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The next morning…
The Trio ambled down the path towards the greenhouse, grumbling the entire way.
"I can't believe he gave us a detention for something that was bloody well beyond our control!" Ron complained. Hermione sighed.
"When has he ever been reasonable to Gryffindors?" she asked.
"He'd blame the sodding war on us if he could," Harry grumbled. They opened the door to find Ginny, as well as a few other students, snipping leaves off of various plants. Ginny looked over at them with a smile.
"What are you doing here?" her brother asked her as they approached. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I swear, Ron, you're getting to be as nosy as an old woman," she said. Ron's jaw dropped open as he tried to think of a comeback.
"Am not!" was all he could muster. Harry snickered.
"She does have a point. You're like a dog with a bone sometimes when you want to know something. Need I remind you of our last conversation?" he asked. Ginny frowned in confusion.
"What last conversation?" she asked.
"Never you mind," Ron grumbled, causing Hermione and Harry to laugh again. Ginny just rolled her eyes.
"So inquiring minds are appeased, I happen to have a free class. I'd agreed the help Professor Sprout prune the mandrakes for extra credit," she said.
"You're getting to be like Hermione," Ron muttered.
Ginny grinned as she cut the leaves off of one of the plants.
"Not quite. The extra credit is because I did so poorly on the last paper. Herbology is not my subject," she said. Hermione clucked her tongue, causing Ginny shake her head. "Anyway… why are you three here?" Ron sighed as he set his bag down.
"Detention…" he said.
"Professor Snape?" his sister asked.
"Who else?" Harry asked, setting his bag down as well. "Thank god he's got classes the rest of the day, or we'd be stuck with him rather than here…" The door to the greenhouse opened, cutting off any other remarks. The pleasant face of the herbology teacher greeted them.
"Hello!" she said happily. "So sorry to hear most of you've grabbed yourselves a detention. But, I could use a spot of your help today. I've re-planting to do, and an awful lot of pruning. The herbology classes are deep into their projects and don't have time for the small details. So, the tasks fall to you lot…" There were a few groans among the students, but they set to work. Good-natured chattering filled the room as everyone went about their tasks. It continued on for half an hour before Professor Sprout interrupted with a heavy clearing of her throat.
"Now, behave yourselves while I go get some more soil," the professor ordered with a warning glare.
"Yes, Professor Sprout," the group chorused. A louder, more raucous chatter overtook the room as the only authority figure disappeared.
"This has got to be the most boring thing in the world," Ron grumbled to his friends as he turned back to the plant he was attending.
"Your complaining isn't going to make anything better, Ron," Hermione said.
"Here, here," Ginny added, causing her brother to glare at her. She just grinned.
"Traitor…" he muttered, throwing some dirt at her. Ginny threw a clump of dirt back and held her tongue. She was going to mention something to the nature of Hermione being close enough to family if only he'd remove his head from his arse. But she figured that would get a whole pot of dirt over her head, so she held back. Instead, she included Harry and Hermione on the Weasley dirt war and the four of them were getting well and dirty and no work accomplished when a hushed silence fell over the room. Wondering what had happened, the four stilled. Ron stood up straight and wiped the dirt off of his face. His grin immediately fell off his face.
"Harry…" he muttered, his eyes darting behind his best friend. Hermione was frozen in place, eyes wide and her hand gripping Ron's sleeve. Ginny gasped. When Harry turned he found himself staring at a wand.
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Draco stood outside in the fresh air and sucked dangerously on the acrid smoke the cigarette in his hand allowed him. He'd have to remember to graciously thank Blaise Zabini for starting him on that awful habit. But, it seemed, that it wasn't the only habit he'd picked up as of late. With a deep breath, he flicked ashes to the ground and his eyes drifted back to the greenhouse.
He figured this watchful possessiveness over a certain Weasley was to be expected. He was a Malfoy, after all. To be possessive was born, bred and nurtured within every generation of Malfoy offspring. His father was particularly brutal about it. Lucius Malfoy may have loved Narcissa Black at one point in his life, but years upon years of ambition, greed, arrogance and typical Malfoy fodder had turned that love into something that could not even be recognized as a tender emotion. It was always about control… And it was something Draco wished to let alone altogether. He wanted no part of Malfoy tradition.
A clearing of a throat startled him from his thoughts. Draco turned to see his Head of House scowling at him. It wasn't a typical, 'disappointed' scowl. This one was of concern. And the fact that Snape had yet to berate him for smoking on school grounds told Draco something grave was in the works.
"What's wrong?" he asked with a scowl of his own.
"Follow me, Draco," Snape said. The blond frowned as he flicked the cigarette to the ground.
"What is going on?" he asked, following his Head of House into the castle. The Potions professor was moving so quickly that even Draco's long stride had trouble keeping up. There was silence as the Potions professor debated whether to lie to a boy he considered a son of sorts.
"Your father is on Hogwarts grounds," he said finally. They turned a few more corners and Draco recognized the way.
"You are taking me to Dumbledore's office," he said. Snape gave a terse nod.
"It is the one place that is truly safe from all who are uninvited," he said. They stopped in front of the statue and Snape muttered the password. He indicated for Draco to ascend the staircase. When it started closing behind him, the blond looked at his professor with a frown.
"Where are you off to?" he asked.
"To take care of it, Mr. Malfoy…" Snape said before disappearing. Draco shifted on his feet as the staircase continued in its path to the Headmaster's office.
"Bloody hell…" he muttered. His father was on Hogwarts grounds. It was only a matter of time, really, before the rope was firmly around his neck.
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The Greenhouse…
"Well, well, well. Underachieving again, Mr. Potter? And it's no surprise that you are here with him, Weasley. You as well, you filthy little Mudblood…" the blond man sneered. It was no wonder where the younger Malfoy had inherited his hateful diatribe of the past.
"Now," he continued, wand still trained on the Boy-Who-Lived. "Where have you spirited my son off to?" Ron frowned.
"What the bloody hell are you on about?" he asked without thinking. Hermione elbowed him, shutting him up. The few other students that were there stared, transfixed, at the confrontation.
"Draco is nowhere to be found. What have you done with my son, Mr. Potter?" Lucius hissed, wand directly in front of the teenager's nose.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Harry said, the malice he felt apparent in his glare. The elder Malfoy's grip tightened on his wand.
"I have no qualms about torturing you before you die," he said. The door to the greenhouse was opened and a stout figure entered.
"Now see here…" Professor Sprout started. A startled, joint gasp went through the small gathering of students as an 'Avada Kedavra' was sent through the air. The sweet, friendly herbology professor fell to the ground. Professors McGonagall and Snape arrived just in time, wands drawn, to see their peer die. They nodded for the students nearest to the door to leave. The scramble out the door was quick and the only students left were Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
"Put down your wand, Mr. Malfoy. Draco is where he should be," Snape growled. "I expected better of an arrogant aristocrat. But I guess it only goes to show that being a Death Eater dispels all intelligence…"
"You would know about all of that, wouldn't you?" the drawl came. "If it were up to me, you would be dead. Why the Dark Lord trusts you among his favored is beyond me." Snape gave a shake of his head.
"Is that any way to speak to a fellow Slytherin?" he asked. Lucius' eyes smoldered.
"You are a disgrace to our House. And I will ask only one more time… what have you done with my son?" he growled. Without the slightest warning, his hand shot out as swift as a snake and grasped Ginny by her hair as she attempted to move closer to her brother.
"Tell me where Draco is, or…" he said while pulling Ginny closer to him. "… you will not recognize this… pretty little girl when I am through with her…" Ron let out a helpless whimper at the sight of Lucius Malfoy's wand threateningly caressing his little sister's cheek. But any rash move he would have made was held back by Hermione.
Ginny, for her part, was not panicking nearly as much as she thought she would. Instead, she closed her eyes.
"Draco is safe and no longer your concern. And I would suggest, Lucius, for your well being that you leave Hogwarts and never come back," a voice said. Ginny's eyes snapped open.
"Dumbledore," Ron whispered in relief. But that relief was short lived when the arm around Ginny's throat tightened and she let out a small cry. The Headmaster stepped forward and used his body to shield the three other students.
"You will gain nothing by hurting her, Lucius," Dumbledore said, fury barely banked in his usually cheerful blue eyes. Lucius smirked, reminding everyone of his son. He then leaned down slightly, his breath tickling Ginny's ear.
"I could say the killing curse right now and there would be nothing they could do," he said just to her. Ginny's chin lifted.
"Do what you must, coward," she said without fear. Lucius 'tsk-tsked' in her ear as Ron let out a strangled 'Ginny', urging her to be quiet.
"All that Gryffindor bravery. It will get you killed some day," he said.
"I'll wager it's not today, then," she said. Suddenly she was shoved to the ground and when she looked up there was something in Lucius Malfoy's eyes as he looked at her. It was a mix of admiration, curiosity and unadulterated loathing. Then, he was gone.
"He apparated… he's not supposed to apparate on school grounds," Ron mumbled stupidly, shock and relief causing his brain to slow. Hermione rushed to Ginny's side as the redheaded girl gently rubbed the area of her neck where the wand had been pointed. Her hand was shaking as she looked to the very dead Pomona Sprout.
"He's a Death Eater, Ron. I don't think he cares about what he should or should not do. Nor does he care what he can or cannot do," Ginny said softly, letting Hermione help her to her feet.
"Are you alright, Miss Weasley?" Professor Dumbledore asked. She looked up into his kind face with a small, shaky smile.
"I will be," she said. He smiled back at her.
"You continually surprise me with your strength, Miss Weasley," he said, reaching out to pat her hand. "You'd best go see Madame Pomfrey, just to make sure you are in one piece." Ginny opened her mouth to argue, but Ron and Harry each took a hold of her arm and began leading her out of the greenhouse. Hermione picked up Ginny's forgotten bag and followed the other three.
Snape looked to Dumbledore and McGonagall when they were alone.
"It would seem as if Malfoy the elder is bringing a different sort of fight to us," he said. Dumbledore nodded.
"It is bordering on desperation, Severus. Have there been any rumblings within the Death Eater ranks? Any orders from Voldemort that would make Malfoy drive to such lengths?" he asked. Snape shook his head.
"I have yet to hear anything on that end. I have heard from of my students that Draco has been acting oddly as of late. Zabini himself was concerned that Draco has incurred Lucius' wrath," he said. Dumbledore looked to think for a moment.
"It will be difficult to have to worry about both Voldemort and Lucius finding their way onto school grounds," he said.
"We will not have to worry about Lord Voldemort on his own. Lucius had help," Snape informed the other two.
"Help?" McGonagall asked. The potions professor nodded.
"Yes. There were wards removed. I am not sure as of yet who accomplished the task, but I am fairly certain that it is a student within my house," he said.
"Betrayers in our midst," the Headmaster commented with an obscure air. Professor McGongall had a distasteful look on her face.
"I can't believe it," she said. Dumbledore just smiled.
"Ah Minerva… history has attested that a betrayer is to be expected. And more than likely, that person has fallen from the circle. Which circle or circles, we have yet to ascertain," he said somewhat cryptically. McGonagall sucked in a shocked breath.
"Albus… you can't be saying… you don't think that…" the transfiguration professor sputtered. Dumbledore held up his hand.
"I am not saying anything, Minerva. But it is important that we stay vigilant. Our plans must continue as they are, but we must not let danger slip in unawares," he said. The headmaster looked between his two trusted peers. They both nodded.
"I'll see to Pomona," McGonagall said as she stood straighter, a tear forming in the corner of her eye at the thought of her friend.
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Death Eater stronghold...
Narcissa watched as small busts shattered against the wall. Lamps had been flung off of tables in a helpless rage. Vases had been obliterated into small shards of glass. And through it all, Narcissa sat calmly as she watched her husband wreak havoc over their small living area. Then, as sudden as the tantrum had begun, it stopped.
"He will not be hidden from me," Lucius said in a frighteningly calm voice. He reached up and straightened his long hair back into the flawless picture that was expected of him. "If Dumbledore thinks he can shelter away my son... MY son... then he is sorely mistaken. They may think they have beaten me, but they will soon find out differently," he said. Narcissa clasped her hands over her lap.
"Of course, my darling," she said in support. For all that was said, Narcissa loved her husband. It was all she knew. She watched in her usual silence as Lucius stalked the length of the room. He was a dangerous and powerful man. Nothing bespoke of it better than that very moment
"If I cannot get to my son, he will come to me," Lucius said. His wife shifted slightly in her seat, curiosity and amusement warming her normally icy gaze only slightly.
"How, my love?" she asked. Lucius smirked.
"I know where his loyalties lie," was all he said before leaning down and giving his wife a pleased kiss.
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Draco was stalking the Headmaster's office just as his father was doing elsewhere. He looked up as the door opened and Dumbledore entered, Snape following behind.
"What has happened?" the blond asked, his eyes eager for information. Dumbledore let out a beleaguered sigh as he made his way further into his domain.
"I am afraid, my son, that your father has killed our dear Professor Sprout," the Headmaster said. Draco swallowed heavily.
"Have the Aurors captured him then?" he asked. Snape and Dumbledore shared a quick look.
"I'm afraid not, Draco," Dumbledore answered. Draco straightened.
"He got away?" he asked, hoping beyond hope that it was the other option.
"Yes, he did," Snape said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"How?" the blond asked. Dumbledore sat down at his desk.
"By hiding behind Miss Ginny Weasley," he answered. If Draco had sucked in air any quicker, he probably would have choked. Snape watched the reaction with a knowing look. His suspicions were now confirmed.
"Was she harmed?" Draco asked with as much indifference as he could muster. Dumbledore smiled.
"No more than a few bruises. Miss Weasley is every inch a Gryffindor," he said, letting out a chuckle as the two Slytherins huffed predictably in response.
The raw fury at his father that bubbled beneath Draco's surface was balanced by the concern he felt towards Ginny.
"Is it safe to return to my common room?" he asked, knowing full well that there was a stop he needed to make before that. Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, but please be wary. This are dangerous times, Draco, and loyalties are about to be divided," he said. The blond nodded before he exited the eccentric man's office. He was about to turn towards the Gryffindor hallways when a hand caught his arm. In spite of the man looking down his pointed nose at him, Draco knew that the older man was concerned.
"Be careful about how you go about things, Draco. Your weaknesses, should they become known, can be used against you," the professor warned. Draco's eyes slid down the hallway for a second, but then returned to look at Snape.
"I'm aware of that, Professor," he said. Snape released his arm with a nod.
"Good. Now… don't do anything overly stupid," he growled before turning and stalking down towards the dungeons, robes gliding behind him. Draco let out a breath and closed his eyes. It would be better of him to just find his way down to the Great Hall.
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