Title: Dare You To Move
Author: Mjade
Summary: My third Draco/Mione fic. Hermione Granger is feeling left out by the people she once called friends . . . but her dreams are all about to come true.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter but the idea of this story, the two Slytherins: Mason Deimos and Don Gears, and the Gryffindor: Lucinda Lucent, are mine.
Rating: PG-13/Romance
Author's Note: Okay, I am well aware of how many people hate me by now. I am also well aware of how many readers I have lost. I know it's been around nine months since my last update and I express my deepest apologies to all of those who have kept checking back to this story only to be disappointed. A lot has happened since, however. I graduated from my high school, applied to colleges, took SATs, moved to a new continent far away from my previous home, and adapted to this new life. Plus there was also the release of Book 6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Unfortunately in College, you study…. A LOT! So I don't get much free time to update this story but I will and I have, as I have promised all of you before again and again: I will not abandon this story!
IMPORTANT NOTE (PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD): First of all, if you haven't read the Half-Blood Prince yet, I suggest you stop reading this message right now and proceed with the chapter. However, if you have, good for you, please read on.
As you can tell, the sixth book is not compatible with this story for many reasons. The most obvious being Dumbledore's untimely death. In DYTM, however, he is still alive and well. Emmeline Vance was mentioned to have died in the sixth book as well but in DYTM she is still an existing member of the Order of the Phoenix. Also, since Dumbledore is alive in this story, Snape is still a professor at Hogwarts and had not killed the Headmaster with the killing curse. In DYTM, Bill was not bitten by a werewolf and is not married to Fleur neither did Ginny break up with Dean nor did she hook up with Harry. Though in the sixth book Tonks is said to be in love with Remus Lupin, however, sorry guys, but DYTM does not follow that storyline. If Tonks has a romance in DYTM it will not be with Lupin. Also in this story, Cornelius Fudge is still the Minister of Magic because, although I knew he wouldn't be in the sixth book, I had no idea who the new Minister was.
To make a long story short: DYTM still follows the storyline of Harry Potter books 1-5, but has become AU with the release of HBP. Hopefully, you still continue to read this story! Finally, I am happy to present CHAPTER 13! Enjoy and please leave a Review!
——Chapter Thirteen——
A fool in love makes no sense to me,
I only think you are a fool
if you do not love. . .
- Anonymous –
The smoke at the site started to die down but the foul stench still remained filling the air. More Ministry officials and numerous reporters from the Daily Prophet, The Quibbler, and even Witch Weekly arrived, furiously scribbling on parchment or capturing photographs.
"Honestly, you'd think it was the Quidditch World Cup the way they're all acting," Tonks said, looking disapprovingly at all the reporters roaming around the town, without a doubt unauthorized. She and Bill had left Kingsley shouting at the Ministry officials to block any more reporters entering the town or keeping them at an appropriate distance away from the destruction.
She sighed in annoyance then turned her attention to the man beside her. "Hestia said I got a message from Hogwarts, Bill?" Tonks asked him.
"Yeah, it seems Dumbledore asked for you," Bill replied, as they both walked through the blackened farmland and burnt houses into a shade of trees, the only undamaged part of the village. "He probably expects a report on the situation over here."
Any member of the Order of the Phoenix could see what that really meant. Nymphadora Tonks was not called to give a briefing or a description on what had happened neither was she called on to give the detailed version of the story of the attack they had fed to the Daily Prophet reporters. Dumbledore suspected something. Something that was entirely different than how it seemed. He just needed someone to confirm his suspicions.
"Dumbledore called on me? Why? I mean, of course I don't mind, but Kingsley probably knows more on the incident than I do. It's strange though, I hardly get called to give a report," Tonks said.
"Come on, Tonks. Dumbledore trusts you and you're just as reliable as the rest of us. No one thinks it's strange that he chose you," Bill told her.
Tonks grinned. "Thanks Bill, you're sweet. You're wrong, but sweet," she looked ahead. "We better get out of the site then apparate to the Ministry. From there, we can Floo directly to Hogsmeade and..." she trailed off. There was something that caught her at the corner of her eye. She came to an abrupt halt and bent down.
"What is it?" Bill questioned, perplexed as to why she stopped so suddenly.
Tonks was on her knees pushing some rubble and rocks out of the way. She touched the ground, brought her fingers to her nose and sniffed it. She stood up and walked in circles around what looked like an imaginary spot.
"Er. . .Tonks?" Bill said, a bit concerned about her odd behavior. "Are you all right--"
"Shush!" Tonks whispered sharply as she got on to her knees again, pressing her ear to the ground. Then she lifted her head and scanned the trees in front of her.
"Tonks?" Bill said tentatively, "I think we should--"
"Bill, let me ask you something," Tonks said, getting up abruptly. "Don't you think it's a bit odd that this was the only place that seemingly remained untouched by the Death Eaters?"
"Yes, but--"
"And how long would you say it took you to find their tracks on the other side of town leading to Scotland?"
"I don't know. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be to find their tracks--"
"Exactly!" Tonks exclaimed. "Which makes it practically obvious, right?"
"Well, not exactly. Tonks, what are you--"
"Call Kingsley, Bill. Just Kingsley, no one else, " Tonks said, getting out her wand. "There's something you two have got to see."
It was the sixteenth of December and the first day of the Christmas Holidays. Snow was falling lightly on the cold, crisp morning as the students leaving for the holidays boarded the scarlet Hogwarts Express. Smoke was rising from the train's engine and drifted through the hustle and bustle of the crowd, the students dragging and heaving their trunks into empty compartments, and the large form of Hagrid, the gamekeeper, making sure everyone set to leave got onto the train all right.
Hermione also came down from the Gryffindor tower to see everyone off. It was mostly out of habit that she did this, after all she had been avoiding Ron, Harry, and Ginny ever since that incident last night. The moment Hermione got there she regretted it, but she knew she'd appear weak if she left.
She was bidding some of the younger students goodbye but the longer she stayed on the platform the more she wanted to leave. She wished she'd have at least asked Justin to accompany her for morale support, but he was probably too busy saying a proper goodbye to his new girlfriend, Padma. She went rigid when Harry caught her eye but looked away quickly. Ron and Ginny soon followed, walking straight past her without so much as a glance.
Hermione turned, about ready to leave, when she heard her name.
"Hermione?"
She spun around and came face to face with Ginny's handsome boyfriend.
"Oh, Dean. Hi," Hermione said, remembering that she Harry, Ron, and Ginny had put him in an awkward position last night. She was a bit embarrassed, after all Dean hadn't done anything wrong.
Dean went over to her and smiled apologetically. "Look, I'm sorry that I took that last ticket when I knew it was supposed to be for you. It's just that Ginny told me you decided not to go and if I had known she was lying I would have never–"
"No, Dean," Hermione said. "It's okay. Really. I'm the one who should apologize. I was being ridiculous. I'm sorry you had to see that scene that Ron and I created."
Dean suddenly grinned. "You know, it's about time somebody hit him, I'm just sorry it wasn't me."
Hermione laughed lightly. "Well, I must admit, it felt pretty good."
Dean frowned. "I still feel guilty about taking your place you know--"
"Forget about it, Dean," Hermione said waving his apology away. "I'd feel more guilty if you didn't enjoy yourself. It's fine. I'm perfectly content on my own."
"I suppose, but it was still wrong for them to do that."
Hermione paused for a moment and then looked at him. "Thanks Dean. I appreciate it, really."
He gave her a brief hug, withdrew, and joined the rest of the people on the train.
Yes, Hermione told herself silently. Perfectly content on my own.
A roaring fire was burning numerous shades of red, orange, and yellow. However, despite the blazing flames, it could not fill the emptiness nor could it warm the cold, adamantine stonewalls that bordered the near-deserted Slytherin common room. Only four occupants remained; seated around the vibrant fire.
Draco was sitting on the edge of the black leather couch, an open book in his hands but he was not reading it. Instead, his silver eyes were transfixed on the dancing flames, though he seemed to be looking into it, through it, beyond it. He stared in silence, his mind elsewhere.
Don frowned at him. He recognized that look which seemed to be on Draco's face often, way too often. He'd seen him like that during class, during meals, and for a brief moment during the Christmas Ball. Draco's mind always seemed to be elsewhere, far away.
Mason leaned back on the couch opposite Draco and Don. Blaise, seated beside him, was unrolling the latest issue of the Daily Prophet and scanned the front page.
"Ha! They can't seem to stop talking about it, can they?" Blaise said, bringing the newspaper down hard on the table beside him.
"I think they'll still keep talking about it for many weeks to come, mate" Mason said, tugging on his short ponytail. "I mean, after all, it's been the first Death Eater attack since last year."
"Oh, Naples was nothing compared to Dunquin!" He said, brushing it off. "If the Daily Prophet reporters keep getting their information from the Ministry they'll never get anywhere!" He added sneering with an evil gleam in his eye.
Don looked at Blaise. "I don't know what you're so happy about, Zabini. As much as you boast how wonderful it is to be part of the Death Eaters and how clever you claim they are, the Ministry Aurors already found their lead. When the Death Eaters get here it—"
"Won't be as soon as everyone thinks," Blaise cut him off, his smirk widening.
As soon as those words left Blaise's mouth, it stirred something inside of Draco. He didn't know exactly why, but there was something slightly eerie about the way Blaise said 'everyone'. He looked up from his novel and his silver eyes landed on Blaise. "What are you talking about?" He said in a low voice, painfully slow.
Blaise's smirk widened even further. "Just that," He said. "The Death Eaters are nowhere near Hogwarts. In fact, they are nowhere near Scotland either."
"What?" Mason and Don said simultaneously.
"Where are they headed?" Draco said, just as slowly as before.
Blaise tilted his head to one side, smiling evilly. "You know, Draco, it is a wonder you were not initiated into the Circle before I was. I mean, if you were you'd probably know—"
"Where are they headed, Blaise?" Draco repeated louder this time, dangerously.
Blaise hesitated before he answered. "I think I told you three already too much. It's more than you're supposed to know. Where they are headed is confidential information between the Death Eaters. I'm forbidden to tell anyone outside the Circle. And, as you all probably know," he said, lowering the tone of his voice. "The consequence of defying them is not the most pleasant thing in the world."
Confidential information, my ass, Draco thought. The bastard didn't know anything. He knew Lucius wouldn't have told the new recruits that kind of information just yet. If he disclosed that information, Draco would have known about it too. However, despite that fact, Draco decided to let it go. He was in no mood to argue, especially not with Blaise Zabini. He didn't think that this time he'd be able to hold himself back from hexing Blaise into the next millennium.
Mason had taken Blaise's copy of the Daily Prophet and began to read the article.
"Hmm…that's interesting," Mason started. "Given that the Ministry is still under that ignoramus, Fudge, I'm surprised that the Aurors haven't completely lost their touch. They found a survivor."
Draco, Don, and Blaise all sharply turned their heads to look at him.
"Really? You sure?" Don said, surprise evident in his voice. "Who is it? Did they say anything?"
"Heh, don't get so excited. It's hardly something to get worked up about," Mason said smirking. He looked back at the article. "It says here the survivor was this six-year old female, badly burnt and seemed to be under the Cruciatus Curse for quite sometime. Guess that explains why she is in a coma right now," His eyes scanned further down the article. "Her name is…. er…Rosemary Gwylim; they were able to get that out of her before she passed out. They transferred her this morning to St. Mungo's and although they're not entirely sure, it turns out she was a Muggle-born witch," Mason rolled up the newspaper. "Doesn't seem like much of a threat does it?"
Blaise scoffed. "A Mudblood is not a threat, they are an inconvenience! Why they even bother saving that pathetic six-year old girl is a wonder!"
"Well, even if this Gwylim girl is relatively conscious, it's not like she'd be able to tell anybody what happened over there," Mason leered. "I mean, all you got to do is call Malfoy's father and he'd deny every accusation thrown at them. After all, who are they going to believe, a filthy Mudblood or a pureblood with an enormous fortune?
"Fudge wouldn't have a choice with all the Galleons he's spending on restoring the destruction that the Dark Lord caused last year. He'd need the Malfoy's generous donations. Lucius Malfoy has done it once and he can do it again," Mason said, and as an afterthought he glanced at Lucius' son. "Am I right Draco?"
Draco just nodded his head, as if he wasn't sure what to say. He was a little annoyed that they had just spoken of him as if he wasn't in the same room as them.
"I can't believe the Headmaster still allows those kind of scum inside Hogwarts," Mason went on.
"I can't believe the 'oh-so-respected' Dumbledore got Order of Merlin, First class considering how Muggle and Mudblood-loving he is," Blaise said with disdain "And if that's not bad enough, he forces us purebloods to mingle with the lot to promote his sickening idea of 'house-unity'. It's a disgrace to the whole society of the Wizarding World," Blaise added, a disgusted look on his face.
"No argument there, Zabini," Mason agreed. "I mean, take Durmstrang for example. At least that school specializes in teaching the Dark Arts, not to mention it admits no Mudbloods whatsoever!"
"Yeah," Blaise laughed cruelly. "The whole lot of them can die out in Northern Europe, for all I care!"
Draco sighed inwardly. He could sense another Muggle and Mudblood bashing session that happened very often among the Slytherins. As predicted, Don just turned away choosing neither to join in nor to interfere. However, what came out as completely unexpected, since this whole exchange started, Draco hadn't said a single word.
It also seemed that way to Mason and Blaise because they started giving him questioning looks and making vulgar and vindictive comments about Muggles and Mudbloods and even giving him a chance to respond.
Draco opened his mouth to make a sharp and smart remark about the inferiority of Mudbloods, that usually evoked laughter from his fellow Slytherins, but nothing came out. To his puzzlement, he found it very difficult to come up with a good insult about these 'people' who he had once believed were lower than dirt.
When Draco didn't seem to know what he wanted to say, Mason turned to him slightly concerned. "You all right, mate? You're awfully quiet."
"I just---" Draco started.
"Yeah, he's been doing a lot of that nowadays," Blaise said, a disgustingly annoying smirk creeping onto the corners of his mouth.
Draco's eyes shifted towards the sneering Slytherin. "Doing a lot of what, exactly?" Draco said, his hands clenching into fists. Oh, how he was itching to rip that look off of Zabini's face.
"You know what I mean," Blaise's smirk widened. "Every time we start 'talking' about Mudbloods you act as if you don't give a damn. You go all bloody unbiased like Don or make up some shit excuse about needing to go to the library---again. A bit odd, isn't it Malfoy?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know what the hell you are getting at Blaise," Draco said, looking down at his book, reading the same sentence for the fifteenth time. "I'm really not in the mood to play this guessing game of yours."
"Then allow me to spell it out for you," Blaise said.
"Save your breath, Zabini," Draco picked up his book and stood up. "I'm not interested."
Draco began to walk away.
"She's a Mudblood," Blaise said, knowing that would hit a nerve. "Isn't she?"
Draco stopped in his tracks. He couldn't possibly know, could he? He slowly turned around. "What?"
"You heard me," Blaise said. If Draco thought Blaise's smirk couldn't grow any wider, he was dead wrong. "That girl we saw with you a few weeks ago. That's why you've been going to the library so often, why you keep denying that you are seeing someone…why you wouldn't tell us her name."
"That is of no concern to you," Draco said, his voice an octave lower.
"But you see, Malfoy, it does concern me," Blaise said with malevolent glee. "It is my job to tell your dear father if anything was out of the ordinary with his son. What would Lucius Malfoy think about his only son and heir cavorting around with a Mudblood?"
"You're bluffing," Draco told him dangerously. "You have no clue who she is."
"Perhaps not," Blaise said mockingly. "After all, you didn't really give me a name along with that view of her provocative retreating backside, when you pulled her away probably to go off snogging somewhere."
Draco was positively fuming, but that didn't stop Blaise.
"There's really no need to be so secretive, Malfoy. Man, just seeing that damn fine piece of ass, I'd do her in a millisecond. Just one night, Draco, come on. And you'll have her back after a couple of hours, completely intact," Blaise gave a wicked smile. "Well, unless you count her virginity."
"Only you could be so cruel, Zabini," Draco growled, gritting his teeth. It was getting increasingly difficult to keep his anger in check.
"Don't tell me you're in love with that dirty blood!" Blaise scoffed. "Imagine if it were Granger! Wouldn't that be the disgrace of the century! I can see it now: Oh, look, there goes the whole 'Great Malfoy Legacy'!"
Draco stiffened considerably, but strangely enough it wasn't upon hearing Blaise's last sentence.
"Speaking of Granger, she is such a prude," Blaise continued without hesitation. "Though, I'd have to admit it'd be amusing to see her perfect life fall apart right in front of her. Despite her annoying, goody-two-shoes, know-it-all attitude, she isn't bad for a Mudblood. I wouldn't mind doing her too. Filthy Mudblood and all—"
"WILL YOU STOP WITH THE WHOLE MUDBLOOD CRAP!" Draco yelled, no longer able to contain his anger. "I SWEAR TO GOD, ZABINI! IF YOU LAY ONE GODDAMN BLOODY FINGER ON HER, I'LL---" Draco stopped mid-sentence.
He was now widely aware of three shocked faces staring right at him. He had definitely said too much.
For quite a while, they all seemed to be hanging in an uncomfortable silence.
Then Don slowly stood up.
"Draco, mate? Are you feeling well?" Don said rather timidly.
"Malfoy? You all in there?" Mason asked, still quite taken aback.
Draco stayed silent. He was completely at a loss at what to say.
Blaise stunned face soon turned into one filled with wicked glee. He laughed maliciously. "Damn, Malfoy. You just gave yourself away."
Draco turned towards the common room exit, stormed out of the opening in the stonewall, and ran as far away as he could from the Slytherin dungeons.
Nymphadora Tonks burst through the door of the Headmaster's study, drawing three identical startled looks from Snape, Lupin, and Dumbledore.
"Professor!" she said slightly out of breath, as she strode forward knocking a chair down in the process. "Oh, sorry about that!"
Dumbledore looked rather amused, his blue eyes twinkling as he glanced at her. "Nymphadora, I believe you got Hestia's message," he said to her.
"Yes, sir, however," Tonks said, picking up the fallen chair and placing it beside Lupin. "There's something I need to tell you about the site--"
At that moment Bill and Kingsley appeared at the doorway, panting heavily, thoroughly exhausted from running to keep up with the female Auror.
"Ah, Bill, Kingsley. Do come in," Dumbledore said, conjuring up two more chairs with his wand to accommodate both of them. "And I think you ought to sit down too, Nymphadora."
After taking their seats it was Kingsley who spoke first. "Albus, Tonks discovered something," he said staring straight at Dumbledore. "The evidence was only satisfactory and I didn't believe it at first. But after searching the area, I'm afraid that I've come to the conclusion that…" he turned his gaze from Dumbledore, to Lupin, to Snape then back to Dumbledore again. "Well, I suppose there's no easier way to say this," he paused, "The information that we found at Dunquin…we were supposed to find it."
Lupin's eyes widened, Snape scowled, but Dumbledore's face showed no signs of surprise.
"The Death Eater tracks that we found leading to Scotland was a complete hoax!" Tonks cut in. "It was all a scam to throw us off! We were intended to trace those tracks!"
Lupin sat up straighter at this. "Intended?" He said incredulously as Tonks nodded her head vigorously. "You mean it was all planned?"
Snape looked at him, annoyed. "Do try and keep up, Lupin," He turned to Tonks "Keep shaking your head like that and it's going to come off."
Tonks rolled her eyes and made a 'hmph' sound but ceased her nodding.
"A hoax? How so?" Dumbledore asked them, a grim expression on his face.
Kingsley shot a look at both Tonks and Bill, then looked at the Headmaster. "Well, the Aurors I sent to investigate the area reported that the tracks appeared to be pointing due northeast. That is why I at first arrived at the conclusion that the Death Eaters were headed over here," Kingsley explained. "It appears I was wrong."
"I thought you said the evidence was infallible," Snape countered.
"It seemed that way until Tonks brought my attention to another part of town. A part that just so happened to appear undamaged and untouched, " Kingsley said. "I admit that I wouldn't have found anything if I didn't know what I was looking for. It proved difficult to trace their tracks, the Death Eaters were clever in hiding them, but they were definitely there. Meanwhile, I sent Bill to check out the other side of the site."
"Were those other tracks you found first valid, Bill," Dumbledore asked, turning towards him.
"It appeared that way at first, professor. I'm guessing the Death Eaters were careful to make sure their tracks didn't look too deliberate, " Bill told him. "I apparated further along the path and the tracks suddenly ended. They just stopped. The Aurors assigned to the area supposed that the Death Eaters just apparated out of Ireland," He continued shrugging. "When I investigated the area more closely for the second time and if the Death Eaters did indeed leave Ireland at that area, they must have used some unknown method of transportation. I could find no signs showing whether they apparated, whether they left using broomsticks, or whether they could have portkeyed themselves out of there. Absolutely nothing."
No one said anything. They all appeared to be speechless.
Dumbledore looked thoughtful, rubbing his finger under his chin. "Why would they lead us to believe they were heading towards Scotland, when in fact they are going somewhere else?" Dumbledore frowned deep in thought.
He then turned to look at Bill. "Have you told anyone else, aside from the three of you, the same information you just told me?"
"No, professor," Bill said.
"Nothing said here must leave this room. Understood?" Dumbledore said.
All five heads nodded.
"I knew that the Death Eaters were too little a number to come strolling into Hogwarts at the moment. It is most likely those tracks were used as a diversion to keep us preoccupied in protecting Hogwarts while they are recruiting followers," Snape said.
"But from where?" Lupin asked.
"I haven't the clue. Most of the followers of the Dark Lord during his reign are now either restricted to the Mentally Impaired ward or deceased," Snape replied.
"No, there was something I told Harry a few years ago…" Dumbledore said, more to himself. He then turned to the other five people in the room. "Nymphadora?"
"Yes, sir?" She said.
"Were you able to figure out the real direction of where the Death Eaters are headed?" Dumbledore asked her.
Tonks glanced at Kingsley nervously, who nodded at her to go on. She bit her lip before she answered. "The tracks pointed directly east. Somewhere past Wales and England, an island located on the North Sea."
There was a dead silence as everyone stared at Tonks wide-eyed.
Tonks drew in a deep breath. "Yes," she said. "Azkaban."
A/N: So what do you think? Yes, yes, I know it's not one of my best chapters but at least I revealed two things. First, it has come out in the open now that Voldemort's followers are still lingering in hopes of restoring the reign of the Dark Arts. Secondly, something strangely different is happening to Draco Malfoy. What made him snap? You'll just have wait and find out.
Once again, I apologize for being a rather unfaithful author to this story. Hopefully, I'll have more free time to write the fourteenth chapter in order to upload much earlier! Happy reading guys!
P.S. If you choose to review (which I hope you do), please include what you think of the sixth HP Book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and also about the release of the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I'm really interested to see what you guys think!
-Mjade