

"Nob, get ready," Reese called as he jumped out of the bushes and ran toward Draco. This time it was Draco's turn to be surprise when he heard noise, and was surprised again to see himself. Reese ran up, grabbed Draco's wand out of his pocket. Behind them, Snape and Potter were still fighting.

"Nob's hiding over there. Run."

Reese/Draco began to panic. Draco was looking at him with total incomprehension. And time was quickly running out. Both turned when they saw movement from the other side of the road. It was a tawny owl flying at full speed four feet off the ground.

Malcolm transformed back into human form and tackled Draco squarely. Both went flying off the road and into the bushes. Reese put the wand in his pocket, and turned to face the fighting as he heard Snape yelling, "Potter belongs to the Dark Lord. Leave Him. GO. GO."

Reese didn't wait to see what happened. He was already running toward the gates. And Draco was recovering from being hit.

"YOU IDImphfm"

"Shut up, Draco," Malcolm said as he forced his hand over the other's mouth. "One more word and we're all dead."

Dewey was there, his wand out. "I want to know. Did you . . ."

"Later," Malcolm said sternly. "Nob, take care of Draco. Dewey, get them to the safe place." He looked at Hagrid's hut. "I've got some work to do."

Nob was giving Draco a hug when Malcolm took flight as an owl. Unseen because of all the excitement he managed to make his way behind Hagrid's Hut. He transformed again to stand by the corral. "Do you remember the Muffin Man?"

The Hippogryff looked at Malcolm with annoyance. Malcolm bowed politely and waited. The hippogryph bowed back.

"Okay, here's the deal. The bad guys are attacking and the good guys need all the help they can get."

The hippogryph simply stared at Malcolm.

"Fine. I'm sorry that I didn't bring you any muffins. I . . ."

Malcolm, you're arguing with an animal. Think like an animal. What's his motivation.

"BUCKBEAK. BAD MEN. HURTING HAGRID!"

SQWAUK.

"THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HUT."

Buckbeak screamed and jumped into the air and flew to the rescue.

Stupid bird. You'd think the fact that the hut was on fire might have given him a clue. On the other hand, he may have thought Hagrid was cooking something.

Malcolm took a deep breath and transformed once again. He had to find one more person.

"A tree?" Anthony asked.

"Dewey?" Draco, as Malcolm, asked. "You do know that this is the Whomping Willow?"

"She's a friend. Don't worry."

"Whomping?" Nob asked.

"It's a nickname," Dewey explained. "If someone she doesn't like gets too close . . ."

"She whomps 'em." Nob said with a laugh.

"And this is where you two hide," Dewey explained. "Until we can sneak you out of here."

"Far out," Nob said.

"Nob? Have you been hanging out with Johnny?"

Nob smiled in fascination as willow branches twirled around him and lifted him up. They started to do the same to Draco but Draco said," Wait a minute. Dewey, do you mean . . . Oh no." Draco was shaking his head no while Dewey was nodding yes. "By the gods, Nob's mother is a tree."

"Isn't it fun being Malcolm? If you were still Draco you would never have even thought of it." Dewey waved as Draco was lifted off the ground. "Don't tell Nob. He needs to find out on his own."

"Fine. And, Dewey," Draco said wryly. "I should tell you. I can fly out of here. As Malcolm I can become an owl."

"That's cool," Dewey said as he turned to go. "Let us know where you end up."

"Great," Draco muttered to himself. "Thanks to Malcolm my relatives include a half-breed giant and a demented conifer." As he was raised up, Draco noticed Nob. The boy was in a cradle of branches, sleeping soundly. It was no surprise. After all he had been through, the boy must have been exhausted. Draco was sat into the crook of the tree when he had a better idea. After all, Malcolm did it quite a bit. He transformed and flew to a secluded spot near the top. He perched there and stuck his head under his wing.

This is actually quite comfortable. I could get used to this.