(A/N: This chapter is filled with cold shoulders and colder answers aimed at, obviously a certain platinum blonde haired boy)
"So, let me get this straight," Draco said as they walked out of Bloodshot Alley. He had taken off the masked costume that was hiding him so that he won't attract attention. "We are going somewhere, but you won't tell me where, to do something, you won't tell me what, for a reason, you won't tell me, that has something to do with these people that you won't tell me."
"Yeah, somewhere around those lines," Sirius said coldly as they walked off into another magical forest. Colourful exotic birds were chirping and squawking and odd curious-looking animals hung from the branches in a sloth-like manner. The Sun could barely be seen through the overlapping tree tops. Shadows covered the group, making it look as though they were covered in black spots.
"But with more information," Ron said, his voice icy. "But we won't tell you that," Harry said. "Wow, the boys can really hold a grudge," Nadia whispered to Hermione, behind the boys who walked silently. "What do you expect, he is a murderer," Hermione said. Draco had gotten bored and had slowed down his walking to have a conversation with the girls since the boys had no interest in talking with a murderer and enemy and, according to Ron, pain in the neck.
"So, what do you normally do on these," Draco struggled to find a word that won't insult then. "Long walks?"
"Don't know," Danielle said, looking at an odd looking green and silver toucan like bird. "I just joined the club."
"So, Granger," Draco said. "Wha-"
"We walk quietly and maybe find something interesting to see or run away from something that wants to eat us," Hermione said.
"Okay…" Draco said. "What about-"
"Stop trying, Drake," Danielle said. "They'll only hate you more."
"What's that?" Elvira asked, pointing to a scar that was on his neck.
"Nothing," Draco said, clapping his hand over the scar. "It's nothing."
"Do you notice that it's more quiet than usual," Nadia asked. "You know the walk?"
"Nothing much to talk about," Lily said.
"Not really," Hermione said.
"I should've expected this," Draco said.
"Expected what?" Danielle said distractedly as all the birds began to mysteriously fly away all at once. Danielle wasn't superstitious about animals predicting disasters but she was still amazed and astonished.
"This, this no one talking to me thing," Draco said.
"You should've after what you've done on the past," Sirius said.
"And what your father did," James said.
"Excuse me, but my father-"
The ground suddenly began to vibrate, cutting their conversation, or should I say, argument, short. The vibrating became more violent and the others were thrown off their feet. "Earthquake!" Lily yelled. A small crack appeared in the ground. "That's not good," Fred said. The crack grew longer and began to move in two separate directions; splitting the two groups apart. The group were too shocked to move as the crack grew to a metre wide, revealing the boiling hot lava at the bottom.
The ground suddenly gave a big jolt and Harry, Ron, James and Sirius were thrown into the pit. The group shouted their names at the same time. Draco crawled to the edge and saw Harry holding on to a second ledge inside the crack. The rest of the boys were holding on to Harry for dear life. Harry yelled as his left hand gave way. 'It's amazing how he's strong enough,' Draco thought. He shook off the thoughts and reached out his arm. "Potter! Grab my arm," Draco yelled to him. "What? So you can hold me out and drop me? I don't think so!" Harry yelled stubbornly.
"DO you want to live, Potter?" Draco yelled into the pit.
"Harry! Grabbit!" Sirius yelled to him. "Grab the hand."
"Harry, don't do it! It's a trick!" James yelled.
"Harry, I'm slipping!" Ron yelled as his hand slipped from Harry. He fell for a second but was caught by Sirius. "Hold on mate!" Sirius yelled.
Harry looked down at Ron, then at Draco's extended hand. His mind was debating whether to do it. "Come on, Harry," Lily muttered as she and the rest stood on the opposite of Draco. Harry made up his mind. He reached out his left hand. It was only a foot far. A few inches, centimetres… His right hand slipped from the ledge. "Noooooooooo…" Harry yelled as he fell to the fiery river underneath him. Draco's hand was out of reach.
This was the end of him…
Draco saw his enemy fall. It was a now or never decision. Without thinking, Draco fell into the pit with Harry and the others. The girls, twins and Viktor held their breath.
Draco fell faster than Harry. Once he was a foot under the chain of falling boys, he pulled out his and yelled. "Protego!" Everything was in slow motion. A green starry, glittery light formed a shield from his wand. It came in contact with Ron's back and the group was repelled back to solid ground above. Draco threw his wand upwards and fell into the lava.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.." the group yelled as they shot out from the pit, a few feet higher and fell to the ground. They noticed they were alive and rejoiced. But then, "Where's Malfoy?" Ron asked. A slim strip of wood hit him on the head. "That's Malfoy's wand," Harry said. "Oh, God," James said. "He sacrificed his life for us," Sirius said and started a speech of Draco like those in a funeral.
There was a loud bubbling sound and the lava spat out a burnt robed Draco Malfoy out of the pit. Draco landed on the boys side of the crack. Harry, James and Ron stared over Sirius shoulder as Draco smiled and waved back at them. Sirius, on the other hand, didn't take any notice and continued with his speech. "He was a good friend, cousin and son," he said. "If I could have a wish come true, I would wish that Draco Malfoy would be thrown out of that wretched river of lava and stand here with us. I would then swear to accept him as a real member of this now saddened group and would keep him company if you all still can't forgive him. But things like that only come in miracles. At least let his spirit rest in peace. Here lies the remains of Draco Malfoy, a good friend, a loving cousin and the son of Death Eaters."
"The ending could've been better but I give it a nine out of ten," Draco said. "You're alive!" Sirius yelled, turning around. "Guys, he's alive!" "Oh my, well spotted," James said sarcastically.
Hermione conjured up a bridge and the others crossed the river of lava cautiously. "You saved Ron!" Hermione said happily as she hugged Draco. Draco was lost for words and simply gaped like a fish. "You saved them!" the trio of Chinese girls and Lily chorused as they hugged Draco. Draco stood there, wide-eyed as he was surrounded by a group of emotional girls.
"They certainly like him now, huh?" Fred asked, nudging Viktor.
"Yes, they certainly do," Viktor said.
"Three cheers for Draco Malfoy! A new member and a forever friend!" Remus yelled.
"Hip hip hurray! Hip hip Hurray! HIP HIP HURRAY!" all of them chorused.
(A/N: Don't think this is a happy ending, no, there's still more twists and turns to come. Keep in touch –pause- -bursts out laughing- I'm sorry, we had Mandarin Class in school today and someone, who is not me, said 'Let's keep touching' instead of the proper translation which is 'Let's keep in touch' Why am I telling you this? Laughter is the best medicine and clowns are doctors)