Ok here's the next chapter I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think. Cheers!
While Malfoy and Snape were putting their acting skills to test in the middle of a ring of Death Eaters, Harry and the others were preparing for their part of the plot.
Harry gently removed the lightly glowing orb from under his robes and held it out in front of him. Harry had been researching a couple of weeks ago and had discovered that if he and his friends added their combined power to the orb of Osiris in front of him, already glowing with the ancient power of Osiris himself, they could keep Snape alive. Although the combined powers wouldn't completely stop the deadly spell, it would deflect it just enough to render the man completely comatose for near a month. With a couple of well placed glamour's no one would notice the difference between a dead Snape or a comatose one. That was their plan and now it was time to put said plan into action.
Harry, Jessica, Ron and Hermione placed their right hand on the orb and whispered the incantation to transfer some of their power to it. Although Harry had had a few reservations about using the orb to help Snape, since the orb itself could be used one time only, he had talked with Jessica and they had both decided it was probably for the best. And now he was about to find out if all the hard work that was put into finding and obtaining the orb would pay off. It had taken Harry and Jessica the better part of the week to find the orb, but had eventually sequestered it from an ancient tome in Egypt, although it had taken a little time to work around the defenses guarding it, both muggle and magical.
The orb shined a silvery brilliance and the four Gryffindors held it between them waiting for the perfect moment to unleash its power with a well placed incantation that, they hoped, would save professor Snape's life.
As soon as they heard Draco yell the killing curse the four friends whispered the incantation and watched in awe as the silvery substance shot toward Snape, literally racing against the ominous green light that shot from Draco's wand at the same time, and hit him squarely in the chest moments before the unforgivable curse did. Harry knew that none of the Death Eaters, Snape or Draco could see the spell he and his friends had cast; only those who cast the spell themselves would be able to see it.
Time slowed as the large group watched Snape's face contort in shock as the killing curse struck him in the chest, the 'I dare you' sneer wiped from his face instantly.
Harry watched as Snape finally hit the ground and lay still, to him it felt like hours had gone by but in reality it had only been milliseconds, he only prayed that the legends were true and the orb had worked the way it was supposed to.
"How do we know if it worked?" Ron whispered swallowing back his panic, "How do we know that Snape isn't actually d-dead?"
"We just have to wait and see," Jessica answered solemnly, "As soon as the Ministry pulls him down from outside their office Dumbledore should bring him back here for a funeral. We'll dig him up a few days after that and take him down to the Chamber of Secrets. He'll stay there for the remainder of his 'sleep' and we'll figure out what to do with him then."
Harry nodded in agreement with what Jessica had said and threw his, slightly shaken, friends a small reassuring smile. Although Harry himself was a little worried he tried not to show it, he didn't want to concern his friends anymore then they already were. Quickly muttering several undetectable glamour charms and casting them towards Snape, Harry held his breath and watched the senior Malfoy walk proudly to his son.
"Excellent job, Draco." He clapped the slightly pale Slytherin on the shoulder and turned to address the group. "My son has proven himself worthy of serving our lord," he waited for the cheers and congratulations to stop before continuing, "and now let us take this traitors body to be hung outside the Ministry of Magic. The whole world will know the consequences of defying our Lord!"
The group cheered once more and several stepped forward to Snape's 'body' and apparated him away.
Once alone with his father Draco spoke up, "Did I pass Father, do I get to join you-know-who's ranks now?" That thought itself scared Draco, but he and Harry had talked about it and decided that it was in their best interest to have a spy considering that Snape was no longer an option. In exchange for helping him, Draco had decided that he would spy for Harry and report back to the Gryffindor when he returned from any meeting.
Nodding curtly Lucius clapped his son on the shoulder, "Indeed, now while the others tend to Snape what say I take you to pledge your allegiance to you-know-who."
Draco knew it was not a question but nodded, albeit reluctantly, anyway. Casting a surreptitious glance in the general direction of where he knew the four Gryffindor's were hiding he allowed his father to touch his shoulder and apparate him away.
The four friends stood and Ron took the cloak off Hermione and himself. Dusting themselves off the Gryffindor's took a moment to collect their thoughts before Harry took charge.
"Jessica your better then me at following apparating trails, lock on to Mr. Malfoy's apparating signature and follow them, just to keep an eye on things. Recon work only Jess, do not engage."
Watching his friend nod and disappear Harry sighed gently. He was under no false disillusions that defeating Voldemort would be easy. The dark wizard was extremely powerful and he and Jessica were not up to full power. Even if they had been, Harry knew Mystic Knights were not infallible and could be killed just like everyone else. The powerful fifteen year olds would need all the help they could get to win this war and take down the most powerful dark wizard known to man.
Glancing to his friends, who were talking quietly among themselves, Harry announced they should head back to the castle and wait. Sending a silent good luck to Draco and Jessica he turned and headed back to the castle.
Jessica grumbled angrily as she finally arrived at a graveyard at the far end of England. Malfoy had left quite an erratic trail on his way here, forcing Jessica to follow it through in case he changed abruptly at any point in time. The signature would have been next to impossible for any normal wizard to follow, but Jessica had managed easily enough.
Transforming into her Animagus form, Jessica moved silently through the shadows. Sniffing lightly the wolf instantly picked up Draco's scent and followed it through rows and rows of tombstones crouching behind an especially tall one when she found the Slytherin. The tombstone provided the cover she needed and gave her an unobstructed view of the Malfoy's. Remaining completely motionless she watched and listened as the two blonde males stood alone in the center of a circle of gravestones.
"We'll wait here till the others arrive from their task, then you-know-who will join us and welcome you into our defenses." Lucius told his son coldly. After a moment of silence he added, "I'm proud of you Draco, you showed great initiative and proved to me that you valued the chance you'd been given to join us Death Eaters."
Draco flinched slightly; he had waited his whole life to have his father proud of him. But now, Draco only wished that his father hadn't said anything at all. The Slytherin didn't want his fathers respect not after what had happened to make Draco turn against his father in the first place and go to Harry Potter for help. He had told Harry that he didn't want to hurt anyone that day on the train, that had been his reason for seeking help, and that was true. But that wasn't the only reason.
Draco had learned through a letter that his mother had been killed, she had died only for the reason that the woman had fought against Draco having anything to do with you-know-who's army. She had argued with his father adamantly, pleading with him not to allow such a thing to happen. When Lucius had dismissed her pleas she had said she would take her son away, away from England and away from him. Lucius became enraged and murdered her. Despite what many people thought about him, Draco was not incapable of love. He had loved his mother very much; she always took care of him, and stuck up for him or would take the punishment that had been meant for him. His mother had been the most important person in his life. Draco knew his mother only wanted what was best for him, she didn't want him fighting with his father or the others for fear he would die, or have to do something no fifteen year old should never do.
And now look where he was, right where she had fought so adamantly to keep him from. But now he was here for a reason, a purpose. Draco vowed to himself right then and there that he would avenge his mother, he would do her proud. So he waited. He stood next to the man he now hated with every inch of his being, and waited to become what he now despised most in the world. Draco held on to the hope that alongside Harry and the others, he would have a chance to get the revenge he so desperately craved.
Several cracking noises startled the young boy out of his thoughts as you-know-who's inner circle of Death Eaters returned to the graveyard forming a circle. Draco looked at them all wearily and began to grow restless with the silence, forcing himself to remain still, Draco thought of his mother and once again swore to avenge her.
"Well done, Draco." A soft deadly voice whispered, seemingly coming from everywhere.
Draco remained silent and watched a tall robed figure glide towards him, the Death Eaters parting to let the wizard through.
"You have completed your initiation task and I now welcome you into my army. But you would do well to remember one thing mister Malfoy, if you cross me your death will be much worse then you ever imagined. Now I believe is the time to say the oath."
The way Voldemort's eyes turned a deeper shade of red scared the Slytherin as did the cruel smile twisting the wizards' snake-like lips.
Drawing himself up to his full height Draco calmed himself and spoke, "I, Draco Malfoy, do hereby pledge myself to you Lord and vow to forever follow your guidance and instruction till the day I die." Swallowing nervously Draco gently raised the right sleeve of his robe exposing his forearm.
Taking the arm offered to him, Voldemort jabbed his wand and muttered a spell, smirking at the boy's gasp of pain he dropped the arm once the tattoo was fully formed.
"Welcome, young one. And since I have such faith in your father I have decided to allow you to stand next to him in my inner circle." His voice dropping to an angry hiss, "Do not disappoint me boy."
Draco bowed and murmured his thanks as the Death Eaters around him whispered to themselves in surprise. No one had expected Voldemort to allow the boy into their group.
"Get out of here, all of you." Voldemort hissed, "Except you, Draco."
The others departed without a word and without so much as a worried frown Draco's father apparated away as well.
"Yes, my Lord." The young blonde murmured, bowing again. Fear lanced through him at the thought of what the man could possibly want.
Studying the Slytherin for many moments, the dark wizard neither moved nor answered.
Shifting nervously Draco tried desperately to sooth his pounding heart, wishing more then anything that his mother had not died. The thought of his mother instantly calmed him, and a cold mask of anger and hate formed around his heart. He had to be strong for her, for what he had to do.
"I have a special task for you. I want you to discover the identity of the Mystic Knight that roams the halls at your school. Do whatever you have to do to accomplish this task. Can you do that Draco? Can you handle that?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Excellent, then you may go. Oh and Draco? Welcome…CRUCIO!"
Jessica whined lightly and watched Draco scream in agony as the curse ripped through his body. It was all she could do not to dash out of her hiding place and attempt to rip Voldemort to pieces.
After what seemed like hours Voldemort let the curse drop away and apparated away leaving the young Slytherin withering in agony of the ground.
After checking to make sure they were indeed alone Jessica trotted toward the blonde boy, and sat next to him.
Draco was vaguely aware of a soft muzzle nuzzling his face and when he opened his eyes saw a wolf gazing at him in what could only be concern. Suddenly the wolf was no longer there and in its place was Jessica Lock. Pushing his agony aside, Draco allowed the girl to help him up. Draping an arm around the girls shoulders Draco fought to stay consious.
Murmuring words of comfort, Jessica shimmered Draco and herself back to Hogwarts and into the Slytherins fifth year boy's dormitory. Gently pulling back his cover the Gryffindor helped the boy into bed and conjured up two potions. After he had drank the pain reliving potion and dreamless sleep potion Jessica rubbed his head fondly and pulled the drapes around his bed closed.
Something about the boy reminded Jessica of herself and she couldn't help but be protective of him. Besides, even after all he's done to Harry and his friends, Jessica just couldn't bring herself to ignore the boy's pain, everyone deserved comfort when they needed it. Glancing once more at the boys bed, Jessica shimmered back to her own room to sleep away the rest of the night.
Thanks for reading. Cheers!