A/N: Anyone who has looked at the Chapter List in Chapter One knows that tomorrow is the last chapter. I thought I would mention that there will be an extra chapter. It's unrelated to this story except that it deals with changing reality, with going to an AU. It was also too short for me to want to post. Consider it a reward (or a punishment) for your continued reading.

Chapter 36: Repercussions

Draco woke up to the sound of an owl hooting. An identical owl. He followed Malcolm to the ground and both transformed.

"Malcolm, what time is it?"

"Almost dawn. I have a letter for you to deliver."

"And I assume I'm supposed to wait for a reply. Where do you intend to hide me?"

Malcolm held out a letter. It was addressed to Gabrielle Delacour.

"Your name is Janus. You're a gift, because you look so much like me."

"I thought she deserted you and wanted to have nothing more to do with you."

"Yeah. That's why it's perfect. No one will expect it."

"You went to see her?"

Malcolm nodded.

For all the good it did. She changed. She's not the Gabrielle I used to know.

"I had to trust someone, Draco. Gabrielle knows everything, and so do her parents. I did a lot of explaining and a fair amount of lying, and they've agreed to hide you, but you have to remain an owl."

"All summer? Or all year?"

"Hey, Peter Pettigrew spent twelve years as Ron Weasley's rat. At most, you're looking at one measly year."

"Weasley's rat was really Pettigrew?"

"Yeah. And you get to be an owl. Even now, I still think Gabrielle's a lot prettier than Ron."

"Maybe I should find my own place to hide."

Malcolm smiled. "Write me when you get there. I just thought they would be the most convenient. Gabrielle's sister is engaged to Ginny's brother. You're guaranteed to hear all the gossip. And if something happens, no one will be surprised that she called me or asked me or my brothers to visit."

Draco huffed. Then he took the letter. "I'll do it, Malcolm. Is there anything I should know before I leave?"

Yeah. Voles taste just like chicken.

"Gabrielle will take good care of you. And don't worry about the rest of us."

Draco nodded. He started to transform but changed back almost at once. "I need to know. Why did Reese do it?"

"They would have killed you when they found out you didn't have the Dark Mark."

"The . . ." Draco was stunned. "In all this time, I never thought it was true. I thought Reese was bragging."

"You better get going. It's almost dawn."

Draco nodded, transformed, and flew off, the letter clutched in his claw. Malcolm heaved a sigh of relief.

One down. One to go.

"Malcolm." It was Anthony. "I brought transportation for Nob."

Malcolm turned around and saw the Glen Levitt boy smiling at him. He also saw Dennis Creevey staring at the tree he was standing under. Dennis' voice was shaky when he spoke.

"Malcolm, the Whomping Willow isn't doing anything."

"Yeah. We're friends. Dennis, why are you here?"

"Anthony said you needed me to carry Nob somewhere."

Malcolm almost laughed. "Why would he ask you that? Anthony?"

Anthony smirked. "It's because you're an excellent teacher."

"What?"

It was Dennis who spoke.

"Malcolm, you can't tell anyone. Especially Professor McGonagall. She'll kill me, raise me from the dead so she can expel me, then kill me twice more. And then she'll get really angry."

"Dennis? Do you mean to say you're . . ."

"An unregistered animagus."

Talk about mixing your emotions.

"Unregistered?"

"It was McGonagall's idea. She even taught me an invisibility spell, so people wouldn't notice me." Dennis gave a half smile. "It took ten weeks of detentions before I got that down. That's the only reason Reese and Anthony saw me. I hadn't perfected it yet."

"Okay, now I'm curious. What animal?"

"This one," Dennis said, and he transformed.

Malcolm was looking down on his small friend, and then he was forced to look up.

"That is ever loving fantastic."

"Don't be surprised, Malcolm," Anthony told him. "He's in Gryffindor. It was an obvious choice. Now we need to know where to take Nob."

"Where? Oh, to Malfoy Manor. To convince the Death Eaters we're really on their side. Aunt Narcissa will send him back to my mom and dad."

"Good plan. And Reese?"

Malcolm shrugged. "Maybe they'll send him to Aunt Narcissa, too."

Dennis transformed back. "Malcolm, I don't know where Malfoy Manor is."

"It's easy. Just follow the highways. Head straight east until you hit the main road and follow it south, Once you reach the border, keep an eye out for the first junction . . ."

Dennis listened to the instructions carefully and frowned. "That seems easy enough. Should I announce myself or just drop him off?"

"Drop him off, definitely. The fewer questions the better."

Dennis nodded and transformed again.

The tree began to shake its branches and a young boy, recently awakened, was being sat down on the ground.

"Morning, Nob. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby. I'd swear the tree rocked me to sleep. And . . ." He noticed the Gryphon. "He's beautiful."

"He's your ride back to Aunt Narcissa's. But you can't tell anyone about him. They might get the wrong ideas."

Nob smirked. "I know that. But do you mean it? I'm actually going to ride him?"

"Yeah, and hold on tight. He's young, and he hasn't carried too many people before."

The Gryphon lowered itself so that Nob could climb on it's back. It looked to make sure the boy was holding on tightly to its feathers, then began to run. After only a few feet, Dennis and Nob disappeared under an invisibility spell.

"I was hoping to see him take off."

"Someday," Anthony said cheerfully. "Best is to ride him. That's the real thrill." He looked to the east. "The sun's coming up and I'm exhausted. How about breakfast."

"Sounds great." As they walked back, Malcolm added. "It's funny. I don't think I should be happy, but I can't help it."

"I know. After last night, with Dumbledore, with everything else. But we're done. We can't do anymore and we can finally rest. I can't help but be happy about that. And follow me," Anthony added. "I want to show you something. They were here earlier."

They detoured to the greenhouses, and went into the second one. Two ghosts were arguing.

"It's a simple matter to change your clothes. Just imagine something else you've worn."

"But I've told you, Charles. I spent all of my life in a hospital. This is what I always wore. If I wasn't wearing these I was taking a bath. I don't have anything else to imagine."

All three ghosts looked up when the door opened. "Malcolm," Edwin said happily, "You're supposed to be brilliant. Basil needs to dress differently but he can't picture himself in any other clothes."

"He never wore any other clothes."

"And he can't imagine wearing anything else."

"Try this. Basil, do you remember how Draco dressed whenever he came to see you? Imagine yourself dressed like that. It might work."

"Ah, his brother," Edwin said, smiling. "We should have thought of that." He turned back to the other ghosts. "Charles? Are you going to ask Basil to try?"

Malcolm smiled and motioned Anthony that they should leave. Before they reached the entrance, Anthony stopped Malcolm and asked, "Is that ghost really Draco's brother?"

"Yeah, he's sticking around until it's Draco's time. They'll go together."

Anthony nodded appreciatively. "It's all about family with you. All of you, that is."

"Yeah, we always stick together."

It's like we're afraid of what will happen if we're left on our own.

The Great Hall was sparsely crowded when Malcolm and Anthony entered. Those few people there were eating mechanically or engaged in low conversations. One of the few that were alone was Hagrid, looking morosely at his food. Malcolm decided he should talk to him.

Don't worry. I'm not going to even bother trying to cheer him up.

"Hey, Hagrid. Do you remember Anthony?"

"Huh? Oh, yer Reese's friend. Malcolm, I guess you heard."

"I saw. I was scouting the tower for Tonks."

Hagrid started at the idea that his little friend had witnessed such a tragedy. He asked with concern, "How are ye? If ye need to talk about it . . ."

"I'm fine, kinda. I guess it's the shock, 'cause I feel giddy, like I'm about to laugh at anything."

"Tell ye what. Ye come by the hut this afternoon. I'll make you some tea and cookies."

"I'd like that."

I'll drag Anthony along. That'll be fun to watch.

"An' Malcolm, ye should know. Draco, he couldn't do it. I'd like to think his cousin was the reason for it."

Malcolm smiled slightly. "Thanks, Hagrid. Thanks for saying that."

"I mean it. I just wish we coulda got him away from Snape."

"They," Malcolm said with emphasis, "still trust me. We might be able to."

Hagrid frowned. "Yer schemin', Malcolm. I can tell."

This time Malcolm grinned. "Yeah, Hagrid. I am. If we can get hold of Draco, we'll need to hide him, you know, with someone he trusts. Like maybe his cousin's godfather?"

Hagrid couldn't help but smile. "I'd like some company fer a bit. Someone who can help out. As long as he won't be recognized."

"I'll drop by about three?"

Hagrid nodded. As they walked away from him, Anthony looked back.

"He's eating."

"Yeah. He's thinking ahead. That takes energy."

I bet you know why I did that. It always pays to have a backup plan.

Dewey cornered his brother outside the Great Hall before dinner began. "Malcolm?"

"Plan A went off without a hitch. And Plan B is ready if we need it."

"And Reese?"

"I'll owl Mom and Dad about what happened."

"And Reese?"

"Look, Dewey. Reese is going to act the way he wants. And he's with people who think that's a good thing. He'll be fine."

"You don't have a plan for him. Do you?"

"No. I wouldn't even have known about the plan if . . . I didn't happen by."

"You're lying."

"Yeah."

Dewey frowned. "And you're not going to tell me the truth."

"Yeah, I'll tell you the truth. I can't tell you how I found out."

Dewey shrugged his shoulders. "Do you really think Reese will be fine?"

"He's disguised as Draco, and he's with people who think that he's their golden boy. He'll be fine."

Unless they decide to hold it against him that he didn't kill Dumbledore himself. I better not tell Dewey about that.

Professor McGonagall walked up to Malcolm and Anthony while they were eating. "I would appreciate it if both of you would visit my office after dinner is over. I need to talk to you."

"May I ask, 'why me', Professor?" Anthony asked.

"Let us say it is because you are eating with Malcolm."

That's good enough for me.

An hour later, all three were sitting around a desk.

"I will start with the obvious, Malcolm. Your brother, Reese, is missing. Your cousin, Draco is missing. Your brother, Norbert, is doing fine. And your good friend Dennis Creevey is going to spend next year in perpetual detention." McGonagall was frowning. "And there is one more thing. One other student, a Slytherin is missing. Theodore Nott."

"His dad and uncle are Death Eaters," Malcolm pointed out.

"And the two of you have a feud going on," McGonagall countered. "Do you know where he is?"

"Nott attacked Dewey. I tried to attack him in return but Dewey stopped me. It was all his idea."

She's still glaring at me.

"Dewey put an air bubble on him. He's with the Giant Squid."

"Good. He can stay there for a while if he's in no danger."

"WHAT?" Malcolm was startled. "Excuse me, Professor. Did you say to leave him there?"

"Yes, Malcolm. I did. Last night, the enemy had, in their minds, a great victory. It won't create much trouble but a small thing such as a Death Eater's son missing from Hogwarts might give them some food for thought." McGonagall sighed. "And that was a brilliant move on your part. Having Nob returned to his Aunt's house. HE will still think of you as being on his side."

"And I promised not to say anything about Dennis," Malcolm quickly added.

"Which begs the question," the Professor said. "Where is Reese? And we will verify your answer."

Malcolm and Anthony looked at each other. Anthony raised his hand.

"I was the last one to see Reese. We were hiding together in the bushes by Hagrid's hut. He ran out the gate when Potter began fighting Snape. They were quite close enough to us. The truth is, I have no idea where he is."

McGonagall shook her head. "He's the last person I expected to flee from a fight."

"His last words were, 'It's time to go.' He was getting out of the way. I was the one who was too scared to move. In my opinion, he had a good idea."

Malcolm snorted. "I think I know where Reese is. Did you check Hogsmeade Tavern?"

McGonagall tapped her fingers on her desk. "Why do I have the feeling that both of you are lying to me?"

Because we are?

"I have no idea, Professor. But I do know my brother. You don't have to worry about him."

"I will be contacting your parents, anyway, Malcolm. They need to know what happened. For now, Anthony, you are free to leave my office. Regretfully I must insist that you stay on the school grounds for the time being."

Anthony gave her an honest smile. "Despite the circumstances, I will be happy to oblige."

"Malcolm. There are a few things I need to discuss with you, in private."

Anthony smiled. "I will assume they are things I would rather not know. Goodbye Professor."

McGonagall waited a few minutes after Anthony left.

"I wish you had said something to me before you went back to get your hat."

Malcolm's surprise was complete. "You knew."

"You lost your hat. And a few months later, you were wearing it again."

And I bet she's the only person who noticed.

"It won't happen again. I promise."

"It will," McGonagall said.

"It will?"

"Sometimes we can have our cake and eat it, too. I am in a difficult position, Malcolm. Dumbledore did not keep many secrets from me, but I need to make sure."

"They're going to ask questions if I go back. I'm not supposed to remember . . ."

"Your dream? The one you don't remember?"

Malcolm nodded. "It's hard to explain, but do you remember Basil?"

"Draco's brother. Is this by any chance related to that third young ghost who appeared the night Albus died?"

"That's him. It seems he figured out what was going to happen, and he worked out a deal. Part of the deal is that I remember everything I was forced to forget."

"Everything as in . . . Everything?"

"I remember that Auror erasing my memory."

"Then you'll know how to deal with the situation. I assume you don't need to change places with anyone."

"I can even take you with me."

McGonagall smiled. "And I would love to come. But I can't leave. Thank you for the offer, Malcolm."

"I could bring someone back. Mister Abercrombie. He'd jump at the chance. You could talk about magic at your leisure, and I'll take him back when you're done."

"And what else?"

Wow. She can read me just as good as Mom can.

"Could I invite a friend?"

"Only one?"

"Maybe two?"

"Only if Mister Abercrombie agrees."

Dang. That means no.

"Malcolm."

Malcolm turned around to see Ginny Weasley standing there.

"I came to apologize."

"For what?"

"I told you that I would prove . . ."

"There's nothing to prove."

"But what about Harry?"

Malcolm waved her to the window. "Do you see that?"

"The boys? What are they playing?"

"Anthony calls it football. It's a muggle sport. He decided everyone needed to burn off some energy. He has all the second years he could find, both Creeveys, and anyone that passed by. He made two teams and drafted Neville Longbottom as the referee." Malcolm paused to look at Ginny. "Do you know, if Dumbledore were still alive, he could never have done that."

"That's an odd point to make."

"Maybe. But it's an obvious point. Things are different now. We're going to act differently. We already are. I wanted to warn you. Harry's going to dump you."

"Malcolm, that's not funny."

"Ginny, I'm not smiling. I just thought I'd let you know."

"Why?"

"Because I think it's what I'm supposed to do. If I don't, you'll just be too surprised to do anything."

"And what am I supposed to do?"

"What do you want to do?"

"But Harry loves me."

"Yes."

"And . . . Malcolm, how do you know this?"

Malcolm smirked. "I've been given a gift. I know everything Harry Potter is going to do until the day after the funeral."

"How long have you had this gift?"

"Since yesterday. It would have been useful if I had this gift earlier, but there you are."

"And you're trying to change the future."

"No. I already told you. I think this is what I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to tell you these things. It's the prophecy."

"You know about the prophecy?"

"And that Snape was the one listening at the door when Sybil Trelawney told Dumbledore. I know that it was broken in the Department of Mysteries. I even know that Harry let a dangerous snake escape from the zoo when he was ten."

Ginny was gaping at Malcolm. "How do you know that? I don't even know that."

"Because Harry told Ron and Hermione about it, right after he found out he was a parselmouth."

"That happened . . ." Ginny paused, then continued with a touch of fear in her voice, ". . . before you ever knew about magic."

"Yeah. And the thing with the snake happened before Harry knew about magic."

"You're scaring me, Malcolm."

"Sorry. I just wanted you to understand why I was apologizing. I was wrong about Harry. I was so wrong about him it's not funny. There was no way he could have known or believed what Draco was doing in the bathroom that day. Ginny, he'll need you there when he realizes how badly he screwed up. He needs someone to remind him of all the things he didn't know." Malcolm sighed. "He needs you. Because if you're not there . . . the rest of us don't matter."

"Merlin's Beard," Ginny said as she understood. "Draco was ready to ask for help."

"It would have been Moaning Myrtle but it would have been enough. After Harry walked in, Draco . . . gave up. He even told me he couldn't win. So he didn't try."

"And he went through with the plan."

"He tried to. But . . . he couldn't care enough to go through with it."

"Poor Draco. What will become of him?"

"Invite Fleur's sister to visit before the wedding, and get her to owl a reply."

Ginny laughed. "You devil. How did you rescue him?"

I can't breath. She doesn't have to hug me that hard.

"Reese . . . rescued . . . him," Malcolm said after Ginny let go. "Took . . . his . . . place."

"Excuse me," a voice said from the stairwell. It was the first year boy who started late. "I didn't mean to listen. Honestly. But I couldn't help but notice you were telling her things from the books. Are you allowed to do that? I was told not to."

I didn't mention the books.

Ginny smiled, before Malcolm could react. "And there's one thing he won't tell me. What are the titles? It's one thing to know that something is from a book. It's another thing to know the name of the book. Don't you agree?" She walked over and put a sisterly hand on the boy's shoulder and led him to the couch. "And in case you're worried, I'm Ginny Weasley. I'm the exception to the rule. You can tell me anything."

"Really?"

Malcolm interrupted. "No, you can't. And there are no books. He's mistaken."

Ginny smiled. "Then there's no problem with mentioning any of this to McGonagall."

Dang. That's blackmail. It's the Weasley genes.

"Ginny. You can't tell anyone. Even Harry."

"Tell me, and I won't tell."

The boy looked up at Malcolm. "Does that mean I can really talk to her? Brilliant. It's ever so hard to keep a secret when it's your whole life, don't you agree?"

Ginny smiled at the boy sitting next to her. "And what is this secret about your whole life?"

"Life in your world is much more fun."

"My world?"

"Yes, I'm from a different earth. In my world, you're all characters in books, except him," the boy pointed at Malcolm, "he's on the telly."

"Malcolm?" Ginny's voice was slightly giddy.

"Yeah, that's how I know all about Harry. I read the books."

"I only saw the movies. You're much prettier than the girl that plays you."

Ginny held her hands over her face. "I have to stop trying to know everything."

"It gets better," Malcolm told her. "The books come out one for each year. And they come out before the school year starts."

Ginny's head turned sharply to look at Malcolm. "You said you read these books."

"In the other world."

"Then you knew."

"No. A wizard made me forget I read them. He found out why I wanted a copy of book six."

No one said anything for a few minutes. Ginny was too stunned. As was the boy next to her. Malcolm didn't want to interrupt their thoughts. Finally he said, "Do you understand why he did that?"

"You might change the wrong thing."

"And I would have. The thing I needed to change to make things better was to stop Harry from going into that bathroom. I only figured that out this morning."

"If you had known, you would have had time . . ."

"No. I had this big picture of Dumbledore to overshadow everything else. I would have missed it. I would have stopped Draco instead of Harry. I WOULD have made things worse."

"That world. Can you go back there?"

"I went there by a fluke. I had a half dozen spells hit me in such a way that the right parts cancelled each other out. And I got back because all I had to do was cancel the spell."

"That means he can't go back," the boy told Ginny.

Ginny turned to Malcolm. "Then how did you get your hat back?"

"Colin told you?"

"It was Dewey. He needed help keeping you in line. Keeping him in line. He was acting like a two year old in a candy store."

"And he had to tell you?"

"Yeah. He figured I knew plenty of things not to tell about you already, so I could be trusted."

Justin nudged Frankie as they left the movie theater. "So, how realistic was that?"

"I'll have to wait for the sixth movie. But most of the characters are a little off."

"Foe example?"

"Ginny Weasley. She's a lot scarier in real life. I thought I'd have a little fun and she stopped me and threatened to tear off certain body parts and shove them down my throat if I didn't get my act together."

"Whoa, that must have been scary."

"You can laugh, Justin. You weren't there. She meant it, and she could do it."

Justin gave a final snort. "That must be why they call her a witch."

"You didn't?" Malcolm insisted.

"Just ask Hermione. She was there. But then she'd want to know why someone with perfect recall couldn't remember something like that."

"I believe you."