Chapter Twenty Seven: Back to Training
The day after finding Hermione
Harry was jogging to the Dueling Room. With this entire rescuing affair he had missed three days of the training and he didn't like it. With each day, he looked forward to those classes more and more.
To his mind, he felt happy when he was doing something he liked with a good company to share his happiness with. He certainly liked to learn every move or trick of the Dragon Fang. He was so fond of the feeling of magic running through his veins, to be able to control it, to make his wishes come true. He felt so mighty back there, but still knew that there was even more to learn, to practice, and to analyze.
As for the company, Harry always put a question mark at this point. Who was Marko to him? Well, he was his teacher, certainly, he couldn't argue with that. But they were the same age; Harry just couldn't act around him like around McGonagall, for example. He understood that there was some sort of a relationship between them, not friendship, of course, but still. Then another question rose. Was Malfoy still his rival? The second nemesis after Voldemort? Harry doubted it.
Enough of such philosophical rubbish. Harry shook his head to clear his mind and entered the classroom. "Welcome back, Potter," Draco greeted him with his usual sarcasm. It seemed to Harry that he always wanted to say something else with the use of such a tone.
"Hello to you too," Harry answered with dignity.
"How was your trip?" Draco asked indifferently, as if talking about a trip to the Kitchens.
"Successful," Harry stated in the same indifferent tone.
"Good. Any obstacles?"
"Nothing serious. Ron did most of the work."
"Absolutely nothing? Was the girl so dumb?"
"Oh, far from that," Harry said shaking his head.
"Hm, what about her?"
"Well, I don't know," Harry began not as certain as before. "I made a mistake. I don't understand how this is even possible. Maybe I just overreacted and hallucinated, but it looked real to me."
"Stop babbling, just say it already," Draco interrupted with frustration, but eagerness.
"I did, as you had said. I wanted to get everything straight and the most suitable way was to check her out, as you put it. What I saw stunned me. I definitely saw a bright green Dark Mark on the place where the heart should be. It was right there, so ugly and disgusting, smirking at me. Brrrr. Then Ron said she wasn't a Death Eater and then Dumbledore confirmed it. I just don't understand!" finished Harry helplessly.
"The good news is that you weren't hallucinating, the bad – she really was a Death Eater," Draco said in his calm teacher's voice.
"But how can it be?" Harry asked bewildered.
"Easy. I thought you knew about it already," Draco said with a flash of disappointment and pity in his tone. "One doesn't need to be a Death Eater if you have a Dark Mark or one doesn't need a Mark to be a Death Eater. Simple as that. The magic aura is a mirror of the soul. If you want to serve the Dark Lord, you'll do it with the Mark or without it. With this girl we have a very interesting case, very interesting indeed," Draco finished thoughtfully.
"What is so interesting about it?" Harry couldn't grip Draco's trace of thoughts.
"Voldemort ordered her to destroy the Dream Team, to destroy his arch nemesis. He knows that without your friends' support you'll be very weak and easy to crush. We all know this. He also knows that no Death Eater can enter Hogwarts," he paused for a second. "Well, no newly initiated Death Eater. That's why he hadn't put the Mark on her. Understandable? Quite. But there is another problem. Why did he trust her so much? Her task was far from easy and very honorable in fact. She could've been Voldemort's right hand after accomplishing her mission.
Everything was going pretty smoothly. She got Ronald as a boyfriend, was slowly but steadily brainwashing him, a couple of weeks and Ronald would've become a Death Eater, Granger – dead, and you – miserable and on the verge of suicide. A brilliant plan, don't you think?"
"Brilliant indeed, especially the last part," Harry said with a snort.
"The point is that she almost succeeded. If it wasn't for Granger. Maybe because she is a Seer, she felt something was wrong, or whatever, but she followed her habit and pried into others' business. What does our assassin think? Well, why not kill two birds with one stone? And Granger is kidnapped and hidden. Hidden professionally. What was your first thought when you'd found her?"
"The roof. The place nobody will certainly search at," Harry answered automatically. Only now he began to really think about Draco's words. Voldemort was really on the verge of winning without even moving a wand. He's almost won, using the most dirty trick to do it. Using love to grow best friends apart. He's almost won.
This thought alone terrified him. Harry has been absolutely sure for a while now that the Final Duel will decide everything between him and Voldemort once and for all, but now everything was turned upside down, a real mess, built on lies and treachery.
"Exactly, Potter. The place where nobody will look. She outsmarted everybody, even Dumbledore. A very worthy opponent, don't you think?"
This question made Harry snap out from his messy thoughts. "I don't understand what you're getting at."
"You know where the slytherins are, don't you?"
Harry was taken aback with such rapid subject change. "Yes," he answered with a nod.
"Do you think you can stand against hundreds of slytherins?"
"I don't need to stand against them, There are Aurors and…" he wanted to add "the Order", but decided against it, "Other people. Frankly speaking, this isn't any of my business," Harry finished firmly.
"Do you assume that the school will stand against them?"
"I don't bloody know!" Harry yelled irritated. "Are they a group of golden children or something?"
"They are all children of the Death Eaters, trained during all their lives to follow into their parents' footsteps."
"Speaking from experience, I presume?" Harry asked with a sneer.
"Yes, from experience and not a pleasant one. Don't think that I am trying to show how stupid you are or anything." Harry grunted, disagreeing. "I want to tell you that you must know your enemy. A girl tricked you and you must learn your lesson and never ever let anybody do it to you again," he paused and intently looked into Harry's eyes. "Games are over, Potter. Remember this day, from now on you'll concentrate your whole mind, senses and soul on the task you were born for." Harry was afraid of such Marko – deathly serious.
If Harry knew that the Malfoys are ruthless, then he knew nothing about what real mercilessness was. The three following weeks became a real Hell to him. At the moment the ordinary lessons were over he went to the Dueling Room, where a new amount of targets were set for him. After every practice, as Draco called them, Harry dragged himself to the boy's dormitories. He went to sleep with Draco's voice echoing in his head, "Again! Again! Again!" Every word like a whip on his exhausted body.
Harry realized such methods were fair and, more importantly, effective. Now he could easily concentrate and see auras of any plant or object. Without much effort he could even use different 'weapons' in each hand. Harry felt proud of himself, but he surely wouldn't have done it without Marco's strict orders. Without everyday pushing him forward, teaching him more and more moves and strategies.
Today was another day and another practice. Harry was exhausted even before the lesson because he had had Astronomy that night and Transfiguration in the morning and McGonagall didn't let him sleep in class. He pushed himself through the doors and fell down on the stool. If today is going to be like the others, then Marko must carry him to the Gryffindor Common room himself.
"Good day, Potter," Draco then eyed him from head to toe. "Not a good one for you, I presume. Founders blessed you with a theoretical lesson today." Harry sighed with relief. "Today you'll learn to locate things you're looking for in the large amount of other stuff."
This was definitely an uncommon lesson and it turned even more unusual in the end. "We have a huge pile here," Draco said, gesturing to the garbage on the floor. "Your task is to tell me on what level the searched object is: on the top, in the middle or at the bottom."
"But how does everything work?"
"You'll see. Now if I tell you that we are looking for is a white marble paperweight, what aura should you look for?"
Harry hated such analytical assignments. They just weren't in his nature. Maybe it came from his love for troublemaking. First do then think. "I think it must be white, but not transparent, milky white, a little darker than milk," Harry said under his breath.
"Who thought that there was an artist in you, Potter?" Draco said with a smirk. "Picture this paperweight in your mind."
"But I don't have the slightest hint about what it looks like!"
"And? When you look for a textbook in the Common room, do you know exactly what it looks like?"
"Well, the name is written on it, isn't it?" Harry grunted.
"If I tell you that there is a date engraved in this paperweight, will it make you more comfortable with imagining it?"
"Oh, I don't know! I don't get how all this crap works!" Harry shouted.
"Dammit, Potter, don't be such a baby! This step in your training has too wide perspectives and you simply don't want to concentrate!"
"Sorry, I am just tired, that's all," Harry said, looking at the floor.
"How come I am not tired? I am training as much as you do."
"You do?"
"Yes, I do. I need to gain all my powers back, they won't come themselves."
"But you don't need to sit at Transfiguration with McGonagall on your tail for sleeping in class," Harry said with a small smile.
"You have a point here," Draco answered with playfully sparkling eyes.
"Ok, let's find out where this paperweight is," Harry stood up and walked towards the pile, all tension in his body disappeared.
Draco's eyebrows went high, but then he shrugged it off. "Just concentrate and tell yourself that you desperately want to find it."
"Oh, ok." Harry closed and concentrated his vision eyes on the pile. Surprisingly to Harry, the white marble paperweight clearly stayed in front of him as if he really saw it, then his head was suddenly pulled downwards. He didn't go anywhere, but felt as if he was moving on a light speed through the pile, taking turns here and there not to collide with other objects until an abrupt stop beside a dirty white aura.
"At the bottom," Harry managed to whisper, living through another shock which was brought with any new opportunity of the Dragon Fang.
"Interesting isn't it?" Draco asked with a knowing expression that Harry hated so much.
"Nothing, really," Harry answered smugly.
"Hmmm, pity. I just wanted to tell you about the perspectives of this ability, but you are brushing it away. Well, if you say so."
"I didn't say that the perspectives aren't interesting." 'What a lame fight and even more disgraceful surrender. Why does he always have an upper hand? Keeps me interested, but at the same time shows how much he knows and I don't.'
"Well, if you grace me with your further attention, I'll continue," Draco said mockingly and bowed for the emphasis.
"I'll give you such an honor." 'That was a good one.'
Draco rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "Enough joking. We have serious business to attend to," he said strictly. "Sit and listen. Just now you've experienced the effect of the searching opportunity which is provided by deep concentration and strong will. Such ability has also locating charms. With proper training you can find a man even on the other edge of the planet."
"Can you do it?" Harry interrupted.
"I don't know. I've never tried. I don't have anyone to seek for, especially on the other end of the world. But this isn't the point. The case is that you must find Voldemort before he finds you. You need to have as many advantages as you possibly can.
But finding Voldemort is just a drop in the ocean. The number of uses is uncountable. From finding your socks to finding an exact person in the world," Draco spoke with sincere fascination. "But you need a lot of practice to be able to find even your classmate in Hogwarts," he finished with a smirk. "Do it again. The target now is a blue quill." Harry sighed and started to close his eyes, but Draco stopped him. "Wait!" He came closer to Harry, almost nose-to-nose and piercingly looked into his eyes. Harry felt as if he was turned inside out. "Hm, intriguing," Draco said, finishing his inspection
"What was all that about?"
"Nothing. Proceed," Draco said, stepping behind Harry. Harry did as he was told and pictured a blue quill in his mind. When he felt the familiar pull downwards, his feeling was accompanied with a sudden push on his back. It was so unexpected that Harry opened his eyes from surprise, but nothing changed: he was being pulled down the pile, but not for long. "So where is it?" came Draco's voice from behind.
"In the middle, but closer to the top," Harry answered automatically, still trying to comprehend what had just happened.
"Correct. Sorry for pushing you, it was the only way I came up with," Draco added as an afterthought.
"The way for what?"
"You didn't notice?"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"You can use your Vision without closing your eyes."
"Aaaa," Harry drawled.
"It's easy to answer a question like, "What's with your eyes?" than "Why are your eyes closed?" isn't it?" Draco said as if discussing homework.
"Why should those questions be asked in the first place?"
"And why not? You always need to use Vision while talking with people and they just ask every time, "Is something wrong? Aren't you sick?" Draco said with mock concern. "I hate such things," he spat.
"Then why use it in front of them in the first place?"
"Slytherins are an unpredictable crowd," Draco answered as if it explained everything.
"I know the perfect place to upgrade my searching skills," Harry said with sudden enthusiasm.
"And what should this be?" Draco asked, looking at him like at a three-year-old.
"The Quiddich pitch," Harry answered with mischief in his eyes.
"Good idea, you may go now," Draco said coldly. And Harry again saw the longing for Quiddich in Draco's eyes.
"Well, let's move our arena to the Pitch! We have plenty of opportunities there!"
"What do you mean by saying 'we'?"
"You and I, of course, who else?"
"I can't share this brilliant moment with you, you must go alone," Draco said emotionlessly.
"What the Hell? Cut out this cold stuff! I know you want to go there. It's all in your eyes!" Harry exclaimed. 'What can keep him indoors, especially if he wants to be outside so much?'
"I won't go and that's final," Draco stated with the tone which stopped all objection.
"Stuff it."
"I can't go, Potter. And you can do nothing about it."
"I don't want to do anything, you can do it yourself. I know that look," Harry said, pointing at Draco's face. Draco took his glance away, as if ashamed of it. "I saw it in the eyes of Hedwig when she had to stay in the cage for almost the whole summer when I was staying at the Dursleys. I felt myself like that. The look of a caged animal, longing for freedom. You can't fool me with your indifference this time."
"I can't leave the castle, it's an order."
"Who are you – a slytherin or a hufflepuff?" Harry challenged.
"Playing on my ego? Good approach, Potter, but it won't work."
"What is it with you? You, who always order me around, who acts all superior and mighty, are so scared to go outside? That's gross!" Then realization came to him. "You are afraid to loose to me again. Loose as you do every single match against Gryffindor!"
"I am not afraid of anything, especially of loosing to you. It is just not safe for me to leave the castle," Draco said through clenched teeth.
'Not working? Ha!' "Then prove it," Harry said with closed arms over his chest.
"You leave me no choice but to follow you outside, but I promise you'll surely regret it."
"We'll see."
Summoning their brooms and not bothering with coats, they entered chilly night and darkness embraced them. The moon was glowing brightly, leading their way to the pitch. Harry started quickly pacing to the dark outlines of the goalposts, but found that he was alone on his route. He turned back to see what the Hell Malfoy was waiting for now, but words didn't leave his mouth.
Draco was standing in the moonlight, which made his face look even paler, and looked at the sky above.
"They are so bright tonight," he said, being in his own world, but he couldn't dare to stay alone there – it was inappropriate. Especially after he felt the dumbfounded gaze of Potter on him, that's why he explained, "The stars. I like the view of the night sky. It gives me peace in this turmoil of a world, but I don't have windows in the dungeons," he finished with a sigh.
"Oh," was Harry's only reaction.
"Are you going, Potter, or did you drag me here only for catching cold!" Draco asked in his famous sarcastic tone.
"Let's keep moving," Harry threw from above his shoulder.
Draco rolled his eyes, but followed. 'Have I gone crazy? What am I doing outside at night alone with Potter of all people? They could locate me and all work will go to the dustbin! But the invitation was too tempting. I haven't been on a broom for four long months and this is insufferable for a person who can't live without the wind messing with his hair, feeling of freedom from all the earth problems and duties, just clear welcoming sky with no barriers and prejudices. Nothing will happen, it's late and nobody will see us. I made the right decision. I hate myself for having such basic weaknesses!'
"I am releasing the Snitch," Harry interrupted his thoughts. "On the count of three, then after fifteen minutes we'll search for it. Deal?"
"Deal," said Draco and zoomed into the sky. Hell with the Snitch, Potter and everything on the ground. He was in the sky, above all things that bothered him, even above the stars and it felt good, real good.
"One, two, three go!" The Snitch disappeared in the darkness and Harry also flew up into the air.
They were flying for a while now: up and down, doing rounds and loops, but not a word was said.
At last Draco dared to ask the question he dreaded the answer to. He flew to Harry and asked, "Who is in the Quiddich Finals?"
Harry looked at him flabbergasted, but then understood. Malfoy was still the Quiddich Captain, his interest was absolutely natural. A captain without a team. "Who do you think?"
"You," Draco said with a disgusted grimace.
"Well, without a worthy opponent, it couldn't be anyone else." It wasn't said like a compliment or a praise, it was just the fact known to both of them, but still Draco was glad to hear it out loud.
"Of course," Draco said with a knowing smirk. "It is time to find the Snitch and be sure, I'll do it first."
"You always say this, but…"
They went to the opposite sides of the Pitch for a more fair and extreme challenge. Harry concentrated, he didn't have any problems with picturing a tiny golden ball with wings in his mind, it was too familiar to him. He didn't close his eyes this time, that's why it took him more time to feel the pulling feeling, which led him straight to the shimmering golden aura. The only thought that flashed through his head before he rocketed towards the Snitch was, 'Damn! It's on Malfoy's side!'
Unlike Harry, Draco found the Snitch in a second and flew there on a top speed. 'This time I get it. Nothing can stop me now!'
Everything was like in the good old days. They were flying neck to neck, pushing and kicking each other only to feel a golden ball in his palm. The only difference was the lack of the audience, the cheering for Gryffindor on the stands from three quarters of the Hogwarts population. But that didn't bother our contestants; they flew through almost all the Pitch, trying to grab the sneaky Snitch. Finally, Draco made a dash and crossed his fingers around the cold metal.
Draco sharply stopped his broom and looked at the ball on his palm. He couldn't believe it - he had waited for so long for this event to happen, that he couldn't admit that it finally happened. The object in his hand wasn't alien to him; he's won many times against Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, but never against Potter. A smile crawled on his lips and he started to laugh; laugh loudly and freely, clenching the Snitch in his fist.
Harry stared at Draco, thinking he hadn't cleared his ears today because it couldn't be possible that Malfoy was laughing. Harry wasn't concerned about the reason: was he laughing over him or the whole situation. Malfoy won in fair battle, and Harry's lost didn't discomfort him, he'd won too many times. The whole Malfoy laughing seemed simply wrong.
"Dear Lord, I grabbed the Snitch right under Potter's nose and nobody saw it!" Draco said, looking at the castle, as if addressing its inhabitants.
Startling them both, a distant clapping came from the darkness of the stands. It was faint and short, but it was there. After a few minutes a figure appeared in the moonlight beam, it headed to the castle. Draco smiled broadly – he could recognize the figure of his partner anywhere. She had seen his triumph; nobody else's eyes were needed for him.